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Saturday, December 29, 2018
GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter Four
Contributing commentaries by Sonny Islas and James Fire
Notes on GENESIS 4 (and 5) by Lambert Dolphin - Adam's Account Part II:
Commentary on GENESIS by Ray Stedman -
Chapter Four – by pastor Sonny Islas
[Note: supplemental commentary and notations in italics are mine, James Fire].
At this point God drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden due their disobedience lest they stay there and eat of the Tree of Life and live in their sinful state forever. Eve chose to obey the word of Satan and Adam chose to obey the word of Eve, when they all should have obeyed the Word of God. In their fallen sinful condition, Eve gives birth to two sons, Cain and Abel.
GENESIS 4:1
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
Read more!
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
TTUF Recommendation for Warren Smith
Warren Smith is a name recognized by any Christian who has done research into the Emergent Church Movement, as well as the New Age Spirituality, among other false and imposing doctrines that are infiltrating the church.
From his own website: FROM The NEW AGE to AMAZING GRACE: www.warrenbsmith.com/
"Warren B. Smith (B.A. University of Pennsylvania; M.S.W. Tulane University)—A free lance writer and community social worker who was formerly involved in the New Age movement. He has served as a program coordinator for people with special needs, directed several homeless programs, and has worked as a Hospice social worker in New Orleans and on the California coast. He has written extensively on the subject of spiritual deception and has spoken on radio, television, and at seminars and conferences."
Warren now has a youtube channel and we are eager to watch and learn the latest that he brings to the body of Christ as a true watchman on the wall, discerning and warning of the apostasy and leaven that the enemy seeks ever to infest the body of Christ with.
Visit often both his website and his youtube channel - and if you haven't read any of his books yet, get some! You will be enriched in your knowledge necessary to spot and reject the falseness of doctrines and practices which are unbiblical.
We have used his materials in many of our own articles, particularly the ones on Rick Warren, TTUF Profile on RICK WARREN using his book Deceived On Purpose, as well as FALSE TEACHINGS, FALSE PEACE and FALSE CHRIST (Part 1 of 3) based largely on False Christ Coming, Does Anybody Care?
May the LORD bless, keep and use our brother Warren for His great glory and kingdom!
Read more!
Monday, December 10, 2018
TTUF Presents Lambert Dolphin's "Prayer 101"
I have been blessed throughout my Christian life by some excellent teachers; Chuck Smith, Dave Hunt, Chuck Missler and so many others I've sat under in various local churches in both New York and Arizona.
These elder saints have gleaned so much wisdom, knowledge, love and compassion from the LORD that is evidenced by their ministry and lives and poured these out selflessly to the glory of God.
Lambert Dolphin is yet another godly saint that has been used as a vessel of the LORD to enrich His body with solid, biblical and grounded teaching and I've been granted the privilege of interacting with him on Facebook! I asked him, after examining his website, if I might share some of his articles on TTUF and he graciously permitted me to do so with the utmost of liberality.
With so many subjects covered on his website I felt like a kid in a candy shop, but I was immediately drawn to this article you have before you.
I pray that this will greatly bless and encourage us to put into practice what we will learn here!
Without any further delay, let's find out what brother Lambert has to share with us!
Read more!
These elder saints have gleaned so much wisdom, knowledge, love and compassion from the LORD that is evidenced by their ministry and lives and poured these out selflessly to the glory of God.
Lambert Dolphin is yet another godly saint that has been used as a vessel of the LORD to enrich His body with solid, biblical and grounded teaching and I've been granted the privilege of interacting with him on Facebook! I asked him, after examining his website, if I might share some of his articles on TTUF and he graciously permitted me to do so with the utmost of liberality.
With so many subjects covered on his website I felt like a kid in a candy shop, but I was immediately drawn to this article you have before you.
I pray that this will greatly bless and encourage us to put into practice what we will learn here!
Without any further delay, let's find out what brother Lambert has to share with us!
Read more!
Saturday, December 8, 2018
The HEAVEN-SENT GIFT of GOD
Let’s
take a journey, all of us, to that realm of eternity, before time and space
themselves were created, in the hallowed halls of heaven, where the Godhead –
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (ROM
1:20; COL 2:9; 1 JOHN 5:8) entered the Father’s office and closed the door
for a confidential meeting that left the angels curious.
Long before God said, “Let there be light” this
meeting was held by these Three Who knew the end even before the beginning (ISA 46:10).
They discussed how it would go with Lucifer, how he would instigate a rebellion in which a third of the angels would follow him (ISA 14; EZEK 28; REV 12:4). How Adam would yield to his wife and partake of the forbidden fruit (GEN 3:6) and thereby plunge the entire human race into the dreadful curse of sin, death, destruction and damnation (1 COR 15:21-22).
They discussed how it would go with Lucifer, how he would instigate a rebellion in which a third of the angels would follow him (ISA 14; EZEK 28; REV 12:4). How Adam would yield to his wife and partake of the forbidden fruit (GEN 3:6) and thereby plunge the entire human race into the dreadful curse of sin, death, destruction and damnation (1 COR 15:21-22).
They would have to judge and condemn the human race
for their sin: The absolute holiness integral to God’s very nature could not possibly
demand anything less (EZEK 18:4,20).
Yet God also declared His unconditional love for these souls who had not then even been born (JOHN 3:16).
How could the judgment of God against wickedness be upheld without condemning man to an eternity of hell (REV 14:11)?
Yet God also declared His unconditional love for these souls who had not then even been born (JOHN 3:16).
How could the judgment of God against wickedness be upheld without condemning man to an eternity of hell (REV 14:11)?
How could He demonstrate His absolute love for them without compromising His holiness?
TTUF STUDY on The REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST – CHAPTER 3: The Seven Churches - Part Two
We will now continue to examine the seven churches. I have previously studied these churches on my blog FROM The MIND of FIRE, so we will simply re-post those articles here, continuing with the letters of fifth, sixth and seventh churches as they were written in Chapter Three (the titles of these messages are hyper-linked; click on those to read the entire articles). Bear in mind that each of these is a complete study in themselves, so it will take you quite a while to get through them. The last three of the seven churches are included in this TTUF study along with a summary conclusion article:
Read more!
Monday, December 3, 2018
GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter Three
Notes on GENESIS 3 by Lambert Dolphin - Adam's Account Part II:
Commentaryon GENESIS by Ray Stedman -
Chapter Three – by James Fire
Of what we have
examined thus far in this book of Moses, we have witnessed the creation of all
things, including that of man and his help mate according to God’s established
and ordained order; we’ve also looked at the stewardship that the LORD gave to
His first couple over the garden of Eden as well as the specifics regarding
Adam and Eve and how she was created. We’ve witnessed the prohibition of God
concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Here in chapter
3, we will look into the greatest tragedy, as well as the greatest hope of all
time – the fall of mankind into sin, and the promise of redemption made by God
Himself. We will come to understand exactly why this world is not “very good” any
more as God had declared when He completed creation – the effects of what
happened more than 6000 years ago are
still felt and seen today! When we grow discouraged and disillusioned at
the way this world is going, and feel bewildered by it all, we must remember
who it is that’s (still) in charge of this world system (but not for much
longer! 2 COR 4:4).
So, without any
further delay, let’s get into this chapter!
Sunday, November 25, 2018
The MILLENNIUM: REIGN of the MESSIAH - Part Twelve: Concluding the Old Testament Examination
By James Fire
After eleven articles we are nearing the end of the Old
Testament survey on the doctrine of the Millennium. We will examine the primary
passages left in the minor prophets (from Hosea to Malachi) and then venture
into the New Testament (this will start in Part 13) and see what we can learn
about this glorious time in that part of canon.
There are some who believe the promised kingdom of Israel,
with the LORD reigning from Jerusalem is over; that all these verses in the Old
Testament that declares this promise are null and void under the New Testament
because the Jews rejected their Messiah.
Nothing could be further from the truth – as we have seen,
and shall continue see!
Saturday, November 24, 2018
TTUF STUDY on The REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST – CHAPTER 2: The Seven Churches - Part One
Here we will begin to examine the seven churches. I have previously studied these churches on my blog FROM The MIND of FIRE, so we will simply repost those articles here, beginning with letters of the churches as they were written in Chapter Two (the titles of these messages are hyper-linked; click on those to read the entire articles). Bear in mind that each of these is a complete study in themselves, so it will take you quite a while to get through them. Four of the seven churches are included in this TTUF study:
Read more!
Friday, November 23, 2018
GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter Two
Mp3 audio teaching of GENESIS 2 by Lambert Dolphin
Commentary on GENESIS by Ray Stedman
Chapter Two –
Sonny Islas
Genesis chapter 2 is the creation account in more detail -
specifically in regard to plant life, animals, man, woman and life in the
garden. The account in Chapter One is chronological, for it lists each of the
six days and what God accomplished in each of them. Chapter Two isn’t chronological,
but gives attention to what the LORD intended for us to focus on.
Sunday, November 18, 2018
TTUF STUDY on The REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST – CHAPTER 1
So, we begin with the exposition of this marvelous
book of prophecy! When I was a new believer in Christ, eschatology – or the
prophetic study of “last things” – was an early favorite of mine. I consumed
everything I could get a hold of by way of books, tapes and VHS tapes. It’s
still a tremendous favorite of mine and quite to the contrary of the belief of
some, prophecy IS our business and it IS VERY practical!
Study of last days prophecy is in part, what is
required in spiritual vigilance; looking for the coming of the LORD with a
strong sense of expectancy, and this hope has a purifying, practical effect on
the saint:
1 JOHN 3:2-3
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
And we are commanded by our LORD to “watch and pray” in
regard to His Return (MARK 13:33; LUKE
21:36).
We must and will resort to Scripture and careful
observation of what the text actually says, and not what we may think it means.
A close eye on the original Greek for many of these
passages and words will be necessary as well as comparison with parallel texts
found in the Old Testament and New. Just as the Holy Spirit inspired John to
write this book, we likewise need the guidance of the Holy Spirit to understand
it.
I do believe however, that for most of this book,
especially from Chapter 6 and onward, the fullness of understanding will be
granted to those who will be living through this time, as they are the ones who
will need it the most. For us, the church of Jesus Christ, His body, His bride,
these latter chapters are in a sense, academic – holding to a ‘pre-tribulation’
view, we understand that the admonitions and warnings are not for us, but for
those who will face this dreadful time under the reign of anti-Christ.
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Introduction and Chapter One
Contributing commentaries by Sonny Islas and James Fire
Chapter One – by James Fire
INTRODUCTION:
Genesis means
“beginnings” and in the case of this first book of the Bible, it means the
beginning of creation, the beginning of mankind, and most importantly, the
beginning of the revelation of God and His truth.
Genesis is the
first of five books written by Moses, along with Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and
Deuteronomy, together known by the Jewish people as the Torah and the Torah
itself as the beginning of the TaNaKh
(or as we call it, the Old Testament) – T
= Torah (Teaching); N = Nev’im
(Prophets); K = Ketuvim (Writings).
The first ten
chapters of Genesis form the foundation of all the major doctrines of the
Bible: theology – the study of God*; anthropology
– the study of mankind; hamartiology – the study of sin; soteriology** – the study of salvation; angelology – the
study of angels (holy and fallen); ecclesiology – the study of the
church, represented in type by the first husband and wife, Adam and Eve symbolizing
Christ and His bride, the church; eschatology – the study of last times
or last things: these things are foreshadowed and foretold even in these ten
chapters of this first book of the Scriptures!
TTUF STUDY on The REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST – AN INTRODUCTION
~ By James Fire
This is an extremely exciting opportunity for me
because this is the first time ever, I will be embarking on a verse by verse,
expositional study on the Book of Revelation. I’ve taught chapters, and
portions of Scripture from this book over the years, but never in its entirety
– until now!
Of all the books of the Bible, this seems to be the
one most often neglected by the church. Many pastors claim that it’s too
mysterious, hard to understand, etc. Others think a study of this book will
‘scare Christians’.
I find it ironic however, that even the very word ‘revelation’ means “a disclosure” that is, to reveal something – not to make obscure or mysterious (and thus, “hard to understand”). Yet there is a reason why this book is hard for some to understand – and we’ll get into that briefly in just a moment.
As for being ‘scary’, this is the revelation of Jesus Christ, and while there are truly terrifying events that will take place during this seven-year period, for the child of God, this should hold no fear. While this testimony declares the coming of the wicked one, the anti-Christ and his rule under the power of Satan over all the world, ultimately this book is about the coming of our LORD and Savior – our Blessed Hope!
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
The WAR on The WORD
~ By Gregory Reid (with supplemental commentary by James Fire)
Originally published on Monday, September 24, 2018
(This article was written in response to an article published by the “Hello Christian” web site this morning. It is pretty rough, just fair warning. G.R.)
(This article is kept intact as Greg wrote it, but supplemented by comments made by myself, James Fire. Where you see the names Greg, John and James appear, followed by a colon (:), those remarks may be attributed to the specified speaker. Where you see no name, these are statements made by Greg Reid himself. J.F.). Now for the article:
It was of course inevitable that the Emergent Church would begin to have babies that were far more unbiblical than itself. Andy Stanley is one of those spiritual offspring of a departure from Biblical faith and adoption by experiential religious deception. He recently told a group of pastors at the Southern Baptist Convention that they needed to get the spotlight off the Bible. (August 2016 “Onward” conference.) Now his little spiritual children are following suit.
Read more!
Saturday, September 15, 2018
WALKING WITHOUT STUMBLING Part 5 of 5: – The WISDOM and WALK of The SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST
~ By James Fire
Read more!
In the ancient schools of Greek culture, teachers
would often instruct their classes on any particular subject by first explaining
what it is not, before explaining what it is.
In this five-part series, we have examined the lives
of Samson, Samuel, and the kings of Israel, Saul and Solomon. Much of what we have
examined in the lives of these men relates to what we should not do in our walks with the LORD to ensure we don’t stumble
and fall from our steadfastness in Christ (2
PET 3:17).
We may learn much by negative examples, learning from
the mistakes of others and establish parameters and guard against committing
such things ourselves. In addition to our spiritual education, we also learn by
the positive examples as outlined in Scripture: we can look at the lives of
Joseph and Daniel, Samuel and Elijah, as well as Peter and John, Paul and
Timothy. However, we will focus on the quintessential and supreme example that’s
set for us, the LORD Jesus Christ, the Savior!
HEBREWS
12:2
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Friday, September 14, 2018
The CHURCH HAS BEEN PSYCHED! - The Invasion of Humanism and Psychology
~ By James Fire
For two thousand years the church of the LORD Jesus Christ has had the blessed opportunity for a rich, fulfilling life that is not of ourselves but of Christ Himself. We partake of this life through the Holy Spirit that indwells us by means of the atonement of the Lamb of God, Jesus of Nazareth when He offered up Himself as the sacrifice for our sins, and then rose from the dead, conquering over sin, death and hell on our behalf.
For two thousand years the church of the LORD Jesus Christ has had the blessed opportunity for a rich, fulfilling life that is not of ourselves but of Christ Himself. We partake of this life through the Holy Spirit that indwells us by means of the atonement of the Lamb of God, Jesus of Nazareth when He offered up Himself as the sacrifice for our sins, and then rose from the dead, conquering over sin, death and hell on our behalf.
Additionally,
we also partake of this blessed life through the Word of God, the Holy
Scriptures that equips and directs us into a life of godliness:
2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect [complete], thoroughly furnished [equipped] unto all good works.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect [complete], thoroughly furnished [equipped] unto all good works.
2 PETER 1:2-4
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
By the
Spirit of God, and the Word of God we saints have everything we could possibly
need for a Christian life in this fallen world. The Omniscient (all-knowing)
and Omni-present (existing in all places and all times) God has reviewed the
world in all its history, from Day 1 to Day nth and considered every situation,
challenge, issue, problem and circumstance that we as human beings could
encounter and provided answers for us in the Scriptures according to the wisdom
of God.
Yet in the
past couple of centuries, and specifically in our day, an infiltration into the
church by vain philosophies of mankind, according to earthly wisdom (1 COR 2:4-7,13-14), has occurred. Two
of these that I want to address in this article are: Secular Humanism and Psychology.
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
LIKE A BABY In The WOMB - A short exhortation by pastor Sonny Islas
1 JOHN 2:6 says,
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
Those who are truly in Christ are like a baby in the mother’s womb. How so? you ask.
The baby (fetus), while in the mother’s belly is connected to her via the umbilical cord. While inside (like us “In Him.”), through the umbilical cord, the mother provides life’s essentials such as blood, oxygen and nutrients in order to sustain the growing and thriving child.
In a spiritual sense, when we connect to Christ through faith (the spiritual umbilical cord) we too get His blood: to redeem us and wash away all our sin. We get His oxygen: the Holy Spirit (the breath of eternal life) to seal us, sustain us and empower us to do all that we’ve been born again to do.
We also get His nutrients: His life changing Word which gives us practical wisdom, purpose, direction, strength and the knowledge of God Himself.
These are some of the graces we get when we are “in Him” [The phrase "in Christ" appears 12 times in the epistle by the apostle Paul to the Ephesians]. As long as we stay closely connected to Jesus through unshakable faith, passionate prayer, and total surrender or steady obedience to His Word with the much-needed help of His Spirit; it is then that we can and will live out His life in a more fruitful and effective way.
Keep this in mind: most spiritual growth happens when you are alone with God. In times when no one is looking like that of a baby in the secret place (the womb).
Lastly, in JOHN 15:5, Jesus said, I am the Vine, you are the branches, He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Here to serve,
Pastor Sonny Read more!
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
Those who are truly in Christ are like a baby in the mother’s womb. How so? you ask.
The baby (fetus), while in the mother’s belly is connected to her via the umbilical cord. While inside (like us “In Him.”), through the umbilical cord, the mother provides life’s essentials such as blood, oxygen and nutrients in order to sustain the growing and thriving child.
In a spiritual sense, when we connect to Christ through faith (the spiritual umbilical cord) we too get His blood: to redeem us and wash away all our sin. We get His oxygen: the Holy Spirit (the breath of eternal life) to seal us, sustain us and empower us to do all that we’ve been born again to do.
We also get His nutrients: His life changing Word which gives us practical wisdom, purpose, direction, strength and the knowledge of God Himself.
These are some of the graces we get when we are “in Him” [The phrase "in Christ" appears 12 times in the epistle by the apostle Paul to the Ephesians]. As long as we stay closely connected to Jesus through unshakable faith, passionate prayer, and total surrender or steady obedience to His Word with the much-needed help of His Spirit; it is then that we can and will live out His life in a more fruitful and effective way.
Keep this in mind: most spiritual growth happens when you are alone with God. In times when no one is looking like that of a baby in the secret place (the womb).
Lastly, in JOHN 15:5, Jesus said, I am the Vine, you are the branches, He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Here to serve,
Pastor Sonny Read more!
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Separated and Called
Bobservations Column:
by Pastor Bob Lawrenz
In our reading today, we learn of more gifts of the Holy Spirit, beyond what are listed in 1 Corinthians 12. Ephesians 4:11-12 says “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”
As with other gifts of the Spirit, the gifts each have their own role within the Body of Christ. And just as 1 Corinthians states, the Holy Spirit gives gifts to people severally as He sees fit, according to His purposes.
We see this in our study today within the Church of Antioch. the Church leadership is identified by names, and then we read that the Holy Spirit speaks to them and Paul and Barnabas are separated out to a specific work of God’s choosing. If Galatians 2 identifies James, Peter, and John as the “Pillars of the Church” at Jerusalem, then clearly those named are the leaders of Antioch. They were men of varied backgrounds, and social strata, but all were of one mind in Christ. They ministered to the Lord and fasted, and the Holy Spirit used them to launch Paul and Barnabas into a life of spreading the Gospel.
Each of Antioch’s Leaders were themselves aware of what happens when you go out and spread the Gospel; all were part of Antioch’s Spiritual awakening, and church growth. Willingly, they went out and started a church, and once established, God sent one of their own out with Saul (Paul) to take the Good News even further than they had, to the ends of the Earth.
Paul and Barnabas were filled with the Spirit, and surely the Spirit gave each of them multiple Spiritual Gifts, to accomplish their mission. And if we want to be used by God? 1 Corinthians 12:31 says, “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. “ This “more excellent way” Paul mentions is apparently another of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit: the Gift of Agape’. It is not a love that comes naturally, neither can it be feigned. It is God’s love for us that we are called to share with the world: from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth.
“ And now abideth faith, hope, and (agape’), these three; but the greatest of these is (agape’). "
~ 1Corinthians 13:13
Read more!
Thursday, August 2, 2018
GUARDING AGAINST APOSTASY
by Anne Kisly
2 Timothy 4:3
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;"
We are witnesses to the times we are living in, the end times. How do we know? The bible warned about these times, Matthew 24 details the signs of these times. Before we go on, I think we should review these signs.
The following clear and concise excerpts are taken from 50 Reasons, by Dr. David Reagan:
We are witnesses to the times we are living in, the end times. How do we know? The bible warned about these times, Matthew 24 details the signs of these times. Before we go on, I think we should review these signs.
The following clear and concise excerpts are taken from 50 Reasons, by Dr. David Reagan:
1) The Signs of Nature
“…and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.” (Luke 21:11)
2) The Signs of Society
“Realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…” (2 Timothy 3:1-4)
This passage sounds like a typical evening newscast today! Notice the three things it says people will love in the end times: self, money, and pleasure.
The love of self is Humanism — the belief that Man can accomplish anything on his own. The love of money is Materialism. When Humanism is your religion, your god will always be money. The love of pleasure is the third love that is mentioned. This is Hedonism, the lifestyle that is always produced by Humanism and Materialism.
But God cannot be mocked (Galatians 6:7). He therefore sees to it that when people chose Humanism, Materialism, and Hedonism, the payoff is always Nihilism — which is a fancy philosophical word for despair.
Need I emphasize that our world is wallowing in despair today? We live in a society plagued by abortion, homosexuality, domestic violence, child molestation, blasphemy, pornography, alcoholism, drug abuse and gambling.
Like the days of the Judges in the Old Testament, people are doing what is right in their own eyes, and the result is that people are calling evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).
Read more!
“…and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.” (Luke 21:11)
This category of signs has always been the least respected, even among believers. The mere mention of it usually evokes a sneer accompanied by the words, “Come on, what else is new? There have always been earthquakes and tornadoes and hurricanes.” But those who have this attitude forget that Jesus said the signs would be like “birth pangs” (Matthew 24:8). That means they will increase in frequency and intensity the closer we get to the Lord’s return. In other words, there will be more frequent natural disasters and more intense ones.
“Realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…” (2 Timothy 3:1-4)
This passage sounds like a typical evening newscast today! Notice the three things it says people will love in the end times: self, money, and pleasure.
The love of self is Humanism — the belief that Man can accomplish anything on his own. The love of money is Materialism. When Humanism is your religion, your god will always be money. The love of pleasure is the third love that is mentioned. This is Hedonism, the lifestyle that is always produced by Humanism and Materialism.
But God cannot be mocked (Galatians 6:7). He therefore sees to it that when people chose Humanism, Materialism, and Hedonism, the payoff is always Nihilism — which is a fancy philosophical word for despair.
Need I emphasize that our world is wallowing in despair today? We live in a society plagued by abortion, homosexuality, domestic violence, child molestation, blasphemy, pornography, alcoholism, drug abuse and gambling.
Like the days of the Judges in the Old Testament, people are doing what is right in their own eyes, and the result is that people are calling evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).
Monday, July 30, 2018
Challenges In Faith
Bobservations Column:
by Pastor Bob Lawrenz
New winds of doctrine constantly buffet the church. Doctrines come, and doctrines go, and sadly, in the process, many undiscerning believers can be turned away from the church. The proof of them all is the Scriptures themselves. True Christian Doctrine for Christ’s Church will withstand the test of time, and the test of Scriptures.
False doctrines that tickle the believers’ ears can be exposed readily, because they that choose to follow these must somehow alter God’s Word to support the doctrine, and give credence to other beliefs of the sect, or cult. Subtlety is the name of their game. Leave enough authentic passages that one might not notice additions, or subtractions. Yet this is why God tells us that He does not change (Malachi 3:6 / Psalm 89:34). He will be faithful to His unchanging Word, and He has even warned us of the consequences of the changing of His word by human hands (Revelation 22 : 18, 19).
This is what Peter faced in today’s passage in Acts 10, a new doctrine, addressing the Gentiles, not just the Jews. For a Jew to have his heart opened to the idea that God’s grace could also be upon the Gentiles, seemed preposterous, and Peter learned a hard lesson at the hand of God: salvation was for all, not just God’s Chosen People. And as proof, here we are on the receiving end of God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
Fringe Churches and Cults have often used the tactic of altering God’s Word so that their doctrines are supported. From “...the word was god,” in John 1, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have presented us with, “the word was a God...” The founder of the Seventh Day Adventist Church needed to support a spiritual fulfillment of prophecy, so more than 60 words were added to the Book of Daniel to support the doctrine of Soul Sleep. The Golden Plates from the Mormon Angel Moroni promptly disappeared after being received by Joseph Smith. There was no way to check the accuracy of his later teachings.
As Peter is confronted with Gentile salvation, God provides a miraculous display that tells him that God is the Provider of all, for all.
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” ~ Gal. 1:6-9
by Pastor Bob Lawrenz
New winds of doctrine constantly buffet the church. Doctrines come, and doctrines go, and sadly, in the process, many undiscerning believers can be turned away from the church. The proof of them all is the Scriptures themselves. True Christian Doctrine for Christ’s Church will withstand the test of time, and the test of Scriptures.
False doctrines that tickle the believers’ ears can be exposed readily, because they that choose to follow these must somehow alter God’s Word to support the doctrine, and give credence to other beliefs of the sect, or cult. Subtlety is the name of their game. Leave enough authentic passages that one might not notice additions, or subtractions. Yet this is why God tells us that He does not change (Malachi 3:6 / Psalm 89:34). He will be faithful to His unchanging Word, and He has even warned us of the consequences of the changing of His word by human hands (Revelation 22 : 18, 19).
This is what Peter faced in today’s passage in Acts 10, a new doctrine, addressing the Gentiles, not just the Jews. For a Jew to have his heart opened to the idea that God’s grace could also be upon the Gentiles, seemed preposterous, and Peter learned a hard lesson at the hand of God: salvation was for all, not just God’s Chosen People. And as proof, here we are on the receiving end of God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
Fringe Churches and Cults have often used the tactic of altering God’s Word so that their doctrines are supported. From “...the word was god,” in John 1, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have presented us with, “the word was a God...” The founder of the Seventh Day Adventist Church needed to support a spiritual fulfillment of prophecy, so more than 60 words were added to the Book of Daniel to support the doctrine of Soul Sleep. The Golden Plates from the Mormon Angel Moroni promptly disappeared after being received by Joseph Smith. There was no way to check the accuracy of his later teachings.
As Peter is confronted with Gentile salvation, God provides a miraculous display that tells him that God is the Provider of all, for all.
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” ~ Gal. 1:6-9
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Bobservations
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
The NEW AGE/NEW SPIRITUALITY PRIMER The LEAST YOU NEED TO KNOW
In the 1980’s there were several groundbreaking books that clearly defined the New Age movement and its dangers and why we needed to recognize it and fight it, including Constance Cumbey’s Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow, Johanna Michaelsen’s Beautiful Side of Evil and then Like Lambs to the Slaughter, and The Seduction of Christianity by Dave Hunt.
The seminal works of these writers and others cracked the code of this very real, very determined spiritual worldwide agenda to move the world toward a one-world, one-religion order which would eventually introduce “The Christ” (Antichrist), returned to bring world peace. There was a definite, if evolving vocabulary which was key to recognizing its intrusions: Global peace, Earth Day, the Christ Spirit, etc. We vigilant warriors from within were ready to fight this dangerous movement that was OUTSIDE the church.
Well, it got inside. And wiped clean in three decades were all the warnings, the teachings, the basic understanding that made it recognizable.
But as the intrusions of New Age/New Spirituality get bolder and face less resistance from Christian pastors and leaders, the need has become greater for at least SOME working knowledge of the New Age and its agenda.
Because like it or not, their writings have made that clear that the church will either comply or will eventually be eliminated. It is a spiritual agenda pushed by Satan since the moment Adam sinned, to set himself up as God and ruler over mankind.
This is being forwarded by those who are often sincere and sincerely convinced that world unity is a necessity and that opposers must change or be removed, eventually fulfilling once again that they will kill you thinking they are doing God a service (JOHN 16:2).
I offer this very basic primer in hopes of helping to arm and prepare believers once again – to spiritually fight this ugly intrusion into the church and begin to push the battle line forward in this fight for the heart of truth in the church. Read it, pass it on, copy and share it if you can.
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Monday, July 2, 2018
WARRIOR's CREED
The following article was written by Greg Reid, of Youthfire! ministries and appears here by permission, unedited and unabridged from its original published date of February 13, 2014.
1. JESUS IS NOT “PART” OF MY LIFE!
Jesus IS my life. I will not give Him 10% of my money, time or obedience. By His grace, I will lay my life down at His feet and give Him 100%. I am not my own.
2. I WILL WATCH MY WORDS.
Proverbs says that life and death is in the power of the tongue. More people have been destroyed by lying, criticism, judgmentalism and gossip than by any war. Before I speak, I will weigh my words, and the consequences. I will pray, “Set a watch at my lips, O Lord.”
3. I WILL VALUE SILENCE.
The more a person talks, the more it shows how empty their heart is and how shallow their relationship with God. I learn far more from listening than from talking. I will listen to others – there are far too few listeners. And with my Father, I will listen as much as I pray. He wants to talk. I cannot expect guidance or comfort, challenge or growth if I simply hand God my wish list and walk away. The world is too full of noise. I will remember that when God spoke to Elijah, first there was a whirlwind, then a fire, then an earthquake, but “The Lord was not in them.” Then came a still, small voice. I cannot be greatly used unless I take time to listen.
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1. JESUS IS NOT “PART” OF MY LIFE!
Jesus IS my life. I will not give Him 10% of my money, time or obedience. By His grace, I will lay my life down at His feet and give Him 100%. I am not my own.
2. I WILL WATCH MY WORDS.
Proverbs says that life and death is in the power of the tongue. More people have been destroyed by lying, criticism, judgmentalism and gossip than by any war. Before I speak, I will weigh my words, and the consequences. I will pray, “Set a watch at my lips, O Lord.”
3. I WILL VALUE SILENCE.
The more a person talks, the more it shows how empty their heart is and how shallow their relationship with God. I learn far more from listening than from talking. I will listen to others – there are far too few listeners. And with my Father, I will listen as much as I pray. He wants to talk. I cannot expect guidance or comfort, challenge or growth if I simply hand God my wish list and walk away. The world is too full of noise. I will remember that when God spoke to Elijah, first there was a whirlwind, then a fire, then an earthquake, but “The Lord was not in them.” Then came a still, small voice. I cannot be greatly used unless I take time to listen.
Read more!
Sunday, July 1, 2018
The GOSPEL of MATTHEW: Ch. 28:1-20 –The MESSIAH and HIS KINGDOM MESSAGE
There are many people who insist that there is no difference
among all the religions of the world; that they are all basically the same (and
there is some merit to this, see the “TWO RELIGIONS” video at the conclusion of
this final study of MATTHEW). Aside from addressing the obvious differences of
monotheism, polytheism and pantheism, there are diametrically opposed
differences between Islam and Hinduism, and the even more drastic differences
between those two, Talmudic Judaism and biblical
Christianity.
The one factor that separates Christianity from ALL world
religions is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Suppose for a moment that Jesus was just a man and made the claim (as He did) that He would rise from the dead on the third day; a bold claim to be sure – but once He was laid in the tomb, and three days later if He didn’t rise from the dead, and then three days turned to a week, then two weeks – and He still didn’t rise again, that claim would be proven false. Everything that He said, everything He did, would then become invalid. Without the hope of the resurrection, what hope would we then have?
Suppose for a moment that Jesus was just a man and made the claim (as He did) that He would rise from the dead on the third day; a bold claim to be sure – but once He was laid in the tomb, and three days later if He didn’t rise from the dead, and then three days turned to a week, then two weeks – and He still didn’t rise again, that claim would be proven false. Everything that He said, everything He did, would then become invalid. Without the hope of the resurrection, what hope would we then have?
Saturday, June 30, 2018
PERSECUTOR TO PERSECUTED
Bobservations:
by Pastor Bob Lawrenz
A few weeks ago, we were talking about how zealous minds will zealously meet with those with whom they disagree. Such was the zeal of Saul, the young man consenting to the stoning of Stephen. Because Saul was a true believer in the Laws of Jehovah, he was tenacious in his persecution of Jesus’ Church. Religious zealotry has always been the bane of every faith system.
There are religions and whole cultures in the world that have taken up Saul’s mission to put an end to Jesus’ teachings once and for all. There are two and three difficulties with their plans, however. The first and most obvious is what Jesus said in Matthew 16: “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” [That’s the Son]
The second problem that anti-Christian doctrines have is from God Himself as He makes a promise to Abraham, a man who was following God’s directions by faith: “I will bless those that bless you, and curse those that curse you” (from Genesis 12). God was speaking to Abraham, a man of faith, and to his descendants, who would follow that faith. [That’s the Father]
The third difficulty is of a more spiritual nature. How does one kill off an ideology? How can one limit or kill the Spirit of God? No one can kill God, for He is eternal. [That’s the Spirit]
All these serve to reinforce the issue of God’s protection over the Believer’s life, and the Believers’ mission to take the Gospel everywhere. And in today’s teaching, Saul’s zealous hatred for God’s only begotten Son is confronted directly by Jesus Himself, even as Saul continues his path of destruction.
~~~ Remember that we are protected; God’s enemies are not. ~~~
“But they rebelled, and vexed His Holy Spirit: therefore He was
turned to be their enemy, and He fought against them,” ~ Isaiah 63:10
The warnings of Gamaliel are fulfilled. ~ Acts 5:38,39
Read more!
Friday, June 29, 2018
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON – A STORY OF PRIDE
INTRODUCTION: We here at The TRUTH Under FIRE are blessed to
announce that we have assembled a new team of guest writers who will periodically
share biblical insights, lessons and informative, encouraging articles by the
grace of God: We have Greg Reid, and pastors Bob Lawrenz, and Sonny Islas with prospects of some more potential members that, LORD willing may
join our TTUF Team as researchers, administrative assistants and writers (you
can view the biographies of all our TTUF team members here;
Here is a brief biography of Sonny:
Sunday, June 24, 2018
JEREMIAH THOMAS' LETTER TO HIS GENERATION
I first read about Jeremiah when my co-author, Anne Kisley of TTUF posted about him on Facebook.
We began praying for him at our Saturday night prayer meetings, and at church. We plead and wept and interceded for him and his family. People on Facebook formed a prayer chain on the page created by his Mom.
He is the son of pastor Rusty Thomas with whom he stood for life, stood against abortion and prayed at abortion clinics, sharing the Gospel with everyone. Even from a wheel chair while he was slowly dying of cancer!
We began praying for him at our Saturday night prayer meetings, and at church. We plead and wept and interceded for him and his family. People on Facebook formed a prayer chain on the page created by his Mom.
He is the son of pastor Rusty Thomas with whom he stood for life, stood against abortion and prayed at abortion clinics, sharing the Gospel with everyone. Even from a wheel chair while he was slowly dying of cancer!
Amazing! And his fervent desire is to see abortion ended in the State of Texas: still, even when most people would focus on their own need and deadly dilemma of cancer, Jeremiah is undeterred, prayerful, and reaching out to governors in both Arkansas and Texas.
Thursday, June 14, 2018
LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS - PARTS 14 & 15
Living in the Last Days!
May we keep a continual posture of dependence upon God and maintain a humble and contrite spirit throughout our pilgrim journey on this earth. May the Lord God cause His face to shine upon us and enable us to persevere until the end.
CHAPTER 14
HEALTHY CHURCHLIFE - THE PRACTICAL OUTWORKING
Healthy church-life is not something that develops spontaneously. It does not mean that whenever a group of Christians come together as a congregation, even though they may be sincere, that healthy church-life will develop. What are some characteristics and features that contribute to and constitute healthy church-life? Let us now ponder over some features which make up healthy church-life in practical outworking.
It is fundamentally the people of God who contribute to healthy church-life. The children of God, in one sense, can make or break healthy church-life. It is not something static but rather, it is dynamic, either growing in quality with the passing of time or degenerating, as the case may be. It would very much depend on the response and cooperation of the believers involved in that context. Knowing this, we must ensure that we fulfil our roles and responsibilities in church-life, and we must guard against just being mere "spectators" looking in, as it were, at church-life and giving critical comments rather than being part and parcel of church-life itself and seeking to contribute positively in any way that is fitting in the eyes of God.
BOBSERVATIONS: ZEAL for the LAW is met with GOD'S ZEAL FOR MERCY AND GRACE
I would like to take a moment to introduce you to one of our new contributors and guest writers for TTUF.
Bob Lawrenz and his lovely wife, Norine, have been personal friends of my mine and my husbands for many years. He is Senior Pastor of Whitestone Christian Fellowship in Victor, New York, and the writer of the Bobservations column that is being presented here to you today. What are Bobservations? They are concise observations of scripture written in devotional style from Pastor Bob to his flock. Thus you have Bobservations.
Along with being given permission to share these Bobservations with you, we have also made his audio teachings available (still being uploaded to our website) here: Bible Study Teachings - Pastor Bob Lawrenz.
You can read more of his bio here: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
We are so blessed to have him as a contributor to TTUF, and look forward to the biblical insight and wisdom he imparts to us through our Lord, Jesus Christ.
With that I present to you:
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS - Part 13
Living In The Last Days - Part 13
CENTRALITY OF THE CHURCH AND HEALTHY CHURCH LIFE
*This series is used with permission by the writer, Quek Koh Choon
Before we get into part 13 of this series, a few words . . .
I believe that a healthy church not only believes in the soon return of Jesus Christ (the rapture), but is waiting and preparing herself for His return.
CENTRALITY OF THE CHURCH AND HEALTHY CHURCH LIFE
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CENTRALITY OF THE CHURCH AND HEALTHY CHURCH LIFE
*This series is used with permission by the writer, Quek Koh Choon
Before we get into part 13 of this series, a few words . . .
I believe that a healthy church not only believes in the soon return of Jesus Christ (the rapture), but is waiting and preparing herself for His return.
I know that there are many believers who are all over the place in what they believe about the rapture of the church, but we here at TTUF believe in a pre-trib rapture as the scripture teaches.
Living in the last days, Titus 2:12–13 says that the grace of God teaches us “to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Living in the last days, Titus 2:12–13 says that the grace of God teaches us “to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
This passage identifies that “blessed hope” as the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ, our great God and Savior! No question about it!!
The true church has the joyful assurance that God will extend His blessings to us and that Jesus Christ will soon return. We are waiting for this glorious event to happen imminently. Why do we believe this? Because Jesus said He would return (John 14:3), the angels said He would return (Acts 1:11), and the epistles say He will return. The rapture will be announced by the voice of the archangel and the Trump of God. The bodies of those who have died will rise first, then we which are alive will be 'caught up' together in the clouds. Our bodies will be changed, we will see Him as He is, and we will be together with Him forever.(1 Thessalonians 4:13–18). 1 Corinthians15:52 says that this will happen "in the twinkling of an eye". The true church will be waiting, and watching, and hoping, and preparing as the bride makes ready herself for the bridegroom.
The apostate church are not so. They are like those in 2 Peter 3:4 saying,
"Where is the promise of His coming? For all things continue as they were." They are not watching or waiting or preparing themselves for the appearing of or Lord, Jesus Christ. Why? Because they deny Christ, and inevitably will deny the Second Coming because it is associated with judgment.
As you go through this part of the series, keep these things in mind. Are you saved? Have you surrendered to God? Are you sharing the gospel with the Lost? Are you prepared to suffer for His name's sake? Are you watching and waiting for His return? Are you prepared to meet the Lord in the air?
We continue to focus on what we can do to ensure that we stand in the last days. In 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10, we see clearly that God has called a people to be His, not just individuals, although individuals are important to Him. It is God's desire and plan that a group of individuals should be called out to be His people, His nation and His priests. It is therefore imperative that the believers, filled with the Spirit of God, should grow and develop towards maturity in the context of God's calling. The child of God should not stand alone and seek to grow alone. It has to be within the context of the church and healthy church-life. The believer must recognize that he is a member of the family of God and he should take his proper place in the local congregation. Notice the term "healthy church-life". It is not just a group of Christians coming together, but rather God's people congregating together after the pattern that God has prescribed in the Scriptures, manifesting the life of God in practical church-life. We see therefore that one aspect of ensuring that we stand in the last days is to grow and develop in the context of the church of God and in the context of healthy church-life. Why is it so, we may ask?
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