This Thanksgiving, I Embrace My Christian Privilege

Posted by Anne Kisly

"A grateful heart is one that sees through the eyes of faith the blessings God has poured out on others, and then praises Him for it, rather than curses Him for not giving it to us instead. A thankful soul is one whose perspective is calibrated on eternal things, and therefore recognizes the unfathomable privilege God has gifted to all who follow Him.”

(Written By Peter Heck – Disrn) 


I do a lot of complaining; far more than I should.

I don't mean "complaining" in the sense of writing essays critical of certain ideologies, actions, or behavior. There's a rather large distinction to be made between critical, reasoned thought and discontented complaining. The former is something we all should do regularly in order to embrace what is good and shun what is evil. The latter is the manifestation of a dangerous, soul-eating self-centeredness that far too many of us indulge regularly.

• It's the prideful belief that we are always overworked and underpaid.
• It's the envious conclusion that we'd be on easy street if we'd have gotten the breaks that "those people" got.
• It's the dissatisfied conviction that we are entitled to the resources, capital, affection, or blessings of another.
• It's the arrogant certainty that my way always seems to be the right way.
• It's the dehumanizing condescension exhibited when we determine investing in another person is an unproductive use of our time.

I battle those demons of human nature just like everyone else, and as a Christian, I desperately want to defeat them. Unsurprisingly, in His divine providence, God has provided me the tool to do exactly that. It's the very spirit we celebrate today – gratitude and thankfulness. Gratitude is the antithesis of complaint; thankfulness the antidote to our seemingly perpetual cultural mindset of grievance.

A grateful heart is one that sees through the eyes of faith the blessings God has poured out on others, and then praises Him for it, rather than curses Him for not giving it to us instead. A thankful soul is one whose perspective is calibrated on eternal things, and therefore recognizes the unfathomable privilege God has gifted to all who follow Him.

That's why this Thanksgiving, I am refusing to deny my Christian privilege.

I know that word privilege has been hijacked and wielded as a weapon by campus multiculturalists who themselves make a handsome living off of grievance-mongering. But the truth is that this privilege I'm embracing is enjoyed regardless of skin color, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, material possessions, or country of origin.

The source of this incalculable privilege is that, "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Because of that substitutionary sacrifice alone, believers are privileged to join as heirs in a Kingdom that was not ours and that we have done absolutely nothing to earn. We have been gifted paradise the likes of which no mind can even conceive. Bestowed upon us are the riches of eternal glory, a home where there is no more suffering, no more pain, no more sorrow, no more tears. And none of it — absolutely none of it — came as a result of our own merit. That's privilege.

Why am I thankful this day? Because of the knowledge that one day I, like every other human being on this planet, will stand accused before the God of eternity. I will be asked to give an account to Him for the deeds that I have done in the life I have lived. As all my righteousness appears as filthy rags in light of the brilliance and glory that surrounds His throne, I will be privileged enough to lay prostrate before Him, plead no contest, and say, "Father I am unworthy to be in your presence." And at that precise moment, as Jesus steps forward I will rise to my feet, take His nail-scarred hand and say, "But I'm with Him. I come at His invitation."

That's my privilege. It's the privilege of every believer. It's the undiscriminating privilege available to anyone who wants to embrace it. And for those who do, you'll understand why I say I have so much to be thankful for this day, and every day.

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The TTUF STUDY on The REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST – Chapter EIGHT

~ by James Fire

Introduction: Scripture everywhere demonstrates the goodness and severity of the LORD (ROM 11:22). Because GOD is both holy and love, dual aspects of His nature (in perfect balance, not contrary but complimentary to each other), He expresses His goodness towards all, supremely in the Person of Christ and His atonement for our sins in order to procure our salvation. For those who reject Christ’s atonement in salvation, He will express His severity in judgment as the Judge of the whole Earth. Christ, Who bore the undiluted and full wrath of GOD for the collective sins of the entire human race will render wrath on all who turn from the Cross and refuse Him as LORD.

There are none, absolutely none of the entirety of mankind that need ever face GOD in this fierce and terrible judgment of GOD, for salvation has been provided for them to escape such, via the scapegoat Who is the LORD Jesus Christ.

However, there are those who adamantly, resolutely and even arrogantly reject Jesus Christ, the LAMB of GOD Who bore our sins. They refuse the truth of GOD’s Word: that we are born sinners, in need of salvation, without which we will be forever condemned to an eternity of hell. They insist on their own self-worth and innate goodness in face of the facts (none of them can live up to the Ten Commandments in thought, word and deed without flaw, in absolute perfection in every moment of life). 

Because they reject the Gospel, by default, they will face judgment, which we all would have had to face if not for the sacrifice of our LORD Jesus Christ and our faith in Him. This judgment as we have seen in our study ever since John was transported (translated or ‘raptured’) into heaven, has begun and rendered to “the earth-dwellers” – the Christ-rejectors. 

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AS ABOVE, SO BELOW – WHY IT MATTERS - by Greg Reid

By Greg Reid of Youthfire! ministries 

I did not really understand the spiritual nature of this crisis until I was confronted with the paraphrase, The Message, by Eugene Peterson. 

Note to readers from James Fire: Check out this article that exposes this terrible paraphrase for what it is!

Peterson’s “Bible” was very tinged with terms very prone to nature-type analogies that are more familiar to Wiccan and pagan circles than to Christianity.

Something inside was just screaming. It was the same “red  light” I have felt on so many occasions and with so many people over the years that indicated something was very wrong spiritually. But this time, I just couldn’t put my finger on it.

It wasn’t until I was put in contact with a man named Warren Smith, a former new ager, that the “red light” made sense. I had a long conversation with Warren, and it helped answer a lot of questions. Then we got down to my problem with The Message. “I just can’t read it”, I told him. “I just don’t feel right about it.” “I can show you why,” Warren replied. “What does the Lord’s prayer read?” he asked. “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, I answered. “Now read it in The Message.”

I found the passage, and as I read it, my blood ran cold.  

“As above, so below.” 

That phrase doesn’t mean anything to 99% of the populous, and 99.9% of believers. But to those who know and understand the world of the occult and the New Age, it means EVERYTHING. If you were to type that phrase – “As above, so below” into a search engine, and you will come up with 210,000 web site references – that overwhelming majority of which are from occult and/or new age sites. 

Note to readers from James Fire:
Going directly to the New Age website, GAIA, it's readily understandable that this phrase "as above, so below" is entirely foundational  with occult meaning.

The very first site, an occult definition site, says, “This phrase comes from the beginning of The Emerald Tablet (which, incidentally, is listed as the source of “The Secret” in the first pages of Rhonda Byrne’s book by the same name – G.R.) and embraces the entire system of traditional and modern magic which was inscribed upon the tablet in cryptic wording by Hermes Trismegistus. The significance of this phrase is that it is believed to hold the key to all mysteries. 

All systems of magic are claimed to function by this formula. “‘That which is above is the same as that which is below’…Macrocosmos is the same as microcosmos. The universe is the same as God, God is the same as man, man is the same as the cell, the cell is the same as the atom, the atom is the same as…and so on, ad infinitum.” (from The Mystica) It has its roots in Egyptian priesthood and magick, and means, among other things, that God and man are equal.

There is no question that this is purely and occult phrase rooted in some of the most ancient forms of “mystery religion” teaching there is, Kabbala, Egyptian magick, Crowlyeyan magick, etc. The phrase is so clear in its meaning, that anyone that uses it deliberately must either (1) Unwittingly use it under the influence of something from the demonic realm, or (2) Knows exactly what it means.

I do not know the author of The Message. What I do know, is that he either had to be unwittingly influenced by something other than the Holy Spirit to write something so absolutely phrase-specific to the world of ancient occultism and new age thought, or, God forbid, he does know what it means. 

I can only pray it is the former, but regardless, it is very terrifying to me that an occult phrase that is so absolutely highly charged with occult meaning and power and RECOGNITION to those in that world, would pass as SCRIPTURE and no one even gives it a glance. Do you understand my concern? If that were the ONLY problem I had with The Message – and it is not – that would be enough for me to never use it again.

Excerpt from Trojan Church by Gregory Reid  

Further notes to readers from James Fire: An article based on Greg's book can be found here on FROM The MIND of FIRE: TRIUMPHANT BUT TRAGIC TROJAN.

Eugene Peterson, a contemplative spirituality proponent.

Beware of Prayer - of the Contemplative Kind: Part I and Part II

MYSTICISM IN THE CHURCH: Contemplative Prayer And Her Evil Sisters Read more!

DRAW NIGH

This article is not written by me (why is it every time I say that, I keep hearing applause??!) but by guest writer, John Lord.

My name is John Lord. I've been a Christ-follower for 20-years; abiding in Jesus, my Lord and Savior. I died to myself October 10, 1998, and the Lord raised me anew, to serve Him; in whatever capacity exalts His name and gives Him glory. I currently live in Chesterton, Indiana with my new bride, Zoila (married Sept. 1, 2019) and her son, Anthony (age 16). We attend Emmanuel Baptist Church of South Haven (ebcsh.org). 
When not penning bible studies or sermons we're most often listening to sermons or doing bible studies. My wife and I have devotions every morning and pray every night; giving thanks to God for His provision and pleading for the salvation of our friends and family members. I aspire to be an author of some-sort someday, Lord willing, but in the meantime I work as a Benefits Analyst to support my family. 

JAMES 4:8-10
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

My goal today is to explain what it means to draw near to God. The study of the bible, and delving deeper into His word can be equated to drawing near to Him. (Sanctify them by your truth, your word is truth; JOHN 17:17). The more time you spend in the word the more aware you are of your sin, and how far short you fall of His standards, and the more you appreciate your helpless state and your need for a savior. Fear God, hate your sin. 

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GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter TWENTY FIVE

Contributing commentaries by Sonny Islas and James Fire

Studies by Ray Steadman: GENESIS 25: The Abundant Entrance GEN 25:1-8

Chuck Smith's Bible Commentary on: Genesis 25

GENESIS 25 – by James Fire - to watch the Facebook video of this teaching as recorded at ETERNAL LIVING WORD Church, go here.

INTRODUCTION: We are here at Ch. 25, the middle point to the book of GENESIS which consists of 50 chapters. We’ve covered a lot of ground, and the view of Holy and Inspired Scripture has shown us the creation of GOD’s handiwork, with the climax being man himself – then his fall into sin – and GOD’s promise of redemption through “the seed of the woman”, one of the many titles of the Messiah. We’ve seen the iniquity of the human race climaxing in the days of Noah, resulting in the Flood Judgment and a new beginning when the ark landed and GOD’s promise with the rainbow that the Earth will never again be destroyed by water (next time it’s by fire). We’ve witnessed the rise of the Tower of Babel, crowned with the pride of man, as he was then humbled by GOD, scattered over the face of the Earth by means of a multitude of tongues. Then the focus becomes all the narrower as Scripture reveals this one man: Abraham.

The life of Abraham hits it’s highest heights when by faith he believed GOD, and this faith was demonstrated by his willing sacrifice of Isaac, his beloved son. Recently we’ve seen him bury his wife, and through his servant Eleazer he finds a wife for his son Isaac.

Which brings us to our present chapter:

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GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter TWENTY FOUR

GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter TWENTY FOUR

Contributing commentaries by Sonny Islas and James Fire

Studies by Ray Steadman: GENESIS 24: Here Comes The Bride 

GENESIS 24 – by Sonny Islas - watch the Facebook video on this teaching at ETERNAL LIVING WORD Church, here!

INTRODUCTION: We are now in GENESIS 24 the story of Isaac and Rebeka and their providential marriage. This was truly “A Match Made Through Prayer” (and careful selection!). So, the Savior’s story line continues. Abraham’s promised son Isaac is all grown up now and is ready for marriage. God provides him a beautiful young lady named Rebeka – Isaac’s first cousin (not considered incest at this time; the law of GOD prohibiting siblings or close relations intermarrying didn’t come until the Law of Moses; DEUT 27:22). Eventually Rebeka gets pregnant and has twins: Esau and Jacob (whose name is changed to Israel; GEN 32:28; 35:10) the ancestor of Jesus Christ. Though we can learn some blessed principles in scripture – the big picture is always JESUS. The whole bible is really Jesus’ story. I hope everyone came prepared for a lengthy lesson!

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A LFTT Interview: Pt - 2: James Fire of TTUF being Interviewed by Cindy Hartline of LFTT Radio

This interview is conducted by Cindy Hartline of Love For The Truth Radio with myself, James Fire. We pick up where we left off previously in Part 1, and continue the discussion about the coming One World Religion and then wrap up on the vital subject of salvation.

Seg 3 The False Unity that paves the way for a Religious One World Mindset 

CH— It’s obvious that a Global religion will form to unify this One World Order mindset. Many will have to put their doctrines aside to establish a common religion. In your observation, what will this Religion look like? (New Age aka “New Spirituality” 

JF - Brian McLaren Emergent Church author and leader stated, “We don’t need a new Spirit, but a new spirituality”)

The Open Conspiracy: Blue Prints for a World Revolution by H.G. Wells, published 1928. A former Fabian Socialist, Wells writes:

"The...Open Conspiracy must weaken, efface, incorporate and supersede existing governments... The Open Conspiracy is the natural inheritor of socialist and communist enthusiasms; it may be in control of Moscow before it is in control of New York... The character of the Open Conspiracy will now be plainly displayed... It will be a world religion."

This is exactly what we see in the book of Revelation where the Beast, in this case, the political amalgam of a global super-state, being reined in and controlled by the Mother of Harlots, the false religious system that will lead the world in worship of the Beast. That is the end result, but how are we getting there? What sort of things need to happen and are happening to bring us to this global goal of spiritual unification?

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A LFTT Interview: Pt - 1: James Fire of TTUF being Interviewed by Cindy Hartline of LFTT Radio

This interview is conducted by Cindy Hartline of Love For The Truth Radio with myself, James Fire.

CH: We are going to discuss bible prophecy with our guest James Joseph Fire.  Prophetic signs, events and cultural changes that suggest the coming of a New World Order along with the eminent return of our Lord and why it is imperative that we be “ready” to meet him face to face!

Seg 1.  Introduction to our Current Culture in light of Biblical prophecy

CH — James lets first share with our audience the meaning of biblical prophecy… (as not a foretelling of future events).

JF - There is a common belief generally speaking that prophecy is the prediction of future events, and this is certainly true: “prophecy” here in the Greek the word is propheteia which means prediction as well as prophecy. The LORD reveals this through His prophet Isaiah:

ISAIAH 46:9-10
⁹ Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, ¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

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