So far in this series we have discussed the basic of what a cult is and how it gathers its members. To help us review, here are some of the important points.
The Christian ‘religion’ is based on Jesus Christ. If we know what He taught, then any false and twisted doctrines arriving in our mailboxes, or knocking on our door, would not sway us from His Truth.
The aim of this series is not for you to become an expert in cults or other religions. Rather, we want you to have an understanding of Biblical truth in order for you to face the challenges to our Christian faith.Read more...(1766 words, 5 images, estimated 7:04 mins reading time)
So far in our posts on the Challenges to the Foundations of the Christian faith, we have covered the topics of Evolution and the Biblical perspective. Then we went onto the Challenge of Humanism and the New Age to the basic teachings of Jesus Christ.
Some people are hesitant to get into the Good News of the Gospel as they don’t feel they know enough about the Bible or their Christian view. However, there is a hungry world out there – hungry for the reallity of a spiritual existance and the real truth of the Creator.
Read more...(654 words, 3 images, estimated 2:37 mins reading time)
” Church is the body of believers. Church is never a building and never a place. It is always people and always on those who God has saved. It is not an event, time period. It is not my Church, your Church or our Church. The Church is the Body of Christ. He is the head. We do not go to that. We are that.
“Secondly, these (counterfeit) churches are the worst possible design to complete the great commission, to make DISCIPLES. It is not to attend lectures; it is not to have the most in attendance. It is not accomplished by lectures. It is not accomplished hanging out in a building.Read more...(193 words, 2 images, estimated 46 seconds reading time)
So far, we have set out some terms for mutual discussion when we set our our Christian Foundations. We have also stated a ‘Reader’s Comments’ for those who wish to contribute to the discussion on the ‘Counterfiet Religious System’. In this post, we introduce a familiar concept – one that influences all Jesus Followers.
A. Jesus is coming back for a Bride
It has always been part of God’s agenda to bring a Family to Himself. The Old Testament is full of this principle. We see His plan for a special people in Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and in setting Israel apart for Himself. Read more...(1176 words, 3 images, estimated 4:42 mins reading time)
As we have been looking at the different thoughts and concepts by others about church and leadership, here is a very interesting YouTube video on just what is Discipleship!
They ask the question: “What would it look like if, as leaders, we focused less on the things that make our churches entertaining and more on making disciples?” As shown by Kelly Tshibaka at Foursquare Connection 2011. This video was uploaded by foursquarecomm on June 2, 2011.
We found this a very thoughtful presentation of the real message of Jesus Christ to His church, to His bride and to all Jesus Followers,Read more...(108 words, 1 image, estimated 26 seconds reading time)
Anyone who meets the real Jesus was and is never the same.
Either they joined Him or they rejected Him – seldom was there any middle ground.
Just being in the room with Jesus would have left you different. He was and still is totally, radically challenging. Encountering the reality of Jesus meant allowing everything else to fade. The consequence was their willingness to abandon wealth, power, status, position and even to giving up their lives. You meet Jesus and change occurs!
The same thing happens today when you meet the living Jesus!Read more...(904 words, 3 images, estimated 3:37 mins reading time)
From Spiritual Slavery to Spiritual Sons by Jack Frost
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A Word from the Lord:
"I have followed the flight of an eagle with My eyes. I have seen the mighty fish in the sea and they all give Me great pleasure ..… but do you know the greatest of all My creation is the Adam and Eve I created?
"Time has not changed My joy in seeing mankind grow. However, My heart has been saddened when I know the pleasure I wish to give My people, give to you My child. My ways are meant to be light, My burden easy. Religions and rules make the heaviness I wish to lift from My people.
"I long to draw you closer, to teach you deeper things of My Spirit. I need you to let your Heart rest in My love, to rest in My peace. I know the paths ahead for you. I have planned and will provide many treasures you have yet to see. Look for My hand and let Me guide you.
"I do know of your beginnings, of the painful places you have walked in your life. I have provided healing and grace to get up and go on … but know this, My child - I have never left your side. I have always walked with you, even when you cannot see My hand in your life. It is in times like this that I wish to grow your faith and trust.
"I have treasured your growth in following Me … and I want you to continue to seek Me for who I am, not what others have said about Me - or what the groups around you think.
"Look for Me and you will see Me in many layers in your life. I know your future; I know the dark places ahead and the places filled with sunshine and light. You will find Me in both places as I am moulding you and teaching you to walk with Me.
"Trust Me as you see the world around you. I will never leave you or walk away from you as I love you with a deep everlasting love. Yes, even when you make mistakes or take your eyes off the track. I am here! Rest in My peace and continue to let me fill you with My ways, with My treasures."
From Your Lord Jesus, your loving Father God via the Holy Spirit.
If you would like your own personal Word from the Lord, come find me on
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We have dedicated this blog to build hope that everyone out there can really, really hear from God and that is our heart's desire! He gives us true focus, sets our priorities and build our faith in His love.
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To begin this section, let me tell you a story. 'Jenny' grew up in a semi-Christian home where she went to Sunday School every Sunday. It was probably more so that her parents had Sunday morning to themselves, away from their 4 children that they were sent to church. For whatever reason, little seeds grew in Jenny until she was a 20 year old and working in the church office.
She enjoyed her work and 'served well'. She even had a t-shirt made that said 'Steward of the Most High God'. She often marked her folders as 'Jenny, Steward of God'. This sounded like a good saying and to her, even sound doctrine … but it wasn't the whole truth. Something was missing.
She thought about leaving this group and looking for another church. Working in the church office made her feel like she belonged somewhere. She was the 'Helper to the Pastor' and that was how others saw her too.
They were her 'authority', her source of comfort and didn't they have the final say on what the Bible said? She wasn't really 'close' with any of them anyhow; none had tried to help her grow spiritually. She kept the rules of the church but quietly thought about 'church hopping someday'.
When she had a good day at work, she felt God smiled at her, even though her peers frequently excluded her in their church activities. She had her job with the church and they didn't. "Maybe they are just envious", she thought. "I need to protect what God has given me, especially since they don't understand me."
More and more she felt guarded and distrustful of others in the church and sometimes - if she let her thoughts go there - even felt the church pasters and leaders weren't doing the very best as stewards that they could have. "God was sole owner of everything and He had given me a job to do!" … and that was that as far as Jenny told herself.
So that was Jenny until the day her Mother died and she faced some hard truths. She was independent and could take care of herself but what about her family? One or two of the pastor's wives stopped by to offer their sad words but few others came.
The funeral wasn't very impressive as their money had been used for doctors. Jenny felt alone and lost, wanting to be loved by those she served but somehow, all this need and pride was mixed with isolation and being alone.
Sad and lonely, she went for a walk. "There's got to be more to God than this!" She began to question if she even knew the real Jesus and His love for her. At first, she didn't really feel like she could talk to HIM, the One who walked beside her. She didn't feel worthy; maybe she hadn't done enough? She was only His Steward …. but He saw her as so much more!
As Jenny walked and allowed His love to penetrate her independent, self-sufficient Heart. Her view of her walk as a Jesus follower began to change. Her view of being that 'Steward' began to melt into another sense of being His child first.
She began to feel gratitude for what the Lord was doing for her … and for her family. Never having known her biological father, she began to sense she really had a Father who just might cared for her. As the tears rolled down her face, she could she had turned her back on the real Source of her comfort, turned to the pastors who could never fill that need inside.
She could see that believing she was 'only His steward' had robbed her of knowing she was His child. Taking care of His things had replaced knowing she owned these things as His heir and beloved daughter.
She returned to the home she knew with greater peace than ever. She removed the labels 'Steward of God' of her folders and books. She replaced the labels with 'Growing child of God'. What a difference she felt!" (Names and places have been changed to protect 'Jenny's identity.)
As we begin this Stage 4 in our series From Slave to Bride, join us to find answers for your own life.
So far in this series we have discussed the basic of what a cult is and how it gathers its members. To help us review, here are some of the important points.
