Morality according to one liberal church and where this country is headed
By jmarch | April 2, 2009
The job of the church is to hand out condoms. This is what one denomination considers “moral” responsibility! You can check out the full story here.
Many liberals believe that the bible is a book of myths and fables. That Jesus didn’t lead a sinless life, nor are there an evil spirits and heavenly wars. I remember having a “discussion” with a seminary student who was about to be ordained into a liberal church. She was taught–in Seminary–that there are many “myths” in the bible. This is what we are faced with, a misled clergy who mislead their flock. And the”flock” is, for the most part, Biblically and Theologically illiterate.
Liberal Theology and Liberal leaders lead the sheep astray.
The Barna organization finished a new study on what separates liberals and conservatives. The results are evidence that there is a wide divide in the beliefs held by conservatives and liberals. One is more biblical and the other is a patchwork, constructed out of secular humanism which takes precedence over scripture. It is putting the mind of man, ahead of the mind of Christ. It is elevating “man-breathed” to the level of “God-breathed”. Satan’s sin was pride, he wanted to be God. That’s what’s happening today: men and women who ignore biblical truth believer that they are wiser and smarter than God.
Why is there this great divide?
Secular humanism is sinking it’s roots deep into our culture. This manifest itself in a very major way. Americans (those who call themselves “Christian” ) find it easy to overlook sin. for example, many Christians weren’t outraged by former President Clinton’s sexual escapades. In an election, they dismissed moral issues like abortion as minor considerations.
There are many well-meaning people who call themselves “Christian” and yet live like the rest of the world. These have been sold a bill of Good and need to hear the gospel–but a gospel that has strings.
There are those who said the sinners prayer. They are saved and they are happy they are not going to hell–but there is a requirement–commitment to what Christ commands. Some will say, this sounds like legalism.
Easy-believism is why people feel like they can do as they please, confess their sins–if they feel like it is sin–and go on their merry way. So, the blame should not be directed to those who have been misled. We have thousands of young people who have one foot in heaven and the other in hell. Easy-believism and a watered down gospel is the reason this country is in a mess.
Please understand, I am not casting stones, nor am I fit to judge any man or woman. My prayer for these is that they will see the light repentant.
So, what are WE going to do about it? I know I must do more of what I’ve been commanded to do. There are millions who die who have lived a lie. People need to hear the truth.
This Saturday, April 4th, I am going to Charleston South Carolina for a workshop led by Ray Comfort, it is called Transformed. click on the link to learn more and register, if you wish–it is free. If you’re close by maybe you can come to it.
Here are some comments about it:
It may be the most challenging four hours of your life. But if you will commit to attending Transformed and apply what you hear, we guarantee…you will never be lukewarm again.
“The Way of the Master is making a great impact due to its simplicity and straightforward approach”
- Charles F. Stanley
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Atlanta
Founding President, In Touch Ministries
“If I could only attend one conference this year, this is the one that I would not have the courage to miss! Not for spiritual wimps, this conference will at once leave you shaken, shocked, invigorated, and blessed!”
If you a part of the Silent Majority, it is time to “get motivated”, speak out and speak up. We cannot stand for the trash that is coming out of so called Christian Churches which leads the sheep astray. We must preach the gospel and live it.
Topics: Apologetics, Evangelism | 2 Comments »
Getting Flamed
By jmarch | March 30, 2009
What if this happened to you?
“When David and his men came to the city, they found it burned. 21 Their wives, sons, and daughters had been taken captive. 30:4 Then David and the men 22 who were with him wept loudly 23 until they could weep no more. 24 30:5 David’s two wives had been taken captive – Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail the Carmelite, Nabal’s widow. 30:6 David was very upset, for the men 25 were thinking of stoning him; 26 each man grieved bitterly 27 over his sons and daughters. But David drew strength from the Lord his God.”(1samuel 29:1-31:13, NET Bible, bible.org)
All has been going well. You achieve success after success. You are a winner. It seems that you are unstoppable. And then it happens. You get a phone call. Your boss tells you: “Business is bad, I have to let you go.” Your wife tells you: “I am leaving you, I just don’t love you anymore.” Your son is arrested for smoking weed. Your daughter informs you she is pregnant and the father is a known trouble-maker
You say to yourself, this must be a bad dream.
Fact is stuff like this happens to people every single day to people from all walks of life.
Here is the point. It is not about you, it is about others.
We pass people everyday and don’t give them or their lives a thought. The woman at the checkout in the grocery, the janitor in the school your kids attend, the administrator in your business, the single mom who works two jobs to sustain her family.
Next time you want to get angry about being kept waiting or you don’t like the way the guy in front of you drives, or you feel you’ve been treated poorly–remember–
You and I don’t know what goes on in the lives of the one who ever-so-slightly offends us.
Maybe their lives have been torched.
Here is something I find hard to do: Forgetting about yourself.
As you pass people, as you come in contact with people, pray for them–just a quick prayer like: “Lord Bless this person.”
When we’re going through the fire, the Lord promises us comfort–through our comforting of others.
My prayer for you is that the Lord Blesses you.
LordBless.
Topics: Prayer | No Comments »
Voting Your Conscience
By jmarch | November 3, 2008
We have an election which will take place shortly. I am opposed to any candidate who supports abortion. I Muslim who was pro-life could be running against a so called Christian who was pro-choice and the Muslim would get my vote. How could anyone support a candidate who endorses the killing of babies.
It is true, you must vote your conscience. Our human nature is still prone to self-deception and we can buy into lies. We can delude ourselves and say that there are more important issues than this one. To me, it is the issue which defines the character of the candidate.
Scripture must be our guide. Would God endorse the killing of an unborn infant? No, He finds this practice detestable–it is akin to giving childrento Molech the pagan Ammorite god:
*”Worship of Molech included people burning their own children to death in fire, often by placing them in the arms of a hollow metal idol of Molech that had been heated very hot with a fire burning inside. The Ammonites were not the only ones who participated in this evil, the Israelites too became perverted by it -
The Lord warned the Israelites to have nothing to do with Molech:
“You shall not give any of your children to devote them by fire to Molech, and so profane The Name of your God: I am The Lord” (Leviticus 18:21 RSV) (*The above is from The Church of God Bible Study
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Winning The Beauty Contest
By jmarch | September 23, 2008
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthian 5:17, NASB)
Do you like the make-over shows? We love to see these huge transformations from “ugly duckling to beauty” accomplished at warp speed . 
a book called Psycho-cybernetics written Maxwell Maltz over 30 years ago described what happened to people who had plastic surgery done to improve their appearance. The change on the outside did not manifest itself on the inside. Those with psychological problems before their surgery, had the same problems after.
So, change on the outside may help you win a beauty contest but not necessarily the battles of life.
We love winners. But, some winners in life are losers in eternity.
The way to win is to win “in Christ.” Behold, every day we become His new creation.
“You win because He won.” This doesn’t refer to what our worldly minds think of when we think of winning and losing.
Those outside of Christ, may look winners and be beautiful on the outside but inside they are “ugly ducklings” who are in desperate need of a Savior.
To the world this is foolishness. The Christians’ most important title is Fool for Christ–bearing witness to those around us who are trying to win the beauty contest, be somebody, get ahead and never feel like winners– because they are running on empty, trying to get satisfied with what the world has to offer and never succeeding.
When people SEE the Jesus in you–just watch, they’ll take note, might even ask you what makes you they way they are.
You may here: “I wish I were more like you.” You’ll say: ”you don’t want to be like me at all–I am who I am because Jesus lives in and through me…”
My hunch is that, that will lead to some very grand conversation, Praise God.
My prayer is that I will keep my job title uppermost in my mind throughout the day and I pray that for everyone who calls themselves “Christian”
Topics: Fools for Christ, Renewing the mind | No Comments »
God is Love
By jmarch | August 8, 2008
A powerful video from God Tube-Pass it on
Topics: God's Love | No Comments »
Prayer for Today
By jmarch | June 24, 2008
Father God, all praise and glory to you. Our prayer is for your will to be done in every life of every man, woman and child on this earth:
We pray today Lord, especially for children. For Children are special in your eyes–we cry out to you in behalf of children who are abused. for children who have no food or water. for children who have no family. Father, we pray for children who are sick; for those who are seriously ill with cancer and other disease which can end their lives. Have mercy Lord. Have mercy on each and every child. Protect each one from all harm. Where they are neglected and unloved, let them know that you love them. Send those who truly love children to care for them and to love them.
In Jesus name we pray.
Topics: Prayer, Uncategorized | No Comments »
How Important are We?
By jmarch | June 23, 2008
“He must become more important while I become less important.” (John 3:30, NET bible, Bibe.org)
Imagine that a good, wise, wealthy and great king has come into the room. Photographers from the press take pictures. Reporters rush to get his thoughts on the most important matters in the world. He will dine with pundits and presidents. We wish we could be there. We’d be so honored. we’d love to have access to get his take on things that we could apply to our own lives.
We have that opportunity everyday with the King, that is above every other king. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Yet, we waste this precious resource. Jesus told us that He would leave us Himself–His Holy Spirit–to guide us, comfort us, help us and lead us.
Are we rushing to Him to ask Him to be Our Leader? Or, have we claimed that position?
If we are to live the Christian life to the full, then we must become less and He must become more.
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
“Which Way is The Right WAY?”
By jmarch | May 28, 2008
“Good and upright is the Lord;Therefore, He instructs sinners in the way.” (Psalm 25: 8 NASB)
Years back, a dear friend and fellow minister related a strategy he gave to inmates he counseled. He’d tell them, “to stop sinning pretend God is a huge Cop with a heavy baton in one hand and a gun in the other.”
We all struggle with sin. That’s why we have and need a Savior. But Is Jesus, The Lord one who plays the Good Cop, Bad Cop game? When we fall, he’ll hit us with his baton; when we are “GOOD” he’ll reward us.
Being GOOD gets me what I want?
Are you familiar with the story of Job? He was a GOOD man! He had it all–but then, it was suddenly taken away from him!
The Bible tells us: “The LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.’” (Job Chapter 1 Verse 8, NET Bible, Bible.Org) Yet, The Lord allowed Satan to test Job. (see Job Chapter 1:1-2:13 click here)
So, let’s take a look at this verse more closely.
- What is our definition of GOOD?
- What is the opposite of upright?
- What is The power in the word “THEREFORE?”
- What is The Way?
What is our definition of GOOD?
God is good. Jesus quoting from the Old testament said: “”Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone…” (Mark 10:18, NASB) We live in a fallen world. How many times has the non-believer affirmed their own goodness: “I am a good person, I give to the poor, I am kind, I admire Jesus as a prophet–but I don’t need him because I am following my own path” God considers our own goodness as “filthy rags.” Why? because apart from Christ there is no good that I am capable of producing that warrants God’s eternal reward. None. If Mother Theresa operated apart from Christ, all the good she did would not be righteous enough.
Our “Goodness” can only come through Christ and in Christ. (Hard for unbelievers to accept and a concept that only the Holy Spirit of God can move men and women to understand) The goodness that matters to God is that which is IN CHRIST.
What is the opposite of upright?
We either accept God’s grace and live and through this Grace have the power to live more upright lives or we reject grace and become stooped over by our sin load. Is God the one beating us down?
God sent Jesus who paid with His Life to raise us up from death to life. (John 3:16) Without Jesus, you are among the walking dead–stooped over, without joy, struggling and often hating your very earthly life. You have no hope.
What is The power in the word “THEREFORE?”
When we see this word it should stop us–to pay attention to what’s coming. A conclusion follows that is both spiritual and logical: Because we are a mess, we need instruction. Some look to the wrong instructors.
God is prepared to teach us THE WAY–His Way, not our way
What is The Way?
Remember the TV Commercial for Burger King? Their jingle went “Have it YOUR way…” (you burger) Well, from what I can see, most of us what EVERYTHING OUR WAY! We don’t want to go out of our way. We want to do it “My Way” (Remember that song?)
Doing things OUR WAY–apart from God and not HIS WAY–is usually the wrong way. Our selfish, self-willed, self-centered way usually gets us on a one way street to hell.
The only WAY is God’s Way which includes all of HIS COMMANDS, instruction to us as to how we must live HIS WAY! This is hard for secular society to swallow who want to continue down the their rocky road.
I pray that this message blesses and that you will choose to Follow Jesus, the way, the truth and the life.
Topics: God's Attributes, God's Love, God's Way, Uncategorized | No Comments »
What I Want God to Forget
By jmarch | May 13, 2008
“Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; According to Your lovingkindness remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.” (NASB © biblegateway Psa 25:7)
Can you remember the good things you’ve done in your life? Holding a door open for an elderly person; giving money to a poor person; helping a friend through a tough time. Let me venture a guess and say that most of us don’t dwell very much on the good works we do.
Most of us remember with great clarity the sins we’ve committed. Some of these memories can be horrific. Some of them remain with us throughout our lives.
I can recall meeting the nicest young man: he was a member of a church. He played a instrument in the worship band every Sunday. As I spoke with this man I asked him why he had gotten himself in trouble and what caused him to come to prison. This young man, hung his head and told me he had murdered someone. His sentence was 30 years to life.
Questions:
- Will God forgive a murderer?
- Will the sinner ever forget his sin?
- Will the murderer ever forget his sin?
- Will the sinner ever forgive himself
- Will the sinner accept God’s forgiveness?
- Are there consequences for our sins?
Will God forgive a murderer?
You will recall that Jesus was unjustly sentenced to death. He said, Father forgiven them for they know not what they do.
I am convinced that sin can be categorized as mental disorder. (I am not saying that sin is a medical problem and blaming something else other than our on unwise choice to sin) What I am saying is the sinner is out of his or her right mind. a “right” mind, a righteous mind is the one which is aligned with the pure wisdom in the mind of Christ.
The young man I spoke of above committed a sin of passion. He was out of control and shot someone to death. David the King of Israel was a man after God’s own heart. He was wise and successful. But, he was a murderer.
The Bible says: In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. In the letter he wrote: “Station Uriah in the thick of the battle and then withdraw from him so he will be cut down and killed.”(2Samuel Chapter 11: 14-15, Net Bible)
Yes, God will forgive the repentant sinner, even a murderer–even you and I.
The Bible says: “Then David exclaimed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord!” Nathan replied to David, “Yes, and the Lord has forgiven your sin.” ( 2 Samuel, Chapter 12:13)
Will the sinner ever forget his sin?
No, I don’t think so. The sins we commit are in our memory bank. We have regrets. The young man who killed someone finds it hard to forget his crime of passion. He has a lifetime to relive the event and rethink his decision. He has time to reflect and only wish he’d made a different decision. King David had to live with his decision, constantly reminded by events in his life which God allowed because of his crime.
Will the sinner ever forgive himself?
No. We cannot forgive ourselves. Only God can forgive us. Those who are harmed by our sin will also find it difficult to forgive us. They may constantly throw up our sin to us. all of this makes it difficult for us to forgive ourselves. But, there is a solution. And that is to repent. Turn away from our sinful way toward God. Admit our transgressions toward Him and our neighbor and ask Him to forgive us of all of our sins.
God the Father sent the son to pay the price for our sins. The Christian is in line to receive the benefits of the Cross and the shed blood of Christ. To reject God’s forgiveness is to reject the work of the Cross. We have a wrong idea that we must forever walk about in “sackcloth and ashes.” It takes time for memories to heal. But, the Christian must accept wholeheartedly, this forgiveness. If he doesn’t, he cannot be of any use to God.
In Psalm 51:12 we read, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit”
Allow yourself to be restored! Because then the bible tells us that we’ll be able to teach transgressors Gods ways and as a result sinners will turn to back to God (Psalm 51:13, Net Bible). The young man i mention above who committed a murder was one of the pillars in the jail church and an active evangelist within the prison walls. You can cage a Christian but you cannot shut in Christ.
Guilt and regret keeps Christians on the sidelines. You cannot change the past. You can either move on stay stuck in the mud. You can either be useless or used of God.
–And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die.” (2 Samuel 12:13b) –
Are there consequences to sin?
Yes. But he also forgive us. Helps us to deal with the consequences and works all things together for good, even when we mess up. God can and will bring restoration to the soul who s is repentant and seeks His forgiveness.
”According to Your lovingkindness remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.”
Topics: Forgiveness, God's Love, Sin & Restoration, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Remind God, Remind Yourself
By jmarch | May 6, 2008
“Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and Your lovingkindnesses, For they have been from of old.” (Psalm 25:6 NASB)
Words defined
Compassion: “to love,” “pity,” “be merciful”
Lovingkindness: “The Divine Love condescending to His creatures, more especially to sinners, in unmerited kindness. (Bible.Org, Naves Dictionary)
Is God Forgetful?
Throughout scripture, there are so many cases of the ancient asking God to remember. Is God the God of forget?
“O Lord God, do not reject your chosen ones! Remember the faithful promises you made to your servant David!” (2Ch 6:42)
Reminding God of His Compassion
“Remember your compassionate and faithful deeds, O Lord, for you have always acted in this manner. “ (Psa 25:6)
Reminding Ourselves of His Faithfulness
When you are in the thick of trouble, ask God to remember His compassion and His amazing faithfulness.
“I will remember the works of the Lord. Yes, I will remember the amazing things you did long ago!” (Psa 77:11)
I think of all of the times God has saved my bacon. When I had just gotten my Pilot’s license, I went out for a long flight on a bright and sunny summer day. On my way back, the weather turn and we had showers and thunderstorms. I got lost. I was low on fuel. I’d done everything wrong, including not filing a flight plan. I was scared. I could not see in front of me and flew as low as I could in the hopes of finding a small airport. I prayed and prayed and was calmed by my prayers, believeing that God would come to my rescue. The God of compassion had me going in the right direction–I flew over an airstrip, turned around and landed safely.
I can tell you–I landed on fumes and a prayer. Something I will never forget.
What can separate us from The Love of God?
Nothing. ( Romans 8:35 ) Compassion and lovingkindness for His creation is in His nature.
What’s our role?
- To receive from God in Christ, who in His compassion and lovingkindness, sent Jesus to save us from ourselves and our sins; our trials, and our troubles and who rewards those who believe in Him with eternal life.
- To Obey His commands: “I remember your name during the night, O Lord, and I will keep 1 your law.” (Psa 119:55)
Remember we must be not only hearers or His Word, but also doers. ( James Chapter God demands obedience. ALthough those who believe are not under the law, but under grace it doesn’t mean we are not to obey all of God’s commands. Jesus said, “He didn’t come to abolish The Law but to fulfill it.: (
Then, fully obeying God, we are to turn GOD’s Compassion and Lovingkindness Around: By all these things, I have shown you that by working in this way we must help the weak, and remember the words of the Lord Jesus that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
(Act 20:35)
Hearing And Doing God’s Lovingkindness & Compassion
“1:19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! 21 Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. 1:20 For human 22 anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. 23 1:21 So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly 24 welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls. 1:22 But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves. 1:23 For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone 25 who gazes at his own face 26 in a mirror. 1:24 For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets 27 what sort of person he was. 1:25 But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, 28 and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out – he 29 will be blessed in what he does. 30 1:26 If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile. 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before 31 God the Father 32 is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” (The Letter of James, NET Bible, Bible.org)
Topics: Obedience, Psalm 25, Reminding God, Uncategorized | No Comments »
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