Mormonism: No Longer a Cult According to Billy Graham

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has removed Mormonism from a list of cults on its website after discussions with Romney last week.

Regardless, the Bible still says, "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."

Franklin Graham: Dad Making Stand for Biblical Values

The Truth

This is the devotion that I gave this morning on The Truth from 1 John.

It Starts in the Heart

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

How does a worm get inside an apple? Perhaps you think the worm burrows in from the outside. No, scientists have discovered that the worm comes from inside. But how does he get in there? Simple! An insect lays an egg in the apple blossom. Sometime later, the worm hatches in the heart of the apple, then eats his way out. Sin, like the worm, begins in the heart and works out through a person's thoughts, words, and actions.

"I Didn't Hear You"

Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Every night this mother would kneel on the floor with her little 4 year old to pray. And then one night the little girl asked if she could pray. The mother consented and the little girl began to pray. The more she prayed the softer and softer her little voice became, until her mother could no longer hear her speaking. And then finally the little girl said, "Amen!" The mom said, "Honey, I didn't hear a word you said." The little girl answered, "Mama, I wasn't talking to you."

Where's Lucifer?

I thought of this blog posting that I wrote a few years ago when I asked my students the other day to name the three angels mentioned in the Bible and they could not find the name Lucifer. Is his name in your Bible?

Given to Change, Part 3

I don't want to start an argument over Bible translations. I have my convictions and they are quite strong. However, at the moment, I'm just trying to make a point. It seems like we change Bible translations about as often as we change our socks. Why? - So that we can keep up with our ever deteriorating English language? The sad truth today is that most people can't speak proper English anymore; let alone read it. So we come up with a new translation every couple of years to respond to that felt need. Again I say, "Where is the fruit?" Are people reading their Bibles more today than they were yesterday now that their Bibles are "easier to read"? No, they're not. Do the people know their Bibles better today than they did yesterday because of their "easier to read" versions? Again, the answer is an emphatic no they don't.

As a matter of fact, with the introduction of Power Point, people don't need to carry Bibles at all anymore. After all, someone is going to spoon-feed it to them anyway. There is nothing more discouraging than to stand up in front of a congregation of people who don't have Bibles in their hands. I'm not so sure we are doing them any favors by not expecting and waiting for them to turn in their Bibles to a portion of Scripture and read it along with us. In the end, that slick Power Point presentation isn't going to be there when the dark clouds roll in and life becomes too much to bear alone? They need to know their Bibles.

Of course, I realize that the proliferation of modern translations has in many respects made Power Point a better option because at least the preacher can get the entire congregation reading the same words. I don't know about you, but I find it discouraging to stand up in front of a congregation to read from a portion of Scripture knowing full well that "their Bible" doesn't say it that way. The newer translations are supposed to bring clarity, but all I see them creating is confusion and doubt. Sadly, in the end, congregational reading is really no longer possible unless it is with a Power Point and Scripture memory is a thing of the past because every time they hear the verse, it's a different version. I can tell you from experience that most of my Scripture memory was not deliberate, but just came as the result of hearing the same verses over and over again throughout childhood. Sadly, that simply does not happen anymore.

Highway to Heaven

In John 14:6 Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. The Rochesters sing it this way, "There is a Heaven to gain and a Hell to shun. The road is still straight and a race to be run. You can live as you please, but you will pay the cost, because the highway to Heaven still goes by the Cross."

An Anointing

1 John 2:20-21 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.  I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 

Just added another study from the Epistle of John in which it speaks of the anointing that every believer has.

Most Important Election in History?

"If Barack Obama is re-elected and appoints just one more Ruth Bader Ginsburg, forget it. America, as our founders envisioned her, is gone." - Matt Barber, Liberty Counsel

The most important election in history

Welfare State

2 Thessalonians 3:10 says, "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
 
America has created a self-perpetuating welfare state by permitting those who receive the benefits from said state to vote. That is exactly why most of our founding fathers felt that only those with "real property or sufficient wealth for taxation" should be allowed to vote.

Last Hour Deception

Just added this mornings staff devotion called Last Hour Deception from 1 John 2:18-19 to the Sermon Player.

Love is Greater

Goddess Worship

"In the U.S., abortion is the blood sacrifice we make on the altar to the goddess of unfettered sexual behavior." - Trevin Wax

American Christians

The Bible reminds us in Matthew 6:19-20 that we are not to lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.
 
However, American Christians have repeatedly made it abundantly clear that their allegiance is more to comfort and social security than to Almighty God. Benjamin Franklin once said, "One does not know the worth of water until the well is dry." I'm deeply afraid that that is exactly what's going to have to happen to wake up the church in America. The well is going to have to go dry.

Pray for Your Pastor

The two things that are most likely to end your pastor's ministry are family issues and leading a church through change. Pray more for your pastor!

Want Something Different?

The only way to have something different is to do something different.