I have posted this video before; as immorality, apostasy and deception seem to be swallowing up this nation, I find great comfort in Christ, His word, and His awesome creative power. Please watch, and be amazed...
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
The Madness of the Season
I work part time at a Wal-mart store in my area. This works out well for me as I take classes during the week. Sales are consistently down {when compared to last year's sales} at this particular store, due to the depressed area in which I live {rural mid-Illinois}, as well as the economic downturn.
As everyone knows, today was black Friday. I have never participated in this madness in my life, so this morning was a whole new eye-opening experience for me. I saw, firsthand, what Christmas really is about in America, a 'Christian' nation {I use that term very loosely}. At 11 p.m. Thursday evening, people were already in the store waiting for the big event. By 3 a.m. the crowd had tripled. I wondered, to myself, what drives people to spend nearly an entire night in a supercenter! By 4 a.m., the store was packed, with people hovering over the particular item{s} they'd set their sights on. Let me remind everyone, the unemployment rate in my area is over 10%.
We were instructed to cut the plastic off the pallets around 4:45, telling the people not to put anything in their carts until 5 a.m. This was done for our safety, which I am very grateful. At 5 a.m., I yelled to the people in my area to 'go'! Then, I stood back and observed the insanity of it all. There was one particular item, bath towels and washcloths, that were 'sale priced' at $2.oo; folks went crazy! What they didn't know was that at the end of the aisle where the regularly priced towels and washcloths were, there were towels and washcloths with an 'everyday' price of just 1.75! No one even bothered to venture down the aisle, they stayed on the 'racetrack' of merchandise mapped out with balloons identifying the price.
By 6 a.m., the mob had moved to any available check out, so my observing was basically done. As I re-hash all this, I get back to my thoughts of what Christmas means in America...Christmas means pushing and shoving others, fulfilling our greedy, selfish desires, and those of our loved ones by standing in line so we can buy what our/their carnal hearts desire; Christmas means we drag trees in our homes, throw lights up on our house, set cookies and milk out for some imaginary fat guy who dresses up in a red suit, and lie to our kids about where the presents come from; Christmas means we spend money we may not have on presents we don't really need as we lavish ourselves and others with gifts. What about God's Son? Didn't He come here, as a newborn babe, with one purpose, one goal....to die?
As we approach another pagan holiday season, let us reflect on the beauty of our Lord's first coming, His giving of self so that we may live eternally with Him. Christ is our gift, He is our reward...what can we possibly buy that could top that?
As everyone knows, today was black Friday. I have never participated in this madness in my life, so this morning was a whole new eye-opening experience for me. I saw, firsthand, what Christmas really is about in America, a 'Christian' nation {I use that term very loosely}. At 11 p.m. Thursday evening, people were already in the store waiting for the big event. By 3 a.m. the crowd had tripled. I wondered, to myself, what drives people to spend nearly an entire night in a supercenter! By 4 a.m., the store was packed, with people hovering over the particular item{s} they'd set their sights on. Let me remind everyone, the unemployment rate in my area is over 10%.
We were instructed to cut the plastic off the pallets around 4:45, telling the people not to put anything in their carts until 5 a.m. This was done for our safety, which I am very grateful. At 5 a.m., I yelled to the people in my area to 'go'! Then, I stood back and observed the insanity of it all. There was one particular item, bath towels and washcloths, that were 'sale priced' at $2.oo; folks went crazy! What they didn't know was that at the end of the aisle where the regularly priced towels and washcloths were, there were towels and washcloths with an 'everyday' price of just 1.75! No one even bothered to venture down the aisle, they stayed on the 'racetrack' of merchandise mapped out with balloons identifying the price.
By 6 a.m., the mob had moved to any available check out, so my observing was basically done. As I re-hash all this, I get back to my thoughts of what Christmas means in America...Christmas means pushing and shoving others, fulfilling our greedy, selfish desires, and those of our loved ones by standing in line so we can buy what our/their carnal hearts desire; Christmas means we drag trees in our homes, throw lights up on our house, set cookies and milk out for some imaginary fat guy who dresses up in a red suit, and lie to our kids about where the presents come from; Christmas means we spend money we may not have on presents we don't really need as we lavish ourselves and others with gifts. What about God's Son? Didn't He come here, as a newborn babe, with one purpose, one goal....to die?
As we approach another pagan holiday season, let us reflect on the beauty of our Lord's first coming, His giving of self so that we may live eternally with Him. Christ is our gift, He is our reward...what can we possibly buy that could top that?
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The Coming of the Lord
Brother Mike Ratliff is gifted by God in his writings. Here is his latest work that will encourage you. Prayerfully it will cause us to be more diligent in our witnessing, prayer life, and striving for holy living...
Jesus Is Coming
by Mike Ratliff
I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. (Revelation 3:11 ESV)
knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:3-4 ESV)
It is one thing to say, “Come soon Lord Jesus!” and quite another thing to live as if you mean it. There are even some today who are of the emergent mindset that teach we should live this life with our focus on the here and now rather than eternity. Why? This is to create a better world or make this world a better place. However, I also tire of those who treat eschatology much like the world handles conspiracy theories always looking for the right combination of “signs” that our Lord’s return is imminent. I used to do that myself, but I do not do that very much anymore. Why? My focus is on living this life for the glory of God and that means I focus on my relationship between me and my Lord first and from that flows my relationships with everyone else. Yes, the sad shape of the visible Church grieves me and, to me, this is the most telling sign that our Lord’s return is imminent.
read on here...
Jesus Is Coming
by Mike Ratliff
I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. (Revelation 3:11 ESV)
knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:3-4 ESV)
It is one thing to say, “Come soon Lord Jesus!” and quite another thing to live as if you mean it. There are even some today who are of the emergent mindset that teach we should live this life with our focus on the here and now rather than eternity. Why? This is to create a better world or make this world a better place. However, I also tire of those who treat eschatology much like the world handles conspiracy theories always looking for the right combination of “signs” that our Lord’s return is imminent. I used to do that myself, but I do not do that very much anymore. Why? My focus is on living this life for the glory of God and that means I focus on my relationship between me and my Lord first and from that flows my relationships with everyone else. Yes, the sad shape of the visible Church grieves me and, to me, this is the most telling sign that our Lord’s return is imminent.
read on here...
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The School of Pain
This comes to you from Grace Gems. It was in my inbox, I knew as soon as I read it that I must share...
(J. R. Miller, "Life's Byways and Waysides")
Everyone has sorrow. Being a Christian does not exempt anyone from grief. But faith in Christ brings a transformation of sorrow. Not only are we taught to endure the sorrows that come to us patiently and submissively--but we are assured that there is a blessing in them for us, if we accept them with love and trust.
One of the deepest truths taught in the Bible--is that earthly sorrow has a mission in the sanctifying of life. "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. God disciplines us for our good--that we may share in His holiness." Hebrews 12:10-11
We dread pain! And yet the person who has not experienced pain--has not yet touched the deepest and most precious meanings of life. There are things we never can learn--except in the school of pain! There are heights of life we never can attain--except in the bitterness of sorrow. There are joys we never can have--until we have walked in the dark ways of sorrow. Not to have sorrow, in some form, is to miss one of life's holiest opportunities. We get our best things--out of affliction! "I have refined you in the furnace of suffering!" Isaiah 48:10
(J. R. Miller, "Life's Byways and Waysides")
Everyone has sorrow. Being a Christian does not exempt anyone from grief. But faith in Christ brings a transformation of sorrow. Not only are we taught to endure the sorrows that come to us patiently and submissively--but we are assured that there is a blessing in them for us, if we accept them with love and trust.
One of the deepest truths taught in the Bible--is that earthly sorrow has a mission in the sanctifying of life. "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. God disciplines us for our good--that we may share in His holiness." Hebrews 12:10-11
We dread pain! And yet the person who has not experienced pain--has not yet touched the deepest and most precious meanings of life. There are things we never can learn--except in the school of pain! There are heights of life we never can attain--except in the bitterness of sorrow. There are joys we never can have--until we have walked in the dark ways of sorrow. Not to have sorrow, in some form, is to miss one of life's holiest opportunities. We get our best things--out of affliction! "I have refined you in the furnace of suffering!" Isaiah 48:10
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sin- the most unpopular word in any language
We live in a time of great danger, many refuse to speak out against sin; seldom is judgment mentioned. Apostasy and deception are swirling about the land with much force. In Matthew 24, the disciples asked our Lord, 'when will all these things take place, and what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?'
The Lord responded, 'Take heed that no man deceive you'. Deception rides in on the heels of inaccurate preaching; refusing to speak out against sin for fear of making anyone uncomfortable is the 'excuse' most use.
I feel it quite necessary to share this quote from Thomas Brooks...
"Sin in a wicked man is like poison in a serpent; it is in its natural place."
When we share the Gospel with others, let's not fail to give the whole counsel. A lost sinner will never see the awesome beauty of the cross until they see their own filth, their own vileness and wickedness. Brokenness over sin cannot happen unless the sin is exposed. As painful and offensive as this may be to some, it is essential. If you truly love others and care about their eternal destination, do not sell them short! Speak the truth, for the sake of their souls.
The Lord responded, 'Take heed that no man deceive you'. Deception rides in on the heels of inaccurate preaching; refusing to speak out against sin for fear of making anyone uncomfortable is the 'excuse' most use.
I feel it quite necessary to share this quote from Thomas Brooks...
"Sin in a wicked man is like poison in a serpent; it is in its natural place."
When we share the Gospel with others, let's not fail to give the whole counsel. A lost sinner will never see the awesome beauty of the cross until they see their own filth, their own vileness and wickedness. Brokenness over sin cannot happen unless the sin is exposed. As painful and offensive as this may be to some, it is essential. If you truly love others and care about their eternal destination, do not sell them short! Speak the truth, for the sake of their souls.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Exposing the 12 step cult
A dear brother in Christ, John Lanagan, has spent much time researching and exposing the 12 step cult that even Christians are in bondage to. Here is an article exposing the dangers of the 12 steps...
12 Steps, spiritualism, and Swedenborg
There shall not be found among you…one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For whosoever does these things is detestable to the Lord; and because of these detestable things the Lord your God will drive them out before you. (Deuteronomy 18: 10-12)
Although his name is unfamiliar to most, Emanuel Swedenborg was a great influence on A.A. cofounder Bill Wilson, and therefore a great influence on both Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12 Steps.
As we learned in ‘The first version of the 12 Steps,’ Emanuel Swedenborg wrote of a spiritual ‘twelve steps’ long before the creation of Alcoholics Anonymous. http://mywordlikefire.wordpress.com/2009/04/08/the-first-version-of-the-12-steps/
Swedenborg (1688-1772) has been called the “Father of modern spiritualism” for good reason. Like Bill Wilson, Swedenborg communicated frequently with familiar spirits posing as deceased people or other spiritual entities.
continue reading here...
12 Steps, spiritualism, and Swedenborg
There shall not be found among you…one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For whosoever does these things is detestable to the Lord; and because of these detestable things the Lord your God will drive them out before you. (Deuteronomy 18: 10-12)
Although his name is unfamiliar to most, Emanuel Swedenborg was a great influence on A.A. cofounder Bill Wilson, and therefore a great influence on both Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12 Steps.
As we learned in ‘The first version of the 12 Steps,’ Emanuel Swedenborg wrote of a spiritual ‘twelve steps’ long before the creation of Alcoholics Anonymous. http://mywordlikefire.wordpress.com/2009/04/08/the-first-version-of-the-12-steps/
Swedenborg (1688-1772) has been called the “Father of modern spiritualism” for good reason. Like Bill Wilson, Swedenborg communicated frequently with familiar spirits posing as deceased people or other spiritual entities.
continue reading here...
Thursday, November 5, 2009
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