The shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black man by police in Ferguson, Missouri, has sparked the flames of racial anger. At first, angry but peaceful protests began, followed by the cursory rioting and looting, with many of the participants from outside the community, including those that always seem to show up at incidents like this to create and foment chaos. Some of the looters shout that they deserve what they have stolen. The national media empathizes with the victims, accuses law enforcement of “systematic police brutality” and not only downplays the lawlessness, but questions whether it is “what goes around, comes around” and is just payback for past racial discrimination. The media interview the race activists who complain that the personnel of the police department does not properly mirror the racial makeup of the community. (There goes that quota affinity so vital to progressive philosophy.) Notwithstanding that the investigation is ongoing and any determination as to what actually occurred has not been completed, our President sends the United States Attorney General to make certain that no shenanigans are taking place by law enforcement, the local District Attorney and the County Coroner.
Meanwhile, thousands of Christians are being murdered in Africa and the Middle East and our President eschews sending any “boots on the ground” to protect our brothers and sisters in Christ, but he finally agrees to send humanitarian aid, albeit begrudgingly. At least they will die with a full stomach. ISIS, or as President Obama insists is ISIL, so as to not admit that his failure to enforce his “red line” in Syria has opened the floodgates to this murderous gang running rampant from Syria into Iraq. ISIS will continue to kill Christians, kidnap Westerners and video-tape gruesome executions, promising to kill even more if America takes action against their stated goal of establishing an Islamic caliphate. Our President gives a speech denouncing the murder of an American journalist and then goes golfing, yucking it up with his friends as if nothing happened. The days of America using its’ power to protect those who cannot protect themselves, is apparently over, at least while this administration reigns. Obama claims that the world is not on fire, blaming social media for exaggerating events around the globe. Romans 13:1, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Every leader has been placed in their position by God, for His purpose. No matter how bad it seems on this earth, hear this; this earthly existence of ours is but a grain of sand in the hourglass of eternity. What is important for us while we live out our lives on planet earth is that we work to further the Kingdom of Christ. Dwell on the evil that men do and we will lose sight of a greater purpose that God has in store for us. As Christians we are not to be led like sheep to slaughter, we need to work to see that our leaders are grounded in the Word. Elect leaders that believe and uphold Christian values. Then we will be able to take back our country and lead it on the path that God intends. Each vote is important and it is our responsibility as, not only citizens of this country, but citizens in the Lord's kingdom here on earth. A great revival is happening all around us. More and more young people are coming to Christ is spite of the progressive’s battle against Christianity. Perhaps, leaders that continue to try to push us away from Him are being used to wake us sleeping Christians from our slumber. The leaders of the ELCA certainly woke me up. God definitely used the misguided ELCA church-wide assembly in 2009 to jumpstart my faith. Even though it was because of my misunderstanding the consequence of the law that began that fire in my heart, through the power of the Holy Spirit things started to become clear. It is not about disobeying the law by accepting as right, what God prohibits, it is about surrendering our lives to Him. Matthew 10:37-39, “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” When we truly surrender our lives to Him, our desires become secondary and we delight in obedience to our Lord.
Doctrine is important. Doctrine gives us instruction as to how God wants us to live our lives. Doctrine disregarded or altered to fit our modern sensibilities leads us away from our relationship with Christ. The ELCA is enamored with the idea of eliminating or minimizing hell. This only leads to further erode the Christian’s true calling, to bring the lost to Christ. If there is no hell and everyone goes to heaven anyway, there is no need for a Savior. If there is no need for a Savior, there is no reason to believe in anything other than yourself. If one does not believe, this life becomes empty and meaningless. The leaders of the ELCA are seeking to make a God to meet the expectations of a progressive, secular society. Oh they seem to say the right things, like their social justice agenda is based on loving their neighbor, but their insistence to elevate that agenda over saving the lost, pushes God onto the back burner. There is a reason we are called Christians, and it is Christ, not social justice.
There are over 4 million brothers and sisters in Christ adrift in the apostasy ridden organization that is the ELCA, most of them truly believing that they are the right path. Many will come to discover, too late, that their name is not written in the Book of Life. As Christians, we cannot allow that to happen. God has placed those leaders who are in charge of the ELCA. Perhaps, it is to awaken some of us sleepy Christians and light a fire under us to help lead them back to Him. 2 Peter 2:20-21, “If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.” We can truly be the hands and feet of Christ and lead our brothers and sisters back to the path of righteousness. I pray every day that more will come to know the lies perpetrated by the leaders and scholars of the ELCA and return to a church true to the Lord.
Showing posts with label foolish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foolish. Show all posts
Friday, September 19, 2014
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Eye on the Prize
Keeping your eye on the prize is a motivational maxim often used in sports. Enduring demanding training is made more palatable when one knows that hard work may lead to a championship. We are told to keep focused on achieving the end result, rather than the obstacles that get in the way of our goals. Each step taken brings one closer to that desired outcome. When reaching for that accomplishment that somehow we believe will define us, we will often deny ourselves the things that we think may be a hindrance to achieving that goal. We believe that keeping our eyes on the prize will make all our sacrifices worthwhile. Problem is that once we reach these supposedly lofty goals, we rejoice for a time, but there always seems to be an emptiness as time goes on. For every goal achieved, another presents itself. One can never make enough money, rise high enough in the corporate world, or win enough championships. No matter how much we accomplish in this life, it is never totally satisfying. When we finally realize that the ultimate prize is eternal life with our Father in Heaven, the importance of earthly rewards begins to fade away.
Philippians 3:13-14, “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” We need not win the game to be awarded the ultimate prize. Open the door and welcome Jesus into your heart. Jesus is depicted by a number of artists, standing outside a door and knocking, and most have one thing in common. There is no doorknob on the outside of the door. Only the occupant can open the door to allow Him in. When, by faith, we believe in the one true Son of God, that He freely offered Himself as a sin offering for each and every one of us, that He suffered and died for us, and defeated death with His resurrection, we are granted, through the grace of God, our salvation. Scripture tells us that at that moment, we are made anew or become a new person and that we die to our sinful selves and become a new creation, lifted up by the love of our Lord and Savior. We realize that our former person is someone to be discarded and we pledge our lives to giving all the glory to God. You see that even if we fall short in this life, the life to come is far more important than anything that can happen here on earth.
Sin persists in this world and has infiltrated Christ’s church through the worldly ambitions of those who have pledged allegiance to God, but instead have chosen to betray Him. Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Twisting these words of the prophet Isaiah, leaders of the ELCA tell their membership that God is now telling them new things that fit in with their vision of an all accepting new religion. The prize they seek is not the kingdom of Heaven. It is to create a heaven here on earth promoting tolerance, diversity and justice. The leaders of the ELCA abdicate their responsibility to lead the lost to Christ and instead challenge the ageless truths of Christianity. Those that love Christ endeavor to please Him in all we do, the leaders of the ELCA entice their membership with the false gospel of bound conscience, allowing them to please themselves instead. Those foolish enough to embrace these false gospels perpetrated by the leaders of the ELCA take their eyes off the prize and jeopardize their very salvation.
Hebrews 8:10-13, “I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.” The intent of this passage is clear. When we belong to God, His law is written upon our hearts. Making the first covenant obsolete does not mean that God wants us to rewrite His laws. On the contrary, the first covenant condemned sin and was unable to offer forgiveness. The new covenant is Christ. His death and resurrection opened a door for us to be truly forgiven by our Father in Heaven. This new covenant pardons our sin and through the power of the Holy Spirit, gives us the ability to understand, the capacity to love, the courage to profess our faith, and the will to obey His laws.
We can do nothing to earn God’s mercy and grace. It is by our faith in the Risen Christ that opens that door. God’s mercy endures forever. His grace rains upon us without end. The prize is there for all who truly believe. Keep your eye on the prize that is the Risen Christ. Do not be deceived by those that would have you believe a gospel other than the one taught by Jesus. The enlightened leaders of the ELCA have fallen for the trap laid by the evil one. They remain not only in the world, but of the world and they truly love this world. 1 John 2:15-17, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”
Philippians 3:13-14, “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” We need not win the game to be awarded the ultimate prize. Open the door and welcome Jesus into your heart. Jesus is depicted by a number of artists, standing outside a door and knocking, and most have one thing in common. There is no doorknob on the outside of the door. Only the occupant can open the door to allow Him in. When, by faith, we believe in the one true Son of God, that He freely offered Himself as a sin offering for each and every one of us, that He suffered and died for us, and defeated death with His resurrection, we are granted, through the grace of God, our salvation. Scripture tells us that at that moment, we are made anew or become a new person and that we die to our sinful selves and become a new creation, lifted up by the love of our Lord and Savior. We realize that our former person is someone to be discarded and we pledge our lives to giving all the glory to God. You see that even if we fall short in this life, the life to come is far more important than anything that can happen here on earth.
Sin persists in this world and has infiltrated Christ’s church through the worldly ambitions of those who have pledged allegiance to God, but instead have chosen to betray Him. Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Twisting these words of the prophet Isaiah, leaders of the ELCA tell their membership that God is now telling them new things that fit in with their vision of an all accepting new religion. The prize they seek is not the kingdom of Heaven. It is to create a heaven here on earth promoting tolerance, diversity and justice. The leaders of the ELCA abdicate their responsibility to lead the lost to Christ and instead challenge the ageless truths of Christianity. Those that love Christ endeavor to please Him in all we do, the leaders of the ELCA entice their membership with the false gospel of bound conscience, allowing them to please themselves instead. Those foolish enough to embrace these false gospels perpetrated by the leaders of the ELCA take their eyes off the prize and jeopardize their very salvation.
Hebrews 8:10-13, “I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.” The intent of this passage is clear. When we belong to God, His law is written upon our hearts. Making the first covenant obsolete does not mean that God wants us to rewrite His laws. On the contrary, the first covenant condemned sin and was unable to offer forgiveness. The new covenant is Christ. His death and resurrection opened a door for us to be truly forgiven by our Father in Heaven. This new covenant pardons our sin and through the power of the Holy Spirit, gives us the ability to understand, the capacity to love, the courage to profess our faith, and the will to obey His laws.
We can do nothing to earn God’s mercy and grace. It is by our faith in the Risen Christ that opens that door. God’s mercy endures forever. His grace rains upon us without end. The prize is there for all who truly believe. Keep your eye on the prize that is the Risen Christ. Do not be deceived by those that would have you believe a gospel other than the one taught by Jesus. The enlightened leaders of the ELCA have fallen for the trap laid by the evil one. They remain not only in the world, but of the world and they truly love this world. 1 John 2:15-17, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Don't Kill the Messenger
When a church strays so far from it foundational beliefs that action is necessary, don’t place the blame on those that expose the truth. Many are angry at those that are speaking out for the Lord and informing their congregations about the doctrinal shifts of the ELCA. Those that are upset are concerned that this “unbelievable” information will “upset the apple cart’ and cause strife and division within their congregations. Some just want this to all go away and “Can’t we just go on as always” because their congregation is true to the Word and the message from their pulpit is sound. When the enemy is at the gate, ignoring him will not cause him to go away. As the doctrinal shifts of the ELCA become more and more radical, traditional congregations remaining within the ELCA are at risk. Doctrine that has been in effect for hundreds of years is slowly being eroded away by the doctrine of “bound conscience”. The leadership of the ELCA has the responsibility to protect and support sound doctrine, not eliminate it and replace it with human reason and opinion.
“It is the duty both of preachers and of hearers first of all and above all things to see to it that they have a clear and sure evidence that their doctrine is really the true word of God, revealed from heaven to the holy, original fathers, the prophets and apostles, and confirmed and commanded to be taught by Christ Himself. For we should by no means ever let doctrine be manhandled according to the pleasure and fancy of the individual who adapts it to human reason and understanding. Nor should we let men toy with Scripture, juggle the Word of God, and make it submit to being explained, twisted, stretched, and revised to suit people or to achieve peace and union; for then there could be no secure or stable foundation on which consciences might rely.” - sermon by Martin Luther
It is hard to believe that this Synod, that has been so influential in our faith journeys, has drifted so far away from the traditional Lutheran teachings. This is not supposed to happen in the church. We hold an innate trust in those that have been elevated to the leadership positions in our church. That they would choose to disregard God’s word and replace it with their own modern sensibilities is almost unfathomable. The ELCA that we grew up to love and trust is an entirely different animal now. Now those that have witnessed the pagan rituals at Synod Assembly services, the minimizing of sin by the elimination of confession and absolution, and discovered these troubling shifts in doctrine are questioning why their church is leaving God behind. Committees have been put in place to investigate the doctrinal shifts of the ELCA and when they report back to their congregations some respond with anger, derision, and accuse committee members of “preaching” to them. Who then is responsible to inform? Our pastors are afraid to speak out against the ELCA, lest they become subject to discipline. That responsibility now lies with the laity. Yes, those that for all these years chose to stay in the background and let “someone else” attend Churchwide Assemblies. Yes. we bear much of the blame, due to our failure to get involved, for allowing these dramatic shifts away from Scripture and it is imcumbent upon us to take on the responsibility to expose this false doctrine.
All the information detailing these shifts in doctrine is clearly posted on the ELCA’s own website. There is no need to place our opinions in the investigative reports. The positions of the ELCA are there for all that choose to open their eyes, minds, and hearts. These reports are not intended to cause division in the church, only education. Those that refuse to listen to the truth are harming no one but themselves. Jeremiah 5:21, “Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but do not see; who have ears, but do not hear:” These doctrinal shifts of the ELCA are not simply morality issues, these shifts will affect the salvation of those who choose to accept these new doctrines. Know this; the ELCA that you grew up in is ceasing to exist. Those of you afraid of change and think that by remaining in the ELCA will allow you to “keep the good times rolling” are in for a big surprise. Those that remain will eventually be affected by all the doctrinal shifts and things will change, and not for the better. If one really wants things to continue as they are, with sound Christ centered doctrine and traditional preaching from the pulpit, they will need to move to the more traditional alternatives to the ELCA. Do not be foolish; open your eyes, minds and hearts to hear God’s word. Discuss and reach out to each other in true Christian love and listen to everyone’s concerns. Fellowship is important, but our allegiance remains with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, not with a church denomination.
2 Timothy 2:14-16, 22-26, “Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” Explain the truth with patience and understanding. Engaging in foolish arguments will only cause the truth of the matter to be lost. Teach and explain the Word, and listen to questions with respect. Let those in opposition be heard and in turn they may listen to the truth and be drawn back to the Lord. Matthew 13:16, Jesus said "Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear." Let's all open our eyes and ears to embrace the truth that is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
“It is the duty both of preachers and of hearers first of all and above all things to see to it that they have a clear and sure evidence that their doctrine is really the true word of God, revealed from heaven to the holy, original fathers, the prophets and apostles, and confirmed and commanded to be taught by Christ Himself. For we should by no means ever let doctrine be manhandled according to the pleasure and fancy of the individual who adapts it to human reason and understanding. Nor should we let men toy with Scripture, juggle the Word of God, and make it submit to being explained, twisted, stretched, and revised to suit people or to achieve peace and union; for then there could be no secure or stable foundation on which consciences might rely.” - sermon by Martin Luther
It is hard to believe that this Synod, that has been so influential in our faith journeys, has drifted so far away from the traditional Lutheran teachings. This is not supposed to happen in the church. We hold an innate trust in those that have been elevated to the leadership positions in our church. That they would choose to disregard God’s word and replace it with their own modern sensibilities is almost unfathomable. The ELCA that we grew up to love and trust is an entirely different animal now. Now those that have witnessed the pagan rituals at Synod Assembly services, the minimizing of sin by the elimination of confession and absolution, and discovered these troubling shifts in doctrine are questioning why their church is leaving God behind. Committees have been put in place to investigate the doctrinal shifts of the ELCA and when they report back to their congregations some respond with anger, derision, and accuse committee members of “preaching” to them. Who then is responsible to inform? Our pastors are afraid to speak out against the ELCA, lest they become subject to discipline. That responsibility now lies with the laity. Yes, those that for all these years chose to stay in the background and let “someone else” attend Churchwide Assemblies. Yes. we bear much of the blame, due to our failure to get involved, for allowing these dramatic shifts away from Scripture and it is imcumbent upon us to take on the responsibility to expose this false doctrine.
All the information detailing these shifts in doctrine is clearly posted on the ELCA’s own website. There is no need to place our opinions in the investigative reports. The positions of the ELCA are there for all that choose to open their eyes, minds, and hearts. These reports are not intended to cause division in the church, only education. Those that refuse to listen to the truth are harming no one but themselves. Jeremiah 5:21, “Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but do not see; who have ears, but do not hear:” These doctrinal shifts of the ELCA are not simply morality issues, these shifts will affect the salvation of those who choose to accept these new doctrines. Know this; the ELCA that you grew up in is ceasing to exist. Those of you afraid of change and think that by remaining in the ELCA will allow you to “keep the good times rolling” are in for a big surprise. Those that remain will eventually be affected by all the doctrinal shifts and things will change, and not for the better. If one really wants things to continue as they are, with sound Christ centered doctrine and traditional preaching from the pulpit, they will need to move to the more traditional alternatives to the ELCA. Do not be foolish; open your eyes, minds and hearts to hear God’s word. Discuss and reach out to each other in true Christian love and listen to everyone’s concerns. Fellowship is important, but our allegiance remains with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, not with a church denomination.
2 Timothy 2:14-16, 22-26, “Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” Explain the truth with patience and understanding. Engaging in foolish arguments will only cause the truth of the matter to be lost. Teach and explain the Word, and listen to questions with respect. Let those in opposition be heard and in turn they may listen to the truth and be drawn back to the Lord. Matthew 13:16, Jesus said "Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear." Let's all open our eyes and ears to embrace the truth that is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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