false teachers - then and now

The Bible mentions false prophets almost a dozen times, mostly in the New Testament. Jesus himself warned of false prophets numerous times. He warned us that the false ones would appear to be true:

But beware of the false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inside they are plundering wolves.

(Matthew 7:15)

The worshippers of YHWH have always had a duty to examine those who would speak to them about matters concerning YHWH - whether we call them prophets or teachers or even apostles. We see why this is true from the Original Testament:

Then YHWH said to me, "Those prophets are prophesying lies while claiming my authority! I did not send them. I did not commission them. I did not speak to them. They are prophesying to these people false visions, worthless predictions, and the delusions of their own mind.

(Jeremiah 14:14) (Also see Jeremiah 23:32, etc.)

          The Apostle John reminded us of this duty to test those that speak concerning YHWH:

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world.

(1 John 4:1)

We see, in Scripture, this duty being carried out:

And these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they received the Word with all readiness, daily examining the Scriptures if these things are so.

(Acts 17:11)

We even see Jesus himself complementing the church at Ephesus for testing those calling themselves apostles that were not:

I know your works as well as your labor and steadfast endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have even put to the test those who refer to themselves as apostles (but are not), and have discovered that they are false.

(Revelation 2:2)

          Can you think of anyone, past or present, that has called themselves an Apostle that were not part of the 12 Apostles? Do you, like so many today, follow a thirteenth Apostle? Have you “tested” this so called Apostle? Do you “test” those today that speak of YHWH? Test all who speak concerning YHWH - even my words brothers and sisters.

The Destruction of the USA - Are We Defeating Ourselves

If a person were to look at documents that have had a profound impact on the world, outside of writings dealing with religion, there are few that can compete with the USA Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the USA. One of the most famous lines, within these writings, pertains to the fact that all men are created equal. For the last 50+ years this is also one of the most abused lines - at least in the USA.

Whether you rightly know that you were created by YHWH or mistakenly think otherwise most would say that we are all equal at conception. I say conception because to deny that being born into a given situation can confer certain advantages or disadvantages is to deny the realities of life in a fallen world. There is a vast difference between being born in perfect health as the child of an American billionaire and being born as an AIDS infected child of a destitute prostitute in a “third world” country.

To temper this reality there are various schools of thought. If one studies the issue from the point of view of the Declaration of Independence you find a tendency toward the concept of equality of opportunity. Essentially everyone is entitled to the same opportunities. At the other end of the spectrum you find what has become the more modern version in the USA of “equality”.

This modern version means that no matter how stupid you are you can force your way into higher education classes anyway - often at tax payer expense. This is made possible by lowering the intelligence standards. This modern version means that no matter how immoral you are you can force a company to serve you or even hire you. This is made possible by lowering moral standards. The list could go on ad naseum.

These seeds began to be sown decades ago and we are reaping what we sowed - a growing population that is dumber and immoral. I do not single out a “generation” because our youth is not to blame for what their parents are doing to them; most only repeat what they are taught.

In the USA too many women have already learned to milk the system just by popping out kids and dumping the father. They are guaranteed welfare as well as whatever the government can force from the father. Roll up all your “protected” classes and imagine a couple of clever young, black, lesbian, Muslim, females - they will never have to work a day in their life. They can both have kids and then bill the men for child support as well as draw a ton of cash each from welfare. If they want more they can apply for jobs they are not qualified for and threaten to sue if not hired.

Only one of these so called “protected” classes are mentioned in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution - religion. In the modern USA this class is no longer protected though if you are a Christian. There is no longer the ability for the “free exercise thereof”.

If this situation bothers you look in the mirror. The Muslim and LGBT communities are very small in numbers yet are beginning to operate with the powers of the Gestapo with the force of government behind them. Why? Because folks are too scared to speak up and do something.

          The Muslims and the LGBT are being allowed to push their sinful ways onto our children in schools paid for with taxpayer money; yet, Christians are not allowed the “equality” to present their viewpoint.

          Jesus said we would suffer for following him. Do you have the guts to truly follow Him and speak out before it is too late (if it is not already)? Muslims and the LGBT have the right to go to Hell if they want - they do not have the right to drag us and our children down with them!

You must not hate your brother in your heart. You must surely reprove your fellow citizen so that you do not allow sin on account of him.

(Leviticus 19:17)

The Sober Truth

I recently saw a news program on a book called The Sober Truth. The main focus of the program was on the fact that AA and programs like it only have about a 1 in 15 success rate - and why hardly anybody knows about this dismal failure. I formerly worked in the field of psychology as a “behavioral specialist” with emphasis on youth. Having worked in areas ranging from “tough love” programs like Boy’s Ranch to assistance programs like Crossroad’s youth crisis centers I can vouch from firsthand experience for facts the program presented on the failure rates of secular programs.

As to why the high failure rate is so unknown I would point to two factors - one spiritual and one secular. First, Satan loves human weakness and failure and will always try to prevent people overcoming their weaknesses; and, if he can he will always direct them to a path that ensures his victory and not theirs. I have written on this before concerning AA. Folks should always remember that satan too is a higher power; but, YHWH our Creator is the highest power. The more people count on AA type programs instead of on YHWH the happier satan is. Satan is AA’s biggest supporter. Second, AA and programs like it are a huge financial boon to many industries. Many of these industries are built around, and dependent on, court enforced treatment centers. The focus is on getting your money - not getting you better.

          So don’t count on AA and the like from going away any time soon. They have the support of satan, the backing of big money, and often the unconstitutional use of government force behind them. Don’t count on those programs doing you any lasting good either. If you need help try finding someone who will hit their knees in prayer with you instead of someone who wants to hit your wallet. This includes so called “christian based” programs that still want your money, your insurance, or your information for a government subsidy.

Jesus warned us that discipleship will cost us; but, the love of YHWH does not come with a financial price tag and you can’t have an insurance company or a government pay the cost for you. Repent, love, honor, and obey.

True Christian Diet

There is an old saying that says, “You are what you eat” (See Note¹). In general this means that if you eat healthier you will be healthier. I have travelled to over 40 different countries and few have the hang-ups that plague the food culture of the USA. We label everything - by forced government mandate no less - with warnings that keep the lawyers busy and calorie counters desperate. All to no avail it appears because people will “always” eat either what they like best or what they can afford. I qualify the “always” in the last sentence because Uncle Satan, uh . . Sam, is trying very hard lately to encroach on yet one more freedom by telling us what we must eat!

Sadly, many “churches” have become little more than a means for the spiritual sanction of a nanny welfare state led by a secular environment more concerned with saving an “endangered species” than saving a soul. Too many would rather share a smile with a sodomite rather than risk a frown (or worse) for witnessing about Christ. Coming soon to a church near you this Passover: a Eucharist with a grape juice that is alcohol free, certified organic, non-genetically modified, fair trade practice, FDA and AHA approved, and sugar free; and, a wafer that is made from quinoa (wheat gluten is out) that is certified organic, non-genetically modified, fair trade practice, FDA and AHA approved, and sugar free. Both blessed by the Feds.

Alas, I digress. What do you feed on in your spiritual diet? Do you even have a spiritual diet? Do you primarily feed on the processed food shelled out by others or do you actually go for the raw organic stuff straight from the Word? Does your source teach, preach, and practice what the Word says or is there a faint aroma of a biased agenda from the bureaucracy of a state approved, man-made “church”.

Just as you cannot blame your poor health on a doctor if you have lousy eating practices you cannot blame your poor spiritual health on someone else either. It is up to you to know if you are feeding your soul on junk food or the latest food craze from the “experts”.

When Jesus comes again it will be too late to change your diet:

Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of heaven — only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did not we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do many powerful deeds?' Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!

(Matthew 7:21-23)

See Note^{1 --} In an essay titled Concerning Spiritualism and Materialism, 1863/4, Ludwig Andreas Feuerbach wrote: "Der Mensch ist, was er ißt", which in English translates as 'man is what he eats'.

Ham vs Nye

I strongly believe in Creation and not macro evolution; and, while I don’t hold the same views as Ken Ham, for those that haven’t had the chance to see the Ken Ham and Bill Nye debate I recommend you try to catch a showing of it. I had already read a few comments on it when I finally had a chance to it on C-SPAN. The debate was to be the evolutionist view versus the creationist view. Many in the evolutionist’s camp were strongly against such a public debate and the reason for this worry was obvious during the debate. Nye repeatedly, in almost every session, had to resort to personal attacks on Ken Ham instead of focusing on the interpretation of the scientific evidence. Nye even made several errors concerning the scientific evidence - no matter who is doing the interpretation.

The science community was right to worry. Consider the following quote:

“The debate with Nye ‘has drawn countless believers and unbelievers alike to consider the Creation Museum’s teachings about the true history of the universe,’ wrote an AIG staffer after the debate.

For mainstream scientists, it's a terrifying thought.”

                              (For the article cited click here.)

Nye did okay as “Bill Nye the Science Guy” in his PBS show for kids. He should have stuck with trying to teach kids, his abilities in the arena of science to educate beyond the grade school level are sorely lacking. Even those that despise creationism admit this and claim the debate was a nightmare for science (click here) - though they blame it on politics not the interpretation of evidence.

I wonder how long it will be until an evolutionist tries a public debate again - if they ever do!

Are you fighting or just watching?

THE MAN IN THE ARENA
   Excerpt from the speech "Citizenship in a Republic"
delivered at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France on 23 April, 1910

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. -- Theodore Roosevelt

Jesus told us we must carry our own cross and that His followers would suffer. Are you in the arena or just watching?

LGBT attacks!

I want to offer my apologies to my readers. It’s been a few weeks since I posted. With the recent events in the news I decided to head out to the desert for a bit and ponder some things. I try to keep my articles nonpolitical; but, as a Black Robe Regiment member I do express political concerns in the “Thought for the Week".

As if the rapid increase in the persecution of believers worldwide wasn’t bad enough, the rapid increase of the successes of the homosexual agenda is more troubling. Cowardice is running rampant. The Catholics have decided to “recognize” homosexual civil unions and the Governor of Arizona showed her cowardice by backing down and destroying the Constitutional right to the free exercise of religion for us Arizonans. If Clinton was the first “black” president then Obama is the first homosexual president.

          The US of A is no longer a superpower nor does it deserve to be. As citizens of the US the homosexuals have a right to their own sexual perversions - they do not have the right to trample my Constitutional right to the free exercise of my religion! Obama, Ag Holder, the AZ Governor , and many more are cowards and not worthy to represent any Americans. They have all violated their oaths.
          I truly thank YHWH that the Catholic Church does not have the power it once held. Both the US of A and the Catholic Church are antichrists. The Catholic Church always has been, the US of A has become one.

          The homosexual crowd has gotten so powerful that even the World Bank and the UN are blackmailing countries that do not support that agenda.

          I used to fear for our children’s future ability to openly worship YHWH. Satan has been quicker than that - I now fear for our ability to openly teach our children to worship YHWH!

The one who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

(Revelation 22:20)

          As a worshipper of our God and Creator YHWH, and a servant of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, I pray that YHWH will send His Son again soon . . .  very soon . . .