Cosmo Warriors w Diane Williams on lead singing JESUS CAN WORK IT OUT on SATURDAY NIGHT SING.
youtube.com
Monday, May 15, 2017
Old School Gospel at it's Best
If you need a Monday afternoon pick me up this is it. Old School Gospel (the best kind) by The Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir. Click on the picture to start the song.
Sunday, May 14, 2017
He Never Said It Would Be Easy
"You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2Timothy2:3.
So after reading the passage above, one question comes to mind, have you been enduring any hardships recently as a result of your being a follower of Jesus?
So after reading the passage above, one question comes to mind, have you been enduring any hardships recently as a result of your being a follower of Jesus?
Consider the following from the Gospel of John15:18 and 19--"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of this world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."
I believe I might have told this story once before in one of my earlier posts but it bears repeating here. Years ago during the furor surrounding the film, The Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson, Gibson's co-star in three of his earlier movies had this to say about him (paraphrasing): "I didn't realize he was religious." This certainly isn't the kind of comment any professed Christian would want to hear.
Let me ask you this: Do friends, those you work with and acquaintances know you are a follower of Jesus? Have you been mocked, ridiculed or made fun of because of your faith? Is your speech and conduct "not of this world"? What I mean by this is that you don't engage in the gossip and unGodly conversation so common in society these days. Do you watch television shows and movies that you know a believer should not watch? Have you experienced criticism for spending time in prayer and reading the Bible?
If you find yourself on the wrong side of one or more of these questions some serious self-evaluation is needed.
As someone becomes more "of the world" they become more removed from the presence of Our Lord.Often times this worldliness starts very subtley and slowly grows. Before you know it, all a self-professed believer thinks they have to do to stay in God's good graces is show up at Church on Sunday. Anyone casually familiar with the Bible knows how wrong that belief is.
What is needed is to refocus on Jesus through prayer, Bible reading and fasting. Prayer and reading of Scripture must be done daily. Here is where you draw closer to Him and feel His presence. As you become accustomed to these "disciplines" you will find yourself looking forward to these moments during the day. I find it interesting when people tell me they don't always have the time to do this yet spend an hour or more at the gym.
In closing, living God's way and not the world's may very well bring hardship in this world but the benefits in this life and after are immeasurable.
I believe I might have told this story once before in one of my earlier posts but it bears repeating here. Years ago during the furor surrounding the film, The Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson, Gibson's co-star in three of his earlier movies had this to say about him (paraphrasing): "I didn't realize he was religious." This certainly isn't the kind of comment any professed Christian would want to hear.
Let me ask you this: Do friends, those you work with and acquaintances know you are a follower of Jesus? Have you been mocked, ridiculed or made fun of because of your faith? Is your speech and conduct "not of this world"? What I mean by this is that you don't engage in the gossip and unGodly conversation so common in society these days. Do you watch television shows and movies that you know a believer should not watch? Have you experienced criticism for spending time in prayer and reading the Bible?
If you find yourself on the wrong side of one or more of these questions some serious self-evaluation is needed.
As someone becomes more "of the world" they become more removed from the presence of Our Lord.Often times this worldliness starts very subtley and slowly grows. Before you know it, all a self-professed believer thinks they have to do to stay in God's good graces is show up at Church on Sunday. Anyone casually familiar with the Bible knows how wrong that belief is.
What is needed is to refocus on Jesus through prayer, Bible reading and fasting. Prayer and reading of Scripture must be done daily. Here is where you draw closer to Him and feel His presence. As you become accustomed to these "disciplines" you will find yourself looking forward to these moments during the day. I find it interesting when people tell me they don't always have the time to do this yet spend an hour or more at the gym.
In closing, living God's way and not the world's may very well bring hardship in this world but the benefits in this life and after are immeasurable.
Thursday, May 11, 2017
The Falling Away Continues, Pt.1
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires."(2Timothy4:3).
Survey Says That 61% of Self-Described Christians Now Embrace Some "New Spirituality" Views.
The following is a most interesting article taken from the Christian Post. It is well worth taking the time to read. Too many Christians are oblivious regarding the deception that has been accepted by once Bible believing Christians.
"A new survey reveals the scope of influence of non-Christian belief systems on the mindsets of practicing Christians, with large percentages of them agreeing with ideas from other faiths and secular philosophies.
The research from Barna in cooperation with Summit Ministries released this week measured how much the central beliefs of other worldviews like "new spirituality," secularism, postmodernism, and Marxism have affected the beliefs of Christians about the world and how it should be.
Their "widespread influence upon Christian thinking is evident not only among competing worldviews, but even among competing religions," the survey report reads.
In a web-based survey conducted in March of 1,456 practicing Christians, researchers asked the sample if they agreed with several statements that are rooted in so-called "new spirituality." Sixty-one percent of them affirmed at least one of the questions.
Nearly 30 percent agreed that "all people pray to the same god or spirit, no matter what name they use for that spiritual being." About that same percentage of people said they believe that "meaning and purpose come from becoming one with all that is."
The influence of this spirituality has also seeped into the thinking of Christians on matters of ethics, with approximately one third believing in a form of karma. Thirty-two percent of respondents said they agreed with the statement "if you do good, you will receive good, and if you do bad, you will receive bad," which although not found in Scripture appeals to a sense of justice many have.
This research really crystallizes what Barna has been tracking in our country as an ongoing shift away from Christianity as the basis for a shared worldview," said Brooke Hempell, senior vice president of research for Barna, in the report.
We have observed and reported on increasing pluralism, relativism and moral decline among Americans and even in the Church. Nevertheless, it is striking how pervasive some of these beliefs are among people who are actively engaged in the Christian faith."
Because fragments and similarities to Christian teachings exist within other systems of thought, this poses a challenge.
Some may recognize and latch on to these ideas, not realizing they are distortions of biblical truths," Hempell noted.
"The call for the Church, and its teachers and thinkers, is to help Christians dissect popular beliefs before allowing them to settle in their own ideology."
The survey also presented statements rooted in postmodernism, secularism, and Marxism, asking Christians if they agreed with them. Those numbers were lower than those who agreed with "new spirituality." Still, overall, 54 percent agreed with some postmodernist views, 36 percent accepted ideas associated with Marxism and 29 percent said they believe ideas based on secularism.
More specifically, ten percent of practicing Christians said they believed the "secular" view that "a belief has to be proven by science to know that it is true." The postmodern statement "what is morally right or wrong depends on what an individual believes" resonated strongly with 23 percent of practicing Christians. Eleven percent of respondents agreed with the Marxist statement "Private property encourages greed and envy."
Demographically, men, often at a two to one ratio, were more open to these non-Christian worldviews than women in all categories. In about half of the survey's questions, Americans of color were more likely than white Americans to lend credence to non-Christian worldviews.
Millennials and Gen-Xers, who came of age in a culture under considerably less influence of the Christian faith, were eight times as likely to embrace non-Christian worldviews than were respondents from the Baby Boomer and Elder generations, the study found."
Paraphrasing here from Scripture: "When He returns, will He find anyone holding to the faith once delivered unto the saints?"
Survey Says That 61% of Self-Described Christians Now Embrace Some "New Spirituality" Views.
The following is a most interesting article taken from the Christian Post. It is well worth taking the time to read. Too many Christians are oblivious regarding the deception that has been accepted by once Bible believing Christians.
"A new survey reveals the scope of influence of non-Christian belief systems on the mindsets of practicing Christians, with large percentages of them agreeing with ideas from other faiths and secular philosophies.
The research from Barna in cooperation with Summit Ministries released this week measured how much the central beliefs of other worldviews like "new spirituality," secularism, postmodernism, and Marxism have affected the beliefs of Christians about the world and how it should be.
Their "widespread influence upon Christian thinking is evident not only among competing worldviews, but even among competing religions," the survey report reads.
In a web-based survey conducted in March of 1,456 practicing Christians, researchers asked the sample if they agreed with several statements that are rooted in so-called "new spirituality." Sixty-one percent of them affirmed at least one of the questions.
Nearly 30 percent agreed that "all people pray to the same god or spirit, no matter what name they use for that spiritual being." About that same percentage of people said they believe that "meaning and purpose come from becoming one with all that is."
The influence of this spirituality has also seeped into the thinking of Christians on matters of ethics, with approximately one third believing in a form of karma. Thirty-two percent of respondents said they agreed with the statement "if you do good, you will receive good, and if you do bad, you will receive bad," which although not found in Scripture appeals to a sense of justice many have.
This research really crystallizes what Barna has been tracking in our country as an ongoing shift away from Christianity as the basis for a shared worldview," said Brooke Hempell, senior vice president of research for Barna, in the report.
We have observed and reported on increasing pluralism, relativism and moral decline among Americans and even in the Church. Nevertheless, it is striking how pervasive some of these beliefs are among people who are actively engaged in the Christian faith."
Because fragments and similarities to Christian teachings exist within other systems of thought, this poses a challenge.
Some may recognize and latch on to these ideas, not realizing they are distortions of biblical truths," Hempell noted.
"The call for the Church, and its teachers and thinkers, is to help Christians dissect popular beliefs before allowing them to settle in their own ideology."
The survey also presented statements rooted in postmodernism, secularism, and Marxism, asking Christians if they agreed with them. Those numbers were lower than those who agreed with "new spirituality." Still, overall, 54 percent agreed with some postmodernist views, 36 percent accepted ideas associated with Marxism and 29 percent said they believe ideas based on secularism.
More specifically, ten percent of practicing Christians said they believed the "secular" view that "a belief has to be proven by science to know that it is true." The postmodern statement "what is morally right or wrong depends on what an individual believes" resonated strongly with 23 percent of practicing Christians. Eleven percent of respondents agreed with the Marxist statement "Private property encourages greed and envy."
Demographically, men, often at a two to one ratio, were more open to these non-Christian worldviews than women in all categories. In about half of the survey's questions, Americans of color were more likely than white Americans to lend credence to non-Christian worldviews.
Millennials and Gen-Xers, who came of age in a culture under considerably less influence of the Christian faith, were eight times as likely to embrace non-Christian worldviews than were respondents from the Baby Boomer and Elder generations, the study found."
Paraphrasing here from Scripture: "When He returns, will He find anyone holding to the faith once delivered unto the saints?"
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Something To Think About
As we say our prayers each morning we ask God to give us strength in the coming hours to think and act as believer's in Jesus should act.
At the end of the day, sometime before bed and before saying our nightly prayers, time should be set aside to self-evaluate how things went in our walk as Christians. With this in mind, I am sure for many, myself included, we will find that from time to time we have been guilty of being critical of others.
With this in mind, consider the words of John Wesley
“We should be rigorous in judging ourselves and gracious in judging others.”
As Jesus is, and has been merciful to us, we should be merciful to others.
At the end of the day, sometime before bed and before saying our nightly prayers, time should be set aside to self-evaluate how things went in our walk as Christians. With this in mind, I am sure for many, myself included, we will find that from time to time we have been guilty of being critical of others.
With this in mind, consider the words of John Wesley
“We should be rigorous in judging ourselves and gracious in judging others.”
As Jesus is, and has been merciful to us, we should be merciful to others.
Sunday, May 7, 2017
The Fate of All Nations Who Turn Their Back on God
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." Psalm 33:12.
With the purposeful misinterpretation of the separation of Church and State by those in America who desire to eliminate Christianity from the public square, as well as the rise in popularity of watered down and corrupted forms of Christianity, is it any wonder that this country is in the state of moral decay we now see it in?
With the purposeful misinterpretation of the separation of Church and State by those in America who desire to eliminate Christianity from the public square, as well as the rise in popularity of watered down and corrupted forms of Christianity, is it any wonder that this country is in the state of moral decay we now see it in?
Consider the following by French statesman Alexis de Tocqueville(1805-1859), after travelling throughout America he said this: "I sought for the genius and greatness of America in her commodius harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there. I sought for greatness and genius in her public school system and institutions of learning and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."
The kind of righteousness Alexis de Tocqueville describes hearing from the pulpits in the middle of 19th century America is now described as being rigid, discriminatory, intolerant and exclusive.Most Christian faiths and denominations have changed to fit a changing society instead of stressing the need for people to follow the unchanging Word of God.
Following the unchanging Word of God is the only way to achieve true peace and happiness in an increasingly stressful and uncertain world.
In closing: "our greatest need as a nation is for Bible belevers to take a strong stand on the Word of God and to live a holy life for His glory." A quote by Pastor Rockwood.
That means, walk the talk of your faith and witness to others as the occasion arises. It may be later than you think!
The kind of righteousness Alexis de Tocqueville describes hearing from the pulpits in the middle of 19th century America is now described as being rigid, discriminatory, intolerant and exclusive.Most Christian faiths and denominations have changed to fit a changing society instead of stressing the need for people to follow the unchanging Word of God.
Following the unchanging Word of God is the only way to achieve true peace and happiness in an increasingly stressful and uncertain world.
In closing: "our greatest need as a nation is for Bible belevers to take a strong stand on the Word of God and to live a holy life for His glory." A quote by Pastor Rockwood.
That means, walk the talk of your faith and witness to others as the occasion arises. It may be later than you think!
Friday, May 5, 2017
A Radical View of the Christian and Worrying
"Casting all you care upon Him: for He careth for you." 1Peter:5:7.
It would be safe to say that to varying degrees most Christians have worries and anxieties . This has become an accepted part of life. Countless self-help books have been published that say they will help the reader cope with the stresses of everyday life. For the Christian there is a solution and it is revealed right in the pages of their Bible.
We see the quote above that tells us quite plainly what we should do in regards to worries and fears.
Another passage from Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
What the passage from 1Peter reveals is that we are to cast all discontent, despair, discouragement and suffering on Our Lord with the understanding that He has a plan for our lives and there is a purpose behind what we are going through.
Questioning and looking to secular sources for a way out shows a lack of trust and unwillingness to submit totally to Our Lord.
The logical question becomes: have you forgotten what Jesus has said in His Word?
In closing, I will give you a quote from Pastor Rockwood and it may be considered very radical when you compare it to today's increasingly watered down version of Christianity but he is correct in what he says: "Worry is not merely weakness; it is wickedness. It says God has abdicated. Worry is a sin against God and ourselves. Cast it on Christ and His cross."
Amen to that!
It would be safe to say that to varying degrees most Christians have worries and anxieties . This has become an accepted part of life. Countless self-help books have been published that say they will help the reader cope with the stresses of everyday life. For the Christian there is a solution and it is revealed right in the pages of their Bible.
We see the quote above that tells us quite plainly what we should do in regards to worries and fears.
Another passage from Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
What the passage from 1Peter reveals is that we are to cast all discontent, despair, discouragement and suffering on Our Lord with the understanding that He has a plan for our lives and there is a purpose behind what we are going through.
Questioning and looking to secular sources for a way out shows a lack of trust and unwillingness to submit totally to Our Lord.
The logical question becomes: have you forgotten what Jesus has said in His Word?
In closing, I will give you a quote from Pastor Rockwood and it may be considered very radical when you compare it to today's increasingly watered down version of Christianity but he is correct in what he says: "Worry is not merely weakness; it is wickedness. It says God has abdicated. Worry is a sin against God and ourselves. Cast it on Christ and His cross."
Amen to that!
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The next one is this Facebook page, it was designed for those who don't use Facebook www.ofwhatoursaviorspoke.blogspot.com
My one Blog just below here is from eight years ago: www.worksfromfaith.blogspot.com
The next one is this Facebook page, it was designed for those who don't use Facebook www.ofwhatoursaviorspoke.blogspot.com
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Something To Think About
"Some parents say, 'We will not influence our children in making choices and decisions in the matter of religion!' Why not? TV and radio will! The press will! The movies will! Their neighbors will! The politicians will! The politicians will! We use our influence over so many things Shall we ignore our children in this most important matter?"
Author unknown
Author unknown
The above has become very fashionable with far too many parents in recent years. You only have to be minimally aware and observant of our culture to see what this "non-involvement" has wrought. More about this in future posts.
Those who hold to traditional Bible teaching know that you will be held accountable for everything you did, and didn't do.
Those who hold to traditional Bible teaching know that you will be held accountable for everything you did, and didn't do.
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