General Articles

Although All Men Are Liars, God Is Not :: By Jim Towers

Published on: by RR10

Have you ever noticed that people these days are untrustworthy and can’t be relied upon for anything? They lie constantly and even openly. Lying has become so prevalent that people hardly notice anymore. Tie that in with deviousness and deceit, and you have a toxic mix of deadly brew.

The sad thing is that you would even find this behavior in today’s church. Many claiming to be Christians are Christians in name only, and it’s getting worse and worse. Jealousy, hate, and strife are also permeating the church and body politic of our once great nation.

Just look around you, and you can see the effect of these attributes, or should I say deterioration of morals, sweeping the nation. I can see where the rapture will be no big task for God since there are so few to be taken away if this continues. But it’s not like we weren’t warned by holy men of God.

Before I joined my new church, I was invited to a men’s prayer breakfast. Everyone there was over sixty, with many much older. I, being of Baptist persuasion, carried my torn and tattered Bible in hand into the room, and since I had already eaten and was a little late, I was the last to be seated. The only seating available was up toward the front of the group of about 90 men. Good-naturedly and feeling I was in good Christian company, I asked, “Where are all the Bibles? I’m a Baptist, and Baptists always carry their Bibles with them to Bible studies!”

Naturally, all eyes were on me as I took my seat.

The speaker, who was just finishing his spiel, said, “We memorize scripture!” At that retort, the whole room burst out in laughter and knee-slapping as I slipped into a chair at the big round table that sat six. I took no offense, thinking, “Yeah, sure, I’ve been around enough to know that most Christians can’t recite more than two scripture verses. Who do you think you’re fooling!?” (The speaker had no idea I was evangelical enough to be a contributing writer for two websites and even had my own.) I laughed and applauded the speaker for his quick response. I had offended the group, and I knew it. We all had a good laugh at my expense, but since I’ve heard everything, nothing gets me rattled anymore.

Later, I thought, “Where did my comment come from? I should have known better since I deal with people as often as I can. That comment must have been offensive, even though I thought I was just being outgoing and affable.”

I grappled with that “spur of the moment” comment until I finally came to the conclusion that this was just the thing these men had to hear. Now they had something to think about besides their oatmeal. Now, at least some were brought under deep conviction that they were lazy or too indifferent to learn the Word of God. I don’t know if it was just my bon vivant manner or the Holy Spirit that spurred me to make such a truthful statement.

I’ve decided to overlook that incident (although I know others won’t) since I know enough to make myself “invisible,” as it were, for the sake of the congregation. After all, they are at least in the right place to learn and grow. Some will never get it. Others try, but the cares of the world will stunt their growth.

There was a time when I believed that all Christians were sincere and as pure as the driven snow. But today, nothing surprises me. Regardless of the titles we hold or the education we have, now I know that we are ALL sinners and only saved by God’s grace, as in, “Ye are saved by grace through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, lest any man should boast.”

One more thing: I thank God that I didn’t follow through with becoming a preacher (something I once thought of becoming). Today’s seminaries are rife with false doctrine and foolish manmade teachings. I even dated a “Christian” girl who told me her much older Christian professor/pastor had fondled her. Plus, I know several other pastors who were fired for just such behavior. But hey, they’re only human, and what man can resist an attractive woman?

Speaking of attractive women, I recently went to a small medical clinic in the neighborhood and had a thorough going over by three young women — the doctor, the nurse, and the receptionist. When they learned of my profession after checking the internet, they fawned over me even though I’m a much older man. I, of course, was moved by their attention, but knowing what I know about human nature, I must be careful to reign in my God-given passion for lovely ladies, even though I worked with some of the most beautiful actresses and models in the world without any missteps. Along those lines is my following book report.

Book report

Manhood, the new book by Senator Josh Hawley, is subtitled, “The masculine virtues America needs” (I would add the word now or these days). This man is right on about everything he says. Men today are wimps, sorry to say, even in the church.

Although I have a growing disdain for politicians, I picked up this book not knowing Mr. Hawley was one until I saw him on the internet grilling an FBI official about corruption within the leadership.

As I read, I was amazed at this man’s Christian integrity and insight. Here are some quotes:

Male spiritedness is the beginning of courage. Can that spirit be disruptive in a classroom? Yes, certainly. The ancients knew that too. It is one Plato prescribed – physical training for young men, discipline for the body to match education of the mind. Thumos can lead boys to draw pictures of guns and toss imaginary grenades. It can provoke fierce competition and the occasional fistfight. But properly channeled, it can be the strength of civilization…

Josh is coming to the forefront (I’ve seen his name three times on news programs defending the Christian faith and the American Constitution).

YBIC

Jim Towers

You can write me at jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com or visit me at www.dropzonedelta.com for “Open Letters” to the movie stars I’ve worked with in the past – which is also on my newly restructured website www.propheticsignsandwonders.com. (I’m also on YouTube now and on Twitter.)

 

A Topsy-Turvy World :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: by RR10

We live in a topsy-turvy world. Right is wrong, and wrong is right. Many Christians try very hard to follow Scripture but are fed by false teachers who don’t teach God’s truth. Thus, the false teacher is followed instead of God’s word. In trying to be good, non-judgmental Christians, God’s truth is compromised. We are often deceived by things that sound Biblical but aren’t.

Many believe that under no circumstance are we to judge. “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Matthew 7:1-2).

The judging named here is a condemning type of judgment. For instance, if you say, “That person is a snob,” you’ve judged that person and shown no mercy. Also, by judging that way, you’ve just proven yourself a snob. We aren’t to judge, but we are to discern. “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).

What is a righteous judgment? Only God is the righteous judge, so we follow His directives. Scripture is our guide. When you see a brother or sister participating in a sin, it’s good to point out the sin. Perhaps fellow Christians didn’t realize they were sinning. Really? How can you not know you’re sinning? For the answer to that, let’s look back to King David.

He committed a great sin that was punishable by death but didn’t see his actions as sin. He had a sexual encounter with Bathsheba, the wife of one of his most faithful soldiers. Bathsheba became pregnant, and David decided to bring her husband home so it would look as if the child was his. Uriah wouldn’t cooperate, so David sent him back to the frontline of battle and stationed where he was certain to be killed. How could David have thought any of this was not sin?

David had a prophet named Nathan, who bravely came to David with a story about two men and a sheep. One man was rich and had everything he could possibly want, but the other was poor and had only one little lamb. This lamb was the family pet. One day the rich man had a visitor, and instead of taking a sheep from his own flock for dinner, he took the poor man’s lamb. “And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity” (2 Samuel 12:5-6).

It was easy for David to see the fault and judge a judgment of condemnation against the rich man. “And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; and I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah: and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things” (2 Samuel 12:7-8).

David was blind to his sin, but when Nathan saw the sin and brought it to his attention, David was heartbroken. “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die” (2 Samuel 12:13).

David wasn’t perfect, but he was repentant. None of us are perfect. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).

Christians have something King David didn’t have. Grace. David was deeply repentant, and from this great sin came Psalm 51, where David poured out his heart to God. David cried out to God for mercy. He didn’t make excuses for his sin but asked for mercy. “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightiest be justified when thou speakest and be clear when thou judgest” (Psalm 51:3-4).

David knew he wasn’t above the Law, and like any other person, he was subject to the penalty for his sin. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

David truly repented and turned away from his sin. As Christians, we can have this same blessing from God. He will forgive, but we have to repent. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Thank You, Jesus, for forgiving a sinner like me.

When the Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus for condemnation, He turned the tables on them. “So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (John 8:7). Of course, the Pharisees knew they had sin and couldn’t condemn her. Jesus forgave her.

When we choose one verse and build doctrine around it, we make a big mistake. The entirety of Scripture must be studied. Most pastors don’t teach verse by verse through Scripture, so they can pick and choose easy topics and teach easy-listening sermons. This is very wrong. The pastor of the last church I attended had many degrees in theology but little knowledge of Scripture. He leaned toward New Age teaching and admired the purpose-driven lies. I couldn’t listen to his teaching, so I chose to leave. If Scripture isn’t the authority, then there are big problems within the congregation.

“Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little” (Isaiah 28:9-10).

If you’re being taught by a man who won’t preach God’s word from Scripture, then you’re probably being taught a different Gospel than the one found in Scripture.

The congregation in Corinth was very far from following God’s truth. Paul had a lot to say to them. Was he being judgmental? He was judging by a righteous judgment. “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” (2 Corinthians 11:4). It’s easy to be deceived if you’re still drinking milk instead of eating the meat of Scripture.

Corinth was a congregation that would fit well into today’s topsy-turvy world. They were proud of accepting sin into their midst. They took pride in being open-minded and non-judgmental, and pride is something God doesn’t accept. “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife” (1 Corinthians 5:1).

God is very clear that this is a very serious sin. “And the man that lieth with his father’s wife hath uncovered his father’s nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death: their blood shall be upon them” (Leviticus 20:11). Perhaps the congregation in Corinth didn’t know Levitical Law, but common decency should be clear that this behavior is unacceptable. The city of Corinth was pagan, and paganism was very ungodly in their practices.

Christians must stand against sin even though we live in a time when sin has been legalized, and we are called haters if we oppose it. The Corinthians not only accepted this heinous sin, but they were proud of their wokeness. “And ye are puffed up and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you” (1 Corinthians 5:2). Pride is a terrible thing when it is the pride of sin.

Paul was very judgmental but judged with a righteous judgment, “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:5-6). Leaven symbolizes sin. If a little sin enters a congregation, it will grow until the entire congregation is affected. Paul advised them to remove the sinner from the congregation until he repented.

Paul didn’t stop with that one sin. “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters: for then must ye needs go out of the world” (1 Corinthians 5:9-10).

We are to be in the world but not participate in the sin of the world. We would have to live in total isolation, not sharing the Gospel, if we didn’t rub elbows with sinners on occasion. Paul explains that we aren’t to socialize with fellow Christians who embrace sin. “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, with such an one not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (1 Corinthians 5:11-13).

God will judge those who have rejected Him, but sin cannot be tolerated within a congregation. I’m sickened when I see transsexual and other perversion being embraced by Christians. They are not to be a part of a congregation. We are to judge, not condemn, sinners, and we are to share God’s love and mercy with them.

Jesus warns us not to follow the well-worn, broad way that leads to destruction but to follow the narrow way. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Jesus is that narrow gate.

The New Agers would have us believe that there are many paths that lead to eternal life, but they are wrong. They push yoga, and spirituality, and many false teachings. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” (Matthew 7:15-16).

The way to not be deceived by these false prophets is to know God’s truth only found in Scripture. If someone tries to convince you to read The Shack, or The Purpose-Driven Church, or use The Message as your Bible, don’t fall victim to these false prophets.

New Age is full of error. They would have us believe that God is in all things. The Holy Spirit indwells born-again Christians, but He doesn’t live in rocks, trees, or unbelievers. Name it and claim it? False prophets push this lie. We live in a topsy-turvy world where God’s truth is perverted and a “new” truth, which is Satan’s lies, is being pushed on us. Brothers and sisters, stand firm on Christ, the solid Rock. Don’t be deceived. Judge with a righteous judgment and share the pure Gospel as found in Scripture. There is only one way to salvation, and that is a true faith in Jesus Christ. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). There is no other path. Jesus is the narrow gate that leads to life eternal.

Paul had good advice when he wrote letters to the men he left in charge of the various congregations he planted. Pastors today should heed this advice. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils: speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:1-2).

If you are being deceived by false teachers, then find a Christian group that stands on God’s word. In this topsy-turvy world, it may be hard to find solid Bible teaching. Perhaps God is calling you to start a home Bible study. Don’t allow fear to stop you from serving God. In this topsy-turvy world, we need Christian men to take their place as leaders in Christian fellowships and in their homes.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com
ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

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