Sacred Name Movement

Having a family member involved in this cult has made me want to inform others about it. There are many things that seperate this group from Christians. The one that they emphasize the most is the use of the sacred names Yahweh and Yeshua. They see our Jesus as an idol and some would even venture to say that we are following the antichrist! They do not stop there. They also believe all truly saved people will celebrate the feast days and follow the dietary and other laws of the Old Testament. Of course, they pick and choose which of these they want to follow. They claim that when it says that these things will be done for generations to come it means that we are never to stop doing them. However, they fail to acknowledge that all of these laws (save the 10 Commandments, given to show us that we are sinners) were given in order to make the people acceptable to God. We have now been given that through the sacrifice of His only Son! I am not saying that it is wrong for them to do these things, as I know it speaks of the believer who thinks they must do such things, however I have a big problem with the way they attach so much onto salvation. They say we must do this and that as though we are still trying to earn our salvation on our own merit! Every time I speak to my brother I can tell that he looks down on me and thinks I am going straight to hell because I do not use the sacred names (I have no objection to those who do, mind you) and I do not eat the right foods and I vaccinate my child(ren), etc. In an earlier conversation I had with him he told me that I should not be praying to God because there are many gods. I said my God has a capital G. His response was "How does He know that?". Of course, I replied..."He knows everything! How could He not know I am speaking to Him or praising Him or worshipping Him?" I am aware of the Scripture that says not to do things that would make a weaker brother fall. We must be careful (I now use the words Heavenly Father and the Son, etc.) but we cannot allow someone to distort the gospel message and attach things onto the grace and mercy and love of God given to us through the death of His Son! There are many more details on this cult that are disturbing, and I pray time allows me to edit this post in the near future and add more to it, but I wanted to get this out there while it was on my mind.

To be loved like that...

I have read through Song of Solomon before. I have earnestly sought out the intentions of God in marriage, and I am constantly learning new things through the Holy Spirit revealing things to me in God's Word. A few days ago, I read through this book again. Oh, I found myself thinking, to be loved like that! To have a love for each other that it cannot be contained, it cannot be quenched and there is no sign of being too busy, too tired, too irritated, etc. The thing that stands out to me the most is that this love is so pure, so genuine. It is not something that is forced nor said out of flattery. Oh, to have a love like that! I am again reminded that Christ is our husband and He has given us all of these things...oh we are loved like that!!! To think, He is as captivated with His bride as on the day we first became His! His love has never waned, though mine is so lacking at times. It then ocurred to me that He has said to me many times, I want you to love me like that. Oh the shame that came over me in that instant! I have prayed daily that God would mold me into a better wife, a better mother, a better servant. However, it is time I started devoting as much time, words, service, etc. to Him as I know He has for me. I have heard a lot about the 5 love languages lately: time, words, service, gifts, and touch. I see every single one of these layed out so beautifully in the Song of Solomon. It is such an honor to know that this book not only applies to our marriages here on earth but even moreso to our marriage to Christ!

Bringing Joy...

Recently my discussion group within the MOPS organization at our church decided to have an outing with our children in tow to a nearby assisted living center. We wanted to wait until after the Christmas season for various reasons. This week that visit came together. We split into two groups and went to different houses. Each house was home to six individuals. When the three of us walked in the door with our combined total of six children the two women seated in the front room instantly smiled and started speaking with us. To see the joy that those children brought to those women was truly a blessing and a miracle. The children as well as ourselves interacted with the women and eventually all but one of the residents spent time with them. There was one lady inparticular that was touched by the gift of joy that these children brought. She did not want to participate in what was taking place and adamently declared to her caregiver that she was sick and wanted to go back to her room. However, once the children came to her, she was the happiest of all of them to have their company. What a blessing it was to bring joy to these women just by spending an hour and a half of our time with them!

Eugene Peterson's Message...

For a comparison on how the Message "Bible" reads versus the NIV or other versions visit the following links:

http://www.crossroad.to/Bible_studies/Message.html
http://www.bible-researcher.com/themessage.html
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/themessage.htm

This is a horrible place for a new Christian to start. It may have its value among mature Christians who are able to discern what is and is not from the Holy Spirit. This was first brought to my attention when my father, a new convert, was having trouble reading and understanding the Bible. His pastor guided him straight to "The Message"!

When it is biblical to leave...

Some people would say it is very "unChristian" to cut ties with another believer or a non-believer. However, this point is backed up in Scripture extensively. Of course, there are more instances then those I have listed but if you believe in the Bible as the inerrant word of God this should be more than enough.

Matthew 10:14
14If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.

Romans 16:17-19
17I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

Ephesians 5:1-14
1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person–such a man is an idolater–has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a] 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them.
8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
14If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. 15Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

2 Timothy 2:14-21
14Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15Do 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. 16Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”[a] and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
20In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

2 Timothy 3:1-5
1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without selfcontrol, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God– 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

Of course, once the sin has been repented of and there is a sincere desire to turn from that sin it is always biblical to receive them again.

Hate the sin, Love the sinner?

Many people claim that this phrase is found in the Bible. It is not there. It is used by many non-Christians and "Christians" to look past a sin and embrace the sinner even if they choose to willingly and joyfully continue on in that sin. It is often used in conjunction with "judge not!". While the words judge not are found in the Bible they are taken out of context when used in this manner. We have recently become involved in a conflict among "Christian" family members who want to be of this world and yet claim to love God. As one of them put it, "I love God, but it's my life."! This has prompted my husband and I to seek out God's will in the matter and we have quoted many Scriptures to these family members and yet, none have been impacted or convicted by them. None have even acknowledged them, let alone have the Holy Spirit transform them through the powerful Word of God! How sad it is, when the actual Word of God loses out to phrases such as "hate the sin, love the sinner" and "judge not".

I would like to make clear that I believe we should love the sinner who commits the sin, but we should love them with Christ-like love. That is a love that corrects and rebukes sin out of the love we have for the very soul of the sinner! It is not loving them into further commiting sin by our acceptance! Also, for those who say, "but the Bible says, Judge not!", you are right the Bible does say that. However, it goes on to clarify that we are not to judge unrighteously but we most certainly are to judge especially within the body of believers!

Ezekiel 33:8-9
8 When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you will surely die,' and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for [a] his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. 9 But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself.

Matthew 28:18-20
18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Romans 12:1-2
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:9-12
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

2 Corinthians 13:5-10
5Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test? 6And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. 10This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority–the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

Ephesians 5:1-14
1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person–such a man is an idolater–has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a] 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them.
8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

1 Timothy 4:6-16
6If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
9This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
11Command and teach these things. 12Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
15Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

2 Timothy 4:1-5
1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Titus 2:11-14
11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live selfcontrolled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Arise, O Lord!

Psalm 3

O Lord, how many are my foes!
How manyrise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
"God will not deliver him."

But you are a shield around me, O Lord;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
To the Lord I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill.

I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
I will not fear the tens of thousands
drawn up against me on every side.

Arise, O Lord!
Deliver me, O my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.

From the Lord comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.

Presenting the Gospel...the Right way

Here is a great article about how to present the gospel.

http://www.carm.org/devotions/presenting.htm

Also, here is another great article that addresses a popular phrase used by non-Christians and "Christians" alike...Hate the sin but love the sinner. This is a topic I plan to address further in a future blog when time allows.

http://www.carm.org/uni/Godhates.htm

Spurgeon

The more I read of Charles Spurgeon's sermons the more I am drawn in by them. There is one in particular that touched me greatly. I have meant to post the link here for quite some time but am just now getting around to it. The name of the sermon is "The Relationship of Marriage" but it isn't what you might think. It is about our marriage to Christ.

http://www.biblebb.com/files/spurgeon/0762.htm

It is quite long but I recommend this highly! One other suggestion, print it out and read it only when you have enough time to read it through in its entirety. It loses so much of it's meaning if you read some and leave it for a day or two and then try to read some more, etc.