Discerning False Teachers

We Should Be Discerning False Teachers

Discerning false teachers

Have you ever heard the howling sounds of a pack of coyotes?

They’re fascinating, but also a little frightening.

Late one night, my husband and I heard some loud, high-pitched, noises outside. They were so loud we could hear them over the television.

We cracked open our back door and realized that we were hearing the yipping and barking of coyotes in the woods nearby.

It was pitch black dark and we couldn’t “see” anything, but we sure heard them, several yards behind our house.

From the sound of them, you could tell they had a fresh kill and were whipped into a frenzy.

Glad we didn’t go for a late-night walk.
They’re so close!

These coyotes creep in and devour their unsuspecting prey.

Kind of reminds me of what has happened in some churches across the United States.

If you do the research, you hear sad news such as this church or that church is compromising the Bible and teaching instead a counterfeit gospel.

These teachings slowly eat away at Scripture piece by piece so that His Word hardly resembles what God originally inspired.

Honoring God’s Word

Since when does God’s Word need to conform to the world because a majority don’t want to hear about sin anymore and their need for a Savior?

“Unfortunately, preachers who distort God’s Word are all too common today. Sometimes this springs from a sincere desire to soften hard hearts, but hearts aren’t changed by compromise.”

 

– Alistair Begg, Christian pastor, Truth For Life Teaching Ministry, and Author.

A Healthy Balance

Is your church still teaching about Sin, God’s forgiveness, grace, mercy, Heaven, Hell and the End Times?

If not, why not?

Is the emphasis in your church “only” on the love of God?

That may sound good initially, but there are important fundamental truths missing if the consequences of sin are never discussed.

Christianity-Lite bothers me because eternal lives are at stake.

God is a Loving Father and He is also our Righteous Judge.

The last thing churches need to do is compromise God’s Word and leave out the message that we desperately need Salvation through Jesus Christ.

Real Issues

need to be discerning

Do any of these concerning statements sound familiar?

The Bible is offensive.

 The Bible is too hard.

 God is Love. He will not judge unrepentant sinners.

 If a person just believes hard enough, God will make them rich and prosperous.

 Rich people don’t deserve God’s grace and mercy like the rest of us.

 There are many paths to God, Christianity is too exclusive.

 Universalism is the key to peace and unity in this world.

I heard a popular Christian artist say a few days ago at a concert that he believes “a revival is coming.”

We need a holy revival where people aren’t afraid to stand up for their faith, have the courage to love and care for others, but also teach people about their need for the Savior.

The apostle Paul never compromised the truths of the gospel to make them more palatable to the masses. He laid out the pure gospel message. A beautiful thing happened, churches spread throughout the Roman Empire.

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*Pastor Alistair Begg quotation, as quoted from Christian quotes.info

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Andrew Peterson Music

A Good Surprise

Do you like surprises?

I sure do!  

When they’re good surprises, of course.

That’s why I was so thrilled to stumble across the music of Christian songwriter, Andrew Peterson.

Since I’m a huge fan of faith-based movies and music, I frequently search online to read about the latest-greatest.

Several days ago, I was checking out a popular Christian music website which gave a five-star rating to Andrew Peterson.

Five stars!

 Andrew Peterson Is He Worthy

 As you probably know, YouTube comes in handy sometimes.

It’s an easy way to “dip your toe” into a new album and decide if you want to take the plunge and buy it or not.

 

A five star artist is worth a look, right?

 

I searched Andrew Peterson and the first song that came up was the very moving, “Is He Worthy?”

 

Trust me, crank this one up and play it when you need a dose of blessed assurance and hope.

 

Doctor’s orders!

Andrew Peterson Music

“Is He Worthy” appears on Peterson’s “Resurrection Letters, Volume 1” album.

After playing it several times, I knew I had to buy it.

I’ve been listening to it ever since.

Peterson’s tender vocal stylings, complimented by a stirring piano melody and beautiful choral harmonies, completely won me over.

Still Dancing

My husband and I recently celebrated our wedding anniversary.

It seems like just yesterday we were holding hands and saying, “I do!”

Looking at all the old wedding pictures and reminiscing brought up some very happy memories for us. Memories of the challenging times came up too. Prayer and God’s grace sustained us through them all.

When I first heard the song, “Dancing Through The Minefields” – I was stunned at how beautiful it was and that the title of the song went straight to my heart.

After all these years, my husband and I are still dancing, knowing that God keeps His promises.

Andrew Peterson Tour

Would you like to see Andrew Peterson in concert?

You can find information about his tour dates here: https://www.andrew-peterson.com/tour.

My hope is that these songs kindle a new longing not only in hearts, but down to our very bones and sinews—a tangible longing that we were made for this, for this coming redemption, for God dwelling with his people in a more profound way than he did even in the garden.Andrew Peterson, Christian musician and author.

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*Andrew Peterson quotation, [website]. Retrieved from https://www.andrew-peterson.com/about., n.d., para. 19.

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Patience With Others

The Spiritual Battle Rages On

Is there someone in your life who denies the existence of God?

It’s sad, isn’t it?

You want so desperately to reach them, but nothing seems to get through.

They may even shut you out by using some choice words.

“Keep your God to yourself.”

Sadly, isn’t that what society as a whole is trying to do right now?

In the spiritual battle going on in this world, just below the surface, it appears the Adversary is gaining ground.

Christians here in the United States are feeling the stirrings of persecution.

It breaks my heart.

Learning To Have Patience With Others

 

trust in God

Are the atheists and agnostics whom we know hopeless in the eyes of God?

No.

As long as there is breath in their bodies, there’s still time.

And their willingness to turn to Christ may not even start with you.

The Holy Spirit can use someone else in the life of a lost person.

The timing is our Sovereign God’s alone.

He gets the glory, and only He knows who will be saved.

I saw this quote from Dr. Woodrow Kroll that applies perfectly.

patience with others

Please be patient with your loved ones who are lost.

Keep praying for them.

You never know when you may get that joy-filled phone call that they’ve turned their lives to Christ.

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*Quotation from Dr. Woodrow Kroll, Bible teacher and preacher, as quoted, from Christianquotes.info.

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Family-Friendly Movie Reviews

Hi everyone!

 

How can you tell if the popular movie that your child wants to go see is family-friendly?

family friendly movies

 

If you’ve read some of my past blog posts, then you know I have a heart for the next generation.

Sadly, your kiddos see a lot of offensive content on movie screens, television, and social media that’s enough to make anyone cringe.

As Christians, how can it not upset us? If you click that link, you may be surprised just how graphic some of the messages are. The fact that it happened in a school is even more frustrating.

A Plea To Parents

I’ve talked with parents before who said they’ve taken their kids to a movie and ended up regretting it later. The violence/sexual content took the unsuspecting parents by surprise.

Please scrutinize the type of content your kids are watching.

Recently, I came across a helpful website for parents that I wanted to share, just in case you haven’t heard about it yet.

If you’re looking for family-friendly movie reviews, then you may want to check into movieguide.org.” The reviewers examine current movies from a Christian perspective and offer parents a heads-up about any potential issues.

More Help At Your Finger Click

Another invaluable website, this one I’ve written about before, is called kids-in-mind.com.

Famliy-friendly movie reviews

If it were me, I’d keep those two website links handy, both on my computer and in my phone.

You never know when a last-minute plea will come in: “Please Mom, can I go with a friend to the movies? Pleeeeez!”

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In The Footsteps Of Jesus

Where Jesus Walked

Where’s the one place you’ve always wanted to go?

For me, I would love to go to Israel.

I know it would be a joy-filled trip, but also an emotional one.  

Following in His footsteps

The opportunity to walk in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would be beyond thrilling.

For now, I can only live through the experiences of others and the incredible blessings they receive during their journey to the Holy Land.

A Trip To Remember

My desire to visit Israel ignited again recently when a dear friend told me about her son’s recent trip.

In His footsteps

This wasn’t just any vacation though.

For thirty-three-year-old David Britt Jr., his visit was much more meaningful than sightseeing and present-day immersion in Biblical history.

His “trip of a lifetime” included being baptized in the Jordan River, just as Jesus was.

Please don’t miss the significance.

It was at the age of 33 that Jesus had victory over the cross! He rose from the dead so that we, as repentant sinners, could have eternal life.

David’s baptism is a touching testament to the historical authenticity of God’s infinite grace and mercy.

Baptism in the River Jordan

Reflections Of His Light

One of the reasons I named this blog “Delight in God” is that I appreciate God’s grace in my own life. Like David, I’ve experienced both trials and joy.

When I heard that David wrote a poem about his trip, I couldn’t wait to ask permission to share it with you.

God’s Delight

Here is David’s very moving poem, “Your Delight”. It was written in Tiberias, Israel a couple of weeks ago. Many thanks to David for allowing me to publish it on my blog.

Your Delight

I was weary, and I was lost.
I knew to find salvation at any cost.

So I traveled to the holy land.
Led by the Lord’s gracious hand.

He led me to a group that
would welcome me.
Watching the light that
shined through them
proved this was the key.

They showed me the
fellowship I longed for.
And they led me through the door.

I followed willingly to seek
what I came to find.
And find I did with an
acceptance that was more
than kind.

I walked in the footsteps of
the One I serve.
Discovering a new
emotion with each gentle
curve.

I’ve felt things that only a
few will understand.
There’s something truly magical about this land.

I’ve seen great evil and
horrors untold in my life.
And the path I chose has
been filled with
unimaginable strife.

But You Oh God gave Your
only Son
For it is Your will that will
be done.

No matter how hard we
fight
It is our love which fills Your delight.

We willingly give in to You
Emmanuel
And Your proclamations of
love we will tell.

Make us into fishermen as
You said
So that no one is truly
dead.

But instead singing Your
eternal love.
In the land of paradise
directly above.

By David Britt Jr.  © All rights reserved. 2018.

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* Photo from a private collection, courtesy of David Britt, Jr.
** Poem by Britt Jr., David. “Your Delight.” April 12th, 2018. Tiberias, Israel. Used with permission.

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