MISPLACED FAITH

Some people blindly put their faith in religious leaders, assuming that their leaders would never teach a false plan of salvation. Yet the Apostle Paul warned that "from you own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them" (Acts 20:30). Other people simply choose not to respond or conform their lives to truth. Instead they listen to teachers who say what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Then there are people who have a zeal for God, but not according to biblical knowledge (Rom. 10:1-4). They have been indoctrinated by false teachers and refuse to believe the truth. Religious indoctrination is one of Satan's most powerful tools for blinding the minds of unbelievers from the light of the Gospel (2 Cor. 4:4).

It was misplace faith that separated Adam and Eve from God in the garden. Instead of keeping their faith in God and His Word, the deceiver became the object of their faith. Our gracious and merciful God now uses the same instrument of faith that brought condemnation to the human race, to bring justification to those who repent and believe the Gospel. When people believe God and His Word and turn from Satan and his lies, their legal status changes from condemnation to justification. The object of one's faith has eternal consequences. Those who are in Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit, never have to fear God's condemnation (Rom. 8:1). Divine justice was satisfied for those who trust Christ as their substitute. He is the all-sufficient Savior for all who repent and believe His Gospel.

FALSE PROPHET PRAISED AS HOLY FATHER

Millions of American Catholics have been praising a man who is leading them down the broad road to destruction with a false and fatal Gospel. By the authority of God’s Word, we know the pope is under divine condemnation for preaching a gospel contrary to the Gospel of God. The apostle Paul warned us: “there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed“ (Gal. 1:6-9). The Gospel the apostles preached was salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone according to Scripture alone for the glory of God alone. The pope’s gospel is salvation by sacraments, good works, law keeping and participating in the offering of a false Christ on Catholic altars. Paul warned us: "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

"HOLY FATHER" OR "FATHER OF LIES"

As we watched the non-stop coverage of the pope's visit to America last month, many of the scenes appeared to be apocalyptic. We saw multitudes of people flocking to get a glimpse of a mortal man who was unknown three years ago. The national excitement for this false prophet was overwhelming as gullible people hung on his every word. Warnings were ignored from the true head of the church who said, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Mat. 7:15). The Lord Jesus said, "I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him" (John 5:43). Clearly, the pope not come in the Father's name, but he arrogantly wears the title reserved for the one and only "Holy Father" (John 17:11). Tragically, most Catholics do not know the Word of God and their ignorance makes them easy prey for the worst kind of deception. 

TWO TYPES OF TERRORISM

While the world is focused on the deadly terrorists attacks by radical Muslim jihadists, there is another terrorist attack that has been going on much longer and is much more dangerous because of its ETERNAL consequences. As we mourn over the loss of physical life and grieve with those who lost loved ones, we realize these tragedies are occurring far to often and in far too many places. It is good to know that some governments have finally declared war on ISIS and are pooling their resources to destroy them before they destroy us.

Frank Edwards' gospel truth: Women put me under pressure

He is talented and blessed with a captivating voice. Since his debut in 2008 with an album, The Definition, Frank Ugochukwu Edwards simply known as Frank Edwards has carved a place for himself in the gospel music scene. With his consistency as an artiste of purpose, he has rightly earned the appellation of “Nigeria’s hottest gospel rock musician”.

Nicknamed Frank Rich Boy by fans, Edwards sits atop Rocktown Records, a  label that parades a crop of talented up and coming artistes. In this interview, he shares his childhood experiences, career challenges and marriage plans among others. Enjoy.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?

I am just a gospel evangelist who preaches the gospel through music. That is basically what I do.

+ISSUES: God Recognizes False Worship When He Sees It--Do You?

"It is appropriate to ask whether there is much genuine, deep, heartfelt worship in our churches. In many evangelical churches people do not truly worship God. ... If genuine worship is lacking in our churches, we should ask how we can bring ourselves to experience much more of the depth and richness of worship, which is the natural response of the believing heart ..." (Wayne Grudem).

+TIPS: What To Fo When Your Spouse Feels More Like a Roommate

Here is an article you should see, whether you are single or married.

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The first time I met Sarah and Tom, I thought that they were a special couple. They were attending a new preparing-for- marriage class I was teaching. They stood out not just because they were sitting in the front row but because they just seemed to get it. They saw the bigger picture. They understood that a good marriage would take a lot of work, and they already knew God had to come first.

Almost seven years later, I got a call one day at my office from Sarah. She asked me if I remembered her and Tom, and when I said yes, she broke down in tears and said they were about ready to give up on their marriage.

I have been counseling people for a long time and nothing much surprises me, but this call from Sarah did. What in the world had happened to this couple who at the start seemed on the right track to build a successful marriage?

As we talked and unpacked the past seven years, they'd had no major marriage-altering event. No affair. No pornography. No abuse. No addictions. Instead, I saw a series of baby steps that took them away from each other over a long period of time.

+ISSUES: Is Your Husband’s Lust Leading to YOUR Lust?

 

No woman dreams of marrying a man that struggles with lust, but the sad truth is most of us do. It’s a truth that many “church-grown” women neglect to understand or acknowledge until a serious relationship arises. Sometimes it even takes years into a marriage before it comes to the surface. 

 

But for the large majority of us, we eventually have to confront the reality of our husband’s very real temptation to lust after another woman. 

+LIFE: What Men Want in a Godly Woman

Editor's Note: This is the second in a two part series of what people are looking for godly marriage material. Click here to read yesterday's post, "What Women Want in a Godly Man."

“Single 27-year-old male, searching for a life-partner. Her best qualities must be external appearance and sexual appeal. Superficiality is welcomed. Preferably someone who is lacking in goals, neglective of dreams and aimless in direction to allow for me to become center stage. Would prefer to keep conversation entirely shallow—limited to pop culture and materialism.”

I can pretty much guarantee an ad like this wouldn’t draw much attention from females. In fact, if this were an actual ad, it would make most women cringe.

Perfect Love For All ~ Pastor William Kumuyi

Topic: Perfect Love For All [Friday January 29, 2016]

Text: Romans 12:9-21

Key Verse: “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good”(Romans 12:9).

Paul the apostle, in our text, reiterated Christ’s position, evidently describing genuine love as a cardinal virtue of a Christian life.

He noted particularly that it must be sincere and devoid of hypocrisy. Aside from the fact that Christians must see themselves as a family, which will enable them to adequately appreciate true love, Paul pointed out that in living it out, they must equally honour other people, even more than themselves, and hate evil. Apostle Paul equally asserted that Christians must work hard in God’s service with hope, patience and prayer. They should also be hospitable and generous, forbearing insult, sympathising with other people, living in unity with others and avoiding retaliation, no matter how they may have been hurt.

Counting Your Blessing I ~ Pastor E.A Adeboye

Read: Psalms 103:1-5 (KJV)

1 A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Bible in One Year: Matthew 12:9-13:43; Job 12:13-25

Charisma Without Character 1 ~ Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor

Topic: Charisma Without Character 1 [Friday January 29, 2016]

“Then she lulled him to sleep on her knees; and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him.”      (JUDGES 16: 19)

God has put in you, supernatural gifts that if harnessed properly will make you fulfill your God given destiny in life. However, your gifts can open doors for you but you must understand that it is your character that can keep you in the open doors. A gifted man without good character is headed for destruction. Character on the other hand refers to the kind of fruits your life produce. Galatians 5:22 tells us the fruits every believer should produce. They include, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, and temperance.

Do What He Says ~ Pastor Chris Oyakilome

Topic: Do What He Says [Friday, January 29th]

I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine (John 17:9).

The above scripture captures part of Jesus’ prayer for His disciples, as He rounded off His earthly ministry. He said, “I pray not for the world.” How come He wasn’t praying for the world? He knew it wasn’t necessary, because He knew what the Father wanted, and He was going to do just that, rather than praying about it.