Revival: Time is Running Out - A.W. Tozer

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. --Romans 13:12


The absence of spiritual devotion today is an omen and a portent. The modern church is all but contemptuous of the sober virtues-- meekness, modesty, humility, quietness, obedience, self effacement, patience. To be accepted now, religion must be in the popular mood. Consequently, much religious activity reeks with pride, display, self-assertion, self-promotion, love of gain and devotion to trivial pleasures.


It behooves us to take all this seriously. Time is running out for all of us. What is done must be done quickly. We have no right to lie idly by and let things take their course. A farmer who neglects his farm will soon lose it; a shepherd who fails to look after his flock will find the wolves looking after it for him. A misbegotten charity that allows the wolves to destroy the flock is not charity at all but indifference, rather, and should be known for what it is and dealt with accordingly.


It is time for Bible-believing Christians to begin to cultivate the sober graces and to live among men like sons of God and heirs of the ages. And this will take more than a bit of doing, for the whole world and a large part of the church is set to prevent it. But if God be for us, who can be against us? (We Travel an Appointed Way, 50-51.)

Dealing with Deep Waters

“Save me, O God! For waters have come up to my neck.” – Psalm 69:1


Ever feel overwhelmed by life, like you’re drowning in a sea of problems? You don’t know what the future holds. You’ve lost hope. All you see is darkness. You got the bad report from the doctor. Your loved one is sick. It doesn’t look good. Or every move you make seems to be a dead end. You can’t pay the bills. You can’t find a job. Your marriage is hanging on by a thread. Your children are rebelling. Your parents are so not understanding you. You’ve been betrayed. There’s unrest and violence in the neighborhood. You’re addicted. You feel ashamed, guilty, or broken or all of that. You’re neck deep in deep waters. Life can be like dark foreboding deep waters. It’s hard to move. You try but you can’t. You fear drowning. You fear the sharks. They’re circling. What will you, what can you do? How do we deal with such times? How do we deal with the deep waters? Psalm 69 describes deep waters and how to deal with them. It’s a psalm closely connected to Jesus. If you’re going through deep waters or know someone who is, I encourage you to get your Bible, open to that psalm and study along with me.


Deep waters in life are like mire or quick sand (v.2). They are times where you cry so much and so hard that your throat dries up and your eyes fail (v. 3). They are times when people turn against you for no reason known to you, where people gang up on you, where they use intimidation tactics and even seek to destroy you (v. 4). These are times where you realize your limitations and are convicted by your own sins (v. 5). They are times when you feel ashamed and fear bringing shame to God because of your actions (v. 6-7). These are times of loneliness (v. 8) and indignation (v. 9). These are times when people mock you because of your faith (v. 10-12). Can you relate to any of that? If so you are not alone. Jesus can relate to all of it; “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Heb. 2:18). Jesus knows about deep waters and He is able to help you.


How can we, how should we deal with the deep water times of life? We need to go to God in prayer. It states, “But as for me, my prayer is to You, O LORD, in the acceptable time; O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, hear me in the truth of Your salvation” (v. 13). John Bunyan in Pilgrim’s Progress wrote, “You can do more than pray after you’ve prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.” Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” Prayer is your lifeline to God. Pray to God when going through deep waters. No superficial prayer will do. Wait on God in prayer until the “acceptable time,” until you make contact. He is always there, but we are often distant. Trust in the “multitude of” or abundant mercy of God. Go before Him prayerfully with your Bible open for “the truth” about your deep waters. Be open to His truth. You need to know the reality of your situation. God’s word has the truth you need (John 17:17). Pray for God’s deliverance and trust in the reliability of His lovingkindness, goodness and mercy (v. 14-16). Understand Jesus is there with you and knows exactly what you are going through. He went through deep waters too (v. 17-19). He will never leave you or forsake you (Heb. 13:5). His promise is that nothing can separate you from His love (Rom. 8:38-39). Draw near to Him. Seek His presence. He knows your brokenness because He was broken on the cross for you (v. 20; 1 Cor. 11:24).


Jesus knows the ruthlessness and mercilessness of people who attack the vulnerable. He went through that on the cross (v. 21; Mat. 27:34, 48). As you pray give your circumstances to God in full surrender. Rather than defend yourself, trust God to defend you (v. 22-28). He will direct you in what to say and what not to say (Mat. 10:19-20). Jesus was forsaken by all but trusted in the Father. You may be forsaken by all but you must trust in Him. Trust in Him to save you (v. 29).


Then you must worship Him. “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving” (v. 30). C.H. Spurgeon once said, "Any fool can sing in the day. It’s easier to sing when we read the notes by daylight. But the skillful singer is he who can sing when there is not a ray of light to read by. Songs in the night come only from God. They are not in the power of man.” Paul and Silas were pursued by demons, dragged through the streets, falsely accused, beaten and thrown in jail. They were going through deep waters. But in faith they prayed and worshipped the Lord in jail. God brought an earthquake that shook the prison doors open and set them free. And God then used them to save the jailer and his family to boot! (Acts 16). Victory!


God can get you through the deep waters with a song. By faith praise and worship God. You may not feel like worshipping God while treading the deep waters. But in faith, even with tears, worship Him. There is power in this. It will lift your spirit and bring life to your heart. It will testify to those around you. It is your offering to God in full surrender to Him. It is most pleasing to the Lord and He will hear the cry of His child (v. 31-33). God hears the song of the broken hearted. “A broken and contrite heart – these, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).


In the end, even the “seas and everything that moves in them,” even the deep waters and all that is in them, will praise Him (v. 34). God can and will bring good from the deep water times of your life (Rom. 8:28). Puritan Thomas Watson once said, “A sickbed often teaches more than a sermon.” God can teach you and build you strong even through the deep waters of illness. God will save you, build you and you will be restored to continue on in this life or to move on to the next (v. 35). Our testimony should be “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).


Even your descendants will benefit from the story you’ll tell of how God got you through the deep waters of your life (v.36). Jesus will get you through and help you to deal with the deep water times of your life. In another psalm it states, “When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2). That Rock is Jesus. “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19). In the power of the Spirit, be that standard. The Father says to you, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. . . . For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; . . .” (Isaiah 4:1-3). Jesus will help you deal with the deep waters.

The Differences Between Mormonism and Biblical Christianity - Ron Rhodes

There is a lot in the news about Glen Beck, his Mormon beliefs and whether or not he and Mormons are Christian. The following is a teaching by apologist Ron Rhodes of Reasoning from the Scriptures ministries on the difference between Mormonism (The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints) as contrasted with true Biblical Christianity. It’s important to know what you believe so that you will not be deceived. Jesus said a time would come when many would be deceived (Mat. 24:4, 5, 11, 24). God in Scripture speaks of a time when some would depart from the true faith and follow “deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Tim. 4:1-2). God states in His word that a time will come when people won’t care about or follow “sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4). This is happening in our day. “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:21-22). That is what God requires of us. He requires that of us because He loves us and wants to keep us from spiritual delusion and danger. I hope and pray this video helps you sort through the fog of deception circulating in our world today. God bless.

Scared to Witness? - Part 3

In Part 1 and 2 of this study we noted Paul’s inspired words, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (2 Cor. 5:20). We have looked at good edifying fear and bad sinful fear. We have looked at the solution to bad fear as the total surrender to God in faith and the empowering of the Spirit to serve God in love. Now we will consider how we might get started. There are a few things we need to do to set the ground work for witnessing. Then we will look at a very simple way to share the gospel.

So you see your calling to be an ambassador for the Lord who shares the gospel. And you have fully surrendered to Him in faith and received the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Your love for the Lord has never been deeper or more powerful. What’s the next step? There are really three steps you need to take from this point on.

First, prayerfully prepare and equip yourself to share the gospel. Make sure you are filled with the Spirit. The empowering of the Spirit is something that needs to be maintained. The early disciples were refreshed in this empowering condition (Acts 4:31). Paul spoke of being continually filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). So start by preparing yourself with daily prayerful surrender to the Lord and reliance upon His empowering. /span>

You need to know what the gospel is before you can share it. If you’re a Christian you know the gospel. It’s the same gospel by which you were saved. Study the word of God to see what the gospel is that saves (e.g. Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 15:1-4). Gospel means good news. Learn God’s revealed way of how to use the Law to bring conviction for sin so a sinner sees their need of a Savior (e.g. 1 Tim. 1:8-11). The Law is a tutor that leads people to Jesus (Gal. 3:24). It is the Spirit who does this work; you are merely His instrument; He will lead the way (John 16:8-11). Use the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20) and use them to question people to show them their sinfulness. Then ask them if they stood before God on judgment day would they be guilty or innocent. When they say guilty, ask them if that bothers them. When they say yes, tell them about the gracious saving work of Jesus who paid the debt of their sins on the cross. Many for the first time will understand why Jesus died on the cross and that He did it in love for them (Rom. 5:8; 6:23).

Now you may be thinking, but what if people ask me questions I can’t answer? This will happen. No one has all the answers all the time. There’s nothing wrong with telling them you don’t know the answer right now but would be happy to get back to them with one later. Getting back to them will demonstrate your sincere loving concern, your reliability, that God really does have answers to life’s questions and solutions to life’s problems. It will also provide an opportunity to build a relationship that will hopefully lead to salvation and discipleship. When I encountered this as a new Christian I made a commitment to never be stumped by the same question twice. In this questions I didn’t know the answer for became an incentive and directive for me as to how to study and prepare.

I want to recommend at this point a resource that is simply the best for equipping people to share the gospel. At www.thewayofthemaster.com Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron have set up a website with video demonstrations, teachings and resources to help you get equipped to share the gospel. Their book The School of Biblical Evangelism is a treasure trove of evangelistic helps that every Christian should have. Fear is often the product of ignorance. If you want to overcome your fear of evangelism, check out these materials and you’ll be well on your way to shining God’s gospel light into the dark scary unknowns and dispelling your fears.

Another great resource is the website of Mark Cahill at http://markcahill.org . Mark is a personal friend and he walks the talk. You will be hard pressed to find someone with a greater burden for the lost. He shares the gospel literally everywhere he goes. His book The One Thing You Can’t Do in Heaven is a classic. It is a great study tool to learn the ins and outs of witnessing. Another book he wrote, One Heartbeat Away is a book you can give to the unsaved. It addresses just about every question an unbeliever might ask and does so in a loving way.

Second, pray for opportunities to share the gospel. Once you’re empowered and prepared you need to pray for opportunities to share the gospel. When you start praying don’t be surprised if Jehovah’s Witnesses start coming to your door or people start asking you why you’re different or if opportunities just start popping up everywhere. Someone has said prayer is the long range artillery of the Lord. When you storm a beach an artillery barrage precedes your charge. Target people and pray specifically for them. Pray Acts 26:18 for people that God would, “open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” Start with prayer and then step out in faith.

Third, prayerfully share the gospel. Step out in faith and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. He will help you to be sensitive to who He wants you to share with and where He wants you to share with that person. If you’re still a bit skittish about sharing the gospel but determined to do it I would suggest you begin by sharing tracts. Don’t underestimate the power of a gospel tract. A tract is a small piece of paper or pamphlet that has the gospel contained in it. It may include the consideration of a certain question that is commonly asked. A tract is great because someone can receive it and keep it to study and contemplation. It’s a fantastic evangelistic tool.

Tracts can do a lot of the evangelistic work for us. Tracts can help you start a witnessing conversation. You can offer a tract to a stranger saying, “Did you get one of these?” In so doing you are offering them something for free and starting a friendly conversation.

Tracts can find their way into places we might not be able to. Tracts don’t get into arguments, they just state their case. And tracts have perfect timing; people read them when they’re ready to and therefore most receptive. You can leave tracts places for people to pick up later. Some good places to leave tracts are: in public phone books under “Abortion,” or “Escorts.” You can leave them amongst the food and packages of a super market. You can leave them in the pockets of clothes in clothing stores. You can leave them in bathrooms. You can leave them with a good tip when you go out to eat. You can leave them at the gas pump, in doctor’s offices, airports, airplanes, ATM machines, movie theatres, stadiums; you can leave them just about anywhere.

Charles Spurgeon said of tracts, they “are adapted to those persons who have but little power and little ability, but nevertheless, wish to do something for Christ. They may not have the tongue of the eloquent, but they have the hand of the diligent. They cannot stand to preach, but they can stand and distribute here and there these silent preachers . . . They may buy their thousand tracts, and these they can distribute broadcast.” [1]

Did you know that George Whitefield, one of the greatest evangelists that ever lived, was saved by reading a gospel tract? Did you know that Hudson Taylor was also saved with a gospel tract? God uses gospel tracts. Not all tracts are equal; some are better than others. I would refer you first to The Way of the Master and Mark Cahill’s websites for tracts first. Another good site for tracts is The American Tract Society at www.atstracts.org.

One last thing, if you choose to use tracts and are just leaving them places, make sure you pray for the Lord to use them.Also make sure you put some contact information on the tract so a person knows where to go for follow up. Pray over your tracts and ask God to show you where to leave them. Remember this is a spiritual war. Prayer is the long range artillery to soften the enemies’ strongholds before we storm the breaches.

Scared of witnessing? I hope and pray this short series has helped you overcome any fear of witnessing you might have had. Pray it all through. God is calling you and every Christian to share the gospel. He will provide the power and faith to help you overcome your fears of witnessing. Then prayerfully follow through and be used by the Lord. And get ready to rejoice as sinners are saved from their sin to the glory of God. Be His ambassador and let Him plead with the lost through you. God bless you.

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[1] Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort, The School of Biblical Evangelism (Gainseville. Florida: Bridge Logos Pub. 2004) p. 198. See book for further discussion on tracts and evangelism. Excellent!

Scared to Witness? - Part 2

In Part 1 of this study we started by noting Paul’s inspired words, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (2 Cor. 5:20). We said that verse contains a great honor, privilege, calling and responsibility and that it is directed to every Christian. Then we asked why aren’t Christians fulfilling this calling. Our answer was the fear of man and its kissing cousin a desire to please people. How do we overcome this problem?

Where does fear come from? We need to understand that there is good fear that is God given and there is bad or sinful fear that comes from Satan. There is a fear of the Lord, a holy awe and reverence for God that is edifying. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom (Prov. 1:7; 9:10), helps us hate evil (Prov. 8:13), brings confidence (Prov. 14:26), brings riches, honor (Prov. 22:4), leads to life (Prov. 19:23), and is a fountain of life (Prov. 14:27). The fear of the Lord is associated with peace, life, comfort and spiritual growth (Acts 9:31), is an incentive for holy living (2 Cor. 7:1) and to serve the Lord (Heb. 12:28-29). The fear of the Lord is also an incentive and motivation for evangelism (2 Cor. 5:11). The fear of the Lord is a healthy fear of harming or bringing any pain, sorrow or disappointment to the one you love. The fear of the Lord is something that is good and that we need. But there is a satanic counterfeit fear.

The big strong fisherman Peter once expressed a commitment to stand by Jesus no matter what only to later deny Jesus three times because of his fear of people (Mat. 30-35, 69-75). Later, after Jesus had restored him, he wrote, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Satan is a bully. He seeks to manipulate by intimidation. He deceives and instills fear in us by getting us to look at ourselves and our weaknesses. He puts thoughts in our heads that tempts us to focus on perceived weaknesses in relation to the opportunity to witness at hand. Sinful fear comes from the enemy and always aims at getting us to disobey God or turn a deaf ear to God’s calling and direction. This kind of fear is not from God (2 Tim 1:7). How can such fear be overcome?

We need to realize having fears is not abnormal. The apostle Paul experienced fear in ministry. He testified, “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling” (1 Cor. 2:3). Paul trembled? Yes, he did. Courage is not the absence of fear but the management of fear. How can we manage our fear so that it is only good fear of the Lord and not satanic sinful fear of people? The next verse after Paul speaks of trembling with fear gives us the answer. He says, “And my speech and preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:4-5). The second reason Christians don’t witness is they are not empowered by the Holy Spirit. The solution to the fear problem is the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

What was it that changed fearful Peter into fearless Peter? What was it that changed all those fearful disciples, (who ran away when Jesus needed them most) into fearless disciples? What was it that changed the 150 cowering in the Upper Room to those who busted out of that room preaching the gospel powerfully in a way that impacted the entire world? One thing, One Person, made the difference, the empowering of the Holy Spirit. In fact Jesus instructed the apostles and others to wait for the empowering of the Holy Spirit before they went out witnessing (Acts 1:4-5, 8). They waited in prayer and when the Spirit came upon them in power they were transformed into a mighty force of unstoppable ambassadors for the Lord (cf. Acts 2 and the rest of the book of Acts). The solution to our sinful fears is the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

How can we be empowered by the Holy Spirit? Later in Acts when Peter was describing this empowerment he said, “So God who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith” (Acts 15:89). Notice God does not discriminate and this empowerment is available to all (compare Acts 2:39). What God did in empowering the early believers with the Spirit He will also do for us. What happened to them? It says God purified their hearts by faith. What does this mean? It means God purified the hearts of the people who fully surrendered to Him through faith in Christ and His promise of the Spirit.

There were probably a lot of things God cleansed out of those Christian’s hearts. One thing He cleansed and purified out of their hearts was fear of people. On his own big strong Peter who had boasted of his loyalty and steadfastness to Jesus, cowered and ran due to the words of a woman (Mat. 26:71). But once He was empowered by the Spirit He stood with the other apostles in Jerusalem, right where Jesus had been crucified and boldly proclaimed the gospel in the presence of the enemies of Jesus. Pentecost is a testimony to the power of the Spirit to overcome paralyzing fear.

The apostle John said, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith” (1 John 5:4). The empowerment of the Spirit that helps us overcome fear to witness is the full surrender in faith to God so that our love for Him is our supreme motivating force in life. The empowerment of the Spirit is loving God so much you’d do anything for Him. It is loving God so much you live your life to please Him. With that love we will follow His every command. It is that love that is poured out into our hearts by the Spirit (Rom. 5:5). It is that love that assures us Jesus is always by our side (Heb. 13:5). It is that love that helps us overcome our fears because in the face of the fear of people we hear the assuring words of the Spirit saying, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). With God on our side whom shall we fear? No one! (Rom. 8:31-32). Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:38-39).

Fear the Lord. Receive the empowering of the Holy Spirit. In faith completely surrender to God and His call to be an ambassador. If you do, sinners will be reached and those who are saved will be a source of great rejoicing. Serve the Lord and enter into the joy of the Lord. Witness!

In the final part of Scared to Witness? we will look at a very effective yet unintimidating entry level way to get involved in sharing the gospel. I invite you all to read on and I hope you’ll invite your friends to do the same. Be His ambassador and let Him plead with the lost through you. God bless you.

A Comment on the Consequences of the Recent Rally Led by Glen Beck

The following article by Brannon Howse should give those pause who have accepted the recent "spiritual" revival rally led by Glen Beck. I encourage you all to read this prayerfully and ask the Lord for discernment. We are responsible to "Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil" (1 Thess. 5:22-23). God bless you all.

Glenn Beck Rally Set Stage for "Christians" to Accept Paganism, and Mormons Say Beck Achieved 200 Year Goal of Getting Evangelicals to Declare That Mormons Are Christians

by Brannon S. Howse

www.worldviewweekend.com

I tried to warn evangelical leaders about Glenn Beck's rallies but most of them laughed at me. Now Satan is the one laughing at them as "Christians" run head-long into embracing non-Biblical theology and call it "Christian".

Greg West in the Mormon LDS Examiner validates my pre-Beck rally warnings to Evangelical leaders on my radio program, columns, e-mails, and phone conversations. I told them that partnering with Beck in a spiritual enterprise would send the message that Mormons are Christians.

Greg West writes:

As a Mormon, I have to consider an unintended message throughout Beck's work, which has culminated in this event. That message is: "Mormons are Christian believers." Despite nearly two centuries of misrepresentation and religious envy by sectarian Christianity, Beck has achieved the visibility, prominence, and has had the time day after day, week after week, to speak openly and truly about his core beliefs. Those statements of faith have disoriented and confused those who had previously believed the lies about Mormons.

Jim Garlow, a popular and influential pastor who partnered with the Mormon faithful in California to defend traditional marriage was quoted recently in CNN's Belief Blog, saying, "I have interviewed persons who have talked specifically with Glenn about his personal salvation - persons extremely well known in Christianity - and they have affirmed (using language evangelicals understand), 'Glenn is saved...' He understands receiving Christ as Savior."

Hallelujah! The light bulb has been switched on after nearly two centuries! Every single member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes that a person must be "born again" and receive Jesus Christ as his Savior and Redeemer. Our holy books teach that salvation comes only in and through the atonement of Christ and that there is no other way a person can be saved…Glenn Beck's beliefs are mainstream Mormon beliefs. Joseph Smith, the Church's founder, was a Christian prophet. He was an apostolic witness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
http://www.examiner.com/lds-church-in-national/glenn-beck-and-the-restoring-honor-rally

Notice that West admits that what Beck has said on his broadcasts about his faith has "disoriented and confused" people who thought that Mormonism was not consistent with Christianity. However, Beck has now convinced them that Mormonism and Christianity are compatible with the help of America's Christian leaders.

The actor Kirk Cameron is the only one I personally know of that took to heart my pre-Beck rally warnings and reversed himself. Kirk really encouraged me when I needed it by calling to thank me for the column and sharing with me how it helped him understand why he must not take part in Beck's 8-27 event. Kirk even had the courage to come on my national radio program and speak about this issue publically.

The irony is rather thick. Kirk played "Buck Williams" in the Left Behind Movies. Buck was a famous secular journalist who became a believer and then set out to warn Christians not to accept the demonic spirituality of a one-world religion that was unfolding through national and international figures.

I believe what happen over the weekend was a seismic shift within evangelicalism; an historic event that will go unnoticed by most Christian leaders. A few leaders may eventually understand the nature of what happen but it will be weeks if not months before they respond. Many of these leaders waited years to provide the defense against Oprah's pagan spirituality and when they did it was too late for many of the goats within their flock of sheep that had already consumed Oprah's spiritual poison.

Sadly, most Christian leaders and pastors are completely deficient in understanding the ideas and philosophies that have, and continue, to be the force behind the rushing cultural stream. As a result; the members of their own congregation hear no advanced warning of the coming spiritual undertow nor do they acquire the needed Biblical knowledge that keeps them from being children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, (Ephesians 4:14).

The compromise by evangelical leaders and pastors by spiritually uniting with "all faiths" with the theme of "looking to the one god", as described by Beck, has laid the foundation for untold numbers of self-professing Christians to now embrace pluralism and pagan spirituality. Pastors and evangelical leaders literally locked arms with all faiths, including Imams, in a spiritual endeavor despite the clear Biblical warnings of II Corinthians 6:14.

The Mormon Church is now rejoicing over the public relations success that these undiscerning evangelical leaders have handed the Mormon Church by uniting with Glenn Beck in the two events that were promoted as spiritual.

I believe that Beck does not only embrace the pagan spirituality of Mormonism but also Cosmic Humanism. Cosmic Humanism is known by most as the New Age Movement. Cosmic Humanism says that man is god. Mormonism says that man can become god. See the similarities? Before you react listen to what Glenn Beck said on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace on the Fox News Channel. Glenn Beck said that his rally was not political and the reason for his rally was because "there's nothing that we can do that will solve the problems that we have and keep the peace unless we solve it through God, unless we solve it in being our highest self. Be your higher-self."

Beck used the phrase "higher self" three times in the interview with Chris Wallace. No one talks that way unless they know exactly what they are saying. One New Age website says:

There are many great words to describe Who or What your highest identity or Self truly is. Below are just a few: Higher Self, I am Presence, I Am That I Am…Cosmic Consciousness, God, Christ, Holy Spirit And the list goes on…

Notice that "I AM that I AM" is another word for "higher self". Last week on his radio program Beck said, "I Am That I Am is the most powerful phrase in any language as it is the name of god, never use it in vain; use it to create who you want to be. I AM blank."

I AM is a title that is to be reserved for God Himself. In Exodus 3:13 God told Moses that when the people of Israel ask for My name tell them, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" In John 8:58 we read, "Jesus said to them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.'"

"I AM" is to be reserved as a title for God yet it is being blasphemed in the pagan practice of what is called "the law of attraction." In the book The Secret, that was promoted by none other than Oprah Winfrey, Rhonda Byrne wrote:

· The law of attraction is the law of creation….You create your life through your thoughts." [p. 15.]

· There isn't a single thing that you cannot do with this knowledge. It doesn't matter who you are or where you are, The Secret can give you whatever you want. [P. xi]

· With this powerful knowledge, you can completely change every circumstance and event in your entire life…" [p. 17]

The fact that people like Beck on the right and Oprah on the left are proclaiming the "I AM" message is a sign that we are living in the last days according to Jesus Himself in Luke 21:7-8:

And they asked Him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? And he said, "Take heed that yet be not deceived: for many will come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near; go ye not therefore after them."

Former New Ager, now Biblical Christian, Ray Yungen writes:

Notice, "Christ" is italicized in verse 8, meaning that it was not in the original manuscript. The translators of the King James Bible probably thought it awkward that it said "Many shall come saying, I am." Probably for the sake of clarity and to be consistent with Mathew 24, the translators added the word "Christ."

Did you catch that? Jesus was saying that when people say they are god by using the title "I AM" it is a sign that we are living in the end times. We are also told to run away from the people saying "I AM". Sadly, many of our nation's pastor's and Christian leaders did not run from Glenn Beck but ran to join him in a spiritual service and enterprise.

Beck on his radio program last week also declared, "Hell is an eternity of regret not being able to forgive yourself." This is a completely unbiblical statement. Nowhere in the Bible do we see instruction to "forgive yourself" because it is impossible. 2 Corinthians 5:15 says, "He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again." Verse 17 is what brings me peace since I have repented of my sins and placed by faith and trust in the Jesus of the Bible. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

Grace and forgiveness is provided to those who repent and therefore there is no need to believe the lie that you can "forgive yourself" of your sins.

Glenn Beck has accomplished what neither Oprah Winfrey nor Shirley McClain could. I believe that Beck used his conservative veneer and doublespeak to co-opt leaders of the religious right. Beck and these evangelical leaders have sent the message that it is acceptable for millions of "Christians" to embrace humanistic spirituality and paganism for the purpose of social activism and social change. These pastors should re-read Luke 17:2 where we read; "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones."

Beck has set the stage for "conservatives" to accept a one-world religion and numerous leaders of the religious right pulled the ropes that raised the curtain on this ecumenical stage. Christian leaders that should have known better nodded in agreement and provided the backdrop as Beck preached his sermon of pluralism and universalism on 8-27 and 8-28.

Perhaps sooner, rather than later, the world will be in massive economic, political, and spiritual chaos and a leader will step on to the world stage and this anti-Christ will call for the religions of the world to unite and embrace spirituality. He will declare that he is not about politics but about bringing peace, unity, faith, hope, charity, stability, freedom, and prosperity under the common god of all religions. This world leader will perform counterfeit miracles signs and wonders and those who reject Biblical truth will follow him [2 Thessalonians 2:9-12] and embrace his plan for restoring honor.

If I had told you five years ago that a "conservative" radio and TV personality would have millions of viewers, would talk about the spiritual battle being waged in America, would be a self-confessed member of a cult, would quote New Age phrases, would call for Christians and conservatives to look to the "one god", would seek to unite all faiths and would convince dozens of evangelical pastors and leaders to support him in a spiritual service-you would say I was writing fiction and that this would never happen.

Do you now understand the magnitude of the spiritual shift that occurred this past weekend? The millions that see nothing wrong with the messages of Beck's 8-27 and 8-28 rallies reveal that the religious left and the religious right will be easily merged together in the coming one world religion under the coming one-world spiritual leader as prophesied in Revelation 17:8.

Ephesians 5:11 commands all Christians to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." That is exactly what we have done and will continue to do in spite of e-mails and voice messages that are filled with cursing and insults. Our response must simply be, "Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?" [Galatians 4:16]

Scared to Witness? Part 1

In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians he was inspired to write, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (2 Cor. 5:20). That’s a pretty awesome honor and privilege; to be God’s representative and instrument of outreach and witness to the lost. That’s a pretty serious calling. It’s also an intimidating responsibility. But most importantly, this verse is not directed at a select few with the gift of evangelism, it is directed at “we,” that is, every Christian.

Why is it then that there are so many closet Christians? Why are so many Christians incognito? Why are so many Christians scared to witness? How is it that despite the numerous clear statements in scripture that the believer is to witness, that it is estimated that 55% of Christians still don’t believe it is their responsibility to witness? Why is it that estimates indicate that only about 2 % of Christians share their faith on a regular basis?

There are two basic reasons for this terrible situation. Before we go to those reasons for the lack of witnessing we need to ask is the lack of witnessing terrible? Yes, it is terrible. Why is it terrible? Because while Christians are neglecting their God given opportunity, privilege, calling and responsibility to witness people are going off into a permanent dark tormenting eternity in a place called hell where there is no love and only loneliness and regret. That is terrible. Hell is just as real as heaven and just as permanent (Mat. 25:46). When we don’t witness it is as though we stand outside a burning home where its occupants are asleep and though we could wake them up so they could get out, we refuse to do so. That is not only terrible in its consequences, it is terribly immoral.

Why aren’t Christians witnessing? First, people don’t witness because they are paralyzed with the fear of man. Proverbs 29:25 states, “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” Fear of man ensnares us and keeps us from the joy of God’s calling on our lives. The Bible says heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7, 10). It’s a joyful thing when someone is saved from their sin and its consequence. But the fear of people keeps us from that. The fear of people causes us to care more about what people may think about us or do to us. The fear of people and what they might do to us or think about us short circuits any use we might be to God and for His glory.

The kissing cousin of the fear of people is the desire to please people. The apostle Paul wrote, “For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10b). It’s not a sin to want to please people. It’s a sin to want to please people more than to please God. When the world discourages witnessing by referring to it as proselytizing and Christians refrain they are putting the fear of people and desire to please them above their calling and command from God. Those who say Jesus is the only way to salvation are called intolerant, bigoted, narrow minded and a host of other derogatory things by the world. We don’t want to be seen as unsophisticated or shallow minded. We want to fit in and not stick out like a sore thumb. And so we keep our mouths shut and cower in what we often suppose people would think of us if we shared the gospel with them. They go off on their unassuming hell bent way and we shrink smaller and smaller spiritually with regret and guilt at having failed to heed God’s call.

It’s not a sin to have a healthy respect for people, it is a sin to fear people more than you fear and revere God. Jesus said, “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” (Luke 12:4-5). Based on what Jesus said, if we are paralyzed and prevented from witnessing because of the fear of people, we need to have a change in perspective. In Hebrews the Lord states, “But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him” (Heb. 10:38). If you want to please the Lord, (and any true Christian does) you must learn to deal with your fear that causes you to draw back from God’s calling; especially your fear of people.

Is fear ever good? What’s the difference between good godly fear and sinful fear? How can we overcome the fear that prevents us from witnessing? That is what we will consider in part two of Scared to Witness? I invite you all to read on and I hope you’ll invite your friends to do the same. Be His ambassador and let Him plead with the lost through you. God bless you