The Christian teen fantasy entitled Hafren: A Fantasy for the Young at Heart was just released. I think you'll enjoy the fast-pace plot and occasional humor. Hafren: A Fantasy for the Young at Heart is available from amazon.com and from the Lighthouse Christian Publishing website. If you would like to read an excerpt from the novel, go to the following link: http://christianteenfantasy.webs.com/
<p>I recently received a prophetic word that God was going to restore 7 -fold what the devil had taken. Great word! I was thrilled! Jumped up and down. Shared it with Arthur. We were very excited about it. It was the first word on restoration I had received in 7 years. For 7 years, it had been either silence or our words had been: “you are in the battle; God says you have been faithful”. Nothing revelational there! You know when you are in the battle. You don’t need a prophetic word to confirm it! I knew the devil had stolen from us. It was almost as if everything was been sucked down into this black hole of nothingness. As I am very much a stickler for it that if God speaks, I act! , I started to act on my prophetic word. I sat down and made a list of all that the devil had stolen. Not because I was greedy, just because I wanted a visual list in front of my eyes to be able to thank God for His 7- fold restoration every time I laid my eyes on the visual. My “stolen goods list” looked along this line: - Houses (lost 4) We'd all love to live in a "Smart House" - Cars - Money - Clothes - Make up - Health (from been under constant stress) - Medical Aid - Insurance - Holidays - Jewelry - I’m very tempted to list my hairdresser! (long story) - Our Jobs - Our Name - Our reputation - Bedding - TV’s, carpets, furniture - Food But a strange emotion occurred when I started the list. It started with the Health aspect. I really wanted (not needed) to have some dental work done, and the thought that kept on crossing my mind: “I can pay to have dental work done, but if I trust God, God will do it for free. Flip the coin, if I pay, the devil is stealing MONEY from me again, because I’m spending money on Health when God promises me: Ps 103:5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. REVELATION (yet again): I DID NOT NEED TO PAY MONEY FOR DENTAL WORK; GOD COULD DO IT FOR FREE! 2nd on my list was my family's health & stress related symptoms. I kept on hearing this quiet whisper: " but my Son has paid the price for your healing." 1 Pet 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-- by whose stripes you were healed. REVELATION (yet again): You don’t need to pay MONEY for medication when Jesus paid the price in FULL FOR MY HEALING! ONLY BELIEVE! Next up was the houses and the cars: God just said: If I’ve called you to be a sojourner through this earthly land, do you need a house and a car? Yes, u do, but God provides all the way! The question God challenged me with was "you trust God to provide a house and a car?" Another issue sorted! God was ticking them off my list at an alarming rate! The JOB, MEDICAL AID and INSURANCE we had to deal with 6 years ago. We had to learn to live by faith. Arthur and I felt for US (not for you, but for OUR FAMILY) God was saying, I want you to rely on ME for your daily provision, and a roof over your head. It was a TOUGH LESSON to learn. When the restoration word came, the Holy Spirit whispered: “do you really want to go back to the bondage of a salary, medical aid and insurance? Do you really want to trade all the lessons you’ve learnt living by faith for a lifestyle of just enough (salary) and of having a backup plan incase I don’t work? (Medical Aid & Insurance)” My response was: but what happens if it all gets stolen (insurance)! WRONG QUESTION! “If the devil has stolen from you and you have learnt to live by faith, you are able to faith it all back! And once again, I will restore more that the devil took! What have you really lost?” was quietly offered as an answer. The devil cannot rob me of my FAITH in God! As the Holy Spirit made mince meat of all of my "stolen goods to be restored 7 Fold" points, the only thing I came up with what had truelly been stolen (BY FAITH God could heal and replace all of the rest, I only had to BELIEVE) was my RELATIONSHIPS! (and the Holy Spirit just proved to me once again that I did not know God well enough to trust Him to restore) The devil has stolen many of our (ours & the children's) relationships with family and friends. The crux of my list left me once again realising: GOD IS ONLY INTERESTED IN PEOPLE! Only when I had started "seeking 1st the kingdom of God" had I received the promise of 7-fold restoration. Only once I started leading people to the Lord, praying for the sick, started preaching the good news of the Gospel, - all the things important to God, did the promise of restoration come. Once my sights were focussed on what God saw as important, PEOPLE, not just people, but where people would spend eternity, how I treated individuals, what words of life had come out of my mouth to sow life etc, He sorted out the rest. All else comes down to my faith level in “ONLY BELIEVE” Matt 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. The reality check I experienced was we all equate Restoration 7 - fold to Finance/Money! Even with all the lessons I've experienced in the last 7 years, I really needed to shift my thinking into "the mind of Christ" before thinking of "things to be added to me" Now, I can truelly look forward to God restoring each and every relationship, and *SEVEN FOLD BONUS!* adding many more because He promised He would restore 7 fold all that the devil had stolen! *Bonus* Look after people (saved & unsaved/rich & poor/lovely & unlovely/goodlooking & ugly) and God looks after your needs!</p>
<p> I'd like to share a Christian miracle. This is about a Miraculous God Jesus Sound AH recorded in  a Tamil song. To know more about this miracle please visit the following site.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.freewebs.com/jesussound">www.freewebs.com/jesussound</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<div>I'd like to share a Christian miracle. This is about miraculous God Jesus sound Ah recorded in a Tamil song. To know more please visit the following website.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="http://www.freewebs.com/jesussound">www.freewebs.com/jesussound</a></div>
<p>  God's Wrath   Today, much is said about the love of God but very little is heard about His righteousness and justice. No one doubts the great love God has shown us through Jesus nor the love He pours into our lives each day but so little is said about the fact that, at the Judgement, God is going to pour out His wrath on all who continued in sin. For this reason, we need to be careful to "worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:28-29). This is not a popular subject but the awful truth is that most people are going to face God's righteous judgment and go to their eternal destruction in the lake of fire. Jesus left no doubt about this when He said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Matt. 7:13-14). We all need to be sure that we are on the narrow road.   The aim of this article is to draw attention to God's righteous wrath and to encourage everyone to "examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves" (2 Cor. 13:5). In 2 Pet. 3:9 we are told that God "is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish" but there is a limit to His patience so we need to examine ourself and be sure that we are not among the many sinners who will face the “raging fire that will consume the enemies of God" (Heb. 10:27). None of us can afford to be casual about our relationship with Jesus. We only get one chance to get things right with God as after death we face judgment. When we die, we will be eternally rewarded or eternally condemned. In John 15:10, Jesus tells us, "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love" and in John 15:6 He warns that "If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." From these verses we can see that Jesus' love for us is not unconditional. The verses clearly say that we will remain in His love only if we obey His commands otherwise we will be cut out and burned in the fire.   The Old Testament gives us many examples where God put disobedient people to death; people like Uzzah, Nadab & Abihu, Korah and his followers etc. In the New Testament, Ananias and Sapphira were struck down for lying. Let's not take these examples lightly as though “God isn't like that anymore” because God does not change. We can be sure that He will destroy all who stand before Him in disobedience so we need to examine our faith carefully. Paul told Timothy that both his life and his doctrine played a part in his salvation. In 1 Tim. 4:16 he said, "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." So, not only do we need to examine our life, we need to examine our doctrine as well.   Watching Our Life Isa. 59:2 says, "your iniquities have separated you from your God" and that truth has not changed since the time of Adam. When Adam sinned, he was removed from the garden and separated from God. It is exactly the same today. Sin always separates man from God and the wages of sin is always death so we need to carefully examine ourselves and repent of any sin we may be allowing in our life. God is a righteous Judge so don't make the terrible mistake of continuing in sin and telling yourself, "Jesus is love. He understands. He won't send ME to hell." God would not be righteous and just if He punished others for a sin but let you or I go unpunished. Rom. 2:11 tells us that "God does not show favouritism" so, if you are in sin, repent while you still have time.   As well as examining our own life, we need to watch our brothers and sisters. As hard as it may be to do, it is important that we gently come alongside a brother or sister who is sinning and encourage them to get right with God. In Gal. 6:1 we are told, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently," and James 5:19-20 tell us, "My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins." So, if you see a brother or sister wandering from the truth, look for an opening to bring them back to God and save them from His wrath.   Watching Our Doctrine Many people say, "Doctrine is not important because we all love the same Jesus." "Loving Jesus is all that matters," they say. However, as already mentioned, Paul told Timothy that his salvation depended on both his life and his doctrine. Teaching false doctrine can destroy a church and false teaches will face their own destruction as 1 Cor. 3:17 says, "If anyone destroys God's temple [the church], God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple."   The Devil's purpose with all false doctrine is to mislead and guide us to hell so we need to study the Bible to be sure of what we believe. We need a solid understanding not only for our own benefit but so that we can warn and guide others to the truth as well. In 1 Tim. 1:3-5 Paul told Timothy, "command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer … The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." It is because of our love for others that we need to speak against false doctrine so that people can know the truth and separate from error. Rom 16:17 tells us: "I 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." So, examine your doctrine and separate from error.   Finally There is never a need to question Jesus' love but overlooking His righteous judgment is going to bring terrible results for many. Those who believe that Jesus' love can be used as an excuse to remain in sin or error will be horribly mistaken when they stand before Him. This is made very clear in Rom. 2:6-8 which says, "God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger." So I encourage you to check your life and doctrine; "examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves" (2 Cor. 13:5)   This article can be downloaded under the heading Blog Articles at http://www.christianissues.biz/downloads.html   Mick Alexander Email: leeandmick@gmail.com Website: www.ChristianIssues.biz      </p>
Sunday Christians
Many believers have very little to do with God outside of their time in church on Sunday morning. Very few churchgoers seem to have a good understanding of scripture and, in fact, not many even take their Bible to church so the preacher can tell them almost anything and they will nod their heads. After the service, it is often hard to find people who are interested in discussing biblical matters as their interests are more in sport or whatever else is going on in the world. They are not being very wise as, firstly, they are putting their eternal salvation in the hands of a preacher who could be misleading them and, secondly, they clearly show that they have put God in second place to the things of the world. James 4:4 speaks harshly against this where it says, "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." Are you an adulterous enemy of God or a son of God?
Sons Of God
When we first put our trust in Jesus, we become sons of God; we are born again and adopted into the family of God. What sort of son limits the time he spends with his Father to one hour a week on Sunday? or even less if an 'important' event prevents him going to church. The fact is, many churchgoers give their friends and entertainment far, far more time than they give God. In Mal. 1:6 the Lord says, "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" We greatly dishonour God when we allow the spirit of this world to control us and guide our thoughts to anything and everything other than the things of the Lord. Rom. 8:14 tells us that "those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." A son of God is led by the Holy Spirit and is focused on godly matters, not personal amusement and affairs of the world.
The World
The Holy Spirit never leads us to be friends with the world. That is the Devil's job. He is very good at it and never gets tired so we have to be alert at all times. If we are to be the son God wants us to be then we must be led by the Spirit and resist all temptation to follow the world. Rom 12:1-2 tell us, "I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God … Do 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." God's will for us is that we become like Jesus and live holy lives. We can only do that by turning away from our fleshy lusts for the things of the world which are temporary and bring sin and death to those who love them. The things of the world may bring short term pleasure but the result of pursuing them may well be eternal sorrow.
In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon spoke of his search for happiness through worldly activities. Even though he had enormous wealth, absolute power and great wisdom, nothing satisfied him. He tried everything he could think of to find happiness but found that what the world had to offer was meaningless. In Ecc. 12:13 he said, "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." The fact is, worldly pleasures and possessions are here today and gone tomorrow. Many in the church unwisely seek worldly pleasures, wealth and power but Solomon showed that even his exceedingly great wealth, power and wisdom failed to bring lasting happiness. After all his efforts, he came to understand that contentment can only be found in God. 1 Pet. 1:24-25 tell us how temporary men and their glory are: "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever" and 1 John 2:17 tells us, "The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."
Finally
It's very unwise to expect God to welcome us with open arms if, most of the time, we have Him in second place while we are seeking to find satisfaction from the world. God takes no pleasure in part-time sons. In Rev. 3:16, Jesus warns casual believers, "because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth." 2 Cor. 13:5 urges us, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves." If you are in the faith then you will be led by the Holy Spirit. If your focus is on what the world has to offer you then you are being led by the spirit of the world. In Hebrew, the word for faith and faithfulness are the same word so when Hab. 2:4 tells us that "the righteous will live by his faith" it also means that the "the righteous will live by his faithfulness." Does your faith have you faithful to the world and its lusts or faithful to the one who died for you? Are you in the faith or a Sunday Christian? I urge you to examine yourself and see if you are in the faith as Jesus said in Matt. 7:21, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" and 1 Thess. 4:3 tells us what God's will is: "It is God's will that you should be sanctified [that is, live a holy, separated life]."
This article can be downloaded under the heading Blog Articles at
http://www.christianissues.biz/downloads.html
Mick Alexander
Email: leeandmick@gmail.com
Website: www.ChristianIssues.biz
<p> </p>
<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">Unity In Truth</font></font></font></p>
<p align="CENTER" style="margin-left: 0.64cm; text-indent: -0.64cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt"><i>"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."</i></font></font></font></p>
<p align="CENTER" style="margin-left: 0.64cm; text-indent: -0.64cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">(John 17:17)</font></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-weight: normal">Within Christianity there is a lot of pressure to ignore doctrine and to unite with churches which clearly have false teachings. Some people say that we all love the same Jesus so we should put aside our differences and simply look at what we have in common; basically they are saying that believing in Jesus is all that matters. At first, this would seem to be a good thing because Jesus prayed for all believers asking, </span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-weight: normal"> (John 17:21). However, when we take a closer look at what Jesus was saying, we see that a few verses earlier He said, </span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"> (John 17:17). In these verses, Jesus is asking God to sanctify (make holy and separate) all believers in the truth of His Word. So, when Jesus was asking God to make us all one, He was asking that we be united in the truth of the Bible. God does not want us to unite with those who hold false teaching and this fact is made very plain in </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-weight: normal">Rom. 16:17: </span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"I 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. </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><u><span style="font-weight: normal">Keep away from them</span></u></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">."</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"> Rather than unite with those who have false teaching, this verse urges us to keep away from them. God does not want unity at the expense of truth.</span></span></font></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt"><b>Love one another</b></font></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-weight: normal">As already noted, if we believe that a church has false teaching then we should not unite with them. However, when we refuse to unite we are often told that we are unloving. After all, we are told, Jesus said to love even our enemies. If we don't think this through then we may come to feel that we are unloving and have a guilt trip which could lead us to being persuaded to unite, against our better judgment. The fact of the matter is, eternal hell waits for those who follow false religions so we should not unite with them. Real love is keeping separate and showing them their error in the hope that they too will repent and be saved. </span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">Eph. 4:12, 15 tell us that God wants us to </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"be built up until we all reach </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><u><span style="font-weight: normal">unity in the faith</span></u></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="text-decoration: none"><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="font-weight: normal"> </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">and that we should be</span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="font-weight: normal"> "</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><u><span style="font-weight: normal">speaking the truth in love.</span></u></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="text-decoration: none"><span style="font-weight: normal">" </span></span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="text-decoration: none"><span style="font-weight: normal">Real love and unity can only come through a common bond of truth, not a mixture of truth and error. In Phil. 1:9-10, Paul wrote: </span></span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="text-decoration: none"><span style="font-weight: normal">"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ."</span></span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="text-decoration: none"><span style="font-weight: normal"> Paul is telling us that our love, purity and discernment grow with our knowledge and insight into God's word. Uniting with error is not loving, pure or discerning.</span></span></span></font></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt"><b>The Ecumenical Movement</b></font></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">The Ecumenical Movement is a Roman Catholic plan to unite all Christian denominations (as well as all the world's cults and religions) into a one world religion, headed by the Pope. Many people are being drawn into this, but born again believers should not be part of it as Roman Catholicism is a false gospel. Catholicism teaches that the forgiveness of sins and salvation can only be obtained in their church, through the Eucharist sacrifice in the Mass. They curse anyone who says otherwise. As a matter of fact, they have placed over one hundred curses on Protestants and anyone else who disagrees with their doctrines. Rather than love those who oppose them, they curse. </font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt"><b>The woman of Revelation 17</b></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">Rev. 17 tells us about a woman riding a Beast during the end times. She is called Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Prostitutes. The following points from Rev. 17 are given to help us identify this woman. </font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">The woman:</font></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">Commits adultery with the kings of the earth (v.2) – She has unholy relationships with world leaders.</font></p>
</li>
<li>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">Dresses in purple and scarlet (v.4) – Like Rome's bishops and cardinals.</font></p>
</li>
<li>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">Adorns herself with gold, precious stones and pearls (v.4) - She is extremely rich.</font></p>
</li>
<li>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">Has a golden cup in her hand (v.4) – Like the golden cup of the Mass.</font></p>
</li>
<li>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">Is drunk with the blood of the saints (v.6) – Like during the inquisitions etc.</font></p>
</li>
<li>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">Sits on seven hills (v.9) – Like the city of Rome.</font></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">If this is not enough evidence to identify the woman as being the Roman Catholic Church then God leaves us with no doubt when, in <font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-weight: normal">Rev. 17:18, He told John that </span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth."</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"> When John wrote Revelation, Rome was the city that ruled over the kings of the earth so it is very plain that the Roman Catholic Church is the woman called Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Prostitutes. </span></span></font></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">It may be argued that Rev. 17 is history but this argument is false as Rev. 17:12, 16 tell us that ten kings help the Beast destroy the prostitute and this event is not found in any history book. It is yet to come and Rev. 18 continues on to prophesy that it will happen. </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">Rev 18:2: </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"With a mighty voice he shouted: '</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="font-weight: normal"> spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird.'" </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">Rome is clearly identified as a demonic institution which will be destroyed and for this reason God commands His people to come out of her. Rev 18:4: </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"Then I heard another voice from heaven say: </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="text-decoration: none"><span style="font-weight: normal">'Come out of her, </span></span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><u><span style="font-weight: normal">my people</span></u></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.'" </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">This is a very strong warning to separate or suffer the consequences. </span></span></font></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt"><b>Finally</b></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">How can born again believers unite with a church that God says is demonic and will be destroyed? 2 Cor. 6:14 asks believers, </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="text-decoration: none"><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">what fellowship can light have with darkness?</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="text-decoration: none"><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="text-decoration: none"><span style="font-weight: normal"> The obvious answer is, "None!" </span></span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">Rather than join the Ecumenical Movement, believers need to separate otherwise they will share in her sins and receive her plagues. 1 Cor. 10:21 tells believers, </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons." </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">In the same way that a Muslim convert must separate from Islam, born again believers must separate from Roman Catholicism and the Ecumenical Movement as God says, </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><u><span style="font-weight: normal">Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you</span></u></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">" </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">(2 Cor. 6:17).</span></span></font></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">There are two excellent videos on YouTube which expose Catholicism in more depth: They are called A Woman Rides The Beast and A Lamp In The Dark.</font></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">This article can be downloaded under the heading Blog Articles at</font></font></font></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><a href="http://www.christianissues.biz/downloads.html" target="_blank"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">http://www.christianissues.biz/downloads.html</font></font></a></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"> </p>
<p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">It can be read online at</font></font></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><a href="http://www.christianissues.biz/blog/wordpress/?p=895" target="_blank"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">http://www.christianissues.biz/blog/wordpress/?p=895</font></font></a></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"> </p>
<p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">Mick Alexander</font></font></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">Email: leeandmick@gmail.com</font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4" style="font-size: 16pt">Website: <a href="http://www.ChristianIssues.biz" target="_blank">www.ChristianIssues.biz</a></font></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"> </p>
<p>  Israel's Saturday Sabbath-Keeping And The Christian Sabbath-Rest   Keeping the Saturday Sabbath was part of the Law of Moses. It was a day of rest for the people of Israel; a day in which they worshipped God and did no work. In Col. 2:13-17, we are told that the written regulations of the Law were nailed to the cross and therefore we are not to let anyone judge us regarding food, drink, festivals, Sabbaths etc as they were mere shadows of what was to come – Jesus is now the reality. He is the real thing, not just a shadow so, in Christ, a person is free from the Laws relating to food, drink, feasts, Sabbath-keeping etc.   The following passage in Hebrews tells us that today the people of God (Christians) have their Sabbath-rest in Jesus. Heb. 3:7-19 and Heb. 4:1-13 tell us that God did not allow the Jews to enter Canaan, the earthly land of rest, because of unbelief (Heb. 3:16-19). Heb. 4:6-7 tell how people can enter God’s rest today if they hear His voice (through the gospel) and do not harden their hearts. Heb. 4:9-10 calls this rest “a Sabbath-rest for the people of God” and says that “anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work.” To be saved today, we do not have to do the works of the Law, such as Sabbath-keeping, we simply have to believe in Jesus. In John 6:28-29 the Jews asked Jesus, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” and Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” Through Jesus, the works of the Law of Moses have been set aside.   Jesus tells us about the Sabbath-rest in Matt. 11:28-30 where He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” The rest that we find in Jesus is not an earthly one like the Saturday Sabbath but a spiritual rest through believing in Him. He becomes our eternal Sabbath-rest because He takes our burden of sin and releases us from all the works we may have been doing to please God.   So, today the people of God have a Sabbath-rest in Jesus and those who enter that rest can rest from their own work. We do not have to keep the Saturday Sabbath. All we have to do to be right with God is believe in Jesus, as He said in John 6:28-29. Saturday Sabbath-keeping was just a shadow of the reality of the eternal Sabbath-rest found in Jesus.   This article can be downloaded from http://www.christianissues.biz/pdf-bin/sda/thesabbathrest.pdf   Mick Alexander leeandmick@gmail.com My website: http://www.christianissues.biz/      </p>
<p> </p>
<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="3"><b>You Don't Have To Take It Any More</b></font></p>
<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">Sin shall not be your master.</span></i></font><font size="3"><i>"</i></font><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal"> (Rom. 6:14)</span></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="3">I don't think that there can be greater heartache than knowing Jesus and yet still be a slave to sin. It's common knowledge that there are many churchgoers secretly addicted to pornography, alcohol, drugs and other sins. They don't want to be that way but don't know how to overcome their slavery to unrighteousness and their hearts ache because of the darkness that is hidden within them. They feel great shame but put on happy faces. Only they, and God, know the awful shame that is deep within their souls. They want to change</font><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"> but remain as they are because n</span></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal">o one has ever told them that they don't have to take it any more, that is, they don't have to take sin any more.</span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"> Jesus came to set the captives free so that no one has to remain a slave to sin. In</span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"> </font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal">John 8:34, Jesus said, </span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin,"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal"> BUT He continued on to say, </span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">(John 8:36). So, if you are battling with the likes of pornography, alcohol or drugs, then you too can be freed and enter into the wonderful peace of God which comes when inner darkness is replaced with light. How is this done?</span></span></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal"><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><b>Firstly, Let's Look At Our Sinful Nature</b></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">There is no question that we will be influenced by our sinful nature until we see Jesus but this does not mean that we have to give in to it. Many people say that we are only human and can't be free from slavery to sin despite the fact that Jesus says we can be. I once heard the following: "We have a body which gets hungry so we eat, a body which gets thirsty so we drink and a sinful nature so we will always sin." This is a terrible lie which leaves many souls burdened with the guilt of their sin. Jesus clearly says that He can free us. In </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal">Rom. 7:24-25, Paul openly admitted to the wickedness of his flesh when he said, </span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"What a wretched man I am!"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"> BUT he went on to say, </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"Who will </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><u><span style="font-weight: normal">rescue me</span></u></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal"> from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!" </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">Plainly, Paul tells us that through Jesus he was changed and rescued from his fleshy body of death. In Rom. 6:14, he said, </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"sin shall not be your master"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"> and this is made possible through the Holy Spirit.</span></span></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal"><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><b>The Holy Spirit Empowers Us To Overcome Sin</b></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal">God knows very well how weak we are so when we repent and accept Jesus He sends the Holy Spirit to live within us to guide us and to empower us to overcome our lusts. Through the Spirit we can be freed from our sinful nature as Gal. 5:16 so clearly states: </span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><u><span style="font-weight: normal">live by the Spirit</span></u></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">, and you </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><u><span style="font-weight: normal">will not</span></u></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal"> gratify the desires of the sinful nature.</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"> This is not a fairy tale, it's God's Word and millions of Christians, past and present, can testify to being rescued from the worst of sins. The Bible says that God has no favourites so if you have not been rescued from your body of death then you can be sure that God is waiting to deliver you also. God has given us the ability and responsibility to live a holy life. </span></span></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><b>Ability And Responsibility</b></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><span style="font-weight: normal">Firstly, regarding our ability,</span><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"> the reason God sends the Holy Spirit to live within us is to transform our lives so that we are able live a life which pleases Him. Speaking about the Spirit, </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal">2 Pet. 1:3-4 says, </span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">His divine power </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">[the Holy Spirit] </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">has given us everything we need for life and godliness </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">[so that]</span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal"> you may participate in the divine nature and </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><u><span style="font-weight: normal">escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.</span></u></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"> From these verses we can see that the divine power of the Spirit gives us the ability to escape the corruption of sin and live a godly life (see Ezek. 36:25-27 also).</span></span></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">Next, regarding our responsibility, we are commanded to </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">live by the Spirit.</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"> We do this by repenting with all our heart, soul, mind and strength whenever the Spirit convicts us of sin. If, for example, pornography is a problem to you then the next time you desire it, fight it with all your might and call upon God to strengthen you to resist. You can be sure that God loves you as much as He loves any other person and will strengthen you to overcome when you are truly repentant. If your repentance is half-hearted then God will not deliver you because He sees that you love your sin more than His righteousness. You have to come to the point where you hate your sin as much as He does. When you reach that point, and call out to Him in repentance, He will rescue you and change your heart attitude toward that sin so that you can resist it when tempted </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">in the future. When temptation comes again, and it will, you have to stand firm and not give in to it in the least otherwise you will be hooked again and have to start over. James 4:7 says, </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"> God does not lie so believe this with all your heart, resist sin with all your strength, and you will be freed.</span></span></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Pornography, alcohol and drugs are not the only addictive sins. In a sense, all sins are addictive. Many churchgoers are addicted to gossip, hate, jealousy, etc. and these sins need to be repented of in the same way as pornography, alcohol and drugs. Gal. 5:19:21 lists many other sins which will exclude people from the kingdom of God.</font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal"><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><b>Finally</b></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal">You don't have to take it any more. Jesus offers you freedom from the burden of sin. Don't believe the lie that has many thinking, </span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">"That's just me. I'm only human." If you are caught up in sin then I urge you to a</span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal">ccept Jesus' loving invitation: </span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">(Matt. 11:28-30). </span></span></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">This article can be downloaded under the heading Blog Articles at</font></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><a href="http://www.christianissues.biz/downloads.html" target="_blank"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">http://www.christianissues.biz/downloads.html</font></font></a></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Mick Alexander</font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Email: leeandmick@gmail.com</font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Website: <a href="http://www.ChristianIssues.biz" target="_blank">www.ChristianIssues.biz</a></font></font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> </p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> </p>
SPONSORSBLOGS RIGHT
300 × Auto
SPONSORSBLOGS BOTTOM
Auto × Auto
