Reproach of Men

This is a day and time in which one must be utterly cautious about the associations and influences that are allowed into one’s life. The picture above illustrates this rather well.

I went to check the mail yesterday and lo and behold, I had a rather stuffed letter in the box from Saint Matthew’s Churches. This is not the first time I have received things from them as they mass mail. It is very much like a fisherman casting out a net to catch whatever he can. Unfortunately for those caught in the net, it is the end. The analogy to what Saint Matthew’s Churches is doing with their mass mailings is very apt.

This particular mailing included a “Prayer Rug” that has instructions at the bottom of it, which state:

“Look into Jesus’ Eyes you will see they are closed. But as you look you will see His eyes opening and looking back into your eyes. Then go and be alone and kneel on this Rug of Faith or touch it to both knees. Then please check your needs on our letter to you. Please return this Prayer Rug. Do not keep it.”

On the back of this “rug” it also states:

“”This St. Matthew 18:19 Bible Prayer Rug is soaked with the power of prayer for you. Use it immediately, then please return it with your Prayer Needs Checked on our letter to you” It must be mailed to a second home that needs a blessing after you use it. Prayer works. Expect God’s blessing.”

Oh, I didn’t mention that the letter STRONGLY pushes sending “seed” money to “multiply God’s blessing” and that you can get a “Prosperity Cross” that will be sent “free of charge” just for returning the “Prayer Letter” with the option checked for the “Prosperity Cross, blessed by the church.” However, right below that option, is the option for sending your “seed gift.”

Predators. Only the desperate, lonely, ignorant, and uninformed would fall for this scam. The really despicable part of this is the use of the LORD’s name for their dirty work. They certainly don’t use Jesus’ picture or portrait as there were no pictures then, and He never sat for a portrait. Moreover, nowhere does it describe His physical features in any detail so that one could even begin to paint an accurate portrait of Him. In fact, all the “paintings of Jesus” came about over one hundred years AFTER Christ died, arose, and ascended. I would think it would be nigh impossible to get any accurate description of the appearance of a person one hundred years after they left this earth. In short, the “paintings of Jesus” are a scam and lie of the Devil as well. By the way, the “Jesus” portrayed in the picture above, doesn’t have JEWISH feature one. Nope, the “Jesus” portrayed above has white EUROPEAN physical features, not Semitic features.

The Lord Jesus Christ was a JEW. Get over it. As pertaining to the flesh, my LORD and SAVIOUR is a Jew of the House of David, King of Israel. As pertaining to the soul and spirit, He is the Word, the Second Person of the Godhead.

The “person” portrayed above, I don’t know who “he” is, except to say that “he” is of the Devil. Additionally, if you read the “instructions” for the “prayer rug” you surely noted the admonition to stare into “Jesus’ eyes” until you see them “open” and then go and pray. This is nothing more than self-hypnosis. However, it does open one up for demonic influence and control. It is very dangerous.

It strikes me that Saint Matthew’s Churches as very much like Satan himself — a predator preying upon those who do not know any better, and who cannot or will not resist the lure of prosperity. However, like the lure the fisherman uses, this also contains a hook to trap and snare the unwary.

It is regrettable, shameful and dishonorable what Saint Matthew’s Churches are doing. I wonder what those involved in this scam will say when they stand before the real Jesus at His throne of judgement?

BTW, I didn’t keep the “Prayer Rug” or the letter — I burned them. I would advise everyone else to do the same.

While looking through the classifieds the other day I ran across the following Help Wanted ad:

DIRECTOR OF Adult Discipleship for large membership church. Responsible for adult Sunday school classes, short-term studies, small groups, development, leadership recruitment and training. Bachelor’s degree in education or related field required. Experience in education or working with adults helpful. Salary commensurate with experience. Send letter and resume to Martha Barnes martha@fumcwired.com First United Methodist, Springdale, AR or fax to 479-751-4612

And to add to it, today I found this ad:

PART TIME pianist for vital, growing congregation. Interested applicants please send resume and 3 letters of reference to First United Methodist, 20 Boyce Drive, Bella Vista, AR 72714, attn: Dr. L.E. Zehring, Director of Music Ministries. Phone (479)855-1158. Email fumcbv@cox-internet.com. Website www.LeadLearnLove.com

Now, to most of the world this may not seem out of place. However, for what is supposed to be, or purports itself as a New Testament church, this is ludicrous.

Why?

Well, the Scripture has something to say about how churches get the teachers, preachers, and various ministers that carry out the ministries in a New Testament church. For instance:

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: . . .(Ephesians 4:8-12)

And again from Acts:

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (Acts 13:1-2)

And from I Corinthians:

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. (I Corinthians 12:7-11)

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. (I Corinthians 12:18)

Now, could it be that the phrases:

“And he gave some”
“whereunto I have called them”
“For to one is given by the Spirit”
“But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”

and the statement:

“But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.”

are actually not intended of the LORD God to mean anything? Or, is it that, as far as the Methodist Church is concerned, the above statements are just the fabrications of men, and the Bible really doesn’t reflect accurately what God intends?

If so, why bother? Why not just advertise for the job position and call yourselves the Methodist Social Club? Why pretend? After all, if you are not going to depend upon the LORD God to provide for ministry positions as He plainly states He does, why pretend to be a New Testament church?

You know, it really would be better for all if the Methodist Church would simply quit pretending — that, or honestly return to following the LORD and His word.

Ah yes, back to the “good ole days” where there exists no such thing as liberty of the conscience. Yes, you would never know this is America, nor would you know that the U.S. Army defends the United States of America. No, this is not the home of the likes of Patrick Henry, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, et al. Rather, “America” has chosen the road of persecutors and the thought suppression police.

The offense?

Preaching the gospel in church services!

Now, if the gospel cannot be preached in church services, just where can it be preached?

Worse yet, the offended party is a Brigade Chaplain at Forward Operating Base Loyalty in Iraq, who told the Unit Chaplain, Stuart Kazarovich, a fundamental Baptist, that the term “born again” was unacceptable and not compatible with the Army.1

Gee, I wonder who told the Brigade Chaplain that he set Army policy? The problem with the Army and its response is typical Army (which is why I joined the Air Force 28 years ago, and retired 8 years ago) — they are dragging their feet on dealing with an uppity Brigade Chaplain.

Am I surprised by this?

No, not really. Fundamental Baptists have never been liked by hierarchal, pompous, “organized” denominations that call themselves “Christian.” Moreover, fundamental Baptists are less liked by Muslims and other pagan religions.

The following then, is directed at the Brigade Chaplain of FOB Loyalty and his enablers in Iraq and Washington. They should recognize it. After all, spiritually, the folks doing the persecuting described below could well be their ancestors:

In Virginia, religious persecution, directed at Baptists and, to a lesser degree, at Presbyterians, continued after the Declaration of Independence. The perpetrators were members of the Church of England, sometimes acting as vigilantes but often operating in tandem with local authorities. Physical violence was usually reserved for Baptists, against whom there was social as well as theological animosity. A notorious instance of abuse in 1771 of a well-known Baptist preacher, “Swearin Jack” Waller, was described by the victim: “The Parson of the Parish [accompanied by the local sheriff] would keep running the end of his horsewhip in [Waller’s] mouth, laying his whip across the hymn book, etc. When done singing [Waller] proceeded to prayer. In it he was violently jerked off the stage; they caught him by the back part of his neck, beat his head against the ground, sometimes up and sometimes down, they carried him through the gate . . . where a gentleman [the sheriff] gave him . . . twenty lashes with his horsewhip.”

The persecution of Baptists made a strong, negative impression on many patriot leaders, whose loyalty to principles of civil liberty exceeded their loyalty to the Church of England in which they were raised. James Madison was not the only patriot to despair, as he did in 1774, that the “diabolical Hell conceived principle of persecution rages” in his native colony. Accordingly, civil libertarians like James Madison and Thomas Jefferson joined Baptists and Presbyterians to defeat the campaign for state financial involvement in religion in Virginia.2

Obviously you don’t care what the Scripture states about what you are doing, so I will let you know what former President James Madison thought of you and your ilk:

Letter from James Madison to William Bradford
James Madison
January 24, 1774
I want again to breathe your free Air. I expect it will mend my Constitution & confirm my principles. I have indeed as good an Atmosphere at home as the Climate will allow: but have nothing to brag of as to the State and Liberty of my Country. Poverty and Luxury prevail among all sorts: Pride ignorance and Knavery among the Priesthood and Vice and Wickedness among the Laity. This is bad enough But It is not the worst I have to tell you. That diabolical Hell conceived principle of persecution rages among some and to their eternal Infamy the Clergy can furnish their Quota of Imps for such business. This vexes me the most of any thing whatever. There are at this time in the adjacent County not less than 5 or 6 well meaning men in close Gaol for publishing their religious Sentiments which in the main are very orthodox. I have neither patience to hear talk or think of any thing relative to this matter, for I have squabbled and scolded abused and ridiculed so long about it, to so little purpose that I am without common patience. So I leave you to pity me and pray for Liberty of Conscience to revive among us.3

No Brigade Chaplain, you’ve not thrown Stuart Kazarovich in jail yet, but given time and opportunity I’m certain you would.

You child of Hell.

1. Military honchos ‘suppress’ chaplain’s Baptist services [↩]
2. V. Religion and the State Governments [↩]
3. Letter from James Madison to William Bradford [↩]

You know, cell phones with cameras are interesting tools, particularly when you see something of interest and have no actual camera to photograph it with. A couple of days ago I was sent the picture above, which was taken by a cell phone camera and then e-mailed to me. The technology to do that is interesting, but the picture that caused that technology to be used is not.

I really do not know quite what to say about the picture except that it conveys an ignorance of what grace is, and a total disrespect for the LORD God who bestows it. No, according to the person who produced this bumper sticker, and the people who decide to plaster it on their vehicle, grace is just one of those things that “happens.” In essence there is no real reason for grace, it is just there randomly. It might happen to one person, and not the next. In all, it assigns a randomness to the actions of the LORD God (if that is even who or what they are referring to) that does not exist. No, everything the LORD God does is deliberate and planned as He knows all things at all times. The way I often put it when teaching or explaining it, is this:

God sees all time all at once, and differentiates every point in time from every other point in time.

So it is, that nothing is new to God as He is already in eternity future and yet is present in eternity past. He knows past, present, and future simultaneously. Time then, is a creation of God — He is the Author of time. Moreover, the LORD God doesn’t need time to exist.

Consider that for a while — if you don’t go around the bend a bit, you will begin to understand how the LORD looks at things.

Now, how does this bear on the ignorance displayed on bumper sticker above? Simple. Think about what I just explained about the LORD God and time, and then add the following to it:

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:12-13)

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. (I Chronicles 28:9)

Then Job answered the LORD, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. (Job 42:1-2)

Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. (Romans 4:16-17)

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8)

Now, I could quote from literally dozens of passages that all speak of the fact that the LORD God knows exactly what He will do with regard to each and every person that will ever live on the face of this earth from beginning to end. He assuredly knows what each and every person who is yet to be born will think and do throughout their entire lives. This also means that the LORD knew all our thoughts in eternity past, before He ever created this earth. In fact, the LORD knew in eternity past that I would be moved to answer the ignorance displayed above, and that you would read it. Remember, the LORD God knows every thought you have, and ever will have — and He knew so in eternity past. As the LORD said by the apostle Paul:

And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. (Romans 9:10-18)1

Thus, grace does not “happen.” To claim such, is to assign iniquity to God. The Scripture has a word for that, it’s called “blasphemy.”

You know, the really sad part of this is that supposed “Christians” tout this idea. I did a search of the web and most of the things that came up were either “Christian” or Christian related. The one exception was the first hit which was, well . . . I’ll let their “About Us” page say it:

Grace is a gift received simply because we declare it so;
a smile, a sunset, a hand extended, a life well lived.

What if we said, “Grace Happens”. What if we believed it.
What if we practiced it- and passed it along.

What would be possible?

There are a lot more people that believe Grace Happens
than you might imagine. LOOK AT YOU. Surprise!

Worse yet is the blog When Grace Happens, which is supposed to be run by a member of the “clergy” and in his profile he has his “information:”2

Age: 50
Gender: Male
Astrological Sign: Sagittarius
Zodiac Year: Rooster
Industry: Religion
Occupation: Clergy
Location: Rosenberg : TX : United States

By the way, what was that the LORD God said about astrology and consulting the stars? Didn’t the LORD God call that wickedness?

Or even this one: Grace Happens, run by the “Rev.” Ken Collins.

Is it any wonder America is under the judgement of God? Based upon the ignorance of this one doctrine alone, I really don’t think so. I am reminded of the admonition of my Lord and Savior during the sermon on the mount:

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23)

Notice what the Lord Jesus said: “Not every one that saith unto me,”

I don’t think that calling Him your Savior, and then blaspheming Him by declaring “grace happens” is going to work in the day He judges you. After all, he knows exactly what you are thinking right now, and He knows every thought you will ever have.

Grace doesn’t “happen,” it is bestowed by the LORD based upon His criteria. To think anything else is wickedness.

1. This is not to say that Calvinists are correct. Rather, the rule for how the LORD God deals with man is expressed in Jeremiah 17:10, which states:

   I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. [↩]

2. The man who owns this blog has since removed his profile. At the time of this post the profile was fully visible. Now, it has been removed for whatever reasons he deemed necessary. [↩]

In the Scripture it is made very clear that worship is to be directed to the LORD God and Him alone. Nowhere in scripture are we given to understand that worshiping anything, or anyone else is acceptable in the sight of God. The passages that state this are succinct and to the point, and are as follows:

And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:1-5)

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:21-23)

And he (the angel) saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:9-10)

To be certain, it cannot get much, if any, plainer than the above. This being the case, what are we to make of the following:

1. Queen of Peace, pray for us!

On the feast of your Immaculate Conception,
I come to venerate you, O Mary,
at the foot of this effigy, which from Piazza di Spagna
allows your maternal gaze to extend over this ancient, and for me very dear, city of Rome.

I have come here, this evening, to render you the homage of my sincere devotion.
It is a gesture in which I am joined in this Piazza by innumerable Romans,
whose affection has always accompanied me
in all the years of my service to the See of Peter.
I am here with them to start on the path
toward the one hundred fiftieth anniversary
of the dogma that we celebrate today with filial joy.

2. Queen of Peace, pray for us!

We turn our gaze to you with intense trepidation,
we take recourse to you with insistent trust
in these times marked by not a few uncertainties and fears
over the present and future fate of our planet.
To you, the first of humanity redeemed by Christ,
finally liberated from the slavery of evil and sin,
we raise a heartfelt and confident supplication:
Listen to the cry of pain of the victims of war
and of so many forms of violence
that bloody the earth.
Dispel the darkness of sadness and solitude,
of hatred and vengeance,
Open the minds and hearts of all to trust and forgiveness!

3. Queen of Peace, pray for us!

Mother of mercy and of hope,
obtain for the men and women of the third millennium
the precious gift of peace:
peace in hearts and in families,
in communities and among peoples;
peace especially for those nations
where every day combating and dying continue.

Help every human being, and all races and cultures,
to encounter and accept Jesus,
who came on earth in the mystery of Christmas
to give us “his” peace.

Mary, Queen of Peace,
give us Christ, true peace of the world!

Delievered by Pope John Paul on 8 December, 2003

Do the words venerate, homage and devotion mean anything? Yes, they certainly do, and they are all synonyms for worship. I don’t care what one chooses to call it, worship is worship, regardless of the label applied to it.

This puts the Pope in direct violation of the clear and express command of the LORD God, Who the Pope claims to serve. Moreover, this is not an isolated incident, but is well known despite the denials of some Catholic apologists. In fact the following excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church show plainly the worship of May as a equal with Christ:

969 “This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation . . . . Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix.”

970 “Mary’s function as mother of men in no way obscures or diminishes this unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows its power. But the Blessed Virgin’s salutary influence on men . . . flows forth from the superabundance of the merits of Christ, rests on his mediation, depends entirely on it, and draws all its power from it.” “No creature could ever be counted along with the Incarnate Word and Redeemer; but just as the priesthood of Christ is shared in various ways both by his ministers and the faithful, and as the one goodness of God is radiated in different ways among his creatures, so also the unique mediation of the Redeemer does not exclude but rather gives rise to a manifold cooperation which is but a sharing in this one source.”

* II. DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

971 “All generations will call me blessed”: “The Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship.” The Church rightly honors “the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of ‘Mother of God,’ to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs. . . . This very special devotion . . . differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration.” The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an “epitome of the whole Gospel,” express this devotion to the Virgin Mary.

I have to ask, if Mary was so special, why then did the Lord Jesus Himself make the following statement when His mother and brethren came to get Him one day?

While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. (Matthew 12:46-50)

Or, answer her in the way he did at the wedding feast of Cana?

And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. (John 2:1-3)

Or even at age 12, where the Lord Jesus Christ had to remind Mary and Joseph that He was to be about His Father’s business?

And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. (Luke 2:46-51)

No, plainly, to the Lord Jesus Christ, other than the fact that Mary physically bore Him, as far as He was concerned, she was no different than anyone else on the earth — a sinner who needed the salvation He provided on the cross. Mary was not to be worshiped, and the Lord Jesus Christ did not accord her that honor, nor did He direct anything to be done through Mary. Instead, His instruction to the Samaritan woman at the well stands pre-eminent, and in perfect accord with the rest of Scripture — worship God, and God alone.

Anything else is blasphemy and idolatry.