These videos touched my heart. The elderly are truly beautiful and we are so blessed to still have them with us. What a mission field!
View YouTube video here… NURSING HOME SERVANTS
Matthew 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
2 Corinthians 5:13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
Before I was born again I was a Roman Catholic. When I was truly saved, twenty years ago this month (July 2008), I joined a Pentecostal Church, and attended for quite a number of years. I now identify myself as a Bible believing Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ. I do this because of the dangers of the Lakeland type of phenomena that is so prevalent today. I do believe that the genuine gifts of the Holy Spirit are still in operation today, but I also believe there are many counterfeits. Those that discern the counterfeit may be led to say the gifts have ceased, which isn’t true. Anyway, I am a Born Again Christian, but even that phrase is seriously misrepresented these days. I don’t use the term Evangelical because the term has been closely associated with politicians and political movements. I don’t want to hinder any unsaved person from coming to the Lord because of a preconceived wrong idea of what a particular biblical term means; and I don’t want to cause unnecessary division within the Body of Christ. It has been my experience that there is a tendency to stereotype, so I try to be careful with the words I use.
Then there’s Dispensationalism. I was thinking of this on the way to visit my father the other day. This error is not going to go away anytime soon. This teaching is so mainstream that it would include a great many of the Pentecostal and Baptist churches. I was thinking about the effect of attending such a church could have on children and young people. Many “churches” have become militant and militaristic, especially when embracing “end times” dispensational error regarding the modern state of Israel. Children learn in church. They learn from the pastor and they learn from their peers. What are they learning? Could they end up joining the military and going to war because of bad theology? Could they end up killing people because of bad theology? Often what is presented in a very innocuous manner, what can appear to be seemingly harmless and innocent, can be quite dangerous. Doctrine determines behavior. Many leaders in the modern day church have strayed from Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Later in the day, while still far away from home, we met a couple who live near us. (My husband always prays for Divine Appointments.) Someone who knew that we lived near each other made us aware of that fact. As we spoke to this very sweet couple we learned, to our delight, that they were born again Christians. What a joy! We shared testimonies of what the Lord had done in our lives, and I was extremely blessed. As we were getting ready to leave, and we exchanged some contact information, I hesitated before telling them about my blog and our website. Why? Because much of what is written here is very different from what is taught in the mainstream church. Many times what is written here has been rejected. Why did I hesitate to give information about this blog? Because division in the Body of Christ, and rejection by the Body of Christ, is very very painful and there is a strong inclination, in the “natural man,” not to makes waves. But I love believers. I love God’s people. I love them enough to speak the truth in love.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Ephesians 4:15-16 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Acquit:
1. To relieve of a charge of fault or crime; declare not guilty.
[Dictionary.com]
2. Pronounce not guilty of criminal charges.
[WordNet]
3. “To satisfy a debt” (either for oneself or on behalf of another) . . . “settle a claim” . . . “free, clear” . . . Meaning “free from charges” . . .
[Online Etymology Dictionary]
Justification:
1347. dikaiosis, dik-ah’-yo-sis
from 1344; acquittal (for Christ’s sake):–justification.
* * *
1344. dikaioo, dik-ah-yo’-o
from 1342; to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent:–free, justify(-ier), be righteous.
* * *
1342. dikaios, dik’-ah-yos
from 1349; equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively):–just, meet, right(-eous).
[Strong’s Greek Dictionary]
Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
James 2:17-18 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Romans 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Romans 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans 3:29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
Romans 3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Last weekend it was our turn to do the Sunday service at the nursing home where my father resides. At the end of the meeting, as I looked around at all the people who had assembled to worship, my eyes focused on an elderly husband and wife sitting together. The husband had some kind of breathing apparatus and probably was on a feeding tube. I was strongly prompted to comment on the fact that a person’s physical condition does not hinder them from being ministered to by the Lord. My husband followed by sharing a testimony told by a former pastor of ours. The pastor was visiting, on a regular basis, someone who was in a coma. Every time he visited he would speak to the comatose person as if he could hear. One day the person woke up, and came out of the coma. He told the pastor that while he was in the coma he heard every word that the pastor had spoken to him.
After the meeting, as I went around the room to talk with the residents, I met a young woman whose husband was also a resident. She told me he was in a coma. Neither my husband or I realized this man was in a coma when we shared what we did. She also told me that she had to “fight” for her husband when he became ill. Now I don’t know the details, but when she said that we were talking about feeding tubes, life support, etc. Her husband didn’t seem to need any assistance in breathing (perhaps he did when he first became ill) but I think we can safely assume he is getting his nutrition via a feeding tube. She told me that she grew up like me, a Roman Catholic, but that she was now attending a Christian church. After the service my husband shared God’s Word with the man and prayed for him. Time. Precious time. This man was given more time. Time in which he may come to know the Lord.
Quality of life. How often have you heard that phrase? When the “world” uses it they mean the quality of life in the flesh. But there is more to a human being than just flesh. There’s quality of life in the Spirit, and that’s much more important. Life in the Spirit takes priority over quality of life in the flesh. But the “world” does not consider these things, nor are they able to if they are not born again of God’s Spirit.
My father’s roommate is unresponsive and on a feeding tube. His wife told me that if she did not allow the feeding tube she would be killing him. This very sweet woman and her husband are Jewish. She has allowed me to give her several bible tracts over the years, and just recently she allowed me to pray for her husband. She hugged me after I prayed. I then took the opportunity to speak a little about Rabbi Nicodemus and the new birth. At least they both had an opportunity to hear. Can we, as Christians, see a purpose for this man to still be alive?
Then there’s the question of resuscitation. What if an elderly person is resuscitated? Does that mean that they will live another fifty years, or one hundred years more? Obviously not. What if someone is put on a feeding tube. Does that mean they will live forever? Of course not. But it could give them just a little more time for the Lord to minister, especially if there is not an assurance of salvation. I ask, what’s the rush? What is the rush? I do realize every situation is different, but the more I see, the more I am convinced, that people are playing God in deciding who lives and who dies. Strong words? Perhaps. But maybe not strong at all when consideration is given to where a person will spend eternity.
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Job 33:14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
Job 33:15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
Job 33:16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
Job 33:17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
Job 33:18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
Job 33:19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
Job 33:20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
Job 33:21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
Job 33:22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
Job 33:23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:
Job 33:24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
Job 33:25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth:
Job 33:26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
Job 33:27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
Job 33:28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
Job 33:29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
Job 33:30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
Dispensational theology, how dangerous is it?
1. A popular phrase that we hear from Dispensationalists is that secular modern day Israel is God’s time clock or timepiece. The basis for this teaching is that Daniel 9:27 is erroneously attributed to a future reign of “The Anti-Christ” when in fact this passage of scripture refers to Jesus Christ.
Daniel 9:27 And he (a) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to (b) cease, (c) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
2. Dispensationalism teaches that there will be people left behind when the Lord returns for his church, and those left behind will have an opportunity to be saved. This is not true. The coming of the Lord for His people is synonymous with His judging the world. When the Lord comes there will be no second chance for anyone to be saved. I’ve heard the teaching of the “secret rapture” referred to as a type of protestant purgatory.
See… DISPENSATIONALISM & THE RAPTURE
3. It is taught that the deciding factor on whether you are blessed or cursed of God is your treatment of Israel after the flesh. Yet Scripture tells us that all our blessings are in Christ and that the wrath of God is upon those who do not believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And even a cup of cold water given to those who believe in Jesus will receive a reward from the Lord.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 5:23,24 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hearth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
4. The fulfillment of Biblical prophecy when Israel became a nation is another Dispensational teaching. Because of this, the church’s focus can be drawn away from the great commission and focused on secular politics, even justifying destruction and killing. During the 2006 Lebanon Israeli war, prayer requests were sent out from born again Christians who were living and ministering in Israel. They asked for prayer that the Israeli army would be successful in destroying the infrastructures in Lebanon. At the time I received this prayer request I was watching the news showing all the destruction in Lebanon, which included the death of children.
2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
5. Dispensational theology takes the focus off of Christ and places it on national Israel. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all God’s promises to mankind.
2 Corinthians 1:19-20 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
1 Corinthians 10:1-12 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Dispensational theology, when embraced, will seriously alter a correct biblical view of people, governments, the world, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Dispensational theology, how dangerous is it?
PEACEMAKERS 