Know Your Adversary!

Help us to remain "alert" to the schemes and plans of the "adversary"! It is important to say that we here at TCS do not view the "adversary" as the people themselves but as the "deceiver" that has captured the minds and hearts of the people. Please e-mail your stories and information to Manager@TidewaterCrossSection.com!

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How to Deal with False Preachers
By Matt

No doubt, we are living in times when Satan is constantly spreading around false doctrines and false prophecies, trying to deceive as many lost sinners as possible so that they can join him in the lake of fire. For this reason, as followers of Christ, we are in a constant battle against evil. However, many of us tend to forget who it is we are fighting against. The Bible makes it quite clear that we should be fighting against Satan, not those who he controls. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds ;)” In other words, we are in a war with evil, not evil people. Martin Luther is a powerful and disturbing example of what can happen to a man who chooses to fight in a war against other men. Luther is most credited with translating the Bible into the German language, as well as the leader of the Protestant Reformation. However, most Christians have no knowledge of the hatred that this man was filled with. The “great reformer” and “national hero” not only published numerous writings trashing the Papists and Anabaptists, but also contain a large number of disconcerting remarks about Jews. His best-known anti-Semitic writing is entitled 'On the Jews and their Lies'. This work basically talks about harassment of Jews, including burning of their homes and destruction of their places of worship. Luther spent his life attacking the views of others rather than defending the truth and using the power of God to persuade the lost. He was fighting a war against the flesh. Christians cannot win a war if they do not know who they’re fighting. The opponent is not the Jehovah’s Witnesses, or the Muslims, or the Mormons, or the Catholics, or the Jews. Our enemy is the Devil.

The Bible has never been clearer or more recurring than on how to combat the evils of this world. For Christians, it can stir up worry and even anger to know that there are so many groups of people in this world that are not only being deceived by Satan, but deceiving others, as well. We feel the need to retaliate against those who preach false doctrines. Religious groups such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Jews, and Catholics; who teach certain doctrines that are contrary to the Word of God; are deemed as accursed people, and should be stopped by any means possible. It is true that the Bible says they must be stopped. However, it is untrue that they must be stopped by any means possible. Throughout the Bible, there is one central theme of commands on how to defeat false teachers. It says in Titus 1:9-11, 13: “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumsion: whoso mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake…Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.” In this passage, it is being said that in order to convert those who contradict the truth and stop them from speaking lies, you must preach sound doctrine and rebuke them harshly. In 2 Timothy 4:2-5, it states: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” Once again, it is commanding us to continue to preach the Word of God, criticize and convince with patience, stay clam, serve God and work hard when people are turning to false teachers.

It is definitely obvious as to what we should do when false doctrines are being spread around. Still, there is the argument that we should not allow helpless sinners to be tempted by deceitful teachings; that as Christians, it is our duty to destroy spiritual counterfeits so that the lost are not turned toward fallacies. Consider this: did God not allow the serpent to tempt Adam and Eve, knowing what the consequences would be? He did. It is because He has allowed Satan to have free reign in the world we live in. God does not try to control the work of the Devil, so why should we? If we do try to regulate how Satan operates, we are essentially saying that God made a mistake by letting him have authority over the world. Rather than trying to prevent evil from spreading by wiping out false doctrines, and acting in malice and envy toward false preachers, we should be relying on the power of God to defeat evil. As followers of Christ, we are in spiritual warfare; therefore, we need to use spiritual weapons.

Ephesians 6:11 commands that we “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” As I have said before, we are not in a fight against Jehovah’s Witnesses, or Mormons, or Jews, or Catholics; we’re not battling against evil men. We are trying to combat a spiritual enemy; Satan. The way to win a spiritual war is by simply using God’s power which is in us.

We have the truth, the Word of God. The Bible should be the chief weapon we use in our battle against evil. Hebrews 4:12 says that the Word of God is “quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword…” We can combat evil by merely presenting the truth. In the book of Matthew, Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness. Each time the devil tempted Him, He responded with a different Scripture. In fact, in one of the temptations, Satan used the Bible, and twisted it around to deceive Jesus. This is a perfect example of how we ought to combat those who distort the Bible and try to deceive others. Just as Jesus did, we should preach the Word of God to contest the lies that are distributed.

The Bible also restrains us from using our rational will and our intense desires. For instance, it would make sense and would also fulfill our passion to destroy evil by taking false messages stuck in people’s doors by Jehovah’s witnesses, and throwing them away. It just feels right. Nevertheless, nowhere in the Bible does it indicate that we should take action against evil people, and destroy the work of the devil by resorting to fleshly weapons. We should live not according to what makes sense or what feels right, but according to what the Bible declares to be right. Plus, destroying the work of false teachers would be an act of maliciousness, envy, ill-will, anger, and wrath. Not only that, we would be doing evil to defeat evil. Romans 12:21 says “be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good,” and to “live peaceably with all men.” Remember: we are not fighting men, we are fighting evil. God wants us to live in peace with all men, not just those we agree with. Moreover, He wants us to rely on His power, and His power alone.
We should stay faithful to the Lord, and be confident in his promise that one day He will destroy the wickedness that rules the world. Psalm 37 talks about waiting for God, and not worrying about evil men. “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” (Psalm 37: 7) This verse is telling us that we must wait for God to do something. Notice the word “rest” in the beginning of the verse. When we are tired, we may sit down in a chair for rest; to support our distress. Evil is making us very distressed; it is making our lives hard. God wants us to rest in Him to relieve us of all our worries and concerns. The second part of the verse says not to worry about those who are successful in spreading wickedness. Why? “For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. We shouldn’t worry about evil people, because we know that one day God will wipe out the wicked. Of course, as Christians, we are deeply concerned about those who are on their way to Hell, and it can make us angry that they are being deceived by false doctrines. We want to concede to our rage and get rid of the cursed views that are being spread around. But the Bible says, “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.” (Psalm 37:8) All we can do and all we must do to combat evil is trust in the Lord. “…be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10)

So, we know from the Bible that our enemy is the devil, not men. We know from the Bible that the best and only way to defeat the devil is by reproving and rebuking those who contradict the truth, by staying still and waiting for God to take action, by not repaying evil for evil and conceding to our fleshly desires and our rationalizations, by trusting in the Lord, and by using the Word of God to retaliate against the deceivers of this world. We know all this from the Bible, and we must follow and preach His Word throughout our battle against evil.

About the Author: Matt uses the following verses as reference, 2 Corinthians 10:3-4; Titus 1:9-11, 13; 2 Timothy 4:2-5; Ephesians 6:11; Hebrews 4:12; Romans 12:21; Psalm 37; Ephesians 6:10

@ September 11, 2009; Source: Narrow is the Path

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Our Struggles
By Dr. Michael A. Halleen

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but . . . against the powers of this dark world. (Ephesians 6:12)

Some years ago, when evening television was still broadcast live, a circus act featuring Bengal tigers was being aired. The trainer had gone into the cage and the cats were snarling their way through a routine performance—until the lights went out. The trainer was trapped in the cage with a half-dozen tigers he couldn’t see—and all of which could see him perfectly—with only the traditional whip and a small chair to protect himself. A half minute or so later the lights came on again and the act resumed.

Later the trainer was asked what it was like to have been in that dark cage among the tigers. He admitted that he had been frightened but said he realized immediately that the tigers had no advantage. “They never knew that I couldn’t see them as well as they could see me,” he said, “so I just kept cracking my whip and talking to them until the lights came on.”

As a university student I occasionally rode a city bus to the campus. If I caught the Number 19 bus at 7:30 a.m., I almost always saw a man get on a mile later who would sit in the back seat and rock back and forth moaning, “O God, why can’t I die? I’m sick! I want to die! Please, God, let me die.” Many passengers, especially those new to the Number 19, were spooked by his groans and moved to the front of the bus. Some even got off before we arrived downtown and waited for the next bus, preferring to be late to work rather than enduring the discomfort. I never talked to the man—it seemed no one did—but it’s certain that he felt trapped in some cage and could see no way out—fighting tigers in the dark.

At times we can meet problems we don’t understand and fears we can’t name—tigers in the dark. They sit unsmiling, watching us, we are sure, with fangs bared. Our defenses against them seem so weak—the equivalent of whip and chair. Remember the trainer. He knew that the tigers didn’t know he couldn’t see them. He kept talking, kept moving, stayed in control.

Every unseen enemy we face is at a greater disadvantage than we may imagine. We are the ones with the ability to act, to make changes, to adapt. Our resources may seem small, but we can use them. Live boldly, even when confidence is lacking, even when you’re afraid. Your problems will not overwhelm you.

Dr. Michael A. Halleen writes very insightful and inspirational messages known as "Monday Moments". If you would like to recieve these messages please contact Mike at mhalleen@att.net.

@ August 7, 2009

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Toward Nationalizing U.S. Banks – Toward One World Order
By: Rev Michael Bresciani

President Obama’s stimulus bill promises to keep us fully distracted, delighted and going places like back to the moon and shuttling blithely between the biggest money sucking hole in America, and the biggest fantasy diversion in the world. Now we can ride on the new magnetically driven monorail proposed between Las Vegas and Disneyworld. Cost for the American tax payer, twelve billion dollars. Cost for having fun in America, priceless.

Over 8000 pork heavy earmarks attached to the stimulus bill are creating immediate concerns but the long range behemoth discussed much less will undoubtedly be the beginning of government control of America’s banks.

Whether it’s philosophical or theological anyone worth a peg knows that a man’s life doesn’t consist of the things he owns. (Lk 12:15) A nations security according to the scripture is neither its armies nor its economy but its moral strength. This must be one of those lessons Barack Obama missed sitting at the feet of Pastor Wright, if it was ever offered. In his address to the Congress he made that abundantly clear.

There is little doubt that the President is not part of a worldwide conspiracy to bring the nations of earth under one roof but he doesn’t need to know he is helping to accomplish that to make it happen. This is why the elements and events preceding the second coming of Christ are hidden from the wisest of the wise.

That America wants to ignore the wisest principles of its own founding fathers and opt in to a nebulously indeterminate doctrine of ‘change’ doesn’t look good for the herds of Americans being spooked by financial crisis, global warming and other contrivances to the edge of the cliffs.

If we insist on skirting the Constitution and the guidance of our own founding fathers perhaps we should look even further back in our nation to the time when the Native Americans ruled the domain. They knew how to lead an entire herd of Buffalo over the cliffs by setting a squaw or a child in the right position to spook the herd and lead it right over the cliffs. Compared to the great trials of our past the business of economic recovery and a not so popular war are mere squaws and children; what has happened to American courage?

Presidents or ordinary taxpayers steeped in secularism, atheism, liberalism, tolerance and cultural diversity, Darwinism, green mania, gay indoctrination, slaughter of the un-born, ecumenicism, ecclesiastical apostasy and unconstitutionally checked government don’t need a conspiracy; the natural outcome of these things is a new world order, a plunge to our own death.

When the antichrist rules the entire globe during the last seven years of time as we know it he will have complete control over the world economy and every individual on earth will be a part of his shiny new economic miracle.

“And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. ( Rev 13:16, 17)

The U.S. is running neck and neck with the European Union toward the nationalization of its banks. According to the EU Observer Feb 23, 2009 “ A report out on Wednesday (25 February) will likely call for the setting up of a new European agency to regulate financial institutions within the EU.

It "will call for deep institutional change" predicts Karel Lannoo, chief executive officer with the Centre for European Policy Studies, a Brussels based think-tank. The chair of the CEPS board, Onno Ruding, sits on the group tasked with issuing the report.

Mr. Lannoo, who specializes in the field of financial regulation, said the report would call for a "single agency modeled on the European Monetary Institute of 1992 ... to lay the basis for the creation of a new European system of financial supervisors."

The EU is now the twentieth member of the famed G-20, a group of the 20 most powerful economies on earth. The group already comprises 90 percent of the total global gross national product. It also has reign over 80 percent of world trade and makes up almost two thirds of the worlds entire population. Two other institutions directly linked to the G-20 are the International Monetary Fund and the high profile World Bank. The stage is set.

The chief goal of the G-20 is to build and sustain economic prosperity. It is a prosperity born of government control and not of private enterprise or capitalism. It is a new world order idea and anything but American. How many Americans know of these things much less can understand the deepest implications of these changes, a safe answer is, very few.

The G-20 website says “Since 1999, the G-20 has contributed to strengthen the international financial architecture and to foster sustainable economic growth and development. The G20 now has a crucial role in driving forward work between advanced and emerging economies to tackle the international financial and economic crisis, restore worldwide financial stability, lead the international economic recovery and secure a sustainable future for all countries.” According to the scripture no one will thank the G-20 for their noble aspirations in the end.

Not the promise of a few dollars in your next tax return or Nancy Pelosi’s jack in the box on steroids display followed by sixty five standing ovations at the Obama address to Congress can defer the long range implications.

The U.S. plan and the E.U. proclivity toward government control of banks if combined could spell the end of capitalism and free market enterprise on a global scale.

The creation of a one world economy is exactly how the last dictator melds the world into one happy global family without ever firing a single shot. But the happiness is short lived as is the rule of antichrist. His rule is interrupted by the actual physical return of the Lord Jesus Christ who not only judges the world but removes the reigns of power from all who now hold them. ( Rev 11:15)

Nearly 25 percent of the Bible contains prophecies of the second coming of Christ but even if it had only a few lines and verses; who would you choose to believe. The beauty of the true faith is that it is always a matter of your choosing. No one will be jihad-ed or excommunicated or deported for not making the choice for God. But it is that very line drawn by the finished work of Christ on the cross and his call to all mankind to turn to him for salvation that is the reason why in the last days Christianity will undergo a great persecution. Yet the choice remains.

“…choose you this day whom ye will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Jos 24:15)

About the Author: www.americanprophet.org is the place for news, articles, movie and book reviews and other insights for life. Rev Bresciani is a columnist for online and print publications and now has millions of readers throughout the world.

@June, 17, 2009; Source: Narrow Is The Path

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Some Thoughts On Mysticism
By Eddie Hyatt

In a recent church gathering a well-known evangelical pastor led his congregation in a "breathing" exercise in which they were exhorted to take "nice, big, deep breaths." He went on to explain that such breathing exercises, along with meditation, reflection, and silence, have been central to the Christian tradition for thousands of years. He then sought to buttress his argument by pointing out that, "In Yoga, one of the central tenets of Yoga is your breath needs to remain the same regardless of pose. And the Yoga Masters say this is how it is when you follow Jesus and surrender to God."[i]

Pastor Rob Bell is typical of many today who are looking to the medieval mystics (and to Eastern forms of mysticism) in their search for spiritual reality. But while many of the medieval mystics can be admired for their passion and devotion, they cannot be followed in many of their doctrines and experiences. Being loyal to the medieval church and sharing in its lax (and sometimes hostile) attitude toward Scripture, they often exhibit a glaring lack of discernment and common sense. So while some of their experiences are, no doubt, genuine, many are obviously psychic and some are probably demonic.

Commenting on medieval mysticism and its neglect of Scripture, Dr. Hans Kung, the most widely read Catholic theologian in the world today, says,

These new revelations not only overshadowed the Bible and the Gospel, but also Him whom the Gospel proclaims and to whom the Bible bears witness. It is striking how rarely Christ appeared in all these "revelations," "apparitions," and "wonders." Catholics who followed in the wake of every new "revelation," which often turned out to be fantasy or deceit, and indulged their desire for sensation by looking for the latest reports of miracles-and yet who had never once in their whole lives read the Scriptures from cover to cover.[ii]

The Origins of Mysticism

Medieval mysticism arose in reaction to the lifeless, outward forms of the medieval church. During the same period evangelical revival groups also emerged for similar reasons. But whereas the revival groups, such as the Waldenses and Albigneses, gave their loyalties to the Scriptures, and looked there for models of faith and spirituality, the mystics tended to give their allegiance to the pope and the institutional church.[iii] This meant that the mystics were more susceptible to non-Biblical approaches to spirituality and this resulted in their adoption of many beliefs and practices that were rooted in pagan, mystical thought, particularly Neoplatonism.

Neoplatonism

Neoplatonism arose in the 3rd century through the Egyptian philosopher, Plotinus, who emphasized and expanded the teachings of Plato and turned Plato’s philosophical system into a mystical religion. Plato had taught that there is a supreme being from which all other beings derive their existence, and he also believed in the immortality of the human soul. Expanding on Plato’s teaching, Plotinus taught that this Supreme Being, whom he called “The One,” was absolutely “other than” this physical world and, therefore, could not be grasped or understood by human reason or knowledge. From “The One” had emanated a series of descending entities resulting in a hierarchy of divine beings between “The One” and humanity. Plotinus believed that it was one of these lesser emanations that had created the physical world. The ultimate goal of the Neoplatonist was, through contemplation of “The One,” to ascend through this hierarchy of beings and be united with “The One.” Since “The One” existed beyond all human knowledge and rationale, “The One” could only be encountered in an irrational state of ecstasy (trance) achieved through mystical contemplation. The noted church historian, Dr. Justo Gonzalez, says,

Neoplatonists believed that if they performed a certain series of progressive steps of contemplation, they would be able to leave behind all the cares and all concerns for physical realities. They thought they could contemplate eternal realities and eventually achieve “ecstasy.” Neoplatonists believed at this point they would be in unity with "The One.”[iv]

Neoplatonism Enters the Church

Neoplatonism became very popular throughout the Greco-Roman world and, as might be expected, many Christians attempted to follow the Neoplatonic route of contemplation. In the 6th century, one of these Neoplatonic minded Christians wrote a treatise on mystical contemplation and at the top penned the words, “Dyonisius the Elder to His Fellow-Elder Timothy.” By this stroke of the pen this unknown individual, now believed to have been a Syrian monk, claimed his writings to be the work of one of Paul’s earliest disciples, Dyonisius of Athens (Acts 17:34), whom tradition says was the first bishop of Athens, written to another early disciple, Timothy. The forgery worked and the works of this individual, now known as “False Dyonisius,” were accepted as the works of one of Paul’s earliest disciples and, thereby, gained much acceptance and authority in the medieval church. So popular became these works that all students of theology were expected to study the wisdom of Dyonisius. Bishops regularly quoted from them and several of the foremost medieval theologians wrote commentaries on them. It was not until the 16th century that the authenticity of these writings began to be questioned by the Reformers. Both Protestants and Catholics now recognize these as later documents written by a “False Dyonisius.”

Nonetheless, during the Middle Ages Paul was read through the eyes of Dyonisius and turned into a mystic by the medieval church. Spiritual experiences and revelations through contemplation were exalted and valued while the Scriptures were often ignored and, at times, even banned by the institutional church.[v] Exotic, non-Biblical miracles such as levitations, communion wafers bleeding, icons weeping, the wounds of the cross (the stigmata) appearing on individuals, apparitions of the saints and the Virgin Mary, etc. were hailed as the great works of God. Paul’s experience of being caught up to the third heaven, which he reluctantly shared in II Corinthians 12:1-6, was interpreted by the mystics as an experience initiated by Paul through mystic contemplation. In fact, “Paul’s entire life was viewed as a process of mystical ascension, and his letters were considered to be guides in that process.”[vi] Within this Neoplatonic, mystical mindset emerged the mystical movement of the medieval church of which the following traits were characteristic.

· A mystical union of the soul with God
· An ascetic withdrawal from the world
· An unhealthy preoccupation with suffering
· The rejection of rational thinking

Characteristic 1: A Mystical Union of the Soul with God

Like the Neoplatonist, the goal of the Christian medieval mystic was a union of the human soul with God in which the individual would “swim in the wild waves of the ocean of God’s being.”[vii] This mystical union could only be achieved in a state of quietness and contemplation, “the quiet dark in which all who love God lose themselves,” as one mystic put it. As aids in achieving this contemplative state, various postures and techniques for prayer and meditation were employed. Some were quite remarkable. Gregory Palamas, a 13th century monk, stressed quietness and stillness in the pursuit of this union with God. As an aid to concentration, he recommended that the chin rest on the chest, with the eyes fixed on the navel.[viii]

Characteristic 2: A Withdrawal From the World

In its merger with Monasticism, mysticism took on an ascetic character in which withdrawal from the world and the normal routines of daily life was emphasized. The monastery and the convent thus became the ideal places where mysticism could be studied and applied. In the monastery, Luther diligently sought to find peace with God through ascetic and mystical practices but was frustrated in these attempts. After finding peace with God through the revelation of the gospel in the Scriptures, he wrote, “If ever a monk got to heaven by monkery, I would have gotten there.”

Characteristic 3: An Unhealthy Preoccupation with Suffering

An unhealthy preoccupation with suffering characterized medieval mysticism. Some mystics, such as Julian of Norwich (1342-ca.1416), considered one of the greatest English mystics, prayed to be deathly sick, thinking that through such suffering she could better identify with Christ in His sufferings. Not having an opportunity to suffer for Christ, as did the early Christian martyrs, many mystics pursued a self-inflicted martyrdom. For example, Henry Suso (d. 1366), a German Dominican mystic who gained fame for his sanctity and devotion, wore an undergarment studded with 150 sharp tacks that, he said, felt as if he were lying in a nest of wasps. He also made a wooden cross to which he affixed 30 spikes and on this he lay every night for eight years. To intensify his suffering, he affixed seven sharp needles to the cross, and for a long time, he daily inflicted himself with two penitential drills. In these exercises, he would tie the cross to his back and beat upon it with his fist until the spikes and needles penetrated the flesh and the blood flowed down to his feet.[ix]

This unhealthy preoccupation with suffering, and the belief that it produced a cleansing effect on the soul, gave rise to writings such as The Dark Night of the Soul by John of the Cross (1542–91), a Spanish mystic and close friend of Theresa of Ávila (1515-1584).

Characteristic 4: The Rejection of Rational Thinking

Medieval mysticism also rejected reason and rational thinking, accessing these as hindrances to the soul achieving unity with God. A work by “False Dyonisius” that gained much fame in the medieval church was a book called Mystic Theology in which he said,

I counsel thee in the earnest exercise of mystic contemplation, that you leave the senses and activities of the intellect and all that the senses or intellect can perceive. Having laid your understanding to rest, strain as far as you can toward a union with Him whom neither being nor understanding can contain. So shall you be led upwards to the Ray of that divine Darkness which surpasses all existence.[x]

The parallels with Neoplatonism, particularly in the rejection of reason and union with the Divine, are obvious. Gonzalez describes this work as, “An explanation of basically Neoplatonic mysticism in which the religious life consists in an ascending vision of God.[xi]

Mysticism Does Not Align with the Teachings of Jesus & the New Testament.

Of course, neither Jesus nor Paul advocated the rejection of the intellect or rational thinking. In fact, Jesus said that we are to love God with all our . . . minds (Matthew 22:37). Paul’s mode of operation in fulfilling his call to the Gentiles involved the use of logical thinking as he reasoned daily in the synagogues and in the school of Tyrannus concerning the identity of Jesus (Acts 17:2-3; 19:9-10). It is the carnal mind that is against God, not the mind per se. The answer is not to reject the mind and rational thinking, but to renew the mind in God’s Word as Paul admonishes in Romans 12:2. Although God’s Word and Spirit will often transcend human reason, they will never violate it or seek to eliminate it.

Medieval mysticism is out of touch with Jesus and the New Testament in terms of prayer, as well. Jesus does not teach any form of mystical prayer. He does not teach any postures or techniques for prayer and meditation. Neither is there any mention of silence or contemplation. Instead, Jesus emphasizes a relational approach to God in which prayer is simple conversation with a loving, benevolent Being whom He calls Abba, an endearing term used only by children for the father in the Jewish household.

For Jesus, oneness with God is not a mystical union of one’s being with God, but a practical oneness of will and purpose, culminated by the indwelling Holy Spirit and Word of God in one’s life.

Another point of divergence with Jesus and New Testament Christianity is that Jesus does not call His disciples to withdraw from the world into solitude and contemplation. Instead, He sends them into the world and promises a baptism in the Holy Spirit that will empower them to prophetically engage the world as His witnesses (John 17:18; Acts 1:8).

Neither does Jesus teach progressive stages of cleansing through darkness and suffering, as did the mystics. Instead, He shed His Blood to cleanse from sin and its effects. He also emphasizes the Word of God as an agent of cleansing. For example, He says to His disciples, "You are already clean through the word I have spoken to you" (John 15:3). And He prays to the Father, "Sanctify them by Your truth, Your word is truth" (John 17:17).

Parallels With Eastern Mysticism

Some have also pointed out the parallels of medieval mysticism with religions of the East—such as Buddhism and Hinduism--that also seek a mystical union of the human soul with the Divine through meditation and contemplation. It is possible that Neoplatonism itself was influenced by Eastern religious thought since there was commercial interaction between India and the Roman Empire, especially in the eastern sector where Neoplatonism arose. This is why Kung says,

And yet we must realize that mysticism is not a specifically Christian phenomenon. Not only is mysticism older than Christianity; it also comes from far away. Mystical religion had already come into being at a very early stage – in the late Vedan period – in India.[xii]

Although many of the mystics can be admired for their commitment and devotion, we must recognize that many of their concepts and approaches to prayer and spirituality are rooted in pagan, mystical religion, i.e., Neoplatonism. The Reformers and Revivalists of the 16th century did not consider the medieval mystics to be their predecessors but, rather, sought to model their faith and spirituality after Jesus and the New Testament. Those who are hungering for spiritual reality in the 21st century would be wise to follow their example.

References:
[i] www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/robbelltranscript.doc
[ii] Hans Kung, The Church (Garden City, NY: Image Books, 1976), 257-58.
[iii] See my book, 2000 Years of Charismatic Christianity ( Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2002) for a more thorough discussion of this issue.
[iv] Justo L. Gonzalez, Paul: His Impact On Christianity (Nashville: Graded Press, 1987), 38.
[v] In 1190 Pope Innocent III declared that as by the old law the beast touching the holy mountain was to be stoned to death, so simple and uneducated men were not to touch the Bible or venture to preach its doctrines. Archbishop Berthholdt of Germany echoed Innocent’s ban on the Bible when he declared, “The Scriptures are not to be given to simple and unlearned men and, above all, are not to be put into the hands of women.” In reaction to the evangelical revival groups, who quoted Scripture in defense of their beliefs and practices, the Synod of Toulouse issued a formal ban in 1229 forbidding laypeople to possess copies of the Scripture in their own language.
[vi] Gonzalez, 41.
[vii] Philip Schaff, vol. 6 of History of the Christian Church, 8 vols. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1910), 276.
[viii] Tony Lane, Harper’s Concise Book of Christian Faith (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1984), 64.
[ix] Schaff, vol. 6 of History of the Christian Church, 263-64.
[x] Lane, Harper’s Concise Book of Christian Faith, 56.
[xi] Gonzales, 40.
[xii] Hans Kung, Christianity: Essence, History, and Future (New York: Continuum, 1995), 448.

About the Author: Dr. Eddie L. Hyatt is the founder of Hyatt International Ministries and writes a blog http://www.biblicalawakening.blogspot.com/. Eddie’s passion is to see authentic, Spirit-led revival transform the Church and impact the world in the 21st century.

@ June 3, 2009

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Expand While The Devil Shrinks!
By Andrew Strom

There is no question that we have covered the "Doom & Gloom" side of the present crisis pretty well. But one thing I feel we havenot discussed enough is the amazing OPPORTUNITY that God is setting before us through this crisis. In fact, it may be that what is happening now could be the answer to years of our most fervent prayers.

Have you been praying for God to act and bring massive change to the church and to our culture? Have you been praying for the return of spiritual hunger and reality? Have you been praying for God to open closed doors, to soften hearts, and to allow the real Truth of the gospel to march forth in the land once again? What if this is His answer to all of that - the only way He could bring about the kind of shaking and hunger that is so desperately required? What if He has spent years setting this up? What if it is the golden opportunity of a lifetime? Are we willing? Are we ready?

There is no question that some of our main enemies are on the run right now in the West. In fact, many of them are in rampant disorderly retreat. The great god Mammon is a good example. I don't think the "deceitfulness of riches" will be doing too well in the West for awhile, do you? And Mammon's allies - Comfort, Apathy, Materialism and Humanism are starting to look a little shaky also.

There is a "window of opportunity" starting to open - where a gospel that was once unwelcome will be welcomed again - where change that was once thought impossible comes in like a rush. We are living in a rare moment of history.

In times of Depression - froth, bubble and hype go the way of the dinosaur. People start looking for reality and grounded truth. They want to find a Rock to stand on instead of shifting sand. This happened in the last Depression, and it will happen in this one too.

Are you one who has spent years in the wilderness, waiting for God's moment? Are you a David in the caves, a Joseph in the dungeons? Couldn't it be that this is the very moment that God has been preparing you for, all this time?

You see, the "big boys" with their shallow gospel are in increasing trouble through all of this. They rely on big money, big media, big hype and big budgets to get their message out. And the budget is looking rather sick. Could it be that God is leveling the playing field? Are many that were "last" about to become first? Are the little guys with their message of repentance and heart-holiness about to break through the glass ceiling that has kept them down for so long? Has God actually been planning this for ages?

Personally, I feel like the Lord has been speaking to me lately that as the devil pulls back, I need to expand. There are things that I have put off for years that I need to put into action.

One of these is the "Online Preacher's School" where we send people around the world to preach in far-flung places - after training them first. I get all kinds of invitations from places like Pakistan, India and Africa that I cannot possibly fulfill. It is time that we started doing "basic training and sending" - because the need out there is enormous. And we can do a lot of it online. (-This should be up and running in a matter of weeks). To me, God's message is very clear: We are to expand while the devil shrinks.

Another area that He has been speaking to me about is MUSIC and VIDEO - things that I put aside (to a large degree) years ago. God laid it on my heart before we came to Wales that we need to record a music album here - something we have not done for 8 years. (We had better get on with it, as we only have a Visa to stay in Wales for six months!) There are other things also. And what about you, my friends? Has God begun whispering similar things? Such a crisis comes along only once in a lifetime. Could this be the very hour of Mobilization that He has been preparing you for all these years?

I'd be interested in your comments.

Please send responses to- prophetic@revivalschool.com

God bless you all.

Andrew Strom.

@May 15, 2009

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Holy Laughter – Part I and II

Go to Part II

By Pastor Stan Madrak

What is it really all about? God or Deception? "Joy of the Lord", or more demons invading the church?

In December 1994 I was watching Richard Roberts on TV giving a really good sermon. About 15 minutes into the sermon he involuntarily started laughing hysterically. My Spirit was grieved just watching. I never saw anything like it. A few days later I watched him again. The program was defending some bad publicity about all this laughter. Richard's wife was doing all the talking because Richard was just sitting there laughing with no control. Lindsey said she was rather upset at all that was going on until she was in church and "got hit with it". She said she laughed so hard that she completely flipped over the pew.

Next we saw Rodney Howard-Browne on TV at a church service transferring this "HOLY LAUGHTER" OR "JOY OF THE LORD", mostly by just pointing at people. My Spirit was again grieved watching.

Next I got a large postcard in the mail advertising an "EXCITING NEW VIDEO" for $23.50 called "The Laugh Heard 'round the World" from Lakeland, Florida. Here is what is printed on the card - "This video is absolutely fantastic! ...anyone depressed would have to smile or laugh real big before they finished watching it. Charles & Francis (The Happy Hunters) In 1993, South African Evangelist Rodney Howard-Browne held a Revival at Carpenter's Home Church in Lakeland, Florida. It was there that thousands of people received the Joy of the Holy Spirit and bubbled over with laughter! All over the United States, people have been changed by this wonderful manifestation of the Spirit! And now, through this unique video, you'll see real footage of the exciting things that happened when Ken and Nancy Curtis went around the world and shared this "Holy Ghost Laughter". You'll see evidence that the Holy Spirit is the same everywhere. You'll hear proof that He really gives you something to laugh about!"

Next I got out my bible and concordance and checked all the Scriptures about laughter and joy, and nothing checked out with this new "gift from God".

Next I received the below article from Spiritual Counterfeits Project in Berkeley California, in the fall 1994 SCP Newsletter, and thought I would share it with you. You make your own mind up.

"HOLY LAUGHTER OR STRONG DELUSION? by Warren Smith

I watched the video again. It was entitled Signs and Wonders Camp meeting 1994. Pastors of huge charismatic churches were stumbling around the church stage "drunk" with "holy" laughter. Wanting to testify to the fact that "holy" laughter had transformed their ministries and their lives, many of them were unable to speak when called on to do so. But their "drunken" condition became their testimony. Their halting speech was seen as "proof" of the "power of the spirit" that had come over them. The congregation roared in approval as pastor after pastor laughed uncontrollably and then fell to the floor. Standing alongside the "drunken" pastors was evangelist Rodney Howard-Browne, the self described "Holy Ghost bartender" who was serving up this "new wine" of "holy" laughter. Many Christians today believe that Howard-Browne is God's appointed channel for imparting joy and revival to the end-times church. Other Christians see Howard-Browne as a false prophet who is inflicting great damage to the body of Christ.

Early last spring the Spiritual Counterfeits Project received a fax from someone expressing concern about a new phenomenon called "holy" laughter. He said that a San Francisco Bay Area Vineyard Church was experiencing what was being described as "revival" and that the manifestation of "holy" laughter was being cited as one of the signs of this "revival." Church members and visitors were reportedly breaking into fits of spontaneous and uncontrollable laughter during their nightly services.

Later when I talked with several members of the San Francisco Vineyard congregation I was told how hundreds of people were getting "hit" with "revival"--how some people were getting so "soaked in the spirit" they would lose consciousness for up to several hours after falling to the ground with "holy" laughter. The Vineyard members described "holy" laughter unqualifiedly as "awesome" and definitely "the work of the Lord."

I learned that their Vineyard pastors had recently flown to a Vineyard church in Toronto where God had reportedly "touched down" and where "revival" had "broken out." The San Francisco pastors participating in the Toronto "revival" had then "brought it back" to San Francisco. It seemed that one of the characteristics of "holy" laughter is that it can be easily transferred from one person to another through the laying on of hands. Thus the Toronto "revival" had now "spread" to San Francisco. Nightly meetings were now being held at the San Francisco Vineyard to accommodate the streams of people wanting to get "touched" by this "move of God."

Within weeks of my visit to Vineyard I happened to catch a program on "holy" laughter on a local Christian TV station. The panel of guests were enthusiastically discussing "holy" laughter and endorsing it unquestioningly as a latter days "outpouring" of God's Holy Spirit. Comparing "holy" laughter to the "work" of the Spirit at Pentecost, they were convinced that "holy" laughter was completely authentic. They equated "holy" laughter with the biblical notion of joy. As far as they were concerned "holy" laughter was the "joy of the Lord." Scriptural references to joy were cited; testimonies were given; songs were sung; and by the end of the program I felt like I had just watched a one hour info-mercial on "holy" laughter.

Then, several weeks later, there was a program about "holy" laughter on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. While preacher Rodney Howard-Browne was giving what appeared to be a serious message, people in the audience were laughing wildly for no apparent reason. But Howard-Browne seemed oblivious to the disruption and kept on preaching. Then when the laughter was at its height he began incorporating all that was happening into his sermon. He said that the "holy" laughter they were experiencing was a last days expression of God's "Holy Spirit." He too compared the "Spirit" that was manifesting to the Spirit at Pentecost. He reminded his audience how those gathered in the upper room had been viewed by others as being "drunk" on alcohol when in fact they were "drunk" in the Spirit.

Howard-Browne's audience continued to laugh hilariously as he spoke of a present day "revival" and how "holy" laughter was ushering in this "revival." At the end of the service Howard-Browne shuffled around the huge assembly hall, now breaking into long fits of laughter himself.

As he walked around, talking and laughing and speaking in tongues, he began to lay hands on people. After he said "be filled" and repeated the phrase "from the top of your head to the tips of your toes" people fell to the ground in hysterical laughter. As the program ended, the evangelist continued to weave his way amongst the fallen bodies, many of them still convulsed in laughter.

Also during this time I was sent a copy of a flyer saying that Charles and Frances Hunter, the authors of a new book entitled Holy Laughter, were coming to Portland, Maine. The flyer said, "God is filling the church with holy laughter! Come and receive a baptism of joy! YOU will never be the same! Don't miss this unforgettable move of the Holy Spirit!" Another book on "holy" laughter entitled Fresh Anointing: Another Great Awakening, was also brought to my attention at this time. In it, author Mona Johnian describes the "hold" laughter "revival" that erupted in her Boston church after she and her husband attended a meeting led by Rodney Howard-Browne.

In the midst of this same two-month period there was yet another program on "holy" laughter. I was watching a locally televised church service and the guest preacher was Richard Roberts, the president of Oral Roberts University and son of Oral Roberts. His whole sermon was on "holy" laughter and how it had changed his life and ministry. He described how "revival" had come to Oral Roberts University. Roberts explained how he had canceled classes for two days so that his four thousand students could personally experience the "joy of the Lord" and receive the "gift" of "holy" laughter. I was not surprised to learn that the "revival" Roberts was describing had come through the person of Rodney Howard-Browne.

And then to round out my summer crash course on the subject of "holy" laughter, the August issue of Charisma magazine had Rodney Howard-Browne on its cover. He was clearly the man of the hour. The cover story on this by now wildly popular "Holy Ghost bartender" was entitled "Praise the Lord and Pass the New Wine." The article was yet one more endorsement of Howard-Browne and "holy" laughter. And what I was starting to realize was that all of the "holy" laughter I had recently encountered--the TV programs, the books, the various "anointings" and "revivals" could all be traced back to him: Toronto Vineyard, San Francisco Vineyard, the Hunters, Mona Johnian, Richard Roberts, and all the rest. The Charisma article described Rodney Howard-Browne as the "spiritual conduit" for "holy" laughter. But I wanted to know how Rodney Howard-Browne got his "anointing?"

The Charisma article stated that in South Africa, in the summer of 1979, Howard-Browne "spent hours praying for a deeper experience with God." In the midst of his prayers he is quoted as having told God, "EITHER YOU COME DOWN HERE AND TOUCH ME, OR I WILL COME UP THERE AND TOUCH YOU." Charisma said that suddenly in the midst of that prayer Howard-Browne's "whole body felt like it was on fire. He began to laugh uncontrollably. Then he wept and began to speak in tongues." In Howard-Browne's book The Touch of God, Charisma quotes him as saying, "I was plugged into heaven's electric supply, and since then my desire has been to go and plug other people in."

And certainly one of the most outstanding characteristics of Howard-Browne's "anointing" and the whole "laughing revival" is that it is so immediately transferable from person to person. Those "anointed" by Howard-Browne can now "anoint" others. And that is what's happening. The "Spirit" that visited Howard-Browne has exponentially multiplied as it has been passed on from person to person around the world. A video advertised in that same August issue of Charisma documents the spread of Howard-Browne's "holy" laughter. It is entitled The Laugh that was Heard 'round the World.

The "holy" laughter "revival" started by Howard-Browne is spreading like wildfire around the world. A recent conference sponsored by Toronto Vineyard drew 2300 pastors from countries as far away as Cambodia. They had all come to observe the "laughing revival" that was now being called "The Toronto Blessing." Even skeptical pastors were getting "hit" with the "Spirit" and then taking that "Spirit" back to their churches and towns.

Part II

Howard-Browne's "laughing revival" has now officially moved into the Christian mainstream with a recent endorsement from Pat Robertson on his popular 700 Club. On October 27, 1994 Robertson said this about holy laughter: "...what this says to me is revival is taking place in the world in a mass wave...and we look to the coming of the Lord. I think this is a very encouraging sign in the middle of all this trouble and all these wars and all this confusion. God is saying I'm on the throne and I'm going to touch multiplied millions. It's wonderful. I applaud it."

But what does the Bible say about laughter?

Last summer, after watching Rodney Howard-Browne on TBN, I consulted my concordance to see if there was any biblical precedent for "holy" laughter. Surprisingly, I found only 40 references to laughter in the Bible; 34 of them were in the Old Testament, while only 6 were in the New Testament. Of those 40 references 22 of them referred to scornful laughter, as in Nehemiah 2:19 when Nehemiah said, "they laughed us to scorn." Of the 18 remaining references to laughter, seven of them referred exclusively to Abraham and Sarah's initial disbelief and ultimate astonishment that God would give them a child in their old age. Barely into my study on laughter I was already down to my last 11 references.

In Job 8:21 Bildad, one of Job's false comforters, wrongly advised Job that if he were in right standing with God he would be prosperous and full of laughter. The Psalmist in Psalm 126:2 recorded that when the captivity of Zion was over, "then was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongue with singing." Proverbs 29:9 says, "if a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest."

With only 8 remaining references I had seen nothing in the Bible up to this point that suggested anything even resembling "holy" laughter. In Ecclesiastes 2:2 Solomon says, "I said of laughter, it is mad." Ecclesiastes 3:4 says, there is "a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance." Ecclesiastes 7:3-4 says, "sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth." Ecclesiastes 7:6 says, "for as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of a fool: this also is vanity." Ecclesiastes 10:19 says that "a feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry."

Interestingly the Bible's last three references to laughter--the only three references to authentic laughter in the New Testament--warn AGAINST laughter. These three references actually seemed to underline Solomon's contention in Ecclesiastes that "sorrow is better that laughter" and that now is a time to weep and not to laugh. In Luke 6:21 JESUS says, "blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh." In Luke 6:25 JESUS says, "woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep." James 4:9 tells us not to laugh but to "be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness."

I had searched the scriptures to find any biblical precedent for "holy" laughter and there was none. To my amazement, I had discovered that there were surprisingly few references in the Bible to any kind of laughter. Did this mean that God doesn't have a sense of humor or that people in the Bible never laughed? No. It just meant that laughter apparently was not something that God chose to emphasize very much. And certainly JESUS' last words on laughter--"woe unto you who laugh now!"--were not ones that would seem to give any encouragement to a "laughing revival."

The Lord says, "Come now, and let us reason together" (Isaiah 1:18. Here are some of my concerns about "holy" laughter and "the laughing revival."

(1) There is no biblical precedent for "holy" laughter.

Laughter is rarely mentioned in the Bible. Yet, when it is, the Bible seems to make more of a case for holy sorrow than for "holy" laughter. Scripture supports Solomon's contention that "sorrow is better than laughter." It does not support the present "laughing revival."

(2) Substituting the word joy for laughter is a non sequitur. It is inaccurate and misleading. There is no scriptural authority for equating biblical references to joy with the involuntary manifestations of "holy" laughter. Just because there are insufficient Bible texts to make the case for "holy" laughter, it does not follow that you can simply redefine the word laughter by substituting the word joy.

(3) "Holy" laughter advocates rarely, if ever, discuss the need to "test the spirits." The Bible warns us that not every supernatural manifestation is necessarily from God. 1 John 4:1 says, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world." Charles and Francis Hunter write in their book Holy Laughter, "Once you begin to walk in the supernatural you really have to be ready for anything and everything and never question the way God does it!" (p.65)

(4) "Holy" laughter advocates rarely, if ever, talk about the Spirit's express warning that in the latter times some people will be supernaturally seduced by deceptive evil spirits into following them and not the one true God.

1 Timothy 4: warns, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils."

(5) "Holy" laughter advocates rarely, if ever, talk about the Bible's warnings of false prophets who come in the name of JESUS but bring with them "another spirit." 2 Corinthians 11:4 says, "For if he that cometh preacheth another JESUS, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."

(6) Many laughter advocates condescendingly discourage and even openly intimidate sincere Christians who question the "Laughing revival."

According to the August Charisma article, Rodney Howard-Browne "disparages" people who "try to apply theological tests" to what he does. The Hunters' book Holy Laughter refers to skeptics as God's "frozen chosen." Mona Johnian writes, "skeptics, hesitaters and procrastinators do not get anointed." She warns "that any person or church that wavered could be eliminated."

(7) Rodney Howard-Browne's prayer to God just prior to his "anointing" ("either you come down here and touch me or I'll come up there and touch you") was unscriptural. Howard-Browne's prayer was the essence "my will be done." It was not "thy will be done," as taught by JESUS in scripture. Why should we automatically assume that it was God who answered his prayer?

(8) "Holy" laughter advocates, in talking about "signs and wonders," rarely, if ever, mention the "Bibles many warnings about deceptive signs and wonders. In Matthew 16:4 JESUS warns, "a wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign." In Matthew 24:24 JESUS says, "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." In 2 Thess. 2:9 the apostle Paul warns of the coming Antichrist, "even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders."

(9) "Holy" laughter advocates seem to lay hands on almost everybody. The Bible specifically warns against this.

The eighth chapter of Acts describes how the disciples would not lay hands on Simon, a baptized believer, even though he desperately wanted the gift of the Holy Ghost, because his heart was "not right in the sight of God." 1 Timothy 5:22 warns us to "lay hands suddenly on no man." Yet "holy" laughter is passed on from person to person without so much as a second thought.

(10) "Holy laughter advocates blatantly disregard the biblical admonition that things be done decently and in order.

1 Corinthians 14:40 says, "Let all things be done decently and in order." Mona Johnian in her book Fresh Anointing says, "decently and in order! We must do things decently and in order. The Bible itself commands it, cry those who are frightened by that which is beyond traditional order" (p. 35). She advises her readers to "break with tradition" (p.45).

(11) The chaos and confusion that usually characterizes the "laughing revival: contradicts the Bible's description of the Person of God.

1 Corinthians 14:33 states, "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."

(12) Laughter advocates rarely if ever, discuss the well documented demonic deceptions that have manifested in past revivals.

To combat the deception that arose during the Welsh revival at the turn of this century authors Jessie Penn-Lewis and Evan Roberts wrote War on the Saints: a disclosure of the deceptive strategies used by evil spirits against God's people." Both were very involved with the revival and were extremely concerned about the demonic manifestations that began to dominate their meetings. The forward to War on the Saints warns of "the grave dangers that beset the path of uninformed enthusiasm."

(13) A number of Christians have experienced the equivalent of "holy" laughter when they were in the New Age.

Indian Guru Bhagvhan Shree Rajneesh was affectionately known by his followers as the "divine drunkard" because he was reputed to have drunk so deeply from the well of the "Divine." As a former follower of Rajneesh I met hundreds of Sannyasins who had flown to India "to drink" from "Bhagwan's wine." When followers were physically touched by Rajneesh, or even if they were merely in his presence, they would often experience feelings of great exhilaration and joy. Disciples of Swami Baba Muktananda would often manifest uncontrollable laughter after receiving Shaktipat (physical contact) from the guru.

(14) The "laughing revival" could one day merge with what the New Age calls the coming day of "planetary Pentecost."

Barbara Marx Hubbard, (revered New Age leader and a 1984 Democratic nominee for the Vice Presidency of the United States), writes in her book, Teachings from the Inner Christ, how the human race will soon experience a day of "Planetary Pentecost." Hubbard, claiming to be in contact with "Christ," writes: "the Planetary Smile is another name for the Planetary Pentecost. When enough of us share a common thought of our oneness with God, Spirit will be poured out on all flesh paying attention" (p.79). In her book The Revelation, Hubbard says "Christ," in describing the planetary smile, said: "an uncontrollable joy will ripple through the thinking layer of the earth. The co-creative systems, which are lying psychologically dormant in humanity will be activated. From within, all sensitive persons will feel the joy of the force, flooding their systems with love and attraction...as this joy flashes through the nervous systems of the most sensitive peoples on earth, it will create a psycho magnetic field of empathy, which will align the next wave of people in synchrony, everywhere on Earth. This massive, sudden empathic alignment will cause a shift in the consciousness of Earth" (p. 234-235). Writing in Happy Birth Day Planet Earth, Hubbard repeats what she heard from "Christ." He said, "as the planetary smile ripples through the nervous systems of earth, and the instant of co-operation begins, and empathy floods the feelings of the whole body of Earth, separation is overcome, and I appear to all of you at once (p. 10-11).

The controversy over "holy" laughter is already splitting congregations and causing deep divisions in the body of Christ. And while many people have already taken sides, there are many more who are still trying to figure out just what is going on. Is this really a move of God, or is this the kind of deception the Bible warns about in Matthew 24, 1 Timothy 4:1, and in the second chapter of Thessalonians?

Unity is indeed the heartfelt desire of every sincere Christian (Psalm 133:1). But the Bible warns of massive deception that will come at the end and in Christ's name. Before the Church--in the name of unity--free falls into a worldwide "laughing revival," we had better be sure what it is we are uniting with.

In reflecting on "holy" laughter during these very troubled times, I recalled a music special I had seen on television a number of years ago. In the midst of an otherwise polite Hollywood type crowd, a male vocalist sang straight faced and sober into the teeth of their celebration. His words were electric and piercing, and they seemed to hang in the air. He sang, "you're laughing now, but you should be praying. You're in the midnight hour of your life."

About the Author: Stan Madrak and his wife offer deliverance ministry and support to those who are in this ministry through their church or their website. More information concerning their ministry can be found at DemonBuster.com.

@ March 18/19, 2009

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The Spirit of Baalam

By Pastor Bob Roach 

Rev. 2:14: “But why do you indulge that Balaam crowd? Don't you remember that Balaam was an enemy agent, [sent by Satan] seducing Balak and sabotaging Israel's Holy walk before God by getting them to embrace the immoral ways of the world.” (MSG-CEV- WET) 

A.          What are some of the tricks you use to “get your way?”

B.       The last time we met we saw that Satan hates unity and loves to bring division in the Church. He hates unity so much that he will go to any extreme to see unity destroyed. We saw when Satan sees a Church that is moving in a Spirit of unity he looses on that Church a satanic attack that is spearheaded by three very distinct and powerful demonic spirits; spirits that will steal away the blessing that unity brings.

      These spirits are identified in Jude 1:11 “Woe to them! For they have traveled in the way of Cain, have abandoned themselves to the error of Balaam for profit, and have perished in Korah's rebellion.”

C. We are living in a day of spiritual warfare that will determine the eternal outcome of many people. Satan knows that if we stay in unity that his demonic forces cannot overpower us. He knows that he cannot stop the blessing of Christ (eternal life). He also knows that if he can get our focus off of Christ, onto ourselves and onto the world, then there is a good possibility that he can infiltrate the Church with his demonic forces. Then his evil spirits will be working in our midst and we will not even recognize they are there until in may be too late. Satan knows that he cannot curse what God has blessed. However, in our lesson this week we will see how Balaam, though he could not curse the Children of Israel because God had blessed them could however instruct Israel’s enemy on how to get the children of God to come out from under the blessing of God.

D.       You are currently living in the “Book of Jude.” I told you that this was something that the Holy Spirit had spoken to me. As I read the book of Jude I saw many things that pointed not only to the present condition of the world, but even more so to the condition of what many call the Church or Christianity. As I read Jude I saw that Jude was warning the church that Satan desired to come into the Church so quietly that no one would even know he was there until his satanic influence in the Church brought disunity, offense, worldliness, rebellion and finally destruction. In the Church today many people are ignorant when it comes to the working of these demonic spirits. When this happens the spirit of Cain, the spirit of Balaam and the spirit of Korah have free access to the Church and the peoples lives.                 

2 Cor. 2:11“that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his intentions (schemes, plans, desires).” NAS

Review of Lesson#1

E. The “Cain” spirit: Cain yielded himself to the spirit of offense. The first spirit that Satan will loose on the church that is in unity is the“spirit of offense.” Here is how you can identify that spirit.

1. It wants its own way to become God’s way.

2. It decides what it will sacrifice and what it won’t. (works, legalism, self exaltation-Manifestations of Pride)

3. It sets up its ownstandard of righteousness. It knows what is best,not God. It interprets the word of God for its own ends.

4. It yields itself to anger. Iit starts in the heart and manifests in the flesh.

5 It justifies itself at the expense of those they are suppose to love and be in relationship with. It iswilling to sacrifice others for their ownself justification.

6. It leads to bitterness,rejection, hate and murder.

7. It’s major concern is self.

F. The second demonic spirit that we need to examine is the spirit of Balaam. Balaam is an interesting Old Testament person who started out in God and ended up in the control of Satan. Balaam's name actually has two different meanings, one in the Hebrew and another in the Greek. Names that describe this man’s character and life. In the Hebrew Balaam means~“devourer?” It comes from a compound Hebrew word that means “not of My people”and “to hold indarkness.” In the Greek Balaam’s name simply means “Perhaps”.

Balaam did what he did for “profit.” Jude warned that this spirit would cause the people of God to “Give themselves over to (abandon themselves) to error” in the same way that Balaam did. Balaam knew what God wanted him to do, but the allure of the riches of this world caused Balaam to pursue a path that took him away from God. He started out as one who knew God, spoke with God and proclaimed that the God of the Hebrews was “His God.” Many considered him to be a “Prophet of God.”We can read about his life in Numbers Chapters 21- 24. It is a life that represents a “double minded man”(James1:8;4:8) .Balaam was in an internal conflict with himself; It came down to a place of compromise between what he desired, the riches of this world, and what he knew was the will of God. He believed that “perhaps” God would give to him the “permission” todo what the world wanted him to do. His desire for riches brought him to the place where he was willing to be a friend to the enemies of God’s people, hoping to find a way to curse them for “profit.” He wanted to be able to hand the people of God over to their enemies. I know that we are thinking that we would never do that. Yet, we are warned by Jude and by the Apostle John in Revelations that this spirit of compromise would infiltrate the church (Rev.2:14).The “Love of Money” and the emphasis on “worldly prosperity” can be summed up in the phrase “what’s in it for me Christianity.” The “error of Balaam” has in many churches become their main doctrine. This doctrine in actuality has become a “stumbling block to many of the people of God ”(Rev.2:14).

Balaam, even though he wanted too, could not curse what God had blessed. He did however know enough about God’s righteousness and holiness that he showed Israel's enemy how to get the Israelites to curse themselves. He knew how to get them to place themselves under the curse of God and be “held in darkness”. He knew the way to get them from being “God’s people.”

Num. 31:16 “Behold , these (the immoral ways and idol worshipod the Moabites) caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, so the plague was among the congregation of the Lord.”

G. Are you an enemy of God? If you are under the spiritof Balaam the answer is yes. Balaam’s counsel was to get Israel to become the enemy of God. How? By seducing them into an adulteress relationship with the world and its religious practices. James4:4 “You adulteresses do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” Peter declared that there was a wage you would receive for following Balaam it is called the “wage of unrighteousness” (2 Peter 2:15). Balaam received his pay for his ungodly counsel, it was two fold. First He went from being a prophet or servant of God and became a diviner (user of witchcraft),a servant of Satan; second, he lost his life on the battlefield.Josh.13:22 “Along with those the Israelites put to death, they also killed the diviner Balaam son of Beor,with the sword.”

The wage of sin is “always death.” Rom.6:23. Church,don’t compromise seek the “Kingdom of God” not the things of this world.

Col.3:1-2 “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” NAS

@ Mar 5, 2009, Sent in by Stan Johnson, GladTidingsMinistry.org

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Beware of this book - Oprah is pushing it ‏

Sent in by Susan Perry and written by a concerned brother in Christ

We as Christians need to spread the word about this! This is an outrage!

If you have children or grandchildren, work with children at church, or you have neighborhood children whose parents you know, please take note of the information below and pass it along to others. Schools are distributing this book to children through the Scholastic Book Club.

The name of the book is Conversations with God... James Dobson talked about this book twice this week. It is devastating. Parents, churches and Christian schools need to be aware of it. Please pass this information on to church/e-mail addresses, Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, friends.

Please pay special attention not only to what your kids watch on TV, in movie theaters, on the internet, and the music they listen to, but also be alert regarding the books they read.

Two particular books are, Conversations with God and Conversations with God for Teens, written by Neale D. Walsch. They sound harmless enough by their titles alone. The books have been on the New York Times best sellers list for a number of weeks, and they make truth of the statement, "Don't judge a book by its cover or title."

The author purports to answer various questions asked by kids using the "voice of God". However, the "answers" that he gives are not Bible-based and go against the very infallible word of God.

A girl poses the question "I am living with my boyfriend. My parents say that I should marry him because I am living in sin. Should I marry him?"

His reply is, "Who are you sinning against? Not me, because you have done nothing wrong."

Another question asks about God's forgiveness of sin. His reply "I do not forgive anyone because there is nothing to forgive. There is no such thing as right or wrong and that is what I have been trying to tell everyone, do not judge people. People have chosen to judge one another and this is wrong, because the rule is "'judge not lest ye be judged."

Not only are these books the false doctrine of the devil, but in some instances quote (in error) the Word of God.

And the list goes on. These books (and others like it) are being sold to schoolchildren through (The Scholastic Book Club), and we need to be aware of what is being fed to our children.

Our children are under attack. So I pray that you be sober and vigilant about teaching your children the Word of God, and guarding their exposure to worldly mediums, because our adversary, the devil, roams about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). We know that lions usually hunt for the slowest, weakest and YOUNGEST of its prey.

Pass this information on to every Believer you know. God bless! And, if you are in doubt, check out the books yourself.

@Feb 25, 2009

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You Don't Have to be Conan the Barbarian

By Todd Dawalt

(Eph 6: 16-17) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked… and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Roman soldiers were famous for their fierce bravery, relentlessness in battle and their unwillingness to retreat. Historians say their resolve on the battlefield was due to their understanding of and trust in their weapons, tactics and training. Every soldier knew their sword and shield were vital to survival and victory, because the first person to turn and retreat left his backside unprotected.

Paul understood that the same is true for Christians; our survival and victory depend on our ability to effectively use our sword (the word of God) and “above all,” our shield (of faith). There are a few interesting Roman tactics that we can apply in our own lives today:

Roman soldiers lined up with shields side by side, creating a continuous barrier on the front line, and marched forward. Too many Christians today are debating doctrinal and denominational differences, wasting precious time and talents attacking those within their own ranks or worst of all, are not even aware they are in a war. Denominations must stop arguing with other denominations, churches must stop debating other churches, ministries must stop criticizing other ministries, and Christians must stop attacking each other and start joining our shields of faith together because, as Leviticus 26:8 tells us, our power increases exponentially when we join together. We must get trained up to use the weapons we’ve been given, and start moving forward, directing fire at the enemy where it belongs, not facing our shields at each other and letting the enemy walk right through our front lines.

The Roman soldier’s first move when he met the enemy was to use his shield to knock his enemy off balance. Our first move during an attack must be to put our faith in gear and raise it up as a shield, because it will quench ALL the fiery darts of the enemy. In other words, when we face the enemy with our faith, “no weapon formed against us shall prosper,” (Is 54:17) they have nothing that can harm us, or as I heard a preacher once say “All the weapons of the enemy are make-believe.” Just as the Roman soldiers knew their shield was their first line of defense, our first move must not be to turn and run, but to hold the line, consciously engage our faith and face the battle knowing we can only be victorious.

Once the enemy was off balance the soldier made quick, precise jabs with his sword. When we mention warriors we think of Conan the Barbarian who, armed with his oversized biceps and Austrian accent, swung a five foot long sword around over his head defeating twenty men at a time. Roman soldiers however, defeated their enemies with their tactics and skill rather than brute force. The Roman army’s campaigns lasted months or years and soldiers marched and fought every day, so they learned to use their time and resources efficiently, knowing they were in it for the long haul.

Jesus used the same strategy in his ministry: Matthew 4 tells us that in the wilderness He “jabbed” Satan three times with the words “It is written” and the devil left Him. Jesus didn’t go chasing demons looking for a fight; He was on a three year long rescue mission to spread the gospel, heal the sick and set the captive free. When He met resistance He simply used the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” to defeat whatever was in His way and kept moving forward.

Be a good soldier in God’s army. Study your weapons and tactics to show yourself approved, so you won’t be ashamed when you are under attack but will instead win the victory every time.

About the Author: Todd Dawalt leads the POWER ministry at Sherman Full Gospel Church, where all believers are mobilized to get out into the local community to preach the gospel of the Kingdom and heal the sick. Check out http://fullgospelpower.blogspot.com to see what happens when regular Christians do what Jesus said to do… ”and these signs will follow those who believe.”

@ Feb 12, 2009, Source: Christian Article Bank

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