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Watching Cults and Praying for Them

Cults are a pervasive and dangerous phenomenon, posing a significant threat to the spiritual, emotional, and sometimes even physical well-being of their members. Their danger cannot be understated, as many of you already know from the most extreme examples of some turning to mass-suicides, acts of terror and torture, and ritual abuse or polygamy. The most effective cults are often some of the most subtle and sneaky, having charismatic leaders who piggy-back off of established religions to lure in the unsuspecting and then subject them to brainwashing, while continously refining their methods of control. As Christians, it is crucial for us to identify and avoid these harmful groups. First, cults often deviate from essential Christian doctrines. While there is room for diversity within Christianity, certain core beliefs are non-negotiable. These include the belief in one God, the divinity of Jesus Christ, and salvation by grace through faith. Cults often distort these doctrines, either b...

Compromising Doctrine for Progressiveness

2 Timothy 4:3 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 The Christian faith is built on the foundation of the Bible, the inspired Word of God, which provides us with essential doctrines that shape our understanding of God, humanity, and the world. However, in recent years, there has been a growing trend within some Christian circles to compromise on these doctrines to become more 'progressive'. This move towards a more liberal interpretation of Scripture raises serious concerns that warrant careful consideration.   First, the Bible is not simply a collection of ancient texts or human ideas about God, but it is the revelation of God Himself. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, " All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work ." By...

Prayer for the Children

Heavenly Father, we come before you today with hearts filled with gratitude for the blessings you have given us. We stand together, united in our love for you and our commitment to serving you and your children. We lift up the precious young ones among us, the children who are the future of our church, our community, and our world.   Lord, You remind us in your Holy Scripture that children are a heritage from You, a reward from You. You have entrusted us with their care and upbringing, and it is a responsibility we do not take lightly. We ask for your divine guidance and wisdom as we nurture these young souls, guiding them on their journey of faith, and helping them to understand Your love and teachings.   We pray for your blessings upon these children. Bless them, O Lord, with Your grace and Your love. May they grow in wisdom and stature, and in favour with You and with people. May they be strong and courageous, always standing up for what is right. May they be kind a...

Nationalism: The Perils of Pride

1 John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. Nationalism, the strong identification with one's own nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations, is a political ideology that has gained significant traction in recent times. However, from a Christian standpoint, it presents several challenges that warrant our attention and caution.   National pride, when appropriately channelled, can be a force for good, fostering unity, promoting shared values, and inspiring citizens to contribute positively to their society. However, when national pride morphs into an extreme form of nationalism, it becomes a dangerous ideology that has the potential to cause significant harm, both within and beyond national borders. From a Christian perspective, this form of misguided national pride raises several serious concerns.   First, the Bible teaches us that every human being is created ...

Buddhism: Find True Enlightenment in God

John 8:12 Then Jesus said, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Buddhism and Christianity are two of the world's major religions, each with its unique teachings, practices, and beliefs. While both religions promote peace, love, and compassion, a careful analysis reveals significant contradictions between Buddhism and the teachings of the Bible.   The first and perhaps most significant contradiction lies in the understanding of God. The Bible affirms the existence of a personal, transcendent, and holy God. According to the teachings preserved in the Holy Bible, God is the creator of the universe, the source of all life, and the ultimate authority over all things (Genesis 1:1). He is a personal God who seeks a relationship with His creation and has revealed Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 1:14).   Conversely, Buddhism does not acknowledge a personal creator God. Instead, it posits a worl...

The Prosperity Gospel in Light of the Bible

Proverbs 30:8-9 Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? Or I be poor, and steal, and take the name of God in vain.   The prosperity gospel, a theological perspective that equates faith with financial success, has gained significant traction in contemporary Christian circles. However, a critical examination reveals that this doctrine diverges significantly from the teachings of the Bible and the core doctrine of Christ. The prosperity gospel is often characterised by the assertion that God will reward faith with financial blessings and physical well-being. This belief is prevalent in televangelism and among charismatic preachers who claim that wealth and health are signs of God's favour. However, this perspective is flawed, as it misrepresents the nature of faith, reduces God to a wish-granting genie, and overlooks the biblical teachings on suffering.   First, the prosperity go...

Lying: Walk Honestly in Christ

Psalm 33:4 For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. This topic is as old as humanity itself, a topic that we all have encountered in our lives, a topic that, unfortunately, we all have participated in at some point. I am talking about lying. The Bible is very clear in its stance on lying. In Proverbs 12:22, it says, " The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy ." This is a powerful statement that underscores the importance of honesty in our lives. God loves truth and despises deceit.   Lying is a sin that can easily become a habit if left unchecked. It can start with a small white lie, perhaps told to avoid embarrassment or to spare someone's feelings. However, once we start down that path, it becomes easier and easier to lie again. We begin to justify our lies, telling ourselves that they are harmless or even necessary. But brethren, let us not be deceived.   In the book of Ephesians, Apostle Paul exh...

In the World, but not of the World

John 18:36 My kingdom is not of this world.   The world we live in today is filled with kingdoms of various kinds. We see kingdoms of wealth, power, fame, and influence. We see individuals striving, toiling, and even fighting to establish their own kingdoms, their own spheres of dominance and control. Yet, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, tells us that His kingdom is not of this world.   This world, as an enemy of God, promotes self-centeredness over selflessness, greed over generosity, hatred over love, and deceit over truth. It entices us with promises of pleasure, power, and prosperity, but these promises are hollow and fleeting. They lead us away from God and towards spiritual death.   The world tells us to seek our own happiness at any cost, to accumulate wealth and possessions, to assert our own will and disregard the needs of others. But the Word of God tells us to " seek first His kingdom and His righteousness " (Matthew 6:33), to " store up treasur...

Melchizedek: Foreshadowing Jesus, High Priest & King

In the sacred scriptures of the Christian faith, there are many figures that serve as foreshadowing agents of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. One of the most intriguing of these is Melchizedek, the King of Salem and Priest of the Most High God, as described in Genesis. The parallels between Melchizedek and Jesus Christ are profound and offer great theological insight.   Melchizedek, an enigmatic figure, appears briefly in the Genesis narrative, blessing Abraham after his victorious battle against the kings. He is described as "King of Salem" and "Priest of the Most High God" (Genesis 14:18), titles that resonate with the roles and titles of Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews elaborates on Melchizedek's significance, asserting that his priesthood is both eternal and superior to the Levitical priesthood (Hebrews 7:1-28).   The parallels between Melchizedek and Jesus begin with their titles. Melchizedek, King of Salem, is the King of Peace, since Salem is the a...

Christology: Jesus is Son of God, Not an Angel

Colossians 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind Within the vast expanse of Christian theology, there exists a multitude of perspectives and interpretations. One such perspective that has been subject to considerable debate is the notion of Jesus Christ as an angel. However, through a careful examination of biblical texts and theological discourse, it becomes evident that Jesus Christ is not an angel, but rather the Son of God.   The belief that Jesus and Michael are the same being primarily stems from certain Christian sects, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses, who interpret passages in the books of Daniel, Jude, and Revelation as evidence of this identity. However, a closer examination of these scriptures, in their full context, suggests a different interpretation.   In Daniel 10:13, Michael is described as "one of the chief pr...