Articles

“Depart in Peace, be ye Warmed and Filled”

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

WHAT does the Bible say concerning how the early church functioned financially?

“And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” Acts 2:44-45

When God’s people were in a perfect state of fellowship, pleasing Him fully, “as every man had need” the collective resources were distributed. Not one of them lacked. In fact, with no need for a sermon in the matter, naturally, as saved people, they sold their excess, emptied their bank accounts, and gave to those in need.

“Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” Acts 4:34-35

WOULD there be EVEN ONE among us who lacked anything if we were serving the LORD the way He prescribed in HIS WORD?

Quote from early church elder of the state of the body of Christ then:

“See,” [the Romans] say, “how they love one another!” . . . “How they are ready even to die for one another!” . . . The family possessions, which generally destroy brotherhood among you, create fraternal bonds among us. One in mind and soul, we do not hesitate to share our earthly goods with one another. All things are common among us but our wives. (Tertullian, Apology 39, c. A.D. 200)

What if someone has money in the bank or things he doesn’t need and could sell, and knows of a need a brother or sister has?

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. ¹⁵Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. ¹⁶Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. ¹⁷But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? ¹⁸My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:14-18

How do we know that we truly know Him and are ready to meet Him if we die today (and we might)? We obviously do not “love the brethren” or know the One who “is love” if we have the means to help a brother or sister in need and don’t. God is watching (Proverbs 24:10-12; Matthew 25:40-46)

What does saving faith truly looks like:

“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? ¹⁵If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? ¹⁷Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” James 2:14-17

Catch this attitude James is pointing out here. The LORD is trying to get at something in us here. Where is our trust, truly? This is key.

“Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled“ here means “Be warmed and filled. Be blessed but please don’t bother ME. ALL that matters is ME, so please don’t bother ME in MY comfort! I am doing well so please don’t mess with MY personal comfort. I will pray for YOU. But YOU go away and trust God for YOURSELF. I have in my possession what YOU need but run along. Go your way in YOUR lack, I have worked hard and have money for ME and MY security but YOU go on and trust God YOURSELF. I have the means to help YOU but YOU are not as important to ME as I am! Forget ME having to give up the money that is MY security and trust God, YOU trust God. I’M going to keep, to hoard what is MINE because I I I matter more than YOU. I will not give up MY security! No, YOU trust God YOURSELF. For ME, I will preserve MY life in this world by holding onto something that YOU have need of! YOU are not important to ME, I AM, so scat, go on, be warmed and filled while I enjoy the fruit of MY labors and YOU lack!”

This attitude clearly identifies a person who is not truly trusting God but rather self and is preserving his life in this fleeting, sinful world. Is the same God who put those resources in our hands now NOT ABLE to provide for us? Has He who created and owns ALL now bankrupt? Where is our faith?

When we know of a child of God who has a need and hoard instead of give to that member of Jesus’ body, are we not saying “Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled”?

“All things come of thee (LORD), and of thine own have we given thee.” 1 Chronicles 29:14

Because we have resources in our possession does not negate our God-given personal responsibility to trust God for all things by faith.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is (Provider), and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

Want someone to lie you right into hell? That will not be this disciple. Don’t like this type direct preaching straight from GOD’s Word? Well, don’t hold your breath – I won’t cease declaring it.

WHO do we truly love most? If we do love God, His body, His very people are not separate from us but rather our very members. In fact, we then give more abundant honor upon those who lack in His body, right? (1 Corinthians 12:23-25)

What are we truly trusting in?

A Rich Man Who Refused to Give

Not long ago, a brother in Christ who labors ceaselessly for Jesus, feeding His sheep daily and winning lost souls, led a lady to Christ. This lady happened to be the wife of a very rich man. The minister/servant of Jesus first met her husband, who said he was saved and talked a good talk. Yet, this husband (rich man) said his wife was not born again and that he greatly desired his wife to get saved. So, the brother, the minister of Christ, was later able to dialogue with and clearly communicate the Gospel with that rich man’s wife and successfully lead her to Christ. The minister led her to Jesus, snatching her soul from eternal damnation! She repented and put her faith in Jesus Christ. That minister of Jesus labored to see her come into God’s kingdom and not spend eternity in hell. This rich man, the husband,was an extremely wealthy man in this world’s goods. Yet, even after seeing the minister of Christ lead his very wife’s soul into God’s kingdom and then being notified more than once of the great need for financial support for the ministry work this minister with others were doing, the rich man refused to give a penny. With no dent in his mountain of wealth, this rich man whose wife was now saved as a result of that ministry work, could have given an amount to that ministry work that would have propelled it to new depths of fruitfulness for the King’s glory but yet refused when notified of the need. The bottom line is that the rich man should have jumped at the opportunity to give but he refused and that proves he is not truly of God. In order to in part illustrate how much money this rich man had, let’s say that he has a $150,000 “weekend car.” In other words, he own several toy vehicles, a mansion, etc. Apparently this is how important HE is to HIMSELF and yet, the work of the LORD Jesus through that ministry and servant of Jesus who led that man’s wife to Christ and ministered to that man, means nothing to this man. Sad but true!

Did not our LORD tell a similar story of a “certain rich man” and a pauper? Luke 16:19-31. Did not the rich man go to hell and the pauper to eternal comfort? This is a serious matter.

Do you have money you could be helping God’s people with? The Bible instructs Christians to “Charge them that are rich in this world … That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate..”

1 Timothy 6

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. ⁹But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. ¹¹But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. ¹²Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. ¹³I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; ¹⁴That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: ¹⁵Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; ¹⁶Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. ¹⁷Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; ¹⁸That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; ¹⁹Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Make no mistake: God is watching each of us and will reward accordingly. Specifically, He sees that we know of those of His own people who have needs and have thus far refused to help them. Watch this:

“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. ¹¹If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; ¹²If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” Proverbs 24:10-12

Did Jesus, the One who holds our eternity in His hands, warn us about having and trusting this fleeting world’s goods? Watch this:

“And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that HAVE RICHES enter into the kingdom of God! ²⁴And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that TRUST IN RICHES to enter into the kingdom of God!²⁵It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

What is the very Judge of your eternal soul going to say to you die having riches stored up that could and should have helped His people who were in need and HIS work?

We had better get this right. We, you, may have no other chance to do so if you do not repent and obey Him now (Isaiah 1:18-20).

“This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” Mark 7:6

The Most Shocking Betrayal Will Come from Within

Just as Jesus’ betrayal came from one of His very own, so will yours.

The true follower of Jesus, who is called into full-time service of His people, will not be surprised when attacked and lied about by calvinists and catholics. However, that disciple will surely be shocked when attacked by those who claim to know the LORD. False Christians will slight, shun, and denigrate them while they are obeying the LORD by tending to their post and duties faithfully. This phenomenon is nothing less than mind-boggling and so I am warning you ahead of time. Count the cost as our LORD warned you (Luke 14:27-28).

It is an unspeakable atrocity and crime that those who have resources don’t help God’s children who are in need. Christ’s ministry work suffers grossly for lack of support!

There are many who are watchmen and serve the LORD on this list. Now, if you are called to serve the LORD and His people full-time in the days ahead, feeding His sheep and winning lost souls, be warned that many will sit back and refuse to help you. In fact, many around you will say “Atta boy” and “be warmed and filled.” However, God forbid that they might be inconvenienced for the most important work in the earth – the care of souls! Some of these same people who claim to be saved and give you their verbal lip service, will lift not one finger to help. In reality, they could care less. Why? They are apostate. They have backslid but still think they are saved. These are utterly deluded. These same people have $150.00 per month to support their cable TV addiction and nothing to give to help sustain and further CHRIST’s work on earth in this late hour. Laodicea! Just as Jesus warned, the love of “many” has already waxed cold due to iniquity abounding, much of which has come through their hellevision they pay so dearly to maintain! (Matthew 24:10-13) The five foolish virgins have fallen away! (Matthew 25:1-13) They are quick to use lip service with their “atta boys” to God’s servants, yet refuse to lay down their lives to worship Jesus in Spirit and in truth as the earliest saints did joyfully. Read Acts 2:44-45 and 4:34-35 and weigh the huge difference in fruit between the known true disciples of the early church and those (including ourselves) who claim to know the One who gave all in this last hour. If they are right with God – if we ourselves are right with God – we delight to worship Him and to bless HIS body and HIS work!

Jesus and HIS body cannot be separated. The way we treat HIS work and HIS body clearly reveals exactly what we thing of HIM (Matthew 25:40-46).

Do we realize how many souls are being damned to hell due to the refusal of those who claim to be serving Christ not helping?

Who really cares? Do you?

Some do, praise God! But it’s only a few – the “few” who are on “the narrow road that leads to life” everlasting (Matthew 7:13-14).

Mad at me now?

So sorry.

Please don’t hold your breath in hopes that I will change.

By His grace and mercy, I will remain on post.

If you want your ears tickled, move along!

I refuse to coddle anyone in their soul-damning sin.

The blood must be removed from my hands by delivering to you this message of mercy, where the LORD is calling you to truly repent and lay down your life, ceasing to lean to your own understanding and abandoning yourself to Him unreservedly.

If you want to know and truly serve the LORD Jesus Christ, learning daily with His true remnant body to die to self and live to bless Him and His people, let’s grow in His grace together!

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16

Without exception, to each of the 7 CHURCHES the Son of God addressed in Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus said to them “I know thy works!” The unchanging, Almighty King says to you right now, “I know thy works.”

Jesus Christ knows “YOUR WORKS.” Do “YOUR WORKS” clearly demonstrate that you know, love, and obey Him? Or, are you serving yourself in this life and therefore, the works of your life prove that you do not know Him and will soon be spued from His mouth as “lukewarm”? (Revelation 3:15-16)

Here’s the LORD’s prescription and answer to this back slidden, apostate dilemma:

“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12

When you truly repent and lay down your life, the works of your life will drastically change. You will cease serving self and begin serving the only Savior. You cut off the hand that offends and pluck out the eye that does not lead you closer to Him and to performing His good pleasure and doing His work.

“And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. 7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bring forth therefore fruits meet (consistent with) for repentance: 9And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father (don’t dare boast of your ridiculous, self-righteous religious pedigree/accomplishments): for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 3:7-10

We are either real or we are fake. 1 John 3:18…. I have to start at home …. my own heart and life…. does it truly reflect the early Christians who were His true disciples? Or, am I a fake, kindling awaiting the fires of eternal damnation?

Final Word

***COULD JESUS CHRIST HAVE BEEN ANY MORE CLEAR? “And I say unto you MY FRIENDS (His own disciples), Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn YOU (My friends) whom YE (My friends) shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.” Luke 12:4-5

“And he (Christ) spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:16-21

Stewardship | See the “Filthy Rich” Podcast

Let’s grow in His grace together. Sign up for free email devotional HERE… The Moments with My Master email devotional is sent out for the edification of the body of Christ.

Comment from Rachel C.:

“Ouch! ~Amen… (This is not pointed at anyone, just in addition to what has already been said) hence divorce within the church (I am divorced). We are deceived if we say we love God but hate our spouse. We are deceived to think we can ask God for forgiveness, but not forgive those who sin against us. Jesus was clearing out the Yeast in preparation for Passover when he cleared the money changers from the temple. Sadly, one of the reasons people won’t bring the tithe alms and charity into the “church” is because they see the leaders stuffing their own pockets and stomachs while many in the church have no food, or home. The body has become disillusioned by selfish leaders who don’t care for the sheep, on the other hand they should look for a church that feeds the hungry, poor, and needy. If a church is not working among the poor, they are not doing the “fast” required by God… I am blessed to know of many churches where I live that are feeding the poor, helping the homeless, and the jobless. I know that my money supports real people who work to care and minister to hurting people… And though financially struggling at times myself, I love to give where the Lord is moving and ministering to the broken hearted. King David saidn “I will not give to God that which has cost me nothing.” If it doesn’t take a bit of faith and trust to give… The giving and trusting hasn’t pushed into the reality that we cannot out give God. As we measure it to those around us, be it mercy, forgiveness, or financial assistance, so the Lord measures it to us ~ unless we repent. Repentance and turning from our own naval gazing, and selfishness opens the flood gates of heaven… “Give and it shall be given, pressed down and shaken together… And overflowing… I believe that if we don’t learn to give when we think we don’t/won’t have enough for ourselves… We will not learn the all sufficiency and beauty of the multiplication of the Lord’s mercy back to us in our weaknesses.” May we see like God sees…”

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Busting Hell Wide Open while Believing You are “Blessed” [podcast]

Filthy Rich [podcast]

Apostasy

Spiritual Formation—A Dangerous Substitute for the Life of Christ [podcast]

Sometimes we think of spiritual formation as formation by the Holy Spirit. Once again. That’s essential. . . . But now I have to say something that may be challenging for you to think about: Spiritual formation is not all by the Holy Spirit. . . . We have to recognize that spiritual formation in us is something that is also done to us by those around us, by ourselves, and by activities which we voluntarily undertake . . .There has to be method.¹—Dallas Willard

Aside from the fact that Spiritual Formation incorporates mystical practices into its infrastructure (remove the contemplative aspect and you don’t have “Spiritual Formation” anymore), Spiritual Formation is a works-based substitute for biblical Christianity. Let us explain.

When one becomes born again (“that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9-10), having given his or her life and heart over to Christ as Savior, Jesus Christ says He will come in and live in that surrendered heart:

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:27)

If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:11; emphasis added)

When God, through Jesus Christ, is living in us, He begins to do a transforming work in our hearts (2 Corinthians 3:18). Not only does He change us, He also communes with us. In other words, we have fellowship with Him, and He promises never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

This life of God in the believer’s heart is not something we need to conjure up through meditative practices. But if a person does not have this relationship with the Lord, he may seek out ways to feel close to God. This is where Spiritual Formation comes into play. Rather than a surrendered life to Christ (through repentance and faith), the seeking person begins practicing the spiritual disciplines (e.g., prayer, fasting, good works, etc.) with the promise that if he practices these disciplines, he will become more Christ-like.

But merely doing these acts fails to make one feel close to God—something is still missing. And thus, he begins practicing the discipline of silence (or solitude), and now in these altered states of silence, he finally feels connected to God. He now feels complete. What he does not understand is that he has substituted the indwelling of Christ in his heart for a works-based methodology that endangers his spiritual life. Dangerous because these mystical experiences he now engages in appear to be good because they make him feel close to God, but in reality he is being drawn into demonic realms no different than what happens to someone who is practicing transcendental meditation or eastern meditation. Even mystics themselves acknowledge that the contemplative realm is no different than the realm reached by occultists. To understand this more fully, please read Ray Yungen’s book A Time of Departing.

Bottom line, it is not possible to be truly Christ-like without having Christ inside of us because it is His righteousness that is able to change our hearts—we cannot do it without Him. It is His righteousness we need:

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe. (Romans 3:22)

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. (Philippians 3:9)

It is interesting to note that virtually every contemplative teacher has a common theme—they feel dry and empty and want to go “deeper” with God or “become more intimate” with God. But if we have Christ living in us, how can we go any deeper than that? How can we become more intimate than that? And if going deeper and becoming intimate were so important, why is it that none of the disciples or Jesus Himself ever told us to do this? As Larry DeBruyn states:

Why are Christians seeking a divine presence that Jesus promised would abundantly flow in them? . . . Why do they need another voice, another visitation, or another vision? Why are some people unthankfully desirous of “something more” than what God has already given to us? Why is it that some Christians, in the depth of their souls, are not seemingly at rest?²

Is There a “Good” Spiritual Formation?

One of the most common arguments we hear defending Spiritual Formation is that there is a “good” Spiritual Formation done without contemplative prayer. To that we say, we have never yet seen a Spiritual Formation program in a school or a church that doesn’t in some way point people to the contemplative mystics. It might be indirectly, but in every case, if you follow the trail, it will lead you right into the arms of Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, and other contemplative teachers.

Think about this common scenario: A Christian college decides to begin a Spiritual Formation course. The instructor has heard some negative things about Richard Foster, Henri Nouwen, and Brennan Manning, and he figures he will teach the class “good Spiritual Formation” and leave those teachers completely out. But he’s going to need a textbook. He turns to a respected institution, Dallas Theological Seminary, and finds a book written by Paul Pettit, Professor in Pastoral and Education Ministries. The book is titled Foundations of Spiritual Formation. The instructor who has found this book to use in his own class may never mention Richard Foster or Dallas Willard, but the textbook he is using does. Within the pages of Pettit’s book is Richard Foster, Philip Yancey, N.T. Wright, Dallas Willard, Thomas Aquinas, Lectio Divina, Ayn Rand, Parker Palmer, Eugene Peterson, J.P. Moreland, Klaus Issler, Bruce Demarerst, Jim Burns, Kenneth Boa and Brother Lawrence’s “practicing God’s presence.” You may not have heard of all these names, but they are all associated with the mystical contemplative prayer movement and the emerging church.

Another example of this is Donald Whitney’s book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Whitney is former Associate Professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While his book does not promote contemplative mysticism, he says that Richard Foster has “done much good”³ in the area of Christian spirituality (which we believe is blatantly untrue).

Our point is that even if there is a sincere attempt to teach Spiritual Formation and stay away from the mystical side, we contend that it cannot be successfully accomplished because it will always lead back to the ones who have brought it to the church in the first place.

Spiritual formation is sweeping throughout Christianity today. It’s no wonder when the majority of Christian leaders have either endorsed the movement or given it a silent pass. For instance, in Chuck Swindoll’s book So You Want to Be Like Christ: 8 Essential Disciplines to Get You There, Swindoll favorably quotes Richard Foster and Dallas Willard. Swindoll calls Celebration of Discipline a “meaningful work”⁴ and Willard’s book The Spirit of the Disciplines “excellent work.”⁵ In chapter three, ”Silence and Solitude,” Swindoll talks about “digging for secrets . . . that will deepen our intimacy with God.”⁶ Quoting the contemplative poster-verse Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God,” Swindoll says the verse is a call to the “discipline of silence.”⁷ As other contemplative proponents have done, he has taken this verse very much out of context.

Roger Oakland sums it up:

The Spiritual Formation movement . . . teaches people that this is how they can become more intimate with God and truly hear His voice. Even Christian leaders with longstanding reputations of teaching God’s word seem to be succumbing. . . .

We are reconciled to God only through his “death” (the atonement for sin), and we are presented “holy and unblameable and unreproveable” when we belong to Him through rebirth. It has nothing to do with works, rituals, or mystical experiences. It is Christ’s life in the converted believer that transforms him.⁸

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Romans 5:10

What Christians need is not a method or program or ritual or practice that will supposedly connect them to God. What we need is to be “in Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:30) and Christ in us. And He has promised His Spirit “will guide [us] into all truth” (John 16:13).

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” 1 Corinthians 1:30

In Colossians 1:9, the apostle Paul tells the saints that he was praying for them that they “might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” He was praying that they would have discernment (“spiritual understanding”). He said that God, the Father, has made us “partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (vs 12) and had “delivered us from the power of darkness [i.e., power of deception]” (vs. 13). But what was the key to having this wisdom and spiritual understanding and being delivered from the power of darkness? Paul tells us in that same chapter. He calls it “the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints” (vs. 26). What is that mystery? Verse 27 says: “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (emphasis added).

For those wanting to get involved with the Spiritual Formation movement (i.e., contemplative, spiritual direction), consider the “direction” you will actually be going.

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel. (Colossians 1:21-23)

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2: 8-10)

This article is an extract from the Lighthouse Trails booklet, Is Your Church Doing Spiritual Formation? (Important Reasons Why They Shouldn’t). To order this booklet, click here.

Endnotes:
1. Dallas Willard, “Spiritual Formation: What it is, and How it is Done” (https://dwillard.org/resources/articles/spiritual-formation-what-it-is-and-how-it-is-done).

2. Larry DeBruyn, “God’s Present of His Presence” (https://www.guardinghisflock.org/gods-present-of-his-presence/ ).

3. Donald Whitney, “Doctrine and Devotion: A Reunion Devoutly to be Desired” (http://web.archive.org/web/20080828052145/http://biblicalspirituality.org/devotion.html).

4. Chuck Swindoll, So You Want to Be Like Christ: 8 Essential Disciplines to Get You There (Nashville, TN:W Publishing Group, a div. of Thomas Nelson, 2005), p. 15.

5. Ibid., p. 13.

6. Ibid., p. 55.

7. Ibid.

8. Roger Oakland, Faith Undone (Eureka, MT: Lighthouse Trails Publishing, 2007), pp. 91-92.

This has been an extract from our booklet Is Your Church Doing Spiritual Formation? (Important Reasons Why It Shouldn’t). To order this booklet, click here.

Spiritual Formation Exposed |

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The Dangers of Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Disciplines

The Dangers of Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Disciplines A Critique of Dallas Willard and The Spirit of the Disciplines by Bob DeWaayPractices called “spiritual disciplines” that are deemed necessary for “spiritual formation” have entered evangelicalism. Recent encounters with this teaching narrated to me by friends caused me to investigate these practices. The first experience involved my friend and co-worker Ryan Habbena who went back to seminary to finish his masters degree. Here is his experience in his own words: I recently took a seminary course on the book of Luke. It was a summer intensive and was one of only […]

SHOCKING List of Spiritual Formation Ministries

More Catholic Witchcraft Infiltrating the Apostate Seminaries, Ministries, and Churches “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; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” 1 Timothy 4:1-2 WHAT is spiritual formation / contemplative prayer or centering prayer? Spiritual formation/contemplative prayer/spirituality is just another self-centered, Christ-denying, self-righteous, works-based, occultic, pagan lie from hell! Seminaries teach it and now many churches today are practicing new age witchcraft called contemplative prayer, or centering Prayer which is part of spiritual formation. […]

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Mission Mexico Part 32

“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20

See picture below.

I recently, “accidently” drove up this very narrow street only to realize that there was no turn around at the end. As God would have it, this man helped me back out of that street and received the spoken Word and a JESUS tract. Romans 8:28 right?

“Ephesians 3:20 was the very verse I prayed for you and the ministry this morning! And v16 as well. May the Spirit of God manifest His full grace and peace upon you today! And give you fruit, more fruit and much fruit! Amen.” Karen Cochran

(see picture below)

It dawns on me afresh today as it has since arriving here in Mexico, that these precious people so deeply hunger for Christ. Today, upon ministering to Victor and Juan and having Victor incessantly asking me about Christianity, Jesus, and being saved…. this was a fresh reminder of the great hunger and openness of the Mexican people. They want Jesus. Plain and simple. “HOW shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14)

These two men were excited to know that you would be lifting them in prayer.

Victor and I are now connected by phone. So he will now be fed the Word of our God and be introduced to Spanish speaking disciples of our LORD Jesus.

Being limited in Spanish, I preached the Gospel, the Bible truth I am able to in Spanish and that including exhorting them both, today to repent and receive Jesus and did this while pointing to the prayer (oracion) on the back of the JESUS tract.

Would you like to kindly pause to lift these 2 dear men in prayer to our LORD?

Mission Mexico

JUST got a call from sister Teri in FL and had the opportunity to speak with brothers Scott and Jorge who were both recently saved by Jesus. Was also blessed to speak with a brother named Raymond who is a flourishing disciple of Jesus!

Thank you for your prayers and support which include our bless-ed opportunity of helping this group of disciples in FL.

Jesus is coming!

Recently…… Many received God’s Word today.

Brother Mark has recently joined in helping with our LORD’s Gospel in Mission Mexico and was amazed when he saw three grown men walking together who were ministered to and walk away, each of them with the JESUS tract open, as they walked read the message. They are that hungry.

The Mexico people deserve to hear our LORD’s glorious Gospel!

“I bet brother Mark is amazed at the response of the Mexican people when you guys go out and minister to them. To have so many hearts open and poor in spirit would be a shock at first. Total opposite of America—who say ‘I am rich, increased with goods have need of nothing!’ Revelation 3:17.

Praise God for the blessed ones who heard the engrafted word of our Lord, which is able to save their souls.” Karen

REPLY:

Yes He is amazing. They WANT it. They DESIRE it. They are like the woman who desires a man and so he marries her and they have a super blessed marriage for life. Instead of the wicked Jezebel woman who just wants to self-servingly shop for the man she can use to accomplish her selfish agenda.

“I was reading Mathew 21:23 this morning and it went through my mind that is what God said to America! ‘The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.’ And that nation is Mexico!“ Karen

“Truly amazing what God is doing in the hearts of the Mexican people. And now He is raising up disciples to bring into the harvest. He is LORD of the harvest. Have you heard of Chick Publications? I just read that they have sent 200,000 tracts to a Mexico missionary and more being ready to be sent. Southern Mexico. So God is sure flooding Mexico with His Word!” Karen Cochran

While walking over to get a haircut, I happened to spot a JESUS tract someone had placed on this vehicle. No it was not me. I didn’t put that tract there. Someone else did.

Then, 5 minutes later, after arriving at barber and sitting down in the chair, straight ahead in my line of sight, there’s a JESUS tract purposely set on display by the barber.

No matter how high prices get in Mexico, your cost of living will always be MUCH less than the USA. A raise awaits you, soon as you cross the border. Is God prompting you to “Go”? (Mark 16:15)

God is good all the time as you well know and thank you.

Your prayers to the Father in the name of our LORD Jesus are the heavenly fuel He uses to bless and empower and supply His people to do His work.

“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,” Philippians 1:19

todd

Articles

Chosen for Holiness [podcast]

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” Ephesians 1:4

Holiness comes by the Savior in self denial (death and burial – the cross), not by self will or effort. Surrender is the cross – “NOT my will but thine be done” (Lk. 22:42) and “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). We surrender to Christ by saying “Not my will but thine be done” dear Lord, by Your grace and the deliberate act of my own will I submit to the cross, the crucified life – where You alone reign supreme in this vessel (Luke 22:42; Galatians 2:20, etc.). I love You LORD Jesus! You must increase but I must decrease! (John 3:30)

Holiness, not happiness, is the divine command, the chief purpose and end of Christ’s salvation.

Of holiness, one disciple writes:

“Holiness speaks more to nature than it does conduct. Good conduct is the spontaneous byproduct of the new nature of the new creation man thru the cross and death to the old nature. We are new creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-18). To preach holiness as conduct without the new nature thru the cross understanding is legalism. Holiness is actually derived from ‘wholeness’ meaning the thorough transformation of the whole tripartite man (1 Thess 5:23). So many of these ‘holiness’ preachers are preaching nothing but conduct under law. Law arouses sinful passions and causes sin to increase and was given in order to provoke transgressions (Rom 7:5; 5:20; Gal 3:21). They are enemies of the cross!”

Holiness comes by way of the cross, not by way of the flesh. Just as sin was conquered by the cross of Christ, so sin in the life of the saint is conquered by the daily cross – the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.). It’s time to stop trying harder and to simply die deeper.

NOTICE: When a believer or group of believers backslides, they no longer separate from the transgressors who are unrepentant:

Fornication Defiles

“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have (Gr. possessed and wouldn’t repent) his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-2

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