Satan being the prince of the power of the air pretty much controls everything on TV I'd say. Occasionally you get a decent program, but on the whole its a great way for Satan to pump filth and ungodliness right onto the home of every TV set owner. I wonder what would happen to our churches if Christians spent all the time they watch TV, praying instead.

 I still have a licence, but only because it's not my house.. when I live on ym own I'm not going to get one. I don't think I've watched TV for any length for a few years now.. except maybe the news etc, but even that is filled with propaganda and political correctness indoctrination.

Hehehe, does it seem that I'm always ranting?

I agree Sincereheart It can be very hard, I have many friends who have been seduced by the "doctrines of devils".. ie/ the prosperity gospels taught in many large churches. They are busy "for the Lord" but they don't know Him. If they did they would see the error they have fallen into. It makes me so sad to see this happening to my own friends who once seemed so stable in their faith. Let none of us think we are immune to decpetion, it hits even the most seemingly Godly people. Lets keep speaking out against false teaching no matter what the consequences.

It seems that the world will lapse into a global depression some time soon.. I think God will use that to refine His saints. Like a wilderness experience, to make them rely on Him. And as has been said, the AC then has a perfect platform to "revive" the world and for everyone to think he's brilliant.

Praise God that we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, and His grace is sufficient for us in tough times. God is a miracle working God! He will see His children through. God grant us the faith to believe that He will provide for His flock!

[The war going on within our own hearts.]

Its interesting how wrapped up in end time prophesy people get. Many Christians worry about it constantly and are adamant and dogmatic over certain things. Like this whole idea of micro chips being implanted.. there is nothing in the bible to suggest its a microchip. It may well be, it might be a bar code, it might be a tatoo... but essentially, whatever it is.. it shouldn't bother us.

I believe it will be some sort of mark that clearly shows the wearers allegeance to the beast. We are so concerned with the antichrist, and his reign, and the mark, and all this stuff, that we often forget whats really important. The war going on within our own hearts. I don't believe the bible sheds enough light on the end times for us to make any rock solid conclusions about it. Thats why we see so many different theories on it in books today. People keep looking to the future and worrying about the antichrist.. but listen to what God has said...

1 John 2:18 ¶  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.


1 John 2:22  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

2 Thess 2:3 ¶  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.


Instead of worrying ourselves with the future reign of the antichrist, what we really need to be watching out for is the spirit of antichrist within the church. This is how the falling away will occur, I believe. Some poeple think the apostacy refers to the world as a whole.. but the original word means to fall away... how can one fall away unless one has faith in the first place. The falling away is within the church. Corrupt men are in many positions of power within the church, who even deny the virgin birth and the deity of Jesus. These are antichrists, and we should be careful to guard our hearts against their deceptions, along with all those who preach prosperity.

Try telling the Christians in China and Idonesia who are being martyred and made homeless and jobless to worry about not buying or selling.. they already live like that... they have nothing to buy or sell! Brothers and sisters, the war against sin in our own heart is where its at. We must cling to Jesus and repent of our apathy and lukewarmness... spend time in His prescence and get to know Him more and more. He's going to shake up His church so that the faithful remnant will have no option but to trust in Him for their every provision!!
Thats what the Israelites in the wilderness is a foreshadow of.. God forcing His people to rely on Him daily.

I pray that we will all come into a fuller knowledge of the person of Jesus Christ, not just know about Him and His words.. but know Him personally, God help us all to live up to His calling.

Yeah I do the same, I download an mp3 as a demo to see if i like the music, if I do then I buy the album, if not I delete it. I think thats fair enough. Having said that, I'm not a big downloader really at all.

Despite my views on copyright, I wouldn't download something for free because I thought it shouldn't be copyrighted. I'd still pay for it, because downloading mp3's without permission of the artist/ publisher is stealing.

A good post Sincerheart. I hate churchianity and the way it is mistaken for the real thing.. its the whole reason people mistake Christians for "religious" people. They see them attend gatherings that are labelled as "church".

Having said that, believers need to gather together, and if thats done in a building in your local town.. theres no problem with that. heh As long as people realise they could gather in a home and it would be just as suitable and spiritual.

[Which verse teaches this? "we control the HOLY SPIRIT in our lifes."]

Greetings Pilgrim,

I would like to comment on some of the issues raised here.

Which verse teaches this? "we control the HOLY SPIRIT in our lifes."

I think Gary was referring to the fact that we can quench/grieve the Spirit and reduce His activity in our lives.

Which verse teaches we have an inner man before being born again?

Yeah, not so sure on this one mysefl! heh

"He will allow the HOLY SPIRIT listen to the HOLY SPIRIT and do all HE asks .HE wants to serve GOD .even before bORN AGAIN ."


What verse teaches this?

I think Gary refers to the inbuilt desire in all of our hearts to worship the creator. The unregenerate person simply doesn't realise thats what the inner longing is.

"fasting will give him power overv the flesh .where you can be perfect in the LORD .and hear the LORD clearly"

It certainly doesn't do any harm! We are actively told to do it.. because I believe it brings us into a place where we are more focused on God. The scripture, to my knowledge, never says that fasting in itself makes us perfect and able to hear the Lord clearly... but I believe it does bring us to a place that promotes spiritual growth. I have spoken to gary about this issue before, but as I said to him in pm recently, I think we perhaps misunderstand what he means or says because of his unorthodox writing style. So perhaps we need to clarify meaning before being overly critical. I'm not saying anyone is at fault here, just making a few points.

You've heard of Phil Collins right? Thats his band. Genesis. Or it was.. don't think they're together any more.

But realisticly.. how many men can you fit on a few couches in Marks and Sparks? LOL Its great fpr the guys who get there at 8:30 am heh
 

Only is shes better at playing thumb wars than the man. Otherwise no, love her and respect her, but don't let her wear the trousers hehe

I think you're right Bro Love. It does come with spiritual maturity. It also comes as a result of the empowering of the Holy Spirirt though. Lets not leave Him out of this! It is only Him who can convict men of sin!

Notice that Peter, who had denied Jesus previously and had acted as a cowardly man ( as we all probably would without the Holy Spirit) was able to speak boldly after the Holy Spirirt came at pentecost. What a change! He preached a powerful sermon!

37 ¶  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.


It seems that Peter must have been reasonably well versed in scripture, but the power to witness effectively did not come until he was filled with the Holy Spirit. It was the Holy Ghost who gave him strength, boldness and authority.. not anything he could learn or concoct himself, no matter how long he spent studying.

Obviously I can see why you say that Bro Love, considering the context. In no way do I endorse the "british Israeliism" doctrines or anyhing similar, which claim promises of God for Israel and think we are descendants of tribes etc....

However, the Old Testament reveals God's character and attitude toward things. I think the same principles apply today. Israels history is for us to learn from.

Honestly, all this fuss about translations. I prefer the KJV for general reading and believe it to be the most accurate simply because it makes clear, points that, in other translations can be muddied. That doesn't mean we shouldn't use other translations. I have about 5 translations and look at them all when studying the Word.

Translation may be important to people in their posh middle class living rooms.. sipping tea while studying their bible.. but you try telling a street kid in a dope addicted New York jitterbugging gang that he must only read the KJV. Good luck with that one.

The Holy Spirit is not limited by us..He can speak to people via any means He chooses, one of the most powerful ways being us allowing Him to work through us and show Christs love to people. If people are truly trusting in God and relying on the Holy Spirit He will reveal the truth to them, no matter which translation they use.

Certain versions of the bible simply aren't translations.. like the street bible, or the message... i think they too perhaps have their place in street evangelism, though I wouldn't encourage someone to continue with them once they had become Christians. Just my 2 pence worth

Or perhaps they think that any increase in popularity is a good thing. Christian music is a minority industry.. on the grand scale that is.. comared with the music of the world. Perhaps they are grateful that people are interested enough to download it and see that as a kind of loss leader .. allowing further purchases of the albums. Or.. like you say they may just genuinely be pleased that the music is getting out.

I realise how expensive music is to make, and while I don't begrudge the artists making money to cover the costs, I do feel badly towards "big business" worship affairs. I could mention a certain group in particular, but I had best not.


2 Peter 2:3  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

The above passage keeps coming back to me, and the more I am reminded of it, the more I see it in the "church" today. there are many songs that appear ok, perhaps even doctrinally correct, but they are not inspired by the Spirit.

[didn't]

People often buy stuff simply because it has been labelled as Christian, so they think it must be ok. Its like going into a Christian bookshop and just buying any old book off the shelf because its in that shop. There are many things sold in the name of Christ, but not all of them are the genuine article.

2 Peter 2:3  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Now this passage is talking of false teachers... but we find people promoting a false gospel everywhere. Now before I get jumped on.. I didn't say that POD or any band in particular are doing this. But we do need to be wise. If the Holy Spirit warns you about something, but you just ignore him because you don't like what He's saying, eventually He will stop warning you. This is how people fall into deception.