tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311047802023-11-15T12:24:01.394-05:00Upholding the TruthKerri Sheldonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661900080636086763noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31104780.post-5187568646484029792014-09-23T10:51:00.001-04:002014-09-23T10:51:55.829-04:00Accepted in the Beloved by Spurgeon"Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved." Ephesians 1:4-6<br />
<br />
What a state of privilege! It includes our justification before God, but the term "acceptance" in the Greek means more than that. It signifies that we are the objects of divine complacency, nay, even of divine delight. How marvelous that we, worms, mortals, sinners, should be the objects of divine love! But it is only "in the beloved." Some Christians seem to be accepted in their own experience, at least, that is their apprehension. When their spirit is lively, and their hopes bright, they think God accepts them, for they feel so high, so heavenlyminded, so drawn above the earth! But when their souls cleave to the dust, they are the victims of the fear that they are no longer accepted. If they could but see that all their high joys do not exalt them, and all their low despondencies do not really depress them in their Father's sight, but that they stand accepted in One who never alters, in One who is always the beloved of God, always perfect, always without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, how much happier they would be, and how much more they would honor the Savior! Rejoice then, believer, in this: thou art accepted "in the beloved." Thou lookest within, and thou sayest, "There is nothing acceptable here!" But look at Christ, and see if there is not everything acceptable there. Thy sins trouble thee; but God has cast thy sins behind his back, and thou art accepted in the Righteous One. Thou hast to fight with corruption, and to wrestle with temptation, but thou art already accepted in him who has overcome the powers of evil. The devil tempts thee; be of good cheer, he cannot destroy thee, for thou art accepted in him who has broken Satan's head. Know by full assurance thy glorious standing. Even glorified souls are not more accepted than thou art. They are only accepted in heaven "in the beloved," and thou art even now accepted in Christ after the same manner.<br />
~Charles Spurgeon, September 23, Morning by MorningKerri Sheldonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661900080636086763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31104780.post-37385590805040579502014-07-12T09:30:00.003-04:002014-07-12T09:30:55.451-04:00We have (finally) come to the place where we have a manuscript that can have some outside editing done before we publish! Praise God! It has been quite a process. I am sure it would have gone smoother if we already had some "practice" in writing a book. Please keep praying! We could possibly have it done and published by late August or September depending on how things go. Thanks to all for your prayers!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31104780.post-48020699600996993002014-02-07T14:29:00.001-05:002014-02-07T14:29:17.330-05:00Pray for our ManuscriptPlease pray for us!
Kerri & I have been working on a transcript for a book for several months now. (Since April 2013)
We have been plugging away at it for these past 10 months now on a fairly regular basis.
We are nearing the end. We hope to finally be done within the next week or two with each of the
individual chapters. We will do one last full edit of the manuscript as a whole. We may also pick some
"outside" eyes to look at it and make any suggestions.
We hope to get it published and use it as a tool for ministry.
Please pray for the book to be published and for us to get back to doing things on our website
and blog in a diligent fashion.
I still can remember back to the initial years when I first started our former websites beginning
with: A True and Faithful Witness.
Those initial articles about Rick Warren's teachings as well as articles on Richard Foster's
teachings (and a few others) brought in over 100,000 page views. It was obvious there was a
need but it also took quite a bit of time and energy and it was very intense warfare.
Back then I knew that there was tremendous need - so we launched out. As we look at the
current "Christian" landscape we now see multitudes of false teachings and writings disguised
as if they were Biblical. And it is getting worse. And much of the church is asleep or too
busy with "life" to consider what is happening.
So pray for us! We wish to launch out into more intense ministry once again.
Thanks,
David Sheldon
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31104780.post-64121151718028283892011-06-07T20:20:00.004-04:002011-06-07T20:43:00.960-04:00Fighting for the Faith: Piper / Warren Debrief With Phil Johnson Part 1As many of you know, the growing apostasy of Rick Warren is being given an audience and, believe it or not, is being justified by John Piper! "Fighting for the Faith" has provided a debriefing of an interview that Piper had with Warren. A listen to this is well worth the time:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.fightingforthefaith.com/2011/06/piper-warren-debrief-with-phil-johnson.html">Fighting for the Faith: Piper / Warren Debrief With Phil Johnson Part 1</a>Kerri Sheldonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661900080636086763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31104780.post-3245142634861804262011-01-13T14:20:00.002-05:002011-01-31T16:37:40.241-05:00Real Passion versus Artificial EnthusiasmThere is a great post today over at Pyromaniacs:<br /><a href="http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2011/01/real-passion-vs-artificial-enthusiasm.html">Real Passion versus Artificial Enthusiasm</a> by Phil Johnson<br />Well worth the read and so true.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31104780.post-78149031703735038972011-01-06T14:11:00.003-05:002011-01-06T14:16:35.688-05:00Passivity at the Hands of AntichristAmerican Evangelicalism is losing ground due to the passiveness of leaders and attendees. Important Biblical matters are being swept under the rug for another time. God terms these people a "carefree multitude" (Ezekiel 23:42)<br />Read full article <a href="http://www.4truthministry.com/full_passivity.html">Passivity at the Hands of Antichrist</a>Kerri Sheldonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661900080636086763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31104780.post-11364884007100534872010-12-07T10:19:00.006-05:002010-12-07T10:52:45.862-05:00The Knowledge of the Self-Revealing God: Starting Point for the Christian Worldview<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; color: rgb(54, 54, 54); line-height: 21px; ">"Christian thinking is not reducible to mere theism—belief in the existence of a personal God. To the contrary, authentic Christian thinking begins with the knowledge that the only true God is the God who has revealed himself to us in the Bible."</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; color: rgb(54, 54, 54); line-height: 21px; ">Read Albert Mohler's </span><a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/2010/12/03/the-knowledge-of-the-self-revealing-god-starting-point-for-the-chrisutian-worldview/">full article</a></div>Kerri Sheldonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661900080636086763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31104780.post-13560971584562066032008-05-08T18:04:00.012-04:002010-08-17T15:06:03.681-04:00<a><h3>MacArthur on Warren’s Apostate “Gospel”</a></h3><div> <small class="metadata"></small></div><div class="itemtext"><div><br /><p><object width="525" height="455"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nI9EzMWZoag&hl=en&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nI9EzMWZoag&hl=en&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="525" height="455"></embed></object></p><br /> </div> <!-- <rdf:RDF xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#"<br /> xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:trackback="http://madskills.com/public/xml/rss/module/trackback/"><br /> <rdf:Description rdf:about="http://christianresearchnetwork.com/?p=5000"<br /> dc:identifier="http://christianresearchnetwork.com/?p=5000"<br /> dc:title="MacArthur on Warren’s Apostate “Gospel”"<br /> trackback:ping="http://christianresearchnetwork.com/wp-trackback.php?p=5000" /><br /></rdf:RDF> --><br /> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31104780.post-20531264751079872162007-11-16T07:57:00.001-05:002010-08-17T15:12:43.950-04:00Fake EvangelicalismAccording to Tony Campolo the best way to really be filled with "Christ" is to get everything out of your mind through centering prayer. Is he Catholic, mystic, Quaker, new ager? Hmmm.<br />Please note his heretical thought and listen carefully for it: every person is born with "Christ, the light," <u>already in them</u>. <p><object height="455" width="525"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jYrrWVsiVLs&rel=0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jYrrWVsiVLs&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="525" height="455"></embed></object><br /></p><br />So has the entrance into the eternal kingdom <u>now</u> become a mystical inner-knowing of a "Christ" who is already present in everyone?<br />Or is it repentance/faith in the Holy Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who was sent into the world as "the Light" to the world?<br />True evangelicalism says the later.<br />Please carefully consider how he takes out of context his quote in the first chapter of John's gospel. Jesus Christ came into the world. He is "the Life" and "the Light."<br />Does the context indicate that He shines from "within" the darkened human heart?<br />Or that He shines in, <u>from without</u>, the darkened human heart that desperately needs to receive Him and, thus, be regenerated by this very Light?<br />The later is the truth.<br /><a href="http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=John+1%3A1-13">John 1:1-13 ESV</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31104780.post-42604753875751100402007-06-05T14:13:00.001-04:002010-08-17T15:20:51.141-04:00MacArthur's thoughts on the "New Evangelical Inclusivism"<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mC2WPR7q4pU"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mC2WPR7q4pU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31104780.post-29262786925101433432007-02-20T12:09:00.002-05:002010-12-06T21:02:16.332-05:00Diabolical ThinkingOur society has undergone a paradigm shift in its thinking process. In the past, most people thought in a didactic manner, (2+2=4, light/dark, right/wrong). Today, we have moved to a dialectic thought process where 2+2= what do you feel it should be. In the name of relationship/community, feelings and opinions replace law and obedience as the arbitrator of truth. Truth and change is supposedly found by a method of consensus.<br />Consensus is based on a system known as the dialectic, (Thesis-Antithesis-Synthesis) In the first step, a person or group brings their thoughts and position into the groupthink, (thesis). An opposite position consisting of opposing views is offered, (antithesis). The "change agents" then, through dialogue and consensus, reach a compromise (synthesis), by combining both positions. This becomes the new thesis and the process begins again, until the desired change or the change agents accomplish their goal. It is Socialism/ Marxism anew with the idea of bringing about world peace and unity. Anyone that opposes this thinking must be ostracized, marginalized or minimized. They are referred to as Fundamentalists, old-fashioned, troublemakers. These people hold to a standard of right and wrong that is given by God, family, law, which claims an exclusivity in what is right or wrong.<br />Most of our political, socio-economics (Sustainable Growth), and educational systems (Bloom's Taxonomies) have already succumbed to this group think as well as much of the church as evidenced by the Seeker/Purpose Driven concepts, as well as Rick Warren's new P.E.A.C.E. plan which mirrors the U.N.'s peace initiatives to build consensus and a New World Order.<br />This thinking process is diabolical and is the same one used by Satan in the Garden of Eden against Eve. Satan got Eve to dialogue and reach a consensus with him as to what she "felt" she "ought" to be able to do based on her feelings and desires instead of doing what was commanded by God. Unless we recognize this process we are headed down a slippery slope.<br />Fred PursleyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31104780.post-1169855860934769932007-01-26T18:51:00.001-05:002010-12-06T21:07:42.220-05:00Tough question: By our silence do we lead men to ruin?This is a quote from Spurgeon which I relate to you after reading it on "Christian Research Net"<br /><br />“On all sides we hear voices inviting us to peace apart from righteousness. ‘Oh’, they say to us, ‘a confederacy, a confederacy.’ What mean you? You are to preach a lie, and we are to preach the truth, and yet we are to call each other brothers. We are no brothers, and we will not by our silence aid the fraud. ‘Oh but,’ say they, ‘be charitable.’ Charitable with what? Charitable with God’s truth, flinging it down into the mire of error? Charitable by deceiving our fellowmen? That we cannot be. Brethren, we must so hold and love the truth as to hate every false way; for the way of error is ruinous to the souls of men, and it will go hard with us if even by our silence we lead men to ruin therein… ‘Hold your tongue’, says the world. ‘Do not fight against error. Why need you speak so loudly against a wrong thing?’ We must speak, and speak sharply too, for souls are in danger. We must uplift the banner of truth, or we shall be meanest of all cowards. God has made us kings and we must be first kings of righteousness, and after that kings of peace…”<br />Charles Haddon SpurgeonUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31104780.post-1162555292702156232006-11-03T06:11:00.001-05:002010-12-06T21:16:14.081-05:00In Him We Have Been Made CompleteIn September 21 and August 10, 2006 posts I had written articles warning about "contemplative spirituality" coming into the church. To get a feel for the teachings and an example of what is taking place please listen to Crosstalk's interview with Brian Flynn from November 1, 2006 <a href="http://64.13.218.251/shows/2006/11/eastern_mysticism_in_evangelic_1.php">here</a>. Brian, as a former New Ager, is well equipped to see the mystical and contemplative inroads that have been made into the "evangelical" community. I was made very aware of this incredibly subtle influx back in 1981 as I graduated from seminary and entered into the ministry. It was right about this time that "Celebration of Discipline" was making a big "splash" in many churches and with many church leaders. (You should see my side comments in the book that I have!) I wrote a review <a href="http://www.atrueandfaithfulwitness.com/mysticismfoster1.htm">here</a> were I attempt to warn the Body of the mysticism of Richard Foster, the author, who has his roots deeply embedded in Quakerism.<br /><br />The fountainhead, to various degrees, of this mysticism having entered into the church are the charismatic movement, Vineyard/signs & wonders, river revival, Promise-Keepers, the Third Wave, and currently the New Apostolic movement and, yes, the Emergent Church, and even has an "amen" from Rick Warren. But we must understand that it is already entrenched in the church and that is why it is "popping up" all over the place, per the Crosstalk interview. And, in my opinion, it is the underlying "teaching" issue in many of the "worship" issues - we probably just don't quite yet realize it. And although I enjoy talking about issues of Cessationism versus Continuationism I believe this to be what I would call a "surface" debate. Because lurking under the waters of many (not all) who hold to continuationism is mysticism. Please be aware of this.<br /><br />As we plummet toward the end result of the current great apostasy taking place in the visible church - we should make sure we completely understand mysticism/contemplative spirituality. Because this is more than likely the thing that will move Protestantism (if you can call it that anymore) into the "Great Rome Death Embrace." Mysticism/Contemplative is like the small bubbles that slowly begin to form at the bottom of a pan of water just before it starts to boil like crazy!<br /><br />"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.<br />Colossians 2:8-10 ESVUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31104780.post-1157691669998221652006-09-08T00:53:00.002-04:002012-01-18T08:41:17.892-05:00God's Gospel - Paul's GospelThe true gospel is and always will be God’s gospel. It is the good news we preach and share because it is first of all God’s opinion! We dare not tinker with it. Paul shows us how he relates to both the God of the gospel, the people to whom he has preached the gospel, and to those who would preach a contrary gospel in the book of Galatians. Here are a few pertinent points:<br /><br />Galatians 1:4-5 – It is God’s gospel and to His glory because it is according to His own will that he saves us.<br /><br />Galatians 1:6 – When we abandon the gospel we abandon HIM. Read the text very closely. When we abandon the reality of the true gospel – we abandon God. This does not bode well for those who say they “just want Jesus” but do “not like doctrine.”<br /><br />Galatians 1:8-10 – Whether it is a human being or even some supernatural spirit entity like an “angel” – it better line up with Paul’s gospel or he pronounces them “accursed.” Literally, cursed of God. And notice – cursed OF GOD! This text assures us we are to listen for and only receive the true gospel. And if someone or something preaches something different – we do not have to judge that vessel – because GOD already has! Let HIM be accursed OF GOD. Paul’s reason for preaching the true gospel is simple – He wants to please God and not men. Those who would do different are simply wanting to please men.<br /><br />Galatians 1:11-12 – Paul DELIVERED as gospel what he RECEIVED as gospel. Faithfulness and clarity of message was first and foremost.<br /><br />Galatians 2:4-5 – The false brethren twisted the gospel and Paul did not subject himself to them for even a moment! He didn’t come under their teaching – he exposed it. He didn’t care if they had other “positive things” to say because he had tuned them out once he discerned their underlying message! And this was so he would be assured the true saints would allow the impact of the true gospel to REMAIN with them.<br /><br />So there you have it. Paul’s mindset and it should be ours as well. All true shepherds of the flock of God both proclaim and defend the gospel. They do BOTH things together just like Paul.<br /><br />"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, 'But the righteous man shall live by faith.'" Romans 1:16-17 NASB<br /><br />DaveUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31104780.post-1156854692823371102006-08-29T08:15:00.001-04:002010-08-17T16:55:41.969-04:00The True Gospel is Worth Defending<blockquote><p>But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8,9 ESV</p></blockquote><p></p><p>Paul knew the true gospel was worth defending. Immediately after this text he states that he is pleasing God in preaching the true gospel. Others who don't are only man-pleasers.</p><p>I have warned about Rick Warren's false gospel in the "40 Days of Purpose" video for about 3 years now. See brief article <a href="http://www.atrueandfaithfulwitness.com/ungospel.htm">here</a>. And I have also briefly reviewed the first seven chapters of his PDL book <a href="http://www.atrueandfaithfulwitness.com/PDLcritique.htm">here</a>.</p><p>A few books have been written on the subject but very few "visible" ministries on the American church scene have "bothered" to defend the gospel. Of course, men like Dr. John MacArthur would be exceptions.</p><p>This dear sister in Christ - Tamara Hartzell - has taken the time to do a major online work about Warren's false gospel. This is very excellent and comprehensive. It is titled "In the Name of Purpose: Sacrificing Truth on the Altar of Unity." I have linked you to the introductory page. The complete online e-book is under "books contents" on the left side of the page. <a href="http://www.inthenameofpurpose.org/">It is here</a>.</p><p>Committed to the gospel,</p><p>Dave</p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0