So a while back I wrote the post titled Arab Muslims Continue Buying Up America. Citigroup Makes Abu Dhabi one of its Largest Shareholders. And you can see in the comments there that our brother KyleAndrews spoke up to mention that I was missing an entire mess behind it all. In those comments he details things many of us were not so aware of before.
I had been speaking with KyleAndrews in private afterward and asked him to do a post on the subject. He had agreed, but unfortunately not only have I not heard from KyleAndrews since then, I have not seen him online at any of the spots we both frequent. My efforts to reach him have been unsuccessful. Keep in mind, I last spoke with him and have been trying to reach him since late December. So at this point I can only ask that everyone pray for him, I don’t know where he is or what’s going on.
But we have this issue of the economy and it was something you can tell he was very passionate about. He wanted this information to get greater distribution and with him away, I still wanted to work up something for you and I’m sure he’d want that. It’s a lot of stuff, so I’m just going to hit one point in this particular post, the Federal Reserve. And trust me, that’s enough in its self!
I’ve found a video that sums things up pretty well. (With KyleAndrews’ help.) You folks know I am not a Ron Paul fan. But just because I disagree with a guy on some other issues, to the point I don’t want him to be President, it does not mean that person can’t be telling the truth about a certain issue. It is Ron Paul who has been openly speaking some truth regarding our Federal Reserve and he did a documentary a while back with some other folks titled Fiat Empire, Why the Federal Reserve Violates the U.S. Constitution. It was originally made in 2005, before Ron Paul decided to make a Presidential run. Now the version of the documentary that is provided free online has been edited with a bunch of “vote Ron Paul” hype, but given his candidacy is in the dumps, I don’t feel I’m doing his campaign any favors by posting this now. While I want these issues addressed, I don’t feel he’s the man who should be our next President. (I’ve got other posts about him on this blog, but won’t harp on that here.) Just the same, facts are facts and that is why the video below is being provided to you.
It is 1 hour in length, but if you’d like to know about what’s going on with all the increasing prices that YOU PAY you might want to watch this.
Here is another video that offers additional details.
Corrupt Federal Reserve - Robbing Americans Since 1913
Now this all does relate to Arabs and others buying up American companies, including parts of banks. As our dollar gets weaker, somebody has to cover the money that we don’t actually have.
Honestly, I don’t know if the way things are regarding finances might ever end and we know worse is coming. Salvation does not come via winning some economic or political battle. Salvation only comes via the Lord Jesus Christ and when He returns the evil one will be bound.
Revelation 20:1-3 (New American Standard Bible)
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Only those drawn to Christ will join Him in victory. Those without Him will perish, John 3:16.
John 12:30-32 (New American Standard Bible)
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This world is now in the power of the evil one, as God has allowed to be for this time.
1 John 5:19-21 (New American Standard Bible)
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Run to Jesus for eternal life, avoid this world’s lust for money.
I recall a great Gospel hymn, that features the following lyrics at the start:
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
…
And if you are a Christian, odds are good that you know of the song On Christ The Solid Rock, which was pinned by Edward Mote. You should read up on how Mote came to sing of his hope being on Christ alone. It is a fascinating story, to the glory of God in Christ’s name.
Today it seems political affairs are distracting saints into seeking hope on something other than Christ. Claiming “hope”, “a better way” and a “brighter day” in a favored politician. And it’s speeding down the road of idolatry, a road that ends in the pit! I’m certainly (and obviously) not against Christians claiming they might like a certain candidate, however we must avoid pinning “hope” on them and reserve “hope” in Christ alone!
Christians must always remain aware of the fact God’s plan must work to fulfillment and understand the “brighter day” will not be till His Son returns.
Matthew 24:4-8 (New American Standard Bible)
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Jesus did not tell us the world would be saved by a man of this day and age, hope only resides in Christ. For those who don’t know of this Jesus Christ I’m speaking of, please see John 3.
Our sister Covina sent me a video yesterday that is of great concern to me. Because it features a pastor who is respected in many circles of the faith, singing a song of “hope” in a man. That man being Barack Hussein Obama. The video is below.
That is idolatry to the core. No matter how good a man of this age might be, singing of anyone in that fashion is evil. It places hope on the man and not Christ. A pastor who is respected as a skilled gospel musician and singer, utilizing a group sounding like a gospel choir, to sing a song of “hope” on a man is totally against the Word of God.
1 Corinthians 10:14 (New American Standard Bible)
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Also consider this:
Galatians 5:19-26 (New American Standard Bible)
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Christians must all continue to strive to keep our minds focused on what is above and not in this earth.
Colossians 3:1-7 (New American Standard Bible)
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I won’t harp in this post about policy efforts by Obama or things in his life that are ungodly. My only hope with this post is to encourage all saints, that even if you fully intend to support Barack Obama, please keep your support toned down to a level that does not amount to idolatry. Even if we disagree on political affairs, I sincerely pray we all join the Lord together, pinning our hope on Him alone. So that we all may one day reap the reward promised to those who keep faith on Him.
If I ever appear to be putting real hope on anything other than the Lord Jesus, I beg you to please offer me similar admonishment as I offer here.
Related posts:
update 2/27/2008 2:10PM: In other Obama idolatry, Civil Rights Industry figure Jesse Jackson says he sees a “new heaven” in Obama.
…
Jackson, scheduled to be an analyst for NBC at the debate Tuesday, said Obama represents “the maturing of the success of our struggle. .¤.¤. I see a new heaven. I see a new America, where we learn to live together.”
The Bible shows the new heaven and land with righteousness are not in the candidacy of Barack Hussein Obama Jr., or any other political candidate.
2 Peter 3:13 (New American Standard Bible)
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Hope is not in man, but Christ Jesus alone.
Those who feel the call to be watchmen on the wall during this time of apostasy have heard this phrase repeated ad nauseum, by those who seek to defend their favorite “ministers” against the claims of Scripture. In fact, along with “Judge Not”, it’s probably among the most frequently used (though commonly misunderstood) texts in the entire Bible. Have any of them ever actually read the verse in question??
Ps 105:11-15 “To you I will give the land of Canaan as the allotment of your inheritance,” When they were few in number, indeed very few and strangers in it. When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people, He permitted no one to do them wrong; yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.”
Now………who are the “Anointed” here??? Kings specifically (1Sam. 12:3,5; 24:6,10; 26:9,11, 16,23; 2 Sam. 1:14,16; 19:21; Psalm 20:6; Lam. 4:20). Who are the prophets?? Those who spoke directly for God, inspired for infallible and inerrant utterances by the Holy Spirit, and through whom came Scripture. We don’t HAVE infallible, Scripture writing prophets anymore, nor do we have leaders who are anointed above the Body of Christ like the OT kings.
Context is the key to understanding Scripture, but the misguided have been taught to tear verses such as this out of their context by the very people who use this tactic to exploit them. This very method of twisting Scripture serves both to enrich the pulpit pimps AND keep the flock from discovering their error.
Context is where you put verses within their literary and historical settings so folks don’t go off making foolish and unBiblical assumptions about Biblical texts, wresting them to their own destruction.
What is God talking about in the verse in question?? He is speaking of protecting His people from physical harm by their enemies. PHYSICAL HARM. You cannot tear words out of their context and make them say whatever you want them to say.
“Harm” here does NOT mean saying something TRUE about someone, whether in leadership or not. David refused to TOUCH GOD’S ANOINTED in Saul too……..but he SURE AS HECK told the truth about Saul and it wasn’t pretty. Touching God’s anointed here AGAIN means to do PHYSICAL HARM.
1Sa 26:8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy (Speaking of SAUL, God’s Anointed) into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him (PHYSICAL HARM), I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not [smite] him the second time. 1Sa 26:9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy (KILL……PHYSICAL HARM) him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’S anointed, and be guiltless? 1Sa 26:10 David said furthermore, [As] the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.
1Sa 26:11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand (Again, physical harm) against the LORD’S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that [is] at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
So, we see that to touch or harm God’s anointed is to do them PHYSICAL harm. Why do so many want to twist it into something else?? Because it shields and enriches them.
Just to make it perfectly clear that “touching” and “harm” do not refer to saying something true about leaders, read what David (who did NOT touch God’s anointed) said about God’s anointed, Saul. It ain’t nice. David says to Saul that he is unjust for pursuing David, that he is seeking to murder David for no reason, and that God Himself will smite Saul.
Now,if I were to say that Benny Hinn is a liar, that is a documented fact. Did I “touch” God’s anointed?? Not according to the Bible. I did nothing more than what David did………tell the truth about a leader, which is precisely what Paul TOLD us to do as well. He put Hymenaeus and Alexander (1 Timothy 1:20) on blast along with the leaders of Crete (Titus 1:12),and John did the same with Diotrephes (3 Jn 1:9-11) . He told us in Timothy to rebuke sinning leaders PUBLICLY so that others would fear to follow in their sinful ways, and this responsibility extends beyond leadership to the laity as Paul makes clear in Romans:
| Rom 16:17 | Now I beseech you, brethren (the church), mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. |
If telling the truth about a leader is “touching” God’s anointed, what was Paul doing in Gal 2:12-14 calling Peter a hypocrite publicly?? Wasn’t Peter anointed?? If “touching” means saying the truth about a leader (rather than physical harm), then Paul stands condemned before that doctrine.
If that is “touching”God’s anointed (leadership), why did Paul do it?? Why did he command US to do it?? Why did Isaiah and Jeremiah and Elijah and many others do it?? Why did Nathan do it to the anointed David??
David himself, who was God’s anointed, received the BLISTERING rebuke of Nathan for his affair with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah the Hittite her husband. If it is “touching God’s anointed” to speak the truth about them, why didn’t David say so and rebuke Nathan?? Or better yet, why did God reveal this to Nathan AT ALL?? Or rebuke Nathan from heaven for “Touching” the anointed David??
We should look closely at the case of David actually, because the argument is often put forward that when Nathan confronted David with his sin, David remained in his office. Therefore the erroneous correlation is made that since David remained in HIS office, so the pastor who no longer qualifies under the requirements of 1 Tim 3 should ALSO remain in his office despite what the NT clearly teaches. There are a couple of serious problems with that theory.
1) David was a king……..a POLITICAL leader, NOT a religious leader (which was limited to the Levites, not the tribe of Judah from which David arose).
2) David was not only NOT a minister, he was not even in the New Testament church. To attempt to wrest the requirements for a political office in the Old Covenant out of their context, in an attempt to ignore the ministerial requirements in the New Covenant, is the very worst form of Biblical hermeneutics. To twist the Word of God like that simply to protect a preacher is nothing short of idolatry.
“Touch not my anointed” NEVER in the ENTIRE Bible EVER means ANYTHING except PHYSICAL harm. As for speaking truth to leaders, we are commanded by Biblical teaching and Biblical example to call out publicly those in leadership who are in sin and harming the cause of Christ.
Now, since many desire to drag”Touch not…” kicking and screaming into the New Testament, and shove it into meaning that the “anointed” are ministers, let’s see who the New Testament actually claims are the “anointed”. (PSSSSSST………they are NOT the leaders but the church. It’s EVERY saint.)
This is NOT the Old Testament where SOME of God’s people are anointed by the Holy Spirit, and others are not. The anointing is God’s provision through the Holy Spirit Who indwells EVERY believer. God’s anointing IS the Person of the Holy Spirit.
2Cr 1:21 Now he which establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed US (ALL SAINTS), [is] God;
1Jo 2:27 But the anointing which ye (ALL THE SAINTS) have received of him abideth in you (ALL THE SAINTS), and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you (ALL THE SAINTS) of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you (ALL THE SAINTS), ye shall abide in him.
1Th 4:8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto US (all believers) his holy Spirit.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye (ALL saints) also [trusted], after that ye (ALL saints) heard the word of truth, the gospel of your (ALL saints) salvation: in whom also after that ye (ALL saints) believed, ye (ALL saints) were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye (ALL saints) are sealed unto the day of redemption.
There is not one single text in the New Testament that limits the anointing to leaders as it was in the Old Testament. Christ makes EVERY believer a priest and king, NOT a chosen few (Rev 1:6-7, Rev 5:10). Giftings are specific, but the anointing which GIVES the gifts is NOT restricted to specific believers. EVERY believer is gifted in some manner, and all giftings are the result of the anointing of the Holy Spirit Who indwells ALL of us. The ANOINTED today are NOT the leaders, but the ENTIRE Body of Christ.
In addition, the leaders are NEVER cut MORE slack than the laity. To the contrary, they are held to a much more stringent standard of behavior (1 Tim 3, Titus 1). So this predilection for letting pastors/ministers off the hook for their false teachings and unGodly lifestyle with “Touch not….” is directly contrary to the Word of God. After all, is anyone precluded from being a Christian because his household is a mess, or because they aren’t blameless, or because they are a novice, or because they don’t have a good report among the heathen?? Of course not. But ANY of those issues preclude a man from being a pastor. The standard is HIGHER, not LOWER.
The proposition that we are to excuse leadership and hold them to a lower standard, or that we are not to confront leaders with Truth who have trampled underfoot the Word of God and the flock entrusted to them, are concepts not found in Scripture. Quite the opposite.
SO……….let’s put this misuse and twisting of “Touch not my anointed” to bed. It’s far better to remain silent about a Scripture than misuse it to excuse what God condemns.
(This article was written by GaryV, with editing by IndependentConservative.)
When a pastor writes a book titled The Gospel of Good Success: A Road Map to Spiritual, Emotional and Financial Wholeness, you can be certain he’s not a man standing on sound doctrine. But hey, he’s got ideas for people to make money that are legal, so godly Contentment is exchanged for desires of success and more masses follow the false prosperity doctrine train.
Here’s a rotten gem from the mouth of Caldwell, that was captured in a Time magazine article.
Does God Want You To Be Rich? - Time Magazine - September 10, 2006
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So it’s against scripture not to own land. I’m sure when Pimp Caldwell gave this sermon, he certainly was NOT using 1 Timothy 6 as his source text. I mean words like “…men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain” probably would not square against his abuse of the term “abundant life” where Christ was speaking of life eternal, John 10. Also given that in 1 Timothy 6 God has the Apostle Paul sending a message of contentment for debt slaves, rather than telling them to seek physical freedom and become property owners, would not jive with Caldwell’s claims. Fact is, it is Caldwell that is being unscriptural. As Paul noted men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth would be.
Caldwell does some charity and rubs shoulders with President Bush, so we should just ignore his bad doctrine? I don’t think so. Bad doctrine is bad even when it’s mixed with some charitable deeds. And the fact Caldwell seems to be the man everybody loves while he’s into bad doctrine should make saints consider Luke 6:26.
And yes I know he was a successful businessman (a rags to riches story) before he became a pastor. Problem is that his mind is still in the business world and he’s delivering a bad money doctrine, that is a doctrine of covetousness. Leading people to feel they are sinful (”unscriptural”) if they are not at a certain level of financial status. So he’s a pimp with a bad doctrine he’s using to build his own fame. You’ve got to admit Bush and Time magazine didn’t know his name before he got in the pulpit. He’s got higher profile positions in the business world now than he had before. Publicans love him, money changers love him too.
Kirbyjon H. Caldwell: The Man Behind the Dream - Good News magazine - May/June 2001 edition
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But enough about his prosperity pimp game. It seems Caldwell endorsed Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. for President. And Caldwell’s church assembly USED TO have listed a ministry that would help people out of the abomination of homosexual behavior. Oh, but you know Obama and the abomination of homosexuality are really close. So Obama’s abomination contingent called Caldwell on the noted efforts to help homosexuals out of abomination. To see how Caldwell came up “lame”, check out the Gay Christian Movement Watch post titled: Kirbyjon Caldwell, Obama’s six degrees of homosexuality.
It is most interesting how Kirbyjon Caldwell was an adviser to President George W. Bush, a President most homosexuals dislike and having a ministry to help homosexuals out of abomination on his church assembly’s web site. To being a supporter of Barack Hussein Obama, Jr., a presidential candidate many homosexuals love and losing any mention of a ministry to help homosexuals out of abomination. It’s as if things with him went from Conservative to Liberal, from helping homosexuals out of abomination to no mention, almost overnight. If Caldwell was a politician, he’d be called a flip-flopper. But he’s a pastor, with a most fishy doctrine, that seems to flop with the shifting of political winds. Caldwell now claims he never knew his church assembly had a ministry for homosexuals and is uncertain about his stance on homosexuals seeking “civil unions”. Please read all of the post at GCMW for details on Caldwell’s current dancing on the issue. Back in 1998, Kirbyjon Caldwell was on record saying the following:
Concern grows for same-sex unions
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But as is noted in the GCMW write-up, the man’s spine has vanished!
Here are some clips from current UMC Social Principles.
United Methodist Church - Social Principles > Human Sexuality
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It seems Caldwell is not speaking about that now.
United Methodist Church - What is the denomination’s position on homosexuality?
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The UMC appears to be unchanged on the issue as a denomination.
Call me crazy, but I suspect more of these pimps will be caving big time on the issue of homosexuality in the future.
Hat tip to Jesus Christology
Well she does one thing like a true politician, she lies!
Related posts:
So Mike Huckabee went on NBC’s Meet the Press program back on 2/10/2008 and basically defended his buddy, prosperity doctrine heretic Kenneth Copeland.
You can see the video at this link and advance to the 11:25 mark.
Text from the official transcript is below.
‘Meet the Press’ transcript for Feb. 10, 2008
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Yes Mike Huckabee is standing with that prosperity heresy.
The prosperity doctrine is false and those endorsing godliness as a means for financial gain are devoid of solid foundation.
1 Timothy 6:3-16 (New American Standard Bible)
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Avoid the proponents of false gospel.
Related posts:
Given some misconceptions about marriage, I felt this post is necessary. And the goal of this post is to help Christians understand one thing. Once you are married it is joined by God. This is not something to claim was not truly joined by God because of circumstance or issues within a marriage. I’m not saying that concessions for divorce don’t exists, they do, but I am saying that no man is to claim God did not join together the marriage. No man should claim God desires divorce either.
If we read the words of the Lord Jesus straight forward for what they are, there is no debate.
Matthew 19:3-9 (New American Standard Bible)
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God does not leave any wiggle room there. He makes it clear, that once a man takes a wife the two are one flesh and therefore joined. What has been joined was joined by God and man should not separate it. It’s clear divorce is a concession, not the goal or desire of God. And one such concession is noted there. This post is not about divorce, but another divorce concession is noted in 1 Corinthians 7. Again, it is not God’s desire that couples divorce and marriage was not an institution devised for separation from the beginning.
Mark 10:2-12 (New American Standard Bible)
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Again, God is not a God of nuance. The account in Mark, written for a non-Hebrew audience where both men and women could under man’s law divorce freely is just as clear. Once married they are no longer 2 but one flesh, not one spirit, but one flesh. One flesh and what God has joined no man should separate.
What if God did not really join them together?
Some claim that two people can be involved even in a first time marriage and that perhaps God did not join it. As if we get to determine via the well being of the household whether God meant something different in the verses noted above. There is no evidence of a marriage not being joined by God in the scripture noted and there is no exception for something like “happiness level”.
But God could not make something where people are not happy.
The usual retort by those who desire to claim God may not join a marriage, is to claim that things are so bad, the two so unequally yoked, that God could not have joined it. This is to claim that quality denotes whether something was ordained by God. This is unbiblical. Let me offer some examples of things fully established by God, that brought discomfort to true children of God.
Romans 9:17 (New American Standard Bible)
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God allowed Pharaoh his position and although every day of his resistance was a day of slavery and discomfort for the Hebrews, it was all part of God’s plan.
James 1:2-5 (New American Standard Bible)
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Christians have trials and anyone who is married knows that marriage in its self is a trial of sorts. The degree of trial in a marriage may vary, however it is not for us to claim that it was not ordained by God just because it is uncomfortable at times. Husband and wife should strive to abide by Ephesians 5 and even when one gets out of line the other must show they will not give into temptation outside of God’s command.
What if the person they married is not a recommended spouse according to scripture?
Some who press the “God didn’t join it” theme claim that a Christian might have married someone who was not the kind of person scripture instructs someone to marry. And from this they assert that perhaps God did not join the 2 because of some unequal yoking. Such an assertion is not biblical.
1 Corinthians 7:13 (New American Standard Bible)
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Even someone married to an unregenerate heathen is commanded by God to remain with that spouse so long as it is desired they remain together. Even in unequal yoking the joining of husband and wife is not to be broken. As 1 Corinthians 7:14-16 notes, the unruly one in a marriage could come to righteousness via the more God fearing spouse.
Marriage is a union of flesh, not two spirits
It is important to highlight how marriage is the joining of 2 to become one flesh. With salvation there is a joining via the Holy Spirit to Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14. Marriage is not something sealed via the Holy Spirit into eternity and after this life human marriages end, Luke 20:27-40. The cult of Mormonism makes this among many other errors in claiming marriages go beyond this life. Marriage is not truly equal with salvation (although it is a fleshly example of our union with Christ) and only a facet of this life in flesh. It does not bear the same eternal seal as salvation. This is why God commands that no man should separate a marriage, because it is an institution of this life in flesh. While 2 flesh can depart each other God does not desire it be done.
God knows when we marry, even if done multiple times.
John 4:18 (New American Standard Bible)
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God recognizes when we join with another via fornication or adultery versus a joining in marriage. It is His desire that we marry once and keep that marriage till either spouse dies.
Matthew 5:31-37 (New American Standard Bible)
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Let’s be true to our word. God is certainly faithful and true to His and we are to follow the example established by His Son Jesus Christ and follow His commandments.
All that is left of the 2 major party candidates are terrible, but here’s some things regarding the 2 current front runners. The 2 most likely to win their respective party’s nomination.
The idolatry over Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. is rather insane.
If any of them claims to be a Christian, they need to read 1 Corinthians 10:14 and calm their nerves, he’s only a man. (If they are not Christians, they still need to calm down and learn about the Lord Jesus.)
Obama, the supposed man of faith, but what about the babies?
Then there is John Sidney McLame McCain III. Watch him flip flop on efforts to have government give special sanction to an abomination.
On a 2004 questionnaire McCain affirmed he feels homosexuals should be granted “civil unions”. McCain is trying to play both sides of the issue. Saying he is against gay “marriage”, yet he’s trying to grant all like benefits and recognition via a play on words.
And what about the babies Senator McCain?
Just like Mitt Romney who has endorsed him. His position on the issue changes depending on the likelihood of whatever he says winning him votes.
Just speaking for myself, I can’t vote for anything the Democrats or Republicans have left to offer.
This is a concept that many don’t properly grasp. Those who come to understand it, they come to understand it as the Holy Spirit leads, by the drawing of the Father.
Matthew 16:16-17 (New American Standard Bible)
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Our brother Oct31st1517 (Mark) has produced a video on this topic of what “Son of God” really means.
Jesus made it so clear in His own words.
John 8:58 (New American Standard Bible)
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Jesus made it fully well known that He is God and that is why those against him picked up stones, to try and kill him right then for saying that. (Go read the next verse yourself.) They did not know He was the Christ and I AM, fully One with the Father.
The bottom line is this. If Jesus is not God, than there was no perfect sacrifice made for sin. This would mean the elect still have outstanding sin, just as was always the case with animal sacrifices and we’re all going to hell. Jesus is God and was the perfect sacrifice for sin, the One who knew no sin. (Hebrews 10) Believe on Him and be saved.
The Baltimore Sun has produced a lengthy article about the Bryant’s pending divorce. The rest of this post assumes you will take a moment to read that full 2 page article in full.
There’s a lot I could say, but I’ve already said plenty on this. The issue I need to raise in this post is that as the article mentions regarding the AME Church organization:
There is no punishment for pastors who get divorced, Richardson said, though the conference might require a pastor to apologize to the congregation or not preach for a period of time.
This is a serious problem. Now granted, scripture does not condone this psedo-Roman Catholic model of acting like the title “Bishop” is different from the title “Elder” and placing one over the other. But Jamal’s club obviously does not have good internal oversight.
A local church should have a group of elders on equal footing, with one as the speaking elder. If an elder gets out of line, he is to be removed and if it is the speaking elder that must be removed, another of the elders should assume the role of speaking elder. That is NOT how things are at most church assemblies. So with a group like the AME organization, it is assumed the “Bishops” will address problems at a local church assembly.
Well what can the AME organization leaders do? Ask him to sit down for a while. They can’t remove him and they are not talking about disassociating from him.
So let me just post what the Bible, the Word of God, the real documented authority says about these matters.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 notes, that we are not to simply “pray” for a so-called brother that continues in immoral activity, we are to fully disassociate from them. To the point of not even eating with them. Gizelle Bryant has found a need to disassociate herself from her husband because of his continual immoral behavior, but all the AME organization might do is talk about it, have him say “sorry” and maybe sit him down for a while. Unfortunately, for a church leader, that does NOT fulfill the command of scripture. With lay members, having them apologize and return to fellowship is within scripture’s commands. However, for a leader, they are to be men of a higher standard. When we look at 1 Timothy 3, it is IMPOSSIBLE for a church elder/bishop/pastor/overseer/(whatever other titles have been made for that man looked to as the church leader) to be a divorced man with such a bad reputation that it’s a full spread in the local city newspaper. We see the same in Titus 1. In 1 Timothy 5 we see that good elders are to be appreciated, given a salary, but elders caught in sin are to be rebuked as an example to all the others. Verse 21 notes that it is to be done WITHOUT PARTIALITY, meaning no favoritism. It is to be the blanket rule for all. Verse 22 notes that no man is to be given a role in church leadership quickly (”Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily”), because fellow church leaders should not do anything that might burden them with another man’s sins (”and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.”). The bottom line is that Jamal-Harrison Bryant was assuming church leadership and accepted by others as such too early, even before he got married, given he started “Empowerment Temple” in 2000, but has only been married 5 1/2 years according to the article. He is a man who was viewed as a church leader too hastily and one of the passages of scripture I mentioned fully details why he should be no longer viewed as a church leader.
1 Timothy 3:4-6 (New American Standard Bible)
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If the AME Church organization does not fully disassociate from Jamal-Harrison Bryant, while knowing what he’s done and is likely to continue doing, they bring condemnation on themselves by who they laid their hands on.
I found a good video that discusses the issues facing Jamal-Harrison Bryant. The only thing that might work in Bryant’s favor is that his sins are known by all now and perhaps it will cause him to repent of sexually immoral behavior.
But with Jamal-Harrison Bryant, there is more. He’s promoting the following event.

Another conference full of false doctrines. His terrible doctrine THAT IS NOT the true Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. His doctrine and those associating with him is denounced in 1 Timothy 6 and 1 Timothy 2:11-15. The money preaching is bad. Tossing people into leadership roles that don’t qualify including himself and women into roles of leadership and instruction over men is bad.
Perhaps the most abhorrent of those that will be at Jamal-Harrison Bryant’s “Empowerment Island Encounter” which I call PIMP ISLAND is Mike Murdock. See this most egregious of pimps in action in the video footage below.
If you read the scriptures I’ve already noted, you’ll know why that is total sin.
Flee these people that do evil and even flee those that maintain relationships with them. Given the evil is well known and saints should be fleeing them, not flocking to them.
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