Whose God?

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
(Matthew 24:24 ESV)

Glenn Beck has come a long way in the last 2 years since he became a fixture on the Fox News Channel at 5:00. He is funny, intelligent and a conservative with strong family values.

He opposes the rise of socialism brought about by the Obama Agenda and exposes the inner workings of the radical leftists who seem to be running the country.

Conservatives like myself loved him and he developed a huge following in the Christian Community. He evens talks about God and Jesus. He has even mentioned his own atonement and consistently has Christian pastors, authors and historians on his show to lead America back its Founding Fathers and its Christian roots.

He began the 9-12 Project and the Warrior Fund and is a darling of the Tea Party Movement.

Despite the fact that he is a Mormon, people were starting to believe that he was now a Christian. He was starting to talk and act like one.

Glenn often exhorts his audience to “question with boldness”. So I ask this question with boldness, “Is Glenn Beck a Christian or is he a Mormon?” Same thing you say? Think again! Mormons ARE NOT Christians.

This weekend Glenn has hosted 2 events in Washington. On Friday, it was America’s Divine Destiny at the Kennedy Center. Saturday’s event was called the 8/28 Restoring Honor Rally on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Glenn Beck said BOTH events were not Christian events but GOD events. God. Christians love to hear people invoke the name of God. But whose God is Glenn Beck talking about.

From the Website: http://caffeinatedthoughts.com/?p=8821

All Christians recognize the primary consequence of the garden sin: death. Beck, on the other hand, sees the poisonous meal as a good thing. Recently, he said Adam and Eve “came down” and “had to eat the apple” because “they had to have a knowledge of good and evil” because “freedom to choose is essential”. Here is an exchange he had back in 2008 with one caller, who actually had the right idea about sin in the garden:

GLENN: Ask your professor why Adam and Eve came down. Why, what was the whole thing about with the snake and the apple? What was that all about?

CALLER: Because they disobeyed God.

GLENN: Yeah, but what did that do? If Adam and Eve could if Adam and Eve didn’t have the apple, they wouldn’t have been fruitful and multiplied. Man would not be if it wasn’t for that, okay? So what did they do? They ate the apple. Their eyes were opened. They saw the difference between good and evil.

Notice the talk show host tries to correct her and ignores that “disobedience thing”. He echoes Joseph Smith’s Pearl of Great Price (Moses 5:10-11):

“Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.
And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient”.

The Latter Day Saints doctrine in view is that “spirit babies” are born of Celestial marriage and as Glenn Beck says, “come down” to be born in human form. The Bible rather teaches that Adam and Eve were created and God breathed into them the Spirit of life. They did not pre-exist. In keeping with the serpent’s deception, Mormons believe that they must become human before they can become “divine.” In spite of his frequent allusions, some people refuse to acknowledge Glenn Beck’s LDS views have made their way into his radio and television shows on a regular basis.

Glenn Beck does not pray to or believe in the God of the Bible. He prays to a different God, a false God. Glenn Beck is a Mormon, not a Christian.

Click here for a chart of Mormonism vs Christianity

I agree with a lot of the politically conservative views he espouses but I can not stand with him on the issues of God and Faith. I wouldn’t stand with Oprah Winfrey and I won’t stand with Glenn Beck.  Both are false prophets.

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
(John 14:6 ESV)

The only means of salvation is Jesus Christ. The real Jesus; the Jesus of the bible.

Jesus is having a conversation with Nicodemus who is a leader and a ruler of the Jews, a Pharisee. He’s a teacher, someone who knows the Word of God and Old Testament biblical theology. But he’s burdened because he wants to enter the Kingdom of God and in spite of his religiosity he’s not satisfied that he has attained that, that he has entered the Kingdom of God. So Jesus speaks to him in John 3:3 and says, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born from above, or, born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.

What is He saying to Nicodemus? “Nicodemus, you’re working really hard to get into the Kingdom of God. But I want to tell you something. You don’t get in there from here, it comes from above. If
you’re going to be regenerated, it has to come down from above. You can’t achieve it.”

This is a divine miracle that comes down from heaven. This is not something you can generate. This is not something you can produce. This is not something you can manufacture. This is a spiritual thing, a work of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit comes to whom He will when He wills. That’s such a powerful answer. You’re talking about a divine miracle that comes down from above.

Has that miracle happened to you? Are you born again? It’s the only way to heaven. Not my words but Jesus’ words.

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, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
(Romans 1:16,17 ESV)

The righteousness from God and not from man is revealed in the gospel. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone. You can NEVER earn your way to heaven. The bible describes our works as filthy rags. Nothing “good” that we do earns us any points. Salvation is a gift to all who believe.

It’s as simple as ABC:

• A  - Admit to God that you’re sinner and repent and turn away from your sins.
• B  - Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and accept His gift of forgiveness.
• C -  Confess your faith in Jesus as your Savior and your Lord forevermore.

Any questions? Read the Gospel of John!

And that’s the word of The Day

Burgers? We don’t need no stinkin’ Burgers

On Friday, July 16, 2010, the Joyful Hearts enjoyed a Summer BBQ. But, this was no ordinary BBQ. Hamburgers and hotdogs were not the fare of the day. No hotdogs-eating contests. No Wendy’s Double-Stack lookalikes. No ketchup or mustard necessary.

No, this was something special. As people began to arrive, they were puzzled when they saw that no grill was being used. No one was sweating over hot coals. There was no smoky fire with hotdogs and hamburgers. There was none of that. People were worried. Were we just going to have salads for dinner? “Where’s the beef?” was the cry.

Well, the beef was on the way and so was the pork.

    

Andy D’Agostino had graciously offered to cook for the Joyful Hearts. But burgers and dogs were not on his menu. Two days earlier, I went with Andy to the Restaurant Depot and we bought a 17-lb boneless ribeye roast and a 9-lb pork tenderloin. Andy did the cooking at home and at 6:45, he showed up with 2 of the most delicious-looking pieces of meat you ever saw. The beef ribeye was tender and juicy. The pork was cooked to perfection and came with Andy’s own spicy apricot-mango chutney. Hmmm good!

Needless to say, everyone was pleasantly surprised and equally satisfied with the special of the day. It was delicious. Thanks, Andy. You did a great job and the Joyful Hearts are very grateful.

Burgers? We don’t eat no stinkin’ burgers!

Potato Salad and Chocolate Chip Cookies

A beloved brother of Gospel Community Church, Al Eastwood (no relation to Clint), went home to be with the LORD last week. Al and his wife Merrill have been living in Florida for the past decade or so. Al had Parkinson’s Disease. Sue and I met him 3 summers ago when they came back to NY for the summer of 2007. Al was very frail even then but when he was younger, he was a valuable member of the church, well-loved and good friend to many. His wake was last Thursday and the service was Thursday night. We couldn’t make the service because of softball even though we wanted to go but there would have been no one to run the girl’s team that night.

Al was buried at Calverton on Friday and everyone was invited back to the church afterwards for food. Sue and I helped Ellen setup the tables, make the coffee and make sure everything was right for when they came back. We were also waiting for the delivery of the Big Sammich (a 6-ft hero). We didn’t stay once everyone showed up. We were there just to setup.

Ellen’s mom, Dolores, makes the best potato salad ever. When we were setting up, I noticed a whole aluminum tray of her potato salad in the fridge. Our mouth’s were watering for a piece of hero and Dolores’ potato salad. But, we left as we had planned.

On Saturday morning, I open up the church at 6:30 AM for the Men’s Bible Study Breakfast. When I opened the refrigerator, I was disappointed that no Sammich was left but I did notice the aluminum tray. So, when the men were finished with the bible study and as I was leaving, I asked Pastor Ed if I could take the aluminum tray home with me because I was certain that Dolores’ potato salad would eventually get thrown out. Pastor said to take it home.

I got home and put it in the fridge excited about having the leftover potato salad to enjoy. When noon rolled around, I told Sue, I was going to make a plate of potato salad. She didn’t want any which meant that there was more for me. I got out a plate, took the salad out of the fridge and opened it to spoon some out. When I peeled back the aluminum foil on the aluminum tray, my eyes opened in amazement and then saddened as the disappointment was realized. It was a tray of chocolate chip cookies. It was the first time ever in my life that I was unhappy to see a chocolate chip cookie.

Two similar tray; 2 different foods; 1 disappointed man. So, I did what any other true-blooded American would do – I ate a cookie!

The object of my belief was the tray. I believed that the tray was what I wanted. That it contained all that I expected. I made it my idol, took it home and worshipped it. But, when I opened it, it was a lie. It wasn’t what I wanted. It was something else altogether. The outside was the same, the inside was very different. It wasn’t the real thing.

Unfortunately, many people today believe in god the way I believed in that tray. They claim to believe in their own god but once the true layer in peeled back, the One True God is revealed and it’s not what they expected. Potato salad and chocolate chip cookies are one thing but, salvation, eternal life and redemption are something else.

 

That One True God is God, eternally present in 3 Persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. He will never disappoint you. He will never fool you. He’s the real thing. The One True God is not an object. It’s not a feeling. It’s not an idea. It’s not an as-long-as-you-believe-in-something-you’re-ok kind of god. No, it’s none of these things.

The One True God is revealed to us in a Person, the LORD Jesus Christ. John 17:3 says “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (KJV)

Don’t be fooled by the outward appearance. Jesus is the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life. (John14:6)

So, go ahead and peel back and “taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him.” (Psalm 34:8)

Weekend with Basil

On the weekend of May 14-16, the Shiloh Retreat Center in New Baltimore, NY, was blessed to have a Men’s Retreat with Pastor Basil Harris of Virginia as the guest speaker. The theme of the retreat was “Men, do you have what you need?” exploring the who, what, where, and how of our relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Friday-to-Sunday retreat featured four different sessions of teaching from Pastor Basil. We learned about who we are in our relationship with God, about what we need to represent God to others, about the place of rest where God has put us and about how we can share our faith in God with others.

The worship led by Tommy G. was awesome. Each session the worship team brought us closer to the Holy Place of God as we gave honor, glory and praise to Jesus Christ.

As usual, the friendship, fellowship and hospitality of the Stadtlander Family at Shiloh was unmatched. The meals were excellent and we are certainly blessed to have such a beautiful family ministering to the retreats. Shiloh has never looked better thanks to the care and love they continue to show for it. May God continue to bless them.

It was too bad more people couldn’t make the retreat. All of us who attended were truly blessed by the teaching and the fellowship. It was also great to see two old friends who made the trip. Steve M. came up from Pennsylvania and Charlie B. made the trip from central New York.

Now here is some good news; Pastor Basil will return in the fall. So, men, check your calendars and clear your schedules and start making plans to attend the Men’s Retreat on the first weekend in November.

You will be blessed!!!

Joseph is Amazing

On Wednesday, April 28, the Joyful Hearts and guests spent an amazing day of fellowship, good food and great entertainment. The long-awaited and highly anticipated trip to Lancaster, PA to see the Sight & Sound production of Joseph had finally arrived.

The group of 45 eager saints of all ages gathered in the church parking lot early that morning and left promptly at 7:15 AM. During the bus ride to the theater, we had bagels with butter, cream cheese and jelly. There was also plenty of water and iced tea available throughout the day. We arrived at the Sight & Sound Theater at 11:45 and were greeted by a member of their staff who welcomed us and wished us a wonderful time.

The production of Joseph was outstanding.

Of all the characters in the Bible, perhaps Joseph is the best parallel to the character of Jesus that can be found. During a time of an “eye-for-an-eye and a tooth-for-a-tooth” mentality, Joseph’s story of forgiveness and integrity has made this Bible story a timeless truth, inspiring generations of men and women to walk uprightly in the midst of great temptation.

Sight & Sound’s depiction of this classic story magnified the many qualities that made this story appeal to all ages. It included a cast of 45 professional adult and children actors, dozens of live animals gracing the aisles, several amazing dream sequences including Joseph in his colorful coat “flying” over the audience, larger-than-life staging which included a spectacular Egyptian palace scene spanning 300 feet and wrapping around three sides of the audience, plus, twenty original songs.

Inspired by Joseph’s colorful coat, we saw the brilliant color scheme woven into every fabric of this production including the music, the costumes, the lights, the special effects, sets, and more.

With the promise of redemption and forgiveness of Jesus Christ as shown by the character of Joseph, the Joyful Hearts and guests renewed their faith, and left inspired to dream big for God’s glory!

After being filled with the Spirit by the awesome show, we ate at the Good and Plenty restaurant where we filled our bodies with good and plenty of food.

We arrived back at the church safely at 9:35 PM and went to our homes blessed by another day in the LORD.

Is it just me or…

As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” Matt 24:3

does it seem to you that the end is near? Ever since the apostles witnessed Jesus ascend into heaven 40 days after His resurrection, the world has been waiting for Jesus’ return. It has been almost 2000 years and we are still awaiting His return.

In the last 24 hours, the President of the United States, a person who professes faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior, has issued 2 Executive Orders which go against the very essence of his professed faith.

Item #1 – The White House has canceled the National Day of Prayer ceremony for the second year in a row and it now seems likely that our government will no longer declare a National Day of Prayer because some liberal judge in Wisconsin has ruled it unconstitutional. President Obama has stated that he will still issue the proclamation for the NDP but won’t participate in any ceremony. Our founding fathers are turning over in their graves.

Item #2 – President Obama has issued an Order which demands that any hospital which accepts Medicare and Medicaid, (are there any who don’t ?), must allow gays visitation rights and granting power of attorney and healthcare proxies be honored, regardless of sexual orientation. They can make end care decisions and the like. This is an obvious outright bowing to pressure from LGBT groups. It’s only a matter of time, especially because of the Health Care Bill, when hospitals will be required to perform abortions. Again, this from a man who claims Christ as his Savior.

The very foundations of our nation are under attack by people in high places who are currently in the process of transforming this once great nation into a socialist, humanist and godless nation.

Maybe it’s time for us to pray earnestly and echo the words of the Apostle John at the end of the Book of Revelations when he writes “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev 22:20)

And that’s the word of The Day

Blessed be the Name of the LORD

 

I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psa 69:30

Every Wednesday, I go to an Assisted Living Home with my dear brother in Christ, Andy, and we minister to the people there. I bring worship music and Andy brings the message. We’ve been doing this for almost 2 months and the attendance has been small. Most times we get 4 or 5 people.

Today, God blessed us mightily. We had 12 in attendance and 7 were newcomers. Praise the LORD. We were truly blessed.

Blessed be the Name of the LORD.

And that’s the word of The Day.