We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Colossians 1:3
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
The word of God admonishes us to give thanks in everything for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. It is quite common place that we are assailed by tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril or sword and also loan-oriented adversities, tears-provoking situations, diseases, and a host of horrible problems! But as we keep on glorifying and praising God, time and again, 'in all these things we can become more than conquerors through Him who loved us' (Romans 8:36-37).
Gratefulness of heart and praise releases God’s miracle working power to move on our behalf as demonstrated in the life of Paul and Silas. Apostle Paul underwent countless afflictions, both in his life and ministry! Once Paul and Silas were imprisoned, after being severely beaten up; in prison they had their feet fastened in the stocks. 'But at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God…' (Acts 16:25) Suddenly there was a great earthquake; the foundations of the prison were shaken; the doors of the prison were thrown open and the chains were broken' Paul and Silas won back their freedom miraculously. And since God is no respecter of persons He will do the same for us if we trust Him and in everything give thanks. His word is unchanging:
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:11-12
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand James 5:7-8
The promises of God are inherited through faith and patience, just like a farmer waits precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. It does absolutely no good for the farmer to worry about his crop but rather to work the fields to keep the pestilence away and to ensure a good harvest. Just as sure as the rain cometh down and waters the earth, so does God’s word. God’s word that goes out of our mouths brings into being those things that they speak forth. God watches over His word to perform it. He goes quickly to bring those things they speak to pass, so that His trusting ones may walk in the victory that He has for them. Where the word of God is believed and confessed there is the supernatural prosperity of God. God’s word is unchanging:
The ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite three months. And the LORD blessed Obed-Edom and all his household. Now it was told King David, saying, "The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God." So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness. 2 Samuel 6:11-12
"Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: "I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. "And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth. 2 Samuel 7:8-9
Yes, the Lord is able to take a shepherd boy from the sheepfold from following the sheep to be a king and ruler of people like He did for David. He is able to cut off all his enemies from before him and make him a great name, like the great men who are on earth. What God has done for one He will do for another? But some will say, ‘Who are our enemies?’ Anybody or anything that imprisons or enslaves others!
"Some of the worst things that have ever happened in this world have been done in the name of religion, and that makes them all the more evil ... Human corruption reaches its ultimate degradation when it operates under cover of divine authority." (David Hunt - The Cult Explosion)
Tony Robinson in an interesting article titled ‘The Cult Leader In A Baptist Church- A Dividing Rift’ stated:
Cults vs. Churches
The Greek work ekklesia has been translated as church in modern English New Testaments, and it literally means a called out assembly. The apostles understood the term historically referred to a Greek town meeting which was sovereign and had a purpose, a meeting place, a membership, and guidelines governing the meetings and membership. However, in Mark 15:15, Jesus differentiated between the Greek churches and His Church. His church was founded upon Him, bought by Him, espoused to Him, and given a special purpose from Him. A unique approach for the functioning of Jesus’ Church is signified by its special title: the Bride of Christ.
The church of Jesus is not merely an organization, but an organism. The members are to be in one mind and in one accord. Though there is already unity in Christ via regeneration, each member is to function in a complimentary fashion to others so that the whole body (corpus) functions as one in Christ (christi): without schism or fear from members.
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Eph 4:16)
There is no fear in love. (I John 4:18a)
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7)
"The cult leader in a Baptist church is not interested in molding a person's will so that they will want to yield it to Christ. The cult leader wants to break the will of his listener. This act comes straight from bewitching sorcery in which a person is made more accessible not only to the leader but also to demonic oppression. At the very least, one's sense of judgment goes awry after being broken under cult leadership, tending to make one more malleable, gullible, and leadable. "
…The church should center itself on Jesus and lift up His Word as its only absolute standard. No one will be “Reverend” except God and none will be master or Rabbi except the Lord (Psalms 111:9, Mt 23:7). The atmosphere of the church is to be governed by scripture and thus the atmosphere is not restrictive toward the members to the point that they are not allowed to exercise their God-sanctioned abilities within the church. Each person should be allowed to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and to witness on a consistent basis. Yet, many independent Baptist preachers have ingrained in their congregations a practice foreign to the early Church of God: the Popish Roman philosophy of “clergy”' and “laity.” The consensus of the clergy is that the laity are far too ignorant to be able to choose correctly for themselves; therefore, the laity must follow the clergy on all aspects. The laity becomes the pawns played by the chess master. The pawns do door knocking, tithe giving, pew filling and other checkmates giving the preacher the recognition of being a first class chess player among his peers. Such concepts of slave membership are mere perversions of the New Testament pattern.
…Masons hold eight specific elements that permeate Masonic Lodges.
(1) There are mysteries involved;
(2) These are passed on to only a select few;
(3) To receive these mysteries one must be personally worthy;
(4) A process of initiation is required;
(5) The initiation involves secret rituals;
(6) This takes place under controlled conditions, usually a temple;
(7) In the process, the initiates are sworn to secrecy;
(8) The penalty for revealing this secret knowledge to the non-initiated is death.
Cult leaders in Baptist churches use most if not all the above Masonic principles during either staff meeting or in college classrooms. For example,
1) The insinuation of a clergy and a laity class; the clergy are the illumined ones who must make the decisions for the uniformed laity.
2) Only those members who show themselves to be loyal beyond reason (blind obedience) are allowed to advance in “My church.” Pastoral candidates are told that they will be accountable only to God in their future churches.
3) The average member never sees the by-laws of the church or some of the deep subjects of a church.
4) Starvation for Bible college students and their families while giving tithes and paying tuition or excessive compulsive attention to the church are looked upon as the initiation dues that one must endure before advancing.
5) Secrecy of scandals: what was said in the classroom, sermon tape cutting, reports being altered or glossed over before making them available to the church in that money expenditures are grouped under various names so that tracing them to find out the exact purpose and deposition is impossible.
6) Of course, ostracizing and character assassination usually results when you reveal a lack of dedication in blind loyalty.
Yes, there are those who control the sheep through fear/intimidation/threats/dire warnings; for example, that if you leave the group you are "out of God's will for your life," you will experience tragedy, or your children will go to Hell. Here is a list of some things that some cultish pastors do:
1. Individuals are berated by name from the pulpit.
2. Pastor wants veto power over important decisions in your life.
a. The home to buy
b. The car to buy
c. Who you should marry
d. Whether or not you should take another job
3. You are intimidated into participating in special offerings. In some churches the pastor TELLS each staff member how much they will give in special offerings!
4. Pastor controls the checkbook. Perhaps even writes and signs all the checks.
5. The Pastor and his family live under a different set of rules than everyone else.
6. Pastor wants to be involved in all of your decisions concerning raising your children.
7. Pastor constantly talks to you about the way you spend your money
8. Pastor tells you not to be hanging around certain families. Tells your children to stay away from other kids. Asks for your help to remove unwanted members.
9. Pastor goes so far as to tell you to separate from your own family because of their disloyalty to the church or the pastor. He even tells you to not to let your parents see their grand children.
10. You never see any church financial statements.
11. The pastors tells you how to think and to believe instead of relying on the Holy Spirit to be your guide and helper and teacher!
Obviously many sheep can write their own letter about their experience with an abusive pastor or cult leader. But God’s word is unchanging:
Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. "Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. "For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
"But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. "They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, "greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.' "But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. "Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. "And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. "But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. "And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:1-12
WALTER KAMBULOW
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Healing
prayer - reach out for a miracle - John
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