Tag: Occult Invasion

Charismania, Cultic beliefs

PanTheism—-is on the rise!!

Lee Anne Ferguson

 

A few weeks ago I read an article in the local paper about the ionic footbath scam. Similar to the “foot pad” scam exposed by 20/20 in 2008, it has fooled many. One can only imagine how cheated many feel after spending tons of money to soak their feet in electrode corrosion. And it could happen to anyone, especially the sick and vulnerable ones who’ve been thru the wringer by the medical establishment. But having been there myself, I can honestly say, the biggest concern isn’t the money people are being duped out of…. but what they’re being duped into spiritually.
Thankfully God’s word is loaded with biblical insight into what we need to look out for. For instance, 1 Tim.6:20-21 helped break the spell in my own life by warning me that I should be “avoiding profane and vain babblings and oppositions of science falsely so called; which some professing have erred concerning the faith.” Like evolution, I realized many “healing” therapies have no scientific evidence to back up their claims and prove to be fraudulent once they’re investigated. And these kinds of therapies would perfectly fit into the category of “curious arts,” which is mentioned in Acts 19:19.
So when we subject ourselves to these therapies, we’re actually buying into a false religious system that severely distorts and perverts the biblical concept of God! For instance, the healing philosophies behind many of them draw upon eastern religious beliefs, such as “The Universal Energy/ Life Force,” which is a pantheistic idol. Pantheism is the false belief that God is everything and in everything——rocks, trees, plants, people, the devil—- you name it.
Obviously God is NOT in everything and doesn’t approve of everything. He is omnipresent, yet transcendent and not part of His creation (1Kings 8:27, Psa.139:7-16, Acts 17:24-28). God is a personal Spirit being, not an impersonal “energy force.” He desires a relationship with us through His Son Jesus Christ who suffered, died and rose again so that sinners can receive His mercy and have eternal life. However, the devil loves to pose as an angel of light by getting people to believe “the energy” working behind certain therapies is God (2Cor.11:13-15).
So there’s no excuse for rebelling against God by getting involved in these therapies. Because Scripture has clearly warned us to avoid anything that could put us into contact with demons who work behind the scenes to try to make the philosophies behind certain practices seem true (Eph.5:11, 1Pet.5:8). They not only put one at risk financially, mentally and physically, but most importantly, spiritually. “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit” (Col.2:8). Even though “many shall follow their pernicious ways” try to remember that “through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you” (2Pet. 2:2-3).
And even if you’ve been deeply involved in these things, there’s still time to repent and put your trust in Jesus Christ alone. I’m living proof that He still continues to rescue His sheep from all the messes they get themselves into. There’s still so much to learn and we need Him to grant us the discernment to “abstain from all appearance of evil,” whether it concerns our health, finances, relationships or eternity (1Thess.5:22).
So please friend, don’t fall for the lies like I have so many times. I know how hard it is to resist false claims when you so desperately need healing. But “trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel and marrow to thy bones” (Prov. 3:5-8).
Sis. Lee Anne—-emails are always welcome at gospel4life@live.com Continue reading “PanTheism—-is on the rise!!” →

Charismania, discernment column, Newspaper Articles

Discernment Column (article 3) on Sozo

Lee Anne Ferguson

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS

Theophostic Prayer:  founded in 1996 by Ed Smith, a Southern Baptist pastor in Campbellsville, KY, who had to adjust his inner healing ideas and pull his suspect training manuals off the market (although he formerly claimed they were revealed by God). This was due to the theological and legal challenges he faced when False Memory Syndrome (FMS) was occurring with clients. Yet, the original hypnotically suggestive approach used in Theophostics is now resurfacing in many evangelical churches and organizations disguised as “Sozo Prayer.”

 

Sozo:  the Greek word for save, heal or deliver

 

     It’s a crucial time for God’s people when theological thoughts are being distorted by Theophostic thoughts, where a victim mentality is fostered by emphasizing a need for inner healing of memories and self-esteem boosting rather than the need to be humbled under the mighty hand of God, leave the past behind, take up one’s cross and follow Jesus. But in an attempt to Christianize a man-made system based on false psycho-therapeutic theories of memory, Theophostic thought is invading Christendom under the guise of “Sozo Prayer.” Like all other occult practices, sozo sessions require mental passivity in order to seek truth experientially through guided imagery, visualization and spirit encounters, which is why “Soaking Prayer” (last month’s topic) is commonly used in preparation for sozo sessions. Human mediators are also required, who facilitate “visions of Jesus” so He can supposedly “speak into the pain” to help people forgive the past. But in reality this is where “experiential truth” subtly begins to replace gospel truth and the authority of Scripture.

     Ironically, by trying to put God in a Theophostic box, many are going “off the map,” for Scripture never gives us a pattern for a sozo session and when it comes to forgiving and overcoming the past it only gives us reminders of the gospel (e.g. Col 3:13). For by remembering that although we have sinned against God and deserve hell, He loves us so much, He made a way for reconciliation by sending His Son to shed His blood on our behalf, which is sufficient to humble us into forgiving others. But instead of explaining this simple truth and our need to be granted faith and repentance, sozo sessions put emotional needs above spiritual needs with the help of a different spirit, a different Jesus and a psycho-mystical gospel. For by trying to manipulate Jesus in falsely assuming He will cooperate with an unbiblical process outside of God’s sanction and protection, puts sozo participants into direct contact with occult “spirit guides,” demonic imposters who often pose as Jesus in order to confirm lies that have been implanted through the hypnotically suggestive approach used in sozo sessions.

     This is where discernment is crucial for recognizing the difference between man-initiated encounters and the biblical pattern that confirms; true encounters with God are always initiated and facilitated by Him alone. In fact, the only scriptural references for man-initiated encounters are instances of divination, which is a severe offence and abomination to the Lord, (Lev.20:6, Deut.18:9-14, Jer.14:14, Acts 16:16, etc.). And Ezekiel 13:6-8 perfectly describes sozo sessions, where God condemns conjuring up vain visions of lying divinations while claiming they are from Him and causing people to hope in false confirmation. Colossians 2:18 also speaks against intruding into things not seen and being vainly puffed up by the fleshly mind. For although our God-given imagination can be used to express worship and petition to God, it is never to be used as a way to hear from God, which leads to rank superstition and creates an idol in the mind.

     Jesus, the only mediator between God and man (1Ti.2:5), has not left us to occult devices in times of suffering, for He ever lives to intercede for all who come to God by Him and saves them to the uttermost (Heb.7:25), which exposes the inner healing lie that suggests there are still parts of us that need to be saved by a sozo encounter. For God’s people already have access to pure rivers of living water that flow unto salvation so that they need not drown in a polluted river of “recovered memories,” where undercurrents of spiritual bondage lead to FMS, broken families, fear, depression and a shipwrecked faith. Sadly, damages are so severe that many sozo advocates are now having participants to sign a disclaimer so they will not be held legally liable. So dear friend, due to the fact that Sozo Prayer has made its way to our local area, pray God will grant you a love for the truth (2Thess.2:10), so you will not be deceived and may He grant you the grace, discernment, wisdom and courage needed to walk in Jesus’ steps in becoming an advocate for those who are spiritually abused. 

Sis. Lee Anne 

 

 

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Charismania, discernment column, Newspaper Articles

Discernment Column (article 2)

Lee Anne Ferguson

“as we have received mercy……..

we faint not, but have renounced ….

 the hidden things of                                       dishonesty”    2Cor.4:1,2                                               

Theological Thoughts 

Biblical theology: anhonest understanding of God based upon His Word, revealed by the Holy Spirit to those who are His

Occult means hidden; dishonest views of God, based on metaphysics, revealed by “spirit guides” to those who are “enlightened”

Yoga: defined as a “yoking” or “union;” an occult catalyst for unequally yoking and uniting with Christianity

     Today theological thoughts are being distorted by “New Thought,” a movement that mixes occult concepts with Christian terminology, to try to infiltrate and corrupt Christianity from within, rather than direct opposition. We see this with yoga meditation slipping into many evangelical churches under the guise of “Soaking Prayer,” where the subconscious mind is “soaked” in repetitive music or “Word” mantras in order to “connect” to God.  Like yoga, this practice induces a mild trance that subtly dulls reasoning abilities so “new thoughts” can be implanted.  Perhaps this is one reason Jesus commands in Matt.6:7 not to use vain repetitions in prayer as the heathen do.  For “tapping into God” subconsciously, undermines actually knowing God thru His Word and consciously communing with Him in worship and biblical prayer (humble, sincere appeals and requests, with thanksgiving) Phil.4:6. In fact, these mystical man-mediated “connections” to God shipwrecks faith in Christ-mediated reconciliation with God.  

     A move away from the moral to the mystical always presents another way to God that dilutes the fact that only Jesus’ blood can make us near Eph.2:13, and that God is near all who call upon Him in truth Ps.145:18.  For the “connection” mystics seek is not in truth, but in error, seeking to be “as God,” as an actual possessor of His divine nature, despite the fact that God says He will not give His glory to another Isa.42:8. Yet, those who are saved reflect His glory and are partakers of the divine nature by His gift of grace thru faith in Jesus 2Pet.1:4. For His grace is sufficient to draw us to Him without occult techniques that cause altered states of consciousness and spiritual bondage, or else Christ died in vain Gal.2:21.

     The same old lie in the Garden of Eden that seemed good with the promise to “be as gods” is still alive today disguised as a new thought, for in this regard “there is no new thing under the sun” Eccl.1:9. We still reap what we sow, despite good intentions and its still forbidden fruit to mix mercy with merit, grace with works, or truth with error.  So dear friend, ask God to grant you love for the truth, so that you may be saved 2Thess.2:10 and given the grace needed to renounce the hidden things of dishonesty.                      Sister Lee Anne —–

Charismania

Spiritual Abuse top 40

Lee Anne Ferguson

40 Identified Forms of Spiritual Abuse in a “Christian” Crisis Pregnancy Center

Documented by:  Lee Anne— former volunteer Christian counselor

  1. Persistent persuasion to focus only on the set agenda (political, ecumenical, heretical), while frequently induced with paranoia over minor threats to the Center, (such as the Planned Parenthood org.) rather than the major threat of Gods impending judgment upon the heresy that’s being propagated
  2. Portraying a political illusion of successfully reaching abortion minded clients, when in fact, CPC clients are predominantly “Earn While You Learn” only, (who were never abortion minded in the first place)
  3. Inordinate preoccupation with the public image of the “ministry,” appealing to peoples nobler motives
  4. Distraction and diffusion of congregational resources, using political pleas w/ lip service to the gospel, yet acting independently from authoritative oversight or discipline from gospel-centered congregations
  5. Parading psychiatric, humanistic, (PACE, EWYL, etc.) legalistic and cultic interventions, devalues and demeans the God-given commission of those who proclaim the gospel, especially those who are free labor
  6. Hidden, heretical agendas revealed only to those who have been indoctrinated thru various stages of “enlightenment” (such as Catholic mysticism, Word of Faith/River, New Age, Purpose Driven/Interfaith)
  7. Repeatedly refusing to answer the question, “Do you believe Jesus is God in the flesh?”  
  8. Promoting false teachers who say they can do the same miracles as Jesus for they teach that He was only a spirit-filled man who lost His divinity and had to be “born-again” in hell for our sins (also distorts blood atonement)
  9. Disrespect to the rules of biblical interpretation became a license for the leaders to twist Scripture in order to create “proof texts” for heretical doctrines (e.g. using Acts 2 to excuse “drunk in the spirit” manifestations)
  10. Claims of being a “seer,” played out in the giving of “personal prophecies” or “seeing” things that consequently distract, intimidate or silence those who attempt to meekly confront heretical issues
  11. Mentally traumatizing by indoctrinating with fears of demonization, (spirits of fear, religion, reasoning, etc.) ends up silencing those who try to speak truth and plays out in the vulnerable becoming dependent upon “spiritual guidance” or “deliverance,” which only a “seer” can provide
  12. Staff “Bible study” sessions heavily mingled with heretical interjections, which mind controls the unsuspecting and over time, deprograms the “old wine skins” of a conservative mindset
  13. Expertise in using Christian terminology, in attempts to bridge the heretical language barrier
  14. Denominational chameleon mentality, being “all things to all people,” gave them the ability to infiltrate “traditional” churches, using smooth, ecumenical speeches and appeals for “unity”
  15. Uniting false religions outside of biblical Christianity, and considering biblically exclusive claims as divisive, yet encouraging “love” with inclusive tolerance while “honoring their paradigm”
  16. “Unity” of faiths, allows practicing Muslims, Mormons, etc., who “claim” a relationship w/Jesus   (whoever “Jesus” is to them)-to spiritually counsel clients, yet suppresses free reign of the faith
  17. Center used as a catalyst for promoting cultic churches, (such as “the River,” an off branch of Bethel in Redding, CA) false teachers and authors, with the stated goal of “pollinating the region”
  18. If gently reasoned with about false doctrines (Dominionism/Deism, Latter Rain, SOZO, etc.), they are then spitefully promoted that much more or much more subtly, keeping undercurrents of heresy flowing      
  19. Sowing seeds of discord and division by planting “River” workers who promote a different gospel and a different Jesus, which perverts, marginalizes and hinders the spread of the true gospel
  20. Indirect attacks hinder the gospel, thru private “training sessions,” where seeds are sown against those who have escaped from error, with encouragement to censor them and deprogram their clients
  21. Evading confrontations by denial or convenient amnesia, while seemingly adapting and agreeing w/in the context of the conversation, making it difficult to address heretical beliefs and practices
  22. Tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, the constant changing of heretical beliefs and ideas to keep from being “pinned down,” always on the cutting edge of “new revelation knowledge” 
  23. Spiritual elitism and the illusion of power w/ “lying signs and wonders” (promotion of corny “gold dust” miracles, angel feathers, etc.)  See: Bethel Church in Redding CA for these “miracles”
  24. Denying “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” by making God out to be a sugar “daddy,” a Holy Ghost “bartender” who should never be feared, creating an idol the world is more comfortable with
  25. Showing contempt for the gospel by insisting upon leaving out the “negative,” (2 Cor. 5:11) which consequently sugar coats, silences, suppresses and perverts the gospel with a more palatable, and “positive,” all love philosophy, which distorts the full counsel and nature of God (Col. 2: 8, 18)
  26. Prompting others to be open to strange doctrines and spiritual experiences (e.g. barking like a dog and using other such subjective experiences to try to prove conversions, which minimizes the need for the gospel.  Promoting “sacred,” “anointed” places  people or things, along with the leaders blasphemous claims of smoking “Jehovajuana” to get a spiritual high….ugh!
  27. Portraying supernatural experiences (visions, “angel encounters,” etc.) as having higher eminence over the revealed Word of God, such as claiming Muslims are being saved thru “Jesus encounters”
  28. Close adherents to the authority of God’s Word (and lining experience up w/ Scripture) are falsely accused of being close-minded, in bondage to fear, Spirit quenching, judgmental or too literal
  29. Unreceptive, and demeaning toward sound doctrine, biblical correction, and accountability, leading to the discarding of “non-essential” doctrines of Christ, (involving His deity and character)
  30. Condescending toward those with a “sensitive conscience,”—(a conscience not seared) 1Tim.4: 1-2
  31. Safely surrounded by “yes” people who never question or “test the spirits,” who seemingly become Jezebelian eunuchs by compromising and violating their own God-given conscience
  32. Opposition to Scriptural warnings about false doctrine and the Scriptural mandate to expose it and the false teachers who promote it, which conveniently protects “God’s anointed” from “gossipers” 
  33. False ideas that Christians can no longer be doctrinally deceived or that logic keeps one from experiencing spiritual things, which results in subtly suspending God-given reasoning abilities
  34. “Super Apostle” belief of a sinless nature (this side of glory), leading to the presumption that all thoughts, teachings, “personal prophesies” and supernatural experiences are automatically from God—- and ultimately— believing one can actually become Christ incarnate!! (twisting 2 Pet.1:4)
  35. Promoting an experience-based, felt faith, and the lie that faith is a “force” that can be conjured up by formulaic “confessions,” rather than a gift from God that comes through hearing the gospel
  36. Dabbling in the occult, believing sins can be forgiven or past wounds healed by a psycho-mystical means (e.g. requiring a SOZO “mediator” to help summons a spirit guide (posing as Jesus) into ones memories to receive a “prophetic word,” via mild trance), in lieu of gospel centered repentance and guidance
  37. Indoctrination of those in the “inner circle” on how to use spiritually dangerous counseling and prayer techniques with clients, that were identical to occult practices that cause “Kundalini” (e.g. soaking prayer, fire tunnels, TheoPhostics/SOZO)…. Then there were threats of divine retribution toward any who dared to break the code of silence.
  38. Fostering a victim mentality in clients by emphasizing “self-esteem” rather than humility, “healing of memories” (initiating False Memory Syndrome), rather than putting the hand to the plow, forgiving and not looking back.  Also emphasizing “generational curses,” rather than taking up one’s own cross
  39. “Immature Christians” supposedly inhabited by demons that are conveniently blamed for ongoing sins, rather than promoting biblical repentance, accountability and Holy Spirit indwelling of true Christians.  Christians who’ve already been truly born again cannot be inhabited by demons!
  40. Unrepentant leadership, with only superficial adjustments, which resulted in hardness against further admonition…..which forced me to have to appeal to local churches to exercise biblical discernment before allowing any more of their resources to be stripped by such phony fleecers of the flock.
Charismania

Dysfunctional Discernment

Lee Anne Ferguson

I realize that since I grew up being reprimanded for reasoning and questioning our family dysfunction,  I learned not to trust my God-given discernment.  My family would even get so mad at me for questioning our family dysfunction that they would tell me I was imagining things.  If that’s not a concoction for cultism I don’t know what is!!  No wonder I went from cult to cult, trying to pass off my discernment as just my imagination!

I remember for years I had to play dumb around my family so they wouldn’t hate me (they’d never call it that of course).  Because my insight threatened our family facade.  But over the years I’ve been able to lean on God more so that their hate no longer hurts (not as much anyway).  I’ve had to just submit to their judgment and hatefulness toward me because I realize I can’t ever earn their love or approval. 

Thankfully I don’t even care anymore about what they think of me.  If I still tried to please people I would no longer be a servant of the Lord.  I’m only concerned now with God’s approval and I know I can’t earn that either.  I look for His grace and mercy instead.  And I also realize that only God can cause my family to love me biblically.  Perhaps God wanted me to be afflicted, so that I would have no choice but to lean on Him.  Besides, He has worked it all out for my good!!  And He gave me the ability to forgive my family!!!

I can truly say with the psalmist David “It is good that I was afflicted, so that I could learn God’s statutes” Psalm 119: 71

Charismania, discernment column, Newspaper Articles

Discernment Column (article 1)

Lee Anne Ferguson

Theological Thoughts

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God”—–. “rightly dividing the word of truth”  2 Tim. 2:15

Theology: the study of God that recognizes all His works as being systematic and orderly, revealing that theology is to the Bible what science is to nature, proving God’s word to be a consistent, harmonious system of Christian belief and practice

We live in a day where theological thoughts are subtly being distracted by a worldly system of non-thought. Our vocabulary is even being dumbed down for the sake of “texting,” or other forms of empty chatter, when God says our conversation is only worthy of the gospel, Phil 1:27. Yet, desensitized by media, opinions, doctrines of men, and legalistic do’s and don’ts, our mind may become passive to the point of just believing whatever we are told, rather than going to God’s word ourselves. In fact, lack of reasoning is why so many are ending up in cults today. “The simple believeth every word; but the prudent man looketh well to his going.” Prov. 14:15

Acts 17: 11-12 tells us of Apostle Paul’s encounter with noble minded Bereans. These men and women were not only ready to receive God’s word, but they also searched the Scriptures daily for themselves, to see if all they were being told was true. Not only does this scenario show us that women are to be involved in theological matters too, but that we all need to “test the spirits” with sound doctrine and discernment to keep from being deceived by “seducing spirits and doctrines of devils,” which are sadly shipwrecking the faith of many today, 1 Tim. 4:1.

The Bereans applied themselves to know the truth, as God was drawing them thru His word and by His grace granting them belief in Jesus, with the Holy Spirit enabling them to respond in faith.

 So dear friend, by God’s grace search the Scriptures daily and ask Him for firm belief in Jesus, so that you too may respond in true faith and repentance. For now is the day of salvation! 

 

freewill vs. Sovereignty of God

Forbidden Fruits of Freewill

Lee Anne Ferguson

Why on earth did God put the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden—-KNOWING they would eat of it???

For one, He already had the plan of salvation in place to cover their sin……ultimately to show the glory of His mercy.  In fact, the whole scenario was all about God’s glory.  Think about it, Adam and Eve learned obedience by the things that they suffered, (an O.T. antitype for what Jesus would do for us).

Jesus died for His people, “learning obedience by the things that He suffered” Heb. 5:8.  Showing that this is how God changes our will so that our conscience is purged from dead works so that we can serve the living God–Heb. 9:14

Only after God covered them w/ animal skins (the first blood sacrifice)—could they then serve God w/ fear and godly reverance.  Their eyes were not only opened to how terrible sin is but opened to the goodness of God, which they may have taken for granted had He not allowed them to choose and to suffer as a result.

Like Adam and Eve, we may think that we want freewill, but realize its freegrace we really want.

As one can see, it wasn’t about how great it was to have a freewill, but one of the main points was God, through this scenario, showing us how thankful we should be that we are not just left to our own devices.  The devil is a liar.  Did they really become like God??—NO—or else they would have created their own planet to inhabit, etc. etc.

That demonic lie in the garden is still w/ us today.  The flesh wants to scream—-freewill—but it is in the fiery furnace of failure that we learn it is really God’s freegrace that we want more than life itself!!

What do you really want?

Just remember that when we follow God, we are automatically going to suffer at the hands and mouths of the wicked, but this is also part of God’s chastening process so that we learn obedience because we are not condemned with the world, but saved out of it.  Heb. ch.12

Phil. 1:29  “For it has been granted to you, not only to believe in Him, but to suffer for His name sake”—–What a gift!!!

freewill vs. Sovereignty of God

Theological Thoughts

Lee Anne Ferguson

We need to remember that when Jesus broke the bread, symbolizing His body, He wasn’t eating His own body w/ His disciples. It was in remembrance of what He was about to do for us. It didn’t contain His actual body as some blashphemously proclaim. Same goes for His blood.

Jesus is the door and He explained what that meant—-that He is the only Way to be reconciled back to the Father.

Baptism also is symbolic, or else the water would be how our sins are actually forgiven, rather than Jesus’ blood shed on the cross. The book of Acts makes it clear over and over again that one could only take action and be baptized if they had already been regenerated and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do so. Any other view leads to believing our works save us, rather than God’s pure grace thru faith in Jesus alone.
All are summonsed to repent and believe, not because all have the ability to do so, but because those who were preordained before time began—-will respond to the universal call of the Gospel, because God has given them the ability to do so. This all glorifies God, reminding us that salvation is of His mercy alone toward those He has chosen to show mercy (Rom.9). And He chose us before we could have had anything to do with it!!! Wow, mind boggling isn’t it!! Praise Him!!!

freewill vs. Sovereignty of God

Who is —“whosoever will” ??

Lee Anne Ferguson

Revelations 21:6 “I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Revelations 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come.  And whosoever wiill, let him take the water of life freely.

Jesus had already preordained those He was dying for. Those chosen of God will have their wills changed by God Himself so that they can “welcome Jesus into their heart” as some call it. God removes the hardened heart and replaces it w/ a new heart to serve Him. He removes the cause of resistance in us—-making His grace truly irrisistible!!

So you see all thru Scripture God makes it clear that His promise of salvation to those who are His is an unbreakable blood covenant (example Heb. 6:17-18). Even Apostle Paul exclaims in Rom 8:39 that nothing can keep us from the love of Christ who died for His own. None who are His will be lost. Jesus Himself explains this in His prayer to the Father in John 17:9…..that He died only for ALL those whom the Father had given Him.  He also proclaims that He prays not for the world, only those who are His.  The whole chapter explains that He does not lose any of them—-none of those Jesus died for will ever suffer God’s wrath in Hell!!! Praise God!!! Any other view would make it seem as though Christ died and shed His blood in vain for those who perish.  That would imply that His blood was not sufficient—–that He was a failure.  God forbid!!!!  God’s grace IS sufficient.  And His grace is the “water of life” that His chosen can take freely….FREEGRACE! 

Some say that His death was hypothetical and would only be applied to those who would believe.  This not only implies that we can conjure up faith and belief with our own natural abilities but also implies that Jesus didn’t die for the sin of unbelief—–it is a sin you know.  His blood covers ALL sins—–even the sin of unbelief.  What a thought huh!!

Did Christ really die for people who would finally perish—-making no Divine provisions for their eternal security??  Absolutely not.    Heb. 7:25—He is able to save to the UTTERMOST those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make INTERCESSION FOR THEM. 

I’m overwhelmed by His glory just writing this!!!

John 3:16 makes it clear who the “world” is in this verse—-those who will believe in Him—the chosen throughout the whole world, from every tribe, tongue and nation. This is all for His glory and causes us to truly serve Him w/ godly fear and awe!!!

Charismania

Spirit “Encounters”

Lee Anne Ferguson

My brother, just a few months ago, said that he seen a vision of his old friends praying over him in tongues—– (he has no idea they are in the River church now, I didn’t tell him).  But this is what they do, rather than truly witnessing truth to people.  To them it’s all about the supernatural and their strange spiritual abilities to do “astral travel.”

There was a time at the pregnancy counseling center, during our fundraising chili cook off —that I was in the conference room, being SOZOed—–they wanted to pray that my oldest son would have a “Jesus encounter.”

Because he was involved w/ drugs at the time, they said he had a thing for the supernatural, just like the hippies in the 70’s — “Jesus Movement.”  They wanted to pray that he would have an “encounter” while smoking pot!!  Rather than praying God would deliver him from drugs! Unbelievable.  I’m thankful I didn’t go for that—not even then.

Not that I don’t believe Jesus can do anything—–but does He reveal Himself to us within these unbiblical practices?  No.  I can’t find anywhere in Scripture that would indicate that He has chosen to reveal Himself to us during a mentally passive, mind-altering state.  My brother claimed to have a “Jesus encounter” a few years ago during a pot smoking session where “Jesus” supposedly told him “Love was the answer.”  Typical huh?  Love, love, love—no repentance.

But God’s Word tells us that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father now and has even told us in Matt. 24: 23, “Then if anyone says to you, Look, ‘here is the Christ!’ Or ‘There,’ do not believe it—-and vs. 26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms; do not believe it”—-vs. —27– “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be”—-and Luke 17: 23 He warns “Do not go after them or follow them.”