Friday Church News Notes

Sep/10/10 08:30

September 10, 2010, Volume 11, Issue 37
GRAPHICAL PDF

The Friday Church News Notes is designed for use in churches and is published by Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service. Unless otherwise stated, the Notes are written by David Cloud. Of necessity we quote from a wide variety of sources, but this does not imply an endorsement. For instructions on how to unsubscribe to this list or to change mailing addresses, please consult the information paragraph at the end.

BECK’S MOVEMENT IS RELIGIOUS, NOT POLITICAL (Friday Church News Notes, September 3, 2010, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - Some of my fellow Baptists have disagreed with me over the issue of avoiding Glenn Beck’s new Divine Destiny movement. They so long to see a “conservative” renaissance that they overlook the fact that Beck is a Mormon, and they disagree that warnings such as Romans 16:17, 2 Corinthians 6:14-16, 2 Timothy 3:5, and 2 John 8-11 are applicable, since this is supposedly a “political” issue. But Beck himself has said that he is on a spiritual and not a political crusade. He calls it a Third Awakening, a “Divine” Destiny, a “God moment,” a movement to “heal your soul.” He is urging his listeners to go to “God’s boot camp.” His August 27 “Restoring Honor” rally featured 240 religious leaders who have united behind Beck’s vision. These include James Dobson, John Hagee, Jerry Falwell Jr., Southern Baptist Richard Land, historian David Barton of Wallbuilders, Dave Roever, Miles McPherson of The Rock Church in San Diego, Jewish rabbi Daniel Lapin, Catholic priest Patrick Lee of Franciscan University, female Word-Faith preacher Gloria Copeland, Muslim imams, and others. There can be no doubt that the aforementioned Scripture warnings are applicable to Beck’s crusade, and those who have ignored these commands are part of America’s problem rather than her healing.

Creation Science Ministries: Why the New Evangelical Principle is Dangerous

Sep/09/10 14:01 Filed in: Evangelicalism | Fundamentalism

Updated September 9, 2010 (first published November 17, 2009) (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article)

Some of the New Evangelical ministries do a lot of good, and for this reason fundamentalists are enticed to associate with them. For example, Answers in Genesis and the Institute for Creation Research do a fantastic job of defending the literal Genesis account of creation against Darwinian evolution. Ken Ham’s Creation Museum is a masterpiece of biblical apologetics. Ray Comfort does a tremendous job in apologetics and personal evangelism. I truly and fervently thank the Lord for what these men are doing for the cause of Christ ....... as far as it goes. The problem is that it doesn’t go far enough, and the part that is lacking is serious.

What is the problem? Why don’t we jump on their bandwagon, join hands, and do these wonderful works together? (I am not saying that we won’t use some of their materials; I am talking about joining hands together for ministry.)

The difference comes back to the issue of separation. They don’t believe in it, and we do. The rejection of separatism has been the heart of New Evangelicalism for more than half a century. Harold Ockenga, one of the fathers of the movement, said, “We repudiate separatism.” (For documentation see my book “New Evangelicalism: Its History, Characteristics, and Fruit.” It is also available for free in the Topical Database at the Way of Life web site.) Billy Graham epitomized and popularized this philosophy.

How to Make Wise Decisions in God's Will

Sep/08/10 07:29 Filed in: Biblical Exhortations | Encouragement

Enlarged September 7, 2010 (first published February 10, 2010) (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article)-

Many people have spoiled their Christian lives because of bad decisions made apart from God’s will (e.g., wrong job, wrong friends, wrong marriage partner, mistakes in the pursuit of education, mistakes made in moving to another place). And it is not only young people who make unwise decisions; many older and even elderly people have committed this grave mistake.

Following are some foundational Bible principles for making wise decisions in God’s will:

1. Don’t trust your own understanding; trust in the Lord.

See Proverbs 3:5; 28:26; Jeremiah 17:9.

The individual that trusts his own understanding will make wrong decisions, because of the fallen nature. We must seek God and trust Him explicitly. Even though the believer has a new nature called the “new man,” the “old man” is still there and can still lead us astray.

We acknowledge God in all our ways through prayer. Instead of trusting in our own understanding, we beseech the Lord for wisdom and guidance in every major decision. He has promised to lead His people, but we must seek His guidance and not presume upon it. We must “acknowledge him” in all of our ways. It is tempting to think, “Well, the Lord already knows that I need His wisdom and help; surely He will automatically give it.” In fact, God has taught us in His Word to pray specifically and earnestly about all matters. To fail to do so is a recipe for making unwise decisions.

Beware of an Unwholesome Addiction to Sports

Sep/07/10 08:41 Filed in: Family

Republished September 7, 2010 (first published January 20, 2010) (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -

Playing sports is not wrong in itself, and there are benefits, but there are also plenty of spiritual dangers.

Following are some suggestions in how to keep sports from becoming an idol in your family:

PARENTS MUST HAVE THE RIGHT GOAL FOR THEIR CHILDREN

The right goal is not that the children will be good citizens and proficient in some field of endeavor and learn how to have a good time in life and fit into the crowd. That is the goal that unsaved parents have for their children. The goal of believing parents should be that their children know and serve Jesus Christ in His perfect will for their individual lives.

Terry Coomer, pastor of Elwood Bible Baptist Church of Elwood, Indiana, was a professional baseball player, but as a young Christian he made the choice to quite his baseball career because it interfered with his obedience to Christ. Following is his testimony:

“In 1973, I was drafted out of high school, as the 78th player taken in the 1973 free agent draft by major league baseball. I was drafted as a pitcher by the San Francisco Giants. I was the first player drafted from Indiana. So, in 1973 I was the best high school baseball player in Indiana and one of the best in the country.

Friday Church News Notes

Sep/02/10 20:55

September 3, 2010, Volume 11, Issue 36

GRAPHICAL PDF VERSION

ROME’S MARY IN THE PLACE OF GOD (Friday Church News Notes, September 3, 2010, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The Saint Stanislaus Kostka Catholic church in Chicago features an image of Mary on the very Ark of God. She is sitting above the Ark in the place that was occupied by God’s presence in the Tabernacle, and she is surrounded by adoring cherubim. This blasphemous image occupies the central altar where Mass is performed. The church’s official literature says that the image depicts the Catholic doctrines that Mary was immaculately conceived and sinless, that she participated in Christ’s suffering for mankind, and that she was bodily assumed into glory and crowned Queen of Heaven. The icon depicting Mary as the Ark of Mercy was dedicated in May 2008. Since then the church has been open 24 hours a day as an invitation for “pilgrims from all around the world to immerse themselves in the spring of grace, mercy, and power” that is supposedly flowing from the image. Roman Catholic churches are filled with idols. Mary is reverenced with far greater fervency than Jesus. Every “evangelical” or “Baptist” or “Protestant” who has said positive things about Rome and who has participated in ecumenical relations with Rome or who has failed even to lift his voice against Rome’s gross heresies will answer to God for the refusal to “earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 3) and for keeping silence in the face of evil.

Bible Prophecy Pertaining to the Muslim Nations

Sep/02/10 06:23 Filed in: Prophecy, Biblical

September 2, 2010 (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -

The following is from the new book ISRAEL: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE, which is available from Way of Life Literature.

___________________

Bible prophecy describes Israel’s relationship with the modern Muslim nations following her restoration to God’s blessing. It will be a dramatic turn around from the conditions that exist today.

Since the birth of the modern state of Israel on May 14, 1948, she has fought continual wars with her Muslim neighbors. There was the War for Independence in 1948 against the Arab League composed of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. There was the Suez War in 1956 to force Egypt to allow free access for Israel’s ships through the Canal. There was the Six-Day War in 1967 against the coalition of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, with Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria contributing troops and arms. There was Egypt’s War of Attrition against Israel from 1968-70. There was the Yom Kippur War of 1973 when Israel was attacked by Egypt and Syria. And Israel has been under constant attack by Muslim organizations such as Hamas, the PLO, and Hezbollah.

That is the present situation. Let’s look now to the future.