Thursday, April 25, 2013

Another Jesus, Another Gospel - Teaching Series

We have been watching a series by one of our favourite online pastors, Mike Hoggard. Here are the videos to his most recent teachings titled, "Another Jesus, Another Gospel." They are listed in order and we will add more when they are posted on the Watchman Broadcast website. He addresses issues in these and other videos, regarding the warning that God's Word issues in:
2Corinthians 11:3,14 NKJV - But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or [if] you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted--you may well put up with it!
Even two thousand years ago a false gospel was already being preached, how much more today. It is a difficult thing to discern because there are so many well meaning, Jesus loving people, who naively follow persuasive teachers. And more often than not, those teachers themselves, are also unaware of what it is they are actually saying. As stated before, it is so critical that we read God's Word prayerfully and not deviate from it. It isn't a simple thing to post information about false teachings and doctrines under the banner of Christianity, because we know the information will offend the very people you believe God wants you to warn. On that note, we stand firm and present information, collected by committed believers in Christ and pray that we all will see God's Truth and avoid false gospels.

These videos cover movements from the "Sacred Name," to The Emergent Church, to the Word Faith or Prosperity Gospel movement. Please know that we don't mean to be insensitive but feel convicted that once we learn such things and know that they are backed up by the Word of God, it is our duty to use resources such as the internet to share the information for anyone who is seeking it. The information isn't easy to learn, especially when so many people you love are involved in and promote doctrines that don't mesh with God's infallible Word. As well it is heart breaking to hear how twisted God's Words can become when we seek to appease our flesh, justifying ourselves.

Lord, please help us all to  be alert and sober at all times, remind us to test the spirits always to not be deceived. Please give us wisdom and discernment to know what Your Word says. Please protect all of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. For those who follow these false "gospels," believing they are on Your path,  please help them to see Your Truth, causing them to be delivered from deception. 
Thank You so much Lord for Jesus and His finished work on the cross, defeating death, blessing us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. Please give us eyes to see and ears to hear and cause us to love those who hate us and pray for those who persecute us. Forgive me for every time I judge others without knowing the truth, and forgive me for ever thinking I know more than someone else. Please humble me and teach me Your Truth. Help us all to listen to You and please remind us each day to put on Your armour, as Your Word says in Ephesian 6, our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces in the heavenly realms. Thank You that we can only do Your will, by the power of your Holy Spirit. A part from You, we can do no good thing. Thank You for Pastor Mike's heart to warn us about the deceptions in this world. Bless and protect him as well and thank You for the internet, being able to reach a world for You, while sitting in our home.
We love You Lord. In Jesus' Name Amen
Part 1

Part 2
Part 3

Part 4
Part 5

Monday, April 15, 2013

Witchcraft in the Church

Act 20:30 KJV - Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

1Timothy 4:1 KJV - Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;


A Watchman, is one who literally watched for danger and then warned the people. Read Ezekiel 33:1-20, to learn more. Ezekiel 33:3-4 KJV - If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.

We live in a time when many of us are tempted to follow the latest in "Christian" trends, be it the latest author, leader, or ideologies. It isn't a wise thing to do. We have been given God's Word for a reason. If we don't ensure that our plumb line,  is God's Word and God's Word alone, we are left open, unprotected - able to be easily mislead. Even the many teachers and authors out there, are well meaning and not purposely deceiving anyone. 

It isn't a shocker these days, that more and more Christian churches are promoting questionable authors and ideologies, that take people away from using the Word of God as their number one life support. Instead, for those who fall prey, they are devouring up whatever the latest "Christian" trend or guru is. Attending the latest seminar, conference or what have you. I say this as one who has been there. Praise the Lord, He opened my eyes and showed me that following any Christian leader is dangerous. Even the most godly or well meaning one. Because guess what? They are fallible and sooner or later, the very one or trend you are so dedicated to will let you down. You will then find yourself some what lost and discouraged and even possibly falling away from Jesus, the very One Who saved you. That may sound extreme to some, but it is a very real possibility.  

Today, as I was browsing a local church's website, curious about what they may be up to these days, I was stupified by what I saw (see top right image). If you know what it means when someone draws a circle and prays in it, then you know why. The first words that came to mind were, witchcraft and freemasonry. It was a promo for a live webcast featuring the above title by author Mark Batterson,  offered back in February. Aware of what circle drawings and praying in circles are all about, the alarms blared and quickly, I researched this "best seller." What disturbed myself and my husband, the most, is that the church promoting the event, is home to many of our fellow believers, people we love. 

God's Word tells us that:
2Ti 3:16 KJV - All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
1Jo 4:1 KJV - Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

On that note, here are the results of today's research:

The Circle Maker
The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. Ever hear of this book, teaching series or the author? Like I said, we hadn't until today.
Here are but a few links, of many, from other believers who also want to share with whoever will listen, about the occult, non-biblical teachings coming from Mr. Mark Batterson. Maybe he has no idea what he is promoting, and we should pray for him. Considering the number of Christians who are speaking out, exposing what this book is really all about, he can't be that unaware. Instead of regurgitating all of the excellent reviews and information that others have done, I have posted just a few of the many links from others who are equally concerned what this teaching encourages.

The Circle maker Exposed web site link
The Circle Maker Exposed video link
Empowered by Christ: The Unbiblical Teachings of the "Circle Maker" and Mark Batterson
Christian Book Review: The Circle Maker is Nothing more than....
Witchcraft in the Church
Be A Circle Maker?


Witchcraft In The Church
We were able to reach Pastor Mike Hoggard yesterday, our favourite Watchman and turns out he has addressed "The Circle Maker" in his Watchman teaching videos. Just click on the title. We really love watching/listening to Mike's teachings. His heart for Biblical Truth is what endears him to us, not to mention he is my age and he is just a really great dude! The video is not exclusively about this book, it  covers an array of other false teachers and concerns within the Christian church. Worth a listen.

Witchcraft In The Church

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Death Sentence

You're going to die and so are we. Of course, unless Jesus returns and believers are translated (raptured) before we leave this earth physically, physical death will happen. Some Christian teachers apparently don't believe that the rapture will happen, but based on what the Bible says, it seems pretty clear that dead or alive, Christians have this to look forward to. However it plays out, we can trust God's Word and either way, it's all good.
1Cr 15:52 KJV - In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1Th 4:16 KJV - For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The Bible does tell us about two fellows who didn't face physical death, very cool... Enoch and Elijah. (worth reading about.) 


Not sure how I found out about it, but I knew at a very young age that we will die. There were a couple particularly dark periods in my wee life, at about the age of seven or eight, when thoughts and questions about the meaning of life and the fear of death, tormented me. It would always seem to culminate by bed time, after a long day of activity - you lie there, alone and quiet, time to think. Over and over, questions like..."I can't relive today and it is over already...what is the purpose of it all? What happens when we die? Is it going to hurt before?" It is more than possible, that the thoughts were provoked by a Doctor who declared to my Mom, in front of me around this age, that I was going to die at the age of twenty due to Muscular Dystrophy.

The depths of depression reached an all time low while I was living at an institution, starting in my pre-teen years. I remember being nauseated and literally terrified, worse than before because now there was a sense of terror, terror at what awaited me after death. Before it was more about they whys and a general fear of death itself. But this time, it was more real than ever. There would be no way to avoid the death sentence that awaited me. Being more aware of the unseen realm and that there had to be more to life than what we see, I was afraid of this place I had heard about called hell. Would that be where I would go? Blinding fear swallowed me up.

I received some comfort having my favourite child care worker to talk with, but no concrete answers came. Death, as she knew, was a fact for everyone. What else could she do but listen. Word must have gotten out, because, one woman who worked there, brought me to her church once. I appreciated her gesture, but it meant nothing to me because I didn't know why that would matter. Sleep was tough and my nerves were ragged, unable to tolerate what flew through my head night after night. Eventually, these feelings lessened somewhat and I was able to regain some kind of normalcy. But, the fear and uncertainty of what awaited me after death, never left. Not until God opened my eyes and removed the sting of death. That would take another 8 years or so.

Suddenly at thirteen, my folks were told that I had scoliosis so severe, I would be dead in six months if I didn't have corrective surgery. Off to Toronto we flew. The curve in my back was and still is the shape of the letter "S." It worked for about a year, but it collapsed. Here I am, at fourty-seven, alive and breathing easily, in spite of my spine curved worse than it ever was. Always take note, God is in charge of our lives, not Doctors, not us...Well it was during this hospital stay that I was re-diagnosed with
Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Even though I was under a five day intravenous, morphine haze, along with a couple of blood transfusions, I remember the bright look on my Dad's smiling face. For some reason, he seemed excited when he told me about the mistake and how I don't have Muscular Dystrophy but turns out I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy. The five day haze of intravenous morphine and blood transfusions, clearly clouded my brain because it is all I can remember.

Needless to say, the fear of death remained and battles with depression and bad life choices invaded my life as the teen years ensued. As I reflect back and why I am writing this, is to give glory to God and thank Him publicly, for allowing that fear of death because I know now, it was valid and it kept me from making even worse life style choices and ultimately, it caused me to search and ask questions about the real meaning of life.

During a random conversation with my husband and my parents a few years ago, when my Dad mentioned that they told me all those years ago, that they let me know how my life expectancy changed to "normal" with the new diagnosis of SMA. Stunned at that moment, I gasped, "no, you never told me that!" I  had no recollection of this event, it was news to me. It became evident, that I was not to know about my life expectency change because, it was what drove the search for meaning. It was that fear that caused me to refrain from making deadly life style choices. So I am living proof that God allows whatever He knows is best, to cause us to search Him out. I was not one to accept whatever to make me feel warm and fuzzy. When He opened my eye about one year after I was "supposed" to die, every ounce of fear regarding death disappeared. Just like that!


1Cr 15:54-56 KJV - So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory?  The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law.

So if you don't know the freedom Jesus gives us, He is far worth listening to. Here is a web site that has some answers you may find interesting.

I am so thankful for all He has shown me. There is far more to this amazing life that He has blessed me with, I could write a novel about it...but for now, hopefully you can see that there is Truth and meaning to why we are here. Better still, there are answers!

Check out this site: