Teachings – Let's Get It Right!

God Doesn’t Always Answer Our Prayers: What the Scriptures Say About Unanswered Prayer

(This is a very sound and thorough teaching on the subject of prayer by Ed Lane from Orlando Florida. Great job on this article here Ed! P.B.)

by Ed Lane @ Following Jesus Christ

^“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:3

^“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us….” 1 John 5:14

While reading through the Bible over the past few years, I have been surprised to come across a substantial number of scriptures, which clearly state that God doesn’t always answer our prayers, and sometimes He doesn’t even hear them. This is the exact opposite of what most churches seem to teach these days.

READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE HERE:

How Could Such A Loving God Be A God Of Such Furious Wrath?

Many shy away from preaching on (or even discussing) the wrath of God now days. Just why does this Bible truth seem so out of kilter with modern preaching?

The Wrath of God

by Paul Benson

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Ephesians 5:6

In this day of great end-time deception it’s important that the believer keep a biblical view of who God is, and how he deals with mankind. We are so prone to making God out to be who we think he ought to be. Or perhaps even more prone to make him out to be who we want him to be. The message of Christianity is being greatly hindered by many misconceptions about our Creator.

These range from the lovey-dovey ‘daddy’ preached by most charismatics today (that would NEVER! spank a child of his) to the wacky notion that God is an alien species that seeded this planet with life eons ago and has remained in the wings guiding us to perfection. The unbiblical ideas about the nature and character of God preached today are seemingly endless. But without a biblical view of God we cannot present a biblical view of his grace.

Many people have great difficulty comprehending the wrath of God and either flat-out refuse to acknowledge it or present a modernized version of it that is more user-friendly and palatable to a generation who have turned their ears away from the truth and unto fables (2Tim. 4:4). But the Bible contains all we need to develop a proper understanding of God’s holy anger.

And once we do grasp that understanding then his wrath (and the motivation behind it) no longer seems unwarranted or unfair. It will make perfect sense. I am going to make a statement here some will have serious issue with:

The motivation behind God’s wrath is God’s love!

Yes, you did read that correctly. God’s fierce and holy wrath, that he has in times past vented upon this planet (and will again in a soon coming season!), is an out-working of his great love for humanity! Continue reading “How Could Such A Loving God Be A God Of Such Furious Wrath?”

A False Witness Shall Not Be Unpunished! (Prov. 19:5) – Could Popular Christian Beliefs Actually Have Your Soul In Danger?

In this age of ‘have-it-your-way’ Christian faith just how dangerous is it to be embracing teachings which are out of sync with the true teachings of the Bible?

by Paul Benson

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. -David, King of Israel

As Christian believers we certainly like to think we are doing a good job walking in the light; and that the words we speak are according to the truth. But we are all human and we ALL make mistakes. Not one of us (especially me) has all areas of theology figured out in a perfect understanding. Nor do we even have the ability to express what truth we have assimilated in a perfect manner!

But, by the Word of God, we know that God demands his people be a people with a high regard for the truth; and that there is a divine line of demarcation somewhere, decided by God himself, that labels one person a speaker of the truth and another as an evil deceiver. On one side of that line a blessed individual destined for reward; and on the other side, one who is condemned and destined for punishment.

This is not a frivolous matter! Considering the title to this article is a quote from the Scriptures it might be a good idea to make sure we are on the right side of that dividing line! But just where has God drawn that line? And more importantly how can we know for sure which side of that line we are on? Continue reading “A False Witness Shall Not Be Unpunished! (Prov. 19:5) – Could Popular Christian Beliefs Actually Have Your Soul In Danger?”

Victorious Christianity – Partaking of the Divine Nature!

In this age of apostasy and great deception it is crucial we have a proper understanding of God’s true grace, and the victory it brings.

Victory in esus

by Paul Benson

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature… -Peter an apostle of Christ

As a teacher to the Body of Christ one of the deepest burdens upon my heart is the fact many believers today do not possess an understanding of God’s grace that actually brings them victory over the power of sin. Instead of preaching grace as an inner strength (which empowers us to conquer the lusts of the flesh and the temptations of this life), most are presenting powerless and unbiblical notions about God’s grace which make excuses for sinful behavior rather than putting it to death. We truly have a great need to get back to a Biblical concept of grace!

But we need more than just a proper definition of the true grace of God. We need an understanding of how the vital keys of victory true grace brings are obtained by the believer, and then how to actually put them to work. Only then can we avail ourselves of the full benefit God’s grace offers. Let’s look at that. Continue reading “Victorious Christianity – Partaking of the Divine Nature!”

Why Easter and Church WERE The Correct Words For Use In The Bible.

Many people take great exception to some of the words used in the KJV. But is this the fault of the translators; or possibly a problem of our own?

by Paul Benson

Over the years I have heard quite a number of people strongly object to the use of certain words by the translators of the Authorized Version of the Bible. That somehow the usage of these certain words placed a taint upon, or diminished the reliability of, the King James Version of the Bible.

When taking a serious look into these matters I have come to the conclusion that these strong objections were merely the product of either misunderstanding or preconceived prejudice, and were actually much ado about nothing. The most common objections raised are over the words “Easter’ and ‘Church’. Please allow me to explain why these were the proper choice of words, and their usage in no way taints the Bible. Continue reading “Why Easter and Church WERE The Correct Words For Use In The Bible.”

The True ‘Security’ Of The Believer!

Whereas many choose to debate the ‘eternal security’ issue like the Hatfields and McCoys, I see more wisdom in seeking for understanding that will deliver us all to a place where we ARE truly secure: abiding steadfast in Christ!

What is Eternal Security? — Finding A Place Of Security!

by Paul Benson

As believers we need to have a strong assurance of our salvation. That we are nestled safely in the grace of our God; sins forgiven, past forgotten, our future certain. But we also need to be aware that there very much is such a thing as a false assurance, a deluding influence which causes many to mistakenly believe they are secure when they are not. And it is vital we know how to discern the difference.

There are multitudes who have never been truly saved, but believe that they are; and there are some who were once full of grace but have fallen from that state, and do not realize it.

Contrary to the teachings of many (who promote a doctrine of Eternal Security) the Bible is full of stern warning of this false assurance; and what it will bring upon those who do not escape its grasp. But thankfully the Bible is also full of assistance in recognizing this condition; and how to trade in a counterfeit assurance for the genuine article. We can know our true status with God (and how to correct it if need be)! Continue reading “The True ‘Security’ Of The Believer!”

Discerning Deceivers: 12 Biblical Keys To Recognizing False Prophets and Teachers

Do you ever wish you had a greater ability to know which ministries to trust, and which ones you should avoid? Maybe this will help.

by Paul Benson

Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. -Jesus Christ

These words of Jesus are not a warning of people claiming to be the Christ as some suppose, but of those who will come in Jesus name, declaring Jesus to be Christ, but preaching deception. Just because someone opens a Bible and says, ‘Jesus is LORD!’ does not mean what they say came from God.

The warnings of false Prophets and false Teachers among us occupy a sizable chunk of the Scriptures. We are given not only stern and frequent warning about these beguilers; but also many clues to recognize their attributes and tactics, as well as the fruits that follow them. The inability to distinguish between correct ministry and deception is directly related to a lack of familiarity with the teachings of God’s Word. Let’s take a fresh look at some key points the Bible gives on recognizing false workers. Continue reading “Discerning Deceivers: 12 Biblical Keys To Recognizing False Prophets and Teachers”

THE LIFE IS IN THE BLOOD!

Why does so little preaching today focus on the Blood of Jesus? Have we lost touch with the message that truly saves?

The Blood of Jesus

by Paul Benson

For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Leviticus 17:11

The message that brought salvation to me was a sermon on the Blood of Jesus Christ. In 1980 a 23 year old lust-filled, alcoholic, drug-abusing criminal sat in an old fashioned revival meeting and received the good seed of the true Gospel. I cannot express to you how totally strange (2nd time in Church in my entire life), but yet so very wonderful, that experience was to me. The sermon was a lively message on the power of the blood of Jesus to bring salvation and the forgiveness of sin.

The sweat drenched preacher, with his wife loudly augmenting his every sentence with some hot licks on an old Hammond B3 organ, was like nothing I had ever seen before. The boisterous preaching of Sam Luke the evangelist, in the fiery old-time Pentecostal style, seemed to my mind like the words of a certified lunatic. He was preaching that the red blood of Jesus could take my scarlet sins and black heart, and wash them clean and make them white as snow. Although my mind was telling me I seriously needed to get out of there, something had a hold of my heart; and I sat there transfixed, hanging on his every word. Continue reading “THE LIFE IS IN THE BLOOD!”

Finding Victory Over Sin

How to find the strength to overcome sin in your life.

victory over din — image credit seantrack.com

by Paul Benson

But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. Isaiah 57:20-21

Overcoming Sin

As followers of Jesus we need to know we can find victory over sin! Many preachers and teachers today are doing great harm to the Body of Christ. They fail to lift up a standard of holiness and do not teach people how to live right by the power of the Holy Spirit. Their ‘modern’ gospel mistakenly presents the fruit of holiness in the life of a believer as an option, though it certainly is not. Paul wrote of: “holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14). Those who learn to walk in victory over sin know a peace and a joy those under the condemnation of sin can never know. Continue reading “Finding Victory Over Sin”