Interesting Facts...

Here is an interesting fact. By 400 AD the bible was translated into 500 languages and then by 500 AD there was only one official language, Latin. Christians were persecuted for their belief for hundreds of years under the Romans until Constantine made it the religion of the empire and included many pagan rites to appease those that would fight against it. Then under Roman rule Christianity went from a persecuted belief to a persecuting religion that killed thousands and hundreds of thousands in the name of God. Find out more get the video "The Forbidden Book"

The plague of paganism has so infiltrated the Christian walk that it is undeniable to those that are watching and the history of the church gives no good excuse for the actions of the past. Breaking away from The Roman Catholic church was not enough. For that was only the beginning of our problems and the sin of denominational divergence. Consider that the Christian walk is plainly stated in 2 Peter 1:3-11 and if that route is taking and absorbed in the believer that he would as the scripture states. "Be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ". So I challenge you that stating facts about denominational divergence is not criticizing if given in the right attitude. An attitude of love for those that hear you.

Was Jesus criticizing when he prayed for all believers to be one as He and the Father are one in John 17?

Here is another fact this time in Ephesians 6; "We fight not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places". If we look back at Ephesians 2 we find that we are saved through faith, a gift from God not of ourselves or works so that none could boast. Denominational divergence has the spirit of exclusivity and sectarianism at its heart. And the battle for unity has been raging since the belief of Christianity was first usurped by the Roman Empire and turned into a religion. Also consider that in 2 Peter 1:5 that it is assumed that faith is already there by saying "for this very reason giving all diligence add to your faith".

Along with the spirit of exclusivity and sectarianism comes the spirit of pride, being proud of denomination. If you choose to overlook this as not sin that is your prerogative. It is the sin of pride that caused Satan to fall and causes man to think they are better than other men because they belong to a certain denomination. Mans original sin is based in judgment of God in the garden of Eden when man decided through the deception of Satan that "The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil" was good for food, was pleasant to the eyes and desirable to make one wise. The problem has existed since the beginning and his been pointed out by Columba, Wiclif, Bonhoeffer, Spurgeon, Calvin, Wesley, Luther and others.

Consider that in Christianity, that 90% of believers fail to share their faith with another throughout their whole lifetime. This fact crosses denominational boundaries and includes the autonomous non-denominational as well. It's no wonder when people choose church for comfy seats, music, socio-economic position and other non-eternal reasons. Think I'm making this up? I truly wish I was wrong and that none of what I stated was true.

The church is the real mission field and although the workers are few, those of us that claim to know the truth as revealed in scripture must at least attempt to show unity by cutting through the hyperbole of history and popular opinion. My motivation is based at the judgment seat of Christ were Jesus said;

"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ "

Sounds like He is talking about church folk here and not unbelievers but those who say they are believers and practice their doctrine.


May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

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All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

The Christian Pedestal II...

Continuing to correct persons that choose to use the Lord's name in vain is unfortunately a never ending opportunity that requires prior preparation. The last thing you want to do is get into an argument with them. So using tact and finesse is the key. Scripture tells us at MATTHEW 10:16;

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.


So the next time you hear someone say "Jesus Christ" meant as a swear word you can add;

• Is The truth, The Way and The Life
  
• Was the Son of God
• Was a Jew
• Is the Word
• Is the Savior of all mankind
• Has the ability to forgive sins

Every now and then you will be engaged about what you interjected which is the opportunity to spread the gospel to that person that feels convicted by their use of God's name as a swear.

If you are unsure about what to say try praying before you start your day and ask God to give you the words to say and the opportunities to share His love and words with others throughout the day.

May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

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All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

The Christian Pedestal...

What happens when you tell someone about your faith in Jesus Christ?

They put you on a pedestal that separates you from the rest of the people they know. Most people respect God but don't think much about Him. They use God's name as a swear word and don't even realize they are doing it. Whenever I become party to new people in my life whether through work, social or neighborly. I always confront blasphemous speech whenever I hear it come from their mouth. The result 9 times out of 10 is the person using God or Jesus Christ's name as a swear word will catch themselves the next time; look at me and apologize for it's use.

I think that person has now entered the ability to be conscious of their speech they have become aware of what they are saying and respecting another persons belief and conviction. If you are a believer and do not know how to confront others about their blasphemous speech which should cause your ears to hurt when you hear it. Here is how I do it and 9 times out of 10 they respect me for my correction of their language.

Your having a conversation perhaps in a group or one on one and someone decides to use God's name as a swear word. I always interject and ask them if they know what they just did. Usually they will ask what it is they did. Here's an example of how it might transpire.


Person. This God damn weather is not letting up

Me. Do you know what you just did?

Person. What did I just do?

Me. You used God's name as a swear word there are many other more appropriate swear words that can be used that do not blaspheme God's name.

Person. Really what did I say?

Me. You said "God damn" when you could have used thousands of other swears that do not blaspheme God's name. God is higher than our highest thought and we should respect His name don't you think?

Person. Hmm never really thought about in fact I didn't even realize I did it.

Me. What is your Mom's name?

Person. (curious look) Her name is Jane.

Me. Would you ever use your Mom's name as a swear word?

Person. No

Me. And you wouldn't like others doing that either would you?

Person. No

Me. Have you ever heard of the Ten Commandments?

Person. Sure who hasn't

Me. Do you know any of them?

Person. Yes, you shall not kill, shall not steal, etc.

Me. Those commandments were giving to use as guide to recognize wrong doing and number 3 is You shall not take the Lord's name in vain for the Lord will not hold him blameless who does it.

Person. Never thought about it sorry

Me. How about commandement number 9 you shall not lie ever done that in your whole life?

Person. Ya sure who hasn't?

Me. And what do you call a person who lies?

Person. A liar

Me. What about number 8 it says you shall not steal, ever done that no matter how small the item?

Person. Yes

Me. And what do you call a person who steals?

Person. A stealer

Me. Or?

Person. A thief

Me. So by your own admission you are a blaspheming, lying, thief at heart and if God judges us on the Ten commandments would you go to heaven or hell?

Person. I guess it would be hell

Me. Does that concern you?

You have now opened that persons heart to hear the gospel tell them your testimony why you believe in God. What God did for you, how God helped you to believe, how God showed you that He is real. Ask if they have a bible if they do not get them one and you have now told someone about your faith.

Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron from "The Way of the Master" use this technique when witnessing on the street to total strangers. Find out for yourself click on the link and hear them witnessing to strangers using the "Ten Commandments"




May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

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All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

From a Poets Pen...

Here is a poem by a great poet, Stewart Henderson;

Nation will bomb nation
The sun will kiss and yell
Whilst trying to feed the world this year
We'll contract AIDS as well

Wogan will be Wogan
Lebanon will scream
Liverpool will win the League
if not, some other team

People will spend holidays
in irksome traffic jams
Daffodils will leap with Spring
alongside new born lambs

Pop songs will be written
but sheep won't safely graze
They're earmarked for experiments
involving micro waves

The Church will stand divided
as if in some deep trance
But, Christ still shines in glory
and gives us one more chance...

A Rather Graphic Christian Poem


Denomination Blues


May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here

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All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

The Bad Christian Project...

Calling all God's people everywhere...

Get involved in the "The Bad Christian Project" make a difference in your faith today and learn about the history of Christianity. Here is brief synopsis of how it all went down...

Once upon a time there was this little Roman Emperor named Nero. You know the guy that played the fiddle while Rome burned. Nero wanted to rename Rome under his name and started the fire. He blamed the Christians for the fire and wholesale persecution started. With thousands and thousands of Christians dying for something they never did. Then about 250 years later along came another Emperor named Constantine. Who was best known for being the first Christian Roman Emperor. Under Constantine Christianity moved from a persecuted belief to a persecuting religion literally overnight.

Then about 1200 years later along came a simple German monk named Martin Luther who started the great reformation and the split from the Roman Catholic church. Protestantism was born. Fast forward to today 2010 there are currently 38,000 Christian denominations that are not supported by scripture yet they exist. My question is why do we allow this when it is clear in scripture we are to be united?

The Bad Christian Project is a fairly large effort that will need the cooperation and unity of many Christian folk right across the world. The whole idea stems from the fact that Christianity is divided by denominational divergence and that we as believers in Christ can work together to make a difference in our belief. And further the great commission to make disciples of all the world. Starting here in North America and moving as far as God will allow the project to reach. That we can break down the barriers of denomination by participating in a project that makes a bee-line to the message of Jesus Christ.

The project itself is a grassroots movement that can help raise awareness to the fact that Christianity in the beginning was a persecuted belief. And that persecution of that belief still happens in many parts of the world Today. Maybe it happens right in your own church or neighborhood. The project will focus on how denominational divergence started and how we as grassroots believers in Jesus Christ can stop the spread of sectarianism in Christianity and get back to the basics of why Jesus came and offered salvation to a dying world.

I am asking people of faith from every denomination these questions...

1. Do you think that God sent Jesus Christ to the earth to set-up a new religion called Christianity? If yes... Where in scripture would you find that Jesus was to start a new religion called Christianity?

2. What denomination did Jesus and the Apostles belong too?

3. Will Jesus find faith on the earth when He comes on the great and final day?

Also I would like to receive any footage from anywhere that shows believers being persecuted for their belief in Jesus Christ. This footage could include folks who have been excommunicated for any type of reason from any denomination.

People needed;

- Prayer Warriors to pray continually for the project from start to finish.

- Amateur/Professional Film Makers - Who have DV style camera's right across the world who would be willing to shoot footage in their cities and send it in to me for consideration in the film.

- People that can help with production, graphics, website, computer animations, posters and as general lobbyists to gain support from the Christian community in their geographical locations.

- Film industry people who would give their talents to help make the film look professional and help with distribution.

- Musicians/Song Writers/Artists/Actors/Actresses et al that would be willing to contribute their talent through song, poetry, prose, painting and any and all art-forms that excite the senses.

- Donations of money, time, talent for every aspect of this creation.

Folks I am just a small believer with a big dream that is based in scripture. If God is for us, who can be against us? And that despite the huge problems that the current 38,000 Christian denominations have caused. We as believers despite our denominational differences can one day walk into any Christian church that professes Jesus Christ as Lord and be accepted. Just as Jesus accepts us into his body and that we can be one just as the Father and Son are one. Is this not the prayer that Jesus prayed for all believers?

JOHN 17: 20-26

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here

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All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar