Counterfeit piety--is double iniquity!

from gracegems.org 

(Thomas Watson, "Dearly Beloved" 1662)

"Surely, You desire truth in the inward part." Psalm 51:6

Be sincere! Be what you seem to be!

Do not be like rowers in a boat, who look one way--and row another way.
Do not look heaven-ward by your profession--and row hell-ward by your life!

Do not pretend to love God--and yet really love sin.
Counterfeit piety--is double iniquity! Let your hearts be sincere and upright with God.

The plainer the diamond is--the richer it is. Just so, the more plain and sincere the heart is--the more does God value His jewel.

A little rusty gold--is far better than a great deal of bright brass. Just so, a little true grace, though rusted over with many infirmities--is better than all the glistening shows of religious hypocrites.

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?" Matthew 23:27-28, 33

Rob Bell's Strange Theology

This is an example of why it is vitally important to read, study, and understand God's Word so we will not be led astray by false teachers.
According to many who study scripture, including many wise theologians, Rob Bell's teaching fails the test of biblical historical accuracy not to mention the misquoted references in his new book 'Love Wins', which appear to be nothing more than an attempt to sway others toward his altered view of the gospel.
The beliefs of this apparent wolf in sheeps clothing is being exposed on national TV by exceptional journalism. Rob Bell never expected this journalist to

Please Beware of False Teachers

Beware of false teachers who lead people astray with their clever words. Like a wolf in sheeps clothing Rob Bell distorts the word of God giving false hope to tens of thousands and quite possibly millions of people. His false teachings are sure to lead many down the path of destruction. Stay away from teaching like this which oppose the words of our Lord.
Please Rob, do not cause those who hear you to stumble in their faith, do not misuse

Serious Warning

Warn the lost AND those who do not obey the Gospel of Christ, it's not a joke, this day IS approaching

2 Thessalonians 1:6-9

6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels
8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

How to Become an Atheist by Ray Comfort

1) Ignore design and nature.
2) Ignore your God given common sense.
3) Find other atheist's that will confirm that indeed you are intelligent.
4) Believe that you are right in all your beliefs.
5) Believe that evolution is true and believe that it's scientific.
6) Believe that there are no missing links.
7) Believe that Richard Dawkins knows what he is talking about.
8) Believe that you are an ape.
9) Believe that your conscience has been given to you by your parents and society.
10) Never ever question evolution.
11) Don't think for yourself.

Do all these things and you'll be able to call yourself an atheist, or at least as much as one CAN be called an atheist.

No one can really be a true atheist because they must have absolute knowledge to say that there is absolutely no God, so until your omniscient 'like God' you'll just have to pretend to be an atheist.

The Atheist Does Not Exist

According to God the atheist does not exist, only those who suppress the truth.

Romans 1:18-20 (ESV)
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. [19] For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. [20] For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

THE GOSPEL MESSAGE IN 30 SECONDS

You are a sinner, you've broken God's law and God is angry at sinners. But he is good and he is kind so he provided a sacrifice, a payment for your sins, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die on a cross for your sins. In other words, you broke Gods law and Jesus paid your fine with His lifes blood, He took the punishment that you deserve for breaking God's law. Jesus then defeated death by rising from the dead and if you respond to Him by repenting, turning from your sins and putting your trust in Him and Him alone to save you from your sins then your sins will be forgiven and He will grant you everlasting life.

Jesus died for you, it's the most loving thing anyone has ever done for you wouldn't you agree?

What must I do to be saved?

No doubt you have heard it said that you do not have to do anything to be saved, however, the Bible says that we must repent to be saved, isn't repenting doing something?
There IS something you must do but it's not your part that saves you. Nothing you DO can save you. You cannot ever be good enough or do enough good things.
The Bible says we are saved by grace, not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9), also scripture tells us that we must repent to be saved (Acts 2:38). If we must repent then isn't that a work that saves?
This too is from God, 2 Corinthians 7:10 says godly grief produces repentance.
The knowledge of our sin against a holy God is what produces godly grief, that drives us to the Savior.
The law of God (Exodus 20) is what brings the knowledge of sin.
To fully understand the truth regarding repentance, here is an analogy that may

Who am I?

Some might say I'm only interested in the big things but that's not the case at all, I love the little white lie, I encourage that second glance at that girl, I hope you take that extra drink, one little compromise, that's all I need.
I am pleased when you dress in revealing clothes for all to see. I remind you that it's ok to have sex with someone your not married to because commitment is over-rated.
I promise you that nothing is wrong with viewing pornography and lusting in your heart. I can't wait for you to do it again because I love to see a life stained and corrupted.
I promise you rich rewards, pleasure, honor, wealth and joy. I promise you great and mighty things, sometimes I even let you

In the world--and yet not of the world

by (J.C. Ryle, "Our Profession")

c/o Grace Gems

"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world, becomes an enemy of God." James 4:4

"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world--but that you protect them from the evil one." John 17:15

Happy, indeed, is that Christian who can be in the world--and yet not of the world; who can do his duty in it--and yet not

Leviticus 19:15

"You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.

What does Dr. Oz believe?

In the past week I've heard the name of Dr. Oz mentioned a half dozen times, it was used in ways that praised his wise advice and understanding as it related to physical health.
Anytime the wisdom and advise of any individual becomes so well known and talked about, especially in the Christian community, I tend to want to know more about who they are and what their beliefs and practices are. In other words, things that stir the interest of Christians cause me to want to investigate with caution especially since we know that even the "evil one" is disguised as an angel of light.
Yes, I do want to know what the spiritual beliefs are of those whom the Christian community are lifting up as wise with great insight.
Yes, it does matter what the beliefs are of those who receive my endorsement, isn't that being discerning?
After some research into the background of the famous Dr. Mehmet Oz, some of my discoveries were a bit disturbing to say the least.
He seems to have