Evolution vs. God

Evolution vs. God - Ray Comfort

“In case you haven’t seen it, here’s the film by Ray Comfort that has agitated and embarrassed so many atheists [EvolutionVsGod.com].”

A new 36-minute movie by Ray Comfort that exposes Darwinian evolution as being bogus science has exploded onto the Internet with more than 180,000 views in just six days.

The “explosion” isn’t just in the number of views, but also in the YouTube comments section. There are more than 14,000 comments, many from atheists who are furious that Evolution vs. God undeniably exposes evolution.

Comfort took a camera to evolutionary scientists at USC and UCLA and pressed them for “observable and testable evidence” (the scientific method) for Darwinian evolution. None of these “experts” could give any.

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* See ANVIL article "Exposing Secular Humanism"

Ephesians 5a: "...not even a hint of sexual immorality"

Ch. 1 - Sealing the Deal

Ch. 2 - Salvation is a Gift...a work of Grace!

Ch. 3 - God gives Grace to the Humble ...want some more?

Ch. 4a - So How are Your Relationships?
Ch. 4b - Forgiveness is Christianity 101 !
Ch. 5a - Not Even a Hint of Sexual Immorality!

Ephesians Chapter 5
Paul has spent previous chapters explaining all the foundational riches and blessings that we have in Christ Jesus.  Now Paul begins to tell us how we need to act, walk and live.  Paul begins Chapter 5 by exhorting us to "live a life of love,  but then addresses something that isn't so loving.

3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:3 &4

Paul begins his list of un-loving things by starting with "fornication"  and we see how Satan has deceived us and distorted things, because the world equates fornication with love.  In fact they use the term" let's make love" when they are really referring to fornication.  Here in Ephesians we see that fornication is something that is lacking in true love.  A person who entices someone into an act of fornication, is not really considering the other person, but really only considering themselves and their own desire for some kind of fulfillment;  emotional, sexual or otherwise.  They are not considering that they are leading the other person into a damning sin, into one of those works of the flesh that Paul says "they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God".  So it is really a very unloving thing to lead a person into something that is so destructive to that person's spiritual walk in life!  ...this is total disobedience to the ways of God, so it is not considerate or loving towards the other person.  It is a very un-loving act.  It would only be Satan's deception and lies that would lead a person  to think that it's an act of love.  It is rather, ... an act of lust.  True love is not involved, as if you really loved the person, you would be considerate of their conscience and their feelings;  you would not want to place them under the guilt that they would feel afterwards, the shame and other negative feelings that they would experience as a result of the relationship.  Paul places fornication at the top of his list of unloving acts.  Instead he says, "walk in Love".

*adapted from Chuck Smith's expositional on Ephesians

The Dark Side of Wives Submitting to Husbands

8:36AM EDT 8/7/2013 J. LEE GRADY

 

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Christian teaching on male headship is often used as a weapon against women. This abuse must be confronted.

During a past ministry trip to Hungary I heard a painfully familiar story. Through a translator, a tearful young woman living near Budapest explained that her Christian husband was angrily demanding her absolute submission. This included, among other things, that she clean their house according to his strict standards and that she engage in sexual acts with him that made her feel uncomfortable and dirty.

This lady was not demanding her rights or trying to be disrespectful. She was a godly, humble woman who obviously wanted to please the Lord. But she had been beaten to a pulp emotionally, and she was receiving little help from her pastor—who was either unwilling or unprepared to confront wife abuse.

I've heard so many sickening versions of this scenario. In Kenya, several women told me their AIDS-infected husbands often raped them—and then their pastors told them they must submit to this treatment. In some parts of India, even some pastors believe it is acceptable to beat their wives if they argue with them or show any form of disrespect. And in some conservative churches in the United States, women are told that obedience to God is measured by their wifely submission—even if their husbands are addicted to alcohol or pornography, or if they are involved in adulterous affairs.

This distortion of biblical teaching has plunged countless Christian women into depression and emotional trauma. I'm not sure which is worse: The harsh words they hear from their husbands, or the perverse way the Bible is wielded as a leather belt to justify domestic abuse. Here are three truths we must uncover in order to solve this problem:

1. Marriage is not a hierarchy. Traditionalists assume that a Christian marriage is defined as a dominant husband who makes all family decisions while the wife graciously obeys without input. Yet Scripture actually portrays marriage as a loving partnership and refers to the wife as a "fellow heir of the grace of life" (1 Peter 3:7, NASB). And the apostle Paul taught that in the realm of sexuality, husbands and wives share equal authority over each other's bodies (see 1 Cor. 7:4). In other words, submission in this most intimate part of a marriage covenant is mutual, and this same mutuality is the key to any happy marriage; it fosters respect, communication and an enduring bond.

2. Headship is not a license to control. Traditionalists also cite Ephesians 5:23 to remind wives that their husbands are their "heads"—and they believe this term requires some type of dictatorial control in marriage. Yet the Greek word used in this passage, kephale, does not have anything to do with heavy-handed authority and it cannot be used to enforce male domination. Neither does it imply male superiority. The word can either mean "source" (as in the source of a river) or "one who leads into battle" (as a protector).

Neither original definition of this word gives room for abuse. Headship, in its essence, is not about "who's the boss." Rather it refers to the Genesis account of Eve being taken from Adam's side. The husband is the "source" of the wife because she originated from him, and she is intimately connected to him in a mystical union that is unlike any other human relationship.

3. Men who abuse their wives are out of fellowship with God. 1 Peter 3:7 is clear: "You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so your prayers will not be hindered." Wife abuse is no trivial sin. Any man who berates his wife, treats her as inferior or engages in abusive behavior (including hitting, kicking, raping, cursing at or threatening punishment) will jeopardize his fellowship with the Lord. He will feel frustrated and convicted until he repents.

(And in the same way, I believe, pastors who silently support abusive husbands by refusing to confront the behavior—or by telling women to submit to the pain—participate in this sin and could find their own prayers hindered.)

Truly Christian marriages, according to the apostle Paul, involve a tender, servant-hearted and unselfish husband who (1) loves his wife "just as Christ also loved the church;" (2) loves her as his own body; and (3) loves her as himself (see Eph. 5:25, 28 and 33). He stands alongside his wife in faithfulness, and she joyfully respects her husband because he can be trusted. And the two become one.

If we are to uphold this golden standard, we must confront abuse, shelter its victims and provide the tough love and counseling necessary to heal troubled relationships. And we have no business telling women to stay in marriages that actually could put them or their children in danger.

J. Lee Grady is the former editor of Charisma. You can find him on Twitter at leegrady.

8 Truths About Male Authority

11:32AM EDT 8/5/2013 JOEL HUNTER

8 TRUTHS ABOUT MALE AUTHORITY

Being real men is not just about gender; it is about spiritual maturity in all areas of life. Therefore, manhood is about our calling and not about any competition with women.

Truth #1: We have a gender-unique leadership role in our marriages. 1 Corinthians 11:3 says: “But there is one thing I want you to know: A man is responsible to Christ, a woman is responsible to her husband, and Christ is responsible to God” (NLT). Then, in verse 8 it says: “For the first man didn't come from woman, but the first woman came from man.” I don't know why God made this arrangement. In many ways our wives are more competent than we are. Wise men will lean on their wives to decide many things for the family. In the end, it is not a matter of competence or even gender; it is a matter of following God's order.

When I was in grade school, my desk was closest to the door. That made me the leader for fire drills. Why was I the leader? Because I was more competent? No. Because I was a boy? No. It was because the teacher said so.

Truth #2: We are to love our wives as Christ loved the church and give ourselves up for her. Our authority is for sacrificing and protecting our wives, not for lording power over them. We don't need to be less strong to be a servant, nor do we need for our wives to be weak so that we can appear strong.

Truth #3: We are to train up our children without provoking them to anger (see Eph. 6:4). Our sense of authority must be strong enough to guide, correct and discipline our children (see Heb. 12:9) in a way that evokes respect and not anger. That takes an inner confidence that only comes with understanding the authority God has given us. I often told our sons when they were growing up: “It is not my favorite thing to discipline you, but it is the role that God gave me. Therefore, we will both do the right thing.” They are all great Christian men today, and dearly love their mom and me.

Truth #4: We are to conduct business with confidence and integrity (see Matt. 25:20-21). Men are not to be cowards when it comes to giving their all in the business world, nor are we to think of our capital as our own. Authority follows the man who has invested with Another in mind. Also, our wives are more likely to increase their respect for us when we have done our jobs with confidence and competence, using the authority we have in our arenas to produce profit for the good of all.

Truth #5: We are to provide leadership in the church after first prioritizing our household (see 1 Tim. 3:1, 4). Taking responsibility in the church is also a part of the authority we are to exercise. Of course, an overseer is a servant-leader. Taking responsibility to care for the church (God's family) is an expression of the authority God delegates to us.

Truth #6: We are to take the lead in battling that which could ruin our part of the world (see Gen. 2:15). Since the Garden of Eden, God has specifically given the man the mandate to “cultivate” (be productive) and to “keep” (be protective). The latter refers to the fact that even in a paradise, there are things that can creep in and ruin the good that has been produced. Therefore, the man has the responsibility and authority to guard his house and his family (and sometimes his workplace and his country) from that which could harm or pollute its well-being.

Truth #7: We are to train other men who will train other men (see 2 Tim. 2:2). Our responsibility does not end with our family. We are charged with training up other mature men also, who will train others. This kind of authority, again, is not a dominating kind. The whole “accountability” dynamic has gotten distorted into “I'm your spiritual boss” silliness. Mentoring is support, teaching and guidance for those who desire that kind of leadership in their lives.

Truth #8: We are to complement our wives in their leadership roles in family, church and society. Genesis 2:18 says, “Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him'” (NAS). Helper does not mean weak. Which is stronger: the one who needs the help or the helper?

Therefore, part of our authority comes from listening to our wives. Another part of our authority is to empower and serve them so that they can also be leaders in the family, the church and society.

When we men remember that all of life is stewardship-that is, the management of God's goods for Him-we will not use the delegated authority we have in an arrogant or prideful way. We will use our authority to lift up others, as Christ did for us.

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Joel C. Hunter, D. Min., is pastor of Northland, A Church Distributed, located in central Florida. His wife, Becky, is thrilled to have him as leader of their home ... unless he tries to buy another yellow Jeep.

2013 Teen Challenge "Freedom Ride"

2013 July 27 - Teen Challenge Freedom Ride (8 photos)

...just did the 2013 Teen Challenge Ride for the Toronto Women's Center. My son Joshua (almost 15 yrs) rode along with me as Andrea was in Europe. This was the 3rd year for me and I was happy to have my cousin and his wife join us for this one (Phil & Doreen Howson, Newmarket). Phil has a 2009 Goldwing. Also my friends Gord Tyrell rode on his Suzuki 650, Harold Kirkland on his 1100 Honda V-Twin, and also Dwight and Elaine Dyke did their second year of the ride. The ride raised $38,000. for Teen Challenge! I think I put on about 350 km (210 miles) on the speedometer and had a great time. Total bike count was 79.  A Big THANK-YOU Goes out to all of you ANVIL guys who helped in sponsoring these riders!  May God Bless You!

Ephesians 4b - "Christianity 101"

Ch. 1 - Sealing the Deal

Ch. 2 - Salvation is a Gift...a work of Grace!

Ch. 3 - God gives Grace to the Humble ...want some more?

Ch. 4a - So How are Your Relationships?
Ch. 4b - Forgiveness is Christianity 101 !

Ch. 5a - Not Even a Hint of Sexual Immorality!

The book of Ephesians is the first of the prison epistles that Paul wrote and is considered by many scholars to be the most majestic of all the  epistles.  Ephesians is fundamental to the "doctrine of ecclesiology", or the study of the church.  

11And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: 13till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; 15but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ; 16from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love (Eph. 4:11-13).

So many themes come to light in this chapter, and they flow so eloquently under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as Paul chained to a Roman guard, is faithful in recording them. Let's selectively look at a few of many highlights.

Purpose of the Church

In chapter 4,  he describes some of the spiritual gifts that God gives the church.  Here in verse 12 to 16,  Paul also reveals the purposes God has  for the church.  It's for the "perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ, till we all attain unto the unity of the faith".  The primary purpose of your local church is not necessarily to evangelize the world, it's to assist people and equip them for the work of ministry, enabling them towards maturity. 

In Acts chapter 6,  we see the early church delegate their various duties in such a way that those best equipped [full of the Spirit and wisdom], were given the responsibility to "give attention to prayer and the ministry of the word", while others took care of  other necessary aspects of the church. Again, we see that

...the primary purpose of the church is to equip the saints.

Christianity 101 ....Forgive!

In our last study, we highlighted how significant good relationships are in the life of the child of God.  Again the Holy Spirit here is consistent in reinforcing how relationally we need to be,   "...speaking the truth in love".   When I'm angered,   I initially, often want to speak the truth directly and harshly,  really only displaying my selfishness and arrogance as I seek to put the other person in their place.  I can't be like that....I need to consider the needs of others around me and when necessary, confront in a loving way that builds each other up, and doesn't tear down relationships.  We need to be renewed in our attitude (v23).  The "old man" needs to be "put off" and the "new man" put on, which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.  (Do these words move you, like they move me?  ...these are radical and powerful instructions from the Holy Spirit that I need to employ in my life....starting now!)

As we read the last paragraph in this chapter, the instructions on relationship and reconcilliation to us become even clearer!  If we continue in wrong relation with people, we "grieve" the Holy Spirt.  .....verse 32. states what should be obvious to us, yet we so easily overlook... 

Men, we are to be kind and forgiving towards someone who has wronged us.  Put quite simply ...Forgiveness is Christianity 101!  

Next: Chapter 5a: "...not even a hint of Sexual Immorality"

The Church: Wilderness Encroachment --- A. W. Tozer

"Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked...." — Revelation 3:17

The wilderness encroaches on the fruitful field, and unless there is constant fighting off of this encroachment there will be little or no harvest.

I think it is exactly the same with the church, for as one of the old saints said, "Never think for a minute that there will be a time when you will not be tempted. He is tempted the most effectively who thinks that he isn't being tempted at all."

Just when we think we are not being tempted, that is the time of danger, and so it is with the church. We lean back on our own laurels and say, "That may be true of some churches, but it is not true of us. We are increased with goods and have need of nothing!"

This is to remind us that we must fight for what we have. Our little field of God's planting must have the necessary weapons and plenty of watchmen out there to drive off the crows and all sorts of creatures, to say nothing of the little insects that destroy the crops. We have to keep after them. We must keep our field healthy, and there is only one way to do that, and that is to keep true to the Word of God. We must constantly go back to the grass roots and get the Word into the church (When He is Come, 13,14).

Baptism: "You are dead to sin & alive to God. ...that's what JESUS did!

How exciting it was this past Sunday, to see members of ANVIL Ministry for Men stepping forward in obedience to Christ, symbolically following him into the waters of baptism exclaiming to the world "I'm under new management!"   It's NOT about following the dictates or wishes of a church,  it's NOT saying "I've decided to go to church more than before" ...rather it's accepting Christ into your heart by accepting the salvation he provides, then publicly identifying with the very life of Christ, and allowing him to work in your life through his Holy Spirit. 

Steve & Kyle...your ANVIL brothers want you to know how excited we are for you.  This is a significant part of your journey, and we wholeheartedly celebrate your decision to follow Christ!  We admire your boldness for God.  You will never regret that decision of obedience, and you will leave a rich legacy behind in the life of your children (and others), as they are influenced by God through you.  This is a very significant time in your life!

Romans 6:11,12 says, "From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word.  You are dead to sin and alive to God.  That's what Jesus did."  (The Message)

The bible teaches us of three essentials that will help keep you away from sin and on track for God, :

• Prayer, 
• Reading the Word and 
• Fellowship with other Christians

Baptism is an outward expression of an inward happening...letting people in your world know where you stand.  I like how Pastor Terry described it "...you've planted your flag firmly in the ground, identifying with Jesus, publicly declaring what he did in your heart !"

Romans 6:1-14, (The Message Version):

So what do we do?  keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving?  I should hope not! If we've left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there?  Or didn't you realize we packed up and left there for good?  That is what happened in baptism.  When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace - a new life in a new land!

That's what baptism into the life of Jesus means.  When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus.  Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we're going in our new grace-sovereign country.

Could it be any clearer?  Our old way of life was nailed to the Cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life-no longer at sin's every beck and call! What we believe is this; If we get included in Christ's sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection.  We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end.  Never again will death have the last word.  When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us.  From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word.  You are dead to sin and alive to God.  That's what Jesus did.

That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives.  Don't give it the time of day.  don't even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life.  Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time -remember, you've been raised from the dead! -into God's way of doing things. Sin can't tell you how to live.  After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer.  You're living in the freedom of God.  Romans 6:1-14 (The Message)

Carter Conlon - June 9, 2013: A former police officer describes being filled with the Holy Spirit .....while in his uniform!

Staying Silent in a Perilous Time

Audio Link to hear this sermon (Press June 9, 2013 Link)

"When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy."      Corrie Ten Boom