University Fires Christian Scientist for Discovery Proving Creationism

California State University Northridge fired a scientist after he discovered soft tissue on a triceratops fossil, indicating that dinosaurs roamed the earth only thousands of years in the past rather than going extinct 60 million years ago. (Facebook)

A scientist was terminated from his job at a California State University campus after discovering soft tissue on a triceratops fossil and then publishing his findings. Pacific Justice Institute filed suit last week with the Los Angeles County Superior Court against the board of trustees of CSU, Northridge, citing discrimination for perceived religious views.

"Terminating an employee because of their religious views is completely inappropriate and illegal," commented Brad Dacus, president of PJI. "But doing so in an attempt to silence scientific speech at a public university is even more alarming. This should be a wake-up call and warning to the entire world of academia," he continued.

While at a dig at the Hell Creek formation in Montana, the scientist, Mark Armitage, came upon the largest triceratops horn ever unearthed at the site. When examining the horn under a high-powered microscope back at CSUN, Armitage was fascinated to see the soft tissue. The discovery stunned members of the scientific community because it indicates that dinosaurs roamed the earth only thousands of years in the past rather than going extinct 65 million years ago, as the scientific consensus believes.

According to court documents, shortly after the original soft tissue discovery, a university official challenged the motives of Armitage, by shouting at him, "We are not going to tolerate your religion in this department!"

Armitage, a published scientist of more than 30 years, was subsequently let go after CSUN abruptly claimed his appointment at the university of 38 months had been temporary and claimed a lack of funding for his position. This was news to him and contradicted prior statements and documents from the university.

"It has become apparent that 'diversity' and 'intellectual curiosity,' so often touted as hallmarks of a university education, do not apply to those with a religious point of view," said Michael Peffer, staff attorney with PJI's southern California office. "This suit was filed, in part, to vindicate those ideals."

'Christian' Singer: God Would Never Condemn Gay Love by JENNIFER LECLAIRE

Demi Lovato is convinced the God she knows and loves would never cross LGBT lovers. (Facebook)

New York Times best-selling author, entertainer and singer Demi Lovato is convinced the God she knows and loves would never reject LGBT lovers.

"The LOVING God that I believe in would never condemn anyone for loving another human of the same sex. That's just what I believe, and everyone is entitled to their own beliefs," Lovato told her 23 million Twitter followers.

Lovato remembers learning about God's unconditional love as a little girl and says it made a lasting impact on her life.

"I grew up learning in Sunday school and Bible camps about a God who loves all--no matter where you came from or what you've done. A man named Jesus who forgives people of all sins, including horrible things like murder, if you simply ask for forgiveness and accept him into your heart," she said. "Now I'm no Bible thumper, but I truly believe that same Lord and savior loves ALL no matter who you are or where you've come from and especially who you love."

Lovato, who guest-starred on the television show Glee last season as a lesbian, is upset that folks are judging the LGBT--short for "lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender"--community for the way they express their love to one another.

"It really breaks my heart, and I'll never be able to understand why this world can't learn to accept one another for who they are without passing judgment," she said. "You are not God, therefore leave the judging to him."

Why are more and more people who were raised in church coming to the conclusion that God is OK with same-sex romantic relationships?

NBA Star Jeremy Lin Eager to Walk Out His Christian Faith in Los Angeles by MARK ANDREWS

Pro basketball star Jeremy Lin first captured the nation's attention with sensational play in early 2012 that earned the undrafted player out of Harvard a spot in the starting lineup of the New York Knicks. 

Recently traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Lin, 26, wasted no time putting his Christian faith into action with an appearance last Friday morning at a skid-row mission to hand out gift bags to the needy.

But not everyone at skid row's Midnight Mission recognized the Lakers' newest star.

"Which one's the basketball player?" one woman asked, gesturing to Lin and the two shorter, older men standing beside him. A dozen more skid-row residents filed by without so much as a backward glance, according to a report in the LA Times.

Lin officially joined the Lakers last Thursday after a trade with the Houston Rockets. Sports pundits say Lin, who was born in nearby Torrance, California, will help the Lakers tap the city's huge Asian demographic—the largest in the nation, the Times reported. Lin also brings his well-known willingness to live out his Christian faith to his new city and team.

The Lakers organization partnered with the Midnight Mission to hand out 1,000 gift bags containing soap, razors, toothpaste, deodorant and hand wipes as part of their charitable-giving efforts. The Midnight Mission often enlists athletes, celebrities and companies to help hand out food at lunchtime on skid row, but Thursday marked the first time that the Lakers had gotten involved, according to the Times report.

Lakers guard Nick Young and shooting guard Xavier Henry also appeared at the event Friday, though they left before lunch—a tray of baked beans, salad, meat stew over rice and a Greek yogurt that everyone kept trying to trade. Leftovers were put in plastic bags to eat on the go.

Lin had just returned from a trip to Taiwan, where his movements are heralded by front-page headlines, and he is mobbed most places he goes.

"Nah, this is how it always is in America," Lin said when asked if he was bothered by the lack of attention he received at the event.

Lin said he had never been to skid row before. He was "keeping his eyes open" for new directions for his Christian-based charity, the Jeremy Lin Foundation, Lin told the newspaper. 

Another version of this story appeared in the Los Angeles Times.

A Call for Humility and Repentance in the Gay Community by BERT M. FARIAS

My recent Charisma News article on homosexuality sure caused a stir in the world of gay. I didn't know so many of them read Charisma, a conservative Christian magazine.

Although in part I addressed gay people, my primary purpose in writing the article was to strengthen Christians with a no-nonsense biblical perspective of homosexuality, so that fewer of them would go the way of many churches in this hour, abandoning the faith by embracing unbiblical views of homosexuality and gay marriage.

The LGBT community, however, got wind of it and was up in arms about my article and made sure to let me know it through hundreds of comments on this site, a host of other public rants on various LGBT sites, and through many vile and venom-filled private messages.

Attached to a few comments were death threats and statements like, "I hope you die of pancreatic cancer." And then these same people have the audacity to accuse me of being filled with hate, filled with Satan, calling me a delusional piece of trash, an absolute monster, and other grossly offensive obscenities not appropriate for public space. One could easily have mistaken them for terrorists who delight in killing those who refuse to convert to their ideology.

But it should come as no surprise when people become infuriated at the calling out of their sins. Even the Pharisees shamelessly called Jesus a demon (John 8:48) when He told them that they were of their father, the devil (John 8:44). They called John the Baptist a demon too (Luke 7:33), of whom Jesus said there wasn't a greater prophet (Luke 7:28). Isn't it rather ironic that people under demonic influence accuse others of having demons? But wisdom is justified of her children (Luke 7:35).

Phil Robertson said, "The truth always sounds like hate to those who hate the truth."

Why All the Fuss Over the Putrid-Smelling Demon?

I understand that the greatest point of offense from my article happened when I exposed homosexuality as a putrid-smelling demon that many have embraced. Apparently that was the arrow that afflicted the comfort of the hornet's nest, creating cyberspace madness. I did not say, as so many claimed, that gay people were demons. However, any serious student of the Bible clearly understands that we live in a fallen world that demons rule. "The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" (1 John 5:19). But those of Christ's kingdom learn to resist those demons, while those blinded by the wicked one ignorantly yield to them.

A putrid-smelling demon would be considered an unclean spirit. Jesus taught on the operation of unclean spirits (demons) and their desire to inhabit human beings.

"When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation" (Matt. 12:43-45).

Why all the rage and madness over a putrid-smelling demon? Is it not because I associated it with homosexuality? The scriptures condemn every form of sexual immorality, calling it a sin against your own body (1 Cor. 6:18). I singled out homosexuality in my article because it is widely accepted and celebrated in today's culture. As our courts continue to issue rulings that normalize this sinful behavior and legalize same-sex marriage, people seem intent on rushing headlong into this lifestyle without considering its earthly, and more importantly, its eternal consequences.

Hell is real, and it is eternal, with no exits, and Scripture frighteningly and so graphically paints a picture of hell in many places of the Bible. In one  striking reference, the Word conveys an image of hell's excitement in meeting departed spirits of wicked rulers (which would include all sinners) at their coming (Isa 14:9). I know this is not a popular doctrine, and to many it is offensive, and some preachers today have even totally excluded it from their theology. Nevertheless, the inspired Word of God says much about it.

To all those whose faith is truly based on Holy Scripture, it is impossible to deny that every form of sexual immorality, including homosexuality, is sin, period. End of discussion. It is also impossible to deny scriptures that warn us that those who practice sin, including homosexuality, have no inheritance in the Kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10, Eph. 5:5). Instead, they have only an eternal hell to look forward to, of which Jesus stated emphatically was a place where, "their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched" (Mk 9: 44, 46, 48). This is based on the authority of Scripture. I did not say that; God did.

In fact, it pains me to write these words, knowing there are multitudes who have blindly chosen this broad way, which leads only to death and destruction (Matt. 7:13). If you do not believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, then we do not share a common place of agreement for even an honest dialogue, so please direct your venomous and hate-filled messages toward God. All I am doing is repeating His Word that has already been established and settled in heaven (Ps. 119:89).

The Scriptures also tell us that some human beings are past feeling and have given themselves over to lewdness and uncleanness. There's that word "unclean" again. "Who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness" (Eph. 4:19).

Lewdness is associated with words such as licentiousness, filthiness, lasciviousness, etc. An unclean spirit or demon emanates these characteristics through human beings who yield to them.

But the word lewdness has much stronger implications. It means total debauchery, unashamed indecency, unbridled lust, and unrestrained depravity. The person with this characteristic has an insolent defiance of public opinion, sinning in broad daylight with arrogance and contempt.

Ever been to a gay pride parade? Lewdness is rampant. I have a minister friend who attends them with the aim of finding and ministering the gospel to the broken ones who will listen to the voice of reason and compassion.

It's one thing to acknowledge your sin and be guilt-ridden, humbled and contrite over it, as in the beautiful redemptive account of the adulterous woman (John 8:1-11). But it is quite another to display your uncleanness with pride and pomp, and call God's true servants who tell you the truth out of love for your soul such blasphemous names. Even God can't help the proud (Jam. 4:6). His mercy always waits for humility and repentance. So my plea to the gay community would be for them to truly humble themselves.

The Scriptures also associate the devil with sin: "He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning" (1 John 3:8).

Why is it so difficult for people to believe the simplicity of what Scripture says about demons and how they work through man's flesh and entice us to sin and work evil? Is it not because they hate the truth of what God plainly says and refuse to conform themselves to it? Is it not because they hate the light?

"For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed" (John 3:20).

Was it not because of their hatred of the truth that they also sought to kill Jesus, and of course, eventually succeeded in doing so? "But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God" (John 8:40).

Do not George Orwell's words ring so true in modern American society today? "The more a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it."

Is this not what is at the crux of the matter of all who were filled with rage and displayed madness at my recent article on homosexuality? So if you are part of the gay community, or you call yourself a gay "Christian," what should you do?

Don't be afraid of looking truth right in the face. Acknowledge the Holy Scriptures as God's Word. With genuine godly sorrow, humble yourself and repent of your sin of homosexuality. Leave your partners and all gay associations, as if you were Lot in the days of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, escaping for your life. Your sinful associations will only keep you in a weakened position. Begin to call on the Name of the Lord from a sincere heart. He will give you grace to empower you toward change. Seek help and prayer from God-loving, Bible-believing Christians.

I just spent nearly an hour writing an email to a young man who is having homosexual thoughts and wants to be free. He recognizes this temptation as a demonic force attempting to get him to act on those thoughts. God will honor him and many others who humble themselves and who truly desire freedom.

Will you follow his lead?

Remember that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

Bert M. Farias, founder of Holy Fire Ministries, is the author of The Real Gospel and co-host of the New England Holy Ghost Forum. He is a missionary evangelist carrying a spirit of revival to the church and the nations. Follow him at Bert Farias on Facebook or @Bertfarias1 on Twitter.

Charles Spurgeon's Lost Sermons Surface as Intercessors Cry for Awakening by BOB SMIETANA/LIFEWAY

Charles Spurgeon preached to more than 10 million people, baptized more than 14,000 converts, and sold more than 50 million copies of his sermons.

Nineteenth-century legendary London pastor Charles Spurgeon was a publishing and preaching juggernaut.

He preached to more than 10 million people, baptized more than 14,000 converts, and sold more than 50 million copies of his sermons. Spurgeon's fans nicknamed him "the Prince of Preachers" and flocked to hear him.

Nashville-based B&H Publishing will release The Lost Sermons of Charles Spurgeon, a multi-volume edition of early Spurgeon sermons and sermon outlines.

"I have been involved in Christian publishing for over 20 years," said Jim Baird, publisher of B&H Academic. "A project like this comes to you once in your lifetime if you are fortunate."

The collection of over 400 sermons and outlines dates from Spurgeon's days as a young pastor outside of Cambridge. The son of a minister, Spurgeon came to faith in 1850 during a service at a Primitive Methodist Church. That encounter with God set him on a path to become one of the most prolific preachers in the English language.

"It is sometimes overlooked that Charles Spurgeon published more words in the English language than any other Christian in history," said George, curator of the Spurgeon library at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri.

Spurgeon began preaching not long after his conversion. At 17, he became pastor of a Baptist church in Waterbeach, not far from Cambridge. He kept his sermon outlines—which he called "skeletons"—along with some full-text sermons in a series of handwritten journals.

The first of the 13 newly discovered journals is dated October 1849, a few months before Spurgeon's conversion. The last is dated from 1854, right before he became pastor of the New Park Street Chapel in London. The journals reveal how Spurgeon developed his theology as well as his skill in preaching.

"Lord, revive my stupid soul," Spurgeon wrote after finishing one sermon. Another ended with, "Oh my God. Do help. For Jesus' sake."

After becoming a pastor in London, Spurgeon had planned to publish those early sermons. But that never came to pass. They were stored in the archives of Spurgeon's College in London and forgotten.

George discovered the journals three years ago, while doing research at the college. A librarian there brought him a stack of Spurgeon's journals to look through.

"Only when I began flipping through their pages did I realize the significance," he said. "These were the lost sermons Spurgeon tried so long ago to publish."

The multi-volume set from B&H Academic will include sermons from those journals, along with critical commentary on them from George. It will be the first critical edition of Spurgeon's work ever to be published, according to George.

Most other works about Spurgeon either reprint his sermons without analysis, or only focus on his "celebrity-like reputation, uncanny oratorical abilities, and worldwide influence," said George. That leaves many people with a one-dimensional view of the great preacher.

"But there is a growing interest in Spurgeon scholarship in recovering his humanity—his inconsistencies, his weaknesses, his doubts, struggles and sufferings," he said. "In this way, we discover a Spurgeon who does not arrive on the theological landscape of 19th-century Britain in perfect, polished form, but instead a preacher in progress whose exegesis, rhetorical tendencies, and homiletic method evolve over the first five years of his preaching ministry."

George hopes this new edition of early Spurgeon sermons will lead to more scholarly interest in the great preacher. Pastors, he said, will also benefit from these early sermons.

"He models for us an unwavering commitment to Christ-centered preaching, fervent prayer and discipleship, local and world evangelism, and incarnational urban ministries," George said.

Baird said the new books will be published next year. Digital versions will be available exclusively through WORDsearch.

Assemblies of God Launches Next 'Jesus Movement' by

The Human Right is a movement to encourage students to live the message of Jesus, read and understand the Bible and have the boldness to share the message. (Facebook)

Believing every person has the right to experience a clear and adequate presentation of the gospel of Jesus, Assemblies of God on Wednesday launched The Human Right, a movement to encourage students to live the message of Jesus, read and understand the Bible, and have the boldness to share the message.

The Human Right complements the Assemblies of God's extensive involvement in providing human rights through ministries such as:

Convoy of Hope, which has served 65 million people, providing disaster relief with global teams working from six international warehouses and feeding 145,000 children in 11 countries; Project Rescue, which in 2013 gave freedom to over 35,000 women and children from sex trafficking; Cry Africa, which has a network of practitioners throughout sub-Saharan Africa assisting in education and care for those affected by AIDS/HIV; Latin America ChildCare, which has had more than 1.5 million students pass through its network of schools in 21 countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

"This generation is very culturally sensitive to human rights," said Dr. George O. Wood, general superintendent for the Assemblies of God. "We're actively involved in child advocacy, child sponsorships, water wells, feeding programs and any number of issues that deal with human rights. But there is a right that is even more basic and that is the right of every single person to have a clear and adequate presentation of the gospel of Jesus. We want to ensure this human right is being met worldwide."

The Human Right movement seeks to unite students in rising from apathy to action, entitlement to responsibility, and silence to advocacy.

"There are 2 billion people that don't have this basic human right, and in fact many of them are not only living across the ocean but in our own backyard," said Dr. Wood.

Speed the Light (STL), the student-led, church-facilitated initiative of the Assemblies of God that provides students the opportunity to engage in missions, is the global expression of The Human Right movement, and Youth Alive, which works cross-denominationally to connect youth ministry to the schools, is the local expression.

The Human Right website, TheHumanRight.org, launched Wednesday, allowing individuals to join the movement. Assemblies of God churches will be encouraged to partner with the movement during the closing of the Assemblies of God Centennial Celebration in Springfield, Missouri, on Aug. 10.

In October, The Human Right Tour, a multi-day experience created to help students press pause on the busyness of life and seek to know Jesus more and make Him known, will begin. The themes woven throughout the experience center on the three core values of The Human Right: Abide, Abandon and Advocate.


Each core value is connected to a key experience of the tour, with each one offering practical application: a prayer room with teaching and prayer times; a main service experience; and a community outreach. Churches may sign up now to host an experience on TheHumanRight.org.

4 Ways to Kill Church Worship Fast by THOM SCHULTZ

Looking around the church last Sunday I noticed that the majority weren't singing. And most of those who were singing barely moved their lips. The only voices I actually heard were those on stage with microphones. 

That's been the case for years now—in churches large and small. What used to be congregational singing has become congregational staring.

Even when the chipper "worship leader" in contemporary churches bounds on stage and predictably beckons everyone to "stand and worship," the people compliantly obey the stand command, but then they turn into mute mannequins.

What's behind this phenomenon? What happened to the bygone sounds of sanctuaries overflowing with fervent, harmonizing voices from the pews, singing out with a passion that could be heard down the street? I suspect it's a number of unfortunate factors.

Spectator set-up. Increasingly, the church has constructed the worship service as a spectator event. Everyone expects the people on stage to perform while the pew-sitters fulfill the expectation of any good audience–file in, be still, be quiet, don't question, don't contribute (except to the offering plate) and watch the spotlighted musicians deliver their well-rehearsed concerts.

Professionalism. It seems it's paramount for church music to be more professional than participatory. The people in the pews know they pale in comparison to the loud voices at the microphones. Quality is worshipped. So the worshipers balk at defiling the quality with their crude crooning. It's better to just fake it with a little lip syncing.

Blare. The musicians' volume is cranked up so high that congregants can't hear their own voices, or the voices of those around them, even if they would sing. So they don't sing. What would it add? The overwhelming, amplified sound blares from big speakers, obliterating any chance for the sound of robust congregational singing.

Music choice. Sometimes people refrain from singing because the songs are unfamiliar, hard to sing or just cheesy. Sometimes worship leaders choose a song that may thematically tie into the day's sermon topic, but it's unsingable. Sometimes worship leaders choose lame songs written by their favorite songwriters–themselves.

I admit. I've joined the majority. I've stopped singing. I'm not happy about it. I know I should overcome these barriers and just praise the Lord with my very unprofessional vocalizations. But I long for an environment that evokes my real heartfelt vocal participation.

Thom Schultz is an eclectic author and the founder of Group Publishing and Lifetree Café. Holy Soup offers innovative approaches to ministry, and challenges the status quo of today's church.

For the original article, visit worshipideas.com.

"The Reproach of the Solemn Assembly" by David Wilkerson (Urgent)

(Transcribed from a audio tape recording of a Message at Times Square Church)

Zephaniah 3:18 - "I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. "

This is a dual prophecy by Zephaniah. It has to do with the children of Israel . . and also with spiritual Zion (which is the church of Jesus Christ of the last day). First of all, he was speaking to Jews - that God was going to gather together the dispersed . . . but He was only going to bring back those who had a broken heart for the sad condition of Israel. . . . . He would remember all who carried the reproach. . . all of the horrible things that were going on in God's House. Those who carried the burden of it, He said, "I am going to gather you". He made great promises to these. . .

This prophecy is also to the Church of Jesus Christ in the Last Day. In the Old Testament, the children of Israel were called to their festivals for seven days. On the eighth day - it was called an Solemn Assembly. That was when they met especially together - putting everything aside in focused worship and praise to the Heavenly Father. The scripture says, "On the eighth day you shall have a Solemn Assembly". This Solemn Assembly is all through the Old Testament representing the congregation that is separated unto God needing to meet the Lord.

This is the Church of Jesus Christ in the Last Day. According to Zephaniah, the House of God in the Last Days is going to be under reproach. The Hebrew word hear means "shame and disgrace".

There is going to be shame and disgrace in the House of God. We are not talking about the backslidden, liberal modern church. . . . The Lord said on the Judgment Day, He will deal with that Church. We can pray for them, but we are not spend any of our grief on that which is not really the Church.

God is looking for a people who will sorrow and grieve over the reproach that is being fostered on the Church of Jesus Christ in these last days. I am talking about the Church that was born at Pentecost. I am talking about the Church that was born in the teaching of the Apostle Paul and the Apostles. The Church born in the doctrine of the Godhead of Jesus Christ. That born-again Church is under attack. That Church is suffering reproach.

It has been prophesied that in this day of reproach, shame and disgrace, God is going to raise up a holy remnant who are going grieve and weep over this defilement. . .

God will have a remnant that will not sit idly by while all of these things invade the Church. God says, "I will have a people that are not going to be satisfied to go their merry way and just ignore what is happening as Charlatans and money-mad false prophets are coming into the House of God and destroying everything in sight."

God is going to gather a people who grieve over this. . . . If you truly love the Lord and you love His Church, you can not look honestly at what is happening today (and I am going to name these reproaches this morning). If after you hear what I have to say about this reproach, and you can walk out of this Church and you can say, "I just stand on Matthew 18 'the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church', I am not going to worry about, God has everything under control".

That is not enough. God uses people. God uses people to perform His work. He does not send angels. Angels weep over it, but God does not use angels to accomplish His purposes. He uses burdened broken-hearted weeping men and women. . . . . Judgment is at the door, Jesus is coming. The Day of the Lord is at hand.

Wake up elders. Wake up pastors. Wake up shepherds. Take a look at the Church. Get the burden. Carry it. Why should we take on the burden of the reproach of the Solemn Assembly? Joel said, "because there is a rotten seed being planted."

A gospel is being preached that is withering everything that is in sight. Everything that is green and Godly and pure is being withered. The seed is rotten . . . . . there is a famine of hearing the pure Word of the Lord. . . . there is no pasture. The flocks are desolate and hungry. The rivers are drying up. A strange fire is devouring the pastors. Ezekiel says that Shepherds are trampling down the good pasture and eating the best for themselves. What are the shameful disgraceful things that are happening in the Church of Jesus Christ today?

First of all it is the rotten seed that is being preached by covetous Shepherds. This is known as the PROSPERITY GOSPEL.

This is one of the greatest reproaches that the Church of Jesus Christ ever perpetrated since Christ.

This perverted gospel is poisoning multitudes - even in China, Africa and all over the world. It is an American gospel invented and spread by rich American evangelists and pastors. Rich!

It alarms me that so many people can hear the tapes and see videos that are coming out of these prosperity conferences and not weep over them. This poison has spread all over the world. Cuba is about to open and they are itching to get in there right now with their Prosperity gospel to tell them, "you have been poor enough now, God wants all Cubans to be rich."

This past week I was given a video tape recently recorded in Kenneth Copeland's meetings. I listened to the speakers and I was dumbfounded.

Folks, you read the New Testament, you will find that Paul the Apostle named those who he believed were false prophets. He warned and he named their names. I am telling you now that if you can listen to what I am about to tell you, and not be grieved, then you are blind. You are spiritually blind. You have a hard heart. A heart with a shield on it so that the pure gospel can not penetrate it. The mind has been so saturated with this unbalanced gospel that you can not come to many of them. You can not preach the truth. You can not show them anything else in the scripture because they have a shield over their hearts. Hard hearted.

Some of you will not receive it. If you have been feeding your soul on Copeland or Hagin's tapes, you are not going to like what you hear. Folks, I am a Shepherd, I've been called by God. I made this church a promise. As long as we are in this pulpit, if we saw wolves in sheep's clothing coming to rob the flock, we would stand up and cry out against it. It is up to you to do something about it.

I sat this week and listened to the speakers at this conference and I was so shocked and hurt. The burden of the Lord came on me. That is why I am preaching this message. Grieve over it.

I quote word for word what was said. All the speakers could hardly get by because all of the people were running up stuffing their pockets with money. The reason they do that is a new doctrine that has just come out that says, "if you want to be blessed, you have to find the most blessed evangelist or pastor you can find because he that has been given much receiveth much, he that has little, even that which he has will be taken from him. If you find the most blessed prosperous preacher and give him money, then you will be blessed. The more blessed he is, if you give you to those that are most blessed. . . ". it is a pyramid scheme. If these men were in the secular world, they would be in jail. Ponzie schemes. Pyramid schemes. The man at the top who appears to be the holiest and speaks the loudest. Hundreds of people were running up until the pockets were bulging. The sinner says, "is this the free gospel? Dollar bills?"

Listen to what was said. The speaker got up and he said, "if a poor widow on welfare hands you $5.00, you better take it. Elijah took the widow's last meal. You are the anointed one, you deserve it, you take it."

The same speaker said, "I live in a 8,000 square foot house. I am going to build a bigger one now. One that King Solomon would be proud of. I just paid $15,000 for a dog. You see this gorgeous ring on my finger, I was in Jamaica and just paid $32,000 for it. I want you know that when the people in my town come past my mansion and they see my Rolls Royce sitting in the driveway, they know there is a God in heaven."

Now, you tell me, that is the gospel? You tell me that you can't weep over that.

One of the speakers got up and said, "We made a covenant along with Brother Copeland that for the next 365 days none of us are going to suffer for a single day. We will not know a moment of discouragement. We will never be sick or in need. We are going to enjoy all the blessings. We reject all suffering, all pain, all financial problems." That is fine if you are on the top of the heap.

Here is what grieves me most. This was preached. "The Holy Spirit can't be poured out upon you until first you are in the money flow. Until you are prospering, the Holy Ghost cannot do His work."

Think of it! How does this affect you? What does it do to your spirit when you see poor people who are living from pay check to pay check and suddenly he says, "run for the money" and people are running wildly everywhere and they say as they run, "they are claiming the riches".

Then I see people withering like snakes out of their seats onto the floor. I see the evangelist going up and hissing like a snake and people falling everywhere. Folks, what is going on?

The Reproach of the Solemn Assembly! The prophet called them "greedy dogs, ungodly watchmen". Folks, if you had the heart of God and the burden of the Lord you would be crying out with Isaiah, "they are blind watchmen, ignorant, dumb dogs, sleeping, loving to slumber, yea, greedy dogs which can never have enough."

"I've got 8,000 square foot but I am going to sell it and I'm going to make one now that King Solomon could live in...." Never getting enough.

He said, "Shepherds that cannot understand, they all look to their own way, every one for his own gain from his quarter". Jeremiah spared no words. He said, "My people are lost sheep. Their Shepherds have caused them to go astray. " You say, "Pastor, you have no right to speak so strongly on this subject." If you think I'm strong, listen to Ezekiel 34:1-10. [read this scripture]

You take $5.00 from the widow and you buy a $15,000 dog. You take the pay check from the widow and the poor and you tell them that they do not have enough faith - that is why they are prospering. You take the very wool from off the back of the sheep. You are not out for souls, you are out for money.


"The Shepherds fed themselves and fed not the flock, therefore O you Shepherds, hear the Word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God, Behold I am against the Shepherds and I will require my flock at their hand and cause them to cease from feeding the flock. Neither shall the Shepherds feed themselves any more, for I will deliver my flock from mouth that they may not be meat for them anymore".

I am going to deliver my flock from the teeth of these men. My God, help us.

Second, the misrepresentation of the blessed Holy Ghost. This is the worst reproach. It should make us fall on our faces. The way and the manner in which the Holy Ghost is being represented to the whole world.

Sad to say, there is so little discernment left in the church among so many pastors and even church leaders. They don't even know when the Holy Ghost is being misrepresented or blasphemed. There are thousands of Christians that go to crusades and they see things that they think is the Holy Ghost and they don't even know what they are sitting under. They are clapping and praising God while a man stands up there blaspheming and misrepresenting the Holy Ghost and they don't even know it.

Entire Charismatic denominations, including the Assemblies of God, are being torn apart, literally torn apart by pseudo revivals. All kinds of things that are happening - there is something new being introduced almost every week. The leaders don't whether to embrace it or to curse it. They don't know what to do. We get letters from hundreds and hundreds of pastors from all over the world. They say, "what is right and what is wrong?" Where are the leaders? Where is somebody to tell us?

Folks, what we are seeing today in what is called so many revivals and things that are happening attributed to the Holy Ghost can not be found in the Scripture. Anything that can not be found in this Book has to be rejected outright. Totally rejected!

I weep when I see these videos that are sent to me from all over the country. Whole groups of bodies jerking out of control, falling on the floor, laughing hysterically, staggering around like drunkards, writhing like snakes, howling like wild animals. We have evangelists that stand and blow on people to knock them down, as if the breath of the Holy Ghost is now incarnated him. Throws his "designer" jacket at people and says that is the "hand of the Lord".

Now a new Gospel has just hit South America. Folks, it is rude and crude, but I have to tell you. When you get away from the parameters of Scripture, when you get up and say: "Oh, it is a New Thing, God is doing a New Thing? I don't understand it, it is not in the Scripture, but I don't want to stand against the Holy Ghost".

Folks, if it is not in this Book, you must stand up against it. Now the New Thing is that you can't enter the Kingdom of God except you come as a little babe. The people come with diapers under their outer clothing so that they can defecate and urinate in the meetings. This is the New Thing. Folks, where does it end?

A pastor said, "Is it come down to this, that one day some evangelist stands up and says, 'I've got a revelation from the Lord, it is time to add Mary to your worship". That is what it is going to come to.

Another evangelist calls himself the Holy Ghost Bartender. [Rodney Howard Browne] He says, "Belly up to the bar and take a drink of the Holy Ghost." They call that drinking the new wine. I hear ringing in my ears the prophet that said, "The day of the Lord is at hand. Wickedness abounds. Weep between the porch and the altar. Put on sackcloth. Fast and mourn for the backsliding of my people."

Jesus is about to come. The masses are unreached. When I see Christians belly up to what is called the "Holy Ghost Bar", staggering like drunkards, Joel's words come to me loud and clear, "Awake you drunkards and weep all you who drink new wine because the harvest in the field is perished."

Souls are dying by the thousands, what are you laughing about? Anything of the Holy Ghost has to work anywhere on the face of the earth. You have to be able to take it into the most vile wicked places. You have to take it into poverty nations. You have to take it to the dregs of humanity and it has to work there. It can't work just in prosperous America. It has to work everywhere on the face of the earth.

I dare these men take this gospel, the laughing gospel into the Balkans now. Go into the refugee camps where wives are crying because they saw their husbands shot. Their daughters have been raped. Their children are hungry. They have lost their homes and go in there and ask them to "belly up to the bar" - the Holy Ghost wants you to laugh. This so-called revival is coming to Madison Square Gardens this summer. Knowing what you know about the Scripture, carrying the grief and the burden for the Solemn Assembly, how can you even conceive of embracing such a doctrine?

Let me tell you who is laughing. The world. The ungodly, the heathen. It has become a spectacle. In a time so close to the coming of the Lord when the Church of Jesus Christ ought to be shut away in a secret closet of prayer. Where it ought to be weeping for the lost. Where it ought to have the desire to forsake all and follow Jesus. Where there should never be a mention of the dollar bill. The American god. The American idolatry. We have the world looking at this foolishness and do you know what they are thinking now - that the Holy Ghost is a Ringmaster. It is a Charismatic Circus.

I don't care what anybody thinks any more. I don't care if people drop off the mailing list. I care for their souls and the fact that many are into this blindness. I have a duty before God to stand before the congregation that He has called me to minister to and warn you and tell you that these are reproaches of the Solemn Assembly and the Bible says that you are to be sorrowful about it. The elders are to be sorrowful. The congregation, the Pastors, the Ministers, the Evangelists, We should be praying down these strongholds.

Finally, the reproach of downgrading depravity in the Church. Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil - that put darkness for light and light for darkness. They put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. (Jer. 23:15).


I've seen in the prophets a horrible thing. They commit adultery, they walk in lies, they strengthen also the hands of evil doer and non returns from his wickedness."

I received a letter this past week from an irate Christian woman. She said, "My husband, who is supposed to be a Christian, is a big time gambler, in the millions." She said, "I've been so concerned with the crowd and the danger he is in". I thought, "I'll urge him to go to the pastor."

She said, "Brother Wilkerson, you will not believe what happened. I am so angry, hurt and confused. I sent my multi-million dollar gambling husband to my pastor."

He said, "I have searched the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation and I can't find one thing in the scripture against gambling. I see no sin in it, enjoy yourself." She was dumbfounded, "How can a man of God say such a thing to my husband?"

This is exactly what Jeremiah meant, "the pastors strengthen the hands of evildoers that none doth return from his wickedness." He explains why they have downgraded depravity in their congregation and why they are calling evil good and good evil and bitter sweet and sweet bitter.

He said, "The prophets have committed adultery and are walking in lies." Any man that has sin in his life is not going to get up and talk about sin in the camp. He is convicted by his own adultery, his own sin and his own evil mind.

I am not painting every minister in the country with this brush. The majority of ministers are on fire for God. There young ministers so clean and so pure in this wicked day and age. I've met many of them and I thank God for them. Even in this City I've met some of the most righteous preachers I've ever met in my lifetime.

Multitudes of ministers feel just like I feel this morning and they are looking and waiting for voices to expose that which is evil. "If they had stood in my council and had caused my people to heard my words. . if they were speaking what I really have in my heart. If they were speaking the mind of God, they should have turned the people away from their evil ways and from the evil of their doings"

You can tell if a man knows the Lord. God says of the others, "I didn't send them, I didn't speak to them. They speak their own mind out of their own imagination. Out of the evil of their own hearts."


"They speak of vision of their own heart, I sent them not. I have not spoken to them. They say unto them that despise me, 'the Lord said, you shall have peace' and they say unto every one that walks after the imagination of his own heart, 'no evil shall come upon there.'"

The reproach upon the Solemn Assembly should be the greatest sorrow to every one who loves Christ and His Church. This should be the greatest sorrow in our heart - these reproaches on His name and on His Church. Weep over the condition of the Church.

When you take your stand and when you take on the burden of the Lord, by fasting and prayer. Every child of God needs to be praying that everyone in this snare will be delivered. Don't touch it, don't go near it, if you go in just out of curiosity it will grab you because it appeals to everything of the flesh.

Until you know how to deal with the flesh with the power of the Holy Ghost, stay away from it. Jeremiah said, "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is Mighty. He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy. He will rest in His love. He will joy over thee with singing."

Why? Because He has found a people who are sorrowful over the things that sorrow His heart. Who carry the burden that He carries, the Reproach of the Solemn Assembly.

This is going to become a "love-trap" . You will hear this: "We love everybody. It doesn't matter what you preach. It doesn't matter if you are in prosperity. It doesn't matter what your gospel is - or anything else. God is love. Let us all just get together and embrace one another."

How can two walk together unless they be agreed. How can you walk with those when you don't agree with the unscriptural practices, you can not. That is a love trap. They say, "Don't condemn anybody. Don't judge anybody."

That is not what the Bible says. It says that we are to judge righteous judgement. Reprove and rebuke with all longsuffering. I am not on a soapbox, I am on a Rock. God is trying to save you, Church.

What are the riches of God in Christ Jesus? The peace of God, the wisdom of God, the nearness of Christ, all that is in Christ is ours. . . . .

Folks, beware! Beware! Have I scared you? Are you ready to take on the burden of the Lord.
You can't do that in your own flesh. Get alone with God!

The time has come to call a Solemn Assembly. If you have any of these tapes or books, get them out of your house. Don't give them away, burn them. If somebody invites you to go to these things, say, "I'm sorry, I don't want a famine of the Word and I don't my heart to whither and dry. I want the pure Word of the Lord that will cause me to grow. I don't want any message that is going to appeal to my flesh or to foster covetousness in my spirit."

God does supply needs and He is a miracle working God, but He does it only His way. Not by misappropriating and not mis-using the scripture.

Abraham was not looking at things on earth, He was looking for a City whose Builder and Maker is God.


The late David Wilkerson's sermons can be heard and downloaded here: http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/viewcat.php?cid=27

Malaysian Plane MH 17 Crashed - Tragic Day for Malaysia, Netherlands & Australia

City Harvest Church trial to resume Monday

The trial involving the City Harvest Church founder Kong Hee and his five deputies resumes on Monday.



SINGAPORE: The trial involving the City Harvest Church founder Kong Hee and his five deputies resumes on Monday (July 14).

The fourth leg of the trial will stretch for a week, and the first of the six church leaders is expected to take the stand.

The City Harvest Church trial is shaping up to be one of the longest-running criminal trials.

In 2012, Kong Hee and his five deputies were charged with misusing S$24 million of church funds to finance his wife Sun Ho's music career.

Four of them were also accused of misappropriating S$26 million to cover up the first sum.

The trial began in May last year, and the prosecution wrapped up its case after 42 days over a nine-month period.

In May this year, Presiding Judge of the State Courts See Kee Oon decided that the six church leaders have a case to answer after hearing the prosecution's evidence.

The Judge accepted there was a plan to move money from the church's Building Fund to Xtron Productions and glassware firm Firna (PT The First National Glassware) for the purpose of funding Ms Ho's singing career.

The court also accepted there was evidence to show the monies were moved from the church to the various firms to generate a false appearance that the church's investments were redeemed.

The Judge said the six had been dishonest in the use of the money.

The trial's fourth leg will likely see former church board member John Lam take the stand. The other five have also indicated they will testify in their defence.

Channel NewsAsia understands defence lawyers are likely to argue that the six accused never acted with dishonest intent, and there was no intent to mislead or conceal information.

Another point they will likely make is that the bonds entered into were genuine investments and transactions with no monetary loss to the church, and that the transactions had been checked with lawyers and auditors to ensure their legitimacy.

After this week, the trial will be adjourned till August, when it will resume for most of the month and carry on into September.

It is understood that among the witnesses the defence intends to call are staff of the City Harvest Church as well as Kong's wife, Ms Ho.

- CNA/nd

Is This the Biggest Deception in the Last 100 Years? by OS HILLMAN

"The greatest lie of the last 100 years is the redefining of what separation of church and state means," said an attorney with the Alliance Defending Freedom organization. I agree with that statement. It is amazing how many think that separation of church and state means keeping God out of government and the public discourse. That is simply false.

Many people think the separation of church and state is part of the First Amendment, but it is not. The First Amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishing of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Many seem to forget the second part of that statement—"or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

What the founders did not want was any one denomination of the Christian religion to run the nation. They wanted to stay away from what they had left in England, where the King was the head of the Church. However, the Founding Fathers and the Supreme Court were quite clear that Judeo-Christian principles made up the established religion of America, and WAS to be involved in the way government would function. This is evident in the Supreme Court decision of 1796, and many other writings."

Following is a copy of a letter from Thomas Jefferson that further explained his reasoning behind the separation of church and state reference.

Thomas Jefferson's Famous Letter
On Jan. 1, 1802, President Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to Danbury Baptist Church of Connecticut. In 1801 the Danbury Baptist Church heard a rumor that the Congregationalist Denomination was going to be made the National Denomination. This disturbed them as it well should. Jefferson answered in his letter:

"To messers. Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.

"Gentlemen,

"The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. My duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, and in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.

"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

"I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves and your religious association, assurances of my high respect and esteem."

Many have wrongfully tried to build a case that Jefferson's intent was a wall of separation between God, religion and government, which was not his intent. In fact, church services were regularly held in the capitol building and Jefferson attended those services.

David Barton explains the history of these church services: "Many people are surprised to learn that the United States Capitol regularly served as a church building; a practice that began even before Congress officially moved into the building and lasted until well after the Civil War.

"The cornerstone of the Capitol was laid by President George Washington in 1793, but it was not until the end of 1800 that Congress actually moved into the building. According to the congressional records for late November of 1800, Congress spent the first few weeks organizing the Capitol rooms, committees, locations, etc. Then, on Dec. 4, 1800, Congress approved the use of the Capitol building as a church building.

"The approval of the Capitol for church was given by both the House and the Senate, with House approval being given by Speaker of the House, Theodore Sedgwick, and Senate approval being given by the President of the Senate, Thomas Jefferson. Interestingly, Jefferson's approval came while he was still officially the vice president but after he had just been elected president.

"Significantly, the Capitol building had been used as a church even for years before it was occupied by Congress. The cornerstone for the Capitol had been laid on September 18, 1793; two years later while still under construction, the July 2, 1795, Federal Orrery newspaper of Boston reported:

"City of Washington, June 19. It is with much pleasure that we discover the rising consequence of our infant city. Public worship is now regularly administered at the Capitol, every Sunday morning, at 11 o'clock by the Reverend Mr. Ralph."

In God We Trust

I don't know about you, but I get tired of hearing people say they cannot pray or make a public statement about their faith because of the separation of church and state. There is no other issue that has been more hijacked than that statement. Our founders never intended for God not to be a part of our nation's founding and operation.

Alarmed by the concerted effort to remove God from every vestige of government and to silence the voice of millions, the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation is at the center of a growing network of national, state and local leaders who are working together to restore, upgrade and popularize America's founding spirit and the principles related to faith and morality that shaped this Great Republic. CPCF is mobilizing leaders and citizens who are committed to promoting prayer, preserving our Judeo-Christian heritage and protecting religious freedom for all.

Our nation's national motto is "In God We Trust." The United States Congress passed in 1956 H.J. Resolution 396, adopting "In God We Trust" as the official motto. However, the seeds of the nation moving toward the adoption of this motto began much earlier and was a result of the Christian influence from the Civil War. "In God We Trust" first appeared on the 1864 two-cent coin. In 1865 gold and silver coins also had the inscription added to them.

The Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation has just launched a new initiative, which allows Christians to be proactive in affirming our national motto of our nation—"In God We Trust." This statement can be displayed in public places without fear of any reprisal from the anti-God camp.

The U.S. Congress passed Resolution 13 with an overwhelming 396/9 vote in November 2011, reaffirming our national motto and encouraging its public display. Elected leaders and citizens have taken action to display "In God We Trust" in government buildings, courtrooms, schools and businesses.

One of the ways Christians can support this campaign is by ordering "In God We Trust" decals to display on cars, businesses, schools, restaurants, retail businesses—virtually any public place. Click here to learn more.

School kids can make posters. Businesses can freely display the decals. Let's be proactive by affirming our motto as a nation. It becomes a great conversation piece to educate people on what was really meant by the separation of church and state. If anyone argues with you, show them the resolution of the U.S. Congress!

Please join me in participating in this exciting campaign. Let us support this campaign to affirm our nation's motto, "In God We Trust." Who knows, by proclaiming it, perhaps it will become true again.

Os Hillman is president of Marketplace Leaders and author of Change Agent and the TGIF Today God Is First free daily email devotional.

7 Ways to Escape the Great Falling Away by JENNIFER LECLAIRE

There is much talk about Christ's soon Second Coming. But we know that Jesus will not return for a church without spot or wrinkle unless the falling away comes first...

I wrote those words about 18 months ago in an article in which I asked the question: "Is the Great Falling Away Already Underway?" I was deeply concerned then that we could be witnessing the first fruits of the Great Falling Away about which the apostle Paul prophesies in 1 Thess. 2:3. I was concerned that we were at least seeing a shadow of the Great Apostasy.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote an article called "Apostasy Rising: 4 Denominations in Less Than a Week Defy God's Word" that went massively viral. All this has stirred my heart and the Lord has mantled me to pray—and inspire others to pray—for a Third Great Awakening in America. In yet another column on our Prophetic Insight blog, I shared what the Lord told me in 2007 about a Great Awakening coming to this nation.

With all that said, I want also want to equip folks—or open their eyes to any level of deception in which they may already be walking—so they can avoid the Great Falling Away. As I read 2 Peter I found what I believe are keys and safety nets that will guard our hearts from any and all deceptions in the days ahead. Although you can find these same concepts throughout Scripture, Peter outlines what looks like a road map to working out our salvation with fear and trembling (see Phil. 2:12).

"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2 Peter 1:2-4).

1. Pursuing Virtue

Peter writes, "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue" (2 Peter 2:5). The word virtue in that verse comes from the Greek word arête. The New Testament Greek Lexicon defines it as: "a virtuous course of thought, feeling and action, virtue, moral goodness, any particular moral excellence, as modesty, purity."

How do you pursue virtue? It starts in your thought life: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things" (Phil. 4:8).

2. Increasing Knowledge

Peter exhorts us to add knowledge to our virtue. The word "knowledge" in that verse comes from the Greek word gnosis, which means, "signifies in general intelligence, understanding the general knowledge of Christian religion, the deeper, more perfect and enlarged knowledge of this religion, such as belongs to the more advanced, especially of things lawful and unlawful for Christians moral wisdom, such as is seen in right living."

Peter exhorts us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (see 2 Peter 3:18) and Paul intercedes over the Ephesians that the Father of glory "may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places..." (Eph. 1:17-20). This is something we should be praying over ourselves as we pursue the knowledge of God.

3. Practicing Self-Control

Next, Peter admonishes us to add self-control to the mix. This is important as Paul warned the church at Corinth that Satan could tempt them because of their lack of self-control (see 1 Cor. 7:5). We know that in the last days, Paul prophesied, men would be "without self-control" (see 1 Tim. 3:3). Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you manifest self-control. It is fruit of His Spirit deposited within you—but you have to work it out (see Gal. 5:23).

4. Practice Perseverance

Peter then warns us to add perseverance to our goals. This word, also translated "patience" in the King James Version, comes from the Greek word hupomone. It means, "steadfastness, constancy, endurance in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings patiently, and steadfastly a patient, steadfast waiting for a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance."

I'm reminded of Jesus words in Matthew 24, where He's talking about the signs of the times an the end of the age. He warns not to let anyone deceive us and prophesies that many will come in His name to deceive many, that there will be wars and rumors of wars, that nation would rise against nation and there would be famines, pestilences and earthquakes in various places. He said false prophets would rise up and deceive many, lawlessness would abound and the love of many would grow cold. Then He said, "He who endures to the end shall be saved" (Matt. 24:12).

5. Go After Godliness

Next on Peter's list of self-protections is the pursuit of godliness. This word godliness comes from the Greek eusebeia, which simply means "reverence, respect piety towards God, godliness." The writer of Hebrews echoes this thought: "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14).

6. Breeding Brotherly Kindness

Peter wants us to add brotherly kindness to the list above. The concept of brotherly kindness comes from the Greek word adelphotes, which means, "brotherhood, brotherly kindness, a family of brothers, the brotherhood." Jesus says those who do the will of His Father are His brothers and sister and mother (Matt. 12:50). God's will toward us is kind (see Eph. 1:5) and our will toward one another should also be kind. Kindness is also a fruit of the spirit.

7. Love Above All

Finally, Peter wants us to add love—and not just any love. The Greek word used in this verse is agape. God wants us to love one another the way He loves Jesus. Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). This will be a notable sign of Jesus' disciples when the love of many grows cold.

Peter wraps up his exhortation this way:

"For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble" (2 Peter 1:8-10). And you will never fall for the Great Apostasy. Amen.

Jennifer LeClaire is news editor at Charisma. She is also director of IHOP Fort Lauderdale and author of several books, including The Making of a Prophet and The Spiritual Warrior's Guide to Defeating Jezebel. You can email Jennifer at jennifer.leclaire@charismamedia.com or visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.