Remedy For Empty Religion

...The first World War was essentially a war between Germany and France, with other nations coming to the defense of France for fear of the aggressive ambitions of Germany. When Germany was finally pushed back behind its own borders, France determined to set up a line of defense to prevent such an invasion from ever happening again. The result was the Maginot Line, a formidable line of fortification along the border between France and Germany.

One young French army officer, Charles de Gaulle, tried to warn his su­periors in the army and in the government that this would not be enough. He told them that they were preparing for the last war and that, when the enemy came the next time, he would not come in the way they were expect­ing. He wrote of how a modern army would have to be highly mobile, ready to face an aggressor at any time, any place. His superiors thought him a troublesome young fool, considering themselves to be dwelling in safety be­hind the Maginot Line. But in 1939 the German Panzer divisions came sweeping through Holland and Belgium, completely bypassing the Maginot Line, and swiftly made themselves the masters of France.

Are the Conference decisions in some measure our Maginot Line? They are a record of how the church has faced and overcome challenges to the faith in the past. Have we perhaps become complacent, believing that we are dwelling in safety behind the protection of these decisions? But the enemy is attacking today in ways that were hardly dreamed of in the past. Can we protect our beloved church from these attacks by continually erect­ing new fortifications?

There is no room for complacency in this battle. There is no security to be found solely in a scrupulous obedience to the Conference decisions of the past, even though we believe those decisions to have the blessing of the Holy Spirit. Much more is needed to be victorious in this battle. Self-denial, cross-bearing, and a vibrant, living faith are required in the heart of every person who calls himself or herself a believer.

Remedy for Empty Religion

Adult & Youth Sunday School Lessons

Volume 47 . No. 2

Good News Foundation International Update and Prayer Request for Dec.21

Dear Sponsors, Supporters and Friends,

 

Here is an overdue update on what has been going on at GNFI. We have been very busy preparing for the return to our projects, the Lastic Canyon water project in Haiti and the Agua de Vida orphanage in Mexico. Many hours and lots of travel have been spent with the logistics and planning. The Lord has blessed us with the necessary funds to finish the Lastic Canyon project. This is a miracle in how the monies came in when it was least expected! When we stand back and stay out of God's way, he supplies our every need! We are still in need of funds for the Agua de Vida orphanage in Mexico. If the Lord speaks to your heart for these dear children we would be very thankful to you! We are currently open for new projects, if you know of a need that may fit GNFI, please let us know. In October, Kevin Bronson and Denver Eides made a trip to Ethiopia to visit a site where locals capture steam to get a small supply of water. The steam comes from underground in a funnel that could be harnessed for clean drinking water. While they were there they did some research and tested some of their ideas. They were able to get a lot more water with just a quick, somewhat crude system, instead of using tree branches thrown over these steaming areas, like the locals have done for a very long time. This seems to be have good potential for a future water project. In the dry season, people walk up to 8 miles for water! We will also be researching more orphanages in Baja Mexico, there are 84 orphanages in Baja alone!

 

Gearing up for the Lastic Canyon is going on now, so all volunteers from earlier this year that want to volunteer again for early 2011, please contact Roger Jantz at rvjantz@gmail.com, 209-631-5205 or 209-965-4290 as soon as possible.

 

As the year 2010 comes to a close we would like to thank all who entrusted their money to GNFI. This humbles us that you trusted us to use your money wisely. This money will be used to alleviate suffering, hunger and give clean drinking water as God directs. If anyone feels to share a gift before the end of the year, remember we are a tax deductible foundation!

 

Usually we don't talk to much about ourselves, but we feel we should share a little about the GNFI treasurer, Reg Bronson. Reg works hard for us, putting in many hours and doing a great job with his honesty and conservatism. Those of you that know him, already know that he has MS, a disease that can be slow, but unrelenting, and makes life more difficult and puts limits on your life. We would like to put out a prayer request for Reg, as he will be going to the Tucson Medical Center this Tuesday, the 21st, for a procedure that may help alleviate the symptoms. The fervent prayer of a believer is a powerful event! Thank you for your consideration of Reg.

 

GNFI is now 1 year old, and what a year it was! A year of much learning, blessings, miracles, support, growth.... and the Haiti earthquake! As we look back, all we see is God! As we look forward all we see is God! He will be our All in All and together with God and our faithful supporters, we will have direction for the future. Have a Blessed Christmas and a profitable New Year!

 

The GNFI Board

 

Reg Bronson

Roger Jantz

Jim Victor

Grant Schmidt

Daniel Jantz, John Monroe, Bob Jantz

Iraqi Muslims Persecuting Iraqi Christians

Christian Persecution in Iraqi and the Middle East Finally is getting Front Page
New York Times had a front page article on the persecution of Iraqis Christian minority. Many Iraqi Christians are packing their bags and leaving with the shirts on their back to start life anew elsewhere. It is not like these small Chrisitan's are posing such a threat to the Muslim majority. Apparently there are hints that the government are turning a blind eye to their plight. As Christians we pray for those that are persecuted and also for those that persecute. I hope in the end Muslims the world over can witness the power of forgivness and love borne from hearts where God's love dwells. If a Muslim would ever read this article I would encourage him to find out if there is not a cry in his heart. If there is I would encourage him to pick up a Bible with a prayerful heart and see what it says. If you believe Jesus is a prophet start with his writings and see what his message really was.

Bible Fired Revival: An article by Jonathon Goforth

I was sent this in a e-mail and it seemed quite "heart-provoking". Does it challenge you? I am afraid I fall quite short of the mark! JLT

We wish to affirm, too, that we can entertain no hope of a mighty,
globe-encircling Holy Spirit revival without there being first a back to
the Bible movement. The Author of the Bible is being greatly dishonoured
these days by the doubt cast upon His Word. It must, indeed, be a cause
of intense grief to Him that the Book which alone testifies of the Lord
Jesus should be so lightly esteemed by man. Unless the Bible is to us in
very truth the Word of God, our prayers can be naught but sheer mockery.
There never has been a revival except where there have been Christian
men and women thoroughly believing in and wholeheartedly pleading the
promises of God.
The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is the only weapon
which has ever been mightily used in revival. Where it has been given
for what it claims to be, the Word of God has always been like a sharp,
two edged sword, like fire, and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in
pieces. ..
During my student days in Toronto my one weapon, in the jails and slums,
was the Bible. In China I have often given from thirty-five to forty
addresses in a week, practically all of them being simply Bible
rehearsals. In fact, I think I can safely say that, during the forty-one
years that I have been on the foreign field, I have never once addressed
a Chinese audience without an open Bible in my hand, from which I could
say, “Thus saith the Lord!” I have always taken it for granted that the
simple preaching of the Word would bring men to Christ. It has never
failed me yet. My Chinese pastor, one of the most consecrated men I have
ever met, was saved from a life of shame and vice by the first Gospel
address which he ever heard me give.
My deepest regret, on reaching threescore years and ten, is that I have
not devoted more time to the study of the Bible. Still, in less than
nineteen years I have gone through the New Testament in Chinese
fifty-five times. That prince of Bible teachers, Dr. Campbell Morgan,
has declared that he would not attempt to teach any book in the Bible
unless he had first read it over at least fifty times. Some years ago, I
understand, a gentleman attended the English Keswick and was so fired
with a zeal for the Bible that in three years he read it through twelve
times. One would imagine, of course, that he belonged to the leisured
class. On the contrary, however, he began his day’s work at the
Motherwell steel plant at 5:30 a. m.
The Bible was not so neglected a Book when the great revivals of 1857-59
swept over the United States and Great Britain. Neither was it so
neglected in Moody’s time. During the late Manchu dynasty, scholars were
expected to know the classics of their sages off by heart. How do the
scholars of so-called Christian lands measure up to that standard as
regards the “World’s Great Classic”? It is nothing short of pathetic how
so many, who come professedly to represent the Lord Jesus Christ in
China, know so little of His Word. Thirty years ago the missionary ideal
was to know the Bible so well that one would not have to carry around a
concordance. Is the indifference to the Bible today on the part of so
many missionaries due to the fact, perhaps, that they have discovered
some better means with which to meet the needs of a sin sick world?
Finally, the call to revival must be a call to exalt Jesus Christ in our
hearts as King of kings and Lord of lords. He is like an Everest peak,
rising from the level plain. There must be room only for Him, if we
would have Him dwell with us at all. Every idol must be smashed; every
darling Isaac laid on the altar; every urge of self denied. Then, and
then only, can we expect the larger fields to open before us. ..
Was there ever such an incomparable opportunity for Christian leaders to
get rid of their ecclesiastical idols and bring themselves into heart
contact with the unsearchable riches of Christ as at the Missionary
Conference in Edinburgh in 1910? There has been no Church gathering in
modern times around which such expectations have centred. Missionary
leaders had come from all parts of the world. It was the confident hope
of many that a new era in missions had dawned. The subject for the last
day was -- “The Home Base.” It provoked visions of endless
possibilities. The home churches, empowered by a mighty Holy Ghost
Revival, would send out men fitted as were Paul and Barnabas. With their
enormous resources in men and means the world would be evangelized in a
generation.
Alas! it was only a dream. Never have I experienced such keen pain and
disappointment as I did that day. Of the many who addressed that great
missionary gathering, not more than three emphasized God the Holy Spirit
as the one essential factor in world evangelization. Listening to the
addresses that day, one could not but conclude that the giving of the
Gospel to lost mankind was largely a matter of better organization,
better equipment, more men and women. Symptoms, indeed, were not lacking
that a few more sparks might have precipitated an explosion. But no, the
dethronement of the idol of ecclesiastical self-sufficiency was
apparently too great a price to pay.
But, brethren, the Spirit of God is with us still. Pentecost is yet
within our grasp. If revival is being withheld from us it is because
some idol remains still enthroned; because we still insist in placing
our reliance in human schemes; because we still refuse to face the
unchangeable truth that “it is not by might, but BY MY SPIRIT.”

- Jonathon Goforth

A FREE Gospel Tract and Literature Resource: Gospel Tract and Bible Society

I have been noticing that Operation Noah's Ark Audience has increasingly turned international. I have also been disappointed that I have not been able to post as many Gospel articles as I would have liked. It is my sincere desire that the light could shine in every corner even on the Internet, and if we all do our little part God only knows the souls we may point to him. Of course we do not treat Gospel outreach as a score board. We all know we all stand in need of a Physician. Especially one for the soul. We all need a Savior to save us from ourselves and damnation of those that sin against God willfully. God help us all because none can stand justified before God without the blood of Jesus. 


To Keep it Simple :


If any readers here need good solid Gospel literature read, Bible study or for pass out on the street:


1. Is sound doctrinally
2. Is FREE
3. Teaches Jesus Christ, Repentance, Humility, Nonresistance (Matt. 5-7), Heaven and Hell
4. Covers all manner of doctrine found in the Bible like
   a. Women's headcovering
   b. Modesty
   c. Men wearing the Beard
   d. Proper Practise of Holy Kiss, etc.
5. Uses KJV
6. Comes in many languages


CONTACT: 

Gospel Tract and Bible Society

An agency of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, that publishes and distributes tracts in 59 languages in 149 countries.

U.S. office: PO Box 700, Moundridge, Kansas 67107.

Ph. 620-345-2533; Fax 2528

Contact Gospel Tract (USA)

Box 180, RR 1, Ste. Anne, Manitoba R5H 1R1.

Ph. 204-355-4975; Fax 4107

Contact Gospel Tract (Canada)

Gospel Tract and Bible Society Regional Offices

To contact regional offices in Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Russia, or Romania use the following form:

Contact Gospel Tract (USA)

Gospel Tract is a branch  of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. That website and samples of literature can be found on http://churchofgodinchristmennonite.net/

The Tale of the King and His Four Wives

Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.

He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.

The King’s 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her!

One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, “I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I’ll be all alone.”

Thus, he asked the 4th wife, “I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No way!” replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.

The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, “I have loved you all my life. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No!” replied the 3rd wife. “Life is too good! When you die, I’m going to remarry!” His heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, “I have always turned to you for help and you’ve always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?” “I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this time!” replied the 2nd wife. “At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.” Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.

Then a voice called out: “I’ll go with you. I’ll follow you no matter where you go.” The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the King said, “I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!”

In truth, we all have the 4 wives in our lives:

Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die. Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others. Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave. And our 1st wife is our Soul, often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go.

Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity. 


Rev 2:4

Finding Truth in Today's Babel

As I was examining my life the last few days, I realized how much I fall short of the mark. How prone to sin and selfishness am I! Thank God for His blood and grace to allow me to get up and start again. Every morning should find me reaching out to God for courage and strength. Bible reading is a nessecity to try the spirits to see if they are of God. The Spirit of God and the Word run hand in hand complementing the other. I am the most strong when I acknowledge my dependency on God and allow the Lord to be my strength. It just so alarms me the deception that has crept into the Churches of today to promote "self-awareness" and self-promotion. Christian life is just another self improvement rather than a redemption from death and eternal destruction. Christ did come to save and redeem the lost ------not put a band-aid on the self-sufficent. I wrote a quick list of Truth as I find it presented in the Word and how I have found it. Others could no doubt add more to it.


 The Truth


1. Loving God with all your Heart
Deut.10:12
And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul


2. Loving your neighbor as your self (including loving your enemies)

Matt. 5:43-44  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you



3. Teaches Repentance and Unconditional forgiveness 


 Luke 13:5
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.


1 John 1:9   
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


Matt. 6:14-15
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.   But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses


4. Teaches Humility: How small we are in comparison of how BIG God is. Also allows us to find the key in finding our strength in God vs. being sufficent of our selves. Read Psalms about David's outlook- a man after God's own heart.


2 Cor 3:5
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God






5. Teaches Cross Bearing, Carefulness to  Deny Self and to Forsake the World and it's Lusts. Where is the Carefulness to be unspotted of the World, today?


Matt.16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.


6. Following the Holy Spirit. If you truly follow the Spirit it will agree with the Bible, and you will gain fresh inspiration from the Word.


2 Tim 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness


7.Teaches Eternal Consequences. Heaven and Hell. It is said that Jesus, in fact, has spoken and warned more about hell than he shared about Heaven. He is truly a Savior to those that accept his sacrifice.



1John 5:28-29
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.




Rev. 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.


8. The Truth also bears fruit--Fruit of Righteousness


Matt 7:17-20
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them


THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN: THE COUNTERFEIT VOICE OF BABEL CLOAKED AS CHRISTIANITY. THE ANTI-CHRIST OF TODAY


There are so many voices claiming to be the true way. So many advancing a Christianity that is not really compatible with scripture. Gen. Booth of the late 1800's and early 1900's  summed it up quite well in this  little writing. (I have them written in my Bible:)

General William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army's analysis of the chief 
dangers of the twentieth century could never be more accurate now. He enumerated 
six dangers:

1. Religion Without The Holy Spirit
2. Christianity Without Christ
3. Forgiveness Without Repentance
4. Salvation Without Regeneration
5. Politics Without God
6. Heaven Without Hell






THE PRESSURES BABEL AS A WORLDLY SYSTEM ANOTHER FACE OF ANTI-CHRIST

Eph 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places

Now as we think about pressures and voices from the media, governments, and worldly society. Elements from within them that identify with Babel and the worldly kingdom that rebels against God.


.Have You Ever Heard of the 45 Goals in the Communist Overthrow of America from around 1963. I wrote down a few of them here for your review so you can see how America has allowed itself to become so ensnared. What bombs could not destroy, self indulgence has wrought even greater destruction to the soul of our society. I believe most Christians recognize Communism as Anti-Christ in its rejection of the rightful and moral  place of God in society.  Just look at the present world of media and how it so fits into this agenda. Here is a sampling of some of the points that relate to this article. To read the rest and my source for this list see http://www.rense.com/general32/americ.htm I have heard and read portions of these points from various sources through the years. 


16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.



17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.



18. Gain control of all student newspapers.



19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.



20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policy-making positions.



21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.



22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."


23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."



24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.


25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.



26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."



27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity, which does not need a "religious crutch."



28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."



29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.



30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."

31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.

32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.



33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.



37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.



38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand [or treat].



39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.

40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.

41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.









We do not need to lose ourselves and fear or apprehension. We just need to find our security in our creator and Saviour. This verse comes to mind:


Ps. 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God


Thank God we have somewhere to go with our struggles, sins and disappointments.  May God bless you through life.


 JLT