A Survey of the Old Testament Law--The Myth of the "Generational Curse"

“For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the 3rd and 4th generations of those who hate Me...” People like Paula White and Benny Hinn and so many others on TBN make a whole lot of money by twisting this particular statement and showing you how to break “generational curses.” They teach that if your father was an alcoholic, then you'll be an alcoholic, and your kids will be alcoholics and their kids will be alcoholics, and so on and so forth—and there is nothing you can do about it, unless you learn the prayer that will “break that curse”--and send them a few dollars in the process. WRONG!! WRONG!! WRONG!! Just because our parents may have been notorious for some sin, that does not mean that God will say, “Well, that’s it! You were a thief and an idolater, so I will curse your entire bloodline for the next 4 generations!” What God is saying is that as long as the children are walking in their father’s footsteps, God will inflict punishment on those offspring—even if it is 3 or 4 generations. Now, will an alcoholic father probably wind up with children who will also be alcoholics? Probably. BUT, that is not a “curse from God.” That is simply children doing what they see their father doing. Deuteronomy 24:16—“Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin.” Now, it is quite common to see three or four generations of alcoholism or adultery or any other kind of sin—but that is not some "curse from God", that’s just sinful human beings doing what sinful human beings do. Dogs bark, ducks quack, sinners sin. And God will punish the children for their own sins—not for the sins of their father.


BUT—if those children walk according to the Law of God, He will be merciful to those offspring, even to the 1000th generation. As I said before, His anger is not like human anger. We get upset because somebody looks at us cross-eyed, and we can't control ourselves. But God’s anger is not like that. When someone stirs Him to wrath, He doesn’t usually just ZZAPP them. There are times in Scripture where He does that, but that is because those people were so severely disobedient and regarded God’s holiness and His commands so lightly. But, 14 times the Bible says that God is slow to anger, and ready to show mercy. Psalm 103:8—The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. Joel 2:13—“Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.”


Nahum 1:2-3—God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; the LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies; the LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked. He will not acquit the wicked, but He will give them a chance to repent from their sins. Those who do not repent, God will destroy. Those who do repent, and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ, He will spare, and reward them for the things they do in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Revelation 2:18-26—“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write…‘I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds…Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say…hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations.” And that is exactly what we see here in Exodus. God “visits the iniquity of the fathers” to 3 or 4 generations. That is, God says that those who commit idolatry hate Him. And He will punish as many generations of those children that continue to hate Him—up to 3 or 4 generations. But He shows mercy to how many generations of those who do His commandments? A thousand! The contrast couldn’t be much more striking!


In fact, we see in Ezekiel 18 that God will not punish children for their fathers’ sins. Ezekiel 18:2-4—“What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge’?” This was an old proverb, and it’s one that we hear even today in this country—“It’s my parents’ fault that I'm the way I am.” In other words, “Nothing is my fault.” It’s the same old story—we want to blame someone else for our trouble, when most of the time the blame lays at our own feet. “As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel. Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; the soul who sins shall die.” That’s pretty self-explanatory. If a person sins, that person will die. If you run a red light, you get a ticket. KPD will not send you a ticket because your mother or father ran a red light. You ran the light—you get the ticket.


If a righteous man begets a wicked son, then the father’s righteousness will not shield that son. Ezekiel 18:10-13--"If he begets a son who is a robber or a shedder of blood, who does any of these things and does none of those duties, but has eaten on the mountains or defiled his neighbor’s wife; if he has oppressed the poor and needy, robbed by violence, not restored the pledge, lifted his eyes to the idols, or committed abomination; if he has exacted usury or taken increase—shall he then live? He shall not live! If he has done any of these abominations, he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him." If a wicked father begets a righteous son, then the wickedness of the father will not be counted against that son. Ezekiel 18:14-18--"If, however, he begets a son who sees all the sins which his father has done, and considers but does not do likewise; who has not eaten on the mountains, nor lifted his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, nor defiled his neighbor’s wife; has not oppressed anyone, nor withheld a pledge, nor robbed by violence, but has given his bread to the hungry and covered the naked with clothing; who has withdrawn his hand from the poor and not received usury or increase, but has executed My judgments and walked in My statutes—he shall not die for the iniquity of his father; he shall surely live! As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, robbed his brother by violence, and did what is not good among his people, behold, he shall die for his iniquity."


Now, God has set up these contrasts, and we see the conclusions we are to draw from these statements when we get to Ezekiel 18:19-23—“Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the guilt of the father?’ Because the son has done what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes and observed them, he shall surely live. The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live. Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord GOD, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?” A person is not punished for their parents’ sins—they are punished if they continue to walk in the ways of their sinful parents. Likewise, a wicked child is not protected by their parents’ righteousness—if they turn away from that righteousness and live in sin, they are punished for their sins.


In fact, we see this again in Jeremiah 31:29-30—“In those days they shall say no more: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.’ But every one shall die for his own iniquity; every man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.” So, this whole nonsense about “generational curses” is a bunch of hogwash, and is simply a way that TBN—The Blasphemy Network—fools a whole lot of people into sending them their money…for nothing.


Jesus Christ is Lord.
Amen.

What is wrong with the prosperity “gospel”.

If you notice, at the end of the title there is a period–not a question mark. It is not great secret that the prosperity “gospel” is heresy. But, how do we explain just how many levels of heresy are involved in the TBN crowd’s twisting and perverting of God’s word for their own financial gain? Well, I made these videos for just that purpose. To tear the prosperity “gospel” apart, and show, piece by piece, why this is such a perversion and blasphemy. I apologize for the little places where the audio is kinda choppy. I guess I should have “sown” into a video production ministry, eh?

Weak preachers are God's Judgment

Sometimes I forget things. Like the fact that when a snake in the pulpit rises to fame and prominence, the people who follow that man (or woman) are not "victims." They are merely reaping what they have been seeking. They do not want the truth, they want the Mercedes. And so, God says, "Fine--you won't get either one!" And He sends a Joel Osteen or a Paula White or a Benny Hinn or some other serpent to fill a pulpit and give those people over to the one they are really serving.

Here, Paul Washer, speaking truth, shows us why people like Creflo and Kenny and Jesse and Junie-B are truly God's Judgment upon a lost and wicked people.

Bezel333: "21st Century signs and wonders"

Once again, Bezel uncovers the truth using a little thing called "Scripture" to debunk the claims made by the Satanic signs and lying wonders crowd who take God out of the box and make Him dance like He's their own little puppet.

Fake Translation of the Week--1st Timothy 6:6-10

(Real translation here)

I gotta share a little something with ya first. This past Sunday morning, my wife was flipping through the channels, when she came across Cashflow Creflo's weekly pimpfest. What I am about to share is exactly what he taught, not taken out of context, this is the fullness of his teaching. He said that in 2nd Timothy 3:16, when it says "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable..." I think you can guess where he was going with that. Focus on the word "profitable."

Yeah, that.

If what these heretical prosperity preachers were true, then this is how 1st Timothy 6:6-10 would have to read (altered text in bold italics):

1st Timothy 6:6-10 (Creflo Dollar Translation)--Now godliness with great financial gain is contentment. For we brought nothing into this world, but we can certainly carry a bunch out in our gold-plated coffins. And having food and clothing, with these we shall never be content. Because if that's all you have, then your faith ain't strong enough, you're under a curse, or you have some unconfessed sin in your life. But those who desire to be rich are the only ones worthy of the kingdom of God, and many foolish and harmful people want y'all to be broke. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of blessin', for which some have strayed from the faith by not confessin' it, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows because they ain't sowin' a seed into the ministry.

"Smells Like TBN Spirit"

A ripoff of the Nirvana song, inspired by the jackals featured every hour on TBN.

I saw this guy
On my TV
And he was staring
Straight at me
He said he'd heal
My disease
If I would send
Him money please

Don't know don't know
Don't know don't know
Don't know don't know don't know

Well he's yellin!
And he's screamin!
Could it be that
He's blasphemin?
Send him money
I don't wanna!
But he told me
That I gotta!
If I do and
God is willing
I'll find gold in
All my fillings!
Yeah!

As I wait for
My miracle
And migraines still
Pound in my skull
I must admit
The waiting's tough
Oh is my faith
Not strong enough?

Don't know don't know
Don't know don't know
Don't know don't know don't know

Dontcha dis the
Path I've chosen!
Even though the
Bank's foreclosin!
And my mortgage
I can't pay now!
"Money Comin!"
Any day now!
Though by sight you'd
Never guess it!
It'll come if
I confess it!
Yeah!

I pawned my watch
And sold my car
And I maxed out
My credit cards
But I know I'll
Get what I need
With one more
Thousand-dollar seed

Don't know don't know
Don't know don't know
Don't know don't know don't know

Brother Benny
Wants to help me!
If my checkbook
I will empty!
Send it in now!
No delayin!
In the Spirit
He's a-slayin!
Slingin' jackets!
Quotin' verses!
Calling down all
Kinds of curses!

Avanzini!
Pastor TD!
Creflo Taffy!
Stevie Munsey!
Kenny Benny!
Joyce and Jesse!
Drivin' Bentleys!
Charley Grassley!
Penitentiary!

Benny's false prophecies (part 1)

You may have read some of Benny Hinn's "prophecies" here, about how Fidel Castro was going to die, and the homosexual community was going to be wiped out, and Jesus was going to physically appear on stage with the Hinnster. All of these things were supposed to happen in the 90's. Um, they didn't happen, did they? And yet there are still people who will claim this schlomo is a "prophet of God."

Well, here is a video with audio of B-B-B-Benny and the Hinn's "prophecies." Don't just take my word for it. Listen for yourself.

More bad news for Oral Roberts University

Two of its biggest names have resigned as regents. Benny Hinn, president of the School of Lying Signs and Satanic Wonders (motto: "How to rip people off for fun and profit") and I.V. Hilliard (motto: "I gave Juanita Bynum $30,000 to pay off her back taxes and all I got was this lousy t-shirt") have distanced themselves from the university named after one of the most successful shysters in the business of separating people from their money--the one who "mentored" renowned heretic Carlton "I don't want to believe there's a Hell and you can't make me!" Pearson (from Associated Press):

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Two televangelists have resigned their posts as regents at Oral Roberts University, as the debt-ridden school tries to regroup following a spending scandal involving its former president. The university on Thursday also settled with one of three professors who filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the school.

Benny Hinn and I.V. Hilliard resigned as regents, where they were involved in making major school decisions, university spokesman Jeremy Burton said Thursday. Burton declined to say why the two resigned, but said both wrote the board to express their support for the school's mission.

The resignations come a month after the resignations from the board of regents of two other televangelists, Jesse Duplantis and Creflo [worshippin' the Almighty Dollar].

Hinn and Dollar are among six televangelists being investigated by Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley to determine if the high-profile preachers violated their organizations' tax-exempt status by living lavishly on the backs of small donors. They have denied wrongdoing.

A phone message left after-hours Thursday at Hilliard's ministry, The New Light Christian Center, was not immediately returned. Ronn Torossian, a spokesman for Hinn, did not immediately respond to an e-mail message sent after-hours Thursday seeking comment.

The resignations follow that of Richard Roberts, who stepped down as university president in November amid allegations he misspent school funds to bankroll a lavish lifestyle. Roberts, the son of school founder Oral Roberts, held the position at the 5,700-student school since 1993.

Former regent Harry McNevin, who resigned 20 years ago over what he says was excessive spending by Oral and Richard Roberts, said Thursday's resignations couldn't have come soon enough.

"The whole board needs to go," McNevin said. "I see (the university) as a corporation belonging to the Robertses."

Now if only these two would quit their jobs as professional con men.

We have a "Christian" television station here, part of the "Christian" Television Network (CTN). They have the Hinnster on in the morning, and Richard "I can fleece people just like my dear old daddy" Roberts' "Hour of Healing" at night. Maybe now this station will grow a brain and stop having these charlatans on their network. Maybe now people will realize that these people are not true ministers of the gospel of grace. Perhaps now people will realize they've been lied to, cheated, swindled, embezzled...

Or not.

More on Senator's investigation of pulpit pumps

Independent Conservative has put up two videos (at YouTube) of news stories about Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) investigating the (mis)use of donor moneys to several of the largest prosperity "gospel" churches, as well as Richard Roberts (Oral's son, and president of ORU).

The first is from WFLA (Tampa), and deals with Randy and Paula White, and their Without Shame Walls International money-making scheme Ministry (about 4 min.):




The second is the full interview between Grassley and WFLA's Jeff Patterson (7:40)




OK, so here's the question: Should the government be allowed to force an organization that calls themselves a "ministry" to open their books? Should the government be allowed to say what is and what isn't necessary to operate one of these "ministries." Yes, if:

• The "ministry" wants to retain a tax-exempt status with the IRS. (In other words, if they want to avoid paying taxes in order to enrich themselves. You know, that whole "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's" thing.)
• There is concern among the members that the money they are giving for the purpose of spreading the gospel of Christ (which is the purpose of a true ministry) is instead being used to increase the material comfort of the "pastor" above that which should be considered "reasonable."
• The "pastor" lets it be known that he don't cotton too well to people trying to make him abide by the laws of the land.
• The "pastor" has installed a board of directors filled with relatives and cronies and yes-men to surround himself in a cloak of secrecy.
• The "minister" spends more time talking about why you should give them your money than they do preaching the gospel.
• The "pastor" answers "Yes" to the age-old question: "Would Jesus Wear a Rolex on His Television Show?"
• The "pastor" is encouraging people to store up massive credit-card debt so they can send him their "seed-faith offering."
• The "ministry" continually gets a transparency rating of "F" from MinistryWatch. Like this guy did. And this one. And him.

We have to remember something here: This is not about the government telling the church what they can and can't teach. Well, at least not yet. This is about these organizations abiding by the laws they agreed to follow when they applied for tax-exempt status. If they want to retain that status, then they should comply with the laws. (See 1st Peter 2:11-17.) Otherwise, they take off the mask, admit they are a business and not a church, and start paying their taxes.

Senate to investigate pimps

In a long-overdue move, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee is calling "Bull!" on several pulpit pimps who serve on the board of Oral Roberts University. From FOXNews:

Acting on tips about preachers who ride in Rolls Royces and have purportedly paid $30,000 for a conference table, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee said Tuesday he's investigating the finances of six well-known TV ministers.

Grassley sent letters to the half-dozen Christian media ministries earlier this week requesting answers by Dec. 6 about their expenses, executive compensation and amenities, including use of fancy cars and private jets.

In a statement, Grassley said he was acting on complaints from the public and news coverage of the organizations.

"The allegations involve governing boards that aren't independent and allow generous salaries and housing allowances and amenities such as private jets and Rolls Royces," Grassley said.

"I don't want to conclude that there's a problem, but I have an obligation to donors and the taxpayers to find out more. People who donated should have their money spent as intended and in adherence with the tax code."

Who is under investigation? Several of the top preachers of the prosperity "gospel."

Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark, Texas, a $20 million organization and prosperity gospel pioneer. Questions were raised about the transfer of church assets to a for-profit company, Security Patrol Inc., a $1 million loan from Gloria Copeland to the group, and a "personal gift" of more than $2 million given to Kenneth Copeland to mark the ministry's 40th anniversary.

Creflo and Taffi Dollar of World Changers Church International and Creflo Dollar Ministries of College Park, Ga. Grassley's letter asks for records on private planes, board makeup, compensation and donations and "love offerings" to visiting ministers. In a statement, Dollar called his ministry an "open book" and said he would cooperate. He also questioned whether the investigation could "affect the privacy of every community church in America."

Benny Hinn of World Healing Center Church Inc. and Benny Hinn Ministries of Grapevine, Texas, is asked about use of a private jet, a home in Dana Point, Calif. and "layover trips" while traveling on ministry business. Hinn did not respond to requests for comment.

Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Eddie Long Ministries of Lithonia, Ga., was questioned about his salary, a $1.4 million real estate transaction and whether he, and not the board, holds sole authority over the organization. Long plans to fully comply with the Senate's request, and his church has "several safeguards" to ensure transactions comply with laws governing churches, according to a statement from Long's spokesman.

Joyce and David Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries of Fenton, Mo., who were quizzed about receiving donations of money and jewelry and the handling of cash from overseas crusades. They also were asked about expenditures at ministry headquarters, including a $30,000 conference table and a $23,000 "commode with marble top."

Randy and Paula White of the multiracial Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries of Tampa, Fla. are asked about home purchases in San Antonio, Texas, Malibu, Calif., and New York, credit card charges for clothing and cosmetic surgery and the reported purchase of a Bentley convertible as a gift for Bishop T.D. Jakes, a prominent Texas preacher and televangelist. An e-mail to a spokeswoman for Jakes was not immediately returned.

Ya know, it was just a matter of time. God is "slow to anger, slow to wrath" (Psalm 103:8), but the US Government is a whole different story.

I know there will be some who will say that this opens the door for the government to swoop down and force every church to open its books. That is not what is going on here. This is a case where it is obvious that these pimps are robbing people under the guise of (and appropriating the title of) "mimistry". These people DO NOT RUN MINISTRIES! These people are running rackets! They are running get-rich-quick schemes. (Of course, the only ones getting rich are the pimps!)

These people are pimps, they are charlatans, they have no knowledge of anything biblical, and they trick people--usually the most desperate and the most gullible--out of their money, and leave those they fleece high and dry. But someone--finally--is calling them on it.

And if these pimps think the weight of the United States Government is a heavy load, wait until they stand before God and are forced to account for why they blasphemed His name, and took advantage of His Christ. And they have. After all, Jesus said in Matthew chapter 25, that whatever you do to "the least of these," you have done to Him.

Benny Hinn catches "Day of Atonement" Fever

First, it was Paula White trying to jack your money out of your wallet by telling you we are supposed to keep the Day of Atonement, and that you should "Honor God with your 'Atonement Offering'". That's right, bribe God by giving Paula your money.

Benny Hinn, not to be outdone in the pulpit pimpery department, has tapped into that same sentiment, and is fleecing his people the same way (From Benny Hinn Ministries):

“But I’m not Jewish,” you may be saying. "What’s the point of observing an Old Testament feast like the Day of Atonement?"

From the Mount of Olives Pastor Steve Munsey teaches that there were three feasts in which God says, "These are My days":

• Passover
• Pentecost
• Atonement

They aren’t Jewish feast days. They aren’t the church’s days. They are God’s days.

These are days when He makes an appointment to meet with us. And we are to honor these feast days forever.

God has marked these three important days. Yes, God’s covenant has changed to a better covenant, but He did not demolish the Old Testament covenant:

• To the children of Israel, the feasts were observed.
• In Christ, the feasts were fulfilled.
• In the church, the feasts are applied.

We must learn to apply each, and we must apply them in order to have victory in every area of life.

[All emphases mine.]

Hey Benny, pick up a Bible once in a while. Look in the table of contents for a book called "Romans." Then go to chapter 14, verses 5-6, where it says, "One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God."

Or maybe you could find Galatians 3:2-3--"This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" In other words, when Christ dies on the cross, and purchased our freedom from the law, we were released from having to keep the feasts.

Still not convinced? Then look up Colossians 2:16-17--"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."

But, towards the end, Benny shows you what this "Atonement Offering" stuff is all about:

On This Is Your Day! this Thursday and Friday, Steve Munsey urges people to give at least a $207 gift.

During this season, he teaches, the gift should be significant. Some are being led to give gifts of $2,007 or more.

I encourage you to seek the Lord on what you should give. Above all else, be sure to be part of this special Atonement offering and step into the overflow.

[All emphases mine.]

Steve Munsey is another huckster that Benny Hinn and Paula White are in league with. You can see a video of what he is all about here. Now, you sure you want to keep sending your money to these people?

"Signs and Wonders School" now online!

(sarcasm on) That's right folks! Now you too can learn how to distort the word of God and pervert the gospel of Christ for fun and profit! Just sign up for Benny Hinn's "Signs and Wonders Bible School!" (/sarcasm)

Uhh, Benny. You know how you quote 2nd Timothy 2:15? About rightly handling the Word of Truth? You fail to do that.

Now, more than ever, God is calling each of us to a higher level, “also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will” (Hebrews 2:4, NKJV).

This verse in Hebrews is not talking about us doing "signs and wonders." This is the whole passage, in context. Hebrews 2:1-4--

"Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?"

This passage talks about Christ showing that He was the Son of God, and that the signs and wonders He performed bore witness of who He was. John 10:25--"Jesus answered them, 'I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.'"

So go ahead, throw your money away on a worthless piece of paper from this charlatan. Or, you could study the Bible yourself, find a good, Bible-preaching church, and let the Holy Spirit guide you into all truth. Don't buy into this Benny Hinn nonsense.

The Prosperity Hymn

Sung to the tune of "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus", and sung weekly by the chiors behind Kenneth Copeland, Jesse Duplantis, Marylin Hickey, and $$Creflo$$ $$Dollarsign$$. (Original lyrics and melody here.)

O soul are you weary and troubled?
An old car in the driveway you see?
There is hope for you driving a Jaguar,
And cash more abundant for thee!

Turn your eyes upon riches.
Confess they now belong to thee.
Then the things of Heav'n will grow strangely dim
In the light of your big-screen TV.

Find yourself having wealth overflowing
If you sow a thous'nd dollar seed;
Claim this promise that He made to Israel,
Get all the toys you think you need!

Turn your eyes upon riches.
Confess they now belong to thee.
Then the things of Heav'n will grow strangely dim
In the light of your big-screen TV.

If you claim all these verses He promised;
He'll pour cash from His heav'nly vault.
So if you are not healthy and wealthy,
Then your faithlessness must be at fault!

Turn your eyes upon riches.
Confess they now belong to thee.
Then the things of Heav'n will grow strangely dim
In the light of your big-screen TV.

The Narrow Way

This video contrasts the truth of Jesus with the "gospel" preached by many pulpit pimps today (via pulpit-pimps.org)

The next new link is...

for a site I found via Independent Conservative. The name of the site is Pulpit Pimps. The goal of the site's owner is to expose the lying, hypocritical, mushiness found in many pulpits these days. Especially grievous are the likes of TD Jakes, Kenneth Copeland, Jesse Duplicitous Duplantis, "Bishop" Weeks, Juanita Bynum, Creflo Dollar, Hinn, Murdock, Crouch/Crouch, etc. So check it out before you waste another minute watching these heretics. Oops, I forgot. "Touch not mine anointed!!"

Here's the linky: pulpitpimps.org

UPDATE: Oops. In the URL address, I forgot the hyphen between 'pulpit' and 'pimps'. It's actually www.pulpit-pimps.org

Sorry:(

Health, wealth, hypocrisy

Checking out Independent Conservative this morning, and I came across a post he put up about these TV preachers like Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, Jesse Duplantis, and Mike Murdoch. I find myself quite often railing against these people. Why? Because not only are they fleecing people who are hurting, but because they twist the Word of GOD to fit their own twisted theology. And most of all, as Independent Conservative says,

The false teachers have become so pathetic, that every late night comic can play their footage for laughs. Of course an unbeliever seeing it is not going to distinguish them (pimps) from us (true believers) who abhor such abuse of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Which is why it is important that we speak against false teaching. So that it is known that such nonsense on supposedly Christian TV is not the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So the unbeliever that might find Christ does so in Spirit and in Truth. Also for the good of those still lost in false teaching.

To see the name of GOD mocked is truly sad. And the reason it is mocked is because of these charlatans that promise "Health, wealth and prosperity" if you follow Jesus. Or they say something like

"How can you glorify God in your body, when it doesn't function right?....What makes you think the Holy Ghost wants to live inside of a body where He can't see out through the windows, and He can't hear out the ears?" (Fred Price, "Is God Glorified Through Sickness?" tape # FP605)

Well, I got news for Fred, Creflo, Jan and Paul, etc. They might ought to read 2nd Timothy 3:12. Following Christ does NOT guarantee us a problem-free life. Unles one thinks that the faith of men like Paul (beheaded), Peter (crucified upside down) or James (Thrown off of a roof) was strong enough. Besides, the founder of the Word-of-Faith movement, Ken Hagin is DEAD. What does that say about HIS faith?

But, alas, they will most likely not heed the words of the apostle Peter:

2nd Peter 2:3-- By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

These men are bringing ridicule upon the name of GOD. But, as Jesus said, they have their reward.

Touching the (not-so) anointed

"That's right, folks!! Benny Hinn will be here next week to heal your (fill in your favorite malady)!! Now, GOD really wants to heal you, but He won't, unless you show up at the coliseum this Friday night! Oh, and make sure you bring your checkbook, because you know what they say about a gullible cheerful giver!!"

Just got done watching John Stossel rip Rod Parsley, Kenneth Copeland, and the whole TBN crowd a new one on "20/20". I can just hear their followers now. "Touch not mine anointed!!! Touch not mine anointed!!!" You know, it really is sad, that these charlatans have so many people bamboozled into thinking they are humble servants of GOD. (Actually, Paul Crouch doesn't make any pretense about being humble.) And ya know, it's so frustrating. On the one hand, I don't want to sound like I'm saying these preachers don't love the Lord (Matthew 7:1). On the other hand, I can't look at these people and not think "Phony!!"

There's another new link, and it's called Ministry Watch. The guy that runs it walked away from a 7-figure income to start this ministry. These people really are fleecing their flocks. They tell these people that if they send them their last penny, that GOD will just open up His heavenly cash vault, and the material wealth will come pouring down like "latter rain." There's a word, in the original Greek, that defines this line of thought. The word is..."BULL!!" These hucksters that go around saying that if you're sick, that it's because you don't have enough faith. And that if you're poor, you're not saved. So, if you die, then what does that mean?

Proverbs 23

Let's look at Proverbs 23. We don't need to buy a bunch of elf-help advice books from Oprah, Dr. Phil, etc. If you want to know how to live a stress-free life, read the Bible. "Oh sure, you make it sound so simple." Well, it is. It's not always easy, but the solutions are simple, if you put a little effort into it.

First, DON'T TRADE YOUR LIFE FOR RICHES.
Verse 4
Do not overwork yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it.

In other words, don't kill yourself trying to get rich. So many people turn in workaholics. They work 70-80 hrs a week, and don't have any time to enjoy what they work for. Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 5:10-11, He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance with increase. This also is emptiness. When goods increase, They increase who eat them; so what profit have the owners except to see them with their eyes? Don't make yourself weary for riches--they just become a burden. And stop thinking so much about it, put it out of your mind. Unforunately, in the church, prosperity preachers think Jesus is an ATM. How dispicable. To think that the Lord of Glory shed His blood for a Benz. Kenneth Copeland went out and spent $20,000,000 on a jet. Benny Hinn said that he doesn't want to hear about streets of gold in heaven. He went on to say, and I quote, "I want my gold now, baby!!" Well, he'll have his reward...in this world. As for me, I'll wait for my gold, and my crown. I ain't lookin for a pat on the back--just that "well done."

DON'T PUT YOUR TRUST IN RICHES.
Verse 5
Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

Remember what poor old Job said. Job 1:21--"Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." "I had everything, and now I have nothing. But no matter what--GOD is GOD!!" Money doesn't take care of us. That $5 you have on your pocket? It doesn't care whose hand it's in. But guess what? GOD cares whose hand you're in! Last week, Keith talked about people who want to win the lottery. They think it will solve all their problems. Let me ask you this: If you won the lottery, do you think you couldn't spend it all? Have you ever seen a woman in a shoe store?

Next, DO NOT TRUST THE BREAD OF THE EVIL.
Verses 6-8
Do not eat the bread of he who has an evil eye, nor desire his delicacies; for as he thinks in his heart, so he is. He will say, "eat and drink," but his heart is not with you. And you will vomit the morsel you have eaten, and lose your pleasant words.

When someone invites you to break bread with them, they are saying, "You're safe here." But there is a deeper meaning in this verse. You see, everything in the Old Testament points to Christ. And Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 16, verses 6-8 and 11-12, "Take heed, and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Saducees." And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have taken no bread." But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread?...How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?--but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Saducees?" Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the bread, but of the teachings of the Pharisees and the Saducees. And what Solomon is saying is this--don't get caught up in the world's beliefs. Don't take in what evil men try to tell you. And why not? Because if he's speaking against God, then who's speaking through them? In 2nd Corinthians, Psul says that Satan can disguise himself as an "angel of light", that he even "deceived Eve." Now, do you think Satan's on your side? Of course not! So, when you eat the bread of deceitful men, it may seem sweet when you eat it, but, when you think on it later, it will make you sick, and you will vomit it out.

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME ON FOOLS.
Verse 9
Speak not in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Have you ever argued with someone who wouldnt listen. You do everything to reason with them, and they just will not listen. Eventually, you wind up forgetting what point you were trying to make in the first place. If it gets to that point stop, get out of it, cut your losses. In fact, Paul writes in Titus 3:10-11, A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

GIVE YOUR CHILD GODLY GUIDANCE.
Verses 12-14
Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge. Do not withhold correction from a child, for although you strike him, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, and save his soul from Hell.

This is one of those timeout moments. When we talk about the rod of correction, people can tend to get image. Remember when we were in school, the principal would have a paddle mounted on his wall, and what did it say on it? "Board of Education." Here, Solomon is not advocating abuse--if you have to give your child a swat, do it. Proverbs 13:24--He who spares the rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. Hebrews 12:6--Whom the LORD loveth, He chasteneth. It's to be a loving discipline. I'd rather my child have a sore bottom for a while, than to suffer for an eternity.

Then, listen to the joy of a father: GIVE YOUR CHILD GODLY WISDOM.
Verses 15-16
My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice--indeed, I myself; Yes, my inmost being will rejoice.

You've seen these people driving around with bumper stickers that say "My child is an honor student at such-and-such school." Let these two verses be a prayer for your children. Proverbs 22:6 says, Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Ephesians 6:4--Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the LORD. That brings us to the next passage.

AVOID UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.
Verses 17-21
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but live always in the fear of the LORD. Surely there is a future, and your expectation will not be cut off. Listen my son, and direct yourself in the way. Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, or with gluttonous eaters of flesh; for the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man in rags.

You've heard the old saying, "If you lay down with dogs, you're gonna get fleas." Is this not an illustration of the prodigal son? He got all that money from his father, and where did it go? That word "drowsiness" in verse 21 does not mean "to go to sleep." It means you get lazy. It literally means "to slumber, especially through an inclination to laziness, and sloth." When you hang out with the party crowd, they'll treat you like you're their friend. I think it was a Hank Williams song that said, "If you've got money honey, I've got the time." But, go back to verse 6-7. These people will say they're your friend, but their hearts are not with you. They'll say, "Hey, let's go have a good time!!!" But when your wallet goes flat, it's "Oh, you're out of money? Well, see ya."

BUY THE TRUTH AND DON'T LET GO OF IT.
Verses 23-25
Buy the truth and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who has begotten a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her rejoice who gave birth to you.

The truth is something that deserves for us to spend everything we have to find it. If it takes all of our resources to find the truth of salvation, then my friends, it is more than worth it. Now, in these next verses, you can almost see Solomon getting real serious.

AVOID STRANGE WOMEN.
Verses 26-28
Give me your heart son, and let your eyes delight in my ways. For a whore is a deep ditch, and an adulteress is a narrow pit. She lies in wait as for a prey, and increases the transgressors among men.

I've talked to some of y'all who can hear women at night hollering, "ten dollars!" There are many reasons women get into it. One, they grew up around it, and it's just another way of life. Two, out of a sense of desperation. They think there's no other way they can make money. And three, they do it to support their drug habit. They don't even realize sometimes that they're destroying themselves. Or maybe they do, but they think they're too far gone to be helped. You know, sometimes, I don't understand the reasons why men do it. I read an article one time, about women who walk. This one, she told about a man who solicited her one Sunday morning, and told her, "We gotta hurry, I need to get home before wife wakes up." Of course, we all know about Jimmy Swaggart. He lost his ministry because of a prostitute. But you know, these are the men and women we need to pray for. David said in Psalm 10:15...break the arm of the wicked... In other words, he was asking GOD to destroy the power that was controlling his enemies.

Finally, Solomon gives us a very stern warning to AVOID STRONG DRINK.
Verses 29-35
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: "They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?"

I dont think verse 29 needs much explaining. But in verse 30, when he talks about mixed wine--in those days, red wine was stronger than white wine. So, they would take white wine and add red wine to it to make it stronger. That's why he tells us what he does in verse 31. Then verse 32: do snakes kinda walk up--well, not WALK up--and say "Excuse me, but I'm gonna bite you now." And how many times do people go from OK to being three sheets to the wind in a matter of seconds? Now, look at verse 33--some translations say "strange things", some say "strange women." Either one is correct in my book. Some people say there are no ugly women at closing time. And how many lines do drunk drivers see in the middle of the road? And I can recall days when I was like verse 34--you can't walk, the room starts spinning, what else happens when you get seasick?

And verse 35 says, "I ain't feeling no pain!" Man, how many times I used to wake up on Saturday at noon. This was before I knew the LORD. I'd have a headache, a rotten stomach. I felt like--well, something. But, what would I go and do that night? I'd just go and do it all over again. All that time I wasted wish I could have that back. But one day, GOD delivered me from all that--praise His name!! And from then on, I have never wanted a drink. He showed me a passage in Ephesians 5:18-19--Be not drunk on the wine, in which is riotousness, but be filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the LORD.

That's why we start off our worship services with singing. A few weeks ago I mentioned that the Bible is life's ORIGINAL instruction manual. We who come here and minister to y'all, we may not have all the answers--but we know where to find them.