Christmas Music Time

I enjoy sharing some music remembering the birth of Christ this time of year, so here it goes!

This first one is not brand new (though newer), but I did not readily recognize it!

Here is an old classic, only this girl is using a ukulele.
 I enjoy finding songs sung by kids now and then.
(No, it's not an endorsement of everything they have done.)

 

An Amazing Testimony

I just watched an amazing testimony of how God used a man in Ghana who was willing to stand strong on what Scripture teaches. 
This was a situation where Traditionalists heard the truth, and you can find out what happened.
I hope that you will take the time to watch it through!

Should We Seek After Wealth?

I recently searched out some Scriptures that I was familiar with on the subject of wealth.

Here are my short observations along with the Bible verses:

Money can be an idol.

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and wealth.
Matthew 6:24 NASB

The guy claiming to Jesus that he kept the commandments put things (wealth) ahead of God.

The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.
Matthew 19:20-22 NASB

Wealth can choke out the Word.

“And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
Mark 4:18-19 NASB

God can and does save rich people.

And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. “Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:23-26 NASB

Seeking wealth is spiritually dangerous.

But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 

1 Timothy 6:9 NASB

We cannot trust in wealth, so we shouldn't focus on it.

Do not weary yourself to gain wealth,
Cease from your consideration of it.
When you set your eyes on it, it is gone.
For wealth certainly makes itself wings
Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.
Proverbs 23:4-5 NASB

Eternal treasures are better than earthly wealth.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21 NASB

Christians who are wealthy should do good and focus on eternal things.

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.  Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 NASB

William Cowper Revisited

I recently started listening to a CD biography about William Cowper (given to me as a gift).
The story was written from the viewpoint of the lady in whose house Cowper was a lodger.
It has letters and poetry blended into the story, and I'm learning more than my little online reading about him revealed (which I had shared about HERE a previous time).

I do enjoy hearing English accents, although my brain isn't always as quick to process it...especially the poetry parts.
I'm not generally keen on a lot of poetry other than as used for songs, but this hasn't gotten too bogged down with it.
So far, so good!

The following video is the author describing more about the biography.
Her voice seems to be the female one on the CD that I've been listening to (there is also a male voice at times).

Trailer for the Life of William Cowper from Abigail Fox on Vimeo.

Critical Race Theory & Wokeness Taken to Task by Christian Rapper

Sometimes I highlight some of the interesting people that I run across on social media.

I have seen one fellow who has reached out to be a Christian witness to others...especially to a particular cult. 

I also have seen something of videos he has shared on the doctrines of grace (TULIP).

Recently, I have seen his standing up against the "Woke" craze that has infiltrated some of the church in the U.S.
(Remember the Statement on Social Justice & the Gospel that became necessary due to the new downgrade?)

The other day, he released a video pointing out the problem with Critical Race Theory and being "Woke", and it has already been shared a bit by those I know.

I'm not typically a fan of rap, but the words on this are important for many to hear.
There needs to be continued correction on this topic, and I'm thankful for those who are willing to stand up for the truth.

The person speaking near the end of it is Voddie Baucham.

John MacArthur, Beth Moore, & Truth Matters

Not long ago, a number of people criticized John MacArthur after the Truth Matters Conference due to his saying "Go home" as a first short response to "Beth Moore" in a word association Todd Friel did during a Q & A time.

John later made the point that women are not qualified to teach church (the Scripture proves him right).

"I think the church is caving in to women preachers." - John MacArthur

Beth Moore has actually taught once or twice at churches on a Sunday morning, so she has gone even further than she had in the past.

Here are just some of the issues and observations I have with Beth Moore:

She does not accurately handle the Scriptures.

She has connected herself with known false teachers.

I saw a video once where she included Roman Catholics as another denomination.
(Perhaps she just has not been taught well, but should someone not taught well be teaching lots of women?)

She also has taught contemplative prayer (which is not Biblical) and often claims the Lord told her things (although she hasn't heard Him audibly).

She does not respond kindly to questioning or attempts to correct her.

She does need to stop teaching and to start listening to some sound Biblical teaching.

Back to the Q & A topic:

Being good at speaking doesn't qualify one as a Bible teacher or church leader.
Not even all men are qualified (1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1).

Paula White was also mentioned in the segment of the Q & A, and so it went on from just being about one person.  CRT infiltrating the church (esp. Southern Baptists) was also brought up.

Some people in response to what they saw online about the conference have made wrongful assumptions about the hearts & motives of the speakers and hearers and simply want to judge their impression of the "tone."
Some don't even seem to know the context at all, and have made erroneous conclusions entirely.
Others probably didn't watch most of the conference. 
I wish they had!
Sadly, Beth has not heeded the concerns of many (even some I know of who used soft words).
In the Bible, those who led others astray were warned about quite strongly.

Sure, giving such a short simple answer in the word association amused the people listening, but that wasn't about mean-spiritedness.  I thought it was fairly mild of John.  Phil was a little stronger, but we shouldn't minimize the harm of wrong teaching.
He had previously given a mild critique of what she had taught.
There was serious talk and pointing out of truth in the answers in that segment of the Q & A alone, and the problems going on today mentioned went beyond Beth Moore.
Christians don't have to have people be too soft when trying to protect the sheep, but John MacArthur was not what I would call harsh...just simple and to the point.  His comments were more about the qualification issue.

John MacArthur gave a further explanation on women's role in the church from Scripture on Nov. 3, 2019 at Grace Community Church.
The title was:
"Does the Bible Permit a Woman to Preach?" 
He used OT and NT texts.
The primary text was 1 Cor. 14:33-28.
You should be able to hear for yourself a more comprehensive Biblical explanation of what John was trying to say.
UPDATE:  Click HERE for the message link or HERE for the video.

The taking over of pulpits and preaching by those the Scripture strictly forbids to do it is a serious problem, and trying to put popular cultural theories and practices in the church is a corruption that is destructive.

Truth Matters Audio, Answering Transgenderism, & Kanye's Conversion

Truth Matters Conference Audio
I watched most of the Truth Matters conference live-streaming the other week, but our internet was having issues and went out entirely for the last couple of sessions.
The audio of the conference is beginning to be added to the GTY web page.
You can find them HERE.  
UPDATE: I still haven't seen the Q & A sessions put up yet.


Answering Transgenderism
I have shared messages from Don Green of Truth Community Church in Cincinatti, OH in the past.
Recently, he's started a series to help the church in responding to the issue of those claiming to be something other than what they are born biologically.  Tuesday night, he gave a third message on the subject that you can listen to HERE.
UPDATE: The series can be found HERE (it's almost done).
For reference, John MacArthur gave a short response on Transgenderism and pronouns HERE.


Kanye's Conversion
I had only heard a little about Kanye West in the past, and that was mostly related to politics (from my vague recollection).
Many people have heard about his profession of faith and his having "Sunday Services" which are not really church services.
A lot of my friends online know more...that he visited a church where Adam Tyson is pastor for a few weeks (before moving to another state). 
I had heard Adam Tyson when there was a Master's Seminary chapel live-streamed earlier this year, and so I thought he was familiar when I saw him preaching the Gospel on a video of a Kanye concert that was being shared about.

Some of you may have already watched these, but I want to share the two interviews with Adam Tyson that I've heard for reference.

Wrath & Grace Interviewing Adam Tyson 

Adam Tyson on Apologia (I think the interview finishes at around 42 minutes.)

I have had a couple of concerns about some connections reported that Kanye has made with people who are not sound. 
That doesn't automatically mean that we should doubt his salvation.
Many new believers can have wolves in sheep's clothing come after them for their own purposes.

While being concerned, we can still rejoice that Kanye has professed faith, and that he is being discipled by a Biblically sound teacher (Adam). 
Kanye's fame doesn't make Christianity more credible, and we don't need fame from the world.
It is just good for me to see his enthusiasm as a new convert.
It is also neat for me to see Adam's enthusiasm for ministry as well, and that he holds to the truth.
I think that it would be good for Kanye to step back and be grounded more in the faith to be able to discern when the enemy tries to make inroads and attack.
He is not ready to teach as a new convert, although I'm not opposed to him sharing his testimony.

A lot of people have professed faith, and like in the parable of the soils have turned out not to be rooted true believers.
Trials prove they are not (after the initial enthusiasm), or they apostatize (proving they weren't saved).
That's why I understand those who are cautious.
Like with anyone who professes faith, we look for the lasting produce of the fruit of the good soil.
For now we should rejoice though, because the Gospel is being proclaimed.
We can rejoice that someone is eager to study the Bible and seems to have turned to Christ.
Christians should have genuine hope, and I think that most people do.
We don't need to jump on each other, but we should pray!

UPDATE:  One of the wolves that Kanye has connected with & wrongfully recommended is Joel Osteen...someone you should stay far, far away from.