Showing posts with label Catholicism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catholicism. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Notre Dame Cathedral. But God. - Now Think On This by Steve Martin


Notre Dame Cathedral. 
But God.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8, NAS)


Much as been reported on TV, written in newspapers and social media, and spoken all over the world, about the burning of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. It is a major event, of destruction and forever loss. This type of structure just cannot be replaced, no matter how much money will be pledged and spent to bring it back to its former glory. (I think of the 2nd Jewish Temple and its destruction in 70 A.D.)

I have never been to France. but I do know Frenchmen, having served with Derek Prince Ministries for 8 years and knowing the French director of the ministry there during that time. It was always a struggle to have funds to support that specific national office; far more so than the other 11 worldwide offices DPM had at that time.

The deep foundational roots of Catholicism made the effort to share the pure Word of the Gospel quite difficult from that office. And now with the influx of Middle Eastern culture and religion, even well beyond the French borders in other European countries, I am sure the cost in spiritual and natural resources must make the desire for truth shared even more difficult to cast seed and bear fruit.

It continually amazes me that even in such a situation as this, such as this terrible Notre Dame Cathedral immense fire, many do not even consider the One who still sits on the throne of heaven. They instead speak of “Our Lady”, the English version of Notre Dame, as if she is the queen of all. Often, she is lifted up above her Creator, God Himself. Indeed, Miriam (the real name of Mary, in Hebrew) was called and blessed of God to bear His Only Begotten Son, Jesus (Yeshua), which she willingly accepted to do, though unmarried at the time. But even she never exalted herself, but instead exalted her God.

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.” (Luke 1:38, NIV)

A servant generally doesn’t think they are above and beyond their Master. They tend to better understand their role. As so with the real Mary, the one who gave birth to our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Messiah, that was her proper consideration of herself.

But God chose her, as He has and continues to do among humankind. His plan and purpose is to draw each to His Son Jesus, Who alone is the Savior of the world. Only through His shed blood will forgiveness, redemption and salvation be found. There is no other.

Having been a Roman Catholic for the first 21 years of my life, I understand the theology that was built on and covering over the very foundation of truth, laid by God through Jews, since the days of Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the Prophets, Jesus (Himself a Jew, and still is), and the early church apostles and believers. All Jews. And not Mary worshippers, but Yeshua, God in the flesh, worshippers.

The cross remains at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France

It is now time that any and all structures, both in the natural and the spiritual, that have covered over that eternal truth, of Jesus Christ being the Only Savior, be torn down and restored to that of which He is. Only then will eyes be turned from the idols and lies that have so blinded, so many, for so long.

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
But God (emphasis mine), who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:1-10)
There is no joy in seeing the destruction of beautiful architecture that was built centuries past. For that matter, there is no joy at all in seeing anything good and wholesome in life being removed, especially the unborn lives we have become accustomed to destroying, with little thought of the eternal ramifications.
But God, seated on the throne, knows what is going on, and is not sitting idly by. He promised to shake all things that stand between Him and the people He loves, continually trying to show that His love alone can save.
When that truth is realized and accepted, those crying at times like these can know of Him and know Him. Hopefully, they will turn to Him, Jesus Christ, and be saved.
Now think on this.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.

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Now Think On This #413 - in the year of our Lord 04.17.19 – “Notre Dame Cathedral. But God.” – Wednesday 8:15 am



Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Holy Cities of Islam and Catholicism Struck by Freak Ice Storms Within Days of Each Other - Breaking Israel News

BIN HeaderBiblical ProphecyJerusalemEnd of DaysIDFBible CodesTemple Mount

Holy Cities of Islam and Catholicism Struck by Freak Ice Storms Within Days of Each Other

 

Canada’s Conservatives Pledge to Recognize Jerusalem When in Power

“But one tribe shall remain his—for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Yerushalayim, the city that I have chosen out of all the tribes of Yisrael.” (I Kings 11:32)
 

EU Sees ‘Eye to Eye’ With Arab League on ‘Palestine’ and Jerusalem

“I will gather all the nations And bring them down to the Valley of Yehoshafat. There I will contend with them Over My very own people, Yisrael, Which they scattered among the nations. For they divided My land among themselves.” (Joel 4:2)
 

Setting The Way For Israel’s Christian-Arab Soldiers

“He who strives to do good and kind deeds Attains life, success, and honor.” (Proverbs 21:21)
 

Iran Files UN Grievance Against Israel Over Netanyahu’s ‘Threats’

“But they are both dull and foolish; [Their] doctrine is but delusion; It is a piece of wood.” (Jeremiah 10:8)
 
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‘Legendary’ Billy Graham ‘Did What he Believed In’: Reporter

The “legendary” Billy Graham “did what he believed in for decades and reached so so many people”, according to Adelle Banks of the Religion News Service.
 

EXODUS 7:17

The ancient Egyptians worshiped the Nile River as a life-sustaining water source. The power of the Nile River caused ancient Egyptians to perceive themselves as self-sufficient and not dependent on God for their sustenance...
 

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Saturday, February 13, 2016

Why Mexicans Are Making a Mass Exodus From Catholicism - CBN NEWS CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Pope Francis wears a Sombrero he received as a gift from a Mexican journalist aboard an airplane to Havana.

Why Mexicans Are Making a Mass Exodus From Catholicism



Pope Francis wears a Sombrero he received as a gift from a Mexican journalist aboard an airplane to Havana. (Reuters)

Join us on our podcast each weekday for an interesting story, well told, from Charisma News. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

Pope Francis is visiting Mexico, a country that has been a stronghold of Catholicism for centuries. But a growing number of Mexicans are leaving the Catholic faith, and the pope is hoping to use his visit to convince them to stay faithful to the church.
Sara Granados is among those who have left the faith. She was born into a devout Catholic family, and by 17 she had already fulfilled all the required religious rites. But soon she realized that wasn't getting her closer to God.
"After 17 years old, I still had emptiness in my heart," Sara explained. "I had no desire to live and for me, it was better to die than to live. A friend of my mother told me, 'I'm taking you to this place.' She never mentioned church, but she brought me to church. That day the pastor was preaching and he said a word that touched my heart."
Thousands of Mexicans like Sara are embracing evangelical Christianity.
In 1970, 96 percent of Mexicans claimed to be Catholic. According to a 2010 Mexican national census, that figure has dropped to less than 85 percent.
One reason for the decline? Evangelicals leaders are spiritually closer to their flock.
Surveys have found an average of one Catholic priest for every 6,000 Catholics in Mexico, compared to one evangelical pastor for every 200 followers.
"The work of the evangelical Christian church in evangelism has been successful in past few decades. Many have come to hear a different message that brings peace, harmony, blessing, and salvation to human beings," Pastor Benjamin Lomeli of Iglesia El Buen explained.
Other reasons Mexicans have left Catholicism include evangelical outreach and the tarnished image of the Catholic Church.
Catholic Church spokesman Father Jose de Jesus told CBN News that Catholic Church leaders "... must recognize that certain scandals have caused many to be disappointed by the church and to seek a different spirituality."
With a record number of people here now embracing evangelical Christianity, Pope Francis is hoping his visit will re-energize his flock and keep Mexicans faithful to the Catholic Church.
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Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Miraculous: How Suffering Made Cuba's Church Grow


Miraculous: How Suffering Made Cuba's Church Grow

HAVANA -- As Cuba transitions to a new relationship with the United States, Americans have a renewed interest in learning how the church there has fared for the last 50 plus years.
The short answer is: amazingly well. In fact, many believe the hardships and suffering have paved the way for an explosion of church planting.
Comfort not a Concern
On a typical Sunday morning in Cuba, you can find churches across the island overflowing with worshippers. Many meet in homes and others meet in churches that look more North American but operate in a political climate that is very different.
Space is the biggest challenge for many churches. Under current government rules they typically cannot buy land or expand. One church CBN News visited responded to the rules by building several stories up. Others cram into homes and multiply when they become too big.
Pastor "Miguel" leads a church that used to meet in an apartment but now meets in the yard next to his apartment building.
"When you have 80 to 100 people [meeting] in an apartment it's hard, very hard," he told CBN News. "And neighbors get upset."
It's a common theme in Cuban churches, but it seems to have also helped to encourage church growth. In the past 20 years, more than 16,000 evangelical churches have opened their doors.
Pastor "Nestor" and his wife "Rosa" live in one room above their tiny house church. He told CBN News, "One of the things that has made us grow in faith has been the limitations and the difficulties."
On Sunday mornings and during weeknight services, only a few will have a real seat.
"People here don't care how comfortable they are," Rosa explained. "They could be exhausted from working all day and they will sit on a bag of rocks, a stitched up chair, or stand the whole service, and they're okay with that."
Home Church Explosion
Cuban church leaders say events led by the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s sparked the current church planting explosion.
"When the Russian government collapsed Cuba went through a lot, and people started looking to churches for hope," Pastor "Julio" told CBN News.  
At the same time, the government ended its atheistic philosophy that denied the existence of God and instead declared itself a secular state, prompting an entire generation to question what it believed.
During that period a government official told Cuban Baptists that the government could not authorize the construction of new buildings but suggested that the believers meet in homes.
The casual suggestion sparked a house church movement that many have compared to church history recorded in the book of Acts.
Pastor "Francisco" is one of thousands of Cuban house church pastors who follow the Gospel with tremendous passion. He came to the Lord after having dreams about Jesus for three years. Now he leads a small neighborhood church that meets three times a week.
"We have evangelized everyone who lives in this area, a New Testament Bible to each home," he told CBN News. "We can't stop -- we won't stop -- because even if they won't accept the Lord the first, second, third or fourth time, even so -- we can't stop until they come to the Lord."
Victory through Challenge
The growth of the church in Cuba is even more miraculous given the country's poverty. The average monthly government salary is $20 and professionals typically make less than $50.
Still, Cuban churches are known for their generosity and willingness to sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel.
"What we have we want to share with others," Francisco said. "What we have, not what we have left over."
Another obstacle facing Cuban churches is spiritual warfare in the form of Santeria. It's a system of beliefs influenced by West African religions and Catholicism. Santeria is known for its rituals and ceremonies.
Pastor Nestor has faced resistance right in the neighborhood. During one Sunday morning worship service, a group of Santeria followers stood just outside the church and began beating their drums.
"It was kind of like a spiritual face-off," Nestor recalled. "The church just started praying and then we prayed for rain and all of a sudden there was thunder so they had to leave."
Church leaders in Cuba say they're enjoying a new season of relaxed restrictions. It's easier to evangelize outside the church and they receive more permits to hold special events.
Still, most churches cannot expand or buy land. They cannot produce Christian radio or television shows.
They must also work around a dysfunctional economy. At Pastor Nestor's church, remodeling plans for the sanctuary are on hold indefinitely until the church can obtain much-needed cement.
"Sometime without suffering there's no challenge," Pastor Nestor told CBN News. "And without that challenge, there's no victory."