Can Bible believing Christians and Catholics truly walk together?

by Steve Lumbley from here  

“In recent years we have seen a concerted effort on the part of many protestant leaders to minimize the doctrinal differences between the Roman Catholic Church and Protestantism. People like James Dobson of Focus on the Family, Charles Colson of Prison Fellowship Ministries, Pat Robertson of CBN, and Paul Crouch of TBN have assured their followers that the Catholic Church has changed. Many of these men have either signed or endorsed the heretical Evangelicals and Catholics Together document that attempts to unite these two groups on the basis of certain beliefs held in common. 

We have been told that we have nothing to fear from Rome and that the leopard has changed his spots. Today’s Catholic Church, they say has nothing in common with the church that carried out the inquisition and sponsored the crusades. Sadly, most Bible believing Christians today know nothing of the history of the reformation or the facts that led many of our forefathers to flee from Catholicism.  

I was reminded recently that serious doctrinal differences remain between Protestants and Catholics by a story from the Catholic News Agency. It seems that two Catholic Priests in Phoenix Arizona has been excommunicated for their establishment of and leadership in an “opposing ecclesial community.”

According to the story: 

Monsignor Dale Fushek, and Father Mark Dippre……  founded the non-denominational Praise and Worship Center, which meets Sundays at the Fiesta Fountains Recreation Center in Mesa. 

Their meetings regularly draw 250 to 300 people. The priests’ 90-minute services begin at 10 am each Sunday and feature much music but do not include sacraments. Reportedly, the priests have repeatedly said their services are not to be considered “Catholic” in any way.

 “They always claim that they are not doing something in opposition to any denomination, but they are always holding their worship services at a time that coincides with a lot of Catholic Masses.” Jim Dwyer, a Diocese of Phoenix spokesman, told the East Valley Tribune.

It is also interesting to note that Monsignor Fushek is awaiting trial on seven misdemeanor counts including contributing to the delinquency of a minor, indecent exposure and assault. But these allegations are not the reason he is being excommunicated.  His crime according to the church is that he is part of a worship service that does not hold to Catholic doctrine.

A spokesperson for the diocese said that Phoenix Bishop Olmsted “continues to express “grave concern” for Catholics who may be “misled or confused” by the priests’ actions. The statement encouraged Catholics not to attend or support the Praise and Worship Center and reminded Catholics that “the ultimate form of praise and worship is and always will be the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.” 

“There is no substitution for the graces received at Mass and no prayer more edifying,” the diocese said. 

There you have it in black and white. The official position of the Catholic Church remains that there is no grace (ie: no salvation) outside the ritual of the Mass.

Bible believing Christians need to understand that Catholic’s are being deceptive when they claim that salvation is by grace alone. They do believe in salvation by grace but in their view, grace can only be dispensed by and through the Roman Catholic Church.

When Peter preached to the crowd on the day of Pentecost it says that the hearers were “pricked in their heart” and asked Peter “what shall we do” to be saved.

What did Peter tell them? Did he say ‘receive the sacraments of grace from an ordained ecclesiastical priest and you shall be saved’ No, he said this:

………Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts 2:38-39

That is the requirement for salvation. Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. That promise remains in effect today for Peter said that the promise of salvation by faith in the name of Jesus was given to you and to your children, and to all that are afar off. Even those of us who were “far off” in time can rely on that promise.

This is no minor doctrinal difference. It goes to the very heart of the gospel message. Is salvation truly a gift of God by faith or is it dispensed by and through and ecclesiastical hierarchy of men?

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 1Timothy 2:5

The Bible tells us that there is only one mediator between God and man and that mediator is Jesus Christ. It is not a priest, a Bishop, or a Pope. It is not even a pastor, an apostle, or a prophet. It is only Through Christ Himself that grace may be found leading to eternal life. Those who deny this truth deny the faith.

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2Peter 2:1

The idea that the grace of God may only be apportioned by a priest of the Roman church is a damnable heresy which causes men to deny the Lord that bought them.

If you have bought into this lie, thinking that the Catholic Church is just another denomination I would urge you to reconsider. The Church of Rome has not changed. They still deny Christ and insist that grace can only come through their ritual of the Mass which sacrifices Christ anew every day. Their ultimate purpose is to bring all Protestants back into their harlot church. Don’t let any man mislead you. No true Christian can walk with those who fail to hold to the most basic foundations of the faith.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14 

This article may be reproduced and distributed free of charge as long as it remains in its original form.

 

Norway considers Scientology prosecution

Article from here

“Norway is considering prosecuting some Scientology practices. The Ministry of Health and Care Services says that the use of the “OCA” personality test in sales may constitute fraud as well as being part of a pattern of medical malpractice.

The statement came after three undercover journalists took the test. Scientology staff said they should buy a course to solve psychological issues. One was advised to avoid medical care; another was told she needed either a course or “chemicals”.

A Scientology spokesman blamed individual staff and disclaimed responsibility. The test is notorious since a Norwegian suicided the same evening she received negative results and was subjected to “hard sell” in a Scientology center in Nice, France.”

Jesus Christ Returning In Manifest Sons of God and Their Dominionism

A comment by NOLR History that I wanted to flag up -

“The core theosophy from which the NOLR (New Order of the Latter Rain)/NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) was formed inevitably leads the participants to believe THEY ARE JESUS CHRIST COLLECTIVELY!!

Moreover, they secretly (but now more openly) believe the Second Coming per Revelations 1:7 “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him…” as a metaphor for the “Manifest Sons of God” (them) to corporately demonstrate, through [their] signs and wonders that Christ has returned and now resides/taken up residence in their bodies corporately.

This is why the Copelands, the Hinn brothers, the Crouches, etc. can say arrogantly “I am” as they believe Christ is fused with their soul. Of course they are all doomed for believing this, but that is besides the point. Here is an excerpt from an article written by a Shaker found in the Western Reserve Historical Society (1723-1952) illuminating the Shaker’s hermetic, alchemystical and Kabbalist belief about the Second Coming that parallels that of the NOLR/NAR.

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Sampson, Proctor. “Reasons For Uniting with the People called Shakers: Comprised in a brief sketch of the Author’s religious exercises, and a brief statement of the peculiar doctrines & practices of that people, copied from the Author’s Manuscript, by Alonzo G. Hollister.”  (August 5, 1888) Shaker Collection of the Western Reserve Historical Society, Book VI: B-41, reel 52, pp. 57-62. (spelling errors left in for historical authenticity) p.57

Millennium or Second Coming of Christ “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” From the first declaration of God to man after his fall, The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head, it is evident that the mind of Infinite Wisdom purposed a work, that should in due time, redeem man from his lost state, & from the power and dominion of the serpent which he by the fall, imbibed into his nature. For this work, God has been preparing the way for his final complete redemption, according to the times & seasons which the Father reserved in His own power, and the degree of preparation mankind are in, to receive the increase of good, which God designs he shall partake of. God never arbitrarily withheld His light & good from the lost race of man, but has dispensed to every age, to every nation, to every individual, as much as could be of good use to them, according to the state in which those ages – those nations – & those individuals were. Abraham appears to have been favored with more of the manifestations of God, than any individual had previously been, after the fall. A further dispensation was given the children of Israel, thru Moses. Yet this was but a figurative representation of that perfect manifestation of the Father, made thru Jesus Christ, & therefore, in power & degree, far short of the perfect work. Jesus Christ, in his first appearing, did perfectly in the work he was appointed to do in that prepared body which he took upon him. As he says, near the close of his life, “I have glorified Thee on earth; I have finished the work Thou hast given me to do”. But as it respected others, his work on earth was not completed. And it was to be in his second coming, when God should effectually judge the secrets of men by that man who He hath appointed, that the finishing work of God among mankind should take place; his gospel be preached to every creature, and then the end shall come. As Jesus & his Apostles had foretold the falling away from that power an holiness in which they stood, they also foretold a time when “Unto them that look for him, shall he appear a second time, without sin, unto salvation, & that he in his second coming, would set up a kingdom on earth, that should never be supplanted nor overthrown, but should increase to the final restitution of all things; when the “Saints of the Most High should take the kingdom and possess it forever & ever.” It is known to those who are acquainted with the Scriptures, that many of the prophets speak of a time of blessedness to be among mankind, beyond what has ever taken place. Hence many who are familiar with the Scriptures have written abundantly of the Millennium, or Christ’s reign of a thousand years on earth. and tho’ these writers may be mistaken in their calculations of the time for its commencement, & tho their ideas concerning the manner of the work may in many respects be far from the truth, yet, that such a time should come, the prophecies in both Testaments abundantly declare. The opinion that Christ should personally appear on earth at his second coming, & many other equally erroneous opinions concerning his second coming, are doubtless owing to that mistaken sense by which all natural men must judge, when they read the Scriptures. The notion that he will personally appear in the natural clouds of the firmament, so that all mankind shall se him with their natural eyes, at one & the same time, is contrary to the real import of Scripture, as well as sound philosophy. That he will appear [has appeared] in the clouds of heaven, & that in the progress of his work, every eye shall see him, we confidently believe. But what clouds? The clouds of his witnesses. And what eye? The eye of faith, in the mind; whereby every one, in the preaching of that gospel (which is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth; — and) which brings sure evidence of its truth to the consciences of men. So that in the progress of the present work of God, in the preaching of the gospel to every creature, every eye shall see him, & every soul will have to make its final choice, to be harvested out of the world, gathered to the camp of the saints, & gain that perfect good which the gospel offers them, or resist the call of God; deliberately & willfully choose evil instead of good, & receive for its portion, shame & everlasting contempt, with banishment fromthe presence of God, & from the glory of His Power. The mistaken idea that the second coming of Christ shall be so immediately universal that all will see him at once, probably originated in a misconception of what Jesus himself said. “As the lightning which cometh out of the East, & shineth even unto the West, so shall the coming [the presence] of the Son of man be.” Those acquainted with the original, tell us that the word here translated lightning, signifies not only lightning but any vivid brightness or shining light, as that of a sun, or of a star, lamp, or candle, in which the sense the same is used in other places. The word translated lightning in Matt. 24:27, is in Luke 11:38, rendered bright shining. Thus translated, the word aptly shows the beginning & progress of the work of Christ. As the bright shining, or light of the Sun, cometh out of the East & shineth even to the West, so shall the coming [Greek: “presence”] of the Son of man be: gradual & progressing, till every eye shall see him. Let us inquire who, or what is Christ? Christ is not, & strictly speaking, never was a person. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Ghost & Power of God, by [in] which he went about doing good. This constituted him the Christ, or Anointed of God. The word Christ signifies anointed – Jesus, means Savior. Thus Christ Jesus was the Anointed Savior. Cyrus was the Lord’s Anointed or Christ, for a particular purpose. The church is called the body of Christ, that is, the body of the Anointed; for none can truly belong to the church of Christ, unless they are anointed with the Holy Spirit. We must look then for the second coming of Christ, and his thousand years reign on earth, in spirit, for in no other way will he ever appear. That his second coming has commenced, and that his millennial reign has begun, we are witnesses. And that the present work of Christ will progress & increase till he has put all his enemies under his feet, we have no doubt. “Now has come salvation and strength, & the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His anointed.” The God of heaven, as foreseen by Daniel, is now setting up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor be left to another people: but it shall break in pieces & consume all other kingdoms, & it shall stand forever.” Many in this day, are expecting the Millennium at hand, & some have ventured to say that it begins to dawn. It may be so to them. The signs of the time indicate that a more rapid increase of that work which some know themselves to be in, is not far distant. Tho some in the preparatory work of the millennium & others not so forward as that, do not perceive that the work has commenced, those who are in the work have a sure evidence that it has begun & will progress not only in its subjects, but in many who as yet, know not the great day in which they live. The Prophet Ezekiel had a visionary view of the four dispensations of the grace of God to man, under the similitude of waters which issued from water under the threshold of the Sanctuary. The first 1000 cubits bro’t him thru the waters when they were to the ancles. The next 1000 cubits, bro’t him through the waters to the knees. At the third measurement, the waters were to the loins. At the fourth, the waters had become a river that could not be passed over; they were waters to swim in. The first thousand cubits & waters to the ancles, signified the measure of light given in the Patriarchal Dispensation, directing their feet in the order of the natural state. The second thousand & water to the knees, signifies the increasing light in the Dispensation of the law of Moses’ bending their knees, & directing their walk in such a manner as to figuratively a more perfect, and spiritual work [to come]. The third measure, represents the dispensation of Christ’s first Appearing, when the manifestation of the spirit of God, reached to the loins, and began to point out [draw] the separating line between nature & grace, flesh & spirit. The fourth measure & rise of the waters, typified the Dispensation of Christ’s Second Appearing in spirit & power, when all souls must swim in the waters of the river of life clear of all earthly propensities, [possessions] & attractions, or sink to rise no more. Jesus Christ sometimes spake of the second coming & brot comparisons to show the manner of it. In one place he likens to the time of Noah. “For as in the days that were before the flood, they were eating &drinking, marrying & giving in marriage, till the day that Noah entered into the ark, & knew not till the flood came & took them all away, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” Noah preacht righteousness, & no doubt faithfully called the generation in which he lived, to repentence. But they regarded him not, & their destruction was the consequence. Daniel foreseeing/predicting the time in which we live, when many shall run to & fro & nolej shall be increast, adds “Many shall be purified, made white & tried, but the wicked shall do wickedly, & none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.” Altho nolej increases in a wonderful manner in this our day, yet none are truly wise, however much their nolej, but those who truly fear God. and all who truly fear God will cease to do evil and learn to do well. It is to the poor in spirit, —those who hunger & thirst after righteousness; the righteousness of God thru Christ, who will receive Christ in his appearing. But the selfwise, selfrighteous & selfexalted, however much they may increase their nolej, will not understand, Ye hypocrites! Ye can discern the face of the sky, but can ye not discern the signs of the times. In another place, Christ compares his coming to that of a thief in the night – suddenly, unexpected & unknown to those who are asleep. He also compared it to a snare, so shall it come upon all the earth. Also to a woman in travail, & they shall not escape. This great Day of the last & final Judgment of God, will assuredly overtake every creature. Every soul will have to see themselves and be seen as they are seen in the site of a Holy God, without any of those deceptiv coverings which men are naturally so fond of. And they will be bro’t to that point that they must rise up in the judgment with God, against sin in themselves, condemn, confess & forake it;—or take part with the enemy of God; knowingly & wilfully cleave to their sins & have their portion with the Devil & his emmissaries. [The final & severest Judge, of each, will be his or her own conscience i.e. the losers]  Christ again compares his work on earth at his second coming to a harvest. “The harvest is the end of the world, & the reapers are the Angels. As therefore the tares are gathered & burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of the world. The Son of Man shall send forth his Messengers & they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, [stumbling bloks] & them that do lawlessness, & shall cast them into a furnace of fire. There shall be wailing & nashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Some may ask what evidence have you that you are in the work of which you speak, & show how you are able to assert with such confidence that the second appearing of Christ, or millennial state has commenced? We answer that not only by prophesies, visions, signs, & other outward evidences, has the work been foreseen & the testimony borne thereto, but by the same sure word of prophesy, the internal witness which every one receives who truly comes into the work. Many who are now subjects of this work, had long & anxiously felt their need of salvation from sin. They sought it earnestly & sincerely in many of the denominations called Christian in the world, but could not obtain it. Their experience and nolej of different sects in the world, enables them to say that the abiding power of salvation is not with any of them. Visiting this people, hearing their testimony, and observing its fruits, they were convinced that the work among the people was the work of God’s salvation & were induced to take the way that they directed, to find the salvation that their souls longed for. Uniting with the work. Uniting with the work, they know that they have found that salvation they never before could obtain. They have a sure internal witness that every step they take in obedience to this testimony, advances them in the work of salvation. Therefore they have the most convincing evidence that Christ has appeared the second time, without sin unto salvation unto them. And as God is no respecter of persons, they are sure that the same will be manifested to all souls in due time, & when thus offerd, they can be made partakers if they will comply with its terms, & that souls would be wise – that they would understand this – that they would accept of repentance & salvation when offerd to them in the Gospel.

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COMMENTS

1. Keep in mind that the Shakers, like NOLR/NAR leaders and their deceived followers, talked with angels. Also, their captive children acted as “instruments” (mediums) for those members who died and gave messages from the other side.

2. Their founders included extensive quotes from Jane Leade and the Philadelphian Society. As documented on this site elsewhere [ http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/2009/02/09/the-nars-fairy-godmother-jane-leade-the-philadelphian-society/  ] the Philadelphians embraced the Lurian Kabbalah doctrine of Reincarnation or “Gilgul” as well as the “Repair of the World” or Tikkun Olam. These two occult (hidden) doctrines were christianized by the Philadelphians and subsequently formed the core Dominion/Reconstruction doctrines of the NOLR/NAR that was to be carried out by the “restoration” or reincarnation in historical context of the original apostles and prophets’ souls into the bodies of their genetic (spiritual DNA) descendants.

Dutch Sheets and his wife along with the rest of the NOLR/NAR reincarnated “apostles and prophets” seem to be shifting a lot of gears recently, especially after *ALL* their credibility has finally and forever been thrown out after defending and “restoring” not only the original Kansas City Seven, but now walking disaster Todd Bentley. This is what happens as a result of plagiarizing and re-working false doctrines. $Trillions have been ripped off from Christians since the 1948 North Battleford Revival broke out and morphed into today’s NAR/USAR compound.”

Gamaliel’s Advice – The Refuge of Wolves, Scoundrels, and Con Men

Article by Steve Lumbley from here

“Recently a disciple of one of our local cult leaders used the Gamaliel defense to warn us away from confronting the false teaching of his idol 

Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men……… 

And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it–lest you even be found to fight against God.”
Acts 5:34-35 & 38-39

Many times we have seen false teachers and their apologists use this advice to shield themselves from proper Biblical scrutiny. Even more than a shield, they use it as an implied threat that any criticism of their doctrine or practices is tantamount to fighting against God.

Let’s examine Gamaliel’s advice in light of the whole counsel of scripture and see if it is applicable or if it is even good Godly counsel.

The context of Gamaliel’s speech was in court. Not a civil or government criminal court but a religious court. The disciples had been brought before the Sanhedrin for the ‘crime’ of preaching in the name of Jesus. The Sanhedrin was the Jewish religious council that decided all matters pertaining to Jewish law and customs.

We read in Acts 5:17-21 that the council had previously sent the apostles to prison but an angel had released them in the night and told them to return to the Temple and preach the gospel. When the High Priest saw that they were again preaching he was incensed and had them brought before the council. When questioned, Peter stood his ground and told them that he would obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29) 

It was at this point that Gamaliel suggested that the Sanhedrin should leave these men alone lest they be found to be fighting against God. After the council agreed, they brought the disciples back in, had them beaten (Acts 5:40) and let them go.

So, my first question is this; should this advice be applied to those who, like me,  publicly expose false teaching? I for one have never called for any false teacher to be jailed or beaten. If we were truly going to follow the direction of the Gamaliel and the Sanhedrin we would also be calling for false teachers to be beaten before we let them go.

Now maybe there are some who would like to see the Benny Hinn’s Todd Bentley’s and Doyle Davidson’s of the world get a good beating but I am not one of them. We live in a relatively free (for now) and open society where men have the right to speak whatever blasphemy they desire. I likewise have the right to compare their doctrines and practices with scripture and point out where they fall short. I’m not trying to shut them down. I am only trying to warn others not to follow their pernicious ways.

But what about the logic behind Gamaliel’s advice?  Is it Godly wisdom or only human reasoning.

According to Gamaliel, if a work is not of God it will “come to nought”. The word translated as nought in the KJV is the Greek word katalyō which means to dissolve or disunite. Gamaliel cited a couple of examples from his day in which works of men had come to nothing but as we look at false religious movements down through the ages we find that many times this is an exception rather than the rule.

According to Gamaliel, Hinduism must be of God since elements of this belief system go back to around 5500 BC and are still practiced today by millions around the globe.

According to Gamaliel, Islam must be of God since it has been around since at least 610AD 

According to Gamaliel, the Mormon’s must be of God since they go back to 1830 

According to Gamaliel, The Watchtower Society (Jehovah’s Witnesses) must be of God since it goes back to 1879 

Obviously we could do this all day. History is replete with false religious movements that continue to deceive millions. Now I will grant you that in some respects these movements have come to nothing at least to the discerning Christian. For those who are born of the Spirit of God it is clear that these are false belief systems therefore they have come to nought for us but they have not dissolved as Gamaliel predicted they would and according to Gods word many of them will carry on deceiving people right up to the return of Christ.

This also applies to the, wolves, false teachers, and false prophets passing themselves off as Christian.

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what [will be] the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
Matthew 24:3-5

Indeed, the very first sign spoken of by Jesus as identifying the end of the age is a plethora of deceivers and false Christs. When we expose these people it is because we are called to contend for the faith (Jude 1:3), reprove evil works of darkness (Eph 5:11), and mark them that cause division contrary to true doctrine (Romans 16:17) We are simply doing what our forefathers in the faith did.

So the next time you are offended by the exposure of your favorite idol shepherd, save your Gamaliel warning. It does not apply to me. I don’t want him imprisoned and I don’t want him beaten. But you should also know the fact that your false teacher has a big ministry and hasn’t been shut down, is not a sign of Gods approval of his practices and doctrines.”

This article may be reproduced and distributed free of charge as long as it remains in its original form.

Dr. Paula Price Mentorship for Women At A Price

Dr. Paula Price, ‘prophetess’, asked her email list if they were free the next evening.

“Are You Free Tommorow Evening?
Dr. Paula Price, Author, The Prophet’s Dictionary
May 20, 2009

Dear Word in Season Women of Dominion,

Are you free tomorrow evening? I am hosting a special conference call, just for women,  to share God’s heart with you and take time to answer your questions, impart wisdom, counsel and advice, and challenge you to continue to press forward in power, grace and strength. It is the launch of my new monthly teleconference, The Inner Circle: Chamber of Mentorship. Each month, I will set aside time for you to talk with you about the issues that matter most to your life and call.
Join me tomorrow and become an official member of my inner circle. My monthly meetings are available to inner circle members only, and I don’t want you to miss this. What has God been saying to you? What do you need to be more equipped, better qualified to conquer your world? What is on your mind? Do you have questions about your life, ministry, professional career, or family? Join me tomorrow evening for a time of empowerment, impartation and strength.

One-time participation and subscription plans are available.  To register or for more details, please call my office at …. or sign up on my website, at …

I look forward to your fellowship.
God Bless,
Dr. Paula Price”

When asked specifically how much this ’spiritual encouragement’ would cost, the response was -

“Blessings, and thank you for your interest. Tonight’s introductory cost is $50.00. Dr. Price will host six sessions this year, May-November. You may purchase a 3-Session bundle at 10% OFF, purchase a monthly subscription (auto draft), or pay the one-time cost on the months that you are available. All of these options are listed at sign-up.
 
I can also assist you over the phone toll free, at ….
 
In His Service,
 
Adia Peterson
PPM Global Resources, Inc.”

The next day, still touting for business, they sent out this bulk emailing -

Are you free this evening? I am hosting a special conference call, just for women, to share God’s heart with you concerning Women in leadership; take time to answer your questions, impart wisdom, counsel and advice, and challenge you to continue to press forward in power, grace and strength.
You are invited to be a part of my new monthly teleconference, The Inner Circle: Chamber of Mentorship. Each month, I will set aside time to talk with you about the issues that matter most to your life and call.

Join me this evening and become an official member of my inner circle. My monthly meetings are available to inner circle members only, and I don’t want you to miss this.

What has God been saying to you? What do you need to be more equipped and better qualified to conquer your world? Do you have questions about your call, ministry, or professional career? Join me for a time of empowerment, impartation and strength. One-time participation and subscription plans are available. 

To register or for more details, please call my office toll free at ….  or sign up on my website, at …..

I look forward to your fellowship.
God Bless,
Dr. Paula Price”

For ”looking forward to your fellowship”, read “looking forward to your money”.

This is wrong.

 

Televangelist Robert Tilton Attempts To Resurrect Himself

Article by SCOTT K. PARKS, The Dallas Morning News here, May 28, 2009

“Disgraced Dallas televangelist Robert Tilton has new life, third wife in Miami

Notorious televangelist Robert Tilton left Dallas in disgrace more than a decade ago and has been quietly rebuilding his life in Miami. 

Call it an attempted resurrection.

An indication of just how far below the radar he flies nowadays came in February when a masked gunman invaded Tilton’s beachfront mansion, and the Miami news media didn’t even bother to report the incident.

In the go-go 1980s, after his evangelistic star had risen, a dramatic and potentially violent crime against Tilton would have made national news.

Tilton and his third wife, Maria, were not physically harmed and nothing was stolen. The Miami Police Department characterized the incident as a botched “robbery” that ended when the suspect got spooked and ran from the home.

But it also could have been an attempted kidnapping. The Tiltons’ twin toddlers – daughters Elijah and Rebekah – were at home with their nanny when the man barged into the home.

Or perhaps the incident sprang from a glitch in Tilton’s labyrinthine network of business dealings, which includes for-profit companies as well as worldwide church activities involving millions of dollars.

“To date, no one knows why [the incident happened] or for what reason,” said Brooke Asiatico, a Richardson attorney who represents Tilton. “We want to be careful.”

Police haven’t made any arrests in the case. Asiatico said the Tiltons were traveling and were not available to be interviewed.

After the home invasion, the Tiltons moved out of their 8,000-square-foot Miami Beach mansion and into a South Beach high-rise with 24-hour security. They put the house on the market for $6.9 million.

Longtime Dallas-area residents will remember Tilton’s Word of Faith Family Church in Farmers Branch. From the late 1970s until the mid-1990s, the church occupied a warehouse-sized building on the east side of Interstate 35E near the Valley View Lane exit.

Just north of the church, a towering grain silo became a landmark for interstate travelers. It was festooned with a colorful rainbow overlaid with the words “Jesus is Lord” and a permanent invitation to attend Tilton’s church.

Today, Tilton plies his trade on a Web site called streamingfaith.com. On the daily one-hour program called Robert Tilton Live!  he promotes his patented Success N Life gospel, which generally postulates that God will reward donors with blessings that far outstrip the amount of the check they send to pastors such as Tilton.

Like any minister, he says he will pray for his donors and ask God to relieve their problems. But he is careful not to promise that their donations will work a miracle such as curing a loved one’s illness.

Mr. Tilton, whose Web site says he has authored 25 books, currently is offering a free edition of How to Pay Your Bills Supernaturally.

Tilton still appears on cable’s Black Entertainment Network, or BET, at 3 a.m. Mondays with reruns or new editions of Success N Life.

Ole Anthony, an East Dallas preacher who has watchdogged Tilton for years, said he is not surprised the old television warrior climbed aboard the Web.

“It’s just another way for him to keep making those outlandish promises,” said Anthony, founder of the Trinity Foundation and archenemy of Tilton. “And to replenish his mailing list with fresh names and addresses.”

Tilton, who will turn 63 on June 7, also continues to reinvent his personal life in Florida. He and his 49-year-old wife became the proud parents of Elijah and Rebekah in January 2008.

The couple presented the girls on Tilton’s Web site in April and let viewers watch them scuttle around the television studio for a few minutes before launching into their “prosperity” sermon.

“Yes, Bob changes diapers,” Maria told viewers.

Tilton’s style is subdued compared to the old days when he spoke in tongues and once talked about rats eating his brain.

He’s toned down his evangicoiff; he’s a little grayer; his tanned face a little craggier. But he still dresses well in suit and tie. He and his wife drive a black Range Rover, a black Mercedes Benz and a blue Bentley when in Miami.

Asiatico, Tilton’s attorney, said last week that the home invasion has not driven her client into hiding. The Tiltons still fly around the country to preach at various churches and take care of their ministries, she said.

Tilton is senior pastor, president and chairman of the Word of Faith World Outreach Center Church in Las Vegas and holds the same title at a church of the same name in Miami, according to public records.

Anthony and his Trinity Foundation said they have obtained records showing that the Tiltons may have earned salaries totaling more than $1.2 million as church pastors in 2003. In a written statement, Asiatico said, “None of this information is accurate.” But she didn’t offer a specific salary number in rebuttal.

In addition to their church work, Tilton also owns a publishing company and several other for-profit businesses.

Records filed with the Nevada secretary of state’s office in 2006 list Tilton as president, secretary, treasurer and director of Stella Vita International, a multi-level marketing operation that sells nutritional supplements.

Stella Vita appears to blend Tilton’s prosperity message with network marketing. He has held a series of meetings to attract potential investors in Stella Vita. The “Prosperity Opportunity” meetings took on the flavor of tent revivals.

“I’m not so sure I see the difference,” Tilton was quoted as saying in a 2006 news release. “Ever since I got rid of religion, I’ve had a party with God! And now we’re all going to have a party with Stella Vita” – a quote that would make his lawyer wince.

Asiatico said Tilton has sought legal counsel and abided by all laws to ensure that tax-exempt church entities are not promoting Stella Vita products.

“It is not unusual for pastors to have investments and other sources of income separate and apart from their compensation as ministers of the Gospel,” she said. 

Prayer requests tossed 

Word of Faith was a megachurch before the term was invented.

And by the late 1980s, Tilton was flying high as its leader. More important, his Success N Life television program and his satellite outreach to churches throughout the world were producing so much revenue that he was able to buy television airtime in at least 200 of the nation’s 235 television markets.

Tilton’s list of names and addresses, gold to mass marketers, swelled into the hundreds of thousands.

Anthony and his Trinity Foundation investigators estimated that Tilton and his enterprises were bringing in $70 million to $80 million a year in gross revenue. Then, in the space of one hour, Diane Sawyer and ABC News blew him away.

The evening of Nov. 21, 1991, ABC News aired a dramatic hidden-camera report that lifted the veil on Tilton’s “fulfillment” operation in Tulsa, Okla.

Video showed workers opening donor letters and setting aside checks and cash for deposit. They entered donor names and addresses into a computer, which then spit out a form letter saying Tilton had received their prayer request and was now asking God to help them.

Investigators found many of the donor prayer requests in a Dumpster, according to the ABC report.

Marte Tilton, the evangelist’s first wife, with whom he had four children, recalled watching the broadcast and described the experience in a memoir published in 2000.

“We sat motionless and speechless through the entire program,” said Tilton’s former wife, whom he divorced in 1993. “Overnight, we became objects of public ridicule and a flurry of lawsuits.”

The television report was devastating because Tilton had promised his viewers he would prayerfully ask God to help them with specific problems.

The revelations prompted more than a dozen disgruntled donors to file lawsuits alleging that Tilton had engaged in fraud.

Tilton migrated to South Florida, where he had maintained a vacation home. After a short second marriage, he found Maria Hortensia Rodriguez, 13 years his junior, and embarked on his third marriage.

They built their dream home in 2003 – a five-bedroom, eight-bathroom, oceanfront palace on San Marco Island with a fabulous view of the Miami skyline. 

Birthday terror 

Tuesday, Feb. 3, was Maria Tilton’s 49th birthday. She and her husband had returned home after a dinner out and were sitting in their backyard drinking wine, according to the police report.

At 9:20 p.m., a masked man dressed in black and wearing gloves confronted the couple with a large semiautomatic pistol.

He ordered them to go inside the house, placed them facedown on the floor and bound their wrists with plastic “flexi-cuffs.”

The Tiltons’ nanny was at home at the time.

The intruder became worried about the family poodles making noise in the backyard and ordered the nanny to bring the dogs indoors.

He followed her toward the door and Maria Tilton, noticing he had left the room, jumped up and ran screaming out the front door.

Police believe a second intruder may also have been in the house.

After Maria Tilton escaped, the gunman “called out the name ‘John’ twice” before running from the home, the police report said.

A passer-by found the hysterical woman running down the street and called 911.

Later, police found a ski mask and a plastic grip that appeared to have come loose from a handgun. Robert Tilton later told friends that he believed the gunman’s pistol had been equipped with a silencer, but the police report made no mention of it.

A person familiar with the investigation, who asked not to be identified, said police observed that Tilton – who is no stranger to adversity and hardship – seemed to be calm after the incident.

“This wasn’t Bob’s first rodeo when it comes to big events,” the person said.

Timeline -

March 1976: Robert Tilton holds the first service at Word of Faith Family Church in Farmers Branch. 

July 1981: Tilton establishes a satellite network to beam his sermons and teachings worldwide.January 1988: Word of Faith church membership reaches an estimated 8,000. 

October 1990: A USA Today story on Tilton says, “TV Minister’s Star on the Rise.” 

November 1991: An ABC News expose devastates Tilton’s church and television ministry. 

April 1993: Viewership of Tilton’s Success N Life television show falls 84 percent.

 September 1993: Tilton pulls the plug on his TV ministry.

 April 1997: Tilton moves to the Miami area and resurrects Success N Life on television.

 April 1999: Word of Faith church, which had become a landmark on Interstate 35E, is sold.

 May 2003: Tilton builds a $5 million home on the Miami Beach oceanfront.

 June 2006: Tilton becomes president of Stella Vita International, which touts its nutritional supplements as a path to prosperity.

January 2008: Twin daughters born to Tilton and his third wife, Maria.

February 2009: Two masked men with handguns invade Tilton’s home and briefly hold him and Maria hostage. 

April 2009: Maria says she cannot go back to the beachfront home. It goes on the market for $6.9 million. 

SOURCE: Dallas Morning News research”

Pastors and Church Leaders Please Don’t Be Like This

This is a repost of an article from last year. Important to be heeded still, hence the reminder.

Being like this person below doesn’t help the leader, and it helps the congregation even less! Leaders, empower your flock to be what they should be, instead of the onlookers they so often are.

One Man Band – Following on from this article, here, here’s a graphic despiction of most modern church leaders.

Leilani Neumann says prayer death trial was unfair

The mother convicted of allowing her daughter, Madeline Kara Neumann, to die of an easily treatable condition while she prayed for her healing instead of calling for medical help says her recent guilty verdict shows more work needs to be done in her fight for religious freedom.

“I did what I thought was lawful,” she wrote in a statement released over the weekend. “I didn’t realize it would be a crime to pray for my daughter.”

What a shame she still doesn’t get it. The whole case is dreadfully sad.

Cough! Splutter! Elijah List Claims About Itself

The bold emphasis is mine – note how many times the honest and sincere cry echos out, a bit over the top -

Steve Shultz says -

“I am FOR God’s PROPHETS!”

May 27, 2009

A Special Letter to our Valued [cha ching!] Subscribers of “The ElijahList”:

God doesn’t endorse pretense, but–as it says in Psalm 51:6–He “desires truth in the inward parts.” We, here at ElijahList Publications agree of course, [!!] and that is the reason for this short, open and honest communication to you, our subscribers.

For more than a decade, ElijahList Publications has been collecting, considering and then disseminating prophetic words to God’s people, in obedience to the vision to which God has called us. Through world events and triumphs, or tragedies such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina; through changing governments and administrations; we have stayed true to its mission:

“…to transmit around the world, in agreement with Holy Scripture [!!!!] , fresh daily prophetic ‘manna’ from the Lord, regarding the days in which we live.”

In recent times, things have become financially difficult for everyone, and especially for small businesses and ministries. While we don’t wish to offend even one of our subscribers, we feel we must take that risk with this honest and sincere plea. [Endtimes comment - But they are always asking for money one way or the other, so nothing new there! I recall all the numerous desperate pleas sent out before the end of December financial year, with helping the orphans as the manipulative plea to give there. Steve doesn't mention the orphans here, have they been dumped?]

Behind the scenes at ElijahList Publications, we have had to make painful decisions to minimize staff and end certain aspects of this ministry. In both of these areas, we have done all we can do in order to continue to bring the prophetic encouragement our subscribers look for from us each day.
And yet, we are still in need. As we bring this deficit before the Lord, we felt we should also disclose our necessity to those on our list… to you who look to God’s prophetic reinforcement, and who pray and intercede on our behalf.

We ask that you might consider sowing a gift of $10.00 or more into the ElijahList. Simply click the donation button at the end of this letter to give.

As we ask that, we must also remind you that ElijahList Publications is the FOR-PROFIT aspect of this ministry, so any gift would NOT be tax-deductible. However, even as I say that, I realize there is perhaps a message that could be sent by this very act. By sowing into the FOR-PROFIT ElijahList Publications, you are also saying, “I am FOR God’s PROPHETS; and FOR the daily prophetic support that I receive through this list.” [Urgh!]

I am reminded of King David who would not allow Araunah to just give him his threshing floor so he could erect an altar to the Lord, but David told him, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God with that which costs me nothing.” (2 Sam. 24:24) {what blatant twisting of scripture to justify people giving their money to false prophets!]

Thank you for your grace as you ponder this request, and for your faithfulness to bring “The ElijahList” before the Lord in prayer.

In the honesty and truth that God desires,

Steve Shultz, Founder”

It barely needs reminding what teachings the Elijah List tout, such as on transfer of wealth and prosperity … yet they have to keep scrounging from the public in addition to all their merchandising to merely scrape by (according to them)? Hmm, something up there.

Prophetic Vision – Times of Plenty Coming to End to Be Replaced by Time of Famine

A reader of this site just sent this in – I wanted to flag it up as I think it so important.

“I wanted to share something that happened to me early this AM. I got up early, as I had some things to do at work, and stopped in at my local Wal-Mart about 5AM to grab a bagle for breakfast. As I walked down the bread aisle, which was fully stocked (looked like the night crew had just finished their work), I looked down the aisle. All the shelves were full up, not a space on them whatsoever.

Then all of the sudden, I saw crowds of people … mostly women, pushing, shoving, elbowing each other, grabbing at the bread in great panic. I heard women screaming, children crying, and in an instant (looked like a time-lapse film) the shelves were empty .. but I saw each and every loaf disappear before my eyes. I felt like the Lord had pulled back a curtain, and let me glimpse into the future. All of it only took an instant, but it was very very real. I looked again … and the aisle was as it had been … it was like a movie overlaid on the present .. played in fast forward action.

I won’t speculate as to when, but this was a clear message to me that this IS coming.

Last summer, I would stop in to the same store to buy some snack items … and a similar thing happened to me. Walking across a parking lot filled with cars and people, suddenly I would see it desolate … not a car in the lot, and misc pieces of garbage blowing around. At the same time I heard the Lord say “It’s not always going to be like this … ” the implication being that the times of plenty are going to come to an end. This “vision” (don’t know what else to call it) repeated about a half-dozen times on as many occasions.

Do with it what you may, but I just wanted to share what I have seen.

Dave”

See also these prophecies on the same theme -

Prophecy of The Falling Grains, The Clever Hen & The Cactus

Prophecy of the Leaky Hood and the Wise Squirrel

Prophecy of The Starving White Child