THE SIN OF GLUTTONY.-What We Really Hunger For

A problem seldom addressed in Western churches is gluttony. Whether you are fat or skinny, God’s Word tells us that gluttony—eating too much—is a sin (Proverbs 23:2, 20, 21; Philippians 3:19).

In this blog, I've included an answer from John Piper in which he provides some insight into dealing with this sin in our own lives. As John notes, Scripture often describes our longing for God as a deep hunger or thirst. Hunger and thirst are basic drives in our bodies, and there is also a hunger and thirst of the soul. This fallen world, including food and drink, can never ultimately and fully satisfy our fallen selves. But we keep going back to it, as if it can. We set our sights on the objects of a thousand different desires, none of which give us the lasting pleasure we long for.

Scripture reminds us that Christ is what we really crave, and what alone will satisfy our deepest hunger: “How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house: you give drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light” (Psalm 36:7-9).

Here’s what John has to say:

How can I conquer gluttony?

There are a lot of reasons for obesity in our culture. It's not just that we eat a lot of bad food. We're also pretty inactive and don't do a lot of walking, running, biking, etc. Oftentimes obesity issues are connected as much to activity issues as they are to what goes into our mouths. Muscles are designed to burn food, but if they aren't being used then any amount of food is going to result in obesity.

But "gluttony" is a better word to use in this context rather than "obesity," because overeating is where the problem is, not how much you weigh. There are all kinds of reasons why a person might weigh too much or too little that is not a result of gluttony.

Gluttony is having a craving for food that conquers you.

The text of Scripture that holds out the challenge to me on this issue is 1 Corinthians 6:12 where Paul says—specifically in regard to food and drink—that he will not be enslaved by anything. He is saying, "I have one master, Jesus Christ, and I don't want any other master." Then in 9:27 he talks about pummeling his body: "I pummel my body lest I be disqualified."

I think we need to recover a large appreciation for the biblical disciplines of self-denial and fasting. That is the discipline side of this issue: "I will not be enslaved by anything," "I pommel myself," and "I take up my cross daily." I think we should esteem, extol, and cherish the biblical teaching that the Christian life is one of confronting our cravings and saying no to them.

But easier said than done, right?

So how do you fight the battle? I think it must be fought mainly not with the word "No" but with an alternative "Yes."

Read more: http://blogs.christianpost.com/guest-views/the-sin-of-gluttony-what-we-really-hunger-for-24928/#ixzz3SwfepxBq

GOD'S GOT YOUR BACK

It's always strange when we don't seem to get any result for our work done.
It gets more frustrating when we see others doing the same and getting results.
We pray and pray hard and we still realize it's what we are meant to do.
I beseech you, it's only just a moment away. GOD has got it all planned out.
Keep up the faith #BELIEVE.

Selena Gomez Posts Anti-Suicide Message: There is a God That Will Love You More Than I Ever Could

Selena Gomez is taking a stand against teenage suicide with a powerful message posted to social media on Wednesday urging her fans to turn to God.

The 22-year-old singer, who remains at the top of song charts with "The Heart Wants What It Wants," took to Instagram offering encouragement to those suffering from depression with the explanation that "God puts us in situations… for a reason."

"By me following you is not me saying its ok to think these thoughts," Gomez began in the post. "It's not me saying 'hey you said sad things, so I'm going to follow you to make you feel better.' God puts us in situations that are so unexplainably difficult for a reason."

No stranger to heartache and sadness, Gomez went on to cite others' suffering and pointed fans to the solace that can be found in knowing you are not the only one in pain.

"There is someone in the world feeling so much, just like you," the singer wrote. "There is someone who will always have it better or have it way worse than you. The point of all of that is to feel not alone. My point is, you are not alone in this world."

Furthermore, the former Disney star reminded her followers of God's love, urging them to resist thoughts of taking their own lives.

"Your purpose is to share, help, encourage," Gomez penned. "Remember that. Please. Before you think of taking your life, think of all the [lives] you could save. More importantly, there is a God that will love you more than I ever could."

Gomez's message arrives as suicide was named the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 24, according to The Jason Foundation, an organization working toward raising awareness of teen suicide. The website also points out that more teens and young adults have died from suicide than those of cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, pneumonia, influenza and chronic lung disease, combined.

Meanwhile, the anti-suicide message is not the first time Gomez has referenced her Christian faith on social media as well as during interviews. Moreover, the singer was recently spotted attending services at Hillsong Church in Southern California.

American Missionary Phyllis Sortor Kidnapped in Nigeria; Abductors Want $300K, Stepson Says 'We Have No Money'

The Free Methodist Church in the U.S. is now calling for prayers after one of their working missionaries, the Rev. Phyllis Sortor, was abducted by masked and armed men in Nigeria Monday morning who've demanded a $300,000 ransom for her safe return. Her distraught family, however, say they cannot afford it.

"Early this morning we received a report that Rev. Phyllis Sortor, our missionary in Nigeria, was abducted from the Hope Academy compound in Emiworo, Kogi State, Nigeria, by several persons. The U.S. Embassy has been notified, and the State Department and the FBI are working with local authorities to find and rescue her. We are calling on the U.S. church to join together in prayer for Phyllis' safety and speedy release," the church noted in a statement posted on its website Monday.

The Christian Post reached out to Free Methodist World Missions for further comment on Tuesday but one was not available at the time of publication.

Sortor was reportedly taken by a gang of five armed men after they jumped the walls of the Hope Academy compound in Kogi state in Nigeria and fired shots at about 4:30 a.m. Sortor is the financial administrator for Hope Academy, according to the church's website.

Kogi State Police Commissioner Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi told NBC News that he believes Sortor was targeted by her abductors because no one else was taken or injured and they are now demanding $300,000 to release her.

"We will do all within the available resources to ensure the safe rescue of the victim," said Ogunjemilusi.

The missionary's stepson, Richard Sortor, told Q13 Fox that her family in the U.S. haven't been told much about what happened to her but they are clamoring for her speedy return.

"She was taken in front of her house by three guys with machine guns," said Sortor, outside the Free Methodist Church in Seattle, Washington, where parishioners prayed for the abducted missionary's safe return Monday night.

"She is one of the most God-fearing people in the world, and all she wants is for everybody to have a good life and to be happy — and equality," Sortor continued about his step-mother.

He explained that the missionary has built schools and taught children in Nigeria for almost 15 years now despite her working class background.

"We just want her to be safe and get out," he said.

"We are just a working-class family, we don't have money. That's not a huge church, they don't have money. Why they took her, who knows? The people that are doing this stuff, these guys have no backing — they're just cowards," he added.

THE POWER OF CRITICAL WORDS by Christian post Guest voices

Unaware that critical words are being used by “evil spirits” with pinpoint accuracy to hit the leader’s heart and mind, we sometimes unknowingly provide the natural vehicles for demonic forces to move about in the earthly realms of our organizations. It is sadly like giving aid and comfort to the enemy. Discerning leaders can actually tell when people in their ministry are speaking against them by the level of demonic attacks on their mind.

Often the Lord reveals by a “word of knowledge” what persons in the organization are causing the division. Just like a parent’s sixth sense, God gives His leaders the ability to know what each of their spiritual kids are up to. The enemy may have planted a selfish idea in their minds about what they think the ministry should do. Yet the minister has to love them, even as they are glaring at them with the “skunk eye” while he or she is teaching the Word of God.

Parents Beware

One pastor recalled a service where he greeted one of the teenage girls in his church as she was getting a drink from the water fountain. As she turned to see him, her face lit up with joy as she said “Hi Pastor Bob”, but then she instantly turned away and looked down and walked away; almost with the look of, “I’m not allowed to like you”. The Spirit of the Lord spoke to him and said, “She loves and respects you, but her parents, particularly her mother, has been speaking negative things about you and the church because mom is immature and rebellious”.

Parents have no idea how much damage they can cause their own children when they are openly critical of God’s leadership. These parents have sowed the seeds of rebellion in their children that will manifest shortly in their lives. This teenage girl was receiving the anointing from this leader’s ministry gift as well as from the other associate pastors, but because her parents were in secret rebellion, she was confused. This can abort the Godly spiritual transfer of what God had for her. That poor girl loved her spiritual leaders, but was also confused by her immature parent’s remarks.

What usually happens next is the teenager suddenly finds fault with everything at her church. She experiences unexplained conflict with the youth leader and the other kids in the youth group. She ends up going from youth group to youth group or she may stop going to church all together. She may not even realize that she has also been programmed to not submit to godly leaders by her own parent’s critical comments. Sadly this criticism can lead to a directionless and promiscuous life. Most of us are unaware of why we are so critical of authority until we examine our developmental years honestly. So much of what we do in our developing years is often self-centered and tainted by our sin-nature. That is why Jesus said we must all take up our cross and kill the part of us that is dangerous to us and to others. Many Christians do not truly realize how often they are used to pray selfish and even demonic prayers as they succumb to “charismatic witchcraft”. In their insecurity they often try to control others and the direction of their church. They may attempt to push or influence some selfish or personal agenda while covering it in religious jargon (James 3:13-18).

They often fail to recognize that even if their spiritual leaders only have the I.Q. of a “speed bump”, they are still required to respect their office and authority from God. To not do so is extremely dangerous for the church and their spiritual condition. Their innuendos breed seeds of rebellion that seem harmless at first, but later reap chaos and hardships for all in the ministry. God will not hold those guiltless who speak against His leaders (Numbers 12:1-16). The Bible says things go well for us when we obey and are submissive to His leaders in our lives.

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:7

Written by Jeffery Krall

Read more: http://blogs.christianpost.com/guest-views/the-power-of-critical-words-24098/#ixzz3Sc3C6CuE

THE HEART OF A PASTOR by Christian Post Guest Voices

“Father, forgive them. For they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).

They were killing Jesus. They would run up and spit on Him, then back off and laugh at Him and call Him blasphemous names. They would quote His words back to Him and dare Him to come down from the cross and prove Himself.

They were mean-spirited and ugly and hatefilled, and He loved them.

As they killed Him, He prayed for them.

That, my friends, is a pastor. A shepherd. A lover of God’s people.

The heart of a pastor is a wonderful thing.

Something inside me wants to say preachers either have hearts of a pastor or they do not. And if not, they should turn down every invitation from search committees to become pastors because it’s a perfect set-up for disappointment on his part and disaster on theirs. The preacher who can deliver a fine sermon but who is unavailable and ineffective during the week one-on-one should ask the Lord to show him other ways to use his gifts and calling.

The pastorate is not for him.

On the other hand, I imagine a large segment of pastors have dominant drawings to study and preaching, and with a minor, if you will, in the actual pastoral work. Even so, any minister of the Gospel without a strong appreciation for the people of God and his accountability to God for their care and nurture is missing something essential in his makeup.

Case in point.

Hunter and have wife have been family friends for many years. But from our frequent conversations over the last few years, Hunter’s pastor seems to have been AWOL the day Heaven handed out the quota of “pastors’ hearts.” (That would be one per person, presumably.)

For reasons unknown, he did not get his.

Hunter says his pastor insists he received a calling from God and a love for God’s word. What he seems to have missed out on, however, was a love for God’s people with the accompanying desire to see them prosper in Christ. (Please allow me not to give specifics on this. Even though it may appear otherwise, my purpose here is not to dump on this brother. He is not on trial and I’m no prosecuting attorney.)

I grieve about this because Hunter and his family need a pastor now as much as ever in their lives. My friend is in the grips of a terminal disease. We’re told he has one year to live at best.

The hospital where my friend has been treated is some miles away from their small town. But the pastor has been mostly a no-show.

A close friend of mine has been calling on Hunter and praying with him and his wife. Then, around 8 am one morning this week, Hunter’s neighbor, an 84-year-old pastor of another denomination, walked into the hospital room. He ministered to my friend and prayed with him the way pastors do.

Two hours later, I walked into Hunter’s room. After an exhausting weekend of ministry, I drove 200 miles the night before in order to spend a few minutes with my friends going through the darkest valley of their lives.

It’s what pastors do.

It’s what people with “pastors’ hearts” do.

It’s that simple.

Ministers without pastors’ hearts–tell me if that’s not an oxymoron!–look for excuses not to make these trips. “I ran by but you were asleep.” “We prayed for you in staff meeting.” “My car has been giving me trouble.” “Those hospital rooms are so small and I know you’ve had a lot of company.” “I’ve not been feeling well lately.”

My buddy Hunter is being ministered to by three brothers each with the heart of a pastor: my friend in that city who 

has been calling on him in the hospital, the next-door neighbor (the 84-year-old), and me. (I baptized Hunter and his wife decades ago and we have maintained our close friendship ever since.)

I gladly confess with a grateful heart that when the Heavenly Father called me into this work at the age of 21, He gave me a heart of a pastor.

The contrast with the compassionless pastor grieves me a great deal. Were such a minister to ask for advice–which is not going to happen–I would urge him to pray the Lord who called him into His service either to open up some other field of service more appropriate to his gifts or to grant him the heart of a pastor.

Question: What does a minister-with-a-pastor’s-heart look like? How can he tell if he has one?

–Instead of looking for excuses not to be at the hospital to minister to the family who needs him, he looks for ways to make it happen. Rising at 4 am to make a two-hour drive in order to arrive before surgery? No problem.

–The distance is irrelevant. If necessary, he will hitchhike to get there. He is determined to bless his people in the name of Jesus.

–The minister with a pastor’s heart will not do a cost analysis to determine if he should go. You know the drill: “What benefit would come from my visit? and is it worth the time and trouble?” Such reasoning is insulting to the Holy Spirit who can take nothing and make something, can turn a spoken word or a human touch into something eternal and glorious. The shepherd with a pastor’s heart is a true servant of the Lord and is devoted to His people.

–A pastor’s heart will not allow the minister to “check someone off his list” after he has made the visit. He will continue to pray for them and check on them, by phone or emails or personal calls. His caring is genuine.

A child had been killed in a hit-and-run accident and the family was beside themselves with grief. The community overflowed the church to share the family’s pain during the funeral. The young pastor told me later, “That service was the hardest thing I have ever done.”

I said, “All right. I have a question.”

“In the middle of that gut-wrenching experience, when your heart is breaking and your soul is crying out to God for help, did you have the feeling that I would rather be here doing this than anyplace else on earth?”

He looked surprised, as though I had found out his secret.

“That is exactly how I felt.”

I said, “You, my friend, have a pastor’s heart.”

Now, keep your heart and guard it well.

Sin of any type will soil the heart. Rebellion will deaden its sensitivy. And a refusal to confess and forsake the sin will begin to encase the heart in a protective callous. Before long, the minister who showed such promise and blessed so many people now has become a professional. From this time on, he/she serves as a professional and not as a brother or sister who truly cares.

You must not let that happen. The day you can minister to a family that is burying a child and not weep with them, you are becoming a professional.

The moment you can stand at a bedside of a dying saint and not join with the family’s tears, you are becoming a professional.

“Jesus wept” (John 11:35).

He was a shepherd, a Savior with a heart that hurt for the hurting. “When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).

Thank God our Savior has a shepherd’s heart. “We do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are…” (Hebrews 4:15).

I rejoice at having such a Pastor in Heaven. I so want to be a shepherd like Him.

By Joe McKeever

Read more: http://blogs.christianpost.com/guest-views/the-heart-of-a-pastor-24978/#ixzz3Sc0Id1oV

The Big "IF" by Victoria Osteen

Anytime we step out to believe God for something, the enemy tries to throw us off course with thoughts of doubt and discouragement. I believe one of the main ways he comes at us is with the word "if."

Think about the word "if" for a minute. "If" implies uncertainty. It implies doubt. That's exactly what the enemy wants to instill in you—uncertainty and doubt! One of the main keys to overcoming in life is to overcome the big "if" in our minds.

In scripture, there was a time when Jesus went out into the wilderness. It says He hadn't eaten for 40 days. He was obviously alone, so guess who showed up? The "big If" himself! The tempter, the accuser, the enemy, the devil came and tried to tempt Him.

Now, just before He went out into the wilderness, Jesus was baptized and a booming voice came out of heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." He was publicly affirmed and honored by God the Father, and then the Spirit of God lead Him out into the desert. This is where the testing of His faith came in. There's a lot that happened that we aren't told about, but we do know that Jesus was there with no food or water. Along comes the enemy saying, "If you are the Son of God, why don't you take these stones and turn them into bread."

He offered Him a temporary fix, but Jesus wasn't interested in a temporary fix; He was interested in an eternal solution. Jesus had to stand strong against the temptations of the enemy and press past the "big If."

The enemy always tries to dispute our identity and confidence. He tries to dispute our worth and make us doubt who we are. But Jesus didn't have to prove Himself. Do you know how Jesus resisted the "big If?" By the Word of God! He said, "Man doesn't live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." He was saying, "No Devil, I don't owe you an explanation. I don't have to prove who I am. I know who I am, and I have been affirmed by Almighty God in heaven!"

Today, know that because Jesus beat the "big If," so can you! The next time the enemy tries to get you to doubt God's Word, the next time he tries to steal your confidence, declare God's Word out loud. Find where that promise is written because with Jesus, it's not a matter of if; it's a matter of when.

Kirk Cameron Named Top Winner at 2015 Razzie Awards

The winners of the 2015 Golden Raspberry Awards, known as theRazzies, were announced Sunday, naming Kirk Cameron in four different categories.

Best known for his role on the sitcom "Growing Pains," Cameron has since appeared in films such as "Left Behind," "Fireproof," and most recently, "Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas." The actor's latest role in the Christmas film earned him a Razzie for Worst Screen Combo, Worst Screenplay, Worst Actor and Worst Picture.

It comes as no surprise that "Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas" was among 2015's Razzie Awards top winners; the film scored a 1.9 out of 10 on RottenTomatoes.com and was widely panned by critics. The film was intended to "put the Christ back in Christmas" with Cameron schooling audiences on new ideas about where Christmas traditions originated. Presenting never-before-heard "facts" about both the Bible and historical events, "Saving Christmas" offers explanations for iconic Christmastime accouterments including the Christmas tree, Santa Claus and the nativity. At the time of its release in Nov., Cameron encouraged his fans to improve the rating.

"Help me storm the gates of Rotten Tomatoes," the evangelical minister wrote on Facebook in a caption of a photo of him holding two tomatoes with "Fresh" and "Rating" written on each.

"All of you who love Saving Christmas – go rate it at Rotten Tomatoes right now and send the message to all the critics that WE decide what movies we want our families see," Cameron added. "If 2,000 of you (out of almost 2 million on this page) take a minute to rate Saving Christmas, it will give the film a huge boost and more will see it as a result! Thank you for all your help and support in putting the joy of Christ back in Christmas!"

Notwithstanding, on Monday, Cameron did not acknowledge his Razzie Awards; instead posting a message on Facebook directing his fans to the Bible.

"Paying attention to the little words in the Bible opens up for us big worlds of thought and theology and practice and living," the actor wrote.

Learn to Wait Well BY VICTORIA OSTEEN.

One of my nieces is 18 years old, and I've been watching her go through this process of applying to college and waiting for an acceptance letter. She applied to several schools, and every day she waits and every day she checks for an answer. She's in the waiting process. She's not alone. Many of her friends are doing the same thing, and they have plans A, B and C worked out. But for my niece, this is the biggest decision of her life. I've been watching the waves of her emotion as she wonders, "What if I don't get into my first choice school?" "Who am I going to room with?" "What will it all be like?"

As I watch her go through this process, I think to myself, we are all waiting for something. Much of life is a waiting game. I look at her at 18, and this is the biggest deal in her life. She's thinking, "If I don't get into school, my life is over!" When instead, she could be thinking, "I'm going to get to the place where God wants me, and when I get there, God will have provision for me. He has the right opportunities and the right people all lined up!" That's what we want for her. We want her to enjoy where she is on the way to where she's going. She still has her senior year to finish and so much of life to enjoy!

Sometimes in the waiting, we can be tempted to worry. Your mind can wander. Today, God is saying, "Trust Me in the stages of waiting. Believe that I have your best interest at heart!" It may feel like a struggle to wait. The word "wait" can often feel like a "weight." Mostly because we are so used to getting things instantaneously. We can instant message around the world; we can get an instant answer on Google, and we can get instant food through a drive through. This instant style of living makes the waiting a bit of a struggle. But God doesn't want us to just struggle, He wants us to become strong and develop ourselves in the waiting.

Think about that butterfly coming out of its cocoon. It takes time, it takes effort, it takes difficulty to get out of that cocoon. But once it breaks out, it comes forth in such beauty. It's ready; it's poised to be able to fly. That's what happens to us when we wait well. We become strong and beautiful, ready to embrace all God has for us.

The truth of the matter about my niece is that as soon as she finds out what school she's going to, she's going to have to wait to graduate. Then she's going to have to wait to see what will happen in her career. Then she's going to have to wait to get married. Then she's going to have to wait to have a baby and wait to buy her first house. There's waiting in life for all of us, and the sooner we learn to wait well, the better off we will be!

"They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength..." (Isaiah 40:31, KJV)