Tag: #life

Prosperity Gospel #2

Kristian M. Marion

In my previous post on this topic Prosperity Gospel, I discussed the dangers of a money orientated gospel. I would like to touch on this topic again with a bit more shocking information. I would also like to show you why I hate the prosperity gospel.

When I used to go to church when I was young, I attended a church that was spiritually competitive. A spiritually competitive church will never be spiritually edifying. It was the type of church that if you were the richest, then you were the closest to God and that’s why you were blessed. So if you drove a Mercedes or a BMW, it’s because you were spending a lot of time with God. Which is strange because non-Christians also drive those cars and so do thugs!

I remember reading prosperity books that members of the congregation recommended and sold. I would pray and read my Bible. Pray and be as good as I can be so that God would bless us. Spending money for school was a rare privilege. We sometimes walked to school. We couldn’t do what the other kids did because I couldn’t afford it. We were just happy with the plate of food we had on our table every day. I would pray for clothes, shoes and money. It was like talking to a brick wall. My uniform would get small and I would need new school shoes hoping that God would provide but nothing seemed to happen. Eventually, I would get what I needed but what about the abundant blessings that God spoke about in His word?

I remember walking 4Km to church while I saw other people with cars never show up. I never had money to godly things but others had cash for alcohol and club nights. God, why are you so unfair?

I remember when I stopped praying about all these things. I just believed and trusted God irrespective whether He ‘blessed’ me or not. I didn’t care whether he provided or not, my allegiance is not conditional. If I die today, I know where I’m going. I’m not living for here and now, I’m living for the mansion that Jesus is preparing for me. We should pray more for our eternal destination rather than temporary things. Don’t get me wrong, God does provide our needs, and wants! However, you have a problem if you only want to get close to God so that you can get what you want. You go to God to get God!

I have no respect for churches who have chosen leaders based on their paycheck. Wearing suits and expensive dresses doesn’t bring you closer to God. Owning that mansion won’t take you to heaven and driving that Ferarri won’t take you closer to God.

One of our leaders said this: “Are you still successful if you excel at your workplace but fail God and your family?”

 

Now to the scary part. The real scary part. Revelations 13:

16And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 17and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name

 

According to Revelation 13, The Bible predicts that unless you accept a mark in exchange for your soul, you will not be able to buy or sell. That means that you cannot work or own a business. No income. No way to pay for your house. No car debit orders. No way of purchasing food or water for your family. It is practically choosing to be a hobo on the street! You can beg all you like but no one can give you money because the mark is what the economy runs on. People will be told not to give you any food, besides in a world like today, people don’t help the poor. Why would they help Christian people that they hate? Farming would be illegal by then. Christians would have to live in jungles or on mountains, anywhere that has water nearby. And you would probably be hunted for breaking the law.

The question is: If the mark were enforced into the economy today, would you leave your job, your bank accounts, your home, your car? Would you leave everything for the sake of eternal life?

The prosperity gospel preachers are preparing people today to receive that mark! People are chasing the dime instead of drawing close to God. And when the mark of the beast comes out, people will take it because they believe in a God who wants them to be wealthy. How many Christians will be taking that Mark? How many will sacrifice their eternity for the sake of status and comfort? Who will tell these prosperity preachers to shut up?

Has God Rejected Israel?

Kristian M. Marion

I have come across many articles written by many walks of life regarding the Holy Land and their occupants. Some are supportive of the Jews and some are antisemitic.

But I don’t care about people’s preferences and opinions. I believe in the Bible and not what the media shoves down our throat.

Let’s go straight to scripture…

Jeremiah 31:35-37 This is what the Lord says:

The One who gives the sun for light by day, the fixed order of the moon and stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea and makes its waves roar – the Lord of Armies is his name:

If this fixed order departs from before me-

this is the Lord’s declaration-

only then will Israel’s descendants cease to be a nation before me forever.

This is what the Lord says:

Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below explored, will I reject all of Israel’s descendants because of all they have done – this is the Lord’s declaration.

This is what scripture states. God has NOT rejected Israel. How could He? Is not salvation first for the Jews, then for the Gentiles? Romans 1:16…

Christians fail to realise that Christianity originated in Israel by a Jew named Jesus. He died so that all could be saved if they repented and believed in Him. Now, some of the Israelites became Christians, are they still rejected? No. There are still Messianic Jews who believe in Jesus! God is fighting on behalf of Israel even though some of them don’t believe in Him. In 2014, an article was published about how enemies of Israel launched rockets in an attack against Jerusalem and those rockets swerved away from the Holy City for no reason. Why? God protects that Land. Today, Israel live in Kibbutz. A kibbutz is a self-sustaining village. they can survive without any help from the outside because they have everything they need. God provides for them. So if God is protecting them and you are against Israel, doesn’t that mean that you are fighting against God?

God still has a purpose for Israel which will be revealed in the last days. They will see the King of Kings and know who their Messiah is. Then they will believe. All Israel will be saved.

Romans 11:1 Did God reject His people? By no means!

As Christians, we need to support Israel and not back out because of politics. Israel was recently attacked by Palestinians and the media twisted the story stating that Israel attacked the Palestinians. We live in a world that is very biased. They don’t want you to know the truth.

Another issue in the church that is leading people astray is this crazy notion that the church is the new Israel! How absurd! There is Israel and there are Gentiles. Those who accept Jesus are Believers, also known as Christians. There is a huge difference. When we adopt the idea that we are the new and improved Israel, then we begin to believe the heresy that Israel was rejected by God.

So support Israel in your prayers. Support them by buying their products. Support them because when everyone turns against them, understand then that the end is near. Extremely near…

Poetry And Stories

Kristian M. Marion

Words and phrases entwine

Metaphors and allegories realign

Connotations and rhymes

Formed in this mind of mine

 

I remember back in the day when I was in grade 2. The art class was told to write a poem. At the age of 7, I didn’t what poetry was apart from the fact that the lines needed to rhyme. So I wrote random two line sentences that rhymed. The poem didn’t really give a message but to me, it seemed good since it rhymed. Everyone was told to stand up and read their poem out loud to the class. Once mine was said, it was severely criticised by the art teacher in front of everyone.

From that day, I hated poetry. I hated reading it let alone writing it. The English language, however, forced me to read poetry that made no sense because it held deep meanings in it. In grade 4, we were told to write a story or an article. I had terrible handwriting but I wrote an extremely exaggerated story about a tsunami. It was just a wild card sent from my crazy imagination. The teacher had all the writings marked by an external art teacher. When it came back, the art teacher told her that there was one in particular that had caught her attention. This piece of work as read out to the class. It was the story I wrote…

In grade 5, one of the projects we had was to write a book. I wrote a detective story and submitted it. But that got me thinking. Why don’t I write my own book for fun? And that’s what I did. Using an old computer my Dad had, I wrote in my free time.

In grade 7, I was addicted to reading. I spent my breaks in the library and worked there as a media monitor. I could find anything in that library. Information, books and subjects. By high school, I had memorised the universal library number system. I would just walk to the shelf and find the subject you were looking for. I used to listen to the teacher’s lesson, do my work and then read. Just read. I would zone out and enter another world that was hidden within the pages of my book. I would forget where I was and what I’m doing because I would be lost in the story. Many learners would tease me because of my book addiction. But what really got me baffled was that my teacher used to ridicule me whenever I had a book in my hand. He would call me “bookworm” and laugh at me. Imagine a teacher! The same person who was supposed to encourage you to learn!

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By the end of the year, I walked into school, that same teacher was standing outside waiting for me. He told me that I had achieved the third highest in English. He admitted that it was due to my persistent reading. I smiled and walked away. I’m not going to change who I am for people…

When I had left school, I was exposed to a lot of spoken word poetry by members of my church. It really intrigued me. So I decided to write my first poem called “New Season” which was the theme of the youth camp we were going on. It really amazed the youth and the church. I started writing more and only to realize that I was unlocking the gift that I had in me all these years without me even knowing…

I wrote a book over seven years and I got a story that inspires people. The boo is currently published on Amazon and it’s only a matter of time before it will come out in paperback. And that’s not the only story I’ve written…

So, if you have a passion, don’t let people bring you down. Sometimes the devil uses people to stop you from using the gift God has placed inside of you. Don’t let that happen! There will be people who will help you expose your gift and there will be people who will try to cut it down. Recognize who is for you and who is against you and stick with those who help thrive your gift

You were given the gift for a reason… use it…

Observe The Sabbath

Kristian M. Marion

I have been seeing a lot of scriptures about the Sabbath lately. Many pages stating that church must happen on the seventh day and that we must worship Jesus on Saturday. Stop! You don’t designate one day to worship God. You worship Him every day! The Seventh Day Adventist Church began in the 1830s with the help of Ellen G. White. It was also derived from the Millerites, followers of William Miller who preached that Jesus would return somewhere between March 1843 and March 1844. After twisting scriptures of the book of Daniel, they concluded that Jesus was going to have His second coming on the 22nd of October 1844. Over 100000 people came out to watch the empty sky that night only for it to end with weeping. It became known as the Great Disappointment.

Today, Seventh Day Adventist cook all their food every Friday and they go to church. they spend the whole day at church and eat there. They don’t work on any Saturday because they believe that it is a sin. However, I have come across some that do work because the scriptures say that we must be obedient to their earthly masters. So does the earthly master mean more than the heavenly One?

Is the Sabbath nullified? No. It is still alive. In Matthew 12, Jesus and His disciples were walking through a grain field and they were eating some of the heads of grain. This was considered to be unlawful. By that time, there was a lot of man-made rules. For example:

A woman couldn’t take a grey strand of hair out her head.

You could ride a donkey but couldn’t beat to go faster.

If a beggar came to your window for alms, he had to stretch in to take the money because stretching out to give him anything would break the Sabbath.

Today in Israel, you are not allowed to press the button for the elevator to go up or down. They have automatic elevators that stop a minute at every floor.

Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. What does that mean? Jesus is Lord every day. That means the Sabbath is every day! And the rest we have is in Him! Hebrews 4 speaks of a different rest. The rest we have in Jesus. It’s a special type of rest that no one can take away. It’s the type of rest that brings peace and joy. This rest does not come by doing nothing on a Saturday. It comes by spending quality time with Jesus every day.

Hebrews 4:11, Make every effort to enter that rest…

And for those that go to church on Sunday, God did not change the Sabbath to Sunday. no scripture states that. The disciples never sat at home on a Saturday doing nothing. They did what was good on that day. Remember, the Pharisees had a problem with Jesus healing on that day. The disciples went out and preached on that day. Why? Because they knew that all the Jews would be at the synagogue on that day.

You want more proof?

Saturday is named after Saturn, the god of time. Sunday was named after the sun god. Thursday was named after Thor, the god of war. In fact, all the days of the week are named after gods! So which is the Sabbath? How do you know that Saturday is specifically the Sabbath when the days were renamed?

Why did God give us the Sabbath? He knew that our physical bodies need rest because if we overdo it with ourselves, we can get sick. That is why people get sick often. So rest is needed, no doubt. But don’t make it a religion. Rest can be taken any day but spending time with God is something that’s done every day.

Just My Thoughts…

Kristian M. Marion

I don’t like this world that we are living in. I don’t know if it’s just me or is there others out there? So much of brokenness around us and what are we doing? Those who complain about this sick world are probably the ones causing the problems or doing nothing about it. We live in a world that will grab a Ferrari at the expense of your bread and butter. Giving is better than taking but no one believes that anymore. We live in a society that aims high, so high that they will trample others to get there. Morals are out the window and what’s left in the room apart from chaos? We think we are good people because of what we have as if we worked for it but did we? We just acted shrewdly to obtain things without batting an eye. That’s the world we live in and sadly some people get into the rat race and they never get out of it. The rat race is when we strive to have a better lifestyle. So we get that car, we get that house, and all the luxuries that you can’t afford because it’s all on credit. Then you have a promotion and you earn more. So what do you do? Because you earn more you decide to upgrade your life. This results in you getting more in debt and you still have no money. So what has changed? Nothing! You still in the same situation, your life hasn’t improved! You still chasing money because of the debts and you still can’t sleep at night. We then compromise our morals because we are afraid of losing our jobs so we will do anything we are told to do. Hence, we are slaves…

Money has destroyed people by its existence and by its absence…

What about the Church? What are they doing? They are also in the system. Are they not? They preach promotion and money and blessings! You hardly hear about Christ and what He has done for you anymore. It’s all about what He can do for you if you pay more tithes. All those people who dress wealthily are handsomely welcomed but if a beggar came in, would they be treated Christlike? I don’t know. They probably would look down on them and think that God was punishing that person for their lack of faith. I remember being in a prosperity church when I was a kid. Everyone looked down on you as if you were a sinner. Strange enough, I probably knew the Bible more than them. I’m not boasting, they were. I remember when a man told my Dad during a meeting that the reason why he was battling financially was that he hardly spent time with God. Strange though, my Dad always had devotion every night. He attended church services religiously but that doesn’t matter, right? I would pray for God to bless me and provide all the things I needed but all I heard was my voice echoing off the ceiling and coming back to me with silence. Where you at God?

Some people treat God like He’s an ATM

‘Draw’ me close to you is what we say to Him

I stopped praying for blessings a long time ago. My good works don’t qualify for God’s grace. Yes, He provides but He gives because of His grace, not because He owes you. Not because you are a Christian. Not because you pay tithes. God is God and He is above all things. He cares for you. I learnt a lot during those times of struggle. It showed me my true friends and sadly, they are extremely few.

 

I wrote a book and wanted to publish it but I didn’t have the finances. I eventually got a job but now I don’t have time to edit it. I don’t have time to write anymore. I got a old laptop that takes long so I can’t do it when I come back from work. I write my poetry free style on the internet. I create these quotes for Instagram but that comes from my thoughts in my head. Sometimes I’m unable to write that thought down and so I forget it, never to return again. I said things to people that made them cry yet on the other side of the world someone is hating me for telling the truth. I encourage one person and then switch to someone who is debating against the Gospel. Atheists, Calvinists and people who believe that I’m too religious. Currently, 32% of my followers say that I’m too judgmental. I guess that’s what they call those who tell the truth. I write poetry for the Church and I know they not going to like it. But the day is coming when I will say what I need to say, and they will have to hear the truth.

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Enough of the past and the present. Let’s go to the future. I’ve been thinking about a lot of the One who I will be spending my life with. I haven’t met her yet and I’m starting to question her existence. It’s hard searching for something rare but it’s even harder waiting for something that you expect to be coming. Especially when the clock is ticking. Many of my friends are already married or are thinking about it. I have never dated before because I’m waiting patiently for the One. People ridicule me, I don’t care but what if she isn’t real? I want a godly woman but it’s hard to see some in my church! I guess my standards are too high or they just succumbed to the status quo of church women? Maybe I’m too religious or self-righteous but I’m not willing to compromise who I am for the sake of infatuation. I’m not saying that these women are low standard but I’m not going to be in a relationship where there is no compatibility.

“Don’t worry Kristian, you will find a nice godly woman who you will marry.”

“Thanks, but I stopped believing in fairytales a long time ago…”

I’m someone with logic. I won’t give it up for emotions. Too many people let down their morals for beauty. But I rather find beauty in someone who leads me to Christ. You would be surprised to find how many people who regret marrying who they are married to right now. They hate men/women and trash talk marriage. I don’t want to end up like that. To marry someone is to dedicate your entire life to that person so you have to make the right decision! If you are interested in someone, don’t go hitting them up over text, they can hide who they are with those emoji’s. Spend time face to face and then you will know who you are dealing with. Because if you are having a relationship over a mobile device, chances are you will one day marry that stranger!

I have to admit that I have like girls in the past. Girls that I had admired or maybe I was just infatuated with but I never pursue them because I knew I wasn’t ready. The question is: How will I know when I am?

I feel in love with someone. Or probably the illusion that I have created in my mind of who she is or will be like. Chances are, my dreams will come true or I’ll be greatly disappointed…

Calvinism #2

Kristian M. Marion

In the previous article of Calvinism, I literally tore it apart with logic and scripture. It set some people free but some stubborn Calvinists still don’t get the picture. They are worshipping manmade doctrine. Some of these Calvinists worship their leaders. John Macarthur stated that John Calvin is his hero. Really? These Calvinists are so blinded that they will believe any preacher who is a Calvinist. They don’t read the Bible for themselves. Their interpretation is what others think and not the truth that the Holy Spirit reveals. Oh wait! They don’t believe that Holy Spirit works today because they are cessationist! No healing can take place, no prophecy, not speaking in tongues, nothing! You must just look at what they have said.

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If you are predestined to be saved before the creation of the world, how can you lose your salvation? Makes sense doesn’t it?
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So the blood of Jesus is symbolic? Hmm… so his death wasn’t real? That explains the limited atonement?
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I never knew that all Christians were perfect! No one sins? If they did, they are not saved. If they don’t they a liar!
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Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! You just contradicted yourself pal!

The most logical explanation when it comes to God’s sovereignty and human freedom is Molinism. Luis Molina (1535-1600) stated that God has complete sovereignty and man has complete freedom. God is always in control and humans has free will to a certain degree. For example, you don’t have free will to whether you will die or not. Or whether you will be sick or not. That happens inevitably. But God has extensive knowledge. He knows the future and all the possibilities of it. If X happens then Y will happen…

God made man in His own image. John Calvin decided to return the favour.

So God wills some things for His purpose and plan and other things He allows for it to happen. His purpose and plans will happen but a man has a choice of where he wants to spend eternity.

Let’s look at TULIP.

Total Depravity – This is correct. Man is a slave to sin.

Unconditional Election – Nope. it’s unconditional Love. God loves everyone. John 3:16

Limited Atonement – Utter blasphemy! They say that Jesus’ blood was not enough. Not powerful. Sorry folks, I chose my favourites and the rest goes to hell.

Irresistible Grace – Grace is given to everyone but people can reject it. You can trample it. Hebrew 10:29

Perseverance of the Saints – Why do they need to persevere if they are predestined to heaven? Doesn’t make sense, does it?

 

God is only going to save some? Let’s look at 1 Timothy 4:10

That is why we labour and strive because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of ALL people, and especially of those who believe.

Scripture states that God is the saviour of all men. Potentially speaking. Not some! Christ came to die for everyone so that they can be saved. Judas may have betrayed Jesus but he could have repented after. the Jews that killed Jesus could have repented too.

Now here’s something you should think about. If you are dead in your sins and cannot choose God because you are dead, then sin is the cause of death right? A Calvinist believes that God chose them to be saved and then raised them to life spiritually. Okay cool. But you still sin right? That means you would be dead again and still a sinner! Sorry, but the theory of Calvinism is wrong. You may be dead in your sins but you still got a choice.

Book Review #2

Kristian M. Marion

Young and Saved: Living in a world that’s not like you – Dane Fragger

After seeing the advertisement of this book for so long, I just could not take it any longer. I had to get this book! The title captured my attention every time I saw it. Dane Fragger has really walked boldly into the dark shadows of the grey areas of Christianity. He doesn’t waste time spinning around the bush but deals with the problem at hand. What the church is failing to let the young people know, Dane spreads it out in broad daylight in this book.

If the Church does not teach the young people about sex, the world will do it for us…

Dane has had a dark past with all the mistakes he has made. He has repented and come to the truth of chastity and morality, walking in godliness and holiness. He now strives to get his message across to other young people so that they can avoid destroying themselves and their souls. His testimony is a great story that will teach many that this world is not worth it. AT ALL!

I could see that Dane did not go really in dept wit his past because it would not suitable for young readers. I appreciate that, he gives the message that the youth needs to hear. His theology is 100% and he doesn’t play with the truth.

Excellent read. To purchase Dane Fragger’s book, Click Here

Check him out on Instagram