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CHRISTIANITYNOVEMBER 2

Bible Reading: Acts 11Key Verse: verse 26- And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And

it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and

taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.Key Words: and the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch

One-third of all of the worlds population is said to be Christian. It is the largestreligion in the world. Christians are said to be people who follow and practice the

principles that Jesus Christ taught.

The word Christian comes from two words: Christ and ian, which means toresemble. So a Christian then is one who follows after and resembles Jesus Christ.It is letting others see Jesus in you.

The other day I was sitting on the front porch when a chameleon came runningby my feet. When he realized he wasnt alone, he made a mad dash for the

evergreen planted by the porch. I followed him for awhile as he crawled and leaped

from leaf to leaf and branch to branch, but I eventually lost sight of him. Now, I knew

he was there but I couldnt pick him out; he just blended in with all the greenery.

Many Christians are chameleon-like in the facility with which they can take on the

color of the world about them; and, just as it is difficult to distinguish the chameleon

from the background, the color of which he has taken, so it is very difficult to

distinguish many Christians from the background of the world in which they live.

As Christians, we are not to blend in, but stand out and stand up for Jesus. Isthat you? I truly hope so.

What to do: Dont blend in stand up and stand out for Jesus.


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ISLAMNOVEMBER 3

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-22Key Verse: verse 15-The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the

midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

Key Words: The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midstof thee

Islam is the second largest religion in the world with over 1.5 billion followers ofAllah. The Muslims often claim that Deuteronomy 18:15 is a reference to Allah. Theproblem with that is that the prophet was to be a countryman, an Israelite, not anArab.

Islam is a monotheistic religion that arose in the 7th century A.D. under theleadership of Muhammad. (Monotheism means belief in one God.) Muhammad was alleged to be the greatest of a long line of prophets that

included Moses and Jesus.

Islam means submission to the will of Allah. Allah is the God of Islam. Allahs revelation to Muhammad occurred over a 23-year period and is

recorded in the Quran, Islams holy book. (Quran literally means thatwhich is to be read.)

Members of Islam are called Muslims (those who submit). Islam involves both beliefs (The Five Doctrines of Islam) and obligations

(The Five Pillars of Islam), which follows.

1. Creedal recitation. Muslims are expected to publicly recite theShahadab (literally, to bear witness): There is no god but Allah,and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah. This recitation, withconviction, makes one a believer.

2. Prayers. Muslims are expected to perform salat, or offer prayers,five times a day: at dawn, noon, afternoon, evening, and night.These prayers involve a series of postures (standing, kneeling,hands and face on the ground, and so forth) while facing Mecca,the holy city.

3. Give alms. Muslims are expected to give alms (zakat) to theMuslim community that amount to one-fortieth (or 2 %) of onesincome. This offering benefits widows, orphans, and the sick, or itcan be used toward furthering Islam (for example, buildingmosques and religious schools).

4. Fast. Muslims are expected to fast during the month ofRamadan(the ninth month of the Muslim lunar year). During this month,


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Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking, and sexual relationsduring the daylight hours. At sundown they are allowed to partakeof these things again until sunrise the next morning.

5. Pilgrimage. Health and finances providing, every Muslim isexpected to make an official pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) at least

once in his or her life. If one is unable to go, one is permitted tohave another person make the Hajj for him as proxy.

As we have learned over the past few years, many Muslims are very zealousfor Allah. But here is something to think about when it comes to dedication.

If you think the SAT tests are tough, dont bother applying to the University ofAl Azhar in Cairo, Egypt. Though the ancient school has been graduating students

for more than a thousand years, the qualifying exam is far more challenging thanany devised by the Educational Testing Service. Each year, every incomingfreshman is required to recite the entire Koran from memory. The text of this Islamicholy book is nearly as long as the New Testament and takes three days to repeat.But every one of Al Azhars 20,000 students has passed the test.

Ipray for the Muslims to be saved from their darkness of religious zeal into thewonderful light of Jesus Christ.

What to do: Apply their zeal for the Quran into your life for the truth of Gods Word.

ATHEISTS-SKEPTICS-AGNOSTICSNOVEMBER 4

Bible Reading: Psalm 14Key Verse: verse 1- The fool hath said

in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works,there is none that doeth good.

Key Words: The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God

The atheist, skeptic, and agnostic are known as the non-religious, and theymake up the third largest religion in the world. According to worldreligion.com,there are over one billion non-religionists in the world, or about 16% of the worldpopulation. Atheists deny the existence of God, skeptics doubt the existence of God,and agnostics say you cant prove who the real God is, so why worship any of them.

The following is a quote from The Houston PostApril 19, 1992.


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On the day before Easter, April 18, 1992, Madalyn Murray OHair kicked offthe 22nd Annual National American Atheists Convention in Austin, Texas. She ralliedatheists and said what you might expect: As long as there is religious slavery,mental slavery, were not going to get anywhere as a nation. So were calling for thetotal, complete and absolute elimination of religion in American culture. We would

not be in difficulty (as a nation) if we werent being ruled by those classes of personswho believe in fantasy. Why have the convention on Easter weekend? Sheresponded, We want to take back Easter and make it a celebration of the start ofspring. A placard carried by an atheist marching to the state capitol stated themessage succinctly: In God We Trust. Not! He was following the fad of negating astatement by tagging not on the end. This atheist was on to what we do, as well.We pledge our allegiance to God but reserve the right to tag on, Not! Lord, I giveyou complete control of my business. Not! Father, please be the God of our home.Not! Thanks to an atheist, we may better understand trust, and our lack of it.

Someone once said, No one talks more about God than the atheists do.

What to do: Pray for the souls of those in non-religion. They are miserable souls

without the God of love, joy and peace.

HINDUISMNOVEMBER 5

Bible Reading: Acts 17:16-31Key Verse: verse 22-Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars hill, and said, Ye men of

Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.Key Words: I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious

The Hindus claim to have over one billion followers in their religion. A moreaccurate count would be between 750 and 900 thousand.

The Hindus have four basic beliefs. Hindus believe in Ahimsa, or non-violence, which is the basis for the

vegetarian diet of many Hindus. Hindus believe non-injury or Ahimsa in allactivities which include thought, word, and deed. Hindus believe in Truthand that the Truth will ultimately prevail and protect. Hindus believe infollowing the Dharma or the divine Law that will protect them at all times.


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Hindus believe in Karma, the law of Cause and Effect. Similar to ChristiansAs ye sow, so shall ye reap or What goes around, comes around. (Nosuch thing as a free lunch.) This effect of Karma is seen in a person nowand in his birth as well as in a future birth also. Hindus strive to followKarma Yoga which is Doing ones own duty without expectation of any

rewards for it, thus avoiding the effects of the Karma. Hindus believe in reincarnation, or life after life. (Results may occur in a

following life.) Every individual soul returns to earth several times by rebirthto perform proper Karma to purify itself. Once purified by good karma, thesoul reaches liberation with no rebirth. Attachment, greed and lust leads tobad karma leading to grief and further suffering and rebirths to wash offthose effects.

A goal of Hindus is to achieve Moksha, to be freed from the cycle of birthand death (when the good and the bad karmas balance) or to reachSwarga, the abode of the Divine Soul or Paramatma (God) to serve at hisfeet.

This is nothing more than a deceived people worshipping a wrong god andworking for salvation.

We are told in II Corinthians 11:14 that Satan himself is transformed into an

angel of light.

Icame across the following poem on reincarnation and thought I would share itwith you.

ReincarnationBy Wallace McRae

What does reincarnation mean?

A cowpoke asked his friend.

His pal replied, It happens when

Yer life has reached its end.

They comb yer hair, and warsh yer neck,

And clean yer fingernails,

And lay you in a padded boxAway from lifes travails.

The box and you goes in a hole,

Thats been dug into the ground.

Reincarnation starts in when

Yore planted neath a mound.

Them clods melt down, just like yer box,


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And you who is inside.

And then yore just beginnin on

Yer transformation ride.

In a while the grassll grow

Upon yer rendered mound.

Till some day on yer moldered grave

A lonely flower is found.

And say a hoss should wander by

And graze upon this flower

That once wuz you, but nows become

Yer vegetative bower.

The posey that the hoss done ateUp, with his other feed,

Makes bone, and fat, and muscle

Essential to the steed.

But some is left that he cant use

And so it passes through,

And finally lays upon the ground.

This thing that once wuz you.Then say, by chance, I wonders by

And sees upon this ground,

And I ponders and I wonders at,

This object that I found.

I thinks of reincarnation,

Of life, and death, and such,And come away concludin: Slim,

You aint changed all that much.

Arent you glad for those of us who are believers that to be absent from thebody is to be present with the Lord (II Corinthians 5:8)?

What to do: Understand that not just any religion leads you to heaven.


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CHINESE TRADITIONAL RELIGIONNOVEMBER 6

Bible Reading: Romans 3:1-12Key Verse: verse 10- As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:Key Words: There is none righteous

There are three primary religions of Chinese that are known as traditionalreligions. Confucianism is love for humanity, while Taoism focuses on nature, andBuddhism focuses on what they call four noble truths: all life is suffering, the causeof suffering is ignorant desire, this desire can be destroyed, the means to this is theEightfold Path which is right motive, right speech, right actions, right means oflivelihood, right effort, right intellectual activity, right understanding, and right

contemplation.The problem with all of this is how can unrighteous man do anything righteous?Unfortunately, the Chinese people have the answer for righteousness right

before their very eyes, but they fail to see it. They are looking for righteous things:what they do rather than what God has done through Jesus Christ.

Let me explain. The Chinese language creates the word righteousness byplacing the character for lamb above the character for the pronoun I. Ourrighteousness is secured when we lift the Lamb of God high above ourselves andask him to cleanse us with his blood (John 1:29).

It behooves everyone to realize that salvation is not found in a religion, but in aperson the person of Jesus Christ.

What to do: Pray for the people of China.

SIKHISMNOVEMBER 7

Bible Reading: Genesis 3:1-13

Key Verse: verse 5-For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyesshall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Key Words: ye shall be as gods

There are twenty-six million Sikhs worldwide most of which are located inPunjab, India.


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Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded in northern India in the 16 th centuryby the guru Nanak. Sikhism rejects caste distinctions, idolatry, and asceticism and ischaracterized by belief in a cycle of reincarnation from which humans can freethemselves by living righteous lives as active members of society.

Its amazing to me the massive number of religions that depend upon self-righteousness to save them. But on the other hand, wasnt that Satans firstmessage to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden? Eat from the tree of theknowledge of good and evil, and you can be a god. In essence, he was saying: youcan save yourself.

Every religion apart from Christianity is a save yourself religion. Many that areidentified with the Christian religion believe in self-righteousness for their salvation.

Aminister called to see a lady who was uniting with his congregation. After heleft, the lady turned to her husband and said, There must be something wrong.

Why? asked the man.That minister made me feel so self-satisfied, she said, and congratulated me

on being what he called a good living woman. Im sure something more is requiredof us by God, but Im so ignorant of the Bible, I dont know what.

From out of my far-away childhood Sunday school memories, said the

husband, there comes to my mind a verse something about not of works, lest anyshould boast. If I were you, I would find out more before you join that manschurch.

Iwill, said the lady, and she did, and found Christ.Iask that you pray that the Sikhs will find Christ as well.

What to do: Thank God for His miraculous mercy and grace for revealing the truth

to you. Pray for God to send the light to those who live in darkness.


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JUDAISMNOVEMBER 8

Bible Reading: Mark 10:17-27Key Verse: verse 17-And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one

running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I

may inherit eternal life?Key Words: What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

There are approximately 17 million Jews who practice Judaism. The religion ofthe Jews is based upon the teachings of the Torah. The Jews believe in one God.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are considered the fathers of the Jewish people.

Judaism believes that goodness leads to salvation. They believe that the Torah, the

law of God given to Moses, is the basis of that goodness and man can choose to begood or evil.

Ben Wofford caught a bass worth $21,786 on April 11, 1992, at the Texas BassChampionship Tournament on Lake Conroe. His 7.64 pound fish was the fourth

largest fish overall, but according to Rule Number 6, Bens fish didnt qualify. The

fish was fine, but Ben wasnt. Rule 6 clearly stated that all contestants must wear

the official tournament hat they were issued at check-in. Ben opted instead to wear

his lucky cap and left the tournament headgear in his partners truck. Because of

Bens small error, he was denied any prize money. The Bible is clear, salvation

requires identification with Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord you must wear his

hat. Unfortunately, though, many people feel their lucky cap of goodness is better

than Jesus Christ, and they end up forfeiting the greatest prize of all: eternal life.

What to do: Read Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:10, 3:23. The answer for our going astray,

our righteousness and our sin is found in Romans 6:23.


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JAINISMNOVEMBER 9

Bible Reading: Romans 8:29-39Key Verse: verse 37-Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through

him that loved us.

Key Words: We are more than conquerors

There are almost 4 million people who practice Jainism. Jains are almostentirely located in India.

Jains believe the key to freedom is overcoming love, hate, pleasures, and pain.Ones who overcome are free and become Jinas. True overcomers become gods.There are only 24 Jinas, only 24 who have become overcomers. How sad. All their

millions and only 24 have said to have become overcomers.The truth is that none of us of ourselves can be overcomers. Our victory only

comes through Jesus Christ. Romans 8:37 speaks of our ability to overwhelminglyconquer as victorious Christians. A definition of overwhelmingly was provided onOctober 7, 1916, when Georgia Tech played Cumberland University in what isrecorded as the highest-scoring football game in history. Georgia Tech set a recordof 32 touchdowns while racking up 222 points. Cumberland never made the first

down, much less a point. Such decisive victory awaits those who wait upon ourvictorious King.

Our conquering is not through keeping any set of rules or regulations butthrough Jesus Christ. Oh, that the world could hear this good news!!

What to do:

Spread the gospel. It is the only real good news that we have.

SHINTONOVEMBER 10

Bible Reading: Psalm 24; also Isaiah 40:1-26Key Verse: verse 1- The earth is the LORDS, and the fulness

thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.Key Words: The earth is the Lords

Shinto is a major religion of the Japanese people. The word Shinto means theway of kami. The word kamican refer to Japanese mythological deities but can also


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manifest itself in neutral objects, places or animals. The Shintos stress harmonybetween deities, man, and nature. According to dictionary.com Shintoism is asystem of ancestor and nature worship.

Sounds a lot like America today, doesnt it, with our think green mottos orsave the spotted owl mentality?

We are to worship God Who created nature, not nature itself.

In times of uncertainty, it is good to know these simple facts from Isaiah 40:

The oceans of the world contain more than 340 quintillion gallons of water,yet God holds them in the hollow of his hand (40:12).

The earth weighs 6 sextillion metric tons, yet God says it is but dust on thescales (40:15).

The known universe stretches more than 30 billion light years (200 sextillionmiles), but God measures it by the width of His hand (40:12).

Scientists claim there are at least 100 billion galaxies, and each galaxy ismade up of about 100 billion stars. To such mind-boggling math, Isaiahreminds us that God calls each star by name (40:26).

Its no small wonder that Isaiah ended such a chapter with those familiar words,

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up withwings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and notfaint. Praise God!

What to do: Let everything that hath breath praise the Lordnot nature.

ZOROASTRIANISMNOVEMBER 11

Bible Reading: Acts 4:1-12Key Verse: verse 12- Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other

name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.Key Words: neither is there salvation in any other

Zoroastrianism is primarily a religion confined to India. There are approximately2.5 to 3 million people of India that claim Zoroastrianism as their religion of choice.While this religion is primarily confined to India, there are said to be about 125,000


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Zoroists in the middle eastern countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, andIraq.

Zoroists believe, according to a BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) specialwhich aired in 2009, that there is an ongoing battle between good Ahura Mazdaand Angra Mainyu (their version of Satan), and that, ultimately, good will prevail.

The problem is that there is only one way to heaven, and its not by being goodor doing good. That seems to be the face of most religions today. Its not about whatthey do but what God has done in sending His Son to die, be buried, and rise again.Its not about us; its all about Jesus.

Mans greatest need today is Jesus as their Savior. D. M. Stearns waspreaching in Philadelphia. At the close of the service a stranger came up to him andsaid, I dont like the way you spoke about the cross. I think that instead of

emphasizing the death of Christ, it would be far better to preach Jesus, the teacherand example.

Stearns replied, If I presented Christ in that way, would you be willing to followHim?

Icertainly would, said the stranger without hesitation.All right then, said the preacher, lets take the first step. He did no sin. Can

you claim that for yourself? The man looked confused and somewhat surprised.Why, no, he said.I acknowledge that I do sin. Stearns replied, Then your greatest need is to

have a Savior, not an example.

What to do:

Remember you are only good as the Holy Spirit works through you.(Gal. 5:22-23)

UNITARIANSNOVEMBER 12

Bible Reading: John 8:32-45Key Verse: verse 45-And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.Key Words: I tell you the truth, ye believe me not

Unitarian Universalism or simply Unitarians, as they prefer to be called, haveno fixed doctrine. They readily admit they are not Christians, but they encompassall major religions.


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There are around one-half million Unitarians world-wide; approximately onethird of them live in the United States. Here is what they believe.

That Jesus was a great man and a prophet of God; but He is not God!! They further believe in one God and the oneness or unity of God. The life and teachings of Jesus Christ constitute the exemplar model for

living ones own life. Reason, rational thought, science, and philosophy coexist with faith in God. Humans have the ability to exercise free will in a responsible, constructive

and ethical manner with the assistance of religion. Human nature in its present condition is neither inherently corrupt nor

depraved, but capable of both good and evil, as God intended.

No religion can claim an absolute monopoly on the Holy Spirit or theologicaltruth.

Though the authors of the Bible were inspired by God, they were humansand therefore subject to human error. (Isnt this the same lie Satan sold Evein the Garden?!)

During the crucial days of the Civil War President Abraham Lincoln wrote tohis good friend, Joshua Speel, in regard to Gods Word: If you are to receive the

Bible as the revelation of God, you must take it all by faith.And so must we all!

What to do: Either you live by Gods Word or you live by sight. Live by faith, not in

yourself but in God.

ROMANOVEMBER 13

Bible Reading: Acts 25:13-27Key Verse: verse 19- But had certain questions against him of their own superstition,

and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

Key Words: their own superstition

There are an estimated 9 to 12 million Roma religions in the world. Neverheard of Roma? Well, they are primarily known as gypsies and are primarilycentered in Europe.


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Romas beliefs are many and may not apply to all groups of Romas or gypsies,but here are a few of the things that they generally believe in:

The existence of Del (God) The existence of beng (Satan) The existence of bibaxt (bad luck) and of mulo (supernatural spirits or

ghosts)

The power of good luck charms, amulets and talismans The power of curses The power of healing rituals A pregnant woman is considered unclean. She must not give birth in the

family home because it would then become impure. Sometimes knots are

ritually untied as the birth approaches. This is believed to assure that theumbilical cord will not be tangled. After birth, anything that the new mother

touches is later destroyed. This quarantine continues at least until the

baptism of the baby.

Newborns are baptized, usually in running water, when they are a fewweeks old. Often, the infant is massaged with oil; this is believed to make it

strong.

When a person dies, relatives and friends gather around and ask forforgiveness for any bad deeds that they have done to that person. They are

concerned that if such grievances are not settled, then the dead person

might come back as an evil spirit and cause trouble. In the past, the widow

might commit suicide when her husband died so that she could accompany

him during the afterlife. Sometimes the deceaseds nostrils are plugged with

wax so that evil spirits cannot enter and occupy the body. Clothing, tools,eating utensils, jewelry, and money may be placed in the coffin in order to

help the deceased in the next world. The deceaseds possessions are

burned, broken, or sold to non-Roma.

Let me repeat, not all Roma believe the same. But from the above list, you getan idea of their beliefs.

The Roma are steeped in ritual and superstition such as the people of Toradji.Only girls without their front teeth will succeed in kindling the flames of love in the

hearts of the Toradji men. Such girls are prettier, and furthermore, they wont bite,

the men claim. To catch herself a husband, a Toradji girl will grab the first handy

stone and knock out her front teeth. The practice is a leftover from religious beliefs


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of the ancient Toradjis. Although the custom is dying out, it still persists in remote

areas.

What to do:

Thank the Lord that you are saved, saved, saved!! Remember, superstitions are dangerous. It was the Jewish leaders

superstitions that turned them against Paul.

HAITIAN VOODOU NOVEMBER 14 Bible Reading: Psalm 126

Key Verse: verse 5-They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.Key Words: They that sow in tears

According to Free Encyclopedia, Haitian Vodou originated in the Caribbean. Itis based upon a merging of the beliefs and practices of West African peoples(mainly the Fon and Ewe; see West African Vodun), with Arawakian religious beliefs,and Roman Catholic Christianity. Vodou was created by African slaves who werebrought to Haiti in the 16th century and still followed their traditional African beliefs,but were forced to convert to the religion of their slavers.

The principal belief in Haitian Vodou is that deities called Lwa (or Loa) aresubordinates to a god called Bondy. This supreme being does not intercede inhuman affairs, and it is to the Lwa that Vodou worship is directed. Othercharacteristics of Vodou include veneration of the dead and protection against evilwitchcraft.

Haitian Vodou shares many traits with other faiths of the African diaspora,including the Louisiana Voodoo of New Orleans, Santera and Arar of Cuba, andCandombl and Umbanda of Brazil. A Haitian Vodou temple is called an Hounfour.

In Haitian Vodou Svis Lwa in Creole ("Service to the Lwa"), there are strongelements from the Bakongo of Central Africa and the Igbo and Yoruba of Nigeria,although many other African nations have contributed to the liturgy of the Svis Lwa.A significant portion of Haitian Vodou often overlooked by scholars until recently isthe input from the Kongo. The entire northern area of Haiti is heavily influenced byKongo practices.


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Many of the Vodon Haitians blamed the vodou priests for the recentearthquake in January of 2010; and as a result, 45 of the Vodon Haitian priests werehanged.

Calvin Miller writes Crying is common in this world. It does little good to ask thereason for it. Muddyscuttle is what one might call a weeping planet. Laughter can beheard here and there, but by and large, weeping predominates. With maturity thesound and reason for crying changes, but never does it stop. All infants do iteverywhere even in public. By adulthood most crying is done alone and in thedark. Weeping, for babies, is a sign of health and evidence that they are alive. Isntthis a chilling omen? Not laughter but tears is the sign of life.

If that is the case, when was the last time you wept over the Haitian people andothers who are groping in darkness?

What to do: You may not be able to go to others in foreign lands, but you can pray

for and give to those who do go.

CAO-DAINOVEMBER 15

Bible Reading: John 8:1-32Key Verse: verse 32-And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.Key Words: The truth shall make you free

There are 2 to 3 million people who practice the religion of Cao-Dai, primarily,the religion of Asia, more specifically of Viet-Nam. After the Vietnamese war thereligion began to spread due to Vietnamese people moving to America, Australia,and Great Britain.

The words Cao supreme and Dai being so one can see this religionfocuses on being a supreme being.

Here is some of what the Cao-Dai religion believes. According to the Cao Daicreation myth, before God existed, there was the Tao, the nameless, formless,unchanging, eternal source referenced in the Tao Te Ching. Then a Big Bangoccurred, out of which God was born (emanationism). The universe could not yet beformed and to do so, God created yin and yang. He took control of yang and shed apart of himself, creating the Goddess to preside over yin. In the presence of yin andyang, the universe was materialized. The Goddess is, literally, the mother of the


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myriad of things in the Universe. Thus, Caodaiists worship not only God the father,but also the Holy Mother, literally referred to as the Mother Buddha. Note that God'simportance and role is higher than that of the Mother Buddha. Also, the MotherBuddha, like all buddhas, is a part of Yang, and therefore is male. Yin is the femaleside, and the Mother Buddha oversees Yin, but is not a part of Yin. God is

symbolized by the Divine Eye, specifically the left eye because Yang is the left side,and God is the master of Yang.

There are 36 levels of heaven and 72 planets harboring intelligent life, withnumber one being the closest to heaven and 72 nearest to Hell. Earth is number 68.It is said that even the lowest citizen on planet 67 would not trade places with a kingon 68 and so forth.

As you can see from this series of devotions, most false religions have a touch

of truth which equals an all-out lie.Our Daily Breadrecords that lying seems to be a way of life for many people.

We lie at the drop of a hat. The book The Day America Told the Truth says that 90%of those surveyed lie routinely about matters they consider trivial, and 36% lie aboutimportant matters, 86% lie regularly to parents, 75% to friends, 73% to siblings, and69% to spouses.

But Satan has them all beat he lies 100% of the time by putting the touch of a

truth mixed with a lie, and men fall for it continually.The only source of total truth is Gods Word believe it, trust it, live it.

What to do: Take Gods Word and live by it!!

UNITY SCHOOL OF CHRISTIANITYNOVEMBER 16

Bible Reading: Amos 3Key Verse: verse 3-Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Key Words: Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Myrtle Fillmore is the founder of the Unity School of Christianity movementwhich claims 1.5 million members. Fillmore was raised a Methodist but becameinterested in the occult and spiritism (demons) which led to her desire to uniteChristians through the Unity School of Christianity.

Some of what they believe follows:


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The ScripturesScripture may be a satisfactory authority for those who are not themselves in directcommunion with the Lord.

God

God is not a person, having life, intelligence, love, power. God is that invisible,intangible, but very real, something we call life. God is perfect love and infinitepower. God is the total of these, the total of all good, whether manifested orunexpressed.

SinPain, sickness, poverty, old age and death are not real, and they have no powerover me. There is nothing in all of the universe for me to fear.

JesusThe difference between Jesus and us is not one of inherent spiritual capacity, but indifference of demonstration of it. Jesus was potentially perfect, and He expressedthat perfection; we are potentially perfect, and we have not yet expressed it.

How can one possibly think they can unite Christians when they themselves

are not one. The world does grope in darkness!

What to do: The only unity that matters is our unity to God through Jesus Christ.

For by grace are ye saved, through faith.

THE WAY INTERNATIONALNOVEMBER 17

Bible Reading: II Kings 17:1-23Key Verse: verse 15-And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made

with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they

followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were roundabout them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should notdo like them.

Key Words: they followed vanity, and became vain

The Way International was founded by Victor Paul Wierwille and theheadquarters is located in New Knoxville, Ohio.


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The Way International describes itself as a teaching ministry which is a uniqueventure in the study and practical application of the Bible. We are dedicated tosetting before people the astonishing accuracy and practicality of Gods Word andletting people decide for themselves whether or not to believe it or use it.

They say: Their teachings are Bible-based. That Jesus is the Way of Salvation. Jesus is the Son of God.This all sounds good, but a thorough check into what they teach reveals that

they believe that the teachings of Wierwille are just as inspired as Gods Word, that

Jesus is the Son of God but not God, the Son. They also believe that no one goes tohell.

Be careful who you follow!!The following article is taken from the February 1994 devotional Our Daily

Bread.

Eli Black was a brilliant businessman best known for two events in his life. He

masterminded the multimillion dollar takeover of the United Fruit conglomerate, andhe jumped to his death from the 42nd floor of the Pan Am building in New York City.

In the book An American Company, an executive described a business lunchhe had with Eli Black. When the waitress brought a plate of cheese and crackers asan appetizer, Black reached out and took them, placed them on the table, blockedthem with his arms, and continued talking. The executive hadnt eaten for hours andhinted that he would like a cracker. But Black acted as though he hadnt heard himand went on with the business meeting. After a while, Black placed a cracker andcheese on the tips of his fingers and continued to talk. Several moments later, Blackplaced the cracker on the executives plate and then blocked the rest as before. Itwas clear that Black was in charge, manipulating others as he pleased. When youplay follow the leader, check to see who is at the head of the line. Eli Black, for allhis power, ended up in suicide. Jesus Christ, in all His humility, ended up the Saviorof the world.

What to do: Always follow the True Leader, Jesus Christ.


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MORMONISMNOVEMBER 18

Bible Reading: I Peter 1:1-21Key Verse: verse 19-But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without

blemish and without spot:

Key Words: But with the precious blood of Christ

Joseph Smith founded Mormonism in 1820. At the age of 15 he said that theangel Moroni appeared to him one day while treasure hunting in Palmyra, New York.

He wrote the Book of Mormon and The Pearl of Great Price from plates hefound while treasure hunting. These plates were said to be written in Egyptianhieroglyphics.

The newspaperThe Navoo Expositorexposed Smith as a fraud, and he wasforced to move to Missouri. While there he was arrested, and on June 27, 1844, amob stormed the jail killing Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum.

Brigham Young became the next Mormon leader, leading them to the PromisedLand Salt Lake City, Utah.

Today, there are said to be over 5.5 million Mormons with an average of200,000 new converts yearly.

Here is a sampling of what Mormons believe.1. God the Father has a body. Doctrine & Covenant 130.22, The Father has a

body of flesh.2. Mormons believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but not God, the Son.3. Mormons believe that salvation comes through Jesus and works. For we

labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to

believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is bygrace that we are saved, after all we can do. II Nephi 25:23

LeGrand Richards, a leader in the Mormon church from 1938 to 1952 says,and I quote: There is not a man or woman who violates the covenants made withtheir God, that will not be required to pay the debt. The blood of Christ will neverwipe that out; your own blood must atone for it.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of theirtestimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death (Revelation 12:11). This isthe last reference in the Bible to the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ; here it isthe overcoming blood, enabling believers to withstand the deceptions andaccusations of Satan. There are at least 43 references to the blood of Christ in theNew Testament, all testifying to its great importance in the salvation and daily life ofthe believer. Judas the betrayer spoke of it as innocent blood (Matthew 27:4) and


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Peter called it the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish andwithout spot (I Peter 1:19). It is the cleansing blood in I John 1:7 and the washingblood in Revelation 1:5, stressing that it removes the guilt of our sins.

What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

What to do: Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you washed in

the blood of the Lamb.

JEHOVAHS WITNESSES NOVEMBER 19 Bible Reading: Psalm 119:97-104

Key Verse: verse 104-Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hateevery false way.

Key Words: I hate every false way

Charles Taze Russell was born on February 16, 1852. As a teen he denouncedorganized religion primarily because of his disbelief of eternal punishment.

At the age of 18 he was elected pastor of a Bible class in the neighborhood,but was forced to resign when he denounced the doctrine of blood atonement.

Russell then founded the monthly magazine, The Herald of the Morning, whichlater became The Watchtower. Its publication grew from 6,000 to 17.8 million.

In 1908 he moved from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Brooklyn, New York,

where he founded the Brooklyn Tabernacle.Russell passed away on January 8, 1942. His successor, Franklin Rutherford,

then changed their name from Brooklyn Tabernacle to Jehovahs Witnesses.

What the Jehovahs Witnesses believe, or may I say, what they do not believeis as follows.

They do not believe in the Trinity. Russell states in the 5th of 6 volumesStudies in the Scripture, This theory of a trinity is as unscriptural as it isunreasonable. See Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 3:16-17.

They deny the blood of Jesus. Charles Taze Russell: The blood of Jesusonly partially atoned for sin. See Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:26; Acts20:28.

They deny hell. Eternal torture is nowhere suggested in the Old TestamentScriptures, and only a few statements in the New Testament can be so


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misconstrued as to appear to teach it. See Psalm 9:17; Proverbs 5:5;Matthew 5:29-30; Luke 16:19-31.

In the early 1900s George Riddell acquired the sensational London newspaperThe News of the Word. Meeting British journalist Frederick Greenwood one day,

Riddell mentioned that he owned a newspaper, told Greenwood its name, andoffered to send him a copy. The next time they met, Riddell asked Greenwood whathe thought ofThe News.

(Let me make a suggestion in regard to the Jehovahs Witnesses magazineand doctrine, quoting Frederick Greenwood.)

Ilooked at it and then I put it in the wastepaper basket, said Greenwood, andthen I thought, If I leave it there, the cook may read it, so I burned it.

What to do: A touch of truth is the worst of lies stay away from it.

JEHOVAHS WITNESSES, PART TWONOVEMBER 20

Bible Reading: Revelation 27:14-21Key Verse: verse 19-And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of

this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of theholy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Key Words: shall take away

Introduction: Charles Taze Russell was a member of the CongregationalChurch. He left the church because of a strong fear of hell. He joined the 7 th DayAdventists. He later disagreed with the Adventists. He launched his own magazine,Zions Watchtower. He said if people had to make a choice between reading hisbooks and the Bible, they would do better to choose his writings.

The Jehovahs Witnesses have their own version of the Bible, The New WorldTranslation. Below are a few comparisons between the King James (KJV) and theNew World Translation (NWT).

John 1:1 KJV, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,and the Word was God.

NWT, In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, andthe Word was a god.


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John 14:16-17 KJV, And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you anotherComforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom theworld cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye knowhim; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

NWT, and I will request the Father and he will give you another helper to

be with you forever, the spirit of the truth, which the world cannot receive, because itneither beholds it nor knows it. You know it, because it remains with you and is inyou.

Notice the Jehovahs Witnesses call the Holy Spirit an it. They believe theHoly Spirit is not a person but a force.

Isaiah 7:14 KJV, Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, avirgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

NWT, Therefore Jehovah himself will give you men a sign: Look! The maidenherself will actually become pregnant, and she is giving birth to a son, and she willcertainly call his name Immanuel.

What happened to the virgin birth? Now granted, a maiden could be translatedvirgin, but the word maiden has several different meanings; virgin doesnt!!

What to do: Ive never gone wrong using the KJV- just a suggestion.

SCIENTOLOGYNOVEMBER 21

Bible Reading: I Timothy 6:13-21Key Verse: verse 20- O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding

profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

Key Words: and opposition of science falsely so called

The Church of Scientology is supposedly based on the study of science. Itsfounder, L. Ron Hubbard, published a book Dianetics, the modern science of mental

health.The claims of Scientology sound more like fiction than religion. For example,

one student of Scientology said that a thetan (soul) inhabited the body of a dollsome 469,476,600 years ago. The Martians took the doll to the temple for theMartian priest to zap it. The thetan was placed on board a flying saucer whichexploded but the thetan escaped to earth, thus the beginning of man on earth.


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The goals of Scientology are three-fold.1. Self-improvement.2. Self-mastery.3. Personal happiness.

Today, there are said to be between 2 and 3 million people who practiceScientology. Here is a sampling of what they believe.

The universe is filled with God. Salvation and sin: It is despicable and utterly beneath contempt to

tell a man he must repent and that he is evil. L. Ron Hubbard

Hell: Scientologists believe that hell is a myth and invention of manto make mankind feel unhappy.

All of this reminds me of Thomas Campbells poem, The Last Man, about thesurvivor of a dying world who expresses this idea of the inability of nature, progress,and science to heal the deepest wounds or quench the deepest thirst of man:

Thou dim, discrowned king of day;For all those trophied arts,

And triumphs that beneath thee sprang,Healed not a passion or a pangEntailed on human hearts.

Science and Scientology is not the answer. Jesus Christ is the answer (John4:29).

What to do: Take God at His Word; because man can, and will lead you astray.

UNIFICATION CHURCHNOVEMBER 22

Bible Reading: I Corinthians 1:23-31Key Verse: verse 23- But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness;Key Words: But we preach Christ


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Ireally believe that belittling religions is not always necessary. All one has todo is write down what these religions believe, and they will belittle themselves. Hereis a short paragraph on what the Unification Church (and the Moonies) believes.

The Unification Church (officially named the Holy Spirit Association for theUnification of World Christianity) is a new religious movement found by ReverendSun Myung Moon in Korea in 1954.

The Unification Church is a unique interpretation of Christianity that regardsRev. Moon as the Messiah and believes that world peace can be attained throughthe creation of true families. It is especially known for its mass weddings andseeking of converts. Both the Unification Church and Moon himself have been thesource of controversy in Asia and especially the USA. The movements followershave been dubbed Moonies by critics.

Sun Myung Moon was born in what is now a province of North Korea. He saysthat the age of 16 he was visited by Jesus Christ, out of which came his teachings,and his church called the Unification Church. According to Moon, sin began in theGarden of Eden when Satan and Eve had an adulterous relationship.

1. In regard to Gods Word, Moon teaches that you cannot understand theBible; and so he gives us his divine principles which are just as inspired as

the Word of God.2. In regard to salvation, Moon teaches that there was no redemption, there

was no salvation, and there was no beginning of Christianity.

But we know that in Christ we have

A love that can never be fathomed A life that can never die A righteousness that can never be tarnished A peace that can never be understood A rest that can never be disturbed A joy that can never be diminished A hope that can never be disappointed A glory that can never be clouded A light that can never be darkened A purity that can never be defiled A beauty that can never be marred A wisdom that never be baffled Resources that can never be exhausted


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These are just a few of the reasons we preach Christ.

What to do: Remember, if you get the wrong Messiah, you get the wrong God.

CHURCH OF CHRISTNOVEMBER 23

Bible Reading: John 10:23-30Key Verse: verse 28-And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.Key Words: and I give unto them eternal life

What exactly does the Church of Christ teach? Here are some statementstaken from the doctrinal statement of the Church of Christ.

The Churches of Christ is the only true church. That reconciliation of Godis in the body of Christ, Ephesians 2:16. That no one can be saved without

being reconciled to God. Therefore, one must be in the body of Christ to be

saved. The body of Christ is the Church of Christ.

Baptism is essential to salvation. If you are not a Christian, obey the Lord,be baptized into Christ and thereby put Him on. Be faithful to Him thereafter

that you may spend eternity in heaven with the redeemed of the Lord.

Salvation by works. The doctrine of salvation by faith only is mostcertainly false. Do not be deceived by those who teach it. They are false

teachers. Believe all that God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit have done to

make salvation possible; and be willing to not only believe but to repent,

confess and be baptized into the death of Christ (Romans 6:3-4), where the

benefits of His shed blood are obtained. Thus obeying from the heart that

form of doctrine, one is made free from sin, and raised to walk in newness

of life (Romans 6:17-18). Peter declared that baptism saves (I Peter 3:20-

21); but he did not teach that one is saved by baptism only. The Bible does

not teach salvation by anything only. Let us surrender completely to the

Lords will and be both willing and ready to accept it all.


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During the Spanish-American War, Clara Barton was overseeing the work ofthe Red Cross in Cuba. One day Colonel Theodore Roosevelt came to her, wanted

to buy food for his sick and wounded Rough Riders. But she refused to sell him any.

Roosevelt was perplexed. His men needed the help and he was prepared to pay outof his own funds. When he asked someone why he could not buy supplies, he was

told, Colonel, just ask for it! A smile broke over Roosevelts face. Now he

understood the provisions were not for sale. All he had to do was simply ask and

they would be given freely.

What to do: Read Ephesians 2:8-9; Luke 7:50; Acts 16:31; John 3:16; Galatians

2:16.

WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD NOVEMBER 24 Bible Reading: Jude 1-11

Key Verse: verse 11-Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and rangreedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying ofCore.

Key Words: Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain

The Worldwide Church of God was founded by its current leader, Herbert W.Armstrong, in 1924. Herbert was raised in mainstream religion, but upon insistenturging from his wife he began studying the Bible through the Ten Commandments.

The main emphasis of the Worldwide Church of God is called Anglo-Israelism,sometimes called British-Israelism. The basic premise of the Anglo-Israelism theoryis that the ten lost tribes who were captured by the Assyrians later became Saxonsafter crossing the Mediterranean into Europe. This premise is based upon Romans

9:1-7. Isaac: if you drop the I you have saac which means sons.

Armstrongism maintains that the throne of England is really the throne ofDavid. Needless to say, Armstrongs thesis is full of errors.

Armstrongism believes that the tribe of Judah is now Israel and that there isone lost tribe and the other ten tribes are made up of Armstrongites.


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Armstrongites also believe that they are God (quoting from their material) I suppose most people think of God as one single individual Person. Or, as atrinity. This is not true. But the theologians and Higher Critics have blindlyaccepted the heretical and false doctrine introduced by pagan false prophets whocrept in, that the Holy Spirit is a third person the heresy of the trinity. This limits

God to Three Persons.Do you really grasp it? The purpose of your being alive is that finally you be

born into the Kingdom of God, when you will actually be God, even as Jesus wasand is God, and His Father, a different Person, also is God!

You are setting out on a training to become creator to become God!They teach that the blood of Christ does not finally save any man. The death

of Christ merely paid the penalty of sin in our stead it wipes the slate clean of pastsins.

How wrong Cain is when he leaves the truth of Gods Word!

What to do: Read carefully Galatians chapter 2 and Romans chapter 4 and 5.

THE RELIGION OF HUMANISMNOVEMBER 25

Bible Reading: Psalm 2Key Verse: verse 1-Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain

thing?Key Words: Imagine a vain thing

You have probably heard of The Humanist Manifesto. It is the bible forpropagating humanism around the world. It is a socialistic one-world movementpromoted by humanists such as Hillary Clinton, Howard Dean and others. Time andspace do not allow us to print the manifesto, but below is a brief summary of its

contents.

1. We find insufficient evidence for belief in the existence of the supernatural.No deity shall save us, we must save ourselves. (Atheism)

2. We regard the universe as self-existing and not created, the humanspecies an emergence from natural evolutionary forces. (Evolution)


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3. Ethics is autonomous (not controlled by others): birth control, sexualpreferences, lifestyle, all are based upon a persons self-interest andneeds. (Amorality)

4. We have reached a turning point in human history. We believe in maximumindividual autonomy, reject all religious and moral codes that suppress our

individual freedom. We demand civil liberties, including the right tosocialized medicine, a right to die with dignity (Euthanasia), and suicide(Socialism).

According to Tim LaHaye in his book, The Battle for the Mind, the followingorganizations are card-carrying humanists.

ADA (Americans for Democratic Action)

AEU (American Ethical Union) ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) SIECUS (Sex Information and Education Council of the United States) NOW (National Organization of Women) NEA (National Education Association) The Ford Foundation

The Carnegie Foundation UNWHO (United Nations World Health Organization) UNICEF (United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund) UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization)These are just a few of the many organizations that promote the humanist

agenda, along with Hollywood and much of the media.

We teach the kids the song, Be careful, little ears, what you hear. Be careful,little eyes, what you see. But I am afraid today that much of what they hear and seeis humanistic. We must protect their ears and eyes, but most of all, their heart byteaching them moral righteousness and Biblical truth. Without parents beingextremely vigilant, Proverbs 22:6 can and will never be fulfilled.

What to do: Remember that humanism is a false religion. It has its own bible (TheHumanist Manifesto). It has its own god (self). To me, it is the worst ofall religions.


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CHRISTIAN SCIENCENOVEMBER 26

Bible Reading: I John 1Key Verse: verse 10-If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his

word is not in us.

Key Words: If we say we have not sinned

The religion known as Christian Science was founded by Mary Baker GloverPatterson Eddy.

Christian Science is a lot like Grape Nuts Cereal; its not grape and its not nuts.Christian Science, says it is Christian, but it is not; it says it is science but it is not.

Christian Science believes in mind over matter. You are only sick when you

think youre sick. Their bible is called The Science and Health with Key to theScriptures. Christian Scientists believe it is equal to Gods Word.

Here is a sampling of what they believe.

The atonement of Jesus: The blood of Jesus was no more able to cleansefrom sin when it was shed on the cross than it was when it flowed throughhis veins (Science and Health, pg. 25).

The resurrection: Her disciples believe Jesus to be dead while he washidden in the sepulcher whereas he was still alive, demonstrating within thenarrow tomb the power of the Spirit to overrule mortal and material senses(Science and Health, pg. 49). See Philippians 2:8; Romans 5:6; Matthew27:50.

Sin and evil: Evil is an illusion. It has no real basis (Science and Health, pg.48). See Romans 3:10, 23; I John 1:10.

Eternal security: One sacrifice, however great, is insufficient to pay the debtof sin. See I Peter 1:5; John 10:28-29; Ephesians 1:13-14.

The religion of Christian Science negates many doctrines, one of which is thepower of sin.

Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman told of a distinguished minister, Dr. Howard, fromAustralia who preached very strongly on the subject of sin. After the service, one ofthe church officers came to counsel with him in the study. Dr. Howard, he said, wedont want you to talk as openly as you do about mans guilt and corruption,because if our boys and girls hear you discussing that subject they will more easilybecome sinners. Call it a mistake if you will, but do not speak so plainly about sin.

The minister took down a small bottle and showing it to the visitor said, Yousee that label? It says strychnine and underneath in bold, red letters the wordPoison! Do you know, man, what you are asking me to do? You are suggesting that


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I change the label. Suppose I do, and paste over it the words, Essence ofPeppermint; dont you see what might happen? Someone would use it, not knowingthe danger involved, and would certainly die. So it is, too, with the matter of sin. Themilder you make your label, the more dangerous you make your poison!

If you negate the power of sin, you negate the power of Gods forgiveness.

What to do: Stay with the true Word of God.

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTSNOVEMBER 27

Bible Reading: Exodus 31:12-18Key Verse: verse 13-Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my

sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your

generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.

Key Words: it is a sign between me and you

There are three primary teachings of Seventh-Day Adventists that stick out andmake you scratch your head and say, huh?

The first of which is their teaching on soul sleep.Soul sleep is a belief that after a person dies, his/her soul sleeps until the

resurrection and final judgment. The concept of soul sleep is not Biblical. When the

Bible describes a person sleeping in relation to death (Luke 8:52; I Corinthians15:6), it does not mean literal sleep. Sleeping is just a way to describe deathbecause a dead body appears to be asleep. The moment we die, we face thejudgment of God (Hebrews 9:27). For believers, to be absent from the body is to bepresent with the Lord (II Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23). For unbelievers, deathmeans everlasting punishment in hell (Luke 16:22-23).

The second is that they believe that the archangel Michael is Jesus Christ.

There is a number of problems with this. One would be found in Jude, verse 9:Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the bodyof Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebukethee.

Walter Martin says: The word translated durst in the King James Bible is thearchaic past tense of dare; so Michael did not dare bring against Satan a railingor blasphemous (blasphemos) judgment. The Greek word for dare is tolmao and


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appears 16 times in the New Testament, and in the negative always means notdaring through fear of retaliation. Thus if Michael was Christ, according to theSeventh-Day Adventists, He did not dare to rebuke Satan for fear of retaliation.Doesnt sound very Scriptural to me; how about you?

The third is the Seventh-Day Adventists hold to Sabbath worship or worship on

Saturday. Several points: Sabbath worship was for the Jews (Exodus 31:13-17). We worship on Sunday because Christ rose from the dead on the first day

of the week (John 20:1).

Christs first appearance after His resurrection was on a Sunday (John20:19-20).

The disciples met on Sunday (Acts 20:7). God commands we meet on the first day (Sunday) (I Corinthians 16:2).While the Seventh-Day Adventists have many doctrines which are correct,

their teachings in some areas defy proper Biblical interpretation.

What to do:

Remember, none of us have reached the state of perfection, but weshould all desire to get there.

ROSICRUCIANISM NOVEMBER 28 Bible Reading: I Corinthians 15:20-28

Key Verse: verse 22-For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be madealive.

Key Words: in Christ shall all be made alive

The founder of Rosicrucianism was Christian Rosenkreuz, a German scholarwho claimed to be a revealer of the mystical.

Rosicrucianism places emphasis on the meaning of comets and alchemywhich means any magical power or process of transmitting a common substance of

little value into a substance of greater value. Now you would think that a person with

any sense would say, Youve got to be kidding me! but there are over 500

Rosicrucian Centers worldwide, the largest being in California (San Jose).


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Here is a sampling of what Rosicrucians believe.

God: He is an impersonal being composed of spirits. Jesus: Jesus was a man; but He was of the highest luminy (light) possible.

The Holy Spirit: He is Jehovah.

Rosicrucianists believe that man is evolving into a divine being. Have you everheard the saying Brotherhood of Mankind? Well, it came from Rosicrucianists. All

mankind is evolving into a god, and all mankind will each end up in eternal bliss.

But according to Gods Word, only those in Christ can expect eternal bliss (ICorinthians 15:22), and none of us are evolving into a god.

The world is full of strange religions and Rosicrucianism surely falls into thatcategory.

What to do: Remember, a cult is any religion that denies the deity of Jesus Christ.

Rosicrucianism does! Stay away from the Brotherhood of Mankind.

SWEDENBORGIANISMNOVEMBER 29

Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:1-13

Key Verse: verse 2- Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of thisworld, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh inthe children of disobedience:

Key Words: the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience

It is virtually impossible to study the field of cult systems without coming togrips with the theology of the Church of the New Jerusalem which, although small in

number in America (around 8,000 members in two different conferences), wields aconsiderable influence in intellectual church circles. This is true both in the UnitedStates and abroad. In foreign countries, particularly in England and theScandanavian nations, this particular cult has declined in growth over the last fewyears, with a worldwide membership of around 500,000.

Whereas most, if not all, of the major cult systems are the products ofindividuals who could scarcely be called intellectuals, the Church of the New


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Jerusalem had as its founder one of the most gifted and respected intellectuals ofany age Emanuel Swedenborg.

Swedenborg published such books as Angelic Wisdom Respecting the DivineLove and Wisdom, 1763; The Angelic Wisdom Respecting the Divine Providence,1764; The Delights of Wisdom Concerning Conjugal Love, 1768;A Re-fixed Position

Concerning the Doctrine of the New Church, Signified by the New Jerusalem inRevelation, 1769; and his final work, The True Christian Religion Containing theUniversal Theology of the New Church, or Universal Theology and the New Church,1771. This was, quite literally, a compendium of his entire theological structure.

The year 1745 marks the turning point in Swedenborgs career as a worldfigure in many fields of endeavor, for it was then that he maintained that he receiveda divine summons to become both a seer and revelator of the things of the spiritual

world.Here is a partial list of what he says he saw and revealed.

The Bible: Gods Word is any book that makes sense. The Trinity: is a false tenet. The Vicarious Atonement: is a heresy. Christ did not take upon Himself the

sins of mankind.

Walter Martin says of Swedenborg: "The great tragedy of EmanuelSwedenborg is that he would not submit himself and his great mind to the disciplineof the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures. Because of this, and because of his deliberatedpreoccupation with spiritism and the occult, in direct disobedience to the expressteachings of God, he was despoiled, even as Paul had warned. He was deceived bydreams and visions and the machinations of him whom the Scripture describes as

the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2b).

What to do: You can never go wrong if you always obey God.


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THE RELIGION OF POSITIVE GOSPELNOVEMBER 30

Bible Reading: Hebrews 2Key Verse: verse 10-For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all

things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation

perfect through sufferings.Key Words: captain of their salvation

We live in a day of a positive gospel. People go to church for the solepurpose of being encouraged. People want to hear what God can do for them, not inthe spiritual realm but in the physical arena of life. What can God do for mefinancially? What can God do for my bad health? What can God do about my job

situation? And the list goes on. Now, there is at least a two-fold problem with thiswhat can God do for me encourage me positive gospel message.

First of all, it is self-centered. The focus is me, myself, and I. The Biblecondemns this selfish attitude. James 4:3, Ye ask, and receive not, because ye askamiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Secondly, its a one-sided relationship. What can God do for me? Well, whatabout what you can do for God? Even the Ten Commandments are Gods list of

what God wanted Israel to do not only for themselves but for Him.

1. Have no other gods before Me.2. Do not make any graven image.3. Do not take My Name in vain.4. Keep the Sabbath day holy.5. Honor your father and mother.6. Do not kill.7. Do not commit adultery.8. Do not steal.9. Do not lie (bear false witness).10. Do not covet.

If our relationship with God is to be successful, it takes both a positive and anegative to cause a charge in our life. Without both a positive and negative charge,we would have no electricity. Without a positive and negative charge, there is no carthat would ever run. Why, if all a child hears are positive comments, they become abrat. So the world wants to hear a positive gospel, maybe thats the reason thechurch has no power. The church has made God their little errand boy...get memoney, get me good health, get me a nice car, get me a nice house, get me a goodjob. Many look at God as nothing more than their gofer when, in reality, He is thecaptain of our salvation, and we are His army. He is attempting to rally us to stand


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against the gates of hell. You want to be encouraged? I will encourage you, I willencourage you to stand up for righteousness, holiness, and purity!

What to do:

Make sure you are a part of a church that teaches you to serve ratherthan always being served.


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I deeply appreciate the help of

Laurie Blankenship

Trisha BookoutKathy Endicott

Cathy Fortenberry

Sandy Lancaster

Cathy Lang

Marie MooreMary Parsons

John and Tascha Piatt

Reba Pontbriand

And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using these people to helpthis devotional would not have been possible.

Dr. Mike Rouse

Date post:	07-Apr-2018
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