SHOULD CHRISTIANS ACKNOWLEDGE THE PRACTICE OF ‘WELCOME TO COUNTRY’.

Posted on by

Reconciliation Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present. Incorporating Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country into meetings, gatherings, and events shows respect by upholding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols. Taking the time to acknowledge Country, or including a Welcome to Country at an event, reminds us that every day we live, work, and dream on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands. 

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Studies (AIATSIS), Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer Jude Barlow says, “Being welcomed to Country means that you are talking to your spiritual ancestors and you’re saying [to the spirits] just let this person come through. We trust that they’re not going to do any harm to this Country, and so do not harm them.”

Welcome to country is “about ensuring your spiritual safety. Because my ancestors… are still present in Country. They’re still with us. They’re in the animals. They’re in the trees.”

Barlow concludes, “I look to be welcomed so that I feel a sense that the spirits are okay with me being there.”

The rest of this post is taken from an article ‘Country’ is a Pagan Animist Concept, So Why the Christian Compromise? 26th May, 2025 by Dave Pellowe, founder of The Good Source.

Correctly and culturally understood, ‘Country’ is irrevocably tied to spiritism and animism. Yet, an acknowledgment of ‘Country’ is again planned for the Sydney Prayer Breakfast, a high-profile, purportedly Christian, inclusive networking event.

Choosing Between ‘Nice’ (Fearing Man) or Good (Fearing God)

We can’t be nice about the implicit religious claims of anything in a bottle labelled “Country”. That word, in cultural context, is a container of meaning which contradicts the teaching of Jesus Christ and the clear doctrines of Christian Scripture.

The tragedy which faithful, well formed Christians must contend with today is the silence of “nice” denominational leaders taken by unbelievers as the definition of Christian belief. Some liberal Christians with an obviously low view of Scripture even act as apologists for and embrace traditional Aboriginal religious rituals and occultism.

Be encouraged: I am getting reports of Christian schools and other organisations reading this teaching and research on “Country” and repenting of ever including it in their community. Every single one must do likewise urgently. (That research was updated this week with additional photographic evidence from three major museums as well as an SBS election article.)

There is a remnant that will not bow the knee! I have been invited to speak at the Albury Wodonga Prayer Breakfast in July and the National Prayer Breakfast in September. Praise God both of these events have boldly confirmed there will be no welcome to or acknowledgment of “Country”!

The choice is between “nice”, and good. In this instance, we cannot be both. Fear men, or fear God.

THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS NO LONGER FEAR GOD

Posted on by

A new study released by the Southern Baptist Convention-affiliated Lifeway Research titled the “State of Theology, found that 60% of U.S. adults believe that religious beliefs are “a matter of personal opinion” and “not about objective truth.”

Scott McConnell, the executive director of Lifeway Research, said in a statement released Monday that he believed the COVID-19 pandemic played a factor in the findings. 

“Religious identity, beliefs, and behavior are interrelated,” said McConnell. “When in-person church attendance behaviors were interrupted and habits were broken, it affected some Americans’ beliefs about the need to gather with other believers to worship.”

“Many Americans think about God as if He had only revealed Himself in a vague, nondescript way. They seem to fill in the gaps with whatever they want to believe,” McConnell stated.

“This creates sharp contrasts between what Americans believe about God and how He revealed himself in great detail in the Bible.”

“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them… For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.” Matthew 24:3,7-10

It is interesting that the study revealed that a little over half of U.S. adults (53%) still say sex outside of traditional marriage is a sin, in contrast to 42% who disagree. In fact, it marks an increase in Americans who see non-marital sex as sinful compared to 2016 when 49% said it was sinful which is a hopeful sign.

The study reported that 46% of Americans believe that the Bible’s condemnation of homosexual behavior is not relevant today, while 42% believe that it is still relevant. 

“Discussions of sin are inherently theological because they explore whether God set standards and what behaviors miss this mark,” McConnell noted. 

“So, those who acknowledge certain behaviors as sin are acknowledging a deity’s standards. This is a different discussion than whether society agrees on an ethical standard of conduct that we determine.”

Just as God’s nation Israel fell away from understanding God as Creator and the one whom they should fear. America a nation founded on knowing and fearing God likewise is falling away fast and opening the nation up to God’s judgment and ultimate wrath.

“Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.” Deuteronomy 10:14

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?” Deuteronomy 12:11-13

Jesus told us beforehand that in the last days before His return that people would no longer believe He exists and to be feared, as a result, lawlessness will increase.

“And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:12-13

Will you be one of those that endure to the end and as a result be saved?

REPENT – AN OFFENSIVE WORD TO MOST

Posted on by

Humanity’s primary problem is sin, and without repentance, forgiveness, and faith in Christ, sin will be punished. When is the last time we have taught these things in our churches and to our youths? When is the last time, Christian parent, that you have taught such things to your kids? We no longer teach that people need to repent of their sins. Remember that word? Let me say that again, repent, since it seems offensive to most these days, even though it was the KEY message of Jesus and the apostles.

Anarchy on the streets of Seattle

“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! Matthew 4:17

When is the last time we taught them that we will all stand before the Lord on judgment day to give an account for the things we have done in the body, whether good or bad?.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” 2 Corinthians 5:10

Is it any wonder, then, that a generation of young people apparently feels no remorse, no conviction, no guilt for stealing, destroying small businesses, and injuring other human beings? There is no fear of God before their eyes because we made no effort to tell them the truth about God.

This Scripture will tell you how to understand the fear of the Lord and to find knowledge from God then He will be your shield and watch over you.

“My son (daughter), if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understand; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.” Proverbs 2:1-5

THOSE WHO SHOULD FEAR JUDGEMENT

Posted on by

Wyoming parents file a criminal complaint against library officials over pornographic children’s books. County prosecutors are investigating and considering filing charges. A special prosecutor was assigned to the case. Statewide LGBT group comes to library’s defense – supporting the books as does the ACLU.

ALT TEXT
A parent speaks before the Library Board, reading from several of the sexualized children’s books. But the Board refused to do anything.

The books are:

  • This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson
    This book promotes an array of homosexual and lesbian sex acts and instructs children how to engage in them.
  • How Do You Make a Baby by Anna Fiske
    This bizarre book for 4-10 year-olds includes pornographic drawings of sexual activity.
  • Doing It: Let’s Talk About Sex by Hannah Witton
    As the cover (below) describes, this book promotes for children the idea of seeking “sexual pleasure” through sex, homosexuality, and masturbation.
  • Sex is a Funny Word by Corey Silverberg
    This book coaches 8-11 year-olds to be comfortable getting naked and being touched. And in particular, to feel okay having their anus touched.
  • Dating and Sex: A Guide for the 21st Century Teen Boy by Andrew P Smiler. This includes a how-to guide to masturbation and enjoying pornography.
ALT TEXT

State LGBT group comes to the library’s support

The most prominent statewide homosexual and transgender organization, Wyoming Equality, also weighed in. As expected, they support books that encourage children to engage in homosexual behaviors, particularly when the parents disagree. The LGBT movement’s obsession with recruiting children is why they help push these books into schools and libraries across the country.

They are using a well-worn tactic to deflect the issue: The false and absurd claim that parents are “threatening” public officials and library staff over the books.

ACLU had this to say

Stephanie Amiotte, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of South Dakota, North Dakota and Wyoming, told a left-wing blog that her group “stands firmly” behind the Campbell County Public Library staff.

Regarding pornographic books, she said that children must have “free access to information.” She said that libraries cannot allow “private pressure groups, or politicians, who seek to impose their own political, moral, or religious beliefs by censoring books chosen by professional librarians for library shelves.” The staff of supposed experts, not the parents and taxpayers, must be the judge of what children are given.

Rosie’s Gay Bar

A Florida school board member chaperoned a group of elementary school children on a field trip to Rosie’s, a gay bar, according to photos of the trip she posted to social media.

“I was SO honored to be invited to chaperone Wilton Manors Elementary’s field trip to the incredible Rosie’s! The students and I had a fun walk over and learned a lot about our community! A huge thank you to Rosie’s Bar and Grill for hosting this special field trip every year!, Broward County School Board member Sarah Leonardi posted on her official school board Facebook page Wednesday.

The children were subjected to perverse menu items labeled as:
Motha Cluckers, Pisa Envy, Naked Sweaty Lovin, ‘Beet Your Brains Out, Miley High Club, Bacon Bitty Bang Bang, The Big Dripper Wrap
Notice the very appropriate image behind the children of a horrible monster reaching out to take a hold of their innocent minds.

The judgement that awaits those that cause children to sin is severe. The following Scripture should bring fear upon those that do.

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6

CHRITIANS NEED NEVER FEAR DEATH

Posted on by

Those in Christ should never fear death. The love of God continues from temporal life through to eternal life.

“The church is the only society in the world that never loses any of its members, even by death.” John Blanchard

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalms 116:15

The death of God’s people is safeguarded, watched over, protected, and secured. Much as we safeguard something highly valuable, so God safeguards His people when they die. As Jesus protected His disciples in life, so God protects them in death.

“While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.” John 17:12

“For He delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence He redeems their life, and precious is their blood in His sight.” Psalms 72:12-14

When the wrath of God is poured out on an unrepentant world we are told that the lost will seek death but it will elude them.

“And in those days people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them.” Revelation 9:6

If you are an unbeliever and you are reading this post I hope you will repent of your rejection of God and His values and seek to know what Jesus Christ has accomplished for you when He died on the Cross over 2000 years ago. He died to pay the penalty for your sins so that you might inherit eternal life and not fear death.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:16-18

THE SACRED THINGS OF GOD

Posted on by

For us there are many situations in Scripture which seem to involve a punishment that was too severe for the crime.

God kills Uzzah just because he tried to keep the ark of the covenant from falling. Uzzah touched the ark because the cart it was riding on hit a pothole (2 Samuel 6). It seems like a trivial mistake with good intentions. Sure, God had forbidden anyone from touching the ark, but what was Uzzah supposed to do? Let the holy ark of God fall to the ground?

What about Moses, who didn’t get to see the promised land because he struck the rock rather than speaking to it (Numbers 20)? After everything Moses went through, was it such a big crime to be frustrated with the people and strike the rock in anger?

Then there are Ananias and Sapphira. They were both struck dead because they lied about how much money they donated to the church (Acts 5). And this is in the New Testament! Really, who hasn’t exaggerated?

Sadly, we don’t understand what it means for something to be “sacred.” Jesus taught us in the Lord’s prayer to say “Hallowed be Your name” (Matt. 6:9; Luke 11:2). Do we really understand what we are saying? Like the high priest entering the holy of holy’s, we are to treat prayer as sacred.

“Guard your steps when you enter the house of God, and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Do not be quick to speak with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God.

For God is in heaven, and you are on the earth; therefore may your words be few. For a dream comes when there is a great burden, and a foolish voice when there are many words.” (Eccl. 5:1-3).

In all the above situations, people rushed into something sacred and paid the price. We shouldn’t be surprised; we should be humbled. We have all done things more irreverent than those mentioned above. Let’s thank God for His mercy and tread more carefully into sacred matters. Others may treat these things as common, but we cannot. While others quickly judge God’s actions and question His commands, we are to be careful even to speak His name. We don’t carelessly question His actions or inaction.

We are a part of something much bigger than ourselves, something sacred. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we have been joined to His church. Because of this, we are not only a part of God’s sacred temple but also a part of the heavenly community.

Take some time to read Revelation 4–5 as it describes the scene in heaven. It begins with a majestic picture of God on His throne. The scene is busy and intense: the four living creatures are declaring His holiness, the seven spirits of God are blazing, myriads of angels are praising Jesus with loud voices and the 24 elders are flat on their faces while laying their crowns before Him. Then in 5:8, we finally appear.

“When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of saints” (Rev. 5:8).

Maybe you feel a bit insulted by this. You’re thinking, That’s it? My only part is that my prayers are lumped in with the prayers of all other believers to form a bowl of incense? Don’t worry—you’re also mentioned in verse 13 when your voice joins the chorus of billions.

“Then I heard every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that are in them, saying: ‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and power, forever and ever!” (Rev. 5:13).

What is a tremendous, unspeakable honour may feel insufficient for those who are used to being god of their own blogs and Twitter accounts. It feels insignificant to those who have erected their own shrines on Facebook and Instagram, filled with beautiful pictures of themselves. They don’t realise that true joy comes from the opposite. Joy comes as we stand among those Jesus has redeemed and get lost in a sea of worship, becoming fully a part of something sacred.

Gathering with the church should lead us to holy ground. We get to come and worship someone else, with someone else. We get to pour out love to Him by serving those around us and considering them more important. It’s not about us. And we should be glad. Because this is something far greater. It is sacred.

Adapted from an article by Francis Chan in Ministry for Today Why These Scripture Passages Deeply Bothered Francis Chan

 

IT’S TIME TO GET RIGHT WITH GOD

Posted on by

This 11 minute sermon is even more needed to day than when David Wilkerson produced it almost ten years ago. End Times signs are more evident today than back then.

It seems like we are in “fast forward” mode. Last days prophesied “birth pangs” do increase in intensity with time.

David Wilkerson says in the video, that the younger generation has no fear of God, and yet we know the beginning of wisdom is to fear God. No doubt this lack of fear has been brought about by one of Satan’s most effective strategies – evolution, which has destroyed belief in the Bible as God’s inerrant Word. We need to get equipped to share the Gospel effectively with the abundant resources provided by http://www.creation.com.

https://youtu.be/ItSFit7wNCE