Since yesterday, March 24, 2014 there's been much media buzz about World Vision and their "new" state of apostasy. World Vision announced they will now employ and provide marital benefits for those involved in same sex marriages. I put the word new in quotes because World Vision's apostasy isn't new. Their departure from Christ's vision to come to earth in order to seek and save the lost was abandoned a couple of years ago, at least from what I could find in my research. If you have other information, I welcome correction.

As of January 2012, World Vision has partnered with the well-known and popular heretic, Joel Osteen. You can read an article about it here: Federal Way Mirror Pastors Share Stage With Joel Osteen and/or watch a YouTube video here: Joel Osteen and World Vision Partnership.

Anyone who understands the true Gospel of Jesus Christ realizes that Joel Osteen is nothing but a big bad wolf in flamboyant sheep's clothing. Osteen has confessed multiple times that though he personally believes Christ is the only way to Heaven, he doesn't believe Christ is the only way to Heaven for everyone. Yes, Mr. Osteen says that Hindus, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, etc. can go to Heaven if they sincerely believe in a god; any god, that is, of their own choosing. But don't take my word for it. Watch and listen to this charlatan during an interview with Larry King: Joel Osteen Denies Exclusivity of Christ for Salvation.

In November 2013, World Vision stepped further down the road of apostasy by partnering with New Agers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett. World Vision is one of the sponsors of "The Bible | Son of God Tour 2014" (based on their production of the heretical and blasphemous NOT "The Bible" miniseries) and subsequent big screen blasphemy with their "Son of God" movie that intoxicated viewers with a fake jesus who deluged them with a false gospel.

(I'll share more on this ostentatious "bible" tour in another article. The focus of this piece is on World Vision's worldly vision.)

This brings us to yesterday, where World Vision didn't just take another step towards apostasy, but is now fully immersed in the cesspool of heterodoxy.

According to Christianity Today, World Vision's U.S. president Richard Stearns described this policy change as one that's "symbolic not of compromise but of [Christian] unity." In this same article, Stearns further expresses, "We're not caving to some kind of pressure. We're not on some slippery slope. There is no lawsuit threatening us. There is no employee group lobbying us. This is not us compromising. It is us deferring to the authority of churches and denominations on theological issues. We're an operational arm of the global church, we're not a theological arm of the church."

I completely disagree with Stearns first statement, but partially agree with his last. World Vision is not a church, but they are supposed to be a Christian organization, run by Christians and founded on biblical principles. Which means they have no excuse before God Almighty for their clear choice to disobey His commands which are not difficult to understand nor obey since He put the Spirit of Christ in us (1 Jn 5:3-5).

Though this is disturbing news, as many Christians have already shared, it shouldn't be shocking or even surprising news. As a matter of fact, one might even say, it's welcomed news. And that "one" would be me. Sound crazy? Well, I might be, but it won't be the first time someone told me my thinking was a bit off kilter. And frankly, I'm okay with that. As long as my line of thinking is in accord with Scripture, I'm not really concerned about how alien my thought processes might be to the world (Rom 12:2, 1 Cor 2:14).

I'm not shocked, disturbed or even a bit surprised by this news because these happenings have already been recorded in a mighty, holy and infallible book—the Bible.

"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance  of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at the knowledge of truth."

~2 Timothy 3:1-7 (ESV)

If the evidence of nation rising against nation, the increase of natural disasters, pestilence, the influx of deadly diseases and the ever-increasing moral decay of our world hasn't alerted you that we're most certainly in the last days, then let the continual news about professing Christians and Christian organizations falling away from the faith convince you...just as it has been written.

"And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come... For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

"The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

~Matthew 24:10-14, 24;

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (ESV)

Being in the last days is not bad news. On the contrary, it's good news for all who long for the Day of Christ. But we musn't be selfish and rejoice only for ourselves within the safety of our Christian bubbles. No, the joy of seeing our Lord Jesus face to face ought to compel us all the more to be sober-minded and alert about the the lost and dying world we live in.

As holy and dearly loved children of the Most High God, we ought to daily put on the full armor of God, desire the necessary pains of sanctification and have compassion for those who don't believe, as well as for those who profess they believe, but their acts prove their hearts are far from Him (Is 29:13).

Pray for opportunities and share the Gospel while we still have time (Is 55:6-7). Don't know how to share the Gospel biblically and effectively? No problem, just visit my friends at Living Waters where you'll find a host of resources and practical, everyday ways to share the Gospel.

Rather than allow this news of World Vision's apostasy cause you to become angry or discouraged, use this news as a catalyst for you to be a student of the Word and a laborer in the field, so that on the Day of Christ you'll have no reason to be ashamed when you appear before His judgment seat (2 Cor 5:9-10).

"as it is my full expectation that I will not be ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

"And now, little children, abide in Him [Christ], so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming."

~Philippians 1:20, 1 John 2:28 (ESV)

Being "out there" in social media and writing online brings a lot of people into my life. More than I can fit into my home and more than I can usually respond to in a timely manner...if at all. This makes life a bit more interesting and often fills my days and heart with praise to God, prayers for friends (some I've never met in person) and also some heartaches along the way.

I never set out to be a writer. I never set out to have readers or have people who would "follow" me. I wasn't raised in a Christian home, so I set out to be a diligent student of God's Word. I wanted to learn how to be an excellent Proverbs 31 wife and mother, a loving sister/friend to fellow Christians and an exemplary witness of Christ to the lost world. I set out to know what my spiritual gifts are and use them as God has ordained in His Word (Rom 1:11-12, 15:2; 1 Cor 12:7) to edify the Body and cause many to give thanks to the Father—while bringing glory and honor to His name (1 Pet 1:6-7). That's all.

But then one day, my wise Father in Heaven decided to allow a thorn in my side; a painful and often debilitating medical issue that disables me from using my spiritual gifts as I once did...within the safety of my church's walls and the homes of sisters in Christ.

For the past 10 years my health has slowly declined and in the past five years I've undergone five surgeries, countless tests, numerous procedures, several hospital admissions and too many emergency room visits to mention. With endless medical activities and being in constant pain, daily tasks were often impossible and using my spiritual gifts outside my home were far from my mind. Yet, I was compelled by the Holy Spirit to do well with all that God has given me...to run this race and finish my course (Eph 2:10, Heb 12:1-2).

So my darling husband and I prayed about how I would continue to use the gifts He gave me for the purpose in which He gave them. It seemed impossible. How can I teach and exhort women and encourage all saints to press on toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:14), if I can't even get out of my house? This all happened in 2008 when blogging was still a bit of a mystery to many, including me. As a matter of fact, I'd never heard of it before my husband mentioned it to me.

After much prayer, my wise and loving husband directed me to begin blogging about all that God has taught me. To be honest, I thought this was silly and a bit arrogant. I mean, who am I? I'm a nobody. I'm just a simple Christian stay-at-home-wife and mother. Why would I write anything, put it online and why would anyone read it? Crazy. But trusting God who was kind enough to provide order and give me a wise and godly man as my head, I submitted and began doing what I didn't understand nor felt comfortable doing...blogging.

Surprisingly, people started reading my blog, commenting and even emailing me questions, concerns and requests for prayers. It wasn't too long before sisters who created online women's ministries began to contact me asking if I'd like to join their ministry.

Fast forward six years and here I am...still writing on my personal blog, at The Christian Post Blogs and working on my first women's Bible study entitled, My Second Love: A Study of Biblical Submission and The Proverbs 31 Woman.

So what does all this have to do with praying for a bigger heart rather than a thicker skin?

Being online makes me an easy target for verbal brutality that most would never engage in face-to-face. So, as you can imagine, I could have a pity party, become bitter and quit writing altogether because honestly, I never asked for this. I never set my heart on being a writer or anything that would put in me in the public's eye. I'm inherently an introvert and prefer to spend time alone with God and my family. In general, people frighten me. So I could buck up, and harden my heart (a.k.a thicken my skin) so these verbal daggers no longer hurt me. Or I could choose to learn from faithful saints who've gone before me and emulate my Savior's heart, by loving my enemies.

Because I never desired to write...at all, and surely not in a public arena, I never had, nor now have any personal agenda or motivation to write. Therefore, I don't tend to write about things that garner much applause—which I'm grateful for lest my pride rise up within me and disable me from speaking God's truth.  I simply write as I feel led by the Lord in accordance with His Word and inline with my spiritual gifts. Which means the crux of my writings are exhortations to my brothers and sisters in Christ to remain steadfast and immovable; to contend for the faith and remain faithful to Christ, His Word and His precepts that accords with sound doctrine.

With that said, in the past six years, the Lord has kindly brought me wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage me, challenge me and help me as I follow God's will. I've been greatly encouraged by knowing there are many Christians out there who still hold steadfastly to God's Word, prefer His will over their personal emotions and experiences and who boldly declare the excellencies of Christ and rejoice in His holy magnificence!

Along with these wonderful readers (some who have become my friends), I've also, by God's providence have been allowed some not-so-kind travel companions who are more concerned about making God and His Word pleasing to the world than making their lives most pleasing to God.

Without knowing anything about me or reading the Scriptures I share in my articles that would renew their minds and transform their hearts in Christ, they choose to hurl insults, presume erroneous facts about my character and douse me with extremely painful wishes (e.g., "hope you see Judas in Hell). This makes me want to run and hide. So I do...to my God and Savior, Jesus Christ, my Strong Tower, who reminds me that no matter how wretched people think I am, I know I am worse—or else God the Father would've never sacrificed His one and only Son to save me.

"When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and as he came he cursed continually. And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David, and all the people and all the mighty men...

"Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, 'Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head.' But the king said, 'What have I do to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, 'Curse David,' who then shall say, 'Why have you done so?... It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong done to me, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing today.' So David and his men went on the road, while Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went and threw stones at him and flung dust."

"For this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly."

~2 Samuel 16:5-6, 9-10, 12-14;

1 Peter 2:21-23 (ESV)

I am grateful for all the precious brothers and sisters whom the Lord has brought to encourage and pray for me. And I'm continually learning to pray for a bigger heart, so I can be just as grateful for those whom the Lord has allowed to curse me.

I hope this has encouraged some of you today who may be enduring similar trials because of your abandoned love for Christ.

Remember, our lives here are but a mist, and it'll all be better when we get Home (2 Cor 4:16-18, Col 3:1-4).

On Friday, February 28, 2014 Ray Comfort and his Living Waters staff released for download, their latest movie/documentary, "Noah—And the Last Days".

This film is not a reenactment of the life of the historical Noah, but a refreshing 30-minute movie that biblically and accurately depicts how the life of this righteous man is pertinent to our world today. "Noah" includes 10 biblical prophecies (which I share below), the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and interviews from ordinary people like you and me.

Unfortunately, there's another movie on the horizon about Noah. This movie, starring Russell Crow, was produced by Hollywood and will be opening in theaters the same day (March 28) Ray Comfort's Noah movie will be available on YouTube and DVD. As expected, Hollywood maligned the character of Noah; the one whom God said was the only righteous man of his time.

"The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually...But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God."

~Genesis 6:5, 8-9 (ESV)

Hollywood's version of Noah is an overly zealous, environmental psychopath who wanted to kill his grandchildren. Not quite the character God had written about Him in His Word. Far from it. Why does it matter whether or not Noah's character is maligned? It matters because Noah and the ark were shadows of the Christ to come—the one who would and has come to save people from the fatal consequences our sins deserve (Rom 3:23-25, 6:23). And when you mess with Christ, you mess with His Gospel. And when you mess with the Gospel, you mess with the eternal salvation of lost souls. And when you do that, well, you're just not a loving person. At least not in the biblical sense (1 Jn 4:8, 5:2-3).

On the brighter and more biblical side, Ray Comfort's "Noah" movie enlightens the hearts of the interviewees with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and wisely pricks the hearts of many with discerning questions about life, death and eternity. And if we're humble in heart, it ought to have the same affect on us, the viewers.

The movie opens with Ray interviewing people on the street, asking if they believe Noah was a real person and do they believe there was a worldwide flood? The first person questioned said she didn't believe Noah really existed because she was happy with her atheism, but was open to myths. Ray then quotes Matthew 24:37 as he leads us to the 10 biblical prophecies (with references included) that correspond with the story of Noah and what's happening in our world today.

Along with each biblical end time prophesies listed above, clips of actual events and interviews of those who are affected by these are appropriately included.

One of the interviewees was Professor of Geology and Oceanography, Rick Behl of California State University-Long Beach. When Ray asked the Professor where all the water from the earth originated, his response essentially was that most of it came from comets. Then when Ray asked if his response was a fact or mere theory, Professor Behl chuckled and said, "Nothing about the origin of the earth is fact."

After Ray interviews people regarding each of the 10 biblical end times prophecies shared in this documentary, he then asks them to consider their eternal outcome in accordance to God's Word. When presented with the light of the Ten Commandments (Rom 7:7), and asked how he'd be found in God's sight, one of the interviewees responded, "I'd obviously be guilty unless it's the worst judicial system I've seen."

Ray closes the movie with, "We didn't produce 'Noah' to entertain you. We produced it in the sincere hope that you'd obey the Gospel, that you'd repent of your sins and trust alone in Jesus Christ, so we'll see you in Heaven."

I enjoyed this movie not because it was entertaining (not that I don't enjoy being entertained), but because it was more meaningful than mere entertainment which is like cotton candy—it's fun, tastes good, makes me feel good, but has no lasting affect after it's gone. There's a time and place for every activity (Ecc 3:1), and just the same there's an appropriate time and way to be entertained (which Scripture should never be used for), and there are times we need to buckle up and seriously consider the ramifications of the careless words we speak and actions we take.

Jesus is clear. He came the first time as a lamb to be slaughtered; as a propitiation for our sins. The second time He comes, it will be as a roaring lion; coming to destroy all who hate and deny Him.

One of the things I particularly like about the way Ray shares the Gospel and speaks with people is the clear evidence that he cares. It's difficult to watch Ray interact with people and come away without seeing the deep love for our Savior and extreme compassion for the lost. Ray also demonstrates great passion to see God's people rise up and join the battle to contend for the faith and make disciples—not false converts. Ray not only asks good, heart-piercing questions, but he also listens carefully to those he speaks with; which is obvious, as he responds directly to what they're saying rather than continue on with an off topic he already had in mind.

Being a good listener is key to being a good communicator. And Ray Comfort is a good communicator, especially for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It was deliberate. I heard Hollywood was making a movie about Noah that wasn't biblical. Hollywood knows how to make money from Christians. All they need to do is keep some biblical aspects, i.e., Cecil B. DeMille didn't make "The Twelve Commandments", he made "The Ten Commandments" and we Christians will love you and support you and give you our money.

But if they displayed the Prophet Muhammad as a psychopath you won't see Muslims lining up at the theaters two by two. You wouldn't see this because Muslims wouldn't stand for it and neither should Christians stand for this from Hollywood. Hollywood would never blaspheme the name of Muhammad like they blaspheme the name of our Lord...they wouldn't dare because they know there would be repercussions.

As with all your films, when you present the Gospel, you first share the Ten Commandments, emphasizing that our eternal salvation is a legal transaction between God and man. Why?

The Bible says sin is the transgression of the Law (1 Jn 3:4). The Law is the Ten Commandments. The Bible says God is a just Judge and we stand as guilty criminals before a holy God. We've violated His Law and our sentence is terminal. Jesus Christ came and paid our fine in full. That's what the Cross is all about. That's why Jesus cried, "It is finished". God can now legally dismiss our case in the courtroom. He can commute our death sentence and let us live because of the suffering, death and resurrection of our Savior.

What was your main motivation and what are your hopes for this movie?

I have a burning passion in life to see people in Heaven. Never before have we had a vehicle like the internet to spread the Gospel. Hundreds of years ago we'd put missionaries on a ship and it would take weeks, families would die of malaria and they would suffer many other unspeakable hardships. Today, all we need to do is push the "send" button and we can reach millions of people.

What makes a Christian video go viral? You do.

Flooding of Living Waters parking lot on February 28, 2014. Photo: Ray Comfort

A special message from Ray:

Those of you who took advantage of our pre-release download offer on "Evolution vs. God" enabled us to fund the production of "Noah—And the Last Days." We would be grateful if you would consider doing the same with this movie, and in turn help us to continue producing similar projects in the future. 

When you download this movie for $19.99, you will get a free downloadable Companion Guide (valued at $4.99) containing further evidence for the Ark and the worldwide Flood, plus a special video message by Ken Ham, "Creation and the Last Days" (valued at $12.99).

"Noah—And the Last Days" will be available on YouTube and DVD starting March 28. See more at: http://www.noahthemovie.com