In the New Year, God Is Doing Something Old

Every New Year's, many people turn into Athenians.

"For all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time in nothing else, but either telling or hearing something new" (Acts 17:21).

Everyone seems to be looking for a new word. What is God saying? What is the newest thing God is doing? Who has had a vision? What is prophet so and so saying? It seems to be the trend every New Year's. And this leads to all kinds of click-bait articles to draw you into a sensational word.

Why robot brothels are not the solution to America's STD crisis

With several sexually transmitted diseases reaching an all-time high in the U.S., could sex robots be the answer? Catholics leaders say no, because the alleged benefits of “sexbots” will never outweigh the harms inflicted upon the person and authentic human sexuality.

“There are all sorts of bad solutions to a legitimate problem. Even if it were the case that sex robots would cut down on STDs, it wouldn’t make sex robots a good idea,” said Matt Fradd, author of The Porn Myth.

Pope Francis: Invite God to dwell in your heart this Christmas

God offers himself to us in the manger in Bethlehem, Pope Francis said in his Christmas homily Monday night, inviting each heart to welcome this heavenly gift.

“At Christmas, we on earth receive Jesus, the bread from heaven,” Pope Francis said Dec. 24 in St. Peter’s Basilica. “We discover that the life of God can enter into our hearts and dwell there.”

“If we welcome that gift, history changes, starting with each of us. For once Jesus dwells in our heart, the center of life is no longer my ravenous and selfish ego, but the One who is born and lives for love,” he added.

The pope’s homily at the Midnight Mass of Christmas centered on the meaning of Christ’s birthplace, Bethlehem, which translates to “House of Bread” in Aramaic and Hebrew.

The Hidden Message Revealed Through Each Detail of the Christmas Story

Neither the plot, the place, nor the people included in the Christmas story came about by happenstance. No, each detail was strategically selected by God to reveal the message of all messages. Kyle Winkler's inspirational Christmas short film will awe you with the revelation.

What went wrong in the Sexual Revolution? This documentary takes a look

The story of a donor-conceived woman. The Sexual Revolution of the 1960s. The development of birth control. And a papal document that shocked the world. These themes come together in a new documentary, Sexual Revolution--50 Years Since Humanae Vitae.

What we can learn from the beauty of Christmas carols

One of the perpetual complaints against Christianity is that it is a life-denying, puritanical system. In the Victorian era, poet Algernon Swinburne referred to Christ as the "pale Galilean" from whose breath "the world has grown grey." In our own time, films and television shows such as The Handmaid's Tale portray Christians as robotic control freaks. Meanwhile, elite commentators contend that the only reason Christians oppose same-sex "marriage" and transgendered toddlers is that they are full of hate.

One way to rebut the charge is to point to the fact that traditional Christmas carols – the ones that retell the central Christian story – are generally full of joy and gladness. They are decidedly not "grey" or "life-denying." What, exactly, one might ask, are the life-denying elements in Joy to the World and Ding Dong! Merrily on High?

But before getting to the carols, it's instructive to note that Christianity's two main competitors for the souls of men – secularism and Islam – actually are on the grey and grim side of the continuum. That's easy enough to see in Islam. With its burqas, alcohol ban, and rigid rules of behavior, Islam actually is a puritanical religion. But so, in its own way, is secularism. Today's universities, which are almost totally controlled by secularists, have elaborate behavior and speech codes which effectively take the spontaneity out of relationships and even out of simple conversation. You have to tread carefully in the secular world because it is seeded with hidden booby traps. Try reciting one of Swinburne's poems to a group of fellow student and you might end up in diversity hell. You never know what will offend the new puritans until it's too late.

LDS Church allows women missionaries to wear pants

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had announced that female missionaries will now be allowed to wear pants, specifically dress slacks, when doing mission work.

Church leadership had previously allowed women to wear dress slacks when doing mission work during the wet seasons in nations where mosquito-borne diseases are common.

The new change in dress code for women allows for the wearing of dress slacks all year round at their discretion, according to an announcement released Thursday.

Holy See dissatisfied Poland climate summit downplayed human rights

In a statement Wednesday, the Holy See said the rules for implementing the Paris Agreement, established during the recent UN climate change summit in Poland earlier this month, are lacking in urgency and in proper concern for human rights.

“We are grateful to the leaders from States and other stakeholders who contributed to this multilateral dialogue and the writing of the rulebook. Unfortunately, we must also note that the rulebook does not adequately reflect the urgency necessary to tackle climate change,” the Holy See stated Dec. 19.

How to Take Down 13 Demonic Strongholds That Bind You

Intercessory prayer can break demonic strongholds. Here is a list of those to be mindful of when praying:

Cluster 1—Anger, hatred, malice, rage, murder, temper, cursing, vengeance, retaliation, violence, abuse, cruelty, sadism, unforgiveness, bitterness, being judgmental or critical, taking offense easily/irritability, anger towards men or women, anger towards mother or father, anger towards authority, anger/resentment towards God

Cluster 2—Fear, fear of man, fear of authority, doubt/unbelief, dread, worry, anxiety, fear the worst will happen, fear of various illnesses like cancer, fear people will get angry with you or won't like you, spirit of false responsibility, spirit of rush

Pastor Breaks 18-Year Silence About Speaking in Tongues

After 18 years of silence, Pastor Shane Idleman finally opens up about his experience with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues.

He kept it quiet because he was so afraid of the opinions of others—until God called him out.

Watch the video for his story.

How to Wage 'Good Warfare' to Claim Your Prophetic Destiny

Dr. Reg Morais, senior pastor of Living Faith Community Church in Perth, Australia, says Paul's instructions to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:18 are a model for how believers today should wage "good warfare." Morais also mentions there is a global prophetic movement taking place in churches around the world. He explains more in this video.

Pope Francis explains symbolism of Vatican Christmas tree and sand nativity

As the Vatican illuminated its 65-foot Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square Friday, Pope Francis shared the deeper meaning found in the traditional festive spruce.

The signs and symbols found in Christmas traditions can “help us to contemplate the mystery of God made man to be close to each one of us,” Francis said Dec. 7.

9 Common Myths Christians Believe At Christmas

Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year, because it calls our attention to one of the most beautiful teachings of Scripture — the Incarnation of Christ. When you realize the incredible truths behind the reality that God came and dwelt among us, it can’t help but impact the way you live. Plus, it’s an awesome reminder that God kept His promises from the Old Testament to send a Messiah to rescue His people from their sins.

However, since that time, many myths have been added to the greatest story ever told.

Here are nine common myths Christians believe at Christmas:

Churches turned into military barracks, people killed: Cameroon Christians cry out

Cameroonian Christians are crying out against the ongoing violence in their country, where churches are being converted into military barracks and believers are forced to flee.

“We need peace and the United Nations intervention," a Methodist Christian, whose identity wasn't revealed, told Protestant Digital.

“Many people die every day, homes and villages are burned, there are famished people and also those who take refuge in Nigeria. We do not have a voice in our country."

How You've Given Satan Legal Rights to Harass You

Jesus told His followers many times in the Gospels to forgive those who sin against them—no matter how many times they do it.

But did He give that command simply because it's a nice thin (EO)g to do? Or does unforgiveness have a deeper effect on our souls and bodies?

Watch as Pastor Candice Smithyman interviews deliverance minister Kathy DeGraw about the role of unforgiveness in Satan's attacks on our lives. Learn how to destroy the works of the enemy and prevent strongholds in your life!

Pope Francis to visit Abu Dhabi in February 2019

Pope Francis will travel to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates Feb. 3-5 to participate in an international interfaith meeting, the Vatican announced Thursday.

“This visit, like the one to Egypt, shows the fundamental importance the Holy Father gives to inter-religious dialogue. Pope Francis visiting the Arab world is a perfect example of the culture of encounter,” papal spokesman Greg Burke said Dec. 6.

 

The papal trip is the second visit to a Muslim country scheduled for 2019; Pope Francis will also visit Morocco March 30-31.

Beware the Doctrine of the Modern-Day Nicolaitan Apostles

Nicolaitan apostles are rising. It's a new breed, but then again, it's not a new breed at all. Jesus warned us about Nicolaitan leaders in his letter to the church in Pergamum.

"So you also have those who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will war against them with the sword of My mouth" (Rev. 2:15-16).

Noteworthy is the fact that Jesus applauded the church at Ephesus in an earlier letter and noted how he "hated" this Nicolaitan doctrine. So, what, exactly, was the teaching of the Nicolaitans?

Iowa prisoners sue to get their pornography back

Dozens of Iowa inmates have filed a lawsuit challenging a ban on pornography which has affected the state’s prisons in recent weeks.

The law, which took effect Nov. 14, prohibits pornographic material and puts an end to “pornography reading rooms” in all of Iowa’s nine state prisons.

Pastor John Gray draws praise, caution after allowing congregants to take cash from offering

Pastor John Gray's recent move to allow members of his church to take cash from the offering baskets has stirred discussion, with some applauding him for helping those in need and others expressing caution.

Praising Gray, Bishop Alphonza Gadsden of Cummins Memorial Theological Seminary in Summerville, South Carolina, told a local media on Friday that he believes the church should be doing more to help the needy.

“Having felt as if he is led by the Spirit of God to do this, then I think it’s a great gesture,” Gadsden commented. “I believe that the church needs to play a more active role within the community and if it means helping those who are indigent and don’t have a means of support then by all means the church should be able to do that.”