CATHOLICISM – – – HALF CHRISTIANITY

The Catholic Church says Jesus is our Savior—got that right—that’s Biblical.
“Jesus said, ‘I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life—no one comes to God the Father except through Me.'”

The Catholic Church adds stuff to Christianity, stuff to do to be right with God—got that wrong—that’s not Biblical.
“By grace you are saved, through faith. It is the gift of God, not of works, so no one can boast.”

Keep it simple—the Bible keeps it simple—come to God as a little child would come to God.
Keep it simple—the Catholic Church makes it complicated—and they are not the only church that makes it complicated.

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Is there a test, a rule of thumb, something to check if a church is keeping things simple, Biblical ?
Yes.

Does the church teaching and preaching quote and emphasize what the Bible says more than what the church says ?
Can the listener tell when the leader is saying words from the Bible or saying words from people ?
Does the church’s theology start with Bible passages or with the church’s doctrinal statements ?

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Can a church offer half Christianity—what the Bible says, plus what man says ?
Trusting any theologian, however educated or revered, is more dangerous than trusting someone from the government, however impressive or persuasive.
Trust the Bible, first, last, always—know what’s in it yourself—read it, study it, live it—then you will discern what teaching is directly from the Bible.

“If anyone desires to do God’s will, he will know the doctrine, whether my teaching is from God, or whether I speak on My own.”—–Jesus said that, and every preacher should also.

JEHOVAH _____

The Old Testament has many names for God, according to His attributes.
Jehovah Jirah—The Lord Who Provides
Jehovah Rapha—The Lord Who Heals
Jehovah Nissi—The Lord Our Banner
Jehovah Rohi—The Lord Is My Shepherd
Jehovah Shalom—The Lord Is Peace
Jehovah Tsidkenu—The Lord Our Righteousness
And more

Jeff Shreve (on afr) added one—
JEHOVA NICKO’TIME

“God is rarely early, but He’s always on time.”

RICH – – – WHAT FOR ?

Rich—toward what ?

Rich—toward whom ?

Rich—have it all, and Jesus ?

Rich—comfortable ?

Rich—give ?

Rich—sacrifice ?

Rich—suffering ?

Rich—Can you surrender ALL to Jesus, and still maintain your standard of living ?

Rich—Who decides your standard of living ?

Rich—What determines your contentment ?

Rich—How much is enough, for you ?

? ? ? “If God gave me the gift of making money (lots of it), then I should spend my life making all I can.” ? ? ? ?
Then what ?
Rich—what for ?

A millionaire friend told me to focus only on making money for a couple years (contracts for full-time bobcat work), and pause helping others whenever they ask, to get out of debt—then return to helping others, with freedom.
Getting out of debt is very good, Biblical—but my pastor immediately pointed out a problem with my ‘successful’ friend’s plan.
He said that once you get used to making more money, it is unlikely you will return to helping others later.