This article was contributed by
Steve Morris and others
and has been edited for even further clarification by those who care.
________________________________
Characteristics of
Authoritarian/Abusive/Cult Organizations/Churches.
________________________________
1. The people are really there to meet the needs of the leaders, rather
than the leaders for the people. This can be in the form of ego, finances,
power and position.
True shepherds will help, guard, protect,
and build the flock so the flock can walk in its own strength. The shepherds
don't own the flock. A true shepherd points people to dependance upon Jesus and
to God as your Source.
2. The leaders continually remind members
of their own authority—because it isn't based on genuine Godly character, their
message or their lifestyle.
The most distinctive characteristic of a
spiritually abusive religious system, or leader, is the over-emphasis on
authority. Because a group claims to have been established by God Himself [with
special endowments] the leaders in this system claim the right to command their
followers.
3. If you mention a problem, then you
become the problem. You are accused of causing them, not simply exposing them.
The truth about any issue is settled and handed down from the leader.
The Word is not the final authority, the
leader is.
4. Loyalty is demanded by the leader
and/or his organization, instead of to Christ. Often fear of bad repercussions
will threatened if you leave or do not follow the agenda.
5. Secrecy, surprises and suspense are
utilized to continue to cause chaos and confusion. They are "the only ones
who know," you have no access to the "truths" they receive.
People hide what is inappropriate, not what is appropriate.
6. Unbalanced doctrines are taught, i.e.,
prophecy, biblical law or esoteric methods of biblical interpretation and
spiritual methods, to the exclusion of the whole counsel of God. This validates
the group's claim of special status.
________________________________
Techniques used for control
________________________________
1. Excess flattery. We all want to think we're special, and respond readily
to a "special" group of people who are considered to be
"insiders." We all want to be a part of the "elite" group,
but Jesus died for everyone to have full, equal and adequate access to the
Father. The veil was rent that all may see.
2. A promise to bring you into an
authoritarian cause, as a leader. There is a follow up on the flattery by
urging you to use your "unique personal talents" to guide and teach
others. Instead of being a servant to others, you are now a lord to others and
your greatness is in your position.
3. A position of great authority over you
is assumed. They will contact you again and again to try to get you to attend
some sort of meeting, party or other special event and use other socially
manipulative tactics in an effort to recruit you into the group—all for your
own good, of course.
4. You will be lead to respond to
questions with the answers they most want you to give by affirming their
authority. This can often be a group psychology. They continue to flatter you,
while leading you though a hidden agenda and making it appear as though the
answers you gave meant that you strongly supported their point of view of your
own free will.
5. The former flattery will be used
against you. Now disappointed, in contrast with wild praise, the perceived loss
of esteem such a response entails can serve as a powerful force motivating
dissenters to "get with the program."
They will let you know in so many words
that you "owe" them for your blessings. God does not work that way.
We don't like to disappoint those who initially claim to be impressed with us,
especially when they assume a position of authority over us and claim to have "selected"
us for membership in some supposed special group.
Cult leaders and other authoritarian
figures typically use this psychological phenomenon to their advantage. The
underside of flattery is manipulation.
6. The rules of the game will be changed
early on, with no warning, and proceed as though nothing unusual had happened.
Such "bait and switch" tactics are typical of those who attempt to
recruit others into authoritarian movements. When we find ourselves giving in
to such strategies, and feeling reluctant to question those who are setting
themselves up as knowing what is best for us, we can slowly begin to
internalize their point of view and make the act of repressing any doubts we
may have into a fundamental component of our own thought processes. Your mind is
not your own anymore.
7. They will contradict themselves many
times in the course of your relationship with them. They will cover their
tracks by repeatedly verbalizing their stated objections toward the very
tactics they used to manipulate you from the start. In other words, they are
accusing you of what they are guilty of!
They believe your view of yourself as an
independent, free-thinking person would most likely make it difficult for you
to recognize fully the many ways in which they were controlling the underlying
agenda from the start.
8. The desire to avoid feelings of
disillusionment and isolation may be one of the most powerful factors
motivating those who choose to remain members of various cult groups and other
authoritarian movements, even after it appears obvious that the extraordinary
hopes and desires they had when they first joined a particular group are never
likely to be fulfilled.
This can occur because of the hopes for
relationships and significance were considered part of the prize. If your
foundation is really on Jesus, then everything built upon that will ultimately
stand, in spite of the winds of adversity.
________________________________
IF YOU ARE NOT AS FREE TO LEAVE AS YOU
WERE TO COME IN, YOU ARE IN A CULT! IF CONDEMNATION (RATHER THAN A HEALTHY
DISAPPOINTMENT TO SEE YOU LEAVE) AND EMOTIONAL MANIPULATIONS ARE SEEKING TO
CONTROL YOU, BE GLAD THAT YOU LEFT! IT WILL NEVER GET BETTER.
WE ARE CALLED TO BE PART OF THE BODY OF
CHRIST--WHICH IS WORLD WIDE AND BASED ON SCRIPTURE AND THE LIBERATING SPIRIT OF
GOD--NOT THE DOCTRINES OF MAN. IN CHRIST, YOU ARE FREE! FREE TO SERVE, FREE TO
LIVE AND FREE TO DO RIGHT.
THE STRONGER THE CONTROL, THE MORE LIKELY
YOU ARE TO FACE VERY UNPLEASANT AND UNHEALTHY CONSEQUENCES. THERE ARE MANY
CHURCHES, MANY OF WHICH ARE VERY GOOD. PLEASE KEEP LOOKING UNTIL YOU FIND WHAT
GIVES YOU GOOD MENTAL HEALTH AND TREATS OTHER PEOPLE WITH RESPECT.
Rabu, 27 Mei 2009
Selasa, 26 Mei 2009
Tsunami on July 22nd?
we do not know whether this is true but it is good to be aware and alert about this.
Chris.k
“Hello there. I just wanted 2 let you know that please stay away from the beaches all around in the month of July. There is a prediction that there will be another tsunami hitting on July 22nd. It is also when there will be sun eclipse. Predicted that it is going 2 be really bad and countries like Malaysia (Sabah & Sarawak), Singapore, Maldives, Australia, Mauritius, Si Lanka, India, Indonesia, Philippines are going 2 be badly hit. Please try and stay away from the beaches in July. Better 2 be safe than sorry. Please pass the word around. Please also pray for all beings.”
Rabu, 20 Mei 2009
AWAKE !
DAVE WILKERSON's VISIONS
-Dr. David R. Reagan (Mar 26)
Dave Wilkerson, the pastor of Times Square Church in New York
City, has spoken out once again concerning God's impending
judgment upon this country. He has called on Americans to stock
food and water in preparation for "an earth-shattering calamity" that
will cause even the most godliest among us to tremble. Once again,
as he has done several times before, he tells of visions he has
experienced in which he has seen New York City burning, as well
as other major cities across the United States.
Many have called or written to ask what I think of Wilkerson's
alarming warning. First, let me say that I have the highest respect
for Dave Wilkerson. His track record over the years of service in the
Lord's Kingdom has shown beyond doubt that he is a man mightily
anointed by God's Spirit. The accomplishments of his amazing
ministry in New York City are beyond human capability. And although
he is a Pentecostal, he has spent a good portion of his ministry
speaking out against the emotional excesses and doctrinal errors
of both the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements. I personally
began supporting Dave Wilkerson's ministry in 1974 and have
continued to do so to this day, for 35 years, by sending him a
donation each month. It is the only ministry I have supported that
long. After the 9/11 attacks, our ministry raised over $30,000 for
emergency relief, and we sent all the money to Dave Wilkerson's
church.
For years Wilkerson was the darling of the Pentecostal Movement
because of the fame that came his way through his remarkable
book, The Cross and the Switchblade — the story of how God
worked through him to convert one of the violent gang leaders of
New York City. But in 1974, many Pentecostals and Charismatics
washed their hands of him because he published a hard-hitting book
called The Vision in which he condemned the sins of America,
called the nation to repentance, and warned of God's coming judgment
if we failed to repent. He was immediately condemned as a "doom
and gloom" prophet. Those church leaders who were seeking
pillow-prophets with only a positive message decided to pull
Wilkerson's books from their church book stores. And the
non-Pentecostal and non-Charismatic community wrote him off
as some sort of nut case.
Since that time his detractors have harped over and over on two
points: 1) His visions concerning America's destruction have not
come true, and 2) There is no need for prophetic words apart from
the Bible. My first response to these criticisms is to point out that
seldom ever did the prophecies of biblical prophets come true
in their lifetimes. For example, many of the prophecies of Isaiah,
such as those pertaining to Babylon, did not come true until 150
years after his death. Some were fulfilled 700 years later during
the lifetime of Jesus. And most are still waiting for fulfillment 2,700
years later and will not be fulfilled until Jesus returns.
My second point is that the Bible teaches that God never pours
out His wrath on a nation without warning, and He warns in two
ways — through prophetic voices and remedial judgments. I
believe Dave Wilkerson is God's Jeremiah to the United States,
and I believe we should pay close attention to his warnings.
Wilkerson believes that our nation has reached the critical point
where God has decided — because of our continuing stubborn
rebellion — to deliver us from judgment to destruction.
The Bible says that in the end times God will give visions to
many people, both male and female, young and old (Joel
2:28-29). All such visions must be tested against the Word.
The visions God has given to Dave Wilkerson showing our
major cities burning, with civil rioting in the streets, do not
violate any biblical principle. In fact, such destruction and
rioting could be the product of any of the end time scenarios
I have outlined for America in my book, America the Beautiful?
The United States in Bible Prophecy. I think Wilkerson's
warnings are biblically sound. I think we should heed his
warnings to prepare for the worst, and I believe we should
respond to his call to pray as we have never prayed before
for our nation and our leaders. We need to pray also for our
churches. We are living on the threshold of the Tribulation.
Jesus is at the very gates of Heaven waiting for His Father's
command to return.
The signs of the times are shouting from the heavens that
our time is short. Yet, the average church is totally oblivious
to the fact that we are living on borrowed time. Rather than
preaching repentance, the preaching is focused on feel-good
themes in response to the desire of people to have their ears
tickled. I am not a Pentecostal or a Charismatic, but I am a
person who knows God's Prophetic Word and how God deals
with nations. Dave Wilkerson's warnings are right on target,
and we would be foolish to dismiss them out of hand. I praise
God for Wilkerson's courage to proclaim an unpopular message.
He is being crucified in the press - even by Evangelicals. That's
exactly what happened to Jeremiah, except that his people tried
to go one step further by attempting to kill him. True prophets
are never popular.
"If you believe what you like in the Gospel, and reject what you
don't like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself." - Augustine
-Dr. David R. Reagan (Mar 26)
Dave Wilkerson, the pastor of Times Square Church in New York
City, has spoken out once again concerning God's impending
judgment upon this country. He has called on Americans to stock
food and water in preparation for "an earth-shattering calamity" that
will cause even the most godliest among us to tremble. Once again,
as he has done several times before, he tells of visions he has
experienced in which he has seen New York City burning, as well
as other major cities across the United States.
Many have called or written to ask what I think of Wilkerson's
alarming warning. First, let me say that I have the highest respect
for Dave Wilkerson. His track record over the years of service in the
Lord's Kingdom has shown beyond doubt that he is a man mightily
anointed by God's Spirit. The accomplishments of his amazing
ministry in New York City are beyond human capability. And although
he is a Pentecostal, he has spent a good portion of his ministry
speaking out against the emotional excesses and doctrinal errors
of both the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements. I personally
began supporting Dave Wilkerson's ministry in 1974 and have
continued to do so to this day, for 35 years, by sending him a
donation each month. It is the only ministry I have supported that
long. After the 9/11 attacks, our ministry raised over $30,000 for
emergency relief, and we sent all the money to Dave Wilkerson's
church.
For years Wilkerson was the darling of the Pentecostal Movement
because of the fame that came his way through his remarkable
book, The Cross and the Switchblade — the story of how God
worked through him to convert one of the violent gang leaders of
New York City. But in 1974, many Pentecostals and Charismatics
washed their hands of him because he published a hard-hitting book
called The Vision in which he condemned the sins of America,
called the nation to repentance, and warned of God's coming judgment
if we failed to repent. He was immediately condemned as a "doom
and gloom" prophet. Those church leaders who were seeking
pillow-prophets with only a positive message decided to pull
Wilkerson's books from their church book stores. And the
non-Pentecostal and non-Charismatic community wrote him off
as some sort of nut case.
Since that time his detractors have harped over and over on two
points: 1) His visions concerning America's destruction have not
come true, and 2) There is no need for prophetic words apart from
the Bible. My first response to these criticisms is to point out that
seldom ever did the prophecies of biblical prophets come true
in their lifetimes. For example, many of the prophecies of Isaiah,
such as those pertaining to Babylon, did not come true until 150
years after his death. Some were fulfilled 700 years later during
the lifetime of Jesus. And most are still waiting for fulfillment 2,700
years later and will not be fulfilled until Jesus returns.
My second point is that the Bible teaches that God never pours
out His wrath on a nation without warning, and He warns in two
ways — through prophetic voices and remedial judgments. I
believe Dave Wilkerson is God's Jeremiah to the United States,
and I believe we should pay close attention to his warnings.
Wilkerson believes that our nation has reached the critical point
where God has decided — because of our continuing stubborn
rebellion — to deliver us from judgment to destruction.
The Bible says that in the end times God will give visions to
many people, both male and female, young and old (Joel
2:28-29). All such visions must be tested against the Word.
The visions God has given to Dave Wilkerson showing our
major cities burning, with civil rioting in the streets, do not
violate any biblical principle. In fact, such destruction and
rioting could be the product of any of the end time scenarios
I have outlined for America in my book, America the Beautiful?
The United States in Bible Prophecy. I think Wilkerson's
warnings are biblically sound. I think we should heed his
warnings to prepare for the worst, and I believe we should
respond to his call to pray as we have never prayed before
for our nation and our leaders. We need to pray also for our
churches. We are living on the threshold of the Tribulation.
Jesus is at the very gates of Heaven waiting for His Father's
command to return.
The signs of the times are shouting from the heavens that
our time is short. Yet, the average church is totally oblivious
to the fact that we are living on borrowed time. Rather than
preaching repentance, the preaching is focused on feel-good
themes in response to the desire of people to have their ears
tickled. I am not a Pentecostal or a Charismatic, but I am a
person who knows God's Prophetic Word and how God deals
with nations. Dave Wilkerson's warnings are right on target,
and we would be foolish to dismiss them out of hand. I praise
God for Wilkerson's courage to proclaim an unpopular message.
He is being crucified in the press - even by Evangelicals. That's
exactly what happened to Jeremiah, except that his people tried
to go one step further by attempting to kill him. True prophets
are never popular.
"If you believe what you like in the Gospel, and reject what you
don't like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself." - Augustine
Selasa, 19 Mei 2009
ABOUT GIVING
zoe ministries
GL Garden 01-21-02, Solok Paya Terubong 8, 11060 Penang, Malaysia
House Phone: 604-8277554 Hand
Phone: 60165318276. Email: cvs3zoe@yahoo.com
Ephesians 4:11-12(NKJV) 11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some
evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of
the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NKJV) 6But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let
each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of
necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.. 8 And God is able
to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in
all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
Paul wanted the Corinthian
Christians to give generously toward a fund-raising project to help needy
Christians. He linked generosity with spiritual benefits: the more one gives,
the more one benefits. We are constant recipients of God’s generous grace. He
promises that if we will give of ourselves, He’ll enable us to have an
abundance of resources for the work to which He has called us
My
friends and partners in the Kingdom of God,
At
this time when the whole world is facing a financial crisis, we who are God’s
people should continue to focus on fulfilling God’s purpose. Continue to give
yourselves like our Lord Jesus did for the restoration of mankind.
Some
wisdom for giving:
1]
Give towards building up of lives.
A) First to the household of
believers.
B) Second to unbelievers.
2]
Give towards the welfare of God’s ministers. They might not be part of the
institutional church or staff of a church. As long as they serve the living God
they are God’s ministers.
3]
Take care of the minister’s family including the children’s education, because
they have given their lives for the ministry of God. Many children of God’s
ministers hate God and God’s ministry because they feel that they and their
education are neglected because of God and His ministry.
4]
Learn to distribute what God has provided without fear or favour but by faith.
Do not give to manipulate and control. But give to release ministers so that
they can do the ministry of God with less hindrance.
5]
Look out for small church pastors and ministry leaders and go out and encourage
them with your giving and your prayer support. They are in the front line
struggling and suffering silently, all alone trying to serve God and also take
care of their own families.
6] Do
not give to the rich but to the poor.
7] Do
not give your substance for the building of buildings [dead stones] and
monuments but for the up building of “the temple of God [living stones]”.
8] Change
your lifestyle into a simple one so that you can help support ministers who are
worthy of support. Support those who have given themselves sacrificially to the
ministry of God. Seek out for them for they are out there. They might not be
good in marketing themselves but they are man and woman of God.
Friends,
we are a faith ministry. We also need help from other members of the “Body of
Christ” so that we can help others rise up and fulfil God’s purpose and bring
glory to HIS Name. When you are lead by the Father to give towards our living
and ministry then send it to:
KRISHNASAMY
A/L RAMASAMY
I/C Number -540303-07-5307
May Bank account number : 107125195025
Home Branch number 07125 -KAMPONG BHARU
Swift Code: MBBEMYKL
Or
KASIKORNBANK
Account number: 548-2-01969-4
In His
Majesty’s Service
Christopher.K
In
His Majesty’s Service
Christopher.K
14/5/2009
GL Garden 01-21-02, Solok Paya Terubong 8, 11060 Penang, Malaysia
House Phone: 604-8277554 Hand
Phone: 60165318276. Email: cvs3zoe@yahoo.com
Ephesians 4:11-12(NKJV) 11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some
evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of
the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NKJV) 6But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let
each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of
necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.. 8 And God is able
to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in
all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
Paul wanted the Corinthian
Christians to give generously toward a fund-raising project to help needy
Christians. He linked generosity with spiritual benefits: the more one gives,
the more one benefits. We are constant recipients of God’s generous grace. He
promises that if we will give of ourselves, He’ll enable us to have an
abundance of resources for the work to which He has called us
My
friends and partners in the Kingdom of God,
At
this time when the whole world is facing a financial crisis, we who are God’s
people should continue to focus on fulfilling God’s purpose. Continue to give
yourselves like our Lord Jesus did for the restoration of mankind.
Some
wisdom for giving:
1]
Give towards building up of lives.
A) First to the household of
believers.
B) Second to unbelievers.
2]
Give towards the welfare of God’s ministers. They might not be part of the
institutional church or staff of a church. As long as they serve the living God
they are God’s ministers.
3]
Take care of the minister’s family including the children’s education, because
they have given their lives for the ministry of God. Many children of God’s
ministers hate God and God’s ministry because they feel that they and their
education are neglected because of God and His ministry.
4]
Learn to distribute what God has provided without fear or favour but by faith.
Do not give to manipulate and control. But give to release ministers so that
they can do the ministry of God with less hindrance.
5]
Look out for small church pastors and ministry leaders and go out and encourage
them with your giving and your prayer support. They are in the front line
struggling and suffering silently, all alone trying to serve God and also take
care of their own families.
6] Do
not give to the rich but to the poor.
7] Do
not give your substance for the building of buildings [dead stones] and
monuments but for the up building of “the temple of God [living stones]”.
8] Change
your lifestyle into a simple one so that you can help support ministers who are
worthy of support. Support those who have given themselves sacrificially to the
ministry of God. Seek out for them for they are out there. They might not be
good in marketing themselves but they are man and woman of God.
Friends,
we are a faith ministry. We also need help from other members of the “Body of
Christ” so that we can help others rise up and fulfil God’s purpose and bring
glory to HIS Name. When you are lead by the Father to give towards our living
and ministry then send it to:
KRISHNASAMY
A/L RAMASAMY
I/C Number -540303-07-5307
May Bank account number : 107125195025
Home Branch number 07125 -KAMPONG BHARU
Swift Code: MBBEMYKL
Or
KASIKORNBANK
Account number: 548-2-01969-4
In His
Majesty’s Service
Christopher.K
In
His Majesty’s Service
Christopher.K
14/5/2009
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