ANNIVERSARY 2007 occasional newsletter
satanic Stronghold
There is a stronghold of satan that runs so deep in churches and believers that it has become an intricate part of the fabric of faith, beliefs, and social structure. This stronghold is even embedded in the ideals of fringe peoples who no longer attend or support the mainline churches and many of them have separated themselves because of beliefs that they can not be saved because of this stronghold. The stronghold is so deeply embedded that most of these churches are finding that a large portion of their beliefs have to be unraveled and restrung in order to lose their dogmatic dependence on the stronghold. It is more than obvious how satanic this stronghold is because there is nothing that should be able to cause so much strife, anger, offensiveness, spiritual poverty among so many people who claim to have a heart of faith in God.
Satanic strongholds generally do not affect unbelievers as energetically as believers. They are so difficult to overcome in churches because believers shortcomings of faith motivate them to resist growth in faith in the areas where strongholds exist. God is bigger than these things and would have people be overcomers of strongholds and make it easy to do so; it is only our own ideals that make beliefs into issues that become strongholds.
One example of a satanic stronghold that churches throughout all denominations have not been able to overcome for many centuries is the divisiveness between literal vs. figurative interpretation of the Christian Bible. This dam blocks the free flow of the Spirit of God by causing deep rifts between believers. It is taught as a standard and condition of ordination in most Christian schools. We can know with confidence that it is satanic, not only because of the division it has and does cause, but because it forces believers to choose people on either side over others. Also, it has been made into such a big issue that people are convinced of it’s necessity from the time of their early learning of the Bible, but without human denominational teachers, Bible readers do not have an issue of determining whether it is literal or not. The most blatant evidence of satans involvement in this issue is that it isn’t an issue with God or it would have been discussed by Christ Himself. Rather, every effort that people make to propagate this issue is an effort to heighten satans involvement in churches and the lives of believers. (“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9)
Under Old Testament Law, followers of God were willing to flow back and forth between obedience and blatant disobedience to Gods directions. One day they would be thrilled to “serve the Lord” with their actions and offerings and shortly thereafter they would be found to have completely abandoned their beliefs. The New Covenant instigated by Jesus Christ changed the face of what it means to believe in and serve God. Christ’s teaching did not remove the Old Law, it finished the requirements of the Law and began a new “way” of believing and serving God. So different is the new way that any effort to mix the Old Law and New Way causes social rifts and personal frustration among believers in the New Testament. Even the disciples regularly had to deal with personal and social upheaval over trying to blend them for salvation. We can be confident in the words of Jesus passed down to us and if Jesus didn’t say something Himself then it will not affect anyone’s salvation. However, the Spirit of God did try to help improve and make our lives easier by motivating Jesus disciples and later Christian believers to share their words of exhortation and encouragement. If we are to follow their direction then we must first and foremost understand that anything of their teaching that causes strife between people, believers and unbelievers alike, is not being interpreted as the Spirit of God intended.
So, what is the great rift of contemporary concern to an overwhelming majority of Christian believers? What is causing division and rifts and completes satans’ most desired purposes in this period of history? What satanic feat is currently intricately woven into the tapestry of believers’ church, social, and personal faith-based involvement? And how has it been able to get such a grip while allowing millions of believers to be separated from mainline churches while millions are able to be nearly oblivious; thinking there’s no real concern? (This is the epitome of a satanic stronghold)
It is the ability of acclaimed Christians to believe that any persons’ faith in God can be ignored and excluded from corporate faith; It is the ability of anyone to say they believe and reject others belief while ignoring their blatant actions of opposition to scripture; It is the ability of believers to excuse their own selfishness, especially where elitism and hindrances to others are concerned, and have little or no thought about how God sees their opinion and actions opposed to His purposes.
Satan is using the same tools warmongers have used since wars began: “divide and conquer”. In fact, if the Bible is to be believed then, warmongers use the same tactic satan used when Eve was enticed to be separated from Adam; with promises of greatness and superiority by eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God’s tactic in the cause of Jesus is to gather and dedicate our lives to loving one another to the extent of laying down our life if need be. He gave us the example and most of us are resisting even though we aren’t being called on to go to the extreme He did.
God is identifying His sheep from satans goats by surfacing all kinds of criticism, condemnation, and exclusivity in churches today. It’s usually easy to see problem churches that drive people away rather than welcome ALL people into full participation. But this stronghold has lured churches into deception by not being completely open and straight-forward to admit when they do no accept full participation by specific groups of people; even though individuals in those categories avidly believe in their salvation by Jesus Christ to the point that innumerable such people dedicated their lives and many have been maimed or killed because of their faith; even here in the acclaimed Christian United States of America.
Now, the question here is, “Are churches and individuals who claim to be Christian going to swallow their pride and learn to love and welcome full partnership to believers who are not like themselves: or are they going to continue this deceptiveness, stumbling blocks, self-blinding exclusivity and elitism that has steadily and increasingly deteriorated and hindered the cause of Christ for decades?”
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Bible Contradicts Jesus
without all diversity in the mix
Believer’s react in fear that accepting one person of diversity from their norm means having to accept all types of diversity. The issue of diversity is not a question of accepting whatever anyone wants to do as an acceptable way of life, it is caring enough to differentiate between Biblical love and acceptance compared to unacceptable behavior. All people are acceptable to God because no one is worthy of the reconciliation God provided to all. The eminent problems encountered with diversity issues primarily concern the fear of being discriminated against ourselves. Jesus stuck His neck out and laid it on the guillotine of popular criticism and condemnation and it’s time that believer’s learn how to find the confidence in faith and inner strength to do the same.
Somehow, the Bible has been retranslated by critical, abusive, and ungrateful persons with the most hype, the biggest voice, smooth words, and popularity for traditional extremism. Scripture still contains the same message as when it was written. However, the twisting and redirection of words and statements have been stretched to their limit to bring people down, and reduce their faith in God. Instead of placing confidence in people in need of corporate faith like Jesus, the ungrateful have been historically consistent in building their own image and maintaining sources of popularity and income.
For hundreds of years women have been held back from full ministry and church leadership. Races, nationalities, rich, poor, and bond have been reduced and neglected by numerous religious beliefs including Christianity. Diversities in our own families have been rejected, harassed, and ex-communicated beyond abilities to recover their faith in Jesus Christ. All of this is evidence of satan’s work today and throughout world history. As convincing as it is, such evil that can be seen is only about one percent of what exists: for it is un-seeable principals and powers, not flesh and blood, where the battles of the ages are being fought.
What next?
There will never be a time when "everyone’s" life and choices, who’s faith in God is meaningful and real, will always be welcomed into corporate services and ministry. Jesus knew this and He did the best He was allowed at the time to maximize people’s abilities to love and accept each other more. Isn’t it time we learn the lesson of love above all else and quit forcing those unlike ourselves to stretch their neck onto the guillotine of popular criticism and condemnation?
God has had to sacrifice the most valuable jewels of His kingdom each step of the way. Lucifer, the most gloriously arrayed, was sacrificed to recognize that God is preeminent and no other. God’s only begotten Son was sacrificed to prove that God is able to reconcile all who will believe to Himself, even those who He has set beyond His own reach. And now, every person who chooses not to accept the reconciliation God has provided for every person, sacrifices the array He has dressed us with, beyond all other creation. Why? To establish that no person can be reconciled who thinks of themselves as the least bit worthy because God’s salvation also reaches beyond our worthiness. It’s time that we let God be God and every one who doesn’t recognize God for who and what He is a liar (“For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.” Romans 3:3-4)
I can not sacrifice spirituality for diversity nor diversity for spirituality;
because reaching all people without condemnation
is the ultimate crown jewel of expression of who and what God is.
1 John 4
8 He that loves not knows not God; for God is love.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.
Ephesians 2
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;)
1 John 2
5 But whoever keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
1 John 4
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one who loves is born of God, and knows God.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and his love is perfected in us.
Two Unidiversal Issues
There are two issues traditional believers tend to question the most with Unidiversal Faith. To question these things is reasonable and I will try to answer these concerns here.
#1. Diversity – Traditional believers have been growing in acceptance of races, colors, creeds, nationalities, and genders. Sermons promoting acceptance and complete inclusion of these diversities in all levels of Christian organizations are gaining in popularity. Though there is still a ways to go in these diversities, it seems that traditional Christians express a great deal of fear with intolerance and lack of inclusion of people in different cultures, religions, poverty, and sexual orientations. There’s nothing wrong with questioning these things, however resistance without knowledge has been a harmful device. Knowledge can dispel fear, doubt and unbelief when faith in God is involved. (“my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. "Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests;…” Hosea 4:6)
Unidiversal Faith believes that God far exceeds all diversity issues. This “does not” mean that: ritual sacrifices are an acceptable form of religion; vulgar dancing could glorify God; hiding wealth in an effort to entice others to help the poor, or; sexual exploitation of underage children, animals, or involuntary partners is acceptable. But Unidiversal Faith does believe that any one of these diversities are reconciled to God as each individual believes God has provided reconciliation for him/her self.
Probably the greatest sign of truly believing is knowing that if God provided reconciliation of ourselves then God has also provided it for everyone else regardless of inabilities to earn it as well. The primary call of all believers is the great commission and that is because if an acclaimed believer is true to God then s/he knows that all people are available to choose salvation by the same simple, unearned, unworthy faith.
#2. It doesn’t really matter what people believe happened to bring creation about for people to be saved; But it does matter, and salvation can be affected, when believers choose to think that God is not capable of doing anything any certain way. A few scientists hypothesized that everything in existence developed over millions or billions of years, then many others believed them and found such beliefs to be beneficial to causes they are involved in. Then evolution became such an easy issue to convince people of by making it prevalent and popular in media and education. Now, even though original evolutionary research has been disproven or originating scientist admitted their own theories to be unprovable or outright inaccurate; the surge of disbelief such ideas have caused continues to grow exponentially.
There is only one thing that grows exponentially in humankind. That one thing is disbelief in God and God’s abilities. There is only one thing that can possibly cause such disbelief to grow, that is God’s enemy and those who willingly promote anything that encourages disbelief. It could be ok to believe in evolution of species if such a belief wasn’t undermined with the idea that God can’t do it without evolution. There are some who promote evolutionary theories by arguing that they believe in God and are saved. There’s no reason to doubt their salvation, but there is reason to doubt the motives behind their evolutionary ideals.
Bringing these two issues together
Lack of faith in God for diversity vigorously divides people, genders, denominations, nationalities, religions, lifestyles, and more in daily social situations as well as warring factions throughout the world. And “replacing” faith in God’s abilities to create as the Bible describes, with evolution or any other theory, divides everything that exists as if each element and entity of existence (including different races, genders, sexualities, and more) is better or more worthy than others. Isn’t it time to recognize God’s enemy in the works? Isn’t it time to realize how principals and powers are intricately at work in the daily lives of every person, organization, church, government, institution, and social group?
The question of Unidiversal Faith is not a question of accepting anything and everything anybody wants to; it is not to question anybody’s faith in reconciliation to God for themselves. The question of Unidiversal Faith is why has God’s enemy been able to divide and conquer where people lack enough faith to be overcomers of those who are divisive; undermining God’s unconditional love and sacrifice beyond human abilities to obtain the slightest bit of worthiness to earn it for ourselves.
God can not save anyone who thinks they are the slightest bit worthy.
Matthew 18
11 For the Son of man came to save that which was lost.
Mark 2
17, "When Jesus heard it, he said to them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Luke 19
10 For the Son of man came to seek and save that which was lost.
John 3
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 12
47 And if any man hears my words, and does not believe, I don’t judge him: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
1 Timothy 1
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Click here to check out the forum on this subject
I Dream of a Church
Charismatic churches are the fastest and most constantly growing over several decades, and the largest non-annexing churches in world history. Though numbers are not to be priority over service to God, they are evidence of doing something right. However; “Past accomplishment is the greatest hindrance to future growth,” and Charismatic churches are no exception to that rule. Here are a few points to think about when it comes to seeing through the dark glass of successful churches more clearly.
The United States population is growing at a rate of 2.5 million people (.7 %) per year. The global population is growing by 90 million people (1.3 %) per year. Christian believers overall are growing at about 1.38 % annually, less than each other main religion, even though it currently has more adherents than any other. Combined with the population of non or anti-religious population, numbers of Christian believers are losing past ground gained at great sacrifice at an enormous pace. And even though Charismatic churches are growing faster than any denominational churches overall, they are still decreasing compared to United States and global populations. There are less people per capita participating in church services now than in every decade past. (Note: these numbers are consistent from numerous national, international, and statistical resources reviewed for this commentary)
It’s time to get our heads out of the clouds and take a real look at past services with new attitudes, be flexible enough to see what God has used to bless growing churches within the past, and learn to follow God’s lead for future growth. It is truly time to stop being overwhelmed by numbers and start following Gods lead into the super-mega-church millennium. Without super-mega-churches God’s Will, for every person to be reached and have the loving support of the body of Christ has no chance of being fulfilled. Want to keep your church small in a super-mega-growth world? Think about whether you are really being obedient to God’s call to reach ALL people with the Gospel or not. In order to stay small this day in time a church must be choosing to discourage many people from participating, thereby adding to or taking away form the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I dream of a church where the five fold ministry fulfills God’s calling not to be the pinnacle of ministry but to equip the congregation to ministry in every way possible; not forcibly but by being open to the call of God in each person’s life; not rigid or discriminately but with flexibility in faith that God is above it all and our faith need not be shaken by imperfect human tendencies mixed with our faith: Discouragement reigns where fear persists in churches. (“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” I Corinthians 13:12)
More than not, my experience and observation has been that churches and ministries want to be seen as the goal of ministry instead of the conduit of ministry. As odd as it may seem, hesitation to grow and equip unlimited participation has been caused and compounded by fear that someone might do or say something amiss or out of line with the churches leadership. But rather than build on the true flexibility that accompanies faith by adjusting training making every effort to side with and encourage willing participants growth, leadership is willing to cut losses of new growth for the safety of ministry limited to the pew. Fear is the star roll of churches that choose limited growth in a world paining for birth multiplied times faster than churches are prepared for. May God’s mercy be on us for our understated shortcomings in this area for if Gods’ enemy is going to gain ground it is going to continue being in the church rather than outside where satan has no concern.
Think it's easier said than done? Think about the alternative and open the doors, let the faith we claim shine.
(You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house. Matthew 5:13-15)
Unidiversal Charismatic Christian Faith & Diversity Evangelism (UCF)
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From the Amazon Basin of South America, across the African Veldt, throughout Europe, Asia, India, Australia, the Mid-East, North America, and the uttermost parts of the Earth; Unidiversal Christian Faith & Diversity Evangelism is reaching and receiving response. What little I felt I could do when starting this website has grown to be astounding. A few viewers have even become upset when I was delayed in getting their countries on the Unidiversal Maps. I consider that, along with many communications of faith, prayer requests, and encouragement as signs of effective ministry. We can't all go to meet everyone in person, no matter how much of a privilege it would be. But we can reach out with faith, for all diversities of people through this type of effort.
Not only that, but reaching out right here at home is just as important. When Jesus commanded us to go to the entire world with the good news He didn't just mean every area of the world; He also meant every diversity. That means everywhere, including here in the United States and locally. How much more obvious could it be that believer’s think this command of Christ is being fulfilled even while millions are being left out and even rejected right here at home. Jesus didn’t say to “qualify” people for the Kingdom of God, he said to open the door and bring them in. Jesus is apparently knocking to get into many churches as much as he is knocking to bring his grace into people’s hearts.
Many people say to “hate the sin but love the sinner”. This isn’t any better than calling someone a fool: ”. . . whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” Matthew 5:22. Nowhere in scripture does Jesus say to hate or exclude. In fact, he said to be peacemakers, humble ourselves toward persecutors and liars against us in this same chapter. And then Revelation 22:18-19 (God shall take away his part out of the book of life) questions the destiny of anyone who is a believer but rejects or withholds the Gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone for any reason. If he wanted to exclude anyone for any reason then he would have said so. Neither religion, nationality, economic status, sexuality, culture, lifestyle, education, addictions, habits, or anything else can separate us from the love of God. How haughty and high minded we are for anyone in the Christian world to think of ourselves as better or more worthy than the least of any diversity of brothers and sisters in humanity.
“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? (no one can) It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? (no one can) Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39
This special anniversary newsletter is dedicated to local churches and the church as a whole. Jesus Christ works through church; when the church will let Him. As exciting as individual ministry can be, it can not be as effective without the support and encouragement of church. Many contemporary churches and ministries have tried to sell and lure the gospel into people’s lives while populations at home and worldwide increase faster than the numbers being reached. The Internet is inundated with nearly every belief system other than Christianity “free of charge”. There is more Christian media available to “buy” online and in stores than there is encouragement and ministry available free. Read the “I Dream of a Church” article to your right to see the effects of this dilemma. Then see the “Bible Contradicts Jesus” and “satanic Strongholds” articles; then try to find an excuse for exclusivity or elitism to remain in churches.
Get involved by registering or recommending/evaluating a church in the Unidiversal “Find A Church” department. Help open the doors of encouragement for others in the new Unidiversal Forums department. Promote free Christian media by creating, searching, and sharing it with others through this and other websites. But above all, pray and find yourself on the side of taking Jesus too seriously by caring and ministering to ALL people rather than promoting skepticism that He gave all for everyone.
God has called you to do what you can and I am here to testify that He will bless your efforts far above and beyond what you can ask or think.
“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:16-21
Rev Robbie Ousley
UCF Founder, Pastor,
and Diversity Evangelist
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