THE CROSS NEWSLETTER

Newsletter March 2023

Concerned Christians

LIGHT/LOVE

Matthew 5:14 tells us that we are the light of the world, and verse 16 says, “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.” How can we fulfill that purpose? It seems that how we live our lives and how we treat others are definitely first steps to evangelism. Some people call that “life-style” evangelism, and they don’t look at it as very productive. However, without a Jesus-filled life, others probably will not be too interested in hearing what we have to say about God. John 13:35 says, “by this, everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.” We all need to reread 1st Corinthians 13 again and ask ourselves if in our daily life we are portraying the characteristics of love that Paul speaks about. If we are showing that kind of love to everyone we meet, our lights will shine, and we can bring Jesus’s light into the dark world.

Sandie

Are Mormons Christian?

Their response is “yes”. They point to the name of their church – “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” – and say ”we believe in Jesus”. They use terms that Christians use: God, Jesus, faith, grace, follow Jesus, live His teachings, Jesus is Savior, and others. However, upon further examination, their definitions are different as are their beliefs. Here are a few of their beliefs:

God – is an exalted man with mother and father; has flesh and bones – is not a spirit; gained godhood through living a perfect life on another planet; is father of this planet; did not create the world from nothing, but along with other gods, organized already existing material.

Jesus – spirit brother of Satan in the pre-existence. He was chosen to come to earth to save mankind; not God in the flesh (Immanuel);

His blood does not atone for all sins.

Bible – believe the Bible is Word of God as far as it is translated correctly.

They also believe The Book of Mormon is the word of God.

Grace – They are saved by grace “after all they can do.” Theirs is a religion of works.

I believe that one of the most significant changes made by Russel Nelson (the current Mormon president) is to say they would no longer be called “Mormons” but “Christians.” But are they Christian?

Galations 1:8: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, a curse be on him!”

2 Corinthians 11:14-15: “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

We are warned in 1Peter 5:8-9: “Be soberminded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him!

Sandie Keating

Would the missionaries really tell you a lie when they come visit?

Answer next month in April edition.

We at Concerned Christians meet every MONDAY evening for an hour of prayer at 6:30 p.m. If you are not local, please set that time aside to  voice your concerns from your prayer space. If you are local and would like to attend, we ask you to call 480-833-2537 for directions. We truly look forward to meeting and praying with you in the War Room. We ask that you add  Concerned Christians to your prayer list along with any other Mormon witnessing group you are familiar. The importance of intercessory prayer cannot be stressed enough. We have seen God grant many blessings to us over the years. If you have a ministry related request please send us a short email.    [email protected] 

 “We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.”    

 I Thessalonians 1:2  

We pray for opportunities to speak with Christians because we firmly believe “It is easier to keep them out than to get them out.”

If you would be interested in sharing your testimony of being delivered from the LDS Corporation into the family of the triune God, please send it to [email protected]. Please include contact information.

Resurrection Sunday is less than a month away. This is a good time to ‘brush up’ on the story. You never know when God will open a door for you to tell your own story about him. Today so many people, especially children, think this holiday is all about bunnies and candy eggs, maybe a family gathering. Some of our families even have that religious uncle who insists on saying a blessing for the special meal and seems to drone on forever about grace and a man dying for sins on a cross, and he always ends his prayer by thanking Jesus because in three days he came alive again. OK. Could this be you?? Do you need to study to show yourself approved?

2Tim. 2:15

If you are changing your email address in the future, please do not forget to make those changes in the preferences link at the bottom of the page. Please do not mail anything to our old street address. If you ever have questions please call Concerned Christians at 480-833-2537 or email at 

 [email protected]