Last Sunday, November 4th, I spoke to our congregation about “Whatʼs next”, in thecontext of “what if” your candidate wins and “what if” your candidate loses in the elections on Tuesday. I see as I write this that nearly equal numbers of our Nation fit either “what if”. So, the question remains “whats next?”
Many Christians are very disappointed concerning issues being enacted across the Nation in a variety of initiatives and affirmations of those supporting things so contrary to our morals and values. I was pondering these things an seeking the Lord for His Word concerning this natural reality all of us must deal with today and the season ahead. Ilooked at a page of Romans 1 I happen to have. It is written in Latin. and was printed over 500 years ago on paper that is much like cloth to me. “If” I could read Latin, I would know that it says exactly the same thing today in Romans Chapter 1. God nor His Word have changed one iota in all of time. He is still the Creator of all things seen. Their is still no other name given amongst men whereby we might be saved except that name of Jesus.The Name of Jesus is still the Name above all names, and every knee will (at some time) bow to Him as King of Kings.
We still have “an anchor beyond the veil” as Hebrews six states.The Word of the Lord is Truth, and will forever stand as He honors His Word above His Name. We, as those who belong to Him through faith, must continue to seek Him, hear Him and respond to His Word in the Faith He has given to us. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 in the J. B. Phillips translation says “.....Set your heart not on riches, but on goodness, Christ-likeness, faith, love, patience and humility. Fight the worthwhile battle of the faith, keep your grip on that life eternal to which you have been called, and to which you boldly professed
your loyalty before many witnesses.” In 2 Timothy 4:3- 4 Paul wrote “For the time is coming when men will not tolerate wholesome teaching. They will want something to tickle their own fancies, and they will collect teachers who will pander to their own desires. They will no longer listen to the truth, but will wander off after man-made fictions. For yourself, stand fast in all that you are doing, meeting whatever suffering this may involve.” It seems to me that intolerance of the wholesome (Word of Truth) teaching has advanced to the point that many are trying to eradicate it entirely from public society. If one studies history we find that issue of removing God from society is a Socialist / Marxist tenet. We must be on guard and stand in and for The Faith which was once and for all delivered to us, and was understood by our Founding Fathers as vital to this Nations success.
We must not surrender our trust in our God. We must stand in Him. We, the church, must grasp that far to many in our own communities have never received Christ as Savior, meaning they have no way to trust Him. The result has manifested in so manymtrusting Government through some “free (to them) program to see to it that their wants are met. This is a violation of the Word of God.
As part of The Church in America, I ask God to forgive us for falling for a social gospel and being accomplices in a system that, for the most part, ignores the basic Truth of Christ, the Redeemer, Restorer, Provider and Protector of those who fully trust in Him. Forgive us Lord for failing to preach Christ and Him crucified as the only way for man to come to You, our Creator so You can be
protector and provider through Your riches in Glory by Christ Jesus. We desire to wash in Your Blood-covered Mercy through Christ our deliverer. We believe Your Truth and by faith receive it into our own hearts, and now we ask You to have Mercy and release Grace to all who will stop and receive it. Use us as to shine Your Light in this season.
Whatʼs next? As for me and my house we will continue to stand in Christ and serve Him. No matter which “what if” either of us are counted in, standing in Christ is our only hope in this world. May God Himself bless you with continued revelation of Christand His finished work at the Cross.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
What Should I Believe
What Should I Believe?
I often hear someone say “What should I believe?” The statement is about any subject
you can think of. Iʼm remembering a few of them today as I write this. Perhaps you
have asked or been asked the same question(s).
Question # 1 - I hear there are several ways one can make sure to go to heaven. Is that
true? NO. Scripture says in John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth
and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by Me.” John 10:9 and Acts 4:12
relate the same Truth. There is One God who created Heaven and earth, and He sent
One Saviour to redeem fallen man, and made believing on Him - Christ Jesus, the only
way to have Eternal Life with Him. To be fallen man means we are separated from God
because of Adams sin in Genesis 3.
Question # 2 - Some say things are different today, and because our culture is different,
the Word of God has to be adjusted for the times. Is that true? NO. Scripture says in
Malachi 3:6 “ For I am the Lord, I do not change;----”. In Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is
the same yesterday and today and forever.” And, in Hebrews 1:10 -12 “You, Lord, in the
beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands;
they will perish, but you remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak
you will fold them up, and they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years
will not fail”. Know this, that whatever God has identified as sin has not, and will never
change. Just because you or I think something is okay, it doesnʼt mean God does. He
said through Isaiah that a day would come when evil would be called good, and good
would be called evil. We live in such a day.
Question # 3 - I hear Hell doesnʼt really exist, and a loving God would never send
anyone there if it did. Is this true? YES and NO. Let me start with the last part. We
choose Eternal Life or everlasting death . Scripture says in 2 Peter 3:9 “ The Lord is not
slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing
for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” In John 3:14 - 16 “As Moses lifted
up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that
whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal
life.” And, in Acts 16:30 - 31 “He led them outside, and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be
saved? And they replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and then you will be saved----” So,
we can see that we must make the choice to believe that Jesus Christ is the redeemer.
Through Him we can be saved but, we must acknowledge Him. It is our choice.
Remember that the Lord said in several places that we were to “choose life”. So
ultimately, God doesnʼt make the choice to send one to eternal damnation, rather, we
refuse to accept the One who ransomed us, and thereby send ourselves. Though He
finalizes it according to His Word.
Scripture says in Acts 17:30 - 31 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance,
God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has
fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He
has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” In
Revelation 20:12 - 15 “And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the
throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of
life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books,
according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and
Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them
according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This
is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyoneʼs name was not found written in the
book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Heaven exists and the place of everlasting damnation exists. In the end, every person
will acknowledge that Jesus Christ, the Son of God is Lord - some on that final day of
judgment, and hopefully you have already believed on Him as your personal Redeemer.
Romans 10:9 -10 says “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in
your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a
person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting
in salvation.” And, in Ephesians 2:8 - 9 “For by grace you have been saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no
one may boast.” We choose Him and then we live as believers who love Him, meaning
we want to please Him in all our ways.
Question # 4 - Is it the judgment of God that America is experiencing many difficulties in so many areas? NO. His Word shows we judge ourselves by refusing to honor God.
Romans 1:28 “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God
gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper”. Recently
we saw on live television people booing that the word “God” was being included in a
document. I suspect many not in attendance there were booing right along with them.
Rejection of God always leads to a defilement of the land. This defilement appears in
many ways - storms, drought, enemy encroachment, poverty, no unity among the
citizens, etc. How many acres of American land are defiled this very day because of
fires, storms or drought? Why hasnʼt this wealthy nation rebuilt all the area affected by
hurricane Katrina seven years ago. Why havenʼt we been able to rebuild at “ground
zero” in eleven years? Many “whyʼs” could be presented about finances, education,
manufacturing, family issues and more. The point is this - we, as a Nation have so
rejected the righteousness of God, and even God Himself that His Mighty Hand of
protection has been pushed back by the sins of our Nation. As a Nation, we have
judged ourselves as able to do it without God. Biblical and natural history shows we will
certainly find this to be a foolish decision.
Pray for an awakening towards God and His Truth in America. Make a wise choice
today. Choose to know and believe the Word of God. It alone has stood and will stand
the test of time - forever and ever.
I often hear someone say “What should I believe?” The statement is about any subject
you can think of. Iʼm remembering a few of them today as I write this. Perhaps you
have asked or been asked the same question(s).
Question # 1 - I hear there are several ways one can make sure to go to heaven. Is that
true? NO. Scripture says in John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth
and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by Me.” John 10:9 and Acts 4:12
relate the same Truth. There is One God who created Heaven and earth, and He sent
One Saviour to redeem fallen man, and made believing on Him - Christ Jesus, the only
way to have Eternal Life with Him. To be fallen man means we are separated from God
because of Adams sin in Genesis 3.
Question # 2 - Some say things are different today, and because our culture is different,
the Word of God has to be adjusted for the times. Is that true? NO. Scripture says in
Malachi 3:6 “ For I am the Lord, I do not change;----”. In Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is
the same yesterday and today and forever.” And, in Hebrews 1:10 -12 “You, Lord, in the
beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands;
they will perish, but you remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak
you will fold them up, and they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years
will not fail”. Know this, that whatever God has identified as sin has not, and will never
change. Just because you or I think something is okay, it doesnʼt mean God does. He
said through Isaiah that a day would come when evil would be called good, and good
would be called evil. We live in such a day.
Question # 3 - I hear Hell doesnʼt really exist, and a loving God would never send
anyone there if it did. Is this true? YES and NO. Let me start with the last part. We
choose Eternal Life or everlasting death . Scripture says in 2 Peter 3:9 “ The Lord is not
slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing
for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” In John 3:14 - 16 “As Moses lifted
up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that
whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal
life.” And, in Acts 16:30 - 31 “He led them outside, and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be
saved? And they replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and then you will be saved----” So,
we can see that we must make the choice to believe that Jesus Christ is the redeemer.
Through Him we can be saved but, we must acknowledge Him. It is our choice.
Remember that the Lord said in several places that we were to “choose life”. So
ultimately, God doesnʼt make the choice to send one to eternal damnation, rather, we
refuse to accept the One who ransomed us, and thereby send ourselves. Though He
finalizes it according to His Word.
Scripture says in Acts 17:30 - 31 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance,
God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has
fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He
has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” In
Revelation 20:12 - 15 “And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the
throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of
life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books,
according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and
Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them
according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This
is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyoneʼs name was not found written in the
book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Heaven exists and the place of everlasting damnation exists. In the end, every person
will acknowledge that Jesus Christ, the Son of God is Lord - some on that final day of
judgment, and hopefully you have already believed on Him as your personal Redeemer.
Romans 10:9 -10 says “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in
your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a
person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting
in salvation.” And, in Ephesians 2:8 - 9 “For by grace you have been saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no
one may boast.” We choose Him and then we live as believers who love Him, meaning
we want to please Him in all our ways.
Question # 4 - Is it the judgment of God that America is experiencing many difficulties in so many areas? NO. His Word shows we judge ourselves by refusing to honor God.
Romans 1:28 “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God
gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper”. Recently
we saw on live television people booing that the word “God” was being included in a
document. I suspect many not in attendance there were booing right along with them.
Rejection of God always leads to a defilement of the land. This defilement appears in
many ways - storms, drought, enemy encroachment, poverty, no unity among the
citizens, etc. How many acres of American land are defiled this very day because of
fires, storms or drought? Why hasnʼt this wealthy nation rebuilt all the area affected by
hurricane Katrina seven years ago. Why havenʼt we been able to rebuild at “ground
zero” in eleven years? Many “whyʼs” could be presented about finances, education,
manufacturing, family issues and more. The point is this - we, as a Nation have so
rejected the righteousness of God, and even God Himself that His Mighty Hand of
protection has been pushed back by the sins of our Nation. As a Nation, we have
judged ourselves as able to do it without God. Biblical and natural history shows we will
certainly find this to be a foolish decision.
Pray for an awakening towards God and His Truth in America. Make a wise choice
today. Choose to know and believe the Word of God. It alone has stood and will stand
the test of time - forever and ever.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Sliding Toward Gororrah?
Sliding Toward Gomorrah?
Amos the Prophet wrote “Behold the days are coming”, declares the Lord God, “When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, but rather for hearing the words of the Lord”. Do we hunger and thirst after God and His Righteousness? Obviously, some do. However, it appears that many of those whose voices we hear daily do not. Last week our President shared what he called an evolving view concerning same-sex marriage. Has he not read the Scripture? Has he not heard what words of the Lord concerning a man being joined to his wife and they having a family? Has he not heard that two men or two women cannot reproduce? Has he not heard that fathers and mothers are to raise their children in the ways of the Lord. Let me be clear, I fully realize that multitudes of others apparently haven’t heard that either.
Scripture clearly shows what happens to a Nation designed to follow God our creator and His ways when they turn away from His values and principles and follow after their own ways. Israel has a history of swings from bondage to freedom based on their relationship with God as a Nation. America set her foundation on the principles and values of the Most High God by choice. As a Nation, America prospered as no other in history this side of the Cross until we began to openly voice opposition to God and His Word. A few have caused many / most references to our God to be removed from any public place of display. Each time we remove the acknowledgement of God from our Nation, we lose freedoms. Oh, I know many call it gaining freedom, but at what cost?
The abortion of 50 plus millions of babies in the name of “choice” has brought untold heartache in so many of those lives and their families because of that “choice”. Perverted sex is called “gay”. Investigate and see what “gay sex” actually is, and then decide if you think that is natural to humanity, created in the image and likeness of God. It is an abomination in the sight of our God according to His Word. These two are huge issues with our God concerning His Will for man on this earth. Some are comparing the demise of our Nation to the fall of the Roman Empire, but it would be more correct to compare to the fall of Israel because of their sin before their God. The only reason they are back now is because a God who cannot lie promised their forefathers that He would restore them as a Nation, giving them opportunity once more to honor Him and His ways.
As for me and my household, I refute the declaration supporting same-sex marriage in our land. I renounce the spirit behind it and apply the Blood of our Redeemer as protection for all that is ours in the Lord. Christ said that if “I abide in His Word, I would know the Truth, and the Truth would make me free”. In His Truth ( His Word ), I am free of the pain of murdering an infant (calling it “choice”), I am free of the concern of being HIV positive, and I’m able to worship my God in freedom of conscience. Our property is “off limits” to the spirit roaming the land deceiving (too) many. We release the Glory of our God in our spheres of influence - starting with our home. We pray for our President and others to see the damage happening in our Nation as a result of sin being not only condoned, but openly promoted across this once great Nation that brought so much glory to God, but now suffers from a famine of hearing His Word and now is manifesting famine in our morals, economy, productivity, and surety about our safety from destroyers.
Part of a recent article in the Breeze (May 14th) concerning “gay marriage” someone is quoted saying “The world is bigger than gay marriage”. My immediate thought was, but it is not bigger than our God! Other parts of the article declared that the economy was of more importance to voters than these social issues. Excuse me, but these anti-God social issues are the root of our economy problems according the the Truth of Scripture. These problems that arise out of disobedience to God and His ways will never be fixed by the hand of man until we apply the Blood of the Cross in repentance and change our ways. Marriage was defined by God, our Creator, and Presidents, Politicians, polls nor Legislators are going to change God’s definition.
Other articles refer to “the Golden Rule” being extended. Jesus never, not ever hinted that we should condone sin in others because we wanted them to condone our sin. The Golden Rule is about coming closer to God, not about making people feel comfortable in their sin. In the late eighties, Judge Robert Bork was a nominee for the Supreme Court. Judge Bork was a man of integrity who understood our Constitution and the Word of God. He had written a book titled “Slouching To Gomorrah”, and as a result of his Godly views many public voices arose in rage attempting to destroy his character and did succeed in keeping him from being a Supreme Court Justice. Today, we are not just “Slouching To Gomorrah”, in my opinion, but rather, sliding rapidly that way. Roberto De Mattei, deputy head of Italy’s National Research Council is quoted saying “Today we live in an era in which the worst vices are inscribed into law as human rights. Every evil must have its punishment in our times or in the afterlife”. He speaks Scriptural Truth.
Let us as Christian Americans agree with the Word of God in Ephesians 2 declaring that we will no longer live after the course of this world, and release in word and lifestyle that we are indeed new creations in Christ as the Second Corinthian letter states. We are here to release God’s plan to overcome all corruption by showing Christ to those deceived and forever lost without Him in their lives. We stand for Righteousness, and refuse to bow to that which is contrary to our Redeemer, Christ Jesus the Lord of Glory, and ultimately King of all kings.
Amos the Prophet wrote “Behold the days are coming”, declares the Lord God, “When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, but rather for hearing the words of the Lord”. Do we hunger and thirst after God and His Righteousness? Obviously, some do. However, it appears that many of those whose voices we hear daily do not. Last week our President shared what he called an evolving view concerning same-sex marriage. Has he not read the Scripture? Has he not heard what words of the Lord concerning a man being joined to his wife and they having a family? Has he not heard that two men or two women cannot reproduce? Has he not heard that fathers and mothers are to raise their children in the ways of the Lord. Let me be clear, I fully realize that multitudes of others apparently haven’t heard that either.
Scripture clearly shows what happens to a Nation designed to follow God our creator and His ways when they turn away from His values and principles and follow after their own ways. Israel has a history of swings from bondage to freedom based on their relationship with God as a Nation. America set her foundation on the principles and values of the Most High God by choice. As a Nation, America prospered as no other in history this side of the Cross until we began to openly voice opposition to God and His Word. A few have caused many / most references to our God to be removed from any public place of display. Each time we remove the acknowledgement of God from our Nation, we lose freedoms. Oh, I know many call it gaining freedom, but at what cost?
The abortion of 50 plus millions of babies in the name of “choice” has brought untold heartache in so many of those lives and their families because of that “choice”. Perverted sex is called “gay”. Investigate and see what “gay sex” actually is, and then decide if you think that is natural to humanity, created in the image and likeness of God. It is an abomination in the sight of our God according to His Word. These two are huge issues with our God concerning His Will for man on this earth. Some are comparing the demise of our Nation to the fall of the Roman Empire, but it would be more correct to compare to the fall of Israel because of their sin before their God. The only reason they are back now is because a God who cannot lie promised their forefathers that He would restore them as a Nation, giving them opportunity once more to honor Him and His ways.
As for me and my household, I refute the declaration supporting same-sex marriage in our land. I renounce the spirit behind it and apply the Blood of our Redeemer as protection for all that is ours in the Lord. Christ said that if “I abide in His Word, I would know the Truth, and the Truth would make me free”. In His Truth ( His Word ), I am free of the pain of murdering an infant (calling it “choice”), I am free of the concern of being HIV positive, and I’m able to worship my God in freedom of conscience. Our property is “off limits” to the spirit roaming the land deceiving (too) many. We release the Glory of our God in our spheres of influence - starting with our home. We pray for our President and others to see the damage happening in our Nation as a result of sin being not only condoned, but openly promoted across this once great Nation that brought so much glory to God, but now suffers from a famine of hearing His Word and now is manifesting famine in our morals, economy, productivity, and surety about our safety from destroyers.
Part of a recent article in the Breeze (May 14th) concerning “gay marriage” someone is quoted saying “The world is bigger than gay marriage”. My immediate thought was, but it is not bigger than our God! Other parts of the article declared that the economy was of more importance to voters than these social issues. Excuse me, but these anti-God social issues are the root of our economy problems according the the Truth of Scripture. These problems that arise out of disobedience to God and His ways will never be fixed by the hand of man until we apply the Blood of the Cross in repentance and change our ways. Marriage was defined by God, our Creator, and Presidents, Politicians, polls nor Legislators are going to change God’s definition.
Other articles refer to “the Golden Rule” being extended. Jesus never, not ever hinted that we should condone sin in others because we wanted them to condone our sin. The Golden Rule is about coming closer to God, not about making people feel comfortable in their sin. In the late eighties, Judge Robert Bork was a nominee for the Supreme Court. Judge Bork was a man of integrity who understood our Constitution and the Word of God. He had written a book titled “Slouching To Gomorrah”, and as a result of his Godly views many public voices arose in rage attempting to destroy his character and did succeed in keeping him from being a Supreme Court Justice. Today, we are not just “Slouching To Gomorrah”, in my opinion, but rather, sliding rapidly that way. Roberto De Mattei, deputy head of Italy’s National Research Council is quoted saying “Today we live in an era in which the worst vices are inscribed into law as human rights. Every evil must have its punishment in our times or in the afterlife”. He speaks Scriptural Truth.
Let us as Christian Americans agree with the Word of God in Ephesians 2 declaring that we will no longer live after the course of this world, and release in word and lifestyle that we are indeed new creations in Christ as the Second Corinthian letter states. We are here to release God’s plan to overcome all corruption by showing Christ to those deceived and forever lost without Him in their lives. We stand for Righteousness, and refuse to bow to that which is contrary to our Redeemer, Christ Jesus the Lord of Glory, and ultimately King of all kings.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
The 61st observance of The National Day of Prayer will be tomorrow, May3, 2012. I want to encourage all to pray for our Nation. There are events all over the Nation - some small, some large - everyone vital. We are praying to be "One Nation Under God" - taken from the verse which says "Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord".
Nations in Scripture are varied in description, but most commonly a clan or tribe or cultural group living in an area. Commonly they are united in a religion of some type. Scripture reveals many false gods, i.e. gods created in the minds or by the hands of men, whereas our God created us and the entire world we live in. He created us for His glory, however Adam and Eve separated themselves from God by believing a lie - "if you eat of this tree, you shall be like God". They already were like God - created in His image and after His likeness. Christ shed His life, His Blood to redeem mankind - that is those who believe on Him - to redeem us and give us opportunity to be Christ-like. Remember He is the express image of the Father.
A "Nation", be it clan or tribe sets up a culture where the Most High God can bless or because of the disobedience to His Word, His covering is pulled back and the thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy does his work - referred to in Scripture as "cursed".
Our Nation, America has increasingly rejected the Word, Truth and work(s) of our God for many years. We, the citizens have elected men and women without making sure of their belief in God or moral values. We have elected and appointed many who serve "other gods". Result? Troubles such as this Nation has never seen on its soil. Our land is reeling because of the unrighteousness of leaders in nearly every area of our culture. Government is certainly one huge area to pray about tomorrow.
However, the Nation that bears your surname, need not bow to other gods. Your clan / tribe can choose to honor the Most High God. You and your household can choose to reject those things that are a stench in the nostrils of the Most High God. You can declare Christ as Lord of your life and in your sphere of influence - first of all, in your home / household. Scripture speaks of the position of husbands and fathers as those who are to see to it that God is honored in his home / family / tribe. Yet, the adulteries and fornication - fleshly pleasure in lieu of honoring God with / in our bodies - have led to a large percent of our households with no active father / husband. How can one honor his or her father "if" there is no father in the household? Will "absent" fathers stand before God and answer for not standing as a shield (in the Lord) for their families? Family is certainly one huge area to pray about tomorrow.
Our educational system is infested with ungodly principled ideologies and even our history of being a Nation founded upon Natures (God's) Law is largely hidden. Now, many are pushing to include a false pride in what other religions or those practicing sexual perversions have contributed to our National history. Problem, they are doing it at the expense of the truth. Ideologies are taught in lieu of basics which would allow students to learning by analytical thinking. Education is certainly one huge area to pray about tomorrow.
Our Military is slipping away from its Constitutional intentions. It is increasingly forbidding the Word of God from being shared, spoken or even prayed among those tasked with defending our Nation. Contrary to the law of the land and the Law of God they are okay with same-sex marriages and partnerships. The earth was flooded in the time Noah because of sexual perversions and Sodom and Gomorah were destroyed because of the same. God has not changed. Any Nation without strong defense is prey to enemies. The Military is certainly one huge area to pray about tomorrow.
Churches all across America are compromising the Truth of God and His Word. Many falsely believe God changes with the culture (aka, the "enlightenment of man") We have no light except we receive Christ - He is the light of the world. We cannot dishonor God in our pulpits and expect the blessings of the Most High God to manifest. We cannot continue to set under what we know to be contrary to the Word of God and properly stand for our families or our Nation. God honors His Word, (not a mixture of lie and truth) even above His Name. His angels respond to the voice of His Word. The Body of Christ must come increasingly towards being without spot and wrinkle as Paul wrote. The Church is certainly one huge area to pray about tomorrow.
The Business / Financial climate in our Nation is not prospering anywhere near what it once was. We have large numbers of manufacturing areas no longer or barely functioning in America. We are head over heels in debt in virtually every Government sector. Many areas of Business are connected to Government contracts. In many cases, union leaders are trying to run the business without dealing with the reality of owners nor employees needing to work as one to produce a product of value. Virtually every area of Business has an overload of Governmental permits, taxes and rules to deal with. Avarice is at work in far to many persons - from top to bottom - in both management and labor.. The Business / Financial sector of our Nation is certainly one huge area to pray about tomorrow.
Our Media / Arts / Entertainment sector is filled with ungodly, anti-Christ, anti-family and bias to a great extent. One must check and recheck to see of a "report" is factual or propaganda. Sounds contrary to the Truth of God are blasted around to the clock to many liking the "sound", and not realizing the message contained within. The god of this world blinds the eye of the mind lest we see the Glorious Light of Truth, wrote the Apostle Paul. We seem to be a Nation needing to be entertained by whatever the sound of the day is. We must learn to study and rightly divide the Word of God to show ourselves approved - before God, and to be a light in this world. Media / Arts / Entertainment is certainly one huge area to pray about tomorrow.
If you cannot be a part of a local or regional event tomorrow, at the very least, gather those in your home / household and pray about any or all of the above as the Lord leads you. We must lift our voices to Him. He wants to hear our prayers of agreement; He wants to see us turn from things / ways wicked in His sight; He wants to heal our land.
The Lord, the Most High God MUST BE GOD so we can be blessed - even exceedingly. As we stand for our own tribe / home / Nation, God will honor your prayers and corresponding actions. If the Nation (America) continues on the current path of denying God, I / you don't have to agree. We choose to release His Word, His Truth, His Spirit - out of the Christ who lives within us who are His.
Thank you for praying tomorrow. You will bless God, America and your own life / home.
Nations in Scripture are varied in description, but most commonly a clan or tribe or cultural group living in an area. Commonly they are united in a religion of some type. Scripture reveals many false gods, i.e. gods created in the minds or by the hands of men, whereas our God created us and the entire world we live in. He created us for His glory, however Adam and Eve separated themselves from God by believing a lie - "if you eat of this tree, you shall be like God". They already were like God - created in His image and after His likeness. Christ shed His life, His Blood to redeem mankind - that is those who believe on Him - to redeem us and give us opportunity to be Christ-like. Remember He is the express image of the Father.
A "Nation", be it clan or tribe sets up a culture where the Most High God can bless or because of the disobedience to His Word, His covering is pulled back and the thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy does his work - referred to in Scripture as "cursed".
Our Nation, America has increasingly rejected the Word, Truth and work(s) of our God for many years. We, the citizens have elected men and women without making sure of their belief in God or moral values. We have elected and appointed many who serve "other gods". Result? Troubles such as this Nation has never seen on its soil. Our land is reeling because of the unrighteousness of leaders in nearly every area of our culture. Government is certainly one huge area to pray about tomorrow.
However, the Nation that bears your surname, need not bow to other gods. Your clan / tribe can choose to honor the Most High God. You and your household can choose to reject those things that are a stench in the nostrils of the Most High God. You can declare Christ as Lord of your life and in your sphere of influence - first of all, in your home / household. Scripture speaks of the position of husbands and fathers as those who are to see to it that God is honored in his home / family / tribe. Yet, the adulteries and fornication - fleshly pleasure in lieu of honoring God with / in our bodies - have led to a large percent of our households with no active father / husband. How can one honor his or her father "if" there is no father in the household? Will "absent" fathers stand before God and answer for not standing as a shield (in the Lord) for their families? Family is certainly one huge area to pray about tomorrow.
Our educational system is infested with ungodly principled ideologies and even our history of being a Nation founded upon Natures (God's) Law is largely hidden. Now, many are pushing to include a false pride in what other religions or those practicing sexual perversions have contributed to our National history. Problem, they are doing it at the expense of the truth. Ideologies are taught in lieu of basics which would allow students to learning by analytical thinking. Education is certainly one huge area to pray about tomorrow.
Our Military is slipping away from its Constitutional intentions. It is increasingly forbidding the Word of God from being shared, spoken or even prayed among those tasked with defending our Nation. Contrary to the law of the land and the Law of God they are okay with same-sex marriages and partnerships. The earth was flooded in the time Noah because of sexual perversions and Sodom and Gomorah were destroyed because of the same. God has not changed. Any Nation without strong defense is prey to enemies. The Military is certainly one huge area to pray about tomorrow.
Churches all across America are compromising the Truth of God and His Word. Many falsely believe God changes with the culture (aka, the "enlightenment of man") We have no light except we receive Christ - He is the light of the world. We cannot dishonor God in our pulpits and expect the blessings of the Most High God to manifest. We cannot continue to set under what we know to be contrary to the Word of God and properly stand for our families or our Nation. God honors His Word, (not a mixture of lie and truth) even above His Name. His angels respond to the voice of His Word. The Body of Christ must come increasingly towards being without spot and wrinkle as Paul wrote. The Church is certainly one huge area to pray about tomorrow.
The Business / Financial climate in our Nation is not prospering anywhere near what it once was. We have large numbers of manufacturing areas no longer or barely functioning in America. We are head over heels in debt in virtually every Government sector. Many areas of Business are connected to Government contracts. In many cases, union leaders are trying to run the business without dealing with the reality of owners nor employees needing to work as one to produce a product of value. Virtually every area of Business has an overload of Governmental permits, taxes and rules to deal with. Avarice is at work in far to many persons - from top to bottom - in both management and labor.. The Business / Financial sector of our Nation is certainly one huge area to pray about tomorrow.
Our Media / Arts / Entertainment sector is filled with ungodly, anti-Christ, anti-family and bias to a great extent. One must check and recheck to see of a "report" is factual or propaganda. Sounds contrary to the Truth of God are blasted around to the clock to many liking the "sound", and not realizing the message contained within. The god of this world blinds the eye of the mind lest we see the Glorious Light of Truth, wrote the Apostle Paul. We seem to be a Nation needing to be entertained by whatever the sound of the day is. We must learn to study and rightly divide the Word of God to show ourselves approved - before God, and to be a light in this world. Media / Arts / Entertainment is certainly one huge area to pray about tomorrow.
If you cannot be a part of a local or regional event tomorrow, at the very least, gather those in your home / household and pray about any or all of the above as the Lord leads you. We must lift our voices to Him. He wants to hear our prayers of agreement; He wants to see us turn from things / ways wicked in His sight; He wants to heal our land.
The Lord, the Most High God MUST BE GOD so we can be blessed - even exceedingly. As we stand for our own tribe / home / Nation, God will honor your prayers and corresponding actions. If the Nation (America) continues on the current path of denying God, I / you don't have to agree. We choose to release His Word, His Truth, His Spirit - out of the Christ who lives within us who are His.
Thank you for praying tomorrow. You will bless God, America and your own life / home.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Reverence For God
Reverence For God
“The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline” - Proverbs 1:7 Amp. Bible. “Let all the earth fear the Lord [revere and worship Him]; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.” - Psalms 33:8 Amp Bible. “The reverent fear and worshipful awe of the Lord [includes] the hatred of evil; pride, arrogance, the evil way, and perverted and twisted speech” - Proverbs 8:13 Amp Bible.
These are but three of scores of verses addressing the subject of “the fear of the Lord” in Scripture. I like the Amplified version as it states a fuller meaning of the word “fear” by revealing the intent is not a cowering fear, but rather a reverence for the Lord resulting in worship towards God. Even a little revelation of the awesomeness of a Holy and Righteous God would stir one to respect, reverence and worship Him.
Many times my wife and I find ourselves speaking of some issue in our land concerning life or events and the responses of supposedly intelligent persons and wondering how they can act, speak and / or believe what they are saying to be true. The other will regularly respond “No God, that’s the problem”. I believe the Scripture to be completely true - those with no reverence towards God display a lot of foolishness and very little wisdom. The love towards evil, evil ways, perversions of all types coming out of pride and arrogance rather than hate for those things are enough to make ones stomach churn. It seems to me that so many in our Nation (including many who call themselves Christian) have fallen far from any display of reverent and worshipful fear of the Creator of all the Earth. Romans Chapter One speaks of God giving men over to repropate minds - literally degrading passions; men who professed themselves as wise, but are in reality fools because they did not honor Him as God.
Have you noticed the increase of fools? Persons professing to be wise causing one mess after another for so many. I heard someone say that it was stupidity that got our Nation in the mess we have, and then responding with why are we not getting out of our messes then - we certainly seem to have more than enough ineptness to go around. I agreed with him.
Want things better in your life, your families life, our communities and Nation? Then let us each respond with reverence to the God of all creation. Let us not foolishly suppose we are wiser than He, or that we have so advanced ourselves that we no longer need Him. He never changes. He is not evolving. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is the only One worthy of all our worship. He is our great provider and protector if we fear Him and trust Him. His very nature is goodness, but He will never bless apart from the boundaries He has set for man. You can read all about them in your Bible and you should be learning about them when you assemble with other believers each week.
We are approaching the time of the celebration of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This would be a wonderful season to come towards Him or return to Him. Reverence Him, worship Him and experience for yourself His redeeming love. Honor Him as God and He will reveal Himself as who He really is - Lord of Heaven and Earth. As for me and my household, we choose to honor, reverence and worship Him, and our desire is that you will as well. Be blessed as you increasingly turn yourself towards Christ.
“The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline” - Proverbs 1:7 Amp. Bible. “Let all the earth fear the Lord [revere and worship Him]; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.” - Psalms 33:8 Amp Bible. “The reverent fear and worshipful awe of the Lord [includes] the hatred of evil; pride, arrogance, the evil way, and perverted and twisted speech” - Proverbs 8:13 Amp Bible.
These are but three of scores of verses addressing the subject of “the fear of the Lord” in Scripture. I like the Amplified version as it states a fuller meaning of the word “fear” by revealing the intent is not a cowering fear, but rather a reverence for the Lord resulting in worship towards God. Even a little revelation of the awesomeness of a Holy and Righteous God would stir one to respect, reverence and worship Him.
Many times my wife and I find ourselves speaking of some issue in our land concerning life or events and the responses of supposedly intelligent persons and wondering how they can act, speak and / or believe what they are saying to be true. The other will regularly respond “No God, that’s the problem”. I believe the Scripture to be completely true - those with no reverence towards God display a lot of foolishness and very little wisdom. The love towards evil, evil ways, perversions of all types coming out of pride and arrogance rather than hate for those things are enough to make ones stomach churn. It seems to me that so many in our Nation (including many who call themselves Christian) have fallen far from any display of reverent and worshipful fear of the Creator of all the Earth. Romans Chapter One speaks of God giving men over to repropate minds - literally degrading passions; men who professed themselves as wise, but are in reality fools because they did not honor Him as God.
Have you noticed the increase of fools? Persons professing to be wise causing one mess after another for so many. I heard someone say that it was stupidity that got our Nation in the mess we have, and then responding with why are we not getting out of our messes then - we certainly seem to have more than enough ineptness to go around. I agreed with him.
Want things better in your life, your families life, our communities and Nation? Then let us each respond with reverence to the God of all creation. Let us not foolishly suppose we are wiser than He, or that we have so advanced ourselves that we no longer need Him. He never changes. He is not evolving. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is the only One worthy of all our worship. He is our great provider and protector if we fear Him and trust Him. His very nature is goodness, but He will never bless apart from the boundaries He has set for man. You can read all about them in your Bible and you should be learning about them when you assemble with other believers each week.
We are approaching the time of the celebration of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This would be a wonderful season to come towards Him or return to Him. Reverence Him, worship Him and experience for yourself His redeeming love. Honor Him as God and He will reveal Himself as who He really is - Lord of Heaven and Earth. As for me and my household, we choose to honor, reverence and worship Him, and our desire is that you will as well. Be blessed as you increasingly turn yourself towards Christ.
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