1 Peter 5:8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Ephesians 6:18 “Pray at all times with every kind of spiritual prayer, keeping alert and persistent as you pray for all Christ?s men and women.” 1 Corinthians 16:13 (Amplified Bible) “Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith (your conviction respecting man?s relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it). Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength!”
The above verses form the basis of what follows. We are told to be alert, meaning to be awake and watching in these and many other Scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments.
A few days ago as I was going about my own business, I sensed the Lord instructing me to write this article titled as above “While we Were Sleeping...”. In a moment of time, I was realizing so much that is contrary to the principles of our God and our Nation seems to be exploding around us. I knew in the same moment that it didn’t just start this year or this decade, but rather we - the Church, the Body of Christ (as a whole) - have not been awake enough to stand like men as issue after issue arose in this Nation.
We disliked it that abortion was being allowed as “Constitutional”. We disliked that prayer was removed from school; that biblical references were removed from one public place after another. We grumbled that sexual perversions were filling our cinema’s and TV’s and much more. We were so lethargic on our watch that a few years ago, major publications wrote headlines saying that God is/was dead.
God is only dead on the earth because His people, those who have received their redemption by the Blood of the Lamb, are sound asleep or at least dozing off. A few years ago, I and four other men drove several hundred miles and spent four really long days receiving instruction in the Lord. We all wanted to get home and one brother in particular wanted to drive. He began to weave around on the road. We would speak loudly and he would arouse. He insisted however that he was not to tired to safely drive. Well, after a couple of swerves onto the shoulder, we insisted he allow someone else to drive who was awake. Later, he kept telling us that we were just being extra concerned, and that he would have kept us safe. I don’t know that any of us agreed with that!
Today in our Nation many are sounding an alarm that we need to arouse, to wake up from our sleep and allow the God of all creation to shine brightly in our lives. Many are warning of pending disaster if we don’t watch what is going on. Many are just like the brother above - “I’m awake, we will all be safe”. These who claim to be alert, but are not, fail to see that while we were sleeping, the enemy of our soul, the thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy, the one seeking to devour, has been able to set up camp in positions which the Righteous in the Lord should have been holding. In lieu of rejoicing, many are moaning. While we were sleeping, the family structure has been nearly destroyed by deviating from God's plan of a Father and Mother training up a child in the way he or she should go. While we were sleeping, our educational system was infiltrated by many who want to revise our history and in the name of “helping” have in reality caused a decline in our scholastic abilities in basics such as reading and the ability to think through issues logically. While we were sleeping, our laws were altered to give advantage to those who are acting contrary the the principles of morality. While we were sleeping, an entitlement society was formed putting both the recipient of such entitlement and those supporting it in increasing bondage.
It is time for the Church, the Righteous in the Lord, to AWAKE, to ARISE and release Truth in the streets before it is too late. We must openly insist, that this Nation return to those God-honoring principles that made America great, and have always released both the provision and protection of our Creator. It is time to recognize that in Christ we can indeed do whatever is required of us by our God. We can awaken. We can stand. We can release Truth. We can stand the pressures that will certainly arise as we bring our culture back to a place where corruption and distrust are replaced with honesty and integrity because we honor the Word of God which is Truth.
Awaken, arise, get involved in what is happening. Refuse to function apart from what is right in the sight of God. Let’s not sleep until the waters have risen above our noses or the fire has kindled upon us, but rather stand up in Christ and reveal His Glory to a lost and dying world. Decide today to recognize we have been asleep, repent and arise in His strength. Do it for the sake of the generations that follow us. Go for it!
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Saturday, August 31, 2013
I'm Tired - I'm Not Tired
I’m tired. I’m tired of conservatives, those wanting to honor the Constitution, those believing in a Biblical World view including believing marriage is to be between one man and one woman, and those who believe that upon conception a real live human being has begun to grow in a woman’s womb being treated like second class, extremist, right wing nut cases! I’m tired of having to change views or laws, and being put at risk for being a hater of some type for every person who seems to think their feelings are hurt by someone’s point of view which is different than theirs at the moment. It seems to me that it is time for good old-fashioned common sense mingled with courage and Biblical morals to arise and not only resist, but begin to move forward to turn these life changing, peace destroying issues around so we can once again be what our Founding Fathers and the God of all creation intended for us. Life and not death. Blessings and not curses. Light and not darkness.
Colossians 1:13 - 14 says “For we must never forget that he rescued us from the power of darkness, and re-established us in the kingdom of his beloved Son, that is, in the kingdom of light. For it is by his Son alone that we have been redeemed and have had our sins forgiven.” Ephesians 1:3 says “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” and in John 10:10 Christ Himself says “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
Biblical and natural history reveal that courageous, virtuous men and / or women must arise and defend what is right in a culture, or it falls backwards into what could easily be called an abyss - a cultural cesspool. We must look about and see that our culture is moving as a whole towards a cultural cesspool. Space doesn’t allow me to begin listing one by one the ungodly things happening daily in our land.
I’m tired of lawmakers, peace officers, judicial leaders, corporate and community leaders caving in to small groups that want special privilege and those leaders saying they can do nothing about it. Perhaps they really feel that way, but I’m tired of this ungodliness running roughshod over our hard earned freedoms both in Christ and by our Founding Fathers, and the generations that followed. I’m tired of those unrighteous persons calling those who are doing their best to preserve what is right in this nation ugly names that should not even be spoken.
I believe it is fully time for conservative, Constitution honoring, Biblical World View believers to be of one united voice before our God and our neighbors. We must beseech our God for His wisdom, timing and courage. We need to inform our neighbors that we must arise and shine the real Light of Life out into the darkness all around us. We must stand together and make a sound that penetrates every part of our culture saying that we are tired of this destruction of what is right and good in the sight of God. We do not have to agree with those who call evil good and good evil. God said these days would come, but He also revealed that those who are His shall not join that crowd. What fellowship has Light with darkness? What fellowship has Life with death? What fellowship has Blessings with curses? Let us the Body of Christ, the Church, stand together as if we really do believe that their is One Lord and One Spirit that we are joined with by faith in Christ. Let us see that righteousness exalts a Nation.
By the way, I’m not tired of serving the Lord Jesus Christ. I’m not tired of standing for what is right in the sight of God. I’m not tired of holding faith as a shield nor of releasing His Word as a sword of the Spirit. I’m not tired of making intercessions for all men nor of asking that all our leaders be saved so we can live quiet peaceable lives on earth. Neither am I tired of telling the old, old story of Jesus and His love for all of mankind.
Have a blessed season renewing yourself with His might and experiencing the surpassing greatness of His power towards you and yours.
Colossians 1:13 - 14 says “For we must never forget that he rescued us from the power of darkness, and re-established us in the kingdom of his beloved Son, that is, in the kingdom of light. For it is by his Son alone that we have been redeemed and have had our sins forgiven.” Ephesians 1:3 says “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” and in John 10:10 Christ Himself says “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
Biblical and natural history reveal that courageous, virtuous men and / or women must arise and defend what is right in a culture, or it falls backwards into what could easily be called an abyss - a cultural cesspool. We must look about and see that our culture is moving as a whole towards a cultural cesspool. Space doesn’t allow me to begin listing one by one the ungodly things happening daily in our land.
I’m tired of lawmakers, peace officers, judicial leaders, corporate and community leaders caving in to small groups that want special privilege and those leaders saying they can do nothing about it. Perhaps they really feel that way, but I’m tired of this ungodliness running roughshod over our hard earned freedoms both in Christ and by our Founding Fathers, and the generations that followed. I’m tired of those unrighteous persons calling those who are doing their best to preserve what is right in this nation ugly names that should not even be spoken.
I believe it is fully time for conservative, Constitution honoring, Biblical World View believers to be of one united voice before our God and our neighbors. We must beseech our God for His wisdom, timing and courage. We need to inform our neighbors that we must arise and shine the real Light of Life out into the darkness all around us. We must stand together and make a sound that penetrates every part of our culture saying that we are tired of this destruction of what is right and good in the sight of God. We do not have to agree with those who call evil good and good evil. God said these days would come, but He also revealed that those who are His shall not join that crowd. What fellowship has Light with darkness? What fellowship has Life with death? What fellowship has Blessings with curses? Let us the Body of Christ, the Church, stand together as if we really do believe that their is One Lord and One Spirit that we are joined with by faith in Christ. Let us see that righteousness exalts a Nation.
By the way, I’m not tired of serving the Lord Jesus Christ. I’m not tired of standing for what is right in the sight of God. I’m not tired of holding faith as a shield nor of releasing His Word as a sword of the Spirit. I’m not tired of making intercessions for all men nor of asking that all our leaders be saved so we can live quiet peaceable lives on earth. Neither am I tired of telling the old, old story of Jesus and His love for all of mankind.
Have a blessed season renewing yourself with His might and experiencing the surpassing greatness of His power towards you and yours.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Christ Has Called Us To Liberty
Last week we celebrated the 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence all across the land. I noticed many statements by our Founding Fathers were recorded on social media sites. I’ve copied a couple below that I know to be accurate;
"This was the object of the Declaration of Independence. Not to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of, not merely to say things which had never been said before; but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we are compelled to take. Neither aiming at originality of principle or sentiment, nor yet copied from any particular and previous writing, it was intended to be an expression of the American mind, and to give to that expression the proper tone and spirit called for by the occasion."
--Thomas Jefferson, letter to Henry Lee, 1825
"Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. ... Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us."
John Hancock 1st Signer of the Declaration of Independence --History of the United States of America, Vol. II, p. 229.
I am unashamedly a Patriotic Christian Citizen of the United States of America. I love the reminders of the wisdom and courage these men displayed. They knew they were in bondage to a cruel system of Government which was in a sense robbing them of all that was “right and just before God”. They were willing to stand and even fight for what was theirs by inheritance as those “created in the image and likeness of God” by the Creator Himself.
Scriptural history shows Israel time and again falling away from the protection and provision of the Most High God. In 2 Chronicles, the Lord said “If my people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn away from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” I believe that if there was ever a time in America for God’s people to pray, to turn from their evil ways seeking God, it is now! We must pray for our leaders to be men and women who honor God, His ways and our own Constitution. It is the decisions of the leaders which ultimately set the course of a Nation just as your own head sets the course of your life. Those decisions bring blessings or curses. Does it look to you like the decisions of our leaders over the past few decades have brought increased blessings to America?
Here is yet another quote I saw on social media last week - “Jesus called His followers "the salt of the earth", because salt changes the flavor of whatever it touches. The substance is also a healing agent as well as a preservative. God can bring health to a nation through citizens whose first priority is allegiance to the King of Kings. On this Independence Day let's become the salt that Jesus called us to be!”
And, another - “Repentance means turning from sin; Consecration is the other side of the repentance coin - yielding ourselves completely to God. May we go forward from Call2Fall to real Consecration!” Call2Fall was a nationwide day of repentance honored in thousands of churches across America on June 30th - I trust your church was one of them. If not, why not?
We, the Church, the Body of Christ must take our place as Salt and Light. We must arise and allow the Life of Christ to shine into the darkness all around us. We must speak up concerning the loss of one freedom after another attributed to “protecting us” or making sure we don’t “offend” someone who is ignorant of who Christ is and who they could be “in Him”. Truth must arise in our homes, streets and businesses. Have you noticed so many who cry out for separation of Church and State are using the State to interfere with our Christian liberties - both as believers and as American citizens?
The Word of God warned that times such as we are in would come because of lawlessness causing mens hearts to wax cold. We, the Church, are to stir ourselves up by and in Holy Spirit. We must oppose and expose evil - wherever it rises up. We must do it in this season for the sake of our children and grandchildren who will be increasingly enslaved lest we do all we can to regain and maintain freedoms lost. Former President Reagan said "Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again."
The Scripture says in 1 Peter 2:16 “Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God”
2 Peter 2: 2 “many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned”. Additionally in Chapter 2:18 - 19 “For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality those who barely escape the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, this he is enslaved”.
As Christians in Christian County, let us make sure we do not get caught up in the sensuality of those using freedom as a covering for their agenda of corruption rule us and others as slaves. We must know and act on the Truth which makes us free and stop the ever expanding theft of our freedoms as Americans and as Christians.
Christ has called you and I to liberty, declare it, stand for it, and fight as necessary to preserve it. Let us watch over our territory as those who care about what our Founding Fathers stood and fought for. Be blessed as you pursue the Word of Truth which will make you free.
"This was the object of the Declaration of Independence. Not to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of, not merely to say things which had never been said before; but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we are compelled to take. Neither aiming at originality of principle or sentiment, nor yet copied from any particular and previous writing, it was intended to be an expression of the American mind, and to give to that expression the proper tone and spirit called for by the occasion."
--Thomas Jefferson, letter to Henry Lee, 1825
"Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. ... Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us."
John Hancock 1st Signer of the Declaration of Independence --History of the United States of America, Vol. II, p. 229.
I am unashamedly a Patriotic Christian Citizen of the United States of America. I love the reminders of the wisdom and courage these men displayed. They knew they were in bondage to a cruel system of Government which was in a sense robbing them of all that was “right and just before God”. They were willing to stand and even fight for what was theirs by inheritance as those “created in the image and likeness of God” by the Creator Himself.
Scriptural history shows Israel time and again falling away from the protection and provision of the Most High God. In 2 Chronicles, the Lord said “If my people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn away from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” I believe that if there was ever a time in America for God’s people to pray, to turn from their evil ways seeking God, it is now! We must pray for our leaders to be men and women who honor God, His ways and our own Constitution. It is the decisions of the leaders which ultimately set the course of a Nation just as your own head sets the course of your life. Those decisions bring blessings or curses. Does it look to you like the decisions of our leaders over the past few decades have brought increased blessings to America?
Here is yet another quote I saw on social media last week - “Jesus called His followers "the salt of the earth", because salt changes the flavor of whatever it touches. The substance is also a healing agent as well as a preservative. God can bring health to a nation through citizens whose first priority is allegiance to the King of Kings. On this Independence Day let's become the salt that Jesus called us to be!”
And, another - “Repentance means turning from sin; Consecration is the other side of the repentance coin - yielding ourselves completely to God. May we go forward from Call2Fall to real Consecration!” Call2Fall was a nationwide day of repentance honored in thousands of churches across America on June 30th - I trust your church was one of them. If not, why not?
We, the Church, the Body of Christ must take our place as Salt and Light. We must arise and allow the Life of Christ to shine into the darkness all around us. We must speak up concerning the loss of one freedom after another attributed to “protecting us” or making sure we don’t “offend” someone who is ignorant of who Christ is and who they could be “in Him”. Truth must arise in our homes, streets and businesses. Have you noticed so many who cry out for separation of Church and State are using the State to interfere with our Christian liberties - both as believers and as American citizens?
The Word of God warned that times such as we are in would come because of lawlessness causing mens hearts to wax cold. We, the Church, are to stir ourselves up by and in Holy Spirit. We must oppose and expose evil - wherever it rises up. We must do it in this season for the sake of our children and grandchildren who will be increasingly enslaved lest we do all we can to regain and maintain freedoms lost. Former President Reagan said "Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again."
The Scripture says in 1 Peter 2:16 “Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God”
2 Peter 2: 2 “many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned”. Additionally in Chapter 2:18 - 19 “For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality those who barely escape the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, this he is enslaved”.
As Christians in Christian County, let us make sure we do not get caught up in the sensuality of those using freedom as a covering for their agenda of corruption rule us and others as slaves. We must know and act on the Truth which makes us free and stop the ever expanding theft of our freedoms as Americans and as Christians.
Christ has called you and I to liberty, declare it, stand for it, and fight as necessary to preserve it. Let us watch over our territory as those who care about what our Founding Fathers stood and fought for. Be blessed as you pursue the Word of Truth which will make you free.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Trusting God In The Midst Of Trying Times
But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. - 2 Timothy 3:1 (Amplified Bible).
Do you believe the Word of God? If so, you would surely agree that we are in "perilous times". We must recognize that these perilous times prophesied are not the "will of God", but rather show the foreknowledge of God. His Word states that the heart of man tends continually towards evil. That has certainly been borne out if one looks at history. That tendency towards evil has led to much trouble in this world. The Old Testament speaks of defiling the land through sin. It lead to famines, floods and even captivity. The end result of defilement of the land is a land that is uninhabitable.
One of the great truths of Scripture is that our God changes not. God is a God of principles. Yes, the Law was fulfilled by Christ our Redeemer, but lawlessness and the wages of sin were not done away with. An escape from that wage / penalty is available to all who repent - turn from their wicked ways and pursue God and learn of His ways.
Justice is turned away backward, and righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) stands far off; for truth has fallen in the street (the city’s forum), and uprightness cannot enter [the courts of justice]. - Isaiah 59:14 (Amplified Bible). Do you hear the Truth that makes one free espoused by our leaders in the city / state or National forum's? No, we hear Scriptural lies. Lies that lead to separation from the Grace and Mercy of our God. As a Nation, we push away His Word / Truth, and with it, we push away His protection and provision. The verse is self explanatory as you think about it just a bit.
The Lord spoke to Cain concerning his brother Abel "He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground." Genesis 4:10 (NASB). From that day until this, the shedding of innocent blood brings defilement and pushes back the protection and provision of our God. He is long-suffering, but there is a time when the space to repent comes to an end. Along the way, the graciousness of God warns and warns to turn from our wickedness and seek Him so our land can be healed (of it's defilement).
Do you not think the blood of millions of innocent babies murdered through abortion crying out to God? Can you imagine the "voice" of innocent blood rising to the Lord from a land killing it's babies through abortion and morning after pills in addition to all the other lives taken in various ways with out justice in this once great land?
IF we belong to God, WE MUST raise our voices as watchmen and those who would warn the ignorant and even the uncaring of impending peril because we push back the covering of our God. Psalms 91 says we are to say of the Lord - "YOU ARE MY REFUGE". Do you hear that in the city forum? Do you hear that in many churches? Is it heard in your home? We must declare the greatness and ability of our God. We must be sorrowful for our personal and National sin. We must demand our leaders to be righteous before God, and stand for His Truth so justice against evil can prevail.
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.".
From that Truth, I release out of the faith of the Christ who lives in me, His Love to destroy every fear of man. I release His Light to shine into and dispel the darkness enveloping our Nation. I release His Peace into the confusion of men, leaders, and committees who attempt to function without Scriptural foundation. I release His Strength into the perceived weakness of the Body of Christ on the earth - His Church. I release Him, the Spirit of Truth to expose and diffuse every lie spoken to cover or advance covenants with death. I release His Hope towards all hopelessness. I say out of Christ, we are being strengthened with Your Might; we do have the Mind of Christ; we are more than conquerors in Christ; we are rising to shine Your Light into this dark world; we receive of Your courage manifesting as boldness to speak Your Word so signs and wonders can be done by Your Hand; You are our Hope and Salvation.
We bless Your Name Lord, we honor You and Your Word today. We praise and give thanks for all that you have done, and for all that will yet manifest so many will see the greatness of You. You said the knowledge of Your Glory would one day cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. We are looking towards that day. We WILL ARISE AND STAND IN YOU.
Do you believe the Word of God? If so, you would surely agree that we are in "perilous times". We must recognize that these perilous times prophesied are not the "will of God", but rather show the foreknowledge of God. His Word states that the heart of man tends continually towards evil. That has certainly been borne out if one looks at history. That tendency towards evil has led to much trouble in this world. The Old Testament speaks of defiling the land through sin. It lead to famines, floods and even captivity. The end result of defilement of the land is a land that is uninhabitable.
One of the great truths of Scripture is that our God changes not. God is a God of principles. Yes, the Law was fulfilled by Christ our Redeemer, but lawlessness and the wages of sin were not done away with. An escape from that wage / penalty is available to all who repent - turn from their wicked ways and pursue God and learn of His ways.
Justice is turned away backward, and righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) stands far off; for truth has fallen in the street (the city’s forum), and uprightness cannot enter [the courts of justice]. - Isaiah 59:14 (Amplified Bible). Do you hear the Truth that makes one free espoused by our leaders in the city / state or National forum's? No, we hear Scriptural lies. Lies that lead to separation from the Grace and Mercy of our God. As a Nation, we push away His Word / Truth, and with it, we push away His protection and provision. The verse is self explanatory as you think about it just a bit.
The Lord spoke to Cain concerning his brother Abel "He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground." Genesis 4:10 (NASB). From that day until this, the shedding of innocent blood brings defilement and pushes back the protection and provision of our God. He is long-suffering, but there is a time when the space to repent comes to an end. Along the way, the graciousness of God warns and warns to turn from our wickedness and seek Him so our land can be healed (of it's defilement).
Do you not think the blood of millions of innocent babies murdered through abortion crying out to God? Can you imagine the "voice" of innocent blood rising to the Lord from a land killing it's babies through abortion and morning after pills in addition to all the other lives taken in various ways with out justice in this once great land?
IF we belong to God, WE MUST raise our voices as watchmen and those who would warn the ignorant and even the uncaring of impending peril because we push back the covering of our God. Psalms 91 says we are to say of the Lord - "YOU ARE MY REFUGE". Do you hear that in the city forum? Do you hear that in many churches? Is it heard in your home? We must declare the greatness and ability of our God. We must be sorrowful for our personal and National sin. We must demand our leaders to be righteous before God, and stand for His Truth so justice against evil can prevail.
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.".
From that Truth, I release out of the faith of the Christ who lives in me, His Love to destroy every fear of man. I release His Light to shine into and dispel the darkness enveloping our Nation. I release His Peace into the confusion of men, leaders, and committees who attempt to function without Scriptural foundation. I release His Strength into the perceived weakness of the Body of Christ on the earth - His Church. I release Him, the Spirit of Truth to expose and diffuse every lie spoken to cover or advance covenants with death. I release His Hope towards all hopelessness. I say out of Christ, we are being strengthened with Your Might; we do have the Mind of Christ; we are more than conquerors in Christ; we are rising to shine Your Light into this dark world; we receive of Your courage manifesting as boldness to speak Your Word so signs and wonders can be done by Your Hand; You are our Hope and Salvation.
We bless Your Name Lord, we honor You and Your Word today. We praise and give thanks for all that you have done, and for all that will yet manifest so many will see the greatness of You. You said the knowledge of Your Glory would one day cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. We are looking towards that day. We WILL ARISE AND STAND IN YOU.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Stay The Course
William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army is credited with the following statement; I consider that the chief dangers that confront the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God and heaven without hell."
Was he prophetic or what?? Acts 10:38 says "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." You have an anointing that abides in you according to the Epistle of John. The same Spirit that raised Christ from dead dwells in you and will make alive even your mortal body according to Romans 8:11. It is Holy Spirit who introduces us to Christ, that is brings conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment.
How can we have Christianity without Christ? Listen, read and discover that far to many are inclusive of other so-called gods. "What fellowship has Christ with the devil?" Paul asked. Do you suppose for a moment that Christ is going to be a partner with false gods in any place of worship? Do you know those who attempt to display their Christianity by their works and fail to worship, praise, mention or give thanks to Jesus Christ the One and Only redeemer who gave His life and then arose from the dead and was seen by hundreds of witnesses, even at one time. Do you suppose those who are apparently ashamed to mention Him in their daily lives are being mentioned at the Throne of God? Their is NO Christian life without Christ, and their is no Christ in our lives without the presence and influence of Holy Spirit.
In Luke 24:45 - 47, it is written "Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem." Men still SIN. Repentance, a sorrow for committing the sin against God, and a change of heart concerning it are still the ONLY WAY to apply the Blood of Christ which washes away our sin. We are to confess our sins before Him, and receiving the Truth that He is faithful and just to forgive us of all unrighteousness. Acts 27 tell us "He now commands all men everywhere to repent". Don't buy the lie that you don't need to repent. Don't buy the lie that you only have "issues" or "problems". If not of faith, it is sin. Repent and be cleansed.
Only by being Born-again, can one enter heaven. Jesus said you MUST BE BORN AGAIN. You cannot be saved by a "social" gospel that declares your works will earn you a way into heaven, or that everyone is going to heaven because they are basically good. Titus 3:5 says "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,". The Way IS narrow, and the path straight that leads to Life. That broad, easy way leads to death (separation from God)
Do we have "politics without God" as Booth feared? Listen to or read only a few news stories any you quickly discover any mention of God is being strongly discouraged in any public place. To many believe they are granted "freedom FROM religion" in lieu of "freedom OF religion" in our Constitution. Without the provision and protection of God in our Land, we increasingly have overwhelming difficulties that we as mere men cannot solve, or in some cases even stand.
Heaven without Hell, Booth spoke of. When is the last time you faced the issue that there is a Heaven to gain, and a hell to shun? Are you aware that hell is everlasting torment in darkness being separated from God who is the source of all Light? Do you know that the decision concerning you eternal abode (Heaven or hell) is made now, in this lifetime. Today is the day to choose Life, to choose Christ as your personal redeemer and know that Heaven is your eternal home - not because of any good thing you have done, but rather because He paid the price with His own Blood. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.
Let as many as be saved, contend for the Faith once and for all delivered to us. Let us arise and shine with the Glory of the Risen Lord radiating out from our lives. Let us recognize we have been crucified with Him, and that the life we now live is not our own, but rather let us live out of and by the faith of the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us. Let us stay the course. Be strengthened with His Might in your inner man today. Rejoice and be glad in Him. Confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and see the Salvation of God in your own life today.
Read and believe Romans 10 verses 9 and 10. Look at Ephesians chapters one and two. After you read it, repent as needed, apply the Truth of the Word of God and experience Him today. Be blessed in your walk of faith in Christ.
Was he prophetic or what?? Acts 10:38 says "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." You have an anointing that abides in you according to the Epistle of John. The same Spirit that raised Christ from dead dwells in you and will make alive even your mortal body according to Romans 8:11. It is Holy Spirit who introduces us to Christ, that is brings conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment.
How can we have Christianity without Christ? Listen, read and discover that far to many are inclusive of other so-called gods. "What fellowship has Christ with the devil?" Paul asked. Do you suppose for a moment that Christ is going to be a partner with false gods in any place of worship? Do you know those who attempt to display their Christianity by their works and fail to worship, praise, mention or give thanks to Jesus Christ the One and Only redeemer who gave His life and then arose from the dead and was seen by hundreds of witnesses, even at one time. Do you suppose those who are apparently ashamed to mention Him in their daily lives are being mentioned at the Throne of God? Their is NO Christian life without Christ, and their is no Christ in our lives without the presence and influence of Holy Spirit.
In Luke 24:45 - 47, it is written "Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem." Men still SIN. Repentance, a sorrow for committing the sin against God, and a change of heart concerning it are still the ONLY WAY to apply the Blood of Christ which washes away our sin. We are to confess our sins before Him, and receiving the Truth that He is faithful and just to forgive us of all unrighteousness. Acts 27 tell us "He now commands all men everywhere to repent". Don't buy the lie that you don't need to repent. Don't buy the lie that you only have "issues" or "problems". If not of faith, it is sin. Repent and be cleansed.
Only by being Born-again, can one enter heaven. Jesus said you MUST BE BORN AGAIN. You cannot be saved by a "social" gospel that declares your works will earn you a way into heaven, or that everyone is going to heaven because they are basically good. Titus 3:5 says "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,". The Way IS narrow, and the path straight that leads to Life. That broad, easy way leads to death (separation from God)
Do we have "politics without God" as Booth feared? Listen to or read only a few news stories any you quickly discover any mention of God is being strongly discouraged in any public place. To many believe they are granted "freedom FROM religion" in lieu of "freedom OF religion" in our Constitution. Without the provision and protection of God in our Land, we increasingly have overwhelming difficulties that we as mere men cannot solve, or in some cases even stand.
Heaven without Hell, Booth spoke of. When is the last time you faced the issue that there is a Heaven to gain, and a hell to shun? Are you aware that hell is everlasting torment in darkness being separated from God who is the source of all Light? Do you know that the decision concerning you eternal abode (Heaven or hell) is made now, in this lifetime. Today is the day to choose Life, to choose Christ as your personal redeemer and know that Heaven is your eternal home - not because of any good thing you have done, but rather because He paid the price with His own Blood. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.
Let as many as be saved, contend for the Faith once and for all delivered to us. Let us arise and shine with the Glory of the Risen Lord radiating out from our lives. Let us recognize we have been crucified with Him, and that the life we now live is not our own, but rather let us live out of and by the faith of the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us. Let us stay the course. Be strengthened with His Might in your inner man today. Rejoice and be glad in Him. Confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and see the Salvation of God in your own life today.
Read and believe Romans 10 verses 9 and 10. Look at Ephesians chapters one and two. After you read it, repent as needed, apply the Truth of the Word of God and experience Him today. Be blessed in your walk of faith in Christ.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Stand Strong
Psalms 11:3 “If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?” The
Message paraphrase says in verses 1 - 3 “Iʼve already run for dear life straight to the
arms of God. So why would I run away now when you say, “Run to the mountains; the
evil bows are bent, the wicked arrows Aimed to shoot under cover of darkness at every
heart open to God. The bottomʼs dropped out of the country; good people donʼt have a
chance”?
Message paraphrase says in verses 1 - 3 “Iʼve already run for dear life straight to the
arms of God. So why would I run away now when you say, “Run to the mountains; the
evil bows are bent, the wicked arrows Aimed to shoot under cover of darkness at every
heart open to God. The bottomʼs dropped out of the country; good people donʼt have a
chance”?
Those words of King David seem to ring true today in America as I see it. Malachi 2:17
(Message paraphrase) “You make God tired with all your talk.“How do we tire him out?”
you ask. By saying, “God loves sinners and sin alike. God loves all.” And also by saying,
“Judgment? Godʼs too nice to judge.”
As I look at the Word of God, I do not see what we in America define as “political
correctness”. God does love the people of this world - enough so that He gave His Son
as ransom. The price for sin has been paid by the Blood of Jesus Christ for all who
believe on Him. God however, hates sin. When men, even those calling themselves
“christian” refuse to take a stand against sin and suggest that whatever you do is okay
with God, we are being lied to. When men say we are not to judge anything, and imply
that even God is not judging that which is contrary to His Word, we are being lied to.
When men say that everything is wonderful and America will always be the land of the
free and the home of the brave, we are being lied to.
When leaders in our land say that America was not founded on Christ and the Word of
God and that we must suppress our Christian views lest we offend someone, we are
being lied to. When we bowed to the pressures of this world and removed prayer and
public references to God our Creator, we were being lied to. When we are told that all
of Islam is a peace-loving religion, we are being lied to. When we are told that our
grade school age children need to have comprehensive sex education, we are being
lied to.
I could go on, but Iʼm sure you get the point - our foundations are destroyed and being
destroyed, the bottoms dropped out, and those with righteous, virtuous morals hardly
stand a chance. Christians and Patriotic individuals are being categorized as potential
terror threats to our Nation. It is time - perhaps past time, to stand up and be counted
as a citizen of Heaven and a citizen of America. As citizens of Heaven, we have a King
whose Word is law, and must be followed. America is a Nation of laws, and as citizens,
we are supposed to be a government “of the people, by the people and for the people”.
We, the people must insist that this Nation return to itʼs own ancient path of
righteousness by running to God as individuals, and then as a Nation. We cannot
continue to think we can “blend” with other Godʼs and be safe. We cannot bow to
demands contrary to the Word of God.
Good people do have a chance, IF, we run towards God, seek His face and turn away
from the multitude of evil ways allowed to flourish in this season, asking for His Mercy to
heal our land. Only yesterday (May 2, 2013) thousands gathered together on the 62nd
annual National Day of Prayer to repent and ask God to reveal Himself once again in
our Nation. Most were rank and file citizens. Far to many officials were absent and did
not (in some cases would not) participate. If we donʼt have leaders who faithfully honor
our God, then, it is time to judge ourselves as poor citizens concerning who we elect,
change our ways and then stand up and demand righteous leadership so the Light of
God can shine out once again across our Land and cause America to prosper as it
once did.
conviction to those defying Him by revealing their need for a Savior. We desire all men
to be saved. May you be blessed as you increasingly learn of Him so that grace and
peace can be multiplied in your life. Stand strong in Him.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Finding Truth
Psalms 20 verses 7 & 8 say “Some trust in and boast of chariots and some of horses, but we will trust in and boast of the name of the Lord our God. They are bowed down and fallen, but we are risen and stand upright.” Psalms 91 verses 1 & 2 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”, and Proverbs 4 verses 20 - 23 “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body. Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” These Words of Life from Scripture give sound advice for living in a world that operates contrary to the ways of the Lord Most High.
Whom do we believe? The Word(s) of God are Truth. Holy Spirit is referred to as the Spirit of Truth who leads us into all truth. The God of this world according to Scripture is the father / author of lies. Mankind yields either to the God of all Truth or to the father of all lies. There is no middle ground. Truth is truth, and the Word of God is the Truth that you can trust with all your heart. In Christ, we can, through Holy Spirit discern truth from lies, and often with a little thought and / or natural intuition can as well.
I have been following the statements concerning the so-called sequestration. They are referred to by many as “drastic cuts” in federal spending. Here is truth that can be easily verified - Their are no real cuts, only decreases in proposed increased spending. Our Federal Government will spend more this year than last year even with the sequestration cuts. Fear has torment according to Scripture, and these lies about sequestration are causing much fear / torment in many. God has said that He has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and a sound mind. A sound mind will search out truth, and stand in it. Additionally, we have the statements about gun-control, same-sex marriage, immigration and more new stories about climate change. Each has a truth that is often left behind in favor of some agenda. Each has it’s own set of statements that even common-sense would recognize as false. Yet, too often instead of we as Christians listening for the voice of God (Truth), are motivated by fears and agenda driven statements. For example, I heard a voice against 2nd Amendment rights this week say a woman doesn’t need a weapon to protect herself against rape - she should just tell the man not to rape her. My lightning fast mind decided that was not a statement one could put trust in.
Our great need as I see it, is to know the Truth, to rely on God, and learn to discern truth from lies. Our Constitution says we “are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.....That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed”. Scripture says that rulers are to be ministers of God to us for good. We must know that when government lies to us, they are not ministers of God, for God cannot lie. We must see that if lies are necessary to make a point or move society towards a goal, it is not in our best interest. We must not put our trust in those who deviate from Truth, but rather in the Word and Spirit of our Creator. Let us be able to say from our heart, that our Creator really is our refuge and fortress, and that because Christ lives and moves in us, Truth is flowing out of our being concerning the issues of life.
Those who are Righteous in Christ must arise and release His Light / Life into our spheres of influence. We must refuse to follow after lies, but rather seek out and find truth, speak that truth, and then stand in the truth. The choices are really not about party lines or other distinctions declared by man, but rather they are about Life and death, Blessings or curses. We as sovereign humanity on earth make the choice(s). Let us choose Life and Blessings, not lies / sin whose wage is death. Decide today to find Truth - Scripturally and naturally and trust our God for His grace and mercy to provide the courage and strength to stand in Him, no matter what the odds may appear to be. He really desires to be our refuge and fortress - now and forevermore. Seek, and you shall find the Truth.
Whom do we believe? The Word(s) of God are Truth. Holy Spirit is referred to as the Spirit of Truth who leads us into all truth. The God of this world according to Scripture is the father / author of lies. Mankind yields either to the God of all Truth or to the father of all lies. There is no middle ground. Truth is truth, and the Word of God is the Truth that you can trust with all your heart. In Christ, we can, through Holy Spirit discern truth from lies, and often with a little thought and / or natural intuition can as well.
I have been following the statements concerning the so-called sequestration. They are referred to by many as “drastic cuts” in federal spending. Here is truth that can be easily verified - Their are no real cuts, only decreases in proposed increased spending. Our Federal Government will spend more this year than last year even with the sequestration cuts. Fear has torment according to Scripture, and these lies about sequestration are causing much fear / torment in many. God has said that He has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and a sound mind. A sound mind will search out truth, and stand in it. Additionally, we have the statements about gun-control, same-sex marriage, immigration and more new stories about climate change. Each has a truth that is often left behind in favor of some agenda. Each has it’s own set of statements that even common-sense would recognize as false. Yet, too often instead of we as Christians listening for the voice of God (Truth), are motivated by fears and agenda driven statements. For example, I heard a voice against 2nd Amendment rights this week say a woman doesn’t need a weapon to protect herself against rape - she should just tell the man not to rape her. My lightning fast mind decided that was not a statement one could put trust in.
Our great need as I see it, is to know the Truth, to rely on God, and learn to discern truth from lies. Our Constitution says we “are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.....That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed”. Scripture says that rulers are to be ministers of God to us for good. We must know that when government lies to us, they are not ministers of God, for God cannot lie. We must see that if lies are necessary to make a point or move society towards a goal, it is not in our best interest. We must not put our trust in those who deviate from Truth, but rather in the Word and Spirit of our Creator. Let us be able to say from our heart, that our Creator really is our refuge and fortress, and that because Christ lives and moves in us, Truth is flowing out of our being concerning the issues of life.
Those who are Righteous in Christ must arise and release His Light / Life into our spheres of influence. We must refuse to follow after lies, but rather seek out and find truth, speak that truth, and then stand in the truth. The choices are really not about party lines or other distinctions declared by man, but rather they are about Life and death, Blessings or curses. We as sovereign humanity on earth make the choice(s). Let us choose Life and Blessings, not lies / sin whose wage is death. Decide today to find Truth - Scripturally and naturally and trust our God for His grace and mercy to provide the courage and strength to stand in Him, no matter what the odds may appear to be. He really desires to be our refuge and fortress - now and forevermore. Seek, and you shall find the Truth.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
The God of Peace
The Apostle Paul wrote in the 1st Corinthian letter that “... God is not a God of confusion but of peace...”. The world we live in today certainly seems to have more than enough confusion, meaning to me that God is not being allowed to manifest His nature. Confusion seems to surround almost everything in Government spheres, and then outward to most of what Government has it’s hand in. In so many situations, uncertainty seems to be the prevailing thought. Many say something like this - “well,
God is in control”. Other say their is no God in control, and yet others say that even if God exists, He is irrelevant in these days.
May I state Scriptural Truth? Jesus said the Word of God was Truth, and that Holy Spirit was the Spirit of Truth. God does exist, and those who come to Him must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. God is always relevant, for He is the creator of this earth and all it contains, and the universe is held together by the Word of His Power. Man determines what happens on earth. Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Look closely, man created in the image and likeness of God is to rule (have control). Man, on this side of the Cross is to be transformed by the renewing of his mind via the Blood of Christ into Christlikeness (image and likeness of God). By that Redeeming Blood man is able to exercise the authority of Christ over all the powers of darkness. Man is to release the nature of His creator through the faith of the Son of God who lives in him.
Scripture says “we do have the mind of Christ”, we “are filled with His Holy Spirit”, “we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us”, we are “filled with His Might in our inner man” and much more. If we have a lack of peace, we have a lack of the release of the giver of all Life out of those who comprise the Body of Christ on earth. He, Christ is the Prince of all Peace, and of the increase of His Peace there is to be no end. That increase is tied directly to the increase of His Government in and through our lives. So, we can truthfully say, “If” confusion is reigning, then we severely lack the Government of our God on earth.
Should we be amazed? We have, as a Nation, systematically removed God from our society as much as possible. No mention of Him is to be made increasingly in nearly every area of our culture according to non-believers, and agreed to by to many who are or at least should be standing in faith against this eradication of God, His Truth and His Spirit in public.
Should we wonder why we have violence in so many places? Should we wonder why we have such economic troubles? Should we wonder why we spend increasing amounts on education and welfare, and scholastic standings decline and poverty increases? Should we wonder why we call evil good, and good evil? Without God, without a revival of His Word by His Spirit in our land, these devastating and confusing things will only increase.
We are only a few weeks from rehearsing the Christmas account of the Angels saying to the Shepherds - “Peace on earth, goodwill towards men”. It is time for each of us who profess the Salvation of Christ to lay aside the carnal nature, and put on the new man renewed in Christ. We must use our God given authority, established at creation and renewed through the Blood of Christ and walk in righteousness, hating evil and releasing His Peace wherever we go. Let us reveal the greatness of our God in this year of great grace. Be blessed as you seek Him and His Righteousness.
God is in control”. Other say their is no God in control, and yet others say that even if God exists, He is irrelevant in these days.
May I state Scriptural Truth? Jesus said the Word of God was Truth, and that Holy Spirit was the Spirit of Truth. God does exist, and those who come to Him must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. God is always relevant, for He is the creator of this earth and all it contains, and the universe is held together by the Word of His Power. Man determines what happens on earth. Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Look closely, man created in the image and likeness of God is to rule (have control). Man, on this side of the Cross is to be transformed by the renewing of his mind via the Blood of Christ into Christlikeness (image and likeness of God). By that Redeeming Blood man is able to exercise the authority of Christ over all the powers of darkness. Man is to release the nature of His creator through the faith of the Son of God who lives in him.
Scripture says “we do have the mind of Christ”, we “are filled with His Holy Spirit”, “we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us”, we are “filled with His Might in our inner man” and much more. If we have a lack of peace, we have a lack of the release of the giver of all Life out of those who comprise the Body of Christ on earth. He, Christ is the Prince of all Peace, and of the increase of His Peace there is to be no end. That increase is tied directly to the increase of His Government in and through our lives. So, we can truthfully say, “If” confusion is reigning, then we severely lack the Government of our God on earth.
Should we be amazed? We have, as a Nation, systematically removed God from our society as much as possible. No mention of Him is to be made increasingly in nearly every area of our culture according to non-believers, and agreed to by to many who are or at least should be standing in faith against this eradication of God, His Truth and His Spirit in public.
Should we wonder why we have violence in so many places? Should we wonder why we have such economic troubles? Should we wonder why we spend increasing amounts on education and welfare, and scholastic standings decline and poverty increases? Should we wonder why we call evil good, and good evil? Without God, without a revival of His Word by His Spirit in our land, these devastating and confusing things will only increase.
We are only a few weeks from rehearsing the Christmas account of the Angels saying to the Shepherds - “Peace on earth, goodwill towards men”. It is time for each of us who profess the Salvation of Christ to lay aside the carnal nature, and put on the new man renewed in Christ. We must use our God given authority, established at creation and renewed through the Blood of Christ and walk in righteousness, hating evil and releasing His Peace wherever we go. Let us reveal the greatness of our God in this year of great grace. Be blessed as you seek Him and His Righteousness.
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