Sunday, August 25, 2013
Messages From Heaven: Fearless Living in Fearful Times, Waiting Faithful...
Messages From Heaven: Fearless Living in Fearful Times, Waiting Faithful...: More than two thousand years ago, Jesus' disciples knew what it was like to experience fear and worry as they faced an uncertain futur...
Fearless Living in Fearful Times, Waiting Faithfully!
More than two thousand years ago, Jesus' disciples knew what it was
like to experience fear and worry as they faced an uncertain future.
Jesus said something they really hadn't heard Him say before. He told
them He would be leaving, and it turned their world — as they knew it —
upside down. But then He went on to share some words to calm their
troubled hearts. These words ring true in light of world events today
and can calm our troubled hearts as well.
Let's consider what Jesus said to His disciples:
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-3 NKJV)
Jesus starts by saying, "Let not your heart be troubled." Another way to translate this phrase is, "Don't be agitated or disturbed or thrown into confusion." He didn't say, "Mull over your problems." Rather, He said, "Don't be troubled." Life is filled with trouble. It seems that once you have one problem resolved, three more take its place. Job 5:7 says, "Man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward" (NKJV). It is so true. From the moment we come into this life, there are all kinds of troubles awaiting us.
While there are reasons to be troubled in life, there are greater reasons to not be troubled. In Jesus' words, we find three reasons why we don't have to be gripped by fear, and why we can find hope in hopeless times.
Reason one: We know Jesus. Jesus told His disciples, "You believe in God, believe also in Me" (verse 1). What is He saying by implication? "I am God. You believe in God the Father. I am God the Son. Believe in Me. Trust Me." In the original language, this is a command. Jesus was not just asking the disciples to believe. He was commanding them.
There are times in our lives when we don't understand why God did or God did not do a certain thing. When I don't understand something about God, I always try to fall back on what I do understand. I do understand that God loves me. I do understand that He is looking out for me and has my best interests in mind. I do understand that no matter what happens, He will see me through.
Reason two: If you are a Christian, you are going to heaven. Jesus said, "In My Father's house are many mansions" (verse 2). God has placed eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). This simply means that we sense there is more to life, and that keeps us moving forward. No matter what experiences we have had, no matter how wonderful they were, they were just a glimpse of what is still ahead. No matter what happens to us on this earth, it pales in comparison to this great hope. There is a better world ahead, something far greater than what we are experiencing now.
Reason three: Jesus is coming again. Some day, in the not-too-distant future, Jesus Christ will set foot again on Earth. It might be sooner than we think. When the Lord returns, He will not merely send for us, but will come in person to escort us to the Father's house. He said, "I will come again and receive you to Myself" (verse 3). He will take us with Him to heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Yes, there are some things we are afraid of, and rightly so, because it causes us to be discerning and careful. But we need to keep our fears in perspective. Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (NKJV).
With this in mind, let's think about what we should really be afraid of. The worst-case scenario is not dying. The worst-case scenario is dying without Jesus.
Let's consider what Jesus said to His disciples:
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-3 NKJV)
Jesus starts by saying, "Let not your heart be troubled." Another way to translate this phrase is, "Don't be agitated or disturbed or thrown into confusion." He didn't say, "Mull over your problems." Rather, He said, "Don't be troubled." Life is filled with trouble. It seems that once you have one problem resolved, three more take its place. Job 5:7 says, "Man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward" (NKJV). It is so true. From the moment we come into this life, there are all kinds of troubles awaiting us.
While there are reasons to be troubled in life, there are greater reasons to not be troubled. In Jesus' words, we find three reasons why we don't have to be gripped by fear, and why we can find hope in hopeless times.
Reason one: We know Jesus. Jesus told His disciples, "You believe in God, believe also in Me" (verse 1). What is He saying by implication? "I am God. You believe in God the Father. I am God the Son. Believe in Me. Trust Me." In the original language, this is a command. Jesus was not just asking the disciples to believe. He was commanding them.
There are times in our lives when we don't understand why God did or God did not do a certain thing. When I don't understand something about God, I always try to fall back on what I do understand. I do understand that God loves me. I do understand that He is looking out for me and has my best interests in mind. I do understand that no matter what happens, He will see me through.
Reason two: If you are a Christian, you are going to heaven. Jesus said, "In My Father's house are many mansions" (verse 2). God has placed eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). This simply means that we sense there is more to life, and that keeps us moving forward. No matter what experiences we have had, no matter how wonderful they were, they were just a glimpse of what is still ahead. No matter what happens to us on this earth, it pales in comparison to this great hope. There is a better world ahead, something far greater than what we are experiencing now.
Reason three: Jesus is coming again. Some day, in the not-too-distant future, Jesus Christ will set foot again on Earth. It might be sooner than we think. When the Lord returns, He will not merely send for us, but will come in person to escort us to the Father's house. He said, "I will come again and receive you to Myself" (verse 3). He will take us with Him to heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Yes, there are some things we are afraid of, and rightly so, because it causes us to be discerning and careful. But we need to keep our fears in perspective. Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (NKJV).
With this in mind, let's think about what we should really be afraid of. The worst-case scenario is not dying. The worst-case scenario is dying without Jesus.
Messages From Heaven: Do You Want to Change? For Real!
Messages From Heaven: Do You Want to Change? For Real!: It’s interesting to look through the pages of Scripture and note how God came to various people in the way they needed Him to come. To A...
Do You Want to Change? For Real!
It’s interesting to look through the pages of Scripture and note how
God came to various people in the way they needed Him to come.
To Abraham the pilgrim, God came as a traveler. Remember those three visitors who came to his tent before the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah? One of them was the Lord himself.
To Joshua the general, Jesus came as the Commander of the Lord’s army, telling him to take off his sandals because he was standing on holy ground.
Jacob, in turn, was a wrestler. Figuratively speaking, he was always wrestling with people: he wrestled with his father Isaac...he wrestled with his brother Esau...he wrestled with his father-in-law Laban.
So the Lord came to Jacob as a wrestler. Psalm 18:26 says of God, “With the pure You will show Yourself pure; and with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd” (nkjv).
Therefore, the Lord shrewdly came to Jacob. Genesis 32:24 tells us, “Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day” (nkjv).
Jacob had been left alone with God. He was always conniving, always scheming, always plotting, and always had an idea. So the Lord stripped everything away and said, “OK, I want you alone with Me.”
As the commentator C. H. McIntosh said, “To be left alone with God is the only true way of arriving at a just knowledge of ourselves and our ways.”
The conniving, plotting, scheming Jacob was all alone with God, and they began to wrestle.
What God wanted from Jacob was his surrender. But that wasn’t going to happen until Jacob came to the end of his strength. So on it went throughout the night.
Then a life-changing moment transpired for the scheming Jacob. Instead of fighting with God, He was clinging to Him. The Lord said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks” (Genesis 32:26 nkjv).
Jacob responded, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” (verse 26 nkjv). It was a valid response on Jacob’s part in asking for this blessing, because in surrender to God’s plan, he would find what he always wanted.
There is a wrong kind of wrestling with God in which we try to run from His work for our lives and refuse to go in the direction He wants us to go. But there is a right kind of wrestling with God when we are trying to get His blessing.
Jacob won, in one sense, because he called out to God and asked for His will.
Then God asked Jacob an unusual question: “What is your name?” (verse 27 nkjv). Did God ask this of Jacob because He didn’t know his name? Hardly.
For Jacob to state his name was an admission — an admission he did not necessarily want to make. The name Jacob means, “heel-catcher, supplanter, grabber.”
In essence, the Lord was saying, “Jacob, do you want to keep living up to your present name and deceiving others, or will you admit what you are and let Me change you?” This is a question only Jacob could answer.
Jacob finally gave in. He surrendered. He had gone from cunning to clinging, from resisting to resting. He had been brought to the end of his resources. And God gave him a new name: Israel.
The name Israel is not an easy word to translate. Scholars differ as to its meaning. Some translate it as, “One who God commands,” or “Let God rule.” Others translate it, “One who fights victoriously with God,” or “A prince with God,” or “God’s fighter.”
Whatever the meaning, it is clear that a complete surrender to God and His will took place for Jacob. His loss was his victory. He won by losing, because now he was able to go in new strength as he walked in God’s power, will, and timing.
This is exactly what Jesus meant when He said, “Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25 nkjv).
We might look at that statement and think it doesn’t make any sense. But it makes perfect sense. To lose your life simply means that you come to the understanding at some point in your life that God’s plan is better than the plan you have for yourself.
I want to ask you today, are you ready to walk in God’s ways? Are you really ready to change?
If you are, then just watch what God will do.
To Abraham the pilgrim, God came as a traveler. Remember those three visitors who came to his tent before the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah? One of them was the Lord himself.
To Joshua the general, Jesus came as the Commander of the Lord’s army, telling him to take off his sandals because he was standing on holy ground.
Jacob, in turn, was a wrestler. Figuratively speaking, he was always wrestling with people: he wrestled with his father Isaac...he wrestled with his brother Esau...he wrestled with his father-in-law Laban.
So the Lord came to Jacob as a wrestler. Psalm 18:26 says of God, “With the pure You will show Yourself pure; and with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd” (nkjv).
Therefore, the Lord shrewdly came to Jacob. Genesis 32:24 tells us, “Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day” (nkjv).
Jacob had been left alone with God. He was always conniving, always scheming, always plotting, and always had an idea. So the Lord stripped everything away and said, “OK, I want you alone with Me.”
As the commentator C. H. McIntosh said, “To be left alone with God is the only true way of arriving at a just knowledge of ourselves and our ways.”
The conniving, plotting, scheming Jacob was all alone with God, and they began to wrestle.
What God wanted from Jacob was his surrender. But that wasn’t going to happen until Jacob came to the end of his strength. So on it went throughout the night.
Then a life-changing moment transpired for the scheming Jacob. Instead of fighting with God, He was clinging to Him. The Lord said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks” (Genesis 32:26 nkjv).
Jacob responded, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” (verse 26 nkjv). It was a valid response on Jacob’s part in asking for this blessing, because in surrender to God’s plan, he would find what he always wanted.
There is a wrong kind of wrestling with God in which we try to run from His work for our lives and refuse to go in the direction He wants us to go. But there is a right kind of wrestling with God when we are trying to get His blessing.
Jacob won, in one sense, because he called out to God and asked for His will.
Then God asked Jacob an unusual question: “What is your name?” (verse 27 nkjv). Did God ask this of Jacob because He didn’t know his name? Hardly.
For Jacob to state his name was an admission — an admission he did not necessarily want to make. The name Jacob means, “heel-catcher, supplanter, grabber.”
In essence, the Lord was saying, “Jacob, do you want to keep living up to your present name and deceiving others, or will you admit what you are and let Me change you?” This is a question only Jacob could answer.
Jacob finally gave in. He surrendered. He had gone from cunning to clinging, from resisting to resting. He had been brought to the end of his resources. And God gave him a new name: Israel.
The name Israel is not an easy word to translate. Scholars differ as to its meaning. Some translate it as, “One who God commands,” or “Let God rule.” Others translate it, “One who fights victoriously with God,” or “A prince with God,” or “God’s fighter.”
Whatever the meaning, it is clear that a complete surrender to God and His will took place for Jacob. His loss was his victory. He won by losing, because now he was able to go in new strength as he walked in God’s power, will, and timing.
This is exactly what Jesus meant when He said, “Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25 nkjv).
We might look at that statement and think it doesn’t make any sense. But it makes perfect sense. To lose your life simply means that you come to the understanding at some point in your life that God’s plan is better than the plan you have for yourself.
I want to ask you today, are you ready to walk in God’s ways? Are you really ready to change?
If you are, then just watch what God will do.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Messages From Heaven: Hope Beyond Failure!
Messages From Heaven: Hope Beyond Failure!: Rarely will one of God’s heroes show up in the Scriptures having lived a life free of failure. Take Peter, for example. As soon as you ...
Hope Beyond Failure!
Rarely will one of God’s heroes show up in the Scriptures having
lived a life free of failure. Take Peter, for example. As soon as you
read the name, you remember his story. Peter experienced the extreme
highs and lows of life — from days spent in blessed fellowship with
Christ...to the heart-wrenching erosion of loyalty when he denied the
Lord. Not once. Not twice. Three times. Once he realized his failure, the Bible says, “he went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62).
Can you remember a failure that was so dramatic and so tearful for you that you hardly need to be reminded of the feelings? I remember Betsie ten Boom’s words, “There is no pit so deep but that He is not deeper still.” As dark and as deep and as tragic as your failure may be, He is willing to go to the depths of it with you.
This was true of Peter too. Look back at Luke 22. After the surprising warning of Satan’s attack, Jesus gave Peter a statement of fact: “I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail.” Then there was a veiled reassurance: “And you, when once you have turned again...”. Then a final command: “Strengthen your brothers” (22:32).
What does that suggest? It suggests that Peter was going to fall. “Once you have turned again.” “Retraced your steps” is another way someone else has put it. “Once you have turned again,” Jesus said, “then use it to strengthen your brothers.” Jesus knew Peter to the core. He knew Peter would fall, but He prayed for him that he would not remain fallen. Jesus loved Peter — even at his point of deepest weakness.
How did He prove that love? Mark 16:6-7 answers that question. After the Resurrection, while the women were standing at the tomb, an angel told them:
Somewhere between the time Peter fell and this angelic announcement there was a process during which Peter wallowed in remorse, wishing he could, if possible, correct his error...but he couldn’t. And somewhere in the midst of it he heard the Lord say to him, “Peter, I forgive you. I understand. Use it to strengthen your brothers.”
That’s why Peter later was able to write the following words to early Christians:
First Peter is a letter of great hope written by a man who experienced it! By the time he wrote this letter, Peter had come to the place where he was not only back on the scene, he was aggressively engaged in the formation of the early church.
It can happen to you too. Just like fallen and forgiven Peter, you can find new hope despite your failures. If you are a believer, you are born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).
What tender mercy! What triumphant grace! Failure is not forever. God specializes in forgiveness and hope. He can use even your worst failures in a mighty way.
Can you remember a failure that was so dramatic and so tearful for you that you hardly need to be reminded of the feelings? I remember Betsie ten Boom’s words, “There is no pit so deep but that He is not deeper still.” As dark and as deep and as tragic as your failure may be, He is willing to go to the depths of it with you.
This was true of Peter too. Look back at Luke 22. After the surprising warning of Satan’s attack, Jesus gave Peter a statement of fact: “I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail.” Then there was a veiled reassurance: “And you, when once you have turned again...”. Then a final command: “Strengthen your brothers” (22:32).
What does that suggest? It suggests that Peter was going to fall. “Once you have turned again.” “Retraced your steps” is another way someone else has put it. “Once you have turned again,” Jesus said, “then use it to strengthen your brothers.” Jesus knew Peter to the core. He knew Peter would fall, but He prayed for him that he would not remain fallen. Jesus loved Peter — even at his point of deepest weakness.
How did He prove that love? Mark 16:6-7 answers that question. After the Resurrection, while the women were standing at the tomb, an angel told them:
Isn’t that great? “Don’t forget Peter. He’s the last one who thinks that I’ll ever want to talk to him again. Tell Peter!” What grace!“Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter.” (emphasis added)
Somewhere between the time Peter fell and this angelic announcement there was a process during which Peter wallowed in remorse, wishing he could, if possible, correct his error...but he couldn’t. And somewhere in the midst of it he heard the Lord say to him, “Peter, I forgive you. I understand. Use it to strengthen your brothers.”
That’s why Peter later was able to write the following words to early Christians:
Why did this mean so much to Peter? Because it was at the Resurrection Peter’s name was called, and the Lord in tender mercy said, “Tell him I’ve come back.”May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection. (1 Peter 1:2-3, emphasis added)
First Peter is a letter of great hope written by a man who experienced it! By the time he wrote this letter, Peter had come to the place where he was not only back on the scene, he was aggressively engaged in the formation of the early church.
It can happen to you too. Just like fallen and forgiven Peter, you can find new hope despite your failures. If you are a believer, you are born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).
What tender mercy! What triumphant grace! Failure is not forever. God specializes in forgiveness and hope. He can use even your worst failures in a mighty way.
Messages From Heaven: Faith in the Workplace!
Messages From Heaven: Faith in the Workplace!: You invest more than one-third of your life at work. Punch the clock, turn on the computer, start your engines at 8 a.m., rest a few m...
Faith in the Workplace!
You invest more than one-third of your life at work. Punch the
clock, turn on the computer, start your engines at 8 a.m., rest a few
minutes at noon, but keep your mind and body in gear till the sun has
set. Then tomorrow — repeat. Sound familiar?
So how can your relationship with God grow in all this? The easy temptation is to separate your life into two parts: career — public; faith — private.
But considering how much of your life you spend engaged in your career, perhaps that is the ideal place to grow in your relationship with Christ. Can you identify with these common arenas where your faith meets life?
Giving Faith a Face
Your friends at work know you are “religious” because...
You have mentioned occasionally that you are involved at church.
You’ve promised to pray for them as they go through a crisis.
There’s just that “something” about you: different yet attractive.
They’ve seen you go through a crisis and still maintain that “something.”
Whatever your style, ask the Lord to make your life a sweet “fragrance of the knowledge of him” (2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV). Look for ways to model God’s grace and “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV).
Heated Comments and Cold Shoulders
Throughout the workday, have you ever found yourself thinking?
In over Your Head
Sometimes, in the middle of the workday, do you catch yourself thinking...
How in the world did I end up here?
I may look “all together,” but I hope no one realizes how fast my heart is racing.
What do people really expect of me? Am I measuring up?
How could I ever live for God in this place?
Centuries ago, a woman named Esther shared any one of these responses. The lesson for her life — and yours — can be summed up in Esther 4:14: “Who knows [if God hasn’t placed you here] for such a time as this?” God has planned each event of your job so that you have opportunity to trust Him. (Meditate on Proverbs 3:5-6.) What do you need to entrust to Him today?
As you head off to work tomorrow, believe that God is also at work — in the conflicts, in the opportunities, and in the heart of your day.
So how can your relationship with God grow in all this? The easy temptation is to separate your life into two parts: career — public; faith — private.
But considering how much of your life you spend engaged in your career, perhaps that is the ideal place to grow in your relationship with Christ. Can you identify with these common arenas where your faith meets life?
Giving Faith a Face
Your friends at work know you are “religious” because...
You have mentioned occasionally that you are involved at church.
You’ve promised to pray for them as they go through a crisis.
There’s just that “something” about you: different yet attractive.
They’ve seen you go through a crisis and still maintain that “something.”
Whatever your style, ask the Lord to make your life a sweet “fragrance of the knowledge of him” (2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV). Look for ways to model God’s grace and “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV).
Heated Comments and Cold Shoulders
Throughout the workday, have you ever found yourself thinking?
I wish we could have one conversation that didn’t end in aggravation.Often on the stage of conflict, your faith grows even stronger. Behind the power plays or misunderstandings, you can trust that God is in control. Ask Him to help you to model Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV): “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger.... Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
His memo floored me. How could he assume that of me? Why should I be the one to say anything? I’ll just get stuck shouldering the blame. This place feels like a television series. Sometimes it’s a drama. Sometimes a soap opera. But it’s never Happy Days.
In over Your Head
Sometimes, in the middle of the workday, do you catch yourself thinking...
How in the world did I end up here?
I may look “all together,” but I hope no one realizes how fast my heart is racing.
What do people really expect of me? Am I measuring up?
How could I ever live for God in this place?
Centuries ago, a woman named Esther shared any one of these responses. The lesson for her life — and yours — can be summed up in Esther 4:14: “Who knows [if God hasn’t placed you here] for such a time as this?” God has planned each event of your job so that you have opportunity to trust Him. (Meditate on Proverbs 3:5-6.) What do you need to entrust to Him today?
As you head off to work tomorrow, believe that God is also at work — in the conflicts, in the opportunities, and in the heart of your day.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Messages From Heaven: The Harbinger: Is This God's Final Warning to Amer...
Messages From Heaven: The Harbinger: Is This God's Final Warning to Amer...: The short answer to that question is, I don't know. I do not know if author Jonathan Cahn was given a message from God or if he has aut...
The Harbinger: Is This God's Final Warning to America?
The short answer to that question is, I don't know. I do not know if
author Jonathan Cahn was given a message from God or if he has authored
rambling fiction. I have carefully looked at the book, The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery That Holds the Secret of America's Future, which is written in novel form but is not a novel. World Net Daily publisher, Joseph Farah, has made a film out of the book: The Isaiah 9:10 Judgment.
The film is remarkably well done, and the book and film make a powerful
one-two punch. Every reader and viewer must draw their own conclusion.
Jonathan is the Messianic Rabbi of Beth Israel Congregation in Wayne, NJ. "Before its destruction as a nation, ancient Israel received nine harbingers -- prophetic omens of warning," he says. "The same nine harbingers are now manifesting in America with immediate ramifications for end-time prophecy."
This verse in Isaiah is referring to the attitude of the people of the northern kingdom of Israel the first time they were attacked by the Assyrians. Instead of repenting and returning to God, they were defiant, boasting that they would rebuild better than before. So, the judgment upon their nation proceeded as it seems to be with America.
I have talked to Cahn both on air and privately. You can hear my 1 hour 45 minute radio broadcast aired a few days ago here. Cahn insists he is not a prophet but a "watchman" who doesn't want the blood on his hands -- Ezekiel 33:6. There we read, "But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman's hand."
Jonathan originally had 2,000 pages of notes before he condensed those pages into his book. I suspect he felt somewhat like John the Revelator, stunned at seeing an unfolding drama of biblical proportion.
I am including thoughts here that include criticisms I hear and positive observations. You decide. As I note in various places, this ministry does not carry the products at this time.
Criticisms often heard when discussing The Harbinger
Reasons to Carefully Reflect on The Harbinger Message:
Conclusion:
Christians are called to preach the gospel and win the lost before we save a nation. But watchmen on the wall warn! I am doing that all the time. I am not a prophet -- I just don't want blood on my hands. I sense the church is too riddled with apostasy and too busy majoring in minors to bring about national repentance and I hope I am wrong. But God calls none to be successful, just to be faithful.
There are consequences for individuals and nations who thumb their nose at God! We can't get away with that forever. Can you really look at the events of 9/11 and not comprehend that that was a nod from God to wake us up as a people and a nation? The northern kingdom of Israel had their hedge of protection destroyed with a limited strike, as did America.
God's desire is always that people turn back to Him. And He's the God of second and third chances, even 50 chances. He is infinitely patient and long-suffering. He almost never gives up. But eventually, the northern kingdom of Israel was dispersed to the four corners of the earth. And finally the rain began during Noah's time. Now there is thunder in the distance again.
I chose to ignore The Harbinger until the pastor of a Bible-based church in Appleton, WI called me and told me about it. He started reading the book and then called his staff, telling them he would not be in that day. Knowing this man as I do, I took that contact as my own wake-up call to make the effort to understand the phenomenon.
I'm one who considers Heaven to be my real home. I want very little to do with anything earthly. But one cannot dismiss the parallels between ancient Israel and America! They are stunning and they're not generalities. They're specific as outlined in Cahn's book and Joseph Farah's film.
Joseph Farah's excellent documentary based on Jonathan Cahn's best-selling book, The Harbinger. Olive Tree Ministries does not carry this DVD at this time.
Find the book and film at www.wnd.com or www.amazon.com. At the very least, you will be reminded that there are consequences when an individual or nation turns their back on God.
What if this is America's final warning? If you're convinced it is, you can blow the trumpet of warning as well. If you disagree, your investment is minimal. I don't think believers can be casual or indifferent to the demise of America even if our longing for our eternal Home is greater than our love for this one.
America is not a shining city on a hill as Ronald Reagan used to say. Heaven is that city. But I don't want to be so Heavenly-minded that I am absolutely no earthly good for whatever weeks, months, or years I have left in America the beautiful.
It would seem the parallels found by Jonathan Cahn in his book, and portrayed brilliantly by Joseph Farah in the film, defy "coincidence." Using his understanding of Jewish culture and Biblical tradition, Cahn makes a convincing case.
This ministry has nothing to gain as it concerns The Harbinger. But if you could hear the story from beginning to end, (and a good place to start is my nearly two-hour interview of Cahn found here) you will be prompted to think and have a fresh perspective concerning the detail of God and you will be engaged in sober reflection. You will be encouraged to be salt and light for whatever time we have left as a nation and a Church.
Jonathan is the Messianic Rabbi of Beth Israel Congregation in Wayne, NJ. "Before its destruction as a nation, ancient Israel received nine harbingers -- prophetic omens of warning," he says. "The same nine harbingers are now manifesting in America with immediate ramifications for end-time prophecy."
This verse in Isaiah is referring to the attitude of the people of the northern kingdom of Israel the first time they were attacked by the Assyrians. Instead of repenting and returning to God, they were defiant, boasting that they would rebuild better than before. So, the judgment upon their nation proceeded as it seems to be with America.
I have talked to Cahn both on air and privately. You can hear my 1 hour 45 minute radio broadcast aired a few days ago here. Cahn insists he is not a prophet but a "watchman" who doesn't want the blood on his hands -- Ezekiel 33:6. There we read, "But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman's hand."
Jonathan originally had 2,000 pages of notes before he condensed those pages into his book. I suspect he felt somewhat like John the Revelator, stunned at seeing an unfolding drama of biblical proportion.
I am including thoughts here that include criticisms I hear and positive observations. You decide. As I note in various places, this ministry does not carry the products at this time.
Criticisms often heard when discussing The Harbinger
- The Bible has all the warnings we need. The perils of the Tribulation are outlined in the Bible. They are stunning and easy to understand. We do not need Christian books to complement the Bible. (Comment: True, but many secularists and Christians not into the end-times scoff at the last days' issues and warnings in the Bible. Yet this may be the strongest argument.)
- God's primary means of reaching and engaging the world is not through a nation or state -- it's through His Church. America is not His chosen means to spread His salvation and love to the world. The church is. Thus, America has no special calling whatsoever. (Comment: If America has a calling, it is to evangelize the world and be a power-broker friend of Israel. The latter is dwindling thanks to the current administration.)
- Cahn should not be comparing Israel to America for Israel is "chosen" and America, at best, has been "favored." As a result, there are simply no appropriate parallels and his conclusion is bogus. America is not the hope of the world. God is. America has not become God's "chosen people." (Comment: I don't hear Jonathan Cahn saying any of this.)
- All empires rise and fall. We could fit the The Harbinger script into events leading to the fall of the Roman Empire, the British Empire, etc. America is not in end-time prophecy. We obviously lose our influence. Why are we trying to save a sinking ship? At best we're engaged in a rescue mission -- to rescue souls.
- Were the founding fathers really all that spiritual? Is America's "sacred" beginning blown out of proportion in the book? Most were Masons including George Washington who plays a prominent role in Cahn's conclusions. The history books are divided on this issue. (Comment: There are dark forces, then and now. But the voices insisting our founding fathers had little to no spiritual depth are nonsense. Some of them did. Many were clearly secular. Masonry did abound at the time.)
- Cahn's characters in the book seem to have a mystical side with the use of dreams playing a major role. A primary character is a "prophet." Many find these issues too troubling and write the book off. (Comment: Be careful to not throw the baby out with the bath water in case this is a message for today.)
- II Chronicles 7:14 is for Israel, as they were truly "His people." We need to be very careful applying the passage to America or any other nation. Some have written off The Harbinger primarily for this reason. But others say that the template of ancient Israel is always in play. Every pastor in America consistently makes application to ancient Israel. Jonathan insists Israel is Israel and Israel is "His people." He believes America needs to learn from this even though America is not a "chosen nation" as Israel is chosen.
Reasons to Carefully Reflect on The Harbinger Message:
- Sodom and Gomorrah would have been spared if even 10 righteous could be found. God's message is always, "If you will repent, I will restore favor upon you.
- "Is the message of repentance ever out of line? Can we not learn from the mistakes of history? Isn't every line of the Bible for our benefit and can we not learn from all the mistakes made in the Bible by Jew or Gentile (Rom. 15:4)? Cahn's basic premise is on target: Israel blew it big time; America, you're right behind them.
- Jonathan Cahn is a Jewish believer. The accusations that he represents "Replacement Theology" are ludicrous. He doesn't want to disinherit his own people. Additionally, he rejects this specific accusation and never even alludes to this false doctrine. He is not making America equal to Israel or placing a higher calling on America.
- The American dream is looking like a national nightmare. Things cannot continue as they are. America is taxing and spending herself into oblivion thanks to our reckless leaders who are motivated only by corruption and greed. We are looking like a Romans 1 nation with pride, ego, money, lust, and self the only motivators. America is being seized by "spread-the-wealth" Socialists and Marxists at the highest levels of government. We are becoming unrecognizable. This scenario will only get worse unless America's Christians get serious.
- To the surprise of many, politics or a new administration will not "save" America. Conservatism won't save America. A more Bible-friendly administration would help the cause of the country, but no political leader will make God the focus of government, education, public policy, and the market place. Cahn is saying, "we the people" can, through prayer and repentance. He is realistic enough to say it may be too late.
Conclusion:
Christians are called to preach the gospel and win the lost before we save a nation. But watchmen on the wall warn! I am doing that all the time. I am not a prophet -- I just don't want blood on my hands. I sense the church is too riddled with apostasy and too busy majoring in minors to bring about national repentance and I hope I am wrong. But God calls none to be successful, just to be faithful.
There are consequences for individuals and nations who thumb their nose at God! We can't get away with that forever. Can you really look at the events of 9/11 and not comprehend that that was a nod from God to wake us up as a people and a nation? The northern kingdom of Israel had their hedge of protection destroyed with a limited strike, as did America.
God's desire is always that people turn back to Him. And He's the God of second and third chances, even 50 chances. He is infinitely patient and long-suffering. He almost never gives up. But eventually, the northern kingdom of Israel was dispersed to the four corners of the earth. And finally the rain began during Noah's time. Now there is thunder in the distance again.
I chose to ignore The Harbinger until the pastor of a Bible-based church in Appleton, WI called me and told me about it. He started reading the book and then called his staff, telling them he would not be in that day. Knowing this man as I do, I took that contact as my own wake-up call to make the effort to understand the phenomenon.
I'm one who considers Heaven to be my real home. I want very little to do with anything earthly. But one cannot dismiss the parallels between ancient Israel and America! They are stunning and they're not generalities. They're specific as outlined in Cahn's book and Joseph Farah's film.
Joseph Farah's excellent documentary based on Jonathan Cahn's best-selling book, The Harbinger. Olive Tree Ministries does not carry this DVD at this time.
Find the book and film at www.wnd.com or www.amazon.com. At the very least, you will be reminded that there are consequences when an individual or nation turns their back on God.
What if this is America's final warning? If you're convinced it is, you can blow the trumpet of warning as well. If you disagree, your investment is minimal. I don't think believers can be casual or indifferent to the demise of America even if our longing for our eternal Home is greater than our love for this one.
America is not a shining city on a hill as Ronald Reagan used to say. Heaven is that city. But I don't want to be so Heavenly-minded that I am absolutely no earthly good for whatever weeks, months, or years I have left in America the beautiful.
It would seem the parallels found by Jonathan Cahn in his book, and portrayed brilliantly by Joseph Farah in the film, defy "coincidence." Using his understanding of Jewish culture and Biblical tradition, Cahn makes a convincing case.
This ministry has nothing to gain as it concerns The Harbinger. But if you could hear the story from beginning to end, (and a good place to start is my nearly two-hour interview of Cahn found here) you will be prompted to think and have a fresh perspective concerning the detail of God and you will be engaged in sober reflection. You will be encouraged to be salt and light for whatever time we have left as a nation and a Church.
Messages From Heaven: Restoring A Wife's Heart--Healing the Betrayal of ...
Messages From Heaven: Restoring A Wife's Heart--Healing the Betrayal of ...: You have been crushed by your husband's behavior, and rightly so. Where do you go from here? Do you stay with him? Punish him? Dump...
Restoring A Wife's Heart--Healing the Betrayal of Lust, Pornography, and Infidelity!
You have been crushed by your husband's behavior, and rightly so.
Where do you go from here? Do you stay with him? Punish him? Dump
him? All you know is that you cannot and will not compete with the
images filling his mind.
And what of the emotions? These feelings are plain awful, and you know you will have to do something about them if you're ever to begin rebuilding your life with him. But what do you do with them? You may be wishing you could just forget the mess and let these feelings go, passing them off as overreactions. So would he.
But even if you could manage that, something tells you that this would be the worst thing you could possibly do. You can't put your finger on it, but you sense that the effects of his sin range from far beyond the emotional chaos of your wounded heart. To let it go seems not only foolish but very perilous to everyone involved.
Don't ignore your intuition this time. You are right on target, and you must recognize the very real and treacherous spiritual dangers lying beneath the stormy emotions swirling on the surface.
Real Life Expectations
Now that I know much more about how men are wired sexually, my husband's courageous fight to control and restrict his natural sexual tendencies for my sake has become the most priceless gift he'll ever give me. Since men are built by nature to look, it takes a loving, daily commitment to keep that part of his nature pure. I can assure you that this is a gift I don't take lightly. I cherish knowing that when he looks at me, I'm everything to him-that he's fully satisfied with what he sees.
Come now! Is that really possible? Nancy's husband didn't think so. He claimed that while he didn't want to desire other women, he couldn't help what he liked.
But we disagree totally with this guy. My husband Fred believes that although I can never look like I'm twenty again, his passion for my body can remain the same. The Bible says so, and he's taken the following scripture to heart:
Obviously, it is possible for a man to take joy in the wife of his youth and to be always and only ravished by her beauty alone...if he exhibits the discipline to do so. What's more, since it's God's Word that defines what normal behavior is for Christians, we're also forced to conclude that the discipline of guarding the eyes and the heart is not only possible but that God considers such discipline to be normal among His sons.
We have every right to expect normal Christian behavior from our husbands, and when we don't get it, it's normal to feel hurt and disappointment. If your husband is not leading a disciplined life, he is robbing you, so you naturally feel crushed.
The Emotions of a Betrayed Wife
What other feelings will surge over you in the wake of his porn and the masturbation that follows? Anger, for one. When Fred's business office was robbed a few years ago, we were both furious. Why not? It's normal to be angry when you've been robbed, and so it's normal to be angry at your husband's sexual sin. You needn't apologize for that.
"I was angry, hurt, and humiliated when I found his stash of porn," Linda wrote us. "I had so treasured the thought that he had no one to compare me to. I'm short and fat, so I can never compare to those bodies he's looking at. Worse yet, after I made my discovery, I started eating to medicate my life-is-so-unfair depression."
Don't be surprised if you're feeling like an outright fool too. What could be more normal? When you find out that your husband has been secretly looking at another's bare body, you'll feel utterly blindsided. You may even be kicking yourself for not having seen it coming, especially if your female intuition sent out early warning signals...signals that you, in your faithfulness to him, laughed off as paranoid or even out-and-out silly. Don't be too hard on yourself. Patrick Middleton, who counsels those bound up in sexual addiction, told us, "It is not uncommon for wives to know for some time that something is wrong with their sexual relationship, but they dismiss their feelings of disconnection and shame as being crazy. For some reason, they refuse to trust their own intuition, which is plainly telling them something is wrong."
I didn't realize just how much Fred's sexual sin was rocking the foundations of our home until much later. If you ever expect to rebuild a stable life with your husband, you need to understand this clearly now.
Which brings me back to my question: what are you going to do with your feelings? If you're to get through the pain and catch the vision for your role as a helper, you might begin with a few tough and penetrating questions.
For instance, what have you genuinely lost through the revelation of your husband's sexual sin? Think hard about what your marriage was like before you discovered his sin. I suggest that you haven't lost as much as you think, because the foundation you thought you had was never there in the first place.
Was your marriage a mirage, like mine? That's not to say I didn't love my husband or that we didn't have a lot of connection and fun times. Our marriage was good in many ways. But something was definitely missing behind the scenes, and my marriage wasn't what it appeared.
Think back. Was your marriage all you had dreamed it would be? At the time you may have thought you were living your dream, but in truth, you weren't. Your dream began to die with the birth of his sexual sin.
Because of his sexual sin, your marriage was compromised. Sure, you're hurt and very angry. You've lost that warm, cozy image of your marriage, and that naturally wounds you deeply. But in another sense, you haven't lost as much as your think, because your marriage wasn't what it appeared to be. My point? There is a bright silver lining to this dark, billowing cloud. While you may not feel good about what has happened, this event could bring about one of the most hopeful times in your life. The discovery of your husband's secret sin has revealed the truth state of your marital union, and now you have the opportunity to experience something real with him.
It will be very helpful if you view the discovery of your husband's sexual sin as God's grace in your life. His sexual impropriety has been like a huge life-sucking tumor silently attacking your marriage. But now that you've found the cancer, there's hope. Now you can pray for healing, begin treatment, and seek a marital life restored and brimming with health.
You now have a choice. So what will you focus on-the pain or the hope? Probably both at first, and I don't blame you. There will be days when the pain of your husband's betrayal will overwhelm you, and your anger will drive hope far away. That's okay. God understands, and He won't condemn you for a lack of faith. He'd rather hug you and draw you near, if you'll let Him. You're His child, remember?
Still, thanking God for the revelation and choosing hope for the future is the first step to your freedom. Sure, your first faltering steps in this direction will be like crossing a stream by jumping from rock to slippery rock, which means it won't be easy. But as you discipline your heart to the truth and choose to be thankful for what He has done in opening your eyes, your obedience will kick up a breeze of the Spirit's breath in your life that'll begin to dissipate your pain.
And what of the emotions? These feelings are plain awful, and you know you will have to do something about them if you're ever to begin rebuilding your life with him. But what do you do with them? You may be wishing you could just forget the mess and let these feelings go, passing them off as overreactions. So would he.
But even if you could manage that, something tells you that this would be the worst thing you could possibly do. You can't put your finger on it, but you sense that the effects of his sin range from far beyond the emotional chaos of your wounded heart. To let it go seems not only foolish but very perilous to everyone involved.
Don't ignore your intuition this time. You are right on target, and you must recognize the very real and treacherous spiritual dangers lying beneath the stormy emotions swirling on the surface.
Real Life Expectations
Now that I know much more about how men are wired sexually, my husband's courageous fight to control and restrict his natural sexual tendencies for my sake has become the most priceless gift he'll ever give me. Since men are built by nature to look, it takes a loving, daily commitment to keep that part of his nature pure. I can assure you that this is a gift I don't take lightly. I cherish knowing that when he looks at me, I'm everything to him-that he's fully satisfied with what he sees.
Come now! Is that really possible? Nancy's husband didn't think so. He claimed that while he didn't want to desire other women, he couldn't help what he liked.
But we disagree totally with this guy. My husband Fred believes that although I can never look like I'm twenty again, his passion for my body can remain the same. The Bible says so, and he's taken the following scripture to heart:
May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man's wife? For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths. The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly. (Proverbs 5:18-23, AMP)
Obviously, it is possible for a man to take joy in the wife of his youth and to be always and only ravished by her beauty alone...if he exhibits the discipline to do so. What's more, since it's God's Word that defines what normal behavior is for Christians, we're also forced to conclude that the discipline of guarding the eyes and the heart is not only possible but that God considers such discipline to be normal among His sons.
We have every right to expect normal Christian behavior from our husbands, and when we don't get it, it's normal to feel hurt and disappointment. If your husband is not leading a disciplined life, he is robbing you, so you naturally feel crushed.
The Emotions of a Betrayed Wife
What other feelings will surge over you in the wake of his porn and the masturbation that follows? Anger, for one. When Fred's business office was robbed a few years ago, we were both furious. Why not? It's normal to be angry when you've been robbed, and so it's normal to be angry at your husband's sexual sin. You needn't apologize for that.
"I was angry, hurt, and humiliated when I found his stash of porn," Linda wrote us. "I had so treasured the thought that he had no one to compare me to. I'm short and fat, so I can never compare to those bodies he's looking at. Worse yet, after I made my discovery, I started eating to medicate my life-is-so-unfair depression."
Don't be surprised if you're feeling like an outright fool too. What could be more normal? When you find out that your husband has been secretly looking at another's bare body, you'll feel utterly blindsided. You may even be kicking yourself for not having seen it coming, especially if your female intuition sent out early warning signals...signals that you, in your faithfulness to him, laughed off as paranoid or even out-and-out silly. Don't be too hard on yourself. Patrick Middleton, who counsels those bound up in sexual addiction, told us, "It is not uncommon for wives to know for some time that something is wrong with their sexual relationship, but they dismiss their feelings of disconnection and shame as being crazy. For some reason, they refuse to trust their own intuition, which is plainly telling them something is wrong."
I didn't realize just how much Fred's sexual sin was rocking the foundations of our home until much later. If you ever expect to rebuild a stable life with your husband, you need to understand this clearly now.
Which brings me back to my question: what are you going to do with your feelings? If you're to get through the pain and catch the vision for your role as a helper, you might begin with a few tough and penetrating questions.
For instance, what have you genuinely lost through the revelation of your husband's sexual sin? Think hard about what your marriage was like before you discovered his sin. I suggest that you haven't lost as much as you think, because the foundation you thought you had was never there in the first place.
Was your marriage a mirage, like mine? That's not to say I didn't love my husband or that we didn't have a lot of connection and fun times. Our marriage was good in many ways. But something was definitely missing behind the scenes, and my marriage wasn't what it appeared.
Think back. Was your marriage all you had dreamed it would be? At the time you may have thought you were living your dream, but in truth, you weren't. Your dream began to die with the birth of his sexual sin.
Because of his sexual sin, your marriage was compromised. Sure, you're hurt and very angry. You've lost that warm, cozy image of your marriage, and that naturally wounds you deeply. But in another sense, you haven't lost as much as your think, because your marriage wasn't what it appeared to be. My point? There is a bright silver lining to this dark, billowing cloud. While you may not feel good about what has happened, this event could bring about one of the most hopeful times in your life. The discovery of your husband's secret sin has revealed the truth state of your marital union, and now you have the opportunity to experience something real with him.
It will be very helpful if you view the discovery of your husband's sexual sin as God's grace in your life. His sexual impropriety has been like a huge life-sucking tumor silently attacking your marriage. But now that you've found the cancer, there's hope. Now you can pray for healing, begin treatment, and seek a marital life restored and brimming with health.
You now have a choice. So what will you focus on-the pain or the hope? Probably both at first, and I don't blame you. There will be days when the pain of your husband's betrayal will overwhelm you, and your anger will drive hope far away. That's okay. God understands, and He won't condemn you for a lack of faith. He'd rather hug you and draw you near, if you'll let Him. You're His child, remember?
Still, thanking God for the revelation and choosing hope for the future is the first step to your freedom. Sure, your first faltering steps in this direction will be like crossing a stream by jumping from rock to slippery rock, which means it won't be easy. But as you discipline your heart to the truth and choose to be thankful for what He has done in opening your eyes, your obedience will kick up a breeze of the Spirit's breath in your life that'll begin to dissipate your pain.
Messages From Heaven: The Moral and Intellectual Bankruptcy of the Pro-A...
Messages From Heaven: The Moral and Intellectual Bankruptcy of the Pro-A...: In the wake of a rising tide of pro-life sentiments and sensibilities in America, the utter bankruptcy of the pro-abortion position is bein...
The Moral and Intellectual Bankruptcy of the Pro-Abortion Movement The Truth Revealed!
In the wake of a rising tide of pro-life sentiments and sensibilities in
America, the utter bankruptcy of the pro-abortion position is being
revealed, especially in its more militant forms.
The pro-abortion side is now faced with:
• The beautiful reality of 3D and 4D ultrasounds, making clear that the fetus in the womb is really a carefully formed, developing baby. It is now impossible to deny that the little one seen with such clarity on the screen is a human life that is about to be snuffed out.
• The brutal reality of the houses of horrors run by men like Dr. Kermit Gosnell (and others), with the unavoidable conclusions that: 1) the same doctors who killed babies in the womb had no problem killing babies outside the womb; and 2) there is virtually no moral difference between killing a 20-week-old baby in the safety of its mother’s womb and killing it seconds after it emerges from the womb.
• Moving stories from abortion survivors like Gianna Jessen. They even have their own network called TheAbortionSurvivors.com.
• A younger generation that values fairness, equality, and the rights of the victim. Although this is often more gut-level than rational (leading many young people to wrong side of the homosexuality debate), it also explains why so many are becoming pro-life.
• Court rulings against Obamacare’s pro-abortion mandates.
• Undercover videos by Lila Rose and others, revealing the greed and heartlessness of abortion providers.
What has the pro-abortion side offered in response?
• Planned Parenthood dropping its “pro-choice” moniker, once considered an impregnable (no pun intended) winning concept, in favor of the hopelessly self-defeating, “Your Baby Will Thank You” (but only, of course, if the baby manages to escape the Planned Parenthood clinic alive).
The pro-abortion side is now faced with:
• The beautiful reality of 3D and 4D ultrasounds, making clear that the fetus in the womb is really a carefully formed, developing baby. It is now impossible to deny that the little one seen with such clarity on the screen is a human life that is about to be snuffed out.
• The brutal reality of the houses of horrors run by men like Dr. Kermit Gosnell (and others), with the unavoidable conclusions that: 1) the same doctors who killed babies in the womb had no problem killing babies outside the womb; and 2) there is virtually no moral difference between killing a 20-week-old baby in the safety of its mother’s womb and killing it seconds after it emerges from the womb.
• Moving stories from abortion survivors like Gianna Jessen. They even have their own network called TheAbortionSurvivors.com.
• A younger generation that values fairness, equality, and the rights of the victim. Although this is often more gut-level than rational (leading many young people to wrong side of the homosexuality debate), it also explains why so many are becoming pro-life.
• Court rulings against Obamacare’s pro-abortion mandates.
• Undercover videos by Lila Rose and others, revealing the greed and heartlessness of abortion providers.
What has the pro-abortion side offered in response?
• Planned Parenthood dropping its “pro-choice” moniker, once considered an impregnable (no pun intended) winning concept, in favor of the hopelessly self-defeating, “Your Baby Will Thank You” (but only, of course, if the baby manages to escape the Planned Parenthood clinic alive).
Messages From Heaven: When It Comes to Truth, Tolerance Is a Travesty!
Messages From Heaven: When It Comes to Truth, Tolerance Is a Travesty!: Q: Why are Christians so judgmental and unloving? A: Because we live in an age of tolerance where almost anything goes, ope...
When It Comes to Truth, Tolerance Is a Travesty!
- Q: Why are Christians so judgmental and unloving?
A: Because we live in an age of tolerance where almost anything goes, openly questioning or criticizing other people's belief systems can quickly get you labeled as judgmental, narrow-minded, bigoted, hateful, and even ignorant. With regard to Christianity, Matthew 7:1 is often quoted (or should I say "misquoted") as discouraging Christians from putting other religious teachings and practices to the test: "Judge not, that ye be not judged."
This interpretation of Scripture, however, is simply mistaken. The Bible clearly speaks out not against passing judgment in general, but against rendering inaccurate and unfair judgments (John 7:24). In 1 Corinthians 2:15 Paul tells us that Christians are called to make "judgments about all things." Our judgment, though, should not be based on what God has not revealed; but rather, on what He has revealed (v. 13).
God's revealed Word, the Bible, tells us that Jesus Christ is the only way we can possibly reach God and that there's no alternate route (Acts 4:12). It stands to reason, therefore, that other beliefs offering alleged alternate pathways to God only lead to dead-ends. And if we as Christians really want to follow our Lord's teaching to love our neighbors, we can't escape our responsibility to warn them about spiritually destructive roads paved by non-Christian belief systems (Prov. 14:12). True love and compassion should move believers to sound warning cries, even in the face of opposition, to avert countless lives from heading toward eternal separation from God.
Let's realize that when we call teachings into question, it's only because we're concerned about the eternal destinies of people. Let's also keep in mind that Scripture doesn't command us to simply rail against false teachings; rather, it encourages us to offer biblical reasons with gentleness and respect (1 Pet. 3:15). Always remember that when it comes to personal relationships, tolerance is a virtue; but when it comes to truth, tolerance is a Travesty!
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Messages From Heaven: Battle for the Mind It Affects Us All!
Messages From Heaven: Battle for the Mind It Affects Us All!: One of the worst things that occurs to anyone is that you have inadvertently walked into a raging battle and be unaware that you have done...
Battle for the Mind It Affects Us All!
One of the worst things that occurs to anyone is that you have
inadvertently walked into a raging battle and be unaware that you have
done so. What is even far worse is that you are a participant in the
battle and do not even know it.
The world has become a battlefield on par with nothing in its history and the effects are staggering and may last until the end of time.
Alarmist? Not really, all you have to do is take a serious look all around you and be perceptive enough to see the reality and understand what is actually going on.
The world is like a ferociously spinning orb, cutting a deadly path through time and space, and heading relentlessly for oblivion, and taking all on board to a hellish and ungodly eternity. There are those who are fighting bravely, lovingly and unselfishly to rescue as many as possible (Paul said, "To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." - 1 Corinthians 9:22) and there are others who are working feverishly to emasculate humanity, deny humans any hope of salvation and gloat at man's appalling grief and fast approaching demise.
It is as if some people are not humans but devils, trying to break humanity into tiny units of slobbering, subservient, defeated, swamp-dwelling minions that can be easily swept away with heads bowed and spirits broken to whatever awaits them. Depraved and degenerate humans, with even the slightest smidgeon of humanity, do not welcome, relish and rejoice at human calamity and devastation but devils do; so go figure why so many people toil to make common cause with Satan.
Every good thing on earth is being challenged, where possible it is being dirtied and devalued, where it resists these challenges it is being derided and abused or legislation and the courts used to disfigure or undermine it.
There was a time when sodomy was evil now they are legalizing it, when fornication and adultery were regarded as wicked now these sinners are being regaled as heroes and given their own TV programmes and reality shows, when children obeying their parents was the norm rather than now where parents are running around like fools trying to obey their children, when stealing was a crime and punished rather than now where petty stealing is severely punished and the crimes of grand larceny by the rich are rewarded with fat bonuses and business perks, there was a time when truthful employees with integrity were seen as assets to a company rather than now where they are seen as "not one of us" and overlooked for promotion, there was a time when shameless politicians knew how to cheat and tell lies with quivering lips but now the quivering is long gone, and the list goes on and on.
All across the globe standards that have withstood the test of time, and have shown themselves to be proper and beneficial to humanity, are being removed and the consequences are appalling. The Bible warns us of tampering with landmarks that have served us well, "Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set." (Proverbs 22:28) This applies not just to the physical landmarks but also to the spiritual and moral landmarks as well, "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein." (Jeremiah 6:16)
Many psychological, moral and spiritual battles are being fought everywhere but the fiercest battle of all, with existential implications, is the battle for our mind.
They know that if they can conquer our mind, if they can create mental confusion and mental instability then they have us where they want, i.e. at their mercy. The Bible tells us, "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." (James 1:8) Even the normal, mundane things of life can cause some believers unnecessary angst because of doubt and equivocation and we are warned accordingly, "And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind." (Luke 12:29)
The right mind, the right state of mind of all believers should be like that of Jesus' for he is our prime example and we are advised, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5) and Paul affirmed that the disciples had this very posture when he wrote, "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:16)
A DEFECTIVE MIND IS A CHOICE
In the physical world a defective mind, sometimes called mental illness, may have a variety of causal factors - social, psychological, biochemical, genetic, etc. - but in the spiritual and moral realm a defective mind is a consequence of choice. The corruption of the mind, spiritually speaking, is neither an incident of happenstance nor a confluence of events but a natural result of deliberately choosing a deleterious alternative.
Every human being has a choice about his mind; its spiritual health, robustness, purity and orientation.
The mind can so easily become corrupted with worldly considerations since there is a natural orientation towards carnality. Paul pointed this out when he said, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)
A defective mind finds companionship and facilitation with those opposed to godliness and spirituality and rejects light from any source. The truth in these situations become anathema to them for their posture is one of opposition and dissent, "Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith." (2 Timothy 3:8)
It is not as though these people were never enlightened but rather that they made a deliberate choice to become renegades, "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient." (Romans 1:28) Having chosen the harmful alternative the mind became defective, "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." (Romans 8:7) The Apostle Paul expanded on this situation and included some who were part of the assembly, "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." (Titus 1:15-16)
A REDEEMED MIND IS ALSO A CHOICE
Sometimes the choices we face are so numerous that we cannot decisively make up our minds what exactly we want, but here we have but two choices; a defective mind or a redeemed mind and the choice could not be clearer.
No one is saddled for life with whatever he may find himself with; and no one on earth is capable of preventing him making his preferred choice. This is the beauty of God making man in his own image; the ability to exercise freewill.
Here are how these choices are presented to us:
"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (Matthew 22:37) A clear choice with the responsibility on the individual.
"That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand." (2 Thessalonians 2:2) A strong-minded decision to stand firm is the choice suggested here.
FIGHT FOR YOUR MIND
The battle for your mind is ongoing and relentless; you are bombarded by television and over the airways, magazines and newspapers join in the affray, companies and their advertising agencies gleefully enjoin the battle and governments of all sorts jump on board with reckless abandon. Even charitable organisations and non-governmental organizations are not disdaining the battle and they all engage in propaganda, half truths, outright lies, misinformation, naked deception and fraud.
You need to battle for your mind and ward off encroachment:
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;" (1 Peter 1:13) "Gird up your loins" is an expression similar to "roll up your sleeves", its being ready for action, for work for enjoining the fight.
Whatever you do you must never let them colonise your mind, or control it and make you a pathetic puppet at their bidding. You must anchor your mind in the Lord Jesus Christ. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3) David understood this and so should you, "He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber." (Psalm 121:3) Keep battling for your mind and God, surely, will give you the victory.
The world has become a battlefield on par with nothing in its history and the effects are staggering and may last until the end of time.
Alarmist? Not really, all you have to do is take a serious look all around you and be perceptive enough to see the reality and understand what is actually going on.
The world is like a ferociously spinning orb, cutting a deadly path through time and space, and heading relentlessly for oblivion, and taking all on board to a hellish and ungodly eternity. There are those who are fighting bravely, lovingly and unselfishly to rescue as many as possible (Paul said, "To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." - 1 Corinthians 9:22) and there are others who are working feverishly to emasculate humanity, deny humans any hope of salvation and gloat at man's appalling grief and fast approaching demise.
It is as if some people are not humans but devils, trying to break humanity into tiny units of slobbering, subservient, defeated, swamp-dwelling minions that can be easily swept away with heads bowed and spirits broken to whatever awaits them. Depraved and degenerate humans, with even the slightest smidgeon of humanity, do not welcome, relish and rejoice at human calamity and devastation but devils do; so go figure why so many people toil to make common cause with Satan.
Every good thing on earth is being challenged, where possible it is being dirtied and devalued, where it resists these challenges it is being derided and abused or legislation and the courts used to disfigure or undermine it.
There was a time when sodomy was evil now they are legalizing it, when fornication and adultery were regarded as wicked now these sinners are being regaled as heroes and given their own TV programmes and reality shows, when children obeying their parents was the norm rather than now where parents are running around like fools trying to obey their children, when stealing was a crime and punished rather than now where petty stealing is severely punished and the crimes of grand larceny by the rich are rewarded with fat bonuses and business perks, there was a time when truthful employees with integrity were seen as assets to a company rather than now where they are seen as "not one of us" and overlooked for promotion, there was a time when shameless politicians knew how to cheat and tell lies with quivering lips but now the quivering is long gone, and the list goes on and on.
All across the globe standards that have withstood the test of time, and have shown themselves to be proper and beneficial to humanity, are being removed and the consequences are appalling. The Bible warns us of tampering with landmarks that have served us well, "Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set." (Proverbs 22:28) This applies not just to the physical landmarks but also to the spiritual and moral landmarks as well, "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein." (Jeremiah 6:16)
Many psychological, moral and spiritual battles are being fought everywhere but the fiercest battle of all, with existential implications, is the battle for our mind.
They know that if they can conquer our mind, if they can create mental confusion and mental instability then they have us where they want, i.e. at their mercy. The Bible tells us, "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." (James 1:8) Even the normal, mundane things of life can cause some believers unnecessary angst because of doubt and equivocation and we are warned accordingly, "And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind." (Luke 12:29)
The right mind, the right state of mind of all believers should be like that of Jesus' for he is our prime example and we are advised, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5) and Paul affirmed that the disciples had this very posture when he wrote, "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:16)
A DEFECTIVE MIND IS A CHOICE
In the physical world a defective mind, sometimes called mental illness, may have a variety of causal factors - social, psychological, biochemical, genetic, etc. - but in the spiritual and moral realm a defective mind is a consequence of choice. The corruption of the mind, spiritually speaking, is neither an incident of happenstance nor a confluence of events but a natural result of deliberately choosing a deleterious alternative.
Every human being has a choice about his mind; its spiritual health, robustness, purity and orientation.
The mind can so easily become corrupted with worldly considerations since there is a natural orientation towards carnality. Paul pointed this out when he said, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)
A defective mind finds companionship and facilitation with those opposed to godliness and spirituality and rejects light from any source. The truth in these situations become anathema to them for their posture is one of opposition and dissent, "Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith." (2 Timothy 3:8)
It is not as though these people were never enlightened but rather that they made a deliberate choice to become renegades, "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient." (Romans 1:28) Having chosen the harmful alternative the mind became defective, "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." (Romans 8:7) The Apostle Paul expanded on this situation and included some who were part of the assembly, "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." (Titus 1:15-16)
A REDEEMED MIND IS ALSO A CHOICE
Sometimes the choices we face are so numerous that we cannot decisively make up our minds what exactly we want, but here we have but two choices; a defective mind or a redeemed mind and the choice could not be clearer.
No one is saddled for life with whatever he may find himself with; and no one on earth is capable of preventing him making his preferred choice. This is the beauty of God making man in his own image; the ability to exercise freewill.
Here are how these choices are presented to us:
"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (Matthew 22:37) A clear choice with the responsibility on the individual.
"That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand." (2 Thessalonians 2:2) A strong-minded decision to stand firm is the choice suggested here.
FIGHT FOR YOUR MIND
The battle for your mind is ongoing and relentless; you are bombarded by television and over the airways, magazines and newspapers join in the affray, companies and their advertising agencies gleefully enjoin the battle and governments of all sorts jump on board with reckless abandon. Even charitable organisations and non-governmental organizations are not disdaining the battle and they all engage in propaganda, half truths, outright lies, misinformation, naked deception and fraud.
You need to battle for your mind and ward off encroachment:
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;" (1 Peter 1:13) "Gird up your loins" is an expression similar to "roll up your sleeves", its being ready for action, for work for enjoining the fight.
Whatever you do you must never let them colonise your mind, or control it and make you a pathetic puppet at their bidding. You must anchor your mind in the Lord Jesus Christ. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3) David understood this and so should you, "He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber." (Psalm 121:3) Keep battling for your mind and God, surely, will give you the victory.
Messages From Heaven: Don't Give Up! Hope for the Wounded and the Downca...
Messages From Heaven: Don't Give Up! Hope for the Wounded and the Downca...: Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." Psalm 13:12 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts...
Don't Give Up! Hope for the Wounded and the Downcast!
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."
Psalm 13:12
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Psalm 13:2
Have you ever asked God, "How much longer? I can't possibly endure this any longer."
What are you struggling with? What has you up at night, and causes you deep distress? If I could hear your answers I can only imagine what your responses may sound like, "I desperately am wanting a Godly marriage, I am waiting for my prodigal child to return home, I long for a child, I suffer in secret with depression, I have an addiction that controls me, my family is toxic and dysfunctional, I suffering from physical illness, I feel rejected and alone, and the list can go on and on. It can be multiple issues you are dealing with, not just one or two. Multiple issues can cause heart-sickness and grief, you can begin to feel hopeless and without cause. You may wonder if others experience the depth of your pain and suffering. You are honestly tired and want to give up. You have tried to "put the mask" on for everybody but you cannot pretend any longer that everything is okay. You may even feel misunderstood and you may have isolated yourself from others for fear of what they would think of you.
You have had enough and your looking to just get by or not by at all. Don't give up now! Hold and wait once again for the Lord. I know that may sound cliché, especially if you have been hurting a long time with no relief, believe me I understand. I have felt pain and experienced depths of depression that was debilitating. I will encourage you to seek Godly counsel and support, find someone who you trust that will hear your story and show you compassion and encourage you to "get up" again. There are plenty of resources on the internet if you are unable to find someone in your area or even feel more comfortable in your home. Get back into the Word of God and take time to pray, and even cry. You must let out the pain through tears and even through writing (journaling). God knows your pain, but you have to release it. Keeping things "bottled-up" inside can cause depression, anxiety, anger, and a host of physical ailments.
Know who your real enemy is, it's not God, but the thief who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). You are in a real battle and the enemy would love to destroy you and whatever purpose God has for you. Get up! Stop letting the enemy walk all over you. Rest, be healed and then fight! Fight for your life, fight for your God-given rights. You are not alone in your suffering, many Christians have endured and walked through severe trials. God does love you and He does have a plan for your life. A plan of hope, victory, peace, and joy over-flowing. You will make it, you will get out of this pit. Let go of your expectations for your life and others and surrender your hopes and dreams to the One who created you. He is not done with you, the story is not over.
Even David in the book of Psalms understood depression.
"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:5-6, 11; 43:5)
Psalm 13:12
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Psalm 13:2
Have you ever asked God, "How much longer? I can't possibly endure this any longer."
What are you struggling with? What has you up at night, and causes you deep distress? If I could hear your answers I can only imagine what your responses may sound like, "I desperately am wanting a Godly marriage, I am waiting for my prodigal child to return home, I long for a child, I suffer in secret with depression, I have an addiction that controls me, my family is toxic and dysfunctional, I suffering from physical illness, I feel rejected and alone, and the list can go on and on. It can be multiple issues you are dealing with, not just one or two. Multiple issues can cause heart-sickness and grief, you can begin to feel hopeless and without cause. You may wonder if others experience the depth of your pain and suffering. You are honestly tired and want to give up. You have tried to "put the mask" on for everybody but you cannot pretend any longer that everything is okay. You may even feel misunderstood and you may have isolated yourself from others for fear of what they would think of you.
You have had enough and your looking to just get by or not by at all. Don't give up now! Hold and wait once again for the Lord. I know that may sound cliché, especially if you have been hurting a long time with no relief, believe me I understand. I have felt pain and experienced depths of depression that was debilitating. I will encourage you to seek Godly counsel and support, find someone who you trust that will hear your story and show you compassion and encourage you to "get up" again. There are plenty of resources on the internet if you are unable to find someone in your area or even feel more comfortable in your home. Get back into the Word of God and take time to pray, and even cry. You must let out the pain through tears and even through writing (journaling). God knows your pain, but you have to release it. Keeping things "bottled-up" inside can cause depression, anxiety, anger, and a host of physical ailments.
Know who your real enemy is, it's not God, but the thief who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). You are in a real battle and the enemy would love to destroy you and whatever purpose God has for you. Get up! Stop letting the enemy walk all over you. Rest, be healed and then fight! Fight for your life, fight for your God-given rights. You are not alone in your suffering, many Christians have endured and walked through severe trials. God does love you and He does have a plan for your life. A plan of hope, victory, peace, and joy over-flowing. You will make it, you will get out of this pit. Let go of your expectations for your life and others and surrender your hopes and dreams to the One who created you. He is not done with you, the story is not over.
Even David in the book of Psalms understood depression.
"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:5-6, 11; 43:5)
Messages From Heaven: Same Sex Marriage The Plain Truth!
Messages From Heaven: Same Sex Marriage The Plain Truth!: There has in recent years been a slow and steady push against the morals of our society and the family unit, which in reality is the backbo...
Same Sex Marriage The Plain Truth!
There has in recent years been a slow and steady push against the morals
of our society and the family unit, which in reality is the backbone of
any society. When the morals of a society begin to erode, the family
unit is next to follow until there is no morality and no family unit to
give support to society. Once the family unit has been dismantled,
society as a whole will descend into a cesspool of immorality, such as
Sodom & Gomorrah and the pre-flood inhabitants of this earth.
The family unit has become dysfunctional in just the past 50 years, with a one parent and sometime no parent home, leaving the individual(s) in the household with no sense of order or goals to attain. There is no initiative to advance beyond the chaotic government subsidized, and sanctioned lifestyle they have been brainwashed to accept. Their only agenda being, how much more you can obtain as an entitlement without having to show any means of achievement.
This brings us to the same sex marriage and other homosexual/lesbian/bi-sexual, etc rights that are being demanded. Over the past 40 years the educational system along with the major news, movies, TV, radio, and entertainment industry have subtly brainwashed our society into believing and accepting all the hype, which is now being broadcast in every venue and news outlet, of the normalcy of the homosexual lifestyle. The younger generation is mainly buying into this because of the indoctrination of our educational experts, lack of protest from the Churches and the parents, and being taught that religion and anything to do with it is evil, immoral and not conducive to the modern society of today. The so called sex education classes now being taught in our schools, would have been considered vulgar pornography and the school would have had a lot of explaining to do,( and more than likely some terminated) to the upset parents of the bygone era.
The Churches and families have failed for various reasons. The family, due to the insatiable appetite for materialistic wealth, sports and entertainment, which Madison avenue and television are espousing that you are entitled to; and the hell with the children. Go for broke in the race to attain the biggest house with the largest swimming pool, the fanciest SUV, the largest big screen tv, and the best sporting event tickets with the best tailgate area of the stadium; the churches, in their abandonment of the true word of God for the feely feely feelings of the political correct crowds and the groveling under the rules of the 501(c)3 tax codes has become no more than a fancy social club. With that being said; there should be no question as to why this nation has sunk to the gutter level of morality and violence we now find ourselves incased in.
We have abandoned the foundation this great nation was built upon; honest, hard work, love of God and his moral principles as found in the Ten Commandments, love of family and love of this great nation, nothing else mattered as long as family was together, which offered all the peace, protection, and security one could ask for. This is why God in his love for man established the family unit, with a one man and one woman relationship, but now we are being told and led to believe that this is not the case at all, that as long as two individuals love one another its ok with God whether it be Adam & Steve or Eve and Ava.
The homosexual agenda has even acquired their own Bible to counteract the true Bible, calling theirs the Queen James Bible with verses changed around to suit their agenda, which shows the miserable failure of the mainline Churches in their lackadaisical attempt to thwart the immoral downslide of our society, while at the same time placating the politically correct crowds by compromising God's holy word.
The Churches take this position because of the money game connected to the 501(c)3 tax code for charitable organizations. By taking a biblical position on these matters the church may upset an individual or the government and this could cost them big bucks, therefore they refuse to obey God, instead following man's rules and traditions... This too, will come into play very shortly with all this bally-hooing over same sex marriage. The Churches are falling in lockstep with one another to placate and accommodate the homosexual agenda by accepting it as holy in God's sight. God will not be mocked.
The Churches and the people are in such a state of denial concerning the truth as told in the Holy Bible by God, the Prophets, and the Apostles, they refuse to listen and when the truth is shown, they attack the truth teller. All of this has been prophesied in the Bible 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2Timothy 4:3,4
Are the people and Churches much like the above verse states; chasing after their own desires, searching for preachers and teachers whom will convey what they want to hear and not what they need to hear? The above verse perfectly describes todays Christian and the corporate organized Church.
Let's move on with what I had intended to bring to this writing in the form of Prophetic implications. All Churches are now under the 501(c)3 tax code, and the Faith Based Initiative as signed by President George Bush to allow taxpayer money to fund religious organizations. Has anyone noticed the dismal state of our education system since the federal government got involved with their funding's and took control of the educational process? Now the Church!!
Then there's the HATE CRIMES ACT signed into law by Barack Obama early into his first term. Now what does all this Hate Crimes Act, Faith Based Initiative, and 501(c)3 statute have to do with the same sex marriage debate grabbing headlines almost daily? If we study the Bible we can see a pattern beginning to form.
Less than 1% of 18 to 24 year olds have any affiliation to a religion. Less than 40% of the Christian population even bothers to attend a Church. Divorce rates are now 50%, half of all marriages end in divorce, but then there is an even larger segment of the population which plays musical beds, and never marries, and therefore the divorce rate is probably even higher.
Do you see the downward spiral of immorality as it pertains to the family structure? Where there is no structure, you have rampant immorality, high divorce rates, low marriage rates, high co-habitation arrangements which are not conducive to a stable family environment or a stable, thriving, and growing society; what you have is the complete opposite.
The Church could care less as long as the offering plate is full and they have satisfied their political correct crowds, but the fiddler has yet to be paid.
The foundation has been laid for the major attack on God's people with the homosexual agenda highly pressed into the psyche of our youth, the 501(c)3, the Faith Based Initiative and finally the Hate Crimes Legislation passed and signed into law by Barrack Hussein Obama in his first term.
Couple these together with the constant hate inspiring press releases from the SPLC working hand in hand with Homeland Security, attacking Christian groups and patriots as potential Homegrown Terrorists to be watched and monitored. And so it begins.
The same sex marriages will be made legal by the Supreme Court and this will give strength and leverage to the homosexual agenda, emboldening them as they push harder against anyone who opposes their agenda, going after anyone or any organization with the full support of the news media and government, accusing them of being hate-mongers, homo-phobic, terrorists, and whatever other terms the news media can contrive claiming it is all the cause of Christians and the hate inspired Bibles they quote from.
Now when a Pastor, (who has the faith of Jesus and the fortitude to speak the truth, as Peter and the Apostles did in Acts 5:29) (Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.) stands up and declares the homosexual act, as well as same sex marriage a sin, and an abomination unto God the Creator, then you will see the culmination of all these things come together to attack the Bible, the Church and Gods few that still hold to his commandments and statutes. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12
This will then begin to accelerate into other areas of persecution; the 501(c)3 tax exempt status revocation, which would force the Church to repay all prior years taxes on income with penalties and interest, the Govt. confiscating the Church property as further penalties; banks and financial institutions refusing to do business with the Church; other businesses refusing to sell to the church; in essence a complete blockade and boycott of anything Christian.
Don't think this can happen? Think again! Recently a number of large banks, (BANK of AMERICA being one ) refused to do business with those business's or honor transactions connected with the sale of ammunition and firearms, thereby restricting their constitutional right to operate a legal business and inflicting financial hardships to force them to comply with the banks agenda.
This will start out as a test on one or two Pastors and or Christian individuals and snowball into a complete all-out attack. Only the faithful few that fully trust in Jesus, keep his commandments and his laws in their heart will survive as Revelation 14:12 states.
The Churches and the people have compromised so much on God's word over just the past 75 years, until it is almost unrecognizable as God's Holy Word. Everything has to be modernized and brought into line with the wants and wishes of the present society.
Chris Matthews made a statement in an unaired interview with the future Pope Francis in which he alluded to the fact that the Church and Christianity were supposed to change to suit whatever the populace desires.
MATHEWS: That isn't it. How can the church attract young people when it is opposed to abortion and contraception?
Here Chris Matthews is espousing the worldly ways of changing the Bible to coincide with todays society.
BERGOGLIO: Young people are just as attracted to the truth as they are convenience and expediency. So we will call it a draw.
At least the future Pope is proclaimg the need for truth.
MATHEWS: Doesn't the church need to modernize
God, does not need to modernize or change his laws, he is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
God does not compromise his word or his position for politically correct points or to please the mood of society. Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever
The Churches and the Christians must make a critical decision, there will be no fence sitters, you will either obey God and his word or you will compromise and serve Satan; you can't have it both ways. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Satan owns the fence you are sitting on, which means he owns those on the fence.
There was a large field with a fence dividing it, and on one side of the fence was a very large group. On the other side of the fence was a much smaller group and there were some sitting on the fence. One day Jesus came and took the small group with him and Satan came and took the larger group with him, but there were some still sitting on the fence. Satan came back and informed the fence sitters to go with him, at which they replied ,"we don't belong to you". Satan then replied, "I own the fence".
Jesus will have no fence sitters or bench warmers.
As we get closer to the times of Jacobs troubles as prophesied, the fiddler, so to speak, has to be paid, and if you are a true follower of Christ, keeping his commandments and having his testimony in your heart, Jesus will protect you through these trials as he did the Hebrews during the plagues of Egypt.
Those not having the testimony of Jesus and not keeping his commandments are in for a rude awakening when these seven last plagues begin to fall upon mankind. I speak of those who are a one day Christian, believing that by being a member of a church and attending services each week, and once service is over its back to business as usual, you have fulfilled your weekly ritual of attending church for an hour. There is going to be some mighty surprised people.
2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:
Do you serve God daily? Or are you one that only serves one hour per week when it is convenient, Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:
Friends, we are approaching a day of decision, and it may mean a matter of life and death, when you must choose either Jesus's way, or man's way. You can hash and dash God's word all you want but that doesn't change the fact that it is a sin and an abomination that you are committing. There will be no sugar coating, no plea bargaining, God's laws and commandments are in stone and are forever.
The Churches and Christians have compromised so much on God's word and changed the meanings of God's word to suit the agenda of the moment, till only a handful will stand up. And by doing so, will be persecuted for abiding in God's Holy word rather than compromise.
. Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
The Gay Marriage agenda is out to destroy the family unit and any source of religion, especially Christianity, as true Christianity, calls it what it is; and abomination to our Creator God.
Once the Supreme Court gives the green light for these homosexual marriages, the war is on against anything Christian, and the people will then see what compromising the word of God does for a society.
When the few that will stand up in protest, stand up, the IRS will revoke the tax exempt status, banks will refuse to do business with them, other businesses will persecute them, and anyone belonging to a Church body standing up for God's moral law will be relegated to being akin to the KKK.
If you are a true Christian, I urge you to study God's word daily for truth, strength, and faith to be able to stand in the coming persecutions of the true Church which keeps the Commandments of God and has the testimony of Jesus in their hearts.
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be
Will you stand today for Jesus or will you compromise for political correctness?
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
In Revelation 21:27, we are told that compromisers or anything that defiles, or works abominations will not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Anyone compromising will not be in the Book of Life and will therefore go to the lake of fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels.
Friends the choice is yours. GOD or MAN?
Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD
The family unit has become dysfunctional in just the past 50 years, with a one parent and sometime no parent home, leaving the individual(s) in the household with no sense of order or goals to attain. There is no initiative to advance beyond the chaotic government subsidized, and sanctioned lifestyle they have been brainwashed to accept. Their only agenda being, how much more you can obtain as an entitlement without having to show any means of achievement.
This brings us to the same sex marriage and other homosexual/lesbian/bi-sexual, etc rights that are being demanded. Over the past 40 years the educational system along with the major news, movies, TV, radio, and entertainment industry have subtly brainwashed our society into believing and accepting all the hype, which is now being broadcast in every venue and news outlet, of the normalcy of the homosexual lifestyle. The younger generation is mainly buying into this because of the indoctrination of our educational experts, lack of protest from the Churches and the parents, and being taught that religion and anything to do with it is evil, immoral and not conducive to the modern society of today. The so called sex education classes now being taught in our schools, would have been considered vulgar pornography and the school would have had a lot of explaining to do,( and more than likely some terminated) to the upset parents of the bygone era.
The Churches and families have failed for various reasons. The family, due to the insatiable appetite for materialistic wealth, sports and entertainment, which Madison avenue and television are espousing that you are entitled to; and the hell with the children. Go for broke in the race to attain the biggest house with the largest swimming pool, the fanciest SUV, the largest big screen tv, and the best sporting event tickets with the best tailgate area of the stadium; the churches, in their abandonment of the true word of God for the feely feely feelings of the political correct crowds and the groveling under the rules of the 501(c)3 tax codes has become no more than a fancy social club. With that being said; there should be no question as to why this nation has sunk to the gutter level of morality and violence we now find ourselves incased in.
We have abandoned the foundation this great nation was built upon; honest, hard work, love of God and his moral principles as found in the Ten Commandments, love of family and love of this great nation, nothing else mattered as long as family was together, which offered all the peace, protection, and security one could ask for. This is why God in his love for man established the family unit, with a one man and one woman relationship, but now we are being told and led to believe that this is not the case at all, that as long as two individuals love one another its ok with God whether it be Adam & Steve or Eve and Ava.
The homosexual agenda has even acquired their own Bible to counteract the true Bible, calling theirs the Queen James Bible with verses changed around to suit their agenda, which shows the miserable failure of the mainline Churches in their lackadaisical attempt to thwart the immoral downslide of our society, while at the same time placating the politically correct crowds by compromising God's holy word.
The Churches take this position because of the money game connected to the 501(c)3 tax code for charitable organizations. By taking a biblical position on these matters the church may upset an individual or the government and this could cost them big bucks, therefore they refuse to obey God, instead following man's rules and traditions... This too, will come into play very shortly with all this bally-hooing over same sex marriage. The Churches are falling in lockstep with one another to placate and accommodate the homosexual agenda by accepting it as holy in God's sight. God will not be mocked.
The Churches and the people are in such a state of denial concerning the truth as told in the Holy Bible by God, the Prophets, and the Apostles, they refuse to listen and when the truth is shown, they attack the truth teller. All of this has been prophesied in the Bible 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2Timothy 4:3,4
Are the people and Churches much like the above verse states; chasing after their own desires, searching for preachers and teachers whom will convey what they want to hear and not what they need to hear? The above verse perfectly describes todays Christian and the corporate organized Church.
Let's move on with what I had intended to bring to this writing in the form of Prophetic implications. All Churches are now under the 501(c)3 tax code, and the Faith Based Initiative as signed by President George Bush to allow taxpayer money to fund religious organizations. Has anyone noticed the dismal state of our education system since the federal government got involved with their funding's and took control of the educational process? Now the Church!!
Then there's the HATE CRIMES ACT signed into law by Barack Obama early into his first term. Now what does all this Hate Crimes Act, Faith Based Initiative, and 501(c)3 statute have to do with the same sex marriage debate grabbing headlines almost daily? If we study the Bible we can see a pattern beginning to form.
Less than 1% of 18 to 24 year olds have any affiliation to a religion. Less than 40% of the Christian population even bothers to attend a Church. Divorce rates are now 50%, half of all marriages end in divorce, but then there is an even larger segment of the population which plays musical beds, and never marries, and therefore the divorce rate is probably even higher.
Do you see the downward spiral of immorality as it pertains to the family structure? Where there is no structure, you have rampant immorality, high divorce rates, low marriage rates, high co-habitation arrangements which are not conducive to a stable family environment or a stable, thriving, and growing society; what you have is the complete opposite.
The Church could care less as long as the offering plate is full and they have satisfied their political correct crowds, but the fiddler has yet to be paid.
The foundation has been laid for the major attack on God's people with the homosexual agenda highly pressed into the psyche of our youth, the 501(c)3, the Faith Based Initiative and finally the Hate Crimes Legislation passed and signed into law by Barrack Hussein Obama in his first term.
Couple these together with the constant hate inspiring press releases from the SPLC working hand in hand with Homeland Security, attacking Christian groups and patriots as potential Homegrown Terrorists to be watched and monitored. And so it begins.
The same sex marriages will be made legal by the Supreme Court and this will give strength and leverage to the homosexual agenda, emboldening them as they push harder against anyone who opposes their agenda, going after anyone or any organization with the full support of the news media and government, accusing them of being hate-mongers, homo-phobic, terrorists, and whatever other terms the news media can contrive claiming it is all the cause of Christians and the hate inspired Bibles they quote from.
Now when a Pastor, (who has the faith of Jesus and the fortitude to speak the truth, as Peter and the Apostles did in Acts 5:29) (Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.) stands up and declares the homosexual act, as well as same sex marriage a sin, and an abomination unto God the Creator, then you will see the culmination of all these things come together to attack the Bible, the Church and Gods few that still hold to his commandments and statutes. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12
This will then begin to accelerate into other areas of persecution; the 501(c)3 tax exempt status revocation, which would force the Church to repay all prior years taxes on income with penalties and interest, the Govt. confiscating the Church property as further penalties; banks and financial institutions refusing to do business with the Church; other businesses refusing to sell to the church; in essence a complete blockade and boycott of anything Christian.
Don't think this can happen? Think again! Recently a number of large banks, (BANK of AMERICA being one ) refused to do business with those business's or honor transactions connected with the sale of ammunition and firearms, thereby restricting their constitutional right to operate a legal business and inflicting financial hardships to force them to comply with the banks agenda.
This will start out as a test on one or two Pastors and or Christian individuals and snowball into a complete all-out attack. Only the faithful few that fully trust in Jesus, keep his commandments and his laws in their heart will survive as Revelation 14:12 states.
The Churches and the people have compromised so much on God's word over just the past 75 years, until it is almost unrecognizable as God's Holy Word. Everything has to be modernized and brought into line with the wants and wishes of the present society.
Chris Matthews made a statement in an unaired interview with the future Pope Francis in which he alluded to the fact that the Church and Christianity were supposed to change to suit whatever the populace desires.
MATHEWS: That isn't it. How can the church attract young people when it is opposed to abortion and contraception?
Here Chris Matthews is espousing the worldly ways of changing the Bible to coincide with todays society.
BERGOGLIO: Young people are just as attracted to the truth as they are convenience and expediency. So we will call it a draw.
At least the future Pope is proclaimg the need for truth.
MATHEWS: Doesn't the church need to modernize
God, does not need to modernize or change his laws, he is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
God does not compromise his word or his position for politically correct points or to please the mood of society. Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever
The Churches and the Christians must make a critical decision, there will be no fence sitters, you will either obey God and his word or you will compromise and serve Satan; you can't have it both ways. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Satan owns the fence you are sitting on, which means he owns those on the fence.
There was a large field with a fence dividing it, and on one side of the fence was a very large group. On the other side of the fence was a much smaller group and there were some sitting on the fence. One day Jesus came and took the small group with him and Satan came and took the larger group with him, but there were some still sitting on the fence. Satan came back and informed the fence sitters to go with him, at which they replied ,"we don't belong to you". Satan then replied, "I own the fence".
Jesus will have no fence sitters or bench warmers.
As we get closer to the times of Jacobs troubles as prophesied, the fiddler, so to speak, has to be paid, and if you are a true follower of Christ, keeping his commandments and having his testimony in your heart, Jesus will protect you through these trials as he did the Hebrews during the plagues of Egypt.
Those not having the testimony of Jesus and not keeping his commandments are in for a rude awakening when these seven last plagues begin to fall upon mankind. I speak of those who are a one day Christian, believing that by being a member of a church and attending services each week, and once service is over its back to business as usual, you have fulfilled your weekly ritual of attending church for an hour. There is going to be some mighty surprised people.
2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:
Do you serve God daily? Or are you one that only serves one hour per week when it is convenient, Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:
Friends, we are approaching a day of decision, and it may mean a matter of life and death, when you must choose either Jesus's way, or man's way. You can hash and dash God's word all you want but that doesn't change the fact that it is a sin and an abomination that you are committing. There will be no sugar coating, no plea bargaining, God's laws and commandments are in stone and are forever.
The Churches and Christians have compromised so much on God's word and changed the meanings of God's word to suit the agenda of the moment, till only a handful will stand up. And by doing so, will be persecuted for abiding in God's Holy word rather than compromise.
. Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
The Gay Marriage agenda is out to destroy the family unit and any source of religion, especially Christianity, as true Christianity, calls it what it is; and abomination to our Creator God.
Once the Supreme Court gives the green light for these homosexual marriages, the war is on against anything Christian, and the people will then see what compromising the word of God does for a society.
When the few that will stand up in protest, stand up, the IRS will revoke the tax exempt status, banks will refuse to do business with them, other businesses will persecute them, and anyone belonging to a Church body standing up for God's moral law will be relegated to being akin to the KKK.
If you are a true Christian, I urge you to study God's word daily for truth, strength, and faith to be able to stand in the coming persecutions of the true Church which keeps the Commandments of God and has the testimony of Jesus in their hearts.
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be
Will you stand today for Jesus or will you compromise for political correctness?
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
In Revelation 21:27, we are told that compromisers or anything that defiles, or works abominations will not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Anyone compromising will not be in the Book of Life and will therefore go to the lake of fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels.
Friends the choice is yours. GOD or MAN?
Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD
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