These days of staying at home, shut down economy, social distancing, self quarantining, video live streaming church and shortages at the supermarket have been frustrating for many. For the first time some parents are beginning to see their little angels are not angels after all. Families have had extended time together. Like one man told me, "I feel like a caged animal." I see that in my sons as they pace around bored beyond anything they could believe. Two of them were run off a local high school track because of Corona Virus. They were the only two there and on opposite ends of the field from one another.
It has been different, maybe even weird, for pastors to preach and teach to empty rooms. It has been equally weird to sing to empty rooms. Some are being creative. Some are begrudgingly doing what they must to observe the guidelines. This can be a time to make excuses or a time to give God your best. Do what you can where you can.
You can still call people. You can still text people. You can still email people. You can still encourage. You can still pray. You can still share and communicate love. You can still share verses of scripture. You can still share hope. Do what you can where you can.
Paul did this even when incarcerated. He taught. He evangelized. He prayed for people. He wrote. He encouraged others. He did what He could where He could.
Some might use this time as an excuse not to unproductive. I feel my work load increasing. I have so much to pray about and so many people to lift before God. I feel compelled to write for those who do not have the ability to get live streaming. This is my one way to offer some spiritual nourishment to them. I feel compelled to study harder to present the best spiritual meat for those who egearly await Wednesdays and Sundays. I feel compelled to stay in touch with people as best I can. That is important.
Paul set a great example in Acts 27-28. Even though he was in chains being shipped to Rome, he found several opportunities to minister. He did what he could where he could.
He saved lives in Acts 27. Soldiers were lowering a lifeboat in a storm. God showed Paul only those who remained on the ship would be saved. He encouraged everyone on that ship after two weeks of intense stress during a storm that would not end. He prayed for sick people on the island of Maltus in Acts 28 after swimming for shore. He met with people night and day while in Rome testifying about Jesus. He wrote letters to encourage other believers God chose to preserve for us today as sacred scripture. Paul did what he could where he could.
You and I are to do the same. We are to do what we can right where we are. We can still be productive. Get your mind of your own self misery and focus on ministering to others. You can do something. Do what you can where you can. It just might make a world of difference for someone.
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
The Praying Sisters and the Praying Lad
Penny and Christine were in bad shape physically in the late 1940's. Both in their 80's, Peggy was blind and Christine was crippled from arthritis. They were no longer able to make it to public worship gatherings. They communed with God in their cottage on Lewis Island in Scotland.
One day they received a fresh word from the Lord, "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground." The two sisters took this to heart and prayed night and day. They called for their pastor and told him. They believed God to send a great refreshing to their island.
God indeed answered their prayers. He sent Duncan Campbell to minister the word. God also had another unlikely servant. A 15 year old named Donald Smith. Even though he was young, he prayed mightily. In fact, one person called him a, "Front line prayer warrior."
Campbell heard about the lad and went to visit him. He found him in the barn on his knees praying. He called for his attention and lad responded, "Excuse me, Mr. Campbell, I'm having audience with the King." Keeping company with King Jesus took precedence over company with the preacher.
God used this lad to fuel the fire of the revival. One night after a paltry meting the pastor, Campbell and young Donald stayed behind to pray. At one point Donald commented, "I feel the Spirit brooding over us and He is about to breakthrough." They prayed more fervently and were interrupted by a knock on the church door. When they opened the door they were astonished to see a crowd assembled though it was midnight. Each had been awakened and drawn to the church where God moved powerfully from that point onward.
On another occasion, Campbell preached but could not seem to breakthrough. No matter how hard he tried to preach the atmosphere seemed stifled. The Spirit quenched. He looked down from the pulpit and saw Donald deep in prayer. The thought occurred to Campbell, "That boy is in touch with God and living nearer the Savior than I am." He asked Donald to pray out loud. When he did these are the words onlookers used to describe what happened. "The floodgates of Heaven opened." "The church resembled a battlefield." Many were broken in repentance or caught up enthralled in worship.
History records what happened in what is now known as the Hebrides Revival. It went on for several years. Think about it. God used two elderly sisters and a teenage boy to be mighty catalysts for that revival. How often others overlook the elderly thinking they have nothing to offer. Maybe you are in your twilight years thinking you have little service left for Jesus. You can pray. God can use you to do that. Pray mightily and fervently. Perhaps you are a teenager and get overlooked. You can draw as close to God as anyone if you set your mind to seek Him. You can become wise beyond your years and devote yourself to greater realities than the passing pleasures of this world. Take that to heart.
One day they received a fresh word from the Lord, "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground." The two sisters took this to heart and prayed night and day. They called for their pastor and told him. They believed God to send a great refreshing to their island.
God indeed answered their prayers. He sent Duncan Campbell to minister the word. God also had another unlikely servant. A 15 year old named Donald Smith. Even though he was young, he prayed mightily. In fact, one person called him a, "Front line prayer warrior."
Campbell heard about the lad and went to visit him. He found him in the barn on his knees praying. He called for his attention and lad responded, "Excuse me, Mr. Campbell, I'm having audience with the King." Keeping company with King Jesus took precedence over company with the preacher.
God used this lad to fuel the fire of the revival. One night after a paltry meting the pastor, Campbell and young Donald stayed behind to pray. At one point Donald commented, "I feel the Spirit brooding over us and He is about to breakthrough." They prayed more fervently and were interrupted by a knock on the church door. When they opened the door they were astonished to see a crowd assembled though it was midnight. Each had been awakened and drawn to the church where God moved powerfully from that point onward.
On another occasion, Campbell preached but could not seem to breakthrough. No matter how hard he tried to preach the atmosphere seemed stifled. The Spirit quenched. He looked down from the pulpit and saw Donald deep in prayer. The thought occurred to Campbell, "That boy is in touch with God and living nearer the Savior than I am." He asked Donald to pray out loud. When he did these are the words onlookers used to describe what happened. "The floodgates of Heaven opened." "The church resembled a battlefield." Many were broken in repentance or caught up enthralled in worship.
History records what happened in what is now known as the Hebrides Revival. It went on for several years. Think about it. God used two elderly sisters and a teenage boy to be mighty catalysts for that revival. How often others overlook the elderly thinking they have nothing to offer. Maybe you are in your twilight years thinking you have little service left for Jesus. You can pray. God can use you to do that. Pray mightily and fervently. Perhaps you are a teenager and get overlooked. You can draw as close to God as anyone if you set your mind to seek Him. You can become wise beyond your years and devote yourself to greater realities than the passing pleasures of this world. Take that to heart.
Monday, April 20, 2020
The Rape of Innocence
I have a sick feeling in the pit of my gut. A disturbed, distraught, bewildered feeling. Mixed with shock, sadness, disgust, and disbelief. A revolting sensation I find it hard to put into words. For the past two hours I have walked around not knowing what to do with myself. I am trying to sort through all these feelings. Trying to process information. Eventually I turned to my old friend writing. Writing helps me work through so many things.
For the better part of two years I have been doing bits of research about the condition of our country. I started seeing news articles and documentaries I could not believe at first. As I kept digging, they showed up more and more. Certain dots connected. In further research last night and today, I can only describe my discoveries as the rape of innocence. The word rape is a shocking word. I did not use it merely to be an attention grabber. I write it in the most literal sense of the word.
Decency restrains me from going into great detail. There is a pure evil link between politically elite, rich and powerful, and royalty in child sex traffic rings. Many have heard the name of Jeffery Epstein and his sex offenses against minors. His private getaway called "Orgy Island," got frequented by some very high profile people. Political leaders visited that island. High ranking officials. Even people from one royal family visited Orgy Island. Stories leaked up many children held hostage there and raped by these powerful individuals without regard to the lasting implications for the children.
This indecent behavior is alleged to be all over Hollywood. The rape, torture, and destroying of young children. I sit stunned. Shocked. Bewildered. Disturbed. Sickened.
At first, when I first when I learned these things I did not believe. I could not believe. I could not bring myself to believe that well educated, well dressed, high ranking, well respected, famous leaders and celebrities were capable of such vile behavior. I was wrong. Proven wrong repeatedly.
You can do your own investigation and find out for yourself. Look into "Pizza Gate." Dig deeper than the surface and what mainstream media report. Do due diligence and see what you find. I predict you feel the same way I do. Revoltingly disgusted.
How could anyone violate a child? How could people be so vile, depraved, so disgusting as to commit sex crimes against children. How could these same people push so hard to lower the legal age of consent for sex to as low as 14, 12 and in some cases 10?
We live in a deviant demonic age. I feel so helpless to do anything to help. The cover ups are massive. Few are ever brought to justice. Fewer believe these things really take place. Barbaric acts committed in these modern enlightened times. They do.
Satan is alive and well on planet Earth. His demons deceive the masses from reality. The cruel, convoluted, and carnal acts against minors is proof. I pray God intervenes. Exposes truth and brings them all down. I plead for God to drive back demon hoards to protect the little ones. Awake church. We are in a war. We have to fight evil with prayer. Do it for the little ones. I beg you to do it for the little innocent ones.
Saturday, April 18, 2020
Company Keeper Conversion
Jonathan Edwards inherited the congregation his grandfather pastored for multiple decades. The famous Solomon Stoddard adopted what was known as the :half way covenant." This meant people could be a part of the church and take communion even if they were not saved. The theory behind the idea was that, if such people sat under the preaching of the word of God they would eventually get saved.
Over time the opposite happened. The saved remained committed. The half way covenanters in their children and grandchildren became more carnal and less tender to the things of God. This weighed heavily on Edwards' heart after his grandfather retired and left the congregation under his leadership. Edwards noticed the spiritual drift of many in Northampton, Mass.
By 1734 Edwards felt burdened for the lost in his parish. He both prayed for and preached for their conversion. He prayed and preached for several months without seeing many results. He noticed a change in December of that year. He wrote, "The Spirit of God began to extraordinarily set in and to wonderfully work among us." God moved in individuals who sought out Edwards one at a time under conviction for salvation. Most did not even know others were doing the same thing.
That is until a young woman came to visit Edwards. She was known to be a company keeper. Meaning she was sexually immoral. She had a reputation. A checkered past. She was known as one of the greatest company keepers in the whole town. Mind you Northampton was a small town. You know the type. Where gossip runs faster than a track team.
When this young lady got saved, eyebrows raised. She truly had a profound salvation experience. People took notice. God used the company keeper's conversion to ignite revival all over the community. People were converted to Christ in every home. God answered Edwards' prayers. Soon the movement spread to other communities. This move of God in the early American colonies became known as the First Great Awakening.
It started with a burdened pastor. God used the conversion of a company keeper to draw many others to Christ. I cry out with all my heart, "Do it again Lord. Do it again."
Over time the opposite happened. The saved remained committed. The half way covenanters in their children and grandchildren became more carnal and less tender to the things of God. This weighed heavily on Edwards' heart after his grandfather retired and left the congregation under his leadership. Edwards noticed the spiritual drift of many in Northampton, Mass.
By 1734 Edwards felt burdened for the lost in his parish. He both prayed for and preached for their conversion. He prayed and preached for several months without seeing many results. He noticed a change in December of that year. He wrote, "The Spirit of God began to extraordinarily set in and to wonderfully work among us." God moved in individuals who sought out Edwards one at a time under conviction for salvation. Most did not even know others were doing the same thing.
That is until a young woman came to visit Edwards. She was known to be a company keeper. Meaning she was sexually immoral. She had a reputation. A checkered past. She was known as one of the greatest company keepers in the whole town. Mind you Northampton was a small town. You know the type. Where gossip runs faster than a track team.
When this young lady got saved, eyebrows raised. She truly had a profound salvation experience. People took notice. God used the company keeper's conversion to ignite revival all over the community. People were converted to Christ in every home. God answered Edwards' prayers. Soon the movement spread to other communities. This move of God in the early American colonies became known as the First Great Awakening.
It started with a burdened pastor. God used the conversion of a company keeper to draw many others to Christ. I cry out with all my heart, "Do it again Lord. Do it again."
We Could Use A Little Good News
I don't know why they call it the news. They should call it bad news. The barrage of bad news seems never ending. People can only take so much. We all could use some good news.
As a matter of fact there is. Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Think about it. The steadfast love of the LORD. No matter the circumstances of life See Romans 8:38-39. God's love remains steady. No matter how vile our sin, that cannot separate us from His love. His love is good, kind and merciful. It does not end. It is not exhausted. It does not fail. He is as near as your next breath and prayer. He loves you just as much today as He ever has. What a great good news truth. You are loved. By the King. You are loved with the deepest of affections.
His mercies have no end either. To put that another way, His compassions and pity are never exhausted. Reflect on that for a moment. Our compassion can be taxed by difficult people. Even when we are difficult His tender compassionate mercy never runs out. In fact, they are new every morning. Whether you are an early riser or a night owl. When your eyes popped open today they opened to His mercies. As you go through your day, you do so with His ample supply of compassion following you. More great news.
Whether you live to be 22 or 102 His love and mercy will always be there. Though the world goes crazy, His love and mercy will be sure foundations to steady your footing. When others panic into hysteria, His love and mercy will bring you great peace.
That is not only good news for today. It is Great news for EVERYDAY!
As a matter of fact there is. Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Think about it. The steadfast love of the LORD. No matter the circumstances of life See Romans 8:38-39. God's love remains steady. No matter how vile our sin, that cannot separate us from His love. His love is good, kind and merciful. It does not end. It is not exhausted. It does not fail. He is as near as your next breath and prayer. He loves you just as much today as He ever has. What a great good news truth. You are loved. By the King. You are loved with the deepest of affections.
His mercies have no end either. To put that another way, His compassions and pity are never exhausted. Reflect on that for a moment. Our compassion can be taxed by difficult people. Even when we are difficult His tender compassionate mercy never runs out. In fact, they are new every morning. Whether you are an early riser or a night owl. When your eyes popped open today they opened to His mercies. As you go through your day, you do so with His ample supply of compassion following you. More great news.
Whether you live to be 22 or 102 His love and mercy will always be there. Though the world goes crazy, His love and mercy will be sure foundations to steady your footing. When others panic into hysteria, His love and mercy will bring you great peace.
That is not only good news for today. It is Great news for EVERYDAY!
Art That Shook The World
Nicholas von Zinzendorf loved Jesus. His motto for life was Jesus and only Jesus. As a teenager he organized and led seven different prayer groups.
Zinzendorf also loved art. One day he visited the Dusseldorf Gallery in Germany and saw a painting that gripped his soul. God used that painting to call him to a deeper commitment. The painting was of the crucifixion of Jesus. God used the painting moving him deeply as he stared at it reflectively. Over the painting was written these words in Latin, "Hoc feci pro te; Quid faci pro me?" The English translation is, "This I have done for you, what have you done for Me?"
The statement and picture burned into his soul like a hot branding iron on cowhide. Right there he resolved to use his life and resources in service for Jesus. What did that mean?
He later encouraged a religious refugee group to establish a settlement in land he owned in Saxony. Those religious refugees were the Moravians who had been harassed and forced to resettle many times. The Moravians had been persecuted for generations. Many killed. Many imprisoned. They suffered for their Christian faith.
They found a home in Saxony. Sadly the community was deeply divided by 1727, as can prone to happen among God's people. They argued over Bible doctrine to the point of openly criticizing one another publicly. Some doubted the community would survive the deep divide.
Zinzendorf heard about the division and chose to get involved leading the people to make a covenant. He wanted there to be harmony in the new found community. While the adults signed a covenant of peace, it did not change their hearts and feelings toward one another.
That is until August 13,1727 in a communion service. God showed up and moved in marvelous fashion. Historians reported the Holy Ghost showed up and moved powerfully. Following that service the hunger for God's word so increased that they had daily meetings to study God's word at 5:00 a.m., 7:30 a.m., and at 9:00 p.m. Please note this took place everyday for a season.
Convinced that God's visitation came in response to increased prayer, a group took turns praying around the clock everyday. That began on August 27, 1727 and went on continuously for over 100 years! For over a century you could find one or more Moravians keeping up that same prayer movement that began in 1727.
Think about it. It all began in an art gallery with a man viewing a piece of art. A piece of art that Gid used to move him, lead him to establish a community for berated Moravians, moved him to promote peace among them that eventually brought revival. That revival fueled a prayer meeting that lasted over a century.
I do not know who painted that piece of art Zinzendorf saw. I don't imagine the artist had any idea what a profound impact that painting would have on the world. Only God knows the implications and answers to that continuous prayer meeting on history.
You never know how God will use your efforts. Keep painting. Keep writing. Keep singing. Keep preaching. Keep promoting peace. Keep following God's leadership. Keep doing work. You may never know how God will use that work for His glory until eternity.
Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Zinzendorf also loved art. One day he visited the Dusseldorf Gallery in Germany and saw a painting that gripped his soul. God used that painting to call him to a deeper commitment. The painting was of the crucifixion of Jesus. God used the painting moving him deeply as he stared at it reflectively. Over the painting was written these words in Latin, "Hoc feci pro te; Quid faci pro me?" The English translation is, "This I have done for you, what have you done for Me?"
The statement and picture burned into his soul like a hot branding iron on cowhide. Right there he resolved to use his life and resources in service for Jesus. What did that mean?
He later encouraged a religious refugee group to establish a settlement in land he owned in Saxony. Those religious refugees were the Moravians who had been harassed and forced to resettle many times. The Moravians had been persecuted for generations. Many killed. Many imprisoned. They suffered for their Christian faith.
They found a home in Saxony. Sadly the community was deeply divided by 1727, as can prone to happen among God's people. They argued over Bible doctrine to the point of openly criticizing one another publicly. Some doubted the community would survive the deep divide.
Zinzendorf heard about the division and chose to get involved leading the people to make a covenant. He wanted there to be harmony in the new found community. While the adults signed a covenant of peace, it did not change their hearts and feelings toward one another.
That is until August 13,1727 in a communion service. God showed up and moved in marvelous fashion. Historians reported the Holy Ghost showed up and moved powerfully. Following that service the hunger for God's word so increased that they had daily meetings to study God's word at 5:00 a.m., 7:30 a.m., and at 9:00 p.m. Please note this took place everyday for a season.
Convinced that God's visitation came in response to increased prayer, a group took turns praying around the clock everyday. That began on August 27, 1727 and went on continuously for over 100 years! For over a century you could find one or more Moravians keeping up that same prayer movement that began in 1727.
Think about it. It all began in an art gallery with a man viewing a piece of art. A piece of art that Gid used to move him, lead him to establish a community for berated Moravians, moved him to promote peace among them that eventually brought revival. That revival fueled a prayer meeting that lasted over a century.
I do not know who painted that piece of art Zinzendorf saw. I don't imagine the artist had any idea what a profound impact that painting would have on the world. Only God knows the implications and answers to that continuous prayer meeting on history.
You never know how God will use your efforts. Keep painting. Keep writing. Keep singing. Keep preaching. Keep promoting peace. Keep following God's leadership. Keep doing work. You may never know how God will use that work for His glory until eternity.
Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Profiting Prophets
I warn you upfront. I'm pretty fired up about this blog today. In this time of great calamity in our nation, I wonder what God says. I thought about prophets of old like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Amos and others. I wondered what words they would speak to our nation. Some of the same words they wrote to warn Israel?
I surfed around the internet and stumbled on this website of supposed prophets and their messages. I clicked skeptically. I browsed the titles on the home page of supposed words from the Lord. Here are a few of the most recent titles they have listed. Mind you, these are supposed to be fresh revelations from God. Here are the titles. If You Say Yes - I'll Do The Rest, Great Days of Glory Are on the Horizon, Decree Divine Reversal, The Great Communion Revival, Best Days Are Ahead, The Shaking That Leads to the Lord's Upgrade.
There were others. I did not read any of them. I thought about how everyone of those supposed prophecies dealt with prosperity. I then thought about Bible prophets. The revelations they received from God were words of warning calling God's people to repentance. Funny I did not see the word repent one time in those charlatan titles.
These supposed prophets know what sells. What gets the viewers. What is popular. What tickles the ears. What wins a following. What sells the books and sermon series. What keeps the crowds coming back. It certainly is not repentance.
While these false prophets tell the world what they want to hear and that things are going to get a whole lot better, God is giving me a different message in my prayers. Things are going to get worse. A whole lot worse. Call me a doom and gloom prophet if you like. I share what God impresses on my heart. What He impresses on my heart is that we have snubbed our noses at the Holy One. We have mocked Him and His commands. We have stiffened our necks against His reproof for years and now we are facing times like we have never seen in our nation.
In response is the nation turning back to God? No. America will blame God. Will we throw consternation toward God for allowing so many to die, get sick, lose their jobs, homes and vehicles. Yet, on the other hand, America applauds every decision to remove God from each sector of society. We worship at the shine of "separation of church and state."The message has been clear for decades. America does not want God. America does not need God. America opposes God. America, God will have the last say. We will answer for our insolence.
I know there are exceptions. God still has a remnant here. Those who stand for truth and plead for God to turn the hearts of this nation back to Him in repentance. I thank God for you. I thank God for those proclaiming all of God's word and not watering it down.
Repentance is not the message of the prophets who do what they do for profits. They flaunt their flagrant lifestyles profiting off the mindless masses open to anything. Who holds them accountable for any false prophesies. Where are the warnings of God's judgment? Where are the hard truths meant to shake people from their slumber? Where are the calls to repentance? Where is the indignation of God revealed or taken into consideration?
While these high flying deceivers fleece the pockets and purses of the gullible, we inch nearer to the wrath of God. Are we so naïve, so oblivious, so deceived and dare I say it... so stupid we thought we as a nation could get away with it? God judged His own chosen covenant people harshly for idolatry. He said through prophets that Israel played the whore.
I did not see one title Playing the Whore among the prophets for profits. We as a nation are filled with idolatry. Not only that, we even have a television show called American Idol. We gyrate to music promoting vulgarity, immorality and anarchy against God. We promote the occult in our movies dancing with the devil in deception. God says avoid every appearance of evil. We embrace evil. Even flaunt it at our public libraries before little unsuspecting children. Do we think God will not take offense. We redefine words making them fit with a progressive agenda. It is not progressive. It is degenerate. God has dealt with other nations throughout history who defied Him. Those who tried to redefine morality. Ever heard of Sodom and Gomorrah. Is America above them?
I don't read about Bible prophets prancing around at their conferences offering seminars and self help talks. They stayed shut up with God most of the time. Hidden with God until they received His message. They entered the scenes like thunderbolts. They preached like thunder messages of warning and repentance. What compensation did they receive in return. Ridicule. Rejection. Imprisonment. They did not walk away with offering plates overflowing. They received little provision. They lived by faith. They had one thing these false prophets preaching for profit do not have. Bible prophets had the POWER OF GOD on their ministries. Elijah could pray for rain to stop, fire to fall and rain to return. Elijah stood before a whole nation of double minded idolaters and called them to task. He put his life and ministry on the line when he faced down the 850 false prophets. Courageously he stood, but not alone. Yahweh stood with Him and backed him up by sending fire. How did the people respond? They fell on their faces in unison declaring Yahweh is God.
What profit did Elijah receive for such a revival. Nothing but a bounty put out on his head by the queen. The Bible prophets saw little profit. They endured hard lives preaching hard messages in hard times. Let the real persecution come to America. Let it start costing people to follow Jesus. I predict the prophets for profit will fold up like a card table.
May God raise fearless preachers who will proclaim the whole counsel of God's word. May such preachers be delivered from the opinion of men and labor for the pleasure of hearing God say, "Well done good and faithful servant." That will be a more profitable day than all the lavish love offerings of false prophets. False prophets who will be exposed for the shams they are in God's refining fire when all works will be tested.
I surfed around the internet and stumbled on this website of supposed prophets and their messages. I clicked skeptically. I browsed the titles on the home page of supposed words from the Lord. Here are a few of the most recent titles they have listed. Mind you, these are supposed to be fresh revelations from God. Here are the titles. If You Say Yes - I'll Do The Rest, Great Days of Glory Are on the Horizon, Decree Divine Reversal, The Great Communion Revival, Best Days Are Ahead, The Shaking That Leads to the Lord's Upgrade.
There were others. I did not read any of them. I thought about how everyone of those supposed prophecies dealt with prosperity. I then thought about Bible prophets. The revelations they received from God were words of warning calling God's people to repentance. Funny I did not see the word repent one time in those charlatan titles.
These supposed prophets know what sells. What gets the viewers. What is popular. What tickles the ears. What wins a following. What sells the books and sermon series. What keeps the crowds coming back. It certainly is not repentance.
While these false prophets tell the world what they want to hear and that things are going to get a whole lot better, God is giving me a different message in my prayers. Things are going to get worse. A whole lot worse. Call me a doom and gloom prophet if you like. I share what God impresses on my heart. What He impresses on my heart is that we have snubbed our noses at the Holy One. We have mocked Him and His commands. We have stiffened our necks against His reproof for years and now we are facing times like we have never seen in our nation.
In response is the nation turning back to God? No. America will blame God. Will we throw consternation toward God for allowing so many to die, get sick, lose their jobs, homes and vehicles. Yet, on the other hand, America applauds every decision to remove God from each sector of society. We worship at the shine of "separation of church and state."The message has been clear for decades. America does not want God. America does not need God. America opposes God. America, God will have the last say. We will answer for our insolence.
I know there are exceptions. God still has a remnant here. Those who stand for truth and plead for God to turn the hearts of this nation back to Him in repentance. I thank God for you. I thank God for those proclaiming all of God's word and not watering it down.
Repentance is not the message of the prophets who do what they do for profits. They flaunt their flagrant lifestyles profiting off the mindless masses open to anything. Who holds them accountable for any false prophesies. Where are the warnings of God's judgment? Where are the hard truths meant to shake people from their slumber? Where are the calls to repentance? Where is the indignation of God revealed or taken into consideration?
While these high flying deceivers fleece the pockets and purses of the gullible, we inch nearer to the wrath of God. Are we so naïve, so oblivious, so deceived and dare I say it... so stupid we thought we as a nation could get away with it? God judged His own chosen covenant people harshly for idolatry. He said through prophets that Israel played the whore.
I did not see one title Playing the Whore among the prophets for profits. We as a nation are filled with idolatry. Not only that, we even have a television show called American Idol. We gyrate to music promoting vulgarity, immorality and anarchy against God. We promote the occult in our movies dancing with the devil in deception. God says avoid every appearance of evil. We embrace evil. Even flaunt it at our public libraries before little unsuspecting children. Do we think God will not take offense. We redefine words making them fit with a progressive agenda. It is not progressive. It is degenerate. God has dealt with other nations throughout history who defied Him. Those who tried to redefine morality. Ever heard of Sodom and Gomorrah. Is America above them?
I don't read about Bible prophets prancing around at their conferences offering seminars and self help talks. They stayed shut up with God most of the time. Hidden with God until they received His message. They entered the scenes like thunderbolts. They preached like thunder messages of warning and repentance. What compensation did they receive in return. Ridicule. Rejection. Imprisonment. They did not walk away with offering plates overflowing. They received little provision. They lived by faith. They had one thing these false prophets preaching for profit do not have. Bible prophets had the POWER OF GOD on their ministries. Elijah could pray for rain to stop, fire to fall and rain to return. Elijah stood before a whole nation of double minded idolaters and called them to task. He put his life and ministry on the line when he faced down the 850 false prophets. Courageously he stood, but not alone. Yahweh stood with Him and backed him up by sending fire. How did the people respond? They fell on their faces in unison declaring Yahweh is God.
What profit did Elijah receive for such a revival. Nothing but a bounty put out on his head by the queen. The Bible prophets saw little profit. They endured hard lives preaching hard messages in hard times. Let the real persecution come to America. Let it start costing people to follow Jesus. I predict the prophets for profit will fold up like a card table.
May God raise fearless preachers who will proclaim the whole counsel of God's word. May such preachers be delivered from the opinion of men and labor for the pleasure of hearing God say, "Well done good and faithful servant." That will be a more profitable day than all the lavish love offerings of false prophets. False prophets who will be exposed for the shams they are in God's refining fire when all works will be tested.
Monday, April 13, 2020
Warning Danger Ahead
These times are unsettling. Millions have lost jobs. I heard the story yesterday of a small business owner having to shut down permanently. There have been long lines and food shortages at the grocery stores. People have been shut in their homes without freedom to do the things they used to do.
These are matters I and millions of others have prayed over diligently. I did so again this morning. What I received from the Lord disturbed me greatly. The American response to the current crisis on every scale does not seem to be one of a wholescale turning back to God. If this is a wake up call, America has by and large hit the snooze button.
What if it took something worse to get the souls of this nation to turn back to God? I dread the thought. Things are bad right now. They could get so much worse. Prophetic warnings go unheeded. This once proud prospering nation has been shook. Not to the point where we only look to God for help. Not to the point when people openly repent and return to God who alone can rescue us.
Like a road side sign warning of danger ahead, I stand to warn the citizens of this great nation that we are not invincible. God has blessed the United States like few nations ever throughout history. Much like He blessed Israel. What did we do with that blessing. We aborted over 60 million babies because the law says the mother has the right to choose. The highest court legalized homosexual marriage. America nodded in approval. GOD DID NOT! Homosexuality is still an abomination. While homosexuals can find salvation and deliverance in Jesus, they will not find His approval of their lifestyle. America rushes people to the judge or preacher to get married. They rush nearly as fast to the divorce court because they never understood the marriage covenant up front. We fell and worshipped at the idol of ball. Football, baseball, basketball, volleyball and so forth. We celebrated the elaborate salaries followed by the immoral behaviors of some of ball's most famed athletes. We bought the products they endorsed, wore their jersey and watched religiously. No matter how defiled and polluted they lived we bowed before them cheering them on. We elected liars, deceivers, hoodwinkers, silver tongued devils, promising much but delivering little except kickbacks into their own pockets. Then we reelected the same people hoping for a different outcome. They say they want to protect us with their fingers crossed. They fabricate the truth and spin it for their political purposes.
The media quit concerning themselves with reporting the truth instead of reporting their take on the truth, altering facts, misguiding the public slanting stories toward their own political bias. The Constitution got trampled on like a door mat along the way. Take an honest look at what is going on. Count how many of your constitutional rights have been suspended so easily. Like sheep led to the slaughter America walked to her doom without so much as questioning the things being forced on us.
We listen to what they say and blindly accept it. Has it dawned on anyone the message about staying home from the government through public announcements on the radio and television are starting to sound a lot like brainwashing. A message of stay at home, keep social distancing, we are all in this together but alone and so forth bombards our ears and eyes. It is to protect us. Do some independent investigation. The stories don't always match reality. Would it surprise you if I told you the number of deaths attributed to the virus are misleading. If you are dying of the last stages of cancer but test positive for the virus that is the listed cause of death. This is happening to people on hospice care. Hospice care happens when you are about to die. Why the need to pad the stats of the virus.
If this is so bad, why doesn't Dr. Fauci stand six feet from the nearest person in the press conferences. Why doesn't he wear a mask? Why are domestic flights allowed to continue if we need to keep everyone from harm? Why are some places considered essential but others not. Why are experts talking about forced vaccines and citizens having to carry proof of authentication a person has been vaccinated to buy or travel. That's mark of the beast stuff from Revelation. Why did Bill Gates talk about possible long term suspension from mass gatherings recently. Why is he pushing forced vaccines and his foundation gives major financial support to every major health care organization.
On top of all that, churches are still shut down because they are not considered essential. No pastor would have dreamed this possible at the start of 2020. Suspending live services seemed like patriotic duty. Church is non essential. Tell that to the widow I spoke to yesterday who has no way to connect to a streamed service or the other widow I visited with who cannot figure out the technology. America pacified herself with streaming services. Many got left out and behind. What happens when someone pulls the switch on the internet and churches cannot even do that anymore. What happens when preachers are silenced and the doors remain shut. The church has been shut down in large measure and there has been very little backlash. We just accepted it as good little citizens doing our duty. We comforted ourselves that we were doing our part.
Yet, Walmart can remain open. Hundreds and possibly thousands go in and out. A contaminated person could be on the same aisle. A contaminated person may have stocked the shelves with your item. A contaminated person may have unloaded your purchase from the truck. A contaminated person may have actually packaged or canned your food. Still they flock to Walmart. While other retailers were forced to close because they are not essential. The church is not essential. Please remember this was done for your protection.
Conservative voices are being censored by Facebook, twitter, YouTube, and other social media outlets. Many are banned. Social elites now determine what is acceptable to say, write or video. If your voice happens to hit one of their hot button phrases you could be banned too. I am pretty sure this post hit most of them. Big tech companies manipulate the internet. Case in point. I have heard for awhile that if you shop for a certain item suddenly ads for that item start appearing on social media outlets.
I have been shopping for workout equipment for our church and my sons. Often in the mornings I listen to instrumental worship music via You tube when I'm praying. I noticed this morning an exact piece of workout equipment advertised I looked at two days ago. Somebody is manipulating what you and I see and hear. We see what they want us to see. We hear what they want us to hear. We vote for who they want us to vote for. Dissenting voices are silenced. Mine may be soon. Until then, I speak and write what God leads me to do.
Millions have no source of income. Be of good cheer. The government will come to the rescue. Sending money they do not have. No matter. Big government knows best. Big government will always tell you the truth. They will always report the facts. Hopefully you know better than that.
In all of this, America by in large has not turned to God in repentance. I am deeply concerned things will get worse. The prophets have been pushed out. Their messages censored and ignored. America be forewarned. To mock God and not heed His warning is a recipe for disaster. Warning. Impending danger ahead.
These are matters I and millions of others have prayed over diligently. I did so again this morning. What I received from the Lord disturbed me greatly. The American response to the current crisis on every scale does not seem to be one of a wholescale turning back to God. If this is a wake up call, America has by and large hit the snooze button.
What if it took something worse to get the souls of this nation to turn back to God? I dread the thought. Things are bad right now. They could get so much worse. Prophetic warnings go unheeded. This once proud prospering nation has been shook. Not to the point where we only look to God for help. Not to the point when people openly repent and return to God who alone can rescue us.
Like a road side sign warning of danger ahead, I stand to warn the citizens of this great nation that we are not invincible. God has blessed the United States like few nations ever throughout history. Much like He blessed Israel. What did we do with that blessing. We aborted over 60 million babies because the law says the mother has the right to choose. The highest court legalized homosexual marriage. America nodded in approval. GOD DID NOT! Homosexuality is still an abomination. While homosexuals can find salvation and deliverance in Jesus, they will not find His approval of their lifestyle. America rushes people to the judge or preacher to get married. They rush nearly as fast to the divorce court because they never understood the marriage covenant up front. We fell and worshipped at the idol of ball. Football, baseball, basketball, volleyball and so forth. We celebrated the elaborate salaries followed by the immoral behaviors of some of ball's most famed athletes. We bought the products they endorsed, wore their jersey and watched religiously. No matter how defiled and polluted they lived we bowed before them cheering them on. We elected liars, deceivers, hoodwinkers, silver tongued devils, promising much but delivering little except kickbacks into their own pockets. Then we reelected the same people hoping for a different outcome. They say they want to protect us with their fingers crossed. They fabricate the truth and spin it for their political purposes.
The media quit concerning themselves with reporting the truth instead of reporting their take on the truth, altering facts, misguiding the public slanting stories toward their own political bias. The Constitution got trampled on like a door mat along the way. Take an honest look at what is going on. Count how many of your constitutional rights have been suspended so easily. Like sheep led to the slaughter America walked to her doom without so much as questioning the things being forced on us.
We listen to what they say and blindly accept it. Has it dawned on anyone the message about staying home from the government through public announcements on the radio and television are starting to sound a lot like brainwashing. A message of stay at home, keep social distancing, we are all in this together but alone and so forth bombards our ears and eyes. It is to protect us. Do some independent investigation. The stories don't always match reality. Would it surprise you if I told you the number of deaths attributed to the virus are misleading. If you are dying of the last stages of cancer but test positive for the virus that is the listed cause of death. This is happening to people on hospice care. Hospice care happens when you are about to die. Why the need to pad the stats of the virus.
If this is so bad, why doesn't Dr. Fauci stand six feet from the nearest person in the press conferences. Why doesn't he wear a mask? Why are domestic flights allowed to continue if we need to keep everyone from harm? Why are some places considered essential but others not. Why are experts talking about forced vaccines and citizens having to carry proof of authentication a person has been vaccinated to buy or travel. That's mark of the beast stuff from Revelation. Why did Bill Gates talk about possible long term suspension from mass gatherings recently. Why is he pushing forced vaccines and his foundation gives major financial support to every major health care organization.
On top of all that, churches are still shut down because they are not considered essential. No pastor would have dreamed this possible at the start of 2020. Suspending live services seemed like patriotic duty. Church is non essential. Tell that to the widow I spoke to yesterday who has no way to connect to a streamed service or the other widow I visited with who cannot figure out the technology. America pacified herself with streaming services. Many got left out and behind. What happens when someone pulls the switch on the internet and churches cannot even do that anymore. What happens when preachers are silenced and the doors remain shut. The church has been shut down in large measure and there has been very little backlash. We just accepted it as good little citizens doing our duty. We comforted ourselves that we were doing our part.
Yet, Walmart can remain open. Hundreds and possibly thousands go in and out. A contaminated person could be on the same aisle. A contaminated person may have stocked the shelves with your item. A contaminated person may have unloaded your purchase from the truck. A contaminated person may have actually packaged or canned your food. Still they flock to Walmart. While other retailers were forced to close because they are not essential. The church is not essential. Please remember this was done for your protection.
Conservative voices are being censored by Facebook, twitter, YouTube, and other social media outlets. Many are banned. Social elites now determine what is acceptable to say, write or video. If your voice happens to hit one of their hot button phrases you could be banned too. I am pretty sure this post hit most of them. Big tech companies manipulate the internet. Case in point. I have heard for awhile that if you shop for a certain item suddenly ads for that item start appearing on social media outlets.
I have been shopping for workout equipment for our church and my sons. Often in the mornings I listen to instrumental worship music via You tube when I'm praying. I noticed this morning an exact piece of workout equipment advertised I looked at two days ago. Somebody is manipulating what you and I see and hear. We see what they want us to see. We hear what they want us to hear. We vote for who they want us to vote for. Dissenting voices are silenced. Mine may be soon. Until then, I speak and write what God leads me to do.
Millions have no source of income. Be of good cheer. The government will come to the rescue. Sending money they do not have. No matter. Big government knows best. Big government will always tell you the truth. They will always report the facts. Hopefully you know better than that.
In all of this, America by in large has not turned to God in repentance. I am deeply concerned things will get worse. The prophets have been pushed out. Their messages censored and ignored. America be forewarned. To mock God and not heed His warning is a recipe for disaster. Warning. Impending danger ahead.
Unlikely Messenger
She awoke not feeling like herself. She felt like she was losing control. Acting and reacting in ways not normal. She felt hopeless. Worse, she had multiple voices screaming negative destructive thoughts in her head. She had no peace and could not get herself together. With each passing day these things intensified. She felt miserable. Confused. Scared. Imprisoned in her own body.
All that changed in what looked like a chance encounter. Truth be known the encounter had been arranged. History records very little about the encounter itself. This lady named, Mary Magdalene, met Jesus and He delivered from seven demons who had possessed her. You can read about it in Luke 8:1-3.
As a result, she followed Him along with several others. She ministered to His needs and helped support Him out of her private funds. She stayed loyal all the way to the cross. She witnessed the whole thing.
After Jesus was crucified, she came early in the morning to perform one last ministry to Jesus by anointing His lifeless body with spices. That is when she discovered Jesus was not there. When Jesus approached her she did not recognize Him. She supposed He was the gardener. Distressed she asked where Jesus' body had been taken.
Jesus was her champion, a knight in shining armor, her Deliverer, Rescuer, Savior, and her Hero. He changed Mary's life and she followed in gratitude all the way to the end. She loved Jesus. She served Him. She also mourned His death.
Out of all the people alive at that moment, Jesus resurrected chose to reveal Himself to Mary first. Not John. Not Peter or Luke. Not any of the other disciples. Mary is an unlikely messenger. Jesus commissioned her to go and tell the other disciples. She was an unlikely messenger indeed.
Jesus called Mary by name near that empty tomb. In that moment, she recognized Him and addressed Him as Rabboni, which means Teacher. I find that interesting. She did not call Him by name. She did not call Him Master or Lord. She called Him Teacher. Is it because she devoted herself to learning from Him. How many times did she sit on the edge of her seat listening to Him teach. How many times did she study the way He treated people and tried to learn from His example in serving others.
Mary had a past. A horrid nightmare of seven demons possessing her at the same time. In one moment with Jesus, He changed everything for her. He gave her new life and freedom. In return, she devoted her life to following Him. All the way to the cross and beyond to the tomb. It was this Mary Jesus trusted with the greatest news of all time. He arose from the grave. Jesus picked her to share that good news with others.
He still does that. He still picks unlikely messengers. He often chooses the people religious experts by pass. He frequently chooses the least likely. He chose David to be King. Read about that in I Samuel 16. He chose fishermen as His disciples and not learned scholars. You can read about that in Mark 16-20. He chose an enemy of the cross and Christ to write most of the New Testament. See Acts 9. He chose shepherds to announce His birth. That story is found in Luke 2:8-21. He chose Mary to announce His resurrection. What will Jesus choose you to do for Him. If you have a past but love Him loyally for setting you free, you are a prime candidate.
All that changed in what looked like a chance encounter. Truth be known the encounter had been arranged. History records very little about the encounter itself. This lady named, Mary Magdalene, met Jesus and He delivered from seven demons who had possessed her. You can read about it in Luke 8:1-3.
As a result, she followed Him along with several others. She ministered to His needs and helped support Him out of her private funds. She stayed loyal all the way to the cross. She witnessed the whole thing.
After Jesus was crucified, she came early in the morning to perform one last ministry to Jesus by anointing His lifeless body with spices. That is when she discovered Jesus was not there. When Jesus approached her she did not recognize Him. She supposed He was the gardener. Distressed she asked where Jesus' body had been taken.
Jesus was her champion, a knight in shining armor, her Deliverer, Rescuer, Savior, and her Hero. He changed Mary's life and she followed in gratitude all the way to the end. She loved Jesus. She served Him. She also mourned His death.
Out of all the people alive at that moment, Jesus resurrected chose to reveal Himself to Mary first. Not John. Not Peter or Luke. Not any of the other disciples. Mary is an unlikely messenger. Jesus commissioned her to go and tell the other disciples. She was an unlikely messenger indeed.
Jesus called Mary by name near that empty tomb. In that moment, she recognized Him and addressed Him as Rabboni, which means Teacher. I find that interesting. She did not call Him by name. She did not call Him Master or Lord. She called Him Teacher. Is it because she devoted herself to learning from Him. How many times did she sit on the edge of her seat listening to Him teach. How many times did she study the way He treated people and tried to learn from His example in serving others.
Mary had a past. A horrid nightmare of seven demons possessing her at the same time. In one moment with Jesus, He changed everything for her. He gave her new life and freedom. In return, she devoted her life to following Him. All the way to the cross and beyond to the tomb. It was this Mary Jesus trusted with the greatest news of all time. He arose from the grave. Jesus picked her to share that good news with others.
He still does that. He still picks unlikely messengers. He often chooses the people religious experts by pass. He frequently chooses the least likely. He chose David to be King. Read about that in I Samuel 16. He chose fishermen as His disciples and not learned scholars. You can read about that in Mark 16-20. He chose an enemy of the cross and Christ to write most of the New Testament. See Acts 9. He chose shepherds to announce His birth. That story is found in Luke 2:8-21. He chose Mary to announce His resurrection. What will Jesus choose you to do for Him. If you have a past but love Him loyally for setting you free, you are a prime candidate.
Saturday, April 11, 2020
He Is Not Here
Four little words. In ordinary contexts not very powerful. Those four words define a historic event, a revolutionary movement that spread around the world, and is alive and thriving today.
Mary Magdalene went to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body with spices two days after He got crucified along with a few others. To their shock He was not in the tomb. A messenger from God communicated a simple message to them.
First, Jesus is risen.
Second, He is not here. Not in the tomb. No longer lifeless. Not bound in burial clothes. No longer a sacrificial Lamb of God. Now a risen Savior, a triumphant Warrior, a mighty Conqueror.
He lives today. In my heart, in many of yours and all around the world. He sits at the right hand of the throne of God waiting. Waiting to come get us at the Father's command. He still saves, delivers, heals, rescues, revives, loves, comforts, works and speaks.
I am so glad Mary heard those words that shook an entire world. They are still shaking the world today. HE IS RISEN. HE IS NOT HERE. That is cause for celebration as we prepare to remember Resurrection Sunday.
Mary Magdalene went to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body with spices two days after He got crucified along with a few others. To their shock He was not in the tomb. A messenger from God communicated a simple message to them.
First, Jesus is risen.
Second, He is not here. Not in the tomb. No longer lifeless. Not bound in burial clothes. No longer a sacrificial Lamb of God. Now a risen Savior, a triumphant Warrior, a mighty Conqueror.
He lives today. In my heart, in many of yours and all around the world. He sits at the right hand of the throne of God waiting. Waiting to come get us at the Father's command. He still saves, delivers, heals, rescues, revives, loves, comforts, works and speaks.
I am so glad Mary heard those words that shook an entire world. They are still shaking the world today. HE IS RISEN. HE IS NOT HERE. That is cause for celebration as we prepare to remember Resurrection Sunday.
Friday, April 10, 2020
Good Friday
Think about it. We call this Good Friday. It was not so good back on the day they crucified Jesus. They beat Him. Spit on Him. Mocked Him. Scourged Him. Made Him drag His cross partially to Golgotha before His strength gave out. They shoved a crown of thorns into his head. They topped all of that off with crucifying Jesus.
Think about it. Creatures executing their Creator. Slaves killing their Master. Peasants murdering the King of Kings. Sinners crucifying the Savior. For the first time Jesus felt the sting of sin as the sewage of humanity got transferred onto Him. Rightly did the day turn black in the middle of the afternoon. Rightly did the Father turn away at the repulsiveness of that sin and Jesus cried out, "Why have You forsaken Me?"
That Friday was a gruesome day. A horrid day. A sad day as His mother watched. A terrifying day as the disciples went into hiding. An agonizing day for Jesus. A brutal days for His followers to have to witness. A hopeless day. A terrible day.
The only good that came is what Jesus died for; to forgive and redeem sinners. Millions have stood in need of that salvation so savagely purchased so many years ago. His torture meant our deliverance. His death meant our life. His willingness to take on our sin penalty meant our pardon.
Jesus suffered all the bad. We received all the good. On this day, I'm thankful for a courageous, obedient, humble, fearless and faithful Lord who took your place and my place on that cross. We are not deserving. Perfection died for imperfection. There is nothing we can do to earn what Jesus did for us. We will forever be in debt. His sacrifice through suffering means our reward through faith. Salvation! I wanted to write hallelujah next, but somehow that seemed trite. The somber weight of the good we received in comparison with the bad He endured is humbling and sobering.
On this Good Friday, I reflect on my Savior's sacrifice. I meditate on the price He paid. I sit silently reminded of how undeserving I am and yet how loved I am. A good reflection on this Good Friday.
Romans 5:7-9 (NASB)
7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
Think about it. Creatures executing their Creator. Slaves killing their Master. Peasants murdering the King of Kings. Sinners crucifying the Savior. For the first time Jesus felt the sting of sin as the sewage of humanity got transferred onto Him. Rightly did the day turn black in the middle of the afternoon. Rightly did the Father turn away at the repulsiveness of that sin and Jesus cried out, "Why have You forsaken Me?"
That Friday was a gruesome day. A horrid day. A sad day as His mother watched. A terrifying day as the disciples went into hiding. An agonizing day for Jesus. A brutal days for His followers to have to witness. A hopeless day. A terrible day.
The only good that came is what Jesus died for; to forgive and redeem sinners. Millions have stood in need of that salvation so savagely purchased so many years ago. His torture meant our deliverance. His death meant our life. His willingness to take on our sin penalty meant our pardon.
Jesus suffered all the bad. We received all the good. On this day, I'm thankful for a courageous, obedient, humble, fearless and faithful Lord who took your place and my place on that cross. We are not deserving. Perfection died for imperfection. There is nothing we can do to earn what Jesus did for us. We will forever be in debt. His sacrifice through suffering means our reward through faith. Salvation! I wanted to write hallelujah next, but somehow that seemed trite. The somber weight of the good we received in comparison with the bad He endured is humbling and sobering.
On this Good Friday, I reflect on my Savior's sacrifice. I meditate on the price He paid. I sit silently reminded of how undeserving I am and yet how loved I am. A good reflection on this Good Friday.
Romans 5:7-9 (NASB)
7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
Thursday, April 9, 2020
The Hinge Of History
Acts 24 and 25 are not the most exciting chapters in Acts. The bulk of those two chapters are Paul on trial and giving defense before his accusers. Pretty dull stuff.
In a second trial under the leadership of Festus, the Jews propose that Paul be transported back to Jerusalem for trial. A plot was formed to kill Paul on the way to such a trial. During the trial Festus offered this opportunity to Paul. Paul refused requesting that his case be taken all the way to Caesar.
Then it came to me. Call it a divine moment when God opened my eyes to see something a little deeper. It would have been easy for Paul to go back to Jerusalem. He had friends there who could have served as character witnesses. Jerusalem was closer and more convenient. He adamantly chose to go to the Emperor. I almost missed it. I bet you did too.
Why did Paul want to take his trial to Caesar? Read it for yourself.
Acts 23:11 (NASB)
11 But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, "Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also."
It all hinged on a word from Jesus. Not the most significant event in the book of Acts. This one word from the Lord had profound implications. Let me explain.
Suppose Paul had opted to go back to Jerusalem. He most likely would have been murdered. I am sure Paul knew his life expectancy was short anyway. What would a little earlier matter. A great deal! Based on Jesus' word to testify, which also means to witness, for Jesus in ROME! Paul stood his ground with Festus. Jesus commanded Paul to go to Rome and tenaciously Paul hung onto that word. What are the implications?
The prison epistles. To be more precise, while in prison in Rome Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. We have 15 chapters of God breathed, infallible Biblical revelation all hinging on a word Jesus spoke to Paul about testifying in Rome.
So much history swings on the hinges of words from the Lord. Simple directions. Concise commands. Most people miss these things as they study history. Simple words that led William Carey to leave his homeland as a foreign missionary at a time when nobody did that. A word that led Hudson Taylor to devote his life to conversion of the Chinese people. A simple word that saved Charles Spurgeon on a snowy morning with fewer than a dozen present and the pastor did not even make it that day. A word from the Lord that called Moses to be a deliverer, called David to kill Goliath, that called the disciples to follow Jesus and Jesus to go to the cross.
Words from the Lord can change everything. What about in your life. Has God spoken something to you to believe Him for, persevere in, to devote your life to seeing come to pass? Jesus mandated Paul to go to Rome. There was kingdom work to do there. To write 15 chapters of scripture that have touched millions in history. All of that hinging from a little word Jesus gave Paul when he was incarcerated.
Whatever word God has given you, cling to it. Pray tenaciously. Believe fervently. Stay the course trusting God to bring about His best outcome. Your destiny and a part of history swings on such words.
In a second trial under the leadership of Festus, the Jews propose that Paul be transported back to Jerusalem for trial. A plot was formed to kill Paul on the way to such a trial. During the trial Festus offered this opportunity to Paul. Paul refused requesting that his case be taken all the way to Caesar.
Then it came to me. Call it a divine moment when God opened my eyes to see something a little deeper. It would have been easy for Paul to go back to Jerusalem. He had friends there who could have served as character witnesses. Jerusalem was closer and more convenient. He adamantly chose to go to the Emperor. I almost missed it. I bet you did too.
Why did Paul want to take his trial to Caesar? Read it for yourself.
Acts 23:11 (NASB)
11 But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, "Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also."
It all hinged on a word from Jesus. Not the most significant event in the book of Acts. This one word from the Lord had profound implications. Let me explain.
Suppose Paul had opted to go back to Jerusalem. He most likely would have been murdered. I am sure Paul knew his life expectancy was short anyway. What would a little earlier matter. A great deal! Based on Jesus' word to testify, which also means to witness, for Jesus in ROME! Paul stood his ground with Festus. Jesus commanded Paul to go to Rome and tenaciously Paul hung onto that word. What are the implications?
The prison epistles. To be more precise, while in prison in Rome Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. We have 15 chapters of God breathed, infallible Biblical revelation all hinging on a word Jesus spoke to Paul about testifying in Rome.
So much history swings on the hinges of words from the Lord. Simple directions. Concise commands. Most people miss these things as they study history. Simple words that led William Carey to leave his homeland as a foreign missionary at a time when nobody did that. A word that led Hudson Taylor to devote his life to conversion of the Chinese people. A simple word that saved Charles Spurgeon on a snowy morning with fewer than a dozen present and the pastor did not even make it that day. A word from the Lord that called Moses to be a deliverer, called David to kill Goliath, that called the disciples to follow Jesus and Jesus to go to the cross.
Words from the Lord can change everything. What about in your life. Has God spoken something to you to believe Him for, persevere in, to devote your life to seeing come to pass? Jesus mandated Paul to go to Rome. There was kingdom work to do there. To write 15 chapters of scripture that have touched millions in history. All of that hinging from a little word Jesus gave Paul when he was incarcerated.
Whatever word God has given you, cling to it. Pray tenaciously. Believe fervently. Stay the course trusting God to bring about His best outcome. Your destiny and a part of history swings on such words.
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Stiff Necked
With stubborn pride they bowed in rebellion against the Holy One. Stiff necked they rejected His commands figuring they knew best. They turned deaf ears to prophetic warnings choosing the broad way that leads to destruction. God's truth went in one ear and out the other in defiance.
They remained stiff necked when God brought chastisement. Refusing to repent they rebelled all the more. They forsook God. They adopted the ways of the pagan culture. They compromised at first and then jumped into wickedness with both feet. They convinced themselves there would be no backlash. They got away with it before they reasoned.
Stubbornly they walked a sinful path laughing and mocking God all the while. Sowing to the desires of the flesh oblivious to the destruction they reaped for themselves. God does not turn a blind eye. He sees all and I mean everything. Those secret sins committed in the shadows are done as in broad daylight before God.
Even then God is merciful, gracious and compassionate. He is willing to restore repentant sinners. He is willing to embrace prideful prodigals. He has room in His fold for unfaithful sheep who desire to turn from their evil ways and come home. He will accept those caught in the snare of addiction. He waits to restore those who wandered far away.
It starts with a turn. A turn of the mind, attitude and behavior. Returning mean humility, admitting sin, coming back unworthily but in need of forgiveness. It means the stiff necked bowing in broken admission of guilt and pride.
This little post is just one more in a series of warnings. Will you stiffen your neck more or bow in surrender to the God who loves you. Nothing Satan and this world ever offers can compare to the exceeding pleasure you have in God. You will search in vain for what you think will provide fulfillment if you look beyond God. Read it for yourself.
Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Acts 7:51 (NASB)
51 "You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.
Joel 2:12-13 (NASB)
12 "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning;
13 And rend your heart and not your garments." Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil.
They remained stiff necked when God brought chastisement. Refusing to repent they rebelled all the more. They forsook God. They adopted the ways of the pagan culture. They compromised at first and then jumped into wickedness with both feet. They convinced themselves there would be no backlash. They got away with it before they reasoned.
Stubbornly they walked a sinful path laughing and mocking God all the while. Sowing to the desires of the flesh oblivious to the destruction they reaped for themselves. God does not turn a blind eye. He sees all and I mean everything. Those secret sins committed in the shadows are done as in broad daylight before God.
Even then God is merciful, gracious and compassionate. He is willing to restore repentant sinners. He is willing to embrace prideful prodigals. He has room in His fold for unfaithful sheep who desire to turn from their evil ways and come home. He will accept those caught in the snare of addiction. He waits to restore those who wandered far away.
It starts with a turn. A turn of the mind, attitude and behavior. Returning mean humility, admitting sin, coming back unworthily but in need of forgiveness. It means the stiff necked bowing in broken admission of guilt and pride.
This little post is just one more in a series of warnings. Will you stiffen your neck more or bow in surrender to the God who loves you. Nothing Satan and this world ever offers can compare to the exceeding pleasure you have in God. You will search in vain for what you think will provide fulfillment if you look beyond God. Read it for yourself.
Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Acts 7:51 (NASB)
51 "You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.
Joel 2:12-13 (NASB)
12 "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning;
13 And rend your heart and not your garments." Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil.
Monday, April 6, 2020
Break Up The Fallow Ground
Father,
I ask You to take the plow of Your spirit and let it cut down deep through the dry crusty fallow ground of my soul. Please let your blade dig deep through the hard surface ground plunging beneath to the richer more fertile ground below. I ask You to plow deeper than my apathy, lethargy, excuses, sin, compromise and hypocrisy. I ask You to plow through all the layers until You get to the core of my soul. The inner most truth of who I am past who people think I am.
I ask You to break up my fallow ground so I no longer try to justify my barren condition and unfruitfulness in my own eyes. Let the blade of Your plow turn over every unprofitable thing in my life until I am broken, repentant and fully yielded to You.
I ask You to cut deep so I am driven to the prayer closet in tearful repentance. Until Your fire burns in me once again. Until zeal and passion to seek and serve You consume me. Run your plow through my fallow ground that has not been cultivated in a long time. No part of my soul left unplowed and unattended.
Once You get to fertile soil I ask You to sow seeds of a deeper love for You. Deeper than any love I've ever known for anyone or anything. I ask You to sow a burden for the United States so deep I cannot shake it. In that freshly plowed soil, please let my heart remain tender to the things that stir Your heart. Burdened for what weighs on Your heart. Fueled by resolve and zeal that are Yours.
In that new turned over soil of my soul, I ask for those seeds to germinate and take root. I ask You to fertilize them in Your presence until they grow and produce a harvest of fruit. Fruitfulness for You. In all of that, may my name and my achievements be lost and hidden in You. May my name fade from history but Your name be exalted forever out of the broken fallow ground of my life.
In Your name, amen.
I ask You to take the plow of Your spirit and let it cut down deep through the dry crusty fallow ground of my soul. Please let your blade dig deep through the hard surface ground plunging beneath to the richer more fertile ground below. I ask You to plow deeper than my apathy, lethargy, excuses, sin, compromise and hypocrisy. I ask You to plow through all the layers until You get to the core of my soul. The inner most truth of who I am past who people think I am.
I ask You to break up my fallow ground so I no longer try to justify my barren condition and unfruitfulness in my own eyes. Let the blade of Your plow turn over every unprofitable thing in my life until I am broken, repentant and fully yielded to You.
I ask You to cut deep so I am driven to the prayer closet in tearful repentance. Until Your fire burns in me once again. Until zeal and passion to seek and serve You consume me. Run your plow through my fallow ground that has not been cultivated in a long time. No part of my soul left unplowed and unattended.
Once You get to fertile soil I ask You to sow seeds of a deeper love for You. Deeper than any love I've ever known for anyone or anything. I ask You to sow a burden for the United States so deep I cannot shake it. In that freshly plowed soil, please let my heart remain tender to the things that stir Your heart. Burdened for what weighs on Your heart. Fueled by resolve and zeal that are Yours.
In that new turned over soil of my soul, I ask for those seeds to germinate and take root. I ask You to fertilize them in Your presence until they grow and produce a harvest of fruit. Fruitfulness for You. In all of that, may my name and my achievements be lost and hidden in You. May my name fade from history but Your name be exalted forever out of the broken fallow ground of my life.
In Your name, amen.
The Potter's Hand
Where would you say your life stands before God? Do you think He desires to make any changes in you? As a potter shapes a sculpture applying pressure and molding what needs molding, what areas in your life need His pressure? What areas needs some skillful molding?
It seems to me we have a few choices. We can resist His pressure. Rebel against His pressure. After all, pressure applied like that is not comfortable. It may even be painful at times. Resistance is an option. Many have made this choice over the years. If you are His child, this will result in even more pressure. More shaping. More pain. Even if He has to start over and over again. If you are His child, He has pledged by His word to not give up on you and to keep applying the pressure and the shaping all the days of your life. [Phil 1:6]
You can choose to submit. To yield to the pressure. To go along with His intelligent design. You still may endure discomfort but you know He has purpose in the pain. The pressure is to ultimately to make you a useful vessel in His hands. There is no higher purpose for living than to be someone He can use to bring healing and good in this world for His glory. This is the best choice. To simply give into whatever He wants to make of you. [Ps 139:16-18.]
You can choose to remain moldable all the days of your life. To remain soft and pliable in His hands. If you do not do this, you will become hard and brittle. Easily broken. Impossible to mold again without intense breaking and beginning all over. To remain yielded to Him is a far better option.
Finally, we must make the choice to remain in His hands to let Him do in us and through us whatever He pleases. That is a frightening prospect for some. Why? Our Father, the Potter, loves us. He has good and intelligent designs for our lives. He created you with a purpose and works to mold you into that purpose. If we get out of His hand, we are like a vessel of water that sits on the counter. We can never do anything until the Potter picks us up, pours us out to bless others. Remain useful by remaining in His hands.
To summarize you choices are simple. Resist. Submit. Remain moldable. Remain in the Potter's hand. What choice will you make.
Jeremiah 18:6 (ESV)
6 “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.
It seems to me we have a few choices. We can resist His pressure. Rebel against His pressure. After all, pressure applied like that is not comfortable. It may even be painful at times. Resistance is an option. Many have made this choice over the years. If you are His child, this will result in even more pressure. More shaping. More pain. Even if He has to start over and over again. If you are His child, He has pledged by His word to not give up on you and to keep applying the pressure and the shaping all the days of your life. [Phil 1:6]
You can choose to submit. To yield to the pressure. To go along with His intelligent design. You still may endure discomfort but you know He has purpose in the pain. The pressure is to ultimately to make you a useful vessel in His hands. There is no higher purpose for living than to be someone He can use to bring healing and good in this world for His glory. This is the best choice. To simply give into whatever He wants to make of you. [Ps 139:16-18.]
You can choose to remain moldable all the days of your life. To remain soft and pliable in His hands. If you do not do this, you will become hard and brittle. Easily broken. Impossible to mold again without intense breaking and beginning all over. To remain yielded to Him is a far better option.
Finally, we must make the choice to remain in His hands to let Him do in us and through us whatever He pleases. That is a frightening prospect for some. Why? Our Father, the Potter, loves us. He has good and intelligent designs for our lives. He created you with a purpose and works to mold you into that purpose. If we get out of His hand, we are like a vessel of water that sits on the counter. We can never do anything until the Potter picks us up, pours us out to bless others. Remain useful by remaining in His hands.
To summarize you choices are simple. Resist. Submit. Remain moldable. Remain in the Potter's hand. What choice will you make.
Jeremiah 18:6 (ESV)
6 “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.
If My People
The word if is a conditional word. Meaning that if certain conditions are met on one end other conditions will follow on the back end.
The word My is the possessive case of the word I. It denotes ownership. People who get saved act as if Jesus only rents them. As if they still own their lives and bodies. Scriptures has something very different to say about that. I will only share two verses that speak to the fact God owns us. He does not rent us. He does not have to ask our permission or opinion to remodel and make whole sale changes.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (ESV)
14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;
15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
We are His people. The people of His possession bought and paid for. The receipt is a bloodied cross. Proof forever He purchased not only our salvation but out very lives.
People. God's people to be more specific. We come in different ethnic groups and denominational or non denominational persuasions. We are a vast people. A chosen people. A royal priesthood. No matter what our label, we fall under the heading of Christian, if we trusted Jesus for salvation.
The phrase who are called by name means we represent Him. People love to represent. We wear things to represent a certain school, name band, or company. We proudly wear the colors. In the same way, the people of God are to live in such a way we represent Him. We are His a faith nation of people. We are to live in loyal allegiance to Him.
Humble themselves. Bring self low. Bring self under subjection. Bend the knee. We submit to His authority. He is the King. We are subjects bowed in His presence. He is loving, kind, merciful, and compassionate. Do not let this truth escape you. He is also a rightful King. In fact, the King above all other kings. The LORD above every other lord.
Pray. We are supposed to be in constant communication with our King. We are to ask for His help in impossible situations. We are commanded to pray. I Thess 5:17, Luke 18:1, Mat 7:7-8 only to name a few.
Seek My face. Many people content themselves to seek God's hand. They desire what they can receive from Him or what He can do for them. They have little interest in getting to know Him. He knows the difference. Just like a parent knows when a child is buttering them up just to get something. God knows those who want Him and those who only what He can give them. He desires people who really want to grow closer, to pursue Him, to discover more of Him. It is sad how many spend their whole lives getting to know about God but not getting to know Him.
Turn from their wicked ways. Repent of their evil sins. To change their mind and way of living to please their King. The Bride of Christ is spotted, soiled and stained by sins. God wants a holy pure bride. He demands such a bride. It a time to return to Him and to turn away from the things that offend Him.
He will forgive and hear from Heaven. What a blessing. We all need some forgiveness. We all need God to hear when we cry out to Him. To be assured He pays attention and gives ear to our petitions.
Heal our land. Make our land whole, repair, and recover it. What a wonderful truth. Our land could sure use some healing today. You all know this verse. You have heard it preached many times. My question is have you and I lived it? I take it seriously. I want to make necessary adjustments. I want God to heal our land as I am sure you do. If we meet up to our end I know God will faithfully execute His end.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
The word My is the possessive case of the word I. It denotes ownership. People who get saved act as if Jesus only rents them. As if they still own their lives and bodies. Scriptures has something very different to say about that. I will only share two verses that speak to the fact God owns us. He does not rent us. He does not have to ask our permission or opinion to remodel and make whole sale changes.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (ESV)
14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;
15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
We are His people. The people of His possession bought and paid for. The receipt is a bloodied cross. Proof forever He purchased not only our salvation but out very lives.
People. God's people to be more specific. We come in different ethnic groups and denominational or non denominational persuasions. We are a vast people. A chosen people. A royal priesthood. No matter what our label, we fall under the heading of Christian, if we trusted Jesus for salvation.
The phrase who are called by name means we represent Him. People love to represent. We wear things to represent a certain school, name band, or company. We proudly wear the colors. In the same way, the people of God are to live in such a way we represent Him. We are His a faith nation of people. We are to live in loyal allegiance to Him.
Humble themselves. Bring self low. Bring self under subjection. Bend the knee. We submit to His authority. He is the King. We are subjects bowed in His presence. He is loving, kind, merciful, and compassionate. Do not let this truth escape you. He is also a rightful King. In fact, the King above all other kings. The LORD above every other lord.
Pray. We are supposed to be in constant communication with our King. We are to ask for His help in impossible situations. We are commanded to pray. I Thess 5:17, Luke 18:1, Mat 7:7-8 only to name a few.
Seek My face. Many people content themselves to seek God's hand. They desire what they can receive from Him or what He can do for them. They have little interest in getting to know Him. He knows the difference. Just like a parent knows when a child is buttering them up just to get something. God knows those who want Him and those who only what He can give them. He desires people who really want to grow closer, to pursue Him, to discover more of Him. It is sad how many spend their whole lives getting to know about God but not getting to know Him.
Turn from their wicked ways. Repent of their evil sins. To change their mind and way of living to please their King. The Bride of Christ is spotted, soiled and stained by sins. God wants a holy pure bride. He demands such a bride. It a time to return to Him and to turn away from the things that offend Him.
He will forgive and hear from Heaven. What a blessing. We all need some forgiveness. We all need God to hear when we cry out to Him. To be assured He pays attention and gives ear to our petitions.
Heal our land. Make our land whole, repair, and recover it. What a wonderful truth. Our land could sure use some healing today. You all know this verse. You have heard it preached many times. My question is have you and I lived it? I take it seriously. I want to make necessary adjustments. I want God to heal our land as I am sure you do. If we meet up to our end I know God will faithfully execute His end.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Church, We Can't Fail Them
I read of a study done to measure the impact of churches on the communities they served. Admittedly, the study was limited in scope to a few major cities. The conclusion of that study is startling. Overall the researches found little to no impact on the communities they served. That is shocking. They were unable to find any measurable differences the church made on morality, alleviating poverty, slowing down divorce or a host of other things.
It got me to thinking about everything going on in our world. The crisis on multiple levels. Health, economy, families, the loss of liberties, predictions for the future. None of it good news. Everyday it seems things change for the worse.
For centuries the church has stood strong. We boast about Bible truth, promote an omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent God. We proclaim to have answers for ills in our world. We have become well oiled machines of ministry. That is until the church was shut down. Suddenly, everything got put to the test.
This is not a time for the church to fail. America needs to see substance behind our salvation. They need to see real faith in action against fear. They need to see the power of God over the programs of the government. This is the time for the church to stand united, mighty, and to believe God to manifest His presence across the nation in tangible ways.
This is a time for the church to serve and not be served. This is a time for the church to sacrifice while so many others are sacrificing. This is a time to reach out while people are shut out from nearly every sector of society. This is a time for the church to show compassion rather than coming across as holier than thou. This is a time for the people of God to battle against the wicked forces of darkness that bring so much destruction.
If there was a ever a time in recent memory when the church needed to prove to the world, we are essential, we are needed, we have answers, and we can impact our world. Church it is time to put our money where our mouth is. If we believe so much in the power of God to answer prayer, now is the time to show it. We need God's intervention. Or will we just give more lip service and not back it up with results.
The world watches and waits. They are as open to the gospel and God as they have been in a long time. Church, will we be tight lipped. Will we hide behind our cameras talking a big game but not backing it up with action. We must seek God's wisdom and creativity on how to get the gospel out in a time of lock down. This is the day to show the world what our God can do. When nobody has answers this is the show down of our day like Elijah faced the showdown with the false prophets. This is the time to show this wicked, arrogant, defiant, blinded age who the real God is. Not science. Not money. Not government. Not social distancing.
Church, let's unite and show a watching world that our God will have the last say. Let's repent. Let's get serious about fighting forward in faith. Church, we can't fail our world now. We just cannot let our country and communities down now when they need our God so much.
It got me to thinking about everything going on in our world. The crisis on multiple levels. Health, economy, families, the loss of liberties, predictions for the future. None of it good news. Everyday it seems things change for the worse.
For centuries the church has stood strong. We boast about Bible truth, promote an omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent God. We proclaim to have answers for ills in our world. We have become well oiled machines of ministry. That is until the church was shut down. Suddenly, everything got put to the test.
This is not a time for the church to fail. America needs to see substance behind our salvation. They need to see real faith in action against fear. They need to see the power of God over the programs of the government. This is the time for the church to stand united, mighty, and to believe God to manifest His presence across the nation in tangible ways.
This is a time for the church to serve and not be served. This is a time for the church to sacrifice while so many others are sacrificing. This is a time to reach out while people are shut out from nearly every sector of society. This is a time for the church to show compassion rather than coming across as holier than thou. This is a time for the people of God to battle against the wicked forces of darkness that bring so much destruction.
If there was a ever a time in recent memory when the church needed to prove to the world, we are essential, we are needed, we have answers, and we can impact our world. Church it is time to put our money where our mouth is. If we believe so much in the power of God to answer prayer, now is the time to show it. We need God's intervention. Or will we just give more lip service and not back it up with results.
The world watches and waits. They are as open to the gospel and God as they have been in a long time. Church, will we be tight lipped. Will we hide behind our cameras talking a big game but not backing it up with action. We must seek God's wisdom and creativity on how to get the gospel out in a time of lock down. This is the day to show the world what our God can do. When nobody has answers this is the show down of our day like Elijah faced the showdown with the false prophets. This is the time to show this wicked, arrogant, defiant, blinded age who the real God is. Not science. Not money. Not government. Not social distancing.
Church, let's unite and show a watching world that our God will have the last say. Let's repent. Let's get serious about fighting forward in faith. Church, we can't fail our world now. We just cannot let our country and communities down now when they need our God so much.
Friday, April 3, 2020
Sipping Saints
I talked to a teacher some time ago who also happens to be a pastor's wife. She reported the rampant amount of social drinking among her colleagues. She reported if they had informal meetings outside the school campus, someone brought wine and the rest of the teachers drank.
I know of deacons, small group teachers, business owners who profess Christ, and even some pastors who socially drink. It appears sophisticated but is rather juvenile.
I know somebody is going to real quick point out the Bible never forbids drinking. That is true. It does forbid drunkenness. The Bible also warns us against doing anything that might cause someone to stumble. If a young Christian or one of our students saw me having a beer with my meal, it would cause them to stumble. What about children who watch parents socially drink. You better believe they are going to want to try it. Probably before they are of age.
While alcohol is pointed as a sophisticated to share social experiences, to celebrate life or to relax let's be honest. Let's look at the other side. Some people cannot handle their liquor. Sipping saints can easily turn into backslidden back pew sitters. It can lead to addiction. Sipping alcohol can lead into guzzling gallons of the devil's brew. Sipping saints can go further than they ever intended. Every year someone gets behind the wheel a little tips or totally drunk. Many are injured and killed because someone got behind the wheel under the influence. Families are destroyed.
Satan is a liar. He makes social drinking acceptable even among Christians. I know of one leader who socially drank among other church members. It became widely accepted in that circle. Only everyone in that group did not drink in moderation. Some drank to excess. The leader felt no moral obligation to abstain to set an example for the weaker brothers and sisters. By his example he led many down a destructive path.
I may be in the minority. I grew up in a home where I saw first hand the devastating effects of alcohol on both sides of my family. I had alcoholic grandparents. I had an alcoholic father, uncles and aunts. I even saw and still see the devastating impact alcohol has had and still has on my brother who can't shake it. He has been in and out prison and jail. Alcohol resulted in my father getting murdered with a shot gun. I knew a guy in my neighborhood who was burned alive in a drunk driving accident.
Sipping saints flirt with a dangerous demonic deceptive force in alcohol. Like a fish who continues nibbling at the bait on a hook but gets away with it, sooner or later he will get caught. Sip on the devil's brew long enough and you too can get hooked.
The hardest thing I've ever drank has been Niquil. Puts me out like a light. My hard drink is sour pickle juice. I saw what alcohol did to my family and I hated it as a child. I've hated it ever since. When my friends went to get alcohol on a Friday or Saturday nights as teens, I got a Coke and Snickers.
Any Christian with a beer in their hand trying to talk to someone else about Jesus would probably have a hard time. The other person probably would not hear over what they see. We are told in Thessalonians to avoid every appearance of evil. Bellied up to the bar guzzling fire water does not appear holy.
I recall one evening Brenda and I going out to eat, a long time ago. We ran into a couple from our church. They both had alcohol for their drinks. They seemed uncomfortable when we walked up. Nervous. Why? If there was nothing wrong with what they were doing, why would they not feel comfortable around the pastor.
I know I am in the minority on this issue. I have been for a long time and probably always will be. I am a teetotaler as they say. Not a sipping saint nor a guzzling gutter dweller. Jesus is better than all of that.
I know of deacons, small group teachers, business owners who profess Christ, and even some pastors who socially drink. It appears sophisticated but is rather juvenile.
I know somebody is going to real quick point out the Bible never forbids drinking. That is true. It does forbid drunkenness. The Bible also warns us against doing anything that might cause someone to stumble. If a young Christian or one of our students saw me having a beer with my meal, it would cause them to stumble. What about children who watch parents socially drink. You better believe they are going to want to try it. Probably before they are of age.
While alcohol is pointed as a sophisticated to share social experiences, to celebrate life or to relax let's be honest. Let's look at the other side. Some people cannot handle their liquor. Sipping saints can easily turn into backslidden back pew sitters. It can lead to addiction. Sipping alcohol can lead into guzzling gallons of the devil's brew. Sipping saints can go further than they ever intended. Every year someone gets behind the wheel a little tips or totally drunk. Many are injured and killed because someone got behind the wheel under the influence. Families are destroyed.
Satan is a liar. He makes social drinking acceptable even among Christians. I know of one leader who socially drank among other church members. It became widely accepted in that circle. Only everyone in that group did not drink in moderation. Some drank to excess. The leader felt no moral obligation to abstain to set an example for the weaker brothers and sisters. By his example he led many down a destructive path.
I may be in the minority. I grew up in a home where I saw first hand the devastating effects of alcohol on both sides of my family. I had alcoholic grandparents. I had an alcoholic father, uncles and aunts. I even saw and still see the devastating impact alcohol has had and still has on my brother who can't shake it. He has been in and out prison and jail. Alcohol resulted in my father getting murdered with a shot gun. I knew a guy in my neighborhood who was burned alive in a drunk driving accident.
Sipping saints flirt with a dangerous demonic deceptive force in alcohol. Like a fish who continues nibbling at the bait on a hook but gets away with it, sooner or later he will get caught. Sip on the devil's brew long enough and you too can get hooked.
The hardest thing I've ever drank has been Niquil. Puts me out like a light. My hard drink is sour pickle juice. I saw what alcohol did to my family and I hated it as a child. I've hated it ever since. When my friends went to get alcohol on a Friday or Saturday nights as teens, I got a Coke and Snickers.
Any Christian with a beer in their hand trying to talk to someone else about Jesus would probably have a hard time. The other person probably would not hear over what they see. We are told in Thessalonians to avoid every appearance of evil. Bellied up to the bar guzzling fire water does not appear holy.
I recall one evening Brenda and I going out to eat, a long time ago. We ran into a couple from our church. They both had alcohol for their drinks. They seemed uncomfortable when we walked up. Nervous. Why? If there was nothing wrong with what they were doing, why would they not feel comfortable around the pastor.
I know I am in the minority on this issue. I have been for a long time and probably always will be. I am a teetotaler as they say. Not a sipping saint nor a guzzling gutter dweller. Jesus is better than all of that.
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Murderous Plot Thwarted
In Acts 23 Paul is incarcerated. Behind the scenes dozens of Jews made a murderous plot against him. They asked the chief priests and elders to call the tribune to the council to further investigate Paul. The plan included to murder Paul while he was transported.
A murderous plot by Jews. God's chosen covenant people. Those who devoted their lives to the study and adhering to the Law. The law which specifically forbids murder in Ex 20:13. How could they be so blinded in their zeal to do away with Paul they would violate the command of God? Much harm has been through history at the hands of religious zealots.
It would be easy to identify those Jews as the enemy. Hold up. Look deeper. Look beyond the obvious. Look into the invisible. Satan blinds people. He fills them with jealous rage. He invents murderous plots convincing his puppets the end justifies the means in getting there. Satan constantly works to oppose God.
If Satan had a most wanted list back in Paul's day, Paul had to be enemy number one. God used Paul to turn the world upside down. [Acts 17:6] He fearlessly opposed the Jews and even those oppressed the devil. Paul won people to Christ in large numbers and started churches. He in large part spread the gospel around the world. Satan wanted Him gone. Satan devised the plot to murder this courageous servant of Christ.
Satan still wreaks havoc around the world. Christians are savagely tortured and brutally killed even to this day. Satan's sinister schemes are played out bringing about evil and destruction. At times, it is appear that he is winning.
God would have the last word on the murderous plot for Paul. He will have the last word for Satan in the end times. Paul's nephew just happened to overhear the plot to kill his uncle. He hurriedly told Paul. Paul sent his nephew to tell the tribune. Because of this report, Paul got secretly transported to Felix the governor by night. All of Satan's scheme and the Jews' plot availed nothing. God rescued Paul.
Nothing Satan does is beyond God's sight. For every move the enemy takes God has a countermove. It not coincidence Paul's nephew was in that spot at that time and overheard the plot to kill his uncle. God orchestrated that. God had other plans for Paul. Like going to Rome to testify about Jesus.
Satan's days are numbered. Eventually he will be bound and thrown in a pit for 1,000 years. When he is released he will try to make war on the saints but God will intervene. He will do away with Satan once and for all. Take heart in that truth today.
Revelation 20:7-10 (ESV)
7
And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison
8 and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.
9 And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them,
10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
A murderous plot by Jews. God's chosen covenant people. Those who devoted their lives to the study and adhering to the Law. The law which specifically forbids murder in Ex 20:13. How could they be so blinded in their zeal to do away with Paul they would violate the command of God? Much harm has been through history at the hands of religious zealots.
It would be easy to identify those Jews as the enemy. Hold up. Look deeper. Look beyond the obvious. Look into the invisible. Satan blinds people. He fills them with jealous rage. He invents murderous plots convincing his puppets the end justifies the means in getting there. Satan constantly works to oppose God.
If Satan had a most wanted list back in Paul's day, Paul had to be enemy number one. God used Paul to turn the world upside down. [Acts 17:6] He fearlessly opposed the Jews and even those oppressed the devil. Paul won people to Christ in large numbers and started churches. He in large part spread the gospel around the world. Satan wanted Him gone. Satan devised the plot to murder this courageous servant of Christ.
Satan still wreaks havoc around the world. Christians are savagely tortured and brutally killed even to this day. Satan's sinister schemes are played out bringing about evil and destruction. At times, it is appear that he is winning.
God would have the last word on the murderous plot for Paul. He will have the last word for Satan in the end times. Paul's nephew just happened to overhear the plot to kill his uncle. He hurriedly told Paul. Paul sent his nephew to tell the tribune. Because of this report, Paul got secretly transported to Felix the governor by night. All of Satan's scheme and the Jews' plot availed nothing. God rescued Paul.
Nothing Satan does is beyond God's sight. For every move the enemy takes God has a countermove. It not coincidence Paul's nephew was in that spot at that time and overheard the plot to kill his uncle. God orchestrated that. God had other plans for Paul. Like going to Rome to testify about Jesus.
Satan's days are numbered. Eventually he will be bound and thrown in a pit for 1,000 years. When he is released he will try to make war on the saints but God will intervene. He will do away with Satan once and for all. Take heart in that truth today.
Revelation 20:7-10 (ESV)
7
And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison
8 and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.
9 And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them,
10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
America Turn
Several times over the past few weeks people have asked me if I thought the virus was a judgment from God. A wake up call from America. Many believe this to be the case.
I look around me in bewilderment at what has happened in such a short period of time. At the things our country has lost. First, look at the mounting loss of life. Prognostications are alarming. I think of all the grieving families. If these numbers escalate like they predict it will be unlike anything we have ever known in our lifetimes. Funerals will happen more frequently.
I consider the economic devastation trickling across the country. We boasted in our strong economy. Many found security in the stock market with is free falling. Fortunes have been lost in a matter of hours. Retirement investments vanished. Jobs lost are staggering as people scramble to try to figure out how to make it through mortgage and rent payments. We are experiencing shortages at the markets. Businesses are shutting down. Some churches may be forced to do the same.
Our idol of sports is gone. No little leagues and select teams. No high school sports, college or professional sports. All the specialized coaching, training and practices gone. Stadiums are empty. Iconic sporting events canceled. There are no excursions to escape reality at the theater. Concerts are no longer held. Conferences of all sorts canceled. In short our entertainment is reduced to binge watching sitcoms and movies at home.
Worship in person largely cancelled. Services are streamed. Who knows the toll this will take on houses of worship long term. How many will never be regular attenders again. How many churches will fold up due to lack of offerings from congregants.
Our ability to go out and eat together is gone. Our freedoms to travel now hampered. Even freedom to drive around in some cities is extremely limited to only essential travel.
I sit here this morning trying to take all this in. How much we have lost in such a short time. So much of it that lured us away from God. I know all this has me on full alert. I pray for a breakthrough. What I also pray is that the souls of our people, the soul of the nation would turn back to God in repentance and dependence on Him.
Our currency reads, "In God we trust." What a fabrication. America trusts in her intellect, her ability to reason, to research, to find logical solutions. We trust in our resources and ability to create wealth. We trust in our wisdom. We trust in ourselves. We don't trust in God. This nation has removed God from every sector of society. We have legalized the very things God forbid. We have embraced behaviors God shuns. We have boasted about our achievements. Achievements now have been reduced to clever videos posted from home, new recipes tried, along with arts and crafts.
We wait on a medical solution while health care workers are overworked and overrun. America wake up. We can't just fix this. The home of the brave and land of the free. People's reactions and panic have shown cowardice more than courage. Our fundamental constitutional freedoms are lost. Our economy in shambles. The health of the nation at peril.
America, we must turn back to God. We must repent of our wicked ways. We need to acknowledge our dependence upon Him. We must submit to His leadership. Politicians can't promise their way out of this. The rich can't buy their way back to normal. The educated cannot just reason their way to restoration of life as we used to know it. Athletes can't throw, kick, shoot or physically impose their will against the formidable disease for victory. Hollywood can't act or use special effects to make it all go away.
God is our only hope. Yep. That same God many shout does not exist. That same Yahweh whose name is used in profanity. That same Creator who is ignored with other scientific explanations for our existence. Our nation is crippled in a way most of us have never seen. We are in shock. How did everything going so good turn so bad so quickly.
Many of the things we cherished as a nation have been stripped away. We stand naked, weakened and ashamed at our inability to fix this and make it go away. We have tried social distancing, self quarantines, shelter in place, hand washing. America, it is way past time we turn back to God. Way past time.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
I look around me in bewilderment at what has happened in such a short period of time. At the things our country has lost. First, look at the mounting loss of life. Prognostications are alarming. I think of all the grieving families. If these numbers escalate like they predict it will be unlike anything we have ever known in our lifetimes. Funerals will happen more frequently.
I consider the economic devastation trickling across the country. We boasted in our strong economy. Many found security in the stock market with is free falling. Fortunes have been lost in a matter of hours. Retirement investments vanished. Jobs lost are staggering as people scramble to try to figure out how to make it through mortgage and rent payments. We are experiencing shortages at the markets. Businesses are shutting down. Some churches may be forced to do the same.
Our idol of sports is gone. No little leagues and select teams. No high school sports, college or professional sports. All the specialized coaching, training and practices gone. Stadiums are empty. Iconic sporting events canceled. There are no excursions to escape reality at the theater. Concerts are no longer held. Conferences of all sorts canceled. In short our entertainment is reduced to binge watching sitcoms and movies at home.
Worship in person largely cancelled. Services are streamed. Who knows the toll this will take on houses of worship long term. How many will never be regular attenders again. How many churches will fold up due to lack of offerings from congregants.
Our ability to go out and eat together is gone. Our freedoms to travel now hampered. Even freedom to drive around in some cities is extremely limited to only essential travel.
I sit here this morning trying to take all this in. How much we have lost in such a short time. So much of it that lured us away from God. I know all this has me on full alert. I pray for a breakthrough. What I also pray is that the souls of our people, the soul of the nation would turn back to God in repentance and dependence on Him.
Our currency reads, "In God we trust." What a fabrication. America trusts in her intellect, her ability to reason, to research, to find logical solutions. We trust in our resources and ability to create wealth. We trust in our wisdom. We trust in ourselves. We don't trust in God. This nation has removed God from every sector of society. We have legalized the very things God forbid. We have embraced behaviors God shuns. We have boasted about our achievements. Achievements now have been reduced to clever videos posted from home, new recipes tried, along with arts and crafts.
We wait on a medical solution while health care workers are overworked and overrun. America wake up. We can't just fix this. The home of the brave and land of the free. People's reactions and panic have shown cowardice more than courage. Our fundamental constitutional freedoms are lost. Our economy in shambles. The health of the nation at peril.
America, we must turn back to God. We must repent of our wicked ways. We need to acknowledge our dependence upon Him. We must submit to His leadership. Politicians can't promise their way out of this. The rich can't buy their way back to normal. The educated cannot just reason their way to restoration of life as we used to know it. Athletes can't throw, kick, shoot or physically impose their will against the formidable disease for victory. Hollywood can't act or use special effects to make it all go away.
God is our only hope. Yep. That same God many shout does not exist. That same Yahweh whose name is used in profanity. That same Creator who is ignored with other scientific explanations for our existence. Our nation is crippled in a way most of us have never seen. We are in shock. How did everything going so good turn so bad so quickly.
Many of the things we cherished as a nation have been stripped away. We stand naked, weakened and ashamed at our inability to fix this and make it go away. We have tried social distancing, self quarantines, shelter in place, hand washing. America, it is way past time we turn back to God. Way past time.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
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