What Do You Say?

The Scriptures tell us that the ’saints’ (Christians) will overcome Satan, in the end times, by the blood of Christ (Jesus the Messiah) and by ‘the word of their testimony’.    Have you ever wondered exactly what the ‘the word of their testimony’ (our testimony) was/will be?

We know that the arrest of Christians will be the way that we verbally witness to the rulers of all the Earth, of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.   In regards to that, Jesus told us to make up our minds not to worry beforehand (before the day we go on trial, as I understand it) about what we will say (in our defense, at our trials).  The Holy Spirit will speak through us when the time comes.  Remember this!!

I don’t think this is ‘the testimony’ that  the verse above was referring to though. I believe ‘the word of (our) testimony’ will be simply what we tell people in our daily lives, and how we should answer if law enforcement asks us if we are Christians.  Here is the testimony God has given about his Son:

“God has given us eternal life, and

this life is in his Son (Jesus).

He who has the Son has life;

he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

So much has been made, in evangelical churches, of how we should witness to nonbelievers, what should be said, what pattern to follow, etc.  It can seem so intimidating and so complicated that we just don’t do it.  But, the passage above  (1 John 5:11-12)  is ‘the testimony God has given about his Son’.  Very simple.  Very concise.  I think this is what God would have us to say too.

Was Jesus A Prophet?

Readers, I want to point out something important.  I paraphrase a lot of things the Bible says, but don’t give references.  If you are not a Christian, it may not matter to you–it is the Holy Spirit that draws you.  If you are a Christian–has this bothered any of you?

If you know the Bible well, then probably not, because you know these things.  But if you don’t know the Bible well, and you want to question where something is written in the Bible–please ask!  It is important that you don’t believe everything you hear.  Many deceivers and lies are in the world–and even those of us who strive to be truthful, can sometimes be mistaken.  Always be on guard!

The Bible tells us (1 John 4:2-3) how to recognize the Spirit of God.

“Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.”

In God’s Word, not one word is spoken in vain.  Every word here is important.  It’s easy to skim over it and miss the meaning.

A lot of false/antichrist religions acknowledge that Jesus lived on Earth–so how can this passage be true?

Let me add my comments and emphases here:

“Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus (the human being) Christ (the Messiah, the Savior that God has sent, God himself) has come in the flesh ( is Jesus) is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus (as the promised savior/messiah, who came and lived on Earth) is not from God.”

The test is whether they acknowledge that Jesus came to Earth and that He is the Messiah–the Savior, God in the flesh.

Please look around and reevaluate some of the religions that you may have thought passed the test.  If they only recognize Jesus as being a good man, a teacher, or a prophet–they are not from God, but are antichrist (anti=against, Jesus being the, christ=promised one, messiah, savior) because they do not recognize that Jesus is the Christ.

Christ was not Jesus’ last name!  Every time ‘ Jesus Christ’  is spoken, or written, it is an acknowledgment that  Jesus is the savior that God promised to send, to save mankind from our sins!

So, in answer to the title: Was Jesus a prophet?  Yes–and much, much more!!

Christian Persecution In America?

I need to be honest–I have so immersed myself in endtimes prophecies and current events that I’m battling a spirit of fear.  Fear can come from within–it is instinctive–or from outside of us.  The enemy uses a spirit of fear to fight against us.  I am telling you, not because I have been overcome, but so that you know I am just like you!

I am not superhuman, superspiritual, or whatever!  I am not always fearless and bold! I have strength, when I draw close to God and draw my strength from Him. HE gives me boldness and strength.  He will do the same for you.  Fight the fear and draw close to God!  Do not shrink back, do not let fear overcome you.

Remember the old saying ‘give him an inch and he’ll take a mile’?  This is very true with the powers of darkness.  If you retreat, they will be emboldened to advance even further.  You have to hold them off–and even better–advance on them!  When you move forward, in God’s will, He will strengthen and empower you. He has been waiting a very long time to see most of us stand up and fight.

There is no better way to victory than to draw out your spiritual sword and do battle with the evil spirits that come against you and your family.  You don’t fight against flesh and blood–but against the spiritual powers of darkness.

You may be content to ‘hold them off at the gate’ of your mind, or your physical property–but do you think they’ll stop there?  Do you want to be hunkered down, peeking out to see if they are still there, waiting for an opportunity to come back?  I say no!! Fight beyond your gates to create a ‘buffer zone’.  Send the enemy fleeing beyond the boundary you determine, and hold onto what you have conquered!

Spiritually, we have lost America.  We have been driven back to our churches, where many are hunkered down, hoping the enemy won’t come any further.  Look behind you!  While you are peeking out the windows at the evil forces outside, evil spirits have already infiltrated your congregation!

There are four boundaries you need to endeavor to  win back–in this order:

1. Your mind and body
2. Your family’s minds and bodies
3. Your home
4. Your church
5. Your community (small town or neighborhood)

You continue advancing outwards as you gain ground.  But you have to be sure you are thoroughly purging the forces of evil as you go.  Liken it to the way that God told the Israelites to totally give over to destruction the towns they were invading.  They were to not leave alive man or beast, and then they were to destroy the buildings and bodies with fire.

Hear me–I am not saying to fight against men, or to fight in the physical realm!  What we see in the actions of the children of Israel was in the physical realm, but what was happening in the spiritual realm was more significant.

The Israelites were purging the land of evil spirits–and they didn’t even know it!  This is why it was SO important not to leave alive a single man or beast, whom the evil spirits could enter into, and why they were not to leave a single building that the spirits could haunt.  They were to leave them no place to go, so that they would flee the land!  (As you know, you can’t kill demonic spirits.  You have to remove what they need to live, so that they will flee!)

I’ll be honest, until this moment I have believed, because of my faith in God’s righteousness and goodness, that what God told the Israelites to do was right and He had a reason–but it seemed very harsh to me.  We are talking about genocide.  But as I am writing this, He has opened my eyes to understand why.  I had never seen it as a spiritual battle before.  Now it makes perfect sense!

The Bible could simply have summarized to say that the Israelites completely destroyed the people they conquered, or something to that effect.  But instead, it was shown, town by town and stressed again and again.  And it was duly noted when the Israelites failed to do as God had directed.  This is because God wanted us to understand the importance of this!

I think most of us do realize it was very important, even if we haven’t completely understood why.  And I’m ashamed to say, I guess I just concluded that these were people God wanted to eliminate from the face of the Earth.  I understand now that God was not eternally against these people (although He was bringing  judgment upon them), but against the evil entities that they had given place to.  Their lands had become a ‘hot spot’ of demonic activity and God wished to scatter those spirits (as He scattered the people at Babel, because of what they intended to do).

I also want to point out, that after the Israelites had killed the people, the disembodied spirits could just as well have entered into them–if they had given them an opening, through sin in their life!!  God did not begin revealing about spiritual warfare to His people until Jesus came.  The only way that the Israelites could be safe when fighting the spiritual forces of darkness, was to live lives of purity, and to have God present in their midst.

Do you see now?  Just as we train up our children, God told them WHAT to do (and was very strict about it), but He didn’t try to explain WHY, because they would not have understood.  This is also why He was quick to purge those who were sinful and rebellious from amongst the midst of the Israelites (which had also seemed a tad bit extreme to me before).

This is a picture of how we must fight now!  We must live lives of purity and have the power of the Holy Spirit within us.  Then, as God directs, we must advance upon, and scatter, the spiritual forces of evil.  (He is NOT calling us to fight against  people, but rather the unseen forces behind them.)  When we do this, He will empower and protect us.

It is time to enter the battle!  Purge the evil from your own life and mind, then lead your family in doing likewise.  Then, do what you can in your church–if your church isn’t interested in being pure  and living righteously–leave it!

Then, contend for your town.  (I may be wrong, or just missing the point–but I like peace and safety.)  The country is lost.  The states are lost.  But, it may be possible to ‘win back’ a few towns and communities from the enemy, if we try.

Pray for your town’s leaders. Vote for righteous men and women.  Clean up your town of filth and depravity (do battle in the spiritual realm before attempting to confront or convince people).  Battle the spiritual forces of wickedness, and pray that God will create a safe haven for you and your family.

If, after all you’ve done, only your home is free of the demonic–then thank God for that, and remain vigilant.  But how much better it will be if we have some towns and communities that are oases, free of demonic oppression, in the days ahead!!

One other point:  I hear some talk about ‘the remnant’, almost as if the people who form the remnant are superior to other Christians.  Don’t fall into that trap of pride!!  No one is a remnant yet–we are all Christians just now waking up and beginning to learn the truth from deception.

Unfortunately, as the truth is presented to them, some people are choosing not to love the truth, and God will send them a powerful delusion to believe instead.  This is what is called ‘the great rebellion’, ‘the great apostasy’, ‘the great falling away’.  The love (of righteousness, of truth, of God) of many will grow cold.  Many will turn away.  After that, the  backslidden/apostate Christians will begin to persecute and hate the remnant that were faithful to the truth*.

When the persecution begins–then the ones who hold to the truth can be called ‘the remnant’.  To do so now is to risk ‘writing off’ people who may or may not be Christians now, but who are being misled and deceived by false doctrines–for whom there may yet be hope of repentance!!

*Don’t be surprised if, in those days, a ‘Christian’ president is elected and (apostate ) ‘Christians’ form a majority in Congress.  With great pride, patriotism and zeal they would fight the unrighteous (who have been in power) and the ‘fanatics’/'religious zealots’ (the remnant that hold to the truth).

The ‘false prophet’ will be

• a false religion that appears Christian (much of this is already in the church),
• and promotes the ‘beast’ empire (the beast is not a man)

[The beast (empire) will rule over the nations of the world.  This may not be really obvious. It may be a lot like America does today, through occupation, military bases,  and taking authority over countries by various means (regime change, sanctions, and other means of control).  The beast (empire) will have final say, and will punish those nations that don't fall in line.]

It is this false prophet/false church that will create the image of the empire that is to be worshipped (through intense patriotism), and whose mark is required to participate in buying and selling in the global marketplace.

Don’t be surprised that it would be ‘Christians’ that persecute ‘the remnant’–after all, it was the Jews that killed Jesus!  There is no more formidable adversary than one who is deceived into thinking that they hold the truth of God and are fighting on His behalf.

Lest you think the same of the remnant, remember this:  the remnant, those who do have the truth of God, fight spiritually but the deceived will fight in the physical realm–by putting to death their ‘enemies’.

The New Year’s Gift

I have always been different from everyone around me, so it should come as no surprise that I celebrate New Year’s Eve differently too.  I really don’t give much thought to celebrating it.  Sure, I may turn on the TV and look at other people celebrating, but it doesn’t really move me.

I don’t know where I got the idea, but for at least the last dozen years I have had my own tradition.  I spend New Year’s Eve alone with God, and I ponder which spiritual attribute I lack the most–the one that would give me a closer walk with God, in the year(s) ahead, if I had it.  Then, I request it of God.

The most memorable was the year that I asked Him for faith.  I had already heard that one shouldn’t ask for faith because it would bring many trials.  But, that’s what I felt led to ask for, and I’m glad I didn’t let fear stop me.

When the spring semester ended, I was surprised to learn that I would have no financial aid for the summer . . . and my lease would end at the same time!  As a single parent of three kids, this was not a good situation to have looming on the horizon!

After much prayer, I decided that camping in the woods all summer was one option.  But, that a better option would be to buy a camper shell for my pickup truck, store our things somewhere, and travel the USA for the summer.  I realized we had what might be a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’!

That summer is one that none of us has ever forgotten!  A whole summer of ‘quality time’ together really bonded us deeply.  We had a couple of destinations in mind–relatives that we could visit, but mostly we had ‘time to kill’!  (I find that almost impossible to imagine these days!)

For $100 we bought a family pass to the National Parks, and we lived on $600 a month.  Every day I got behind the wheel and asked God to guide me.  I would set a jar of canned food on the dashboard and head east, driving and praying.

By midday we had a warm ‘meal’.  We ate very simply and very rarely paid to stay at a campground or eat at a restaurant.  We trusted God to show us a safe place to park each night, and prayed we could sleep unbothered.

We soaked in the beauty of God’s creation and rested–what a blessed thing that was!  We learned that California had a nearly magical forest of giant trees;  that in Michigan, blueberries grew on the ground; and that the mosquitos in Minnesota were something to be reckoned with!!  We fell asleep in the woods at dusk, serenaded by the most beautiful birdsong I had ever heard.

That summer, I learned that God can take a bad situation and turn it completely around; that He can be trusted to watch over me, even while I’m asleep; that He is always with me, even when I have no idea where I am; that some of His best gifts are free; and that a glimpse of blue sky, the song of a bird, or a gentle breeze can help me reconnect with Him when I feel alone and afraid.

In the days ahead, as the works of man grow more depraved and ugly, and as evil increases around us–remember to look up sometimes.  Let God’s creation remind you of who is eternal and who is really in charge.  Remember that the trials and tribulations that lie ahead are only temporary.  Life on earth has never been easy.  Although things will get a lot worse–it won’t last much longer!!  Ten years from now, it may all be behind us.

We have much to look forward to.  We will have a thousand years to live on earth, in peace and equity, with Jesus Himself in authority.  How I yearn for His truth and justice to be established upon the Earth; for righteousness to be the standard, and the law to be upheld; for things to finally be fair; for a chance to rest and walk with Him; for a time when evil is put to flight and goodness can prevail.

Last year was difficult.  Not the circumstances of my life, but the evil around us grinding on me, wearing me down.  I imagine that a year from now, 2009 will seem like ‘a piece of cake’ as evil continues to increase.  I’ve become polluted by our culture, taking on bad attitudes and values, picked up from TV and movies.  Anger has taken root inside me, and hatred has started to grow, as I have seen America stolen and our rights stripped away.

Learning that it is all part of God’s judgment has helped me put it in perspective.  I have long known America was provoking His judgment.  Realizing that the destruction of America that is now taking place is God’s will–because of our sin–my anger at the people involved diminishes.

Instead I cry bitter tears of regret.  We had it all, but knew it not!  We had such a priceless gift from God, but we threw it away.  We squandered our freedom, to indulge our lusts.  Oh how foolish we were!! America is forever lost.  We can never go back.

The anger and attitudes I have adopted have hardened my heart and made me more callous towards the pain and suffering of others.  Tonight, I need to repent of my anger, and my attitudes, and move beyond them.  I think what I need to ask for this year, is compassion.  Someone’s life may depend on it.

Do Appeals For Donations Turn You Off?

Do appeals for donations turn you off? They never bothered me before, but lately they do. I’ll share my thoughts on that, and I’m interested in whether any of you feel the same, for the same reasons.

I feel, deep in my heart, that selling the truth of God is wrong! I understand that there are basic costs that ministries incur, costs of websites, printing books, making DVDs, mailing, etc. Those costs are legitimate. I have no problem with charging what things cost–selling books and DVDs at cost, for example, but I believe it is wrong to put a dollar value on the truth itself!

Over the past few months, I have found websites that are invaluable sources of information. The Lord has led me to many sites in response to my prayers for wisdom. Lately, even those that seem to present the most truth have begun to request donations. I don’t mean they’ve just put a ‘donations’ button on their site for people who want to give, but they are explaining their hardship and asking people to give.

(God help me if I’m wrong about this, and God forgive me if I succumb to the temptation myself. I think it would be easier for Him to forgive me, than for me to forgive myself.)

Again, I understand there are costs involved, and how frustrating it is when funds are lacking! (I won’t share my personal experiences or situation because that is irrelevant–but please trust that I have lived a life of financial hardship.) Out of that comes my conviction that if you put your faith in God for the resources to do what God has called you to do, He will provide what you need to do the job, and meet your needs as well!

It was with God that the idea originated that ‘a workman is worthy of his hire’, and that you don’t prevent your ox from stopping to nibble while he is pulling the plow for you (or something to that effect). God knows what you need, and He can provide it. He can also inspire people to give, if He so chooses. Even so, if no one gives, and nothing is provided, and you are sure you are doing the will of God, then you continue and you sacrifice and cover the costs yourself. Rest assured that in so doing, you are ‘laying up treasure in heaven’!

As I have constantly prayed for wisdom and understanding of certain matters, the Lord impressed upon my heart that if He granted me understanding, with it would come a responsibility to share it. (If you are indeed sharing God-inspired truth, then please remember that the Lord gave it to you for free, and the ones who need it the most may be the ones who can’t afford to pay for it. The Lord’s design has always been to have people that would be conduits of His blessings to an unbelieving world. He gives them to us to pass along to others, yet He gives us a portion too.)

The Lord lays out the responsibility of a watchman-that if he warns the people and they don’t listen, their blood is on their own heads, but if he knows and doesn’t warn them, their blood will be upon his head. I believe it is time to speak out boldly.

I believe the Lord is raising up an army of people to share His word in these ‘last days’ (right now, via the Internet). It will be able to penetrate places where a missionary may never be able to set foot. We, in America, are strategically placed, and divinely endowed with the freedom of speech, technology, time, resources (compared to billions of others in this world) and credibility as a free people in a God-inspired country, to be able to reach the world with the truth about what is happening as the ‘days of grace’ draw to a close.

I believe America was divinely ordained to put an obstacle in the way of Satan’s plan at this very point in time! I believe we are called to use our freedom & constitutionally guaranteed rights to resist and expose the truth about Satan’s plan to the world, at this very hour, while we still have those rights! This is the fulfillment of Christ’s words in Matthew 24:14:

‘And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.’

I believe the words ‘for a witness’ hold special significance. I believe this means that we, while the events spoken of in the end times prophecies are unfolding, will be explaining them to people throughout the world, and sharing the gospel message! Those who hear will not be able to say they didn’t understand what was happening, and who was its author, if we do what we have been divinely appointed to do–in this very hour! Our message will be the ‘witness’ to them whereby they will later be judged as to whether they understood what they were participating in!

So, when I see these blatant appeals for donations, it is a HUGE red flag to me! Maybe it is not that these folks are sinning, or out of God’s will in general. Maybe it is just a barometer of their faith in God’s provision. But if they do not believe that (without them ‘helping’) God can provide for them to do what they believe He has called them to do–then how can they trust that He will provide for more mundane things, such as their own personal needs, or those of their family? I’m just sayin’ . . .

It may simply be that all the changes that are occurring in our economy, and the fact that we are under God’s judgment, have not fully penetrated most people’s understanding. I believe that, as with grief, there are certain stages or phases we go through in coming to this understanding. I believe that most people are still in the ‘denial stage’ of grief over the loss of America and life as we have known it. We are all in different stages of our ‘paradigm shift’. So, I can certainly understand and leave room for that. I don’t judge these people. However, I still believe, deep in my heart, that this is a step in the wrong direction.

Things are going to be ‘tough all over’. Our economy is going to crash. You MUST start seeing things differently!! Capitalism is being purposely destroyed–and it is the will of God for this to take place!!

The sins that have been committed under this system, and justified by it, the way it has been misused and corrupted, the way it has deceived and corrupted so many and led them into sin, have brought about its judgment!!  We are experiencing a brief reprieve, but things are never going ‘back to normal’ again!!  Rather, things are going to get much, MUCH worse in the days ahead!!!

Now is a good time to get your beliefs about money in line with God’s Word. I know it is hard to conceive of a non-capitalist way of using money, but capitalism is not ‘God’s Way’ any more than communism is. These are constructs and traditions of men. We have strayed far from God’s plan for trade and commerce.

Jesus had much to say about money. This would be a good time to go back to The Word and establish a Godly foundation in regards to your beliefs about money. Again, let me say, go back to The Word of God, not to the ‘prosperity’ messages and other doctrines of men that took hold in the church in recent times.

Ultimately, each of us will be confronted with the choice of continuing to partake of the world’s system of trade, or being left to trust in God to provide for our needs. Your beliefs about money, and lack of understanding of God’s will in this area, could very well be what ensnares you into accepting the ‘Mark Of The Beast’ (because you believe you have ‘no other choice’).

One other point, in regards to those who have books, DVDs, etc. to sell, that purportedly contain revelations of truth that God has given them, and who request ‘donations’ in return:

Taxes should be paid by a nonprofit organization on materials that they sell. However, in an underhanded way of trying to escape our tax laws (we should ‘render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s’), many ministries request ‘donations’ in return for these materials. (In a broad sense, true donations are not taxable, but there are certain guidelines regarding what is considered a true donation).

This has been a commonly accepted practice, but is it really handling money in an upright way, that serves as a witness to the unbelieving world that Christians operate under a set of ‘higher laws’?

Furthermore, I would apply my own criteria to determine if it is really a ‘donation’ that is being requested, or if you are in fact being sold the item:

• If you do not have the ability to pay the amount of the ‘requested donation’, will the ministry still send you the materials, upon request?

I say that those who don’t, lack integrity in regards to finances–and are most likely in violation of tax law. As with most things, what is visible may only be the ‘tip of the iceberg’.

Think about this next time you hear a request for a ‘donation’ for an item that claims to be God’s truth and revelation that we ‘all need to hear’. It may be the ‘American Way’ or the ‘Capitalist Way’–to sell God’s truth for a price–but it is not God’s way!!! I daresay, if Jesus were to visit today, He would ‘overturn the tables’ of these merchants!

‘We Know In Part And We Prophesy In Part’

While I haven’t been here at my cyberspace truth pitstop, I’ve been out on my own little truth journey through the worldwide web.  The Lord led me to a most interesting pitstop, which I have included in my  links (The Watchman’s Cry).

A lot of things that the Lord had revealed to me were confirmed there–and He is revealing more to me, in answer to my prayers.  I’ll share one interesting little item with you:

‘We Know In Part And We Prophesy In Part’

Fulfilled, in my life, in two ways.

1. ‘And that ain’t the half of it!’ None of us knows the complete picture.  We each only know a part of it.  None of us has the complete interpretation of all the prophecies.  He shows each of us, only a part.  Like an orchestra, each of us doing our part produces the whole.  Don’t think any one man is the source of all your answers!
2. ‘Write what you know.’ That was His word to me, in response to my concerns that there is so much I don’t know.  ‘Just write what you know.’  And as I have done so, He has been with me and has guided me, telling me things I didn’t know, as I write.  Filling in the blanks, so to speak.  My own knowledge forms the bare bones outline–His Spirit provides the substance, the style, and the intent, and weaves it together into a message that (I pray) will speak to you personally.  Part of what I ’speak’ is what I know, part of it is prophecy.  (Though I don’t think I’m a prophet–just another watchman.)

Is The Government Tracking You By GPS?

When I heard this, it chilled me to the bone:

“Government law enforcement agencies issued 8 million requests to Sprint to track individual cell phone users’ exact GPS location. The cell-phone users were, presumably, all unaware, that they were being tracked.  This was just Sprint!”

Visions of ‘FEMA camps’ danced through my head and I felt weak in the knees . . . It’s really happening . . .  Then, thankfully, the Lord reminded me that Satan uses a spirit of fear to manipulate and disempower believers.  Even though the report was from a source I have trusted, I looked into it more.

I believe the explanation Sprint gives is credible:
Many (most?) of the requests were for the GPS location of people calling 911 from cell phones, and from criminal and Amber Alert investigations. Each request is a ‘ping’–a brief signal sent out to locate a phone (or computer).  Sprint adds “It’s critical to note that a single case or investigation may generate thousands of individual pings to the network as the law enforcement or public safety agency attempts to track or locate an individual.”

I am of the opinion that ‘law enforcement request’, in regards to GPS location, probably means that the computer of a police department makes contact with a computer at Sprint–perhaps much like the way PayPal is contacted if you are buying items online and select PayPal as your payment option.  It does NOT mean the federal government sent over 8 million subpoenas to Sprint for records of the whereabouts of particular customers.  I’m not saying it hasn’t sent out any–I don’t know.  But nowhere near 8 million, if it has.

If you are concerned about being tracked by GPS (which maybe we should be, although it is probably inevitable), then turn off the GPS tracking on your cell phone, if you can.  If not, you might consider looking for a phone without it. And remember, that handy ‘Onstar’ in your car does the same thing.  I don’t have a navigational system, so I’m not familiar with them, but I expect many of them can track your location too.

I don’t necessarily think that the people reporting this story are trying to create a false panic–but that could have been the result.  Too much of this, and not only will we fail to heed the call when there truly is a cause for panic, but we will lose our credibility as well!  (Let’s keep it for as long as we can!)

The tables have turned.  In a country where Christians once received the highest respect, we are now becoming a laughingstock.  Of course, that will happen, as the power of darkness increases during these last days.  The truth will be distorted, lies will be told, jokes will be made at our expense.  We will be ’smeared’ and slandered.  But lets have it be because of the truth of the gospel, rather than for being fanatically paranoid at everything that happens.

When we hear something frightening, lets take a deep breath, and get all the facts.  It is entirely possible (probably even very likely), these days, that things are being/will be said and done to bait us into a potentially dangerous panic for which our government can take some kind of action against us.  This administration has demonstrated that it cannot stand opposition, so I don’t think that is being paranoid.

We know that a lot of things will take place that will have horrible end results.  However, that doesn’t mean that is the motivation for these things happening (at least not in the human realm).  Although it will be the case at some point, no one is ‘out to get’ Christians–yet.  Lets not create a self fulfilling prophecy.  We need to ‘pick our battles’ carefully.  And, we need to understand that a lot of these horrible things that are going to happen . . . are part of God’s will.  They are part of a bigger picture and plan.

God Wants Us To Go To War!!
The Gates Of Hell Shall Not Prevail Against Us

It’s Time To ‘Shake The Dust Off’ (Part 2)

We need to remember that our lives here on Earth are just ‘boot camp’. We were not intended to make our home here on Earth yet. We can understand how important this one brief life on Earth is for those who don’t have a place set apart for them, an eternal home, in God’s kingdom. But for those of us who have that promise–we need to keep things in perspective!! We can’t let panic over losing this Earthly life cloud our judgment!

Jesus has promised us that we will be persecuted–and that in these last days, many will die for their faith in Christ and their obedience to His word. We must CHOOSE not to be afraid, because we have His promise that He will always be with us.

For those of you who are afraid for others, who feel an overwhelming responsibility to try to save those on Earth from their sins: IT’S NOT YOUR JOB!! I too have loved ones that are not walking with God–people I would give my life for! Often (and maybe especially so these days) it is best that we step aside and let God work in a person’s heart. We in America are so strong willed and independent, that most of us resist any attempts to control us. It may be, that the more we say, the more we drive people away from Christ!

Wow, those are really radical things to believe . . . Let me explain. Jesus gave us the ‘Great Commission’ of teaching the gospel and making disciples throughout the whole world. The way I see it, with regards to all I know about God and His Word, having been a Christian for almost 30 years–we are to present the gospel, live the gospel, and LEAVE THE CHOICE UP TO THEM!

Am I so callous that I don’t care if most of the world chooses to go to Hell? No, and I want to address that in a couple of ways. Let me start with the one that’s going to matter the most to you: my belief is that people do not burn in hell for all eternity. If I am wrong, may God have mercy on my soul. (This is something you should study for yourself.)

Without Jesus, people do not have eternal life. People without Jesus will be judged by their works and thrown into the Lake of Fire. The Lake of Fire is the end of the road. Nothing that goes into it comes back out. It burns forever. But man, being ‘made from dust’, is consumed by the fire, once, forever. Without Jesus, people do not have eternal life.

What about Revelation 14: 9-11, where the Bible says that the ’smoke of their torment’ goes up forever and ever? Clearly, the smoke being visible forever is to serve as a remembrance to all who see it. We see, elsewhere in the Book of Revelation, that prayers–made in the physical realm–manifest as incense to be burned, before God, in the spiritual realm (creating smoke). I believe the smoke spoken of here is symbolic as well.

Although in the physical realm it may be necessary, it doesn’t necessarily follow that in the spirit realm the burning must continue forever and ever for the smoke to go up forever and ever. In fact, when Babylon falls, it is said that ‘the smoke from her goes up for ever and ever’. Babylon is a physical city on planet Earth, which we know cannot possible burn forever.

We see, later in Revelation, that the beast, the false prophet, and later the devil, are thrown into the lake of fire. We are told that they will be tormented forever and ever.

No mention is made of smoke. They do not have physical bodies that would create smoke if they were burned. Nor is it likely that they will be sending up any kind of prayers that would manifest as smoke. They are thoroughly corrupt and are not able to repent.

It also makes sense that they would be tormented ‘forever and ever’ because they are eternal beings. Even fire does not destroy them.

In the same passage in Revelation (14: 9-11), it says that if anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand:

1. He will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath
2. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb
3. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name

(This proclamation goes out near the end of The Tribulation, before the seventh ‘trumpet judgment’ has occurred–I believe that the ’seven bowls of God’s wrath’ ARE the seventh trumpet judgment.)

The seven bowls of God’s wrath follow this proclamation, fulfilling #1.

The first bowl of God’s wrath, is that ugly and painful sores break out on the people who have the mark of the beast and worship his image. This likely fulfills #3, that there is no rest for those who worship the beast and/or receive the mark.

#2 is not fulfilled by any of the bowls. It could be that it is fulfilled by the final judgment, in the Lake of Fire, but I believe it is more likely fulfilled by the sixth trumpet judgment:

‘Four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. The number of the mounted troops was 200,000 . . . the heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur.’

One thing that is important to understand about the book of Revelation, is that things do not take place in the exact order in which they are told. There is a chronological order in the prophecy, but many of the visions serve as parenthetical statements–they go back to the beginning of a subject and get you caught up to where they were just spoken of in the prophecy.

This is much like watching a movie, when you see a subtitle ‘2 weeks earlier’, and then what follows is what happened 2 weeks earlier. (You may even follow it all the way up to the last event you saw in the main story.) Then you return to the main story and continue to go forward chronologically. Revelation does this repeatedly, as well as repeating certain events from different perspectives.

Back to the question, of whether I am so callous that I don’t care if most of the world chooses to go to Hell . . . stop and think about this: if someone hates God and what He represents–wouldn’t spending all eternity in Heaven, with God and Christians, be a hellish punishment for him?

Our character, likes and dislikes, are formed here on Earth. We will be fundamentally the same people in Heaven as we are here on Earth. This is why God works so diligently to form the proper character in us while we are here!

Our understanding of evangelism and eternal life has become really warped. We often, unintentionally, evangelize people by presenting the gospel as though God is desperately trying to meet His own needs by getting people to love and worship Him–or we try to blackmail them ‘into the kingdom’ by telling them they will suffer and burn in hell for all eternity if they don’t accept Jesus!

God wants people who CHOOSE to love Him and who value the qualities that He embodies! He is all about free choice. Understanding His respect of our free choice, can provide the answers to most of our questions about why He allows things to happen on Earth, rather than intervene. It seems to me, that He considers our free choice as something sacred!

There is a passage in Revelation (which means it is relevant for us today) that says:

‘Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.’

The way I understand it is like this:

‘Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.’

You aren’t going to change anybody. Present them the truth and let them decide. If they accept Jesus–make them a disciple! Otherwise . . . ‘Next!’ (move on).

Similarly, Jesus tells us

‘Do not give dogs what is sacred, do not throw your pearls to pigs.  If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.’

If someone is not interested in the gospel, shake the dust off your feet and move on, do not continue giving them more and more!  God’s Word and truth are priceless.  They are free to all who willingly receive them, but not to be wasted on those who don’t.

In I Corinthians 7 Paul says:

‘ . . . And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him . . . But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband?’

I know from experience, that when you are married to an unbeliever, there is no peace in your heart when you believe that your spouse is going to suffer great torment in hell for all eternity. Nor does constantly bringing up the subject promote peace–yet how can you not? But, according to Paul, if your unbelieving spouse wants to stay married, it is possible to live peaceably together. The only way that can be accomplished is by respecting their free will.

This bears witness to my statement that it is not your responsibility to save anyone from their sins, not even your spouse!

Also, notice a couple of things.

1. No command is made to the unbeliever. The unbeliever has not submitted to the lordship of Jesus Christ, and therefore receives no commands from the Lord.
2. The respect of the unbeliever’s free choice is so important that it even trumps the marriage vows, in that they may choose to divorce a believing spouse if they wish.

That may not mean much these days, but consider that God hates divorce. His command is that believers not divorce. (Moses had made a concession for those whose spouse is unfaithful–but Jesus said it was a concession, because of the hardness of their hearts; He would rather they forgive.) That should underscore how much respect God has for the free will of unbelievers*. He makes the rules, but He doesn’t make the decisions.

We don’t get ‘brownie points’ for converting people!! Present the gospel, live the gospel, and leave the choice up to them!!

Remember, Jesus has promised us that we will be persecuted–and that in these last days, many will die for their faith in Christ and their obedience to His word. CHOOSE not to be afraid! You have His promise that He will always be with you!!

*(Believers: your free will is to be submitted to God’s will.)

It’s Time To ‘Shake The Dust Off’
God Wants Us To Go To War!!

I Think This Says It All

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Isn’t this a fantastic newspaper ad? It is being published in Copenhagen during the Copenhagen Climate Summit!! Kudos for the great idea!!

How Dumb Is That?

How very strange that we live in a country where truth is so hard to find. Not that the truth is rare, or somehow hidden–but rather, because those who know it would prefer not to mention it!

Although we are not running for office, we have allowed ourselves to be convinced that what we say should be ‘politically correct’.  How dumb is that?

And since when did we think it was admirable to be like a politician?


God Damn America?

Is America Going To The Dogs?

How Can You Say Your Way Is The Only Way?

‘How can you say your way is the only way?  There are so many ways to God, and everyone thinks their way is the right way.’  Sound familiar?

I’ll tell you why.  Because there IS only one way.  God’s way.  He gives you the choice, and leaves it at that.  No threats, no coercion.  It’s up to you.  Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  No man gets to the Father, except by Him.  There is no other way.

(By the way–Allah is not God the Father, the Creator of Heaven and Earth.  Allah is Satan.)

Satan is in a battle with God.  He’s also narcissistic and egomaniacal.  It is extremely important to him that men either love or fear him (but in any case,  that they submit to him).  He calls himself God and has created countless ways for man to reach him.  He doesn’t ‘put all his eggs in one basket’ so to speak.  It’s almost as if he gets points for everyone who follows him–so ‘hey, whatever it takes!’ right?

God Wants Us To Go To War!!

Just Another ‘Blue Light Special’?

God Wants Us To Go To War!!

We are in a war!  It is a war in the spirit realm–a war between Christians and Satan.  The prize is the kingdom of Earth–where all mankind will be united under one leader.

The first ruler of this earthly kingdom will be The Antichrist.  He will make war on Israelites and Christians, because he can’t stand to have any opposition.  At the same time, there will be various wars, struggles, disasters, etc. on Earth, as this spiritual war manifests itself in the physical realm.  If you aren’t aware that, behind it all, there is one war in the spirit realm, you will probably be seeing many seemingly unrelated things happening.  You may be confused about many things, even if you study Biblical prophecies.  (In addition to Bible prophecies often being vague and confusing, Satan is actively creating as many other teachings, interpretations and explanations as he possibly can.)

What is important to remember is this:  The war is in the spirit realm.  The war is being fought directly between Christians and Satan, for control of the kingdom of mankind on earth.The only way you can fight this battle is by relying on Jesus.

Many of the details of what happens in the physical realm are given in the Bible.  However, little is specified about what is happening in the spirit realm.  I will give my best interpretation and opinions–based on my study of the Bible and being a Christian for nearly 30 years.

We are told in the book of Ephesians that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but spiritual powers of darkness.  We have to remind ourselves that what we see is only a small part of what is real.  The small part we see may not help us understand the unseen any more than a single leaf can give us a clear understanding of a tree.  The only way to see the whole picture is to study God’s Word and pray for understanding.

The book of Revelation tells that, when Satan was still in Heaven, the angels that were loyal to God fought him and the angels that had ‘crossed over to the dark side’.  Satan and his angels ‘were not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven’.  Then they were cast down to Earth. (Woe to us, because he is filled with fury since he knows his time is short).

The book of Daniel tells us that The Antichrist (empowered by Satan) will wage war against Christians and will be defeating them (in the physical realm), until the Lord comes and pronounces ‘judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High’ (Christians),who are then given the kingdom.

Just as earthly soldiers fight wars for their country, while their leader isn’t on the front lines-so will Christians fight to win the kingdom for God, while their  king-to-be (Jesus) waits in the wings.

If you are someone who has heard or read Bible prophecies, you’re probably going to think that’s wrong, because you know that Jesus will come to Earth and fight in the physical realm when he returns–before he is enthroned as king.  BUT, remember, the war I’m talking about is in the spiritual realm.  Jesus comes for the ‘mop up’ , so to speak (in the physical realm).

It is up to us,  who live on Earth, to do spiritual battle for the spiritual title to the kingdom of mankind on Earth.  So far, Satan and fallen man have the title, and are holding it firmly.  This is because we are not fighting in the spiritual realm, and Satan is walking all over us!!

Most Christians are content to ‘live and let live’ with regards to evil.  That is not God’s plan.  We are to be active in engaging and fighting evil, remembering that what we see in the physical realm is the fruit, while the roots are found in the spirit realm.  We need to go to the spirit realm to dig out the roots.  In order to battle in the spirit, we need to live holy lives.  Indeed, living a holy life is spiritual battle.  In some unseen way, it tips the balance of power towards the side of good.

Now, none of us is good, and none of us can live holy or do spiritual battle on our own.  It is only through depending on Jesus that we can do anything.  But it is important that we be doing spiritual battle.  We ARE in a war, like it or not.  Either we fight, or we surrender–every day.

So, where are we at right now?  We are in a spiritual battle with Satan, with glimpses of it, here and there, in the physical realm.  I believe that, because we have not been living holy lives, the balance has tipped in favor of Satan.  So much so in fact, that soon he will be able to pretty much unite the world under one puppet leader (The Antichrist) that he will choose, enthrone and empower.

Once The Antichrist is in place, God will allow him to have authority for three and a half years.  During this time he will do his best to win over everyone on Earth.  Those that he can’t charm, he will threaten.  In a continued escalation of force, those who are unmoved by his threats, he will persecute.  When that doesn’t work, he will punish and/or and execute.

Although he is blindly narcissistic and egotistical, I believe there may be another reason he puts so much effort into winning people over.  I think the worship he receives, from those he causes to submit to him, gives him more spiritual power.  (I also believe that dying for what you believe is very powerful in the spirit realm.  This could be a reason that he doesn’t simply execute his opposition at the outset.)

After some time of his ‘winning’ in the physical realm, by killing many Christians (in the physical realm we consider it a loss to die in battle), the balance of spiritual power shifts.  At the appointed time, God ‘calls the match’–in favor of the Christians. We are told that the Christians overcame Satan by the blood of Christ, their testimony, and by being willing to die for Him (and, of course, many did).

I think it may also be, in addition to the number of martyrs, that after real persecution sets in, the veil of deception we’ve been living under is lifted and we are able to stop denying the spiritual war we are in–and we get serious about living for God and fighting evil.

One other point, and word of warning I have to make:  Only those who fight will win.  If you fight to the end, without giving in or giving up, you win.  The days of being able to ’sit on the fence’ spiritually are almost over.  You will get off the fence, or you will be knocked off the fence soon.  If you choose ‘God’s side’, you will have to fight–you cannot be on His side and ignore the battle.  If you choose God’s side, you have to live holy, and that is half the battle!

A Time To Kill

The Gates Of Hell

Is America Going To The Dogs?

 

We, in America, are a people who feed and dress our pets as if they were kings.  Meanwhile, we share the planet with millions of people who haven’t had a meal in days and don’t even have a pair of shoes–people who watch their children die, in front of their eyes, for lack of a few pounds of rice.

But the day is coming to us, that the hunger in their belly will drive grown men to fight to the death for a can of dog food.  Because of our rebellion and sin, we will find out what life is like, without the blessing of God.

In your pride, you think you got where you are all by yourself.  Well, as requested, by an overwhelming majority, God is going to depart from America.  You’ll get to see how far you can get without His blessing.  Hopefully you’ll realize that He was a lot more involved in your life and circumstances than you ever thought possible.

When you have had enough of sin, enough of trying to make it on your own, without God, look Him up.  His door is always open.  Well, for a little while longer anyhow . . .

 

God Damn America?
Unconditional Salvation?

 

Unconditional Salvation?

American church, you have lost your way!  You are a ship, adrift at sea, cut loose from your moorings.  Great storms are coming, yet you have been rocked to sleep and are drifting unaware into the eye of the hurricane.

You call your prophets alarmists, and in your hearts you mock the messages God sends to you.  You shun words of correction, but chase after those who will flatter you and say what you want to hear.  You adore those who tell you that you can live as you wish and still inherit the kingdom of God.  (In this case, who is the God, and who is the servant?  By living this way, you exalt yourself to be God and relegate God to the position of a genie who grants your wishes whenever you rub his bottle in prayer!) You pick and choose what to believe, casting aside whatever doesn’t suit you.

Some of you have ‘chosen God’ as a means to wealth, power, unlimited blessings, unending grace and supernatural protection.  I’m not just speaking to the leaders!  Most of you see Christianity as the way to a blessed life here on Earth.  What will you do if He takes it all away?  If He strips you to your bare skin and all you have left is His outstretched hand and His invitation to walk with Him?

God is fully able to keep those who want to walk with Him.  He will guide them so that they stay on the path, and help them up when they stumble.  But, unlike the adversary, God holds no man against his will.

When you, who are Christians, choose to live in sin, you abuse the generosity of God and insult his gift of grace.  If you continue to live that way, His anger will burn hot against you.  You were chosen to be a cleansing, preserving salt, and a light of wisdom and hope to the world around you.  Many of you are neither.  Of what use are you then to God?  Step aside and let another take your place, lest He sweep you away in His anger!

You have been given the choicest meats, the finest grain, the most fertile and beautiful lands, yet you take it all for granted!  Many of you even think you deserve it.  On what grounds?  What makes you any better than the man in India who will never sleep one night in a bed?  Or the filthy little orphan children who dig their food out of a garbage dump, and are never rocked to sleep in the arms of a loving parent?

Don’t you know you are balanced on the head of a pin?  All that you hold dear was given you by the grace of God–yet  how many of you even remember to thank Him?  If a little breeze should blow, you would topple to the ground!  God chooses who to humble, and who to exalt.  Don’t make the mistake of thinking your position is secure!!

Do not practice sin, it will not release you from its grip. Make no mistake, it is ‘him who endures to the end’ who shall be saved.  If, after knowing Christ, you resume a life of sin–there is no sacrifice left that will cover your sins!

Examine your heart and your motives!  Do you really love God, or merely the gifts He gives His children?  At dusk, He will come and take His children by the hand.  They will gather up their toys and take them from you, then they will head for home.  All that will be left for you is silence, and the vision of their backs as they walk away intothe deepening night.

If you have let your zeal for God grow cold, if you are living a life of sin, BEWARE!  You are standing on the edge of the abyss!  You are in very real danger of eternal damnation!

It is not that God cannot forgive your sin, it is that you may soon be unable to repent–unable to feel sorrow, shame or regret, or to even summon the motivation to seek forgiveness!

Sin deceives you, sears your conscience, takes away all shame and modesty, hardens your heart and mind, and closes your ears to the invitation of God to return to Him!  You don’t know which stab of guilt will be the last you feel–which will be your final call to repent, before sorrow can no longer penetrate the hardness of your heart, and ceases to strive with you, leaving you to practice your sin unbothered.

Don’t be deceived, God is not mocked–a man reaps what he sows.

A Time To Kill

IT IS TIME

TO KILL

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS!!