Friday, December 28, 2012

Second Amendment

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

I want people who read this to ponder this question before reading on, considering this is requiring my mind to deep thought.
Why did the Founding Fathers put freedom of religion and speech FIRST, then the right to bear arms SECOND?  I would think these would be considered of utmost importance in America, right? 

Now, I got to hear a ridiculous argument that the Second Amendment ALONE was dictated for the use only of the time of writing.  Thus, we can only have the right to bear muskets.  Right, citizens will continue to bear muskets but the criminals continue semiautomatic weapons.  Yep, we will scare them away.

When the announcer made claim we should do the same with the first amendment and get rid of the internet, the caller eventually hung up.  People need to understand the thieves will always break the law.  If this wasn't true, would we still have police?  Paraphrasing from Ronald Reagan, why should we punish society for wrongs committed by law breakers?

What does the Bible say on this.  Look no further:

Joel 3:9-10
    Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: [10] Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.


You can't prepare for war if you use peace time items.  I believe in protecting my family, and if guns are banned, the criminals can attack anyone at will without worries or ramifications.  Britain and Australia's crimes have doubled since their "ban."  It only works on law abiding citizens, not criminals.


Fight for your Second Amendment right.  If you don't, you will not have much to protect, let alone a way to protect your family.

Blessings,
Michael


Prophetic or Pathetic UPDATE

EDIT:

Deut. 13:1-5
    If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, [2] And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; [3] Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. [4] Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. [5] And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the Lord thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.

Ezekiel 14:1-5
    Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me. [2] And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, [3] Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them? [4] Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; [5] That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.

Rev. 19:10b
   ...for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.



At the end of this blog, I am posting a YouTube video that became somewhat viral of the dangers of not just prophecy but of those who proclaim themselves prophets in today's age.  Many readily accept any prophetic word, many believe they are prophetic from simply giving a "I feel the LORD" type of message.  I have heard many of these messages "flowing" in churches that promote more of the gifts than the Giver.  Other churches tend to squelch the Holy Spirit but only allowing Him to speak through leadership, and not those who He has bestowed the manifestation. 

There are many people who are proclaiming themselves prophets today, and quite a few regulate what is important to be spken through them.  The Prophetic Movement has promoted this manifestation to the point where has went from one extreme of believing "it didn't happen" to churches where it flies from every pair of lips in Pentecostal churches.  There needs to be some order.


I am not against prophecy.  It is needed and at times required to encourage the congregation.  But we should prevent the Holy Spirit from talking, but assume every time we get a vision, a word, or "inkling," we should automatically believe this is for everyone.  Also, I will NEVER accept every word spoken as "Thus says the LORD" as coming from the throne of God.  But remember this (this will be proven in the YouTube video later) that any word coming from a false prophet/teacher is wrong.  Even when King Saul sought a witch to contact Samuel, the witch was astonished that he actually appeared.  Understand, the witch in necromancy and seances deal with demons posing as dead people, so when God sent Samuel, it shocked her as well.  So truth can come in the midst of lies.

Now, the first thing that everybody seems to judge prophetic words is accuracy.  Yes, I agree but if this your only gauge, you are in danger of accepting words that may have been spoken to your heart without conviction or direction.  ALL prophetic should eventually lead you deeper to God, regardless if it is through conviction or grace.  Any word that sounds good to your flesh should automatically raise a red flag.

My wife was given a word that her and myself would help lead the city we lived in at that time to deliverance.  OK, some will say it may happen in the future but the message never was in agreement with the Spirit.   It has been almost eight years since that word and we have no desire to move back.  It spoke to her itching ears to have a big ministry but not what God was preparing us for. 

I was part of a prophetic prayer group for our church back around 2003-2004.  My wife also went through it but I refused to allow her at that time to be next to me, for I did not want her to rely on me to bail her out, I wanted her to rely on the Holy Spirit.  The danger I saw was when people were getting words of knowledge and confusing it with the prophetic.  Others never tersted the word BEFORE they spoke, while many never discerned of the people and situation to see if a prophetic is appropiate.

One time a couple came up while my wife was part of the group.  She prayed and felt that they were living in sin, and they asked for an apartment.  My wife chose to stand aside while the others went right ahead, giving "words of encouragement" for the two.  Afterwards, my wife asked if she did the right thing, and I assured her she did.

Let's get to the point of what I have used to gauge prophetic words.  I also consider the place and people either receiving or giving the word into account.  First, accuracy MUST be accompanied with the direction of the word.  If the word is correct, but it sends you in another direction BESIDES God, it is not from the throne.  We were given a word about people would give us money to help us.  At the time, we were strugging to make ends meet but it almost brought our eyes to waiting for people to bring us money, not to God or looking for a job.  The accuracy was right, we needed help but the church was not able to help, for it never set up funds to help others in need.  It sponsored several conferences a year and, through these gained much finances, but it mostly went to its own ministry.

Another one I distinctly remember from the same church.  Just one week prior, the pastor made notice to the congregation of needing a Cadillac to "ride in style" to different ministries (their two other vehicles I guess were not suiting for them).  The next week, a prophetess "prophesied" about someone helping with the weekly finances to purchase said vehicle.  This was then used in newsletters and conferences to promote this "need" spoken as it was from the LORD.  IN honesty, it was spoken to an idol in his heart and did lead him to trust the LORD in providing this for him.  It was not a prophetic word, because it is possible he spoke to her before the church meeting on Sunday morning.

Another is the "itching ears" type of prophetic word.  We do not examine ourselves first and determine if we have idols in our heart.  Usually, we tend to seek the prophetic word FIRST instead of allowing God to send a prophet(ess) for the word.  Somehow, we feel better when we come first, but many times on the OT did God send them, not vice versa.  The worst part to remember in Ezekiel 14 is that God will speak according the multitude of idols in our heart.  We need to discern correctly in our own life before we should discern the prophetic.

Lastly, since the testimony of Jesus IS the spirit of prophecy, it should be noted that testimony in the Greek is related to witness and martyrdom.  In simple words, prophecy should speak of Jesus, and the walk we should have with Him.  Certain words I can understand if it isn't directly leading you when it is spoken, like believing in a car when you need one, or healing and miracles but ultimately the goal should be for the glory of His Son.

In a group of people, the word says about the prophets being subject to the spirit of the prophets.  I have not been in a church where this was done.  Two or three should speak (at most), the others are to remain silent and allowed to judge.  The Holy Spirit will speak through He has blessed for that time.  If there are any more, it is not from God, for He is of order.

These are the questions to ask:
1.  Is it accurate?
2. Does it point me in the direction for a deeper relationship with God?
3.  Does it speak to any idols hiding in my heart?
4.  Does it glorify Jesus through the words?

5.  Will Jesus get the glory when it is fulfilled?

Finally, please note the fruits from one speaking.  If one is growing in the LORD, learn from the mistakes, as it will hapen.  But if it is a person who self-proclaims a prophet, I am wary.  The Holy Spirit does not anyone to promote the gifts, He can do it when the time comes.  Please note I am not an expert in this, but through my years I have seen the damage it can do when wrongfully used or manipulated.  The pride that comes from this power gift is dangerous when used in this manner, but shows God's grace and love through the humbleness of those who do not seek to promote self in public ministry. 

In this video, I believe the word to be given is true, but the woman giving it is so used to be giving words she deems as "true," she does not realize what is about to happen.  Her fruit shows in the end, as it was "her church," "her meeting," and she first prophesied he was a man of God, than later told him he was of the devil.  It can't be spoken both as from God.  Too much contradiction.  Later, note what she said the lady filming this, as she was innocent the whole time.  The fruits of a religious spirit, exposed on this video.

Blessings,

Michael

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cgd31xXE_g  




Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Why does Mankind Do What It Does?

Sometimes I sit down wondering why man does the things that we do, including ones which are not good for you.  My grandmother used to say about biting my finger nails (which I still do) as a bad thing.  The list is endless by certain ones have baffled me on why people continue to fall in the same trap that was used in others and previous generations.
One is smoking.  Everyone knows it is unhealthy and may eventually lead to lung cancer and emphysema.  Yet, millions continue to be addicted to nicotine and teenagers are further enticed by peer pressure and believing this will prove their adulthood.  Marijuana isn't far behind, and now with technology they were able to make synthetic forms, and crude methods of meth.  I won't forget alcohol and the dangers when in quick succession of drinking.  We can go on with heroine and cocaine, many know the perils of being addicted and the difficulty of breaking free.  Even pregnant women get their babies hooked before they were born.
What disturbs me is we have the knowledge of right and wrong.  When we seek what is wrong, declare it my right, it still won't be right.  I smoked for almost ten years, getting caught in peer pressure while in the Navy.  After waking up coughing for fifteen minutes, I needed to quit.  I relied on God's will that I could no longer smoke, and He came through for me.  I know He can do the same for others.
Mankind does things for themselves first.  It will always use own will to satisfy this purpose.  Marijuana was against the law, now in some states it is now legal.  Alcohol is illegal until 21, yet, teenagers drink, college fraternities go on binges, knowing the possibility of alcohol poisoning taking another victim.  Governments spend hours making laws to prevent this, but the heart without God is bent on getting what they want, regardless of the consequences.  So, is the law, that we should continue to change with more punishment and amendments, the culprit?  Or is the heart?
So far the law hasn't changed a thing in the world?  Why?  The law isn't written on the hearts of men.  Until that is resolved, nothing will change.
As the man thinketh, so is he.

Blessings,

Michael

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Another food for thought

This is going to be short as well, since it is close to Christmas and I have been so busy getting ready for it, I haven't had any time for this.  This has been on my mind for a long time, and I hope to find the enough resources for answers.

In the movie "Back to the Future," I noticed that all the women wearing dresses.  Fast forward to now, and you rarely see women in dresses today.  I am not saying it doesn't happen, or it is wrong for women to wear pants, but what caused the change?  Obvious it came from the sexual revolution that somehow "liberated" women from the view that have sculpted them for thousands of years.

My question I have yet to research is why brought forth this period where women created "their rights," where abortion became an issue, and their demand that ultimately has created a conundrum in the workplace.  In 2008, we had one of the greatest layoffs, where around 70% of those affected were men.  Today, more than 60% of people getting four year degrees are women.  Almost 60% of the managerial position are now filled with women.  And these same women are crying foul that they cannot find men in the same paygrade or higher for matrimony.  They complain the "good men" aren't out there.  

I found a study that was done that these women who are looking for marriage INCREASED by nine points, but the men DECREASED by the same points.  Very possibly that women took much away from what men need - to be a leader and provider for their future family.  With more women taking that away, these women are being forced to be single against their desire, while men are now discouraged for the same reason.

God created most women to be help mates for their husbands.  Since the 1960's, many women have demanded their "place" in the workplace, leadership, wherever they believe they can replace men.  Understand, we are created equal in God's eyes, but different because we are physically, emotionally, even socially.  Men cannot carry babies, God has blessed them for bringing life to fruition for nine months.  But when the scales of life are tilted outside of God's will for us, it causes not just controversy but problems that cannot be cured in the natural.  America is crumpling in the aftermath of getting away from God's design.

What caused to bring forth change?  It make light of one more question (and not like it happens in our household), but why can women look good in your clothing, but it won't work vice versa. 

Just a food for thought.

Merry Christmas,

Michael

Saturday, December 15, 2012

American tragedies

Jeremiah 17:9-11
    The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? [10] I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. [11] As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.



To say what I need to say is going to sound selfish and cruel at this time of crisis in Connecticut, but I will need to make two points concerning what is happening at an accelerated rate in America.  There has been more mass murders and murder/suicides in this country than ever before.  One person noted that many of these occurrences are in places where guns are not allowed, and now we had a shooting where twenty young lives are now gone from this earth.  Sadly, all public schools and almost all colleges now have ousted God from all its premises. 
Now we ask God why He allows this to happen.  One thought is this: 
Hypothetically, if my wife kicked me out of the house and an intruder came in, as the husband, I cannot protect her and my famly.  Would it be right for her to blame me for what happened?  More importantly, I cannot be there when she needed me the most.  We have treated God in the same way. 
The real question should be why does man do this, to take life, then take their own.  Mankind has started with Cain killing his brother, and we have not stopped since.  As God said to Cain, sin is at the door, yet, Cain did not stop its presence and the evidence happened later with his attitude when God asked him where Abel was, "Am I my brother's keeper?"  Sorry to say it this way, he knew damn well what happened and dutifully lied to God. 
Simply, God will not be where He is not wanted.  People did not fight to keep God in the schools, preferring to boast of the "success" that God had brought to America.  Prayer was removed, all sources of God could no longer be brought within the walls of these schools.  The heart, without God, is selfish and deceitful and cannot be trusted in any way.  As a society, we are endorsing evil and allowing it to fill the void that God took before His removal in the schools in 1962.  Why should we call on Him in our time of crisis when He was not allowed to be there in the first place?
In the early sixties, the two worst offenses in school was talking in class and chewing gum.  Now it is weapons.  We don't realize that teachers are unable to defend their class and themselves with no weapons, and gun control will not work.  Why?  Those who will break the law will do it to get weapons anyway, so why should we punish those who do obey the law?  Concealed carry is the best option.  If these people could defens themselves they may think differently, and I believe it would prevent many lives from being lost.
Hollywood and video games are promoting violence at an alarming rate, and if not informed and protected by parents, this infects children's minds more than we will ever know.  Sorry to say, in these last days, the devil will pull every last trick he can to get mankind to disdain God, and movies, TV shows and games will do the trick (oh yeah, I can't forget secular music as well).
Imagine what has filled the void that was left behind when we kicked God out of our lives, our schools, our government.  Even churches are leaving Him at the door, to better benefit the sinners they entrust to fuel their finances.  Ray Comfort had some interesting things about John Lennon's song, "Imagine."  As I ponder on this, there is more truth now on His lyrics than ever before, and I see America unravel without God, that song is beginning to take fruit.  We need God more than ever, but mankind continues in his futile attempt to live fruitfully without Him. 
It won't work.  History has proven that.  Now I understand why Jesus referred man as "sheep." 
We are stupid.

Jeremiah 6:16

Michael

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Is the church effective in peaching?

Romans 3:20
    Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.


First and foremost, I will say I am not perfect in the LORD's eyes.  The Word says we all have sinned and fall short of His glory, this easily includes me.  The object is to FINISH the race, it isn't how we started.  To be blunt, I am still working on finishing the race and sometimes pride causes us to trip up.  Believe me, I have had plenty of spiritual bruises on my knees and legs.  Some days, I wish I could be like Smith Wigglesworth and Derek Prince.  Notwithstanding they had times but their studies and walk with the LORD I do envy to a point.

Now off to the point.  This will probably be short, since I want this to be thought provoking as well.  Does the teaching of sin come from the pulpit and propel you to be nearer to God?  Or does it tickle your eyes, avoiding anything that may be conceived as condemning, when it is convicting?  Even when churches finalize their Sunday meetings, by their invitation of those not saved does not make the definition of sin.  How does one learn to repent of sin (oh, wait, repent is a bad word, too) if they don't know what sin is? 

Ministries are more into numbers today than training and readying disciples.  I remember reading of one ministry that went to Africa and made mention of the 250k being saved in the meetings.    One man got that information on those people and went back six months later to see how they are doing.  Less than .5% were still in church.  What good did it do to brag on that number when almost all of them are back in the world? 

I am not here on this post to give an answer, maybe some will decide for themselves why this is happening?  Why many have chosen to water down the grace message and avoid preaching sin to keep them in the pews instead of a path to the LORD.  We are losing the war on America, the end days are fast approaching, and we seem to care less about it.  What would change your mind to get more active?

Jeremiah 6:16

Michael


Friday, December 7, 2012

Other Prints in the Sand



I found this years ago and I do not know the author, but I felt it was a change of pace to share this.

Enjoy!

One night I had a wondrous dream,
One set of footprints there was seen,
The footprints of my precious Lord,
But mine were not along the shore.
But then some stranger prints appeared,
And I asked the Lord, "What have we here?"
Those prints are large and round and neat,
"But Lord, they are too big for feet."
"My child," He said in somber tones,
"For miles I carried you alone.
I challenged you to walk in faith,
But you refused and made me wait."
"You disobeyed, you would not grow,
The walk of faith, you would not know,
So I got tired, I got fed up,
And there I dropped you on your butt."                                                              
"Because in life, there comes a time,
When one must fight, and one must climb,
When one must rise and take a stand,
 Or leave their butt prints in the sand.

Joel 3:9

Michael

Monday, December 3, 2012

The Enemy's ways

2 Corinthians 2:10-11
    To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.


1 John 2:15-16
    Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

I feel I need to start with the latter Scriptures first.  Yes, I placed these in the order I desired, but I needed to learned a few things from bother these set of verses.  One, that forgiveness is a tool for OUR freedom, and if we do not utilize it as Jesus instructs us in the LORD's prayer, the devil will walk through that open door of bitterness and begin his work of planting more seeds.  But the latter also teaches us the three things the devil and his followers use against mankind.  It has worked since the garden of Eden, it has continued to work for 6,000 years, why should he stop?  Knowing that the end times is drawing near, he has increased these attacks and used man's own lustful thoughts and hatred of Jesus against himself.  All you have to do is look around, it is getting worse each day.

Murder suicides are beginning to be the norm in many online news websites.  Last weekend as a professional football player that left a young toddler now without parents.  One sports writer made mention that this is another case of banning weapons entirely.  On the contrary, this is when I want to protect my family.  Sorry to say, those who want guns are going to find a way illegally to get one, so why take away the rights for lawful citizens to protect their families?

Back to the main focus.  In the garden of Eden, Eve was tempted by the good side of the tree.  Notice the three things on how the serpent deceived Eve (references in red):



Genesis 3:6
    And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food (lust of the flesh), and that it was pleasant to the eyes (the lust of the eyes), desired to make one wise (pride of life), she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.


Do you the devil stopped this ploy?  It was working so well for 4,000 years, he tried on Jesus.  Ready?

Matthew 4:1-11
    Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. [2] And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. [3] And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. [4] But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. [5] Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, [6] And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. [7] Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. [8] Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; [9] And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. [10] Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. [11] Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him
.

turn the stone to bread - lust of the eyes (fasted forty days, he was definitely hungry)
dash your foot against a stone - pride of life
bow down before me, I will give you this kingdom - lust of the flesh


Each of these three are different for many people, but doesn't mean the devil hasn't changed his ways, just his methods.  He has wiled some people into the error of Balaam and the ways of Korah to influence the church of Christ.  We are not to be ignorant of his devices, but he is becoming more cunning on disguising these modern wiles.  Unforgiveness is the best way the enemy can get an advantage over people.

The church needs to get its act together.  I NEED to get my life together.  I NEED to get my family in order in preparation for what I see is the direction of America and the church, unless it nationally repents and God returns.  Derek Prince said the fight begins in the spiritual realm, so how many of His children are engaged solo as compared to an army? 

As I have mentioned in my previous blogs, I am not against many of the gifts of the spirit, including healings, miracles and works of faith.  I am not blaming anyone finding ways to get these, I don't know many Christians who don't need any of these sometime in their life (I am needing one at this writing).  What we need today is a BIG daily, or weekly, meeting and pray His will for the church, the area, and the nation.  Oh, yeah, a list will not be complete unless we pray for peace in Jerusalem. 

Yes, I can agree that there are churches that meet on a regular schedule and have prayer meetings.  The true struggle is getting different churches together, put any differences aside, and make God top priority for that one night.  I got to witness this will between Christians somewhat during the preparation of Rock the Lakes event in Green Bay last August.  Many churches came together to help in an effort to evangelize the Word to those who came to the event.

I hope one day, it will happen.  Understand, it was not God's will for the earth to be in the condition it is currently in.  So much immorality, murders, kidnapping, drugs, dysfunctional families, greed, the list goes on.  It needs to stop.  I am truly afraid for my childrens generation.  I have watched mine slowly erode, the next generation deserves better.

Blessings,

Michael
Joel 3:9

Friday, November 30, 2012

The End Times and Israel


Yesterday, the United Nations General Assembly voted to place the Gaza Strip, West Bank and East Jerusalem under Palestinian state.  This doesn't surprise me, as Israel has very few allies anymore and the biased media presents the Palestinians as "people without a country."  Hamas will continue their hatred attacks on Israel, replenishing its weapon from Iran, who probably gets theirs from Russia. 
The two issues I have is why doesn't the other Arab nations take on the Palestinians?  The numbers aren't big to warrant such intrusion to stifle any of the Muslim countries in the Middle East, primarily Saudi Arabia.  the reason isn't if they truly didn't want them in their homeland, but the fact they can remain a thorn in the flesh of Israel, get the meat puppets at CNN, MSNBC, and any other world liberal media to promote Israel as the true enemy and viola, we have fireworks to bring fire to civilians in Israel, but complain that it is in retaliation to the Jews hatred toward them.  When you tell a lie convincingly enough, you will be surprised how many assume it as truth.
The second issue is troublesome, and has actually put me in a spiritual quagmire of much deep thought.  The following morning, the Kismet has defended their land by agreeing to build 3,000 homes on the disputed land.  The sad part is ever time Israel has been forced to give up land, two things happened.  The first is obvious but ignorant to the libs, but clear to others.  Hamas just uses the "acquired land" to bring more rocket attacks in Israeli cities.  Does the media report the daily attacks?  No, not until Israel is forced to return fire in protection of their citizens.  Unfortunately, until the antichrist to make a peace treaty (that will hold for three and a half years), Israel will have no peace.  Worse, I believe the current administration will turn her back toward Israel, either by economic issues or choice.
The other thought I have is when someone, or country, has put a knife in the back of Israel to remove her borders more, God has intervened.  Yet, we take this as "coincidence," but when we look at what happened each time, it can't merely be by chance.  America has suffered in some way economically, even though Washington, D.C. didn't take the direct hit. 
Let's look.
Bill Clinton (Oslo Accords) Sept. 13, 1993.  Signed agreement between Yitzhak Rabin and Yassar Arafat, acknowledging the Palestinian Authority.  The Israeli Kisnet finalized the vote by a majority.  Right after the agreement, fighting intensified, leaving more Israeli soldiers dead. 
America - The great flood in the summer of 1993 caused $15B in damage, levees broke all along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, causing record flooding, some places averaging 350% above normal rainfall.   Coincidence?  More?  Sure.
In 1998, under Clinton pressure, Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to give up 13% of the West Bank, but was not going to accept a separate Palestinian state, which he would refuse to do.  On January 20, 1998, Bill Clinton left Netanyahu high and dry, terminating the meeting and insulted by Benjamin's strong stance.  The very next day, began the "Whitewater" investigation and his affair with Paula Jones in the White House.  Mr. Clinton hoped he could pressure Netanyahu out of his prime minister job, now he himself was facing impeachment issues.  Only through the Senate was our 42nd President saved to finish out his term.  Anyone who has studied politics knew the dislike President Clinton had for Netanyahu, a taste the has been passed on to our current administration.
President George W. Bush has seen God make his mark on two separate occasions.  On this one day, President Bush went to complete the deal to create a Palestinian state by 2005, and the plan was presented to the United Nations.  The day was September 10th, 2001.  I will leave the next day for you.
How about some more to keep this going...
On August 15, 2005, P.M. Ariel Sharon sent soldiers to serve immediate eviction notices to those living in the Gaza Strip under U.S. pressure, who have lived there for over thirty years.  These families were given forty-eight hours.  To finish the job, the Kisnet left the synagogues untouched, maybe so the Palestinians could enjoy tearing them down.  One week later, President Bush confirmed its role in the desire to have a Palestinian state. 
On the very next day, upon completion of the eviction of Jews from Gaza, a tropical depression began to grow at an accelerated pace.  The day before, the NOAA did not expect this to be of any problem growing or toward the U.S.  It first hit Florida as a Category 1, went into the gulf and became Category 5 in a very short time, around nine hours from Cat. 3 to Cat. 5.  Her name was Katrina, which literally means "cleansing."
With the destruction Katrina left, many home were uninhabitable and few came back to rebuild.  The exact number is not known, but very possibly the same number that was evicted from Gaza, was done to America.  God is a judge of weights.  Also to note, the mayor of New Orleans had to use FORCE to remove many of the New Orleans residents, leaving and many deciding after the devastation, not to return.   New Orleans may have recovered somewhat, but it has not been the same.
Not even a month later, Bush tried again.  Hurricane Wilma cost America another $30B.
In 2007, Bush sent Sec. of State Rice to try yet again.  January 12th, 2007, a massive ice storm crippled the Northeast, causing issues over half the nation.  One month later, she went to Germany to get support.  Germany was hit with a storm, leaving several dead across Europe.
In 2008, more diplomatic and political pressure came from the Bush administration, made before the UN Assembly in September.  On the 15th, Wall Street fell by 777 points (any reference to God?), Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy, and markets across the world felt the heat in the coming weeks.
All I can say from here is President Obama's desire to see this Palestinian state.  The worst part is God has placed some footprint of warning, and mankind seems to ignore these notes left behind.  If America takes the lead and forces Israel to leave the land the U.N. demands to be ceded to the Palestinian state, I truly cannot imagine how God will react.  As of this writing, the Northeast is still feeling the effects left by Hurricane Sandy, one month after she made landfall.  After promises made that helped him get re-elected, the government still has made one iota to help these people.  Also note in 2012 over half the states felt the impact of drought, which will hit us in 2013.  Unusually warm weather in March, cold in April, and dry for much of the summer killed much of the apple and corn fields.  Your pocketbook will feel this sting in 2013.  
I personally do not want to experience God's wrath on what has happened on November 29th, 2012.  America had her hand on this, as well as many others.  How God will judge this is beyond any of my imaginations, and possibly He is waiting for a mercy call from America's church.  Anyone who forces Israel to move her borders God will meet Him.  Sadly, until He sees them face to face, others will feel it. 
I believe the United Nations will try to flaunt some muscle into forcing Israel back some more.  All I can say is, be prepared and watch. 
I will take a step of faith on this.  I feel something is going to go down BIG in 2014 or 2015.  How it will happen I don't know.  Many small businesses will go under because of Obamcare.  Bigger businesses will either do two things to keep profits from sinking below where they are now - laying off or cutting hours to much of its staff, or raising prices to meet the government's requests.  With the government taking more money, albeit indirectly, from consumers, the economy will slowly recede, due to more people being forced on the government plan and welfare.  When the governmental bubble pops, it may force everyone to "pay up," bringing riots and uncivil rest throughout America.  Why would the government purchase a half a billion hollow point bullets and prepare mass graves with plastic coffins?  This could be for a prepared civil war from its citizens and wants to provoke or eugenics.  And let's not forget it may lead to the jihadists hiding here to prepare its final mission. 
There are so many different scenarios and, until we repent, we could see anything happen, and it won't be pretty.  Unless we change, the future does not look good.  Maybe the second coming is MUCH closer.

Next I will bring up the Harbinger and the occurrences in 2015 that looks to be a fulfillment in prophecy.

In Christ,

Michael

Joel 3:9


Sunday, November 25, 2012

Marriage

Ephes. 5:25
    Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Ephes. 5:33
    Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.


I have been married for eleven years, so I do know a little bit on this subject.  Since I have been in matrimonial bliss for ONLY eleven years, I am far from being an expert on this, so most of this is based on much thought, some Scripture, and witness on relationships that worked for years and others that did not survive much test of time.
Everything that I bring is with the foundation that God has placed from the Garden of Eden:
Genesis 2:24
    Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.


No matter the argument, God made it stand:  a man and a woman.  No other combination is pleasing to God.  No other way can we redefine marriage.  No way can say that same sex relationships can bring forth family through sex.  It is impossible.  Now, I know they will argue about in vitro and adoption, but there is very little future of a homosexual society able to sustain itself in this lifestyle.  God purposely designed the plumbing of a man and a woman to function this way to reproduce.

Since that is simplified and out of the way, we will now move to why half of marriages today fail. But it is also crucial to see how the best marriages last over time.  Before I start, I need to say I have heard of marriages from over 50 to 60 years, some have survived affairs, others straight marital bliss.  I have no doubt that if spouses are willing to get through the hard times and valleys, they will have the strength to endure. 

The other thing I see ma be related to immaturity, I can only assume, but selfishness plays a key role to marriages not working.  Hear me out, I'm going to go through what I have seen as well as what I've went through and how God has dealt me on it. 

I do not know many, if any, people who put on masks to showcase the best sides while dating.  Certain teenagers will do this, especially males who are finding ways to manage their sudden hormones.  When we get older and decide relationships should get more serious, including those long term and eventual marriage, will put on the mask to better "chances" (to put it mildly) for finding the mate.  Most have that one mindset:  finding the mate best suited for us.  Problem that should be addresses as well:  we do not look for the mate that we can be best for them. 

I remember a young lady who was very adamant of looking into relationship for the purpose of marriage.  Her last relationship ended because he felt increasingly pressured to move into the engagement mode as soon as possible.  The ironic issue is she was only 19 or 20, plenty of time to let God find a mate for you.  When she stopped to tell me what happened, she cried out why she could not get a husband.  I told her God needed to prepare her to be wife.  For a second, she was ready to say something, then she stopped to think what I said.  It must have been prophetic.  Later, my wife and I prayed for her and a prophetic word came that she allowed God to prepare her for this, it would take two years, than she would know her future husband.  After I heard this story from her husband, the prophetic word came true.  Now they are expecting the first child next month.  I am very happy for them.

Some reason we have the tendency to look for a spouse that, in our eyes, would be perfect for us.  Sometimes we get reacquainted with old flames, hoping that fire from years before would grow into the mature stage.  Some hope to find that future mate that has many likes that we do.  So why do these magical moments last but a few?

In Genesis 2:24, the proclamation by God was announced that a man should leave his parents, cleave unto his wife, and the two shall become ONE flesh.  Cleave in the Hebrew is dabaq, which holds two meanings, both having relation to the passage.  One means to catch in pursuit, another is to be joined together.  So if we to be joined together, and be one flesh, we are also called to be joined together in spirit and soul.  There are two marriages - one as a witness to men, the other as a witness to God.  One is the marriage ceremony and ring exchanging, the other is sexual.  The latter involves the shedding in blood for the virgin wife.

This is the reason why God concerns with fornication, adultery and any other sex outside of His ordained marriage.  During sex, a soul tie is created, thus being bound to the person you became "one flesh" with as part of the action.  The more people you have a sexual encounter with, the more soul ties.  This includes the person, because he/she will have soul ties with all that person has done before.  This is the danger of why God says sex outside of marriage is dangerous.  Add to the issue that God designed that a man and a woman who keep their sex and vows between themselves would never get STD's (sexually transmitted diseases).  The more different people you have sex with, the increase you have to getting a STD.  If these soul ties aren't broken in the spirit, they will become part of the marriage in the bedroom.

Images can be a danger to the sanctity of the marriage as well.  Pornography has crippled many marriages.  From what I have went through (yes, I confess my struggles through this blog), it is a twofold dilemma.  One, it dilutes the beauty that your eyes should have for your wife.  There is no one else you should "lust" for, no other women you should want to be intimate with, that is reserved for your wife.  Imagining through the images of pornography what you may want your wife to be will begin to diminish your visual of what your wife should be in your heart.  Once that grows to a point, other assumptions will begin to take root in your heart, eventually she will not measure by the ideal view you have envisioned of your wife. 

Second, if you imagine you lusted in your heart with this image, you commit adultery in your heart.  Why do some scream if your spouse sees an old flame and thinks for a moment about what times were like and we become jealous, but we look at pornography and blame it on our spouse?  

What is missing?  IMHO, a few Scriptures tells it all, if you believe in Biblical truth:

Ephes. 5:21-23,25,33
    Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body....Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it...Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.


Submit doesn't necessarily mean you order each other around and the other must obey.  This is to provide one to meet the others needs.  Women have emotional needs, husbands should meet them.  Men have physical needs, wives should meet them.  Simple and straightforward, huh?

Now comes the tricky part.  Husbands ARE the head, or authority, of the woman and the family.  Started in the Garden of Eden after the fruit episode with the serpent, hasn't changed since.  The first part of a successful marriage is acknowledging the hierarchy of the chain of command.  Yes, it doesn't mean to rule with dictatorship, a godly man would not do that.  Just in case you are ready to argue that point.

First thing is for the husband to love their wives AS Christ loved the church.  He gave everything for His bride, we are to have the same attitude.  Then it says for the wife to reverence (fear, respect deeply) their husbands.  NOWHERE does God command the wive to love her husband, or for a husband to respect his wife.  It is natural for a man to respect others, as needed, as well as a woman to love someone.  But it is difficult for a man to love someone who expects it, and for a woman to respect who wants it.  

It is up to the wives to respect their husbands.  This is all in retrospect of husbands loving them, so the wife is the respect, or literally, reverence their covering.  It is a two way street, but you should avoid the "circle trap."  "He isn't meeting my emotional needs, so I won't meet his."  Or it stops the opposite, "she isn't having sex with me, so I won't meet her emotional needs," starts the endless cycle until one, or both, decides to end it.  The best is to avert it altogether.

Most honeymoons are great, but that is because most of us have not felt comfortable enough to take off for our spouse.  Depending on variables, after two years is when we "forget" about the mask.  As far as me, my wife was previously married, so she had a head start on me concerning marriage.  I was also in what I call a "phantom marriage," which is where on person imagines, or treats, the relationship as a marriage.  Strangely, I was not made aware of this arrangement, so I did not plan my days as such.  How it ended up it easy to imagine. 

Some of us lose focus of why we became married in the first place.  Love is an action verb, it requires doing something, it requires for us to give, not just to take.  When a spouse gets to the point where they looking for what they can get without any thought of giving, the foundation of marriage begins to erode.  Until both spouses change this mindset, it may get to the point where neither want to repair. 

There are relationships/marriages where it should never have been together.  With no remorse on my part, I have seen marriages where one person refuses to be faithful.  Some hope that the cheating spouse will change, some don't care, a few don't know about it til its too late.  They either have affairs to get what they are getting in their marriage, or they already had that mentality before they got married.   I have seen some "settle down" and no longer pursue other sexual encounters.  So there is hope.

Bottom line.   A three strand cord is not easily broken.  There are two in a marriage, who is the third "strand?"  God.  Yes, marriages can survive on two, but a three strand marriage, especially with God in the middle, can withstand everything.  

Remember what your spouse needs, not just look for what you want.  I have been always amazed how some have lasted fifty, sixty, even seventy years.  The late Art Linkletter kept Hollywood's influence out of his marriage.  It had to, for it lasted almost 75 years!  I won't live that long to break it, but "until death do you part" is the only thing that will break our marriage.  It shouldn't be for anything else.

See what you can do for your spouse, not what your spouse can do for you.  Your marriage may depend on it.


Blessings,


Michael
Joel 3:9


Monday, November 19, 2012

legalizing abominatons, Part Deux

2 Peter 2:6 KJV
    And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;


I still have much of the video of a conference being led by Perry Stone that is still very vivid in my heart and mind.  Believe it or not, I seemed to be more irritated at the church more than anything.  Throughout America's history, there has been bumps but up until around 1960, there wasn't much to argue about.  Much of what was changing was being done under the radar - education, stock market, gangsters of the '20s and '30's.  America even began correcting wrongs, namely woman suffrage and civil rights for blacks.  But the slow change, via the way of the doctrine of Balaam, began to deteriorate the foundation and fabric of America.
Quick synopsis of Balaam.  He was a prophet of God who had one problem, the love of gold.  King Balak paid Balaam three times to curse Israel, he could only bless them.  Balaam would not give up to get that treasure who so desired.  He told the King to send the best of his young woman to entice the men into fornication, which in turn would lead to idol worship.  (Super)naturally, the anger of God was aroused, killing 24k. 

There have been small changes in parts of America, outside of the Civil War, which mainly was fought over slavery, while the Constitution held EVERYONE had unalienable rights.  That was enough to bring God's attention, which more than a half a million more lives were lost.  If you get the chance, check out many major wars in the last 200 years and see the damage and how long it took to repair those countries, especially the South.

Any good Christian would know the major changes began in the Supreme Court slowly in the 1950's until the "separation" argument came to the forefront in 1962, after over 150 years of Thomas Jefferson's letter to the Danbury Baptists came to the courts.  Prayer and the Bible started beng tossed out of schools and government, and we have watched depravity, crime, and immorality become the norm. 


In 1973, we became the first supernation to legalize abortion through the guise of "woman's rights."  Interesting to note is the person who stood on the side to get abortion legal, is now a Christian and has spent years admitting she was wrong.  Through this, we also broke our covenant with God, no sacrifice unborn babies to Malech, and now a majority accept this a right.  God calls it murder, but this nation no longer cares of any moral value, just the worship of materialism and humanism.  The ironic part is nonbelievers believe God isn't watching...but He is biding His time, for His judgments are good.


Hollywood started adhering to the sexual revolution and disobedience to authority, MTV went from some "innocent" videos (I say it lightly) to promoting Teen Mom reality shows.  Music videos became more sexist, the gay lifestyle became more brazen, atheists have threatened ANYTHING that resembles Christianity, with strong note of the Freedom From Religion group out of Madison, Wisconsin.  I can only imagine their lawsuits must waste a lot of paper, which would not appease PETA, either. 
Go figure.

In Jude 11, I noticed three things he warns the church about, but I believe this part of the message refers to countries as well.  Note these three, which one I have already talked about:


Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 

Cain became jealous not of his brother able, but because God approved of Abel's sacrifice, and not his work.  Abel was a shepherd, and his sacrifice was what he watched over.  Cain was a farmer, and his sacrifice was based off work.  Cain took the easy way out, enticing and killed his brother.  Rid the competition, maybe the judge will recognize your own. 

Now, some of you may be saying, who is Core?  Looking through the Greek translation, we find the person "Korah."  In Numbers 16, Korah challenged the authority of Moses while raising up people to side with him, notab
ly 250 princes.  Then the competition before the LORD began, and the next day, asked Moses and the Israelites to remove themselves from Korah and his congregation.  It might be possible here that pride swelled up with this group, since they may have figured that Jehovah was separating Moses away from the tabernacle, elevating him to lead Israel.  God proceeded to open the earth and swallowed the "competition."  Simply, God does not like anyone coming against his appointed authority, especially those who claim they can replace and do better.

Mankind now has an increase of murder-suicides in the last five years.  This attitude has brought numerous reasons - "if I can't have it, no one can," which takes more Innocent lives every day.  News from Connecticut where a robbery went wrong eventually led to rape of two daughters, setting the place ablaze, with the father barely escaping, but losing his family forever.  Columbine school in Colorado targeted Christian kids, then the two boys took their own lives.  Recently, Aurora, Colorado faced death with a serial killer believing him as the "joker," then committing suicide.  Hopefully, no one will forget 9/11/2001, either.  The list goes on, and it doesn't seem to stop.

America has left morality out the window.  Humanism and materialism are hidden idols in the church, disguised as worship through God's blessings.  We have preachers who are now so fearful of both the government and their congregation, the hard truth is very infrequently spoken from the pulpit.  Prophets are only allowed to say "encouraging words," while true spiritual warnings are ignored.  Prosperity is being promoted over obedience, blessings over repentance.  Western churches are now running the gamut, throwing the Jeremiahs under the bus.  We are now infatuated with smartphones, text, instant everything, seeking manifestations to appease our desire to avoid change needed to better holiness.   If you read this, you may now understand why I place Jeremiah 6:16 at the end.

This is now very short time to right this ship called America.  If it isn't, there are some variations that can play through.  Nuclear war will lay waste to this earth is one scenario, and we have the capability today.  Remember, mankind has never invented a weapon that was never used in battle. 

Second, our economy will collapse, which we actually present jihadists to attack.  recall that the United Nations and our current President would like to rid American citizens of the right to bear arms.  If this happens, we will be easy targets for their sword. 

Third, is when God places His wrath of judgment and demands repayment for the innocent blood we shed since abortion was legalized.  Consider some people believe the number of babies lost is around 60-75 million (just in America alone), God is a just judge, and level that needs to be equaled.   We have around 335 million in America, so the number may be close to 1 out of every 6 persons living here.  If we want to go farther, today, America uses taxpayer money to pay for other nations abortions, so when a President signed this into law, this number will be much higher, and our leader's pen will be included into God's judgment.

When is the church going to say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH?  We can't until we have had enough, and greed has no ceiling.  Until we come to the end of ourselves by deny our old man, carry our cross and follow Jesus, it can't come soon enough.  Stop seeking worship of self, wake up those who are sleeping, we need fire on the lukewarm.  Somebody needs to get more firewood in the church, because the world likes to watch a good fire. 

If the Supreme Court sides with the lesbian, this will open a can of worms to legalize same sex marriage.  If this come to fruition, I hope this does not arouse Him to wrath.  As Billy Graham said years, ago, If God doesn't judge America, He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.  Jesus said it will be worse in their day then what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah.  Do you want to face that? 

WAKE UP!


Blessings,

Michael
Jeremiah 6:16
    Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.




Sunday, November 18, 2012

Legalizing abominations

I watched a video that is less than a month old at a church service, and the powerful preaching met with "serious and desparate" need of prayer.  Perry Stone taught on covenant and commandment and how America is about to break both in one shot. 
The SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) is getting ready early next year to hear a case that could ultimately lead to legalizing same sex marriage.  If this comes to fruition, it will open a can of worms that God cannot let go unnoticed, and His mercy may run out.  He will have no choice but to pronounce judgment on our land.  Also, I felt agreement on what could happen, that what we have seen with drought, economy, many other things from Dueteronomy 26 will come about.  If that comes forth, we may have no doubt pray we are ready for the rapture.  The Scripture follows when we break covenant with God (and having a leader admit we are no longer a Christian nation):
We now have a President do something unprecedented in the history of the world:  he is the first to announce same sex in line with God's created covenant that is restored between man and a woman.  Father, I ask that you find those who are not strong in knowledge to confound the wise.  I will also prepare myself with three things America has fallen into, I just don't remember where they are in Scripture offhand. 
The following Scripture should frighten you of we break covenant as a country:


Leviticus 26:16-38 (KJV)
    I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 

[17] And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. 
[18] And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins
[19] And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: 
 [20] And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.
[21] And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins. 

[22] I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate
[23] And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; 
[24] Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins
[25] And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy
[26] And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied. 
[27] And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; 
[28] Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins
[29] And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat. 
[30] And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you. 
[31] And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours
[32] And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. 
[33] And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.  
[34] Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths. 
[35] As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it. 
[36] And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth
[37] And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies
[38] And ye shall perish among the heathen, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up.


If this doesn't scare people in action, nothing will (unless a visit from your Father of a vision in like manner).  Ironic that David Wilkerson, A.A. Allen, and Dimitru Duduman had vision of devastations of the future of America.  Unless we get on our knees and speak up when we should, don't go crying when this occurs.  We asked for it.  Sorry, I don't want to be part of it.

I have more later, I need to sleep on this.  I have a lot to get off my chest, the interesting part will be how to get this out for more of the public to see. 

Take heed,

Michael
Jeremiah 6:16

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Call For Repentance in America

I will keep this short and sweet.  Below is a link of a letter from Billy Graham he posted shortly after the election.  Remember this through the reading, he has met every President since Harry S. Truman and there is only one that hasn't - Barack Obama.  There are many theories to why he has not met with Billy Graham but my assumption is he does not want to be convicted being in Mr. Graham's presence.  Not saying he is God, and he certainly has made mistakes, but in his last years he is truly seeking God and not waiting for his ticket to eternity.

Mr. Graham sees the need for not just America as a whole (which I know will not happen) but as the Body of Christ, we have that capibility.  Sadly, I do not see every Christian doing that, either, for many are self seekers, others may be new Christians.  I do believe there are enough Christians who can wholeheartedly seek God for repentance.  The government will not turn from its destructive course, neither will the majority who voted our President for a second term.  The only thing left is to get on our knees, humble ourselves, and fill up that bowl of the saints.  Until we change on the inside of the church, we cannot see change on the outside. 

To do the same thing and expect different results is called insanity. 

To finish with an old Dakota Indan proverb:

If you are riding a dead horse, the best option is to dismount. 

Look at your horse after reading Billy Graham's letter.

Blessings,

Michael

Please copy and paste link below:

http://www.billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?articleid=9038 

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Repentance

Luke 5:32
    I [Jesus] came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Acts 19:4
    Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 6:1
    Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God

Repentance can be a tough thing to acknowledge, especially in the church.  Many believe that once they are saved, there is no further need to change, for the Word does mention we are a new creation, the old has past away.  What believers fail to realize is, though there is a change, there will be a war in your walk between your old sinful nature and the spiritual one.  The former come to brng death, the latter brings life.  The true area of struggle isn't a struggle for many, but a choice to live in the flesh in places, and seeking God in other times.  While there are some who sincerely struggle and desire to get free, I will concentrate on why some choose to live a split life, and believe God will bless them, while accepting a small drop of God's presence as reassurance of His approval.
 

Jesus, John and Peter all had one thing in common:  Their first words in their ministry recorded in the Bible was "repent."  Repentance is the greek word "metanoia," which can mean a "reversal decision based on information."   Each one knew the meaning and it comes forth mostly to those who have not heard the gospel.  I found three references of different types of repentance and I will make brief study on each one.

The first is one of the Scriptures above, mentioning the "foundation of repentance" from dead works.  I will admit I do not fully know what the writer is passing on to the reader, but it says "not laying down," which inplies to me that either it is to be carried around with us, or we are not to forget, by placing away, this part of the creed.  What is also interesting is it is the first one written in the sixth chapter of Hebrews.  In essence, the church is called, and the apostles were reminded, to repent from works that produces no fruit or vains in labor.  A foundation is the base of whatever is built upon this, in this case, it is repentance.

The second Scripture is related to John the Baptist.  In one of his "exhortations," (some people have a hard time with that!), he went right after the people in attendance.  Before we go into that discussion, John preached to all the country of the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (Luke 3:3).  Baptism means "whelmed," or to be fully wet through a ceremonial ablution.  Since the English language had no word comparable, baptism came forth from the Greek word baptizo. 
 

John was preaching being completely under by repentance that would lead them to the remission of sins.  This was the precursor to prepare those who heard to the Son of God, who would later arrive to be baptized on His own accord.   This was the message of the voice in the wilderness, to make the ways straight for the coming of the LORD (Ibid 3:4). 
Afterward, the multitude came to be baptized by him, and he saw through the facade, for he went right after them, calling them a generation of vipers, then showed them the way out, by bearing "fruits" worthy of repentance (v.7).  The people fought back, say we have Abraham as our father.  John responded that God can make stones to raise up children.  All trees that do not bear fruit, the axe is laid to chop down.  I find it ironic that John mentioned about the fruits of repentance, than returned to trees NOT bearing fruit being chopped down.  Remember, it takes awhile for trees to grow and bear fruit.  Many of these trees need to go through wind, storms and drought to persevere.  Later in its maturity, it begins to bear fruit. 
 

The benefit here is you do not have to bore a hole in an apple tree to prove what it is.  The fruit will tell.  Another Scripture that I have used when people don't like being judged on the outside (you can't tell a book by its cover) is what Jesus said when confronted by Pharisees finding a way to entrap Him.  His response:
Matthew 23:25-26
    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. [26] Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also
.
 
In simple words, how the INSIDE of a man is, his outside will show it.  That blows any discussion of anyone dressing much different and saying no one knows who they think.  As a man thinks, so is he (Proverbs 23:7a). 
 

Mankind may be at some points creature of habits, but we are not creatures of instinct.  Jesus mostly asked questions to people, getting them to think and have themselves judge their hearts.  Repentance begins what we hear or read, but we also need to realize a spiritual man judges all things (1 Corinthians 2:15), so I am referring more to those who call themselves Christians.  Choices become two parts when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, one is our flesh, other is our spirit.  Which one we lead by is usually the strongest in our walk.  The more we walk in the Spirit, the more He leads.  Same goes with the flesh.
 

With that foundation passed on, the church has lost its power.  We look holy walking in the church doors, but when we walk out, many change back to look like the world.  The last message to the seven churches speaks of the last days church, blind and needing help but admitting it needs nothing (Revelations 3:14-22).   The true dilemma for Jesus is that he wished they were hot or cold, for He could do nothing with them.  They are a little too hot when in the world, but also a little too cold in the church to be hot.  They enjoy the pleasures of both, and blend in well with both groups.  But Jesus sees their true condition.  A moderate, one who fluctuates between the hot and cold for their pleasure.  They do not want to be too close to God, which will expose them for their lifestyle, but they also do not want to stray from God while dancing in the world's pleasures.  In the middle riding the fence, jumping off wherever it suits them is what they like.  It is not God's will they seek, it is their own.  Simply, a religious spirit, one who seeks to manipulate God's word for their own will.  Easy what they need - Jesus says two things, buy gold refined in the fire, and eye salve to see.
 

Add to that messages from pulpits that mostly will not offend, the sermons needed for the Holy Spirit to work conviction and correction is not brought forth.  Add to the area we have not prayed for America as much as we should, and I include myself guilty as charged. Since the election, my spirit has been heavy burdened, for I do not like what I see in the upcoming future if things do not change from its current path.
 

Billy Graham put out a note for Christians about one year of prayer for repentance as Americans and as Christians.  I totally agree.  We need to stop being selfish in the Body, and start to help the wrongs by seeking God in repentance, for allowing abortion to be the law.  For electing a President, who is the first to be in open defiance and rebellion to God.  We need to pray that God will bring repentance to our elected leaders, so they can lead us righteously and we can lead peaceful lives.  Unless we are willing, and able, to see our lack of praying for good government, our desire to take more than give, or issue to worship self in a masquerade of worshiping Christ, and our faults to each other (1 John 5:16), we cannot see a change around us.  How can we stand for Biblical morality while sitting in our spiritual LaZBoy?  If we are not willing to be separate unto God, how can we show the eternal value to a lost world?  We should be a culture changer, not the world changing us into their image. 
 

Last Scripture to share.  This is the first one I read when I opened the Bible for the first time.
 
2 Cor. 7:10
    For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 


Blessings,

Michael


Jeremiah 9:23-24
    Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: [24] But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.