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