"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed." Mark 1:35
"After he had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone..." Matthew 14:23
"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16
Pray said a still small voice - PRAY.!.
The church thinking itself alive, is dead. Wake up church, wake up, strengthen what remains before it is too late. Get up church, get up, you are not finished - there are souls hanging in the balance - PRAY.!.
Pray for strength for the faithful, encouragement for the weary. Pray for godly wisdom and the revelation of truth to return to the church. Pray for the spirit of pride and arrogance to be broken in the leadership of every church in America. And pray that God will birth in you both a burden and a desire to pray.
"IF My people who are called by My Name humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."II Chronicles 7:14
Hold tightly to what you have - stand on the Promises of God - finish the race and PRAY.!.
“Prayer should be the natural outflow of the soul—you should pray because you must pray, not because the set time for praying has arrived— but because your heart must cry unto your Lord.”— Charles H. Spurgeon - 1895
Monday, May 30, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Will it work?
That's the key question as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu finishes his high-profile trip to Washington, meeting with the president, addressing 10,000-plus pro-Israel activists at the AIPAC Policy Conference, addressing a Joint Session of Congress, and doing a flurry of major media interviews. Will his passionate case that Israel is America's best friend, the only solid and secure democracy in the Middle East, endangered by Iranian nukes, and in need of unwavering American friendship and support in tumultuous times fully convince the President, the Congress and the American people to stand with Israel through the darkest of times that are steadily approaching?
I would like to believe this will be the case, but Bible prophecy says otherwise.
The Hebrew Prophets such as Ezekiel, Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Joel tell us again and again that Israel will be all alone in the last days of history. All the nations will eventually turn against her. All the nations will work to divide the Land of Israel. Jerusalem, too, will be divided. The New Testament reconfirms this. Indeed, the Scriptures indicate that the only hope for Israel is for her to turn fully and completely to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. As the "time of Jacob's troubles" approaches - as the Day of the Lord approaches - the Bible tells us that the nations will betray the Jewish people. Only the Lord will be faithful. The question is, when the dark times come will Israelis turn their hearts to the Lord?
The Hebrew Prophet Joel warned us that the Lord is going to judge "all the nations" because "they have divided up My Land." (Joel 3:2) Yet Joel doesn't call Israel to political activism, to international diplomacy, to military adventurism, or any other human endeavor. The Lord says through the Prophet Joel, "'Yet even now, return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping and mourning; and rend your heart and not your garments'…Now, return to the Lord your God for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil." (Joel 2:12-13) And if Israel does this, Joel tells us: "Then the Lord will be zealous for His land and will have pity on His people." (Joel 2:18, 27)
The Prime Minister's speech to Congress was excellent in many ways. He rightly described the "epic battle" underway in the epicenter. He described a great shaking going on in the Middle East. He rightly warned that Iran and her nuclear program is the greatest threat, that Hamas is the new al Qaeda, and that in all of the Arab world, only Israeli Arabs have true safety, security, and fully protected human and civil rights. I've included some important excerpts from the speech below.
However, it should be noted that Netanyahu never cited the Bible, never called on the name of the Lord, and never called the Jewish people to trust fully and completely in the God of Israel, but rather promised to divide the land of Israel as a concession to the Palestinians, even while promising never to divide Jerusalem. These were mistakes. He wasn't the first Israeli Prime Minister to make them. But he is making them nonetheless. He was right to thank the U.S. for all our help and support of Israel over the years, and he was right to seek continued help and support from the American people and government. But neither he nor Israel should become dependent upon American help because the Bible tells us it won't be there for long.
The Bible is clear: only the Lord will save Israel. It is time for Israelis to consider this very carefully. For time is short. "The Day of the Lord is coming; surely it is near." (Joel 2:1)
My thanks to Joel Rosenberg for this very insightful article.
That's the key question as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu finishes his high-profile trip to Washington, meeting with the president, addressing 10,000-plus pro-Israel activists at the AIPAC Policy Conference, addressing a Joint Session of Congress, and doing a flurry of major media interviews. Will his passionate case that Israel is America's best friend, the only solid and secure democracy in the Middle East, endangered by Iranian nukes, and in need of unwavering American friendship and support in tumultuous times fully convince the President, the Congress and the American people to stand with Israel through the darkest of times that are steadily approaching?
I would like to believe this will be the case, but Bible prophecy says otherwise.
The Hebrew Prophets such as Ezekiel, Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Joel tell us again and again that Israel will be all alone in the last days of history. All the nations will eventually turn against her. All the nations will work to divide the Land of Israel. Jerusalem, too, will be divided. The New Testament reconfirms this. Indeed, the Scriptures indicate that the only hope for Israel is for her to turn fully and completely to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. As the "time of Jacob's troubles" approaches - as the Day of the Lord approaches - the Bible tells us that the nations will betray the Jewish people. Only the Lord will be faithful. The question is, when the dark times come will Israelis turn their hearts to the Lord?
The Hebrew Prophet Joel warned us that the Lord is going to judge "all the nations" because "they have divided up My Land." (Joel 3:2) Yet Joel doesn't call Israel to political activism, to international diplomacy, to military adventurism, or any other human endeavor. The Lord says through the Prophet Joel, "'Yet even now, return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping and mourning; and rend your heart and not your garments'…Now, return to the Lord your God for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil." (Joel 2:12-13) And if Israel does this, Joel tells us: "Then the Lord will be zealous for His land and will have pity on His people." (Joel 2:18, 27)
The Prime Minister's speech to Congress was excellent in many ways. He rightly described the "epic battle" underway in the epicenter. He described a great shaking going on in the Middle East. He rightly warned that Iran and her nuclear program is the greatest threat, that Hamas is the new al Qaeda, and that in all of the Arab world, only Israeli Arabs have true safety, security, and fully protected human and civil rights. I've included some important excerpts from the speech below.
However, it should be noted that Netanyahu never cited the Bible, never called on the name of the Lord, and never called the Jewish people to trust fully and completely in the God of Israel, but rather promised to divide the land of Israel as a concession to the Palestinians, even while promising never to divide Jerusalem. These were mistakes. He wasn't the first Israeli Prime Minister to make them. But he is making them nonetheless. He was right to thank the U.S. for all our help and support of Israel over the years, and he was right to seek continued help and support from the American people and government. But neither he nor Israel should become dependent upon American help because the Bible tells us it won't be there for long.
The Bible is clear: only the Lord will save Israel. It is time for Israelis to consider this very carefully. For time is short. "The Day of the Lord is coming; surely it is near." (Joel 2:1)
My thanks to Joel Rosenberg for this very insightful article.
Monday, May 23, 2011
"...the Chinese government's stranglehold on information makes it impossible for all of the instances of Christian persecution to be documented.....It also highlighted three new alarming trends: the full-scale suppression of Christian human rights lawyers groups; use of abuse, torture and mafia tactics; and a severe crackdown on...churches that do not accept government control."
"...three Coptic churches were firebombed by mobs of radical Salafi Muslims....According to one report, 12 people were killed and more than 200 injured.... It took the Egyptian army nearly five hours to respond to the violence, leading some to fear that the army and local police forces are either complicit in the attacks or unwilling to defend Egypt's Christian minority. When the second church was attacked, Muslim mobs prevented fire trucks from reaching the church."
"In Nigeria, Muslim rioters killed more than 100 Christians and burned more than 40 churches 'in response to the election of Jonathan Goodluck, a Christian, as president.' ...Christians in those Muslim-majority areas 'have faced repeated bouts of violence and discrimination' and 'tens and thousands of Christians have been killed' over the years."
And we in America forgo church if there is a hint of rain, the fish are biting or kickoff is scheduled before noon.
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Only by His wonderful grace can we see from His perspective, rejoice always, and continually give thanks. Only by His life in us can we walk in humility and live together in the victory of His cross. Only by His Spirit in us can we obey His Word and follow His ways. Therefore we can thank Him -- not only for the sunny days and happy moments -- but even more for those things that show us our great need of a Saviour and draw us closer to Him.
May God bring such persecution to the church in America that we too might learn to lean on Him and grow in our faith and trust. May He allow trials and tribulations to come into our lives to strength us in our walk with Him.
Do not despise the testing of your faith - embrace these times as opportunities to experience His faithfulness and His love.
"...three Coptic churches were firebombed by mobs of radical Salafi Muslims....According to one report, 12 people were killed and more than 200 injured.... It took the Egyptian army nearly five hours to respond to the violence, leading some to fear that the army and local police forces are either complicit in the attacks or unwilling to defend Egypt's Christian minority. When the second church was attacked, Muslim mobs prevented fire trucks from reaching the church."
"In Nigeria, Muslim rioters killed more than 100 Christians and burned more than 40 churches 'in response to the election of Jonathan Goodluck, a Christian, as president.' ...Christians in those Muslim-majority areas 'have faced repeated bouts of violence and discrimination' and 'tens and thousands of Christians have been killed' over the years."
And we in America forgo church if there is a hint of rain, the fish are biting or kickoff is scheduled before noon.
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Only by His wonderful grace can we see from His perspective, rejoice always, and continually give thanks. Only by His life in us can we walk in humility and live together in the victory of His cross. Only by His Spirit in us can we obey His Word and follow His ways. Therefore we can thank Him -- not only for the sunny days and happy moments -- but even more for those things that show us our great need of a Saviour and draw us closer to Him.
May God bring such persecution to the church in America that we too might learn to lean on Him and grow in our faith and trust. May He allow trials and tribulations to come into our lives to strength us in our walk with Him.
Do not despise the testing of your faith - embrace these times as opportunities to experience His faithfulness and His love.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
As Moses led the children of Israel from Egypt to their Promised Land, many were their afflictions, many were the times great trials and testing filled their day, but God led them on. And, like the children of Israel, we too must move through our journey facing great times of trials and tribulation until we arrive at our Promised Land. But like Moses and the children of Israel, we do not walk alone.
“Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. “ Exodus 17
As we travel the dusty road of adversity, oft times we determine to keep the ’problem’ just between God and me. Don’t want others to see my lack of faith. No need to trouble others with ‘my’ problem. As we struggle through marital problems, children on drugs, financial downturns, sickness and disease we keep a smile on our face, a stiff upper lip and press on. Many ignore concerns from others - “Is all well’ they ask. We respond, “Praise the Lord all is well” while our heart is breaking within, we resolve to never allow others to see our pain, our lack of faith, our doubts or our fears.
Many are the voices admonishing us to: keep smiling, keep a positive confession and keep moving on.
But is this how God intended it to be? Is this how our Loving Abba Father meant His children to move through the wickedness of this world on their way to the Promise Land?
As we look again at Moses and the battle with the Amalekites we do not see Moses in his own strength, we see him in his weakness, his weakness evident as he looks for a stone, growing weary of standing, his arms begin to sag, they droop as he is unable to hold them up, and the battle, the battle begins to turns against Israel.
But as the faithful of the Lord join Moses in the battle:
"...his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword."
“…the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place where He was about to go.” Luke 10:1
“Calling the Twelve to Him, He sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. Mark 6:7
We go in His authority, but we must not go alone.
“Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. “ Exodus 17
As we travel the dusty road of adversity, oft times we determine to keep the ’problem’ just between God and me. Don’t want others to see my lack of faith. No need to trouble others with ‘my’ problem. As we struggle through marital problems, children on drugs, financial downturns, sickness and disease we keep a smile on our face, a stiff upper lip and press on. Many ignore concerns from others - “Is all well’ they ask. We respond, “Praise the Lord all is well” while our heart is breaking within, we resolve to never allow others to see our pain, our lack of faith, our doubts or our fears.
Many are the voices admonishing us to: keep smiling, keep a positive confession and keep moving on.
But is this how God intended it to be? Is this how our Loving Abba Father meant His children to move through the wickedness of this world on their way to the Promise Land?
As we look again at Moses and the battle with the Amalekites we do not see Moses in his own strength, we see him in his weakness, his weakness evident as he looks for a stone, growing weary of standing, his arms begin to sag, they droop as he is unable to hold them up, and the battle, the battle begins to turns against Israel.
But as the faithful of the Lord join Moses in the battle:
"...his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword."
“…the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place where He was about to go.” Luke 10:1
“Calling the Twelve to Him, He sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. Mark 6:7
We go in His authority, but we must not go alone.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Barack Hussein Obama has signalled a shift in his Middle East policy by publicly calling for the creation of a Palestinian state along 1967 borders — bluntly telling Israel the "status quo is unsustainable" if it wants to achieve lasting peace:
"The world looks at a conflict that has grinded [should read ground, but I left it as it was spoken] on and on and on, and sees nothing but stalemate," Obama said. "The international community is tired of an endless process that never produces an outcome."
The words of Jeremiah ring in my ear: ,"Peace, peace; when there is no peace." Obama' words are ear tickling to many, yet dangerous to those who remember Jeremiah 6:14.
Obama continues: "In Tahrir Square, we heard Egyptians from all walks of life chant, "Muslims, Christians, we are one." America will work to see that this spirit prevails." This 'spirit' that our government will 'work to see prevail' is the spirit of the antichrist saying Christianity and Islam are one. Islam and Christianity are polar opposites of one another yet we are once again expected to swallow and follow the silver tongued words of the deceiver, the Pied Piper of DC.
"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." 2 John 7
As Obama demands peace at any price, NYC Muslims march in what is known as the“Third Intifada Rally” calling for an annihilation of the state of Israel -
and the Palestinian Authority determines to grant all Palestinians and Israeli Arabs imprisoned in Israel for terror crimes a monthly salary from the PA. Those serving more than 20-year sentences will receive a greater PA salary than prisoners serving shorter sentences. Salaries are to be paid from the day of arrest and continue until the prisoner is release. Palestinian car thieves in Israeli prisons will not receive a salary, only the Hamas and Fatah terrorist.
And from where will these funds be generated? The PA has reported that the US, the EU, France, Britain, Ireland, Norway, Japan, India and the World Bank have all given money to the PA for its general budget.
The American president is traveling a dangerous path as he moves closer toward empowering Islam at the expense of humankind. He represents the spirit of antichrist and Christians need to have understanding that they are not deceived.
"The world looks at a conflict that has grinded [should read ground, but I left it as it was spoken] on and on and on, and sees nothing but stalemate," Obama said. "The international community is tired of an endless process that never produces an outcome."
The words of Jeremiah ring in my ear: ,"Peace, peace; when there is no peace." Obama' words are ear tickling to many, yet dangerous to those who remember Jeremiah 6:14.
Obama continues: "In Tahrir Square, we heard Egyptians from all walks of life chant, "Muslims, Christians, we are one." America will work to see that this spirit prevails." This 'spirit' that our government will 'work to see prevail' is the spirit of the antichrist saying Christianity and Islam are one. Islam and Christianity are polar opposites of one another yet we are once again expected to swallow and follow the silver tongued words of the deceiver, the Pied Piper of DC.
"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." 2 John 7
As Obama demands peace at any price, NYC Muslims march in what is known as the“Third Intifada Rally” calling for an annihilation of the state of Israel -
and the Palestinian Authority determines to grant all Palestinians and Israeli Arabs imprisoned in Israel for terror crimes a monthly salary from the PA. Those serving more than 20-year sentences will receive a greater PA salary than prisoners serving shorter sentences. Salaries are to be paid from the day of arrest and continue until the prisoner is release. Palestinian car thieves in Israeli prisons will not receive a salary, only the Hamas and Fatah terrorist.
And from where will these funds be generated? The PA has reported that the US, the EU, France, Britain, Ireland, Norway, Japan, India and the World Bank have all given money to the PA for its general budget.
The American president is traveling a dangerous path as he moves closer toward empowering Islam at the expense of humankind. He represents the spirit of antichrist and Christians need to have understanding that they are not deceived.
Monday, May 16, 2011
"Violence erupted on Israel's borders with Syria, Lebanon and Gaza on 5/15/11, leaving at least eight dead and dozens wounded, as Palestinians marked what they term "the catastrophe" of Israel's founding in 1948."
"Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD [is] near in the valley of decision." Joel 3:14
"I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land." Joel 3:2
As I type these words, I am reminded; hatred of the Jew is not limited to the Palestinian or the Muslim. I read:
"...The point of this message, however, is that if people knew the truth about Jews, they would hate them just as I do, and would be committing 'hate speech' by rejecting the idea that Jews are God's Chosen People. God has chosen Jews to fulfill a role, but it is the complete opposite of what they purportedly represent. What they represent is the evil and wickedness of an Antichrist nature in the world...."
It continues: "Through their efforts, darkness covers the earth. Jews are a dead end for this planet."
The post goes on page after page spewing lies, and hatred for the Chosen People, the people of God. A people perhaps not of your choosing, perhaps not of mine, but of God'. A people who because of their disobedience to follow the commands of God allowed for the wild olive branch, the gentile nations, to be grafted into the root which is Jesus. A people who because of their disobedience to follow the commands of God have suffered much for centuries, yet God continues to love and protect His people and since God is not a man that He should lie, His Word is truth:
I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed...Genesis 35:12
Should God choose to reject the Jewish people because of their sin, many would say "well deserved" yet these same people suffer greatly from arrogance, pride and in my opinion stupidity. IF God could so easily reject Israel for her sin and disobedience, where does that leave those of us, also the children of Abraham, who continue to sin and disobey - DAILY.?.
As government after government attempt to negotiate peace, peace at any price, remain steadfast in your resolve to stand with Israel, her people and her land. Never forget the word of the Psalmist:
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you!"
Psalms 122
Geert Wilders, speaking in Tennessee:
'The only safe place in the Middle East for Christians is Israel. Israel deserves our support. Israel is a safe haven for everyone, whatever their belief and opinions. Israel is a beacon of light in a region of total darkness. Israel is fighting our fight. The jihad against Israel is a jihad against all of us. If Israel falls, we all fall.'
These people of the Book, these Chosen People of God, these people who gave us the Holy Scripture, the Apostles, the Prophets and our Saviour deserve better.
"Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD [is] near in the valley of decision." Joel 3:14
"I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land." Joel 3:2
As I type these words, I am reminded; hatred of the Jew is not limited to the Palestinian or the Muslim. I read:
"...The point of this message, however, is that if people knew the truth about Jews, they would hate them just as I do, and would be committing 'hate speech' by rejecting the idea that Jews are God's Chosen People. God has chosen Jews to fulfill a role, but it is the complete opposite of what they purportedly represent. What they represent is the evil and wickedness of an Antichrist nature in the world...."
It continues: "Through their efforts, darkness covers the earth. Jews are a dead end for this planet."
The post goes on page after page spewing lies, and hatred for the Chosen People, the people of God. A people perhaps not of your choosing, perhaps not of mine, but of God'. A people who because of their disobedience to follow the commands of God allowed for the wild olive branch, the gentile nations, to be grafted into the root which is Jesus. A people who because of their disobedience to follow the commands of God have suffered much for centuries, yet God continues to love and protect His people and since God is not a man that He should lie, His Word is truth:
I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed...Genesis 35:12
Should God choose to reject the Jewish people because of their sin, many would say "well deserved" yet these same people suffer greatly from arrogance, pride and in my opinion stupidity. IF God could so easily reject Israel for her sin and disobedience, where does that leave those of us, also the children of Abraham, who continue to sin and disobey - DAILY.?.
As government after government attempt to negotiate peace, peace at any price, remain steadfast in your resolve to stand with Israel, her people and her land. Never forget the word of the Psalmist:
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you!"
Psalms 122
Geert Wilders, speaking in Tennessee:
'The only safe place in the Middle East for Christians is Israel. Israel deserves our support. Israel is a safe haven for everyone, whatever their belief and opinions. Israel is a beacon of light in a region of total darkness. Israel is fighting our fight. The jihad against Israel is a jihad against all of us. If Israel falls, we all fall.'
These people of the Book, these Chosen People of God, these people who gave us the Holy Scripture, the Apostles, the Prophets and our Saviour deserve better.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
'Hamas co-founder Mahmoud Zahar on Wednesday told the Maan news agency Hamas would never recognize Israel.
Saying Hamas would accept a PA state based on the "1967 borders," Zahar made it clear a peace accord would only serve as a prelude to Israel's destruction.
Zahar, who has served as Hamas' foreign minister in Gaza since 2006, said Hamas would not recognize Israel because doing so would "cancel the right of the next generation to liberate the land."
"If the Palestinian state does not encompass all of Israel the next generation will liberate the land," Zahar said.
Zahar added recognition of Israel could lead to a de facto cancellation of the "right of return" - a term Arabs use when demanding that Israel allow millions of Arabs into Haifa, Tel Aviv and the rest of its cities and communities.
"What will be the fate of the five million Palestinians in the diaspora?" Zahar asked.
Zahar told Maan his faction's unity deal with Fatah, which included maintaining a ceasefire with Israel, is "part of the resistance, not a cancellation."
“A truce is not peace," Zahar said.'
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/144085
Saying Hamas would accept a PA state based on the "1967 borders," Zahar made it clear a peace accord would only serve as a prelude to Israel's destruction.
Zahar, who has served as Hamas' foreign minister in Gaza since 2006, said Hamas would not recognize Israel because doing so would "cancel the right of the next generation to liberate the land."
"If the Palestinian state does not encompass all of Israel the next generation will liberate the land," Zahar said.
Zahar added recognition of Israel could lead to a de facto cancellation of the "right of return" - a term Arabs use when demanding that Israel allow millions of Arabs into Haifa, Tel Aviv and the rest of its cities and communities.
"What will be the fate of the five million Palestinians in the diaspora?" Zahar asked.
Zahar told Maan his faction's unity deal with Fatah, which included maintaining a ceasefire with Israel, is "part of the resistance, not a cancellation."
“A truce is not peace," Zahar said.'
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/144085
Friday, May 13, 2011
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” —Matthew 7:15
There has been a 200 percent jump in searches on Yahoo! for "May 21st" since Harold Camping made his infamous announcement. Searches are also spiking for "the rapture," "end of the world," and "Harold Camping."
Camping, an 89-year-old radio host and 'Christian' fundamentalist, says judgment day is less than two weeks away. Camping said he pinned down May 21 as doomsday using clues and prophesies he found in the Bible. "It is absolutely going to happen without any question at all," says Camping.
But wait, do I hear the rustling of the pages of the Bible to find what Almighty God has to say about the world which He created by the breath of His Word?
No, my mistake. It's only surfers on the net, their shallow, self-centered lifestyles exemplifying the barrenness of their souls.
'Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.' Mark 13
We Are As Dumb And As Dead And As Damned As We Ever Were... And We Are Almost Out Of Time!!! yet we surf the net seeking answers, seeking answers from a proven false prophet. Will Christians read the Bible for themselves and search the Scriptures to know if these things are true, or will they peruse the Internet and blindly follow Harold Camping into yet another false prophecy?
And what will be the result for them if they do?
There has been a 200 percent jump in searches on Yahoo! for "May 21st" since Harold Camping made his infamous announcement. Searches are also spiking for "the rapture," "end of the world," and "Harold Camping."
Camping, an 89-year-old radio host and 'Christian' fundamentalist, says judgment day is less than two weeks away. Camping said he pinned down May 21 as doomsday using clues and prophesies he found in the Bible. "It is absolutely going to happen without any question at all," says Camping.
But wait, do I hear the rustling of the pages of the Bible to find what Almighty God has to say about the world which He created by the breath of His Word?
No, my mistake. It's only surfers on the net, their shallow, self-centered lifestyles exemplifying the barrenness of their souls.
'Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.' Mark 13
We Are As Dumb And As Dead And As Damned As We Ever Were... And We Are Almost Out Of Time!!! yet we surf the net seeking answers, seeking answers from a proven false prophet. Will Christians read the Bible for themselves and search the Scriptures to know if these things are true, or will they peruse the Internet and blindly follow Harold Camping into yet another false prophecy?
And what will be the result for them if they do?
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
I thought it odd that while listening to the rain pelting the windows of my study, the wind howling outside, a question came to mind: 'Why is the church in America dying?' And then I heard His still small voice:
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." Matthew 7:24-25
Had the church in America, or for that matter anywhere in the 'enlightened' free world, been built on the rock or had it been build as in verse 26-27:
"But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
I needed to know.
I read of the pastor in North Little Rock, AR. Pastor Steven G. Tiner, Senior Pastor of Levy Baptist Church who now boasts of his calling as Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons of Arkansas.
As Pastor Tiner has bowed his knee at the altar of the false god of Freemasonry and given himself over to the doctrines of demons I wondered what else O LORD, what else.
A statement by Leith Anderson, President of the National Association of Evangelicals came to my attention. Forgetting that God had called the church, not government, to care for the poor he wrote:
'regardless of our nation's out of control spending and debt, no social - humanitarian aid programs should be trimmed.'
I stopped and ask myself; "had the church fulfilled the great commission to share the gospel much less feed the sick or take care of widows and orphans?" Had they done what God commanded or had the church been negligent to the point that socialism secured a foot-hold and government intervention deemed necessary, by socialist within the government?
I read on.
'The Presbyterian Church voted to allow the ordination of gays, becoming the fourth Protestant denomination in the United States to make the move that experts say reflects a larger cultural shift.'
"A larger cultural shift" - where is the church?
'A billboard in Toledo, Ohio states: "Being Gay is a Gift from God." Forgetting Paul' admonition to the church in 1 Corinthains 6:
Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
The church seems unconcerned by the words of the Apostle Paul. The billboard is part of a campaign started by the Central United Methodist Church, which is seeking to promote acceptance for LGBT people in the Christian community. Dan Rutt, one of the church officials behind the campaign, told ToledoOnTheMove.com that he hopes the message will spark dialogue about unity and tolerance.'
Dialogue about unity and tolerance, but not the gospel?
Tolerance, unity, idolatry, DISOBEDIENCE, I had my answer:
"Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe His commands, His laws and His decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me... But remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth... If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. Like the nations the LORD destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the LORD your God..."
Deuteronomy 8
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." Matthew 7:24-25
Had the church in America, or for that matter anywhere in the 'enlightened' free world, been built on the rock or had it been build as in verse 26-27:
"But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
I needed to know.
I read of the pastor in North Little Rock, AR. Pastor Steven G. Tiner, Senior Pastor of Levy Baptist Church who now boasts of his calling as Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons of Arkansas.
As Pastor Tiner has bowed his knee at the altar of the false god of Freemasonry and given himself over to the doctrines of demons I wondered what else O LORD, what else.
A statement by Leith Anderson, President of the National Association of Evangelicals came to my attention. Forgetting that God had called the church, not government, to care for the poor he wrote:
'regardless of our nation's out of control spending and debt, no social - humanitarian aid programs should be trimmed.'
I stopped and ask myself; "had the church fulfilled the great commission to share the gospel much less feed the sick or take care of widows and orphans?" Had they done what God commanded or had the church been negligent to the point that socialism secured a foot-hold and government intervention deemed necessary, by socialist within the government?
I read on.
'The Presbyterian Church voted to allow the ordination of gays, becoming the fourth Protestant denomination in the United States to make the move that experts say reflects a larger cultural shift.'
"A larger cultural shift" - where is the church?
'A billboard in Toledo, Ohio states: "Being Gay is a Gift from God." Forgetting Paul' admonition to the church in 1 Corinthains 6:
Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
The church seems unconcerned by the words of the Apostle Paul. The billboard is part of a campaign started by the Central United Methodist Church, which is seeking to promote acceptance for LGBT people in the Christian community. Dan Rutt, one of the church officials behind the campaign, told ToledoOnTheMove.com that he hopes the message will spark dialogue about unity and tolerance.'
Dialogue about unity and tolerance, but not the gospel?
Tolerance, unity, idolatry, DISOBEDIENCE, I had my answer:
"Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe His commands, His laws and His decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me... But remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth... If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. Like the nations the LORD destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the LORD your God..."
Deuteronomy 8
Monday, May 9, 2011
Berit Kjos writes:
Like many leaders today, Hitler knew how to use every crisis as an opportunity to grab more power. So did his anti-Semitic Muslim partners during World War II; Mohammad Haj Amin al-Husseini (the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem) and the rising Muslim Brotherhood. Both aimed to eradicate Israel and radicalize the Middle East and North Africa. Their followers have come a long way!
Today, their grand target is America. As we are told in a Muslim Brotherhood document titled, 'An Explanatory Memorandum on the General Strategic Goal for the Group in North America,'
"The Ikhwan [Muslim Brotherhood] must understand that their work in America is a kind of grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and ‘sabotaging’ its miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers so that it is eliminated and God’s religion is made victorious over all other religions.”
For those who trust God, this should be a time of prayer and preparation for the challenging times ahead. As the West becomes increasingly hostile toward Christianity, it's fast forgetting the truths and moral standards that laid the foundation for Western freedom and order. Yet, we need not fear, for--
"The Lord... will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You." Psalm 9:9-10
Like many leaders today, Hitler knew how to use every crisis as an opportunity to grab more power. So did his anti-Semitic Muslim partners during World War II; Mohammad Haj Amin al-Husseini (the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem) and the rising Muslim Brotherhood. Both aimed to eradicate Israel and radicalize the Middle East and North Africa. Their followers have come a long way!
Today, their grand target is America. As we are told in a Muslim Brotherhood document titled, 'An Explanatory Memorandum on the General Strategic Goal for the Group in North America,'
"The Ikhwan [Muslim Brotherhood] must understand that their work in America is a kind of grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and ‘sabotaging’ its miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers so that it is eliminated and God’s religion is made victorious over all other religions.”
For those who trust God, this should be a time of prayer and preparation for the challenging times ahead. As the West becomes increasingly hostile toward Christianity, it's fast forgetting the truths and moral standards that laid the foundation for Western freedom and order. Yet, we need not fear, for--
"The Lord... will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You." Psalm 9:9-10
Friday, May 6, 2011
Let us always remember, that baptism, church-membership, reception of the Lord's Supper, and a diligent use of the outward forms of Christianity, are not sufficient to save our souls. They are leaves, nothing but leaves, and without fruit will add to our condemnation. Like the fig leaves of which Adam and Eve made themselves garments, they will not hide the nakedness of our souls from the eye of an all-seeing God, or give us boldness when we stand before Him at the last day. No! we must bear fruit, or be lost forever. There must be fruit in our hearts and fruit in our lives, the fruit of repentance toward God, faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, and true holiness in our conversation. Without such fruits as these a profession of Christianity will only sink us lower into hell." J.C.Ryle
Thursday, May 5, 2011
We live in such uncertain times - wars, rumors of wars, terror both here and abroad, strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth nations in turmoil, Libya, Egypt... Nations perplexed by roaring seas and strange tides, Japan, Southeast US.
But God has told His children "FEAR NOT."
God's ultimate goal for all His children is abundant life. He never intended we go through life focused on what evil, tragedy or turmoil surrounded us, nor did He promise there would be no evil, tragedy or turmoil surrounding us.
"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:24
The good news is that we serve a God of absolute boundless love—a God of mercies who desires to bring His beloved children into a place high above all the evil, tragedy and turmoil.
Isaiah tells us: "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
We must consider our own nothingness. As God spoke to Job, so too must He speak to us:
"Where were you when I..??.."
And like Job our response must be:
"I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted. [You asked,] ‘Who is this that obscures My counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I [Job]spoke of things I did not understand..." Job 42
As with Job, so too must each of us realize that it is God who decides our beginning and our end and it is God who decides what to allow to come into our lives and what to withhold.
We are the clay not the Potter so whatever comes into our lives in the next weeks, months, years ahead, our lives are in His hands and as His children, we must bring honor and glory to His Name,
there is no other way.
But God has told His children "FEAR NOT."
God's ultimate goal for all His children is abundant life. He never intended we go through life focused on what evil, tragedy or turmoil surrounded us, nor did He promise there would be no evil, tragedy or turmoil surrounding us.
"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:24
The good news is that we serve a God of absolute boundless love—a God of mercies who desires to bring His beloved children into a place high above all the evil, tragedy and turmoil.
Isaiah tells us: "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
We must consider our own nothingness. As God spoke to Job, so too must He speak to us:
"Where were you when I..??.."
And like Job our response must be:
"I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted. [You asked,] ‘Who is this that obscures My counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I [Job]spoke of things I did not understand..." Job 42
As with Job, so too must each of us realize that it is God who decides our beginning and our end and it is God who decides what to allow to come into our lives and what to withhold.
We are the clay not the Potter so whatever comes into our lives in the next weeks, months, years ahead, our lives are in His hands and as His children, we must bring honor and glory to His Name,
there is no other way.
Monday, May 2, 2011
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy." "Men shall be lovers of their own selves"—2 Timothy 3
The average church-member/attender is as greedy and grasping as the world, while pastors, shepherds and televangelists fare no better.
"Boasters"—laying claim to the possession of a wisdom and scholarship they do not have. Televangelist - Word of Faith preachers promise financial prosperity and abundance to all believers; best selling books teach there is no hell and all roads lead to heaven, prophets prophecy falsely with seemingly neither remorse, repentance nor reproach. All fuel the fire of the discontent.
Many swallow the lie that Christianity teaches good is rewarded, evil punished, forgetting that Judeo Christianity is based on teaching found in scripture that it is through grace and mercy that forgiveness was purchased and that through the shed blood of Jesus the Messiah - not good vs. evil for none are good - no not one.
As churches welcome Islam into their midst, placing the Koran along side the Bible, as denominations ordain homosexual clergy and seemingly intelligent men and women sell all and set out traveling across America proclaiming the end of the world, we watch renegade pastors burn Korans and spew hate across America, showing either blatant disregard for scripture or their ignorance of The Word, and 'christian' yoga and mantra/chant worship is welcomed we call to mind what was spoken so long ago:
"... I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." Isaiah 46
The average church-member/attender is as greedy and grasping as the world, while pastors, shepherds and televangelists fare no better.
"Boasters"—laying claim to the possession of a wisdom and scholarship they do not have. Televangelist - Word of Faith preachers promise financial prosperity and abundance to all believers; best selling books teach there is no hell and all roads lead to heaven, prophets prophecy falsely with seemingly neither remorse, repentance nor reproach. All fuel the fire of the discontent.
Many swallow the lie that Christianity teaches good is rewarded, evil punished, forgetting that Judeo Christianity is based on teaching found in scripture that it is through grace and mercy that forgiveness was purchased and that through the shed blood of Jesus the Messiah - not good vs. evil for none are good - no not one.
As churches welcome Islam into their midst, placing the Koran along side the Bible, as denominations ordain homosexual clergy and seemingly intelligent men and women sell all and set out traveling across America proclaiming the end of the world, we watch renegade pastors burn Korans and spew hate across America, showing either blatant disregard for scripture or their ignorance of The Word, and 'christian' yoga and mantra/chant worship is welcomed we call to mind what was spoken so long ago:
"... I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." Isaiah 46
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Thou art my hope in the day of evil." Jeremiah 17:17
The path of the Christian is not always bright with sunshine. He has his seasons of darkness and of storm. True, it is written in God's Word, "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace," and it is a great truth, that religion is calculated to give a man happiness below as well as bliss above.
But experience tells us that if the course of the just be "As the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day," yet sometimes that light is eclipsed. At certain periods, clouds cover the believer's sun, and he walks in darkness and sees no light.
There are many who have rejoiced in the presence of God for a season. They have basked in the sunshine in the earlier stages of their Christian career. They have walked along the "green pastures" by the side of the "still waters." But suddenly they find the glorious sky is clouded.
Instead of the Land of Goshen they have to tread the sandy desert. In the place of sweet waters, they find troubled streams, bitter to their taste. And they say, "Surely, if I were a child of God, this would not happen."
Oh! say not so, thou who are walking in darkness. The best of God's saints must drink the wormwood. The dearest of His children must bear the cross. No Christian has enjoyed perpetual prosperity. No believer can always keep his harp from the willows.
Perhaps the Lord allotted you at first a smooth and unclouded path, because you were weak and timid. He tempered the wind to the shorn lamb. But now that you are stronger in the spiritual life, you must enter upon the riper and rougher experience of God's full-grown children.
We need winds and tempests to exercise our faith, to tear off the rotten bough of self-dependence, and to root us more firmly in Christ. The day of evil reveals to us the value of our glorious hope.
Morning and Evening by Charles Haddon Spurgeon
The path of the Christian is not always bright with sunshine. He has his seasons of darkness and of storm. True, it is written in God's Word, "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace," and it is a great truth, that religion is calculated to give a man happiness below as well as bliss above.
But experience tells us that if the course of the just be "As the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day," yet sometimes that light is eclipsed. At certain periods, clouds cover the believer's sun, and he walks in darkness and sees no light.
There are many who have rejoiced in the presence of God for a season. They have basked in the sunshine in the earlier stages of their Christian career. They have walked along the "green pastures" by the side of the "still waters." But suddenly they find the glorious sky is clouded.
Instead of the Land of Goshen they have to tread the sandy desert. In the place of sweet waters, they find troubled streams, bitter to their taste. And they say, "Surely, if I were a child of God, this would not happen."
Oh! say not so, thou who are walking in darkness. The best of God's saints must drink the wormwood. The dearest of His children must bear the cross. No Christian has enjoyed perpetual prosperity. No believer can always keep his harp from the willows.
Perhaps the Lord allotted you at first a smooth and unclouded path, because you were weak and timid. He tempered the wind to the shorn lamb. But now that you are stronger in the spiritual life, you must enter upon the riper and rougher experience of God's full-grown children.
We need winds and tempests to exercise our faith, to tear off the rotten bough of self-dependence, and to root us more firmly in Christ. The day of evil reveals to us the value of our glorious hope.
Morning and Evening by Charles Haddon Spurgeon
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