"I was looking for a link to Hurricane Irene with national sin. I did not see any direct connection to Israel whatsoever. I did sense there was a direct connection with sodomy and especially New York State. On July 24, this state began to officially marry homosexuals. Hurricane Irene hit a month later and heavily damaged the state, but I did not post this because it just did not seem strong enough of a link.

A reader of this blog from Vermont sent me the clear link. Vermont was the hardest hit state with record breaking floods and damage. On August 17, just 11 days before the devastating floods the Governor of Vermont married two lesbians in his office. Hurricane Irene formed on August 20 just three days after this "marriage". The people of Vermont voted for this governor knowing full well that he was going to marry homosexuals as this was a campaign pledge. The entire state, in a general sense, is guilty before the Holy God of Israel for electing him. A person or state cannot mock God without repercussions. Nearly all the states that received damage from Hurricane Irene promote homosexual marriage.

This is NOT the end of judgments ~~ more is on the way.

A nation cannot marry homosexuals along with advancing the homosexual agenda and bully Israel to divide the land without hearing from the LORD. Remember, September 20 is the day the military officially will allow open homosexuality and the Palestinians make their application to the United Nations for statehood. It will be very interesting to see what Obama does with Israel at this time. He already is officially on record to divide Israel and Jerusalem. Hurricane Irene just might look like a summer's weekend thunderstorm compared to what is coming.

An earthquake shook Washington, DC and the entire East Coast, days later a hurricane plowed through a huge section of the East Coast, devastating Vermont. All the warning signs are there for imminent destruction of huge sections of America.

I see no hope for America as the vast majority of the church is sitting on the sidelines or hiding in the tall grass. Without the church crying out to the LORD in repentance, there is no hope as the nation has offended the Holy God of Israel.

May the LORD God of Israel protect you during the events that are bearing down on America and the entire world."

John McTernan
http://johnmcternansinsights.blogspot.com/

Among all the women who have ever lived, the mother of Jesus Christ is the most celebrated, the most venerated... Among Roman Catholics, the Madonna is recognized not only as the Mother of God, but also, according to modern Popes, as the Queen of the Universe, Queen of Heaven, Seat of Wisdom, and even the Spouse of the Holy Spirit." [Time Magazine, "Handmaid or Feminist?"].

Wikipedia writes: Queen of Heaven is a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary by "Christians", mainly of the Roman Catholic Church, and also, to some extent, in the Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox churches. Mary is called the Queen of Heaven because her Son, Jesus Christ, is the King of Israel and heavenly King of the Universe.

Knowing the Source of ALL Truth is The Word of God, I checked for scripture that would depict Mary as the 'Queen of Heaven' ~~ recognized by millions as the mother of God -

'The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.' Jeremiah 44

Jeremiah pleaded with the people of Judah, yet they refused to listen: 'As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee. But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes...

Encyclopedia Britannica:
"Astarte/Ashtoreth is the Queen of Heaven to whom the Canaanites had burned incense and poured libations." Through her identification with the Greek Aphrodite and the Roman Venus, Inanna-Ishtar, the queen of heaven, still survives in Roman Catholic iconography - e.g., as the Virgin Mary standing on the moon."

Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, 1894:
"Queen of Heaven with the ancient Phoenicians, was Astarte; Greeks, Hera; Romans, Juno; Trivia, Hecate, Diana, the Egyptian Isis, etc., were all so called; but with the Roman Catholics it is the Virgin Mary."

"Diana was called the Mother goddess and Queen of heaven, just as Mary is called Mother of god and queen of heaven."

As for Mary being the mother of God - these scriptures seem to speak otherwise:

'In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth'. Genesis 1:1

John tells us that 'God is Spirit'.

Numbers [23] tell us: 'God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man...'

Samuel tells us: 'the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for He is not a man. that He should repent.'

Jeremiah wrote: 'Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.'

Of ALL the references found in scripture that mentioned the Queen of Heaven, all pointed to idols. false gods inspired by demonic influences to lead many astray, and if it were possible, even the elect.

If the millions in main line denominations are wrong about this most important point of doctrine within their theology, where else might they be found to be in error?

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said...

"Did God really say..." Genesis 3:1

"This place, so modest, so small, is where God chose to first reveal Himself to mankind, and God fills it with His majesty. For as long as man has known God, He has come here to Jerusalem to touch the mantle of the Divine. Three faiths, three paths to God, and while the paths sometimes take us away from each other, they always return here, to Jerusalem.

Be not afraid, know who He is, know His face, know that He is a God of covenants and miracles. We are leaving the age of man-made miracles of spacecraft, and we are entering the age of the miracles of God. Israel need not fear the world's agenda because it will soon see the miracles of God."

Strong words from a strong believer in Joseph Smith and Mormonism ~ Glenn Beck.

But what did God really say about three paths and three faiths:

"...how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard..." Hebrews 2:3

Jesus said...“I AM - The Way, The Truth, and The Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6

and of the miracles Beck promises Israel:

“When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near." Luke 21

"Therefore the Lord, the LORD Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will get relief from My foes and avenge Myself on My enemies. I will turn My hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities. I will restore your judges as in days of old, your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.” Zion will be redeemed with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness." Isaiah 1:24-27

Yes - there will be miracles and all Israel will be saved, but not until the refiner’s fire spoken of in Zechariah 13:9 sweeps across Israel and all Israel’s impurities are removed and the remnant, those who are alive and remain after the great tribulation spoken of in the Book of the Revelation and the Book of Daniel, are made pure.

Do not be deceived, there are many voices proclaiming:

"Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace."

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6)

The light that shines in the soul of a lost sinner when he first comes to know Jesus Christ can only be compared to the light that Christ called forth on Day One of the creation week. We met this God of glory spiritually when we first beheld in our hearts the face of Jesus Christ.

But the face of Jesus Christ was not always deemed so glorious. We read of a time when ungodly men "did . . . spit in his face" (Matthew 26:67), then took a blindfold "to cover his face" (Mark 14:65), and finally, with a rain of terrible blows "struck him on the face" (Luke 22:64). Once His "countenance [was] as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars" (Song of Solomon 5:15), but when they finished their assault, "his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men" (Isaiah 52:14).

"The face of the Lord is against them that do evil" (1 Peter 3:12), however, and the time is coming very soon when all those who have turned their faces from Him will call "to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb" (Revelation 6:16). When finally they will have seen the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ in all its consuming strength, not even the world itself could stand, "from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away" (Revelation 20:11).

For those who have looked on Him in faith, however, this will not be a time of judgment, but blessing, for "they shall see his face" (Revelation 22:4). The face of Jesus Christ, fierce as devouring fire to those He must judge, is glorious in beauty and love to those who believe.   HMM

Have you looked upon Him in faith? 

The time is sooo short.!.

Kjos Ministries reminds us:

'America has been blessed with unusual freedom for more than two centuries. But now -- as multitudes reject God's Word, justify immorality, laugh at evil, and embrace depravity -- the protective walls of justice and integrity are fast eroding. In their place, we see a rising tower of global tyranny.

Americans are no longer safe from the persecution that has tested the faith of Christians through the centuries. In fact, God warns us that the global battle against Biblical Truth will surely intensify. While we don't know His timing, He tells us to be alert -- always ready to follow His way, trust His grace, and demonstrate His strength -- no matter how fierce the foe.'

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:12-18

Joel Osteen, pastor of the largest church in America, tells us to have our best life now, but not of our need to repent and be transformed into the image of our LORD nor that homosexuality is a sin against a Holy God.  Rob Bell of Mars Hill "Bible' Church, Grandville, Michigan [home to between 8 and 10 thousand] tells us not to worry that everybody goes to heaven, when The Word of God expressly teaches otherwise. Televangelist Kenneth Copeland says we are all gods, claiming, Jesus told him: "Don't be disturbed when people accuse you of thinking you are God ... They crucified Me for claiming I was God. I didn't claim that I was God; I just claimed that I walked with Him and that He was in Me. Hallelujah! That's what you're doing..."

and Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill, Seattle, gives us, in glowing detail, the dreams he 'claims' come from the Holy Spirit, dreams of sexual molestation of children and other sexual behaviour I won't mention ~ dreams clearly from the pit of hell delivered by demonic hordes that surround those who are deceived yet have a form of godliness but deny the power - from these The Word tells us to turn away.

While some churches struggle to pay their light bills and make payroll with only a hand full of congregants - others seemingly grow larger day by day gathering around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear ~ as their audience expands via the Internet and best sellers such as Love Wins and One Thousand Gifts.

Dr. Walter Martin, in the early 1980's warned that it would be Christian broadcasters not just the secular world that would censor the true Christian message, not wanting truth to be proclaimed that would rock the boat or cause them to lose donors. He warns that some of our greatest opposition is going to come from within the church as Christians and Christian broadcasters compromise the truth for popularity.

The answer, once again, found in scripture:

'They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.' 1 John 4

We should not expect large crowds to gather where Truth is taught. The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. There are exceptions, of course, but these are the exception and not the norm. We are living in times where it will become more difficult as we trudge through the tares of the world to find a stalk of wheat.

'But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful'  May songs of joy and victory be sung in the camp of the godly.

For the strong right arm of the LORD has done [and will continue to do]    glorious things!' [Praises found throughout the Book of Praise-Psalms]


Hold on to the truth, stand tall and see the Salvation of our LORD:

'He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.' Luke 1

'God has a plan, depend upon it:

it were an insult to the Supreme Intellect if we supposed that He worked at random, without plan or method. To some of us it is a truth which we never doubt, that God has one boundless purpose which embraces all things, both things which He permits and things which He ordains.

Without for a moment denying the freedom of the human will, we still believe that the Supreme Wisdom foresees also the curious twistings of human will, and overrules all for His own ends.'    Charles H. Spurgeon

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future..."
Jeremiah 29:11

"... we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19

Thomas Macauley, a British Parliamentarian, wrote these sobering words about the United States in 1857:

“Your Republic will be as fearfully plundered and laid waste by barbarians in the 20th century as the Roman Empire was in the 5th century, with this difference-the Huns and Vandals who ravaged the Roman Empire came from without, and your Huns and Vandals will have been engendered within your own country."

Robert Bork, in his book Slouching Towards Gomorrah, says,

“American culture is complex and resilient. But it is also not to be denied that there are many aspects of almost every branch of our culture that are worse than ever before and the rot is spreading.”

The homosexual movement continues to propel its agenda forward, tragically affirming America’s deepening slide into the death spiral of judgment described in Romans 1:24-31. Abortion on demand is the law of the land -slaughtering millions of children, gay pride day parades are common place,  same-sex marriage has become legal in many states - with more considering similar legislation, the ordination of openly homosexual men and women in the church is "tolerated."

The domino's continue to fall.

Tragically, we are witnessing the decay and erosion of America today both  morally and economically. We must heed the warning of Thomas Jefferson:

“A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have.”

"...when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:21

"I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!" Revelation 6

Thanks to Sola Sisters for posting the following by John MacArthur:

''The danger of hell is certainly real, and any preacher - especially when trying to reach the unsaved - is not true to the gospel if he avoids this truth. Because it is true, and because it is so terribly important, it MUST be preached and taught. Avoiding it is not only being unfaithful to God's Word but also being unfaithful to the needs of the unsaved. To cry 'Fire!' in a crowded building where there is no fire is not only against the law but extremely cruel and dangerous. But NOT to cry 'Fire!' when a building IS in flames is even more cruel and dangerous. Done in the right spirit and way, warning unbelievers of the dangers of hell is one of the greatest kindnesses we can show them."

This post was confirmation of what I have been thinking for sometime.

As I study The Revelation - I am struck by the parallel of current events - wars and violence, drought and famine, earthquakes -- with those events that happen when the great scroll is opened and the Four Horsemen ride. Perhaps what we are experiencing now is a harbinger, a very small fore-taste of things to come for those who have not chosen to follow our LORD.

As John MacArthur says:  "Done in the right spirit and way, warning unbelievers of the dangers of hell is one of the greatest kindnesses we can show them."

This, I believe is exactly what our loving God is doing before the Horsemen are released by the hand of our Loving Saviour who then becomes our Righteous Judge.

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Luke 22:31-32

Everywhere I turn lately I am seeing brothers and sisters in faith undergoing intense trials in many areas of their lives. Of course we know that the christian life consists of manifold trials, for as the book of Acts tells us, "through many tribulations shall we enter into the Kingdom of heaven."

But recently it seems to me that for those around me, the trials are of a particular intensity and seem to be focused upon the tearing apart of families and the putting to the proof of the faith of children who have been raised in highly conscientious christian homes.

I have asked the Father in heaven for wisdom and I believe He reminded me of this scripture as an answer. What we are experiencing is the end times sifting of the faith of our families, especially our children.

Jesus told us that this pressure upon families would be one of the evils to endure as a consequence of the last days before He returns,

"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, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God..." 2 Timothy 3:1-4

Time and again I have been hearing from heart-broken parents who have given their children a christian home, education and environment, yet whose children upon coming of age, have seemingly rejected it all, repudiating their own upbringing and abandoning their faith.

These parents are stunned that seemingly devout and compliant children are defecting in various degrees from the spirituality that the family had raised them in.

What we are going through is what Peter went through, on the night Jesus was betrayed. The events leading up to and including the crucifixion, foreshadow the last days and the tribulation that we must partly endure. Satan has been allowed to sift us.

Everything that can be shaken is being shaken...

The sifting is designed to "put to the proof", or reveal to us how much of our faith is truly grain and how much of it is bran, husk , pebbles or other debris. That element must be sifted out of us, but this trial is admittedly painful and bewildering.

A good many of us who have been christians through the last twenty years and have raised children as christians, have done so almost believing that our commitment to alternative education, (Homeschooling, christian school), and discipline, (Proverbs, spanking, correction and training) would guarantee the salvation of our children.

Although such things are certainly Biblical and greatly beneficial, and can even tend toward the ultimate acceptance by our children of the grace of God revealed in Jesus the Saviour and Lord; they are certainly no substitute for Salvation.

Salvation is of the grace of God alone. Our homeschooled, highly disciplined, creation believing, counter culturally raised children , are still sinners in need of the Saviour. Unless they are born again, they are only well-behaved, highly educated, well spoken, Bible versed sinners.

There are so many ways our children, even in the best of spiritual circumstances are being appealed to by the world and seduced by the Spirit of the Age! The only true refuge from the world for our families is the Lord himself.

Simon was so sure He was ready to go down fighting for the Lord, even if all else deny Him! How 'confidence in the flesh' collapses in the time of sifting! This had to be exposed in Simon, He had to be put into a position that brought this out!

God wasn't surprised by Simon's collapse and denial, only Simon was surprised. God allowed Satan to expose Him so that He would truly turn to Jesus and be saved.

So it is with the homes and families of many of us going through serious personal tests. Children who were formerly compliant are telling off parents, willfully defying them, casting off respect, reverence, love and commitment that they might follow their own lusts.

Satan has requested it and God is allowing this sifting. But Jesus is praying for us that our faith not fail us. He wants us to know that He cares for us and our children. "I have prayed for you that your faith fail not."

"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25

Don't despair if your family is in the sifting, cling to the One who lives to intercede for us in all of our weakness! Don't forget that even the best trained children are yet sinners in need of New Birth! Jesus has allowed this exposure for their salvation.

Remember that Jesus looked ahead and told Peter "When you are converted..." Not if, but "when"! There are promises from God for our children to plead before the throne in the time of sifting, such as,

"Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children." Isaiah 49:24-25

Finally Jesus predicted that these "children of the sifting" would one day be converted and strengthen their brothers. We have often pleaded for our children,"whats it going to take?" - so why should we be surprised by what the sifting reveals?

Many will fall, many parents hearts will be broken before its over, but these children will come back stronger than ever one day, and be used to strengthen and refresh the brothers.

"And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end ..." Daniel 11:35

Pastor Bill Randles ~~ Believers in Grace

A lot has been written about Texas Governor Rick Perry's day of prayer scheduled for August 6. Its called "The Response" and it has been chiefly organized by a group of self-proclaimed apostles and prophets subscribing to a movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation. Many are also known by the moniker "Joel's Army." I'm told that American Family Association is funding the project to be held at Houston's Reliant Stadium, which seats over 60,000. The gathering appears to be ecumenical in the sense that those in attendance are united on political issues, but not necessarily theological issues. Those attending will be pro-life, pro-marriage, pro-religious freedom, and fiscal conservatives.

The controversy of the event is complex. Criticism predictably has been launched by liberals that the group is extreme because it stands against abortion, homosexuality, and has harshly criticized New Age religion--i.e., Oprah Winfrey. Conservatives aimed their criticism at the organizers because of their beliefs that they have exclusive revelation knowledge, must establish Christ's kingdom in all areas of society before He can return, do battle against spiritual principalities past and present, and make declarations and proclamations to divorce the nation from pagan Gods such as Baal. Many of these leaders claim to have experienced visitations from guiding angels and to have gotten high or drunk on the Holy Spirit.

Instead of becoming "The Response," the event is more like "The Question." One question is just how far does one agree with someone who, while their hearts are sold out to their interpretation of Jesus, are practicing religion in an extra-Biblical, perhaps heretical, way? Another question is can Christians of all ilks of theology, even theological cults, work together on what they know are Biblically driven issues, but strongly disagree on their practice of religion? Yet another question is where does one draw the line on theological statements of faith, political stances on social issues, and the actual practice of that faith in relation to the stance on those issues? The Bible is clear.

Romans 11:21 says, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." We should be able to work together overcoming evil with good. And we know what evil is according to the scriptures, especially in relationship to the issues of the day. We are repeatedly warned in the Bible, however, about spiritual adultery. In reality, Christians need to be united on the basic tenets of our faith. We must examine how we practice religion ensuring it lines up with scripture that we may be right before God. And we must not be too proud to accept the truth if we are wrong. Jesus said there would be false prophets and false Christs. He said, "Take heed that no man deceive you."

The Bible is your only plumb line. Sola Scriptura.

Bill Wilson - The Daily Jot

"... the Lord has rejected your trusted allies, and you will not prosper by them." Jeremiah 2:37

Author Charles Stanley, in his new book Turning the Tide, says that real hope and true change for the United States will come only come when we get on our knees in prayer.

America is facing a tsunami. “It’s coming,” he says.

In his book, Dr. Stanley lists 20 problems affecting the country's legacy of prosperity. The list includes high unemployment, war, natural disasters, corrupt leaders, terrorism, divorce, redefining of marriage, abortion, and single-parent families. Spiritual problems include such challenges to America's Judeo-Christian values as false prophets and toleration of immorality.

America  needs Christians to "speak up, stand up and pray as never before" if we expect serious change.

Christians, should not cast their hope and confidence in a presidential candidate, either Republican or Democratic or on a deal raising the debt ceiling and cutting spending. "Hope founded upon a human being, a man-made philosophy or any institution is always misplaced ..."

If you desire the ungodly trends in our nation to be reversed, then you must understand it will happen only if you and I and all those who strive to conform to His image, fight this battle on our knees before the Father, walking in obedience to His Word.

"The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever,  The plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...." Psalm 33:10-12