The Church of Satan worldwide has set aside time each day to pray for the demise of the Christian church, and its pastors.
Sadly, the church does not pray as fervently.!.
How much time do we spend on our knees for the leaders of our church? How many pastors, brothers or sisters in Christ have fallen into sexual immorality? How many more will? How many families in your church have been torn apart with divorce? How many more will? Do we pray and petition, or condemn and condone, excuse or worse, ignore?
Jesus not only preached and taught the people, He prayed for them and taught His disciples to do the same.
We must pray in faith without doubting. We must pray according to His will. We must come to His throne room of grace in total surrender, acknowledging our sins, seeking His forgiveness with praise and petition, in a position of dependence, knowing that apart from Him we are powerless, hopeless and doomed to fail. Our prayers do not bring about change, God does.!.
It is not about us --- it is all about Him.
“When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; His eyes examine them.” Psalm 11:3-4
What can the righteous do? We can pray.!!!.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Monday, February 24, 2014
A great message for such a day as this:
"It’s all part of God’s original design. Man and woman, created in the image of God. Instructed by God to be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth as stewards of His creation. God designed mankind to live in fellowship with Him and in loving unity with one another. His original plan would accomplish God's goal of filling the earth with the goodness of His presence through the blessing of walking in fellowship with Him. But sin changed all that. Adam and Eve were deceived by Satan to doubt God’s provision. They were convinced to live outside of God’s design, and at that moment, everything changed. Instead of seeking to walk with God, they hid from Him. Instead of encouraging one another they blamed each other for their own mistakes. And this same corruption of sin now resides in the heart of every descendant born from the seed of Adam. As Paul explains to the Romans, “There is none righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks for God. All have turned aside.” Sin brings death by separating us from what we were created to enjoy from the beginning—fellowship with God and unity with one another. Only the cross can change our hopeless condition. It is Jesus who restores what sin has destroyed. Only through faith in Him can we live according to our original design. Which includes the great commission given at the beginning of creation. The cross redeems the mission of filling the earth with the goodness of God’s presence as His Spirit now indwells the heart of every believer. Every member in the body of Christ is called to be a missionary who declares God’s redeeming love to the world! But don't overlook the power of sins deception. Our enemy continues to offer His distractions that lure us away from our original design. Like the good and pleasing apple, there is no outward sign of corruption. In fact, what we see in front of us is often good for us and our family. It can be a delight to the eyes with promises of so much good to be gained. But we must listen closely for the hint of a hiss in anything that draws us away from dependence on God or distracts from the call to be His light to the world. Just because its good, doesn't mean it's from God. He created you with a purpose and the cross has redeemed you to live according to your original design.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations..."
from the pen of Todd Cepica
"It’s all part of God’s original design. Man and woman, created in the image of God. Instructed by God to be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth as stewards of His creation. God designed mankind to live in fellowship with Him and in loving unity with one another. His original plan would accomplish God's goal of filling the earth with the goodness of His presence through the blessing of walking in fellowship with Him. But sin changed all that. Adam and Eve were deceived by Satan to doubt God’s provision. They were convinced to live outside of God’s design, and at that moment, everything changed. Instead of seeking to walk with God, they hid from Him. Instead of encouraging one another they blamed each other for their own mistakes. And this same corruption of sin now resides in the heart of every descendant born from the seed of Adam. As Paul explains to the Romans, “There is none righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks for God. All have turned aside.” Sin brings death by separating us from what we were created to enjoy from the beginning—fellowship with God and unity with one another. Only the cross can change our hopeless condition. It is Jesus who restores what sin has destroyed. Only through faith in Him can we live according to our original design. Which includes the great commission given at the beginning of creation. The cross redeems the mission of filling the earth with the goodness of God’s presence as His Spirit now indwells the heart of every believer. Every member in the body of Christ is called to be a missionary who declares God’s redeeming love to the world! But don't overlook the power of sins deception. Our enemy continues to offer His distractions that lure us away from our original design. Like the good and pleasing apple, there is no outward sign of corruption. In fact, what we see in front of us is often good for us and our family. It can be a delight to the eyes with promises of so much good to be gained. But we must listen closely for the hint of a hiss in anything that draws us away from dependence on God or distracts from the call to be His light to the world. Just because its good, doesn't mean it's from God. He created you with a purpose and the cross has redeemed you to live according to your original design.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations..."
from the pen of Todd Cepica
Thursday, February 20, 2014
"The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thessalonians 2: 9-12
Twenty years of negotiations between Israel and the Vatican over property rights of more than 100 Roman Catholic Church properties in Jerusalem, the Galilee, and the West Bank appear to be coming to a head.
The Vatican is requesting Israel relinquish sovereignty of what it terms the “Holy Basin” - which included the Western Wall, the area of the Temple Mount, the Mount of Olives, Mount Zion and a number of Christian sites. It is recommended that these be administered under a “special regime”. The Vatican also lays claim to the so-called Upper Room where Pope John Paul II held Mass during his visit to Israel in 2000.
Pope Francis - head of the Vatican, leader of the RCC has called for the Roman Catholic Church to intensify its dialogue with Islam, echoing hopes in the Muslim world for better ties with the Vatican during his reign.
"...when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:21
Twenty years of negotiations between Israel and the Vatican over property rights of more than 100 Roman Catholic Church properties in Jerusalem, the Galilee, and the West Bank appear to be coming to a head.
The Vatican is requesting Israel relinquish sovereignty of what it terms the “Holy Basin” - which included the Western Wall, the area of the Temple Mount, the Mount of Olives, Mount Zion and a number of Christian sites. It is recommended that these be administered under a “special regime”. The Vatican also lays claim to the so-called Upper Room where Pope John Paul II held Mass during his visit to Israel in 2000.
Pope Francis - head of the Vatican, leader of the RCC has called for the Roman Catholic Church to intensify its dialogue with Islam, echoing hopes in the Muslim world for better ties with the Vatican during his reign.
"...when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:21
Monday, February 17, 2014
Zac Poonen writes:
"When we study the “minor” prophets in the Old Testament, we notice certain themes recurring in many of them – the anger of God against sin, the certainty of judgment, the evils of pride and of exploitation of the poor, the love of money and the immorality found among the leaders, God using the heathen to chasten His people, the need for faith and patience if God does not answer immediately, not being deceived by external manifestations of revival, and promises to the remnant.
"When we study the “minor” prophets in the Old Testament, we notice certain themes recurring in many of them – the anger of God against sin, the certainty of judgment, the evils of pride and of exploitation of the poor, the love of money and the immorality found among the leaders, God using the heathen to chasten His people, the need for faith and patience if God does not answer immediately, not being deceived by external manifestations of revival, and promises to the remnant.
All the prophets spoke about a remnant among God’s people. They spoke about how, in a time of declension among God’s people, there would be a few who would be faithful to God.
The things written in the Old Testament have been written for our instruction (1Cor.10:11). There is a decline among Christians today just like there was a decline in Israel in the past. The two kingdoms – Israel and Judah reflect the two groups in Christendom today. Israel, with 10 tribes, symbolizes the larger group of mainline denominations. And Judah, with 2 tribes, symbolizes the smaller non-conformist assemblies, both both these groups are in decline today. In the Old Testament, Judah did not learn from Israel’s mistakes. And the non-conformist groups today have not learnt from the mistakes the mainline denominations have made – and they have made the same mistakes themselves. But ultimately, from both groups, God has chosen a remnant today.
There is spiritual decline today – both among the ritualistic groups and among the independent groups. But in the midst of all this, God has a few who have a heart for Him. They are not all found in one denomination. They are found in all the denominations – men and women who love God and are seeking to honour Him in all things. They are genuinely filled with the Holy Spirit and do not get involved in controversies. They are very careful in the use of their tongues and are very faithful with money. God is gathering such people together in these days as His remnant.
The theme of the prophets was always restoration. The remnant prepared the way for the coming of the Lord Jesus. When the Lord was born, there was a small remnant - Simeon and Anna in the temple, John the Baptist, the shepherds, and a few wise men from the east. Today also there is a remnant in Christendom who are preparing the way for the coming of the Lord.
Zephaniah first speaks about the coming day of judgment. He speaks more about “the day of the Lord” than any other prophet. There was a revival in Judah in King Josiah’s time, about 4 years before Nebuchadnezzar came and took them away as captives. But it was a superficial revival. The prophets like Zephaniah and Jeremiah saw through that and were not deceived. But most people in Israel were deceived. Many Christians today are also being deceived by so-called “revivals” and are unable to see through their hollowness and superficiality. Much of what is called “revival” today in Christendom is merely emotional excitement and psychological gimmicks imposed on a gullible public by clever, money-loving preachers. There is no revival there to holiness, or to humility, or to freedom from the love of money, or to poverty of spirit, etc. Any revival that does not lead God’s people to obey the teachings in the sermon on the mount (Mt.5 to 7) is a counterfeit. Don’t be deceived by what is called “revival” today!"
Most of what we see today is not revival. There will be no revival without repentance - and much to our shame, I see no sign of repentance in American churches today.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
In 1934 Jews were forced to choose loyalty either to Nazi-Germany or the God of Israel. If they wanted to remain in Europe they had to renounce the Jewish faith and be assimilated into the Nazi-regime. Not unlike Christians in the twenty-first century. Each one who is called by His Name must choose - we must choose to proclaim the gospel to a lost and dying world. We must choose to stand against sin as defined in scripture. We must choose to speak up against laws that are against God’ Word. We must choose to be politically incorrect in the work place, in our homes and neighborhoods as we take our stand as followers of Christ. We too must choose.
When the Jews did not obey the brown shirts and their leader Adolf Hitler, German authorities began seeking a “final solution” to the Jewish problem. Adolf Hitler is dead, along with the brown shirts and Gestapo - yet this anti-christ spirit lives on in America today. By perpetuating the myth of the so-called “separation of church and state,” radical anti-Christian groups have been able to persuade public officials to silence religious expression. In a growing number of cases, government officials are seeking to revoke church tax exemptions…seize their land…stop their community outreach ministries…deny them equal access to public buildings…and restraining pastors from preaching biblical Truth as it relates to “political” issues and candidates.
As Saeed Abedini, a Christian convent, a naturalized citizen of the United States is being held in an Iranian prison, convicted of threatening national security due to his Christian beliefs, the American government remains silent.
Will we see Christians in America persecuted for their faith?
We already are.!.
“No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light." Luke 8:16
When the Jews did not obey the brown shirts and their leader Adolf Hitler, German authorities began seeking a “final solution” to the Jewish problem. Adolf Hitler is dead, along with the brown shirts and Gestapo - yet this anti-christ spirit lives on in America today. By perpetuating the myth of the so-called “separation of church and state,” radical anti-Christian groups have been able to persuade public officials to silence religious expression. In a growing number of cases, government officials are seeking to revoke church tax exemptions…seize their land…stop their community outreach ministries…deny them equal access to public buildings…and restraining pastors from preaching biblical Truth as it relates to “political” issues and candidates.
As Saeed Abedini, a Christian convent, a naturalized citizen of the United States is being held in an Iranian prison, convicted of threatening national security due to his Christian beliefs, the American government remains silent.
Will we see Christians in America persecuted for their faith?
We already are.!.
“No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light." Luke 8:16
Monday, February 10, 2014
“Andrew Bonar was just one of many Scottish ministers used of God during the Kilsyth Revival of 1839-1840.
“I have learned by experience that it is not much labor but much prayerthat is the only means to success.”
Mr. Bonar was able to accomplish much with men in public because he spent much time with Jesus Christ in private. The daily entries of Bonar's diary testify of this fact. He wrote on January 3rd, 1856, "I have been endeavoring to keep up prayer at this season every hour of the day, stopping my occupation, whatever it is, to pray a little. I seek to keep my soul within the shadow of the throne of grace and Him that sits thereon." Sabbath, March 8th - "I feel afraid of myself on the ground that I am less prayerful than I used to be, although often more helped in preaching then ever . . ." Wednesday, 24th, "Oh my God, never let me walk even in the green pastures, without thee! I feel glad to live as a pilgrim and stranger, and more, far more than before, I seek by prayer and strong crying in secret to see God glorified in the salvation of souls."
In a letter to a close friend Andrew Bonar wrote, "Oh brother pray; in spite of Satan, pray; spend hours in prayer, rather neglect friends than not pray, rather fast, and lose breakfast, dinner, supper and sleep too - than not pray. And we must not talk about prayer - we must pray in right earnest. The Lord is near. He comes softly while the virgins slumber."
Pray that God will raise up men and women of prayer. Pray there would be more like Bonar’ rather than Beyounce or Bon Jovi ~
Andrew Bonar was a man who was intimately acquainted with Jesus Christ. As a result he saw what Jesus saw and therefore cared, wept and prayed like Jesus. Far too often our own eyes are dry because our eyes are blind to the needs around us. Many of us have become blinded by the temporal, till we can no longer see the eternal reality of the holiness of heaven and horrors of hell. Lord draw us back to the prayer closet where blind eyes see and hardened hearts are broken.
Lord, have mercy and bring us to brokenness!”
Written by David Smithers
“I have learned by experience that it is not much labor but much prayerthat is the only means to success.”
Mr. Bonar was able to accomplish much with men in public because he spent much time with Jesus Christ in private. The daily entries of Bonar's diary testify of this fact. He wrote on January 3rd, 1856, "I have been endeavoring to keep up prayer at this season every hour of the day, stopping my occupation, whatever it is, to pray a little. I seek to keep my soul within the shadow of the throne of grace and Him that sits thereon." Sabbath, March 8th - "I feel afraid of myself on the ground that I am less prayerful than I used to be, although often more helped in preaching then ever . . ." Wednesday, 24th, "Oh my God, never let me walk even in the green pastures, without thee! I feel glad to live as a pilgrim and stranger, and more, far more than before, I seek by prayer and strong crying in secret to see God glorified in the salvation of souls."
In a letter to a close friend Andrew Bonar wrote, "Oh brother pray; in spite of Satan, pray; spend hours in prayer, rather neglect friends than not pray, rather fast, and lose breakfast, dinner, supper and sleep too - than not pray. And we must not talk about prayer - we must pray in right earnest. The Lord is near. He comes softly while the virgins slumber."
Pray that God will raise up men and women of prayer. Pray there would be more like Bonar’ rather than Beyounce or Bon Jovi ~
Andrew Bonar was a man who was intimately acquainted with Jesus Christ. As a result he saw what Jesus saw and therefore cared, wept and prayed like Jesus. Far too often our own eyes are dry because our eyes are blind to the needs around us. Many of us have become blinded by the temporal, till we can no longer see the eternal reality of the holiness of heaven and horrors of hell. Lord draw us back to the prayer closet where blind eyes see and hardened hearts are broken.
Lord, have mercy and bring us to brokenness!”
Written by David Smithers
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Find it interesting that "Christians" have time for basketball and soccer practice, working late or going out to dinner with friends - but not for bible reading. Interesting also there is time for boy scout and PTA meetings - but no time for prayer meetings.
A “Christian” friend, from the church we attended before moving across the state, was sending prayer requests from the church via email - a wonderful way to share prayer needs within his local body as well as those not a part of that body of believers, yet strong prayer warriors nonetheless. Perhaps he found it too unimportant, too time consuming or perhaps too uninteresting, but for whatever reason about a week ago he sent an email asking for someone to take over the responsibility. After about a week a nice lady in the church volunteered to take it over. She works full time, often traveling with her job, takes care of her aging in-laws who live with her and her husband, heads the children’s ministry at the church and plays in the band. Whew!!
Since that time he has sent out two emails to those of us who were receiving the prayer request. The first, a very long blog post from a blog he has started, a day or two later another email arrived, this one - a photo of a dog and cat with an invitation to join him either on Face book or Twitter - can‘t remember which as I chose to do neither.
Perhaps I am too knit picky, too critical, too insensitive or too judgmental. Or perhaps this man needs our prayers that the Holy Spirit will direct him to help establish more biblically sound priorities.
I’m open to correction.
A “Christian” friend, from the church we attended before moving across the state, was sending prayer requests from the church via email - a wonderful way to share prayer needs within his local body as well as those not a part of that body of believers, yet strong prayer warriors nonetheless. Perhaps he found it too unimportant, too time consuming or perhaps too uninteresting, but for whatever reason about a week ago he sent an email asking for someone to take over the responsibility. After about a week a nice lady in the church volunteered to take it over. She works full time, often traveling with her job, takes care of her aging in-laws who live with her and her husband, heads the children’s ministry at the church and plays in the band. Whew!!
Since that time he has sent out two emails to those of us who were receiving the prayer request. The first, a very long blog post from a blog he has started, a day or two later another email arrived, this one - a photo of a dog and cat with an invitation to join him either on Face book or Twitter - can‘t remember which as I chose to do neither.
Perhaps I am too knit picky, too critical, too insensitive or too judgmental. Or perhaps this man needs our prayers that the Holy Spirit will direct him to help establish more biblically sound priorities.
I’m open to correction.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Lewd movements and scantily dressed performers prancing around the stage of the Staples Center in Los Angeles. With Satan and his minions being glamorized as millions watched - the 2014 Grammy’ came to an end.
As the 2014 Academy Awards approach we can take our pick of “winners” from such heartwarming films such as “Her” and movie theme songs such as “Same Love,” “Locked out of Heaven” ~ and the beautiful Christian song “Alone Yet Not Alone” from the film of the same name, nominated for an award has now been removed from the nominations. The Academy rescinded the best original song nomination from the film of the same name over accusations of improper campaigning.
The Academy was looking for any excuse after the huge backlash to the nomination. The fact that this little no-name “Christian” film was nominated over some of the major writers, producers and talent in Hollywood just rubbed the Hollywood elite the wrong way.
The Academy was looking for a way out and it appears they found it.
Are Christians to blame for a Godless entertainment industry? Is the degradation, satanic influence and filth associated with Hollywood a result of the Christian community hiding itself from the secular community with an attitude “we don’t want to associate with that?”
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14
As the 2014 Academy Awards approach we can take our pick of “winners” from such heartwarming films such as “Her” and movie theme songs such as “Same Love,” “Locked out of Heaven” ~ and the beautiful Christian song “Alone Yet Not Alone” from the film of the same name, nominated for an award has now been removed from the nominations. The Academy rescinded the best original song nomination from the film of the same name over accusations of improper campaigning.
The Academy was looking for any excuse after the huge backlash to the nomination. The fact that this little no-name “Christian” film was nominated over some of the major writers, producers and talent in Hollywood just rubbed the Hollywood elite the wrong way.
The Academy was looking for a way out and it appears they found it.
Are Christians to blame for a Godless entertainment industry? Is the degradation, satanic influence and filth associated with Hollywood a result of the Christian community hiding itself from the secular community with an attitude “we don’t want to associate with that?”
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14
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