tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670197009232169602024-03-17T22:00:40.010-05:00Salvation And SurvivalA Modern Woman's Perspective On The Kingdom of God On EarthPam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.comBlogger2549125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-23950652848724806412024-03-17T05:30:00.039-05:002024-03-17T05:30:00.139-05:00God Is Not Through With Israel! Warning To Those Who Interfere With His Plan<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8CGbIgwZwfFQHg9lsQSywZowaFrnJQIieIM_B1cQnOwFDq1h-MWEL9Itiz_FvwHpZV5A5xCPwo93UF-eWPFC8ONLhBzVmNIAmW9WVZejgz4GjMtSbHePsh8gHAtgUdZ-d3KF0g_Ar_E9BCEMBmJdHrGGmedosMqC1X1sFVEJP-G9bgJhXuKbQp9mWemc/s610/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="610" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8CGbIgwZwfFQHg9lsQSywZowaFrnJQIieIM_B1cQnOwFDq1h-MWEL9Itiz_FvwHpZV5A5xCPwo93UF-eWPFC8ONLhBzVmNIAmW9WVZejgz4GjMtSbHePsh8gHAtgUdZ-d3KF0g_Ar_E9BCEMBmJdHrGGmedosMqC1X1sFVEJP-G9bgJhXuKbQp9mWemc/w640-h300/a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the most defining experiences of my faith was when I discovered Romans, Chapter 11. It began 16 years ago, and has proven to be a thoroughly captivating effort to know my God at a deeper level -- both from an intellectual standpoint, but more importantly, at a heart level. Sadly, this journey did not come about because my church pointed me to it; nor any church I have attended since. This was a singular exploration ignited by a Christian friend who suggested that I might want to read this chapter if I was seeking to know more about God. </span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And as we grow ever closer to cataclysmic events in the world that threaten to destroy the nations, Romans 11 is so crucial to understanding God's heart for His people, and how He will respond to us, depending on if we can see and understand the significance of this revealing chapter in these days and the days to come. Therefore it frustrates me immensely to realize that the majority of the Body of Christ do <i>not</i> perceive its relevance. Furthermore, it saddens me to witness the failure of institutionalized Religion to teach the faithful the truth of this foundational directive. It will have consequences for all mankind!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As we watch the delicate balance of the world's governments lean towards war and destruction, and as we particularly observe the increasing tension between our country and Israel, I want to share what Romans 11 cautions us about God's plan for Israel, and how it affects us; primarily as Christians, and secondly, as a nation. So, let's dive in!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Western Church has done a good job of relating how God has blinded the Jews for rejecting Jesus as the Messiah. But there's a whole history that precedes that event, and one that has continued after the Lord's crucifixion for daring to claim that He was the Son of God, who could forgive mankind's sins and rebellion. The Church has been so hyper-focused on the state of the Jew's unbelief that it has even created its own religious theory called Replacement Theology, which claims that "The Church" has replaced Israel as God's chosen people! That is a heretical charge that will only lead to dire repercussions for those who act on it. And it's one more reason why it's important for you to read and understand Romans 11, which completely debunks this theory.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">From the first verse in the chapter, the Apostle Paul confronts the very question of Israel's standing with God. I love the Amplified version: "I say then, has God rejected and disowned His people"? Paul's answer: CERTAINLY NOT! And he speaks as an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin; as one who originally agreed with rejecting Jesus. He was known as a persecutor of the people of "The Way" [who were followers of Jesus who believed in His divinity]. He makes it very clear that God <i><u>has known</u> </i>and specifically <u style="font-style: italic;">chosen</u> Israel for His purpose. And then Paul relates the story of the prophet Elijah [whom God called to minister to Israel] and who pleads with God <i>against </i>Israel for their disobedience -- for </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">tearing down God's altars and killing all the prophets, until only Elijah is left.</span><i style="font-family: georgia;"> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Paul then asks the question of the reader, "But what is God's response to him [Elijah]"? The answer? Among the disobedient, unfaithful, and rebellious Israelites, God has kept for Himself a remnant; a small believing minority <u>according to His choice</u>. Paul points out that Israel failed to obtain God's favor by obeying the Law, instead of His favor through belief in Jesus as the Messiah. But we see God's plan in the fact that there were a chosen few who <i>did</i> receive His favor. The rest became hardened and callously indifferent. Sadly, it continues until today. But lest you believe that this blindness is the ultimate fate of Israel forever, Paul continues his reasoning... has Israel stumbled [in order] to experience eternal spiritual ruin? Again, Paul answers his own question: CERTAINLY NOT! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And here is where Paul reveals God's Divine Plan for mankind .... Because of Israel's rejection of Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, Christ's sacrifice has brought the opportunity to receive the gift of Salvation to the Gentiles [who were the unbelieving pagan peoples] in order to make His chosen people, Israel, realize what they forfeited, and hopefully jealous enough to seek Salvation for themselves. Then Paul puts forth a proposition for us all to consider: If Israel's rebellion and rejection of Jesus has brought <u>us</u> the richness of Salvation and a relationship with God ... how much more will we receive when <u>their</u> fulfillment and reinstatement takes place!! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Paul, in a masterful stroke of debate, then addresses the Gentiles [us]. He confirms the thought that since He perceives God's plan for the ultimate fulfillment of Israel, and is bringing the Good News of Salvation to the Gentiles, he is actually increasing his ministry to his fellow Jews. He can speak to them as a Jew, revealing God's reasons for their hardening and hopefully, stirring them up so they will seek God's truth, and thereby see some of them [a remnant] saved. And he points out that "If the first portion of dough [offered as the first fruits of the harvest of souls] is declared holy, so is the whole batch. And if the root (Abraham and the patriarchs) are declared holy, so are the branches (the Israelites). We must remember that the first Believers in the Body of Christ [Christians, if you will] were Jewish -- that includes all the disciples and most of the authors of the Bible. So, if the conversion of these Jews [the first portion of the dough] was holy and good, then the whole batch will also be holy and good, <i>when the complete harvest is brought in</i>. And it is the complete harvest at the end of the age that we are awaiting!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Romans 11 then addresses the familiar passage about broken off branches and wild olive shoots, and the merging of the two through grafting. I have heard so many different explanations for what this passage means, but at its heart, it's really very simple. It reveals the entire olive tree as a picture of the people of God. The "Branches" are the Jews; the "wild olive shoot" represents the Christian Gentiles; the "nourishing root" is made up of the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), who were the ancestors of the Israelites, called by God. We need to understand that our grafting in was by the sovereign will of God; it was not a natural occurrence to graft in a wild shoot to a natural branch. That would only result in an unfruitful harvest. But this grafting was by Divine Providence; not by anything we did to deserve it. In fact, Paul cautions the Gentile Believers, "Do not boast over the [broken] branches and exalt yourself at their expense... remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root that supports you".</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This is where the modern-day Church has often missed the boat. The Christians who believe in Replacement Theology feel that Christianity and Christians are superior to Israel in God's eyes. Not true! We must understand that they were <u>temporarily</u> broken off because of their <i>unbelief, </i>and we were grafted in because of our <i>faith</i>. It is only by God's grace and kindness that we now enjoy His favor because we have believed in the truth of Christ's deity and sacrifice. We must see and understand that God did not spare the natural branches, not only because they continued trying to secure God's favor through their works of the Law, but also because of their rebellion in rejecting Jesus's deity.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">BUT, I want to take a moment to take a look at a principle that must be discussed at this juncture in the post ... Here's an addendum to the understanding of the olive tree narrative. We will only remain grafted in [and seen as God's people] if we continue in our <u>faith</u> and <u>obedience</u> to Him. Paul says, "otherwise you, too, will be cut off ". If we, as a person, or a nation, think we are secure in God's kindness and grace because we call ourselves a "Believer", or "a Christian nation", and yet we do not respect the understanding that a future remnant of Israel will once again resume their place of honor in God's plan to save the whole world, then just being Saved will not deliver us from God's judgment. It is worth repeating Paul's words again: "Appreciate the gracious kindness <i><u>and</u></i> the severity of God ... <i style="font-weight: bold;">continue in His kindness [through faith and obedience], or otherwise you, too, will be cut off". </i>I am not saying we lose our Salvation. But I am saying we are jeopardizing His protection and His deliverance from judgment. Think very seriously about that!<i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, how do you think we, as a nation, will fare with God when you consider how we are treating Israel in the present circumstances in our world? It doesn't matter whether Israel and its leaders are acting righteously -- or not; if they currently see Jesus as their Messiah yet -- or not; if they resemble the righteous remnant that God says He will always have in Israel -- or not. It matters that there <i>IS</i> a remnant that will step into their position when God wills it! We must continue to exhibit our faith and obedience, strengthening that remnant for their position in world history! That is our purpose in God's plan! <i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now, I want to return to Paul's conversation, and one that I don't believe many Christians have been taught or discern ... Paul says if the unbelieving Jews do not continue in their unbelief, they will be grafted in, <i><u>for God has the power to graft them in again</u>! </i></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> As Paul so eloquently articulates, "For if you [Gentile Christians] were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and <u>against nature</u>, were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much easier will it be to graft these who are the natural branches back into [the original parent stock of] their own olive tree"? Paul then lays out the foundation of his argument. We must not think ourselves wise enough to see the whole picture, but recognize that God [through Paul] was revealing what had before that moment in time, been hidden ... a partial hardening/blinding has [temporarily] happened to Israel [to last] until the full number of Gentiles have received Salvation. And only God knows what that number is, which is why we must continue to witness of the saving grace of Christ -- <i><b>because it is all for the sake of Israel!!</b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">You read that correctly! It will be because of us and our spreading of the Gospel that all Jews who have a personal faith in Jesus as their Messiah will call on the Name of the Lord and be Saved! Hallelujah! As hard as it may be for you to see God's plan, it is brilliant and full of mercy and love for all people! Yes, Israel and the Jews are [at the present time] enemies of God <u><i>for our sake</i></u> -- so that more may receive Salvation! But from God's standpoint they are still His chosen people and greatly loved by Him for the sake of the Fathers of our faith (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). And here is the verse that you need to grasp with all your heart and mind ... "For the gifts and the calling of God are <u>irrevocable</u>. [That means irreversible; binding; everlasting]. He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call". </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Know this! All of Israel who believes in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God will be Saved! It has always been God's plan that we understand this mystery. It has always been His plan to save the whole world through the fullness of Israel as His chosen people to carry out His plan. That fullness involves: 1) the full number who will be saved by calling on the Name of the Lord; 2) they will operate in full power from God; 3) they will operate in the full character of God; 4) they will enter into their full purpose as the world leadership who will shepherd nations to faith in Christ. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, can you understand that even though it may not look like it at the moment, God is working His plan! Israel's future is connected to His plan for the Body of Christ. And woe to those people and nations who interfere with that plan or work, hoping to destroy Israel. I am personally aware of the small remnant of Israelites and Jews who are stepping into their Divine role. I see God at work and trust that He will bring His kindness to those who support this holy remnant, and His severity to those who come against His chosen remnant. Pray that we as a people and a nation make the right choices. Now is not the time to be disobedient and ignore God's warnings. For from Him and through Him all things live and exist; and to Him all things are directed. To Him be glory and honor forever! Amen.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Jeremiah 30:24. <i>The fierce [righteous] anger of the Lord will not turn back until He has fulfilled and until He has accomplished the intent of His heart [mind]; In the latter days you will understand this.</i></b></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-72337195121703110102024-03-13T05:30:00.001-05:002024-03-13T05:30:00.140-05:00Jesus Said: "I Have Told You These Things" ... All the Reasons to Be Aware<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fN7YnqNMAO2MyGkUMldVV7wJg5uZMUcy5OZfSCyB5ApSgZhjm9-6RnYZh8jIZEF3zjv8hzh1OtWBnQ30JlwX4YDLAxrESrsfspUkzFWBOyR1JkXdNRKRIcZvjUr9uTlF4CXjcsMiQoji8wjxDuHy5WMcVIvPQLSHpJhQr6Wks105A8UjXaiDvuSs2pAH/s576/I-have-told.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="576" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fN7YnqNMAO2MyGkUMldVV7wJg5uZMUcy5OZfSCyB5ApSgZhjm9-6RnYZh8jIZEF3zjv8hzh1OtWBnQ30JlwX4YDLAxrESrsfspUkzFWBOyR1JkXdNRKRIcZvjUr9uTlF4CXjcsMiQoji8wjxDuHy5WMcVIvPQLSHpJhQr6Wks105A8UjXaiDvuSs2pAH/w640-h522/I-have-told.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Once again, it is time for me to ask, How aware are you of what is going on in the world? Do you have a Biblical worldview? How do you identify as a Christian? It's important to know the answers to each of those questions, because I believe they will determine your chances of survival in our near future. Now, before you decide I'm a fear-monger and a conspiracy theorist, I assure you that I am a devout Christian with a dynamic relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Give me a chance to explain my reasons for presenting this discussion to you.</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Consider this... Only those who choose to be blinded can ignore what is coming upon the earth. And it is hard for me to pretend that anything else is on my radar. Not only is Covid rearing its ugly head again in my community, but there is now a report that a man in New Mexico has died of Bubonic plague. The growing threat of Isis is back in Afghanistan. We see the explosion of crime and hatred across our country every night on TV. Nations are rising against nation; and the earth is being robbed of peace and stability. And that isn't even considering all the things that are happening <i>in </i>the earth, including floods, unprecedented and unusual weather events; plus volcanoes, earthquakes, and strange objects in the skies.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>NOTE: </b>The above paragraph is reminiscent of a <a href="file:///Users/markkohler/Desktop/Next%20Blog%20post/Salvation%20And%20Survival:%20Fear%20Not%20....webarchive" target="_blank">blog post I wrote in 2014</a>! Here we are ten years later, and I have to ask ... are you more or less aware than you were then? And I'm primarily talking to Christians because it is our responsibility as representatives of Heaven [here on earth] to not only defend the faith in Jesus Christ, but to expand it and spread the Good News. And what is that News? It is this: Salvation [and eternal life] is available through faith in Jesus, <i><u>but also</u></i> the Good News that entrance into His Kingdom [which He brought with Him] brings power and authority to defeat the wickedness and evil that is in the kingdom of darkness that Satan controls here on earth. We need to understand that Salvation is the first step, and there's more for us to do! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">That "doing" requires that we be aware of what we are facing! So, let me ask you another question or two ... are you the kind of Christian that just reads the Psalms that proclaim the love, mercy, grace, and victory that are part of our relationship with the Lord? Nothing wrong with that! We <i>should</i> be aware of His heart towards us, so that we can model that to others. That, too, is part of our purpose as His representatives; to help others come to their faith and salvation. But once they're saved, we need to encourage them that there is more. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I would submit to you that Matthew 23 and 24 are well-known to faithful Christians. In these important chapters at the end of the Book of Matthew, Jesus begins warning His followers of what is to come. He warns against the distortion [of His Father's will] that Religion can bring, and the judgment that will come to the <i><span style="color: red;">"self-righteous religious leaders and hypocrites, because they shut off the kingdom of heaven in front of people; for they do not enter themselves, nor do they allow those who are [in the process of] entering to do so"</span></i> (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+23%3A13&version=AMP" target="_blank">Matthew 23:13</a>). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jesus then continues delivering the remainder of His eight Woes against that generation of religious leaders for being fools and spiritually blind guides; for being prideful in their positions and not revealing the full counsel of God -- both His Mercy <i>and</i> His Judgment. At that time in history, He is lamenting over Jerusalem, who will be ransacked and left desolate; abandoned by God and destitute of His protection because the leaders of the Jewish faith have not carried out their purpose of equipping the people to walk in the <i>full knowledge </i>of God and their purpose, according to His will (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+23%3A37-39&version=AMP" target="_blank">Matthew 23:37-39</a>). <i> </i> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, just think how He must be lamenting over us! Our political leaders and our religious leaders have fallen down on their duties to us. And we have fallen in our responsibilities and duties as Christians to the Kingdom of God! Jesus very clearly tells His followers in that first century -- and us in the 21st! -- that He has a warning of "perilous times" times that will come upon the world; especially those who believe in Him. We are all familiar with <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2024&version=AMP" target="_blank">the signs of the End Times</a> in Matthew 24. And I know that there are many Christians who are suffering emotional overload with the ceaseless warnings of doomsday prophets; and many live in fear, so they just can't look at it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But as Christians we can't ignore what Jesus wants us to know. And I would like to share this quote from an article I read in the Wisconsin Christian News<i>, </i>titled <i>There's Bo Excuse For Being Clueless: </i>"Christians, especially, should never be ignorant of the devil's devices, and should always be the most informed and well-equipped of all, in order to be able to explain to others all that is really going on, along with the <i>real</i> hope we have in Christ". And here's my thoughts on this subject ... those who ignore the signs of the End Times do so at their own peril ... remember "My people perish [are destroyed] for the lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). Refusing to look at the signs or be aware of them is exactly what the devil wants you to do! And guess what? You'll never see the devil's destruction coming!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But don't take my word for how important it is to be aware and knowledgeable about what is going on in our world. Let Jesus tell you, Himself, from John, Chapter 16 ... <i><span style="color: red;">I have told you these things so that you will not stumble or be caught off guard and fall away</span></i> (John 16:1) ... <i><span style="color: red;">I have told you these things [now], so that when their time comes, you will remember that I told you about them</span></i> (John 16:4) ... <i><span style="color: red;">I have told you these things in figurative language (veiled language, proverbs); the hour is now coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, but I will tell you plainly about the Father</span></i> (John 16:25) ... <i><span style="color: red;">I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have (perfect) peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous (be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy); I have overcome the world. (My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding).</span></i> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I think it goes without saying that we are living in times that many of us are not prepared for. But we can't say that we've had no warning. Jesus clearly told those "with ears to hear and eyes to see" that these times would one day come. If you are among those who have chosen to ignore the warnings or chosen not to see because of doubt and unbelief, or fear, then I want to encourage you to revisit your Bible and receive Jesus's instructions on how we should live out these days; what to do in the face of spiritual and physical warfare; how to lead others to Him; and how to overcome our Enemy for the sake of God's Kingdom. Rest and rely on the wisdom of Jesus and the Helper He has sent us to be victorious.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jesus told His disciples in those days, <i><span style="color: red;">I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them now</span></i><span style="color: red;">.</span> I believe that time has now come ... that we <u>must</u> learn to bear it, because I believe He is now beginning to reveal to His true Remnant what is coming. We are beginning to see clearly what He foretold 2000 years ago, and we are feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will guide us into the full and complete truth of God, disclosing to us what is to come [in the future]. And I bear witness to the dreams and visions that His Remnant are experiencing and they mirror the warnings given by our Lord in Matthew 24 and John 16. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, it is time that we all come out of our slumbering ignorance, get past our fears, and prepare for what is coming. I can tell you that hiding out in Religion is not going to spare you from what Jesus told you is going to happen in the world. Jesus told His disciples that the time would come when they would all scatter and leave Him alone. He knew that He was going to suffer, but He declared, <i><span style="color: red;">And yet, I am not alone, because the Father is with Me</span></i>. Do you know -- <i><b>really know</b> </i>-- that holds true for us, too? Are you prepared to believe Him and all His promises?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>John 16:15 <i>All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [the Holy Spirit] will take from what is Mine and reveal it to you. </i></b></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-21878980968347999652024-03-10T05:30:00.001-05:002024-03-10T05:30:00.135-05:00What Spiritual Warfare On Behalf of the Kingdom of God Looks Like<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrF5QkmYHYXLP4DwGicSM-faqga3TnZjAfIYJfvcxrF1sishEV-_aAle7XSLryoEvESkyA3Q_oeUZqdcPwg8_8obkcfwl5GfeFz-X3ayY8wuI2F6GCWOlPu_9mOo0439hxbn4Stv8V7dtVDp36k-b-hOrUtQ87J8TSJwmDAf5mIQLBpa4mvpd_pg7j-he/s554/abc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="554" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrF5QkmYHYXLP4DwGicSM-faqga3TnZjAfIYJfvcxrF1sishEV-_aAle7XSLryoEvESkyA3Q_oeUZqdcPwg8_8obkcfwl5GfeFz-X3ayY8wuI2F6GCWOlPu_9mOo0439hxbn4Stv8V7dtVDp36k-b-hOrUtQ87J8TSJwmDAf5mIQLBpa4mvpd_pg7j-he/w640-h498/abc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In case you haven't noticed, we are in the midst of a serious and profound spiritual war. At the very heart of this concept is our understanding that there has been an eternal war between God, the Creator of the Universe and all that is in it, and His Enemy, Satan, whose pride led him to rebel against God and seek ownership of all creation. In case you doubt the reality of spiritual warfare, the evidence of this supernatural conflict can be seen in the evil and lawlessness among mankind; the present war posturing in the physical world; and everything in our midst that is counter to God's will.</span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Whenever I've brought up the subject of "spiritual warfare", I get one of several reactions. There are some Christians who react out of fear. They have been influenced by movies like <i>The Exorcist </i>or the slew of demonic films that feed our sense of being vulnerable and powerless against monsters and demons from the pit of hell. Then there are those who are at the other extreme; they refuse to recognize that spiritual warfare is real, and also unavoidable. They chalk it up to radical Christians who see a demon behind every bad thing that happens to people. Of course, there are also people [both Christian and nonbelievers] who simply do not believe in the supernatural or existence of spirits in this earthly realm.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Apostle Paul clearly states some very clear principles regarding spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-12. <i>First, it is assumed that we recognize that we are actually <u>in</u> a spiritual war -- a war waged from the spiritual realms by spiritual beings! </i>Then he points out these realities about <i>our</i> position in this war ... 1) We can find our strength [to fight and win!] in the Lord and His mighty power; 2) The Lord has given us battle armor to protect us as we fight defensively <i>and </i>offensively; 3) The enemy we fight does not look like us -- it is not of human flesh and blood, but of <i>spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms</i>. <u>Therefore, we cannot fight and defend from our human abilities. We must learn to battle with supernatural authority from God.</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I think part of our problem is that the world does not believe in or embrace either the Great Commission that our Lord and Savior gave us to thwart the schemes of the devil to claim lives for his dark kingdom, <i>or</i> in our supernatural authority to defeat him. It's easy to see those schemes that kill, steal, and destroy lives ... iniquity in the family bloodline (such as molestation and sexual abuse); addictions; disease; emotional and psychological attacks; anything that creates low self-esteem, among many others. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jesus gave us the example of what His blood would eventually buy <u>for us</u> -- the ability to overcome those schemes through our spiritual relationship with Him and the commission He made available to us. [NOTE: our commission from Christ means that we have authority to perform a task or certain duties that He instructs and commands us to do. See <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+28%3A16-20&version=AMP" target="_blank">Matthew 28:16-20</a>, and <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+16%3A14-19&version=AMP" target="_blank">Mark 16:14-19</a>, keeping in mind that this passage uses idioms that would have been known to the hearers in that time period]. Sometimes He dealt with a demon and cast it out of a person. Sometimes, He simply declared that they were healed and washed clean. Other times He spit in His hand and made mud out of the dirt and applied it to a man's eyes. All of these examples are part of the Great Commission to His followers and disciples, and are forms of spiritual warfare. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But the important thing to note is that Jesus took control over Satan's strategy to enslave that person, and set Jesus them free through the power of Heaven. That's what it can look like for us, too, when we enter His Kingdom here on earth and receive His strategies so that we can overcome Satan's. But, too often, we <u>react</u> to Satan's game plan instead of <u>taking control</u> of the situation in the power of the Lord. And our most common reaction is <i>FEAR.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But did you know that Satan actually fears <i>US </i>because he knows we were created to rule over him? Satan knows that Jesus brought the Father's Kingdom government to the earth at His First Coming. And He knows those who have entered that Kingdom domain as citizens, and the spiritual authority they have been given. Therefore, Satan is intimidated by our intimate relationship with the Creator, which is why he tries to get us to accept fear in the battle. But when we refuse to step into that spiritual place of fear, and recognize if for the trap that it is, the devil knows his defeat is imminent.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> He recognizes that we are confident in our authority as Kingdom representatives and in the Lord's power. Satan realizes we are poised for victory! As part of our battle plan, we must always cling to God's promises, surround ourselves with people of strong faith, and be encouragers by sharing our testimonies of how the Lord has led us to triumph over the enemy. Remembering our history of victories in the Lord encourages us, too, and is a great practice to get into!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And it is important to come to the realization that God is never going to put us in a situation or send us into a spiritual battle that is above our level of obedience. He will not subject us to something over our heads, causing us to turn from our commission. He <i>wants</i> to see us win! If we are committed to fighting a battle for the Kingdom of God, in the center of His will and out of righteous obedience, then He will equip us to win. It's when we step outside that safe place of His will, that we receive self-inflicted war wounds. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, I just want to reiterate how important it is for the Body of Christ to not only be aware of the spiritual war that is waging all around us, but to get into battle mode -- be obedient to the instructions and will of the Lord; and be ready to fight both offensively and defensively, as He leads you. Be so confident in your victory, and the ability of your armor to protect you, that the Enemy cowers in fear of <i>you, </i>knowing you will not only recognize his strategies, but have the power of the Lord behind you to defeat him ... the power of His blood that bought your salvation; the Lord's righteousness as your breastplate; God's Truth as your belt; the readiness to always spread the Gospel of Peace as your shoes; your faith [and God's faithfulness to you] as your shield; and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I want to leave you with the wise words of Pastor Bill Johnson on this subject of spiritual warfare: <i>We were born in a war. There are no time-outs, no vacations, no leaves of absence. The safest place is in the center of God's will, which is in a place of deep intimacy. There He allows only the battles to come our way that we are equipped to win. Not only is this the safest place, it is the most joyful place for each believer. Outside of intimacy, we are likely to miss the greatest event on earth ... the finale and climax of His Kingdom on earth! </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Remember: we were born for a time such as this. All the mayhem and chaos we see in the world is not going to go away, "if we just try to get along". But we need not fear! We have the resources of Heaven that have been made available to us to ensure our victory, on earth and in the spiritual realms. Christ's blood covers us in the present spiritual war, and those to come! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>2 Thessalonians 3:3 <i>But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you [setting you on a firm foundation] and will protect and guard you from the evil one.</i></b></span></p><p><br /></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-4545315184949297162024-03-06T05:30:00.003-06:002024-03-06T15:33:54.107-06:00The Body of Christ Needs a Damascus Encounter<p> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Before I embark on today's blog topic, I just want to comment on the landmark and unanimous Supreme Court decision that allows Donald Trump to remain on the ballot in Colorado, and which will pave the way for his victory in other states who seek to bar him from their state ballots. Make no mistake ... this is not a partisan article supporting Trump. But it is a moment of applause for the 9 Justices who stayed steadfast in their commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law. As I stated in my previous post, "If there are no righteous judges, there is no rule of law, and no nation". For the time being, at least, our Constitution remains the bedrock foundation of our national stability through adherence to our laws. I do not expect that this victory will go unchallenged, so I adjure you all to pray, thanking God for preserving our legal system and asking Him to hold the line against unrighteous forces seeking to destroy our country. And let us continue to do our part in retaining our liberties.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuxGOfaoK0f4ODLblbfVbtXGzUoFoO4Q1wQuH_prpSCUZQkNHBdOoW9h39elvkVG4iaRZd0sRzfJdoJn5-VcK6pm4Ulsr6Uje6iF6qqlVIiCRbfWBnGq7iqDAr-BFyAhMP67orNyYErKaN4QB1yYiOgLgfSVDHNOGHQbLk_aur6q6p5ubtVIIgit-h4dM/s762/Damascus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="762" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuxGOfaoK0f4ODLblbfVbtXGzUoFoO4Q1wQuH_prpSCUZQkNHBdOoW9h39elvkVG4iaRZd0sRzfJdoJn5-VcK6pm4Ulsr6Uje6iF6qqlVIiCRbfWBnGq7iqDAr-BFyAhMP67orNyYErKaN4QB1yYiOgLgfSVDHNOGHQbLk_aur6q6p5ubtVIIgit-h4dM/w448-h392/Damascus.jpg" width="448" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As I've continued in my Bible study on the Book of Romans, I am in awe of how Paul is able to appeal to both Jew and Gentile alike that God is the God of all people; that His righteousness and justification is available to all; and those who confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord, and who believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. And I am equally in awe of the instruction that He must have received from the Risen Christ to become an Apostle to the Gentiles. If you will recall, Paul [as Saul] was a persecutor of Christians, and extremely zealous for the traditions and religion of his Jewish ancestors, many of which were established during the Babylonian exile of the Jewish people. </div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I will confess that I am no scholar of the Jewish religion, but it is my rudimentary understanding that because the Temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar during the Siege of Jerusalem in 587 BC, the Jews who were transported to Babylon no longer had their ancient scrolls and Temple documents by which to follow the teachings of their faith. So over the period of their exile, their religion was "reformed" by elements of the Babylonian and Persian belief systems; including the beliefs in the ideas of angels and demons; a figure that would become known as "Satan"; and the idea of judgment at the end of one's life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Additionally, new "laws" were added to God's statutes and commandments in Torah, resulting in a much-expanded [and bloated, restrictive] set of religious regulations. The language of Judaism was different as well, with the people of the exile now speaking Aramaic as well as their native Hebrew. And this period in Jewish history is also where the beginning of what came to be known as "Jewish mysticism" began to take root among the community of believers. This oral tradition, which would eventually become known as Kaballah, claimed to have secret knowledge of the <i>unwritten </i>Torah, as communicated by God to Moses and Adam. This mystical approach to God grew religious dimensions down through the centuries and still exits today. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, I can only imagine that the encounter Paul had with Jesus on that road to Damascus, as well as the additional three years of instruction, rocked his world and greatly altered his "religious" mindset (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+1%3A11-18&version=AMP" target="_blank">see Galations 1:11-18</a>). His pride in his "Jewishness" must have been shattered as he realized how easy it was for men and circumstances to corrupt the purpose of God and His plan for His followers. What Paul thought was his witness of righteousness was, instead, offensive to God -- that instead of fortifying God's "true faith", he was destroying it!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Can any different assumption be said about us? Are we distorting the Gospel of Christ as well? Have we let men -- both those who claim to be spokesmen from God, and those who defiantly oppose Him -- convince us that the revelations of Christ need to be reformed? It almost seems to me that the true revelation of Christ in His Word is now declared to be the perversion; that's how far we have wandered! And the more I seek His voice and His Truth, the more I am ridiculed and doubted for adopting wrong teaching. Believe me, I do not claim that others should agree with me; only that they have a heart to seek His righteous and true revelation. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And regarding that thought, I will steadfastly assert He still desires to meet with us and set our thinking and false religion aright. Oh, how I wish the Body of Christ would make themselves available to the supernatural nature of Jesus! The limitations we have put on Him, while giving ourselves permission to redefine Him, are only going to restrict our ability to walk in the identity, power, and authority He died to give us -- the very power and authority that we are going to need to walk in our righteous identities as overcomers and victors, preserving mankind against the powers of Evil that are poised to crush us. The Body of Christ doesn't need more religion! We need a Damascus encounter to escalate the Kingdom in every life! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Galatians 1:11-12 <i>For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a </i></b></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>revelation of Jesus Christ. </b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></i></span></p><p><br /></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-22899680299922066412024-03-02T05:30:00.002-06:002024-03-02T14:51:06.975-06:00No Righteous Judges = No Rule of Law = No Nation <p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEvE0T-nZP3GFjpdPcMqwcaM9n4KCoTaqwWRUhQCBhYCGSvYYt8haTCrfQ5YRWDit4wg4NhNqZL34t7mqxuh-Deo6fUMY0DQjvjEkkZL8aWPzg-M7GyVR-h9rfaU9qXaSDX9oDzf9b6sm1ME0w7ImTJqvTHQ05WWn7sLXekqQUmete12HttpLUFRslioi/s1078/Supreme%20Court.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="1078" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEvE0T-nZP3GFjpdPcMqwcaM9n4KCoTaqwWRUhQCBhYCGSvYYt8haTCrfQ5YRWDit4wg4NhNqZL34t7mqxuh-Deo6fUMY0DQjvjEkkZL8aWPzg-M7GyVR-h9rfaU9qXaSDX9oDzf9b6sm1ME0w7ImTJqvTHQ05WWn7sLXekqQUmete12HttpLUFRslioi/w640-h434/Supreme%20Court.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Today's headlines are full of impending court cases that are unquestionably going to affect our nation; everything from personal freedoms, to the right to life, to the next presidential election. It should go without saying that our judicial system was designed to protect us from lawlessness and provide a system of restraint and control against the unrighteous acts of ungodly men.</span></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Notice that I used the term "unrighteous" acts. It is imperative to understand that the origin of our judicial system in this country comes from the Bible. [Just one more reason why I continually write that it is important to have a Biblical worldview, so that we have a baseline by which to develop our standard of laws, morality, and faith]. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Do you know where God first shows us His model for a judicial system in the Bible? Take a look at Exodus 18. Moses has led the Israelites from their captivity in Egypt and finds himself overwhelmed with maintaining security, law and order, plus tranquility among the people, which numbered at least 600,000 men! Enter his father-in-law, Jethro, who notices the strain and pressure upon Moses, who is one man trying to hold it all together, settling all the disputes of this mass of people. Moses tells Jethro, <i>"I make them know the statutes of God and His laws"</i>. Jethro responds, <i>"What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. <b>Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens</b>. And let them judge the people at all times.... if you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace".</i> (Exodus 18:13-23) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The long and short of this judicial system among the Israelites is that it must be occupied by <i><b>righteous</b></i> men! And we need to understand what that term means to God, who instituted this system by which men could rule among themselves. Here's the definition of righteousness that I adhere to: it is God's standard of purity; the perfect consistency between His nature and His actions. God is Holy, therefore He cannot tolerate sin, and His Righteousness demands Judgment. Only through Jesus can we obtain righteousness that is acceptable to God. Righteousness is Jesus's purity that God sees in us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now let's apply this definition and the historical context from the Bible to today's Justice System in our country. Moses chose men [from among the people] who were able to govern and judge in righteousness. And when they judged in righteousness, it strengthened the nation of Israel, providing a foundation that led to prosperity and good will among all the people. So, I want to posit this question: How do our judges measure up to that standard? How many of our judges hold their offices with the goal of upholding God's statutes and His righteous laws? How many of them fear God? How many are trustworthy and hate a bribe? How many receive their office as a political payoff? If our Judges are not righteous according to God's definition, then there will be no righteous Rule of Law, and chaos and evil will abound. There will be no peace in the land, and crime will run rampant. And when there is no righteous Rule of Law, then a nation will not survive. If the respect for law begins to erode, or the law becomes unrighteous, then the citizens will go unchecked and sin will go unpunished. Autocracy and corruption become the standard and a free society collapses, and the nation is ripe for destruction.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But I am not writing this post to announce defeat. I believe God still wants to redeem our nation. And I see Him giving us signs of hope; clear signs that He is still in the midst of us. Let me give you a couple of examples ... <a href="https://harbingersdaily.com/alabama-supreme-court-rules-embryos-are-humans-made-in-the-image-of-god-worthy-of-protection/" target="_blank">An article</a> in <i>Harbinger's Daily, </i>reports that Alabama Supreme Court has recently ruled that frozen human embryos are defined and identified as persons. More specifically, Alabama Chief Justice Tom Parker declared the embryos to be "Extrauterine children", and they're protected by Alabama law. Contradicting the false report that in vitro fertilization treatments are now banned, it is expected that there will be forthcoming legislation that clarifies there is no ban on anything other than the willful and illegal destruction of human life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And I was extremely happy to read that Chief Justice Parker's 131 page decision contained 41 references to God, including his belief that faith and religious belief were foundational to the documents that shape and inform our nation's laws. He boldly wrote: <i>In summary, the theologically based view of the sanctity of life adopted by the People of Alabama encompasses the following: 1. God made every person in His image; 2. each person therefore has a value that far exceeds the ability of human beings to calculate; and 3. human life cannot be wrongfully destroyed without incurring the wrath of a holy God, who views the destruction of His image as an affront to Himself .... The People of Alabama have declared the public policy of this State to be that unborn human life is sacred. We believe that each human being, from the moment of conception, is made in the image of God, created by Him to reflect His likeness. It is as if the People of Alabama took what was spoken of the prophet Jeremiah and applied it to every unborn person in this state: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, Before you were born I sanctified you"</i> (Jeremiah 1:5). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Of course, critics of Alabama's Supreme Court decision are blaming Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, whose majority opinion reversed Roe v. Wade, and returned the issue of abortion laws back to the states. And now Justice Alito is back in the news for warning of ongoing efforts to exclude Christians from serving on juries due to their biblical beliefs. Those who do not hold to a Christian or Biblical belief system insist that Christians will not be able to fairly apply the law, and should be dismissed from the jury pool, effectively denying their right to fulfill their civic duty. That threatens our fundamental rights as American citizens.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Writer Ben Johnson <a href="https://harbingersdaily.com/justice-samuel-alito-case-of-christians-excluded-from-jury-duty-may-be-a-foretaste-of-things-to-come/" target="_blank">wrote about the Alito concerns</a>, further citing our Founding Fathers. "In his first inaugural address, Thomas Jefferson listed freedom of religion, freedom of the press ... and trial by juries impartially selected as part of 'the bright constellation' of 'essential functions of our government". He continued in his article, "Jefferson's predecessor and political rival, John Adams, agreed. "Representative government and trial by jury are the heart and lungs of liberty. Without them we have no other fortification against being ridden like horses, fleeced like sheep, worked like cattle and fed and clothed like swine and hounds," said Adams".</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And that, my fellow citizens, is what the beginning of a nation being destroyed from within looks like. I am so thankful that there are still righteous men and women who are safeguarding our Biblical values and our fundamental rights, both as children of God and Constitutionally-protected Americans. Our upcoming elections must result in elected officials that serve in righteousness and and biblical truths. Without that, our future as a nation is going to be highly compromised. Ancient Israel prospered or suffered, depending on the men that either ruled in righteousness or corruption and wickedness. Their judges were appointed by God, in order to lead an erring and repentant people to a restoration of a righteous relationship with Him and to victory over their enemies. What will history say about us?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Judges 10:15. <i>But the Israelites said to the LORD, "We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now".</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-81608612408479956502024-02-27T05:30:00.014-06:002024-02-27T15:39:04.778-06:00What Do You Know About the Book of Revelation?<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhSPWOHXNyWZMKir3QFm1q5LpzgrpTUl7omcOfD-h_DsXejjCYgTHQOnwNzxnXU1drKeWcTx2KMmPsnHJcU7dci-EWvjQjEvM6eEKiQQNbwNnLLIbMVLMD_7kNVzktmIAqpqtaczM9IEZJX5mQTndVE55eLhaas_Zsyyul_6m2XkOp1Q6aNz3dQFnrpET/s504/a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="504" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhSPWOHXNyWZMKir3QFm1q5LpzgrpTUl7omcOfD-h_DsXejjCYgTHQOnwNzxnXU1drKeWcTx2KMmPsnHJcU7dci-EWvjQjEvM6eEKiQQNbwNnLLIbMVLMD_7kNVzktmIAqpqtaczM9IEZJX5mQTndVE55eLhaas_Zsyyul_6m2XkOp1Q6aNz3dQFnrpET/w640-h448/a.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />I ask the question above for the simple reason that so many Christians know nothing of this important prophetical Book of the Bible. Actually, they know very little about any of the prophecies that are revealed in it! Throughout my years of Biblical study, I have often been surprised at how few Christians study this Book, and it has become obvious to me that Satan has closed the eyes, minds, and hearts of the Body of Christ to receive the revelations it contains. </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I have heard so many reasons why it is discounted. But here is a short summary of the four most prominent reasons sited by theologians: 1) The <b><u>Idealist view</u></b> believes Revelation is not to be believed as a presentation of actual events that will occur, but rather as symbolically representing the struggles that Christians will have throughout the ages; it simply presents Biblical themes. 2) The Book of Revelation is looking at events in the past. Everything it prophecies took place with the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD, and we are now living in the age of the new heaven and new earth. This is called the <b><u>Preterist view</u></b>. 3) The Book of Revelation is a symbolic presentation of the course of history from the Apostle's life through the end of the age. But this view, known as the <b><u>Historicist view</u></b>, finds that those who adopt this view usually interpret the Scripture through the lens of their own period in world history, thus resulting in lots of variations, depending on the generation in which you live. 4) Then there is the <b><u>Futurist view</u></b>, which teaches that the Book of Revelation reveals prophecies that will occur in the future. This view does not discount the symbolism or spiritual truths presented in the language of the Book, but applies a literal interpretation, based on the meaning of the language at the time of the prophecies. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And of course, on top of the various views and interpretations, the different denominations that comprise "The Church" all have their own reasons for ignoring the Book of Revelation. All this disagreement results in a divided and oftentimes hostile environment among Believers, which further separates the Body of Christ from a deeper relationship with God. And Satan is clapping his hands in delight! But, as we increasingly see the prophecies of this amazing Book of the Bible come into view, I'd like to give you just a couple of things to think about.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To begin with, the very first sentence says, <i>The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His servants the things that must soon take place. </i>If we say we believe that the Bible is truth, then we cannot ignore that this is the revelation of Jesus, Himself! Some have mistakenly seen it as the revelation of the Apostle John, as if he might possibly have dreamed it, or the prophecies are of his own making or understanding. But the Bible clearly states that Jesus sent an angel to John to record everything he was about to see, and to write it down in a book and share it with the specifically-named seven churches that Jesus commands. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This is where Christians must develop their own Biblical worldview. And that takes time and study. But if it is important to you to fully know our God [who created us] and His Son, through the Holy Spirit, you will be drawn to spend the time and seek Biblical knowledge with all your heart. But, sadly, as it too often appears, our society and culture are all about instant gratification and instant answers. We are too easily distracted by everything that swirls around us, and unfortunately, we oftentimes make God a last priority. This results in our lack of knowledge about Him, the world, and the spiritual reality of a real Enemy who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. And so we are perishing in a self-centered demise of our own making.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And because we don't know that the Book of Revelation is Jesus's prophecies to prepare us for what He knows is coming in this battle between Good and Evil, we don't think it has anything to offer us for today. Furthermore, because of our failure to engage with the Bible and seek revelation through the Holy Spirit, we're afraid we won't understand it ... so why bother. But perhaps the biggest reason Christians ignore this last Book in the Bible is because it scares us. We've heard bits and pieces from other Believers [and also false teachers and prophets] that it predicts horrific persecution and world events, and the world is scary enough right now, in this moment. Even if we stay rooted in our "normalcy bias", there is a part of us that is afraid it might reveal the end of the earth and it's just too much to bear. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But I would like to offer you a word of encouragement! No matter what your belief system is based on, if you call yourself a Christian and believe He died for your sins and went to Heaven to prepare a place for us, then you believe that He is coming again. The Book of Revelation is the voice of Jesus telling us what to expect regarding that future event. You've more than likely read [or heard] what Jesus has to say about His return in the future in Matthew 23 and 24. If you can believe that, then you should know that Jesus would not lead you astray as He reveals more details about those prophecies. Yes, He tells us the world will be full of evil, famines, wars, plagues, and an Anti-Christ figure that will seek to dominate the whole world under his Beast system.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I agree, all that sounds really scary. But if you know and understand who our God is, and who we are in Him, then you will rejoice at the positive things the Book of Revelation reveals to help us persevere through those trials. There will be a resurrection of the dead [just as Jesus experienced] and we will stand before Him to receive our inheritance for how well we stewarded the Kingdom He left us. We will then live with Him eternally, ruling and reigning with Him. That is why God gave us the promises of eternal life for those who believe in His Son; promises of hope and strength in the Might of the Lord! There is more Good News in the promise that there will be a righteous judgment against those who rejected Him and His ways; a judgment against the ungodly and evil men throughout history. You see, Jesus gave us the Book of Revelation, not only to prepare us, but to reward our faithfulness with a clear picture of His victory over the final attempts of Satan and his fallen angels to defeat us. And His victory will be our victory!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, now I ask you ... don't you think understanding what Jesus revealed to us in God's Word [for our own benefit and well-being] is worth the time to read? Whether or not we are in those final days, there is much wisdom in the Book of Revelation that will train us up for the battle to come. We need not fear it! And I urge the silent Pastors to do their job and equip and train their flocks to be on the front line to overcome the Man of Lawlessness who is knocking at the door. It is time to remove the dirty veil from before your eyes. Seize the opportunity, while we still have time, to see Jesus's prophecies coming into view, and get prepared. Get excited! Suit up in your spiritual armor, and don your weapons of spiritual warfare! Be bold and share the truth as Jesus connects the dots for you. And be ready, for He will make all things new! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I don't know about you, but I want to be prepared for that day we see Jesus coming on the clouds, and I want to fulfill my purpose in those last days when Evil will be revealed and defeated before the whole world, and the righteous saints greet our God who will dwell with us forever! Come, Lord Jesus!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Revelation 1:3 <i> Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near".</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-32684655433942672542024-02-23T09:15:00.001-06:002024-02-23T09:15:00.129-06:00The Struggle of the Church With Our Supernatural God<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnRDhBHvqtg8IDaXaOpAitdU_OvoJfONMCkHRhMA1uY4iGrBWUlEbPbQpNf-DkEspf4Dg4jcIlch_fIDp6o_TqMajBZCDA5BpgaHoAKe7ZtIqNqOI6HFhaWhdxbJEYCSt8pvWDJESDJLUPQ7eEHpuUbLB6QBvLYOWN0L-nWX46lkT8kOED-5YpJ_PthCR/s557/ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="557" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnRDhBHvqtg8IDaXaOpAitdU_OvoJfONMCkHRhMA1uY4iGrBWUlEbPbQpNf-DkEspf4Dg4jcIlch_fIDp6o_TqMajBZCDA5BpgaHoAKe7ZtIqNqOI6HFhaWhdxbJEYCSt8pvWDJESDJLUPQ7eEHpuUbLB6QBvLYOWN0L-nWX46lkT8kOED-5YpJ_PthCR/w640-h288/ab.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Every once in awhile, my spirit prompts me to step back and take a measure of the Body of Christ... not in a judgmental or condemning way, but more than anything else, to evaluate my own position among my believing brethren. We can sometimes get so caught up in our own journey that we lose sight of how well we are working together to steward or guard an authentic faith that fully represents God. Are we all on the same page? Or are our differences in theology and practice of our faith separating us and making us less effective [as a Body] than we are supposed to be?</span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Because my husband, Mark, and I serve the Lord in a ministry of Inner Healing and Deliverance, we are afforded the opportunity to engage with people who have varying degrees of belief systems. And as you can imagine, what we think of God and His Nature and Character will affect how we operate in our faith. It will also [ultimately] play an important part in the success or failure of our communities, culture, and the health of our nation. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">I hear God speaking to the Body of Christ so clearly through Romans 12:3 ... </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">For by the grace [of God] given to me, I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree [measure] of faith [and a purpose designed for service]</i><span style="font-family: georgia;">.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I can speak of some roadblocks to the Body of Christ forming a united whole -- not only from what I have witnessed in the Beloveds who come to us for ministry, but in my own path towards the measure of faith that I currently possess. Down through the centuries, Scripture has undergone a re-evaluation by men to fit their natural understanding of the times. The words of Jesus, the prophets, and the writers of the Bible have often been assigned different meanings than what I believe were originally intended. And, yes, I <i>DO</i> believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, meant to be revealed by the Holy Spirit. But how have men, in their own natural power, interpreted it? You see, the Holy Spirit reveals God's meaning and intentions through <i><u>super</u>natural</i> power, while, too many times, men interpret it through their own carnal, <i>natural</i> abilities. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I believe God made us this three-part being for a specific purpose: Our faith life [and the consolidation of our Christian community] comes together through our theology, [what we believe in/with our mind], and our spirit [the supernatural connection with God]. Sadly, I see too many variations of what people believe about God, and too little belief in [or experience with] our supernatural God. I honestly think that what is missing in the Body of Christ is a restoration of what happened to the believers in Acts. When the Holy Spirit fell on them in the Upper Room, they could not deny that they needed to change their thinking about who God was. Neither could they deny that this new experience came with a new power and authority that changed everything about how they related to God and each other. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, the Body of Christ desperately needs to understand that both correct theology and experiencing our supernatural God are both essential and needed to unify us [with Him] and to build a Body that can engage in the spiritual realms, fortifying the Body, and defeating the powers of the Enemy. Until we can do that, the Enemy's strategy of dividing us over questions of spiritual matters and theological differences, will sustain a powerless Church.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When members of the Body of Christ come to us to be healed of the wounds caused by traumatic events in their lives [and instigated by Satan's temptation to sin], our goal is to help the person have a spiritual encounter with Jesus [in the spirit] that argues against the lies the Enemy has convinced them are true, due to the sin in their lives. [NOTE: The trauma can come in from their own decision to sin, or the free will of another to sin against them]. But before we can partner with Jesus to help them have that supernatural experience, we have found that their theology can present a stumbling block to having that spiritual experience with the Lord. What they think about God or Jesus can prevent them from even wanting to experience Him. For instance, if they think God controls everything in our lives [and therefore could have, or should have, stopped the beating/rape/molestation etc.,] then they can be mad at God, or mistrust Him, or misunderstand what His Sovereignty actually is.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, we have to get them to renew their mind and overcome the rigidness of religious thinking, and putting God in a box that fits their self-determined theology. Because of the traditions that often formulate our theology [instead of seeking the revelations of the Holy Spirit], we can often set limitations on God. Can we discern that these limitations may actually be our attempts to make God fit into a human model, rather than earnestly attempting to reach a mature faith in which we become more like Him? Because He is supernatural! He is beyond our human comprehension and His ways are not our ways. And He is the potter and we are the clay; not the other way around. So why is it so difficult to imagine God capable of doing supernatural things? It is all over the Bible if you want to explore what the Bible has to say about the subject! But, sadly, Christians have seen Bible exploration promoted in unBiblical ways, and therefore end up relying on what someone else has discerned -- even if it is theologically incorrect.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The same can be said about considering and exploring your understanding of the Supernatural. It has usually been presented poorly and incorrectly. So Christians are naturally cynical and suspicious of anyone who presents it as a part of the Christian experience. And of course denominational teachings and understandings [from centuries of "indoctrination"] can contribute to resistance against recognizing that miracles, signs and wonders, spiritual warfare, seeing and hearing in the spirit, and spiritual discernment were all modeled by Jesus, <i>as a man! </i>The Church just needs to see that this is what it looks like when we [as humans] work in and with the Holy Spirit! It is Him who gives us the power of Heaven to defeat the kingdom of darkness in this world! We must overcome our tendency to use logic and the power of human reason and rational thinking to defeat a spiritual enemy. Victory requires spiritual tools and weapons. And remember, our God is a supernatural God, <i>who is a spirit!</i> He is not flesh and bones, muscles and sinew; He is not made of material and matter. And it is His Holy Spirit, living in us, that enables us to carry out spiritual endeavors on behalf of our Holy God -- just as Jesus did!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Here is where the Body of Christ needs to come together in unity, fully understanding that we need to renew our minds to combine both Theology and Spirituality in order to become all we were made to be. We are a human being with a spirit! We can use our minds [set on Christ] along with our supernatural experiences [in the spirit] to see that God's will is done on the earth. We need both! It's not hard to see that the Enemy has been hard at work, not only misrepresenting true Theology and our true Spiritual Identity, but confusing us so that our churches/denominations tend to incorporate one of these, to the exclusion of the other. I pray that the Body of Christ will accept spiritual experiences as ordained by God; being <i><b>always</b></i> under the authority of Scripture. We must vet everything we do in service to the Lord by Scripture. But, at the same time, we must let the Holy Spirit lead us to a maturity and<i> <u>growth</u></i> of faith as He reveals new understanding of the Bible that has been hidden by man-made religion. Proverbs 25:2 is a teaching worth remembering: <i>It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to search it out. </i>It is our destiny to be kings and priests!<i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Ephesians 4:12-13 ... and [He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints [God's people] for works of service, to build up the body of Christ; until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity]. </b></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span> </p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-40770493092313938152024-02-19T14:21:00.001-06:002024-02-19T14:21:00.140-06:00The Beast System Will Offer a Way Out of the World Chaos. Don't Believe It!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwHNw4Rqsd68UZ2_HKxejuqorjzTGjPgFv0ZM3eY2ym1GfrmknwMIeu-8cnRbah9VcmYLrYetVhUqMUacwuG6lxRg3mNmN9JvjypG7h29hRBX3IWCzWPDBRBC5vbZfL1HXROUamSsNQicgf5BekorPyz0HFhKcKXWULNSnNZBWpZ_V9i0Hjljp7U3lMML/s499/ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="499" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwHNw4Rqsd68UZ2_HKxejuqorjzTGjPgFv0ZM3eY2ym1GfrmknwMIeu-8cnRbah9VcmYLrYetVhUqMUacwuG6lxRg3mNmN9JvjypG7h29hRBX3IWCzWPDBRBC5vbZfL1HXROUamSsNQicgf5BekorPyz0HFhKcKXWULNSnNZBWpZ_V9i0Hjljp7U3lMML/w640-h402/ab.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I know that many people will be turned off by this post. They don't want to read that the possibilities of what the Bible says will come upon the world, will actually happen! And a lot of those wary people are Christians! But, it is </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">on you</i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> to know what you believe about the Bible. Do you believe that salvation through Jesus Christ is true? Do you believe the history of the Hebrew people that the Bible relates? Then why wouldn't you believe what it tells us about a future Anti-Christ and his Beast System who will enslave all those who don't accept Christ's invitation?</span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So how do we identify what or who the Anti-Christ is? Are you among those who think anyone who is against Jesus qualifies as Anti-Christ? I think that it's time we begin to realize a broader application ... perhaps someone who will be identified as Christ "instead of" Jesus. Remember, Jesus had told the Disciples about His coming death and that He would return at sometime in the future. When the Disciples asked Him when those things would happen and what would be the signs that His return was approaching and the end was coming, He responded, <i><span style="color: red;">See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my Name, saying, 'I am the Christ' and they will lead many astray.</span></i> (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24%3A4-5&version=ESV" target="_blank">Matthew 24:4-5</a>) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> Because Jesus declared this prophesy even before His crucifixion and resurrection, we can understand that "the end times" actually began at His First Coming. And if we are wise, we can see that the Bible also tells us that the signs and events He gave for His Second Coming will rapidly escalate as we get closer to His return. But it's not only the events that we need to be looking at; one of the clearest signs is someone claiming to be the Christ, a false Messiah. And although there have been false Christs throughout history, there will be one so convincing that even the Elect will be fooled... <span style="color: red; font-style: italic;">For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, <u>even the elect</u>. </span><span>(<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24%3A24&version=ESV" target="_blank">Matthew 24:24</a>)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Just think how easy it will be with the advancements we are seeing in technology. With the emergence of Artificial Intelligence, convincing an unbelieving populace that a savior has arrived to deliver them from the chaos, lawlessness, and evil will be easy to do. But even more frightening to me is the thought that <i>even some of the believing elect </i>will fall for the delusion! If you don't believe ALL the Bible reveals to us, you could be one of the fooled. It is important to know who Jesus Christ, the Messiah of the world, truly is.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There's an <a href="https://harbingersdaily.com/why-its-going-to-be-so-compelling-for-the-world-to-worship-the-antichrist/" target="_blank">excellent article</a> on harbingersdaily.com that provides the distinctions between the true Christ and the substitute Christ [or Anti-Christ] that will deceive the world ... the Anti-Christ is called "the man of sin" (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Thessalonians+2%3A3&version=ESV" target="_blank">2 Thessalonians 2:3</a>) and Jesus is the sinless man; in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah%2011%3A17&version=KJV" target="_blank">Zechariah 11:17</a>, Anti-Christ is called "the idol shepherd" and Jesus is "the good shepherd" in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A11&version=KJV" target="_blank">John 10:11</a>; the Anti-Christ is seen as a beast in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+13%3A1&version=KJV">Revelation 13:1,</a> and Jesus is the Lamb. Everyone MUST choose Jesus when that time of strong delusion comes ... and it is not far off! If anyone refuses to believe in the real Christ, or the truth of God's Holy world, God will give them over to their own ideas and false christs, which have no power to save. It's only Christ who can deliver you from the chaos that is here now and will be increasing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">By now, you should be able to discern how easy it will be for people to turn to a person and/or system that promises relief from the pressures, fear, death, distress and oppression of the world. Those pressures are beginning to mount and as life becomes more difficult to navigate, the peoples of the earth will fall for the deceptive promises that will, at first, seem harmless. But we must develop our spiritual discernment to recognize that the words that proceed out of his mouth are filled with the spirit of Satan, Himself. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It's not difficult to see that the monetary systems of the world are teetering, and the promise of a one-world monetary system to replace our failing ones will look inviting to a world that has lost millions in their buying power. But behind that false mask will be a system that will take control and authority over every financial decision and transaction made. So it will be with a one-world religion as well. The world will, at first, worship the Beast figure because again, of its false promises, but they will soon be manipulated and forced into bowing down to it. It should be apparent that the Anti-Christ's goal is to control the whole world and keep it in bondage to him.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Furthermore, the Bible tells us that the <i>"spirit of the Anti-Christ, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already"</i> (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204%3A3-4&version=ESV" target="_blank">1 John 4:3</a>). That spirit is here and it is growing stronger by the day. But our response is in the very next verse: <i>"Little children [believers, dear ones], you are of God <u>and</u> you belong to Him, and have already overcome them [the agents of the anti-christ]; because He who is in you is greater than he [Satan] who is in the world [of sinful mankind]"</i>. By becoming knowledgable in the Bible, we will be able to discern the lies and deception of the Anti-Christ and his agents, and be able to identify his deceptive schemes, and turn our focus towards the true Christ and His divine truth. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As believers, we must remain true to our Lord and stand firm in our faith, refusing to compromise, even when faced with the worst of trials and persecutions. That means our discernment radar must always be turned up loud and clear. We must not fall victim to the distorted and corrupted doctrines of the false christs that lead only to the perverted and depraved systems of Satan's Beast. Let us cling to Jesus until He returns; remaining obedient and steadfast in His Truth. The future looks shrouded in darkness, but we must hope in the Light of Heaven; our Savior and the Messiah Jesus Christ. He said we will suffer for His Name, but He will return for us and deliver us into everlasting Life with Him. There is no person or system on earth [or in the heavenly realms] that can promise us anything superior to that glorious future. So, yes, I'm afraid there is more bad news coming, but, Oh, the hope that we possess! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Revelation 14:12 <i>Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those</i></b></span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.</b></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-70215811728616072272024-02-15T05:30:00.016-06:002024-02-16T14:22:51.082-06:00What Does the Bible Have To Say About God's Great White Throne Judgment?<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVK7_KkKy80T2OAefHg4QkV133YLuMkBxWjfUOrqhD4SqTdRdISshQD9W8x6IWZv3E8HlQJdY-zMm5zZmHBCE30f2Hxgzhp6nnwvvmOazaJXLGsZ48Jzn1W1A9NRnBPCRHhK6RBGvLk0hUymyBV6hGQB0Y_0ltOEKJ1eTVXEkzc_mqq24eZp-Wt0jRLQm/s549/ab.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="549" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVK7_KkKy80T2OAefHg4QkV133YLuMkBxWjfUOrqhD4SqTdRdISshQD9W8x6IWZv3E8HlQJdY-zMm5zZmHBCE30f2Hxgzhp6nnwvvmOazaJXLGsZ48Jzn1W1A9NRnBPCRHhK6RBGvLk0hUymyBV6hGQB0Y_0ltOEKJ1eTVXEkzc_mqq24eZp-Wt0jRLQm/w640-h414/ab.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span>As I explained in the last post, I am walking in a new season of study in God's Word... not reading something new, but rather, understanding what I've read before in a new light and revelation. What the Lord is asking of me is to understand the Judgments of God and to share what the Bible reveals about His judgments and who they affect.</span> And, so today my focus is on one of the most misunderstood judgments of the End Times...</div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>The Great White Throne Judgment. </b> Here is what Scripture says about this judgment, found in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+20%3A11-15&version=ESV" target="_blank">Revelation 20:11-15</a> -- <i>And I saw a great white throne and the One sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from His presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and Hades (the grave) gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The first thing we need to understand about this passage is that this judgment was prophesied in the Old Testament by <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+12%3A2&version=ESV" target="_blank">Daniel 12:2</a>: <i>And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. </i>And it is evident, by the language,<i> </i>that this is referring to awakening from death [sleep], i.e., resurrection; and that there are <u>two different resurrections</u> being mentioned -- one to everlasting life, and one to everlasting contempt [death]. So, it looks like all the dead will be resurrected at some time or other, but not everyone will receive the same fate. Jesus confirms this in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+5%3A29&version=ESV" target="_blank">John 5:29</a>, when He says, <i><span style="color: red;">"and come out, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment". </span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, what does the Bible say about these two resurrections and what are the fates of those resurrected? Let's take a look at the first resurrection ... <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+20%3A4-6&version=ESV" target="_blank">Revelation 20:4-6 </a>describes it: <i>Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. <u>This is the first resurrection</u>. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such, the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with Him for a thousand years. </i> The first resurrection will see the martyrs, the Old Testament saints, and those who rise to meet Christ at His return. These are all believers and they will rule and reign with Christ for a thousand years, or in other words, during the Millennium. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It is also important to realize that this first resurrection "age", if you will, takes place in different stages. Jesus begins the age with His own resurrection, as the "first fruits" of God's redemptive plan for all mankind (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15%3A20&version=ESV" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 15:20</a>). There will then be the resurrection of "the dead in Christ" at His return (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+4%3A16&version=ESV" target="_blank">1 Thessalonians 4:16</a>). These stages are then followed, at the end of the tribulation, with the resurrection of the martyrs and the Old Testament saints (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+20%3A4&version=ESV" target="_blank">Revelation 20:4</a>). They are all part of the first resurrection.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">NOTE: I want to interject that sometime during this age between the first and second resurrections, <b>the Bema Seat Judgment </b>takes place. (See my post on this judgment of believers and their inheritance/rewards <a href="https://www.salvationandsurvival.com" target="_blank">here</a>). There is no definitive time given in the Bible [that I can find] that narrows the timeline. The options are: immediately after a believer dies; after the Rapture [depending on when you believe that takes place]; after Jesus's Second Coming; sometime during the Millennium Kingdom; or before <b>the Great White Throne Judgment</b>, which some believe happens at the end of the Millennium Kingdom, [or thousand year reign of Christ on earth] and preceding the coming of the new heavens and the new earth. That's why it is important for us all to spend time knowing what we believe and why. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now, let's look at <u>the second resurrection</u>. From the Revelation 20 passage, it can be surmised that those who comprise the second resurrection are the wicked who are judged by God at the Great White Throne Judgment. Their judgment will take place prior to being thrown into the Lake of Fire. So, this is the raising of all <u>unbelievers,</u> who will be judged for their evil and/or unbelief. Various versions of John 5:29 describe it as "the resurrection of judgment" (ESV); judgment that is to be sentenced (AMP); the "resurrection of condemnation" (1599 Geneva Bible); and the "resurrection of damnation" (KJV). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We have now expanded on the events that happen before the Great White Throne Judgment, i.e., the Bema Seat Judgment and the first and second resurrections of all the dead on earth. But what actually <i>happens </i>at this critical judgment of the unbelieving world? First of all, we should be in awe of the picture that the Apostle John paints ... Satan is released from the Abyss and God's presence on this throne of judgment is presented. It is so powerful and profound that both the earth and the sky [first heaven] "fled away". I believe this is referencing other descriptions in the Bible that describe earthquakes, mountains and islands being displaced, and the darkening of the sun and moon and stars -- in other words, man's sin cursed the earth, and God is now going to make way for a new creation; the new heavens and earth. That will begin to be revealed at the Great White Throne judgment.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Also, it is clear that this judgment is coming against all the unbelieving from every age of human history. The Lamb's Book of Life will be opened and if your name is not written in that book, you will not escape the Lake of Fire. I think we can consider this as a "spiritual death"; the eternal and everlasting separation from the presence of God. Thankfully, those of us who are believers and found in the Book of Life, need have no fear of suffering this second death. It has no power over those of us who have experienced the first resurrection and stood before the Bema Seat of Judgment.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The final thing I would like us to consider about the Great White Throne Judgment is its underlying message to us, the Believer. At times, when we see the lawlessness, cruelty, and wickedness of the world, we may wonder where God's justice is. Will the evil-doers ever be punished? The Great White Throne Judgment assures us that God is just, and He will repay the wicked for their crimes. <i>"Vengeance is mine"</i>, says the Lord. Also, the picture of a future Great White Throne judgment reminds us that we are in a period of God's patience, as <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%203%3A9&version=ESV" target="_blank">2 Peter 3:9</a> tells us: <i>The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise [to repay the wicked], as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance". </i>We are to make hay while the sun shines, so to speak, and reach as many as we can for Christ during this time in which God is exercising His patience, before releasing the Son to hold judgment. This is doing the will of God. <i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In summary, the Great White Throne judgment is where unbelievers will be resurrected from the dead to stand before Christ and be judged for their works. Every thought, word and act has been documented in the Books in Heaven, and each will receive what they deserve, depending on the severity of their disobedience, and based on the amount of revelation they received about God and what they did with it. And here's an unexpected turn of events --- because Believers are co-heirs with Christ, they will participate in the judgment! "Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world"? (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+6%3A2&version=ESV" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 6:2</a>).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, while we know that our great God is a God of love, mercy and grace, we must know Him in the fullness of His character, and understand that He is also a righteous God of justice, and judgment belongs to Him. Thank you, Lord, for revealing Your complete nature! I want to know all about You!</span></p><p><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Acts 10:42. <i>And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.</i></span></b></p><p><br /></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-57968692038821188152024-02-12T05:30:00.003-06:002024-02-12T11:44:45.697-06:00What Does the Bible Have to Say About God's Bema Seat Judgment?<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVO7sa9KGL6vZprQW2Lz9Cj3WzNWW4aftBk6BhHAvPfwv0d2gll_ZpD0rr2pkt7e5LmzN45d6SnMeAeV9JeDiJXqR7QIYFYWDNbheJl0p92o57fi3kmPPjaP92TtoJZ-xKyOKQndP7f9-2sf6OGpt-1yWb0YIte_SGhrboOJYH-9gULlzlmTHHF4oeg20s/s523/ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="523" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVO7sa9KGL6vZprQW2Lz9Cj3WzNWW4aftBk6BhHAvPfwv0d2gll_ZpD0rr2pkt7e5LmzN45d6SnMeAeV9JeDiJXqR7QIYFYWDNbheJl0p92o57fi3kmPPjaP92TtoJZ-xKyOKQndP7f9-2sf6OGpt-1yWb0YIte_SGhrboOJYH-9gULlzlmTHHF4oeg20s/w640-h398/ab.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am walking in a new season of revelation from God's Word. In my flesh, I have to fight the temptation to become lax in my time in the Bible. I never want to think that I've "arrived"; that I understand the fullness of God and who His Word says He is. And, it's not that I think I know it all, but when Mark and I get overwhelmed with our businesses, aging parents, and yes, even our ministry, it seems as if there's not enough hours in the day to devote as much time as we know we need to in order to dive deep into the Good Book. Sadly, I think we both feel if we can just spend a day getting caught up, we'll get back into our daily study time. But one day turns into two and can turn into a week, as the distractions of the world seem to take control. And my spirit can definitely feel weary and without strength.</span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, it has been with great intention that we have decided to get back into our first love -- a dedicated time each morning of deep study and relationship with our Father and Jesus. We have renewed our spirits to the fire that burned in us when He first called us to His service. Holy Spirit is quickened and the power and authority in our walk begins to flow again. And over the next few posts I'd like to share some Godly feedback that we've received, with the hope that it will exhort and encourage you to grow in your own relationship with the Godhead through the Word.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The first confirmation my spirit has received is centered around God's Judgment -- even of the Body of Christ, and what that looks like. I have long been aware that the modern Church is focused on God's Grace and has relegated God's Judgment to the Old Testament. "After all", say the seminaries who have taught recent generations of pastors, "the rebellious Israelites didn't have the New Covenant and weren't covered by the Blood of Jesus, so, in their sin, they experienced God's righteous judgment". </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Never mind the reality that our rebellion and unrighteousness matches anything they did, and that our God is the same today as He was yesterday, which means we deserve and <i>will </i>receive His judgment as well. But we are unwilling to discern that God's Character has not changed, instead choosing to receive only what tickles our ears and feels more comfortable in our minds and hearts. Have we forgotten Hebrews 4:12? Do we not remember that the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, separating soul [mind, emotions, and will] from spirit; joints and marrow; and discerning the intentions of the heart? Both God's Grace and His Judgment are just as relevant today as it was to the early Israelites. To ignore His Judgment is to act foolishly. Let us consider the first of God's pronounced Biblical Judgments that we can expect as we near Christ's return...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Bema Seat Judgment. </b>First, let's establish that this is what is considered the Judgment seat of Christ. The word <i>Bema </i>in Greek means "raised up" and refers to the official seat of a judge that has been raised up. We can see it referred to in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+27%3A19&version=AMPC" target="_blank">Matthew 27:19</a>, when Jesus is taken to Pilate to be judged. Scripture says, "while he [Pilate] was seated on the judgment bench, his wife sent him a message, saying, Have nothing to do with that just and upright man, for I have had a painful experience today because of a dream I had of Him". The Bema seat is in view in Acts when Herod, Gallio, and Festus occupy it, as well. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+5%3A10&version=AMPC" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 5:10</a>, we see the official judgment seat of Christ and how it will play an important part in our life: "For we must all appear and <u>be revealed as we are</u> before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive [his pay] according to what he has done in the body, whether good or evil [considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his attention to accomplishing]".</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, I want to establish right now that the Bema seat of Christ is <i>for Believers only! </i>It is not a question of Salvation! If you are standing at the Bema seat of Christ, your salvation is not in question. As Believers, we will all have received the promise that our sins are forgiven and He will remember them no more. The Bema seat is a judgment seat, where a Believer's life and works [since becoming a Christian] will be weighed and tested by fire. Our lives will be brought before the Lord in the light of that refiner's fire, and we will receive the rewards that have been stored up for us in Heaven, <i>IF we are found worthy to receive them. </i>I want you to reflect on this sober pronouncement and meditate on what the Scripture reveals on this matter ...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+3%3A10-15&version=AMPC" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 3:10-15</a>, Paul puts forth the argument that like a skillful architect and master builder, he has carried out his assignment from the Lord to lay a foundation upon which a man can build his life, i.e., his faith and obedience to Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One. Paul teaches, " But let each man be careful how he builds upon it, for no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ. But if anyone builds upon the Foundation, whether it be with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw ... the work of each one will become openly known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose <i>and</i> declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test <i>and </i>critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">If the work which any person has built on this Foundation [any product of his efforts whatever] survives the test, he will get his reward. But if any person's work is burned up [under the test], he will suffer the loss of it all, [losing his reward that was stored up for him], <b>though he himself will be saved</b>, but only as [one who has passed] through fire". </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In other words, all Believers have an inheritance awaiting them at the coming of Christ. We will receive those rewards and crowns based on what we did with our Christian life; what fruit did we produce for the Kingdom of God after we received our free gift of Salvation? Jesus will test what we have built on the foundation of our faith. Will it be burned up as hay or straw, leaving no trace of our works for the Kingdom? Or will they be found still intact as gold and silver survive a refiner's fire? HEAR ME! Your salvation is not threatened! And I am not talking about works for your salvation! <i>There are no works you can do for that free gift! </i>These are the works we long to do to expand the Kingdom Christ left in our care when He ascended to Heaven. Even if one loses his inheritance [for lack of works that glorify Christ], <i>he cannot lose his salvation!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Paul is speaking of the rewards and crowns for our faithfulness to Christ; what will be entrusted to us in Heaven as we are chosen to rule and reign with Him. I believe some of the areas of judgment will include how we treated others; how we employed our God-given abilities and assignments; how we used our money and spent our time; how we ran the particular race that God has chosen for us, and how many souls did we witness to and win for Christ? You see, Christ's gift of Salvation [and what it cost Him] is deserving of our efforts to continue His work on the earth to show His Glory and Majesty. We aren't to accept our salvation and then do nothing. We are made in His image with the assignment to represent Him and His Nature in this dark world. That means we "<i>Go</i>" and we "<i>Do</i>" as He did! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And that is why Mark and I consistently say we want to hear Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant", when we stand before Him. And I do not believe it is prideful to say that we want to receive all the inheritance stored up for us -- and we want you to receive your rewards and crowns, too! And as we stand before our Holy and Righteous Lord, we will be so grateful for what He has done in our lives, that we will be eager to lay everything we've received at His feet, to honor and glorify Him! So, while it is a sobering thought to consider the Bema Seat Judgment, set your heart and spirit on bearing fruit for Him and His Kingdom, and look forward to seeing what is left in the midst of that fire of judgment!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Next post: the Great White Throne Judgment</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Romans 14:10-12<i>. Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God, for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God". So then each of will give an account of himself to God. </i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">#bemaseatjudgment #judgmentseatofChrist #graceversusjudgment #therefinersfire #rewardsandcrownsinheaven #heavenlyinheritance #ourGodjudges #biblicaljudgments </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <i> </i> </span></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-52661902953693085262024-02-08T05:30:00.001-06:002024-02-08T05:30:00.131-06:00Why The Answer to the Chaos in Society is JESUS!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlR-kP_0JIxt5Bxi3pPELRPls-JEQsBcFF7aRXnsMga9twYHI0FWPmsrXmogpdPZAb8fFiGk9I-MujkcU4mKc_4K7dyuvGWUaSq_Y6Zrbi_vIpvaqD-U8g9f9-UnrT6wn-nu_80BinQU0lZwDZIrx0JzyaRpskTyV2W7eUbgwWt7A5rTnK5g6RIgMvh_i/s516/ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="321" data-original-width="516" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlR-kP_0JIxt5Bxi3pPELRPls-JEQsBcFF7aRXnsMga9twYHI0FWPmsrXmogpdPZAb8fFiGk9I-MujkcU4mKc_4K7dyuvGWUaSq_Y6Zrbi_vIpvaqD-U8g9f9-UnrT6wn-nu_80BinQU0lZwDZIrx0JzyaRpskTyV2W7eUbgwWt7A5rTnK5g6RIgMvh_i/w640-h398/ab.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Everywhere we look, we see evidence of the evil one -- crime on the rise; corruption in government and business; sexual perversion and exploitation; confusion and deception in all spheres of our society, even leading our children to abandon their gender identities. It may all look hopeless and beyond reclamation. But the story of Jesus healing the madmen in the region of Gerasenes gives us hope that even our lost nation can be redeemed.</span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It's such an appropriate story in the Bible because their story has been repeated in so many lives throughout history. And God inspired the writers of the Bible to give multiple accounts of this same narrative. Matthew, Mark and Luke all write about the chaos that Satan caused in these men's lives and in their communities. Matthew writes that these two men were extremely fierce and violent; everyone did what they could to avoid them. Mark and Luke apparently focus on the most disturbed of the two, choosing to concentrate on the behavior of just one of the men. Mark writes that he was always shrieking and screaming, and beating, bruising, and cutting himself with stones. Luke 's account calls him "possessed by demons". </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">All three of the portrayals speak of his separation from the society of the region, and being bound in chains and fetters to protect himself and the citizens. But the demons were so strong in him that he could not be held, wrenching his chains apart and breaking them in pieces. The local citizens were terribly frightened of him, for the demons drove him to live in the tombs with the dead.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">How many of our own citizens in this, the 21st Century, are living in the same chaos - homeless; disassociated from structured society; lost in immorality; deceived by ungodly influence in order to cause destruction, violence, wickedness, and death? We can no longer turn and look away. And sheltering inside our church buildings in an attempt to ignore the spiritual upheaval all around us is no way to advance the Kingdom of God against the dark kingdom of the Enemy. We, as the Ekklesia and citizens of the Kingdom on earth, must join in our spiritual power and authority to fight against the chaos and invite Jesus into a personal encounter with these lost souls.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Again, I will say that the chronicle of the Madman of Gerasenes is the perfect image of what it means to say that Jesus is the answer. This man entered into agreement with Satan about who he was, resulting in a life of torment and separation from the One who created him. And his community and fellow countrymen didn't know how to help him. Instead they shunned him and left him in his misery and isolation. Truth be known, I doubt they could've helped him, even if they wanted to. They had no knowledge of the healing power of Heaven, which is what it was going to take to free this man from the demonic prison that bound his soul and spirit.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But when the madman saw Jesus, a terrible cry escaped him, and he fell at Jesus's feet; the demons that possessed him instantly recognizing who He was. They presented a challenge to Jesus: <i>What business do you have with us? What do we have in common? Please, don't torment us! </i>The demons wanted to be left alone to continue their torment of the madman. But because they discerned the power of Jesus to destroy them, they asked to be allowed to leave the man and go into the herd of swine. Jesus set the man free with one word to the demons: <i style="color: red;">Go! </i>Nothing in the world could accomplish what Jesus did with that one command. And now -- just as then -- the tormented man was bound in a spiritual prison. Our society wants to solve the chaos in men's lives by building more prisons, or signing them up for rehab, or building homeless camps. But none of that has seemed to work. Prayer alone has not accomplished ridding out society of the chaos. The only answer is a real encounter with Jesus!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But what is sad to me is that our institutionalized church, in the form of "religion", is not united in believing that the marginalized in our society are capable of having -- or even want -- such an encounter. Or when they hear the testimonies of those who have, they either doubt it, belittle the experience, define it as deception, or fear it because it happens in the supernatural. Their minds cannot reconcile the radical transformation of a person from Lost to Redeemed by the power and grace of Christ. It's understandable from the secular segments of our society; but from the Church? Do they not believe the accounts in the Bible of exactly those kinds of transformation? What about Saul being radically transformed to Paul? Mary Magdalene, from a promiscuous lifestyle, to an obedient follower of Christ? Moses, from a privileged son of Egypt, to a bold leader of God's chosen people? There are so many stories in the Bible of people whose lives were radically changed, and their minds renewed, to the possibilities of God's power and grace in their life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, it is up to us [the true Believers who have experienced God's ability to redeem us] to do what Jesus instructed the radically transformed madman to do so long ago ... <i><span style="color: red;">"Go home to your own family and relatives and friends, and bring back word to them of all that the Lord has done for you, and how He has had sympathy and mercy for you"</span></i>. So we must leave our place of comfort and go and proclaim to all of Society what Jesus has done for us. Our transformation may not be as radical as the madman from Gerasenes, but we cannot deny that we are changed, all to varying degrees. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I can testify to the truth of how an encounter with Christ, the Messiah, can bring both His Power and Peace to a life lived in chaos. I have witnessed it through the encounters with Christ that I have seen in our ministry ... lives changed from promiscuity and bestiality to Redeemed; from addictions to drugs, alcohol and porn to Redeemed; from failed marriages to walking in unity with Christ; from defeated identities to knowing their purpose for the Kingdom. And the answer for each of these lives [in bondage to Satan] was the same ... discovering their true identity in Christ and submitting to His plan for them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">If we, the Kingdom citizens on earth, continue to remain silent, then Society, our Culture, and our Nation will limp along until the deterioration becomes complete. Satan is playing his game; we must play our strategy as well. We can no longer afford to retreat or take shelter from the chaos. The eternal lives of so many lost souls depend on our testimonies and our spiritual power and authority -- partnering with Jesus -- to effect radical transformations and take back territory from Satan's kingdom of darkness. Yes, the chaos and lawlessness is at a crisis point, but we know the answer! Let us stand in our identity. Tell Chaos, "Go"! And then Go and share what Jesus has done for you and can do for everyone!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">#societalchaos #jesusistheanswer #jesusradicallytransformslives #madmanofGerasenes #Matthew8 #Mark5 #Luke8 #fromlosttoredeemed #kingdomcitizensonearth #kingdomofGod #thegraceandpowerofJesus</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Ephesians 3:20-21 <i> Now to Him (who is able to carry out His purpose) and to do superabundantly more than we dare ask or think (infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams), according to His power at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.</i></b></span></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-27129317964028393842024-02-04T05:30:00.001-06:002024-02-04T05:30:00.138-06:00The Importance of Prophecy for Advancing The Kingdom of God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZuVyrnFUmOJP1XrMSk-RtD8Wm4yigvutm4l7iMkaa2_4vSgqL1R-FIHVoWzm_LGYvqqPYzr_XCv-c80SUeM6kCuz6W9cxOqoVOw1Teu-7OgeCbdv-kdvLt1tJ9GXyj6Ty7XDXZrQB4l2YgNe0AUHZiYLFcBCo7xZaAo6A7oSZaQ-A-NDY5Jh5C4MAC-3/s504/sas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="504" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZuVyrnFUmOJP1XrMSk-RtD8Wm4yigvutm4l7iMkaa2_4vSgqL1R-FIHVoWzm_LGYvqqPYzr_XCv-c80SUeM6kCuz6W9cxOqoVOw1Teu-7OgeCbdv-kdvLt1tJ9GXyj6Ty7XDXZrQB4l2YgNe0AUHZiYLFcBCo7xZaAo6A7oSZaQ-A-NDY5Jh5C4MAC-3/w640-h346/sas.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I recently had a conversation with a beloved Sister in Christ regarding "the prophetic". From some of my comments about "false prophets", she thought I might be expressing doubt in the gift of prophecy being viable for today. I assured her that I </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">absolutely</i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> believe that prophecy is important in the Body of Christ today. I just struggle with the amount of men and women that I discern are prophesying from their soul [and from pride] and not out of their spirit. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In other words, I believe what 1 Corinthians 12 says ... God, as the Holy Spirit, distributes the spiritual gifts [word of wisdom and word of knowledge; along with faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning between spirits, speaking in tongues, and the interpretation of tongues]. Jesus, as God, ordains the ministries of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. And the the Father, who is the same God as Jesus and Holy Spirit, empowers them [for His will to be done] through their gifts and ministries, as He energizes and activates them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And, of course, Jesus can use His ordained men and women to help grow and mature others until we are called to step into those ministries. But I'm very careful to discern who is a REAL and LEGITIMATE prophet, ordained by God, and not simply men giving each other that title, through a Church committee, or by self-proclamation. Furthermore, the fact that I believe God still ordains prophets today, is evidence that I believe God still speaks prophetically to His "called out ones", just as He did to Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Daniel, Zechariah, etc. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">These prophets all foresaw the coming Messiah, and spoke of what Almighty God told them, teaching ancient Israel about the laws and statutes of the One True God and how to live in them. When instructed by God, the prophets of old called the people to repentance when they strayed from those laws and the holy lifestyle they were meant to protect. And although they would not see Him, it was their assignment to bear witness that the Lord YHWH would send them a Redeemer; the Messiah. And, miraculously, all the prophesies in the Old Testament concerning the First Coming of Jesus were literally fulfilled -- among them, His divine conception and His place of Birth; the Holiness of His character; that He would be David's seed; that He would be crushed for our iniquities; and that His body would not be allowed to decay (prophesying His resurrection on the third day, before decay began to set in on the fourth day). </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">These reasons that God sent prophets in the Old Testament are the same reasons He sent His Son, Yeshua Ha Mashiach -- to stress a return to the moral laws and statutes of God; to call the people to repentance <i><span style="color: red;">(Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand!)</span></i>; to instruct them on how to live a holy lifestyle; and to bear witness of Himself, sent by God </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">And for the record, these same reasons are why I </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">do</i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> believe that the spiritual gift of Prophecy is for the Believer today, and it did not cease after the Apostles died. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My spirit clearly discerns that this gift [along with all the other spiritual gifts] was given to the early Church to advance the Kingdom of God that Jesus brought to the earth, and all the gifts are just as needed today! I don't understand why anyone in the Body of Christ would think that God revoked those gifts in the First Century. The Gospel of the Kingdom certainly had not spread throughout the world, and there was still so much work and progress that needed to happen to restore the earth and the Kingdom to God's original plan -- we're still far short of that goal! So, let me share with you a few reasons that the particular gift of Prophecy is so important for strengthening and cultivating a Kingdom culture.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">First of all, God did not design us to be completely mature in our faith the moment we received our Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a process of growing up into the image of Christ, and that will take practice and commitment. Also, the point of Salvation is not to give us a "get out of jail free" card so we can live out our lives, simply <i>waiting</i> on the promises of God -- His strength; His rest; His provision; the answers to our prayers;</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> His protection; His freedom from temptation to sin; and most importantly, everlasting life. Additionally, "the prophetic" is more than what is predicted to happen in the future. If understood correctly, Prophecy gives us a <u>spiritual foundation</u> upon which to build a Kingdom lifestyle -- it instructs us how to live and gives us goals for spiritual growth.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>NOTE</b>: It is important for Christians to grow into the mature understanding that the Kingdom of God on earth is a <i>spiritual </i>kingdom<i> -- </i>NOT a <i>physical </i>kingdom. That's why Jesus responds to Pilate in this way when asked about His Kingdom: <span style="color: red; font-style: italic;">My kingdom is not of this world, if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm". </span><span><b>But</b> <u>the</u> <u>influence</u> of His spiritual kingdom can <u>now</u> [and will in the future] manifest changes in the earth and in nations and in peoples.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For example, Jesus gives many prophetic pronouncements to the Disciples before His Death on the Cross. He foretells the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD; and warns of false christs and prophets, wars, tribulation, persecution, lawlessness, and most importantly, the Coming of the Son of Man. All these prophecies will be fulfilled, just as the prophecies of the Old Testament were, and they will serve to validate that Jesus was who He [and the Bible] says He was! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The state of this world is evidence that humankind has strayed far from the moral laws of God. If we only looked at the news and the events around us, it would be easy to lose hope and give up on this life and the reasons we are living. But prophecy serves to give us that hope and to inspire us to live a holy life, awaiting in patience and endurance for the return of the Lord. Now, if we lived only in the prophecies of Jesus in Matthew 24 [of wars, tribulation, persecution, and lawlessness], it would be easy to become discouraged. But God provides those glimpses of the future so that we might not become too lax, but that we might become strengthened and prepared [in our faith] for the Enemy's strategies. As Amos 3:7 says, <i>"The Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets". </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, Jesus gave those prophecies for His Disciples [in their time]<i> </i>and for us, in our time, so that we might begin to understand and correctly identify the season we are in. Remember, we are not to know the hour or the day, but we are to watch and remain sober, because we are children of the Light. We can see and discern correctly, because we recognize the signs the prophets have given us, and begin to look forward to our Lord's return. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I am thankful that God still sends us Prophets and Watchmen! I praise Him for continuing to validate Scripture and our faith through the words of those He appoints as prophets. I am thankful for the discernment He gives us, so that we might hear correctly from these men and women of God, and not be deceived by those who seek to validate themselves. God is still speaking to this generation, and Prophecy is still good for educating, encouraging, and comforting the Body of Christ. Let the true prophets of God share what they're hearing from the Lord!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">#thegiftofprophecy #false prophets #GodstillspeaksthroughHisprophets #biblicalprophecy #isthepropheticfortoday</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2 Peter 1:19 <i>And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts </i></b></span></span></p><p><br /></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-8763963418879348252024-01-31T05:30:00.003-06:002024-01-31T05:30:00.342-06:00What Can We, the Sons and Daughters of God, Do to Take Back the World For His Kingdom?<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQvsF8VMHj3H3rzMrEqLl-StELtK-inkUbgfg1ShDWJPBn4oiCY3qrQS02FrxLsc3b-AelPLZAeqsj9jLVHKwHOM6_f9z4H40TwbShf6Z7Bz3VA6AJXXsNKKzjnH1tZJrJZ32DCAJabGr3tPxSM2gSWMl-di0EdHsqQtnNfd1aIvUeFm9PCaWVpapY600/s576/ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="576" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQvsF8VMHj3H3rzMrEqLl-StELtK-inkUbgfg1ShDWJPBn4oiCY3qrQS02FrxLsc3b-AelPLZAeqsj9jLVHKwHOM6_f9z4H40TwbShf6Z7Bz3VA6AJXXsNKKzjnH1tZJrJZ32DCAJabGr3tPxSM2gSWMl-di0EdHsqQtnNfd1aIvUeFm9PCaWVpapY600/w640-h338/ab.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As I described in the last post, the world is quickly spiraling into moral chaos as the Body of Christ has failed to influence the culture. Plain and simple ... we are not manifesting the Kingdom lifestyle that Jesus taught and modeled. Jesus's instructions from Father God were simple: invade earth's domain, taking Heaven's righteous government and moral laws with Him to overthrow and replace the rule of Satan's kingdom in people's lives. Not an easy thing to do after millennia of evil had darkened men's hearts. </span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But from the moment our Lord declared that the Kingdom of Heaven [and God] had arrived, the battle was on. And He beat Satan at every turn, showing men that the power and authority of Heaven could defeat illness and disease; could vanquish the demons whom Satan used to torment and oppress men in their sin; and could even triumph over Death by offering Eternal Life to those who would believe who Jesus said He was, and follow Him in all His ways. That was the devil's trump card and when he lost that, he knew he was ultimately defeated. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But men had a choice to make. Who would they choose to follow? God, in His wisdom, didn't want to force men to choose Him, but rather, gave us Free Will to make our own choice without force, coercion or fear. Jesus came to show us the benefits of choosing the Father's will instead of giving in to the temptation of Satan's desires. When a person chooses Satan, they become his puppet and pawn; controlled to carry out Satan's evil purposes. When a man or woman chooses God, they become free to partner with God to carry out His will and His design and plans for their lives -- to prosper them and not harm them; to give them hope and a future with Him in Heaven (Jeremiah 29:11). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When Jesus chose [of His own free will as a man] to take the punishment of death for our sins, He left this world in the care of His Disciples -- to carry forth His work in transforming the earth back to its original design and purpose: to represent God's Heavenly government and re-establish the Kingdom of God on earth. That was [and is] to be our responsibility if we call ourselves Followers of Christ. Sadly, the world doesn't look like Heaven to me. And we cannot say we have done our job just because we are a member of a "Church family". We are called to live the life that Christ lived ... sacrificing comfort, material things and wealth, [even] family, and our lives, if necessary, to see that the Kingdom and the glory of God are the highest priority of our life. I don't think there are many who have done that.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So what do we do to rectify the mess we find ourselves in? How do we turn this immoral and wicked ship around? I think it begins with each of us, individually -- in our personal commitment to restore our bodies, hearts, souls, and spirits to glorify God. Am I walking the same path Jesus did to honor and glorify my Father in Heaven? Could I stand before Jesus today and have any evidence of fruit for His Kingdom? Did I make a difference in people's lives and show them the benefits of following Jesus? Does the world look like a better place than 10, 20, 50 years ago? Did I put God and His Kingdom first in my life, and can I honestly say that I have sacrificed my life unto Him?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I believe that taking back the world for the Kingdom of God starts with me... and with you. It's making up our minds that we are going to let go of everything in this world that doesn't honor God and glorify His Name and the Name of His Son. It's a really simple concept to understand -- Jesus is our King in His Father's Kingdom, and He has given us the moral laws of Heaven to follow; shown us our power and authority, as well as our responsibilities in representing His Kingdom here on earth. He has also shared the promises of God for our provision and rewards in this life and the next. And He gave the assignment to men to write it all down in an instruction manual for us to read and understand and do. It's called the Bible, and although men have tried to corrupt it for centuries, He has also sent the Holy Spirit to reveal its Holy Truth to all who seek God's divine and supernatural revelation of man's redemption and reconciliation with our Creator. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Once, we, as individuals have developed that sincere relationship with God, King Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, we are ready for our assignments to come together to express the nature and principles of Heaven to the citizens of the world. We need to understand that it is the Father who created us for service as ambassadors to His Kingdom here on earth. That's why we're here! We are created for a purpose, and Jesus delegates His authority to each of us in order that we fulfill our specific purpose, and the Holy Spirit activates our assignments, and guides us as to what to say and do to carry out those assignments. We are not alone in accomplishing our duty and responsibilities in [and to] the Kingdom. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">An added benefit is that God created us as a "family". We have brothers and sisters in this Kingdom of God on earth. And we can come together as a delegation called the Ekklesia to carry out the moral laws and government of our King. But it involves "getting up and going", which means we must stand as opposition to the assignments the world has received from their god and master, Satan. Sadly, we have fallen behind in our responsibilities, and we have ceded Kingdom ground to God's enemies. In order to take back ground, we must throw off our fear of man, stand for God's absolute moral Truth, and deconstruct the false system of Satan's lies to expose how he has led our culture and the world into a distorted lifestyle of moral decay. The guideposts of our society are becoming defined by <u>Secular Humanism</u> [a belief that man is capable of developing his own moral code and self-fulfillment without belief in God] and <u>Moral Relativism</u> [the belief that there is no universal or absolute set of moral principles --it is "to each their own", according to what their individual "truth" is].</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It is time the True Church and Ekklesia stand in their assignments as Guardians of God's Truth and Government! We must act not only as administrators and ambassadors of God's Kingdom on earth, but as overseers and stewards of His Truth. The Bible teaches us that truth comes from God; <i>He is Truth</i> ... "<i>Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]. Your Word is truth"</i> (John 17:17). All truth flows from God and we are guardians of how God's truth is expressed in the world. It is time to take absolute and moral truth back from the trash bin of our culture. We have been set apart to testify to the <i>REAL TRUTH</i>. It is time we quit apologizing for believing in God's truth and become bold in our very embodiment of it! Until we do that, together and as righteous individuals, the culture and the world are going to continue to worship and follow the one who will lead them to their destruction and hell. We need to show them there is an alternative and it is King Jesus!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">#kingdomofgod #kingdomlifestyle #recapturinggroundforGod #takingbackourculture #kingdomresponsbilities #kingjesus #satansfalsetruth #whatisabsolutemoraltruth #weareambassadorsofheaven #Godswillformankind #influencingthecultureforGod #kingdomterritory </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>2 Timothy 2:15 <i>Study and do your best to present yourself approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the Word of Truth.</i></b></span></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-5818642471979404262024-01-27T05:30:00.001-06:002024-01-27T05:30:00.133-06:00How The World Will Come Against A Kingdom Lifestyle<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJa8W4tsZd2rL9PgFt61r0FZAJ2up_0k9Z4PVu2gPah3hT6YnkF-e8T8T1vL1hKVQmDtYmWxVmkjEIL4akRY9X2_w-oMhM_7iUrLYFheSMrTbMifaZH0lTHCSUSFvcDf-axmp04SWkxI3nGW7vNO9H2XACzhqIFwt4NuI8bzzUfw3n7XyhULAwzLrOnh3/s578/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="578" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJa8W4tsZd2rL9PgFt61r0FZAJ2up_0k9Z4PVu2gPah3hT6YnkF-e8T8T1vL1hKVQmDtYmWxVmkjEIL4akRY9X2_w-oMhM_7iUrLYFheSMrTbMifaZH0lTHCSUSFvcDf-axmp04SWkxI3nGW7vNO9H2XACzhqIFwt4NuI8bzzUfw3n7XyhULAwzLrOnh3/w640-h308/a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As I have persistently cautioned, if Christians don't understand and enter a Kingdom lifestyle, our society and culture will suffer from the lack of the Body of Christ's influence. We can already observe those consequences as we view the state of our lives; the chaos, lawlessness, and moral decline are direct results of Christians not walking in their Kingdom calling and purpose. </span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jesus came to model what that lifestyle looks like and to show us how to walk that righteous path. In John 14:12, He says, <span style="color: red; font-style: italic;">Whoever believes in Me, will do the things that I have done, and greater works he will do, because I am going to the Father. </span><span>So, what did He do? He expands on the life of a Believer in Matthew 10:8, when He says, <span style="color: red; font-style: italic;">As you go, preach this message: The Kingdom of Heaven is near [at hand]. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. </span><span>[NOTE: My spirit has discerned that cleansing the lepers is referring to those who are socially unacceptable; who have been marginalized and ignored. They can, of course, be actual lepers, but in our timeframe, could be the homeless, the addicted, the castoffs of society].</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><span>I think the Body of Christ is awakening to the calling of a Kingdom lifestyle and, for that, I am much encouraged. But there's still a long way to go to see the earth transformed into looking like Heaven. Christians <i>MUST</i> walk in their identities as heirs of the Kingdom. We must recognize and walk in the power and authority Jesus has given us. We need to understand that we have power from Jesus over demons and need not fear them. They cower at the name of Jesus! Christians also need to understand that walking in a Kingdom lifestyle takes priority over everything in our earthly life. It demands commitment, obedience, and perseverance, as well as sacrifice and being content with lack. And it demands a lifestyle of always seeking the Father's will in every circumstance... <i>especially</i> in the midst of evil, which the Enemy will bring to cause us to stumble in our </span></span>purpose.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To that point, I want to bring to your attention ways in which Satan and his agents are using the world system to obstruct our Kingdom walk. Let me begin by saying that Jesus, Himself, points out to the mother of His disciples, James and John, that she doesn't know what she's asking for when she requests that her sons sit at the right and left of Jesus in His Kingdom -- it will be a lifestyle of opposition, condemnation, ridicule, pain, solitude, and yes, even death; a lifestyle that no one desires. In fact, Jesus told James and John, <i><span style="color: red;">You will drink of my cup [share in my fate], ... you know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you, must become your servant, and whoever would be first among you, must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life for many. </span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span>And we must remember that Jesus tells His disciples in Matthew 24, that they will be hated by all nations for His Name's sake ... that false prophets will arise and lead many astray ... lawlessness will increase and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. I believe that prophecy by our Savior and Redeemer applied to those First Century Disciples, but also applies to His followers throughout the ages until His return. So what could that persecution look like for us in the present and coming years? What can we see in our current situation?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span>I believe we are seeing the attempt to destroy our Christian belief system; our morals and values and ways in which we practice our faith. In Satan's belief system, everything that Christians uphold must be opposed and countered. My spirit has clearly discerned Satan's strategy of destroying the family, which is the structure God designed to perpetuate His creation and His influence throughout mankind. It's not hard to see the efforts to emasculate men and weaken their position in society and the family. Feminism became a tool of the Enemy to divide and conquer the natural roles of males and females. That doesn't mean that I approve of disrespect or the disregard of anyone's worth. But it didn't stop there! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span>Satan's strategy has now moved on to conflating the differences in the sexes themselves! The world's culture now proclaims that there are no differences between men and women; that we are physiologically the same and we can interchange our sexual identity and bodies at will. This has sown such chaos and confusion into our children, and threatens to extinguish God's creation from the earth. If our girls and boys are fed drugs that terminate their ability to produce children, then the human race will eventually disappear.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span>We see the roles of parents being diminished in their children's lives. The very ones that are to guide and raise up the children of the world to know and serve their Creator and follow in the footsteps of His Son, are seeing their rights stripped as their kids are now being educated and "nurtured" by the State, who becomes their "parent". </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span>Our justice system which, in a Judeo-Christian society, is based on the moral and righteous laws of Heaven, is being corrupted. Good is evil, and Evil is good. The wicked go unpunished and those who try to live by a moral code, are criminalized. It is truly becoming an upside down world. It's not hard to see that Satan and his followers have developed a strategy and plan to subvert and suppress the human spirit, bringing it under their total control. </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I know this sounds like a dystopian novel, but none of what I've suggested is without credibility. In Part 2, I will lay out more of what I see happening in our culture that portends the attempt of Satan to overthrow God's growing Kingdom on earth, as well as how we Christians are to counter with our own Divinely-inspired strategy to see the entire earth invaded with God's Kingdom culture. Stay tuned!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">#KingdomofGod #kingdomofdarkness #kingdomofGodculture #kingdominfluence #satanicdestructionofthefamily #genderconfusion #howtocountersatansdominion #ourchangingchristianculture #whychristiansneedtofightbackagainsttheculture #thekingdomlifestyle</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-41050899555484254012024-01-24T05:30:00.004-06:002024-01-24T15:05:47.658-06:00The Gospel of the Kingdom & the Kingdom Lifestyle: Putting the Puzzle Pieces Together<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDcpDDtxsAz1f3gzJQaqRgWSvsDiWgqRntjvb6Uk3NKK0XFcJuDYnLyWcvbDRENMz0hmfNdvt6um6LPkufsyyUwVlSLrB_cYWsYInMr6QEnt9MqfjbO-bypvxBNeQZDlw7j4gk3OQN7VS2CxCpNW90qnPmSv3tJgeh3ERSXOWGMn_VvxEfEx2BGASIE9_/s604/ab.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="295" data-original-width="604" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDcpDDtxsAz1f3gzJQaqRgWSvsDiWgqRntjvb6Uk3NKK0XFcJuDYnLyWcvbDRENMz0hmfNdvt6um6LPkufsyyUwVlSLrB_cYWsYInMr6QEnt9MqfjbO-bypvxBNeQZDlw7j4gk3OQN7VS2CxCpNW90qnPmSv3tJgeh3ERSXOWGMn_VvxEfEx2BGASIE9_/w640-h312/ab.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i>If you are familiar with my blog, then you know that my husband, Mark, and I have put sharing (and doing) a Kingdom lifestyle at the core of our how we live our lives and conduct our ministry. I have shared how frustrating that has been at times, as if everything we say is falling on deaf ears, but we continue to be obedient and try to find different ways to engage friends, family, and the Church. To that end, we recently invited our good friend, Steve Harmon, to come speak to a group of our acquaintances that the Holy Spirit highlighted, and who might be interested to hear Steve's message. </i></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Mark and I are always careful to discern who can be trusted to teach God's Word accurately on this subject. And through our years of friendship, we have found that we and Steve are closely aligned with each other's theology regarding an authentic understanding of the Gospel of the Kingdom. So, I'm going to try and summarize the high points of his 7 hours of teaching the best that I can. So, I hope you are blessed with this teaching on the Kingdom of God.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">When you meet Steve Harmon, he is a bundle of high energy, whose rapid-fire enthusiasm for the Kingdom of God demands that your spirit sit up and pay attention. From the time we picked him up at the airport until we arrived home 2 hours later, and until we went to bed after midnight, he regaled us with his latest ministry exploits. We hardly got a word in edge-wise, because we had lots to catch up on. But when he told us how excited he was that we had asked if he was interested in teaching about the Kingdom of God, then the three of us entered into our happy place... talking about the Kingdom. We discussed what he would cover and finding that we were all on the same page, we told him, "Go for it! And don't hold back"! So here are the golden nuggets that came from his excellent teaching...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The Kingdom of God ... what is it? </b>We Christians pray "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth and it is in heaven", but do we understand the breadth and depth of what God's Kingdom is? On one level it is His government -- He reigns and rules. Kingdom includes His authority, His dominion, His military, and all things (and people) under His influence. His dominion is the territory over which He reigns.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">That question of dominion on the earth is addressed in Genesis 1:26-31, where God tells us He made us in His image and gave man dominion (authority) over His creation. We were to rule the earth [<i>both physically and spiritually</i>] as He rules in Heaven, incorporating His rules, statutes, and laws. But, as we know, Adam (the first man given dominion over the earth) gave it up and handed the dominion over to Satan through his disobedience in the Garden. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Remember, when Satan is tempting Jesus in the wilderness, he tells the Lord in Luke 4:6-7, “I will give You all this realm and its glory [its power, its renown]; because it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You worship before me, it will all be Yours.” So, it's important that the Church understand that Satan claims authority over the earth through the "legal transaction and transference" done by Adam when he ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, Paul teaches his followers, "among them <u>the god of this world [Satan]</u> has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God". And Jesus refers to Satan in this way in John 14:30, "I will not speak with you much longer, for <u>the ruler of the world (Satan) is coming</u>. And he has no claim on Me [no power over Me nor anything that he can use against Me]". But has the Church taught this truth so that the Body of Christ understands the authority the Enemy has and the importance of the Kingdom and our position in it?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>What is your theology regarding the Kingdom of God? </b>Do you understand that when Jesus began His ministry and said, "The Kingdom of God is at hand", that He meant it is here NOW, and it is within reach? Many in the Church teach that it is a future event, but when Jesus came to re-establish the Kingdom over 2000 years ago, He intended to show men how to take back their dominion and territory in people's lives from Satan, and how to sow the seeds of God's will in the earth. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Kingdom of God exists now and into the future. Re-establishing the Kingdom is a process we are to engage in until Jesus returns, when He will defeat His enemies and rule and reign on the earth. It doesn't just manifest itself, and it's not based on how you "feel" about the Kingdom. You can't worship it in; you can't establish it within the four walls of your church building and expect it to expand across the earth; and prayer alone won't increase the Kingdom. A Kingdom lifestyle requires a renewing of your mind; letting go of old paradigms and seeing God's Kingdom on earth through His perspective. And it requires action. It's a verb! You must apply, exercise, implement, execute and carry out the Kingdom in your life! You should base your theology [belief system] on the fruit you bear for the Kingdom. A Kingdom lifestyle is a bold [cold-hearted] and fearless act of your free will to "<i>DO</i> Kingdom". </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>What did Jesus come to teach/preach -- Gospel of Salvation or the Gospel of the Kingdom? </b>If you asked any group of Christians that question, I contend that the majority would say Jesus came to Save us. So, would you be surprised to know that Jesus talks far more often about the Gospel of the Kingdom than the Gospel of Salvation -- (especially in the Book of Matthew)? "Salvation" or "Saved" is mentioned 11 times, and I have counted 62 times that He talks about "the Kingdom of God/Heaven". </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Sadly, Jesus's message has been distorted down through the ages, until now the Church has adopted a platform of Saving the world; teaching the Good News that Jesus came to die for our sins. But that was not the primary message of the First Century Church; it's not what the Church in the Book of Acts nor the Apostle Paul focused on when preaching and teaching. The last verses in Acts tell us that Paul spent two years teaching about the Kingdom of God and about the Lord Jesus Christ. And, yes, Salvation would have been a part of his teaching about what the Kingdom of God offered, but he taught so much more. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Read the Book of Romans. Yes, Jesus paid the price to give us Eternal Life and erase the penalty of Death for our sins. Paul taught that we are to yield to Jesus as our Lord, not just our Savior. "If you confess with your mouth that <u>Jesus is Lord</u> and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved". Salvation is the result of believing and submitting to Jesus as LORD and MASTER of the Kingdom. That word "Lord" refers to our recognition of His power, authority, and majesty as God -- His dominion as owner of the earth, which belongs to His Kingdom. And notice how that sentence is constructed --- IF you recognize and yield to His Kingdom, THEN you will be saved. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Salvation is dependent on your understanding and recognition of His Kingship and Kingdom. The Church has taught that Salvation should be our priority -- "save me so I can go to your Heavenly Kingdom". Salvation is focused on getting to Heaven. Kingdom is about submitting ourselves and our lives to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth -- to make earth look like Heaven. Salvation is our reward for a lifestyle of Kingdom. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">REMINDER: Adam was given dominion of the earth, but he forfeited it to Satan. Man could no longer walk in that intimate relationship with God that Adam enjoyed in the Garden, where death did not exist. After the Fall, man was subject to a mortal death that meant eternal separation from our Creator. But Jesus trumped Satan's strategy by taking Death upon Himself and paving a way [through faith in Him] for us to avoid eternal death and receive Eternal Life. Jesus, as a mortal man, had to win back our freedom from death. God couldn't do it. Our eternal relationship with God was lost by the first man [Adam], so it had to be won back by a man, Jesus, as the second Adam. That act foiled Satan's plan for eternal possession of the earth [through death], and established the dominion of the earth once again through the Kingdom of God.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus came to make those changes on the earth and to change our position with the Father; seating us in heavenly places with Him and uniting us in His resurrection life -- He overcame death and we overcome life in this world; He ascended and we can ascend [in the spirit] to receive His counsel and guidance; He came to life in this world and we come to a new life in Christ, seated in heavenly places. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>How do we walk in a Kingdom lifestyle? </b>The reason the modern American Church doesn't know the answer to that question is because the American Church preaches the Salvation message only. They do not teach Christians how to take back dominion from Satan's kingdom of darkness. Instead they try to "do kingdom" by impacting the so-called 7 Mountains of influence -- Family, Religion, Education, Media, Entertainment, Government, and Business. But that's not God's way. For instance, Christians put too much stock in politics, thinking if they can get a good Christian in office, that person can guarantee our personal and national safety. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">But incorporating that mindset into your theology won't keep you safe. Your best chance of being protected in this life is to be in a deep relationship with God. You are protected because the previous generation(s) have set up protected borders through their relationship with God. But consider our latest generations. Did they do that for us? Go test the American Church's theology of protection over in Iraq. How protected do you think you would be? God's protection comes from the spiritual lifestyle through which you are living. That's what matters -- not the politicians, not your religion, not your business model, or anything of this earth. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">God's way of walking in a Kingdom lifestyle is to submit to our Lord Jesus and His ways in order to bring His Heavenly Kingdom to earth. Part of that submission includes living a lifestyle of prayer. We also need to engage with people the way Jesus did ... He was led by the Spirit and He did and brought "Kingdom" everywhere He went. We have been given His power and authority to do what He did --healing the sick; casting out demons; cleansing the lepers [the socially unacceptable]; raising the dead; and spreading the Good News of the Kingdom everywhere He stepped foot. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">When we carry out the King's agenda [and our purpose for being here] we will live a supernatural life. We will walk in great signs and wonders. We will encounter angels. We will move and live in the spirit realm. We will enjoy God's provision. We will receive special revelation. And most importantly, we will live in the love and presence of God.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>What are the hindrances to walking in a Kingdom lifestyle? </b>Once again our theology and what we believe about God and His Kingdom will either advance us or hinder us from stepping into the Jesus-like lifestyle that we so desperately need.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the simplest hindrances to discern is the false image that the pursuit of <u>the American dream</u> of a house, two cars in the garage, a vacation every year, and a healthy bank account is the evidence that you're walking in the Kingdom of God. That's the Prosperity Gospel, not the Gospel of the Kingdom. Jesus never promised that. In fact, He told His Disciples that He had no place to lay His head at night, and they needed to leave all their possessions behind, grab their cloak and sword [if they had one], and come follow Him. It would not be a ministry of affluence, but they would receive everything they needed by "Seeking the Kingdom first and righteousness". </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the most pervasive impediments to a Kingdom lifestyle is the false teaching that <u>God is in control of everything</u>. Put another way, it is the teaching that God has "allowed" everything that has happened in your life, whether good or bad. But that doesn't take into account that God, in His Sovereignty, has given us all Free Will, and therefore some of our experiences are the results of choices we have made, or choices another person has made against us, or the choices of action by our Enemy, the devil. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">God's "Sovereignty" doesn't mean He <u>will</u> control everything; <u>only that He can, if it is His will/desire.</u> We must not forget that we have an Enemy who prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. We must be careful to make righteous decisions, and not give him the legal authority by being in agreement with his unrighteous temptations. We cannot, and must not, lay the evil deeds of the Enemy at the feet of our Just and Righteous God. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">And one more stumbling block to the Kingdom lifestyle is <u>End Times Eschatology</u>. None of us know what it will actually look like at the End of the Age. Our understanding of Tribulation and the teaching of an End Times Rapture of the Church is only a little over 200 years old, thanks to John Darby and Cyrus Scofield. None of the early Church Fathers taught it! And they were 2000 years closer to Jesus than we are. If we believe in this theology, we receive the message that we are not destined for wrath and will be "raptured" out of this world before "the bad stuff happens". This does nothing but convince us to sit on the sidelines and wait to be swept up to Heaven. It does nothing encourage us to enter or walk in the Kingdom of our Lord. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My summary statement: </b>This doesn't by any means capture everything that Steve Harmon taught. But it highlights some of his key points, especially the understanding that the key to a rewarding and fruitful Kingdom lifestyle is the desire to experience that deep spiritual relationship with God that comes only from putting Him and His Kingdom first in your life. You have to be willing to give up <i>everything </i>for Him; to pour out your life before Him and sacrifice [give up] all that this world has to offer -- your family, your money, your job, your status, and even your life! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Kingdom lifestyle is not an escape from this world so we can go to Heaven. It's an invasion of Heaven into this evil world. It's a restoration to the lifestyle Adam enjoyed in the Garden with God. We are to take back ground from the false kingdom of Satan wherever we find ourselves -- in our families, our communities, our jobs; even in Walmart! If we can manifest the presence of Jesus wherever we go, we <i>can</i> and <i>will</i> see the increase of His government, and it will have no end. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">That, my friends, is a quick summary of Steve Harmon's Kingdom teaching. Of course, it was impossible to give a synopsis of the entire 7 hours in this one blog post, but I encourage you to visit his website for more teachings: steveharmon.org. And, I know Steve would agree with me when I say this ... if your spirit is feeling uncomfortable and challenged, that’s not a bad thing. Let that tension help you to examine your theology and take your questions to God and ask Him … how do I need to renew my mind so that I am in sync with your thoughts and ways? Will you teach me how to see and enter your kingdom and begin to influence people for their healing… physically and spiritually? Tell Him you want to grow up into that super level of experiencing the Kingdom in your life; of entering the Kingdom in the fullness of your destiny and purpose.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Let me leave you with a prayer that expresses my heart on the subject of the Kingdom lifestyle ... <i>Father, We thank you for providing the opportunity of attaining the fruit and the benefits of seeing and entering the kingdom. And from our kingdom position, help us to use the power and authority you transferred to us to take back territory from the kingdom of darkness and transition it into your kingdom on earth.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I pray that each of us will make the choice to make Jesus Lord of our life. That we will GO and take the Good News that Jesus invaded the earth, bringing His Father’s Kingdom and its authority and dominion to the earth so that we can partner with Him to make earth look like Heaven. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Lord, change our hearts to help restore the earth for the glory of your Kingdom — on earth as it is in heaven. Help us to walk in the miracles and signs and wonders that the Kingdom is at hand… it is here NOW and it is for us! Amen!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">#Kingdomlifestyle #GospeloftheKingdom #KingJesus #WhatdidJesusComeToTeach? #Kingdomtheology #HindrancestotheKingdomofGod #BenefitsoftheKingdomofGod #FalseTheologyoftheWesternChurch #steveharmon </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Isaiah 9:7 <i>There shall be no end to the increase of His government and of peace, [</i></b></span><i><b style="font-family: georgia;">He shall rule] on the throne of David and over his kingdom, </b><b style="font-family: georgia;">To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness </b><b style="font-family: georgia;">From that time forward and forevermore. </b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.</b></span> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i> </i> </span></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-39829740058544735122024-01-20T05:30:00.001-06:002024-01-20T05:30:00.144-06:00Kingdom Dynamics: We Serve The Lord Together and Separately<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWhybUUXgBfyaeiGqyAeqW4LVq15SOGtLuCHd5lAID6cbP6TDtKq13nuFdFyPufDi9vRpc6IRScCWK09N9HvNOmFYJ3-OUKq32SmHA6s_dXaRIJ6GXv2k7XshOAloSbDTn_3pts46Pzyof9twCa0IvZ-xxVKODqEE38Y3dq8OEZX6x9OceK1fA33abAow/s504/ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="504" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWhybUUXgBfyaeiGqyAeqW4LVq15SOGtLuCHd5lAID6cbP6TDtKq13nuFdFyPufDi9vRpc6IRScCWK09N9HvNOmFYJ3-OUKq32SmHA6s_dXaRIJ6GXv2k7XshOAloSbDTn_3pts46Pzyof9twCa0IvZ-xxVKODqEE38Y3dq8OEZX6x9OceK1fA33abAow/w474-h399/ab.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Holy Spirit has me delving heavily into 1 Corinthians 12, as a means to better understand the Kingdom dynamics of the Body of Christ. We know this as the chapter on the spiritual gifts. And what He's showing me is all the previous confusion [in the Church] that has surrounded this important chapter of our faith. I don't know about you, but throughout my experience in the various churches I have attended, this chapter was usually glossed over -- read, but never explained adequately. I kept searching for a place that answered my questions about these spiritual gifts ... how was it decided who got which gift? Why is there so much controversy and disagreement among denominations as to their use and significance? Why have men tried so hard to put their "spin" on what Scripture says? </span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As I have studied this chapter, I discerned the Holy Spirit removing the veil that the Church had placed over my spiritual eyes. I do not pretend that I have it all figured out, or that I have perfect discernment, but I am enjoying the new revelations that come from stripping away "religion" and perceiving God's will in this important passage of His Word.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">First of all, let me say that so much of what God wants us to understand is clearly communicated in Paul's letter to the Corinthian church, which scholars estimate to have numbered between 40 and 150 people. I find it interesting, that the very first sentence, Paul tells the Believer is, "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be misinformed". Apparently, these early Believers struggled with the same issues we have confronted. He finishes up that first paragraph by making sure they understand that "no one can say, <i>Jesus is Lord, </i>except in the Holy Spirit". In other words, if we are going to have a relationship with [and know] Jesus as our Lord, then we must have a relationship with the Holy Spirit, too, because it is He who makes the Lord known to us. Furthermore, our relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, is dependent on our acceptance and acknowledgment of God, the Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And that brings me to the core principle of 1 Corinthians 12 and the basis of Kingdom Dynamics in the Body of Christ. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Read verses 4-11: </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Do you see it? Paul makes it clear that there is a variety of spiritual gifts available to the Body of Christ, but they are all administered [or "apportioned" as Scripture says] by the Holy Spirit. Simplifying it even more ... many gifts, but only one Spirit who distributes each gift to a particular person for a particular purpose. The Bible says that it is "as he [the Holy Spirit] wills". But if we rightly understand the relationship between the Father and the Holy Spirit, then we know that it is the Spirit that brings every work that God wills to its ordained completion. In other words the Holy Spirit is involved in bringing God's will [in the lives of individuals] to God's desired fulfillment. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It is essential that we grasp the truth that each of us was created for a divine purpose in the Kingdom of God on this earth. We are all designed to accomplish individual jobs, so to speak, to secure and advance the Kingdom until Christ returns. There is much work to be done, and that is why we all may have unique assignments, <i>BUT </i>they are all for a common cause. We serve our God both together [as the Body of Christ], and separately in our spiritual gifts and capacities, taking upon ourselves the mantle assigned to us. So, to put it simply, again, it is just as Paul writes ... we are one body, with many members. And God arranged the members, <i>as He chose. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Which leads me to another conflict that many of you have probably encountered. How many of you have been given the Church "test" to determine what your spiritual gifts are? And how many of you instinctively felt whatever the committee or your denomination chose for you just wasn't a good fit? That's because it is the Holy Spirit who manifests God's will for your life, not Man! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So let me extend a word of encouragement to those who find that their Kingdom assignments are outside what their Church family finds acceptable. Do not despair! I also know what it is like to be called by God to walk towards Him on a path that diverges from the path of comfort and contentment. With that comes the excitement of new revelations and seeing God in a new light ... <i>His light</i>. And it can be a lonely place. All of a sudden, your spirit is awakened to a view of God that is exhilarating as He shows you His glory and character and power in ways that you've never seen or understood before. And He is revealing who He made you to be! In addition, the Bible is opened up wider and your understanding reaches new heights that are almost dizzying. And you want to share it all with your fellow Christians. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Then you discover that God is not showing them the same things -- or they are unwilling to receive it. And, at first, you may have doubts that what you are discerning is correct, because your church family doesn't see it, and they have Scripture to back up their warnings. But when you go to the Father in prayer, the Holy Spirit convicts you that He is, indeed, calling you to a greater and higher understanding. And it's all according to your unique assignment and apportionment of spiritual gifts. And you cannot turn back, because you recognize that it is all in service to God's Kingdom. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But what do you do when those Brothers and Sisters in Christ admonish you to be careful of being deceived by the new revelations that your spirit <i>KNOWS</i> are from God? All I can tell you is this ... when you are called by God to a Kingdom assignment, you will learn that being a true Disciple of Christ is an exciting journey, but it can also be a lonely road. But when you willingly and obediently go where the Lord takes you, you probably will no longer look like your fellow Christians or meet with their approval. But neither did Jesus or the Twelve. And that's pretty good company, from where I sit.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And remember, your gifts and your assignment may be unique to you, but it is in conjunction with others who are doing [in obedience] what they have been called to, and <i>together</i>, you all serve the will of God. It takes the family of God honoring and respecting each other's assignments to accomplish His will for the redemption of mankind. We are to be ever alert to the wisdom and counsel of God's Holy Spirit, so that we might complete our responsibilities on earth to the glory of our God Almighty.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And that brings me to a last word of encouragement, and it comes from the Bible: <i>"The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands". </i>(Psalm 138:8). In other words, pray that the Lord will finish the good work He has begun in you, because it is for His glory. And know that you will never be alone. He and the Holy Spirit will always be with you, and along with the saints in Heaven, they are interceding for you and praying before the Father on your behalf. Remember, you are part of a holy and consecrated remnant; set aside and called for holy purposes. Rejoice that you stand out as different among the multitudes of the faithful. You are not alone! I share in your identity and count it joy that you have joined God's ranks of faithful servants. Blessed are we who have been entrusted with hearing God's heart for these End Times, and whose Word is a Light for the path we are on.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">#spiritualgifts #HolySpiritapportionsgifts #theremnantchurch #giftsoftheHolySpirit #God'slightonus #kingdomassignments #walkinginthespirit #God'swillforyou #familyofGod #separatebuttogetherinthechurch</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ephesians 4:15-16 <i>"But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ. From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in [unselfish] love." </i><i> </i> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-24857932441901820682024-01-17T05:30:00.001-06:002024-01-17T05:30:00.134-06:00What Happened To the Power of the Church?<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2lVkXAzpm0ONgVm7MyNwl1w8borNgWoJAO8C2W5mS75UcJLsb7cxaIz0wCseSxom0rdF-0aB5OeRGLYBd5kzS8xY7zUljhdAUhTG8HlX5sj3q85JJNJBJYk7SElgYhdDY7I4yHUhhfC9NKFc38BJiK-QDXLFJPFn0tNV7MdTgDDCbIefvYzvi7BkFXdF/s559/jesus-power.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="559" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2lVkXAzpm0ONgVm7MyNwl1w8borNgWoJAO8C2W5mS75UcJLsb7cxaIz0wCseSxom0rdF-0aB5OeRGLYBd5kzS8xY7zUljhdAUhTG8HlX5sj3q85JJNJBJYk7SElgYhdDY7I4yHUhhfC9NKFc38BJiK-QDXLFJPFn0tNV7MdTgDDCbIefvYzvi7BkFXdF/w640-h364/jesus-power.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I know that I probably have a false reputation as a "Church Hater". But that would come from people who misunderstand my motives and my heart when I am critical of "the Church". First of all, I draw a distinction between the Church as the organized religious structure, and the Church as the Body of Christ; the individuals who are the family of Believers and are God's children.</span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">While I am greatly encouraged by the Body of Christ, who are my Brothers and Sisters seeking to understand their relationship with God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit at a greater, more intimate level, I am also discouraged by the lack of equipping offered to these Believers for their ministries -- which is the job of the institutional Church. Power and authority belong to both groups called "the Church", but it is used for very different purposes by each.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As Christians, we can no longer avoid the uncomfortable conversation ... there is a growing schism among the Western Church. People who, five or ten years ago, were comfortable "in the box" suddenly find themselves at odds with what they are coming to realize is a powerless Church. And they also find themselves in conflict with people [who are quite content with where they are]; people who they've worshipped beside for decades. So more and more Christians are becoming dissatisfied with the status quo of the Western Church. And I would suspect that there are more than a few who are caught between those two paradigms ... out of the box, but not yet comfortable to let go of their traditions. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But we have come to a point in history, where we can no longer remain apathetic -- or even sympathetic -- to a powerless Church. Both the Body and the Institution must step into their purpose to influence the culture of our country and resist the evil that threatens to engulf us. As simplistic as it sounds, it is time for both factions to <i><b>Wake Up!</b> </i>We cannot hold on to our man-made [or worldly] identities and traditions and expect to be effective against a spiritual enemy. It's those identities that the devil laughs at, because he knows they are incapable of defeating him. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For each of us, there is a grid or a system that we relate to. And that's called <i>Religion. </i>Everybody says that by following <i>their</i> steps, you can know God better, you can be happier, you can...(insert claim here)". So, everyone's faith comes with attachments. And those attachments differ, depending on which religious traditions you embrace. But here is what we need to understand: Jesus wasn't promoting man's traditions. He came representing the Father, with a clear message to His Disciples of how His Father wanted the Gospel of the Kingdom advanced. The Disciples were to wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them, and then baptize people in both water and the Spirit; healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, and spreading the Good Word that all this is possible because our Father in Heaven wants to partner with us to bring Heaven to Earth. All that -- the works and the Gospel Message -- is all about POWER.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The problem is that a lot of our denominations haven't preached the Gospel with the Power component [which is the Holy Spirit] for so long, they are freaked out when they see it! The Western Church proclaims they have the correct <i>knowledge</i> of the Bible (in all their variations), but what we need is the <i>obedience </i>the Bible calls for. Therefore, the institutional, religious Church has become a system. We even take tests to see what "gift" we have, or what "office" we should occupy. But if we look for a model, or instructions, on how Jesus told the Disciples to "do Church", it is the Church that sprang up in the Book of Acts. It is the only Book of the Bible that clearly shows that the Disciples were doing all that Jesus taught them while He was on earth.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But how many of your fellow Christians do you see healing a sick person, then baptizing them in water, and then urging the Baptism of the Holy Spirit to come upon them as it did in the Book of Acts? Right now, some of you may be thinking, "But I'm not a Pastor. I don't have the authority in the Church to baptize someone". But we are called by Jesus to do it! <span style="color: #cc0000;">Jesus came and said to them, <i>"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, <b><u>teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you</u>;</b> and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age"</i> (Matthew 28:18-20).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Those disciples were not part of the religious system of their day! They were not rabbis and they were not recognized as having the authority to do those things -- neither by the public nor the religious leaders. Yet Jesus told them He had the authority to commission them to do far more than the religious establishment was accomplishing. Furthermore, He told His disciples to then teach others to do what He had taught and shown them! Remember: Jesus, God, and Holy Spirit are the same today as they were then, and will be forevermore. So, why aren't we being obedient to His teaching?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Notice the difference in how Power was used .... Jesus transferred His power from the Father and the Holy Spirit [to heal and baptize and make disciples] to His followers, [thereby defeating the Enemy in those lives]. The leaders in the religious system used their power to maintain their status and authority, and to control the masses. Furthermore, their power was man-driven, not bestowed upon them by Heaven.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Our religious traditions have reduced millions of Christians to sitting in a pew, or a class. They get taught and receive knowledge, but unless you go out to do "all that Jesus commanded us to do", you are not going to bear fruit or advance the Kingdom. So how much is that knowledge really worth in the Kingdom of God? Since we are not just supposed to be "hearers of the Word", how much does that model result in "doers of the Word"? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The reality is that more and more Christians are awakening to the fact that Church, as we know, it is no longer satisfying to their soul and spirit. They can no longer deny that the world doesn't look or feel any better because of the Church. In fact, the Church is looking more like the world. They are recognizing the Truth about what the Great Commission really is -- that it's more than sharing the Message of Salvation; more than Jesus dying to cover our sins. He died to remove our sins and to create in us a new man or woman -- one that bears fruit for the Kingdom by doing what Jesus did and doing the things the Church in the Book of Acts modeled for us. And so they are leaving the traditional Church model and seeking ways to observe all that Jesus commanded those Twelve Disciples.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As we see Evil increasing in our lives, and as we get closer to Jesus's return, I believe we are going to see a split in the Western Church. One side thinks we have evolved beyond the actions of the Disciples in that First Century. They think that laying on of hands to heal the sick, delivering a Christian from demonic torment, or baptizing in the Spirit is not for today. They believe we are to submit to the authority of the Pastor and the Church system. The other side has been awakened to the power of the Holy Spirit in the Believer [to bear much fruit for the Kingdom], and they believe they are to submit to Jesus's authority and see the Body of Christ become the Church Jesus intended it to be.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The bottom line is this .... I don't care if a Christian goes to a 5,000 member mega-Church, or is part of 20 devoted Believers who meet in a home. If there is no fruit being produced by either group, then the Holy Spirit is not present. And when the Holy Spirit is absent, there is no power to fight the spiritual battle against the sinful nature of this world. And that is not what Jesus had in mind for His Church. Yes, we receive the Holy Spirit the moment we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior. But I want the Fire of the Holy Spirit to be recognizable in my life! Remember that John the Baptist said He baptized with water, but "He [Jesus] will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire". It was that fire and Power that changed the world; and it is that same fire and Power that will change the world <i>today.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">God poured out His Holy Spirit with fire and signs, healings, and spiritual gifts on the Church of the Book of Acts. He knew if the Early Church was going to survive the horrific attacks that would come against it, Believers would need the spiritual power of the Holy Spirit to counter those attacks and advance His Kingdom on earth. He has awakened us in the 21st Century Body of Christ to the same truth. We need the joy of being filled with the power of the Holy Spirit to counter the ambivalent, compromising, and weak institutionalized Church. As we begin to walk out the power that Jesus and the Book of Acts Church modeled for us, we will see God renewing us; restoring us; and equipping us to do what <i>must</i> be done if mankind is going to resist and defeat the system that Satan is bringing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The question is, can the institutional Church join hands with the Body of Christ who are walking in that heavenly Power? I am in total agreement with Gabe Lyons, a Christian media/culture expert, who recently wrote "A Letter to Christian Leaders", in which he said, "Together, we can be smarter, more informed and creative than if we try and go this alone. I write with a desire for unity, clarity and sharpening as we consider how Christian leadership ought to be exercised during our time of confusion. To be blunt, I believe we are in a spiritual, psychological, biological and informational war accelerating into a crisis of isolation, distrust, polarization, censorship and physical harm. Discernment and wisdom from Christian leaders will be critical, but the time to be convicted, clear-minded, and courageous is now. The enemy wants us divided, but the strength of the Church has always been in her unity in the essentials, and charity in the non-essentials". </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Spiritual leaders -- both in the Body of Christ, and in the Church building -- have an opportunity to stand in their God-given authority, resisting the temptations to follow what the world systems are mandating. It is time to keep our lamps filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit, so that we might constantly be supplied with His wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear [awe and reverence] of the Lord. There is no time or room for fear and compromise. We are at a pivotal moment. We must be faithful to all of God's commands, while standing firm in our resistance to Evil, and we must prepare our Brothers and Sisters in Christ for the season ahead. God bless you as we boldly advance the Kingdom of God in all its Truth.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">#KingdomofGod #thepowerlesschurch #thepoweroftheholyspirit #thebookofactschurch #thebelieverspowerandauthority #powerandauthorityofjesus #fireoftheholyspirit #religionandpower #bodyofchristvsthechurch #thedividedchurch #wakeupchristianleaders #God-givenauthority</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Jeremiah 6:16 <i>Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ </i></b></span></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-73236239903454814812024-01-14T05:30:00.000-06:002024-01-14T05:30:00.136-06:00Updated: Mother's Teach Your Children!<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUS_3uLlMzkinwztGdHqtqqW5DACgy7_Ah1pBZ2CWxyWNBYvOIDexBhmrysYO5jXO-ZvVoSi2KrnpBZ9BztXSwEsOHf0X_tkzrrmXgyhT07ihFRLQDvFA_o4fxQbbqwwPAMN3iYyQyuTpYL32YLDZu8CFyn4nqPLOKBLW3di_ji1LDWdaJXEwY3ri7jvV/s480/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="479" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUS_3uLlMzkinwztGdHqtqqW5DACgy7_Ah1pBZ2CWxyWNBYvOIDexBhmrysYO5jXO-ZvVoSi2KrnpBZ9BztXSwEsOHf0X_tkzrrmXgyhT07ihFRLQDvFA_o4fxQbbqwwPAMN3iYyQyuTpYL32YLDZu8CFyn4nqPLOKBLW3di_ji1LDWdaJXEwY3ri7jvV/w399-h400/a.jpg" width="399" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i>This is an updated version of one of the very first posts I wrote when I began this blog in 2012. At the time, I thought the world was in a heap of trouble, but it didn't come close to comparing what we're facing today. So, it is worthwhile to revisit this address to mothers [and fathers] to teach your children to know their history; to know who they came from, and the stories of how their ancestors overcame their struggles. It's the same reminder that God gave Moses to share with the Israelites -- to remember all He had done for them through the history of time. We need to do that for these present generations. Their survival depends on it!</i></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As a Baby Boomer, I was raised to remember the standards of courage and moral values set by my ancestors. I was taught the skills that my grandmother considered were important in the care of her family (knitting, canning, baking bread, gardening). I was also taught to acknowledge gifts with a hand-written thank you note, and to say “thank you”, “yes, sir”, and “excuse me”, when it was appropriate – the kinds of things that contribute to a civilized society.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My most prized possession is my Family Bible, dating back to 1814. In it are recorded the births, marriages, and deaths of a long line of people that leads to me. It is not only a reminder that the world is not all about me, but it helps me to remember who I am and where I came from. I wanted to know their stories and experiences; to learn from the hard work and perseverance that brought them through some of the most difficult times and adversities this country had ever seen.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I cherished the handed-down history of my family from the Civil War, when they buried the family silverware to keep it from being stolen by General Sherman’s advancing army. I listened to my grandmother’s story of taking in washing and mending during the Depression in order to feed her five young children, after she suddenly became a widow at 28. And I sat at my father’s knee as he recounted getting his parents’ permission to sign up, at 17, to go to war, after Pearl Harbor.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I wanted to think that I could be as brave and determined as they were in the face of those adverse circumstances. Their memories and stories were passed down to me by my mom and dad, and aunts and uncles, with pride in our family heritage of sacrifice and endurance. I loved that personal history, but also was introduced to the history of the founding of our country, which was spoken of with the same pride and loyalty. As a child, I was enamored with the tales of the brave men and women who fought for our freedom and independence, and often wished I could have lived during that time to experience that struggle [from what must have seemed like sure defeat at the hands of a despot] that led to a Divine victory whereby men would rule themselves. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But it wasn't all about Independence and the heroes who secured that for us. I was also taught the sorrow and deep pain of the Civil War and how that division was still affecting our country. I was taught that it was incumbent upon each of us to defend and protect what millions of men had died to preserve. And I remember a similar division spreading its wings during the Vietnam War. Did we learn any lessons through those conflicts?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And now, I find myself in my seventh decade thinking, “I have a feeling, that very soon, I’m going to have the opportunity to not only prove myself worthy of all my family's legacies, but to share in the confusion and suffering of my country becoming divided”. Believe me, I am not claiming that our country is perfect! Not by a long shot! There has always been an underlying element of men [and women] whose loyalties have been attached to nefarious and wicked schemes to benefit themselves and the Luciferian rulers of this world. But our God has always been present, working through Godly men and women to help us stay the course and serve Him, according to His will. Sadly, that knowledge and faithfulness is disappearing.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I’m not so concerned about how I will handle the trouble that’s coming. I <i>KNOW</i> who I am, and not only who I came from, but where I’m going. But I do worry about the generations that are following us. Do they know? Because I’m not sure the legacy and birthright of the individuals who built this nation have been taught or inherited by those who are being primed to take over the running of this country. Not only do they spurn the skills of their grandparents and ancestors as useless and archaic, but they’ve not been taught to think for themselves, and they rely only on social media for their news and information. They have no idea of the truth and spirit of this nation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Without a fight, Tik Tok has hypnotized the minds of our younger generations with brainless entertainment, while mixing in a few propaganda messages why young Americans should hate our evil country. Very few have the knowledge or the truth to refute the indoctrination, nor are they willing to make the effort to learn. As long as the laughing babies and cute animal videos continue to stream nonstop, they are content to be lulled into passivity and ignorance. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Witness the miscomprehension of the atrocities in Israel that occurred on October 7th of this year. Thousands march in the streets and on campuses without any real understanding of the history that underscores what they see displayed on their phones and TV screens. But why should they? They’ve been convinced that history is unimportant; that it is irrelevant to their immediate lives, and that it can be altered if it doesn’t fit the narrative of those who have decided that social ideologies are due for a change. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But remembering our history is so important to retaining our identity and our every existence. I want to extend a challenge to you … If you asked your children or grandchildren to tell you what they've learned from you or their grandparents, could they tell you? Have we handed over the responsibility of forming our children's identity to some School Board that knows better than we do? And most importantly, do our children know that the rewards of this life come from working hard, helping others, overcoming adversity, and giving all the glory to our God? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It is precisely because we've been such a prosperous nation post-World War II, that the American mindset became all about giving our children everything it was possible to give them. We made it all about them, as we left the memories of our family histories behind. The Enemy convinced us that we didn't want them to suffer lack, or discouragement, or difficulties, and we lost sight of the tremendous value of sharing [and experiencing] those very aspects of life. And that also includes failing! We forgot to teach our kids the lessons of how to learn from our failures -- because every child received a “participation ribbon”. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">That's why God spends so much time in His Word reminding us to <i>remember!</i> It is through our shared and deliberately remembered history that we are able to see our role in our present conflicts. When we forget our history, we forget that we possess, within our DNA, the memories of how to overcome the obstacles, oppression, and struggles that come our way. When we lose those memories, we don't really know who we are or who we came from, or what our present role is to be. And more importantly, we lose <i>whose</i> we are. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">God admonished Moses to remind the Israelites to remember all He had done for them; the miracles of their survival through horrendous persecution. Have we taught our children and grandchildren of all the ways God has seen us through our own trials and tribulations, or shared the stories of their grandparents or great-grandparents? Or have we chosen to shelter them from anything that makes them feel uncomfortable or that might be too difficult for them to handle? If so, then finding their way through our uncertain future is going to be difficult for them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But it's not too late! It's time to become deliberate and attentive to remembering! Teach your young children the stories in the Bible of God's people overcoming their obstacles, and then relate it to your own family history. And we must begin to amend the lack of "remembering" that we didn't teach our young Millennial adults. It's time they begin to understand that what they've "learned" from technology and social media and their “woke” professors does not compare to the power of God's work in their family histories. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Each of us has a story to tell --- and that story helps define our morals, our value systems, and our successes in life. By the Grace of God, I owe whatever strength of mind and character I have to the examples that were passed down to me. What are we passing down to the next generation? PLEASE take the time to tell your children and grandchildren about overcoming difficulties; and teach them how to think for themselves. They have inherited a rich history of resiliency and fortitude. That is the American legacy. Teach them to embrace it. They are going to need it! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">#mothersteachyourchildren #thevalueofmemories #rememberingfamilyhistory #whatlegacyareweleavingourchildren? #theimportanceofteachinghistory #doyouknowwhereyoucamefrom? #whodoyoubelongto? #doyouknowyouridentity?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Isaiah 46:9-11 <i>Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other ... Declaring the end from the beginning, a</i></b></span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>nd from ancient times things that are not yet done,</b></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ ... </span></b></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; </b></span><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have purposed, and I will do it.</span></b></i></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-83644112749307001012024-01-10T05:30:00.001-06:002024-01-10T05:30:00.153-06:00Beware Of False Signs & Wonders of This Age: They Are a Web of Deception!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj809w7QcjviVkTCci84Vv2F_8uxh9ClT0YSSO8tNTeDeD0D2XNTXN3z6ukxt3ldmCn3kzhO0wnc7KMosd83JmUt3oyTKnVIIhBiZjJNqceZhotUHt-pRN-vNqWEUQAbo-5pXlmjKPMDIVldlV7tEbXfpGSeOLHzheUL9xnUJpyRcPbm-9oN__TK-N5NEjW/s588/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="588" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj809w7QcjviVkTCci84Vv2F_8uxh9ClT0YSSO8tNTeDeD0D2XNTXN3z6ukxt3ldmCn3kzhO0wnc7KMosd83JmUt3oyTKnVIIhBiZjJNqceZhotUHt-pRN-vNqWEUQAbo-5pXlmjKPMDIVldlV7tEbXfpGSeOLHzheUL9xnUJpyRcPbm-9oN__TK-N5NEjW/w640-h330/a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I want to start off by saying that I acknowledge the ways in which technology has helped mankind. Our society has benefitted from its many innovations. But I have also written before about my inherent suspicion of technology as a tool of deception from the Enemy. Those of all ages, who are intrigued by it, will call me old-fashioned and out-of-step with the future implications. But, on the contrary, it is </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">exactly</i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">those implications for the future that have set off warning bells in my spirit. </span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For more than ten years, I have been following and studying the writings and philosophies of futurists and technology engineers who were bold in their prognostications of how technology would "advance humankind", even to the point of living forever by uploading our brains to the "cloud", and replacing our worn-out body parts. After all, they clearly implied, it won't be necessary to cling to God to have eternal life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In 2013, I wrote <a href="https://www.salvationandsurvival.com/2013/12/your-life-will-soon-look-like-science.html" target="_blank">a post</a>, citing that Ray Kurzweil -- an acclaimed inventor, futurist, and [then] Director of Engineering at Google -- had published an article on CNN.com in which he predicted <u>5 ways our lives would be dramatically affected </u>in the very near future. Let's see how far down that road we've come in the last ten years. He predicted that ... </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>1. By the early 2020s, we will have the means to program our biology away from disease and aging. </b>According to Mr. Kurzweil, in 2013, scientists already had "the genome code" and could actually reprogram our body's processes, much like a computer is re-programmed.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Here is a direct quote from him:</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">RNA interference, for example, can turn genes off that promote disease and aging. New forms of gene therapy, especially in vitro models that do not trigger the immune system, have the ability to add new genes.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But as we saw in 2020, with the worldwide pandemic, RNA interference can have the opposite effects on genes, too, resulting in promotion of diseases and death. So, I ask... was this science used for the betterment of mankind? Was it true "Signs and Wonders", or was it "Deception"?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>2. By 2030, solar energy will be able to meet all our needs, revolutionizing the production of food and water. </b>In 2013, Kurzweil predicted hydroponic production of fruits and vegetables -- so far, so good. But he also predicted "in vitro cloning of muscle tissue for meat". We saw that rolled out as McDonald's "Impossible Burger", or fake meat. But here is the quote that set my spirit on edge: "We are also headed towards another agriculture revolution, from horizontal agriculture to vertical agriculture, where we grow very high quality food in <u>Artificial Intelligence controlled buildings</u> [my emphasis, not his].</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">That's when my warning bells started going off. Our food supply will be controlled by machines?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>3. By the early 2020s we will <i><u>print out</u></i> a significant fraction of the products we use including clothing as well as replacement organs. </b>I could see that trend emerging; we were already consuming digital versions of books, movies, and music. In the ten years since, that trend has only grown. But it was his pride in which he announced the following, that once again, had me questioning, "Signs and Wonders" or "Deception"? He said, "We can already experimentally print out organs by printing a biodegradable scaffolding and then populating it with a patient's own stem cells, all with a 3D printer." After all, who needs a Creator God, right?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;">4. Within five years, search engines will be based on an understanding of natural language.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b> </b>Well, we've reached that milestone, and gone beyond. We have surpassed IBM's "Watson" who got its knowledge</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">by reading Wikipedia and other encyclopedias, a total of 200 million pages of natural language documents, and then combining all that knowledge to come up with a system that could engage a person in dialogue to clarify questions and discuss answers that were ambiguous or complex.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Ten years later, we are increasingly encountering, LLMs (Large Language Models), a type of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that uses deep learning techniques and massively large data sets to understand, summarize, generate and predict new content. In other words, computers are increasingly able to think like humans, and the concern is that they will soon be able to out-think us, as their learning capacity grows. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>5. By the early 2020s we will be routinely working and playing with each other in full immersion visual-auditory virtual environments. By the 2030s, we will add the tactile sense to full immersion virtual reality. </b>Much like the telephone is virtual reality, in the auditory sense, in that you can meet with someone as if you are together, Kurzweil predicted that we will soon be able to add visual, tactile and what he called "full immersion" virtual reality to our existence. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> There's only one small hitch ... the full package will require <i>tapping directly into the nervous system.</i> But it's no big deal, he insists. "We'll be able to do that in the 2030s with nanobots traveling noninvasively into the brain through the capillaries and augmenting the signals coming from our <u>real senses</u>." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So, can you see that as far back as ten years ago, the Enemy was sowing seeds of deception into our collective desire to be "plugged in"? But have the advancements in technology and Artificial Intelligence resulted in what the Bible predicts will be false Signs and Wonders for our Age? Consider this statement by Gabe Lyons, an alumnus of Liberty University, and a Christian media expert, who isn't afraid to warn about the coming threats to our world, while encouraging and equipping Christians to strengthen our own culture of faith ... "I believe Christians ought to be the most thoughtful, the most informed, and the most educated on every single question that our culture is asking,” Lyons said. “We have a responsibility to do that because the Scriptures and the Church (body of Christ) throughout history have always had the best answers to what human beings face … to the questions [this] generation is asking.”</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">He warns that </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">the goal of artificial intelligence is to form a singular language so that nothing becomes impossible for man. He referenced Genesis 11, explaining that humans have a desire to lift themselves up rather than submit to God — a temptation [and I submit, a <i>deception] </i>as old as time. “What is the thing that artificial intelligence wants from you?", he asks … "it wants you to stop thinking".</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I agree! It is time that we, as Christians, begin seeing the challenge being presented to us. Do we really need this growing dependence on AI and machines? Critical thinking is an important component of our humanity, and we've been given that by our Creator! Do we really need gene editing? Or a neural link in our brain? Or nanobots that supplement and magnify our natural senses and body functions? Do we really need to perfect what God designed, which is in His image? We must ask ourselves if we need to be "enhanced" ... or do we trust God's divine design? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Unfortunately, what I see happening is that we are being trained to abandon our own critical thinking, and rely more and more on machines. When we do that, we are stepping away from God. We must not be fooled or deceive ourselves! All the benefits of man's "artificial enhancement" are false Signs and Wonders. They will result in future generations that Gabe Lyons says "won't see a God, or believe in Him, and will start to think they're their own god". </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">That is why it is essential that we Christians each develop -- through our spirits and critical thinking [from God] -- our own worldview of who we are, why we matter, and why we're here. It must all come through the lens of being divinely created, and through the truth of Christ's redemptive act on the Cross for us. And here's the critical point ... we must be able to defend it, if we are going to occupy this earth until Christ returns. We must defend the truth of our divinely saved humanity, because I promise you this ... AI, in all its accumulated knowledge, will try to challenge that truth! But remember Scripture, which says <i>Be not deceived. God will not be mocked.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">#falsesignsandwonders #satansdeception #mandanmachine #dangersofartificialintelligence #satanslies #biblicalworldview #raykurzweil #criticalthinking #God'sdivinecreationofman #technologyasthedevil'stool #Godwillnotbemocked #benotdeceived</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Isaiah 44: 9, 20: <i>All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame... a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”</i></b></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-84764332429260244482024-01-07T05:30:00.001-06:002024-01-07T05:30:00.131-06:00The Importance of God's Word in Unsettling Times<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTze2hVdW0H5B6_YeM04jqsT7YnlWC0kTNqjzvPu8Xfjc42YxrSIie-heEHOH86kjQ-4_DFCP8nPZsN7fHp6IegmtNEE0YN1eF2vo7MOD9gZ3xOe32LYuEw8W-nV0jr9vjyB_878E6hvp6ih31xkb1Z9jwVntKgQm-vkGvhbVn4vDMoiLe_NfH5jKmavk/s505/ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="505" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTze2hVdW0H5B6_YeM04jqsT7YnlWC0kTNqjzvPu8Xfjc42YxrSIie-heEHOH86kjQ-4_DFCP8nPZsN7fHp6IegmtNEE0YN1eF2vo7MOD9gZ3xOe32LYuEw8W-nV0jr9vjyB_878E6hvp6ih31xkb1Z9jwVntKgQm-vkGvhbVn4vDMoiLe_NfH5jKmavk/w640-h478/ab.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">There are so many reasons that God's Word is vital in times of trouble. But before I begin my reasons why, we need to examine the exegesis of what we mean by "God's Word". And naturally, we Christians understand the Bible to be God's Word to us; His expressed [or written] message to mankind. "Word" in Greek is </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">Logos</i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> and implies the Divine reason/thought that gives the cosmos its form and order. That's what the Bible means when it says in John 1:1-2, </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">In the beginning was the <b>Word</b>. And the </i><b style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Word</i></b><i style="font-family: georgia;"> was with God and the <b>Word</b> was God. He was in the beginning with God. </i><span style="font-family: georgia;">The "He" in this passage is telling us that Jesus is also "the Word"; He represents and embodies the complete message of God to all men. </span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, here we have the idea that both Jesus and the Bible are God's Word. They are connected because the Bible is literally all about Jesus -- if you diligently read it and study it, you will find Him on every page. Paul gives us the duality of that concept when he says, "I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, <u>to make the word of God fully known"</u>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In other words, Paul is telling Believers that it is his job to make the word (Jesus) known to them as the message from God to mankind. He can accomplish that through teaching from the collection of writings that scholars most commonly accept as written, [beginning with Genesis], around 1400 B.C. until Malachi was written, approximately 450 B.C. -- what we know as the Old Testament. That is the written word of God.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But Paul also wants them to understand that the Word of God encompasses more than what's written on the page. God had been speaking into mankind for centuries, revealing Himself in various ways -- in His creation; through the prophets He called into service; through Scripture [of course], and now the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. But by the time that Paul is teaching this truth, Jesus has been crucified and risen. So, Paul wants it clearly understood that God continues to reveal Himself through the Holy Spirit, who will teach us a deeper understanding of what is written on the pages of Scripture. That concept sees the Word of God, as <i>spiritually revealed, </i>or the <i><u>Rhema Word</u>.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It is an utterance from God to the heart of the receiver via the Holy Spirit, as in John 14:26: <i>But when the Father sends the Spirit of Holiness, the One like Me who sets you free, He will teach you all things in My name. And He will <u>inspire you</u> to remember every word that I’ve told you.</i><i> </i>In addition, we can see the activity of the Holy Spirit in Hebrews 4:12, <i>For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.</i><i> </i>Although the Lord is no longer on the earth, He is still the Word and works through the Holy Spirit, who is living and active in us; separating our soul and flesh from our spirit, and discerning the condition of our heart, that we might clearly hear Jesus and obey His commandments. <span style="font-style: italic;"> </span> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To summarize, <b>Logos </b>is a theological term with a clear reference to Jesus as the Word in the Bible. <b>Rhema</b> is a spiritual encounter with the Word, whereby the principles of the Bible are communicated directly to the heart and spirit of the Believer. The problem is that much of the Church doesn't recognize the Rhema Word or hunger for it. And of course, the Rhema Word must coincide with what is revealed about the Logos in the Bible. I do not believe God or Jesus will speak a word to our hearts or spirits that contradicts His Word in the Bible, but I certainly believe They have a desire to illuminate the Word to those who will receive it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So why have I taken such pains to elucidate the fullness of this term "Word of God"? It's so that as we traverse these difficult times in the modern world, we know how to engage and bind ourselves to the Word of God, in all its fullness; to remain grounded and connected to our lifeline [both the Bible and Jesus] when confronted with conflict and dangerous situations. It is important to understand how to do that. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, I invite you to consider the following passage in the Bible. I think it expresses much better than I can, what I am talking about ... <i>For we did not receive the spirit of this world system but the Spirit of God, so that we might come to understand and experience all that grace has lavished upon us. And we articulate these realities with the words imparted to us by the Spirit and not with the words taught by human wisdom. <u>We join together Spirit-revealed truths with Spirit-revealed words.</u> Someone living on an entirely human level rejects the revelations of God’s Spirit, for they make no sense to him. He can’t understand the revelations of the Spirit because they are only discovered by the illumination of the Spirit. Those who live in the Spirit are able t</i>o <i>carefully evaluate all things, and they are subject to the scrutiny of no one <u>but God</u></i> (1 Corinthians 2:12-15, The Passion Translation). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To us in the 21st Century, this should tell us that there is a valid connection between revelation from God (Spirit-revealed truths) and the Bible (Spirit-revealed words). They are meant to work together to bring us into greater intimacy with the Father and to guide us to not only fulfill our purpose for the Kingdom that Jesus came to establish, but defend it against the spiritual forces that want to obstruct it. <b>And here's an amazing truth that we need to be exceedingly grateful for</b> ... the heroes of the Old Testament had access to the Holy Spirit when God sent Him upon them, but we have been blessed that the Holy Spirit is with us always, living inside us! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I recently read an interesting article on <a href="http://www.kingdomcitizens.org/kingdom-102-staying-focused-on-his-word-in-time-of-conflict.html" target="_blank">kingdom citizens.org</a>. Consider that Daniel, in his service to God, did not have the Holy Spirit's presence in him. But he did make obedience to God's Word his fundamental guide. Even when King Darius decreed that no man could pray to any other god but him, Daniel continued to remain obedient to God's command that <i>"You shall have no other gods before Me",</i> by praying towards Jerusalem three times a day. He is an example that no conflict, no law or decree can change the truth of God's Word. Daniel presents a pretty good challenge to the 21st Century believer. If he was willing to stake his life on following God's commands -- no matter what -- and without the Holy Spirit as guide and counselor inside him, how much more should we be able to stand and occupy in times of trouble? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In the New Testament, the Disciples Peter and John also show us who and what should take priority in our lives. Just like Daniel, they ran up against man-made laws; laws that forbid them to teach about Jesus. They had a decision to make! Would they choose man's law over the truth they knew of the Word -- that He had died for our sins and rose to sit at the right hand of the Father to intercede on our behalf? Or would they continue to witness about the Word, and listen to the Holy Spirit, who teaches us and reveals the power of the Gospel? <i>"We ought to obey God rather than men" </i>was their answer -- not to be rebellious and sow discord and chaos into the society, but to remain obedient to God's law, when man's law went against it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As our spirits become increasingly aware that conflict is on the rise and may become unavoidable, I know it will not be easy. In our flesh, the Enemy will attack us with fear, doubt, anxiety, and unbelief. But I want to encourage you to make the Word of God your foundation in the midst of the uncertainty, confusion, and disorder. We're already seeing, that in so many areas, wrong is now right; bad is now good. Like Daniel and Peter and John, ask yourself, <i>What does God call me to do in this situation, according to the Bible? What am I hearing from the Holy Spirit? </i>When you know the Word, both in Scripture form, and in your personal, intimate relationship with Jesus the Word, you will find that you have a foundation to stand on; one that strengthens you, gives you strategies, and provides stability in unsettling times. We will overcome!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">#understandingtheword #whatislogosword #whatisrhemaword #kingdomcitizens #obeyGodorobeyman #holyspiritinus #holyspiritinoldtestament #holyspirit #weoughttoobeyGod #Jesusistheword #revelationofthebible #spiritrevealedtruth #danielsobedienceinthebible</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>I</b></span><b style="font-family: georgia;">saiah 55:11 <i>"So shall My Word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it".</i></b></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <i> </i></span></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-20344190717290417292024-01-04T05:30:00.001-06:002024-01-04T05:30:00.133-06:00When and How Did America Lose Its Christian Soul?<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SYxa20F3TH-thhxZG6JOvO8Gbo8ZJ31zQvrRKncGY0W6p3q2aGtiIqiEFbSitd0hQCHCtwkhqafDGMwXRoMuMgOS4lR9zx7Xj1_IehCOn4Br4hseCymTAaBBxSQlsEf0h0SZGKv3RZ4v16E2_tVWPIdYFBToqvcDAu-EBHWT9oaGoD6Py-ajixJyRxQU/s1112/ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1112" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SYxa20F3TH-thhxZG6JOvO8Gbo8ZJ31zQvrRKncGY0W6p3q2aGtiIqiEFbSitd0hQCHCtwkhqafDGMwXRoMuMgOS4lR9zx7Xj1_IehCOn4Br4hseCymTAaBBxSQlsEf0h0SZGKv3RZ4v16E2_tVWPIdYFBToqvcDAu-EBHWT9oaGoD6Py-ajixJyRxQU/w640-h362/ab.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I hope that what I have to say today will resonate with many of you, because it is of utmost importance that we, as a nation, clearly see where we are headed. The question I ask in the title is purely rhetorical -- I don't have an ideal answer. I am asking in order to make people examine the state of our spiritual health as a nation, and to consider the seriousness of that condition.</span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In my lifetime, I can point to the "When" we began to lose our national soul. I can trace the decline of faith as a governing factor in our American persona to the 1962 decision by the Supreme Court that prayers organized by public school officials were unconstitutional. Since then, the Supreme Court has also ruled that "voluntary" prayer in our schools is unconstitutional because it makes some students feel uncomfortable and left out. Those decisions soon resulted in God being increasingly removed from more and more aspects of our culture and society. Challenges to His place in our country are now commonplace.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We've come a long way since our nation, which was once considered the "New Israel" by the Pilgrims, has seen a momentous decline in faith and belief in God. For over 300 years after the Pilgrims landed, the Church and the Gospel were a guiding force in this land of freedom and opportunity; they were a benchmark by which the affairs of this land were conducted. From the pulpit, the Church taught the Gospel and how it should affect the nation's decisions regarding its form of government, education, commerce, morality and yes, even politics. The Church and the influence of the Gospel shaped America, and therefore the world.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But for [at least] the last 60 years it seems that the world has shaped the Church. In America, we have let the world tell the Church that God doesn't belong in our schools; we have let the world tell the Church that life does not begin at conception; and we have let the world tell the Church that faith has no place in the halls of our governing institutions. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In 2012, I watched a broadcast of a group of American pastors who were boldly calling out America's churches for their failings. They challenged the Church for the decline in faith in our country and for the appalling statistic [at that time] that 49.5% of our children, ages 8 to 17 have never been inside a church! How did that happen in a country that is known for being founded on Judeo/Christian principles, and what must the statistic be these 12 years later?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One of the pastors quoted Aleksandry Solzhenitsyn, famed Russian author (Nobel prize for Literature) and a survivor of the Communist regime. During a 1983 address, Solzhenitsyn gave a dissertation on the Russian revolution and the Communist takeover. He explained that the Marxist ideology successfully infused Russian society with an atheistic mentality through systematic secularization of the culture. It became very easy to alienate the people from God and their traditional Christian morality and beliefs. Solzhenitsyn simply and succinctly pronounced judgment on his countrymen ..... <b><i>“Men have forgotten God; that’s why all this has happened.”</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And now, I'll present the "How" our loss of faith and soul came about. And again, it was Aleksandry Solzhenitsyn who shined the light on how creative Satan works in nations and cultures. He revealed the methods by which the Communists were able to separate their people from God. First, they were patient and calculating. They started with the elite and the educated circles; by the time their Revolution occurred, faith had virtually disappeared among the academics and universities. Sound familiar? Hatred of God and the Church were the driving force behind Communism and at the heart of the ideology. If a movement is going to take control of a society, they must destroy religion/faith. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">If the people have access to the Creator, and recognize that there is a power higher than the Government, then they can never be enslaved. And as repressive as the Communist regime was, it was <i>not</i> able to eradicate Christianity; in fact, Solzhenitsyn proclaimed that his countrymen's awareness of God and His saving grace became even more acute under the severe persecution. I believe that has happened throughout history among persecuted Christians. [Think of the Disciples and Believers in the First Century Church, through the attempts to wipe out the Christian faith during the Middle Ages; the genocides during the Ottoman Empire, and the current war on Christians in the Middle East and Africa]. The willingness of these Christian believers [and sadly, martyrs] to suffer for their Lord is a testimony to the strength of their faith. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In addition, we cannot deny that Christianity in the West -- and I would say we are guilty of this -- has been watered down. In 1938, Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer escaped to the U.S. when Hitler began his campaign against the Christian churches in Germany, only to return to war-torn Germany because he found the Christian Church in America operated in "Easy Grace". How much further have we slid since 1938? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Let me share a quote I found from someone who responded to an online poll by Quora that asked the question, "What caused religion to decline in America"? Here is the respondent's answer ... "I can only give you my perspective. I was a Christian for forty-two years. I know the Bible inside and out. I was always troubled by the disconnect between how Christians treat other people and the words of the guy they claim to follow. Apparently, to be a good Christian in 2024 you have to hate, “all the right people.” Their sense of entitlement is the very definition of pride. Pride is supposed to be sinful and Christians are very proud of themselves. There are more and more people like me, people who have had enough of the lies and hypocrisy and just left the whole thing behind. I searched deep within myself and discovered that the reasons that I had for my faith were not good ones. With more and more people leaving the church, it is becoming obvious that atheism doesn't lead to lives of emptiness and despair. That is frankly, bull----. My life has been much more full and meaningful since I left the fear, superstition and empty promises of Christianity".</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Does that offend you? It should because that's not how I want to view Christianity. But that testimony is coming from someone who says he believed for 42 years. He obviously has experience being in the Church, and this is what he's left with. So, I ask you -- how do we reclaim our Christian soul in America; our mind dedicated to God's will on earth, the deep heartfelt and emotional recognition that we need Jesus in our lives to be truly fulfilled, and the [free] will to discover our purpose for being here? How do we turn the hearts of the aforementioned ex-Believer back to his first love? We must repent for all that we and the generations before us have done [or not done] to set this decline in motion. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We must see that, as a nation, we voluntarily embraced (and encouraged) our own turning away from God! We Christians, (and the Church!) failed in our commission. We did not safeguard the teachings that Christ gave us, and we did not faithfully teach them to each successive generation. We let the spirit of Pharaoh (enslavement through false teachings in the universities and our church buildings), the spirit of Jezebel (sexual perversion and immorality), and the spirit of Herod (killing innocent, unborn children) invade our land. We have ignored the only spirit that can save us ... the Holy Spirit. Now it is up to each of us and every pastor in every pulpit throughout the land to get back to our real purpose. We are here at this time, in this place, to reclaim this territory for God! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I know there are many Christians who are dedicated to this restoration. And we must examine our methods to see if the old patterns have led to our decline, or if they must be faithfully protected. Are you willing to accept that following true Christianity may not look like it has in the past? Do you have the courage to follow our Savior, who also encountered pushback from the religious establishment? Consider that Jesus came, bringing a new model for obeying YHWH and spreading a Holy Spirit-inspired servanthood to mankind. But He also prophesied that Satan would battle against us and we would be persecuted and called upon to stand and occupy. I declare that we yet have the opportunity to re-establish our national identity as a steadfast nation in Christ. And through employing His power and authority, it will be done! Amen!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">#americandeclineinfaith #takingGodoutofournation #thehypocriticalchurch #americahaslostitschristiansoul #menhaveforgottenGod #watereddownchristianity #dietrichbonhoeffer #reclaimingamericaschristiansoul #reclaimamericaforGod #whatistruechristianity #reestablishamericaforGod</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">1 Kings 18:37 <i>"Answer me, LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."</i></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i> </i></span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-77369807466747016372024-01-01T05:30:00.027-06:002024-01-01T05:30:00.144-06:002024: The State of American Christianity<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUf-rzPGIpA8JH2X9fxDIoCsc4TJ8rkuI9lOULRL4r28-PVEItbZkgscknsB0M_nZk04fp58Xls0V0iNp1n0plLtKdJ0oKSNak40d2nXdr0DvkpwWYSpBddxvdqy6m6NOH66xuDvbguKLwZOGlKJOsijAHwZa_KDlIobwrVOe0ky7BeEBRlAAT3FoPi58B/s536/ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="536" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUf-rzPGIpA8JH2X9fxDIoCsc4TJ8rkuI9lOULRL4r28-PVEItbZkgscknsB0M_nZk04fp58Xls0V0iNp1n0plLtKdJ0oKSNak40d2nXdr0DvkpwWYSpBddxvdqy6m6NOH66xuDvbguKLwZOGlKJOsijAHwZa_KDlIobwrVOe0ky7BeEBRlAAT3FoPi58B/w640-h334/ab.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">First of all, I want to be sure you understand that this is not an article expounding on the virtues of Christian nationalism. Instead, it is a fervent attempt to take a good hard look at Christianity in America. The title of this blog infers that I have a clearly defined position on this subject, which I do not claim. I am just a pilgrim on my own journey of understanding my faith. But because I have been diligent in my search for knowledge of my God and His ways, I have been privileged to experience different facets of what Christianity looks like in America. And as we enter into a new year, we must be honest about where we are, and who we are. Perhaps it's time to look ourselves squarely in the mirror and discern the state of our American form of Christianity. </span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I dare say that many Believers in America have formed their view [or opinion] of their God [and their faith] from their denominational experiences. From the beginning of this nation, the Church has played a part in defining how Americans live their lives. It is said that "we are a Christian nation", and I can agree from the standpoint that the Christian God and His tenets and principles were the foundation of our way of life and guiding standards for our form of government. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But I also think the culture and influence of the Church has waned in the 247 ensuing years that America has existed. Yes, we still have mega-churches filled with people, and there are multitudes of faithful Believers who profess their faith, but Sunday attendance does not necessarily result in a Godly nation. Look beyond your immediate family and community ... Our laws no longer uphold God's statutes of the sanctity of life; we see coveting and idol worship abounding; and holiness is no longer seen as a quality worth pursuing in our society. Lawlessness and chaos are growing in intensity, and although we, who proclaim Christ as our Savior, remain steadfast in our hope for <i>all </i>the promises of God, we must not be blind to what Scripture prophesies before Christ's return.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now, I want to make it perfectly clear that I am not advocating that we stay focused on those End Times forecasts, but neither do I suggest we ignore them. We are not to be defeatist in attitude, nor pessimistic. Yet we are not to be deprived of Biblical truth, nor influenced by "feel good" sermons designed to make us comfortable in our egocentric ways so that we remain blind to the judgment of nations. We must be the "Authentic Church"; the Body of Christ that is willing to die to self [and to die in the physical, if necessary], willing to be spiritual warriors to expand the Kingdom of God and defeat evil on the battlefield. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And, yes, I will admit that makes us a misfit in modern society. But, to be honest, I no longer want to fit in with the world. That doesn't mean that I no longer want to connect with or love others. On the contrary, my desire is even more poignant as I seek to reach the lost and free those in bondage to the Enemy. I want to share the rewards of being a citizen of the Kingdom of God! I want to pull the counterfeit veil off our national identity and reveal just who we've become and point our way back to being a Godly nation whose people stand in opposition to the nations in partnership with Satan's envoys! That isn't the "feel good message" that American Christians have become addicted to, but it is what they need to hear if we are going to please the heart of God.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I remember reading a comment to one of my blog posts in 2016, in which Anonymous wrote me, <i>"... it is becoming more and more clear I have no "place" in my church. I am discouraged from seeking answers beyond the "base or pat " answers that the leadership has determined is the ''right" answer. This is so frustrating. I find that church for me has to be in a blog like yours or in an online forum where people like me are gathering in droves to find some semblance of the truth. What does this say about the condition of the church? I feel guilty about rejecting the church but what if there is nothing there to minister to me?"</i></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> </i> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">At the time,</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> I empathized with that frustration! I sincerely believed then [and even more so now] that Jesus is calling our spirits out of hibernation. For too long, we have been satisfied with what we've been spoon-fed as the "theologically correct" concepts of Creation, Salvation, Grace, and Church. By no means, do I suggest that Pastors have deliberately misled us or contrived to dumb us down. No, Satan has done that! <b>And I want to make it clear that, in no way, do I advocate rejecting the Church. It is still Jesus's Church! </b> Instead, it is my hope that I (we) can enlighten the Body of Christ and stimulate it to return to its designated and divine purpose; the purpose that Jesus commissioned it for -- not the lukewarm representative of His power and glory many church buildings have become. Until, then I believe He has called those with willing hearts and spirits to step outside the current institution and join Him in forming a revitalized Remnant.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And I want to stress that I remain highly optimistic and encouraged, even in what looks like dark times for our nation and the world. That means that I am optimistic as well as realistic. I am not naive enough to think that just because we are America, we will be spared suffering, hard times, or the righteous judgment of our righteous God. <i>But, </i>I also trust in His promises to deliver the <i>truly repentant. </i>What does that mean? ... It means that we must come to God [in honesty and sincerity], acknowledging the unholiness of our sin, and willing to accept His just consequences. Where is the hope in that, you might ask?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Read Hosea 14:4-8 and you will find the blessings and reasons for my optimism. God will heal us of our apostasy and the abandonment of our beliefs. He will love us freely. He will turn away from His just anger against us. He will nourish us and make us flourish once again. He will re-establish us once again with the roots of faith that will withstand the storms that Satan and the world bring against us. He will wash away our ugliness and make us beautiful, so that the rest of the world will marvel at the blessings He has bestowed upon us, and He will be made desirable in their sight. But we must do our part! We must lay down the current state of Christianity in all its compromise and lukewarm appearance, and put on the penitent and contrite spirit, receiving the Grace and Mercy of our God who is ready to receive us and empower us to fulfill our purpose on the earth.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, while things may look ominous in the moment, it's not too late! Be awake, be aware of the warnings the Word gives us, and be willing to bow your knee to the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Be willing to sacrifice self [and its immediate rewards] for the cause of freedom in Christ. Champion His Kingdom on earth and be ready to fight the battle in the spiritual realms. Never lose your hope in Jesus and His promises, and one by one, we can bring this nation back to God, where He is waiting to receive us. The current state of American Christianity doesn't have to be the end of our story. Join me in this new year, and let's write a new chapter! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">#thestateofthechurch #americanbrandofchristianity #americanchristianity #ourhopeinjesus #lukewarmchurch #apostasyinthechurch #feelgoodchurch #faithinamerica #turnbacktoGod #repentantandturntoGod #endtimeshope #calltorepentance </span></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-61071753061391612962023-12-29T05:30:00.028-06:002023-12-29T05:30:00.133-06:00Are You Ready To Stand In Opposition to Evil?<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDPQ2fvhlI-vAwvtz3czkQQB2AFyyQ9PdCxvR1xa6C_wgBN_MNbl6oFngRaYkm2DMX4brdkAc4CVD6Yp7gM7Zb1GlkNxYowWYcSE6HRukMZ0uHd2uhWS-XYbrhEcFpYXF1SLDP330REmJsAOUMSUeOrt56o_IbyNpO7BWnGVGIvl6H4pY7HWHcrI0Tf4F/s932/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="932" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDPQ2fvhlI-vAwvtz3czkQQB2AFyyQ9PdCxvR1xa6C_wgBN_MNbl6oFngRaYkm2DMX4brdkAc4CVD6Yp7gM7Zb1GlkNxYowWYcSE6HRukMZ0uHd2uhWS-XYbrhEcFpYXF1SLDP330REmJsAOUMSUeOrt56o_IbyNpO7BWnGVGIvl6H4pY7HWHcrI0Tf4F/w640-h284/a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Based on the growing storms of Evil that are encompassing the world, I find myself wondering how many of us are not only ready, but willing, to see the Evil before us -- and then to take a stand against it? I recognize that Evil in the world is nothing new. The Bible and history record its presence in horrific scenarios from the beginning of time. What we are seeing is actually nothing new in the annals of men. Across the millennia, from World Wars to the Crusades and religious wars; to genocide campaigns in Germany, Cambodia, Africa, Armenia, and more; to the pogroms in Russia ... the Enemy of God and mankind has sought to reduce the human population in his kingdom of darkness.</span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And now we are experiencing it in our lifetime. But what are we, the Remnant of Jehovah God, the Kingdom Warriors of Jesus Christ, to do in these times of great trouble and sorrow? It should be evident to all who call themselves Christians that we can no longer say that Evil is at our doorstep ... it has already crossed it. But, if it is true that we are truly citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, and are here on earth to manifest the presence of the Kingdom in us and around us, in order that we might battle the darkness of Satan and thereby save souls and transfer lives and territory into the domain of our King... then isn't it time to be bold in our opposition?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I know we are not to have idols in this world, or lift any man above another. But there are times when we will look to the example of righteous men, in order to know the path we are to follow. My friends, that time is now. Our culture is rapidly disintegrating into immoral chaos. There is no mistaking the battle between Good and Evil; between God and Evil. The opposition to Christianity is growing more hostile and more blatant. My spirit is quickly discerning that we must soon decide how far Christians [and the Church] are willing to go to defend God and all that is Good. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We have gone beyond the need to just stand for Biblical principles. And the Church needs to not only abandon its compromise with our culture's immoral attitudes and lifestyles, but become active in its defense of God's perfect will. I'm afraid we've all played it too safe for too long, folks. Are we walking as men and women who are new creations, unable and unwilling to walk a middle ground? Or are we comfortable with one foot in the evil world, and one foot in the Christian camp?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, whom might we look towards to see how righteous Christians are to respond? The year 2025 will mark the 80th anniversary of the execution of a man who acted responsibly in his faith during one of the most evil times in history. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a deeply religious Lutheran pastor found himself in a dilemma ... when informed of the evil that was Adolph Hitler, and the plan to exterminate the Jews, how far is "too far" to go in order to stop that evil? When confronted with something so offensive to God, is there ever an excuse for Christians to compromise, capitulate, or raise the white flag? Bonhoeffer didn't think so, and it cost him his life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I have chronicled Dietrich Bonhoeffer's story in several posts, and I invite you to not only read <a href="https://www.salvationandsurvival.com/2015/04/do-you-have-spirit-of-dietrich.html" target="_blank">my synopsis</a> of <a href="https://www.salvationandsurvival.com/2020/07/the-cost-of-discipleship.html" target="_blank">his struggle</a> with how to respond within his religious principles (and God's will) to a rapidly deteriorating national culture -- but to contemplate that he was a Kingdom warrior who was not only unafraid to live for what he believed in, but was not afraid to die for it. Writing in 1943, he said, "The ultimate question for a responsible person [of faith] to ask is not how he is to extricate himself heroically from the affair, but how the coming generation is to live." And he will forever be immortalized with his convicting words, "Silence in the face of evil, is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act". </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Isn't it time we -- and the Church -- searched our hearts, as he did? How are we going to leave this world for the next generation? Have we already relinquished their ability to live a principled Christian life by compromising and weakening our faith? In an effort to show our tolerance, have we allowed those who oppose our faith to become more intolerant? Have we been silent when they should have heard us roar? Like Bonhoeffer, do we have the courage of our faith and convictions -- or will we stay in the shadows, afraid to call attention to ourselves and to whom we serve?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">That has largely been my struggle with the institutionalized Church. Sadly, I hear it giving lip service to the saving of souls, and the raising of a new generation of Christians, but it seems [to me, at least] that their efforts are often looking inward; being mindful to take care of "their own", creating a comfortable atmosphere in which to isolate and insulate its members from the darkness on the outside. But by creating a safe place for the Light to shine, aren't they allowing the Darkness on the outside to grow and perpetuate; swallowing up souls and strengthening agents of evil without any opposition from bold and unrelenting Kingdom warriors, willing to sacrifice themselves for God's cause?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We hear on the nightly news that our military is struggling to meet its recruitment numbers; that it might be impossible to put an adequate army in the field to battle against the forces threatening to come against us. That is in the physical, my friends. Can you even imagine what the spiritual war is looking like? I have total confidence in God's army of angels, because I know who their Commander-in-Chief is. I would like to feel just as secure in knowing that my Christian brethren are as ready to go into battle with them. We are not to sit back and let them do the fighting for us. We are not to expect that we can just rest on our title of "Christian" and escape the coming hordes of evil that Satan has been preparing in his quest to dominate the world.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Church teaches that the devil knows he's defeated and we know we win in the end. But that doesn't mean we will not be overcome in this physical life; or that we won't become entrapped within the system of the Evil One. Look at history! Millions upon millions of innocent (and God-loving) people have been killed knowing those same truths -- his defeat and our victory. So, it's time to decide! Are we, as individual born-again, new-creation Christians going to stay passive and sit on the sidelines, waiting for God's angelic army to rescue us? Or are we going to put on our armor, sign up for the spiritual war, and obediently follow God's orders? Not to act for the Kingdom of God, is [unfortunately] to act for ourselves.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">#resistevil #resistthedevil #evilintheworld #Godsremnant #kindomwarriors #thechurchversusevil #goodversusevil #christiansoldiers #spiritualwarfare #thecompromisingchurch #Godsbattleplan #Godversussatan #jesuschristourcommanderinchief #Godsarmy #dietrichbonhoeffer</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Isaiah 59:19 <i>So shall they fear </i></b></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: georgia;">The Name of the Lord from the west, a</b><b style="font-family: georgia;">nd His glory from the rising of the sun; </b><b style="font-family: georgia;">When the enemy comes in like a flood, </b></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.</b></span></i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i> </i> </span></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-48611199763293190252023-12-26T05:30:00.001-06:002023-12-26T05:30:00.136-06:00The Church and Our "Post-Christian" Nation <p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpr8KFFPO0-NzTIYYiTqOK4vnxnr6UXnSXkuOZ8jtbgnOUYsWNRCyYH7wDCL_MAQHqqLdJhD0cJW6k2j36U5-lAtgLu0yT1wUsZ1Gk_aqWTe2a2YJuHTq5xpjdf9a6QnSDSfxMImEfBTijuRME0YwF2Duab8E3UDnjiuVUaBzKxry3Lrn1LzPWdfa0yquh/s467/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="467" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpr8KFFPO0-NzTIYYiTqOK4vnxnr6UXnSXkuOZ8jtbgnOUYsWNRCyYH7wDCL_MAQHqqLdJhD0cJW6k2j36U5-lAtgLu0yT1wUsZ1Gk_aqWTe2a2YJuHTq5xpjdf9a6QnSDSfxMImEfBTijuRME0YwF2Duab8E3UDnjiuVUaBzKxry3Lrn1LzPWdfa0yquh/w640-h422/a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It grieves me to say this. But when, in 2015, I first became cognizant of the depth to which the institution of Religion in this country was willing to compromise and sacrifice our culture of Christian faith to avoid conflict, I began to become greatly concerned. At the time, it was quite apparent to me that Christianity in America was undergoing a change. Isis was in full terror mode, but I couldn't say that we were physically suffering as our fellow Christians in Syria and the Middle East were ... yet. In the U.S., our form of "persecution" was mainly cultural at that moment in time, and the response of the Christian community was fluid and varied, and mostly tepid. </span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There was a growing number of Christians who no longer wished to support a culture (monetarily, philosophically, or socially) that they saw as flying in the face of their faith. They no longer wished to perpetrate the corrupt "Babylonian" culture of this country. As author, Rod Dreher explained it, "The contemporary values of this nation no longer corresponded to the values of [their] faith, and so they sought to construct alternative forms of community that enabled them to withstand long-term chaos and the inevitable breakdown of the broader social and cultural order." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Of course that philosophy covered a broad spectrum of Believers, but what was becoming apparent to me was that it covered people who chose to surround themselves with like-minded Believers who shared the common goal of serving God as the Bible dictates; not as the culture demands, or as a prescribed brand of "American" Christianity. A simple example of that would be Christians who were struggling with established denominations within Christianity who were not standing up for Godly principles and commandments as they pertained to our changing culture, and who, instead, chose their loyalty to their 501(c)3 status over their obedience to Christ. So, in the ensuing years, I have seen many Believers choose to return to a "Book of Acts" home church model. That doesn't mean they traded one "building" for another. It means that, just like in the First Century AD, small groups of 15-20 followers of Christ gathered together in a home to study the Word [in all its instruction and wisdom] and to equip each other to do the work of the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I have seen many Christians naturally following this path. As we are faced with the reality that Biblical Marriage is no longer the law of the land, and as the leaders of our government have chosen to continue to use our tax dollars to fund an organization that promotes and profits from abortion, it is clear that our beliefs are in conflict with that of the nation. If we are to be true to our faith and our calling as followers of Jesus Christ, it will be necessary that we strengthen ourselves against the infringement of the culture upon our lives. I tend to liken it to living "in this world", but not being "of this world". </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But now, here we are eight years later, and we find that the institutional Church still fails to see the truth of how we are failing the culture. Yes, we may appear as strong as ever within our own subcultural of Religion. But the Church needs to take off its blinders and see that Christians are now seen as outside the "norm" of modern American values. Add to that, the notion that our "American Christianity", which has always stood on the pillars of God, Country and Tradition, could be seen as being in conflict with Biblical faith, which is centered on sin, Christ, and His blood. Jesus's message was all about denying the power of sin, seeking His righteousness, and sharing the Good News that He brought His Father's Kingdom from Heaven down to earth. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am not advising the kind of faith that renounces or disavows the culture in which we live. On the contrary, I would hope that we would do as Jesus did, and engage the culture, showing compassion and love to those who are lost in their sin, yet never wavering from, nor betraying, God's guiding tenets and commandments. How are we to affect the culture, if we do not ever enter into encounters with the culture? How can you share the Good News of Jesus Christ, if you are not willing to develop friendships with those who don't know Him? Jesus didn't compromise on sin, and neither should we. But if my goal is to tell someone of the saving power of Christ, how do I do that if I ignore or avoid them?</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Let's be honest, those of us who believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, and live our lives accordingly, are most likely in the minority of Americans who call themselves "Christians". That term is beginning to cover a lot of different belief systems -- from those who accept gay marriage and abortion as approved by God; to those who believe in the political definition of Social Justice; to those who don't believe in Evil and Hell; to those who think the Bible is no longer relevant ... and they all call themselves "Christians"!</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But, that doesn't mean we Biblical Christians stop loving them or being who <i>we</i> are -- followers of the Son of God -- and living our lives as He commanded us. It means that we must detach ourselves from the un-Godly ways of society, as well as recommit ourselves to the spiritual doctrines of the Bible as we proudly and boldly engage with those in the culture who do not agree with us. Let's not yield to compromise or concessions in order to make ourselves appealing to the culture. At the same time, let us not adopt a Pharisaical, holier-than-thou attitude towards our fellow Believers. Instead, let's be proud of how different we appear to the culture, and glory in our "strangeness"; let's be separate, but inviting, and continue in this manner for as long as we can. After all, that's how our Lord lived His life on this earth. He marched to a different drummer within the culture to which He was born; yet, He never compromised His allegiance to our Father, while inviting everyone who "had an ear to hear" to accept the glorious promises of the Kingdom of God.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But, I would be remiss, if I did not also say that the Lord warns us in His Word that eventually the world will no longer be tolerant of us. We must not be blind to the truth that evil is not only escalating in the world, but being tolerated on a greater scale. We can no longer turn a blind eye to the rapid changes in science, health care, and technology that increasingly diminish the divine nature of man. The attributes that we share with God no longer seem of value to our culture or the world. In fact, man is encouraged to reject God -- the One who created him -- and has begun to worship his own creation, leading to futile thinking, unrighteousness, and hearts that have grown cold and dark. As man worships his own creativeness, his wickedness grows in proportion. And those of us who possess true faith are increasingly scorned and ridiculed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But you'd be surprised how insulated and isolated many Christians are to what's happening in the world outside their Churches. Which is why I often fear that the deception the Enemy is planning will find too many of my fellow Brothers and Sisters in Christ unaware of the warning signs. The Church <i>must </i>pay attention to the red flags that Jesus, Himself, speaks of in the Bible. In Matthew 24:24, Christ tells us, <span style="color: #cc0000; font-style: italic;">For false Christs and false prophets will appear and they will provide great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect (God’s chosen ones). </span><span>Jesus is telling us that the AntiChrist will deceive the masses -- and, yes, even some Christians! How can that be possible? It's easy to contemplate when you think of how our politicians and the media are complicit in deceiving the masses. They lie in order to convince us that the evil we are seeing is really for our own good -- all so we will remain tolerant of it... until it is too late. But do we see the Church countering that message in an effective way? </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span>Please do not misunderstand me! I am not trying to bash "the Church", which I prefer to call the Body of Christ, who will be composed of a Remnant who refuse to be deceived. They will be the Believers who steadfastly uphold God's Word because they have eyes to see and ears to hear! They will not willingly put on the dirty veil that clouds their spiritual sight. Instead they will remain true to their God and try to help others see the warning signs of the coming deception which is designed to lead to chaos and destruction. So, I ask you to listen when the faithful ones [who make you feel uncomfortable] try to warn you to pay attention. Remember that God tells us His people perish for lack of knowledge. And that lack of knowledge leads to ignorance, and ignorance leaves you vulnerable to the deception of Satan. Let us be determined to be a part of the Remnant; those who are not afraid to stand alone, if need be, to protect the sacredness of God's Word and His plan of redemption for the world. In the midst of the growing evil, chaos, and deception, we <i>CAN </i>be effective for the Kingdom! It is our duty and our obligation to our Savior; and it is our privilege to shine His Light into the coming darkness for all the world to see! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span>#thechurchandourpostchristiannation #satansdeception #thetolerantchurch #postchristian #thedeceivedchurch #thelukewarmchurch #homechurches #americanchristianity #christianityandourculture #themasseswillbedeceived #matthew24:24 #thefaithfulremnant #Godsremnant</span></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">Jude 17-23. </span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">But as for you, beloved, remember the [prophetic] words spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They used to say to you, “In the last days there will be scoffers, following after their own ungodly passions” .... keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously and looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ [which will bring you] to eternal life. And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy but with fear, loathing even the clothing spotted and polluted by their shameless immoral freedom.</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></i></b></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-80579424993769861772023-12-23T05:30:00.014-06:002023-12-23T05:30:00.252-06:00Questioning "The Sovereignty" of God ... Is He In Control of Everything?<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSgKV1RBdhTthY7A0RFwx-jpE4is4ndZDP8vB9S61oQuVZAb0-ziMBY8vp8btZkR2n_W5LS4QeWxivz-7GeH0LHRnp5KLXe7l-UoD7BdYzLJlc-ZHSn9hw0__JvX_cjGiWsd-N6tRGl7HPvQVG5YB6zBJrmhH4AbUCXJUGSL1D1l_BlK26EmbJq3SfqNA/s504/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="504" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSgKV1RBdhTthY7A0RFwx-jpE4is4ndZDP8vB9S61oQuVZAb0-ziMBY8vp8btZkR2n_W5LS4QeWxivz-7GeH0LHRnp5KLXe7l-UoD7BdYzLJlc-ZHSn9hw0__JvX_cjGiWsd-N6tRGl7HPvQVG5YB6zBJrmhH4AbUCXJUGSL1D1l_BlK26EmbJq3SfqNA/w640-h426/a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Several years ago, I presented this question on this blog, and in the intervening years, I have discovered that it is still a stumbling block to Christians and their understanding of God. Without a doubt, t</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">he question of whether you believe God is in control of everything [or not] will shape your belief system and your view of Him. And depending on your answer, it will likely determine whether you believe you have Power and Authority in the Name of Jesus. And it will definitely shape how you respond to life's adversities and spiritual attacks. So, I decided it was time to take another look at this confusing obstacle to a Believer's understanding of God.</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Those who respond "yes" [to God controlling everything] will point to the characteristic of His Sovereignty, saying it means God has supreme power, authority, and control over His creation. They will cite Scripture they believe points to God's sovereignty over nature and nations. They will quote Bible verses they say validate God's sovereignty over history and the affairs of men. And, ultimately, they will say that even if something bad happens... It was God's WILL! God can use everything and everyone for His purpose, and therefore that means that He controls things by His will. So, I knew -- for me -- I had to determine what this concept of God's sovereignty had to say about whether or not He controls everything.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But here is an astounding thing that I discovered when I first tackled this dilemma ... I looked up "Sovereignty" in the Dictionary and got this definition: <i>jurisdiction, rule, supremacy, dominion, power, ascendancy, domination, authority, control, influence.</i> I thought, "Okay, that is how the secular world defines sovereignty. How is it defined in Strong's Concordance?", which is an index to the Bible that lists words, and allows one to compare how that word is used in different passages, and to see different meanings, depending on the context. Well, guess what? I went to my well-worn Concordance... and the word <i>sovereign</i> wasn't listed! You know how you try to justify something that doesn't seem possible?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When the Concordance went from the word, <i>southward</i> to the word <i>sow</i>, I found myself repeating the alphabet to make sure I wasn't looking in the wrong place. Surely this couldn't be! But there it was ... Neither <i>sovereign</i> nor <i>sovereignty</i> were listed in Strong's Concordance. So, what does that say when a well-trusted and accepted reference book doesn't even acknowledge the concept of sovereignty? This well-respected book provides an independent check against translations, and offers readers of the Bible an opportunity for greater, and more technically accurate understanding of the Scriptural text (from both the Hebrew and Greek perspective) -- yet how was I supposed to understand text that seemingly didn't exist?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now, I was faced with an even bigger dilemma! One of the primary arguments that God is in control of everything has been the characteristic of His Sovereignty... yet, that word doesn't seem to be used in the Bible?!?! How can that be? This quandary demanded more research, and I was actually amazed to find the following information.... The words <i>sovereign</i> and <i>sovereignty</i> do not appear in the 1611 King James Bible at all! (MY CAVEAT: I am not advocating a "King James only" interpretation. I merely reference it because it is the oldest among the Bible versions in use today and it is the interpretation/translation used by the Concordance, which is the most utilized reference book for defining words in Scripture).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I discovered that sovereign and sovereignty appear sporadically in the ESV and Amplified versions (written in 1971 and 1965, respectively). Sovereignty appears eight times in the New American Standard version (published in 1971), although it refers to the LORD God, only twice. But the word sovereign appears 297 times (I looked it up on biblegateway.com) in the NIV translation, written in 1973, and nearly all usages refer to the title, "Sovereign LORD".</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, by now I'm curious as to what appears in the King James instead of this word sovereign. What I found was that "Sovereign Lord" in the NIV replaced the use of "LORD God" in the King James. Apparently, the translators of the 20th Century NIV decided to translate the word LORD as Sovereign. This word, LORD, was translated in the King James Bible from the Hebrew <i>Adonai</i> (meaning Lord, Master) and <i>Jehovah</i> (meaning Lord). When I compared the Septuagint, which is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible (and written and completed before Christ was born!), with every occurrence of the NIV's Sovereign LORD, I found the various terms "Master and Lord", "the Lord thy God", "O Lord, King of gods", or simply "Lord".</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, let me make my position clear ... Every time you read “Sovereign God” in the NIV Bible, it actually should read “Lord God”. The original Hebrew did not mean "sovereign" and that was a translator’s decision. And while I cannot explain the reasoning behind this recent mis-translation, I can definitely see how assigning the word "Sovereign" has resulted in a faulty doctrine. Let me elaborate...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, once it was decided that God would actually be called sovereign, then His sovereignty became an established theological characteristic according to the NIV Bible, and is actually listed in Theopedia (a conservative, evangelical, Christian encyclopedia) as an official characteristic of God. So, man's ignorance of the Hebrew language, along with religious tradition have actually created a false doctrine of God's "Sovereignty", which now translates into His control of everything because of our 21st Century dictionary definition of what "sovereign" means -- refer back to the third paragraph.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But regardless of whether you are willing to follow the argument I've presented on the historical mis-translation or not, I still want you to understand why I feel it is important you recognize that God is <i>NOT</i> in control of everything. Let me start by asking you a simple question ... If you think God <i>IS</i> in control of everything... how has the world come to be in such bad shape? Why isn't God controlling His world better? Surely, He doesn't approve of the wickedness, crime, and perversion we see in the world today?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And if you truly believe He is All-Powerful, and has the power to prevent the evil, why do we continue to see such evil being perpetrated by humans? Take, for instance, the recent viral videos of innocent people being assaulted for no reason by roving gangs intent only on causing harm [or death]. Or consider the increase in child molestation and torture; or the hate crimes and racial prejudice resulting in burned synagogues, and crimes against religious organizations. Do you think it's God's will that His people suffer torment and agony? If He is in control of everything, then why doesn't He stop these things from happening? And, as it is oftentimes preached, if there is a purpose for His good in these horrible situations, does that fit your impression of God -- that He would let such pain and humiliation be inflicted upon one of His creation to serve His own purpose?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now, let me break down my own thoughts ... Yes, God has infinite Power and <i>CAN </i>control anything He wants to. But He used His free will to create us in His image. Put in very simple terms, if God has free will, then so do we, because we are made in His image. But it is quite evident that it is our free will that has caused the world to be in such bad shape. It is the decisions we make to follow either our flesh or the temptations of the Enemy -- instead of following Lord God-- that result in the pain and misery on this earth. Could He have made us to be creatures that automatically follow Him in every circumstance? Absolutely! But how would that have glorified Him? Wouldn't we all just be robots then? And how does that glorify God? He wants us to choose [out of our own will] to glorify Him. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Ultimately, our free will results in a decision either to be loyal to Him, or to follow a path to rebellion. (And there's another facet to this question of free will -- Satan was created by God as Lucifer, and he used his free will to make a decision to rebel. And he is trying to convince us to do the same).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Here's what we need to understand ... What we see on earth is man using his free will to disobey God to serve his own selfish desires. Think about this --- If everything was "sovereignly" controlled by God, then there would be no need to pray, no need to give financial offerings, no need to even live right — because whatever happened would be what God wanted regardless of our efforts. In effect, if God controls everything, why even bother to pray? After all, wouldn't God just make things happen for the best anyway?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now, you <i>could</i> say, "But God is all-powerful. He is able to intervene in human affairs, and my prayers can help convince Him". Yes, our prayers rising to Heaven can, and do, result in God intervening in our lives. But God has given us His power, too, through the Holy Spirit, and the authority to use it! Jesus makes that very clear in Luke 10:19 ... <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. </span></i></span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Yet we doubting and faithless Christians do not believe this word from our Savior! Oh, we have no problem believing that God exists -- but all this other stuff about demons, and spiritual attacks, and supernatural forces of evil; well, that's outside the box that we've put God and ourselves in. But the ancient Jews, to whom Jesus was talking to in Luke 10:19 knew exactly what He was referencing. "Serpent" referred to a deadly, subtle, malicious enemy; and "Scorpion" symbolized torment and wrath. Yet, we choose to ignore Jesus's gift [to us] of authority over both, and over ALL the power of the enemy! These terms and symbols are all dealing with the supernatural, spiritual realm. Jesus has given us authority and power to resist them, and yet we limit ourselves to praying and asking God to handle it for us, and then wondering why He let us down!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Can you consider the possibility that He doesn't want to be the "medicine cabinet God" that handles everything for us? Can you see that the next time we encounter an attack by the enemy, we have the choice to continue to just sit back and ask God to take care of it for us -- OR we can choose to use the power and authority Jesus has given us over ALL the power of the enemy, and handle it ourselves? I'm going to ask you to answer this question: Which glorifies Him the most? -- evil forces on the earth continue to torment and attack us over and over because we never stop them; we just wait for God to answer our prayers ... <i>OR</i>, we declare to the spiritual realm that we are using our free will and our authority to call upon the mighty Name of Jesus [and are using His power that abides within us] to wage war as part of His Kingdom servants on this earth.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">My spirit gets a very clear picture --- God doesn't want to be in control of everything! He wants a partner, not a puppet! He made us in His image and He wants us to act like it! He sent His Son into this evil world , and transferred His power to Jesus to establish God's Kingdom on earth. Then Jesus transferred His power to us, and here we are 2,000 years later, with scarcely an idea that we possess that power, let alone know how to use it. It is not God's will that the world be in the shape it is in, nor that we suffer in our lives from all the slings and arrows of the enemy.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Will there be things outside our control, even if we use the power assigned to us? The answer is yes. The Prince of this world still has his power, too. But I don't think Jesus wanted us to believe that God would control everything. Jesus, Himself, was God ... and He could have called down a legion of angels to stop his crucifixion and controlled the whole outcome. But He came to our realm to show us the way to fight in the spiritual war that started in Heaven and continues to this day on earth. He used the Power and Authority given to Him by God to heal the sick, bind and cast out demons, and spread the word that the Kingdom of God (God's heavenly government) was here to take back territory. It's time we use our free will to work with God and take control of our lives!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">This concept that God is sovereign over every thing on the earth must be understand in the context of how it weakens the power and authority of the Believer. In case you haven't noticed, Evil is growing and expanding in the earth. Humans are not prepared for just how bad it's going to get, and if you're expecting God to make it easy for us, then you haven't been reading the Bible. Our free will choices have led to this wicked state of affairs, and there is an accounting that will take place. We have no time to spare! Let us step into our God-given power and authority, and our true identities in Christ, recognizing that our deliverance from the evil of this world is not guaranteed until the moment we are face to face with our Savior. Jesus didn't experience His own deliverance from the Evil, but He glorified the Father with His choices. AND NOW we have the opportunity to declare His Glory, His Judgment, His Grace, His Mercy, His Power, and His Love so that the lost may decide to choose Him over Satan's false promises. We <i>are </i>made in the image of Jesus! Let us walk out this life like our Savior did!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">#God'ssovereignty #freewill #isGodincontrolofeverything? #falsedoctrine #questioningGod #wrongbibletranslations #isGodsovereign #God'sfreewill #whyisthereevilintheworld #whydoesGodletbadthingshappen</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><b>Romans 14:12 <i>So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. </i> </b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.com0