John 4:25-26

The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”

 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

       We are all familiar with the story of the Samaritan woman who converses with Jesus at the well.  She refers to a "Messiah", whom she believes to be the Prophet mentioned in Deuteronomy 18:15; a prophet to the Jewish people, like Moses.  

      But what are we to understand about who "the Messiah" was to the Jewish people?  In Hebrew and Aramaic, the word Messiah means "anointed", which implies that the Holy Spirit has been imparted to one.  The Greek equivalent of the word is the title "Christ".  Therefore "Christ" was not Jesus's name, but a title.

     We read in the Old Testament of prophets, priests and kings, who were literally anointed with oil to consecrate them for special service, or to signify the endowment of the Spirit of God.  The practice of anointing these earthly servants pointed to the promised arrival of God's "Anointed One", who would ultimately fulfill all three offices as Prophet, Priest and King.

     This "Anointed One" or "Messiah" was prophesied about throughout the Old Testament and was called by many other names, including Seed of Abraham, Son of David, Son of Man, The Branch, Prince of Peace, etc.  But the first century Jews, among whom God would appear in the form of a man, were looking for a Messiah who would deliver the nation from Roman occupation, become their warrior King, and rebuild the nation of Israel to its former glory.  Orthodox Jews are still looking for Him!  

     But by concentrating on the role of the Messiah as King (and military and political leader), they underestimated His Messianic role as Prophet and Priest.  That's why so many missed the identity of Yeshua.  He indicated that He was the King they were looking for, but He specified that His kingdom was not of this earth; it was a heavenly kingdom.  In fact, in the gospel of Matthew, there are 32 references to the "kingdom of heaven", but the Jews were blind to this implication of the Christ as this King.

     Here, the Samaritan woman is looking for the Anointed One, the Messiah, as the Prophet, who will reveal all things.  Jesus speaks to her of "living water" and "worshipping the Father in spirit and truth". yet she doesn't recognize Him either.  Jesus has to announce that He is that One.  

     Throughout history, mankind has fallen short in their expectation of who the Messiah would be.  We have been looking for one, or part, of who was promised.  In truth, Yeshua, as the Messiah, has already appeared, and He is preparing to come again.  This time He will be recognized by all who are looking for Him.  We will see Him as the Prophet of all Ages, as our High Priest who intervenes at the throne of God on our behalf, and as the Righteous King who comes to rule His heavenly kingdom, now descended to earth.  

     This title "Messiah" implies the idea of Deity.  Not even Moses, arguably one of the greatest prophets; or the renowned priest Melchizedek; or even the celebrated King David can measure up to the messianic Prophet-Priest-King who is Jesus Christ.  As stated in Hebrews 1:3,  He "is the brightness of [God's] glory and the express image of His person."  In summary, Jesus is the Messiah, the Anointed One; and He is God.  I can't wait to recognize Him!

     

A Different Kind Of War

     I want to touch on a subject that I plan on addressing in more detail in a week or so.  It has become quite apparent to me in the past few days that some of my family, friends and acquaintances are dealing with all manner of trials in their lives.  For instance, my husband, Peace-Loving Warrior (PLW), was bit by a scorpion two nights ago; that's a regular hazard here in the country where we live.  In the past, these bites were simply a painful irritation that went away in a few hours.  But the last few bites have had a drastic effect on him:  his face, mouth and tongue become numb, his ears ring, he gets sick to his stomach, and the bite, itself, becomes red, swollen and full of fever.  I can see it in his eyes; he is in distress.
    And speaking of eyes, I have recently received a diagnosis of fast-growing cataracts.  I have noticed my eyesight diminishing over the last few months, but figured it was because of the immense amount of time I sit in front of a computer screen.  So now I am awaiting an appointment in a month with an eye specialist to see what can be done.
     Then there is another dear friend who has suffered occasional back spasms, but seems to be dealing with increasing pain, although he hasn't done anything to really aggravate his condition.  But his wife told PLW that this time he's having more difficulty recovering.  Another couple we know is dealing with legal issues that could affect their business; the personal attack on their character is hard for them to deal with.  Then there are those of you who I am hearing from through emails that share the troubles and adversities you are experiencing through health issues, problems on the job, and blow-back at your churches.
     So why do I mention all these situations?  Doesn't everybody go through these kinds of things?  Yes, they do; life is a series of highs and lows, no doubt about it.  But these particular people that I mentioned all have one thing in common ... they have recently taken big steps in working out their relationship with God.  They may all be on different levels; it doesn't matter.  The Devil doesn't like it when he feels you are making progress in the Lord.
     You see, we are all fixated on the ugliness of war in the human realm.  We are seeing it nightly on the news and on the web.  It seems as if the last 10 years we have seen an increase in the violence and repulsiveness of war ... chemical attacks, beheadings, genocide, religious fanaticism and persecution, millions displaced from their homes, famine, and the threat of nuclear annihilation.  But there's another kind of war being waged and it's one we can't see.  It is a spiritual war being fought in the heavenly and unseen earthly realms; and the battle is over us.

      Do you remember the popular series of books by Frank Peretti?  Although fictional, it is my opinion they gave a pretty good representation of the spiritual war that goes on all around us.  Satan believes the earth is his dominion, ever since he lost his place in heaven.  It is his desire to capture man's allegiance and keep us from reconciling with our Creator, as we were in the Garden of Eden before he (the Serpent) managed to corrupt mankind.  But Jesus's arrival on the earth threw a major kink in his plan, and now there is a battle for mens' souls and their subservience before Christ returns.
     As long as you are secular or an unenthusiastic Christian, the Devil feels it won't take much effort to get you to relinquish any loyalty to God's Son.  He's not too worried about you.  But when he sees you making a major move in Jesus's direction (no matter what your level of knowledge), then he steps up his campaign and launches his attacks.  If through physical pain, loss of jobs/relationships, or health issues, he can get you to begin to doubt if everything you've heard about God is true, then he can exploit that hesitancy, mistrust, skepticism and uncertainty.  He will do whatever it takes to stop your forward progress.
     Through the last few years, as our faith has grown exponentially, and God has shown new and deeper understandings of who He is and what His Word reveals, both PLW and I have experienced what we can only call "spiritual" or "paranormal" incidents.  And they came at a time when we were reaching a new level of comprehension, and God was showing us just how big He is.  That is what is happening to those around us.  Many are new believers or just admitting to their hunger to know Jesus.  Others are traveling to new heights in their relationship and knowledge.  But like I said, it doesn't matter where you are ... Satan knows he is running out of time to capture all the souls he can.  So his attacks are coming faster and more direct.
     If you are among those of us who are receiving the attention of the Fallen One, then count it "all joy" as the Apostle Paul would say.  It means you are on the right track and you are dealing the Devil a blow.  But I won't sugarcoat it ... the attacks may become more fierce in nature, and you must prepare yourself spiritually and PRAY!  There's nothing that will call Heaven's angels to your side faster than prayer.  Don't let the spiritual forces of darkness claim a victory over you ... keep talking to God and growing your relationship.  The Devil will be defeated!

In a week or so, I will be writing in more depth about how to wage your own Spiritual Warfare and call upon the Power and Authority of God.  Stay tuned!

2 Corinthians 10:4   "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds."

God and His Miracles

     No matter which side you align yourself with in the Israeli-Palestinian war, you cannot deny that miracles are happening in the Holy Land.  The nation of Israel is no stranger to the protective hand of God.  History has never seen a nation completely annihilated, with its people scattered across the globe, only to be re-gathered to their native homeland and re-built as a nation -- 2,000 years later!  That is a miracle in itself.

     Throughout their ancient history, one can read Biblical accounts of God intervening in the Israelite's military battles, and bringing about miraculous victories.  Such is the case in "Joshua's Long Day" when his God made the sun stand still, and [He] caused panic among Israel's enemies the Amorites (modern day Syria), so that they slew themselves; and when God sent huge hailstones from heaven to kill them as they fled the battlefield.  Scripture is full of chronicles of God carrying the banner before Israel as they go into battle.
     But the miracles haven't been limited to ancient legends.  From the time that Israel was declared a state on May 1, 1948, the tiny nation has experienced enough miracles to convince the world they are meant to be.  The following miracles are part of an interesting account presented by Bible411.com:
•   From the moment the modern state of Israel existed, her enemies have been determined.  The armies of seven Arab nations marched on the newborn State, boasting that they would "push the Jews into the sea." Outnumbered 100 to 1, Israel not only repelled the invaders but acquired more of Palestine than was granted in the UN partition plan.
•  When a Syrian column of 200 armored vehicles—including 45 tanks -- attacked Degania, the oldest kibbutz in Israel, they had no idea that the only heavy weapons in all of Israel were four howitzers of the type used by the French army in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870.  Two of these ancient weapons were dismantled and rushed to Degania, where local military commander Moshe Dayan struck a direct hit on the first tank to enter the kibbutz.  Had the Syrians known that these two obsolete weapons represented half the arsenal of fieldguns in all Israel, they would have pressed the attack. Instead, the armored vehicles swung around in their tracks and clattered back up the mountain road.
•  At Safed, near the Sea of Galilee a small unit of Israeli defenders were holding off a thousand Arabs. A sudden tropical storm broke loose. The Israelis in desperation took their remaining gasoline, poured it over 50 empty drums, set them afire and rolled them down the hill. The flaming barrels flying down the slopes, the rumble of hollow barrels striking rocks—together with the tropical storm—created such an illusion that the bewildered Arabs, imagining some sort of secret weapon, took to their heel and fled.
•  To liberate the airport at Lydda the tactics of Gideon were employed. Seven thousand Arab troops were ready to attack. Sixteen Israelis dressed as Arabs infiltrated into the city of Lydda. Like Gideon’s band of 300 they made such a commotion during the night that the Arabs, totally confused, fired upon each other. Finally the majority fled back across the border.  (That seems to be a favorite tactic of God!)
     But the ancient Biblical miracles and the miracles of Israel's re-establishment in the Land have not ended.  Even in this current war with Hamas, the miracles are continuing.  World Net Daily reports that an operator of Israel’s Iron Dome missile-defense system is saying that he personally witnessed “the hand of God” diverting an incoming rocket out of harm’s way.  Here is his eyewitness testimony:  A missile was fired from Gaza.   The Iron Dome precisely calculated [its trajectory]. We know where these missiles are going to land down to a radius of 200 meters. This particular missile was going to hit either the Azrieli Towers, the Kirya (Israel’s equivalent of the Pentagon) or [a central Tel Aviv railway station]. Hundreds could have died.  
     We fired the first [interceptor]. It missed. Second [interceptor]. It missed. This is very rare. I was in shock. At this point we had just four seconds until the missile lands. We had already notified emergency services to converge on the target location and had warned of a mass-casualty incident.
     Suddenly, the Iron Dome (which calculates wind speeds, among other things) shows a major wind coming from the east, a strong wind that … sends the missile into the sea. We were all stunned. I stood up and shouted, ‘There is a God!’  I witnessed this miracle with my own eyes. It was not told or reported to me. I saw the hand of God send that missile into the sea.
     This does not surprise me at all.  The East Wind is a recurring force throughout the Old Testament, and it is always a strong, fierce wind.  In fact, it was a strong East Wind that parted the Red Sea and allowed the Israelites to escape Pharaoh and the advancing Egyptian army.  And, so, once again, God stretches out His mighty arm to protect His people.

     And you don't even have to be pro-Israel to come to this conclusion.  The July 18th headline in The Jewish Telegraph read, "Their God changes the path of our rockets in mid-air, said a terrorist.”  The quote came from a resident of the West Bank, who said that “As one of the terrorists from Gaza was reported to say when asked why they couldn’t aim their rockets more effectively: 'We do aim them, but their God changes their path in mid-air.' "
     I have a dear Israeli friend who is living in Jerusalem with her four small children.  She tells me that all they can do is "pray and weep" for the lives lost.  But she also recognizes God's hand in this war as she recounts that "Hamas planned to attack through the tunnels on Rosh HaShana this year, but God has exposed it, and so saved many, many lives."
     These stories are all a testament to God's Sovereignty; His Authority and Power.  It strengthens my faith that His will will be done.  The battle between the nation of Israel and the Arab countries is as old as the Bible itself.  But throughout history -- through Israel's triumphs and rebellions; through their blessings and their judgments -- the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has been glorified.
     I often ponder if, or when, we will see such miracles in our land.  Lords knows we are in rebellion now and deserve no such wonders or protection.  But regardless of whether we receive our due judgment, or see extraordinary and supernatural marvels, we can know that God is still in control and He rules as He sees fit.  May He continue to protect Israel.

Isaiah 41:12-13      You shall seek them and not find them— those who contended with you. Those who war against you
shall be as nothing, as a nonexistent thing. For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ 
   

   



   

More Pestilence and Plagues

     Ebola has captured the attention of the world and is producing fear throughout the populations.  But there is another threat waiting in the wings, and it is beginning its offensive ... Cholera.  You have to search for any news or reports on this new peril, but both Reuters and IRIN (Integrated Regional Information Networks) are sounding the alarm.
     IRIN is a humanitarian news and analysis service, under the auspices of the UN, that covers parts of the world often under-reported, misunderstood or ignored.  According to this source, there has been "a cholera outbreak in northern Cameroon which has killed at least 75 people and infected some 1,400 others since April."  The disease has been a recurrent problem in the country due to the scarcity of water, poor public health care, and improper hygiene.
     This threat is also exasperated by Nigerian refugees who have flooded neighboring Cameroon in an effort to escape the bombings and attacks by Nigeria’s Boko Haram Islamic extremist militia.  According to local health authorities, more than 26,000 cholera cases have been reported in Nigeria since the start of the year, and now it threatens to extend to western parts of Central Africa.
     A UNICEF representative in Cameroon reports, “We are monitoring the situation. It’s a worry because there is a risk of regionalization towards Chad, Central African Republic if we do not curb the spread. We hope that the security situation will allow community mobilization to go on.”  But the shortage of health care workers could hinder the containment of the disease, and preventing cross-border infections is a high priority.
      Reuters reports that the mortality rate for those infected ranges between 1 and 50 %, depending on access to treatment.  A similar outbreak in Cameroon killed more than 4000 people in 2011/12.  The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said some 60,000 refugees have fled into Cameroon, Niger and Chad from northern Nigeria.  Some of them are carrying the disease.

    To be sure, it is a complex situation in Africa.  Between the poor health practices, too few health workers, and refugees from Nigeria's militant Boko Haram, Cameroon is fighting an uphill battle.  Add the fact that Nigeria recently reported its first Ebola claims, and you can see a crisis in-the-making.
     But West Africa is not the only hot-spot for Cholera.  Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam is also under threat of a cholera outbreak.  The Thanh Nien Daily News reports that contaminated surface water in the form of fecal bacteria is 10 times higher than safe levels.  The Minister of Health warns, “Cholera [can] quickly explode into a major outbreak. In the long term, it can spread and develop new and more fatal strains. I suggest that we take determined action for the safety of a city of more than eight million people."  Just imagine, in a city of that size, what the fatality numbers could be if this disease is not contained.
     So now we have two potential epidemics on the horizon.  Many in the 21st century have probably thought we were immune to the devastating consequences of history's major plagues.  But there have been seven cholera pandemics in the past 200 years, with the seventh pandemic originating in Indonesia in 1961.  Since the 19th century, there have been tens of millions of deaths due to cholera.
     Clean and sanitary water supplies are necessary to stop the spread of Cholera and oral rehydration with electrolytes is essential for recovery.  Similarly, balancing fluids and electrolytes to counter dehydration is also crucial in treating Ebola.  But now we see the world suffering from extreme drought and the availability of a dependable water supply is becoming more scarce.  So will vaccines become the "go to" solution?  Or is this just a convenient "method" of the Elite to control the world's population?
     I hate to sound so pessimistic and conspiratorial, but modern scientists would have us believe that there is nothing that man cannot conquer through the god of science; yet we have a disease (Ebola) that they admit they cannot conquer, and there is no known cure.  When Jesus tells us in Luke that there will be "upon the earth, distress of nations, and perplexity", He is telling us that in the End Times there will be no solutions for such things as wars, famine and pestilence.  Man will fail in his dominion over the earth ... and boy, have we!  We do not have the remedy ... He does!
     I do not know if these outbreaks of deadly diseases and viruses will be a tool in the hand of Satan, but I do know this --- I can only rely and trust on the saving grace of God; on the gift of salvation and eternal life through my faith in His Son.   Should these things come to pass, I will be looking up, for my redemption is close at hand.  We must help others to realize that the time is near.

Psalm 91:1-3     "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty . . .  For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence."

Women Against Feminism

     I will readily admit that I am not a lover of social media.  Facebook, and the like, are a convenient way to stay in touch with loved ones who live far away, but I'm just not one of those people who are obsessed with knowing every routine event in everyone's lives.  Nor do I think that anyone is really interested in my ordinary life.
     That being said, social media can be an interesting way to determine what is driving our culture, and in what direction our younger generations are moving.  There was an interesting article in National Review Online this week that proves that very point.  The title of the article was "Anti-Feminists Baffle Feminists" and it appears that there is a quite vocal group of young women who have started a hashtag campaign on social media called "Women Against Feminism".

     The Tumblr site features pictures of women holding up handmade signs explaining why they do not adhere to the extreme versions of feminism that would label them "victims" of a patriarchal society.   From what I can gather, these young women take offense at the position that being called "pretty" by a man, or having the door opened for them, or even (gasp!) choosing to stay home and raise a family instead of pursuing a career, somehow makes them the weaker sex.  They seem to reject the hard-core feminist ideology that centers around gender bias.  In fact, these "women against feminism" celebrate the differences between men and women ... they don't want to be equal in everything!
     I suppose that I can understand that the Gloria Steinem's of the feminist world would feel as if this generation was taking a step backwards.  After all, it was their life's work to convince us women of the 70's and 80's that we were miserable in this "man's world".  But I actually applaud these young women who don't want to be viewed as man-haters, or as angry, militant, and grieved parties.  They love men and believe in the intrinsic value that each gender brings to society.  That's the way God made us!
     And it's nice to see all types of young women recognizing the contributions that both men and women bring to our lives.  Some of the home-made signs read thusly:  "I don't need feminism because I'm proof that I can have a successful career and be a loving, supporting wife and mother.  I love to be in the kitchen!"  "I reject feminism because being a wife and mother is the greatest source of joy in my life.  I love and respect men and their priceless contribution to civilization.  Feminism emanates contempt for honor, grace, class, maturity, respect, and responsibility.  I am not a victim."  "I don't need feminism because I want my boys to grow up knowing what TRUE equality is."  "I don't need feminism because I like to be treated like a lady by a gentleman."

     I can almost guarantee you that the radical feminists are tearing their hair out.  But I have had my own suspicions throughout the years that the agenda of this radical feminism was to destroy (or at least re-define) the idea of family.  I can still recall the feminist mantra of my college years:  "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle" (coined by Gloria Steinem).  These women urged us to make our careers more important than getting married or raising a family.  And if you were a home-maker, then you were a traitor and an embarrassment to your gender.
     I, on the other hand, have long believed in, and advocated, the Biblical model of family.  I like feeling protected by my husband; and as a child, I loved spending all my early years with my mom, learning to cook and to care for a home.  Most of all, I loved that she was waiting at the door when I got home from school.  I realize that our current economy makes it difficult for families to exist on just one salary, but I know of many young families that are making the sacrifice to put their families first.  And I am not indicting those women who work outside the home, because I am also encouraged by the number of marriages of friends where they work together to provide a strong and stable foundation for their children to grow and thrive.
     I want to stress that these modern young women do not see themselves as second-class partners in their marriages or homes.  I think that they fundamentally perceive that each gender brings something unique and valuable to the relationship; that there is no need for a "gender struggle" to feel validated.  Each and every person -- whether man or woman -- has the right to feel recognized and accepted.  There is no need to be "labeled", and no need to promote one gender over the other.  They already see themselves as smart, talented, and ambitious women.  So while this attitude may be a direct benefit from the Feminist movement in the 70's and 80's, they no longer need to distinguish themselves from the male population.  Perhaps it could be said that they accept the root concept of feminism; they just reject the word.  I salute their confidence and their way of thinking!

Ephesians 5:33     "However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."

Controversy and The Church

     This may sound like a rather curious title for today's post, but when I look at the state of the world; how far we, as a people, have strayed from Christ's teachings; and how little the American Church says to address the relevant issues ... well, the two concepts aren't so incompatible.
     If you are reading my blog for the first time, it is important that you know that I view the world through a Biblical lens.  That means that everything that is in the headlines of the day -- around the entire globe -- I see in terms of God's redemptive plan for all of mankind.  If you are not a Believer, that doesn't necessarily mean that we will disagree on matters.  We all live in the world, and events ultimately affect and influence us all.  Take the war between Israel and Hamas, for instance.
     You may see the conflict from a strictly political or moral standpoint.  You don't have to believe, as I do, that Israel's existence is part of God's Divine Plan to reconcile His chosen people to Him; or that no amount of Evil that comes against the Holy Land will ever be able to defeat it.  You may agree with me from a moral position, and simply see and detest the use of innocent civilians as propaganda pawns in a war of ideologies.  If you see Israel as the aggressors and "the bad guys", we will just have to agree to disagree.  I just can't get there, but I am willing to grant you your opinion.  Can you do the same for me?
     Everyone has the right to their own opinion on any issue; whether it be same-sex marriage, our immigration crisis, abortion, sex trafficking, government corruption, or any of our Constitutional rights.  And we can certainly dialogue on any topic from a strictly secular standard.  But because I believe that God is sovereign over His creation, it is difficult to for me to leave Him out of the conversation.  Hence, I find myself wondering Why don't I hear the Church on these subjects?

     The first argument I'm likely to hear is the commonly used "Separation of Church and State."   It is my understanding, after studying the historical implications of this phraseology, that it was intended to mean that a "wall of separation" should be erected between the Church/Religion and the nation State in order to protect Religion from coercion, threats, harassment, or intimidation by Government forces.  (I use the word phraseology, because there is nothing in our Constitution that mandates the "separation" as it is accepted today).  As you can see, the exact opposite has occurred from the original intention.  Today, the Church is kept silent from fear of harassment by the ACLU or the IRS, through the cleverly implemented 50l(c)3 statutes.
     In fact, a Christian website, One News Now, reports that The Barna Group, a leading research organization focused on the intersection of faith and culture, recently conducted an interesting survey among our nation's pastors.  When asked if the Bible speaks to the issues of our day, an astonishing 90% of pastors agreed with that evaluation.  But when asked how many of them preached sermons on what the Bible has to say about these same issues, only 10% said they did.  It seems that they shy away from anything "controversial".
     Those numbers intrigue me.  What do these pastors say to themselves when they are preparing a sermon for their flocks?  Do they ask, "Am I performing my duties as directed by Jesus and the Bible?"  Or do they say to themselves, "What can I talk about that will make our Church a success?'  Because I think if you want to know where a pastor's heart is, just ask him, "How do you know if you're being successful in your church and your calling?"
     According to the Barna Group survey, there were five answers that most pastors gave to that question .... "Attendance, giving, number of programs, number of staff, and square footage."  Do you find that anywhere in the Bible?  Have they forgotten that they are shepherds of Jesus's Church?  The Church is not their own private sphere of operation and control!  The truth is, it doesn't belong to them!  They are to lead and guide and instruct those whom Jesus has left in their care.  They are custodians of His Church!  
     Paul lays out their responsibilities very clearly in Titus 1:  "He must hold fast to the sure and trustworthy Word of God as he was taught it, so that he may be able both to give stimulating instruction and encouragement in sound (wholesome) doctrine and to refute and convict those who contradict and oppose it [showing the wayward their error]."  Instead, today I see far too many pastors straying from that trustworthy Word and refusing to refute and challenge what the culture says takes precedence.  They would rather placate the culture, than provoke it through Godly teaching.
     Have they forgotten their primary assignment, The Great Commission?  They are responsible before Christ to lead their flock so that we may all effectively preach the Gospel; that we might know what our Bible says on any given subject and be able to share that instruction with others.  How many preachers encourage deep-rooted knowledge of the Bible?  Instead, we are encouraged to accept one man's message and are no longer urged to increase our own understanding.
     Pastors are also to guard and protect their flocks from deception; to speak out when false teachings threaten to undermine the inerrancy of the Word.  Instead, I see too many church leaders accepting "new paradigms" and flawed interpretations in order to widen the boundaries of their acceptance.
     Finally, I want to express my heartfelt desire to see Pastors and Ministers fulfill their important callings in our society.  I want to see them boldly proclaim God's Word as it pertains to current events; to refute the culture when it flies in the face of His commands; and to encourage the faithful to know and study God's Word.  If you are lucky enough to have a pastor that fits that description, then do all you can to support him.
     To the world, this may sound like I am a religious fanatic, but I promise you that I look and sound and feel just like every other human being on the earth.  But I have had an encounter with the Creator of the Universe, and things have never been the same.  For me, what goes on in the world cannot be separated from the Biblical account.  Therefore, I am disheartened at the tepid -- and all-too-often inaccurate -- message of the Church to those who "perish for lack of knowledge."  After all, if the Church's message doesn't seem controversial to the secular and worldly masses, then it probably isn't walking in the footsteps of Jesus.  Now is the time to be bold!

Acts 20:28   "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood."

Detention Center Contradicts Budget Request

     The ongoing battle between Congress and the President over the $3.7 billion in supplemental budget appropriations for the border crisis (the so-called "Border Bill") has taken on an ironic quality in the last few days.  At the end of last week, President Obama hinted that he was getting frustrated at the lack of action by Congress, stating, "I'm going to have to act alone; we've run out of money..."
     Excuse me, Sir, but can you answer a simple question for me?  If we have run out of money, can you explain the elaborate detention center for immigrant women and children, located in Karnes City, Texas?  As reported by KXAN-TV, out of San Antonio, this 29-acre facility that used to house illegal male immigrants that were caught and detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has now received an expensive makeover for its new purpose.

     ICE field officers gave a tour to media representatives and proudly showed off the new detention center: “I am pretty sure you will agree this is nothing like we have seen before.”  I should say!  The media were shown newly painted rooms that catered to children, with cartoon characters painted on the walls, and all kinds of games to entertain them.  KXAN also reported that "Other amenities include recreational fields, a library, internet access, and a cafeteria which will serve three all-you-can-eat meals a day. Certified teachers will also be on site to provide year-round education and small jobs will also be available paying $3 a day for four hours of work."
     But that's not all!  Cable television is available, along with recreation activities that include exercise equipment, a soccer field, basketball court, and volleyball court.  A computer lab allows some internet access and email services but restricts social media.  (Why stop there?  If the American tax-payer is footing this bill, why not go all the way?)
     And it is not just free housing and upscale amenities that these illegal immigrants will receive. Pro bono immigration attorney services will be available on-site for those seeking asylum , and they will have an opportunity to see an immigration judge.  Apparently the immigration system does not guarantee the right to free and legal counsel, so attorneys are being solicited to " to see that the rights of the children are not violated.".  Please correct me, if I am wrong, but aren't these "rights" that pertain to legal citizens?   I am all for treating these unfortunate women and children with compassion and human kindness, but to infer legal "rights" on them because of an emotional response is not only un-Constitutional, but will completely bankrupt this country.
     Oh, I forgot to mention that the "Detention Center" will now be referred to as a "Resident Center"; Detainees are known as Residents, and Guards are called Resident Advisors.  It is hard to understand this kind of "soft-sell" mentality, when city governments in Florida and California are passing ordinances that would make being "homelessness" a crime.  SHTFPlan reports that a whistleblower within the Los Angeles Department of Health Services has blown the lid off a plan "to round up and forcibly house homeless citizens in detention facilities", which the Department prefers to call "Low-cost housing facilities".  Will these "residents" receive cable TV and all-you-can-eat meals, plus free attorney privileges?  Somehow, I doubt it!
     So back to my original question ... How can we be "out of money", yet be spending the crazy amounts of money necessary to completely overhaul a 29-acre facility that will ultimately house over 530 well-cared for illegal immigrants?  And I would be willing to bet that it is not the only facility of this nature and quality that will be available to illegal "residents".
     There are those who will tell me that the Bible says we are not to "oppress the sojourner or the poor".  Yes, it does.  But one must admit that it is not often easy to apply Scripture to a specific public policy issue, such as the humanitarian crisis we are currently faced with.  First of all, the correct Hebrew understanding of "sojourn" is a temporary stay.  That being said, the Israelites were to welcome such "sojourners".  But there are passages in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 16, for instance) that make it clear that foreign residents were to comply with Israelite laws, such as Sabbath observance, etc.
     But I digress ... perhaps I will undertake a separate post on the Biblical perspective of our immigration policy another day.  For now, I am simply trying to understand where the money is coming from to build these upscale detention centers.  Are they for "temporary stays"?  Or is this simply the first stop towards full-blown amnesty?  And what is the $3.7 billion appropriation destined for?  To beef up border security .... or to build more extravagant housing for non-citizens?  As a Christian, I know that the truly unfortunate should be cared for, but the duplicity that has led to this crisis does not generate an easy answer.  When you factor in the unknown number of those crossing the border who wish to do us harm WITH the unknown cost of feeding, housing, educating, and providing health care for hundreds of thousands, then it is mind-boggling.  Count it all as one more distraction by the Enemy to keep our focus off preparing for the return of Yeshua.  We must look upon Him for our deliverance from this out-of-control world.

Ephesians 4:31-32   "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."   

Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation

 for those who are in Christ Jesus.

   This is one of the most meaningful and popular verses in Scripture for modern Christians ... and with good reason.  We are free from the debt to God that our transgressions demand.  Jesus paid the price that we rightfully owe, and we do not need to fear retribution for our sins.  Before Christ paid our debt, the Law condemned us and pointed out every sin we committed.  The very existence of the Law shines a light on how imperfectly we keep it ... the Law itself isn't sinful, and it doesn't cause Sin; it is there to make us aware of our disobedience to the commandments of God, and that awareness (recognition) is what condemns (incriminates) us.

     Now, I have heard this Scripture repeated many times by truly faithful Christians; Believers that know the full implication of this verse.  But I fear, in this modern Church age, that the implied meaning is not always expressed from the pulpit, or elaborated on to new Christians.  

     It is important to know that once you have been redeemed and accepted salvation through Jesus Christ, that you no longer need to suffer guilt over past, present or future sins ... because you will sin; there was only one person on earth who has been perfect and sinless.  BUT, I wish that we Christians would be careful to always include the essential factor for our "Not Guilty" verdict ... REPENTANCE!  

     Yes, it is true that once we become truly Saved, we can count on the fact that our sins will be forgiven ... if we repent.  We must acknowledge that we have been disobedient, committed the sin, and ask for forgiveness.  THEN, there will be no condemnation.  The verses immediately after this one tell us that if we live a life in Christ, we will be dominated by the Holy Spirit.  We will be convicted of our sins, and we will desire to confess them, asking for forgiveness and repenting of our disobedience.  But without that repentance, is there any real evidence to God that you desire to please Him and are deserving of His mercy?

     There are enough ways in which new Believers are being led down the "easy path" of Salvation.  Let those of us who are wise in the Word be vigilant in presenting the whole message.  We may take the message of this Scripture for granted, but I think we would do well to assume that others need greater understanding.  It's a great opportunity to illuminate God's Word!

     

     

Ebola UPDATE: This Is Getting Serious!

     I don't like to be reactionary and I don't like to panic, but thanks to a website called Natural News.com, there are some facts about the recent Ebola outbreak that I think you should know.  First, the family of Dr. Kent Brantly, the American doctor who has reportedly contracted Ebola while working in Liberia, has been quarantined in Abilene, TX.  His wife, Amber, and their two small children, who returned stateside, are under a 21-day watch for development of symptoms of Ebola.  (LATEST UPDATE:  Dr. Brantly is being moved to the U.S. for further treatment.  I honestly don't know if this is a good move or not.  While I want the best care for him, does this present a greater possibility of spreading the disease here at home?  My prayers are with him and his family.)
     That being said, I don't have to tell you what this could mean if any subsequent members of the Brantly family develop the disease.  This could potentially become a domestic national emergency scenario.  If there is a case of Ebola in Abilene, TX, what are the chances that it spreads?  Could an entire city be put under quarantine?  What is the likelihood that martial law is enacted to "protect the populace"?

     Secondly, I want to introduce you to TEKMIRA, a pharmaceutical company that is a self-proclaimed world leader in RNA interference (RNAi) delivery technology via nanotechnology.  INTERPRETATION:  genetic manipulation using nanotechnology.  Why am I telling you this?  Would it raise any suspicions on your part to know that TEKMIRA just received a $1.5 million cash contribution from Monsanto?  Or that one of their partners is Bristol-Meyers Squibb?  Or that this same pharmaceutical company also received a $140 million contract from the Department of Defense, and was granted a Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the development of it's vaccine, TKM-Ebola?
     Is this all coincidental, or do they know something we don't?  Wherever Monsanto is involved, you can bet that there is some underlying benefit to their bottom line.  In this case, the Wall Street Journal speculates that should an Ebola epidemic become reality, this deal could be worth over $86 billion for an effective Ebola drug.
     And I'm sorry, but are we taking all the necessary precautions to stop this horrible disease from becoming rampant in our country?  OK, we've quarantined a family in Texas, but what about the President going forward with a summit meeting in Africa this next week?  It seems to me that the continent of Africa is on the verge of panic, closing down borders and airline travel, yet we are going to endanger our government officials, and then possibly bring the disease back to our shores?  The subject of the vulnerability at our southern border should be obvious to everyone, yet I don't see precautions being taken.  How is it moral or ethical to maintain an "open borders" policy, when the world is experiencing a global Ebola outbreak?  The fact that the Department of Defense has dispensed Ebola Detection Kits to National Guard teams throughout all 50 states, doesn't really give me much comfort.  Detection kits won't stop the spread; they will just identify the current case.  I want some real prevention!
     Then, just in case you haven't seen this bit of news as reported by The Daily Mail, here is something you might want to pay attention to:  "Nigerian health officials are in the process of trying to trace 30,000 people, believed to be at risk of contracting the highly-infectious virus, following the death of American Patrick Sawyer in Lagos."  Just how in the world is that going to be accomplished?  And if this scenario isn't enough to scare you, consider this fact from the Public Health Agency of Canada:  "It takes just ONE aerosolized organism (a microscopic virus riding on a dust particle) to cause a full-blown infection in humans. This is why one man vomiting on an international flight can infect dozens or hundreds of other people all at once."  And now there is a potential for 30,000 people to be infected?  Multiply 30,000 by 12 or 100 and you can see where I'm going with this!
    The purpose of this post is not to unnecessarily scare you, but to inform you.  I believe that the MSM is down-playing this too much, and the government is not being forthcoming with their information or plans.  So I want you to know where it stands today, and to take as many precautions as you can ... and I would put prayer at the top of that list.

Revelation 18:4    Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues;"
   

How Much Longer? (As It Was In the Days of Noah)

     OK, this post should put me squarely in the "crazy camp", but I just have to be honest ... There are days I wake up and wonder, "How much longer can this world survive?"  And, what will our lives be like when everything is torn asunder?  You see, for the last several years, PLW and I have been blessed with the time and the spiritual desire to dissect the Bible and discern its message for us in these times.  The world is groaning and the time is near ...
     It's not just the political world with its scandals and corruption; nor the endless wars that seem to reach into every corner of the globe ... they are not simply "rumors of wars" anymore.  People are killed and tortured, having their heads cut off; and much of it in the name of religious ideology.  Planes full of innocent people are bombed out of the sky, and women and children are used as human shields in an attempt to drive a whole nation of people "into the sea".
     But I'm also aware that the lust for oil is at the heart of many of these conflicts.  If you dig deep enough under the propaganda, you will usually find a trail that links you directly to a massive oil reserve.  This includes all the pseudo-scientific data on global warming (or is it cooling these days?); there is always someone, or a group of "someones", who have become millionaires by peddling their brand of "caring for the globe".  In the meantime, nations send thousands of their young men to die -- not really for patriotic and sovereign reasons, but as a strategic move on the chess board of oil consumption.

     It's not just mankind that is in turmoil.  The very earth is threatened.  We have huge sinkholes appearing all over the globe; the latest in the spotlight is at a place in Siberia called "the end of the world".   Then there are the scientists at NASA who are warning about powerful coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the sun that could potentially destroy earth.  And even "Mother Nature" seems to be a little confused; weather events happen out of season, and the violence of storms seems to be mounting.  There is a growing concern over the New Madrid fault line in our nation's heartland, as well as the heating up of the earth's core at Yellowstone National Park.  And let's not forget that the "Ring of Fire" is showing signs of activity.  This an area where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur in the basin of the Pacific Ocean, and could potentially affect the Pacific rim of several continents.
     Where am I going with all this doom and gloom?  Let me start by saying that this wasn't the original design for mankind OR the planet.  Everything God created was originally good.  You don't have to be a Believer to comprehend this fact, because those with even the simplest understanding of the Scriptures know that things were perfect here on planet Earth until Satan infiltrated the Garden and set into motion a war for all ages.  I just don't think that Christians fully understand how that war has been waged.
     Let me attempt to explain my thoughts ... When Satan tempted Eve to disobey God, the judgment was swift and prophetic by the Creator of the Universe:  "I will put enmity (hostility, friction, hate) between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her Offspring."   That statement has been misunderstood by centuries of Christians and Church leaders.

     Satan has known God's plan from the beginning: to dwell among His creation in personal relationship.  And it has been the Devil's desire to disrupt that relationship at all costs.  He knew God would eventually have to send His Son to redeem us from the ways that he, Satan, would introduce.  If he could disrupt the genealogy and eventual birth of God's perfect Offspring with his own corrupt line, then the world and its inhabitants would worship him, Satan.  That's where Genesis 6:1-4 comes in.  The fallen angels, who followed Satan, came to earth and corrupted the daughters of men, introducing the unholy DNA into the human line.  They are the "giants" (or in the Hebrew, Nephilim) we see in verse 4.  But God protected a line of men from his destruction of mankind (Noah and his descendants), and through their line, He sent His perfect Son to reclaim us.  But Satan has not forsaken his plan, and that's why Jesus says in Matthew 24:37, "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man."
     Just as God proclaimed back in Genesis, there has been an all-out war throughout time between God's children and Satan's children.  It is now at the boiling point, and it affects all of God's creation; from mankind, to the ecological and geophysical systems, to the stars in the heavens.  Satan's plan to deceive mankind and infect them with a corrupted gene pool has been known by every civilization throughout history.  Genesis records the Giants in the land of Canaan, while Babylonian, Greek and Roman mythology refer to the "Titans" and the "Olympians", who were "children of Uranus (Heaven) and Gaia (Earth)."
     Early petroglyphs show ancient societies bowing down to "star people" or "star men", and the mythologies of our American Indians celebrate long-ago stories of visitations by hybrid entities.  Today, we hear stories of "alien abductions" and unbelievable stories by women of having their eggs removed and harvested.  These kinds of scenarios have become popular in our entertainment culture; think of the movies E.T. and Close Encounters of A Third Kind, and the new TV show, Extant, starring Halle Berry as a woman astronaut who comes back from space impregnated by an alien.
     Do you think all of this -- from the Genesis 6 story, to Greek and Roman hybrid gods, to centuries-old drawings on cave walls, to sci-fi entertainment -- is just the product of over-active imaginations?  Do you think they are just myths and legends that have managed to maintain a common theme for thousands of years?  Or could Jesus have been giving us a hint of what was to come, when He said "As in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man"?
     It is my humble opinion that secular humanity and lukewarm Christians who reject the theory of the impregnation of human women by fallen angels, are willingly buying into the Satanic deception that is presented on the History Channel's Ancient Aliens.  On this hugely popular show, they actually present the hypothesis that aliens will show up one day, claiming to be our creators. And they will have only our best interests at heart; they will rescue us from the wars and destructions of earthly humans.  All we have to do is become one with them ... Isn't that the same thing that Genesis 6:1-4 tells us?  There was a huge deception of the human race then, and there's another one coming soon, using the same lie that Satan has perpetuated from the beginning.  And God told us as much ... that there would be enmity between man's offspring and Satan's!
     You see, there truly is hostility between those of us who are born again into the Spirit of life that is Jesus Christ, and those who fall for Satan's Deception.  The Second Coming of Jesus is Satan's final downfall and defeat.  He is going to do everything he can in the short time he has remaining to convince humanity that we want to become one with him... up to and including taking his Mark.
     I know I have laid out a long and complex theory, but I am so worried that there will be Christians who will be tempted to believe Satan's temptations.  After all, Adam and Eve knew God intimately; they walked in the Garden with Him --- and they still fell for the lies!  Please don't dismiss this theory because you have not heard it in the sanctuary of your mainstream Church.  Satan has managed to control the revelation of Scripture, and the soft-sell Gospel of Prosperity and Grace comes nowhere near warning us of what time it is on the Prophetic clock.  Do your own research!  I do not expect you to take my word for it.  Read the books of Daniel, Revelation, Jude and the Book of Enoch, which is referenced in the Book of Jude, and which was found in the Dead Sea Scrolls.  There's a reason this book has been revealed for this time!
     Finally, I would point you to all the excitement and research in the area of transhumanism.  At the center of this new technology are experiments with genetic manipulation.  Isn't that just another name for what happened in Genesis 6?  The game plan hasn't changed... it's as old as the Creation.  I just want you to be ready to stand against the lies of the Enemy.

1 John 3:8    "The person who practices sin belongs to the devil, because the devil has been sinning since the beginning. God’s Son appeared for this purpose: to destroy the works of the devil."