The Fate of America Lies in Who and What It Chooses to Follow

My husband and I are often looked upon with suspicion and a skeptical eye when it becomes known that we don't attend a church building for our worship of God. Note that I did not say we don't worship God, nor did I say we have abandoned community with others who do worship Him. Rather, we have chosen to worship along with a faithful group of Christians who meet in our home to study the Word, to discuss the history and context of God's Word, and to search and seek the fullness of His Word as it pertains to how we are to live out our time on this earth. 

Why? That is probably the biggest [and most unspoken] question about our choice. And the reasons are deeply personal and based on what the Lord has done in our lives. And let it be known that our choice does not mean we judge those who choose to attend a church building in which they are happy. Our choice is a result of experiencing the power of our relationship with God [in His presence]. And that's different from being a part of the communities we experienced in our previous 20 years of Church attendance. Don't get me wrong -- the Word was preached beautifully, and we loved the people who became our "Church family"; people who undoubtedly loved the Lord. But there came a time when we began to be hungry for more.

It wasn't enough to be [and feel] close to a large community of people who all loved the Lord. We wanted to feel closer to God; to feel as if He truly abided in us every day, not just on Sunday. And with that realization came a desire to remove ourselves further from what our society and culture valued -- because all of that seemed to be valued more than God was valued. We saw good friends, both inside and outside the Church, both saved and lost, clinging to the temptations the world offered -- wealth, big homes, positions in the world, and lavish lifestyles. Granted, those inside the church buildings still loved God, but sometimes seemed content with where they were in their relationship with Him. It seemed as if God was opening our eyes to see both from a new perspective -- of how anemic was the view of God within the building, and how the multitudes were worshipping the "little g" gods of our culture. My husband and I were starving for our true identities, and we needed the genuine presence of God in our lives. And we found ourselves heartsick -- to the point that our spirits became saddened and we no longer felt we belonged in either group.

And please understand this ... I write all this to point to our own faith journey and how God ruined us for this world; not to disparage the journey and experiences of anyone else. Only God knows where any one person is on his timeline of maturing faith. I write because I know the agony I felt in my spirit and soul as I fought to overcome all the roadblocks the Enemy put in front of me to keep me from having an encounter with the living God. 

As my husband and I cried out to Him from our season of famine and drought, He began to answer us with powerful signs, experiences, and encounters ... in dreams of being rescued from a literal tsunami of world events; of being in the throne room and reaching out to touch the hem of His robe; of prophetic dreams showing the strategies of the Enemy to thwart our purpose; to weeping in deep repentance for my sins against Him; and one very powerful encounter my husband had in which the Lord gave him our marching orders for how we are to serve the Kingdom of God. 

I know there are others who have had similar [and a far greater number of] spiritual occurrences like these, but I'm not interested in comparisons. I just want to testify of the glory of God that washed over me when I experienced the power of His presence. And I will also testify that I once thought I was where I was supposed to be in my relationship with Him. I loved being part of my church building which housed such beautiful worship and dynamic sermons, along with loving people who espoused their loyalty to Jesus. But were we changing Satan's forward progress in our nation? Were we really making a difference? It wasn't until God crossed mine and my husband's path with Believers who were operating outside that religious system that God opened our eyes to our own hunger and thirst for His empowering presence in our own lives.

So, I feel strongly that God is calling those of us who have experienced His exhilarating and powerful presence to stand up and testify to it. I understand there will be ridicule, persecution, and distrust because we don't walk in the traditional religious model. And for those of you who are testifying within the church buildings, I thank you and bless you! For until the presence of the Lord is walking in the midst of Church buildings, all their efforts will be man-glorifying. It is only when the Glory of Almighty God fills the temples that the Light of Christ will burn in our hearts and the world will be changed. And I'm talking of temples made of brick and mortar as well as our fleshly temples.

Until that fire is lit in the hearts of all Believers, and we testify of it and exhibit it, the Body will continue to be hindered by this world and all it offers. We must break free of the bonds of this earth, resolve to not turn back towards its temptations, but live in the fullness of God. As long as we are focused on the things of this world as our Savior, we will be disqualified for serving in the Kingdom of God. Our answers do not lie in politics, or persuasive leaders, or war, or our own efforts. We must become desperate enough to quench our thirst and feed our hunger by partaking of the Living Water and the Bread of Life! 

It is time to understand that the Lord is getting ready to invite guests to His Wedding Feast. Do you call yourself His servant? If so, will you be too busy or distracted with the things of this world? Remember, He will have all of us, or He will have none of us. Or are you willing to lay it all down and walk away from it; to sacrifice your life for the advancement of His Word and His Kingdom? It's not enough to "profess" your faith -- you must live it! The true remnant counts the cost of our faith and picks up our cross, trading the treasures of this world for the opportunity to exist in the Light of Heaven for all eternity. Are you thirsty and hungry for that experience? So, the question is this: how desperate are you to be quenched and fed? Now is the time to take stock of your spiritual condition. God will soon enter the Valley of Decision in which He will hand down His decision of judgment upon the nations. Will America survive and enter the Wedding Feast before the doors close?

Psalm 63:1     O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.    

      

    

  

Can America Turn Back From Its Sins and Return to the Ways of God?

©DailyVerses.net

I don't think anyone can deny that, in so many aspects, we are a divided country. It took only a couple of days before the vitriol began [again] after the near-assassination of a former President. The horror of that moment [and its implications for the nation] were lost in a rapid response of conspiracy theories, hate-filled speech, and the effort to cover up vital facts of exactly how this could happen.

The truth is that, no matter which side of the aisle you find yourself on, we as a people, increasingly don't trust those who govern us... or each other. I believe what has contributed to this division is that we have traded worship of our Holy God for the worship of a false god of politics. Too many, on either side, have put their trust and hope in people who pursue perversion, personal gain, and war. That being said, there is a spark of divine hope that is beginning to ignite a flame of Liberty, and bring us together [once again] as unified citizens, and I pray we fan that flame so that our nation can be redeemed for the Lord. 

But as we have seen throughout the history of mankind, we have a spiritual Enemy that promotes his agenda, tempting those who seek to separate themselves from their Creator, and resulting in God turning the rebellious over to reprobate minds. But first, let us properly understand what Romans 1:28 tells us: And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient [what ought not to be done]. That word, reprobate, comes from the Greek word Adôkimôs, which means "unapproved; rejected; worthless". Other meanings that have been attributed to it in our modern English are "morally depraved; unprincipled; bad". Ultimately, a reprobate mind is one that is given over to irrational thoughts and actions that are destructive not only to themselves, but to people around them. 

Additionally, it is important to note that it is God who gives them over to what they desire! This is a dangerous position to be in, yet time and again, the history of man has shown us that people have rejected their knowledge of God [who is Truth] in favor of succumbing to the tempting lies of Satan [for their own benefit]. They know the truth, but they willingly reject it. And God, in His sovereignty, casts them away, allowing them to reap the consequences of their choice to sin. We see it in the opening chapters of Genesis, and throughout the Bible, even to the closing chapters in Revelation -- from Abel, to the wicked kings of Israel, to those who, at the return of Christ, will still choose to side with Evil. It is important to recognize that although God gives these people over to their reprobate minds, He is not choosing to send them to hell -- they are sending themselves.

That's why it's important to recognize what is at the root of our national division. And let me be clear, I do not wish to condemn my fellow citizens with whom I disagree. On the contrary, it is my prayer that they recognize the lies they are believing and end their separation and isolation from God and His Truth. Let the scales fall from their eyes, and their hearts be transformed from stone to flesh! And remember, the consequences of the lies and idols they've chosen to put their faith in are not a foregone conclusion! The Good News of Jesus Christ is their hope to escape the repercussions of their false ideology.  We must continue to pray for our country!

Right now, I can see evidence of outbreaks of Revival in the souls of Christians across the land; just as I see strongholds of Rebellion rising up in response. We are definitely in a battle for the Spirit of this nation! So many are still blinded to their stubborness and pride. They certainly don't have a lack of information nor do they lack evidence that God is real, yet they will still choose to rebel and reject Him. And that inevitably results in God turning them over to their godless desires, and they will be declared unapproved, rejected, and worthless in the Kingdom of God.

So, how do we change the hearts and minds of our determinedly rebellious fellow citizens? Why are we Christians not able to turn the spiritual environment of our country around? In September, 2020, Evangelical Pastor Franklin Graham and Messianic Pastor Jonathan Cahn held an event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., called "The Return". Tens of thousands attended and prayed for the spiritual and moral state of our country. Hopeful Christians declared that the fire of Revival would soon sweep our land. Millions of Americans were aware of 2 Chronicles 7:14, commanding us to humble ourselves, pray and seek the Lord's face, and turn from our wicked ways, which I have no doubt that millions were doing. Yet, here we are four years later, and we are stunned by the complicit actions of evil people to topple our nation.

What is the answer? I deeply believe that God hears our prayers. I know there are God-centered Churches, yet I am also well aware that far too many churches are filled with golden calves, and God and the Holy Spirit have left those buildings. What are we doing wrong? Are we truly walking in His ways, or has the institution we call "the Church" bowed down to the culture and been led into deep-seated idolatry by following man's selfish heart? It's hard to ignore the warning God gives to the prophet Ezekiel regarding the nation of Israel, His chosen nation .... Israel rebelled against Him; they did not walk in His statutes, nor were they careful to observe His ordinances, which, if a man keeps, he will live; they profaned His Sabbaths and set their eyes on the man-made idols of their fathers (Ezekiel 20:21-24). Even though God withdrew His hand from executing His wrath against them, they continued to rebel. 

He has done the same for us; He established this nation, delivering us into the freedom and liberty of self-determination, blessing this nation for its faithfulness, and showing the pagan nations how He rewards a country that is willing to follow His statutes and ordinances. But we have responded the same way ancient Israel did; profaning His Sabbaths by subscribing to the unholy ordinances of the culture. And what exactly does God command from us? It is really very simple. He tells us in Matthew 28 ... Go and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you. 

But in order to teach and share what we've learned about Him and how to observe everything that He commands of us, we have to study His Word, first and foremost. Everything we need to know to receive God's blessings begins with His Word. But how many people have truly studied the Word? Instead, how many rely on their religious leaders [or better yet, those who proclaim themselves to be mouthpieces for God] to receive their knowledge of the Lord? I am not denying that there are Godly men and women that fulfill the requirement of accurately teaching God's laws and ordinances. But we have become a society fueled by self-promotion and vanity. Jesus never called for the proliferation of self-contained buildings of worshippers, or non-profit organizations to represent Him. He and the Father have always wanted personal relationships. Yes, we can gather together to worship Him, but it should always be with the intent of nurturing and maturing followers in their faith so that they might help others to learn of Him, believe in Him, and obey His words.

So, in conclusion, we stand at a crossroads. I'm celebrating the new winds of patriotism, restoration, and seeking God's will for this nation. And at the same time, I am actively involved in the spiritual war to return this nation to God's agenda and His biblical statutes. If we are truly going to humble ourselves and seek His face, we need to pray and turn from our unbiblical acceptance of abortion, homosexuality, moral and spiritual debasement, pagan holidays and beliefs, and entrenched man-made doctrines that keep us separated from the true, personal intimacy that God desires with us. I know that sounds harsh, and again, I am not speaking out of condemnation, but out of love -- for I know the heart of God for all His creation. He doesn't want to lose anyone, and as an ambassador for His Kingdom, neither do I! We must not rely on [or trust in] the stature of our religious institutions while not demanding true justice for the poor, nor caring for those members of our society that are hungry, homeless, and deprived. 

For far too long, we have hidden behind a corrupted image as a God-fearing nation. That very Mall in our national capitol is supposed to showcase our monuments that bear the Name of God. Yet the Supreme Court [whose carvings of the Ten Commandments adorn its structure] sanctions abortion, the corruption of our children's sexual identity, and banning God and the Bible in our classrooms. As citizens of Heaven on earth, and representatives of God's Kingdom to our fellow men, we are all accountable to Almighty God for walking truthfully in His ways. Do you know the message of what Jesus has commissioned us to share? Are you willing to search the Scriptures to fulfill your purpose here on earth? 

While the upcoming election is an important event for our nation -- and it appears to be free-falling on the Democratic side -- we must not lose sight of the fact that the Enemy will be working his power agenda to control the hearts of men. Do you know where your power comes from? Do you know the authority you possess from your Savior? There's no doubt these election results will have momentous consequences over the future of our nation. Yes, we hope our nation turns its attention and focus back to pleasing God instead of our own pride, power and greed. But I hope you hear this last admonition ... it's time for every person in America to write God's laws on their heart, break the bonds of our false idol worship, learn to love and support our neighbor, and repent for the ways we have sinned against Him. It's time we raise new generations who will walk in His Light and Glory. Contemplate the following verses and pray that we can accomplish what God asks of us!

Jeremiah 7:5-7.     For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another, if you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever.

God Is Still Stretching Out His Hand!

Today, my spirit is both praising God for the miracle we witnessed on Saturday, July 13th, and sending fervent prayers that He will protect our nation from the onslaught of evil that is trying to destroy this nation. I am sure that many of my fellow citizens are experiencing the same spiritual encouragement. We are truly under extreme physical and spiritual attack from the entities who want to profit from Heaven's blessings that this nation has received since its founding. And perhaps more importantly, they want to destroy any efforts to see this nation exist according to God's will.

This last weekend, I was instantly taken back to my emotions and fears when I was 10 years old and witnessed the evil and chaos of November 22, 1963. I strongly believe that the assassination of President Kennedy symbolized a turning point in this nation. Even at that young age, I sensed the doubt that the adults around me expressed concerning the "official" account of that awful day. For the first time, [and instinctively] I knew the faith in our leaders had experienced a crack in its façade. The trust in them and the media began to erode, and it has been a slow decline until this week -- when I think it has actually shattered. I have never seen or heard so many publicly counter the "approved" narrative and vociferously call out the enormity of the decline in our national relations.

All of which leads to some conflicting thoughts ... Will we ever know the whole truth? Will God continue to expose the evil that is counter to His will for this nation? And perhaps most importantly, what does it look like going forward? Do we, as a nation, have the fortitude and the will to do the hard work of reconciling for our common good? Because, if we don't, then I'm afraid the future of our country is doomed unless God intervenes... again. 

If you watched the opening night of the Republican National Convention, you must have a heart of stone if you weren't moved when former President Trump entered that convention hall. To me, it looked as if he was controlling his emotions, which must have been overwhelming. And why wouldn't he experience those feelings? Having just survived an assassination attempt, and hearing the emotional words sung to "I'm proud to be an American", he must have felt, I'm living this song tonight ... If tomorrow all the things were gone I worked for all my life, and I had to start again with just my children and my wife... I thank my lucky stars to be living here today, 'cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away... And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free and I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me. And I'll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today. "Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land. God bless the USA! That song, which has kind of become a corny salute to patriotism, suddenly took on enormous significance.

If not for God's hand, the former President would not have been standing there last night. And this respect and recognition is not about whether you agree with his politics or his personality. We need to understand that Evil tried to change the destiny of our Land, and God intervened. Will we be able to thwart its renewed efforts in the days and years to come? I can't help but be reminded of what it must have been like for President Lincoln as he confronted the dire circumstances and division within the nation and contemplated how to keep the Union together. How can one man heal the hatred and vitriol of two sides so committed to their ideology that they are willing to destroy the fabric and foundation of the country, and thereby destroy the whole of it. 

We stand at that crossroads today. Only I fear that the division is even wider and more dangerous. The Spiritual Enemy of this nation doesn't just want to change the form of our government -- it wants to defeat [forever] the guiding Light of our just and righteous God over this land and "our firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence", as is so eloquently expressed in the Declaration of Independence. In addition, this Spiritual Enemy wants to decimate the very Constitutional ideal that "We, the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity". In short, this nation is at the center of a battle for its survival. Do we choose Heaven's guidance ... or Hell's?  

Just as Lincoln addressed the nation in his Second Inaugural Address, "the prayers of both cannot be answered". I strongly believe that this Land exists because God ordained it to represent His form of government -- offering the blessings of Freedom to men to choose how they will live according to His will, which is to prosper them and not harm them; to give them hope and a future. But the Enemy wants to control and obstruct the freedom that comes from our relationship with God, and keep us from gaining that abundant life He offers.

I can't help but feel the weight of Evil that is being brought to bear on this nation -- it is palpable and we have seen its ill effects in the increase in crime, the mayhem of protests and riots, and the death of so many innocent people. The headlines scream at us every day. BUT GOD GIVES US EVIDENCE OF HIS GOODNESS AND FAITHFULNESS, by showing us the difference an inch can make when He intervenes! Let me be clear -- I do not put my Faith in the hands of a mortal man. I understand that we may yet experience more evil acts fomented by our Spiritual Enemy in the hearts of men. But I know in my heart that our Lord is still on His Throne, and I do not doubt that our Mighty God is still for us and He is with us! AND WE WILL REMAIN FAITHFUL TO HIM! 

So, I ask that you join me in praying for our country. We have sinned mightily against Him, and we deserve His righteous judgment, but as Micah 7:9 says, I will bear the indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the Light; I shall look upon His vindication. Hold on to that certainty of the presence of God that you witnessed a few days ago. He has not given up on us! And never doubt that we will again behold His amazing righteousness and His remarkable deliverance that we are so desperately in need of. May His Glory once more reign down on America!  

1 Peter 2:16     Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover or pretext for evil, but [use it and live] as bond-servants of God.  

The AI Conflict: Is Anything Genuine and Real Anymore?

I will admit that this subject is a personal affront to me and presents an interesting dilemma. At the moment, AI is a given in our world. The technological world has exploded with possibilities now that Artificial Intelligence has come upon the scene. Computer systems are now capable of doing things that once only humans could perform. While, for many this represents advancement for the human race, it sincerely comes into conflict with my human understanding of authenticity -- as well as the convictions of my faith. Let me try to explain how those two concepts converge in my life.

Authenticity coincides with several things to me: being original; being your true self; being genuine and honest. My faith informs what my true self is: a human being created in the image of God; designed by Him to be original with all the gifts and talents that are unique only to me. Therefore my "true self" cannot exist apart from my God. But that reality comes with a moral obligation ... to represent Him with honesty and integrity. In other words, to live our lives according to His moral principles and values. And for me, that comes into stark contrast when considering the choices and options that AI presents for humans.  

Take for instance, in the world of art. I think it is undisputed that art can touch the human soul and spirit. Have you ever looked upon a beautiful piece of art and been brought to tears? Or have it take your breath away? I have personally experienced it myself, and witnessed this phenomenon in other people, as we have looked upon art and marveled at the talent God has given the artist. When that moment occurs, I believe that we are ultimately connecting to God. We are moved by what the artist creates from the gift he has been given by the Great Creator. And that connection between art and God is made clear in Ephesians 2:10 ... "For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above -- spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works which God prepared [for us] beforehand, so that we would walk in them."

This is just one example at the heart of my conflict with AI. Which is why my spirit is offended when I see countless people on Social Media exclaiming over the astounding beauty of a painting or photo that is obviously generated by Artificial Intelligence. It's "Artificial"! It's not real; it's not original; and it's not honest. I'm even seeing Facebook posts extolling the brilliance of a Claude Monet work of art, with its heightened values of color -- and it's not even a Monet painting! And I'm even more highly offended when I see an artist present his work as an "original" painting, when I know that parts of it have been generated by AI to present what the artist has decided is "authentic". I have witnessed what graphic artists can do by reducing an image to its core form or impression, and then substituting backgrounds and adding additional elements to come up with a final image that is manufactured. We see it all the time in the advertising campaigns that deluge our TV and computer screens.

And now I'm seeing legitimate artists doing the same thing. They might paint a subject sitting in a chair, and then take that image to the computer and ask AI to add a background of a garden setting, enhancing all the colors of the flowers, and then paint the rest of their painting to match that fabricated depiction. And the world exclaims over his talent and what a masterful painter he is. Yes, it is beautiful ... but it is manufactured, not created! It's not genuine, nor was it created from his innate, inborn, God-given talent. For me, to present a piece of art as your own, when it is produced with the help of a computer system lacks integrity and character. 

But maybe that's just me. Maybe the world has lost touch with what it means to be authentic and real. And maybe we've lost touch with our moral values. When the lines become blurred between what is truly "created" and what is formulated or constructed, then how do we know what is "real"? Which brings up another profound concern for me... at the rate that AI is progressing, how easy will it be to create and edit a video of a false Jesus coming on the clouds that can be distributed and screened worldwide? Will the human race be able to tell the difference between what's real and what is counterfeit?

That's the problem as we careen towards a future where we are giving computer generated programs the ability to start taking over the human thought and creative process. Are we going to start handing over our identity as image-bearers of Christ to a machine? Because we know they don't have that "God spark" of original creativity in them ... right? When we start abdicating our role as the true creator of ideas, art, products, and social conscience and become just the manager of what AI creates, then we are dangerously close to becoming insignificant in God's plan for mankind.

If we continue to rely more and more on AI's integration into our lives and society, then are we removing our reliance on our connection to God and the Holy Spirit to guide our morals, ethics, and standards of behavior? Will we begin to lose the nucleus of our identity? Do we really want human and machine creativity to merge and become one? Seems to me that will interfere with hearing and seeing what the Father is instructing us to do, which formed the foundation of Jesus's ministry, and should do the same for us. 

Which brings me to an interesting article I read by Igor Tarasenko, titled Rethinking Authenticity in the AI Revolution, in which he said, "It's about the essence of creation -- is it the origin, the journey, or the impact that matters?" And can we keep those separate? Can we glorify God while keeping a check on what's really important in this life -- that the number of hits on our social media content pales in comparison to the journey we are on towards Christ-likeness? All of which brings me back to the importance of our honesty, integrity, ethical and moral compass, and our true self. How important will that be to our future generations who are being raised in this quagmire between machine and man? Are the boundaries being erased? Will they even care about being genuine and authentic; or recognize why they were created and by Whom? 

The Bible talks about the importance of authenticity to God, you know. Check out Benjamin Reinke's blog on 50 Bible Verses about Authenticity.  As he says in the first one he cites, Psalm 51:6 "reflects the profound value placed on inner truth and authenticity in the sight of God: Behold, You desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place."  Does AI desire the same of us, or teach us wisdom? Another aspect that he points to is the courage to be authentic. Can we be loyal to our Creator and brave enough to stand for His "program" in the world? Lord, I pray that there are enough of us who will be true to who You've created us to be so that we show the world, who is enamored with the tech gods, that Your Sovereignty still reigns in the hearts of men, called according to Your will.  

Proverbs 11:3    The integrity and moral courage of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them. 

"Those in World History Who Have Known Freedom and Then Lost It Have Never Known It Again"

It is hard to believe that it has been 57 years since Ronald Reagan spoke these consequential words during his Inaugural Address as Governor of California. It was 1967, and nearly 2 generations ago. The country was mired in the VietNam War, race riots, and social upheaval. The children of the Greatest Generation of WWII were at philosophical, societal, and spiritual odds with their fathers.

And today, following our celebration of 248 years as a nation, and the very real facts of the dispiriting and declining condition of our nation, I think it is essential that we revisit the entirety of his warning ... "Perhaps you and I have lived too long with this miracle [of the orderly transfer of administrative authority by direction of the people] to properly be appreciative. Freedom is a fragile thing and it's never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. And those in world history who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again". 

Reagan warned that blessed people should not take their good fortune for granted. I will never doubt or question that our favored status as a nation came from God. When we followed His statutes and His Law of moral standards, we continued to be a nation of privilege and well-being. And when I look at the nations throughout history [and the Bible], it's not hard to see that, whether it be systems of governments or systems within the Church, movements come and go. 

Consider Israel: freed from enslavement and the Egyptian pantheon of gods, and led into the Promised Land with a new system of worshipping YHWH as their One True God. But within one or two generations they abandoned God's warnings and returned to following false gods. Their rebellion cost them the favor of YHWH and they found themselves sent into captivity for their disobedience. They would find themselves bound in cycles of prosperity and enslavement, with repeating patterns of rebellion, revival, and recovery; each generation either seeking restoration from God or deliberately rejecting His relationship. 

Our own nation was founded on the Judeo-Christian values of justice, individual worth, personal responsibility and the rule of law [founded on the guiding principles of the Ten Commandments]. Each citizen was expected to engage with their conscience, temperance, frugality, and industry; to walk in justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow man; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God. The original thirteen colonies existed in tolerance towards each other; each having its own constitution which gave the citizens rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. They would join together in unity to battle for independence from Great Britain and its taxation without representation. After winning that war and freeing themselves from British rule, the colonies would form a central government designed to establish the functions of the national government of the United States.

The goal was to create a government with enough power to act on a national level [and as a sovereign nation], but without so much power that fundamental rights would be at risk. But within 84 years, the unity fell apart over issues of economic policies and practices, cultural values, the extent and reach of the Federal government, and most decidedly, the role of slavery within American society. 

Throughout world history we see the repetitious cycle of freedom and slavery -- movements sometimes lasting for a century or two; others barely one generation. Such is the self-obsession and self-serving nature of humanity. Why didn't the Israelites cling to the blessings of YHWH? They knew His promises of a coming Messiah when they walked in obedience. And they knew the sorrow and wretchedness of their disobedience when they abandoned His ways. Yet when He answered their prayers for deliverance and restored them, why would they so easily listen to the lies of men that would lead them back into adversity?

And even after Jesus came and showed them He was the long-awaited Messiah, they refused to receive Him. Their promises were then offered to the Gentiles and there appeared a revolution of Faith when the Church was born. But even that institution was not immune to the fickleness of men's hearts. The first generation witnessed the miracles of Jesus, or at least heard first-hand accounts. But the second and third generations soon returned to the traditions of their fathers. Paul warns us that there would come a time when men and women would not listen to sound doctrine, but seek to suit their own desires and motives, gathering teachers that would give them what their itching ears wanted to hear. The result? They would turn away from the Truth. 

And it happened as early as 85 AD, only two generations after Jesus's crucifixion! The apostle John actually gives us testimony of how quickly the preeminence of Christ was replaced by the self-promotion of Church leaders. In 3 John:9, he writes: I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to put himself first, does not accept what we say and refuses to recognize my authority. How quickly this Church leader dismissed the superiority of Jesus Christ in favor of his own rebellious nature of pride and ambition! And then less than 10 years later, John writes the Book of Revelation in which Jesus gives His urgent warnings to the "churches". Jesus already had concerns over their idolatry, immorality, and loss of love for Him, each other, and lost sinners. Imagine what He would have to say over the Church in 2024!!  

I write all this to show you the truth that history has proven that freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. I have seen how quickly it has disappeared in the generations of my lifetime; each succeeding generation losing more of our precious liberties and rights that come from God. I have seen the rise of [and return to the worship of] ancient pagan gods and the whispered lies of hate for Jesus. How did we get here so quickly? By abandoning the Word of God and His place in our government, our society, our homes, and our individual lives. So, how do we restore our freedom? It's really simple -- and I believe God will honor us if we get back to the Word and totally reject anything that the Bible does not provide evidence for or prove the truth of. 

It's a matter of returning to our first love. For the nation, it's the love of our individual freedom, individual responsibilities, and limited government to allow us to become all that God created us to be. And, most importantly, it's about returning to Jesus and the Word of God as our First Love; the Creator and Protector of our true Freedom. For too long, we have abdicated our authority [given to us by Christ] that we might influence the world for the Kingdom of God, and allowed greedy, power-hungry, prideful and arrogant men [like Diotrephes] to build their own kingdoms and subjugate us for their own well-being. 

We must recognize that Jesus's warnings to the churches in Revelation still stand the test of time. They are still in effect because the Word never changes. And they apply to all men, not just the institution of Church. We've allowed the traditions and self-centered desires of men to outweigh God's will and His desire for us. But it's never too late to stop the disintegration of our national foundation! The Way is right there in the Word. It's time that a spiritual revolution take place in our hearts and we raise up generations to return our land to its original purpose and let freedom ring! Let's not let one more generation remain ignorant of the soul and spirit of America. Pray, repent, and seek the face of God! He will not abandon us, and the Enemy that is trying to steal our inheritance can and will be defeated!      

Proverbs 19:21    Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

Celebrating This Experiment Called America!

I have just spent the last hour or so reviewing what I have written about July 4th over the past 12 years of this blog's existence. The first one I wrote in 2012 is full of my unabashed pride in the courage of those 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence who dared to pledge their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor for the sake of freedom and the liberty to live with "certain unalienable Rights" that could not be usurped by tyrannical governments.

Sadly, I also recognize that this seems hypocritical in light of the fact that many of the Southern Founding Fathers were slaveholders. Many of them acknowledged that slavery violated the natural rights of the enslaved, but knew the abolition of this abhorrent practice would endanger the ultimate goal of securing the unity and independence of the United States from Britain. Lamentably, they "kicked the can down the road" to be dealt with by a future generation, so that the freedom of the nation could come before they could address the freedom of the slaves. That despicable practice would be dealt with a mere 84 years later when the new nation was ripped asunder by the Civil War.

So, before I can proceed with why we should celebrate this auspicious day of July 4th, it is important to understand what is meant by "unalienable rights". First, most have a distorted idea that it takes its meaning from the word "alien", signifying that these un-alien-able rights were unfamiliar or foreign to men of that time. This is a wrong interpretation. In 1776, when the Declaration was written, the correct enunciation was un-a-lien-able, as in "a lien", a form of security interest granted over an item of property to secure the payment of a debt. What the Founding Fathers were actually saying was this: the natural rights that have been given to us by God are not subject to a lien by any king or ruler; they are ours to possess outright. 

In other words, our rights are not determined by governments; or granted by them; and cannot be legislated by them. It was the first time in the history of the world, that a nation of people dared to declare that they recognized God's rulership and authority as being above that of any monarch or crowned head. Our freedom and our rights come from God, and we find our ultimate freedom in Christ ... the freedom to make our own choices about how we will live our lives; the freedom to change and grow in our Identity as the sons of God; freedom from the consequences of our sins and trespasses; and the freedom from the harassment and torment of our Enemy.

This was a new concept in the history of civilization. Never before had men been trusted [or allowed] to conduct their lives unencumbered by the heavy hand of an oppressive authority. The thought that men could govern themselves by adopting fundamental principles and moral standards for the common good was best expressed by English philosopher John Locke, in his Second Treatise on Government: "The natural liberty of man is to be free from any superior power on earth, and not be under the will or legislative authority of man, but to have only the law of nature for his rule". These laws of nature were understood to be that which the God of the Universe had instituted when He created man in His image.

But, here we are in 2024, and it is a matter of our very survival as a nation to re-establish this idea of where our rights come from and why they are so important to protect. In the last 60 plus years the government of this nation has removed God as the authority and founder of our natural rights. The very idea of freedom has been distorted to mean a collection of "rights" or "privileges", which opens the possibility that a duplicitous or oppressive government could convince the populace that by merely altering, or abolishing, even a single aspect of our "rights" [which safeguard our liberty], we are still left with the concept of "having Freedom". 

It shouldn't be hard to see that over a period of time, or generations, much damage could be done by chipping away at our freedom. What was once our stronghold of personal independence and liberties could easily be whittled down to a house of straw. Remember: In 1 Corinthians 3, Jesus tells us He laid a foundation upon which we are to conduct our lives. And we have to be careful how we build on it. What once was a solid foundation of liberty has, in 248 years, been diminished to a straw house, subject to falling in and burning up. We must return to our original underpinnings, and recognize that even if the house of straw falls in, Jesus is still our fortress and our stronghold!

So, do the American people have any idea why we should celebrate the Fourth of July? It grieves me when I see various newsmen interviewing the youth of our country, and they seem to know nothing of our history or the founding of this experimental nation based on individual liberty and freedom. I will tell you that I still believe we possess the DNA of 1776, and that this "experiment" called the United States of America was ordained by the God of the Universe. The question is, do our spirits still yearn to thrive in a "state of Freedom"; that state of not being imprisoned or enslaved; the freedom that imparts the power of self-determination?

If we're honest with ourselves, the once lofty ideal of freedom that this country represented, and its founding leaders embodied, has been replaced by a belief system that champions money and power. America once recognized that their state of freedom was bestowed by God; but His Dominion and Sovereignty have been replaced by the Supremacy and Restraint of the State. So, does that mean we have nothing to celebrate this year? 

Let me remind you -- Americans are not quitters! We don't give up! We have a massive job ahead of us to turn our massive ship of debt. We must admit that we fell asleep on the job. We didn't protect and preserve what was diligently carved out for us by our Founders, and was fought and died for over the last 248 years. Yes, we've wasted our heritage and our God-given blessings. Our enemies are waiting for us to stumble beyond recovery. 

So, what shall be our destiny? Can we restore our virtue [our honor, our goodness]; or will this nation just be a footnote in history, known for its violence, corruption, and debauchery? July 4, 1776 was a day of far-reaching consequences; just as these fearful days are. We are faced with no less a serious choice regarding our future. Will we continue to suffer under the repressive directives of a governing body that pays no mind to our concerns? Or will we decide our liberties and freedom are precious, God-given, and worth standing up for? If possible, the significance of this July 4th is of much more significance than in 1776. The question is, are we as brave and committed as they were to see our rights from God preserved? Because, believe me, the future of our children and our nation -- and even our survival -- depends on how much we can revive the embers of that burning desire for freedom in our hearts and the hearts of our countrymen. 

Let's make this July 4th about more than hot dogs, hamburgers, and a day at the beach. Let us recommit ourselves to our founding principles. I know God has not given up on this nation, and we have not lost faith in Him to answer our prayers as we storm Heaven to help us keep the Republic. I still believe we can humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways! But we are running out of time. The evil partners that would see this nation destroyed are not giving up either! But God has always kept a remnant unto Himself to see His will done on the earth. So, let me leave you with this quote from my favorite Founding Father, Samuel Adams: It does not take a majority to prevail; but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men. 

Happy 4th of July! Let Freedom ring in the hearts of all men!  

Job 8:8-10    For inquire, please, of bygone ages, and consider what the fathers have searched out. For we are but of yesterday and know nothing, for our days on earth are a shadow. Will they not teach you and tell you and utter words out of their understanding?

 

It's Time To Trim Our Lamps!

Today I am writing to what I will call "the professing Church" ... those who will purport that they have a faith firmly established in Jesus Christ. It is not my intent to cast doubt or judgment on the level of faith of any Christian, but to encourage you to examine your preparedness for the spiritual war in which we are about to engage. And there is no better place to start than with the Parable of Ten Virgins. But first, I want to set the stage for why this parable is of utmost importance to us today.

As I reflect on the nearly 13 years I have been obedient to the Lord in writing this blog, it is apparent to me that the theme He has consistently stressed within my spirit is "be ready; stay equipped; remain poised for action". My reflections have revealed that He took me through the stages of preparedness that He wanted me to convey to the readers who found their way to this humble website. Believe me, I had no predisposed plan on what I was to write about; I was just led by the Holy Spirit into seasons of knowledge and application that the Lord wanted me to share. 

I can now see that each stage advanced me to the next level of understanding and awareness, which in turn, grew my faith and lifted me to a new degree of maturity. I began with an awakening to the changes that were forming and coming against the foundations of our national sovereignty. I was becoming aware that our historically Biblical underpinnings were under attack [and beginning to crumble], and conscious of the fact that war was being waged from the heavenly realms against the entire earth. The Holy Spirit began instructing me to warn believers to come out of their "normalcy bias" and start prepping in the areas of food, personal defense, and spiritual warfare. So from 2012-2015, you will find my posts focusing on these goals for the Body of Christ.

Then the Lord took me into my next season: strengthening my awareness, knowledge and activity in the sphere of spiritual warfare so that I could write to equip and teach Believer's about the commission we share with our Savior. Learning that the Enemy's plan has always been to disrupt the purpose of Believer's lives to advance the Kingdom of God on earth led me to deep studies on how we are all called to continue Jesus's mission in establishing His Father's Kingdom by taking back territory from Satan's kingdom of darkness. You will see the Kingdom as the primary subject of my posts from 2016 through today.

And now I discern that I'm in a new season, yet with a recurring theme -- the Holy Spirit is now counseling me to bring my writing back to the subject of preparedness. Only this time, the message is to be more urgent. He is telling me to warn readers to get in a state of readiness, especially for war. And that means both in the sense of physical readiness as well as spiritual. And that's why it is of paramount interest for we Believers to understand what Jesus is telling us in the Parable of  Ten Virgins. It will help us to be prepared for His Return, which I think is closer than ever.

Let's suppose that we are all in agreement that Jesus came to inaugurate the Kingdom of God on earth; that we are living in it in the present day; yet it is still to come in all its fullness in the future when Jesus consummates it on His Second Coming. The Parable of Ten Virgins shows us a clear picture of how we are to get ready and stay prepared for that awesome day of His Return. This parable is also a picture of the Church's wedding to our Bridegroom, the Christ, and the subsequent wedding feast. The reference to "the kingdom of heaven shall be like" is to help us understand that this parable refers to the time of the fulfillment of the Kingdom. It begins with the ten virgins who take their lamps and go out to meet the bridegroom. 

Here is the parable in its entirety: Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish [thoughtless, silly, and careless], and five were wise [far-sighted, practical, and sensible]. For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep. But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.' Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil and lit them]. But the foolish virgins said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil', because our lamps are going out'. But the wise replied, 'No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too: go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves'.  But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked. Later the others also came, and said, 'Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us'. But He replied, 'I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship]'. Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come'.  [Matthew 25:1-13].

When Jesus returns, we, who are born again and have entered the existing kingdom on earth, are to go out and meet Him with lighted lamps. [John 3:1-5]. We need to discern that lamps are vessels filled with oil. This description in the parable is Biblical language which points to us as vessels filled with the Holy Spirit [the oil of anointing of God's illumination, presence and guidance in our lives]. The parable then goes on to inform us that five of the virgins were wise, and five were foolish. The foolish took their lamps, but took no oil with them [they had what they came with]. The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps [an extra supply]. We then learn that the bridegroom is delayed, and all ten slumbered and slept. Then suddenly, the announcement comes: "The bridegroom is coming! Go and meet Him"!  And they all arose and trimmed their lamps...

What does this mean for us, the faithful that are awaiting the Messiah's return? The wise virgins are interpreted to be prepared for His return; the foolish were unprepared. While both slept, waiting for the signal that He had arrived, the wise ones were ready and prepared to act immediately when the unexpected announcement was made. The foolish ones were unprepared. And this is why it is important for us to be ready to trim our lamps! A poorly trimmed wick creates a flame that is dim. A lamp is trimmed when the wick is turned either up or down to regulate the amount of the flame. Obviously, the virgins wanted a good, strong flame to light the way for the Lord. But if a lamp is empty of oil, it doesn't matter how much one trims the wick, the lamp will go out when the oil is consumed. 

But we see that the parable reveals that the foolish virgins were careless and caught without enough oil -- they didn't bring any with them. When we look at this from a spiritual perspective, we see that during the unexpected delay, while waiting on the Lord's return, they didn't endeavor to stay filled with the Holy Spirit. They then try to convince their wise counterparts to share some of their oil, but are denied. The Holy Spirit is not a commodity that can be given by one person to another. You are either a true Christian in whom the indwelling Holy Spirit resides, or you are a false believer; one who looks and acts the part, but does not possess the Holy Spirit. Remember that Paul tells us in Romans 8:9, Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. I hesitate to declare that Jesus intended to separate "Spirit-filled" and "Non-Spirit-filled Christians" in this parable as much as describing true believers versus false Christians. The clear message is that the key component to readiness in the Christian life is to be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit.

And that brings me back to why I believe the Lord has kept inspiring me to reinforce both the physical and the spiritual precept of "readiness" and "preparedness". I believe that this parable is meant to warn the Church not to assume that their future in the Kingdom of God is "a sure thing" just because you call yourself a Christian, or look like one in your appearance. Is the Holy Spirit present in your life? Do you resonate the light of Christ in your life? And, sadly, I fear the Church has not been convicted in stressing the presence of the Holy Spirit as a priority in the lives of those they welcome into the fold. Today, we see many who are expecting to be invited to the wedding feast when Christ returns. Until that much-awaited moment, I discern that those calling themselves Christians will all look the same -- but it is that critical moment when the prepared and ready will be separated from the unready and the door to the feast will be shut. Jesus will then say, Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you ... the most dreaded words I can ever imagine spoken. 

So, my friends, please take the time to measure your preparedness. Are you in a state of both physical and spiritual readiness? Do you know that there is a war being fought in the spiritual realms, even as our world is inching towards a cataclysmic war on earth? Believe me, I do not relish pointing these things out; I haven't found joy in it for the last 12 years, but I will be obedient to continue writing what the Holy Spirit and my Lord tell me to if it means even one person stops and takes stock of his spiritual condition. If one person is led to an encounter with the Son of God, then it is worth the time and effort that I take to hear and report what comes to me from Heaven. The point of this blog, this post, and this parable is simple -- get prepared and be ready! Don't be denied entry to the wedding feast with our Bridegroom!

Revelation 19:7   Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;

When Religious Leaders Serve Themselves (As It Was in the Days of Jesus)

It is with a heavy heart that I find myself contemplating the state of religious leaders throughout the centuries. From the time of the Levitical priesthood [in the Old Testament] to the scandalous headlines concerning pastors in these past few weeks, there have been incidents of flagrant rebellion and overt sinfulness among those appointed to act as shepherds of God's believing followers. 

I'm not interested in calling out anyone, or naming names. I'm more concerned with the hearts of those who claim to represent our Holy and righteous God, yet disparage His character through their self-interest and unrepentance, thus leaving room for doubt and confusion among those who become discouraged from ever seeking Him. But even more than misguiding those whom they are commanded to equip and train up in the ways of the Lord, I think I am more disturbed by the fact that the religious leaders seem to lose sight of the purpose of Jesus's Kingdom mission and their role in it. 

Jesus, Himself, experienced the mistrust and doubt from the First Century Religious leaders regarding His authority. The Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, Essenes and other religious leaders questioned His mission and the motives of His teachings. Unlike today, when our society has lapsed in the intentional teaching of Scripture and Biblical history to our young, the Jewish tradition placed a heavy emphasis on teaching their children about the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings [the Poetic books of Psalms, Proverbs and Job; the Festival scrolls of Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther; and the Historical books of Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles]. 

The Jewish people in general, and especially the Sanhedrin, [who held high positions in the religious and political spheres of the Jewish nation] knew the prophecies of the coming Messiah. The prophets of old spoke of a King who was fit to rule Israel like King David, returning them to a time of power and prosperity over their enemies. At the moment of His birth the wise men from the East came seeking the Messiah, "the one who was born King of the Jews". Those that Jesus healed at the beginning of His ministry hailed Him as "the Son of David". 

When John the Baptist joined with Jesus, proclaiming that the Kingdom of God was at hand, it's not hard to see the expectation that was placed upon Him. Even His Disciples saw Him in that light, expecting Him to take on the mantle of restoring the kingdom of Israel to its former glory under the Davidic dynasty. They believed the signs and miracles He performed, which were greater than the historical prophets, was clear evidence that He was the prophesied Messiah. But His mission was misunderstood and that led to the religious leaders feeling threatened by His teachings calling for a life of service and humility toward others; the willingness to suffer on behalf of your fellow man.

The priestly rulers simply could not understand the authority He possessed among the people. His teachings stressed loving your enemies, turning the other cheek, and sacrificing yourself for the benefit of others. He proclaimed that if one followed Him and His teachings, you were following the Law of Moses. And His ways challenged the strict boundaries of the Law as imposed by the religious Jews. Put in a very simplistic manner, Jesus's mission did not meet the expectations of the religious system that governed the Jews of the day. The Kingdom of Heaven, represented by Jesus, was in conflict with the kingdom of Israel, as administered by the religious leaders [in agreement with the political leaders].

Looking back, we see that Jesus came with a very clear mission and purpose: to establish God's righteous Kingdom on earth, making a way [through His sacrifice, death and resurrection] for all people to receive forgiveness for their sins, and be restored to a relationship with God. The goal was that this salvation from eternal death into eternal life would become the entry point into the Kingdom of God on earth (John 3:1-5), thereby changing the hearts of men and ultimately defeating Satan's kingdom on earth. Righteousness and Justice would rule the world and Evil would be defeated. 

Those leaders of the Jewish faith should have stood in righteousness and holiness, encouraging the people to believe in the prophecies of the Messiah, and welcoming Jesus as the true Son of God. But they were too caught up in their own reputations, arrogance, pride, and power to submit to a life of service, humility, and sacrifice. They exchanged God's laws for their own strict and binding rules that hindered an intimacy and connection with the Father. They missed the mission of the One they were waiting for.

And that brings me to the current state of religion and faith in the modern Christian world. Are we and our religious leaders following the same misguided path towards Jesus's goal and mission for His Second Coming? Are our modern shepherds too caught up in protecting their lofty positions of fame, money, and performance standards to understand the purpose of His Second Coming? Like the Pharisees, are they after self-importance and validation above those they are called to serve? And if the accusations of immorality that are currently being reported are true, then the community of Christian leadership needs to take a good hard look at itself. 

We need to take to heart Jesus's woes that He directed to the scribes and Pharisees, comparing them to the outside of a cup that looks clean, but is filthy on the inside [full of extortion and robbery and self-indulgence]. "You spiritually blind Pharisee [leader]; first clean the inside of the cup and plate [examine and change your inner self to conform to God's precepts] so that the outside [your public life and deeds] may be clean also". The Jewish religious leaders of old looked pious, God-fearing and devout servants of YHWH on the outside. But on the inside and in their private duties within the synagogues, they were back-stabbing, power-hungry, and oppressive hypocrites. They never held themselves accountable, and the celebrity environment within the 21st century Church has lent itself to the same temptations among our shepherds.

And that reality could have some mighty serious consequences for the spiritual maturity of the Christian brotherhood as we look forward to Jesus's Second Coming. Will we see the same kind of misunderstanding about what it's going to look like? He wasn't recognized or accepted the first time He came. Will He be the second time? The First Century Jews were expecting a King that would crush the Roman Empire and return them to prosperity and leadership. How many Christians are expecting to be removed from the earth before the Tribulation and "Time of Sorrows" covers the earth? Are they expecting that Jesus will announce that His Kingdom now rules the earth and Peace will exist across the globe? Are they going to be equally disappointed [as the Jews were] if what they've been taught doesn't occur?   

Will they be as lost and confused as the Disciples were when their hopes and dreams of a restored Kingdom of Israel didn't instantly materialize? Just as the religious leaders had not accurately interpreted the Scriptures and prophecies of Jesus's First Coming, I'm afraid that the Church has misconstrued and miscalculated the timing of events regarding His Second Coming. How are we to rightly understand His revelations that His return will mark "the great day of His wrath", or that the kings and leaders of the entire inhabited earth will "gather to do battle on that great day of God, the Almighty". Jesus prophesies in Revelation 19 that He is One who "judges and makes war"; He will "strike the nations" with a sword and tread "the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God".

These passages clearly show us that the world will not greet the returning Messiah with open arms. In fact, the world and its leaders will be as hostile towards Him as they were the first time. Are our current religious leaders serving their flocks by preparing them to accept Jesus in His true identity? Sadly, the First Century religious administrators were consumed with serving themselves and did not recognize the truth of Scriptural prophecy when He was in their midst. And I'm not that sure the modern Church has adequately raised up mature Leaders who can move past their desire for celebrity, popularity, and the need to compete for notoriety in order to be ready to receive Jesus and accept the mission and purpose of His return ... to establish the Kingdom of God once and for all and to usher in the the New Heaven and Earth. 

So, it is absolutely imperative that the Body of Christ rise up and join together in praying for our Pastors and Religious Leaders. Pray for repentance, clean hearts, a new movement of righteousness and holiness in the spirits of those God has called to shepherd in this time of world history. I pray for divine discernment; that they will seek the truth of Jesus's mission on His return; that they will seek the Holy Spirit's guidance and counsel in ways to equip and train the Body to prepare the faithful for Christ's victorious return. I pray that the temptations of Satan and this world will be removed from before their eyes as they focus their physical and spiritual eyes on the Heavenly realm from which He will appear. I know there are good, faithful, righteous and Godly men who serve our Lord in the role of Pastors and Church Leaders. I pray for their protection and their emergence as holy representatives of God's Kingdom on earth. I pray that all men will prepare their hearts in Truth and Spirit for King Jesus's return... help us to prepare the way for you, Lord! 

Mark 13:23, 37     But be on your guard: I have told you everything in advance... What I say to you, I say to everyone, 'Be on the alert (stay awake and be continually cautious'.

     

Like the Disciples, Will We "Get It" in Time?

As so often happens, when I'm inspired to write a blog post it becomes a confession of sorts; my working out a spiritual issue that the Lord has put on my heart. I wake up at 4 in the morning, seeking understanding from Jesus and asking for clarity on how to solve a crisis of faith. And because I've clearly heard His instruction that He made me to write to please Him, I find I can express myself the best when writing my thoughts and conversations with Him -- much better than in my contemporaneous speaking. So, I invite you to partake in what He has revealed to me this time about the level of faith we experience.  

My newest questions for the Lord began to surface after watching the highly emotional last scene in episode 4 of The Chosen. I know there are many hyper-religious Christians who would tell me that they find this series unBiblical and unworthy of being accountable to the life and times of Jesus. But I discern that it is not the intention of the series to report every word of Scripture concerning Jesus, but rather to illustrate and link the themes of Jesus's teachings in the Bible; to give us a fuller scope and range of what Jesus was conveying to His Disciples [including us]. 

So, whenever I hear this criticism, I am always brought back to Proverbs 25:2 ... It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to search it out, and John 21:25 ... And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were recorded one by one [or in detail], I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. This is why the scenes regarding the faith of the Centurion [in comparison to the faith of the Disciples], and Jesus's responses to both have touched me so deeply. 

Because I am a student of the Bible, I can recognize how the writers of the show have interwoven verifiable Scripture with interpretations of the precepts the Bible is trying to teach us. It is here that I subscribe wholly to the suggestion in Isaiah 28:10... that the Bible must be understood "line upon line, and precept upon precept". In other words, God's truth is sometimes revealed in one comprehensive sentence, but also in small principles which build upon one another to form a more thorough or broad understanding. That is what I discovered as I watched certain Biblical scenes being played out on the screen. So, let me share what I discerned and how it provided a new and significant benefit to my faith.

Let's consider the evidence of faith in the Disciples, particularly the brothers James and John in Chapter 10 of Mark -- and then the proof of faith in the Centurion, from Luke, Chapter 7 . Jesus has been increasing His pressure among the Jewish community to understand His mission and its purpose for the Kingdom of God. His miracles are becoming more widely known, even as the religious priests and elders are becoming more dissatisfied with His teachings. And so He begins trying to prepare His Disciples for what was going to happen to him. He gives them a very pointed lecture, saying, "Listen very carefully: we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed and handed over to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and hand Him over to the Gentiles [Romans]. They [the Romans] will mock and ridicule Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise [from the dead]."    

And what is James and John's response? They tell Jesus they want Him to do something for them; whatever they ask of Him. When Jesus questions their request, He finds they desire to be seated next to Him [in His glory] in His Kingdom; one on His right and one on His left. But you can hear the consternation in Jesus's voice as He tells them they don't have a clue about what they're asking for. "Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism [of suffering and death] with which I am baptized?"  When they answer that they are able, Jesus informs them that they will indeed drink from that difficult cup, but that to be seated next to Him is not His to give. It is only for those for whom it has been prepared by His Father. He further advises them this power and authority they are asking for belongs to the world. Those who wish to become great in His Kingdom become servants and slaves; to serve others, not to be served. And He makes it clear that even the Son of Man will give His life for the sake of others.

So, where was their faith? And what were they putting their faith in? Certainly doesn't sound as if they yet understood Jesus's overriding mission, [or their own] does it? Now, let's take a look at Luke 7 and the faith of the Gentile Centurion, who was a citizen of Rome. From this account we see that the Roman military commander had a slave, "who was highly regarded by him, was sick and on the verge of death. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, asking Him to come and save the life of his slave". This is an interesting passage. From it we can discern that this Roman soldier had been following the miracles and deeds of Jesus in which He healed the sick. But instead of condemning Jesus [as a rebel-rouser] which much of his Roman overlords would do, He believes that all Jesus has to do is "just speak a word and my slave will be healed". He has faith in Jesus's power to heal! 

But what he also possesses, is something that the Disciples have yet to grasp. As a military man, he recognizes the structure of the power which Jesus delegates. He recognizes that, like himself, Jesus is subject to a higher power. He understands that Jesus's purpose is to do the work of the Father, as He is instructed; that He is under orders from this higher Power. He understands the power which Jesus possesses, where it comes from, who He is, and what that means; how He operates. John and James only recognized power and authority as the world gives it. They and the other Disciples did not yet understand Jesus's purpose, nor what constituted His Kingdom. 

That's why Jesus was "amazed" or "marveled" [as some versions say] at what the centurion spoke, and proclaimed "not even in Israel have I found such great faith [as this man's]!"  -- not even among His Disciples, who had traveled the breadth of Israel with Him and lived night and day with Him; who witnessed all His miracles and had spent so much intimate time with Him! The centurion had more faith and understanding than all Jesus's Disciples! 

And it was at this point in Episode 4 that The Chosen was able to express what I have missed and failed to discern in reading the Scriptures. The show was able to communicate how alone [and perhaps defeated] Jesus felt; how frustrated and disappointed. And yes, how fearful His thoughts might have been.... Will they "get it" in time? They were headed to Jerusalem next and He was barreling towards His excruciating death. He had warned them several times that this was going to happen and He would be leaving them, yet John and James's request showed that they still seemed hyper-focused on what mattered in this world -- their status, their power, recognition, pride, and ego.

For the first time, before my eyes, I saw a deeper level of Jesus's humanness and how tired He must have felt -- the anguish He must have experienced, and the burden His spirit carried as He and the Disciples began to make their way towards Jerusalem. And I felt some of that anguish in my own spirit at 4 in the morning. My heart was burdened with grief for Him and wondered aloud, Lord are we doing the same to You now? Have Your followers disappointed You? Do they still not "get" the purpose of  Your Kingdom, and will they understand in time? Have I failed You in any areas of my own understanding?  

As Jesus entered Jerusalem 2000 years ago, the world was on the verge of a new paradigm. And I am totally convinced that we are on the threshold of His return, which will usher in the biggest spiritual and physical battle the world has ever seen. So, Lord I pray for more understanding and clarity of my purpose for You and Your Kingdom. Unlike John and James [at that time in their journey with You], I am actually aware of the cup I must drink, and I pray to have Your strength to see my purpose fulfilled. But just like the Centurion, I am well aware that I am not worthy of Your grace and mercy, and I know what I believe, and You are my Savior and Redeemer and I will trust and serve You all my days.

In conclusion, I sometimes think we 21st Century Christians are no better in our doubts, deception, and self-serving beliefs than our 1st Century brethren. As discouraged as I may get over the ways we have hurt Him, I am glad it leads me to know the heart of my Lord in a deeper and more intimate way. He is closer to me than ever before, and I cannot wait for Him to come again and take me to Himself. Knowing His pain, hurt, disappointment, and anguish has only made me more determined to encourage all Christians to examine their faith. Do you truly know who He is? Do you know what He asks of you? And are you willing to walk the path He walked? If your answer is "Yes", then own your faith. Stay true to it, and BELIEVE in the One who is worthy of it!  

Ephesians 1:17    That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him   

We Must Guard Our Faith; Don't Let Your Love Grow Cold!

I want to make it very clear that this post is not about any one person, or persons. In fact, if anything, it is a self-indictment from my own experiences and how I had to come to terms with my own lack of faith in my process of maturing in Christ. The questions and issues I discuss are the result of where God has taken me in my journey, and I believe are valuable lessons that Christians desperately need to learn today! Perhaps you have had some of the same thoughts or issues. So, I invite you to do a self-examination and shore up your faith in order to stand for these times we are entering. And I hope you will leave this post with the understanding that we can endure because we are not alone!      

I'm already starting to see it. Hard times are beginning to fall on people; believers and nonbelievers alike. I hear the warnings spoken by the prophets, both the true and false ones ... "We are in the End Times". All the signs are there: wars and rumors of wars, nation against nation, famines and earthquakes, and the increase in lawlessness. Throughout history there have been seasons that have met these requirements, but somehow this time it feels heightened because the hate and the death of millions across the globe seems particularly calculated by those who bow down to Evil.

It shouldn't surprise us. The Bible says it will happen. But I believe we are only in what Jesus calls "the birth pangs" stage. And because of that, I'm beginning to see doubt and fear -- and as much as I hate to say it ... unbelief is starting to creep into the Christian community. I'm sure we all know someone who is suffering financially. Our economy is on the verge of collapse; the nations are fleeing from the dollar, which has been the world's primary reserve currency since 1944. The result is soaring inflation, and the American people are struggling to meet the rising costs of everything that sustains our physical lives -- food, electricity, gas prices, and the cost of goods that are the underpinnings of business and our economy. 

And just because you are a Christian, it does not mean that you escape these hardships. Jesus tells us we won't! But it's not only our physical life that is under attack, but our spiritual life, as well. And this is where I am deeply concerned. As Christians, we are repeatedly told throughout Scripture that we must prepare to endure and persevere through extremely perilous times! What part of the following admonition from Jesus do we not acknowledge or believe? At that time there will be a great tribulation [consisting of pressure, distress, and oppression), such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will [again]" (Matthew 24:21).

Is it because Christians don't know their Bible? Or do they believe they don't deserve it, and will therefore be spared? Do they think because we are under the New Covenant and declare themselves Christians and go to Church every Sunday, that they will be raptured out of here before the really bad stuff happens? Perhaps it's all of the above. But Jesus says we, who follow Him, will be hated because He was hated. We are not guaranteed to escape what is coming upon the earth. If we truly identify with Christ, then we are baptized into His death and resurrection, and are a target for the Enemy and all who follow him. 

But back to where my concern lies ... it's the appearance of the spirits of fear, doubt, unbelief and lack of knowledge [in the Scriptures] that I see rearing their ugly heads that has me praying for renewed faith to sweep the land. I know that Christians are being laid off from their jobs and the death count from Covid continues to rise. I know that dreams for the future are being destroyed, and the younger generations are losing hope, while the older generation is fearful of becoming destitute. 

But this is where the rubber meets the road! This is where the depth of your faith comes into play! You say you have faith -- but do you? Are you just saying it, or is your faith active? Having faith is a verb! Can you still praise Jesus and the Father in the midst of your trials? Or do you quickly ask God why He isn't coming to your rescue? Many will declare to Him that they have been good people and don't deserve what is happening to them. And I totally believe that is true in a lot of cases! And they will get angry at Him for allowing them to lose their comfortable life -- whether it is through the loss of health, wealth, or material goods. And they will expect Him to restore it all to them because they didn't do anything wrong. Again, that may be true! But is that asking God to serve them, instead of asking how they can serve Him? And did they make those things an idol? Do Christians covet the things of this world, rather than seek the imperishable eternal rewards that await us in Heaven?

It deeply saddens me to see the depression and despair that are beginning to attack Christians. And, please don't misunderstand me -- I am not making light of the pain and misery that accompanies the loss many are experiencing. When you have worked so hard to achieve things for yourself and family, only to see corrupt and greedy men steal it out from under you, it is only natural to want to blame someone. But we must remember that it is always God's will to bless us. He doesn't "allow" bad things to happen to us. We have an Enemy who is jealous of our position in the Family of God and is like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. If your faith is strong, like Job, you just might become his target.

And here's another thought that Holy Spirit has prompted in my own spirit ... what if God has ordained a glorious purpose for your life during your time on earth, and the Enemy is determined to deter you from reaching that divine goal? What if during that trial and oppression from the Enemy, God is also testing the strength and durability of your faith, refining and purifying you in order to see you reach that goal for His Kingdom? Remember, Jesus and the Father want you to reap all the inheritance that has been written on your scroll in Heaven! But we have to sometimes be pruned to become the Conquerors, Over-comers, and Victors we are meant to be. He's not going to move you further along if you aren't mature enough [or strong enough] in your faith to represent Him or achieve your purpose.

I do not want to minimize the struggles that my fellow Christians are going through now, and the physical and spiritual battles we may all soon encounter. But what we are currently seeing is only a blip on the radar screen compared to the scale of trouble and suffering that has never been seen before. These are just the "birth pangs" that precede the intensity, anguish, great discomfort and pain that accompanies the actual labor of giving birth. 

But we can look forward to what this time of crisis will give birth to ... it has a designated purpose on God's timeline that will bring the joy of a new life and the hope of restoration and reconciliation in the fullness of God's plan for His people. So, be mindful of where we are in the history of the world. Be determined to guard your faith against the attacks of the Enemy; be dedicated to your love of God and His Son; and remain unfaltering, unwavering and unshakeable as you persevere and declare your obedience and loyalty to the One who chose you to represent Him in this climactic Age of the world! 

Don't be one of those whom the Bible says will be shaken and "fall away" from their faith when Satan and his lawlessness claim the earth. The Bible says upon His return, Jesus will ask, "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth"? Let us be one of the determined Faithful, who is able to stand and say, "Here I am, Lord! I am still standing on my faith and Your promises! My love has not grown cold, and I am still willing and able to serve You for all of eternity"!  

Ephesians 6:13     Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].