Wonder Why the Earth Is Under Attack? It's Waiting For Us To Be Holy!

 I can't begin to explain what is being revealed to my spirit, or what my soul is experiencing. My mind is reeling as I see a clearer picture of the state of the world, and my emotions are reflecting the truth I'm seeing. The devastation from Hurricane Helene seems beyond comprehension, and the toll of human suffering seems unlimited. And I know we aren't even seeing the whole picture, nor the truth of what is contributing to the misery and trauma.

All we're seeing is what the enemies of God wish us to see; the images and the words and the reasons that will keep us in ignorance and in bondage to the corrupted systems of willful disobedience to the Creator. And before you stop reading and dismiss my post as the rant of a religious fanatic, please allow me to pull back the veil and show you how simple it is to understand what is really going on.

First of all, if you decide to trust the scientists, you believe that the destruction in the mountains of North Carolina is a result of global warming, or "Climate change", as they are now choosing to call it. They want us to believe that Helene's rapid intensification and massive destructive force are all human-caused. What's funny is that they are correct, in a spiritual manner of speaking. But, it is not as they would have us believe, the result of humans who love their gas-driven cars or farmers who raise farting cows. There's a much more ancient and damaging spiritual dynamic going on.

If we, as Christians, could only understand that what happens in the natural [and visible] realm is the fruit of what happens in the spiritual realm, we might be able to see how we [mankind] have contributed to the deterioration of the earth, and grasp our part in the resulting destruction. The prophets of old shared [first with Israel], and then with all men who came to faith in YHWH, what the Lord told them to reveal, in order that we could avoid such devastation and chaos. 

They spoke it, as He instructed them, and then it was written down so that it might educate those of us destined to be on the earth in the future. It's all right there in our Bible! Written for our edification and enlightenment; instruction from our God on how to live in harmony with Him and the earth over which we've been given dominion! But do we read it and take heed? The condition of the physical planet would seem to tell us the answer is No! So, let me share the clear warnings that God Almighty has given us:

Hosea 4:1-3 ... Hear the Word of the Lord, you children of Israel, for the LORD has a [legal] case with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no faithfulness [no steadfast love, no dependability] or loyalty or kindness or knowledge of God [from personal experience with Him] in the land. 

There is [false] swearing of oaths, deception [broken faith], murder, stealing and adultery; they employ violence, so that one [act of] bloodshed follows closely on another.

Therefore the land [continually] mourns, and everyone who lives in it languishes [in tragic suffering], together with the animals of the open country and the birds of the heavens; even the fish of the sea disappear.  

Isaiah 24:3-6 ... The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered; for the Lord has spoken this word. The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and withers; the highest people of the earth languish. The earth lies defiled under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt; therefore the inhabitants of the earth are scorched, and few men are left.

We need to see the big picture! The earth and all that we need to sustain us was created by the Lord, and God saw that it was good! Then God followed through with His pre-ordained plan to create man in His image and establish us as guardians or regents of His domain called Earth. We were designed specifically to administer His government over this planet in His stead. Unfortunately, man was tempted by God's Enemy to willfully abdicate his authority and he handed over the government of Earth to Satan and his rebellious followers. Man not only surrendered his own blessings from the Lord, but subjected the created earth to the bondage of wickedness and evil.

We need to understand that our authority on Earth is authorized by the King of Heaven. All authority in heaven and on the earth was given to Jesus, and He transferred it to those who believe in Him in order to protect and righteously rule this domain we've been given charge over. We have authority over all the power of the enemy in this realm. But does the earth look like we've taken our responsibility seriously? Does the earth reflect its original properties and the glory of the Master's hand?

What's been declared to my spirit is that God's original mandate for earth -- that we have dominion over it -- has not changed. The devil has no ordained authority in this realm except what we give to him or we perceive by the actions of evil men! The devil has no worldly power on the earth; but he can tempt those who do have the power to become his willing partners. That betrayal and treasonous decision by evil men also affects other men and the nature of the creation. 

That's why Paul's message in Romans 8:19-21 is so important for us to understand: For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.   

It was not only mankind that God subjected to His righteous judgment when Adam and Eve gave up the blessing of our authority and dominion of the earth. Everything created on the earth has felt the pain and loss of our forefather's sin against God. And it is time that we recognize that the reality of mankind's current existence, the environment and elements of the earth, and the atmosphere, itself, around this planet -- everything -- is the result of evil men who used their free will choices to willingly walk in rebellion and disobedience to God. They chose to follow Satan for the prizes offered: power and wealth. And they are willing to sacrifice all of God's creation for their own selfish purposes and worldly enrichment.

And, yes, the consequences are evident in the physical earth. But they have also resulted because of the spiritual war over this earth and its inhabitants. It has become so abundantly clear to me that we Christians don't really know who we are. We aren't trained up to know our power and authority or how to destroy the works of the enemy of God. Too many of us know and use the Name of Jesus as a magical mantra, praying and hoping Jesus will do the hard lifting in this battle because we are either afraid or don't truly believe the Word about our dominion. Talking and singing and praying about Jesus isn't enough! We must actively stand in the confident knowledge that we are truly a new creation! 

That's what it means when the Word says "creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God". The earth is waiting for us to step into our identity as a new creation who walks in the power and authority of our holiness and righteousness; a new creation that truly knows the Lord and His will and follows His commands. The land knows our purpose and knows that when we step into that identity, that they will be restored and our spiritual renewal will result in a renewal of the earth! That's why it is groaning and mourning! 

It is time for the true sons of God to stop participating and compromising with the sinful world and come out of hiding inside the Church walls! The earth groans and mourns, waiting for us to rescue it from the darkness that has been manifested by the evil deeds of men -- the darkness and bondage that comes in the form of violent hurricanes, floods, mudslides, fires, drought, earthquakes, tornadoes, and other devastating attacks upon the land. 

God has shown us that man's evil ways bring His judgment upon the land. But He has also given us His promises of renewal, restoration and reconciliation. It breaks my heart that the good people of North Carolina are the latest victims of man's failure to maintain the goodness of God's blessings that were ours in the Garden of Eden. Lord, give us the wisdom, and the courage, and the hunger to make things right again. Give us a chance to repent and renew the land as we meet the expectations of the creation. And let us stand up to Evil and all its accomplices as we free Your creation from its bondage and bring the earth into its rightful place in Your Kingdom. Amen!  

Hebrews 6:7-8    For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.

Our New Reality?

Today's post is going to be shorter than usual. I had a whole new post ready to go today, but with the news we woke up to, it's time to pivot. Everything is happening so fast -- world economic collapse seems imminent; a world war is definitely in view; huge layoffs are happening, with the tech sector beginning the slide by laying off 100,000 employees last week; civil war is breaking out in Great Britain, with the same thing looming in Ireland; a devastating hurricane is about to hit our East Coast; not to mention that two biological men are boxing in the Olympics for the Women's gold medal.

What the Lord has shown me and my husband -- and what we have been shouting from the wall -- looks to be coming true. Has the Lord reached His limit of patience regarding our disobedience and rebellion? Let's just look at the situation with Hurricane Debby and the catastrophic flooding that's expected. In 2012 I wrote a blog showing how America and Israel's destinies are intertwined. Here's a couple examples: In 1991 The Perfect Storm hit with 35 foot waves crashing into the Kennebunkport home of President George H.W. Bush after he initiated the Madrid Peace Conference, giving up "land for peace". When the Madrid Conference moves to Washington DC in 1992 and the peace talks resume, Hurricane Andrew [the worst natural disaster ever to hit America] comes ashore and produces an estimated $30 billion in damage and leaving 180,000 homeless in Florida. Think it's judgment from God on how we're treating Israel?

Consider the following and then decide: The Northridge Earthquake [1994] happens when President Clinton meets with Syria's President to talk about a peace agreement with Israel that includes giving up the Golan Heights. Within 24 hours a powerful 6.9 earthquake rocks Southern California. Hurricane George slams into the U.S. Gulf Coast with 110 mph winds and gusts up to 175 mph and then stalls. Clinton was meeting with Yassar Arafat and Netanyahu to finalize a land deal that would make an independent Palestinian state a reality by 1999. Hurricane George pounds the Gulf Coast, causing $1 billion in damage. At the exact moment that Arafat departs the country, the storm begins to dissipate.

And the coincidences (?) go on and on ... the Texas floods in 1998; the evaporation of the world economic Markets in 1998 when America promises $400 million to Arafat for a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as the capital; a powerful super tornado sweeps across Oklahoma and Kansas, clocking 316 mph winds on the day Arafat is scheduled to declare the Palestinian state; Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans after Israel carries out the evacuation of 9500 residents from the Gaza Strip. Since that 2012 post, we have seen more devastation and destruction from natural disasters as our national policies have not coincided with God's will for the apple of His eye. HEAR ME: I'm not saying that Israel is walking with righteousness and we should approve everything they do. On the contrary, they have sinned against YHWH in equal measure. But the U.S. leaders are responsible for what this country does and how they influence the world.

So, back to today's news ... should we be concerned when North Korea begins moving its missiles to South Korea, or China declares that if the U.S. gets involved in the Middle East tensions, they will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Russia? You bet we should! Do we still have the protection of Almighty God? Take a look at what our country stands for today, and then decide. Personally, I think the only thing keeping us from His judgment is the righteous prayers of His righteous people. Don't stop praying! And try to wake up your friends and family. Believe me, I know how frustrating it is to continually warn that there is no guarantee that any of us will escape the chaos that is happening in the world.

And I see the battle going on in the spiritual realm. Let your prayers strengthen the Archangel Michael and his heavenly army that wage war against Satan and his evil forces. Michael fights for Israel and for us [if we bless Israel]. The battle is real! We must put our spiritual armor on and take up our battle stations. Continue to love others, pour the love of Jesus into them, and be ready to defend our God at every turn. It is up to us who know what we stand to lose [in both the physical and spiritual realms] to lead the way and encourage everyone in our sphere of influence to go forth without fear. Now is the time to show the Enemy our true identity in Christ!.

2 Timothy 3:1     But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 

What Is To Be Expected When A Nation Abandons the One True God?

This is a question that I have been asking myself for quite some time, as I watch the growing split within our own nation. It's hard to deny that we are seeing division increasing within our democratic republic -- which is, in fact, an indivisible union between 50 sovereign states. But the lines are being drawn; between the lawful and the unlawful; between the moral and immoral; between those who honor our national heritage and those who want to tear it down; between those who love our country and those who hate it; and finally, between those who love and obey Jesus Christ and those who detest and mock Him. And those voices are getting louder and louder.

The reason I ask the question in the title of this blog post is that I am deeply concerned that we are quickly going so far down the road of an apostate nation, that God is coming to the end of His patience with us. Yes, I understand that our God is patient and slow to anger. But Scripture makes it very clear what happens when we show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that His kindness is intended to lead us to repentance... and then we don't repent. Nahum 1:3 says The LORD is slow to anger but [is] great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. He has His way in the whirlwind and the storm, and the clouds are the dust beneath His feet.

There are times I think that, as Christians, we often look at the state of our nation through rose-colored glasses. By that, I mean that we assume those who have been given authority in governing this country follow and believe the same principles of God's government in Heaven. And because we believe [by faith] in the promises of God, that our personal covenant with Him will override our national sins and we will escape any punishment that God deems the nation deserves. But all we have to do is look at the example of how God reacted to His chosen nation of Israel to see that He does not promise to intervene when destruction comes upon a rebellious and apostate nation. And we must look beyond our own vision of our country, and see it as God sees it.

Israel went from receiving the blessing of freedom from their enslavement in Egypt and experiencing the miracle at the Red Sea to defying their Defender by building temples to false gods and engaging in pagan practices of fornication and unholy rituals in the occult. They had abandoned God's Laws for generations and their youth no longer knew the One True God who had established them in righteousness. Although YHWH repeatedly called them to repentance, they ignored Him, and He sent judgment upon them by sending invaders from foreign lands who took them into captivity and destroyed their cities and occupied their land. They eventually lost the blessings God had given them.  

What does that have to do with us, you might ask? Israel's story in the Old Testament conveys the Heavenly principle that Sin brings negative consequences. And how mankind honors the covenants they make with our Holy God can result in His blessings or curses. So what do you think the US deserves? Let's take a look at the foundation this country rests its legal and belief system upon. In our Declaration of Independence, our Founders made it clear that "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" were the backbone of this unique document. But did you know that this phrase came from a law book widely used for years before our American Revolution and was regarded as the final authority on human law. So here, according to this distinguished law book, is the meaning of those eight words that established the guideline for governing our nation ... 

Man is considered as a creature, [and] must necessarily be subject to the laws of his Creator, for he is entirely a dependent being. And consequently, as a man depends absolutely upon his Maker for everything, it is necessary that in all points he conform to his Maker's will; this will of his Maker is called the Law of Nature.

This law of nature being co-equal with mankind and dictated by God Himself is, of course, superior to any other. It is binding to all the globe, all countries and at all times. No human laws are of any validity if contrary to this. This then is the Law of Nature. It is the law of God expressed through His creation.

If our reason were always clear and perfect, the task would be pleasant and easy. We would need no other guide but the law of nature. Every man now finds the contrary in his own experience; we find that our reason is corrupt and our understanding is full of ignorance and error. This has given manifold occasion for the benign interposition of divine providence which has been pleased at sundry times and [in] diverse manners to discover and enforce His laws by an immediate and direct revelation. The Doctrines thus delivered, we call the revealed or the divine law and they are to be found only in the Holy Scriptures.    

In other words, the writers of our Declaration of Independence and Constitution made it clear they were not founding a secular nation, but rather a nation established on God and His Word. Relying on the Law of Nature and Nature's God, meant that "man does not have the right, nor the capacity to institute any other laws outside of God's laws" [Sir William Blackstone]. So, how do you think we're doing? Based on God's Word which tells us that God most often gets angry when those who have pledged to follow Him and His commandments break their covenants to seek their own will. His wrath is the rightful expression of His Judgment when we mock Him by choosing sin, wickedness, and evil instead of walking in His Holy ways. 

We must face the truth that because God called America into existence, and we established a covenant with Him through the Mayflower Compact, He has the right to determine if we have kept that sacred agreement with Him. Obedience to Him and His commandments guarantees us blessings. But just as Israel abandoned God and would eventually experience the consequences of their disobedience, so might we lose our right to remain a nation before God if we continue to abandon Him. And in case you need to be reminded, our leaders and government began that process of abandonment in the 1960's:

1962: The end of school prayer, and this was the prayer that parents objected to: Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our country. Amen. And the stage was set to begin our nation's turning away from God; we began to believe in ourselves as "little g" gods, capable of determining our own path. 

1962: A change in national abortion law is advocated by the American Law Institute.

1963: Lower Court rules the Bible is no longer allowed in public schools. Supreme Court rules that prayer is not allowed in schools.

1965: Homosexual activists begin to challenge the Constitution

1966: Time Magazine declares that "God is Dead".

1967: The Summer of Love begins in San Francisco and free love is celebrated with no regard to the consequences.

1973: In the Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, abortion becomes the law of the land.

1973: Feminist leader Gloria Steinem declares, "By the year 2000 we will, I hope, raise our children to believe in human potential, not God".

1976: Parents and spouses are no longer included in the decision whether to have a baby aborted.

1981: The Supreme Court decides that a law in Arkansas requiring that Creation be taught alongside Evolution is unconstitutional. Evolution only is taught in public schools.

1987: The life of Jesus Christ is mocked in the movie: "The Last Temptation of Christ", and Martin Scorsese receives an Oscar nomination for Best Director.

1992: The Supreme Court rules that a graduation prayer violated the Establishment Clause.

1998: America's President, Bill Clinton, has sex in the Oval Office with a White House intern, but still enjoys 65% approval rating from American people.

2001: 2,977 Americans are killed in an attack on the Twin Towers in NewYork City

2005: Hurricane Katrina kills 1,833 people in one of the deadliest storms in US history.

2009: Newsweek magazine announces "The Decline and Fall of Christian America"

2012: Democrats remove God from their Party platform as well as all references to God during their convention

2015: Supreme Court makes Same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states.

2015-2018: Mass shootings rise exponentially in the nation

2018: Transgender individuals are allowed to join the US military

2020: The Covid pandemic begins in US

2023: Over 104 Million Americans have died of Covid, per statistica.com

These facts are by no means conclusive; there is so much more that points to our moral, physical, and economic decline as we have removed God from our national profile. As we increasingly abandon His ways, and continue to lose our way, and refuse to repent [as a nation], why would we expect to escape His righteous anger and holy wrath? Do we really expect to exist as a free people if we have allowed His moral standards to be corrupted and adopted as laws of the land? 

Yes, it is important that we continue to pray and declare the glory and might of Jehovah God, but we must also recognize that the Bible tells us that there are Sheep Nations and Goat Nations that will stand before the Lord to be judged. And all the peoples of those nations will be judged according to how well they served Him. I trust our Redeemer to know those of us who followed His heart, and not to condemn us. But I still believe we will have to endure the consequences of our nations apostasy and rebellion.

So, please join me in praying for our leaders and fellow citizens. Let's join our voices and let Heaven hear us repent for the ways that our nation and our Churches have allowed Him to be removed from our national conscience. Let us vow to enter this spiritual conflict and turn our generations back to Him, the One who created and purposed this nation for His glory. We resolve to never give in to the Evil One and his minions, but to rise in our identity as citizens of heaven on earth , returning our land to righteousness in the Mighty and Holy Name of King Jesus! Amen!

I want to give credit to https://robertcliftonrobinson.com/2015/06/30/when-america-abandons-god-the-signs-and-the-consequences/ for confirming that my discernment is on target and providing historical background of the founding of our country.

Romans 1:18     For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 

How God Prepared This American Woman For Our Nation's Collapse

If you have been reading this blog since I began writing in 2011, you will have seen the scope of my journey. From the outset, I have had my eyes focused on the direction our nation and the world have been careening towards, and my ears and spirit tuned to the direction God has told me to go in the midst of it all. And I will tell you that there haven't been too many people who have understood how me and my husband can reconcile the two. This post is going to be neither super religious nor radical survivalist in nature. My hope is that it will encourage other people how to be "in this world, but not of this world".

But let me share an overview of my odyssey... it began as I came to terms with the plan to "fundamentally transform America" that was revealed in 2008. God had not yet disclosed the specific intention He had for our lives, so by 2012, I was writing to all those who were sensing the pressure and the distress of those uncertain times. I was discerning a distinct difference among my friends who were "awake."  Everyone was pretty much on the "Prepper" page. The very essence of "preparing" meant we were pre-positioning assets for an undefined event (or crisis); whether it be a hurricane, an ice storm, a comet from outer space, a busted sewer line, grid-down situation, economic collapse, civil unrest, martial law, or terrorist event.  We were no longer taking things for granted. We were storing supplies and making contingency plans to get through whatever was coming. 

But I was also aware that there weren't enough beans and rice, guns and ammo, generators, or toilet paper to give people the peace of mind they were seeking in order to overcome every new threat to our freedom; or any new peril to our economy, environment or health anxieties that we were all experiencing. That only comes with trusting Jesus to help us persevere through the crazy, mixed up, evil world we're in. What we were experiencing was Biblical. It was foretold thousands of years ago through the Prophets, and just over two thousand years ago by the very One who will come to judge this wickedness and Evil. Make no mistake, I didn't believe in the axioms that some of my fellow Christians were promoting: "There is no need to prep at all. God will take care of us". I knew full well that He gave us a brain and discernment, and He expected us to use them. He didn't want us to sit idly by and do nothing; we were to prepare -- regarding food, defensive training, and spiritual warfare -- with the ultimate preparation focused on His return. That was in 2012. 

By 2014, I had faced "the monster" after reading One Second After and The End of the World As We Know It. I confidently joined my husband in working out our plan, and preparing to make our plans work. We rid ourselves of any normalcy bias that still existed, and got on with life, determined not to live in fear or anxiety. But as the years of slow, steady decline progressed, we noticed that we [and many of our fellow Americans]
retreated somewhat from our initial level of enthusiasm and drive. The passage of time, with no extreme event, had deprived us of our "edge". The very nature of becoming a Prepper was not to be comfortable ... whether in the physical or spiritual aspect. Our mindset should always be on expanding knowledge to save our lives. 

When I look back over those years, I can see a shift in my thinking and my focus. I still wanted to make sure that my larder was full, and I had plenty of medical supplies on hand. I still wanted to be physically ready to defend myself, less wasteful, and more innovative in taking care of our needs... in other words, I still fit the "Prepper" description. But I was less concerned with worldly strategies, and more preoccupied with heavenly pursuits.  I was thinking more about God, and less about myself. 

And that brought my husband and myself to the place where God revealed His purpose for our lives and showed us how it fit into His redemptive plan. We were given a ministry to help people identify the wounds to their souls that kept them from knowing their true identity and purpose in Christ, whether that be due to their sins or sins that were committed against them -- including molestation, pornography, physical abuse, witchcraft, drug abuse, PTSD, etc. Jesus died to set the captives free, and He wanted to counter the lies they were believing from the Enemy with His truth. We have been blessed to help people receive that freedom by facilitating an encounter with their Savior to break that bondage. BUT we never stopped being awake to the deterioration of the nation, and we were soon called to our spiritual position as Watchmen on the Wall.

Because we can see clearly what the Lord is showing us, we know that Biblically, we are responsible to sound the alarm; to warn people to get prepared physically and spiritually for what is coming upon the earth. And as you can imagine, that doesn't make us very popular with people; neither the secular nor the religious, who can't conceive that Jesus would allow "that" to happen to us. However, to stick our heads in the sand, or to run away from the evidence that is before our eyes, is to deny what the Spirit is showing us. The nations are lining up for war. Lawlessness is growing throughout the land. Our national sovereignty is disappearing. Famine and plagues are threatening to decimate vast populations. Even the elements of nature are warning that upheaval could be imminent; nothing is as it has been. And last but not least, Good has become evil and Evil is now called good. But the Lord will not abandon those in covenant with Him!

Which is why, even as we are commissioned to see Satan's agenda on the earth and warn its inhabitants to get prepared, we are both more than thrilled to rejoice over the revival we all discern is springing up in increasing numbers. I know this presents a dichotomy between my life as a Watchman and my joy in this new revival movement. Many Christians and secular citizens have called me negative and anti-revival, but I am excited about this latest revival because I believe it is a lifeline of hope for Christians [new and old] who might now become spiritually ready [and strong enough] to prepare for the battles ahead. I believe God is on the move in both the realm of revival and spiritual battle preparedness.

That's why it is important that we, who call ourselves followers of Jesus, realize that we must battle this spiritual war on two fronts. First, we battle from a position of spiritual protection, just as Psalm 91 instructs us. In the shadow of, and under the wings of the Most High and Almighty God, we battle from a place of protection and safekeeping; fighting in the confidence of one who trusts the Name of the Lord of Hosts to defend him. This is how the shepherd boy, David went into battle against the giant, Goliath.

But, we also battle from a position of God's power and authority in the physical. If we trust that the battle is His, we can be bold, even in the midst of our fears of what is coming. We can release ourselves to Him to be used for the advancement of His Kingdom here on earth, no matter what it looks like or what is required of us... because we know that it will be accomplished in HIS strength and power. He just needs men and women who are willing to allow Him to work with [and through] them, and agree to be in covenant with Him to see His will done. We need not be afraid of the power of men on the earth; knowing that if God tells us to take that mountain, He will go before us and we will see our victory. We can defeat anything -- corrupt governments, disease and pestilence, evil domains, demonic entities -- if we will just have faith and do not doubt. We can trust, as did King David, that God has trained our hands for war and our fingers for battle. He will stretch out His hand and fortify us because we know His Name.

Sometimes it's hard for me to realize that it's been 12 years since the Lord caught my attention and gave me my marching orders. I have been given the privilege of spiritual discernment to see the events that are lining up for the future. The Enemy's forces are on the battlefield and advancing rapidly. But the Lord is showing the manifestation of His Glory in the hearts and lives of a new generation of Jesus lovers. I know God has been preparing me for this time and what's to come -- both the war and the victory. I will not be blind to the battle we're in, and I will be ready and equipped to fight on all fronts. But I will also embrace, endorse, and encourage the beautiful revival we see happening in our midst. And I will declare that the Glory of the Lord will prevail!

#gloryofthelord #spiritualdiscernment #watchmanonthewall #spiritualpreparedness #endtimes

Psalm 62:5-6    "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him.  Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken."
 

 

La Palma: Tied To U.S./Israeli Policies? A Look Back At History

Get ready to put your tin foil hat on today! There is an interesting natural phenomena happening off the northwest coast of Africa on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma. In case you have missed the news stories on this event, La Palma is best described as a "volcanic ocean island". According to geologists, La Palma is currently, along with its sister island, Tenerife, the most volcanically active of the Canary Islands. Formed three to four million years ago by submarine (under-sea) volcanic eruptions, the island has a landscape of hardened lava and scoria (porous cinder-like fragments of dark lava. 

So, why am I bringing this subject up? Because La Palma has long been the subject of scary scenarios that have predicted a future event where a volcanic eruption could cause the western flank of the 203 square mile island (roughly 1/6 the size of Rhode Island) to fall in to the ocean, generating a giant wave of nearly 3,000 feet, which would radiate out across the Atlantic Ocean and inundate the Eastern seaboard with waves potentially reaching 165 feet or more -- and it would only take 7 hours to reach its destination! So, again, why am I sharing this information? Because, since September 11th, there have been over 4,000 tremors on the tiny island, resulting in an earthquake swarm and multiple eruptions causing fissures in the rocky landscape and along the ridge of its highest volcanic mountain, fueling fears that the flank of the mountain could possibly break off and fulfill the prognostications of centuries-old prophecies. 

And what does all this have to do with U.S. and Israeli relations [hinted at in the title of this post]? Well, in 2012, I wrote a blog post noting the natural and political disasters that had assailed America in the last 20 years. You can read that complete list on the post by clicking here. Those events began on October 30, 1991, with what became known as "The Perfect Storm". President George H.W. Bush initiated the Madrid Peace Conference to consider Israel giving up "land for peace".  As this Conference opened, a freakish "perfect storm" developed in the North Atlantic, creating the largest waves ever recorded in that region. The storm traveled 1000 miles from “east to west” instead of the normal “west to east” pattern and crashed into the New England Coast. Thirty-five foot waves crashed into the Kennebunkport home of President Bush.

Today, I'd like to cite just a few of the other American policies that required Israel to compromise its land, and which seemed to "coincidentally" occur at the same time as natural disasters... the 1994 Northridge, CA earthquake (U.S. urges Israel to give up Golan Heights); Hurricane George in 1998 (when Secretary of State Madeleine Albright finalizes details of agreement between Israel and Palestine to give up 13% of Judah and Samaria); and culminating with Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when Israel carried out the evacuation of 9,500 residents from Gush Katif and four Samaria communities. Residents were forced from their homes by Israeli troops, some dragged away kicking and screaming and placed on buses that took them from the area.  The Gaza withdrawal was backed by the U.S. government. Some Middle East analysts and senior Israeli politicians entirely attributed the evacuation plan to pressure coming from the American establishment. These natural events, plus political and economic disasters all coincided with concessions Israel made with its Middle Eastern enemies. I think you will be astounded when you read the post in its entirety.

So, now we're facing the possibility of another natural disaster that could potentially dwarf all the others... the entire Eastern seaboard, including the economic center of the U.S. (New York City) and our political capitol (Washington D.C.) could suffer monumental loss of life and territory. So, is there anything going on in our national foreign policy with Israel that could possibly foretell such a disaster? Well, during negotiations in the House this past week, the Democratic leadership was forced to cut $1 billion for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system, leaving Israel vulnerable to thousands of Hamas-launched rockets. Israeli officials have been quoted as saying that most of the 4,350 rockets fired from Gaza during the conflict in May were blown out of the sky by Iron Dome interceptors.  It is obvious, that failure to fund the effectiveness of this self-defense system could be catastrophic for Israel. Some are saying this is a "temporary" halt and only a "technical postponement" of eventual reinstatement of the funding. [Within 24 hours the House overcame the lobbying of their liberal faction to approve and pass the funding]. Now we will see if the Senate follows through. And in the meantime, La Palma continues to erupt and the world watches to see if the earth-changing event will occur. 

All this may seem like a crazy Christian conspiracy ... and maybe nothing happens. But I'm not one to dismiss what history has shown us. Remember that old axiom, Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it? Maybe, we'd be wise to consider that. And to add fuel to the conspiracy flames, there is the quatrain from Nostradamus (1503-1566), the French astrologer, physician, and reputed seer who wrote, The great mountain, seven stadia round... after peace, war, famine, flooding... It will spread far, drowning great countries... even antiquities and their mighty foundations. Willing to dismiss this as superstitious conjecture or a false prophecy? Perhaps what Revelation 18 has to say might give you pause. 

Revelation, Chapter 18 is focused on the Fall of the great city Babylon. Now, Christians and commentators, alike, have long speculated about the identity of this great city, with Rome/Vatican City, Washington, D.C., and New York City being among the top candidates. Described as the city where "the the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living", and sitting as a queen among the kings of the earth, my vote [at this time in history] is leaning towards New York. To fan the flames of this possible scenario, Scripture says "her plagues will come in a single day; death and mourning and famine, for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her, and she will be burned up with fire. One cannot help but think of the thousands of needless deaths from the disastrous C-19 policies in  New York City.

Again, the Bible forewarns that the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn because no one buys their cargo (goods) anymore. Is it because our dollar is on the precipice of being abandoned as the world's reserve currency? Wall Street is in New York and its numbers lately could certainly be signaling that event. But why would that cause the "merchants of the earth" so much torment? Wall Street has such a significant impact on the global economy because it is the trading hub of the biggest financial markets in the world’s richest nation [according to the website Investopedia]. Making some connections now?

And again, the Bible says that in a single hour all her wealth will be laid waste. So perhaps there's another little clue that La Palma is tied to this Biblical prophecy ... Verse 21 says, Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more. 

I'm not claiming to be a prophetic voice or a seer of any kind ... I just find it interesting that there are some compelling connections between our history with Israel via our political policies and events, the  predictions of a 16th Century astrologer/seer, and the prophetic warnings of the ultimate End Times book in the Bible. This is what we know for sure ... a faction of the U.S. governing body was successful in their attempts to temporarily stop the funding of Israel's primary defense mechanism at the same time an ancient volcano in the Atlantic Ocean has the potential to throw off a devastating tsunami that could wipe out our Eastern seaboard and destroy millions of lives. Sounds Biblical to me! Our political history has given us a template to go by, and it's sure hard to ignore. 

So, I will end this post the same way I did in 2012 ... whether you see a connection between our government's policies, the treatment of Israel, and these forces of nature, you must surely see that the fortunes of America are slipping. Is it God's judgment? I am not qualified to answer for Him. And now, in 2021, I would add this caveat: I'm afraid that we resemble the great city of Babylon even more today than we did then. I invite you to read that sobering chapter in Revelation, and then join me and millions of other Christians as the Kingdom government on earth to change the idolatrous and evil forces that are destroying our country. And be sure and keep an eye on La Palma!

Revelation 18:4-5     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; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities".

From 2012 to Today... A Study Of Psalm 91:7-8

 

A thousand may fall at your side,

    ten thousand at your right hand,

    but it will not come near you.

You will only observe with your eyes

    and see the punishment of the wicked.

 

In 2012, I wrote a post on these two verses of Psalm 91, and in revisiting it, I found it is even more relevant these nearly nine years later. The same questions I asked then are ones I would like to present to you today ... Do you take the words of this Scripture literally, or do you think they are figurative, or symbolic? As a Christian, do you have the courage to believe that God means this literally in His promise of protection?  Is it possible that this could mean exactly what it says, and we could miss out on the promise by doubting its veracity? I want to examine what the Holy Spirit prompted me to write nine years ago and see if there is more revelation [in light of where we are on the timeline of the final destiny of mankind].
 
As I look back on our recent history, the year 2012 seems to have been the harbinger for the slide into moral decay and lawlessness that now runs rampant in our nation. We saw the beginning of more intrusions in our lives with the Obama healthcare policies. The visible corruption within our national security agencies found many Americans beginning to distrust those whose job it is to protect us from enemies, foreign and domestic. Mass shootings seemed to explode across the land: Aurora, CO and the Batman movie massacre; the shootings at a Sikh Temple; the Empire State Building, and the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings all dominated the headlines.  We also saw the first big case of pedophilia hit the news cycle, when Jerry Sandusky, Penn State's former defensive coordinator, was sentenced to 60 years in prison for child sex abuse. We also saw Lance Armstrong fall from grace when he was banned from cycling for life for doping. Hurricane Sandy killed 130 people, and the nation was outraged [and still is] over the failure of those at the highest level of our government to protect and rescue the heroes of Benghazi. It was a rough year. 
So, at the time, I felt it was pertinent to ask the important question ... Do we believe what these two significant verses promise? And as we find ourselves in even more dire straits in 2021, the question is the same, and probably even more relevant. It will be very important in the coming months how you answer that question because I think it is safe to say that not everyone will benefit from these promises. Like all the other promises in Psalm 91, these two are available to all; but only those who believe what God says in His Holy Word, and hold fast to the promises within, will receive the benefits. So we must choose to believe and trust His Word!
 
Why is Psalm 91:7-8 more significant today? Nine years ago, we might have contemplated that the End Times were approaching. Today, I would surmise that most of us perceive we may even see the return of Christ in our lifetimes; or at least the lifetimes of our children or grandchildren. I want you to think about verse 6 that precedes the two I am pointing out today ... [You will not be afraid] of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction (sudden death) that lays waste at noon. We have certainly seen this prophecy fulfilled in the last year! God knew that there would be times when we would be overwhelmed with all the negative reports of life around us and in the world.  That is why He is warning us in this verse that thousands will fall around us; they will not only cave in to the doubts and worries of spiritual warfare coming against us, but could be consumed by the actual real-life events that we are experiencing (wars and rumors of wars from our foreign enemies; betrayal of our leaders; viruses and diseases; human trafficking; invasion at our borders). 

 

At this point we have to choose whether we will believe and trust; running to that shelter of the Most High, where He promised we would find rest (and safety) in His shadow. That's the first promise! But as I've told you before, this takes action on our part.  He offers the promises of protection, but we must choose to claim them!  Otherwise, we find ourselves, along with the rest of the world, passively accepting the consequences of "the destruction" that is befalling the thousands at our side, and the ten thousands at our right.  What I hope you will see is that Psalm 91 is a complete covenant package of protection.  It covers all the evils known to mankind, and God tells us how to claim His protection over them all! 

 

So, let's take a look at another promise in Psalm 91 ... You will only [be a spectator as you] look on with your eyes and witness the [divine] repayment of the wicked [as you watch safely from the shelter of the Most High]. Here God is telling us that we will see His judgment! I believe we are already beginning to see it as He exposes the corruption and perversion in the high places of the powerful.  Sooner or later, every sin will be exposed and paid for.  We are seeing that begin to happen today in the case of child sex predators, election fraud, and the unmasking of corrupt "science". Nothing will go unpunished. And I think this verse is telling us that if we seek His protection from the evil that is causing those around us to fall, that protection will include a sort of detachment; we will see it and not let it become part of us.  Our protection keeps us from letting the Enemy's hate become a part of us.  By believing and trusting in God's protection promises, we are putting ourselves in a separate category from the wicked mentioned in the verse, as well as the doubters and unbelievers.

 

But I must give a cautionary warning about Psalm 91. It does not promise protection from persecution. As Peggy Joyce Ruth, the author of the book, Psalm 91, says:  "There is a difference in the destruction of the enemy [as outlined in this Psalm] and persecution for the sake of the Gospels of Kingdom and Salvation."  In truth, Jesus, himself, told us that if we follow Him, we can expect to be persecuted. Jesus suffered persecution, but He did not face calamity, disaster, disease, or catastrophes. This verse lets us know to expect that spiritual warfare will be a part of our Christian walk, even as we suffer physical and spiritual attacks. The words of this verse are not written just to inspire or comfort us, but to provide protection and deliverance from the attacks of the Enemy.

 

The rest of Psalm 91 provides more promises: no evil will befall us; no plague come near our dwellings (SO relevant today!); God will command His angels to protect, defend and guard us as we continue in service and obedience to Him; we will tread on our enemies and trample them underfoot; He will be with us in our time of trouble [persecution]; He will rescue us and honor us; He will satisfy us with a long life and we will receive our eternal salvation. BUT, it is very important that you see the condition God has placed on these promises. The wonderful promises of Psalm 91 are dependent upon one’s meeting the conditions stated in the first two verses, as evidenced in the words of verse 9: Because you have made the Lord your refuge and your dwelling place, you can remain secure and rest in His Shadow [whose power no Enemy can withstand].

 

And I want to share the testimony of a reader who so vividly captured the truth of what it means to choose to believe the promises of this powerful psalm. He wrote to me about a year ago, after stumbling across the 2012 post I wrote, and this is what he said ... "Never was Psalm 91 more relevant to mankind than today. Your explanation of Psalm 91 is what the Holy Spirit has been revealing to me over the last few weeks, as the Corona Virus brings the whole World to its knees. Although at age 78 I am in the at-higher-risk category, I have no fear, because I trust in God's promises in Psalm 91. Until recently (schools have been closed due to the Pandemic) I have been teaching scripture to Primary School boys and girls. Last year the syllabus dealt with God's promises. I taught the kids, as the Bible teaches us, that when God makes a promise, He Keeps it! I was so happy to observe [that] the children accepted this truth so eagerly. Whenever I would use [in class] the phrase 'God makes a Promise', the whole class would rise in unison, punch the air with their little fists and shout out loud, 'He always keeps it'! I pray they will never forget this truth. It is clear to me (like you) that only those who truly believe in the promises of Psalm 91 will receive the protection from God which is promised in this Psalm".

 

So, I ask the same question in 2021 that I asked in 2012, because I discern the gravity of our situation, and the heart of the Father that we earnestly believe in His promises so that we might not be deprived of them. He longs for us all to have a depth to our faith; a very real confidence and trust in Him. We must not just say the words, but believe them to our core; live them, and embed them in our hearts. I pray that each of you will examine your hearts to know if you truly trust Him. The promises of God are real, but the benefits are not available to everyone. Hold fast to them and don't let go!  

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Work Out Your Salvation With Fear and Trembling!

 

We live in perilous times; not only physically but spiritually. We see the violence in the streets and there is an atmosphere of anxiety and fear regarding our national future. What we are experiencing today as Americans supersedes even the trauma of 9/11. But as Christians, we are to stay firm in following the principles of the Kingdom of God and persevere through whatever is coming. The Bible is clear when it says that in the last days, perilous times will come. We are living in perilous times. This year, in addition to the Covid-19 virus, we are still engaged in never-ending wars; battling the threats of more diseases; experienced a record-breaking hurricane season; the threat of devastating earthquakes along the New Madrid fault line, civil unrest in our cities, and more. This is a dangerous world. 

But as Christians, we are to endure by following the principles set forth by our Savior.  And it is to my fellow Christians that I want to address this post; to those who have answered His call and profess faith in Him as their Savior.  Of course, we must understand that faith comes in degrees as we journey through our salvation process; not everyone is equal in living out their faith, although Jesus will accept each one of us on an equal basis -- all are welcome in His Kingdom. But we each must work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for we must one day answer our Lord for the decisions we have made. And it goes without saying that there is disparity among the faithful in how we are living out our salvation experience.

Take the Presidential election for example. There is a definite and deliberate choice between the two candidates on just the issue of abortion. How will you explain your decision to vote for a pro-abortion candidate which effects the lives of millions of unborn babies? Immediately, Matthew 7:13-14 comes to mind: Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Jesus is talking to everyone -- including self-professed Christians. As I see the world spiraling out of control, I sense our Lord speaking these words as a dire warning to all who would hear.

I fear that so many Christians in America dismiss this passage; thinking that it pertains to the lost. They think that Jesus is saying it is a narrow gate that leads to salvation, and only Christians will enter it.  The lost of the world will take the broad path because it is easier, more attractive and less demanding.  And in the broadest sense, they are correct.  There are only two choices:  right and wrong; good and evil; the way to heaven or the road to hell.  There is no middle ground.  You either choose Jesus or you don't.

But I believe He is telling us so much more in this discourse.  I believe He is talking directly to Christians and admonishing them to take their faith seriously.  Yes, the gate is narrow because accepting Christ as your Savior should not be taken lightly.  You must truly become a new person with a new heart and a new spirit; old desires must be purged and a new life begun. And that means your new life must be reflected in all you do and say. You cannot say that you are a follower of Christ, and support anyone, Presidential candidate or not, who agrees with abortion. That is being double-minded. And the Bible says this about that state of mind: the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 

I do not believe this refers to losing one's salvation, but instead to a loss of inheritance and rewards when we stand at the Bema Seat Judgment. And I think it is fair to say that it is not easy to be a Christian. But, again, I say there is no middle ground. We must be prepared to be called extremists and religious fanatics. In fact, our very faith itself, will be a target as we are accused of being against "women's rights". But our faith is centered on maturing into the fullness of the image of Christ, and agreeing with abortion in any way or manner, would never be an acceptable choice for our King or a Kingdom citizen.

At the same time, I want to be perfectly clear that our Lord sacrificed Himself to pay for the sins of each one of us -- including those who have partaken in the act of abortion. We must never be deceived by a "religious spirit" that would have us think we have the authority to condemn anyone who made that choice. I believe it is our duty as Christians to help people see the sin in their lives and offer them a way to get right with God and be washed clean of their sins, transgressions, and iniquity. In our Inner Healing Ministry, my husband and I have personally witnessed Jesus offering forgiveness to women (and men) who have made the decision to abort a life. That act has been a stumbling block in their Christian life and a very effective tool for the devil to keep them in bondage. Mind you, Jesus will never accept or approve of their decision, but when, in the spirit, they encounter Jesus and repent for their sin, He forgives them and assures them their child is in His safe-keeping. He absolutely hates the sin, but will always accept the repentant sinner.

But I am also really confused about the whole movement among Christian Millennials, especially women, who call themselves "Christian feminists", who support legal abortion. I don't understand arguments that make abortion a "healthcare issue", or that interpret "freedom in Christ" as the freedom to make choices about their own bodies, which is expressed in the perplexing terminology, "bodily autonomy". One female pastor, who supports the right to abortion, explained it this way ... "because I value life, and I believe Jesus values life—I value the choices that give us the type of life that we need." Do you, as a Christian woman, really need an abortion? Or do you simply want one so it doesn't infringe on your independence and self-determination, which is the definition of autonomy?

This same female pastor quoted 1 Corinthians 6:19, but only partially, and said this: "When people talk about 'Our body is a temple of God, and holy,' I see that as I have the right to choices over my body, and the freedom to make the decisions that are right for me." Oh, how I wish she had read and quoted the entire passage which reads like this: "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." How does your decision to allow God's creation to be willfully killed glorify God in your body? [If you would like to read the entire interview with this pastor, please click here].

That type of thinking is exactly why Christians should work out their salvation with fear and trembling! Our decisions in life should never be made from how it makes us feel. What we "feel" is injustice does not give us ultimate authority in a matter. We should rule our lives in accordance to the moral laws set forth by our Father in Heaven. It is by His Will that we should live our lives... not our own. Unless this pastor is able to rightfully discern Scripture [in its fullness], she will most likely not come to a position of recognizing that she has grieved her Creator by not honoring her body, nor has she glorified His sacrifice. And she most likely will never arrive at repentance or asking for forgiveness for not only her own confusion, but leading her congregation to confusion or disobedience. She will one day stand before her Lord and have to answer for how she has represented Him. I would never question her love of the Lord. I don't know her heart. But Jesus does. Her salvation may not be in question, but her rewards and inheritance in the Kingdom of God certainly will be. 

We must pray for our nation and our fellow Christians. We must pray that the deception that has been eagerly welcomed in our universities and our churches will be exposed for the lies that they are. We were not made for our own gratification, but to glorify and hold sacred the One who created us, and honor all His ways. Each one of us will have to answer to Him, and we have a choice this election -- not only to safeguard our nation, but our eternal destinies. Pray without ceasing that Christians examine their hearts!

2 Timothy 4:3-4    For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

 

 

  

Fear Not ... Receive the Peace of Jesus!

     In John 14:27, Jesus tells us, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives to you; do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled; nor let it be fearful. That's easier said than done these days, isn't it? Only those who choose to be blinded can ignore what is coming upon the earth. It is hard to pretend that anything else is on my radar, or that I need to be writing about something else. For the last three months, we have seen the world immobilized by the threat of a pandemic. And for the last two weeks civil unrest has dominated our TV screens, and racism and injustice seem to be the only words that anyone can speak. And that isn't even considering the "rumors of wars", the movement to "defund" law enforcement in our nation, and the predictions of an unusual and prolific hurricane season. It feels as if our lives [and the earth] have been robbed of their peace and stability.
    All of this combines to produce fear and confusion among all people. Even those who profess faith in Jesus Christ find themselves wondering where this will all lead, and if we will be protected from the manifestations of wickedness among men. I cannot predict how far current events will go, but I can tell you that my Pentecost experience was so profound! [And I find it interesting that the Enemy was able to orchestrate men's hearts to do his evil just prior to that holy convocation... hoping to forestall an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, perhaps?]. 
     But the small group of us who met in our home to call for the Holy Spirit to bring fresh anointing and prophetic destinies were not disappointed! Jesus opened a door to the glory of Heaven and invited us in to experience not only His Presence, but His empowerment and forewarning. This is what I heard the Lord say in my spirit: "The Darkness is coming, but there's no need to fear. You have done well with what I've given you; I'm giving you more. Step into this new territory and do not be distracted by the world. Look neither to the left nor the right, but stay focused on Me and I will lead the way". 
     My husband, Mark, heard nearly the same thing, as did the other participants ... the Darkness is coming. But Mark heard something very specific ... "I am giving you a hammer, but will tell you when it's time to use it". We all felt joined in the spirit that we are to know the Darkness is coming; but so is empowerment, and we will be Overcomers in the Lord! And with that statement, John 16:33 comes to mind: "I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world". It's a very sobering message; but strengthening and fortifying at the same time. I'm still trying to take it all in!  
     And as difficult as it may be for some of you, I think it's time we get honest with each other and ourselves. I want you to see that in that verse, Jesus offers Peace, but He promises Tribulation! And note in the opening Scripture I mentioned (John 14:27), Jesus says He leaves His peace with us, and He gives His peace to us. It's there for us! But we may only have it IF we receive it; IF we open our hearts to experience it. Can you see that we are responsible for having peace? And that if we make the free will decision to accept it, that peace will become centered in our heart? 
     That's what we need to realize about what we are seeing on the streets of America today -- God is exposing the condition of hearts! We can see the hearts that have been influenced by the Anti-Christ spirit; hearts filled with hate and rage; hearts mimicking Satan's goal to "steal, kill, and destroy". But I want you to understand that there are hearts rooted in the true spirit of Christ, too -- voices who pronounce that the violence and injustice our nation is experiencing comes from the kingdom of darkness, and that we must recognize that what we are seeing transcends the color of our skin and police brutality. We are in a spiritual war! Both sides of the battle in the streets have the same Enemy! He wants to destroy us, divide us, and drag us along with him on his way to eternal torment. Those are not my words, but the wise words of a young biracial man on Facebook. He recognizes that we need to "address the real matter, [which is] the heart and what flows from it!"
     Jesus has always been concerned primarily with the condition of our heart. In fact, He told the prophet Samuel, "For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). So, there's a difference between the people whose hearts are pure and clean, and wish to call attention to injustice, and still promote the brotherhood of man -- and the people whose hearts are corrupted and only wish to inflict pain, chaos, and death.
    My goal in writing the post today is two-fold ... First, to tell you that the Darkness is growing; Jesus said it would in Matthew 24. He told us that we will be persecuted and hated for His name's sake. Many will stumble in their faith and hate one another; false prophets will lie and mislead; lawlessness will increase; and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures til the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13). 
     "Saved" here does not merely mean "saved from eternal death as a believer in Jesus Christ". We must look at the full context of what Jesus is talking about in this passage. It is in context to "the end" mentioned in this verse and the next, in which Jesus says, And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world as a testimony to the nations, and then the end will come. He's talking about the end of the kingdom of darkness [that we are witnessing in the lawlessness today], and from which we will be delivered into [saved for] the glorious presence of our Lord to rule and reign with Him. 
     So, yes the Darkness, is coming but we have been given hope [and peace] to endure. And this brings me to my second goal.... I don't want you to concentrate on all the negativity that the Media is trying to spread. They are a useful tool for the Anti-Christ spirit. When the Lord says we may have peace in untroubled hearts, you need to see that there are messages of hope in the midst of the darkness, and then let that hope and peace manifest in your heart. There's a beautiful video of men and women of all colors gathering together in Lynchburg, VA so they might praise the Lord and glorify their common Savior. This video is in contrast to the negative seeds being sown by so many. So, don't let the hate drown out the voices of these faithful people raised in mutual awe and adoration of Jesus! You may have the peace of the Lord, if you seek it, choose to receive it, and share it! Remember ... the Darkness may be coming, but there's no reason or need to fear ... it will never put out the Light! Be the Light! 

Psalm 27:14    Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! 

  
    

"Be Still And Know That I Am God" Is More Significant Than Ever

    

     "Be Still".... these are the first words of Psalm 46, verse 10, and represent a new lifestyle and behavior for most of the peoples and nations of the world. This pandemic that has come upon the earth has forced us to slow down and withdraw into a state of solitude. In America, we've never had to be still before; we had the freedom to fill our lives with all kinds of activities and distractions. But this stillness has been mandated by the powers of this world, and leaves mankind with a choice.... what will I fill this solitude with?
     The Psalmist gives us a most excellent option .... we have the opportunity to take our time to get to know God. No more excuses for not spending the time or effort to seek Him in His Word. Instead of looking for ways to fill your quarantined hours with empty pursuits and diversions, why not dust off that Bible that has been tucked away in a drawer, or actually open the one you have prominently displayed on a table as evidence of your Christian faith?
     And the psalm gives us lots of reasons to make getting to know God our number one priority, and in light of the state of the world, why this might be a good time to pursue Him. To begin with, He is a safe and powerful place to find shelter and protection in times of trouble. And I think the fact that over 3 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 in 210+ countries, resulting in over 216,000 deaths qualifies as a time of great sorrow and trouble [if you can believe the statistics put out by the World Health Organization].
     In addition, the Psalmist writes, when you know who God is, and who you are in Him, there is no need to fear, "even if every structure of support were to crumble away" (The Passion Translation). I'd say the loss of jobs, the uncertainty in the stock market, oil prices crashing, and the predicted shortage of food supplies qualify for that scenario. But when you know God, all that plus verse two and three's threats of "earthquakes and the raging roar of stormy winds and crashing waves" [predicted for the 2020 hurricane season] cannot erode our faith in Him.
     We are promised the constantly flowing river of Living Water from the Throne Room of God, which provides sustenance for our souls and spirits during this drought of worldly provision. When we truly know Him, we know He is our Life Force! That river of Living Water flows right from the heavenly city of the God Most High into His holy dwelling places, which is us -- we are His temple on earth!
     I have often remarked to my husband that if devastation came upon this country [in whatever form] and it resulted in our way of life being radical changed to a solitary and survival existence, I would relish the absence of the world system and embrace the chance to begin seeing the works of God all around me. I am prepared that He can bring both ruin and revival, but I truly believe we won't have to strive to see Him in the midst of all that competes for our attention now. He will be easy to behold for anyone who wants to see Him. He will be exalted throughout the world for those who will receive Him.
      Our world situation is the "beginning of the birth pangs" that Jesus says foretell the wars and famines; from the shaken earth; the deception from false prophets; and the lawlessness that will increase. But He tells us that if we can endure and keep our hope through it all [until the end] then we can experience Eternal Life [and deliverance from Death].
     Yet, sadly, I see people who are using this time of stillness and solitude to seek answers through astrology and Tarot cards; through humanistic thinking and rationality; and through their soul, rather than their spirit. It break's my heart to see dear friends and loved ones looking at this world situation through the devil's dirty veil. They have never had a better time in their life to take their eyes off the world and look to the heavens. How can they not consider that there is a Power greater than their own limited mind? They stubbornly cling to the words of men, rather than giving The Word a chance to open up realms of understanding that no man can offer. They simply refuse to surrender what they view as their human superiority to a higher Authority or Power, not realizing that His authority and power [and yes, even the Mind of Christ] can be theirs. And it dwarfs any that they can realize on their own through an astrological chart, a tarot card reading, channeling an occult spirit, or years of psychotherapy and medications. There's a reason the most valuable card in the Tarot deck is called The Fool.
     So, I truly hope that mankind will come out from under the delusion of their own significance and knowledge, and take advantage of this time to actually be still and make an attempt to get to know their Creator. It is important that we listen for His voice -- not looking to the politicians or talking heads for the way forward; and especially discerning the false messages of the false prophets. It is the perfect time for all mankind to be still and experience the presence of God. Be still and know that He is with us in this time of crisis!

Psalm 73:28     But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.

Beware Of A Spiritual "Normalcy Bias"

     Way back in 2012, I wrote an article titled Our Nation's Achilles Heel, and at the time I was focused on how I viewed this world and what I could see going on "behind the curtain", so to speak. At the time, I was concerned about a particular mindset of Americans called "normalcy bias", and I identified it as this: a tendency (or preference) to view the world around you in its usual, customary state. And like I said, in 2012 I was focused on the geo-political state of the world, so someone's normalcy bias might manifest in a mindset that said, "America will always be a Super Power.  No one is going to take us down"; "I still have a job. Everything's going to be alright"; "I don't need to prepare.  If I just believe in God, He will take care of me." "Nothing's really changed in my life; I still do all the things I've always done. What's the big deal?"
     Perhaps God revealed that carnal aspect of man's make-up so that as He grew me in the path He had designed for me, I would be able to see the correlation of this concept to the spiritual world. By that, I mean that I see a tendency among Christians to retain a "status quo" when it comes to how they view the spiritual side of their lives. Just like the carnal world, when you decide to step outside of your spiritual comfort zone, it's less comfortable, for sure. But a spiritual normalcy bias also means you choose to look upon the spiritual realm(s) as you always have; you convince yourself that nothing's changed in how the Enemy operates, so you see what you want to see -- or ignore the things that don't coincide with your theology or doctrine.

     Let's take a look at these examples: from the time you've been a child, you were taught (and believe) that God is in control of everything ... All you have to do is pray and hope He will answer your prayers ... Suffering is often necessary for a Believer to come closer to God ... Once we're saved, we live out our lives as "good Christians" until the day we die, and then we go to heaven. Do any of these ideas sound familiar to you? I am not condemning anyone who believes these concepts. But I will say that I pray they receive greater revelation from God on these matters. Here's why...
     If the aforementioned concepts define one's belief system, then I wonder how one reconciles the Scripture that tells us to put on the armor of God to stand against the schemes of the devil; or to be sober-minded and watchful because the devil is looking for someone to devour. And then there is the Word that says whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever is loosed on earth will be loosed in Heaven. Have you ever asked yourself, "What would need to be bound? Or what would I loose?" I'm pretty sure there are Christians who think that Jesus accomplished the work [while here on earth] to defeat the devil, so what does that have to do with us? After all, they might say, weren't His last words "It is finished"?
     But if I am looking at this spiritual normalcy bias objectively, I would have to say that at the center of this belief system is Christian eschatology, which is concerned with death and the afterlife, Heaven and Hell, the Second Coming of Jesus, the resurrection of the dead, the Rapture, the Tribulation, Millennialism, the end of the world, the Last Judgment, and the New Heaven and New Earth in the world to come. --- in other words what happens to the Believer in the future.
      Here's the thing.... since most Christians see all this as in the future, they are hard-pressed to tell you what they know about any of those Biblical tenets. So they continue to walk in their normalcy bias -- none of this effects me, and I know I'm saved and going to Heaven. I just have to be good until I die. And if you happen to believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, then you're even more convinced that none of these Biblical tenets apply to you.
     But I believe there's a danger in that kind of mindset. Just as those who thought life during Hurricane Florence would be normal, I fear there are Christians who view their spiritual surroundings from a "nothing's going to change" bias. In other words, the study of eschatology has moved the Church's focus to our final destiny, instead of educating and preparing us for what's happening in the spiritual realm(s) in the here and now.

     We must begin to sharpen our spiritual senses and see beyond the veil of this carnal world. Yes, we are co-heirs with Christ in the world to come, but we still have a lot of living to do in this world! And while we're waiting for Jesus to come back so we can go to Heaven, there is a war being waged against our culture, our bodies, our minds, and our spirits. Not only have we become lethargic about protecting our Godly institution of marriage, our gender identity, and family values -- but most of the Church is unfamiliar with just what "As it was in the days of Noah" implies for this generation or the next.
     Our normalcy bias causes us to not even consider that Fallen Angels could actually affect our current existence; whether it be through technology, DNA manipulation [as it was in the days of Noah], or setting up false religious, political and economic systems that will ultimately lead to the "Beast System" at the end of this Age. Our normalcy bias would tell us that we will escape any such destruction or deceit. But will we? What does the Bible say?
     I am not advocating that we see the devil or demons around every corner. But it would be wise to to let go of our normalcy bias and see with spiritual eyes.  The battle for mankind doesn't just come at Armageddon. There is a battle going on right now! We might not see it with carnal eyes, but that doesn't mean it isn't being waged in the spirit. Just remember this ... the people in Noah's time were living their lives as if nothing would change, oblivious to the coming Flood. We have been warned by Jesus in the Bible. Can we afford to ignore His warning?
     And let us not forget that the Bible tells us the Restrainer is keeping the lawlessness [that will mark the End Times] at bay. What does that look like? And are you spiritually prepared to endure it, should you be on the earth at that time? It is my prayer that all Christians walk in Spirit and Truth; that they rise above cultural religion and conformist attitudes about the spiritual reality in which we live. Just as a normalcy bias will render you a victim in this carnal world, so will it cause greater suffering in the spiritual. Let us not succumb to a spiritual life that is routine or "business as usual". Let us walk in spiritual awareness and insight, just as our Lord and Savior. Then we will walk as victors and not as victims.

Luke 21:34    Be careful that you never allow your hearts to grow cold. Remain passionate and free from anxiety and the worries of this life. Then you will not be caught off guard by what happens. Don’t let me come and find you drunk or careless in living like everyone else.