What We Need To Know About "The Spirit of The Age" in These End Times

Ever since the Holy Spirit counseled my husband and myself to "Seek, first, the Kingdom of God", I have understood that we would be entering a Spiritual War with mankind's oldest Enemy. Throughout the Bible, and the history of the world, we can see how Satan and his followers [in both physical and spiritual form] have tempted man to disobey and defy God, in the hopes that he [Satan] could take possession of the earth and men's souls. This rebellion will continue to grow as Satan realizes his time is short to accomplish all his goals -- to hinder all the works of God, securing our willful obedience and worship, by exercising his power and control, and ultimately destroying us and God, securing his place as the god of this world. 

If you have any spiritual discernment at all, you can see how he has commissioned his demons to carry out their assignments, resulting in men embracing "the Spirit of the Age". The Bible is very clear to describe what this spirit will look like in the End Times, right before Jesus returns. First, let's understand the Biblical concept behind the word "age", or aión, as it is known in Greek, or eon, in English. It primarily denotes an age or a long period of time. It can refer to the present age, the age to come, or eternity. Strong's Lexicon defines "age" in the New Testament as being used to describe the temporal, fallen world in contrast to the eternal, perfect kingdom of God. It can also imply the spiritual or moral state of the world during a particular age.

We see this precept expressed most urgently in two different passages attributed to the apostle Paul. In Ephesians 2:1-3, he writes, And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience -- among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 

It is important that we understand that "the course of this world" refers to the spirit of the times. And that spirit is not always exactly the same. Satan can assign different spirits for different ages in history. For instance, the spirits in the United States in the 1920s and the 1950s were different from each other, and are quite different from the rebellious spirit that began to emerge in the 60s and the markedly bold and evil spirits of today. I think we can agree that we are seeing a spirit of increasing hostility towards God and the destruction of God's ways and people. 

Now, let's consider what Paul has to say in 1 Timothy 4:1-5 ... Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons... I believe that Paul recognized the spirits that would mark the End Times [or later/latter times as he says]... namely the spirits of apostasy (some will depart); the spirits of deception (deceitful spirits); and the spirits of false teaching (teachings/doctrines of demons). I think we can all see that these are definitely spirits of our age. 

And I believe that Paul saw the immense importance of faith during these End Times. If we lose that, nothing else matters! And now, hear me! I'm not talking about losing the ability or desire to believe, but losing the Truth of what Christians should believe, according to the Word! Just ask yourselves as you take a good, honest look at the churches in our country ... have they abandoned the essential teachings of Christianity in favor of teachings and doctrines of demonic spirits who are seeking to deceive men and women and entice them away from God's Truth? 

It all began in the Garden, when Satan taught Eve that her eyes could be opened and she could be like God. From that day forward, every demonic spirit operated from the root of that lie and deception ... the idea that we can become our own god, and live our lives free of God's guidance, influence, and control. How has that turned out down through the ages? Today it looks like abortion, unnatural relations, greed, corruption, perversion against children, humanism, altering our DNA, and creating a way through technology to live eternally without the need of God's gift of salvation. And this spirit has invaded our churches, as evidenced by the number of members who are willing to embrace and agree with these spirits.

It seems to me that our society and culture reflect the inability of the Church to demolish the power of the lies of Satan's sons of disobedience. This is resulting in the "falling away" of once sincere Believers, whose consciences have "been seared", as with a hot brand, and allowing people to progress to viler and viler acts, with no remorse. To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled (Titus 1:15). 

Can you see the direction [the course] the world is headed? Can you see how many of the "faithful" are being tempted to follow the direction of the prince of the power of the air (Satan), who has convinced them to follow a different Jesus than the Jesus of the Bible? How many pastors seek to entertain and enthrall their audiences with rationalized and commercialized versions of Scripture in order to maintain their popularity? Is this what Paul meant when he warned his listeners to have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths (1 Timothy 4:7)? And how many pastors dilute the word in order to soothe the itching ears of their members and to keep them coming back each Sunday to fill the coffers of the church? Again, in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Paul warns, 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.

Some of the ways our churches have embraced the Spirit of this Age is by bringing a false representation of Jesus and His promises. Their preaching can take on various forms. You can see it almost like a marketing campaign ... one form of Christianity markets America as a Christian nation, having received God's favor to control or influence American society and government [Dominionism]. We can also see the "falling away" [or apostasy] in the preaching of the Prosperity Gospel, and the rise of the Emergent Church, which preaches social justice, activism, and the metaphorical essence of the Word over Biblical Truth. And we can't ignore the promotion of interfaith dialogue, which equates Jesus with all the other "gods" of different faiths, automatically denying that we serve "the Most High God".  

So, how do we conduct spiritual warfare against this "Spirit of the Age" that is leading us to the final battle of the final age of this world? The first thing is to recognize what is happening in the spiritual realms and how to defend the real and authentic faith of Jesus Christ! Repentance and Holiness are not just words in our Christian lexicon -- they are meant to be manifested in our daily lives, as we embrace -- not this world -- but the world to come! We must contend for the True Faith, which looks like this: being bold enough to call out false doctrine and false teachers; gently correcting those who have lost their way; and being prepared to stand in the midst of the persecution that will certainly come against us. 

In summary, it is my sincere hope that the remnant in the Body of Christ will remain committed to our calling ... to share the love of Christ in our lives with others; to warn of the consequences of denying who Jesus is, and what He has done to provide for our Salvation, as well as point to the reasons for our faith: to glorify Him for the fulfillment of His promises, chief among them, eternal life. I cannot stress enough that we come to the knowledge that there is a very real demonic Spirit of this Age, with a very real demonic agenda to deny every human the joy, and the strength, and the power of a relationship with our Creator, Jesus Christ. I feel the pure Evil that this Spirit is bringing against humanity, and I encourage each of us to put on our spiritual armor and fight for the Kingdom of God and the victory that is ours; the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith!

Jude 18-23     ... In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions. It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the [Holy] Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

 

     

The Moral Fabric of our Culture is Unraveling; We are Holding On By a Thread!

I have said it for some time ... politics is not the answer for what ails our nation. Yes, I know we are a nation of laws, and government is the world's way of providing structure [through those laws] so that we might live a good quality of life. But ultimately, government is a political system administered by men. And that system is used to control men through the temptations of power, wealth, and reputation. A candid look at the men and women who were elected to represent the American people [in Washington D.C.] reveals a huge gap between those who are loyal and obedient to God, and those whose moral degeneracy is on full display. Sadly, that dichotomy mirrors the picture of our divided population. And no President, Congress, or law can solve the sickness of sin that is at the heart of our condition.

I'd like to quote the Reverend Franklin Graham from an article he wrote for Harbinger's Daily: "It's a spiritual degeneracy that can only be cured by repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other remedy or hope. The Prophet Isaiah said it this way 700 years before the birth of the Savior, to an Israel that had long abandoned its loyalty and allegiance to God, and instead replaced it with idolatry, meaningless rituals and sacrifices that incurred God's wrath, not His blessings ... Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness: who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for Bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20).  

If Biblical Truth and Principles are not at the center of our lives, then there is no absolute right and wrong to guide us. If we don't affirm and uphold the authority of the Holy Scripture, then moral relativism becomes the accepted guidepost for humanity. In other words, if our culture rejects what the Bible says about loving your neighbor as yourself, then the culture will determine that the morally right thing in any situation is to do whatever behavior brings about the greatest good for the greater number. But that requires defining who your "neighbor" is. 

Through Satan's influence, our culture has too often defined "neighbor" as someone who looks like us. But, when we actually take a closer look at the meaning of that word, we find that the Old Testament word for neighbor is rēa, a noun meaning "friend, companion, fellow," or simply, "another person". The New Testament Greek is an adverb used as a noun, plēsion, meaning "the [one] near". So, how does Jesus define who our neighbor is?

We can find that answer in the familiar parable of "The Good Samaritan". But, first, what [and who] is a Samaritan? History [and Bible Study Tools] shows us that in 721 B.C., the northern kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrians. Many people of the ten tribes of Israel who lived there were led off to Assyria as captives, but some remained in the land and intermarried with foreigners planted there by the Assyrians. These half-Jewish, half-Gentile people became known as the Samaritans. In 605 B.C., the Babylonians invade Judah, and the first wave of Jews are deported to Babylon, beginning their 70 years of captivity. By 586 B.C., the southern kingdom of Judah fell to the Babylonian Empire once and for all, and the last wave of Jews were deported to Babylon, and Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed. In 539 B.C., the Fall of Babylon to the Persian Empire occurs, and King Cyrus II allows the Jews to return to their homeland.

When Nehemiah attempts to rebuild the Temple, the Samaritans remaining in the land opposed the rebuilding efforts and caused problems for Nehemiah and his fellow workers. And thus began a generational hatred between Jews and Samaritans. So, here we see that although the two groups shared, at least, a partial ethnic bond, it wasn't enough to be considered a "neighbor". In fact, they despised each other, making them a good example for Jesus to define a true neighbor in His parable about the "good" Samaritan. We see the Jewish priest and the Levite who both walked right by a Jewish man who had been beaten and robbed; both were indifferent to his unfortunate situation. Then, we see the Samaritan, [normally an archenemy], moved with compassion, who goes out of his way to tend to the needs of the Jewish man lying on the side of the road. 

Using the parable, Jesus responds to an expert in the Law's question of "who is my neighbor?" by asking His own question: "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands? And [the lawyer] said, 'The one who showed mercy toward him'. Then Jesus said to him, 'Go and do the same' ".

This simple, but direct parable [and commandment] shows us how far we've fallen from respecting and upholding Jesus's teaching. Where is our compassion, empathy, love, and mercy for our fellow man? Our culture no longer seems to have a Biblically enlightened conscience of who our neighbors are. And without that knowledge of Biblical Truth, "lawlessness will abound, and the love of many will grow cold" (Matthew 24:12). We have seen that in the countless attacks on innocent people in the streets of our cities across the land. And let us not forget the recent cold-blooded murder of the CEO of United Healthcare on a New York sidewalk. No matter what you think about the victim's connection to our broken healthcare system, the lack of moral conscience by the murderer as he walked up to the victim, lying bleeding on the sidewalk, and shot two more rounds into him, should make you feel disgusted.

Shockingly, too many people across the country have supported or applauded this heinous murder, expressing their opinions across social media platforms that the crime was a justified killing -- 40% of young adults (ages 18-29) felt the killer's actions were either "acceptable" or "somewhat acceptable". Oh, how Jesus must mourn how far removed we have become from a Biblically moral compass! And how long will He tolerate our lack of brotherly love; our heartlessness? I believe He does not want to give up on us; that God's grace is still available to us -- IF we can, like the Good Samaritan, find it in our hearts to be "neighbors" to each other, no matter the differences in our ethnicity, social class, political persuasion, or religious affiliation. 

We must overcome the bitterness, contempt, and hatred that have been sowed into our culture by spiritual forces that have engulfed the minds and hearts of men who have listened to the whispers of God's Enemy. We must recognize our moral decay and failings, and we must repent and believe in the power of God's ability to revive and restore our moral bearings according to the Biblical principles set forth by our Lord and Savior. In the midst of our nation's chaos, I have witnessed the Goodness of God as a result of the redeeming prayers of those who fear Him in righteousness and truth. Don't stop now! There is a wind of change coming. Whether it be a change for good or evil, remains to be seen. We, who are obedient followers of Jesus Christ can be an instrument of His Power and Love. Let us do our part in restoring our nation, as we take a Biblically moral stand against those who would destroy it. Let us work with Jesus to redeem our great nation and truly love our neighbor as ourselves. Amen!

Ephesians 3:20    Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes or dreams], according His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church [Body of Christ] and in Christ Jesus thoughout all generations forever and ever. Amen. 

"Their End Will Correspond To Their Deeds"

I am nearing the 14th year of writing this blog, and as I look back over the path I've walked, and the direction the Holy Spirit and the Lord have taken me, I see how the course of events have influenced what I've posted. I began writing when it became clear that "the fundamental transformation of America" wasn't just a political slogan, but an actual spiritual agenda that was embraced by our leaders and supported by other worldly rulers who had an interest in taking advantage of a change in our nation's foundational principles and rule of law.

We are now well into the de-construction of our historically unique plan of government that has stood the test of time for nearly 250 years. And for most of the last 14 years, we Americans have existed in a state of normalcy bias, unable to conceive that we have been essentially [and crucially] destabilized in order to subvert our unity and reinterpret our Democratic and Constitutional Republic. And what has become astounding to me, is the realization that there has been a corresponding agenda within the Church! 

Just as false and duplicitous wolves in sheep's clothing have entered into our halls of government, education, and public discourse, so have they been invited into our buildings of worship. It's just as it was in the days of the prophets of old (Ezra, Zechariah, and Haggai, among others). As the Jews returned to their land after their exile in Babylon, there was continued opposition to the idea of a restored Judah and Temple. In various forms of duplicity and deception, enemy nations approach the leaders of Judah and offer their help; in essence, saying, "Let us help you build; we seek the same ends you do, and can even accept your God as ours". 

But, the Bible tells us that, in time, "the people of the (other) lands weakened (and tried to discourage) the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in the building. They hired counselors against them, to frustrate their purpose...". Those with spiritual eyes to see can observe that this mimics exactly what we are seeing in our own nation today. Enemies of our country have entered our most sacred institutions and are counseling our next generations against the foundation of how this country was built. We took it for granted that they honored and respected our unique status and our ways, when in reality, they wish to transform it and destroy it; establishing a new form of governance. And let's not ignore the willingness of our own corporations and leaders who are willing to prosper off the ignorance of the people.

Now substitute the Church and Christianity for the Nation. Enemies of God and Christians enter into our Church buildings, saying they wish to worship with us, to prophecy to us, and to seek after our God. But in reality, they are involved with witchcraft or false gods; or seeking their own glorification, often deluding themselves as well as those they profess to be teaching and ministering to. True faith is weakened and a stronghold is established that will ultimately destroy the Church. Our headlines have been full of pastors who have dishonored their calling as Shepherds. And they have left disillusioned and abused sheep in their wake.

What I have described is an age-old concept; one that the Greeks personified in their use of the Trojan horse ... it is any trick or strategy that causes a target to allow a foe into a securely protected bastion or space. Sadly, the leaders of our nation and churches have not been so mindful of the danger and difficulties that ensue from such compromise. I pray it's not too late to regain what we've lost! 

Our Founding Fathers faced the same dilemmas we are encountering when they came together to decide how our new nation would be governed. They adopted many of their governing principles from the Roman statesman, Cicero, who was born nearly 1900 years before the founding documents of this nation were written. In the exceptionally profound book entitled, The 5000 Year Leap, author W. Cleon Skousen, a faith-based political theorist, reveals that, "To Cicero, the building of a society on principles of Natural Law was nothing more nor less than recognizing and identifying the rules of "right conduct" with the laws of the Supreme Creator of the universe". 

In his own words, Cicero wrote this: "There will not be different laws at Rome and at Athens, or different laws now and in the future, but one eternal and unchangeable law will be valid for all nations and all times, and there will be one Master and Ruler, that is God, over us all, for He is the author of this law, its promulgator, and its enforcing Judge." These ideas and precepts are as sound today as when they were espoused by Cicero nearly two millennia ago; and they are emphasized in our founding documents. 

But here is where we find ourselves in 2024 ... our society is not in agreement that our Creator exists, not that absolute moral authority exists in Him. In fact, Moral Rightness or Truth have become relative -- everyone can claim their own truth. And when God is not your authority of what is right or true, then it is far too easy to declare that any law or laws based on those concepts of law and government [or the Holy Book that proclaims them] can be ignored or changed. It will become far too easy to alter, repeal, overhaul, or abandon them by an immoral or unjust citizenry, faith community, or body of legislators.

So, what shall be our destiny? The Bible proclaims the path to a righteous and prosperous nation. And the Constitution was designed for a moral and religious [faithful] people. Will we reap what we have sown, or will the cries of the truly repentant restore our nation to one that God will recognize and bless? I pray that God's Remnant will stay focused on Jesus, our Authority in Heaven, and declare a revival of morality and virtue in this nation, and it will pierce the hearts of all those in leadership positions. I pray that hearts in both Government and the Church will be turned away from self-aggrandizement and humbled in servitude to meet the needs of all people. And pray that if God determines that judgment is due our land, that it be swift and completely cleanses us of all sin. 

Finally, I pray that we find our strength and our truth in the Word of God. It is still relevant and it is still Light and Life to our souls and spirits. God's Word has stood since the beginning of time, and it will endure throughout all eternity. Lord, let it be re-established in our land, and let righteous men and women stand united in protecting Your Word from those who would exploit it, pervert it, or oppress it! Let Evil cower in the face of our power and authority, given to us by our Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ! Help us to turn this land from dishonor and defilement of Your Holy Name to the glorification You deserve! Amen!

Proverbs 10:9   Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

 

  

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

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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.

Our Counterculture Mindset Needs Jesus

As I was considering the span of years in my life, I was actually amazed at all the changes in our culture; how it seemed as if each decade was beset by new challenges to societal values. In addition, the years seemed to also foreshadow the forces that were coming as counter to our "accepted" national culture. But we must recognize that the word "Culture" is hard to pin down. That's because a National Culture is usually identified as a group of people that share certain expectations of how things should be done, and share the values that surround these expectations. But within that social construct, Americans are a conundrum. 

True, we like to espouse individual freedoms, equality, diversity, patriotism, privacy, and democracy as hallmarks of our common American culture. But because we are a melting pot of other cultures with their own individual norms, behaviors, customs and values, we have often been at odds with each other -- and at no time more than when we fought a devastating Civil War in the 19th Century over how our national culture would be defined. 

I'd like to say that we've always celebrated the differences in our American culture; that we've honored those differences with respect, and have accepted others' values and standards of behavior as falling within our moral fabric. I'd also like to say that we've been a nation founded on Christian principles, continuing to be faithful and consistent in following Jesus's commandments in our government, churches, commerce, schools, and everyday lives. I'd like to say that ... but honestly, I can't. 

You see, there has been a spiritual power that runs counter to any Godly culture we might have, or have had. And it doesn't even try to hide its purpose as we examine the various "counterculture" movements that have swept through our land -- just in my lifetime! I first became cognizant of the term counterculture when I was in high school in the mid-late 60's. It was the era of the "hippies", free love, and the Age of Aquarius, in which a New Age of peace and understanding, self-awareness, and the brotherhood of man was proclaimed. And of course, all that self-examination led to an attack on God in our culture with the removal of prayer from the classroom.

It was also the age of Woodstock, a burgeoning drug culture, psychedelic rock n' roll, and anti-war and civil rights demonstrations, which were often violent. Obviously, these swings away from the uniformity and conformity of American culture in the 1950's represented a culture that was becoming counter to the norm. You can see how Satan was influencing the hearts and minds of our American psyche. But you can also see how God counterpunched with the Jesus Movement, an evangelical movement of American youth that, in itself, was countercultural in its desire to return to a Christianity that favored the historical Church movement in the First Century, in contrast to the religious interpretations of the traditional 20th Century American Church.

With each advancing decade, we saw America embracing the idea of being countercultural; adopting values and norms of behavior that differed considerably from mainstream society. In the 70's it was personal liberation and rebellion against authority. Feminism changed the shape and foundation of the family forever, leading to Satan's most devastating accomplishment: convincing women that willful abortion was acceptable. And Roe v Wade became the law of the land. The first Earth Day was observed, opening the door to worshiping Mother Earth, rather than God, its Creator. Student protests turned violent and Kent State happened. Students no longer respected the U.S., and the radical ones began infiltrating the university educational system. Americans began doubting their government as Watergate, inflation, the energy crisis, and Three Mile Island occupied the news cycles. 

Thus began what could be called the "counterculture revolution", with the 80's, 90's, and the new 21st Century decades becoming characterized by political and social liberalism, consumer materialism, the meteoric rise of technology, globalization of everything, and the ultimate polarization of society, as common values were disregarded in favor of personal standards. The absolute truth of God's moral principles were discarded for moral relativism; the only truth that mattered was what a particular individual or group believed was true. And the most destructive aspect of these forms of counterculture was the transformation happening in the Church.

Even the idea of God, who He was, and how we are to relate to Him, came up for debate. Everything about Him was questioned; from theological doctrine to whether the Bible still had value as our moral guidebook. Lines were being drawn between those who still believed in the "old paradigm" of the virgin birth and the deity of Christ, and those who were members of the "new paradigm", believing that the Bible is not the inerrant Word of God, thereby freeing people who identify as Christians to create their own version of God and what He commands. Long story short, it became all about a "Me-first" mindset and "what I want", instead of a "God-first" worldview and what He commands from His followers. 

Our slide into "counterculturism", so to speak, has led to a lamentable separation from God. We see it in the shift of our societal standards. Sadly, marriage, gender, what is considered Godly faith, the treatment of children, how we treat our neighbors, what we worship, and what we value are now often counter to God's standards set before us in His Holy Word. And I am left with the heartbreaking question ... How have we Christians failed to influence this culture that is hell-bent on becoming counter to everything God stands for?

It's easy to become enmeshed in our Christian communities, whether small or large -- thinking that we are being an obedient follower of Christ and accomplishing great things for His Kingdom -- and still be blind to the fact that the culture has influenced the Church-at-large, instead of the other way around. Are we cocooned in a comfortable mindset, convincing ourselves that the state of the American Church and Faith are healthy? But let's step back and look at the big picture ... Can we honestly say that the institution of Religion, as evidenced by the American Church, has not amassed wealth by society's standards? That many denominations have not accepted new definitions of marriage, family, and what is defined as "life" for a fetus? If Jesus came back today, would He praise or rebuke "the Church"?  

So, in this matter of counterculture values, where does that leave the faithful follower of Jesus? We know that His teachings were definitely counter to the cultures of the religious rabbis and the Roman Empire. To declare that the poor in spirit were blessed because the kingdom of heaven belonged to them, must have sent a tremor through the elite who ruled over the people. The people had been conditioned in that culture to receive their physical needs from those with earthly and material power over them, whether religious or political power. So, when Jesus explains that the meaning of His teaching is from God's perspective, and that riches and poverty are a description of our spiritual conditions, we see that He challenged the culture of the time.

Again, when He teaches that "whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant", that runs counter to the culture of the Gentiles [as well as the religious leaders] who exercised authority over the people. This teaching is definitely not a "Me-first" prescription for self-actualization [which is the fulfillment of becoming the best version of yourself, according to your own desires]. Here's the thing; somewhere along the way, I wonder if the American Church has forgotten that it belongs to Jesus. It is His values and behavior that we should be imitating, not the culture's. If we say we truly belong to Him, then our values and behavior are going to be counter to the culture's. We aren't going to desire to look like everyone else, or compare ourselves to the culture to see if we measure up -- no matter how much the social media [that we are in bondage to] tells us we should. 

Think about that -- we belong to Jesus! He paid for our sins and He expects us to change the culture to look more like Him! That's a tall order, considering how far off the reservation we've allowed the culture to roam. But Jesus has created each of us with a purpose for His Kingdom. So, that means we all won't look alike. But how we think, what we say, what we do in [and with] our lives will look counter to the culture -- we will stand out. And we may even look different from each other. But if we are truly righteous, we will reflect the heart of Jesus, and recognize that we each identify with the culture of Heaven and our Sovereign God. 

I believe in the Remnant of God; those whom He has chosen, knowing they will be constant in their faith and devotion to Him and all He commands. I also believe that this Remnant can and will challenge this corrupted culture to turn from their rebellious ways. We must persevere in showing Society and the established, institutional Church that following God's way is the only way to finding meaning in this world. He is truly the way, the truth, and the life that will meet all our needs. If nothing else, the Remnant will be unquestionably counter to everything the rest of the world is chasing after. Our lives will reflect a conflict with everything our society and culture lust after -- popularity, wealth, and power. Let us provide the same challenge that Jesus did, and in the process, draw others to Him. We are the faithful counterculture, and our movement comes from Heaven, where our Lord awaits His return to change the world forever!

Revelation 22:11    Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy [vile, impure], still be filthy; and the one who is righteous, still be righteous; and the one who is holy, still be holy.

   

Politics or Jesus? Man's Government or God's?

The other day I listened to a short 3-minute soundbite from a sermon delivered by Pastor Loran Livingston, of Charlotte, NC. Although I'm not a fan of the "hellfire and brimstone" manner of speech of some Southern preachers, I was definitely in agreement with his message. He lamented that the Church is lacking in their practice of praying and reading the Bible, which can "directly affect a believer's mindset and interaction with the world". I agree wholeheartedly! And I would like to dive into this discussion, with the understanding that I do so with a heart that has nothing but love and respect for my fellow Christians, even though we might disagree on some aspects of this conversation.

To begin, Pastor Livingston's main focus was how much faith and reliance believer's seem to be putting in politics as the answer to our country's woes. I found it interesting that he said, "Some of you bring politics into the church. You think politics is spiritual stuff. Don't be talking to me about my spiritual responsibility to vote! I don't have a spiritual responsibility to vote. I have a civic privilege"! 

What he is describing is a tension fomenting within the Body of Christ, between those believers with a particular attitude or philosophy that gives credence to the idea that if we just elect good Christian men, they will pass laws that provide for the welfare of the American citizens; and those believers who feel that politics will never be the answer to our problems precisely because it relies on men making laws to change our world.

The part of the church that believes the right men in office can turn things around also thinks that if more good Christian men and women got involved in getting these righteous people elected [by voting], then we could count on our representatives in government to stand up for our rights and do the moral and ethical thing ... i.e., stop abortion, stop human trafficking, protect parents' rights, rid our school libraries of pornographic reading material for middle schoolers, ban drag queen story time, decide how to reduce our taxes, and which wars are the justifiable and/or moral ones. Those would certainly be issues God would approve of! But have they fulfilled their oaths of office and promises to us? 

In other words, some of our fellow brethren believe that getting engaged in elections and voting is our civic duty [obligation or responsibility] -- if we call ourselves a Christian and a representative of the Kingdom of God. Perhaps they hold that position, believing that there is hope for change in the culture of a nation that has lost its way. That by electing Godly men as officials of the government, they will defend and promote Biblical truth and Christian principles and values. That would be wonderful if it was true! But sadly, I do not believe that any man or woman who goes to Washington D.C. sees themselves as the savior of the Biblical worldview and a moral culture warrior!

I believe elected officials know how the process works ... they know they will be part of the activities, actions, and policies [that men and women] use to gain and hold power in order to influence the decisions of the government/governing bodies. That in itself is not a bad thing. That is the purpose of a government in the world! But what's the first thing you see these newly elected officials do? They jockey for those coveted seats on the prestigious Committees in Congress. They know they are entering into a power struggle among men to assert rival interests. That is called "politics". And it is of this world! Yet, somehow, Christians have come to believe that by voting or getting involved in the voting process -- or championing one person running for office versus another -- we can bring God's Kingdom into that activity. Oh, how I wish that were so!

But, let me present a couple of questions. Doesn't the mere fact that these elected officials are called "representatives of the people" point to whom they serve? This governmental body openly declares that its job is to serve people. They don't say they are elected to serve God! That indicates [to me, at least] that they are laboring for things of this world. Yes, we are called to do the work of the Kingdom wherever we find ourselves in order to transform this world into Kingdom territory. But that is the job of the Church, not elected officials! 

Don't get me wrong -- I desperately want Godly men and women to serve in our government bodies. But the work they do there is work in the world. They write and pass man-made laws; they are to see to the welfare of their states and constituents; they answer to their political party; and too often, their allegiance is to themselves and the power the worldly government has given them.  The idea of Heaven's government is a totally different construct.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 16 that the form of government He brings from Heaven is called the Ekklesia, NOT the Church [which is a common mistranslation in our modern Bibles]. And listen to what He says ... On this rock [foundation and cornerstone] I will build My Ekklesia; and the gates of Hades (death) will not overpower it. I will give you the keys (authority) of the Kingdom of Heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth will have (already) been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth will have (already) been loosed in Heaven. 

So, let's do a quick dissection of this passage ... The word EKKLESIA is translated from Greek to mean a "called out assembly"; a group separated from others, whose purpose is determined by the context in which Jesus uses it. Here, He contrasts it to GATES. The first mention of a gate in Scripture is found in Genesis 19:1. The gate was central to community action; where courts were convened; important civic business was conducted, and the governing of men decided. KEYS is used in Scripture as a symbol of authority and power; signifying the intrusting to someone with an important charge. And the charge of the Ekklesia is to "bind and loose" what has already been established in Heaven -- in other words to bind [to restrict, constrain] what is UNLAWFUL [according to Heaven's government] in the earth, and loose [release, deliver] what is LAWFUL in Heaven into the earth. If the men and women we elect would see themselves as, and act as, the representatives of Heaven, rather than of men on earth, perhaps we would have better choices to vote for.      

I pray that those with spiritual eyes to see, and ears to hear, might understand that Jesus intends us to discern that He is pointing to the affairs of men in this world, and it is "the Most High who is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone He wishes". It is God who determines our leaders. YES, we have a voice in the election of our leaders, and we can [and some argue should] exercise that right by voting for those whom we think best demonstrate our Christian values. But is Jesus calling the Church [as the entire Body of Christ] to do this, or is this the commandment to the Ekklesia -- those called with this particular mission of governing?  

NOW, think on this for a moment ... Do you see anywhere in the Bible that Jesus or His disciples spend time teaching new believers how to reform the pagan world of their evil, corrupt governments? Do you see them call for what is known as "civil disobedience" towards the Roman Empire's immoral and violent rule? Certainly, there were valid reasons to do so! Instead, we read about Jesus commanding us [as He taught His disciples ] to proclaim the gospel to everyone, and to live our lives so that they are testimonies of the transforming power of God in the earth. That is the primary purpose of the entire Body of Christ [the church]!

Please hear me when I say I honor the hearts of my God-fearing Christian friends who seek to return God to our halls of government. I see the time and energy they put into this mission. The Good Lord knows we need that! And I do not question the hearts of Christian men and women in our governmental bodies who are serving the people out of hearts that love God. But ultimately, don't we have to ask the questions, Where is the fruit of that service? Have we seen government take back territory from the kingdom of darkness? Is the culture of our nation more moral than it's ever been? 

PERSONAL NOTE: As much as I hate to say it, I have seen Christians rally around elected officials who openly and dramatically espouse their faith and their intention to put that at the forefront of their time in Congress. The recent newly elected Speaker of the House is a good example. And then when the time comes to stand on that testimony for the betterment of the people they say they came to serve, they cave to the pressures of this world. I am beginning to understand why the Remnant in the body of Christ are no longer willing to put their faith in men and our current process of governing. Jesus is our only answer! 

So, I think that, as Christians, we have to offer grace to each other as to how we choose [or not] to devote our time and energy  -- whether to social reform and activism in local and national government; or to do the work that Jesus did: heal the [physically, emotionally and spiritually] sick; cast out demons; cleanse the lepers [social outcasts]; raise the dead; and spread the Good News that the Kingdom of God is reclaiming the earth! Whether you're called to one or the other [or praise God, both!] is your decision, and I honor your heart to serve others. 

For me, the bottom line is this ... We have to ask ourselves, what is God's purpose for us, as the body of believers in Jesus Christ? How do we incorporate our civic privileges and responsibilities in the world with our Heavenly mandate to bring Heaven's redemption to mankind? Our situation in this country, in this century, is no different than the history of countless nations that have come and gone since God established nations in Deuteronomy. Ungodly governments and faithless cultures have always existed among us. Yet history shows that faithful people in the One True God not only survived them, but flourished under them. And sometimes evil governments were part of God's plan to refine and cleanse a nation of its evil ways. Just a thought ... Remember how it turned out when the people of Israel decided on their own leader, rather than waiting on God to anoint him? They got Saul instead of David! 

Regardless of who we get as the next leader of our nation, we are taught by the Bible to honor, respect, obey and pray for all leaders because they are there at the discretion of God's will. It is also our instruction that they are not the source of our provision or our preservation from judgment or destruction. Only Jesus is our Deliverer!

I would like to leave you with this quote from a Christian website, called Got Questions. It is not a judgment against anyone, but a statement on which I believe the Body of Christ can find common ground ... "Political entities are not the savior of the world. The salvation for all mankind has been manifested in Jesus Christ. God knew that our world needed saving long before any national government was ever founded. He demonstrated to the world that redemption could not be accomplished through the power of man, economic strength, military might, or politics. Peace of mind, contentment, hope and joy -- and the salvation of mankind -- are provided only through Jesus's death and resurrection". 

And I would like to add to that my own postscript ... and because Jesus came to reclaim the earth for His Father's Kingdom, He not only died for my sins, but gave me the power and authority to speak into the world to change hearts; and thus, truly change the culture of our nation. Whether I choose to cast a vote or not in this world, it will not change my heavenly mandate as a citizen of Heaven to be the light of Jesus and show my true Source of hope. I am trusting in God; that His will be done on earth [in everything] as it is in Heaven! Let there be fruit in my life for Your Kingdom, Lord! 

Daniel 4:17     "This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers and the decision is a command of the holy ones, so that the living may know [without any doubt] that the Most High [God] rules over the kingdom of mankind and He bestows it on whomever He desires and sets over it the humblest and the lowliest of men".      

 

 

After the Resurrection: Are We Living in the Power of Jesus?

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead into Life Everlasting is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. No other religion on the earth has an empty tomb. Christians are the only believers who follow a leader that died and then came back to life, with the promise that we, too, can have Eternal Life. Admittedly, the Bible doesn't reveal everything about that miraculous event or what followed. But there are enough hints to give us hope to seek Him and His way of life. The Bible, itself, tells us, "There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were recorded one by one [and in detail], I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written". That's a lot of details we don't have. But it doesn't mean those details are not many, mighty, miraculous, and real. 

Have you ever stopped to think about what happened immediately after Jesus rose; what occurred in addition to the details the Bible does give us? I can only imagine the shock and disbelief, and even fear, when Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome arrived at the tomb to anoint him with precious oils, only to find the tomb empty! Granted, Scripture says [both in Mark and Matthew] that Jesus had told them He would be betrayed into the hands of His enemies, and they would kill Him. After three days He would be raised from death to life. The Bible recounts that on one hand, they did not understand Him, nor did they ask Him; and secondly, they were deeply grieved and distressed. 

My first thought is that they had seen Lazarus raised from the dead by Jesus, Himself, and perhaps they were confused... who is going to raise Jesus? As far as I am aware, Scripture doesn't give us any clues that He explained it was by the power of the Holy Spirit. But they were about to be exposed to all the indescribable and supernatural ways in which we can, not only be connected to the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, but live our lives in the same power and miracles. For me, the mystery, the power, the force, the strength, and the authority exhibited in the Resurrection event should overwhelm the mind and senses of every Believer! After all, He told Martha, the sister of Lazarus that not only will Believers live even if we die, but we will never die (John 11:25)! 

So, while they had clues of what was coming, they did not understand. But after the Resurrection! -- Oh, how their world must have been turned upside down. They went from profound grief, disappointment, and depression to being astonished, astounded and awe-struck at the power of the Living Christ in the world! John reports that Mary Magdalene saw the Lord in His pre-Ascension form, and later that evening, the rest of the Disciples saw Him as they met behind barred doors, fearful for their lives.He stood among them, speaking Peace over them, and breathed on them, giving them The Holy Spirit. He also told them He would send them as His Representatives -- not as emissaries of the itinerant Jewish Rabbi, but as ambassadors of the Messiah and Son of God! Then they witnessed the one Disciple [Thomas, who had been absent when He came the first time] stick his finger in the wounds Jesus had received on the Cross and Thomas's profession of faith that Jesus was real and who He said He was. But the part of this passage in John that gets forgotten is verse 30 ... There are also many other signs [attesting miracles] that Jesus performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book ... as if this is not enough to believe that by trusting what He has revealed, we may have Life in His Name!

The account of Luke offers us a little more information about what happened after the Resurrection. It seems that there were more women who had gone to the tomb to prepare the Lord's body, and two angels appeared to them, reminding them that Jesus had told them that He would be crucified and rise on the third day. They reported all these things to the Disciples, but being typical men of that era, they did not give credence to the women's story. So, Peter, Himself, got up and ran to the tomb. Finding it empty, he went away wondering about what had happened. The Bible then tells us that this same day, a Disciple of Jesus, named Cleopas (Luke 24:18), and a companion were traveling to a village called Emmaus. They were discussing all the strange things that had occurred since the crucifixion, and Jesus, Himself, began walking with them, asking them what they were talking about.

They couldn't believe this stranger hadn't heard about Jesus of Nazareth, "a prophet powerful in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people". They relayed that they were downhearted because they had hoped He would redeem Israel and set them free from the rule of the Romans. They also shared that the women went to the tomb that morning and had seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive! Those who followed up on the women's report also went to the tomb, but found nothing. Jesus reprimanded the men, calling them "foolish" and "slow of heart" because they had not believed in everything the prophets had spoken down through the centuries. He then explained and interpreted everything that Moses and all the prophets had written about Him in the Scriptures. Yet, the two men still did not recognize Him. 

The three then approached the village of Emmaus and the men urged Him to stay with them. As they enjoyed the evening meal, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Suddenly, God opened their eyes and they recognized Him, before He vanished from their sight. They got up that moment and went back to Jerusalem to report that the Lord had really risen and appeared to Simon Peter, leading us to believe that the second man walking to Emmaus was indeed, Peter.  

The texts of both Matthew and Mark do not vary greatly from the others, except that Matthew reports there was a great earthquake after the crucifixion, and suggesting that it contributed to the stone being rolled away from Jesus's tomb. Matthew also suggests that there were some Roman guards who witnessed "everything that had happened", resulting in the chief priests bribing the guards to keep quiet about the supernatural events. They feared for their own safety and position if the Jewish masses learned [let alone believed] that Jesus could be the long-awaited Messiah. Scripture then makes the startling statement: "this [fabricated] story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to the present day".  

But both Matthew and Mark offer something that the other gospels do not ... what is known as The Great Commission. After chastising them [in Mark] for not believing the women who had testified of His resurrection, He commanded them to "Go" and make disciples of all the nations. They were to "help the people learn of Him, believe in Him, and obey His 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". He then promises them that He will be with us always, no matter what the circumstances, even to the end of the age. And then they witnessed His ascension into Heaven and sit down at the right hand of God.

So, what is the age He is talking about? The "Church Age", which the first chapter of Acts introduces. And it is the Book of Acts that shows us the effects of Jesus's ministry on earth AFTER the Resurrection. I love the language of this first chapter in Acts; the words that describe the supernatural manifestations of Jesus's Deity and His divine power and authority. Luke, the author of Acts, describes the appearance of Jesus after His Resurrection "by a series of many infallible proofs and unquestionable demonstrations, appearing to them over a period of forty days and talking to them about the things concerning the kingdom of God". Now, I don't know about you, but I want to know all the details of those forty days! What did Jesus demonstrate and what were the things He told them about the kingdom of God? But it is the encouragement He gives them that "you will be baptized and empowered and united with the Holy Spirit, not long from now". And so it was, on the day of Pentecost, that a rushing, violent wind came from heaven, bestowing tongues of fire on each of the Disciples as they received the Holy Spirit and were filled with the power of Jesus.

There are other displays of supernatural events after the Crucifixion and Resurrection ... the veil of the Holy of Holies in the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook (the aforementioned earthquake) and the rocks split; tombs were opened, and many bodies of believers were raised to life; and coming out of the tombs after His Resurrection, they entered Jerusalem and appeared to many people; He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, the majority of whom were still alive, but some were dead; many wonders and attesting miracles were taking place through the apostles [as noted in Acts 2]. The Lord moved in the lives of these faithful people who, day after day, met in the temple, continuing with one mind and breaking bread in various private homes. They met together with joy and generous hearts, praising God continually, and receiving favor with all people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were being saved. 

THIS ... this is what it looks like to be living in the power of Jesus! Yet, we as modern-day Believers in Him celebrate one day a year in honor of His Resurrection. Our lives change -- maybe for a couple of hours -- IF we happen to hear an inspiring sermon. But come Monday morning, any supernatural considerations we might have entertained have evaporated and we're back in our natural lives. Sadly, many of our modern churches have little resemblance to the beginning of the Church in the Book of Acts. 

On Sunday, I decided to tune into the live broadcast of a mega-church we attended 15 years ago. The pastor we had liked had retired, and I will tell you that I have never heard a more lukewarm sermon on the spiritual repercussions and power that the Resurrection symbolizes! They touted the 200+ baptisms they would be doing during the service -- and believe me, I do not belittle that accomplishment! But if these baptized people are not stewarded, trained, and equipped to go out and do what Jesus did Himself, and commands us to do -- heal the sick, cast out demons, cleanse the lepers (the physically, spiritually, and emotionally shunned), raise the dead, and spread the Good News of the availability of Salvation and the Kingdom through faith in our Lord -- then the end of the Church Age is definitely in view. 

So, ask yourselves this ... are you moved in your heart and spirit, as you think upon the Resurrection of Jesus and all it portends for you? Are you committed to sharing all you have learned of Him, and the ways [including the supernatural] that He has touched your life? Do you truly want the life that the Disciples experienced with Him -- or are you comfortable to live a "safer" life in the world? Are you willing to lose this life to gain all that the Lord wants to give you in the next one?  I fear if the lukewarm sermon I saw streamed on Sunday is any measurement of the power of Jesus's Resurrection in the American Church, Jesus is going to have to come soon to save "even the elect" from weak and powerless faith. Pray that His remnant will continue to walk in Spirit and Truth; not cowering or hiding from the power and authority that is ours to change the world. We have a purpose and a destiny until the day He returns. Come, Lord Jesus! Strengthen us and Empower us!

Romans 1:4-5    [He] was declared to be the Son of God in power, according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead; Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His Name among all the nations ...                    

Why It's Important to REALLY KNOW GOD In the Middle of This World Chaos!

I continue to be concerned about the number of Christians who seek to know God through others. By that, I mean I get a lot of questions from earnest Seekers who truly want to know how to traverse this world according to God's will. They will ask, "How do you know what to do" in a particular situation. Or, they might play the devil's advocate, and say, "How do you answer a person if they question the validity of your Biblical argument or explanation on an important issue"?

First of all, I always make it clear that no one should take my answer or position for their truth. They should study and research on their own, coming to their own conclusions according to what the Holy Spirit reveals, or what God is telling them. And there lies the essence of their struggle and their uncertainty. They don't really know God. And, please don't misunderstand ... I am not judging anyone. In fact, I continually pray for the Body of Christ that they will seek to know Him!

I am also not questioning their Salvation! These people have faith in Jesus as the Son of God, as their Lord and Savior, and as their Redeemer. They believe in Him and what He bought for them on the Cross. They trust that He has forgiven their sins, and they profess His Name out loud. It is just my opinion that too many of them don't KNOW HIM!

Why have I come to that conclusion? I believe that the Western Church (in the last few hundred years) has undergone a gradual process of transformation. We tend to seek our answers and solutions to life's problems from others [Pastor's, Church leaders, Prophets, Elders, friends in the Church, etc.) instead of going straight to the Source of everything. When you don't know that Source, then you end up asking others for their opinions and relying on whether or not you agree with their thinking. Or you depend on how these other opinions or theories make you feel. The problem is, you end up acting out of your soul (your mind, your emotions/feelings, and your free will) to choose which one you will accept as your answer. 

We need to remember that we are made in God's image, not other men's. That means we are primarily a spiritual being, not a soul being. But I honestly don't think the Body of Christ sees themselves in that manner. And if you were created as a spirit being first, and God [who is Spirit] has known you since before the foundations of the world, and before He formed you in your mother's womb, don't you think it would be wise for you to get to know Him through your spirit connection? Shouldn't that be the Being that you seek counsel from?

All that being said, don't get me wrong ... as you mature in your faith and you begin getting to really know God [which I will explain in a moment], He will send people to you that your spirit will discern are reliable and good spokesmen and women to teach and guide you into gaining more experiential knowledge about God. That means you will grow in your knowledge of God by experiencing Him and observing Him -- not by simply adopting someone else's experiences or self-knowledge. 

So, when it comes to knowing God, we must understand that there is a big difference between the "natural" man [known as a "human"] and the "spiritual" man. The best explanation I have ever heard comes from the late Dr. Myles Munroe, whom my spirit discerns knew God at a very high level. Which is why the Enemy took him, his wife, and his entire ministry team out of this world in a tragic airplane crash. Satan couldn't have him teaching the rest of us to know God. But before he died, Dr. Munroe educated so many about seeking the knowledge of God. I'd like to share one of his most profound teachings on what it means to be a human ...

He presented this question: "What is a human"? He went on to express this: "What I am about to explain to you is probably the most important discovery of your life. And it's this ... You don't have a spirit"! [Let me tell you, when I first heard him say that, I was blown away! What did he mean]? After a long pause, he continued, ... "You ARE a spirit! But you live in a dirt body. God carved your body from the dust. So your body is 100% dirt. That is why when you leave your body, we dump it back into the dirt. Whether your dirt is dark, light, yellow, red, or brown, it's nothing but dirt. So don't ever measure your worth by your dirt. A human is a spirit being in a dirt body. Let me explain how this works ... the word humus is the word for dirt. Humus is dirt! Man is different! Man is the spirit being. The Hebrew word for "Man" is ISH. So in the Book of Genesis when God said, 'Let Us make man', He used the word ISH... 'Let Us create (ISH) in our image'; that is, as a Spirit being. So you are a spirit. Man is a Spirit being -- his body is humus [dirt]... 'then God took the man and put him in the dirt [the humus]'. So, you then became known as a humus man. We don't write it with the two words, but we put the two words together, dropping the middle syllable, and become a HUMAN". 

Dr. Munroe went on: "So, when you use the term human, it is not a simple term; it means a combination of a spirit and a dirt body. So, when God created the Human race, He put the spirit being in the dirt body. Then God said, 'Let them have dominion over the earth'. Them who? Humans! What is a Human? A spirit in a dirt body. [And this is very important that you understand] ... The only being that has a legal right on the earth to function [to fulfill or operate for a specific purpose, given by God] to dominate the earth, is a spirit in a dirt body! 

God's Word can never change! So here is the mystery ... Any spirit without a dirt body is illegal on earth!! Now that is why you don't understand the Bible too well. Because if you don't understand this concept, the Bible will not make sense to you; including the incarnation of Jesus Christ". Thank you, Dr. Munroe, for giving us your wisdom! [SIDE NOTE: Did you get that? A spirit without a dirt body is a demon, and they do not have any legal authority or dominion on the earth. Jesus showed us that when He came the first time, and cast them out of the people they were tormenting. But they are always looking for a body to occupy. SO, if a person willingly invites them in, that is a legal transaction, and can lead to possession. It's important that you know that, and understand the legal and spiritual mechanics of God's supernatural laws. 

Now that I hope you have a greater understanding of who you are, I also hope that you are eager to seek to know Him at a higher level. And how do you get to know someone? You spend time with them; engage in conversations with them; ask genuine questions; stay present with them; be honest; actively listen to hear what they have to say. God is no different! He wants you to spend time with Him; whether reading His Word or just talking to Him. If you put in the time and effort,  He will show you who He is and what He is like. That's called Revelation, and why I'm always talking about "connecting the dots" in the Bible. If I just read the Bible, consecutive chapter after consecutive chapter, and never seek more revelation by letting the Holy Spirit point me to another substantiating verse that paints a bigger picture of what God is trying to convey to me, I will never gain more knowledge at a higher level. It takes time and effort; a willingness and a desire to know Him deeper and more authentically!        

I can hear some of you asking, "But how do I know I am hearing His voice"? If you are truly spending time in honest conversations and serious discussions, then you will receive the answers you are seeking. The way I describe how my conversations with God go, it's like this: the answer I get is either my own voice, which I should easily recognize because it's just repeating what I've been saying to myself -- or it's the devil's voice, which should be easy to discern because the answer will be wicked,  unrighteous, or leading you away from the answer you're seeking; and sound nothing like what you or God would say -- OR it will be a thought and answer that is new to you, and gives you the answer that solves your dilemma. The more time you spend with Him, the more obvious it will be that you're hearing from Him! Remember, Jesus said, My sheep hear My Voice. I know them, and they follow Me.   That's not just a cute euphemism; it is meant to be taken literally.

And notice that Jesus says, I know them. In order to be considered a true friendship and relationship, it takes two parties, each of whom knows the other... two Spirit beings who are connected by hearts and experiences in this world. Jesus already knows you -- He created you! So, if our Father in Heaven chooses to delay Jesus's return for awhile longer [according to His will and timetable], then it will become more important than ever for you to KNOW Jesus -- to hear His voice and receive instructions on how to navigate the times we are living in. 

Jesus modeled that for us. He lived as a Human (a Spirit being in a dirt body) in tumultuous and dangerous times, but He knew the Father -- He spent time with Him; talked to Him; the Scriptures had been revealed to Him; and He asked the Father what to say and do, and then followed what He heard and what was shown to Him. That is why He was able to carry out His assignment and purpose. He didn't rely on his own knowledge. Nor did He only rely on the opinions of others. He went to God, and through the experiential knowledge He gained in their relationship, He knew what to do and how to take dominion in His life and on the earth. We've been given that same opportunity and ability. It's up to each of us. How important is it to you?  IT'S TIME TO KNOW OUR GOD!  

1 John 4:6.    We [who teach God's Word] are from God [energized by the Holy Spirit], and whoever knows God [through personal experience] listens to us [and has a deeper understanding of Him]. Whoever is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know [without any doubt] the spirit of truth [motivated by God] and the spirit of error [motivated by Satan].   

The Importance of Prophecy for Advancing The Kingdom of God

I recently had a conversation with a beloved Sister in Christ regarding "the prophetic". From some of my comments about "false prophets", she thought I might be expressing doubt in the gift of prophecy being viable for today. I assured her that I absolutely believe that prophecy is important in the Body of Christ today. I just struggle with the amount of men and women that I discern are prophesying from their soul [and from pride] and not out of their spirit. 

In other words, I believe what 1 Corinthians 12 says ... God, as the Holy Spirit, distributes the spiritual gifts [word of wisdom and word of knowledge; along with faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning between spirits, speaking in tongues, and the interpretation of tongues]. Jesus, as God, ordains the ministries of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. And the the Father, who is the same God as Jesus and Holy Spirit, empowers them [for His will to be done] through their gifts and ministries, as He energizes and activates them.   

And, of course, Jesus can use His ordained men and women to help grow and mature others until we are called to step into those ministries. But I'm very careful to discern who is a REAL and LEGITIMATE prophet, ordained by God, and not simply men giving each other that title, through a Church committee, or by self-proclamation. Furthermore, the fact that I believe God still ordains prophets today, is evidence that I believe God still speaks prophetically to His "called out ones", just as He did to Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Daniel, Zechariah, etc. 

These prophets all foresaw the coming Messiah, and spoke of what Almighty God told them, teaching ancient Israel about the laws and statutes of the One True God and how to live in them. When instructed by God, the prophets of old called the people to repentance when they strayed from those laws and the holy lifestyle they were meant to protect. And although they would not see Him, it was their assignment to bear witness that the Lord YHWH would send them a Redeemer; the Messiah. And, miraculously, all the prophesies in the Old Testament concerning the First Coming of Jesus were literally fulfilled -- among them, His divine conception and His place of Birth; the Holiness of His character; that He would be David's seed; that He would be crushed for our iniquities; and that His body would not be allowed to decay (prophesying His resurrection on the third day, before decay began to set in on the fourth day).  

These reasons that God sent prophets in the Old Testament are the same reasons He sent His Son, Yeshua Ha Mashiach -- to stress a return to the moral laws and statutes of God; to call the people to repentance (Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand!); to instruct them on how to live a holy lifestyle; and to bear witness of Himself, sent by God  And for the record, these same reasons are why I do believe that the spiritual gift of Prophecy is for the Believer today, and it did not cease after the Apostles died. 

My spirit clearly discerns that this gift [along with all the other spiritual gifts] was given to the early Church to advance the Kingdom of God that Jesus brought to the earth, and all the gifts are just as needed today! I don't understand why anyone in the Body of Christ would think that God revoked those gifts in the First Century. The Gospel of the Kingdom certainly had not spread throughout the world, and there was still so much work and progress that needed to happen to restore the earth and the Kingdom to God's original plan -- we're still far short of that goal! So, let me share with you a few reasons that the particular gift of Prophecy is so important for strengthening and cultivating a Kingdom culture.

First of all, God did not design us to be completely mature in our faith the moment we received our Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a process of growing up into the image of Christ, and that will take practice and commitment.  Also, the point of Salvation is not to give us a "get out of jail free" card so we can live out our lives, simply waiting on the promises of God -- His strength; His rest; His provision; the answers to our prayers; His protection; His freedom from temptation to sin; and most importantly, everlasting life. Additionally, "the prophetic" is more than what is predicted to happen in the future. If understood correctly, Prophecy gives us a spiritual foundation upon which to build a Kingdom lifestyle -- it instructs us how to live and gives us goals for spiritual growth.

NOTE: It is important for Christians to grow into the mature understanding that the Kingdom of God on earth is a spiritual kingdom -- NOT a physical kingdom. That's why Jesus responds to Pilate in this way when asked about His Kingdom: My kingdom is not of this world, if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm". But the influence of His spiritual kingdom can now [and will in the future] manifest changes in the earth and in nations and in peoples.

For example, Jesus gives many prophetic pronouncements to the Disciples before His Death on the Cross. He foretells the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD; and warns of false christs and prophets, wars, tribulation, persecution, lawlessness, and most importantly, the Coming of the Son of Man. All these prophecies will be fulfilled, just as the prophecies of the Old Testament were, and they will serve to validate that Jesus was who He [and the Bible] says He was! 

The state of this world is evidence that humankind has strayed far from the moral laws of God. If we only looked at the news and the events around us, it would be easy to lose hope and give up on this life and the reasons we are living. But prophecy serves to give us that hope and to inspire us to live a holy life, awaiting in patience and endurance for the return of the Lord. Now, if we lived only in the prophecies of Jesus in Matthew 24 [of wars, tribulation, persecution, and lawlessness], it would be  easy to become discouraged. But God provides those glimpses of the future so that we might not become too lax, but that we might become strengthened and prepared [in our faith] for the Enemy's strategies. As Amos 3:7 says, "The Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets". 

So, Jesus gave those prophecies for His Disciples [in their time] and for us, in our time, so that we might begin to understand and correctly identify the season we are in. Remember, we are not to know the hour or the day, but we are to watch and remain sober, because we are children of the Light. We can see and discern correctly, because we recognize the signs the prophets have given us, and begin to look forward to our Lord's return. 

I am thankful that God still sends us Prophets and Watchmen! I praise Him for continuing to validate Scripture and our faith through the words of those He appoints as prophets. I am thankful for the discernment He gives us, so that we might hear correctly from these men and women of God, and not be deceived by those who seek to validate themselves. God is still speaking to this generation, and Prophecy is still good for educating, encouraging, and comforting the Body of Christ. Let the true prophets of God share what they're hearing from the Lord!

#thegiftofprophecy #false prophets #GodstillspeaksthroughHisprophets #biblicalprophecy #isthepropheticfortoday

2 Peter 1:19    And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts