As I watched the RNC acceptance speech by John McCain last night I heard that phrase echoed again............"CHANGE". Senator Obama is using the same phrase only with a little bit of a different meaning. What really disturbs me is the number of people down through history who campaign on this phrase, I could list quite a few just in my lifetime........but one will suffice.
Probably the most famous was Fidel Castro. He promised the people change in economics, healthcare, education and crime. After his successful campaign was complete the change in economics was; those in the government had all the money and the average citizen now lives on 12 to 15 dollars a month.......with of course....a government handout for some basics in food (complete with ration cards and government run distribution centers).
Healthcare was a great one too........the government now runs healthcare so everyone is given access to it........if you can find it. The average doctor/nurse are on the high pay grade for Cuba....about 15 dollars a month......so there's not much incentive to do a good job. Medicine is hard to come by unless you are part of the government.....hmmmmmm. When I was down there I could go to the international pharmacy and buy anything I needed....but my national pastor friend was not allowed in the store (the pharmacist was not allowed to sell anything to a national or face criminal charges). I had to go in and buy the antibiotics for his son who was very sick......great change Huh!
Education was the next target for Castro.....now all children are required to go to the government schools where they are brainwashed in Castro's brand of Socialism.........I guess that won't be much of a change for us here in America other than Christian schools being illegal when the great "CHANGE" comes our way.
And the last great change Castro brought about was crime control........he just took away all the guns from the citizens..........only government is allowed weapons..........hmmmmm, this could be fun.
Make no mistake about this upcoming election......."CHANGE" will come. The way this writer sees it is the only "CHANGE" we really need is a change backwards to what Jesus said to His disciples. He made it crystal clear.....no room for politically correct wording........
Mat 28:18-20 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Now the only question left is whether or not His disciples will obey and risk all to bring about the correct "CHANGE".............or just compromise into the PC change......your choice.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
In Your Hand
The phrase “in your hand” is used 26 times in the scripture, all in the Old Testament. God used a staff in the hand of Moses and Joshua to rescue His people and to execute judgment upon His enemies. So, the questions comes down to, why is this phrase not mentioned in the New Testament? Could it be that God is still asking us “what is in your hand that I want to use”, but we have been too busy to listen?
I was awakened again this morning at 3:00 AM which is not uncommon……..it seems that the best time for God to have my undivided attention is around that time. It felt keenly aware He was asking me that question……”what have I put in your hand?” My first thought was this computer and the website where I could disseminate informational warnings as I have been doing for a while now. But, for some reason, that didn’t seem like it was the full picture, I really felt there was more to it. As I prayed I was led to the front of my bible where my dear wife had written down a prophetic message I perceived back in October of 2005, it was this; “the seasons of My warnings are drawing to a close”. That was it, nothing further.
Over the past few months I have been increasingly aware that all sorts of warnings have been emanating from all sides……a very possible war with Iran in the Middleast…….worldwide economic problems with probable collapse of our economy in 2-5 years……..worldwide food shortages leading to famines……and on and on. And then there are the warnings of the wolves in sheep’s clothing that are popping up everywhere now, deceiving and being deceived. So, if “sounding the alarm” was not all I was to be about doing, what more was there to do?
Tim……what else is in your hand…….
As I sat on our back porch (one of my favorite places to pray) looking out over our little 5 acre parcel I was reminded of how we walked the perimeter of this property 18 years ago and asked God to use it for His glory to bless and be a blessing. Over the past few years since my elderly mother came to live with us I have been led to get this property back into shape as it had become very overgrown. We used to grow incredible gardens and raised rabbits for meat……..but everything stopped after we started traveling and speaking full time. I truly believe it’s time to once again use what God has put into my hand to bless His people. If just half of the dire warnings come about the needs of my “neighbor” are going to be great. What I have in my hand can be used to help sustain His people during these very turbulent times that lie just over the horizon………and be a great witness of His love for those who don’t know Him yet.
Now……the question comes down to this……what has God placed in your hand....and how does He want to use it........have you asked Him?
I was awakened again this morning at 3:00 AM which is not uncommon……..it seems that the best time for God to have my undivided attention is around that time. It felt keenly aware He was asking me that question……”what have I put in your hand?” My first thought was this computer and the website where I could disseminate informational warnings as I have been doing for a while now. But, for some reason, that didn’t seem like it was the full picture, I really felt there was more to it. As I prayed I was led to the front of my bible where my dear wife had written down a prophetic message I perceived back in October of 2005, it was this; “the seasons of My warnings are drawing to a close”. That was it, nothing further.
Over the past few months I have been increasingly aware that all sorts of warnings have been emanating from all sides……a very possible war with Iran in the Middleast…….worldwide economic problems with probable collapse of our economy in 2-5 years……..worldwide food shortages leading to famines……and on and on. And then there are the warnings of the wolves in sheep’s clothing that are popping up everywhere now, deceiving and being deceived. So, if “sounding the alarm” was not all I was to be about doing, what more was there to do?
Tim……what else is in your hand…….
As I sat on our back porch (one of my favorite places to pray) looking out over our little 5 acre parcel I was reminded of how we walked the perimeter of this property 18 years ago and asked God to use it for His glory to bless and be a blessing. Over the past few years since my elderly mother came to live with us I have been led to get this property back into shape as it had become very overgrown. We used to grow incredible gardens and raised rabbits for meat……..but everything stopped after we started traveling and speaking full time. I truly believe it’s time to once again use what God has put into my hand to bless His people. If just half of the dire warnings come about the needs of my “neighbor” are going to be great. What I have in my hand can be used to help sustain His people during these very turbulent times that lie just over the horizon………and be a great witness of His love for those who don’t know Him yet.
Now……the question comes down to this……what has God placed in your hand....and how does He want to use it........have you asked Him?
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
"PRACTICING" Discernment
As I was reading a very intriguing article the other day on the Apprising Ministries website I ran across a quote from A.W. Tozer that grabbed my heart. He was considering the dangers of the lack of “discernment” within the church today and what the end result would be if we continued down this path. I have since done a little investigating and came across another quote that prompted me to write this commentary. Here it is;
“The red corpuscles are like faith - they carry the life giving oxygen to every part of the body. The white cells are like discernment - they pounce upon dead and toxic matter and carry it out to the drain. In a healthy heart there must be provision for keeping dead and poisonous matter out of the life stream.” A.W. Tozer
I found this article off another Blog site; The Death of Discernment In The Church, this one really caught my eye. I keep asking myself why this is and what is the root cause that so many seem to be very alarmed about. I have come to somewhat of a conclusion that is wrapped up in the word “practicing”.
The word “practice”, and all of its various forms, is used 37 times in the NT alone. It’s obvious to anyone that if you want to be good at something you must practice it on a regular basis. The enemy of our souls knows this quite well too as he tempts us to “practice” anything but what is good, just and so-on. The apostle Paul was quick to point out the need to practice the right things and the battle within the flesh to practice anything but. The writer of Hebrews said it best I believe;
Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
He points out that there is a difference between “encumbrances” and “the sin”, they are two different entities. I believe that encumbrances are the things that just eat up our time so we don’t spend it practicing what we need to practice. He also implies that there were those who were successful at this and we were to act as they acted.
This really helps us to understand why “discernment” is taking a back seat to everything else going on within the Body of Christ. The human nature part of the Body of Christ will spend its time pleasing the fleshly side. When you do that to a human body the evidence is obvious…….too many Twinkees tend to expand the portion of the body that doesn’t need any more expansion. The “Twinkees” of the Body of Christ are those things that satisfy the fleshly side and deprive the Spirit led side. Doing an evaluation of every program in your church will probably reveal just how much flesh is stroked and how much flesh is crucified……..I think you will find the numbers staggering in most assemblies. The same applies to the number of so-called Christian books being sold in the Christian book stores.....whole lotta "flesh strokin" there. This also applies to us on a personal level, how many of our waking hours are spent on things that have little or no meaning, simply time eaters. I know in my own life this is a constant battle, just trying to discern what is priority is mind numbing at times. Discernment is the life’s blood of the Church, so if the enemy wants to damage the Body he just tampers with the blood supply…….resulting in Spiritual anemia.
I believe it would behoove everyone who calls themselves a born again believer to consider learning this whole area of correct Spiritual discernment…….and then begin to “practice” it within your sphere of influence. You may not be the most “popular” one in the crowd, but you will be the most praised when you stand before Jesus and he points out the number you may have rescued from the apostasy.
Incidentally, part of the “practicing” could begin with reading the above article “The Death of Discernment in the church”, it’s quite good………and, of course, laying off the “Twinkees”!
“The red corpuscles are like faith - they carry the life giving oxygen to every part of the body. The white cells are like discernment - they pounce upon dead and toxic matter and carry it out to the drain. In a healthy heart there must be provision for keeping dead and poisonous matter out of the life stream.” A.W. Tozer
I found this article off another Blog site; The Death of Discernment In The Church, this one really caught my eye. I keep asking myself why this is and what is the root cause that so many seem to be very alarmed about. I have come to somewhat of a conclusion that is wrapped up in the word “practicing”.
The word “practice”, and all of its various forms, is used 37 times in the NT alone. It’s obvious to anyone that if you want to be good at something you must practice it on a regular basis. The enemy of our souls knows this quite well too as he tempts us to “practice” anything but what is good, just and so-on. The apostle Paul was quick to point out the need to practice the right things and the battle within the flesh to practice anything but. The writer of Hebrews said it best I believe;
Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
He points out that there is a difference between “encumbrances” and “the sin”, they are two different entities. I believe that encumbrances are the things that just eat up our time so we don’t spend it practicing what we need to practice. He also implies that there were those who were successful at this and we were to act as they acted.
This really helps us to understand why “discernment” is taking a back seat to everything else going on within the Body of Christ. The human nature part of the Body of Christ will spend its time pleasing the fleshly side. When you do that to a human body the evidence is obvious…….too many Twinkees tend to expand the portion of the body that doesn’t need any more expansion. The “Twinkees” of the Body of Christ are those things that satisfy the fleshly side and deprive the Spirit led side. Doing an evaluation of every program in your church will probably reveal just how much flesh is stroked and how much flesh is crucified……..I think you will find the numbers staggering in most assemblies. The same applies to the number of so-called Christian books being sold in the Christian book stores.....whole lotta "flesh strokin" there. This also applies to us on a personal level, how many of our waking hours are spent on things that have little or no meaning, simply time eaters. I know in my own life this is a constant battle, just trying to discern what is priority is mind numbing at times. Discernment is the life’s blood of the Church, so if the enemy wants to damage the Body he just tampers with the blood supply…….resulting in Spiritual anemia.
I believe it would behoove everyone who calls themselves a born again believer to consider learning this whole area of correct Spiritual discernment…….and then begin to “practice” it within your sphere of influence. You may not be the most “popular” one in the crowd, but you will be the most praised when you stand before Jesus and he points out the number you may have rescued from the apostasy.
Incidentally, part of the “practicing” could begin with reading the above article “The Death of Discernment in the church”, it’s quite good………and, of course, laying off the “Twinkees”!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
You be the "JUDGE" .... I Wonder?
It seems as though the tyrants in the black robes are busy doing their thing....again. They've been at it a long time.....just like Christians have been doing their thing a long time as well. The following verse speaks volumes as to how we are to react when faced with the types of things being done in the articles below;
Acts 4:19-20 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." (Emphasis Added)
Now we all know where this is all heading because of the Word of God, but I just wonder how many of today's Christians will have the same response as Peter & John when they are hauled before the same "Judges" as in earlier days. I wonder how many of today's Christians really don't believe they would ever be placed in this position. I wonder how many of today's Christians will be willing to suffer the consequences of that response if it is given. I also wonder just how far today's Judges will go to silence today's "vocal" Christians. Here are just a couple of stories in the ongoing saga of out-of-control tyrants in black robes and the "Christian's" response.....so far.
Court challenged to allow Christians right to pray, too
'Perfect storm' hits California parents
"For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard"
I wonder...........will this be our response as well?
Acts 4:19-20 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." (Emphasis Added)
Now we all know where this is all heading because of the Word of God, but I just wonder how many of today's Christians will have the same response as Peter & John when they are hauled before the same "Judges" as in earlier days. I wonder how many of today's Christians really don't believe they would ever be placed in this position. I wonder how many of today's Christians will be willing to suffer the consequences of that response if it is given. I also wonder just how far today's Judges will go to silence today's "vocal" Christians. Here are just a couple of stories in the ongoing saga of out-of-control tyrants in black robes and the "Christian's" response.....so far.
Court challenged to allow Christians right to pray, too
'Perfect storm' hits California parents
"For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard"
I wonder...........will this be our response as well?
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Our nation's "REALITY SHOW"
Now tell me......did anyone else not see this coming.....Hmmmm.
I mean.....after all......you can't have a "ONE WORLD" government, monetary and religious system with sovereignty of any kind. Come on people.........wake up and smell the noxious sulfur odors emanating from our once-proud & free nation. Our whole socio-economic-political system is running full tilt into socialism at an alarming speed......and "we the people" (Gee, where have I heard that archaic phrase before).......or maybe I should say "sheeple" are being led right along at the same rate. But then again.......this was to be expected.
It's time to stop watching reality shows and realize we are right in the middle of our own..........and the grand prize will be a free trip to hell with the anti-christ and his whole entourage. We need to make sure we are one of the first "voted off " this show to join the rest who will suffer greatly for their faith......but.... come away with the best grand prize of all.......eternal life with Jesus Christ. Instead of working on strategies to stay on the stinkin show (no pun intended...right)...we should be preparing as many as we can to be "losers" to be "voted off".
After all........Jesus was "voted off" a long time ago.....but...... He's comin back with all the "losers" to play the "final round". And you do not want to be anywhere near the "winners" of our nation's REALITY SHOW!
'Virtual Fence' Along Ariz.-Mexico Border Delayed Three Years
Just my opinion !
I mean.....after all......you can't have a "ONE WORLD" government, monetary and religious system with sovereignty of any kind. Come on people.........wake up and smell the noxious sulfur odors emanating from our once-proud & free nation. Our whole socio-economic-political system is running full tilt into socialism at an alarming speed......and "we the people" (Gee, where have I heard that archaic phrase before).......or maybe I should say "sheeple" are being led right along at the same rate. But then again.......this was to be expected.
It's time to stop watching reality shows and realize we are right in the middle of our own..........and the grand prize will be a free trip to hell with the anti-christ and his whole entourage. We need to make sure we are one of the first "voted off " this show to join the rest who will suffer greatly for their faith......but.... come away with the best grand prize of all.......eternal life with Jesus Christ. Instead of working on strategies to stay on the stinkin show (no pun intended...right)...we should be preparing as many as we can to be "losers" to be "voted off".
After all........Jesus was "voted off" a long time ago.....but...... He's comin back with all the "losers" to play the "final round". And you do not want to be anywhere near the "winners" of our nation's REALITY SHOW!
'Virtual Fence' Along Ariz.-Mexico Border Delayed Three Years
Just my opinion !
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Whoops.......Another DUCK
I really don't know how many "DUCK INDICATORS" it's going to take until we, as a civilized society, come out and say; "It's a DUCK". We all watched again in horror as this plain and ordinary guy walked into a classroom and opened fire on the students, killing 5. Now, here comes the following article;
School shooter studied Hamas, says friend
'He would especially enjoy practicing his Arabic on me'
This is just another piece of evidence that the spirit behind Islam (that peaceful religion that Hamas holds religiously to) is being energized by the spirit of anti-christ as told to us in 1 John 4:1-3.........check it out for yourself if you don't believe me.
And, please, start calling this duck a DUCK............it's not a peaceful chicken......it's a DUCK!
School shooter studied Hamas, says friend
'He would especially enjoy practicing his Arabic on me'
This is just another piece of evidence that the spirit behind Islam (that peaceful religion that Hamas holds religiously to) is being energized by the spirit of anti-christ as told to us in 1 John 4:1-3.........check it out for yourself if you don't believe me.
And, please, start calling this duck a DUCK............it's not a peaceful chicken......it's a DUCK!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Pro "Choice"......but which one?
A very interesting scenario is beginning to unfold within the realm of politics and true Christianity. I truly believe God is “pulling some strings” within the political landscape to allow Christians the opportunity to “choose”…….they will either “choose” to stand firm in their convictions and suffer persecution, or, they will “choose” to compromise and join the rapidly expanding apostasy.
With Mitt Romney dropping out of the race as a GOP candidate, the majority of conservatives will now be pushing everyone to back John McCain to help insure victory. True believers, who will vote their conscience, will more than likely back Mike Huckabee if he stays in the race. This will create a split in the party and pretty much guarantee defeat. If he drops out, true believers will probably not vote at all because of their convictions, this too will guarantee defeat. This is going to give the majority the opportunity to blame the true believers for losing the election. So, here is the dilemma……..do you compromise your faith knowing full well that McCain does not hold to Biblical moral or ethical standards? Do you compromise so you won’t have to worry about the majority persecuting you? Do you compromise because the majority of other so-called “believers” are doing so? Or, do you stand firm in your convictions and take whatever consequences and/or persecutions come from it.
True Biblical Christians know the answer to that well before it comes about because that’s the way it has always been from the very beginning…..true Christianity will never be accepted by the majority……it will always be persecuted for its convictions……..Jesus said it would. Apostates will compromise everything to insure they are not persecuted. Now I know some are saying; “if we don’t come together and keep the White House we’re doomed!” Guess what…….according to the Scriptures we’re already doomed….we were doomed before we were born….the only thing that matters is what your personal status is with Jesus Christ. It’s not your corporate status as a nation….but your personal status that is important. We can’t be so concerned about what other people will do or say to us…..but what Jesus will do and say to us at the judgment seat of Christ. Presidents, Kings, Queens, Princes and countries will all come and go……but the Word of God is the only thing that last’s forever.
Now….. guess what…….you get to “choose”……..very soon now. My suggestion is that you “choose” wisely!
James 1:5-8 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
By the way..............the above verse includes "women"..........a double minded "woman" is unstable in all of her ways.............can you think of anybody.......Hmmmmmm!
With Mitt Romney dropping out of the race as a GOP candidate, the majority of conservatives will now be pushing everyone to back John McCain to help insure victory. True believers, who will vote their conscience, will more than likely back Mike Huckabee if he stays in the race. This will create a split in the party and pretty much guarantee defeat. If he drops out, true believers will probably not vote at all because of their convictions, this too will guarantee defeat. This is going to give the majority the opportunity to blame the true believers for losing the election. So, here is the dilemma……..do you compromise your faith knowing full well that McCain does not hold to Biblical moral or ethical standards? Do you compromise so you won’t have to worry about the majority persecuting you? Do you compromise because the majority of other so-called “believers” are doing so? Or, do you stand firm in your convictions and take whatever consequences and/or persecutions come from it.
True Biblical Christians know the answer to that well before it comes about because that’s the way it has always been from the very beginning…..true Christianity will never be accepted by the majority……it will always be persecuted for its convictions……..Jesus said it would. Apostates will compromise everything to insure they are not persecuted. Now I know some are saying; “if we don’t come together and keep the White House we’re doomed!” Guess what…….according to the Scriptures we’re already doomed….we were doomed before we were born….the only thing that matters is what your personal status is with Jesus Christ. It’s not your corporate status as a nation….but your personal status that is important. We can’t be so concerned about what other people will do or say to us…..but what Jesus will do and say to us at the judgment seat of Christ. Presidents, Kings, Queens, Princes and countries will all come and go……but the Word of God is the only thing that last’s forever.
Now….. guess what…….you get to “choose”……..very soon now. My suggestion is that you “choose” wisely!
James 1:5-8 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
By the way..............the above verse includes "women"..........a double minded "woman" is unstable in all of her ways.............can you think of anybody.......Hmmmmmm!
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