Category: Uncategorized

2022 is our new year. For most of us the new year is a time of renewal, new beginnings, new aspirations, hope, a forgetting of those things that are in the past and looking forward to the new things the year will bring. It is a joyous and expectant time.

But, on January 6, 2022, this nation will be subjected to remembering a time of unrest, turmoil, and words of division. Our joyous time of reflecting on the new is going to be cut short and we are going to hurled ‘back’ into the past.

Until the 2022 midterm elections, the American public is going to be subjugated to a deluge of rhetoric focusing on January 6, 2021; Trump; Covid; voting rights; spending bills; and possibly expanding the number of justices at the SCOTUS. And lying-in wait, quietly or unquietly, is the decision regarding abortion.

What is the purpose of keeping these topics ‘front and center’ in the headlines of our newspapers, on the internet, and constantly dialogued about on news broadcasts?

I submit that the purpose of pursuing these topics is to keep the mindset of the American public upon these issues. It is a diversion tactic. The word diversion means to “divert the mind from tedious or serious concerns.” Why? The Democratic party leaders believe they can endear the voting public to keep them in power if they keep these topics in front of the American populace. Each of the issues mentioned above demonize the Republican party leaders and characterize republican voters as people who live lives centered on discrimination. Discrimination, that’s the political war cry.

Googling the word ‘discrimination’, it says, “the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.” Therefore, because I disagree with the Democratic agenda and their policies, and prefer the Republican agenda and their policies, in many circles, I am labeled a person who practices discrimination. I just read the following statement in the critique of a book I just finished reading, CHANGING OUR MINDS, by David P. Gushee. The critique made this statement, “disagreement is not discrimination”. Unfortunately, we live in a culture that purports that if I disagree with you, then I am one who discriminates.

This diatribe has been perpetrated upon this nation for many years; however, it has gained momentum and dominated our thinking especially in the past 5 to 6 years. We will see and hear its escalation between now and the midterm elections.

As untenable as these positions are (the ones enumerated above), they are entrenched in our national mindset because, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the worldly forces of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12, Tree of Life Version, TLV)

II Corinthians 10:3-6, (TLV), “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly but powerful through God for the tearing down of strongholds. We are tearing down false arguments and every high-minded thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. We are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Messiah–ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.”

Our nation is embedded in a war of words. This has been going on ‘ad infinitum’; but it has seriously escalated in the past 5 to 6 years. I have suggested in previous blogs that we are ‘A Nation of P.O.W.s’, meaning we are Prisoners of Words.

When we study the events in the Book of Nehemiah, we see spiritual warfare, the battle of words, in operation. I would like to highlight that warfare in Nehemiah.

When Nehemiah, the king’s cupbearer, heard about the condition of Jerusalem, it grieved his heart. He prayed and asked King Artaxerxes, whom he served, if he would permit him to return to Jerusalem. “If it seems good to the king and if your servant has found favor in your sight, send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried that I may rebuild it.” (Nehemiah 2:5 TLV). “The king granted me the request because the good hand of my God was upon me.” (Nehemiah 2:8b TLV).

One might think that this was a simple request with a simple answer; however, preceding his request, Nehemiah hearing the report of the devastation and situation of Jerusalem, “…sat down and wept and mourned for days.” He “prayed and fasted before the God heaven” and then he appealed to God (Please read Nehemiah 1:4-11) As Dutch Sheets would say, Nehemiah made ‘An Appeal to Heaven’. God heard Nehemiah’s prayer and answered. Nehemiah’s countenance had changed because of his intercession with God. The king took notice of this and asked him what was going on; observing: Nehemiah, your disposition is not normally sad. Nehemiah shared with the king what was going on in his life. The king putting the pieces of Nehemiah’s story together asks (Nehemiah 2:4 TLV), “…What is your request?” Nehemiah hearing these words “prayed to the God of heaven”. This quick interchange between the king, Nehemiah, and God lays the foundation for God’s works of grace through Nehemiah in Jerusalem and surrounding Judah. [See Ephesians 2:10 TLV, “For we are His workmanship–created in Messiah Yeshua for good deeds, which God prepared beforehand (before the foundation of the world) so we might walk in them.” This is what Nehemiah was experiencing. There are works which God has prepared for you to do, too.]

Nehemiah responds to the king (Nehemiah 2:5 TLV), “If it seems good to the king and if your servant has found favor in your sight, send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried that I may rebuild it.”

Nehemiah left for Jerusalem fully funded with the king’s blessing and letters to back him up so that he could rebuild Jerusalem (See Nehemiah 2:6-8 TLV). Here’s the bottom line. Nehemiah 2:8b says, “The king granted me the requests because the good hand of my God was upon me.” Nehemiah knew that God was directing his path and the work. In any work that we are asked to do by the Lord, He will provide the means to accomplish that task.

Nehemiah presents himself to the leadership in the surrounding area of Judah. He gives them the letters of reference that the king had provided him to do the work in Jerusalem. These letters were also the means of obtaining the supplies that Nehemiah needed to rebuild the city. However, Nehemiah’s coming to rebuild the city was not well received by all in the area. There were two in particular that were “grieved…exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.” (Nehemiah 2:10b TLV). Nehemiah was marked for opposition. As he embarked upon his task of rebuilding Jerusalem, the opposition created by these two men and others grew in intensity. [This would be a good time to read Nehemiah 2:10-4:23 NKJV]

All through the conflict with the opposition, Nehemiah maintains his composure, his civility, and his resolve. He constantly turns to God and declares to the opposition what God has put in his heart. In Nehemiah 2:20, he responds to the enemy, “The God of heaven will bring us success. We, His servants will arise and build. But you have no part right or historical claim in Jerusalem.” (TLV). Nehemiah has drawn a verbal line in the sand. This was Nehemiah’s, ‘I declare’ to the enemy.

In Nehemiah 3:36-37, (TLV), summing up the opposition’s words, Nehemiah says, “Hear, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insult back upon their head! [Read Psalms 64] Give them as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover their guilt or blot out their sin from before You for they have provoked You to anger before the builders.” (or, See Nehemiah 4:4-5, NKJV)

Moving forward to Nehemiah 4:1-2 (TLV) (or See Nehemiah 4:7-8 NKJV), the opposition “became extremely angry”…”They all conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to stir up trouble against it.” Question: How did Nehemiah respond to the opposition’s plan? He prayed. Nehemiah 4:3 (TLV) (or See Nehemiah 4:9 NKJV), “But we prayed to our God and stationed a guard against them day and night.” Thought: We have a tactical part in God’s plan.

The narrative continues explaining that the people of Judah (Nehemiah 4:4 TLV or See Nehemiah 4:10 NKJV) were losing heart. This is the opposite mindset of Nehemiah 3:38, TLV (or See Nehemiah 4:6 NKJV) where it says, “So we rebuilt the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a heart to work.” Why the change of heart? The people started to doubt. Tiredness does take its toll. In Nehemiah 4:4 (TLV), their tiredness affected their outlook. “Meanwhile, the people of Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is failing. There is so much rubble that we are unable to rebuild the wall.” [an aside, Nehemiah addresses this issue, see Nehemiah 4:7-17; or see Nehemiah 4:13-23 NKJV]

In Nehemiah 4:5 (TLV), we are told that the enemy planned a surprise attack on the people of Judah. “Our adversaries also said, “They will not know or perceive anything, until we come among them and kill them, and put an end to the work.” But the enemies plan was made known. Verse 6 says, “So it happened that Jews living near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn they will attack us.” The opposition had become relentless. Now what?

Nehemiah responds, verse 7, by setting up a defense against the enemy. Having put the defense in order and surveying the situation he (vs. 8) “rose up and said to the nobles and the rest of the people, do not be afraid of them. Remember the great and awesome Lord and fight on behalf of you brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

Nehemiah 4:9 (TLV) says, “Now when our enemies heard that their plan was known to us, and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his own works.” They didn’t abandon their preparedness to fight. In Nehemiah 4:14, he instructs them, “whenever you hear the sound of the shofar, join us there, our God will fight for us.” They remained battle ready. Verse 17 says, “So neither I nor my brothers, nor my workers, nor the guard who were with me took off our clothes; and each man even had his weapon at the water.”

Skipping to Nehemiah 6:1, we encounter the opposition scheming to obstruct Nehemiah. This time they seek to meet with him personally. They said (Nehemiah 6:2, TLV) “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages in the plain of Ono.” The next sentence says, “But they were scheming to do me harm.” Nehemiah discerned their intent.

How did Nehemiah respond to the opposition? His answer was, “I am doing an important work, so I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”

The opposition tried to wear him down with a ‘persistent mantra’. Nehemiah 6:4 (TLV), “They sent me the same message four times, and each time I returned a similar response to them. But the fifth time Sanballat sent his young aide to me in this way, he had an open letter in his hand. Nehemiah 6:6-7 reveals the text of the letter. The letter is accusatory, a concocted scenario, a blatant lie.

Sanballat’s appeal is let’s talk this over. Nehemiah sent him this response, “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are devising them from your own heart. (See, Psalms64)

Nehemiah discerns their intent. Verse 9, “For they were all trying to intimidate us, thinking, “Their hands will become weak from the work and it will not be done.” Nehemiah interjects these words, “So now strengthen my hands!” (I think this is an obvious prayer to God.)

One might conclude that the opposition is tired of being put off and not succeeding; however, this is not the case. The hostility escalates. The opposition continues to wrestle against the ‘man’ of the Lord, who had been sent “for the welfare of Israel”(Nehemiah 2: 10, TLV). Nehemiah goes to the “house of Shemaiah”. Shemaiah is a priest. It says in Nehemiah 6:10 NKJV, that he “was a secret informer.” Shemaiah said to Nehemiah, “Let us meet in the House of God, within the Temple. Let us shut the doors of the Temple, for they are coming to kill you. Indeed, they will come at night.” (Nehemiah 6:10 TLV)

Nehemiah responds (6:11), “Should a man like me flee? Who in my position could go into the Temple and live? I will not go in.” Why this response? First of all, Nehemiah is not a priest. He could not enter without repercussions. Second, he discerned that this invitation was a trap. Nehemiah 6:12-13 (TLV) says “I recognized that God had not really sent him, for he had pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. He had been hired so that I might become so frightened that I would do this and thereby sin. Then they would give me a bad name in order to discredit me.” [This reminds me of 2 Timothy 1:7 TLV, “For God has not given us spirit of timidity (fear), but of power and love and self-discipline.”]

Nehemiah 6:14 (TLV)continues, Nehemiah prays, “Remember my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these works of theirs, and also the prophetess, Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me. [In Deuteronomy 32:35, TLV, God had said through Moses, “Vengeance is Mine, and payback,]

What conclusions can we glean from these events in the life of Nehemiah? The work of God will be challenged. Accusations, deceptions, and lies will be the basis of the attack of the enemy. Nehemiah exhibited a calm reassurance in God through all the turmoil that the enemy used against him. He knew God was with him. Nehemiah exercised a calm resolve leading the people. Nehemiah was able to discern between good and evil, regarding the intents of man’s heart. Nehemiah constantly kept focused on God. Nehemiah called upon God throughout his ordeal. Nehemiah did not exalt himself in his duty; he remained humble before God. God honored Nehemiah who honored Him. What happened to Nehemiah is not strange to the teachings in the New Testament? Jesus had told His disciples in the upper room (John 16:33b TLV), “In the world you will have trouble (tribulations) but take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Nehemiah 6:15-16 (TLV), tells us, “So the wall was completed…in just 52 days. When all our enemies heard, all the surrounding nations were afraid and fell greatly in their own eyes, because they realized that this work had been accomplished by our God.” (Again, please see Psalms 64) [If you are interested, see my blog entitled: The A.R.R.O.W. of God]

I encourage you to revisit Nehemiah’s responses to the attacks, accusations and lies that he encountered. I recommend that you pray his words of response when you are faced with similar circumstances. Pray God’s Word!

As I pointed out at the outset of this blog, we as a nation are going to face a continual outpouring of virulent words from now until the midterm election in November. (Unfortunately, the election will not stop the negative rhetoric.)

Like Nehemiah, we must refute the words of the enemy, call on the name of the Lord, and persevere in the battle of words. We use God’s Word to tear down and dismantle man’s words that mock God, His people, and His purposes.

Let me close with Nehemiah 4:14, “Whenever you hear the sound of the shofar (call to battle), join us there. Our God will fight for us.”

Be diligent to respond to what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

a brother in Christ, deo

addendum: I don’t know if I have corrected all my errors. But as I was proofreading this blog for the ‘umteenth’ time it dawned on me how this story of Nehemiah and his opposition compared to Christ and His temptation in the wilderness. Satan presented verbal scenarios to Jesus, and Jesus responded, “It is written”. Sanballat, a type of Satan, presented his verbal scenarios to Nehemiah, and Nehemiah responded with what God had told him; Nehemiah also prayed; and Nehemiah kept his focus on God. He didn’t allow Sanballat’s fiery darts to penetrate his shield of faith. Nehemiah did the work that God asked him to do because he had the full armor of God upon his person. (Ephesians 6:10-20 TLV, NKJV, NIV, etc.)

Thank you, Holy Spirit for enlightening us.

During this past summer of 2021, I composed a series of blogs entitled, ‘Governmental’ Control, Who’s in Charge? I was continuing my thoughts regarding Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit. My concern was for the Church, the Body of Church, the Israel of God.

As I sat and pondered where to begin, I asked the Lord, “What is the Spirit saying to the Church?”

There is a great significance in asking this question. Why? In the upper room, the night before Christ’s crucifixion, Jesus is spending the Passover with His disciples. In what is referred to as the Upper Room Discourse, Jesus is finalizing His instructions. He is dealing with His disciple’s lack of understanding about His departure; readying them to be hated by the world on account of Him; inaugurating a new covenant, modeling what it means to be a servant; commenting on His betrayal and setting it into motion; His relationship to the Father; the Father’s desire for them; and a constant emphasis on love. Uniquely interwoven among all this teaching, instruction, drama, and dynamics, there is a predominant theme that must not be ignored, overlooked, or minimalized. That teaching was about the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is THE LORD’S C.E.O., Christ’s Executive Officer of the Church.

Reading John 16:1-16, Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; Yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now, I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, where are you going? But because I have said these things to you sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgement because the ruler of this world is judged. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority; but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore, I said that he will take of Mine and declare it to you. A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see me, because I go to the Father.” (NKJV)

I emphasized the final sentence on purpose. Why? Because the next verses in John 16:17-18, says, “Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’? They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.” Verse 19 tells us that Jesus knew what they wanted to ask and He addressed it, see John 16:19-33.

Here is my point. What Jesus said about the Holy Spirit is on the back burner of the disciples’ minds. They were caught up in the immediate moment. They had heard what Jesus said about His ‘going’; but they were confused about what it meant. This is not surprising.

Fast forward to Pentecost-the Holy Spirit has come; the Church has been ‘born’; the Apostles and others have been filled with the Holy Spirit. The coming of the Holy Spirit is the promise of the Father. The coming of the Holy Spirit is also the fulfillment of Jesus’ words to His disciples in the upper room. Jesus is the Ascended Messiah. He sits at the right hand of the Father. Jesus is Lord. He is the King of the Kingdom. We, who are in Christ, are children of the Father, and servant followers of the King. So, Who is in charge? Who is in governmental control of the Church? Jesus is the Head of the Body. All authority has been given unto Him. He rules and reigns. But, lest we forget, what was His teaching in the upper room? I must go back to the Father and I will not leave as orphans.

In John 14:15-18, Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever–the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither see Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans.” (NKJV). In the following verse, we hear Jesus’ words saying to them (this is in the upper room) “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me…”

Jesus told them that the Spirit will be sent. The Holy Spirit’s coming is an answer to His prayer to His Father. The Spirit has come and for the past 2000 years the Church has…mirrored the life of the nation of Israel (Old Covenant). Many ups and downs throughout its history. Under the Old Covenant, the nation of Israel wrestled with who is in charge. I submit to you that the Church of the New Covenant, too, has wrestled with who is in charge.

I believe that the Church needs to have a fresh understanding of the fact that the Holy Spirit is the C.E.O. of the Church. The Holy Spirit is Christ’s Executive Officer.

Reflecting upon my own experience for a moment. When Christine and I were first married, knowing that ‘going to Church’ was needed in our lives because that was how we were raised, we started ‘looking’ for a Church. I came to the realization, and told Christine, ‘if this is all there is to Christianity, then I want out.’ There was no meaning, no life, no purpose, no vision, only repetition, a sense of boredom. The Lord heard that statement, and instead of ignoring me, projected me(us) into a new journey. One which, now that I think about it, He set up my disappointment so that I would say what I did. What was the Lord up too? The Lord introduced us to the Third Person of the Trinity, Holy Spirit. In short, we experience our own Pentecost; and since the 60’s, we have been on a remarkable journey. And just like Israel, and the Church, we have had our ups and downs, victories and disappointments, moments of obedience and disobedienced, joy and heartache. BUT, the Lord has been faithful. He has watched over us. AND, the Holy Spirit has been there as our C.E.O.

At this time, I want to say many things, but I will refrain, and ask a question.

Who is responsible to see that the One New Man functions as it is supposed to function? Paul answers that question in His letter to the Church at Ephesus. Ephesians 2:14-18, Paul wrote, “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one and has broken down the middle wall of separation having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandment contained in the ordinances (the Old Covenant) so as to create in Himself, one new man (New Covenant) from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him (Christ), we have access by one Spirit to the Father.” Yes, it is Godhead that works together. Again, I submit to you that the primary function of overseeing the Church has been designated to the Holy Spirit. He is the C.E.O., the governing entity of the Church, the Body of Christ, the (new) Israel of God.

I asked the Lord about 2022. The answer I received was that 2022 was going to be a year of change for members of the Body of Christ, the Ecclesia, the Isreal of God. Many of you may or may not know that I like acronyms. The following is an acronym for the word CHANGE: Christ Has A New Governmental Experience coming in 2022 to His Church. It will not be a NEW extra-Biblical experience. It will be an awakening. It will be a renewal. It will be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit governing individual believers and the Church as witnessed in Acts 2; and outlined by Jesus in the upper room the night before His crucifixion. The Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, is, will be, in charge. Man’s wisdom, ingenuity, and human decision making will be minimized.

The Holy Spirit, the Lord’s CEO, will take charge of the ‘board room’ of our lives individually and collectively. It will be unsettling for some, traumatic for others, and refreshing for many.

Change is coming in 2022.

Resting in Christ’s Kingdom, deo

This blog was previously posted. I am posting it again.

Now that I have dismissed the ‘elephant’ from the room’ [see previous post, A Nation of POW’s Part 4] . I can continue my thoughts about our nation being a POW-Prisoner of Words. Are we willing to fight for our nation with the weapon of prayer?

Let’s walk through the letter to the Ephesian Christians and arrive at our battle station. Ephesians 1,2,3 reminds us our glorious position in Christ. Because of God’s Grace, we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies. (Ephesian 2:1-10). Ephesians 4:1-32 exhorts us to ‘walk’ worthy of the calling with which you were called [that was what Paul taught in Ephesians 1,2,3]. Ephesians 5-6:9 is devoted to instructing us how to “…walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”[Ephesians 5:2. NKJV] However, in Ephesians 6:10, the scene changes; Paul turns our attention from our horizontal relationships in the world and focuses our attention upward at the spiritual world. Specifically, what we need to realize, is that our focus is not upward, because we are seated “ in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus”; so we are not looking up from a weakened position, we are positioned to look from a place of victory seated in Christ. I submit that unless we understand our position of sitting ‘in Christ’ in the heavenlies, and walking “…circumspectly not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil [emphasis mine](Ephesians 5:16-17 NKJV), we will not be able to “stand strong in the Lord and the power {kratos-God’s authority, dominion, majesty} of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10) [Word Wealth, NKJV Study Bible, Strong’s Concordance, #2904}.

James 4:7,8 (ESV) says, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God (in prayer) [Franklin Graham insert], and He will draw near to you.” Notice the order of the words, first submit, then resist. The word submit is hupotasso [Strong’s #5293]. It literally means to stand under, which means to be in subordination, obedience, submission, subservience [I submit to you that this is what is required for sitting and walking as spoken about in Ephesians] {Word Wealth NKJV Study Bible} The word resist is anthistemi [Strong’s #436], compare antihistamine, from anti, ‘against’ and histemi, ‘to cause to stand’. The verb suggests vigorous opposing, bravely resisting, standing face to face against and adversary, standing your ground. Anthistemi tells us that with authority and spiritual weapons granted to us we can withstand evil forces. {Word Wealth NKJV Study Bible} I conclude that before we can ‘stand’ and resist, we need to submit. Jesus is Lord, NOW; He is the King of the Kingdom, Now; We are seated in Christ, at the throne of God in the heavenlies, NOW. Where Jesus is Lord, in the lives of His followers, they can ‘stand’ against the evil forces of darkness.

Ephesians 6:12 identifies our opposition. We are battling against the spiritual forces of darkness. These spiritual forces of darkness are causing havoc in this nation spewing out fiery darts of verbal abuse that are battering us like the wind of a violent storm, inflicting damage, uprooting foundations, and stripping us of our rational thought process. They are causing mayhem, unrest, division, and turmoil. In spite of their constant bombardment, these spiritual forces of darkness can be restrained and even silenced if God’s people will lift up their voices to the Lord in worship and praise, seek His face, intercede for His people, confess their sins, and ask for His intervention in the affairs of this nation. Let us remember that God is Sovereign over all nations. Please read Colossians 1:9-23 and lift those words up to the Lord in prayer.

What authority allows us to be so bold? The Word of God. Jesus said, Matthew 28:18 (NKJV), “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” Remember we are in Christ in the heavenlies. Accompany these words with Colossians 2:13-15, “And you being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him [that is the basis of your authority, (my insert)], having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out [exaleipo, Strong’s #1813, a removal or obliteration][NKJV Study Bible Word Wealth] the hand writing of requirements that was against us, which is contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers [which ones? Those mentioned in Ephesians 6:12] he made a public spectacle of them [meaning Satan is put to an open shame; he is defeated, but not destroyed (yet), Pastor Evans, Christ Church, Livermore, CA] triumphing over them in it.” In Christ , we can boldly “come to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” [Hebrews 4:16] Our intercession is not petitioning the Lord with a Republican or Democrat agenda or proposal. We are asking the Lord for His will to be done; we are standing “strong in the Lord and the power of His might.”

Ephesians 6:13-16, encourages and instructs us to prepare to wage a spiritual assault “against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.’ [Ephesians 6:12b NKJV] How? By putting on the whole armor or God, so that we will “…be able to withstand in the evil day [that’s today] and having done all [by way of preparation] to stand firm.” [Ephesians 6:13b NKJV]

Why? So that the Body of Christ can fight the WAR that confronts us. We must remember that we are not wrestling against flesh and blood [humanity] but against evil spirits. We are told to stand clothed in battle attire. Part of that battle attire includes the following: Ephesians 6:16, “…above all [most important] taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.” Satan is the one initiating the verbal attack. He is the one dispensing the fiery darts. He is the father of lies, the deceiver, and the accuser of the brethren.

I am not advocating telling the Lord what to do. I am encouraging the Body of Christ to lift up their voices to the Lord in worship and praise, calling upon the Name of the Lord to restrain the principalities of evil in the heavenly places that are besieging our nation with lies, deceit, false accusations and destructive agenda. Satan’s words have made this nation a populous of POW’s-Prisoners of Words. How did Jesus respond to Satan’s words in the wilderness? Jesus said, “it is written”. He used the Word of God. Ephesians 6:17b-18 instructs us to take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying always with all prayer [is literally ‘every order of praying’ the specific method by which spiritual warfare is carried out” (NKJV Study Bible)] and supplication in the Spirit…” Notice, we are combating the words of the forces of spiritual darkness with God’s Word. In doing so, we are wielding the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying in the Spirit. [Ephesians 6:18, Jude 20, Romans 8:23-28] This is spiritual warfare; the same kind Daniel encountered. (Daniel 10)

Nehemiah faced a verbal onslaught when he was rebuilding the walls and the gates of Jerusalem. [See Nehemiah 3:33-4:17] Nehemiah prayed,(Nehemiah 4:36 NKJV) “Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back the taunts on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives.” Nehemiah prayed an imprecatory prayer; I am not advocating such prayers; but I am not ruling them out. What I am advocating is to pray against the verbal onslaught we are facing. If the Spirit of God leads you to pray an imprecatory prayer, you must do it. As I have said repeatedly, Satan’s agenda has been to bombard this nation with verbal rhetoric to immobilize its citizens and attack the Body of Christ. Consequently, many in our nation are POW’s [Prisoners of Words]. It is time to be freed from our incarceration.

F.O.C.U.S. on the Lord means Focus On Christ Using Scripture, submitting yourself to Him, then Focus On Conquering Using Scripture-stand your ground, using your sword of the Spirit. Read the Word of God, turn off the extraneous voices, be extremely selective of what you listen too, and what you read. Be a Warrior for the Lord in PRAYER, not a whiner. Instead of being a Prisoner of Words, be a P.O.W. for the Lord, a Powerful Offensive Warrior, using the Word of God as your Sword of the Spirit. Remember prayer is a powerful offensive weapon of warfare that has been given to us to fight the battles that confront us as the people of God.

In conclusion, in Revelation, “the prayers of the saints” are mentioned specifically three times, Revelation 5:8, Revelation 8:3, and Revelation 8:4. In Revelation 5:8, they are mentioned as “golden bowls full of incense” offered by the twenty-four elders who fell down in worship and praise to the Lamb who was slain. In Revelation 8:3,4, they are mentioned being combined with incense to be offered before the throne of God in preparation to the sounding of the seven trumpets. Therefore, our prayers are important. They are used as P.O.W.’s. How? Revelation 5:8, Prayers of Worship. Revelation 8:3,4, Prayers of Warfare. The Lord is looking for His P.O.W.’s (Powerful Offensive Warriors) to offer up worship and praise before the Throne and words of intercession “…against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12b)

Blessings to you, a brother in Christ, deo

 

 

 

There is not refuge from Him, only refuge in Him. Derek Kinder

We, believers, find ourselves living in a world bombarded with harsh words, criticism, lies, deceit, innuendoes, and false accusations. What else should we expect from a world ruled by Satan who is the “prince of the power of the air”, whose spirit “is now at work in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2 ESV). In such an atmosphere there is not place of refuge, rest and peace, except in the Lord.

In the Tree of Life Version (TLV), Psalms 62:6-9 says, “My soul, wait in stillness, only for God–for from Him comes my expectation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my strong tower–I will not be moved. On God, my salvation and my glory is the rock of my strength. My refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart in His presence. God is our refuge. Selah

The continuous pounding of the daily caustic rhetoric is like a jack-hammer breaking up the concrete creating a relentless noise perpetuating unrest, distrust, irrational conversations and disturbing thinking. The constant spewing forth of such words, as the Book of James tells us, “…is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:15-18 ESV)

The church of Jesus Christ has faced this type of brutality throughout its history. Jesus made no secret of it happening to His followers. In Matthew 5:10-12 (ESV), Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

The imflamatory dialogue has become incendiary promoting acts of violence that are daily occurrences in our nation and the rest of the world. Added to this is the increase of Christian persecution which has resulted in the killing of many believers throughout the world. These tragedies are documented by the Voice of Martyrs, Open Doors USA, CBN, and other evangelistic organizations ministering within nations (i.e. India, Afghanistan, North Korea, China, Africa, etc.) where Christians are being persecuted and killed. The truth is that most followers of Christ, living in the twenty-first century and in North America, have not experienced the reality of those words. If you are like me, the closest I have come has been some level of uncomfortableness or intimidation. Many followers of Christ in the rest of the world experience daily the full weight of Christ’s words. Am I ready for such opposition? How about you?

In our nation, the Christian community has been experiencing a rise in opposition to religious freedoms. Opposition has taken the form of objections, disapproval, criticism, resistance and sometimes hostility. Our current Covid pandemic has spurred a number of confrontations because our government officials have issued guidelines restricting movement, the assembling of ourselves together, and other protocols that have been interpreted as infringements upon our personal rights as citizens of this nation, in our states, and in our local communities. Can our government officials make guidelines to restrict a church from assembling together for worship? Some say yes, some say no, some have successfully followed the guidelines, and others have dismissed them completely. The conflict continues in spite of things quieting down in many parts of our nation. There are still many rulings that the citizenry are wrestling with, such as: masks, no masks; mandatory vaccine shots, no mandatory vaccine shots, or eating inside or outside at restaurants. On the surface, many say, ‘no big deal’; while others are concerned about the overarching control that our government officials are exercising upon our lives. The confusing part is that our government officials are unsure themselves what to do or not to do. In many respects, they have backed themselves into a corner and the prospects do not look promising. Where do the government’s edicts take us as a nation? What will be the extent of their control? That is what many in this nation are struggling with?

In addition to Covid, other major issues have taken center stage in our on going struggle against the government’s insistence to regulate and reform our nation. I am referring to racism, immigration, border control, energy, school curriculum, parent’s rights, national debt, climate control, safety in our cities, to name a few–these are internal issues; and I haven’t listed any external issues involving our relationship with other nations.

These areas of concerns have been rearing their ugly heads over the past several decades and gaining traction in our communities. The seeds of many of these problems have been sown over the course of our nation’s history. The frequency of objections regarding these issues have become numerous. Why? Because these are real issues that need to be addressed. One thing that I have noticed is the increasing irrationality of the proponents reasoning when discussing their position. We are losing our civility as a nation to dialogue. Maybe our government leaders are not as interested in solving the issues but using the problems to remain in control and change the fundamental construction of our Republic?

Why do I bring this to your attention? Let me say it again. These are real problems that we as nation, must recognize, and deal with; but more than that, we must analyze and ask ourselves, what is the ‘fruit’, ‘the influence’ that these issues exert over our nation? First, let us identify the source. What is the source of the ‘influences’ that I am referring too? According to James 3:15-18? the source of these issues are not from ‘above’ but ‘below’. ‘Below’ means that the source is “earthly, unspiritual, demonic”. Those are not my words, they are God’s words. Now ask yourself, do we have chaos or clarity? Do we have peace or unrest? Do we have division or unity? Do we have freedom or bondage? These are just some of the comparisons that we could make. We are being affected by ungodly ‘influences’ determined to undermine our nation.

What does God’s Word say?

Now, what are the effects of these ‘influences’? James 3:14,( ESV), “But where bitter jealously and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” Is that an appropriate description of what we are witnessing? I do not believe it is a stretch of our imagination to look at the cultural fabric of our nation, and say that those words describe what we are witnessing in our midst. The good news is that it does not have to be this way; but the remedy is not going to be based upon man’s wisdom. The remedy will come from a sovereign work of God in the life of this nation. A ‘spiritual’ awakening will need to happen. This nation will need to be ‘awakened’ God’s way.

Ephesians 5: 13-17, (NKJV), “But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says, “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit…”

As a believer, how are we to respond? *We must fast and pray*. As I shared in my last blog, I believe that the Lord is going to intervene with His ARROW (Read Psalm 64) and expose the lies and deceits perpetrated against this nation. But the Lord is enlisting us to fight the spiritual warfare going on in our midst. We are His people. We are to be salt and light to this unsaved world. Does that mean that everything will ‘magically’ disappear, and all the problems will be solved? NO, but with the ‘awakening’ there will come change as the nation responds to addressing the problems it faces. Will there be no more persecution? NO, why? There will always be opposition to the Lord and the Gospel message. Christian beliefs are an obstacle to the world. A Christian is not obliged to ‘check’ his/her Christianity at the door of public office; nor is a Christian supposed to ‘flaunt’ one’s Christianity on the job or in public.

Having said that, let me repeat, believers in Christ, need to *fast and pray*. We are in a spiritual battle for the soul of this nation.

Therefore, let this truth permeate your thinking: a person, who loves the Lord, and seeks to walk uprightly before Him, honoring Him in all that he/she does or says, will come in contact with those who oppose Christianity. That’s the way it is. This is not meant to be negative. Jesus was being realistic when He told His followers that they would be treated harshly because of Him. Spiritual ‘awakenings’ will be opposed by Satan. They always have been and they always will be. The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness are in a spiritual battle. The Victory is ours NOW in Christ. Living out the Victory until Christ returns is our mandate.

The Apostle Peter reminds us of the spiritual battle in I Peter 4:12-14 (ESV), “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial (get ready for the heat, and it’s not global warming) when it comes to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. but rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s suffering, that you may rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and God rests upon you.” Believer be encouraged, the Trinity is present with you. You are not alone. Did you see it? In the previous sentence, the name of Christ, the Spirit of glory, and God are all mentioned. It is easy to see why Peter said, “you are blessed”. How can you not be blessed when you are surrounded by the Godhead?

Remember, you are a citizen of another kingdom, the Kingdom of God. Colossians 1:13,14 (ESV), says, God “has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his blessed Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” O, VICTORY IN JESUS, MY SAVIOR FOREVER…(let us sing it!)

I Peter 2:9 (ESV) reminds us, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

If we truly understand this, and live our lives accordingly, we will be a ‘MARKED‘ people in the eyes of the world. We will become candidates for their opposition.

We will be reviled, persecuted, spoken evil of, having many words uttered against us falsely for following Christ. Remember, that is what Jesus told us would happen.

We must turn off and tune out the confusion of this world. I am not suggesting that we stick our head in the sand and ignore the ‘signs of the times’ all around us; neither am I suggesting that we do not interact with unbelievers. What I am saying is that we must ‘wake up’ to the reality that we have always lived in an evil world and the Christian ethic that once graced our nation is being removed systematically from our society and we are now living in a nation and world that is becoming more hostile and vocal against the followers of Christ. We must not allow ourselves to get caught up in the destructive rhetoric promulgated throughout our nation and the world.

We must not allow ourselves to be governed by the words and thoughts of the world. We must not allow our hearts to be controlled by the kingdom of this world. We must not shrink back from following and focusing on the Lord. Please read Matthew 24:1-24. Let us not be deceived. Let us continue to show God’s ‘agape’ love and not grow cold as lawlessness increases. Let us endure (hold one’s ground in conflict) to the end and be saved.

To accomplish this, we need to center on Christ and His word. In Him, we will find refuge and rest (r and r) in the midst of the storm. He is our peace.

Our God is an awesome God, and He is coming in His Presence and Power to deal with this nation.

Be blessed, a brother in Christ, deo

*Regarding fasting and prayer: fasting and prayer aligns our heart and mind with the heart and mind of God. Fasting and prayer sets our life (our desires) aside to focus on what the Lord wants to accomplish through His people. Read Isaiah 58. Fasting and prayer is also for spiritual battle. You N.E.E.D. to read Nehemiah, Ezra, Esther, Daniel. They all fasted and prayed in the time of spiritual battle with the enemy.*

**In less than a month (today is October 12, 2024, our nation will have its national election for President, Senators, and Representatives. There are also many state level propositions and ballot measures that need to be voted on. I encourage you as a Christian to VOTE, to VOTE Biblically. VOTE according to a Biblical World-View. What does the Word of God say about the issue I am considering? DO NOT neglect to VOTE. Your VOTE expresses your concern for our nation according to God’s Word. **

“My soul , wait in stillness, only for God–from Him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress–I will never be moved…My soul, wait in stillness, only for God–from Him comes my expectation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my strong tower– I will not be moved. On God, my salvation and my glory is the rock of my strength. My refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart in His Presence, God is our refuge…Once God has spoken, twice I have I heard this; might belongs to God. Also Yours, O Lord, is lovingkindness, For You reward a man for His work.”

TREE OF LIFE VERSION

How much time is required to pray to make a request to God for Him to answer?

What words are necessary to be said when desperation looms?

Is God more likely to be moved by the prayer of a single individual, or respond to the prayers of a multitude?

This is not the time to discuss the ‘what ifs’ of prayer.

Yesterday, I listened to a podcast on Voice of the Martyrs radio. The gentlemen that was being interviewed is very familiar with the nation of Afghanistan, and knowledgeable of the current conflict and the issues facing the Afghan nationals and the Christian community in that country.

Today at Church, our Pastor led the congregation in prayer for the situation in Afghanistan, and for the safety of our fellow believers in Christ.

The eyes of the world are focused on the nation of Afghanistan. The United States is front and center in the midst of the conflict. As I write these words, there are only two calendar days left before the end of the month, August 30 and August 31.

The end of the month is a deadline for the United States to remove our military personnel, our American citizens trapped in Afghanistan, and as many other people seeking to be removed from harms way by the United States or any other nation dedicated and determined to transport people to safety.

The gentlemen on the VOM podcast said that he believes millions of people are praying for the situation in Afghanistan.

How many people in the world, including the United States are watching with a certitude of hopelessness; a feeling of helplessness; or with a fear of anticipated tragedy.

I am certain that many believers in Christ have been searching the scripture for incidents of God’s miraculous intervention in the most desperate and impossible situations. I have thought about it.

Our responsibility as believers is to intercede and pray, asking God, our Father to be gracious and merciful to the nation of Afghanistan; to protect those in harms way; restrain the evil forces seeking to kill, steal, and destroy; to watch over and protect His people there in this nation; and to provide opportunity for the Gospel to be proclaimed in spite of this conflict.

Can God do the impossible? Absolutely

What will God do? I do not know; but we do know that God’s will, “…will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10, ESV)

God is Sovereign and He does what He pleases to do. I know that sounds harsh; but it is Reality. God is working out all things according to the purpose of His will to be be accomplished before the end of this age, and the return of His Son, Jesus Christ to the earth to set up His Kingdom.

We must remember that God’s ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts. We must set aside the grandiose idea that somehow we are superior to God, and that we are more informed than Him, and we are in more control than He is. How Absurd!

The time is short, the hour is almost at hand when the ‘clock strikes’ telling us that it is the ‘end of the month’.

I am asking that you join with the millions of other people who are praying and interceding before the throne of grace, asking God to help in time of need. Our world is at a crossroads. Prayer plays an important part in the destiny of an individual’s life as well as the destiny of a nation.

We must not sit back and wait out the next two days; we need to pray and petition God to intervene; we need to remember Who our God is? His Essence, and His Grace, Mercy, and Justice.

Our God reigns…

Let us boldly pray, asking our God for His mighty intervention and to astound the world with an intervention that the whole world will take notice of and declare, this is the Hand of God. He has made Himself known.

Blessings, deo

Question: If I synthesize the thoughts of my last three blog series using a Venn diagram with three circles, I wonder what conclusion lies in the intersection of the three circles?

Prior to Easter in 2021, the emphasis was on the OLD covenant being set aside and the NEW covenant being inaugurated . The NEW covenant was established by Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The Jewish nation, and even the followers of Jesus, struggled with the implications of what that really meant to leave behind their entire, OLD life of Judaism, and embrace a, NEW life in Christ, unsure of the implications. They heard the words Jesus told them prior to His death on the Cross; then they had to deal with His death; then they are miraculously given new hope with the fulfillment of His words that in three days He would rise from the dead. What was mentally improbable, became reality; and there He was in their midst. Now what?

The ‘now what’ was the fulfillment of His words given to them in the Upper Room prior to His arrest, the night He was betrayed. He had spent considerable time teaching them about the Holy Spirit, His purpose, and His work in their lives. After His resurrection, for 40 days, Jesus instructed His disciples about the Kingdom of God. Prior to His Ascension, He gave them specific instructions regarding the coming of the Holy Spirt. They were to wait for His coming in Jerusalem. The coming of the Holy Spirit was the Promise of the Father. Jesus told them that when the Holy Spirit comes, “…you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses for Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, NKJV)

Ten days later, after Jesus’ Ascension, the day of Pentecost had fully come. The followers of Christ were in an upper room, and “they were all with one accord in one place.” (Acts 2:1 NKJV). The Spirit of God makes an unquestionable bold entrance; everyone is transfixed in the moment; and things take place that brings amazement and wonder. Some respond positively and others respond negatively. But something NEW has taken place. The person who speaks up is Peter. He takes control and tells them what is transpiring. Where does Peter get this boldness and understanding? Peter was empowered by the Holy Spirit. Peter is experiencing Acts 1:8.

Peter ‘preaches the first sermon’ on the Day of Pentecost. If you read his words carefully, you will understand that what he preached was a message of reconciliation between God and mankind. The substance of the message is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The message of the NEW covenant has been preached. The person of Jesus Christ has been clearly explained. The work that He came to do has been outlined. The culmination of Peter’s initial words are summarized with this conclusion: (Acts 2:36 NKJV), “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” What was the listeners response to this statement? (Acts 2:37 NKJV), “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” “

Acts 2:38,39 (NKJV), answers that question. “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

The New has come, the message of God’s Reconciliation has been proclaimed, and a statement is being made about Who is in charge. Question: Who is exercising ‘governmental’ control?

Let’s look at the words Jesus taught His disciples to pray.

Matthew 6:9,10 (NKJV), “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”

Is there any doubt Who is in charge? God has always been in charge. Mankind may believe that they can be in charge; but the reality is that such a thought is a mirage at best. God is Sovereign. It is impossible for God not to be Sovereign, and therefore not to be in charge.

Consider these verses: (NKJV)

Psalm 135:5,6, “For I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places.”

Psalm 115:3, “But our God is in heaven; and He does whatever He pleases.”

Isaiah 46:9,10, “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am god and there is none like Me. Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.”

Ephesians 1:7-12, In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth–in HIm. In Him also we obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Hi who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.”

The evidence is there in the Word of God. God is Sovereign. Therefore God is in complete ‘governmental’ control. He does what He pleases. He allows what He pleases. This is confusing to some; but it is Who God is.

Given a Venn diagram with three circles that intersect; each circle representing one of my last three blog series, the intersection of the three blogs would be the Sovereignty of God.

With that conclusion, it is a ‘no brainer’ to say that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the Body of Christ, is in ‘governmental’ control of the His Church, which is the NEW Israel of God (Galatians 6:16).

I stepped aside from writing this blog and took a nap. When I woke up I was pondering what I had been composing and the redundancy that is prevalent in the three series. One of thoughts that I have had is, Lord why is there is a constant reminder about ‘governmental’ control, and who is in charge? The answer to that question seems to be, you are going to need to remember that so that you can survive what is coming. That is a scary thought. But it is one that I understand based upon what I perceive is going on in our nation and throughout the world.

Not focusing on the what is going on in our nation and the world at this time, I would like to think about the implications that face the Church. Is the Church ready for what is coming to our nation and to the world? We know that Jesus Christ is Lord; and that He is the Head of the Body of Christ, which is the Church. Is the Church functioning under the ‘governmental’ control of the Lord, or is it functioning using its own ‘self’ control? Is the Church doing its own thing? Have we left our first love, taken on a likeness of the world, and are worshipping God in a manner that does not bring glory to His name? Stiff questions, but necessary. Jesus said to the woman at the well in John 4, “God is Spirit, and seeks those who worship Him in spirit and in truth.” Is that the focus of the Church?

Who is the Church ‘in Christ’?

In Exodus 19:4-8, (NKJV), “Now therefore, if you indeed obey My voice (submit to My ‘governmental’ control) and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine ( Who is in control?). And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel. So Moses came and called for the elders of the people and laid before them all the words which the Lord had commanded him. Then all the people answered together and said, “all that the Lord has spoken we will do.”, (They acknowledge God’s Sovereignty) so Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord.”

In the New Testament, in I Peter 2:9, we encounter a parallel thought that the Apostle Peter wrote to followers of Christ.

Question: Are the words which were spoken to the nation of Israel in the wilderness at the base of Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19: 4-8), still the same for the Church today?

Peter declared, You are a community of people, “…a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Israel was a nation, a community of people, chosen by God to be different from the other nations of the world. God would watch over them, provide from them, protect them and bless them. The other nations would see the reality of the one true God living in the midst of His people. How about the Church today?

‘Is the Church conducting itself as Peter proclaimed who we are ‘in Christ’ as the people of God ? If not, then we are not living under God’s ‘governmental’ control. We are living our lives relying on ‘self’ control, and not upon God’s Sovereign ‘governmental’ control.

Strong words, but words, I believe I (we) need to hear, embrace, and evaluate in each of our lives. Why? Because that is the relationship that we called too as believers ‘in Christ’ under the NEW covenant It is that kind of lifestyle that we need to be living, if we are going to be able to walk uprightly with the Lord embracing what lies ahead for the Church in this age.

At this time, I want to ask another question. What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit in the life of the people of God? The Godhead is a Trinity. God the Father, God the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit.

The person of the Holy Spirit is quietly presented throughout the Old Testament; even though His influence is evident in the lives of individuals and in the nation of Israel. You cannot dismiss the presence of the Holy Spirit from the pages of the Word of God, beginning in Genesis and ending in Revelation. God, the Holy Spirit, is present, active, and significant. The person of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament is an active person in the life of Jesus, the Son of God. When you study the time-line of the life of Christ, there is a constant thread of the Presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was not silent about the Person of the Holy Spirit. He taught about Him and His purpose in the Upper Room to His followers the night He was betrayed. See John 13-17.

After Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, the Person of the Holy Spirit, comes onto the stage of human history in a glorious manner being outpoured by the Lord, as the Promise of the Father, upon His followers on the Day of Pentecost. This is no small matter. It is especially important when considering who is in ‘governmental’ control of the Church.

Which person of the Trinity has been assigned to oversee to functioning of the Church? The third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.

Let me recount, again, something that I witnessed on television after the election of Donald Trump as President. I was watching a news broadcast, and saw a young woman, carrying a sign that said, “Be Ungovernable”. I took a ‘double-take’ to make sure what I thought I saw was correct, and it was. I, we, have seen the growth of that lawless ‘spirit’ in our nation since Mr. Trump’s election as President. Its been over 5 years. And now, as a nation, we are combating lawlessness at levels that are destructive, the taking of innocent lives, and witnessing the actions and words of people that are irrational and seek to “kill, steal, and destroy.”

When I woke up from my nap today? I was thinking about our nation and what is going on; I said to myself, we are living in ‘an age of stupidity’. I know I should not think that way; but in reality, I find it hard to believe that people take seriously what our leaders and ‘those in the know’ pontificate on a daily basis. It is all foolishness.

In the face of this, what is the role of the Church? The Church needs to repent and ask the Lord to forgive us of ‘doing our own thing’. What do I mean by that? Consider how Jesus lived His life as the Son of Man. He repeatedly said, (John 5:30, NKJV), “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear I judge; and My judgement is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of Him who sent Me.” Jesus chose not be His own ‘governmental’ control. (See Philippians 2:5-8). Consider how He taught His disciples to pray in Matthew 6, emphasizing praying, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Do we as the Church live and pray like that? In the Garden of Gethsemane, the night of His arrest, He prayed, “…not My will, but Thine be done.” Is that the motivation of heart of the Church?

Hebrew 5:7-9 (NKJV), the writer explains the principle Jesus lived by, so that He might be our Great High Priest. “…who in the days of His flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with vehement cries and tears to Him who is able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son yet he learned obedience by the things which He suffered and having been perfected; he became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”

Maybe the question that needs to be asked is, whether or not, the Church obeys Him? If we say yes, then we acknowledge His ‘governmental’ control over us by the Holy Spirit. If we say, no, or we hesitate, then we need to repent, and turn and follow Him.

Do you have a sense that things are ‘ratcheting’ up in our nation and the world? The tension is increasing and the drama is growing. The Church will not make it ‘doing its own thing’; we must be living relationally under Christ’s ‘governmental’ control.

Returning our focus to the Upper Room, Jesus outlines to His followers His departure, and assures them of a replacement of His Presence. That assurance is the Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is present to guide us, direct us, teach us and to provide for us ‘governmental’ control in our individual lives, and in the community life of the Church.

In the June 2021 edition of the Decision Magazine (published by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) there was an article entitled, The Tragic Mistake of the Modern Church. It was written by Chuck Smith (1927-2013). I want to quote part of this article.

“The tragic mistake of the modern church is it declaration of independence from the Holy Spirit. We have declared that we not longer need the spirit to direct our activities. Instead, we follow respected committees of learned men who have been to seminary and who have made in depth sociological, demographic and ethnographic studies of the world. We have a thousand high-tech programs, but the tragic fact is that the church is failing to reach this world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And no wonder. God said, “‘Not by might nor by per, but by My Spirit’, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6 NKJV). We need a church that will return the Holy Spirit to His rightful place as Director of activities, a church where the Holy Spirit roots out hypocrisy and corruption; a church where the Holy Spirit edifies comforts and exhorts His people; in short, a church where the Holy Spirit is in charge. (in ‘governmental’ control)

‘Let us Go Forth’, submitted to the ‘governmental’ control of the Holy Spirit in our life. Jesus is Lord.

A journeyer yoked to Christ, deo

In the Book of Exodus, God raises up Moses and Aaron to lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt because He heard the cry of their bondage unto Him. In Exodus 5, Moses and Aaron go into the presence of Pharaoh and say to him, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: Let My people go, that they may hold a feast unto Me in the wilderness. ” Pharaoh responds, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go.” Two statements, each one identifying ‘governmental’ control over the nation of Israel. Who is in charge?

Assuming that you know the story of the exodus of Israel from Egypt, God reveals His Omnipotence, and Pharaoh lets Israel go. He really had no choice. In the remainder of the book of Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy the travails of Israel’s relationship to the Lord are outlined. The nation of Israel had been delivered ‘out of’ Egypt from under the ‘governmental’ control of Pharaoh, and brought ‘into’ the wilderness to learn what it meant to be under the ‘governmental’ control of the Lord. Unfortunately, the adult generation of Israel who came out of Egypt failed to learn how to live under the guidance of the Lord. Israel constantly looked back to what they had in Egypt and did not understand nor appreciate what God was doing for them. Physically, they exited Egypt; but their hearts were filled with the ways of Egypt. In short, they struggled with God’s ‘governmental’ control and did not submit to Him. They wanted their own way.

In Numbers 12, Moses’ brother and sister, question Moses’ place of authority overseeing the nation of Israel. They blatantly assert in verse 2, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?” What’s the problem? verse 1 says, “Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against (‘criticized’, marginal notes) Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman.” They are questioning his position of leadership. [Could it be that because he didn’t make a wise decision choosing the woman that he married they use this as leverage assert that he is not fit to rule God’s people?] Problem: verse 2, “and God heard it.” The question is, Who is in charge? Does Moses have ‘governmental’ authority over Israel? The Lord ‘jumped’ on the accusation, and dealt with them immediately. See Numbers 12:4-16.

In Numbers 16, the issue of ‘governmental’ control raises its ugly head again. There was a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. It was led by Korah. He had a following. Numbers 16:2 says, “…and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown.” They had a complaint. They, too, questioned Moses and Aaron’s authority, and said to them, (vs.3) “why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” Moses response was (vs 4) to “…fall on his face.” The Lord intervened and God judged those who participated in the rebellion. (see Numbers 16:5-40). It is hard to imagine that what is recorded next in Numbers took place. Numbers 16:41-50, records that the very next day after the judgement of Korah and his followers, verse 41 says, “On the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron saying, You have killed the people of the Lord.” The people did not recognize that God was in ‘governmental’ control. That was one of the primary lessons they were supposed to understand and learn on their journey ‘out of Egypt’ and ‘into the Promised Land’. God is in total control. I know that I have been sharing ugly parts of the story; but let me assure you that if you read the whole account of Israel’s journey, you will see the patience, longsuffering, and goodness of God, along with His justice against their rebellion. I encourage you to read I Corinthians 10:1-13 where Paul uses the history of Israel to instruct and encourage the Corinthian Church.

Israel’s history is one of moments of obedience and moments of disobedience. Unfortunately in the wilderness, the moments of disobedience outweighed the moments of obedience, and the adult generation that was delivered from Egypt died out in the wilderness because their heart attitude did not ‘put off’ the desires of Egypt, and ‘put on’ a change of heart toward God and His ‘governmental’ control. The adult generation brought out of Egypt died in the wilderness because of unbelief. The story of Israel continues throughout the pages of the Old Testament accurately telling Israel’s severe swings from obedience to disobedience, and back to obedience. God loves His people. He is a Jealous God over them. He woos them and draws them back to Himself. However, God is also a Just God. Therefore, He disciplines them [those whom He loves] and brings His judgments against Israel because they did not keep the Mosaic Covenant given to them at Mt. Sinai. The underlying factor of God’s faithfulness for His people is the Covenant He made with Abraham. God keeps His Covenant with His people in spite of their failure to keep the Law of Moses. And so we move forward…

What does forward mean? Moses died in the wilderness; the adult nation of Israel that left Egypt died in the wilderness, except for two, Joshua and Caleb. Joshua became Moses’ replacement to lead God’s people. The next generation of the nation of Israel miraculously crossed the Jordon River; and they were prepared by the Lord to enter and conquer the Promised Land. In their possession of the Land they had their moments of obedience and disobedience. The books of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth detail the life of the nation of Israel after their wanderings in the desert, their settlement in the Promise Land, and their strengths and failures following the commands of the Lord.

In short, Israel’s history is a continuation of obedience and disobedience under God’s ‘governmental’ control through the judges that He raises up to oversee His nation.

Judges 21:25 gives us an accurate understanding of Israel’s heart and their attitude toward ‘governmental’ control. “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

Enter Samuel….

tbc

The issue of the universe is who is in charge. The devout Christian would clearly declare that God is the Sovereign Being in complete charge of the universe. Why? Because He is the Creator of the universe. I would assume that most of humanity would acknowledge in their own way that there is a higher being or force that controls the world in which they live. They have a belief system that says something greater than themselves must be in charge. Many such people worship other people, idols, or pursue philosophical ideologies that set boundaries around their belief system that make them comfortable in the world in which they live. In most all of these instances, these people do not realize that they have, in essence, set themselves as the center of their own universe and are exercising their own ‘governmental’ control. And then, there are people who ignore God as the Creator of the universe. They believe that their universe is a product of the material world around themselves; and there are others who believe that the universe in which they exist is a product of evolutionary science and development. In each of these broad categories, there are individual pockets of people who have their own agenda that modify their scope of belief. Unfortunately, this has also happened within the Christian community that believes in God as the Sovereign Creator of the universe. The Christian community differs doctrinally regarding how the universe was created, yet holding to the belief that God is the Creator. Christians have their denominations.

The issue for me in this BLOG is to point us in the direction of dealing with ‘governmental’ control of the world in which we live. Who is in charge? Obviously, your personal view of God has a bearing on that answer.

I am concerned with the Church, the Body of Christ, the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16).

The nation of Israel is God’s chosen people. This fact is established in Genesis 12:1-3. It begins with a promise made to a man named Abram. The story of Abram, the changing of his name to Abraham, and the growth of his descendants is told in the rest of the Book of Genesis. The promise made to Abraham becomes a promise that is carried on through his son, Isaac; and Isaac’s son, Jacob. Jacob’s family is comprised foundationally of 12 sons. Jacob’s family grows to 70 and through the providence of God this family becomes inhabitants in the nation of Egypt. In the nation of Egypt, the family of Jacob grows into the nation of Israel. Israel was the name that God had given to Jacob. God had changed his name. But God did not change the covenant that was spoken to Abraham. Israel was said to be the nation of God, whose fathers’ were Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This was their lineage and their history. They also had a promised destiny.

Israel was in Egypt for many years. Over the course of time, the reason for Israel’s existence in Egypt was forgotten, and the new Pharaoh did not have a clue who these people were that inhabited the land. In fact, he was fearful of them. He saw them as a threat. His response to their presence was to make things more difficult for them. He made their lives more ‘rigorous’, ‘bitter’ and discouraging. He went so far as to order that the Hebrew baby boys were to killed immediately after they were born. He did not want the nation of Israel to populate any more.

The oppression toward the Hebrew people was so intense that they began to cry out to God. I wonder how many years it had been since God had heard anything directed to Him from His people? The fact is that He had not forgotten them; and He was ready to intervene on their behalf. In short, the time had come when Israel found itself in a position of despair because of the ‘governmental’ control of Egypt and cried out to God about it. As I said, God heard their cry. God had prepared a deliverer, named Moses. Through Moses, and his brother Aaron, God miraculously delivered His people from the bondage of Egypt. The nation of Israel left Egypt and became of nation of people watched over and governed by God in a wilderness. It was in this wilderness that the nation of Israel was to learn to function under the ‘governmental’ control of God, through His servant Moses. The tragedy is that they failed in their response to His ‘governmental’ control. A whole generation of people died in the wilderness and did not get to enter into the promises of God that were made to Abraham. It was in the wilderness, that God gave to His people, what is called the Law of Moses. This was the Mosaic Covenant. God did not do away with the Abrahamic Covenant. The Mosaic Covenant was given to God’s people to reveal to them what was required to be the Covenant people of God, under His ‘governmental’ control. In the wilderness, Israel’s response to God’s ‘governmental’ oversight was one of disdain. They approved God’s Law with the lips of their mouth but they did not have the heart to carry it out. They wanted to return to Egypt. The issue was their heart. God had taken them physically out of Egypt but Egypt was still in their heart. The love of Egypt (the world) constantly caused them to rebel against God, His Word, and Moses. The generation that had been delivered from Egypt died in the wilderness. Mercifully, God took the next generation into the Land of Promise.

In the Land of Promise, under the leadership of Joshua, the nation flourished and floundered. Moses had died prior to Israel’s entry into the Promise Land. He was forbidden by God to enter the Land because he had disobeyed what God had told him to do. He got to see the Land, but he did not get to enter it. God buried him on a mountain overlooking the Land of Promise.

God’s Covenant with Israel was based upon them being obedient. If the people were obedient, then they would experience the blessings of God outlined in the Covenant. If the people were disobedient, then they would experience the curses outlined in the Covenant. As I said previously, the nation of Israel had many moments of victory; but they also had many moments of heartache.

Israel’s history is not a straight line of obedience. Who among us has such a response to the Lord? There are high points and low points, ups and downs, reasons to rejoice and reasons to repent in all of our lives.

Leapfrogging the history of Israel found in the Book of Joshua, the Book of Judges, and the Book of Ruth, we come to the life of Samuel. Samuel was a ‘miraculous’ child born to a woman who despaired that she was childless for so many years. She cried out to God in prayer; God heard her, and gave her a son. She had promised God that if she could give birth to a son, she would give him up ‘all the days of his life ‘ for service to the Lord. God heard, God caused her to conceive, she gave birth to a son, she called his name Samuel, and gave him up to serve the Lord after she had weaned the child.

Samuel became a prophet of the Lord. It was during his tenure as God’s prophet, that the people of Israel, said to Samuel that they wanted a king to rule over them like the other nations. This greatly grieved Samuel. The scripture says in I Samuel 8:6 (NKJV) , “But this thing displeased Samuel, when they said, “Give us a king to judge us”. [All through the history of Israel found in Joshua, Judges and Ruth, God was still the ‘governmental’ control watching over His people through leaders that He raised up. But, Israel said, no more.] So Samuel prayed to the Lord.” I think Samuel knew that this would be their downfall.

What was Israel seeking? a different ‘governmental’ control.

Let’s revisit Israel’s trek in the wilderness and recount some of their experiences involving ‘governmental’ control.

TBC