It is no secret that throughout the history of mankind, there has been an eternal battle in the heavenlies. This warfare began with Lucifer’s prideful rebellion against God. (Isaiah 14:12-14)
Today, we ascribe the name of Satan to Lucifer. They are one and the same being.
Satan seeks to oppose God constantly. Satan is relentless in his pursuit to destroy what God has purposed.
I bring this to your remembrance.
It is not my purpose to discuss the doctrine of evil.
For those who follow my posts, you are aware that Ephesians 6:12 has been emphasized for two reasons. This warfare is real; and the call to warring in prayer is an absolute necessity in the last days.
Ephesians 6:12, KJV, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood (humanity), but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (insert mine)
Ephesians 6:12, Tree of Life Version, “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.”
I want to quote from Got Questions, ‘How is Satan god of this world? (2 Corinthians 4:4)
[As you read this post, we know that God is the only One True God. He is Sovereign over all. Satan has been totally disarmed because of the Cross.]
Then why does he (Satan) have influence? Because God in His Sovereign plan of salvation uses him for His own purposes. ( See Job 1,2) We cannot question God. (insert mine)
“The phrase god of this world, (or god of this age) indicates that Satan is the major influence on the ideals, opinions, goals, and views of the majority of people. His influence encompasses the world’s philosophies, education, and commerce. When people live as if there is no God, they by default follow the god of this world. The unholy thoughts, destructive ideas, and wild speculations, and false religions of this world have sprung from Satan’s lies and deceptions. (See Ephesians 2:2, John 12:31, I John 5:19) Satan may be the god of this world, but his domain is limited to unbelievers. Born again children of God are no longer under the rule of Satan. God the Father “has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” (Colossians 1:13)…As the god of this world, Satan exercises his power over the unbelieving world world to keep them from Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 4:4, Matthew 13:19, I Timothy 4:1)” (got questions.com)
With this in mind, the Ekklesia, is called upon to pray.
The days are dark. The storm clouds are immense. The atmosphere is electric with the energy of our upcoming presidential election; and the Church must intercede for this nation.
We are in spiritual warfare. Satan is opposing the work of God.
This nation is at a crossroads for its very existence.
We as a nation, have sinned against God. We have walked out from under the umbrella of His protection for His purpose for us as a nation.
Recently, I became aware of some upcoming events that will be occurring in our nation.
I am composing this post on October 7, 2024.
Tomorrow the following begins to take place.
The dates are October 8, October 12, and November 2, 2024.
On October 8, there is a Woman’s March in Washington DC. (Editorial note, this March was in 2022(?), my error. However, their goals are the same. Please for give me.)
Quoting from their web-site. “Join us on Saturday October 8th in Washington D.C. to help us send a message: WE DEMAND OUR RIGHTS….Since October 8th marks 31 days until Election Day, we’re more fired up than ever to elect more women and pro-choice candidates around the country–we’re ready for the Women’s Wave. (Reminder this was in 2022(?) )
However, this year, 2024–
On October 12, there is ‘An Esther call to the Mall’ in Washington D.C.
Quoting from their .org, “A Million Women is gathering for those hungry to see the Lord’s hand cover this nation at the Mall in Washington DC on October 12, the Day of Atonement, to fast and prayer in unity as a Last Stand moment in America.”
I see an obvious difference in these two agendas.
On October 8th 2022(?9 the women were ‘demanding their rights’; on October 12th, 2024, the women are humbling themselves before God.
The first agenda centers on ‘self’; the second agenda centers in God.
This is the essence of the spiritual warfare in our nation.
Will we follow the dictates of our fallen humanity and serve self?
Or will we cry out to God and ask for His grace and mercy and center this nation on Him?
There is also another Women’s March scheduled for November 2, 2024 Washington D.C. and throughout the nation.
The theme of this activity is “Our Bodies, Our Future”. Their stated goal is “to build a feminist, multi-racial democracy that serves us all.”
What are the underlying spirits of these two agendas?
The Women’s March that demanded their rights; and now advocating ‘our bodies, our future’.
Compare this to the Women’s gathering that is assembling themselves to fast and pray for our nation.
There is no demand for their rights; they are humbling themselves before God.
One group is pridefully demanding their rights; the other group is submitting themselves to God.
These two agendas are in direct conflict. This conflict is spiritual warfare.
What does the Word of God instruct us to do?
James 4:6-10, KJV, “But He giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil (Satan), and he will will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”(insert mine)
Psalms 138:6 KJV, “Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly; but the proud he knoweth afar off.”
I Peter 5:5-11 KJV, Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him ; for he cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil (Satan), as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strenghen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (insert mine)
Quoting “An Esther Call to the Mall” gathering, “As we read in Joel 2, when there is no hope for a nation in crisis, where there is no remedy in the natural, God still has a prescription. “Blow the trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast, call a solemn assembly: gather the people…” Joel 2:15-16a KJV (I quoted the verse in full), let the Esthers, the children, and the Mordecais gather and call on the Lord on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur-the time for individuals to atone for their sins of the past year. This is done in order to start the new year fresh, unburdened by past actions. )”
Quoting Women’s March, “Women’s March is building a base of feminists to end sexism, sexist exploitation. By 2050, we will be a feminist led movement that ensures anyone and everyone has the freedom to lead empowered lives in safety and security in their bodies, in their communities and throughout the country.”
The Women’s March says, “We see an economic system that values the rights and contributions of all, and that supports safety and dignity for everyone. These feminist values prioritize stewardship, and the just distribution of collective resources.”
Between October 8th and November 5th, our nation is going to continue to face a relentless barrage of viral verbal rhetoric that is going to fill the airways.
I, personally, do not need to hear anymore words. My heart is settled. My conscience is clear. I have considered the two platforms using a Biblical world view. Both platforms have their issues. But I have resolved that one platform supports a Biblical world view more than the other. I am not voting for or against a person nor choosing a president based upon his or her personality.
Why? because “we are not wrestling against flesh and blood”. However, there are issues in both platforms that are easily identifiable as being for and/or against a Biblical world view. I have concluded that one platform outweighs the other as being more positive toward a Biblical world view.
I encourage you to fast and pray for our nation.
I encourage you to wrestle in prayer against the principalities, rulers, powers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places.
I encourage you to evaluate your voting choices based upon a Biblical world view.
(If you need some additional help understanding what I am saying, please read the post, Five Weeks and Counting, at livingwordsofencouragement.com)
Church, we need to pray. The enemy of our souls, and our nation, is relentless. He, Satan, is waging spiritual warfare against us. He is seeking relentlessly to influence our thinking to dismantle this nation.
Your resistance is important.
Your vote expresses your resistance against Satan, and the forces of “spiritual wickedness in high places”.
Thank you for fasting, praying, and voting.
Blessing, a brother in Christ, deo
tbc
It is now less than Five Weeks And Counting-November 5 will be here soon!
At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, as the ‘unprecedented unrest’ is mounting…as the light of political truth reveals the secrets that have been hiding in darkness…as the volume of accusatory rhetoric increases…as the level of irrational wrangling escalates…we as a nation, a Constitutional republic will be going to the polls on or by November 5, 2024. Today is October 17,2024 and Five Weeks And Counting started, October 1, 2024.
As a believer in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, what is my responsibility as a citizen of the United States? I have dual citizenship. I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God, and Christ is my Lord; and I am a citizen of the United States and Joe Biden is my President.
I am told, and have understood, that many believers are in a valley of decision regarding the upcoming election. They are torn, not wanting to vote in this election. It is documented that many believers in the past elections have not voted because they were dissatisfied with the choice that was put before them in our national election for President.
I understand that struggle.
I, too, wrestled with the choice before me. But I was able to come to a ‘somewhat’ peaceful conclusion in the past elections and vote.
How? I had to identify what is most important to me as a citizen of the United States of America.
I want to encourage you, as a Christian, to vote.
It is important. Really important!
If you are in a valley of indecision, I want to encourage you not turn a blind eye away from the election process; but that you “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full into His wonderful face, And the things earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.” (Words by Helen H. Lemmel, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus)
Your initial response to this might be: are you telling me then to ‘turn a blind eye’; no, in fact, I am trusting the Holy Spirit, that as you turn your eyes upon Jesus, you will look at your nation and see the upcoming election through the eyes of your Savior and Lord.
I contend that as you turn to Jesus, you will receive His focus upon the events shaping our nation, and give you understanding as you walk through your ‘valley of indecision’.
I believe the outcome will be that you will not ‘shrink’ from your responsibility to vote as a citizen of the United States because you will see that to vote is being a responsible citizen of the Kingdom of God.
What is our responsibility in the hour in which we are living?
As the title to this post declares, Five Weeks And Counting will be our national elections both at the federal and state levels.
As a citizen of the United States of America, voting has evolved throughout the history of our nation. Originally the states were given the determination who was approved to vote. This led obviously to quite a bit of variation among the states. We as a nation are still wrestling with the question of who can legally vote. Unfortunately, this wrangling has caused numerous issues in our recent elections.
Is it important for you to vote?
Absolutely.
Your vote, expresses your support for the nation. The process of voting is to keep our Republic strong by electing officials who are best suited to keep our nation moving forward based upon the strengths of our founding documents.
V.O.T.E : Voting Offers a True Expression of what you personally believe.
Unfortunately, over the course of our national history, there have arisen factions that want to change our founding foundation. Since the 1900s the thought of change has grown in intensity; and in the past 60 years, the proponents of change have become more demonstrative, both verbally and behaviorally.
From my perspective the fruit of those seeds of influence are now being expressed as ‘unprecedented unrest’ in our nation.
Some will automatically call me conspiratorial. That is not my heart.
The fact is that such a label of advocating ‘conspiracy theories’ is one of the issues that is at the heart of our current election rhetoric. People who disagree with the truth, or who want to ignore the thinking of those who raise credible contradictions dismiss their opposition’s claims with ‘name calling’.
Such is a current bedrock in our nation’s political rhetoric.
The SOUL, the LIFEBLOOD, the FUTURE, and the STABILITY of our nation, may indeed, be changed based upon the outcome of the November 5, 2024 election.
If you listen carefully to both political sides, that is exactly, what they are advocating.
Both sides are claiming to be saving our nation, our democracy, our very existence as we know it.
In fact, it is no secret, but both sides are praying to God for victory and their opposition’s defeat.
To me that is parallel to two competing athletic teams that have Christian players on both teams praying and asking God for victory.
What does one conclude when the winner and the loser become a reality, the contest is over, and victor is known?
How do you ‘feel’ when your favorite athletic team loses?
Are you ‘bummed out’?
*A personal testimony*
If you are a believer in Christ, confused, turned off to politics, bogged down in a valley of indecision, who has made the decision not to vote, I want you to know that I am not out to manipulate, pressure, or coerce you; however, I am asking you to seriously reconsider your decision.
Why?
We are not wrestling against flesh and blood (people/and their personalities); but we are wrestling against principalities, powers, and rulers of spiritual darkness. (Ephesians 6:12) (insert mine)
Consider this, your non-vote is a vote supporting those in our nation that want to dismantle our founding principles that will cause our Constitutional Republic to become weak and/or completely destroyed.
Yes, I am aware that those are strong words; but think seriously about the ramifications of our nation being changed negatively from within!
What is the S.O.U.L. of our nation? It is Saving Our Unalienable Liberties (or Lifestyle). It is about our life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
I suggest that if you clearly understand this; you will vote.
A couple of weeks ago, I came a point, where I realized that I did not need to hear any more words; I did not need to read any more headlines and their subsequent content. I have been purposely avoiding the news shows and the cable pundits because their analysis and rhetoric is verbal venom poisoning the minds of the voting electorate. I was certain I was not going to hear anything new. (As I update this post-I confess that there have been articles that have caught my attention. The latest is one about the number of Christian that are projected not to vote. It could be as high as 42 million. I believe that is wrong.)
[I am convinced that the Lord is uncovering the deeds and words of darkness bringing to light the lies and deceptions that have been perpetrated by both sides of the political isle. (If you would like to read more about this, go to livingwordsofencouragement.com and see the post, The A.R.R.O.W. of God.)]
I came to the point where I understood that my mind was mentally settled and that I could rest in my decision to vote.
Let me tell you why I needed to vote.
It is my responsibility as a citizen of the United States of America.
I need to live at peace with the Lord.
I need to live at peace with myself.
I need to have a clear conscience.
I need to be able to pray for the next President, just as I now pray for President Biden. The Word of God tells us to pray for those in authority over us “so that people can live peaceful and quiet lives.” (I Timothy 2:1-2)
I desire to be in that group of ‘people’. The scripture does not say that I have to agree with their decisions. Most of President Biden’s decisions I do not personally agree with; but that is not an excuse for me to avoid praying for him, and others in authority over me with a clear conscience.
Therefore, as I mentioned above, I do not need to be persuaded how to vote listening to the rhetoric of the political parties, and their pundits pontificating every day.
I am at rest in the Lord.
What has brought me to that rest?
That rest has been created by the Word of God.
I have chosen the Biblical worldview to come to my decision.
The Biblical worldview is Absolute Truth.
Both parties platforms are the expressions of man’s wisdom for the hour in which we live and are written explaining what they believe and they want to be accomplished to this nation forward.
They believe their platform will bring about the course correction needed for this nation.
What do you believe is necessary for a course correction for our nation?
If your course correction rests completely upon a candidate and his or her personality and/or characteristics, then I must say to you that you have fallen short of what is best for our nation?
Both platforms are NOT without serious shortfalls from the Absolute of God’s Word; but using the Word of God to evaluate both parties platforms, I have concluded that one of the two parties platforms provides for a resting place for my own personal peace and a clear conscience as a believer in Jesus Christ.
I am NOT saying that the party platform I have chosen perfectly aligns with the Word of God.
I have chosen the platform that I believe is more aligned with the Word of God than the other platform.
As I said previously, my decision brings rest and peace to me personally.
Why is that important?
It allows me to pray for this nation’s next President with a clear conscience, and not riddled by guilt, or regret.
It gives me a spiritual position of being able to quench the ‘fiery darts’ of the enemy that wants to assail me with accusations of fault.
In Christ, I can confidently submit myself before God, resist the devil, and he will flee. (James 4:7)
Therefore, I encourage you to prayerfully consider your personal position as a voter in this nation’s upcoming election.
What are your beliefs?
Do they align with the Word of God?
Are you at peace and rest as you approach the time to cast your vote?
There are major issues on state ballots that need voting upon by a responsible informed electorate.
Jesus said, that the enemy comes only to kill, steal, and destroy; but that He has come that we may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)
God has blessed this nation abundantly. Yes, we have misused those blessings; but we, too, have been able to bless many other nations and individuals.
Let us make sure we do not lose our founding principles because we choose not to vote or vote ignorantly listening only to the wisdom of man and not be guided by the wisdom of God’s Word.
It’s time to pray, be informed by Godly Absolutes, and vote intelligently and conscientiously.
Blessings, a brother in Christ, deo
Note: I want to give credit to my brother, David, who sent me a text that had the words, five weeks and counting, that I used for the title for this post.
On August 14, 2024, a post was composed with this word equation as its title.
Today is September 16, 2024. I would like to share some additional thoughts regarding the post.
It’s no ‘new’ news to those that follow my posts that I have been sharing about the ‘unprecedented unrest’ coming to this nation.
We have seen and heard of events that have escalated the ‘unrest’ in this nation.
As the day of our Presidential election gets closer, things will continue heating up. The political climate will become hotter and hotter each day.
What is contributing to these elevated temperatures throughout the nation?
The clash of words. We are in an incendiary moment. There is a ‘war of words’ that are igniting worry. They are proceeding from both political parties and even from Christian ministries that mean well. Their words can cause anxiety too.
The ‘war of words’ reminds of the story of Chicken Little who is constantly crying out, “the sky is falling, the sky is falling”. I am using these words because we are being told by both political parties that the end of our nation is eminent if the ‘other side’ wins.
The political rhetoric is to emphasize traumatic worry within the minds of the voters.
Let me share my thinking in a more forceful way.
The ‘words of this world’ that generate worry are like ‘water boarding’ a prisoner attempting to break their resolve and vote like they are told.
The words of our political process are like a ‘constant dripping’ of a faucet that needs to be turned off.
The ‘many words’ of the political process are like a heavy weight upon the mind that is pressing down the very souls of the voters.
Strong words, yes; but I believe that they are true.
What is the SOUL of our nation: Saving Our Unalienable Liberties.
Both sides are saying they are the answer to saving the SOUL of our nation.
The problem is that the wisdom of the world does not have the answers.
The wisdom that we need is the ‘Wisdom of the Word’.
The ‘Wisdom of the Word’ does not bring worry. Let me state that again. The ‘Wisdom of the Word’ does not bring worry.
The Wisdom of the Word brings light that exposes the darkness; life that conquers death; peace of mind that overcomes anxiety, worry, fret, uncertainty.
I want to share with you a personal testimony.
Several days ago, I came to the place where I was mentally tired of all the words that were being shared, regurgitated, re-analyzed, dug-up, etc. This realization became apparent to me in spite of the fact that I have been personally avoiding not being caught up in the political rhetoric; yet trying to be somewhat savey of what is going on.
I found myself at a place where I didn’t need to hear any more words. I was at peace in my mind. I had a clear conscience about how I was going to vote.
Now it was time to thank the Lord for His Sovereignty regarding the election in our nation. I was resting in the ‘Wisdom of the Word’.
Regarding the election, it will be God’s will. There is no room for another conclusion.
My choice of vote is not based upon a person or his/her personality.
My choice is based upon honoring my Lord according to His Word.
Jesus Christ is our Wisdom. He is the Wisdom of the Word. He is the Word.
I Corinthians 1: 27-31 NKJV says, “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound (put to shame) the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound (put to shame) the things that are mighty; and the base (insignificant) things of the world, and the things that are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and the things that are not, to bring to nought (nothing) the things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God, is(became for us) wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (inserts from the marginal notes of the Study Bible)
Thank you Father, I am resting in my Lord, and giving Him the glory.
Therefore, for me, personally, Chaos+Confusion+Corruption is negated by resting in Christ, Who is my Wisdom in the midst of the verbal political conflict perpetrated by the ‘words of the world’ that are foolishness in God’s sight.
These words are connected to the previous post of August 14, 2024.
If you would like to read the original post for the first time, or for a second time I encourage you to do so.
I especially pray that the Lord will fulfill for you Philippians 4:5-7.
I encourage you to read it, reflect upon it, and pray it, believing that the Lord will give His peace of mind in these stressful times.
Blessings, a brother in Christ, deo
As a United Evangelical Licensed minister, I receive a monthly letter of communication from the National Office. This letter is sent by Robert B. Fort, the Chairman of United Evangelical Churches.
I have received permission from Robert Fort to publish his letter of June 10, 2024, which is sent to the UEC Family.
The following is the text of that letter.
Dear U.E.C. Family:
What an awesome day to be serving the Lord Jesus Christ. Exciting things are happening in the Kingdom and I trust you are experiencing the intimate presence and abundant power of God in your daily life and ministry.
We are living in prophetic times. The challenges are everywhere…but so are the opportunities. The needs are many…but our storehouse is inexhaustible. The world is in consternation…but we know the answer.
I am amazed by the number of Christians who are beside themselves with worry or fear because of the things happening in our world (and in the U.S.A. in particular) in the political, economic and social arenas. Brothers and Sisters, we have a Kingdom for such a time as this!
This is the time to remind ourselves and those to whom we minister, to hold the things of this earth very loosely. Jesus said not to lay up treasures for ourselves on earth, Where moth and rust corrupt, and Where thieves break through and steal (Matthew 6:19). Paul says: If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on the things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-3).
This is a time to remind ourselves, and those to whom we minister, that the things taking place in our world must happen. The stage is being set for the rise of the Antichrist and as John the Beloved stated in I John 2:18: Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
This is a time to remind ourselves, and those to whom we minister, that God’s power is released in even greater measure when reprobate hearts/minds flourish. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound (Romans 5:20); and, Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world
Holding fast the faithful word,
UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCHES
Robert B. Fort
Chairman
_______________________________________________
I trust that Brother Fort’s words ministered to your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
May the Lord richly bless you, and give you peace,
a brother in Christ, deo
Today is August 14,2024.
“This the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it.!” (Psalm 118:24, Tree of Life Version [TLV])
Looking out over the landscape of our nation and the nations of the world, it may be hard for some of us to ‘rejoice and be glad’ today.
The emphasis of this verse is not to focus on the events, turmoil, or even the unrest that envelopes us, but to focus on our God who has given us this day.
Every day that our Father God provides for us is a day of opportunity to rejoice and be glad in Him.
I cannot overemphasize the importance of staying focused upon our Heavenly Father at this time in our nation.
If we do not stay focused upon the Lord, we might find ourselves completing the about equation as follows: chaos +confusion + corruption = consternation*
* consternation means, feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected.
It is so easy to give our attention to the daily headlines regarding the world.
It is so easy to listen to the blaring rhetoric of many voices shouting at us to pay attention to them.
In short, there is much present ‘today’ that diverts us from focusing upon our Father who loves us, cares for us, provides for us, and is Sovereign over all the affairs of the nations of this world, and is Providential over all the affairs of His children.
I encourage you to read your favorite Psalm and rejoice in the Lord on ‘this day’ that He has made.
Selah.
The title of this post speaks to the ‘unprecedented unrest’ that permeates our nation and the other nations of the world.
As you saw, when you read the title, there was no answer to the written equation.
In mathematics, a mathematical statement without an answer is an incomplete statement.
Is the answer to this statement unknown?
Is this mathematical statement unsolvable?
Are we allowed to put whatever answer we think is right to complete this statement?
Question: How would God answer this statement?
What might be His answer to this incomplete statement?
Let me put this thought to you this way.
When God sees chaos, confusion, and corruption on the earth, what might be His response?
Genesis 6 provides for us such an opportunity to read what God saw and how He responded.
Genesis 6:1-7, NKJV.
“And it came to pass, when the men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men that they were beautiful ; and they took them wives of all whom they chose. And the Lord said, “My spirit shall not strive with man forever, for that he is indeed flesh: yet his days shall be hundred and twenty years.”
Simply put, God did not approve of what was going on as He watched His original creation of humanity live out their lives.
Their lifestyle was the result of Adam’s sin. (Genesis 3)
(Continuing in Genesis 6)
“There were giants( Nephlim, fallen or mighty ones) in the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came into the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men which were of old, men of renown.”
Question: What did God see ?
(Continuing in Genesis 6) “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination (intent or thought) of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (all the day).” (boldness mine, inserts from the margin of my Bible)
Question: What was God’s reaction ?
(Continuing in Genesis 6) “And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in his heart.” (boldness mine)
This is not a confession of God that He made a mistake. God knew before creation, in eternity past, what would be the sequence of events that would happen with mankind; and what would need to take place to reconcile humanity to Himself. (see Ephesians 1)
There is a redemptive story throughout scripture. It is the Gospel message. What we allowed to see is that humanity’s sin grieved God’s heart.
God is very grieved over the consequences of sin throughout His creation.
God is very grieved over chaos, confusion, and corruption as it existed then, and over its existence today. Man’s unrepentant heart grieves God.
Question: What did God do?
(Continuing Genesis 6) “So the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man and beast, creeping thing, and birds of the air; for I am sorry that I have made them.” (boldness mine)
How can God who is grieved by the wrong doing of His creation of mankind say that He will destroy everything because He is sorrowful that He created them? (emphasis mine)
God is Holy.
He is without sin.
God is ‘sorrowful’ over sin; but He is a God of Justice. (emphasis mine)
Question: What had God instructed Adam about the care of the garden that He created?
Question: What had God commanded Adam that he should eat from?
Question: What did God say would be the result if Adam did not do as he was commanded?
Genesis 2:15-18, NKJV
“Then the Lord took the man(Adam), and put him in the garden of Eden to tend(cultivate) it and to keep it. And the Lord commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat, for in the day eat of it, you shall surely die.”(inserts mine)
Therefore, we assume everyone died because God said that He would destroy mankind from the face of the earth.
NO!
Everyone could not have died because today is August 14, 2024; and “This is the day that the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24, NKJV)
What happened?
(Continuing in Genesis 6:8)
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” (emphasis mine)
God is a God of Justice; but He is also a God of Grace.
This is the message of Calvary. The Cross is a horrific picture of Christ’s suffering and death.
2 Corinthians 5:21 says of Jesus, God’s Son: “For He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (Jesus).” (inserts mine)
The Cross is the intersection of God’s Justice and God’s Love that erupts in abundant Grace with the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Romans 5:20b, NKJV, “…But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.”
Consider this acronym: GRACE-God’s Redemptive Activity Changes Everything
How?
At the Cross!
“For God so loved* the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”(John 3:16, NKJV)
(*loved, agapao; Strong’s #25: Unconditional love, love by choice and by an act of the will. The word denotes unconquerable benevolence and undefeatable goodwill. Agapao will never seek anything but the highest good for fellow humankind. Agapao and agape(the noun) are the words for God’s unconditional love.) Word Wealth, NKJV Spirit Filled Life Bible, pg. 1447.
Today, we live in a world that resembles what God looked down upon when we read Genesis 6.
A world that is filled with chaos, confusion, and corruption.
To complete the equation in title sentence using Genesis 6, we would conclude that CHAOS + CONFUSION + CORRUPTION = FLOOD
Jesus makes the following statement in Matthew 24: 36-39 NKJV, responding to His disciples question about when the end would come?
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will be the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Jesus refers to the condition of the world prior to His return as comparable to the days of Noah.
Yes, the world will be a place of darkness, permeated with chaos, confusion, and corruption- that exhibits all the fruit of mankind’s heart that is continually ‘intent’ with thoughts that ‘are evil’ at all times.
Genesis 6:11-13, NKJV, says, “The earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth and indeed it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold I will destroy them with the earth.”
B.U.T. – Believers Understand This –
Noah had found grace in the sight of the Lord.
Why?
Genesis 6:9, NKJV, “Noah was a just man, perfect (blameless or having integrity) in his generations. Noah walked with God.” (insert-marginal notes)
Question? What did God provide for Noah?
Genesis 6:14, God says to Noah, “Make yourself an ark…”
Noah obeys God, builds an ark; Noah and his households is saved; God floods the earth bringing judgment upon humanity for their sins.
Jesus Christ is our ARK. In Christ, we, too are safe from God’s judgment and wrath against sin. Why? Because at the Cross, Jesus became sin for the sin of the world; God’s wrath was justifiably satisfied by Jesus’ atoning death.
Romans 10:9-13 NKJV, says, “…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is not distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
As you may have read in previous posts, there are ominous clouds of darkness foreboding over our nation and the nations of the world.
There is every reason to point out the chaos, confusion, and corruption throughout the earth.
However,the good news is that not every heart is constantly thinking evil.
There are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the nations of the world who are in the ARK.
What ARK?
Jesus Christ is our ARK.
Christ Jesus is our Lord.
He is our King governing A Righteous Kingdom.
As we rest in the refuge of the ARK of His presence, we can daily sing, rejoice, and be glad in this day which the Lord has made.
The storm of God’s Flood brought about a catastrohpic change to the whole earth.
God is not going to flood the earth again as He did in the days of Noah. He made a covenant with Noah and sealed that covenant with a sign, a rainbow. (Genesis 9:1-17)
There will not be a flood but there is a great shaking that is coming to the nations of the earth.
The effects of that shaking are being seen, heard, and felt now throughout the world.
God is moving mightily.
There are revivals; many coming to Christ; many following the Lord in water baptism; and there are signs and wonders.
I read an article yesterday, (August 13, 2023,) on the CBN news app about the number of Muslims in Iran that are turning to the Lord. The estimate is one million people have accepted Christ, and that 50000-75000 Mosques have closed.
Rejoice Church.
We hear about the rumor of war between Iran and Israel: but have you heard about God’s work of saving souls?
I want to close with this picture.
Genesis 1:1-3 TLV, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was chaos and waste, and darkness was on the surface of the deep and the Ruach Elohim (Holy Spirit) was hovering upon the surface of the water. Then God said, “Let there be light!” and there was light.”
John 1:1-5, TLV, “In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were made through Him, and apart from Him nothing was made that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overpowered it.”
The Holy Spirit is God’s ‘seismic power shift’. The Holy Spirit is the One Who brooded over the darkness in the beginning (Genesis 1:1-2).
As recorded in these verses, the heavens and earth were “chaos and waste”.
I have a question. Father, do You see chaos and waste and darkness in America?
I can visualize America in chaos and waste, with great darkness on the surface of our nation, like it was on the surface of the deep.
Just as the Holy Spirit was ‘brooding’/’hovering’ over the surface of the water, the Holy Spirit is ‘hovering’ over our nation, meaning it is ‘waiting in patient expectation’.
I want to encourage you to focus upon the Holy Spirit’s Presence ‘hovering’ over our chaos, confusion, and corruption engulfed by darkness.
The Hebrew word for hovering, is ‘meranefet’.
This word is also found in Deuteronomy 32:11.
There it reveals the idea of protection.
This same word is found in Jeremiah 23:9.
There it depicts ‘fluttering’/’shaking’.
So we have three powerful meanings: 1. waiting in patient expectation 2. protection 3. flutter or shake.
Question: What is the Holy Spirit ‘waiting in patient expectation’ for?
Answer: In Genesis 1:3, God says, “Let there be light, and there was light”.
Light dispels darkness (John 1:1-5)
Picture a helicopter ‘hovering’ over an area ready to respond when needed.
What is it waiting for? orders to respond
The Holy Spirit is ‘positioned’ at this time ‘hovering’ over our nation and people.
The Holy Spirit is positioned patiently to move in power at the Word of the Lord, releasing the Holy Spirit’s activity to bring 1. order out of chaos, 2. fruitfulness out of waste 3. light that dispels the darkness.
Therefore, the Holy Spirit’s activity negates the equation at the beginning of this post. Chaos + Confusion + Corruption (does not equal) Consternation
The next three months are going to be chaotic, wasteful, and very dark.
The Holy Spirit, is ‘brooding’/’hovering’ over our nation, waiting patiently, ready to perform God’s Word on behalf of this America.
God’s Word was, “Let there be light, and there was light”.
God’s Word, by the power of the Holy Spirit distinguished the light from the darkness.
“…God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all. ” (I John 1:5b).
The Presence of God dispels the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome God’s Light.
Light negates darkness!
God’s Light is being manifested today, around the world, in the strongholds of darkness that engulf many nations.
God is going to manifest His Light here in our nation, dispelling the darkness, and pouring out His Spirit bringing many individuals to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness*, but have the light of life.” (NKJV)
*Word Wealth: darkness, scotia, Strong’s #4653: Darkness, gloom, evil, sin, obscurity, night, ignorance, moral depravity. The NT especially uses the word in a metaphorical sense of ignorance of divine truth, man’s sinful nature, total absence of light, and a lack of spiritual perception….Scotia as spiritual darkness basically describes everything earthly or demonic that is at enmity with God. (NKJV, Spirit Filled LIfe Bible, pg. 1467)
I know these are strong words, but this is the darkness that we as a nation have succumbed too.
This is the darkness that our God, the Father; His Son Jesus Christ; and the Holy Spirit are going to dispel and set us free from as a nation.
Please read John 8:31-36.
As a believer in Christ, I beseech you to earnestly pray for this nation.
The enemy has come to kill, steal, and destroy; but Christ has come to bring us life, and that life more abundantly in Him. (my paraphrase of John 10:10)
We are battling the forces of darkness for the soul of this nation.
These are not flippant words. (Ephesians 6;12)
This spiritual warfare is for the core of our very existence.
Do not be deceived by clever rhetoric, political drama, presidential personalities, deceitful slogans, or outrageous claims.
Keep your focus on Christ, He is the Light of the world.
Therefore, “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.” (Isaiah 60: 1-2, NKJV)
a brother in Christ, deo
Before you read my post, I would like to direct your attention to a speech delivered at the 1964 Republican Convention that took place 60 years ago.
Please go to reaganlibrary.gov and read Reagan’s speech, A Time for Choosing Speech, October 27, 1964.
[Go to Menu, Archives, Speeches-Major Speeches, 1964-1989. Enter Search Terms- A Time for Choosing Speech, then scroll down and read the speech.]
Why do I ask you to do this?
Because, 60 years later, ask yourself, what has our nation become since he shared this speech?
UPON WHAT ARE YOU FOCUSED?
As I survey the political climate and breathe the atmosphere of our nation’s beating heart, I visualize clouds of darkness and despair.
Those are not very encouraging words when addressing an audience of readers.
But, if you are aware of the tension that is gripping our nation, then you know that these words are true.
Many see darkness and gloom, others see light and hope.
It is a matter of perspective.
What is your perspective?
What do you see?
Jesus said, in Matthew 6: 22-23, NKJV, “The lamp of the body is the eye, If, therefore, your eye is good (clear or healthy), your whole body is full of light. But if your eye is bad (evil or unhealthy), your whole body will be full of darkness. If, therefore, the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! (inserts, marginal notes) (emphasis mine)
Is the ‘eye’ of our nation, ‘good’ or ‘evil’ ?
Subsequent to these words Jesus said the following:
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24 NKJV)
Q: What master are we serving as a nation?
Upon what is it focused?
Upon what am I focused?
Upon what are you focused?
The notes in my NKJV Spirit Filled Study Bible, make the following observations regarding Matthew 6:22-24.
“The person with the good (“healthy”) eye is one whose intent is to serve God and not mammon (the money-god, used here to indicate the whole system of materialism). The person with the bad eye is selfish, covetous, and miserly. The one’s life is full of light, meaning, and purpose; the other’s life is plunged into darkness, deprived of meaning.” (pg. 1300)
Is it ok to substitute the word ‘nation’ for the word ‘person’ in Jesus’ teaching?
I suggest that it is.
I suggest that our pursuit of ‘mammon’ (the ‘money-god’) is an idol that we, individually, and as a nation have treasured and that that pursuit has taken our focus (eye) off the One True God, and plummeted us into the darkness that we are groping with as a nation. (inserts, emphasis mine)
As we have walked about in our blindness, other philosophies, espousing their opposing ‘isms’, have ‘seen’ our condition and taken advantage of us the past 60 years.
I recommend that you read Deuteronomy 8:1-20.
Notice the progression of Israel taking their ‘eyes’ off the source of their wealth, their God; and transferring its source to their own prideful accomplishments that lifts up their hearts forgetting God.
What does God say will happen to them?
Deuteronomy 8:30-31, NKJV, “Then it shall be if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other God’s, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. As the nations which the Lord destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would be obedient to the voice of the Lord your God.” (emphasis mine)
What is the progression? forget, follow, serve, worship
What does this progression lead to? idol worship
The Apostle John, in I John 5:21 (NKJV) concludes his letter saying, “Little children (believers), keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” (insert, emphasis mine)
Our nation is beset with idolatry.
Does this mean that we, as a nation, have not been generous to other nations throughout our history?
Absolutely not !
We have been very generous throughout the life of this nation.
But, in spite of our generosity, we find ourselves using our resources in ways not for the sole of bringing help and assistance to others; but, for the purpose of selfish gain and supporting causes that are not in the best interest for us as a nation.
Our resources are being used to build up and support causes that are destructive to our founding principles, our Constitutional Republic, destroying the foundation of our government, enhancing the personal priorities of individuals, and enabling a political agenda that undermines us as a nation.
In short, the people of this nation, have been blinded by the darkness of the ‘god of mammon’; and we have fallen asleep as the darkness of evil influenced our lifestyle.
We have pridefully turned away from following the Lord and pursued our own personal idols both as individuals and as a nation.
We need to be awakened.
Please read I Timothy 6:6-21.
I want to draw your attention especially to I Timothy 6:10, NKJV.
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
I believe these words tell us exactly where we are as a nation.
This is a root cause for the darkness in our nation
The pursuit of the ‘god of mammon’ is not just a non-christian pursuit.
Believers in Christ can also forget, follow, serve, and worship the ‘god of mammon’.
This is the teaching of Deuteronomy 8.
This pursuit of following the ‘god of mammon’ has affected the church.
Let me remind you again of the words, I quoted earlier found in Matthew 6:24, that Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 5-7)
In context, the Lord is teaching His listeners about the lifestyle for those who choose to follow Him; and explaining to them what to expect as His disciple.
He is very poignant when He says, “you cannot serve God and mammon”.
So , is it correct to assume that ‘all’ of our issues are the result focusing on money and ignoring God?
Some agree with that conclusion and some do not agree with that conclusion; but when you have carefully read Deuteronomy 8, I believe, that you will be hard pressed not to see the parallel between what is said about the nation of Israel and the history of the United States in its relationship to the ‘god of mammon’.
The truth is ‘any idol‘ ‘will change your ‘clear’ eye to an ‘evil’ eye.
What are the first and second commandments ? See Exodus 20: 1-6
Are these commandments relative today in the life of a follower of Christ?
Absolutely.
They are the moral and ethical standards for the followers of Christ to understand and apply to their life ‘in Christ’.
Those standards were taught in principle by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, and outlined throughout the teaching of the New Testament.
Remember, I am NOT saying that America is the nation of Israel.
I am pointing out what I understand to be a parallelism between the nation of Israel and our nation.
As of February 2024, our national debt was $34.4 trillion.
What is the outcome of such indebtedness?
Time will tell.
So ponder this: a) is the lifestyle of the local church governed by its relationship to mammon? b) is the lifestyle of a nation governed by its relationship to mammon?
Re-read what Jesus said in Matthew 6:22-24.
Remember Jesus is outlining His Kingdom beatitudes for His followers to ‘see’ as they follow Him.
Again, you “cannot serve God and mammon”.
Application.
For some time now, I have been sharing about the ‘unprecedented unrest’ that is coming to this nation and to the nations of the world.
These two words, the Lord spoke to me, pointing out the state of affairs coming to our nation and to the nations of the world.
It is obvious that what was brought to my attention is true, has begun, and is escalating.
Like you, I have read and heard people in the media use both of these words.
They speak of things that are ‘unprecedented’ and also of the ‘unrest’ that is happening in our nation.
We, as a nation, are experiencing the fruit of the ‘evil’ seeds that have been sown in the lifestyle of the ‘soils’ of our nation and our individual lives.
We are harvesting the crops of our failures.
We are harvesting the crops of the evil seeds that have been implanted in the ‘soil’ of America throughout its history ,especially since 1900, and more extensively since the 1960’s.
(Please read, if you have not, Ronald Reagan’s speech from the 1964 Republican Convention.)
I do not need to rehearse for you the daily headlines; nor do I need to list the stories of ‘unrest’ that are daily posted on the media apps that we see and read.
What is tragic is the constant watering and fertilizing of those seeds that are producing the crops of ‘unrest’!
This watering and fertilizing takes place daily throughout the media, especially the cable news networks.
I am not picking sides.
I am commenting on the ‘watering and fertilizing with words’ that takes place 24/7.
The cable news networks functions like a farmer taking care of his crops.
What needs to happen is a change of ‘seeds’ that are being planted in the soil of America. We need good seeds to be planted. Those seeds need a healthy ‘watering with words’ that will cause those ‘good’ seeds to grow in our nation.
Unfortunately, we as a nation, have set aside God’s Word, which is the ‘good’ seed that needs to be sown in the soil of our hearts, individually and as a nation.
If we have chosen to forget, follow, serve and worship the One True God, then we are reaping what we have sown.
I want to use the words of a parable that Jesus shared to show you a principle for living as a nation.
In context, Jesus is talking about the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 13:24-28 NKJV, Jesus told this parable.
This parable follows the parable of the sower.
The parable is entitled, The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares. (New Spirit Filled Life Study Bible)
“Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; “but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. “But when the grain sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir did you not so good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us to gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. ‘Let them both grow until the harvest, and at that time I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ‘ “
Using the commentary in my Study Bible about this parable, it says:
“The central message of this parable is that the consummated Kingdom of God will be different from the present kingdom (reign) in that the consummated kingdom will be in a perfected environment of only the sons of the kingdom. Currently, sons of the kingdom and sons of the Evil One live together in human society,”
In light of this parable, it is clear that the ‘unprecedented unrest’ that we, as believers and a nation, are experiencing today in ‘human society’ should not be a surprise.
A former Pastor of mine, Dr. Robert Evans said, “The world is going to do what the world is going to do.”
The scripture tells us plainly that we will ‘reap what we sow’. (Galatians 5-6)
What is the Spirit of God saying to the Church, the Ekklesia, at this time?
This parable gives us an example of what has taken place in our nation’s history.
I am NOT saying that America is the Kingdom of God.
We as a nation were founded and established with the ‘good’ seed of Judeo-Christian principles. Since our founding, enemies of this nation have sown ‘evil’ seeds to undermine this nation; to destroy its Christian heritage;and to undo its Constitutional foundation.
Our nation blossomed in its founding; it grew ‘good’ crops that were healthy because of the ‘good’ seeds that were sown.
Unfortunately,seeds of ‘evil’ influence have also been sown in the soil of America and produced crops that appeared to be ‘good’ crops, but are ‘look alikes’.*
*[Note: Look up the difference between darnel and wheat]
These ‘look alikes’ sound correct, look correct, and behaved like ‘good’ crops; but down deep in their hearts their moral and ethical fruits are not like the crops of the original Judeo-Christian seeds sown.
Why?
Their hearts are ‘evil’.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus makes this statement in Matthew 7:15-20 about false prophets.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.”
My emphasis is focusing on the fruits of the seeds that have been sown.
The witnesses of the ‘look alikes’ to this nation and to other nations are deceptive.
They are a false testimony. They are liars and deceivers.
Who is the father of lies, and a deceiver?
Satan
Like the ‘man who sowed good seed’ in his field, while he and his workers slept, believing everything was ‘good’; his enemies came in during the night (darkness) and sowed their own ‘evil’ seeds of influence among the ‘good’ seeds.
Using this parable as an analogy, what is the result?
We as a nation, have ‘slept’ in our goodness and prosperity.
Our ‘pride of greatness’, as we have called it, has ‘blinded’ us from what has quietly been sown in our midst.
Those ‘evil’ seeds have grown into healthy crops and overtaken us to the point where our ‘good’ seeds have been choked out and our ‘good’ crops can hardly grow and have any ‘good’ positive influence in our nation.
Like the servants of the farmer who awoke and saw what had happened, we as a nation are awakening up to what has happened in our nation.
The ‘evil’ seeds of influence have overtaken much of our society and are flourishing abundantly and manifesting their fruits of ‘unprecedented unrest’.
Our society is being subjected to the philosophical crops of the evil- isms that have matured.
This ‘unrest’ is the result of the ‘evil’ seeds sown by our enemy in the soil of our nation just like into the soil of the farmer in Jesus’ parable.
The ‘evil’ seeds have produced the fruits of ‘unprecedented unrest’.
As a believer in Jesus Christ, one of the first questions, I would ask myself is whether or not I see this ‘unprecedented unrest’ or am I walking in blindness?
This ‘unrest’ is not new.
This ‘unrest’ is the fruit of Satan that he orchestrated in the Garden of Eden.
He deceived Eve; then Adam followed in willful disobedience to God’s instruction to him. (Romans 5)
This is the result of the original sin.
The source is not Adam. Adam is ‘flesh and blood’, a human being “created in the image and likeness of God”.
Satan is the source; but Adam’s response is the source of the ‘evil seed’.
We, the descendants of Adam, are responsible for our lifestyles , actions, behaviors, conducts, and words?
Selah.
Thank you Father, for the Incarnation of Christ, Who came in the likeness of sinful flesh, and knew no sin, that we might become the righteousness of God.
B.U.T. (Believers Understand This), “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood (humanity) but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV) (emphasis mine, insert mine)
Bluntly stated, the source of the ‘evil’ seed is the devil and his demons who deceive mankind to sow ‘evil’ seed because the heart of mankind is ‘evil’ because of Adam’s disobedience.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV, “For though we walk in the flesh (a human body), we do not war according to the flesh (using human strength, weaponry). For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (of the flesh-marginal note) but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds (whose strongholds? Satan’s), casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (like the evil philosophical influences), bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” (inserts mine)
We are witnessing and wrestling against the fruits of what is exalting itself against the knowledge of God as we watch and listen to the daily activities of the ‘unprecedented unrest’.
Paul exhorts us to bring every thought to the obedience of Christ. But note, he says that we must bring our thought process into obedience before we are can do battle with the ‘thoughts of the enemy’.
Did he really say that? Yes, go back and read it carefully.
The commentary in my Study Bible makes this true. It says, “Paul is ready to punish the rebels who continue to refuse to repent. First he must be assured of the obedience of the congregation as a whole.”
Paul is correcting the Church at Corinth, not unbelievers.
Is God saying the same thing to His Church today?
Yes!
The Church must repent, confess its sins, take its focus off the world, the nation and its politics, put God at its center, and then God will deal with the issues that our nation is wrestling with.
[Note: What does 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 instruct God’s people to do?]
(Verse 13 sounds like ‘unrest’; verse 14 is God’s instruction for the solution to that ‘unrest’.)
(vs 13) “When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people.” (NKJV)
(vs 14) “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land.” (NKJV)]
In context, Paul is encouraging the Church in Corinth to withstand the ‘evil’ influences they were facing by setting aside the false doctrines and the ‘evil’ influences, through obedience to Christ.
As a believer, are you ‘so’ focused on the politics of our day that you have been overtly influenced by the evil rhetoric that is rampant in our nation?
Is ‘politics’ an idol in your life? Are you consumed by it? Is it the ‘focus’ of your life?
I believe that before ‘Making America Great Again’, we first come to grips with this: We need to ‘Magnify Almighty God Again’; then the Lord will rid us of the sources of ‘evil’ that ravish this nation and restore to this nation the ‘good’ influence comes from being rightly related to Him, as we, as a nation experienced in our beginning..
There are many in this nation that are in agreement with this outcome.
I encourage you to turn away from the ‘political rhetoric’ that comes from both sides of the aisle.
I am not telling you to bury you head in the sand and ignore our election process.
I am beseeching you not to be governed by the political rhetoric.
If you understand what I just said, then know that the political rhetoric and the ‘unrest’ will get worse as we approach our national election on November 5th.
Don’t let the election rhetoric govern your mind. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)
Let the peace of God govern your mind. (Isaiah 26:2-8, Philippians 4:4-7)
“Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].” (Colossians 3:25 Amplified Bible)
Rest in the Lord….Jesus is our REST.
Remember, Christ is our ARK. He is our place of refuge during the tumultuous storm of ‘unprecedented unrest’.
He is always our Refuge.
We have no need to fear.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (safe-thinking, make right decisions, qualities of self-control and self-discipline) ( notes from Study Bible)2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Will those who have done unjustly be judged?
Yes
Is that our responsibility?
No
Why?
Romans 12:17-19 NKJV, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”
How do we live between now and November 5th?
1. We rest and wait on the Lord.
2.We watch, be alert, be ready, and we pray. (Matthew 24-25)
3. We take refuge in Christ.
I encourage you to read Psalms 34,35,36,37.
David understood ‘unrest’ and he understood that God was His refuge.
In my Study Bible, Isaiah 9 is entitled, “The Government of the Promised Son“.
Isaiah 9:2, the prophet writes, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.” (emphasis mine)
We as a nation are living a land of great darkness; but the Light of Christ is coming to dispel the darkness that has overtaken this nation.
“This is the message which we have heard from Him, and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (I John 1:5-7 NKJV)
The Apostle John wrote in I John 2:17-19 NKJV, “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. Little children (believers), it is the last hour, and you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come , by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.” (inserts mine)
The ‘unprecedented unrest’ will reveal who are the wheat and who are the darnel.
Let us return to the Lord, focus on Him, seek His face, walk in His Light, and dispel the darkness that surrounds us in this darkened world.
This is the call to the Ekklesia, NOW, in our nation’s history.
The Ekklesia is to fast and pray for our nation.
This election is not about political parties; it is not about presidential personalities; it’s about the ‘soul’ of our nation.
We, the people, are the ‘souls’ of this nation.
If our heart is right before God, then our eye will be clear to see what needs to be done when it’s time to vote.
If our heart is not right before God, then our eye will be evil and we will not know what is right when it comes time to vote.
Good or Evil, Light or Darkness, those are the options.
The future of our nation is dependent upon our hearts response to God so that we walk in the Light.
If we continue to ignore God (i.e. forget,follow, serve, worship other gods), then we will walk in darkness, as a blind man, and not know the way in which we should go.
Listen to the words of Joshua 24:19-25 NKJV.
“But Joshua said to the people, You cannot serve the LORD, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive you transgressions nor your sins. If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign God’s, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you, after He has done you good.” And the people said to Joshua, “No but, we will serve the LORD!” So Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD for yourselves, to serve Him.” And they said, “We are witnesses!” “Now therefore”, he said, “put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD God of Israel.” And the people said to Joshua, The LORD our God we will serve and His voice we will obey!” So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.”
I encourage you to simply embrace these thoughts about the passage.
Jesus is our Joshua.
Jesus has made a covenant for us with God, His Father.
As believers in Christ, our sins and transgressions have been forgiven.
Let us faithfully declare that we will follow our Lord Jesus Christ, serve Him, obey His voice, and ‘put away’ any thing that takes our focus off of Him.
Be blessed in the Lord, a brother in Christ, deo
The topic of ‘unprecedented unrest’ can be very unsettling, nerve wracking, worrisome, and anxious.
This has not the purpose of the last two posts, nor this post.
The fact is, there is ‘unprecedented unrest’ in our nation, and the other nations of the world. In short, this is not a bad thing. The Bible teaches that before Christ returns, things can and will become very tumultuous. (*See end of post*)
The burden of my heart has been to share with you what the Lord has shown me, and to encourage you, while you watch disturbing events taking place throughout our nation, and hear disturbing words that seek to undermine the foundation of our nation.
Please understand that in the next four months, prior to the November presidential election, there will be an unprecedented increase in political rhetoric that is going to be virulent, radical, and irrational. It will not surprise me for there to be demonstrations of rage and lawlessness.
What will that look like? I don’t know.
We will have to wait and see.
Unless God…
I encourage you to re-read and/or read Psalm 64 carefully, and ask the Holy Spirit to walk you through what David was personally experiencing and expressing to God.
At the risk of being very redundant, I suggest that you read or re-read the post entitled The A.R.R.O.W. Of God (livingwordsofencouragement.com).
In the Tree of Life Version Bible (that I personally use ), Psalm 64 is entitled, Protect Me From Conspiracies.
What an apropos title for the political climate and social culture we are now experiencing. There is political chaos in our nation, constant dissenting verbal rhetoric being voiced throughout the media, and corruption.
As I said earlier, the outlook is discouraging; but it is necessary.
It is not time to loose heart, but to focus on the Lord.
In Matthew 24:1-2(TLV), a verbal exchange takes place between Jesus and His disciples. The text says, “Now when Yeshua (Jesus) went out and was going away from the temple, His disciples came up to point out to Him the temple buildings. “Don’t you see all these?” He(Jesus) responded to them. “Amen, I tell you, not one stone will be left here on top of another–every one will be torn down!” (inserts mine)
Obviously, this shocked them. So, they asked, (vs 3b) “Tell us, when will these things happen? What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”
Historically, we know that the temple was completely destroyed, as Jesus said it would, in 70 A.D.
The Romans did it.
What has always interested and astounded me is the first thing Jesus said when He began answering their questions.
Matthew 24:4 (TLV), “Yeshua (Jesus) answered them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray!” (inserts mine)
Rotherham’s Emphasized Bible says, “…Be taking heed, lest anyone |deceive| you;”
NKJV says, “Take heed that no one deceives you.”
So, what is the tell-tale mark of the time in which we live?
How much deception and lying is going on right before us?
Why have I brought this subject up?
When you read Psalm 64, what type of activity is David pouring out his heart to God about?
I believe a careful reading of the Psalm will give us a clear understanding.
David is rehearsing before God, the lies, the deceits, the deceptions, and the plannings which are the thoughts and intents of his enemies ‘darkened,evil’ hearts.
What kind of atmosphere is created by such scheming?
James 3:14-16 (TLV), says, “Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct let him show his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above (heaven), but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom from that is from above (heaven) is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, not hypocritical. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in shalom (peace) by those who make shalom (peace). (inserts mine)
The Bible says that “by their fruits you will know them” (see Matthew 7:15-20 for context).
“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (see Matthew 12:34/Luke 6:45 for context).
If the source is not from above (heaven), then where is it from? What does that mean in the Bible? below is hell. (inserts mine)
I know that is a very strong assertion to make; but that is not my opinion, it is the word of God.
As I proceed, I trust that you understand that sometimes we need to consider what we may want to avoid. Allow the Word of God to guide your thinking.
James 3:14-16 is inferring that the source of the wisdom from below is the Devil, Satan himself. Startling words?
Harsh words? Listen to Jesus!
In John 8:44 (TLV), Jesus is speaking to the Jewish religious rulers. He says to them, “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him (devil). Whenever he speaks lies he is just being himself–for he (devil)is a liar and the father of lies.” (emphasis, inserts mine)
In Ephesians 2:1-10 (TLV), Paul writing to the believers at the church in Ephesus reminds them of their former life. He says, “You were dead in your trespasses and sins. At that time, you walked in the way of this world, in conformity to the ruler (devil) of the domain of the air*–the ruler (devil) of the spirit who is now operating in the sons of disobedience. We,too,all lived among them in the craving of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and the mind. By nature (being unregenerate) we were children of wrath, just like the others. But God was rich in mercy, because of His(God) great love with which He (God) loved us . Even when we were dead in our trespasses, He made us alive together with Messiah (Anointed One). (By grace you have been saved!) And He (God) raised us up with Him (Jesus) and seated us with Him (Jesus) in the heavenly places in Messiah (Anointed One)–to show in the olam ha-ba (the world to come) the measureless riches of His (God) grace in kindness toward us in Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus). By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not from yourselves–it is the gift of God. It is not based on deeds (works), so that no one may boast. For we are His (God’s) workmanship created in Messiah Yeshua( Christ Jesus) for good deeds, which God prepared beforehand so we might walk in them.” (emphasis, inserts mine) (*see got questions.org, ‘What does it mean that Satan is the prince of the power of the air, Ephesians 2:2)
The above scripture Ephesians 2;1-10 is resplendent in God’s Everlasting love for His creation, especially man. (see John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…)
The spiritual influence behind what David is lamenting before God has its source working through the sin nature of unregenerate people influenced by the devil.
We must understand this!
David’s enemies are unregenerate people. Their father is the devil. They are sons of disobedience upon whom the wrath of God abides unless God works in them by His grace, opening their hearts and minds to the truth of the gospel. We are all, like Paul said, children of disobedience but for the grace of God.
Because they are unregenerate, sinners by nature, they exhibit the same characteristics as their father, the devil. That is what Jesus said, and that is what Paul said.
[Why does God still love us? Because man was originally created in His image; that image has been marred by sin. The Gospel is God providing the means to be born again as a new creation in Christ Jesus and grow into the image of His Son.]
In Revelation 12:10-12 (TLV) the following is said of the devil. He is an “accuser” of believers.
How many political accusations are thrown about daily in our nation? How many social and cultural accusations are also spoken against others in our nation?
In Psalm 64, David is in the midst of a spiritual battle. He is being verbally hammered by individuals who are unregenerate, those whose father is the devil.
I know these thoughts can be difficult to process; but allow the truth of the Word to minister to you.
Does God care about our leaders? Absolutely!
Read 1 Timothy 2:1-8, Paul tells us to pray for those in authority over us. Paul also tells us why? Because God “desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” (TLV)
Remember, David is the King of Israel.
We, as a nation, are in the midst of a spiritual battle. (Ephesians 6:10-20) We, too, are, are being verbally hammered by unregenerate mankind. That is why Paul says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood (humanity) 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.” What we are struggling against is the influence of the devil on the unregenerate hearts of mankind that are in positions of authority and influence in our nation.
Don’t focus on a person and their personality, or a person’s strengths and weaknesses.
Focus on Christ.
That is why the Ekklesia, the Church, the Body of Christ needs to pray and intercede daily for this nation.
It is time to close our thoughts; but it is important that we see clearly what is taking place.
Our, Father God, has shot His ARROW. He is exposing the words and the deeds of darkness. The works of the devil that has been done in darkness are being brought to light.
With the revelation of truth being exposed, mankind will be fearful.
I propose that both the saved and the unsaved will respond with fear because of the great shaking that is and will take place in our nation and the other nations in the world.
The ‘unsaved’ will have a dreaded fear. The ‘saved’, too, will initially be shaken and experience fear; but their (those saved) fear will not continue in dreaded fear. Their fear will become a reverential fear and awe for their heavenly Father.
How so?
2 Timothy 1:7 (TLV), says, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity (fear) but of power and love and self-discipline (sound mind).”
Rotherham’s Emphasized Bible says (2 Timothy 1:7) “For God hath not given us a spirit of cowardice, But of power, and love, and correction.”
New Spirit Filled Life Bible says, (2 Timothy 1:7) “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
In context, Paul is encouraging a youthful Timothy, not to fear, because of the circumstances and responsibilities he is facing.
A sound mind, Word Wealth notes for 1:7 says, “The word denotes good judgment, disciplined thought patterns, and the ability to understand and make right decisions. It includes the qualities of self-control and self-discipline.”
How does this apply to us?
Psalm 64:10a tells us all men shall fear. Psalm 64:b continues, “So they will declare the work of God.” They is all men(all mankind),the saved and the unsaved. The work of God has caused ‘unprecedented unrest’. Some will have a dreadful fearful experience (unsaved); others (the saved) will rejoice. This means their fear will turn to praise. (emphasis, inserts mine)
Why can I say that? Let’s look at the text.
The next verse tells us what takes place.
Psalm 64:11 (TLV), the saved have processed what is going on. I contend that believers will exercise their sound mind given by God.
Verse 11 says, “the righteous will be glad in Adonai and take refuge in Him.”
Those who are in a right relationship with Father God, will be able to discern what is happening, will rejoice and come under the “shadow of His wings” (Psalm 91)
The verse continues, “Let all the upright in heart give glory!
Only believers ‘in Christ’ can do that!
To whom are they giving glory?
God, their Father.
See there is Good News in this ‘unprecedented unrest’.
Where?
The unsaved, too, can find refuge in God. (See above, 1 Timothy 2:1-8)
Will there be judgment? Yes
Will there be an opportunity for repentance? Absolutely.
At the Cross, ‘judgment was paid; and salvation was made’. (my words)
God’s awakening will bring judgment to evil and salvation to those who respond to God’s saving grace during this time of ‘unprecedented unrest’ orchestrated by God, Himself. (See Ephesians 2:1-10 earlier in this post)
As I was composing this post, a chorus came to mind: “God is moving by His Spirit, Moving in all the earth, Signs and Wonders, when God moveth, move Oh Lord in me.” [Note: The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir wrote and recorded this song “God is Moving by His Spirit” in 1996.]
It is happening and it will happen. God is moving by His Spirit.
My word of encouragement to you is that we need to be careful not think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think. (Romans 12:3)
In short, our thinking is, I can handle this!
No one really knows how they are going to respond when God steps on the scene.
Remember, being “in Christ” is the same as taking refuge in God. Jesus is our refuge. Jesus is our ARK. [I encourage you to read my post: THE ALTERNATIVE TO WORRY, ANXIETY, AND/OR STRESS (livingwordsofencouragement.com) ](emphasis insert mine)
Christ is our Refuge.
John 16:33 (TLV), Jesus, in the upper room, prior to His arrest, said to His disciples: “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me (in Christ), you may have shalom (peace). In the world you will have tribulation ( may I say, ‘unprecedented unrest’) but take heart! I have overcome the world!” (emphasis and inserts mine)
The Apostle John writes, I John 5:4-5 (TLV), “For everyone born of God overcomes the world, and the victory that has overcome the world is this–our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world, if not the one who believes that Yeshua is Ben-Elohim (Jesus is the Son of God) ? (emphasis and insert mine)
Earlier in this post, I referenced Satan in Revelation 12:10-12 (TLV). I will now complete the end of verse 12. “They(believer) overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their(believer) testimony, and they (believers) did not love their(believer) lives even in the face of death.”
What will we face in the coming months and years is known only to God?
But that does not change what Jesus said about being His disciple.
We need to ‘double down’ as His disciple.
Luke 9: 18-27 is the context for what Jesus said regarding being a disciple.
Luke 9:22 (TLV) says, “But Yeshua (Jesus) warned them (His disciples) not to tell this to any to anyone, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and ruling kohanim (priests) and Torah (the Law) scholars, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (inserts mine)
[Personal note: the time for silence has passed. Now is the time to tell!]
Luke 9:23-24 (TLV), Then Yeshua (Jesus) was saying to everyone, “If anyone wants to follow Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross every day, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” (inserts mine)
[Personal note: this is the ‘work of the Cross’ (the other side of Calvary on resurrection ground) changing you into the image of Christ. This means that we must learn to live walking after the Spirit and not after the flesh.]
So, at this present moment, there is ‘unprecedented unrest’ in our midst as a nation. We must focus on the Lord and not listen to the verbal rhetoric that is being thrown about seeking to devour and deceive (see I Peter 5:8) those who listen to other voices, other than the voice of our Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ.
I recommend that you read John 10:1-19. It’s about, Jesus’ sheep hearing Jesus’ voice. Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd.”
I want to encourage you also to read, to reflect upon, and to rest in the following passages of scripture.
The Lord is our Shepherd: 1) Psalm 62:1-9; 2) Psalm 46:1-12; 3) Psalm 57:1-2; 4) Psalm 71:1-8; 5) Psalm 91:1-16; 6) Nahum 1:17.
I close with the joy declared in Psalm 64:11 (TLV), “The righteous will be glad in Adonai and take refuge in Him. Let all the upright in heart give glory.”
In spite of all David’s lamenting, he ends with a ‘words of rejoicing’.
David- my God reigns!
Today, our God reigns too!
blessings, a brother in Christ, deo
*I believe that in Matthew 24:3-14(TLV), Jesus gives us an initial insight into the ‘unprecedented unrest’ that we all will face. I know people will differ with interpretations and timing. That is ok. My hope is that you will glean what Jesus is outlining and telling us what will take place before the end of the age.
“As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things (temple demolished completely) happen? What will be the sign of Your coming and the end of the age? Yeshua (Jesus) answered them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray (deceives you)! For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will lead many astray. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must happen but it is not the end yet. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are only the beginning of birth pains. Then they will hand you over to persecution and will kill you. You will be hated by all the nations because of My name. And then many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold. [Personal note: the word used for love here is agape-that is God’s love! What is Jesus saying to believers, regarding His love?] B.U.T. (Believers Understand This) the one who endures to the end will be saved. [These are Jesus’ words not my words.] This Good News (Gospel) of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (emphasis, inserts mine)
We are in the process of living out the fulfillment of Jesus’ words.
Come Lord Jesus!
God’s purpose for this time of ‘unprecedented unrest’ is to bring judgment on sin and salvation to mankind who responds to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This is the redemptive purpose of the Cross.
God’s Redemptive Activity Changes Everything!
“…This is the word of Adonai to Zerubbabel saying, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Ruach! (Spirit, breath of God)”, says Adonai-Tzva’ ot(The Lord of Host)…He will bring out the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace” to it. (Zechariah 4:6-7, TLV)
Living Words of Encouragement 