Uncategorized – Page 9 – Living Words of Encouragement

Does Tribulation mean Tension?

Part 4

In October of 2022, I published the following post. I am re-publishing it now in light of what is transpiring in our nation and throughout the other nations of the world.

Does tribulation Mean Tension?

Answer: Of course it does! Now what?

In the post, Habakkuk’s Headlines, it concluded with Jesus’ words spoken to His disciples in the upper room. Jesus said, (John 16:33, NKJV), “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me, you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Jesus statement summarizes His words spoken to His disciples in the upper room prior to His arrest the night He was betrayed.

His arrest would accelerate the tension that His ministry had created between Himself and the religious Jewish leaders.

In human terms, Jesus was walking a path of no return. He had been walking that pathway since His Incarnation. That pathway would lead Him to Calvary. There He would be crucified on a cross. On that cross He would die, be put into a grave, and that grave would have a large stone rolled across its entrance so that His body would be sealed in the grave. In essence His life and ministry is over.

But, His death, burial, and a sealed tomb, would not, and could not terminate His life. In actuality, all of this, would only create the framework from which Jesus would be resurrected from the dead just as He had said. Matthew 17:22-23, NKJV, “Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful.”

What had transpired during His years of ministry had been a succession of events that caused a growing of tension that was fraught with trials and temptations. His tribulation was great; but His resurrection was glorious.

Hear the Word of the Lord. Hebrews 12:1-2,(NKJV), “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:3-4 NKJV, continues, “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. Your have not yet resisted to blood shed, striving against sin.”

For fear that we become complacent in our walk with the Lord, Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 4:12-19 NKJV, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part His glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murdered, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”

Question: Are we ready for what is coming?

Let us reflect upon these words found in Hebrews 13:10-16, (NKJV). “We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore, Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him (where?) outside the camp, (for what purpose) bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (inserts mine)

This is the type of lifestyle we are to be living as believers in Christ Jesus. This lifestyle is not a religious organization. It is the Body of Christ functioning by the Spirit of God, according to Word of God, of Whom Christ is the Head.

Are we prepared to “bear His reproach”? meaning am I willing to be disgraced for the name of Christ, to be joined to His sufferings.

Change is coming. Our religious endeavors are going to shaken and judged; and we are going to have to leave the camp(of religion) and join ourselves to Jesus outside the religious camp. (insert mine) (Hebrews 13:13)

This will cause upheaval and misunderstanding. But it a necessary change that is coming to the church.

Prior to the Passover week when Jesus was crucified, He had raised His friend Lazarus from the dead. Jesus is coming to raise His Church from the dead. Consider the words of the Apostle Paul written to the believers in Ephesus. Ephesians 5:8-21 (NKJV).

“For you were once darkness, but NOW you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for what 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, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.” (emphasis mine)

Between the raising of Lazarus from the dead and Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem to celebrate Passover the religious leaders had “plotted to put Him to death”. (John 11:53, NKJV).

We know that Christ’s death was planned from eternity passed before the foundation of the world. See Ephesians 1:3-14. Verse 3, NKJV, says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…(vs 7), In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace…”.

Question: Is there tension in the world? in our nation? in our family relationships? Absolutely. As Jesus faced His crucifixion, He was totally aware of the tension, tribulation, and trial He was going to personally face. What other conclusion could we assume based upon what He said in John 16:32-33, (NKJV).

“Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

These words were spoken to His disciples the night in which He was betrayed. As we have remembered He was arrested, then mocked and ridiculed, questioned by Pilate, sentenced to death, and subsequently crucified. When the tensions, tribulations, and trials come, how will you react to the pressure of the moment? Will you scatter as the disciples did? will you deny Christ as Peter did? or will you overcome in the hour of your tribulation, trouble, and suffering?

Prior to His betrayal, Jesus had taken His disciples to the garden of Gethsemane. There He asked Peter, James, and John to come with Him to the place where He wanted to pray. The other disciples He left behind in the garden. He asked Peter, James, and John to wait for Him as He went to His place of prayer. There the Lord poured out His soul to the Father. There we witness the Son of Man crying out to His Heavenly Father asking if the cup that He was being asked to drink could be removed; but Jesus knew that it was not a matter of what He wanted or willed to have happen, but what was the Father’s will for Him. Three times He petitioned the His Father, and three times, He resigned Himself to His Father’s will, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” (Matthew 26:42, NKJV)

But what about the disciples, especially Peter, James, and John? Did they watch as Jesus had asked them? No, they slept. Is the Church watching, or is it asleep? It is time for the Church to wake up, and be the Church. The Lord is coming to awaken, stir, shake, and judge His Church, as necessary, to prepare His Church in these last days, for the propagation of the Gospel.

Read Matthew 24:4-51. Matthew 24: 12-14, NKJV, says, “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (emphasis mine).

It’s time. Change is coming.

The prophet Isaiah said to God’s people, “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 upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” (Isaiah 60:1-3, NKJV)

Revelation 12:10-12 (NKJV), “Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” (emphasis mine)

I John 5:4-5, (NKJV), For whatever is born of God, overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believe that Jesus is the Son of God?

As tribulation in our nation and the world increases, the tension that is created will increase too. B.U.T. (Believer Understand This), in Christ, we can be of good cheer. Why? Because Jesus said, “I have overcome the world” and we too overcome because as believers we are in Him.

Arise and shine, Church!

Be encouraged with these words. Jesus said, John 14:27-28 (NKJV).

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you: not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither, let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, I am going away and coming back to you. If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, I am going to the Father, for My Father is greater than I.”

As the words of the song says, “There is a place of quiet rest, Near to the heart of God. A place where sin can not molest, Near to the heart of God. O, Jesus, blest Redeemer, Sent from the heart of God, Hold us who wait before Thee, near to the heart of God.” [Composer: Cleveland B. McAfee (1866-1944)]

Let us press into the Lord as we embrace for the coming tension amidst the unprecedented unrest.

In the midst of the unrest, we find rest and refuge in Christ.

blessings, a brother in Christ, deo

end of Part 4

TBC

Mentally Adjusting To The Coming ‘Shaking’

Part 3

Matthew 24 begins innoxiously with the disciples showing Jesus the Temple. Jesus responds with this answer, (Matthew 24:2 NKJV), “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

Jesus’ answer is going to cause these disciples to mentally adjust whatever thinking they were processing. I believe that, we too, in the Church will be adjusting our mental outlook regarding what we will be going through in the coming months.

Whoa! I wonder how the disciples processed Jesus’ response? Well, we don’t have to wonder very much, because, the narrative in Matthew tells us that Jesus, sitting on the Mount of Olives, is approached by His disciples, and they verbalize what they have been processing, having heard His response. (Matthew 24:3-4 NKJV) “They came to him privately, saying, Tell us when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”

Jesus’ answer has prompted a lot of thought and discussion about end-times.

The disciples questions are probably similar to the same sort of questions many of us may be processing as we contemplate the ‘unprecedented unrest’ in our world [today]. Matthew 24:4-31, provides us with answers to the disciples questions and food for thought for our own questions. In these verses, Jesus foretells of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Interwoven throughout His explanation, He outlines the ‘unrest’ that will accompany this devastating event. [insert mine]

Quoting the Spirit-Filled Life Bible, the commentary says regarding Matthew 24:4-14 (NKJV), “In warning the disciples against false signs, Jesus sketches the prevailing conditions of their present age down to the very end and states their continuing task. There will be religious deception, social and political upheavals, natural calamities, disloyalty, and persecution (all prevalent in our world today)-all of which are precursors of the end times (things we are asking ourselves about). In the midst of the difficulties, the Lord’s followers are to persevere in the spreading of the gospel (Matthew 24:14). (inserts mine).

In Matthew 24:29-51, Jesus instructs His disciples (and now us) about His second coming. His second coming has been alluded too in the previous verses 4-28; but in Matthew 24:29(NKJV), Jesus dramatically states these words: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be ‘shaken‘.” (emphasis mine) (inserts mine)

Let’s think about things being ‘shaken‘. If God began to ‘shake‘ things up today, how would the world respond? how would I respond? how would you respond? how would the Church respond? (emphasis mine)

Would it impact your mentality? Is the Church prepared for such a shaking?

Was,( my, your), the Church’s experience with COVID a ‘time of shaking‘( in my, in your), in the Church’s daily lifestyle? Yes it was! How were you affected? What did you go through mentally? What mentally did you have to adjust too? What did you learn regarding your relationship to the Lord during this ‘time of unprecedented unrest’?

Bear with me, I visualize God shaking things up. I believe Psalm 64, written by David in a time of personal “unrest”, shares his lament before the Lord, and then he is buoyed by what he has envisioned as God’s intervention. I believe the Lord has used this psalm to show me what has been occurring in our nation and what the Lord intends to do in our nation miraculously, intervening, to bring about change and revelation of Himself. There will be a great shaking.

Before the return of Christ, God is going to Sovereignly intervene in the affairs of humanity to make Himself known to the world. Things will be ‘shaken up’. I believe that God’s A.R.R.O.W. will be, A Righteous Revelation Of Wrong-doing. God will expose the darkness (Ephesians 5) that has incarcerated this nation; He will bring judgment where judgment is needed; and at the same time He is going to pour forth His Holy Spirit so that a great revival is going to take place simultaneously and ‘be’ the result of His intervention in this nation and in the world. “…But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20b-21 NKJV). This is already happening in the world and in places in our nation. There will be signs and wonders. (It is happening now.) Humanity will have no excuse for not believing that God exists and that He loves His creation of mankind, detests sin and will judge it. That is why the message of the gospel is so important. Christ, went to the cross and took the wrath of God against sin (judgement) for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (saved in Christ). (emphasis mine) (inserts mine)

The Epistle to the Hebrews was written to a Hebraic Christian community prior to 70 A.D., before the destruction of Jerusalem. Why was this Epistle written? It appears from the tenor and content of the Epistle that many in the Hebraic Christian community were on the brink of renouncing their Christian faith. Evidently, the ‘unprecedented unrest’ was pressuring them to consider quitting.

Is that possible today? Considering the time in which we are living, if the ‘unrest’ in our nation became such that it was overwhelming to us, might we consider turning away from the Lord?

In John 6, Jesus spoke the crowds and His disciples about Him being the Bread of Heaven. He talked about eating His flesh and drinking His blood (John 6:41-58), John 6:59 NKJV records, “These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.”

How did His disciples respond to these words? Continuing in John 6:60-69(NKJV), the scripture says, “Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying who can understand it?” When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend (cause you to stumble) you? What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. but there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. And He said, Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by the Father. From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. And also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ” (insert mine) (emphasis mine)

I contend that the Epistle to the Hebrews is as relevant today for the Christian community as it was then to the Hebraic community.

I contend that there is a truth that the Christian community must hear, process, and mentally adjust too, to go forward in the Lord, especially in times of stress.

Let me say it this way, todays Christian community must adjust themselves mentally to remain steadfast in the midst of ‘unprecedented unrest’.

Remember Jesus’ word to His disciples in John 16:33, NKJV, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (emphasis mine)

What is He referring too? May I state it this way? That night in the Upper Room, He was telling them that things were going to dramatically change; they would experience ‘unprecedented unrest’; but, He also assured them that He had not forgotten them, and that He would care for them, and that the Holy Spirit would come and be their Comforter.

John 14:15-18 NKJV, Jesus tells His disciples in the Upper Room, “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 orphans; I will come to you.” (emphasis mine)

Did the disciples experience stress the night Jesus was betrayed, arrested, processed as a criminal, beat, whipped, scourged, maligned, humiliated, pronounced guilty, struggled up to Calvary and crucified? Absolutely, they scattered. We know John was at the cross. The others fulfilled Jesus’ words to them, when He told them “…that the hour was coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.” John 16:32 NKJV.

And then He speaks these words of encouragement and assurance,

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NKJV. (emphasis mine)

Hebrews 12:25-29 (NKJV) says, “See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much-more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice the shook the earth (Exodus 19); but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Now this, ‘Yet once more’, indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and fear. For our God is a consuming fire.” (emphasis mine)

There will be a shaking! (emphasis mine)

In the middle of Jesus’ answer to His disciples about their questions regarding the coming destruction of the Temple, His coming, and the end of age, He says, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world (that includes the flood in Noah’s day) , until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21-22 NKJV) (insert mine)

What a promise! We must learn to take refuge in Him, as Noah, and his family took refuge in the ark.

God may ‘rock the boat’, but we have an Ark that rides out the storm.

Why? Christ is our Ark. In fact, He can walk on the water during the storm.

end of Part 3

a brother in Christ, deo

Mentally Moving On!

Part 2

Assuming that you read Matthew 24 and 25, let us now ‘mentally’ move on.

In Matthew 24, it begins with Jesus’ disciples asking Him an innoxious question. They are making what seems like an insignificant observation. They “came up to show Him the buildings of the Temple.”(Matthew 24:1, NKJV). However, Jesus’ response was exceedingly more than they bargained for or expected. Jesus tells them about the coming destruction of the Temple; the turmoil and tribulation at the end of the age; and the ongoing propagation of the Gospel unto the ends of the earth. In Matthew 25, He discusses what to expect and how to prepare yourself until He comes again.

Matthew 24:14 (NKJV), Jesus says, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Is the church functioning as a witness in the earth today? Depends on what you are observing God doing in the nations of the world. God is at work. Are you aware of the revival in Nicaragua ? (November 2023) (emphasis mine)

Many believe this ‘unprecedented unrest’ is spear-heading the prophetic end- time events that will usher in the return of Christ. (Question: Who really knows when the gospel has been preach as a witness to all the nations? Answer, only God, the Father-see Matthew 24:36.

All that we are witnessing is certainly moving us forward toward the return of Christ. All history has been doing that. In light of this, what should be our mental outlook regarding the events we are witnessing? What are you witnessing in your spirit? What is dominating your thinking?

Paul writing to the church at Ephesus, explains how we are to live in times of unrest. He writes, (Ephesians 5:6-21 NKJV), “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 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, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.”

Well, that is a study in itself; and I would recommend that study to you. It is a study that will rearrange your mindset toward the world in which we are living today. We are living in gross darkness as a nation. As believers we are to be light. Am I, are we, is the Church functioning as Paul has instructed the believers in Ephesus? Is this my, our, the Church’s mentality?

Not taking lightly what we just read, I do want us to consider this real possibility in our nation. It is a serious thought. It is one that has been considered in previous posts.

The question is this: In the midst of the ‘unprecedented unrest’, am I prepared to take refuge in the Lord? The psalms speak very poignantly about finding refuge in the Lord in time(s) of trouble. Am I saying there will be times of trouble? It would not surprise me. What kinds of trouble? That, I do not know; but based upon Psalm 64, I visualize God’s direct intervention in the affairs of this nation and the world. His intervention will be such that those who have meant harm and destruction to this nation are going to be exposed and dealt with by God. I have written a post about this and what I believe the Lord has shown me regarding Psalm 64 entitled, The A.A.R.O.W. of God. I recommend it to you so that you have an understanding of what I am implying. (it can be found at livingwordsofencouragment.com)

Psalm 64:7-10 (NKJV), “But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; Suddenly they shall be wounded. So He will make them stumble over their own tongue; All who see them shall flee away. All men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; For they shall wisely consider His doing. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and trust (find refuge) in Him. And all the upright in heart shall glory.” (insert mine)

I recommend that you read Psalm 64, Psalm 62:1-12 and Psalm 46:1-11 .

end of Part 2

TBC

a brother in Christ, deo

Am I Mentally Tuned In?

(Part 1)

Just before I sat down to begin composing this post, I asked my self this question, are the world events ‘just news’ or are they ‘signs of the times’?

The immediate answer to that question probably rests heavily on whether or not you are a Christian or a non-Christian. However, I am of the opinion that there are many believers who just see the daily events as the news of the day.

This morning I realized, too, that I had not seen or heard much about the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. This is not front page news but it is in its 622 day (as of 11-7-23) of conflict. Do I, do we even think about it? Do Christians pray about the end of the Ukraine/Russia conflict? I plead guilty to not regularly praying for this conflict to end.

Many of us in this nation might be engrossed in the Trump trials or simply ignoring them. I suspect that many in this nation are not really interested. Mr. Trump made front page news (11-7-23)this morning in the local newspaper because he was ‘front and center’ testifying at his trial in New York yesterday.

And of course there is the devasting conflict of the Israel/Hamas war going on in Gaza. This is most likely what is prevalent in most people’s thinking because it is in its fifth week and its events are dominating the media.

I do not take any of these lightly. I also know that there are many other important tragic events taking place throughout our nation and the world.

There is persecution of Christians taking place throughout the world. Believers homes are being burned. People are being incarcerated. Churches are being burned. Believers are being persecuted. Believers are being killed for identifying themselves as Christians. These stories are not daily news in our regular media; but these stories are available for those who know where to look.

In addition, there have been destructive earthquakes. The latest was in Napal.

And yet, amidst all this trial, tribulation, and turmoil, there are revivals happening in our nation and in various places in the world. God is on the move. Are you aware of that? Do you believe that? It certainly is not front and center on the daily news.

The fact is that we are witnessing ‘unprecedented unrest’ in our nation and in the world. Throughout the history of mankind, there have been many instances of nations unleashing horrific, barbaric treatment against other nations. The past empires of the world have conquered, possessed, and ravaged at the expense of others expanding their nation and influence. We know this history if we have studied world history.

The Bible records the movement of nations conquering other nations, as well as, attacking, destroying, and wanting to obliterate God’s chosen people, Israel. Sound familiar! It is happening right before our eyes in the Middle East. Hamas has attacked Israel. Israel has responded appropriately.

The birth of Christ, which we will be celebrating next month (December, 2023) triggered the slaughter of infants ( Please read Matthew 2:13-18) by king Herod.

Matthew 2:16 (NKJV), says, “Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were born in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.”

This barbaric event was the fulfillment of a prophecy recorded in Jeremiah 31:15. Notes in the Spirit-Filled Life Bible(NKJV) records the following comment about the prophecy remembered in Matthew 2:18. “The distress of the Hebrew mothers at the time of the Babylonian captivity (Jeremiah 31:15) received a deeper significance by the weeping mothers of Bethlehem.

What about the weeping mothers of Jerusalem today? The war between Israel and Hamas has many mothers and other family members weeping for their children and their loved ones, both Israelis and Palestinians, because of the horrific, barbaric attack by Hamas, and Israel’s justifiable response.

Do you remember in the Old Testament Book of Exodus, that the Pharoah of Egypt, ordered the killing of all male infants at the time of Moses birth because he wanted to stop the growth of the Hebrew nation who were slaves in Egypt? The account says that he was a new Pharoah who did not know the history of the Hebrew nation and their relationship to Egypt. He was afraid of the Hebrew nation. (Please read Exodus 1:8-22)

Let me reemphasize, our world today is experiencing ‘unprecedented unrest’ as we watch horror being perpetrated throughout the world and we ponder the consequences of those events and speculate about our future and the future of the world.

Question: Does this ‘unprecedented unrest’ worry you? Are you anxious?

Question: How do you personally view and process these events? Are they merely the daily news (just news) ? Or, are they significant events that have challenged your thinking and mindset regarding the historical time in which we are living? Are we seeing the end of age?

Wrestling with this mindset is not new in Christendom. Paul had to address this mindset in the church at Thessalonica. They were concerned about when Christ would return? Haven’t past world wars triggered this same concern ? As I understand there were many who believed that WWI, and then WWII were ushering in the return of Christ? Christians have pondered this whenever there has been a major interruption in the ‘normal daily’ lifestyle of a nation or the world.

Question: Did you ever think that COVID was issuing the end of the world?

In times like this, people gravitate to eschatological events and the teachings that surround the second coming of Christ. I am not minimizing that thinking in any way. There is every reason to ask oneself penetrating questions, such as, if we are witnessing the escalation of end time events and personally living in the moment when Christ will return? Well, guess what, Christ can return at any time, because the decision is not ours, or His, it’s God’s the Father.

Jesus said so. Matthew 24:36 (NKJV), “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”

Jesus did speak directly about His second coming. His words are found in Matthew 24 and following.

Let’s look at what He said. (Before moving forward, I recommend that you read Matthew 24,25)

End of Part 1, TBC

a brother in Christ, deo

Upon What are You Focused?

In her book, Discipline, The Glad Surrender, Elizabeth Elliot’s concluding paragraph of Chapter 2, entitled, ‘How Do We Know We are Called, she comments about C. S. Lewis’, the child Lucy, a character in the Chronicles of Narnia, from the book, Prince Caspian.

She writes, “For Lucy, believing was seeing. The others could not at first because they would not. It is always thus. The believer alone will be able to hear the call. It comes from beyond ourselves, beyond our society, beyond our climate of opinion and prejudice and rebellion and skepticism in which we live, beyond our time and tastes. It draws toward the center of all things, that still place of which T.S. Eliot wrote:

Against the Word the unstilled world still whirled

Against the centre of the silent world.

Question: Are you, am I, are we, is the Body of Christ ready for such a moment in which we need to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church as the ‘unstilled world’ races headlong in circles around us?

Elliot’s words were penned, then published in 1982. Her words reflect the society in which she lived and observed then :what is the condition of our society today? What is “the climate of opinion and prejudice and rebellion and skepticism” in which we live in 2023? Has it grown beyond our “…time and taste…”?

We find ourselves living in uncertain times. There is ‘unprecedented unrest’. Most of us, I believe, would probably confess that we do not really want to live in these uncertain times of unrest. But the reality of the moment cannot be dodged. We might even find ourselves fearful that this unrest may escalate into conditions that will unravel the nations of the world and may even destroy the fabric of our own nation, unhinging a lifestyle that plummets into chaos, fear, turmoil and uncertainty.

It is certainly easy to speculate and collapse mentally into that frame of thought. As T. S. Eliot wrote, “the unstilled world is whirling.” Eliot’s whirling is the ‘unprecedented unrest’ that we are witnessing and embracing in the world today.

Jesus put it this way, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b, NKJV)

Ah!, the word tribulation. A word that engenders much speculation, engaging Bible readers, Bible students, Bible scholars, pastors and teachers to theorize about end-time events.

A lot of that is happening at this time. I am not minimizing that thought. However, I want to encourage you to stay focused on the Lord, His Word and the community of the believers that you fellowship with regularly.

Returning to T. S. Eliot’s words, “the unstilled world (the one in tribulation) is still whirling about becoming increasingly more chaotic and tumultuous; and as Eliot points out, it is whirling (swirling) “about the centre of the silent Word”-God’s Word. Who is the Word of God? Jesus. (see John 1:1-5) [inserts mine]

Visualize with me the following: Can you see the overlay of Christ’s Words to His disciples in John 16:33b placed upon Eliot’s prose? Christ, Who is the Word of God has overcome the world. His position is one of quietness overlaying the whirling tribulation pulsating throughout the nations.

The world may raise its turmoil, chaos, and fanaticism; but it cannot overcome Christ. Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection has brought death to death. The world, the flesh, and the devil have no power over the Son of God. Jesus Christ is Lord. All authority and power has been given unto Him. Jesus ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of His Father, God Almighty. The enemy has been defeated and in Christ, we share in His triumphal victory.

That reminds me of the words of a song, “O Victory in Jesus, my Savior forever, He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood, He loved me ‘ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.” (E.M. Bartlett, Victory in Jesus lyrics copyright Albert E Brumley & Sons)

Upon what are you focused? In Whom are you resting? In Whom are you taking refuge? Do not allow yourself to get caught up in the “unstilled world” and its “whirling”.

Let us stop here for a moment and reflect upon Psalm 62:1-8. (Using the Tree of Life Version)

“My soul waits in stillness only for God-from His comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress–I will never be moved. How long will you assault a man to crush him, like a leaning wall, a fence to be torn down? They only plot to topple him from his rank. Delighting in falsehood, they bless with their mouth, but inwardly they curse. Selah. 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.

The title to this post is ‘Upon What are You focused?’ I trust that your focus has been changed from ‘What’ to ‘Whom’.

Question: Upon Whom Are You Focused?

In our time of turmoil, chaos, uncertainty, and ‘unprecedented unrest’, our refuge must be in God not in political leaders, not in the leaders of the nations of the world, but in the One who rules Sovereignly over all the nations of the world.

Does God use the leaders of nations to accomplish His ends? Absolutely. The history of civilization is a testimony to His Sovereignty.

“There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God. A place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God. O, Jesus, blest Redeemer, sent from the heart of God, hold us who wait before Thee, near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet, Near to the heart of God, A place where we our Savior meet, Near to the heart of God.

chorus

There is a place of full release, Near to the heart of God, A place where all is joy and peace, Near to the heart of God.

chorus.

Author: Cleland Boyd McAfee (1903)

In closing this post, I would like to direct your attention to my post, ‘Finding Refuge in the Lord’. It can be found and read at livingwordsofencouragement.com

Blessings, a brother in Christ,

The Coming Unrest

On June 14, 2023, I posted that the Lord had impressed upon me that there will be ‘unprecedented unrest’ coming to our nation (and to the world) I encouraged those who follow my posts to visit livingwordsofencouragement.com and read or re-read the post, The A.R.R.O.W. of God. Why?

The A.R.R.O.W. of God post is the foundation of what I want to share with you. It will provide the back round of my thinking and what I believe the Lord has been sharing with me.

Psalm 64 is a vivid picture of what our nation has been experiencing for many years. Psalm 64 is the psalm that I have personalized to pray for our nation. In this psalm, God shoots His arrow. I believe that arrow has been shot and that the effects of that arrow are now beginning to be seen; and that, God’s arrow is the impetus for the ‘unprecedented unrest’ that will be experienced by our nation and throughout the world.

Psalm 64: 7-9 (NKJV) says, “But God will shoot at them with an arrow; Suddenly they shall be wounded. So He will make them stumble over their own tongue; all who see them shall flee away. All men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; For they shall wisely consider His doing.”

Question: What is being referred to in verse 8, where it states, “So He (God) will make them stumble over their own tongue.”? We need to look back at verses 2-4, where it records what those, who are now stumbling over their tongue, had done.

In Psalm 64:2, King David cries out to God to hide him “…from the secret plots of the wicked, From the rebellion of the workers of iniquity.” Verse 3 continues, it is these, who have sharpened “their tongue like a sword” and have bent “their bows to shoot their arrows–bitter words.” How many ‘bitter words’ have been and are constantly being spewed out in our nation daily and throughout the past 5-10 years (or longer)?

Who have they been shooting at? Verse 4 answers that question. They have shot “…in secret at the blameless; Suddenly they shoot at him and do not fear.”

When the psalm gets to verse 7, the ‘tide has turned’; there is a ‘boomerang effect’ taking place; in short, the ‘times have changed’.

What has brought about this change? God shot His arrow at the wicked and the rebellious of verse 2. Remembering verse 7, “But God will shoot at them (wicked and rebellious) with an arrow; Suddenly they (wicked and rebellious) shall be wounded.” God knows who these individuals and/or groups of people are. His arrow will hit the intended mark(s). (insert mine)

I believe that I can confidently say that there will be no ‘fake news’; no spinning of the events taking place. I do not discount that people will try to discredit what is taking place but it will be obvious foolishness. Why? verse 9 says, “All men shall fear; and declare the work of God.”

Truth will be revealed. God’s ARROW has accomplished it. An acronym for God’s A.R.R.O.W. is: A Righteous Revelation Of Wrong-doing.

Backing up to verse 7, and using a Hebrew Lexicon:

The words, ” “shall shoot” means to lay or throw(especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot figuratively, to point out ( as if by aiming the finger), to teach.”

God will identify those who need to be brought to the ‘light’ who have been speaking and doing the deeds of ‘darkness’.

The words, “at them with an arrow” refers to a “a piecer, i.e. and arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of God) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear.”

The word ” “suddenly” means instantly-straightway, sudden(-ly).”

The words, ” “shall they be wounded” mean beaten, blow, plague, slaughter, smote, sore, stripe, stroke, wound(-ed).”

What this will look like? It is not my place to speculate?

Verse 8 tells us that “all who see them (wicked and rebellious) shall flee away.” (insert mine)

Those who witness what is taking place will seek to separate themselves from those who have been wounded by their own tongues (verse 8).

Not only will there be a fleeing, but a fearing (verse 9).

I believe that ‘all men’ implies to all humanity (the righteous and the unrighteous). Verse 9 continues and says that “And shall declare the work of God”. Some may say I am stretching it; but in our day of technology, when something happens in one part of the world, the whole world can know about it instantly. Therefore, I believe ‘all men’ will acknowledge that what takes place is the ‘work of God’. (insert mine)

The scope and magnitude of what takes place is gong to create a universal ‘aghast’. There will be no other explanation than what is being witnessed is the direct intervention of God.

If Psalm 64 ended at verse 9, we would have a lot of unanswered questions and humanity would be left as we sometimes say, ‘shaking in their boots’.

Maybe humanity needs to experience such a great shaking?

Maybe humanity needs to be awakened to a healthy ‘fear’ of God?

Fear can be devastating, as well as healthy.

I suggest that from the flow of the narrative of David’s words poured out to God, their tenor understandably results in a fear of God.

Let us remind ourselves of some words found in the Letter to the Hebrews.

“See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven. Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrew 12:25-29, NKJV) (emphasis mine)

If I may be so bold, it would not surprise me that the fear humanity will experience will be akin to what Hebrews 10:31 (NKJV) says, “It is a fearful things to fall into the hands of the living God.” (emphasis mine)

I am not saying that what is going to take place is the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ; but what will take place will be a Divine intervention and manifestation of God’s Presence in and on the earth that will witness to the created world that God is Who He says He is, ‘I AM THAT I AM’.

This past February, the world witnessed the manifest Presence of God in a mighty way that began at Asbury College in Kentucky. That Presence went to other college campuses and to nations and cities throughout the world. My understanding that God’s Presence is still at work today in the world.

It appears that God is going to notch ‘His Presence’ up.

Going back to Psalm 64:9, I left us with the thought that humanity was ‘shaking (trembling, quaking) in their boots’.

B.U.T. (Believers Understand This) God in His grace has a verse 10. David doesn’t end his dialogue with God in despair. (emphasis, insert min)

Psalms 64:10 (NKJV) reads, “The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and trust in Him. and all the upright in heart shall glory.”

I want to share with you three additional translations of this verse, very similar; yet a little different, but I believe very important for us to embrace.

The Tree of Life translation, uses Hebraic emphasis, “the righteous will be glad in Adonai, and take refuge in Him. Let all the upright in heart give glory.” (emphasis mine)

The Rotherham Emphasized Bible, uses a word by word translation, “the righteous shall rejoice in Yahweh, and seek refuge in Him, then they shall glory–all who are upright in heart.” (emphasis mine)

The Expositors Bible Commentary, Revised Edition, Vol. 5, composed by Dr. VanGemeren (Dr.V.), NIV version, “Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord, and take refuge in him; let all the upright of heart praise him.” (emphasis, insert mine)

What do I want you to embrace? There is a specific action we need to take? Yes, we must trust in the Lord. My thought is that we must embrace that trust as a place of refuge. (emphasis mine)

In his commentary, Dr. V. writes, “The psalmist encourages the godly to hope in the Lord during adversity. He will vindicate his servants (the righteous, Ps. 1:6, 7:10, 11:2) who are upright in heart. The righteous are those who rely on God finding protection with him (Ps. 1-2, 57:1, 58:10-11). The sound of lament will give way to the sound of praise (my note: that is what is taking place not ending at verse 9 and having a verse 10) in honor of the Lord. He alone establishes justice on the earth.” (Question, do you believe there is righteous justice in our nation? in the earth?)

What am I emphasizing? Let me say it again, we will need to take REFUGE in the Lord. (emphasis mine)

Why? The Lord said that an unprecedented unrest is coming to our nation (to the world).

Where will humanity flee too, when they flee from, to escape what they are going to experience?

Let me remind you again of Psalm 64: 8,9. Psalm 64:8 speaks of those fleeing from the ones that God has caused to be wounded by their own words. And then, Psalm 64:9 says that all men (humanity) shall fear. Referring back to a former post entitled, Finding Refuge in the Lord, I quoted Derek Kinder. He said, “There is not refuge from God, only refuge in God.” (insert mine)

What is the reason for this atmosphere of fear?

Quoting Dr.V. again, “Just as the wicked suddenly ambush the godly (vs.4), so the Lord will “suddenly” bring his judgment (vs. 7). Their punishment will be based on the “law of retaliation” (lex talionis), i.e. their sins will boomerang on them (cf. 62:12). What they had planned to do, the Lord will do to them (cf.7:16, Pr. 6:27). He will shoot (yara) them down, as it were, with “arrows” (cf. v.3, &:12-13). The evil they had planned to do with their own “tongues” will fall back on them (v.8; cf.v.3) and bring about their ruin. The shame they had planned to bring on the godly will come on them (cf. 22:7; 52:6-7; 59:10; Jer. 48:26). The bold challenge of autonomy and anarchy (v.5) has it counterparts in the fear imposed by God’s judgment on humankind. The wicked asked “Who will see us?” (ra a; NIV text note, v.5) and were unafraid of the consequences of their acts. When all humankind (adam; cf.58:11; Isa 40:5-6) sees the power of God, all will “fear” (yara). Then justice will triumph! The psalmist encourages all people to “proclaim” (nagad, GK 5583) and to “ponder” (sakal GK 8505, “learn from”) the acts of God (cf. 2:10; Isa 41:20). The history of redemption reveals the “works of God” in judgment of rebellious human beings. The story of redemption proclaims the mighty act of God.”

In Dr. V’s commentary, he refers to ‘all humankind’. I agree with that.

Now looking carefully at verse 10. Logically, since verse 10 refers to the righteous being glad in the Lord; what will be the state of the unrighteous?

All humanity includes the righteous and the unrighteous. There are no other classifications of identity. In verse 9, we read that “all” fear; however, progressing to verse 10, the righteous do not remain in fear. Why? They trust in the Lord. They have taken refuge in Him. The upright in heart have nothing to fear or dread. They have a different kind of fear. Their fear is an awe and respect for God. In Christ, the righteous sort through what is taking place, realize that the ‘unprecedented unrest’ is the “work of God”, “for they shall wisely consider His doing. ” Remember all mankind (all humanity) will realize what is taking place is the hand of God. The facts will not be nebulous. The righteous will take refuge in God; but the unrighteous will be uncertain, confused, and troubled. (emphasis, insert mine)

There will be ‘unprecedented unrest’; the righteous take their refuge in their God; quieting their inner fears that arise from the fear that permeates the atmosphere of the nation (and of the world). The righteous will have an inner peace. Jesus said in John 14:27 (NKJV) to His disciples to quiet their fears about His departure.: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (emphasis, inserts mine)

The unrighteous do not have that assurance or peace within them because they do not have the Spirit of God in their lives. The unrighteous have fled from those upon whom the hand of God has fallen. They are in trembling and fear.

Where is their place of refuge?

Can they find a place of refuge? Can they find refuge in the Lord? Absolutely! (emphasis mine)

Why can’t God’s intervention be for the purpose of performing a dual function? The administration of judgment and the opportunity for salvation. This is what Dr. V. was implying in his commentary.

Is not the CROSS, the very instrument of God’s grace that judges sin and provides salvation for the sinner?

Why can’t all this activity of God’s Sovereignty be His Divine intervention to awaken an awareness of His love for His humanity?

I submit, this is what will actually taking place. Has not God intervened in the lives of nations and His people throughout history to awaken humanity to Himself through judgment and repentance for salvation?

This is the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God’s grace is to intervene in hopeless affairs of mankind creating an ‘unprecedented unrest’ to awaken a confused and troubled world to a hope that can only be found in God, Himself.

This is Good News. Why? Because,

God has so loved the world that He, Himself, sent His only begotten Son into a helpless humanity so “…that whoever believes in Him (Christ is our (Refuge) should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16b-17, NKJV) (emphasis, insert mine)

Sending His Son into the world, John 1:10-14 (NKJV) says:

“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came unto His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Will there be ‘unprecedented unrest’? Yes

Is God in the midst of this ‘unprecedented unrest’? Yes

Do we need to be afraid? No, not if we are in Christ.

Is God out to destroy this nation? No; but He is going to judge sinfulness.

I have no idea what that will look like. But, reading Psalm 64:7-9 makes it clear that God is involved.

As I close, let us focus on Psalm 46:1-3 (NKJV):

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble, Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried in to the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains share with its swelling. Selah

Our God is an awesome God, He reigns in heaven above…

Blessings, a brother in Christ, deo

tbc

Finding Refuge in the Lord, because an ‘unprecedented unrest’ is coming to our nation.

On Sunday, July 2,2023, Matt Rehrer, the Executive Pastor of North Creek Church, shared a teaching from Psalm 46. His sermon title was SHAKEN BUT STILL. I concur with the title of his sermon because of what I believe the Lord has been speaking to my heart and the hearts of others in the Body of Christ.

Back in October, 2021 when we were engaged in battling the Covid epidemic, I wrote a post entitled Finding Refuge in the Lord. On June 14, 2023, I wrote and published a post, entitled The Coming Unrest. I re-posted that article on July 7, 2023. That post emphasizes the necessity of taking refuge in the Lord.

It is my goal to update that post Finding Refuge in the Lord and to incorporate Psalm 46 as the Lord directs. I believe that finding refuge in the Lord is essential for the Body of Christ to understand, embrace, and ready itself for the ‘unprecedented unrest’ coming to our nation and to the world scene in the near future.

Let me begin.

I want to share what I believe the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church in preparation for what is on the horizon.

The foundation of what I am sharing is incorporated in the posts, The Coming Unrest and the The A.A.R.O.W. of God. I know that sounds like a lot to juggle; but I believe that the Holy Spirit will make a clear statement.

As Derek Kinder once said, “There is not refuge from Him, only refuge in Him.“

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 this atmosphere there is no place of refuge, rest or peace, except in the Lord. (emphasis mine)

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 (emphasis mine)

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 verbal brutality throughout its history.

Jesus made no secret of this happening to His followers. In Matthew 5:10-12 (ESV), Jesus said, “Blessed are those who 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 (verbal assaults) 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.” (insert mine)

The inflammatory 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 contributed to the killing of many believers throughout the world. These tragedies are documented by Christian organizations such as the Voice of Martyrs, Open Doors USA, and other evangelistic organizations ministering within the nations (i.e. India, Afghanistan, North Korea, China, Africa, etc.) and other continents where Christians have been persecuted and killed.

The truth is that most followers of Christ, living in the twenty-first century in North America, have never experienced the reality of the words spoken by Jesus. If you are like me, the closest I have come to being persecuted has been some level of ‘feeling’ uncomfortable or ‘personal’ intimidation, which is in reality not persecution at all.

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? Are you? Is the Body of Christ?

In our nation, the Christian community has been experiencing a rise in opposition to religious freedoms. Opposition has taken the form of objections to stances taken in/at the workforce, disapproval of religious preferences, resistance to Biblical beliefs, and hostility when Christian’s express their personal opinions that are not in keeping with the perceived cultural norms.

Beginning in 2019, as you remember, the Covid pandemic spurred a number of confrontations when our government officials issued guidelines restricting movement, the assembling of ourselves together, and other protocols that were interpreted as infringements upon our personal rights as citizens of this nation, citizens of our states, and citizens in our local communities.

For instance, can government officials make guidelines to restrict a church from assembling together for worship? Some said yes; some said no; some successfully followed the guidelines; other dismissed them completely. Over time, the Covid pandemic subsided, its restrictions were relaxed, and the right to assemble was reinstated.

However, there was some collateral damage done to some congregations because the adherents of the local congregation were not of the same mind-set regarding the enforcement or non-enforcement of the guidelines. The Body of Christ had some schisms, hurts, and bad feelings to work through. I know of one congregation that did not survive. I wonder how many other churches suffered greatly.

There were many other rulings that the citizenry of our nation wrestled with, such as: masks, no masks; mandatory vaccine shots; no mandatory vaccine shots; eating inside and/or outside at restaurants; spatial distancing; and health guidelines if you contracted Covid, such as. travel restrictions; employment regulations; and many others that were residual because of the governmental guidelines.

We all know now, because we experienced it, some more acutely than others, that our entire country was in a national turmoil.

Daily we were bombarded with ‘do this’ or ‘that’ ; or ‘don’t do this’ or ‘that’.

People asked a lot of questions; and many did not receive adequate answers.

There was confusion, chaos, and calamity.

Some said that the governmental control was absolutely mandatory.

Others were concerned about the overarching control that our government officials exercised upon our individual lives and the lives of our citizenry.

The confusing part was that our government officials,over time, found themselves unsure of what to do and say, and as such became contradictory trying to explain themselves.

In many instances, they backed themselves into a corner and the prospects of getting themselves extricated from the problems they created did not seem promising.

Over time, things have quieted down regarding Covid; but the residual effects of governmental control have lingered.

This has raised new concerns.

Where have the government’s edicts taken us as a nation?

Now that they have had, what they believe has been a success issuing edicts, what will be the extent of their continual control?

I submit that is what many in this nation are struggling with?

In addition to Covid, there have been other major issues that have taken center stage in our on going struggle against the government’s insistence to regulate and reform our nation.

I am referring to abortion, free speech, racism, immigration, border control, energy, school curriculum, parent’s rights, national debt, climate control, gun control, and voting regulations to name some of the most dominant internal issues; and I haven’t even listed any external issues involving our relationships 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 most of these problems have been sown over the course of our nation’s history. The frequency of objection regarding these issues have become numerous.

Why?

Because they are real issues that need to be addressed.

One thing that I have noticed is the increasing irrationality of those who support the administration’s handling of our problems; and the increase in the level of their verbal defiance against those who disagree with the administration’s positions.

We are losing our civility as a nation to dialogue.

Maybe our elected government leaders are not as interested in solving the issues facing our nation as they are about using the problems to remain in control and power so that they can change the fundamental construction of our Constitutional Republic.

Why do I bring this to our (your) attention?

I will say it again.

These are real problems that we as a nation, must address, and deal with if we are going to maintain a civilized nation as founded by our founding fathers.

In order to rationally address our issues, let us consider this importance assessment.

What is the ‘fruit’, ‘the influence’ that these issues are exerting over our nation?

First, let us identify the source.

What is the source of the ‘influences’ that I am referring too?

According to James 3:13-18, the source of these is issues is not from ‘above’ but from ‘below’. ‘Below’ means that the source is “earthly, unspiritual, demonic”. Those are not my words; they are God’s Word.

Let me put those words into context.

James 3:13-18 (NKJV) says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

Let us ask ourselves some questions.

Do we have confusion or clarity in our nation?

Do we have unrest or peace in our nation?

Do we have division or unity in our nation?

Do we have bondage or freedom in our nation?

These are just some of the comparisons we could make.

The truth is that we as a nation are being affected by ungodly ‘influences’ determined to undermine our nation.

Let’s reflect on the passage James 3:14 (ESV). What does the Word of God say are the effects of these ‘influences’? “But where bitter jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” (emphasis mine)

Is this an appropriate description of what we are witnessing daily in our nation?

I do not believe that it is a stretch of my imagination to look at the cultural fabric of our nation, and say that these words accurately describe what we see, hear, and experience daily in our nation.

The remedy will come by a Sovereign work of God in the life of this nation.

A ‘spiritual’ awakening will need to happen; and this ‘awakening’ will take place God’s way, and not man’s way.

Ephesians 5:13-17 (NJJV) says: “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 no be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit…”

As a believer, how am I (are we) to respond? *We must fast and pray.* As I have been sharing in previous posts, 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.

I believe that God’s ARROW has already been ‘shot’ and that the effects, as stated in Psalm 64 are already being realized.

But the intensity of the effects of that ARROW will continue to grow.

The results of that growth will become ‘unprecedented unrest’.

The Lord has been and is still enlisting members of the Ekklesia to fight with prayer and fasting against the evil principalities influencing this nation.

We are His people. (1 Peter 2:9-12)

We are to be salt and light to the unsaved world. (Matthew 5:13-16)

We are also to be spiritual soldiers doing battle for the Lord (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Does this mean that everything will ‘magically’ disappear, and all the problems will be instantly solved?

No!

Why?

Until the Christ returns, there will always be opposition to the Lord and the Gospel message.

Christian truth is an obstacle to the world.

We need to remember that the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is to be a ‘voice’ and an ‘influence’ for the health of the nation in which it resides.

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.

A Christian is to be a positive witness of the life of Christ that is living in him/her. (Matthew 5:13-16)

Today (July 11,2023) I read a quote spoken by President John Adams, who stated, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

We are living in a time when we are witnessing the the truth of his insight.

This nation has lost its morality and its relationship to God; and we are watching our nation being governed by many elected officials who are not interested in the governing principles of our Constitution.

They are morally corrupt and irreligious. The results are devastating.

Therefore, let this truth permeate our (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 into contact with those who oppose Christianity. That’s the way it is. This is not negative; it is reality.

Jesus was being absolutely truthful when He told His followers that they would be treated harshly because of their association with Him.

Spiritual ‘awakenings’ are a two-sided coin.

There is God’s side; and there is Satan’s side.

Satan opposes God’s intervention.

He always has and he always will; but he is not in control, and he is a defeated enemy.

That is the assurance of the Victory of the Cross.

Yes, the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness are in spiritual battle.

The victory is ours now in Christ. (emphasis mine)

Living out the Victory of Christ is our mandate until Christ returns. (emphasis mine)

The Apostle Peter reminds us of the spiritual battle in I Peter 4:12-14 (ESV).

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trail (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.” (insert mine)

Believer be encouraged, the Trinity is present with you. (emphasis mine)

You are not alone.

Did you see it?

In the last sentence of the previous paragraph, the name of Christ, the Spirit of glory, and God are all mentioned.

It is easy to understand why Peter said, “you are blessed”.

How can one not be blessed when you are surrounded by the Eternal 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…(sing it!) (emphasis mine)

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

We will be reviled, persecuted, spoken evil of, having many words uttered against us falsely for following Christ.

That is what Jesus taught and told His followers would happen.

We must turn off and tune out the confusion of the world.

I am not suggesting that we stick our head in the sand and ignore the ‘signs of the times’ 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 has been systematically removed ‘stealthily’ from our society; and we are now living in a nation and a world that has become 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 keep ourselves free from being governed by the words and thoughts of the world.

We must not allow our hearts to be controlled by the destructive verbal rhetoric 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 grow in God’s ‘agape’ love and not grow cold as lawlessness increases. Let us endure (holds one ground in conflict) to the end and be saved. (insert mine)

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 of ‘unprecedented unrest’ coming to our nation (and the world). He is our peace. (insert, emphasis mine).

Our God is an Awesome God, and He, Himself, is coming with His Presence and Power to deal with this nation (and the world).

As Matt Rehrer said Sunday, June 2,2023, there will be a shaking; but in the midst of the shaking, there is a stillness in God. That stillness is found and experienced in Him as our refuge. (my summary, and emphasis)

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 say and to accomplish through His people. Please 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 their time of spiritual need and battle with the enemy for their nation.

Please continue to pray for our nation, and fast as directed by the Lord.

EMBRACING THE COMING ‘UNPRECEDENTED UNREST’

[The following blog was originally posted on August 12, 2022. It was entitled A PLACE OF REFUGE, THE E.R. ROOM. I have made a few changes to the original text that came to mind as I was re-engaged with this topic. I encourage you to read this post and pray that the Lord will prepare you for the upcoming turmoil that this nation and the world will experience. Our refuge is in the Lord. There is no fear in the Presence of the Lord. Our nation is in the hands of the Lord. He will be doing a mighty work in our midst.

I encourage you to read Psalm 46. Psalm 46 is an account when David was facing a tumultuous time; but he kept his focus on His God. We, too, need to keep our focus on our God. Psalm 46:10-11 (NKJV) records, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.” Selah.

The following is the post from August 2022:

The Hebrew word for refuge is machseh. Proverbs 14:26 says, “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge.” (NKJV)

The Strong’s concordance #4268 defines the word as: “A shelter, refuge, protection, fortress; a hope; a place of trust; a shelter from storm…Machseh is translated “trust” in Ps. 73:28, where the psalmist has put his trust in the Lord (that is, he made the Lord his trustworthy place or shelter)In the present reference, a fortress is suggested.”

In Psalm 62:5-7 (NKJV), The psalmist says, “My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved (shaken). In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, and my refuge (machseh), is in God. (inserts mine)

It is no secret that we are living a chaotic times. Everything that can be shaken appears to be being shaken.

Hebrews 12:25-29 (NKJV), says, “See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.”

If you have read my last post, the ‘A.R.R..O.W. of God’, I would like to expand upon the last two verses of Psalm 64. Psalm 64: 9,10 (NKJV) says, “All men shall fear, And shall declare the work of God; For they shall wisely consider His doing. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and trust in Him. And all the upright shall glory .”

This is the reaction of mankind to God’s intervention in this nation, and the nations of the world.

I want to share with you what I believe the Lord shared with me regarding the implications of His intervention as I was reflecting upon Psalm 64 in light of the most current affairs of our nation (August 9, 2022).

This is what I wrote to the Lord: Thank you Father for your arrow–and its effect on those who have spewed out evil, planned evil and have carried it out. Thank you Father for Your impact, revelation, and exposure. Your ARROW will wound, be the enemies downfall, so great will be Your intervention that people will be astounded, separate themselves from the evil ones, and declare, this is the work of God, many will fear and flee away, and ponder what God has done. Life will come to a standstill; people will be in shock, people will be numb, unable to function, their lives will come to a halt not knowing what to do. Father, how is Your Church to respond? How am I, are we, to respond? What words are appropriate? We will not gloat. Psalm 64 says, we are to take refuge in You and give You the glory.

For the past several days, I have been pondering ‘God’s E.R. Room’. These thoughts have come as a result of my daily devotions. Here is a paraphrased thought summing up what I have been reading. In our society today, we can speak ‘our’ truth without any consideration as to what the truth is. Or, put your mind around this, “if reality is not absolute, then there is no such thing as truth. If there is no such thing as truth, then there is literally nothing to discuss.” (gotquestions.org, ‘What is absolute reality?)

As my wife has been lamenting lately, “stop the world, I want to get off” How many of you feel that way?

I am so glad our Heavenly Father has an ‘E.R. Room’. Have you ever been to the ER? Why did you go there? Because something was wrong, or perceived as not being right. You wanted someone to look at it, diagnose it, and put you on a pathway to healing. I will let you fill in the personal information.

Let me share what I have been thinking about regarding ‘God’s E.R. Room’. Psalms 64:9-10, (NKJV), says,

“All men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; For they shall wisely consider his doing. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and trust in Him. And all the upright in heart shall glory.

Remember the context: God, Himself, has intervened into the affairs of humanity. He has made Himself known in a powerful way, and mankind is in fear. They know that what they are experiencing is the hand of God.

Humanity needs a place of safety. Where is your place of safety?

What is God’s E.R. Room? It’s a place we go to enter His Refuge. In His E.R., we Encounter His Presence, we embrace His Rest, we experience His Reality, we find His endless Mercy, we are empowered by His Grace, we are encompassed by His Peace, and we are engaged by His Encouragement.

In God’s E.R. Room, we can express (confess) our sin, experience His Forgiveness, eliminate our stress, experience His quietness, elude our tribulation (trials), embrace His Solitude , escape our persecutions (persecutors), and experience His Protection.

As we embrace His Care, we express our praise, we elaborate our gratitude, and we exercise thanksgiving, all to Him.

His E.R. Room is our place of Refuge. In our Father’s Refuge, we enjoy giving Him the Glory due His Name, and experiencing the healing that comes trusting Him.

There is a place of quiet Refuge, it is ‘God’s E.R. Room’.

He is Emmanuel, God with us, He is our Refuge.

God’s E.R. Room is Emmanuel’s Refuge.

Resting In Emmanuel’s Refuge, a brother in Christ, deo

Wake Up Call!

For many my words will probably be critical and harsh. But that is ok. Sometimes things needs to be said that people may not want to hear.

The Corinthian Church basked in the wisdom of the world and conducted themselves in a worldly lifestyle living out their spirituality. They were saved; but they were a long way from being Biblically spiritual. And Paul let them know how he perceived them and bluntly told them so. I am not a Paul. All I am saying is that I would like to point out a concern.

A personal note: As I was beginning this blog, my wife, entered my office, asked what I was doing. I told her starting a blog. She asked about going for a walk. I told her, no problem, so I shut down the blog. As we began our walk, she began sharing with me that she was not happy about the news broadcasts we have been watching. I told her that I understood. As we continued, she then told me that she realized that she had to consciously walk in the light of the Lord and not in the darkness of this world. I again understood, and realized that she was also referring to the news broadcasts. We have wrestled with this before; and we struggle to find news outlets that we are comfortable with as a news source. What was very interesting to me was that she was expressing to me what I was about to write about in the blog before we went for a walk. The Holy Spirit was confirming my thoughts. Also, I received an acronym for the the word light. Light is Living In God’s Holy Thought. (emphasis mine)

I am back from our walk; so now it is time to resume the blog.

As I said, Paul refuted their stance. I Corinthians 1:18-31 reads, (Tree of Life Version), “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of the intelligent.” Where is the wise one? Where is the Torah scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For seeing that–in God’s wisdom–the world through its wisdom did not know God, God was pleased–through foolishness of the message proclaimed–to save those who believe. For Jewish people ask for signs and Greek people seek after wisdom, but we proclaim Messiah crucified–a stumbling block to Jewish people and foolishness to Gentile people, but to those who are called (both Jewish and Greek people) Messiah, the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For you see your calling, brothers and sister, that not many are wise according to human standards, not many are powerful, and not many are born well. Yet God chose the foolish things of the world so He might put to shame the wise; and God chose the weak things of the world so He might put to shame the strong; and God chose the lowly and despised things of the world, the things that are as nothing, so He might bring to nothing the things that are–so than no human might boast in Messiah Yeshua, who became to us wisdom from God and righteousness and holiness and redemption–so that, just as it is written, “let him who boasts boast in Adonai.”” (emphasis mine)

For Paul, the Corinthian Church was not walking the light of God’s Word, they were not Living in God’s Holy Thought. (emphasis mine)

It is my understanding that there are churches that have embraced the thinking of the world with respect to CRT, WOKE, and MAGA. They are of the opinion that the church needs to embrace such thinking to be inclusive and relevant in the culture of our nation.

Is this type of thinking walking in the light of God’s Word? Is this God’s Holy thought?

I would like to put my spin on such thinking. As a believer in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, I will shock many, by saying that I embrace C.R.T., W.O.K.E. and M.A.G.A. Let me explain.

The world believes in Critical Race Theory. I, as a believer in Christ, believe in Christ’s Redemptive Teaching. Which of the two is God’s Holy thought?

The world believes in Woke-‘being open minded’, especially, ‘alert to racial prejudice and discrimination.’ I, as a believer in Christ, realize that I need to be open minded to the lost, and that there is no place for racial prejudice and discrimination in the Body of Christ or toward unbelievers outside the church.

It is no secret that the Church is accused of being intolerant, not open minded, and discriminant as it adheres to the Word of God. This has become a major stumbling block for many congregations and denominations. The issue is what does the Word of God teach? For me, personally, to be W.O.K.E. is Walking Out Kingdom Ethics; it also means Worshipping Our King Everyday.

So, which of the two major understandings of WOKE align with God’s Holy thought?

I also realize that many believers in the church embrace a politically MAGA lifestyle. And that lifestyle can and does affect the Body of Christ. Many believers support M.A.G.A.-meaning, Making America Great Again. The church must come to the realization that the government, a political party, or Christian Nationalism will not Make America Great Again. Am I anti-American, NO! There is only one way that this nation can be restored to its working order as established by our Founding Fathers. The Church must repent of it’s sins, the sins of this nation, seek God, and pray. That is not new news for the Church. Only our Heavenly Father’s Divine Intervention can save this nation. We are at the ‘edge’; and we are teetering on that edge precariously. As a believer in Christ, M.A.G.A. means to me Magnify Almighty God Again(Always).

Which of these two understandings express God’s Holy thought?

Psalms 33:12 (Tree of Life Version) says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is Adonai, the people He chose for His own inheritance.” (emphasis mine)

According to I Peter 2:9 (TLV), as believers in Christ, we, “…are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the praise of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (emphasis mine)

Remember what I shared at the beginning of this blog. My wife Christine mentioned that she needed to focus on the light and not the darkness. In Christ, we are children of the light. Jesus said, ” I am the light of the world. The one who follows Me will no longer walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, TLV) [Also see John 1:1-5; and I John 1:5] (emphasis mine)

I would like share the following passage of scripture written by the Apostle Paul to the church at Ephesus for your encouragement and admonition.

Ephesians 5:1-20, TLV, “Therefore be imitators of God, as dearly beloved children; and walk in love, just as Messiah also loved us and gave Himself up for us as an offering and sacrifice to God for a fragrant aroma. But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed–don’t even let these be mentioned among you, as is proper for kedoshim (saints). Obscene, coarse, and stupid talk are also our of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. Know for certain that no immoral, indecent, or greedy person–who is really an idol worshipper at heart–has any inheritance in the kingdom of Messiah and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s judgment comes on the children of disobedience. Therefore do not be partners with them. For once you were darkness, but now in union with the Lord you are light. Walk as children of light ( for the fruit of light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them–for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that are done by them in secret. Yet everything exposed by the light is being made visible, for everything made visible is light. This is why is says, “Wake up (Church), O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Messiah will shine on you.” So pay close attention to how you walk–not as unwise people but as wise. Make the most of your time because the days are evil, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is recklessness. Instead, be filled with the Rauch (Spirit), speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your heart to the Lord–always given thanks for everything to God the Father, in the name of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah.” (words in parentheses are my inserts) (emphasis mine)

Let me close with a question. Upon whom or what do you focus? Where is the focus of your attention? What if F.O.C.U.S. means, Focus On Christ Using Scripture.

I submit to you that as you FOCUS on Christ using the Word of God you will walk in God’s Holy thoughts.

When Paul called up short the Corinthian Church for lack of spirituality, and accused them of being like the world with regards to wisdom and knowledge, he said to them in I Corinthians 2:1-5 TLV, “When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come with excellent of speech or wisdom, proclaiming the mystery of God. For I decided not to know about anything among you except Yeshua the Messiah– and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive word of wisdom–so that your faith would not bein the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (emphasis mine)

Paul was focused upon God’s Holy thought.

What was Paul’s message? What is the mystery he referred too? What Holy thought was he fixated upon?

It was “Christ crucified”.

The world wants nothing to do with the message of the Gospel.

Unfortunately as the church considers other topics of importance and ignores the foundation of the gospel message, the church renders itself ineffective without an authoritarian voice expressing God’s Holy thought to a lost world; and the church will preach a non-essential, meaningless message to the people within the church.

The focus of the Church must be on Christ, and message of the Gospel, based upon the light of God’s Holy thought in the Word of God.

It is time for the church to wake up, and ask itself if it is walking in the Light, meaning, Living In God’s Holy Thought. (emphasis mine)

Is the local church that you attend focused upon Christ, and God’s Holy thought as outlined in the Word of God? If not, ask the Lord to find you a new place of worship that focuses on Christ, and God’s Holy Word.

Blessings, a brother in Christ, deo

What does MAGA mean to you?

Before you stands three doors to choose from, door #1, door #2, and door #3.

Door #1, refers to Make America Great Again. For many you may want to choose this door. However, for the purpose of this blog, I am not making a political statement; nor am I endorsing or repudiating political parties.

Door #2 refers to Making A Gross Assumption. Let me explain.

On February 8, 2023, at Asbury College, after the conclusion of their regular weekly Chapel service, something irregular happened. Students stayed after the conclusion of the service and the Presence of the Lord came and the weight of His glory was more than evident. For the next two weeks plus, there was continual worship and prayer. Students didn’t want to leave. Many came from many other college throughout the United States (the last number I read was 200), many people came from other nations to experience and/or check out what ‘ God was doing’. All of this you can discover for yourself on the internet and I recommend that you do so.

So, what does Making A Gross Assumption mean?

I am concerned that people in our nation, beginning at the top, in our government nationally, in our states, in our counties, and even in our local communities, spiraling its way downward into our churches, and coming to rest in our populace in their households will assume that the outpouring of the Presence of the Lord that began several weeks ago at Asbury College is a referendum of God’s approval of our lifestyle as a nation, a people, and even of the church. I do not believe that is true at all. Do I know God’s thoughts about the condition of our nation? No, but God has instructed us to examine the fruit of people’s work and words. Do you see good fruit or bad fruit? Do you hear words that lift you up or cause fear and despair? It is not wrong to judge such things.

There is no doubt that the Lord has come. As one pastor’s wife commented, who went to Asbury with her husband, and I paraphrase, it was as if God came seeking us, not us seeking Him; we are responding to Him; He is not responding to our initiative. This is not man-made; this is God-made.

I will say it this way, for us to assume that our lifestyle as a nation is pleasing to God and He chose to come is Making A Gross Assumption.

I would like to draw our attention to Isaiah 60:1,2 (Tree of Life Version, Hebraic emphasis). It reads:

“Arise shine, for light has come! The glory of Adonai has risen upon you. For behold, great darkness covers the earth, and deep darkness the peoples. But Adonai will arise upon you, and His glory will appear over you.”

In context, the prophet Isaiah is speaking to Israel about their wanton lifestyle. He is pleading with them to repent and return to Him. Why? Because He loves them.

Israel has committed spiritual adultery against their God. They forsook Him and sought out many other lovers. We, too, as a nation, have turned our back on God, rejected His influence and providence in the founding of our nation, and set aside His Word as an influence to govern our personal lives and the national affairs of this nation.

The Light that we as a nation, once abided in, has been ‘darkened’, if not close to being extinguished, ‘deep darkness’. (I recommend that you read Isaiah 59 in its entirety. )

Isaiah 59:1-2, TLV says: “Behold, Adonai’s hand is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. Rather your iniquities have made a separation between you and your god. Your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.”

Sounds like there is no hope. But God….Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise shine, for your light has come…”

Question: What came? Light (John 1:1-5) Who is the Light? (John 8:12) Jesus; (I John 1:5) God; Who took the initiative? Ephesians 2:4 TLV, “But God was rich in mercy…” .

This is what happened at Asbury College? God came. He took the initiative in spite of our sinful lifestyle as a nation. Why? That’s Who God is; that’s the Father’s essence.

What we are witnessing here and throughout the world is God’s game plan.

What is that G.A.M.E. plan?

His Grace And Mercy Extended to a lost and darkened world.

We as a nation are shrouded in ‘darkness’; alas, ‘deep darkness’. What does it mean to be ‘shrouded’? wrapped in burial clothes, covered from view, to be concealed. We are dead in our trespasses and sins that have separated us from our God.

Can this nation be resurrected? Only God knows!

Jesus said to Martha, ” I am the resurrection and the life! Whoever believes in Me, even if he dies, shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 TLV

There is hope! We can confidently say that because God has come; and as we respond to Him in faith, hope is present. God sent His Son because He loved the world (John 3:16). He still comes into the world to make Himself known and to minister to His people and to save sinners from their sin, and to forgive them of their sins. Such is the Grace of God. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Hebrews 11:1,6 TLV says,

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of realities not seen…Now without faith it is impossible to please God. For the one who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

At Asbury College, God came, the students responded to His Presence, and in faith pursued Him. God initiated it; the students responded; and people were blessed; and that Presence is spreading all over the world.

At Asbury College, God, Himself, chose to intervene in the lives of a student body.

Again, let me bring our thought back to where I started regarding door #2.

Don’t misunderstand what God is doing.

MAGA does not mean door #1 is being opened; meaning God is making America great again and

Don’t believe that door #2 means that God is present because everything is ok in the nation-wrong! Don’t make that gross assumption.

There is still one last door.

Door#3.

Door #3 shouts out, let us Magnify Almighty God Always.

What is the Testimony of Jesus concerning this outpouring at Asbury?

God is being magnified for Who is He?

Our God is an Awesome God!

Jesus is being worshipped, magnified, exalted, extolled, praised, honored…

The Word is being read and shared.

Testimonies are being shared.

People’s lives are being changed, not by hype; but by a life changing encounter with a Person. The Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As others have intimated that this ‘looks like’ pure Gospel ministry.

A Jesus ministry. Not orchestrated by people; but ‘conducted’ by the Holy Spirit.

In short, this is a Family affair, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, the Three in One.

Examining Isaiah 60:1.2 closely, it is not far fetched to see God magnified in this passage. We are to rejoice that our light has come; we are to recognize that His glory is upon us (rejoice and magnify the Lord); and even though “darkness covers the earth, and deep darkness the peoples” that does not prevent God Himself, Adonai, arising upon you, personally. (rejoice your Heavenly Father has come to you…to you…to you-let that sink in.)

So, what door are you going to chose to walk through?

door #1

door #2

door #3

Upon what or who will you focus?

door #1 focuses on politics

door #2 focuses on a wanton lifestyle

door #3 focuses on a personal relationship with the Lord, worshipping God, and being helped by the Holy Spirit.

I encourage you to focus on God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 62:2-3,6-9, TLV says,

“My soul wait in stillness only for God from Him comes my salvation–He alone is my rock and salvation, my fortress–I will not be moved…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.”

Jesus is Lord, blessings, deo

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