Living Words of Encouragement

I am reposting this blog because of a bill that is currently working its way through committee in the California legislature. The bill is AB2223.

“AB2223 by Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) legalizes infanticides, is a bill to expand the killing of babies past the moment of birth up to weeks after, The California Family Council reports.”

“The California Family Council explains: “They intend to not only codify the killing of unborn children throughout all nine months of pregnancy but to decriminalize killing newborns days or even weeks after birth.”

The next step is the legislative process is a hearing April 18, 2022, in Sacramento, California. Please pray that this legislation is STOPPED from going further in the process for approval. (Emphasis mine)

Is it possible that such legislation would cause the anger of God to be unleased against this state? I believe that we are naive to believe that God overlooks such evil. We need to pray for the stoppage of this bill; and we need to pray for the mercy of God to forgive us for our sin regarding abortions in our state and in our nation. We are shedding innocent blood. God does not take that lightly. Therefore, I encourage you to read this blog for the first time or re-read my blog. Thank you for taking this seriously and praying for this bill to be STOPPED. (Emphasis mine)

This blog was originally posted in 2020.

If you have read my previous two posts, then you will understand the concept of the words ‘disqualifying history’.

As I have shared, all of humanity has a disqualified history because “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” But God in His Grace, and because God is Agape (love), sent His only Begotten Son to die on the cross for our sin to make the way for us to reconciled unto Himself through His Son’s death, burial, and resurrection. Our sins are forgiven because of the Blood of Christ, and “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand and rejoice in the hope of glory.” (Romans 5:1,2 NKJV)

Let us ask ourselves a question, does our nation have a ‘disqualifying history” that would be comparable to God destroying the world by a flood; a ‘disqualifying history’ that would be comparable to God pouring out His judgment against Sodom and Gomorrah; or even a ‘disqualifying history’ that would cause God to judge our nation because of some act or atrocity that we have committed in our history?

I believe the answer to such a question would be a resounding, yes.

Our nation is currently wrestling with the inhumanity that we have perpetrated through the institution of slavery.

Recently, I completed the reading of a book entitled, ‘An Inquiry into the Scriptural Views of Slavery’, by Albert Barnes. Albert Barnes was an American Theologian. He was born in 1798, graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1823. He was an ordained pastor of a Presbyterian Church in 1825; and he was the Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia from 1830-1867. He died in 1870. He was a “staunch proponent of the abolition of slavery”. His book about the scriptural view of slavery was published in 1855. In his book, he set out to discuss the mindset of both the North and the South with regards to slavery. In short, the argument is whether or not slavery in the United States is condoned or rejected Biblically. I commend the reading of this book to you if you are interested in a rather long and arduous examination of the topic; however, I can say with confidence that he leaves no stone unturned dissecting this subject matter evaluating it from many different starting points.

At the outset of his treatise, Albert Barnes, categorically states that slavery is not condoned by scripture and that if you apply the principles of the scripture to the topic and live by them, he concludes that slavery would be eliminated in one generation.

The task of picking up this book and reading it from cover to cover entails reading his historical research of slavery; his biblical research and commentary; his arguments regarding the laws found in states regarding slavery, both for and against; the relationship of the church to those laws; and his critique of sermons being preached at this time in the North and the South. This work was written prior to the Civil War.

At the end of his argument, let me repeat what I stated earlier, that he conclusively shows that slavery is not condoned by scripture; and he is convinced that if we would live by the Word of God and apply its principles, then the Word of God would keep alive those practices that it condones and would put to death those practices it abhors. Therefore, slavery would be eliminated from the United States within a generation. To substantiate that point, he points to the Puritan Church which had members that owned slaves; however, the leadership of the church taught the principles of scripture and over a period of time, the practice of slave holding was eliminated from the Puritan Church. The Puritans did not harrang others about their practice. They lived it out as a withness to the communities in which they lived.

As controversial as slavery was then; as wrong as slavery was in its practice of inhumanity against people of color; and as unfortunate as the history of slavery has been since end of the Civil War and the Reconstruction Period; we are still battling the remnants of racial divide in our nation.

All of that being true, I do not believe that the issue of slavery is the major ‘disqualifying history’ of our nation.

I believe that abortion has been a practice far more abominable that condemns us in the sight of God. The killing of innocent lives is unconscionable. We are shedding innocent blood. There is no rationale for this behavior. Please do not start bombarding with ‘what abouts’. I am not talking about legitimate, well thought out exceptions (however, I will say that exceptions cannot be the rule). I am saying that the scripture does not condone abortion, just like it does not condone slavery. And if we will live by the Word of God, and guide our lives by the principles of scripture, the practice of abortion will come to an end as it is performed and condoned in the United States.

We, as a nation, have departed from the Word of God. Our country was founded upon Judeo-Christian principles. I am not saying that all our founding fathers were Christians. I am not saying that we are a Christian nation. What I am saying is that God had a purpose for the founding and development of this nation. As, we, as a nation, honored His Word and its teachings, God blessed this nation. But His blessings will be withheld if we ignore His Word; worship other gods; think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think; and confess that we believe in God, but our heart is far removed from Him.

God have mercy upon us.

Father, forgive us of our sin. Forgive us of murdering innocent human beings. We confess to You that the murder of innocent lives is wrong and unjust, no matter what the skin color. In Your sight Father, there is only one race, the human race, which you have created with many skin colors. Father, forgive us, as a nation for what we have done to black human beings. We have treated them inhumanely. We have also wronged many other humans with different skin colors. We confess our sin of abortion. We confess our sin of treating humans as slaves regardless of color. We ask again for your forgiveness. Thank you, Father, that your Word says, that if we will confess our sin, you are faithful and just to forgive us of our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Father, I ask this, in Jesus’ Name.

To conclude, my point is that we are a nation with disqualifying histories. We have many issues that disqualify us before the living God. I believe that the shedding of innocent blood of infants by means of abortion is the paramount disqualifier of our nation. I am not minimizing our history of slavery and its repercussions; but, in spite of all the atrocities that are associated, then and now, with that history, (which would include a discussion of BLM), the abortion of millions of babies,(many of whom are black American infants) in my estimation out weighs the history of slavery.

Does God hold nations responsible for their moral conduct? Absolutely.

Are we as a nation accountable before God for the killing of infants by abortion? Absolutely.

God has His own timing regarding the nations, their rise and their fall are in His Hands. History tells us that; in fact, the history recorded in the pages of the Bible reveal to us God’s dealings with nations regarding their moral behavior. A nation is the sum of its inhabitants. If those humans conduct themselves inhumanely toward others, God will judge that nation. God has too, He cannot violate His Essence.

Again, may God have Mercy upon us, a brother in Christ, deo

Facebook asks the question, “What is on your mind?”

I assume that what’s on our minds is similar, the war in Ukraine.

At the close of 2021, I asked the Lord about what was coming in 2022? The answer was, “change is coming”. In my personal context, I thought that referred to family changes and changes associated with Covid. Covid was still front and center in the minds of many of the nations of the world.

Most of us were not focused or even aware of what Putin was doing at the border of Ukraine. It was not that the world was ignorant of his troop and armament buildup but what was going on was not making ‘neon sign headlines’ that grabbed our attention.

It appears that the leaders of the world did not believe that Putin would launch his forces to crush Ukraine into submission. Looking in the rear-view mirror, there was ample time to weaponize Ukraine for a formidable response, if and when, Putin decided to attack Ukraine. How many times have we heard that discussed since the war began? What people saw was viewed with ‘blind eyes and what people heard was heard with ‘deaf ears’. What we are seeing and hearing now is the result of that blindness and deafness.

As of this moment (March 23, 2022), it has been 28 days since the start of the invasion. The world has witnessed death, destruction, and devastation at the hands of Putin. In spite of Putin’s relentless and ruthless aggression, Ukraine has resisted to the best of their ability, and cried out to the nations for additional assistance and aid. President Zelenskyy should not have to ‘beg’ for assistance from other nations.

The populace of the world has witnessed their nation’s leaders grappling with the proper response. Many, including my wife and I have asked, why the hesitancy? why the vacillation? why the reluctance? It seems the common reason is the fear of how Putin will respond to escalated interference by other nations, especially with Russia’s nuclear capabilities.

The more I listen to commentators discussing the war in Ukraine, the more I realize just how much the media synthesizes the information and then askes others, ‘what do you think?’ It is sort of like Facebook, ‘what’s on your mind?’

The truth is that most responses are speculation. Don’t completely turn a deaf ear to me, I have listened to many individuals who have shared insightful understanding and meaningful analysis. However, I confess that most of the commentary is redundant; therefore, I listen carefully and critically. I do not believe that is wrong.

What we do know to be true is being shown to us visually. The destruction is real; the desperation is real; and the devastation is real. What we are watching is reality in Ukraine. This is NOT a video game. (emphasis mine)

So, what is on my mind? Last Fall (2021), I joined a men’s Bible study. They were studying the minor prophets. They were concluding Habakkuk. Since then, we have completed Zephaniah, and now we are beginning Haggai.

In the past week, I have returned to the prophet Habakkuk and re-read his conversation with God about what he was witnessing in Judah. What motivated me to return to this portion of scripture? I have been reflecting upon the sovereignty of God.

Habakkuk was used by God to bring a message to His people in Judah. The Word of God, through the prophet is important; however, there is something else that takes place in this narrative. Habakkuk, the man, comes to an enlightened understanding about the sovereignty of God.

You see, I am asking the Lord about His sovereignty regarding the events that are happening in Ukraine. Do I believe in the sovereignty of God? Absolutely. Have I read about the sovereignty of God throughout His Word and seen His sovereignty at work in the lives of individuals and nations? Yes. Have I, like yourself, experienced the sovereignty of God in my life? Yes.

But…what I am witnessing is not being read from the pages of the Bible; it is not being read from a book about the history of a nation; it is not being watched as a documentary about a previous war; it is not being viewed on a newsreel; it is live, up close and personal.

What makes it personal? Christine and I were in Ukraine in 2004 on a two-week mission’s trip. We were in/out of Kiev. Kiev was where we entered Ukraine and from where we left Ukraine. We came to minister to orphan children at a summer camp for one week, and then to work with a church from Vinnitsia a second week ministering to high school students. Those children and young people probably varied in age from 4 to 18 years old. Now, 18 years later, they are 22 to 36 years old. What are they doing now? Are they fighting the war? Are they fleeing? Or are they hiding in their homes in fear? Probably all of the above.

[As I continue, please understand that I am not saying that Ukraine is God’s people, like Israel; nor am I inferring that Ukraine is ripe for judgment because of sin against God.]

I am asking myself, like Habakkuk, God where are you in all of this?

Habakkuk’s Headlines read, “O Lord, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? even cry out to You, Violence! and you will not save. Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? for plundering and violence are before me; there is strife and contention arises. Therefore the law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore perverse judgment proceeds.” (Habakkuk 1:1-4, NKJV)

Like Habakkuk, I ask Lord, where are You in all of this? Why are You silent? Maybe, He is not silent; maybe we are not being told what He is doing in the midst of the devastation. I have heard about some of the Lord’s interventions. There was a report of Christian’s working with the refugees from Ukraine in Poland on a national news program. There have been stories of Christians and non-Christians who have come to this war-torn region to help in any way they can. Samaritan’s Purse has set up a field hospital to take care of injured refugees. God is at work. The Red Cross is front and center helping in Ukraine. I think most of God’s intervention is not being reported to the public; and in the course of time much more will be shared about the ‘miracles’ of God.

After Habakkuk makes his plea, God answers him; but Habakkuk does not receive the answer he wants to hear. God tells him that He is raising up a nation to invade His people’s land.

Whoa! God, I am witnessing that live, up close and personable, why? I don’t understand. Lord, I don’t understand what You are doing? I know You are sovereign. I know You rule over all the earth. You are Creator God. I have read about Your sovereignty and rule in the life of Job; in the life of Your people, Israel; in the conquering of the nations in the promised land; in the lives of individuals like Joseph, Moses, David, Saul of Tarsus, to name a few. Your sovereignty permeates the world. Father, I am having trouble understanding what is going on in Ukraine coupled with my understanding of Your sovereignty.

For me, it seems, almost too easy to simply resign this event to the answer that God is sovereign, and He does what He pleases. I know that’s true, but…how many kings, rulers, or people, did God ‘stir their hearts’ to give them the impetus to do or set into motion something that He wanted to be done? One example, Ezra 1:1 (NKJV) “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by mouth of Jeremiah the prophet might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus kind of Persia so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing saying…”. God stirred Cyrus to make a degree that Israel could return to Judah. Jeremiah had prophesied that Israel would be in exile for 70 years. Now it was time for them to be released and return.

As I pondered God’s sovereignty, I remembered these words, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV), the verse continues, “…declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Ok, Father, I receive that. God is not obligated to explain what He is doing, allowing, or permitting.

There are a lot of well-meaning men of God sharing what they believe this act of aggression in Ukraine means scripturally; how it fits into end time prophecy; and how it anticipates the second coming of Christ.

What they ‘see’ maybe true; but I confess, I’m not there. Like Habakkuk, who received a response from God, I will pursue his stance in relation to God’s answer.

Habakkuk 2:1-4, (NKJV), “I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart and watch to see what He will say to me, and I will answer when I am corrected. The Lord answered me and said: Write the vision and make it plain on tablets that he may run who reads it. for the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak and not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, I will not tarry. Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by faith. (emphasis mine)

Let us consider these words from the passage. stand, watch, listen, wait, live by faith. Let us take this same stance. (emphasis mine)

Following Habakkuk’s stance before the Lord, he pronounces a list of woes to the nations surrounding God’s people. Please read, Habakkuk 2:5-19.

At the conclusion of the litany of woes, Habakkuk 2:20 (NKJV) says, “But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.” [my thought: maybe, this is a time for us “to be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) or “be quick to listen and slow to speak” (James 1:19),]

The words of Habakkuk reminded me of Psalm 62:1,2,5-8 (NKJV), “Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved…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 is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.” (Insert mine)

Chapter 3 of Habakkuk begins with a prayer. Habakkuk 3:2 (NKJV) says, “O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O lord revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of years make it known; “in wrath remember mercy.” [ my prayer emphasis, yes Lord, in wrath remember mercy.]

Habakkuk knows the time will come when what God has shown him will come to pass. It is inevitable. Habakkuk continues addressing God, calling to remembrance how He came to His people; how His Presence overwhelmed His creation; and how He sovereignly protected Israel. (Read Habakkuk 3:3-13)

Habakkuk 3:13 (NKJV) says, “You went forth for the salvation of Your people, for salvation with Your Annointed. You struck the heart of the wicked, by laying bare from foundation to neck. Selah.”

What effect did Habakkuk’s interaction with God have upon Him?

Habakkuk 3:16 (NKJV) says, “When I heard, my body trembled; My lips quivered at the voice; rottenness entered my bones; and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble. When he (the invading nation) comes up to the people, he will invade them with his troops.” (insert mine)

However, because of the grace of God, Habakkuk has changed from a perplexed prophet, who as a man, is bewildered about what God is doing, to an individual who has had a revelation of the sovereignty of God that has led him from being perplexed too now being able to offer praise to God in the midst of the situation that he finds himself, even to the verbalization that he “might rest in the day of trouble.” (Habakkuk 3:16 above) What a transformation!

Let us read Habakkuk’s praise, (Habakkuk 3:17-19 NKJV), “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the field yield no food, though the flock maybe cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls–yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.”

Judah was an agrarian nation. As such, Habakkuk is offering praise to God even though the entire economic system be decimated.

Habakkuk is confident that God IS sovereign. He is resigned to God’s will being done “on earth as it is in heaven”. And he has come to a place of “rest in the day of trouble”. (Emphasis mine)

As I mentioned earlier, like Habakkuk, I have wondered about God’s part in all that is happening in Ukraine. Being sovereign, how can He not be involved? As a believer in Christ, I must rest in the sovereignty of God. It is not my place to question God’s integrity, nor insinuate that God is instrumental in acts of evil. Read James 1:12-15. God is not the originator of evil, sin, or death.

Like yourself, my hope rests in the return of Christ. Recently I saw these words on a t-shirt, “Normal is not returning, Jesus is!” How true. We want normal to return, whatever, that means, but our world proceeds forward living out God’s sovereign salvific plan that includes the second coming of Christ. Are we there yet? No, but each day is one moment closer.

The scripture never says that living in the last days will be easy. In fact, Jesus said in the Upper Room discourse to His disciples, 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 (the Greek word is thlipsis, it means- pressure, oppression, stress, anguish, tribulation, adversity, affliction, crushing, squeezing, distress) but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” How Lord, I ask? At the cross (John 17-21) (inserts mine)

The Apostle John, I John 5:4, NKJV, writes, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith.” In Christ we are born of God; Christ said He overcame the world; therefore, in Christ, we overcome the world, how? by our faith. We have come back to Habakkuk 2:4, “the just shall live by faith“. Habakkuk realized that personally. We, too, know that. (Emphasis mine)

In this time of TENsion ,(play on the Greek work thlipsis, it had 10 different meanings), let us be at rest in Christ, and rejoice like Habakkuk in the sovereignty of God.

Therefore, as we stand, watch, listen, wait, and live by faith, let us PRAY. (Emphasis mine)

Pray for Ukraine. Remember we are wrestling against Satan, the “prince of the power of the air”(Ephesians 2:2); and “… against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”(Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV)

Resting in the Sovereignty of God, a brother in Christ, deo

My last blog ended with these words, “Change is Coming!”.

An obvious question is, Why? or What does that mean?

To answer that question, I would like to engage our thinking in the Book of Exodus. I have always enjoyed reading Exodus. I find it a very informative book regarding the continuation of the history of the nation of Israel, and the foreshadowing of Christ. The Book of Exodus, I believe, parallels the walk of a believer in Christ out of the kingdom of darkness and progressing to the promised land. Israel, I believe, also foreshadows the Church. In the New Testament Paul tells us in I Corinthians 10:11, (NKJV), “Now all these things happened to them (Israel) as examples, and they were written for our admonition (Church, believers) upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (Parentheses mine)

The Book of Exodus begins with the names of the families of Israel that came into the land of Egypt. There were 70 of them, with Joseph already established in Egypt.

Verses 6-8, summarizes for us what happened over the space of 400 years from the time of Israel’s entrance into Egypt to the time that triggered Israel’s Exodus from Egypt. Exodus 1:6,7 says, TLV, [Tree of Life Version, Hebraic emphasis], “Then Joseph died, as did all his brothers and all that generation. Yet Bnei-Yisrael were fruitful, increased abundantly, multiplied and grew extremely numerous–so the land was filled with them.” Sounds like, 70 people had become innumerable. However, verse 8, introduces a new dynamic; “Now there arose a new king (Pharaoh) over Egypt who knew not Joseph. (At face value, I wonder why? It appears that the new king did not know the historical relationship between Israel and the nation of Egypt. Historically Israel, through Joseph had been a blessing to Egypt (this had been a literal Godsend); but over time that influence declined, and it no longer was benign as time passed. It’s been 400 years. As stated, this new king did not know the influence of Joseph or evidently the history of Israel; the new king visualized Israel as a potential serious problem especially if they decided to take sides with Egypt’s adversaries (verse 10).

It seems, that rather than seeking out the history of Israel’s existence in Egypt, the new king saw Israel’s blessing of prosperity and increased population as a problem too large to deal both numerically and powerfully. In short, if these people decide to go to war against us, ‘we’re toast’.

What was the king’s solution? verse 11 says, “So they set slave masters over them to afflict them with forced labor…”; they incarcerated them; took away their freedom; and subjected them to harsh manual labor and bondage. Verse 12 says the king increased their inflictions “more”.

However, the result of this affliction did not produce the kind of result that he anticipated. As we know from Church history, the greater the storm of affliction, the greater the growth and development of the Church. This is what happened to Israel. Verse 12 records, Because Israel continued to multiply “…the Egyptians dreaded (trembled at, were fearful of) the presence of Bnei-Yisrael.”

(This is just my personal opinion; I wonder if Putin visualizes the nation of Ukraine as the new king of Egypt visualized Israel. A potential threat.)

In verses 13-14, the Egyptian king chose to handle the problem by: a) working them harshly; b) making their lives bitter with hard work; c) having them do all sorts of work in the fields; d) worked them with cruelty.

(Putin has sought to regain the land that they possess; and to put them under his servitude.)

Verse 15-16 tells us that to make matter worse the king commanded the infanticide of male children (sound familiar, what other king did this in the New Testament?). Why? obvious, so that the population of the nation would not grow. But the Israeli mid-wives disobeyed the king (verse 17) because they feared God.

(What has Putin done? He is killing the people of Ukraine mercilessly.)

In verses 20-21, God “was good to the mid-wives and the people multiplied growing very numerous.” Because the mid-wives feared God, “He gave them families of their own.”

(The analogy is difficult here; yes, the killing is continuing; but the people (like the mid-wives are resisting against Putin. They have not bowed down to Putin. They are fighting for their lives. They are resisting him.

The king did not relent in his pursuit of having the infanticide of the male children. He “charged all his people saying” (verse 22) “you are to cast every son into the river, but let every daughter live.”

(In spite of Ukranian resistance, Putin has ordered his soldiers to pursue killing the people of Ukraine.)

As the Book of Exodus begins, the narrative of events reveals that God has permitted an oppressive governmental environment to be in control of the nation of Egypt through a king who came into power ‘who knew not Joseph” and apparently has no personal knowledge about the nation of Israel that dwelt in his land. The nation of Israel had been dwelling in Egypt for over 400 years.

Question: Are God’s people, the Church, the Israel of God living in a world that is growing increasingly hostile to its presence? Is it possible that the knowledge of the Church in the known world is waning? Is it possible that a person has grown up in our nation and has no knowledge of Christianity?

If there is any truth to the aforementioned questions, we need to ask why is this so? Has the Church lost its influence and its voice in this nation? in the world? Has it been silenced?

(Has the Church lost its voice in Ukraine? No. Pastors have chosen to stay. Believers have chosen to stay. As one Ukrainian Pastor said, If the Church has no credibility in the time of danger, what credibility does it have in the time of peace? (My paraphrase) So he chose to stay, and minister to his congregants.)

I am asking these questions regarding the Church as it exists in our nation. if these questions can be answered in the affirmative in the United States, then are their governmental restrictions that have contributed to the silencing of the Church?

(When I was composing these thoughts, Russia had not invaded Ukraine. As you will see in the next paragraph, my thoughts were centered on the Covid Pandemic. But there is a full-scale war in Ukraine. A whole new change has come to planet earth in March 2022. This change has brought and is demanding ‘get used to different’ (The Chosen)

It appears that the Covid Pandemic has been taken of the people’s radar, except in the United States. Therefore, I will proceed with what I composed earlier.

Question: What restrictions are the Church wrestling with? Isn’t it interesting that the Covid pandemic has stirred the Church to wake up and think about its place and purpose in society. The Church has wrestled with governmental restrictions. Believers and non-believers have questioned the mandates of our governmental officials at all levels. Why? What has been taken for granted has been taken away. Yes, there has been a struggle. But the bottom line for each individual is when do I stop doing what I am being instructed to do?

The moral and ethical question is when do I believe that my liberty and freedom as an individual has been taken away and I choose not to abide by what the government officials have instructed me to do? Many will say, that one should always do what those in authority has instructed you to do. I understand that; but I also understand that as a Christian my obedience is first to the Lord and His written Word.

Will the Church, one-day, find itself in the same position as the Israeli mid-wives in Egypt, disobeying the command of the king, because they fear (reverence) God more than the king who told them what they must do? I believe that will happen sooner than later.

The tragedy that is taking place now in Ukraine is also awakening moral and ethical implications for us as nation. We are watching a nation being stripped of its freedom and liberties at the whim of one man. We are witnessing world leaders groping with making moral and ethical decisions in response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. I struggle with this. I understand their dilemma. But do we allow EVIL to go unchecked? What responsibility does the Church have in this ‘hour’?

For those who have read my previous blogs, what I am about to say is not new, but it is still true.

Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV), “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, and against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Stop! Consider this, Satan is called “…the prince of the power of the air…”(Ephesians2:2 NKJV).

President Zelensky has been begging the nations of this world to put a ‘no fly zone’ over Ukraine. The nations of this world are reluctant to do this. The nations are concerned about the ramifications that it might cause in the thinking of Putin. He has said that a nuclear response is a possibility.

There is one nation in this world that can provide a ‘no fly zone’. That nation is the Kingdom of God. It is composed of an innumerable amount of people. The leader of this nation is the Lord Jesus Christ. This nation has a voice and it needs to use it, now.

Therefore:

We, the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, can give the nation of Ukraine the ‘no fly zone’ that it is requesting. How, you ask? PRAYER, asking the Lord to clear the skies over Ukraine. We bind the forces of darkness that fill the sky from Russia, hell-bent on bringing destruction, and loose the skies over the nation of Ukraine from the principalities, rulers of darkness and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. We, the Church, have been given these keys of authority. Satan is the “…prince of the power of the air…” (Ephesians 2:2 NKJV). Satan’s power has been broken by the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus made an open shame of him. Colossians 2:15, (NKJV), “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He (Christ) made a public spectacle of them triumphing over them in it (the Cross).” Hebrews 2:14,15 (NKJV), Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same that through death He might destroy him (Satan) who had the power of death that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

Matthew 16:13-19, (NKJV), Jesus was asking His disciples what the local people were saying about Him regarding His identity. The disciples told them what the people were saying. In verse 15, Jesus says directly to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter (verse 16) speaks up and declares, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus responds and says, “Blessed are you, Simon-Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

The Church, built upon the confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, has been given authority to bind and loose on earth. It is that authority, that the Church, the Body of Christ, the members of the nation of the Kingdom of God can use to exercise spiritual authority over the defeated enemy, Satan, who is the prince of the power of the air. Jesus said the “gates of Hades shall not prevail”, meaning, “the power of death cannot prevent the advance of the kingdom, nor claim victory over those who belong to God.” (Notes from NKJV Study Bible)

We, the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, are called to exercise its spiritual authority over the ‘prince of the power of the air’; we are called to intercede for the nation of Ukraine and bind the principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness that are over Ukraine. We are called to loose the airspace over Ukraine and free it from the evil forces of darkness so that there is a ‘no fly zone’ over Ukraine.

I believe that the nation of believers has been called to intercede for Ukraine and create the ‘no fly zone’ that President Zelensky is asking the nations to provide. The Body of Christ, using its authority in Christ, can do just that.

Pray. Bind and loose, in Jesus’ Name.

blessings, deo

In my previous post I quoted from a Spurgeon devotional. It said, “The church will never prosper until more reverently it believes in the Holy Spirit.”

Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, has frequently been ignored by the Church. In my own upbringing, the Person of the Holy Spirit was hardly ever mentioned. As I have previously shared, in a personal time of despair, I said, “If this is all there is to Christianity, then I want out.” The Lord heard that, and a new journey was embarked upon. It began with an introduction to the Third Person of the Trinity, Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit is the Lord’s C.E.O. of the Church, the Lord’s Chief Executive Officer, and the believer’s individual Comforter. Holy Spirit has been from the beginning in Genesis the active agent of the Godhead.

Genesis 1:2 says (NKJV), “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” “The word, hovering, connotes “sweeping” or “moving” rather than staying stationary. The Holy Spirit is the “executive arm” of the Trinity, so He was quite active as God spoke each word.” (NKJV Study Bible, page 4).

Question: Was the Holy Spirit active (instrumental) in the incarnation of Christ? Absolutely, (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:35 NKJV), “And the angel answered and said unto her (Mary), The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you (sounds like hovering); therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Parentheses mine)

Luke 1:40-41, Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was pregnant (with John the Baptist), “when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (NKJV).

Throughout Christ’s life, here on earth, the Holy Spirit was active. Thirty years after Christ’s birth, John the Baptist, declared at the Jordon River (John 1:29 NKJV), “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

John is declaring that the One, who is going to bring about change, has come, and world will never be the same be the same again–‘get used to different’ (The Chosen).

At the Jordon River, Jesus was water baptized by John. Matthew 3:16-17 (NKJV), “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

At Jesus’s water baptism, the Holy Spirit is an active participant. He comes like a dove and remains upon Him. The Holy Spirit was active in the earthly ministry of Jesus. After Jesus’s water baptism, Matthew 4:1 (NKJV) says, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” Luke 4:13-15 (NKJV) says, “Now when the devil has ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee and news of Him went through all the surrounding region. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.”

Change has come, and things are different. So, what does different look like?

Luke 4:16-22(NKJV) outlines for us a good understanding of what different looks like.

“So He came to Nazareth (His hometown), where He had been brought up (His neighborhood). And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day (went to His local Church) and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of Isaiah.”

(He was chosen to find a portion of scripture, read, and comment on it. Notes in my Study Bible say of verse 16, “A member or a visitor who was judged worthy was frequently asked to read the Scripture and make appropriate comments.” This seems reasonable to me; He had been absent from His hometown; He has returned; His ministry had preceded Him home; it only seems natural to have Him read and share. So far, things are the same in the eyes of the townspeople.

Continuing, “And when He had opened the book, He found (He chose) the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me”, (The Holy Spirit is active in Christ’s life, How?) “Because He has anointed Me” (When did this happen? When the Holy Spirit descended upon Him at His water baptism, continued with Him through His temptations in the wilderness, which resulted in Him returning in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, Luke 3:21-4:15).

This anointing was to enable Him:

“To PREACH the gospel to the poor; (Capitalization emphasis mine)

He hath sent Me to HEAL the brokenhearted,

To PROCLAIM liberty to the captives, and RECOVERY of sight to the blind,

To SET AT LIBERTY those who are oppressed (downtrodden);

To PROCLAIM the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Jesus had a ministerial P.H.D. He Preached, Healed, and Delivered. It was conferred upon Him by the Holy Spirit. He had passed all His tests in the wilderness.

“Then He closed the book, handed it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue (in the Church) were fixed on Him.”

Why? They have just experienced something they can’t explain. Something has changed; this isn’t the same Jesus they have known; something is different.

Verse 21-22 continues, “And He began to say to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. So all bore witness to Him and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”

Jesus has just said, ‘change has come, get used to different.’

Whoa! We know Jesus. He is Joseph’s son. Right? What gives!

For me, this sounds like the temptation leveled at Jesus by Satan in the wilderness. Matthew 4:3 NKJV, “if You are the Son of God, command…”; but it has come from the townspeople in the synagogue.

From Luke 4:23-30, we understand that the atmosphere in the synagogue changes from astonishment (vs 22) to wrath (vs 28). Why? Matthew 13:54-58 (NKJV) explains, “When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” So, they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in how own country and in his own house.” Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. “

Returning to Luke 4:23, the commentary on this verse says that Jesus’ words “anticipates the demands of the people that He perform in Nazareth the miracles He had done in Capernaum. However, His signs are not for the skeptic but the believer, (the same is basically true today), and He consistently refuses to produce compelling signs of His messiahship.” Satan had tempted Jesus to produce compelling signs in the wilderness to verify that He was the Son of God; the same thing is now being done through unbelievers in His hometown.

Isn’t it amazing what can and does take place when change comes, because ‘change’ brings ‘difference’?

Change is coming. You can count on it. Therefore, things are going to be different.

When I was first composing this blog, the Covid Pandemic was the change that the world was focused on. The pandemic had brought about many changes; many of which the world is still dealing with, especially here in the United States. And now, in the past two weeks (March 2022), the Covid pandemic is hardly a news item in the world, because it has been replaced with the headlines regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine, its systematic destruction, overthrow, and potential elimination of Ukraine as a sovereign nation. Change has come onto the world stage among the nations, and things are dramatically different. I submit to you that this aggression, over which I am grieved like you, is for us to stop and think seriously about how we respond as believers in Christ, especially to Jesus’ words in Matthew 24-25.

Reflecting back upon what Jesus read in the synagogue from the book of Isaiah found in Luke 4:17-21, “The prophecy of Isaiah 61:1,2 describes the deliverance of Israel from exile in Babylon in terms of the year of Jubilee, but its ultimate fulfillment awaited the coming of the messianic age. Jesus boldly claims to be the promised Messiah, and His defined ministry here becomes the ongoing essence of the good news of the gospel of the kingdom of God. Luke later makes it clear He passed this same ministry on to the disciples (Luke 9:1,2) and ultimately to the entire church (Acts 1:1,2). [commentary from NKJV Study Bible]

After Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus ministered to His disciples for forty days until He ascended back to heaven.

Luke writing to Theophilus, in his introduction to ‘The Acts of the apostles’, confirms the purpose of this historical record. Luke says, (Acts 1:1-5 NKJV), “The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit (Who is the agent of change!) had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them for forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the Promise of the Father, which, He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Do you see ‘change’ and ‘different’ in these words? It’s coming, you can count on it.

Luke continues, Acts 1:6-8 NKJV, “Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” ” The apostles’ heard ‘change’ is coming, and they were checking out what they thought ‘different’ was going to be. But they did not get the answer that was in their hearts. “He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you (that’s change); and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth (that’s difference).”

Let me insert this thought here. We, too, as believers in Christ, might not get the answer we are looking for in our hearts from the Lord regarding the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

In Acts 2:1-4, the change occurs, and the difference is birthed. The Church, the Body of Christ, the Israel of God, is formed. It is empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the C.E.O of the Church, of which Christ is the Head. The Holy Spirit is the Godhead’s Agent of Change.

I believe the Church will be undergoing major ‘changes’ beginning in 2022. Believers will need to ‘get used to different’. There will be a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church. Jesus said in the Upper Room to His disciples that when the Spirit comes “He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement.” (John 16:7b NKJV) Lest we get pumped up unnecessarily, remember Peter’s words, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?”, (I Peter 4:17. NKJV).

The context of this admonition is Christian suffering. I Peter 4:12-14 (NKJV), says, “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 He is glorified.”

I suggest that what Jesus said in the synagogue about the scripture He read about Himself will be fulfilled through the Church, the Body of Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Word of God will be preached unto the ends of the earth, and it will be confirmed with signs and wonders following.

I Thessalonians 1:5,6 (NKJV), “For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit.”

This, I believe, is the change that is coming. This type of ministry in the Church has never completely died out; but it will be ‘resurrected’ in the life of the Church, by the Lord, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and blessed by God, the Father. The Godhead is ready to be a difference throughout the world.

Are you ready for God’s shaking? Is Covid, and the Russian invasion causing a shaking the Church? I believe so.

Hebrews 12:25-29 NKJV, “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.”

Get ready, our God reigns; He is bringing change and difference.

Change is Coming! or should I say, the beginning of change has occurred.

a brother in Christ, deo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

a brother in Christ, deo

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

Thank you, Holy Spirit for enlightening us.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Change is coming in 2022.

Resting in Christ’s Kingdom, deo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blessings to you, a brother in Christ, deo

 

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What does God’s Word say?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Be blessed, a brother in Christ, deo

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

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

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

TREE OF LIFE VERSION