christianity – Page 3 – Living Words of Encouragement

An Addendum To The Election

Reflecting back to when these posts began, they were given ‘birth’ by a poster carried by a protester after Donald Trump was elected President in 2016.

I believe it was in January 2017.

That’s a long time ago.

The sign said, ‘be ungoverned’.

What does ‘be ungoverned’ mean: lawlessness.

Quoting Got Questions, What does the Bible say about lawlessness?, the opening paragraph says, “To be lawless is to be contrary to the law or to act without regard to the law. Laws are necessary in a sinful world (I Timothy 1:9), and those who choose to act lawlessly further sin in the world. The word for “lawlessness” in the Bible is often translated “iniquity”. According to the Bible, the root of all lawlessness is rebellion.”

What have we witnessed in our nation as a result of his election in 2016?

The growth lawlessness that has borne the ‘fruit’ of those ‘two words’ written on that cardboard sign.

Those ‘two words’ are still resounding loud and clear today in 2025.

Their boisterousness has enlarged since the 2016 Presidential election.

The growth of lawlessness has resulted in chaos, confusion, corruption, and consternation in our nation.

What took place in 2016 at the election polls in 2016 repeated itself at the election polls in 2024.

Donald Trump was elected to be the President of the United States.

I know this is redundant; but the rhetoric against his re-election is still loud, disruptive, and irrational.

Mr. Trump promised change, if elected.

He was elected because he promised change; and now having been re-elected, he is following through with his promises of change.

There has been, literal, ‘screaming’ coming from those who oppose him; vehemently voicing their disapproval.

What will be the outcome of this political earthquake?

Only time will tell?

What I see happening, and many others also see happening , is the uncovering of the ‘deeds of darkness’ that have been overshadowing and influencing our nation for many years.

This uncovering of ‘darkness’ is the result of many praying for our nation.

I believe that the Lord will fulfill the words of Psalm 64.

Please read Psalm 64.

[If you are interested, please read the post, THE A.R.R.O.W. OF GOD]

God has shot His Arrow. (Psalm 64:7)

There will be ‘Adonai’s Righteous Revelation Of Wrongdoing.’

The evil words that have been spewed out over our nation (Psalm 64: 1-4) will come back upon those that spoke them, and they will be wounded by their own words. (Psalm 64:7-8)

Humanity will witness God’s uncovering; the effect of the wounding that occurs; and will know that it is a Heavenly Coming of God. (Psalm 64:8-9)

God ‘comes down’ in His own way;He sees the evil that prevails; and He exercises judgment and salvation according to His will and purpose. (Psalm 64:9)

[God ‘sought out’ Adam and Eve; God ‘came down’ in the days of Noah; God ‘came down’ in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah; God ‘came down’ in the days of Israel in Egypt… and we can follow this pattern throughout the Bible.]

God is a Righteous Judge.

He rules and reigns.

He is in complete control.

He is Sovereign.

In the context of Psalm 64:

Psalm 64:10 (Amplified Version) says, “The righteous will rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in Him; All the upright in heart will glory and offer praise.”

In our ‘days of evil’ (Ephesians 5:16), what is the Church responsible to do?

1. Remember Romans 13:1-7.

It’s all about who has the authority and why.

2. Remember I Timothy 2:1-7.

It’s all about praying for those in authority.

3. Remember Ephesians 6:5-9

It’s all about being submissive and obedient to authority.

4. Remember John 17:14-16

It’s all about Jesus’ prayer for us.

We are to be responsible citizens in the nation we live in; however, our primary responsibility is to our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are, first, the citizens of another kingdom, the Kingdom of God; then we are citizens of the nation in which we live.

Paul instructs the Church in Ephesus about how to live.

Read Ephesians 4-6

As followers of Christ, we are to be governed by Christ, obedient to His Word, guided and taught by the Holy Spirit, pleasing our God and our Father, to Whom, all praise, glory, and honor is due.

Remember, the ‘days are evil’ (Ephesians 5:16, 2 Timothy 3:1-17)

This is not something new.

Nevertheless, in our walk with the Lord, we need to be mindful to Whom our ultimate loyalty belongs.

When opposition comes, when an opposing ‘government’ asserts itself, or when we are faced with persecution for Christ’s sake, we must follow the example of Peter and John.

Please read, Acts 4:1-31.

What do we need to be willing to embrace, to endure, and not avoid?

Opposition for the name of Christ.

One of the most intriguing verses about Jesus, Who is the Son of God/Son of Man is found in Hebrews 5:8.

The context discusses His position as our eternal High Priest.

Hebrews 5:4-11, Amplified Version, “So too Christ did not glorify Himself so as to be made a high priest, but He [was exalted and appointed by One] who said to Him, “YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN (fathered) YOU [declared Your authority and rule over the nations]”; just as He also says in another place, YOU ARE A PRIEST [appointed] FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIEDEK.” In the days of His earthly life, Jesus offered up both [specific] petitions and [urgent] supplications [for that which He needed] with fervent crying and tears to the One who was [always] able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission toward God [His sinlessness and His unfailing determination to do the Father’s will]. Although He was a Son [who had never been disobedient to the Father] He learned [active and special] obedience through what He suffered. And having been made perfect[uniquely equipped and prepared as Savior and retaining His integrity amid opposition] He became the source of eternal salvation [an eternal inheritance] to all those who obey Him, being designated by God as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Concerning this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become *dull and sluggish in [your spiritual] hearing and disinclined to listen.” (emphasis mine) [*insert mine]

His willingness to obediently suffer, as the Lamb of God, becomes the source of salvation to those who obey Him. (emphasis mine)

We must not be “dull and sluggish in [ (our) your spiritual] hearing and disinclined to listen.” (insert mine)

How is your hearing?

What are you hearing?

To what are you attuned?

Do you know what the Spirit is saying to the Church today?

To each of the seven churches, listed in The Revelation, a letter was written to each church.

Toward the close of each letter the following was said, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Why?

Christ, the Head of the Church, was correcting His Church.

What was the purpose of His correction?

Please read Hebrews 12:1-13.

So that the Church may ‘overcome’, be ready, steadfast and victorious in the Day of the Lord.

Please read Revelation 12.

Revelation 12 describes the spiritual battle between God and Satan.

There is constant angelic warfare.

The Church, by virtue of being in the world, lives in the reality of the constant spiritual warfare. (Ephesians 6: 10-18)

Revelation 12:11, says, “And they [the followers of Christ] overcame him [Satan] because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death.” (Amplified Version) [inserts mine]

Revelation 12:11 says:

“12:11 They overcame him by appropriating the victory of the finished work of Christ, by the public confession of their faith and patient endurance (see note * on 1:9). The church’s constant posture under the authority the authority of the cross’s victory by the blood of the Lamb and the steadfastness to the promise of God’s Word-the word of their testimony-is the key to their overcoming.”

[* commentary note regarding 1:9–“John experiences with his readers tribulation, or persecution on account of their faith, with patient endurance, which is steadfast courage under unjust suffering. However, attendant to the trials involved in the Christian life of the glory of the kingdom.”]

They were willing to suffer for Christ’s sake, even unto death.

“And they conquered him by the blood of the Lamb. This shows clearly that the victory over Satan which John described in mythological terms actually was accomplished in history at the cross. The shed blood of Christ is the real means of victory over Satan. The secondary means is the word of their testimony; their witness to the saving power of the blood of Christ. The background of martyrdom stands on these words. They loved their Lord more than life itself and willingly suffered death rather than deny Christ. Jesus had said, “He who endures to the end [i.e., to the point of death] will be saved. (Matt. 24:13). Victory over Satan is not not physical victory to be found in the preservation of life or escape from the persecution he wages against the saints. They stood fast in their testimony to Christ and loved not their lives even unto death. Their very martyrdom was their victory over Satan; it proved that his accusations against the brethren were empty. It is clear that victory over Satan is a spiritual victory which is even won in the terrible experience of martyrdom.”

It is no secret that there are believers throughout the world that live in the ‘certitude’ of this verse (Revelation 12:11) everyday of their lives because of the spiritual opposition they face.

The western church in North America has not faced the fullness of this type of persecution described in Revelation 12:11.

However, that does not mean we are exempt from such opposition.

The Word of God does not exempt the followers of Christ from suffering.

Please read 1 Peter 2:11-25; 4:1-19.

In closing,

The ‘Epistle to the Hebrews’ was written “to wavering Jewish believers, encouraging them to stand fast in their faith. The writer points out the overwhelming superiority of Christ over all that they had experienced under the law. Jewish believers should never consider turning back because what Christ offers them is so much better than what the law had promised under the Mosaic economy. The author dwells on the incomparable glory of the Person and work of Christ, showing His supremacy over, prophets…angels…Moses…Joshua…Aaron…and the whole ritual of Judaism.” (Introduction to the ‘Epistle to the Hebrews’, Spirit Filled Life Bible, copyright 2020, page 1844, KJV)

Therefore, let us consider these words,

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the father’s by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who is the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name then they…Therefore we must give the earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” (Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:1-4 NKJV)

God, has Personally ‘come down’ in the Person of His Son, Jesus.

Jesus is still speaking to His Church today.

In fact, He is speaking loud and clear.

A ‘Heavenly Coming‘ has begun.

His voice is sounding forth with intensity and visibility throughout the earth.

It is even speaking in our nation, especially on college campuses.

Lord, as You said to Your seven churches, “He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the Churches.”

Thank you Lord for giving us ears to hear.

We praise You and glorify Thy name.

blessings, ‘Resting In Christ’s Kingship’, deo

His Comings Keep Coming! Part 4

2 Timothy 3:1-17 has different headings depending upon the translation used.

For example, the MacArthur Study Bible says, “Perilous Times, and Perilous Men”; The Spirit Filled Life Bible (KJV) says, “Perilous Times Shall Come”; Rotherham’s Emphasized Bible has no chapter title breaks; Master Study Bible says, “Difficult Times Will Come”; The Tree of Life Version says, “Opposition in the Last Days”; English Standard Version (ESV) says, “Godlessness in the Last Days”; The Message says, “Difficult Times Ahead”; “Kings James Version says, “Difficult Times Will Come”.

Question: What is the heading in your personal Bible?

‘Heaven is Coming‘ to confront ‘the evil days’.

God came down in the days of Noah. God came down in the days of the Tower of Babel. God came down in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Why did God come down ?

He came down to ‘see’ the evil.

The result of what He ‘saw’ was a Heavenly Coming.

Using the Exodus of Israel from Egypt as a template a second time, God came in response to His people crying out to Him for deliverance.

God keeps His covenant with His people.

He revealed Himself to Egypt (a type of the world), and specifically to Pharaoh, who boasted before Moses:

“Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.” (Exodus 5:2, NKJV)

That kind of arrogance will get God’s attention.

God made Himself known to Pharaoh( who represents the authority of Satan and his total opposition to the authority of God); to the nation of Egypt( a picture of the world); and to the nation of Israel (God’s people).

The process of God that He sent to set His people Israel free from the bondage of Egypt is a representation of the conflict that is in the universe between God and Satan.

It was God’s ‘Heavenly Coming’.

It is also a picture of God’s people who are in the world but not a part of the world. A world that is governed by the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2 NKJV)

The conflict is over who is in charge?

God or Satan.

The answer is God.

His opposition is Satan.

Is there a conflict?

Is there an ongoing battle?

Is God threatened by this conflict?

Absolutely not!

How has Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, the Creator of the world, the One and Only True God responded to this uprising by Satan?

His response actually took place before the foundation of the world in eternity.(Ephesians 1-3)

The explanation of His response is found from cover to cover within God’s written Word, the Bible.

God’s people today, the Church, the Ekklesia, like those who have gone before them, must take its stand in the Word of God.

Reflect on these words: “For you were once in darkness [Egypt, the world], but now you are light [out of the world, and ‘in Christ, Who is the Light of the world] in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness [Egypt, the world], but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things which are exposed are made manifest by the light [Q: when you turn a light on, what leaves?)] for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says, “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light” “. [Paul’s call to the Church is to remind them that they, too, were once not saved, in darkness, and they came to the light, now live like it.] Continuing, “See then that you walk circumspectly (carefully, [a marginal note]), not as fools [a fool is one who says there is no God,Psalms 14:1], but as wise (Proverbs 9:8-10) redeeming the time because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:8-16, NKJV) [inserts mine]

In context, Paul, speaking to the Church at Ephesus, is reminding them of their responsibility as Christians to be sure that their lifestyle does not reflect the lifestyle of the world but reflects the life of Christ to which they are being conformed.

Using Proverbs 9:8-10 Amplified Version, to help us focus,

“Do not correct a scoffer [who foolishly ridicules and takes no responsibility for his error] or he that hates you; correct a wise man [who learns from his error] and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will become even wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. The [reverent] fear of the LORD [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence], and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.”

This, I believe, is the teaching spirit of Paul, as he addresses the Ephesian Church in their midst of struggles to persevere and continue in faithfulness to the Lord.

If you have been a follower of my posts, then you know, and it is no surprise to you that the “days are evil”(Ephesians 5:16).

Am I sharing anything that the Body of Christ is not already aware of?

I sincerely doubt it.

Then, why, the posts?

I want you, Church, to see what Paul is teaching through encouragement and admonition to the Church at Ephesus.

He begins showing them that they are ‘seated in Christ’, “far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name, that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.” (Ephesians 1:21, NKJV)

i.e.: seated above the “prince of the power of the air”.

Because of the finished work of the cross (Ephesians 2:1-10), “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus… ” (Ephesians 2:4-6, NKJV)

Next, Paul (Ephesians 4-5) focuses their attention on ‘walking out’ what God has birthed within them, “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called”(Ephesians 4:1 NKJV); Ephesians 5:2, NKJV, “And 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.”

Paul shares how Christ has loved us and how we should love one another.

Then in Ephesians 6:1-9, Paul focuses upon the importance of obedience in our earthly relationships, which is paramount to walking in love as Christ has loved us.

Finally, in Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul brings their attention to the importance of spiritual warfare.

Why? because the ‘days are evil’.

Read Ephesian 6:10-18.

Paul’s emphasis is to stand.

Why the emphasis on standing?

Because we, believers in Christ, the Body of Christ, the called out ones, are in the midst of a spiritual conflict, doing spiritual warfare, because the ‘days are evil’.

Let me say emphatically, the Church must awake to this realization in this hour of its existence.

In every generation, the true Church of the Lord Jesus Christ has realized its generational spiritual warfare.

There are many in the Body of Christ today that are fighting this ‘conflict’ daily, by praying and interceding for their loved ones, this nation, and the ‘slumbering church’ that does not understand where it sits; how it is to walk; and for what it is to stand.

Please look up Psalm 1 and read it carefully.

Many years ago, it was pointed out to me that the three words Paul structured his letter to the Ephesian Church-sit,walk, and stand-is the teaching of Psalm 1.

What is the blessing, admonition, and result of heeding the words of Psalm 1?

It is dependent upon your personal answers to the following questions.

Q: How is your relationship to the Lord?

Q: Does it reflect the characteristics and fruit of the world?

Q: Or, does it reflect the characteristics and fruit of Christ?

Remember-the ‘days are evil’.

This was emphasized at the beginning of this post.

Please read 2 Timothy 3:1-17.

Question: Will your lifestyle as a believer in Christ Jesus withstand the evil influence and pressure of Ephesians 6:12, Amplified Version?

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending with only physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly [supernatural] places.” (personal insert-this is another way of describing the ‘prince of the power of the air’ and his demons)

Remembering Ephesians 1:21 Amplified Version, who did Jesus conquer at the cross? “…all rule and all authority and power and dominion [whether angelic or human]…”

Combine this with Colossians 2:15, Amplified Version, “When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us], He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession] having triumphed over them through the cross.”

I am not forgetting that Jesus is the Lamb of God that died as the perfect sacrifice for the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

What the Church needs, is to be re-awakened, to the truth that there is an adversary-Satan, and the angels that rebelled with him.

The warfare between the Church and Satan will continue until Christ returns.

B.U.T. – But Understand This – Church!

The ‘work of the Cross’ won.

The power of Satan has been conquered.

One of the mysteries of the Sovereignty of God is His permission allowing Satan to continue to have the influence he exerts in the world today.

I Peter 5:8-9, Amplified Version, “Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined, be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry] seeking someone to devour. But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack-rooted, established, immovable] {may I insert this thought? this is a picture of Ephesian 6:12, stand}, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone].

God’s Heavenly Comings are dramatic, bringing judgment and salvation.

God’s Heavenly Coming to His people, the nation of Israel, was manifested through 10 plagues.

God brought a Personal ‘saving’ revelation of Himself to His people and Personal revelation of ‘judgment’ to Pharaoh and to the nation of Egypt.

The night of the 10th plague, the nation of Israel, in obedience to God’s Word, stayed in their dwelling places, under the blood of a lamb. (Exodus 12)

They were saved.

Saved from what?

Those in the land of Egypt whose dwelling places did not have blood applied over the entrance to their household experienced judgment of the death of their first born. (Exodus 12:29-30)

The purpose of taking Israel ‘out’ of Egypt (type of the world, the kingdom of darkness) was so that He could bring them ‘into’ the land (type of the Kingdom of God) that God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

God is keeping His covenant with His people.

When we respond in faith to the message of the Gospel, He saves us, and brings out of sin and death and brings us into Christ in Whom we have the forgiveness of sin, and we are born again by the Spirit of God.

We are brought out of the kingdom of darkness(Egypt, world) and into the glorious Kingdom of Light(Kingdom of God).

We have passed from death unto life, because of the blood of Christ.

The nation of Israel came out ‘under the blood’ and went through the Red Sea on dry land.

We, too, come out of death because of the Blood of the Lamb and then our old nature is buried in the water (Red Sea) of baptism identifying with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. We come up out of the water into the newness of life. The old has passed away and all things have become new in Christ Jesus. (insert mine)

I recommend that you read I Corinthians 10:1-13.

Just as the nation of Israel had to journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, so we, too, are on a spiritual journey with the Lord until He brings us into His Presence.

We must understand that we are walking with the Lord daily.

Our life’s journey is out from the world of darkness that has been left behind; and walking with Him through the wilderness chosen by Him to conform us to Himself and be a mature son or daughter of God, now.

God has brought out His people from under the government of the world, and led them into the wilderness to teach them about His rule and reign for their lives.

Guess what?

‘That’ is exactly the same journey we are on after we come to Christ and are saved; and then learn to live out our life with Him.

Our story is a story of learning the rule and reigning of God in our life.

So, who is in charge?

‘That’ is Paul’s heart for the Churches that h has founded.

‘That’ is the substance of his letters.

Read Philippians 3, in the Amplified Version it is entitled The Goal of Life.

Philippians 3:12 Amplified Version, reads, “Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own.”

TBC

Blessings, your brother in Christ, on His journey with the Lord, learning His rule and reign in my life, too-deo

Heaven Is Coming! Part 1

In the late 1960’s, I said to my wife, Christine, “If this is all there is to Christianity, then I want out.”

Was I in despair? What is the basis for such a statement?

I can only make conjecture.

I think I can safely say that it was a frustration of an unsatisfied spiritual life that I was not even aware that I had.

I am grateful to the Lord that upon hearing those words of ‘despair’ He didn’t abandon me (us); but graciously, mercifully, and lovingly, intervened in our lives and showed us that there is truly more to Christianity than one may think.

In essence, heaven intervened.

Christine and I both grew up attending church.

It was, shall I say, part of our childhood life; what we did; and what was expected.

We were married in 1964 at the ‘mature’ age of 20.

Legally, when we were married; Christine was my legal guardian under the law. I didn’t turn 21 until two months after we were married. (lol)

Because we ‘grew up attending church’, we looked for a church to ‘attend’, believing it was right to do so.

The normal thing to do, right?

We wanted it to be part of our married life.

We looked. We attended. We were dissatisfied with what we saw and heard.

We were not ‘satisfied’.

Question: What were we looking for? I am not sure we knew.

Little did we know that the Lord was guiding our footsteps.

That’s called Sovereignty and Providence.

Christine and I were both nominal Christians at best.

We had some Biblical understanding (I think); but basically trained to ‘attend’ church.

Speaking for myself, I had some basic Biblical understanding; but I cannot quantify it, other than it was shallow; yet there was a foundation that had been laid that ‘attending church’ was important.

Question: What was the Lord’s response to my personal words of ‘despair’?

Answer: The Lord introduced us to the Third Person of the Trinity.

His Name is Holy Spirit.

It has been nearly 60 years since that intervention.

The Lord began revealing to us who Holy Spirit is, and what is His part in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ; His function in the Church; and His part in the salvific plan of redemption by the God-head.

During the past 60 years of our married life, our journey with the Lord has been more than we could have imagined.

Married at 20;turning 81 in 2024; we have lived 75% of our lives together under the tutelage of the Lord, guided by Holy Spirit, learning to please the Father, walking by faith in obedience to the Word of God.

We were ‘enrolled’ in the ‘School of the Spirit’, as members of the Body of Christ, the Church by the Lord.

This enrollment included ‘attending’ church.

But it was much more than just ‘attending’.

We, were now, as outlined in Acts 2:42 NASV, “…continually devoting (ourselves) themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. (insert mine)

Question: What brought about an abrupt change in lifestyle to those who were in Jerusalem fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection?

Answer: Acts 2:1-4 NASV, “And when the day of Pentecost had come (was being fulfilled), they [followers of Christ] were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.” (marginal notes) [insert mine]

I want to ‘arrest’ your mind.

I want you to disregard your ‘scriptural prejudices’ about the Day of Pentecost for a moment.

Lay those thoughts aside.

I want you to focus not on ‘what’ took place; but to focus on ‘Who’ came “from heaven“.

Emphasizing Acts 2:2: it begins with these words-“And suddenly there came from heaven…”.

I am NOT minimizing God, the Father; NOR am I minimizing Jesus, the Son.

I am pointing out ‘Who’ came: God, the Holy Spirit.

This is the One, the Lord introduced us too.

I had hardly ever heard about the Holy Spirit growing up in church, as I remember.

The Lord introduced the Person that we needed functioning in our lives.

The Third Person of the Trinity.

The Holy Spirit is the Promise of the Father, according to the words of Jesus, the Son. (Luke 24:49)

The Promise of the Father is one of the central truths explained to Christ’s disciples in the Upper Room, the night of His arrest.

In context, Jesus is speaking about His soon departure going back to the Father.

He is reassuring His disciples of His love and care for them.

He is instructing them about praying to the Father; the ground rules for praying; the expected results of prayer; and about the coming of the Holy Spirit.

This is all found in John 14-16.

Let me paraphrase.

Jesus is speaking to them about a GAP that is going to occur shortly; and how He, the Father, and the Holy Spirit are going to be there for them.

In order to go back to the Father, Jesus will lay down His life as the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.

He is headed to the Cross!

The G.A.P.- Jesus shares with them about His Going; Assurance, and a Promise.

Jesus emphasizing His oneness with His Father. He instructs His disciples about praying to the Father; the conditions for praying when praying to the Father; and the assurance of answered prayer from the Father.

Continuing, Jesus says, in John 14:16-18 NASV,

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, who the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him, or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

Again, let me ‘quiet’ your mind.

Put aside your ‘scriptural prejudices’.

Do you hear what Jesus is saying?

First of all, as His disciple, He invokes the entire God-head, the Trinity is there for you. God-the Father; God-the Son; and God-the Holy Spirit.

Go back and read the verses.

Secondly, He has been physically with them for three plus years; but very shortly, His presence, as they know it, is going to be removed from them.

And He knows that is going to devastate them.

Jesus said they would be as ‘orphans’.

What does that conjure up in your mind?

Maybe you understand that personally?

Third, Jesus is assuring them, that His Father will send them another Person to replace Him in their lives.

That Person is the Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.

Fast forward to the Day of Pentecost.

The Holy Spirit came; descended out of heaven ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, on the Day of Pentecost.

I contend, that many in the Church today, have an ‘unsatisfied spiritual life’.

There is an undercurrent of a cry in many believer’s hearts like the cry of my heart almost 60 years ago that said, “If this is all that Christianity is about, then I want out.”

I understand now that this was not a statement of disowning my salvation.

This was a longing of the ‘heart of a sheep’ looking for something that is missing and really can’t put a ‘handle’ on it.

I also know I didn’t realize that at that time.

(I barely understood what it meant to be saved.)

I had an ‘unsatisfied life’ explained to me many years ago.

I encourage you to read Psalm 42:1-6 and reflect on the words.

If this is truly the cry of your heart, then read the rest of Psalm 42 and Psalm 43.

Our ‘unsatisfied life’ changes as we learn to be content in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, submitting to His Headship, guided and enabled by Holy Spirit, and learning to walk by faith pleasing our heavenly Father, according to the Word of God, in the context of the Church, as summarized in Acts 2:42: that is centered in the ‘apostles teaching’; maintaining ‘fellowship’ with the Body of Christ; ‘breaking bread’ with the Church; and ‘prayer’, individually and corporately.

The Holy Spirit is an active member of the God-Head.

His activity is documented from Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21.

The Person of the Holy Spirit cannot be ignored when living the Christian life.

The Person of the Holy Spirit is an integral part of the entire purpose of God as revealed in the Word of God.

I encourage you to ask the Lord to reveal to you the Person and work of the Holy Spirit in your life.

I am not saying that the Holy Spirit is not in you.

If you belong to Christ, then the Spirit of God dwells in you. (Romans 8:9,10)

I am confident that the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ is about to be confronted with an A.I. moment orchestrated by God, the Father.

I call it, Adonai’s Intervention–Acts 2:2 says, “and suddenly there came from heaven…”

The Holy Spirit came at the Feast of Pentecost ten days after Jesus’ ascension.

Here is what I want you to think about?

Question: When you pray the prayer Jesus gave to His disciples,when they asked Him to teach them to pray in Matthew 6, what do you expect as a response when you say the following words? (Matthew 6:9,10, NASV)

“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed by Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.” (emphasis mine)

What is your expectation?

My expectation is my Father’s intervention.

Our Father is coming with an Adonai Intervention is going to suddenly happen soon!

‘suddenly from heaven’.

This intervention is NOT the second coming of Christ; but it will be a coming of the Holy Spirit, convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement. (John 16:8)

It will be a ‘suddenly’ that will reveal the Presence and Power of God to our nation and the nations of the world before the return of Christ.

God, Himself, is coming with ACTION.

It’s A Chosen Time In Our Nation.

This coming will awaken His Church. (Ephesians 5:13-21)

This awakening will bring change to the Church.

There is a shaking coming.

Hebrews 12:25-28 NASV:

“See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less shall we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. And His voice shook the earth then, but now He promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” And this expression, “Yet once more” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, in order that those things which cannot be shaken remain. Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.”

May the Lord richly bless you as you faithfully continue to follow Him,

blessings, a brother in Christ, deo

The Battle Over Authority, Part 3

In January 2017, after Donald Trump became the President-Elect in the 2016 election, I was watching a news broadcast.

This news broadcast was covering a demonstration against Mr. Trump.

What arrested my attention was a sign being carried by a young woman.

On her placard were two words: ‘be ungoverned’.

I was shocked and concerned.

Those two words epitomized the prevailing attitude that was being expressed before Mr. Trump took office.

Throughout his Presidency, the philosophy of being ‘ungoverned’ grew and demonstrated itself against his term of office.

Those two words, ‘be ungoverned’ simply meant in its most negative sense to reject the authority of Mr. Trump as President of the United States.

Since 2017, this nation has witnessed the seeds of those two words, ‘be ungoverned’, grow-blossom-bear fruit-and reap its ‘spirit of lawlessness’.

I submit to you, that the electorate in our 2024 presidential election, was awakened to the philosophy of the current governing political party, both at the national and state levels; awakened them to some of our business leaders, awakened them to many of our educational institutions, awakened them to many in entertainment industry, and especially made it clear to them that the news media outlets thrived on thrusting their ‘lawlessness rhetoric’ upon the citizens of our nation.

That rhetoric reverberated the full weight of the two words, ‘be ungoverned’.

This awareness spread throughout all ethnicities and demographics that comprised the voting electorate, which many called, the silent majority.

But, there were many, that did not ‘awake’ to what millions of other voters were awakened too, and dictated how they were going to respond at the ballot box.

There is no doubt that millions of people simply hated Mr. Trump.

They were known as ‘never Trumpers’.

There is also no doubt that millions of people were angry against the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Roe v. Wade.

The Democratic party strongly advocated abortion.

There were millions of people who had bought into the political philosophy of liberalism and were satisfied with the ‘spirit of lawlessness’ that prevailed in this nation’s culture and society.

A great unknown was how would the Christian community vote, or even not vote.

I know there are a lot of numbers that speak to the demographics of the voting electorate.

I’ll leave that search to you personally.

But let me focus upon what I consider to be the most important issue.

Question: What happens to authority when the ‘spirit of lawlessness’ prevails?

Proverbs 14:34, NASV, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

Amplified Version reads, “Righteousness (moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character ) exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.”

I John 3:4, Amplified Version, “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness (ignoring God’s law by action or neglect or by tolerating wrong doing-being unrestrained by His commands and His will).”

Are we a nation that seeks to live morally, with spiritual integrity, and exhibiting a virtuous character?

Or, has our nation become a disgrace?

Our problem is that we are ‘lawless’; and ‘lawlessness’ is sin.

We neglect God’s Word.

We tolerate wrong doing.

Our nation has a heart issue.

How is that assessed?

Just listen to what people are saying!

What does God’s Word say?

Luke 6:45, Amplified Version, ” The (intrinsically) good man produces what is good and honorable and moral out of the good treasure (stored) in his heart; and the (intrinsically) evil man produces what is wicked and depraved out of the evil (in his heart), for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his mouth.”

Our nation has been listening to evil rhetoric for many years; and the people of his nation have finally ‘heard’ what has been really said.

Now back to the question highlighted above.

The answer to the question is that authority is questioned when the ‘spirit of lawlessness’ prevails.

It creates an undercurrent of ‘uncertainty’; a wrestling with ‘am I safe?’; a feeling of a ‘lack of protection’; a ‘gnawing’ that something is wrong.

“Gnawing is a feeling of persistent discomfort, often anxiety or worry, that can be difficult to ignore. It can make a person feel uneasy or restless.” (googled definition)

I submit to you that the voting electorate in the United States had a ‘gnawing’ feeling that had to be addressed.

I believe that the electorate wanted lawlessness to end and authority to be restored.

I am not so naive as to think that many voters did not consciously feel this way regarding the restoration of authority; but if one examines the politics, the culture, and our society, you will easily discern that there was a ‘gnawing’ of ‘unrest’, even ‘unprecedented unrest’ that was eating (not just the bill for groceries) away at our national identity.

The fruit of our lawlessness has been corruption, chaos, confusion, and daily consternation based upon lies, deception, hidden agendas, and a constant daily rhetoric of untruths collaborated by a tight-knit coalition of net-working a ‘verbal dialogue’ that covered up the destructive plans of those in authority that were running this nation.

As was noted earlier in this post a life of lawlessness is based upon the issues of the heart.

Man made laws are not going to change humanity.

Our Founding Fathers understood that explicitly.

As a nation, we were established with documents that the founders understood would work; but only if ‘we as a people’ sought to be ‘morally and ethically’ upright.

They understood that we, as a nation, need to abide by God’s ‘umbrella’ of Authority, guides by the Word of God.

As Benjamin Franklin said in essence, our Republic will work if we can keep it.

If we reject God’s ‘umbrella’ of Authority, another authority will assert itself and fill the vacuum of that influence of authority.

That is what has taken place.

What is implied is that human nature without lawful restraint would dismantle this nation’s freedom.

On November 5, 2024, the voting electorate sought to put a stop to unlawful restraint.

The people cried out for a return to order.

A return to order implies a return to a governmental system that benefits the nation as a whole; not just those in authority that desire to maintain control, establish their agenda that is antithetical to the Constitution of the United States; and promote a system that benefits them personally and not citizens of this nation.

The ultimate issue of the universe is who is in charge?

The Bible, the Word of God, tells us clearly, Who is in charge?

Almighty God.

When one observes a nation’s society, examines its values, pays attention to its daily rhetoric, it can discern whether or not it values the Word of God.

And if that nation ignores the Word of God, then it ignores God, Himself.

Many in this nation give lip service to God and do their own thing.

That lifestyle is recorded throughout the pages of the Word of God.

Unfortunately, it is most prevalent in the history of the nation of Israel.

Now, many believe that the Church is conducting itself just like the nation of Israel had in the past.

What is necessary to understand is that God is never tolerant of sin. God’s love is long-suffering toward the sinner.

The Word of God is God’s legacy of His long-suffering toward sinful mankind; and the story of His plan of salvation for sinful humanity.

That is the message of the Gospel.

If Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord, then you live out your redemption according to the Word of God and the Authority of Christ.

You are no longer under the government of sin and Satan’s influence.

You now live in the Kingdom of God.

Jesus Christ is your King.

He is the King of the Kingdom.

You are under a new government.

A government whose headquarters are in heaven.

The young woman that I mentioned at the beginning of this post carrying the placard with the two words, ‘be ungoverned’ represents many in our nation today that do not want to be governed. They want to rule themselves; and they want a governing body of people who will support them in that lifestyle and live according to self-rule themselves.

We have seen that that philosophy is not shared by many of millions of people in this nation who desire to be governed morally and ethically and in justice and truth.

As this nation moves forward, removing the grave clothes of the previous administration bondage, the battle for authority will continue.

Satan has influenced this nation greatly.

His influence has been overturned at the Cross; and will continue to be overturned by a greater influence-the Authority of Christ and the Word of God.

The election results are the beginning of restoring authority in our nation.

Its impact will be determined by elected officials who seek to restore the guidelines of morality and ethics lived out by them personally.

Alongside this, God is working to restore Biblical authority in the Church and a renewed awareness of the Headship of Christ, as the Head of the Church, His Body. That Headship is governed by the Holy Spirit in and through the Church.

Moving forward requires the grace and mercy of God to exercise His Authority, in a demonstrative way, manifesting Himself by His Presence, confirming His Word and Person with signs and wonders, as is written in the New Testament, especially in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. This will awaken mankind to the reality of God in a dynamic way, bringing many to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Change is coming-a change that only God can do-a change He desires to do-to bring about the salvation of many individuals-and a restoration of this nation to accomplish will and purpose as originally intended.

Satan will oppose this work.

That is a given.

That is no big deal to God.

Satan has lost.

But God uses him for His purposes.

You and I-believers in Jesus Christ-submit to the Headship of Christ-obey His Authority-walk according to His Word, and complete the works that He has assigned to each of us in these last days.

As Revelation 12:11, NASB, tells us, “And they (that’s us) overcame him (Satan) because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony, and they (that’s us) did not love their (that’s us) even unto death.” (inserts mine)

The conflict over authority is always present; but we are victorious in Christ; because He (Jesus) disarmed Satan’s authority at the cross. (Colossians 2:1-15)

Resting in His Authority, blessings, deo

The Battle Over Authority-The Conflict in the Heavenly Part 2

At the end of Part 1 of the previous post, this proposition was put forward.

Does the Church exercise this authority of Christ in the world today?

If you have not read the previous post, then this question is a challenging one to reflect upon? (Please see Part 1)

There is spiritual warfare that is constantly going on.

Why?

Satan is God’s adversary.

Satan sought to be like God.

His pride caused his fall and his ultimate damnation along with the one-third of the angelic force that sided with him.

Satan is not a threat to God, His will, or His ultimate plan of salvation for His fallen humanity who rebelled against God at the instigation of Satan.

God has always been and God will always be in complete Sovereign control of His entire creation.

God in His grace and mercy so loves the world, that before its creation, in eternity past, He purposed that His Son, Jesus Christ, would be Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world. (Ephesians 1:1-23)

That is the majesty of the Gospel.

That is the message of the Cross.

That is the mystery of Christ in us, the hope of glory. (John 3:16)

Adam was given a position by God to be His authority on the earth. (emphasis mine)

Satan challenged that authority, by engaging in a conversation with Eve, getting her to question God’s word regarding the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, enticing her to sin, and so deceiving her that she took of the fruit of the tree, ate it, and then gave it to Adam. (emphasis mine)

What did Adam do?

He responded positively to Eve’s temptation, instead of responding negatively, by choosing to obey God’s word given directly to Him not to eat that tree’s fruit.

The result is called, the fall of man.

Adam’s relationship (and Eve’s) was forfeited with God.

They are in a state of total depravity.

Adam’s authority given by God to him to be exercised through a direct relationship with Him was forfeited and now Adam’s authority was his own self-government empowered by Satan’s influence. (emphasis mine)

Leaving Genesis and jumping ahead to the Gospel of John,

Jesus is talking to the Pharisees.

It is a ‘heated’ moment.

Jesus says to them, John 8:41-45 NASV, “You are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; (Q: Are they referring to Him being born of a virgin?) we have one Father, even God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me; for I proceeded forth and have come from God (I believe that answers the question about being born of a virgin and not born as a result of fornication), for I have not even come on My own initiative (John 3:16, Ephesians 1), but He sent Me. Why do you not understand what I am saying? (Jesus will tell us why?) It is because you cannot hear My word. You are of your father, the devil (Satan), and you want to do the desires of your father . He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks he lies (this is what happened in the Garden of Eden), he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar and the father of lies (and because of Adam’s sin, we are of his nature and a liar, too). But because I speak the truth you do not believe Me.” (inserts mine)

That is as straight forward as it can be explained.

Jesus said it.

Enter the message of the Cross, where God ,the Father’s Justice and Love intersect ,and completely satisfies God’s wrath against mankind and provides His Father’s love for all who will call upon the Name of the Lord to be saved.

That salvation does NOT include Satan and his angelic followers.

Jesus says in Matthew 25:41b NASV, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels (this place was not for the humanity God created. However if one does not accept Christ as his personal Savior, then Jesus said, this, too, is your destination).

Compare that to Matthew 25:46 NASV, Jesus speaks of another destination. Jesus says, beginning with the previous individuals that are accursed, He says, “And these(the accursed ones) will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

What is the difference?

Jesus explained that in Matthew 25:31-46.

He is speaking of His second coming. All the nations are before Him; and He will separate humanity into two groups.

One group, His sheep (believers in Christ) will be put on His right.

The other group, identified as goats-not His sheep, will be put on His left.

These are NOT their political party affiliation!

It’s more important than that.

It’s having eternal life with God; or it’s being eternally separated from God in hell.

Strong words but that is what Jesus is telling those who are listening to Him; and what He is still telling people today who will listen to His Word.

Fact: God loves you and He wants you to come to Him through Christ.

Do you know Christ as your personal Savior? Yes or No.

Yes, is on the right; No is on the left.

Again, these are NOT political party affiliations!

Matthew 25:34 NASV, “Then the King (Jesus-the One in Authority) will say to those on His right. ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’.” (emphasis mine)

This is God, the Father, heart for mankind.

If you do not know Christ as your personal Savior, I implore you to call upon the Name of the Lord..

Read theses words slowly and carefully.

Romans 10:8-13 NASV, says, “…”THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”–that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED”. (put to shame) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all who call upon Him; for WHOEVER WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” (emphasis mine) (insert mine)

Q: Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?

Fact: One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:11)

That confession is acknowledging that all Authority has been given unto Him. (emphasis mine)

At that moment, you will be making this confession whether you are a believer in Christ or not a believer in Christ.

And then, the Lord Jesus Christ will separate His sheep from the goats based upon whether or not you have received Him as your personal Savior, those who have call upon His name to be saved.

Fact: God is Sovereign over all His creation.

Fact: Jesus Christ has been given All Authority. (emphasis mine)

Jesus said to His disciples just prior to His ascension, Matthew 28:18 NASV, “All authority has been given unto Me in heaven and on earth.” (emphasis mine)

Ephesians 1:18-23, NASV, Paul prays, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward those who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and Him as head over the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him who fills all in all.” (emphasis mine).

In the beginning Adam was given authority by God to govern what He had created. Satan deceived Eve, Adam listened to Eve, and Adam forfeited the authority God had given him, and became self-governing. (emphasis mine)

By nature, fallen humanity is a child of his father, the devil (Jesus’ words).

Satan governs fallen humanity by the influence of his sinful nature.

Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy; but Jesus has come to bring life, and that life more abundantly. (John 10:10)

Today, there is still a wrestling over the issue of authority; should there be?

But God…Colossians 2:6-15 NASV:

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over (of) all rule and authority; and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having cancelled our the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him(meaning ‘it’, the cross).” (Insert mine from the marginal notes) (emphasis mine)

The Church abides in the Victory of Christ by His blood that forgives us of our sins and His triumph of His resurrection that has completely dismantled Satan’s governing rule, taking back the authority Adam had forfeited through disobedience; because of Christ’s complete obedience as the last Adam. (Romans 5) (emphasis mine)

The Church is governed by the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ.

The Church is empowered by Holy Spirit to guide the Body of Christ to obey the will and purpose of the Head of the Body, Jesus Christ.

The Church is to function according to Word of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, exercising the authority of Christ here on earth. (emphasis mine)

And, yes, there is an Ongoing Battle in the Heavenly. (emphasis mine)

Satan still wars against God’s will being done in the earth.

God is in the Absolute Authority. (emphasis mine)

God uses Satan for His purposes.

And soon, all of Christ’s enemies will be put under His feet by God the Father.

In closing, I want to share the following.

It comes ‘From Daniel’s Desk’, Ancient Truth for Modern Time.

The article is entitled FIVE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM KING DAVID, April 26, 2020, by Daniel Pentimone-in Biblical Studies.

It’s number 4 out of the 5 listed.

It is entitled: Pray for Deliverance from Your Enemies.

He writes,

“Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me.” (Psalm 25:19)

God’s people have a variety of enemies. Sometimes they are physical-the sort that David often faced. In such times, it is important to cry out to God for Deliverance from their craftiness. Other times, these enemies are more spiritual in nature.

While you may not have thought of it this way, every Christian is in a fight with the devil, a spiritual enemy who is violently angry with God and His people. As you read about the devil and his various temptations, it is important to recognize the serious nature of the spiritual struggle. The devil (and every other force aiming for your spiritual destruction) is violent, vicious, and lion-like. You are not sufficient to meet this enemy: you need God’s deliverance.”

End of paragraph.

If you can synthesize what I have been sharing, please understand that you and I do not wrestle against flesh and blood, fellow humans; we wrestle against demonic influences that seek to undermine each one of individually, our families, and our nation. (Ephesians 6:12)

We have been considering, the effect that Satan and his demonic forces have had upon our nation, suffocating it mercilessly with destructive rhetoric, evil thinking and evil influence for many years.

But our nation is being brought back to life by the intervention of God’s grace and mercy.

Satan will continue to attack and seek to destroy what God is raising up.

Satan is not victorious, Jesus is!

Satan does not have an authority that can overcome the authority of Christ. (emphasis mine

John 1:4-5, NASV, “In Him (Christ) was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend (overpower)it. (insert from marginal notes)

But the Church must ‘be strong and stand’ as Paul says in Ephesians 6:10-11,13 NASV,

“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against schemes of the devil…Therefore, take up the full armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”(emphasis mine)

Church, rise up, take off your grave clothes, get into the Word of God, ask Holy Spirit for His guidance and power, and learn to exercise the authority of Christ here on earth. (emphasis mine)

Blessings, on this journey with you, a brother in Christ, deo

TBC

Battle Over Authority is Nothing New-The Conflict is in the Heavenly

Prior to our previous presidential election, a post entitled, I AM the Resurrection and the Life, was centered on Jesus standing before a sealed tomb in which His friend Lazarus had been lying dead for four days. (emphasis mine)

This scene is part of a pivotal moment in the life Jesus Christ recounted in John 11.

I am applying this event in the life of Christ to our nation’s national election.

How so? (See the post-I AM the Resurrection and the Life.)

I had previously asked the following question: “Will we ‘abort’ this nation’s life, or will we ‘sustain’ this nation’s life?

I know those are strong words, but I believe this question speaks directly to the main issue that is the driving force for this election spiritually. (emphasis mine)

Someone might be thinking, wait, you can’t mix politics and religion!

Wrong, I am not mixing politics and religion; I am showing us that God is Sovereign of all the nations of the earth. (Romans 13:1-7)

Our nation, has been entombed, and bound in grave clothes, with a stone rolled across its entrance for the past four years (not just four days).

Intercessors throughout our nation, and intercessors throughout the world, churches, and multitudes of Christians have been beseeching God to come and raise this nation back to life.

The election on November 5, 2024 revealed the Sovereign work of God intervening in the life of our nation, answering intercessory prayers asking Him to restore this nation’s health and well being.

On November 5, 2024, the voting electorate rolled back the stone at the ballot box; the votes were counted; and the results were declared to the people of this nation and to the other nations of the world that the United States of America was being brought back to life.

If you will permit me, just as Lazarus responded to Jesus’ words, “Lazarus come forth”; so our nation rose up and came out of its political tomb bound in all its grave clothes.

The voting electorate cast their votes for this nation to ‘come forth’.

John 11:44, NASV says, “He who had died (Lazarus) came forth bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” (insert mine)

As a result of our nation’s election process, our nation has arisen and we have been given a renewed life.

Our newly elected officials have the responsibility to unbind (remove) the grave clothes of the previous administration that have bound our nation’s hands and feet, and covered our eyes.

As the grave clothes are removed, once again we will be able to walk freely, work unhindered, and see clearly.

The results of this election has amazed many; some positively; some negatively.

John 11:45 NASV says, (positively), “Many, therefore of the Jews, who had come to Mary (John 11:19) and beheld what He (Jesus) had done, believed in Him (Jesus).” (inserts mine)

John 11:46 NASV says, (negatively), “But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done.” (insert mine)

The same is true today.

I can see a number of people shouting back at me accusing me saying that I am saying that our new President is the savior of our nation. That is totally wrong. I am not saying that. I am not inferring it.

God, Himself, who is Sovereign over the nations of this world raises up individuals to be put in places of importance and authority according to His will and purpose.

Please see my previous post, A Comment About the 2024 Election.

There is no doubt in the hearts and minds of many believers in Christ that God heard their prayers, answered their prayers, and raised up a ‘bound-lifeless’ nation giving it new life to move forward.

There is also no doubt that in the hearts and minds of many believers in Christ that God did not answer their prayers as they had prayed.

These people are in anguish; especially if they do not understand the Sovereignty of God as taught in the Bible.

The truth is that the results of the election have left millions of people devastated and distraught.

Please see the post I AM the Resurrection and the Life.

This is NOT the time for believers in Christ to gloat over the results.

Reflecting on I Corinthians 13:4b-5a NASV, “…love does not brag, and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly…” Unfortunately, some have; but to gloat-by bragging, being arrogant, or unbecoming is not the “love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.”

(The election results do not give a believer the right to gloat.)

Unfortunately, the reality is, just because the election process has taken place, and the results have been announced does not mean that bringing this nation back to full life is not going to be without difficultly.

What I am about to share with you, the Church must learn not just as information, but in their life experience.

Living in a sinful world demands that the Church understand the daily spiritual warfare that it faces.

What I am sharing, intercessors understand and battle daily.

I, confess, that I do not understand the dynamics of intercession; but I do understand that the Church must pray and learn to wrestle against the principalities of evil in the heavenly realms.

Paul writing to the Corinthian Church regarding learning to walk with Lord every day of his life, says, in I Corinthians 10:3-6, NASV, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.”

Paul understood the importance of the constant spiritual warfare he faced as he carried out his ministry for the Lord in the Church.

Jesus said, Matthew 16:18b, NASV, “… I will build My Church; and the gates of Hades (hell) shall not overpower it.” (insert mine)

Please stop, and read, Ephesians 6:10-19.

In Ephesians 6:12, NASV, Paul exhorts the Church telling them this truth.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (emphasis mine)

Does the Church exercise this authority of Christ in the world today?

Hence, the title of this post,

Battle Over Authority is Nothing New-The Conflict is in the Heavenly.

TBC

your brother in Christ, deo

Battling For the Life of our Nation

I Corinthians 15:45-47 TLV:

“If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam (Jesus, Son of God/Son of Man) became a life-giving spirit. However, the Spirit is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. The first man is of the earth, made of dust; the second man is from heaven…”

‘First the natural, then then the spiritual’, a principle that we must understand that is foundational to understand the Word of God, the message of the Gospel, and the work of the Holy Spirit in our life after we become a believer in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

I want to use this principle to put before you a question regarding this nation’s national election on November 5 (Today is October 30, 2024).

When the electorate in the nation cast their vote, whether by mail, early voting, or on election day, each individual vote represents the heart and mindset of that voter. The outcome of the entirety of all the votes cast will show the heart of the electorate in this nation.

The results may be extremely close or even lopsided.

Who knows?

But an outcome will take place.

Not only will the selection of a new president show the heart of the electorate, but, also, the results for each individual choice, at the state level , will reveal the heart of the electorate, too.

I am concerned.

Why?

Let me ask you, each individual voter, this question?

Will we ‘abort’ this nation’s life, or will we ‘sustain’ this nation’s life?

I believe this will be clearly seen when the votes are tallied, the dust settles, and a direction for this nation has been determined by its electorate.

I encourage you to vote.

I encourage you to vote with a Biblical world-view; not a worldly mind-set that trust in the wisdom of man and ignores the wisdom of God.

blessings to my fellow believers in Christ, deo

Five Weeks And Counting…

It is now less than Five Weeks And Counting-November 5 will be here soon!

At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, as the ‘unprecedented unrest’ is mounting…as the light of political truth reveals the secrets that have been hiding in darkness…as the volume of accusatory rhetoric increases…as the level of irrational wrangling escalates…we as a nation, a Constitutional republic will be going to the polls on or by November 5, 2024. Today is October 17,2024 and Five Weeks And Counting started, October 1, 2024.

As a believer in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, what is my responsibility as a citizen of the United States? I have dual citizenship. I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God, and Christ is my Lord; and I am a citizen of the United States and Joe Biden is my President.

I am told, and have understood, that many believers are in a valley of decision regarding the upcoming election. They are torn, not wanting to vote in this election. It is documented that many believers in the past elections have not voted because they were dissatisfied with the choice that was put before them in our national election for President.

I understand that struggle.

I, too, wrestled with the choice before me. But I was able to come to a ‘somewhat’ peaceful conclusion in the past elections and vote.

How? I had to identify what is most important to me as a citizen of the United States of America.

I want to encourage you, as a Christian, to vote.

It is important. Really important!

If you are in a valley of indecision, I want to encourage you not turn a blind eye away from the election process; but that you “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full into His wonderful face, And the things earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.” (Words by Helen H. Lemmel, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus)

Your initial response to this might be: are you telling me then to ‘turn a blind eye’; no, in fact, I am trusting the Holy Spirit, that as you turn your eyes upon Jesus, you will look at your nation and see the upcoming election through the eyes of your Savior and Lord.

I contend that as you turn to Jesus, you will receive His focus upon the events shaping our nation, and give you understanding as you walk through your ‘valley of indecision’.

I believe the outcome will be that you will not ‘shrink’ from your responsibility to vote as a citizen of the United States because you will see that to vote is being a responsible citizen of the Kingdom of God.

What is our responsibility in the hour in which we are living?

As the title to this post declares, Five Weeks And Counting will be our national elections both at the federal and state levels.

As a citizen of the United States of America, voting has evolved throughout the history of our nation. Originally the states were given the determination who was approved to vote. This led obviously to quite a bit of variation among the states. We as a nation are still wrestling with the question of who can legally vote. Unfortunately, this wrangling has caused numerous issues in our recent elections.

Is it important for you to vote?

Absolutely.

Your vote, expresses your support for the nation. The process of voting is to keep our Republic strong by electing officials who are best suited to keep our nation moving forward based upon the strengths of our founding documents.

V.O.T.E : Voting Offers a True Expression of what you personally believe.

Unfortunately, over the course of our national history, there have arisen factions that want to change our founding foundation. Since the 1900s the thought of change has grown in intensity; and in the past 60 years, the proponents of change have become more demonstrative, both verbally and behaviorally.

From my perspective the fruit of those seeds of influence are now being expressed as ‘unprecedented unrest’ in our nation.

Some will automatically call me conspiratorial. That is not my heart.

The fact is that such a label of advocating ‘conspiracy theories’ is one of the issues that is at the heart of our current election rhetoric. People who disagree with the truth, or who want to ignore the thinking of those who raise credible contradictions dismiss their opposition’s claims with ‘name calling’.

Such is a current bedrock in our nation’s political rhetoric.

The SOUL, the LIFEBLOOD, the FUTURE, and the STABILITY of our nation, may indeed, be changed based upon the outcome of the November 5, 2024 election.

If you listen carefully to both political sides, that is exactly, what they are advocating.

Both sides are claiming to be saving our nation, our democracy, our very existence as we know it.

In fact, it is no secret, but both sides are praying to God for victory and their opposition’s defeat.

To me that is parallel to two competing athletic teams that have Christian players on both teams praying and asking God for victory.

What does one conclude when the winner and the loser become a reality, the contest is over, and victor is known?

How do you ‘feel’ when your favorite athletic team loses?

Are you ‘bummed out’?

*A personal testimony*

If you are a believer in Christ, confused, turned off to politics, bogged down in a valley of indecision, who has made the decision not to vote, I want you to know that I am not out to manipulate, pressure, or coerce you; however, I am asking you to seriously reconsider your decision.

Why?

We are not wrestling against flesh and blood (people/and their personalities); but we are wrestling against principalities, powers, and rulers of spiritual darkness. (Ephesians 6:12) (insert mine)

Consider this, your non-vote is a vote supporting those in our nation that want to dismantle our founding principles that will cause our Constitutional Republic to become weak and/or completely destroyed.

Yes, I am aware that those are strong words; but think seriously about the ramifications of our nation being changed negatively from within!

What is the S.O.U.L. of our nation? It is Saving Our Unalienable Liberties (or Lifestyle). It is about our life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

I suggest that if you clearly understand this; you will vote.

A couple of weeks ago, I came a point, where I realized that I did not need to hear any more words; I did not need to read any more headlines and their subsequent content. I have been purposely avoiding the news shows and the cable pundits because their analysis and rhetoric is verbal venom poisoning the minds of the voting electorate. I was certain I was not going to hear anything new. (As I update this post-I confess that there have been articles that have caught my attention. The latest is one about the number of Christian that are projected not to vote. It could be as high as 42 million. I believe that is wrong.)

[I am convinced that the Lord is uncovering the deeds and words of darkness bringing to light the lies and deceptions that have been perpetrated by both sides of the political isle. (If you would like to read more about this, go to livingwordsofencouragement.com and see the post, The A.R.R.O.W. of God.)]

I came to the point where I understood that my mind was mentally settled and that I could rest in my decision to vote.

Let me tell you why I needed to vote.

It is my responsibility as a citizen of the United States of America.

I need to live at peace with the Lord.

I need to live at peace with myself.

I need to have a clear conscience.

I need to be able to pray for the next President, just as I now pray for President Biden. The Word of God tells us to pray for those in authority over us “so that people can live peaceful and quiet lives.” (I Timothy 2:1-2)

I desire to be in that group of ‘people’. The scripture does not say that I have to agree with their decisions. Most of President Biden’s decisions I do not personally agree with; but that is not an excuse for me to avoid praying for him, and others in authority over me with a clear conscience.

Therefore, as I mentioned above, I do not need to be persuaded how to vote listening to the rhetoric of the political parties, and their pundits pontificating every day.

I am at rest in the Lord.

What has brought me to that rest?

That rest has been created by the Word of God.

I have chosen the Biblical worldview to come to my decision.

The Biblical worldview is Absolute Truth.

Both parties platforms are the expressions of man’s wisdom for the hour in which we live and are written explaining what they believe and they want to be accomplished to this nation forward.

They believe their platform will bring about the course correction needed for this nation.

What do you believe is necessary for a course correction for our nation?

If your course correction rests completely upon a candidate and his or her personality and/or characteristics, then I must say to you that you have fallen short of what is best for our nation?

Both platforms are NOT without serious shortfalls from the Absolute of God’s Word; but using the Word of God to evaluate both parties platforms, I have concluded that one of the two parties platforms provides for a resting place for my own personal peace and a clear conscience as a believer in Jesus Christ.

I am NOT saying that the party platform I have chosen perfectly aligns with the Word of God.

I have chosen the platform that I believe is more aligned with the Word of God than the other platform.

As I said previously, my decision brings rest and peace to me personally.

Why is that important?

It allows me to pray for this nation’s next President with a clear conscience, and not riddled by guilt, or regret.

It gives me a spiritual position of being able to quench the ‘fiery darts’ of the enemy that wants to assail me with accusations of fault.

In Christ, I can confidently submit myself before God, resist the devil, and he will flee. (James 4:7)

Therefore, I encourage you to prayerfully consider your personal position as a voter in this nation’s upcoming election.

What are your beliefs?

Do they align with the Word of God?

Are you at peace and rest as you approach the time to cast your vote?

There are major issues on state ballots that need voting upon by a responsible informed electorate.

Jesus said, that the enemy comes only to kill, steal, and destroy; but that He has come that we may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)

God has blessed this nation abundantly. Yes, we have misused those blessings; but we, too, have been able to bless many other nations and individuals.

Let us make sure we do not lose our founding principles because we choose not to vote or vote ignorantly listening only to the wisdom of man and not be guided by the wisdom of God’s Word.

It’s time to pray, be informed by Godly Absolutes, and vote intelligently and conscientiously.

Blessings, a brother in Christ, deo

Note: I want to give credit to my brother, David, who sent me a text that had the words, five weeks and counting, that I used for the title for this post.

Chaos+Confusion+Corruption =

On August 14, 2024, a post was composed with this word equation as its title.

Today is September 16, 2024. I would like to share some additional thoughts regarding the post.

It’s no ‘new’ news to those that follow my posts that I have been sharing about the ‘unprecedented unrest’ coming to this nation.

We have seen and heard of events that have escalated the ‘unrest’ in this nation.

As the day of our Presidential election gets closer, things will continue heating up. The political climate will become hotter and hotter each day.

What is contributing to these elevated temperatures throughout the nation?

The clash of words. We are in an incendiary moment. There is a ‘war of words’ that are igniting worry. They are proceeding from both political parties and even from Christian ministries that mean well. Their words can cause anxiety too.

The ‘war of words’ reminds of the story of Chicken Little who is constantly crying out, “the sky is falling, the sky is falling”. I am using these words because we are being told by both political parties that the end of our nation is eminent if the ‘other side’ wins.

The political rhetoric is to emphasize traumatic worry within the minds of the voters.

Let me share my thinking in a more forceful way.

The ‘words of this world’ that generate worry are like ‘water boarding’ a prisoner attempting to break their resolve and vote like they are told.

The words of our political process are like a ‘constant dripping’ of a faucet that needs to be turned off.

The ‘many words’ of the political process are like a heavy weight upon the mind that is pressing down the very souls of the voters.

Strong words, yes; but I believe that they are true.

What is the SOUL of our nation: Saving Our Unalienable Liberties.

Both sides are saying they are the answer to saving the SOUL of our nation.

The problem is that the wisdom of the world does not have the answers.

The wisdom that we need is the ‘Wisdom of the Word’.

The ‘Wisdom of the Word’ does not bring worry. Let me state that again. The ‘Wisdom of the Word’ does not bring worry.

The Wisdom of the Word brings light that exposes the darkness; life that conquers death; peace of mind that overcomes anxiety, worry, fret, uncertainty.

I want to share with you a personal testimony.

Several days ago, I came to the place where I was mentally tired of all the words that were being shared, regurgitated, re-analyzed, dug-up, etc. This realization became apparent to me in spite of the fact that I have been personally avoiding not being caught up in the political rhetoric; yet trying to be somewhat savey of what is going on.

I found myself at a place where I didn’t need to hear any more words. I was at peace in my mind. I had a clear conscience about how I was going to vote.

Now it was time to thank the Lord for His Sovereignty regarding the election in our nation. I was resting in the ‘Wisdom of the Word’.

Regarding the election, it will be God’s will. There is no room for another conclusion.

My choice of vote is not based upon a person or his/her personality.

My choice is based upon honoring my Lord according to His Word.

Jesus Christ is our Wisdom. He is the Wisdom of the Word. He is the Word.

I Corinthians 1: 27-31 NKJV says, “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound (put to shame) the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound (put to shame) the things that are mighty; and the base (insignificant) things of the world, and the things that are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and the things that are not, to bring to nought (nothing) the things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God, is(became for us) wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (inserts from the marginal notes of the Study Bible)

Thank you Father, I am resting in my Lord, and giving Him the glory.

Therefore, for me, personally, Chaos+Confusion+Corruption is negated by resting in Christ, Who is my Wisdom in the midst of the verbal political conflict perpetrated by the ‘words of the world’ that are foolishness in God’s sight.

These words are connected to the previous post of August 14, 2024.

If you would like to read the original post for the first time, or for a second time I encourage you to do so.

I especially pray that the Lord will fulfill for you Philippians 4:5-7.

I encourage you to read it, reflect upon it, and pray it, believing that the Lord will give His peace of mind in these stressful times.

Blessings, a brother in Christ, deo

Chaos+Confusion+Corruption =

Upcoming Trilogy

Today, March 20, 2024, I published a post entitled “Author Unknown”. It centers on the Gospel, the Cross, the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Christ. God’s redemptive plan of salvation that He has graciously and lovingly done Himself to offer the means of reconciliation for sinful humanity to receive eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ.

I recommend that you read it, reflect upon it, and call upon the name of the Lord for salvation. If you already know the Saviour as your personal Saviour then rejoice in the salvation that is yours in Christ;

After celebrating Resurrection Sunday, I will be re-posting three articles that I shared a number of years ago. They center on the Sovereignty of God, our government, our leaders, our nation, and the response of the Church.

I encourage you to read this trilogy and pray for our nation as it moves full speed ahead into the heart of the presidential election period that will take place in November.

Our nation is at a critical crossroads. The Church must make its voice heard in heaven and at the ballot box. This election is not about personalities. This election is about what direction this nation is going to pursue.

The voting electorate is going to hear a lot of conflicting rhetoric about each Presidential candidate, his agenda, and the direction that this nation will go depending on which individual is elected.

Our attention, as believers, must be focused on the God’s Sovereignty.

Our God reigns.

Amen.

Have a blessed resurrection celebration,

a brother in Christ, deo

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