Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Read and notice that the verses used to describe Jesus’ death were written hundreds of years before Jesus was even born. This alone should prove who Jesus is and the power He has to forgive sin. No man can make a prophecy come true, only God can do that.

 

2 Samuel 14:14 NLT

[14] “All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.”

 

Isaiah 53:5-11 NLT

[5] “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. [6] All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. [7] He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. [8] Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. [9] He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. [10] But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. [11] When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.”

 

Psalm 22:14-18 NLT

[14] “My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. [15] My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead. [16] My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. [17] I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. [18] They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.”

 

John 10:24-30 NLT

[24] “The people surrounded him and asked, ‘How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’ [25] Jesus replied, ‘I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. [26] But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. [27] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, [29] for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. [30] The Father and I are one.'”

 

John 19:1-3,16-18,23-24,28-30,33-34,36-37,40-41 NLT [1] “Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. [2] The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. [3] ‘Hail! King of the Jews!’ they mocked, as they slapped him across the face. [16] Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus away. [17] Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). [18] There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. [23] When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. [24] So they said, ‘Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.’ This fulfilled the Scripture that says, ‘They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.’ So that is what they did. [28] Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, ‘I am thirsty.’ [29] A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. [30] When Jesus had tasted it, he said, ‘It is finished!’ Then he bowed his head and released his spirit. [33] But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. [34] One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. [36] These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,’ [37] and ‘They will look on the one they pierced.” [40] Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. [41] The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before.”

 

Think about what happened to Him on this day. We were separated from God by sin, so He took it all upon Himself, where on the cross – He paid the price of our sin.

 

Thank You Lord!!!

 

 

 

 

Are We Losing the West? – Part 13

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

KARL MARX AD 1818-1883

 

Matthew 7:16-20 “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”

 

When we look at the philosophy and ideas of these men it would be good to keep in mind the axiom that the Lord laid down in the above verse. Can a bad tree bring forth good fruit? Or, to put it in another way: Can bad character produce good results or good fruit?

 

According to Paul Johnson (a historian of the modern age), Karl Marx (born in 1818 in Germany), had more impact upon the minds of men and women than perhaps anyone else in modern history. His writings inspired men like Stalin, Mao Tse Tung, Pol Pot and Fidel Castro – just to name a few. It is said that the Roman Empire killed between 8-10 million people over a period of four hundred years, but these men (inspired by the writing of Karl Marx) killed far more than that in the 20th century alone. What will the 21st century hold?

 

Here is a man that did not deny the existence of God, but denied the supremacy of God, and thought of himself as god. Kevin Swanson brings out that when reading a record of his writings and personal thoughts one is struck with the language, words and actions of Satan himself. (Isaiah14:12-15; Matthew 4:10; Cain in Genesis 4:1-8 as well as Judas in Matthew 26:49) Looking back one wonders if this man was possessed by the devil himself.

 

When he was young he wrote in his poem called Invocation of One in Despair: “So a god has snatched from me my all, in the curse and rack of destiny. All his worlds are gone beyond recall. Nothing but revenge is left to me. I shall build my throne high overhead.” 

 

What does Satan say in Isaiah 14:14? “I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”

 

Richard Wurmbrand, a Romanian Pastor who was put into prison and suffered persecution under his government, wrote the famous book Tortured for Christ where he tells about his experience. In the late sixties soon after his release from prison I heard him speak in one of our Operation Mobilization conferences.

 

In his book Satan and Marx he said this about Karl Marx’s religious commitments: “Lunatcharski, a leading philosopher who was once minister of education of the U.S.S.R., wrote in Socialism and Religion that Marx set aside all contact with God and instead put Satan in front of marching proletarian columns. It is essential at this point to state emphatically that Marx and his comrades, while anti-God, were not atheists, as present-day Marxists claim to be. That is, while they openly denounced and reviled God, they hated a God in whom they believed. They did not question His existence, but rather challenged His supremacy. When the revolution broke out in Paris in 1871, the Communard Flourens declared, ‘Our enemy is God. Hatred of God is the beginning of wisdom.’”

 

In a work called The Last Judgment Marx mocks God and in another poem called The Player Marx speaks in the first person and says: “The hellish vapors rise and fill the brain. Till I go mad and my heart is utterly changed. See this sword. The prince of darkness sold it to me. For me he beats the time and gives the signs. Ever more boldly I play the dance of death.”

 

It would seem that Marx’s goal is destruction and we know from various New Testament verses that this is the agenda of the prince of demons who is known as Apollyon or Abaddon which is translated the “Destroyer.”

 

The weakening of the Christian West did not come about through one man. If there had not been the ideas of John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and  Immanuel Kant eroding the Christian roots there would probably not have been a Karl Marx. Again we see how idea upon idea or brick upon brick a fortress is built over a period of time – that needs to be torn down.

 

Karl Marx’s personal life was a disaster. Swanson, in his book Apostate says that out of the seven children by his wife Jenny and a child born from his maid, five died prematurely and two who out lived him committed suicide. His favorite daughter Eleanor married Edward Aveling, a Satanist known for his lectures on the “Wickedness of God.”

 

Marx’s life was filled with violent explosive arguments with his family that separated him from his mother as well as from his wife on occasions.

 

He blamed the Jews for the problems in the world and in an article in the New York Tribune he suggested the complete annihilation of the Jews. He felt that they were a cancer in society because through their organizations they had become so strong that they needed to be cut out of society. He also referred to the Slavic people as “ethnic trash” and prophesied that their very name will vanish.

 

In the weeklies ahead we will spend more time with Marx’s philosophy and influence, but what is amazing to me is how academia embraces him with such enthusiasm and wonder as one of the great philosophers and thinkers in the modern world.

 

Yes, he has been embraced by almost every country in the world.  Looking back over the 20th century what can we say about the results: good or bad? If we are honest we need to choose the latter.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, listen to what this generation says to My true prophets and true teachers.  “Stop telling us about the future and what is right. Tell us nice things, not all this gloom. Stop telling us about the word of God and its narrow path. Stop telling us about Jesus being the only way.” This generation prefers lies!

 

These false leaders rise up and distort the truth in order to draw their own following. They have closed their eyes to the truth.  Look at how they treat My people that speak the truth and who live to please Me; they treat them as if they are the liars, and as though they are wicked from the heart! They treat evil people as though they were good and trustworthy. They twist My words and say that My Book is just a book of rules that don’t need to be followed. By their false teaching people will feel it is safe to continue to do wrong.

 

Some of this generation say that they know the truth, but the truth is not them.  They claim to be My children, but they are not. They honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is empty and worthless; it makes Me angry.  Their works of religion are only rules that make them feel good about themselves. They make up false images of who they think I am, but they do not know anything about Me. They say, “God is love!” But they do not understand true love. Love without truth is only human affection, not true love. They refuse My truth! Therefore, they refuse My love.   

These people despise what I have told them in My word. Instead, they trust the lies being told by false teachers and prophets in their day. They do not understand that the lies of these false teachers and prophets will lead them down a road of dishonor and destruction. When calamity comes upon them suddenly – their life will collapse and come crashing down around them. What they have built has been built on lies, not truth. Their only hope is to acknowledge Me and live their lives according to My word; then they will find the peace and rest they so desperately need.

 

Son, a wise person thinks about the end of his life; if he has lived his life in the right way; if I am pleased with him.  Remember, it is more important how you finish – than how you start. Faith is the only thing that pleases Me. Be faithful to what I tell you. You must never shrink back from telling this generation what they need to hear, either publicly or in their homes.

 

Lord, my life will be worthless if I do not finish the works of faith that You have assigned to me.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, I have a plan for the whole earth; a plan of judgment, and it is coming upon all the nations. What I have spoken will happen, and I  will not change My plans. When My hand is raised, who can stop Me? People today talk as though they are righteous, and say, “Look at how loving we are.”  But I examine their heart, and these people only desire what is evil; no matter what they say or do.

 

I have raised up My prophets, so listen carefully to everything they tell you. You will know in your heart what they are saying is truthful. Remember it is only by My powerful Name that there is salvation. There is no other name under heaven by which people must be saved! Your leaders have and will continue to forbid you to speak to anyone using My Name, “Jesus.” They will not allow My name to be spoken in your schools, in public prayers, in your courts, not even mentioned as the Name your country once followed. When My children use My Name these evil people will threaten My children and tell them what they will do when they use My Name.

 

It is very important that My children be seen as people who have been with Me. My children must live out the word of truth with boldness, but they must watch what they say, and not get trapped by their words and actions. I will show them opportunities to speak and act.  My children must choose the truth over great riches. They must direct their children onto the right path, the path of My truth.

 

Those people who refuse to acknowledge Me and live by My truth will have a disastrous life, and in the end on judgment day – be rejected by Me. Soon these arrogant people who are so full of pride, will be humbled. Remember that My truth brings great joy within My children, but it terrifies those who refuse My truth.

 

Lord, my prayer is that people will know that I have been with You and that You live in me. I know that I am an ordinary man with no special training in Your book of truth. I know You want me to obey You rather than be accepted by this world. Help me to never stop telling everyone what I have read in Your book of truth.  Help your servant to have great boldness in speaking Your word, and to never forget that what I own is not mine, but given to me to share with others.

 

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, it has begun, and do you remember what I told you, “A slave is not greater than his master. Since they persecuted Me, naturally they will persecute you.” They will do this to you because they have rejected Me. I am telling you and all My children these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. They will expel you from places they call “churches,” and when they kill My children they will think they are doing a holy service for God.

 

My children must remember that this world hates them because they hated Me first. This world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but My children are not part of the world. I chose My children to come out of the world; therefore, the world hates them. Since My children do not belong to this world, they need to pray that all My children be one, just like My Father and I are one. Then the world will know that they belong to Me and that I love them.

 

When I was in the garden of prayer, I prayed for My children to be safe from the evil one. I sent My Spirit of truth to guide My children into all truth. My Spirit will not speak on His own but will tell My children what He has heard about the future. All who love the truth will recognize that what He says is true.

 

I have given My children a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. They must make Me holy in their lives. I am the One My children should fear. I am the One who should make My children tremble. Therefore, preserve My word because My Word will convict the world of its sin, and let them know of the coming judgment.

 

Son, unless My children’s faith is firm, they will not be able to stand in this time of testing.  My children must come to truth that this world hates them because they do not belong to the world any more than I did. They must remember that there is a path before them that seems right, but it ends in destruction. Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! Test everything you hear. Compare it to My words. The prudent carefully consider their steps; they are wise to the traps and snares of the enemy. Therefore, commit your actions to Me, and your plans will succeed.

 

Son, Godliness makes a nation great, but the sin of America is a disgrace. The people act like they are pure, but I examine their motives. I expected a crop of justice, but instead I find oppression. I expected to find righteousness, but instead I hear cries of violence. The leaders have misled the people and have led them down the path of destruction. These leaders have grand parties, but they never invite Me, they don’t want to hear from Me or notice what I am doing. They drag their sins behind them with heavy ropes made of lies. They mock Me and My children by saying, “Hurry up and do something! We want to see what you can do. Let God carry out His plan, for we do not think it will happen.” What sorrow and suffering awaits those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter; those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever. Therefore, wherever they look – there will be trouble and despair. Soon they will be thrown out into everlasting darkness.

 

Lord, I put my hope in You, and not in our leaders. I look to Your word for instruction and guidance. I look to Your hand of provision. I look to Your promise of protection. People who reject Your word are completely in the dark. So, let Your Light in me shine, that some will come to You – the Light of my life. 

 

Are We Losing the West? – Part 12

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

2 Corinthians 11:3 “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

 

When we read the history of the spread of the Gospel we see that Satan was there as well – spreading his lies and errors.  Satan was also at the birth of our nation (USA) bringing in his heresies.

 

Ralph Waldo Emerson, born in 1803 in Boston, Massachusetts was another figure to build upon the evil stronghold bringing in the humanistic philosophy that was seeking to destroy the Christian faith.

 

At this time in America’s history, latitudinarianism (people allowing latitude, especially in religion, showing no preference towards worship or creed) and Unitarianism (a religion rooted in human rationalism) stood strong with resistance to the mysteries of the Trinitarian God.

 

It is interesting that Harvard University had started to produce godly pastors, went on to produce a Unitarian pastor by the name of Charles Chauncy who from 1727-1787 was pastor of a church in Boston. We soon see that pastors coming out of Harvard were typically used in the theological decline.

 

It was Ralph’s aunt, Moody Emerson, who introduced to him Hinduism and Neo-Platonism. It was through her leanings that prepared Ralph’s thinking for polytheistic and pantheistic ideas that would eventually form the new religion called “transcendentalism.”

 

At a young age Emerson wrote in his journal: “Who is he that shall control me? Why may not I act and speak and write and think with entire freedom? What am I to the Universe or, the Universe, what is it to me? Who hath forged the chains of wrong and right, of opinion and custom? And must I wear them?”

 

In other words, what Emerson was saying at a young age is if God is the Sovereign ruler over the universe and the source of ethics, etc. then Emerson wanted nothing to do with God.

 

When we read something like this we cannot but think of another being who had the same mentality. “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” (Isaiah 14:12-14) 

 

The American literary critic, Harold Bloom, calls Emerson, “The prophet of the American Religion.” Harold Bloom also points out that the liberal mainline churches as well as Mormonism and Christian Science owe a great deal to Emerson’s ideas. Harvard in 1866 awarded him a doctorate degree and elected him to their board of Overseers. This gave Emerson the opportunity to teach students graduating out of Harvard his anti-Scriptural ideas. Whatever is taught in our universities will soon penetrate the everyday society. It would take another 150 years to finally penetrate into our other levels of schools and churches and the culture. One could say that in the 19th century under the influence of Ralph Waldo Emerson, the Christian Worldview began to disintegrate.

 

With Emerson we see the beginning of the moral and social collapse of the Western world. In his book Apostate, Kevin Swanson brings out that what they wanted was the destruction of a civilization.

 

Because the philosophers in our universities and colleges replaced God with man-centered ideas we now find our culture and literary leaders writing and speaking about things that a few years ago would have been unthinkable.

 

One example is the culture that we have today with homosexual clubs in schools, as well as indoctrination of our kids in schools, entertainment on television and in the movies. We saw in our last weekly that Jeremy Bentham, the progressive philosopher, introduced the acceptance of homosexuality.

 

Emerson was committed to Eastern philosophy and today we have what is known as “New Age Thinking.” The Pew Forum Research Center estimates that a quarter of Americans believe in reincarnation and that there is spiritual energy located in things such as mountains, trees or crystals. We can thank Emerson for this.

 

The lesson here is that when we turn away from God and His Word then we open ourselves to all types of erroneous ideas. With Emerson’s philosophy man becomes a part of god. The same subtle idea that Satan gave Eve in the Garden of Eden regarding the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that if you eat it: “You will be like God.”

 

I was listening to a television personality sharing how she makes decisions. She said: “I trust my heart.”  Often we hear this being said that “I trust my heart,” or “I follow my heart.” Where did this come from? Ralph Waldo Emerson! Emerson would look within himself for truth. He completely disallowed anything that would come from Scripture and therefore leaving man himself as the only possible source of truth.

 

In our Post-Modern world today what do we have? No such thing as absolute truth. Man makes his own truth. Again it brings us back to what Isaiah saw: “So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice.” Isaiah 59:14-15

 

Emerson was a “relativist thinker.” He thought the universe was in constant flux and because of that – truth and ethics must also be in constant flux. This is why the progressives will always be replacing the old virtues with new so-called virtues, and why they say that our American Constitution is a “living document” and needs to adjust to the culture of today. But, is this right? No! Why? Because our constitutional document is based on Absolute Truth and Truth does not bend to the ‘fads’ and ‘whims’ of today’s culture.

 

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lord, yesterday I had conversation with a man who says that he knows You and serves You. He said that when Your Word spoke of sin, it can not be taken literally; that it is a metaphor. He said that those who speak out against sin, like homosexuality, are the generation that just needs to die out so the true message can go forward; that of Your Word not meaning what it has always meant.

 

Son, these so-called leaders are teaching people lies; they are leading My children astray, but My children like hearing their lies. They do not want to hear about sin and judgment; how to live a life that pleases Me. They do not want to suffer the consequences of living a godly life before Me; they are afraid of being persecuted. I understand this, but I know those who are Mine; I know their hearts and I will act accordingly. So just pray for them and speak the truth with every opportunity.

 

Son, don’t be surprised when people speak against My word and refuse to obey the truth. I told you this would happen all the more before I return. People will sneer at My children who walk with Me. These people are oppressed and depressed, but they cover it up  by speaking against the truth that would set them free. They are anxious to be heard and accepted; even followed. They will speak out against Me and all those who speak on My behalf, and live according to My word that has never changed. They provoke Me to My Face when they agree with the wicked and display their sin and rebellious ways, just like the people of Sodom. They no longer try to hide it and have become bold with great arrogance. They think they are free, but they have only brought destruction upon themselves and will get exactly what they deserve. They are doomed unless they turn back to Me and repent; changing their ways.

 

Son, love for My truth and for one another will show the world who My true disciples are. For My disciples know that I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one can come to the Father except through Me. My disciples can ask for anything in My Name, and I will do it. Yes, ask Me for anything in My Name, and I will do it!  My disciples love Me, obey My Word, and My Holy Spirit will lead them in truth. The world cannot receive My Holy Sprit, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t even recognize Him. But My disciples know Him, because He lives within them. Those who love Me will do what I say, and anyone who doesn’t love Me will not obey Me, and will refuse My word.

 

Remember that truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed. Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering. I do not lie, nor will I change My mind. I do not see things the way people see them. People judge by outward appearance, but I look at the heart. To those so-called spiritual leaders who are not loyal to Me because they refuse to obey My word – I will send them tormenting spirit that will fill them with depression and fear.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lord, how sad it is today that some of Your people have compromised on Your word so that they can fit into this world’s systems. Organizations that started with great leaders of faith now have new leaders who turn away from Your truth for money. I can understand when people who do not know you act this way, but to have men who profess to know You and Your word act like this makes me sick inside.

 

Lord, I know that sin is sin to You and the sin of homosexuality is no greater sin than lying. Both will send a person to hell if they refuse to accept your free gift of salvation. People do not want to hear that their choices in life have consequences. They think if they can get enough people to accept their lifestyles of sin, then they will not feel guilty anymore, but free to go even further with it. How wrong can they be when You have said the Day of Judgment is certain!

 

Lord, everything I have read, heard and seen about this next generation of future leaders greatly concerns me; for I SEE NO HOPE IN THEM AT ALL! They believe the lie’s of Satan; that man has the key to life. All we have to do is look at history and see all of the keys that man has tried. They all have failed.

 

Lord, I do not see a future for this country since it has come against Your Word and Your Name: the Name of Jesus Christ. We cannot speak openly with Your Name or Word, or even write about You, our love for You, in our schools. Prayer to You, the One true God – Jesus Christ, has been outlawed and people who do it are punished. Yet, prayer in the name of any other god is widely accepted, and prompted in times of crisis. Our politicians think they are so powerful and make such bold statements that clearly show how they are against Your Truth. Some people claim to be Your child and yet everything they do is against what You have said in Your Holy Word.

 

Son, If My children are really serious about having this country return to Me, then all My children must UNITE and be determined to OBEY everything I tell them. They must not stop pleading with Me to save this country. THE KEY that will unlock this great revival will be: My children must trust in Me with all their heart, and not depend on their own understanding. Seek My will in all they do, and I will show them which path to take. They must not be impressed with their own wisdom, but go after Mine, and fear Me as they turn away from evil. They must honor Me with their wealth and in their work. They must not lose sight of My wisdom; the good common sense and godly discernment that guides them and develops good judgment in all areas of life.

 

Son, when you listen to Me and do as I say – this is faith that pleases Me. So take hold of My instructions; don’t let them go no matter what or who comes against you. Guard your heart where you have stored My words; for they are the KEY TO LIFE. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, so sin will no longer master you. Don’t get sidetracked, but look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you that I have promised to the faithful.

 

My children must unite and stand up, for there are many of My children who have not bowed to the god of your country. When My children unite – this power will put fear in those who slander My Name; for I am with My holy people, and there is no other power that can stand up against Me! In My prayer in the garden I prayed that My children would be one, as we are One. But My children are separated with all their proud differences. This has stopped their power of holy unity. The early church was united and people were being saved daily. They saw God’s power in their lives; people were set free. Peter’s prison chains fell to the ground and he walked out escorted by My angels. When the first Christians prayed, the place shook and amazing things happened because of their humble faith and joyful unity.

 

Lord, You said, “If My people will humble themselves and pray, I will heal their land.” I am crying out to You Lord! Show us, lead us, unite us so we can effectively pray as the first church did, because this is the only way Your Kingdom can forcefully advance as men lay hold of it.

Are We Losing the West – Part 11

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

                                           Jeremy Bentham AD 1748-1832

                                           John Stuart Mill AD 1806-1873

                                           Bertrand Russell AD 1872-1970

 

Psalm 14:1 “The fool hath said in his heart there is no God.”

 

When we read the history of Modern Missions we see the continuation of the Book of Acts or the moving of the Holy Spirit. What is interesting is to see how God can take one man and use that man to touch someone else who in turn touches someone else.

 

For example, we have John Newton who not only corresponded with John Wesley, but also communicated with Thomas Scott and Thomas Scott preached the Word so powerfully that a young man by the name of William Carey was so quickened by the Holy Spirit that he brought in what is now known as the “Modern Missionary Movement.”

 

What we see in the spiritual realm with the Holy Spirit – we also see in the natural realm with some of the so-called philosophers and their ideas that were passed on until evil strongholds were built.

 

One such man is Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)  who is probably not as well known as some of the other philosophers that we have been looking at or even one of his disciples known as John Stuart Mills. Jeremy Bentham was an atheist as well as an apologist for homosexuality. Both of these men rejected Biblical law and advocated ethical theory based upon human reasoning.

 

Both of these men set the stage for what we today call liberalism or what is now known as the “progressive movement.” Bentham was the original liberal who was dead set against the Christian order and English Common Law as represented by Blackstone. It was during this time that all English speaking countries followed Blackstone’s commentaries and his support of English Common Law. I remember seeing Blackstone commentaries of Scripture here in the USA, but they have now been set aside.

 

Bentham set himself against the Apostles of Christ, Scriptures, and 1700 years of Christian heritage. Some of the philosophers before him did not go as far as Bentham in denying the existence of the Christian faith. It was Bentham who penned: “Religion has inflicted the deepest injury upon humanity,” Religion for him was the Christian faith. For Bentham, “if God does not explain Himself to the satisfaction of human reasoning then He loses His right to exist,” and because God does not explain Himself to the satisfaction of human reasoning then he does not exist for Bentham and so it is man (Bentham) who sets the standards of what is right and wrong.

 

Bentham was also the driving force in the introduction of homosexuality, according to him, if it did not produce ‘bad consequences.’

 

Just like John Newton influenced Thomas Scott and in turn Thomas influencing William Carey and bringing in the Modern Missionary Movement, so it is with Jeremy Bentham. Although his disciples – John Stuart Mill and Bertrand Russell eclipsed him in being well known, it was Bentham who set the stage for what we call “political liberalism.”

 

Although Bentham went only as far in confessing his atheism, but his disciple John Stuart Mill let it all out and before he died became the god-father of Bertrand Russell who died in 1970.

 

It was John Stuart Mill who was a proponent of “feminism” and “gender equalitarianism.” It was Mill who laid the groundwork for free sex, no-fault divorce, abortion and the destruction of the nuclear family.

 

Bertrand Russell, godson of John Stuart Mill, is probably one of the most famous atheists of all time and wrote the little pamphlet called: Why I Am Not a Christian. Bertrand Russell was a prime mover shaping the worldview that we now have in the Western world.

 

It was Bentham who took Thomas Aquinas’ idea that human reasoning was another path way to gaining knowledge and building a platform for ethics built on human reasoning. Bentham operated on the premise that there are two things that mankind is faced with: pain and pleasure, that he calls “sovereign masters.” So in his twisted reasoning there is no personal Creator, but only nature operating under pain and pleasure.

 

This reasoning has led to the breakdown of moral standards that we see now in our language, movies, art forms, news casts, dress, bill boards, etc. Now we call the murder of children “a choice,” the killing of the elderly “humane,” miserable unnatural perversions “gay” and witchcraft sold to our children as “harmless fun.”

 

Scripture tells us in Isaiah 5:20 “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”

 

The problem we face today is if all that is evil is good then what is left to call evil? This is why our modern society finds it hard to define evil. This is why Christians are called “homophobes” accused of hating homosexuals and who face heavy fines if they speak against certain sexual sins according to God’s laws.

 

This is why we find in our political, legal and social systems today – the required action is what produces the greatest amount of pleasure. How true that when we reject God and His moral standards – anything goes, because there is no ultimate standard to judge what is ultimate good and true.

 

The separation of human reasoning from the influence of sacred doctrine will create an atmosphere where anything is accepted and then honored. This is what we are seeing in our Western Civilization today.

 

 

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

The Bible says that we have a physical body and a spiritual body, and that both are connected; one affecting the other. When our physical body goes through the effects of starvation then it must be the same for our spiritual body when it is starved. So I studied out what happens when a physical body is denied food (starvation) and have listed the effects, along with a spiritual meaning when the spiritual body has gone without its food: the Word of God. Then we can see why the body of the Lord’s church is sickly, sleeping and suffering from malnutrition. More important, we need to judge ourselves, each of us asking the Lord to heal us as we begin to seriously read and apply the Word of God, line upon line, precept upon precept – until we are strong and effective as the Lord’s people, the children of the living God.

 

Here are the effects when the physical body is starved along with the effects when the spiritual body is starved:

 

Physical: organs begin to shrink and lose their function. Spiritual: vital gifts of the Holy Spirit lose their function; shrinking faith.

Physical: diarrhea. Spiritual: cannot retain liquid; dehydration of the spirit.

Physical: anemia; weariness, tiredness. Spiritual: sleepy; reluctant to be active; no desire to see or experience more; no perseverance.

Physical: size reduction. Spiritual: body shrinks in size.

Physical: lower body temperature. Spiritual: lukewarm church body; body grows cold; dead in faith.

Physical: unable to digest food. Spiritual: cannot digest the meat of God’s Word; immaturity.

Physical: lack of concentration. Spiritual: unable to think deeply/deep thoughts; short memory; bad judgment – lacks wisdom.

Physical: immune deficient. Spiritual: cannot recognize or refute false teaching; gives in and accepts toxic lies.

Physical: swelling. Spiritual: pride; self-righteousness; self-centered.

Physical: no sex drive. Spiritual: unproductive; no personal fruit; no seed going out – the Gospel does not spread. 

 

Complete starvation:

In adults, it leads to death within 8 to 12 weeks. In the final stages of starvation, adult humans experience a variety of neurological and psychiatric symptoms, including hallucinations and convulsions, as well as severe muscle pain and disturbances in heart rhythm. (The spiritual neurological and psychiatric symptoms: disorder, discord, disunity of the body. Spiritual hallucinations: deceiving counterfeit spirits in control; seeing visions and revelation that are not from God.  Spiritual convulsions: uncontrollable actions; out of order, programs/activities/works of the flesh, not of The Lord. Spiritual disturbance of heart rhythm: the heart of the person or the church – does not beat with God’s heart; therefore the body is not in step with the Holy Spirit. Spiritual death: fallen behind; shut down; overtaken; devoured.)

 

Treatment:

If the degree of malnutrition is severe, the intestines may not tolerate a fully balanced diet. They may, in fact, not be able to absorb adequate nutrition at all. Carefully prepared elemental diets or intravenous feeding must begin the treatment. The treatment back to health is long and first begins with liquids. Gradually, solid foods are introduced. (The spiritual liquid: drinking from the spring of living water; remembering The Lord who bought you with His own blood. Spiritual solid foods: teaching of righteousness, godliness being lived out, and becoming influential and effective. The spiritual recovery is long: progressive day by day self-discipline in obedience to God’s way. Becoming an overcomer with perseverance of faith.)

 

Prognosis:

People can recover from severe degrees of starvation to a normal stature and function. Children, however, may suffer from permanent mental retardation or growth defects if their deprivation was long and extreme. (Spiritually: our sin and rebellion affects others; especially our children, the next generation. What will we, as parents, pass on to our children?)

 

Maybe this is why we/Christ’s church are not very effective today. We have accepted the lies of the world. We have become too weak to fight back, and have laid down – to just accept what we know is a lie. The wisdom and power of God needs to return to the body of Christ, so that we can complete what is ours to do – in our generation. If we don’t do it – it won’t get done!