The Proverbs 31 Woman – Like a Merchant Ship

Since the Proverbs 31 Woman has an “enterprise perspective” she sets goals for herself. She also sets goals for her children to reach and helps them reach those goals. She teaches her children the benefits of a goal reached. She sees an earthly and a heavenly gain in this. She has trained up her children to help her and to take on worthy projects themselves that she watches over for their profit.

 

She has put a lot thought and course-plotting to the future of her children. It is pitiful to see young men and women wasting away because they have no clue what life is all about or what they should be doing with their time, their talents, and their money. They just live each day for what they can get out of it, without a care for their future.  

 

There are more parents making idols of their children; giving their children everything they scream and ask for, than there are parents who are making godly role models out of their little darlings. If we allow our children to be lazy and unproductive – we assist them in ruining their lives. As wise and productive mothers (and fathers) we should be the ones our children are taught by. We are wise to employ our own children under us in any way we can think of. It allows the parent to instill the right value system in them.

 

Children will fall away from godliness if sent off too soon to learn and be accountable to someone else but you, and especially someone without the fear of God in them. Putting your child in a place where God and His principles are not honored is the perfect way to destroy your child’s future. If that child has been offered to God and dedicated to Him then you are responsible for your child’s understanding of the Lord and for your child’s upbringing in the truth. If you do not follow through then it puts God in a position He shouldn’t have to be in; that of doing what you should be doing for the children you dedicated to Him and that He has entrusted you with. The blessing will go to another, not you.

 

As Christian parents most of us have dedicated our children to the Lord, but do we understand what that really means? Like most Christian parents, we had the pastor pray over each one of our children and over us as their parents. We should understand the responsibility we have to God on behalf of these children to care for them properly and to raise them up for His glory and Kingdom. The thing that so grieves God’s heart is that He sees so many parents (who have dedicated their children in this way) not following through. When times get tough, they fall away from the Lord, from their marriage, from being the parents their children need. God expects us to live up to our vows we’ve made to each other and to Him; to be faithful. He will help us to be faithful if we will not give up and go our own selfish way. Our children need us to be faithful more than we realize.

 

I believe that God assigns children to parents so that they are evenly yoked together; to the perishing God assigns the perishing; but to the godly He assigns the godly. God knows the outcome of our choices in life; the future our choices made. The parents you end up with might not be the parents/parent you started with. God gave me new parents after He saved me so that I would grow up for Him. My husband’s older brother and wife have been spiritual parents to us.

 

We made mistakes as all parents do, but God trained us by those mistakes. It made us better counselors to our adult children when they began raising our grandchildren.

 

God has given us His standard of living that has never changed. We should deny and remove whatever is in the way of our own godliness and that is in the way of our marriage and children growing in godliness. From generation to generation the godly will thrive, multiply and dominate the earth for eternity. (Exodus 20:3-6, Psalm 22:30-31, Psalm 33:11, Psalm 45:16-17, Psalm 78:4-8) This is the will of God. What God expected His people (Israel) to teach their children is what God expects us to teach our children. There are not two standards. There are not two roots. (Romans 10:11-13 and chapter 11)

 

Many parents send their children off to Sunday school, to public school, on mission’s trips or into the military to learn what they should already know and have established in their character. These parents either didn’t know, or in knowing they neglected to follow through with God’s commands to them as parents. (Deuteronomy 11:13-26)

 

When you send your son (or daughter) off to do something good for other people they should be able and willing to give of themselves; to be of good (godly) use simply from the way you raised them at home. A troublemaker (rebellion) should be conquered at home according to God’s law and wisdom. A child’s meanness is to be removed at home or they will become a threat to society. The ignorance in children is the responsibility of the parent foremost and not the schools, not the church and not the government. When you take your stand on this, ‘trusting the Lord to uphold you and protect you,’ He will. Before you send your young adult off anywhere in the world ‘with your blessing’ you better be sure your child will be a blessing there. They represent your parenting skills; they represent the values you instilled in them.

 

As one wise man said, “Parenting isn’t for cowards!” Parents are afraid to spank their children because of all the false teaching of men of women who do not fear God. They fear the laws that have been made that will imprison the parent that disciplines their children the way God says to. It simply comes down to whether or not you believe that God has the power to protect your good parenting, and the overruling authority to prevent anyone from removing your children from you. 

 

Courageous parents expect God to uphold them as they train up their children the way God tells them to. They stand on the promises of God. Gutless parents buckle under their child’s demands afraid of what their child will think of them. Cowardly parents want to be liked by their children no matter what. They do not think ahead and consider the outcome of such childish parenting. What we see today is the ungodly teaching and training children, who in turn are training their parents, instead of parents training children in what it means to be a genuine child of God.   

 

My husband and I have helped send young men in our church (fresh out of high-school) to far-away places only to hear that they caused trouble partying or slacking off – wasting their team leader’s time. When you send your child or anyone off they are representing you – the sender. It is your responsibility to make sure they are ready and prepared for the work of the Lord there. If you are financially supporting someone for their ministry or work in an area you better know if that person is responsible or not before you back him up and send him off hoping he/she will be useful and commended.

 

Whatever the Proverbs 31 Woman has that is of value she is not selfish with. She finds a way to share her wealth with others if the Lord has put some person, family, community or nation on her heart. Whether it be Bibles, food, clothing, words of hope and encouragement or even her children – she will get it all where it needs to go, and with a sense of urgency about it.

Daily Devotional

While reading the book of Jeremiah I questioned why He would write such a statement as; “Why didn’t God kill me at birth? Oh, that I had died in my mother’s womb; that her body had been my grave! Why was I ever born? My entire life has been filled with trouble, sorrow, and shame.” The message of Jeremiah is one that people do not want to hear. It is a message that people, no matter who they are, will be held accountable for the choices they make, and no one wants to hear this.

 

Now ask yourself what would be your response today if God said, “‘America has forsaken Me and turned this country into a place of wickedness. They have filled this land with the blood of innocent children. I will make it a monument to their stupidity. All who pass through will be astonished and will gasp at the destruction they see there. People will be driven to utter despair; shattered beyond all hope of repair because they have stubbornly refused to listen to Me.”  Would you say, “We are God’s children, and therefore none of these things will come on us. God would have to remove us first because He would never send judgment on us as well.” Really?

 

Like Jeremiah said, “People have told me never to speak of judgment. But, if I keep silent it will burn in my heart like a fire; like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!”

 

Son, don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, as if they didn’t know. Tell My children that they must not participate in the things these people do. For once My children were full of darkness, but now they have My light. So they must live in My light! They must not take part in the worthless deeds of evil darkness; instead, expose them. They must be careful how they live. They must make the most of every opportunity. Tell them that they must not act thoughtlessly, but understand what I want them to do. Remember that your fight is not against flesh-and-blood, but against authorities of the dark unseen world, against mighty powers of evil spirits. So tell My children to stand their ground, putting on the belt of truth and the armor of My righteousness. Then pray in the Spirit all the time and on every occasion. Be alert and be persistent in prayer. Pray for the right words so that they can boldly explain My plan.

 

Lord, thank You for watching over me and instructing me. You alone will keep me safe. You stand beside me like a great warrior. Before You my accusers will stumble; they cannot defeat me. I will live my life in Your love, and follow Your example.

 

 

 

Daily Devotional

Son, tell your grandchildren, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember to tell them that someday soon they will have to give an account to Me for everything they do. They must not let the excitement of youth cause them to forget Me, their Creator. They must honor Me in their youth.

 

Tell your grandchildren that the leaders today have left them a foolish heritage, for they worshiped worthless things. So your grandchildren must choose to let Me make My home in their hearts, and learn to trust Me. Then their roots will grow deep into My love and keep them strong. They will have the power to understand how wide, how long, how high, and how deep My love is for them. When they experience My love, they will fully understand that it is My mighty power at work in them. When they experience My power in their lives they will know that they can accomplish infinitely more than they think. So I challenge your grandchildren to lead a life worthy of their calling. To be humble, gentle, and patient with each other. Making allowance for other’s faults because of My love. Make every effort to keep united in My Spirit, binding themselves together with peace.

 

Son, tell your children it is their responsibility to equip your grandchildren to do My work and build up My church. When your grandchildren are taught the truth they will become mature, and not be blown about by every wind of new teaching. They will not be influenced when people try to trick them with lies so clever they sound like the truth. When your grandchildren know the truth that comes from Me, they will throw off their sinful nature; which is corrupted by lust and deception. They will know the power of My Spirit that will renew their minds, and change their attitudes. So tell your children to stop letting anger control them and watch their tongues. Tell them they must not let the sun go down while they are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. they must not use foul or abusive language. Let everything they say be good and helpful, so that their words will be an encouragement to their children who are listening to them.

 

Son, when you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be My spokesman. You must influence people for Me. Do not let them influence you! People will fight against you, but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall of bronze. They will not conquer you, for I am with you to protect and rescue you.

 

Lord, Your words are like cattle prods, painful but helpful. When I discovered Your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear Your Name. You are my strength and fortress, my refuge in the day of trouble! Therefore, I can now come boldly and confidently into Your presence because You empower me with inner peace and strength through Your Spirit.

 

 

New Years Devotional

THE COST OF FREEDOM

 

Jacob and his children went to Egypt because a famine broke out in the land and while in Egypt they were given the best of everything that Egypt had to offer. But, after many generations the Israelites had become slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt. What happened that would make a free people, as they were at first, turn into slaves?

 

Slavery starts when we change our thinking. When you no longer look or depend on God, but look and depend on others to meet your needs. God always works through His people, as He did with Joseph when his father Jacob called on the Lord in his time of need. God led Jacob and his sons to Egypt where He had set up Joseph to meet their needs.

 

We must never substitute God for His ‘vessel’ of provision. When we depend on His vessels, we are not trusting in God but man. Vessels give out and break, but God remains the same.

 

Eventually the kindness and honor Israel was shown by the Pharaoh because of Joseph, gave out when Joseph died and a new Pharaoh came in. The journey to becoming slaves is slow and very subtle, and will spread like a disease. The Israelites went into slavery because they continued to depend on man instead of God.

 

The question I have for the Church is: What is our government giving to the churches that has made them dependent upon our government? What about their non-profit corporation status? If the church does not adhere to the conditions of the government they have the power to remove it from them and make them pay taxes on all the money that comes in. Does the loss of tax exemption bring fear to our church leaders? Do they think people will stop giving and fear how this could affect paychecks, programs and buildings if people are not given these tax deductions?

 

When someone or something can control how you think and live then you have become their slave. Their control over you is nothing more than intimidation to make you fearful. They want you to believe that they have the power to take back anything they have given you, or to re-distribute it the way they want in ways you do not have to agree with.

 

The power they have over you is like a person who sells drugs; the drug addict will do anything to have their drugs keep coming. The drug addict no longer knows how to live without drugs. He is enslaved.

 

Becoming a slave takes generations until the children born into slavery don’t know anything different. For the children of Israel it took the death of the ones that knew freedom. For people to accept slavery depends on how long it takes for those who keep freedom alive – to die out. Here in America we have freedom-fighters working against the government programs that are slowly enslaving us by making us dependent on them for all our needs. After the freedom-fighters are gone – who will carry on in their place and fight for American liberty? Whose responsibility is this, if not the Church?  

 

The road to freedom requires you to look to God and not to man for all your needs. This road out of slavery is long and it will cost you. At times it will feel like a dry desert, but this is to teach us to call on the Lord for everything because our whole life is dependent upon Him.

 

Our forefathers knew slavery in England and came to this land to start a new life of liberty and dependency on God. They knew that eventually the threat of slavery would come again, so they made a monument to show us how to ward it off, and even come back and be a free people again. It is the “National Monument to the Forefathers.” Here are the words that are at the bottom of each statue on the monument, there are 5 statues.

 

The steps to freedom and how to stay a free people:

 

1. FAITH: in God alone. His written word is absolute truth.

2. MORALITY: you cannot have morality (godliness) without God and His truth. With morality come the prophet and evangelist to reveal immorality (wickedness).

3. LAW: following the laws of God, not the laws of man. With God’s laws come justice and mercy. Without God’s law you will have confusion, not knowing right from wrong.

4. EDUCATION: to teach the next generation the words and wisdom of God. Learning starts in the family unit with the parents and grandparents teaching their children.

5. LIBERTY: willing to fight tyranny to preserve liberty; knowing that peace comes out of liberty.

 

The road of liberty (freedom) starts with faith in the Word of God. The end result is peace. What is this world looking for and working towards? Peace! But, our leaders are going about it in the wrong way; they have shut God out and have begun to persecute those who teach and preach the Word of God.  Their way enslaves people. Jesus said, “The truth shall set you free!”  So what is the truth? It is every word that comes from the mouth of God, our CREATOR. Freedom requires us to stop depending on what our government says and go to God’s Word for how to think and live our lives.

 

History has shown us that in order to make a nation of slaves it will only take 3 generations of twisting the truth and pumping lies into the people. Every generation of Christians is responsible to keep God’s truth alive and public by first living it out personally and then going public with it. 

 

The people who walk this road of freedom with the Lord will be men and women who will take on the intimidating giants; they will be over-comers. They will turn this world upside down for Jesus Christ who first started the freedom revolution with 12 faithful men. Our forefathers were freedom fighters, but over the generations we have seen a subtle cowering because of wanting temporal things more than eternal things. 

 

What will the New Year of 2014 be like for you, and for our nation? Will you walk the road of freedom and see that your life is not based upon the things of this world? Ask yourself: Am I a slave or a freeman? The truth is that we are all slaves until we make Jesus Christ our Lord and Master. Since it is in our nature to be slaves, let us be a slave to the One who gave up His life so that we could live the life of true love and liberty; and have eternal life. Let us serve a Master like Him; one who works to defend and protect those who are defenseless, weak and tyrannized.

 

The road of freedom is a very narrow road; too narrow for most. It will require us to come out of dependency on worldly systems, and to depend upon God for everything. The power of God’s freedom is that with Him all things are possible for those who believe. “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

 

The monument our forefathers built in Plymouth Massachusetts is a 150 feet tall. It faces northeast to Plymouth Harbor and sits in the center of a circular drive, which is accessed from Allerton Street from the east. The principal pedestal is octagonal with four small and four large faces.

 

From the small faces project four buttresses. On the main pedestal stands the heroic figure of “Faith” with her right hand pointing towards heaven and her left hand clutching the Bible. Upon the four buttresses also are seated figures emblematical of the principles upon which the Pilgrims founded their Commonwealth, each having a symbol referring to the Bible that “Faith” possesses (in hand). Counter-clockwise from the feet of “Faith” are Morality, Law, Education, and Liberty. Each was carved from a solid block of granite, posed in the sitting position upon chairs with a high relief on either side of minor characteristics. Under “Morality” stand “Prophet” and “Evangelist.” Under “Law” stand “Justice” and “Mercy.” Under “Education” stand “Youth”  (a child holding his mother’s hand and looking up to her) and “Wisdom.” Under “Liberty” stand “Tyranny Overthrown” (this man of victory holds a broken chain in one hand and over his shoulder is a lion’s skin and head of which he killed) and under it also stands “Peace.”

 

Upon the four faces of the main pedestal are large panels of records. The front panel is inscribed as follows: “National Monument to the Forefathers. Erected by a grateful people in remembrance of their labors, sacrifices and sufferings for the cause of civil and religious liberty.” The right and left panels contain the names of those who came over in the Mayflower. The rear panel, which was not engraved until recently, contains a quote from Governor William Bradford’s famous history, of Plymouth Plantation:

 

“Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing and gives being to all things that are; and as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many, yea in some sort to our whole nation; let the glorious name of Jehovah have all praise.”

 

What will it be freedom or slavery? The choice is ours. Remember, our future is as a bright as the promises of God!

 

“A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have.”  (Quote from Gerald R. Ford)

 

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” (Quote from Ronald Reagan)

 

“The Bible is the rock on which this Republic rests.” (Quote from Andrew Jackson)

 

“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” (Quote from Abraham Lincoln)

 

“Never, never, never give up.” (Quote from Winston Churchill)

 

Here’s the link I used on the “monument:”

http://historicaldigression.com/2012/01/31/forefathers-monument-in-plymouth-an-overlooked-colossus/

Daily Devotional

Son, have you seen how fickle your country has become? They are proud that they worship other gods, but this has only polluted their land and made them weak and vulnerable to their enemies. They have chosen crooked paths and have forgotten Me. Everything I blessed them with has been squandered. They have become stupid children who have no understanding. They are clever enough at doing wrong, but they have no idea how to do what is right! Therefore, the earth will mourn and the heavens will be draped in black because of My decree. I have made up my mind and will not change it.

 

Tell these faithless people to come back to Me, for I am merciful. I will not be angry with them forever if they acknowledge their guilt; that they have rebelled against Me and committed adultery by worshiping false gods. If they confess that they have refused to listen to My voice, I will give them shepherds after My own heart to guide them with knowledge and understanding, so that the disobedient are turned to the wisdom of the righteous. I would love to treat them as My own children! I want nothing more than to give them back their beautiful land, the finest possession in the world. Then they would be a blessing to all the nations of the world, and people would come and praise My name for it. I long for them to call Me “Father.” It is My desire that they never to turn from Me again.  So pray and confess, plow up the hard ground of your hearts. Surrender your pride as a nation before the waves of destruction come!

 

Son, when the godly are in authority the people will rejoice. But when the wicked are in power the people groan, and sin flourishes. People do not accept My guidance because they would rather run wild.They see themselves as pure but they are filthy and unwashed. Therefore, although they have sight they are blind. They have ears to hear, but they do not understand what is lacking in them. They look at others proudly, casting disdainful glances at those who truthfully say that what they do – is wrong and destructive. They compare themselves with each other, using their own wickedness as the standard of measurement. How ignorant! The wicked despise the godly, but keep godliness before them as a sign reminding them of who I am and that wickedness will not prevail where I have My presence

 

Lord, because I meet with You and speak with You each day that place is holy by Your glorious presence. It is a high place with You; one that burns with passion – well guarded. I must speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, that are being crushed by the oppression of wicked leaders. You have repeatedly told me that You will provide all I need, and that I will always have plenty left over to share with others. I must use Your mighty weapons to knock down their strongholds of human reasoning so that Your wisdom is proved right by my actions. Then their false arguments will fall to the ground having no power. Every word of Yours is true. You are a shield to all who come to You for understanding and protection. For whoever obeys You will be joyful, and by trusting in You there is safety.

 

 

Daily Devotional

Son, before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as My prophet. You must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. Don’t be afraid of people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I have touched your mouth and said, “Look, I have put My words in your mouth!”

 

Son, has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones, even though they are not gods at all? Yet My people have exchanged Me for worthless things by looking to others for help! They have turned their backs to Me! Their turning from Me should shame them, but they feel no shame. Soon they will see what an evil, bitter thing it is to abandon Me and not to fear Me. No amount of soap or lye can make them clean before Me, for I still see the stain of their guilt. They have brought this upon themselves by rebelling against Me. When the times of trouble start they will cry out to Me, “Save us! We have done nothing wrong. Surely God isn’t angry with us!” But I will punish them severely because they claim they have not sinned. Remember, worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.

 

Son, prepare for action, and tell everyone everything I tell you to say. They will fight you by saying this is not from Me, but they will fail; for I am with you and I will take care of you. Tell those who teach My word to stop ignoring Me, and telling My people that everything will be fine the way it is. That’s right, I am watching everything they do and say. I will certainly carry out all my plans against those who ignore Me. I will pronounce judgment on My people for deserting Me. They think their government, or what they have made with their own hands, will save them.  How foolish!

 

Remember that when there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. So tell My children to elect wise and just leaders who search for Me, and listen to Me, and they will bring stability into the nation. Those leaders who lead people along an evil path will only fall and suffer by their own evil doing. Your rich people think they are wise because they are rich, but a person with discernment, even though poor, can see right through them. When the godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.  Greed causes fighting and disunity, but trusting Me leads to peace and prosperity. Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in My wisdom will be safe and sound.

 

Lord, because you have told us what is coming, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. Let us work toward complete holiness because we fear You. You are the one who encourages those who are discouraged. When times of testing come we must realize that in these times we will be filled with abundant joy and Your rich generosity, as long as we keep our hope in You.

Daily Devotional

Son, Satan is the god of this world, and he has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. These people are unable to see My glorious light of the Good News. They have a veil that covers their minds, and it will not allow them to understand the truth. This veil can only be removed by believing in Me. So don’t fret because of evildoers, and don’t envy them. For these blinded people have no future, and I will pay them back for what they’ve done to My children!

 

Son, don’t look at the troubles you can see now; rather, fix your gaze on things that cannot be seen that are true and glorious. For the things you see now will soon be gone, but the things you cannot see will last forever. Though your body is dying, your spirit is being renewed every day by My word. Your present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for you a glory that vastly outweighs them all, and that glory will last forever!

 

So when you feel pressed on every side by these troubles, you will not be crushed. When you become perplexed, you will not be driven to despair. When you get knocked down, you will not be destroyed, and you will never be abandoned by Me. Your qualification comes from Me, and this should give you so much confidence that you can be very bold. With My Spirit there is freedom and mercy; so never give up. This is the truth, and all who are honest know this.

 

Son, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you. Pay close attention to him, and obey his instructions; which are from Me. If you obey Me, and follow all My instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you. You must serve only Me, and I will bless you with all that you need, and I will protect you from illness.

 

Therefore, don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Commit yourself to My instruction by listening carefully to My words of knowledge; it will keep your heart on the right course. Know the truth and never sell it, and it will make you wise, disciplined and give you good judgment. Remember, you will fail under pressure by relying on your own strength.

 

Lord, I must rely on Your great power, and not my own. I must continue to tell everyone, “Who You are.” I can never give up.  I must tell of Your unfailing love. I will praise You for all You have done. I will rejoice in Your great goodness, and Your awesome deeds and promises that are beyond my highest expectations. For no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like You, who works for those who wait for Him!

 

Kingdom Thinking – Part 30 – Building God’s House

Haggai 2:20-23 “The word of the Lord came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month: ‘Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I will shake the heavens and the earth. I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother. On that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”

 

One of the things that we need to be aware of when it comes to kingdom thinking is not only what is happening in the world, but also what is the Lord doing?

 

God says: “I will shake the heavens and the earth. I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.”

 

The writer of the Hebrews mentions this as well in chapter 12:26-27 “Now he has promised, ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’  The words ‘once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken — that is, created things — so that what cannot be shaken may remain.”

 

When we look at the situation in the world today we see that the “perfect storm” is taking place. There is no doubt about God shaking the heavens and the earth.  Just a quick look around the world and we see the truth of this. For example:

 

There is the possibility of a major war in the Middle East. Syria with its civil war, which has claimed over 100,000 lives, is drawing in fighters from all over the world. Along with what is happening in Iran, Lebanon and Israel the situation is like a powder keg ready to explode.

 

When I look at Southeast Asia again we see war that can break out between China and Japan over who owns a disputed group of islands called the “Diaoyu Islands.” What about North Korea and its threats against Seoul and USA? Washington and South Korea because of the threat have signed a new joint security agreement that lays out plans and responses against North Korea in case war breaks out.

 

Conflicts in the EU are brewing between the rich countries of Europe and the bankrupt countries on the periphery especially in the south and east. Could there be conflicts that might break out like the genocide that occurred in the Balkans in the 1990’s?

 

Britain’s Daily Mail Newspaper said: “The world is at a crossroads in history, vast, untamable economic forces are remaking the landscape of international affairs.” From what I can gather the economic austerity imposed by the central EU government is beginning to spark ultra-nationalist as well as potential neo-fascist movements across the continent of Europe. The great depression in the 1930’s led to outright war in Europe. Can this happen again? Does history repeat itself? Riots have already broken out in many of these countries.

 

Egypt is on the verge of civil war, nuclear-armed Pakistan is moving into chaos. Saudi Arabia wants to buy nuclear bombs from Pakistan because of what is happening in Iran with their enrichment program of nuclear fuel. Ethnic fighting is still taking place in Iraq and now in Nigeria as well.

 

Then you have the communal riots taking place in Myanmar with Buddhists attacking Muslims. I just got a report from Sri-Lanka of Buddhists that are constantly attacking Christian churches as well as Hindus and Muslims battling one another in India.  We have the Muslims rebelling against the Han Chinese in Western China. Then all over the Middle East you have the Shia Muslims at war with Sunni Muslims.

 

When these communal riots break out it is not just a few hundred that are killed. I have been in India when riots broke out between Muslims and Hindus where thousands were slaughtered.

 

In Haggai’s days God told His people to stop and consider and I believe that today the Lord is telling us the same thing. We need to consider. In the New Testament Jesus told us that we are to watch and pray. When we see this shaking taking place we need to realize, like the writer of the Hebrews is saying, those things that cannot be shaken do remain, which is the Kingdom of God.

 

What are we to do? To have peace we need the Prince of Peace – Jesus Christ, and so we are to go into all the world with His message. I believe that God is preparing the world for a great harvest and we, the church, need to be ready. God said: “Give careful thought to your ways.” Jesus reminds us: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

 

Daily Devotional

Son, are you ready for the task of telling everyone that I am coming, and that I bring My rewards with Me? I have opened a door of opportunity for you to spread the knowledge of Me everywhere. To those who accept this knowledge of Me it will be like sweet perfume to Me; a fragrance of obedience rising up to Me. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are perishing; to them it is a dreadful smell of death and doom. Those who listen and obey Me – I will make an everlasting covenant with them and I will faithfully reward them.

 

Tell My children that they will be recognized as a people I have blessed, a Holy People Redeemed by Me. Tell them to remember how merciful I have been to them, and if they shut their ears to the cries of the poor and needy, I will ignore their cries when they cry out to Me in their time of need. 

 

I am the source of all comfort. The more My children suffer for Me, the more I will shower them with My comfort. Some will feel they are being crushed and overwhelmed beyond their ability to endure, and think this suffering will never end. I allow this in their lives so that they will stop relying on themselves and learn to rely only on Me.

 

Lord, thank You for anointing me with the privilege of bringing the good news to people who don’t know You, and to comfort the brokenhearted by proclaiming that You are the One that can release them from the bondages of this world. I will tell those who mourn that the time of Your favor has come! Help me not to waver from what You have said, for I want to be known as Your child. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit in my heart; for He guarantees and reminds me of everything You have promised me.

Daily Devotional

Son, America wants to be known as a righteous nation. Some of its leaders even ask Me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near Me. They think wealth is a strong defense; a high wall of safety to protect them from the things coming. They act so pious, pretending to know Me. They left Me long ago when they traveled far, even into the world of the dead, to seek new gods to love. How foolish to think that these new gods will help them. There is no peace for the wicked!

 

My church needs to know that I did not give their responsibility to the government. They need to help those in trouble. Share their food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from anyone who needs their help. Then My light will shine out from them. I will continually give back to them and restore their strength. My church will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes, and when they call out to Me I will answer them. Then the world will know I am truly among them.

 

Son, let Me show you the life that is the best. Love others! Remember what love is: It is patient and kind, not jealous or boastful, not proud or rude. It does not demand its own way, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It is not happy or joyful about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever! Remember that of these three things: faith, hope, and love, the greatest of these is love. So make it your goal to love others like I do, for this is the strength of My church.