Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lately I have heard from some Christians talking about America’s new policy of temporarily closing up its borders; they say this is not what Jesus would do. They say, “How else will people hear the Gospel?” Sounds spiritual doesn’t it? But, let’s look at what is really happening with this thinking.

 

First of all, no where did Jesus tell His disciples to “invite,” but rather He told them to “GO into all the nations….” Why are we “to go” and not “to invite?” If we go then we will influence the people in other cultures where faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ has not been able to make a glorious difference; that of “good overcoming evil” there. It’s not about one religion overtaking another religion to make people all believe what that religion stands for (Islam Jihad a good example); for this never ends up good for mankind. It’s about Jesus Christ introduced to all the nations so that by faith in Him – He can bless all nations by His teaching and life of His Holy Spirit: good overcoming evil.

 

It’s about nations becoming “disciples of Jesus Christ” because in Christ alone is the LIFE that is truly life, eternally, and this LIFE ABUNDANT is for ALL peoples of this world to freely receive and be blessed by. Jesus didn’t come to give us a “religion,” but a “relationship” with Him in truth and Spirit, becoming the true children of God, no matter where you’re born. God is the Father of us all.

 

What we see happening in our American culture is that other religions with their ‘false gods’ have come into the land of America to take advantage of our generous ways. (Generous, but not wise.) Most people come here now to be a part of the progressive agenda to “change” America instead of them coming to “become” true Americans with our culture, language and laws.  You change America by changing the way Americans think/believe; you change the way they think/believe by suppressing the truth and feeding them lies; lies about God and lies about America.

 

Another argument that has been brought up is that America is a country of immigrants. This is true, but they came here to assimilate to our culture/language/laws and not to change it in order to reflect the culture they have come from. This is not American at all, and is why we need to correct the way people are coming into America and to establish law and order with a justice system in line with our Constitution.  The American way of welcoming immigrants is that they are held accountable to becoming an American with all that it means to be an American. America is NOT a country of many flags; ONE FLAG and it’s all American. If they prefer the culture/language/laws somewhere else, then they should live there and not in America.

 

Confusion and chaos is not God’s way; it is Satan’s way, and Satan’s way of confusion and chaos in America has grown fast under the last 8 years of people wanting to “change” America’s purpose from God.

 

In times past, people came here out of respect for America’s laws and Constitution – which they learned.  They eagerly earned their legal citizenship to be Americans, and we are hearing from them all the time today (even though the biased media never reports it) to defend America’s true purpose.

 

We keep hearing how our founders killed to take land from the Indians and Mexicans. There was fighting and yes there were atrocities done by ALL.  Let’s not forget that before our founders came to this land the Indians were fighting each other for more land of their own, murdering one another, whole communities killed for land. Some Indians killed for the sake of killing and then eating the heart of their victims.  We need to get our history right! Even about the Jewish holocaust, black slavery, and even about when life begins in the womb. The “truth” will set people free.

 

Then there’s the argument of “black slavery” in America; which again truthful parts have been denied concerning this so that personal agendas can be reached. For example, the personal agenda of “Black Lives Matter.” And look what that has accomplished with all its destruction of their own communities, and killing of police and other innocent bystanders. Is this what matters?!  Blacks have the same privileges in America as anyone one else has to make something out of themselves and to have a decent life.  It’s a choice.  America gives that freedom to anyone who adheres to our laws and honestly works for what they want. America is not God, but God is available to any American who humbly acknowledges who HE IS and that we are all accountable to our Creator and Father of us all – for how we think and live.

 

The “founders” brought the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Indians and friendships were made between them and they worked together, which our ‘revised’ history books have left out all the detail about. It is true that in any ‘race’ of people, there are evil doers bent on doing evil and dishonoring human life.  But ‘evil’ is not what America was founded on.  Our Constitution is clear about good and evil, as God defines good and evil.

 

In many ways (in schools and universities, with media and politicians) the “truth is being suppressed” about America’s true beginnings and founding fathers. And so these who have been denied the truth in school and continually fed distortions of the truth – are the very ones who are in favor and at work to change America and reject our Constitution as out of date and not relevant anymore.

 

So do we sit back and shut up about all this?  Who does our nation belong to; to those politicians, teachers and media organizations out to change America, or to those ‘true’ Americans in support of God’s purpose for America upholding the biblical principles that formed our great Constitution?

 

 

Just Some Thoughts

 

America vs. Globalism – Chapter 8 – Blessed Are the Peacemakers

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”

 

We live in a divided world as well as a divided nation. The message that Christ gave us rings out louder today than perhaps any other time in history.  

 

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”  

 

I can understand unbelievers tearing one another apart, but when it comes to God’s people I have to admit that it saddens me to see it, because I see that Satan is winning the battle. He (Satan) is the accuser, he is the murderer, the liar, the one who spills out of his filthy mouth the garbage that we so often read about.

 

I am not a pacifist nor am I brought into foolish naivety, nor am I making light of sin, but when I see how opinions are being expressed on Facebook and the arguments that proceed I cannot help but wonder how this is extending the Kingdom of God here on earth.

 

Our positions as believers here on earth should be one of intercession and through this powerful weapon that God has given we begin to bring about peace. Our battle or struggle is not with one another, but “against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

 

In this world, the people that will change society and affect history are ones who just don’t rage against injustice, but they take responsibility for what is wrong and work for change.

 

Intercession is one way of taking responsibility. Instead of fighting among ourselves we will fight the real enemy – the accuser of the brethren – Satan.

 

James gave us very good advice when he said: “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19-21

 

Somebody sent me an article about 7 questions that we can ask ourselves before we post on Social Media about politics or any other issues that we might feel passionate about. Do not get me wrong, there are times when we need to speak (or write) out, but when we do we ought to keep these 7 things in mind.

 

  1. Do I have the correct facts? Proverbs 18:2 “A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.” We need to hear and understand a matter before we begin to write or talk about it. This keeps us from just expressing our own opinions.
  2. Does this need to be said? Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Some things would be best left unsaid.
  3. Why do I need to be the person to say this? Do I really have the insight, knowledge, true understanding of all of the ins and outs about this situation that I am writing about?
  4. Am I saying this in a way that represents Christ? Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
  5. How could I be misunderstood? It is said that we communicate by words only 7%, but body language, facial expression, tone of voice and the rest. This to me, is something to keep in mind when we write.
  6. What are my motives for saying this? 1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” If we are not motivated by love, then we will be motivated by false motivation.
  7. Can I wait until tomorrow to say this? We who are Christians need to understand that we are Christians first and that we should bring honor and glory to the Lord. I find that when I write something when I am hot under the collar by putting it aside for a day or two brings in a different perspective.

 

We need to keep in mind that we are representing Christ here on earth.

 

 

 

 

 

Self-Respect

Posted by & filed under Carols Blog.

Self-respect has been lost in America (for most); personally and nationally. Personally: self-respect is understanding your worth and having the self-control and wisdom to develop that worth for ‘good’ not ‘evil’ – the personal worth that God put in us as He formed us in the womb. America needs to get back to doing the same as a nation that God gave worth to – as He formed our national purpose in the womb of “the Constitution,” of our founders. You won’t treat others (people or nations) with respect until you learn to “respect how God made you” and do right by Him, both personally and nationally.

Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Why is it so much easier to believe lies and allow false information to be spread?

 

Today, the news media is all upset because they have been portrayed as only dealing with false information. They say it is their right to report what they believe to me the truth, and begin to speak as though they have been elected to some great position. They have the right to speak, but they are not elected, nor do they carry any great position in society other than to give us ‘truthful’ information. They become unimportant the moment they try to create or alter news, or to bring in their political agenda into what they report and how they report it. The news is to report true facts, and not their personal opinions.  

 

These people (of the media) that are grumblers and complainers brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter anyone who makes them seem important. We are told in God’s Word (the truth) that in the last days there would be these types of people whose only purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires, and create divisions. Their reasoning for all the increasing natural catastrophes is to say it is global-warming, and refuse to think that God has anything to do with it! Truth is: no matter what they say, their words cannot change a thing.

 

As children of the truth – what should we do? Rescue those who will listen to the truth in God’s Word, but with caution. Show mercy to those who are emotionally controlled by the lies of the media, praying for them to come to the knowledge of the truth, and to let God’s love and wisdom settle them down and show them how to live through these turbulent times.  

 

Just Some Thoughts

 

America vs. Globalism – Chapter 7 – Truth, Love and Peace

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

 

1 John 4:16 “God is love.”

 

Ephesians 2:14 “For he himself is our peace.”

 

We hear today a lot about ‘fake news,’ but this is nothing new. Fake news has often been used to mislead people for financial, political or other purposes ever since the dawn of human history. Didn’t the serpent use fake news (lies about God) in the Garden of Eden?

 

We are seeing today on how governments, political parties and public relations people use fake news to enhance their particular view point. Code of Ethics for professional journalists is to never “deliberately distort facts or context.” It is like Denzel Washington said: “By not reading the newspapers today we are uninformed, but reading them we are misinformed.”

 

We are living in a day of great deception. Holy Spirit warned us about this day when He said: “Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception.” Psalms 12:2

 

President Trump just appointed a Supreme Court nominee – Neil Gorsuch to fill the vacancy left by Judge Scalia. But here is the problem: In the US Judicial system the president nominates the Supreme Court justice and senate must approve them. However, it is like someone said: “It means that by definition, the US justice system is politically bent from the top down. If the Supreme Court is subject to the influence of political interests, can we even expect objectivity anywhere in the judicial system?”

 

When we consider this, we see that ‘ego is king’ and so our personal, sectarian, financial or political interests determine the way the country is run. This is true, not only of the USA, but in every country in the world. This is human nature; this is what we call ‘recognition of evil.’ “Those who seek my life set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they plot deception.” Psalms 38:12

 

Sociologists have been writing about our narcissism since the 1970s. Christopher Lasch in his book: THE CULTURE OF NARCISSISM: AMERICAN LIFE IN AND AGE OF DIMINISHING EXPECTRATIONS proposes that since World War 2 “America has produced a personality-type consistent with clinical definitions of “pathological narcissism.”

 

We are seeing that selfishness is becoming an epidemic resulting in depression, out of control divorce rates, violence that is on the increase, substance abuse and a growing alienation from one another. We could go on and mention the political disputes, etc., but we get the point. To me one of the great verses in the Bible is 2 Corinthians 5:15 “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” The answer to self is Christ and Christ alone.

 

To correct the society that we live in we must do something about human nature. Didn’t Jesus tell Peter and His disciples to deny self and follow Him? Christ showed us the way when He said:  “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6

 

We are alienated from one another – our neighbors, our families, etc. It is not the outer space that needs to be conquered, but the hostile space that exists between one another. This can only come about through Christ. Paul told us: “He (Christ) himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.”

 

Knowing this – what should we as followers of Christ be doing? The word that Christ gave us 2000 years ago was to go. He (Jesus) made the way and now it is up to us who follow Christ to take this message of reconciliation into the sphere that God has called us to. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-20

Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lord, I am sick of the shameful immorality I see; for it torments my soul. I know that you know how to rescue Your children from this sickness, even while keeping the wicked under punishment. I know that You will be especially hard on those who follow in twisted sexual desires, and who despise the truth with such pride and arrogance.

 

Their so-called teachers are like unthinking animals, and have become creatures of instinct who growl and yap at anything they do not understand. They say it is good to indulge in evil, and they condemn anyone who stands against them. They delight in deception, and their desire for sin is never satisfied. They lure ignorant and unstable people into their way of thinking. For they are well trained in evil ways and they brag about themselves consistently. They say that they have great knowledge, and openly talk about the freedom of their depraved minds; not knowing that they have become a slave to sin and their corrupt thinking.

 

Lord, Your children must remember that to compromise with these people will cause them to get tangled up and enslaved again, and when they compromise Your children will be worse off than if they had never known the truth.

 

Lord, give your children who do not compromise with this type of thinking a great blessing, and help Your children remember that when You grant a blessing it is an eternal blessing.

 

 

America vs. Globalism – Chapter 6 – Parables of Jesus

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed.’” Matthew 13:1

 

It would seem that there is a change at this point in the ministry of Christ. Jesus and His Kingdom has been rejected and He now begins to speak to the crowd in parables.

 

“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” John 1:11

 

However, those who have ears to hear, eyes to see Jesus are illuminated to understand the parables that He gives.

 

“But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”  Matthew 13:16-17

 

There are seven parables of the Kingdom in Matthew 13. Seven brings out the idea of perfection or completeness. So, these seven parables exactly describe what the Kingdom of Heaven is like.

 

Is it possible that these seven parables concerning the Kingdom cover some of the mayor obstacles confronting the Kingdom of heaven over the past 2000 years?

 

  1. Roman Empire 33-500 AD
  2. Dark Ages 400-800 AD
  3. Barbarians and bio-terrorism 600 – 1400
  4. Brave hearts 800 – 1400
  5. Rights of kings 1400 -1650
  6. Truth triumphs over tyrants 1400 – 1650
  7. Riots, Revolution and ruin, French Revolution 1650 – 1850
  8. Peace, Prosperity, and Providence, American Revolution 1650-1850
  9. 20th century-terror, a century of genocide 1850-2000
  10. Christianity spreads world-wide 1850-2000
  11. Stage is set for victory in the twenty-first Century

 

We see that there is a progression with these parables that define the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

For example, the first is the sowing of the seed. Secondly when that is done we see the enemy bringing in heresies, etc. Paul and Peter both bring that out after, and actually even during their time the bad seed was being sown. Then we have the parables about how the Kingdom will grow and we see this down through the ages, and also how it will saturate everything it touches. Then we have parables that bring our how precious the Kingdom of Heaven is and then lastly we have the net-harvest. At the rapture, there will be a separation.

 

It would seem that Jesus in these parables covers the history of the Kingdom of Heaven; what will happen and the final result. Where are we today? We are between 10 and 11. We are seeing great advances of the Gospel going out. Even at this writing we are experiencing many Muslims coming to Christ in the Middle East.

 

Despite the daily news of the persecution of Christians around the world by Islamist groups, there is another, lesser-known story of growing numbers of Muslims around the world turning to Christ as Lord.

 

David Garrison spent 2 1/2 years interviewing Muslim converts about their faith. It is written in a book called “A WIND IN THE HOUSE OF ISLAM” which is the result of two and half years of research involved traveling more than 250,000 miles to conduct interviews with more than 1000 people around the Muslim world. In his study a “movement” of believers is defined as a group of more than 1000 baptized believers are 100 new churches within a Muslim community. In total he found 69 movements that started in the first 12 years of the 21st century, and comparison with virtually no voluntary movements of converts to Christianity in the first 12 centuries of Islam.

 

Countries like India that I worked in 50 years ago, have seen tremendous results in people coming to Christ. In the last 60 or so years China has experienced a great harvest.

 

Yes, we are seeing many coming to Christ, but still the job is not done. The command to “GO” is still paramount and we must go and be the witness that the Lord wants in the sphere that He has called us to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compromise or Courage?

Posted by & filed under Carols Blog.

Suffering from persecution for the Gospel’s sake has more believability for God’s eternal life – than only enjoying the benefits of the Gospel in our earthly life.

 

What is the advantage of being more focused on the things above, than on the things of our earthly life? If we don’t have a stronger longing for the life that is truly life, than we have for this physical earthly life – we will cower down, shrink back, give in, compromise – instead of faithfully enduring the suffering that is sure to come for the sake of Christ’s Cross and His eternal Kingdom.

 

What happens when a professing Christian cowers down to threat and persecution? Evil spreads with all its destruction and death. People continue to be without hope and the peace of God.  But, the worst of all is how Jesus Christ is humiliated again and again, in the same way He was humiliated by the mocking of unbelievers as He hung on the cross.  We really need to understand this – down deep.

 

Here are some questions that we as the Lord’s people should not only ‘intellectually know’ the RIGHT answers to, but that we better be resting in, standing on, secured by, ready to sacrifice for the reality of who Jesus Christ is and of His glorious Kingdom of which we long for, invest in, labor for and talk about it with full confidence.  Christ’s is the only Kingdom that we better never never never compromise or forfeit for anything of our flesh, the world or of the lies and deceptions of the devil.

 

Questions:

    

What do people see about Jesus Christ when I am afraid to share my own testimony of Him?

 

What do people see about the God I say I believe in when there is little to nothing in my day to day life that reflects His way of life and His character?

 

Who praises and rewards a cowardly Christian?

 

Does God approve of us on the basis of fear or faith?

 

Does God expect us to keep our faith in Jesus Christ a secret, knowing full well that we will be hated and attacked?

 

Does God recognize us as His children because we join and go to church, give to the church and serve leaders of the church?

 

Does God protect and provide for those who seek friendship with the world?

 

Does God give crowns to cowards?

 

Does God give rewards to bystanders?

 

Will God promote me for mishandling mu position and prosperity from Him?

 

What is ‘lost to God’ when I obstruct the fulfilling of God’s promises; that is, when I stand in the way of God doing for me what He says He will do for me – when I obey Him?

 

What do I lose when don’t trust God at His Word?

   

If I cower-down in the face of threat and persecution – what is missing in me that I assumed I had?

 

What is the result and outcome – when God is not pleased with me?

 

GOD DESIRES THAT WE KNOW THE ‘RIGHT’ ANSWER TO ALL THESE QUESTIONS! God has not hidden the truth from anyone who desires to live by the truth and walk with Jesus Christ: the Truth, the Way and the Life – all the way to the end.

 

 

Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Satan knows your weakness and will use it to gain influence or entry into your life. He will tell you fearful things so that he can control you. The key is, pay close attention to what you hear, the closer you listen to the Lord the more understanding you will be given. Remember your future is not in the hands of Satan but in the hands of God.

 

Our Father is looking for followers who listen, obey and worship Him in spirit and in the truth. His love for them is never failing, and His faithfulness endures forever. So if the Lord is for you then you should have no fear, for what can mere people do to you? Instead of listening to the lies of the evil one, rejoice in each day the Lord has given you, for each day has tremendous opportunities. People who listen and obey His instruction are joyful people. They are people of integrity, and they will not compromise with evil, for they only walk on the Lord’s path. When they are obedient all of their actions will consistently reflect His words. For they hide His words in their heart, and they see the wonderful truths in His word.

 

“The day is near when I will judge all nations,” says the Lord.

 

So get ready.

 

Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

One day while reading the Word of God the thought came to me, “What about all those people who get saved during the… great tribulation?” The Lord said, “I love them as well, should not the church be preparing for them?”

 

I have shared this to church pastors and they told me not to bring this teaching into their church. I have said to those who would listen, “If this message is for you then these words will not leave you.”

 

Men With Faith is about preparing God’s people for what is coming, and we will have many ‘personal’ issues to deal with, but we must not forget those coming in behind us, and how hard it will be for them to have their basic needs without the mark of the beast; which God has instructed them NOT to take, but to simply trust Him instead to get them through.  And that means that they will get through this time on what WE leave behind for them.

 

Some have said that God will take care of them, meaning that they don’t have to think about it. They are correct in saying that God will take care of them, but God always works through His people. God is the God who prepares His people for what is coming. Always has – always will!

 

When it comes to spiritual matters, I will never know my potential under God until I step out and take risks. If we are courageous enough to take risks, there is no limit to what God can accomplish through us with His open doors of opportunity – now while the Church can still prosper and speak freely. We need to watch for the opportunities that God will give us – and not so that we think of ourselves, but so that we can prepare provision for God’s saints in the Great Tribulation.

 

This calls for wisdom today!