Reality or Fantasy?

Posted by & filed under Carols Blog.

What really matters at the end of your life? It’s what really matters all through your life!

 

Fantasy: not understanding what is real and lasting, truly purposeful and fulfilling; believing the lies of the enemy about your life and the world’s future.

 

Reality: knowing the truth about God and yourself, about your community and world from God’s point of view; living the life that is truly life as Jesus taught.

 

Reality is found in Jesus Christ! Fantasy is rooted in the devil’s lies and deceptions.

 

Has the American Church lost its “saltiness” (preserving righteousness in the land) and lost its “light” (godly influence with others and in communities)?

 

Jesus said: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Matthew 5:13

 

Has our modern-day Christianity been trampled on and thrown out of society?

 

The Lord tells us to keep to the “ancient” path of HIS LIGHT, and not to follow new paths that have a form of godliness – but denying the ‘power of God’ in our lives and in our communities. When God’s favor and power is at work in the nation’s church of Jesus Christ – great things are bound to happen.

 

Jesus said: “You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14

 

Have we hidden our light – afraid of persecution from the ungodly (evil darkness) so that we have conformed to the ways of the world with our own idols?

 

“By God’s light we walk through darkness.” Job 29:3

 

We live in evil darkness all around us, rapidly growing with intensity, as the Day of the Lord approaches. (Jesus said)

 

In America the Church became “tails” instead of “heads” because we preferred pleasing ourselves instead of pleasing the Lord. (Revelation 2 and 3) We began looking to the government to protect the nation instead of being the watchmen we should’ve been – watching continually and praying effectively. We failed to vote and hold key positions in the land: in the government where laws are made and repealed, where judges sit, those that lead soldiers into battle, those that train and instruct law officers and first responders, those that teach in schools and universities, etc. We have failed to be heads like our founding fathers were. So we the Lord’s people have been laughed at instead of being feared as we should.

 

When God’s people are living in faithful obedience to God – God covers us with His favor. When God covers us with His favor, His power is with us and when His power is with us – the ungodly tremble and surrender. People even get saved by our personal testimonies of Jesus Christ who has saved and redeemed us! He doesn’t just save us from going to Hell – He saves us from our enemies. He will go before us as we humbly pray and obey what He says to do. He’ll go behind us as we obey!

 

What happens when we continue to resist the Word and Spirit of God? We get what we see happening throughout America today.

 

“Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far off. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter.” Isaiah 59:14

 

Righteousness stands far off! WHY? Are WE, the people of the Lord, UNITEDLY working together for the sake of righteousness and the truth to prevail? Why is the Church so divided over what is happening in our nation?

 

Who are you REALLY; you who belong to Christ?

 

Why are you REALLY alive?

 

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Colossians 2:8

 

For what REALITY did Christ forgive you of all your sins? Heaven? Or, both heaven and earth? We are responsible for how the ungodly got so much control. We are responsible for the land we live in.

 

Has the American Church followed behind the ungodly evolution of our culture? The answer is clearly seen in our private lives and in our government!

 

“Reality is found in Jesus Christ!” (Colossians 2:17) “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, Jesus made a public spectacle of THEM, triumphing over them by the cross.” Colossians 2:15

 

“Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules….These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, based on merely human commands and teachings.” Colossians 2:20-22

 

What life are we living: reality or fantasy?

 

Are We Exercising?

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

 

My wife and I (before she had her aneurysm and stroke) would go to the gym to exercise because we needed it to maintain health and an immune system to battle disease, etc. Along with that we need to eat right and what is true for the physical body is no different for the spiritual. To be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might we must exercise.

 

First, we are told that we are to run with patience. This means patient endurance and we see that this is one of the secrets of the Christian life. In the New Testament, the idea of spiritual exercise comes out: in Ephesians, we are told to be strong in the Lord and to stand; in Hebrews, we are told to run with patience; Jude brings out that we are to build ourselves up in the most holy faith, etc. What we find is that instead of doing nothing the Christian life ought to be filled with activity, stamina and a life of exertion.

 

I have been having my devotions in Hebrews for the last several days and we see that the author is telling us as well as Hebrew Christians what to do during their ‘evil day.’ The Hebrews were having great trouble, in a very unhappy state and about ready to give up like many today have. We find that the author of Hebrews does not mince words, but gives a very stern warning. He is not patting them on the back and giving them a sentimental message, but instead reminds them that in the world they will have persecution. Part of being strong in the Lord is to understand this.

 

Author of Hebrews reminds them and us that we are to pay careful attention to what we have heard lest we drift. Many of God’s people are drifting, because it is the easiest thing to do. It is easy to drift with the current (culture) instead of going against the flow. We see in Hosea how the Israelites went to Egypt (the world) for help and found out that their life became a mockery, a contempt because Egypt could not deliver them and this is true of the world as well. We are to look forward to the hope that we have; for now it is only a shadow of the reality that is to come.

 

In chapter 5 of Hebrews we see what the problem was with the Hebrew Christians and with many believers today. They were babies and needed milk. In Hebrews 5:11 we read that they were “dull” in hearing. The word ‘dull’ means sluggish, lazy or even stupid.

 

Dake’s commentary brings it out this way: “Milk-feeding was a metaphor used by many writers, both sacred and profane, to express the first principles of religion and science. They applied sucking to learning; infant to every beginner; and meat to those who had learned the first principles of truth.”

 

We need to learn to exercise our senses regarding the Word of God. So often we try to live on a verse here and there and it does not work. We need to dig in, read and study it. We need to meditate on what we read and when we do not fully understand what we read – we can go to the Holy Spirit and ask for wisdom and He will lead us into all truth. Look at the great saints of old in Hebrews 11 and how they spent time with God and in the Word.

 

We concentrate on evangelism and that is good, but the way to evangelize is to build up one another (the church). We are told in Hebrews 10:24, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.” The word ‘stir’ is the same word used in Acts 15:39 where Paul and Barnabas had a “sharp” disagreement over John Mark. The word for ‘stir’ is a strong word. It would be like getting a kick in the pants to get going. Quit feeling sorry for yourself. You have a “blessed hope,” you have angels encamped around you, you have the Word of God and the help of the Holy Spirit, etc. This seems to be what the author of Hebrews is telling the Hebrew Christians and us as well.

 

So, what are we to do? Hebrews 12:2: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The word “looking” means to ‘consider.’ So, to be “strong in the Lord and the power of His might” we consider Jesus in every way.

 

Jesus Christ is our example. This is why the reading of the four gospels is so important.

 

 

 

Four Types of Leadership

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

In my studies of the Bible I find that there are 4 leader types. These leader types are still seen today as well in their results.

 

The first one I call “Saul leadership.” This type has the look, personality and ability to be a great leader, but has one flaw: fear of what people think. This will always lead to failure.

 

The second type is a “Samuel leadership” for the spiritual condition of a nation. These leaders speak truth to power, and ‘the power’ is afraid of them, even hating them. These leaders are not elected but ordained by God.

 

The third type is what I call “David leadership.” These are men are called by God at an early age to lead; they have a love for God and His word. These men are not perfect at all. They will have a sinful past like anyone else. But these humble men seek God with all their heart. These leaders are men who will fight for the good, and defend those who can’t defend themselves. They have a great love for the people.

 

The last type appears when you do not have a Saul, Samuel or David type. This type I call the “Jehu leadership.” Men will call this type of leader a “mad man.” This leader’s only purpose is to rid the land of wicked leadership, or in other words: “drain the swamp.”

 

We have a Jehu type in office right now, so if you want to see what this type will do, read about him in the word of God: 2 Kings 9-10

 

 

 

Blessed Hope

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Psalms 31:24 “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”

 

In this spiritual warfare God is calling us to be “strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” and we have been asking ourselves the question: What does this mean and how can we put this truth into action?

 

We can be strong in the Lord by knowing what is waiting for us – known as the “blessed hope.” We realize that this life is passing away; we are on a journey and the real thing is yet to come. This life is only the shadow of the reality to come.

 

The patriarchs of old are examples for us. Abraham went out not knowing where he was going, but he knew Who he was going with. And like Moses, they were seeking a city whose builder and maker is God. In other words, they had their eye on the glory to come.

 

1 John 3:2-3 tells us: “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

 

Hope is a powerful emotion and we have something to have hope in. It is this “blessed hope” that keeps us strong in the Lord and also wanting to live a life of purity, to be more like Jesus. We will see Jesus face to face when we stand before Him. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

 

To be able to put this into practice is to realize that when we became born-again a seed was planted in us for a new life. To see this new life grow we must feed it and this is where the Word of the Lord comes in. We must maintain our physical body and so it is with our spiritual life. Just like we should eat healthy foods, not junk food, we want to feed our spirit on the Word of God and not the junk that we see and hear and are bombarded with every day.

 

We know from John 6:53-60 that Jesus is our food and we also know from John 1 that He is the Word and this is what we must spend time with. Moses say that we should live on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. The Bible gives us knowledge and true understanding that builds us up and makes us strong in the Lord and the power of His might.

 

Timothy was to remain strong by remembering the things that he was taught by Paul and others. This too is something that we must have and remember. We forget too easily, especially when things are not going our way.

 

The situation was pretty bad for Nehemiah and his team as they were building the wall around Jerusalem. In some ways it was a super-human undertaking with many obstacles and enemies trying to stop them. What did Nehemiah do? “And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, ‘Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.’” Nehemiah 4:14

 

Like us, they had a rich inheritance that they could look back to: Moses leading the children of Israel out of Egypt; Joshua and the battles fought in taking over the Promised land; King David and the victories that came about because God was with him. So Nehemiah says: “Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

 

With Nehemiah talking to the builders of the wall, and Paul speaking to Timothy, and to us as well – we are be challenged to always remember the Lord. He is the King of kings and this battle is between God and Satan, and God will win!

 

Part of remembering is the power of prayer. Prayer is not just petitions to God, it is our communication with the living God. When I am driving in the car I do not like to listen to the radio, but instead I choose to communicate with God. What a privilege we have!

 

Didn’t Jesus offer us an invitation in Revelation 3:20? “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” This is not an evangelistic message, but reminding us to have communion with the living God.

 

The greatest saints have always been men of prayer, spending a lot of time in prayer.

Students of God’s Word

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Jeremiah 4:22 “For My people are foolish, they have not known Me. They are silly children, and they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.”

 

In chapter 4 the prophet brings out a charge that God has against His people. He says: “There is no truth or mercy (faithfulness) or knowledge of God in the land.” This is interesting when we consider what follows next in this passage – when there is no truth or mercy (faithfulness) or knowledge of God.

 

When these attributes of truth, mercy and having a knowledge of God are absent we see that it brings into our culture all types of evil. Going through this chapter we see a number of things coming out: swearing, lying, killing, stealing, adultery, blood being shed in the land; and the land is mourning because of it. We find that the priest as well as the prophet have no real word from God, and so not only the priest and prophet stumble but also the people. The bottom line is in verse 6: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

 

We read that they have forgotten the law of God. When I think of our own culture of how there is such a desire to get rid of the 10 Commandments – the law of God – from any public institution we see the results of this today: there is no truth or mercy (faithfulness) being shown. Or like Isaiah said: “And the right is turned back, and righteousness is far away: for good faith is not to be seen in the public places, and upright behavior may not come into the town.” (Isaiah 59:14 BBE)

 

Because of this lack of knowledge, we find that we tend to gravitate more towards idols (anything that replaces God) and therefore find ourselves more enslaved. In other words, we find that we are losing our freedom. When I look at my own country I find that this is a completely different country than what I knew as a young man.

 

Here in the USA and in the Western countries we hear a lot about this ‘cultural war’ that we are in. But what does this mean? It seems to come down to the conflict between traditionalism/conservative values, and progressive/liberal values.  But when we mention these two values: conservative versus progressive, what do we mean, or what values are these? Probably the best definition would be ‘the values that express the attitude of social groups as a whole.’ But both those who hold conservative values and those who hold progressive values, I believe, want the same thing, and that is freedom, a chance for prosperity with as little suffering as possible, healthy children, crime free streets (think of Chicago!) etc. But, the question is and this is where the war or conflict comes in: What is the best way to achieve these things?

 

Progressives believe in the government to achieve these goals of equal opportunity, equal outcome, alleviating needs or social ills and for the government to solve these problems. On the contrary, the conservatives believe in personal responsibility, a limited government, free markets and individual liberty. I know that this is a very simple explanation for the difference in these two points of view, but this is where the cultural war comes in.

 

I would like to add that looking at this from a biblical background that the real battle is between God and Satan, or good vs evil. This scenario is being played out in what we call the cultural war and we are in it.

 

A charge that God had against the children of Israel was that they had no knowledge of God like Jeremiah said: “For My people are foolish, they have not known Me. They are silly children, and they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.”

 

So how do we get a knowledge of God? It is through God’s Word and when we put it into practice we begin to experience the presence of God. In a day of deceit, lies, etc. we need the truth. But what is truth? Jesus said “I am the Truth!” But we also see in John that Jesus Christ is known as the Word of God.

 

We have the Word of God, the Holy Bible in our hands, or on our book shelf just gathering dust. The Bible is the ultimate Truth and everything (values) must be validated by God’s truth.

 

Paul told a young man: “Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another — showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way.  Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (from THE MESSAGE)

 

LET US BE STUDENTS OF HIS WORD!

Those Who Suffer – Beware of Judging

Posted by & filed under Carols Blog.

As we learn in the beginning of the book of Job, the devil roams the earth looking for whom he can devour, or at least torment (as he most enjoys doing with God’s people).

 

As we learn in the book of Job, it is important to God that we not judge incorrectly when someone is suffering in some way, nor speak incorrectly of God to the one suffering (as Job’s 3 friends did).

 

Job’s three friends saw Job’s suffering as God’s judgment on Job’s ‘secret’ sin/sins. Yet, Job himself knew otherwise because Job’s heart did not condemn him. God Himself said of Job: “There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Job was so obedient in repentance that he even sacrificed for his kids after they had partied together in case any of them sinned by getting drunk or doing what they should not do.

 

We can not know why someone else is suffering, not like God knows. In fact, it’s not for us ‘to know.’ We know our own suffering, and maybe even why – as it’s been revealed to us by God. We can only comfort, help and pray for those suffering – in the way the Holy Spirit leads us. Really, what else do we have to truly comfort others with?

 

“God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (2 Corinthians 1:4)

 

“God is the Father of compassion and the God of ALL comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:3)

 

Reading through all the conversations between Job and these three friends (28 chapters of it – not including Job’s fourth friend who waits to speak), not only did Job suffer from what God allowed Satan to do to Job, but also suffering the persecution of his three friends who saw Job’s suffering due to some ‘secret’ sin in Job’s life that had all caught up to him. They saw Job’s good deeds and piety, so what else could it be (they reasoned to themselves) than some ‘secret’ sin that God was judging him for! Right?

 

Job’s fourth friend, Elihu, also the youngest of the four friends, doesn’t enter in to any of the conversations for days between Job and the other three. He sits patiently and listens until the truth is burning inside him, and then he speaks. But he doesn’t see Job’s suffering the way the other three see it. In fact, he doesn’t understand why this has happened to Job either, just like Job doesn’t understand. Elihu makes no judgment. He simply worships God for who He is. There’s something ‘healing’ (promising) about praising God for who He is, and ‘comforting’ (hopeful) as we remind ourselves of all His wonderful ways since the beginning of time.

 

I find it interesting that at the end when God rebukes the three older friends, He does not include Elihu. At the end the Lord says to Eliphaz: “I am angry with you and your two friends because you have not spoken the truth about Me, as My servant Job has.” Then the Lord tells the three men to repent and sacrifice burnt offerings for themselves. And God goes on to say, “My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken the truth about Me, as My servant Job has.”

 

If you have ever read the book of Job you know why Job suffered the loss of everything that belonged to him, even his children all at once. What a blow! Then if that weren’t enough, God allowed Satan to afflict Job with painful sores. This was all that Job could take, and God knew it like He knows the limit of suffering that we each can bear and will provide relief.

 

The devil needs God’s permission to go after one of God’s servants. But why on earth (or in heaven) would God allow Satan to do all that to one of God’s servants that God calls righteous, upright and blameless? Was it only to show up Satan in what he claimed; that Job would deny God if God were to remove the hedge of protection around Job and his family? Job’s wife did, but Job could not. And, it had to make Satan angry to hear Job remain faithful to God like he did!

 

How often we hear that until we walk in someone else’s shoes we can’t understand what they’re going through. But I believe, that NO ONE else but Jesus Christ can walk in someone else’s shoes. This is why our Lord calls us to “walk with Him.”

 

When I’m in the presence of a suffering loved one who can’t understand why God would let him/her suffer so long and so painfully, I better not assume their suffering is God’s judgment on their sin. When a suffering soul speaks out against God, even accusing Him of evil conduct or not caring, I don’t need to come to God’s defense feeling offended by their outbursts of anger and fear. That’s between them and the Lord. I simply need to pray for them.

 

When we stand before God on judgment day God will see us in only one of two ways: known by Jesus Christ, or not known. If we are not known – then we stand on our own without Christ – judged and condemned, even if the only sin we ever committed was a lie. Otherwise, we stand with Christ Jesus as our Redeemer, welcomed in to His Kingdom.

 

God works in our lives to bring us into His ‘intimate’ fellowship that He longs to have each day with each us. Like Job said, “My ears had heard of You but now my eyes have seen You!” Job was a religious man before all his suffering. But after God brought relief to Job, blessing him far more than before – Job and God were very intimate. We pray and help – as we wait to see or hear the outcome of that person’s very own testimony.

 

What was Job’s testimony? This is my favorite part:

 

“I know that You can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted… Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know… My ears had heard of You but now my eyes have seen You… Therefore, I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:1-6)

 

When we belong to the Lord, suffering for any amount of time can only have a good work in us, if we will keep His truth before us, and remember how intensely loved we are by God.

 

Like Elihu stated with great confidence: “God is exalted in His power. Who is a teacher like Him? Remember to extol His work, which people have praised in song. All humanity has seen it! How great is God – beyond our understanding!” Job 36:22-26

 

 

Proverbs 31 Woman – Chapter 25 – Wisdom is Proved

Posted by & filed under Carols Blog.

The Scriptures were written through God’s appointed Spirit-filled men. (2 Timothy 3:16) So, when there appears to be a mistake or contradiction in God’s Word we should not stand in judgment over God’s Word but rather ask the Holy Spirit of God’s Word to guide us into His wisdom for the understanding we need. We don’t change God’s Word. God’s Word changes us.

 

Jesus is quoted by Matthew: “Wisdom is proved right by her actions.” Matthew 11:19

 

Jesus is quoted by Luke: “Wisdom is proved right by all her children.” Luke 7:35

 

Jesus refers to ‘wisdom’ in the feminine form both times. But all throughout the Bible ‘leadership’ or ‘headship’ is masculine based. I believe it is important for us to understand why. God created man first and told him what to do. Men are to lead their wives and family. Men are to lead in the work of the Gospel. Men are to lead in their nation and world. And, they need a woman of faith and godly wisdom by their side.

 

Satan hasn’t stopped talking and deceiving people since he succeeded in the Garden of Eden. He has used the same kind of lies and deceptions on men, women and children in every generation since to turn people away from the truth and wisdom of God.

 

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.” Proverbs 9:10-13

 

I don’t know about you but I see lots of suffering these days. I don’t mean the kind of suffering that godly men and women experience when they are persecuted for being God-fearing Bible believing servants of the Lord. I mean the kind of suffering all over the world that comes because God’s love and laws are not honored and upheld.

 

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” James 3:13-16

 

The Holy Spirit had Matthew write “actions” and Luke write “children” to show a connection with the two. Our children learn from our actions more than from our words. Our children (and people in the world) need to see the results of true wisdom from God because we’ve seen far too many bad and worthless results from worldly wisdom.

 

Godly wisdom knows the good to do and how to do it, and when it is to be done. Godly wisdom knows how to rightly use knowledge, skills, wealth and power. The goal of pure wisdom is for the will of God to be done, starting with God’s will for me and my family.

 

Women of God, daughters of Eve – before we can speak with true wisdom and give faithful instruction to others we need to make any and all necessary adjustments in our own belief system and lifestyle.  Your work and ministries will not matter at all if you have listened to the wrong voices and acted out in that way.

 

The Proverbs 31 Woman proves that her wisdom is pure by her right actions. The results prove that her wisdom is true for all.

 

If we look at the world today we’d have to admit that we have not been very successful in “turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous.” (Luke 1:17) The church of Jesus Christ needs to turn from our own wicked ways – so the Lord can heal our marriages and families.

 

“Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.” 2 John verse 8

 

What happens to us when we learn to do what we don’t want to do that we should do? We learn the wisdom of God and receive His joy and praise. Too often, we act like little children when we neglect doing what we need to do for our physical and spiritual health, when we fight (rebel) against doing what we need to do for our good future, and when we resist the Holy Spirit in doing what we should do for the Lord. Why – when we should be mature teachers and leaders – are we still thinking and acting like children or even babies before our heavenly Father?

 

“For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son. Endure suffering therefore; God is treating you as His beloved children. For what son is not discipline by his father?” Hebrews 12:6-7

 

God’s wisdom is proved right by God’s people; by their righteous behavior, actions, lifestyle, family unity and work.

 

Revelation 19:7-8 “Let us rejoice and celebrate and give HIM the GLORY. For the marriage of the LAMB has come, and His bride has made herself ready. She was given clothing of fine linen bright and pure. For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.”

 

Rest in a Weary World

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

When we think of Adam’s sin, what comes to mind? Is it that he too ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that the Lord forbid them to eat from? Or, is it that Adam asserted his own will instead of God’s will? I think it is the latter.

 

We read in Scripture that at one time there was only God’s will and because of only one will there was peace, harmony, etc. We read In Isaiah 14 about a being called Lucifer, who said: “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.”

 

From that time on there has been war and conflict taking place in the world and now since Adam and Eve did their own thing and not the will of God we find that every child that is born is born with their own will that conflicts with God’s will.

 

We know that a conflict is a clash between two wills and with billions of wills today on planet earth it is amazing to me that we have had as much peace as we have. We know that a day is coming when “the LORD shall be King over all the earth; in that day shall there be one LORD, and His name one.” We are to pray “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10

 

That will be a great day when no one can dispute Jehovah’s rule. There will not be any favoritism or double standard, no difference in law, or will, or rule, but all will be in harmony, unity and agreement. This is what Christ’s Millennial Rule will be and the peace that it will bring. So we pray for His kingdom to come and for His will to be done. The two go together.

 

The reason we have no peace or rest in the world today, as well as in many families, etc. is because there is more than one will. More than one will by necessity brings conflict and confusion. We sometimes hear of “Dual Control,” but it is a delusion and something that exists in words, not reality.

 

The one thing that we all long for is peace and rest and the secret for this is ONE WILL, God’s will. As long as there are two wills there can be no peace, but when our will is subject to God’s will we find peace and rest. We see the example of the Lord Jesus Christ when He walked the earth as a man and the rest and peace that He exhibited. How He found rest in the midst of rejection; found rest in the midst of John the Baptist’s doubts; how He found rest when the people of that generation rejected Him, or how He found rest when the cities that saw His greatest works still did not believe.

 

“At that time Jesus answered and said, ‘I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.’ At that time He turns to His weary disciples and says: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Come to me is the invitation; let His will be done is the request, and the result is rest for our souls. Do we want rest, peace and tranquility? If so then we find it in doing the will of God.

 

We pray for unity in the church (the Body of Christ), but if each member in the body is doing the will of God then unity is the outcome and the consequence of that is: that the world may believe. That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17:21

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Will NOT Apologize!

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

10 things I will not apologize for:

1. Being a white male, for this is how God made me.
2. Living in America, for this is where God placed me.
3. That the standard for my life is the word of God (the Bible)…
4. Knowing the truth about good and evil (sin), for this has set me free.
5. Having parents that were “red necks,” people with red necks because they work hard under the sun all day; parents who lived through WW1, the great depression, WW2, the Korean war, and Vietnam war. For parents who taught me how to work for what I need and want, and not taking advantage of others.
6. For discipling my children as I was disciplined and held accountable for my actions; understanding this truth that “if it doesn’t hurt – it doesn’t work.”
7. For my failures, for they taught me never to give up on my dreams.
8. For my successes, for they allowed me to see my potential and the ability to help others.
9. For not having enough money saved in my old age, still working, because I gave most of it away to those in need.
10. For knowing what is coming by what the Bible says, and being prepared for it.

I think we have too many people in America that want people to apologize for things they should never apologize for. These people feel that if they can make others apologize then they are justified in saying, “It is not my fault.” They see it’s the fault of other’s: the fault of their government, God’s fault, the fault of Christianity, whatever – for the condition they are in.

The truth is that these people who want us to apologize, they never took advantage of anything God brought their way for their own good future, and soon God will hold them accountable for their choices in life.

Are We Awake?

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Luke 19:44 “They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

 

“Because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” To me this is a warning. I need to make sure that I recognize God’s timing. Ecclesiastes states that there is a timing for everything. I need to be aware of His timing. Opportunities come by, but they do not linger and if I do not take advantage of them they pass on.

 

Mark 13:33 “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”

 

Luke 12:56 “Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?”

 

One of the complaints that Jesus had with the people of His day is that they did not recognize signs of the times and of His coming. What was true in Jesus day is also true in our day as well. Do we recognize what is taking place all around us locally as well as globally?

 

I read many articles written by Bible scholars telling us that we are in the last days and that this is the last generation, and I believe that they are right. We see the alignment of nations according to Ezekiel 38 and 39. We see how the Ottoman Empire under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey is re-emerging. One could go on and bring out many other things taking place today, but I wonder if we see what the Lord is doing in opening doors for us (the Body of Christ) to evangelize the world to finish the task that He gave us two thousand years ago.

 

Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. 

 

For example, the turmoil in the Middle East today is also being used of God to bring many Muslims to the Lord. Those who have been working among these people say that more Muslims are coming to the Lord than during all of the other centuries put together. Do we see the open door?

 

We are told that people are not apt to change unless motivated by some sort of pain. Could this be what the Lord is doing today with so many upheavals that we are reading about taking place all over the world?

 

Decades ago my wife and I were on the OM Ship Logos in India when war broke out between India and Pakistan and a new country called Bangladesh was born. It used to be East Pakistan with over 100 million Muslims, the third largest Muslim country in the world. It all started when a tidal wave in the Bay of Bengal swept into East Pakistan killing thousands. This led to a war with West Pakistan and ten million refugees fled into the Calcutta area of India. This was costing the Indian government almost one million dollars a day and so India decided it would be cheaper to go to war with West Pakistan and see East Pakistan become a free country. Hence out of the fire of war Bangladesh was born and because their lives had been shaken many Bangladeshis were opened to the Gospel.

 

I was getting ready to speak (I forget what country it was that I was speaking in), but before I was called to the pulpit I was writing down all of the countries that I had been in over the past few years where there had been war, riots or some sort of uprising and how many people were killed in the process. It numbered in the millions.

 

Yes, we can look at this and say ‘the time is at hand for the Lord’s return’ and I would agree, but my main question would be: Do we recognize God’s timing when it comes to evangelizing a people, a nation, or even our neighbor? Because we did not, or do not recognize what the Lord is doing, how many opportunities have we missed in not seeing God’s work being done?

 

There is a great need for the anointing of the sons of Issachar: “Of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command.” 1 Chronicles 12:32

 

I wonder how many opportunities did I miss because I was lazy, sleeping when I should have been awake, busy with worldly pursuits, not attentive to God and the move of the Holy Spirit, busy building my own kingdom or reputation, etc.? I do not know, but one of these days I will see. Will I be ashamed?

 

“Father, give me eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to understand the signs of the times and have a knowledge of what to do. I ask this in Jesus Name. Amen.”