Daily Devotional

Ezekiel 13:12 says, “When the wall falls the people will cry out, ‘What happened?’”

 

Today God’s children are discouraged over the choices for President, over our schools and what is being taught to our children, over so-called leaders in our State Capitols, over what is happening in our cities with out of control situations, over the biased media and their lack of reporting the truth, over morality, and what we call a family, over all the evil that people don’t consider evil but good, over killing of the innocent babies in the womb. What I keep hearing from God’s children is, “What happened?”

 

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil – is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke

 

Today we need good men to stand up, and speak the truth about what is going on. We can no longer stick our heads in the sand and hope it will go away. We can no longer expect just our spiritual leaders to stand up because truth and justice are collapsing all around us. Yes it will have a cost, and it will be heavy. Some will lose loved ones, some will lose businesses, and the confiscation of their property, some might even be killed. But if we do nothing then we do not have the right to say, “What happened?” as if we had nothing to do with it!

 

We talk about the sin of Sodom and we associate it with homosexuality, and it is true that it was accepted as a normal life-style. However, in the Word the sins that caused Sodom to be wiped out was “pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door.” Sodom’s pride led them to commit detestable sins. They embraced things that made them fall into sexual sins, and the outcome of all this was destruction. The progression of evil – leads to destruction.

 

So if God destroyed these cities for pride, gluttony, and laziness, can He do it again? If so, why isn’t God’s church standing up against this? Fear of losing tax exemption? Fear of being called a radical, hateful, intolerant? Today people want words that make them feel good or give them comfort, but words will do nothing for them when judgment begins.

 

So we must listen very carefully to the truth, let it sink it deep – or we drift from it. We must remember that God is still able to help us when we embrace His truth. When His people begin to stand up and be responsible, this will have a good effect in our nation. It is when God’s people stand up for His Word, speaking the truth and living it out – lives will be saved both physically and spiritually.

 

Just a thought

 

 

The Wise Man – Part 2

Proverbs 18:15 “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.”

Proverbs 1:5 “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.“

 

When I look at the world’s situation there is a desperate need for wise men/women who can see clearly what the problem is and give solutions. However, when we talk about a wise man/woman we are also talking about character.

 

When I was the field leader for our work of Operation Mobilization in South America I wrote a book called THE PERSON THAT GOD USES: MAN OF CHARACTER. The one thing that we need is to be is men/women of influence. No matter what sphere the Lord places us in (our jobs, school, media, government, household, etc.) we can have an influence for the Kingdom of God that dwells within. (Luke 17:21)

 

One of the first things that stand out in the character of a wise man is being teachable. So often in talking with people – when something is mentioned you hear the words: “I know,” and immediately you perceive that they are not teachable. Like proverbs says, “The ears of the wise seek it out.” Or “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.“

 

We all could use the advice of Proverbs: “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” Proverbs 19:20

 

One of the things that I have noticed in my life is that God has different ways of bringing to us knowledge, but sometimes the way God uses offends us and so we miss that teachable moment. God used a jackass to teach Balaam and sometimes we might think it is a jackass trying to say something to us.

 

Another aspect of the character of a wise man is that he is a righteous man. This righteousness will come out in many ways. For example, he will be a man who will speak the truth. He will be a man of his word. “Teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you?” Proverbs 22:21

 

This righteousness will be seen in his relationship to the Lord in shunning evil, hating what is false, doing what is righteous, because of his reverential trust in the Lord.

 

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

 

Proverbs 14:16 “A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.”

 

THIS IS A MAN/WOMAN THAT WILL HAVE INLFUENCE FOR THE KNGDOM OF GOD!

 

 

Just a thought

There has been a lot of talk about racism, and the prejudice and bigotry of people in America. People say that if you do not feel the hurt of the people in Syria, or understand what Africa Americans are faced with, or for the illegal immigrants then you are not a loving person and do not represent the love of God. They say we must apologize to the world for being Americans who still believe in strong borders and military force, in law and order, in limited government and in the Bible. They say we must confess for the harm we did in stopping World War II and other countries we sent our military in to help. They say we must except (change our belief) and teach all religions of the world with all their many ways to God. And, if we do not change our belief then we are racists, bigots, intolerant hateful people that have no love in us. They believe that they are better than this; that they have the right thinking and wisdom for today, and that we stand in their way of progress.

 

How foolish their thinking is when they reject the thinking and wisdom of God that America’s earlier way of life was based on. Slavery was abolished and anyone could make something good of themselves and enjoy the fruit of their own labor. All races of people were welcomed to become legal citizens of what America stood for that is now being radically transformed. Who are the real enemies here; those of us who hold to our biblical beliefs and America’s Constitution of law and order, strong borders and military, protecting life and that government is limited in what they can and should do?

 

Who is the real enemy? Who is wreaking havoc and going on rampages of destructions? Who is ignoring the vote of the people? Who is weakening law and order, our borders, law enforcement and military? Who is giving abortionists their funding and freedoms? Who is making more and more taxes and regulations on the working class of families? Who is teaching our children that male and female, family and marriage is not what our Creator of all things created – says they are?  Who is the real enemy?

Would Jesus be a racist, intolerant, bigot, etc. by today’s standards? Yes!  

 

I refuse to accept the labels put on us by the so called enlightened of our day: the progressives, millennials, and globalists. The Word of God is very clear what the last days will look like. It tells us clearly that in the last days before Jesus Christ returns – most will turn away from true faith in God; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their good consciences are dead. These with their own evil opinions about everything will make it extremely hard for anyone else who oppose them and their evil progressive ways. These people love only themselves and their money and is why they are trying to change America and those people who hold to God’s thoughts and ways. They are boastful and proud, scoffing at God, mocking His people, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. Nothing that is sacred to God is sacred to them; for they are their own gods. They are the unloving and unforgiving ones; for they slander those with true faith in God. They have no self-control; letting their defiled minds take them deep in depravity. They are the cruel ones; hating all that is good, that God calls “good.” They will betray their own family and friends to get what they want. They are reckless without any concern for others; loving pleasure and the lusts of their flesh. They are puffed up with pride, judging God’s Word by their own ignorance and self-destructive ways. They act religious with their counterfeits faiths, but they reject the true power of God that could heal them and make them right with Him. They follow every kind of new teaching, but are never able to understand the truth that would set them free from deception and destruction. They see evil as good and good as evil. They have become depraved in their minds – and every thought has become evil all the time. Someday soon they will recognize what fools they are, but it will be too late. Now is the day of salvation!

 

So do I live my life to be accepted by people, or do I live my life to be accepted by Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God – who is coming again?

 

Just some thoughts

 

 

 

The Wise Man – Part 1

Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

 

Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

 

When my two oldest grandsons were teenagers I helped to invest in an IPhone with the challenge that the three of us would go through a program to sharpen one another, and to hold one another accountable. The program would consist of three things and we could text one another (using our IPhone).

 

The three things centered on the physical, spiritual and mental. So for five days a week lasting for six months (it takes about that amount of time for a habit to be formed) we would be texting one another daily what we did physically. And since both of them were playing football and going to the gym they had plenty of exercise for the body. They (as well as myself) would also text what we read in the Bible that morning and then thirdly the thought that God gave us through our reading. I am now doing this with my son-in-law, holding one another accountable in these three areas. Why? So that we might sharpen as well as spur one another on especially now with ‘that day’ approaching.

 

The reason that I mention this is that now in my quiet time I am beginning to read through Proverbs because it is such a practical book about the art of living. Several years ago I did this with Ecclesiastes and you can go to our ‘teaching page’ and read what was written in this series.

 

For example, this morning here is what I texted my son-in-law:

 

Physical: Nordic walking, pushups and standups. Spiritual: Proverbs 1:2-4 “for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—.” Thought: Wisdom, discipline, understanding, prudence and knowledge are needed to do that which is right, just and fair. Today in all of society and in all professions there is such a need for the characteristics mentioned above. Where can we find them? Here in the Word of God. I stand on the Word.”

 

I want to challenge you to get a partner (wife, children, colleague, etc.) to spur one another on in God’s Word and prayer.

 

May God bless!

 

 

 

God Wants Justice

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS VS. BIBLICAL CORRECTNESS

 

Isaiah 59:4 “No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments and speak lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil.

 

So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.

 

We all growl like bears; we moan mournfully like doves. We look for justice, but find none; for deliverance, but it is far away. So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.

 

The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.  He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.”

 

Reading this passage of Scripture it would seem that Isaiah is describing the day that we live in. Where is justice in these three areas: criminal justice, racial justice and equality or economic justice?

 

One of the things happening today is that through political correctness we are getting the situation confused and it is time to have biblical correctness especially when it comes to these topics.

 

With the criminal justice in our prisons, there are probably many who are innocent. How come? It is because of what we call the ‘plea deal’ or the plea bargaining system. How does it work? Here is a person who has been arrested for a particular crime that carries a stiff sentence and he is told if he pleads guilty to the crime, although innocent, he can get off a lot sooner – let’s say in one year. One year compared to ten years or a life sentence in prison sounds a lot better and so they take it even though they are innocent. Off to prison they go although innocent, but not wanting to risk the fact he/she might be longer in jail if they do not plead guilty. Then there are those who are guilty escaping sentences and back out to commit crimes.

 

When we talk about economic justice what are we talking about?

 

Obama said that we should all pay a fair share, but what does that mean? What is a fair share and who tells us what a fair share should be? How does all of this work?

 

Let’s say we have a hundred people and we give ten dollars to each person. So they are all equal. But one of them does something different and he writes a novel and sells the novel for $2 and 50 of the hundred spends two dollars to buy it. He now has $110 dollars and the 50 have $8. Did the one percent do something wrong? Did he break some law? No, he took advantage of the situation, wrote a book and sold it for two dollars and 50 people bought it. Was economic justice being unjust here? No.

 

Take economy 101: supply and demand. One has the supply that another demands. One thing that we demand is food and so we have grocery stores meeting the demand. But let us say we have an entrepreneur like Steve Jobs who invents the IPhone. At the time there is no demand for IPhones, but he creates the demand by inventing it. He takes the risk, he invents, he brings in the organization, etc. and we see that the IPhone takes off and everybody wants one. Should government penalize him for this? The workers did not take the risk, he did. His life was at stake, not the life of workers. What did he do wrong? What law did he break? There is no economic injustice here. As a matter of fact, because he took the risk and created jobs for many people they too have now become prosperous through what Steve Jobs did. Do we penalize them for this? There is no economic injustice being done here, but the progressives would have you to believe that they should be giving “their fair share” (whatever that means).

 

Then we have racial injustice, but again it is something that we must define. Along with racial injustice we have the affirmative action, diversity, etc. All of this comes in under “racial injustice.” One of the things that we see with the progressives is that they ‘muddy the water’ so that we cannot see clearly what is happening and who to blame. For example, we find that it was the Democratic Party that stood for slavery in the beginning and kept it going. They did not want the blacks to have a voice or a vote. It was not until the early 20th Century that the Democratic Party began to change because they saw that by offering the blacks ‘goodies’ most would vote for them and this is what we see today. To cover up their own record they try and place blame somewhere else, and so the Democrats say it is America’s fault. Even today we see this in almost everything that is happening to someone, it is always someone else or something else that is to blame, so that no one takes the responsibility of their own actions.

 

The Modern Progressives of today really have two faces to begin with – Eugenics and Darwinism. We see this with Fascism as well as Nazism personified by Mussolini in Italy and Hitler in Germany. Now after World War II they have changed their tune and now we have them trying to clean up their act. And of course one way to do that is through blaming America and then coming in with what they believe is the answer.

 

The solution for them is more government programs and more control. We need to always keep in mind that the cost of freedom is eternal vigilance.

Daily Devotional

Do you remember what it was like the first time you did something that you knew was wrong? Your conscience convicted you that you should not be doing it. When you kept on doing it, your conscience no longer convicted you because your conscience became seared, and you became no longer sensitive to truth and right living (righteousness).

 

When the heads/leaders of a nation have seared consciences, working against truth and righteousness, that nation no longer feels guilt for sinful lifestyles. Good becomes evil and evil becomes good. What would our great grandparents say about the lifestyles we live today? Would they cover their mouths with shame?

 

To know if you have a seared heart, you would believe this: We have become enlightened; that is why we have chosen our lifestyles. Why should we go back to the thinking of our great ancestors who never thought like we think today – as free people? I can say and do anything without any harmful consequence for my choices.

 

The Bible says that those who have their conscience seared will have leanness to their souls, or in other words, they become like raw hide, no feeling what so ever!

 

Just some thoughts.

 

Let The Fire Fall!

1 Kings 18:36-38 “At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: ‘O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.’ Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.”

 

I had been asked by a large church in Brazil to come and speak on revival. One of the things that I find interesting is that the people of God are praying for revival.

 

I arrived on the 23rd of August. That evening I spoke to the pastors and staff of the church and I mentioned that before revival there must be reformation.

 

Martin Lloyd Jones, a great 20th century preacher at Westminster Abbey in London , said that the best definition of revival is God passing by. I like that definition. How else can you explain some of the things that take place in revival except for the fact that God passed by. We see this with Moses in Exodus when God with His hand hid him in the cleft of the rock and then passed by. After that experience Moses was not the same. However, we see that before God passes by preparation is made and this is what John the Baptist did. John came preaching “prepare the way for the Lord” and then Immanuel (God with us) passes by. When Jesus does, what happens? People’s lives are touched, demons are driven out, dead are raised, people are given hope. In other words, transformation takes place.

 

However, we can pray for revival, but the one thing that we can and must do is LIVE IN DAILY REVIVAL. I brought out three things that are necessary in order for us to live in daily revival.

 

  1. Learn to live one day at a time. There is nothing that I can do about yesterday. It is already gone with its opportunities and goals. I have no promise for tomorrow, but by living for today with all that it has to offer I find that today – will be yesterday – tomorrow.
  2. Learn to repent quickly. We hang on to unconfessed sin too long. We have an advocate with the Father – the Lord Jesus Christ – and we can come to Him with our confessions and make it right with Him and anyone else. We need to learn to have faith and a clear conscience.
  3. Praise God continually, because we have so much to be thankful for. We need to be constantly offering up to the Lord the sacrifice of thanksgiving.

 

In closing I’ll use the illustration of my experience when I visited the Yosemite National Park here in California recently. They used to have what was called “The Fire is Falling,” and it was such a sight that people from all over the world would come to see it. It attracted so many people that the park’s plants would get trampled down so they stopped having this event back in the 1960s.

 

Camp Curry is the base of this thousand yard sheer cliff at the top of Glacier Point. The park workers would gather bark from trees and in the evening would burn it at Glacier Point until it was reduced to hot coals. At a set time in the evening a man at the base – at Camp Curry – would cup his hands and shout up: “LET THE FIRE FALL!” At the top, a man would shout down: “THE FIRE IS FALLING!” and then they would push the burning coals over the sheer cliff and it would look like a waterfall of fire. Many in California see this as being prophetic and they are crying out to God: “LET THE FIRE FALL!”

 

When I was preaching in Brazil the Lord brought this to my attention that in Brazil we too need to be shouting: “LET THE FIRE FALL!” I sense that God is getting ready to shout back: “THE FIRE IS FALLING!” When it does, it will be judgment for some and for others it will be a great anointing for great exploits.

 

The time is near, Jesus is coming! Are you ready?

Abraham and Lot

Continuing on with my quiet time in Genesis – Abraham and Lot.

 

“With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying ‘Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished. When Lot hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them.” Genesis 19:15-16

 

What stands out to me are two things: Lot hesitated, and the LORD was merciful to them.

 

Sodom was their home and home is hard to leave (especially for a woman), no matter how bad it is. I’m reminded of how our Lord Jesus, Savior of this world, left home to come into a world that is nothing like the perfect home He left, but He did to redeem us to our Father.

 

God in heaven saw how bad it was in Sodom where Lot and his family lived. I wonder how much contact Abraham had with his nephew Lot, and how often Lot had talked to his uncle about the evil in Sodom. Somehow I don’t think that Abraham was ignorant of Lot’s adversities living there because of how the LORD (the 3 men) came first to Abraham’s place and how the LORD (one of the 3 men) stayed with Abraham while He sent His two angels (two men) on to Sodom. I love that about our LORD; that He cares about the families of His faithful servants; He watches out for those the children they love and pray for. The LORD showed Abraham honor by staying with Abraham in conversation about it, and reassuring Abraham that his nephew and family would be taken out before the city was destroyed by fire.

 

It is stated that Lot was righteous, not because he was a perfect man without sin, but because of who he trusted in and obeyed: the God of Abraham. “Abraham obeyed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.” We are called “the righteous of God” when we trust in God’s Son – Jesus Christ for what He did on the cross for us with His own body and blood, and keep our hearts right with Him in what He instructs us to do, both when we sin against each other, and in doing what He gives us to do for Him. When we sin against each other first we acknowledge it and confess it to God, and then make restitution with whom we have sinned against.

 

My sin only affects people, not God. God can not be influenced or changed by our wicked ways and thoughts. (Job 35:5-8) Father God watches how His children treat each other. He’s delighted and honored when we love one another and have a genuine interest in the welfare of others. He’s grieved and even angered when we don’t. His painful discipline shows up then, and it comes in all sorts of ways to make us more like His Son Jesus. This is for our good future.

 

I have to admit that with the way our culture in America seems to be headed – we need to be prepared for what is coming. And, unlike Lot, not hesitate when given the warning from the LORD. And, unlike Lot’s wife who preferred to stay in Sodom, her home, was left behind and turned into a pillar of salt.

 

The LORD expects us to be pillars in society of His righteousness and salvation, and not become ‘emotionally’ involved – attached and committed to this world – preferring this temporary life to eternal life with our Savior, and looking to take others with us into GLORY!

 

“God is mighty, but despises no one; He is mighty, and firm in His purpose. He does not keep the wicked alive but gives the afflicted their rights. He does not take His eyes off the righteous; He enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever. But if people are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction, He tells them what they have done – that they have sinned arrogantly. He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil. If they obey and serve Him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge……HOW GREAT IS GOD – BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING!” Job 36:5-12

Daily Devotional

I just finished reading the book of Nehemiah, and noted all the attacks he faced. Evil always uses the same method of attacking any work of God.

 

  1. Scoffing – Nehemiah 2:19
  2. Mocking – Nehemiah 4:1
  3. Physical harm – Nehemiah 4:7-9
  4. Slander – Nehemiah 5:6-7
  5. Gain access to our leadership – Nehemiah 6:19
  6. Infiltrate our places of worship Nehemiah 13:5
  7. Destroy our godly families – Nehemiah 13:28

 

2 Corinthians 2:11 “So that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”

 

Ephesians 6:10-13 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”

 

Lord, give us Your wisdom to recognize the schemes of the evil one, help us to stand up against evil with Your truth and love. Forgive us for entertaining evil in our own hearts, in our homes and in our places of worship. Thank You that You forgive and restore because of the good future You have for those who love You. Help us to stay on Your path Lord!

 

Daily Devotional

One definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over but expecting a different result. For example: The people of America have a very low opinion of Congress, but we keep voting in the same people or the same types of people, and expecting a different result.

 

It is easy to want to analyze, to scrutinize and just talk and debate about all the problems in America: the government branches, our schools, our families, and disasters of all kinds, etc. But, we need people who will speak the truth about why we have all these problems, and then stand up and do something that can actually start solving the problems! It starts with each one of us seeing the truth and then becoming part of the solution – working together. It is not someone else’s country; it is ours, “we the people!”

 

Today all I hear is how bad our choices for president are. So why is this the best we can come up with? What happened to men of upright character, men with true integrity, men with godly wisdom; why don’t they run? And, if they do run, then why are they not the ones voted in? Is there a difference of opinion on what is godly? Is there a difference in our opinions on “the truth?”

 

We are asked this question, “Where is the mind of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 2:16) So what is HIS mind and what is HE saying for this time in America? For, it did not catch HIM unaware! Could it be that judgment has come, or is about to really come to America? If so, what would this judgment look like? How should we acknowledge it? Should we look to our Congress, or to our President, or to our professors in universities, or to our scientists and explorers? Who should we look to and listen to and agree with?

 

When God judged Israel and Judah for being unfaithful, what happened? Natural catastrophes, war, diseases, and a total rebellion towards God and His Word. So America ask yourself, what is God saying about America today? Are we going to continue with this “insanity” or make the changes that bring the result of a nation united under God?

 

 

Just some thoughts