Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

I have been thinking a lot about this great country of ours, and have come to the following conclusions. We are no longer united, and why? It appears that the older generation is more conservative than the younger generation. The older generation worked with their hands to make things and grow things, etc., while the new generation works with their hands on computers and phones. The older generation never thought about what the government owed them, but rather what good could come from their hard work. The new generation lists all of the demands they think they are entitled to, but never understanding that all of their entitlements have a lot of cost to others.

 

As most of you know I am a builder, therefore I will put this into an analogy of a building and what I see happening in America. Today we have two things affecting the structure (America) that is eating away from the stability of the building: termites and dry rot. Interesting that neither of them do any damage to concrete, but just the structure above the foundation. How does one know that he has a problem with dry rot or termites? They will begin to notice some signs, cracks in the sheetrock, doors and windows do not open and close properly, floors become uneven. If the termites and dry rot is not removed the building will collapse on the foundation. It is foolishness to think that we can change the foundation to correct the problem.

 

In America this new thinking about what everyone is entitled to is causing the structure of America to collapse. How do we know this? Just look at the signs. We have cracks in our walls; America is not protected as it should be. Inter-structure of roads, bridges, levees, etc. do not operate like they used to. All of a sudden the structure that used to be level is twisted and warped (immorality, anger, violence in our cities) and falling down. The thinking today is not to remove what has been damaged and what has caused the damage, but rather go after the very foundation itself and remove it. They think that if they can change the foundation this will correct all of the problems of the structure.

 

Just some thoughts

 

 

The Mark of the Beast

Posted by & filed under Carols Blog.

Went to see the movie Snowden with my honey, and was amazed to see how a government (or any excellent hacker) can find out anything about anybody anywhere and at any time. At the end of the movie – Snowden said that ‘cyber mass surveillance’ isn’t about what government leaders want you to believe it’s about: finding terrorists and preventing terrorist’s plans from succeeding; but rather about economic and social CONTROL. Snowden revealed that in America under Obama there was far more of this surveilling going on than in any other nation. This was why he did what he did in exposing it over ‘world media,’ and why he’s considered a hero by so many, instead of a traitor.

 

Mike and I have mixed feelings about cyber mass surveillance. On one hand, it makes good sense to use this system to expose and capture terrorists and their bases in America, or in any country. If you are innocent – why should you care if they hack into your emails, Facebook page, twitter, etc. and all web-paths you travel? They’re only after terrorists and criminals – right?

 

But, on the other hand we know (by what is revealed in God’s Word) that right before Jesus Christ returns – the whole world will be under the control of the last anti-Christ with his prophet and beast, and where all people will be required to take what is called the “mark of the beast” into either their hand or forehead. What is the real purpose for this? Is it only to protect our personal identity, wealth and social life – like we’ll be told? Or, is there more to it?

 

We see how close we are to this mark in the flesh because of how the existing system has too many ways for evildoers to take what they want from anyone, and to use what they find – against you. So to have this thing implanted in people sounds sensible and practical, right? But, it’s only half the truth; the real reason for this is a secret of God’s number one enemy (Satan) in order to bring all people in the world under his control. Another conspiracy theory? It’s not just theory – it’s a fact. Read what God has to say about it in His Word. God doesn’t hide truth from those who seek the truth for the right reasons.

 

There’s been many anti-Christs throughout the history of man, as seen in evil men and women doing the will of the evil one who rebels against the will of the Holy One. When God kicked His most powerful and beautiful angel out of Heaven for usurping authority that God didn’t give him – Lucifer became God’s number one enemy. The devil took one-third of God’s angels with him. Anything or anyone that God favors or loves – Satan hates with a vengeance. Does God love you? Does He favor you?

 

The last Anti-Christ will be Satan himself entering a prepared human vessel for world dominance (“globalism”) with his mandatory “mark” in the flesh of every human being. This man or child in whom the devil will fully possess is probably alive today. Just as Jesus came into the world as a child and then at the time of His 3 year ministry God’s Spirit of power and authority came upon Him (when baptized by John the prophet), a similar way takes place for Satan to come into his full strength of purpose as the last Anti-Christ with his prophet preparing his way and his mark on all his followers. When anyone comes to Jesus Christ to be forgiven and born again – they receive the seal of the Holy Spirit; a deposit guaranteeing that they will receive all that Christ promised them. But as we read in the Word of God Satan’s reign is cut short to 3 years or 3 ½ years for the sake of God’s elect on the earth at that time; for them it will be horrible to live in this time not taking the mark of the beast; not being able to buy what they’ve been able to buy before or sell anything – without the devil’s mark. Satan is the counterfeit savior of the world, but the world will see him as their hope for peace and prosperity.

 

This “mark” is Satan’s branding of humans to control the world for his evil agenda. Satan, with his army, is planning to stand against the Return of the LORD when our King of Glory rides in with His undefeatable army. In the Lord’s army at this time – there will be no casualties! But in Satan’s army there will be total death. Here is what is going to happen whether you believe it or not:

 

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one knows but He Himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh He has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords. And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, ‘Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, great and small.’ Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and His army. But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the Rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.” Revelation 19 and 20

 

Those who follow along with the devil’s deceptive ways will also follow him into everlasting torment on the Day God condemns Satan to everlasting torment.

 

Without this “mark” you will not be able to buy or sell. But, God tells people to trust in Him instead of this system of the beast; to turn their life over to Him and He will not fail you. Satan is a liar and God has given him the name “father of lies.” Do not be deceived. Come to Jesus and be filled with His Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth and shows us how to be prepared with our families for what is coming that Jesus said was coming.

 

Satan knows the Son of God is coming again, but not as the sacrificial Lamb of God, but as the conquering King, and the devil is gearing up for this last battle on the earth between good and evil. But if you know your Scriptures (the Word of God) then you know how this battle ends, and how our heavenly Father brings all evil to its end with the second coming of His Beloved Son: Faithful and True. Choose who want to follow into life after death because there are only two places prepared by God: Heaven and Hell.

 

As I was out praying and talking to my heavenly Father about the movie – I had to PRAISE HIM because of who HE IS. God doesn’t need a top notch sophisticated hacker like Snowden to know anything about anyone anywhere at any time. God Himself is omniscient, and HE IS FOR US – NOT AGAINST US.

 

God’s omniscience: This term refers to the all-knowing nature of God. Webster defines it as “the quality of knowing all things at once; universal knowledge; knowledge unbounded or infinite.” He knows our very thoughts, our feelings, our desires and our needs; for He created us. He knows our words before we say them and he knows our thoughts before we think them. He knows all of our ways. In fact, God even knew us before we were born; even before the whole creation – He knew us and planned our time of birth and death; even working between our birth and death that we come to the truth and put our faith in the gospel of His Son. We have no secrets before Almighty God. God possesses all knowledge and wisdom about everything and that knowledge and wisdom of His is all in all. He knows the thoughts of every human being all at once. He knows everything about everybody all the time, down to the most intimate (and shameful) detail. He knows the future we have chosen; where our choices in the life will end us up.

 

Satan imitates God so that people will follow his destructive ways instead of God’s wonderful ways. Satan’s imitation of God’s omniscience is in using man’s increasing knowledge of technology and digital communication (cyber-space) so that he can know what we are doing, saying and planning. The only thing he can NOT know, that God alone knows, is our secret thoughts and spiritual relationship with our Savior and Lord. This God protects and keeps from Satan. Satan can take our physical life (if God allows it), but if our life is hidden in Christ Jesus, Satan has no power over our life or death. He only has the power we give over to him.

 

God has given us each a free-will to choose what to think and believe, what to plan and do, where to go and work, who to love and hate, etc., but along with that freedom comes consequences for our choices in life. When we make right choices – we reap the benefits of righteousness. When we make wrong choices – we reap the hardships of wickedness.

 

My husband taught our children this: A wise man learns from the mistakes of others. A fool learns from his own mistakes. But an idiot never learns.

 

But God in His love for each and every human being has made it so that no one is denied the knowledge of His grace in bringing us the truth and to the Gospel of His beloved Son. No one will stand before Him with an excuse of not having been called, more than once, by the Holy Spirit when in hearing what Jesus did for them on the Cross of Calvary. No one. But, as the Apostle Paul stated: “Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing (bent on following the liar). The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see ‘the light’ of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:3

 

Satan keeps his secret from all his followers of his everlasting torment and also for those who reject God’s Son. He covers this truth with lies about this life, and life after death. Listen to all the false religions tell you what they believe they must do to please God and what happens to them in death. They all have a different story. But there’s only one truth, and it’s God’s Word about it. Our Creator is also our Judge before Whom we will all stand and give an account of our choices in the life He gave us.

 

God tells us the truth about life, death, eternity and even the plans of Satan against the human race, and all because He loves us and doesn’t want anyone to depart from this life into everlasting torment – eternally separated from Him and all that is good and holy.

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

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

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

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

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

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

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

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

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

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

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

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!

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

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

Posted by & filed under Carols Blog.

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