Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

This next election is very important for the church. If we elect a godly man then he will be the dam that temporarily holds off the judgments of God that are prophesied in the Bible. This will give the unprepared church the time to prepare for when the dam bursts. For, there will be a great building up of hatred toward the church and all that it stands for. The godly president will only last 4 years in office and then this hatred of godliness will overwhelm America.

 

The one that takes his place will bring in a great persecution of the church, as mentioned in Matthew 24:9-14, Mark 13:5-13, Luke 21:7-19, John 15:18-20, Revelation 6. So pastors and teachers, remember what God said in Ezekiel 33:1-6 that you are the watchmen of this day! You must tell your flocks to be prepared for what is coming. No longer tell them things that will make them feel good about themselves and that this is not coming in their life time. Be ready and be faithful.

 

This is not to make the church fearful, but to give us the joy of our hope and peace in Christ our Lord! SOON we will no longer be enslaved by these bodies of sin, or forced to live under the leadership of men who are filled with sin and hatred, but we will be where there is no more fear or pain, no more sin and disease, no more worry about the evil threats against life and godliness. For where our Lord is – we will be also, just as He promised the faithful.

 

If we elect the ungodly person in the next election then those who are not prepared will not have time to prepare and be ready for what the Lord told us would come:

 

Fearful events intensifying all over the earth, continual wars and uprisings, nations against nations, greater earthquakes, famines and pestilence, and great signs from heaven.

 

You who hold on to your faith in Jesus Christ will be hated and persecuted, many will be handed over to be put to death because of the increase of their hatred and wickedness. You will be hated because you love Jesus Christ and won’t deny His Name and Word, but many will turn away from the faith and will betray those who stand firm in their faith. The love of most will grow cold; children betraying their parents and parents betraying their children; relatives betraying relatives and friends betraying their friends; even deadly betrayals. The Lord warned us so that His people would be prepared and ready to face persecution and fearful events upon the earth.

 

This great day of wrath is coming to the people of this world, and with all their pride and resources – they will not withstand it no matter how hard they try; no matter how united they become.

 

Until the Day of the Lord there will be no peace on the earth. People will continue to kill each other with no fear of consequence. Famines will be all over and so great that a loaf of bread will cost you a day’s wages. Death will come to one fourth of the earth’s population by war, famine, and plagues of various kinds. Great earthquakes will make the sun turn black, and the moon blood red. The sky will seem like it’s falling, like figs that drop from the tree when shaken by a strong wind. Every mountain and island will be shaken. No one will be able to escape what is coming; not kings, presidents, leaders, not the rich and mighty, not slaves or free men anywhere.

 

Do not deceive yourselves thinking that this day will not happen in your life time. Remember what our Savior said,

 

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. But you do not belong to the world; I have chosen you out of the world, and this is why the world hates you. A servant is not greater than his master, and if they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. He will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.”

 

So you must be prepared for what is coming. To be prepared you must be in the Word of God every day, listening to what is being said by the Holy Spirit and then doing what He says to do; for He knows what time it is and how to lead you through all these things coming; even showing you the way of escape. It is not a time to be fearful, but a time to rejoice for SOON we will see our Lord and Savior, just like He told us. Hold on to your steadfast faith in Him, and be ready for Him to use you; watchful and longing for Him; ready for His appearing.

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

This morning I read about the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

 

Isaiah wrote about our Lord’s death 700 plus years before He died, and that He has the power to save us from our sins and rebellion towards God. Did Isaiah make this up, or did he receive it from God? Did it happen just like described? And, did He save me from my rebellion? Have I been forgiven of my sins? This is what I am most thankful for! What a Savior He is!

 

What Isaiah wrote about my Savior’s death, and what it means to me is this:

 

On the day that You died many were amazed when they saw You. Your face was so disfigured that You seemed hardly human, and from Your appearance, one would scarcely know You were a man. You were despised and rejected – a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. Yet it was my weaknesses You carried; it was my sorrows that weighed You down. You were pierced for my rebellion, and crushed for my sins. You were beaten so I could be whole. You were whipped so I could be healed. You had my sins laid upon You. You were oppressed and treated harshly, yet You never said a word. You were led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep is silent before the shearers, you did not open Your mouth. You were unjustly condemned, and no one cared that You died without descendants, or that Your life was cut short in midstream. You were struck down for my rebellion. You had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. You were buried like a criminal, but put in a rich man’s grave. Your life was made as the acceptable offering for my sin, and for the sin of the world. When You see all that is accomplished by what You suffered, You will be satisfied. Because of Your experience, I can be counted righteous. I believe that You died in my place. You took all my sins upon You at the cross, and I am forgiven and healed by You.

 

Lord, Your grace is free and undeserved; even though I am forgiven, I am simply a faulty man thankful for Your amazing grace. Because of Your unfailing love, I can enter Your presence with deepest awe, and without fear of death. You have filled me with Your Spirit so that I know that You will lead me on the right path all through my life. You surround me with Your shield of love.

 

THANK YOU LORD!

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

This morning I read about the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

 

Isaiah wrote about our Lord’s death 700 plus years before He died, and that He has the power to save us from our sins and rebellion towards God. Did Isaiah make this up, or did he receive it from God? Did it happen just like described? And, did He save me from my rebellion? Have I been forgiven of my sins? This is what I am most thankful for! What a Savior He is!

 

What Isaiah wrote about my Savior’s death, and what it means to me is this:

 

On the day that You died many were amazed when they saw You. Your face was so disfigured that You seemed hardly human, and from Your appearance, one would scarcely know You were a man. You were despised and rejected – a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. Yet it was my weaknesses You carried; it was my sorrows that weighed You down. You were pierced for my rebellion, and crushed for my sins. You were beaten so I could be whole. You were whipped so I could be healed. You had my sins laid upon You. You were oppressed and treated harshly, yet You never said a word. You were led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep is silent before the shearers, you did not open Your mouth. You were unjustly condemned, and no one cared that You died without descendants, or that Your life was cut short in midstream. You were struck down for my rebellion. You had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. You were buried like a criminal, but put in a rich man’s grave. Your life was made as the acceptable offering for my sin, and for the sin of the world. When You see all that is accomplished by what You suffered, You will be satisfied. Because of Your experience, I can be counted righteous. I believe that You died in my place. You took all my sins upon You at the cross, and I am forgiven and healed by You.

 

Lord, Your grace is free and undeserved; even though I am forgiven, I am simply a faulty man thankful for Your amazing grace. Because of Your unfailing love, I can enter Your presence with deepest awe, and without fear of death. You have filled me with Your Spirit so that I know that You will lead me on the right path all through my life. You surround me with Your shield of love.

 

THANK YOU LORD!

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

I have discovered this principle in life, that when I make decisions based upon emotion (intuitive feelings as distinguished from reasoning and knowledge) instead of the common sense that comes from God’s Spirit, that the outcome will always be greater emotion. The key to overcoming emotion is to know God intimately with your heart and mind, and to worship and serve His perfect will. Then you will find His peace and not be controlled and led by emotion.

 

There is this war going on in my mind that urges me to do something NOW, so that I do not wait for what my Lord tells me to do. But, I must pray about, and then the Lord will awaken me to hear Him in His Word; for there He will give me the understanding to know His true will. I must trust His wisdom and learn to leave matters in His hands, and let His Spirit lead me in how to comfort weary and worried people of this world. If I act on my emotions it is always the wrong thing to do; therefore, I must wait on the Lord and trust Him.

 

In the coming days it is very important that I understand that nothing can separate me from Christ’s love! Through troubles, calamities, persecution, hunger, loss and danger – there is nothing that can ever separate me from my Lord! If the Lord has said that there is nothing that can separate me from His love and presence, not even death or demons, then why should I fear what happens today or worry about what might happen tomorrow? Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate me from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus.

 

Therefore, I must take this all very seriously and not make decisions based on emotions or I will become afraid and discouraged; for the Lord has chosen me to know Him in truth and Spirit and to have all confidence in what He says in His Word. I must watch out that I do not get caught up with the emotions of this world; for my Lord leads me and He will not fail me or forsake me.

 

Needed: An Awakening – Chapter 7 – Is America at War with God’s Law?

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

The Sixth Commandment

 

Exodus 20:13 “You shall not murder.”

 

It was mentioned in the third Commandment regarding the negative aspect of the commandments that each one of the negative laws have a positive aspect to it. For example, this sixth Commandment not only prohibits murder, but it also affirms the sanctity of human life.

 

The Old Testament reveals to us that life is so valuable to God that He declares that if a life is taken then a life is required. Numbers 35:30 “Anyone who kills a person is to be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.”

 

In Deuteronomy 32:39 God declares: “I kill, and I make alive.”

 

From this it would seem that the divine institutions that God has given us – family, church and state – should strive to “make alive” in our particular areas. For the church, this would be to bring the Word of Life to our neighbors, widows, orphans, the poor, the sojourners as well as aliens in our midst. For the state or civil governments this command should not only put to death evil men with no regard to human life, but to also work to help restore a fallen world by providing an environment for the kingdom of God to advance.

 

Some people, even Christians, oppose the death penalty. However, in one sense this opposition is contrary to the nature of Christ’s message. Stephen McDowell brings out: “The death penalty was set forth by Christ’s atoning death, which makes clear that the penalty for man’s treason to God and departure from God’s law is death without remission.” Paul tells us in Romans that the “wages of sin is death.”

 

This indicates that if we believe in the atoning death of Christ, we also accept capital punishment as a means of executing God’s justice here on earth. In other words, if the law of God does not require death, then Christ died needlessly.

 

When we think of this commandment, “You shall not murder,” we also need to see that God forbids all the many sins that lead to murder. For example:

 

  1. Anger: Genesis 49:6 says, “for they had killed men in their anger.”
  2. Envy: We see how Satan envied our first parents and could not rest until he brought about their death. We see that Joseph’s brothers envied him and they also took counsel on how they might slay him. The first murder that took place was because Cain envied Abel.
  3. Hatred: We see how the Pharisees hated Christ because He had more favor and honor among the people than they had and they were not satisfied until He was dead by crucifixion. “Crucify Him, crucify Him,” was their cry.
  4. We see how Haman hated Mordecai because Mordecai would not bow to Haman, and how Haman was not satisfied until he got a warrant to bring about Mordecai’s death (murder).

 

The Scripture seems to indicate that there are different ways to murder. We could murder with our “mind.” 1 John 3:15 says, “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer.” We can murder with our tongue. We see this with the Pharisees as they falsely accused Jesus before Pilate. We can murder with the pen (or our computer with writing) as we see with David when he wrote to Joab to put Uriah in the fiercest part of the battle so that Uriah would hopefully die, and getting his secret desire fulfilled so that David wasn’t the one actually killing Uriah. David was the true murderer here. 2 Samuel 12:9 states, “You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.” We can murder by plotting the death of someone although never laying a hand upon the person as we see with Jezebel plotting the death of Naboth in order to get his vineyard.

 

Although it is sinful for a private person to shed someone’s blood, unless it is for self-defense, at the same time is also a sin for the state to NOT shed blood when it is required under God’s law. It is not murder for the state to put to death a person who murders another person; it is true justice and protection of civilization.

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lord, You have cared for me since I was born. You even cared for me before I was born. You still care for me even now that my hair is white with age. You made me and You saved me. I am always looking for opportunities to tell people that they can also have what I have with You, my Savior and Lord.

 

They can have a changed heart and bright future! They can be right with You and have Your peace and joy in the love You have for them – just by believing in Jesus Christ, Your Son, that He sacrificed His own life on the cross, shedding His blood for their sins and rebellion. I know how hard it is to confess sin and turn from wicked ways. I’m still working on it – even at my age! I thank You Father for Your patience with me, and that You don’t hold my sins against me. Oh how I long to see You my Savior!

 

Son, I love you with an everlasting love. Remember the things I have done for you in the past, and that I will never change how I think about you. Know that I am your God, and there is none like Me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens, and everything I plan will come to pass, for I do what I said I would do. My desire and plan is to give you all that your heart desires because I gave you a new heart; one that seeks after Me in love and truth.

 

What sorrow awaits those who refuse My love and salvation, and who argue with My messengers that I send to them. They do know the truth about Me because they choose not to know. I have made it obvious to them and to everyone since the beginning that I exist and reward those who earnestly seek Me. They have no excuse for not knowing Me. Yes, they do know Me, but they won’t worship Me as their God or even give Me thanks for all I’ve done for them; things they enjoy each day.

 

I would not have told people to seek Me if I could not be found, but people would rather think up foolish ideas of what they think I AM like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused; they have no peace or joy; they don’t know true fulfillment; their lives are empty of what life is really all about. Even though I keep coming to them, one day I will abandon them forever because they traded the truth about Me for a lie. They worshiped the things I created instead of worshiping Me. They went after every kind of wickedness instead of going after the truth and life of My Spirit. They encouraged others in the same way of evil thinking and wicked actions. They have been completely overcome with no way of their own to get free.

 

I created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. I made the earth to be lived on, and the world was never to be in chaos, hostility and war. I will judge everyone according to what they have done, and even their secret life. I have not whispered this truth in some dark corner; I make My Word known in both quiet and loud ways, and by My judgments I declare My righteousness and justice. I will never change. My Word remains the same for all. Every knee will bend to Me! The tongue of all will soon declare the truth about Me! All who were angry with Me will stand before Me and be ashamed that they worshiped created things. None of that will save them on the Day I call everyone to account; only eternal anguish and regret awaits those that turned their backs on Me.

 

I AM ready to set things right with anyone who will call on My Name. I am ready to save people and show them My glory now, and not in the distant future. Today is the time to receive forgiveness, the grace of My salvation! On Judgment Day it will be too late!

Needed: An Awakening – Chapter 6 – Is American at War with God’s Law?

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Fifth Commandment

 

Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

 

It is interesting to note with the Ten Commandments that in the first tablet the first four commandments deal with our relationship to God our Creator. The first Commandment brings out how we need to honor God.

 

In the second tablet the first Commandment is dealing with man’s relationship to man – in the command to honor our father and mother.

 

From this it would seem that in God’s eyes, as in a small child’s eyes as well, a parent stands in the place of God. When you think about it – a parent is the child’s creator, provider, lawgiver, teacher and protector. The child’s response to this relationship will greatly determine the child’s response to society and even his relationship with God Himself. How often we have heard how it has been hard for a child who had a cruel father to relate to the goodness of our Heavenly Father.

 

Because of this relationship that parents have to a child the obligation of the parents to live worthy of that honor is extremely important.

 

From Scripture and the last six commandments we come to understand that the family is established by God as the fundamental authority on earth. We see in Genesis 1:26–28 that the original commission or cultural mandate of God was for man to take authority or dominion over the earth and this was to be done primarily through the family.

 

However, we find that the state has taken away much of the authority of the family as well as taking dominion or ruling over the earth. We see many things taking place by the state that undermines the family – homosexual marriage, tax laws, and welfare benefits that basically pay mothers not to live with the father of their children. We see how the state has taken over the education, health and welfare of the children and citizens.

 

There are other things done by the state to undermine the family that are not biblical; things like property tax, the graduated income taxes and government regulations regarding land-use, and etc.

 

We also see that this fifth Commandment has a promise. In Deuteronomy 5:16 we read: “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land Lord your God is giving you.”

 

Paul also repeated this promise in Ephesians 6:2, 3: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honor your father and mother – which is the first commandment with a promise.”

 

We see some very strong language being used about anyone who would curse or attack their father or mother. This cursing is not just about the use of words, but about bringing bodily harm to the parents. In the Old Testament this cursing, along with striking the parents, was tantamount to murder and was punished accordingly.

 

This relationship of parents to children does not stop with age. For example, in the Old Testament we see Joseph and the reverence that he had to his father Jacob. We see this reverence with Joseph when he brought his two sons to have Jacob bless them. Genesis 48:12 “Then Joseph removed them from Israel’s knees and bowed down with his face to the ground.”

 

In adulthood there might be a time when it is no longer necessary or right for a person to strictly obey his parents like in childhood, but God’s requirement to honor them never ceases. With parents, and especially godly parents, the duty to honor them pays dividends to the children by giving access to the wisdom of years.

 

Here in the West we appreciate youth more than the elderly, but in the Old Testament and other parts of the world, especially Asia, we see that old-age is highly respected.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, all who claim Me as their only God will go through hard times; but it is in these hard times that I will be with them and show Myself strong. When they go through rivers of difficulty, they will not drown. When they walk through the fire of oppression, they will not be harmed. For, they have been chosen to know Me and believe in Me, and they will understand that I alone am God and there is no other. No one can snatch My children out of My hand. No one can undo what I have set into action.

 

Today people trust in something that can’t help them at all! When they hear what I say, they do not understand. They do not comprehend what I do, even when they see it. For their hearts are hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. They have closed their eyes and ears – so that they cannot understand that they need to turn to Me so that I could free them and heal them. I want them to know that My salvation is still available, but people with hardened hearts will never accept it.

 

Look at all the horrible things going on in the world, and you will see that evil has twisted the minds of people. They have chosen their own mad course, one without hope of anything good and lasting. There is nothing ahead for them but great fear and regret; eternal death is all that awaits them! These people have grown tired of hearing about Me, and they have burdened Me with their progressive sin and rebellion. Only I can blot out their sins and give them peace with Me, but they resist the truth. If they would only come to Me asking to be forgiven then I would never think of their sins again, but protect them and provide for them. They would be the children I favor. I have paid the price to set men, women and children free, but they must humble themselves before Me and receive My great salvation. Now is the time to seek Me, heart and soul.

 

Son, I will carry out the warnings of My prophets, for it has already begun! So be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart. Keep My light shining in the world. I am Your peace and strength to the end.

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

When truth is outlawed and honesty is trampled on there will be no peace, and people with common sense will be attacked by people without the common sense God gave us. When people refuse to acknowledge God they will not listen to the truth and the fulfilled life will be hidden from them.

 

To know the Truth one must know the only true God through His son Jesus Christ. Truth is: the followers of Jesus Christ are made holy by His truth. Truth is: when the followers of Jesus are one in love and purpose, and enjoy the results of such perfect unity, the world will know that Jesus loves them just as much as He loves His faithful followers. Truth is: that Jesus came into the world to testify to the truth, and all who love the truth will recognize that what Jesus said of Himself is the truth, the way and the life. Truth is: the world hates anyone who follows Jesus Christ and will attack those organizations and homes that are united to represent the life of Jesus Christ.

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lord, I pray that after I die it not be said of me, “He followed the Lord’s instructions, but not with all his heart.”

 

Son, then never turn away from My Word. Unless your faith in Me is firm, you will not be able to stand. People who refuse My Word will live their lives in the darkness. Wherever they look, they will only see trouble, anguish and despair, and not anything good that I am doing or that I could do if they came to Me. So walk in the light of My Word while you can, and darkness will not overtake you. Trust in My Word, and you will be known as a child of the light who is filled with My peace and hope. Allow My Holy Sprit to control your life. Stand up for My Word and teach it to your children and grandchildren, and they will put their faith in Me as well.

 

Son, tell your children and grandchildren the key to life is to trust Me with all their hearts; seeking My will in all they do, and I will show them My good path to take. When they hold on to My instructions, never letting go, My Word will penetrate deep into their hearts and they will always know the right course to take in life.

 

Show them how to honor Me with their wealth, and train them to have good common sense and discernment, and then their homes will be blessed. They must listen for Me to speak to them and then do all that I ask of them; so that they will be rewarded for faithfulness. Be the example of faithfulness before your children and grandchildren.

 

Son, I know the day you live in and that there are many people who want to teach and lead people, but remember to first listen to their life before you listen to what they say. People that want to control other people will say and do anything to gain control over people, communities and nations. So, be wise and aware of the schemes of those who do not listen to Me.