Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, since you are on this new course, I will guide you. Keep yourself pure, and I will do great wonders for you. I will make you a leader in the eyes of all around you, and they will know that I am with you.

 

Son, In My Word it clearly says that in the last days some will turn away from the faith, and follow deceptive teachings. People will say it is wrong to be married just as a man and woman husband only. People who say this defile themselves with immorality and give no thought to their future. They weave their sins into ropes, and hitch themselves to a yoke of captivity. I will withdraw My protection from them because of the foolish things they say, and do. They are false to the core, and paint false pictures of hope. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.

 

My Church should be the pillar and foundation of truth, but are they? They should pray for these people, but do they? They need to ask Me for My help, and give thanks for all that I have done, but why don’t I hear from them? They should pray for all who are in authority, and remove those in high places who go against My Word. My children must be an example, by what they say, by the way they live, in their love, their faith, and their purity.

 

Son, don’t waste your time arguing with these godless people. Just remember that there is great joy when a nation acknowledges Me as its LORD. For there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity – the man Christ Jesus. I am the only hope; the Savior of all people. My words hold true, and you can trust everything I say.

 

Do you want to live a prosperous life? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. Remember, the righteous may face many troubles, but I will come to their rescue each time. I watch over those who fear Me, and those who rely on My unfailing love.

 

Lord, let Your unfailing love surround me; for my hope is in You alone. You freed me from all my fears, and saved me from all my troubles. You have placed Your angel around me and he is a powerful guard.

 

Non-Profit Organization of Religion vs. Biblical Standing Church of Jesus Christ

Posted by & filed under Carols Blog.

Which are you? What do you belong to?

 

If you haven’t already, you will have to make a choice whether to cooperate with the government’s control over your church and what you preach from the pulpit, OR to preach what the Lord wants His people to hear, and to do what God wants His true worshippers to do.  

 

Our Father is not going to let any of His children continue in the ‘fear and unbelief’ of compromise, tolerance of evil, silence with the truth and half-hearted commitment to the Lord. This is all rooted in the fear of unbelief of who God is and the promises our Father has given to His faithful children.

 

Persecution and hardship forces us to choose what side we are going to commit to and stand on; for there is no in between place, no gray area to abide in. Truth is truth. Right is right. God is the same today as He was in the beginning.

 

We abide in Christ Jesus; we remain in His love and truth, and He will remain in us, abide with us. We are either in God’s light or in the world’s darkness. Persecution and hardship will either strengthen or ruin our faith, it’s up to us. We have been given all that we need from our Father in order to remain faithful to the Lord, and to the end. We still have the Lord’s saving grace for when we do what Peter did three times: denied the Lord out of fear of persecution.

 

Makes me wonder, how many times I’ve denied the Lord out of fear of being persecuted, and how many times the Lord will forgive me for it. I’m reminded of how the Lord answered Peter about forgiving others, how many times?  As many times as they ‘repent’ and ‘ask’ to be forgiven! What amazing grace! If Jesus required that of our first church father, the apostle Peter, I have to assume that Jesus will do the same for me. What a Savior; the Author and Perfector of our faith in God!

 

We will each have to choose what we will be known for ‘at the end of our time on earth:’ faithful or unfaithful, and we will each receive from God what is due us, regarding faithfulness or unfaithfulness.

 

God still tests the faith of each and every person who has called on the world’s one and only Savior – to be their personal Savior forever. Either we believe HE IS the great I AM, the ROCK of all ages, or we show that we don’t believe – by our fear of persecution. Satan is the god of fear and persecution.

 

Did Jesus NOT claim that He came to destroy these works; the works of the devil and his cohorts?  John, and all the disciples, heard Jesus say this. And, the Holy Spirit (who reminds us of everything the Lord said) led John to write it down FOR US:  

  

Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”

 

“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven,“I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:24-32

 

John wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:

 

“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is…Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” 1 John 2, 7-8

 

So, what do we have to fear? Why should we be silent? What are we afraid of losing? What are we hoping to hang on to in this life?  What will we leave behind for the next generation?  What will you, and I, be known for when we stand before the Lord Jesus Christ?

 

“In the last days, God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” Acts 2:17-21

 

“With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’” Acts 2:40

 

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”  Acts 2:42 

 

It’s important to note: they devoted themselves to the teaching of the Lord’s apostles, not pastors/teachers/prophets/healers, etc., but to the teaching of true church fathers, not denominational hirelings – like we have in America today.  

 

The Lord’s prophets of our day are of the same Holy Spirit office of the Lord’s prophets of the Old Testament, once again warning God’s ‘covenant’ people of falling away, the coming judgment and of the Lord’s soon return; to be prepared for what is coming, and ready for the Lord, both in use to Him and to see Him as we hope to see Him.

 

Does this describe the united Church of Jesus Christ in America?

 

“Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:43-44

 

We read this, but does it really describe the church in America today?

 

So, what are you, or what are you involved with: Non-Profit Organization of Religion or Biblical Standing Church of Jesus Christ?

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lord, listen to my questions that I am struggling with this morning.

 

Lord, why don’t people listen to the aged, or learn from history? It takes a long time to get wisdom from life and yet we set those aged people aside, and do not listen to them.

 

Son, people are full of darkness, and have always refused wisdom, and more-so today. I have always offered true wisdom to anyone who asks, since the beginning of mankind, but people have always refused to come to Me for wisdom.

 

Yes, it is important that people listen to the aged about life; but what is of more value is that My children live as holy people with My truth and love, and that they take no part in the worthless deeds of evil darkness; instead, expose it. Take advantage of every opportunity I send your way. Know what it is that I want you to do, and be thankful for everything I bring to you.

 

Lord, why is it when a person tells the truth, people get mad and say that he has no love for people?

 

Son, understand that these people are not the ones you are fighting against. You are fighting against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places who deny the truth. So stand your ground for the truth, but do it peacefully. Be prepared for what is coming and hold up My Word. Your protection comes from Me. Your weapon is My Word, so use it, but use it wisely.  Pray all the time, and about everything. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers – for all My children. Ask Me to give you the right words so that you can boldly explain the truth.

 

Understand that those people who refuse the truth – cut out anything in My Word that says they are living in sin. They will have no problem cutting section by section out, until My Word is gone. They show no signs of fear or repentance at what they hear. But that does not take away the truth, and they will be judged by the truth someday.

 

Lord, why when I speak of Your judgment that is coming – Your children begin to tell me all of the things they do for You, or their church does for You? Do they believe they will not go through it?

 

Son, I have spoken to these children again and again, and they still refuse to listen to Me. Time after time I sent them prophets, who told them, “Be prepared for what is coming, turn from your wicked ways, so that you might have peace.” But they will not listen to Me. Therefore, this is what I say, “Because you refuse to listen, you will be unprepared all the disasters I have declared are coming.”

 

Lord, someday soon when I awake, I will see You face to face; my Savior and shield, my strength.  You rescued me from my powerful enemies of the unforeseen world. Your way is perfect, and all of Your promises are true.

Relationships – Chapter 29

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Self-Esteem – Part 4

 

Our concept of God affects our concept of ourselves since we are made in the image of God.

 

God will accept us in Christ. However, we need to also see that God is a God of purpose and plan. First we read in Psalm 138:8 that He has a specific plan for us all. “The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever – do not abandon the works of your hands.” But He has a general plan for us as well. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

 

One of the things that I am learning is that to understand God’s plan for me – both specifically as well as generally – I need the interaction with the rest of the Body of Christ. This is where the importance of relationships comes in. We do not discover ourselves in solitude, but only when we share and give of ourselves. We need one another and this can also be threatening. A real problem that we have in the church today is that it is very easy to leave a fellowship and go someplace else where our interaction with one another can remain shallow. Consequently, we postpone the spiritual growth that God wants and desires in our life.

 

We begin to see and understand God’s concern and care for us when we read Scripture. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

 

Through the interaction of the Body of Christ we begin to know this concern and care. This comes back to building strong biblicalrelationships. One of the great needs, humanly speaking, is for community with a sense of belonging and family. It is through this type of atmosphere that God expresses Himself.

 

Another aspect of what God will do through the Body is to give us guidance.How important this is for each one of us! How often we wished that God would speak to us in a clear voice and tell us what to do. I believe that God has given guidance through His Body, but maybe we did not listen or like what we heard.

 

Psalms 37:23 “If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm.”

 

Job 23:10 “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”

 

Hebrews 2:11-12 ”So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.”

 

Romans 8:37-39 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

In these verses we see God’s concern, love and guidance for Hischildren. These are concepts of God that we need to understand and take a hold of. Our concept of God affects our concept of ourselves.

 

We read in Scripture that God gives us spiritual gifts for the common goodof the Body. Look at some of those gifts. We have the gift of wisdom. Could a person with this gift give us insight to some of the things that we might need and should be doing? I believe so. What about the gift of knowledge in showing us right from wrong? We live in a society where the line of right and wrong is becoming very unclear, as Tozer said: “Truth and error walk the same highway.”  How often we have needed men and women with the gift of knowledge to help us out in some of these unclear times.

 

All of these things are to give us a clear concept of God and in so doing also amore clearer concept of ourselves – made in the image of God.


 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, ask My children, “Why have you allowed America to become what it is today?” My children have betrayed Me when they failed to demonstrate My holiness to the people of America.

 

My children have become prosperous, but indulgent and fat. They allowed the worship of other gods to take root in America, and have said nothing. They have elected leaders who have broken My covenant with their forefathers, and have made Me very angry with their lack of actions.

 

My question is: “Are you really My children? If so, then why have you allowed a deceitful and twisted generation to grow? Why have you allowed these leaders to abandon the covenant I had made with your forefathers? Why have you allowed a generation without wisdom and integrity to rule over you? Therefore My children, take these words of warning to heart that I am giving you today. Understand that My words are not empty words; they are your life!

 

When I abandon America, you will see what becomes of a nation that makes a covenant with Me and then abandons Me. Trouble and disasters are coming because My favor is no longer with America. I will hide My face from it on account of all the evil the people commit. I will take revenge on aborting little children and then selling their parts. Their day of disaster will arrive, and a gruesome destiny will overtake them, and with no one to save them. There is no other God but Me! I am the one that gives life and the one that takes life; no one can be rescued from my powerful hand!

 

Son, tell those children of Mine who are faithful and very upset about what is taking place in America, “I know that you are overwhelmed, and that you pray to Me, saying, ‘Haven’t I seen enough already? And now You are adding more! I am worn out from sighing and can find no rest!’ Are you not seeking great things for yourself in this world? Stop doing it! Understand that I cannot allow America to go unpunished.”

 

Lord, my heart has heard You say, “Come and talk with Me.” You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me.  Teach me how to live in this world; a world that no longer seeks after You. Lead me along Your narrow path for my life. Let me walk with You Lord!

 

Son, My true children must be wise and courageous – as they wait patiently for My return.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

“The black-robed regiment of the Revolutionary Period were men of God who spoke out concerning the issues of the day. The name was given to a name of pastors, especially in colonial America that were very instrumental in America winning their independence. The reason why they were called black-robed regiment is because every Sunday they would mount their pulpits wearing their long black clerical robes, that’s how preachers would preach in that day. They would get in their pulpits wearing these long black robes, and they would preach the Word of God without fear or favor. These men of God would get in their pulpits and they would basically tell people what or who they should and should not vote for, because they understood that in order to have a great government, then you must have great citizens. The way that you have great citizens is by having great people that are rooted in the foundation of the Word of God. Week after week after week, they expounded upon the principles of the proper role of government, the proper role of individuals, all underneath the kingship of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

Son, I can no longer bear all the disgusting things going on in America. By My great Name I declare, “My anger is coming.” 

 

I have given the people of America minds to understand, I have given them eyes that see, and ears to hear! Again and again I sent My servants, the prophets, to plead with them to not do these horrible things that I hate.  But they will not listen or turn from their wicked ways. Since they will not listen to My messages of truth and repentance, and instead they shout, “We will do whatever we want.” Soon they will find out if My words are true!

 

Those who hear My warning should not congratulate themselves, thinking they are safe and secure while following the desires of their own wicked hearts. My judgment is coming because the people of the land broke the covenant that their forefathers made with Me. They turned away from Me to serve and worship gods they had not known before. Therefore they are accountable to all that I have revealed to them.

 

Today I am giving you a choice between prosperity or disaster, between a blessing or a curse. Choose life with Me, so that you and your descendants can walk with Me. If you decide to choose life with Me, then with all your heart and soul, obey all that I ask of you, for what I ask is not difficult for you, and it is not beyond your reach. You can make this choice, and start walking with the LORD your God, obeying and committing yourself firmly to Him today. This is the key to your life turning out the way you hope.

 

If you choose Me, then understand that you have been raised to new life with Me. So set your sights on the realities of heaven, and think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Devote yourselves to prayer, and be alert to what is going on around you. Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

 

Lord, show me the right path, by leading me by Your truth and teaching me the depths of Your wisdom in Your glorious Word. 

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, there is good news; people’s lives are changing all over the world. Their lives are being changed just like your life was changed when you accepted Me as your Saviour.  Therefore, continue to believe in My Word, and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the promises you received from Me. Pray, and I will show you what to do and where to go.

 

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from ignorant people today. Understand who I AM! I existed before anything was created, and I reign supreme over all My creation. I created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. I made the things you can see and the things you can’t see. Everything was created through Me and for Me. I hold all creation together, and in Me lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. So let your roots grow deep into the knowledge of Me, and let your life be built on My Word. Then your faith will grow strong, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

 

Son, some of My children say to Me, “Just tell us what to do and we will do it!” I have told them in My Word exactly what they are to do. They’ve also heard it through My prophets, My pastors and My teachers, but they will not obey any better now than they have in the past.

 

So you can be sure that curses are coming that will overwhelm them! They will be confused and frustrated in everything they want to do. They will not find their way through what is coming, but will be oppressed. They will watch as their sons and daughters are taken over by the philosophies of today, and it will break their hearts. How will they help their children when they are helpless themselves – having set My Word aside and resisting My Holy Spirit? They will go mad because of all the tragedy they see around them. Their anger and frustration will not accomplish one good thing!

 

My children will continue to be objects of ridicule and mockery by those they live among you. Their enemies will become stronger and stronger, while My children become weaker and weaker. Since they do not serve Me only; serving with joy and enthusiasm, they will serve those who hate Me and them, and find no peace or rest. Their hearts will tremble because they have neglected My Word. My stubborn children will live night and day in fear and insecurity because they have misplaced their faith.

 

But, if My children will return to Me and set My Word as the standard in their hearts and homes, and fully obey what I ask of them – then they will be blessed by Me. I will bless their children, their homes and their work. Wherever they go and whatever they do, they will be blessed. I the LORD will guarantee a blessing on everything they do in this world because they love Me and obey My Word. People all over the world will know that I protect those who faithfully follow Me. I want the world to stand in awe of My children because My children stand in awe of Me. My children will be leaders and no longer followers when they surrender to Me and My leadership in their lives.

 

Lord, in You I have all that I need. You give me rest when I need it. Your Word renews my strength and guides me along right paths. I will honor Your holy name. Even when things look dark, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me – leading in my life. Your Word and Your Spirit protect and comfort me. Thank You Lord!

 

Relationships – Chapter 28

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog, Michael K Dietz.

Biblical Self-Esteem – Part 3

 

In building on who God is; that He is who He claims to be and He will keep His Word, we need to see what God will do. This is important in being able to build strong relationships.

 

We read in Colossians 1:13-14 “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

 

Here we see that He has brought us into another kingdom – the kingdom of heaven. Someone rightly said that the kingdom of heaven is a kingdom of right relationships.

 

We see that He has given us redemption, the forgiveness of sins. It is important for us to understand this because what separates us from God as well as man is SIN. Here we see that we have been forgiven. What does this mean in the context of relationships? First it means that
the barrier, SIN, which was there, has now been removed. We have been reconciled and this is the message that we are to carry to the ends of the earth: reconciliation.

 

Secondly it means that we have been accepted. Ephesians 1:5-7 “Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” (It comes out more powerfully in this King James Version of the Bible.) We have been accepted!

 

Why is it so important to be accepted? One of the basic human needs we have is to be accepted. And one of the ways that Satan keeps peoplelocked up in the different kingdoms of this world is through the bars of acceptance. People sense acceptance from the wrong people and identify with those who accept them as they are. This acceptance is stronger than bars of steel.

 

When we do not feel accepted in a relationship, it is hard for us to accept others, but when this need is met (as it is in Christ) then we can begin to accept others. We need to see that this acceptance is not based upon our performance, and nothing that we have done, but it is all aboutwhat Christ has done for us. It is based upon His promise. This is why it is important for us to have a healthy concept of God. He is not a man that He should lie. If He says He accepts me in Christ then this is what He does.

 

When I am accepted, not depending upon what I do or not do, then it becomes easier for me to accept others. One of the basic laws of the kingdom of God is acceptance or reception. It is hard for a person locked up in one of the kingdoms of this world to enter into the kingdom of God when there is no sense of acceptance from those that are in the kingdom of God. It is a scary thing to leave a kingdom of this world for another kingdom because of this human need of acceptance.

 

What will God, who is not a man that He should lie, do for me? He will accept me not because of what I do (my performance), but because of His promise. Isaiah tells us: “The LORD Almighty has sworn, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand.’ For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?” Isaiah 14:24, 27

 

Praise God that we have been accepted in the Beloved!

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, I am coming soon, so don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell Me what you need, and be thankful for all that I have done for you. Then you will experience My peace, which exceeds anything you can understand. My peace will guard your heart and mind as you live for Me, and I will give you eternal blessings and the joy of My presence. So stay focused on this: forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead. Remember, soon I will take your weak mortal body and change it into a glorious body like Mine!

 

Understand that My unfailing love will keep you from stumbling. Therefore, fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise, and learn how to be content with what you have. Remember, with Me you can do anything – because I will supply everything you will ever need.

 

Son, watch and be wise; those evil people who want to control you by the intimidation of political correctness, and expect you to tolerate and even accept that which I call evil – will not stop until My children have fully surrendered to them. They have no fear of Me at all. So when they attack you – fear Me, not them, and stand on My Word no matter what. They so proudly brag about their shameful ways and think that life on earth is all there is. Their conduct shows that they are My enemies. And, you know what I have said is coming to all My enemies; for it is written and set to happen.

 

Lord, I was yours at birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born. Everything in this life is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing You. So whatever happens, I want to know You and experience the mighty power that raised You from the dead.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, understand that I began a good work within you the day you asked Me into your heart, and it will continue until it is finished. Therefore, know what really matters in this life. Live your life pure, blameless, and be bold for Me. Live as citizen of heaven, and conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of My grace. Stand with My children, by being united with one spirit, one purpose, and fighting together for the faith. Don’t be intimidated in any way by the progressive thinkers of today. This will be a sign to them that they are going to have to stand in front of Me SOON! I have given you not only the privilege of trusting in Me, but also the privilege of suffering for Me.

 

Don’t be selfish, or try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Do everything I ask of you without complaining and arguing. Hold firmly to My words of life, then your life will count, and your work will not be useless.

 

Lord, Your Word is perfect, for it revives my soul. Your Word is trustworthy, for it brings joy to my heart. Your words are clear giving insight for living. Your Word warns me of danger, and is a great reward for those who obey them.

 

Lord, look at all the sins lurking in my heart! Cleanse me from these faults. Don’t let them control me. May my life be pleasing to You, my LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. For it is my prayer that my life will bring honor to You.