Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, do you want to know who My heroes are? Those who have let My Spirit renew their thoughts and attitudes; who speak the truth of My Word without any hate in their hearts, only My love in their hearts – these are today’s true heroes! I take pleasure in them, for they have decided to live a life worthy of their calling. They are not moved from the truth by new kinds of teaching. They cannot be influenced when people who cleverly try to trick them with lies.

 

These heroes are united, binding themselves together as one, with My peace. They understand that there is only one body, and it fits together perfectly. That they have been called to one glorious hope for the future. That there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God who is over all, in all, and living through all. They come boldly and confidently into My presence, and I tell them remarkable secrets about things to come, so that they are prepared. They know that I am able to accomplish infinitely more than they can think or imagine with their lives.

 

So My children – who still need milk, live no longer like the people of this world do, who do not know Me, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they have wandered far from My truth. They have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against Me. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. Do not feel sorry for them, or show them pity, for they have made their choice and are guilty! You need to understand that I will fight for you against these wicked people who have refused the truth, and I will give you victory when you stand on the truth of My word!

 

Lord, when I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray. I pray that Your glorious, unlimited resources will empower me today, with inner strength. Let my roots grow deep into Your love, so that I will proclaim Your truth from a sincere heart; one that goes after Your heart.

 

Thank You, that You guard all that I have. I have confidence that You stand beside me, and I will not be shaken. You will show me the way to live my life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, only fools say, “There is no God.” Will these fools never learn the truth? Look at the problems they face today and yet they will not even think of humbly praying to Me for help. The One who provides the sun to light the day and the moon and stars to light the night, and who stirs the sea into roaring waves and the wind into mighty winds, and who releases and restrains the rain; I wait for fools to look up to Me. 

 

Terror will grip these fools because they are under the control of the evil one, the commander of the powers of this world: Satan. His spirit is at work in the hearts of those who say there is no God. These fools who live in denial of Me, have no strength to stop the results of My wrath on all wickedness.

 

Son, in the coming days My children must know My Word and read it daily. That way they will know the truth of what is coming, and how to be prepared. This regular reading will protect them from foolishness, and encourage them to turn to Me in the smallest ways. They will have hope, and know that I will give them rest and joy. When My words go deep within them, it will overcome their fears of what they see happening. When My children honor My Word – I will be their God in every way. Remember that I will not reject My children – just as I can not abolish My laws of nature! NEVER!

 

Lord, why do I struggle with anguish of my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day, when You are so rich in kindness and grace? You purchased my freedom with the blood of Your Son and forgave me all my sins. I ask, that You flood my heart with Your light so that I can have a confident hope. Help me to understand the incredible greatness of Your saving power. Your salvation is not a reward for the good things I have done, no, it is because of the great thing Your Son did – that I have been granted so great a salvation, and a hope that won’t be disappointed, for a great future WITH YOU.

Legalism and Witchcraft

Posted by & filed under Carols Blog.

Legalism and witchcraft have been widely accepted for the masks they wear: a false hood. We tend to think that legalism is about rules we don’t believe in, but legalism is about following good rules in order to win favor with man.

 

We think of witchcraft as what we see in fantasy movies and books, but witchcraft at its base seems harmless and even good.  It’s neither harmless or good.

 

God hates legalism: rule keeping to gain favor with man; controlling people with rules and regulations; what leadership uses with laity; what governments use on the people; what parents use on children, etc.

 

God condemns witchcraft of any form; the intimidation, manipulation, domination and condemnation used on people to control people.

 

 

Paul addresses the Galatians as “foolish Galatians,” empty headed people. “Who has bewitched you?!!!!! They claimed to be spirit-filled and gifted; highly spiritual people. What were they lacking?

 

Wives use witchcraft with their husbands when they hold back sex from their husbands to get what they want.

 

Husbands use legalism/witchcraft with their wives and children, when they lay heavy rules down on them to control their wives and children – for their own advantage and pride.  (Rules are to protect people, not control people.) Condemnation used to control people is legalism/witchcraft. Laws made to put fear into people in order to make them submit, is a form of legalism/witchcraft.

 

Parents use witchcraft on their children by making them feel guilty about what they did after the child has repented, in order to control the child. Guilt, intimidation, manipulation and condemnation used to control someone is all witchcraft.

 

If you keep bringing up the past that makes someone else feel guilty, or they keep doing it with you, this is witchcraft. People who say, “This wouldn’t be happening to you if you had not sinned, or were spiritual.” Religious leaders use witchcraft on their congregations by using legalism: setting rules for worship and serving in the church; controlling their gifts for their own agendas; even the self-righteous attitude behind leadership over laity is a form of witchcraft.

 

The spirit of Jezebel is the spirit of witchcraft, is present anywhere there is the use of any means to control another person, group or nation – for man’s own agenda and pride.  Over America’s government is the hovering jezebel-spirit of witchcraft and legalism.  

 

Satan, the god of the world, is the master over legalism and witchcraft.  In the garden the devil used legalism with Eve, and witchcraft with Adam. The devil questioned Eve on God’s only command to them; that Adam passed on to her.  The devil used Eve’s female charm and cunning to get Adam to disobey his Father’s one and only rule in life. Every man is Adam’s son, and every woman is Eve’s daughter with the same tendencies.

 

When Adam and Eve broke God’s one and only rule – many other unnecessary rules came upon mankind, both from God and evil men under the control of the devil.

 

You can’t follow Christ’s rules, if you’re following someone else’s rules.  Jesus died to set you free from legalism and witchcraft; whether you have been the prey or predator, victim or villain.  Satan is the father of both legalism and witchcraft.

 

“The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sons-ship.Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God – or rather are known by God –   how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?” Galatians 4:2-9

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, I have a plan for your life, and it is a good one with a great hope and future. When you allow My Holy Spirit to guide your life it will be full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. So never get tired of doing what is good, and you will reap a harvest of blessings. Work for peace and prosperity, and pray for America, because how it goes will determine your welfare. 

 

Son, pray for the removal of those who are holding America from following the truth. When truth is honored – justice prevails. When truth is rejected – people will mock Me and My word. America needs to look back in history and see that any nation that has rejected truth will see their foundation of law and order – crumble. Wicked people will strut their shameful wickedness in front of everyone to see. Evil will be lifted up throughout the land, while that which is good and acceptable to Me – will be knocked down.

 

 

Relationships – Chapter 27

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Biblical Self-Esteem – Part 2

 

In order to understand ourselves as well as others we must have an understanding of who God is and to have a healthy concept of Him (as all of this is important in building relationships).

 

So often we have equated God with some bad experience. Perhaps we grew up in a home with abusive parents and consequently this affected our view of God. It is hard to think of God as a Father when we have never experienced a loving father here on earth. I think of so many homes today where there is only one parent, most usually a mother. The father fled long ago leaving the mother to raise the child.

 

We read in Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  In the development of relationships it is important that we start with God and the first step is “that God exists,” as we read in Hebrews 11:6. It is amazing how many Christian atheists we have in our churches today.

 

My thoughts about God will be seen by my thoughts about myself as well as others. Wrong thoughts about God lead to wrong thoughts about others and myself. This is a real problem today and one of the reasons we have breakdown in relationships. It comes back to a wrong concept of God.

 

When we come to the place where we believe that God exists then there are two things that we must consider:  

 

Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”

 

1. He is who He claims to be. He is not a man; He is God. This is the first thing that we should keep in mind. We believe that He exists.

 

2. He keeps His Word. He is not a man that He should lie. Man will lie, but this is not true with God. He is the truth and what He says will be the truth. This is so important in the society that we live in where truth has become relative (humanistic worldview) or in some quarters there is no recognition of such a thing as truth (postmodernism).

 

Anything we do must be built on the foundation of who God is. This is
important when it comes to building and maintaining relationships. The reason that this is important is because God gives us the principles that we are to live and govern our lives by.

 

Therefore, to take God at His Word, first we must believe that God exists and that what He says – we can count on; His Word is true and accurate.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lord, I have been asked by some of Your children, “Why do I hate the church?” Did I become their enemy – by telling them what You have told me to tell them; telling them the truth?

 

Son, do not listen to their insinuations and accusations, for this only tests you to see if you truly love Me by obeying Me wholeheartedly. Serve Me only and fear Me alone. I am Your Redeemer and Rewarder. Keep listening for My voice and obeying what I tell you to do.

 

I will be merciful if My children begin to listen to My voice and do what I ask of them. My ancient prophets who preceded you spoke against many nations, always warning of disease, disaster and war. Did it come true?  Do the predictions of false prophets come true? A prophet who predicts must prove he is right with his predictions by his predictions coming true. This is how My children will know that a prophet is really from Me. Therefore, examine carefully what you hear in My Word, that it is what I tell you to give out; for then you will have confidence to speak and send out My messages. 

 

Son, the wicked are bringing America down, and what are My children doing to stop this? Why are My children allowing mere mortal judges to stop them from doing what I ask of My children? Why have they stopped standing on My Word? These judges who refuse to judge with righteousness, using My laws, will stand before Me their JUDGE. And, until then, they will suffer greatly in the coming days, for I will let everyone know they are merely human, and fools at that! They brag about the evil in the land; they praise the corrupt and greedy. They curse Me when they do this. They are too proud of themselves to seek Me. They think nothing bad will ever happen to them because they accept sin of any kind; they call this love and think it will bring peace. And everyone is happy about it! But, I will bring justice to those who stand up for the truth, to those children of mine who are not terrified of these wicked leaders. So, do not let your fear come upon you; put your faith and hope in Me. 

It’s Gonna’ Get Hot

Posted by & filed under Carols Blog.

The homosexual flag now flies under the American flag.  What arrogance!  God will not be mocked! So get ready; it’s gonna’ get hot!  Be prepared child of the Most High.

 

What is left of our independence? We’re back under a suffocating authoritarianism by an overpowering government in total defiance of God. Wasn’t that the reason our forefathers left Great Britain? Here’s a little history:

 

During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain rule.[5][6] After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4. A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:

 

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.[7]

 

For the first 15 or 20 years after the Declaration was written, people didn’t celebrate it much on any date. It was too new and too much else was happening in the young nation. By the 1790s, a time of bitter partisan conflicts, the Declaration had become controversial. One party, the Democratic-Republicans, admired Jefferson and the Declaration. But the other party, the Federalists, thought the Declaration was too French and too anti-British, which went against their current policies.

 

By 1817, John Adams complained in a letter that America seemed uninterested in its past. But that would soon change.

 

After the War of 1812, the Federalist Party began to come apart and the new parties of the 1820s and 1830s all considered themselves inheritors of Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans. Printed copies of the Declaration began to circulate again, all with the date July 4, 1776, listed at the top. The deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams on July 4, 1826, may even have helped to promote the idea of July 4 as an important date to be celebrated.

 

Celebrations of the Fourth of July became more common as the years went on and in 1870, almost a hundred years after the Declaration was written, Congress first declared July 4 to be a national holiday as part of a bill to officially recognize several holidays, including Christmas. Further legislation about national holidays, including July 4, was passed in 1939 and 1941.

 

American seemed uninterested in its past then, a year later after the signing of our Declaration of Independence. Sounds like our day, with our government removing God and God’s Word from all parts of society.

 

Ready or not, it’s gonna’ get hot! God is HOT and He won’t be MOCKED!

 

America’s Christians are going through the fire; the fire of our faith’s testing, only there’s no place left on earth to go and start another ‘free’ nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Nowhere! So, we are just going to have to endure the way the Lord taught us to endure, until He returns. 

 

Christians in America will be faced with a growing persecution to break down Christianity in America showing that what we believe in – is not real or trustworthy. When a nation no longer has the High Court of Government defending the God-given rights of people, Christians will undergo extreme persecution by those who reject God and His Laws. For so many Christians, that has already happened, and been happening in areas of the world where Christianity is so despised that Christian families are being hunted and brutally killed, having no laws or courts to defend and protect them. But, we have God’s High Court and our Divine Defender of the saints: Jesus Christ. Before He left the earth He prayed:

 

“I have given them Your Word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your Word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world…..My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and Have them even as You have loved Me. Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory, the glory You have given me because You loved me before the creation of the world.”  John 17:20-24 

 

Why does our Father allow His children to go through persecution anyway?!

 

Paul answers this question: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  2 Corinthians4:16-18

 

Persecution works for the good – in two ways. It purifies our heart for Christ, and promotes the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

The difference between Christianity and Islam is that Islam is not persecuted because it is feared. Christianity is persecuted because it is NOT feared, as it should be feared. Therefore, God allows persecution to purify His children so that there is God’s power and authority in our lives, and with the Good News of Jesus Christ’s great salvation.

 

For the children of the true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Jews and Christians) persecution has always been a real part of everyday life – for the two reasons mentioned above.

 

What really speaks to me is how God refers to this “trouble” we go through as “light and momentary.” I get the momentary part because of God’s promise for the future, but the light part is what really speaks to me. How is losing everything you own a “light trouble?” How is being tortured unto death, or watching your child being ripped from you to be brutally killed, “troubling?”  Well, in comparison to the glory that far outweighs it all – maybe we should meditate more the glory of God, get a grip, a strong hold of what our faith produces both in the Kingdom of God, and ultimately on the earth.

 

Then I reminded of another passage that reminds me that God will provide a way of escape when I am, or our children are, pushed to the limit, ready to deny Jesus Christ because of the fear in loss and physical pain/torment. I truly believe that God prepares His people for whatever they will go through, whether common or extreme, but we must be willing to go to the Lord with it all, and wait on Him.

 

We see what other Christians in the world are going through and we are immediately struck with fear and doubt. But we must remember, never forget, that God is faithful and will make good every one of His promises to His children ‘as we look to Him’ in each and every situation, even as we go through the fire of the testing our faith by Him. 

 

As we continue to experience America’s progressive demise, may we stand firm on God’s promises, as one holy kingdom under God’s rule and government, and be faithful to do all that is ours to do for His glorious purpose. Every nation of the earth, even America, can be and will be shaken and destroyed, but the Kingdom of our Lord is unshakeable, everlasting. If we fight for anything, let it be for what will come through the fire, holy and eternal.

 

 

“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons….that we may share in His holiness….it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it….See to it that no one misses the grace of God.” “ Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary ad lose heart. Just remember: In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your own blood.” Hebrews 12:1-11 (in parts)

 

 

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. And so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’” Hebrews 12:28-29

 

 

Ready or not, it’s gonna’ get hot! Do you have your fire-retardant covering on? 

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, I am your father, and you only need to ask Me, and I will give it to you. For I stand beside you like a great warrior, and I lavish My unfailing love on those who love Me and obey My Word. So stay on the path I have commanded you to follow, and finish the race before you; then you will have a prosperous life.

 

Since I am your LORD, you must not worship any of the gods that are in your country. You must diligently read and obey My Word, meditating on it day and night. Remember that I watch over the path of My children who seek Me. They may be tested by many troubles, and may be poor, but they will be filled with abundant joy, and overflow in rich generosity. They do everything I ask of them on their own free will.

 

Son, there will always be those who say, “Let us break free from God.” I just look at them and laugh. These people think they are so wise, so be warned, and understand that your refusal of My royal Son, means that you will be destroyed. I want the kind of sorrow that leads people away from sin and results in salvation, but worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death, and separation from Me!

 

Lord, because of Your promises, help me not to defile my body or spirit. Let it be my goal to work toward complete holiness. My desire is to know Your Word and live my life by every word that comes from Your mouth. If I say I’ll never mention Your name, or mention Your Word, I CAN’T because it burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, when you speak the words I give you – you are My spokesman. You must influence people around you, but do not let them influence you! Your qualification comes from Me, so be very bold, and never shut up My Word! You will have troubles, but trouble will not crush you. You will be perplexed, but you will always have hope. You will get knocked down, but I will help you back up. This is why you must never give up.

 

Your present troubles are small and won’t last very long, and they will produce in you a lasting glory that vastly outweighs them! So don’t become discouraged by the troubles you see now; rather, fix your gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things you see now will soon be gone, but the things you cannot see will last forever. Remember, I have been with you in everything you have done. I have watched your every step taken, and you have lacked nothing.

 

Son, Satan is the god of this world, and he has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. His followers are unable to see the glorious light of My Good News. Their hearts have become hard so they cannot understand the truth. I gave them the free will to choose their own course in life, and they have chosen to refuse My Good News. Therefore, they have no hope. When there lives are based on foolish assumptions, the only conclusions can be wicked madness!

 

Lord, when I read Your word, I devour it. Your Word is my joy and my hope. Your Word is my strength and my refuge in the day of trouble! When Your Word rules my life – I am free!

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Unity is Strength!

 

Once there was a Bedouin sheikh who had ten sons.  They were always quarreling and thus making the family very vulnerable to attack by enemies.  The sheikh called together his ten sons and held up a bundle of sticks saying, “This is a test of strength.  Which one of you can snap this bundle in two.”  One by one the brothers came forward and tried, but not one of them could break the bundle, however he tried.

 

“Untie the bundle!” ordered the father. Then, handing one stick to each son, he said, “Now break the sticks!”  Each son broke his stick with ease.  “You see,” said the father, “each of these sticks represents one of you, my sons.  When you are bound together in love and harmony no enemy can break you. When you are quarreling, you are easily overcome by the enemy. Strength lies in unity.”

 

So where is the unity of the church today? Satan knows the power of unity mentioned in the Bible and he has divided the church into segments that have little strength, if any at all. Matthew 18:19-20  “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, My Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as My followers, I am there among them.”

 

So I would like to ask the following questions of the church. 

 

1.        If we have the same Spirit and the same Lord then why can’t we agree on the direction of America?

 

2.        What stops us from agreeing?

 

3.        What is it that we can agree on according to the will of God?

 

4.        What would America be like if we did agree?

 

Son, My children must not act like people who do not know Me, because these people are without any real solutions and terrified. When people no longer seek My wisdom, they will fail completely. When people abandon My Word, they will not stand up for the truth, and things will go from bad to worse.  

 

LORD, there is no one like You! For You are great, and Your Name is full of power. You made the earth by Your power, and You preserve it by Your wisdom and word. So correct me if I have brought disunity to Your church. Please open the eyes of Your pastors and teachers that the church in America would come into agreement of Your Spirit and Word.