New Year's Plan - If I...then He

December 29, 2020 - LISTEN HERE

Ezekiel 11: 17-21

Therefore say: “This is what the Lord God says: I will gather you from among the nations and assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.  When they return and cast away all of their loathsome things and detestable practices, I will give them one heart, placing a new spirit within them. I will remove their stubborn heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.

When they live by My statutes, keep My ordinances by practicing, then they shall be My people, and I will be their God. 

But to those whose hearts delight in loathsome things and detestable practices, I'll bring the consequences of their behavior crashing down on their own heads, declares the Lord GOD.”

++++++++++

The Lord gave these words to Ezekiel to tell the leaders of the Jewish people. God made them a promise...that He would return them to their promised land. But as we have seen with many of God’s promises, there are conditions:

• IF turn away from loathsome things AND
• IF they cast away detestable practices AND
• WHEN they live by His statutes AND
• WHEN they keep and practice HIS ordinances 

• ....THEN they will be called “My People”  
• ....THEN He will be their God

IF I, then HE...

...but God also promised that IF WE (continue our bad behavior) then HE will “bring consequences crashing down on our head.”

As we reflect on the monstrous things going on in our country and across the world right now – the WEForum.org terrorism; the failures of congress; the overreach of our governors and lame responses of our state legislators; the complete meltdown of the SCOTUS, we need to remember something: Each of those nameless characters are human beings. They did not uphold their oaths of office ...and are selling out of our constitution, our country, the American people, the people of the world. As I read the verses the Lord gave me today I had to wonder: What consequences will be crashing down on their heads, delivered by the Living God?

As we reflect back over the disturbing things that have happened to each of us individually and collectively throughout 2020, what did we each do for God? Where can you say...and over what behaviors... can you say, “IF I....then He”?

I really don’t support the idea of New Year’s Resolutions. They are mostly lofty and non-specific lists like, losing some weight or getting more sleep or exercising regularly. I read somewhere that about 8% are actually able to stick to them to make substantial changes in our lives. But what if we set 1 or 2 very specific GOALS for ourselves this year, especially in the area of spiritual growth.... what can you put down – in writing – that IF I this year... will be matched by one of God’s promises of “...then He”?

TODAY’S PRAYER:

Dear Lord, we are grateful for the Season of Remembering Your Birth and incarnation into human form for the sake of each of us. We are grateful for your birth, for your sacrificial death and for rising again to sit at the right hand of the Father, for the sake of us all.

The end of the year is a time for reflection, for taking stock of what has happened, what we have done, and what we should have done ...and for taking steps to formulate a plan for doing better in the upcoming year. 

Forgive us for our shortcomings Lord. Forgive our impatience, for our lack of courage, for being obedient and subservient to the WRONG MASTERS. Forgive us for not understanding what giving up our freedoms meant.

Be with those who lost loved ones this year, Lord. Touch and heal their hearts and remind them that if they are part of Your family, they will soon be united again, for all of eternity. 

Lord, humble our hearts. Give us strength and endurance for the days ahead. Give us guidance as to how we may serve You better, more fully and bring more glory to Your name.  

Lord, You declared, and it is written in Your Word, “There is nothing hidden that won't be revealed, and there is nothing secret that won't become known and come to light.” You admonished us to “be careful how we listen; for whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a longing for truth], even what he thinks he has [knows] will be taken away.”  (Luke 8: 17-18)

Lord, we continue to pray for the rightful outcome of our election, the continuation of our country and the prayerful love of our constitution and our bill of rights. We thank you for all You have given us throughout 2020 – for opening our eyes, our minds and our hearts to so much that we have never seen before – and have never before been able to comprehend.

Thank You for being with us through challenging times and through the best of times. Lord, as we move further into uncharted waters, we lean in.  You promised to never leave nor abandon us; we trust You Lord that this is so. 

As we close out 2020, please continually remind us that IF WE draw closer unto Thee going forward, we know absolutely THEN YOU will be there with us, every step of the way, until we see Your Holy face forever with You in Eternity. We ask that They will be done. We as for these things, this or something better, in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

 Photo credit: 

ID 112526178

 

© Steven Hatton

 

| Dreamstime.com

Have Hope - God Is Still Working On You

December 11, 2020 - LISTEN HERE

Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

How can I do this, Lord? He then led me to this: 

Psalm 25:4-5
Make Your ways known to me, Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I wait for You all day long.

Here are four ways to choose hope:*

1. Go outside. Step out of your house – take off your MASK - and breathe in the air. Never before in history has the entire planet been muzzled at the same time – and have we been denied OXYGEN. You are alive. Dance. Sing. Hug. 

Give thanks for the simple things and freedoms we still enjoy.  The fresh air – and the sunshine, the snow and even the rain will do amazing things for you – physically, emotionally and spiritually.

2. Read Bible verses on truth, hope, and God’s love. We did an entire week on HappyHour about hope – go back and review all the readings and prayer for a jolt of inspiration. Put HOPE in the search bar and all the sessions will come up. 

3. Pray for someone else. We’re all struggling right now at some level, whether we want to admit it out loud or not. I see it reflected differently in each of the patients I see. We are sad, anxious, withdrawn, quiet, angry. But if we look to God for our comfort, we will be able to pray for others who are suffering more than we are. 

God gives us as much as we can handle...but sometimes, He gives us a little more, to stretch us, to move us, to teach us – to TRUST that He has everything under control. Praying for others allows us to look outside ourselves; reach for something bigger. Compassion for others makes us grow. Pick up the phone and call someone, don’t just send a text message or email. 

Send a real Christmas card with a hand-written, personal message about how much the person means to you; please don't just sign it and stuff it in the envelope. This year, more than ever, we’re all missing humanity right now....and this is by design. Reach out. Be human. By giving someone else hope, the hope inside you is magnified too.

4. Remember God is still working on you.  At the end of the day, all we need is to cling to Christ Jesus. But remember: we are a work in progress. Rest and be secure in this truth: We are a work in progress. As long as we are still on the top side of the grass, we are as clay being molded by the Father in Heaven. We fail. We get up and try again. We do good works. We mess up. We fall short of the Glory that the Lord would have us be. Reading God’s word, praying, and serving others will lift our eyes away from our heartache and onto God’s purpose for our life. Don’t give way to the darkness - God is still working on you!

TODAY’S PRAYER:

Lord, be with us through this holiday season that is a celebration of Your birth, Your life, Your sacrifice for each and every one of us. Humans are struggling right now Lord. Not just Your children, but all humans. Teach us Your ways. Expand our hearts to be bigger, to share better, to hold more love. Help us to seek You with all our concerns and lay them at the base of the cross. We know You hold it all....give us the grace to lean in.

*concept credit: Sarah Frazer, Crosswalk.com

 Photo credit: ID 96651400 | Novi Elysa |Dreamstime.com

 

God's Purpose Will Not Be Defeated

September 17, 2020 - LISTEN HERE

Job 42:2 

Then Job answered the Lord and said, “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.”

If you put “Job” in the search of this blog, you will find quite a few posts about Job and his trust in God. The Book of Job is quite long, and Chapter 42 is nearing the time when Job testing is coming to an end. He speaks out to God and as a testament to his faith and trust in God, acknowledges that God can do all things, at all times....and His purpose will not be thwarted.

Thwart is a word not commonly used in modern language. Thwart is a verb that means: 

• To prevent the occurrence, realization, or attainment of

• To oppose and defeat the efforts, plans, or ambitions of (someone).

 
Put into modern language, this verse can read like this:

Then Job answered the Lord and said, “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be opposed or defeated.”

Isn't this exactly what we need to cling to and know about in these uncertain times? God isn't a crisis manager who responds to events in a reactionary way. He isn’t surprised by our problems or the situations blaring across the media outlets. He isn’t perplexed by our blunders nor is He taken by surprise by bombs, explosions or “random acts of violence.”

The Bible tells us over and over again that God can do all things...and that we can even greater things than Jesus did when He was here: we just need to ask, trust and wait expectantly. Once God put His purpose in the center of our life, it can never be stopped.

Today’s Prayer:
Dear Lord, just like Job, we come to You in awe of God’s unlimited power, knowledge, and dominion. We ask for all things to come to pass that are in accordance with your purpose. Make Your plan for our lives clear, Dear Lord, so we know we are following Your Calling. We know that no matter what we do, You will guide the path – for our life, for our country, for our world – because Your purpose will not be defeated. May Your Plan will be fulfilled in a timely manner, according to Earth time. We ask for clarity, guidance and understanding. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Photo credit Illustration 57441504 © Yevhen Verlen | Dreamstime.com

 

Be Quiet - The Lord Will Fight For You

September 4, 2020 - LISTEN HERE

Exodus 14:13-14

Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation He will provide for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet.”

 

Moses spoke these words to the Israelites the day before they were planning to flee Egypt, the day before God was planning to part the Red Sea for them to escape. If you’ve read the book of Exodus, you know the Israelites were a whiney and wishy-washy lot of people who had a hard time with the whole concept of being freed from captivity. On this day, they were told that the Lord would fight for them...if they would stand firm, accept that He was going to do for them....and just be quiet.

 

This entire week at Happy Hour was structured around the concept of “being still.”

            Monday:     Isaiah 46:1,10  - Be Still and Know

            Tuesday:    Psalms 62:5-6  - I Will Not Be Shaken – with Pastor Caspar

            Wednesday:  Psalms 37:7 – Be Still and Wait Expectantly

            Thursday:   Job 6:24 – Teach Me; I Will Be Silent and Listen

 

In Exodus 14:14, we are reminded that when we face our biggest challenges, we need to trust, we need to ask, we need to be quiet....then, we need to feel the fear and do it anyway. 

 

The Israelites were about to from the most powerful government and the most powerful ruler of the day: the Egyptian King and his massive, well-armed army. They were poor, unarmed and even scattered in their decisions of whether they even wanted to get out of captivity! 

Can you imagine what the dinner discussions were that night:

• The Egyptian army will come after us and kill us – we’re as good as dead!
• Where is it we are going....Into the ‘wilderness?’ What does that mean? Where the heck is that??
• Will we have food and shelter? At least here we have a home and a job...and we have we’re pretty safe!
• Who the heck is Moses anyway? Does he really talk to God? Is he hallucinating?

 

Now, fast forward to today.

 

We are standing up against the most powerful forces ever gathered on earth, plotting to take away our freedoms. We’re afraid of the consequences. We’re afraid to resist and revolt. We may be slaves, but we’re “safe.”  Who should we trust – the “authorities” or the radical rebels who are revolting?

 

So many around us are not even sure they WANT to be free – How many do you know that are happy to be obedient? How many are willing to wear a mask? How many are willing to socially distance and NEVER touch another human again. How many are going to be vaccinated and microchipped with the Mark of the Beast, to be “free?”

 

- OR - 

How many are going to rise up and declare, 

“I will die on my feet rather than live on my knees, 

as a slave to the New World Order. 

 

When we draw the Lord into the battle and onto the battlefield, He promises to FIGHT FOR US. We just need to “be quiet” and get out of the way. We need to turn our fears and worries over to God and let Him fight the battle.stand with God.

As in the days of Moses, the Lord will fight for us...if we invite Him to the battle, then Be Still...and Know. 

 

Today’s Prayer:

Dear Lord, in these challenging times, many here have committed to daily communion with You, to share the Word of God and to Pray. We are exercising our FAITH, we are learning to BE STILL. We are preparing for the most important battle of our life: Will we choose to follow You or will we be among those who will Fall Away as predicted in the Last Days?

 

Lord, protect us from the Enemy. Give us keen discernment to know the enemy in advance. Dear Lord, eliminate all vexes the enemy may have over us. We ask that You send Your warring angels join us to combat our personal strifes and external battles. We command them to fight on our behalf.

 

Lord, we thank You for this week together. May You be with us as we relax over this holiday weekend, the last holiday of summer. Guide our steps. Hold our hearts close to You so we may feel Your Love and protection. We worship you. We love you so much Father God. We thank you and praise Your holy name. Please grant us our petitions – this or something better and in all things, may Your will be done. We ask in Jesus’s precious name. Amen.

Nothing is Too Difficult for God

 August 26, 2020 - LISTEN HERE

Jeremiah 32:17

Oh, Lord God! You Yourself made the heavens and earth by Your great power and with Your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You.

 

Perhaps the blowback of all the work done by so many activists across America and around the world is starting to crack the narrative and the truth will prevail. Perhaps all the prayers and petitions we have laid at the feet of the Lord over the last five months are starting to manifest in the physical. 

 

Breaking News Tuesday evening (Aug. 25) out of the great state of Idaho. Today lawmakers in Idaho’s House voted to advance a resolution that ends Idaho Governor Brad Little’s Coronavirus Emergency Declaration. Idaho is now the first state where it’s constituents have voted to remove the insane coronavirus regulations put on by their governor in overwhelming fashion. The resolution effectively lifts all restrictions across the state. Lawmakers voted and passed the resolution 48-20 amid a special session that the Governor called to deal with liability laws and mail-in voting concerns. The resolution now heads to the Senate and if it passes the Governor’s Emergency declaration, that he put in place back in March, is over.

 

There are other cracks in THEIR plan are showing up too:

1. CDC testing recommendations have changed and are not required; testing is inaccurate anyway 

2. China no longer recommends wearing a mask in public 

3. Hugs over Masks protests are gaining attention and traction worldwide

4. The infection rate may drop to tiny levels before a vaccine is ready

5. Therapeutics effectively treat COVID19 - eliminating the need for a vaccine 

6. International flights arriving in America no longer need to adhere to a 14-day quarantine - so lockdowns and home quarantines should be eliminated next 

7. Vaccine showing to NOT be effective

Yesterday, we reviewed Romans 8:31 - If God is for us, who can be against us? 

Today, we review Jeremiah 32:17 - Nothing is too difficult for God.

 

What else needs to be said? 

Today’s Prayer: 

Dear Lord, collectively we have been praying for several months for Your support, Your Healing, Your protection. Today we celebrate the beginning of the physical manifestation of Your power, Your Love, Your providence. For each small victory, we give You the glory, and thank You for hearing our prayers. Thy will be done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Photo 192413545 © Maria Marganingsih | Dreamstime.com

 

Let Your FAITH Be Bigger Than Your FEAR

 August 24, 2020 - LISTEN HERE

(also see: Faith is a Noun and a Verb)

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” 

 

Most Christians are familiar with Hebrews 11:1. It is a verse commonly referred to about the meaning of FAITH.

 

The KJV uses this language “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Other versions use these words: 

• Substitute substance with assurance or reality
• Substitute evidence with proof or conviction

Reread that verse with these substitutions. 

 

While many are no doubt familiar with Hebrews 11:1, today’s next verse is equally, if not more, important:

 

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

"Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that God exists and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."

 

Then, the entire chapter of Hebrews 11 is a laundry list of those who had FAITH in God and stepped out without really understanding what they were doing or where God was leading them. The list includes: Cain/Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham & Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses...all the way up to vs 32 when the author says, "Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets.” 

 

All of these were human beings, with frailties, doubts, and personal misgivings. But God used them all in mighty ways. Why? Because they had unwavering FAITH that God would deliver on His promises - or delivered something better than they were expecting. They trusted that God would never abandon them. 

Always remember that FAITH is the opposite of FEAR. 

• Faith is evidence
• Faith has substance 
• Faith has power
• Only with Faith can we please Him and be blessed with His rewards. 

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: 

Lord, today we pray for the pastors, priests and rabbis who are leading their flocks astray by bowing to the Church of Scientism. We pray their eyes will see and their ears will hear that the petition to obligate wearing masks and distancing is social engineering…and the first step to leading their flock to the long-predicted Mark of the Beast. 

Our church leaders need to trust YOU. They must not kneel in submission to the gods of government, the gods of scientism, the gods of propaganda. Lord, we pray for the leaders You have ordained to care of the souls of Your church congregations. We ask You to fill them with Your courage and the FAITH of those listed in Hebrews 11, those who trusted You to deliver their future through Your blessings. 

Lord, we ask the You remind all of those who say they are Christians and say they believe in God that the FEAR they have over this present day, manmade disaster has nullified their FAITH. Their blessings will stop and they are kneeling to the wrong god.

Help us to not only pray FOR them, but to pray WITH them – remind Your people, Lord, that when they restore their FAITH, they will eliminate their FEAR.

Dear Lord, we thank You that Your Word is so very clear: FAITH is necessary to please You and to receive Your blessings. It is by FAITH that we see our prayers manifest. It is FAITH that removes FEAR and opens the gates to receive His rewards. We ask you in FAITH to meet our needs according to Your riches in glory. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Photo Credit: ID 79513601 @Darwin Santana | Dreamstime.com

Did Your Pastor Sell You Out?

August 21, 2020 - LISTEN HERE

 

Proverbs 24:10

If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

 

It is obvious the Day of Adversity is here. 

For the remainder of my days, I will always be perplexed as to how the entire world “rolled over” and became enslaved by the Globalists in a matter of a few weeks.

 

Masks. Distancing. Mandatory tracing. Quarantines. Lockdowns. And now, mandatory vaccines. 

 

Today, a group of more than 4,000 Evangelical pastors joined together and signed a pledge that says, “As Christians who uphold the authority of God’s Word and see science as a tool to understand God’s world, we call on all Christians to follow the advice of public health experts and support scientists doing crucial biomedical research on COVID-19.”  

 

The document closes by saying, "Therefore, because of our faith in Jesus Christ, we will:

• Wear masks – Masks only serve to harm the health of the person wearing it.
• Get vaccinated - The document claims that, “Vaccination is a provision from God that will prevent disease not only for ourselves but for the most vulnerable among us.” Apparently, they know none of the ingredients found in vaccines, especially the known carcinogens and the cells of aborted fetuses.
• Correct misinformation – Currently, “misinformation” is defined as anything that is not lockstep with mainstream propaganda 
• Work for Justice – Social justice, claiming to be doing things for the common good, is an excuse for total state control.

And then the Pope came out a few hours later with a statement calling for universal vaccines to not be reserved just for the wealthiest. Yes...let's be sure to poison and kill all the poor people too...

Let's examine today's verse - Proverbs 24:10 - more closely.

 

What is the definition of faint?

• Lacking conviction, boldness, or courage; 
• To be timid 

What is adversity?

• A state of hardship or misfortune
• A calamitous event

.

What is the definition of strength? 

• The capacity to resist attack
• The capacity to resist strain or stress
• Durability

So, let’s reread Proverbs 24:10 like this:

If I am timid and I fail to have conviction, to be bold, or to demonstrate courage in these days of hardship, misfortune and/or calamity, then my ability to resist external stress and/or personal attacks is small. I have little courage and no durability.

 

That’s powerful.

 

Our church and spiritual leaders have become faint. They are worshiping the god of government and the god of science. Our church communities have become obedient, bending a knee to the god of government and becoming subjects of fear, which is the opposite of faith. They showed NO durability with the first sign of hardship and misfortune. What will they acquiesce to next?

 

Today’s Prayer:

Dear Lord, we know not what is coming to bear upon us next. Many of Your people believe what we are experiencing now is just the beginning of the radical subjugation that will come at Your people next...and very soon. We pray that each of us – all of Your people, called by Your name – will humble themselves, seek Your face, and pray for mercy. We pray for protection and for strength. We pray to find solace in Your Word. We pray that Your love will give us the durability, the courage, the bravery we need for the times of adversity that are ahead. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Photo credit: 103871048 © Gearstd | Dreamstime.com

 

Fighting Powers and Principalities - with Jill Noble

August 19, 2020 - LISTEN HERE

Ephesians 6:10-13 

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil.  For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

We’ve talked about the Armor of God on many evenings here at Happy Hour….bit it seems more timely than ever. Every word in these verses is so pertinent today …and going forward. 

The contexts make it clear that it refers to the vast array of evil and malicious spirits who war against the people of God. The principalities and powers of Satan are beings that wield power in the unseen realms to oppose everything and everyone that is of God.

Today’s Happy Hour and Prayer was lead by Jill Noble, a powerful prayer warrior, and dear friend. Jill is a public speaker and registered lobbyist with my state. I’m aligned with Glory of Zion and apostolically commissioned. 

To listen to the full conversation and one of the most powerful prayers ever offered on HappyHour. Now is the time.

 

Today’s Prayer – from Jill Noble:

Freedom is part of our Constitution. I believe the Lord is going to continue to use the United States of America while we have this window of opportunity to get the news out that Jesus is alive, that Jesus desires to have a relationship with you, and the Jesus has many things written in YOUR books in heaven that you have not yet fulfilled. Even entire nations have books written about them in heaven and they have not yet filled their complete destiny as a nation. The United States has been so blessed, but the occultists and the Globalists want to destroy it. 

But in our country, Jesus is the cornerstone of our foundation. The Lord isn’t through with our country yet. It looks dark, it looks hard. Jesus gives us a hope that does not disappoint. We cling tenaciously to that hope because it’s real. It’s not a pipedream. His power is real, His strength is real and His intentions for our nation are very real. He said whatever is loosed in heaven is loosed here on earth. So Lord, we release all of your provisions from heaven into the earth. Lord, have your way with our nation as we fall on our face with prayers of repentance. 

We ask you Lord, with Your tender mercy, to come and heal our land. Lord, we confess our sin. We’ve sinned by being apathetic. We sinned by pursuing happiness above pursuing You. But God, we are turning back to You with our whole hearts in these final days. We ask that You receive us as a sacrifice that would be pleasing to You. We ask that You would look down on our land and help us to fulfil those words: One Nation. Under God. Indivisible. With Liberty and Justice for All.  In the name of Jesus, we ask for this. Amen.

Photo 139836084 © Andrey Burmakin | Dreamstime.com

Persecution Cannot Separate Us from God

August 18, 2020 - LISTEN HERE

Romans 8: 35, 38-39 

Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

For I am persuaded that not death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

According to Open Doors, an International NGO advocating for persecuted Christians, there are approximately 2.48 billion Christians in the world today. Out of these, 1 in every 12 is considered to be suffering from “extreme” levels of persecution.

In January 2020, Open Doors released its annual World Watch List of the 50 countries where Christians face the most severe types of persecution. At the very top of the list, the three countries which show extreme levels of persecution, we see North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia. Further down the list is China. 

The situation in China continues to worsen as more and more churches are experiencing pressure at the hands of the Chinese state. An estimated 5,500 churches have been destroyed, closed down, or confiscated. In May, an official in the eastern province of Shandong raided the home of a local Christian and hung pictures of Mao Zedong and Xi Jinping on the wall in place of Christian images, saying, "These are the greatest gods. If you want to worship somebody, these are the ones to worship.”  Cash rewards are being offered to those who inform officials and law enforcement about the location of underground churches and other ‘unofficial’ places of worship. 

In America and around the world, we are soon to become the Cashless Society which has been anticipated for several decades. COVID19 will be the justification, blaming our “dirty money” to get rid of cash. So many have bought the hype, the propaganda about the masks, social distancing, and contact tracing that the notion of being microchipped will be the “next logical step” for transacting money. The chip that will go into our hands - or at our hairline - so we can pay without touching. 

"He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." - Revelation 13:16-17

The Bible mentions in many places that Christians will be persecuted, tortured, and even killed for their faith in Jesus Christ.

"Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.~ Revelation 20:8 

It is highly probable that the COVID19 vaccine will be part of the mark of the beast God has long warned us about. Social conditioning, the steps getting us mentally and physically prepared, is “Masking” and "Distancing." This is the first "Mark.” Think about it: we can barely shop or participate in life without wearing the illness-inducing mask.

Christians, more persecution, more pressure, more bullying is coming. But stand strong. Know that God will never leave us, especially in times of our darkest need and our most frightening circumstances. No matter what comes upon us, He will be with us every step of the way. 

It's important to decide now: 

Will you choose freedom and God...or choose slavery, the mask and the vaccine?

Today’s Prayer: 

Lord, in the midst all that is swirling around us, it is magnificent to be reassured, again and again, that You will always be with us, You will never abandon us and no matter what happens to our physical body, we can never be separated from You. 

When the toughest assaults start to appear, keep Your Word - especially Roman 8: 35-39 - resonating through our minds and our hearts. Without You, we are nothing. With You, we are the Overcomers of the world and by Your grace, we will live a life of righteousness and courage. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen. 

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Are Our Leaders Worthy of Respect?

 August 17, 2020 - LISTEN HERE

Titus 2:2 - “Older men are to be level headed, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance.” 

This verse struck me. My first thought was, “Aren’t most of our POLITICIANS “older men”? Where do our leaders stand with being level headed? Sensible? Of sound in faith, love, and endurance? And most of all…being “worthy of respect”? 

Aren't most of our church leaders "older men"? 

 

The Book of Titus is a short letter from Paul to Titus, a young protege who was living on the island of Crete. The Book has just three short chapters in which Paul outlines instructions for Godly living. In Chapter 1, Titus is told to “correct whoever teaches what is wrong.” He is to silence and strongly rebuke rebellious people who are "full of empty talk that they may be strong in the faith.” 

Again - politicians? church leaders? 

 

Titus 2:2 draws the line in the sand about following man-made rules, especially the illogical, baseless MANDATES coming against churches and their congregations regarding masks and social distancing. 

 

On May 30, 2020, the US Supreme Court issued a ruling that churches were only allowed to have 100 members meet at one time, ostensibly to contain the spread of the coronavirus. 

Apparently, the Supreme Court justices have not seen the size of the so-called protestors destroying properties and looting businesses. So the church cannot open but the protesters and terrorists have free rein to flood the streets. Most of the hoodlums are wearing masks, not to protect against coronavirus but to hide their identities from law enforcement.

Further lawsuits from the Church Resisters have followed, with some success.

 

On August 16, the California Court of Appeal issued a stay of the lower court’s order, allowing the county’s Health Order to remain in effect and prohibiting John MacArthur’s Grace Community Church from meeting indoors. 

The church met anyway — inside, unmasked, and without adhering to social distancing. MacArthur noted the church’s defiance during the service, saying, “...the good news is that you’re here, you’re not distancing, and you’re not wearing masks.” The congregation cheered in response. 

God’s Word says clearly in Matthew 7:21-23:  

“Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.

 

Many will say, ‘did we not prophesy in Your name, cast our demons, perform many miracles?’ And I will declare to them publicly, Depart from me; I never knew you.” 

 

Are church leaders – pastors, priests, rabbis, imams – leading their people, teaching them to fearlessly avoid the social engineering of the mask and social distancing? Can they see this where this is leading? 

Are church members acquiescing to fear and depending on a mask – a flimsy piece of material that does NOTHING to protect from infection – instead of trusting God and their God-given immune system to keep them healthy?

 

Ask your church leaders: Who are YOU going to serve? 

Nothing is more significant than a solid foundation in Christ. Nothing is more motivational than the power of confidence given to us through the Word of God.  Nothing is more important right now than being obedient to God. 

 

Today’s Prayer: 

Dear Lord, fill your people with Your Word, Your power, and Your Courage.  For the last 100+ years, the people of this country, this world, have turned their backs to You, Your Word, and Your ways. This country was founded by those who experienced religious persecution. It is time, now more than ever, for Your people to take a stand for You. 

 

Please awaken up the sheep, Lord; many of them are Your people. Show them their collectivism is leading them into the hand of the Enemy. We pray for their souls Lord, that their eyes may be opened to see and their ears may be opened to hear. We are grateful to be together for You. And yet, with all that we want, we ask that Thy will be done....in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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