Choosing Life or the Disgust of Death

A Christ-like attitude is one of sympathy, empathy and compassion for your fellow countrymen and for all humanity. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4). If we grieve for others, God will comfort us in this life and much more in the next life.

Today’s society chooses to dance and sing whether they can or not. It is party all day long. Do we mourn for those who are disrespectful of the president of this nation and rude to their neighbors? Do we pray for them to see God clearly? Do we ask for the Lord to send laborers across their paths?

Our God-ordained responsibility is to watch and pray. Ignorance comes from ignoring, and God does not want us to be ignorant and "in darkness" (see 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10). Our Master and role model Jesus Christ certainly understood the issues, politics and personalities of His day. We should do likewise.

The Beatitudes or the SERMON on the Mount set a higher standard than the Law had. In the Law, “do not murder” but Jesus said, “do not even hate.  

1.            Deuteronomy 5:15 you shall not murder ( we had a nation who chose to close down a nation, close schools, mom and pop stores and give a “killer vaccine” to mother pregnant with child.  We must dress like the kingdom we are set upon His kingdom!  ( We must put on the word of God!)

2.            But in Matthew 5:21-23 NKJV  21 You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment. 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry (hate)with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, “Raca!” shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!” shall be in danger of hell fire.” Did not one of those running in this election just called that about our President?

3.            To be enraged (or angered… (or—gid—zoe ) Strong’s numbering 3710…to provoke one to anger. It is a passion that is furious and intense to terminate another by wrath.

4.            You can see that in the dragon or the devil who has such intense hatred of those made in God’s image.

5.            This imagery is seen in Revelation 12 where the dragon is persecuting those members of the witnessing church!

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. In giving this to His disciples, His aim was to birth the church through them, the true propagators and inheritors of His present and consummated kingdom. And many of them faced fierce wrath for their love for God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

As He walked through the region, sadly many chose to remain satisfied with the Law and the tradition of the elders…those who were not accepting the Gospel..they had tasted the old traditions, tasted the old ways and chose them over the kingdom of God and the coming King!.......Luke 5:36-39 NKJV 36 Then He spoke a parable to them: “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear,  and  also the piece that was taken out of  the new does not match the old. 37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins  and  be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. 38 But new wine must be put into new wineskins & both are preserved. 39  And no one having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, “The old is better”.

1.            What worked yesterday may not work today; in that of the past traditions, the form of yesterday may be water and we really require wine. In truth since the days of Charles Spurgeon, the word of God has been watered down. You can see what can happen as we see today in this nation!

2.            Jesus was bringing a new wine the Kingdom of God, and that new not fully fermented must be put into fresh wineskins, that being the believers!

3.            Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

4.            Jesus the Rock, Peter and the other disciples, including us are the pieces that fit together in Jesus.           

Colossians 2:20-23 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations---- 21 “do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using----according to the commandments & doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility & neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.                                                                                                                                                     

Do not touch: do not attach yourself…..

Do not taste: geunomai (ghyoo—om—ahee) Strong’s no. 1089 to eat, to partake/to feel/experience. Used in describing life in“gusto”/of death as in disgust.

Do not handle: thiggano ( N.T. 2345) as to finger or to manipulate …to injure

We are not to attach ourselves to that which is perishing that which is according to the commandments and doctrines of men. It is wisdom of the world containing that false humility and neglect of the body but hold no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

That which is of flesh reveals the man. It reveals his heart, whether he is of God or of another god like the devil. How are we dressing? Do we have a dress code that resembles a Christ-like one living for His glory and praise?

Keeping a taste for the Lord, keeps one out of tasting death! John 8:48-52 NKJV   48 Then the Jews answered & said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan & have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father & you dishonor Me. 50 & I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks & judges. 51 Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” 52 Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead,  & the prophets; & You say, ‘If anyone keeps my word he shall never taste death.’

1.            Again this taste is ghyoo---omahee…to partake, to experience have gusto describing life

2.            Taste for the Lord, to deny oneself, put the kingdom of God 1st and foremost: from v. 51: “ if anyone keeps My word, he shall never see death

3.            Tasting the word is tasting & experiencing life God intended for us through His Son Jesus. It is knowing the Father of lights of whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. It is every good gift & every perfect gift from Him who keeps His promises. To take up the cross does not mean to endure some irritating burden: as to sickness nor disease nor that inflicted by brutal men!  John 5:24 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word & believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life,& shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.  John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection & the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 & whoever lives & believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

4.            Jesus: Say HIS name: Resurrection & the Life     

Luke 14:16-24 NKJV Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper & invited many, “ & sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ 18 But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The 1st  said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go & see it.  I ask you to have me excused.’ 19 ‘& another said, ‘I have bought 5 yoke of oxen and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’  20 “Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’21 “So that servant came & reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go quickly into the streets & lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed & the lame and the blind. 22 & the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded and still there is room.’23 “Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 ‘For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.                                                                                                                                                                                   

1.            Unselfish motives: relying on the Lord, recognizing His greatness & goodness/Water into wine …that taste is for the extension of the gospel to the poor, the sick & socially dispossessed.

2.            Jesus rejected by what symbolized the religious leaders, the most unfortunate ones to whom Jesus came to minister to are now “the invited ones”.

3.            The banquet is in progress; Israel had accepted God’s invitation to the kingdom, it came through the prophets. Jesus arrives with the kingdom of God, but is rejected….the nation refuses God’s grace. They choose not that “gusto” of life but the disgust of death!

4..            Jesus  of God tasted death for everyone….He took the disgust of death so that we could live unto Him; Jesus provided a way, that of escape from bondage, accessing God’s presence/that entrance into man’s intended glory 

5.            When our life, circumstance, or character is under fire by the adversary, it is God’ grace that keeps an enablement or that empowerment to achieve His plan, to endure /have continual access to Him .

From Luke 14:24….’for I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’ Matt. 22:8-14 then he said to his servants, ‘the wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 Therefore go into the highways & as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’  10 ‘So those servants went out into the highways & gathered together all whom they found, both bad & good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 “So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand & foot, take him away, & cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping & gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called but few are chosen.’

1.            Not worthy from verse 8: Matthew 10:11 Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy and stay there till you go out.

2.            The unworthy: those who neither welcome the gospel nor would listen to it!   

Both bad and good are found: Matthew  13:38, 47-48 NKJV the field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. 47 Again the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 48 of which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.

1.            The good, kalos (kal-oss) strong’s 2570 the beautiful, the pleasing, acceptable, excellent, honest

2.            The Gospel message is cast: it goes before all society, attracting all types of people, but many will be found un-redeemed by the angels at the end of the age.

3.            The man with no wedding garment, he who was the false disciple: Matthew 7:15-20 Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn-bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 therefore by their fruits you will know them.

4.            Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called but few are chosen: From Matthew 22:13-14, repentance and honor are the words for those chosen.

Responding or Forfeiting the Invitation: From Matthew 22:12 So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?” And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, Bind him hand & foot & take him away and cast him into outer darkness, there will be weeping & gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

1.            The hypocrite got in but was not wearing the required celebration garment who know Christ Jesus!

2.            Being Clothed in linen…that white garment represents a kingdom, where we all look like our Husband Christ…who leads in victory by righteousness and truth….we are to daily put on Jesus….who humble themselves…are meek but not weak, who imitate Jesus 

Man was not wearing a wedding garment! 2 Cor. 5:1-8 .. For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that morality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are always confident knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith & not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body & to be present with the Lord.

WE are to be Clothed with our habitation: which is from heaven…..Fruit appears from our heart through our mind, will and emotions.  People stuck in culture, will meditate with thoughts of why they must dress like the culture they live in; they will act out by their emotions in the culture they live…….jeans reveal holes in the knees…..their home is more of a showcase than an actual place to live in comfort or else their car looks like they live in it every day. Their bodies display a worldly culture.

We are to have the “wine” quality for life now in this moment. Jesus took death for us, then let us dress like Him for the spiritually and  morally is alive in His words and commands. Amen!

   Teaching at: Voice of Prayer 

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Peace of God: Strong and Undisturbed

Peace is not the absence of conflict. Peace is the presence of justice. 

Jesus spoke this: John 14:16-21; 24-31................16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever------17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor know Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.  19 "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." John 14:24-27 Amplified Bible 24 Anyone who does not [really ] love Me does not observe and obey My teaching. And the teaching which you hear and heed is not Mine, but [comes] from the Father Who sent Me. 25 I have told you these things while I am still with you. 26 But the Comforter  (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And he will cause you to recall ( will remind you of, bring to your remembrance ) everything I have told you. 27 Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled].     NKJV

1.            The person fearful, intimated, cowardly and unsettled will walk with hands outward, not to worship God but to complain in their muddied water…muddied condition…a muddied environment!

2.            Holy Spirit gives clear counsel, gives us ability to remember everything Jesus spoke when we know what He has spoken

3.            Jesus said: “do not permit” yourselves to be the agitated, disturbed, fearful, intimidated, cowardly and unsettled; Peter was warned: love others as I have loved you; Being a disciple of Jesus we are to love other disciples of Jesus, We are to love our neighbors as ourselves!

Hebrews 12:14 ..NKJV  14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

Holiness starts in one's relationship with the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Justification through God's merciful act of grace opens the door of access to Him, as well as the door to the Kingdom of God. Justification is entirely an act of God, a legal action on our behalf that we accept by faith because He does not lie. Others do not easily discern our justification, since in most cases it has no outward manifestation.

 1.            While sanctification unto holiness begins at the same moment as justification, it is a progressive, creative, time-consuming work of God within us.

2.            Unlike justification, sanctification cannot be hidden because it appears in our godly conduct. By it, a witness is made that God dwells in us. Where there is no holiness, there is no witness to glorify God.

3.            So we see that justification and sanctification are two separate matters. They are related - indeed, they cannot be separated - but we should never confuse them. If one partakes in either, he is a partaker of both, but we should not overlook the distinctions between them.

Christians cannot take sanctification for granted. We must pursue it until we are assured that we are sanctified. Our course is clear: We must go to Christ as forgiven sinners, offering our lives to Him by faith, crying out to Him for the grace we need to enable us to overcome all the flaws in our characters. Anyone have in flaws in their character? We are to be responsible, but are we? Just saw where a governor is asking a certain party to put forth violence! Does that sound responsible to love your neighbor?

The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:19, "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." The same apostle adds in Ephesians 4:15-16:   . . . but, speaking the truth in love, [we] may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ - from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Close communication with Christ is the source of the perception, motivation, and energy to discern flaws and overcome them. Discernment is vital in today’s walk!

1.            It is a biblical principle that whatever God requires, He provides what we need to accomplish it. Thus, we are to draw from this inexhaustible well and be renewed every day in the spirit of our minds (verses 23-24). Ephesians 4:23-24 NKJV 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

2.            In John 17:17, on the night before His crucifixion, Jesus asked the Father to sanctify us by His truth. Will God not answer that prayer, especially when we desire to be sanctified to be like His Son? He most certainly will answer it so that our sanctification will continue.

Perhaps a word of caution is in order, and with it an admonishment that we also ask for patience. Growth does not always come quickly. In addition, as we grow in knowledge, at the same time we become more perceptive of our flaws. The more we know, the more flaws we see, and this can become humiliating and discouraging. The humility it produces is good, but the discouragement is not so good if it halts our growth.

1.            Paul faced this, writing of it in Romans 7, but he most certainly did not let it stop him. By the time he finishes his discourse, he declares resoundingly that he knows he will be delivered by Jesus Christ.

2.            Sinners we are when we begin, and sinners we find ourselves to be as we continue - we will be sinners to the very end. Salvation is by grace, is it not? Our absolute perfection will not occur until we are changed "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet" (I Corinthians 15:52).

While reaching for God's holiness, we should not let our goals ever be anything but the highest. We should never let Satan convince us that we can be satisfied with what we are right now.

In the New Testament, Jesus’ baptism marked four important events:

1.      The Word came to earth.

2.      The heavens were opened.

3.      The Spirit descended.

4.      A voice came from heaven and spoke.

The moment God sends His word to our heart, the Spirit of God alights on that word and becomes a voice. It is the Spirit doing it and not us. Our mouths are used to voice that word.

Results they saw in that day were miracles, churning seas became peaceful and the dead walked out of the tomb! Christ Jesus gave a promise: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also, and greater works than these he will do, because I go to my Father”…(John 14:22) He was saying “ I am going back to the Father, but you will become the voice of God.” Christ is the Word of the Father, but we were to be that voice. In (Acts 2:4)…..” They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

An important thing to note here is that the Pharisees once asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God would come. Jesus replied, the kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, “See here!” or “Look there!” For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you..” (Luke 17:20-21)

Conflicts can mount up in the lives of people! But Jesus told us to pursue peace. Matthew 10:13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. Matthew 10:34 Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.

1.       From this Jesus is bringing truth and justice to earth.

2.       Family relationships is not attacked but certainly can move past when loyalty is for Jesus only.

3.       We cannot serve the world and Jesus too!

4.       We must recognize and anticipate that personal discipleship and commitment to Jesus can result in division and rejection.

Ephesians 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two,  thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the  enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

What Apostle Paul wrote here was to gives sight into Jesus the Man of Peace who accomplished removing that WALL of Separation. He abolished in His flesh the enmity and so created in Himself one new man from the two. He preached the Gospel of Peace to us and to millions around the world by the word given us in the Holy Bible.  In Philippians 4: 6-7 NKJV Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests by made known to God.

1.       This passage is more than petitioning, but suggests an intensity of earnestness in extended prayer----not to gain merit by many words, but to fully transfer the burden of one’s soul into God’s mighty hands.

2.       Trust is to be in our Lord Jesus Christ. He is more than enough. To live in righteousness is far from conflict, but settled and centered in Christ and His Words of Peace!

3.       Salvation is a wonderful thing. Living for Christ is living in light to see more light. But even more, we worship Him who is seated at the right hand of God. We have a Great Intercessor is praying for us who love Him. Maintaining God’s peace by focusing with interest and ambition heavenward to cultivate His values: Colossians 3:1-16 NKJV  If then you were raised with Christ seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and  your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth, fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and  covetousness, which is idolatry. 6Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

1.   So Paul lists those things we once lived in as to: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, covetousness which is idolatry

2.   These come under the wrath of God and pertain to disobedience...........  Why stop these? Because the wrath of God is coming upon those who participate and practice that disobedience.

3.  Idolatry is the activity of the “human heart” :It starts in the heart, craving, wanting, enjoying, being satisfied by anything that you treasure more than God. This covetousness, a disordered love or desire, loving more than God what ought to be loved less than God and only for the sake of God.

4.   Jesus warned Peter! Peter was to make note to “love one another; as I (Jesus) have loved you, that you also love one another. It is a heart ordered right in God and in His image!  Interesting about Peter, Jesus knew that he was thinking about leaving and Jesus spoke to him and the other disciples in John 6:66-71 NKJV From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You  have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve and one of you is a devil?” 71 he spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.

The more we learn how Jesus walked each time, further into more peace and into that strength that can only come from God. It was not by separating Himself from that which He had to do. What we refuse to do, or even that which seems hard, but when we continue to walk with those God has placed around us, and speak to those we must speak to and with, we find, when a "storm" does come, it is one that we call that peace of God, to see the chaos removed.

What authority do we carry when walking through this journey of life? What amount of authority can be seen when facing an enemy we have never met before? The only authority that counts is that which is from God, and remaining in Him, and staying away from sin will mark the path we walk, abiding in Him, and seeing those waves grow calm.

Romans 8:31b   If God is for us, who can be against us?32 he who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect?  It is God Who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “For You sake we are killed all day lone; W are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

   Teaching at: Voice of Prayer 

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Last Terrorist Is......

The first and last terrorist is Satan himself. He wants man, woman and child to fear so that he has company in his misery. He magnifies your every fault and failure. Satan has beheld the beauty of God, He has looked directly and saw firsthand the ways of God. But he uses this for evil purposes. He tried to stop his chief enemy: Jesus Christ. But to no avail, the crucifixion of Jesus sealed satan’s eternal doom!

Isaiah 14:12-16 NKJV How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregations on the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High," 15 You will be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit. 16 Those who see you will look at you, and consider you, saying: 'Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms......'

It is pride that filled Satan’s heart with his series of “I will” statements in Isaiah 14. He was a beautiful angel and God’s anointed cherub, but when he coveted God’s position and led a coup against him, Satan didn’t just “fall”—God cast him out found in Ezekiel 28:12-17, Isaiah 14:15.

Today is the day of trouble. Just pick up any newspaper or hear on those main channels their spin of the world: Psalm 27:5 He hides us in His shelter in the day of trouble, and Psalm 50:15 we call on Him in the day of trouble.

Revelation 12:1  Now a great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. 3 and another sign appeared in heaven, behold a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns and seven diadems on is heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood.  Before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And this Child was caught up to God and His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God. that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. 7 And war broke out in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So he great dragon was cast out that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan who deceives the whole earth and his angels were cast out with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation and strength and the kingdom of our God and the power of His Christ have come for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb  and by the word of their testimony and they did not love their lives to the death. 

The enemy is still focused on taking many with him. Yesterday heard of a town council meeting where the head guy pointed to prayer, but the guy who came up was dressed in black and prayed to satan, the major terrorist of mankind!

The fear of God :In the waiting, we are exploring the new ways of worshiping and loving Him…to finding the pathway to walk> Jesus had all kinds of false witnesses, and He accomplished what His Father purposed for Him to do on earth. Our part is to be active by faith to confess that which He placed in us to come forth and be manifested.  Jesus was active in confessing His resurrection! Luke 18:31-33..&the 3rd  day He will rise again, Matt 16:21, Luke 9:22, Matt 20:19! Jesus confess Resurrection: He would rise again!

See His Glory for Yourself: Honor Him Who will Lead YOU through the darkness. We are not entitled and have no entitlement. That is a worldly virtue. God is Good and He is HOLY! Joshua certainly asked something of God: Joshua 5:13-15 NKJV And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. & Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are YOU for us or for our adversaries?” 14 So he said, “No but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to his servant?” 15 Then the Commander of the LORD’S army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.”

The evil of the devil is rearing his head for popularity. He wants fame and he wants it for more than any 15 minutes of time! And it is anything of evil that he spreads around this world. But Jesus came to set captives free! Jesus our Savior and Lord leads the way triumphant.

2 Corinthians 4:4...whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God should shine on them.

We magnify You our Lord and Master. For the Word of God speaks is alive and full of power---making it active, operative, energizing and effective; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [ the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow[ that is, of the deepest parts of our nature] exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 Amp.)

We contact Our Shepherd. We put Him in remembrance of His Word ( Isaiah 43:26  ) We hold His Word up to Him in prayer and our Father sees Himself in His Word. That Word does  not return to Him void----without producing any effect, useless---but it shall accomplish that which He pleases and purposes and it shall prosper in the thing for which He sent it. ( Isaiah 55:11)

Isaiah 55:11-13 NKJV  11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the things for which I sent it.

For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the tress of the fielded shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

And a grateful heart will speak:  Thank you for love everlasting, love unconditional, and never failing love: 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. (Jude 10 -23)

 24 Now to Him who is able to keep us from stumbling, And to present us faultless

Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty,

Dominion and power, Both now and forever.  Amen.  ColossNKJV

Thank YOU that we know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that we might be filled with all the fullness of God  (Ephesians 3:19). Thank YOU that we may know YOUR love, and How vast YOUR love truly is!  We will not perish for we have everlasting life through YOUR Son Jesus, our Savior!

One of the best blessings in being a believer in Jesus Christ is the peace that rises above every life situation. While others are fretting with worry, believers have the power of the Holy Spirit to guard their hearts and minds with peace that has no human explanation. Having peace allows believers to continue to go through hardship and painful situations without regret. The key to having peace in our hearts is surrendering all our prayers to God and trusting in Him to take care of each one.

The heart is set on heaven: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” .   Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth.

When our hearts are set on heaven, we can rise above the problems of the world and in our life. We can look to the heavens and know that our God lives and moves all around us. Setting our hearts on things above releases us from the bondage's of materialism and seeking after selfish gain. We are moved to live with a heavenly destination in mind at all times. The key to having a heart set on heaven is stepping back and realigning all of our desires with heavenly gain in mind.

The heart is motivated to work: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23).

There is a greater desire to work if the focus remains on God and not on man. As long as we live to please man, we will forfeit the greater purposes of God for our lives. We must strive towards a life of working as to God knowing that our reward rests solely with Him. The key to a heart that is motivated at work is grounded in the knowledge that God is in control.

And  is  our heart healthy?  Just as the body can’t function well without a healthy heart, neither can the Christian with a spiritual heart—we will be sluggish in our work, hard at hearing God’s word, and slow to recognize His presence when we are not active spiritually. The consistent disciplines of the Christian faith of prayer, Bible study, and fellowship will keep our spiritual heart’s pumping strong towards our eternal destination.

We have been specifically told to be on guard against the schemes of the devil and make sure we always wear the full armor of God. If we could bind Satan, then we could all relax, sit back and hang up our spiritual armor in a closet. But we know from reading the Scriptures that assumptions (like convincing ourselves that we have successfully and permanently bound Satan), attitudes (of relaxing and imagining that Satan is bound when he’s really still causing havoc) and actions (like putting our unnecessary spiritual armor in mothballs) will only result in great spiritual disaster.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;  and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

 Position yourself in prayer for everyone on your pathway. Either in your language of English or your language in the Spirit by Holy Spirit, set to pray and be loud if necessary, but God is not deaf!

 Satan, the “god of this world,” is always working to cause disobedience and busy blinding the eyes of unbelievers (Eph 2:2; Col 4:4). This can lead to lowering our guard, taking off our spiritual armor and thus allowing a fully active and angry Satan to go about his wily business while we stand on a promise that we can bind Satan in the name of Jesus that doesn’t exist and can’t be biblically supported.

Should we rebuke Satan?  During his earthly ministry, Jesus rebuked the winds and the raging sea (Matthew 8:26), demons (Matthew 17:18), a fever (Luke 4:39) and his disciples (Mark 16:14; 8:33). However, the only account of Jesus addressing or rebuking Satan is when he was being tempted in the wilderness for the third time.    Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”  Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. (Matthew 4:8-11)  The only time Jesus ever told his followers to rebuke anything was when he told them that if a brother sinned to rebuke him (or her) with the goal of the person repenting and finding forgiveness.   "Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him" (Luke 17:3).

There is no biblical support for Christians to pray to rebuke Satan. So let’s stop doing that. We cannot bound Satan to hell. If we could, we could put away our armor we are told to put on!!!  Are we supposed to talk to Satan to rebuke him?  The best Bible passage that gives us a strong principle to follow on this question is found in the book of Jude.   Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” (Jude 1:8-9)

When a dispute arose about the body of Moses, Michael the archangel did not rebuke Satan. If he had of done so, it would have been considered presumptuous and railing a blasphemous judgment. Would not we be guilty of the same if we tried to rebuke Satan? Why would any believer attempt to go beyond what a powerful angel dared not by speaking to and rebuking Satan or his activity? The archangel was content to say, “The Lord rebuke you.” Let’s adhere to this lesson on humility and submissiveness and not go beyond our authority by trying to rebuke Satan.

In case you were wondering: there is only this account in the Bible of Satan being bound..... is when in the last days an angel from heaven tosses him into a bottomless pit for a thousand years. Until that day arrives, Satan will be our formidable opponent, so let’s make sure we proactively and obediently suit up in the armor of God each morning and keep alert in prayer as we seek to proclaim the gospel of Jesus to the nations.  Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while. (Revelation 20:1-3)

Practical steps to take when dealing with the harassment, temptations and chaos Satan may throw our way, is understand that every mishap, affliction or problem in our lives can  not always be attributed to the work of Satan! Sometimes things just happen while there are other times when we or others might be the cause of our troubles, stress, or pain. Let’s not jump to the conclusion that every bad thing that happens to us is the result of a fiery dart of Satan. ( But man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward. Job 5:7)

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Always remember that you through your faith in Jesus that you are a child of God.   Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

What has been 25 years since the attack on this nation, it was in that moment of time, men of evil decided among themselves to attack a nation. They decided to take down the twin towers and among those other building as well within that area of the east coast in New York City and in the state of Pennsylvania. Yet, men and women stood up  that great hour to stop what they could to shield others from the evil attitudes of men from a foreign nation. They are terrorists and today they are flaunted as the victims.

I have heard that some have no regard as to war on Terror, yet without the armed forces those against us would have no walls to prevent them from doing harm to those who live in this nation that I call home!  For us in America and those older than thirty would know the men and women who fought in World War 2. Some were taught in school about that war that was kept far from us. Yet, I heard recently of something that had occurred in that state of Oregon and yet I never read it in a book. Yes, it evidently was kept silent. But some young children were to go out on a field trip being it was early spring one year. One such child was kept home that day, because her mother had this heaviness of heart that her daughter should not participate in this adventure. She knew not why, but she held her authority as a parent her daughter would not be there that day.

The children had come to the place where the field trip was to begin and the leader was there. As children can sometimes do, they ran ahead of their teacher and leader. Although he, the pastor told them to wait on him, they ran yelling all the while ahead of him. And then it was a sound pierced his hearing. An explosion shook the ground and as the pastor ran to where the sound came, a horror struck him to his core. The children were all dead including his pregnant wife . The bomb sent somehow from Japan had made it to American soil and it blew as the children investigated it. It was May 5, 1945 and the headline of the local paper revealed six had been killed by the balloon bomb. It was in Lakeview, Oregon where this event occurred.

Freedom is never free and it will always cost you and me something. No matter whether we hold a political affiliation or not, whether, we only stand as conservatives with a belief in our personal responsibility, where limited government is seen, that the traditional American values and a strong national defense is acquired and continued, we will still see those times when haters appear. This is to be a place where men and women can operate in business participating in free markets.

But when one group decide they want to lead the world in anarchy, to put others into bondage and reveal the dictates of their hearts, then you find anarchists and friends of the Final Terrorist!

 

   Teaching at: Voice of Prayer 

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Darkness

John 1:1-5  NKJV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

1.   Darkness does not comprehend: Matthew 6 22-23 NKJV The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness, how great is that darkness! Is our eye healthy, a generous person or is our eye stingy, that of an Ebenezer Scrooge?

2.   Darkness in wicked males or wicked females: Proverbs 2:11-13 NKJV Discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, 12 to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things, 13 From those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness;

3.   God gives wisdom through His words, and as we are storing them up, it stores us up for success

4.   Success is a competence: Proverbs 8:14 NKJV Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding. I have strength.

5.   The Holy Spirit and the Son of God mediate wisdom’s qualities to you and to me who choose to walk with God daily! Isaiah 11:2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom & understanding, the Spirit of counsel & might, the Spirit of knowledge & of the fear of the LORD. 1 Cor. 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God----&  righteousness & sanctification & redemption ---

Without Him: Nothing was Made…Colossians 1:15-18 NKJV 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities (rulers) or powers (authorities). All things were created through Him and for Him 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

1.   The visible Jesus represented the invisible God

2.   Jesus is Supreme…His supremacy is over all creation/ He sustains it!

Heb. 1:1-4 NKJV God, who at various times & in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory & the express image of His person, & upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purge our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Sin is darkness. It separates man from the light of God. But men love darkness. We saw this in the angels who left their proper domain, and have now a place in chains under darkness for the judgment day.

Zechariah 8:16 These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to the neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace;

The True Speaks to the neighbor…… Acknowledges Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation---right relationship with God.  2 Cor. 4: 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:17-19 For He received from God the Father honor & glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns & the morning star rises in your hearts.

1.       Jesus brought light to reveal error when darkness had appeared through sin

2.       The word confirmed for salvation, healing & deliverance…to live for God by faith in obedience to Him: John 14:6 NKJV 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth & the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. It is the walk of faith in Him!   Having Jesus, is sinning no more

Jude 6-9 ……….6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.  9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" …..Jude is attacking false prophets, and thus men and demons are interwoven in the context. He indicts these false prophets for three sins:

1. Lust: They defile the flesh, allowing a feeling to take them over the edge into sin.

2. Rebellion: They flout authority in general, but primarily that of Christ. It is hidden in the Greek, but the word authority is really "lordship." It normally refers to Christ and His lordship over us.

3. Disrespect or disregard of spirit beings.

This third sin is interesting because he is saying that it is not that these false prophets will not talk about Satan, but their speech is gratuitous, despising, or denigrating of angelic powers. Their preaching suggests that these demons are not something Christians need to be concerned about. They side-step the issue.

Why would they do that? Because a false spirit is leading them, so they downgrade the existence and powers of demons through their preaching. This is clearly seen in Protestant Christianity, especially the mainline denominations have gone to the point that they almost universally agree that Satan, the Devil and his demons do not really exist. It shows how successful the demons have been in their deceptions.

On the other hand, there are evangelical or Pentecostal groups who talk about demons and Satan in a flippant, dismissive way: "Oh, we're going to put down the Devil tonight!" What they are doing in reality is that they are putting Satan into a position where they seem to have power over him. BUT, they are so deceived.   The truth in regard to Satan is somewhere in between. The true church of God will have that truth, and they will understand that, yes, Satan is, he is powerful, but because of God, they do have power over him in that they can reject him and his deceptions. ( Jesus saw him fall from heaven.) Jude is giving us signs to look for in the preaching of false ministers. They will denigrate Satan and his demons, there will be indications of lusts, and they will flout the authority of Jesus Christ.

Sin of darkness is rampant today as it was in the day of Jude. You can see that on any television commercial. They call nudity good and dresses well as racist. They call men women and have them displayed anywhere. Tatoos are revealed on faces, arms and other places. Saw a man from Florida who had a design on his face : you could only see his eyes revealed when staring at another.  They dress for work and look like they are going to the beach( shorts and all)! Homes are unaffordable for those just starting their families.  You refuse to go the hospital because the prices will wreck your finances or else it is 150 people ahead of you who have overdosed on drugs or someone from another getting free stuff like health care. ( Saw this when entering hospital two years ago!)

Now hearing of those men of Hollywood who chose to use adrenochrome and that kills. You must take it from the person with adrenal glands , but the person dies when adrenals are removed. So sad our nation is set on drugging itself to death. Earthquakes are rampant here but no one talks about it. You might feel a tremor but keep it to yourself. Yet, those with names like Mt. Adams and Mt. Ranier are rumbling daily with their exhaust of gas clouds! Of the week of September 13, 2026 836 earthquakes in California and Nevada. The homeless outlook is serious indeed. It is a significant number of the homeless who are drug addicts. In New York, public urination has become an extremely common sight. It was back in July of this year that a very popular streamer known as Sneako who created quite a stir when he stated loudly with a boldness in his heart that New York City is now “the Islamic Republic of New York-istan. ( He wants the whole world to be under Islamic law.)

Closer to our home, we still find higher gas prices than our neighbors to the East unless they are near an Interstate corridor. Our gas was at $4.19 for years while Biden was in office. But since the Iran conflict we are closer now to $6.00 a gallon. We are told the war with Iran brought up our gas: no it did not, it was already too high!

Weakened without Christ Jesus: Ephesians 2:11-13 NKJV  11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh---who are called the Un-circumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands---12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

1.   We were estranged from our Creator our Father

2.   Were without a Savior, living in futility and hopelessness

Believing Power Demonstrates Strength:  Ephesians 1:18-19  Amplified Bible 18 By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light; so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), 19 And [ so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength.

1.   Strength of God is in us who believe

2.   That strength is demonstrated through us when our eyes for seeing is flooded with His light

3.   That is our hearts must be filled with His thoughts, His ways and plan

Ability and Freedom: Galatians 5:5-9  Amplified Bible 5 For we, [not relying on the Law but] through the [Holy] Spirit’s [help], by faith anticipate and wait for the blessing and good for which our righteousness and right standing with God [our conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action, causes us to hope. 6 For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor un-circumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love. 7 You are running your race nobly. Who has interfered in (hindered and stopped you from ) heeding and following the Truth? 8 This [evil] persuasion is not from Him Who called you [Who invited you to freedom in Christ]. 9 A little leaven ( a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers) leavens the whole lump [it perverts the whole conception of faith or misleads the whole church].

1.   Faith perverted is evil persuasion

2.   It is not of God for God is of truth, energized and expressed through love

3.   By the Holy Spirit, we are to anticipate and wait for the blessing when conforming to God’s will in our thoughts, our actions that results with hope in our heart

2 Thessalonians 3:5-6 Amplified Bible 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into [realizing and showing]  the love of God and into the steadfastness and patience of Christ and in waiting for His return. 6 Now we charge you, brethren, in the name of and on the authority of the our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) that you withdraw and keep away from every brother (fellow believer) who is slack in the performance of duty and is disorderly, living as a shirker and not walking in accord with the traditions and instructions that you have received from us.

2 Corinthians 4: 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:17-19 For He received from God the Father honor & glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns & the morning star rises in your hearts.

Darkness is confusion, error, and everything false. It has nothing to do with light. Jesus brought light to reveal error when darkness had appeared through sin!  The word confirmed for salvation, healing & deliverance…to live for God by faith in obedience to Him: John 14:6 NKJV 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth & the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. It is the walk of faith in Him!   Having Jesus, is sinning no more! And no more darkness appears!

WE are told this in Amos 2:6-8

(6) Thus says the LORD: " For three transgressions of Israel, and for four,

I will not turn away its punishment,

Because they sell the righteous for silver,

And the poor for a pair of sandals.

(7) They pant after the dust of the earth which is on the head of the poor,

And pervert the way of the humble. A man and his father go in to the same girl,

To defile My holy name.

(8) They lie down by every altar on clothes taken in pledge, And drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god.

This is part of God's indictment of Israel forty years before its fall. At the time, Israel had regained some of its former glory under the able, though idolatrous, leadership of Jeroboam II, who had regained some of its lost territory and reinvigorated its economy. God's warning through Amos, however, is that material prosperity cloaks the ugly and rotten inner core, which was the true state of Israel's relationship with God. Thus, he concludes that the nation is doomed to fall to its enemies, and its people will die or shuffle off to foreign lands as slaves—and soon.

God concentrates on social injustices like exploiting the poor and weak, perverting justice, abusing sexuality, encouraging addictions, and trampling the sacred. This indicates that such societal ills reveal the "heart of darkness" hidden by a façade of religiosity and prosperity, much as exists today in modern America. A society that reaches the point of merely adorning the façade rather than changing the heart is taking its last gasp.

Surely we see this today in this nation once under God’s rule. They use whatever lie or person who can help them WIN! They want all the rule, all the money and for all time indeed!

This is the punishment Amos foresees for the corrupt in Israel: Your wife shall be a harlot in the city; your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword; your land shall be divided by survey line; you shall die in a defiled land; and Israel shall surely be led away captive from his own land (Amos 7:17).

What a horrible end this is for this nation of Israel—but a just one in the eyes of God. It cannot be far off for those of nation who have chosen themselves to be “god”!

For us Christians who are spiritually counter-culture, we need to realize the rapidity of the decline and the probability that persecution will increase. People who know and hide their hypocrisy will strike out at those who expose it by their very presence. To face the bleak future of this nation, we need to remain "strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (Ephesians 6:10), because our "might" will not suffice. This requires us to renew our relationship with God day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16) and strengthen it by growth (John 15:8; 2 Peter 3:18). As Paul says, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17).  Amen!

 

   Teaching at: Voice of Prayer 

Visit my You Tube channel Voice of Prayer for more teaching 

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Visit Life Giving Wells You Tube Channel for more teaching

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