Quiet and Peaceable Life

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;" 1 Timothy 2:1-3

 

I've probably used this scripture before but it bears repeating in light of the coming election. Why do we want good rulers and what is their main responsibility? It is simply that we lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness, or that we have peace in our streets and are protected from our enemies. That is the main responsibility of government and anything beyond that is extra. Will our country go into anarchy or will we have peace in our streets and throughout our land? Will we be protected for the ever-looming terrorists or will they run freely throughout our country doing their will. Prayer will decide this more than you think. Pray! Pray! Pray!

Esther?

Below is a copy of an email I recently received. I thought I'd pass it on. It's well worth the reading. Keep in mind that God can use someone even if they don't quite fit into our doctrinal system. This will give you something to think and pray about and maybe encourage you.

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Pastor Mark Arnold in Lebanon , Ohio wrote the below account. This account is true. He sent this out first to just a tiny handful of friends and relatives, never dreaming that, thanks to email, it would soon travel around the world.

 

As of 3:30 p.m. today, September 25, he's heard back from 49 states, 11 nations, several major Christian ministries and news networks and is receiving 70-100 emails an hour. He is refusing money from the news networks for the story even though he's a "tent-maker" pastor of a little church.

He works 50-hour weeks in addition to his church duties.

 

He was asked what he felt the value was in letting this story go public.He said he is seeing people moved and coming out of the "caves" they've been in, coming alive and realizing that they need to get back involved in the affairs of the nation and not sleep through this season like the church did when they allowed prayer to be removed from schools. "God asked me if I would obey and I did," he said. "I was a "Mordecai for her (Sarah Palin), I did my part. Now the church has to do their part."

 

So, dear praying friends, read the story below - be encouraged and get to work - on your knees, with your testimony and in the voting booth. And, whether you agree with the idea of this story going public to non-believers or not, it already has, so please pray for protection for him as well as for John McCain and Sarah Palin.

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Note from Pastor Mark Arnold (PLEASE READ ENTIRE STORY BELOW) This past Tuesday, the McCain/Palin Bus came through a little town called, Lebanon, Ohio . The LORD allowed me to go to the Rally giving them a message that He wanted personally delivered.

Here's how it happened.

 

Sunday Night - a burden hit me that would only shake me to my knees – I prayed and wept for our Nation. Never has my heart been so broken before God. I literally interceded for these wonderful people who do not deserve all the hate against them. The GOD-Haters are going to try everything to

stop them, but they will not succeed! God is not pleased with the "bashing" in the News of this "Anointed" person. He has called her for this time! I promised God that I would pray and hold them up in prayer. I would "listen" and be mindful of where they were.

 

Monday - The following day is important in this time-line because I didn't even know until God spoke to me Monday and into Monday Night – the burden of prayer was so heavy that I was literally shaking and could not stop weeping.

I didn't know that they were coming to Ohio . I prayed and walked and wept and walked. I prayed and prayed and wept and prayed.

 

Tuesday at 2:00 A.M. - God spoke these words to me - "Go turn the Radio on!" Immediately the Reporter's Words were - "McCain & Palin Bus to be in Lebanon later this morning for a 10:00 A.M. Rally!" Immediately upon hearing that news, I heard God again. God said, "You are to go. You will meet

Them and give them a message for Me!"

 

I prayed as an intercessor and went to a place in prayer that I don't think I've ever been because the LORD had just visited me and I knew I was on a " Mission ." I had now been up since Sunday Night and now it's Tuesday and I've got to go on the "WORD of the LORD." He sure became My Strength as

This unfolds. I didn't stop praying until I drove over to the town and parked the car. The News would later report they were expecting 5,000 people and the actual head-count of those who had been scanned was more than 10,000 people.

 

I simply obeyed and God actually told me where to stand, who to talk to and when to be on the move. I had learned on the Mission Field, when God wants to open a door, He will do it at the appropriate time. He always has someone to assist and even those standing beside you may just be an Angel.

I struck up a conversation with an agent on the ground - he simply said, "I can't allow you to stand here!" This is where the bus was going to actually pull up. They had to make a much larger perimeter, so the entire area was now being moved back several blocks. The only other thing he told me to

Do was to go through the metal detector zone and just watch from the back. So, that's what I did.

 

Due to sensitivity of the Internet, I can't share much of the story, as to what happened next, but it was definitely a GOD THING ALL THE WAY. Looking over the shoulders and backs and heads of all the people, I knew it would take a miracle for what GOD told me to do. As I was standing there, two Boy Scouts came running up my back-literally, they almost knocked me to the ground because they were running so fast

behind me up my back and over to the right. These Boy Scouts were about Junior High Age. Their Scout Leader and several others were behind them, but as the two out front were trying to push through the crowd, saying they were late. The

smaller scouts were left in their dust. The Scout Leader, who was with a McCain Rep from the State, grabbed me and told me bring the other Scouts up front as they tried to keep up with the first two that just came through. I just became the leader of the rest of the Scouts to lead them right up

front and center. As the Rep was shouting back at me to bring the Scouts forward, the people parted just like God parted the Red Sea . I marched those boys right up front and to the right of the stage as one was looking from the back. When I got there I was fifteen feet from the podium. GOD said, "Stand

here, and don't move from this spot."

 

Within five minutes, the bus pulled up and around the other side McCain, Sarah Palin and her husband Todd stepped up and the speeches took off. I was where God placed me. And even Sarah Palin and Todd were standing on my side

of the stage. I made eye contact, I gave them thumbs up gestures and I knew they were just happy to see me standing there. Ha Ha! When they came around the podium and started on the other side, I knew they were coming right toward me, a little lady who stood by me, reached up

and told the Rep that they had promised a Picture with her because she was the one who had lost a son in Iraq, recently. The Rep confirmed she would get a picture with them and they would talk to her. When McCain came to hug the lady, he immediately shook my hand and following his moment with her, I shook his hand as he grabbed my hand, now for the

second time, and I said, "God wants you to know that I'm praying for you, Sir!" He thanked me and kept smiling. I repeated that phrase to him five times. He grabbed my hands and looked right into my eyes and said, "I won't make it without prayer. Sir, thank you for praying for me, and don't let

one day go by that you don't pray for me. I need all the prayers that I can get. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!" As he moved to my right, Sarah Palin came over to my left side, standing over the crowd, and then looking at the

little lady who had lost the son. It took a moment for her to shake some hands and people were pushing in all around. Sarah came and got on her hands and knees on that side of the stage and hugged that little Mom, telling her, "It was not in vain." She promised her support. It was at this moment that Sarah Palin reached out for me to help her up and as I was assisting her to stand I was now face to face with her and GOD said, "Open up your Mouth and I will fill it."

Here is what came out... "God wants you to know that you are a present day Esther! [She immediately began to cry]!

God wants to tell you that you are Chosen for such a time as this! You are called, and chosen to be a leader. Don't lose heart and don't fear man. The news and naysayers and criticizers are going to be very hateful toward you and in the days ahead they are going to turn up the heat...but do

Not fear. You are a present day Esther. You are an Esther. You are an Esther! Keep your eyes on GOD and know that He has chosen you to Reign! Stay strong. Be strong. Don't tire. Don't be weary in well-doing. Be strong." Her husband Todd came over and I told him what I told her. He began to

cry. "I emphasized the fact that he was to guard her at this time and know that she is GOD-CALLED and GOD-ANOINTED." This is a GOD-THING and your wife

is a Present day Esther. She is for God to use at this time. She is an Esther. She is an Esther. She is an Esther. You will be hated, but stand strong. GOD has called both of you to stand!" We are praying and I am praying for you!

 

At this moment, McCain came right to where I was finishing talking to Todd and I told Mr. McCain exactly what I told to Sarah and Todd Palin. "Mr. McCain, they are called of God and she is an Esther. Don't lose hope and don't lose heart. We are praying for all of you!" He shook my hand and with a deep look of understanding of what I had just said, he said, "Thank

you for your prayers and support. I really do mean that!"

And he turned and shook more hands and I watched them as they went through the crowd. When I got to my car, I sat there for quite a long time...knowing the GOD of the Universe had just used me to deliver a message confirming to Sarah and Todd to realize they are truly chosen vessels of God. I wept.

I have not stopped praying and crying. My heart is full knowing they had all the staging, and all the hype, and all the crowd, but the GOD of Heaven and Earth wanted to give them a Divine-God-Appointment!

To God be all the GLORY and HONOR.

 

Pastor Mark Arnold

MEA31975@aol.com

LIFE COVENANT CHURCH

Monroe , Ohio

Urgent Times

"Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish." Esther 4:16

 

This is going to be short but I'll try to write another one later. In the time of Esther the Jews were praying for their very lives. It was urgent times. My friends, this is an URGENT TIME! It is time to get VERY SERIOUS with God. I challenge you to push back the plate within the next few days before election day and do the following:

Pray for the sins of America

Pray that God will give mercy to America

Pray that God will allow those who stand most on Biblical principles be elected, from President on down.

 

You who are sensitive to God's spirit will read and understand. The rest will not. This is a wake up call for the church and if she doesn't rise now, judgment is at the door.

Thou Art Mine

"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." Isaiah 43:1-2

God knows his people and who are his. Not everyone that is of the church are really in the church as was Israel as the Apostle Paul points out in Romans 9:6, "Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:" Many frequent the house of God but are not his. They will not obey his Word and cast it behind their backs. They sit and close their ears to what scripture is being given and leave the same way they came, in fact in worse case because their hearts are being more hardened each time they refuse to receive instruction or wisdom from his Word. "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." Proverbs 29:1 To them, church is an "experience" or a social gathering where they can meet others in the community to advance whatever cause they may deem important.

But Christ knows who are his. He knows his sheep. "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." John 10:14 "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." 2 Timothy 2:19 They are hungry for God's Word and for communing with the Master. They are those who yearn when their prayer lives are being invaded by whatever Satan would chose to invade them with. They are those who will stand against adversity and do it with courage but yet love for the adversary which can only be done through God's grace. "44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" Matthew 5:44 And while the above verses in Isaiah pertains directly to Israel and their future trials with the coming kingdoms including Babylon, Mede-Persia, Greece, and finally Rome, it is also looking at the church. God will keep his own. He will keep his people in troubled times and will not cause his elect to go astray if they hold on to Him. The saints will be briefly overcome during the tribulation by the anti-Christ as we read in Revelation 13:7 "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." But again remember friends, that is during the tribulation. That will last for only a short time for "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful." Revelation 17:14. Christ will overcome the super church and the anti-Christ. He knows his people. Remember what Jesus said. "And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days." Mark 13:20 Remember that God "calls the shots." He is still in control and will have his way. Since the believer knows that, we should rest in him. If you are a true follower of Christ, rest in Psalm 91. Read it, memorize it, meditate it! Notice the promises in it as well as the conditions for these promises!

1 ¶ He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 ¶ Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

 

The Lip of Truth

"The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment." Pr 12:19

God's word is truth. It's the only book that you can rely on that speaks perfect truth. Because the church has strayed away from it and turned to other things, it has become non-potent in this last day. But God will have a people! He always has and always will. Are you one of them? We are in the time of a national election and we wonder who is telling the truth. We have a chance to vote for a president and their word should depend on our decision. Are they speaking truth about themselves or are they lying. Many have lied their way into public office but after their time of glory are swept aside by history. Remember, the devil is a liar and the father of lies.

It is time for us to pray seriously for our country…to even set aside a day of fasting and repentance for America for her sins. We know that America is set for the judgment of God as the whole world is but we don't know the timeline. When we read of the financial panic throughout the world and talk of world leaders of "a new world order," we must realize that the end may be near. We must know in whom we believe in and have our faith grounded on the Rock! Is your faith rooted and grounded in Him? Should the rapture take place, would you go? I hope so. Politicians may not tell the truth, but God will always speak truth!