Saturday, October 31, 2009

Forgetting God

"They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:" Psalms 106:13

No group had seen the works of God like the children of Israel. They saw the plagues in Egypt and how, after the first couple, were severed from the rest. They saw the Red Sea part which allowed to cross on dry land while it covered their enemies. They saw the cloudy pillar by day and the fire by night to guide them. They even saw the tremendous magnitude of God's power and presence on Mt. Sinai – so much so that they plead for Moses to talk with God and relay to them what he wanted them to know. Yet, they soon forgot his works. It didn't take long, only a a few months. When they became hungry, they didn't call on God but instead looked to Moses and began to complain. Forgetting what God has done in our lives is a sure sign of backsliding. We must remember the things that he has done for us so we may be encouraged.

Such is America. She has been given more light than any nation on earth in these last several hundred years. Even today, Bibles are easily accessed. Gospel preaching is still on TV (so I'm told) and on the radio. There are countless books written about the Bible and commentaries are numerous, old and new. America has seen how God brought us through World War I and II and prosper in the 50's. While other nations were subjected to tyranny, we were free and prosperous. Many know what it's like to have the Holy Ghost move on them and be filled and healed. Yet, America, and the church, are forgetting what God has done for us. She's trading the sanctity of prayer and study of the Word of God for social works and many are now down right embracing socialism with a Godly twist.

The people of Israel did not wait for the counsel of God but lusted in the wilderness. God gave them their request but "sent leanness into their souls." Psalm 106:15 God gave them what they wanted but there was a price, lack of faith and lack of power. They wondered in the wilderness for forty years due to the leanness and are still a nation that does not embrace Christ. Yet, America is doing the same thing. God prospered the church and answered prayers for prosperity and wealth but sent leanness unto our souls. You want a socialist gospel, God will give it to you but will send leanness unto your soul which will eventually cause judgment. The church in general has become lean in soul and we are paying a price in our nation right now and will continue to pay a price. I'm afraid judgment for America is at the door unless we get serious before God. Christ is our only help for our nation and the church and if we reject him, where can we go? Remember what Jesus said, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." Luke 12:48

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Our weekly podcasts are at Pentecostal Voice of Truth at 5:00 PM on Saturdays or 3:00 PM on Sundays, CDT. This week - John on Patmos and the Seven Churches.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Muzzling Our Speech

"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)

If there has ever been a time that we need to pray for our rulers, it is now. The reason is simple, "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." That means that we can maintain our freedom of speech and expression so long as it doesn't hamper other people's freedom and is not offensive. While we must be sensitive to other people's feelings to a degree, how far do we go with the "offensive?" In this day of political correctness which is designed to keep all from being offended, it seems to only achieves one thing, providing the rights of the liberal and unbelieving the license to say what they will at almost any time but shut the rest of us up. Here is a frightening example that hit home recently in the work place. We all received an email from a second level supervisor since our immediate supervisor was out on extended sick leave. It basically said that open conversations in the office criticizing President Obama were found offensive by some coworkers. It continued by saying that if anyone wanted to discuss politics, religion or any sensitive subject, that it should be done in a private area.

Someone was offended when they heard several of us express our misgivings regarding the president's recent win of the Nobel peace prize. This person or persons were appearently offended and called the concerned party (whoever it was). Now we have sexual harassment laws that protect ladies from harassment. That's good. But like the political correctness that has plagued us since the Clinton years, they extend far beyond that so that when you receive the training on this you get the idea that just about anything is protected except good, descent, Biblical, Christian living.

When some of our staff talked against George Bush, or other conservative figures, no one complained or called anyone. I, along with others, debated staff members several times regarding these things but we always came away friends and could talk of other professional matters five minutes later without any problem. What is really disturbing about this is that this is not just an isolated problem but is the trend and spirit that is pressing throughout the whole nation. So why are the ones "offended" always the ones on the left and the Obamaites? After experiencing reading the above email, I know for sure why, even though I suspected the answer.

When I read the above email, I felt an attach of Satan that I hadn't felt for a long time although the person who wrote it probably felt they were doing their job and duty. I felt as someone had just kicked me in the stomache and was actually pushing down on my whole body. I knew it was demonic so while I wasn't frightened, it showed me that this was much deeper than just someone getting their feelings a little ruffled because we were criticizing their man. It wasn't that someone just disagreed on politics or even religion, it was an attack of Satan to frighten and silence all voices of opposition to not only Obama, but anything that would stand for Christianity and holiness. Yes, it did say "religion," but I know how that is played out as well. A religion is no problem in most places as long is Jesus isn't involved. I don't think I would have felt so concerned if the word "religion" weren't also there, as is not enough to muzzle the mouth of those why may dare criticize this president. God forbid! So, Satan uses these tactics to not only allow dictators to take control, but also stop all talk of the things of God. This is why we must pray even harder that we ever have for our country. Our freedoms are being shut down not inch by inch, but mile by mile and if we expect to have anything left for our children or even a chance to work for Christ much longer should He terry, we need to pray. Remember the scripture in Ephesians 6:: 12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." We are fighting the forces of this world. We must learn to pray in the spirit, speak and pray in other tongues as the spirit gives us utterance, and be able to groan in the spirit to break down strongholds of the devil. This is our only hope! It's what will help us love our enemies and win the battle. It's now or never!!!

In closing, I'm reminded of the statement of English martyr Hugh Latimer who said, "Whenever you see persecution, there is more than a probability that truth is on the persecuted side." We must walk in Truth and love and we can only do that with God's grace and help. May Christ help those who need their hearts truly cleansed by his blood.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

The Family Institution

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)" Ephesians 6:1-2

The other day I heard a commercial that was very disturbing. It wasn't the message that it was bringing for the actual message was a very good one. It was one that we have all heard many, many times regarding putting out our fires when we're finished with them when out in the woods. We all remember Smokey the Bear saying, "Only YOU can prevent forest fires!" Yes, that's a good thing and a very good message, so that wasn't the problem. The problem was who was playing what part. To sum it up, the father and son were leaving a site where they had a camp fire and the father was the one that was playing the role of the careless one, while the son was the one with the wits and the common sense, giving instruction to the dad. This leaves a subliminal message that I believe is no accident. I have heard other commercials like this where the mother is played as the consoling one, the child is the one with the answers, and the father is the stumblebum who just doesn't get it right and needs the child to help him. Not saying that everyone that writes commercials like this has some conspiracy in mind as many are probably just following a trend. I challenge you, listen for this pattern as you'll surely hear it.

The above pattern, where the dad is the goof ball, the mon is the calm collected one, and the child is the wiz kid destroys the family institution in which God has ordained. While men do not always make the right decisions, they should still have the final authority in the home. While the wife does not always see things right, she is the keeper of the home, and the children are to obey the parents as mentioned above. When Benjamin Spock was asked by my college Humanities teacher in 1970 where he got all of his information, he replied that he learned from the children. What an answer from a man who was supposed to be able to tell people how to raise kids!

It is apparent that when the family system breaks down in a society, the society soon falls. This is what Satan is wanting to see done and is doing everything he can to achieve it. He will use every means possible to accomplish his goal. Don't get caught in the trap.