True Faith is Believing in Being Prepared in the Face of Ridicule and Attack by Other Christians

Earlier I was on a Facebook page where Evangelist Anita Fuentes was telling people that it might be wise to prepare for what's coming by at least putting aside some food and water. Needless to say this started a discussion between those who agree about the necessity of being as prepared as possible, and those that condemn them for their lack of faith.


Here's my response:

So how many of you saying to "just trust God to take care of you, there's no need to prepare" have home insurance or auto insurance? Why? Shouldn't you just trust God to take care of you and to protect you? Do you also have health insurance? Why? Don't you trust God to heal you?

What you don't realize is that it takes a greater amount of faith to follow what you hear God telling you to do in preparing, especially in the face of friends and family that poo-poo, laugh at you, and basically attack your faith, than to close your eyes and just "trust God to provide".

It takes more faith to stand on what you see in the Word, especially if it doesn't line up with the accepted teaching of the any-day, pie-in-the-sky, beam-me-up-Scotty pre-trib rapture theory.

Instead of closing their eyes and proudly expecting (falsely) to be "taken out" before the mark of the beast and the tribulation, those who prepare stand on the Word. Foregoing vacations, new cars, and mega-screen TVs, they instead use their funds to acquire those things they might need in a time when they won't be able to buy or sell without swearing allegiance to a "beast" government.

They learn those skills necessary to grow and raise their own food, how to live without power, how to preserve the food they grow...and in necessary how to defend their families. All the while they are praying that what they see coming doesn't happen for at least another week, month, or year...because there's still so much to do.

Then they have to have the faith to know that if what's coming happens before they get that extra week, month or year, that God will provide.

That is true faith.

Left Behind: The Lie Continues

Shouldn't be surprised that this story based on a total twisting of the Word of God is now being resurrected.

Too many people will take what comes out of Hollywood as confirmation of the teachings based on twisting and out-of-context scripture that they've been taught supports a pre-trib rapture. 

Why? Because most are too lazy to research it themselves. 

Not only that but they ("they" being Christians primarily in the West) think God has promised to take them out before any troubles begin. Jesus didn't teach that. He said, "you will have tribulation", and throughout his teaching (Matt 24, Mark 13) on end times, he continually uses the phrase "and after that..."

Then he uses the story of Noah as an example of what would be happening at the end of days. Saying, "As it was in the days of Noah, they were eating and drinking and having a party (more or less) and knew not until the flood came and took them away." Who knew not? Those partying like nothing was going to happen. Those who had been warned by Noah that judgment was coming. What happened to them? They were taken away.

Where was Noah? He and his family were in a stinky, noisy, crowded wooden ship that rose and fell and rose and fell with the waves. They were NOT in heaven. They were NOT comfy. They ENDURED to the end. (Think "overcomes/overcame" used so often in Revelation) 

They were safe, but they did NOT miss what was happening.

Then immediately after mentioning Noah and those taken away, Jesus says, "So shall it be at the coming of the Son of Man, two will be in the field, one will be taken, one will be left." Jesus didn't speak in chapters and verses to indicate a change of thought, so this was a continuation of the Noah teaching.

Jesus says it's gonna be the same. Who was taken in Noah's time? The unrighteous. If it's the same, then the "one taken" would also be the unrighteous.

This lines up with Psalm 37, where 11 times we can read of the promise that the wicked are going to be judged and taken out..."they'll be there one day and you'll look for them the next day and they'll be gone."

Also in Psalm 37 you read 3 times the promise that the righteous will inherit the earth. How are the righteous going to inherit anything if they're gone? They're not.

Christians Being Killed for NOT Denying Christ

Believe me, those brothers and sisters in the Lord being beheaded in Iraq are just as saved as you and I, and yet they are faced with death. Do you think you are better than them?

It's coming folks. Yes, a lot of Christians will die (a lot are dying now), but there will be a remnant of Overcomers who "overcome to the end" and who are part of those who mentioned in Revelation as "and they overcame him (the Antichrist) by the word of their mouth and the Blood of the Lamb."

Throw out all teachings you've received about the timing of the rapture and do your research. Ask the Lord to show you the Truth. He will. We are told to watch and pray, and those that study prophecy will be blessed.

Don't take my word for it. Do your research. Study to show yourself approved.

What Caused the Moral Decline of this Country?

Shared yesterday on my Facebook page with a few tweaks for grammar and flow:

Earlier today someone on one of my groups asked this question (after stating how appalled she was at some of the things going on):

"How on earth did this country get into this state of affairs?!!"

Here's my response:

This is definitely not politically correct, but I believe the moral decline of this country can be traced back to a time when American Christians abdicated their duty to be involved and allowed one woman to buck the system. 

She yelled and fought until a few weak-kneed, power-hungry politicians caved and removed the one thing that had ALWAYS been part of educating this nation's children. 

That one thing is what turned out the type of men and women that settled this country, that inspired them a few years later to go against their earthly king and declare independence of a new nation. 

This one thing was the cornerstone of the education system and was taken in covered wagons across the Great Plains and read over the graves that lined the rutted sod.

This thing reached to gold mines, temporary camps along newly laid railroad tracks and was carried in saddlebags on the backs of horses ridden by tired and dirty cowboys.

It was given as part of the haircut to young men enlisting in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines and was clung to in foxholes, screaming fighter jets and echoing submarines.

This one thing laid the foundation that produced men and women of the Greatest Generation, the very ones that this week are being celebrated and honored for leaving everything to storm up the beach of a country an ocean away, to stem the tide of hatred and genocide.

This thing taught right from wrong; that lying was reprehensible; that cheaters never win; that one was to be faithful to one's commitments; and that murder was never the answer.

Since one woman succeeded in removing this thing from the public education system we have seen an astronomical rise in crime, a lack of respect for parents, and a divorce rate that was climbing higher each year until it became acceptable to live together. 

Children having children became the norm, until abortion became the accepted method of birth control because abstinence was no longer taught. 

And because murder was no longer considered wrong, but instead was taught with mother's milk (or the bottle) from a glowing screen in every room in the house, children believed that knives and guns were the way to settle arguments or to get their point across. Suddenly schools were no longer places of learning, but instead were battlegrounds where at any time a "disturbed" alienated, spoiled-rotten, never-spanked kid would go on a killing spree.

You ask how we got to the point where we have a man in office, elected by the majority (supposedly) that is doing everything possible to finish the job of destroying this country. A man who praises perversion, and is so obviously anti-God that the climate in this country is becoming more and more antagonistic to those that still (for the most part) honor that "thing"?

We allowed the moral compass to be removed and replaced by relativism, humanism, absurdism, accidentalism, aestheticism, agnosticism, atheism, egoism, hedonism, liberalism...and a host of other isms that are all anti-God, anti-righteous, anti-responsibility, anti-life and anti-liberty.

You ask "why?", and I ask "why not?"

May be shared with proper attribution to the author: CL Hendricks and a link back to this page

Being Blessed and Prosperous: Not What You Think - Part 3

How Does God Bless?

In Part 3 of the series on Blessings and Prosperity, we're going to explore exactly what the Bible, and therefore God, considers blessings. As mentioned in Part 2, contrary to what many people think, God is not impressed by money or wealth.

In fact, Jesus even warned about loving money and how difficult it is for a someone of wealth to come into a relationship with God. Despite that warning, in the church climate of today, especially in the United States, prosperity is still a big draw and the subject of many sermons.

In fact, you can't turn on a television preacher and find him preaching much of anything that doesn't in some way contain assurances that God wants to bless you with wealth. Of course, along with that assurance comes the caveat that any blessing will be directly tied to how much you give.

In the Prosperity Gospel, God will bless you IF you give, and consistenly give, and that blessing with be direction proportion to your giving, multiplying many times over.

However, if you look at the Word for how God blesses, you'll see many promises of blessings that have nothing to do with money. Perhaps it's time to reeducate ourselves as to how He wants to bless us. Afterall, if you're expecting one thing and He gives you another, how likely is it that you will recognize that blessing when you get it?

Blessed with a Good Memory and Mind

Pro_10:7  The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

Now, this is the verse that every Believer needs to be speaking aloud every single day. Instead of accepting that with age you might develop Alzeheimer's or dementia, the Word says our memory is blessed. So instead of just accepting that there may come a time when you will disappear inside your head, why not begin speaking a blessing over your mind and memory?

Today being to speak this about yourself: "According to the Word, the memory of the just is blessed. The Word also says we are justified by faith. Therefore I am just because I have been justified by my faith in the saving power of Jesus Christ. That means that my memory is blessed. I have the mind of Christ, and do NOT have memory loss or trouble remembering."

Children (Seed) are Blessed

Pro 20:7  The just man walks in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

Isa 44:3  For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

Again being "just" means that you can claim blessings on your children and your children's children. Not only that, but as you hunger and thirst after righteousness, you have the promise from God that He will pour out (overflow) His Spirit on your children. So if you want to see your children saved and serving the Lord, make sure you are hungering and thirsting after God.

How many Christian parents are now wondering why their children seem to not want anything to do with the church or serving God, yet fail to see the connection to their own example?

• As parents did you find it easy to spend time at the lake on a gorgeous Sunday rather than in church? 
• Did you find watching the Superbowl much more attractive that going to church?
•  Did your children watch as you fought down and dirty with your spouse, only to see you turn on the smiles and charm when you walked into church?

Perhaps it's time for some parents to repent, and for other parents there's still time to refocus while your children are young.

Physical Needs

Exo 23:25  And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.

Now, this seems to indicate that as long as we are serving God He is bound to bless our food, what we ingest, and that He will take sickness away from us.

Hey! Here's a suggestion: Instead of praying that trite little "Grace" before eating...you know the one: "Lord, thank you for this food. Bless the hands that prepared it and bless us. Amen." Isn't that basically how it goes?

So how about praying the Word over your next meal? Something like this: "Thank you, God, that as we serve you, you bless our food and nourishment and remove all sickness from amongst us. In Jesus Name Amen"

Blessed with Children/Offspring

Deu 28:4  Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body...

Deu 33:24  And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil.

Vigor

Pro 5:18  Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

In this instance "fountain" is referring to the procreative ability. Is it possible that the reason so many men have to take that little blue pill is because they have been unfaithful in their marriages? Is is possible that infidelity ultimately leads to inability?

Anecdotal support: One day talking with someone whose husband had been unfaithful, having many affairs during their marriage, she shared that eventually he was unable to perform.

Advice: If you want to retain your ability to perform sexually, then perhaps you need to "rejoice" (brighten up, make gleesome, cheer up, make glad, make joyful, make merry, cause to rejoice)...be happy with the wife you have.

That doesn't just mean being physically faithful in the marriage, it also means being emotionally, mentally and spiritually faithful. Avoid like the plague anything that would cause you to look away from your wife. No pornography. No "innocent" flirtations at work or church. No "just looking" at those short-skirted young things prancing past you in the mall.

Spiritually might also mean that if you are praying for your wife's best and for her to be blessed, you are not going to be tempted then to stray.

Spiritual Blessings

Eph 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Every Area of Your Life Blessed

God promised the Nation of Israel (and by adoption, Believers) great blessings for obedience. Even today, if we will seek Him first we will see these blessings in our lives:

Deu 28:1  And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

Deu 28:2  And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

Deu 28:3  Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

It doesn't matter where you live, you will be blessed and by the same token will be a blessing to those around you.

Blessings of Reproduction

Deu 28:4  Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

"Fruit of your body" would be your ability to reproduce. Since these blessings were originally given to a society that were basically farmers and ranchers, today those blessings would apply to whatever endeavor, profession, trade or avenue in which we make a living or put food on the table.

Blessings on Your Thriftiness and Planning

Deu 28:5  Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.

Once the food is on the table or in the pantry, it will be blessed to NOT spoil and to provide nourishment to your physical body. This also implies blessings on those provisions you make for your family's sustenance, perhaps even their inheritance.

Blessings on Your Movements and Direction

Deu 28:6  Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

By implication, all your movements will be blessed. So whether you are working in your house or driving down the road you will be blessed.

Victory and Peace

Deu 28:7  The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.

No matter who comes against you, God will cause them to come to nothing.

Think of it this way: He is our Father. Just like you don't mess with a man's kids, you really don't want to mess with His kids!

Endeavors/Work Blessed

Deu 28:8  The LORD shall command the blessing upon you in your storehouses, and in all that you sett your hand unto; and he will bless you in the land which the LORD thy God gives you.

In everything you do, wherever you go, He has promised to bless you in every  way that could be all that is good.

Abundant Blessings on a National Level

While the blessings below may sound like a repetition of those blessings promised in verses 1 through 8, however, if you look closely those seem to be directed toward the individual. While these following verse seem to be directed toward the entire nation of Israel.

So it is possible that this promise of blessings could apply to a nation that started off by dedicating it's very existence to God. Only two nations in history have started out in such a way...Israel and the United States of America.

With that in mind, read the promises of blessings below, and you will see just how God has blessed the United States. Sadly, if you read on in Deuteronomy you will see a list of curses that will come upon a people or nation that does just the opposite.

Deu 28:9  The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.

Deu 28:10  And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.

Without a doubt the United States was once a force to be reckoned with throughout the world. Today, it appears that we have become the laughingstock...like the Emperor's new clothes. Most Americans don't realize that as a nation we are naked and exposed before the world. 

Deu 28:11  And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

America was once considered the Breadbasket of the World. We fed the world. No longer. 

Deu 28:12  The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. 

The US is now the largest debtor nation in the world, borrowing money from our enemies just to stay afloat. At the same time the weather has gone crazy and drought is a major concern.

Deu 28:13  And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: 

If the US had continued to honor God He would have continued to bless us, however...

Deu 28:14  And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

As a nation, we turned away from God and are now following the gods of celebrity, money, power and self.

You might wonder what a study on blessings and prosperity has to do with End Time events. Well, read Psalm 37. The righteous are promised that they will "inherit the land", while 11 times you will see that the wicked and evil are going to be destroyed.




Choose this day whom you will serve. Will you serve God and learn to see His blessings in other things than money, or will you continue to seek and serve mammon and jeopardize your eternal destiny?

Being Blessed and Prosperous: Not What You Think - Part 2

What is the Criteria for Being Blessed?

If you listen to most prosperity teachings, you will quickly find that they are full of promises of blessings in return for giving...giving money that is. In essence this makes it a doctrine of works.

Yet we know that as Christians we are to live by faith, with works being a natural result of being conformed into the image and likeness...nature...of God.

However, there is something so sneaky about the prosperity gospel and man's desire to take the easy way to blessings. Afterall, it is much easier to toss some money at something than to begin to submit to the shaping and pummeling that takes place when we put ourselves into the hands of the Master Potter.

In the U.S. we live in a society that tends to value money and visible signs of wealth above almost anything, so when we listen to those give-to-get message about how God will bless us for paying money to Him, we are all to ready to believe that He values the same things we do.

However, that's just not the case. In fact, the Bible has a lot of reasons for why God will bless us, and only a few have anything to do with giving.

If you want to be blessed, then know that God finds many reasons to bless us:

Bless Israel

Gen 12:3  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curses thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

How many so-called Christians are anti-Semitic, that hate or talk against Israel and Jews? According to this verse, God is NOT going to bless them; instead He will actually curse them. If that's true, then someone who is against Israel is NOT going to be able to give their way out of God's curse on them.

Obedience 

Deu 28:2  And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

God places great importance on our obedience. In fact, in this day and age of New Testament grace, the word "obedience" is only found in the New Testament.

Of course, the word "obey" appears quite often in the Old Testament, which shouldn't be surprising as the whole concept of salvation was based on obedience of the law. However, while we live in an age of Grace, that doesn't mean we can do anything we want and still be blessed.

Walks Separately from the World

Psa_1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Pretty sure that you can't live like the Devil Monday thru Saturday, partying it up at the bars, telling dirty jokes and conducting business dishonestly and still expect God to bless you.

Is Forgiven

Psa 32:1  A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Psa 32:2  Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

Wow! According to this, Jesus has already paid the price for us to be blessed.

Governmental Blessing

Psa 33:12  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Pro 11:11  By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

Even a nation or city that honors God will be blessed. Why do you think the United States was so blessed for the first 200 years? Because (despite what the modern textbooks say) the Founding Fathers did dedicate this nation to God.

Trusts in God

Psa 34:8  O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

God values our trust or faith in Him. He knows that as frail humans it is easier to believe in that which we can see, taste, touch and feel, but to trust in Someone that cannot be perceived by any of our physical senses? That's tough. So this says that anyone who trusts in Him is blessed, and to be a true follower of Jesus Christ...a Christian...don't you have to start out by trusting in Him?

Is Merciful and Compassionate

Psa 37:26  He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

Psa 41:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

Pro 22:9  He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

Act 20:35  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

This is kind of about giving, but it's about giving to a need because you are moved by compassion or being merciful. This is not about dropping a tithing envelope in the offering plate, this is about having eyes to see those in need and a heart to reach out.

Unfortunately in this day and age of grifters, frauds, generationally needy and fear of becoming a victim, to protect ourselves we all too often close our eyes to the needs around us. It is safer to send a check to some charity or to drop our change in a red bucket at Christmas.

Generous in Business

Pro 11:26  He who withholds grain, the people shall curse him; but blessing is on the head of him who sells.

This is probably the same subheader as being merciful and compassionate, but seems to have more to do with how we operate our business. In today's global economy I can see how this could apply to a business that withholds from selling in a local market because they can get more money by shipping overseas, or visa versa.

As followers of Jesus Christ, putting money above compassion will put our business in jeopardy of failure as it bring a curse on it from the very ones that would have been the first to bless.

Not only that, but you don't have to spend more than 30 minutes on Facebook to see that social media will spread the word about a business that puts people above profit, and by the same token spread the word about a business that is only about money and profit and doesn't care who it harms to get there. (Hmmm...I can think of a couple off the top of my head: Monsanto being at the top of the list).

Firstfruits

Eze 44:30  And the first of all the firstfruits of all things, and every oblation of all, of every sort of your oblations, shall be the priest's: ye shall also give unto the priest the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest in thine house.

So does this mean the firstfruits every pay period, and what is that? You'll have to figure that out, however, it is obvious that we are to support the priests or those who minister to us and where we receive our feeding.

On a side note, I wonder if this is where money began to be called "dough".

Tithes

Mal 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Here is the verse used by so many to assure us that God will bless us when we give, but it is by no means the main reason God has said He will bless us.

Has Integrity

Psa 40:4  Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Pro 10:7  The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

Pro 20:7  The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

What exactly is "integrity"? The dictionary defines it as: "possession of firm principles: the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards.

Synonyms: honesty · truth · truthfulness · honor · veracity · reliability · uprightness

While there are still men and women of integrity, this is not something that seems to be as highly valued as it once was. But if one operates with integrity and honor, the heritage of that person will receive the blessing.

When Corrected by God

Psa 94:12  Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;

Being corrected by God is sure evidence that we are indeed His children. Afterall, only a parent can correct a child and a loving parent only corrects out of love.

Loves the Word

Psa 112:1  Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

Psa 119:2  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

Loving the Word or Truth is a sure promise of blessing, and at this point on the prophetic timeline, it may be the only thing that will ensure that the Lord Himself won't send you a strong delusion (2 Th 2:11).

Fears the Lord

Psa 128:1  A Song of degrees. Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.

Sadly, too often in today's churches the Lord is not feared or revered. Instead of being held in awe, He is treated like an errand boy or someone that can be commanded to do our bidding. You can't have it both ways.

Faithful in Marriage

Pro 5:18  Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

If you don't want to have to resort to those little blue pills, you need to be rejoicing in the woman you married. If a man continually steps outside of his marriage and treats fidelity as an option rather than a mandate, pretty soon he may find he's resorting to artificial means to keep his "fountain" flowing.

Endures Temptation (what is "temptation"?)

Jas 1:12  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Here "temptation" means adversity or trials, troubles...it doesn't necessarily mean to be tempted. Although if one is being forever tempted to do wrong and endures that temptation rather than giving in to it...that is a trial.

However, we live in a sinful, fallen world with wickedness all around and the persecution of the righteous is becoming more and more prevalent. Here we are promised that if we will endure..."stay under, remain, undergo, bear trials, have fortitude, persevere, patiently suffer and tarry behind"...that we will receive a conspicuous honor (you can't hide a crown).

Look for His Return

Luk 12:37  Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

If we want to be blessed then we need to be watching...not just hoping for His return, but actively watching. You don't watch by avoiding studying Biblical prophecy which is the tendency of many Christians today. They just accept what they're told about end time events and never study it for themselves.

This is one reason so many sincere Christians believe the lie of a pre-trib rapture. Afterall, you can't study prophecy very long before you realize that the doctrine of a catching away before the Tribulation is not in the Bible and that in fact the Bible says the very opposite thing. (2Th 2:3).



So you see money is the least of the reasons why God will and does bless us, and to only tie His blessings to our giving not only short changes us, but will change our relationship with Him.

Next we'll be looking at what the many ways God blesses us that have nothing to do with money.

HAARP, Weather Manipulation and Mind Control

Earlier today on the SurvivalHomestead Yahoo Group one of the members shared links to a couple of Youtube videos (see links below). Now, we don't usually discuss conspiracy theories and other tinfoil-hat topics, but since I'd been wondering about some of these things, especially this winter, I watched them.

Here's my response. Thought y'all might find it interesting, too.


Thanks for sharing these. As I watched first the weather control video and then the mind control video, I began to compare what is happening to what I understand of the God of the Bible and the one who hates God and His creation, the very real and very active Satan...Lucifer...the Devil.

First the weather: I really began to wonder about just any connection between HAARP and weather modification when that freak out-of-season blizzard occurred in the Dakotas in October 2013. Seemed to come out of nowhere, people were totally unprepared, and hundreds of thousands of head of beef cattle were frozen. The result of that kind of massive destruction of a portion of the food chain will be felt for years, and it is already hitting our pockets.

Additionally I've thought about this weird winter where we have continually heard terms like "unusual" "worst" "unexplained" "deadliest" etc., etc. I've watched and wondered.

Now here is where it gets a bit Biblical. Y'all remember the story of the 10 plagues that hit Egypt all in an effort to get Pharaoh to let the Israelites go? Bugs, frogs, darkness, etc. Once saw a show explaining how some of those phenomenon could actually have been caused by a volcano that erupted at that same time on the other side of the Mediterranean.

If so, that in no way negates the power of God...afterall, did He cause the volcano to erupt at that time? Who knows? However, I'm somewhat convinced that He is not adverse to using the power of nature or natural events to shake up and speak a message to humans.

So, since I believe we are in or rapidly approaching the last days, as detailed in Biblical prophecy, and really believe God is well and truly ticked off with the US for some of the things that as a nation we've done, is He using nature or the manipulation of weather by evil men/governments to enact His judgment? Just something to think about.

The mention of Hurricane Katrina is what really got me to thinking, you see if you will do a search for "US natural disasters Israel land for peace" you will get a list of about 20+ disasters that have occurred immediately following an attempt by the US Government to force Israel to give up land for peace. By the way this goes back clear to the first George Bush's day.

Oh, and by sheer "coincidence"...this terrible winter...Kerry (our illustrious Secretary of State...gag!) has been focused on Israel, spending much time there trying to get Israel to agree to a deal where they go back to their pre-1967 borders (which would leave them utterly defenseless since they would lose control of the mountains...he who controls the high ground wins the war). So is there a correlation? Something to think about.

The interesting correlation with Hurricane Katrina is that the storm that would become Katrina began forming off the coast of Africa on the same day settlers in one part of Israel were forcibly removed (just under 10,000), many of them by bus so that the entire thing could be turned over to the Palestinians (who by the way immediately trashed it. Horrible).

So was it a coincidence that when Katrina hit the coast of the US that hundreds of thousands of people were forced to leave...many by bus? The entire area was pretty much destroyed, and in fact, there are many areas in New Orleans that are still empty and abandoned. Something to think about.

You see the Bible says that to those that divide His land (Israel) He will divide theirs. There have been many people for the last 30 to 40 years (well before the starting of the whole land for peace process), most in the last 10 years, who have had dreams and visions of a giant earthquake coming in the center of the country...more specifically the New Madrid fault area...although not much was even known about the fault lines there when folks started having these dreams.

If HAARP and other such devices can indeed trigger earthquakes, is that what God will use...and I use the word "use" to mean will evil men (possibly even our own Government) use that technology to trigger such an event, and God, being omniscient (all knowing) is warning people? Something to think about.

As far as mind control: Notice what I said just above about God being all-knowing. As acknowledged by people of faith everywhere, God is Omnicient (all knowing), Omnipresent (everywhere all the time) and Omnipowerful (all powerful). Now (and here it gets a bit more theological) since Lucifer is a created being (he was not always, he had a beginning when God created him and, like humans, gave him free will), he does not have the three omni's as God.

Lucifer cannot be everywhere at once (he has his fallen angels spread out all over who report to him). He cannot read minds. I know some people think he can, but he can't. Unfortunately, since most of us have absolutely no control over our mouths, anything that we think will ultimately come out our mouths. So he does hear. He's also had about 6000 years to study humans...a pretty easy study. He is also NOT all powerful. He does have a certain amount of power, but mostly his power lies in his ability to lie to humans and manipulate certain individuals into doing his handiwork.

So if he doesn't have the ability to read minds, why not spur on the development of artificial means of reading minds and controlling people. Afterall, allowing people free will is NOT in his game plan. Therefore we should not be surprised that evil governments and people have historically done their best to control humans and force them to obey their masters. It's all about control. Something to think about.

Now, for those believers who might feel a bit of fear trying to creep up on you (especially if you watch those videos...and I've been aware of the essences of both of those videos since about 1999 and all those days of listening to shortwave radio)...I have a few Words of encouragement from the Word of God:

• "Put on the helmet of salvation" (Eph 6:17) - the helmet covers the mind and I believe by God's power we can claim protection for any attempts to control our minds
• "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind." (2Tim 1:7)
• "We have the mind of Christ" (1Cor 2:16)
• "He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty"...Psa 91 (read it all, memorize it)
• "I give you all power to tread on serpents...and over all the power of the enemy" (Luk 10:19)
• "And they overcame him by the Word of their testimony and by the Blood of the Lamb." (Rev 12:11)
• "Fret not because of evil doers. They'll be there one day and when you look for them next they'll be gone [paraphrased]"...Psa 37 (read it all...11 times it promises that the wicked and evil are going to be destroyed, 3 times it says the righteous will inherit the land) (by the way in the Bible, the number 11 is the number of judgment)

While I believe we need to be aware of what is going on, we have to remember that God is still in control, and we do not have to be afraid. Keep doing what you're doing, prepping to survive (overcome) to the end, and don't forget to put on your whole armor...I think we're all going to need it.

HAARP & Weather Modification

HAARP and Mind Control

Beware of Arnold Murray of Shepherd's Chapel

Yesterday, I was talking with a friend who is less than two years old in the Lord; so still a babe in many ways. We were talking about the Word and end times prophecy, and he made some statements that raised some red flags.

These were ideas he was sharing as Truth, but that I knew not to be Biblical in any way. I had already learned that he was listening to Arnold Murray of Shepherd's Chapel, a false teacher that I was first made aware of over 20 years ago.

So when my friend starting spouting out some things that just didn't match established Biblical interpretation, I asked him outright where he got that, and he assured me that the Holy Spirit had revealed it to him.

Again I pressed him about where he got that understanding of that particular passage of scripture (Ezekial 13:20, referring to the "fly away" as being a reference to the rapture of Believers.) What?

I pressed him again, "where did you get that?" Again he assured me that the Holy Spirit has shown it to him. He was adamant.

Finally, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt, yet with no proof at that time, I said, "You got that from Arnold Murray." He denied it.

I refused to argue, but then as now, the concern for my Christian brother is a mixture of concern for his soul and anger that people are still falling for the lies of this false prophet. I was compelled to warn him rather strongly that he needed to repent of listening to false teachings. "You need to stop watching that guy! He twists the meaning and applies his own interpretation!"

I even sent him links to some quality, Godly Biblical teachings available on the Gateway Church's website, suggesting that he needed to listen to Biblically sound teaching and stop listening to that wolf in sheep's clothing.

Unfortunately, I rather doubt that he's even done it, mainly because after sending him the links I later sent him another message that literally called him out on the lie about where he got his understanding of Ezekial 13:20.

You see after getting off the phone, I went online and began to do some intense research into Arnold Murray and his teachings; I don't call him by his preferred designation as "Dr. Murray" because there is no proof, and in fact this as been proven to be a lie, that he ever received a doctorate for any education.

The more I read about what this man teaches as being truth, I was reminded of where I first became aware of him. It was back in 1999 in the mountains of New Mexico. We'd (my then-husband) met a couple and they were all about this preacher they were listening to on the radio. They even gave my husband a brand new Bible and a book (or pamphlet) of this man's teachings.

I remember that as I began to read the booklet that the hair on the back of my neck raised (or it felt like it), my stomach (Holy Spirit in me) began churning, and it felt like I was hearing "Warning! Danger!". (I got the same result when I began reading "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren; couldn't finish that either). I put down that Arnold Murray propaganda, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was NOT Biblical and was a lie straight from the pit.

So yesterday as I researched his false teachings I came across something: "Ezekiel is used by Murray as a main argument against the rapture (flying away), but I fail to see anything in it about flying away as a denial of the church being raised up to Christ in 1 Thess.4.
 
Ezekiel 13:20: “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said, Here I am against your cushions, with which you are hunting down the souls as though they were flying things, and I will rip them from off your arms and let go the souls that you are hunting down, souls as though they were flying things.”"

There it was! Confirmation of what I'd been shown by the Holy Spirit while talking to my friend.

I'm sickened in my spirit by the victims that are caught up in this cultic teaching by Arnold Murray. Unfortunately, I've run across other victims and find they all have the same aggressive attitude that their understanding is correct and that anyone who doesn't agree is mislead and just not enlightened. Unfortunately, they are convinced that the only one who is speaking truth is the very one leading astray.

If someone you know is caught up in this whole Shepherd's Chapel and Arnold Murray cult, I urge you to begin doing spiritual warfare on their behalf. They are in extreme danger if they contain ingesting that poison!

http://www.letusreason.org/Poptea4.htm

http://www.mikeschristiancorner.com/murray.html

http://ivarfjeld.com/2012/10/26/false-teacher-exposed-arnold-murray/


Update 4/20/18 - And I stand by what I've written, and reiterate the aggressiveness with which these so-called "Christian" followers of this man will respond with and post comments. I don't approve them, because I'm not going to give them a venue in which to continue to spew the false doctrine perpetrated by Shepherd's Chapel. As far as I'm concerned, if they want to support the guy, they can start their own blog.

Being Blessed and Prosperous: Not What You Think-Part1

You Say You Are Blessed, But Are You Really?

Sadly, this is what many consider to be blessings

Do you even know what it is to be blessed or why you are blessed?

This is the start of a study on Being Blessed and Prosperous: Not What You Think

Yesterday, someone on Facebook shared a Huffington Post article that was actually quite eye-opening about what we are really saying when we say "I'm blessed". (Link to the article at the bottom of this post)

Here's my response:

I very much agree with the guy. I'm totally disturbed by even the most (seemingly) benign teaching on double blessings, prosperity and overflowing outpourings on my seed. 

In fact, I heard a sermon a week-ago Sunday talking about how God is a giving God. As I was listening to it I became more convinced that if we want to be like Him, then we are to give because it is His nature to give. But we are to give not expecting anything in return. 

Unfortunately that doesn't seem to fit in our like-for-like, gotta-give-it-to-get-it, God is a fat Buddha just waiting for us to rub his belly and chant our demands, or worse that he's a God-shaped (or cross-shaped) piggy bank, where we drop in our tidbits and expect a double, triple and even hundred-fold return.

Since God is a giving God, He does bless us. But the prosperity gospel turns Him into one that can be manipulated by our actions. It no longer becomes a matter of Him giving to bless us or because giving is His nature, but of Him dutifully rewarding us because He should be grateful that we have paid Him.

It becomes a works-dependent blessing where we are rewarded for our giving, and if we are not getting the financial blessings that we think we should get, then we must be doing it wrong: not giving enough, or have some terrible sin in our life which God is punishing us for (because obviously the Blood of Jesus is not enough!).

I'm going to be doing a study on what  the Bible actually says about things like prosperity, prospering, wealth and being blessed. I've already started the research, and it's actually quite eye-opening, and may be surprising for you as well.

Huffington Post Article  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-dannemiller/christians-should-stop-saying_b_4868963.html


Sermon "He Gave"  http://gatewaypeople.com/sermons/198371

Millstones and the Little Ones

Recently I've been reading more and more about the exposure to explicit sexual acts and perversion that is taking place in many of our nation's schools. This stuff is so atrocious and offensive that there can be no doubt in any Christian's mind that it is an orchestrated assault on the innocents of this nation.

As I was reading one today, I suddenly began hearing the Lord's words where He talks about the punishment that awaits those that hurt children:

Mat 18:6  But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Mar 9:42  And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Luk 17:1-2  Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!  2  It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

When I went back to look at these verses, I noticed something interesting:  Unlike other passages in the different gospels that are worded differently, and quite differently in some cases, the Matthew and Mark verses are almost word for word identical.

Then I wanted to see what the Lord was really saying. For instance what was meant to "offend" or what was an "offense". You might be kind of surprised at this...I know I was:

Offend/Offenses: from Strong's #G4624 Greek 

skandalizō
skan-dal-id'-zo
 
To “scandalize”; from G4625; to entrap, that is, trip up (figuratively stumble [transitively] or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure): - (make to) offend.


From Strong's #G4625

skandalon
skan'-dal-on
 
A “scandal”; probably from a derivative of G2578; a trap stick (bent sapling), that is, snare (figuratively cause of displeasure or sin): - occasion to fall (of stumbling), offense, thing that offends, stumbling-block.

So there's no doubt in my mind that this onslaught of filth to the children of this nation is for the purposes of enticing them to sin, to trap them into a homosexual lifestyle, and to be a stumbling block to a healthy future.

However, as I was looking at the verses in the Bible that contained the word "millstone" I noticed an interesting correlation. While Jesus speaks primarily of what will happen to the individuals that offend the little ones, a millstone is also mentioned as being part of the judgment on Babylon.

Rev 18:21-22  And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.  22  And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

This is the passage describing the destruction of the city (also used in the Bible to mean a nation) of Babylon, starting with "Alas Babylon". If you've read my earlier study on America Babylon, you'll know that based on Jeremiah 50 and 51, that I believe America, the United States, is modern day financial and national Babylon. See American Babylon

I also looked at "millstone" in Strong's:

Millstone: Strong's #G3458

mulos
moo'-los

Probably ultimately from the base of G3433 (through the idea of hardship); a “mill”, that is, (by implication) a grinder (millstone): - millstone.

#G3433
molis
mol'-is

Probably by a variation for G3425; with difficulty: - hardly, scarce (-ly), + with much work.

#G3425
mogis
mog'-is
Adverb from a primary word μόγος mogos (toil); with difficulty: - hardly.

Now, look at what "millstone" implies: hardship, grinding, scarcity, much work, difficulty

Now look at what's been going on in this nation for the last few years:

• hardship - unemployment rates that have skyrocketed (despite what the administration wants you to believe), 
• scaricty - unless your head has been buried in the sand (or in your iPhone) you are surely aware that beef prices are skyrocketing and going higher due to a shortage of beef
• difficulty - storms, storms, storms and this winter alone with blizzard after blizzard, the hard times are not over. That snow is going to melt and when it does we'll see spring flooding that will make previous floods like nothing
• with much work - people are working more, often taking two or more jobs just to be able to put food on the table and now to be able to afford their mandatory "affordable" health care.

Looks to me like that maybe that millstone has been thrown down on Babylon.

However, instead of getting upset (although if I were a parent with kids in public school, I'd be doing whatever it would take to get my kids away from these attacks and start homeschooling them)...I'm reminded of Psalm 37: "Fret not because of evil doers". God is going to take care of them and it may already be happening.

---

Links to the articles I spoke of:

WARNING! Explicit Information and Images!!!

This is what is being taught and shown to children in US public schools

http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/elementary-school-children-exposed-to-sex-themed-games-during-uc-berkeley-v

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/08/22/pedophilia-incest-and-graphic-sex-excerpts-from-a-common-core-reading-list-book-for-11th-graders-that-will-make-you-blush/

http://misguidedchildren.com/domestic-affairs/2014/02/sex-ed-common-core-style-is-this-what-you-want-for-your-kids/14839

Real Worship is NOT About You

Lately, I have found myself hungering for some worship that is about God and not about anything or anyone else. 

Today, if you find yourself hungering for worship that focuses on God and invites the Holy Spirit to come in, then you might enjoy some of these worship songs that do just that.




















Have a blessed day.

Blood Moons, the Anti-Christ and Some Things to Consider

This last week I began studying some things about the Blood moons coming in 2014 and 2015, but also 2016 and 2017. Now I'd been hearing about the Blood moons for several years now, and initially I was hearing about the ones in 2016 and 2017, but this week my Dad gave me a link to watch one by John Kirkpatrick (who admits getting some of his information from John Hagee...a pre-tribber).
http://churchofhispresence.org/media/sermon-archive/ - click on Blood Moons part 2

A couple of things that Kirkpatrick said:  that the solar eclipses are for signs to the world, while lunar eclipses are for signs to Israel. He also said something about the Anti-Christ not being revealed until after the Rapture of the Church, which doesn't line up with the Bible:

2Th 2:2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

So while the 2014 and 2015 lunar eclipses line up with Jewish feasts, so do the ones in 2017, and according to the NASA calculations the one in 2017 is between two solar eclipses (or visa a versa).

One thing I did find interesting when I began looking at the span of days, looking for the 1260 days or 3.5 years spoken of as being significant for the last part of the Tribulation period. From April 15 2014 to September 26/27 of 2017 (one of the Fall Feasts of the Lord) it is exactly 1260 days.

The reason that is significant is that April 15, 2014 is supposedly when they (the government) is going to begin implementing mandatory chipping. We'll see. Of course, for that to happen then it would mean that the Anti-Christ is already on the scene.

I do have some thoughts about that and also was studying that a bit more this week. However, I did find a series of Youtube videos that put forth some interesting ideas, based on facts and scripture, about the possible identity of the Antichrist. 

Of course, some of it will require you to put aside some of the accepted end times teaching, like the Antichrist will arise out of a revived Roman Empire (which probably really isn't scriptural anyway). Another teaching that is perhaps based on more of a misunderstanding of the Daniel's prophecy is that the seven years given to the Jews must all occur at the End of the Age. It is possible, as some scholars suggest, that that week of years was partially fulfilled by the 3.5 years of Christ's ministry, and that the final 3.5 years will be fulfilled by the Antichrist's rule. Interesting idea.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PnD4AIgZvQ&list=PLUwpdUUw6mIXjCNoJ42hqgOOUl3P72X6_&feature=share

Remember, the Bible clearly says that some things will not be understand or even revealed until the time of the End. Well we're in that time, so it is possible that some teachings that you have been taught are based on an unclear understanding of the Bible. This means that you might have to put aside some of those teachings and see what the Word really says.