Monday, March 30, 2009

Spiritual Ugliness

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." Matthew 23:27

"Beauty is only skin deep" seems to be the modern secular equivalent of this "woe" in Matthew 23. The corresponding Old Testament statement is probably this: "As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion" (Proverbs 11:22). This principle has lasted for millennia simply because it is easily observed in all cultures. Our Lord's application to the scribes and Pharisees was particularly pointed: "Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity" (Matthew 23:28). God is not interested in the "pretty outside" but in what's on the inside. "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).

Hypocrisy and iniquity are the two attributes of "uncleanness" identified by Christ. The core of hypocrisy is the intent to deceive others, either with actions or words. And the core of the biblical teaching about deception is the false teacher--those who look like and talk like God's people, "but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matthew 7:15). Iniquity is the biblical term for "without law." Such a person has no desire to submit to authority, and is both willing to do evil and is dangerous to be around. Cain murdered Abel, the Bible insists, "because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous" (1 John 3:12).

Such a condition should never plague us. Jesus "gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14).

by Henry Morris III, D.Min.
www.icr.org

Open Door Policy

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16


The second president of the United States, John Adams (and his wife, Abigail), was the first president to occupy the White House. In his day, and for many years afterward, it was possible for average citizens to walk into the White House unannounced to attempt to see the president. Try that today! Multiple levels of security shield the president from the average citizen seeking an audience.

If it's difficult to see the president of the United States, or the leader of any modern country, think how much more difficult it ought to be to have an audience with God. But it's not difficult at all! Scripture tells us that all who have been made pure by the blood of Christ can come "boldly to the throne of grace" to "obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." But how many take advantage of that free access? If we don't, it's not because we don't need mercy or grace; it's not that we don't have times of need. It's more that we just can't comprehend what it means to have unfettered access to the God of the universe.

Have you entered into God's presence today? The door is open, waiting for you to walk through, if only you will.

The door is closed to prayer unless it is opened with the key of trust.
John Calvin
DavidJeremiah.org

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Black Man With A Gun


What this country needs is more people to inspire others with confidence, and fewer people to discourage any initiative in the right direction more to get into the thick of things, fewer to sit on the sidelines, merely finding fault more to point out what's right with the world, and fewer to keep harping on what's wrong with it and more who are interested in lighting candles, and fewer who blow them out.
-Father James Keller
Black Man With A Gun

Double Damnation

Double Damnation

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves." (Matthew 23:15)

Among the eight "woe's" in Matthew 23 is this frightening possibility that false teaching will produce double wickedness--a multiplying effect that redounds to terrible consequences. Jesus said that these self-righteous and hate-filled Pharisees were of the devil (John 8:44) and were so intent on resisting the truth that they were ready to kill if they could silence the message of liberty. Paul condemned Elymas the sorcerer as "full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness" (Acts 13:10).

During a great revival in Iconium, "the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren" (Acts 14:2). And they were not content with that. When Paul and his fellow helpers fled to Lystra, the God-hating group from Iconium followed them to Lystra and "persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city" (Acts 14:19).

Make no mistake about this issue; those who hate truth and God will turn their hate against the people of God. "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you
. . . because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. . . . If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also" (John 15:18-20).

Our country has enjoyed some 250 years of liberty while centered on righteousness. But rising atheistic and secular favor has given boldness to the enemies of truth. May God grant us boldness to speak His Word (Acts 4:29) amidst "many adversaries" (1 Corinthians 16:9).

Saturday, March 21, 2009

It Is Time For True Worship

And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
Acts 12:8

My holy people, follow the Truth. It is time for true worship.

It is time to mix faith with My Word, to produce some real results. This is in every area of your life: your family, your job, your relationships, your friends, your spare time, your pursuit of Me, our fellowship time, our times of exuberant worship, our times of awe, our times of hearing My Word, and in all other areas.

I desire you to follow Me. Most of all, I desire you to follow Me and as you do so, amazing things will happen. My Kingdom comes to those who seek Me, find Me and follow Me. We have the preliminaries of who I am out of the way, now it is time to concentrate on what I desire you to be doing. Be My hands and feet and voice and heart to those around you. As you yield to Me, I will lead you on the most amazing adventure of a lifetime; the adventure of following Me.

Seek My Face. Call upon My Name. And then with all of your heart, all of your mind, and all of your strength - Follow Me.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Stubbed Toes

Stubbed Toes

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.Romans 8:18
Recommended Reading2 Corinthians 4:16-18What if you were to win an all expense paid, first-class trip around the world, but while checking your baggage at the airport you stubbed your toe? Would you say, "I wish I had never won this trip! Look! I've stubbed my toe!"?
No. You'd say, "This momentary discomfort cannot compare to the enjoyment of the trip we're about to take."

The Bible says that all our earthly problems fall into that category. They aren't worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed when we get to heaven. Paul wrote, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" 2 Corinthians 4:17.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. Whatever our situation here on earth, we know that our eternal quality of life will be beyond anything we can imagine or think about. We're looking for the glory to be revealed, the eternal glory that far outweighs all the stubbed toes and broken hearts of earth.

When Christ calls me Home, I shall go with the gladness of a boy bounding away from school.
Adoniram Judson, Missionary
DavidJeremiah.org

Thursday, March 19, 2009

I Say, Prepare Yourselves For Battle

And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any [man]; for they were afraid.
Mark 16:8

My holy people; such is the shock of finding the truth of the resurrection in any life.

Prepare yourselves for battle. I say, prepare yourselves for battle, for there is much resistance to My moving in the place of your jurisdiction. Whether you are in the Bible belt, the northeast, the northwest, the Midwest, the southeast, the southwest or even the farthest nation or region: there is a growing resistance to following Me.

There has been some headway and for this I thank those who have fearlessly prayed and waited upon Me for My divine decrees and declarations to be delivered across the land. This has caused a turning back of the enemy, but this is just one major battle. The enemy of your souls is regrouping. Do not take ease, for the war is not yet secured.

I am asking for My holy people to make a stand. Both in their personal lives and in the corporate gatherings that they are a part of: to make a stand against this growing resistance to following Me. It is a great wickedness that has spread out across the entire earth and even now flexes its muscles in stern rebellion against all that My Kingdom stands for.

This means prayer and fasting. This means corporate gatherings of prayer. This means a crying out for cleansing of My Church and a renewed manifestation of My resurrection life in the earth. If My people, who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray and seek My Face and turn from their wicked ways: I will hear and will answer and will cause the work of the enemy to be turned back in your life and in the lives of those around you. I will once again manifest the truth of the resurrection and cause the fear of the Lord to be established in the land.

Pick up the stones that are found in the midst of My Presence, in the midst of My River. Pick up the stones and hurl them toward the enemy with precision and with power, for now is the time. The waiting is over. Loose the bands of wickedness. Undo the heavy burdens. Let the oppressed go free. Break every yoke.

I will release a manifestation of My resurrection life that will carry with it power to save, power to heal and power to deliver. Perhaps most of all … power to establish the fear of the Lord in the land, once again.

My holy people; return with zeal to My standard of righteousness. Be and become an accurate expression of Christ in the earth.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Come Unto Me

And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Acts 6:15

My holy people, do not be amazed in the days that commence. More and more difference shall be seen among those that follow Me and those that do not. Normal, everyday believers will be more and more like Me and My glory will be seen upon them. Others will likewise continue to be worse and worse, taking on the very appearance of evil instead.

Those that are seeking Me, those that are finding Me, those that are preferring My ways than their own: these I will make more and more like Me.

Do not be surprised. Do not be confounded. Instead continue to look to Me and be ready to follow Me steadily day by day. This is My working in you.

There are some who are beginning to understand My call for cleansing in My Church. There are those that know that My great desire at this time is to make My Church without a spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Those that cry out for mercy and turn from their wicked ways will be heard and I will answer their prayers and I will bring tremendous healing.

Come to Me … all that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.

Rich Elliott
inJesus.com River of Revival Ministries

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Walk In The Spirit

Galations 5:16-26

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wisish
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
2
1 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
2
3 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
2
4 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
2
5 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
2
6 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Thank you Brother Mark

Today's Psalm Of Comfort

PSALM 124:1-8
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1"IF it had not been the LORD who was on our side,"
Let Israel now say--
2 "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side,
When men rose up against us,
3 Then they would have swallowed us alive,
When their wrath was kindled against us;
4 Then the waters would have overwhelmed us,
The stream would have gone over our soul;
5 Then the swollen waters
Would have gone over our soul."
6 Blessed be the LORD,
Who has not given us as prey to their teeth.
7 Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
The snare is broken, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.

Thank you Brother Mark

Friday, March 6, 2009

GovernmentNews.org

Welcome to GovernmentNews.ORG -- Babylon

The only person whom I have to please is Christ. He who has fear is not made perfect in love. "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." (I John 4:15-18)

Perfect love is loving God, which is loving the truth. If you love something else, then you will have fear. If you love God, you will have courage, and tribulation will seem more a trifle. Tribulation is always endurable. The thing that hinders most people in studying prophecy is not that they are incapable of understanding prophecy. What hinders them is that they are afraid if they look too far, then they will have to face the loss of something they value more than God's truth. They are not made perfect in love, so the Scripture is not revealed to them. Again, it is not that Scripture is over there head. It is that they fear what God, out of His love for his children, wants to tell them. Do they not remember that God is love? Why then would they fear His Word? They fear God's Word because in their hearts they are holding onto something else.

Freedom and Jeff

Freedom and I have been together 10 years this summer. She came in as a baby in 1998 with two broken wings. Her left wing doesn't open all the way even after surgery, it was broken in 4 places . She's my baby.


When Freedom came in she could not stand and both wings were broken. She was emaciated and covered in lice. We made the decision to give her a chance at life, so I took her to the vets office. From then on, I was always around her. We had her in a huge dog carrier with the top off, and it was loaded up with shredded newspaper for her to lay in. I used to sit and talk to her, urging her to live, to fight; and she would lay there looking at me with those big brown eyes.

We also had to tube feed her for weeks.This went on for 4-6 weeks, and by then she still couldn't stand. It got to the point where the decision was made to euthanize her if she couldn't stand in a week. You know you don't want to cross that line between torture and rehab, and it looked like death was winning. She was going to be put down that Friday, and I was supposed to come in on that Thursday afternoon. I didn't want to go to the center that Thursday, because I couldn't bear the thought of her being euthanized; but I went anyway, and when I walked in everyone was grinning from ear to ear. I went immediately back to her cage; and there she was, standing on her own, a big beautiful eagle. She was ready to live. I was just about in tears by then. That was a very good day.

We knew she could never fly, so the director asked me to glove train her. I got her used to the glove, and then to jesses, and we started doing education programs for schools in western Washington . We wound up in the newspapers, radio (believe it or not) and some TV. Miracle Pets even did a show about us.In the spring of 2000, I was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma. I had stage 3, which is not good (one major organ plus everywhere), so I wound up doing 8 months of chemo. Lost the hair - the whole bit. I missed a lot of work. When I felt good enough, I would go to Sarvey and take Freedom out for walks. Freedom would also come to me in my dreams and help me fight the cancer. This happened time and time again.

Fast forward to November 2000, the day after Thanksgiving, I went in for my last checkup. I was told that if the cancer was not all gone after 8 rounds of chemo, then my last option was a stem cell transplant. Anyway, they did the tests; and I had to come back Monday for the results. I went in Monday, and I was told that all the cancer was gone.

So the first thing I did was get up to Sarvey and take the big girl out for a walk. It was misty and cold. I went to her flight and jessed her up, and we went out front to the top of the hill. I hadn't said a word to Freedom, but somehow she knew. She looked at me and wrapped both her wings around me to where I could feel them pressing in on my back (I was engulfed in eagle wings), and she touched my nose with her beak and stared into my eyes, and we just stood there like that for I don't know how long. That was a magic moment. We have been soul mates ever since she came in. This is a very special bird.

On a side note: I have had people who were sick come up to us when we are out, and Freedom has some kind of hold on them. I once had a guy who was terminal come up to us and I let him hold her. His knees just about buckled and he swore he could feel her power coarse through his body. I have so many stories like that.I never forget the honor I have of being so close to such a magnificent spirit as Freedoms.

Hope you enjoy this.
Jeff


Wednesday, March 4, 2009

We Walk By Faith, Not By Sight

The book "Voices of the Faithful" tells of a South American pastor who bought a van to transport people to church. The van needed new tires, but the pastor had no way of paying for them. One night the van was stolen, leaving the pastor distressed, but prayerful. A few days later, police officers from a nearby town told him the van had been located and the thief caught.
Arriving at the police station, the pastor was surprised to find his vehicle sporting a new set of tires, new backseats, and a radio! He claimed the van, but told the police that the tires, seats, and radio were not his. They must have been installed by the thief.
"Well, I guess that is the thief's loss and your gain," replied the police officer. Now the pastor has a good van, fully equipped, and freshly shod.
It often works that way for those who love God. He uses our trials for His glory and purpose, though at the time we may not see how it could be. That's why we walk by faith.
His hand is never shortened, all things must serve His might; His every act is blessing, His path is purest light.
Paul Gerhardt, German hymnist