The first things that I have seen is a movement towards compromise. Some churches want more members so badly, and are appealing to the youth of this nation. That in itself is not bad, but we do not have to become one of them, in order to attract them. Taking on the same music styles, clothing styles, speech characteristics, and attitudes is not going to win the youth. If you are winning the youth by your own charisma or methods, then they will not stay. It is only if the Holy Spirit draws them that they will remain.

They need to see something real. They need to see a true move of God, and the Spirit will draw them. God knows how to do it, and all the plans and programs that we have to draw them in are worth nothing without Him.

If you have a man in his 40′s or 50′s that is dressing and acting like a teenager in a church service, do you not think that the kids can tell that this is an act? They need the real, not the fake. And they are smart enough to know the difference.

I long for the old worship songs, and some of the wonderful old hymns from saints gone by. There is a purity and a richness in those songs that go straight to the heart of the Father. This new stuff that they are playing in a lot of churches today is neither praise or worship. A lot of the time, there is more of an entertainment aspect to it, and it feels almost like a night club.

There is a way to enter into the presence of God. We should have an awareness of the holiness and awesomeness of our God. There is a fear or respect for God that I see lacking in this present generation.

When the High Priests entered into the Holy of Holy’s, they had to dress in a certain way and cleanse themselves. They did not go in flippantly, or irreverently. And they were only allowed to go in once a year. And if they did not go in correctly, they knew that they could die. They had a rope tied on their ankle. If the people outside did not hear them inside working, they would pull out their dead bodies with that rope. We can walk in boldly, but through the blood of Jesus, but we should still have reverence for Him even more now than ever.

Once, when Kenneth Hagin (Sr.) was speaking at our church, he addressed this same issue. He said that when we come to church, we should be dressed and show the same reverence that we would show to any head of state. Women should be dressed appropriately, as well as men. If you were to go into the presence of a King or President, would you dress up as a gangster? Having your pants hanging down to your knees, and dirty scruffy clothing? I don’t think so. I think that security would usher you out rather quickly.

Why would we show a head of state more reverence that God?

There is a lot that I can say on this subject, but will save that for another post. I just ask that we pray for the body of Christ and the church.

If you look at what Christmas has become, I can see why people do not know why we celebrate Christmas.  I am not talking about “Happy Holidays” here, I am talking about Christmas.  There would be no holiday without Jesus Christ, who’s birth the Christmas holiday celebrates.  Most people now are so caught up in gift buying and what they are going to get at Christmas, that they forget the original Christmas gift, the greatest gift that the world has ever know.  God come in the flesh in the form of a baby, that will grow up to be the Savior of the whole world.

I saw a Christmas card the other day on Facebook, where a family took their pictures, but instead of smiling for the camera, they were all texting and playing their favorite video games.

I know that this is probably a joke, but it kind of describes our families in this era.  We are so bound up in our electronic gadgets and TV or anything else that will entertain us, that we forget about the really important things, like family and love and caring for each other.  I wish for even one day that we could lay aside our cell phones and other electronic paraphernalia and talk to one another, and really communicate with a real human being.

Anyway, the real meaning of Christmas, as I said before is to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Let me relate the story as it is written in Luke 2.

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.  So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.   Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.  So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”  And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.  Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Yes, Jesus is “the reason for the season” and because of His birth, death and resurrection, we can know for sure, without a doubt , that we are going to Heaven some day. But we need to accept that gift, just as we accept a gift from someone at Christmas. We have to take hold of it and receive it.  If we don’t take it, and open it, it is not ours.  It goes back to the giver of the gift.  God is the giver of this gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.  Will you receive it today?

It says in the Holy Bible that that “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Would you like to do that today? Just pray this simple prayer and mean it from your heart.

God in Heaven, I know that I haven’t lived my life for you, but I would like to change that. I believe that Jesus came to this earth, died on the cross and you raised him from the dead. Jesus, I want you to come into my heart today, to be my Lord and Savior.  Amen

Merry Christmas

From the Cry of the Heart

In the Bible, speaking of the people of Israel in Judges 17:6 – “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” In this generation, most of the population is doing the same thing. Values are all relative. What is good for me might not be good for you, etc.

2 Timothy 3: 1-5

(1) But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: (2) For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, (4) traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, (5) having a form of godliness but denying its power.

I have been thinking a lot about the story of Moses, and the Israelites while they were in Egypt. They were in incredible bondage, and pressed into hard labor for their task masters, the Egyptians. We all know the story of Moses. Pharaoh refused to let God’s people go, and Egypt went through a series of plagues. However, when the plagues were coming on the Egyptians, the land of Goshen (where the Israelites lived) was protected. When the whole country of Egypt was in darkness, the Land of Goshen had light.

Right now, I feel like we are in the land of Egypt, but as the church, living in the Land of Goshen. Where the world has darkness, we can have light. Where they are afflicted, we can be protected, if we walk in the light of God’s word. Where there is lack and insufficiency we can have abundance. Where they have depression and oppression, we can have freedom and joy. We are in this world, but not “of” this world. Our home and our heritage is in Heaven.

Psalms 1

(1)   Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
(2)   But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
(3)   He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
(4)   The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
(5)   Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
(6)   For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Read the story here: Tornado hits ELCA convention; sexuality statement passes

Could this have been a “little nudge from God” that maybe this was in violation of scripture?

⁹ Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, New King James Version)

How can they be a minister of the gospel if they are not even going to heaven? Yes, we love them, but we do not condone their sin, and let them live in it. The Bible puts homosexuality on the same level as adulterers, thieves, drunkards, and extortioners. One sin is not any worse than the other. Sin is sin, and it needs to be repented of, and the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ can give them a new start, just as it has done with us all.

In the 60′s, the peace movement was active, and the hippies were moving into communes, and drugs were plentiful. The idea of love changed to “free love” (or rather sex), and drugs enhanced that whole scene. High ideals and philosophical discussions, and expanding our reality to accept all ideas and people, and an end to all discrimination were the norm. However, when you are accepting of all, then that which is “evil” can enter as well. Throughout the sixties, we saw riots and bloodshed in the streets of America, for an end to the war, racial discrimination and much more.

In the 70′s, 80′s & 90′s, America descended into the vile and the obscene in their entertainment. It was a generation in confusion. Confusion in the genders, confusion in our roles as men and women, and a time when abortion was legalized and promoted. There was no longer any right or wrong. What was wrong was now good, and what had been shocking before, might be wrong for one person, but not wrong for another.

Then we saw outrageous attacks by Muslim terrorists on 9-1-1. They sent airplanes into into our sky scrapers and the Pentagon. Thousands were murdered. Then came the attacks with anthrax, and people were afraid to even open their mail, for fear that they would find some biological agent that would kill them. We saw flags everywhere, and signs and bumper stickers that proclaimed “Never Forget”.

The security in this nation and around the world was tightened. But now were were in the middle of another attack, and it is so insidious that many are not aware of it even yet. Now our enemy is getting in to our government, and moving into our neighborhoods, and taking over through the system. And the good citizens of this country are praising this move, as a move towards diversity. Much was made over the 1st Muslim congressman that was elected, and now we have a President that is also in question. He is now saying that this is no longer a Christian nation, and in his mind it probably is not. His move towards socialization of private business, banks, and now the insurance industry is a move toward Communism that would have been Kruschev’s dream.

However, where great darkness abounds, Grace abounds much more. I would urge us all to pray for America.
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” – 1 John 5:4

Whether or not this health care bill is passed, many of the things that it promotes are here in America already, including the euthanizing of our elderly and infirm and handicapped.

Case in point is the death of my own Father last year. He was admitted into a county hospital with a major stroke on a Tuesday, and from the time that he was admitted, the doctors were pushing for us to let them take off life support. We were believing for a miracle, and we prayed, and saw some improvement. The doctors even told us that if they removed the breathing machine, he would not be able to breathe on his own at all. They removed it in the middle of the night that first night in the hospital, and he did take two breaths on his own, which they said was impossible. He responded when various people entered the room, but they said that he was brain dead. On Sunday, when it was impossible for us to seek council, they told us that they were declaring him brain dead, and that we had no more choice in the matter, but that they were removing life support. I found out later that this has happened over and over again in various hospitals in America. When the doctors feel that there will be no value for them living, they stop life support, and the wishes of the family have no merit any more.

What happened to the Hippocratic Oath? “To practice and prescribe to the best of my ability for the good of my patients, and to try to avoid harming them.”

When I was growing up, many of the young people were revolting against what they saw as the establishment, and wanted to change the world into a better place, filled with love and peace, among other things. They valued life in any form, and wanted to make a difference. Helping people, loyalty, friends, family, all these were important to us back then. Now, it seems, most people are all out for themselves, and what is in it for me, and if it feels good to you, then it is right. The focus has turned from and outward focus to an inward focus. The focus has been diverted from God and a Supreme Being, to a “God-in-Us” or “We are Gods”.

How far have we fallen from our high ideals? Oh, America, you are not a socialist nation. The Spirit of God still is waiting for you to turn to him. I can’t believe that the purposes and plans that God had for this country are all for nothing. This is not a Muslim nation, nor a Buddhist nation, or an atheist’s nation. This is a Christian nation founded on Biblical principles by Godly men. Please pray for Revival here in America. The sleeping giant must wake up!

The United States of America. Why was this nation formed? Did God have a purpose and a design for us as a nation, and how do we fit into the role of the nations mentioned in the Bible? And one last question that i would like you to consider with me… What did the founders of our country say about the Bible, and about Christianity in general? In our modern day society, the concept of God, Jesus and the Bible have been relegated to an obscure dark corner, where it is considered if not illegal, at least improper to mention your beliefs in any public forum.

What did people like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and others say about their Creator, in the light of the government and nation that they had fought for and so many had died for? We will see what these people did say, as well as going on a pictorial journey through time and across this land. Our first subject will be George Washington, the first President of the United States.

George Washington

“Direct my thoughts, words, and work…daily more and more into the likeness of thy son Jesus Christ.”

“In addition to the distinguished character of a Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of a Christian.” – George Washington May 2, 1778 at Valley Forge, PA

“[Love] ought to be under the guidance of reason, for although we cannot avoid first impressions, we may assuredly place them under guard.” to Eleanor Parker Curtis, his adopted granddaughter, January 16, 1775.

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. . . Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on our minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles.”

First Inaugural Address

Apr 30, 1789

“…Such being the impressions under which I have, to obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being, who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to the great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own, not those of my fellow citizens at large, less than either…

No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency…

These reflections, arising out of the present crisis, have forced themselves too strongly on my mind to be suppressed. You will join with me, I trust, in thinking that there are none, under the influence of which the proceedings of a new and free government can more auspiciously commence…

We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained. Having thus imparted to you my sentiments, as they have been awakened by the occasion which brings us together, I shall take my present leave; but not without resorting once more to the benign Parent of the human race, in humble supplication that, since He has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquility, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on a form of government for the security of their union and the advancement of their happiness, so His divine blessing may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultation, and the wise measures, on which the success of this government may depend.”

Proclamation of the First National Thanksgiving

3 Oct 1789

“Whereas, it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor; and, whereas, both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me ‘to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness;’

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the twenty-sixth day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country, kind care and protection of the people of this country, previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interposition of His providence, in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been able to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors, which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And, also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our national government a blessing to all people, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereign and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science, among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.”

George Washington’s Farewell Address

17 Sep 1796

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more of less force to every species of free government. Who, that is a sincere friend to it, can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric? …

Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and Morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great Nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Who can doubt, that, in the course of time and things, the fruits of such a plan would richly repay and temporary advantages, which might be lost by a steady adherence to it? Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its Virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature.

In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”

A Letter from Washington

“It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe without the agency of a Supreme Being. It is impossible to govern the universe without the aid of a Supreme Being.

It is impossible to reason without arriving at a Supreme Being. Religion is as necessary to reason as reason is to religion. The one cannot exist without the other. A reasoning being would lose his reason in attempting to account for the great phenomena of nature, had he not a Supreme Being to refer to; and well has it been said, that if there had been no God, mankind would have been obliged to imagine one.” — James K. Paulding, A Life of Washington, 1836, Vol. II, p. 208. (Johnson, 263-264)

Thomas Jefferson

“Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.”

“The reason that Christianity is the best friend of Government is because Christianity is the only religion that changes the heart.”

“I hold the precepts of Jesus as delivered by Himself, to be the most pure, benevolent and sublime which have ever been preached to man…”

John Adams

“[The Revolutionary War] connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.”

“The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were…. the general principles of Christianity.”

James Madison

“Before any man can be considered as a member of civil society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe. And to the same Divine Author of every good and perfect gift [James 1:17] we are indebted for all those privileges and advantages, religious as well as civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land.”

“We’ve staked the whole future of American civilization not on the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all of us . . . to Govern ourselves according to the commandments of God. The future and success of America is not in this Constitution, but in the laws of God upon which this Constitution is founded.”

Andrew Jackson

“The Bible is the Rock on which this Republic rests.”

Abraham Lincoln

“The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.”

“The only assurance of our nation’s safety is to lay our foundation in morality and religion.”

“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan – to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.” ~ Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865.

“Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” ~ Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863.

It seems that now, in this present day, we have done a complete reversal of all of the truths that our forefathers held dear, and our nation has taken another path. I believe that we need to pray for our country more now than we ever have before. The violence and drugs and rampant immorality that we see in our society today are a result of sin, and it is as our nation has turned from the values that we were founded upon that these things have multiplied beyond anything that former generations had ever dreamed of.

We do have a great purpose and design that God intended for this country. God intended this country to be preserved for the spread of the gospel, and has blessed this country with great abundance and prosperity. That prosperity was never intended to be wasted upon ourselves, but rather to be used on the missions field, to reach out to the lost and be a light to a dead and dying world.

I can even see the prophetic in our flag. On our flag, there are seven red stripes. Seven is God’s number of perfection and the Divine, and the red represents the blood of Jesus. There are also six white stripes. The number six always represents the number of “man”. The seven red stripes with the blood of Jesus, covers the six stripes of man, making them pure and holy… Thence making them white.

There is also a blue field, which represents heaven… and 50 stars. Fifty is the number of The Year of Jubilee. This was the year that all debts were canceled, and every one sold into slavery because of a debt would go free. All of the property that had changed hands would go back to the original owners.

The number fifty is also representative of Pentecost. It was fifty days after the ascension of Jesus into heaven that the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples, they were filled and they began to speak with other tongues. It is indicative of revival.

Pray for America!