“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Is 29:14
I find myself increasingly frustrated at level of the intellectual blather emanating from the so called academic elite. How can those who claim to be “experts” by virtue of their academic pedigree spew such nonsense? The predictable fare of scientific and philosophical minutiae, most often derived from concocted data and spurious mental gymnastics serves primarily to confound and lull to sleep the uninformed masses who are more interested in “American Idol” or the “WWF” than the moral and ethical decay threatening the destruction of our free society. Be it the ravings of evolutionists or the creative science of global warming, “politico-science-speak” (I made that up) has become a tool of distraction designed to diabolically transform an apathetic and poorly educated populous into mindless drones unable to take a breath without getting permission from Big Brother.
What has facilitated this societal shift from self-governance to big government? Why is the average citizen misinformed and generally apathetic about the world around him? Why has the progressive movement made such giant strides toward stripping away our basic freedom? I believe the answer lies not in a debate between “science” and religion, Jungian Psychology and the truths of the bible rather, I believe it resides in mankind’s obsession with self.
For years now, the progressives and liberal activists have manipulated societal mores and ethical benchmarks in a methodical manner partly because the average citizen has been distracted with himself (herself) and his (her) own physical pleasure more than what is morally correct. One need only look at the state of the family, marriage and the crime rate to see that our society has been engaged with selfish carnal satisfaction at the expense of many institutions we used to hold dear. For example, during the period 1960-2005, according to a Pew Research study, illegitimate births increased sevenfold from 5.3 percent to 36.8 percent. Among blacks two out of every three births are illegitimate. Divorce even among born again Christians achieved parity with the rest of society over the last forty years. And, as of June 30, 2008 2,310,984 prisoners were being housed in federal and state prisons or local jails.
The statistics tell a story that one can literally feel in the environment. The presence of the darkness that pervades our society lies heavy in almost every aspect of our daily lives. People are buying guns at record rates, and there is a general uneasiness about the economy and looming hyperinflation as the government continues increase debt at a “never-before-seen” pace. All the while the wheels of scientific and political misdirection continue to provide the curtain of deception behind which the “wizard” continues to operate the levers.
In the last days
The bible speaks clearly about the days in which we are living. The apostle James writes, “Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.” God, speaking through the prophet Isaiah, continues, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate;”( Is 29:14) and Peter warns, “…in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. I am sure many of you are scoffing now. The bible tells us that the “things of God” (His wisdom) confound the “natural man” (that is a man not filled with the Holy Spirit). How are we then to understand the wisdom of God?
In Acts Chapter 2 and verse 7, Luke writes, “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” Since the day of Pentecost when Jesus ascended to heaven and the promised Holy Spirit filled thousands of gathered believers like “the sound of rushing wind,” the gift that can unlock the wisdom of God has been available to Christians. Yet, it is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (a foreign concept to the average Christian) that unlocks the treasure found only in God’s word and enables us to understand it.
Many of the “last days” prophesies from the bible and some pulpits will fall on deaf ears and hardened hearts because most Christians have not received this important gift. Until one is “born of the spirit” through a born-again profession of faith, baptism of the Holy Spirit and an on-going relationship of prayer and study of God’s word, God’s wisdom cannot be understood. This certainly explains why so many who profess to be Christians are confused about their faith and, without realizing it, contributed to the secular notion the “America is no longer a Christian nation,” or some such “politico-science-speak” nonsense.
Get over yourself
Distracted by our concern over self, we (Christians included) have allowed our world to reach this historic low point with only further decline on our horizon. Although we do have an answer to our predicament as I explained earlier, I don’t believe we are ready to collectively embrace it. We have not reached our proverbial rock bottom. Until we have been sufficiently broken to repent and love God more than ourselves, we will not embrace our Father and His Son and rise from the ashes.
God is jealous. He wants us all to himself. He wants us to give our lives in service to Him alone. Jesus said that we are to love the Father with “our entire heart, mind, and soul and with all our strength.” God will not share us with money, houses, clothes, MTV or false religious doctrine. He wants all of our love and all of our service demonstrated in every aspect of our lives. He wants us to live our lives in such a way that our outward behavior and internal attitude will bring glory to his name.
Friends, we are not there yet and I believe we will continue to slide into further turmoil, until (if ever) we decide to come back to the Father in humble repentance. When we are ready to fully embrace God and die to our own selfishness, then we will begin to understand God’s wisdom. God is an infinite being who works through the individual sprits of his people in the physical realm. The power of the Holy Spirit flowing through each of us and connecting ourselves to God and each other is the essence of Christianity and the answer to the restoration of the world as God intended.
My prayer. Father forgive us please for not realizing just how much you love us. Forgive us for putting other things before you and for ignoring the gifts that you offer your children. Bring us to our knees Lord and humble us at the foot of the coss. Increase our wisdom through the transforming power of your word and the Holy Spirit. Give us a Daniel spirit and determination to do what is right no matter the consequences. We need you now more than ever Father, please hear your children as we approach you in earnest prayer and humble repentence. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!
Showing posts with label Repent and Return to the Father's family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Repent and Return to the Father's family. Show all posts
Friday, May 22, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
The Lord is Our Judge
"For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, he LORD is our king; it is he who will save us. Isa 33:22
The world is on the verge of worldwide panic. Economic recession and political tension consumes the headlines. Decision makers vacillate because the problems seem so complex and overwhelming. The world has dug itself a financial hole through excessive spending and the accumulation of massive debt. Those who loaned the money to fuel the spending spree and grew wealthy on the interest, are now finding it difficult to be paid back what was borrowed from them. We face uncertain and potentially dangerous times ahead.
As a society, we are like children who have run away from home and found that the world can be cold and dark outside of the confines of the warmth and security of our parents home. We are like sheep who have wandered away from the protection of the shepherd and are standing in the midst of wolves. We have chosen to ignore what our Creator has told us is best and have wandered away from his covering.
The problems we have today are of our own doing. God is not punishing us because he is mad; rather we are suffering from what He warned about. He loves us and wants us to return home. How many times did we read his word and say, "God really didn't mean that, I think we can still do this and be okay." We rationalized his word saying, "the Bible cannot be taken literally, it must evolve with the times. After all, it was written by humans, how could they know what God was thinking?" Or worse many have chosen to completely ignore Him saying, "The Bible is just a collection of fairy tales, that are for weak-minded people, who needs it."
The Holy Spirit through his servant Moses wrote, "The LORD will vindicate his people and relent concerning his servants when he sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free. " Deut 32:36 Although this was written specifically for the Jews, it certainly applies to the world situation today. "He (God)will say: 'Now where are their gods (money, credit cards, material things) the rock they took refuge in,'" Deut 32:37
Many people say that God is mean, that he brings down calamity on the world. The fact is we serve a good God, one like a good parent wants the best for his children, who loves them and disciplines them when they are doing something they shouldn't. We cannot run our lives without boundaries. The boundaries established by God. When we look at the Bible as a source of things that are written by a cruel God who doesn't want us to have fun, we miss the point. Like a good parent, God does not want us to get hurt. He doesn't want us to suffer economic hardship, so he wrote through Solomon, "the borrower is the slave to the lender." Prov 22:7 No, God wants his children to enjoy life and because he is wiser that us, he has established the best possible set of boundaries to maximize our freedom and safety.
We are in this current situation for only one reason. We have chosen to ignore God's advice and now we must let the mess we have caused unravel itself. Many will lose everything they have accumulated and many will find themselves with no job or home. People will lash out against each other and sadly some may be murdered or assaulted. Some may even choose to commit suicide and others imprisoned. None of it is a surprise to God and none of it was caused by Him! The echoes of what he warned the Jews in the desert are ringing loudly today. History repeats itself.
My prayer. Father thank you that you want the best for your children. Thank you that you would not let us stray too far from home and that as a good shepherd you would gently nudge us back. I pray for an awakening in your people that we may see the error of our decisions and repent from our misdirection and begin the journey back to You. I pray for financial wisdom and blessings in the days ahead and I thank you that you will have compassion on your servants. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!
The world is on the verge of worldwide panic. Economic recession and political tension consumes the headlines. Decision makers vacillate because the problems seem so complex and overwhelming. The world has dug itself a financial hole through excessive spending and the accumulation of massive debt. Those who loaned the money to fuel the spending spree and grew wealthy on the interest, are now finding it difficult to be paid back what was borrowed from them. We face uncertain and potentially dangerous times ahead.
As a society, we are like children who have run away from home and found that the world can be cold and dark outside of the confines of the warmth and security of our parents home. We are like sheep who have wandered away from the protection of the shepherd and are standing in the midst of wolves. We have chosen to ignore what our Creator has told us is best and have wandered away from his covering.
The problems we have today are of our own doing. God is not punishing us because he is mad; rather we are suffering from what He warned about. He loves us and wants us to return home. How many times did we read his word and say, "God really didn't mean that, I think we can still do this and be okay." We rationalized his word saying, "the Bible cannot be taken literally, it must evolve with the times. After all, it was written by humans, how could they know what God was thinking?" Or worse many have chosen to completely ignore Him saying, "The Bible is just a collection of fairy tales, that are for weak-minded people, who needs it."
The Holy Spirit through his servant Moses wrote, "The LORD will vindicate his people and relent concerning his servants when he sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free. " Deut 32:36 Although this was written specifically for the Jews, it certainly applies to the world situation today. "He (God)will say: 'Now where are their gods (money, credit cards, material things) the rock they took refuge in,'" Deut 32:37
Many people say that God is mean, that he brings down calamity on the world. The fact is we serve a good God, one like a good parent wants the best for his children, who loves them and disciplines them when they are doing something they shouldn't. We cannot run our lives without boundaries. The boundaries established by God. When we look at the Bible as a source of things that are written by a cruel God who doesn't want us to have fun, we miss the point. Like a good parent, God does not want us to get hurt. He doesn't want us to suffer economic hardship, so he wrote through Solomon, "the borrower is the slave to the lender." Prov 22:7 No, God wants his children to enjoy life and because he is wiser that us, he has established the best possible set of boundaries to maximize our freedom and safety.
We are in this current situation for only one reason. We have chosen to ignore God's advice and now we must let the mess we have caused unravel itself. Many will lose everything they have accumulated and many will find themselves with no job or home. People will lash out against each other and sadly some may be murdered or assaulted. Some may even choose to commit suicide and others imprisoned. None of it is a surprise to God and none of it was caused by Him! The echoes of what he warned the Jews in the desert are ringing loudly today. History repeats itself.
My prayer. Father thank you that you want the best for your children. Thank you that you would not let us stray too far from home and that as a good shepherd you would gently nudge us back. I pray for an awakening in your people that we may see the error of our decisions and repent from our misdirection and begin the journey back to You. I pray for financial wisdom and blessings in the days ahead and I thank you that you will have compassion on your servants. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
I Stand at the Door and Knock
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Rev 3:19-21.
In the Book of Revelation, Jesus writes seven letters to Churches of that day which when laid out in order, mystically reveal church history from 100 AD until the time of the Great Tribulation. The commendation and criticism God had for each of the churches reveal to the modern day Christian that there are many practices and attitudes in churches today that the believer, who is serious about his relationship with the Father, should distance himself from.
Many people today are claiming that they have "lost their religion" because of the experiences they have had in church. Judging from the letters in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 this is not at all surprising to God. Jesus clearly reminds seven times, "He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches." that we should recgonize the churches that do not stand on the word of God and leave them. Warning us of the dangers of false doctrine and the dismissal of God's word.
We live in very interesting times. The level of deception seems to be increasing and the number of people leaving churches because of false doctrine, wickedness in the pulpits and hypocracy in the pews, is on the rise. As believers we must pray for the lost and lead them gently to the loving arms of our Father who wants to adopt them into his family (our family). Time seems to be running short as the day of our Lord's glorious return is ever closer.
My prayer. Father, I pray in the name of Jesus that you would open the eyes and ears of your wandering sheep and turn them back toward you. I pray that we as your children will be more keenly aware of how to reach your sheep and help guide them back to you . Show us Father how to lead them back as you change their hearts and call them out of darkness and into light. I pray in earnest that all may find their way home, in Jesus mighty name. Amen!
In the Book of Revelation, Jesus writes seven letters to Churches of that day which when laid out in order, mystically reveal church history from 100 AD until the time of the Great Tribulation. The commendation and criticism God had for each of the churches reveal to the modern day Christian that there are many practices and attitudes in churches today that the believer, who is serious about his relationship with the Father, should distance himself from.
Many people today are claiming that they have "lost their religion" because of the experiences they have had in church. Judging from the letters in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 this is not at all surprising to God. Jesus clearly reminds seven times, "He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches." that we should recgonize the churches that do not stand on the word of God and leave them. Warning us of the dangers of false doctrine and the dismissal of God's word.
We live in very interesting times. The level of deception seems to be increasing and the number of people leaving churches because of false doctrine, wickedness in the pulpits and hypocracy in the pews, is on the rise. As believers we must pray for the lost and lead them gently to the loving arms of our Father who wants to adopt them into his family (our family). Time seems to be running short as the day of our Lord's glorious return is ever closer.
My prayer. Father, I pray in the name of Jesus that you would open the eyes and ears of your wandering sheep and turn them back toward you. I pray that we as your children will be more keenly aware of how to reach your sheep and help guide them back to you . Show us Father how to lead them back as you change their hearts and call them out of darkness and into light. I pray in earnest that all may find their way home, in Jesus mighty name. Amen!
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