GOD is in Control

It seems as if I have taken for granted that Christians know that GOD is in control. I have simply assumed that the teaching of scripture on this matter is clear. Yet, when I mention that GOD is the one who puts rulers in place, who establishes our president and our congress and our judges and even chooses our parents for us, it is as if I am teach some foreign doctrine or religion.

Daniel 4:17. This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

Proverbs 20-21:1.The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

And, for those who like to discount the Old Testament;

Romans 13:1. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 13:2. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Now, why does this matter? Because, if you do not know this, then you will never seek to understand exactly why GOD is giving us the leaders HE is giving us. Since there are so many Christians who have determined that people decide who is president and who the leaders are, and that GOD exercises no control over these things things or these people, they seek to fix things by fixing the government.

Which is why we do not fall on our face and pray and seek HIS face. We have been led, and are being led, to think we can fix it in our own power. Since we do not acknowledge GOD a sovereign in the affairs of men, we do not see that our efforts are to fight against what GOD is doing. So, we enlist the help of GOD in our fight against GOD to undo what GOD has done.

This is where humanism and humanist doctrines have landed us. We are under the chastisement of ALMIGHTY GOD and we think we can fix it in our strength. (“WE” meaning Christians)

Folks, I implore you to look into this. Learn this truth. Understand that GOD establishes our governments so you can seek to understand what is needed to turn HIS chastisements into blessings. Only Christians can do this. So, only Christians can be held accountable if they do not do this.

Witch Hunt

Once again I find myself compelled by the actions of those I have aligned myself with to write a blog of disagreement. Recently I read an article that said that this group took a vote and decided “Transgender” didn't exist. Really? We can just take a vote and decide something doesn't exist? These are not medical professionals. Most of them probably never heard of Transgender until the last year or two.

This spirit that has gotten such a hold on the Christian church (once again), is the same spirit that burned witches, ran the inquisitions, and allowed Christians to support killing the Jews in Germany. It is a wicked and evil spirit that draws Christian men and women into pursuits that JESUS never suggested we be involved in.

Now, obviously, we as Christians should define what is and is not of Satan. What is and is not of GOD. What is and is not acceptable in the Christian Church. Understanding sin, and defining it for our churches, is good an proper. Certainly no one can argue that point. Since the only information I have been able to find on this vote is from a “news paper”, I do not know the intent or scope of this proclamation. What I do know is that it flies in the face of science and medicine. What I do know is that the idea of a group of non-professionals voting on something doesn't actually alter what that something is. It really just shows Christians as people who choose to be ignorant and stick their head in the sand. It is no wonder we can't accomplish anything in this society when we simply choose to dismiss what we do not like.

It is good to have a zeal for that which is good and right and holy. But, I think a quote from Paul best describes the Christian leaders of our day, “I attest of them that they have a zeal for GOD, but without knowledge.”

I am not sure what this proclamation has to do with the work JESUS sent us out to do. I doubt it will save one soul or lead one lost person the knowledge of GOD. I expect it is just another stumbling block set up between those who need a savior and the SAVIOR they need. This spirit that is at work in this organization is from Satan and those who know JESUS need to pray it out of here.

I love the Christian brothers and sisters of the denomination I belong to, but I really hate a lot of what they are doing, as it has nothing to do with JESUS or kingdom work and is just distracting our time and money from the real task at hand.

“Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ.” (From The Baptist Faith and Message)

Hobby Lobby

 

My pastor, bless his heart, asked me a tough question about the situation facing Hobby Lobby and their current court battle. The gist of the question was, “How does what you are saying play out in the real world?” I think I could have written a whole book on this question.

Of course, that was not the question at the time. But, as I pondered our conversation, I had to grapple with the very real aspect of being Christian in this society. There is a simple scripture that I thought would help to answer this question and as I prayed and meditated on it, the LORD gave me an even deeper understanding of some things.

For those who do not know, Hobby Lobby is embroiled in a lawsuit over being forced to supply insurance that would cover certain birth control methods that their founder finds unacceptable and against his religious beliefs as a Christian. There is more to it than that and there are always additional facets to issues that make everything less black and white. Yet, as I thought about it, it really is black and white.

In the book of Romans, chapter 13, the first couple of verses, Paul writes to us a very real truth. ALL authorities are established by GOD and to resist the authorities is to resist the ordinances of GOD.

13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation

In the case of Hobby Lobby, they have chosen to resist the ordinances of GOD by choosing to resist the authorities GOD has set in place. The provisions of Obamacare include the mandate that Hobby Lobby has determined to resist and to defend themselves against.

Regardless of who or why, a lawsuit has been brought against them to force them to comply with the law established by the authorities. In short, Hobby Lobby has chosen to resist the ordinances of GOD, in the name of GOD, and have asked GOD to help them.

They will stand before an authority that is put in place by GOD and will be tried. The outcome of this trial being fully in the hands of the GOD who has established the authorities and the ordinances which are currently at odds with Hobby Lobby and it's religious beliefs. Now, I would not have you fully ignorant of the fact that there is extreme Biblical precedence for this type of resistance to authority.

In the book of Daniel there is a story of three young Hebrew boys who refuse to bow down to a golden idol even though the offense is punishable by death. If I were in the shoes of Hobby Lobby, I would reply to the judge of this case in the exact same way these young Hebrew boys replied to the king.

As a Christian who is more answerable to GOD than to men, I would place all of my hope in the mercy and power of GOD. However, Hobby Lobby is likely placing millions of dollars and a great deal of hope in some slick talking lawyers who have no power at all to affect the outcome of this lawsuit.

My response to the lawsuit would be to ask forgiveness for resisting the authorities and for mercy in the court ruling. My presentation to the judge would go something like this;

“Since I know that the authorities are established by GOD, and these current rulers are in office as a chastisement and punishment of HIS people, I accept that my resistance to the ordinances established by the current leaders of our nation is a resistance to the ordinances of my GOD.

Throughout all of God's dealings with HIS people, HE has chosen to raise up Godless men and nations to take His people into captivity. So it it is today. I, therefore, have acknowledged to God, and now to this court of law, that I stand as the young Hebrew boys in the book of Daniel. We have no defense against the charges brought other than to honor our conscience before God in the way we have chosen.

Whatever happens in this court is in the control of JESUS the CHRIST. Either He will save us from the fiery trials and deliver us from this unscathed, or He will let the full fury of the law and ordinances be felt upon us. Either way, we cannot in good conscience bow down before this king or the idols it has erected.

In times past, America has been a nation of morality and decency. It is sad to see the decay that has taken place over the last 100 years, or even the last fifty.

When this company was founded, it was operated with Christian values and principals in mind. It was started at a time when those things were celebrated. Those times have passed. With them, perhaps, the time for this company. Should it be found true and appropriate that our government should have changed so much as to force a company to fund that which is abhorrent to it's founders, then this court will establish that truth. Should this court establish that truth, then Hobby Lobby will no longer be able to continue to do business under the current rulers of the nation.

The determination of these things is in the hands of GOD. Should HE choose that Hobby Lobby continue or end, HE is to be praised and what HE determines in this courtroom will establish the future of this company.”

With that, I would give all to the hands of GOD and whatever HE decrees through the judge would be so. I know that the government and authorities are established by GOD and the current ones are there to be a chastisement for HIS people. So, even these laws, the laws that Christians wish to oppose, are from HIS hand.

It is a slippery slope when we decide GOD is no longer in control. Since HE controls everything, it is only through real humility and repentance that we will ever see HIS chastisements removed and HIS blessings returned.

Will Pastors Humble Themselves?

As I have moved forward with this ministry, and the message GOD has delivered to me, I am keenly aware that the change in the direction of the church could hinge on the teachings of Pastors. It doesn't necessarily have to, since GOD can raise up HIS people despite them. But, if a Pastor who has been touting the actions of using the government and courts to stop the evils of the world were to get a hold of the message of Bless God America and the book, “If MY People...”, would that pastor be able to stand before his congregation and explain that he had led them in a wrong direction?

Of course, that might not really be necessary. He could just begin to teach the truth and let it change the course of the church. But, that would be a much slower way to do something that really needs to have a sense of urgency.

This also brings up another question; Can this wine be poured into the existing wine skins or does it need to be something new? Should we who have heard the truth try to change the course of existing congregations, or should this be a call like the first one, to call GOD's people out of the worldliness and into a true faith relationship with HIM? I have had to grapple with this question for a while. I know what I would prefer.

I would prefer that those who grab hold of these truths partner with this ministry and stay in their churches to stand against the teachings that are taking HIS people away from HIM. I would rather see a movement in each church.

I know that there is an ensconced teaching in our Christians community that needs to be torn out and cast off. I know that this will be a serious fight of prayer warriors waging a war on their knees with everything they have.

I really hope GOD has a plan to prosper the effort of this ministry.

As I have moved forward with this ministry, and the message GOD has delivered to me, I am keenly aware that the change in the direction of the church could hinge on the teachings of Pastors. It doesn't necessarily have to, since GOD can raise up HIS people despite them. But, if a Pastor who has been touting the actions of using the government and courts to stop the evils of the world were to get a hold of the message of Bless God America and the book, “If MY People...”, would that pastor be able to stand before his congregation and explain that he had led them in a wrong direction?

Of course, that might not really be necessary. He could just begin to teach the truth and let it change the course of the church. But, that would be a much slower way to do something that really needs to have a sense of urgency.

This also brings up another question; Can this wine be poured into the existing wine skins or does it need to be something new? Should we who have heard the truth try to change the course of existing congregations, or should this be a call like the first one, to call GOD's people out of the worldliness and into a true faith relationship with HIM? I have had to grapple with this question for a while. I know what I would prefer.

I would prefer that those who grab hold of these truths partner with this ministry and stay in their churches to stand against the teachings that are taking HIS people away from HIM. I would rather see a movement in each church.

I know that there is an ensconced teaching in our Christians community that needs to be torn out and cast off. I know that this will be a serious fight of prayer warriors waging a war on their knees with everything they have.

I really hope GOD has a plan to prosper the effort of this ministry.

We're here. We're queer. We want your children.

      I was recently reading my book and realized that I had allowed someone who is too young to remember, to soften what I had to say about the homosexual situation in America. I am not anti gay and I do not fear them having what ever life they want to have. I do not care if they get married and the other issues that branch off from that I am on the fence about.

      I remember the Gay Pride marches of the early 90s when grown men with children on their shoulders marched down the street chanting, “We're here. We're queer. And we want your children”. I do believe that the gay community learned that was not an effective way to garner support and good feelings. I am not convinced that their motives are any different today.

      For anyone who reads my book, you may misunderstand this point; I think this entire homosexual issue is just one of many plagues GOD is using to get HIS people to humble themselves. It is part of the continual downward spiral of American (and world) social moral constructs. This is all part of a spiritual sickness that only GOD can cure.

      In all of what we see in the interaction of GOD with HIS people Israel, we see HE continually sells them into the hands of godless nations until they repent and turn back to HIM. That is what my book is all about.

It is never too late for HIS people to turn things over to HIM and trust HIM to fix it. It only takes a simple act of acknowledging that HE alone can turn these things around. HE can end every wicked and evil urge in every human being if HE wants to. HE can reduce them or HE can let them burn unchecked.

      Does the chant mean they want to be pedophiles? Does it mean they want to teach your children to be homosexuals? Was it just an “In your face” chant because straight people say homosexuals are pedophiles. Or was it just a way to say they wanted acceptance and would target teaching your children they are human beings with feelings and rights like anyone else? Probably all of they above. Different reasons from different people.

      What matters is, it was said. It was shouted in the streets. I cannot blame people for wanting to keep a lid on this boiling pot. But, if there is one thing I have learned in my life, keeping a lid on a boiling pot means it will boil over. Taking the lid off and letting it have full freedom, reduces it's volatility.

      There is one other reality to all of this. That is; I am in this world as an ambassador of another kingdom that is not of this world. I am a representative of JESUS the CHRIST, the SON OF THE LIVING GOD. Worldly things are not my concern. What this world becomes as a result of the sin and wickedness in it, is not something any human can control. GOD is still in control and the world is still doing what HE has planned and told us HE would have it to do. I was never told, in any of the scripture, that I was supposed to try to control people or governments or courts. I am told that GOD is in control of all of it.

      So, let me state this as clear as I can. I think homosexuals getting so crazy out of control is part of the many plagues and curses that are coming upon us from GOD as a result of HIS people rejecting HIS ways and commands and precepts and following the precepts and leadership of men (Christian leaders) who are leading us (Christians) away from GOD. IF WE REALLY CARED about GOD or country or our children, we would put all of this right back into the hands of GOD and we would return to doing things HIS way and live lives pleasing to HIM.

                          Humbling ourselves before GOD is not just an answer, it is the only answer.

THE SIN THAT SO EASILY BESETS US

         I have, once again, been privy to the opportunity to slide into the old ideals and bad doctrines and, once again, I have found myself dragged right smack into the very thing GOD has showed me HE is not happy about. I am loath to say that I had the opportunity to speak, at a time when I most needed to speak, and was instead pulled into the current of worldly concerns and humanist efforts.

         I was once a wanna be politician. I am just smart enough to see things that are wrong and creative enough to see ways to deal with them. Like many (or really ALL) of our politicians, my insights and ideas are based in my understanding and human logic and are to be done in human power. That is the problem. Isn't it?

As a human being, I am not blind tot he plight on man. I see the disintegration of the physical world around me and I think I can do something about it. I want to do something about it.

         I was just at a ministerial fellowship meeting that was intended to be an effort to bring 4 different ministerial fellowships that had divided long ago, back together to work as one. Unity is a wonderful goal. An explanation of the reason for the split was given (which were human reasons based in worldly concerns) and it was clear that all those in the room wanted to work together and be a force for a common goal. There in lies the problem;

         The discussion was started by telling how the city had lost a $28,000,000.00 grant to rebuild a portion of the city because there was no cohesive group involved with acquiring the grant. Then the discussion went from there and was all about creating a political action group and had absolutely nothing to do with JESUS and bringing the blessings of GOD back to the city and the nation.

          I was struck by that reality, right after the end of the meeting as I stepped out of the room. Unfortunately, not be fore I tossed my voice into the conversation by making a comment that continued them down the same path that runs rapidly away from the precepts of GOD and the very message I have been teaching for 10 years. I was once again captured by humanism and the idea of unity. I had my chance and I didn't even see it, let alone take it.

         All I had to do was to stand up and ask, “Where is JESUS in this conversation?” That would have been it. We could have then, possibly, started down the path of determining how we could work together for the kingdom of GOD. But, NNNOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! I was caught in the flow, on the band wagon, marching in step with a group of ministers who had no thought to GOD or HIS power and plans. I was once again one of THEM.

          I am ashamed. I am embarrassed. I am angry with myself and really torqued at Satan and how he twists every good thing into something evil.

         This meeting was another evil in a long line of evils. Perhaps the most evil aspect, which I thankfully was not blind to, was that there were some there advocating that those who GOD has separated unto Himself as Holy before HIM, should mingle themselves with those of the religions of Satan and the spirit of anti-christ. Because humanism has not spiritual component.

         What fellowship has the light with darkness? How can one even hope to bring the blessings of GOD to the city when we are so humanist in our thinking that we can mingle that which is Holy and that which is abomination. If you are not striving to bring people to CHRIST, then you are striving against HIM. How can a people who should know they need to do as GOD has said, to have HIS blessing, want to bring those who are against CHRIST into an effort. If our focus is not on the glorification of JESUS and reflecting back to GOD what HE does to save our city and nation, then there will be no power from GOD and there will be no hope.

          I feel as if I have let people down who know the truth. I feel I have let those people who were there down, who don't know the truth. I let me down. If GOD were a man, that HE wouldn't have known what I was going to do (And had it to be so as part of HIS plan) I would say I let HIM down. But, I know my JESUS. I know that this is yet another lesson in why we must be fully prayed up and ready for battle at all times. I am more keenly aware today, then I was yesterday. Perhaps I will be even more so tomorrow. I entered the lions den unprepared. I was focused on the past and the stories of why these ministry associations had divided, and I was not focused on JESUS. I did not come to do battle with Satan because I came under a flag of peace and unity. I will not be so blinded next time. I hope.

Questions From a Used To Be Believer

I was forwarded these question and I answered them. I thought you might like to see it. Feel free to comment.

1. First up, the most obvious Q that come to mind is that if large parts of the Old Testament are only intended for now long dead tribes of Jews, why is it still included in the Bible today? When the Nicene council decided what to include and remove from (and some might say add to) their new holy book, why not remove the parts that were no longer relevant? If the Jesus story is all accurate, then the decision to leave in the Law, with its verbiage as it is, has resulted in thousands of years of confusion, suffering, and death (‘thou shalt not suffer a witch to live’ comes to mind). If the book is perfect, clearly these irrelevant passages should have been redacted to reduce human suffering and death.

The truth is, that the things recorded of these tribes were not recorded for them, but for the future. They are recorded for us that we are able to see and understand the purity and perfection of absolute Holiness. It is through these stories and this history that we see the absolute, and severe, nature of the holy requirements of God.

Look around you today. If we did not have the stories of Israel and their interaction with GOD, we would not be able to see what is happening in the world today and understand it. But, by seeing that this is how GOD relates to HIS children, we see a perfect loving Father who disciplines HIS children to keep them in line with what is best for them. If you do not understand the holiness of GOD, and if you do not understand how Christians relate to the Israel of that time, then you cannot see why the things that are chastising us and punishing us today fit in.

As JESUS stated, HE didn't come to abolish the law but that through HIM the law might be fulfilled. Salvation through the shed blood of JESUS the CHRIST has paid the eternal/spiritual price for sin. But, the relationship with GOD in the physical world is still based in the promises that require a 2 sided relationship. GOD has said, “IF you will do this......I will do this”

2. Also (this is somewhat of a side tangent) – what was the purpose of making a group of people live under such tormentous and dogmatic principles as the Law, just to undo it two thousand years later? Are we to believe that these rules were absolutely necessary in 500 BC, but were no longer needed in 35 AD? What changed that made 35 AD the proper time to offer a reprieve to humanity that couldn’t have been offered earlier? The only people abiding by the Law were the Jews, anyhow, but the sacrifice was purportedly good for everyone, including people on the other side of the planet. And, what did people do before the Law was written? What did the Greeks do, or the Sumerians? Are we to believe that human civilization had not only survived but flourished for thousands of years while under the impression that murder and adultery were morally permissible?

The law of GOD is not a torment or difficult. They reflect the holiness of GOD and what it would take to be as holy. They are a road map to achieving the perfection of GOD in order to live with HIM. What they actually did was show people that there was no way for them to be as holy as GOD. In fact, no person on Earth is able to be as holy as GOD.

GOD chose to raise a people to Himself. HE gave them the laws and the precepts and the revelation of Himself for the purpose of showing who HE is to the world. The other nations do not matter. GOD has a love and commitment to those who are HIS people. The promise of a Savior was to Israel alone. But, in the promise, GOD also included a salvation of the gentiles. JESUS is the Savior raised up to graft in the gentiles. HIS return will fulfill The promises of GOD to Israel.

The problems Israel faced as a result of a failure to live up to the commandments of GOD were not based in a failure to keep the laws, it was in having a complete disregard for the GOD who raised them up.

As far as when or why, GOD has His time table and He does things accordingly. The very real truth of GOD has well been stated by you. HE chose Israel and let the other nation flourish. GOD created a perfect world. Just as drug dealers and sinners flourish today. They exist outside of the law of both GOD and man. Law doesn't establish a nation, GOD does. With Israel, GOD chose to raise that nation up to reflect Him, that He might show His power and grace and fatherly chastisement. What the other nations did, they did. GOD chose Israel to be the object of His love. Of all the families on the Earth, GOD loved Israel and so, of all the families on the Earth, GOD punished Israel for their inequities. We do not see that with any other nation.

You might say that the other nations are better off for it. If all you have is carnal reasoning and you measure by worldly life, then that might be true. But, Israel was the recipient of the greatest gift and they rejected it.

However, this life and this creation is not what it is all about. It is about eternity. In the grand scheme of eternity, what GOD has done here on this blue ball is to establish a people that will be with Him for ever. With those that He created to be with Him forever, He also created the others. He created those who are the object of His love and those who are not. All for His purposes.

Yes, it was common for murder and adultery to flourish. The strong did what they wanted and women had no status. It was the norm for people to have a wife and still go whoring around. Solomon, the king of Israel, had 800 wives and 1,300 concubines. It was very common. The non-Jewish people in JESUS' time put their newborn, unwanted babies on the red hot arms of an alter to sacrifice them. We abort them today. But, it is the same basic concept, worship sex and kill the offspring.

3. Most importantly, whether or not Jesus paid the price for our sins is irrelevant to the question of determining moral boundaries. Jesus’ sacrifice didn’t remove the boundaries of ‘moral’ and ‘immoral’, it only purports to have removed the eternal death penalty for immoral actions. The lines that define ‘moral’ and ‘immoral’ still exist as defined throughout the Bible, whether or not we have to suffer the full consequences of those actions.

True. In fact, Christians, in many ways, have a greater requirement to the moral constructs of the scriptures. Christians have a moral obligation to a law of love that far exceeds the written law.

4. Therefore, the problem I proposed still exists. You may turn a blind eye to the rock theft, and rightly so, but you don’t have the authority to do so under Biblical principles. Whether or not this child and I would be held spiritually culpable for that action is irrelevant – the Bible provides strict, black and white right and wrongs and this theft is deemed a ‘wrong’. Without Jesus’ sacrifice in play, that action would’ve been worthy of eternal death under Old Testament Law (and elsewhere repeated), because the Bible does not grant you the freedom to update its definitions. This is only something man made moral boundaries can do; the rules in the Bible were set in stone 2,000 years ago and are not negotiable.

NO doubt about it. Theft is theft. Turning a blind eye to it is wrong as well. Now, did she know it was theft? If so, then it is also a sin. Sin is in place when intent is in place. As George Carlin would say, “You have to wanna”. So, you being complicit is sin, but her doing it in innocence is not. This is why there is a Bible. It teaches us right and wrong. Until she is taught right and wrong, there is no guilt. Where there is no law, there is no transgression. It is a shame you did not take this moment to teacher these things.

It is also the very reason for the law. The law shows us the requirements of absolute holiness. Most important, the law shows us that we have all sinned and fallen short of the holiness of GOD. So, the law shows us we need a savior. The prophesies of the Old Testament show us that JESUS was the promised Savior who fulfilled the law.

5. This is why the problem with homosexuality still exists. Jesus’ sacrifice may purport to remove the punishment for homosexuality, but it does not grant us the freedom to deem homosexuality as moral (or amoral). It is, and will forever be, immoral in the eyes of God, because God doesn’t offer Biblical writ updates or clarifications. Whatever is in the Bible is in the Bible, and any advancements we make in our thinking are either elections to ignore parts of the Bible or massive leaps to fit the Bible’s texts into our modern day understanding.

This is quite true. Sin is sin and it will always be sin. It is GOD who sets a person free from sin and GOD who may choose not to. IN the end, JESUS is a come as your are savior. There is no doubt that a person who is saved will have a great struggle with the sins they are captive to. However, it is no greater sin than failure to tythe to your church. In fact, failure to tythe is far more an act of the will than being a homosexual. There are too many people willing to overlook their own sin in order to look at someone else.

The idea that our current evolution of the social norms is an advancement is debatable. Moral decay is not advancement of improvement. It is moral decay. As we get closer and closer to the end times, moral decay will be more prevalent. In large part, this is do to spiritual sickness that has invaded the church. The one who holds back evil is all but gone and evil reigns in our churches and our society. Christians could change that by humbling themselves and prayer. But, I have read the book and I know this is a necessary part of the plan.