Iditarod Day 4

From Dutch Sheets, "The Grace Place"

Iditarod standings: Jessie Holmes is now in 1st place, and already out of Takotna

Iditarod Live Blog (video)

The Red Sea Encounter

 THE RED SEA ENCOUNTER

Ceci and I attended Kent and Candy Christmas’ July Fourth gathering in Nashville. It was God honoring, Christ centered, prophetic and patriotic. Over four thousand people attended; 22,000 more tried to register after it had reached capacity. The people were very expectant, full of faith and without doubt believe completely in God’s intent to restore America. There was a consensus from the prophets that the last half of 2021 will see much breakthrough and release of God’s plan to expose evil, bring forth truth and move further into the coming revival.

I did not speak at the gathering, but did share a word Holy Spirit gave me. While in my room praying the night before, He reminded me of the passage in Exodus 14, where the Red Sea was rolled back for Israel and Pharaoh’s army was destroyed. The first two verses inform us, “Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Tell the sons of Israel to turn back and camp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it, by the sea.’” (Exodus 14:1-2)

God wants us to know that HE chose the place for this encounter. To many of the Israelites, as well as to Pharaoh and his army, it looked as though Israel was confused, disoriented and wandering aimlessly in the desert. And they were, in fact, now trapped by mountains, the sea and Pharaoh’s army. God sometimes enjoys allowing satan to believe he has won; at times He even orchestrates circumstances to accomplish this. Such was the case here.

Baal-zephon was one of the Egyptian gods. It was believed that Zephon reigned in power and was lord over the sea. And he was the only Egyptian god Yahweh had not yet judged and exposed during the 10 plagues and Israel’s deliverance. Scott Lancer, in an article for Associates for Biblical Research, (Confronting Baal Zephon: The Spiritual Message of the Meeting of Israel and the Armies of Egypt) says, “Let us remember that God had been triumphing over not only Pharaoh and the Egyptians, but also the supposed power of their gods. The plagues were a drumbeat of victory as the gods of Egypt were, one by one, displayed to be impotent and powerless. And even more importantly, Yahweh wanted the Egyptians to know that He is the Lord.” (14:4).1

Pharaoh no doubt believed that this god, however, was more powerful than Yahweh. He supposed that Baal-zephon had lead them into a trap and was now going to cause them to be destroyed in front of the place named for him.

Yahweh had other plans. His plan was to demonstrate that HE was the Lord of the sea. His authority, released through the extension of the rod He had given Moses, controlled the sea, not Zephon. Yahweh would lead his people THROUGH, not around, the sea that the Egyptians believed was under the control of Zephon. And instead of the Israelites being destroyed, it would be Pharoah and the Egyptian army - in front of their supposed god!

Through this amazing passage, the Lord spoke to me that this is where we are in America. Many prophets have used the analogy of Israel and the Red Sea to describe the church in this season: our backs are to the wall, it appears that the god of this world has outsmarted and overpowered ours, and it looks as though satan has taken over the nation.

But Yahweh, once again, has other plans. He will release His authority over this nation, just as He did over Israel at the Red Sea, and demonstrate that He is the Lord! Baal has long tried to rule America, but the orchestrated plan of God to overthrow his influence in our nation began in 2007, and continues to this day. (I will do a post on this in the near future.)

Yahweh is about to expose the evil plans of the god of this world and his allies. He has allowed them to gain ground temporarily in order to expose their deception, anti-Christ ways, leftist ideals and even idiocy. But He will strike in His zeal, power and determination to reap the coming great harvest. God must have a strong America that honors Him in order to accomplish this; and He will have that. Do not doubt this. AMERICA SHALL BE SAVED!!!

Yahweh said in Exodus 14:4, before springing His trap, “And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” This is exactly what happened. “Honored” is the Hebrew word kabad, which is the word for glory. God actually said He would glorify Himself as He dealt with Pharaoh and this false god. And some scholars believe when Yahweh said the Egyptian’s would know He was the Lord, this was not simply a statement about proving He was in charge. It was, rather, a demonstration of His grace to the Egyptians, who were deceived and in bondage, following false gods who could not save them. And when God shows himself strong in America, He will be honored and glorified. Millions of people will realize the folly of their ways and that Christ is their Redeemer.

Prayer:

Father, You have never been outwitted by satan and his allies. You always demonstrate the foolishness of those who are wise in their own eyes and who exalt themselves above You. To see this, we need look no further than the Cross. But we see it also at this encounter with baal at the Red Sea. You showed Yourself wiser and stronger than Your enemies. The gods of this world are idols, and have no power. You, Yahweh, are the only true and living God.

We know You are about to show Yourself strong, once again. The earth you created will see the power and glory of its Creator. The people You created will see the beauty, love and salvation of their Redeemer. The spirit of baal will once again be overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. America shall be saved!

And Your glory will be seen among the nations, covering the earth like the waters cover the sea. You will have Your inheritance. You will not be stopped. We align with You now, and decree that Your kingdom is invading this planet and Your will is being accomplished. We declare this in the name of the Most High God, Jesus. Amen.

Decree:

We decree that the God of Israel is the God of America and He will prevail. The gods of this world are demonic idols and will fail.

1. ,https://biblearchaeology.org/research/devotionals/3794-confronting-baalzephon-the-spiritual-message-of-the-meeting-of-israel-and-the-armies-of-egypt

Copyright © 2021 Dutch Sheets Ministries, All rights reserved.

God's Word for Wednesday, 10/30/19

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV

Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

Ephesians 2:8-9 MSG

God's Word for Tuesday, 5/28/19

For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:19-21 KJV

But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right. All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that’s the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.

Romans 5:19-21 MSG

God's Word for Tuesday, 4/17/18

The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. It’s written, I’ll turn conventional wisdom on its head, I’ll expose so-called experts as crackpots. So where can you find someone truly wise, truly educated, truly intelligent in this day and age? Hasn’t God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense? Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered dumb—preaching, of all things!—to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation.

1 Corinthians 1:18 (MSG)

God's Word for Wednesday, 1/3/18

God’s marvelous grace has manifested in person, bringing salvation for everyone. This same grace teaches us how to live each day as we turn our backs on ungodliness and indulgent lifestyles, and it equips us to live self-controlled, upright, godly lives in this present age.

Titus 2:11-12 TPT

The Grace of God

Many have spoken or written about the grace of God. But simply put, it is God's very nature: He gives us gifts of many kinds. Things we could not earn on our own ... things to which we're not otherwise entitled. It's only because He's good, and gives good gifts to those who have sought Him. Life itself is a gift.

 

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:11)

What has God given you? 

God's Word for Easter Sunday, 4/16

Early in the morning on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone was moved away from the entrance. She ran at once to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, breathlessly panting, “They took the Master from the tomb. We don’t know where they’ve put him.”

Peter and the other disciple left immediately for the tomb. They ran, neck and neck. The other disciple got to the tomb first, outrunning Peter. Stooping to look in, he saw the pieces of linen cloth lying there, but he didn’t go in. Simon Peter arrived after him, entered the tomb, observed the linen cloths lying there, and the kerchief used to cover his head not lying with the linen cloths but separate, neatly folded by itself. Then the other disciple, the one who had gotten there first, went into the tomb, took one look at the evidence, and believed. No one yet knew from the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

John 20:1-9 MSG

How to Rescue America: Turning the Nation Back to God

Many bloggers and commenters have remarked - repeatedly - that the news is depressing. That could well be true, but .... but the Lord will not let me rest until I've delivered His message of hope to you.

In January 2014, I wrote about what happens when a nation disobeys God, and disregards His covenant of blessing and protection. Today, we'll look again at what happens when they repent, and turn back to Him.

In the Old Testament, we see over and over again how the nation of Israel would be zealous about following God's teachings and instruction ... for a time. But after some generations, they would forget His commandments and turn away.

When they were in the wilderness, while Moses was on Mt. Sinai meeting with God and getting the 10 commandments, they grew weary of waiting. Deciding that Moses wasn't coming back, they asked the priests to make them an idol that they could worship. (How many of you already know that's a bad thing?)

But that's what they did, and God knew about it, of course. He told Moses,

Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: they have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. (Exodus 32:7-10)

But Moses interceded for his people.

And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. (Exodus 32:11-14)

 I wrote of "righteous anger" just a couple of days ago. Well, there's proof that God has a temper, and He was angry about the people's behavior. But did you catch what Moses did? Moses, the appointed leader of the Israelites, didn't back down, but reminded God of all the things that He said He would do for them. And that's what we have to do, too.

Why are we to remind God of what He has said about blessings on us? Is He forgetful?

Not at all. But we are - and if we can pray to God about everything He has promised to do for us, then we are remembering, and we'll also remember to be obedient to His teachings.

"But Reverend Paul," you say, "what happens when the leaders aren't godly, and they are the ones who disobey?"

Good question.

At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; if that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. (Jeremiah 18:7-8)

Did you catch that? If the people repent, God will withhold judgment, and restore that nation.

... if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Trust me, folks: that's a good promise! God didn't say, "If the nation repents" or "If the leaders repent". He said, "If My people repent". That's us.

There are millions of believing, faithful Christians all over this land, crying out for deliverance and restoration. I don't believe for a minute that God will ever abandon us.

God's not finished with us yet. But it's up to us to pray, and repent for the nation, and ask Him to heal what's wrong.

Plane carrying 2 people lands on Seward Hwy near Girdwood

From Channel 2 News, Anchorage:

Viewer-submitted photo, at the linked article

A plane carrying two people landed on the Seward Highway near Girdwood Monday afternoon, causing the highway to be closed for about 15 minutes, Alaska State Troopers and Girdwood Fire Department officials told Channel 2 News.

Authorities were notified around 2:04 p.m. that a plane had landed on the Seward highway near mile 89.

"When we made it out there, the pilot and some bystanders were pushing the plane off the highway," Girdwood Fire Chief Will Day told Channel 2 News.

The highway was closed for about 15 minutes during this time, officials say.

The reason for the landing is unknown but both pilot and passenger are unhurt, officials say. 

• Copyright © 2015, KTUU-TV

Girdwood is the southern end of the Unified Municipality of Anchorage, which comprises some 1,955 square miles. It's about 40 miles east/southeast of the city of Anchorage, on the highway which wraps around the Turnagain Arm and then heads south toward Seward, Cooper Landing, Soldotna, Kenai, and Homer. That's for those of you have either have a map handy, or have traveled the Kenai Peninsula.

Either way, that right there is their Christmas miracle for this year. Some very fortunate folks!

Turning the Nation Back to God

One of the comments on yesterday's posts indicated that the news was depressing. That could well be true, but .... but the Lord will not let me rest until I've delivered His message of hope to you.

In January 2014, I wrote about what happens when a nation disobeys God, and disregards His covenant of blessing and protection. Today, we'll look again at what happens when they repent, and turn back to Him.

In the Old Testament, we see over and over again how the nation of Israel would be zealous about following God's teachings and instruction ... for a time. But after some generations, they would forget His commandments and turn away.

When they were in the wilderness, while Moses was on Mt. Sinai meeting with God and getting the 10 commandments, they grew weary of waiting. Deciding that Moses wasn't coming back, they asked the priests to make them an idol that they could worship. (How many of you already know that's a bad thing?)

But that's what they did, and God knew about it, of course. He told Moses,

Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: they have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. (Exodus 32:7-10)

But Moses interceded for his people.

And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. (Exodus 32:11-14)

Have you heard of "righteous indignation"? Well, there's proof that God has a temper, and He was angry about the people's behavior. But did you catch what Moses did? Moses, the appointed leader of the Israelites, didn't back down, but reminded God of all the things that He said He would do for them. And that's what we have to do, too.

Why are we to remind God of what He has said about blessings on us? Is He forgetful?

Not at all. But we are - and if we can pray to God about everything He has promised to do for us, then we are remembering, and we'll also remember to be obedient to His teachings.

"But Reverend Paul," you say, "what happens when the leaders aren't godly, and they are the ones who disobey?"

Good question.

At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; if that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. (Jeremiah 18:7-8)

Did you catch that? If the people repent, God will withhold judgment, and restore that nation.

... if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Trust me, folks: that's a good promise!

There are millions of believing, faithful Christians all over this land, crying out for deliverance and restoration. I don't believe for a minute that God will ever abandon us.

God's not finished with us yet. But it's up to us to pray, and repent for the nation, and ask Him to heal what's wrong.

God's Word for Wednesday

Hear me, O God, when I cry;
    listen to my prayer.

You are the One I will call when pushed to the edge,
    when my heart is faint.
    Shoulder me to the rock above me.

For You are my protection,
    an impenetrable fortress from my enemies.

Let me live in Your sanctuary forever;
    let me find safety in the shadow of Your wings.

(Psalm 61, verses 1 through 4) 

But what does "in the shadow of Your wings" mean?

I'm glad you asked.

When King David brought the Ark of the Covenant (you know, the one in the Indiana Jones movie) to Jerusalem, he put it in a large tent in the center of town.

No one was allowed to touch the Ark; it had to be carried on poles, and could not be profaned by the touch of sinful human hands. It was God's seat - literally - at the time, and He is totally pure and holy. No sinful human could touch it without dying. 

But David discovered that when the sun was shining through the sides of the tent, the wings of the cherubim on the lid cast a shadow on the floor. He could stay in the presence of God by getting as close as that shadow.

He literally stayed in the shadow of God's wings. As Psalm 91 says, 

He who takes refuge in the shelter of the Most High will be safe in the shadow of the Almighty.

Like a bird protecting its young, God will cover you with His feathers, will protect you under His great wings; His faithfulness will form a shield around you, a rock-solid wall to protect you. 

(verses 1 and 4)

NOTHING can touch you while you stay in His presence!

I think that's a lesson we all need to learn again.

By Request: the Carpenter

Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side-by-side, sharing machinery and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.

Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference and finally, it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days' work," he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help you with?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor. In fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us. He recently took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better. 

"See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day -- measuring, sawing and nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all.

It was a bridge ... a bridge that stretched from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all. And the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming toward them, his hand outstretched...

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder.

"No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.
"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have many more bridges to build."

 
Remember this...

God won't ask what kind of car you drove, but He'll ask how many people you helped get where they needed to go.

God won't ask the square footage of your house, but He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, but He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.

God won't ask how many friends you had, but He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.

God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, but He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.

God won't ask about the color of your skin, but He'll ask about the content of your character.

God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation, but He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in Heaven, and not to the gates of hell. 

All you have to do is ask. 


h/t Sandi-with-an-i

What Happens to Children Who Die Before They Can Accept the Gospel?

Here, RC Sproul addresses a question I've often been asked. In my understanding, it comes down to whether a child dies before reaching "the age of consent", meaning whether they were old enough to understand the difference between right and wrong - and to then be able to make a choice concerning Jesus.

I believe R.C. Sproul is on the right track with his conclusion, below.

In my own theological tradition, we believe that those children who die in infancy are numbered among the redeemed. That is to say, we hope and have a certain level of confidence that God will be particularly gracious toward those who have never had the opportunity to be exposed to the gospel, such as infants or children who are too disabled to hear and understand.

The New Testament does not teach us this explicitly. It does tell us a lot about the character of God—about his mercy and his grace—and gives us every reason to have that kind of confidence in his dealings with children. Some will make a distinction between infants in general and those who are children of believers, the reason being that when God made a covenant with Abraham, he made it not only with Abraham, but with Abraham's descendants. In fact, as soon as God entered into that relationship with Abraham, he brought Isaac into it—when Isaac was still an infant and didn't have an understanding of what was going on. This is the reason, incidentally, that a large number of Christian bodies practice the baptism of infants; they believe that children of believers are to be incorporated into full membership in the church. We see this relationship within the family in biblical history.

We also see David's situation in the Old Testament when his infant child dies. Yet David is given the confidence that he will see that child again in heaven. That story of David and his dying child gives a tremendous consolation to parents who have lost infants to death.

Now the point that we have to make is that infants who die are given a special dispensation of the grace of God; it is not by their innocence but by God's grace that they are received into heaven. There are great controversies that hover over the doctrine of original sin. Lutherans disagree with Roman Catholics, who disagree in turn with Presbyterians, etc., on the scope and extent of what we call original sin. Original sin does not refer to the first sin that was committed, but rather to the result of that—the entrance of sin into the world so that all of us as human beings are born in a fallen state. We come into this world with a sin nature, and so the baby that dies, dies as a sinful child. And when that child is received into heaven, he is received by grace.

~ from: Now - That's a Good Question! by R.C. Sproul

Turning the Nation Back to God

The Lord will not let me rest until I've delivered His message of hope to you.

Yesterday, we talked about what happens when a nation disobeys God, and disregards His covenant of blessing and protection. Today, we look at what happens when they repent, and turn back to Him.

In the Old Testament, we see over & over again how the nation of Israel would be zealous about following God's teachings and instruction ... for a time. But after some generations, they would forget His commandments and turn away.

When they were in the wilderness, while Moses was on Mt. Sinai meeting with God and getting the 10 commandments, they grew weary of waiting. Deciding that Moses wasn't coming back, they asked the priests to make them an idol that they could worship. (How many of you already know that's a bad thing?)

But that's what they did, and God knew about it, of course. He told Moses,

Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: they have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. (Exodus 32:7-10)

But Moses interceded for his people.

And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. (Exodus 32:11-14)

Have you heard of "righteous indignation"? Well, there's proof that God has a temper, and He was angry about the people's behavior. But did you catch what Moses did? Moses, the appointed leader of the Israelites, didn't back down, but reminded God of all the things that He said He would do for them.

Why are we to remind God of what He has said about blessings on us? Is He forgetful?

Not at all. But we are - and if we can pray to God about everything He has promised to do for us, then we are remembering, and we'll also remember to be obedient to His teachings.

"But Reverend Paul," you say. "What happens when the leaders aren't godly, and they are the ones who disobey?"

Good question.

At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; if that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. (Jeremiah 18:7-8)

If the people repent, God will withhold judgment, and restore that nation.

... if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Trust me, folks: that's a good promise!

There are millions of believing, faithful Christians all over this land, crying out for deliverance and restoration. I don't believe for a minute that God will ever abandon us.

God's not finished with us yet. But it's up to us to pray, and repent for the nation, and ask Him to heal what's wrong.

What America Needs

Word of the Day

... the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

~ Romans 8:26-28, The Message

  
 Times are tough; that won't surprise anyone, these days.  But not all is hopeless, regardless of the news coming from the nation's capitol. As Christians, we have this hope: that God is alive and well, working through the hearts, minds, and hands of His children, and that He still plays an active role in the world today.

I discussed here about about how the pilgrims on the Mayflower came to this land to establish something new:

It says they came to the New World for the glory of God, and for the advancement of the Christian faith.  Historians don’t mention it anymore – the media don’t mention it at all – hardly anyone remembers it.  But this is why they came. 

***

But they knew enough to trust God, and to write the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of The United States of America, and the Bill of Rights.  They trusted God for wisdom, just as we must.  They gave us the greatest nation in the history of this planet, and it’s our job to preserve it.

This nation was dedicated to God, has often been the greatest force for good that the modern world has ever known ... and I don't think He's finished with us yet.
  

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Now we must do our part. Have you asked Him yet what you're supposed to be doing?

Something Different

Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,' says the Lord, 'nor be dismayed, O Israel; for behold, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, and no one shall make him afraid. For I am with you,' says the Lord, 'to save you; though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, yet I will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct you in justice, and will not let you go altogether (Jeremiah 30:10-11)

For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you (Israel) shall perish, and those nations shall be utterly ruined. (Isaiah 60:12)

Come near, you nations, to hear; and heed, you people! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world and all things that come forth from it. For the indignation of the Lord is against all nations, and His fury against all their armies; He has utterly destroyed them, He has given them over to the slaughter. For it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, the year of recompense for the cause of Zion. (Isaiah 34:1-2, 8)

But,

The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. (Jeremiah 18:7-8)


Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Anointed,’ and will deceive many.

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.

Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:3-14)


This is a bit of a departure from my normal posting, but I can't put it off any longer. I think we're being warned to pray like we've never prayed before. I know many of you are very uneasy about what's happening around the world, and many of you have stockpiled food and water.

What if the grace of God is literally lifted from this nation? What if His people are too caught up in politics and/or their daily lives to seek Him? What if His people have become lazy or complacent?


We have His promise (Jeremiah 18:7-8, above) that He will have mercy on a nation when it turns back to Him. Must we wait until disaster strikes before we get serious about obeying Him, and seeking His face?

Merry Christmas

Blogging will be light for the next few days, so to all my friends on Blogger:

Wise men do still seek Him!

May you all be blessed, happy, and surrounded by as many loved ones as possible!

Passing Through

How many folks are going through something that they’d rather not be going through?

That would be just about everyone. Everybody’s going through something; don’t think it’s just you. Some things are more serious than others, in the eyes of the world, but how do YOU see it?  Are you looking at it through the eyes of the world, or the eyes of faith?

Some time ago, a very good friend of mine went through an absolutely awful time - he describes it as "probably the worst time I've ever experienced." An employee accused him of something horrible, and four of Anchorage's finest came to pay him a call. In their time-tested tradition, they all but convicted him on the spot, and threatened to haul him in front of a judge right then and there.

In his words, 

"I was floored. I know I must have gone pale, as I could feel the blood drain from my face. By the grace of God, I was so shocked by what they were saying that I didn't say anything at all. (I hadn't yet seen the videos where attorneys and even law enforcement officials tell us to say nothing - I just couldn't believe what I was hearing, and couldn't say anything at all.)

"I've never prayed so hard in my life. My wife and I were on our knees right away, and I contacted other friends in ministry all over the country so that prayers were going up from all angles."

Of course, there was no evidence whatsoever, and it appeared that the employee made it up in order to get his job. At least, that was her plan. It didn't work out for her, because he had no police record & no one could be found to substantiate her wild accusation.

But he still gets cold sweats just thinking about what could have happened. It could have destroyed his family and his life. His accuser turned out to be a complete train-wreck of a person, and her life quickly fell apart thereafter. Much of what she hoped would happen to him, wound up happening to her instead.

Trust God to save you from what you’re going through – believe Him! “Well, I don’t know, brother. I’ve seen Him do things like that for other people, but …” Then He won’t help you.

I didn’t say He CAN’T help, I said He won’t. “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.”  Sound familiar?

Psalm 34:6 says, “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.”

Psalm 34:19 – “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”

In John 16:33, Jesus said, “In the world you have tribulation & trials & distress & frustration, but be of good cheer (take courage: be confident, certain, undaunted)!  For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you & have conquered it for you.] (Amp.)

The apostle Paul wrote that we are “more than conquerors through Christ” – “more than conquerors” through the Anointed One and His anointing.  We must not forget that.

If you're going through problems right now, no matter how bad, first put on the whole armor of God – Ephesians 6:13-18 says, 

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests."

Psalm 31:1 - 5 says, 

In you, LORD, I have taken refuge;
   let me never be put to shame;
   deliver me in your righteousness.

Turn your ear to me,
   come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
   a strong fortress to save me.
Since you are my rock and my fortress,
   for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
   for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commit my spirit;
   deliver me, LORD, my faithful God. 

Remember, Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” In other words, “do not allow it to happen.” Why would He say that, unless we had the authority to take control over it?  He never tells us to do anything that we can’t do . . . together with Him.

Remember that the Bible says, "And it came to pass ..."; it doesn't say, "It came to stay." Go on through, holding God's hand, and watch Him as He delivers you.