4th of July Poem: Freedom's Call

On this day of freedom's call,

Amidst the cheers and fireworks' sprawl,

Let's remember the One who gives us grace,

Our Savior, whose love we embrace.

In the land of red, white, and blue, 

With hearts united, faithful and true, 

We celebrate the birth of a nation so grand, 

Guided by God's merciful hand.

As we honor the flag, so proudly unfurled,

Let's pray for peace that will traverse the world,

For on this 4th of July, we comprehend,

The freedom we cherish, from Him does descend.

So, let our joy be joined with divine delight,

As we worship, reflect, and shine His light,

In this blessed land, where liberty resides,

God's grace forever, our spirits guide.

God bless you. And God bless America!

War in the Spirit

There is a war waging. Many cannot see it, because of spiritual blindness. The darkness has covered the earth and the war wages on all around us. These are the times when we must have spiritual senses that are in tune with the Holy Spirit. Our prayer should be for God to give us eyes that see and ears that hear. We should also pray to receive the Spirit of Discernment.  It is going to take the Holy Spirit to help us discern good from evil.

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught that the gift of discernment can help us (1) “detect hidden error and evil in others,” (2) “detect hidden errors and evil in ourselves,” (3) “find and bring forth the good that may be concealed in others,” and (4) “find and bring forth the good that may be concealed in us” (“Quick to Observe,” Liahona, Dec. 2006, 19).

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

The hearts of men are corrupt and evil in this day, as if they are the walking dead. They move about from place to place as if they are wandering aimlessly.  Many come and go and it does not appear there is a reason for all the migration and movement. It appears to have no meaning or thought about the purpose of the journey from here to there. 

And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it. (Amos 8:12)

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, help us to be vigilant and watchful in this day and time on earth. There are many passages and warnings that we need to heed, in a world that is darkened with greed and many needs. I pray you soften hardened hearts so that we can perceive the leading of the Holy Spirit now more than ever.  Help me to keep my gaze fixed on Jesus and my ears ever open to Your Word of truth, for Your Word is life and light, health and wholeness. Thank You that You did not give up on Israel, and thank You that You will never give up on me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Understanding the Times

“And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.” (1 Chronicles 12:32)

This chapter lists the numbers of men from each of the tribes of Israel who cast their lot with David in his conflict with King Saul. All these numbers are given except those of Issachar, but of these it was said that all their brethren followed their 200 leaders in turning to David. The reason for their unanimity in this decision was that these leaders “had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” It was time to “turn the kingdom” to David, “according to the word of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 12:23). God had given them a Benjamite, Saul, as king for a time, but now David had been anointed, and it was the time to give “the sceptre” to Judah, according to the prophecy of their father, Jacob, given over 600 years before (Genesis 49:10).

How desperately we need leaders today who are spiritual “sons of Issachar,” understanding these times! Christ told the apostles: “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons” (Acts 1:7); it was more urgent that they proceed to witness for Him “unto the uttermost part of the earth” (v. 8).

Nevertheless, He would return to the earth in some generation, and that generation should be expected (when they would see all these things) to “know that it is near, even at the doors” (Matthew 24:33). They could understand the signs, and even though they should never attempt to guess the date, they could “look up...for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28) when they would see “these things begin to come to pass.”

The signs are everywhere, yet few of our leaders—even many Christian politicians—seem to understand the real meaning of these times. Christ is “even at the doors!” HMM (Institute for Creation Research)

Good Affliction

“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” (Psalm 119:71)

This seems like a strange testimony. Affliction is often accompanied by complaining or discouragement, but seldom by a statement of satisfaction and thankfulness such as in our text for today.

Nevertheless, in terms of the long-range goal of character development, afflictions are often good for us, helping to make us more Christ-like and preparing us for our ministry of service to Him in the age to come (Revelation 22:3), if only we profit from them and submit to them as we should.

“Before I was afflicted I went astray,” testifies the psalmist, “but now have I kept thy word.…This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me” (Psalm 119:67, 50). Such testimonies have been echoed innumerable times throughout the centuries as godly men and women have drawn closer to the Lord through His comforting Word during times of affliction than they ever were during times of ease.

In fact, afflictions often draw even the unsaved to the Lord. They would never come when things are going well, but many do come when in times of sorrow or rejection they are forced to the end of their resources. It is then that “godly sorrow [literally ‘sorrow from God’] worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

As for those instances when God’s people suffered in ancient times, it was said: “In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them” (Isaiah 63:9). Although no such affliction “for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11). (HMM - Institution for Creation Research)

 

God's Phone Number

Jeremiah 33:3 is known in the Enduring Word Bible Commentary as the promise from prison.  Our modern day prisons are true, but some today are imprisoned to debt, status, titles, sexual immorality,  and idolatry. We idolize and try to be live like those on reality shows. We spend money like we are on reality shows also. All who suffer from this imprisonment also suffer from anxiety, depression, and loneliness. 

This scripture is a way to begin again. Calling on the Lord and asking Him to show you great and unsearchable things you did not know is the first step towards freedom. Great and mighty things are spoken of in Jeremiah 33: 1-3. They are the great things that bring freedom and restoration.

Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the prison, saying, “Thus says the LORD who made it, the LORD who formed it to establish it (the LORD is His name): ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know: God invited Jeremiah and all who heard to come to Him in faith-filled prayer, confident of His answer. This promise is especially remarkable considering the circumstances: enduring the terror of a siege and the soon fulfillment of promised judgment. As the judgment was even at the door, God spoke of word of hope and invitation and faith to Jeremiah and Jerusalem.  He is still speaking to you today.

i. “He cries to us, Call unto Me, call unto me. Little prayer, little blessing; more prayer, more blessings; much prayer, much blessing.” (Meyer)

ii. Mighty things: “The MT besurot (RSVhidden things) usually means ‘that which is inaccessible’, and here that which is beyond the normal reach of human knowledge.” (Harrison)

iii. “The things to be revealed are ‘unsearchable’ (basur, literally, ‘inaccessible’) because they are beyond the grasp of human knowledge. The principle adjective basur is used of the strongly fortified cities of Canaan in Deuteronomy 1:28 (‘walled up’); here it refers to matters so far beyond human insight that they require divine revelation.” (Feinberg)

God's number is never busy. He always answers. All you have to do is call and wait for Him to answer you. The first step is to surrender and then give Him a ring. 

The Power of One

God created one man, Adam, and from the one man one woman, Eve.

One act of disobedience caused all of mankind to suffer spiritual and physical death.

One brother, Cain, killed another, Abel, and caused the ground to be cursed.

One man, Noah, heard the voice of God and saved his righteous seed and animals.

One man, Abraham, believed and it was counted unto him as righteousness through faith.

One man, Moses, spoke with God and was used to lead a people out of captivity.

One prostitute, Rahab, had mercy on Joshua's spies and is in the lineage of the Messiah.

One woman, Mary, heeded and accepted the call from God and gave birth to a

divine seed called the Messiah Jesus.

One day on a cross and Jesus died or our sins.

One day in a tomb and Jesus rose from the dead and defeated sin and death.

One person can save their soul and live in eternity by crying out and asking Jesus to rule and reign in their life. 

One cry can be the difference between eternal life evermore and the finality of death.

One believer can preach by giving their personal testimony to a non-believer about the Good News of a Savior named Jesus who is a deliverer and life-giver.

New Year's Eve 2019

The eve of 2020 comes with anticipation of new hopes, dreams, and expectations in the New Year. For many 2019, was a hard year. From first hand experience, there were separations, divorces, job losses, sickness, and death. None of that was expected or wanted, but the devastation to the hearts, minds, and spirits of the people experiencing trials and tribulations were very real and painful. 

January is not just a time of resolutions (that we break the first week). It is a time for fresh starts and new beginnings. The month is always dedicated to a fast for my family.  We invite friends and family to join us as we resolve to lean into our God - the Most High - and expect Him to move mightily on our behalf. We believe that fasting and praying will help us grow closer to God and open our eyes to all that God has for us on earth, as it is in heaven. This year, we are praying for the Issachar anointing so we know what to do in all times and situations. 

Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command.
(1 Chronicles 12:32 - New American Standard Bible)

The sons of Issachar were able to discern what God was doing and when He was doing it.

They also knew when one move of God was ending and another one was beginning. May we be so strong in the spirit of discernment that every plot, plan, and scheme of the enemy is revealed and God's purpose is fulfilled in, around, and through us.

Prayer is the weapon we will  use to usher in the anointing of the Holy Spirit. My prayer is that we are so filled with the Holy Spirit and our anointing is so strong that we understand the times and have knowledge of what to do in 2020. While the world may be divided, I pray my brothers and sisters in Christ are so anointed that we are bridge builders between the great divide in the nation. I pray we stand in the gap for our families, communities, and nation. I pray we are fully aware of God's calling and purpose for our lives and that we are blessed and a blessing to others for the up building of God's kingdom.  

2020 in Strong's Hebrew Concordance is הַצָּלָה and it means deliverance or escape. This is the time for scales to be removed from our eyes and for God to reveal Jesus to us afresh. This is the time for bondage and strongholds to be shattered so they are never put back together.  This is the time for captives to be set free. Ask God to be all that the Bible says he is... a deliverer, a healer, a refuge, and strong high-tower. 

According to your word in Isaiah 60:1, Father God, cause each of Your children to shine brightly in this dark land, Lord, let our light take it’s place on a lamp stand and draw others to You. May those without Christ see Jesus at work in us in all we do and everywhere we go. Raise up end-times warriors who pray and praise to usher in the Holy Spirit from our house to the White House. We pray that many will come to know You and confess You as Lord in 2020 and beyond. Forgive us of our sins and turn us back to You and a nation who praises Your son the Messiah. In Jesus' name. AMEN!