February 2010

"Debtors"

February 18, 2010

“Debtors”

Blessings Folk!

Well…

Things are beginning to happen.

For many years I’ve mentioned the need to pay attention to China.

In the 1970-80s many were worried about the former Soviet Union.

All the while China was progressing…

Until yesterday, China owned more of the debt of the United States than any other foreign entity.

Not now.

Japan is first.

Yesterday, China unloaded/dumped/sold some $34 billion worth of U.S. Treasury instruments.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/china-unloads-34-billion-of-us-government-debt/article1470414/

This is a “shot-across-the-bow” to the federal government and the powers that be.

It explains why the executive branch has suddenly “got religion” when it comes to the debt of the Federal government. After adding trillions, yes trillions, of debt in less than a year, now we are to place our trust in a new-found commission.

The “commission” is the fake-play of the scoundrel.

Here is one way to examine the current debt…(thought the actual debt is somewhere around $150-200 trillion due to unfunded mandates and absconded resources)

http://www.usdebtclock.org/

But, I digress.

China still owns $750+ billion in our debt. The five percent reduction is meant to communicate a message.

What is the message?

A message that we would all do well to learn.

Here is the truth from the Word.

Proverbs 22
7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

The borrower is truly servant to the lender.
Those who owe the debt are slaves.
The master dictates and demands.

Proverbs 18
 23 The poor man utters supplications,
         But the rich man answers roughly.

James 2
 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court?

We are to soon bear some bitter fruit as a country due to our enslaving of ourself.

We have trusted in our ways...our debt...our creative instruments of finances...rather than trusting in the Lord.

We will pay a heavy price.

(What price? Likely war. That is always the response of leadership when backed into a corner. Nothing distracts from the true issues like rallying a people around a common “enemy”.)

But, the more important question is where we stand personally?

We must ask ourselves “am I a slave?” To what am I enslaved?
The works of the flesh?
Stuff?
Power?

Romans 6
 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,
 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.
...
17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed,
 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

Galatians 4
7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

If you find yourself enslaved to the creations and institutions of man, then extricate yourself through the strength and power of the Lord.

Be “enslaved” only to the Lord.

Only then can we truly trust in Him...especially in the days to come.

Selah.

Received an encouraging note today related to our CD.

Check it out if you haven’t already.

http://www.victoryparkmusic.com

You can listen online.
You can download through Itunes.
You can download through Digstation.
You can download through Amazon.
You can order physical CD through CDBaby.

All options are at the website.

Here is the note…

I am new to the Cullman area.  Friday night me, my husband and 2 out of our 5 boys went in to Johnny’s BBQ to eat dinner and I went to pay and saw your album on the counter, I flipped it over and looked to see if it was Christian music and it was.  I automatically smiled and told the lady I wanted this too.  I got in the car, put in the cd player and I LOVE IT !   I have brought in my office and listen to it all day.  It is absolutely beautiful.  The music takes you away from the every day things here on earth.  Just listening to it, I feel myself floating up before Jesus. I can only imagine how beautiful the sound of heaven will be.  Thank you for such beautiful music.  You are all very blessed to be so talented.  I can not express how beautiful this music is.  
 
Keep up the great work of Jesus.   Again, I love the album and can not believe I only paid 5.99 for it.  When I listen, my eyes are filled with tears.  My spirit gets so stirred.  I feel like shouting.  Absolutely wonderful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blessings!

"These Princes Don't Die"

February 15, 2010

“These Princes Don’t Die”

Blessings Folk!

Been a few days since we were together...had a surprise visit by our daughter, son-in-law and newest granddaughter from North Carolina.

You might remember that several times in recent months I have encouraged that we keep an eye upon the happenings in the middle east.

Most recently I pointed to February 11.

Well, now we know.

Iran’s leadership has now declared themselves to be a “nuclear power.”

What will happen?

God knows.

What should be done?
Who should do it?

Well, I have definite opinions related to that...lol...but normally don’t share such in this communique...drop me a note if you want to inquire...don’t jump the gun in thinking you know already… Happy Happy.

None of this is new.

We see it in the Word of God.

Really? you say.

Yep.

Daniel had received a vision and he understood it… (I’ll give a couple of translations to help with understanding Happy Happy)


 Daniel 10
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
KJV

Daniel 10
 1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar; and the message was true and one of great conflict, but he understood the message and had an understanding of the vision.

The vision caused Daniel to mourn…

 2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

Three weeks mourning without tasty food or drink.

Then, Daniel had a vision of a man…

 4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
 5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
 6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
 7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
 8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
 9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

Only Daniel saw the vision. The men with him experienced a great quaking and fled to hide. After the vision, Daniel had no strength. He literally fell face first to the ground in a deep sleep.

Then…

10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
 11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
 12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
 14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
 15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
 16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
 17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
 18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
 19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
 20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
 21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

Note several things.

  1. Daniel had set his heart on understanding. He chastened himself before the Lord. He fasted.
  2. Daniel is described as a “man greatly beloved”...a man of high esteem.
  3. Daniel was told to “fear not.”
  4. The heavenly being had been sent to Daniel by God to give Daniel understanding.
  5. The heavenly being had been sent when Daniel began to pray...but, something had detained him.

This brings us to the point of the middle east...forgot where we were going? Happy Happy

The prince of the Kingdom of Persia - the Prince of Persia - had battled against the messenger of God for 21 days. Michael, “Your prince”, had to come and help!

What does this tell us?

Exactly what the Scripture tells us. That our battle is not against flesh and blood…

Ephesians 6 
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Satan has a hierarchy of structure whereby he attacks man.

The Prince of Persia in Daniel’s day is the same Prince of Persia today.

Oh, meant to remind you. Persia is Iran.

This helps understand why Iran is so focused upon the destruction of Israel and eradication of the Jews.

We see several heavenly beings here..
  • Prince of Persia
  • Messenger to Daniel
  • Michael, your prince

I personally believe that the evil one has “strongmen” over all regions, countries, government...even down to the individual. He seeks to kill, steal and destroy.

We learn from the passage, and Daniel 12, that Michael is the Prince over the Jews/Israel. He still defends.

All this is still in play at this very moment.

Daniel was told that the vision was about a great conflict in the last days...many days distant...a conflict involving his people.

What we see occurring today is the continuation of the conflict from the rebellion of Lucifer forward.

Is this the ultimate conflict?

I suspect not.

But, Jesus told us there would be “birth pangs”.

Be not surprised.

Many believers do not know of these things.

Sadly, many portions of the Body of Christ refuse to teach certain portions of the Word. They even refuse to allow others to teach. I know many wonderful believers whose “churches” will not allow them to study Daniel, Revelation, etc. They are unlearned.

Anyway, pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Psalm 122:6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

True peace in Jerusalem will come when…

Zechariah 12:10
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

This will occur when the Lord returns...a discussion for another day… Happy

Therefore, Come Quickly Lord Jesus.

Blessings!







"Readings?"

February 10, 2010

“Reading?”

Blessings Folk!

Received an interesting inquiry this morning from a dear friend.

Hey Dale, is it just me thinking so or are all of these "what 80's song, or what color, or what actress are you, etc are you?" quizzes that give a "reading" of your personality just the same thing as fortune telling? Its in the name of "fun" but it is playing with witchcraft and we are not supposed to have anything ...to do with all that. Any thoughts?

Any thoughts? LOL

Many.

First, it is significant that my friend even has this thought/concern/question. When a true believer has something that comes to mind in this way we should take heed to seek the Lord.

Then, a disclaimer. I have never participated in one of these “quizzes”...decided when I first began to use Facebook and the like that I would reject all invitations to Farm, Fish, Test, Question, etc. I do this, not because I think that games and the like are inherently evil, but I just don’t have the time. Happy

Therefore, I speak from not having participated.

I do find it interesting that my friend tells me that varied quizzes seek to “give a ‘reading’ of your personality.”

That cuts to the chase.

If something purports to evaluate who you are through quiz, test and the like, then be very careful.

I do suspect that the spirit of witchcraft is afoot.

This is rampant within our society.

It is especially prevalent within the professing church.

What you say?!

Yes.

I first encountered this some 25 years ago when the pastor of the church where I was on staff sought to evaluate all the staff using psychological instruments…(wait...I had some tests earlier in graduate school...hummm...but, I digress)

I do not fault him.

I believe we were all acting in ignorance.

He tested us all...using the Myers-Briggs test I believe.

He then set us down individually and told us what type personality we had.

In my case he was wrong. Imagine...LOL

He as amazed by the test results...thought they were wonderful, useful. He was planning to use the newfound knowledge to guide him in relationships.

I thought they were a joke.

Since then, I have had many encounters where folk tell my about their personality profiles, trying to explain who/why they are.

It is deep within the structure of the contemporary church.

I do not know of a seminary that does not have required personality profile testing.

We even have what we call “christian psychology”...hummm...psychology means “study of the soul”. Psychology is man’s attempt at explaining who he is while factoring God out. True “psychology”...knowledge of the soul...can only be found in the Lord.

Therefore, I believe the “testing, profiles,” are lies and deceptions of the evil one.

Why?

I believe these things…”testing, profiling”...games, quizzes?...

- keeps us from seeking the counsel of the Lord.

- turns us toward our skills and abilities and away from the Lord’s empowerment through the gifts of the Holy Spirit - prophesying, words of wisdom, words of knowledge, etc.

- cause us to worship the creation rather than the Creator.

  • “unequally yokes” the Body with the world...all these personality profile tests are based upon the work of those who reject the Lord...whether Yungian, Maslownian, Skinnerian, Freudian, etc.

- “blinds” us to what the Lord is revealing. An example. Have you ever met someone who “reminded you of someone else”...you thought they “looked” like another friend..but, then later, you realized that physically they did not? Why did they remind you of the friend? I’ve learned that it is because the same controlling spirit is at play. If the Holy Spirit, we rejoice because we are of the same family. If an evil spirit, the Lord is trying to reveal to us what is happening…

I believe that most within the Body of Christ have had their spirit dulled/quenched by the strategies and tactics of the evil one.

We have been distracted.
We have been “bewitched”...love that phrase...Paul used it in Galatians…
We are “playing” with things that are not edifying to the Kingdom.

We as believers should do what the Lord says…

Philippians 4 
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

We should give our total attention to the things of the Lord.

Might we not do better if, rather than wondering what “star” we looked like, we would rejoice in what the Lord says of us…
  • we are saints in the Lord
  • we were sinners, but now have been covered by the blood of Christ
  • we are to be dead to self
  • we are alive in Him
  • we are fools for Christ
  • we are servants of the Most High God
  • we are beautiful in His eyes
  • He rejoices over us
  • His eyes roam to and fro across the earth looking for a man after His heart

I could go on and on… Happy

Is it inherently evil to play a game, answer a quiz and the like?
No.

But, if there is a “check in your spirit…
If there is quickening of the spirit…
If a thought, such as the one of my friend…

If these occur, then the Lord is placing His lov’n hand of correction upon a matter.

Rejoice therefore!

He loves us so much that He desires for us to be pure and undeceived in all things.

Give heed to the correction and allow the Lord to grow us in His holiness.

Blessings!!




"Divine Design"

February 9, 2010

“Divine Design”

Blessings Folk!!

Do not forget.

If you are a servant of the Most High God, then you are not powerless nor abandoned.

Hear the Word of the Lord spoken through His servant Peter.

Yes, Peter.

He of “foot-in-mouth” disease.
He who declared he would never deny the Lord.
He who denied the Lord.
He of quick temper and sword.

Read...watch the words…
  • Divine
  • knowledge
  • diligent

2 Peter 1

1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
 3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
 4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
 5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,
 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,
 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.
 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.
 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;
 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.


The Lord is speaking to those who have “received a faith of the same kind as our.” Those who are truly saved.

If this is you, did you see what has been granted to you? Verses 3 and 4.
His Divine power has been granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness.

Everything we need to live the life He has designed.

How?

Through the true knowledge of Him Who called us by His own glory and excellence.

Did you see what else He did?

He has granted unto us His precious and magnificent promises.

We have become partakers of the divine nature!

Because of this, we need to “apply” all diligence in faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love.

If you live in this manner...practice these things...then you never stumble.

By Divine Design we are to be diligent in godliness.

Are you?

Blessings!!

"Sunday?"

February 3, 2010

“Sunday?”

Blessings Folk!

What happened Sunday?

I have been asked to elaborate upon Facebook postings of several folk as to an event that occurred Sunday.

“Our” Sunday morning gatherings are very participatory.
All believers are encouraged to contribute as the Spirit leads.

This encouragement goes beyond words.
There are no man-made agendas or structures.

We worship through music.
We worship through prayer.
We worship through proclamation.
We worship in all the ways revealed in Scripture.
We encourage.
We exhort.
We cry.
We laugh.
We fellowship...not just the shaking of hands while a logistical adjustment is made...true fellowship.

These are things that should be happening constantly every day..
  • worship
  • prayer
  • speaking of the things of the Lord

Deuteronomy 6
4 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!
 5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
 6 "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.
 7
"You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.

  • helping
  • healing

All as we are going through each day...not just on one particular day of the week.

Corporate gatherings are wonderful and we are not to forsake them.

Hebrews 10:24-25 
 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

The Day is approaching...

But, if the only encounter you have with the Lord and His Body is when you are basically watching others who are cajoling you to “participate” (or the one most irritating to me “sing louder!!&rdquoWinking, then you are not functioning within the Body in the manner that the Lord designed.

Yes. The Word tells us that gatherings are to be “in order”, but much of what is done in many gatherings gives greater attention to the order than to the Lord.

So, what happened Sunday?

As we worshipped the Most High God, we were praying for varied things within the Body.

One particular individual had a “pressing” need - a struggle with a kidney stone. Three folk laid hands upon him and asked the Lord to heal. The stone passed within the time of the gathering.

There was much praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.

Many other details could be provided, but the basics suffice.

Some would say that it was simply “happenstance”, that the stone would have passed anyway.

We choose to believe it is the Lord.

The Lord is moving in many varied ways throughout the world through His Body.

No two places will “look” the same.

But keep this in mind.

If you speak more of “your church”, “your pastor”, “your programs”…
If you spend more time attempting to get people to “come to church”, “come hear” one particular individual, “come see the service”…
If you speak of the wonder of the Lord, but do so only within the context of what He is “doing at your church”...

If you do any of these rather than simply show and share the gospel to folk, then you are in error.

If you do these, even in the name of the Lord, yet remain distant from a true, intimate relationship with Him, then you are deceived.

Give heed to what Jesus said...

Matthew 7
 15 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
 16 "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
 17 "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
 18 "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
 19 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
 20 "So then, you will know them by their fruits.
 21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
 22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

Many have mistaken the fruit of the flesh for true fruit of the Spirit.

We rejoice in what the Lord did with our friend.
We give thanks for the many other things that the Lord is doing.
But, more than this, we worship the Lord for Who He is.
We do not seek “success” as defined by the world and the religionist.
We seek first the Kingdom of God.

Selah!

Blessings!!

"Shakings in the Middle East"

February 1, 2010

“Shakings in the Middle East”

Blessings Folk!

Last evening just before I retired “upon the night bed” I posted a status update on my Facebook profile...something along the line of keep an eye on the middle east.

Several have asked for details and elaboration.

It has been several weeks since we last spent time together on the subject.

A couple of things first.

We do well to remember that if we are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we have nothing to fear.

We also must remember that nothing “takes God by surprise.”

The Lord has given us extensive, detailed warnings in His Word about things that will happen toward the end of time...

  • evil will increase
  • people’s love will wax colder and colder
  • deception will increase
  • many who profess faith will be deceived, will fall away, will look to the ways of the world
  • knowledge will increase
  • people will run to and fro

Many other things have been revealed to us.

What stirred my attention last evening and this morning were the following news reports.

Ahmadinejad: ‘Iran will deliver telling blow to global powers on Feb 11…” (This is the anniversary of the 1979 uprising)
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/117545.htm?sectionid=351020101

Then, “our” apparent response….
“US raises stakes on Iran by sending in ships and missiles”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/31/iran-nuclear-us-missiles-gulf
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60U18R20100131?type=politicsNews

This is really nothing new. This type of thing has been occurring for years.

What is the difference now?

There is a general understanding that “something” will be done very soon in relationship to Iran/Israel/the west. Likely an attempt to neuter Iran’s nuclear weapons capabilities. Iran may announce their ability to produce a nuclear weapon.

Here are some thoughts…
http://www.debka.com/article/8573/

Make no mistake.

The total goal of Islam, especially the type in leadership in Iran, is the total eradication of Israel and all Jews.

This is not a conclusion drawn by conjecture. They proclaim it openly.

There have been plans, years in the making and implementation, to invade, conquer and destroy Israel and the Jewish people.

Here is one possible contingency…
http://www.debka.com/article/8575/

So, we would do well to keep our complete focus upon the Lord, while watching what is occurring, especially in the middle-east.

Jesus warned us of these things. Remember these verses?

Matthew 24
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Are we in the “beginning of sorrows.”

In some way, yes.

Is it the “beginning of sorrows” mentioned here. I suspect so.

No doubt, there are…

  • wars
  • rumors of wars
  • earthquakes
  • pestilences
  • racial disruptions (nations against nations)
  • nations in strife (kingdoms against kingdoms)

Therefore,
We fear not. See to it that you be not troubled.
We trust in the Lord.
We pray for the peace of Jerusalem (which will ultimately come with the return of the Lord).
We speak the Truth.
We discern the unfolding of the prophetic Word of the Lord.
We wait patiently crying “Maranatha, Lord come.”

Blessings!!