My friend, Bill Sheridan, described his memoir, Depot Street Memories, as being comprised of essays. Then, he added: ” It does not have a beginning or an end. At some point I will stop writing. That will be your cue to stop reading.”
His words communicate exactly what I am doing today: stopping my blog until 2015.
So, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and Happy New Year. I have enjoyed all of you and look forward to great things happening in 2015.
Filed under Christianity, Christmas, Church
How to be a Radical Christian (vi).
And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” (Acts 19:15)
The number one rule in spiritual warfare is that a believer needs to be known in two places in order to have authority over demonic forces: heaven and hell.
Being known in heaven comes with having your name written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life at salvation. This is an act of grace by our Lord, and has nothing to do with our individual struggles or works. A believer’s authority is a part of the Christian’s makeup from his new birth onward.
On the other hand, being known in hell comes out of struggles, and then, eventual victories over demonic forces that have influenced and controlled a believer in different areas of his life. If there are no victories, there will be very little authority over demonic forces.
For instance, I knew a man that was part of a prayer group. The prayer group began interceding against prostitution activity in his neighborhood, and the unclean spirit behind the activity. But the man failed to mention that he himself had a long standing problem with lust.
After a few days of prayer and fasting, prostitutes knocked on his door day and night, offering their services to him free of charge. It almost drove him over the edge. He withdrew from the prayer group.
In Part 5, I stated that a religious spirit empowers and guides the Islamic Terrorists and that the only way to overcome this religious spirit is for a bunch of Radical Christians to get free of the religious spirit that rules over our nation.
So, how do we get free of the religious spirit?
Most of us Christians will have to come out of our present churches in order to accomplish this feat.
(Continued in Part 12)
Filed under Christianity, Church, Gifts of the Spirit, Kingdom of God, Prayer, Prophecy, spiritual warfare
Ugh! Shopping. Ugh! More shopping. Ugh! Even more shopping. Then the battery failed on our vehicle. We waited ninety minutes for our insurance company’s roadside serviceman to jump our vehicle so we could head home again.
“Why do you think this happened today?” Carol asked.
I shrugged. “Maybe to check my attitude,” I replied.
Carol laughed. “Yeah, probably so.”
Today, I prayed:
Lord, I pray for us American believers to bear with one another and to be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Based on Ephesians 4:2-3)
What do you think and did the Lord speak to you today?
Join with me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for America.
Click on to see MyGFA site.
Filed under Christianity, Church, Fasting, Prayer, spiritual warfare
The following is a true story about a MyGFA campaign and a dad who involved his children in the campaign decision:
Dad: “For Christmas this year what do you think about our family helping raise support for a Jesus Well?”
Kids: “YEAH!!! That sounds great!”
Dad: “How many wells should we raise support for?” (Dad quietly thinking possibly five wells, because anything is possible with God!)
Kids: “How much does a Jesus Well cost?”
Dad: “One thousand four hundred dollars.”
Kids: “Ok. Let’s raise support for one thousand four hundred Jesus Wells.”
Dad: Humbled. “Do you know how much money that would take? We would need to involve everyone we know and then they would have to involve everyone they know and on and on and on…”
Kids: “Daddy, How big is our God?”
Dad: “One thousand four hundred Jesus Wells sounds like the perfect God inspired number. Now let’s get ready to watch God move!”
This is your invitation to become a part of the story to personally see how God can use anyone with a willing heart to accomplish His will. (You can read the rest of the campaign article here.)
To date, the family has raised $2867, which means they still need $1,957,133 to meet their campaign goal. Why not help them out? You can do that by clicking here.
After all, how big is our God?
Filed under 10/40 Window, Christianity, Christmas, Church, Faith, Gospel For Asia, India, Inspirational, Kingdom of God, Poverty, Prayer
Each Friday I pray and fast for nations where Christians suffer the worst persecution around the world. This week I am praying and fasting for:
Nigeria. 175 million people with 89 million Christians.
Levels of violence against Christians in 2013 remained extremely high, with hundreds of cases of physical aggression, the destruction of nearly 300 churches and the death of 612 Nigerian Christians. Pentecostal leader, Rev. Faye Pama Musa, was shot dead by two suspected Boko Haram members. However, violence from this Islamic terrorist group is not the only form of persecution. Local government and social groups leave hardly any space for Christians to live their own lives; many Christian villages are denied basic facilities, such as wells and schools. (Open Doors, World Watch List)
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is divided between a Christian culture in the south and a radical Islamic culture in the north that is characterized by massive riots, bombings and a plan to create an Islamic state. Since 1999, when military rule ended and one-third of Nigeria’s states implemented Islamic law, sectarian violence has resulted in more than 14,000 deaths and hundreds of thousands of people displaced. Greed and corruption consume all levels of government in this oil-rich nation, which faces the growing challenge of division along religious and ethnic lines…In 2009 the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram, an al-Qaida ally, vowed to rid the north of all non-Muslim influence, including Christians. Since then, more than 3,000 people have been killed…In 2012, Nigerian authorities killed hundreds of suspected Boko Haram members and arrested hundreds more. Most of those detained were held incommunicado without charge or trial, and many died in detention after being tortured. These abuses have only fueled Boko Haram’s campaign of violence. (The Voice of the Martyrs)
Today, I prayed:
Lord, I pray for Nigerian believers to rejoice in hope, to be patient in their tribulations, to be constant in prayer, to bless those who persecute them, to not be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good. (Based on Romans 12: 12, 14, 21)
Join with me on Fridays to fast and pray for prisoners, according to Hebrews 13:3.
Click on to see MyGFA site.
Filed under 10/40 Window, Christianity, Church, Fasting, Kingdom of God, Prayer, spiritual warfare
How to be a Radical Christian (v).
And it was so, when the Philistine (Goliath) arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hastened and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. (2 Samuel 17:48)
The Philistine army was on one mountain. Israel was cowering on a mountain opposite the Philistines. A small valley ran between them. The ten-foot tall giant, Goliath, was dressed in bronze armor and was standing in front of the Philistine army, challenging Israel to a duel. He was armed with a sword, spear, and javelin. His shield bearer was standing off to his left and slightly in front of him, protecting him from arrows.
Now, standing out in front of the Israeli army was a fifteen year-old kid with a sling and five stones. No armor. No sword. No spear. No javelin. No shield or shield bearer. He was all alone and he could expect no assistance from the nervous Nellies standing behind him wearing Israeli uniforms.
Goliath mocked and cursed David. Then David boasted about the Lord.
The Philistine giant and his shield bearer trudged forward, but what did David do? He didn’t walk. He raced toward his foe. And while he was running, he swung his sling around and around.
What do you think was going through the heads of the the Israeli soldiers as they watched the fifteen year-old kid racing toward the Terminator of that day? Probably something like this: “He’s a nut! He doesn’t have a chance. We are doomed.”
And yet none of the Israeli soldiers, including King Saul and David’s older brothers, had the courage to take David’s place. So, they stood and watched from a distance as David won the battle for them.
David’s running toward Goliath is a perfect illustration of how Radical Christians must help fight Islamic Terrorists.
“What?” you say.
Not too many years ago, a well-known prophet prophesied what he saw was going to happen in California – death and destruction. He advised all Christians to move to safer states. Maybe, Montana, Utah, or Idaho.
Sadly, I agree with his visions about death and destruction in California and on the West Coast, but I disagree with his advice that we Christians should abandon ship and run for safety.
When the bombs begin exploding (and they soon will), Radical Christians must be set in place to be the Body of Christ, willing to reach out and help the hurting people, and to be leaders. This could be the church’s finest hour.
(Continued in Part 11)
Filed under Christianity, Church, Kingdom of God, Prayer, Prophecy, spiritual warfare
“Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” (Acts 27:10)
The centurion, pilot, and owner of the ship ignored Paul’s words and sailed for a different port on Crete. But a strong wind blew them out into the Mediterranean. They were storm-tossed and forced to jettison the cargo. Soon they feared for their lives.
Paul stood up in their midst when the storm was at its worst and said −
“Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. Yet, I now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.” (Acts 27:21-22)
Paul’s words of hope were like life rafts for the other 275 men on the ship. They followed his advice and all were saved.
Why does it always seem like we people have to travel through terrible storms before we listen to the voice of the Lord? It doesn’t have to be that way.
Today, I prayed:
Lord, give us Americans ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to His churches. (Based on Revelation 2:7)
What do you think and did the Lord speak to you today?
Join with me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for America.
Click on to see MyGFA site.
Filed under Christianity, Church, Fasting, Gifts of the Spirit, Kingdom of God, Prayer, Prophecy, spiritual warfare
Once again, it’s time to hear from our sister in Jerusalem about what she is witnessing there as a believer in Yeshua. Put your prayer shawls on and pray for Israel and Sister J. Now here she is …
Dear Brothers and Sisters, beloved in Yeshua,
I greet you so lovingly, so thankful for each of you and for HIM Who is the same in tumultuous times as He is in peaceful times. May HE be glorified and blessed and may you be blessed…and dare I say…feel some of the love that I have for you, His body.
I will try to share carefully what is on my heart and not take too much of your time.
Crisis upon crisis, crisis upon crisis, this land, His land, is in turmoil but He has the answer. It is Himself. It has always been Him, but how often have you and I run this way and that until we fall at His feet? How much more for the nations who don’t yet know Him?
I am sure that you know that our government has collapsed and called for new elections. I have often tried to explain our form of coalition government, which is less than desirable, always fiery and messy, and now, at this time, unworkable. It literally flew apart at the seams, culminating with our Prime Minister firing the finance minister and justice minister. Then, other ministers, from their respective parties, stepped down and the government was dissolved. New elections will be March 17 with Prime Minister Netanyahu remaining at the helm until then. Given the unstable situations within and without, a LOT can happen between now and then.
My uneducated assessment: I do NOT know how Prime Minister Netanyahu has stood under all of the criticism, slander, betrayal, and hatred up to this point. I pray it has been − as is rumored − that he is looking to God. Surely there is considerable world-wide prayer for him.
It has seemed that from the time that Mubarak of Egypt was overthrown, effectively beginning the now festering “Arab Spring,” that outside forces, such as other governments, have been very active to bring about a similar situation here. It is subtle, but not so subtle as to go undetected. There has been a undermining by the media to support opposition politicians and thus strengthening these politicians to undermine the existing government. It is alarming to watch, but GOD IS WATCHING. It hasn’t taken Him by surprise.
Because Israeli elections are particularly disgusting with their gross and indecent mudslinging, anything goes. The public soon becomes depressed and discouraged and it is easy to understand why. No one can hear this much negative talk about anyone and still remain unaffected. May God have mercy on us!
Predictably, the expression of anger among the Arabs has increased. Not that their anger has increased, but that they now perceive weakness and division and a sympathetic ear from the world. So we are also hearing ever-increasing diatribes daily. Such lies as that we should go back to where we belong, that there was never a Jew in the middle east, that there was never a temple on Temple Mount, that there was never such a people. We are made up and a conspiracy is what we are. Get out…you are hated…go back to where you belong. Your Bible is a myth and a counterfeit.
“And The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:3 NKJV
IN THE MIDST OF THE UPSIDE DOWN, STRESSFUL, BATTLE FILLED LIFE, strings of lights begin to appear. First I saw the Chanukiahs, the eight branched Chanukah with the ninth branch in the center, strung up along the road. “LOOK!” I yelled to my husband “the Chanukiahs are up.”
Sure enough, it is almost Chanukah. It is easy to forget Chanukah if your children and grandchildren aren’t around. We old folks can forget to become excited, but, sure enough, the diet busting sovganioat is here. This traditional Chanukah gut-buster used to be a sort of deep fried jelly donut covered with powdered sugar and filled only with a dab of raspberry jam, but over the past few years it has evolved. It is now a virtual wedding cake affair, with each bakery vying for 1st place in the local newspaper as best sovganioat available in Jerusalem. Iced in all colors and elaborately designed they are now filled with chocolate, caramel, vanilla, etc.
How could I have missed seeing them in the shuk? And then, there are the dreidles, the four-sided tops with Hebrew letters on the sides saying: “Nes gadol hayah shin.” This is unique to Israel and means: “A great miracle took place here.” The tops in the other parts of the world say: “Nes gadol hayah sham,” or “A great miracle happened there.” What a blessing to live in Jerusalem!
And this great miracle, which is still being celebrated, was celebrated by Jesus or Yeshua:
“Now it was the Feast of the Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And JESUS walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch.” Jn. 10:22-23.
It was the miracle of the multiplication of the oil for the menorah in the temple, the LIGHT in the center of the temple. There was no Light due to occupation by the Greeks. BUT GOD, WHO IS THE LIGHT, did what only HE could do and multiplied the Light. THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD (YESHUA) WHO WALKED IN THE TEMPLE DURING CHANUKAH, and who multiplied food for the thousands in the same way that the oil was multiplied, IS STILL THE LIGHT BEING MULTIPLIED, JUST AS QUIETLY, JUST AS MYSTERIOUSLY, IN DARKENED HEARTS, FLOODING THEM WITH LIGHT, DAY BY DAY.
Did you know that Israel provides free Christmas trees for Christian citizens? AND there are Christmas lights strung up as well in areas where there are more Christians, not that these symbols are anything, but a reminder that The Light of the world CAME into this dark world. While in the west people are fighting for the right to MENTION Christmas or have a manger scene or singing carols in a public place, it is TOTALLY different here. We sort of celebrate religion here in that there is a great curiosity about Christmas. So rather then being a battle about materialism, pagan traditions and the like, the holiday becomes a wonderful opportunity to share the LIGHT with hungry hearts. And OH HOW WE NEED HIM NOW!
This election and the chaos that it brings with it has truly plunged the people into a despair of need. We are surrounded by enemies that HATE our very existence. The world consensus is that we are the source of all of the turmoil, and in the midst of all that, our LEADERSHIP battles for the authority to lead our nation. How GOOD God is that He wedges us into a place where we can only look up.
Iran seems to be pulling the wool over the world’s eyes while their stated goal is: 1) destroy Israel, and 2) establish Islam on earth. The UN has a list of cases against us and is poised to declare a Palestinian state, as the Palestinians prepare to take us to the world court for war crimes. Europe is ablaze with fresh anti-Semitism. The scuffle to keep food on the table and roofs over heads becomes more difficult each day. These are all signposts and the good news is that they are signposts to HIM.
I love it that every time we get into a deeper mess. God then turns us toward Him with another holiday, as if He were saying, “Come children and I will tell you a story and it will bring you to Me.” And I LOVE that it is time to look at The Light.
First and Second Peter speaks SO CLEARLY to the times that we are all living in. My heart pounds as I read them because we are NOT being told to KNOW AND UNDERSTAND everything, such as the seasons, the signs, or the answers. We are told clearly HOW TO WALK.
“Grace and peace be multiplied to you…Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope FULLY upon the grace that is to brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ…Coming to Him as a living stone…proclaim the praises of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…Finally all of you be of one mind…be serious and watchful in your prayers…fervent love one for another…if anyone speaks let him speak as the oracles of God…all of you be submissive to one another AND BE CLOTHED WITH HUMILITY…humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God…casting all of your cares upon Him…
This could be farfetched but is this perhaps Israel’s ultimate purpose? Is this HOW we are to ultimately be the Light to a chaotic world when it sees HIS great FAITHFULNESS to His covenants and His Word and His people and His land and glorifies His Name just as He said He would when all else is impossible?
So perhaps it is NOT a matter of having a store of food and water on hand, or of knowing the times and the seasons or of being wise but:
“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness…”…Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace without spot and blameless…” (2 Peter 3:11,14)
Welcome to the season of LIGHT. In His Light may we see Light. I hope in the coming days to describe to you the scenes around Jerusalem. I wish you were all here and thank you for your prayers and gracious love.
Your sis in Jerusalem,
J
Click on to see MyGFA site.
Filed under Christians, Church, Israel, Jerusalem, Kingdom of God, Prayer, Prophecy, spiritual warfare
In 1994, I attended a Christmas party for youths at an inner city church. There were thirty to forty youngsters between the ages of three and ten years old. The kids were mostly from homes where the mothers had drug/alcohol problems and the fathers were long absent from the homes. Although the children were poor, they wore their best clothes for the party.
The kids sat in a circle in the middle of the church’s basement. I sat between two of the youngest girls who alternated between sitting on their chairs and on my lap. Both were too excited to sit still.
The young teacher asked, “Why do you like Christmas?” She pointed to a child and added, “Okay, let’s start with you and go around the circle. Each can answer that question for us.”
One by one, they stood up and gave their answers. Each mentioned Jesus a little bit and then quickly added, “I sure hope I get such and such toy for Christmas.”
This continued in this manner until a seven-year old boy stood up. “We don’t believe in Christmas!” he proclaimed and sat down with his arms folded across his chest.
All of the other kids gasped, not understanding why the boy said what he did.
The little boy’s mother stood up. “Yes, we don’t celebrate Christmas. December 25th is not even when Jesus was born and is in fact the date of a pagan holiday.” She continued on for five minutes in a diatribe about how it was wrong to celebrate the holiday of Christmas.
Finally, she sat down.
The little children sat there stunned by her words. They looked like they had just heard their pet had been run over by a Mac truck. Their faces revealed their hurt.
I felt the Holy Spirit come upon me and I stood up.
“Yes, she may be right that December 25th is not the exact day for Jesus’ birth, but who really cares about the exact date? He was born and loves us now. Yes, December 25th may have been a pagan holiday, but who even remembers that stupid god except a bunch of fuddy-duddy Christians. That god is long dead and Jesus is alive. As far as pagan holidays go, the other 364 days of the year are all pagan holidays for one god or another. But this one day of the year, Jesus has reclaimed for Himself. If you happen to live in any nation of the world and hear the word ‘Christmas,’ you will learn that a man named Jesus was born on that day. So, let’s enjoy this one day when our Lord Jesus is remembered by the whole world.”
I sat down and every kid jumped with joy. The party continued onward.
The woman ended up coming up to me afterward. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I was wrong to push my ideas on the group and I felt you spoke the word of the Lord to me and everyone. Forgive me.”
The memory of that particular party still reverberates in my heart. I love Christmas.
Filed under Christianity, Christmas, Church, Gifts of the Spirit, Kingdom of God, Prophecy
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Maybe I ate too much turkey and stuffing, but regardless of the cause, I was sick last week. I had a fever, a headache, and slept hours and hours each day. Just standing up was a struggle for me. My sickness lasted for five days before it simmered down to a few sniffles and light coughs.
Yes, I hate being sick, but all and all, I didn’t suffer that much. A few writing projects got pushed to the back burners. Yet, we did not suffer financially at all.
Now, what if I had been a Dalit farm laborer with a wife and two children? What if I would have missed five days of work? You see, Dalits are the lowest rung in India’s Hindu society. They are paid only pennies per hour to do backbreaking farm work.
If a Dalit farm laborer missed five days of work, he could lose ten to fifteen dollars of pay for that week. That loss can not be made up. Something will have to be cut from their family budget. Most likely it will be food.
What can we do to help the poor people of India?
Carol and I like to help poor families in India at Christmas time. We look through Gospel For Asia’s Christmas Catalog and choose a gift that will help earn extra income for a family. The last two years, we chose sewing machines, but this year, we returned to our farm roots and chose two goats.
Throughout the year, we then pray for the families with sewing machines and now, the family with the two goats. And you’re right, we don’t know their names, but God knows them. He also knows how to direct our prayers to the proper recipients.
Maybe you’re interested in helping a family in India. If so, click here.
Filed under 10/40 Window, Christianity, Church, Gospel For Asia, India, Kingdom of God, Poverty, Prayer
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