Constitution's biblical background challenged
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=1546880
This article reads in part:
“Commissioners of Carroll County, Maryland, are waiting to see if they will be sued for encouraging a Christian (David Whitney, pastor of Cornerstone Evangelical Fellowship in Pasadena, Maryland, and senior instructor at the Institute on the Constitution) to talk to county employees.”
“…critics [are] accusing the local officials of overstepping the boundary between church and state.”
He (Whitney) explains that the Institute on the Constitution teaches "the founders' view of law and government, the American view of law and government, which is, simply put, there is a Creator God, the God of the Bible. Secondly, our rights come from Him. Thirdly, the sole purpose of human civil government is to protect and secure those God-given rights."
"It raised an enormous storm, with the Americans United for Separation of Church and State writing a threatening letter from their attorney to the county commissioners that they have to shut this course down, demanding a response from them of the actions they take," the pastor (Whitney) reports.
MY TAKE:
There not being enough truly useful things for our governments to spend our taxes on, they continue to indulge these frivolous and even specious accusations of peaceful peoples exercise of their (God given?) liberties.
The US Constitution does not apply to state governments in areas it does not address. It grants states their own rights to law on matters it does not control. The US Constitution's first amendment "establishment clause” applies to Congress, that is, to the U.S. Congress. THEY and they alone are forbidden from making any laws with respect to the establishment of religion or the prohibition of religious exercise. The liberal, atheist and communist hordes have turned this on its head with their false "separation of Church and state" doctrine. It is amazing how clear the language of the 1st amendment is, and how few Americans actually have read it and understand it.
Here it is; you can memorize it in an hour.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;”
What does the Maryland state Constitution say? It says:
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
"We, the People of the State of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty, and taking into our serious consideration the best means of establishing a good Constitution in this State for the sure foundation and more permanent security thereof, declare:"
AND then follows the Constitutions 47 articles. How interesting they are! Notably Articles 36-39! As a Maryland resident I am vey happy to read them!
"The Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland 'began accusing the local officials of overstepping the boundary between church and state.'"
These groups have to make a living somehow, and find it convenient to represent atheists who don't understand these constitutions and who DENY God Almighty and His followers their rights to become the children of God as they choose. No one is coercing Atheists to convert. No one is denying them their rights as citizens their "freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
What these folks seem to want is for christians to be quiet about their faith when they enter public buildings. Why should we be quiet? Why should we not celebrate our faith heritage and i's history?
But if they have their way, and we cannot speak in the public square freely, let us speak in our own homes and churches. This is where the church flags, falters and fails, in our homes and churches. If we knew our Bibles as well as we knew the football scores, or who is winning on Idol, or who is up for an Oscar, then we would begin to know the Lord. That is what Jesus called ETERNAL LIFE!
John 17:3
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2017.3&version=KJV
We also read in the letter to the Hebrew Christians:
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=heb%2011.6&version=KJV
Folks, LIFE IS about God in Christ. It flows from Him to us and our governments in the USA because men of faith wrote such as they wrote in the Maryland Constitution:
"We, the People of the State of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty, and taking into our serious consideration the best means of establishing a good Constitution in this State for the sure foundation and more permanent security thereof, declare:"
"...the sure foundation and more permanent security thereof..." Of what? Of "our civil and religious liberty."
Atheists have their civil liberties. Christians, Jews, Muslims, and other religionists are guaranteed their civil and religious liberties. Is it so much to ask atheists to endure our "foolishness?" If our faith(s) are so untrue, how can they be so offensive? I am not offended by the exercise of Buddhists, even those who chant at the airports.
May these atheistic causes awaken the lukewarm christians from their slumbering.
Psalm 121:4
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+121:4&version=KJV
Friday, March 2, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
“…occupy till I come.”
The song below has caused quite a stir. It’s a movement song. You can find an article on it here: http://hotair.com/greenroom/archives/2012/01/03/va-school-board-defends-8-year-olds-singing-occupy-lyrics/
And another here:
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=1511456
It is a song about covetousness. I’m sure it isn’t intended to be that by whoever wrote/inspired it. But that is what it is about. In the comments page from the second link above one man commented: “This is definitely a Christian song, an update of Matthew 19:24.” Here is my response, but first here are the words to the song named Part of the 99.
Part of the 99
Some people have it all
But they still don’t think they have enough
They want more money
A faster ride
They’re not content
Never satisfied
Yes—they’re the 1 percent
I used to be one of the 1 percent
I worked all the time
Never saw my family
Couldn’t make life rhyme
Then the bubble burst
It really, really hurt
I lost my money
Lost my pride
Lost my home
Now I’m part of the 99
Some people have it all
But they still don’t think they have enough
They want more money
A faster ride
They’re not content
Never satisfied
Yes—they’re the 1 percent
I used to be sad, now I’m satisfied
’Cause I really have enough
Though I lost my yacht and plane
Didn’t need that extra stuff
Could have been much worse
You don’t need to be first
’Cause I’ve got my friends
Here by my side
Don’t need it all
I’m so happy to be part of the 99
Notice the last line: "I’m so happy to be part of the 99.” If you are happy with being one of the 99, why is there an Occupy Wall Street protest at all? If someone on Wall Street has stolen from you they should repay you all they took and perhaps a fine too. But those who have occupied Wall Street and all the other streets: Were they really one percenters? Has Wall Street stolen from them? Frankly I have my doubts. I think many are just poor and poorly educated young people led about by people with hidden agendas. They are “movement” dupes being led by “movement” makers. And Jesus loves them, He will forgive them their sins, and save them if they are lost. But we must be the preachers willing to be sent of God to them. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rom%2010:13-17&version=KJV
Many social movements on the left, and undoubtedly some on the right, today lack an understanding of the God of the Bible. One person thinks the song is a Christian song and an update of Matthew 19:24. He should read the whole story from Matthew 19 verse 12 to verse 28. He would see that what he might call the redistribution of wealth took place after the the nobleman returned and received the report from those servants to whom he had given the talents.
Of those who have occupied Wall Street which servant are you? One who invested your talent (or pound) as did the first two servants did? Has your talent brought you a ten fold or a five fold return like theirs did? Or did you bury your talent like the third servant did. Or perhaps you invested your money with the bank (see verse 23). The nobleman says plainly this is an option!
The redistribution of wealth here flowed from the one who buried his talent to those who used their talents successfully and gained wealth! This is the exact opposite of the communist/socialist concept of re-distributing the wealth. In God’s Kingdom the rich do get richer, although not always in this life. But the person who is cowardly, who runs away from the presence of God cannot prosper. He or she will never learn from God what prosperity is, how to gain it and how to keep it.
We really need to read our Bibles prayerfully for with out God's help and answers we will learn nothing aright. Without God one will have to make up some fantasy about what they read for the truth has not freed them from the deception of the great deceiver satan.
If you really think that someone owes you something, take them to law, to court. If you are just angry because someone has more than you do, go get your own. If you really want to be like Jesus, give everything you have for the benefit of sinners. Jesus did that. Or do as many Christians who are rich, poor and in between do: give charitably as little or much as you will.
The deceived cannot know the truth because they ARE DECEIVED.
The deceived DO NOT KNOW they are deceived, why? - because they ARE deceived.
Are you deceived? Experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.
John 8:32-36
The Message (MSG)
If the Son Sets You Free
31-32 Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. "If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you."
33 Surprised, they said, "But we're descendants of Abraham. We've never been slaves to anyone. How can you say, 'The truth will free you'?"
34-37 Jesus said, "I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can't come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through. I know you are Abraham's descendants. But I also know that you are trying to kill me because my message hasn't yet penetrated your thick skulls. I'm talking about things I have seen while keeping company with the Father…
Sunday, January 1, 2012
“… they are forgiven. “
It is said that children test the boundaries set for them by parents, teachers and elders, and that when parents fail to establish and enforce boundaries children crave them; they want to know when they do wrong. And they also want to and need to know when they do the right thing. I identify with this. I grew up in a home where the boundaries were nebulous and what boundaries there were I easily circumvented when I entered into my teens. I got in a LOT of trouble.
This has had an effect on my life since I was born again in 1976. When I belonged to a church which honored prophetic gifts and prophets from 1988 onward more several prophets spoke the word and the heart of the Lord to me. I cannot remember one word which did not encourage me to a greater or lesser extent. Often I would ask God to give me a word to tell me what I was doing wrong! I wanted correction, I wanted boundaries. Even in this past week I thought to go to a pastor prophet I have known to ask for a word from the Lord: a word that would “really tell me like it is”, that would correct me or even rebuke me, even harshly.
Two days ago I was praying and thinking when the Lord spoke to me in the still small voice. I don’t share this lightly because it is not something that some people believe can happen today. But Jesus is not impotent today. He can still speak. The question is: “Will we believe He can speak to us and will we listen for His voice?”
What God said was this: “You have brought your sins before me, they are forgiven.” I doubt I will soon if ever forget hearing those words! To me their meaning is at once concise and comprehensive. It acknowledged my being a sinner, thus rebuking me albeit ever so gently. At the same time it gave me great courage and joy. I saw that God my Father truly sees only the blood of His Son covering all my sins. It is almost that after believing the Gospel of Christ God ignores the sins I have done and will yet do! I don’t want any to think that I take this as an excuse for sinning even one more time! It is not; there is never an excuse for sin.
Today I called that pastor prophet and shared this testimony with him. As we talked I was able also to see that when a believer sins after his/her salvation, that and every sin carries a new weight of shame previously unknown. For now he/she/I understand what sin is (evil), who it offends (God), and what (my/your) sin required (the bloody death of the Son of God!)! It is understandable that we might desperately want God to rebuke us and correct us severely. And I’m not so sure that He won’t do that in some cases. He did “upbraid” the disciples for “their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.” Mark 16:14 But God is LOVE!
He truly showed me that LOVE in those few words: “You have brought your sins before me, they are forgiven.” I know my own heart as you know yours, yet we can’t know each other’s. We don’t need to. The shame of my sin is enough to humble me, as your sins are enough to humble you. That God forgives such an evil man as me is truly beyond my human comprehension. But by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, by His filling up of my understanding I am able to agree and receive the gift of Christ’s sacrifice and righteousness in exchange for ALL my shameful sins!
It is 35 years since I was born again FROM ABOVE. Many days in that time were lost to sinning. I have had two extended periods of backsliding, and many years of confused faith and living. But God IS FAITHFUL! He that began a good work in me is bringing it to completion! One scripture which seemed so foreign to me in 1976 is absolutely true of me today: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). ! An another I learned somewhat later is burning its way (in a good way!) into my soul: “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12). !
Hallelu Yah! Thank You Jesus. To God be the glory, great things and with me seemingly impossible things He has done.
It is said that children test the boundaries set for them by parents, teachers and elders, and that when parents fail to establish and enforce boundaries children crave them; they want to know when they do wrong. And they also want to and need to know when they do the right thing. I identify with this. I grew up in a home where the boundaries were nebulous and what boundaries there were I easily circumvented when I entered into my teens. I got in a LOT of trouble.
This has had an effect on my life since I was born again in 1976. When I belonged to a church which honored prophetic gifts and prophets from 1988 onward more several prophets spoke the word and the heart of the Lord to me. I cannot remember one word which did not encourage me to a greater or lesser extent. Often I would ask God to give me a word to tell me what I was doing wrong! I wanted correction, I wanted boundaries. Even in this past week I thought to go to a pastor prophet I have known to ask for a word from the Lord: a word that would “really tell me like it is”, that would correct me or even rebuke me, even harshly.
Two days ago I was praying and thinking when the Lord spoke to me in the still small voice. I don’t share this lightly because it is not something that some people believe can happen today. But Jesus is not impotent today. He can still speak. The question is: “Will we believe He can speak to us and will we listen for His voice?”
What God said was this: “You have brought your sins before me, they are forgiven.” I doubt I will soon if ever forget hearing those words! To me their meaning is at once concise and comprehensive. It acknowledged my being a sinner, thus rebuking me albeit ever so gently. At the same time it gave me great courage and joy. I saw that God my Father truly sees only the blood of His Son covering all my sins. It is almost that after believing the Gospel of Christ God ignores the sins I have done and will yet do! I don’t want any to think that I take this as an excuse for sinning even one more time! It is not; there is never an excuse for sin.
Today I called that pastor prophet and shared this testimony with him. As we talked I was able also to see that when a believer sins after his/her salvation, that and every sin carries a new weight of shame previously unknown. For now he/she/I understand what sin is (evil), who it offends (God), and what (my/your) sin required (the bloody death of the Son of God!)! It is understandable that we might desperately want God to rebuke us and correct us severely. And I’m not so sure that He won’t do that in some cases. He did “upbraid” the disciples for “their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.” Mark 16:14 But God is LOVE!
He truly showed me that LOVE in those few words: “You have brought your sins before me, they are forgiven.” I know my own heart as you know yours, yet we can’t know each other’s. We don’t need to. The shame of my sin is enough to humble me, as your sins are enough to humble you. That God forgives such an evil man as me is truly beyond my human comprehension. But by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, by His filling up of my understanding I am able to agree and receive the gift of Christ’s sacrifice and righteousness in exchange for ALL my shameful sins!
It is 35 years since I was born again FROM ABOVE. Many days in that time were lost to sinning. I have had two extended periods of backsliding, and many years of confused faith and living. But God IS FAITHFUL! He that began a good work in me is bringing it to completion! One scripture which seemed so foreign to me in 1976 is absolutely true of me today: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). ! An another I learned somewhat later is burning its way (in a good way!) into my soul: “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12). !
Hallelu Yah! Thank You Jesus. To God be the glory, great things and with me seemingly impossible things He has done.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
At WAR
At WAR
If I don’t get it out, I lose it, so here goes:
2Co 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (6) And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Too often I wake up and go into the day without remembering I'm at WAR! America has had few wars on her soil. But the church has been at war in the earth for a long long time.
In the past week I have had at least two very strange dreams, perhaps more that I don't remember. I don’t know what they meant specifically, but this morning I was reminded that what our Pastor preached on this last Sunday is true: we are at war. I am at war. As a believer in the Messiah I have an enemy, an adversary, satan. satan, or ha satan in Hebrew means literally "the adversary." I'm persuaded as many believe that satan attacks us through our minds. We are instructed and urged by Paul to be transformed by renewing our minds. We are to no longer be conformed to the world, the world which satan rules, that world of men, women and fallen angels who follow satan in his disobedience to God. Obedience to God challenges us to stop and avoid (at all costs) obeying the adversary satan. It is more motivating to obey God if we see the two clear choices: God or the satan. Our own righteousness is not an option, for it is satan's delight to see us in our filthy rags.
Zecariah 3:3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
We, if we are taken away, are taken by disobedience into iniquity and into conformity to the world, doing the will of satan!
Eph 2:2-3 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Eph 5:6-8 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. (7) Be not ye therefore partakers with them. (8) For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Disobedience to God ultimately is unbelief, unfaithfulness and a lack of trust. It is for those things that men are condemned to hell. They may express this in any and all manner of sins, from gossip to fornication, but if they would believe the Gospel they would be forgiven all. When we believe the Gospel, sin begins to be displaced by true righteousness. Obedience to satan is displaced by obedience to the will, of God, to His Word and His Way: to Jesus. By the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God we are “sanctified” set apart for His service. If we are not changing, that is repenting, and allowing Him to guide, teach and instruct us (instruct: to construct us within) we need to reevaluate our faith.
2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
It is a serious matter to be a believer, to be saved, to be born again.
If you are like me, you sometimes have strange and evil thoughts in your mind. Until we believed They can be troubling if we don’t understand that satan is still trying to influence us and draw us back into the sin nature. We don’t want to be taken again!
Rom 8:5-8 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
And God has not left us undefended or ill equipped. We are in the Messiah. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, no matter how broken our jar of clay. Nonetheless we are at war with satan. satan desires and works to make the believer ineffective in the will and service of God. Is this to steal us away from God? There is great debate over this. But the misunderstanding is not over satan’s power, or the consequence of disobedience and sin. The question is this: “Am I born again in Christ? If I am, if you are, who has the power to take you away from God?
Consider these words of Paul and of the Master:
Philppians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
John 10:27-30 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (29) My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (30) I and my Father are one.
Consider the Jews response to Jesus:
John 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
When you think of Christ, when you read the bible, when you see your brother or sister in the church do you want to stone them? Or do you want to love and serve them? How about your neighbor? How about God? How about your (human) enemies? We are called to the Lord to learn and to do the will of God. I think we might say that to do His will is to DO His love. To love God with all we have, our love neighbor as ourselves and our enemies with compassion and grace.
Are unkind or cruel thoughts forming in your mind, thoughts which wish others (even God) harm? These are stones you may or may not pick up to throw at neighbors, at enemies, or even at God.
If you are entertaining sinful thoughts continually, it is time to examine yourself to see if you are in the Messiah. But remember that we are at war. satan who once held us captive was informing our minds, structuring them to think evil and cruel thoughts and selfish thoughts. Selfish thoughts produce indifference to God and all others. They are as dangerous as evil and cruel thoughts. If we believe satan will be seeking to influence us, to keep us where he had us. If he can gain access to our minds to fill and consume us with His anti-Christ, anti-Christian and anti-human thinking he will succeed in his goal. What is the goal of satan? To make the believer and the church ineffective in doing the will of God. Why does satan want accomplish this? Because satan no more men or women to be saved. satan hates men and wants to torture them for all eternity.
2Co 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (6) And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
What do we do as warriors in God’s army? We pull down strong holds, we cast down imaginations ad high things which exalt themselves against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. David Stern has translated this verse in his Complete Jewish Bible as follows:
2Co 10:3-6 For although we do live in the world, we do not wage war in a worldly way; (4) because the weapons we use to wage war are not worldly. On the contrary, they have God's power for demolishing strongholds. We demolish arguments (5) and every arrogance that raises itself up against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey the Messiah. (6) And when you have become completely obedient, then we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience.
2Co 10:3 The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. 4 The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. 5 We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. 6 Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.
1. Strongholds strongholds that entire massively corrupt culture
2. Imaginations arguments warped philosophies
3. high thing arrogance barriers
4. thought thought loose thought and emotion and impulse
The “Torah observant” Jew who knows the Law and teachings of the Books of Moses should know what sin is even if he follows the legalistic word of the Pharisees. Paul (Saul) knew and was zealous for the Jews religion.
Act 26:5 They have known me for a long time; and if they are willing, they can testify that I have followed the strictest party in our religion — that is, I have lived as a Parush (a Pharisee).
The Pharisees seems to have come to terms with God’s prohibition of pagan idolatry. Their errors were self-righteousness and legalistic additions to the observance of Mosaic Law. But as Paul shows in his letters he knew what sin was and was not according to the Gospel. Sin is the character of satan as well as the deeds he does and inspires men to do. satan arrogantly argues against God with warped philosophies erecting barriers to Godly thinking if we listen to satan’s thoughts without discernment he will establish strongholds of warped loose thinking, emotion, and impulsiveness. All this is present in satan’s world, and it is this that entirely corrupts the world’s culture. It is a pervasive evil rooted in pride and selfishness which saturates every unbelieving person. It is the darkness from which every believer is delivered and from which every believer must separate him/herself.
If we do not we will be found in one or more of the “errors” listed in the churches of Asia Minor by Jesus in Revelation 2 and 3.
- have lost the love you had at first.
- hold the doctrine of Balaam
- hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes
- continue to tolerate that woman Jezebel
- works are incomplete, imperfect in the sight of my God.
- are neither cold nor hot:
- are lukewarm
- are saying, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;”
- are not aware of being wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
These “errors” are sins. They result from an incomplete imperfect faith and obedience to the gospel. If we know what is sin we must not do it. If we have stopped sinning, what are we doing? It will be God’s will in God’s righteousness. If we are imperfect we will suffer:
1. Strongholds strongholds that entire massively corrupt culture
2. Imaginations arguments warped philosophies
3. high thing arrogance barriers
4. thought thought loose thought and emotion and impulse
These things are like viruses that infest computers. They cause the system to function badly or to crash. We will have troubles, we will sin, we will not enjoy peace, the fruit of the Spirit will be thwarted, the Spirit will be quenched, we will grieve God and be bed stewards of the gift of His grace if we do not pull down, cast down, and take captive all that which satan throws at and into our minds. Jesus says: “it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” To enter God’s Kingdom and follow Jesus is not easy. It is not effortless. To get in and to stay in means to go to war. A soldier obeys his superiors at all times. A warrior does so energetically, eagerly, and zealously because is devoted to his/her leaders and their cause. The Christian is a soldier and/or warrior for God the Father, Son and Spirit and for the cause of Salvation. “For we cannot act against the truth, only for it.” 2Co 13:8
So am I warring against the adversary? Or am I wandering aimlessly in the sight of God? We have a great measure of “peace” in our nation, the United States
Act 19:13-16 Some Jewish men started going around trying to force out evil spirits by using the name of the Lord Jesus. They said to the spirits, "Come out in the name of that same Jesus that Paul preaches about!" (14) Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this, (15) when an evil spirit said to them, "I know Jesus! And I have heard about Paul. But who are you?" (16) Then the man with the evil spirit jumped on them and beat them up. They ran out of the house, naked and bruised.
My fear is that many in the church do not yet know Jesus very well. If they did they would not do the things they do. They especially would not say they are Christian and act in his name while in ignorance of Him. We must know Jesus the Person of God, the Son of His Father God. We must know the Person of the Father, and the Person of the Holy Spirit. We are persons and we are made in the image and likeness of God. Satan stripped the likeness of God from all mankind in the Garden of Eden. Jesus was born into this world on earth in the flesh a fully human person in the exact likeness of His Father. Jesus came to save us, to redeem us and to RESTORE us into the likeness of God. While we will never be God, we will be like Him in every way!
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Usually this verse is seen to be a reality coming to pass when we enter heaven. But can’t we see Jesus today? Yes we can. He is the same yesterday, TODAY, and forever. His character and the truth of His words in the Gospels are unchanging. If we study His words, we will begin to hear him with our spiritual ear and see Him with the eye of our heart. Blessed are they who are believing Him though not having seen Him with their eyes when He was with the disciples, crucified and risen. Blessed how? Blessed to know Him, to know His divine Person, His character, His Heart.
If we know Him, if we see Jesus, we will be like Him, even TODAY!
Ro 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
1Jn 2:5-6 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. (6) He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1Jn 2:5-6 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. (6) He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Paul wrote: “When the Messiah was executed on the stake (cross) as a criminal, I was too; so that my proud ego no longer lives. But the Messiah lives in me, and the life I now live in my body I live by the same trusting faithfulness that the Son of God had, who loved me and gave himself up for me.” Gal 2:20
And it is in union with him that you have been made full — he is the head of every rule and authority. Also it was in union with him that you were circumcised with a circumcision not done by human hands, but accomplished by stripping away the old nature's control over the body. In this circumcision done by the Messiah, you were buried along with him by being immersed; and in union with him, you were also raised up along with him by God's faithfulness that worked when he raised Yeshua from the dead. Col
And: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” KJV “Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!” AMPLIFIED
Note “old things are passed, the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away.”
Though we have not died bodily, something has died. It is our flesh that has died. What is our “flesh?” The New Testament Greek word is “sarx.” Here is the definition from Strong’s Greek Dictionary:
G4561 σάρξ sarx sarx
Probably from the base of G4563; flesh (as stripped of the skin), that is, (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred, or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specifically) a human being (as such): - carnal (-ly, + -ly minded), flesh ([-ly]).
This is what dies when we are born again. The very thing which separates us from God, the nature that Adam received by sinning, in a very real sense the old man, the flesh which cannot live before God, the dead body (the sarx) - it is this very thing that passes away, that dies, and we are born again anew from above and now live in Christ who lives by the power of an endless life!.
We are : “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Col
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Rom 6:4
This death, burial and resurrection in Christ must come through our trusting God and His giving of life to us.
Eph 2:4-10 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by (grace ye are saved;) (6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (7) That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Unless our flesh passes away, all that we do and all that we are in in vain, is frustrated. Unless the old man dies, the new cannot be born from above. But if the old man dies, our souls live! And we will by patient well doing reap the harvest God has ordained for us.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Joh 12:24-25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (25) He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
If we do not die can we live? Can we live in God?
Galatians 2:21a I do not frustrate the grace of God…
1.Romans 8:13
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
2.Colossians 3:5
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;
2 Corinthians 6
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Strange Christmas Greetings 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
~ STRANGE Christmas Greetings 2011 ~
~ STRANGE Christmas Greetings 2011 ~
Are YOU asleep in the culture of death?
Govans (Baltimore), Md.
Monday November 28th, 2011
Dear friends, neighbors and Dear enemies, Dear christian,
Shalom! Thanksgiving has come and as a day it has gone in 2011. Christmas is very near. I write to you this strange (Thanksgiving and Christmas, holiday, or seasonal) greeting from my temporary shelter in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States of America. Christmas especially is a memorial, a reminder (should we need one) of the birth of the Savior of all who will trust in Him and His Father, and a reminder that He not only died for us, He was born for us, Emmanuel. To many this is not strange. What is strange about Christmas?
I heard it said recently that we don’t have a whole heart until it is broken. And this must be true! If we are well, if we are entirely satisfied with ourselves, we must be deceived. Why? Because we are dying. Our lives are vapors, passing away after a short 30, 60 or 100 years. Our bodily demise is always a moment away.
Our hearts are physically broken. The life they pump through our veins is unsustainable because in the realest and truest sense our hearts are broken. If we think otherwise we are truly deluded. Only when we see our hearts are broken, when we discover that they are broken far beyond our ability to repair them, will we then in their brokenness and in our honest integrity be able to receive from God in Christ the remedy which makes them whole.
It seems incongruous, but in our bodies which are perishing, God has caused our souls, our persons, our essence to be whole before Him, and to be alive by His mercy and grace forever.
This truth, which comes as a gift from Jesus who is the TRUTH, this is something worth our humble thanksgiving and worship all day every day. Amen?
I also heard someone pray, “Jesus, break my heart with the things that break Your Heart.” That is a difficult prayer to pray. I think the only thing that breaks Jesus’ Heart is sin. There is a ton of that going around. But this is a prayer which will cause to be conformed into His image. God gives grace to those who are grieved as He is. Ezekiel Chapter 9 is a remarkable testimony to that fact. I hope the rest of this strange letter upholds humble the need to be troubled by sin, by that which grieves God.
Again and again I am reminded and unable to forget or ignore the insanity and inanity of the current thinking of many Americans on illegal aliens and immigration and “the practice” (I will identify the strange practice later). This sounds like condemnation, but it is not, for I too suffer from unclean and stupid thinking, even if God has delivered me from much of it. It may sound like judgment, and this it is. We all make judgments every day. They may be wise or foolish. Jesus did say: “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” John 7:24 The thinking I am writing about is that American sovereignty must exclude foreign workers, especially illegal aliens from doing American jobs on American soil. It might be a reasonable legal view for illegal immigrants, but let’s ask some reasonable questions:
Why do aliens come in to the US illegally?
The answer is first and foremost that they come for work and for the U.S. dollar. Secondly they come in for criminal activity (and the U.S. dollar). Thirdly they come as enemies of the U.S. to overthrow the U.S. government(s). Let’s not be overly concerned with the second and third answers here, though they too are very important problems to solve.
Why aren’t American workers doing the work illegals come for?
Illegals have worked for very low wages in industries accustomed to very low profit margins. Illegals routinely worked harvesting crops for wages below the minimum wage, wages Americans would and could not legally accept in jobs Americans supposedly did not want to perform. I’m not sure how long the farmers of the south, and south west have been employing alien workers. My memory of controversy goes back to the sixties to the grape and lettuce crops in California and Caesar Chavez. (Chavez worked for the Community Service Organization, a Latino civil rights group from 1952 until 1962.
The idea that Americans were unwilling to do this hard work picking crops may have been the result of the below minimum wages offered to attract illegals. Regardless, illegals have been picking our crops for a long time. But for several decades illegals have been taking jobs in other industries, most typically food service and restaurant work, and landscaping and gardening. But why are more and more jobs in the USA held by illegals? Where are we? Where are the Americans? Where did we all go? While the economy has lost several million jobs since 2008 and some illegals have gone home having lost theirs, there are still 12 million or more illegals in the U.S. Why is there still so much room in the job market for illegals?
There are so many factors that a book would be necessary to expose the matter fully. But I think of several factors as very relevant to this dilemma.
Capitalism and capitalists, in specific American capitalists have become more devoted to profits than to the nation. Because of this illegals at low wages are in demand over Americans. Additionally illegals coming from poverty prove to be eager and productive workers, while Americans have succumbed to their sense of “entitlement” to high wages, union and government benefits, and legal resources. The federal government exacerbates the matter by placing regulations on businesses raising their costs. Business owners not finding illegals to work for them will and do move their business to other nations. Finally illegals are starting and running their own businesses and likely avoiding payroll income and social security taxes.
American patriots are conflicted, confused and/or ignorant if they condemn illegals as wholly responsible as lawbreakers and even as economic enemies. How can our farms and businesses run smoothly and profitably with American workers while “made in America” policies and practices encourage the hiring of illegals or foreigners?
But one more time I ask, “Why do aliens come in to the US illegally? Why aren’t American workers doing the work illegals come for? Where are we? Where are the Americans? Where did we all go? Why is there still so much room in the job market for illegals?”
These questions have one more answer. It is the most telling answer, in my opinion. Where are they (we)? Shockingly twenty five percent, one of four of American workers have died every year for 35 years. These have not been ill, and have not retired. They have died? What was their cause of death? It was and continues to be abortion. Leaving aside the moral objections so many have against abortion, we need to understand the economic consequences of abortion. Abortion “is the practice.”
The closest Bible reference I have found to modern abortion is found in Jeremiah:
“[… thus saith the LORD] And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.” (Jeremiah 32:35)
This describes the sacrifice of children by their parents to the heathen god Molech. In Jeremiah’s time the children of Israel and the children of Judah had gone so far astray that they were making these sacrifices. Note the Lord says of this: “…I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination…” I think this shows just how alien, how strange the practice of child sacrifice is to God. Are today’s abortions child sacrifices to Molech or to any god? We know that children already born and living are still sacrificed in very dark corners of the world. But Abortion, is it a sacrifice? It is certain that the aborted child is unwanted. Why? Because something else is preferred. And what is that? What is preferred is relief from the responsibilities and the labors of raising the child conceived. In effect we worship our own selves. We give the child to whom? To God by the act of murdering him/her in the womb. But is it a sacrifice we are giving to God? No, although the child IS received by God.
“When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.”
(Psalm 27:10) Amen
By preferring our money, and our leisure time to the needs of the baby in the womb we are elevating ourselves to be as Gods by taking the life, the LIFE of the baby to be.
By abortion, by the practice our labor pool, the number of available U.S. citizens for hire is reduced every year by 25%. Our tax base and tax revenues are cut by 25%. It could be that one of every four American jobs is held by an illegal alien, a legal foreign worker or has been given to a foreigner in another nation. The consequences of abortion simply reduce American prosperity.
A related matter is the prevalence of foreign goods in the American market place. These products are not the result of American labor. Their sale in the U.S. generates no wages, and no tax revenues on wages. We often hear the very reasonable advice: “Buy American.” But to “Buy American,” we must have American made goods to buy. Sadly 25% of future American craftsmen, manufacturers, business owners and job creators are eliminated every year as unwanted aborted babies.
Abortion became legal in 1973. That year more than 700,000 “conceptions were terminated,” a polite way of saying that babies or persons were murdered in the wombs of their mothers. In 1991 those 700,000+ aborted persons would have had the been born and lived turned 18 years of age. In 1974 more than 1,000,000 babies/persons were aborted (That number has been typical in almost every year since. As I recall, one year nearly 1,500,000 abortions were done). Eighteen years after 1974 those 1,000,000+ persons would also have turned 18 years of age. Today in 2011 babies/persons aborted in the year 1993, had they been born would be 18 years old.
At eighteen most people look for work, enter the military or enter trade schools colleges or universities. From 1973 to 1993 approximately 20,000,000 babies/persons were aborted. Is it a coincidence that there are (some estimate) 20,000,000 or more illegal aliens in the United States of American today? Note that every one of those 20,000,000 aborted would be 18 years old by January 1st, 2012. All of them would be eligible to vote in the 2012 election.
What has possessed us to be so blind to the economic consequences of this practice called abortion or termination of pregnancy?
I must add this to the list of consequences. Though liberal doctors and their powerful medical establishment deny it, and the liberal press/media will not report it, the risk of breast cancer in women is higher in women having abortions. It is higher by 33-100% in women having one abortion and higher than that in those having more than one aborton. Why? When a woman becomes pregnant estrogen begins to build up in her breasts. It is the body’s necessary way of preparing to deliver milk to the newborn. When the baby is aborted, the estrogen remains in the breast without being used and released in breast feeding. This trapped estrogen simply causes breast cancer in many women. If you want information on this Google search ABC Link, Abortion Breast Cancer, or Joel Brind, Ph.D.
Illegals here are frequently Hispanics and Roman Catholics; they do not have many abortions. They value children. In their culture they have not yet drunk the pro-choice Kool-Aid. I pray they never will. But it seems to me, and seems very clear that illegal aliens are a consequence of U.S. federal law and domestic policy gone astray and amuck in the worst way with abortion topping the list. Men are not only endowed by their creator with inalienable rights, they are endowed with creative ability. How sad that in ignorance of and rebellion against God, rights (powers) and ability produce oppression, and destruction resulting in debt, default and eventually poverty and death.
Illegals often pay no taxes by receiving under the table cash wages, or through their own businesses. Illegals send U.S. dollars out of the country to their families. Illegals receive government services, from medical health benefits to education courtesy of a government which has lost 25% (over a million every year) of its taxpayers. Illegals require state and federal law enforcement agencies to guard borders, arrest, care for and return illegals to their homelands. There are bureaucracies overseeing these. Illegals drain tax revenues by committing crimes here. We have many illegals imprisoned, also a cost to our taxpayers.
Notwithstanding this: God loves illegal aliens wherever they are found. Jesus was sent to whosoever will. Jesus has saved many already and desires many more be saved. He has saved many who have had abortions, approved abortion, and even some who have facilitated and performed abortions. He has also saved many who have gone bankrupt, who have lost their jobs, which have been corrupt in business, government and law enforcement. He and desires all not saved repent and receive His priceless gift of eternal life. In this time marked out (however inaccurately) for the celebration of Jesus’ birth (a real event), we need to remember and memorialize that Jesus was born so that he could die and take away the sins of the world, that world of bankrupt, jobless, corrupt, illegal men and women near and far (to you and me) living here on earth. Here Christmas and all “holidays” have the possibility of being HOLYdays, as does every day of the calendar.
Illegal immigrants are people. Their existence in America is a symptomatic condition resulting from other issues, some of which I believe I have touched on in this letter. It seems unlikely I will forget these troubles in the very near future, excepting when Jesus comes back to us. But with my will and heart, both which are weaker than any lamb, I set my self to forgiving the troublers in this earth which so surely belongs to the Lord Jesus our Messiah and Savior. God save such, for I was one such as they are.
Thanks and praise to God, our Father, Savior, Lord, brother, and Guide! He is Almighty forever and ever, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Baruch HaShem Yeshua, Baruch HaShem Adonai !!!
His and yours, Dave Severy ~ Govans, Md.
~ STRANGE Christmas Greetings 2011 ~
~ STRANGE Christmas Greetings 2011 ~
Are YOU asleep in the culture of death?
Govans (Baltimore), Md.
Monday November 28th, 2011
Dear friends, neighbors and Dear enemies, Dear christian,
Shalom! Thanksgiving has come and as a day it has gone in 2011. Christmas is very near. I write to you this strange (Thanksgiving and Christmas, holiday, or seasonal) greeting from my temporary shelter in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States of America. Christmas especially is a memorial, a reminder (should we need one) of the birth of the Savior of all who will trust in Him and His Father, and a reminder that He not only died for us, He was born for us, Emmanuel. To many this is not strange. What is strange about Christmas?
I heard it said recently that we don’t have a whole heart until it is broken. And this must be true! If we are well, if we are entirely satisfied with ourselves, we must be deceived. Why? Because we are dying. Our lives are vapors, passing away after a short 30, 60 or 100 years. Our bodily demise is always a moment away.
Our hearts are physically broken. The life they pump through our veins is unsustainable because in the realest and truest sense our hearts are broken. If we think otherwise we are truly deluded. Only when we see our hearts are broken, when we discover that they are broken far beyond our ability to repair them, will we then in their brokenness and in our honest integrity be able to receive from God in Christ the remedy which makes them whole.
It seems incongruous, but in our bodies which are perishing, God has caused our souls, our persons, our essence to be whole before Him, and to be alive by His mercy and grace forever.
This truth, which comes as a gift from Jesus who is the TRUTH, this is something worth our humble thanksgiving and worship all day every day. Amen?
I also heard someone pray, “Jesus, break my heart with the things that break Your Heart.” That is a difficult prayer to pray. I think the only thing that breaks Jesus’ Heart is sin. There is a ton of that going around. But this is a prayer which will cause to be conformed into His image. God gives grace to those who are grieved as He is. Ezekiel Chapter 9 is a remarkable testimony to that fact. I hope the rest of this strange letter upholds humble the need to be troubled by sin, by that which grieves God.
Again and again I am reminded and unable to forget or ignore the insanity and inanity of the current thinking of many Americans on illegal aliens and immigration and “the practice” (I will identify the strange practice later). This sounds like condemnation, but it is not, for I too suffer from unclean and stupid thinking, even if God has delivered me from much of it. It may sound like judgment, and this it is. We all make judgments every day. They may be wise or foolish. Jesus did say: “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” John 7:24 The thinking I am writing about is that American sovereignty must exclude foreign workers, especially illegal aliens from doing American jobs on American soil. It might be a reasonable legal view for illegal immigrants, but let’s ask some reasonable questions:
Why do aliens come in to the US illegally?
The answer is first and foremost that they come for work and for the U.S. dollar. Secondly they come in for criminal activity (and the U.S. dollar). Thirdly they come as enemies of the U.S. to overthrow the U.S. government(s). Let’s not be overly concerned with the second and third answers here, though they too are very important problems to solve.
Why aren’t American workers doing the work illegals come for?
Illegals have worked for very low wages in industries accustomed to very low profit margins. Illegals routinely worked harvesting crops for wages below the minimum wage, wages Americans would and could not legally accept in jobs Americans supposedly did not want to perform. I’m not sure how long the farmers of the south, and south west have been employing alien workers. My memory of controversy goes back to the sixties to the grape and lettuce crops in California and Caesar Chavez. (Chavez worked for the Community Service Organization, a Latino civil rights group from 1952 until 1962.
The idea that Americans were unwilling to do this hard work picking crops may have been the result of the below minimum wages offered to attract illegals. Regardless, illegals have been picking our crops for a long time. But for several decades illegals have been taking jobs in other industries, most typically food service and restaurant work, and landscaping and gardening. But why are more and more jobs in the USA held by illegals? Where are we? Where are the Americans? Where did we all go? While the economy has lost several million jobs since 2008 and some illegals have gone home having lost theirs, there are still 12 million or more illegals in the U.S. Why is there still so much room in the job market for illegals?
There are so many factors that a book would be necessary to expose the matter fully. But I think of several factors as very relevant to this dilemma.
Capitalism and capitalists, in specific American capitalists have become more devoted to profits than to the nation. Because of this illegals at low wages are in demand over Americans. Additionally illegals coming from poverty prove to be eager and productive workers, while Americans have succumbed to their sense of “entitlement” to high wages, union and government benefits, and legal resources. The federal government exacerbates the matter by placing regulations on businesses raising their costs. Business owners not finding illegals to work for them will and do move their business to other nations. Finally illegals are starting and running their own businesses and likely avoiding payroll income and social security taxes.
American patriots are conflicted, confused and/or ignorant if they condemn illegals as wholly responsible as lawbreakers and even as economic enemies. How can our farms and businesses run smoothly and profitably with American workers while “made in America” policies and practices encourage the hiring of illegals or foreigners?
But one more time I ask, “Why do aliens come in to the US illegally? Why aren’t American workers doing the work illegals come for? Where are we? Where are the Americans? Where did we all go? Why is there still so much room in the job market for illegals?”
These questions have one more answer. It is the most telling answer, in my opinion. Where are they (we)? Shockingly twenty five percent, one of four of American workers have died every year for 35 years. These have not been ill, and have not retired. They have died? What was their cause of death? It was and continues to be abortion. Leaving aside the moral objections so many have against abortion, we need to understand the economic consequences of abortion. Abortion “is the practice.”
The closest Bible reference I have found to modern abortion is found in Jeremiah:
“[… thus saith the LORD] And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.” (Jeremiah 32:35)
This describes the sacrifice of children by their parents to the heathen god Molech. In Jeremiah’s time the children of Israel and the children of Judah had gone so far astray that they were making these sacrifices. Note the Lord says of this: “…I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination…” I think this shows just how alien, how strange the practice of child sacrifice is to God. Are today’s abortions child sacrifices to Molech or to any god? We know that children already born and living are still sacrificed in very dark corners of the world. But Abortion, is it a sacrifice? It is certain that the aborted child is unwanted. Why? Because something else is preferred. And what is that? What is preferred is relief from the responsibilities and the labors of raising the child conceived. In effect we worship our own selves. We give the child to whom? To God by the act of murdering him/her in the womb. But is it a sacrifice we are giving to God? No, although the child IS received by God.
“When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.”
(Psalm 27:10) Amen
By preferring our money, and our leisure time to the needs of the baby in the womb we are elevating ourselves to be as Gods by taking the life, the LIFE of the baby to be.
By abortion, by the practice our labor pool, the number of available U.S. citizens for hire is reduced every year by 25%. Our tax base and tax revenues are cut by 25%. It could be that one of every four American jobs is held by an illegal alien, a legal foreign worker or has been given to a foreigner in another nation. The consequences of abortion simply reduce American prosperity.
A related matter is the prevalence of foreign goods in the American market place. These products are not the result of American labor. Their sale in the U.S. generates no wages, and no tax revenues on wages. We often hear the very reasonable advice: “Buy American.” But to “Buy American,” we must have American made goods to buy. Sadly 25% of future American craftsmen, manufacturers, business owners and job creators are eliminated every year as unwanted aborted babies.
Abortion became legal in 1973. That year more than 700,000 “conceptions were terminated,” a polite way of saying that babies or persons were murdered in the wombs of their mothers. In 1991 those 700,000+ aborted persons would have had the been born and lived turned 18 years of age. In 1974 more than 1,000,000 babies/persons were aborted (That number has been typical in almost every year since. As I recall, one year nearly 1,500,000 abortions were done). Eighteen years after 1974 those 1,000,000+ persons would also have turned 18 years of age. Today in 2011 babies/persons aborted in the year 1993, had they been born would be 18 years old.
At eighteen most people look for work, enter the military or enter trade schools colleges or universities. From 1973 to 1993 approximately 20,000,000 babies/persons were aborted. Is it a coincidence that there are (some estimate) 20,000,000 or more illegal aliens in the United States of American today? Note that every one of those 20,000,000 aborted would be 18 years old by January 1st, 2012. All of them would be eligible to vote in the 2012 election.
What has possessed us to be so blind to the economic consequences of this practice called abortion or termination of pregnancy?
I must add this to the list of consequences. Though liberal doctors and their powerful medical establishment deny it, and the liberal press/media will not report it, the risk of breast cancer in women is higher in women having abortions. It is higher by 33-100% in women having one abortion and higher than that in those having more than one aborton. Why? When a woman becomes pregnant estrogen begins to build up in her breasts. It is the body’s necessary way of preparing to deliver milk to the newborn. When the baby is aborted, the estrogen remains in the breast without being used and released in breast feeding. This trapped estrogen simply causes breast cancer in many women. If you want information on this Google search ABC Link, Abortion Breast Cancer, or Joel Brind, Ph.D.
Illegals here are frequently Hispanics and Roman Catholics; they do not have many abortions. They value children. In their culture they have not yet drunk the pro-choice Kool-Aid. I pray they never will. But it seems to me, and seems very clear that illegal aliens are a consequence of U.S. federal law and domestic policy gone astray and amuck in the worst way with abortion topping the list. Men are not only endowed by their creator with inalienable rights, they are endowed with creative ability. How sad that in ignorance of and rebellion against God, rights (powers) and ability produce oppression, and destruction resulting in debt, default and eventually poverty and death.
Illegals often pay no taxes by receiving under the table cash wages, or through their own businesses. Illegals send U.S. dollars out of the country to their families. Illegals receive government services, from medical health benefits to education courtesy of a government which has lost 25% (over a million every year) of its taxpayers. Illegals require state and federal law enforcement agencies to guard borders, arrest, care for and return illegals to their homelands. There are bureaucracies overseeing these. Illegals drain tax revenues by committing crimes here. We have many illegals imprisoned, also a cost to our taxpayers.
Notwithstanding this: God loves illegal aliens wherever they are found. Jesus was sent to whosoever will. Jesus has saved many already and desires many more be saved. He has saved many who have had abortions, approved abortion, and even some who have facilitated and performed abortions. He has also saved many who have gone bankrupt, who have lost their jobs, which have been corrupt in business, government and law enforcement. He and desires all not saved repent and receive His priceless gift of eternal life. In this time marked out (however inaccurately) for the celebration of Jesus’ birth (a real event), we need to remember and memorialize that Jesus was born so that he could die and take away the sins of the world, that world of bankrupt, jobless, corrupt, illegal men and women near and far (to you and me) living here on earth. Here Christmas and all “holidays” have the possibility of being HOLYdays, as does every day of the calendar.
Illegal immigrants are people. Their existence in America is a symptomatic condition resulting from other issues, some of which I believe I have touched on in this letter. It seems unlikely I will forget these troubles in the very near future, excepting when Jesus comes back to us. But with my will and heart, both which are weaker than any lamb, I set my self to forgiving the troublers in this earth which so surely belongs to the Lord Jesus our Messiah and Savior. God save such, for I was one such as they are.
Thanks and praise to God, our Father, Savior, Lord, brother, and Guide! He is Almighty forever and ever, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Baruch HaShem Yeshua, Baruch HaShem Adonai !!!
His and yours, Dave Severy ~ Govans, Md.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Jesus as a political/economic role model.
10/20/2011
I wrote this in response to Herman Cain having called Jesus the perfect conservative.
Jesus turned the world upside down and it hasn't stopped trembling yet. Until Jesus, the Jews were the vectors of God's law and morals to the world. Now we have Jesus elegantly quoted at great length in the New Testament Scriptures where He brings perfection to the law and morals of Moses. When Christians live out what the Bible calls “the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus” they do influence the world for good. They are salt (preservative) and the light for all who will be salted and enlightened. Their work is that of their Savior Jesus “to preach the gospel to the poor; to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” Christians have a “vocation” which seeks the true welfare of others, spiritually especially and materially where possible. Conversely, the world's other religious and irreligious peoples and groups will influence others as they wish, generally for their own self promotion benefit. For this reason it IS often controversial to bring the Christian faith directly to the political debate. It tends to make a mess.
Political debate is the promotion of self interest by compromise. Christian faith is the worship and love of God and the love neighbor. Self promotion and self interest is to take a back seat to the needs of others. We are to live sacrificially. I personally believe that any governmental system would work if people were willing to consider other and their needs before their own. Jesus came from heaven and is King of His universe, we ought to see it and learn to live according to His commandments. They are not grievous commandments at all. They in fact exclude all that causes grief, including the self absorbed greedy pretensions often called “capitalism.” Capitalism, or the market place, requires law and morals to contain and control those self interested persons who would steal from and defraud any to line their own pockets. It is in my opinion wrong to think that Jesus favors those who compete brutally in the capitalist market place to those who compete brutally in the socialist halls of government.
While Jesus may not expect an egalitarian result in this world today, I believe strongly that equity of care for all men, women and children, or the attempt to have equity is a large part of the gospel He gives us. It is said that if men would simply stop fighting the wars being fought, those who would do good could feed the entire world and have plenty to spare. Those who war in the streets, the government house or the boardroom in such a way which prevents and/or encumbers doing good to all men are not hearing the message of love God give in His Son Jesus. Ultimately the Kingdom will come and many will be so very sorry they had not listened to Jesus.
And he [Jesus] said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Luke 12:15
10/20/2011
I wrote this in response to Herman Cain having called Jesus the perfect conservative.
Jesus turned the world upside down and it hasn't stopped trembling yet. Until Jesus, the Jews were the vectors of God's law and morals to the world. Now we have Jesus elegantly quoted at great length in the New Testament Scriptures where He brings perfection to the law and morals of Moses. When Christians live out what the Bible calls “the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus” they do influence the world for good. They are salt (preservative) and the light for all who will be salted and enlightened. Their work is that of their Savior Jesus “to preach the gospel to the poor; to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” Christians have a “vocation” which seeks the true welfare of others, spiritually especially and materially where possible. Conversely, the world's other religious and irreligious peoples and groups will influence others as they wish, generally for their own self promotion benefit. For this reason it IS often controversial to bring the Christian faith directly to the political debate. It tends to make a mess.
Political debate is the promotion of self interest by compromise. Christian faith is the worship and love of God and the love neighbor. Self promotion and self interest is to take a back seat to the needs of others. We are to live sacrificially. I personally believe that any governmental system would work if people were willing to consider other and their needs before their own. Jesus came from heaven and is King of His universe, we ought to see it and learn to live according to His commandments. They are not grievous commandments at all. They in fact exclude all that causes grief, including the self absorbed greedy pretensions often called “capitalism.” Capitalism, or the market place, requires law and morals to contain and control those self interested persons who would steal from and defraud any to line their own pockets. It is in my opinion wrong to think that Jesus favors those who compete brutally in the capitalist market place to those who compete brutally in the socialist halls of government.
While Jesus may not expect an egalitarian result in this world today, I believe strongly that equity of care for all men, women and children, or the attempt to have equity is a large part of the gospel He gives us. It is said that if men would simply stop fighting the wars being fought, those who would do good could feed the entire world and have plenty to spare. Those who war in the streets, the government house or the boardroom in such a way which prevents and/or encumbers doing good to all men are not hearing the message of love God give in His Son Jesus. Ultimately the Kingdom will come and many will be so very sorry they had not listened to Jesus.
And he [Jesus] said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Luke 12:15
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