Heleadethme

Sometimes I wonder if the Lord might be out to prove to us on purpose that we CAN'T pass some tests....to teach us that we have nothing of our own, only an empty jar of clay to offer. There are good reasons why we'll be laying our crowns as His feet. "In me is no good thing" at all, apart from Him. When we fail it works humility in us, as well as that we lose the tendency to judge others.......we understand full well how it is that anyone can fall short, if that's a lesson we need to learn. Working everything together for our good, even our failures.

A good workman tests His workmanship as He goes along, to see what more work it requires. Trials and tribs....chastising us as sons. A little hammering and shaping here, a few more nails there, time spent in the kiln "drying out" etc. This is a race of endurance for sure. 1Pe 4:12-13 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

It seems to be the awful tendency of human nature that when times are good we tend to forget God, and then He brings judgments or chastisements to try and bring us back to Him again: Hos 13:6 According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me. I really believe overall that is what has happened in the west. Good to read that whole chapter. (The last verse reminds me of abortion. We see it as a sin, which it is, but perhaps it's also a judgment in itself in a way, which brings more judgment.)

Praise the Lord.

I dont' want to be argumentative, but this is just one humble little thread dealing with one concern, amongst many other threads dealing with many other concerns. If anyone wants to start a thread of their own about NWO and corrupt government concerns, they are free to do so, and it might be worthwhile. Me personally I would much rather hear more about edifying things...like being in covenant with God that you mentioned, if you have anything further about that. I want to mention that He has the bigger picture things in hand too. We are dealing with Godless government with Lord-knows-what-agendas and unbelievably propagandized media here in my country Canada. But the Lord gave me a little word about all this recently, you and others might find it encouraging too: 2Ti 3:8-9 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. I think there is an aspect that this means they will fall into the pit they are digging for others. (Not sure but it might be related also where it says in Revelation "the earth helped the woman and swallowed the flood" that was coming against her.) And it does seem God is at work in these days EXPOSING these things that have been going on under cover of darkness. In the meantime, people continue to suffer and need help and prayers....widows, orphans, oppressed, etc....believers among them too don't forget. One little thread to "provoke us unto good works" doesn't seem inappropriate at all.

Should the good Samaritan have just kept on walking past the wounded Jew who had been attacked by thieves, since God has it all in hand?

"In wrath, remember mercy." This is still the age of grace and our job as Christians is not to judge, but to bring God's mercy in the midst of His judgments/chastisements. Ordinary everyday people are suffering and dying as collateral damage between warring factions....can we not pray for them and try to help if we're able. It also prepares the soil for the gospel to be planted.

See if this is helpful as well.....the beginning of sorrows that Jesus talked about, ie, labour pains, which are likened in scripture to God’s judgments (esp. upon Israel): Isa 13:8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. Jer 4:31 For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, and the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that bewaileth herself, that spreadeth her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers. Jer 13:21 What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail? Jer 49:24 Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail. Israel “died” in childbirth as it were....she died in giving birth to the Messiah and His body, the church....this is depicted in the account of Rachel giving birth to Benjamin: Gen 35:16-19 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. .....except that, as another scripture prophesies, it came to pass that Israel gave birth BEFORE her pains (of judgment) came upon her in 70 AD: Isa 66:6-7 Hear that uproar from the city, hear that noise from the temple! It is the sound of the LORD repaying his enemies all they deserve. “Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. So now we see why Jesus, as a faithful prophet of God was forewarning Israel of the coming judgment that would befall her, in Matt. 24 and other gospels, and what he was referencing when He prophesied the beginning of sorrows. (It seems important that we be first grounded in what was being prophesied to Israel, and then we have a solid foundation to stand on, and can go on from there to rightly dividing (Lord willing, with His help) what prophecies might also concern the church, since Israel is the church’s pattern/ensample.)

Goodness. Communism and godless in general often seems to breed incompetence....think that's what the West needs to be aware of now too, unfortunately, increasing ineptitude and disorganization etc. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin brings reproach. Lord, have mercy.

The writer of Acts certainly referenced the blood, fire, smoke, moon part of Joel 2 as being part of what was being fulfilled. There's no question about that....written in ink. He wouldn't have quoted that part otherwise. But what do those things mean? It's illuminating to do word searches, with God's help. Blood...shedding of blood, Christ's blood but also could be referencing the blood soon to be shed in judgment of Jerusalem/Israel. Fire...Holy Spirit and also judgment. Smoke...presence of God and also judgment or presence of God IN judgment. Blood moon....Jesus Christ crucified, His blood shed. (Why the priests looked and watched for new moon, needing two witnesses - Law and Prophets - because the new moon represented the appearing/coming of Messiah who reflected the glory of God - sun - having left His own glory behind in heaven when He came to earth.) Sun turned to darkness is God turning His face away = judgment. Darkness also happened at the crucifixion, Matt 27:45. Earthquake - also associated with the crucifixion and resurrection, Matt 27:54. Mount of Olives represents Jesus when He walked the earth (His feet)...Gethsemane...His body broken, symbolically rent in two like the sacrifices of Abraham that the clay pot passed through. The veil in the Temple rent in two making a way for the faithful to enter the Holy of Holies. When we come to Christ and follow Him we are walking through the valley of the Mount of Olives rent in two....we are like olives being crushed like Jesus was in order to pour out oil.....narrow path/valley. Such beautiful imagery, and we need God's help to apply it all.

Haven’t read the whole thread but what we seem to be seeing in Joel 2 is a prophesying to Israel of both the joy and blessings of the gospel as well as the judgment for rejecting it. The gospel came with the advent of the Messiah/Christ, and the outpouring of the Spirit.....and the judgment part came in 70 AD though the scriptures do not record that. Acts 2 clearly confirms the fulfillment of Joel 2 and directly references (pretty much word for word) both the blessings of knowing Christ, as well as the judgment that was soon to come upon Israel/Jerusalem for rejecting Him. (Those Jews who received Christ escaped the judgment, God spared them....that is well known in church history.) Hope that helps with this subject. Act 2:16-21 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Joe 2:28-32 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. But also want to add that I believe the judgment of Israel is a pattern also for the judgment of the world, at the second coming of Christ. Once again those who know Jesus will escape and be spared the wrath of God, while those who reject Him will be judged. It's just important that we be grounded in understanding how these things were already fulfilled to Israel. Unbelieving Jews are still looking for an earthly kingdom age of Messiah....when in fact that also has already been fulfilled, in the gospel. The Messiah/Jesus is ruling and reigning now. (The kingdom is within us and is by FAITH, not by sight.)

I wondered why they couldn't make the Ukraine neutral territory, but this is the first time I've seen it even mentioned anywhere. It just makes it seem all the more possible that some people actually wanted this war. Instead of being upset with Col. Macgregor and sending him off, I wish the interviewer had asked him what his thoughts were on why Ukraine wasn't made into a neutral buffer zone.

Good reminder for us all brother. We desire the death of no-one. It is even hard to decipher who the bad guy really is sometimes with so many moving parts...when it comes to governments I don't think there really is a good guy anymore, or if there ever even was. All we can do is pray according to the best information we believe we have, that the Lord will show mercy and grant justice to the suffering innocent parties caught up in all this, and pray also that the whole world doesn't catch fire....however He answers is up to Him.

I think this was the spirit of excellence that Daniel had, while in Babylon.

As others have mentioned I agree this has to do with the mercy and favour of God being granted to Gentiles through the gospel. And Ruth gave her son to Naomi, so to speak, who was a Jewess, and this was and is a beautiful picture and foreshadowing of the spirit of adoption. A wonderful thing to point out to Jews when talking about the Messiah and His gospel to them. It is through the mercy shown to the Gentiles that the Jews may now receive mercy.

Amen. Praying they can find all sorts of ways to help, and that Putin will not succeed.

Going by the vein of his rhetoric from the start of the Russian build-up, it almost seemed as though Biden wanted Russia to invade. Wondering if there are reasons behind the scenes why he and other actors would want that. For one thing, why didn't he use America and NATO's military might as a deterrent...isnt' that part of the whole reason for having a strong military and nuclear arsenal?......but instead he showed all his cards to the opponent, publicly announcing well before the invasion that there would be no military intervention. Was this a genuine huge mistake, or deliberate? Might as well have handed Putin an engraved invitation to invade. Now everything is flipped upside down... Putin is holding his nukes over the west....holding all the cards and doing all the saber rattling and making the west dance to his tune. And to think this is all being played out in front of the west's other enemies, Iran, China and North Korea as well. Lord have mercy.

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. It seems that maintaining an active prayer life and being prayerful is one thing that is helpful in keeping us walking in the Spirit and thus not fulfilling the lust of the flesh. The way of escape is in yielding to the Spirit, I believe. Which does involve denying oneself, denying the flesh in other words. "Not my will, but Thy will be done." Amen, even unto death, as the OP is saying.

I believe we need to take into account God's foreknowledge with this. He did indeed create the angels that fell, knowing beforehand that they would fall. Same with mankind. From the beginning He has known everything that is going to happen, everything evil that man and devil, who He created, would do, and taken it all into account already.....He is sovereign over all and is going to prove it in the end. Even where it says no weapon formed against us will prosper...is because He created the devil to make the weapon in the first place. God in His wisdom which is above our wisdom, working all things together for our good..... 2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory Isa 54:16-17 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument (weapon) for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. It should comfort us greatly knowing that all power in the universe is His....that is why it is the Lord God we worship and to Him we appeal in times of trouble...because He has the power over all power. Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

I agree that people are tired of it all....can't keep folks living like prisoners indefinitely and expect them to be happy about it. Certainly is time to learn to live with this virus being around. But I think this protest started out more specifically, as a protest against government overreach in making people lose their livelihoods if they chose not be vaccinated, if I read it right....then it began to gather momentum and blossomed into becoming a vehicle for protesting about things in a more general way. Myself I was glad to see Canadians speaking their minds for a change, and I believe this protest has woken a lot of people up and exposed a lot of things that needed exposing, as well as sent a strong message to governing officials in giving their leash a good yank. But yes, too much horn honking in Ottawa, that must have been torture for the people living there... and it played into Trudeau's hands and gave him the excuse he needed, unfortunately. And the Ambassador bridge protest should have left a lane open for passing traffic, like the Ottawa protest was considerate to do. Oh well, live and learn, I hope.

Spoken like an insane megalomaniac and mad scientist rolled into one. I can still remember when that sort of thing used to be frowned upon.

I guess it depends on what you mean by the church...? There are many believers who are part of the protest (peacefully). That is even why it has been peaceful up to now, I believe.

Narcissists are not able to empathize....if he had any humanity at all he could have easily defused this, extended a little understanding, bent just a little and rolled back the truckers vaccine mandate which made no logical sense to begin with. And who knows who his handlers really are as well....he is robotic and vacuous like someone under a strong cult influence. But now thanks to his mishandling of it the protest has grown to be about so much more than vaccines for truckers. Nevertheless it looks to me as though it is all playing into God's hands, I hope so. Trudeau says he is all for the farmers in India peacefully protesting and affirms the process of negotiation for them...but when it comes to his own electorate he turns up his nose and DISDAINS to dialogue with them. So infuriating. May God duly reward him....hope I'm not wrong in thinking he has already fallen into the pit he dug for others.

I hope the truckers and supporters know that they have already accomplished a lot by doing nothing more than "holding the line". Even if they do nothing further but keep holding the line, this has already been a huge success from where I'm sitting....it just needs a little time to percolate down, so to speak. This has felt like a move of God from the beginning.....and praying it will stay that way as long as we don't try to run on ahead of Him, but stay with Him in what HE is thankfully doing. There are spiritual forces at work here that are much bigger than us mere mortals....without God we can do nothing. The battle truly is the Lord's. It might be worth considering that what gave Trudeau the excuses he needed to invoke the Emergencies Act were only the parts where the truckers went a little too far...blocking traffic on the Ambassador bridge and honking horns too much in Ottawa. God can't bless lawlessness....... and such things also cause people to withdraw their support, thinking politically. Anyway, that's my take.

I hope the protest keeps going, but in a way that does not break any laws or cause too much inconvenience so as to not give Trudeau any more excuses to do anything.....that way if he does, it will only continue to reflect all the more badly on him. Don't let anger or ego entice things to escalate....just be patient and he will be soundly defeated in the next election. We have to remember it's the peacefulness of this protest that has garnered so much support for it and against him politically.....need to keep that going. Wise as serpents, harmless as doves. To avenge is mine, says the Lord.