AnExample

Jesus' ministry on earth was to teach, preach, prophesize, & heal (spirit, soul, and body). The gifts of healing are power gifts. They were used then and should be used now to draw mankind to the Father and Son. These are the gifts that cause men to believe in who Christ is. I believe this because if you look at the miracles Jesus did, after having witnessed the power of God, many believed on His name and the ministry (church) grew. Jesus said that whoever believes in Him, they will do the works that He does and greater. John 14:10-14 10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. 12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. So we as believers and followers of Jesus should approach miracles as a extension of God's love and power to redeem those who are lost. In the last days, we will see more and more manisfestation of God's awe and power...to be shown for the expressed purpose of leading unbelievers to Christ and strengthening the faith of believers. We must speak of miracles, personal experiences (our testimonies) to show people that God is alive and busy. (God will tell you when to speak and what to say) God gets the glory because it's a display of Jesus' victory over sickness, disease, and power over demons. Fear not.

That's why the days are shorten...for the very elects sake!

True He gives us free will choice. And as it pertains to control read what I posted in Prophecy titled End Times.

I am reminded of the 3 angels on their way to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah by way of Abram's tent. When the Lord tells Abram of his plan to destroy the cities. Abram begs for the lives of 50, then 40, then 30, etc. God said He would not destroy the cities if there were "x" number of righteous people. What did He do? God instructed Lot and his family to leave. Then God destroyed the cities. Lots wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt.

I have had this reoccuring dream since I was a child in which everything outside in every direction is ablaze. So much so, that everything is fire red and burnt orange. I am standing on a balcony watching everything unfold. I see low flying machines taking out targets...killing people. The machine sees me on the balcony and attempts to pursue me; however, I am always able to get away. There are more than one of these flying machines. They are everywhere in hot pursuit of people and destroying things as they go. Can't see who is flying the machine.

What does the Bible generally say about what it will look like as we approach the end times? People will kill you(christians) thinking they do God a service. Thus, the persecution of the church/believers The world will hate us. They will hate the name of Jesus Christ. Many come saying they are Christ. Wars and rumors of wars Nations rise up against nations and kingdoms against kingdoms. False prophets deceive many. People will wax cold and turn from the faith. There will be a falling away. The gospel shall be preached in all nations. ****************************************************************** Attack on the Family The things I mention below meerly are setting the stage for the downward spiral of life as we know it. The attack is on the head of the family (husband and wife). Divorce is running rampede. Increasingly more children are being raised in single family households. The standard of living for the average American family has diminished. In families where two parents must work, government paid or backed caregivers are raising children. Parents have lost their authority to discipline their children. As a result, the children are out of control. Government has more say so in how children are being raised and are making laws limiting the authority of parents, yet holding parents responsible when their children do not act appropriately. In some states, parents are summoned to court when their child is truant; however, parents can not discipline them without fear of retaliation. Children no longer feel they must obey/honor their parents. Courts are allowing them to divorce their parents. Parents have less influence as to what their children are being taught in school. Men are being sent to prison in record numbers. Men are ordained by God to be providers for their families. Unemployment in the country is approaching alarming rates. Typically wars have jump started economies. Not so with the Iraq war. We've spent 2 trillion dollars already. Elementary children are being dispensed contraceptives in school without the parents knowledge. The attack on the sanctity of marriage as ordained by God. The attack on right-to-life groups. Attack on Freedom of Speech/civil liberties in the name of protection from terrorist. Recently a young man was at a debate. He was questioning the candidates when they turned off his microphone. He continued to ask questions; the police physically escorted him out of the building...taking him to jail. People are not allowed to question authority without the threat of consequences. Day by day other civil liberties are erroding. Lots of Cameras in public places monitoring where you go and what you're doing. Use of cell phones in certain locals are banded. Smoking in certain areas are banded. Ambiguity in elections go unchallenged. Phone taps The New World Order is slowly gaining footage in this country and throughout the world. The right to pray in school. The Ten Commandments in Court houses removed. Prayer before open assemblies protested. One of greatest watch dog agencies that is suppose to protect civil liberties has progressively worked to erode Christian principles from the fabric of our lives. God's name being taken out of public assemblies and lowered to reflect whomever you deem God to be. The country is looking less like a nation founded on Christian principles, but now is a watered-down version with a few semblances of the one True God. Christians are viewed as the enemy. More and More this nation is worshipping a false gods of money/greed, sensuality, and power. The country has grown is lukewarm. More and more we look like Sodom and Gomorrah. Technology has mastered the technique to put microchips into dogs and humans. The financial systems of the world are controlled by a few people who I believe are members of an elite secret society. There are new diseases that are now without cures. Poverty is stretched beyond third world nations. Military members are forced to take shots that have not been tested for how it might affect them. Unemployment is approaching record numbers and we teeter at the mouth of recession. Little or no health insurance for x number of Americans Social security is nearly broke, many can't save for latter years if their not working now. The cost of higher education is nearly out of reach for what used to be categorized as middle class Americans. (now there are the nearly poor and the extremely wealthy.) The categories are mixed up a little; however, I think you will get the picture. As rights slowly erode, America has become less and less a land of freedom. When our rights are slowly taken away, we don't bark as loudly about it because it's viewed as "oh, that will help protect the country or that doesn't affect me." When they have successfully alienated us by taking our personal rights, they focus more on our religous freedoms. Above, I've simply illuminated how life in America is changing. How there is such a great disparity between those who have and those who don't.

I believe it's the spirit of the anti-Christ as is anything that is contrary to the word of God.

While I generally see the point of the offense, I am reminded of scripture that instructs us not to make idols of things. Exodus 20:4 You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. Even though the sculpture was depicting Jesus, how we perceive or view it is wherein the problem lies. Yes, the descraction of this sculpture could have been an attack on Christ, but it was just a statue/an idol because certainly isn't Jesus Himself or His name.

God judges the heart. Let God be this Pastor's judge!

Yes, there are specific demons of affliction and disease, drug use and such. I doubt divorce. But there are generational curses that include divorce and broken relationships, drug use and alcoholism in families. You cannot, however, go looking for a demon around every corner and behind every trouble. Trouble comes from plain old sin. Humans are unspeakably evil also! Good answer! However, your statement about human being unspeakable evil should lend itself to the unsaved because we are new creatures in Christ Jesus. The old man is gone and the new man appears. It simply has to be nourished and grown.

Sounds like every Christian's struggle with satan, he's always trying to cause doubt in followers of Jesus. I don't know if that was her case or not. Early summer, I was speaking to my brother-in-law about Jesus and I asked him: If Mother Teresa were to stand in front of God and tell Him how many good works she's done to deserve Heaven but she never believed in Jesus, would she still be allowed into Heaven? Then I asked: If a man who spent his life living in sin and self service trusted Jesus just before he died, would he be allowed into Heaven? I had to explain why it wouldn't be Mother Teresa if she didn't believe in Jesus. He thought that was ridiculous. I got verbally crucified by my husband's catholic-professing family for that one... Cajunboy:::: I think a lot of her life that was written about is just another way the media (ie. Life Magazine) can throw rocks at the Catholic Religion! You know guys, I don't know if anyone has thought about it but actally, "each time we sin, aren't we basically saying that we are doubting the validity of God just a bit more? If you truly trusted God and HIS promises for us, wouldn't we NOT SIN instead? " At least Mother Thresa was honest enough knowing that the media and public was always scrutinizing her EVERY word. Let's not be comfused about who is at battle here. It's not the church that is the target! It's Jesus Christ! God Himself is the target because the war is not between flesh and blood. The war is between God and satan and satan is trying to render us ineffective. How it manifests itself in the natural (world) realm is through the struggles of people like Mother Theresa, you and I. satan can only mess with the mind and body, but not the spirit man. satan tried to wear her down...render her ineffective for the cause of Christ Jesus. Now I don't know if she got into heaven, but I would venture to say that we she stands before that Great White Throne...she's getting in. Through her letters, we get to see her as human. At Gethsamene, we saw Christ's human nature...remember Christ is fully man and fully God.

While we are Christians...believers in Christ Jesus, we are not all eating on the meat of the word, which is why scriptures refers to milk. Babies only drink milk and they don't eat solid food. Their digestive systems can not tolerate it. So as Holy Spirit grows the new believer, he or she is able to begin to eat word that is more difficult to chew. Having said that, I also want to talk a little about the brother or sister in Christ who doesn't study to grow. There are a lot of us out there. The word of God tells us to study to show ourselves approved. 2 Tim. 2:15. You made reference to "what was done for them on the cross"...us. A lot of Christians inmature and mature don't see the cross as the pinnacle of their Christian life. You might ask...what do I mean by that? When Jesus Christ went to the cross He carried the sins of the world, on the cross He finished His redemptive work, after the cross He resurrected with us and ascended into heaven. After the Holy Spirit knudges us, saves us and we confess our sins and that we are in need of a Savior, we are to walk to the other side of the cross, which represents living in victory through Christ Jesus. Our names change and our minds are renewed. Many of us continue to walk in the life of the old man rather than the new life we have in Christ. We as believers must learn to walk in victory in order to live a victorious life. Victorious living is not self motivated or driven. It is being driven by walking in the Spirit. When we walk in the Spirit, the flesh has no power over us. We are also more in tuned with the Holy Spirit and He is able to guide us through life and direct our paths. The word tells us that in this life there will be trouble; but, because of the victory we have in Jesus, we can walk victoriously through adversity. That is how God gets the glory through our lifestyles. We place all our confidence in Him. God has given all men natural talents and and all His children who are part of the body, spiritual gifts. I know that speaking in tongues is a gift that many in the body do not believe are real for today. However, I know that God's word is the living word and living word is life...a continuous eternal application for generations. Unfortunately, some Christians are not seeing with spiritual eyes and have unteachable spirits, which means that they will have a more difficult time moving into the supernatural realm or spiritual realms. I believe that as we draw nearer and nearer to end times, there will be more of a outpouring of the Spirit of God because He says it in His word. Acts 2:17 Also there are many scriptures on spritual gifts, to include tongues. Some embrace the word of God, but only take what seems right or natural to them. We have to keep all believers in prayer. However, the word says there will be a falling away from the faith. satan is the deciever and he is on his j o b.

All signs are in place.

Father God, We thank you for all things. For we know Father that from you all blessings flow. Even the blessings that cause men to repent and turn to you. We thank you Father that you are a loving Father. A Father who is always with us, who will never leave nor forsake us. We thank you Father that you are a Sovereign Lord. That you are in control of every and all situations. We thank you Father that through your Holy Spirit Father that you draw men unto yourself. We stand in agreement Lord lifting up all the nations of the world, standing as intercessors for them who do not yet know you. As Creator and Sustainer of the world Lord God, we know that you Father get the final victory. We also know Father that as your people, we will humble ourselves and pray, you will heal our lands. So we come Lord with expectation, Father, that you will do as you said you would do. We lift up Turkey, Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, Russia, China, Japan, the United States, Canada, Germany, Great Britian, South America, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Spain, Holland, Luxemburg, Belgian, Africa, Cambodia, Vietnam, Guam, the Phillipens (sp.), and others that I have not mentioned. Father let your fire fall throughout these countries. Let people get saved from the Presidents to the peasants, Lord God. Let your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name, Amen

The technology agewas backed by wealthy people who were foreward thinkers. They invested in technology and in people like Bill Gates. As corporations made decisions that impacted their staying power, they had to be forward thinkers. For some, it meant diversifying. For others, it meant making investments in technology. At any rate, they looked at trends and kept up with "change". It's the difference between becoming extinct or not. It is true, at least in America, that there is a large disparity between the have and have nots. While technological advances may have presented challenges for the moderately educated, the root cause of it all is GREED. The wealthy own everything; they have overwhelming power (influence) in world situations. They chose/choose to put their power (money) and influence where it benefits them. Most no one does anything unless they see a personal benefit. Remember, God knows the heart. And while it might be true that large corporations have large philantropic history...remember, they get tax right offs (what's in it for them). While it may seem that I am implying that wealthy people are controlled by greed...I am not. What I am saying, however, it that most of them would not give up their personal billions/millions to create situations in which no one in their country suffers. Truly giving to the poor i.e. the military wife who lost her husband fighting for freedom in America in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. Say she has two children (ages newborn and 3) she needs to raise those children, keep a roof over their heads, and send them to college. Otherwise, they don't stand a chance at making it. Sure, they'll get social security, but that's not much. How does she make ends meet? Or what about the father who looses his wife to breast cancer? They have four children. Why not pay off their homes and provide for the college education of their children? Why not replace the income they lost as of result of the tradegy they faced? I suggest doing "real" philatrophy. In my opinion, it is always necessary to associate what's happening in the natural world with the war going on in the spiritual realm. satan is the God of this world.

We have to remember that there are so many faiths that call themselves Christians. Christians, not that you need a lesson, are followers of Christ Jesus who believe in His Diety (fully God and fully man), His Virgin Birth, His death, burial, & resurrection (and ascension), the Holy Trinity, and His emminent return, Salvation through Faith in Jesus' redemptive work, Saved through Grace, etc. There are so many who believe in a watered-down Christianity. That the believer holds no responsibility for their behavior...they are quick to site obedience as legalism. What does this have to do with what you've said...let me think... Hypocrites are everywhere; and, so are wheat and tares, and sheep and goats. Those who belong to Christ...hear His voice and obey. I can't see God telling anyone to make horror movies so you can then us them capitate audiences attention later to draw them to me. That's absurb! I refer to one of the film directors comments. However, I do believe there is a remnant in Hollywood.

We will continue to see "the falling away" because of the days in which we live. The pursuit is the love of money and a desire to be "politically correct." Both of which are fleeting aspirations because the eternal gain is...hell bound/lake of fire bound. There is no fear of God...but, a greater fear of man and of losing capital.

Let me sum this up...attack on American Families!

Please allow me to sum this up...GREED!