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RECAP NEWSLETTER - 1/10/5 Issue 28 When this woman poured out her ointment at Jesus' feet, the reaction by those who considered themselves religious was one of contempt. For them, a great waste had been made. They reasoned that instead of the self-sacrifice that she made for Christ, she could have been involved in more social programs, such as giving to the poor. Christ's reaction helps put everything in perspective. What is ultimately important in our life? Christ remarked that anyone can give to the poor, at any time, and that the job will never be done. It is still necessary, needful, and proper; but, compared to what she had just done, it was not that important. She gave all that she had to offer to Christ. She did not give it up for the approval of the religious leaders, she gave it directly and completely to Him. Christ gave her a great commendation when he stated, "she hath done what she could..." What about us in our Christian life? Do people look at us and shake their heads thinking we are throwing away talents when we could be using them for personal gain instead? Do we only give what anyone else gives, or does not stick out or appear socially-unacceptable? Some criticize certain Christians because they give up promising careers to become missionaries, to forgo weekend sports to minister in evangelization or missions work, or give their money to helping others instead of buying a new TV. Many men are 'pitied' because they gave up 'respectable' occupations to become ministers of the Word. Who cares what the world thinks about your motives! Luke 14:26 says, "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." Count the cost! Are you striving for the approval of your father, mother, wife, or even your children instead of God? Are you more concerned about what will be said about you than what Christ thinks? Our relationship and devotion to Christ, compared to worldly relationships, should outshine them completely. When you get to Heaven, are you going to be content with Christ saying, "Welcome to Heaven?" Is your service for Him so little that when you get to Heaven, He will not say anything but gesture to the door? I do not want Him to say just "welcome to Heaven", or "Welcome Home" - I want Him to say like Matthew 25:21, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Everything I have in this life I should bring to His feet just like the woman did. I want my Saviour to be able to turn to one of the angels, and say, "He has done what he could." Am I doing all that I can do? Can He say about me or you, "well, he could have AT LEAST have given some to the poor..." "They did not do nearly what they could have done..." "They did all that they could for the world, and left little for Me." What is He saying about you now?
MISC THOUGHTS I just finished reading the biography of Fanny Crosby, the great hymn writer. I am humbled and rebuked that this woman, though blind, served God with a desire, energy, and reckless abandon that I need in my life. She gave all that she could, despite handicaps that would send most others reaching for the anti-depressant pills. She worked long hours writing thousands of hymns, in inner-city missions, helped the poor, decidedly remained poor most of her life to give to others, and never gave up, even into her nineties. She accomplished so much with what some would consider so little. She had a mind, though, and at an early age worked to improve her memorization to where it was legendary. It caught my attention that even in the first decade of the 1900s, she recognized the spiritual and moral slips that America was taking. "She was convinced the strength of a nation lay in family and home life; when that broke down, so did the nation." She also said, "When I was a child, this book [the Bible] had a practical place both in home and nation. ...No Christian nation can be great which ignores the Sacred Book..." "And America could not endure 'if the heads of the families are prayerless.'" "Fanny said she felt it was impossible for the nation to survive with 'prayerless Presidents.'"
I most heartily recommend you read the biographies of William Carey,
George Muller, and others who have gone before us, setting an example in
life and faith that is foreign to many in our current generation.
CURRENT EVENT RECAP First off, there were several reflections on the Indian Ocean tsunami that showed deeper spiritual issues. One of the first major reactions that the media focused on was the Archbishop of Canterbury who admitted "How can you believe in a God who permits suffering on this scale?" For many churches and ecumenical pastors that teach that God only does kind things and is Love, not Just, this tsunami is a hard pill to swallow. Obviously, if you teach that, you cannot even entertain the idea that perhaps God has used natural disasters to judge people before (Amos 1:1), and that 'bad' things can just happen to both good and bad (Luke 13:4, Matthew 5:45). If you only study the warm, fuzzy select verses that make you feel good and guilt-free, then you cannot fit God into your definition of God when He acts like He really is, and you do not accept that this world is the last vestiges of a gangrene, sin-laden corpse that is a shell of what God originally created it as - because that would be depressing. One of the best comments and reflections I have heard on the tsunami is from the German cardinal who stated, "People ask how God could allow this flood.. what are you complaining about?', 200,000 children are aborted each year in Germany." Many nations murder, butcher, and slaughter more children, by themselves, each year than this one tsunami killed in one hour. I had to do a little looking to find that there are at least 10 million abortions in Asia each year, with three million just in Indonesia alone (as late as 2000). In my article, "Why Would God Judge America", I show several times in the Bible that God has destroyed cities and nations *specifically* for killing the innocent. Why do good people suffer? Because the consequences of sin do not just affect the sinner; and, silence gives consent. Is God just in taking maybe 200,000 lives for the murder of 10 million? 2 Kings 24:4 "And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he [Manasseh] filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon." Joel 3:19 "Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land." How long before it is America's turn? Considering that Bush's AG nominee is Gonzales, we know we will not be changing abortion anytime soon here. At his confirmation hearings, asked about the Roe v. Wade, he said, "As far as I'm concerned, it is the law of the land and I will enforce it." As far as he is concerned?! Is shedding innocent blood just another legal piece of paper to him? This is whom our 'Christian' President picked? Well, we should not be surprised, since he has stated that abortion is not a policy priority (2001), and that he thinks America is not ready for Roe v. Wade to be overturned (2003). What kind of nation have we become? Two articles were listed this week that pertained to Hitler's Germany. The first one was about a documentary-style movie that showed how "escapist entertainment" was used to promote the Nazi ideology and "bolster the veneer of normalcy." Seventy years ago, the media was THE main avenue by which people were changed. And for some reason today people, especially Christians, have the naive notion that mainstream media is not controlled, and that they are not affected by watching or indulging in such entertainment. Seventy years ago it was the norm in almost every country! The US used the media to shape ideas about Germany, Japan, etc., and visa versa. Everything from commercials, intermissions, movies, posters, newspapers, and radio was used to communicate and direct. Morals, lifestyle, language, ideals, and more are swayed by "escapist entertainment." A great quote regarding this is, "If you are not outraged, then you are not paying attention!" As Christians, we should be aghast and abhorred at what is going on in this world, but too often we are not paying attention - because our favorite sitcom is on. I heard AK senator, Jim Holt give a convicting speech this week about how God impressed on him one day, "Jim, is all of your money mine? Yes, Lord. Then why do you spend my money to go see movies where they take my name in vain?" Psalms 101:3 "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me." The second historical note regarding Germany was an article about the Hitler Youth. It noted that one of the influencing factors on that generation was the "political-social system their elders handed them that determined the way they would go." They were not necessary forced into believing and accepting Nazi ideologies overnight. They were blended with deliberate social programs, entertainment, and activities that at first seemed innocuous. This article reminded me of another article from this week that mused over whether our new army recruits are already pre-programmed for violence by the television and video games from our society. They have (on average) "watched 100,000 acts of televised violence, including 8,000 depictions of murder, by the time he or she finished the sixth grade..." Can you deny the notion that perhaps there is a deliberate and concerted effort to degrade the minds of the current generation when "the level of [violence] during Saturday morning cartoons is higher than the level of violence during prime time programming" by about 5 to 1?! Get your kids, spouse, and yourself away from the television. Again, be alert to what your children are being taught in your local schools. There is an increasing public and deliberate attempt to teach all children about 'diversity' and 'tolerance'. It is an ironic note this week that even communist China recognizes that phone sex and other sexual mores "depraves social morals, and especially bring great harm to the country's young minds." They have recently shut down eighty-seven such call centers. Another interesting note from abroad is that Israel (at least in the religious echelons) is very ready for who they call the Messiah to appear. At least two rabbis this week stated that the Messiah (who they think he is, in fact Antichrist) is already in Israel, and could be revealed at any moment. Several weeks ago we saw the Sanhedrin re-forming, and other events that would need to be in place to deceive the nation of Israel into receiving one calling himself Messiah. Sadly, they are getting ready for what they think is Messiah's coming, and most Christians are instead having another third round of forty days of 'purpose.' Christians are so blind. Bush was going to use the Masonic bible for his first oath, but wasn't able to due to a snowstorm. This year he is going to use his family Bible again (tradition supposedly), but the Masonic bible will be on hand if he changes his mind at the last moment. Most people (saved and unsaved) think he is a dedicated (if not insane) Christian. However, he knows more than you think. He knows full well what he is doing. You do not belong in occult societies such as Bohemian Grove, Skull and Bones, and not have an inkling of what the Masonic beliefs really are. While standing in the belly of Molech, looking down the center of the Masonic compass street layout at the great obelisk sitting on a circle (Washington monument), he will be perfectly aware and familiar with their symbolism. For more information, infowars.com has some good information related to his involvement and blatant occult symbolism in our nation's capital, but use discernment. lasttrumpetministries.org with Pastor David Meyer has a wealth of information (but only if you have a lot of time to read and sort through his newsletters). On the military front... Our forces are being stretched even more with the tsunami relief. Since the bulk of our forces are in two countries playing occupier, our naval forces whose normal purpose is to deter aggression by China and North Korea, are being siphoned away to help deliver food and maintain order. That may or may not be needful, but Army leaders have already had to use emergency powers to increase the active ranks of soldiers, using reservists who are facing longer tours of duty and more frequent call-ups. Lt. General James Helmly wrote that the reserves are "rapidly degenerating into a broken force" and even commented that the Reserves are "in grave danger of being unable to meet other operational requirements." I've said it before, but if we are having to do some juggling to help out with this natural disaster, what will happen when something major happens in our country? I can guarantee you, that we will be forced by situation into accepting foreign troops to 'assist'. Lucky for us, the US House today passed a 'doomsday' provision "that would allow a handful of lawmakers to run Congress if a terrorist attack or major disaster killed or incapacitated large numbers of congressmen." " ...`Changing what constitutes a quorum in this way would allow less than a dozen lawmakers to declare war on another nation,'' Baird said." I'm not worried about that last part - one person was able to do it by himself with Iraq. Congress is a rubber-stamp. This is just done for the people's ears as a 'necessary evil', justifying what is coming later. More and more cities are making it harder to own guns. San Francisco is considering banning handguns. Never mind that statistics clearly show that crime will skyrocket. Although the proper role of local government is to maintain the law and order, it is also your job to do the same before theirs. You (if you are a parent) are your family's first line of defense. Please read my article "Tempting God: The Errors of Presumed Protection" A quick note on economic stuff... Recent job reports seem to be making the dollar regain ground, and make gold prices drop a bit. Remember that this almost always happens when a job report comes out, then later the numbers turn out to be wrong, and stock confidence drops again. That is also a bunch of baloney. Unemployment and other statistic reports are amazingly easy to manipulate to say what you want to say. Are you talking about new jobs, or just a drop in the people that are no longer eligible for continued unemployment compensation? Corporate earnings can also be manipulated. The GDP, CPI, etc. are not worthy gauges either. Inflation, massive deficit, and fiat money are the problems we are dealing with. The roller coaster stock and dollar game allow a few more people to be suckered into loosing their money. Get out of stocks and bonds. Invest in tangible monetary assets such as gold and silver, and perhaps the euro. Already the US has to convert dollars to other currencies to pay for imports. Isaiah 55:2 "Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness."
Ecclesiastes 7:12 "For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but
the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have
it."
REMINDERS & PRAYER REQUESTS
Pray for our President that if he is not saved, he will come to the true
knowledge of Jesus Christ. Pray that he will work to the protection
of the American people, and the punishment of the wicked.
Pray for the requests in PrayerList, and also in iChurches.
May God richly bless,
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