Not Just in Kenya

When will our leaders wake up and realize Islam is not a religion of peace.  Islamists are led by their father, Satan.  This is a battle between the spiritual worlds and our leaders are blind.  The persecution of nonMuslims – Christians and Jews in particular -  will continue until Jesus returns.  We must arm ourselves with the Word of God and pray without ceasing for our brothers and sisters in harms way.

 

 Jihad in Kenya: Women and children were slaughtered if they could not recite the Koran, Jihadis cut the hands off the bodies of their victims and burned their faces.

 

16 Muslims reportedly rape Christian girl

Pakistani pre-teen refused to renounce faith during assault

 

 

Canadian Woman Opens Up About 460-Day Ordeal With Somali Captors: Forced to Convert to Islam, ‘Starved, Beaten and Sexually Brutalized’

Deception

Just finished reading The Owner's Manual for Christians by Chuck Swindoll.  I really needed it.  Needed to get back to basics, to the Root of the vine - for I was in a place no Christian likes to be but finds themselves from time to time.  You may have been there - that "no man's land" where you find yourself distanced from your Father and questioning everything about religion, church and Christianity.  So I put things aside, slowed down, re-prioritized, reflected and got back to basics. 

The amazing thing is when God gives us confirmation that what we are reading and/or hearing is correct and Biblical.  That's what He did for me this week -  starting with Keith's sermon on Sunday and culminating with Swindoll's book today.  Both referenced Satan and his wily ways.

The physical world upon which we have our feet planted is visible.  It can be measured.  It can be felt.  It has color and odor and texture.  It's tangible, obvious.  What is not so obvious is the system that permeates and operates within lives on this earth.  It is a world system manipulated by the pervasive hand of Satan and his demons, who pull the strings to achieve the adversary's wicked ends.  If we are ever to extricate ourselves from those strings, we must be able to detect them and understand where they lead.

Do not love the world, nor the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world (the cosmos), the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.  And the world is passing away, also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

So what is this system?  What is its philosophy?  What is the frame of reference of the cosmos - its thinking, its drives, its goals?

The first thing we need to know is that it is a system that operates apart from and at odds with God.  It is designed to appeal to us, to attract us, to seduce us with its sequined garb of fame, fortune power, and pleasure.  God's ways are often uncomfortable, but the world system is designed to make us comfortable, to give us pleasure, to gain our favor, and ultimately to win our support.  The philosophy of the world system is totally at odds with the philosophy of God.

Greek grammarian Kenneth Wuest wrote:
Kosmos refers to an ordered system. . . of which Satan is the head, his fallen angels and demons are his emissaries, and the unsaved of the human race are his subjects. . . Much in this world-system is religious cultured, refined, and intellectual.  But it is anti-God and anti-Christ.

Pay close attention to the commercials on television and observe what they're advertising and how virtually every word, picture, and sound is designed to pull you in, to make you dissatisfied with what you have and what you look like and who you are.  The great goal is to make you want whatever it is that is being sold.

But it's not just on television. The world system, the cosmos philosophy, is everywhere.  It's going on all the time, even when you can't see it, and especially when you're not thinking about it.  It's whistling its appeal:  "Come on. Come on. You'll love it.  This is so much fun.  It'll make you look so good, It'll make you feel so good."  It motivates us by appealing to our pride and that that which pleases us, all the while cleverly seducing us away from God.

And over all this realm, don't forget, Satan is prince.

More from The Owner's Manual for Christians by Swindoll to come . . . . . .

Christian Persecution

Here are some excerpts from Walid Shoebat's latest blog.................


Today, Rescue Christians provided significant aid to the Christians of Guinea near Conakry the capitol in Western Africa. About 8 weeks ago in a vicious attack by Muslim mobs, 95 Christians were murdered with 130 injured, as well as the burning of many churches and the destruction of dozens of homes. The population is struggling to recover.




Guinea is about 85% percent Muslim so the Christian population (about 8%) is in grave danger in this country (as they are in many other African countries).


You probably haven't heard much about all the Christian persecution going on in the Middle East lately, so here are some titles from recent articles on the web that will speak volumes on their own:

CAUGHT ON FILM: Churches Burnt And Ransacked In Egypt

 

More Christian Converts Arrested in Tehran and Isfahan

 

Reporter: “monumental attack — unprecedented in modern times — on churches throughout Egypt”

 

Insider In Egypt: Attack On Christians “nothing less than a furious satanic attack”

 

Coptic girl shot in Cairo

 

10,000 Muslims March In Coptic Area Screaming: “Islamic, Islamic, despite the Christians.”

 

Muslims to Christians: “They’re infidels and they’ve built their church without permission”

 

“The Christians in Syria are helpless,” says activist

 

If we think we're having a "bad" day stop and think about these brothers and sisters -  then pray for them.

A Prayer by Charles Swindoll

Father . . . . . dear gracious Father, all of us have experienced failure.  It has left us broken and disappointed in ourselves.  To make matters worse, there are times when a flashback of those failures returns to haunt us.

Renew our hope as we read and reflect on the words of Peter, with whom we so easily identify.  Remind us that, just as You used him after he had failed repeatedly, You will also use us, by Your grace.  And thank You, again, for Your grace.

Father give us grace to match our trials.  Give us a sense of hope and purpose beyond our suffering.  Give us assurance that we're not alone, that Your plan has not been aborted though our suffering intensifies.  Let us never forget that every jolt on this rugged journey from earth to heaven is a reminder we're on the right road.

Lord, since You don't save us and then suddenly take us home to glory, hear our prayer this day as we ask You to bring our attention to those things that will assist us in staying clean in a corrupt world.  Give us an intense distaste for things that displease You and an increased pleasure in things that bring You honor and magnify Your truth.

And, Father lift us out of the mire of our own self-condemnation.  All too frequently we are our own worst enemy.  We focus on our failures rather than on Your rescues. . . on our wrongs rather than on Your commitment to making us right . . . on our puny efforts rather than on Your powerful plans for our good.  Even our attempts at being devoted to You can become so self-centered.  Turn our attention back to You.

Remind us of our exalted position in Your Son.

Refresh us with frequent flashbacks  -  "God is for us."

Lord, renew our spirits with the realization that we're Your possession.

Then, with those joyful thoughts to spur us on, may we rise above failures, find joy in the midst of suffering, grow strong despite temptation, and slay the dragons of guilt within us so we might enjoy more deeply than ever Your ultimate embrace.

Through Christ I pray.
Amen.

Another Holocaust?

What a fallen world we live in where innocent men, women and CHILDREN can be so horribly exterminated in such an inhumane method by their fellow man.  Over 400 precious children lie wrapped in white sheets, row after row, in Syria - the victims of mankind using chemical weapons against them.  Oh Lord, your heart must break over and over for these babes.

And so our leaders discuss what we, as the greatest country in the world (for now), should do.  There are some saying we need to first know without a shred of doubt who is responsible for this attack. Then proceed to punish them with bombs  Others say no matter who has done it, we need to stay out of it - it's not our concern.  There are those who use it for political posturing as that's what everything seems to boil down to in America these days.

I would ask this:  Are we not hypocrites when we condemn those who have hurt and killed innocent lives?  We see the children wrapped in white cloths and we cry.  We cannot understand how anyone could do this.  Yet we do it every day of the week - 24/7 - here in America.  We abort MILLIONS of innocent babes every year, many in late term abortions, and many simply because they are an inconvenience.  Is it any different?  Does God excuse us yet condemn those in Syria?  I think not. 

Wake up America!  Protect your babes!  They cannot speak - no, they cannot scream - they cannot hide.  They lie there in what is supposed to be the most secure and protected place God could place them - inside a mother's womb.  How can we betray them the way we do?  

 

 

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are LIFE, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

 

 

Our Declaration of Independence states that GOD has declared these rights - not us - we are to respect these rights. Let me ask you this - How can one have the right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness if that one doesn't first have the right to life?

 

 

 

 

 



Speak the truth in love

In Ephesians we are told to speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15).  I must admit this particular scripture has given me a lot of angst.  What exactly does "in love" mean?  After all, everyone has their own opinion of what love is -  from flowery language; hugs and kisses or using a soft voice to not saying anything if you can't say something nice.  In today's society we are leaning more and more to the side of political correctness by going so far as to tolerate what we know is sinful behavior.  We fear hurting someones feelings and having others view us in a bad light (their opinion).  Is that really love?  Or is that what we currently define as love?

Throughout time we see different cultures emerge with their own set of standards.  Yet God has one set of standards and those standards have not changed or wavered.  It is our desire to excuse our own sinfulness and to rule our own lives that drives us to change definitions.  When this occurs we Christians need to heed God's word and understand what His definitions mean in our lives.

Below is an article I found as I researched the true meaning of "speaking in love."  It resonates truth to me as the author scours the Scriptures to proclaim God's will for us.  At the end I had to wonder if I was guilty of diluting the truth so many times out of fear of man's opinion when I should have been only concerned about God's opinion.  Man's opinion is tainted - God's opinion is truth in it's purest form.  I am to live for Christ, not for man - and to serve man means to speak the truth - boldly and in love.  Let Christ be my example.  Amen.

SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE

 E. Phillips

". . . But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ." (Eph. 4:15). The setting of this verse indicates that the "speaking in love" concerns the doctrine of Christ which provides the "unity of the Spirit" and opposes the being carried about

with "every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." This speaking in love also concerns the edifying of the body and the putting off of the old man and putting on of the new man; it involves "neither give place to the devil." (vs. 27).

What does Paul mean by "speaking the truth in love"? Does he mean that no plain, condemning of sin, rebuking language should be used? Does he mean that "name calling" should not be used? How shall we go about determining what the apostle meant by "speaking the truth in love"?

 

Before "searching the scriptures" to determine what this expression means, perhaps it is in order to inquire how one tells when another is NOT "speaking the truth in love." What standard is used? What do those who condemn us for not speaking in love mean by "speaking in love"? Some of them

mean that those who speak "boldly" are not speaking in love; others mean that condemning words are not speaking in love; some mean that when a brother's name is used in connection with a false doctrine or practice, it is not speaking in love. Just how do we determine when one is "speaking the truth in love"? Since the apostle Paul was the instrument of the Holy Spirit to pen these words, let us observe how Paul spoke to see what "speaking in love" means?

It means to speak BOLDLY the word of God. "Great is my boldness of speech toward you. . ." (2 Cor. 7:4). It means to use PLAINNESS of speech. "Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech." (2 Cor. 3:12). It includes RUDE (unskilled, unpolished) speech. "But though I be rude in speech. . ." (2 Cor. 11:6). It means to make MANIFEST or to reveal. "That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak." (Col. 4:4). It means to speak to PLEASE God and not men. "But as we were allowed of God to be put in truth with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men,

but God, which trieth our hearts" ( I Thess. 2:4). "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ" (Gal. 1:10). It means to speak the truth without FEAR. "Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid,

but speak, and hold not thy peace." (Acts 18:9). It means to speak to put another to SHAME. "I speak to your shame. . ." (I Cor. 6:5) . It means to speak the TRUTH and only the TRUTH. "Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity." ( I Tim. 2:7).

It means to speak SOUND DOCTRINE. "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine . .. Sound speech, that cannot be condemned. . ." (Titus 2 :1,8). It means not to speak in the ENTICING WORDS of man's wisdom. "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom. . ." (I Cor. 2:4). It means to REPROVE works of darkness. "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Eph. 5:11). It means to REBUKE with all authority, sharply, and before all. "These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority" (Titus 2:15). "This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith" ( Titus 1:13). "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear" (I Tim. 5:20).

 

It means the CALLING OF NAMES. "Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme" ( I Tim. 1:20). "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world. . ." (2 Tim. 4:10). "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works." (2 Tim. 4:14). "But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, and said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?" (Acts 13:8-10).

Whatever "speaking the truth in love" means, it does not forbid speaking boldly, plainly, making manifest, to please God rather than men, to speak without fear, to speak to shame evil doers, speaking only the truth, sound doctrine, reprove with all authority, sharply and before all, and calling names of those in sin.

Christ is also a good example of speaking sharply and directly to sinners of their sin. Read the 23^rd chapter of Matthew where Jesus condemned the religion of the scribes and Pharisees in no uncertain terms. Was Christ speaking in love? In Revelation 3:19 Jesus said this: "As many as I love, I rebuke

and chasten. . ." To rebuke sin is to speak in love.

False teachers usually deceive by appearing to speak in love. This impresses those who do not care

for the truth. The doctrines of devils include "speaking lies in hypocrisy. . ." (I Tim. 4:2). Even some elders arise "speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20:30). This is not speaking the truth in love. Some men use "good words and fair speeches" to "deceive the
hearts of the simple." (Rom. 16:18). Some "speak great swelling words of vanity" to "allure through the lusts of the flesh" (2 Pet. 2:18). All of this could not be "speaking the truth in love" by Paul's own definition of it.

Most of those who criticize for speaking boldly and plainly the truth of God, and rebuking with all authority, sharply and before all, think of the love as applying to the individual to whom the preaching is done. They view it as loving sinners so as not to hurt their feelings and expose their error too sharply. The real meaning of "speaking the truth in love" is to have that love for Christ, for the truth, for the church, and for the lost souls of men so as to hold nothing back that is profitable for them. Some have not the love for the truth that they might be saved. (2 Thess. 2:10). We must love the truth more than the "feelings" of men.

Our attitude must be right even in speaking sound doctrine. To preach Christ without sincerity just to add affliction to someone, or out of envy and strife, is not right (Phil. 1:15,16). But this is not determined by the boldness and plainness of speech, nor by sharply rebuking sinners and erring

brethren before all. We make no apology for speaking the truth in love. This writer is not conscious of having ever written or spoken in envy, strife or bitterness. At the same time he intends to continue to speak the truth in love just as it was done by Christ and the apostles. As I find it written
in the Book of books, I shall continue to speak it with boldness and plainness of speech, God being my helper. If I know my own heart I desire none to be lost, but all to come to repentance and be saved.

 

 

 

 

 

If we take responsibility for what we seek,

God will determine what we will be.

 

 

Charles Swindoll, The Owner's Manual for Christians