Tuesday, January 29, 2013

ALTERNATIVE TO THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA?

LIBERALISM LED TO FORMATION OF AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRLS  



Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea....Mark 9:42

So here we go again - yet another traditionally honorable institution which affects millions of families and young men in America - is about to be destroyed by men who have sold their souls to the social mores of the times; the pressure of selfish hedonist people and even, political leaders. This follows hard on the heels of people in authority ordering the Publishers of God's Word - the Tyndale Bible folks of Illinois - to pay for contraceptives and abortion pills!

There is no concern for the lives, emotional well-being and religious beliefs of the 99.9% of the families involved. Then with tin ears and no discernment, the leaders of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) down in of all places - Texas - had the nerve to attempt to wiggle out of their outrageous decision by throwing the "states rights" type of proposal. Here is what their statement said on January 28, 2013 "BSA members and parents would be able to choose a local unit that best meets the needs of their families. The policy change under discussion would allow the religious, civic, or educational organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting to determine how to address this issue. The Boy Scouts would not, under any circumstances, dictate a position to units, members, or parents. Under this proposed policy, the BSA would not require any chartered organization to act in ways inconsistent with that organization's mission, principles, or religious beliefs,"  Deron Smith, BSA Director of Public Relations said to the CHRISTIAN POST.

That politically correct statement means absolutely nothing. All the BSA corporate leadership did here was open up poor little churches who host their local sons in troops, inside their buildings, endless targeting by the same people who caused this change in direction. There will be lawsuits filed against them by these people, who care not a wit for any boy scout because their focus is their own agenda. In towns and cities where there is no local church to host, Boy Scout troops will be thrown out of public buildings like schools, community centers etc unless the local Scout Leaders compromise their beliefs and their troop's moral integrity to the current prevailing ill-winds.

So what should the response be?

Well, thank God again, for the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Along with a few other people, including Cardinal Dolan of New York, the SBC has stood strong and exposed the BSA for trying to get them (the SBC) to not oppose this.  Therefore, first expect and massive exodus from the Boys Scouts of America. Expect several scouts, including current and past Eagles, to turn in their badges. While the political leadership shows its consent by its silence, the people will not allow their children to be used as pawns in this rigged chess game.


Secondly, it will not be long before enterprising Americans - who are Christians and grounded in traditional values - will create a new private organization like AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRLS (AHG). The AHG is growing by leaps and bounds ever since they rose out of the ashes the once thriving Girl Scouts of American when of a huge numbers of families who left. The Girl Scouts have been way ahead of BSA in selling out to the world. They allowed their troops to replace the word "God" from their guidebooks and banned even generic prayer. There are other controversies which are not worth mentioning here.


The new Boy Scout Organization have a template to follow here from AHG, which was founded by parents of West Chester, Ohio! AHG is now in 48 states and 7 other countries.
Here are some of the timeless and God-fearing values of American Heritage Girls, which will help families who will leave in an massive exodus from the Boy Scouts of America, in the very near future:

American Heritage Girls is a Christ-centered leadership and
character development ministry.
The following Statement of Faith applies to all American Heritage Girls'
Charter Organizations, Adult Members and Adult Leaders.
"We believe that there is One Triune God – Father, Jesus Christ His one and only Son, and the Holy Spirit – Creator of the universe and eternally existent. We believe the Holy Scriptures (Old and New Testaments) to be the inspired and authoritative Word of God. We believe each person is created in His image for the purpose of communing with and worshipping God. We believe in the ministry of the Holy Spirit who enables us to live a Godly life. We believe that each individual is called to love the Lord their God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength; and to love their neighbors as themselves. We believe that each individual is called to live a life of purity, service, stewardship and integrity."

Clarity is further provided to the following terms: 

Purity – An AHG member is called to live a life of holiness, being pure of heart, mind, word and deed, reserving sexual activity for the sanctity of marriage; marriage being a lifelong commitment before God between a man and a woman.

Service – An AHG member is called to become a responsible member of their community and the world through selfless acts, which contribute to the welfare of others.

Stewardship – An AHG member is called to use their God given time, talents and money wisely.

Integrity – An AHG member is called to live a moral life, demonstrating the inward motivation to do what is right, regardless of the cost  
(Source: American Heritage Girls. Click here for their website


Monday, January 28, 2013

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF FOCUSED PRAYER

     PRAYER LOG FOR THIRTY ONE DAYS OF PRAYER!

No matter what other articles or videos are posted, this thread will be updated daily as to the Prayer Word and Verse for the Day to think/meditate upon. PLEASE PRAY INTO EVERY WORD OF EVERY VERSE HERE, WHICH THE LORD HAS SPOKEN.

DAY 1: DETERMINATION...."And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.....Luke 9:62 (KJV).
ACTION: Pray that the Lord leads you to look forward with anticipation to the High Calling of being on your knees as a servant before Him. Don't fret all the things you have to give up in the natural, but thank Him He even considers a wretch like us, to be His mouthpiece!

DAY 2: REJUVENATE...."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....Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
ACTION: The word REJUVENATE means "to restore to original condition". When we are born again, through repentance and belief in Christ (& the Gospels) we are restored to the original relationship God had with Adam! Thank God for Faith and what it really means to be restored, regardless of our current temporary condition, of living in this mortal flesh!

DAY 3: LOYALTY....And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD....2 Samuel 23:16 (KJV)
ACTION: These three of David's loyal soldiers risked life and limb to break through enemy lines, just because their commander David expressed a desire for some water of this particular well. But David was so touched and AWARE of their sacrifice that He made a drink offering to the LORD Our God rather than drink it himself...no matter how thirsty he was! Each man proved himself loyal: the three mighty men to David and David to God. Are you this loyal? Would you have done the same? Look deep into your soul to see if is the case.

DAY 4: PURSUIT...."With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments....Psalm 119:10 (KJV)
ACTION: Man does not seek after God, the Bible says so. It is God Who pursues us, until we either respond or reject Him. Those of us who lovingly, gratefully and mightily accept this Great Pursuit are in AWE of the Hound of Heaven Who seeks after us the way He did! The Psalmist in today's verses "SOUGHT" God with his ENTIRE being, along with his spiritual heart. This is that the verb "wander" signifies. He did NOT commit physical sin because of his own Pursuit, after God had captured his heart and soul. Are you NOW, TODAY or ever in "hot pursuit" after Him like this? Do you love Him enough to chase after the things He loves, so you can love those too? Consider that.....

DAY 5: UNDENIABLE...."But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellencies of the power may be of God, and not of us....2 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV)
ACTION: The power, majesty and Sovereignty of God are undeniable. Everything is created by, through, of and for Him and is OWNED by Him, not us. From the very minute we awake to laying down to sleep, even our breath is His. Therefore, can you and I submit today? Can we put aside our fleshly tendencies to want/have/do it OUR way? Should we? Yes! Look deep inside, we are still holding on to an awful lot of human and spiritual pride. Today- well....dispose of it!

DAY 6: AUTHENTIC...."But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees;[a] for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart....1 Samuel 16:7
ACTION: Shakespeare once said "be true to thyself and thou shall not be false to any man". One of the definition of the word "authentic" is being "accurate in representation of the facts; trustworthy...and genuine", according to most dictionaries.  The world can spot a fake Christian over a period of time, after observing the speech and actions of that person. God sees our actions, intentions and our spiritual heart, which is who we really are. If we say we are a Christian, we are saying we are a reflection of Christ. Would both God and those around you agree with that?

DAY 7: REST...."Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience....Hebrews 4:11.
ACTION: Read Hebrews 11 chapter 3:7 through chapter 4:13. Pray for revelation and discernment about this powerful message and passage from the Lord . What is God's "rest" and how difficult it is to live in - DAILY - a state of resting in the Lord?  A person can be both busy, hardworking and always on the go, while at the same time, functioning from the assurance which God's Rest gives. Are you that kind of a person?

DAY 8: TESTIMONY...."And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death....Revelation 12:11
ACTION: The word "Testimony" means the giving of evidence in support of facts. In personal terms, it serves as evidence of a life completely converted, rejuvenated and turned around by Jesus Christ. If a person does NOT have a testimony, they have not been saved. Do YOU have a testimony? Can you "testify" under oath...give evidence to...and speak publicly about HOW and WHEN Jesus Christ changed your life? Can you?

DAY 9: COMMAND...."This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success....Joshua 1:8
ACTION: This COMMAND from Joshua to the Israelites entering Canaan is for all people of all time. The book of the Law of God - Bible - is for all generations until He comes. Our calling is the following:  NOT to let it depart from our mouths/hearts/minds; to meditate on it always and to walk carefully in Holiness! We can do this! We can do this! Come on now! This is what brings us the victory, in Jesus' Name!

DAY 10: CHOOSE...."And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD....Joshua 24:15.
ACTION: Yogi Berra said when "you come to a fork in the road, take it". Don't get your theology from men, but from God. The choice today is before us on the road of Life. We can choose to fool ourselves and walk with the perishing world in all its sin, perversion, corruption and evil, while thinking we are serving God, thinking He is okay with that....or we can simply CHOOSE righteousness, holiness, purity and consecrate ourselves to Him, as Joshua did. You have to make that choice. There is NO middle ground - what say you?

DAY 11: SERVE...."For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many....Mark 10:45
ACTION: We live in a "me-first" society. In fact, this country, which was once the world's economic engine, has become a land full of "Service Industry". Simply put - we want to be served, and pay top dollar for it. The welfare mentality, created by fifty years of dependency, leads many to expect others to serve them rather than what the Bible teaches. To be like Christ, our service must be other-focused and the joyful fruit of our Salvation. After evaluating yours, are your intentions like Jesus' in today's verse? Do you give first...or like most westerners, expect to be waited on, hand and foot? Think on those things today.

DAY 12: RELIGIOSITY...."Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded....James 4:8
ACTION: Religiosity is described in the dictionary as "exaggerated or affected piety and religious zeal". If you look up the word "affected", it means "something done to impress others"! The "disease" which this word carries, is infectious. Yet if we REALLY follow the command above, we too can have the single exclusive blessings of True Christianity (which is GRACE) rather than two-faced religiosity, which leads to eventual destruction! Therefore - follow the Command today!

DAY 13: PARADIGM...."Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life....Galatians 6:7-8
ACTION: A paradigm is a set of values/beliefs etc from which a reality is viewed, as either a practical or intellectual discipline.  But in this verse, we have God's paradigm which He made very simple for us to comprehend! God's values are also God's reality...and therefore, His paradigm. So now, search your heart. Then pray the Spirit sears your conscience. Follow this with a virtual screaming out for forgiveness in Repentance about any sin. Finally, see if the seeds you are sowing, are the very seeds of which Heaven will approve! See if those seeds are the ones which will bear Fruit for the Kingdom! Amen.

DAY 14: REQUIRED...."He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God....Micah 6:8
ACTION: Spiritual Pride is rampant in more and more Christians. Ever since the Lord busted me on this way back in 2005, I am more aware of it now in others and even more careful to "not go there" myself. The verse today SPECIFICALLY spells out how we must conduct ourselves....and by we, I mean those of us who were given much. We are required to be more even-handed and full of grace to those who are worldly. Most of all, we are to do it in ALL humility. So therefore, ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and remove all and any vestiges of Spiritual Pride right now, so that you may always do "what is good" in His Sight.

DAY 15: CONNECTIVITY...."In the same way, even though we are many individuals, Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other....Romans 12:5 (GWT)
ACTION: Connectivity is not found in the bible, but its concept is. Check out today's verse. While we may be in many types of houses every Sunday morning, we are connected by this only one fact - the God of Heaven sent God the Son to be born; live as a man and die for us, so that God the Spirit can live in us to keep us connected to both Him AND each other! Both the dying world and us will not get this fully, this side of heaven. Our job now is to be the CONDUIT for this Connectivity of Christ's Children- the Church. Are you available RIGHT NOW to be used to love someone new into this exclusive Body of Believers? Are you F.A.T. - Faithful Available Teachable? Think on these things today...


DAY 16: LIFE...."I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live....Deuteronomy 30:19
ACTION: Within a 6 month period (2012-13), two young women in their twenties, passed during an abortion - in Chicago and Maryland respectively.  It was obvious they did not choose wisely, as God told us to, through the Prophet Moses. Most of us will never go the route of these two unfortunate women, but we can still mess things up. We have the power with us to choose one or the other. So the action point today, even for matured Christians - don't even listen to your pastor if you have a doubt. Listen to what the Holy Spirit within you says. Listen to Him, take heed and obey. Then you and yours will live in blessing and life!

DAY 17: LEADERSHIP...."Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant...Matthew 20: 25-26
ACTION: The model of leadership has been set for us by God Himself, when He gave up the eternal throne and poured Himself out, then lowered Himself to be born as a man.Fast forward to today....For some reason, some of Christ's under-shepherds, ministers and just plain Christians prefer to be served, in the modern church today....thereby seeing things differently than our Boss (in the above verse). The plan for today is to really search our own hearts and minds to see #1. if we even deserved the Blessings He has given us (NO, we don't) and then, #2. why aren't we then humble and obedient to be His True Servant as He stated? Think on these things...

DAY 18: LIBERTY...." For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery....Galatians 5:1 ESV.
ACTION: No matter how many times, or to how many generations the concept of GRACE - the free unmerited favor and Gift of God - is explained, fleshly humans think THEY have not just the answers but the means to acquiring their own redemption or salvation! Because of this, they put themselves back under the bondage of Judgment by the Law! Hence, today, if you hear His Voice, repent and turn from your sins. Then, like a little child would, ask forgiveness....all the while both pleading and praising Him, that He gave you ALL - He gave you complete, unfettered Liberty and Freedom through Christ Jesus, the Lord!

DAY 19: LONGSUFFERING...."With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love...Ephesians 4:2
ACTION: The word "Longsuffering" is from the original "makrothumia" which really means faithful Godly peace, calm and keeping a Godly head on, while evil abounds all around you. Christians and families who follow the Bible are under attack from governments and society worldwide, including here. It is Sodom and Gomorrah all over again...and again. Still, let's pray to Abba, OUR Father, even as the scoffers' father - the devil - is ramping it up in his last days. Let us pray today (and from now on) to stay humble; to stay encouraged because God has elected us and not man; and to stay focused ON ETERNITY WITH HIM. This will give us the endurance...i.e. the "longsuffering" attribute we need today.

DAY 20: ARISE...."For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you....Ephesians 5:14
ACTION: The word ARISE is all about Action. Used 35 times in the Bible, ARISE is positive for all who believe and put their complete Faith and Trust in the Savior. We see natural calamity daily - earthquakes, meteors, storms etc...what would it take for even the elect, who are called by His Name, to shake off the cobwebs from comfort in the church, to ARISE and get moving. Folks, there is not time to waste. Awake from your self-induced sleep-walking through this life and wake up the Spiritually dead NOW. Christ will reward this...or not, if we refuse to obey!

DAY 21: LANGUOROUS...."Be diligent and do not be lazy; be enthusiastic in spirit; be working for your Lord....Romans 12:11 (Aramaic Bible...Jesus spoke Aramaic!)
ACTION: For a country that has the well-deserved historical reputation of hard work and enterprise, Americans are surprisingly spiritually lazy! Some of it comes from human nature, whereby we feel we gave it all at the "office" so there is nothing left for God...the other part is lack of church leadership. None is a valid excuse. The Bible is for ALL people of ALL time and is full of verbs in the present tense. These are direct commands from God.Jesus commanded us to Go...Make...Baptize etc. Moses said to Teach...choose. God said "Act like men"! If you and I are serious about obeying God, we will obey these commands with DUE DILIGENCE and with ENTHUSIASM and be found WORKING for Him until we see Him in Glory.


DAY 22: DOMINION...."For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace....Romans 6:14
ACTION: God gave mankind "dominion" or rule, reign, authority, stewardship etc over creation after the Creation. Adam was allowed to name all animals, birds and such. That divinely-appointed dominion was replaced after Genesis 3 by the dominion of darkness which sin brought into the world, after Adam and Eve sinned again Holy God. Christ defeated the ruler of evil - Satan - on the Cross, yet those who call themselves Christians never fully comprehend the true victory of their redemption. The reason - sin. Until you and I comprehend the TRUE measure of Grace TODAY, we will never gain victory over that which has caused us so much grief. Our Prayer today should lead us to seek to submit to the Spirit's leading into all discernment and Truth.

DAY 23: BEHOLD...."Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age....Matthew 28:20
ACTION: The word "BEHOLD" appears in the Bible (the universally accepted King James...and other versions) over 1320 times! The word means to fix your attention (eyes, mind etc) on something; to fix your eyes upon or to direct your fixed gaze to! The great John the Baptist said "BEHOLD, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world". The brutal Pontius Pilate said "BEHOLD The Man!" Are you beholding the Man - Christ Jesus today? Is not just your Sunday gaze, but is your Monday-Saturday night gaze, mind, body, soul and every fiber of your being BEHOLDING Christ and the Beauty and Majesty of Him Who sits on the Throne? If not, what are you waiting for???!!!

DAY 24: BOUND...."for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound....2 Timothy 2:9
ACTION: Many things in life can have us bound - both good and bad. The good ones are the ties that bind - love, family...relationships that are healthy and Godly. The ones which do not please God are the by-products of this evil world which can bind us to it: sin, self-gratification and Satan. But Scripture above says "HIS WORD is not bound"...or "deo" in the original. This means the Bible is the opposite of the unlawful, illegal and unprofitable captivity of worldly sin! The question today is - are there any hidden ties which are stringing you along, for which you suffer silently? Well, the good news - the Sharp Two-Edged sword of the Word of God can cut them right now - for good!

DAY 25: PROPITIATION...."In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins....1 John 4:10
ACTION: Propitiation is one BIG word! Also, it is one of the biggest original words in the Bible which is found nowhere else in our dialogue except to refer to this - the satisfactory self-sacrifice of our Loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! In fact, the condition of man was so bad, God had to send God the Son to be the scapegoat for our sins - past, present and future - because that was the only acceptable/satisfactory way for mankind to reconcile with Him. So what are YOU and I willing to sacrifice to fulfill our end of this amazing compact/covenant/contract with Holy God? Whatever it is today, it MUST cost us something....because it cost Him EVERYTHING!


DAY 26: PRESENCE...."You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore....Psalm 16:11
ACTION:  You know what blows me away? Well, it's waking up with the words "Coram Deo" in your mind and spirit after having a vivid dream about those two words several hours before! Coram Deo basically means to live your Christian life or walk IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD! AND you know what? In His Presence - He says in Psalm 16:11 "THERE IS FULLNESS OF JOY"!  How do we LIVE in the very Presence of God, while on earth? We make sure we're first saved. But more importantly, we love Him with every fiber of our being and SEEK HIM daily through prayer, conversation with Him, reading about Him, talking about Him. So today, make a conscious effort to see and lead others to experience His Presence by seasoning at least 30% of your day sharing about the Goodness of God. He loves you, or you would never be allowed in His Presence. So - talk about Him, shout His Name - from the rooftop if you have to! Love the Lord Your God 24/7....Coram Deo - the Fullness of Joy in His Presence!

DAY 27: PURIFY...."Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow....Psalm 51:7
ACTION:  Several times in the Bible, the active verb "PURIFY" is used as both a plea (as in the above verse) or as a command (as in say James 4:8). The latter implores us sinners to ensure that we have clean hearts, hands and minds before we present ourselves before the Lord. But the real purifying and cleansing of all the filth, scum, dross and slag of our lives is done by the Cleansing Power of the Blood of the Lamb. This red Blood from Heaven washes us as white as snow, to prepare us for the Kingdom. The Action to take right now should lead us to look into the mirror of our soul, to see if we are really clean. Christians mess up all the time. Do we need to be purged and purified of any shortcoming or sin today? I am sure we do. Confess it, repent, ask forgiveness from God and make it right...you will feel a whole lot better.

DAY 28: INDWELLING...."Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and He in us, because He hath given us of his Spirit....1 John 4:13
ACTION: The word "dwell" here is also translated "ABIDE" - 'menomen' in the original Greek language. When you and I were converted from the kingdom of darkness to the Eternal Kingdom of God, in Christ, we were given a "Seal of Approval", if you will. This seal is the Holy Spirit of God, the Restrainer, Counselor, Guide and Protector. He was placed IN us and we know it because HE IS ALIVE! He LIVES in OUR spirit and abides, indwells, continues to exist as the Agent of Christ. Our job this morning, even for mature believers, is to ensure we continue to walk in step with Him! If we do not, we will be saved, but all reward will be lost. Ponder your walk in the Spirit this day. Are you in alignment with Him?

DAY 29: STEADFAST...."My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises!...Psalm 57:7
ACTION: The word "steadfast" means firm, established, accomplished or as the King James so beautifully says - "fixed"! To be and remain steadfast, there must be a solid 100% commitment to, for example, any relationship. Your relationship with God through Christ alone, is the only that with eternal significance. Therefore, time for a reality check - are both your mind's eye and your spiritual heart fixed on Jesus - the "Author and Perfecter" of our Faith? Is everything you do, daily, moment to moment, worthy of being His? Are you therefore, solidly steadfast in His Light, His Word, His Ways? Make this gut check a priority today and you will never regret a single moment of this self-evaluation. It will want to make you do as the Psalmist says - "Sing Praises"!!!

DAY 30: FOUNDATION...."And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock....Matthew 7:25
ACTION: The psalm says "unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain...(Psalm 127:1)" Nothing built by this will stand on the Day of the Lord (the Day of Wrath). There is coming a day, when Judgment will rain down on this earth. The majority of people alive now and then do not believe it because they are under the same deception as those in the day of Noah, who perished in the Flood. The only house that will stand is the House of Faith...the House that starts in a redeemed, rejuvenated heart...a heart that has been changed forever by the cleansing Power of Jesus Christ. TODAY, write down a list of your beliefs, then search the Scriptures daily to see if ALL of them line up with the Word of God. If even the smallest one is off, surrender it to Him immediately, repent and ask forgiveness. Then watch Him lay the Cornerstone of True Faith!

DAY 31: PLUMBLINE...."I will test you with the measuring line of justice and the plumb line of righteousness....Isaiah 28:17a
ACTION: My friends, do not miss what the Lord is saying both through Isaiah here...then Jeremiah....then Ezekiel.... and Amos! These Old Testament prophets were not just prophesying against wayward Israel or Judah! They are warning us today - 2600 years later! The Word of God is the Standard...or the Plumb Line, which is used in construction (in the natural world) to keep walls and buildings straight! Plumb line is Standard. God's Plumb Line is Righteousness which only comes through Christ as Lord and Savior. If Jesus is not your Lord, the world will join you in equal justice on Judgment Day. The Measuring Line - used to keep things like bricks and mortar aligned properly - will be the yardstick of His Justice. Today, measure your own righteousness against the Holiness of God. that you may not lose rewards on that day....if you belong to Him! He has promised to hold His people to the Plumb Line of Truth. Remember this - "judgment begins in the House of the Lord".

Friday, January 25, 2013

COMMANDMENT #6/10 - "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY"

You shall not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14)
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25)

God's ways and reasoning are not man's. He has said so, and we know so. God is pure, righteous, Holy, just. Man is evil, perverted, corrupt, selfish prideful. God is God. We ain't! 

There are two kinds of Adultery, and while God gave this original commandment in Exodus, He illustrates what He means and how man betrays Him, fully throughout the Old Testament and all the way to the end. The two kinds of adultery are physical and spiritual. The physical part is obvious. (See program below from my WLCF TV 45 Bible Teaching Show PLUMBLINE which is also shown every Friday on Comcast Access Channel 4 in Springfield, Il at 3am, 11am and 8pm CDT). Married people are supposed to be faithful to each other sexually and in their thoughts, according to the marriage vows in the eyes of God.

But the spiritual part is just as important. All through the Old Testament we see Israel prostituting themselves before pagan foreign gods. God has to send first Moses, then the Judges and finally the great prophets like Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Hosea among the many to speak against this vile evil. Modern Christianity is doing the same thing as carnal Christians (who are not disciples of Christ at all) follow the ways of the world in thought, word, deed, entertainment, politics and more.

Today's program, recorded in the Fall of 2012, examines this Sixth Commandment and the relevance of submitting and obeying His just command:

Thursday, January 24, 2013

WHAT IS THE GLORY OF GOD?


Most Christians associate the word "Glory" with God. This is as it should be. But what does Glory mean. What does it mean when a song's lyrics rise up in your heart even as you prepare the meet the challenges of this day? Well the English online dictionary has the following definitions of "GLORY":
glory [ˈglɔːrɪ]
 1. exaltation, praise, or honour, as that accorded by general consent the glory for         the exploit went to the captain
2. something that brings or is worthy of praise (esp in the phrase crowning glory)
3. (Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) thanksgiving, adoration, or worship glory be to God
4. pomp; splendour the glory of the king's reign
5. radiant beauty; resplendence the glory of the sunset
6. (Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) the beauty and bliss of heaven
7. a state of extreme happiness or prosperity
(Source - the Free Online Dictionary)

The Hebrew word from the Bible, which is what we are really MORE interested in, is tremendously beautiful. The word is "Kavod". Now this is very interesting concept. Kavod literally means "armaments"! As in the battlefield gear covering the Lord God or YAHWEH (Jesus). That tells me all I need to know about, love about and have a righteous and Holy fear about in God - He is a Warrior, He is not to be trifled with and He is serious about Who He is.

Most Christians sleepwalk through their lives not knowing fully, this God. They know the Western God Who will overlook any and every transgression. But here are some examples of the Warrior in Him:
Psalm 3:3 says the Glory (Kavod) of God is His Shield
Psalm 24:8 we read "who is this king of the kavod, YHWH is strong and mighty, YHWH is mighty in battle."
Job 29:20 associates His Glory (Kavod) with His "Bow" - a weapon!
Exodus 16:7 says "In the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your complaints, which are against him, not against us. What have we done that you should complain about us?" This means - He will deal with these people, and you will not just His Power but His fury in dealing with this situation.

The thing to ponder this day and always, is what does the glory of God really mean to us, to our spirit? Are we in a place - through obedience, prayer, fasting and submission where we are so tuned in to His Spirit that when He speaks, we instantly perk up and listen? OR are we in a place almost of the unredeemed - floundering, rebelling and almost shaking our fist at Him?

This is not the way to God. Beholding His Glory is the True Mark of a believer, a follower and the man or woman. Capturing the TRUE meaning of His Glory is the TRUE mark of the person who is serious about seeking after Him. Amen

Monday, January 21, 2013

STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF GOD MY KING

At the start of each year, the entire world begins making "New Year's resolutions" that the majority may have intentions of keeping - but don't! They don't because mortal men and women are inherently weak and sinful...and we will remain that way, until Jesus calls us Home. If we are saved, as many of us are - we go to be with Him in glorious eternity. The majority of mankind has turned its back on the Savior - Jesus, and will therefore spending an eternity of separation.

All mankind, however, have the exact same promises from a Holy, Righteous and completely Just God. He gave them to us in Psalm 37. In this almost four year old Public Access program from the earlier versions of my now Christian Television Network Bible teaching show (at WLCF TV) - Plumbline - I examine this wonderfully and chock full of promises, Psalm 37 to show just how Truthful, Joyful, Hopeful our God really is! Because of His attribute of Holiness, He can be depended on and relied open and stayed upon! Glory to His Name as you give a listen! Amen.



Sunday, January 20, 2013

EBOOK REVIEW: "VIRTUALLY MINE", A Virtual Delight!


The timing of the new novel - VIRTUALLY MINE by Emmy award winner and Director/Writer Susan Rohrer is incredible! We are in the middle of a national scandal involving an "Imaginary Girlfriend" with a Notre Dame college football player and we're only a few weeks away from Valentine's Day! VIRTUALLY MINE is about a honest, clean-living small town values young woman named Kate Valentine, who is waitressing in Southern California while doing auditions to get some work on screen and film. In order to make her clued-out boyfriend jealous, Kate decides to call up a match-making service to hire an "Imaginary Boyfriend" after seeing a brochure from a service. The brochure is slipped under her door by the apartment manager Charles...who "coincidentally enough" doubles as a tech/phone operator at this same match-making outfit! Charles comes from the same kind of background as Kate, but is also a pastor's son trying to make it out in the big bright lights completely away from dad - who would not approve of that job. However, Charles is the kind of guy we all root for in life as the 'underdog'. He becomes Kate's "Imaginary Boyfriend" who is not supposed to meet her in an almost Cyrano De Bergerac way, by using another man's face but his true heart!

AUTHOR/FILM DIRECTOR SUSAN ROHRER
Based on her screenplays, Susan Rohrer's Virtually Mine surrounds a host of characters, who at first seem completely independent of the storyline (some of whom seem to be pursuing their own selfish interests ). The small cast of characters share something in common - they're all looking for what God intended for us - relationships. Some are looking for it in all the wrong places like the owner of "Virtually Mine Service" - Samantha Raeza and in this book, one or two of countless cookie-cutter Ken and Barbie Doll types who populate that part of the country add a lot of context to the commentary around the storyline.


What Susan has down is take her experience as a Director of Film (About Sarah etc) and TV (Another Life) and weave the book into a beautiful ending! I love this ending because it ends the way it should - the good "guys" win!  This novel is a new thing for me. Susan Rohrer is the only person in this world, who can get me, a hard-nosed minister of the gospel, in Men's Ministry for almost two decades, to read especially, her last two books! Her previous offering "Merry's Christmas" and this one "Virtually Mine" are both family friendly, faith - led romance novels! I have never read books of this genre before.


However Ms Rohrer's books are completely different and extremely intelligent, humorous and efficiently written. They are also faith-based, life-like, funny, fast moving and takes the reader inside the story - all signs of an excellent screenplay! Virtually Mine is a Kindle ebook which are a lot easier and faster to read than a hard copy.  This is recommended, not just a book you should read and/or give as a Valentine's Day gift, but the outstanding Screenplay quality is perfect for a Hallmark Movie! If anyone reading this review has contacts at Hallmark - this is your next family romance movie for 2014!

Saturday, January 19, 2013

DUCK DYNASTY'S WILLIE TALKS ALL ABOUT JESUS!

DUCK DYNASTY is not just one of the most popular shows on TV but is at least one thing... something you can feel good about, in today's culture! The most unlikely of success stories for a mainstream television network- Arts and Entertainment (A & E), the every day activities of the Robertson family down in Louisiana. The family became multi-millionaires at the family business (DUCK COMMANDER) and started off as a show on, of all places - iTUNES!! Yes, iTunes! It is easily recognizable by the use of the theme song of some other bearded wonders ZZ TOP's Sharp Dressed Man!

It is the most beloved and fasting growing - in popularity and following - of any show on American television, since it was first aired on regular TV in March 2012.  What makes this show appealing though, is not what you see on other reality shows....what makes this show the most watched show on US TV is the family values and Bible based underpinnings of it. Even with the crazy stuff you see on it, it is all in good nature, fun and geared towards the love of family and others! 

Also, what most of their almost 5 million viewers (even more than the O'Reilly Factor) don't realize, is how serious these men are about their faith in Jesus. Here is just a taste from Willie, as he gives a brief testimony to his old college audience at Harding U, a couple months ago - 

Friday, January 18, 2013

FRIDAY NIGHT DELIGHT - FRESH SNACK DIP!


 Ingredients

1 ripe Avocado, mashed
1/4 Onion, diced
1 tablespoon fresh Cilantro leaves (as shown below in Sassy Salsa)
1 tablespoon Lemon or Lime juice

Directions

Remove the avocado pit, slice and cube the avocado right in the skin.  Squeeze the cubes out, into a mixing bowl and mash into the desired consistency.


Add the onions, cilantro, and lemon or lime juice, and mix thoroughly. 

Scoop out into a serving dish for a veggie or chip dip, or add onto Mexican dishes such as enchiladas.




THIS FRESH GUACAMOLE DIP IS EXCLUSIVE  FROM:

ALL CREATION WORSHIPS YOU

I will expound more about this in the coming days, but for now, let us just bask in the glow and warmth and joy of the Lord - Creator of Heaven and Earth. This is an evil day, when even people who call themselves Christians think they can believe in both Evolution and the Bible! Is that possible? No! Follow this blog in the coming days.

But for now, I wish to share the teaching from the very first PLUMBLINE show years ago, when the LORD led me to teach on not just the Creation, but the mechanism He put forth while doing it. While writing this brief introduction to my video, the following passage from Colossians 1 came to mine about the Creator. Please read it, as you watch this 27 minute video. 

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him....(Colossians 1:15-16 ESV)



Wednesday, January 16, 2013

HOW TO RESCUE POP CULTURE!

SEVEN SENSIBLE STEPS TO PROTECT OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS FROM THE SECULAR "PROGRESSIVE"LEFT  
LadyLiberty
After reading my post yesterday about the Golden Globes, one of my readers sent the following email:
My only problem is when Conservatives say we abdicated the culture to the liberals. I don’t quite understand what that means. I didn’t abdicate anything, at least not to my knowledge. What are we, who are working with families, supposed to do? Are we supposed to publish newspapers, start networks, or make movies? If you’re not in one of those fields, I think you first have to be good parents and stay on top of your kids like we do. Good parents don’t let their kids be liberals.You also have to talk to your neighbors and join groups like the Tea Party. I don’t raise these questions to be funny. I just want to know what the plan(s) is or should be. I hear this complaint about the culture from conservative pundits but I don’t hear any solutions, other than the vague “we’ve got to get the culture back”.
VISIT DARIA'S WEBSITE BY CLICKING HERE
First, to reply to his frustration with conservatives who note that we have abdicated the culture, I suggest watching the film Agenda: Grinding America Down to fully understand the scope and magnitude of the cultural challenges we now face, due to a concerted effort on the part of American communists to detach the USA from all moral anchors. The communists rightly saw America’s morality as its strength, the source of its economic prosperity and military power, thus they brilliantly (if diabolically) infiltrated our most revered institutions in order to take us down from within, without firing a single shot.
As for the “conservative abdication of the culture” issue, I don’t think it’s about blame as much as it’s about getting people to understand the urgency to get into the cultural game. Most pundits I hear acknowledge that good, upstanding people are busy working, raising kids, going to church, helping their communities and otherwise contributing to their families, friends and society as a whole. But it’s no longer enough to declare, “I don’t watch so-and-so”, or “I have no idea who so-and-so is because I don’t listen to that trash”. As I said yesterday, the only reason I give a damn about what Julianne Moore falsely claims about Sarah Palin is because way too many Americans who vote give credence to her and other celebrities in our increasingly secular, vapid, Jerry Springer-izedculture.

Monday, January 14, 2013

HONOR, RESPECT PARENTS, THEREFORE - GOD!

Well, we honor them, even if we only have one active or living parent because God said so!  He gave us this commandment as an example of HOW we should honor Him! How we treat our parents is a reflection of our respect for our TRUE Father in Heaven - Abba!

In this recent program, I examine Commandment # 5 during my indepth series on the Decalogue - the Ten Commandments! While we Christians are not under the law, but the dispensation of Grace, we are accountable to the Ten Commandments! Jesus - the Great I am - the Alpha and Omega, never did away with these remaining 10 of the 613 Laws of the Old Testament!

As I said in the first couple programs of this series, which can be viewed as PLUMBLINE programs #31-#40  on the WLCF TV channel on YouTube, these laws/commands/statues or commandments were given to us for our own good! Yes they were!  They are to keep us safe, alive, healthy, joyful and in fellowship with God and each other! They are not just a bunch of do's and don'ts! They are a stop sign to keep us from running headlong into disaster! So without further ado, here is today's message - and the transition from the first four commands to our relationship with each other, while we are here on this great earth which God has created! Amen!



Friday, January 11, 2013

THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL VS THE BIBLE

EZEKIEL PROPHESIES TO.....AMERICA?
And the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, say to her, You are a land that is not cleansed or rained upon in the day of indignation. The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured human lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. 
Her priests have done violence to my law and have profaned my holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. 
Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, shedding blood, destroying lives to get dishonest gain.
And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ when the LORD has not spoken. The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the sojourner without justice. And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have returned their way upon their heads, declares the Lord GOD.” (Ezekiel 22:23-31 ESV)

Of course, this is Old Testament, but to those "enlightened" ones, in their age of "reason", this means nothing? This past week, the official symbol of Faith in America - the National Cathedral - boldly and unapologetically announced they will be conducting same-sex "marriages" inside of the church....and then went on to use the Name of Jesus and God....just as God said of the worthless priests of Judah (Jerusalem etc) in the passage above from Ezekiel! The liberal apostates of the US Episcopal Church (which is out of fellowship from the wider body of the Biblically sound Anglican Church) have been likewise travelling down a road of rebellion against God and the Bible, for decades now.

It is not up to me, however to condemn them...or anyone else for that matter. The Word of God has taken care of that, as we see above and the entire portion of Ezekiel from Chapter 18 onward. By the way, just in case so-called Christians dispute the Old Testament, here in context, is what the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians why we must heed the Full --- the FULL---Counsel of God, from beginning to end:
"Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. (1 Corinthians 10:6-12 ESV)

On August 23, 2011, just days before there was supposed to be an Inter-Faith "Service" at the National Cathedral (for the 10th Anniversary of 9/11/2001), in Washington DC, a rare and unusual earthquake hit the city and its surroundings. The earthquake registered 5.8 on the Richter Scale and did some serious damage to the Cathedral's structure. The damage was so bad, they needed $20 million to repair everything from the foundation to the spikes at the top. Here they are, less than two years later, shaking their fists at the God of the Bible again. They may wish to reconsider, repent and read His Word again!

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

WATCH GOD IN ACTION - THEN PRAISE HIM FOREVER

How beautiful and glorious is the Lord! How bountiful is His Goodness to us!
How beautiful are the Feet of Him Who brings good news. The Apostle John said the following when he came face to Face with the King of Kings - the Lord Jesus as He was 1900 years ago...and how He still is right now! Think about it, my friends! The Commander in Chief of the Universe (the real one); the Creator of Life; the Counselor - Mighty Counselor - the Glorious One....This is what He is really like:
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters....(Revelation 1:12-15 ESV)

Are you ready to meet this Jesus? This is He Who sits on the Throne of Heaven NOW!
He is NOT in the manger He was born in ONCE on September 30, almost 2000 years ago.

He is NOT hanging on a Cross as He ONCE was.
He is NOT some socialist utopian.
He is NOT some inspirational teacher.
He is NOT some wishy washy pop psychologist.

He did not just come here to sacrifice it all for all of us to live in peace and prosperity like the corrupt of this perishing earth. He came to show us how to die to ourselves that we may live like Him. 
He has given us all the Power and Holy Spirit we need. If you are truly born again, you too have it my friend! He has said that no matter how difficult and evil times get for His people in this temporary life, "weeping will last for a night, but JOY COMES IN THE MORNING (Psalm 30:5)! It does not get any better than this!

Therefore,  I exhort you to watch this video of Angus Buchan (Faith Like Potatoes) preaching in Israel during the Feast of the Tabernacles (around which time, Jesus was really born) and watch what happens when the Power of God actually descends on the crowd listening to the preaching about the Messiah - right there in His Holy Land!!
THEN - WORSHIP HIS HOLY NAME! Amen.



Saturday, January 5, 2013

MOVIE REVIEW - " THE MARK"


JULIA ROBERTS’ BROTHER IN END TIMES THRILLER!
CHECK OUT MY MONTHLY REVIEWS HERE
If a movie can hold your attention at 3 o’clock in the morning on New Year’s Day, you know it was well put together! One of PURE FLIX’s latest offerings fills that bill and more! “THE MARK” is a very well written, produced and executed. Released in 2012, THE MARK is serious business! Troubling End Times days are already here, where the world systems have already developed the microchip which is termed “The Mark of the Beast” in the Book of Revelation (Chapter 13:16-18).  Just briefly, the movie takes place almost entirely on a Boeing 747 flight on “Pacific Airways” to Berlin (apparently from Thailand).  Viciously evil mercenaries, led by the Gary Daniels character (Joseph Pike) are on board the flight to capture a human guinea pig named Chad Turner (Craig Sheffer) who has been implanted with a microchip that a shadowy “political figure” badly wants!  

Through a fast moving sequence of events, Chad becomes the unlikely hero (somewhat) and rescues what is left behind of the passengers on the aircraft, which includes a “Christian” pastor! They were all left behind when a sudden flash of light from Heaven removes all believers in Jesus Christ (the Rapture) and the pastor and Chad realize that his implant is really the “Mark of the Beast”! In a surprisingly turn of events,  famed Hollywood actress Julia Roberts’ brother Eric turns in an extremely credible and revealing performance as the corporate mastermind behind Chad’s implant. Eric Roberts is lesser known than his famous sister, but he has been showing up more and more in faith-based movies.

The rest of the movie, which will be continued in a sequel to be released later this Spring (March/April 2013) according to a tweet I received from the great folks at PURE FLIX, is the beginning of the path to REDEMPTION (title of the Sequel) by Chad and the stewardess he rescued from the doomed plane. I am eagerly awaiting this sequel as one who has studied these microchips. What makes this movie so gripping and believable is that these microchip implants are already in use in America and probably around the world!  Like the one in Chad’s right arm, which cannot be….and will not be removed from those who actually take the Mark of the Beast (according to Revelation 13:16-18), the ones currently in existence do become part of the bloodstream. They also identify a person via the wireless signals from the RFID device’s transponder to the future government official, who has the microchip reader.

Since this is an entertainment review, I will not go into all that technical stuff. However, it is the knowledge of the existence and sophistication of this same “technical stuff” which makes the thriller in the night skies, at 30,000 feet in “THE MARK” even more compelling.  The increasing professionalism of PURE FLIX and its production techniques are a beauty to behold. The photography can match any secular mainstream Hollywood thriller and the life-like feel of the 747’s Cabin and layout is perfect. I can just imagine how this looks on a HD 70 inch or a theater screen! The film edits and special effects, especially in some of the tighter settings are expertly done. 

If you have a good theater sound system at home, warn the kids and crank it up! Pure Flix, with whom I hope to have a long relationship with, in our monthly movie ministry outreach here at First Baptist Church, Springfield has a long track record of fantastic and spiritually challenging movies with the themes of Redemption, Salvation, Pro-life and the Hope which is to come. Like “THE MARK”, Pure Flix also has the ability to draw in well known top Hollywood favorites like Lee Majors (Jerusalem Countdown); C. Thomas Howell (Escape etc); the late Della Reese and the popular Tamera Mowley-Housley (Christmas Angel). They also have produced excellent evangelistic movies starring my favorite actor who has ever played Jesus in any capacity – Bruce Marchiano! If you ever have a chance to purchase the Book of Matthew DVD with Bruce as Jesus, please do. It brings across the full love and scope of the message of the Savior.

“THE MARK” is recommended top drawer entertainment/wake-up call for a cold wintry night and should send us searching our own souls. The movie ends with a brief preview of the soon to be released sequel “THE MARK – REDEMPTION”!