“It’s hard to break free when God says it’s time to go.”—–Will Addison
afr.net, podcast Doctrine of Strangers, 3-17-22
END TIMES ? – – – WHO’S RIGHT ?
March 17, 2022 By Leave a Comment
Lots of scary stuff in the world today, in Biblical proportions, even getting attention of those who don’t usually regard the Bible.
Many educated folks lay out different detailed sequences of coming events, which may or may not be helpful, as they interpret Bible prophecy.
The average person has two choices—pick one scholar of theology and trust and follow—or, get tired of hearing about end times and ignore it all so you can go on with everyday life.
– – –
But there is one universal catch—unmistakable and unavoidable no matter what your theology or lack thereof.
We may not know how or when the world will end, but we all know we will end—we just don’t know when.
– – –
And, everyone in every culture in all history knows there is something after life ends here.
People try hundreds of different ways to get ready for that, but the only sure thing about all that—they can’t all be right.
What if I don’t pick the right one?
What if you don’t pick the right one?
– – –
Does somebody out there have the right answer, FOR SURE, for this one question?
Can I know how to get ready for the end—the end of my life here—regardless of the end of the world?
I have to know.
– – –
Consider this: the One Who started this life has something to say about this life, AND after this life.
“There is a way that seems right to man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
“I am going to prepare a place for you. I will come again, and receive you to myself, that where I am, you may be also.”
The One Who said that, would be Jesus.
He made all this, and He has something to say about all this, and He wrote it all down in a book, what we’re supposed to do about all this.
It’s not a mystery—it’s very simple—you can read it for yourself.
In fact, you’re probably reading this on the internet—so punch in John 3 and read the first 21 verses, for starters—it’s all about Jesus, Who died on the cross to forgive your sins and take you to heaven when you die, if you tell Him you accept.
– – –
Preppers for this life are often laughed at—until . . .
The stakes could be pretty high, if they are right.
Preppers for after this life are also often laughed at—until . . .
The stakes will be much, much higher, if they are right. Actually, not if they are right, but if Jesus is right.
– – –
So, THE question—are you in or out?—with Jesus, or not?—“He who is not with me is against me.”
That would be too big a gamble to be against Him, if Jesus is Who He says He is.
Your choice, now—no prepping after this life—after your end here.
There’s more, and you know it.
There’s a way, and you know it now.
THEOLOGIANS AND BUREAUCRATS
March 10, 2022 By Leave a Comment
The term bureaucrats is generally used as a negative label, and bureaucrats are usually viewed as part of the problem rather than the solution to the problems in a society.
Theologians are highly regarded only by other theologians, and by those brainwashed to follow their teaching because of their impressive education, and tradition.
I am amazed how these two systems, one cultural and one spiritual, get away with controlling masses of people perpetually. It’s as though people actually feel a need to willingly check their mind in at the door of the government and the church. Then periodically the theologians and bureaucrats breed reformation and revolution when they get drunk on the opportunities that power gives and overstep their control of the people.
When common people have simply had too much . . . and react to spiritual as well as cultural dictatorships, both get bloody historically. But it also seems in every period of history, including the present time, that people think we have progressed to avoid the pitfalls of the past. We naively count on negotiations and diplomatic solutions to political impossibilities, while the powerful laugh and pursue their agenda. So we blindly plunge into repeating history at the hands of tyrannical killers.
And it’s not much different in the church than with the rest of the controllers of the world. In fact, the most powerful church leaders participate in appeasing bureaucrats and wannabe dictators. They believe themselves to be powerful enough to control the outcomes, and they have too much invested in their financial structure and in the dedication of their following to let go—can’t admit their humanity instead of their godlike authority.
There was a considerable period of time when the church did in fact have that absolute control, even over the government. The similarities between the church bureaucracy and the government bureaucracy overlapped until they became synonymous. The church was the government, and the spiritual well-being of the people suffered severely. The breaking point was the Reformation—and the church, the theologians, led the bloodbath themselves.
Oh my, we think we know better now, because we know so much more—superior spiritual insight that won’t let it happen again. Church leaders today, led by theologians, have so crafted a compatibility with the culture, rooted in money and all the stuff and power it buys, that they have become impotent to condemn evil, and then light the narrow way of Jesus.
That’s why America kills babies. Who is responsible for the current bloodbath of abortion (49 years, 60 million dead) and the coming bloodbath of tyranny?
That’s why America forbids children praying in school.
That’s why America forbids children reading the Bible in school.
That’s why America forbids children seeing the Ten Commandments in school, because “they might read them and might be influenced to obey them.”
“Evil triumphs when good men [Godly men] do nothing.”
“To do nothing in the face of evil is evil itself.”
Decide to stop depending on theologians or bureaucrats.
Instead, spend time reading your Bible and praying—very first thing in the morning, and the very last thing in the evening. Just do that.
FAST AND PRAY vs PRAY FAST
March 9, 2022 By Leave a Comment
Fast and Pray—the two go together, in the Bible, often.
We do well to read all about it, study it, see how it works, and do it.
For one thing, fast and pray does not happen quickly, does not usually bring immediate results.
It is not the time to pray fast and be done.
But fast and pray does matter to God, and He responds—in His time.
But what about pray fast?
I’ll mention two legitimate examples of pray fast in the Bible—very fast—with fast, instant answers from God, with active intervention to save the day.
Nehemiah was cupbearer to king Artaxerxes, and always had a cheerful appearance before the king (just good for business, for your livelihood, for your life). One day Nehemiah was sad when he brought the king his wine, and the king nailed it immediately—why are you sad, because I can tell you are not sick. Nehemiah was scared to death, and told the king he was sad because his beloved Jerusalem was in ruins. The king did not respond in anger, but asked Nehemiah what he wanted. Well, you don’t keep the king waiting at a time like that, before you answer. But the Bible says Nehemiah did a serious pray fast, first.
Nehemiah 2:4-Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.
And without delay, the next verse:
Nehemiah 2:5-And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.”
Probably another pray fast, waiting for the king’s answer—short wait.
Nehemiah 2:6-So it pleased the king to send me.
Now if you are really interested in knowing Nehemiah’s secret, and his true relationship with God, you must read chapter one of his book in the Bible. It explains how he was prepared for chapter two.
Pray fast in emergencies is great, but it is far greater if preceded by consistent, continual time with God, including fast and pray.
The other individual who had to pray fast in a crisis (an even more desperate emergency than Nehemiah’s) was known to be rash, brash, impulsive—but later became a powerful preacher with amazing results after the Holy Spirit filled him.
When the disciples were about to drown in a really bad storm on the lake, and saw someone walking on the water, at night, they were more scared by the ghost than the storm. Imagine twelve guys screaming out loud in fear, several of them seasoned fishermen on that very lake. Then Jesus identified himself, and Peter asked Jesus to prove it by telling Peter to walk to Him on the water also.
When Jesus said, “Come,” Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus—while the storm was still raging, waves and wind and all. It didn’t take long for a wave to get Peter’s attention away from Jesus, and down he went.
I always wonder if Peter went down at the normal speed of gravity, which would not take very long before he was gone. Now that is definitely a time to pray fast, and he did, “Lord, save me!” And He did!
So Peter and Jesus walked together on the water to the boat and climbed in. Then, and not before, the storm stopped instantly, including the wind and the waves, leaving a glassy calm on the lake, and leaving the disciples more afraid than before, in awe of Who was with them with such power.
We do well to learn the Biblical meaning of the Fear of the Lord.
CHANGE YOUR . . . – – – OR ELSE
March 9, 2022 By Leave a Comment
When Alexander the Great was in the thick of his conquering campaigns, a soldier was brought before him, for deserting. When Alexander saw that he was very young, his heart softened for a moment, and he simply asked, “Young man, what is your name?”
When the ‘boy’ answered, “Alexander, sir,” the general’s demeanor changed again, to rage.
Alexander rose to his feet, grabbed the soldier by the collar and lifted him off the floor.
He yelled in anger, “Young man, change your name—or change your ways!”
For us who name the name of Jesus, and call ourselves Christians—are we living our daily lives worthy of that name?
“But God, . . .” vs BUT GOD . . . !
March 4, 2022 By Leave a Comment
“But God is just trying to hold back some good stuff from you.”—–Satan, to Eve.
“But God, I’m an old man.”—–Abraham, to God, when He said he would have a son.
“But God, I can’t speak well.”—–Moses, to God, when He called him at the burning bush to lead His people out of slavery in Egypt.
“But God, I don’t want to preach to Nineveh and see them get saved.”—–Jonah, in his heart, running away from God’s call.
“But God, I’m the only one left serving you.”—–Elijah, to God, very depressed and threatened by wicked Jezebel, even after God’s showdown, showing up with fire at Mt. Carmel.
“But God, I serve you, while the wicked prosper.”—–David, to God, hunted down and running for his life, after anointed to be king, and even after crowned king.
“But God, I’m not married.”—–Mary, to the angel, when told she would be Jesus’ mother.
“But God, he’s been dead four days and stinks.”—–Martha, to Jesus, when he told them to roll the stone away from the tomb of her brother Lazarus.
“But God, I’ll never forsake you, no matter what the others do.”—–Peter, to Jesus, a few hours before he denied he knew Jesus, with profanity.
BUT GOD ! – – – I meant what I said. Satan will pay. You will pay. Everyone will pay. But my Son will pay for you.
BUT GOD ! – – – Abraham, I promise I will make a great nation out of you, starting with one son—in spite of the times you doubt and mess up.
BUT GOD ! – – – Moses, you have a brother to do the talking—and you have a rod that will speak again and again and will make people listen and believe that I sent you.
BUT GOD ! – – – Jonah, I will persuade you to do what I told you, in spite of your attitude and running away.
BUT GOD ! – – – Elijah, I still have seven thousand faithful to Me, who have not bowed the knee to Baal.
BUT GOD ! – – – David, I will inspire you to end every psalm in praise to me, that you start by complaining about the wicked.
BUT GOD ! – – – Mary, the Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
BUT GOD ! – – – Martha, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.
BUT GOD ! – – – Peter, when you are converted (turned back to faithfulness following me), strengthen your brothers. And I’ll use your first sermon to save three thousand people.