(continued from yesterday)<\/p>\n
I am personally blessed with a spiritual heritage—indeed a legacy—which I had no part in making.<\/p>\n
+\u00a0 My mom was the faithful, hard working Proverbs 31 woman.\u00a0 My dad had that chapter read at her funeral, so he got it.<\/p>\n
+\u00a0 My dad put hundreds of Bible verses in my head, and heart, through no effort of my own.\u00a0 And the convictions that go with them are now imbedded in me—especially the convictions that let to his martyrdom thirty years ago, a hundred yards from where I am writing now.<\/p>\n
+\u00a0 Christian radio has influenced me for a lifetime—more so than any other person I know.\u00a0 I did not realize the discernment I was gaining from the dozen stations in over six decades.<\/p>\n
Growing up it was KSKY 660 in Dallas, and the mega, mega station across from Del Rio in the evenings, and Billy Graham every Sunday noon after dinner on KTEM 1400 in Temple.<\/p>\n
Then three awesome stations in South Florida for 17 years.\u00a0 Now 25 years back in Texas, with KBBW 1010 and AFR and AFR talk and KLOV.<\/p>\n
What a blessing of amazing spiritual nutrition, plus spiritual fitness training with AFR talk.<\/p>\n
+\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+<\/p>\n
Then what?\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cUnto whom much is given, much will be required.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is time for me to speak up, and write.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been posting articles from my convictions for four years now at AWordforThought.com, on a variety of topics.<\/p>\n
If you are reading this somewhere else, I ask you to spend some time at the web site.<\/p>\n
+\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+<\/p>\n
I want to specifically address one subject here that impacts all others:<\/p>\n
REVIVAL<\/p>\n
Revival—when it comes, it is obvious, and it changes things.<\/p>\n
—God hears from heaven.<\/p>\n
—God forgives our sins.<\/p>\n
—God heals our land.<\/p>\n
Because—God responds to our prayer, our attitude, and our action.<\/p>\n
—We humble<\/span> ourselves.<\/p>\n —We pray<\/span>.<\/p>\n —We seek<\/span> His face.<\/p>\n —We turn<\/span> from our wicked ways.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Humility<\/span>—elusive when life goes well.<\/p>\n Praying<\/span>—strong when life gets tough.<\/p>\n Seeking<\/span> His face—deepest when we are desperate.<\/p>\n Turning<\/span> from our wicked ways—not so popular if anyone gets specific.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n John the Baptist got specific and lost his head.\u00a0 But Jesus called him the greatest.<\/p>\n Telemachus shouted \u201cIn the Name of Christ, Forbear\u201d, and the gladiator finished him off with his sword.\u00a0 But the bloody entertainment in the Coliseum stopped from that day on.<\/p>\n Many reformers and Bible translators gave the Bible to the common people—and burned.\u00a0 (Wycliffe was so hated that they dug up his bones and burned them, because they didn\u2019t get to burn him alive.)\u00a0 But we now enjoy the Word of God that lives forever.<\/p>\n +\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+<\/p>\n Today, what if the sin of God\u2019s people, the \u201cwicked way\u201d that He is waiting for His people to turn from, is money in the wrong places?<\/p>\n What if Genesis 3:1 is at the heart of the holdup for revival in America?<\/p>\n \u201cDid God really say . . . ?\u201d<\/p>\n Did God really say, \u201cDo not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and thieves break in and steal.\u00a0 Do lay up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not corrupt, and thieves do not break in and steal.\u00a0 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.\u201d<\/p>\n Did God really say, \u201cNo one can serve two masters. . .\u00a0 You cannot serve God and mammon (worldly gain).\u201d<\/p>\n Did God really say, \u201cTake no thought for tomorrow—what you will eat, what you will drink, what you will wear.\u00a0 Your heavenly Father knows you have need of these things.\u00a0 But seek first (only) the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.\u201d<\/p>\n Did God really say, \u201cYou say to yourself that you have much goods laid up for many years—take your ease—eat, drink, and be merry.\u00a0 But God says, \u2018You fool, this night your soul will be required of you. Then whose shall all these things be which you have provided?\u2019\u00a0 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.\u201d<\/p>\n Did God really say, \u201cOne thing you lack; go your way, sell whatever you have, and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.\u00a0 And come, take up the cross, and follow me.\u201d\u00a0 The person who heard this was sad and went away grieved, because he had \u2018great possessions.\u2019<\/p>\n Did God really say, \u201cTake heed, and beware of covetousness; for a person\u2019s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.\u201d<\/p>\n Did God really say, \u201cHow hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!\u00a0 (Jesus disciples were astonished at his words, but Jesus repeated them.)\u00a0 Children, how hard is it for those who trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!\u00a0 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.\u201d<\/p>\n FACT—I have never heard a Christian leader address these Bible verses without a disclaimer (Did God really say?).<\/p>\n +\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+<\/p>\n After the economic trouble following 2008, very briefly<\/span> I heard some Christians questioning the stockpiling of treasures where moth, rust, and thieves were wiping it out.\u00a0 Then everyone got smarter and started getting better advice to avoid losing the next time.<\/p>\n Basically, back to business as usual, counting on the American dream—at least as long as it lasts.<\/p>\n Are God\u2019s people investing smarter now, or more deceived by the financial culture with promises of guaranteed income for life?<\/p>\n Are God\u2019s people committed in the world\u2019s money system too deep to get out now?<\/p>\n Verses on the ant and grasshopper are quoted to justify the American financial focus and fit it into the Bible.\u00a0 These verses were addressed to lazy sluggards (grasshopper), calling for diligent work (ant), preparing for the certain returning seasons, not for some uncertain someday when you don\u2019t have to work.<\/p>\n +\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+<\/p>\n Does financial advice given to American Christians apply around the world?<\/p>\n Does financial advice given to American Christians apply to those without a portfolio for retirement?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We are told to SHARE SOME<\/span> of our wealth with God.<\/p>\n We are not told to GIVE IT ALL.<\/span><\/p>\n When we share<\/span>, we maintain control.<\/p>\n When we give<\/span>, we lose control as soon as we give it.<\/p>\n +\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+<\/p>\n And finally, two more proofs that this could be the #1 wicked way that God is waiting for His people to turn from:<\/p>\n + the guaranteed vehement reaction in defense of everything financial the way Christians do it in America<\/p>\n + the fear the keeps anyone from speaking out and warning Christians to get out of the financial system of Sodom<\/p>\n +\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0+<\/p>\n We worship with money something that is not in the Bible—retirement.<\/p>\n We worship with money something that God wants to provide—insurance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" (continued from yesterday) I am personally blessed with a spiritual heritage—indeed a legacy—which I had no part in making. +\u00a0 My mom was the faithful, hard working Proverbs 31 woman.\u00a0 My dad had that chapter read at her funeral, so he got it. +\u00a0 My dad put hundreds of Bible verses in my head, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,2,4,7,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2792","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-educational","category-faith_based","category-financial","category-inspire_lifter","category-political-cultural"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.awordforthought.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2792"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.awordforthought.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.awordforthought.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.awordforthought.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.awordforthought.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2792"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"http:\/\/www.awordforthought.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2792\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2813,"href":"http:\/\/www.awordforthought.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2792\/revisions\/2813"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.awordforthought.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2792"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.awordforthought.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2792"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.awordforthought.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2792"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}