Category: Uncategorized (Page 48 of 114)

What is amazing is that 120 individuals waited in the Upper Room for the “promise of the Father.” They did not read a series of books, attend several conferences and seminaries, and did not have to pay for the privilege of being there. They did not lie on some graves and suck out the anointing, run through a “fire tunnel,” roll on the floor and bark like a dog, or have some sweaty-palm snake-oil salesman push them stretched out on the floor.

They did not need to chant lectio divinia, walk the labyrinth, or engage in contemplative prayer. They didn’t have televangelists to tell them how a gift of 100 shekels would guarantee them the anointing and 200 shekels would solicit a double portion of God’s divine favor.

There was no gold dust falling from the ceiling, no glory cloud coming from the vents (holes in the walls), and not one grimy ex-biker or street magician to kick them into a healing or stretch their legs.

No, there was none of the froth and bother of modern heretics at that waiting ceremony, no monotonous worship band, no glitzy spinning ball or flashing lights.

They waited and prayed. When the promise of the Father came, cloven tongues of fire appeared and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Afterward, they did not receive a 54 million-dollar jet and 35,000 square foot home.

They walked everywhere they went, went hungry, were rejected, stoned, imprisoned, beaten, and even beheaded. But they saw miracles. In two years they had evangelized nearly all of Asia Minor. They had more power in their little finger that Satan’s entire cast of heretics that perform every week on religious television.

So tell me again why you are watching them and why you send them money. More of God and His power than those charlatans will ever have is available to anyone who desires it. It is accessible when you make a full surrender to God and pray, and wait to know His perfect will in your life. Or you can continue watching those super-Duds.

It is evident that antichrists and false prophets, teachers, and apostles will dominate Christianity and despots will dominate the nations by the time the Man of Sin arrives. When a sufficient number of professing Christians and secular people believe evil is good, and good is evil, they will elect ungodly individuals to the highest offices in the religious and secular divisions. Ever wonder how close we are in our nation to that happening? How close is Christianity to being dominated by heretics and other diabolical individuals? How close are the democratic nations from committing that error? It appears that we are already inundated with bad leadership and fighting a losing battle to even curb the infiltration. The rise of diabolical people to principal leadership in the world could result in a global government and cashless global economy. These key events and subsequent events, such as worldwide oppressive antichristian laws and a one-world religion, would put a great strain on the Remnant of God’s people. And I am not referring to the Tribulation Period.

Although many individuals believe all the inhumane events will come immediately after the Tribulation period begins, there are no verses in the Scriptures that declare that. Yes, there will be brutal persecution during the Tribulation, but it has already begun in many nations. Additionally, it is not logical to believe that all will be well one day and the next day the world will be plunged into satanic darkness. There will necessarily be a number of tumultuous transitional precursory years becoming increasingly harsher as the Tribulation Period arrives. I believe that we are in that transitional season evidenced by widespread godlessness and inhumane persecution of Christians in other nations.

We do not have any solid information as to when or how long a one-world government and cashless economy, or even a one-world church may exist before the advent of the Tribulation. Furthermore, we do not know how many one-world leaders might rule before Antichrist ascends to power and begins his ruthless reign. The United Nations is one worldwide crisis away from becoming a one-world government. The Roman Catholic Church, ecumenical movement in Protestantism, The World Council of Churches, World Parliament of Religions, and the invasion of Christianity by New Age doctrine and practices, make it very possible for a one-world church to quickly form.

In my opinion, God is allowing the faith of true Christians to be severely tested to prepare them to endure. It is representative of God’s mercy. Why would God allow us to enter such a period unprepared and incapable of surviving it? He knows what we need spiritually and mercifully allows a series of increasingly difficult trials to equip us. The testing will stimulate His people to the greatest exercise of faith providing optimum strength and perseverance. Could that potential to endure be the “oil” that they need to keep their lamps burning to the end?
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My wife Cheryl’s old (1997) Suzuki Sidekick has more miles on it that the average Canadian goose flies in a lifetime. It has been a pain to drive for several years. It’s major problem is not idling well and dying when she slows down significantly or stops at a red light or stop sign. It got to the point that it was dying 5 to 10 times each day.

She loves that old vehicle (named it Winston) and does not want to part with it. However, I have prayed often for the means to get her another vehicle. I was really discouraged when there was no solution after several weeks of praying. This Saturday morning when I was praying I had the thought that I should try to repair it.

Now I have tried before, but that Japanese motor is an anomaly. It is not anything like the old American cars I grew up working on. I took it to a mechanic a couple of times. Although he regularly works on imports, he could not figure out how to make Winston run smoothly and idle properly. An online search of forums revealed that I might need to replace an expensive module.

But this Saturday I felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to tackle the project again. So I bought some new spark plugs and went to work. First, I removed some plates and tubes so that I could reach what I thought were spark plugs. They were on the side of the block, but when I had removed all the bolts and screws and pulled on the wires, they turned out to be tubes for the fuel injection system.

I eventually discovered that the spark plugs were deep under the valve cover on top of the engine. I had to go buy a special locking extension to reach them and get the socket off after replacing each one.

However when I started to put all the tubes and plates back on, I noticed a idle screw. What a surprise! The mechanic and I had looked in vain for that adjustment, but it was hidden under a plate.

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