Enduring What Is Coming--Mental Preparation

I believe, over a year ago, that the United States experienced a large influx of demonic spirits.  I can't prove that, or explain why that might be--I can only tell you that I feel it.

Something has radically changed in America.  There is a spiritual darkness present here now, as the darkness that envelopes the land before a great storm.  I don't know whether or  not you have sensed it too.

I'm sharing a list of suggestions, to help you protect yourself from things that are to come: deception and spiritual forces of evil (in whatever form they may manifest in our physical world).

Scripture tells us that a people without understanding (of God's ways) will come to ruin.  Jesus says that we are as sheep among wolves, yet we should be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves. 

• There is another dimension-an unseen spiritual world-that is intricately tied in with everything that happens in our world   That world is eternal, ours is bound by time.  From that world, all dimensions are seen.  In our world, much that happens is not visible to us.  Our world is secondary to that world.  In that world, the story began--the story that never ends.  This world, as we know it, is coming to an end.  A new heavens and a new Earth will take its place, by the grace of God, because this one has been irreparably corrupted (no, I don't mean global warming).
• Everything really does boil down to the battle between good and evil   That is the whole reason 'our world' was even created.  It was chosen to be the theater for the great battle between good and evil.
• Don't be so sure that you know what is going on--nothing is as it seems  Many deceiving spirits are among us.  Theories abound.  Conspiracies abound.  A lot is going on, and a lot is being revealed.  God will show you what you need to know.  Be careful you don't get caught up in the confusion and start defining people as 'friends' or 'enemies' by whether or not they share your current beliefs about what is going on--they may just know more (or less) about it, than you.
• There is one force of good--spiritual forces of evil are attacking from many sides   There is only one force for good, and it is far more powerful than the force of evil.  However, the force of evil is desperate, and is attacking from every side.  Stand firm and wait for God's deliverance (no, not the 'Rapture') when you are besieged.  Have faith.  Resist evil and it will retreat.
• Get back to the basics   Don't let yourself be taken on a tangent by new and intriguing teachings. There is much deception swirling around us.  Go back to the basics that God teaches us in the Bible, and hold on tight.
• Search your heart often   Our hearts our desperately wicked, yet if we would judge ourselves, we'd all see ourselves as innocent.  God judges the intent of our hearts.  It is your heart that decides toward what direction to point your will.  It is your heart that falls into sin first.  None of us is righteous.  Our greatest enemy lies within us, and we are blind to its true condition, and to its power to lead us astray.
• Read your Bible & pray for understanding   The Bible is God's message to us, and is for God's people only--no one else can understand it.  But, the Holy Spirit must teach you what it means.  Equip yourself for the days ahead, by learning it now.
  
• Live by Biblical principles:  even if you don't understand them--they protect you   God's rules form a hedge around you--not a hedge to keep you in, but a hedge to keep evil out.
• Don't follow the crowd   Jesus told us that the path to destruction is wide and many people will go that way and, conversely, the way that leads to life is narrow, and few will find it.
• Don't be distracted by the trivial  God, and his people, are being attacked from every side.   Stay focused, there are many important issues right now--don't let the enemy distract you.
• Be very suspicious of 'miracles' and supernatural displays   Jesus promised that false messiahs and workers of miracles would abound in the latter days.  Don't be surprised, and don't be taken in, no matter how elaborate a 'miracle' may seem.  A lot can be done with money, technology, and demonic power.
• Deceptions come in all sizes  Don't think something is too big and powerful, or too little and unimportant, to be fake.
• Turn off your TV!   More than anything else, this is the tool that Satan uses to unify people in their beliefs and actions.  It's not about what shows you watch--it's the whole paradigm for life, the whole package of values and beliefs, that is presented over and over and over and over . . . molding you without you even being aware.
• Trust no one 100%   Sadly, unfortunately, we have come to this point.
• Be skeptical, think critically   Don't believe everything you see and hear, no matter  how often you see and hear it.  Don't believe everything you are told--no matter who tells you.
• Blindly follow no one   Think for yourself.  It is largely your choices that will determine the course of your life.  Everyone has an agenda.  As times get tougher, people will become more self protective, deceptive and manipulative--in a word: less trustworthy.
• Be responsible for yourself and your children   Start taking on the responsibilities God gave you, because soon you will have to fight tooth and nail for them.  Everyone's children will soon be taken away--because parental authority will be usurped by international treaty.  The irony is, you'll still have the expense and responsibility for raising them, they'll still live with you, but you will not have the freedom to choose what is in their best interest, or how you will raise or teach them.  (What do you think your family life will be like when your teenager realizes you have no legal authority over them?  Who will be running the show then?)
• Protect what is important to you   You are standing on the verge of losing everything that matters to you--and you don't even see it.  Trust me--you'd better wake up and stand up to protect what is important to you now, while you still can.  After that, you're going to have to decide which of your values and freedoms you are willing to die to hold onto, and which you'll learn to live without.
• Diligently protect your children!   The real battle is for the hearts and minds of your children.  If you don't believe me, look to history, look to other countries and their kidnapped child-soldiers, look to how our mandatory, liberal/progressive-run educational system is turning children against their parents.  'There is nothing new under the sun'--history repeats itself.  To see the future, examine the past.  Fight now, before it's too late!
• Teach your children   Equip your children now, to face the deceptions ahead of them.  Your window of opportunity is closing.  Not only will you not be legally able (your parental authority will be gone),  your children will be turned against you in the schools where they are spending 30 or more hours a week under intense pressure from people whose values are in direct opposition to your own--people who have already begun a revolution, against the values we represent.
• Think long and hard before surrendering your freedom for security  An enemy will say anything to get you to surrender--it's much easier on them than having to fight you!  They will even create a crisis, to convince you to surrender your freedom to them, in trade for the promise of peace and safety.
• Remember that what you agree to do voluntarily, will later become mandatory  Seems to be a basic principle in life.
• Remember that if you don't use self control, you will end up under someone else's control  Another seemingly basic principle in life.
• Don't be proud and arrogant  Pride comes before a fall.  It's pride and arrogance that got America into this mess.  It's pride and arrogance that God hates.
• Don't be sucked in by flattery  Oldest trick in the book.  It works most effectively on those with low self esteem, excessive pride and arrogance, or narcissism.

Pastors: Who Are You REALLY Looking Out For?

My apologies to those who are dedicated, sacrificing Pastors who have the best interests of their people at heart.  To those of you who sincerely try:  God bless you.

However, some of you are being so helpful to the devil that he can leave your congregation alone and go on vacation!!

If you don't teach your people right from wrong, the truth from lies . . . if you don't preach about sin and repentance . . . who are you REALLY helping?

Sure, your attendance will be high, and you'll go through the motions of being a minister of the gospel . . . your political correctness will make you popular, but it will be an intricate dance to tell the truth without stepping on anyone's toes.  You'll be so busy with the latest program that you'll hardly notice that your old, faithful, Bible-thumping, Amen-corner Christians have departed.  The flurry of activity will distract you from the fact that you no longer feel God's presence in your church--or in your life.

Is your church 'lukewarm' towards God, towards truth, towards sanctification?  You are the one who sets the standard for your people.  They aren't going to achieve any more than you tell them you believe they can achieve.  If your church is lukewarm, it's because you allow them to be comfortable with being lukewarm!

Pastors:  If you don't teach your people right from wrong, don't maintain a higher standard for your congregation (and yourself), don't confront your people regarding their sins--do you really think you're helping them?

Don't you know, if you permit something, they think God permits it?  If you accept something, they think God accepts it?  If you remain silent about sin, if you don't point it out and call it for what it is--your congregation will assume that you condone it, and that God does likewise!

It would be nice if your people read the Bible--but you can't assume that they do!!  You need to shore up the foundations of their understanding--and then add the basic building blocks.  Forget the fancy trim and designer windows! Forget following the crowd!  Forget the latest fad!  Forget pleasing people--please God!!  Your people are falling into deception, and God is going to hold you accountable if you are not doing your job!

Satan has been waging a concerted attack against all that is foundational to the lives of human beings. He is setting the stage for his reign on Earth, as the head of a global government.  The day is fast approaching.  His reign won't last for long--but it will be devastating while it does.  How many of your people will be able to (spiritually) endure?  How many of their children have already been led far astray?

Unable to conquer truth, he is changing the definition and concept of truth, making it a relative term--something of little importance.  Unable to obliterate the family as fast as he'd like, he is attempting to redefine it as well, and make the family (as God designed it) obsolete.  He calls the idea of reality into question, teaching that it is something we create through our own will and imagination. 

When I say you need to get back to basics in your preaching--I mean the very foundations of our understanding of God and life!!  As obvious as these things may be to you--don't assume your congregation knows the difference!! They need to know there is a God!  There really is such a thing as absolute truth!  There are actions and beliefs that are right, and others that are wrong.  Jesus is the only way.  Etc., etc., etc.

If you don't teach your people what is sin, don't confront them when they sin, and don't hold them to a higher standard (because you don't want to make them uncomfortable?)--do you think you are acting in their best interest?  Sin and deception will ensnare them and pull them deep into bondage!  Which do you think is worse?  They trust you enough to put their spiritual well-being into your hands.  More than that--God thought highly enough of you, and trusted you enough, to place them in your care!!  Are you going to disappoint His faith in you?

Wake up and do what God has called you to do.  The hour is late!!  God is going to send a powerful delusion to those who do not love the truth . . . teach your people truth!! Teach them to love the truth, to search out the truth, to hold fast to the truth!!

You have labored long and hard--don't give up now that we are in the final stretch!  Forget what is behind and press forward with all your might!!  Your finest hour may be just around the bend!!

A 'Sleeper' Doctrine?

What if I was to tell you that, coiled amongst your core Christian beliefs, was a deception powerful enough to cause you to turn your back on God?  A 'sleeper', if you will, awaiting the right time to strike. . .

A lot is said, in the Bible, about the return of Christ.  But nowhere is a 'Rapture' mentioned.  In fact it is a relatively new doctrine, being only a couple of hundred years old, if I remember right.

In fact, if you put aside everything you've ever heard, and read through the New Testament, asking God to teach you and give you understanding, I believe you will come to a very different conclusion than what is currently being taught.

If you are a born again Christian, you do not have to have someone interpret God's word for you.  The Bible says that the Holy Spirit will teach you all things--if you will listen.

Now, I am not saying that so that you will throw aside your teachers, pastor and elders.  I am saying--don't just take ANYONE's word for spiritual matters, but also search the Scriptures yourself and pray for God to lead you in truth.

I am also saying it so that you understand that it is OK for you to do this.  In fact, when the apostle Paul came and taught them, the people of Berea were praised for it!

'Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.'

The passage I paraphrased, about the Holy Spirit teaching you all things, was written by the apostle John to the church at a time when some were teaching false doctrine--so it absolutely applies to this situation.  This was his word to them, to hold onto the truth and abide in God, and the Holy Spirit would keep them grounded in truth and protected from deception. 

Although we have many wonderful pastors and teachers, now more than ever, it is vital that you look to God, not men.  And because of the difficult times ahead, it is critical that your Christian faith is based on what God's Word (the Bible) say to YOU--not what someone tells you God's Word says to you.  Check it out for yourself!  The foundation you lay now will have to support you through the storms that are coming in the days ahead.

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would remind believers of everything he had taught.  (I believe that also covers the whole Bible, not just the 'red letter' words.)  But how can you be reminded of something you do not know?  God's Word is alive.  Study it, know it and, when you need it, He will remind you of just the right verses that apply to your situation.

I said all that because I want to explain what I believe to be true about 'The Rapture' and the return of Christ. And I want you to understand that I am not trying to recruit disciples to myself.  I want you to find the truth, and not just take my word for it. 

This will probably take up more than one post, so I will have to link them together for you when I finish.  I will conclude this one by giving a couple of my reasons for why I don't believe a 'Rapture' comes before The Tribulation.

1. It never made sense to me that Christians all over the world, for the last 2,000+ years, would endure persecution and yet we (American Christians) would expect God to whisk us away when things got difficult.  What arrogance!  We should expect to suffer MORE than they did, because we were endowed with such tremendous blessings from God and we squandered them!   
2. Also, one of the themes I see, throughout the New Testament, is that suffering is a means of purification.  I really don't like that.  I don't like to suffer, nor do I like to see others suffer (if they are 'innocent'--I've got to be honest).  But God sees things from an eternal perspective and He knows that what we go through here on Earth will build the character that we take with us into eternity. 

These are a couple of the ideas that got me digging deeper to find the truth.  I want to continue on this topic, in a new post, by taking the time to present the verses from God's Word that I believe support my position.



Just Another 'Blue Light Special'?
Deathbed Conversions

Extraterrestrials-Could They Be Human?

I have not been inclined to believe in space aliens.  The Bible says that Satan can disguise himself even as an angel of light, and the Scriptures do not deal with the subject.  Therefore, I haven't spent my time delving into that.  I place the idea into one of two categories (or both):

1. a deception
2. a distraction

Because God does not address the matter in the Scriptures, I feel that it is not central to the point around which the Scriptures revolve.  There is no end to what God could have included in the Scriptures.  However, everything in them either points to, prophesies of, foreshadows or explains The Deal between God and man.  The timeline on The Deal is coming to a close, so that makes it even more of a priority to not get distracted.
That being said, I suspect that something to do with extraterrestrials (real or otherwise) will be a part of end times/latter days events.  
As I said, I have not spent my time delving into the matter and I am no expert.  Like everyone else, I have some familiarity with the subject.  Many people claim to have had encounters with otherworldly beings.  The dominant themes that emerge seem to be:

• Fear and negative feelings surrounding the encounter
• Being dominated
• Being physically examined
• Mental perceptions being altered

It also seems, but I could be mistaken, that most people describe these aliens similarly.  The pictures I have seen all portray them as humanoid, resembling fetuses in my opinion.
Here are my thoughts regarding who these beings, might be.
Whatever these beings are, they were created or allowed by God.  He was, in the beginning, the creator of all that existed.  Since then, many things have been created from what He provided in the beginning.  However, unlike God, no one has been able to create anything apart from the basic building blocks that God put in place.  Therefore these beings are subject to Him and the laws of His kingdom. 
While God's kingdom is based upon free will, these beings apparently do not respect the free will of those they encounter.  They dominate and control the objects of their interest. 
Now, IF life were to arise, by itself, in some distant galaxy-why would the beings so closely resemble humans?  Look at the incredible diversity of life here on earth and pair that with the odds of evolution!  What are the chances of such similarities AND the intersection between us and them both in TIME and in PLACE in the vastness of the universe that is billions of years old?!
The theories I have currently, which seem plausible to me, are:

1. The beings are fallen angels/demons
2. The beings had a human ancestor here on earth

(I won't elaborate on the first idea here, but it will be explained in the context of a future blog on The 2 Kingdoms.)
So, if we consider the idea that these beings had a human ancestor here on earth, it opens up a number of possibilities.  I'll admit that, because I don't have the time or the inclination to really ponder this to any degree, I have formed an opinion without a great deal of thought or research into the matter.  I have taken up this opinion based on things I do know, and an idea that came to me from who-knows-where*. 
I don't believe that humans have ever mastered time travel.  I believe that whenever they have been on the brink of that discovery, that God has 'pressed the reset button'.  But I have long thought that man, perhaps at one time, lived on Mars and utterly destroyed its atmosphere. 
It could be that pre-flood mankind did colonize other planets, or create space colonies of some sort.  It could be that these people, once sent into space, were affected both by the conditions of where they chose to live, and by having a limited gene pool for reproduction. Or they may have employed cloning, or some other method, to reproduce.  It is also possible that ancient man understood the DNA code and had chosen to create different races of men. What if these beings are humanoid and were either, by choice or circumstance, genetically altered or mutated?  What if they come in search of purer DNA to heal themselves?
My concern is either that these encounters are real and the enemy, using the opportunity they afford, will weave them into his plan for domination of all mankind (or that he has inspired the visits as part of his plan) OR that these are merely demonic entities and it is all part of his elaborate deception to conquer and control mankind.
Whichever the case, certain things remain true:

• There is a God that, in the beginning, created all things.  He is still alive and Lord over all.  He has given us all free will and, unless invited to by his people, will not interfere again in the affairs of mankind, until the appointed time.
• There is an enemy (Satan and his following of fallen angels/demons) whose time is short.  The keys to this world were given into his hands when Adam (to whom God had given the keys) chose to sin. He is one 'god' that goes by many names and it is his goal to control all of mankind and to enlist the support of as many as he can in his rebellion against God.
• Since Adam, all mankind is born into sin and each one will ultimately commit sin him/herself.  Once a person knowingly sins, they are cut off from relationship with God.
• God is a triune being-3 beings in one (Father, Son & Holy Spirit).  He decided that, to save mankind whom He loves, He must come to earth in flesh, live a sinless life and pay for the sins of all mankind, so that they could be reconciled to Him.
• He, The Son, surrendered Himself to death & hell, and paid the price of sin for all mankind.  He was resurrected on the third day.
• This Son, Jesus, is the ONLY way for mankind to have a relationship with God. By accepting His death & punishment on our behalf, by repenting of our sins, and by commiting ourselves to serve Him and live by His standards, we are set free.
• Whether these beings are descended from man or are fallen angels, they, as we are, are subject to God and created according to His plan.
• They will probably be part of a Satanic deception or distraction.
• They are irrelevant to God's plan for mankind.

*I believe ideas can come from several sources:

• God
• The enemy/Satan/demons
• Our own imaginations
• Other people
• Our intuition/gut feelings

I believe our intuition is our subconscious mind processing everything that we take in by way of our five senses.  It then produces a result that comes to us as a dream, an idea, or a feeling. 
Because our subconscious mind is aware of many more things that our conscious mind, and because it works in the background, free of conscious censorship, and because it can access all the memories that our conscious mind can forget, it can add a deeper dimension to our understanding of the world around us.
HOWEVER-it, just like our conscious mind, can be influenced by the other sources listed above.  It is also limited, like our conscious mind, to what it has actually experienced and perceived.  It is NOT a source of unlimited wisdom and absolute truth. 
It is sort of like the difference between a calculator and a supercomputer: it can process the information better and faster, and calculate more possibilies, but it is still dependent on the information that is given to it. 
For people that have learned to connect with their subconscious mind, it can be a valuable tool.


What Does The Devil Look Like?
Angels, Demons & Raising The Dead

2010 Census Questions

I'm a little ashamed of myself.  I too got caught up a bit in the hysteria over the 2010 Census questions.  But, before you decide that this is where you 'draw your line in the sand', let me give it to you 'in a nutshell'.
Here is a link to the proposed questions, as submitted to Congress in March 2007 (not during the Obama administration).  You can decide for yourself.:
2010 Census & ACS Survey
To summarize: Every 10 years the CENSUS is taken.  It is NOT mandatory that you participate.  The next will be taken in 2010, some time after April. Most of these questions have been asked for the last 200 years, and most people wouldn't have a problem with them.
The part that people are upset about is the AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY.  This is now taken every year, with about 1 in 6 households being chosen to participate.  This IS mandatory, with fines up to $5,000 for not providing a truthful answer to the questions.  This is where the intrusive questions are asked.
At the above link you can see each question, along with an explanation of the date it was included in the census &/or survey and the reasons the question is being asked.
From what I could see, all of the questions were being asked to tailor existing social service programs and benefit levels to the needs of the individual community.  I happen to have familiarity with a number of these programs and can confirm that they depend on this information.
That being said, certainly the information could be used for other purposes.  It also requires trust to give up so much personal information and, frankly, this administration spent most of the public's trust in its first 100 days.
Besides these questions being submitted to Congress, for approval, a year and a half before Obama was elected, another thing to note is that these questions are the same ones from the 2000 'long form' census, with the exception of one that is being dropped (regarding military service) and 3 that are new:

1. What type of health insurance do you have? (multiple choice)
2. Marriage History: change of marital status in last 12 months?  How many times married?  Year of last marriage?
3. Do you have a service-connected disability rating from the VA? (Veteran's Administration)

I am not convinced of the rationale behind the Marriage History questions.  However, a 'new HEALTHY MARRIAGE grant program' is mentioned.  I can't say I've heard of it myself, but I expect it is legitimate.  If so, then the questions might be justified.
So, as for me, I guess I won't be exercising nonviolent civil disobedience, but will go ahead and answer the questions-except perhaps the new ones regarding marriage.
My main concern however, is the involvement of ACORN which is currently under investigation-and rightfully so, as it appears.  If I were to refuse to answer any questions, it would be because ACORN is conducting the survey.  I say, offer the job to the wonderful Senior Citizens that volunteer at the polls in my city.  With them asking the questions, I'd feel comfortable answering.
(In the past, when the 10 year Census was conducted, most people received the 'short form', but some received the 'long form' that asked additional questions.  A couple of changes have been made:

• The census dropped the additional questions and now is only 'short form' and still is only every 10 years.  It is asked of everyone, and is voluntary, but not too intrusive.
• The additional questions became the 'American Community Survey' which is now taken every year.  It is sent to approximately 1 in 6 households each year.  It is mandatory and seems fairly intrusive to many people-most of whom are hearing the questions for the first time.

If you are concerned, it is understandable in light of the current administration's deceptions, manipulations, excessive pressure, contrived sense of urgency, usurpations of power, monumental intrusiveness, radical agenda, and trampling of our constitutional rights.  However, this may not be the 'big deal' some are making it out to be.)


National Health Care ID Card . . . 'The Mark Of The Beast'?
'The Mark Of The Beast': Characteristics
Are You Afraid? (forced vaccinations)