Day: March 10, 2024
DON’T LOSE FAITH by William Oldham
“Life is easy, when you’re upon the mountain, and you’ve got peace of mind, like you’ve never known. But things change when you’re down in the valley—don’t lose faith, for you’re never alone.”
“You talk of faith when you’re upon the mountain, but talk comes so easy when life’s at its best. Now it’s down in the valleys, of trials and temptations, that’s where your faith, is really put to the test.”
“For the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley. When things go wrong, He’ll make them right. And the God of the good times, is still God in the bad times; the God of the day is still God in the night.” —Tracy Dartt 1975
I read the story that inspired Tracy to write this song. It is a very encouraging testimony to the faithfulness of God towards His children, when they find themselves “down in the valley.”
I very well remember the first time I heard this song. One of the ladies at the church where I was pastor, sang it at the beginning of our morning service. It spoke to my heart, and has been a blessing to me ever since. Sometime after that, a story in the Bible came to my mind, which I feel certain inspired Tracy with the words to his song.
In the days of the kings of Israel, a hostile king, Ben-hadad of Aram, gathered all his army and thirty-two kings and set out to conquer the kingdom of Israel. He sent this word to Ahab, the king of Israel: “Your silver and your gold are mine; your most beautiful wives and children are also mine.” The two kings exchanged words with king Ben-hadad greatly taunting king Ahab. But the God of Israel heard every word that came out of the mouth of the wicked king.
The Lord sent a prophet to Ahab with these words: “Thus says the Lord, ‘Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver them into your hands today, and you shall know that I am the LORD.” 1 Kings 20:1-13
That very day, king Ahab with a very small army defeated them and turned them back. Later, the Lord sent word to the king of Israel, telling him that Ben-hadad was going to attack him again the following year. The plan to attack Israel came about this way: the servants of Ben-hadad said to him, “Their gods are gods of the mountains, therefore they were stronger than we; but rather let us fight against them in the valley, and surely we will be stronger than they.” 1 Kings 20:23
The time came when king Ben-hadad attacked Israel with all the forces he could muster, including the Arameans. That was a bad choice, for the Lord had heard the Arameans say: “The Lord is a god of the mountains, but He is not a god of the valleys.” Needless to say, the defeat of the king of Aram the second time was much greater that it was the first time.
Child of God, your Father is with you when you’re upon the mountain, He’s with you when things seem to be really going well, when you are filled with His love, peace and joy. He’s with you when you are filled with thanksgiving, praise and a resolve to serve Him all the days of your life: those are great days, full of light and joy. But the enemy can bring us down into the valley through trying circumstances.
Child of God, your Father sees the trials, temptations, and tribulations that you face on a daily basis. As you seek to trust Him with all your heart, and follow Jesus, He knows your weaknesses and frustrations; He sees all of the distractions you encounter, the strong tug of your flesh to just give up, and the constant fiery darts the enemy shoots at you, trying to wound you with doubts and confusion. In the valley, we have this sure word of encouragement from our God:
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Child of God, don’t lose faith, for you’re never alone.
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‘What I See’ by Daymond Duck
From raptureready.com
By Daymond Duck
On Feb. 26, 2024, it was reported that an Arab peace activist (named Loay Alshareef) from Abu Dhabi spoke at a rally in London where he said:
- “When I see the flag of Israel, I don’t see a flag of a country that is 75 years young, 3,000 years old. I see a flag that has heritage for prophets and kings, that we as Muslims revere and honor. I see in this flag the battle between David and Goliath. I see in this flag when David proclaimed Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state of the kingdom of Israel at that time. I see the flag of Solomon when he was the king. I said see the flag of Ezra and Nehemiah returning to the land of Israel in 586 (My note: He may have meant 536) when the Babylonian exile took place. I see Yehuda Maccabi fighting against Antiochus Epiphanes, and I see Jews leaving the land of Israel at 70 [CE] and returning back in 1948. This is what I see in this flag.”
This is an amazing statement; I have great respect for this brave man, and it inspired me to tell you what I see when I look at the flag of Israel and the flag of Jerusalem (it will help you to look at a picture of the flags on the internet).
When I look at the flag of Israel, I see the first coming of Jesus.
- The two stripes remind Christians and Jews that Jesus was beaten when He came the first time, and by His stripes, we are healed (Isa. 53:5).
- The Star of David reminds Christians and Jews that Jesus came the first time as a descendant of King David (Matt. 1:1, 9:27, 12:23, 15:22, 20:30), and the Lord shall give unto him the throne of his father David (Luke 1:32).
- The star also reminds Christians and Jews that Jesus is called the Star out of Jacob (Num. 24:17), and He is called the bright and morning star (Rev. 22:16).
- Placing the star in the center of the flag reminds Christians and Jews that Jesus should be the center of our life.
- The four corners on the flag remind Christians and Jews that God would gather the Jews from the four corners of the earth before the Tribulation Period (Isa. 11:12; 66:7-11; Jer. 31:8).
- The white background on the flag reminds Christians that Jesus is holy and without sin. He knew no sin (II Cor. 5:21).
- The stripes and star are blue, the color of the sky. Blue reminds Christians and Jews that we must be born again from above, and we should keep our eyes on heaven (watch for His return) as we live for Jesus.
When I look at the flag of Jerusalem, I see the Second Coming of Jesus.
- The flag of Jerusalem is like the flag of Israel (stripes, four corners, blue with white background) except for what is in the center of the flag (a Lion in front of a brick wall, between two olive branches under some Hebrew letters).
- The Lion is the symbol of the Tribe of Judah, the tribe that was in charge of Jerusalem and the Temple in Old Testament times, and it reminds Christians and Jews that Jesus will come back as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
- The brick wall pictures a segment of the Wailing Wall that was part of the support structure for the Temple, and it reminds Christians and Jews that the Temple will be rebuilt before the Second Coming of Jesus.
- The Hebrew writing is the word “Jerusalem.”
- The olive branches are a symbol of peace. They remind Christians and Jews that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and that the world will not have peace until the Second Coming of Jesus (Isa. 9:6).
The above things are not a coincidence; they are reminders from God that can be found in Scripture.
The Messiah came the first time as a descendent of King David (flag of Israel), and He will come the second time as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (flag of Jerusalem).
Here are recent events that may relate to Bible prophecy.
One, concerning the destruction of Damascus, Syria, in one night at the end of the age (Isa. 17): on Feb. 28, 2028, it was reported that Israel struck several sites in Syria, and there were:
- Significant explosions near Damascus.
- A significant explosion in Damascus.
- Two members of Hezbollah were killed and six injured.
Israel has been attacking sites near Damascus for years, but this report said there was a significant explosion IN Damascus.
Two, concerning wars and rumors of wars: on Feb. 29, 2024, All Israel News reported that Hamas military leader Yahye Sinwar appears to believe his troops can hold off Israel in Rafah long enough for civilian causalities to increase to the point that international pressure will force Israel to halt the war.
Have you got that? Sinwar’s plan appears to be to hide out and wait while Palestinian civilians (men, women, and children) are starving and dying because he believes the international community will eventually rescue him (and he will survive to keep stealing and killing).
(More: Protests against Hamas in Gaza are beginning to grow and become more vocal. Some Gazans are complaining that Hamas political leaders are living in luxury in foreign countries while residents of Gaza are starving and dying. They believe their situation would significantly improve if Hamas would release the hostages. Some are beginning to blame Sinwar for starting the war and causing their misery.)
(More: Israel thinks they have come close to capturing Sinwar several times; he knows it; he is running and constantly changing hiding places.)
Three, concerning Pres. Biden’s efforts to undermine Prime Min. Netanyahu and Israel’s war with Hamas: on Mar. 1, 2024, Marc Zell, Chairman of Republicans Overseas Israel, said,
- “Those of us who understand what’s going on with the Biden administration said very early on that Joe Biden and all of his strong support for Israel may have been his personal view. But the people that run Joe Biden, that is the Obama folks that run the White House and Obama himself in his basement near Washington or wherever he happens to be, have a different view about Israel. They were never friendly with Israel.”
Zell believes Israel needs to stay the course, not listen to the Obama folks who are running the White House, and do what is best for Israel.
(More: On Mar. 1, 2024, it was reported that nine Republican Senators sent Biden a letter urging him to stop putting sanctions on Jews for violence against Palestinians. They pointed out that he is giving money to the PA who is paying the salaries of Palestinians who kill Jews, and he hasn’t put sanctions on any of them.)
(More: On Mar. 2, 2024, it was reported that Benny Gantz (Politician, former Defense Min., member of Israel’s war cabinet) will soon travel to Washington to meet with Biden and others (and then go to London) without the approval of Prime Min. Netanyahu and contrary to Israeli regulations. Why? In my words, because Biden thinks Netanyahu’s government is too religious and too conservative, and it is not doing what Biden is telling it to do. Biden’s anti-Israel attitude is anti-Bible and anti-God. Based on Gen. 12:3, Biden may be putting the U.S., and/or himself, under a curse.)
(More: On Mar. 4, 2024, it was reported that Biden is trying to find someone to support the Two-State solution. It was also reported that Netanyahu ordered the Israeli ambassador to Washington to boycott the meetings.)
(More: On Mar. 4, 2024, Biden put sanctions on a small Israeli company that makes essential parts for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. Iran-backed Muslims are firing rockets into Israel every day. The IDF needs the Iron Dome to help defend Israel. But Biden has chosen to sanction the company during a war.)
Four, concerning corruption and deceit in the Biden family, FBI, and media: on Feb. 28, 2024, during testimony before a Congressional committee, Hunter Biden admitted that his dad is the “big guy” mentioned in one of his e-mails, but he denied that his dad received any of the millions of dollars that he (Hunter) got from China.
It is clear that a lot of people owe Tony Bobulinski an apology.
For whatever it is worth, there is evidence that Hunter gave thousands of dollars to his dad, but he claims the money was repayment for a loan.
(More: On Mar. 1, 2024, it was reported that Pres. Biden’s brother, James, said he repaid a loan to Pres. Biden with a check for $40,000 with money he received from a company with ties to Communist China.)
Five, concerning lying, deceit, or dementia in the White House: on Feb. 28, 2024, Pres. Biden said, “Last year, the U.S. had one of the lowest rates of all violent crime in more than 50 years.”
Many sources say crime has increased, especially in Democrat-run cities, but there are fewer police (due to the defund the police movement), fewer arrests, fewer prosecutions, etc., so the numbers look good, but they are no longer reliable.
Six, concerning an anti-Israel attitude in the White House: the U.S. continues to criticize Israel for not doing enough to help hungry citizens in Gaza.
The population of Gaza is about 2.1 to 2.2 million people, so 3 meals a day would require more than 6.3 million meals per day (perhaps less because of babies).
On Mar. 2, 2024, the U.S. airlifted about 38,000 Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) into Gaza (no water, no medical supplies, etc., and Hamas probably got some of those).
About 2 million hungry people got nothing from the U.S., but the next day, on Mar. 3, 2024, Vice Pres. Harris called upon Israel to do more to help them.
(My opinion: It is right to sympathize with the hungry Palestinians, but world leaders and Arab nations have made this crisis worse by doing nothing about Hamas taking control of Gaza and then hindering Israel’s war effort.)
Seven, concerning famine and world government: on Mar. 1, 2024, it was reported that the World Economic Forum (WEF) is demanding that governments ban citizens from growing their own food in order to save the planet from global warming.
According to the WEF, home gardens produce more CO2 than traditional farming.
(More: On Mar. 4, 2024, it was reported that globalists are trying to replace the world’s existing food supply with food products that they control.)
(My opinion: Gaza is a picture of how the globalist population reduction and their desire to control people by controlling their food and healthcare will wind up.)
Eight, concerning an economic collapse in the U.S. (which would probably trigger a global economic collapse) and famine: last week, it was reported that America’s national debt is now $34.48 trillion and rising at the rate of $1 trillion every 3 months.
It was also reported that Food Stamp costs have gone up 31% in the last 3 years.
(My opinion: The number of hungry people in the U.S. is increasing.)
Nine, concerning an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters at the end of the age: several days of unusually strong winds have spread wildfires in Texas; more than one million acres have been scorched (the most in Texas History); the loss of homes, buildings, vehicles, crops, livestock, wildlife, etc. is devastating; and in some cases, the fires are still spreading.
(More: This does not include more than 30,000 acres in Oklahoma.)
(More: As this was being written, on Mar. 1, 2024, forecasters were predicting 6 to 10 ft. of snow, 60 to 75 mph winds in the Sierra Nevada mountains this coming weekend, and heavy rain at lower elevations.).
(More: As of Mar. 2, 2024, several feet of snow, wind gusts of 190 mph, and a tornado have already pummeled California.)
Ten, concerning world government and a borderless world: Tennessee Gov. Lee asked for 100 Army National Guard soldiers to volunteer to go to the U.S.-Mexico border to help Texas defend it because our president isn’t doing it.
About 400 soldiers have signed up to go.
(More: On Mar. 5, 2024, the U.S. Center for Immigration Studies admitted that the Biden administration flew about 320,000 illegal immigrants from foreign airports to 43 different cities in the U.S. in 2023 to reduce the border crossing numbers. Some say this is an act of treason.)
Eleven, concerning Hamas starting the Oct. 7, 2023 war because Israel has acquired red heifers, one of which may be sacrificed to qualify priests to rebuild the Temple: on Mar. 5, 2024, Yitshak Mamo, a member of one of the groups that want to rebuild the Temple said:
- A ceremony to approve a red heifer for sacrifice could take place any day now.
- I understand why Hamas could be outraged, but I cannot understand why they have to slaughter and rape people to win their war.
- Terrorists have been attacking us before we ever dreamed of these cows.
- They don’t need them (the red heifers) as an excuse to kill.
(Reminder: Religious Jews have tried to sacrifice animals in the past, and the government stopped them. Whether or not the government will allow them to sacrifice a red heifer this year remains to be seen. It will happen when God is ready for it to happen, and it will be a big, big, big deal.)
Here is my daily update on the Israel-Hamas war.
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 (Day 145): The ninetieth day of the resumed war.
- Hezbollah terrorist leader Ismail Haniyeh called for the Islamic Resistance (Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic Jihad, etc.) to step up attacks on Israel during the month of Ramadan, which begins on Mar. 10, 2024.
- Hamas called for Palestinians to march to the Al-Aqsa Mosque for the start of Ramadan.
- Israel’s Defense Min. said Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas intend to turn the month of Ramadan into the second phase of October 7 and set fire to the area.
Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 (Day 146): The ninety-first day of the resumed war.
- Israel said it has killed more than 13,000 Hamas terrorists since the war began.
- Dozens of Gazans were killed in a stampede for food when Israel sent more than 30 truckloads of food and supplies into Gaza.
Friday, Mar. 1, 2024 (Day 147): The ninety-second day of the resumed war.
- There are credible reports that Iranian and Hezbollah forces are on the ground and helping the Houthis in Yemen.
- Israel told Qatar and Egypt that it (Israel) will not attend any more meetings to discuss a hostage deal until Hamas provides a list of how many hostages are alive (It is known that some may have been murdered, some are sick, etc.).
- Hamas said 7 hostages were killed during an Israeli raid. They are now claiming that altogether Israel has killed 70 hostages.
Saturday, Mar. 2, 2024 (Day 148): The ninety-third day of the resumed war.
- An Israeli drone killed a senior Hezbollah commander and two others. It was later reported that Hassan Nasrallah’s grandson was one of the three Hezbollah terrorists.
- A ship that Houthi terrorists attacked about two weeks ago has finally sunk in the Red Sea.
Sunday, Mar. 3, 2024 (Day 149): The ninety-fourth day of the resumed war.
- A ceasefire deal is on the table, and officials are gathering in Egypt for negotiations. Hamas is demanding an end to the war, not a ceasefire. Both sides are demanding that the other get out of Gaza.
- Israel said it will not send a delegation to the ceasefire talks in Gaza because Hamas has not responded to its demand for the number of hostages that are alive and the number that are deceased, and Hamas has not said how many prisoners they expect Israel to release for each hostage Hamas releases.
- A Hamas delegation arrived in Egypt for ceasefire talks and said they will not release any information on the hostages without major concessions from Israel.
- Hamas said this will be the last chance to reach a ceasefire agreement before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins on Mar. 10, 2024, and if there is no agreement, there will be an escalation of attacks in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
- Fighting is raging in Gaza, and the U.S. is airdropping food there.
- Netanyahu said Palestinian statehood will not be shoved down our throats.
Monday, Mar. 4, 2024 (Day 150): The ninety-fifth day of the resumed war.
- The Houthis cut 4 more underwater communications cables in the Red Sea (there are 15 cables in the Red Sea, so roughly one-fourth of the communications are down).
- Yahya Sinwar is counting on Ramadan to unite the Muslims and trigger a holy war that will lead to the destruction of Israel.
- Israeli troops have surrounded a neighborhood in Khan Yunis, apprehended dozens of Hamas terrorists, and are planning to eradicate those who do not surrender.
Tuesday, Mar. 5, 2024 (Day 151): The ninety-sixth day of the resumed war.
- Hamas said they do not know whether specific hostages are dead or alive.
- The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is intensifying (30 rockets fired into Israel today).
- Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) are calling for Ramadan to be a “month of terror” in Israel and Jerusalem in the Battle for al Aqsa.
- Biden warned that the situation will be very, very, dangerous without a ceasefire by Ramadan.
FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born with a sin nature and destined to go to Hell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6).
Finally, are you Rapture Ready?
If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.
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What is “Spiritual Formation” and is it for Christians? Are you Being Taught This in Your Church? Originally posted on March 9, 2023
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
When I was checking out Asbury Seminary and Church online, something jumped out at me and it gave me a ‘check’ in my spirit. I’m quite sure the reader knows what I mean. It was their emphasis on learning and practicing‘Spiritual Formation.’
This is not unique to Asbury. I believe that this practice has infiltrated most Evangelical churches in the world today. If leadership and members of churches do not have discernment, this is very dangerous. Spiritual Formation is New Age. It is mystical, and that alone should alarm any child of God.
From gotquestions.org
What is the spiritual formation movement?
The spiritual formation movement is very popular today. It is, however, in many ways a move away from the truth of God’s Word to a mystical form of Christianity, and it has infiltrated, to some degree, nearly all evangelical denominations. This idea of spiritual formation is based on the premise that if we do certain practices, we can be more like Jesus. Proponents of spiritual formation erroneously teach that anyone can practice these mystical rituals and find God within themselves.
Too often, adherents of the current spiritual formation movement believe the spiritual disciplines transform the seeker by his or her entering an altered realm of consciousness. The spiritual formation movement is characterized by such things as contemplative prayer, contemplative spirituality, and Christian mysticism.
True biblical spiritual formation, or spiritual transformation, begins with the understanding that we are sinners living apart from God. Our faculties have been corrupted by sin so that we cannot please God. True spiritual transformation occurs as we yield ourselves to God so that He may transform us by the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. At least half of every New Testament epistle is geared toward how to live a life well pleasing to God—by obedience and submission to the Holy Spirit in all things. Scripture does not only call us the redeemed, saved, saints, sheep, soldiers, and servants, but teaches us that only through the power of the Spirit we can live up to what the names mean.
The following passages address various aspects of spiritual formation, the work of God in the life of the believer.
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29). Here is the aim of transformation: that we may be like Christ.
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). This is part of a passage that teaches that we are changed into the image of Christ not by following rules and laws, but by following the leading of the Spirit by faith.
“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:3-7).
Here, Paul reminds us of our before-and-after life. We have responded to the “kindness and love of God” shown to us by the death of Christ for our sins, repented of our sins, and now respond to the Spirit’s continual prompting and empowerment to live differently as God’s children. As a result, we have been transformed by the “rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (v. 5). This, then, is true spiritual formation—the reforming of our spirits by His Spirit into the image of Christ. Source
I will prove to the reader that Spiritual Formation is not only NEW AGE but also embraced in Hinduism and Yoga.
Don’t believe me? Well, I came upon a website which should convince you that Spiritual Formation is NOT for born-again believers in Christ.
Please hear me when I say that the following is taken from a “Yoga” website!
From yogakali.com
What Is Spiritual Formation?
1/7 What is spiritual formation?
2/7 The process of being formed or shaped spiritually
3/7 The role of spiritual formation in the life of a Christian
4/7 The benefits of spiritual formation
5/7 The importance of spiritual formation in the life of the church
6/7 The challenges of spiritual formation
7/7 The future of spiritual formation
****Brethren – nowhere on this website are these people claiming to be Christians, yet they are “teaching” Christians how to practice Spiritual Formation!!
This excerpt comes from “The future of Spiritual Formation” Read it carefully to see what this practice is REALLY about. I am bolding the most important words:
“It is also worth noting that spiritual formation is not just for people who are religious. In fact, many people who would not consider themselves to be religious are finding value in spiritual practices. This is because spiritual formation is not about following a set of rules or believing in certain dogma. Instead, it is about creating a personal connection with the divine and finding a sense of peace and calm in the midst of a chaotic world.“
Brethren – if you cannot glean the blatant NEW AGE verbiage in that paragraph, then I think that you may need to examine your walk with Christ. Did you repent of your sins and trust the Lord Jesus Christ (ALONE) for the forgiveness of your sins to be saved?
Do you see that long before churches were teaching about “Spiritual Formation” this was being used in mystical New Age circles!
It is hard to believe the extent of deception in the body of Christ today. It saddens me. The Word of God has everything we need, and the Holy Spirit within us helps the child of God to become more and more Christ-like.
Here is an article I wrote about YOGA and how it is NOT for Christians:
Christian Yoga: Bringing the Kundalini Serpent into the Church
Here is another article I wrote to help the brethren to clearly see ‘New Age’ terminology and reject it:
CHRISTIANS BEWARE: NEW AGE Philosophies are Invading the Church – Have You Been Fooled?
MARANATHA!
