He's Alive!!

Have a most blessed Easter!!

He's Alive!!

The Warning Zone By Glynda Lomax

 

   In the spirit this morning, I kept seeing a dark foreboding sky whenever I prayed and asked the Lord for a word for us. I did not know what it meant, but it looked like the dark skies you see in Tornado Alley whenever an area is under tornado warning. You know death lurks in the darkness hovering silently above and your respect for its sudden destructive power spurs you to action if you are in the warning zone.

   My children, make your final preparations now and have them ready. 

NOTE: I saw in my spirit those are preparations for leaving the earth – have your affairs in order and whatever you would do if you knew you did not have long on the earth – do it now. Be ready to go on any given day. If you know you’re going on a trip, you get everything ready. He is saying Get everything ready, so you are ready to go. Then you don’t have to think about that any more, and you can focus on Him.

   A storm approaches America and much darkness abounds within it. Events will terrorize its people, and will spur many to give their hearts to Me. My desire is the lost would turn to Me in this time and not perish, and I am giving opportunities that they may do that.

   Be ready to be called home at any time, that your focus may be solely on Me in this time. If your preparations are complete, you will not be concerned for the things of the world.

   Set your face to pray now for those who do not know Me. I will greatly reward those who spend precious hours in intercession and it gladdens My heart when I see you do this. I came to save them, but so few care if they get saved. Intercede and receive My blessings!

   This is not a time to fear, but a time of readiness. You know what is approaching, for I have shown you in your spirit. Do not be as the unwise virgins, but prepare as the wise ones and be glad, for soon the door will be shut and those unprepared will be left without.

Matthew 25:1-13

• ¹ Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
• ² And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
• ³ They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
• ⁴ But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
• ⁵ While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
• ⁶ And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
• ⁷ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
• ⁸ And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
• ⁹ But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
• ¹⁰ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
• ¹¹ Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
• ¹² But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
• ¹³ Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

7 Ways to Shorten Your Seasons of Struggle by James Goll

Battle is part of the Christian life. There is a real enemy and you were born into a war. So seasons of struggle are a given.

But can you shorten your seasons of struggle? I believe you can, and I believe that the Bible is filled with good advice toward this end. You do not need to prolong the agony. You can arise and conquer.

One of the enemy’s ploys is to make you roll over into a passive position. When that happens, you are no longer actively engaged and the devil can roll over you. It is important to daily arise, speak to your inner man and remind yourself of the foundational truths in the Word of God! As you rise up, these truths become weapons that drive the enemy back and make quick work of the battle.

Even if you have been through a few skirmishes before, you can’t just slide into automatic pilot. It is vital to use your most effective weapons, ones that are tried and tested. These are weapons that work—but you must work them. Did you catch that? For the weapons to work, YOU must work THEM!

Jesus’ work on the cross is perfect and complete, but you are called to enforce of victory of Calvary in your own life.Sometimes you must DO. You cannot just passively “slip and slide”. Passivity leads only to one place: the downward spiral of darkness. Instead, put on your spiritual armor and dress yourself for battle.

So let’s take a look at 7 foundational truths, the weapons of our warfare, that we must remember and apply.

Seven Effective Spiritual Weapons

1. You Must Know and Speak the Word.
   I cannot emphasize enough the power and efficacy of Scripture. As Jesus did in the midst of his wilderness temptation, you must know and speak the Word of God. Not only will the Word put a stop to the enemy’s lies, but it will also build you up so that you can stand firm. Here are a couple of words from the Word about the effectiveness of the Word:
   “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15, NIV
   “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17, NASB
2. Your Conversations Must Reflect the Mentality of a Conqueror.Let the Holy Spirit and the Word permeate your mind and heart so that your conversations reflect the mentality of a conqueror. This gives new meaning to the proverb, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21).
3. You Must Take the Authority Over Satan in the Name of Jesus.Always remember the power of the name of the Lord. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the [consistently] righteous man [upright and in right standing with God] runs into it and is safe, high [above evil] and strong”(Proverbs 18:10, AMPLIFIED). Declare his name, loudly or quietly, and expect your enemy to fall back:
   “Therefore God also has highly exalted him and given him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.” Philippians 2:9-10
4. You Must By Faith Clothe Yourself with God’s Spiritual Armor.Day after day, clothe yourself by faith with God’s spiritual armor: “Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]” (Ephesians 6:13, AMP).
   Never take your armor off. When you do, you allow yourself to get bombarded by the wicked thoughts of defeat. Keep the sword of the Spirit in your Hand and the Helment of Hope of Salvation upon your head. Always have your shield of faith ready to extinguish the fiery darts of the evil one.
5. You Must Tap into the Power of Prayer and Fasting.Do not forget to tap into the power of prayer. “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16b, NASB). Fasting adds power to your prayers:
   “Is this not the fast which I choose,
   To loosen the bonds of wickedness,
   To undo the bands of the yoke,
   And to let the oppressed go free
   And break every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6, NASB
   Get others involved in the praying. Call your believing friends and ask them to pray for you. Never underestimate the extra power of a prayer of agreement:

   “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:18-19, NIV
6. Keep the High Declaring the Praises of God!Keep praising God through everything. Not only does praise express and build up your faith, but it also creates a climate that Satan cannot tolerate. What a wonderful weapon for bringing light into darkness! Remember how a few psalms played on a little harp drove the evil spirit away from King Saul:
   “So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him” (1 Samuel 16:23, NASB).
   So keep on Praising the Lord!Praise will turn your prison cell into a place of triumph. Remember, it is the High Praises of God that bind the powers of Darkness (See Psalm 149).
7. You Must Draw Forth the Wisdom of God’s Spiritual Veterans.Honor the veterans of spiritual battles and learn from their successes and failures. Sometimes you will have “vets” nearby who can mentor you. Other times, you will need to resort to good books and helpful messages from people far away, many of whom will have gone home to their reward years before you were born. “A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel” (Proverbs 1:5, NASB).
   Take it from this veteran, you must learn when to rest and not directly engage the enemy. The devil will always work to wear down the saints (see Daniel 7:25), and the spirit of the antichrist comes to do the same (see 1 John 4:3). Therefore, seek wisdom for your warring and learn to rest, both spiritually and physically.

Powerful Warfare Scriptures

Remember that you are fighting an unseen enemy who is behind all of the opposition that you can see and feel (see Ephesians 6:12). You have the authority of the One who called you, who said,

“I saw Satan falling like a lightning [flash] from heaven. Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven.” Luke 10:18–20, AMP

The body of Jesus Christ tramples on every enemy, enforcing the victory of Calvary. This battle is part of our birthright. However, as the Lord said, we are not supposed to rejoice merely because evil spirits must leave when we say so, but because we are being prepared for a heavenly destination. He wants us to have his perspective.

He wants us to remember that, although we will have to suffer the sting of the enemy’s wrath (as he himself did) it will not last forever. We can be glad about that! “For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time” (Revelation 12:12, NASB).

The devil and his minions are filled with terror. Although they are not omniscient, omnipotent or omni-anything, they do know that their time is short, and this knowledge increases their wrath. They are trying to wreak as much carnage as possible before the final curtain goes down. This can help us as soldiers in God’s army. We can adopt an attitude that says, “Satan, you may have inflicted some wounds on me, but you do not have the final word. I’ve seen the end of the book, and I know you will lose.”

Every skirmish has the same ultimate outcome—victory in Jesus! The last words of Jesus on the cross must be the last words in our mouth and heart, “It Is Finished!”

So, don’t prolong your inevitable battles, use the foundational truths in the Word of God—the weapons of your warfare—and keep the enemy on his toes!

More than Conquerors in Christ Jesus!

James W. Goll

A Refining for a Greater Defining

By: Phyllis Ford Dallas, Texas www.phyllisfordministries.com   PhyllisFordMinistries@gmail.com

Many of us have transitioned out of a season where things that we thought were permanent and significant began to perish. So that the things which would remain could be renewed. In that renewal those things would be strengthened and preserved. This allowed for greater levels of growth and maturity. Now there is a sharp finetuning concerning who we are and what have been prepared to do. Protect that which is sprung forth as new in this hour. For it’s very strength lies in the fact it has been hidden until the time appointed. That new life had to be covered in deep intercession until it’s time of delivery. This course of refining has laid before us a clearer more precise defining. New strength and enlightenment will accompany us along with thorough downloads for implementation. In the season prior, we have received training on how to walk in the dark. (Provers 1:6) Being literally held together by the dark sayings of Wisdom found the Word of God. We are light. As we walk in the light and speak light in the midst of that which tries to oppose us, the darkness will not be able to consume us. As we remain before the Lord so we that we may see His face lighten upon us. The lines of delineation have been drawn in the sand so that we would be realigned in proper positioning according to our purpose. Doors of deception are being closed off and fresh revelation is providing new entry ways. If we allow the wind of the Lord’s breath continually blow upon us it will move us into that which has been prepared before the foundations of time. To those who feel like you have been through hell…. You may have felt like you walked through some Hell-ish situations but, now you have definition on what is and what isn’t. You were overcoming even while you were placed in protective care (custody of the Lord). Your safe house was in the secret place and even when you were overlooked it was for your own protection. Give Praise and Honor unto the Lord your God because He has kept you and sustained you. You will not look like you have been in the fiery furnace of affliction because there will only be a slight trail of smoke. Nor will you look as though you’ve come thru the raging waters but others will look at you and see the moisture of dew upon your face. For the Lord God Almighty has watched over you and have preserved you so that you may help others to come out of where you just came from and cross over. 2 Corinthians 4:16 (KJV) “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV) “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” Isaiah 43:2 (NASB) "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.”

The Passover Lamb

As we enter the most holy of celebrations, Passover, let us prepare our hearts, repent from uncleanliness and seek true understanding of our relationship with God the Father and the Messiah. In a day and age where being Christian or Jew is looked down upon, even by some Christians and Jews, we need to have introspect on our mission in life, how that relates to the Lord, and our position in the world as we come closer to the end of days. This is the week of Nisan 10 on the Hebrew calendar. During the week, the sacrificial lambs were to be examined and only the ones found without blemish would be sacrificed on Nisan 14 (Friday this year) before the beginning of Pesach, or Passover.

 

The Passover coincides with the final days of Christ, his crucifixion, and resurrection. It is the picture of Christ being the true Passover Lamb, the sacrifice that liberates mankind from sin, as did God free the Israelites from the bondage in Egypt. The crucifixion of Christ took place as the Passover lambs were being sacrificed in the temple in Jerusalem. The Hebrew calendar starts its days from sundown to sundown, making its timing far different than the Gregorian calendar that we follow. The Pesach sacrifice (sacrifice of the Passover lambs) needed to be completed before sundown on Nisan 14 (which is Friday on our calendar). The Messiah was nailed to the cross, suffered, and died before sundown on Nisan 14.

 

Christ entered Jerusalem on the 10th of Nisan, which is the day that the devoted Jews were choosing their Passover lambs. This is referenced in Matthew 21 where the great multitude spread their garments and branches on the way saying in verse 9, "Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." Jesus went to the temple and overturned the money changers, his authority was questioned by the religious leaders, and he gave the great commandments, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind...and the second one is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." He also sat with his disciples and taught the chronology of what would happen in the end of days. This is called the Olivet Discourse.

 

Christ stated to his disciples in Matthew 26:2, "Ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified." He then held an early Seder in which he spoke of the wine as his blood and the bread as his body. The events of the evening followed where Christ was taken in the garden, brought before the priests who sought a false witness to put him to death, but as Matthew 26:60 says, "But found none." He was taken before Pilate who also could find no fault in him, but allowed the people to decide if he should be crucified. These events follow the examination of the Passover Lamb who had no blemish. Christ is the true Passover Lamb as stated in 1 Corinthians 5:7, "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us," and John 1:29, "Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world."

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson

www.dailyjot.com

Quiet Before the Storm By Glynda Lomax

 

   My children, as you walk through this time of quiet before the storm, I am maturing you. I am taking you through a maturing process to better prepare you to handle all that is coming your way.

   Many of you depend on family members for much, and those family members are going to be taken from the earth soon. You will need this maturity to go on.

   The world around you will change so drastically and so quickly, you will think surely you cannot survive it, but many of you will survive and go on to be martyrs for My Name’s sake. You will go on to witness to those who do not know Me who are left. You will go on to help others for a short while before I bring you home to Me.

   Be assured, My precious ones, that I have gone ahead to prepare a place for you, and if I prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that you may be there with Me.

   Keep your perspective on the eternal things you are accomplishing for you shall be greatly rewarded for all you endure if you keep your faith to the end.

John 14:1-3

• 1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
• 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
• 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Matthew 24:13-14

• 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
• 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Matthew 16:25-27

• ²⁵ For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
• ²⁶ For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
• ²⁷ For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

The Assault on Our Constitution Pt 11

    Rick Joyner and Don Brown discuss the importance of Judeo-Christian principles as the basis for the rule of law.

Watch Now

The Merciful Ones By Glynda Lomax

sent from Charles Hoover

    Saturday night I was watching news about the bridge that collapsed in Florida and killed 6 people, and thinking how awful it was, when the Lord spoke to me.

    I will take My Merciful Ones home in many ways such as this. Do not grieve when you see these things, My children, for I take them quickly in My Mercy.

   As they have shown others mercy, so mercy is being shown to them. 

NOTE:  His merciful ones are the two year people that He told us about in months past. These will be taken out by the end of August 2019. In my spirit, I saw larger disasters such as the bridge collapse, and others such as tornadoes, train crashes, etc., and also smaller ones such as car accidents, accidental shootings (gun accidents), etc. I saw in my spirit that when He takes one of the merciful people home in one of these ways, He takes them quickly and without pain.

• Matthew 5:7   Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
• James 2:13   For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

PROPHETIC INSIGHT A STUMP IN THE FIELD – A Word By Bill Yount

I saw the Body of Christ plowing with great difficulty in the field of labor. Finally our plow seemed to hit a stump in the field and we couldn’t go any further. With all our efforts and praying this stump remained unmovable and steadfast. Our hearts were broken for we knew God had placed us here to plow in this great field of Harvest.

 

But this ‘stump’ in the field was stopping us.

 

YOU HAVE HIT TREASURE

 

I then heard the Lord say, “You have hit treasure! This is no ordinary stump of an ordinary tree. You have just hit the base of the tree of Calvary. It’s the cross growing in your field! You must not, I repeat, you must not remove it. It is growing in your field to remove you out of the way from hindering My Harvest. Your will have to embrace this cross and die before I can release resurrection power into your field of labor.

 

As we beheld the cross growing in our field, we began to experience a “Severe Pruning” in our spiritual giftings, especially in the area of the prophetic. He was cutting and pruning us back to bring forth a more sure word. He was adjusting our gifts, callings, and ministries to bring forth the fruit of “Servant Hood” in our lives. I heard the Lord say, “Your giftings are showing more than your fruit. You are embarrassing Me!”

 

THERE ARE TIMES YOU DON’T PROPHESY

 

I then remembered right before the cross– they beat on Jesus and cried out to Him – Prophesy to us!. But He didn’t…. there are times you don’t prophesy – you just show others how to die – to self, giftings and plans.

 

As we embrace the cross, death and surrender will bring forth fruit that will remain to bring in the Harvest. In fact fruit is the Harvest – it will bring it in. In Italy they have discovered that grape vines produce more fruit when grown on cross like poles. They get more sunshine and fresh air.

 

GO ‘THIS WAY’ =I= SPREAD OUT YOUR ARMS. YOU ARE AT THE CROSS

 

Many are spiritually “stumped” in their lives, families and ministries this hour. They feel they are at a cross-roads and are looking for a fresh word from heaven to tell them what to do. Many are asking, “Lord, should I go this way or that way?”

 

But I sense the Lord saying, “Go this way =|= spread out your arms.

 

You are NOT at a cross-roads, you ARE at the cross!”

 

Have you been betrayed? You are nearing your cross.

 

Have you been rejected? You are getting closer.

 

Don’t run now. If you miss your crucifixion – you will miss your resurrection!

 

Blessings,

Bill Yount

billyount.com

THE TRUMPET by BILL BURNS

God says that some of your involvements include things you ought not be involved in, and they are dragging you down. They are keeping you in a place of bondage. My instruction to you is stop those things that I am putting My finger on so that you are not negatively effected by them the rest of your life. For, these are the days where opportunities to come higher exist and where the greater realm of My presence is available to you. So, choose between these two things. If you check your spiritual level you will know that which is wrong, and then you can put those things aside as you resolve to go up higher.

Prophetic Word by Debra Lowe

     There are times that your "religious ideas" keep you from being free.  Your thoughts are, "I'm already free" and all the time I am constantly taking you to the new levels of freedom.  I said, "be being filled".  My thoughts are always higher than yours, only for the best.  It is a consistent, ongoing affair that I have with you.  So right now there are levels of freedom that you have never experienced before.  There are some of My children that are bound by things that you have done in the past that have hindered you from really experiencing freedom in your heart.  Every time you get ready to step over into that place where you hear Me, where you sense Me, where you experience Me, that "thing" holds you in bondage and captive.  Right now I Am saying to you, that this level of freedom extends to every part of your soul and mind, every recess that the enemy has covered to keep you in bondage.  I Am shedding the light on every circumstance and situation, every thought process, every emotion, every feeling that you have had and carried, those handed down from generations.  That is what I Am after, that is the true freedom that I want you to experience in Me.  Like those who have gone through a divorce and the enemy keeps you in bondage because you went through a divorce but I said you are free!  There are those of you who have done things when you were in sin, but you have repented and changed your course, I have said you are free!  There are those of you who carry feelings, emotions, and people, but I say you are free!  Experience the freedom that I have for you.  It is a place where those who are mature in Me can dance like a newborn child, for they are free and have no anxiety about their lives, no cares, and no concern.  Like little children who knows that their mother and father are taking care of all of their needs and their wants, they are carefree.  That is what I want you to enjoy and be assured of, that I am taking care of every thing that concerns you.  I Am your good Shepherd, I Am tending to your needs. I will see to all of your ways and bring you out into a large place in My freedom.

 

     "So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free." (John 8:36)

     "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance[to the full, till it overflows]. I am the Good Shepherd.  The Good Shepherd lays down His [own] life for the sheep." (John 10:10-11)

     "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts higher than your thoughts.." (Is. 55:8-9)

 

Love,

 

Pastor D.

My Mother by Suzanne

Folks, I am unable to concentrate enough to carry this blog full time right now.  My Mother, 90, is extremely ill.  I will continue with the blog as I am able.

Please pray.
Blessings
Suzanne

PS I will still be leaving this blog up.  I just won't be posting as much for now.

Massive solar storm that will slam Earth TOMORROW could knockout power supplies

Massive solar storm that will slam Earth TOMORROW could knockout power supplies, damage satellites and trigger stunning auroras

THREE COMPLETE STRANGERS RECEIVE THE SAME ALARMING WARNING FROM GOD!

• THREE COMPLETE STRANGERS RECEIVE THE SAME ALARMING WARNING FROM GOD! And when they say to you, ‘Why do you groan?’ you shall say, ‘Because of the news that it is coming. Every heart will melt, and all hands will be feeble; every spirit will faint 

RenPort Encouner Service Tonight! by Vicki Blair

Join us at the Veteran's Bldg tonight as continue to press into God's plan for this region with worship, intercession and a message from the word.  Eric Yun the worship pastor at Renaissance in Bakersfield will be joining us next Sunday, the 18th - to lead worship & bring a message from the Father's heart for Porterville.

God is good and His plans for you are good!  Amen?

The Turmoil Of This Modern Age by Samuel David Meyer

"Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid."

Luke 8:35

"Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour."

Matthew 17:15-18

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

II Timothy 1:7

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."

I Peter 1:13-16

In this issue of the Last Trumpet Newsletter, we will examine the events of our day and consider what God's Word has to say about the present state of mankind. The world is filled with constant reminders that far too many men and women alive today are bereft of any spiritual decency. On February 14, 2018, we were again reminded of this sad reality when a 19-year-old man known as Nikolas Cruz marched into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and used a semi-automatic rifle to massacre seventeen people. (1)

By all accounts, this young man, who is now under arrest, is a very disturbed individual. According to a report published by ABC News, Cruz told authorities that he heard voices telling him to commit this treacherous attack. (2) Further reports indicate that Cruz had been diagnosed with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. He also had a history of self-harm and was once reported to the authorities for cutting his arms in full public view on the social networking website known as Snapchat. (3) Over the course of seven years, police officers were dispatched to the home of Nikolas Cruz an astounding thirty-nine times, (4) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI, received a tip in January 2018 regarding his alarming behavior. "On January 5, 2018, a person close to Nikolas Cruz contacted the FBI's Public Access Line (PAL) tip-line to report concerns about him. The caller provided information about Cruz's gun ownership, desire to kill people, erratic behavior, and disturbing social media posts, as well as the potential of him conducting a school shooting," the FBI said in an official statement. (5)

Strangely, the FBI failed to investigate this tip, and the negligence regarding the mass-shooting in Parkland, Florida, does not stop there. The Broward County Sheriff's Office also received calls regarding the dangerous behavior of Nikolas Cruz, and much like the FBI, they failed to investigate. (6) To make matters worse, an armed security officer was on-site during the time of the shooting and made no effort to stop the killer. Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel stated that the armed officer "was absolutely on campus through this entire event. He was armed, he was in uniform." Sheriff Israel was also quoted as saying, "I think he remained outside for upwards of four minutes." (7) The missteps of the authorities in this sad story are mind-boggling. Those with skeptical minds might start to wonder if there is a force at work that actually wanted the shooting to take place.

In the aftermath of the mass shooting in Florida, a national debate is once again raging with liberals blaming easy access to guns for the massacre, and conservatives blaming mental illness as the root cause of this appalling violence. "So many signs that the Florida shooter was mentally disturbed, even expelled from school for bad and erratic behavior. Neighbors and classmates knew he was a big problem. Must always report such instances to authorities, again and again," wrote American President Donald Trump on the social networking website known as Twitter. (8) In some instances, the liberal mainstream media is not only pushing for stricter gun control laws but for an outright abolishment of the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution, which guarantees the American people the right to bear arms. On October 5, 2017, a columnist by the name of Bret Stephens wrote an article for the New York Times with a simple headline: "Repeal the Second Amendment." (9) Stephens then goes on to write, "Repealing the Amendment may seem like political Mission Impossible today, but in the era of same-sex marriage it's worth recalling that most great causes begin as improbable ones." (10) Following the horrific school shooting in Florida, Stephens wrote another article for the New York Times in February 2018. In this article, the columnist again declares that the Second Amendment must be repealed. "We need to repeal the Second Amendment because most gun-control legislation is ineffective when most Americans have a guaranteed constitutional right to purchase deadly weaponry in nearly unlimited quantities," he wrote. (11) On February 18, 2018, television personality Chuck Dodd appeared on NBC's "Sunday Today" news program where he too called for the Second Amendment to be repealed. (12) We are now seeing the stirrings of a new initiative, and I believe that within a few decades we could see the Second Amendment abolished.

The behavior of Nikolas Cruz bears the hallmarks of devilish influence. In Mark, chapter 5, and Luke, chapter 8, we find the story of a man whom Jesus met on his travels. This man was filled with devils, and would often cut himself with stones as he dwelt among the tombs. When Jesus came to this man, those devils were cast out, and suddenly, the disturbing and erratic behavior ceased. Luke 8:35 tells us, "Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid." Another story can be found in Matthew, chapter 17, where Jesus met a troubled young man who was said to be "sore vexed." The boy's father pleaded with Jesus to help his son who was oppressed by a devil and was prone to throw himself into fire or water. Jesus cast the evil spirit out, and the boy was suddenly no longer a danger to himself or others.

Mental illness is certainly a very real problem. In 2014 Newsweek Magazine reported that nearly one out of every five adults in the United States suffers from some form of mental illness. (13) Another report from Time Magazine claims that thirteen percent of all Americans today are taking antidepressants. (14) The vast majority of these people are not mass murderers, yet there are some individuals with issues that go well beyond a chemical imbalance in the brain. Behavior in people that is often attributed to mental illness is in reality caused by oppression from evil spirits. This is a fact that is difficult to convince people to believe because most people in this modern age do not believe that the devil and his cohorts exist. Nevertheless, these tragedies continue to happen, and even if the United States government successfully confiscated every firearm in the hands of the American public, it would not change the fact that there are demonically influenced people in this world who have murder in their hearts and on their minds. Only God can give us clean hearts, a fact that King David was well aware of when he wrote in Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." We also look to God for soundness of mind. In II Timothy 1:7 we find this assurance, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

China - From The World's Garbage Dump To Global Superpower

If you have ever shopped at a Walmart store, you have probably noticed that a lot of products sold at the iconic mass merchandiser are made in China. This is not surprising when we consider the fact that 70 to 80 percent of all merchandise sold at Walmart is sourced from China according to data released in 2016 by the Alliance for American Manufacturing. (15) The trade deficit between the United States and China has favored China since the 1980s, and it has worsened each and every year. Simply put, the United States imports far more from China than China exports to the United States. In 2017 the trade deficit totaled 375 billion dollars, which is a new record. (16) This was all made possible when former American President Richard Nixon opened diplomatic relations with China in 1972. As a consequence, the United States is greatly indebted to China while China continues to slowly siphon money away from the United States.

In years past, the number one export from the United States to China was recyclable garbage. (17) Massive amounts of plastics and paper waste products were shipped to China for years. The garbage was recycled and then reused to make new merchandise, which was then sold to the United States and other countries. However, in 2017 the Chinese government announced that it no longer wanted to be the "world's garbage dump" and has now banned the import of many types of recyclable material. (18) In a letter to the World Trade Organization written last year, China wrote, "Large amounts of dirty wastes or even hazardous wastes are mixed in the solid waste that can be used as raw materials. This polluted China's environment seriously." (19) As a result of the ban, countries such as Britain, Canada, Ireland, Germany, and the United States are struggling to process growing mountains of trash. (20) As for China, the autocratic Asian country has moved on to greater ambitions.

In October 2017 the Chinese government outlined plans to become the world's premier superpower within thirty years. Speaking at the Great Hall of the People, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated the objective of his nation was to become "a great modern socialist country." Further elaborating, the Chinese President told his audience, "The Chinese nation… has stood up, grown rich, and become strong - and it now embraces the brilliant prospect of rejuvenation… It will be an era that sees China moving closer to center stage and making greater contributions to mankind." (21) Regarding this speech, Dr. Malcolm Davis of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute was quoted as saying, "China doesn't want to be a just regional superpower, it wants to be the superpower." (22)

Based on recent headlines, the Chinese government has been making significant progress on advanced technologies. This includes the development of a new hypersonic jet that can fly anywhere in the world within three hours. Recent tests of a scaled-down model of this jet found that it was capable of traveling 5,343 miles per hour. (23) China also has a new fighter jet known as the Chengdu J-20. This aircraft can hit targets from 120 miles away with technology that is believed to have been stolen from the United States. (24) The Chinese government has also deployed advanced warships and is working feverishly to develop artificial intelligence which will be used on nuclear submarines and in other weapons. The use of artificial intelligence has allowed China to develop swarms of drones that can work together and fly in formation. (25) Speaking of these developments, Elsa B. Kania of the Center for a New American Security in Washington, D.C., was quoted as saying, "The U.S. no longer possesses clear military-technical dominance, and China is rapidly emerging as a would-be superpower in science and technology." (26) Perhaps we should ask ourselves what China intends to do with their growing arsenal of weapons.

Officials within the United States government have begun to sound the alarm regarding China's ambitious plans. "One of the things we're trying to do is view the China threat as not just a whole-of-government threat, but a whole-of-society threat on their end. And I think it's going to take a whole-of-society response by us," said FBI Director Christopher Wray at a meeting with the Senate Intelligence Committee. (27) Meanwhile, a report published by the Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community has claimed that China is using cyber espionage and attacks to pilfer American technology. "China will continue to use cyber-espionage and bolster cyber-attack capabilities to support national security priorities," the report states. (28) Additionally, due to the potential security implications, American intelligence officials have warned the American people not to use smartphones manufactured by the Chinese companies known as Huawei and ZTE. Further explaining this warning, Christopher Wray said that the American government is "deeply concerned about the risks of allowing any company or entity that is beholden to foreign governments that don't share our values to gain positions of power inside our telecommunications networks." (29)

As it stands, Chinese investors have already purchased numerous American companies. These companies include movie theater chain AMC, Smithfield Foods, GE Appliances, Motorola Mobility, and the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City. (30) Interestingly enough, the Waldorf Astoria is now directly under the control of the Chinese government. The hotel was purchased by the Chinese firm known as Anbang Insurance Group in 2014, but amid fears of insolvency, control of Anbang was seized by the China Insurance Regulatory Commission in February 2018. (31)

Could we someday wake up and find that the United States of America is no longer the world's greatest superpower? We know from the Bible that the ancient Israelites once enjoyed a prosperous kingdom. However, after living rebelliously and serving false deities, God allowed the Northern Kingdom of Israel to be carried off into captivity by the Assyrians. Later on, the Southern Kingdom of Judah was carried off into captivity by the Babylonians. A similar thing could happen to the United States if the rebellious behavior in this country continues.

Greater And Growing Confusion

Without a doubt, we live in a very confusing time. After years of children being told that they can be whatever they want to be, many of them are finding themselves perplexed about their own gender. It was never meant to be complicated. In fact, God put it in the very simplest terms. In Mark 10:6, Jesus himself tells us, "But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female." According to a new study, the number of teenagers in the United States who identify as transgender is likely far greater than previously believed. The study includes responses from 81,000 teenagers in the state of Minnesota and determined that 2,200 of the respondents identify as "transgender" or "gender nonconforming." (32) Once considered just a tiny fringe of the human population, the transgender movement is now growing at a quickening pace.

Sadly, the new wave of transgenderism is now starting to rip families apart. Such is the case in Hamilton County, Ohio, where a judge recently rescinded parental rights from a couple who refused to allow their daughter to undergo hormone treatments that would make her look more like a boy. Since her parents refused to give in to the demand, guardianship of the teenage girl was awarded to her grandparents. This case sets a dangerous precedent, and now parents all over the country could be at risk of losing their children if they refuse to allow such treatments. Speaking of this case, Judge Sylvia Sieve Hendon was quoted as saying, "It is unfortunate that this case required resolution by the Court as the family would have been best served if this could have been settled within the family after all parties had ample exposure to the reality of the fact that the child truly may be gender nonconforming and has a legitimate right to pursue life with a different gender identity than the one assigned at birth." It is a travesty that children are now being allowed to dictate such decisions which they could very well come to regret later in life. Judge Hendon acknowledged that there will likely be similar cases in the future. "What is clear from the testimony presented in this case and the increasing worldwide interest in transgender care is that there is a reasonable expectation that circumstances similar to the one at bar are likely to repeat themselves," the judge declared. (33)

The transgender movement is even affecting religious institutions. On February 11, 2018, a special "renaming ceremony" was held for a transgender minister formerly known as Rose Beeson at the St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoboken, New Jersey. This Lutheran pastor is now called Peter, and the congregation of her church wholeheartedly approves of this change. "This is a wonderful day in the life of this radically inclusive community," said one member of the church. Bishop Tracie Bartholomew, who officiated at this ceremony, was quoted as saying, "I support Pastor Beeson coming to the realization of who he really is." She later went on to say,"St. Matthew Trinity is a welcoming place and showing leadership to respond to gender identity and sexuality." (34) Sadly, it has become apparent that a growing number of churches no longer care about what God tells us in His Word. Yet, we know that Psalm 119:89 tells us, "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven."What God says in our Holy Scriptures will stand forever. Regarding this renaming ceremony, I suspect that Martin Luther, the founder of the Lutheran denomination, would not be pleased.

The Normalization Of Homosexuality

I often find myself amazed at how quickly things can change. Just ten short years ago, the United States of America was a much different country than it is today. 2008 was the year that we saw former American President Barack Obama elected to his first presidential term, and by the year 2015, same-sex marriage was legal in every American state. Homosexuality is a lifestyle that is abhorrent to God but widely accepted in the world. The attitudes and mindsets of the people are often shaped by Hollywood, and the entertainment industry has done much to normalize the homosexual lifestyle.

In 2017 a film entitled "Moonlight" became the first homosexual-themed movie to win an Academy Award for Best Picture. On March 4, 2018, the 90th edition of the Academy Awards will take place in Hollywood, California, and this year's nominees include numerous films featuring LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning) characters. "It's a big day for LGBTQ-inclusive films at the Academy Awards. Films like 'The Shape of Water,' 'A Fantastic Woman,' 'Lady Bird,' and 'Call Me By Your Name' not only have complex, detailed, and moving portrayals, but prove that audiences and critics alike are hungry for stories which embrace diversity. These important stories move the needle forward on LGBTQ acceptance at a time when media images are often the front lines for marginalized communities," said Sarah Kate Ellis, who is the president and CEO of the homosexual advocacy group known as GLAAD. (35) In an article dated February 21, 2018, Variety Magazineproudly proclaimed that 2018 is a "Banner Year for LGBTQ Representation at the Oscars." (36)

To make matters worse, homosexual actor Rupert Everett has now become a movie director and is set to release a new biopic based on the life of the famous 19th-century writer Oscar Wilde. The film focuses on the downfall of Wilde after he was revealed to be a homosexual. "I do find that being a gay performer in cinema there's many parallels between being an outcast or not ever being quite accepted into a milieu. So I think it's definitely one of the things that drew me to try to tell the story,"Everett said. He then went on to say of Wilde, "He's an amazing Christ figure to me." (37) This is rank blasphemy!

Homosexuality today has become so normalized that there are few who dare speak against it. Even American President Donald Trump sent a letter to the Log Cabin Republicans, a collective of "LGBT Conservatives," in December 2017 to congratulate the group on its 40th anniversary. (38) In January 2018 Catholic Bishop Franz-Josef Bode of Germany suggested that the Catholic Church devise a new ceremony to bless homosexual unions. Speaking of his proposal, the bishop stated, "We need to think about how we can differentiate a relationship between two same-sex people. Is not there so much that is positive, good, and right that we have to be fairer?" He then went on to say, "We must therefore ask ourselves how we meet those who enter into this relationship and who are also partly involved in the Church… How do we accompany them pastorally and liturgically? How do we live up to them?" (39) Yes, the world has changed and is growing more permissive each day.

How Bad Can It Get?

We live in a strange period of time where many people have no ability to discern right from wrong. Gross wickedness has even seeped into so-called Christian institutions as demonstrated by a recent event which took place in Bethesda, Maryland. On January 29, 2018, four pastors who call themselves Christians and one Jewish rabbi gathered to bless an abortion clinic. Baptist minister Carlton Veazey led a prayer wherein he stated, "God of grace and God of glory, in whom we move and live, keep them safe and keep them strong. And may they always know that all that they do is for thy glory." (40) Cari Jackson, a minister from the United Church of Christ, also offered a profane prayer. "We give honor to all of these women who choose to come to this space. We sanctify this space, and we honor this as holy,"Jackson uttered. (41) This particular abortion clinic is one of the few remaining in the United States that specializes in late-term abortions. (42) It is truly a reproach upon this country that such clinics even exist and an even greater reproach that ministers are asking God to bless murderers.

In closing, we live in a world with many problems, and people navigating the turmoil of this modern age often do not know where to turn. Reading the news often fills people with a sense of dread and woe, and a scourge of drug abuse in the United States has only amplified this impression of hopelessness. According to an article from the Los Angeles Times, widespread use of opioids and alcohol has led to an "epidemic of despair" in America. (43) Yet, I find my hope and strength in God. Only He can fill the void in our lives that so many are feeling today. In I Peter 1:13-16 we are instructed, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." I urge every reader of this newsletter to yield your hearts and minds to God and put your faith and trust in Him. If you have not yet repented of your sins and dedicated your life to God, I encourage you to do so now.

As always, we are grateful to our supporters and thankful for this opportunity to serve you. If you have any prayer requests, our team of intercessors is ready to bring your petitions before the throne of Almighty God. Every prayer request we receive is always given individual attention. Grace and peace be unto you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Samuel David Meyer