before the sun goes down
"Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in His sight" (I Chronicles 19:13).
When Samuel was old, the people came and asked him to make them a king.
In reply this brazen request, God told Samuel make sure the people knew how a king would behave and the ways that is would affect them! owing, in I Samuel 8:11:
"And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots." (1 Samuel 8:11)
And about 80 years later, during the reign of King David, we are told in II Samuel 15:1...
"And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him."
Absalom was out to overthrow his father's throne, and become king himself. By craft and conspiracy, he stole the hearts of Israel from the man after God's own heart. Why didn't the king, his faithful officers, and the subjects loyal to him catch on right away?! Wasn't Absalom just doing that which is the manner of a king?
They missed the signals.
And when David was old, in I Kings 1:5...
"Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him."
Another son also made HIS bid for the throne, and did after the manner of kings, though the throne had been promised to Solomon. If it had not been for the swift action of Nathan, the prophet of God, Adonijah might have succeeded!
David and those loyal also missed the signals, or didn't know how to respond.
There are certain signals to pay attention to, certain behavior that can be perceived in those who are plying for certain types of governments and societies--particular ploys, steps they take in preparation for a takeover, for overthrowing that which is contrary to their design.
But how many have been blinded to the signals, or bulldogged into not speaking? How many have been scared into inaction in the face of the evil? And many who do thunder about it, do so in church but whimper in public!
In my country, we missed the signals long ago.
"Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision" made one wrong decision after another, choosing not to stand, not to speak, not to be a dissident of the culture of rebellion against the Truth.
Those who chose instead to be content with their own feeling of security and not think Biblically, and certainly not prudently, to the generations to come!
Now we find that the precious rights and freedoms given by the Creator, Who created us equal, have been relinquished one after the other. They those freedoms are trodden under foot and the evil that has risen to replace God's order is celebrated openly!
And the blessings given and come down from the Father of lights, upon a nation whose God is the LORD are diminishing, for we, as a people in our policies, as families, and yes, churches, are more and more, casting God's word behind our backs and arrogantly assume that the LORD will not see, nor regard it.
We believe that He will benignly pass over our lukewarmness, and still shower pleasantries upon our heads.
We have been silent:
While government schools have become more increasingly overt in being AntiChristian, tossing out prayer and Bible reading, "decrying religion" while promoting false religions, especially that of Secular Humanism (which is tax-supported). This has been followed by attempts to inhibit the declaration and expression of Bible truth in all public areas.
We have been silent:
While real science has been usurped by science falsely so called as the fairy tale for grown ups, known as Darwinian Evolutionism has been lauded in all places, so that millions who have been indoctrinated into thinking that they are merely bipedal protoplasm, evolved from star dust, now walk about, believing they are the god of their own universe.
We have been silent:
While American society at large has become increasingly inundated (by both Media and Academia) with sexual immorality and confusion, exposed and exploited from early ages to abominable perversions of the design that God has ordained, bringing destruction upon its participants, those around them, and the nation that supports and promotes the atrocity, so that evils like fornication seem commonplace and run rampant.
We have been silent:
While over 60 millions of unborn American babies have been dehumanized and destroyed (poisoned, burned in chemicals, hacked to pieces) in their own mothers' wombs. This homicide in the worst degree is called healthcare and a human "right". Students are taught to esteem abortion as good even while exposing and despising Hitler, though we have slain over 10 times as many as the Nazis slew Jews. Innocent blood has been shed very much, and those who oppose such wickedness and seek to plead for lives and establish equal protection for the preborn are branded as "haters".
All this, while the majority of the American church have kept their children in those government schools, enjoyed the entertainment of the world without recognizing and countering the lies and ungodly worldviews therein, and allowed the shutting up of truth from public life to avoid discomfort.
Therefore now for several generations, millions upon millions of Americans, have been trained to not think or live according to the Biblical worldview. And those millions and millions include children who grew up in Christian homes, going to Christian churches. So many are in bondage to pornography, homosexuality, and are confused even about what to think of gender.
Millions of those who still attend churches and call themselves Christian are not even aware of how much they have been infected by the lies.
My Brethren, these things ought not so to be!
How shall we answer?
If we speak not to warn the wicked of judgment, their blood is on our hands (Ezekiel 3,33)!
Christian, if you speak not for the innocent and the righteous, then how shall ye answer Him with Whom we have to do (Proverbs 24:11-12)?
I Corinthians 15:34 "Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God; I speak this to your shame."
The signals!
Have you missed them?
They are being set up by the government, the media, education, on all sides. Even now more are prepared, cloaked by subtle words and "responsible sounding" rhetoric, to throw us into more ruin. The signals of more takeovers unimagined by previous generations. Will your voice be heard?
Is there yet time to turn the tide? I do not know.
But I know what God can do.
Isaiah 59:19 "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him."
When God judged His people for their wickedness, He sought for a man among them who would stand in the gap, and make up the breaches in the hedge, that He might destroy it not. Yet He found none. Even if it is too late, I am resolved that as the judgment continues to fall upon my people, the LORD will find me, standing in the gap.
As the king of Nineveh (weeping and in sackcloth) told his people, when the signal of destruction was preached in the streets,
Jonah 3:9 "Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?"
Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to ANY people.
I love my country! I pray for God's deliverance and for the awakening of my people.
As with Daniel, I pray,
"[I] do not present [my] supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies." Daniel 9:18
I beg God to give America what she needs, and NOT what she deserves. For we deserve the worst destruction for our corruption, callousness, and cold blooded massacre of the most innocent and defenseless of human beings.
God forgive America for United we have sinned!
Abortion must be abolished.
Abolitionism has spread and is gaining momentum as more and more Christians are hearing and taking hold of the Biblical way to respond to the child sacrifice of abortion.
But as it has spread there have also risen attacks and accusations against various men and the ideology of abolition itself. False reports have been printed, mischaracterizations have been leveled, and straw men erected. Much of it has been from ProLife leaders as their compromise and partiality has been exposed.
Some, grievously, have come from Christians.
To those who are frustrated and weary from trying to argue and give an answer to critics (which is certainly a valid thing to do when necessary, and there is a good opportunity), I would like to encourage in general the course followed by the son of Hachiliah in the 16th book of the Bible.
Remember Nehemiah's responses to his enemies' false accusations and attempts to turn others against him and call him away from the task of rebuilding the wall?
Take, for instance, chapter 6 of Nehemiah...
2 "That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief."
3 "And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?"
4 "Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner."
5 "Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;"
6 "Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words."
7 "And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together."
8 "Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart."
9 "For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands" (Nehemiah 6:2-9).
This would also be my counsel when falsely accused by Christian brethren.
We can choose to NOT spend our days throwing fire back. It can accomplish little but burning and blackening everyone.
Rather remember, "I AM DOING A GREAT WORK, SO THAT I CANNOT COME DOWN".
We can choose to NOT descend to the same level of accusation and cutting, petty arguments, and assuming motives.
We can choose to NOT answer back in like kind, chose NOT to return "railing for railing" (I Peter 3:9).
We can choose to clearly say, "nope, that's not true" but keep our hand to the plow and not get embroiled in conflict. "THERE ARE NO SUCH THINGS AS THOU SAYEST, BUT THOU FEIGNEST THEM OUT OF THINE OWN HEART."
We can choose to NOT waste time trying to justify ourselves and prove the rumors wrong, for "the curse causeless shall not come."
When given opportunity, simply state the truth and carry on with the work.
"O GOD, STRENGTHEN MY HANDS."
We can cry out to God to...
order our steps (Psalm 119:133),
plead our cause (Psalm 35:1),
strengthen our hands (Psalm 144:1), and
turn hearts to see the truth (Proverbs 21:1).
He is our Strength.
What was it that showed everyone, including Nehemiah's adversaries, that Nehemiah was in the right?
The wall being finished.
"And it came to pass, that when our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God" (Nehemiah 6:16).
Abortion must be abolished.
Abortionists are the WORST kind of serial killers, on at least 3 counts:
[I am aware that there is a difference between a hitman and serial killer, as the former get pay to slay, but in this post I am comparing abortionists to both categories in general.]
What are those three counts?
FIRST- MAGNITUDE: When we consider how many they have slain.
To be an official serial killer, one must kill at least 2 or 3 people, and not in one burst of angry uncontrolled passion. Some of the most infamous serial killers in the last century would be:
A. Dennis (BTK)- convicted of murdering 10.
B. Jeffrey Dahmer (Milwaukee Monster)- convicted of murdering 17.
C. Ted Bundy (Ted)- confessed to have murdered 30, maybe more.
America's deadliest serial killer on record, Samuel Little, has recently confessed to murdering 93 women in a little over 35 years.
BUT the average ABORTIONIST has killed hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands, depending on how long they've been in the baby butcher business.
Ronald Yeomans, Orrin Moore, and Herbert C. Hodes (who presently murder in the Overland Park/Leawood, Kansas area) have been murdering for decades. They are each in their 70's now, as many abortionists are. There is an abortionist in his 80's who has slain over 80,000 children!
The kill count of the likes of Leroy Carhart, George Tiller, Reid Goodman, Larry Burns, and Kermit Gosnell dwarf the lists of the most famous serial killers of born people
Therefore the abortionist's kill numbers far outnumbers the average serial killer or hitman.
SECOND- THE MARK: Who they target.
The weaker or more vulnerable the victim, the more heinous the crime; for the victim is not as able to defend himself or herself (women, children, etc.) We all understand that college students are more likely to get away from or overpower a killer than a kindergartner is.
When the average hitman or serial killer is planning to murder, he has to consider...
-whether the victim will come down THAT alley,
-whether they will be alone,
-whether the target is a "conceal-and-carry", a blackbelt, or a "former active duty" marine,
-whether a policeman or security guard will hear cries for help and investigate.
BUT, the ABORTIONIST targets the child in the womb, the weakest and least among us, who...
A) CANNOT run away.
B) CANNOT hide.
C) CANNOT barricade the door.
D) CANNOT fight back.
E) CANNOT scream for help.
F) CANNOT plead for mercy.
G) CANNOT dial 911
Therefore the ABORTIONIST has to carry no concern or care about repercussions, and danger to his or her person, for they are slaughtering a people group who have no voice nor vigor to worry about.
Which brings us to the
THIRD- IMMUNITY: The protection for the perpetrator.
A serial killer must be careful not to get caught. He must avoid leaving clues, fingerprints, DNA, etc., else the long arm of justice will put the pieces together that will convict him.
BUT the ABORTIONIST is openly plying his or her business of rampant baby murder. His activities, his crimes, and the scene of the crime is no secret from the authorities. The media, police, mayors, legislators, governors, judges, yea, our society as a whole, have made an agreement with death, to dehumanize the preborn, pervert the Constitution, and murder them without cause in the multi-millions.
Thus, even if the child in the womb COULD dial 911, the police would not come to their aid. Instead it is the serial killer, this hitman, who has police protection, the culture's vocal approval, and nearly all the churches' silent permission. He slaughters humans under "color" of law.
While the occasional hitman may have a crooked judge or corrupt law officers, who will cover for him, so that he may feel more free to slay without fear, the ABORTIONIST has open police support and social approval.
There is an old saying, "There is no REST for the wicked."
When it comes to abortion today, there is no ARREST for the wicked.
Based on these three points, I submit that ABORTIONISTS are the WORST of serial killers and hitmen.
Also, keep in mind that the Abortionist would kill ZERO people if the parent/s didn't voluntarily bring the innocent humans in to be slaughtered.
Christians,
We NEED to confess and forsake our sin of complacency, cowardice, complicity, and compromise concerning this murder of our fellow image bearers (AKA our neighbors, the fatherless, and the least of these)!
We NEED to call out the killers, seeking their repentance and salvation!
We NEED to cease to do evil, and learn to do well!
We NEED to confront our culture with the facts of the Holocaust in our midst, and the unfruitful works of darkness of the ABORTIONIST!
We NEED to contend with this evil!
We NEED to compel our leaders to do right, calling for justice and mercy and equity to be no more neglected!
We NEED to cry mightily unto God, "standing in the gap", pleading for mercy in the midst of wrath upon our cities, states, and nation, and beseech our God to stir us to love and righteousness, whatever others may do!
Abortion must be abolished.
Let me explain.
I have heard from many in the ProLife Movement (both leaders and followers), that the abortionists are the murderers, but the people who seek the assassins out, deliver the victim, and pay the hitmen are NOT guilty of murder at all.
Why not?
Because they did not put their own hand to the forceps?
Following this line of thinking, then I guess that it would be INACCURATE to say that Hitler murdered millions of Jews, since I have no evidence that he himself personally ever directly murdered any Jew?
He just called for, sought for, gave orders to, and made provision for the Holocaust.
So He wasn't guilty of murder? (I speak as a fool.)
Of course, we KNOW that Hitler murdered millions although he didn't do it with his own hands. He used others to do his wicked bidding.
If a man paid a killer for hire to murder his wife, it would not be just to only punish the hitman and let the husband off Scot free. That would be a breach of justice.
We need to be consistent.
We need to understand that abortionists only murder those that they are asked and paid to slay.
We also need to be aware that many women presently do the killing themselves by taking pills designed to murder their children. They can pull the abortion product off the shelf at drug stores, and commit a DIY murder.
We must rightly see the situation and call for equal justice under the law for all.
Look up Bradley Pierce's video on Youtube called "Abortion and Justice Under the Law".
Abortion is murder and must be abolished.
Sir James Douglas left his castle to support Robert the Bruce, king of Scots in a war for independence from the tyrant Edward Longshanks.
The English seized his fortress and held it to strengthen their presence in the land. Douglas determined to take it back. Dressed as simple sheepherders, he and his men intentionally moved their flock past the castle. To the oppressors from the South, it looked ripe for the picking. As they expected, the English greedily opened their gates and rushed them intent on chasing away the men and stealing their sheep.
What a surprise it was when they met hardened Scottish knights and warriors instead of timid shepherds! Douglas' force took advantage of the English shock and swiftly entered the gates that had been carelessly left open in their haste. Soon the fortress was again in the hands of its master. This bold move reminds me of the verses below...
"In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory,
And for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,
And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment,
And for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate" (Isiah 28:5-6).
The brilliant strategic mind, astonishing audacity and fierce loyalty of Douglas the Good was a blessing to his king and the people of Scotland.
They united against the tyrant "Longshanks" and used to Scottish terrain and ingenius tactics that would give them the advantage.
At the Battle of Bannockburn, the two armies arrayed for battle. Before the clash, the army of the Scots knelt in prayer on the field.
Seeing this from a distance and mistaking it for a surrender to him, King Edward exclaimed,
"See how they beg for mercy!"
One of his men answered, "Yes, but they ask it from God, not from us...these men will conquer, or die on the field".
Soon after this battle, Scotland enjoyed freedom from England for a season.
After the death of King Robert the Bruce, Douglass was entrusted with the heart of his king, which was encased in a silver casket on a chain. Later as he was leading an army across Europe, a nearby king pleaded for his aid against the invading Moors that were devastating his people.
Sir James Douglas soon found himself and his men in the face of a dread foe, which, after much fighting, still overwhelmed the Scottish defenders. Douglas himself became mortally wounded. The noble knight knew he did not have much time left.
There was one more chance of victory. He rallied his company of knights together for one last desperate charge.
Advancing, Douglas the Good held the silver case above his head twirled it round and round. Then shouting, "O heart of Bruce, lead on!" he flung the heart of the king into the thick of the enemy host. Douglas and his knights galloped into the fray after it. By the end of the battle, the Scots had won, though the heroic Douglas lost his life.
The old shield of the Douglas family was silver with three silver stars on a blue chief. To commemorate this last gallant exploit of the great knight was added the red heart of Bruce, later surmounted by a royal crown.
As soldiers in the host of Jesus Christ, waging war against sin, the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, you and I must not lose heart, but cleave to and smite with the Sword of the Spirit, the holy word of God (Ephesians 6:17).
Let us not be weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9).
By faith, let us "wax valiant in fight" (Hebrews 11:34).
Let us ever be mindful of our king, Jesus Christ (II Timothy 2:4).
Let us shout, "O Heart of CHRIST, lead on!"
Abortion must be abolished.
I made a post on social some time ago, saying,
"I will never apologize again when I am in the wrong!"
There was a thread of comments by some stunned friends...
"Huh?"
"??? This doesn't sound like you."
"Sounds like you are ripe for politics."
"If you don't apologize then you will get a bad reputation with people."
My statement caused a good deal of head shaking, consternation, and questions.
Then I explained. In case you have one eyebrow raised in incredulity as to my meaning, I will explain it to you as well.
What does it mean to say, "I apologize."
Some years ago, I discovered that the words "apology" and "apologize" come from the Greek apologia.
Due to our modern use of these words, this root might be expected to mean to "to confess one's fault" or "say I'm sorry", but that is not the case.
Apologia means "to give a defense, a reasoned answer; to defend oneself"
This is why a Christian apologist is NOT saying "I believe in Christ...sorry about that."
Considering that the word means to "give an answer" to clear or justify one's self, beliefs, stance, or actions in a reasoned defense, why should a GUILTY person give an apology?
IF I AM IN THE WRONG, I should not apologize, but rather admit I am wrong, express my sorrow, and humbly ask for forgiveness. I keep the apologetics for when I defending my faith (or when I am giving a reason of why I don't use the words "I apologize" when confessing my being wrong).
Now some have said, "But that is not what the word apologize means today. Why do you bring this up?"
I completely understand what most people are talking about when they say that they apologize for doing wrong. I do not fault other people for using the word "apologize" to express their guilt and sorrow. I don't interrupt to correct them for their usage when they come to me, or grumble that they must not mean it because they used that word. That would be ridiculous.
I just choose to not use that word when I am confessing guilt, expressing regret and repenting. I like words, and words have meanings, and I desire to be consistent and careful as to the words I let out of my mouth.
But besides my own personal decision, why bring it out?
The root of the word means to give a reasoned defense, and therefore it is a great way to teach an important concept that is valuable to keep in mind:
It is all too easy to put a defense up (apologia) even while seeming to say I was wrong ("apologize").
I have noticed that when someone is saying that they were wrong to do something, often their "apology" does include excuses of why they did what they did (apologia). When someone comes out and issues an "apology" to say that what they did was wrong, but then in their confession tell why it was OK to do so, there is a problem.
When we are wrong, instead of explaining ourselves to try to justify what we did, is it not better to simply confess and forsake it?
Therefore I am just sharing that this is why I do not use the word "apology" or "apologize" when I am wrong, but rather follow this confession found in Scripture:
Psalm 38:18
"For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin."
Thank you for letting me engage your thought. Aren't words wonderful?
Abortion must be abolished.
When you think of the tribes of Israel, which names come to mind first?
Judah?
Levi?
Benjamin?
If so, you are like most people--these are probably the most well known tribes in the Bible.
But in total there were 12: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Benjamin.
Manasseh and Ephraim are the double tribe from Joseph, so that actually only makes eleven.
The tribe I haven't mentioned yet, and the one that most likely would NOT be the first to come to mind--in fact, if I didn't mentioned this name, most Christians reading may never have never missed it--Zebulun.
The tribe of Zebulun are those descended from Leah's sixth son. The name Zebulon means "to dwell" or "habitation".
I believe it would be edifying for Christians who are dwelling in this present world, to dwell upon this tribe for a bit.
It is one of my greatest joys to study Bible people that are often overlooked.
A long time could be spent on learning about the history, heroes, victories and failures of the tribe of Zebulun, as with any other tribe or family in the Scriptures!
Instead, I will just take a few instances (snapshots, if you will) from the life of this tribe from two periods of Isreal's History--The Judges and The Kings--and use them as examples for our edification today!
"Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." (I Corinthians 10:11).
I. During the time of the Judges
A. In Barak's day (Judges 5), the people were under the cruel oppression of Jabin the king of Canaan and his infamous Captain, Sisera, who boasted a mighty host and 900 chariots of iron.
Let me say it again: boasted 900 CHARIOTS OF IRON.
Nine hundred "tanks" of that time.
It was a dark day. They had cried unto God, and turned from their sin, and He raised up Deborah and Barak.
It was a day when Godly manhood was in short supply. It was a day for heroes to come out of the shadows and stand for righteousness and for the name of their God.
When Barak (of Naphtali) finally rose to obey God, and called for men to rise and join him at Mount Tabor, men of Zebulun and Naphtali (and some others) were rallied to also obey. In the song that Barak and Deborah sing in the next chapter (Judges 6), we find some interesting details about the brave men from Zebulun who arose to meet the challenge...
Judges 5:14 "Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer."
I find it fascinating that the men of Zebulun who joined to battle alongside Barak were recorded as those "that handle the pen of the writer".
Gifted men who's skill was the written word not the handling of bow and spear!
It would have seemed natural for the scribes to have could have answered Barak's call to arms with,
"We are glad that you feel you must rise and fight Sisera'a host, but that is not our specific calling. We are not warriors. We hold the pen, not the sword. We have all been givien different gifts and varying roles by God--we will do that which what we feel comfortable with! So grateful God gave you such a vision and the strength to meet it! Hope you all are successful! We will be praying for you! And when the battle is over, we will write your obituary or your praise!"
"...And in doing so, pretend as if we were fighting alongside of you at all times!"
Indeed, there were other tribes and regions of that day who did not heed the call to fight the adversary! Those in Gilead, Dan, and Asher (Judges 5:17) stayed right where they were. Others talked it over, considered the ramifications, had "great thoughts of heart", but never put their "great searchings" into action. Such was the tribe of Reuben (Judges 5:15,16).
In fact, most of the tribes of Israel did not take part in the battle!
What a testimony that Zebulun did not follow the indifference and inaction of the popular opinion. The tribes of both Zebulun and Naphtali did not stoop to follow the crowd but went forward in hazard to their lives to fight against King Jabin's Canaanites and those 900 CHARIOTS OF IRON.
Judges 5:18 "Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field."
Others from Ephraim, Benjamin, Machir (of Manasseh) joined valiantly with their brothers.
They put their lives on the line to defend their land, their homes, their families, and their neighbors (who had stayed at home).
B. And we find again that in Gideon's day, Zebulun again came to join the conflict:
Judges 6:35 "And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them." Zebulun went up to join Gideon.
II. During the time of Kings
The tribes were coming together to make David king over all the nation of Israel. This is recorded in the twelfth chapter of I Chronicles--a chapter full of great insights and lessons for warfare in the spiritual realm today!
I love to see what God wanted us to know about the various men and tribes right there.
In David's day:
I Chronicles 12:23,33 "And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD...Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart."
The men of Zebulun were...
- such as went forth to battle
- expert in war
- skilled and armed with all instruments of war
- could keep rank
- not of double heart
Let US be as the men of Zebulun, who came to see David, the true king of Israel, crowned and honored--and his kingdom established.
Notice again how Zebulun was described.
A. They were "such as went forth to battle"
Let us ALL be those who are actively contending for the faith in our generation! Let us reject the "but that's not my calling" excuse and be like Job in searching out the cause we know not! Let us serve our God on more than one front: training our young, ministering to the poor and the homeless, rescuing the weak, snatching prey out of the mouths of lions, preaching in the open air, witnessing one on one to those who are lost--willing to go where the Lord leads (whether that be stateside, internationally, or just down the street at the local altar of Molech).
"Some want to live within sound of church and chapel bell. I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of Hell." C.T. Studd.
B. They were "expert in war"
Let us become "expert in war" by training, by exercise in the Scriptures, and by EXPERIENCE through actual engagement in public and private venues. Bringing the culture into conflict with the gospel of Jesus Christ on many fronts--the debate of creation vs. evolution, apologetics, evangelism, the holocaust of the preborn, etc. The only way to become a seasoned veteran in any battle is to venture forth as a rookie and keep going--learn by hearing, seeing, and doing.
C. They were skilled and armed "with all instruments of war"
Let us arm ourselves "with ALL instruments of war", and take advantage of various facets and parts of service:
Whether it be on our knees in our closet weeping with our God,
standing at the murder mill preaching and pleading,
providing resources and information to those in need,
provoking the public in the streets,
dropping truth and tracts everywhere we go,
exhorting our brethren at church, around the table, and on social media,
provoke the people by your bumper magnets and stickers, signs, shirts, hats, and literature,
Studying and wielding the Sword of the LORD (the Bible),
being ready always to give an answer on what God's truth says concerning salvation, creation, dinosaurs, child sacrifice, abolition, marriage, sexuality, children, discipline, forgiveness, friendship, habits, finances, work ethic, authority, manhood, womanhood, government, justice, liberty, pornography, bondage, victory, evangelism, discipleship, prayer, martyrdom etc.
Learning basics of Biblical apologetics and gathering resources on various subjects to utilize and share.
Brothers and Sisters, let us wear the whole armor of God and bear the weapons of our warfare, which are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.
D. They "could keep rank"
Let us "keep rank"--seeking to be orderly and effective in our labor, united with others in Christ for the task, intentional in our objective, and righteous in our steps to see the end accomplished to the redounding of the glory of our King!
E. They "were not of double heart"
Let us not be of double heart, but be constrained by the unfeigned love of Christ in all that we do. We must be impassioned in our zeal and harnessed by truth.
May we who have been "brought nigh" already ourselves be obedient and represent our Savior and King, Jesus Christ, as ambassadors for His kingdom, faithful in a selfish culture that has rebelled against the Creator (denying His very existence and at peace with the murder of the preborn).
Let us be seeking souls to be saved and the abolition of child sacrifice to the praise of the glory of Jesus Christ, the true King!
Abortion must be abolished.
Imagine a group of hens watching a chicken in a rotisserie oven, thinking they are watching TV.
Here are some thoughts that came to mind when I first saw this image...
Fry-Day Night Feature Film. Now for some of the best parts. Thought I'd "wing it" and make a few poultry (paltry) remarks. When you come a breast of the situation, most of you will thigh a heavy sigh.
Notice those viewers flocked to see it. You know, to get a bird's eye view.
You know that one of those hens knows this is no yokeing matter and is mentally crying fowl, while another thinks she's in line for the tanning booth, musing "Can't wait till I'm a lovely golden brown too."
Another chicken is thinking that it is all a stunt by some brave rooster to prove he's not chicken. She's probably saying, "Well, for someone who doesn't have any guts, you gotta admit he's got pluck!"
Yet another of those hens has got to be a reporter, waiting for an interview. She can't wait to grill him with questions, and get the scoop. She's dreaming even now of maybe winning the Pulletzer Prize. When asked if she wrote the article, she'll probably say "I wrote it, yessirree (rotisserie).
Of course some featherbrained hen doesn't have eggscellent eyesight, and so her vision is a little skewered. She'd likely to say, "We know him, don't we? That's got to be Bobby" isn't our Bobby cute? He always was a great dancer. Look at him turn and turn without getting dizzy. Mother always said he was the spitting image of Fried Astaire!"
This post will likely ruffle some feathers. Some may cackle, others might crow. Some may say that I am just a dumb cluck.
But now is when I take a couple drumsticks and go "Ba-dum-chicken!"
Abortion must be abolished.
