Jesus Makes The Difference

"Observing the boldness of Peter and John and realizing them to
be uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and knew that
they had been with Jesus."
(Acts 4:13)

What a powerful statement! The religious elite, having observed
Peter and John's conduct and character, while enduring persecution,
said that they reminded them of Jesus.

Peter and John had just healed a man who was lame from birth,
preached until 5000 men came to Jesus, and immediately thereafter,
were thrown into jail on bogus charges. The following morning they
were brought before a court comprised of some of the same people
who sent Jesus to the cross. In the face of this hostile situation,
they stood boldly imbued with power of God. They did not speak
until they were lead by the Holy Spirit. They said what He told
them to say, and did what He told them to do. They did not allow
their flesh to give occasion to their accusers to find fault with them.

The Bible says that Peter and John's witness was so strong, that
the one's who questioned them, after listening to them speak,
"had nothing to say in response." (Acts 4:14). The ones who
forcible detained them had to set them free - untouched. Peter
and John passed the test with flying colors. Their accusers where
looking for a fight and end up seeing Jesus - again!

Often, when we are faced with conflict or volatile situations we
allow our flesh to govern our conduct. We become part of the
problem instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us through
our problem. We go to church on Sunday and leave Jesus at the
door on our way out to face the remainder of the week. Jesus wants
to come home with you. He wants to go to work with you. He wants
to give you wisdom on how to talk to those who are trying to trap
you. He wants to show you how to relate to those who despitefully
use and don't appreciate you. He wants to be the strength and
wisdom you need to overcome what it is that has mounted an attack
against you. However, you must let Him do the talking. The
prophet Isaiah says that God: "will keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You"
(Isaiah 26:3-4, KJV).

Are you stressed out about a current or pending situation? How
do you handle conflict and persecution? When you're going through
what you go through, what do people see? Better yet - "Who do
they see?" Is it you or Jesus? Stand in the power of His might.
For "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world"
(1John 4:4). Remember, Jesus makes the difference!


By Dr. J.C. Matthews, Senior Pastor of Dunamis Life Ministries and Chancellor of The International Kingdom Institute.

Recognizing the Enemy

"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not
ignorant of his devices." 2 Corinthians 2:11

The key to experiencing victory in your life may lie in your ability
to recognize your enemy. Can you recognize the work of the enemy
in your life? Most people would say, "Yes!" However, I am convinced
that a vast majority of Believers cannot? When I think of the
battle that we, as Believers, must wage in life against evil, my
thoughts gravitate towards the war in Iraq. Militarily, the U.S is
far more powerful and sophisticated in training and weaponry, but
yet and still, we are experiencing an ever-increasing number of
casualties. There is a reason for this. The reason is our enemy
is hard to recognize. The enemy in this battle does not always
wear a uniform by which he can be easily identified. In many
instances, it is not a he but a she. Women, children and unassuming
old men are sacrificing themselves in order to inflict as much
damage on the U.S. Armed forces as possible. Armed Service men
and women face daily, the possibility that the person who just walked
by or is eating at a diner across the street, is actually there to
steal, kill and destroy any future or hope they have.

On a daily basis you and I wage war against an enemy that we
cannot see and who does not want to be recognized. When most
people think of evil, or picture the enemy, they visualize a man in a
red suit with horns and a pitchfork. Many look for what Hollywood has
depicted as evil - some wild and out of control person. Evil is
much too clever to be so obvious. Satan experiences the most
success in secret, carrying out covert operation in the lives of
Believers. Strategically, killing, stealing and destroying people's
hopes, dreams and lives while going undetected. This is his primary
mode of operation.

This is why Paul instructs the Corinthian church (and us) not to be
ignorant of, the devices of the enemy. Many people wonder, "How
did I get in the condition that I'm in?" "How could I have done
what I did?" "Why do I feel this way?" "How can I think about or
meditate on such things?" If you've thought or said any of the
above, you've been attacked - and didn't know it.

You must understand that evil will very seldom come at you as
full-blown evil. It will present itself as something harmless,
inconsequential, small and even cloaked as something good. It does
this because it knows that "good people" will not readily embrace
something that is obviously evil, so it must appear to be something
other than what it really is. This is why so many "good people"
become victims to bad habits, bad relationships and find themselves
in bad situations. They've allowed something that appeared good
into their lives, which turned out to be something other than good.

This takes spiritual discernment. Jesus understood this and was
able to discern between what appeared to be genuine concern for His
well-being and demonic activity. When Jesus told His disciples of
His pending suffering, Peter pulled Him aside and proclaimed that he
would never let Jesus suffer. Jesus looked Peter straight in the
eye and said: "Get behind Me, Satan!" (Matthew 16:23). What
appeared to be genuine concern by a friend was actually a device of
the devil. As a matter of fact, the first place we find a demon
mentioned in the New Testament is in a place that we would least
expect it. It was not in a graveyard, nor some dark enchanted
forest - but in church! Mark 1: 23 records, "there was a man in
their synagogue with an unclean spirit". In every instance the
enemy presents himself in a place and manner that would not cause
those who are his target alarm. He uses "good people" and "good
places" to camouflage his true identity and objective. He depends
on us not being able to detect his presence and activity until it
is too late. He employs gradual compromise to bring us to a point
of vulnerability and weakness.

Some of you may be wondering, "Why is it necessary to recognize
the enemy?" The answer is your life depends on it. Your ability to
detect the enemies' point of entry in our lives will not only affect
the quality our lives, but its quantity as well. You may not
recognize the one thing that you've given place to in your life
that is an agent of the enemy to keep you defeated, frustrated and
broken. As long as it is allowed to stay, nothing will change.

Here are 10 ways to help you rightly appraise and discern the
things that are presently part of your life, as well as those
things you are considering allowing into to your life.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Does it draw you closer too and strengthen your relationship
with God or does it draw attention to yourself?
2. Will it cause others to see Christ more clearly?
3. Is Jesus and the Kingdom of God glorified in your doing it?
4. Can it be supported biblically?
5. Is the benefit an enduring one or does it only satisfy an
immediate need?
6. Is your life being enriched or depleted by it?
7. When speaking to others about it can you be nakedly honest
regarding every detail and your involvement in or with it?
8. Do you have to rationalize its legitimacy in your life?
9. Do you have genuine God given peace in your spirit concerning
your involvement or decision(s)?
10. Must you comprise God's Word or morality for it?

By shining the light of God's Word and truth upon our lives we are
now able to detect the enemies presence and position ourselves to
wage a more victorious warfare!

By Dr. J.C. Matthews, Senior Pastor of Dunamis Life Ministries and Chancellor of The International Kingdom Institute; and a dear friend, in Christ!

Ark of the Covenant Unveiled?

Ethiopian patriarch tells Pope he will show artifact to world

The patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Ethiopia says he will announce to the world Friday the unveiling of the Ark of the Covenant, perhaps the world's most prized archaeological and spiritual artifact, which he says has been hidden away in a church in his country for millennia, according to the Italian news agency Adnkronos.

Abuna Pauolos, in Italy for a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI this week, told the news agency, "Soon the world will be able to admire the Ark of the Covenant described in the Bible as the container of the tablets of the law that God delivered to Moses and the center of searches and studies for centuries."

The announcement is expected to be made at 2 p.m. Italian time from the Hotel Aldrovandi in Rome. Pauolos will reportedly be accompanied by Prince Aklile Berhan Makonnen Haile Sellassie and Duke Amedeo D'Acosta.

"The Ark of the Covenant is in Ethiopia for many centuries," said Pauolos. "As a patriarch I have seen it with my own eyes and only few highly qualified persons could do the same, until now."

Want to know more about the ancient box holding the Ten Commandments? Get "Exploring the Ark of the Covenant" – a two-DVD set!

According to Pauolos, the actual Ark has been kept in one church, but to defend the treasure, a copy was placed in every single church in Ethiopia.

He said a museum is being built in Axum, Ethiopia, where the Ark will be displayed. A foundation of D'Acosta will fund the project.

The Ark of the Covenant is the sacred container of the Ten Commandments as well as Aaron's rod and a sample of manna, the mysterious food that kept the Israelites alive while wandering in the wilderness during their journey to the promised land.

The Bible says the Ark was built to the specifications of God as He spoke to Moses. It was carried in advance of the people and their army by priests. It was also carried in a seven-day procession around the walled city of Jericho.

The idea that the Ark is presently in Ethiopia is a well-documented, albeit disputed, tradition dating back to at least 642 B.C. The tradition says it was moved to Elephantine Island in Egypt, then to Tana Kirkos Island in Ethiopia and finally to its present site at St. Mary's of Zion Church in Axum.

Ethiopians believe it is destined to be delivered to the Messiah when He reigns on Mount Zion – the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 3:16 points to a time when the Ark will vanish not only physically, but from the minds of the people: "And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more."

The Book of Revelation says the Ark is in the temple of God in heaven (Rev. 11:19). Muslim scholars say it will be found near the end of times by the Mahdi – a messianic figure in Islam.

Related News Article via Arutz Sheva, Israel National News

UPDATE: June 29, 2009

A few days ago my attention was drawn to this article on World Net Daily, in which Patriarch Pauolos of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church reportedly stated that Ethiopia was about to make the Ark of the Covenant public, supposed to take place on Friday (June 24th):

"Soon the world will be able to admire the Ark of the Covenant described in the Bible as the container of the tablets of the law that God delivered to Moses and the center of searches and studies for centuries."The announcement is expected to be made at 2 p.m. Italian time from the Hotel Aldrovandi in Rome. Pauolos will reportedly be accompanied by Prince Aklile Berhan Makonnen Haile Sellassie and Duke Amedeo D'Acosta.

I was excited to hear the news, but skeptical that the Ethiopians would actually reveal the revered ark (if they have it). As it stands now, they keep seven deacons in the Church of St. Mary in Axum who will kill anybody who tries to get inside the inner sanctuary to view the holy object - that's right, kill. I was thus at first very skeptical that the Ethiopians would suddenly change their tune and decide to reverse centuries of policy of keeping whatever is in that Church a closely guarded secret. The announcement was supposed to be made in Rome on Friday afternoon.

Well, Friday came and no announcement. Then Saturday. And then Sunday. Something seemed fishy. Kudos to the blogger Richard Bartholowmew who tracked down a report from the Italian news agency Adnkronos, which was the source of the Ark story. Apparently, the rumor that the Ark was going to be revealed was based partially on bad translation.

World Net Daily Update
Ethiopian church speaks out on Ark of the Covenant

Separation and Isolation: A Revelation

I believe there are times in our lives when God removes
us from the routine of life, and separates us from others,
so that he can spend some time with us. Without God "taking
this time" with us, we would drift through our lives
preoccupied and distracted by life, never pursuing the
destiny and purpose He created us for. Because these places
of separation are often uncomfortable, we resist them and
conclude that God must be punishing us, when in reality He
is preparing us through separation.

It is in these dry places, where no one else can help us
(including ourselves), that we discover that God is our source,
our healer and protector. We discover that our true source is not our
jobs, families, education or money - but God alone! This
level of revelation cannot be gained unless we have spent
some quality time with God. Oftentimes, if we don't
voluntarily "make this time" for God, He will involuntarily
"take this time" for Himself.

Separation Is Often an Indication of Designation
If it seems like everyone and everything that you've always
looked to for support is gone--it is not a coincidence but rather
divine providence. It may be an indication that God is readying
you for a transition in your life. Ask Abraham, the one whom
God separated from his family to give him and his descendants
a "Promised Land". Ask Joseph, the one who was forcibly removed
from his father's house (of which he was the least of 12
brothers) so that he could become the second most powerful
man in the world. Ask Moses, the one whom God separated from
Egypt and prepared in the desert for 40 years to deliver His
people from slavery.

Ask David, the youngest son of Jesse,
the one whom King Saul removed from his father's house and
placed in the palace where he could observe firsthand what
it meant to be king. Finally, ask the apostle Paul, the one
whom God separated from the Pharisaical order so that he could
become a leader and pillar in the Kingdom of God. Separation
is indication of God's designation of those He is calling.

Separation Is a Sign of Preparation
God is preparing and positioning you to discover something
about Himself that He cannot reveal to you while you are
surrounded by others. He needs to separate you from the people
and things that you have placed in positions that belong to Him.
They would only distract you from hearing and seeing the things
He wants to show you. During this time of separation and
seclusion, we also discover things about ourselves that we
otherwise would have never known.

There is no one to impress or save face with when we are alone.
God has the ability to show us who we really are so that He can
begin the process of molding us into who He's called us to be.
God will remove our support and separate us from the things that
we've become familiar with in order that He might reveal to us
something much greater--Himself.

In Deuteronomy 8:2-3, we read that God purposefully lead His
people into the wilderness for the purpose of proving Himself
to them. God used this place of isolation to develop their
confidence in Him as their God. They did not labor for their
living, they simply believed God and received their living.
There was no Wal-Mart in the wilderness, therefore they had
to trust God for their food, clothing and care. God proved
to them that He was their one and only "true Source". They
would have never received this revelation, without this time
of separation and sanctification with God.

Believe It To See It

"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the
LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good
courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the
LORD" (Psalms 27:13-14, KJV).

Many of us over the years were taught that, "seeing is believing".
As result of this, our situations look much like those around us
because it is all we've learned to believe God for. David
understood that one of the most important decisions he could make
in his life was to be selective in what he chose to believe.

As a matter of fact, it was what he believed that kept him from
fainting when he faced seemingly hopeless and impossible situations.
If you were to read the entire 27th Psalms you would find that David
faced some pretty stressful and seemingly hopeless situations. In
this Psalm, he was surrounded by enemies who were committed to
utterly destroying him. However, in the face of all of this, David
was able to maintain his composure and gain the victory by holding
onto what he believed. Lets take a look at what David believed so
that we too may learn the secret to overcoming the things that we
must face.

First, "You must believe that you will see what you've been asking
God for".

No matter how dark and grim the situation may appear, you must
maintain an expectation, that better will come. Better yet, that
it is on its way. Your ability to see what it is that you're
believing God for, allows you to receive it before you see it. As
a matter of fact this is necessary. The text says that David would
have fainted "unless" he had "believed to see" what it was he hoped
for. His belief that he would see something better enabled him to
stand instead of fainting while he was waiting.

Second, "You must know that God's goodness is greater than your
situation"

David's focus was on his problem, but on"the goodness of the Lord".
He proclaimed in Psalms 23, "surely goodness and mercy will follow
me all the days of my life". He was being hunted by his enemies,
while at the same time being shadowed by God's goodness. He didn't
say maybe- but "surely goodness ... will follow me"! Do you believe
this? Even in the midst of your situation? God's goodness may not
keep you from trouble but it will keep you through the trouble.
Your trouble is an opportunity for you to become acquainted with
God's goodness (Ps. 27:5). I never knew how good God was until I
learned to lean on His goodness.

Finally, "You must believe that God wants to bless you now - in
this life".

God wants to bless you now - while you are still alive - here on
earth - today! Too many Believers' expectation of being blessed
is only in the after life in heaven, when they live their life
enduring situations that they should be overcoming. Make no
mistake, Heaven is going to be grand, but God has given you a life
to live here on earth, which includes experiencing His goodness.
Life is not all about suffering, pain, loss and grief. "Life is
your license to experience God's goodness in the land of the
living." That is the here and now!

It is my suspicion that many of you are facing situations that
cause you to feel as if you are about to faint. The problem may
be that you don't believe that you will ever see anything better.
You must develop a conviction that it is God's will that you
experience His goodness in this life. God has not brought you this
far for you to fail. If failure was your outcome, He did not have
to bring you through the last battle that threatened to end it all.
His plan is that you win. He has some goodness for you in this
life. However, you must believe it, in order for you to see it!

By Dr. J.C. Matthews, Senior Pastor of Dunamis Life Ministries and Chancellor of The International Kingdom Institute.

Secret Footage: Tracking the Exodus

Secret footage uncovering evidence from the exodus of the Jews out of Egypt coinsides with the Bible.

more about "Secret Footage: Tracking the Exodus", posted with vodpod

Healing, Part 1: Riding Out The Storm

Heavenly Father, let me get out of your way as you make me an instrument of your peace.

*

We will all face trials and difficulties in our lives. Oftentimes, bad things even happen to seemingly good people. Sometimes, it is the attacks of the enemy to knock us off our path of righteousness in our walk with the Lord. The more devoted we attempt to be, the harder evil will try to make us stumble, so as to make us look like hypocrites to those of whom justify their iniquity.

*

Whatever the difficulty we face, God has our back. As we enter into a trial, which is usually allowed by God to bring us to a higher level of spiritual relationship with Him. Many times, as in the case with Job, it will start out as an attack from the enemy, and God will allow the situation to go just far enough to effect our life, in His Glory, or the lives of people around us.

*

The important thing to know, is that the outcome will be effected by how we deal with the trial we have been given. The degree of our faith will determine how prolonged our suffering must be to achieve our required level. The level is determined by our degree of faith. When situations are cast upon us we do not understand, the first human reaction is usually from emotion.

*

The level of pain we experience in any situation is determined by our willingness to allow our emotions to control our actions, or reactions. Most people want to re-act, rather than act, in an appropriate manner in accord with a healthy outcome. The enemy know our weaknesses, and what will hurt us the most. He will attempt to show us things, which may, or may not, be true.

*

The most important action, especially in the more severe trials, is not to re-act. The more we stress or give into the emotions, the more our perspective will be redirected away from a more perfect solution to the crisis. Panic just makes any situation worse than it is, and hinders any progress to a solution. Any emotional level of dealing with any type of crisis, deters us from a healthy outcome. We have all heard the old advice to never make an important decision while under emotion.

*

I have seen so many people, while in the midst of a trial, continue to hurt, and give into the emotions which control their thoughts and perspective. There can never be a rational decision made, or most especially, a profession of faith, while we are letting emotions rule our outcome. Faith, in the unseen works of the Lord, is the only way to a healthy resolve for all involved. Our Father in Heaven wants us to come to Him for our needs. When we ask for His help, in Jesus' name, we are to have faith He has heard our petition, and is responding in the best way for our need and for His Glory.

*

People will pray for a need and continue to fret over the need. They will pray the same prayer over and over, as though God didn't hear them, and continue to suffer, as though in disbelief He will answer. If we do not believe He is working on our life, He will not. If we insist on staying in the trial, we will. The prolonged suffering is entirely up to us. As we have faith, and let the situation go, we show others around us His Glory in how He is working. If we show calamity in our life, and no Glory to our Lord, what have we gained, but, calamity?

*

God's people were led out of bondage in Egypt, only to wander around the same mountain for forty years, as they had no faith God would lead them to the Promised Land

*

The shortest distance to a solution in our trials, is the distance between our knees and the ground; the distance of our hands stretched toward Heaven. Sometimes, especially depending on our stubbornness, God will wait until the darkest hour to respond to our prayers, as He wants everyone around us to know, without any doubt, that it couldn't have been anything other than His intervention, for His Glory. This is especially true when He knows we will not testify to His Glory, which, sadly, most professed Christians will not do.

*

In some situations, the resolve is not always the one we hope for, but, the one more suitable for our needs. The Lord knows all things considered and has already enacted certain protection and a path for our good, and for our salvation. Through our faith, we enable His wisdom to bring us to the best resolve. For example, in the case of a marriage gone awry, it may not be in our best interest for the covenant to be restored, even though that is His Will.

*

If one partner in a marriage covenant is corrupted into a life of selfishness through adultery or other fleshly desires, it would be disastrous to bring them back into our lives. The wayward partner is not in a relationship with the Lord, and would only tend to further place us in harm's way. God will not allow us to be placed into a situation where it will lead us away from Him. He expects us to grieve our loss, but, at the same time, have faith that He is acting for our good.

*

When we are caught up in our desire to make an arcane situation resolute to our perspective, we are not trusting God's wisdom. He wants His children in a place of acceptance and reliance on His purpose for our lives. Whether it involves a relationship, a career, health matters, big or small, we must trust in His judgement, rather than our own. If we are in perfect faith and unity with the Holy Spirit, we already posses the same powers to 'move mountains' in our life, as Jesus possessed when He walked the earth.

*

All Christians should have heard at one time or another we are to worship with joy, when going through trials, or storms. That is not always easily achieved in the midst of our suffering, but, it must be, for God's perfect Will to be achieved. We cannot go in a different direction, than that of the Will of the Father. The sooner we comply, and let go of our will, the sooner His work is realized, and His Will revealed. At times our suffering may be so great, it is difficult to utter a sound. This is when we need to persist the most.

*

When we are hurting so bad it seems impossible to pray, just keep saying Jesus' name over and over. He doesn't expect fancy prayers, but, for us to become humble as little children, and consider Him as our Father, whose only purpose is to give us what we need. If our worldly parents, who are corrupt with sin, want the best for us, imagine how our Holy Father, with pure agape love, cares for us. When we have petitioned the Lord in the middle of a storm, for His perfect resolve, we must know in our heart, it is done.

*

Find some Praise and Worship music, and focus on the Lord's face; praying for His Will and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will give us peace if we ask for it. Let go of what troubles you and think about reaching out in prayer for others. There will be moments of sorrow and grieving, but, with an overlying understanding that He will never abandon you, the Holy Spirit will lift you up and out of any depression, or oppression, which the enemy uses to overwhelm, and lead us away from our blessings.

*

The Bible, the inerrant Word of God, is the greatest self-help book in the world. I could have spent thousands of dollars on counselling, and not received the guidance I've received in my times of trouble as that of our awesome Father, who art in Heaven. Once we have made it through the storm, it is time for forgiveness. Forgiveness is the next necessary step in healing. We will address this next. Have faith in the Lord, and Praise Him.

*

If you are trying to make God your co-pilot, you are sitting in the wrong seat!!!

Obituary of a Dear Friend

The Death of Common Sense
© Lori Borgman Sunday, March 15, 1998

Three yards of black fabric enshroud my computer terminal. I am mourning the passing of an old friend by the name of Common Sense. His obituary reads as follows: Common Sense, aka C.S., lived a long life, but died from heart failure at the brink of the millennium. No one really knows how old he was, his birth records were long ago entangled in miles and miles of bureaucratic red tape. Known affectionately to close friends as Horse Sense and Sound Thinking, he selflessly devoted himself to a life of service in homes, schools, hospitals and offices, helping folks get jobs done without a lot of fanfare, whooping and hollering.

Rules and regulations and petty, frivolous lawsuits held no power over C.S. A most reliable sage, he was credited with cultivating the ability to know when to come in out of the rain, the discovery that the early bird gets the worm and how to take the bitter with the sweet.

C.S. also developed sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adult is in charge, not the kid) and prudent dietary plans (offset eggs and bacon with a little fiber and orange juice).

A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, the Technological Revolution and the Smoking Crusades, C.S. survived sundry cultural and educational trends including disco, the men's movement, body piercing, whole language and new math. C.S.'s health began declining in the late 1960s when he became infected with the If-It-Feels-Good, Do-It virus.

In the following decades, his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing federal and state rules and regulations and an oppressive tax code. C.S. was sapped of strength and the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, criminals received better treatment than victims and judges stuck their noses in everything from Boy Scouts to professional baseball and golf.

His deterioration accelerated as schools implemented zero-tolerance policies. Reports of 6-year-old boys charged with sexual harassment for kissing classmates, a teen suspended for taking a swig of Scope mouthwash after lunch, girls suspended for possessing Midol and an honor student expelled for having a table knife in her school lunch were more than his heart could endure.

As the end neared, doctors say C.S. drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments regarding regulations on low-flow toilets and mandatory air bags. Finally, upon hearing about a government plan to ban inhalers from 14 million asthmatics due to a trace of a pollutant that may be harmful to the environment, C.S. breathed his last.

Services will be at Whispering Pines Cemetery. C.S. was preceded in death by his wife, Discretion; one daughter, Responsibility; and one son, Reason. He is survived by two step-brothers, Half-Wit and Dim-Wit.

Memorial Contributions may be sent to the Institute for Rational Thought. Farewell, Common Sense. May you rest in peace.

*Note: This piece was first published March 15, 1998 in the Indianapolis Star. It has since been published in newspapers and magazines around the world and is a favorite of radio talk show hosts. This month, a Yoga magazine in Spain, a high school in Idaho, a writer in Ireland and retired teacher in Australia (among a slew of others) have asked to reprint it.

The column is somehow more relevant today than when Lori wrote it 11 years ago. It is circulated widely on the Internet, often "edited' and "adapted" and sent to her several times a year. Imagine her surprise to see it attributed to some guy named Anonymous.

You may visit Lori Borgman's Website and view her other writings and subscribe here.

The major contributor to the cause of the death of Common Sence was found to be Politically Correct.

Spiritual Warfare: Everyone Should Be Armed

The enemy is just like an NBA or NFL head coach. He will not bother with the teammates on the sidelines, the ones not called to play regularly. Satan focuses on the players on the court, which pose the biggest threat. He studies their strategy and their weaknesses, so as to know exactly where to hit them, for the win, and your defeat. God is the winning coach. Follow His direction and Satan is defeated every time.

In the heat of the moment, or in the middle of play, sometimes we forget the strategy, and drop the ball. That will happen, not to worry. Just pull from the instruction manual, pick up the ball, and run again. Never give in, and never give up. I promise you, as I am a walking testimony of His Glory, if we focus completely on the Lord, His goodness will be revealed.

Everybody, at sometime in their life, will drop the ball, and cannot seem to recover it. Satan is all about the lie. He can convince the best, at some point, they just aren't worthy, or good enough. If not caught early, and resisted with zeal, doubt can get a foothold. It becomes imperative in everyone's life, to let go of troubles, and trust completely in the Lord. We can't begin to conceive of the many ways He will work behind the scenes in our lives, for the best plan for us, and for His Glory. Oftentimes, He will wait until the darkest hour to reveal His Glory, for reasons best suited to our needs.

So, as we strive harder to be a disciple of Christ and make a difference, Satan will blindside us, when we are not ready. Before you know it, evil works can be all around us, and it seems there is nothing we can do about it. In my recent dificulties, I have struggled with grieving, but, at the same time God's Grace has carried me through. I have prayed with others experiencing attacks in their lives, and feel hopelessness.

When the enemy's attacks become overwhelming, the only one able to fight our battle is God. We are still responsible to do our part, which is rebuke the enemy, fight in and through the Holy Spirit, and stay solid in our faith. In seeking to help others, I have realized many do not have the Spiritual Warfare Prayer, nor use it. I encourage you with all my heart to stay persistant in seeking Him, wait for as long as it takes for an answer to your specific need, and do not waiver. First get into worship and praise of the Lord, so as to loose all stray or ungodly thoughts, and be completely in the Spirit. Then, recite the Spiritual Warfare Prayer:

I put on the full armor of God that will quench all the firey darts of the evil one.

I put on the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, and I gird my loins with the belt of truth. My feet are shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, and I pick up my sword, which is the word of God. I pick up my shield of faith that will quench all the firey darts of the evil one.

I put on my crown of honor and glory, the mantle of zeal, the robe of righteousness and the garments of praise. I put on the Lord Jesus Christ and I put on the armor of light.

I cancel every arguement, every negative confession, every word curse, every judgement, every bad report, every hex, every jinx, every spell, every backlash, and every retalliation that Satan has assigned against my life and the lives of my loved ones, in Jesus name. I cancel these assignments with the name and the blood of Jesus Christ.

Father, I call for the warring angels of God to be dispatched on my behalf, to destroy every assignment that Satan or any demonic influence has against my life, or my family's lives, in Jesus name; Amen

I plead the blood of Jesus over our mind , will , and emotions; I plead the blood of Jesus over our hearing that we might hear the voice of God, and obey the commands of God, and the voice of the liars would be silenced, in Jesus Holy name; Amen!

I nuetralize the powers of darkness over my unsaved loved ones with the power of the cross and the name and the blood of Jesus Christ.

Father, I ask that you open the door to my loved one's hearts to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that righteousness would be poured out from Heaven into their heart, so that righteousness and salvation can sprout up together in Jesus Holy name; AMEN!!!

Copy and paste into notepad, print, and keep it with you. Say it with someone, if at all possible, but, you can achieve ground on your own. Keep a copy with you and say it throughout the day, as often as possible. Eventually, you will memorize it. Each segment has its own significance, so don't shortcut. Believe! and God Bless you...

Repent First: Then We are Washed Clean By The Blood

"Regret" is a plain sense of sorrow for offensive or immoral behavior. "Penitence" is a sincere admission of transgression with an implication that the penitent intends to undertake moral improvement. "Contrition" is an absolute relinquishment of self to complete and perfect penitence for misdeeds. "Compunction" is a simple pang of conscience for a contemplated action of questionable morality. To "REPENT" is a deep commitment to turn away from our sin (or that which offends God).
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We must REPENT and give control of our life to God. This is God's Blessing to us, by His Grace, to exercises our gift of "freewill" to choose Him, REPENT, and follow Jesus' path. Glory to the Lamb of God! In His infinite mercy and inconceivable love, He forgives us and blesses us, even when we do not deserve it.
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Today's evangelists are doing a great disservice to their listeners by preaching a watered down version of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their words serve only Satan, as their followers fall away from Grace and God's Blessings He intended for us. We cannot be seeking, or doing, God's Will for us as we live for the world. We fool ourselves into believing that we must get by in the world, or give into desires of the flesh, and God does not hold it against us.
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We live in 'secret sin', or what we consider 'little sins', which aren't hurting anyone. If it offends God, who is Holy without compromise, it hurts us and our relationship with Him. We can't possibly receive that which He has intended for us. We may feel like everything is fine, and we are getting away with our desires, for now, but, we are heading for disaster. Many live in adultery, or with hate for one another, and say they are "Blessed by God". They are so confused.
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Many people are walking around calling themselves Christians, and believing they are, but, live far out of the Will of the Father (Mat 7:21). They live in iniquity, which they never gave up from the time they said a little prayer, sometime ago, and tagged themselves "Christian". God hates all sin, large or small. The watered down Gospel we receive does not depict the true God's Holy and Just nature. Evangelists would have us believe that attempting 'good works' by walking in righteousness is not what God expects from us. The truth is, 'good works' will not alone get us to Heaven, but, is completely expected of us, by God's commands.
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I encourage you to read The Four Step Program if you are seeking knowledge regarding salvation, and what it takes. It really is very simple, but, it is acquired in steps, not just one simple act of reciting a prayer and saying we believe it. I say to you, out of love, you are only fooling yourself and gain nothing if you have not truly turned your life over to the Lord. If life went on as usual for you, and you do nothing to resist temptations, and live in sin, you were never really saved at all.
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The first step in accepting God's greatest gift of salvation, is to admit we are a sinner. Then we must repent, or turn away from that which offends God (sin). We do not become sinless Saints. We are still human, and expected to slip. We are convicted by the Holy Spirit in our hearts that we have offended God, and we immediately repent, and ask forgiveness. He is faithful to forgive us. We do not continue with the sin, until we are satisfied, knowing it is wrong, but, we will seek forgiveness afterward.
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Our own President claims to be a Christian, but, supports killing God's creations. What a horrible message to the people he leads, that you can be a Christian and choose any ridiculous thing in life regardless it offends God in the most heinous ways. These types of Christians have no idea what the Bible says, or believe it. This is what a Christian is. A follower of Jesus' Gospel, and God's commands. We cannot call ourselves Christian and do evil. It is mixing water with oil...it doesn't!
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The Blood of Jesus does not mix with sin, it covers it, washes it clean. The very first thing to be accomplished in order for us to be washed clean by the blood, is to repent, and stay away from sin as much as possible. If we are aware that what we are doing is wrong, God always provides a way out of temptation. We cannot use the excuse, "The devil made me do it". We have been given intelligence to know right from wrong. We have been given the Holy Spirit, if we truly accepted Christ, and if we seek His assistance, He will assist us out of temptation, always.
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God does not force us to turn away from sin, or the world. He gave us freewill, to choose for ourselves. This is what our salvation is dependant upon. Our choosing to walk in the other direction, away from the world and fleshly desires, is exactly what a Christian makes. We are also expected to read His Word, and serve Him, by speaking of His 'goodness' to others.
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The Lord's Word is clear, and inerrant. If we do not believe that, then we are not "Christians". We have compromised the commands of the Gospel, to suit our desires. Hence so many religions which are supposedly based on the Holy Bible. Everyone wants to interpret God's Word to suit their own needs and desires. It is not a smorgasbord, where we pick and choose what we like for today. Just like man's law, or civil law, we cannot decide we don't like the way it sounds, so we don't have to obey it, as it was written by men.
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God's law was written by men, by the will of God, and the accounts of Jesus' life. Man's law was written by men, by the will of the people, mostly inspired by God's law. We cannot choose to ignore man's law. God's desire for a relationship with us, is based on our faith, and depends on our exercising our freewill to choose Him. However, we must take the narrow path, that leads to the narrow gate, into His Kingdom.
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Evangelists not only lie, but, take snippets out of context, to support their Warm and Fuzzy Sermons. They count on appealling to those, especially whom, refuse to get into the Word on their own. They sell books, many books, appealing to those, especially whom, refuse to repent, but, do not want to realize they are so far away from God. We cannot blame the evangelist as we are standing in Judgement.

Video Every American Should See

These are not what we have been fed as "Radical Muslims", but, typical, everyday, Koran believing Muslims. It is not just a few, but, all Muslims want Jews, Americans, and all infidels dead. It is their religious belief. Stop pandering to the tyranny that is taking over our country. Watch this, then act. Stop playing Obama's game and speak out against the take over.

more about "Video Every American Should See", posted with vodpod