Witnessing of Wrath To Come; Not Joy and Happiness

A few years ago, I attended a Christian conference in Katy, Texas, where I had the privilege of hearing Kirk Cameron speak. Kirk is an actor who gave his heart to the Lord several years ago. He teamed up with well known evangelist Ray Comfort (Living Waters Ministry) and together they have produced a series of DVD ministering videos called “The Way of the Master". Kirk is well known for his starring in the “Left Behind” movies.

In their ministry, Kirk and Ray approach people from all walks of life and show them the NEED to turn away from sin and accept Jesus as their Savior. As anyone has read any of my articles would know, I am a strong proponent of this type of evangelism. Too many people are walking around today deceived into believing they are saved when they are not.

While it is true that, once saved, you cannot lose your salvation, thanks to misguided evangelists seeking numbers, rather than strong believers in Christ, many think they are saved due to a (five) minute prayer. Meanwhile, most professed Christians are living in all ranges of iniquity, including fornication, adultery, pornography, alcohol and drug abuse, blasphemy, and even supporting the most heinous of sins-- abortion.

I have heard so many arguments from people claiming to be Christians regarding (my) view of the Gospel… “Is just the way you interpret it”, they’ll say. They truly believe that God’s word is acceptable in many different forms, depending on how each individual interprets it, as long as that individual thinks he or she is doing the right thing. It is truly sad. What they are saying, in essence, is that they can play stupid, and all will be fine in the end. God said His people will be destroyed due to ignorance. That means ignorance is no excuse. Worse yet, is the fact that the ones of whom were presented with the truth, and rejected it, will be the most harshly judged.

This brings me to the next most popular argument… “Judge not, lest ye be judged.”
Oh, I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been hit with that one. Totally misunderstood, even atheists use that one. Judging sin is not the context by which Jesus meant we were not to judge others. As much as misguided sentiments like “pray about it, and you’ll be fine”, oftentimes we tend to use scripture to enable our disconnect from doing the right thing, and still seem godly about it. It’s always human nature to rationalize our own lackings. When it comes to sin, we are commanded to judge it, especially, in as far as pointing it out, and hopefully the recipient will be nudged to be convicted of it, and repent. Silly atheists!!!

At the conference, Kirk gave the best analogy I had ever heard regarding the need to make it clear why a person needs the Lord.

Two men are seated on a plane. The first is given a parachute and told to put it on as it would improve his flight. He’s a little skeptical at first, since he cannot see how putting on a parachute could possibly improve his flight.

He decides to experiment and see if the claims are true. As he puts it on he notices the weight of it upon his shoulders, and he finds he has difficulty in sitting upright. However, he consoles himself with the fact he was told the parachute would improve his flight, so he decides to give it a little time.

As waits he notices that some of the other passengers are laughing at him for wearing a parachute on a plane. He begins to feel somewhat humiliated. As they continue to point and laugh at him, he can stand it no longer. He sinks in his seat, unstraps the parachute and throws it to the floor. Disillusionment and bitterness fills his heart, because as far as he was concerned he was told an outright lie.

The second man is given a parachute, but, listen to what he is told. He’s told to put it on because at any moment he could be jumping 25,000 feet out of the plane. He gratefully puts the parachute on. He doesn’t notice the weight upon his shoulders, nor that he cannot sit upright. His mind is consumed with the idea of what would happen to him if he had to jump without the parachute.

Let’s now analyze the motive and the result of each passenger’s experience. The first man’s motive for putting the parachute on was solely to improve his flight. The result of his experience is that he was humiliated, disillusioned, and somewhat embittered against those who gave him the parachute. As far as he is concerned it will be a long time before someone gets one of those things on his back again.

The second man put on the parachute solely to escape the jump to come. And because of his knowledge of what would happen to him if he jumped without it he has a deep rooted joy and peace in his heart knowing that he is saved from sure death. This knowledge gives him the ability to withstand the mockery of the other passengers. His attitude toward those who gave him the parachute is one of heart felt gratitude.

Now listen to what the modern Gospel says: “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. He’ll give you love, joy, peace, fulfillment, and lasting happiness.” In other words, Jesus will improve your flight. The sinner responds, and in an experimental fashion he puts on the Savior to see if the claims are true. And what does he get? The promised temptation, tribulation, and persecution. So what does he do? He takes off the Lord Jesus Christ; he’s offended for the Word’s sake; he’s disillusioned and embittered--- and quite rightly so.

He was promised peace, love, joy and fulfillment, and all he got was trials and humiliation. His bitterness is directed at those who gave him the so-called “Good news.” His latter end becomes worse than the first, and he’s another inoculated and bitter “backslider.”

Instead of preaching that Jesus improves the flight, we should be warning sinners that they have to jump out of a plane. That it’s appointed for man to die once, and then face judgment (Hebrews 9:27). When a sinner understands the horrific consequences of breaking the Law of God, he will flee to the Savior, solely to escape the wrath that is to come. If we are true and faithful witnesses, that’s what we should be preaching-- that there is wrath to come-- that God “commands all men everywhere to repent: because He has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:30,31).

The issue isn’t one of happiness, but, of righteousness. It doesn’t matter how happy a sinner is, or how much he is enjoying the pleasures of sin. Peace and joy are legitimate fruits of salvation, but, it’s not legitimate to use these fruits as a drawing card for salvation. If we continue to do so, the sinner will respond with an impure motive, lacking repentance.

Can you remember why the second passenger had joy and peace in his heart? It was because he knew the parachute was going to save him from sure death. In the same way, as believers we have joy and peace in believing because we know that the righteousness of Christ is going to deliver us from the wrath that is to come.

With that thought in mind, let’s take a close look at an incident aboard the plane. We have a brand new flight attendant. It’s her first day aboard the plane. She’s carrying a tray of boiling hot coffee. She wants to leave an impression upon the passengers, and she certainly does. As she walks down the aisle she trips over someone’s foot and slops the coffee all over the lap of the second passenger. What’s his reaction as the boiling coffee hits his tender flesh? Does he go , “Man that hurt!!!” ? Yes, he does. But, then does he rip the parachute from his shoulders, throw it to the floor, and yell, “Stupid parachute!!!” ? No, why should he? He didn’t put the parachute on for a better flight. He put it on for the jump to come. If anything, he clings even tighter to the parachute and even looks forward to the jump.

If we have put on the Lord Jesus Christ for the right motive-- to flee from the wrath to come-- when tribulation strikes, when the flight gets bumpy, we won’t get angry at God, and we won’t lose our joy and peace. Why should we? We didn’t come to Christ for a better lifestyle.

If anything, tribulation drives the true believer closer to the Savior. Sadly, we have multitudes of professing Christians who lose their joy and peace when the flight gets bumpy. Why? They are the product of a man-centered gospel. They came lacking repentance, without which they cannot be saved.

"They Just Don't Understand": The Fate of Rifqa

Fathima Rifqa Bary, a 17 year old who ran away from her parents in Ohio in fear for her life stated to media, "They just don't understand." That is why I write this, because most DO NOT understand, as much as they think they do understand.

Rifqa was raised in a devout Muslim family. A few years ago she accepted Christ. As much as she stayed low key of her Christian faith, was spotted by people from the local mosque involved in certain activities. Rifqa had already suffered abuse with injuries noted by her school (cuts and bruises). When the mosque made it public that Rifqa was an apostate and her father threatened to kill her, she took it seriously, as well she should.

The Koran teaches (ch 4, v89) that if one becomes an apostate of Islam they are to be killed by anyone which whom gets the opportunity to do so. In Muslim states it is no problem. Since they are in Democracies (until they can change that) they must abide by the respective country laws. Regardless, there have been many 'honor killings' here in the U.S.; two right here in Texas. Last year a Muslim father shot and killed both his daughters as he learned one of them dated an American. This brought shame on the family. This is the chilling 9-1-1 call.

Monday, 10/12/09, Florida Judge Daniel Dawson ordered Rifqa be returned to her parents in Ohio. I was not surprised. In fact, I expected it. Anything else would be a negative connotation toward the satanic Islamic religion which you are force fed is 'peaceful and loving'. It is only "kooks and fanatics" like myself which slander Islam with hate mongering.


In reality, it is ignorance which enables Islam to gain a foothold in Europe, and is very close to accomplishing the same in America. Muslims spew the rhetoric that it is only 'radical' Muslims which support violence and plan to take over the world. They have Muslim college students get on facebook and twitter and seek all forums involving any conversation on Islam. Their specific mission is attempting to convince infidels that if you are anti-Muslim you are a bigot, or worse, a Christian is a hypocrite. No Christian wants to be called a hypocrite.

Muslims will quote scripture out of context, and the typical Christian will either stay away from the debate or buckle under the pressure as they do not know the Gospel enough to retort. In essence, many Christians are ignorantly led to believe, falsely, we all worship the same God, and Islam is just another religion. So many people, even Christians, do their bidding for them. Especially young people, whom never read the Koran, will begin to argue with me regarding what they believe vs. the facts.

Average Americans and many Christians just do not understand Islam, but, do not want to be labeled a bigot or a hypocrite. We are all supposed to love our brothers and sisters of another faith. Right?!! And we should share the Truth (Gospel) with them anytime we get the opportunity. Once presented to them, if they reject it that is their responsibility. But, to accept the religion of tyranny, which is exactly what they solicit, is blasphemy. You better get this. It is utter blasphemy, and no matter how many times you said a short prayer professing your faith to Jesus, you are on a straight path to hell if you defend the lies and rhetoric of Islam.

In Rifqa's case, it is very possible a young girl may end up dead when she has asked for help, because so many defend the gutter religion. the ridiculous hypocrisy here is the liberals who scream they are for your rights are the very ones enabling Islam to meet their goal of making you their slave. It is due to rhetoric mostly spun by the liberals we wouldn't think of doing anything that would upset or offend our Muslim 'brothers'.

There are a few in the media who are starting to get involved and ask questions. Even so, they are not stepping across the line and 'calling a spade a spade'. For those not familiar with the old saying, you would not call a spade a rake, that would be ridiculous. If I needed a spade, but, ask you to bring me rake, not a lot will be accomplished. The fascists are able to get along with the constant rhetoric which discounts the truth, merely because we will not call a spade a spade.

Islam is not a peaceful, misunderstood religion. You are led to misunderstand, through deception. There are over a billion Muslims in the world. I have been told I cannot judge all of them because of the beliefs of a few. This is the deception. It is a few, who call themselves Muslim, but, follow another doctrine. These are considered apostates just like Rifqa, and face the same fate. Why do you think Muslims are killing other Muslims around the world? It is because they do not follow the true doctrine of the Koran, and are considered apostates.

It is exactly the same as Jehovah Witness, Mormon, or any other religion which professes to be Christian, but, deviates from the Gospel and deceives their followers. They are not true Christians by definition, but, many accept their doctrine through ignorance, and are not saved.

It is only illegal in sharia law to kill another (true) Muslim. The Koran teaches ALL infidels must die before their messiah (grand Mahdi) can return. That means even if you live to be a ripe old age, your grandchild may be forced to choose between Islam or die, someday. It is even worse for Jews. The Koran teaches Jews cannot be converted, and should be killed at any given opportunity. Yet, we are led to believe that only a distinct few 'radical' Muslims wish to harm the Jewish people. True Muslims are radical, as their Koran is radical and satanic.

What boggles the mind is how little we are willing to learn about something we ignorantly defend. Our political leaders do not want you to know the truth, as it is against their political ambitions. The Leftists in our government work hand in hand with the jihad of Islam, as they both strive for global unity and one governance. The major obstacle for both the socialists in power now, and Islam (also socialists) is the American Constitution. It is being ignored at every turn.

As President Obama ignored National Prayer Day, and stayed away from cameras for the first time to avoid controversial questions, he gave a celebratory speech at the beginning of Ramadan. Obama disgustingly pointed out there is a correlation between Christian and Muslim principles. He is either the most ignorant or the most boldly deceiving President in history.

Just like Rifqa, we are being ignored of the detriment which faces every citizen. Rifqa will eventually be handed back over to her parents. They are not citizens, and are possibly going back to their country of Sri Lanka. If they get Rifqa back to Sri Lanka, even if her parents do not kill her, the Mosque will. Honor killing is the #1 cause of death in Muslim states. It is perfectly legal to kill your wife if she is suspected of adultery. No questions asked if you kill your child because they dated a boy of another faith. And, no problem-- if you know of someone to have left the Muslim faith (an apostate) to behead them slowly, with a kitchen knife. More on Children beheaded

New pics reveal Hamas-linked C.A.I.R. backstage media coordination in Rifqa's case

Healing Part II: Forgiveness

When we forgive we are releasing a prisoner…our self!

Hard as it may be, we find that patience and perseverance in the Lord is the only healthy way to ride out the storms (Healing Part I) in life. God has a perfect plan and His perfect Will for our lives is not always apparent. We stray from the path He intends for us, or we are ‘side swiped’ by an event which entangles us in confusion, and devastating pain.

All the self help books in the world will not take the place of God’s Counsel. Ten years of psychotherapy will not achieve what God can achieve in us, in the blink of an eye. He knew a long time ago the place you were going to be tonight. He knew your pain. Pain is not His Will for us, but, since we are not always obedient and operate for our own good, He does it for us. Like a good father; like a good shepherd.

As it goes with the lamb which constantly strays, the Good Shepherd must brake our legs, sometimes, in order to get us back where we belong-- for our own good. The Lord knows exactly what state our soul is in. He knows at what stage of our understanding He can say one word, just one, and we will comprehend exactly what he is telling us. This is where He wants us ultimately and always. A close relationship. Where the Good Father only has to ‘speak once’ and we get it.

Now comes the more difficult part of healing. The pain and suffering we endure is really trivial once it is behind us. It seemed so great at the time, but, barely conjures up a memory. The truly hard road is that of FORGIVENESS, but, we must take it like it or not.

It cannot be a shallow, outwardly gesture. Rather, it must be a process which encompasses our soul until we reach a different realm of understanding. His understanding. We cannot think like God. It is inconceivable to us how the all merciful, all loving Father moves. Part of our process, our journey, must be forgiveness. It is obviously very important to our Father in Heaven, as He will not forgive us, until we have done so ourselves.

That said, it is all part of the whole LOVE thing, in which He is constantly trying to steer us. We are ever so stubborn when it comes to the type of love He wants us to give and receive. If only we would follow His Word, the complete process, and obey the demands of unconditional love.

When we have reached a certain level of understanding in our heart regarding a situation, or a person in our life, the Lord gives us the next step, word, or opens a door, as He knows we can handle it.

I have heard and read many sermons and articles on forgiveness. The two most common misconceptions of evangelistic preachers these days are right out of most secular ‘self-help’ books.

1. Forgiveness does not mean forget

2. Forgiveness is for yourself, not the other person.

I have heard many preachers, for which I have the utmost respect, adamantly pushing these two key issues when it comes to forgiveness.

It is further deception by the enemy to lead the sheep silently to the death, and away from the goodness our Father has in store. It is through our selfishness in most cases we find it impossible to forgive. Sometimes for the smallest things. But, there is oftentimes huge issues, recent or maybe years past. Maybe we don’t even know we hold bitterness for a certain person. We discounted a situation a long time ago; our concept is that it was forgiven, when it was just forgotten, for now. If an issue goes unresolved it lays dormant deep inside us, until such time it is uncontrollably brought out by a memory, or a word spoken, or even a fragrance.

The Lord knows we don’t truly forget, unless we truly forgive. Likewise, if we truly forgive, then we must forget. When He forgives us, it is forgotten as if it never happened. Unlike a criminal court, as a man stands accused of a crime, and his previous crimes may be held in account for his punishment. When we are truly sorry for our sin, and repent, He is faithful to forgive. Thank God for that, RIGHT?!!

No matter how strong the offense (or trespass) which was perpetrated against us, we must be obedient to God’s command to forgive and forget. If we are to hold onto the smallest portion of the incident in our heart, or in our mind, without completely letting it go, then what have we accomplished? It is like undergoing surgery for a tumor, but, deciding to leave just a little bit in there, for old times sake. Why bother with surgery?

The second issue for which I appeal to your charitable nature. Yes, forgiveness is for ourselves, BUT, also for as much as the one who trespassed against us. The process of healing cannot be a clinical, calculated procedure if we are to get it right. Likewise, forgiveness is not a ‘paint-by-numbers’ and reach the end-result experience. We must give up a part of ourselves which is perhaps the most difficult part to surrender. Our pride, or center of being. We must step out of our self, in the same way we would leave our comfort zone to help the needy during the holidays, or run out in the middle of the night to answer the call of a distressed family member.

The one thing we most commonly put aside when we think we have dealt properly with forgiving someone is that person is also a child of God. They are also growing in the way God sees fit. Or, maybe they don’t yet have a relationship with the Lord, but, you are blessing them exponentially by giving of yourself when they most often feel they don’t deserve it. This may drive them to the Lord on their own accord. If we are holding a hard heart, or ill feelings against them, we are not only hurting ourselves, but, we are denying an opportunity to bless them. If you reject that idea, then you haven’t truly forgiven, as you told your self you did.

The whole purpose for the Lord to constantly steer us to the path of charity (which refers to love in the KJV) is so that we might lose that ever damning , overwhelming sense of self, or self centeredness, which keeps us from following all His guidelines for loving one another.

Christ forgives us without conditions. We don’t deserve it--it is by His Grace alone. We want to place limitations and conditions on our forgiveness of others, without grace? Just saying your forgiven without the true heart experience and surrender to God’s charitable ways, is just as meaningful as “I’m sorry” and not meaning it. Don’t waste your time. Also don’t waste your time going to church, as God does not want you to bring Him offerings while you knowingly have an unresolved issue with a brother or sister, or neighbor.

Jesus not only said we were to forgive seventy times seven, but, we were to ‘turn the other cheek’. I know this is hard to do, and we will not always take that path, especially in the heat of the moment, when our feelings have been destroyed by another whom we trusted. We forgive to bless our trespasser as well, whether we like it or not, as it blesses us in the end.

God Bless America (once again)

2 Chron 7:14 ~ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (KJV)

America was once a blessed nation; it can be once again, when we bless God once again. Many are fooled by evangelists into believing they should just pray about it, and God will handle it. That's not biblical. We screwed it up by ignoring God. Why would He fix it? He is waiting for us to fix it, or He will turn us over to our enemies. That's biblical.

Most evangelists and Pastors have been advising, and in some cases demanding their church not watch news or read newspapers, as it is "Too depressing." I've heard more ridiculous things come out of clergy's mouths before, but, this ranks high up there.

What the apathetic and uninformed portion of America does not understand, because their is no rocket fire or brigades in the streets, the Second Revolution is taking place. If "We The People" lose, they will wish they had awakened before it was too late. The REAL victims will be our most precious children and their children.

Notices were sent out from both Bush and Obama administrations to every registered licensed ministry requesting they advise their members to avoid news media. Of course, that was before a stronghold was placed on most media sources by the Obama camp. Works are in progress to totally control what you hear and see through media, so enjoy it while you can. Obama's new communication Czar has gone on record praising Hugo Chavez for his successful revolution in Venezuela, and media take-over.

The portion of America which has no problem with government taking care of their children is thoroughly incapable of taking care of them properly themselves. Our children should worship God, rather than a self serving politician. Only then will the outcome be favorable for generations to come. We will have to answer for the outcome...

The saddest realization from all this usurper awareness is around half the country has no problem with government "taking care of them" and making all their decisions.

"To the disempowered, it seems much easier or even more acceptable to leave one's life in the hands of third parties (governments, aid agencies, and even God) than to try to alleviate one's circumstances through one's own effort. Disempowerment - whether defined in terms of a lack of self-confidence, apathy, fear, or an inability to take charge of one's own life - is perhaps the most unrecognised problem in Africa today." ~ Wangari Maathai

It is President Obama's clear intention to make everybody on the globe equal, thus eliminating our unique form of government and capitalist society.

I regularly receive comments from "Christians" advising I should not be reporting such things about our President, but, praying for him. God ordained government to promote justice, not evil. There is nothing biblical about giving into tyranny. If George Washington, or all who signed the Declaration of Independence had just prayed about it, we would still be under British rule. If we do not give up this stupid apathetic state we have adapted we will eventually be under New World Order rule.

We are losing America, because America as a whole drifted away from God. We have allowed evil to get out of hand and run rapid, through apathy on our part. We refused to speak up in fear of being called "politically incorrect" or a "racist" or "homo-phobic" or anything they could think of to shut up the opposition to their sinful ways becoming the norm. The "Moral Majority" was being attacked and propaganda made them out to be wackos. Unfortunately, we cannot say we were part of the moral majority, because the opposition has won, so far, because we heard the cry of a few in battle, but, we looked the other way ad waited for the next person to handle it. Deserters!!! This was once a blessed nation, it can be once again, as soon as we bless God once again. He didn't make this problem, and He won't fix it alone. We should pray always, but, prayer alone won't cut it. And it's gonna take more than a few to fight the "Spiritual Battle". We need to recruit and work tirelessly FOR OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE.

Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God~ Thomas Jefferson

Shake It Off!

"Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you
go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet."
Matthew 10:14

As Jesus began to prepare His disciples for their calling as
leaders in the Church, He decided they needed to go out on
their own and learn to do what they had previously seen Him
do. For soon Jesus would no longer be physically with them
and they needed to know who to operate in His absence. So He
gathered the disciples together and instructed them to go
out into the surrounding cities to preach and demonstrate
the Kingdom of God. At the very end of His instructions,
Jesus tells his disciples to do something, that is not as
spectacular as His other instructions, but is essential to
their having success in what they have been assigned to do.
This essential piece of wisdom that Jesus shared with his
disciples has just as much application and revelation for
us today, as it did when He originally spoke these words
over 2000 years ago.

Jesus first instructs His disciples to take no money for
their journey, preach the Kingdom of Heaven, heal the sick,
raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons and when
it is all said and done - know when to "shake the dust off".

Jesus said that their ability to shake off criticism, rejection,
opposition and other people's opinion of them was just as
important as their preaching the gospel, healing the sick,
raising the dead, cleansing lepers and casting out demons.
Jesus knew that their ability to overcome persecution and
rejection was critical to their ability to succeed at what He
told them to do. If they succumbed to criticism and rejection,
there would be no preaching, healing, raising or cleansing
because they would quit and abandon what they were sent to do.

We too must learn to shake off the dust that others cast upon
us to stop us and move forward in life. There are times in life
when we will have to go at it alone! If you never learn to
shake off what life and others will place upon you, you will
find yourself bound and unable to move forward in life because
you're carrying things and burdens that God never intended
for you to carry.

Not only must we learn to shake off the dirt that others place
upon us, but we must also learn to shake off the dirt that
we've accumulated and held onto over the years. There are
things in our pasts that have clung to us to remind us of what
we used to be. This dirt may be failures, words that have
wounded us or mistakes we've made that we are trying to make
up for that hinder us in moving forward into our assignments
and callings. Many of the disciples had less than desirable
pasts that they had to shake off and move forward despite
their history. There was Matthew the tax collector who had
to shake of the guilt, shame and condemnation of his past
occupation in order to move forward in the ministry that
Christ had given him. If Matthew had not learned to shake
off what he knew about himself, and what others were saying
about him, he would not have been able to minister with the
conviction and power necessary for him to do what Christ
instructed him to do. The enemy will use other people's
attitudes and opinions to try to cause you to doubt yourself
and forfeit what God has for you.

What is it that you've allowed to lay dormant because of
rejection, opposition or someone's opinion of you? Has someone
said something to you that has caused you to doubt yourself,
your ability, purpose or future? If so, do what Jesus told
His disciples to do - "shake it off" and keep moving!

Redeeming The Time

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but
as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what
the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:15-17

One of the most precious gifts God has given mankind is---
time. A major characteristic of time is that you will
never have more of it than you have right now. With each
breath you take, you are that much closer to taking your
last breath. We all reach a point in life where we realize
that we've lived more life than we have left. The older
we become the more careful we are of what and with whom we
spend our time on. We begin to realize that we truly do
not have time to waste!

Some of you may look over your shoulder at your past and
smile with satisfaction at how you used the time that you've
given, while others may reflect on their past and wish that
they had the ability to do some things all over again. However,
what is done is done. We must do the best we can with the time
we have left.

What do you do when you now have the wisdom to do a thing
right, but you don't have the time to do it all over again?
What do you do when opportunities, like water, have slipped
through your fingers and the doors that were open are now shut?
You may be asking: "Is there any way to regain what I've lost
over the years?" The truth is, you will never be able to
reclaim the time lost - but you may be able to "redeem" the
time you have left!

The Bible instructs us to "redeem the time". If we are
instructed to redeem the time, the next question that must be
asked is: "How do we go about redeeming our time?" The answer
actually lies within the word redeem. The word redeem in the
Greek is "Exagorazo". It is a compound word made up of the
preposition "ek" which means "to come out of" or "from", and
the verb "Agorazo" which means "to put to work in the
marketplace". The marketplace is simply a system of exchange.
The way to redeem your time is to exchange the system in which
you are investing your time.

Many Believers, although born again by faith, still operate by
a system dominated by the flesh. Anything that is not logical
or probable they shy away from because they fear not being in
control of the situation. They are operating under a system
of works, which can only pay them a wage, which correspondingly
controls their worth. This is the reason a person can work
hard all their life and discover that the time they spent
working was wasted because it could not give them what they
earnestly desire - freedom and fulfillment.

God's system, or the Kingdom of God, is one of redemption that
is founded on faith. Our productivity and worth is not based
on our abilities or efforts, but our faith and obedience to
God's Word. Everything we receive in this system is a gift.
Jesus said, to seek first the Kingdom of God and His
righteousness and all things will be added onto us
(Matthew 6:33). God does what we can't do by our believing
(in faith) that He can do it!

In the Bible, Abraham tried to have a son, under the system
of flesh (or his own abilities and efforts) for almost 100
years without success. God gave Him in a moment, by faith,
what he could not produce by his flesh over a lifetime. God
redeemed Abraham's time because Abraham switched systems. He
received by faith what he could not produce by in his flesh.

Like Abraham, God has allowed some of you to live long enough
to know that your system doesn't work. God can fix in a moment
what has been broken for years. It all depends on the system
that you are investing your time and efforts in. It's not to
late! Switch today and redeem your time!

It Is Well

When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to Gehazi his
servant, "Behold, there is the Shunammite. "Please run now to meet
her and say to her, 'Is it well with you? Is it well with your
husband? Is it well with the child?' " And she answered, "It is
well."' 2 Kings 4:25-26

Do you have "It is well faith?" "It is well faith" is faith that
is wholly based on the Promisor's promise and not on how things
appear. Can you look at your present condition and still say,
"It is well?" If not, you are more than likely focusing on the
wrong thing.

As sure as each moment of life brings you a moment closer toward
death, you will be faced with a factual situation that contradicts
what you are believing God for. As a matter of fact, that is what
your situation is after - your faith. The bible says in
James 1: 2-3, "count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." The
various trials where directed at their faith. Our faith is what
causes us to overcome what we do see, to receive what God has
said we will see, but has not manifested yet.

The enemy wants to use the facts of our situation to frustrate our
faith and what God has said concerning us. Our breakthrough will
be determined by our decision to stand on our faith and not on the
facts. Facts change, but the Word of God never changes. Facts
are based on circumstances, while faith is based on the surety of
God's Word. The Bible says, "God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He
not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it
good?" (Numbers 23:19).

The most valuable possession you can have is genuine and
unshakable faith in God's Word. It is what enables
you to endure and overcome hostile and oppressive living
conditions. With faith, no person, thing or situation has the
final word. This is why the Bible says, "we walk (live) by faith
and not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7)

In the text, this Shunammite woman was materially prosperous but
had no child. Because she cared for the man of God he promised
her a child. She eventually had the child who grew to adulthood
but later died while in the field. The woman placed her dead son
on the bed of the one who promised her a son and set out to find
him. When questioned about where she was going she replied, "It
will be well". As she approached, the prophet's servant asked how
things were going and she again replied, "It is well".

Her son is dead, her husband had given up on his son and when she
finally finds the one who promised her a son, she doesn't cuss,
faint or fight. She reminds him of God's Word. She was holding
onto her faith in the Word instead of the fact that her son was dead.

Too many of us give up on things too easily because their
realization seems unlikely or impossible. We have allowed
blessings, callings, dreams and breakthroughs that God has sent us
to die because it appeared that they would never happen. The next
time you think of abandoning a dream or promise that God gave you -
remember the Shunammite woman's response to facts. When the facts
say, it won't work, it will never happen or things will never
change, say what the Shunammite woman said: "It Is Well!"

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