The Scourge Of Racism
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The peaceful, law abiding and authentic cry for justice and righteous conduct by our law enforcement officers on the streets of our nation at this hour is good (Matthew 5:6)--if long overdue and finally, in the end, futile where this world is concerned. The effort in the end is futile from a biblical worldview for two important reasons. First, this world is governed by one who cares nothing about justice (Matthew 6:13; Ephesians 6:12; 1 John 5:19) and second, apart from the renewing work of God through the Gospel, the human heart is thoroughly wicked (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:9-18, 23); incapable of producing lasting justice as only the living God can and will through His Anointed (Psalm 89:11-18; Isaiah 9:6-7, 11:1-10)! He has come and is coming again; we who have looked to Him, wait for Him to bring in our everlasting triumph over evil (Luke 2:1-14, 24:44-51; Acts 1:10-11; Revelation 1:4-8) as I celebrate in the following 2012 blog re-post!
Originally Posted December 9, 2012
Faithful Christians are sheep for the slaughter because we live in a world that is under the rule of Satan who has never ceased to hate and oppose God who loves us (John 14:30, 15:18-25). As a result, just as the Jews throughout history, so, Christians have been the target of this world’s oppressing, harassing and murderous persecuting activity. In fact, today is Hanukkah, the Jewish Feast of Dedication.
It commemorates the end of a foretold three year time of intense persecution in 165 BC by Antiochus Epiphanes, the ruler of the Syrian division of the former Hellenistic Empire of Alexander the Great (Daniel 11:21-35). Many were slaughtered during this period. Finally, a group of Jewish guerrilla fighters called the Maccabees prevailed and came to Jerusalem where they began purifying the Temple. Tradition has it that a small jar of oil miraculously was enough to keep the golden lamp stand in the Temple burning for eight days.
God’s historical permission allowing the Jews to take up arms against their worldly persecutors was temporarily withdrawn after Jesus of Nazareth their Messiah came on the scene and purposely took on the demeanor of a defenseless Lamb. Though as the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” He had Heaven’s might at His disposal and authority to bring it if He chose (Matthew 26:51-54), He declined to do so that He might allow the Father to pour out the fullness of His wrath against human sin upon Himself.
This He did on a Roman cross to save Jew and Gentile that believes in Him and receives God’s forgiveness and reconciliation obtained through His substitionary atonement (Romans 5:6-11). Those who believe He invites to walk by faith in the example and power of His own world overcoming victory to include loving our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 23:32-34; John 16:33; 1 John 5:4-5). This means no Christian at any time has God’s blessing to take up weapons and war against the world in His cause or self-defense (Matthew 26:52; Romans 8:33-36; Revelation 13:10).
And so, many born again followers of Jesus Christ have died since the first century, do and will die at the murderous hands of sinful, satanically controlled men following His example of non-violent submission to and love for evil enemies as sheep for the slaughter until the Lord returns. Those who have suffered and been martyred in living out biblical Christianity include the strong men and great women of God among my slave and free forefathers.
Professing black American Christians do not talk enough about them because of satanically inspired deception and shame that these saints were somehow weak and cowardly sell outs. Many professing white American Christians out of shame, others out of continuing unrepentant haughtiness refuse to talk about them or acknowledge the historic black experience at their hands under the guise of Christianity as ranking among the world’s greatest historic evils. Yet, my Christian forefathers then and we who love the Lord now forgive our white brothers in the instruction and example of Christ (Luke 17:3-4, 23:34).
Faithful saints have endured suffering and death at the hands of this evil world system understanding as I have already written in this blog and write in my book, The Strong Man Of God, that it is first and foremost, the way of Christ we have been called to follow (Matthew 16:24-25; Philippians 1:29). Second, they have understood God has ordained that all the tribulation His children endure is part of His faith and character building program leading to the salvation we have hoped for (Romans 5:1-5, James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:3-9).
Finally, faithful saints understand in all of their trials they are “more than conquerors” through Christ who loves us (Romans 8:37-39). A conqueror conquers the thing he pursued and after enjoys it for only a short time before someone stronger takes it or he dies. But we in Christ are more than conquerors because of the overwhelming greatness of our conquest over evil in that not only do we rise again from the dead after being killed (or dying) once, but we live thereafter in immortal glory and the eternal riches of God’s love and grace (Romans 8:31-32; Ephesians 2:1-7)!
In between the frantic activities of the week, reflect on this edited 2011 repost.
Originally Posted November 18, 2011
Thanksgiving has almost been lost as “Black Friday” and the “Holiday Shopping Season” looms large. Besides the commercialism and greed for which Thanksgiving has become only a launch pad, the holiday has lost some of its luster spiritually as our secular society requires only a passing attitude of gratitude to satisfactorily celebrate the day. Thinking of the blessings of God are no longer required as the warm and fuzzy feelings of gathering with family and friends takes the top spot as the reason for having had a really great holiday.
Echoing the declaration of that ancient aspiring strong man of God, Joshua: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” (Joshua 24:15, NKJV). In an extra special way from our routine on Thanksgiving, we will reflect on the goodness of our God who has saved and blessed us abundantly in so many ways over the past year. I can lead my family to do this thankfully to God, because I have a wife who lets me serve in my role and place as the head of our family. I challenge every man reading this to prayerfully seek the Lord for the courage to lead your family to at least have a special prayer time giving thanks to God if in fact, this practice has been lost in your Christian house.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
While every day of my life since being saved from my sins on Easter Sunday 1977 is a day I give thanks for, this Thanksgiving I am beside myself with praise and thanks to God for keeping His Word in Philippians 4:19 to me (and available to all) on the ninth of this month! On that day my brother, Richard and sister-in-law, Vicki Kelley, helped our Ministry reach its campaign goal for funds needed to support my continued full-time service this year.1 As with so many in this year of the Lord’s Coronavirus pestilence, I too, faced the prospect of layoff without God’s provision through those that reverence Him and had the means from His provision to them (2 Corinthians 9:7-8)!
For this reason, I also give thanks to God for and thank every soul that has contributed to the campaign to date. I have prayed and pray for His blessing of increase upon you both financially and spiritually (2 Corinthians 9:10-11)! These contributors include my wife and other family members, our current Directors Alvin Johnson and Richard Anderson and supporters old, new, named or anonymous on our fundraising platform. I also want to specially thank Rosie, widow of Director Philip Lovings, who had prayed for the campaign in our March board meeting before he departed to the Lord in April as well as family member, Miron Washington, for helping the Ministry reach the goal.
Now, while I overflow with joy and thanksgiving, I have not forgotten about those who have had it rough this year. I was careful to note parenthetically earlier that the same God and His promise of provision in His Word are available to all! How? Repent and believe the Gospel of His Son, Jesus Christ: that He died on the cross for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day. If you do that, you will be forgiven of your sins and born again through the Holy Spirit who will come to live in and make you an adopted son of God (Acts 2:36-39; Romans 8:14-17). Father God takes care of His children. Therefore, with the great apostle I also exclaim above all from the heart: “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift” of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 9:15; Philippians 4:20, NKJV)!
A blessed Thanksgiving to all who know and love God Almighty and His Son, Jesus Christ!
1 You can read about my day of rejoicing and thanksgiving at https://fundrazr.com/salarycampaign1.
I am fully thankful to God to be among those who are born again Christians according to His love, grace and mercy that brought His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to make it possible through His atoning sacrifice (John 1:1-18, 29, 3:1-21). Indeed, salvation is the number one thing I am thankful to God for this Thanksgiving and every day! From the Lord’s saving of my soul has flowed every other thing I am thankful for not the least of which is His continuing work to help my progress toward becoming that strong man of God in the image of Christ I aspire to be (Philippians 3:12-14)! If you don’t know Him, I urge you to read last week’s post where I present God’s only means to His salvation through the Gospel.1 Have a safe, God honoring Thanksgiving holiday!
1 See the November 14, 2021 post, Overcoming The Male And Female Challenge, under the category, The Cause.
In light of the posts the Lord led me to write beginning September 25-November 13, 2022, this Thanksgiving I am beside myself with gratitude to know and walk with Him by faith! I am grateful too, in those posts along with all of my service to the Lord through Open Door Communication Ministries, Inc. to still be on this side of Heaven declaring His mighty works--past, present and future (Psalm 118:17-18)! This is part of His good ends in allowing me to have been afflicted with Prostate Cancer which in accord with His promise of deliverance nearly a year ago to the date He gave it, I am progressing toward fulfillment.1 Truly, God is good to those who look to Him. “Oh, give thanks” with me to God daily and this Thanksgiving, “for He is good,” (Psalm 136:1-3, NKJV)!
1 Read the July 24, 2022 post, Afflicted For God’s Glory And My Good, under the category Glory To God! Also, watch the corresponding Bible Instruction message the Lord gave me to proclaim, Afflicted For God’s Good Ends! on our Strong Man Virtual Institute Channel for a more in-depth presentation on affliction as chastening He brings and/or allows into the lives of His sons for our good.
I have been thanking God for and will make the release of Pastor Andrew Brunson and our sister, Asia Bibi, from imprisonment for the faith this fall an important part of my Thanksgiving celebration. Brunson, an American Pastor, had spent two years incarcerated in Turkey after living with his family and shepherding a church there 23 years. He was freed after President Trump threatened sanctions. Bibi, a Pakistan native, was arrested and held on death row 8 years as a Christian for the charge of blasphemy against Islam. Prayerfully remember fellow believers suffering all over the world for the faith and give thanks for those God graciously delivers remembering next time, it could be you (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Hebrews 13:3, 23).1 Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
1 Read this article about the arrest of an American Christian anti-abortion activist and why.
The holy days of Passover, Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday have come and gone now, and the Coronavirus pestilence has continued to take its toll in human suffering and death across the earth as many in the medical community feared. The frantic hunt for a remedy continues also though, it has actually been available from the outset. However, the world in sinful pride and obstinacy does not want to seriously consider it. Like it or not this is due in some measure to especially professed Western Christians not being willing to implement the remedy themselves and credibly proclaim it to the world or in follow up to my April 5, 2020 post, did anybody repent as called upon by God?1
Since the Coronavirus is not His ordained end for mankind, let the scientists keep working for a cure and vaccine that God in grace and mercy may grant them to finally obtain though, this pestilence will remain with others to follow. That said, I understand why the unsaved wicked have an aversion to repentance from sin having once been among them. But I confess to continuing amazement that this is the case among professed Christians to whom at the Lord’s command since 1986, I have been blowing the trumpet of warning He gave me and sounding His call to repentance (Ezekiel 33:1-9)! Professed Christians have ostensibly only gained entry into Christ through repentance and faith.
Supposedly, the Gospel was to them as it should have been the joyous announcement that God is willing to forgive all of the past transgressions, sins and iniquities of fallen sinners that repent and believe in the atoning death, burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. Those that did so were supposedly brought to new birth and eternal life by the Holy Spirit as He indwelt them and reconciled to God in New Covenant relationship (Acts 2:36-39; Romans 1:16-17, 3:21-26, 5:6-11, 8:1-6). Knowing salvation’s cost and our Holy Father’s eternal hostility to sin, supposedly they were regularly confessing and repenting from it to avoid breaking fellowship (Romans 6; 1 John 1:5-2:2).
Alas, though, in the likeness of my ministry predecessors I have been blowing the trumpet in futility to a professed people of God that refuse to hear! From the leaders to the people the many are open rebels against the will, way and Word of God as was ancient Judah right up to and during His judgment that sent them to Babylon in 586 B.C. Indeed, as with Judah in those days so, the wickedly bold in the churches today answer God’s call to repentance with ‘“What have I done,’” (Jeremiah 8:4-7, NKJV)? Consequently, the prophet Ezekiel was commissioned and sent to Judah labeled a “rebellious nation” and “house” as captives in Babylon (Jeremiah 10:17-18; Ezekiel 1:28-2:5, NKJV)!
I learned to read the old fashioned way using simple books with simple phrases like, “See spot run.” The accompanying picture helped me understand what I was reading. Now, God has made the commandments of His Word plain enough as written for the simplest minds and hearts to understand (2 Corinthians 1:12-14). He has also given us the Holy Spirit as our Teacher to make things even plainer (John 14:15-26, 16:12-15; 1 John 2:26-27). Thus, when Christ, for example, commands with supporting doctrine through His apostle that women are not to stand in usurpation “to teach or have authority over a man,” it is plain enough to understand as “See spot run” (1 Timothy 2:11-15, NKJV)!
But like the rebels of ancient Judah, after a century of incremental disobedience many in the churches today have fully cast off what the Word of God says about women teaching and taking authority over adult men; attempting with the world to re-define sin and sign God’s name to it in the process (Psalm 2:1-3).2 They also insist the teaching of Christ’s handpicked apostle was parochial, wrongheaded and uninspired personal thinking not proper for a more enlightened time.3 Instead, what they think, feel and believe has taken priority.4 As a result, they do not answer God’s call to repent because in their eyes and that of the god they have invented in idolatry, they have not sinned!
As He spoke to Israel’s tribes, God would know what else can He do and what He did to you that you spurn His love and great salvation (Hosea 6:4-6; Micah 6:1-5)? In His Coronavirus judgment where you cannot go to church (Isaiah 1:10-14; Amos 5:21-24), you cajole and hope speaking to God of His love and mercy. You also fast and make prolonged public prayers for the pestilence to end and revival. But the Lord does not hear you because there is no soul deep repentance or turning from sin (Isaiah 1:15, 59:1-8) like king David (Psalm 51:1-17) and when we first came to Him (Acts 19:18-19; 2 Corinthians 7:10-11).5 There will be no revival except among those individual Christians that have met with God and thoroughly repented from their sins (Isaiah 1:16-19)!6
Evidence of His reviving work is men restored in the Body of Christ as the whole of God’s Word instructs.7 Without complete soul deep repentance and Holy Spirit fired revival that comes to individual believers and sweeps widely across Western Christianity, expect more severe judgment for all the world to see as befell Jonah who also rebelled against God (Isaiah 1:20; Ezekiel 33:10-11; Jonah 1:1-16). Afterward, those restored in revival will be wholly obedient to the Lord as was Jonah after his time in “the fish’s belly,” (Jonah 1:17-2:10, NKJV). Too, the world’s resistance to repent as ancient Nineveh once did at the preaching of Jonah will be briefly, but fruitfully overcome (Jonah 3).8 The risen, living Christ continues His cry among American churches, "Who is on the Lord's side?"
1 The post is entitled, God Is Speaking, under the category, Call To Repent.
2 See the November 9, 2014 post, Re-defining Sin, under the category, Call To Repent. Not doing what the Word as it is written says is willful disobedience; hypocrisy
and self-delusion if one also claims to love the Lord (1 John 5:3).
3 This is all biblically refuted by me as the Lord leads in the second Appendix of my book, The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics. Get a print copy or digital down-
load of the book at major internet booksellers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBooks.com and Apple (digital only). You can also get a print copy in the
Strong Man Store.
4 Read the May 31, 2015 post, What Does God’s Word Say?, under the category, Instruction. It culminates a month of posts in which the Lord led me to take on the ar-
guments of “I think (which includes the popular, but unbiblical construction of personal theologies and truth statements), I feel and I believe.” It does not matter what
you or I think, feel or believe about God and His Word no matter how educated. Only what God’s Word objectively and honestly interpreted and applied actually says
matters (Proverbs 3:5)! This is a point the Lord also led me to stress in posts directed to the religious educated elite within Christendom. See the October 18, 2015
post, Pursuing Credentials And Authority and the two-part, Religious Educated Elite Wiser Than God? beginning October 25, 2015 all under the category, Call To Re-
pent.
5 See the August 31, 2014 post, Soul Deep Repentance, under the category, Call To Repent.
6 Read The Sham Cry For Revival under the category, Call To Repent, posted on August 17, 2014. Spiritual revival from God is not a public event though it may take
place in such a setting. It is the aftermath of soul deep repentance in the individual hearts of believers that have totally forsaken their rebellion and turned back to God!
Guilty women, for example, would renounce their transgressions and iniquities involved in serving the worldly feminist cause; voluntarily walking away from pastorates,
leading worship and all positions where they take authority over and teach adult men in the churches and related entities. Guilty male pastors would completely re-
nounce their pride, ego and selfish ambitions that have led to phony, entertainment rooted so-called worship with lights and smoke to attract a crowd not to God, but
their churches.
7 This is in accord with the three-part post the Lord gave me that began on January 8, 2017, In God’s Revival Men Are Restored, under the category, The Cause.
8 Read the six-part post that begins July 30, 2017, Restoring Men In the Two Minute Drill, under the category, The Cause.
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