-Happy New Year

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May God Bless you and yours this new year.

With the new year, many want to improve their lives in 2021. One of the best ways to do that is to read the Bible daily in the new year.

Several polls taken during the last few years have unfortunately demonstrated that American Christians are somewhat illiterate when it comes to the Bible and particularly Biblical teachings. One good way to reverse the trend is to set aside time to read the good book everyday. An excellent idea is to read through the whole Bible or at least the New Testament during 2021. There are a number of good programs to help you in the process.

One of the easiest ways to get it done is to get a ‘One Year Bible’ where the whole year is divided up into daily readings usually with a selection from the New Testament, the Old Testament, and from Psalms. You can even get it in your favorite version at the book store or download an ebook version on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

If you find that reading all of it in one year is maybe too much, then you could read just the New Testament and Psalm offerings for each day and then maybe save the Old Testament or the following year (or visa versa).

There are also a number of good plans available that allow you to use your regular Bible for the reading. Here’s a few online: The One year Bible Online, Bible Gateway

You could also get the Bible on CD or tape and listen to it on the way to work this year or download it into your iPod, iPhone or MP3: iTunes, Apps me now, YourVersion Bible App

There are lots of Bible helps available just search online.

May God Bless us all in 2021.  

-9/11/01: Remembering…19 Years and Counting

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We are remembering today the attacks that took the lives of 2,977 people. 19 years have passed but I still clearly remember where I was when I watched the two towers come down.

I was having breakfast when my wife called to me to come upstairs and see something she was watching on a TV morning show. She said:

“Come here, you have to see this!”

I remember thinking that it was a really horrible accident until I saw a second plane hit the other tower and then I knew we were watching a world changing event. But I was not prepared for the horror of the two towers actually coming down one after another killing thousands.

19 years have come and gone and there was a time when I thought that we would eventually be safe from terrorism in this country. But now it seems to be rising up in our own midst with home grown protesters and Islamists with no end in sight.

Now Islamic terrorist events are happening almost every week somewhere in the world and it is no longer a big surprise but has unfortunately become part of our modern way of life. Meanwhile, traveling by Air will never be the same and it is really hard to remember how ignorant about Islam we all were before 9/11/01.

On the positive side- the 9/11 museum is now open in New York City and the Freedom Tower has replaced the two towers that fell that day. May God continue to bless America and may Americans remember ‘when’ but also remember to thank God for all of the blessing we do have and continue to experience.            

-Remembering 9/11/01: The Face of Jesus

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I wrote this a few days after 9/11/01 reflecting on a couple of visions I had that week:

THE FACE OF JESUS

Friday, I Saw the face of Jesus,

While I was listening to the special service at National Cathedral;
and tears were flowing down his cheeks.

Sunday, I saw the face of Jesus,

While I was worshipping at church; and tears were flowing down his cheeks, while thousands were filing past him in sorrow–those who died in the acts of terror–
and they did not recognize him.

Then I saw the terrorists, they were celebrating while they walked together, until they saw Jesus, then there was terror in the eyes of the terrorists–they fell on their knees–some on their faces, raising their arms and pleading.

Then I saw the face of Jesus, and he was shaking his head in disappointment,
and they were gone.

Later during the service, I saw the face of Jesus once again,

And he was smiling–as hundreds of people came before him and he hugged them, and he kissed them, and welcomed them. They were celebrating,

Then I saw the Face of Jesus once more,
and he was laughing and celebrating with them.

Posted in 9/11/01, USA

-The Lord Has Different Plans For America

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Devil’s plan: America goes down in November

God’s plan: America has a Revival

You Choose–let’s pray in what we want

A couple of weeks ago two Christian friends of mine, and on the same day another, sent me a link to a YouTube video of a pastor sharing about a dream he had that showed America basically being destroyed starting in November. My friends wanted my input and opinion.

After watching it I was really concerned and asked the Lord—is that dream really true?

He responded immediately saying:

That’s the Devil’s plan. I have different plans for America.

I immediately started praying for God’s plan and for the devil to be defeated once more. You choose-Let’s pray in what we want–Let’s unite in prayer for America.

Posted in -Pray for America, -Pray for Revival, Prayer

-Revival in Tennessee?

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A report of revival beginning in Tennessee. From Charisma:

‘God Is Moving’: Tennessee Pastors Say Revival Is Exploding

Revival is taking place in Tennessee as churches from various denominations have partnered together in prayer and fasting.

East Rogersville Baptist Church located in Rogersville has been the launching pad for this move of God.

It’s a part of Awaken Tennessee, the 30-day initiative for prayer and fasting, which kicked off Jan. 26 and will run through Feb. 23.

Pastors are reporting their services are exploding with revival services as a result of the Holy Spirit showing up and taking over.

<Read the rest>

Response: We are looking for a major revival that will be manifested in every state all over America and in Canada also. One that will move across denominational, generational, and economic  barriers. This might be the beginning.

-Harvest Crusade 2019: A Mighty Move of the Holy Spirit in SoCal

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For once, ‘Good News’ out of California. From CBN:

The SoCal Harvest crusade saw 8,670 people give their lives to Christ over the three-night event held over the weekend. 

Greg Laurie, senior pastor of the Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., said it was an amazing experience with more than 100,000 people total attending the crusade held in Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

<Read the whole article>

Response: I have attended a Harvest crusade in the past. It really is an amazing experience, particularly since leaders from so many local churches participate. A major part of the crusade effort dwells on counseling new believers to seek out continuing discipleship in local churches.

Beyond all of the glitz and great music is a real move of the Holy Spirit that changes lives and brings real hope to Southern California. The churches and leaders there are looking for a new revival looking back to the examples of Azusa Street and the Jesus People Move which actually changed the whole church not only in California but in America and all around the world.               

-Brazil: 3 Million Evangelicals March For Jesus

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Last week over 3 million Evangelical Christians marched in Sao Paulo, Brazil proclaiming their nation for Jesus. From Fox News:

Millions marched in the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil last week as part of one of the largest Christian gatherings in the world.

The March for Jesus in Brazil organizers report there were three million attendees with more than 10 hours of praise and worship, led by 28 Brazillian gospel bands and singers, and dozens of evangelical pastors and leaders, Evangelical Focus reported.

<Read the while article>

Response: Revival and an awakening has been going on in Brazil for some time now. Close to 30% of brazil’s population are now evangelical Christians and they have become a real force in the country.  Note that Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, showed up and participated in the event. 

-Love These and Pray for Them

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The Holy Spirit found me in a Presbyterian church in New York on Mother’s Day. We were visiting our daughter and her family so we were worshipping at their home church in Yorktown, New York.

My mind wandered during the service, thinking about my next preaching assignment. The incomprehensible love of God came to mind along with the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5:44clip_image002:

“…love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”

Suddenly I had a vision of the radical Muslims beheading 21 Christians in 2015 on the seashore in Libya. Then the Lord said:

     “Love These. Pray for them.”

I replied: I love the persecuted Christians and pray for them every day.

     “No, Love these and pray for them.”

Then I knew he was talking about the terrorists-my response: That is hard Lord and I can’t do it without your help.

Then the vision faded away- that was the lesson; we really can’t love or pray for our enemies without His help.  

-National Day of Prayer, 2019

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A good time to pray for our nation and leaders. Pray for revival, we need it.

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Link to the official website: National Day of Prayer

President Trump’s proclamation is well worth reading this year.

Presidential Proclamation:

Americans have always found power and unity through prayer.  In 1988, the Congress, by Public Law 100-307, called on the President to issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a “National Day of Prayer.”  Today, on this National Day of Prayer, we once again come together to give thanks to Almighty God for the bountiful blessings He has bestowed on our great Nation and to ask for His unfailing counsel.  We also acknowledge our dependence on God’s love to guide our families, communities, and our country away from harm and toward abundance and peace.

Our Nation acknowledges that religious liberty is a natural right, given to us by our Creator, not a courtesy that government extends to us.  The First Amendment recognizes the freedom of religion and safeguards this right against government infringement.  The United States’ steadfast commitment to upholding religious freedom has ensured that people of different faiths can pray together and live in peace as fellow American citizens.  We have no tolerance for those who disrupt this peace, and we condemn all hate and violence, particularly in our places of worship.

Throughout our Nation’s history, Americans have consistently turned to God for guidance at pivotal moments.  In 1775, the Continental Congress first declared a day of prayer, asking American patriots throughout the colonies to pray in earnest for divine help in forming our Republic.  Seventy-five years ago this June, President Franklin D. Roosevelt led the Nation in prayer as courageous Americans stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.  He prayed:  “Almighty God:  Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor . . . Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.”  Today, we also pray for strength for our Nation and our Armed Forces as we face new challenges at home and abroad.

Our Nation’s honored tradition of prayer has sustained us and strengthened our trust that God will continue to watch over and accompany us through the best of times and the darkest hours.  May we as Americans never forget the power of prayer and the greatness of our Creator.  On this National Day of Prayer, let each of us, according to our own faiths, call upon God for His guidance and express our gratitude for the love and grace He bestows on us and our country.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 2, 2019, as a National Day of Prayer.  I invite the citizens of our Nation to pray, in accordance with their own faiths and consciences, in thanksgiving for the freedoms and blessings we have received, and for God’s guidance and continued protection as we meet the challenges before us.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third.

DONALD J. TRUMP

-Celebrating the Ministry of St. Patrick

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Today is St. Patrick’s Day. Beyond the green beer and rowdy drunken debauchery that typically surrounds the occasion is a historical character that was God’s apostle to Ireland—forget ‘Saint’ this guy functioned as an apostle and a power evangelist with signs and wonders.

There is all sorts of stories about Patrick that today they call ‘myths’. I believe that a lot of the myths were probably based upon true events that seem far too supernatural for secular folks to accept today.

But who was this St. Patrick anyway? A man born into a Roman Christian family in Wales around 385 AD with the given name of Macwyn Succat. At age 16 he was taken from his home and enslaved by Irish Celtic raiders. He tended sheep for his new masters for 6 years and became closer to God in the process. The ‘voice of God’ directed his escape and later commissioned him to return to Ireland as a missionary. He went to seminary and became a Priest in preparation and later a Bishop.

He is recognized by all major Christian churches–Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, and Anglican since he ministered before the church was divided into all the different denominations we have today. So Protestants have just as great a claim on him as Catholics. And those of us who have Welsh blood running through our veins have as much right to claim St. Patrick as any Irishman.

It is said in documents from that period that he “baptized thousands of people”, and ordained hundreds of priests to lead new Christian communities and villages. He also converted the sons of Kings and chieftains leading to the conversion of an entire pagan nation to Christ.

It is said that he was also a healer and that he prayed for hedges of spiritual protection surrounding Christian homes, churches, and whole villages. Legend has it that snakes were banished from the island in the process, though scientists today doubt there was ever any on the island. Nevertheless, Druid priests were forced leave and demons and evil principalities were cast out and challenged by St. Patrick.

Here’s an example of the spiritual condition of  church that St. Patrick left behind—part of a prayer attributed to him but probably recorded a couple of generations later:

From “Saint Patrick’s Breastplate”:

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ below me, Christ above me, Christ to the right of me, Christ to the left of me, Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I stand, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye which sees me, Christ in every ear which hears me.

We could use this kind of spiritual maturity. What a great declaration to live by–an example for those seeking a Kingdom culture and economy.