"Why many CHRISTIANS are giving SHEEP a BAD NAME!"

I am fully persuaded that Jesus did not have this in mind when He made mankind analogous to sheep. Never in His wildest dream could He have imagined that His sheep would become so vulnerable, miserable and defenseless. The way Christians are "carrying on" today, they are giving sheep a bad name!    

In the following passage, Jesus makes a distinct between His sheep and the sheep that have been seduced by the "hirelings" into leaving the "fold" (protection and direction of Christ):  

"...Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe ; the works that I do in My Father's name, these testify of Me. "But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish ; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all ; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one." (John 10:25-30)  

They are of a gregarious nature...meaning they love to be with the herd, they are herbivores. Sheep must have a leader (shepherd) and must be told what to do and where to go, other wise they'll wander off and get lost. The government of the Kingdom of Heaven has been perverted by the corruption of mankind. Now our nation, leaders and other institutions are like wolves leading the sheep to slaughter.

These are the Characteristics of Sheep:

1. timid, fearful, easily panicked 2. dumb, stupid, gullible 3. very vulnerable to fear, frustration, pests, hunger 4. easily influenced by a leader, by the shepherd 5. stampede easily, vulnerable to mob psychology 6. little or no means of self-defense; can only run 7. easily killed by enemies 8. the shepherd is most effective, calming influence 9. jealous, competitive for dominance 10. constantly need fresh water, fresh pasture 11. have very little discernment in choosing food or water 12. perverse, stubborn - will insist on their own way , even eating poisonous plants or drinking dirty water 13. easily "cast" - flipped over on their back, unable to right themselves will die of starvation if not turned over by shepherd; helpless 14. frequently look for easy places to rest 15. don't like to be sheared, cleaned 16. too much wool can cause sheep to be easily "cast" 17. creatures of habit; get into "ruts" 18. need the most care of all livestock 19. need to be "on the move"; need a pre-determined plan, pattern of grazing 20. totally dependent of shepherd for every need 21. need "rod and staff" guidance

Do these characteristics reflect you or someone you know? Have you been snatched from the hand of Christ Jesus? Who took you away? If so, repent, reject the deception and return to the bosom of Jesus Christ for the blessed assurance which is eternal life in His presence and that of the Father. Selah!

"The MYTH of SPIRITUAL COVERING!"

The popular culture and vernacular of today's institutional church (IC) along with the cavalcade of sects, denominations and various divisions have created a melting pot of confusion, subjugation and gross negligence toward the things of God.

At the top of the list is the myth of "spiritual covering" as a blatant manipulation of the scriptures and a powerful devise being used to spiritually castrate the men and women of God. The concept of "spiritual covering" is a direct indictment on the Headship of Christ as the ONLY Head of the children of God and leader of the church!

I will state this in plain English so a kid in kindergarten couldn't miss it, "Your pastor, bishop or apostle cannot be, will not be nor has the authority to be your spiritual covering. If you are a woman, your spiritual covering is your husband (not your pastor). If you are a man, your spiritual covering is Christ (not your bishop). If you are a pastor, your spiritual covering is Christ (not your bishop)!  Now , everybody repeat after me, "My "spiritual covering is CHRIST, NOT my pastor or bishop!"(Read 1 Corinth 11:2-16 slowly for the TRUTH).

Whose idea was it to start this foolishness and, more importantly, because we have a litany of "non-readers" of the Word, thousands of Christians have accepted this premise as "gospel" and have submitted to its deception "hook, line and sinker!"

                                                        This photo needs no explanation!

"Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that COVER with A COVERING, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into EGYPT [symbol of captivity in Scripture], and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh [symbol of Satan and autocratic dictators in Scripture], and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your CONFUSION. For his princes were at Zoan [aka, Goshen, where Pharaoh met with Moses and Aaron; Easton's Bible Dictionary], and his ambassadors came to Hanes. They were all ashamed of a people that could not PROFIT them, nor be an help nor PROFIT, but a shame, and also a reproach. (Isaiah 30:1-5; KJV; emphases and parentheses added)

Indeed, what the false prophets subscribe to as "spiritual covering" is actually "spiritual control." You have to ask your self the hard question: What "type" of spirits are behind this manipulation? Only demonic spirits usher in manipulation, deception and error. This witchcraft and sorcery has crippled the integrity, influence and witness of the Body of Christ and diluted the overall perception of the IC to the lost as well as Christians who are young in the faith.

I have a stern warning to ALL church leaders masquerading as Men of Faith: "Be afraid; BE VERY AFRAID!" The Lord God still sits on the throne AND He still SMITES people!

"NO ROOM IN THE INN: CAN I GET A WITNESS?"

I  have witnessed the message of Jesus Christ being abdicated unilaterally by many church leaders in favor of the more popular "Every Day Is A Friday" bedtime story. The diluted gospel is not fit for human consumption. It has polarized the Kingdom and left its citizens in disarray. Mega Pastors like Joel Osteen have crippled the Body of Christ with a "bubble gum" gospel message of feel good rhetoric that fails miserably at addressing the consequences of sin and promoting the atoning power of the blood of Jesus!

I have witnessed the systematic dismantling of His prevailing authority in the earth realm by lazy Christians who have compromised the gospel of the kingdom of heaven by refusing to serve God's people in the marketplace. These "spiritual bastards" hide in plain sight in large congregations where their sin can be woven into a large fabric of deceit and manipulation where there is no accountability or requirement of integrity.

I have witnessed the confluence of several "new" gospels into the preaching mix thereby adding to the confusion of the elect. The resulting effect has been a significant breech in the "spiritual wall" which once fortified the Kingdom of God.

I have witnessed the pain and agony of God's people who were once proud to carry the banner of the Belligerent Christ and now cower and run at the smallest resistance to holiness, righteousness and peace. The church has lost its influence and passion for social justice, economic empowerment and political correctness. Many of God's people are servants of Baal and are two-faced hypocrites without shame. They are promoters of tolerance, entitlement and perversion. This is a snapshot of the "new mormal." They have already been judged by the Almighty!

I have witnessed the abandonment of our youth in favor of the church's attempt to be "relevant" to the masses. The church doesn't need to be relevant.  The "spirit of relevance" comes from Lucifer. Lucifer wanted to be relevant when God had given him "spiritual authority" over the ages. What a trade-off. He became Satan because he wanted fame and notoriety and praise. The throne of God was very appealing to Beelzebub. A child assumes many of the traits of the father.  The church has become like it's father the devil. Any church seeking relevance is already DEAD!

I have witnessed the disenfranchisement of the poor, widows, orphans, homeless, naked, sick, elderly , incarcerated and physically disabled. Prostitutes are not welcome. The homeless are not welcome. The disabled are not welcome. Homosexuals are not welcome. The church has classified the "needy" as "non-giving units" and are subsequently disqualified from membership in the elite club known as the institutional church.

 In short, there is "no room for poor people" in today's modern day church!

"The NEW EXODUS: Why Our Kids Are Leaving the CHURCH!"

The fact of the matter is that the church is losing the battle to attract and retain our nation's young people! The defection or "new exodus" can be attributed to a litany of sources.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to relevance, integrity and purpose. Today's youth speak a different language than our generation.  They communicate differently.  They are the sons and daughters of the digital age; the age we have created through significant advances in technology.

Our kids don't read books anymore. They don't write anymore.  They don't even know what "cursive" writing is because it isn't taught in schools anymore!  If it's not on their cell phones, iPads or laptops...they don't even acknowledge it. Solution: We have to meet them where they are; WE have to adapt to THEM or we will continue to lose them!

(The photo above highlights a "Technology Band" comprised of instruments on their iPads)

No single reason dominated the break-up between church and young adults. Instead, a variety of reasons emerged. Overall, the research uncovered six significant themes why nearly three out of every five young Christians (59%) disconnect either permanently or for an extended period of time from church life after age 15.

Some of the reasons why young Christians are "checking out" are as follows:

1. Hypocrisy in Leadership: Young people are "sponges" for the things that interest them. There is little doubt that they have taken notice of the proliferation of abuses being orchestrated by the church against the people of God. Rampant sexual abuse, rape, drug abuse, infidelity, fraud and murder have dominated the headlines. We cannot continue to sugar coat the truth and look the other way just to protect the false prophets who are corrupting the IC. Our youth are watching how we are "fumbling the ball" miserably on this one!
2. The "Institutional Church (IC)" is trying to be "cool": Why is the church trying to be cool? The church is supposed to be in the business of saving lives. The IC has to stop employing "magicians" who keep using these "cheap magic tricks" to lure our youth back to church. Nothing works better than the truth and the Truth is Jesus Christ!
3. Young People don't see a "purpose" in today's ministry: Young folks are no different than older folks. They have the same desires as we do.  They want to know why they are doing something, what the goal is and what the expected result will be. The IC has, for the most part, done a horrible job of effectively communicating to our young people the importance of their presence in the Kingdom and how that translates into a positive representation of Christ in the marketplace. The short version is that our youth are bored with US... NOT JESUS!
4. The IC has no answers to the "new paradigms" of our youth: Talk about being out of step. The IC is leagues behind our youth when it comes to their "cultural redefinition" and new paradigms promoting open-mindedness, tolerance and acceptance of many of the things the church opposes. They are an eclectic generation of social misfits (similar to that of every age throughout human history). They are rebels and they have voices that need to be heard. The IC has to identify solutions to their penetrating questions. There are only so many roller-skating parties, movie nights and field trips you can host before they wise up and leave..for good!  The church is definitely NOT listening!

(This is what a typical youth "huddle" looks like on any given day!)

"Gideon's Army & TRUMPETS as ACOUSTIC WEAPONS!"

Gideon's Army: (Judges 7:1-8:21)

“Then the LORD said to Gideon, 'The people are still too many; bring them down to the water and I will test them for you there.'” (Judges 7:4).

Gideon was the fifth judge of Israel. He played a small but important role in the history of God's people. Gideon lived during a time when Israel had forsaken God and had worshipped idols. The nation had abandoned its true source of national strength and the source of its blessings much like our own nation has done today. God had withdrawn his blessings and protection, and the nation had suffered. As voices began to call upon God for deliverance, God used Gideon to answer the need. Gideon was a reluctant leader who was finally convinced of the power of God. He ultimately led the children of Israel in victory over their enemies, the Midianites.

God is the "ultimate Quantum Mechanic." He knows where everything fits in time and eternity. NOTHING is a surprise to God. We humans are merely chess pieces on a large board in the universe. His "pieces" are represented by the "remnant" of Christ Jesus.  His opponent (if you want to call it that) is the devil. Although the devil is a less than worthy adversary, he prevails as more of a nuisance than a threat to God only because people are so selfish, fearful, stubborn and wicked.

Much like the soldiers in Gideon's army, today's believers are replete with guilt, fear, doubt and disobedience. In the Book of Judges, God commands Gideon to bring his men down to the water (which represents the spirit) to be tested (to determine their faithfulness and commitment).

Gideon's army of 32,000 was reduced in size (vv. 1-8). Already sorely outnumbered (the enemy numbered over 120,000 swordsmen), most would see this as a time to go out and recruit more warriors. But it might be that after the victory the Lord would give them, the people might think it had been by their own strength and ability that they had won the victory. So, the Lord commanded Gideon to further reduce the number under his command "...lest Israel claim glory for itself...saying, 'My own hand has saved me.'" (Judges 7:2). Any who were “afraid and trembling” were told they could go home. As a result, some 22,000 departed leaving 10,000 to fight the Midianites.

And then He gave them TRUMPETS?

The Sword (Word) of the Lord and Gideon



"Gideon attacked the Midianites with his 300 men who took torches, pitchers, swords, and trumpets. (vv. 9-23). “Now the same night it came about that the LORD said to him, 'Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hands.'” (Judges 7:9).

Why the Lord GOD gave them TRUMPETS: "Sonic Violence"

God doesn't waste anything. I often asked myself why God gave the tribe of Manasseh trumpets to fight a battle. As always, He does these quirky things to totally eliminate the possibility that MAN can take the credit for His amazing works! Check out what happened as a result of 300 men blowing their horns:

"Any severe extreme imposed on the sonic environment has a profoundly destabilizing effect on the individual. This becomes evident in both the areas of high intensity acoustic energy and also its complete absence. Anechoic chambers, which create an environment void of sound, have the ability to produce similar feelings of disorientation and disturbance that are evident with high intensity sound.

The silence envelops the individual in a suffocating manner causing both psychological trauma and also physiological disturbance in the form of balance and other related body function.  It is clearly apparent that the human organism is in an extremely delicate state of equilibrium with the sonic environment and any profound disturbance of this system will have subsequent ramifications on the individual.

References to sound as a violent entity date from the biblical trumpets that brought down the walls of Jericho and those used by Gideon's army to current trends in acoustic weapons research including the work conducted by organizations such as Scientific Applications And Research Associated Incorporated (SARA)."
 (Altmann, Jürgen, AcousticWeapons — A prospective Assessment, Universität Dortmund / Institut für Experimentalphysik III April 1999)

Gideon was "fully persuaded" that God had already given him the victory because God has told him so AND he BELIEVED it! Gideon ultimately divided his 300 men into troops of 100 and surrounded the Midian camp. Because it was night and the Midianites could not see, they became disoriented and didn't realize they were killing each other. As a result, the Midianites were devastated by Gideon's troops. The strategy to employ the assistance of the tribe of Ephraim to cut off the hasty retreat of the Midianites as they fled for the Jordan River sealed the victory for the Lord God.

The final battle of the campaign was fought at Jogbehah ("lofty" in Hebrew). The Midianite army was routed again, and the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna were killed.

The Result of Faithfulness to the Lord God

• Even in a culture steeped in idolatry,  God Himself will visit the True Worshiper.
• Even in a land ravaged by an unnatural famine as overweight souls starve while gorging themselves with lies and deception, the True Believers will feast on His Word.
• Even among a people who have cast away their covenant with God and taken sides in the sexually immoral games idolaters play, True Believers will be the pure in heart and at peace.
• Even in a world of fear and violence, True Believers will have the Peace of God ruling in their hearts. (Phil 4:7; Col 3:15)

Let us bring both our offerings of worship and service and our petitions to the Lord.  Let us be brave and cautious.  He has a lifetime of assignments for us.

• Sometimes a servant leader must tear down idols.
• Sometimes he/she must lead an army that seems too weak to win the battle.
• Regardless of the assignment, we can always do what we can do knowing that in the eyes of the Angel of the Lord we are mighty men and women of valor.

GOD and the unyielding FAITH of only ONE MAN is a MAJORITY! Selah....

"GOD SHUT the DOOR for NOAH: Who Can OPEN It?"

I can see it now. Noah and his family bustling around building the ark with no help from the "hecklers" in the 'hood. "Noah, what in the heck are you doing man? What is this thing you are saying? Have you gone mad?  What is RAIN?"  Noah, I am sure, just kept working, remained steadfast and diligent because he was "on assignment" from God.

In His instructions for building the Ark, God told Noah to “set the door of the Ark in its side” (Genesis 6:16). The Ark had only ONE DOOR to pass through to escape God’s ruthless judgment. By faith, Noah and his family entered the Ark. Once they were all inside, the Lord shut them in.

I always say, "I am sure that the first "cuss word" was heard on the day the first rain drop splashed on top of the head of one of Noah's cousins!"

Many believer's mistakenly think that "Noah shut the door to the Ark", but he didn't do it. So you might ask, "What is the significance about God shutting the door of the Ark?" God shutting the door was "intentional" in that no man can open a door that God closes and, conversely, no man can close a door that God opens (see the Noahic Covenant; the "sign" of the rainbow); it represents a "door" that was opened by God that can never be closed. It also represents God's emphatic nature; when God is done with you, He is truly DONE!

Don't pass over the declaration, "Noah walked (Hebrew word "halak" means "to go" or "to travel") with God." (Gen. 6:9). This is very significant in that Adam, Eve and Enoch also walked with God and denotes a very intimate relationship and fellowship with the Father.  I wonder how many of today's believers walk with God?

               (Noah's Ark replica in the Netherlands built by Dutch billionaire Johan Hubiers)
        
It provides a wonderful demonstration of the twin truths of 1) man’s responsibility to choose God over man and 2) God’s sovereignty that we see throughout Scripture.

After God shut the door, the time of judgment arrived. Only those who had gone through the doorway would be saved; no one else could enter.

Noah and his family had to obey God’s command to build and then enter the Ark (a "type and shadow" of Christ) for salvation—but it was God who had commanded the Ark to be built to fulfill the destiny of man He had manifested from the foundation of the world. Jesus said “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved” (John 10:19).

(A view from inside the Ark)

What "uncommon thing" has God directed you to do? Will you defy popular culture and modern convention to obey the word of the Lord God? Can he count on you to gather your family into the safety of the Ark? Will you resist because you have never built an Ark before? Will you walk away from God because you don't understand the concept of "rain" (something that has never been revealed to another person before other than you)? Will you falter under the pressure of unpopularity and the fear of failure? Are you afraid of offending the heathens, religious folk and the Pharisees?

It is a good thing that God has prepared His "remnant"as a peculiar people.  The remnant always represents the "faithful" ones and the "chosen" ones and those that are the ones that God "calls by name to Himself." They are the fearless ones and they are

...the LONELY ones!

"The Boy Scouts Join Atheists, Gays and Other Non-Believers!"

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) are just the latest in a long list of organizations founded on the principles of "Christianity" that have "caved in and cowered to" the extreme bullying of the homosexual community. It is ironic that the BSA will likely continue banning atheists and other non-believers from their troops, even though it now accepts openly gay members among its ranks.

Wait a minute! Are you seriously telling me that it is okay for a homosexual to be a Boy Scout, but a heterosexual boy who is an atheist cannot attain membership? It's too bad we don't have "firing squads" anymore for the constipated, lazy bastards who comprise the BSA leadership!

HASH TAG: (#)...If this article were to appear on any social media site, I would have to include the following "hash tags" for the BSA: #hypocrite #spineless #gutless #abomination! I am sick and tired of the "Christian" community trying to make a distinction between themselves as a higher ideal versus that of the "secular" community.  In my opinion, there is no difference any more. I can't tell the difference between the Christian paradigm and that of the so-called "world." Can you?

Since May 23, when the Scouts voted to allow gay youth as members – but voted not include homosexual troop leaders – among their ranks, I couldn't stop laughing at the hypocrisy.  And of course, the American public and, even more deplorable, the "lukewarm" Church, remained SILENT as usual. After all, children don't pay tithes, so who really gives a damn about them! NOT ONE MEGA PASTOR stepped up and denounced this decision. NOT ONE!

Former scout maser Mark Noel, of Hanover, N.H., holds up a new merit badge of inclusion during a news conference at the Equal Scouting Summit being held near where the Boy Scouts of America were holding their annual meeting Wednesday in Grapevine, Texas

ROFL: "Rolling on the Floor Laughing"...Part of the Scouting oath is to "do my duty to God and my country," which many atheists prefer be changed to "good and my country," a request the BSA has refused. This is a joke. These words have no validity. Any reference to God that can be qualified and quantified required "demonstration." People need to see evidence of his principles being applied. In the case of the BSA, the principles of the Word of God have been totally abandoned in lieu of being "politically correct."

LMBO: "Laughing my Butt Off" ...In addition, some atheist children have been asked to leave troops after it was revealed they did not believe in God. There have been lawsuits filed, but the Supreme Court has ruled that the BSA is a private organization and, as such, can make its own membership rules. Based upon their recent lack luster performance and decisions, we may not want to continue to leave them to police themselves.

SMDH: "Shaking my Damn Head"...It's a freaking shame that the national BSA youth, when asked their opinion about accepting gays into the BSA, rejected the proposal by a 56% to 44% margin! Now, from my perspective, 56 is more than 44 every day of the week! It's just math. Somehow, the wishes of the people who would be affected the most by this decision were totally ignored by their "FATHERS!" What?  Their father's made the decision to override their wishes and cave in to the pressure of the homosexual community. All I can do is shake my head.

And so the BSA sits back all smug and arrogant as if they did some magnanimous thing by including the homosexual boys but excluding their homosexual mothers and fathers. What do they think is going to happen in ten years when the homosexual boys grow up to be homosexual men and demand that they have access to the BSA leadership? Does the BSA current leadership think the the LGBT movement will be stronger or weaker in a decade? We haven't seen the worst of this issue yet.

As for God, well, once again He has been totally disregarded, shunned and cast away like yesterday's trash. Homosexuals, atheists and other non-believers can enjoy the fruits of their labor in these wicked days and times. It's only for a season. Their apparent victory is only for a season.  You see my friends, the god that the BSA and these other defectors from the faith serve is the devil. In the end, they all will lose.

The BSA is already dead; it just has to close it's eyes.