“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!”

These are the people that we have been at “war” with. Yes it was a cold war because of cold hearts, because of fear, because common ground was covered with the snow of distrust, a chilling effect upon our hearts.

Today in America, with our Christianity being attacked, we have a jeopardy they once shared. Their country once ruled ruthlessly by anti-Christian Communists has had a rebirth.

So here is a taste of our “enemy.” I recommend that you google “Is Putin a Christian.” Why should you? Understanding is power.

There are several videos that might prove enlightening. On one video, not this one, a Russian Orthodox priest is extolling the differences between Putin and Obama. I do not know why but the priest sees Obama’s America as a “Jewification” of America. Of course we all know Christ was a Jew. He does not realize it is the Muslimization of America that Obama has been pursuing. The priest even displays a video of White House ceremonies about Gay recognition, a part of this Jewish problem? Of course many American’s as Christians, do not support the president’s positions on many things, even though we are to pray for the people involved and their salvation. This includes the ISIS folks.

We know that today, ISIS is threatening Russia directly. It would be good to clear up some of these discrepancies. Before you say “No way, it is not possible,” Watch the video link and consider the background we might be able to deal with IF the Russian leadership knew the Christian American people were very much wanting a return to the faith of our founding Fathers.

It might be that religion and the misunderstandings so widespread between beliefs are insurmountable. On the other hand, the common enemy without, now within our government, could open a door to communion, IF a new American president with Christian leanings and men of faith at his side was elected.

My last post said Putin and Trump agreed, No Globalism.

This post takes things one step further. Is Putin a Christian?

https://youtu.be/u3d_yxJhmjk

Make no judgments. Just observe not only Putin but the Russian people. Is there a place for grace among us all?

“If we remain in His grip, how far from His heart can we be!”

Michael

    Exit Strategy

   We initiate the return of Christ!  (The E-book)

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Putin and Trump Agree: No Globalism! 

“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!”

In an effort to grasp the political machinations of American politics, I have come to a conclusion. Trump’s opposition to Hillary’s “Progressive Global Agenda” is in direct agreement with Putin’s resistance to the same.

Knowing that Mr. Putin was at least briefed on Mr. Trump’s acceptance speech, it is also possible that Mr. Putin, in light of their mutual anti-globalism stance, might be respectful of Mr. Trump’s more forceful mentality and would consider laying some groundwork for a real man to man relationship which Mr. Putin which he did not have with Mr. Obama.

What strange bedfellows Trump and Putin might become and all over some “lost” emails belonging to Hillary Clinton. Believe me Russia was listening when Trump said “Russia, if you are listening, maybe you have found the 30,000 “lost” emails…”

The Democrats with their bulbous, pathetically hopeful and desperate imaginations “hear” Mr. Trump inviting Russia to “hack” the DNC data base!  It is laughable and yet Mr. Trump may have offered, indirectly of course, a back door level of friendly communication, a possible deal making level of mutual interest that could mean a new relationship with Russia.

The link below is an example of V. Putin’s policy toward the New World Order. In the several points mentioned in the text of this link, we hear an interesting take from Mr. Putin.

Note item 2. All systems of global collective security now lie in ruins. There are no longer any international security guarantees at all. And the entity that destroyed them has a name: The United States of America.

It is my opinion that the abdication of Godly principals, which inherently guarantee certain restraints upon a society, restraints we have watched vaporize over the last 8 years, is exactly what has caused collective security to lie in ruins. At the heart of that failure is the example of Militant Islamic terrorism running helterskelter across the globe. Yes America and the existing policies of the current administration are at fault.

Note point 8. Russia does not intend to take an active role in thwarting those who are still attempting to construct their New World Order—until their efforts start to impinge on Russia’s key interests. Russia would prefer to stand by and watch them give themselves as many lumps as their poor heads can take. But those who manage to drag Russia into this process, through disregard for her interests, will be taught the true meaning of pain.

I have traveled to Russia to teach in a bible college in Pskov, four different times. The people are no different than ours. They just want to live and be happy.

The vain imaginations of some in governments or those influencing governments, imposes a hindrance to that same happiness by the upheaval they cause. In America we have seen this upheaval grow into a morbidly obese lawless societal indulgence over the last eight years with the same conditions in the weather forecast at W-HRC.

Check out the link below or google  “Is Putin a globalist?”

http://speisa.com/modules/articles/index.php/item.508/putin-the-builders-of-the-new-world-order-have-failed.html

What ever God has spoken will come to pass. Plan accordingly but not fearfully. Pray for God’s will to be done and the will to accept it ourselves.

“If we remain in His grip, how far from His heart can we be!”

In the guardianship of Christ,

Michael

    Exit Strategy

   We initiate the return of Christ!  (The E-book)

Barnes and Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, many others and around the world. $6.99

Does our patriotism overshadow our Christianity?

“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!”

Does our patriotism overshadow our Christianity? It often does because it (and Christianity) originally had some semblance in righteousness. God will not take a back seat to patriotism when the nation has chosen to forsake Him. The majority voted for a party that wants God to be relegated to the imaginary, the inconsequential or wants all gods to be equal. With no God, they have no sense of consequences. Oh my, we are seeing the consequences, the very dismantling of the system that made it possible for them to choose. Faint not, God knows.

“It is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue.” John Adams

(Source: John Adams, The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown, 1854), Vol. IX, p. 401, to Zabdiel Adams on June 21, 1776.)

Dare we ask ourselves, in being offended, could both sides be deceived and not just “them?” Is it possible Satan hates BOTH sides (ya think?) and has deceived all of us into ungodly reactions through this turmoil we are seeing? You bet’cha! Man we have been duped for destruction! The topic or offense does not excuse our angry reaction. It is the biblical hope of our enemy! God’s word is the enemy’s only weapon! If he can get us to violate it, God will be forced to do what He must do. His Word will judge us!

God never looked for a confession. He looks for convictions! He looks for commitment based on understanding that, by the power that lies within, (Prov 8:14) sweeps aside worldly and religious doctrines as well as lethal attitudes, to choose life by the power of love!

(Excerpts from Chapter 4 “Exit Strategy….”)

“If we remain in His grip, how far from His heart can we be!”

In the guardianship of Christ,

Michael

    Exit Strategy

   We initiate the return of Christ!  (The E-book)

Barnes and Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, many others and around the world. $6.99

In prayer I replied, “Lord there is no Lamentations 6:2.”

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!

Every morning I spend my first hour or however long in prayer and intercession, hopefully in communication with the Holy Spirit. Listening for His response, I ask “Where would You have me read Lord?” Many times, not always, He directs me to a verse or a portion of scripture that brings understanding and clarity to me, often speaking to today’s events. This AM it was different. He replied but there was no such verse!

I know, I thought the same thing. Missed it!!! Right! I kept hearing the same thing. I came against any spirit of confusion as I often do as a practice.

“There is no 6:2 Lord?”

“You will write it now.” “WHAT?”  Red flag, red flag!

Now I will write what He spoke to my spirit. It will help to leave off where Jeremiah ended the book, last chapter, last verse.

Lamentations 5:19-22 (NASB)

“You, O LORD, rule forever; Your throne is from generation to generation. ²⁰ Why do You forget us forever? Why do You forsake us so long? ²¹  Restore us to You, O LORD, that we may be restored; Renew our days as of old, ²²  Unless You have utterly rejected us And are exceedingly angry with us.”

Does this sound like us right now, in America? Those who know God are appealing to Him, wanting Him to no longer forsake us, to restore this nation back to Him?

6:1 “A land, a nation, I can reject as it has rejected Me and the Son of your salvation. There is no name above the name of Jesus. His name speaks of Me and the Salvation that is in My name.” 6:2 “Refusing to use the name of your salvation, the purchaser of your souls, the teacher of MY Way, My Truth, My Life, negates your effort to invoke My place in your effort to regain and make righteous your nation. 6:3 Even as sons are used to testify of the goodness, strength, and faithfulness (to them) of their father. My Son has died to prove the same of Me and yet His name has been left out lest some be offended? 6:4 “I AM offended! 6:5 Except you repent of such ignorance and lack of wisdom, you are no different and less honest than your opponents. At least they do not pretend to listen to Me and turn to My seven spirits. (Isaiah 11:2) 6:6 You heard love and respect from children toward their father. Will I hear love and respect toward Me? Do I not set those I set, in authority? Is there any doubt? 6:7 The battle you are in is one savior against another Savior. Is your savior found in mankind or in Jesus the Christ? I have already defeated the Muslim foes! It is up to you to choose life and defeat the foe that is of your own making. 6:8 What you tolerate you must live with and in My eyes, you will die with. Choose life! You can do this! Choose My will to be your will, in Jesus’ ever to be exalted name!”

I continue, God is adding to the book of your heart and mine. We must lament our choices. We cannot go half way back to Him as a nation or as an individual. His name, the Lord’s name “Jesus” must be spoken in our endeavor to win back our nation. It is our investment for success. The chance we take. God gives success not man.

There is no excuse for excusing the name of the Lord from our endeavors. How else do we make ours His?

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”                                                                                                                Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)

The Word says in 1 Peter 4:11 (KJV)

“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

May the boldness and reverence I write with, not be a stumbling block to you but instead become boldness and deeds you exhibit.

What good is a bold candidate without a Godly boldness at the heart of it all.

Anything you have heard from me over these many (136) postings, was very likely new to me also. Does it line up with the Word? Always! So read again what I have shared today and see the grace God is extending to us all. There is no victory without His name being exalted. He IS the salvation of a nation that turns to Him fully and to a heart that does the same.

“If we remain in His grip, how far from His heart can we be!”

In the guardianship of Christ,

Michael

    Exit Strategy

   We initiate the return of Christ!  (The E-book)

Barnes and Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, many others and around the world. $6.99

“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Deut 6:4-5

Clearly a two stage salvation? How can that be? If so, what stage are each of us in?

Paul said, “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, ⁵  He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy,  by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷  so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7 (NASB)

Note two processes. 1. the washing of Regeneration (Greek means renewal or regenerated but is formed from 2 root words meaning to bring back and (to) life or birth) See Strong’s 1343

2. “Renewing” (Greek means “renovation) see Strong’s 342.

Paul (again) makes it a little clearer.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then, having now been justified, by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Romans 5:8-10 (NASB)

Note: 1. Justified (declared righteous) and so reconciled to God by the blood of Jesus. 2. (future tense) through Him.   Again, 1. Reconciled (by justification) to God by the death of Jesus, we shall be saved by His (Jesus’) life.

We must first be declared righteous by identification with the blood of Jesus where we ask Him to be Lord of our lives. Then we enter into the process of making Him Lord by embracing His Way, Truth and Life.

John expresses the two stage experience this way, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36 (NASB)

Again two processes. Expressing trust while knowing that believing means to entrust yourself to the Lordship of Jesus, to obey the Son! Once reconciled, to not obey or disobey is rebellion and the breaking of the covenant you have entered into with God. The Ways of Jesus are meant to empower us further through life in righteousness by righteous choices. Only obedience accomplishes this.

Much of the church has not seen obedience as an expected fruit or criteria by God, I believe, because we have not recognized the two stage plan of salvation. Many have prayed a prayer and think OK I am good to go? You know they have! What about us? Are we obedient in the Lord’s ways? Do we hate anyone? Does anyone hate us? Who are we going to vote for? Do they adhere to Godly principles? Does this question make you angry with me?

Of course we have no chance of salvation without reconciliation. We have no chance of future salvation if we violate the rules and do not repent from our heart. We will have made our birthright of no account by choosing to hate or apologize, clinging to our bowl of soup, if you will. (Heb 12:14-16)

Remember Jesus said (I paraphrase) he who endures to the end will be saved. (Matthew 24 13-14) That is future tense. He is speaking to believers of their future reward, their eternal salvation in the future and the fact that something very specific will cause them to lose that reward. He also would have lost His resurrected life if He had not loved us enough to forgive and intercede for us from the cross.

“Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. ¹³  “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.” Matthew 24:12-13 (NASB)

Jesus is also saying that a cross-like type of experience does not exempt us from loving our offenders and interceding for them.

Clearly there is a future understanding to our salvation. That is profound and contradictory to our thinking that nothing is required of us. Jesus came to tell us saying there are things required of us in our development as children of God IN Christ.

I heard a loved and honorable local preacher on the radio us a slogan that sounds good. “All you need is Jesus.” Yes that is true if you understand that there are two stages to salvation. Reconciliation which means mutual submission between God and us, and then the renovating of our souls in the renewing of our minds as demonstrated by us in our obedience to the Ways of Jesus the Christ.

Renewing (which follows reconciliation) is the result of learning what is expected of children of God, we the joint heirs with Jesus, and obeying these several commandments. John 14:15, 15:10,  “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

“He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name  of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18 (NASB)

Finally, in Sunday school the word “believe” was discussed. “Pisteuo” to believe, to entrust. Strong’s 4100, and I did not have to say a word at all in class! PTL! The Lord told me not to speak at all in class before I left home for church.

“He who believes [entrusts himself to] Him is not judged; he who does not believe [entrust himself to Him] has been judged already, because he has not believed [entrusted] in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18 (NASB)

Jesus name means “Yahweh saves.” This is the meaning behind the name of Jesus and it is what we must believe entrust ourselves to. How do we do that? Proceed from being reconciled to God into a life of practiced obedience to Jesus and His commandments.

Our future salvation is arrived at by two stages, reconciliation and renewing or renovation by the Holy Spirit; resulting in our obedience.  “We are saved by His life.” Romans 5:10

One last point. The renewing to come after reconciliation had to happen after Jesus departed when the Holy Spirit would be sent. He would bring to our remembrance the Words of Jesus guiding us into all truth. Truth that requires a guide.

“If we remain in His grip, how far from His heart can we be!”

In the guardianship of Christ,

Michael

    Exit Strategy

   We initiate the return of Christ!  (The E-book)

Barnes and Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, many others and around the world. $2.99

“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!”

How can America recover her soul if we surrender to godless changes and intimidation?

“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.” Apostle Paul Acts 20:24 (NASB)

Was Paul the exception or the rule, was his attitude to be a model for us?

Jesus might very well have said these same words and since we believe Paul’s words are anointed by the Holy Spirit, Jesus IS saying these same Words to us ex post facto.

Paul also says just before verse 24,

“…And see, now I go bound in the spirit, to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.” Acts 20:22-23 (NKJV.)

Paul still goes to Jerusalem. Do we not hear these same warnings by the Holy Spirit, by Jesus, in today’s circumstances? Chains and tribulations await us? We hear Jesus speaking of lawlessness and persecution in chapter 24 of Matthew. Is He warning us that what we see in these days is meant to trap us, to cause a deadly chill over our soul, to render our hearts loveless?

If we can not endure, if the Christ-like love that is representative of the good news of the kingdom, that is supposed to be in our hearts, then falters and fails towards those we see and hear, from His enemies, then (Jesus says) we shall not be saved in the only salvation that counts, our actual salvation upon death or His return. If we cannot endure it is meant to be and is even now the final attack on our heart that kills us forever, if we let it.

The war being waged in the world is over whose God is more real, more powerful. Any nation that has renounced God and His importance becomes naked of God’s protection and at the same time they become the target of His jealousy. In history God has allowed enemies to target His people in order to get their attention and draw them back to Him.

The jihadists, the militant Muslims, think their God and beliefs are more powerful than ours. To them our renouncing of God on a national basis, “we are not a Christian nation”  is proof that WE are the great Satan. In fact, as a majority chooses ungodly ways, then we have become the great Satan by definition. Our choices without dispute, as a nation, are anti-Christ in nature.

The church has failed to be the light in the darkness. We have failed to adamantly contend for the faith. Add to that the things we now allow socially and even support under a tolerance agenda in America and we have doomed ourselves to an enemy full of self righteousness. Their suicide bombs and the outright murdering of Christians is the result. There is no national “Light” shining in the darkness.

This conflict has always been a spiritual war. ONLY the exaltation and return to God and Jesus Christ by our nation, ONLY the embracing of His Ways personally, beginning with our leaders, will speak to our enemies. ONLY by electing Godly, and I mean balanced Godly men who will choose God first, then the republic’s best interest when faithfully doing their job for our nation, do we have any hope to defeat the attack on our way of life.

God is NOT interested in restoring an ungodly way of life in America. God will willingly watch America go down as an enemy to the souls of true followers and the kingdom. The rain falls on the just and the unjust. His followers will survive even if only on a spiritual basis, where unbelievers stumbling blocks or those who did not take the commandments of Jesus seriously and obediently, will perish in an everlasting death of anguish over “why didn’t I do the right thing, why didn’t I repent?”

Our enemies know the history of dealing with a God strong nation. They have been pushed back before but God did not allow them to be destroyed. They had a future purpose. We see it now. Like Satan they are taking advantage of a weakened spiritual position in America and world-wide. We see the horror and lawlessness as a result.

Hating them is Satan’s goal for us. It can kill us. Shining the Light and love of God was God’s goal for us. Have we failed in our complacency? Where there is no light, there is no revelation. Do they remain the same because of us? Is God using them to wake us up to our abdication from being His light in a darkening world?

Around the world, ONLY the Single Light of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and God the Father in us will accomplish anything for the kingdom, for Him and for us.

If we do not have a vision for the recovery of America as a nation, walking in God’s righteousness, then we must unwaveringly choose righteousness for our selves, reject the tolerant agenda, intercede for our enemies, putting Christ and His the kingdom first. We must then trust God for our final and actual salvation however it is accomplished, whether by death or deliverance.

Do not allow anger to define you. There is no anger in heaven. Anger, bitterness and unforgiveness, will cost you the very righteousness you and God have sought, been taught and paid for, for your sake. “The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” James 1:20 NASB

Find the book Esau Rising by Bill Cloud, published by WND Books. This is a profound explanation of the spirit that is starting to dominate our nation and the world against all things of God. It is an amazing read. I do not know Bill personally but many of the things God has shown Him, God has also shown me and I have posted same. It is a conformation to me of being on the right track with God and blowing the trumpet on the wall as a guardian of His people. WAKE UP loved ones, wake up!

“If we remain in His grip, how far from His heart can we be!”

In the guardianship of Christ,

Michael

    Exit Strategy

   We initiate the return of Christ!  (The E-book)

Barnes and Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, many others and around the world. $12.99

“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!”

When you have eyes to see you will see with ease and with understanding. Your senses will be attacked, your logic must be set aside, and you must lean into the wind of God’s plan.

As in sailing you do not sail or face directly into the wind. That point of sail is called “In irons.” It is a no go point of sail.

We must not be fearfully focused on the happenings of today. Most were clearly prophesied. The winds of change we are feeling will be dealt with far more successfully if we set our sails at an angle to the wind. We must use the wind to our benefit.

One of the fastest points of sail is called “Close reach or beating” Looking at a clock, your vessel is pointed at the 1:00 position to the wind even though your destination is at 12:00. The wind is coming from 12:00 so… the angle gets you moving along with drawing your sail in tight and keeping pressure on the rudder. If you let go of the rudder, the boat will turn into the wind and stop forward motion. Our hand is meant to be on that rudder. God’s sometimes turbulent instructions are not supposed to stop you rather He is trying to empower us.

The boat is our personal life, the sails are the understanding we have of the Word and the water is the resistant sea of life we all must cross.

Our understanding of how our boat operates tells is to find the best angle to the wind. Sometimes a sailor will spot a point on an opposite shore and use it to angle the boat into the wind properly. What if a person or a need were used to point our way, even though a “storm” is brewing? What if a condition God has wanted us to deal with is a point we could aim for?

When we sense God’s fury is rising according to His Word, why should we be fearful? Why not adjust our course toward a point on the opposite shore of our problems and head that way, deal with it. It is not our final destination! It is however a way to get us to our destination successfully.

The nature of sailing through the storms of life is that we almost always have to take a different “tack” or less direct direction in order to eventually get to where we want to go. We zig-zag as it were but we know we are moving up-wind. We are getting there.

Each time we “come about” zig or zag, we are looking at different shore line maybe a different problem or person that God wants us to aim at. The Wind will empower us as we turn our rudder accordingly, feeling the resistance vibrate the rudder as we gain speed.

Remember in turning to duck, as the boom swings to the other side of the boat and  catches the wind. Do not be half hearted about this maneuver. Let the forward momentum of your successfully dealing with what ever it was the Holy Spirit had you aim at before empower your next “tack.” If the boat does not complete the process of “coming about” if it lacks enough forward motion, you will find yourself heading into the wind, “luffing” at a dead stop or “In irons.”

In John 16:5 Jesus tells the disciples “I am going to Him who sent Me.” Sorrow filled their hearts. This was a storm to the disciples. “It is to your advantage that I go away.” (vs 7)

This is the angle, the “tack,” the point of sail they needed to see. Understanding will come if they embrace the correct point of sail. The best speed to their destination is achieved as the “all truth” is revealed to them. Their (our) sail must be set to take advantage of the Wind of these times. Our rudder is held firm against life’s resistance keeping the Wind, our source of forward propulsion, in our sails. We need the pressure.

Remember that night Jesus walked on the water it was storming. When He (and Peter) got into the boat, Jesus did not say “Peace…be still” to the Storm. One gospel says,
”Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.” John 6:21 (NKJV) 

That night God was the Storm. The disciples had failed to learn something.

“Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.” Mark 6:51-52 (NASB)

“If we remain in His grip, how far from His heart can we be!”

In the guardianship of Christ,

Michael

    Exit Strategy

   We initiate the return of Christ!  (The E-book)

Barnes and Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, many others and around the world. $6.99

“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”  Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (NASB)

“To you it was shown that you might know that the LORD, He is God; there is no other besides Him.  Deuteronomy 4:35 (NASB)

In a group discussion on 6-11-16, the Spirit asked me, “Is there a lid on your vessel?”

I come to you in the name of my savior Jesus the Messiah, “Yahweh is salvation, the anointed one.”

I also come to you in my name Michael which means “who…is like God?” for there is none like Him, who is gracious and kind towards those that are His in Spirit and truth, and even towards evil men which many of us were.

Even in the face of dreadful happenings, or in examining our own self, let us not weep as though we are forsaken, as though we are cut off from God. For if we grieve as though cut off where shall we run for help? There is only One to run to, our refuge, a high tower. Do we not have a God of mercy and justice?

For even as Nehemiah said over the weeping people, weeping because they had heard the Words of the Law being read by Ezra and the law without relationship is death; as it was supposed to be.

“This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law.”

”Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”  Nehemiah 8:9 (NASB)

Nehemiah somehow knew that our grief is misplaced if when we finally hear the Word only sorrow comes to heart. What we did not understand we are not held accountable for.

“…for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.”

In His great mercy, it is not what we have done but what we do in our repentance, what we do next, that makes the difference with Him!

As the Lord is trying to expand our understanding is it to grieve us? Will He not strengthen us to walk in it? Will He not even give us a vision for it lest we perish?

As Jesus changes our paradigm; our “…generally accepted concept that explains a more complex idea or set of data ” * We must ask ourselves, if there is a lid on our vessel?

* Webster’s New World Dictionary, (revised and updated)

As a vessel of His do we say what He is to pour in or not? Like the pot, are we to say to the Potter how and for what shall we be made?

So was there a lid on the minds and hearts Jesus spoke to? A lid is a containing and protective device. Back then they were protecting what layers of credibility (Rabbi’s) had spoken and yet they did not see the Messiah standing right before them. (Matt 16:3) This is the danger we face as believers today. We must ask ourselves, “Do I have a lid? What is my lid protecting?” “God’s Word!” you say?” Maybe we should say, “Our understanding of God’s Word or the doctrines we have built our house upon!”

I am NOT saying everything we have believed is wrong. I am saying God in His sovereignty and by necessity is redirecting our attention to our part in His timeline and this must be understood by us with an entrusting belief and obedience.

Jesus came to heal our impaired judgment through teaching, Jesus had NO lid. Even in the anxiousness and distress in the Garden, He knew the future. Do we? Do we trust the future He has revealed or is our lid on too tight?

Is God still able to pour in? Is the Holy Spirit able to pour into you more of His “all truth?” He cannot with a lid in place. He can not pour in something fresh. What about when we are preparing to preach or when an alarming teaching comes forward? Are these not alarming times? We limit God and His Holy Spirit when a lid is in place.

Loved ones, I took the lid away a long time ago. Some of what I write about seems unorthodox. God is the most unorthodox of all. God is never inside the box except to grasp us by the collar and lift us out! He understands our reverence but points to His sovereignty. He is pouring out a new thing. Can He pour from us? In our claim to “believe” (Pisteuo entrust) in Him, will we then obey?

“He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36

God and what He pours into us does not need our protection. It, in all its freshness, needs to be poured out. We can neither receive, fresh truth and the critical insight for our times, nor pour it out as intended, if we have a lid… on our vessel.

“If we remain in His grip, how far from His heart can we be!”

In the guardianship of Christ,

Michael

    Exit Strategy

   We initiate the return of Christ!  (The E-book)

Barnes and Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, many others and around the world. $6.99

“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! Deuteronomy 6:4 (NASB)

Knock, knock, knock’in on heavens door*. Part 2

* “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.”  (Written and sung by Bob Dylan, CBS Records)

August 1981, Cruising south along Interstate 95 through the rolling hills of North Carolina, I am alone in my escape. Few cars are seen in the distance in either direction. It has a calming effect as my mind wanders through the moments, the flashes of warning I had experienced in the previous few weeks. In my ignorance I had almost missed them. Some of those warnings were so profound I could not help but ponder my short-sightedness.

If you knew what I knew, you would not wonder why I frequently checked the rear-view mirror. Their arm had a long reach if they decided to extend it. I knew they would, so I looked again and again until I saw it. The very thing I feared came upon me!

I was cruising down a long sweeping hill at seventy miles per hour. Up over the hill behind me pops a black Cadillac Sedan Deville with cream-yellow Jersey plates. He is catching up fast. “Oh Jesus….,” came to mind and mouth. Not that I was on such intimate terms with Him. It is amazing how we speak His name as though familiar. Why does He come to mind or mouth first anyway?

The car is the right color, the right plates, dark tinting, and I imagine anger in its ominous aggressive charge. “Oh God, please don’t let them catch me out here.” I knew what the headlines would read in the local Podunk Gazette. “Man found dead in bullet riddled car!” Dateline: Podunk “After careening off of Interstate 95, a car and its driver, both riddled with bullet holes, were found in a ravine. The young man appears to be the victim of extreme road rage. There were no witnesses. His identity is yet to be established.”

The black Caddy came bearing down on me. Fear consumed me as my heart raced. For some reason I did not try to outrun him. It would have been useless. I drove he drove, until finally upon me, He made his move to pass along side. The moment of truth had come. “Oh God….. “

How does my story relate to this book? We, yes we, are facing a moment of truth. The enemy of God is now overtaking us, pulling along side of us. Do we know our enemy? Do we know what is to come, how we will react?

Now wheel to wheel, I am looking at my adversary from the corner of my eye. I floored it and jerked the steering wheel hard to the left crashing against the Black Caddy! My car was heavier and pushed the other off the road in a cloud of reddish dust. It rolled over and over moving forward with me in slow motion as I wrestled my car under control. It was then I saw a small child thrown out of the broken rear door window. Ejected like a rag doll rocket, he flew through the air toward me, I slammed on the brakes! With a deadly smash, my windshield became a massive web of fractures. Framed by the chaos, looking at me as wide eyed as I was at her was the bloodied lifeless face of a little girl. Those chasing me would not have had …”Oh God, …OH GOD …OH GOD!” I screamed in wide-eyed terror, “What have I …?” 

What have I done? Fortunately, I have only told you a story, a story of me reacting the wrong way, in a true situation. In that imagined moment, fear chose for me. I failed to be sure who my enemy was or was not. I chose violence in the face of fear. They lose. I lose. Had this really happened, the life I was to receive from God would never have happened. Likewise, the eternal life we are to receive from God will never happen if our reactions to future fearful events are not held in check by His Spirit and His powerful understanding.

“If we remain in His grip, how far from His heart can we be!”

In the guardianship of Christ,

Michael

    Exit Strategy

   We initiate the return of Christ!  (The E-book)

Barnes and Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, many others and around the world. $14.99