Month: February 2019

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Lessons from Old Lions |A Changed King Manasseh

After this Manasseh rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David, from west of the Gihon Spring in the Kidron Valley to the Fish Gate, and continuing around the hill of Ophel. He built the wall very high. And he stationed his military officers in all of the fortified towns of Judah. ~ 2 Chronicles 33:14 NLT (Emphasis Added)

It looks like Manasseh was not about to help those Assyrians take over Judah or risk being dragged off to Babylon in chains again!

Continuing on in 2 Chronicles Chapter 33:

  1. He wasted no time in securing the borders.  He walled off Judah and the public water supply from invaders.
  2. Manasseh removed the idols, including the one he carved and put in the Lord’s Temple
  3. He tore down all the foreign altars and dumped them outside Jerusalem.
  4. Manasseh was thankful. He restored the altar in the Temple and offered the proper offerings of peace and thanksgiving on it.
  5. He encouraged the people of Judah to worship the Lord of Israel – However, a lot of damage had been done.  They did not respect King Manasseh like they respected his father, King Hezekiah.  They continued to worship at pagan shrines even though they worshipped only Jehovah.

This story of two father-son Old Testament kings holds truths for our own nation on many levels.  We have had numerous King Hezekiah-type leaders in our nation’s history.  They attended church and got wealthier while they were in office.  They built great projects, led us into wars, forged the United States of America into a military and economic superpower; but did not always protect our freedoms.  Our King Hezekiahs kicked the can of growing evils down the road by not keeping us One Nation Under God.  Then they left office and wrote prideful memoirs.

I would rather have leaders like King Manasseh – Repentant sinners who do their best to right a whole bunch of our country’s wrongs.  One sad thing is that even though King Manasseh humbled himself, his own people never really trusted his leadership again.  So even though Manasseh worked hard to secure the nation from foreign invasion and to reinstate proper Temple worship of the One True God, Jehovah; his reputation remained as a man who did evil in the Lord’s sight.  Judah’s subjects respected King Hezekiah more; and he was a non-repentant prideful king!

It just goes to show that only God knows the heart.  We can’t trust the fickleness of humans.  God is just and He does not change.  Praise Him for loving us sinners!  We are all condemned if we fall under human judgement.  I am thankful –

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the Power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. ~ Romans 8:1-2 NLT

One Lesson from Old Lions is this: Nations are judged or blessed by God according to their leadership.  We need righteous leaders who work humbly for We the People under the guidance of  Jehovah, who is God over all.  Vote every election and vote responsibly.  Vote for leaders who seek God’s wise counsel.  Pray for Kings!   If we expect God to bless our nation, His church needs to REPENT AND PRAY!

“Father Jehovah God, You are HOLY! HOLY! HOLY! And You are LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!!!  Today we pray for those in authority over our nation.  We repent for ourselves and our nation of the sins of pride and of rebellion against You.  May our people rally behind leaders who realize that the LORD alone is God!  We pray for undeserved mercy – knowing that Your judgement looms large. LORD, SHAKE BUT DON’T BREAK!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!” 

Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why are evil people so happy? You have planted them, and they have taken root and prospered. Your Name is on their lips, but You are far from their hearts. ~Jeremiah 12:1b-2 NLT

Bless you for following Jesus, our Messiah and King of Kings!!

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Lessons from Old Lions | Evil King Manasseh

Because of the wicked things Manasseh son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, did in Jerusalem, I will make my people an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth. ~Jeremiah 15:4 NLT

B.C. 698 – 2 Chronicles 33

King Manasseh is described as a ruler who followed the pagan practices of the countries surrounding Judah.

  1. He rebuilt shrines, idols, and altars to pagan gods that his father, King Hezekiah had destroyed.
  2. He built pagan altars in the very Temple of the Lord.
  3. He sacrificed his own sons in the fires of Ben-Hinnom.
  4. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft.
  5. He consulted with mediums and psychics.
  6. Manasseh even carved his own idol and set it up in God’s Temple.
  7. He murdered many innocent people until Jerusalem was filled with blood from end to end.
  8. He led the people to do even more evil than the original residents of Canaan.
  9. And if that wasn’t bad enough, he was pompous, too.  He defied Jehovah every way possible.

Jehovah promised that if the people and king obeyed His law they would be spared from exile judgement. When God’s warnings fell upon deaf ears, He sent the Assyrians back to Judah.  This time they took King Manasseh prisoner.  They put a ring through his nose and led him back to Babylon in chains.  From the life of a proud and powerful king to that of a conquered slave led around by the nose …

Yes, Jehovah finally had Manasseh’s attention!  But unlike his father, King Hezekiah, Manasseh humbled himself and repented before God.

And when he prayed, the LORD listened to him and was moved by his request. So the LORD brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh finally realized that the LORD alone is God! ~ 2 Chronicles 33:13 NLT

So we see that the basic difference between this father and son is that King Hezekiah is a picture of today’s church – indifferent, proud, and wealthy.

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. ~ II Timothy 3:5 (KJV)

Jesus rebuked a church like this – the Church of Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22).  Jesus described it as one of the seven churches that is neither cold nor hot and is pompously wealthy.

“You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.” ~ Rev. 3:17 NLT

I think Hezekiah possibly went to his grave in a prideful state.  Manasseh, on the other hand, had a genuine change of heart.  When Manasseh prayed for forgiveness and humbled himself, God extended grace and gave him a second chance.  Jehovah not only freed Manasseh, but restored Manasseh to his kingdom.

What did Manasseh do then?

Well, he did a lot so it’s going to take another post.  While I get busy writing that, God bless you all and thank you for following

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Lessons from Old Lions | King Hezekiah

¹Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became the king of Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. ²He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, just as his ancestor David had done. ³In the very first month of the first year of his reign, Hezekiah re-opened the doors of the Temple of the Lord and repaired them. ~2Chronicles 29:1-2 NLT

The Word of God contains many warnings to rebellious nations (and to leaders of nations) that turn their hearts away from Almighty Jehovah.  One example can be found in the Old Testament of how the Lord dealt with two kings who fell short in their service to both the nation of Judah and to their Covenant-God Jehovah.

B.C. 726 – 2 Chronicles 29-32

King Hezekiah was a highly respected monarch who pleased God by tearing down the pagan worship centers in the country.  He restored Temple worship of Jehovah and declared national observance of holy festivals such as Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  This may not seem like such a big deal to us now, but at that time in history, the previous King Ahaz was so evil that he had actually closed the Lord’s Temple!  Hezekiah showed great faith in restoring God’s Law in Judah coupled with fervent positive action to get the Lord’s work done.

As a result, the Lord forestalled judgement upon Judah when King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah prayed to Him for deliverance from invading Assyrian King Sennacherib in B.C. 713.  Sennacherib not only besieged Judah with the plan to take over Jerusalem; he also mocked the God of Israel in the process.  The Lord sent an angel who destroyed Sennacherib’s entire army.  Sennacherib returned home to Assyria in defeat and was assassinated there by his own two sons.

The Lord blessed Hezekiah for his devotion, piety, and faithful reforms.  Hezekiah became extremely wealthy.  Evidently while in the process of building banks, warehouses, and water dams, King Hezekiah fell into the sin of pride.  Oh, haven’t we heard about this sort of problem before?  Jehovah was patient with Hezekiah, and healed Hezekiah on his death bed when Hezekiah repented and prayed; granting Hezekiah fifteen more years of life.  The Lord gave a famous sign to King Hezekiah of the sun going backwards ten degrees as proof of Hezekiah’s healing and that it was from the Lord (2 Kings ch20).

Wouldn’t we think that Hezekiah would be thankful to receive the miracle of life plus such a splendorous and powerful sign sealing God’s promise?

However, when ambassadors arrived from Babylon to ask about the remarkable events that had taken place in the land, God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart. ~ 2Chronicles 32:31NLT

 13Hezekiah received the Babylonian envoys and showed them everything … there was nothing in his palace or kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them. 14Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked him, “What did those men want? Where were they from?”

Hezekiah replied, “They came from the distant land of Babylon.”

15What did they see in your palace?” Isaiah asked.

“They saw everything,” Hezekiah replied. “I showed them everything I own – all my royal treasuries.” (Emphasis added)

16Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Listen to this message from the Lord: The time is coming when everything in your palace – all the treasures stored up by your ancestors until now – will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord. 18Some of your very own sons will be taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon’s king.”

19Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “This message you have given me from the Lord is good.” For the king was thinking, “At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime.” ~ 2Kings 20:13-19 NLT

Did you catch that?  It is okay to kick that cursed can down the road to future generations as long as judgement is delayed and served upon the children!  Isn’t that a lot like what is going on in America today?

King Hezekiah reminds me of another king that served Israel named Solomon.  Solomon started out great by pleasing the Lord as he built God’s Temple in Jerusalem and asked for wisdom instead of riches …

But they both turned away from Jehovah through the sin of pride as they gained wealth and stature.  Eventually the unrepentant actions of each brought national judgement to succeeding generations whose citizens lost their freedoms to foreign invaders.  That means not only being physically enslaved to conquering governments but also means being barred from the freedom to worship the one true Creator God, Jehovah.

9”The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? 10But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” ~ Jeremiah 17:9-10 NLT

Next time we will take a look at Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh’s, reign over Judah.  It should be interesting to compare father and son monarchies, and possibly gain clues about what may be in store for our own nation in these end times …

Until then, thank you for following

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Stand and be Strong

Tired of living a powerless life?  Is being part of the “I’m OK-You’re OK-Anything Goes-Kumbaya” church getting you down?  Well, God wants us to be living victoriously.  How?

The Apostle Paul writes a letter to the church at Ephesus about Christian living and then expands his directives beyond the believers at Ephesus to include the whole world!  (US!)  How amazing is that?

Paul says the only way we can be confused, powerless, or snared by temptation is when we do not connect with God through His Word.  During his imprisonment at Rome (AD. 60-62) he wrote:

¹ºFinally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹²For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ~ Ephesians 6:10-13 NKJV

What “evil day” is Paul is talking about?

Every Day!

At least, every day has the potential.  Spiritual warfare exists today just as it did in Paul’s time.  Unless a believer makes a deathbed confession, repents, and accepts Jesus as Savior, it is highly unlikely that any living believer escapes daily spiritual attack or testing.  Don’t try to face evil alone!  Get prepped up!  Verses 14 through 20 give more detail about God’s armor:

  • Wrap Truth about our waist
  • Righteousness is our breastplate
  • Wear shoes of the gospel of peace
  • Faith is our shield to douse the flaming arrows of Satan (ABOVE ALL in importance)
  • Salvation is our helmet
  • God’s Word is our sword of The Spirit
  • Pray in the Spirit to persevere and be watchful toward all the brethren

See, if we don’t read our Bibles, we won’t recognize evil when it comes sneaking into our lives, our church, and our nation.  We will not watch and pray for Jesus to return soon for His church.  We will follow the world and fall into sin.  We will not recognize Truth; our shoes will carry us away from situations of sharing our faith and toward sharing gossip or other sin.  We will forget to pray; therefore, we will be weak and unfit for duty as God’s ambassador.  We may lose our ability to speak boldly against satanic alignments.  The list goes on …

Sometimes we can feel defeated or powerless.  That means we are human.  That is why our Father God has given us all we need for defense.  Prepare according to His Word and then take the matter to Him!

“Heavenly Father, all praise, Praise, PRAISE TO YOU TODAY!!!  Even though nothing is working for me, I have girded myself with Your whole armor as best as I know how.  I read Your Word, and pray for understanding.  The enemy seems to follow my trail and won’t be shaken.  I turn around now and just face the evil day in Your strength.  Help me to stand.  Thank you in the Name of Jesus (Yeshua), Amen!”

Thank you for following

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NDE | I was Electrocuted and Visited a Dimension of Hell

Please take the time to watch this NDE (Near Death Experience) video.  It is a powerful example of how to find redemption when you have no idea where to look.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the LORD. ~ Jeremiah 29:11-14a NLT

For the written testimony of how to share “Jesus Did It”, click the link.

Has “Jesus Done It” for you?

God bless and thank you for following

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Rome | Paul’s Valentine Message

It may seem like an odd title for the meeting between The Apostle Paul and the Jewish leadership at Rome.  However, we find that by the end of the day (and the Bible says “from morning till evening”) Paul testifies with all of the love in his heart that Jesus is the One who fulfills both the Law of Moses and the Prophets.  In other words, Jesus is indeed the long-awaited Messiah!

Yet some believe and some doubt.  As they prepare to leave his house, Paul delivers a tender message straight from the Holy Spirit through the prophet Isaiah:

26saying,

‘Go to this people and say:

“Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;

And seeing you will see, and not perceive;

27For the hearts of this people have grown dull.

Their ears are hard of hearing,

And their eyes they have closed,

Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,

Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,

So that I should heal them.’  ~Acts 28:26-27 NKJV

Notice that not Paul, but The Holy Spirit, mentions that the people’s hearts have turned away from God.  Praise God that some of the Jews receive Jesus that day; while the remainder depart to argue the matter.

28”Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” 29And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves. ~ Acts 28:28-29 NKJV

Paul continues to preach about the Lord Jesus Christ from his own rental house for two more years.  No one forbids Paul, and we have no idea how many lives are brought into God’s kingdom through Paul at Rome.  Whatever the number, PRAISE THE LORD! – for each and every heart that softens, brightens, and turns to Jesus.

Long, Long ago the Lord said His love is everlasting, unfailing, and His heart is drawn toward His people.  God’s Valentine’s Day message to you is Turn, TURN your heart to Jesus. Repent and receive salvation today.

Firstly, God bless you for reading and following Jesus!

Secondly, thank you for following

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Photo of the Month | February 2019

Walking in the Holy Spirit

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, ²³GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL. Against such there is no law. . . 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.~Galatians 5:22,23,25 NKJV

7Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap . . . 8bbut he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. . . . 16And as many as walk according to this rule, PEACE and MERCY be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.~Galatians 6:7,8b,9,16 NKJV (emphasis added)

Brethren, keep God’s law – love one another.  Share each others’ burdens.  Keep sowing to the Spirit and reap everlasting life.  Don’t lose heart!

Voyage to Rome | Departure

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Paul’s Journey to Rome / © Can Stock Photo / Portokalis

So after waiting out the winter storms at the island of Malta, it’s time for departure.  The Apostle Paul and two hundred seventy-five other prisoners, Roman soldiers, and crew begin the last leg of the journey to Rome.

And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days. ~ Acts 28:12 NKJV

Syracuse is only 80 miles or so from Malta, so this is only a day trip out.  Being a trading vessel, The Twin Brothers puts into Syracuse, the ancient capital of the island of Sicily.  Cargo is offloaded, and new merchandise is brought aboard.  Then the captain of the ship awaits a favorable south wind for immediate departure to the next port …

Not happening …

My heart says that if Paul can manage permission to go ashore, he is anxious to evangelize at Sicily.  Indeed, modern Sicilians claim that their present day church was founded by the Apostle Paul.  On the surface, that may sound like a walk in the park, but not necessarily.  Ancient Syracuse is a city of great commerce, wealth, beauty, and splendor.  The city is full of grand marble structures, statues and fountains.  Temples to Jupiter, Fortune, Diana, and Minerva evidence the idolatry at Syracuse.  There must be resistance to Paul’s Gospel if the centurion, Julius, allows Paul shore leave.

Finally after three days the winds turn around, the captain barks departure orders, and the crew casts off.

13From there we circled round and reached Rhegium.  And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli, 14where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome.  ~Acts 28:13-14 NKJV

How encouraging to meet up with brethren! The week is certainly full of mystery about who these believers are.  There has long been a Jewish colony at Puteoli, but nothing is said here about the history of this group of believers.  Imagine how warm the greetings are at Paul’s arrival!  Perhaps they host the entire ship of people with food and celebration while Paul makes new disciples and teaches about Jesus.

Then everyone aboard The Twin Brothers disembarks at Puteoli, as the remaining journey to Rome is overland.  Julius organizes his soldiers and prisoners for the 129-mile march to Rome.

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View of Naples Gulf from Pozzuoli – Modern-day Puteoli ©Can Stock Photo Inc. / PerseoMedusa

Excited believers in Rome hear that Paul is getting close.  They rush out to meet the group of travelers as they arrive forty miles outside of Rome.    Luke states that Paul is very encouraged by this gesture and thanks God for the love shown to him by the believers of Rome.

Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him. ~Acts 28:16 NKJV

Ah, that Julius!  He surely cares for Paul’s well-being.  And the Lord provides for Paul’s needs through Julius!

So what is to be gleaned from retelling this story of Paul’s Voyage to Rome?  I see God’s divine guidance upon this journey.  The Lord mapped out the route and the timing; mastered the weather, and selected kindly authority – namely the centurion, Julius.  God placed Luke there as physician and recorder of the events.  Nothing happens by chance with Almighty God.  He let it be known to all people on and off both ships of His Supreme Power juxtaposed to the impotency of pagan idols encountered on the voyage.

And God is just getting started!  Paul remains at Rome for two more years while God prepares Roman authority to hear Paul’s legal case.  Roman and Jewish leadership is moved around by God as on a chessboard.  Paul meets with the Jewish leadership in Rome right away in order to explain about his reason for being there and about Jesus, Who fulfills both the Law of Moses and the Prophets.  Paul preaches from his rented house to any and all who come to hear the Gospel of Christ.  During that time God’s powerful plans for the spreading of the Gospel press forward, with Paul standing up for Jesus as the Messiah against powerful worldly opposition.

The best thing about Paul is that he is willing to do God’s work.  He focuses on the prize, and not his surroundings.  He trusts the Lord.  Isn’t that exactly what our Lord expects from Jesus’ followers today?

“Father God, today I trust that Your will be done as it was for Paul; that Your hand will direct the route, the timing, the means, weather, and favorable authority over my steps.  Forgive me for passing up opportunities to share Your Gospel in favor of my own vain materialistic pursuits.  Give me the heart of a servant, so I may grow by Your Holy Spirit to become more like Jesus; and increasingly share Your Word in the time remaining.  In the Blessed Name Above All Names, Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah, Amen.”

We may have to check in on that meeting between Paul and the Jewish leadership at Rome.  In the meantime, thank you for following

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