CHAMELION

JOSHUA 1

5 - 6

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life;

as I was with Moses, so I will be with you,

I will not leave you or forsake you.

Be strong and of good courage, for to this people

you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore of their fathers to give them.

Fred's chip shop was the last bastion in a row of shops for the most part killed off by the supermarket giants.   The old stone building hugged the bend on a steep hill leading to upper Bossley.   Standing opposite the local railway station it was still holding its own as commuters dropped in for their beloved fish and chip supper. 

The quaint little mill town boasted upper, middle and lower Bossley.  In the past local shops would have provided every need for the residents, and the mills provided employment.  The clap clap of clogs passing the tiny stone terraces would have been a familiar sound in the early morning air as the locals went up or down to their workplace, and the road that led to the station, mills and canal was probably a busy hub in years gone by. 

Trade had been slow throughout the hot summer, people turning to salads and ice cream but at last the rains had come and with it a drop in temperature.   Nevertheless Bossley's pensioners loyal regardless of the weather always turned up on a Friday evening and the dining area in the chip shop resounded with a mix of laughter and strong criticism as they attempted to make sense of a world in which they were a dying breed.

"Here he comes" said Vera

Fred carried the last plate filled high with beer battered fish and chips.   

"Everyone happy" he shouted.

"Aye" replied the veterans.

Rain macs hung on the back of chairs, a whippet sat by the open door on guard duty,  their supper was eagerly downed followed by steaming mugs of tea.

"Panel open to questions from the floor" said Ted.

"For heaven's sake"  said Vera "it isn't Question Time" and you're not Dimbleby.

Their days were numbered so it didn't really matter.   They gave their opinions whether folks wanted them or not, walking sticks at the ready to take any flack, although it was rumoured Ted's walking stick held a small narrow flask containing whisky.   He always ready to remonstrate with what he considered a godless, selfish, me first society.

"To hell with em" said Jack as he launched into his usual political rhetoric "a load of tossers and idiots they couldn't run a sandwich bar, we would have got rid of them sharpish"

"What were you all doing on the 4th August" enquired Elsie  "100 years ago our lads left to fight in World War 1.  Did you go to the war memorial Jack."
"I certainly did, but not while the local so called dignitaries were there, I sat on the bench and I prayed for those kids, they were just kids.  Raise your mugs please" said Jack "to the lads who gave their lives for this once proud country"

And what a (the air turned blue with expletives - all beginning with the letter B) damn waste of life they were just cannon fodder for politicians who still can't get it right.   And did they learn anything from that war, no.   World War 2 followed and we are heading for World War 3.    Just look at what we have become.   I am so glad I will be out of here before the next lot kicks off.   As Bert said "if its the "big baby" stand out in the street, no one will help you.   They will be screaming and running around without a clue, tweeting and clutching their tablets.   Fat lot of good that will do em.  God help anyone standing in a queue for food, they'll climb over you."

A sober mood descended and seemed to bring with it a few moments of quiet reflection.  

The silence was broken with a reprimand.   "Well" said Jenny "He hasn't finished with you yet Jack Bowes, you ain't seen nothing, a country that turns it's back on God is plain asking for it"

"Did you see those planks protesting at the bombing of Gaza" asked  Eric "I didn't see much of a protest about Ukraine."

Tim shuddered "just goes to show how many muslims there are in this country.   Who was it "Blue Mink" who sang "What we need is a great big melting pot"

Irene was clearly annoyed by his comment "now look here Tim that's a racist comment"   Tim flushed "Oy, I'm not a racist.   Our Sue is married to an afro carribean, he's a nice guy is our Chris and they have a little un.   She's a little cracker is our Alesha.   But he doesn't go around lopping heads off and eating hearts."

"Excuse me, do you mind" protested Eric "I have just eaten fish and chips, do you want me to throw up."

"Precisely the attitude I keep getting" said Tim "go on, stick your head in the sand, before you know it they will have Vera in a hijab and you will be marched off to the nearest mosque - or else"

"You'd look real good in a hijab Eric, actually it could be anyone or anything under that garb, carrying  God only knows what." said Jack.

"Well he won't have far to carry it" laughed Julie "there's a house mosque on every street in Blackburn, Lancashire.   

"So we don't move to Blackburn then" said Shirley.

"Anyone go to the Gaza protests last weekend" asked Dan.

"You must be joking" said Eric "if Hamas were firing rockets at Britain would we expect our government to just stand there and do nothing.   We (expletives poured forth) B ...well would not, we'd give it em"   A few walking sticks thrashed the air and were returned to their holding place.

"Well you know it would depend on who was in power and whether the native Brits got off their backsides and demanded their country back." said Jack.

"It's more likely to be terrorist bombs here.   Damn cowards." muttered Tim.   

"There are no winners in war" said Audrey "only losers.   You would think by now we would all have realised that and set about making the planet a better place for future generations." 

The whippet on door duty growled as a young Asian lad walked in the doorway towards the counter.   

"Hi Fred" he said "curry and chips please" and smiling he turned towards the elderly folk at the tables.

"Ow do Bert" he nodded the broad local accent seemed strangely out of place.

"He's okay" said Bert "I know his mam, she's a local girl, she chucked Ahmed out and and raised him herself she did"

"Okay Jethro" Bert replied "Ow's your mam"

"She's gradely" said Jethro "taking Sandra to meet her tomorrow" He winked at the group.   "You lot putting the world to rights then" he suggested.

"Don't be stupid Jethro" said Eric "it will take someone bigger than these bozos to do that"

"Yes" replied Polly "God, so watch out" and she reached with her hand toward his head intent on giving him a gentle slap.

"Hoy" said Eric "watch the hairdo"

"What hairdo" said Polly "you're bald man"
"No, No, replied Eric "see here at the back - have to get it cut - I've had a pony tail in the past"

Everyone chuckled at the thought of Eric with a pony tail but it was a sad fact that the hair white and whispy had to be kept in check.

"It's growing everywhere" complained Eric "except where I want it.   I've had to start chopping my eye brows I was getting more like Rowan Williams every day - and they curled up - I don't want anyone mistaking me for the devil.

"If people would just take the time to study the whole picture, its all coming to pass as the prophets said it would.   Time to get right with God guys"

"Well he'd better show up soon" said Jack "because the way the U.S. of A is prodding Putin it won't be long before Iran and China take sides and lets face it the planes will be flying over us to get to Obama land."

"Oh for heaven's sake why don't you read your bible Jack is says Russia will be drawn into a conflict it doesn't want.   Ignorance is not bliss in this instance."

"Did you know there are 200 nuclear bombs just 30 miles from Glasgow" said Jack "makes you think doesn't it"

"Time for the scots to go independent and shove em all down south" replied Eric with a loud gaffaw.

"Ah" said Jethro squatting on a spare chair as his chips hit the hot fat  "the north south divide is alive and well"

"North Wales is just as bad" said Jack "they don't like the English either"

"Where's Pete tonight" asked Elsie changing the subject.

"He's taken his grandkids up to Scotland, they go every year" Vera announced.

"Now there's an idea" said Eric "lets all push off to Scotland".

 "There won't be much room left in the highlands if we all move out of England" said Jack laughing.

"It won't happen" said Maggie very quietly.   "It's too late, the clock is ticking, we have blown it.

"The media reports were dreadfully biased" said Eric "did anyone mention that 160 kids were killed building the blasted tunnels in the first place."   

Someone asked a Hamas commander why their rockets weren't hitting their targets in Israel.   Considering the amount launched in that direction I did wonder why they were coming down in the sea or in Gaza itself.    Apparently he replied "we are aiming them but their God is knocking them off course."   

"What kind of man places his own wife and kids next to a rocket launcher?  Eric questioned "and why did they ignore the leaflet drops and text messages to get out?   There is something badly wrong with a woman who laughs while Israeli doctors tried to save the life of her child.   She wasn't bothered if he died.   She said "Jerusalem is ours"   For heaven's sake she can't be human and what kind of a mother would allow bombs to be strapped to her baby.    This is surely pure evil."

"Where was that reported" asked Vera "I didn't see that on the news"

"No you wouldn't chuck, it was on the internet" said Jack the only one of the group considered computer literate and in the know.  "Even when the iron dome failed twice and everyone had been warned of the impending disaster as the rocket headed for densely populated areas the dome recorded a sudden high wind and the rocket missed its target and was blown into the sea.

"How great is our God" said Maggie.

Zechariah 12 - 8-9

In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem;

the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David,

and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the Lord before them.

It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

Maggie's voice drained away.

"Our Maggie certainly knows her bible doesn't she" said Fred as he wrapped the curry and chips.

Jethro waved his goodbyes and strode into the night.  Like the chamelion he had learned to blend into the culture and this was his home.   He was just another brit, a skinny little kid who played with the pale faces in the street.   Little children accept one another, hatred something firmly planted by their parents regardless of culture, religion or background.

"That reminds me" said Jack "have we still got that air raid sheltered in our back garden"

"Too late" replied a sombre Maggie "next time its the big one, we have had our chance, we have done nothing but butcher and kill in religious wars.   Now God is going to deal with us all.   Perhaps take our free will - then perhaps we will do His will.

"Right" said Eric "on that cheerful note who's for a pint"

The elderly group rose stiffly from their seats and moved slowly towards the doorway.   The lights twinkled in the valley below and the cobbled road glistened in the first real rain of the summer.

Polly and Shirley headed for home.   "Polly do you remember Sabu who used to live at No.10?" asked Shirley.  "Everyone had a nickname then and he certainly wasn't offended.   He was a really nice guy.   And then there was Ghandi" 

"I remember Sabu" said Polly "he was such a lovely neighbour and a real gentleman, but Ghandi's dead isn't he"  

"Not THE Ghandi" said Shirley laughing "we called him Ghandi because he was a Hindu he was a lovely man as well.   Then Mr. Patel at No.4.   He was a supervisor at the mill.  We have always welcome immigrants into our country and they usually adapted to our way of life.    We certainly never considered them a threat.   It's very different now.

"It's a tiny island Shirley" said Polly "that is always going to be a problem but the way its heading we will be in the minority and then what?   Fanatics of any persuasion are very dangerous people."

Maggie linked Eric's arm as they crossed the road to the Dog and Whistle.   

"Hey lass" he whispered "one day at a time.   D'nay fas yerself, I see the Golden City" he guestered toward the skyline.

"That's the gasometer in Jackson Street" she replied laughing.

"According to our Audrey" Eric continued "Jesus said "Fear Not" 30 times, so we will do just that.

Psalm 33 - 12

Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord

The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

SHALOM.

  

C.A.R.E.

Love suffers long and is kind;

Love does not envy;

Love does not parade itself;

is not puffed up.

1 Corinthians 13 - 4

If every self confessed christian followed this section of the Pauline epistle to the Corinthians we would be able to change communities and eventually countries, but there is little evidence of this. 

A recent newspaper article bemoaned the standard of care afforded a relative in a very modern multi purpose facility for the elderly with the obvious intention of naming and shaming the establishment which for the most part specialized in residents with dementia.   This is a fast growing problem with a huge elderly demographic.   

The problem of dealing with elderly folk with dementia includes caring for both the gentle and aggressive.   Any age group can suffer the side effects of prescription drugs and many old people have a daily regime of pill popping.  Coping with failing health, depression, loneliness and the sheer frustration of a body that "won't cooperate with instruction"  they can become frustrated, difficult and at times plain nasty.

An article in a daily broadsheet this week suggested many children did not want their parents living in their home and the journalist suggested it was a self, self, self generation.   Not that I disagree with her comment but I would go further and say we shouldn't cobble everyone together in our criticism.

There are two clearly defined groups.   Those who would benefit from an inheritance and those who would have to pay top-up fees.   

The first group stand to benefit from the eventual sale of their parents home.   However should a widow or widower be considered for a care home the amazing weekly rates would soon absorb any capital and then their children would lose that inheritance.    Sadly many turn a blind eye hoping their Mum or Dad will quietly slip away in between their infrequent visits.   

The top-up fees would be resented especially if the elderly parent with just a state pension continued to live into their nineties or even one hundred years plus.   Apparently there is funding available in the U.K.   NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding.   Can you imagine the queue to get that and how long before the pot runs dry?  

Sometimes families live on the other side of the world.   Elderly people would not wish to move to an unfamiliar environment at their time of life and hopefully at this point one can only hope the real care system kicks in and they are fortunate enough to have "caring carers"

Many children who still live and work in the same area as their parents ultimately become sole carers.    They genuinely love their parents and would gladly nurse them in their own homes until the very end.

Here the word "love" comes into play because without "love" and a genuine desire to care for their aging parent it becomes  a chore and without "love"  a grudging burden, sadly the end result is often the elderly are abused by their own families both physically and financially.   

The ethos of caring is simple enough:

C -     Concern - anxious - involved in the welfare of others.

A -     Always ready to help regardless of age, gender or race.

R -     Respect - sadly lacking - many ignore the wisdom of their elders.

E -     Empathy - the ability to understand another's feelings and their situation. 

In this SELF generation the goal is for the here and now.

In his book "God Tells the Man who Cares" (first published in 1993) A.W. Tozer suggests "men looked forward to heaven as a return from the war fought in this world, to peace at last and a home prepared and waiting" (paraphrased) surely that is what the true child of God expects and lives for.  In old age there is a quiet peace and longing for our eternal home.

He considered men now think of the world as their playground, we are here to enjoy ourselves and we should live life to the full and he goes further saying they might deny this assertion but their conduct says otherwise.

If we consider what our fathers believed that sin, hell and the devil exist and that we are accountable to God.    If we live according to the Word then we are against the way of this world and our lives will be a battlefield.

We might also consider that how we treat the elderly, sick, orphan and homeless is a witness to an unbelieving world.   The command is to "love" our neighbour and even our enemies.   Tozer also suggested that if we are on God's side in this world our fight is until the end.  Quite what Tozer would think of our present world only heaven knows,  he has surely earned his place there.

We all face a bleak future in a world without  "love"   Perhaps if we took responsibility for the hands that rocked our cradle and cared for us it might just lessen the burden on the state system.  But there is another side to the equation, many elderly parents would refuse that option preferring independence, determined to hold it together until their number is called.  They pray daily for the strength and ability to cope with one day at a time.   And He answers.

SHALOM 

       

EXTRA ORDINARY PEOPLE

MATTHEW 22 - 14

For many are called but few are chosen.

The Moravians were a truly extraordinary group of Christians and their witness led to the conversion of John Wesley.    John's journal was full of observations and encounters of this German fellowship of christians.

Although only seven years old and on a ship bound for Germany he noted "they performed servile offices for other passengers, which none of the English would undertake for which they refused to accept payment saying "it was good for their proud heart and that their saviour had done more for them"

How simple an explanation, how genuine their faith, their lives far above the materialistic plain many christians enjoy.

John commented "they were pushed, struck down, ill treated and they rose again and went.   When the seas rose and the boat flooded it caused panic among the English who were screaming.    The Germans were singing and Wesley asked them were they afraid.   They replied "No, thank God.  When John asked "were not the women and children afraid to die" the Germans replied "No, our women and children are not afraid to die.  John then went to their English neighbours on the boat and pointed out the difference in the hour of trial between him that feared God and him that did not.   The sea fell calm.

For John that was a glorious day.

When they arrived in Germany they lodged with the Moravians.   He kept a journal, observed their daily lives, always cheerful, always in good humour with one another, they had dispensed with anger, strife, wrath, bitterness and evil speaking, they followed the gospel teaching and walked worthy to be called followers of Christ.

Back in England in the year 1736 John was strongly convicted of his unbelief when Peter Boehler came to London and he expressed the real meaning to faith.

Two fruits inseparably attending the true Christian.

PEACE from a sense of forgiveness.

John contended this argument and worked to prove Boehler wrong considering he himself did not feel forgiveness there if that was the case.   All his pretensions to faith dropped at once.   He eventually retreated to his last line of defence "that experience would never agree with the literal interpretation of those scriptures" and he told Peter "I could not allow it to be true until I found living witnesses of it.

Peter said he could provide such witnesses at any time if that were required.   

He arrived the following day with three witnesses all of whom testified to their own personal experiences that a TRUE LIVING FAITH IN CHRIST IS INSEPARABLE FROM A SENSE OF PARDON FOR ALL PAST, AND FREEDOM FROM ALL PRESENT SINS.

They added that FAITH WAS A GIFT, A FREE GIFT FROM GOD that He freely gave to every soul who earnestly pursued it.

That convicted Wesley.   He renounced all dependence on his own works or righteousness which he considered would get him into heaven (a belief he held from childhood) and a full reliance on the saving blood of Christ and a trust in Christ for his sole justification, sanctification and redemption.

He was also convicted by their total trust in God to such an extent that when a child died he asked the father "how do you find yourself" as the father stood by the side of his child's grave he replied "Praised be the Lord, never better.   He has taken the soul of my child to Himself.   I have seen, according to my desire, his body committed to holy ground, and I know that when it is raised again, both he and I shall be ever with the Lord.

That is faith and trust in Almighty God by a people committed to a true christian walk far removed from the country club "inner circle" church and the happy clappy good time worship or a leadership with an amazing lack of concern for anything outside their own agenda and prominence.

God created mankind and knows our every weakness and imperfection, but it is only when we realise how truly unworthy we are of His saving grace we become a pilgrim with our compass set for His Kingdom.   We fall off the narrow path and get a real bashing from Satan but we climb back and stagger on.

The dark Lord has been busy highlighting both past and present wickedness in those who witness and profess to follow Christ and a world of hypocrites enjoys every story.  Perhaps he says to a subordinate "turn the spotlight on that guy, now I have him"   The anti.christian lobby gleefully point the finger at the discredited target.   Yet their amazing arrogance, pride and conceit is just one of the less colourful, less visible sins that could well cost them eternity.

No one that is truly repentant (and God knows the fakes) however heinous the crime is beyond the forgiveness of God.   The creator made his creatures, he knows their every weakness and those that witness and struggle are the target of the adversary.  "Oh its okay - God isn't looking - He's too busy to watch you, go ahead"

In the days of Noah it was time to eliminate a wicked generation.   We were given free will and with that gift a rainbow of emotions both good and bad.   The human race is capable of such incredible greatness but its finger hovers above the self destruct button.

As the world descends into an orgy of violence maybe the final biblical prophecy draws ever nearer.

Next time by fire.

What might be left from the ashes would be the machine.    How utterly amazing that in the recent airline tragedy in the Ukraine unbroken bottles of alcohol were found amongst the broken dead bodies.

May the innocents walk safely in His Kingdom.   Their battle over.   The rest of us must struggle on to the finish line.

Baruch ha ba b'shem Adonai.

SHALOM.

SHAKERS

ISAIAH 65

2 - 3

I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people,

who walk in a way that is not good,

according to their own thoughts.

Pick up the old testament scriptures and you can't help noticing God got very angry with a disobedient nation.    Heaven help us all.   Even now man is busy compromising His Truth and they have no fear of His impending Wrath.  Their mandate, to fill the emptying pews left by discerning christians.   Their agenda, just get the people in and let God do the rest.   Their presentation "we are here for a good time this morning right?    WRONG.

It all went terribly wrong when men lacking in genuine anointing got themselves appointed into what is merely "a denominational organisation" and it is the same in any group or quango, the wrong people get voted in.   The leader of a ministry used to be just that, His man on earth called to shepherd His sheep.   Now they can clearly get rid of someone who isn't preaching a comfortable sermon.  Satan is busy at the foot of the altar.

Nevertheless the followers of the new versions of the bible profess His Holy name, pin their hapless victims against the wall with threats of hell and damnation and heaven forbid anyone who challenges their interpretation of scripture which usually fits neatly in with their chosen lifestyle.

In his book "I talk back to the Devil" A.W. Tozer clearly describes the fiery indignation of those challenged as having a dulled understanding and living far below the standards of scripture.

He instructs the unbelieving to search beyond their intellect and seek with their heart - and he also believed in prevenient grace.   It's all down to a touch of the Holy Spirit.   That we should get out of the way and let God. 

Perhaps then in His time, in an answer to our prayer our Holy awesome God will reveal himself to the lost soul although for some it will require a right royal slap or Damascus 'bolt from the blue'   When you receive a genuine touch of God on your life you will tremble.

Isaiah 66 - 2

But on this one I will look,

on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,

and who trembles at My Word.

How many times do you hear people shout "Oh my God" as tragedy strikes.  They switch off that life support machine, a child dies under the wheels of a speeding motorist, they cry out when they are cornered, trapped and there is nowhere to run. 

Safer to search for Him now and walk in His peace as the world descends into violent chaos.

One day this blob of blood and mush will be left behind, discarded.    Spirits freed from their earthly prison will fly.   HOPEFULLY, PRAYERFULLY IN A RIGHT DIRECTION.  

Science fiction writers have a field day.   Their imaginations run riot.   Not all their aliens are pretty.

Some descriptions pretty grotesque to the human eye but at least they go beyond what the scientific establishment considers normal parameters, they are not restricted or chained by dogma, and strange as it may seem to some there are instances where science follows their prophetic writing.   

The scientist and the atheist don't have a problem with their foresight, they don't connect it to a divine prompting.  They are just using their educational prowess to make money thinking outside the box.

One particular book by the writer Richard Matheson produced an incredible fantasy film released in 1998 the lead actor Robin Williams.  "What dreams may come"

At one point the main character Chris Nielsen stands on the edge of what initially appears to be row after row of cobbles stretching into the darkness.  He has arrived at a place described in the book as the "Field of the Dammed"   Watching the film you quickly realise the cobbles are human heads all tightly packed together (perhaps held in some hellish mortar).   The heads are talking, some crying, some still protesting their innocence, some shouting.

Well folks that was enough to get me on my knees and right back on track.   Fiction it may be but I certainly didn't want to finish up parked next to the "neighbour from hell" for all eternity, or a political or religious zealot.   No, No,  Hosannah - Save Now.

Perhaps watching this amazing film might help the convenient lack of imagination where hell and damnation are concerned.   After all film producers and science fiction writers have done their best to "care the hell" out of their audiences.    

All credit to the amazing flight of imagination by the writer and the stunning graphic artists who along with Robin Williams and Annabella Sciorra's incredible acting made this film an Academy Award winner.      

Sooner or later the grim reaper comes for us all, either by depreciation, malfunction, pestilence.   King and commoner suffer the same fate, but death has no power over a spirit filled child of God.   Those of  us who have experienced a close encounter with God have no fear of that final breath although we have an overwhelming sense of being unworthy of a place in His kingdom.    And crowns, they are for the Tozers, Wilkersons,  Bunyans, Ravenhills, Wesleys the list goes on and on and includes those precious martyrs beheaded for holding to their faith, they are truly worthy of His reward.   Then one might humbly consider Psalm 84 - 10   "I would rather be a door keeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness"

Now and again Satan reminds us of past failures "what a total waste of space you really are"  But the new age church doesn't preach hell or sin.   Many Nicolatians are "living it up" with little thought for what tomorrow brings and barely distinguishable from a non believer who considers this is all there is so they want it all.

"Hey I'm saved" he tells himself as he fills in his fraudulent tax return, has that seedy affair.   Justifying his actions by "Oh we met in church, God meant us to be together"   No He doesn't read your bible.

A.W. Tozer reminds us christians are far from perfect.   That God doesn't want us to worship the preacher, teacher or leaders.   Every idol has to go.  YHVH - Yahweh - first and foremost, he also suggests God will not ask your denomination or whose bible interpretation you followed.

Isaiah 64 - 8

But now, O Lord,

Your are our Father;

We are the clay, and You our potter,

And we all are the work of Your hand.

It's time to seek His Truth.

It's time to bow down before the only King before the curtain falls and the lights go out.  Contrary to the belief of many "when I die that's it - end of"   WHAT AN AMAZING LACK OF FORESIGHT.

Phillipians 3 - 20

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Saviour,

the Lord Jesus Christ. 

SHALOM

       

DIVINE ELECTION - GOD'S SELECTION

ACTS 9 - 15 - 16

But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine

to bear My name before Gentiles, kings and the children of Israel.

For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake.

Elections are the buzz word in many countries, but are they really accurate or manipulated.  Is it just another oligarchy.   I was promptly reminded by a zealot "we are supposed to pray for our leaders".   "Yes I do" I replied "I pray that God will remove them and raise up men of integrity and wisdom, I pray divine election not the people's selection.   A cheeky grin and a cheery wave and most voters don't even take the time to research the individual who is supposed to serve them and eventually realise they  serve their own agenda and hang on to power with all the tenacity of an octopus.    

Over the next few months the mud slinging will begin.   Dig and dig deep for anything you can find that will discredit any potential adversary.   Somewhere in his/her past there will be something.  Everyone has a skeleton or two in their closet.   The thirst for power is ruthless.     

Hadn't Saul of Tarsus done it all.  A pharisee and a zealot every action justified with his religious mindset.    He had watched as Stephen was stoned to death.   His mission to wipe out, eliminate this Christian cult that followed their rebellious Jewish rabbi.  Of course he didn't actually do the killing, like most leaders that falls somewhere down the chain of command.  Guilt by proxy.   They had crucified the leader now Saul's mandate was to eradicate His followers.

The Lord dealt with Saul in what can only be described as a 'bolt from the blue' and when he heard the voice of Yeshua that was it.   That is enough to correct any mortal,  the Lord brought him to his knees face down in the dirt - cleaned him up and sent him out.   But having now changed sides he was listening to a different authority very aware he was unworthy of such forgiveness, compassion and love.  But his zeal and single minded focus was about to be used mightily by His saviour.

Religious extremists of any shade are dangerous people, the violence in the scriptures is playing out again in the Middle East, they rise from the pit of hell to radicalize, inflicting misery and death on their opposition and any innocents who get in their way.

In today world there would be enough evidence to convict Paul.   Now a follower of Christ he was a target for the Jews but the Christians didn't want to associate with him either - just look what he did to their people. 

People will have their scapegoat.   We are all guilty when we look the other way.   We are all weak and we all fail.  Ghandi said "if it's an eye for an eye the whole world will be blind"   Thank heaven for a merciful and forgiving God.   He loves us all but requires we pick up the cross of obedience.   

And yes, God chooses who he uses and if you put your head above the parapet expect to be shot at.    

Yeshua warned his followers: 

  

Matthew 10 - 16

Behold I sent you out as sheep in the midst of wolves

To be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

Speaking His Word you might just stir the 'hornets nest'.   Many will rise against you, isolation and persecution will follow.   Rejoice.   Peter and Paul were in and out of the slammer.   You are in good company.   In China the underground church pastors are tortured and imprisoned.  Read  "The Heavenly Man"   The state church isn't a problem and it won't be here -  its the children who truly follow their Lord.   The world will find any excuse to highlight past weaknesses, spotlight your fall from grace, and gladly slam the prison door shut.

The sad case of the young christian woman doctor in Sudan continues.   Re-arrested with her two children they have cleverly found another charge against her.   She faces seven years in jail if she is found guilty and they will be doing their utmost to ensure the case goes against her.    PLEASE PRAY for Mariam Yehya Ibrahim a sudanese doctor and christian.   May the Lord deal with these people and bring her and her children to a safe harbor.

Psalm 119 - 105

Your word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my path.

SHALOM

   

HENCHMEN OF THE DARK LORD

Psalm 5 - 4

For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness

neither shall evil dwell with thee.

They are everywhere henchmen of the dark lord.   Government, judicial system, police, workplace,

neighbourhood and they are sniffing out the saints.   Now more than ever the children of a Holy God need the precious gift of discernment.

Counterfeit christians are a deadly foe and among their ranks.   They twist the Word of God and their followers are Nicolaitians.   How Yeshua HATES  'a strong warning' (Revelation 2 - 14 - 15) to those who carry His name but chose to live in the world.

A.W. Tozer in his brilliant book - I talk back to the devil! explains the toxicity of their deadly doctrine,

"once saved - that's it" heavily used by this fraternity.

Non believers are not considered a threat to this great man of God.   He believes in PREVENIENT GRACE his simply understood explanation - it is the work of the Holy Spirit.  Otherwise they will be unable to see the TRUTH and hear the TRUTH.   In one section of the book he explains how as a young man he stood alone in his faith where his family were concerned.  But he stood.   There is no mention of his being an island, considering himself superior or preferred.   He just stood and by his conviction and continuing witness was able to thank God for His saving grace where the members of his family were concerned.

We all have a tendency to look back at what God graciously saved us from, but now more than ever we need to keep our eyes focused on Yeshua and towards the heavens and despite the flack, rejection and humiliation we are sure to receive know that we carry our cross.   That we are on the right path and we are heading home.

We know what the future holds for this world and because we do we are not prone to depression or despair.   Everything is in His hands.  The days will get darker and unimaginable horrors already suffered by many will eventually reach our shores.   Then many will fall to their knees.  

The Lord has a way of dealing with a disobedient people.   Some will "see the light" - a Damascus Road, others he will bring down with the loss of everything they covert until they stand naked before Him.   Many already can't take the pressure, suicides are on the increase.      

Those with strong roots will weather any approaching storm, but don't expect a free ride - a whisk away from it all.  That is not biblical or in accordance with Yeshua's words.

Matthew 24 - 22

and unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved;

but for the ELECT'S SAKE those days will be shortened.

Matthew 24 - 31

And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet,

and they will gather His elect from the four winds,

from one end of Heaven to the other.

Some pilgrims may be in the advance party.   (Pilgrims Progress)  Faithful was literally beaten to death then swiftly removed and spared the rest of the Journey.   But for those of us left behind it will surely get much worse.   WE NEED TO ENSURE OUR ROOTS are deep in the earth of His promise.    Knowing that the end game is won.   All evil will be destroyed in the incineration process.   There will be a new heaven and a new earth - our planet restored and Yeshua's team will rule.    We surely wait and TRUST ADONAI.

Psalm 5 - 12

For you, O Lord, will bless the righteous;

With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

SHALOM.

    

RALLYING CRY

PSALM 93

12 - 13

Blessed is the man whom you instruct, O Lord,

And teach out of Your law,

That You may give him rest from the days of adversity,

Until the pit is dug for the wicked.

There is a man whose home is like an Aladdin's cave, full of supplies.  Rolls and rolls of tin foil, dried and tinned food stocks, water and medical supplies, everything neatly stacked in his underground habitation, and he sits anxiously watching and waiting for "the end of life as we know it Jim"   He doesn't believe in the God of the bible, retribution or impending wrath.   He just knows sooner or later someone is going to press the button and he wants to survive.  Perhaps he considers he would be one of the few left to start again on a dead grey ball of ash.

There are men who collude to bring about his worst nightmare but they consider they will be safe under ground determined to blow everyone else off the planet but save their own miserable skins.

GETTING READY FOR THE END OF ALL THINGS - YOU TUBE VIDEO - teaching by that great man of God, David Wilkerson.   He stands frail and trembling and at times close to tears before the huge assembly gathered at the church in Times Square, New York.

No showmanship or razzmatazz just a gentle husky voice at times breaking with emotion perhaps realising time was running out for his witness, this had to be said and how true and applicable to us all.

He spoke about the Latter rain and that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is blocked by those in the body of Christ who hold grudges.   That our place as christians is in the closet praying.   The root of bitterness has to come out.  Nothing must hinder the work of the Holy Spirit in our families and neighbourhoods.   

It is often difficult to discern those who are genuine christians and the counterfeits.  Their lives reflect little of the love and compassion Yeshua had for the blind and deaf (atheists and non believers) the sick, elderly and the captives.  

We all lose our spiritual balance, fall off the narrow path, but by the grace of God we will be convicted of our weaknesses and there is still time to turn our lives around.    We pray for the captives, thanks to the internet there are many who have lost their sense of direction and need healing and our prayers not our condemnation.

David refers his congregation to Haggai whose ministry was just four short months but gained him his place in scripture until the end of time.

Haggai 2 - 9

The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts.

And in this place I will give peace, says the Lord of Hosts.

Haggai 2 - 4

Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel, says the Lord; and be strong Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong all you people of the land, says the Lord 'and work, for I am with you,' says the Lord, and work ; for I am with you says the Lord of hosts.

The people were struggling with the three D's and it is just as true today.  They were putting their own agenda first.   So the Lord struck them with blight, mildew and hail.   Well I can't speak for anyone else but I have had hail, mildew and the blight (fungus) in my humble abode - yeap - its very prevalent today.  

DISINTEREST

More concerned with acquisition and building beautiful homes for themselves.

DISCOURAGEMENT

We must stay strong and focus - work while we can - time is short -  this temple will be glorious.

DISSATISFACTION

Okay Lord we've done what you asked of us now where are the blessings.  We tend to expect instant gratification and restoration of the years the locusts have taken.    

Perhaps we all need to go into our closets (that includes the writer) and pray.

Lord, what is the last assignment for me.

How do I use these last days to glorify You in every area of my life.

What is your commission.

We thank you Father for Your servant David Wilkerson.   He touched millions with his teaching and now he surely walks in Your courts in the company of all the saints.

Perhaps we all need the teaching of 1 Peter 8-9

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.

Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

We are all equal in the sight of God.   We might not be able to jet off to Africa to deal with the appalling plight of starving children as young as three years old (R.T. documentary) sniffing glue and sleeping with the pigs.   One young christian woman has dedicated her life to these little ones.  She truly obeys her Master's voice.

We all love that beautiful baby, how positively delicious the smell of the new born, but many find it difficult to take the wrinkled hand of a lonely old person with a leaky tank and a vacant stare.  We just don't want to go there, its reminds us of the fate that awaits us if we ever reach that place.

We need to take seriously the message in Luke 11 - 24 - 26 - many are suffering internet addiction without even realising they have a problem.   That is just as much an idol as the golden calf and at times   glorification of self.   The house that was once swept clean is now occupied and in need of restoration.  

Or Luke 16 - 19 - 22

The palaces and the principalities will crumble and fall.   If you've passed the sick and needy holding tight to your purse I'm afraid you are bound for the other side of the chasm.

The Lord will deal with those who kill and murder the innocent.   Leaders, who kill by proxy, your hands may not hold the weapons, but you will be held accountable.

Psalm 93

5 - 7

They break in pieces your people, O Lord

and afflict Your heritage.

They slay the widow and the stranger,

And murder the fatherless.

Yet they say the Lord does not see,

Nor does the God of Jacob understand.

9-10-11

He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? 

He who formed the eye, shall He not see?

He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct.

The Lord knows the thoughts of man,

That they are futile.

He is coming after global upheaval.    Stand and work while it is still light.  Really good advice.

He will melt hardened hearts, others he will bring by calamity.

Nations will be drawn to the temple to discover what they had been searching for, the One whom all Nations have desired will be displayed in splendor and there will be PEACE ON EARTH. 

ALWAYS AND EVER FOR YOUR GLORY ADONAI

SHALOM