Heroes, Villians, and Us - Facing the Future and Taking a Stand

Faces in an Open Door

Barbara Henderson

Heroes from the past being dead yet speak.  Their legacy lives on.

From the past I see heroes.  I see Winston Churchill.  He was the  leader of Great Britian during WW2.  He took a mighty nation through a nightmare to victory.

I see King David when a boy, facing a giant.  Through the mighty hand of God on David for good, he slew the giant and became a leader of a great nation.

I see Nehemiah who rebuilt the walls of his beloved Jerusalem in less than two months.

I see Joseph who never wavered in his allegiance to God though sold into slavery and thrown into prison.

I see Daniel the prophet, the Hebrew captive, who stood before kings and proclaimed God without regard to personal safety.

I see three Hebrew brothers who were thrown alive into a furnace so hot it burned up the men who cast them into the fire.  Yet the brothers were not even singed.

I see Hezekiah, King of the Jews, who cast himself and his nation on the mercy of the Lord, and lived to see victory through the power of God.

I see George Washington who led a new nation to independence.

I see soldiers who laid down their lives for others.

I see mothers who sacrificed everything to give their children a better life.

I see fathers who worked themselves into an early grave to provide for their children.

I see Christian Missionaries standing at the door of violent tribes of lost people pleading with them to turn to Jesus. I see the first missionaries murdered by those they sought to tell about Jesus.  I see their families going back to try again to take them the story of Jesus Christ.

I see more of the great men and women of history standing up for what is good and right.

These people were leaders of their day.  Though not always given a title that indicated a leader, yet that is what they were.

And I see Methuselah.  What a mighty man he must have been.  For when he was gone the flood came.  Did the people mourn him?  Or did they rejoice that he was gone?

I see Noah standing at the door of the ark pleading with the lost to repent and come in to safety.

I see John Huss, Martin Luther, John Knox, and many other godly men standing up for truth and right.

I see the Apostles and the early believers accepting death rather than turn from their faith in Christ. 

I see Christians today facing death around the globe rather than turn from Jesus Christ to worship a false god.

I see Christians standing up for truth and right regardless of personal loss.

I see some preachers of the gospel standing for truth and right in this time of hatred of truth and right.

I see individual Christians taking a stand.

I see Billy Graham.  He is not a perfect man, but he is a godly man.  In him the world has seen the gospel preached to the world.  I wonder if he is like Methuselah in that the Lord will delay his judgment while Graham yet lives.  Pray for a long for this man.  God have mercy on us all.

I see Jesus Christ standing at the door pleading with the lost to be saved. 

The legacy of evil from the past is also visible today.

I see faces standing in the open door of hell calling out to the lost, ‘Reject the God who formed you and follow me.’

I see Hitler screaming out hatred.

I see Stalin screaming out hatred.

I see false prophets coercing people to follow them to hell or be murdered.  They wind up in hell anyway unless they follow Jesus, so the false prophets really don’t care if their death is sooner or later.

I see some people living still who are standing at the door of hell.

They have made their choice.  They are pulling others into their world of torment.  Some know where they are going.  You can see the torment in their eyes and on their faces.  Yet they refuse to turn from the door of hell to the door of heaven.

Into the void created by the death of a leader, whether he is good or evil, comes another leader.  I think when a great and godly leader dies there is a great danger of a weak and ineffective leader taking his place. Or when an evil leader dies there is a real danger of an even greater tyrant replacing him. The people know this. In addition to sorrow they are faced with fear of a weak or perhaps even evil leader.  There has not been a leader like Churchill since the end of WW2.  Israel has never had a leader like King David, although there were a few really great kings.  I recently watched a YouTube video of the funeral of Winston Churchill.  The faces of the people were more than sad.  They saw the passing of Britain’s greatness.  Whether Churchill was a Christian or not God used him to lead a nation through a time of terror.  Britain has never seen a greater leader since.  Today the leaders of Britain are like our leaders here for the most part.  They are completely sold out to personal greed and an evil world system.  Truth and right based on a solid foundation are completely foreign to their thoughts.

When was the last great leader of the USA?  In my lifetime it was Ronald Reagan. He was great in part because he loved America.  He loved truth, right, and justice.  Since Reagan we have had ineffective or evil leaders.  Looking through the door to the past the great leaders are screaming out for someone to stand up and lead the nation down the path of righteousness.  Will we ever see such a leader again this side of heaven?  Only God knows.

With the death of Adolph Hitler the world rejoiced.  People today believe they have advanced beyond the people of that era so one like Hitler will never arise again.  Not true.  The evil void left by Hitler has been filled by many who have not risen to Hitler’s level of power.  Those who support the murder of the unborn are far worse murderers than Hitler.  Eventually Hitler’s eternal home will be filled by the Antichrist spoken of in the Bible.  Many little antichrists, those against Christ, are walking to and fro throughout the world today.  They are proclaiming justice in the murder of unborn children and actions that God Himself has labeled as sin.  With every evil action the door of hell is opened a bit wider.  And the followers of wickedness are crying out for others to follow them down their evil path.

As of today Jesus is still standing at the door and knocking. People have an opportunity to be saved from hell and reconciled to God.  Jesus is faithful and just to forgive individuals and cleanse them of all unrighteousness. 

But the day is coming when like the ark, the door of salvation will be shut for those who reject Jesus.  The death of individuals will come and their eternity will be eternally sealed in heaven or hell.  The rapture will come.  The tribulation will come.  The death of almost of all mankind will come.  People now and in the future are faced with two open doors.  In one door is Jesus Christ inviting in all who will come.  In the other door stands Satan.  He disguises himself in many ways, but he is not so clever that those honestly seeking the truth will not recognize that he is a counterfeit.  He has no power to save.  He only has power to destroy.

Today the USA is facing evil leaders such as we have never known.  These evil leaders praise planned parenthood for the slaughter of unborn children and blaspheme the name of God by thanking Him for this organization.  As Christians we cry out for a godly man to lead this nation.  We do not want to give politics such a place of importance as to sink down to preaching a social gospel.  Actually, there is no such thing as a social gospel.  That is just a term for a false gospel that cares more for social issues than for the souls of the lost.  Our job today is the cry out to our God for mercy and deliverance from evil.  Our job is to live like the Christians we profess to be.  Our faces should continually be pointed toward the open door of Jesus Christ.  Our way is His way.  We are headed home. Let us not take any detours for they are very costly!

Our God is always in charge.  Our God always has a plan. Perhaps He is going to raise up an earthly leader for such a time as this.  It may be a man.  It may even be a woman.  Remember that He raised up a Jewish girl to be queen.  In God’s good time Esther brought the king to the aid of her people.  Perhaps God is stirring up His children to pray for His aid today.  Do you feel called to pray like never before?  Do you feel called to speak up for the Lord like never before?  It is definitely best to pray like never before – before opening your mouth.  Christians know the main things that will happen in the future, and it is probably the near future.  We don’t know the exact details.  We do know that our God hears us when we call out to Him. 

There is an old slogan that says, ‘Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.’  Today we could say that now is the time for all Christians to come to the aid of our country.  That is done through constant prayer and obedience to God.  When I look through the portals to the past and see great leaders and Christian faith displayed, I long for God’s goodness to be shown to us today with mighty Christian leaders and mighty national leaders.  When I see the evil leaders of the past I almost see the horrors of hell’s flames.  I cry out for mercy for the lost.

Let us like-minded Christians join together to pray for God’s mercy in all things. It appears that darkness is covering the land; yet, our God is able to deliver us.

Daniel Chapter 3 tell the true story of three Hebrew brothers who lived in the palace of a pagan king.  The King demanded that he be worshiped the brothers refused.  The king decided to throw them in the furnace.  Facing what looked like certain death the brothers said to the king, ‘ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

¹⁷ If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

¹⁸ But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.’

The Bible goes on to tell us that the three brothers were miraculous saved from the fire.  Christians today are facing dreadful things.  God is still able to deliver.  Let all Christians ask that God give us courage and strength to stand like the brothers who refused to worship a false god regardless of the consequences.  Like the brothers we don’t know the exact outcome of trials, but we do know that God is able to deliver us if He so chooses.  He is able to take us to heaven for the ultimate deliverance if He does not delight to deliver us in this life. 

‘To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:’.

Ecclesiastes  3:1

Our time is now. Like any generation of the past that has been called to fight a great battle; the Christians of this generation are called today to stand no matter what the cost. Let us all pray for each individual to have the courage and strength for their personal battle.  Let us all pray for God to raise up a leader like Paul or Peter or even greater.  Let us all pray that we will see our true leader Jesus Christ more clearly.  Remember, Jesus is coming soon – and He is able to deliver!

‘He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.’ Revelation 22:20

He is Able to Deliver Thee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmuwY6gr9QY&index=37&list=PLbzTanQxhOmIguhf_p9LTSuW4aXjgW3Zk

1. ’Tis the grandest theme through the ages rung;
   ’Tis the grandest theme for a mortal tongue;
   ’Tis the grandest theme that the world e’er sung,
   “Our God is able to deliver thee.”
• Refrain:
  He is able to deliver thee,
  He is able to deliver thee;
  Though by sin oppressed, go to Him for rest;
  “Our God is able to deliver thee.”
2. ’Tis the grandest theme in the earth or main;
   ’Tis the grandest theme for a mortal strain;
   ’Tis the grandest theme, tell the world again,
   “Our God is able to deliver thee.”
3. ’Tis the grandest theme, let the tidings roll,
   To the guilty heart, to the sinful soul;
   Look to God in faith, He will make thee whole,
   “Our God is able to deliver thee.”

Living in a World Filled with Delusional People

Delusions – Strong Delusions –and The World Today

Barbara Henderson

There are six kittens in my house right now.  They are seven weeks old, and they can already climb to the top of the highest shelf in the house and jump half way across the room. They are utterly adorable, but they can be destructive as well.  I wouldn’t trust them with anything valuable or dangerous.  If you think child-proofing your home is difficult then you should try kitten-proofing your home. Fortunately, I love them.  I want good life-long homes for them.  I want good health and proper vet care for them.  But I do know they are definitely not perfect.  They are in need of correction when they behave badly.  Now I don’t know exactly how you discipline a kitten.  The firm ‘NO!’ doesn’t seem to be working.  In a few weeks they will go to their new homes and be someone else’s problem.  They will eventually grow up and behave in a somewhat more civilized and acceptable manner.  My grown cats are fairly easily managed, and they aren’t nearly as destructive as kittens. (If you want a peek at the kittens http://trulysiberians.com is our web site.  We have no kittens available at this time and we do not ship)

Today we are living with many people in all walks of life who as equally undisciplined as a litter of kittens or puppies.  Maybe it was cute when they were little, but it is ridiculous and even dangerous today.  Actually, they were probably spoiled brats  and bullies as children and they are even worse today.  These people have rejected truth and right in favor of doing whatever seems good to them at the moment.  They are not afraid to bully and trivialize those who behave in a manner they deem to be old fashioned.  Somehow these people have become delusional.  Their delusions vary from believing that abortion is acceptable to believing that behaviors are acceptable that God clearly calls sin to believing they personally are above the law.  The bottom line is they have rejected God Almighty as the power and authority behind creation.  Without the true and living God, their lives have an empty place in the core of their being.  That empty place cries out to be filled.  Having rejected the God who created them, people are looking for a god who is worthy of their worship.  At the same time they want a god who does not require anything of them.  They form a false god in their own image.  In other words, they self-worship. They are going along with the original lie that Satan told Eve. They may not openly worship themselves, but what else would you call it?  The one who actually has the power and authority to make and enforce the rules is God.  If a human being suddenly gives themselves authority to make and enforce rules they have made an idol of themselves.  They are self-worshipers who have set themselves up as gods.  My opinion is that the strong delusion that makes all other delusions possible for the individual is that they can be gods.   

·         And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

                            2 Thessalonians 2:11

·         And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 

                      Romans 1:28

·         Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 

                         2 Timothy 3:8

·         They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. 

                 Titus 1:6

This is the world in which we live today. Those in power and those around us are denying God so they have no reason to bow to His authority.  They are delusional as they call the evil good and good evil.  Unlike kittens and puppies, they will not grow up and change for the better. In rejecting God a reprobate and perverted mind is simply par for the course. 

Christians are now living in a world where mocking God is far more common than worshiping God.  There are those who openly ridicule and reject the God of creation. There are those who pretend to follow Jesus, but do not do the things He says to do.  There are those who clearly follow another Jesus who has no power or authority to do anything.  In other words, the self-worshiping crowd makes up a Jesus that fits their own idea of what a god should be like.  Many of these people love to point out that Jesus said to love one another, and that is unloving to point out sin.  Actually Jesus pointed out sin all the time.  It would be wrong for a Christian to invent a sin or call their personal preferences right.  Christians are not allowed to call sin something that they personally don’t like.  Jesus was clear that certain things are sin.  Christians who point that out are simply telling the truth according to Jesus Christ. 

God always has followers.  There will never be a day when Jesus Christ does not have followers.  True followers of Jesus do have a duty to speak out and tell the truth. We can do this through the power of God. 

·         For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

                        2 Timothy 1:7

God did not leave us without help in facing the world.  Instead of fear God has given us power, love, and a sound mind. 

Yes – we love those who are delusional. God Himself is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Who are we to choose a different path than the one chosen by God?  Pray for the lost, and tell the truth.

Power – the truth has a power all its own.  Just tell the truth.  Tell the truth in your daily life.  Even little lies or half truths can have great consequences.

A sound mind – God has given us discernment meaning we can tell the truth from a lie.  To increase our discernment we need to follow closely some instructions set down for us in the Bible. 

Study the Bible.  2 Timothy 2:15 says,

·         ‘Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.’

No matter how busy you are, you must make time to study the word of God.  Study can include listening to sound Bible teachers on audio. 

Be obedient to all God’s instructions.  There are many Christians who pick and choose the parts of the Bible they want to believe.  They are convinced that God wants them to be happy more than He wants them to be obedient.  These Christians and pseudo-Christians are headed for dire consequences. 

Be patient – do not jump out of the frying pan into the fire.  Remember Abraham who became impatient and begat an illegitimate son through his wife’s handmaid.  Look at the problems that one act of impatience has brought to the entire world!  Wait on the lord.

·         Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

         Hebrews 12:1-2

·         Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.                                                           Psalm 27:14

·         Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. Psalm 37:34

·         Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.                                                                                           Proverbs 20:22

Continue in good works. 

·         To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:  Romans 2:7

·         And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  Galatians 6:9

·         But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. 2 Thessalonians 3:13

·         For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 1 Peter 2:15

·         For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.  1 Peter 3:17

·         Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.  1 Peter 4:19

Be faithful to God and His word even if you suffer for it.  God is righteous in all that He does.  Someday we will see the big picture and understand why some things happened.  In the meantime pray for the brethren who are persecuted for their faith. Your well doing may even put to silence the ignorant and foolish!

Praise the Lord!  Psalm 35:28 says,

‘And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.’ 

This entire Psalm seems to fit the world today very well.  Take time to read it.  But most of all take time to praise the Lord our Redeemer.  God has not changed though the world is changing rapidly.  Heaven is still waiting for Christians.  Reunions with loved ones are still coming in heaven.  Heaven is a very real place filled with very real people who are doing very real and enjoyable things.  Our good works today may be used by God to point lost souls to Jesus Christ.  That will make for more glad reunions for more people. 

A gift from God is like-minded Christians.  Yet, sometimes a true Christian finds themselves in a situation where there is no one to discuss a matter with them.  In cases like these remember Nehemiah, who finding himself in just such a situation, consulted with himself.  There wasn’t anyone around to talk to.  But, Nehemiah went over the things he knew to be true and proceeded to do what was right.  Nehemiah 5:7,

·         ‘Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.’

This is a good example for us to follow when we find ourselves standing alone for something that we know is right according to the word of God.  Do what is right anyway. 

God bless you.

Barbara

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