An Encouraging Word in Evil Times

An Encouraging Word in Evil Times

by Barbara Henderson

Like many of you, I am mightily distressed at the shenanigans going on in the halls of congress now.  I fear that the foundations of our freedoms are being destroyed by those who love neither freedom nor my country.  Thinking people understand that more government control means less freedom.  America is in a downward spiral. I could go on for hours about what is happening, and why it is happening, and who is to blame, and just how awful it is.  However, I know that you already know that.  Instead, I wanted to write something to encourage each of you, but I realized that before I could encourage you, I must first encourage myself.  So, here is what I did.

I realized even more than ever that this world is not my home.  I played Jim Reeves on youtube singing a song with those very words as the title.  I played it about 45 times.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ndMZqT6i4I&feature=PlayList&p=6162F8A7655AE966&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=4  (This World is Not My Home)
It finally changed my thoughts from the things of this world, and I began to ‘encourage myself’.

Then I thought, when we go camping, we spend a short amount of time setting up camp, and the rest of the time just goofing off.  When we are camping, even cooking is sort of goofing off.  We want safety, and comfort. We do as little as possible to set up everything to ensure those things.  We are just passing through the camp area.  It isn’t our home.  When the weekend is over, we will leave it behind and get back to the daily grind.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBEbCy5TfYU&feature=PlayList&p=6162F8A7655AE966&index=6&playnext=3&playnext_from=PL )  (I’ll Fly Away)  

But, there is a day coming when we will leave the daily grind behind and get on to eternity.  We are supposed to do the best we can in accordance with God’s Word while we are in this world, but our earthly home is really no more permanent than a weekend camp site. 

The daily grind is this world.  It is a land where we work hard, grow weary, old, and die.  But, there is a land where we will never grow old.  In that land, there will be a righteous government, with a Righteous King.    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQTFdoF-awA 

(Never Grow Old)
And, thankfully, Christians have the Lord to carry burdens for us.  Remember, ‘Burdens are Lifted at Calvary’.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5YYIdi5Ap0

And, ‘I’ve Got a Mansion Just Over the Hilltop’.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL_OBvnRSME

So, seeing that:
This world is not my home
I will eventually move on from earth to a city not built by hands
I will live in that land no one will ever grow old
The Righteous King will rule there
My burdens can be dumped on Jesus
I’ve Got a better home waiting for me in heaven
….  It is better to not entangle myself with the affairs of this world other than to do what is required of me according to God. 

Music that reminds me of God’s goodness is often my first line of defense when troubles come.  My heart is so heavy when I consider the directions my beloved country is taking, and that our leaders have no love for the God of the Bible.  Music, wonderful gift from God though it is, is  not enough to give me strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.  (Great is thy Faithfulness    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1O8kVT4A-w )   Music is not a substitute for God’s Word, but it can calm the heart and mind.  Music seems to be able to sweep away all the anger, bitterness, fear, and doubts that an event like Congress ramming health care down the throats of the American people brings with it.  Music can prepare our hearts to encourage ourselves in the Lord through reading and studying His word.  Let’s see what the Bible has to say about encouragement.  In just a very quick study this morning, I find four important things mentioned.

1.  David encouraged himself in the lord.  Everyone was against him; there was no friend to encourage him. He went straight to the Lord for encouragement.  That is an example well worth following!  (1 Samuel 30:6  And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.)

2.  This next verse looks like sort of a good circle to me.  The people support the teachers of God’s law.  Then the preachers are free to learn more of God’s teachings, which they pass on to the people.  We are definitely supposed to study and learn on our own, but it is very encouraging to have a preacher who preaches the Gospel truth.  Also, to give to the priests a certain part showed obedience on the part of the giver.  So personal obedience to God is a way of encouraging others.  (The priests in the Bible are not like Catholic priests today.  They were family men.  It refers to the preachers and teachers.  Baptists and other Christians today call them pastors and preachers and evangelists.  Churches support them as they are able, and send out missionary support as well.)

 2 Chronicles 31:4  Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.

3.  In this next verse we are encouraged to serve the Lord.  This verse encourages preachers and teachers to continue in serving the Lord.  When there are preachers and teachers of righteousness, then more people have the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel.

2 Chronicles 35:2
And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD,

4. According to this next verse we are supposed to encourage each other.  Tell our brethren, our fellow laborers, to be encouraged. How often would an encouraging word from a fellow believer been helpful to you?  You can't make others pass out encouragement, but you can make yourself encourage others.

Isaiah 41:7 So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.

Christians need to remember that we are not humanists, and our God is greater than any social gospel preached in some liberal churches or the halls of government.  What America has been, and what I hope to see it become again, is a country where the spirit of the Lord is at home and is welcome.  God obviously knows where He is and is not welcome. A congress who is trying to save the world using bribes and lies obviously does not welcome the Spirit of Truth.  We cannot change the hearts of the elitist/swindlers in congress, and even in the dreadful apostate preachers spewing evil lies throughout the world.  We really only have a choice about what is in our own hearts.  What is in the heart of the individual does make a difference.  If you want to be someone who makes a difference for good, then put the good things of God into your heart. Truth matters.  Never forget that.

By the way, this is not a ‘stick your head in the sand’ and ignore what is going on politically article.  This is an article that hopefully will help us to not be distracted by current events, but will rather help us to focus on the things of eternity.  I suppose there is nothing like having the rug pulled out from under you to make you look for a more stable place to put your rug!  In America, have we Christians placed too much emphasis on the freedoms we enjoy, and not enough emphasis on the things of God?  I do know this much for certain. It is our duty to vote and voice our opinions regarding government; but, these are not the things that will bring about restoring our Godly heritage.  The foundations on which this nation was built can only be repaired by people returning to a Biblical standard of morality and righteousness.  This cannot be legislated or forbidden in government.  That must be done in the heart of the individual.  The way to combat the evil leaders in Washington is to get our own hearts right with God and preach the gospel.  And, that has been our commission all along.  The burden of nationalized health care and additional greedy taxes do not change anything regarding our earthly job or our heavenly eternity.

Standing on the Promises of God   -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ9ZJPIDkis

I Love to Tell the Story - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BE_SryWgNY

Barbara Henderson

Your Own Best Interests - who knows them best - you or the government?

I happen to be someone who wants MORE than the government can give me. I also know my own best interests much better than some bureaucrat!

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Obama says Netanyahu doesn't know his own best interests.  http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=56500 

There is an entire encyclopedia of information on Obama in that simple statement.  The truth is Obama's actions show that he believes that NO ONE – including you and me – have the mental capacity to know our own best interests.  His actions also show that he believes that HE knows our best interests and that gives him the right to circumvent our will.  That is exactly what he is attepting to do with his massive 'executive orders'. The only possible equal to Obama at this time in the arrogant narcissistic field is Michael Bloomberg who believes he has the right to determine what size soda pop people should be allowed to drink and that he knows better than a doctor in an ER how much pain medication someone should have. They want the government to be in charge of everything and dole it out to the people on an 'as needed' basis.  Of course 'as needed according to them - not the people standing in need.'

I happen to be someone who wants MORE than the government can give me.  I also know my own best interests much better than some bureaucrat! 

Here are some things that I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt:

It is not in my best interests to give up my first amendment right to freedom of religion! Since I am also guaranteed freedom of speech in the same amendment I am also guaranteed that I may speak freely about my religion.  I am guaranteed to be able to write what I want to write, assemble publicly and petition the government as a means of addressing grievances. 

(1. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.) 

It is not in my best interests to give up my second amendment right to have guns!

(2. A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.) 

It is not in my best interest to give up my third amendment right to privacy in my home!

(3. No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.)

It is not in my best interest to give up my fourth amendment right to unreasonable search and seizure in the name of ‘safety’.

(4. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.)

It is not in my best interest to give up my fifth amendment right to grand jury indictment and the freedom to refuse to give testimony against myself, or double jeopardy.

(5. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. 

It is not in my best interest to give up my sixth amendment right to a speedy public trial!

(6 In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.)

It is not in my best interest to give up my seventh amendment right to trial by jury in matters over $20. (civil court)

(7. In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.)

It is not in my best interest to give up my eighth amendment right to freedom from excessive bail, excessive fines, or cruel and unusual punishment.  (I have a concern that expressing freedom of religion will cause this amendment to become increasingly important.)

(8. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.)

It is not in my best interest to give up my ninth amendment right to all freedoms not expressly given to the government in the Constitution.

(9.The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.)

It is not in my best interests to give up my tenth amendment right to live in a state where the state has powers not expressly delegated to the US by the Constitution.

(10. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.)

It is also NOT in my best interests to give my life to the government in exchange for entitlements and so-called safety.  It is not in my best interest to let food police tell me what kind of milk I can drink!  (I don’t actually drink milk, but it is infuriating that the government is wasting tax payer dollars prosecuting people for drinking fresh milk!  People have the mental capacity to weigh the risks involved and make a choice.  To the US government I say, ‘Get your nose out of my business!)

Here is an interesting quote by a president that is still revered by most Americans.

‘We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.’

Abraham Lincoln

Now, I wonder exactly what he meant when he said that? 

I know that the America we are facing now has potential for violence.  If Obama – who claims to know our own best interests better than we do – doesn’t stop circumventing the Constitution of the United States of America then violence may be in the future.

Currently Texas is introducing bill in congress stating that it will arrest federal agents who come to Texas to enforce rules that are unconstitutional.  http://www.texasgopvote.com/issues/stop-big-government/tx-reps-toth-simpson-texas-will-arrest-feds-enforcing-obama-gun-orders-and-tsa-005027

Since the big issue is gun control, I believe violence is more than likely.  Actually the big issue has nothing to do with gun control.  It has 100% to do with control period!  The government wants to control YOU and they know that is much harder when the second amendment is in effect. So, once again, those who ‘know your own best interests better than you do’ are attempting to change the public’s perception of the problem.  Total control of the citizens begins with controlling the guns.  There is not one single shred of evidence that taking guns away from citizens who have broken no laws will reduce crimes.  In fact, the evidence proves just the opposite!

Here are some frightening statistics from Australia regarding crime increase after the gun ban there.

‘AUSTRALIA: MORE VIOLENT CRIME DESPITE GUN BAN

April 13, 2009

It is a common fantasy that gun bans make society safer.  In 2002 -- five years after enacting its gun ban -- the Australian Bureau of Criminology acknowledged there is no correlation between gun control and the use of firearms in violent crime.  In fact, the percent of murders committed with a firearm was the highest it had ever been in 2006 (16.3 percent), says the D.C. Examiner.

Even Australia's Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research acknowledges that the gun ban had no significant impact on the amount of gun-involved crime:

In 2006, assault rose 49.2 percent and robbery 6.2 percent.

Sexual assault -- Australia's equivalent term for rape -- increased 29.9 percent.
Overall, Australia's violent crime rate rose 42.2 percent.
Moreover, Australia and the United States -- where no gun-ban exists -- both experienced similar decreases in murder rates:

Between 1995 and 2007, Australia saw a 31.9 percent decrease; without a gun ban, America's rate dropped 31.7 percent.

During the same time period, all other violent crime indices increased in Australia: assault rose 49.2 percent and robbery 6.2 percent.

Sexual assault -- Australia's equivalent term for rape -- increased 29.9 percent.

Overall, Australia's violent crime rate rose 42.2 percent.
At the same time, U.S. violent crime decreased 31.8 percent: rape dropped 19.2 percent; robbery decreased 33.2 percent; aggravated assault dropped 32.2 percent.

Australian women are now raped over three times as often as American women.

While this doesn't prove that more guns would impact crime rates, it does prove that gun control is a flawed policy.  Furthermore, this highlights the most important point: gun banners promote failed policy regardless of the consequences to the people who must live with them, says the Examiner.

Source: Howard Nemerov, "Australia experiencing more violent crime despite gun ban," D.C. Examiner, April 8, 2009.

http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_ID=17847 ‘

Here we are in America liberals are attempting to circumvent the second amendment ‘in our own best interests’ when they obviously have no care for those who have to live with the consequences of their vile actions.  Honestly – all they are doing is what is in THEIR own best interests.  They want more power. They are willing to take it if we let them. 

 

 

 

 

Visit Barbara Henderson'a Author page

Change Your Life By Praying for Others

Change Your Life By Praying For Others!

It is sad but all too true that we in America have a dreadful group of people elected to office currently serving  in every city, county, state, and Washington DC.  They are placing burdens on other men’s backs which they themselves have no intention of bearing.  They are basically condescending, hateful, arrogant jerks.  They oppose everything right.  They call evil good and good evil.  What is the duty of Christians to such people?  How should we respond to their evil ways?

First, we have to call evil evil, and good good.  We are just supposed to tell the truth.  We should not kid ourselves that the evil world rulers have any fear or awe of the Most High God of the Bible.  They are enemies of the cross.  Those who accept and push forward their evil agendas are also enemies of the cross.

Second, we are to consider what our response to these people should be.  What is the duty of the Christian in response to their evil actions?

According to 1 Samuel chapter 12 it is our duty to pray for them. 

If we do not pray for them, we are sinning against God.  Man! That is hard to swallow.  I really don’t want to pray for them.  I WANT to curse them!  I have a choice.  I can follow my own heart, and curse them, and even pray for their immediate destruction.  OR, I can obey my God and pray for them.  Mind you, I am NOT praying for their success in the evil they are attempting to bring on this country and my family.  I am praying they will turn from evil and do good. 

I am praying Acts 26:18 which says, ‘to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by the faith that is in me.’  This was Paul telling King Agrippa what Christ had instructed him to do. 

I Samuel tells us that the people of Israel had sinned against God by demanding an earthly king.  What they asked was basically that a ‘middle man’ be put in place between them and God.  They didn’t like the answers and instructions they were getting from God Himself, so they choose an earthly leader who might  say what their itching ears wanted to here.  In truth, they had stepped off the way of righteousness, and had chosen instead to do what seemed right to them or for them at the moment.  (How many times have you heard someone say they were doing what was right for them when they were jumping into sin with both feet?  It seems to me that the ‘doing what is right for me’ people are usually excusing their adultery.)  Anyway, back to the subject of prayer.  Israel as a nation had just done a one-eighty from the path of righteousness in demanding an earthly king.  Samuel must have been devastated.  They had rejected the God who made them a nation, and they had rejected Samuel as being chosen by God as their leader.

Then, as most selfish and ungodly people, they requested that the very one whom they had rejected pray for them!  Samuel’s response was to say, ‘Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:’. (Verse 23)

What this amounts to is that Samuel did not let their actions cause him to turn from doing what the Lord required of him personally.  What courage and unselfishness that took on Samuel’s part.  That is what we should do as well. 

Honestly, those who persecute God’s people, belittle and ridicule them, and hate them are not worthy of our prayer.  However, we also are not worthy of God’s salvation and mercy.  What matters is that the individual Christian stay faithful and continue to do what God requires of them.  The Prophet Samuel says he personally will not sin against God by ceasing to pray for these people.  That should be the goal of every Christian.  Forget the world, look to God, and do what God says to do.  We are to pray for our enemies.

Matthew 5:44 says, ‘But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that despitefully use you, and persecute you;’.

Luke 6:28 says, ‘Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.’

Can it be made any clearer than this?  We are to continue to pray for those who do not deserve it.

AND, there is blessing and goodness for those who obey the instruction to pray for our enemies.  Consider Job.  The Lord allowed that Job be persecuted by Satan himself.  He lost all his wealth and family.  Then, instead of friends praying for him and coming to him with prayers and help, they sat down to pick apart his life in search of some sin that would have brought such heartache to him.  We cannot stop ‘friends’ from behaving so badly, but we can stop ourselves from being such a dreadful friend. 

In the end, the prayers of Job’s friends were refused by God.  Instead God instructed them to go and ask Job to pray for them.  At their request, Job did pray for them in spite of how they had just treated them.  According to Job 42:10, the result of Job’s prayer was, ‘And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also, the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.’

Today, Christians have the same choice as Job and Samuel.  Will we obey God’s instructions to pray for others – even those who definitely do not deserve it?  If we do not, we are in direct violation of what God has told us to do.  It is for our own good that we pray for our enemies.  It helps to remember that we have no righteous or merit on our own.  Except for the grace of God, each Christian would also be separated from God.  God extended the offer of salvation to mankind when not one person was worthy of such mercy and grace.  By His example, we are to pray for those who have not received the gift of eternal life from God, as well as for those who of the household of faith.

In refusing or neglecting to pray for our leaders, we are making the matter worse.  Unless they turn from their wicked ways, they will heap more misery on the people over which they rule.  By praying for them, we are doing the will of God. 

Finally, I know that it seems useless to pray for our leaders in terms of immediate results, or even long term results.  The Bible gives us encouragement to do what is right regardless of what we see as happening.  Galatians 6:9 says, ‘And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.’ 

So, be obedient to God in praying for others.  Look forward to the ‘due season’ when we shall reap if we faint not.

The song for this article is ‘There is Always a Blessing in Prayer’.  It is an old hymn that can lift the spirits of any Christian in any age.  It can also strengthen the weary soul to do what is right, which to pray one for another.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/l/blespray.htm 

There is rest, sweet rest, at the Master’s feet.

There is favor now at the mercy seat,
For a toning blood has been sprinkled there;
There is always a blessing, a blessing in prayer.

Refrain

There’s a blessing in prayer, in believing prayer,
When our Savior’s Name to throne we bear;
Then a Father’s love will receive us there,
There is always a blessing, a blessing prayer.

There is grace to help in our time of need,

For our Friend above is a Friend, indeed’
We may cas on Him every grief and care;
There is always a blessing, a blessing prayer.

Refrain

When our songs are glad with the joy of life,
When our hearts are sad with its ills and strife,
When the powers of sin would the soul ensnare,
There is always a blessing a blessing in prayer.

Refrain

There is perfect peace tho’ the wild waves roll,
There are gifts of love for the seeking soul,
Till we praise the Lord in His home so fair,
There is always a blessing, a blessing in prayer.

Refrain

Thanks for reading my article.

Barbara Henderson

Dear  Readers,

Once again someone has left a negative review on my book ‘Everyday Prepping for Beginners’. 
http://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Prepping-for-Beginners-ebook/dp/B00A4LJMK4/ref=la_B007YWIYFU_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1357493952&sr=1-2

The review is negative  BECAUSE the book is written from a Christian world view.  I would sincerely appreciate kind reviews from readers.  You can also help by simply commenting on the reviews that are there. I started a discussion at the bottom of the page where you can comment on your opinion of being mentally prepared.  The first 3 chapters of the book deal with self-definition, self-discipline, self-reliance, and scripture memorization.  The rest of the book is very basic prepping for people just starting to think about how to be better prepared for everyday and for the future.  It is a very simple little book reasonably priced.  The description clearly states that, so I don’t know what these people leaving bad reviews are thinking when they buy the book.  Anyway, thank you all in advance.  I appreciate any help you can give me.

Barbara