Archive for March, 2007



 

DOES GOD HAVE AN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN?

 
 30 Mar 2007 @ 6:10 AM 

By Thomas R. Horn
Today, a strange paradox exits. What looks like the fulfillment of prophecy is everywhere; unrest in the Middle East, the rise of a European Superstate, the alignment of Gog and Magog, forming of a national ID and gateways through biotechnology that could unleash upon earth pestilence of biblical proportions. People from all three of the world’s great religions see these developments as potential omens of an ‘End Times’ scenario leading to the Apocalypse.

Yet many believers in God, especially in America, are indifferent to the need to prepare for the unexpected.

An article by Mimi Hall in USA TODAY this week said, “Most Americans haven’t taken steps to prepare for a natural disaster, terrorist attack or other emergency, according to a new study on preparedness, and only about a third have made plans with family members about how they would communicate with each other during a crisis.”

Part of the reason for this may be that we are well off in the United States, and we trust in our bank accounts to sustain us. Unfortunately, money sitting in savings and investments are useless if you become stuck in a storm or other crisis.

Another disarming reason I witnessed during my 25 years of pastoring for why people of faith neglect preparedness has to do with an odd defeatism that says, “If current events are prophesied to happen, then there’s nothing we can do about it anyway.”

The notion that calamity is unavoidable if it is divinely predicted is even sanctioned by some expositors who miss the pattern for preparedness in the Bible. While it is true that famine was prophesied for Egypt, it is also a fact that God led Joseph to prepare for it, and, as a result, he saved his family and the nations around about.

Proverbs 22:3 tells us that a prudent person will foresee such difficulties and prepare for them, while a simpleton will go blindly on and suffer the consequences. This is good advice not only for religious folks, but also people of any persuasion.

A third and perhaps the greatest reason why some people, including religious people never plan for disaster, is that they view the need to prepare for the unexpected as too complicated and costly. They imagine the back yard being dug up for construction of a massive bomb shelter and the basement crammed with row after row of dry grains and large containers filled with backup water.

The truth is, survival preparation is modestly affordable. Under most circumstances, the ability for individuals to remain mobile for a few days to a week or so by simply grabbing an inexpensive “survival bag” and heading out is more important than silos filled with long term storage foods.

Even when we envision a worse case scenario – such as a terrorist nuke or ICBM exchange – low-cost shelters, that can be built at home and combined with a minimal amount of Potassium Iodide, would help keep as much as 99 percent of the population alive according to one synopsis by the Department of Homeland Security. Designs for building such family shelters are available free online at places like www.SurvivorMall.com.

While having to try to endure radioactive fallout is a growing possibility, the fact is that most people are more likely to face disaster as a result of things like nature.

A few weeks ago a journalist became lost in a snowstorm in Oregon and died from the exposure to freezing temperatures. If his car had been equipped with a survival kit, he would have had an excellent chance of survival.

During Hurricane Katrina, one woman had an emergency supplies kit in her attic that kept her and her two cats alive for days until help arrived. Another man, a doctor who had read “Dare to Prepare” by Holly Deyo and followed its instructions, was prepared with equipment and supplies. His house became a gathering place for people displaced by the storm.

For reasons such as these, my wife and I recently provided each of our children with a “walk out” kit for the trunks of their cars. These emergency bags contain enough food, water, shelter, first aid, lighting and communication supplies to keep them alive for days in the case of a vehicle malfunction or other situation where they would need to abandon their car.

Many of the items vital for a good survival kit can be found at your local shopping center: an inexpensive poncho, a basic first aid assortment, nylon cord, canvas for temporary shelter, duck tape, a whistle. Other items are a bit trickier to find and may need to be acquired from one of many online emergency preparedness companies. These include five-year-shelf-life food bars, five-year-shelf-life water boxes or pouches, paper-thin thermal blankets designed by NASA to retain body heat, special hand-crank combination flashlights with radios and emergency signals built in, and so on. My personal favorite is the “Transformer 4 in 1 Radio Flashlight,” which requires no maintenance, no batteries, no bulb replacements, and can even power your cell phone.

Pre-made emergency kits containing items such as those above can be acquired online at costs from $30.00 and up, depending on the number of people and the number of days they are designed to sustain.

Why then, given how affordable disaster preparedness is, are so many people unprepared for an emergency?

Within “faith communities,” part of the problem goes back to western dispensational fatalism that fails to see God’s instructions about the future and the responsibility He gives concerning preparation. Church authorities may speak of the hidden shelter that God provides His followers during a storm, yet often fail to see the believer’s responsibility cast throughout the Bible where we are to care for our families and communities by readying for the unknown.

Some teachers also erroneously believe that emergency preparedness reflects a lack of faith in God.

The opposite is true. The Book of James measures faith by personal action, and Hebrews 11:7 describes true faith this way: “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear and prepared an ark to the saving of his house.”

God told Noah that He would destroy the earth by a flood. He gave Noah instructions on how to be prepared so that he and his family could survive. Noah didn’t know when the flood would come, only that it was prophesied, and he prepared for it. When the Flood arrived, he was ready. His faith in and obedience to God’s word, his survival instincts, and ultimately his preparedness actions saved his family and preserved the human race.

The parallel between Noah and today is astounding. “As it was in the days of Noah,” says Luke 17:26-27 concerning the last days. Noah’s actions should define the modern believer’s responsibility, including the need for spiritual and physical preparedness.

Of course there are other places in the Bible that provide lessons about preparedness, including principles in the Books of Psalms and Proverbs, the parable of the faithful and evil servants (Matthew 24:45-51) and the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). But 1 Timothy 5:8 goes even further, saying that a person who does not provide for the survival of their relatives has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Given these instructions and the belief held by many today that we are living in “the last days” or at a minimum a time of unusual earth changes, leaders of religious institutions urgently need to educate their followers about taking personal responsibility for preparedness in an age of growing uncertainty. Dramatic lessons over the last few years have proven that we cannot depend on government agencies such as FEMA to save us if we need them. In fact, a report last month found that five years after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, the government still isn’t fully prepared to respond to a major public health emergency such as bioterrorism or a pandemic flu outbreak.

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Posted By: Watchman
Last Edit: 30 Mar 2007 @ 06:10 AM

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Israel Seeks Peace Through Two-State Solution

 
 28 Mar 2007 @ 5:43 AM 

While Israel Seeks Peace Through Two-State Solution, Hamas Hardliners Continue to Embrace Terror

Israel renewed its efforts to find a peaceable solution to the Israeli-Arab conflict this week, with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert agreeing to meet regularly for talks with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas after both held discussions with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.According to a senior U.S. official, “The issues [to be discussed] would be security, humanitarian and the political horizon.” [1]

The Olmert government has already said that its political horizon is a negotiated settlement for a Jewish and Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace.

Rice and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stopped in Jerusalem this week prior to the Riyadh Summit, which is to take place March 28-29 in Saudi Arabia.

Both Rice and Ban refused to meet with Hamas members of the new Palestinian unity government, noting that Hamas has still refused to meet the three conditions laid down by the so-called Middle East Quartet (the United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia): renunciation of violence and terror, recognizing Israel’s right to exist and honoring past Israeli-Palestinian agreements. [2]

The political platform adopted by the new Palestinian unity government last week specifically approved “resistance in all its forms,” [3] which includes continued terror attacks on Israelis, the firing of Qassam rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory, and the continued holding of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, kidnapped from Israeli territory into the Gaza Strip on June 29, 2006.Following the Feb. 19 trilateral summit between Rice, Olmert and Abbas, the U.S. Secretary of State returned to the region this week to garner support among the ‘Arab Quartet’- Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – for reviving Saudi Arabia’s 2002 peace initiative.

The Saudi Initiative, a basis for normalized relations between Israel and the Arab world, was scripted by Saudi’s Crown Prince Abdullah – first as an interview with Thomas Friedman in The New York Times in Feb. 2002 and again one month later at the March 2002 Arab League summit in Beirut, Lebanon. [4]

At the time, then-Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said that the initiative was “an interesting idea.” [5]

More recently, Olmert and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni both spoke of “positive elements” in the Saudi plan as a basis for negotiations. [6]

“We sincerely hope that at the summit of the Arab leaders in Riyadh, the positive element in the Saudi initiative will be emphasized and would maybe allow an opportunity to strengthen the chances for negotiations with the Palestinians on its basis,” said Olmert. [7]

said Olmert. The Saudi Initiative, Based on the 2002 Model

The three key clauses for Israel, outlined by the Arab League in the 2002 Saudi Initiative adopted at the Beirut summit are: The three key clauses for Israel, outlined by the Arab League in the 2002 Saudi Initiative adopted at the Beirut summit are: [8]

I- Full Israeli withdrawal from all the territories occupied since 1967, including the Syrian Golan Heights, to the June 4, 1967 lines as well as the remaining occupied Lebanese territories in the south of Lebanon.

II- Achievement of a just solution to the Palestinian refugee problem to be agreed upon in accordance with U.N. General Assembly Resolution 194.

III- The acceptance of the establishment of a sovereign independent Palestinian state on the Palestinian territories occupied since June 4, 1967 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In return, Arab leaders guaranteed a cessation to the Arab-Israeli conflict, to negotiate a peace agreement with Israel and to fully normalize relations with the Jewish state.On March 24, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon landed in Israel and was met by Israeli Minister of Defense, Amir Peretz. Ban and Peretz discussed a range of political and security matters. [9]

Threats emanating from Iran, Syria and Lebanon were also on the agenda.

Ban met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday, March 25.

The Middle East is the U.N. chief’s second international tour since becoming Secretary-General. [10] His first trip was to several African countries.As a member of the international Quartet Commission (United Nations, European Union, United States and Russia), Ban said on March 24 in Cairo, “We [U.N.] expect that the national unity government will meet the expectations of the international community for peace and security in the region.” [11]

The Quartet requires that the PA government fully recognize the State of Israel, comply with former peace agreements and renounce terror.

However, the Hamas-led PA unity government, comprised of Fatah, Hamas and independent technocrats, still has not accepted all three of the Quartet’s conditions. [12]

Shortly after the Secretary-General landed in Israel, the 15-member U.N. Security Council unanimously passed a new resolution against Iran, which will halt all military exports to the Islamic Republic and freeze 28 Iranian personal and institutional financial accounts. After Iran failed to comply with the U.N.’s 60-day deadline for halting all nuclear enrichment activity, the Security Council voted for harsher sanctions against Tehran. [13]

On Saturday, March 24, Secretary-General Ban and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with foreign ministers from the ‘Arab Quartet’ to discus Arab opportunities for negotiations with Israel. [14]

Statements by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

March 27

In a joint-press conference with PM Olmert, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “The Quartet would like to see this government clearly committed to nonviolence, recognition of Israel and acceptance of existing agreements and it will be assessed by its actions in the future. A vital first step would be for the new government to take action against the firing of rockets from Gaza and to secure the release of Corporal Shalit.”In a joint-press conference with PM Olmert, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, [15]

March 15

U.N. spokesperson Michele Montas said Secretary-General Ban “hoped that the Palestinian government [sic] would respect all existing agreements and reflect principles outlined by the diplomatic Quartet, the international grouping that includes the U.N. as well as the European Union, Russian Federation and the United States.” [16]

February 27“Both Palestinians and the wider regional and international community are keen to see this agreement implemented in a positive manner. I hope that a national unity Government will take positions and actions that help to facilitate renewed international support,” said Ban at the 2007 session of the Committee on the Exercise of Inalienable Rights of the Palestian People. [17]

said Ban at the 2007 session of the Committee on the Exercise of Inalienable Rights of the Palestian People.
Hamas’s Intransigence

On March 26, Israel Radio quoted Hamas’ Syrian-based political chief Khaled Mashaal as saying that Hamas has not ceased its armed struggle against Israel and militants are waiting to set in motion another Intifada (popular uprising). [18]

Hamas is calling for the ‘persecution’ of Nemr Hammad, a political advisor to Abu Mazen, for his “unwarranted” and “erred” statement of a resumption of cooperation between Israeli and P.A. security forces. Hamas fears that a joint Israel-P.A. security force would lead to the disbandment of all militant cells. [19]

According to the Israel Defense Forces spokesperson’s office, between March 5 and March 19 a total of 13 Qassam rockets and mortar shells were launched from the Gaza Strip. Six of the rockets and shells landed in Israel.

 

Footnotes

[1] Arshad, Mohammed, “Israel, Palestinian leaders agree to regular talks,” Reuters, March 27, 2007, http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSL2711123320070327
[2] Al-Mughrabi, Nidal, “Palestinian PM says new cabinet backs ‘resistance,’ ” Reuters, March 17, 2007, http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-03-17T105834Z_01_L16527358_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-PALESTINIANS-COL.XML
[3] Ibid.
[4] Usher, Graham, “The Saudi initiative,” Al-Ahram Weekly Online, Feb. 28-March 6, 2002, Issue No. 575, http://weekly.ahram.org,eg/2002/575/fr3.htm
[5] Ibid.
[6] Erlanger, Steve, “2002 Saudi plan revived as spur to Arab-Israeli talks,” The New York Times, March 23, 2007, http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/13/world/middleeast/13mideast.html?ex=1331438400&en=93dd7ffe8010b7ff&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
[7] Ibid.
[8] “The Arab Peace Initiative, 2002,” Al-Bab.com, http://www.al-bab.com/arab/docs/league/peace02.htm
[9] Sofer, Ronny, “UN Secretary-General lands in Israel,” YnetNews, March 24, 2007, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3380504,00.html
[10] “UN chief announces Mideast visit,” published in YnetNews via Associated Press, March 10, 2007, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3374561,00.html
[11] News Agencies, “UN chief urges PA government to meet expectations of the international community,” Haaretz, March 23, 2007, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/841355.html
[12] Department of Public Information ” Statement by Middle East Quartet,” United Nations, Secretary -General, SG/2125, PAL/2071, March 21, 2007, http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/sg2125.doc.htm
[13] Lynch, Colum, and Branigin, William, “UN Security Council unanimously approves Iran sanctions,” The Washington Post, March 24, 2007, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/24/AR2007032400576.html
[14] News Agencies, “Rice discusses peace efforts with foreign ministers of ‘Arab Quartet,’” Haaretz, March 24, 2007, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/841348.html
[15] “Joint press conference by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, March 26, 2007, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Spe
eches+by+Israeli+leaders/2007/Joint+Press+Conference+by+PM+Olmert+and+UN+Secy-Gen+Ki-moon+26-Mar-2007.htm
[16] “Secretary-General welcomes new Palestinian government,” United Nations News Centre, March 15, 2007, http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21876&Cr=Palestin&Cr1
[17] Department of Public Information, “World community must take advantage of ‘political opportunities at hand,’” United Nations, Secretary-General SG/SM/10892, GA/PAL/1039, Feb. 27, 2007, http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/sgsm10892.doc.htm
[18] JPost.com Staff, “Mahaal: Hamas has not abandoned armed struggle,” The Jerusalem Post, March 27, 2007, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1173879183952&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
[19] “Hamas: Hammad’s call tantamount to national treason,” Palestine Information Center, March 26, 2007, http://www.palestine-info.com/en/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MDI46m9rUxJEpMO%2bi1s74o7N0890ODj68nE9oGkw9AE8EfRzPkzAglIk5jpapwnbH17teZAk
B8c4PyMLo4xxz5ZiZR430VNwUYlOzTuRD7r4QrWE8NFA6IgNkgqviyI%3d

 


The Israel Project  is an international non-profit organization devoted to educating the press and the public about Israel while promoting security, freedom and peace. The Israel Project provides journalists, leaders and opinion-makers accurate information about Israel. The Israel Project is not related to any government or government agency.

 

Posted By: Watchman
Last Edit: 28 Mar 2007 @ 05:43 AM

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Close to Home

 
 28 Mar 2007 @ 5:34 AM 

Summary: A real life story about a young woman who we know and the lesson that it brings to life. If we don’t tell people about the true gospel of God, then who will? The sad story of what happened to this lady is facing many in our society. The problems may be different, but the solution is the same. The true delivering power of Jesus Christ.

Daniel 12:10  Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

2 Timothy 3:1  ¶This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

 

I heard a shriek from the bedroom. As I moved quickly to react to what I had heard, I again heard the cry, “Oh, no!” I entered the room to find my wife looking at a picture on a website from the local news in town. The big story was to be featured as well in the next day’s papers. It was the story of a young woman who we had come to know on our regular business in town. My wife had gotten to know her and talk with her.

The story of this young woman is probably not new at all. She had drug problems and when we came to know her, the habit had been gone from her for a year. The word is “clean”, being clean from the use and addiction to drugs. The society we live in is adrift in the drug culture. From Prescription to the illegal use of narcotics, this culture seems adrift in it. All had been going fine, or so we thought. The woman somehow had now managed to get herself caught up in murder. The man she was with now, her husband or so we thought, had been shot numerous times. This woman had shot him after some drinking and arguments. She admitted to the police what had happened and now stood before the court in tears. The picture my wife looked at was a horrible scene. The D.A. was aiming at Murder One, being a premeditated act. This young lady, who we knew, now faced life in prison or the death penalty. My heart fell as I looked at the picture, “what a waste” I thought out loud.

We had seen her many times and talked with her. It was more of listening as this young woman, who really liked to talk. Over the course of the time we knew her; we could not or was not able to work in how important it was for this young woman to know the Lord. The bottom line was, many times when we talk to people about what we see as coming on America and the church, no one believes us. When we talk about the need to repent, many just look at us as being weird. The truth is, people need to repent. The days we live in are truly perilous, just as Paul said in 2 Timothy chapter 3.

The day and age we live in brings to us one important point after another, of which is the sad scene today in America, and the true coldness of many churches to outsiders. Add to this the division among churches, secularism of the gospel, and the spread of the prosperity gospel has brought a message which is devoid of substance and power.

Today, we know that people who do not know God cannot come to him, unless the Spirit draws that person. Unless we pray for the unbelievers and spread the gospel of salvation, how can a person be saved? We live in a society today that is religious, powerful, and rich. It is one which sees America as having built herself up. The pride we have is seen in the way we blatantly curse God and do what we want. Scripture tells us in these days we live in, that the “wicked will not understand”, see Daniel. The times will be full of wickedness, trouble, and turmoil. For those who do not know God, they will not understand what is really happening. For them it might just be Global warming, power hungry dictators, or violent people causing all the trouble. The only ones who really know what is happening are the “righteous of God”, which are those who are born again, walking in obedience with Jesus Christ our Lord, keeping his commandments and his faith.

If we who know what is going on don’t warn the wicked, then who will? If the church doesn’t present the true gospel of God, then who will? The answer to both is, no one will. God, however, will still hold us accountable for what we do. Remember what Christ said about the “salt losing its savor”? The church, its people, and many leaders today have lost their savor. This savor is the excitement, faith, and love of Jesus Christ. It is following in true obedience to the known will of God.

This young woman, whom we know, is just one of the many people we meet in our daily life. I have stood with people talking about many things. In those talks I try to bring around the judgment we are facing. The truth is, we need to bring to people another fact that Christ died for. That is “whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved”. If we cannot give that message, then what will the Lord say about us?

Posted By: Watchman
Last Edit: 28 Mar 2007 @ 05:34 AM

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Paradox: He comes who is to come

 
 23 Mar 2007 @ 9:19 AM 

Paradox: He comes who is to come

The Watchman Declarations

Let the Watchman declare what he sees.. Isaiah 21:6

March 23, 2007

 

He came to bear the sins of man, yet they rejected Him

Another comes in his own name

This other one has no salvation in him, yet they accept him

 

He came to bear the burdens of men, yet they cared not why he came

He gathered the lost sheep, as a shepherd, does he bring them in

Yet for all this, men reject him as the prophets foretold

 

The Wicked do wickedly and love it so

The righteous are hated and despised

The righteous are become as thorns and briers

The fire burneth them up in the midst

Out of it comes the Gold and precious faith

 

The World has become a cesspool

Within this dwells Sodom and Gomorrah

Within this they put off the Lord

The tear his chains from off themselves

Breaking the bonds of the Almighty

They rally to bring down the most High as the prophets foretold

 

It is come, it is come, saith the Lord

I shall burn like the Sun, I shall devour the rebellious

The Day is come, night has vanished, into eternity has it gone

 

They shall cry, where is justice?

They shall fell at the sound of my fury.

Where shall you go, I ask?

Where can you hide, that I cannot see?

My arm shall break your rebellion

My justice shall surround your cord

Upon the land shall I break it

Like a fury, in a tempest, none shall escape

 

Awaken O children of men

Provoke me not O’rebellious one, make peace with thy God now

For surely I rise and come

It shall not go pleasant with thee

For in thy wickedness and rebellion you have laid claim

In thy ways you have solidified your path

Thy feet walk in unwise ways, thy mouth is the fruit of vipers

Thy heart is cold like stone

Where is wisdom?

Where is Salvation?

Look not to thy own wisdom, O foolish ones, shall I not destroy?

Shall I not bring down the Wicked?

 

Learn of me and live, seek me and be safe..

For in me is Truth and Salvation..

For it is of me, the Prophets foretold..

The true state of my Grace and Mercy has been given..

For all who would repent and believe

Upon Calvary, the cross, I conquered, I died, I arose..

That you may believe, be saved, and be delivered..

The name is Jesus Christ, Messiah Yeshua.

The Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, surely I come…

I come quickly, so do not put off, seek my favor while you can..

Posted By: Watchman
Last Edit: 23 Mar 2007 @ 09:19 AM

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Taking Away the Pain

 
 21 Mar 2007 @ 6:20 AM 

Summary: Wanting to take away the Pain. This is what a loving God wanted to do before the foundation of the world. It is that love described in John 3:16 that tells us the purpose of our Father. As a loving parent, our maker, wanted to take away the pain of sin and death for his creation. In this, we find true mercy, grace, and love unending.

Every parent knows the hurts their children go through. Many times the children we bear have to go through things that make the hearts of the parent hurt. How many times have I said to myself “I wish I could take away the pain”, or “How I wish I could prevent them from going through this”. During those times, the heart throbs and hurts, as you realize the parents cannot walk this life for their children. The child has to walk his or her own path. They have to reap what they sow and they have to learn and be taught.

It is this attitude of wanting to take away the pain, which I believe the Father feels towards us. After all it was his working to deliver us from the biggest pain we face as humans. That is being redeemed from our sins. The Father made it possible for us before the foundation of the world. For it was there the plans were laid to send His son, Jesus Christ to die as a sacrificial lamb for the sins of the world.

Revelation 13:8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Even John the Baptist knew who Jesus was. He was the Lamb that was to come, the Lamb prophesied by Isaiah. Jesus was the Lamb which would take away the sins of the world.

John 1:29  ¶The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

As the sacrifice, Jesus would be oppressed, afflicted for the sins of many. As a Lamb, he opened not his mouth, as he was led to the slaughter.

Isaiah 53:7  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

It is in this sacrifice for our sins that the wayward sons and daughters can come again to the Father, through the Son. Jesus revealed this life eternal and deliverance to us when he prayed thus:

John 17:1  ¶These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

2  As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

4  I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

In this prayer, he spoke of the work had been finished which the Father gave to him to do. The true life eternal he brought was that we “might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.

Paul also speaks of comfort, mercies, and consolation. These words are potent as they reveal what many parents, even the Father himself feels towards his children. To provide not only salvation from sin, but comfort, mercy, and consolation in the tribulations of the children of God.

2 Corinthians 1:3  ¶Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

5  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

6  And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

7  ¶And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

In Revelation we see that the Lamb, who died for our sins, Jesus Christ, will be there for us. It will be through the “blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony, and loving our lives not unto the death” that we will overcome. It is also revealed that the Lamb shall feed us, leading us to the living fountains of waters, and then wiping our tears away. It is in this hope, that we today can find comfort and know that God indeed has worked to “take our pain away”, i.e., the pain of death because of separation from God because of sin. Add to this the Pain coming from sorrow, hatred, trials, tribulations, and the daily stresses of life. For all this, the Lamb of God died to redeem you and me, bringing us into the presence of God.

Revelation 7:14  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 7:17  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Revelation 12:11  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

It is in this work of God now there allows us to come boldly unto the throne of Grace and obtain mercy, grace, and find help from our Father in heaven. This was made possible by the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ our Lord and his work on the cross.

Hebrews 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The apostle Paul in Colossians gives us a summary of this deliverance and work of Christ Jesus. Read it carefully and understand what he is saying.

Colossians 2:6  As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

7  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

9  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

10  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

11  In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

12  Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

13  ¶And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

15  And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

There is one name that brings us deliverance and salvation, the name Jesus Christ our Lord.

Acts 4:10  Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11  This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Posted By: Watchman
Last Edit: 21 Mar 2007 @ 06:20 AM

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Indiian-Gypsies: From Occultism to Christ

 
 19 Mar 2007 @ 1:04 PM 

India

Indian Gypsies: From Occultism to Christ

By Steven Little
CBN News

CWNews.com–When you think of gypsies, you might get an image of traveling vagabonds who live by their wits.

But the gypsies in our next story are settling down and starting new lives, and they’re experiencing a remarkable transformation.

They are the Vaghri people of South India.
    
They’re gypsies — and for centuries they’ve lived a nomadic life, wandering in the forests and living off the land.
    
And even though south India is predominantly Christian, there was no church among them.

They were always resistant to the Gospel because they were deeply involved in occultism and also sacrificing of animals, like buffalos or goats, to appease the gods and goddesses they worshipped.
    
As part of their spirit worship, the gypsies practiced a ritual some Christians might find familiar:    
    
They drank the blood of the sacrificed animal and ate the meat with unleavened bread.
     
Bishop Ezra Sargunam of the Evangelical Church in India says that this ‘counterfeit communion’ created an opening for the Gospel.

He said, “We feel that this could be the beginning of something — an entry point as far as we are concerned. So our evangelists started explaining to them and we told them, ‘Well, you don’t have to sacrifice anymore. Christ has died once for all and His blood is available. And in remembrance you can take the communion with us once you become Christian and baptized…’ That functional substitute really worked in their hearts and lives.”
    
It worked so well that today about 20 percent of the 500,000 Vaghri gypsies have accepted Christ.
    
And a ministry that started with a small band of evangelists 10 years ago, now has more than 70 churches.
    
In those churches, the Vaghri Christians joyfully celebrate their freedom in Christ.

You see some of them worshipping in the Lord — they really worship!” said Bishop Sargunam. “Other congregations, they’ll be silent; you don’t know whether they’re having a funeral service or not. But their services are really lively, they’re lively. They used to dance, drink and dance before their sacrifice, but now they dance in the Spirit.”
      
ECI is helping the gypsy Christians settle down and build lives for their families. And it’s helping future generations by placing the children in Christian schools.
    
Sargunam says these physical transformations are powerful evidence of God’s work.

“The greatest, unique thing about the gypsy movement is that many people, Christians, would not get near them because they stink, they never bathe, they’re dirty, filthy, the children running around naked,” Sargunam said. “Now, you will see the contrast, you will see the change, (and) the children (are) attending English medium schools.”
    
The Vaghri gypsies are just one of hundreds of tribes that the Evangelical Church in India is reaching.
   
But no matter how different the people or how difficult the circumstances, the message is always the same.

Sargunam said, “It’s the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Every people group we go to always looks very tough. Man-eaters, cannibals. How is your life transformed? The Gospel is so powerful it transformed the lives of the people socially, economically, religiously, spiritually — in all respects.”

Posted By: Watchman
Last Edit: 19 Mar 2007 @ 01:04 PM

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Religious and Political Immorality, Friday 7 pm MST

 
 15 Mar 2007 @ 9:45 AM 

This week on the Watchman Prophecy Today show, we will be going through Amos.

This week we will be discussing the Prosperity and Ease of Zion: Religious and Political Immorality. How this relates to America today and the Church.

Subject: The Watchman Prophecy Today Show will be broadcast live , Friday March 16th at 7:00 PM MST ( 5:00 PM EST). My radio show can be found here – www.blogtalkradio.com/the-watchman

Just click on the link to reach my host channel. When the show starts just click THE LISTEN LIVE button. If you want call in, please drop me a line at (646) 652-2575.If you can’t make the live show, than go to www.blogtalkradio.com/the-watchman and you can listen to the archive, subscribe via RSS into ITunes and check out upcoming shows.

Any suggestions, ideas or comments please email me.Regards, the Watchman..

Schedule:On The Watchman Prophecy Today Shows!

Tuesdays: 3pm: Hot Prophecy News:

Fresh each week, we bring you the hottest news, views, and events. We are Watching the rise of the Beast and bringing you the reports. Watching for Jesus Christ. Tonight: Friday 7pm:The Preparation Room: Don’t Miss this !

Amos and America.. Types and Warnings from Amos…Continuing our seriesGetting prepared for what is coming. Surviving the onslaught, being prepared, what you need to do, fellowship, talk, call ins, guests, Biblically correct..

Saturday’s 10 Am:Conversations with the WatchmanWe feature:Prophecy headlines, topics, guests, co hosts, with the latest on current trends

Conversations, watchman, prophecy, end time, discussions, preparations, news, guests,signs end time, christians, Jesus Christ, Lord

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Last Edit: 15 Mar 2007 @ 09:45 AM

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China COMING SOON THE BIRTH OF AN ORPHANAGE

 
 12 Mar 2007 @ 8:37 AM 

COMING SOON THE BIRTH OF AN ORPHANAGE

March 11, 2007

BACKGROUND

It all started by loving their neighbors. The SD church was distributing Christian literature during the Chinese New Year. Their success was overwhelming so the PSB police came and inquired. Philip the pastor said to them, that new Christians will become good citizens and the police can stay in their office and drink tea. The PSB then left them alone.

Then one local party leader had told Philip “to ask more foreigners to preach in their church, his purpose was to attract the foreigners to invest in their city.” (Jon Dee preached in their church last fall). The Lord put it in my heart to ask Philip to consider going to the leader and suggest that foreign funds could come in to start an orphanage. The SD Church went to prayer and were encouraged by the Holy Spirit not only start an orphanage but to include seniors and handicapped in the home as well.

Long story short: The government accepted their project and asked Philip to draft a plan and submit it to them. Philip’s vision is to build a 2 floors building, contain 150 people(orphans, handicapped, elders etc. ). The SD church has invested in prayer about this home and accepted it by faith. This is an opportunity for them to bless their city by showing Christian love for orphans and widows. The SD church with our support is in a position to participate in the building of the Kingdom in the most unlikely place. The compassion of Jesus can now affect the communist government and the communities of this region because the word will spread about this mission.

At some point in this development I can inform the Christian businessmen I met in China and encourage them to consider expansion in SD. So the city can be blessed because they are working with Christians instead of persecuting them. But more than that is the blessing that we can participate in the development of orphaned children that will now be loved and taught about their creator and Savior Jesus.

On my visit to the SD church I was very impressed with their love for Jesus. They are hungry for the Word of God and I was blessed to teach them about the church that Jesus designed. Sweet memories continue of their fellowship and hospitality to us.

Website:

Posted By: Watchman
Last Edit: 12 Mar 2007 @ 08:37 AM

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Deadly Bug Sweeps Through Hospitals in Israel Killing Up to 200

 
 08 Mar 2007 @ 9:24 AM 

A deadly bacterium is sweeping through hospitals in Israel and has already caused the deaths of up to 200 people, health officials acknowledged Wednesday.
“Between 400 to 500 people have been infected by the bug, and 30 to 40 percent of them have already died,” said Yehuda Carmeli, the head of the epidemiology unit at the Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv. “However, it is important to note that most of them were in a serious condition, and some were suffering from prior medical conditions.”
Health Minister Ya’acov Ben-Yizri confirmed that Klebsiella pneumoniae was responsible for the deaths, but insisted that the victims were already seriously ill when they contracted the deadly bug.
Ben-Yizri said his office was investigating, and that there was no reason to panic. He added that the Health Ministry was investigating to see if other countries were encountering similar problems with the bacteria and if there were antibiotics available.
Most of those infected have been hospitalized for over 25 days, and their average age was about 75.
The bacteria is resistant to all kinds of antibiotics.
Avi Yisraeli, the ministry director-general, confirmed that nobody outside of the hospitals was in any immediate danger, but only those who are very ill are at risk.
“This is not the first time that there is a virulent strain of bacteria undefeated by antibiotics, and it is happening abroad as well,” Yisraeli claimed.
Klebsiella pneumoniae is normally found in the mouth, skin and intestines and can cause pneumonia. It is generally found in patients with weak immune systems and or in the elderly.

[foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,257599,00.html]

Posted By: Watchman
Last Edit: 08 Mar 2007 @ 09:24 AM

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Deceit, Lies, and Video Tape

 
 06 Mar 2007 @ 9:20 AM 

Summary: The truth today can be hard to find today. The truth that many follow look good, sounds great, and even feels good. But in the end, many teachings people are following today will bring dismay and sadness. In fact, the flood of deception is like a tidal wave upon the nations. But in the midst of all this you can know the real Truth and spot the real deceivers.

Proverbs 20:17  ¶Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Romans 3:13  Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
Colossians 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Today we have a society that is full of opinions. There is no absolute truth for many. Truth is relevant, that is, depending on who and what you believe. For many trying to find truth can lead you almost anywhere. From alien life on mars to aliens here in America, truth is what those who perceive it to be.

You can find this illustrated on the many different sites on the internet. Here you find anything and any opinion you would like to follow. You will find an assortment of opinions given by ardent people with a heartfelt attitude that they are right. In America we all have at this moment the right to believe what we want. It is the essence of American society and has been that way since our inception. It is this fundamental right that makes the people of America so special. In light of our differences, we still live peaceably together with one another. For a very long time, these differences were not too far apart. As most believed in the God of Israel, the Ten Commandments, and Jesus Christ, even though we did not act the way we should about this. We still believed it.

Today, however life is different, for within our shores have come since the fifties, an assortment of other beliefs, people, and faiths. Still, we have managed to get along with each other fairly well. But, what we have today is such a diverse assortment of what people call “the truth”, can we really know “the truth”. If we find this commodity called “truth”, then how do we know it is the real “truth”?

Much of what we call “truth” is mans philosophy, which brings an earthly understanding of life itself. This is brought down to us in areas that most will agree with. The truth that most philosophy and religions teach is this. One, man is basically good. Two, God if there is one, leaves it all up to us. Three, there is no heaven or hell. Four, God if there is one, lets us continually go around in the rebirth cycle until we get it right. Five, all religions lead to the same God. Six, Man’s potential can be reached and we can become as Gods. Seven, our spiritual climax is according to our desire to seek the higher knowledge. Eight, that higher knowledge or consciousness is ready for us and there are spiritual beings, ascended masters who will lead us out of our dismal condition we are in.

All this is what is called “philosophy and vain deceit”, patterned after the traditions of men and their own experiences. It is not real “truth”, anymore than oil and water mixes easily. There is one “Truth”, however that man can know. This truth is what we call the Messiah. This Messiah came long ago, born of a virgin. He walked on this earth. His mission was this to bring life eternal to a lost and dying world. For this mission, Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of men and was resurrected. He then ascended to the right hand of the Father and is coming soon. This Messiah was Jesus Christ. He said of his mission:

John 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Many have rejected this Messiah, and have brought their own version of what truth is. It is simply called, “the poison of asps”. There are so many deceits and deceiving ways, many are held sway by these purveyors of poison with the tools they use. From the television, radio, ad campaigns, religious institutions, computers, internet, video sites, computer games, religious masters, and more, we are bombarded by those who tell us they have the truth. It is from the sweetened lips of these purveyors that many today are held captive. For they believe what they see, hear, and feel. Many have put their truth in a truth alright, but it is mans truth. This is the problem. Mans truth, earthly as it is, cannot bring heavenly results or salvation.

Jesus Christ, Messiah Yeshua said of himself “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”, no man comes to the Father, but by me”, John 14:6. This statement says there is only one Way, Truth, and Life. Among all the lessons of “Truth” there may seem to be, there is, in reality only one. That is Jesus Christ. For many, however, the recent attacks on the veracity and truth of the claims of Jesus Christ have been a decidedly important issue. The attacks have been ongoing since the resurrection of Christ when the Jews started the first conspiracy theory about Jesus Christ. This was an effort to stop the “Truth of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ”. They did this through money, influence, and trickery.

Matthew 28:12  And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13  Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14  And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15  So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

It is the essence of our society and many others to deny Christ. For nations and men hate the claims of God the Father, the ruler of Jesus Christ, and the bringing in of the Fathers kingdom in Truth and righteousness. For men to Love God, they must believe he exists, that he is a rewarder of those who seek him, and that they are sinners who need a savior. For men to do this, they must admit they need this savior and also that their deeds are in darkness. Many today have trouble admitting they are sinners and need this savior. The thought of man as a sinner is too hard to bear. They cannot accept the fact that the deeds they do are in pure darkness and not light. Because of this, they reject the notion and idea of a savior like Jesus Christ. For His light reveals that they walk in darkness.

John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Furthermore, the battle is on. Satan right now has his best deceits out in the world today. He is spewing forth other Christ’s, Anti-Christ’s, Alien agendas, demon deceptions, and more. He is dividing the church, lulling it to sleep, and pouring more filth out. The battle today is lead by men who appear as light. Shepherds who speak as Christ, look like Light, and yet their deeds prove they are in darkness. The truth of all this is, these are in fact real deceptions. They will look real, seem real, feel real, and will in fact lead you to an ultimate denial of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. They will bring you in a world of deception that will blind your eyes and heart. In the end, you will end up taking the mark of the beast. The mark itself starts in the hearts of men who reject Christ. The real mark on the hand or forehead is just the seal of what is already in the hearts of those who take it. That is the rejection of the “real Truth”, which is Jesus Christ, Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

For the believer, it can be said to follow this rule.

2 Timothy 3:14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

This scripture is pin pointed to believers in Jesus Christ, those who have come to the whole Truth in Jesus Christ. We are to continue in the things we have learned and been assured of. These things will make us wise, because we have known and do know the Holy Scriptures, which will make us wise through faith unto salvation. There are many deceits and deceivers. We are to be aware of these and keep our hearts steadfast on our Lord and Savior in these deceiving last days. These last days are full of deceivers and deceptions, which look real, feel real, and may sound good. In the end, though, these teachings will bite like an Asp, bringing death upon all who fail to heed the warnings.

Posted By: Watchman
Last Edit: 06 Mar 2007 @ 09:20 AM

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China Persecution Continues on Believers

 
 01 Mar 2007 @ 9:30 AM 

77 YR OLD MOTHER GIVEN 2 YEARS ON TRUMPED UP CHARGES

February 28, 2007

CAA learned that Beijing house church activist Hua Huiqi’s 77-year-old mother, Ms. Shuang Shuying was sentenced to two years by Beijing Chongwen District People’s Court on February 26, 2007 on the charge of willfully damaging public and private property.

The Court only spent an hour hearing this case and quickly sent the verdict. Since the trial date was set on the first work day after the Chinese New Year period, her lawyer was not able to collect any evidence to defend her. She was arrested when she walked to the Chongwen district office to seek information about her son pastor Hua Huiqi who was arrested since January 26. Hua is an active house church Christian in Beijing. He has been passionately serving the ministry and assisting lots of persecuted Christians and oppressed peasants. The Beijing government has been seeking opportunities to take revenge against this family for their active support of the oppressed.

“We are shocked by the injustice done to this elder Christian lady” said Bob Fu who is the former coworker of Hua, “it definitely represents a new low on the so-called rule of law in China especially in the host city of 2008 Summer Olympics.”

Letter of your concern can be sent to:
Premier Wen Jiabao, PRC
PO Box 1741, The State Council, Beijing, PRC (zip code 100017)
Contact Phone:+86-10-66012399
Ms. Wu Aiying, minister of Ministry of Justice of PRC
Tel:+86-10-65205114
Fax:+86-10-64729863
Address:No. 10, Nan Da Jie, Chaoyangmen, Beijing City (Zip Code: 100020)

China Aid Association, Inc.
Contact: Bob Fu
info@ChinaAid.org
(267) 205-5210

Posted By: Watchman
Last Edit: 01 Mar 2007 @ 09:30 AM

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