Friday, May 27, 2005

Is God Moving Men's Hearts to Pray?

Recently a few men started a prayer group in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County.

Inspired by a prayer warrior, Dick Simmons, from the Washington DC area, head of Men for Nations this is one of many prayer groups Mr. Simmons has seen birthed. The morning meetings, from 5 AM to 7 AM, average around 19-20 people. Since the first group started there has been a few other nearby locations to catch the Spirit and more groups are forming. There are 5 pastors and the men involved are from several churches. Denominations and doctrine do not enter into the prayer time. All involved simply desire to hear from God and pray according to His will.

Every man's life has changed dramatically as a result of committing to these meetings. Most evident is a commitment to repentance and holiness and a growing desire to walk in God's perfect will. Each is walking in joy knowing that years of bad habits are sloughing off. More Word time and an increased knowledge of the presence of God in their lives are added benefits.

Getting up before dawn is not easy and all have found their internal clocks still need adjusting after 6 weeks of near daily meetings (except Sunday). None appear inclined to quit. Indeed, it seems each has made a lifetime commitment to early morning prayer with other men of God.

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Just wondering if this a just a local (U.S.A.) thing or is God moving more people in other areas of the world to form interdenominational prayer groups?

I'm asking Christians to leave a comment one way or another.
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Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Keeping Terri Schiavo's Memory Alive

The American Princess has blogged on Terri Schiavo. It seems that Terri's husband's lawyers were in Circuit Court Judge George Greer's office settling affairs the same day she succumbed to court ordered starvation and dehydration.

(Quote from Michael Schiavo on the Larry King show: When asked why he doesn't just divorce his wife or turn over her care to her parents, Michael Schiavo said he couldn't.

"This is Terri's wish, this is Terri's choice," he said. "And I'm going to follow that wish if it's the last thing I can do for Terri." - end quote -)


Seems the last thing after the last thing was clearing out any account. Ever hear, "Follow the money trail"?

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Mystery No More!!!

I heard a line on a TV show the other night. "God works in mysterious ways". It reminded me of a word study I had done a few years back. That is on the New Testament use of the word, "mystery" and it's co-word "mysteries". If you read this you will never again be able to use that tired cliche'.

New Testament use of the words (Strong's Concordance - KJV)
Mystery 22 times - mysteries 5 times -
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Each time the word "mystery is used in the New Testament it says something to the effect that the answers to these mysteries are now available to all men. Uncovered. Revealed. In the Old Testament times the mysteries were shrouded. Hidden up for a latter age to understand.

We are in the latter age. "The Age of God's Grace" In the New Testament the mysteries are uncovered just as the curtain in the Temple in Jerusalem separating the main sanctuary from the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom at the death of Jesus (Matt 27:51 & Mark 13:28) now all men can freely access God's throne room.
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All it takes is moving towards God and he will meet you where you are.
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Ephesians 5:32 'mysteries' speaks of Gods church being related to Him as a husband and wife are related. Love is to be the foundation of each.
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I Timothy 3 mentions "mystery" twice. The first speaks of those seeking an office in the church, that is, how their behavior should be good and they should be holding the 'mystery of the faith' for others to see. The second use in this chapter explains this as: "Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
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That is, Jesus was born from seed created in His mother's womb by the Living God, lived a sinless life and became our sacrifice for sin. No longer was the blood of bulls, goats and sheep needed. Jesus became the perfect sacrifice and He was able to truly say from the cross, "It is finished."
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This is the mystery of old, now revealed.
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Colossians 1
1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;

1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
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Matt 13:10-11
And the disciples came, and said unto him, "Why speakest thou unto them in parables?" He answered and said unto them, "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given."

Also in Luke 8:9-10 in a similar situation the disciples asked and Jesus answered: And his disciples asked him, saying, "What might this parable be?" And he said, "Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand."
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Big clue here that if you have problems understanding the parables of Jesus even with the explanations you are on the outside and need to communicate with Jesus. Start asking him questions just as the disciples did. The answers will sometimes come in the most unlikely ways. Perhaps an event or something said will trigger the parable and revelation. It may be that as you ask the question you will hear the answer in your own mind. God deals with each person individually so there is no set rules on how it will happen. Just know that when you start to talk to God, He will answer.
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Sunday, May 22, 2005

Is Real ID Act Setting Us Up for Revelations?

Hat tip to CadiaConcepts. Joshua gave a heads up in a way that gives pause. Is the Real ID Act going to set in wheels in motion that will bring about prophecies of the Book of Revelations? This story from USA Today (5-5-2005) is not getting much air time perhaps because of the judges filibuster and the Pepsi CEO story.


Quote from USA Today - The Real ID Act, which was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday and likely will clear the Senate next week, would require most license applicants to show a photo ID, a birth certificate, proof of their Social Security number and a document showing their full name and address. All of the documents then would have to be checked against federal databases. - end quote -



Joshua states in his blog: The card will likely take the place of your driver's license and will store at the very minimum your name, birthdate, sex, ID number, a digital photograph and address, with the possibility of additional data such as a fingerprint or retinal scan. State DMVs will be receiving federal funds to hand over their databases, with the goal of making each state's data available to all other states. The House passed the measure on Thursday, and both the Senate and President Bush are expected to sign off on the bill next week. But the real question is, who will be the first to ask to have the chip implanted so they don't have to worry about forgetting their wallet?

Hmmm. - Revelations Chapter 13 has a bit to ponder too.
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. KJV -

If all else fails, it would be better to die than to take the chip! - Get informed by reading the book before the need arises.

Scotwise Does it Again!!!

Once again Scotwise posts a bit of his personal history that will be an encouragement to you if you would just take a couple minutes to go and read it. Wonderful stuff there daily but today I feel it is even more real because his post comes from his heart and is something he has lived.