Take Jesus to work today (and every day). Watch your blessings increase!
Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
At my workplace, Christian music is played and bible tracks and sometimes my bible are out for all to see. In almost two years, I nor my employers have never received any complaints, only words of encouragement: from both co workers and clients. I experience the same pro Christ attitude at my bank as well, so I know I’m not the only one out in the world that proclaims God at my worksite.
I’m sure one of these days the complaints will come. I can only hope I will have the courage Peter did, stating “we ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). I have learned the Lord has my back, so I know my job is safe, until the Lord has other plans for me. Besides, who wants to fire someone who continues to pray blessings upon their employer and their clients? (Oh yea, I forgot. An agent of Satan would!) :-0
As Christians, we have been too passive in our faith for too long. We need to display our faith, and make it known where that faith is. Let others ask questions. Let your actions answer them. Pray the Holy Spirit gives you the words you need to answer them. Pray that you will be given the courage to stand up for Christ at your work – this was not an overnight decision on my part – this challenge I place before you took me a full year to get up the nerve! Finally, pray for your employers and clients. It is good to bless non believers as well as believers; after all, how else can a non believer turn to God except with the help of someone like us?
Showing posts with label Pray. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pray. Show all posts
December 27, 2011
November 11, 2011
Jesus Calls All - 13
1Thessalonians 5:16,17 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing.
What happens when we pray? We communicate with God. We talk to him, make requests from Him for ourselves, family, friends or anyone we know that has a need.
God also talks to us. It is during this quiet time you may get to actually hear Him, in a still soft voice (I Kings 19:12) He will tell you what outrageous, crazy and often very basic and simple things He needs you to do.
You may like it. You may not. But go against it and you will regret it. Change your stinkin thinkin, do it anyway, rejoycing all the while, and you may find a new skill or talent (as in spiritual gift) you didn’t have before. Cooolllllll!!!
Pray while you wake up, eat, get ready for work, during the commute, at your workplace, at lunch, while you fight with your kids (this gets very interesting!), while winding down at night, and even as you go to sleep. Impossible? Yes, but perfection is not required. The more you succeed at this; however, the more you will actually find your day goes better, your job performance improves, your kids will not get the best of you, and overall, you are a much happier person!
The more you rejoice in the Lord, the more you pray and give praise, and the more you rejoice in the Lord!
What happens when we pray? We communicate with God. We talk to him, make requests from Him for ourselves, family, friends or anyone we know that has a need.
God also talks to us. It is during this quiet time you may get to actually hear Him, in a still soft voice (I Kings 19:12) He will tell you what outrageous, crazy and often very basic and simple things He needs you to do.
You may like it. You may not. But go against it and you will regret it. Change your stinkin thinkin, do it anyway, rejoycing all the while, and you may find a new skill or talent (as in spiritual gift) you didn’t have before. Cooolllllll!!!
Pray while you wake up, eat, get ready for work, during the commute, at your workplace, at lunch, while you fight with your kids (this gets very interesting!), while winding down at night, and even as you go to sleep. Impossible? Yes, but perfection is not required. The more you succeed at this; however, the more you will actually find your day goes better, your job performance improves, your kids will not get the best of you, and overall, you are a much happier person!
The more you rejoice in the Lord, the more you pray and give praise, and the more you rejoice in the Lord!
March 15, 2011
Courage for Christ - 7
Luke 8:35 Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.
Afraid? Of what?? These gentiles had just witnessed a life changing miracle that was performed on one of their own, once a naked, demon posessed lunatic, now a civil, right minded person. And they are nothing but a bunch of scardy cats!
Instead of inviting Jesus into their city and proclaiming this miracle to all, what did they do? They told Jesus to leave! What? No more requests for healings? Just go away? Did they actually value the pigs that were drowned in the process more than the health and well being of one of their citizens?
Ignorance of Jesus is not an excuse. Look what the healed man did: he sat at the feet of Jesus! It gets better. He wants to join Jesus! But Jesus sent him home to tell all what great things God has done for him. (v. 38,39)
When a miracle is being done on your behalf, do you request that the miracle worker go away? NO! You scream praises of such a person. Get the word out! You want more! Any business person knows the best form of advertising is word of mouth. So, what you do is talk it up!
All of us who are Christians have such a story. Maybe not as spectacular, but a good news story nonetheless. Why are we not shouting out our own stories?
Afraid? Of what?? These gentiles had just witnessed a life changing miracle that was performed on one of their own, once a naked, demon posessed lunatic, now a civil, right minded person. And they are nothing but a bunch of scardy cats!
Instead of inviting Jesus into their city and proclaiming this miracle to all, what did they do? They told Jesus to leave! What? No more requests for healings? Just go away? Did they actually value the pigs that were drowned in the process more than the health and well being of one of their citizens?
Ignorance of Jesus is not an excuse. Look what the healed man did: he sat at the feet of Jesus! It gets better. He wants to join Jesus! But Jesus sent him home to tell all what great things God has done for him. (v. 38,39)
When a miracle is being done on your behalf, do you request that the miracle worker go away? NO! You scream praises of such a person. Get the word out! You want more! Any business person knows the best form of advertising is word of mouth. So, what you do is talk it up!
All of us who are Christians have such a story. Maybe not as spectacular, but a good news story nonetheless. Why are we not shouting out our own stories?
February 7, 2011
Courage for Christ - 5
1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
What kind of Christian are you? Or are you a Christian at all?? Is Christianity nothing more than fire insurance for your soul?
There are non believers that want nothing to do with Christ, and have chosen their own way. Christ will honor their desire and keep them eternally separated from Him.
Then there are believers in word only. These are the ones who honor God with their lips but their heart is far from them. (Matthew 15:8) God doesn’t impact these people at all, because, aside from being saved from Hell, they “don’t need Christ” for much else. Most of these “fire insurance” Christians will be very disapointed when they face the Judgment seat.
The dual life Christians are pious on Sunday, secular on Monday thru Saturday. They have their issues and know their sins are forgiven, but they cannot get past their addictions to whatever vice they may have, choose not to humble themselves to Jesus who can remove these sins and addictions from them, but instead surrender to the sinfull nature and expect to be forgiven. A dissapointing eternity awaits these as well; at best they are empty handed in Heaven.
The Christian striving to live by and with the Holy Spirit, who studies and obeys the word and prays, develops a mind that becomes a close and intimate relationsip with Jesus. The vices and sins of the past, while they still may remain temptations, are more easily disregarded. The power of God is making a significan impact in their life. Their judgment at the Bhema seat will reveal the treasure they have in Heaven.
Does your life glorify God?
What kind of Christian are you? Or are you a Christian at all?? Is Christianity nothing more than fire insurance for your soul?
There are non believers that want nothing to do with Christ, and have chosen their own way. Christ will honor their desire and keep them eternally separated from Him.
Then there are believers in word only. These are the ones who honor God with their lips but their heart is far from them. (Matthew 15:8) God doesn’t impact these people at all, because, aside from being saved from Hell, they “don’t need Christ” for much else. Most of these “fire insurance” Christians will be very disapointed when they face the Judgment seat.
The dual life Christians are pious on Sunday, secular on Monday thru Saturday. They have their issues and know their sins are forgiven, but they cannot get past their addictions to whatever vice they may have, choose not to humble themselves to Jesus who can remove these sins and addictions from them, but instead surrender to the sinfull nature and expect to be forgiven. A dissapointing eternity awaits these as well; at best they are empty handed in Heaven.
The Christian striving to live by and with the Holy Spirit, who studies and obeys the word and prays, develops a mind that becomes a close and intimate relationsip with Jesus. The vices and sins of the past, while they still may remain temptations, are more easily disregarded. The power of God is making a significan impact in their life. Their judgment at the Bhema seat will reveal the treasure they have in Heaven.
Does your life glorify God?
February 5, 2011
Courage for Christ - 4
Genesis 6:14 Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch...
Imagine, the world becomming corrupt and violent; (Have you read the news today?) and one man who has none of that tainted gene pool, caused when fallen angels breed with humans, gets to hear from God directly: Make a big boat in the middle of a desert, and seal it nice and tight. It will house you, your family and a sampling of the entire animal kingdom.
It’s not recorded, but I’m sure Noah had questions. What’s an Ark? What’s a flood? How do I explain to the rabbits, “only two?” But Noah believed, and followed (Hebrews 11:7)
Imagine the ridicule Noah and his family received building this monster of a box: about one and a half times the length of a football field, with a length to width ratio of 6:1, (the same ratio shipbuilders use today) 3 stories high. There was no water anywhere nearby to float this thing. But build he did, amongst the insults, the mocking, the teasing.
Today, it appears more and more the days of Noah are fast approaching. It appears more and more we will need the faith of Noah to listen to God, hear and bravely obey His commands each of us will be given. For those with the courage to follow, the rewards shall be great! Noah’s reward was he and his family were the only human survivors of the great flood. Imagine what your rewards will be!
Imagine, the world becomming corrupt and violent; (Have you read the news today?) and one man who has none of that tainted gene pool, caused when fallen angels breed with humans, gets to hear from God directly: Make a big boat in the middle of a desert, and seal it nice and tight. It will house you, your family and a sampling of the entire animal kingdom.
It’s not recorded, but I’m sure Noah had questions. What’s an Ark? What’s a flood? How do I explain to the rabbits, “only two?” But Noah believed, and followed (Hebrews 11:7)
Imagine the ridicule Noah and his family received building this monster of a box: about one and a half times the length of a football field, with a length to width ratio of 6:1, (the same ratio shipbuilders use today) 3 stories high. There was no water anywhere nearby to float this thing. But build he did, amongst the insults, the mocking, the teasing.
Today, it appears more and more the days of Noah are fast approaching. It appears more and more we will need the faith of Noah to listen to God, hear and bravely obey His commands each of us will be given. For those with the courage to follow, the rewards shall be great! Noah’s reward was he and his family were the only human survivors of the great flood. Imagine what your rewards will be!
December 28, 2010
Is it the beginning of the end?
Or is it the end of the beginning?
In the spring of 2008, I could see the beginning of my company’s demise. But I had no idea what that would mean to myself, my wife, family and friends. Neighboring retail stores were closing up shop; many to retire, others relocated, and more just shut down. In total, seventeen stores would close down in a three block stretch of this downtown over a two year period. Ours was the 14th of 17.
The seeds of this demise started before we started our business. They were sewn before I was born. These seeds were planted in the early 20th century, when a few key people decided we didn’t need God anymore, man is now intelligent enough to solve all of man’s problems. Man can create a perfect paradise right here on earth.
Meanwhile, while God is watching all of this, He orchestrates the return of a remnant of His people, the Jews; Israelites scattered from 2000 years prior; to return to their native land, Israel. (No, not Palestine. Palestine was only a name given to the area by Rome.) As other nations went to war against this tiny country, they have always been soundly defeated. God promised He would bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel. As you can see, God is still keeping this promise.
These same intellectuals who tell us we evolved from apes are preventing us from praying in public or displaying anything Christian in nature (in the name of separation of church and state); while we spend millions of taxpayer dollars funding an Islamic (trophy) center near the World Trade Center (in the name of freedom of religion). Do you see a pattern?
Since God got kicked out of our schools, crime has skyrocketed, we went from being the largest creditor nation to being the largest debtor nation, selling our children and grandchildren into a state of bondage where we will work for other’s prosperity and receive crumbs for our efforts. Our largest exports are frivolous entertainment, computer software and printed, paper dollars. We import 70 of our energy in spite of having all the resources we need within our boundaries. Our very government who has created these energy shortages will not permit us to access them, due to their “Environmentally sensitive nature”. We produce half of the world’s food yet we import more food than any other country in the world. This reversal of fortune has taken place in less than 50 years. Abandon God, and He abandons us. (Read Deuteronomy 28 for a list of rewards for following as well as the list of curses for abandoning God.)
But I too, thought I had it all figured out. I believed, like the bankers, a huge inflation was on its way, not a recession/ depression. I used as much of other peoples’ money as I could, thinking I could pay it all back in diluted dollars. So while I leveraged my finances 8 fold, the banks leveraged themselves 80 fold! And we all fell like the house of cards we were. It was only when I realized how much of our wealth has been being sucked out of the United States did I figure out why things happened the way they did.
1. We abandoned our Lord and our God and we are now paying the price for it.
2. No money left. We wasted it all. We borrowed more, and wasted it too. We print even more and waste that as well.
3. Our arrogance and self pride have given every two bit dictator the challenge to “take pot shots” at us, in order to knock us down a notch or two. And they’re succeeding. In many instances we actually pay them for their efforts at “taking pot shots” at us!
There are actually multiple solutions to this predicament we face ourselves with. God is in the miracle business. He is also in the blessing business. Our Lord and our God will return to us, if we return to Him. He will bless us as we bless Him, and His nation Israel. The other alternative is the United States will come to an end, very soon. If this is what happens, we should all pray that he blesses and protects all of us who honor and love Him in all we do. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
In the spring of 2008, I could see the beginning of my company’s demise. But I had no idea what that would mean to myself, my wife, family and friends. Neighboring retail stores were closing up shop; many to retire, others relocated, and more just shut down. In total, seventeen stores would close down in a three block stretch of this downtown over a two year period. Ours was the 14th of 17.
The seeds of this demise started before we started our business. They were sewn before I was born. These seeds were planted in the early 20th century, when a few key people decided we didn’t need God anymore, man is now intelligent enough to solve all of man’s problems. Man can create a perfect paradise right here on earth.
Meanwhile, while God is watching all of this, He orchestrates the return of a remnant of His people, the Jews; Israelites scattered from 2000 years prior; to return to their native land, Israel. (No, not Palestine. Palestine was only a name given to the area by Rome.) As other nations went to war against this tiny country, they have always been soundly defeated. God promised He would bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel. As you can see, God is still keeping this promise.
These same intellectuals who tell us we evolved from apes are preventing us from praying in public or displaying anything Christian in nature (in the name of separation of church and state); while we spend millions of taxpayer dollars funding an Islamic (trophy) center near the World Trade Center (in the name of freedom of religion). Do you see a pattern?
Since God got kicked out of our schools, crime has skyrocketed, we went from being the largest creditor nation to being the largest debtor nation, selling our children and grandchildren into a state of bondage where we will work for other’s prosperity and receive crumbs for our efforts. Our largest exports are frivolous entertainment, computer software and printed, paper dollars. We import 70 of our energy in spite of having all the resources we need within our boundaries. Our very government who has created these energy shortages will not permit us to access them, due to their “Environmentally sensitive nature”. We produce half of the world’s food yet we import more food than any other country in the world. This reversal of fortune has taken place in less than 50 years. Abandon God, and He abandons us. (Read Deuteronomy 28 for a list of rewards for following as well as the list of curses for abandoning God.)
But I too, thought I had it all figured out. I believed, like the bankers, a huge inflation was on its way, not a recession/ depression. I used as much of other peoples’ money as I could, thinking I could pay it all back in diluted dollars. So while I leveraged my finances 8 fold, the banks leveraged themselves 80 fold! And we all fell like the house of cards we were. It was only when I realized how much of our wealth has been being sucked out of the United States did I figure out why things happened the way they did.
1. We abandoned our Lord and our God and we are now paying the price for it.
2. No money left. We wasted it all. We borrowed more, and wasted it too. We print even more and waste that as well.
3. Our arrogance and self pride have given every two bit dictator the challenge to “take pot shots” at us, in order to knock us down a notch or two. And they’re succeeding. In many instances we actually pay them for their efforts at “taking pot shots” at us!
There are actually multiple solutions to this predicament we face ourselves with. God is in the miracle business. He is also in the blessing business. Our Lord and our God will return to us, if we return to Him. He will bless us as we bless Him, and His nation Israel. The other alternative is the United States will come to an end, very soon. If this is what happens, we should all pray that he blesses and protects all of us who honor and love Him in all we do. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
December 2, 2010
Is it time to Pray, Praise, or Party?
Soooo...the economy is is lukewarm, probably on its way to being vomited (ala Revelation 3:16); the world is not too happy with the ObamaNation right now (can you blame them?); and there are more and more earthquakes, new diseases, new wars, and new food and energy shortages. The unholy shinola is hitting a very big fan. Whatcha you gonna do?
Rejoice! Be happy!! Sing!!!
God loves a joyful heart! He knows what you need and He has never let anyone down tho puts their faith and trust in Him. (Besides, I don’t know about you, but I like a good party!)
This doesn't mean you don't have to participate in life, however. If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. (2Thessalonians 3:10) What you should do is know and understand that God - Jesus - has your back and will protect you as long as you depend on Him. And that means taking care of yourself and your family, too!
Jesus said when you see these signs, these trials and tribulations, to "rejoice, for the day of your redemption draws near". (Does that mean party?) As a Christian, we know we have a way out of this mess coming up. But we have to rely on and completely depend on Christ, for we have no idea when!
Three things we need to remember that will see us through these times:
1) Its all God's. He's just loaning to to us while we're here, and He can take it away from us at any time. So whatever we have an excess of, the least we can do is share it with others!
2) Focus your life and your activities towards God. While at work, doing daily chores, out on the boat or the golf course, keep God and Christ in your thoughts. This is part of praying without ceasing. Enjoy the landscaping, the water, the snow capped mountains, the ski slopes, whatever your heart chooses, knowing that none of it would exist without our creator, God. God loves it when you take him with you. (So does the dog, yes, but the boss doesn’t! like the dog slobbering all over everything. God knows how to behave in public!)
3) Jesus said there'd be days like these! So rejoice! Be happy! Don't worry about it. Christians will be persecuted, ridiculed, imprisoned and killed. Remember, they hated Jesus first. Accept that and rejoice! No better way to annoy a godless liberal than to work hard, pay your taxes, and let them get nasty in front of you, and all the while you're happy!
Our days are very limited on earth. We have no idea when this rapture of the church will happen. It may happen in a few hours, or 40 years from now. It may happen before the tribulation, or the tribulation may have started; it’s not for us to now. (Methinx if we knew all this, we’d spill the beans to Satan...albeit unintentionally... and things would get messed up if some of the details were given away) But we must get ready and be ready for that day.
And yes, have fun while you wait!
Rejoice! Be happy!! Sing!!!
God loves a joyful heart! He knows what you need and He has never let anyone down tho puts their faith and trust in Him. (Besides, I don’t know about you, but I like a good party!)
This doesn't mean you don't have to participate in life, however. If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. (2Thessalonians 3:10) What you should do is know and understand that God - Jesus - has your back and will protect you as long as you depend on Him. And that means taking care of yourself and your family, too!
Jesus said when you see these signs, these trials and tribulations, to "rejoice, for the day of your redemption draws near". (Does that mean party?) As a Christian, we know we have a way out of this mess coming up. But we have to rely on and completely depend on Christ, for we have no idea when!
Three things we need to remember that will see us through these times:
1) Its all God's. He's just loaning to to us while we're here, and He can take it away from us at any time. So whatever we have an excess of, the least we can do is share it with others!
2) Focus your life and your activities towards God. While at work, doing daily chores, out on the boat or the golf course, keep God and Christ in your thoughts. This is part of praying without ceasing. Enjoy the landscaping, the water, the snow capped mountains, the ski slopes, whatever your heart chooses, knowing that none of it would exist without our creator, God. God loves it when you take him with you. (So does the dog, yes, but the boss doesn’t! like the dog slobbering all over everything. God knows how to behave in public!)
3) Jesus said there'd be days like these! So rejoice! Be happy! Don't worry about it. Christians will be persecuted, ridiculed, imprisoned and killed. Remember, they hated Jesus first. Accept that and rejoice! No better way to annoy a godless liberal than to work hard, pay your taxes, and let them get nasty in front of you, and all the while you're happy!
Our days are very limited on earth. We have no idea when this rapture of the church will happen. It may happen in a few hours, or 40 years from now. It may happen before the tribulation, or the tribulation may have started; it’s not for us to now. (Methinx if we knew all this, we’d spill the beans to Satan...albeit unintentionally... and things would get messed up if some of the details were given away) But we must get ready and be ready for that day.
And yes, have fun while you wait!
December 13, 2009
Have You Prayed for your Country Today? 8
Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19,20; New King James Version
What are you doing to turn this country from its sinful ways? Are you confessing your sins, asking others to pray for you? Do you challenge those believers who are sinning with love and compassion, and pray for them?
There are plenty of people in the world who not only disbelieve the existence of a god, but they also deny Him. Others believe, but also believe they are “not good enough” or they simply refuse to humble themselves. These people need all of us to help them correct their “stinking thinking” so they too, may walk with the Lord.
No one can buy, borrow or steal their way into heaven. We can only beg. We must choose to beg. And the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ will give His grace to the humble. Then, while in faith and with the power of the Holy Spirit, we will repent and bear fruit.
Continue to pray for our neighbors, our politicians, and our land. Confront one another when we fall short, encourage one another, and love one another. God’s will be done.
© 2009 David Etenburn.
November 20, 2009
It's God's Money - 3
Enjoy prosperity while you can. But when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. That way you will realize that nothing is certain in this life. Ecclesiastes 7:14, New Living Translation
In the middle of what will be the worst economic time the United States of America will ever face, a time that will probably signal the beginning of the end for America, it becomes more and more important to remember all of this is the will of our Lord.
As Americans, we have been truly blessed. In our lifetime, we have lived in the greatest nation ever conceived, under the premise “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. We have seen this great nation deteriorate over the last 50 years, yet we have also seen the hand of God work in those of us who honor and worship God, while this same hand of God is being removed from the face of this earth.
Our founding fathers created a nation that put God first. They understood the importance of being all inclusive when it came to faith, and while 90% of all Americans throughout American history claimed a Judeo-Christian faith, the law of the land was not to discriminate against anyone based on their faith (of lack thereof).
And America prospered. Greatly. No other nation achieved the greatness America became, and no other will again. We created more, we produced more, we gave more to those less fortunate, including to our enemies. And we did all of this to the glory of God.
But this prosperity has also been our demise, for we started to believe we could do all these wonderful things without God. We kicked God out of our schools, then our courthouses, then our parks and our libraries. We “don’t need God”, we now have government programs that can support the poor and the needy; we can guarantee retirement income, and disability income; and now, healthcare for all. In addition, our government now subsidizes companies they deem too big to fail, while allowing “expendable” small businesses to be taxed into non existence.
All of this while creating $114,000,000,000,000 in debt (that’s 114 trillion dollars!), including unfunded future obligations. America’s wealth is long gone, and we are now a lukewarm nation, full of wretched, poor, pitiful, blind and naked souls (Revelation 3:17) Silly humans!
So, as we remember the greatness America once was, let’s pray God will be with us and protect us through the upcoming hard times. Let’s remember the best of times to the glory of our Lord and God, Jesus Christ. This is His will.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus
©2009 David Etenburn
In the middle of what will be the worst economic time the United States of America will ever face, a time that will probably signal the beginning of the end for America, it becomes more and more important to remember all of this is the will of our Lord.
As Americans, we have been truly blessed. In our lifetime, we have lived in the greatest nation ever conceived, under the premise “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. We have seen this great nation deteriorate over the last 50 years, yet we have also seen the hand of God work in those of us who honor and worship God, while this same hand of God is being removed from the face of this earth.
Our founding fathers created a nation that put God first. They understood the importance of being all inclusive when it came to faith, and while 90% of all Americans throughout American history claimed a Judeo-Christian faith, the law of the land was not to discriminate against anyone based on their faith (of lack thereof).
And America prospered. Greatly. No other nation achieved the greatness America became, and no other will again. We created more, we produced more, we gave more to those less fortunate, including to our enemies. And we did all of this to the glory of God.
But this prosperity has also been our demise, for we started to believe we could do all these wonderful things without God. We kicked God out of our schools, then our courthouses, then our parks and our libraries. We “don’t need God”, we now have government programs that can support the poor and the needy; we can guarantee retirement income, and disability income; and now, healthcare for all. In addition, our government now subsidizes companies they deem too big to fail, while allowing “expendable” small businesses to be taxed into non existence.
All of this while creating $114,000,000,000,000 in debt (that’s 114 trillion dollars!), including unfunded future obligations. America’s wealth is long gone, and we are now a lukewarm nation, full of wretched, poor, pitiful, blind and naked souls (Revelation 3:17) Silly humans!
So, as we remember the greatness America once was, let’s pray God will be with us and protect us through the upcoming hard times. Let’s remember the best of times to the glory of our Lord and God, Jesus Christ. This is His will.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus
©2009 David Etenburn
November 16, 2009
Have You Prayed for your Country Today? 4
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. Romans 3:1-2; New King James
This is why we must pray for Barak Obama. And why we must pray for all those who rule over us. As we approach the end of days, and the rule of law gets more distorted and twisted, our prayers will hold back our spiritual enemies, soften the hearts of those with evil intent, and perhaps even delay the inevitable described in Revelation. It also allows our spirit to bear the fruit Jesus seeks in all of us.
Jesus taught to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44). While our leaders may not be enemies, and most do not persecute us, if we are to love our actual enemies and pray for those who persecute, how much more than should we pray for those who simply don’t see the world as we do, through the eyes of a loving Father in Heaven?
Pray for your leaders, especially Barak Obama, that they may turn from their wrongful ways and seek the Lord with all their heart. Pray that the Lord has mercy on all His people, that they may prosper and succeed through these difficult times. Finally, pray for forgiveness, for none of us can keep and maintain the loving, merciful heart required full time, as we all think or say things we shouldn’t when our leaders try to exclude our Lord in all that goes on in America.
© 2009 David Etenburn.
It’s God’s Money – 2
You shall not have in your bag differing weights, a heavy and a light. You shall not have in your house differing measures, a large and a small. You shall have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure, that your days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 25: 13-15; New King James
Is it just me, or are Americans getting stronger? As a child, I remember my mother and I requiring three trips each from the car to haul in $20 worth of groceries. Today, the average six year old can do the same task in one trip…with one hand!
God warned us about cheating on weights and measures. Today, we can not only cheat by making a pound of beef weigh only 15 ounces, or a gallon of oil equal to 3.9 quarts, but we can have a dollar worth less and less, by printing more and more of them without having anything of value backing it up.
Governments have seriously cheated on their weights and measures, by weakening the dollar (or their respective currencies) since the beginning of time. The ancient Greeks and Romans would cut off and remove edges of coins, or remake coins with less and less gold and silver until none of the precious metals would remain in them. The Weimar Republic in Germany during the 1910s and 1920s using the printing press saw a trillion fold decline in the Deutschemark, and it was this inflation that opened the door for a tyrant named Adolf Hitler to take control.
This further dilution and weakening of the dollar has been accelerated over the past year, as the money supply has grown by an unprecedented 15% in just the past year alone.(http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/H6/HIST/h6hist4.pdf ) This is 2½ times faster than the growth rate of the money supply of the late 1970s, resulting in the greatest simultaneous inflation and unemployment rates in our country’s history. Imagine having a printing press that can produce all the money you need, and you could not be arrested for counterfeiting. This is what the Federal Reserve Bank in the United States has been doing, with the blessings of presidents Bush and Obama, not to mention every president since its creation in 1914 under Woodrow Wilson.
Your solutions? Keep your savings in Gold or Silver. Gold and silver is God’s money. While gold is a bit overpriced at $1150 per ounce in November, 2009, when you look at gold being valued at $2100 per ounce in 2-3 years, and as much as $5000 - $8,000 in 5 - 10 years, this will keep your savings from being diluted. Silver prices should increase by 3-10 times its current price in the same time frames. These metals are highly liquid, and in hyperinflationary periods, businesses may prefer payment in gold or silver.
Invest in Real Estate, but not overly leveraged. Invest in real estate investment trusts (REIT), which are traded like stocks (my favorite is Equity Residential, NASDAQ symbol EQR), or if you own the real estate, make sure it provides positive cash flow if it’s income property, or that you own it outright if it is raw land. Warning: As inflation sets in, interest rates will rise, causing property values to fall. Cash flow is critical if you invest in real estate, and it will be very difficult to sell, unless it is publicly traded like a REIT
Invest in stocks and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) based on commodities, such as oil, metals and mining. Stay away from financial related stocks, such as banks. These have huge amounts of debt, and have the greatest risk of collapsing.
Finally, talk to God. Keep yourselves in constant prayer. Pray for your deliverance (and all of Christianity) from the troubled times we face. Pray for His hand in all your savings, investing and preparation you do for these times, and that he makes your paths straight. After all, regardless of what happens, God is in control, and it’s His will that will be done, not ours.
©2009 David Etenburn
November 15, 2009
Have You Prayed for your Country Today? 3
But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country. Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Cursed shall be the fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out. The LORD will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doings in which you have forsaken Me. Deuteronomy 28:15-20 New King James Version.
The curse list here has been condensed from 54 verses of curses. It follows 14 verses of blessings onto those who follow the Lord’s Commandments. It represents a balanced combination or reward or punishments, and gives the reader a choice.
Yes we are not under the law, we are under grace (Romans 6:14). But if the 613 laws in the Old Testament can be condensed into these two; love the Lord with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself; where has America gone wrong? And why are most of the curses listed here, originally focused on the ancient Israelites, befalling America?
First, our love for one another has grown cold, just as it was prophesied by Jesus regarding end times (Matt. 24:12). In addition, many have fallen from the faith, as evidenced by many Christians converting to other religions, or walking away altogether. Finally, we have tolerated the hedonistic lifestyles of sinners. It is one thing to love the sinner and hate the sin, it’s another to tell them, “It’s all right, Jesus will forgive you”. Sinners need to be encouraged to repent. They will usually rebel when threatened.
We need to return to our first love. We need to return to Jesus as individuals first, then as a nation. We need to lead weak believers and non believers alike to the cross. God does love the sinner, but He will not tolerate the sinner who continues to sin and sin willingly, and openly. (I Cor. 6:9,10)
Pray for the sinners who surround you in your life: at work, in your family and circle of friends, in your business. Pray they repent and that God can use you to encourage them. Pray that our leaders repent and seek the Lord with all their heart in these end times.
© 2009 David Etenburn
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