Author: Dr Sarah Tun

Dr Sarah Tun began her professional career as a teacher. Years later she became a performing artist and administrator to property development. She felt the Call to write full time in 2004. Dr Sarah has traveled extensively, and lived in New York City (for a year), London England (for a long time) and Hong Kong (briefly) before returning to her home in Ontario, Canada, then to Spain and finally now, has re-settled in her adoptive home of England. She graduated with degrees in Drama, Education and diplomas in Acting and Theology. Most recently she was awarded Honorary Doctor of Ministry and became ordained. Her favourite experience to date has been following her Creator and Lord. She doesn't think Life can get any better! Dr Sarah Tun is author, singer, preacher, writing coach and all-round enthusiast, celebrating and seeking to inspire all of us to quench our thirst for deeper intimacy with God through the Holy Spirit.

Categories
Reflections and Poetry Watchman on Alert BLOG

Facing a Storm: self importance must go

I don’t matter

One of the first things I learned when in a knock down, drag out fight for the health and safety of someone I love was that I don’t matter. This battle is not about me. When facing a storm, self importance must go!

Others may say, “Take care of yourself” and that is a sensible safeguard to suggest. But I would be the first to say, if in serious air turbulence on a plane, the adult puts his own mask on before his child. Why? Because if you put it on the child and then you pass out, who is going to take care of the child?

So, yes, when we are engaged in a struggle, we must take care of our nutrition, welfare and safety. When Elijah confronted the other prophets, GOD reigned down. But then Elijah was confronted by Jezebel, he ran away, terrified. Why? In some measure because he was tired and hungry. So we must take care of our practical, physical needs when we are caring for others. 


But whether a battle for another soul is physical, spiritual or emotional, our needs are not important. Not really. And we must not look to pamper ourselves. This is not the time.

When I don’t matter, I don’t fear

Fear of man is one of the few things that can really stop a spirit-filled mature Believer from fulfilling his or her calling in Jesus. When the thoughts, opinions or feelings of others do not distract us from our battle, we can focus and persevere. We cannot take care of others outside the storm, when we are called to be inside it. Commit them to the LORD and trust them to Him.

LOVE is key, always. But fear is counter to love. It’s important we understand our motives, put our own concerns to the side, and do that which the LORD has called us to do.

Love is never rude

When we face a storm and others are a distraction, we must focus on the battle at hand. But love is never rude, or dismissive, or disrespectful of others.  Addressing the interruptions of others is important: we need discernment, wisdom and grace. We do not have to alter our course, but rather weigh up and balance the priority with the desires of others. The storm comes first. If there is room beyond that, what needs attention? 

Love does not have to cater to others, be it their needs or their expectations. So often we misperceive expectations anyway; we may think they are asking something of us when really they simply have our best at heart. Either way, it is alright to ignore that which is not priority, so long as we ignore it graciously, lovingly, respectfully. How do we do that? We don’t fret or negate our task. In our hearts, we care for others, though that cannot perhaps be expressed at this particular time.

Above all, trust our own motives

When we battle a storm, we are in crisis. We can trust the LORD and put everything into His hands, and yet, He is calling us to persevere. There is no need to second-guess ourselves when we are committed to doing the task the LORD has assigned us to.

When in a storm, we cannot live life as we normally live. The storm must be addressed. We trust Jesus in the storm and focus all of our attention on him. In doing so, we have not time or space to think about ourselves or in fact, think about others outside the storm. Instead, we carry on our responsibility and entrust others beyond our care to the LORD. Hopefully, they will accept our calling. Loving them will help. But fearing their disappointment does not honour them and is a distraction from the storm and from Jesus. When we have already relinquished our self importance we can trust our motives are pure: simply to overcome the storm, trusting Jesus throughout.

What really matters in a storm

What really matters in any storm is Jesus, because he overcomes the storm for us. Our focus on him diminishes the storm’s power. And if our storm concerns the welfare and safety of another who is defenceless, then we put all of our trust in the Lord for his or her rescue.

Storms do not come to harm us but to grow us. Knowing this get us through and enables us to be the hands and feet of Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith, the prince of peace, and the light of the world. If we really trust him and believe he is the Son of GOD, then we will know, regardless of the storm, what really matters will overcome, to the glory of GOD the Father.

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) 

Abundant life comes through trusting the Lord through all storm and strife, not looking to the situation nor to ourselves. Jesus will overcome any storm, when we trust him and allow him to do that which he is able.

Psalm 91 for the storm

May angels guard and keep. May we stand in the gap for those who cannot speak. May the LORD Almighty give us long life.

1 

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

3 

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.

4 

He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

5 

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

6 

Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

7 

A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.

8 

Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.

9 

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,

10 

No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

11 

For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.

12 

In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

13 

You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

14 

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

15 

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honour him.

16 

With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”

Every blessing, 

Sarah 

Categories
Reflections and Poetry Watchman on Alert BLOG

GOD is (a poem)

GOD is

We are a whiff, a puff of smoke

A breath

That only exists because of who

GOD is

GOD is mighty, harsh, intransigent and yet

GOD is merciful, gentle, kind

We are ants, a seed ungerminated

A thought

That only exists because of who

GOD is

GOD is creative, expressive, complete and yet

GOD is gently bending to earth

We are unstable, needy, greedy

A whim

That only exists because of who

GOD is

GOD is gracious, timely, wise and yet

GOD gives grace to the humble

We are that which GOD has created

So that we might become like Him

We only exist because of who

GOD is.

Categories
Examining Biblical Scripture Supernatural & Prophetic

Praying for your Spouse

Psalm 88

1 O Lord, God of my salvation,

I have cried out day and night before You.

2 Let my prayer come before You;

Incline Your ear to my cry.

3 For my soul is full of troubles,

And my life draws near to the grave.

4 I am counted with those who go down to the pit;

I am like a man who has no strength,

5 Adrift among the dead,

Like the slain who lie in the grave,

Whom You remember no more,

And who are cut off from Your hand.

6 You have laid me in the lowest pit,

In darkness, in the depths.

7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me,

And You have afflicted me with all Your waves. Selah

8 You have put away my acquaintances far from me;

You have made me an abomination to them;

I am shut up, and I cannot get out;

9 My eye wastes away because of affliction.

Lord, I have called daily upon You;

I have stretched out my hands to You.

10 Will You work wonders for the dead?

Shall the dead arise and praise You? Selah

11 Shall Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave?

Or Your faithfulness in the place of destruction?

12 Shall Your wonders be known in the dark?

And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

13 But to You I have cried out, O Lord,

And in the morning my prayer comes before You.

14 Lord, why do You cast off my soul?

Why do You hide Your face from me?

15 I have been afflicted and ready to die from my youth;

I suffer Your terrors;

I am distraught.

16 Your fierce wrath has gone over me;

Your terrors have cut me off.

17 They came around me all day long like water;

They engulfed me altogether.

18 Loved one and friend You have put far from me,

And my acquaintances into darkness.

A wife’s prayer for her husband (or husband’s for a wife)

This morning as I continued my way through Psalms, I reached Psalm 88 and was struck at how apt it is to my personal storm (see Hold On).

My husband is in hospital at the moment. And this psalm as a prayer seemed apt for us both. Some lines echo for myself, others on his behalf.

Verses 1, 2 are my voice, telling GOD how I have felt through this time.

Verses 3 – 5 are a reflection of my husband’s position in hospital, vulnerable and very sick.

Verses 6-9a expands upon hubby’s position. He is unconscious – even his eyes cannot see.

Verses 9b – 13 echoes my cry to the LORD to be heard, for the situation to change, for GOD to act.

Verses 14-18 describe the faithfulness of my husband (15) but the consequences of GOD’s seeming silence.

After reading the Psalm in silence, and recognising the parallel to our lives at the moment, I read it again out loud. 

Then the LORD gave me the word: REVIVE. And that is the call and prayer for today: that my husband will revive now. 

“Now” does not mean immediately, although it can mean immediately. Now means it shall begin. Time is GOD’s by creation and mechanism. Yesterday, tomorrow and today are not restrictions for GOD. He manages all matters from His framework.

I know the LORD has heard me. Even the doctors testify of the repair in progress. I have given the time to the Father Yehovah GOD, and the time is in His hands.

Why I say this to you

I am not writing this to you for prayer support, although if the LORD prompts you to pray, that is wonderful. I am not writing this as a means of cathartic expression. I am writing this to you, who are married, so that you too might be led to apply a psalm to your situation. It may be Psalm 88 or another.

I am not restricting this to married people, for all of us have prayers for our loved ones. 

But I am also saying something specific about the prayers of married people. The two become one flesh is hugely significant; to overlook it is a lost miracle. For GOD has given us a way to pray for our spouses that, until recently, I overlooked. We can pray as one flesh: we can pray and take on the afflictions of our spouse in a supernatural way, if we have the GOD-given faith for it and the revelation. We do not become sick but we gain insight into the illness and ultimately, we can command it to go, In Jesus’ most wonderful name.

Blessings all as you meditate on Psalms and prayerfully consider this word I’ve shared.

Categories
Politics and Society today Supernatural & Prophetic

Where is the Supernatural today?

Natural and Supernatural

What if in Biblical times the barrier between the natural and supernatural realms was not as dense as since?

What if our scientific development and mental faculties have in some measure made leaping from one realm to another far less feasible, not because there is any physical or temporal change but rather a change in our sphere of thinking? 

Have we narrowed our ability to see beyond the physical simply because our sensory development has been stifled by our limitations put upon us by our understanding and development of academic science?

I’m all for science. GOD created it! The Bible is full of science. But today we are very limited in our sensory and spiritual awareness in the West. We need to re-engage with the miraculous and the supernatural.

How did Jesus turn water into wine? Or multiply bread and fish? How did he heal a man blind from birth so that he could see, or raise a paralytic from his bed? And how did he raise Lazarus simply by calling his name?

If you believe the Bible then you have to believe these things occurred. If you believe the Bible then you have to agree that Jesus said, “greater works than these [you] will do.” (John 14:12)

We are not operating in the supernatural and miraculous, not many of us, not as a matter of course. We cannot will ourselves into believing, multiplying and healing. But these things do happen. So how?

Let’s pray

Father Yehovah GOD, Creator of the Universe, we want mountain moving faith. We want to live in Your presence and fear not. We ask You to teach us and direct us, so that we might do “greater works” than the Lord Jesus that he spoke of, for Your glory, Your majesty, Your righteousness and Your will to be done on earth as in heaven. Teach us, grow us, help us to receive, so that Your glory and power will be a witness to Your truth, goodness, righteousness, mercy and judgment. In Jesus’ name, 

Amen.

Categories
Reflections and Poetry

The Power of Music upon the Soul

The power of music upon the soul of man is profound

We must never underestimate how music can lift us in difficult times.

I am in a storm. I am learning to focus on Jesus and not the storm. I am learning to dwell in the secret place of the Most High GOD. I am learning that there are times when there are no words, and there is no one to abide with us except GOD. 

Music has helped me through.

Alone with Jesus

When all the prayer is finished, and there is only quiet, we can lean on GOD. Sometimes the only person to talk to is GOD. There is no one else who can fathom what we are trying to communicate.

And in that quiet time, it is (oddly perhaps) the best time to celebrate! 

Choose to listen to music 

It is a difficult time, when we are completely empty and there is nothing left to do. But we can — and must praise. Not must as a rule, but must as a healthy way to overcome the darker moments in life. Must in the sense that it is the way GOD has given us to overcome. Perhaps you cannot sing, but you can listen to singers. You can dance, even if it is little steps. The godly music lifts us.

We can choose our music wisely. The LORD will bring songs to our remembrance. Or at a particular moment in time, someone will send a piece of music. We use our discernment as to whether it is the right piece for this right time… But if the LORD is the LORD of your life, and your friends are wisely chosen, it probably will be:)

The music will carry you through. Listen over and over as needed. Yes, the same song for hours if necessary. The music can and will carry you through, not only to healing but all the way to breakthrough.

Making room for GOD

Making room in the difficult times is a choice. I urge you: choose GOD.

When you make room for the Father, He will come to you. Though He will cut you, He heals you, and makes you a better person. “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10

Character not personality

Remember: GOD is a God of refiner’s fire. He is a God of love and mercy, but he also chastens us, tests us, perfects us. When we struggle, many are quick to say, “I’m sorry you are going through this…” but they stop there. Better to finish by saying, “… but God knows, God sees, God is perfecting you for a good purpose.”

Breathe

Here is a song to inspire, uplift, encourage you. Breathe in the air and fill  your lungs with the breath of life that God has given you. Hallelujah! Even in the difficult times, we have a perfect Saviour who lifts us out of the darkness and into his marvellous light, for he is “the light of the world.” (John 8:12)

A list of titles: uplifting songs I have used in the storm

Breathe

Because He Lives

Blessed Assurance

Battle Belongs to the Lord

I will run to You

Doxology Hymn

This is the Air I Breathe

Who is there like You

No Other Name

Jesus, We Celebrate Your Victory

LORD, Have Mercy

In Your Presence

Thank you LORD

These are the Days of Elijah

Whose Report do you Believe

Praise to the LORD

Categories
Politics and Society today Reflections and Poetry

Hold On

Hold On

We must hold on: not to what we want but to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hold on, not to what others have prophesied but to Jesus, the light of the world. Believers, there is mayhem. There is strife in this world. There is war and rumours of wars and — it seems to me — Matthew 24 is unfolding before our very eyes. But we must hold on to the promises of God, both those He has provided in His Word to all who follow, and those He has impressed upon us individually. We must walk on water.

Walking on water in times of trouble

When people in crisis approached Jesus, he didn’t react. He waited. On different occasions when health crises arose, Jesus didn’t run to the aid of a dying child or a dangerously sick friend. No. He took the time to be with those in his immediate presence, and he waited for each “right moment” for God’s timing to act. “ For in him, we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)

That’s walking on water, friends. That’s having faith in Father God to watch over the crises, knowing that when the right time to respond arises, God will be with us to ensure His purposes are met. 

This also means of course that we must not fear. We know “that perfect love casts out fear” (1John 4:18). So, in trusting God and trusting Him with and in our lives, we are secure; when we love others as we love ourselves and as God loves us, therein lies His peace, His shalom; when we allow perfect love to invade and pervade, there is no fear.

Calamity or Christ

We have a choice. Where we focus our eyes is up to us. When onslaught of trials come upon us, we may shake for a time. But ultimately, we choose where our hope lies: will it be in our own intervention or in God?

Hope in God

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” (Psalm 42:5)

Where we can go astray

There is no shame in becoming overwhelmed in calamity. When Peter tried to walk on water, he did so at first, but then started to sink (Matthew 14:29). It’s okay to start to sink, because Jesus will reach out and help us.

When we take our eyes off God, and put our trust in man or in ourselves, we start to slip. When we want a particular outcome, we can get intense and dependent on what we see as matters unfold. But when we begin to doubt God’s promised outcome, we need to stop and allow Him to bring us back to Him. This is holding on.

In the world today

There is calamity and strife in the world. But I believe it’s time to let go of our predicted outcomes. Let go of what you expect God to do, and give Him carte blanche in your life, your ambitions, your relationships and your time.

In John 16:32-33 Jesus says, “… in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Do you believe him? If you do, then I’m saying it’s really time to trust him now. That is what holding on is.

Here is an invisible link (hover and you’ll find it) to a very encouraging, uplifting music video of song “Hold On”

Categories
Reflections and Poetry

God’s Word, yes, but also His Presence

We need to be in God’s Word, yes, but also we need to be in His Presence.

Word and Holy Spirit together

2 Timothy 2:15 urges us to”Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

And Jesus before his accession to heaven told the disciples, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if depart, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7)

How safe is the prophetic

It is easy to reject all prophecy and the prophetic because of some people who are in error or who seem to seek attention through a building of their ministry. BUT GOD. He sent His Holy Spirit, not just to intervene in the salvation process, activating our Spirit, but also to walk, live, breathe, share, comfort, convict and guide us daily. 

We must no longer live as empty vessels, occasionally to be filled with inspiration from God’s Word BUT ALSO we must allow the Holy Spirit to infill us and dwell with us, the aim being that we are filled constantly with God’s presence through His Spirit in us. We need the Word but that is not enough. We need the baptism of the Holy Spirit so that the understanding of His Word is complete.

Perfect Love, not Fear

We are not to fear the things of God, but to discern. Yes there are false prophets, most of whom may well not know they are false. But not all prophets are false. And we need the Holy Spirit’s discernment to distinguish the false from the true. Most of all, we must follow Yeshua, our Lord Jesus to the Father. Following him is perfected only through time spent with him directly, not seeking the prophetic from others, but seeking the Lord for ourselves. Then, as we dwell intimately with Yehovah, God’s Word, and Yehovah God’s Spirit, we may well receive His prophetic word. All this is what Jesus left us for… and sent to us.

Expect the Holy Spirit

I am not writing a theological argument. Many may well argue over the matter of the Spirit within us. The Word and the Spirit go together. Jesus said he must leave in order for us all to have the Helper. I believe he meant it.

I believe and have experienced (“you shall know them by their fruits” Matthew 7:16)) that as I surrender to God, as I am still before Him, as I rest and wait for Him, He comes. He comes in Spirit and in truth. His presence is for all, today, and He expects us to receive. Is it all-or-nothing: full surrender or not? We each choose. Time is short, so I ask you directly: which will you choose?

How to find His Spirit

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

So we shall wait… be still and wait… Ask and receive the fullness of the Spirit in your walk with the Lord, and expect Him to fill you with His presence (there is much more in scripture about this, and there is a discussion about baptism to be had also, but these are digressions from my point today… Depending on Jesus’ timing, there is fuel for Future blog posts).

We do not fear

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.” (Matthew 7:11)

I urge us all, that we take nothing for granted, knowing His love and His presence. Let us then be ready… for anything.

God bless.

Sarah Tun

Categories
Politics and Society today

Ah Ha! A revelation about Boris Johnson and short notices

Ah Ha! A revelation about Boris Johnson and Short Notices

Boris Johnson has a habit of giving short notice on the Covid Virus changes in law. But it occurs to me that it might be good training ground for followers of Jesus. Has that occurred to you? ….After all, aren’t we meant to be ready?

God is a God of short notice

As I was in conversation with a friend on the phone recently, chatting about the latest UK “turn-on-a-dime Covid-19” lockdown instruction (which was actually a permutation from a previous instruction given only hours before that), I suddenly had an insight into a connection between our walk with the LORD and our walk as citizens of the United Kingdom in 2020/2021.

Boris Johnson is a last minute decision-maker. Oh, it can be frustrating, especially hard for small businesses.

And yet before we too hastily write it off as simply annoying or disorganised or incompetent, let’s consider: maybe it’s good training and just what the LORD ordered… Remember Romans 13:1 tells us, “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.” So, isn’t what we are being subjected to, directly or indirectly, commanded by God?

Boris v Jesus

Just as Boris asks us today to change plans at short notice, Jesus has called us to be ready; like the five wise virgins in Matthew 25, our lamps should be filled with oil. For Jesus will come “as a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2b) — expected but without warning. “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” (Matthew 24:36).

Being nimble

We need to be aware, I think, that in God’s sovereignty everything is an opportunity to grow. With the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson’s last minute decisions requiring us to make quick adjustments, we have the opportunity to learn how to respond immediately. Are we being trained for Jesus “last minute” arrival? Certainly we need to be ready for the bridegroom: surrendered, resting in His presence, willing to listen and follow, any time, any where.

Take the Call

So, let’s accept our Call today, to be subject to the governing authority and aware that our experience here on earth really is training ground for what is to come. And let’s be ready to live, move, have our being as God would have us: ready, willing and able to move at a moment’s notice, to follow His lead, His will, His direction for our lives, so that others may gain access to Jesus through the revelation we might instigate by our behaviour.

At the very least our cooperation with government will be a beacon to others. At best, it will give glory to our Father as He ushers in the next Age.

Categories
Examining Biblical Scripture Politics and Society today

America has fallen: doom but not gloom

America has fallen. It’s doom… but it’s not gloom.

At last, the beautiful and wonderful and Godly beacon of light to so many other nations, for truth and liberty, prosperity and democracy, and “in God we trust” is busted.

It has been falling for a long time. Some Believers have been steadfast for Jesus, but many, many Americans and the nature of American society has been turning, over a time span of decades, from purity and holiness intended by the founding fathers, to degradation, greed, lust and so much more evil.  Last night, as Americans stormed the Capital in Washington DC, as Senators and Governors debated inside about the fraudulent election and what — if anything — to do about it, America landed in muck! And it is unlikely ever to get out of it…. it is more like quicksand than dung or mud or any other filthy substance we can wash from.

I’m sorry. I have good news but that comes at the end of the article.

Jeremiah 14-16

I have been reading Jeremiah, chapters 14-16. Some dear sisters in the LORD have pointed this to me today, and I’ve picked up on it. 

The verses in Jeremiah which jump out at me this day are, 

14:11-12: Then the LORD said to me, “Do not pray for this people, for their good. When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Bu tI will consume them by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.”

To my view, this are a direct warning from God

14:21b: Remember, do not break Your covenant with us.

To my view, this a demonstration of the cries (or manipulations) of the Jewish prayers

15:19b: You shall be as My mouth. Let them return to you, but you must not return to them.

To my view, here is an example of the directness of Yehovah and Jeremiah in discussion

16:10b-11: Why has the LORD pronounces all this great disaster against us? Or what is our iniquity? Or what is our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?

My response: ‘Oh, the vanity of the Jewish response to God’s warning’

As you have a look at these three chapters in Jeremiah, I wonder if you’ll spot a pattern within these chapters which shows a bleak though relevant outcome in the Word. I did.

Back to America

America is in chaos. At this opportunity, I’m not going to preach sides. That’s not what this post is about. There was a president in office who was pro-life and pro-Israel. This gave huge encouragement to those in or supportive of those “camps” and tremendous consternation to those with opposing views. At the heart of the matter, many and most Christians thought of Donald Trump as a modern-day Cyrus, and one who certainly was beneficial to the causes of and perspective of Christians. It is primarily to you that I am writing…

How Trump “lost”

This doesn’t boil down to one issue. At best, it is complicated. And I even put “lost” in parenthesis to account for the debate over whether he won a huge majority and was cheated or he lost the vote. 

God is sovereign. Trump leaving office is not something God didn’t know about or expect; it isn’t something that the enemy slide by the Father. The loss also doesn’t mean that Trump was all the things the media and his opponents said he was: a liar, a cheat, disreputable, crooked. Nor does it mean Trump was not God’s choice in 2016. The loss also doesn’t mean that the American Constitution failed. If the result of the election is fraudulent, it isn’t something the Constitution couldn’t have handled. No, my thought is that Trump lost for one key reason…

Moses strikes the rock in anger

In Numbers 20:10-11 it states, And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock? Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.”

But the LORD was not pleased with Moses and Aaron. Verse 12 continues, Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe me, to hallow me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” (Numbers 21:12)

At the end of Deuteronomy, nearing the time of Moses’ death, the LORD leads Moses up Mount Nebo and shows him all the land and says, “…This is the land of which I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, “I will give it to your descendants.” I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.” (Deuteronomy 34:4).

Moses died in Moab, without entering the Promised Land.


Hold this truth and draw it into what I shall say about the end of President Trump’s time in office.

Why Trump lost

You will know, those who follow what I write about or what makes me “tick”, that my hubby and I have been building a ministry called Sabbath Rest Ministries. Now before you wonder at the strange digression from Trump v Biden, and the United States and its democratic structure, read on. Sabbath is totally relevant to GOD. Anyone who follows Yehovah and His son Yeshua/Jesus will be familiar with the 10 Commandments and the fulfilment of those by Jesus. Do you also know what is the Sabbath which Jesus upheld?

God’s Sabbath is the seventh day of the week. The Hebrews knew when the Sabbath was and historically, so do we. It is what we in English call Saturday. Sunday became “the Lord’s Day” by papal decree some time after Constantine declared Christianity to be the state religion of Rome. The Sunday worship originated from the Roman Catholics.

If you study scripture (another time I might highlight certain scriptural references), you will learn that the Sabbath is of critical importance to our God. It is the seal which He places upon His children. It is the day of rest which He created and stipulated. It is made for man, not man for it. It is the most detailed commandment which the LORD defines in scripture.

Exodus 20:8-11 says, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your email servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that sin them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

God has never changed the Sabbath, though man changed the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday — thereby separating Christianity from Jewish tradition. As it was done by what is the Roman Catholic Church, it is, perhaps, the last reform we must make before we have completely returned to the roots of Jesus and the early church.

There are many reasons why the LORD might have allowed Trump to lose power

My most pronounced thought as to why the LORD allowed Trump to be trumped in the election is that Trump endorsed the Pope’s bid for Sunday to be the day of rest for man. 

In 2019, the Pope visited the White House and President Trump was pleased to endorse a move to mandate Sunday as the day for family and rest in Texas.

Many will find other reasons, likely all from man’s point of view. I can think of several, all from my own thinking. But I reckon actually, that it is the importance of God’s Sabbath to God as expressed by His Forth Commandment which He wants hallowed, which caused GOD to remove favour from the President.

Selah Blessings and Shalom as you ponder this “food for thought”.

Jesus’ Return – 2 stages: Doom and Light

The Doom 

With a change in party and leadership in the White House from relative conservatism to liberalism, significant change including a continuance of moral decay is likely. Abortion will rise, rather than fall as it did during the Trump presidency. If it is accurate to say that the election was fraudulent and it remains unchecked, then democracy in America is likely to be contaminated forever. And as it has been said many times, where America goes, the world goes. So, if America is lost, then so too is the world.

These statements are debatable but I only mention them as a consequence of the change toward social democracy (as the Democrats claim to be) or cultural communism (as the Republicans suggest their opponents to be). This is not my main two-fold point, which is that the endorsement of Sunday lost Trump his leadership… and that the loss of the Sabbath must be restored.

The Light

Finally, although there is doom, there is no gloom, not when you let go of the world and everything in it, as we who purport to follow Jesus must do. If the world falls far enough, the Lord Jesus will catch his children, and the earth will be transformed: lost yet found, by the Prince of Peace, the Light of the World.

For it is said in Revelations 21:1-2a Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem…

Categories
Politics and Society today

Boris Johnson: proven bastion for the elderly

I’d like to say something positive about Boris Johnson: he’s a proven bastion for the elderly.

Now before anyone attacks me, look at the evidence:

We live in a world where euthanasia is on the rise. Last autumn, an authority in Switzerland, with hospitals overrun by Covid cases, asked the elderly to put DNR (do not resuscitate) on their hospital instructions; the official who made that request has since regretted, apologised and recanted. But there are nations where euthanasia is legal and some in the UK flock there to end their lives (and others complain: “Why can’t we have that here!”) Well, think again: what do we suppose the UK would look like if we had that law today?

Instead, Boris — through a good or poor decision-mechanism — is prioritising the elderly. Instead of blaming him for the care system and all things related to Covid, let’s look at the horrible facts.

People are dying from Covid-19. Of course the stats are not as bad as publicised because the stats say “deaths with Covid-19” which is clearly not the same as “from”; but people are dying and the relative numbers are mostly amongst the elderly.

Elderly people matter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and his actions bear that out.

I’m not for lockdowns. I’m not particularly for the vaccine, though I do believe it’s up to every individual to make their own decision about taking it. But I can see the forest for the trees, and what I’m seeing amongst all Boris’ delays, changes (u-turns as the media calls it) and moral shortcomings (which is another subject entirely), is a man trying not to be frantic (though perhaps frantically) trying to prevent the elderly from getting Covid-19, because if they do, they have a poor chance of survival.

Recently, someone sent me a video of Katie Hopkins stating that only 633 people under 60 have died from Covid. Whatever her politics or point of view, she’s making a major statement about her attitude to business, mental health and poverty… I agree the fallout of lockdowns is horrendous. But she’s also prioritising the value of life. The older, relative to all society, are not worth the trouble. 

There’s a funny thing, this pandemic: Everybody has a fair point! Katie Hopkins, Boris Johnson and all. BUT there is only one Prime Minister of the UK right now.

I’m looking at the man’s heart, not his effectiveness. And in sincerity of heart, he is doing what he can to prevent the elderly from dying in droves. And that, in my opinion, is honouring society, the elderly and life itself. Whether you like him, whether you agree with him, whether or not he’s effective, remember Christians: God looks at the heart. What do you think He’s seeing in Boris Johnson today?

Exodus 20:12 reads, 

“Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”

Categories
Torah Portion Examined

What about Prophetic Dreams: sample the Torah Portion of Genesis 41

There has been a lot of dreaming and posting of dreams by current prophets. What about prophetic dreams? Can we rely upon them?

God reveals to Joseph, who in turn interprets dreams

This week’s Torah Portion includes Genesis 41: Pharaoh’s dreams and Joseph’s release from prison to interpret them.

It prompts me to consider the wealth of prophetic dreams that have been posted in recent months and weeks surrounding the November election in the United States.

When Joseph interpreted dreams, it yielded immediate fruit. It seemed the dreams came from GOD and GOD gave deliverance through the interpretation of them.

What about the prophecies today?

Are they of GOD? Do they bear godly fruit?

There has been such an abundance of the prophetic that I have deliberately not kept up. I gather there were numerous prophecies claiming victory for President Trump. These have been dampened by the facts. And now we wait, because nothing is yet concluded, irrespective of what the mainstream Trump-hating media might like to proclaim. Although they claim Trump’s claims of election fraud are baseless, so equally it can be said that the media’s proclamations of a Biden victory are premature at least, baseless they may prove to be, ironically.

So what do we make of the contemporary prophets? Is it too soon to tell? Are they false prophets? Have they been misguided? Are they cheats?

I would not wish to judge or assume these men and women are false. They may be in error, or time will reveal they are correct. Or perhaps GOD has allowed them to see the election outcome wrongly; remember Ahab listened to his 400 prophets who had been deliberately deceived rather than listen to Micah (2Kings 22).

So, what shall we do about the prophetic voice today?

Listen, take stalk, wait, and do not be disheartened. It is not the prophet we must follow and rely upon but GOD alone. So, each of us must ask our Father to share with us personally: What are you saying, LORD? What are you doing, LORD?

And then each of us listen to the still, small voice for himself.

In the meantime, Psalm 46 is a huge encouragement… “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble…” As we meditate on this Psalm, Yehovah Father GOD will reveal more of Himself to us.

(Thanks to Kelly Johnson for sourcing today’s image: My Sheep Hear My Voice)

Categories
Politics and Society today

Messiah’s Return: How deep are we into the End Times?

I wonder: How deep are we into the End Times?

When is Messiah Jesus going to return?

Three things have overwhelmed me in the last 24 hours.

  1. A friend sent a link to a George Soros interview declaring further plans for One World Order and to involve China: https://newspunch.com/george-soros-china-new-world-order/
  2. A family member sent me a link highlighting the near-confirmation of the Oxford Vaccine. When it’s ready, football stadiums will be hired out to expedite the inoculation of hundreds of thousands of people: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/oxford-vaccine-approve-christmas-covid-b1776481.html
  3. Lockdown continues and is tightened yet again; I’m feeling bored, concerned for my child being contained, and a sense of claustrophobia about the whole Covid matter, really for the first time.

I think

I must be a whole lot stronger for the battle ahead. If this is a battle, the end is surely going to be soon, for Jesus said, “In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of GOD’s chosen ones.” (Matthew 24:22 NLT)

Image of Horror

The image of rows and rows of people filling the pitch of a football stadium, awaiting a jab made in part of aborted foetus rests, in my mind, as the equivalent of zombies standing in adoration of The Beast. I don’t consider whether there is a “666” involved or not as a major consideration. All I know is that the news makes me want to vomit, and in my spirit, I am horrified by what the lockdown has produced: compliant, soulless automatons across the globe awaiting their quick remedy so life can return to will fulfilment.

I am sick at heart.

Father, forgive my complacency and teach me to pray

I am desperate. Teach me to pray, I implore you, LORD. For my focus is minimal and my stamina even less.


Messiah, intercede for us, and help us to stand in the gap for others — fine people, many Christians, who caught unawares will take this vaccine. Will it harm them? Will it condemn them? I do not know it will. But I also do not think it won’t.

Spirit, lead me to pray.

Call to prayer

Brothers and Sisters who are reading this, pray for your loved ones, pray for those who know Jesus, pray for those who don’t that they might yearn for Truth, Life and Peace that only comes through Jesus.

“Protect, prevent, shield Your children first, both Jew and Gentile, and protect others whom you would call, and bring them into the full knowledge of the Truth of Jesus: the sacrificial lamb, the scapegoat, the Saviour who reconciles anyone to GOD who wishes to be reconciled. Intervene LORD before actions are taken that are irrevocable.

In Yeshua’s name.

Amen.”

Categories
Examining Biblical Scripture

Sabbath Rest and the 23rd Psalm

The concept of the Sabbath Rest and the 23rd Psalm have a lot in common. The following phrases refer to both:

Abide in Him.

He shall enter My rest.

On the seventh day He rested.

Sabbath is made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

These are Biblical phrases we are familiar with. But all together, what do they mean?

Today I examined the 23rd Psalm and my recent considerations about the Sabbath jumped out at me as I read it…

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake….”

We lack nothing when we abide with the Father: we shall not want.

We rest — in green pastures. In the resting, we are restored to full capacity.

All this leads us to the righteous path, and that is for the sake of His name (not ours).

Ah rest. When we abide, when we receive, when we STOP, we are in the rest for which He created us. For He created us for fellowship with Him (and for each other), so that we would be together in rest.

The curse of work came after the Fall and labour came as a result of sin. (Genesis 3) GOD created the world in six days, but not even that was work. Creativity is not work. Work interrupted rest, and continues to do so. But that was not GOD’s original intent. 

The Sabbath rest was made for man to escape from labour, from work. 

The Father blesses the Sabbath and those who receive it are blessed. 

The consequence of disobedience or walking our own way is to miss the rest GOD offers.

On the seventh day, He rested. He offers the Sabbath for man to rest likewise, because otherwise man’s labour would continue and he would miss the fullness of life which is offered to him by GOD.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; 

For You are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me…”

Even though we may face tough challenges, disappointments, tragedy and even physical death, we remain in rest when we remain in Him. He is our shield and our guide; in times of trouble He is our protector.

Sabbath rest is not just a day of the week to rest (though it is that). And it is not just the seventh day which GOD ordained. It is a state of mind and a state of being — in the company of and abiding with Father GOD.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

The LORD provides. While we must carry out our labours, for ‘he who does not work, does not eat’, and sound work is good for a sound mind, He does provide for those in need, and for those whom He has called according to His purposes.

As we rest in Him, we can know that He holds us in the palm of His hand. He cares for us, nurtures us, comforts us and keeps us in His perfect peace when our eyes are fixed on Him. (Isaiah 26:3)

And so, let us abide in His word, abide in His rest, and abide in the hope set before us. 

To be in fellowship with Him — that is the reason for our being. And He promises that, through the rest He provides, when we come unto Him, He indeed is present for us, as our shepherd, our protector and our provider.

Amen and Amen, thank you LORD.

Categories
Reflections and Poetry

Conviction vs Condemnation: part 2 Becoming Strong to Become Useful to GOD

Becoming Strong to become useful to GOD.

Conviction vs Condemnation: Becoming strong to be useful to GOD

We must face our personal weaknesses if we are going to be useful in these End Times.

Times ahead are only going to get more challenging (if you believe as I do that we are in the End Times as Jesus describes in Matthew 24).

Whether you realise it of yourself or not, all of us are frail. Knowing this on a personal level will allow GOD to move in each of our lives, and enable us to withstand trials that are sure to come.

We are like waves in an ocean

Waves ebb and flow naturally. So to do our emotional lives. However spiritually led we might be, our emotions do play a part, ebbing and flowing like the sea, sometimes making life richer, and sometimes causing us pain.

Time is short

Even some of the elect may lose their Way. 

We must be emotionally and spiritually strong to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. Let us be wholly humble and exposed to GOD, made fully aware of ourselves (our own conscience), in order to overcome our individual human struggle.

Recently, I realised just how emotionally frail, weak, and vulnerable I am. My self concept was marred until circumstances and my reaction to them forced me to face the reality that I am not as strong as I thought I was. Only by facing reality of my weakness was I able to overcome the pain of it. Now I see more clearly how my own pride and fear got in the way of my character, my relationships, and the ultimate victory the LORD has for me.

I am fully aware that spiritual growth is the key to life, that dwelling in emotion is pure flesh. But that doesn’t prevent me from getting sucked in by fear when my emotions become overwhelmed. It happens to us all. It even happened to Elijah (1Kings 19).

The solution to overcoming painful emotion 

We must rely on GOD.

Abide in GOD (John 15).

We are not to ignore emotion, because that is part of humanity. But in the emotion we are to embrace GOD. When we abide in Him, our emotion is deeper, wider, more meaningful, and comes from a place of love rather than fear.

Remember, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear… he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” (1John 4).

Hallelujah! 

Categories
Torah Portion Examined

GOD’s Commitment to Israel (Torah Portion Hosea 13)

GOD’s Commitment to Israel: Torah Portion Hosea 13

God’s commitment to Israel is everlasting, even though he has extended that commitment beyond the Jewish people.

This week, the Torah Portion Hosea 13 in particular, has stuck with me.
The LORD says to the Jews, “Yet I am the LORD your GOD.” (Hosea 13:4)

Hosea 13:1-11

“When Ephraim spoke, trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended through Baal worship, he died. Now they sin more and more, and have made for themselves moulded images, idols of their silver, according to their skill; all of it is the work of craftsmen.

They say of them, “Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves!”

Therefore they shall be like the morning cloud and like the early dew that passes away, like chaff blown off from a threshing floor and like smoke from a chimney.

“Yet I am the LORD your GOD ever since the land of Egypt, and you shall know no GOD but Me; for there is no saviour besides Me. I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. 

“When they had pasture, they were filled; they were filled and their heart was exalted; therefore they forgot Me.

“So I will be to them like a lion; like a leopard by the road I will lurk; I will meet them like a bear deprived of her cubs; I will tear open their rib cage and devour them like a lion. The wild beast shall tear them.

“O Israel, you are destroyed, but your help is Me. I will be your King, where is any other, that he may save you in all your cities? And your judges to whom you said, ‘Give me a king and princes’?
“I gave you a king in My anger, and took him away in My wrath….” 

Perhaps these verses grabbed my attention because I’ve been pondering lately GOD’s identity relative to other gods. Do you remember Paul spoke to the Athenians about their altar To The Unknown God and explained their unknown god was the Creator of the Universe, one not made by human hands? (Acts 17:23) Just this week I heard some new ideas about the Nephelim (giants – half angel half man; see Genesis 6:4) being behind much of the confusion, destruction and perversion arising across society in these days. I am aware that some people believe these Nephelim, who are the offspring of fallen angels called “sons of GOD” and the daughters of man, long ago were manifested as gods and given names in Greek such as Zeus, Apollo, Hermes and so on. There was nothing of this in the recent teaching, but rather sometimes, by association, GOD brings one idea (Yehovah GOD as the God of the Hebrews) to our minds in order for us to make connection with another idea (existence of other gods). So, I’ve been thinking about our Yehovah GOD in relation to other gods which man has idolised throughout history.

Any case, back to Hosea: 

In the context of Yehovah GOD declaring to the Hebrews that He is their GOD and they’d have none other (Hosea 13:4), and upon reflection of the Athenians and the fallen angels and Nephelim, I realise that whether a god has any power or not, different cultures have different gods. That the GOD of the Hebrews happened to be the actual GOD of the universe: all powerful, eternal, creator, is pretty awesome for them.

It really hits home to me, as a Gentile:

So, in Hosea 13, Yehovah GOD says the the Jews, “I AM” and He says it exclusively to them and they are to be exclusively His. 

Jesus (called Yeshua in Hebrew) tells his disciples not to go out to the Gentiles but only to those of the House of Israel (Matthew 11) and reiterates this to a Gentile woman who sought his help for her demon-possessed daughter when he says as recorded later in Matthew, “It is not good to take the children’s bread [ref to Jews] and throw it to little dogs [ref Gentiles]. And she said, “Yes, Lord, even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.” And then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith. Let it be as you desire.” (Matthew 15:26-28). 

After his resurrection, Yeshua Jesus commissions his disciples to “go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

Yes, the Gentiles have been grafted in (Romans 11), adopted, welcomed into the Kingdom of GOD by faith. How heinous this must have seemed to the Jewish people of the time who had been brought up on their exclusive access to GOD; and yet those Jewish people who followed Jesus’ Way gave way to him, in faith. 

It is my heart’s desire to share Yeshua Messiah with those Jewish people who  have found the truth in Jesus. And of those still seeking more truth, yes, they need to know the Gentile Jesus is their Jewish Messiah. The Gentiles were accepted by him and have been grafted in, not to replace the Jews, but because GOD loves Jew and Gentile and his son. GOD has not excluded, replaced or abandoned His chosen children. He is still their GOD. He is simply now also GOD for the Gentiles as well, for those who will accept Him. Yeshua is Messiah to the Jews and Saviour to rest of the World,

“… It is too small a thing that you should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)

Hallelujah and Amen.

Categories
Politics and Society today

My Heart is Heavy for America Today

My Heart is Heavy for America today

“You have answered me” Psalm 22:21b

Except for Psalm 22:21b, my heart is heavy indeed. I am resolved in whatever direction the world turns now: Let the LORD have His way!

My heart is heavy for America today as I watch the process of the media impatiently pushing for Joe Biden to be president. My heart breaks for the nation of America, and half of its people, who are led by a bombastic but patriotic man; President Trump carries on in spite of a hateful media and 15% of the nation’s loudest and most violent socialists scream to oust him. Mankind is certainly staring into the abyss and my heart is heavy. Because whether we like America or not, whether we agree with President Trump or not, whether we believe in climate change or Biblical prophecy or capitalism or not, where America goes the rest of the West and perhaps the rest of the world will follow.

We are on a precipice: do we soar toward righteousness or do we fall into complete depravity and shame? The middle ground is all but obsolete, absorbed into one extreme view or the other. Fence-sitters, it’s time to choose.


Did the Democrats cheat on the election? If they did and they get away with it, it is the end of the free world. This is NOT about who is the best president but about who actually won.

I take my stand, not by my opinion nor my deepest fears, but by faith. I do not know what GOD will choose. For example, I don’t know if President Trump will continue to be president of the United States beyond 20th January 2021. I know that if he does, he may only be delaying the inevitable. Or if Mr Biden becomes the president, it seems inevitable — by the words of his mouth — that globalisation will be pushed, and will likely be established very quickly. With it, personal freedom will be gone with a final breath. Then it seems, the vast majority of humanity will despair!

As might I, but for one thing: a phrase in Psalm 22: “You have answered me.” (v21b)

Dear friends, GOD always answers a prayer.

Today the world as we know it is under attack. Some of the systems have been imperfect, but now we are staring into the face of godlessness. Morality is at an all-time low. The globalists are at the door and pushing to alter the stock market, the infrastructure of fossil fuels, the economic structure of the West, with a lean toward extreme socialism (research: Global Reset). What does that mean and how does it relate to those following Jesus, whose lifestyle encourages us to share?

It means the political classes around the world will unite around one cause and have the power to achieve it: absolute power over humanity. Dominating and crushing free thought, free expression and freedom to prosper, personal freedom has been under increasing attack. With the “Political Class” (President Trump calls it “The Swamp”) dominating in America, freedom will end and it will end quickly.

The opposite is Jesus, who came to give us abundant life, and inherent in that is freedom.

Where is hope?

When Jesus was on the cross he quoted Psalm 22:1 “My GOD, my GOD, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) But then he said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), completing his task — offering salvation to the world.

David wrote Psalm 22 and within it are the prophetic words, “They pierce my hands and my feet” (v16) and “… for my clothing they cast lots” (v18). He also wrote, “Save me from the lions mouth…. You have answered me.” (v21)

GOD always answers.

As Paul wrote in Philippians, “but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward calling of GOD in Christ Jesus.” (v13b-14)

And that is what we must do. We pray, we trust, and we move forward according to GOD’s will and plan.

Yes, my heart is heavy for the world, and even for me and my family and friends, because if the interpretation of End Times prophecy is true, and if we are in Daniel 7 or Matthew 24 or Revelation 6 or 19/20*…. then the end is approaching. (*there is so much on End Time prophecy and different ways to interpret Daniel or Matthew, Ezekiel or Revelation, that I encourage you to study and to do your own research.)

But if the end of the world as we know it is near, then so also is the new earth (Revelations 21).

It is my complete belief that we must let GOD… we must pray, His will be done on earth as in heaven. Yes I celebrate those who have faith to believe absolutely that right will win in the battle over America. And I agree with them in prayer. But I also have another conviction, that GOD’s will must be done. These are not contradictory statements, nor are the confirmed to be in total agreement. Ultimately, the one must supersede the other as in all matters. We love and serve a righteous and sovereign GOD and He alone knows how the end and the new beginning will best be accomplished. In that I encourage us all to put our hope. Releasing the authority back to GOD who has given it to us for the earth, enables Him to bring righteousness. Praise GOD, He reigns!

Blessings, Sarah 

Categories
Politics and Society today

Civil War: attack on the main stream media vs civil war in America

Mine is a fairly obscure site. Yet it is still with some trepidation that I write this message of concern. In America, there is a very real threat of Civil War if the media does not stop taking sides and begins instead, to print and broadcast without bias what is happening in the post-US election period.

This post is much more about the media than it is about politics. Or it would be if the media hadn’t put itself in such a tenuous position with its clear bias and its political editorialising and gagging rather than reporting of the news.

Statistically, the media on count, throughout the campaign for president, criticised President Trump over 1000% percent more than the opposition. For every slang on Mr Biden, there were over 100 slangs against the President. One might easily say that the personality of the president gave fodder to criticism. Fair point. Except that what the media did not report was news based upon neutrality, which is what reporting is meant to be.

Then there is the suspicious silence of factual, evidenced-based material based about Mr Biden’s involvement in “business” in China, Russia and the Ukraine. Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses was ignored by all tv press and all but one newspaper in the States.

Far more serious now is the “reporting” that there is no election fraud, when clearly there is. The federal Department of Justice and the Justice Department in Pennsylvania have already accepted proof of that. That the New York Times says there isn’t not only denies evidence but also fuels those against the system. Hatred against President Trump has blinded the media of the power and consequence they are playing with.

What the media is setting up is a civil war scenario where — whatever happens as a result of vote re-counts and visits to various courts — the decision the people will make will be based upon what has been reported to them. Some in the MSM are “reporting” that the president is attempting a “coup”. What this implies is, if he does win the presidency for a second term, those massed against him will fear it, believe it, and may fight against it physically. Haven’t we had enough of the looting and violence against innocent businesses and people, under the cloaks of BLM and Covid protest? Even before President Trump’s inauguration in 2017 some refused to accept him as president. Some of those same people now are attacking him for not conceding what they never conceded. Isn’t that hypocritical? But I digress…

The other side, those who are pro-Trump are also strong in number and in voice. What will some of them do if the protocol in dealing with this situation is not followed scrupulously?

The media is very quick to accuse the president of denying democracy; however, he is standing on the principle that all votes that are made legally should be counted, and those made illegally should not. Isn’t that a fundamental principle of democracy? So is the DOJ. So is the government of Pennsylvania. Even if the president loses the count, isn’t it important to stop the fraud?

Those who oppose the president say he should go quietly? Well, apart from the fact that Mr Trump doesn’t seem to do anything quietly, should he ignore voter fraud and pretend it doesn’t exist?

If the president is wrong in his assessment of the result of the vote, that will become apparent. If he is right, it will be dealt with.

So will the MSM please stand up, grow up, take their roles seriously and stop acting like propaganda machines. Set aside your political opinions and biases. Why don’t you stick to commentaries where appropriate, learn to listen to and read the evidence, or leave the journalist arena. There is too much at stake to continue to try to manipulate the truth, ignore the facts, and insult your perceived opponent. America has an excellent constitution. Read it, learn it, and allow those with the authority to do so, apply it.

The American Constitution is founded on a principle, “In GOD we trust.” It will stand regardless of who wins or loses this election. Those who don’t like it need to learn to live with it rather than stop those who do like it from living accordingly. Otherwise, in an effort to change it, you’re now in danger of destroying the nation entirely.

Categories
Reflections and Poetry

Conviction vs Condemnation: part 1

Conviction vs Condemnation: Conviction good, Condemnation bad

When GOD trusts you to see your weaknesses He is encouraging you. Only through revelation and experience can we discover our failings and be changed.

Conviction is that which we receive from the Holy Spirit: His whisper, telling us of our weakness, frailty, humanity, error.

Our pride will fight the message.

Condemnation is that shout into our minds that we are abject failures, miserable and wanton in the futility of our flesh. It comes from the world, the flesh and the devil.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1)

Our pride relishes the message, even when it hurts. It loves the attention.

Pride prevents character growth

When we let go of pride, we can instead rely on GOD and His ability in us to overcome our situation. When we recognise our prideful heart and accept the need to change, GOD can work in us.

Trust in the voice of the LORD, “with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him” and He will lift you up. (Prov 3)

Count it all joy when you fail and recognise it. (James 1) Do not linger there, but allow the LORD to lift you up to a new height. We cannot soar without the catalyst. Often the catalyst is failure and the recognition of it. The way to perfection (and yes, perfection is possible just as Jesus encourages) is through trials, testing and patience.

Pain raises us to the next level

Inevitably, we go through pain to get to the next level of strength in the LORD.  It isn’t always external but is often self-inflicted. Through yielding, in humility, we overcome. Know this: the tunnel always leads to righteousness, joy, peace in GOD.

Abide: spend time with GOD, so He can expose your weaknesses

Know this: you are imperfect. Perfection comes from exposing the flaws. To polish the edges of a diamond makes it more beautiful; without the grit against the edges to smooth the rough, it will not sparkle to its full potential.

So it is with us all. We are diamonds in the rough. But we aren’t meant to stay that way.

Trust, lean, hope and persevere. Making decisions to live this way will bring you through all suffering and mature you, strengthen you, and prepare you for what lies ahead.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Categories
Politics and Society today

US Election Result: Moving Forward

The US election result is IN at the time of my writing. It’s unofficial but unless the other side can prove corruption in postal ballots, Mr Trump will step aside and Mr Biden will take over on 20th January.

How to cope: for those who have “lost”

For those who’s candidate and policies appear lost, we must pray and we must love. GOD may have a new way to continue the shift towards Godly ways in Western society, that the American administration sought.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” (1John 4:18)

If your concern for the nation and for the world has increased as a result of the election result in the US, please be encouraged: as you love, you not only challenge your own torment, but the ploys of the evil one are also overcome. 

This requires great contemplation, with or without regard for the election result. Selah, as the Bible uses in Psalms. Selah marks a pause for reflection, and we must do much of this moving forward.

Love in our personal lives

We who know Jesus are called to love. And where we know we are loved by Our LORD, and where we know we are called to love others, we will have no torment, no fear, no doubt, no shame; in Jesus there is only love.

In my own life, I have been contemplating this truth. I have much more to contemplate. But as I take stock, take time, take the Word, I realise:

I fear much. That comes from a weakness to control. Control is ungodly. I surrender my desire to control.

I am tormented sometimes. That comes out of a yearning for a different reality.

I love much. Therein lies my grace toward others and GOD’s grace toward me.

Perfect love is possible. Perfect love is fearless. As I love GOD, as my faith grows, as I trust Him, I am not afraid for others nor for myself. 

Those who are called by GOD are few. Those who respond are fewer. But when I love GOD, and entrust others to Him, I know I’ve done all I can for them. And fear subsides.

As to the election and the future of the world? 

We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and rulers of this Age (Ephesians 6)

When I look at those whom I do not trust who hold political power, I refuse to hate. Instead, I look to GOD for justice and mercy: Mercy for those who are are under an evil influence, and Justice to those who do evil. 

The world IS in decline. We who know the resurrected Jesus hold the key to eternal life. As evil influences the world more and more, how much more must we live in love and pray for GOD’s mercy before judgment.

“Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;

’Tis grace that brought me safe thus far

And grace will lead me home.”*

We pray for more love in us

Love is the starting point, not for healing in nations but healing in hearts. Then, the healing of nations will follow.

Hallelujah. We despair not. Love holds the key. Perfect love, like peace which passes all understanding, holds the power for life, joy, and the overcoming of all else.

This is not a quick fix. We must take time to reflect and to pray. It will take time. Selah

*from hymn, Amazing Grace by John Newton

Categories
Politics and Society today

The Benefit of Another Lockdown

The benefit of another lockdown exists. 

For Believers, I’m not speaking about health safety, but about what ancillary helps arise from lockdown. And there are some. I’ve noticed I’ve been spending less time with the Holy Spirit recently, compared to earlier this year in the grip of the first lockdown. I suppose I need another lockdown to recalibrate.

This week in England, a second lockdown of a sort has been instituted. This follows what has been occurring all across Europe and in the other nations of the United Kingdom over recent weeks. Today is the first day of a month-long closure in England of all but essential trade businesses. Schools and other educational institutions continue. But work from home, which has become the norm goes on, service industries and fitness places are closed, shops beyond those which supply essentials are also closed. 

Why has our sovereign LORD allowed this?

I’m not choosing to discuss the merits of fighting Covid over fighting the fall- out from closures. I am weighing up how we can grow in these times by spending more quality time with GOD.

Lockdown offers a slowdown, an opportunity to reflect, contemplate, pray.

As we abide with our LORD, we grow in love and surrender. Surrender enables us to receive more of the Holy Spirit’s guidance and leadership: 

More of you, less of me, LORD!

Overcoming the flesh

As we walk in the Spirit of Christ, we become more like Jesus; we overcome the flesh and live in the fruit of the spirit, including more peace, love, joy and all the other fruits.

Walking in greater love and surrender: allowing Jesus to prepare his bride; defending us against worldly distraction — however “good” the cause; deepening our understanding of GOD’s word, His ways, His truth. These can only be good things.

This is the antithesis of rebellion

It is equally possible that this lockdown is a ploy to shepherd citizens into greater fear and docile capitulation. Tyranny may well be at our doorstep. There is an abundance of conspiracy theory and alternative scientific views about how to manage this virus. But we must choose to look up, to rest in His presence, to trust in His word.

GOD is sovereign and He has given us the governments of His choosing. Romans 13 tells us this.

Lockdown is at best, a human effort to protect. It is not a spiritual battle.

Lockdown gives society the opportunity to reflect, revise, reshape, spending more time with our children and less time in the rat race.

Church as we know it needs to revise. It is based upon Greek thinking and roots that are a far cry from Jesus’ initial church. Can we let it go to let GOD raise up His church? I think we can, and we must.

Shortcomings of the Church as we know it

There are some excellent aspects to the organised church. It offers a sense of family to those even without family. It gives an opportunity to learn about GOD, for those already in the family of GOD and also for those still outside. 

But is everything that is “the Church” operating as Jesus intended? I don’t think so. It seems to me that church, in the main, is more about people and less about Him. Worship is more about how we feel and less about His Glory. It is top-ended and front-focused, a system rather than what was recorded in Acts 2:42-47:

“They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and they ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising GOD and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the LORD added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Let us embrace lockdown as an opportunity

To dwell more deeply with the LORD and even to return to church with an altered mindset can be our goals. Let us trust that our sovereign GOD will never leave us nor forsake us, and that His battle is for the hearts and minds of the people. Our role is to dwell in His presence and to prepare as His bride. When He pronounces us ready, there will be much to do. Let us wait on Him for His timing, His anointing and His leadership.

Categories
Politics and Society today

Psalm 2 Election Prayer

Taken from Psalm 2, here is an Election Prayer for USA today, UK Parliament tomorrow…..

“Why do the nations rage,

And the people plot a vain thing?

The kings of the earth set themselves,

And the rulers take counsel together,

Against the LORD and against His 

Anointed, say,

“Let us break Their bonds in pieces

And cast away Their cords from us.””

This is speaking of Yehovah GOD and His son:

“Yet I have set My King

On My holy hill of Zion”

“You are MY Son,

Today I have begotten You.

Ask of Me and I will give You

The nations for Your inheritance.

And the ends of the earth for Your possession.”

Jesus, we ask you to give us this day Your victory over the nations:


Over the American election today,

Over the parliamentary decisions in England tomorrow,

So that we may rejoice with you with trembling.

We “kiss the Son, lest he be angry,”

We do not wish to perish along the say.

Amen.

Categories
Politics and Society today

How to overcome Gloom

How to overcome gloom is a question best answered when the gloom has lifted, and best digested before a next episode arises.

Gloom is that dark, oppressive sense we have when something hits us emotionally or spiritually. It’s like our car being sideswiped while we’re in it: unexpected, without warning, hard!

Triggers are small but explosive: a tiny difference of opinion with someone dear (or even one not-so-dear) to us; a bit of foreboding news, whether in the paper or on tv (there’s so much news at the moment that is negative) or more family-oriented; realising we’ve made a wrong choice which we cannot change. As you’re reading, I expect you’re thinking of something right now and wondering, “Could that be a trigger?” Yes, probably.

Gloom is temporary: that’s the first and most important thing to realise when  you’re in it. The dark sense of hopelessness will not remain; and that knowledge is the first step to getting through it.

Gloom is separate from us: it is external or biochemical but it is not a part of you. It may be demonic, in which case you pray it off, bind it or cast it out (getting others to help can be useful). It may be biochemical, in which case eat healthy, drink fluids, exercise (endorphins lift us naturally). It may be based on a thought, so to trace the gloom to a particular mindset or discovery which has brought you down can constructively help you through it.

Gloom is down so look up!: Jesus and worship music lift us from the heaviness of worry, desperation, listlessness and gloom. It may take some effort to get to a point of celebration, but putting on positive, life-giving worship music is sound advice (pardon the pun!) Singing is even more powerful. Dancing is a great option. The point is to look up to our GOD, lift up our voice (even if it’s to cry out rather than to sing), and move out of our misery physically. Writing it out, using creative expression of any kind, helps to move the gloom out and away from us.

Gloom is oppressive: it’s not GOD. Is is flesh and we have overcome the flesh, the devil and the world through Jesus. It is not to be condemned when we feel gloom, but rather to know we’ve been rescued from it and He can overcome it for us. 

Gloom may be prophetic: What we experience may be only a piece of what others are experiencing. Elijah experienced serious fear and futility when confronted with Jezebel. And yet, GOD said he was not the only one for GOD’s word but there were 7000 others (see 1 Kings 19:1-18). We are not alone in our gloom and in fact, we may experience it for the sake of prayer for others. You are not alone, we are not alone; and we stand for others so they may not fall.

Summary:

We best play our part by asking GOD to take the gloom and to help us through it. Knowing it is temporary, separate from us, oppressive, and knowing that looking up and away is not denial but sound strategy helps us through. Whether external forces and circumstances or internal dismay has brought about the gloom, facing it, working through it, trusting GOD is in even this, will help us until it passes. 

Know this: we can rejoice in all circumstances, and when circumstances take away our joy, we can allow GOD to carry us. Surrender in everything makes anything possible.

Love, Sarah xx

Categories
Reflections and Poetry

Holiness: Church needs to Change – Part 8

Hands in sky

Holiness is

The more dead to myself I am, the more filled I am with the Holy Spirit; the more surrendered I am, the more room there is for GOD to live in me; when the holiness of GOD is moving in and through me, the more holy is my life. Holiness is less of me and more of GOD.

1 Corinthians 3:17 says, “… the temple of GOD is holy, which temple you are.”

We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. The temple is holy. But what is holy other than GOD Himself?

As we walk near to GOD, through the Holy Spirit, with Jesus as our shepherd guide, we walk in holiness. But other than GOD-speak, what does that mean?

Holiness is Godliness, meaning GOD-likeness: purity, peace, power…. simply put, all that is GOD. We discover it, not through striving but through surrender.

In the context of Jesus’ Church

No opinion. No gossip, back-biting or envy. A stroll through Paul’s letters to Timothy shows us what the church must not be: not gossips (1 Timothy 5:13), not slanderers or lovers of self (2 Timothy 3:1-3), to site two examples.

Rather, we are to look in the mirror much more than we are to judge one another. Love is at the centre of all of our relationships and we celebrate for one another and mourn with each other. True intimacy is at the heart of Jesus’ church. Today, there are snapshots of this church but we have to mature a great deal to capture it entirely. We mature through surrender.

Back in March of this year, I posted about Holiness (https://laruspress.com/holiness/). At its heart is love, because at GOD’s heart is love. GOD is love. And perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). When we love perfectly, GOD is working in us perfectly, and we are perfectly Holy.

Jesus said, “… be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Perfection then is possible… through our surrender. Jesus did nothing other than what the Father asked him to do, said nothing other than what the Father led him to say. Jesus was perfect: a perfect servant, perfectly loving and perfectly holy. For those of us who take our walk with Jesus seriously, we too can become perfect: perfectly loving, perfectly holy, through our surrender to GOD.

Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the son also does in like manner.” (John 5:19)

When we walk in the holiness of GOD, and meet together as the Body of Yeshua/Jesus as his church, then the church will be holy and fruitful. Hallelujah. GOD has made a way.

All to the glory of GOD

We who are in Christ Jesus are saved from sin, and therefore we have access to the purity of Jesus, as we surrender as he did, to the Father. All things are lawful now, however, not all things are helpful or edifying (1 Corinthians 10:23). And so our behaviour is dependent not upon law but upon love.

I’d like to encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 10 with the view to relating it back to holiness of the church. By the grace of GOD and through the sacrifice of Jesus, by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in us, we are free.

But in that freedom, our action will not cause others to fall; will not act for self. Holiness points to Yehovah — our Father GOD. We are free and it is all for the glory of our Father, Creator of the Universe and Lover of Mankind. Our freedom points to GOD. Our holiness points to GOD. Our existence, our life, our church — everything now points to GOD.

This is all possible — not through our effort but by our surrender.

This is how Jesus’ church lives and breaths and ministers to a fallen world.

Categories
Politics and Society today

The Unpopular President: Donald Trump, President of the United States

“Opinion separates, but the Word unites.” Paul Wilbur

Although I totally agree with this statement, I’m launching into a commentary about President Trump. Here goes…

President Trump is the unpopular president

And yet he is the president of the United States.

He’s like Marmite: If you are British you’ll understand the comparison. If you’re not, I’ll just say, regarding most people it seems, re Donald Trump: you either love him or you hate him!

Donald Trump’s unpopularity began when he announced his running for president in 2016. Before that, he was quite a celebrity figure. Some liked him, others didn’t. But no dislike compared to what he has experienced since his presidency began. When he said he’d run for president, some celebrities said they’d move to Canada if he won. Well, he won, but those people did not migrate over the Canadian border. They did complain.

His unpopularity got much worse when he won the election. Some young people shouted, “Not my president” and refused to recognise his authority or role as head of the United States. Their behaviour was encouraged. Why would aggression against the president be endorsed?The majority of the media took the side of the protestors.

It got worse and worse as the media revelled in his unpopularity, mocking him, initially calling him Trump rather than the President. The mass media did not recognise his authority with respect, and so it fed those who vehemently disapproved of him. Matters only worsened.

And all of this was within weeks of the election result. He’d not yet even been sworn in.

As his unpopularity escalated, he got louder.

He is a loud, direct person. In fact, isn’t this personality quite like the concept — rightly or wrongly — that some non-Americans describe as quintessential American?

Who hates him most?

Those in opposition have shown the president no grace. Nancy Pelosi won’t even speak to him on the telephone, although her role as Leader of the House of Representative obliges her to do so. During one official engagement, she stood behind him in her official duty, but rolled her eyes as he spoke and tore up the copy of his speech in front of the cameras. Why does she hate him so much?

Although he does not have an easy personality, it is my believe that even if he were the most docile person on the planet she and others with the same political agenda would still despise him. It is not who he is but what he does and what he stands for that she despises.

What has he accomplished as president? Here are some of the victories:

  1. Peace treaties between various Arab nations and Israel
  2. Weakened Iranian threat as the Iranians turn their backs on their hostile leader
  3. Moved the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem (a promise made by successive presidents repeatedly for over 30 years)
  4. Withstood vitriol and impeachment
  5. Lowered unemployment and raised employment of black and Hispanic minorities countrywide to the highest level in history
  6. Raised blue colour employment
  7. Called out the Chinese government for unfair trading
  8. Ensured Nato nations paid their agreed share for defence.
  9. Legally and fairly increased the judiciary toward a more conservative ie Constitution-supporting Supreme Court

With so much accomplishment, why is Trump so despised?

I think he’s disliked for three key reasons: 1. His politics and 2. His personality 3. the agenda of Cultural Marxism

His politics is right of centre. He seeks to uphold the American Constitution as it was designed. This opposes the Democrat effort. They are for personal liberty and against a conservative view of the American Constitution. This battle between traditional values and extreme liberty has been raging for decades. Now it has simply escalated!

Add to that, a corruption and greed for power and money in politics…. and you have why Trump ran for president: to recapture the economic success and moral compass of America. That is what “Make American Great Again” means.

Ironic isn’t it, that he was a ladies man for decades. He’s been married and divorced several times. But then, he who loves much has been forgiven much.

It is my thought that the Republican Party, who has had its share of corruption, has been mostly cleaned up in these past four years. Many who disliked Trump initially have come on board because they see the integrity of his plan and his execution of it (when not blocked by Democrats).

Now to his personality: The Media, Hollywood by-and-large, the the Democrats are left of centre. This means, not only are there some crooked politicians controlling and manipulating of the political system, but most of the cards of publicity are in the hands of those against all that Trump stands for. The vast number in the Media are Democrat leaning. Over 90% of his coverage is negative. Programmes on the MSM broadcast negativity and hatred.

What we do matters more than what we say

From the time Trump was nominated as the Republican candidate for presidency in 2016, he has been quoted as saying some hair-raising things. Most were historic. More recently, he has been mis-quoted. And sometimes, he is actually quoted properly and yes, he has said some irksome things.

Donald Trump is not an easy personality to digest. He is a fallen man, like all fallen men. But he’s managed to do a lot of good for the nation, in spite of a constant barrage of accusation, with absolutely no grace given by those in opposition. He’s lost half his fortune while acting as president and still the other side accuses him of making money from being in government.

He has done much of what he promised to do. This has made him (un)popular.

Offence is the best defence

There is an expression which I think comes from American Football: offence is the best defence. Certainly this is how people in America are being played by the powerful against their president.

The primary accusers in government are covering their own immorality and corruption. Or even where it isn’t the case a particular opponent is corrupt, there is a long-term agenda of Cultural Marxism* by the elite: they sow a recipe of suspicion, accusation, hatred, violence, looting in order to reap anarchy and the end of Christian tradition and the Family. A principle of “Crush Trump at any cost” is pushed — verbal and physical attacks know no bounds. Black Lives Matter is run by people who have an alternative agenda. They don’t exercise compassion for the plight of minorities but rather put them in the front line and sow hatred — even between black citizens and black cops. There is no grace, no search for peace. This is all to push forward an anti tradition agenda where anything is acceptable in order to damage Christianity and the Family. These are the prime targets of Cultural Marxists, with Trump is the current arch-enemy. The philosophical belief is that all truth is relative and any absolutes must be destroyed, so to “Make America Great Again” would mean to revert to traditional values and customs, and to promote capitalism.

Further opposition

Pandemic

Covid-19 has decimated the world economy. China in already bouncing back, while the Western democracies are entering a second wave. Trump is single-handedly being blamed in America for its pandemic crisis and when he says it’s China’s fault, his haters call him racist. In fact, when he was friendly to China he was accused of being in its pocket and when he calls out that nation for starting the virus, he’s called a racist.

American unpopularity

Some Americans are coming to realise that internationally, Americans were not particularly well-liked during the twentieth century. On the whole, Europeans disliked Americans since WWII. Americans only began to recognise their international unpopularity during President George W Bush’s presidency — with 9.11 and the (Second) Iraq War. It isn’t right to paint all people of a nation with one brush, but unfortunately, stereotyping does happen, and in the case of Americans, they have been stereotyped as loud, rude and ignorant, the very qualities that Donald Trump has embodied.

Could this be why some Americans don’t like him?

Trump: a Reflection

The Americans citizens who don’t like President Trump find him unbearable, like squeaky chalk on a blackboard. My theory is that they are ashamed of him because seeing and hearing him is like looking into a mirror and being horrified by what is reflected back.

But GOD

Now here’s the thing: GOD has put President Trump into the White House, just as He has put every nation’s leader into power, throughout history, one way or another.

Is Trump — as painted by the media and political opposition — a proper representation of President Trump? Does it matter?

Romans 13 begins, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from GOD. Therefore whoever resists authority, resists the ordinance of GOD, and those who resist will bring judgement upon themselves.”

Those who have resisted President Trump’s presidency will experience judgement upon themselves.

A new election

Of course as in any democracy, people have a right to choose their president. I don’t believe, however, that anyone has the right to try to oust who wins just because they don’t like him, which is fundamentally what has happened in the United States since November 2016.

Why are some not planning to vote for Trump the second time around?

Is it because his policies have changed? But they haven’t really, have they? He raised employment hugely, including that of the minority groups. He’s rebuilt manufacturing in America’s heartland. He tried to revise health care (though was blocked by the House of Representatives). He tried to complete the wall (though much of the funding was blocked by the House of Representatives). He’s combated illegal immigration (the cages photographed were actually from the Obama administration, although they have also been used since 2016). In foreign policy, he has supported Israel and endorsed Jerusalem as its capital. He’s moved Arab nations to work with Israel, aiding stability in the region. He’s got allied nations to pay their fair share in defence.

Is it because of his response to Covid-19? But who has got it right in the Western Hemisphere?

Is it because he’s annoying? Sure he is, but do we vote for a personality or for policy?

Here’s the nub: Has media pressure or individual pride infected some to reject Donald J Trump as a person and as the American President? Has the wave of objection and unpopularity become an infection as pervasive as Coronavirus?

To the Americans who follow Jesus

What is it about Jesus that lead us to follow him? What made the people follow him when he walked the earth? He wasn’t good looking. He didn’t say nice things to everybody (which is why the Pharisees wanted him dead). The people followed Jesus because of the miracles, his wisdom and his anointing.

Donald Trump in no way can nor should be compared to Jesus. But who is he and how did he get elected? What has he done to honour being kept in office? Does anything of what he does echo Jesus’ teaching?

Who has GOD anointed as American President for this time?

Four years ago people voted for Mr Trump because of his policies. Those haven’t changed, so why are some turning from him now?

I think GOD has allowed this president free rein. This man’s tongue is often hard to bear. Should that matter to the voter?

I believe the LORD is exposing the heart of American Believers. If His Word matters, if His principles matter, then how should those who follow Him respond vis a vis this upcoming election?

Who is the candidate who best supports GOD’s Word and His principles?

Consider fact not media gossip

What does each candidate say about the Bible? About the Unborn? About Israel (which is still the apple of GOD’s eye)? Whom do you believe?

Who has best served the minority groups: blacks and hispanics in particular (by economic progress rather than a quote taken out of context)?

Who has best demonstrated, when in office, integrity and the outworking of the word he has spoken?

Each voter must investigate and answer that for him/herself before voting. It takes quite a lot of effort to follow the person rather than the media. It takes discernment too, to untangle the motive behind any message. Each must work out his own choice. My prayer is that folks will work out their own and not follow what someone else suggests.

How will you vote?

In these turbulent times, I don’t think an election is about personality but about encouraging the Kingdom of Heaven coming to Earth.

I pray all voters will pray, “Not my will but Your will, Father” and then vote accordingly. Then the election result will be in line with GOD’s perfect will.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

*Cultural Marxism – research The Frankfurt School or better yet, read “Into the Lion’s Den” by Steve Maltz (available on Amazon)

Categories
Examining Biblical Scripture Torah Portion Examined

Genesis Creation Story: Richness of the Truth offered by Creation Scripture

Genesis Creation Story

Genesis 1:1 to 6:8

In the Genesis Creation Story we find a richness, a wealth of power and truth, and through this an added empowerment to our everyday walk of faith.

“In the beginning GOD.”

I was reading this morning the first Torah Portion* for this Hebrew year which has just begun. Reading the Torah Portion puts the entire Pentateuch** to our eyes and mind in the space of a year. Gentiles reading alongside the Jewish people can gain much in re-reading the Book of the Law over and over again.

In my re-reading today I realised several keys:

  1. “Let the earth bring forth grass…” By about 1:11 I realised afresh: Oh, what a creative Creator He is. From out of nothing, sprang the earth: beginning with light, the heavens and eventually bio forms, life forms of grass, living creatures… and finally Mankind. He created life forms in order that they may beget life. Wow! Let us never take that for granted. Though the planets and solar systems existed before the earth itself, in some sense, life as we call it, did not. No bio life existed before GOD called it into being.
  2. Then along the way of reading chapter 1 of Genesis, I realised what a disaster we have made of the beauty of the world. I won’t dwell on that here.
  3. “And Adam said… She shall be called Woman” in Genesis 2:23 and I realised as he called all the animals so he called Woman. Does that mean he has superiority over her? Ouch!
  4. Eve probably didn’t hear GOD say not to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, but only that Adam had told her GOD had said that, which would explain why she over-stated saying, “You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.” (3:3)
  5. The interminable struggle between good and evil, man and the devil, is synthesised in these words, “He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” (3:15)
  6. Genesis does not share all the children borne of Eve, because there were many alive by the time Cain married (4:17), and this was easily accomplished since they all lived nearly 1000 years.
  7. Through Seth, men began to call upon the name of the LORD. This is important: i. Through Seth’s line came Noah. ii. the name of the LORD is important. This latter point will be made in future posts, just as I have referred to it before.
  8. GOD called human beings “Mankind” (5:2)… isn’t it remarkable how today, even this is being assaulted by those who wish to call us “humankind” or “people-kind” so as not to seem anti-feminine.
  9. Noah was the great grandson of Enoch, who never died but “walked with GOD; and he was not for GOD took him.” (5:23)
  10. “Sons of GOD” aka fallen angels (6:2) had sex with daughters of men and from these intercourses were mighty men descended. And there were “giants on the earth” (6:4). These offspring could well be the “gods” of ancient belief systems such as held in Greece, Rome for the West and others (I’m less familiar with) from the history of the East.

Contemplating Genesis Creation does not conflict with other religions or scientific belief. In fact, it enhances, explains from a Judea-Christian heritage how the earth and everything in it began, developed.

May I encourage you to read through the beginning of time to Noah. May I also encourage you to get a copy of the Torah Portions (free at: www.torahportions.org) and consider the Word of GOD deeply, richly and fully as you continue on your journey to knowing GOD more intimately.

Shalom and GOD Bless.

*Torah Portion: that part of the first five books of the Bible allocated per Sabbath Saturday. The Torah is the first five books of the Bible as written by Moses from GOD’s “dictation”.

** Pentateuch: the first five books of the Bible