Tag: Last Days

Categories
Reflections and Poetry

Believer, let not your mind get lazy: a self reflection

Believers, let us not allow our minds to get lazy

I have been recognising that I am slowing down a bit. I’m not as vigorous as I used to be. That includes both my physicality and my mentally as well. Spiritually, I praise GOD because I seem to continue to grow!

There’s nothing wrong with my health or my age. I just don’t have the quickness of movement I used to have, and perhaps even my thinking is slowing down.

I’m sure the quickness and stiffness in my body has to do with getting older…. Although I’m thinner than I used to be and within the boundaries of ideal weight, and although according to medical science I’m healthy, I am aging; so physically, I’m less flexible and less quick than I was a few years ago. I exercise most days to try to keep age at bay.

As for my mind though, I don’t think the reduction of vitality is age (or at least not entirely), but rather, I think my mind will be as fit and healthy as I choose it to be, based upon the choices I make every day. Just as what I eat and what I do keeps me physically healthy (or not!), so too what I feed my mind, and how I use it will determine significantly how dexterous my thinking remains.

What isn’t good for me

I have learned too much tv or internet is not good for me. It deadens my acuity. I’ve written about that before. I can choose to watch a movie or read a book; I can choose to surf the next or not! But also, what I watch will either stimulate or deter my mental clarity and agility. This is the nub of what I want to write about today…

Proverbs 22: 24-25 says,

“Make no friendship with an angry man,

And with a furious man do not go,

Lest you learn his ways

And set a snare for your soul.”

On the surface, this proverb speaks of associations and friendships, but it can also mean influences. Today, we can influence people in the millions without ever meeting them, simply through what we post on the internet.

So too, we can be influenced by people we never meet in person. Do we know the character of the people we watch on YouTube, for example? We don’t know their personality, unless we know them personally. We only know what we see from our screens. And yet, many of these people act as pastors in our lives, or philosophers, or are our source of news and information. 

Gauging the Character of those whom we watch

If a person is raging — either in temper or accusation — he or she is angry, unsettled, or in slang, “mad”. And why do we call it mad? Because ‘emotion is hot, and reason is not’:)

Irrespective of how a person portrays himself or herself on social media or the in news media, they may — and probably do — have an agenda behind their postings. If the person is angry, is it righteous anger driving them, or self-righteous anger?

Anger: righteousness or self-righteousness

Righteousness can only come from GOD. When Jesus overturned the tables in the temple, he was very angry. But out of that anger, he said clearly and simply,

“… It is written, ‘My house is a ‘house of prayer’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’” (Luke 19:46)

If we follow writers or speakers who are angry at government or science or the rich- and-powerful, why are we following them? What they say may be accurate, but what is their attraction and what is their effect upon us: on our minds, on our relationship with GOD and with our sharing of the Gospel, and with our brothers and sisters who may not agree?

The litmus test is simple

If, from what we are digesting, we are not growing closer to GOD and to loving Him and others more, then what we are digesting is not of GOD.

Making healthy choices

How much non-spiritual food do you want to digest?  A little bit of chocolate is not unhealthy physically, but how much proportion of chocolate do you put in your daily diet? Likewise, a little bit of news can be interesting and can even inform for our prayers. But how much “bad news” is healthy to digest or even desirable?

To my mind, as Paul suggests in Philippians 4:8, I will aim primarily to choose, “whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

These are righteous choices, these are healthy choices, these are wise choices to make.

Be aware

I write Preparing the Bride because, as a watchman, my call is to observe and notify. What I observe is that a whole lot of people in the body of Christ are getting seriously distracted, and sometimes even disturbed by evil plots and conspiracies of the powerful elite. 

If this time spent upon such matters is not growing us toward Yeshua our Saviour, then it is time badly spent.

If these powerful elite are evil, are we praying for their souls? If they are of the devil, why are we giving them time? “Resist the devil and he will flee.” (James 4:&) Often I don’t observe people resisting, but rather dwelling upon the evil, sharing it — which is gossip — and being antagonised by or fascinated with it.

Evil exists, but I don’t choose to hang around it

Someone may respond to my provoking this subject by saying, “But we must pray against it.” Yes, and we must also pray for our leaders.

The devil is fascinating, the devil is deceptive, the devil will do anything to entice us away from Jesus. 

How close are we to our Saviour and how far from the devil in these days? How ready and prepared are we as the Bride? At the end of these days, that is what matters.

Bless the reader and know my heart is simply: to love Yehovah GOD, the Creator of the universe, and to make Him known.

Shalom, Shalom.

Categories
Politics and Society today

Pray before you Post, Be Meek before you Speak

by Rev Dr Hugh Alexander Jackman

Pray before you Post, Be meek before you speak.

On behalf of Spirit and Life Ministries, I would like to make a brief statement which I hope will bring a sense of calm and balance to those members of the  body of Christ who may hear it from me. I know this may make me less popular with some of you, I wish it were not so, but this is unimportant to me, since I do not seek popularity or fame. 

I believe the devil is seeking to divide the body of Christ over the issue of Coronavirus vaccinations. Almost every day, rather than becoming offended, I am sending private messages to friends and loved ones who have taken a stance or publicly shared something on this issue, which would be offensive to other believers in Christ. 

We have to face a stark reality – Some Christians have taken the vaccine whilst others have not. 

Whilst I support my brothers or sisters in whichever decision they choose to make, I am increasingly concerned about those who insist on taking the moral or spiritual high ground because of their particular stance. 

If you are unvaccinated, you do so by faith, choosing to trust God and not medicine. Perhaps you are to be commended in this, but no more so than the believer who after prayer, and also by Faith, chooses to be vaccinated without fear of any any earthly consequences. 

To me, spiritually speaking, both positions are worthy of some applause. However, I find nothing in the Bible to suggest that one stance makes you more blessed than the other. No matter how you may feel about the situation my appeal to you today is to

Pray before you post. Be meek before you speak.

If we continue to allow the devil to divide us, our Gospel will find itself lost in a world of controversy and confusion.

So again my appeal is, Pray before you post. Be meek before you speak.

Do not insult your brothers and sisters in Christ bringing them into offence with you by implying that they are unspiritual or immature simply because their stance is different to yours. They and you are equally washed in the blood of Jesus. There is no partiality with God.

I believe as the body of Christ, in many cases, we are the only light that this world will see. If they don’t see God in us, particularly in our unity, perhaps they will not see him anywhere.

Christians, please do not share videos and messages from unqualified and unbiblical  sources. This is very dangerous because in most cases,  it only leads to further confusion and division. Remember your friends, family and loved ones are looking to you for truth. In this regard, You owe them the Gospel, nothing else. 

Apostle Paul wrote

1 Corinthians 1:10 (NKJV) 10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Again, in Ephesians 4:1-6 (KJV) He writes, I  beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

From Heavens perspective – Your stance regarding this issue is largely unimportant. It has no bearing upon your salvation in this world or in the world to come. It does not gain you any higher position than anyone else so for goodness sake, let it go.

My brothers and sisters we are living in the last of the last days and as such we know that the devil will seek to divide us. Jesus said, a house divided will not be able to stand. So do not let him succeed. Stop trying to take the high ground on your position at the detriment of another, but rather give thanks to God for His grace in our lives. 

Pray and thank God for your life, and for the life of all of your loved ones today. Pray in unity for the governments of the land where you live, wherever you are, to come into alignment with God’s perfect will for this world. 

Again I appeal to you, Pray before you post. Be Meek before you Speak

Thank you for taking the time to listen to and share this message. I would like to end with the words of our Lord Jesus Christ.

From Mark 7:15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.”

God Bless you 

In Peace and in love.

Categories
Politics and Society today Preparing the Bride of Jesus Christ

Biological Bombshell

Reflections on Current Events: A possibility and what to do with it

Sitting still one afternoon this week, I just stopped everything for a couple of hours. And what was the result?

My mind began to do some simple addition.

I’m not saying I was or was not “in the Spirit”. I’m not going to ask anyone to agree or to disagree with me. I’m just taking stock of where the world is at the moment and something has begun to dawn on me… 

This particular afternoon, I had just listened to 30 minutes with Amir Tsarfati on TV7’s Times Observer (Teach us to Number our Days and Redeem the Time) discussing the geopolitical alliances that are being drawn up around the world which match Biblical prophecy. A few days’ previously, I’d heard a report given by David E Martin on the Data Science Association broadcast, stating in America that Covid patents and their vaccines were applied for as early as 2003 and continuously through the 2010’s. How could that be, when Covid-19 only first appeared on the scene in late 2019 in China?

What I’m about to suggest is not an attack on UK government.

My own view is that most governments are trying to protect people and are doing their best to deal with this virus. I believe that of my own government here in the UK. And contrary to the media hype which likes to pull down any and all government decision and action for their failure to be perfect, I think the motive behind an action is far more significant than any particular action or its relative success. So I am at relative peace with my own government, believing that whilst they may not be telling us the whole truth, they are attempting to protect us and our health.

But, in amidst this “climate of quiet” a light has dawned…

Before I made any decision whether I believed this brightening light of an idea, I messaged a dear friend, well-read on matters Covid, and aligned with me in the love of the LORD and the importance of Israel in these Last Days. She concurred with my thoughts, for the LORD has been revealing similar to her over a period of time, which for her began with dreams in 2017…. 

What is afoot?

I suspect and might now go as far as to conclude that we are engaged in biological warfare. I would purport to support this view further and suggest that Sars and Covid 19 were not accidents in nature, but deliberate attacks on foreign nations, respectively from the US to attack China and China to respond upon the Western world in particular. And I suspect the governments are all acutely aware of the situation.

In the natural, this is mere suspicion and I cannot prove it. I am not stating this as a conclusion or fact. Rather, I think it is simply the new reality we live in: nations are under attack and this chief method of attack is biological.

How I draw my conclusions

As I said above, I was taking time to reflect, and this is what came from the depth of my mind. Is it from GOD? I do not know. I think it is sound and it does not contradict scripture. Matthew 24 mentions plagues in the last days. How the plagues arise is not explained. We can assume it is disease, but there is nothing to prevent the possibility that it arises through “germ warfare”.

What do I do with this?

As or if the LORD leads me to do more than write here about it, so be it. It is more important what I do not do with it: I do not use it as a campaign to vent my dislike with how things are manifesting on the earth; Jesus did not imply the Last Days would be pleasant; we are called to pray for our governments and to obey the hands that lead us for GOD brings us our governments. 

I do not use it as a campaign against the government or media for keeping it secret for I suspect silence is their means to prevent full-scale panic. I do not use it to attack or despise other nation states, for “we do not war against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers….” (Ephesians 6:10 onwards) 

If anything at all, I use this as a catapult to minister to others the love and salvation of Yeshua Jesus.

“Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b)

Categories
Politics and Society today

One World Government Schemes: What to do with the reports

Hands in sky

One World Government

“Just because I’m paranoid, doesn’t mean they’re not out to get me.”

(Humorous saying – Cambridge Dictionary)

This is a well-worn expression we can apply the to the conspiracy theories of “One World Government” which allegedly plot to dramatically depopulate the world (using amongst other devices, chemtrails and immunisations that carry cancer-producing agents) and destroy national boarders once-and-for-all.

According to a variety of conspiracy theorists, an elite group of wealthy and influential people who are largely a-political in the usual sense, have been plotting for decades to control the world. They pull their weight through their money and influence. They are possessed of the same passion for control and power that has existed for centuries and has manifested itself in leaders such as the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, Caesar and other leaders of Ancient Rome, Attila the Hun, Napoleon, Hitler, Stalin. Some would say they want to create a master race through Eugenics; others would simply say they want the world for themselves.

What do we do with the massive number of YouTube videos and other alternative news platforms which spout these rumours? How do we weigh the facts against the propaganda? What is true and what is fantastical?

For me, I navigate this alternative viewpoint as best as possible:

  1. with a discerning eye.
  2. I don’t watch more than I can stomach.
  3. And most important of all, I don’t allow myself to get drawn in emotionally.

Do I believe there is such a group? Yes, But do I believe all that is spouted about it? No, because there is at least as much supposition and assumption in those reports against conspiracy as there is basis for fact. This is disappointing, because we get plenty of bias in the mainstream media.I wish it were not the case also in the alternative media.

Acceptance, not denial

Here’s how I seek to address the conspiracy theories.

I am not surprised there are powerful people who seek to dominate the world. That is history and sadly, as human beings, we do not seem to learn from history as much as we tend to repeat it.

But while I am aware of such things, I try to keep at arm’s length. Yes, I pray about these matters, but I do not attempt to pray beyond my remit. Always there will be evil, but I am not equipped or called to do battle directly against satan nor many of his forces; therefore, I must discern, pray, and leave what is not my job to those who’s job it is to expose or to thwart the plans of the enemy.

But by acceptance, I don’t mean I wish to allow these forces or these people to succeed. What I mean is that I seek to be aware of the reality of the schemes, to be wary of the bias publicised against — and for — these people, and be alert to how I am meant to share the reality, to pray against it, or to refute publicly or in private about their schemes.

We don’t live in fear

That’s Number 1. GOD tells us repeatedly, though we be up against terror, we shall not fear. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10) and that will lead us to truth and peace-of-mind, and will give us the courage to face whatever comes along.

We don’t try to change the Word of GOD

Revelation, also called The Apocalypse, speaks of the plagues and mark of the beast, to name just two of Last Days circumstances. (Revelation 6 and 13) We must surely warn against taking the mark. But we are not going to stop it, nor should we try. What is in GOD’s Word we want to come to pass, though we can surely aim to protect others against the wiles of the devil.

We know, as we read and believe GOD’s Word, that He is in control. As we surrender to His will, and as we give our time and attention to His plan and purpose, we are closer to bringing His kingdom to earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)

We don’t be complacent

The weapon of our warfare is first and foremost, the Word of GOD, declared through the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:10-18). And so our best weapon is to pray fervently and consistently, as GOD leads. To be aware of the world around us is key to discovering how we are meant to pray, but we must guard our minds and hearts against the machinations and manipulations of fear and intrigue.

Let’s keep our eye on the Lord Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, and let us pray for GOD’s will and His way to be done. The timing and the mechanisms that GOD chooses to use for His purposes must be supported and trusted. I believe we must discern and pray as He leads us.

Amen.

Categories
Supernatural & Prophetic

Favourite Videos that offer Food for Serious Thought: HOLY FIRE vs CHAOS

Mel Gibson & Jim Caviezal, D Trump & B Netanyahu, “The Man who Planted Trees” (CBC), Curt Landry and Seven Prophecies

Trumpet for Witnessing our Faith

Do we already have the Two Witnesses?

The Man who Planted Trees

Curt Landry’s Testimony: Tool for Witness

Seven Prophecies that Must be Fulfilled

 

Categories
Politics and Society today

Christian Persecution in the Last Days

“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

(2 Timothy 3:12)

I recently viewed the movie The Promise, an historical romance based on the facts surrounding the Armenian Genocide in Turkey during the First World War.

Armenian Genocide

During the years 1915 to 1918, Armenians were systematically removed from the Muslim majority society in the Ottoman Empire; they were put into camps or killed, simply because of their cultural and racial heritage. They were Christians.

Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political or cultural group (Miriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Miriam-Webster Incorporated, Springfield, Mass USA, 2008), such as was undertaken in Nazi Germany against the Jews and homosexuals during WWII, and in Turkey against the Armenian Christians, after they allied with the Germans in WWI.

Until I met and became friends with an Armenian a year or two ago, I had never heard of the Armenian genocide. I hadn’t realised that in the early 20th century Christians had faced persecution on a large — national and international — level. Now, as I look at the present day, such as when ISIS terrorists beheaded men at the waterside, for example, I realise persecution of Christians has been on the rise for some time. This is further evidence that we are in the Last Days before Jesus’ return (see 2 Timothy 3).

Last Days are Perilous Times

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3: 1-4) Does this also not describe the times we are in?

The persecution does not always begin with expulsion and death. Whether you are a baker in Belfast, N Ireland or in Oregon in America, you can be persecuted for your faith.

And those who speak on behalf of Christians or their values can also experience persecution. Never has a United States president had such hate thrust upon him, until President Trump. His inauguration speech called for unity and hope, citing Psalm 133 and that the unity of brethren pull together. He asked the citizens of America to stand in solidarity with one another, regardless of colour or economic situation. When a child of poverty, black, white or brown skin goes to bed at night in America, he looks up at the same sky as a child in wealth, black, white or brown skin, he said.

Attack on Trump

But his detractors inspired and continue to insight protest. Then, people raged and carried signs saying, “Not My President”. To my mind their behaviour was reminiscent of the brownshirts’ uprising in fascist Nazi Germany. And yet, they protest, accusing Trump of such sympathies.

Today, while Donald J Trump does himself no favours with his confrontational style and tweets, giving loads of ammunition to his enemies to use against him, he nevertheless has been vilified on a scale never before seen by a US president.

Why is this happening?

I believe at the heart of it is satan, working his way through the minds of those who dislike Trump, using them to attack so he can’t get on with government.

Why would satan take an interest?

Because Jesus is elevated by those who surround the president and Judeo-Christian values are at the heart of his policies.

There is persecution, there is a war going on. We are not to fear. We need to be aware and to be ready.

With persecution comes hope. Jesus will come “in the night”, and he will call us to himself.

We must be sure we have our lamps when he comes, and that they are fully prepped with the oil of the Holy Spirit. We must be dressed as the bride, ready for his call.

As we witness the signs: the deterioration of society and the persecution of Christians to name only two, we must see that the End is near. Jesus will come and he’ll call us to him. We need not to fear but to be ready.