Rumblings

Reposted by permission of author Richard Lucas.

Psalms 115:16 (KJV) “The heaven, [even] the heavens, [are] the LORD’S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.”  

My Precious Brethren, every four years of US elections some of our brethren  tell us that whoever gets elected is “whoever God wanted in there.”  At times this has troubled me, and I would like for us to do a little thoughtful considering.  Some of this I have posted elsewhere as a comment on a post by a wonderful Brother.

There are numerous examples in Scripture where people did not do the will of God.  There are clear examples in Scripture where someone took the throne by subterfuge, treachery, and dishonesty when it absolutely was not the will of God and violated God’s will.

E.g Athaliah slaughtering the seed royal (her own grandchildren) and stealing the throne.  Did the High priest fight the will of God then by removing her after 7 years and having her executed?  Should he have accepted her wicked treachery as the will of God, welcomed her, and pledged to work with her in unity?

Do you not believe the wrong person can ever be voted in as pastor of a church, head of a District or as a District official, or even a national leader?  Do you believe every official and pastor in our organization voted in was God’s will?  Do you think God cares and is more watchful over political leaders than he is over His own Body, the Church?

Many times God allows us mortals to make choices, then reap the consequences of our choices.  Both in Israel, and then Israel and Judah, not everyone who came to the throne was who God wanted there.  One died after 2 days because he killed the king and stole the throne. Abimelech was not God’s will.  Gideon refused to rule as king. Abimelech wanted it and killed all of Gideon’s sons but one who God protected.  Abimelech destroyed those he ruled and in the process destroyed himself.  None of that was the will of God, and God promised them what the results of their wrong direction would be.

We all know pastors or leaders who were voted in who should not have been.  It was not God’s will, and spiritually sensitive people knew it.

If a man has been part of the most anti-Christ, anti-Israel, most pro-abortion, pro-LGBTQ administration in history, and he and his running mate personally were responsible for the unjust incarceration of hundreds of thousands of minority men and women, should we welcome that and promise to work together in unity?  

When a new president vows to immediately eliminate gender distinction in restrooms and gym shower rooms in every public school, in every restroom in every government building, and every public restroom in America, not allowing any separation or distinction between male and female, that is a big problem.  When he appoints a transgender individual to oversee,  implement, and enforce  this policy, and orders the new attorney general to work together to order this, that is not an individual with a sane, rational, normal mind.  That is someone controlled and under the influence of the most vile, depraved, wicked demonic spirits.  A VP that sued nuns to force them to pay for insurance that provided abortions, and introduced legislation to try to make it illegal for any religious group or entity (including churches) to exclude LGBTQ individuals from filling any position or roll on their organizational, church, or religious school staff.  

Yes we are to pray for leaders and those in authority.  We are also to battle in Spiritual warfare against “principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

I believe I will not be here, but for my Brethren that plan to be here to greet the antichrist, do you plan to write him letters of welcome? Should we promise to pray for his success and pledge to support him and work with him in unity in all areas where we can?  Scripture does not say he will be “put in there by God”, but rather that he will gain the kingdom by flatteries and his power will come from the dragon.

I love you Brethren intensely, and am so grateful that God has allowed me to be in the Body and work together.  Especially for the privilege of serving in ministry in the UPCI.  I write this in love with absolutely no animus toward anyone, but from my heart I feel these are some things we need to think about.

Goodbye 2020 Goodbye

Can I get an Amen ! I would venture to say there are several who would offer up a resounding cheer to see this year go. Covid-19 confided to our homes with family concerned for our safety to say the least and even fearful to venture outside at times. The introduction to an entire society for the first time the forced wearing of masks in order not to spread or be spread upon a virus that might kill you or perhaps someone you know, Church’s for the first time being forced to close by government mandates yet auto parts stores are allowed to be opened. Go figure huh ….

An election that is still reeling with rumors of wide base fraud. A government that seems to be out of control on so many fronts that for the first time red blooded Americans question their own resolve about being American. Riots in the streets of many major city’s in America. Our very history of America in question and benchmarks we grew up with torn, down for what seems to be little or no provocation.

Are you discouraged yet ? I would be if this is all the future I had to hold on to. Our lives today, right now and our future are not determined by CNN, ABC or Fox news. Not by Democrats, Republicans or independent’s. Not by Congress, the Senate or the Surgeon General. The Word of God clearly states:

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5, 6).

Now either we believe everything the “Word of God” States or we should believe nothing. We have never been given the option to pick and choose want to wish to hold as divine truth and dismiss what we feel as non applicable to our lives.

We have a future and it’s not here. Were living in the last days, more accurately the last of the last days. For the first time since I can remember being in church more and more of this mind set is being expressed not by radicals standing on a wood box on a street corner but by trusted and respected men of God.

2020 has been a tough year no doubt. Love ones have gone on, but God is in Control! Some are battling Covid-19 right now; fearful of their future but God is in Control! Some have walked away from church unable to handle the challenges 2020 has brought but God is in Control! However on the other hand, Bible studies are still being taught, maybe via Skype or face time but the Bible is being taught, souls are getting the Holy Ghost and the sick are being healed. Yes God is still in Control.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. (Psalms 121: 1,2)

I am sanctified proud of the Azusa StreetRiders ministry. We have taken everything this world could throw and yet held our resolve, praying, fasting, teaching, anointing in prayer, supporting each other as best we could and gathering our selves together when we could to minister to souls and to this ministry.

2020 is at our doorstep, in fact writing this article we only have a few more hours. Let’s put behind us the past, I want this ministry to hit the ground running in 2021 starting with Bind the Strong Man. I hope and pray we all in our own and as best we can be a part of this event on March 6th. If you choose not to travel for whatever reason, I understand I only ask you please to set time aside and examine and prepare yourselves for what the Lord has in store for us this coming year.

Time is short folks, there are souls to be saved and it is our only mandate to spread the Word of the Lord. Let’s give Jesus the best we can in 2021 we all know he gave us his best when he hung on a tree for you and me. So stay the Course, Keep the faith; God is Still in Control!

I hope everyone had a merry and blessed Christmas!
As I taught my children’s group, Jesus Crew, the month of December, I spoke to them about the true meaning of Christmas. I wanted them to understand, to know the reason we celebrate.  I wanted them to be as excited about Jesus’ birth, as they were about receiving their presents.
 The last Wednesday night before Christmas at our kids church, they were so anxious and excited to sing and celebrate Jesus’ birthday. I explained to them how great it was to receive presents but our greatest present was???—— and one of my little bitty girls said, “ the whittle baby in the manger” my heart melted.
They wanted to sing happy birthday to Jesus and we did just that!
If we don’t teach our children and get God in their little hearts, the world sure will latch on to them and drag them as far away from the church as possible.
I have children that were raised in the truth, been filled with the Holy Ghost and shouted all around the church lost.  Going to hell, unless I reach the throne of God for them. I don’t want my children to spend an eternity in hell. 
I have been thinking how I want a change, a stir in my soul in this new year, like I have NEVER had before. My pastor spoke last Sunday about us longing to see lost souls saved. Do we really have a burden for lost souls?  I need to be as upset over someone I have never met, being lost and going to a devils hell as I am my family or my children!
 Do we cry and pray for the lost or are we so comfortable with just going to church, satisfied if one comes to the alter- one gets baptized—? 
We should cry for lost souls! 
I want to reach the lost. I want to be the reason that someone seeks God.
Just as Bro Hardin stated this week, how can we be an influence in 2021?   How can we build up the kingdom of God?
I want to set my goals in the new year to do more work for the kingdom than I ever have!   Will you join me?
We have a wonderful tool,  in itself,  with the ASR group. It is a testimony that starts many conversations with people we otherwise may have never came in contact with.
I challenge every rider to reach more souls in 2021 !  People are hungry, they are searching for one thing to satisfy the longing in their soul.   We know that only Jesus can satisfy!
 Let’s be instrumental in souls being won and the church being on fire in 2021!

• Please  join in prayer and fasting for the following needs:
  
  Missions
  Rev. Mike and Rev. Julie McGhghy
  Aimers to Costa Rica
  
  Restoration
  Prodigals
  
  Healing
  
  
• Bro. Fred Bealle-complete healing
• Bro. Doug Solomon-brain tumor
• Bro. Eagen’s granddaughter, Julia-divine intervention
• Bro. Oeland Hanes wife Carolyn-complete healing
• Sis. Lydia Diaz-complete healing
• Sis. Mandy Womack-complete healing

Also remember all the ones that have lost family members and friends to Covid-19  

Recovering/still in need of touch from Covid 

Bro.  Johnny & Sis. Esther Carr
Bro. Joe Sanders wife, Sis. Dawn                                                                               

Chaplain Carman Hamby

Hello all,
Just wanted to drop in and say hi and share some thoughts I been having for good while now. We all need a friend or friends, somebody to pal around with, somebody to share problems or concerns with, somebody whose company we enjoy, someone we love and respect. Now don’t take take me wrong I know Jesus is the friend that sticks closer than a brother, I’m not taking anything away from the Lord. But most of us have a friend we can turn to when we need someone besides our spouse. Some of us are blessed to have multiple friends. But in my time around ministry I’ve noticed one particular person or position that doesn’t have many close friends, instead they get complained at, hear the problems and concerns of everyone. Very seldom do they get to do something with a friend just to unwind or share their concerns with, very seldom do they have fun.

The person I’m talking about is Pastor’s, it seems to me they actually have the least amount of friends, but we can fix that, instead of bombarding our Pastor’s with all our problems, how about asking them how they are doing, asking them out for lunch, go shooting or watch a game. After all, our Pastor is 2nd in line to Jesus when it comes to importance in our lives, they are put in our lives by the Lord, since we want Jesus to call us friend, shouldn’t we be friend to the one he put in our life, our walk with God will be easier when we friend the man of God and not just look at him as ruler or problem solver.

Let 2021 be the year that your Pastor is more than Pastor, he is your friend, he needs an ear to talk to as well as we do, your Pastor needs you as much as you need him. Love your Pastor, Pray for your Pastor, Be your Pastor’s friend and you will see your relationship with the Lord get closer.
God bless you all!
Bro Tom

May The Lord Truly Bless each and everyone of you

Merry Christmas too all