Watchman

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Saturday, September 27, 2008

The Evil of Capitolism

"Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." (Psalm 127:1)

The last century revealed the evils of communism and socialism--------
now, perhaps as never before, we have seen the greatest manifestation of the evil of capitalism.  There is no system in which man is involved, no ideology which is anything but "
vain," if the theme is not, "Looking unto Jesus."  Our text says, "Unless the LORD builds"and "guards."  This is the preface of human life.  Solomon came to this realization.  The survival of America and the nations of the world will depend on the same realization.  "Unless the LORD builds the house" and "Unless the LORD guards the city," all forms of human endeavor are worthless.

The success of any building depends solely on surrender to Jesus, The Builder, the Guard------------- "all other ground is sinking sand."

Father, in Jesus' Name, this day I choose afresh You as my Builder, my Guard. Amen.



"
Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2



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Friday, September 26, 2008

Forget and Press On

"But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ....But I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 3:7 & 12b)

I am heading off this morning for a radio interview with a sports broadcaster here in Johnstown.  He wants to talk about our 1958 state and national championship high school football team, celebrating the 50 year anniversary, with a special half time recognition at the Johnstown-Bishop Carroll game on October 4.  Most alive will probably ask, "Who are these old guys?!?"  I can honestly say that as much fun and good memories as I have, I would not want to "go back."  I know in our text that Paul was talking about his past "glories" in religion.  But what does it matter what we have left behind?  Since the best is yet to come, why would anyone want to remember with longing anything in the past?

I encourage you this morning to not let good or bad past memories keep you from pressing on.  It is just not worth it.  "
Press on so that [you] may lay hold of that for which also [you] were laid hold of by Christ Jesus."  Let this day be marked by, "Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,.. press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that our text will be the "mark" I leave in history.  Amen.





"
Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2



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Thursday, September 25, 2008

"How the Masters of the Universe Ran Amok"

"This is what the Sovereign LORD says: 'I will destroy the idols and put an end to the images in Memphis.  No longer will there be a prince in Egypt, and I will spread fear throughout the land.'" (Ezekiel 30:13-- NIV)

On September 16, an article appeared in "The Scotsman," entitled, "How the Masters of the Universe Ran Amok and cost Us the Earth."
Pundits, write on.  Modern Babel has encountered Sovereignty.

Our text indicates that "
the Sovereign LORD" deals sovereignly in the affairs of men and nations------ not just our worship jamborees.  Whether people pray or not, "rally" or not, "declare" or not, the Blessed Trinity will act.  "I will destroy the idols and put an end"--and, "I will spread fear."  What is going on now in the earth is the Great "I," the I Am, manifesting Himself as, "I Do."  Of course, pray, declare, worship, government and business leaders meet to do what they can, but if we fail to act according to the purposes of the "God-Breathed" Word, then, "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will.

Most people think sovereignty means, "God has everything under control; so I know all will work out just right for me----- no matter how I live."  No.  God is Sovereign; so all things will work out "
in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord."  It is only that nation, that government, that culture, that individual who lives, "in accordance," who will navigate through the storm.

The "
idols" and "images" of government bail outs, Wall Street, a culture which produced the Twin Towers, which declared to guided tours, "You are now standing in the financial center of the universe," are now encountering Sovereignty.  "I will destroy the idols and images....I will put fear in the land...."  Later in the passage, Jesus told Ezekiel, "Then the pride of her power will cease in her."  We have not done it on our own; so, now the Sovereign LORD, King Jesus, is doing it.  America, and nations of the world: Surrender to Your Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ.  Then you can live------------ and prosper.

Father, in Jesus' Name, while man is full of fear at what is coming on the earth, may I be an example of hope in You.  Amen.
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News and Commentary:          www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith."




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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Good Report on Ruby

Grandpa was a basket case for awhile today, but along with Sarah and many of our friends, we kept up the fight.  Thanks for your faithfulness.  Ruby is home with Dad and Mom and Sophie, bright-eyed as usual.  It seemed as though it was some sort of virus, which of course can be serious, but the Lord Jesus has had mercy.  Thanks so much again.  You mean so much to us.
 
Woody and Sarah
 
 
 
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith"  




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Update on Ruby

To those who have been praying, a hearty thank you from the Barnettes and Rooksberrys.  The latest report seems to have ruled out pneumonia.  They call it some sort of infection in her lungs.  We have been concerned because of the history of upper respiratory problems on my side of the family.  Will send an update to those who have indicated they are praying.

Thanks again, in Jesus' Name,

Woody and Sarah

"Looking Unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith"




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Our Granddaughter Taken to Emergency Room

Our daughter just called from an emergency room in Cincinnati, Ohio, to tell us that Ruby, our youngest granddaughter, was having difficulty breathing.  It may be pneumonia; they don't know.  I know you receive many requests.  This is one more.

Woody



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The Fruit of Separation Theology

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." (Ephesians 5:6)

Most people look at the Bible as a religious book, asserting "spiritual" principles which have nothing to do with anything outside a church
building, religious gatherings, prophesyings, or devotionals.  Americans have loved to speak of the "separation of church and state," but this is a classic smokescreen, just code for the real intent------the separation of God and culture, the separation of God and man.  Well, America, you've succeeded------ succeeded in incurring "
the wrath of God." 

Gary Bauer wrote in his "End of Day" article yesterday, "American financial markets remain in turmoil, and the anxiety level is going up....The turmoil is not an argument against free markets.  It is a reminder that free markets are not God and that even
they have to be tempered by virtue and reliable standards of right and wrong.  It is clear that greed and recklessness are the causes of the painful adjustments we are now experiencing" (My emphasis).  What does the American populace demand at this time?  No, "I have sinned and done this evil in your sight," just, "FIX IT NOW!"  And the government's response?  No repentance, just deception with "empty words" and empty promises-------------------- all the fruit of Separation Theology.

The "ways" of America are under the scrutinization of Jesus Christ.  The Presidents, Members of Congress, the Supreme Court, Hollywood, Wall Street and Main Street alike have taken "
their stand...together against the LORD and against His Christ....Now, "He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them;" and, in the words of Adam Clarke, The Trinity "shall utterly contemn their puny efforts; shall beat down their pride, assuage their malice, and confound their devices."  
In the end, only those in Jesus Christ will triumph.

Father, in the Name and Blood of Jesus, have mercy on me and America.  Forgive our "puny efforts" and pride.  "Confound [our] devices."  Amen.



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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

"I Did Not Prove Disobedient"

"Consequently, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, but kept declaring...."  (Acts 26:19)
 
My commitment is to Jesus Christ.  When I first encountered "religion," it was Jesus Christ who was waiting for me.  As Peter said, it is "through Him" I "believe in God."  As a very little boy, I did not see a "heavenly vision" as Paul; I saw Jesus and heard of Jesus in my father and mother and grandparents and Guy Eli, whom, when I was only four years old, can still remember singing with my Dad and me in our 1941 Studebaker, "I Need Jesus."  Then there was 83 year old, "Daddy" Shultz, who, when he prayed, I remembered thinking as a six year old, "Could this be what the scene in Gethsemane was like?"  Then there was-------  sorry, I could keep going.   
 
Before I could read, I also heard of Jesus in great songs such as, "Jesus Is All the World to Me" and "The Name of Jesus Is So Sweet" and "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" and "Moment By Moment"
        "Dying with Jesus by death reckoned mine,
        Living with Jesus a new life divine,
        Looking to Jesus 'til glory doth shine,
        Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine." 
"Moment By Moment" was written by Major Daniel Whittle, a Major in the American Civil War.  He composed this song in 1893, and when the great Andrew Murray heard the words, he adopted it as "his favorite hymn."  It is reported that Whittle, while attending the World's Fair in Chicago, met Henry Varley, a lay preacher from London.  Varley said to Whittle, "I do not like the hymn 'I Need Thee Every Hour.'  Whittle replied, "Very well, I need Him every moment of the day."   
 
Here is a great, maybe the great, key to life: 
    1. "Dying with Jesus"
    2. "Living with Jesus"
    3. "Looking to Jesus"
    4. And doing all, "Moment By Moment"
This is not a sermon.  It is my Life.  He is my Life.  And for over 48 years, in the words of our text, I have "kept declaring."
 
Father, in Jesus' Name, as with Your "Breathed" Word, keep these songs in my heart.  Amen.
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* For a report on yesterday's rally at the United Nations, and brief testimony of Major Whittle, go to: www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com
* I am preaching this coming weekend in the CCE meetings-- Maybe I'll sing some of these songs.




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Monday, September 22, 2008

So-Called Christian Groups Honoring Ahmadinejad

Lauder attacks Christian groups for hosting Ahmadinejad dinner
 
22 September 2008
Ronald S. Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, expressed outrage at the decision by five Christian groups to host Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at a dinner in New York on Thursday. The Mennonite Central Committee, the Quaker United Nations Office, the World Council of Churches, Religions for Peace and the American Friends Service Committee are sponsoring a dinner on 25 September 2008 with Ahmadinejad as the guest of honor, an event described as "dialogue between religious and political leaders" and a conversation to discuss "building peaceful societies". Ahmadinejad is in New York this week for the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Referring to the five Christian groups, Lauder said: "These organizations, who present themselves as altruistic and who have global influence, are promoting the world's foremost supporter of terrorism and an egregious violator of human rights. It was Ahmadinejad who held the first-ever state-sponsored international conference of Holocaust deniers. It is Ahmadinejad who is posing a threat to the United States and to Europe, and who has repeatedly called for the annihilation of Israel. It is Ahmadinejad who is defying the United Nations Charter with his mistreatment of minorities and women, and violates the UN Genocide Convention by threatening the destruction of another member state. It is Ahmadinejad who is steadfastly ignoring UN Security Council resolutions and who continually lies to the International Atomic Energy Agency about the real intentions of his nuclear program, endangering not only his neighbors in the Middle East but the entire world. Such a man cannot be a partner for peace and inter-faith dialogue."

The WJC president added: "These groups, who claim to hold up values such as peace and mutual understanding, make a mockery of themselves by shamelessly providing a cruel dictator and racist with a platform for his invective. There is no purpose in dignifying him. The World Council of Churches, the Quakers and the other sponsors of the event in New York have a long and distressing record of demonizing Israel. With their bow to Ahmadinejad, they have brazenly chosen a racist dictator as their friend."

Lauder also criticized the participation at the dinner of the UN General Assembly's current president, former Nicaraguan foreign minister and Catholic priest Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann. "Instead of showing a united face against Ahmadinejad, Mr. D'Escoto honors a man who does great dishonor to the United Nations. That is shameful and puts the credibility of the UN vis-à-vis Iran in doubt," he pointed out.
 



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Yesterday I Saw A Church-Goer Wearing an Obama Hat

"I have made you a tester of metals, that you may determine the quality of my people....They are as hard as bronze and iron, and they lead others into corruption.  The bellows fiercely fan the flames to burn out the corruptionBut it does not purify them, for the wickedness remains. I will label them, 'Rejected Silver,' for I, the Lord, am discarding them.'" (Jeremiah 6:27-30- NLT)

The modern American church in its duplicity is a reflection of ancient Israel.  "
They feared the Lord and served their own gods according to the custom of the nations...."  Most religious Americans, as well has the nation as a whole, have rejected the Lordship of Jesus Christ for the lordship of culture, race, gender, class, and "religious affiliation."  The current political battle in America is a fulfillment of our text.  And it is extremely rare to hear a prophet who is a "tester of metals," who "may determine the quality of my people." 

Jesus is not only "walking" the halls of our religious meetings, but also the halls of our schools, our government, our economic institutions, our media, our entertainment industry.  These institutions are now being judged based on their submission or rebellion to Jesus Christ, no more, no less.  "
The bellows fiercely fan the flames to burn out the corruption." But what will win the day, wickedness or purity?  

The human race has nowhere to run.  "
The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth."  But, dear Believer in Jesus, fear not.  While He "is constantly watching everyone," He continues "to strengthen those who faithfully obey him." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, when Your "
bellows fiercely fan the flames to burn out the corruption," may I come forth pure!  Amen.



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Sunday, September 21, 2008

CatholicVote.com

Great Video for coming election
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