Brothers, I’m praying as Pastor Hunt, the Jamestown Chaplain did in 1607, that we raise up Godly generations to “take the Kingdom of God to all the earth” and dedicate the land “to reach the People within these shores with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” As the people of Christ we have a mission and a purpose. To know God and make Him known. Praise God!
“Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.” Psalms 100:1-2 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.100.1-2.NKJV
“We do hereby Dedicate this Land, and ourselves, to reach the People within these shores with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to raise up Godly generations after us, and with these generations take the Kingdom of God to all the earth. May this Covenant of Dedication remain to all generations, as long as this earth remains, and may this Land, along with England, be Evangelist to the World.” – Pastor Robert Hunt, the chaplain of Jamestown, knelt upon the cross and offered a prayer of dedication after landing at Virginia May 14, 1607. The Founders’ Bible, 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers
We have been told that we people are the chance result of impersonal chaos working its dark magic on the universe… The outcome of such thinking? Humanity is disenchanted…
But this is not the biblical account of man… God, the beautiful one, made the human race as his capstone work, his corporeal masterpiece (Ps 8:3-6; 27:4) … The imago dei marks out humanity as an enchanted race. Tragically, humanity disenchanted itself by following the anti-wisdom of the serpent…
If we have assumed… that our children learned what they needed to know simply by ecclesial and cultural osmosis, let us be clear that we may hold this assumption no longer. Now is not the time to play down our doctrine of mankind; now is the time to teach it with confidence and with joy, seeking to be witnesses to fellow sinners and guides to all God’s flock.
“Reenchanting Humanity: a theology of mankind” by Owen Strachan
1 Peter 2:9 (NASB) [9] But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
“The difference between the old and the new education being, in a word, the old was a kind of propagation—men transmitting manhood to men; the new is merely propaganda.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man
Brothers, the first few weeks getting back into school in our household can be a bit chaotic. I’m praying today for peace, joy, and purpose. I pray that a purposeful, peaceful, and joyful home would bear witness to the hope that is in us, our Savior Jesus Christ! I also pray that peace, joy, and purpose would endure as part of our household, CC community, and church culture. Blessing, brothers.
“We long to see our children walking in a “sincere faith” (2 Tim. 1:5), “strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:1), and “thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:17)… Peter called his spiritual children “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Pet. 2:9). Families that follow Christ together will be different than the surrounding culture. We will have different priorities, practices, and principles. Embrace those differences and make them part of the family culture. Sunday is great place to start. Make Sunday more than just attending a service—make it an all-day event. Enjoy a sabbath rest together and see how it shapes the rest of your week…” From 5 WAYS TO FOLLOW CHRIST AS A FAMILY https://www.ltw.org/read/articles/2021/05/5-ways-to-follow-christ-as-a-family
All indicators are pointing to some coming lean food years.
9 Meals from ANARCHY
What do we do?Pray!-and-We must, by all means, support local farmers and livestock producers!
Confess and repent of sin. Worship the one true God. Declare His glory among the nations. Take dominion and make disciples of all nations!
Chose to buy meat and produce from local producers.
Buy local! It may cost a little more than Walmart or Amazon, but consider: * it is an investment in your neighbor, showing your love toward them * it is an investment in your liberty and the liberty of your children and their children! * It is an investment in your health. Knowing where your food comes from and how it is produced
Share local resources with your church fellowship so whole local fellowships support and pray for local food producers. Perhaps start local food banks and soup kitchens.
Even more so if they are brothers in the faith. If they are in a local church fellowship, then rejoice in paying them a true and fair price that they may prosper and be a blessing to the community.
“You should go into every business relationship with a brother looking to give something additional, rather than to get something additional. Don’t expect discounts because you are a brother. Try, when possible, to give something additional because he’s a brother… This spirit of grace and generosity does not take Mammon out of your hands, but it most certainly takes you out of Mammon’s hands.” Gashmu Saith It: How to build Christian communities that save the world, by Douglas Wilson https://canonpress.com/products/gashmu-saith-it/
Get to know the local owners and operators of farms and livestock personally.
Pray for their well being and success, and let them know you are praying for them.
Start a garden.
Every home have a garden. Like the “victory gardens” of old. Start a farm or livestock herd if you can. Gardener, “those professionals who work the soil but do not as a general rule rely on heavy machinery.”, is # 5 of the top 20 durable trades. https://a.co/ek9jv5Q
“Victory gardens were vegetable gardens planted during the world wars in order to ensure an adequate food supply for civilians and troops. Government agencies, private foundations, businesses, schools, and seed companies all worked together to provide land, instruction, and seeds for individuals and communities to grow food.” https://gardens.si.edu/gardens/victory-garden/
“Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters.. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.” Jeremiah 29:5-7 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jer.29.5-7.NKJV
Inform your civil magistrate, who is under the authority of Jesus (Romans 13:1,4).
Urge civil magistrates (county board, mayor, governor) to support and protect local agriculture, farms, and livestock producers. Ask your local, state, and national representatives to protect them! As God’s minister they must be informed by the Church of God’s truth and grace. And what is the Church but we the living stones!
If you love your neighbor and do not want to see them fall victim to these wicked schemes of total global control, population control, and mass starvation, then you must be be involved!
I don’t think anyone denies that the climate is changing. The climate does change. It may even change wildly over hundreds and thousands of years like the magnetic poles. I do deny the elites of globalism like the UN and WEF that promise to “fix” the climate if we allow them to take away our personal liberty and property. That is a sin.
“For he is God’s minister to you for good… for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.” Romans 13:4 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.13.4.NKJV
Provide for your family, church, and community.
Water, food, shelter, security!
“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” I Timothy 5:8 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1ti.5.8.NKJV
“Mike Brabo, an expert in growing food and surviving under communism, shares his short thoughts in this video and more to come. SHARE his full talk with others so they can be warned of the times ahead. The difference between hoarding and prudence is found in scripture. When men hoard, they amass bigger barns for themselves with no thoughts on God’s purposes (Luke 12:13-24), however, prudent Christians should forsee the evil coming and hide themself (Proverbs 22:3) and store up enough to sustain themselves, and enough to give to those in need (2 Corinthians 8:12).” https://rumble.com/vt3ma7-the-fragile-food-supply-and-food-for-life.html?mref=hqg49&mrefc=2
“When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he assembled his 318 trained men, born in his household, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.”Genesis 14:14 CSB
“The right to life is a good example of what legal historians refer to as an objective right: it is objective in the sense that it exists outside ourselves and is unalienable… The right to life imposes obligations: you must do everything in your power to preserve it.” #SlayingLeviathan https://canonpress.com/products/slaying-leviathan/
There is a God that created the heavens and the earth. We humans are created in His image.
We are sinners, we have rebelled against Him, our Creator. Our rebellion has brought “all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice… envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness” to the world. Romans 1:29-31 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.1.29-31.ESV
Therefore we justly deserve our due punishment of death and damnation, “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” Romans 3:10-12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.3.10-12.ESV
But good news! God is merciful and loving. Jesus is God the only begotten Son and He took our punishment upon Himself in our place. Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death and securing the hope of our salvation.
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.15.3-8.ESV
““Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”” Acts 2:36-38 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/act.2.36-38.ESV
We need only repent and believe it. Repent: turn away from our sins, proclaim Jesus is lord and savior, and we will be forgiven our sins and have life ever after! “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” Romans 10:9-11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.10.9-11.ESV
There is hope. Believe in Jesus! ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.3.16.ESV
It doesn’t matter who you’ve been or what you’ve done, God stands with arms wide open, ready to forgive you. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.1.9.ESV
Pray for our wives, our children, and our community into the next school year.
Set the foundation of the fear of the Lord in our children’s hearts, minds, and soul.
Proverbs 1:2-4,7 (NASB) [2] To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, [3] To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity; [4] To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion… [7] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
“This verse affirms that all knowledge begins with the fear of the Lord… for nearly four centuries, Americans believed that the fear of the Lord was the beginning of academic knowledge. For example, America’s first college, Harvard, was established in 1636, and its rules declared:
Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17:3) and therefore to lay Christ in the bottom as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisdom, let everyone seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seek it of Him (Prov. 2, 3). Everyone shall so exercise himself in reading the Scriptures twice a day that he shall be ready to give such an account of his proficiency therein…”
“In 1779, when chiefs from the Delaware Indian tribe brought George Washington three youths to be trained in American schools, Washington reaffirmed that the fear of the Lord was still central to American education. Commending the chiefs for their decision, he told them: ‘You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are. Congress will do everything they can to assist you in this wise intention.’ By George Washington’s own words, what youth learned in America’s schools ‘above all’ was ‘the religion of Jesus Christ’ -that is, ‘the fear of the Lord’” – The Founders’ Bible, 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers
But now, O God, strengthen my hands…
When the work aligns with God’s will, God will see it completed.
There is a quote in the book “Gashmu Saith It” that says “Education is one of the central instruments given to us by God for the establishment and perpetuation of a culture.”
Gashmu, or Geshem as the name is translated in the ESV, is a minor critic of the rebuilding of God’s temple in Nehemiah 6:
“In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall…” Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands… So the wall was finished… in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.” Nehemiah 6:5-9, 15-16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/neh.6.5-16.ESV
Continue the work of setting the foundation of the fear of the Lord for our children even in the face of opposition, fear, and doubt!
“In this episode of Doug Reacts, Pastor Doug Wilson reacts to a video from Tucker Carlson talking about Christianity and politics. What happens when men try to replace God?“
The battle for middle earth!
Who will be your god? The state, or God Almighty the Maker of heaven and earth? … choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”” Joshua 24:15 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jos.24.15.NKJV
Do not worship man or depend on the government, “Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.”, “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the Lord.” Psalms 146:3 NKJV, Psalms 4:5 NKJV
Excellent episode! The second segment (16 minutes) is a must listen! I mean it, the second segment is HOT! Praise God!
Don’t let them take your worship! “Totalitarianism has no brakes and when they insist on saving us from gun violence, they will not stop until we bow the knee to their statist savior complex…” worship is our warfare!
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“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” II Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.10.4-5.NKJV
# Work and Keep “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” Genesis 2:15 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/gen.2.15.ESV
“Our rebellion against covenant is catastrophic, because covenants are foundational in every realm of society. Though we tend to notice only those which are explicitly cut between two parties, covenants are actually everywhere—they are just mostly natural or implicit… Having disposed of covenant heads—fathers—we have replaced them with celebrities and comedians—clowns—which is why we are now living in Clown World… But a supernatural work is required to knit together an entire society that has rebelled against nature itself. It ultimately requires that our various covenant heads—fathers, pastors, leaders, rulers—be joined themselves to a greater Head: the Lord Jesus.”
“Since a supernatural work is required, there are really only three things we can do: [1] Pray for God to work. [2] Preach the gospel of the kingdom to every living being, so that when he works, all can repent and turn and be joined together and healed in his Head. [3] Participate in covenant life ourselves, working out our salvation in fear and trembling, abiding in our Head by practicing the holiness without which no one will see God (John 15:5–10; Heb 12:14).”
““I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing… If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” John 15:5, 7-8 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.15.5-8.NKJV
Church of Cowards? America’s founders did not avoid “being political.” “… as Sir Thomas Moore pointed out, “Silence gives consent”—if one doesn’t say anything about the horrific trends of the day, he is silently giving approval.” https://amgreatness.com/2022/05/29/church-of-cowards/
“Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far off. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter.” Isaiah 59:14 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/isa.59.14.HCSB
Psalms 149:6-9 (NASB) [6] Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand, [7] To execute vengeance on the nations And punishment on the peoples, [8] To bind their kings with chains And their nobles with fetters of iron, [9] To execute on them the judgment written; This is an honor for all His godly ones. Praise the LORD!
# Tyranny, crime, and other evils “The kings of the earth set themselves… against the Lord and against his Anointed… He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.” Psalm 2:1-4 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.2.1-4.ESV
What plans does your household, church, and community have in place to thrive and serve?
“Possible summertime rolling blackouts a concern for Illinois manufacturers… A leading advocate for Illinois manufacturers is worried about price hikes and energy shortages this summer and into the future. ‘There is going to be a capacity shortage and we’ve seen warnings from utilities and regional grid operators talking about potentially rolling brownouts as soon as this summer,’ said Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association…”
“Energy experts warn of price increases for Central Illinoisans… During Tuesday’s Peoria City Council meeting, a representative with the consulting firm Good Energy sounded the alarm on rising energy prices for Central Illinoisans. It’s a nationwide issue that’s been impacted by factors such as inflation and renewable energy not filling the gap left by fossil fuel plants that have closed or preparing to close… As power supply issues persist, Ameren Illinois said customers will see about a $500 dollar increase a year in their energy bills, beginning in June.”
“Darrell Castle talks about President Biden’s commencement address to the graduating class at the United States Naval Academy last Friday and how his address reflects American foreign policy and the future service of those young Navy Ensigns and Marine Second Lieutenants as they go forth to project American power around the world.”
“I will wager that every high-ranking Chinese Naval Officer along with the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party is sane. They may imprison millions, they may persecute religious minorities, they may harvest organs from political dissidents, but they are solidly sane. I will surmise that not a single one of them thinks that a man can get pregnant, or that a man can become a woman just by thinking about it…Meanwhile back in the real world of ordinary people, here are some other thoughts he could have mentioned. Food prices were 9.4% higher in April 2022 than in April 2021—the largest annual increase in 41 years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics grocery prices were up 10.8% for the year. The AAA reports that gas prices are setting all time highs across the nation just in time for the summer driving season. Because of the lack of fertilizer and increased diesel prices, farmers are telling us food prices are going to double by October. Finally, folks, does anybody have an answer or does anybody even care that we are on an intentional track to national poverty? The President says we are in a transition to a new way of life that will be better. But Mr. President the people have no bread. During the transition, let them eat cake.”
“When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he assembled his 318 trained men, born in his household, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.”Genesis 14:14 CSB
“The right to life is a good example of what legal historians refer to as an objective right: it is objective in the sense that it exists outside ourselves and is unalienable… The right to life imposes obligations: you must do everything in your power to preserve it.” #SlayingLeviathan https://canonpress.com/products/slaying-leviathan/
“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” … God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” … God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” Genesis 1:26, 28, 31 NASB1995
Well brothers, the school season is almost at an end. I hope and pray it was a joy and a blessing for you as it was for me. I have enjoyed weekly scripture meditation and prayer for you and our community. Until next season starts I pray we love, enjoy, instruct, and disciple our families well. I pray we rule well in our households. Genesis 1:26,28,31; Eph. 6:4
“Dominion is a fact – human beings simply have it. It’s God’s doing. We can’t abdicate. Human beings possess power over all the creatures of the world… But dominion isn’t arbitrary power, at least not originally. In the Christian faith human dominion is subject to God’s dominion. And it is informed by God’s Law – his moral standard, his holiness.” (In the House of Tom Bombadil by C.R. Wiley)
“The reason that God creates man on the earth, according to Genesis, is for productive, representative rulership. This is what it means to exercise dominion: to fruitfully order the world in God’s stead…” (It’s good to be a man: A handbook for Godly masculinity by Michael Foster and Dominic Bnonn Tennant)
“Families are the nurseries of all societies; and the first combinations of mankind. Well-ordered families naturally produce a good order in other societies… Every serious Christian is concerned, that he may be serviceable in the world… but are you not a member of some family? If that family may be your means, O Christian, become a well-regulated family, in that point you will become serviceable; I had almost said, incomprehensibly serviceable.” A Family Well Ordered by Cotton Mather (1699) modern English translation by Patrick Doucette
“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Genesis 18:19 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.18.19.KJV
“You May here observe a most comfortable connection, between, He will, and they shall. Says the Lord, He will Command his children, and they shall keep the way of the Lord. It seems, if every one that is owner of a family, would faithfully command, and manage those that belong unto him, through the blessing of God; they would generally keep His way, and His law… ‘If parents did their duties as they ought, the Word publically preached would not be the ordinary means of regeneration in the Church, but only without the Church, among infidels: God would so pour out His grace upon the children of His people, and hear prayers for them, and bless endeavors for their holy education, that we should see the promises made good unto our seed.’” A Family Well Ordered by Cotton Mather (1699) modern English translation by Patrick Doucette
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” Ephesians 5:25-33 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/eph.5.25-33.ESV
Brothers today I’m praying for my wife and would encourage the same for you. I’m praying specifically that they have joy and peace in their role. I’m praying that we would “love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,” (Eph. 5:25)
A book I read a few years ago, The Household and the War for the Cosmos: Recovering a Christian Vision for the Family by C.R. Wiley, takes a look at the place of the household in God’s divine order of the cosmos from Ephesians. Christ’s defeat of death and Satan and His redemption of His people (1:10,21,22; 2:4-10,19-22) , the establishment of the Church and its work (3:10,11), and then the next battle formation is surprisingly the household. Wives, husbands, children, and bondservants (5:22,25; 6:1,4,5,9). Then it concludes with the armor for the battle (6:10-20).
With that in mind I pray we would see how important our households are in the divine order and the battle for the cosmos, and that we would pray for our helpmeet in this important work.
Brothers, I’m praying that we would be capable swordsmen able to wield the Word of God well to be disciple makers and biblical counselors in our homes. I pray God would equip us to develop a cultural theology for our families. God has us in this world for a reason, and it is not so we can float along in the worlds cultural lazy river! I pray we are establishing a solid foundation (Matt. 7:24) in our homes. I pray it is cultivated and grows into a Godly culture that the worldly cultural flood can not destroy! ““Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”” Matt. 7:24-27
In Colossians 2:6-10 “Paul calls on us to be so grounded in Jesus Christ that no one can take you captive with hollow and deceptive philosophies… Christ has given us His Word and that Word is authoritative, sufficient, and final. It teaches us that God is the Creator of this world. He has ordered it… He alone is righteous and He has revealed His righteousness to us in the moral law… In a phrase, this is God’s world and He gets to set the rules.” By What Standard: God’s world… God’s rules https://press.founders.org/shop/by-what-standard-gods-world-gods-rules/
““Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”” Matthew 7:24-27 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.7.24-27.ESV
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.” Colossians 2:6-10 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/col.2.6-10.ESV
THE GOOD NEWS
There is a God that created the heavens and the earth. We humans are created in His image.
We are sinners, we have rebelled against Him, our Creator. Our rebellion has brought “all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice… envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness” to the world. Romans 1:29-31 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.1.29-31.ESV
Therefore we justly deserve our due punishment of death and damnation, “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” Romans 3:10-12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.3.10-12.ESV
But good news! God is merciful and loving. Jesus is God the only begotten Son and He took our punishment upon Himself in our place. Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death and securing the hope of our salvation.
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.15.3-8.ESV
““Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”” Acts 2:36-38 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/act.2.36-38.ESV
We need only repent and believe it. Repent: turn away from our sins, proclaim Jesus is lord and savior, and we will be forgiven our sins and have life ever after! “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” Romans 10:9-11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.10.9-11.ESV
There is hope. Believe in Jesus! ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.3.16.ESV
It doesn’t matter who you’ve been or what you’ve done, God stands with arms wide open, ready to forgive you. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.1.9.ESV
“Tom Ascol sits down with Pastor Conrad Mbewe in the Founders studio to talk about his ministry in Africa. Dr. Mbewe shares his experience pastoring a church-planting Church and what Biblical principles and practices are required for healthy church-planting.”
# Work and Keep “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” Genesis 2:15 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/gen.2.15.ESV
“we are living at a time when Christians in America need to re-learn what past generations knew, and what Christians living in Cuba, China, and Czechoslovakia know, all too well: Communism, and its younger sibling Socialism, are godless ideologies that harm the masses… nearly 100 million people died during the twentieth century under Communist regimes. And hence, it was both right and responsible for evangelicals during the Cold War to stand opposed to ideas of Karl Marx and his Communist Manifesto… Wokeness is making inroads within the church, too. From calls for social justice (largely undefined) to cries that Christian Nationalism (also undefined) are threatening our country, those in the church are missing something that previous generations did not and could not miss—namely, the evil that comes from a man-centered, God-denying, government-enforced attempt to build back better… To those who have not seen, heard, or known about the inner-workings of Communism, let Chambers timeless words [of this article] be a warning… In a letter to his children, we find the testimony of a man who knew the evil of Communism existentially, not just academically. Thus, to a generation who is inclined towards socialism and unmoved by the evils of Communism, we—especially, those in the church—need to hear Whittaker Chambers…”
“As Christians living in this world, therefore, we need to know the ideas and ideologies that are threatening the church, and we need by God’s grace to expose their darkness and point people to the light… let us continue to bear witness to the truth, and following the boldness of Whittaker Chambers and all martyrs (witnesses) of the faith, let us speak the truth of God. out loud, in public, and without shame. So help us God! Soli Deo Gloria.” https://founders.org/2022/02/24/a-witness-against-wokeness-what-modern-christians-can-learn-from-an-ex-communist/
Crypto currency and the Church – super noob getting started notes https://ministry.family.blog/2021/02/19/crypto/ Crypto Currency and Cancel Culture: Because cancel culture includes being able to bank, i.e. being allowed to or able to buy and sell. The Church could learn something here. Revelation 13:17
Coinbase Bytes: Ukraine is seeing record crypto donations. Ukranians are using crypto to protect their wealth and resist Russia’s invasion. https://links.coinbase.com …
“For Ukrainians, emergency economic measures — including cash withdrawal limits (about $3,350 per day) — have prompted the country’s government, citizens, and even newspapers to call for crypto aid… Ukraine has raised over $30 million in cryptocurrency since tweeting an appeal for donations on Saturday… Meanwhile, a Berlin-based blockchain startup called Arweave is attempting to preserve historical documents about the crisis — so far its network of 1,000 nodes holds about 50 terabytes of related data… Why it matters… Ukranians are using crypto to defend themselves from Russia’s invasion, protect their wealth, and fund their escapes to neighboring nations. In one sobering tweet, a citizen explained: ‘My Ukrainian credit cards don’t work anymore. I’m safe physically in Kazakhstan, but all my savings are gone. Crypto is the only money I still have, and today I can say without exaggeration that $BTC, $ETH and #NFT[s] are going to save my life while I can’t come back home.‘”
“We would be wise to remember that the Athenian historian Thucydides in the Melian Dialogue of his History of the Peloponnesian War characterizes hope as danger’s comforter. In modern military and intelligence parlance, the ancient Greek general’s text translates as hope is not a course of action. While this is true, hope is oftentimes all one has in times of despair. The lesson is one as old as time: Be prepared.” The Devil’s Hand: A Thriller (Terminal List Book 4) by Jack Carr https://a.co/e84scQE
“I’ve always been a lumens guy. Give me high lumens at a decent distance and I’m generally good. Then I took a rifle nighttime course and really appreciated a light’s ability to throw light at longer distances. When Andrew from surefire Told me they were launching their Turbo Series of high candela lights that are focused on long-distance lighting I got a little giddy. Lumens are the total amount of light put out by a device the higher the lumens the greater the area is lit up. However, Candela is the amount of light put out by a device in a particular direction. Essentially, High Lumens is focused on making things really bright up close and Candela focuses on making things bright at further distances.”
# Tyranny, crime, and other evils “The kings of the earth set themselves… against the Lord and against his Anointed… He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.” Psalm 2:1-4 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.2.1-4.ESV
“You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel. Rouse yourself to punish all the nations; spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah” Psalm 59:5 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.59.5.ESV
Food and energy resource prices likely to continue increasing in the near term
“Corn, Soybeans, and Wheat futures continue to near or hit daily price increases. The primary driver of price increases is the war in Europe as commodities markets brace for global trade disruptions.” Wheat prices are up nearly 32% over the last 12months alone…China’s actions will likely put pressure on world markets and drive up prices for the selected commodities. Analysts believe China has already stockpiled between 60-70% of the world’s grain reserves. Oil prices in London rose 7.7% on Wednesday, wheat 7.6%, aluminum rose 1.3%, and corn futures climbed 2.9% to their highest since 2012.”
“A top Department of Homeland Security official calls the current U.S. threat environment the worst he’s seen in over 30 years and is urging houses of worship, universities, and public officials to pay attention.” Warning: NEVER take the kings money unless you want to become the kings man!
“Tying Nations to China Through Loans and Debt – Twenty Latin American nations have joined China’s Belt and Road initiative, in which China invests in a nation’s infrastructure, like the new container port China is building for Peru at the Port of Chancay. China will also be supplying nations with civilian nuclear technology, helping them develop space programs, and providing them with Chinese 5G technology that experts have warned is a surveillance tool of the Chinese military… ‘(The Chinese) orchestrate those loans and in those contracts in ways to make sure that they get paid. Chinese banks oftentimes operate more like loan sharks. In other words, you know, ‘Give me the title to your car’, so to speak,’ Ellis noted.”
“Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods? Do you judge the children of man uprightly? No, in your hearts you devise wrongs; your hands deal out violence on earth… O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord! Let them vanish like water that runs away; when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted. Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime, like the stillborn child who never sees the sun. Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns, whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away!” Psalm 58:1-2, 6-9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.58.6-9.ESV
“When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he assembled his 318 trained men, born in his household, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.”Genesis 14:14 CSB
“The right to life is a good example of what legal historians refer to as an objective right: it is objective in the sense that it exists outside ourselves and is unalienable… The right to life imposes obligations: you must do everything in your power to preserve it.” #SlayingLeviathan https://canonpress.com/products/slaying-leviathan/
Brothers tomorrow, March 2 2022, starts the 40 day devotional season leading to Easter. I’ve chosen a “40 Days of Lent” reading plan to read in our household. I’m praying for sweet time in God’s word for our household and yours. Praying for growing faith and hunger to know God more in our children. Praying for the good news of Christ’s redeeming work on the cross and His resurrection from the dead to work in them and through them in everything they do for all of their lives. All to the glory of God our Savior! “To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:11 ESV
“Lent has always been a time to turn our attention to all that has been done for us on the cross in Christ. This lavish gift can be meditated on year after year, and still would leave us to wonder in amazement. Through this reading plan, you will walk through the gospel accounts in chronological order, tracing the steps of Jesus during his last week of his earthly ministry. This plan is 47 days in length, but the seven Sundays are days of rest according to tradition.”
We have been told that we people are the chance result of impersonal chaos working its dark magic on the universe… The outcome of such thinking? Humanity is disenchanted…
But this is not the biblical account of man… God, the beautiful one, made the human race as his capstone work, his corporeal masterpiece (Ps 8:3-6; 27:4) … The imago dei marks out humanity as an enchanted race. Tragically, humanity disenchanted itself by following the anti-wisdom of the serpent…
If we have assumed… that our children learned what they needed to know simply by ecclesial and cultural osmosis, let us be clear that we may hold this assumption no longer. Now is not the time to play down our doctrine of mankind; now is the time to teach it with confidence and with joy, seeking to be witnesses to fellow sinners and guides to all God’s flock.
“Reenchanting Humanity: a theology of mankind” by Owen Strachan
Dobra Family Ministry 