In support of Desert Storm, underway to support the fleet in the Persian Gulf, I had Christmas dinner December 1992 at the Jumbo Floating restaurant in Hong Kong.
When asked what my favorite port was during my deployment the answer is Hong Kong.
My heart weeps for the church and souls in Communist China and Hong Kong. My heart weeps for the sleeping church in America and the American businesses and consumers choosing profit and cheap goods over God, freedom, and liberty! May these events shake the American church to wake up! Please, God.
China is at war with America. It is a social, political, and trade war. And it appears they are winning.
The Campaign for Working Families reports “The corporate cave in to communist China continues. Apple bowed to demands of the Chinese government by removing an app sold on iPhones in Hong Kong. The app enabled Hong Kong’s residents to know where the police are… We were told that trade with China would bring more civil liberties there. But trade with China is now restricting our civil liberties here in America. Yes, you read that right… Beijing’s communists are putting our companies on notice: Tell your employees to shut up. ESPN and others have already obliged. Just how much liberty are we willing to surrender in order to pay a few dollars less for a TV or cellphone made in a Chinese sweatshop? (End of Day Report Thursday, October 10, 2019)
Below are some examples of China censoring speech and controlling American businesses.
“#China has begun an aggressive campaign demanding complete obedience from all foreign businesses on political issues. Prez #Trump was right on Aug 23 to order US companies to consider alternatives to China. #Apple #NBA #HoustonRockets #ESPN #SaveOurDemocracy” https://twitter.com/gordongchang/status/1181890573151678464?s=21
“Just had our “Free Hong Kong” sign confiscated at Capitol One Arena at the Wizards game against the Guangzhou Long Lions. #FreeHongKong #NBA #Censorship” Note, the video shows it was confiscated during the national anthem. https://twitter.com/jonschweppe/status/1182070459355009027?s=21
@NBA is the Emporer’s circus. Are you not entertained?
“”No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Church parking lots are empty. Gathering and worshipping in Jesus’ name has been deemed non-essential by the civil authorities.
But the killing of unborn children has been deemed essential, and based on how full the parking lot is, they are doing a lot of business.
We need to pray!
Memorial for the lost children, Peoria, 2019 Fall 40 Days for Life
Day 1 – Friday May 8, 2020
Science, models, and public policy become putrid without open discussion, debate, and dissent being allowed.
“We have been told that we people are the chance result of imperfect chaos working its dark magic on the universe… The outcome of such thinking? Humanity is disenchanted.”
But in reality, “God, the beautiful one, made the human race as his capstone work, his corporeal masterpiece (Ps 8:3-6; 27:4)… God actually made humanity; God actually gave humanity infinite dignity and worth… The imago dei marks out humanity as an enchanted race.” (“Reenchanting Humanity” by Owen Strachan)
“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” Psalm 8:3-5 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/psa.8.3-5.esv
Human rights begin with the right to life! “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…” – Declaration of Independence
Day 3 – Tuesday May 12, 2020
Day 4 – Wednesday May 13, 2020
Day 5
By What Standard? Worried about “tarnishing your witness?” By what standard are you judging the reputation of your witness? By obedience to God and His standard, or by the opinion of men and their standard?
Day 6
“I witnessed, while visiting a surgical suite as an OB/GYN resident, the abortion of a fetus that weighed approximately two pounds. It was placed in a bucket, crying and struggling to breathe, and the medical personnel pretended not to notice. Soon the crying stopped… Some people believe that being pro-choice is being on the side of freedom. I’ve never understood how an act of violence, killing a human being, albeit a small one in a special place, is portrayed as a precious right. To speak only of the mother’s cost in carrying a baby to term ignores all thought of any legal rights of the unborn. I believe that the moral consequence of cavalierly accepting abortion diminishes the value of all life…” The only issue that should be debated is the moral one: whether or not a fetus has any right to life. Scientifically, there’s no debate over whether the fetus is alive and human—if not killed, it matures into an adult human being. It is that simple. So the time line of when we consider a fetus ‘human’ is arbitrary after conception, in my mind.” Dr. Ron Paul OB/GYN, “Liberty Defined: 50 Essential Issues That Affect Our Freedom”
“At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:26-29 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/heb.12.26-29.esv
Love the captive soul, but rage against the captor. Arise O Church arise!
Day 9
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,” Ephesians 2:1-8 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/eph.2.1-8.esv
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/mic.6.8.esv
Day 11
Day 12 – Praise God!
Praise God!
Governor Pritzker has “lifted all restrictions on churches in the state. (We have amazing prayer warriors!!) Peoria area attorney Brian Heller put the development more succinctly:
We won, or more accurately, the Gov. retreated from the field of battle facing likely humiliation.
Originally written for my brothers in faith and discipleship Good Friday 2019.
God, I pray you would renew my heart again today. Move me to read scripture and pray with my family. Help me to be their spiritual leader, to teach and equip them for the great commission.
Motivate me to build a Godly household. Prepare us to share our faith. God, help us to be loving and bold in our faith.
God, open our eyes to see. Don’t let us be blinded by the “entertainment” and “pleasures” of this world. Give us a deep desire to know you more and desire your kingdom more than this world.
Forgive me of my daily sins of apathy, grumbling and discontent. Fill me, oh God, with hope and joy.
In Jesus Christ’s name I pray – Amen
Erwin W. Lutzer “The Church in Babylon: Heeding the Call to Be a Light in the Darkness”
“Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” Jeremiah 29:5-7 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/jer.29.5-7.esv
A prayer of Hope in times of danger, distress, and terror.
July, 2016
I was feeling great sorrow and distress over the turmoil in our nation and world. It is obvious God has been pulling away as we have been pushing him out. The acts of terror, racial and police violence, and political uncertainty and division.
But, Christ is in me, the hope of glory! (Colossians 1:27)
In my Scripture reading and meditation today:
1. I prayed from the Psalms “I am weary from grief; strengthen me through Your word.” (Psalm 119:28)
2. I was both encouraged and challenged that when God had twice revealed plans for the ultimate destruction of Israel, twice he relented after the intercessory prayer and pleading of the prophet Amos. All is not lost, but we must plead and pray and repent! “‘Lord God, please forgive! How will Jacob survive since he is so small?’ The Lord relented concerning this. ‘It will not happen, He said.” (Amos 7:2-3)
3. I marveled in the hope of glory! “God’s mystery—Christ. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him.” (Colossians 1:2b-3)
So, have hope, do not be deceived and be thankful! (Colossians 1:4,7)
Pray
“O Lord, whose power is infinite and wisdom infallible… let us dwell in Your most secret place under Your shadow, where there is safe protection…
Help us to be entirely dependent on You for support, counsel, and consolation.
Strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit for every purpose of our Christian life.
“Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, You became man and died on the cross for our salvation. You healed people of sickness and affliction through Your love and compassion. Visit me, Lord, and grant me strength to bear this sickness with which I am afflicted, with patience, submission to Your will and trust in Your loving care. I pray that You will bless the means used for my recovery and those who administer them. Grant that my sickness may be to my spiritual benefit and that I may live the rest of my life more faithfully according to Your will. For You are the source of life and healing and to You I give praise and glory, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.”
In his book, Fishers of Men, Dr. Sumner Wemp describes what it means to be an ambassador of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings:
God has chosen us (John 15:16)
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
We are to reconcile others to God with His authority (Matthew 28:19-20)
‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ‘
Do not let kindness and truth leave you (Proverbs 3:3-4)
‘ Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.’
In your mercy I pray that compassion and a love for life would overcome Peoria.
I pray in your power, in the mighty name of Jesus, that this abortion facility would close.
I pray for forgiveness and healing for all the women that have killed their children. Save them. Rescue them, Lord.
I pray your church would reach out in mercy and love and compassion.
Forgive us, God, for too often ignoring and remaining silent about this issue. Help us to serve you and to stand for the forgotten, the unwanted, the orphan, and the widow.
I pray that any men, fathers, husbands, or others, that enabled women to kill their children rather than protect mother and child, would be pierced in their hearts with the guilt of their sin and would turn to you for forgiveness and healing.
I pray, Lord Jesus, that any predators that use abortion to hide their crimes, or traffickers that use abortion to keep victims available would be brought to justice.
I pray, Heavenly Father, for an end to abortion in America.
“… [We] bow [our] knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant [us], according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in [our] hearts through faith; that [we], being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that [we] may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:14-21 NKJV https://www.bible.com/114/eph.3.14-21.nkjv)
Memorial to the lost children of this now closed abortion clinic.
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.
— 2 Chronicles 7:14
“Heavenly Father, we cry out for Your mercy and ask You to remove the scourge of abortion from our land. Use us as your vessels, Lord, to bring the light of Your truth to our nation once again.”
“Illinois Family Institute wants to encourage Christians everywhere to prayerfully consider taking part in the upcoming peaceful campaign known as 40 Days for Life. It is an important pro-life effort to save lives and share truth.”
“I witnessed, while visiting a surgical suite as an OB/GYN resident, the abortion of a fetus that weighed approximately two pounds. It was placed in a bucket, crying and struggling to breathe, and the medical personnel pretended not to notice. Soon the crying stopped…”
“Some people believe that being pro-choice is being on the side of freedom. I’ve never understood how an act of violence, killing a human being, albeit a small one in a special place, is portrayed as a precious right. To speak only of the mother’s cost in carrying a baby to term ignores all thought of any legal rights of the unborn. I believe that the moral consequence of cavalierly accepting abortion diminishes the value of all life…”
“The only issue that should be debated is the moral one: whether or not a fetus has any right to life. Scientifically, there’s no debate over whether the fetus is alive and human—if not killed, it matures into an adult human being. It is that simple. So the time line of when we consider a fetus ‘human’ is arbitrary after conception, in my mind…”
“One thing I believe for certain is that the federal government should never tax pro-life citizens to pay for abortions.”
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,
“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”
9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
The New Life
17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Dobra Family Ministry 