Are We Beginning to Connect the Dots? Part Two

"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ, appointed for you" (Acts 3:19-20).

As I mentioned in the last ‘What's Happening Man’ message, a challenge to prayer for American one hour a day for nine days was sent out by Anne Graham Lotz.  The time set for this prayer vigil was May 15th through the 23^rd, which is that period between the Day of Ascension and the Day of Pentecost, and  has been Biblically and traditionally days of prayer and fasting for an outpouring God's Spirit. 

 I wonder, if all, whose names appear in the Lamb's Book of Life, realize the drastic need for God to intercede and take back this Nation from the clutches of evilness.  I often get the feeling that some folks would far rather remain in the dark, rather than take up their sword and become warriors for Christ.

The wonderful blessing about our God is He neither slumbers of sleeps.  He is ever present and has promised He will hear our prayers 24/7.  As prayer coordinators for the Village for a number of years, we challenged those who committed to pray for the Village to place the name of the Village on the bathroom mirror, refrigerator door and rear view mirror of their car; each time they crossed paths with one of those signs they would utter a short, medium, or even long intense prayer for the  staff and young folks under our care.   How long does it take to say, "Lord send revival fires to our Nation, return to us what the cankerworm has stolen?

The challenge given by Anne Graham Lotz was to  repent for the Nation and ask the Lord to have mercy on this country we love so much, this country that is currently headed in the exact wrong direction. She asked that each and every person who committed to the challenge of intercessory prayer to pray for the following:

*May the Lord wake up and purify His church, and give us a new hunger and thirst for righteousness and a new longing to walk closely with Him in the power of the Holy Spirit.

*May He give followers of Jesus Christ a deep new compassion for the poor and vulnerable.

*May He grant believers a new boldness to preach the Gospel and teach the Word and His children to live it daily.

*May He give us all a new determination to make disciples of all nations; in accordance with Matthew 28:18-20.  Note: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, Even your next door neighbor.  Even the crabby clerk at the IRS office.

*May He grant His Church a new humility to love and serve and comfort people who feel so burdened and alone.

*May He reveal the true identity of His Son Jesus Christ to those who don't know Him yet and adopt millions of them into His family and His kingdom. 

My friends, we are truly in that time mentioned by the Psalmist, "For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now...Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He save them from their distress."  (Matthew 24:21/Psalm 107:19).

I believe there will be a third part to this ‘Are We Beginning to Connect the Dots’.

Blessings, 

Gramps

Are We Beginning to Connect the Dots?

"The LORD of hosts has sworn by Himself, “Surely I will fill you with a population like locusts, And they will cry out with shouts of victory over you."  (Jer. 51:14). 

Bill Wilson, a writer for the Koenig Report, wrote the following that should get our attention: "Persecution and unrest are likely to follow, such as we have never seen in this country.  Our collective disobedience to the Lord in electing such leadership and allowing such immorality to anchor in our society has consequence".

In a recent blog by Joel Rosenberg, Founder and President of the Joshua Fund, made the following harrowing statement: "America is on the wrong track".    Almost 7 in 10 people believe this.  Only 26% of American think we're going in the right direction.  Never before have I received so many cries of warning from so many different sources, as has crossed my computer screen since the year 2015 began. As a matter of fact, for the first time in our Nation’s history the majority of folks believe America has seen its better days and its best days are not ahead.

And the situation becomes more critical each day as new blasphemies appear.   As Joel  Rosenberg, so aptly stated, “We are not just in a time of decline, we are nearing a point of implosion.  There is no way that the Washington bureaucratic corps can fix all that ails our nation.” 

No question, we need a new crop of leaders in Washington that recognize our current way of doing business is bankrupt and anti God.   Solomon, the second wisest man that ever walked this earth, said, “Wisdom is a gift from God’.  One might assume from these words that there is a dire lack of believers in Washington since there are so few wise decisions being made.

 I have often thought our Nation would be so much better off if we built a huge wall, like the walls of Jericho, around the Belt Way and removed all exit and entry roads; we could then let those with in the Beltway play government until their hearts are content and let the rest of us live our lives as the constitution so states.  And when our state governments begin to look like bureaucratic entities, we pack them up and send them to the walled city of Washington, DC.

In an interview one of the candidates, who has thrown their hat into the ring for the 2016 election, suggested we crawl into our closets and wait for the new president.  I fear another year and half of the current diet coming out of the Belt Way could be titled a "Path to Doom".  

No, that is not the way, God gave us the way in 2 Chronicles 7:13-14.  Notice he begins with one of those little trigger words that determine if the truth that follows is going to be a revocable or irrevocable covenant promise -  that word is "if":  "IF" I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves  and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will, hear from heaven, will forgive their sins and will heal their land".  

We have come to a point, my dear friends, when we need make a vow that every time we see in person one of our children, grand's or even great grand's, see a picture of them or even have a thought pops into our mind about one of them, we should quote this verse with intensity, fervently from the depths of our hearts.  I am a very old duck and will soon be in the heavenlies and it grieves my heart that my generation is the one that saw this Nation, ordained and blessed by our heavenly Father, turn its back on the wondrous blessing He allowed us to enjoy.  (The enemy is devious, even ungrounded Believers will be deceived).  

No, my friends, we cannot wait for another layer of man’s failed attempts to fix the tragic mess that we have made of His perfect creation.   I am sure many of you received the challenge and call from Anne Graham Lotz to a season of prayer for our nation.  In essence, we are closing the barn door after the horses are out, but God/Jesus has no office hours and is eternally at the right hand of the Father to receive our prayers and be in intercessory prayer for us. 

I am going to close this for now but will send part two next time.  I close with this challenge to each and all who read this epistle: "To implore God our Savior for an abundant harvest of souls for His Kingdom in the remaining days.  Do you not say "Four months more and then the harvest?  I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields, They are ripe for harvest" (John 4:35). 

 My brother, who was a combat-experienced fighter pilot, expounded the following piece of wisdom after he had retired and was dealing with some medical issues:  "I don't want to take these things but I do not like the alternatives.”  We need to take a peek periodically, well, not so periodically, and read the Scripture of where those ‘who turn their backs on Jesus’ end up.  When I do that it reinvigorates my heart to work even harder to snatch every lost soul out of Satan's hands.

Blessings,

Gramps

A 'Cow? A 'Miracle? Really???

"Speak to the sons of Israel that they bring you an unblemished red heifer in which is not defect and on which a yoke has never been placed ...Now a man who is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer and deposit them outside the camp in a clean place, and the congregation of the sons of Israel shall keep it as water to remove impurity; it is purification from sin" (Num. 19:2b/9  Read 2 through 13).

Hey Gang:  Before I begin this segment of “What's Happening Man?" let me say how much I appreciate the opportunity of preparing and sending out these morning messages.   I learned many years ago what the teacher meant when she said, "I am the one who gains the most from these lessons for I must do the research.”   I hear daily what a tragic time it is to be alive on earth, but I thank God daily for allowing me to be here at this time when He is preparing to wrap up His plan for the Gentiles.    There is great excitement among Jewish Orthodox Communities of the world over a cow.  Yes, a simple cow!  Well may be not so, for it is a “cow without blemish”.

Aside:  On every trip we have taken to Israel there has been something or somethings that have caught the fancy of the Jewish people.  Our Arab guide warned us that in Israel you evaluate everything by a rule of three: ’Yes, maybe it happened that way", no "it probably did not happen at all" or” yes, we can say with conviction that "it did happen that way.

On that particular trip, the subject at hand was two- fold, one pertaining to a three-year-old red heifer that was kosher and fit the description of Numbers 19.  Bus loads of people were traveling to Tiberius to see ‘Josephine’, which the press had so named.  But, at the peak of the excitement, a rabbi discovered two white hairs that were hidden by the heifer's ear. This moved the heifer from the ‘anointed status’ to just a plain old cow.   

 The other phenomena that had caught the attention of the people of the land was a flask of anointing oil had been found in the Qumran archeological dig which turned out to be a "Yes, it did happen that way".  Why so phenomenal, because God gave specific orders as to what five elements should be included in the anointing oil and one of the elements is no longer available.   One of the five ingredients in this oil is the rare persimmon or balsam (afarsimon) oil which was so valued by the Egyptian queen Cleopatra that she asked her lover, the Roman general Mark Antony, to give her a grove of Balsam trees in a wadi near Jericho.

There were only two such groves in all of the Middle East, the second in a wadi near the beautiful area called En Gedi.  When the priest realized that Jerusalem and the Temple were going to be destroyed by the Romans, they burned both groves to keep them from falling into the hands of the Romans. 

In my study of the Prophetic Word I certainly give attention and credence to what I would call the anchor points of prophecy: the re-establishment of Israel, the restoration of the Hebrew language and many prophecies pertaining to Israel becoming a thorn in the side of the world, but I love the less traveled roads of prophecy such as the seeking of the perfect red heifer, the finding of the anointing oil, the reestablishment of the Sanhedrin, and the on-going preparation for the building and establishment of the Third Temple.   I tend to be more practical in my thinking and these are things I can wrap my mind around and really get excited about.

 I have enjoyed reliving the stories of the red heifer, anointing oil, rebirth of the Sanhedrin and the preparation for the rebuilding of the Temple with you.  It is like the salesman story I related in the Gramps Morning thoughts about the elderly lady and her first flight.  It is a message that I have pounded through the years of how important it is for us to come along side people who are struggling with some of the battles we have struggled through.  They need to hear someone say, Hey, with God's help I became an overcomer.

Blessings,

Gramps

An Earthquake in Michigan-- Really???

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- The National Weather Service has confirmed that an earthquake was experienced by West Michigan on Saturday afternoon. Early reports indicate an earthquake of a 4.0 magnitude located 5 miles south of Galesburg, MI.

According to the USGS, the largest earthquake in Michigan was in 1947 with a magnitude of 4.6.

"When I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat.  Then I will enter into judgment with them there on behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; AND THEY HAVE DEVIDED UP MY LAND" (Joel 3:2).  (emphasis mine)

Hey Gang, Have you noticed that we have been having some pretty foul weather lately?  I mean, even an earthquake in Michigan!  Not a very serious one but still an earthquake.  I read an interesting article by Michael Snyder last evening titled "Interesting Tremors Across Multiple States - Sign Of Something Bigger On the Horizon".  He pointed  out it has been more than 60 years since Michigan last learned a little about God's shaking apparatus; nothing like Nepal, but yet an attention getter for those close to the epicenter.   

But then again, we should be waking up to the fact that the entire world is experiencing an increase in seismic activity.  Now, let me share in interested piece of information that I found in this article.  It is believed that the reason for all the seismic activity is the sun has become very quiet.    Really!!!

 Scientist have come to the conclusion that when the sun is quiet, seismic activity on earth increases.  One scientist is claiming that solar activity is declining faster "than at any time in the last 9300 years.  I am sure President Baruch Hussein Obama and Alvin Gore would say this is the result of 'global warming". 

Now, if the Michigan shake was the only shake that occurred in the last sixty years, it probably would not be considered worthy of page one in the local rags, but when you have a Nepal earthquake on page one with the mammoth deaths and mammoth damage, it does tend to get ones attention.  Now, add to this, North Texas also got rattled the day following Michigan's shaker.  It was reported that this was just one in a series of quakes that have been experienced in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area. 

Mississippi, like Michigan, did not have a history of quakes in their past- but had to change the history book last week when they receive two shocks that shook up the residents of Canton, Mississippi.   That was followed a day later by a shallow magnitude 3.8 earthquake in Los Angeles, California.   This one was followed by a quake in the San Francisco areas measuring 4.0 on the scale. 

The shaking in California should be no surprise, since everyone knows it is a matter of time before "the big one" comes.    Two earthquakes measuring magnitudes of 4.1 and 4.2 jolted folks in Idaho and folks from Washington to Northwestern Montana feeling the shaker.

Is this restricted to the United States?  Not so, it is being observed worldwide and not restricted to earthquakes.  At the same time volcanic activity is rising all over the planet.  Scientist believe a submarine volcano off the northwest coast of the U.S. may have just erupted.   More about this phenomena in the next What's Happening Man" blog.

If we had a listing of all the signs of the times that Jesus, and the prophets of old said would be our guide for the later and last days,  three of the boxes we could check as here and, growing daily, would be those listed by Jesus, "For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes" (Matt. 24:7). 

Blessings,

Gramps

THe Temple Movement - Part 2

"My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.  And the nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forever" (Ezek. 37:27-28).

Hey Gang:  It was my intention to go a different direction this morning, but I felt a very strong urge to spend at least one more day at the most volatile place in the world-the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem.    In reciting their thrice daily prayers, observant Jews around the world turn in the direction of the site of the former Temple in Jerusalem.  In a recent survey of Israel's public, 43 percent of secular Israelis and 52 percent of religious Jews support Jews being allowed to physic ally pray at the Temple Mount. 

There has been a growing fervor world-wide that the Jews would take back the Temple Mount, or at least make it available to all Jews to pray on the Temple Mount.  This has been a growing demand on the part of all segments of Israeli society today including the Knesset and secular Jews.  An interesting point is the Knesset's support, in light of the fact that the Orthodox Community, which is the most verbal advocating the Knesset be disbanded and a Davidic Monarchy be reestablished.  

The Temple Movement is of particular interest to those who take a future and literal interpretation of the biblical prophecies concerning the second coming of Yeshua and of Israel's restoration. The New Covenant predicted by Jeremiah (Jer. 31-32) and Ezekiel (Ezek. 36-37) included a renewed Davidic rule and Temple priesthood, including the re-instituting of  animal sacrifices (Jer. 33:15-22; Ezek. 37:27-28). 

In addition, Yeshua's statements in the Olivet Discourse, as well as those of Paul, foretold a rebuilt Temple would stand before the return of Messiah and be desecrated by the Anti-messiah (Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:13; 2 Thess. 2:34) this in fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy (Dan. 9:27).

As the Temple Movement prepares for the return of the Temple, many prophetic students believe such actions signal the nearness of the return of Messiah, as the Scriptures declare.   Note Malachi's words, "Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming, says the Lord of hosts" (3:1).  Can you say hallelujah to that?

With no possible peace process in the foreseeable future, the Fatah-branch of the Palestinian authority, unified with the terrorist Palestinian organization Hamas. With the many regime changes, going on at present time in the Middle East, the Temple Mount has become the fuse to the Islamic bomb and could be ignited at any moment.

One of the Muslim conditions for a Peace Agreement with the Israelis on the status of Jerusalem is that control of the Temple Mount be handed over to the 57 member Saudi- based Islamic Conference. If you do not you know what a stacked deck looks like, here is a perfect example of one.  In an attempt to set the table for world opinion, the Palestinian Authority stepped up their propaganda campaign to de-Judaize Jerusalem, increasing their denials that a Temple existed and claim that the Temple Mount is a Zionist fabrication.

While we do not know precisely how these current events will play out, we do know that the Bible predicts the Temple Mount will become the center of controversy for all the nations in the future (Zeh.12:2; 14:1-2), and rebuilding the Temple will be a significant event of the End Time (Matt. 23:14; Mark 1`3:15); 2 Thess. 2:3-4, Rev. 11:1-2).

Blessings,

Gramps

The Temple Movement Today

"Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me.  And the Lord, whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold He is coming, " says the Lord of hosts" (Mal. 3:1).

Hey Gang:  As I mentioned in the last ‘What's Happening Man’, the thirty five acres that make up the Temple Mount is not only the most holy site on the planet for the Jewish people, but also the most volatile.   

A small, but rapidly growing, movement by Jewish activists is demanding the right to pray on the site of their destroyed Temple in the heart of this disputed capital's Old City. This is creating a potentially explosive clash with the Muslim world, which considers this spot holy, and bans Jews from public worship there.

Jewish voices are growing louder by the day declaring that "The Temple Mount is ours, and that cannot be argued about or negotiated...It must be open to prayer at every hour, to every Jew".  But, there is also a counter voice that is supported by much of the world declaring, "This place belongs to the Muslim people. It always has, and there is no proof that there ever was a Jewish Temple on this site.”

The world, including many churches, have bought into Replacement Theology- the belief that Israel is no longer the "apple of God's eye” and has been replaced by the Church.  This teaching has become ever more belligerent against God and His Word, and has bought into the blasphemous statement that Israel is an "occupying" people that must give up Covenant Land in order to appease the Sons of Ishmael.  

A recent warning was given by Azam al-Khatib, Director of the Wagf (Muslim term for the Temple Mount). Supervision of the Temple Mount was given to Muslims by Gen. Moshe Dian, after the Israel Defense Force had conquered East Jerusalem.  The Director recently avowed, "If the Jews try and take over the Mosque and the Temple Mount, it will be the end of time".

A major change has transpired, in the past several decades that has increased the likelihood that one day, and I suspect soon, Temple Mount restraints will pass and there will be an explosion heard around the world. 

Rabbi Chaim Richman, a director of the Temple Institute, whose mission is to prepare for the building of the Third Temple, recently stated that He envisions a new Temple rising toward the clouds, with underground parking, internet connectivity, radiant heating for the sanctified floors (the priests, in accordance with Jewish law, will be barefoot), and a return to burnt offerings and animal sacrifice.

A recent move on the part of the Temple Institute sent shock waves through the Muslim world; the Institute moved their operations into a larger building close to the Temple Mount.    The work continues at an accelerated rate to develop all of the items that will be needed when the third Temple is constructed.  We also learned, while in Israel, that all of the building supplies needed to complete the Temple are secure and in close proximity to the Temple Mount.

We do not hear much of the growing fervor of the people of Israel to build the Third Temple.  The major change in that fervor is coming together from all of the peoples of Israel and the Jews who remain in the Diaspora.  The Knesset, once opposed to even talking about it, now has growing numbers who are supportive.  The largest growth is in the general population, both religious and non religious.

The Temple movement is of particular interest to those who take a future and literal interpretation of the biblical prophecies concerning the Second Coming of Yeshua and of Israel's restoration.  The New Covenant, predicted by Jeremiah (Jer. 31-32). and (Ezek. 36-37), included a renewed Davidic rule and Temple priesthood, including the re- implementation of animal sacrifices (Jer. 33:15-22, Ezek, 37:27-28). 

In addition, Yeshua's statements in the Olivet discourse, as well as those of Paul, foretold a rebuilt Temple would stand before the return of Messiah and be desecrated by the anti-messiah (Matt. 24:15; Mark`13:14; 2 Thess.2:34), apparently fulfilling of Daniel's prophecy (Dan. 9:27).

So, my friends, it is very important that you keep your eyes focused on the Temple Mount movement, for it could be the spark that initiates the next war in Israel and this time it could spread to other nations.

Blessings,

Gramps

Eternal Connection: The Jewish People and the Temple Mount

"Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me, And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming," says the Lord of hosts" (Mal.3:1).

Hey Gang:   If I were asked the question, “What is the most dangerous place in the world? One place that could initiate a war that would end all wars?”  I would answer "The Temple Mount".  The Jewish people have a historical, religious, spiritual, and national connection to the Temple Mount area dating back to antiquity – King David. It  has been, and continues to be, of profound importance - a place they are willing to die for!    

For the Jewish people, it is the holiest site on the entire planet. Maybe the location of the creation of Adam; certainly the place of the binding of Isaac; of course, the site of both the First and Second Temples.  When the Jewish Temple existed, all Jewish men visited there to perform sacrifices to God three times per year, as commanded by God.  It was the sacred building that housed the Ark of the Covenant in which the Ten Commandments were stored.

The thirty-five acre platform, nestled in the eastern corner of the Old City of Jerusalem, has been termed the most explosive acreage on earth.    It is called the Temple Mount by Jews and Christians, but al-Haram ash-Sharif (the Noble Enclosure) and Masjid al-Aqsa (the far mosque) by Muslims.

The Temple Mount is currently home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Dome of the Rock, and the Dome of the Chain, all Islamic structures built in the late 7th century.  The Al-Aqsa Mosque is considered to be the third holiest site in Isalm after Mecca and Medina.

Muslims believe Mohammed was carried from Mecca to Al-Aqsa during a Night Journey. The Dome of the Rock is a shrine built where many Muslims believe Mohammed ascended into heaven  and met all the prophets who had preceded him.    History can find no record that Mohammad was ever in Jerusalem.

Aside:  We have been privileged to visit Israel on several occasions and have visited the Temple Mount on a couple of those trips.    In one the earlier trips, when the Dome of the Rock was still open to visitors, I accepted their invitation and went into the mosque.  I truly cannot describe the feelings of oppression and darkness that I felt as I walked into the building; but can say, I did a U-turn and exited the building almost immediately.

Three thousand years ago it became the site of the First Temple (2 Chronicles 3:1), and for 3,000 years it has attracted the enemies of Israel.  In the past they came to destroy it, because it represented Israel's independence, and today, even though no Temple has occupied this sacred ground for 2,000 years, it continues to be the fuse that ignites explosive conflicts in the Middle East.

In Jerusalem it is possible to move from 2015 to ancient days by going down a flight of stairs. On the lower level is a very unique organization called the Temple Mount Institute.  The Purpose of the Institute is to prepare for the building of third Temple.  We were privileged to see the clothing that is prepared and waiting for the reborn priesthood, the instruments and the utensils and all the items to be used in Temple Worship.  It was recently reported that the Sanhedrin of old has also been reestablished and has been meeting in Tiberias, where it met in ancient days.  A class for training the future priesthood has been established.

The Temple Movement is of particular interest to those who take a future and literal interpretation of the biblical prophecies concerning the second coming of Yeshua and of Israel's restoration.  The New Covenant predicted by Jeremiah (Jer. 31-32) and (Ezekiel 36-37) included a renewed Davidic rule and Temple priesthood, including the rebuilding animal sacrifices (Jer. 33:15-22, Ezekiel 37:27-28).   

Again, I would emphasize everything that can be shaken is being shaken (Hebrews 12), and I sense will continue to be shaken until God says, “Enough” and sends His warring angels to clean up our mess.  In the next blog we will look at some of the really neat things that God is doing in the midst of the chaos. Time to get excited!

Blessings,

Gramps     

  

Are You Prepared to Plant a Sycamore?

  "The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with smooth stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will replace them with cedars." (Isa. 9:10). 

This morning this very familiar headline came across my computer, "Arab League takes hostile move towards Israel.”   It was the announcement that the Palestinian Authority was going to demand that the UN set a time-line for ending ‘Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem’.  This is not the first such demand but, on each previous occasion, it was vetoed by France and the United States. NOW, there is a growing concern that such will not be the case this time around. 

A meeting of the Arab League in Cairo produced, among other things, a decision to support an upcoming Palestinian Authority resolution at the UN Security Council. The Palestinian Authority will demand that the UN set a time-line for ending Israeli 'occupation’(notice the word – occupation. History proves there has been continued Jewish presence since Joshua) of the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem. 

The move echoes a similar effort announced recently by Security Council member France. The Obama Administration has signaled that it might not veto such a resolution at the UN Security Council, as it has in the past.  Why? Because of comments Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made late in the Israeli election campaign to the effect that under current circumstances, a Palestinian state won't be created in the West Bank during his time in office. 

I am a firm believer that God fired a warning shot across our bough on 9/11. A warning shot that we then vowed we could fix in our own strength by following the same mistakes the Israelis made many years ago.   

Isaiah 9:10 records that mistake as follows:   "The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with smooth stones; The sycamores have been cut down, but we will replace them with cedars." (Isa. 9:10).  When our nation was hit on 9/11, our leaders stood boldly and declared, "Hey, man, don't sweat it, we have learned our lesson and we will be better prepared in the future by building our defenses stronger.”   Although the churches were filled that Sunday after 9/11, it was a short revival that had no roots and the status quo soon returned and the masses went back to their apathy.

I am also a firm believer that we have two gigantic cannons aimed at us; it really does not matter which catastrophe that you choose. But understand that we are facing a double whammy and, unless our nation repents and turns from its wicked ways and follows God's mandate for change in 2 Chronicles 7:14, the sky is indeed going to fall.

Now let me ask you a question.   If the sky does indeed fall will the churches be full the Sunday after God's wrath hits and fan?  They were filled in the New York area after 9/11, but within a month or so they were back to the norm.   In a follow up study, it was learned that those who returned to their old ways did so because they did not find anything in the church that gave them peace of mind. 

They were seeking refuge and someone to put their arms around them and assure them God was in control, but what they found was apathy and people that had the same fears they had.  It was also discovered that the church was not ready to receive a sudden influx of people who needed something to fill that vacuum in their chest cavities that was just the size of God.  Leaders were not prepared to lead people to Jesus and mentor them.

Is there a solution to the rapid decline in our once very proud and great nation?  Not really, as long as we allow the voice of the world to drowned out the voice of God.   Does that mean we should throw in the towel and join the "eat, drink, and be merry" crowd?  Not in your sweet bippy!  God has a laid out a plan of restoration and rehabilitation but we have to learnt to “Walk Ye In It!". 

So with that in mind let's do some digging and see if we can come up with a resolution to this every growing problem – next time….

Blessings, 

Gramps