Month: November 2020

GRACE

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment


χάριτί – chariti

Grace:  A gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ; favor, gratitude, thanks, a favor, kindness.

It was the bottom of the ninth inning, the score is 4 – 1 in favor of the away team.

Little Johnny, of the home team, watches the next pitch cross the plate – the umpire cries, “STEEEEE-RIKE”! The count is now 3 balls, 2 strikes, with two men out and the bases are loaded.



The hefty twelve-year-old pitcher rubs the baseball with his bare hands, adjusts his cap, leans forward and eyes the catcher for a signal. The batter, eleven-year-old Johnny, takes a couple of slow, rhythmic practice swings and eyes the gap in between center field and right field.

  The pitcher winds up and fires a fastball dead center to the catcher’s mitt.  Johnny sees the gift of a fastball and doesn’t hesitate.  He throws his weight into his swing and connects with the baseball in the sweet spot of his bat – CRACK!  The ball soars toward right-center field, up, up and away it sails, over the fence for a grand slam home run! The home team wins 5 – 4 and the crowd goes wild!!



Johnny is so excited he runs straight to the dugout to the congratulations of his team.  A few minutes pass and the umpire reluctantly calls Johnny OUT for running out of the baselines. The crowd is stunned, moans and calls the umpire ‘unfair’. But, to no avail. The game would end in a tie.

You see, even your best efforts can go unrewarded if you don’t finish!

*I just now, read this story to my wife, Betty. She looked at me like she had bitten into a lemon! “Ewwwww. That’s awful! That’s depressing. I don’t like that at all.”

I agree with her, it is awful and depressing – and dumb!

So it can be with God’s Grace.  It is not enough that God extends His Amazing Grace to us if we don’t respond to Him, the results are awful and depressing.

There is a “cheap grace” being preached in some churches now-a-days. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said it this way, 

“Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves.  Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism, without church discipline, Communions without confess.  Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”

“Cheap grace” costs nothing, it is easy to do and has little lasting value.

God’s Grace, on the other hand is costly but the results and permanent, eternal and AMAZING!

Now, The Rest of the Story,,,

Johnny’s coach and team plead with the umpire to change his mind. Still, to no avail. His call stood.  Johnny was called out and the score is 4 – 4.

Then Johnny, with a sad expression, a tear in his eye and cap in his hand, humbled himself and admitted to the umpire that in his excitement he had forgotten the ‘baseline rule’.   “I am out”, he admitted.



Johnny turned to his coach, the team and the people in the stands and said, “I messed up. Don’t blame the umpire. Blame me. I am sorry.”



The ump glanced at the away-team coach. The away-team coach looked at his players. The away-team, in unison, cried out, “Aw come on ump! Give ‘em a break! Let him run the bases!!”

The crowds in the stands stood to their feet and applauded for both teams as Johnny rounded the bases. The home team won the game 5-4 with an asterisk, because GRACE matters!

Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

What should be our response to God’s Amazing Gift of Grace? The Bible says, “That we should walk in His Works”.

GOD’S GRACE is His gift to you and to me.  But, there is a response found in the Bible that tells us how we get from where we are to “there”:

 1.  YOU MUST BELIEVE:

Romans 10:4 “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
      5″ For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”
8 “But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

10 “for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness…”

2.  YOU MUST CONFESS

Romans 10:10 “…and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”

3.  YOU MUST REPENT

Matthew 4:17. “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

4.  YOU MUST RECEIVE

Hebrews 4:16 ”Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

5.  YOU MUST FOLLOW

Matthew 16:24  “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

6.  YOU MUST OBEY

Matthew 14:23. “Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. 24“He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.

Matthew 8:51. “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death.”

Matthew 7:21. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’

7.  YOU MUST GO

Mathew 28:18. “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

“Cheap grace” is like a gift that goes unopened and lies dormant beneath the Christmas tree.  That would be sad, and like Betty said, “Ewwww. That’s awful. That’s depressing!” 

TAKE THE GIFT AND OPEN IT! NOW, REJOICE!

Let’s all receive God’s Gift of Grace and live amazed!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

THE UNSEEN WAR

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Feeling inspired or convicted from a sermon had become a rare thing for me.  Especially for that conviction or inspiration to last for weeks at a time.  But, to weep from a sermon had become nonexistent, until lately.

I encourage you to listen to the video below, absorb it and then act!

Daniel 10:1 – Daniel 11:1
Pastor Trent Casto, Covenant Church of Naples, FL – PCA                              (Excerpt reprinted, with permission)



“We are engaged in a cosmic spiritual conflict that has been raining for ages, and the events we see playing out in our world are reflections of the unseen war taking place in the heavenly places.”



“We see the effects of this spiritual conflict playing out in the world all around us. Governments are telling churches they cannot meet for worship in person, Christians are telling pastors they will leave the church if they have to wear a mask. Pastors are leaving their churches because of the extraordinary pressure and levels of conflict occurring in this season. Our news and newsfeeds are filled with so much disinformation that few people know who they can really trust, effectively unraveling the very fabric of our society.



“Real racism is a present reality as is real injustice in the halls of power.  Kids are committing suicide at an alarming rate. Depression and anxiety feel like the norm for our teens, rather than the exception. Human trafficking, the pornography industry and legalized abortion have ravaged countless lives. Of course, responsible human agents are involved in all these situations, but Christians must not forget that these are also the effects of the unseen war that is raging.

“Only when we understand the true nature of our conflict in this world can we engage in it appropriately and effectively. The Apostle Paul writes, in Ephesians 6:12…”

(For the message only, click on the video above here.  For the entire church service, click on the image below here)

What shall we do?

        1. We need a hunger for God
        2. We need a Fresh Vision, Word and Touch form God
        3. We need an Unshakable Confidence in God

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

I pray that ‘the LORD bless you, and keep us;  The LORD make His face shine on us, And be gracious to us;  The LORD lift up His countenance on us,  And give us peace.’

 

THE BUMMER LAMB

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Every once in a while, a ewe will give birth to a lamb and reject it. There are many reasons she may do this. If the lamb is returned to the ewe, the mother may even kick the poor animal away. Once a ewe rejects one of her lambs, she will never change her mind.

These little lambs will hang their heads so low that it looks like something is wrong with its neck. Their spirit is broken.

These lambs are called “bummer lambs.” Unless the shepherd intervenes, that lamb will die, rejected and alone. So, do you know what the shepherd does?

He takes that rejected little one into his home, hand-feeds it and keep it warm by the fire. He will wrap it up with blankets and hold it to his chest so the bummer can hear his heartbeat. Once the lamb is strong enough, the shepherd will place it back in the field with the rest of the flock.

But that sheep never forgets how the shepherd cared for him when his mother rejected him. When the shepherd calls for the flock, guess who runs to him first?
That is right, the bummer sheep. He knows his voice intimately.

It is not that the bummer lamb is loved more, it just knows intimately the one who loves it.

It’s not that it is loved more, it just believes it because it has experienced that love one on one.

So many of us are bummer lambs, rejected and broken. Go to almost any church in your area, and you can find scores of these lambs. People show up, shake hands at the appointed time and then leave after an hour or so of religious lectures, entertaining music and announcements – having been alone in a crowd.

The pastor will greet a few with a brief head nod and a smile and then after doing this ‘pastoral public relations duty’ he goes to hang out with his favorite “sheep” away from the flock. The other lambs, inwardly, hang their head and think, “Oh, well. Maybe someday”.

Why should any child of God have to settle for this?

“Prophesy and say to those shepherds, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Woe, shepherds who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?

“You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock.

“Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them.

“They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered.

“My flock wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill; My flock was scattered over all the surface of the earth, and there was no one to search or seek for them.”’”

“Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: “As I live,” declares the Lord God, “surely because My flock has become a prey, My flock has even become food for all the beasts of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock;

“Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand My sheep from them and make them cease from feeding sheep. So th shepherds will not feed themselves anymore, but I will deliver My flock from their mouth, so that they will not be food for them.”’”

I know that Jesus is the good Shepherd and that He cares for our every need and holds us close to His heart, so we can hear His heartbeat. I know that the broken are deeply loved by the True Shepherd, but, until that day when we are with Him, those who take on the name of “pastor” have a covenant duty, to care for His Sheep!

May God Bless and strengthen you faithful shepherds who watch over, care for, love and feed His Flock, day after day – caring for even the most needy and least lovely.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(adapted)

Experience God’s Will

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Have you heard this ‘funny definition’ of Insanity: “Doing the same thing over and over, but expecting different results.”  I guess it is sort of funny, but because it bears so much practical truth, it’s really not that funny, especially if you are struggling with an issue. Sometimes it seems, the harder we try, the worse it gets. We might have success for a while, but then we slip back into the same old patterns. We try to lose weight, or we try to stop a habit, over and over and over, we keep using the same old methods, and nothing changes, permanently.

But, since “there is nothing new under the sun” what NEW thing can you expect? That “there is nothing new” has been said by a lot of different people, as a sort of sigh of resignation. But the phrase actually comes from the bible. Ecclesiastes 1:9 says, “That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.”

So, how do I change what I am doing if it is all anyone has ever known or if it is what people have always done? And, it is what everyone is always teaching? And the results are always the same?

How can change what I know, so I may KNOW AND EXPERIENCE GOD’S WILL? Again, the Bible says to “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

The 1st Life Truth:  To know and Experience God’s Will for your life is to DO RIGHT as a constant of your life.

The 2nd Life Truth: To know and Experience God’s Will for your life is to BE TRANSFORMED BY RENEWING YOUR MIND.

If you really want to know and experience GOD’S WILL for your life, you have to know it won’t come easy. The farther you want to go with God and the more you want to know of God, the more it will require of you.

– WARNING –

ONLY THE MATURE AND SINCERE SHOULD PROCEED BEYOND THIS POINT

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind”.

The word “transformed”, here, comes from the Aramaic Greek in the bible, ‘metamorphoo’ from which we get the English word, metamorphosis. It more literally means to ‘change into another form, or transfigure’. It means to become something you are not so you can be conformed to the WILL OF GOD. (Sounds like something from a science fiction movie, doesn’t it?)`

Renewing your mind is a renewal, a renovation, and a complete change for the better. It is synonymous with a new birth; a regeneration, referring to God’s act of causing the sinner to pass from the death of sin into spiritual life in Christ.

This renewal of your mind is a continuous process through which you become more fully Christ-like, in which process you are a worker together with God.

To KNOW GOD’S WILL for my life, I must

(1) DO RIGHT as a constant in my life, and

2) Undergo a metamorphosis. I must become irreversibly transformed by the renewing of my mind.

Are you kidding? Are we saying I have to DO this to KNOW GOD’S WILL for my life?

The answer is, YES. A thousand times, YES! You can no more KNOW and EXPERIENCE GOD’S WILL for your life without

      • intending to DO RIGHT as a constant in your life and by

      • BEING TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND

than you can think without a brain, see without eyes or walk without legs and feet.

Anything less than DOING RIGHT as a constant in your life, and BEING TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND is just a good try at the same old thing you’ve always done. It’s insanity.

Before we move on to the next Truth, I can just hear someone asking these two questions:

(1) Are you saying I have to DO something in order to be saved? (The answer to that is NO. Salvation a free gift of God. We are saved by His Grace through our faith in Christ. Not be works)

(2) Are you saying I have to be ‘perfect’ to know God’s Will for my life? (The answer to that is NO. We are told to strive toward ‘perfection in Christ’, “be perfect even as I Am perfect”. And God’s perfection or maturity is our aim. But, we will stumble, so we have the provision of confession, repentance and God’s forgiveness to see us along our way. But, our heart’s desire is to attain to God’s perfection.

In fact, read 1 John 1: 8-10, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

1 John 2:1-6, continues, saying, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;  and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

“By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;  but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:   the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.”

Please hear me when I say that this is not a lecture or a sermon. It is not a platitude or an experiment in spiritual matters. THIS IS THE TRUTH. WE WOULD DO WELL TO TAKE HEED.

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW AND EXPERIENCE GOD’S PERFECT WILL IN YOUR LIFE:

  • DO RIGHT as a constant in your life

  • BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that you may prove what THE WILL OF GOD IS, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Click this text for the next article, we will see what and how the Bible says we shall DO RIGHT and BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF OUR MINDS.

It is a discipline. Very few will attempt it. Fewer yet will finish and succeed. But the few who do will KNOW AND EXPERIENCE THE WILL OF GOD IN THEIR LIFE. An experience unparalleled in this lifetime.

Until then, let’s Remain in His Grip!

Your brother and friend,

Mike Young

Knowing God’s Will

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

It is recognizing and continually doing God’s Will in the course of my life that determines the outcome of His Will for my life.

Do you ever wonder about “The Will of God for your life” or for your life’s circumstances?

I frequently hear people say “I want to know the will of God” when making important or difficult decisions or trying to find their way out of difficult or trying situations.

I often hear people finish their prayers with “IF it is your will” as a polite guess.  You get the sense that a person who prays this way is saying, “I really don’t know Your Will, God, but, here’s what I think” as if we can bring God to our point of view.

Or is it a reluctance because the person praying feels like they are imposing on God?

I see some folks wearing a rubber bracelet or sporting a sticker which reads “WWJD?” (What would Jesus do?) I guess that is supposed to make us stop and think about what He would do before we make important decisions or misbehave?

My experience has been that most people, including MOST preachers, are not ready to give a definitive answer to this all important question for their lives: “What is God’s Will for my life” or in this situation?

The phrase “the will of God” and “God’s will” is used a total of twenty-five times in the Bible (“The Authorized version”).

The frequency of the use of a word or phrase in the Bible potentially tells us is the importance or uniqueness of that word or idea communicated by that word or phrase.

But, regardless of the frequency of this phrase, I would say that the “Will of God” is a pretty important idea.

Here is a novel idea, “why not use the Bible to decide what God says about GOD’S Will and go with that”?

Here are four instances of the twenty-five occurrences of the phrase “God’s Will” from the Bible where the Bible clearly explains God’s Will:

        • 1 Peter 2:15 “For such is the will of God, that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
        • Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
        • 1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;”
        • 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Do you want to see the power of God’s Word and His Spirit work for good in your life? Does using these three verses sound too simple? Well, you can expand on these verses. But, just try these for a start.

        • DO RIGHT.
        • RENEW YOUR MIND TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT
        • ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY.
        • IN EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS

Interesting, huh? God’s Will produces a life that is RIGHT, GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, PERFECT and produces THANKSGIVING. Isn’t that what you want for every circumstance in your life?

Think about it.

Also, it is almost impossible to escape from these three ideals in your daily living.

Let’s look at the first requisite for God’s Will in your life: DO RIGHT.

We are constantly faced with the opportunity to DO RIGHT. The choices usually come in the form of a temptation, whether mild or severe.

      • “Should I clean up my mess before I leave?”
      • “Should I buy that new car?”
      • “Should we go to church this Sunday?”
      • “Should I take the petty cash for my personal use?”
      • “Should I pay what I owe or spend my money on something I would enjoy?”
      • “Should I carry on that flirtatious relationship, even though I am married?”

We somehow have the idea that “God’s Will” for my life is unique for MY needs or wants.

It is recognizing and continually doing God’s Will in the course of my life that determines the outcome of His Will for my life.

God’s Will for my life doesn’t just kick in when things get tough or when I need something. God’s Will for my life is a constant.

Another way of looking at God’s Will for my life is that I wouldn’t need to ask (“what is God’s Will for my life) regarding the various circumstances if I have been doing His Will for my life all along. That is, have I been DOING RIGHT all along?

Here’s another great example: A friend asked me and my wife if she should continue dating a certain man she had met because she wasn’t sure of God’s Will. She says she is looking for a husband.

We asked her to tell us about this man. Turns out this man is married (separated) from a difficult and unfaithful woman with whom he has children.

“So” I said, “he is a married man, fighting with his wife and dating around in front of his children? And you have been dating this man? And you want to know God’s Will regarding this matter?”

In other words, do you want a life that is RIGHT, GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, PERFECT and produces THANKSGIVING? Isn’t that what you want for every circumstance in your life?

To which she replied, “Yes, but, I am lonely”.

Yeah? That can be tough. But, the question isn’t ‘how do you feel today’ but DO YOU WANT GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE? Then,

1. DO RIGHT.

2. RENEW YOUR MIND TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT.

3. ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY.

4, IN EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Mike and Betty Valentines 2018.jpg

(Click here for more on KNOWING and EXPERIENCING GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE.

COVID-19 VACCINE?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

There are several pharmaceutical companies vying to produce a Covid-19 Vaccine.  One has emerged as a potential leader, AstraZeneca, but not without controversy and serious ethical issues.

This webpage, titled, THE CULLING OF THE HUMAN RACE BEGINS: See the Horrifying Ingredients in AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 Vaccine with attached video.

The culling of the human race begins. (see the horrifying ingredients in astrazenecas covid-19 vaccine).

Secondly, this next video is ‘homemade’ and taken from a FB page.  It is informative, but, watch and then do your own research of the information provided. Consult with a medical professional. Decide for yourself.

But, do watch it, for your own welfare.

Facebook.com-messenger.

Finally, here is an article from The Catholic News Agency, dealing with the reports that the leading contender as a Covid-19 vaccine which is being produced by AstraZeneca, containing cells from an aborted male fetus. (a British–Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company with its headquarters in Cambridge, England.   AstraZeneca has a portfolio of products for major disease areas including cancer, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, infection, neuroscience, respiratory and inflammation. (Wikipedia))

Catholic news agency.com news.  The coronavirus vaccine made from fetal cells.

(This website and it’s author and owner neither confirms nor denies the accuracy of the information contained in the featured video. It is presented for informational purposes only.)

LOOK BACK in order to see THE FUTURE?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Can we learn from past prophecies?

The prophecies from Ezekiel are specifically for Israel and should not be applied to any other specific future Nation, state or people. The book of Ezekiel does, however, contain prophecies relating to the Last Days and The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.

Since we are now well into the Last Days, and it would appear we are approaching the breaking of the 6th Seal, the Great and Terrible Days of God’s Wrath, America and all Christians would do well to take heed.

We can learn from God’s methods and ways of punishing evil, rebellion and disobedience toward Him. We can learn about God’s continuing mercy and loving kindness toward those who come to Him in humility and surrender.

(Notice the eerie similarities of the imagery of eagles, nations, rebellion and punishment used in relation to Israel around 593 BC and 571 BC, in comparison to contemporary America. Although not written specifically to America nor about America, the similarities are striking and God’s methods are consistent).

Parable of Two Eagles and a Vine

Ezekiel 17: 1  “Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, 2“Son of man, propound a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel,

V3 saying, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “A great eagle with great wings, long pinions and a full plumage of many colors came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar. 4“He plucked off the topmost of its young twigs and brought it to a land of merchants; he set it in a city of traders. 5“He also took some of the seed of the land and planted it in fertile soil. He placed it beside abundant waters; he set it like a willow. 6“Then it sprouted and became a low, spreading vine with its branches turned toward him, but its roots remained under it. So it became a vine and yielded shoots and sent out branches.

 7“But there was another great eagle with great wings and much plumage; and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him and sent out its branches toward him from the beds where it was planted, that he might water it. 8“It was planted in good soil beside abundant waters, that it might yield branches and bear fruit and become a splendid vine.”’ 9“Say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Will it thrive? Will he not pull up its roots and cut off its fruit, so that it withers—so that all its sprouting leaves wither? And neither by great strength nor by many people can it be raised from its roots again. 10“Behold, though it is planted, will it thrive? Will it not completely wither as soon as the east wind strikes it—wither on the beds where it grew?”’”



Zedekiah’s Rebellion

      

11Moreover, the word of the LORD came to me, saying, V12 “Say now to the rebellious house, ‘Do you not know what these things mean?’ Say, ‘Behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, took its king and princes and brought them to him in Babylon. 13‘He took one of the royal family and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath. He also took away the mighty of the land, 14that the kingdom might be in subjection, not exalting itself, but keeping his covenant that it might continue. 15‘But he rebelled against him by sending his envoys to Egypt that they might give him horses and many troops. Will he succeed? Will he who does such things escape? Can he indeed break the covenant and escape? 16‘As I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘Surely in the country of the king who put him on the throne, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke, in Babylon he shall die. 17‘Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company will not help him in the war, when they cast up ramps and build siege walls to cut off many lives. 18‘Now he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, and behold, he pledged his allegiance, yet did all these things; he shall not escape.’” 19Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, “As I live, surely My oath which he despised and My covenant which he broke, I will inflict on his head. 20“I will spread My net over him, and he will be caught in My snare. Then I will bring him to Babylon and enter into judgment with him there regarding the unfaithful act which he has committed against Me. 21“All the choice men in all his troops will fall by the sword, and the survivors will be scattered to every wind; and you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken.”
      22Thus says the Lord GOD, “I will also take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and set it out; I will pluck from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one and I will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23“On the high mountain of Israel I will plant it, that it may bring forth boughs and bear fruit and become a stately cedar. And birds of every kind will nest under it; they will nest in the shade of its branches. 24“All the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD; I bring down the high tree, exalt the low tree, dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will perform it.”

A summary of this prophecy tells us of God’s method throughout history:

I.     “I will plant it: “After the failure of the two great eagles to make a success of establishing the state of Israel under their extensive and powerful patronage, God says, I myself (emphatic) will plant it upon a high mountain where it will grow and be conspicuous and attract the birds of the air to shelter under its protection.” (Taylor)

II.    Under it will dwell birds of every sort: “All nations, the Gentiles as well as the Jews, shall build, breed, and multiply under the kingdom of Christ; it shall be no more confined to the Jews, but extend to the Gentiles also. There they shall find peace and safety; and this repeated confirms the certainty of the promise.” (Poole)

III.   All the trees of the field shall know that I, the LORD, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree: Through God’s dealing with kings such as Zedekiah, and His future work through the Messiah, God would exalt Himself among all the nations.
“God is governing, and there is no escape from Him. Eagles, and vines, are under His control. Happy are they who frame their policies by consulting Him, and order their ways in fear.” (Morgan)

IV.    Brought the high tree down: “Look over history, and you will see that everything gigantic in stature and colossal in dimensions, whatsoever has been great to human apprehension, grasping at earthly fame, has become an object for God’s penetrating arrows, and a subject for his withering blight.” (Spurgeon)

V.     Exalted the low tree: “You remember Joseph in the dungeon, Israel in Egypt, Hannah in the family of Elkanah, David when Samuel would have passed him by, Hezekiah when Sennacherib rebuked him. Are not all these instances of God exalting the low tree?” (Spurgeon)

VI.    Yahweh remains sovereign over history. When his people experience calamity, his hand is in it. When foreign nations sweep down on them, they come as his agents. No nation has ever become so powerful that he cannot bring it down in a moment; and no people is so low that he cannot exalt it.” (Block)
VII. “The chapter began with judgment and punishment; it ends with mercy and grace. The dethroned and blind Zedekiah is overshadowed by God’s King who is full of power and glory. Kingdoms are but the lengthened shadows of kings.” (Feinberg)

VII.   “The chapter began with judgment and punishment; it ends with mercy and grace. The dethroned and blind Zedekiah is overshadowed by God’s King who is full of power and glory. Kingdoms are but the lengthened shadows of kings.” (Feinberg)

Read these Judgments and Mercies of God and know that He is God and you can find safety as His own child and be at peace.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

THE LAST DAYS – Part 2

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Are we living in the LAST DAYS?

I have been writing on this matter for about 13 years.  I am amazed at how times have ‘suddenly changed’ from speculative to appearing alarmingly realistic as the LAST DAYS.

I have been saying, for over 13 years now, that scriptures clearly tell us that the LAST DAYS began in or around AD 1, and that the DAYS OF DISTRESS, also known by names such as the tribulation, end of days, times of trouble.  

I have been saying, for 13 years now, that over these past 2,000 years we have seen and are seeing the progressive opening / breaking of the first 5 Tribulation Seals.

The Last Days

When do the final 7 years begin?

There are others saying these things, but they are the minority – until now. Now we are seeing more clearly.

One substantial example of this ‘awakening’ can be found on a video sermon / teaching by pastor John Piper.

(John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. He has served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, for more than thirty years. He is author of more than fifty books, and his sermons, articles, books, and more are available free of charge at desiringGod.org.)



Piper begins his teaching on the subject of “How to Live in History’s Last Days” taken from 1 Peter 4:7 – 9, Reading verse, 1 Peter4:7 “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”, Piper asks, “What does that mean? “The end of all things is at hand.” That was 2,000 years ago.

“The end of all things, (as found) in the New Testament, (is) the period of time that begins with the coming of the Messiah (His birth) and ends at the second coming (Matthew 24:29-31) .”

(John Piper video sermon on: “How We Should Live In These Last Days”:  Below)

      • 1 Peter 1:20 “For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you.”
      • Acts 2:16-17. “but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says,
         ‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND;
                    AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY,
                    AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS,
                    AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS.
      • Hebrews 1:1-2. “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, v2 in these last days has spoken to us [b]in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
      • Hebrews 9:26, “Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
      • 2 Peter 3:3, “Know this, first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?”

      • The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 10:11, tells us, “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

2.  How Should We Live in These Last Days?

Should we hunker down? Dig in? Hide away? Run to a mountain retreat with stockpile of food, water and weapons?


1 Peter 4:7-9 “The end of all things is near; therefore,

      • be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of [b]prayer.
      • Verse 8. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
      • Be hospitable to one another without complaint.
      • Verse 10. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
      • Verse 11. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God;
      • whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

 

3.  What should we expect in these Last Days?

      • 1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled or the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

      • Verse 15. “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.

      • Verse 17. “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God;”

The LAST DAYS began with the birth of Christ. The 5th Seal is being broken / has been broken. The final Seal (The 6th Seal, The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord) will happen next.

In order to ‘be saved’, you and I must “endure to the end” and we shall overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of our Testimony!

So, fear not! It is written in His Blood and by His Breath and cannot be amended. Now, let’s get this thing finished and be ready to meet Him in the air!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Other important pre-tribulation Pre-Wrath sources:

THE GREATEST VICTORY

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

THE GREATEST VICTORY

Jesus tells the *Churches, that until the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal, they must OVERCOME. This term, “OVERCOMES”, is used 7 times in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26, Revelation 3:5, 12, 21)

*(Note: “The Churches” referred to by Jesus are the Followers of Christ – You and Me)

DO AND BE

The following are the verses from Revelation which tells us, The Church, what we are to DO and to BE while we wait for His return.  (This is what we are to DO with what we know and in preparation for His return.)

1.  THE VERSE: Revelation 2:7 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’
To him who overcomes, Jesus made these promises – but what does this “Overcomer”, overcome?

OVERCOME: We usually think of overcoming in dramatic terms of overcoming sin and in spiritual warfare, but here Jesus is speaking of overcoming coldness of heart and lack of love marked by leaving their first love of Jesus.

THE PROMISE: I will give to eat from the tree of life: The promise for these “Overcomers” was a return to Eden, a restoration to God’s Presence, and eternal life. This was meant, first in the eternal sense of making it to heaven, which was no small promise to a people threatened with the removal of Jesus’ presence.
It is also meant in the sense of seeing the effects of the curse cancelled in our own lives though Jesus’ redeeming act of love.

2.  THE VERSE: Revelation 2:11 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’

OVERCOME: He who overcomes: Those who overcome the threat of persecution, and the presence of persecution.
We might say that we overcome by our close association with Jesus, but, it is that very association that brings both persecution and salvation. Jesus is the ultimate “Overcomer”, as He says, In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

THE PROMISE: Shall not be hurt by the second death: Those who overcome by the power and presence of Jesus within them, will never be hurt by the second death. The second death is hell, the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14 and 21:8). Though Satan will threaten and attack your life, Jesus promises His “Overcomers” that death is conquered for them.

THE VERSE: Revelation 2:17 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’

OVERCOMES: To him who overcomes: The one who overcomes this spirit of accommodation to false teaching and living will receive hidden manna. This is God’s perfect provision, the true bread from heaven (John 6:35).

THE PROMISE: And I will give him a white stone: In the ancient world, the use of a white stone had many associations. A white stone could be a ticket to a banquet, a sign of friendship, evidence of having been counted, or as a sign of acquittal in a court of law. Jesus may have any one of these meanings in mind, but at the very least we know that it has the assurance of blessing.

THE VERSE: Revelation 2:26-29 ‘He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS; AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father and I will give him the morning star. ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

OVERCOMES: He who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end: Even when there is the immoral and idolatrous influence of a Jezebel, Christians can overcome and keep Jesus’ works until the end. We must not become overly discouraged at immorality and idolatry around us, even among Christians. God’s work will still go on through His “Overcomers”.

THE PROMISE: To him I will give power over the nations: Jesus promised that His people will reign with Him. Here, there is a special promise to those who overcome the threat of immorality and idolatry. To them, Jesus offered a share in His own kingdom. “The word for ‘rule’ (Gr. poimanei) means literally ‘to shepherd.’ Their rule will not be simply that of executing judgment, but also that of administering mercy and direction.”
Jesus offered them a reward greater than the kingdom. He offered them the reward of Himself, because He is the Morning Star (Revelation 22:28).

THE VERSE: Revelation 3:5 ‘He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

OVERCOMES: He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments: Jesus identified the “Overcomers” with those few names who have not defiled their garments (Revelation 3:4). These “Overcomers” would wear white garments, received from Jesus.

THE PROMISES: Jesus explained the absolute necessity of this being clothed by God with His garments of purity and righteousness in His parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22:11-14).

Real righteousness is receiving God’s covering instead of trying to cover ourselves. Adam and Eve tried to cover their own sin (Genesis 3:7) but God provided them with a covering that came from sacrifice (Genesis 3:21).
“I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life”: By this, the “Overcomers” were assured of their heavenly citizenship. In the ancient world, death or a criminal conviction could blot out the name of an ancient citizen from the city’s book of the living, which was the city register.

But I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels: This was an amazing promise. It simply makes sense that we should be willing to confess the name of Jesus, but it is amazing that He would not be ashamed to confess us!

THE VERSE: Revelation 3:12 ‘He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.”

OVERCOMES: He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar:

THE PROMISE: “Overcomers” were told that they would be as a pillar in the temple of My God. Pillars were pictures of strength, stability, and dignified beauty.
He shall go out no more. The “Overcomer” would have a place of permanence and stability with God, in contrast to an uncertain place in this world.
I will write on him the name of My God… I will write on him My new name: The “Overcomer” also received many names – of God, the New Jerusalem, and the new name of Jesus. These names are marks of identification because they show who we belong to. They are marks of intimacy, because they show we are privileged to know Him in ways others are not.

THE VERSE: Revelation 3:21 ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”

OVERCOMES: To him who overcomes: Jesus’ promise to the “Overcomer”, even at Laodicea, showed that we don’t have to be Christians who are compromising and lukewarm. If we are, we can change and become one of Jesus’ overcomers.

THE PROMISE: I will grant to sit with Me on My throne: Those who overcome the battle against indifference, compromise, and self-reliance, receive a special reward. They enjoy a place with the enthroned Jesus (as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne).

THE VERSE: Revelation 21:5 “And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” 6 Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.
7 “He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.
8 “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

OVERCOMES: Jesus is telling you and me, His Followers, that WE Must “Endure to the end”.

THE PROMISE: We shall “Overcome” and we have the Victory!

Jesus tells us the can know the “seasons”, so now we know WHERE ARE WE IN HIS “TIME”!

Peter validates, in Acts 2:14-21 that “the beginning of birth pangs”, that is the breaking of the tribulation Seals one began in AD 1 – and the successive breaking of seals two through five have been ongoing to this day – We are now seeing the Breaking of the 5th Tribulation Seal and the Church must Endure to its completion.

With the coming day of the Breaking of the 6th seal we will see…

  • Jesus’ return ‘in the sky and gather His elect from the four corners of the earth’
  • God will seal the 144,000 from the Tribes of Israel
  • The Church Raptured and all Believers will be standing at the Throne of God, clothed in the white robes.
  • God’s succeeding Judgments poured out on earth
  • Jesus and His armies defeat Satan.

WHAT IS NEXT? (click link)

Jesus is telling you and me, His Followers that WE Must “Endure to the end”, WE must “Overcome”. We are now in those days!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

THE GREAT SQUEEZE

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

“What do you get when you squeeze an orange?”

Answer: Orange juice

“What do you get when you squeeze a  lemon?”

Answer: Lemon juice

“What do you get when you ‘squeeze’ a Christian?”

Answer: Whatever is “inside them”

God chooses to use the stress of trials in our lives to develop perseverance. We know that because the book of James 1 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds”. This is the same phraseology as found in 1 Peter, interestingly—“because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

God uses the stress of trials to prove the quality of our faith which results in praise, glory and honor of Christ., in 1 Peter 1:6. says, “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, verse 7, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”

God uses distress to purge, purify and refine us and to give us understanding in these Last Days. Daniel 12:1, says, “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; 10 “Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.”

Jesus has told us these things would occur.  Pandemics, anarchy, terrorism, diseases, wars and threats of wars…

the 1st Tribulation Seal  –  Global conquest and political intrigue

the 2nd Tribulation Seal –  Wars and Rumors of War

the 3rd Tribulation Seal  –  Famine

the 4th Tribulation Seal  –  Death

the 5th Tribulation Seal  –  Martyrs, persecution, Anti-Christ, falling away

WE ARE BEING SQUEEZED – WHAT IS COMING OUT OF YOU?

The stress of these days are part of God’s plan, in order:

        • To give us perseverance
        • To prepare us as His Bride for His return
        • To prove our faith
        • To purge, purify and to refine us
        • To give us insight and understanding

Take heart, friends, and pray that the fruit of the Spirit will pour out of you and out of each one of us,as we wait for His return!!

HE IS COMING SOON!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Truth for Life, Pastor Alistair Begg:  God’s Faithfulness in Affliction, Pt 2, November 23, 2020

THE GREATEST PRIORITY

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Most of my adult life, I have been tasked with setting priorities and making and prioritizing choices. I would like to give you three examples and see what you think.  (Read to the end to see the spiritual application).

1. Business Priorities

I have been in the business of running an insurance agency, dealing with agents, customers and insurance companies. In order to be efficient and successful, setting priorities was very important. I had to decide who serve first, our agents, our companies or our customers.

A. My choice was to always serve the customer first. They were my top priority.

How did I decide this? (a). Nobody got paid until the customer bought something. And, in order to have a loyal customer, I had to make sure they got the best products, the best service and fair treatment. (b). Besides, ethically, it is the right thing because they had put their trust in me, my agents and my business.

Then came the question of the customer’s ‘wants and needs’. Customers (clients) would often say “I want such-and-such” but my evaluation suggested their “need was greater or less than their wants”. So, how did I decide what to sell my customer? Ask questions and seek a balance. I had to make sure they could afford the product and get the proper amount of coverage so the benefits could meet their survivor’s needs, if required.

B. Our agents were as important as our customers, but I had to place them in second place of priority.

How did I decide this? (a). Nobody got paid until our agents sold something; but that, notwithstanding, unless the customer bought, the agent could not make that sale. (b). I provided my agents training, good companies and good products and leads to customers so they could sell. There was a shared expense: my money and expertise, the agent’s sales abilities and expertise.

Then came the question of the agent’s ‘needs and wants’. Our agent’s wants almost always were greater than their needs, especially in the case of lower cost products and higher commissions. So, how did I decide what to give our agents? Ask questions and seek a balance. I had to make sure they could sell our products and make enough money to support themselves their families and have money left over; in other words, so they could make a great living.

C. Our Companies were very important to our success, our agent’s success and or our customer’s needs. But, they come in third.

How did I decide this?

(a). The companies were well financed, had great leadership and were experts at dealing with risk, money, agents, agencies and the insurance buying public. Insurance companies know how to take care of themselves.

(b). I needed to find companies who would meet our market and marketing demographics,

(c) who would partner with us and

(d). Had great products and great commission structures.

Then came the question of the Company’s ‘needs and wants’. I had to decide if the company’s products and sales support was sufficient for our agent’s and our agency to meet the minimum sale quotas and if we could reach levels of sales which would produce bonuses for our agent’s and our agency. 

How did I do this? By asking questions and finding a balance between the ‘needs and wants’ which would require commitment, loyalty and hard work.

Our Agency and our Agents held top spots in production, customer retention and personal incomes for many years. In other words, the holding the right priorities bring great results.

2. Youth Soccer coaching

The business of coaching and running a soccer team, dealing with parents, players and the Soccer organization or school was much like running a business. In order to be efficient and successful, setting priorities was very important. I had to decide a priority of whom to serve first, our players, the player’s parents or our organization.

As I thought about this, I realized coaching and running a team was similar to running a successful business. Good planning, the right priories and great results! Our teams consistently place in the top echelon of our programs and leagues.

THE CHURCH

3. Church Priorities

Many churches have adopted working business models over the last twenty-five years. And, my experience is that far too many churches and church leaders have modeled their priorities similar to that of a business.

I have been in the position as an Associate pastor in a small to medium-sized church as wells as running a small ministry, dealing with Christians and visitors, staff members and the corporate-political-organizational church.

In order to be efficient and successful, setting priorities was very important. I had to decide who to serve first, the church staff, the members and visitors or God’s Word.

A. My first choice is to always serve God and His Word. God and His Word are always top priority. This is not a difficult decision.

How did I decide this?

(a) The Bible instructs us to serve God first and only.

Leviticus 18:4 says, ‘You are to perform My judgments and keep My statutes, to live in accord with them; I am the LORD your God. Verse 5. ‘So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am the LORD.”

Matthew 4:8  says, “For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”

(b) The Bible instructs us that the Bible is a “Lamp unto our feet”, is without any error and is dependable.

Psalms 119:105, tells us, “Your word is a lamp to my feet
            And a light to my path.”

(c) Understanding what the Bible says and what the Bible requires, makes prioritizing clearer.

Joshua 1:8, says, “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”

(d) By being faithful in my service to God.

 Psalms 119:106, says, “I have sworn, and I will confirm it,
That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.”

Matthew 25:21 says, “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

Then comes the question of ‘wants and needs’.

A.  There really is no question here. I may have some preferential wants and supposed needs, but what God wants and needs (requires) of me is all that matters IF I WANT TO PLEASE HIM AND IF I WANT SUCCESS.

Joshua 1:8  says, “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”

B. The Christian’s (The Church) priority, between worldly needs and wants / personal needs and wants, is always present. In the postmodern world, the church has become a consumer oriented. You can shop for the church of your choice, meeting your specific needs. So, how do you balance a Christian’s needs and wants versus God’s Word and His model for His Church?

How do I decide this?  There is only One choice. It’s all about God. His Word is perfect, and Jesus has already demonstrated the model. We follow Him and His Ways, so, I need to be a good and faithful servant to God, His ways, His methods and His plans.

So, the second priority is to God and His Word. Why? Because God always has His Priorities right. His priorities must be my priorities.

C. Priority of the Organizational church. There are duties and tasks in the ministry of organizing the Body-politic of the church. But, that is only for human convenience and efficiency. God’s Word directs us on our service to the organization structure.

How do I determine this? The third priority in ministry is the same as the FIRST PRIORITY and the SECOND PRIORITY: God and His Word – always.

GOD has already set all our priorities in order, whether in business, church, worship, sports, marriage, child rearing, social constructs, politics, matters of health, education, etc.

Priorities in Ministry to God, His Church and the ‘organizational church’ begin and end with God alone as priority. Then, He tells us:

  1. Sola scriptura: “Scripture alone”
  2. Sola fide: “faith alone”
  3. Sola gratia: “grace alone”
  4. Solo Christo: “Christ alone”
  5. Soli Deo gloria: “to the glory of God alone”
    (Gotquestions.org on the five Solas)

What have we learned?

 1.  God has set the standard and the priority and given us “The Model”, which is Jesus. Anything less is evil.  (Yes, I’ve said it:  Anything less is evil)

2.  Ministry to God and His Church cannot be compromised and must not be run as a business model because that just will not reach His Desired Results of making disciples who, in turn, make disciples for His Service and His Glory.

3.  Any deviation, any compromise is an abhorrent departure from God’s Perfect Ways, His Perfect Will, His Perfect Method and His Perfect Plan.

So, if you are ever in doubt: Just Don’t!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

I am simply pointing out what God says will bring Him success in your service to Him.  You can do it your own way and think you have found a better way.  But, again, GOD SAYS, “There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”  Proverbs 14:12.  So, you choose.

Knowing and Doing God’s Will

THE GREATEST LIE

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

What was the greatest lie every told?

Treated fairly, this question could spark an endless debate. That is, if it weren’t for this one lie: “Surely, you shall not die”.

¶ Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’? The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’”

The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

The Greatest of all lies was hidden in plain sight among what was true.
Deceiving all who will listen.  This is important to know.

This greatest of all LIES is still having a subtle yet widespread influence because it is still lurking, hiding behind what is true, waiting to infect.

Oswald Chambers reminds us that “Jesus Christ did not say, “Go and save souls” (the salvation of souls is the supernatural work of God), but He said, “Go…make disciples of all the nations….Yet you cannot make disciples unless you are a disciple yourself.”

Oswald Chambers is on the mark. I would like to add…

BEING A CHRISTIAN IS BEING A DISCIPLE.  You cannot be a Christian and not be a Disciple of Jesus.

Being a Disciple of Jesus is a Prophetic fulfillment and a supernatural act. You cannot be a Christian and escape the role and calling of a Disciple.

So, where does this lead?


You see, Jesus said Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… —Matthew 28:19.  Jesus Christ did not say, “Go and save souls”, nor did He say
“put your major emphasis on a new building program”, or “get a vision that works” (for we all know we’ll perish without a good vision) nor did He say to go and “train staff members”.

These all may be good things, but He did not say these or a myriad of other very good things we attach to His command to “Go, therefore, and make disciples”.

 Everything we do as Christians, everything we do in the Church, everything we do in Jesus name, should culminate in the Great Commission: Making disciples of Jesus Christ.

Jesus calls all people unto Himself and tells us to take up our cross on follow Him. He shows us the way:

  • When Jesus was feeding the hungry: He was calling and making disciples.
  • When Jesus was healing the sick: He was calling and making disciples.
  • When Jesus was preaching the Gospel: He was calling and making disciples.
  • When Jesus was teaching the multitudes: He was calling and making disciples.

  • When Jesus was casting out demons: He was calling and making disciples.
  • When Jesus cared for the orphan and the widow: He was calling and making disciples.
  • When Jesus sent His disciples into the world: He told them to make disciples.
  • 
Disciples follow Jesus. Disciples do what Jesus does. Disciples make other disciples.


  • Disciples feed the hungry.
  • Disciples lay hands on the sick.
  • Disciples preach the Gospel.
  • Disciples teach the ways of Jesus.
  • Disciples cast out demons.
Disciples care for the orphan and the widow.
  • Disciples make disciples.

There have been many who followed Jesus for a time, but when it became apparent that it was not something they could do, they left Him. (John Scriptures tell us that many stopped following Him. They were never disciples. They were never Christians.

If you and I are disciples of Jesus who call ourselves Christians and we are doing things in addition to what Jesus does, that is good.

But, if we are not putting our emphasis on the things Jesus does, we err.

And, if we are not making disciples, we are not following Jesus because we are not His disciples and should not call ourselves Christians.

The greatest Lie ever told? “You surely shall not die.” But, we all know that is a lie. Being told that you can follow Jesus without doing what He said, is part of that lie.

“For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

But, then, you will die.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

“Though He slay me,
  I will hope in Him.
         Job 13:15

THE GREATEST FEAR

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ 1 Comment

It is August, 587 B.C.   Fear is gripping thousands upon thousands of people.

Ezekiel 21:1 “And the word of the LORD came to me saying, 2“Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem, and speak against the sanctuaries and prophesy against the land of Israel; 3and say to the land of Israel, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am against you; and I will draw My sword out of its sheath and cut off from you the righteous and the wicked. 4“Because I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore My sword will go forth from its sheath against all flesh from south to north. 5“Thus all flesh will know that I, the LORD, have drawn My sword out of its sheath. It will not return to its sheath again.”’ 6“As for you, son of man, groan with breaking heart and bitter grief, groan in their sight. 7“And when they say to you, ‘Why do you groan?’ you shall say, ‘Because of the news that is coming; and every heart will melt, all hands will be feeble, every spirit will faint and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it comes and it will happen,’ declares the Lord GOD.”

Debilitating fear. Incapacitating fear. Fear of the unknown. The people of Israel simply hear the news about a coming judgment which is so terrible that the news alone will cause their hearts to fail, their hands will become feeble and their knees will collapse from the fear of what is coming.

♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦

It is November, 2020 A.D. and fear is gripping the hearts and minds of millions upon millions of people around the world. A virus which statistics show has a fairly low infection rate and an extremely low mortality rate, is creating fear which rules the hearts and minds of millions and millions of people.

The CDC reports, since January 1, 2020,
11,650,817 total cases in the US, with
185.095 new cases,
251,715 deaths with 2,045 new deaths.

That makes

A 3.5% infection rate of the US Population;
a 2.2% death rate of those infected since 1/1/2020;
The last 7 days the NEW infection rate is .01 %
A 1% death rate on NEW functions

Debilitating fear. Incapacitating fear. Fear of the unknown.

♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦

I have friends and there are people I know who are Charismatic or Word of Faith or Pentecostal in their belief system and for decades these dear folks bragged, “I do not fear anything because my The Lord is my strength and my shield!”  They deny sickness can affect them. These same folks warm me to “never give a negative confession” because it will bring on trouble and that we are not a people of fear!” I love these folks. I love what they say.  I love their strong convictions.

THEN ALONG COMES THE CORONAVIRUS

Since the Coronavirus ‘pandemic’ started, I can’t find many of these same “faith folks”. It seems most of them are hiding, or as they call it, “staying safe at home”. I don’t immediately recognize many of the ones I can find because they are wearing masks and avoiding others! (Many of them even wear masks while driving alone in a car!)

When I ask them about their behavior, they openly admit they are “Afraid to death of catching the coronavirus”.


Dear friends, this recent ‘pandemic’ is just a test. The real trial is yet to come and you are failing this test, badly!

Jesus has said, in Matthew 24:6. “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars.  See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.

7“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and
in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.

8“But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

9“Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and
you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

10“At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.

11“Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.

12“Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.

13“But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”

♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦

Matthew 24:25 “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,

26 men will be fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

27 “Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory.

 

Luke21:25 “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 

Dismay among the nations. People fainting from fear at the expectation of things coming upon the earth, calling upon the mountains to fall on them and hide them from what His coming.

For those days will be a time of terror and tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation, until now, and never will be again!

This time of tribulation leading up to Daniel’s 70th Week, things will go much differently than ever before; and things will end much differently than ever before – This is the prelude to the End of the Age

  • Nothing like this has ever happened. 
  • There have been foreshadowing events, but nothing in the magnitude or terror as what is coming.
  • Nothing like this will ever happen again.
  • You have the promise that if you endure to the end, you will be saved.
  • You may be killed or martyred for your faith in and testimony of Christ, but, you will not perish.

♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦

DO NOT FEAR WHAT THE WORLD FEARS

Isaiah 8:11 says, “For thus the LORD spoke to me with mighty power and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying,

v12 “You are not to say, ‘It is a conspiracy’ 
in regard to all that this people call a conspiracy,
 and you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it.
    
DO NOT FEAR WHAT COMES UPON YOU


Job lamented this truth “For what I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me.” (Job 3:25)

♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦

YOUR GREATEST FEAR IS OF GOD, ALONE

“It is the LORD of hosts whom you should regard as holy.
  And He shall be your fear,
  And He shall be your dread.  V14 “Then He shall become a sanctuary”  –  Isaiah 8:13

The New American Standard Bible version says, “Fear Not” or “Do not be afraid”, 107 times.  Similarly, the King James Version says “Fear Not” or “Do not be afraid”, 103 times.

Repetition is for emphasis and God is emphasizing that we have nothing to fear. His plan is perfect, His methods are righteous, His will be done on this earth as it is in heaven! Enter the arc of His Covenant and live!



NOW, LET’S GO AND LIVE LIKE WE BELIEVE IT!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Joshua 1:8  “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. 9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

THE GREAT ASSEMBLY

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

“Behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues.”

Revelation 7:9

Imagine. A number of people so large that no one could count. The Population Reference Bureau, Washington, DC, estimates that as of the year mid-2022, 117,020,448,575 (read that, one hundred seventeen billion, twenty million, four hundred forty-eight thousand, five hundred seventy-five) people have lived on earth. (Actually, that number is extrapolated with some very sophisticated formulae.)

 Now imagine this.  Matthew 7:13 tells us to “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14“For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Those who do not enter through the narrow gate, do not go to heaven, but will perish in the lake of fire – hell.”

QUESTION #1.   So, which is it?

(a) “A great multitude” before the throne of heaven, so large no one could count them? Or,

(b) “A narrow gate” to eternal life and few find it?


The Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life published a new comprehensive demographic report on the size and distribution of the world’s Christian population. The study finds that there are 2,662,979,000 (billion) Christians of all ages in more than 200 countries around the world, according to a report published in early January 2023, by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.

That would mean that only about 2.27% of the world’s entire humanity found the narrow gate! Small, indeed, when compared to the entire population of the earth throughout all time. But, still, 2,662,979,000 is a lot of people.

So, I guess the answer is “BOTH”.

QUESTION #2.   So, where did approximately 2 Billion people come from who “were standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;”? (Revelation 7:9)



Revelation 7: 14 says, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

If that number, that multitude came from the Great Tribulation period alone, that is during the final 7 years (The 70th Week of Daniel) the number would not be so large. But, if it comes from the beginning of time, when “your faith was counted to you as righteousness”, the number could be staggering.

1 Thessalonians 4:15 tells us “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”

QUESTION #3. Will you be counted in the number of “The Great Multitude” standing before the Throne of the Lamb?

By all accounts, we are witnessing the breaking of the FIFTH SEAL of the tribulation. The return of Christ and the breaking of the SIXTH SEAL marking the beginning of the Great Tribulation, the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, could occur soon – at any moment.

This is the Christian’s destiny. This is The Christ’s Promise and our Hope.  Having been washed clean of all regret and sin by the sacrificial Blood of Jesus, spending our eternity with Him in heaven.

But, time is short – the exact date is not known. Come to Jesus, now! Do not delay. It’s the best decision you could ever make. Surrender your life to Christ Jesus, now.

QUESTION #4. What’s stopping you? Nothing to lose except sin, misery, aimlessness (and outer darkness where there will be and wailing gnashing of teeth!) and everything to gain!

“I came that you might have life, and life more abundant” – Jesus, John 10:10

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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THE GREATEST IDEA

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

“If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.”
John 12:47

We are entering a new kind of world, a new era. It is something very unfamiliar to most of us. World forces are at work which are changing everything we have known as ‘normal’. There is an idea being implemented known as the ‘Great Global Reset’. We are being told that nothing will ever be the same again. We are being told that “you must submit”!  (Quote by Klaus Martin Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum)

Those Globalists and Socialists in favor say this Great Reset will be our world’s salvation through the elimination of wars, poverty, disease, and social injustice.  It is the same decades old mantra of Socialist’s dream of Utopia. 

Those who do not agree with the precepts of Socialism say we need a different solution. We all agree, however, that we need someone or something to make our world a better and a safer place.

I suspect that many people will roll their eyes, derisively, when I say that the answers to all of these world problems – and, the problems you and I face – is Jesus and His Word.

Periods of change such as ‘The Renaissance’, ‘The Enlightenment Age’ or ‘The Industrial Revolution’, all began with an idea which thoroughly transformed the world.

An idea expressed passionately, even fervently, and zealously pursued by committed and capable people, can bring change. Often there is a cost of radical change and the expense is measured in lives and families and fortunes.

An idea, repeated often enough and argued affirmatively and often enough, which is born in a crucible of fiery trials, often gives way to amazing global change, whether for good or evil. Then, once the hearts and minds of people are either convinced or enslaved, how they view and interact within the world can be seen in some very unexpected ways.

The American Revolution, for example, was an idea born of men and women who mutually pledged their lives, fortunes and their sacred honor to one another. Once this idea was manifest, the destiny of the world was a set and the world has been a different and a better place for over 250 years. That era, now seems, is drawing to a close.

The Advent of Jesus Christ, “The Greatest Idea” was born of God, as a child in a manger in the obscure town of Bethlehem in the region of Judea. Emerging from this obscurity was “The Greatest Idea” which became known as Jesus Christ, the ‘Son of God’ and the Son of Man.

(I am aware that since God is omniscient, He actually doesn’t have ideas as we consider them. When God has a thought, oddly enough, it has no beginning as it has always been in existence waiting for its time to be manifest – and then it is eternal.)

The appearance of The Greatest ‘Idea’, that is Jesus, and the expression of this “God-man”, changed not only how people thought about the world, but radically changed how they interacted. It has been said that Jesus and His disciples had ‘turned the world upside down’, which was an apt description since He expressed and demonstrated ideas which were counter intuitive to the human experience up to that point in time.  For examples:

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. Matthew 5:21-22

Also, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” Matthew 5:38-43

And again, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”. Matthew 5:44

Jesus influenced the thoughts and behaviors of the known world by His Word and His deeds of peace among brethren and love for all humankind. His influence should rightly be called “The Greatest Idea”, as it brought change on a global scßale in ethics, morals, social constructs, national economies, educational systems, and all the disciplines of the age.

But, everything temporal is subject to change. And, as time has passed, the world has continued to change in both its thought and behavior – and not always for the good of humankind.

Remarkably, it would seem, we are have not been ‘evolving’ as some like to say, but we are simply repeating history. It would seem we are specifically revisiting a bygone era, but with new advanced technologies being applied to some not-so-new ideas.

Although the world is changing, Jesus Christ, “THE GREATEST IDEA”, has not changed. Christ and His teachings are unchanging. His methods and His purpose are immutable. And, He has not forgotten the world He created by His Word, although the world is forgetting Him.

Change is rarely easy and opposing ideas almost always bring some sort of conflict. And, there has always been conflict in the hearts and minds of people when it comes to the idea of good versus evil. And this conflict intensifies as people forget God.

The standard of what is good and what is evil has been long established, although those who deny God and practice the ‘dark arts of the flesh’, would like to argue the point. Some would argue there are degrees or shades of evil. They say that some evil is not necessarily bad or harmful and therefore isn’t really evil, but are just examples of human error or mistakes. They go on to say that evil is just a concept and should be defined by each person by their own standard.

But, with Jesus, came “The Greatest Idea”. He set The Standard of Good – and that anything less than HIs Standard is evil.

It is The Mind of Christ which holds the Standard of Good. It is the Mind of Christ which transforms the mind of man and woman and how they think – for Good. It is the Mind of Christ literally living within us that overcomes the powers of the he rulers, and world forces of darkness and the spiritual forces of wickedness in the ‘heavenly places – that is in the unseen realm from whence comes all things which are seen.

There is no doubt that times are changing and the days are growing spiritually darker. Chaos, division and uncertainty reign. It is time, once again, to call on The Greatest Idea for our salvation. It is time to make the Mind of Christ our own mind and set things right.

How can I know this will set things right? How can you know this? Look at the evidence. Look at the effects. Look at the history. Make up your own mind. Don’t be swayed by doubters ‘second guessers’. Then, ‘by faith’, decide for yourself. Decide to believe “The Greatest Idea”. Believe Jesus and go after Him. Embrace Him, embrace His Greatest Idea. Follow Him and you will live! (“The mind set on the Spirit is Life and Peace”. Romans 8:6)

Finally, you must know that “The Greatest Idea” is not just an idea. “The Greatest Idea”, took on the form of a man and brought the world The Greatest Truth ever known. And He, Jesus, proved The Greatest Truth by going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, forgiving sin, healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. And, the news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.

And for that reason, those who practice religion and the ‘dark arts of the flesh’, executed Him in an attempt to silence Him and to keep the Greatest Truth hidden.  He was crucified on a Roman criminal’s cross. He was executed for no other reason than Who He is and for What He represented and for bringing the world Hope through the Greatest Truth, The Gospel of Christ.

In an ultimate act of God’s power and in defiance of the powers of and world forces of darkness and the spiritual forces of wickedness in the ‘heavenly places’ , Jesus rose from the dead, walked the earth and as an exclamation, ascended into the Heavens in plain view of men. He is now seated at the Right Hand of God the Father, interceding on our behalf. He has also announced that He will return again, this time in the skies, to gather His Elect, and to judge the world for its evil and rebellion.

There is new global shift occurring. Everything is changing, everywhere. And, like every other substantial shift or ‘new era’ in world history, this too, began with an idea. This idea, as it turns out, is not a new idea, but an old idea, one which has been lurking in shadows of the minds of certain people for centuries. In the book of Genesis, we see Satan spreading his lies and planting his ideas of destruction in the minds of God’s children. Its reformulation has been at work for centuries. A foreshadowing of this ancient idea of evil can be found in the writings of the Bible. It is known as the Tower of Babel. And that sinister tower is being rebuilt using twenty first century technologies. And the final conflict has begun.

The one who practices sin and evil is the of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose: to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8). This is the purpose for all who call themselves the Children of God.

Those of us who have made The Greatest Truth our own and who follow Jesus as the Christ, have a role to play. God has told us, through His Son, that we will continue His Works, and we will do even greater works because He has given us the authority to complete His works, and He is now seated at the Right Hand of Power of The Father interceding for us.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

THE GREATEST TRUTH: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the [b]only begotten Son of God.

19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” John 3:16-21