APPROACHING GOD TO FIND GRACE

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What do you do with the following Scripture? Most do not believe it is possible.

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

There’s little consolation in knowing God is your Creator unless you know what He’s like. It is only when you know God by searching His Word will you be able to approach God with confidence. Moreover, you will not do that unless you have total confidence in God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation. The two best ministries I know of to help you gain that confidence are Creation Ministries International (CMI) and Answers in Genesis (AIG). Become followers and supporters, God will bless you for doing so. Also, for me, fulfilled prophecies were confirmation that the Bible is the inspired work of God.

“And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:19-21

To a devout Jew, the notion of unhindered access to God is scandalous. Yet by God’s grace and for His grace, that access is ours. Because of Christ’s work, God’s door is always open to us. Let’s enter freely and frequently!

God’s grace is constant, and not stationary. It keeps moving toward us day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. It’s always there when we need it—and there’s never a moment we don’t need it.

The grace that saves us is also the grace that sanctifies and empowers us. God’s power isn’t needed just by unbelievers to be converted. It’s needed by believers to be obedient and joyful. We can look back at the day we first experienced the sunrise of God’s grace. But grace is a sun that never sets in the believer’s life.

Spurgeon is one of my go-to authors, this is what he has to say on grace: “One thing is past all question: we shall bring our Lord most glory if we get from him much grace.” –Charles Spurgeon

What God had to say when He visited Moses on Mt Sinai after the Exodus is relevant here:

“The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there… The Lord passed before him (Moses) and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving (confessed) iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” Exodus 34:5-7

God knows everything, so no sin surprises Him. He knows all our worst secrets (Psalm 69:5). He’s seen us at our worst and still loves us. John Calvin said, “Grace does not grant permission to live in the flesh; it supplies power to live in the Spirit.”

Jesus made it possible for our Heavenly Father to send the Holy Spirit to indwell the spirit of all believers so we have the grace of God in full measure. It is up to us to “die to self” and live with the Holy Spirit guiding our every step.

 God in His grace offers salvation to all people because all people need His salvation. Christ came precisely because not one of us is fine without Him.

For some, “human depravity” (total inability to earn our way to God) may be an insulting doctrine, but grasping it is liberating. When I realize the best I can do without God is like “filthy rags” in His sight, it finally sinks in that I have nothing to offer. Salvation hinges on His work, not mine. What a relief!

God’s children have been saved from the penalty of sin, we are being saved from the power of sin, and we will be saved from the presence of sin. Salvation, sanctification, and glorification are all grounded solidly in exactly the same thing: God’s grace.

GOD, HOLY SPIRIT AT WORK IN IRAN

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Christianity is illegal in Iran. Yet, despite facing imprisonment, torture, and execution, millions of Iranians are forsaking the Muslim faith and converting to Christianity. According to Open Doors International, there are more than 1.2 million believers residing in Iran. This phenomenon is happening despite the regime’s efforts to target believers and spread false information and encourage a negative opinion about Christianity. Lela Gilbert, Senior Fellow for International Religious Freedom at Family Research Council, suggests that Iran holds little power over curtailing the Good News of Jesus Christ. “In my research and interviews, it has become clear that new Christians’ witness to others is mostly shared in quiet conversations, encouraged by low-profile online Bible studies, and affirmed by visions, dreams, and miraculously answered prayers,” she explained.

“Due to their risky circumstances, recent Christian converts are enthusiastically communicating about their changed lives with friends and loved ones, but quietly and carefully. However, their discreet but persistent witness accounts for the extraordinary number of new Iranian believers, who meet in small house churches,” Gilbert continued. “Those involved with the ‘house church’ movement in Iran are convinced that there are likely several million Christian believers there,” she added. Daniel Pipes, president of the Middle East Forum, also reports Christianity is flourishing.”An evangelical pastor, formerly an Iranian Muslim, concurred as far back as 2008: ‘We find ourselves facing what is more than a conversion to the Christian faith. It’s a mass exodus from Islam’,” he explained a few years ago. Pipes adds that the house church is key to the growth of the Christian faith in Iran.

He explains, “The practices of what are sometimes called Muslim Background Believers (MBBs) lacks clergy and church buildings, but instead consists of self-starting disciples and tiny house churches of four to five members each, with either hushed singing or none at all. Its lay leadership, in striking contrast to the mullahs who rule Iran, consists mainly of women.” Women like Marziyeh Amirizadeh have remained formidable in their faith despite being incarcerated and tortured in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison for being a Christian.  Marzi, as she is known, eventually escaped Iran and started a new life in the U.S. But before her exile, she and a friend smuggled 20,000 Bibles into Tehran because God told her to “plant the seeds.” “We knew how much Iranians are thirsty. And when we returned to Tehran, we had no idea what to do and how we can serve the Lord. And I remember we just prayed and asked Him to give us a vision,” Marzi recalled.

Marzi went on “One day I was reading the Bible and God show me that Iran is like a big desert. And He said, ‘Plant some seeds, then I will grow it with the power of the Holy Spirit.” That was the beginning of her effort to get the New Testament into the hands of believers in that nation. Marzi was eventually jailed for sharing her faith and was sent to Evin prison. They are cruel and evil people,” she said describing Iran’s Islamic leaders. Marzi now travels the world sharing her story of faith in the face of persecution and she acts as an advocate for the Iranian people’s freedom. She calls on Christians around the world to pray for believers in Iran. “We can pray for them to reach more people and share the message of salvation,” Marzi expressed. “I know how much Iranians are thirsty. And we can pray for those who have their loved ones in prison. The most important thing to pray is for the fall of this evil regime.” “A great awakening has started in Iran,” she added.

Source: Faithwire

THE NEW RELIGIONS OF OUR DAY

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The new One World WOKE Religion of LGBTQ and Climate Change is quickly replacing Christianity as the world’s top religion – and it is state-sponsored and media sponsored. Why are these a religion and why do governments and media support them? Watch the Nelson Walters video below for the answers.

The speed with which the Gen Z generation is embracing the LGBTQ agenda is frightening. It is now being reported at 40% and is a sure sign we are in the last days. It is like Climate Change activism, it has become a woke religion.

Biblical end times prophecies are fast unfolding in our days. The move to a one-world government and the emergence of the Antichrist is now not far off. Keep your eyes on the middle east and Israel. It is where all the future action unfolds.

In a DRAMATIC sign of how pagan the USA beliefs have become, a statue of the Harlot, based on a Sumerian goddess and the Baphomet, was raised to a place of dominion over the New York Supreme Court Building.

The placement of this piece, “both physically and symbolically elevates the female figure, putting her on a level plane with the traditionally patriarchal embodiments of justice and power.” It is titled NOW because artist Shahzia Sikande wanted to express that “now” is the time when female rights and voices need to be acknowledged, especially amid the overturning of women’s reproductive rights.

It is next to a statue of Moses, it symbolically says pagan sex practices have superior legal footing to the 10 Commandments in the state. Watch the Nelson Walters video following this one to learn all of the meaning behind the incredible symbolism in this statue and the implications for the future of New York and the USA

GOD IS ALWAYS ON THE MOVE WITH THOSE TOTALLY COMMITTED TO HIM: FATHER, SON & HOLY SPIRIT.

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There’s a whole lot of baptism going on these days. Signs of revival have been ongoing around the U.S. since February when a spiritual awakening began at Asbury University. Initially, the awakening seemed to be happening mainly among college students. But the latest evidence is being seen in the form of hundreds of salvations and baptisms of all ages at churches across the country in just the last two weeks alone, not to mention over the past two months. From scores of souls being baptized at churches, to dozens being baptized at one prison, pastors across the U.S. are declaring that God is on the move. Pastor Eric Petree of Citygate Church in Cincinnati, Ohio posted online, “Over the past two weeks at Citygate we have seen 650 people give their life to Jesus, 93 baptized, and yesterday hundreds of people filled the altars seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit.”

Sam Rainer, lead pastor, at West Bradenton Baptist Church in Florida, tweeted on Sunday, “Today we baptized 21 people at the beach. God is good! What a blessing!” At the Crossroads Church Jersey Shore Campus, 17 people professed their faith in Christ through public baptism. At the University of Houston, several students chose to be baptized in a public fountain after a Bible study. And Regent University in Virginia Beach just baptized nine students last week. A revival event was reported in mid-April in Damascus, Maryland at Difference Makers Church with non-stop worship that lasted for several days, with young people dedicating their lives to Christ. Jeremy Tucker posted the following photo, saying, “Worship has been going for 41 hours straight! Young people from churches all over Maryland/Virginia/DC are gathering to unite the bride of Christ for non-stop worship! We thought we’d never see it, but the Holy Spirit is finally breaking out in Maryland! Come, Lord Jesus!”

The GOSPEL is still the power of God to all who believe!” Many are also declaring their freedom in Christ, even behind prison walls. The God Behind Bars ministry reports, “First Baptisms Inside of this Prison in 7 years”. 35 men in a prison in Reno, Nevada were baptized!! What a powerful moment.” A recent conference at Trinity Baptist Church in Lancaster, South Carolina, reports, “Many were saved over the 2 days, and even more were encouraged to Keep on for Jesus!  …at the close of the Service, God moved on my heart to ask for prayer for those teens battling suicidal thoughts and over 20 raised their hands for prayer.”

And the list goes on and on. For weeks, churches have been reporting multiple baptisms, including people spontaneously choosing to join in. Christ Fellowship in Miami recently reported 14 baptisms. For the last few weeks, Faith Assembly Church in Winterville, North Carolina has reported baptism after baptism, week after week. Hope Missionary Church North Campus in Ossian, Indiana reported 31 baptisms just a few weeks ago. And two weeks ago, 14 more baptisms were reported at Revival Church in Modesto, California. A student-led evangelistic event based in Oklahoma quickly became one of the largest outreaches in the country after more than 80,000 people signed up for tickets within a matter of days.  Fill The Stadium (FTS) was a gospel outreach being held at the University of Oklahoma’s football stadium and happening in late April.

Source: CBNNews Robert Furman

GOSPEL ON AMERICAN GOT TALENT

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God is using this young Kenyan man mightily with this testimony on American Got Talent. Make sure you use it wisely and widely. The response from the audience pleasantly surprised me. The gospel message got a standing ovation.

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT REMOVES THE CROSS AND RENAMES CALVARY HOSPITAL

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Canberra Catholics and staff of Calvary Public Hospital grieved as the compulsory acquisition of Calvary by the ACT Government took effect on 3 July.

The ACT Government took over the Catholic-run hospital from midnight, ending a five-week battle to save it from the takeover — including a failed Supreme Court challenge.

Now named North Canberra Hospital, all of the crucifixes and other religious symbols were removed and staff given unbranded uniforms to wear.

Most of the 1800 staff remain at the hospital, having switched their employer to Canberra Health Services, The Canberra Times reported.

At a farewell gathering on 1 July attended by the remaining Sisters of the Little Company of Mary, the congregation that established the hospital, members of staff expressed sadness that the symbol for Christ would be removed from above the building’s entrance.

Intensive Care clinical supervisor and educator Megan Reynolds told the Canberra Catholic Voice that looking up at the cross each day upon entering the building had given staff “the courage to keep going”, especially during the peak of the COVID pandemic.

“There was a lot of strength that came from that, and you don’t have to be Catholic to need that,” she said.

TORBEN IS SUFFERING PROPHESIED END-TIMES PERSECUTION

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ALMOST 1 YEAR APART FROM HIS FAMILY – INTIMIDATED BY IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO SIGN PAPERS – BUT STILL HEARING FROM GOD AND BEING USED BY GOD

Torben Sondergaad realizes that what he is suffering (now almost a year in jail without formal charges) is spiritual warfare and it is preparing him to help others as persecution/tribulation increases in these prophesied end times prior to Jesus’ return. Escalating persecution of Christians is prophesied by Jesus and the prophets. This video will help you understand that we are fast moving towards the last seven years prior to Jesus’ second coming prophesied first by Daniel in the 70 Weeks Prophecy given to him by the Archangel Gabriel.

“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” Daniel 9:24-27

Daniel had previously realised that Jeremiah’s prophecy that Israel’s time in captivity would be 70 years was coming to an end so he was praying earnestly for its fulfillment. He then gets this amazing further prophecy from the Archangel Gabriel as to when God would put an end to sin and bring in everlasting righteousness. We now know that the prophecy was for 70 weeks of years and that it accurately predicted Jesus first coming. Like so many Biblical prophecies there is an unknown gap of time between Jesus’ first coming and His second coming. There has been a gap between the 69th week and the final 70th week of the prophecy. Daniel was told that the words are shut and sealed until the time of the end.

“And I (Daniel) heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished. I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.” Daniel 12:7-9

Daniel understood from Biblical prophecy that Israel’s time of captivity was ending and we now also know from Biblical prophecy that the time of Jesus’ second coming is fast approaching. Jesus and the prophets have given us adequate warning of what will unfold so we like Daniel need to get in step with with God is doing and wants to do through us at this time.

https://youtu.be/UsbDWB8Opr

“To be away from my family is truly the hardest. But God is faithful and I believe that there’ll be a great reward soon. And that God will reunite us all again soon. As He has always been faithful in our lives, even though we go through hard seasons sometimes.” Torben Sondergaard

WHY WE ARE SEEING BUSINESSES ADOPT CRT AND WOKE IDEOLOGY

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What is Critical Race Theory (CRT)?

In a nutshell, CRT stigmatizes all whites (including “woke” ones) as racist oppressors while equally stereotyping all blacks as helpless victims who need an immensely powerful state to “liberate” them. This is not merely a “theory”. It is a political project which relies on inculcating feelings of guilt so as to shame whites into silence while perpetuating a sense of victimhood among blacks. CRT is thus fundamentally at odds with traditional Christian values – among them equality before the law, the presumption of innocence, and viewing people as individuals made in the image of God rather than as members of groups. CRT is indeed itself a racist ideology.

Someone who is woke is constantly inspecting every institution in society, looking for the presence of racism, sexism, and other forms of pervasive prejudice. What separates someone who is woke from someone who is merely progressive is not only this vigilance and awareness but a fervent belief that everyone must be enlisted into their social causes at all times and that the end justifies the means when battling what they see as injustice.

Unlike traditional liberals, woke Americans place very little stake in value-neutral norms like freedom of speech and non-discrimination.

A number of influential CEOs in the USA have embraced ‘woke’  corporate policies in recent years. While some may have thought this to be harmless – and perhaps good for business – it has seemingly come with a price, as the backlash has come from woke ads. CEOs can never buy enough absolution from the left as long as they believe in profit. Alienating the right leaves them friendless. Biz News warned CEOs that this would happen when they went for woke, and now it has.

What Wall Street did not mention is that the funding of big business is controlled by people such as Larry Fink (Blackrock) and Michael Bloomberg and they have the World Economic Forum (WEF) agenda of “The Great Reset” – A world socialist agenda controlled by the elite, “front and centre” of all they do.

What are ESG factors and Stakeholders, not Shareholders?

In his 2022 annual CEO letter, Fink said the nature of companies is changing, they now need to consider stakeholders, not shareholders. Stakeholders (employees as well as shareholders) need to know where the company stands on the societal issues intrinsic to their companies’ long-term success”. Companies will be judged by how they are addressing ESG factors. ESG is a framework that helps stakeholders understand how an organization is managing risks and opportunities related to Environmental, Social, and Governance criteria (ESG factors). ESG takes the holistic view that sustainability extends way beyond just environmental issues.

It is obvious that unless Boards and CEOs take on these new “Stakeholder and ESG” values, funding will not be forthcoming.

Some have criticized stakeholder capitalism and ESG as “woke” politics, a threat to shareholder interests, and a distraction for boards and management. Others have questioned whether stakeholder capitalism and ESG can straddle “doing good” and “doing well.” Uncertainty also abounds as to what ESG truly means.

But God reveals what is truly going on here. It is a move by the WEF elite to have companies adopt their godless agenda which will lead to a one-world government exactly as the Bible prophesies will happen prior to Jesus soon coming to earth. First, to rescue the Saints, second, to pour out His wrath on an unrepentant world, and third, to establish Jesus’ Millennial Kingdom. Go to http://www.millennialkigdom.net for more information on what God has planned next for His world.

OUR HEAVENLY FATHER’S PROVISION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

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Jesus said the most important thing that He accomplished on The Cross was to enable our Heavenly Father to send the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, to indwell our spirit to be our counsellor, teacher, and comforter. When we are baptized, we die to ourselves. and are born again by the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to live a Christian life.

It’s the Holy Spirit who does a work of renewal inside us. He breaks the power of canceled sin and sets the sinner free. He delivers us from the slavery of our habits and perfects us. David says it well:

“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” Psalms 138:8

The Holy Spirit changes our lives for the better, He produces these fine attributes in our lives:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25

He provides the gifts for service and ministry

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

“For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.” 1 Corinthians 12:8-11

Have you repented of your sins, and of your rejection of God and His values? Have you rejected Jesus’ amazing offer of forgiveness of sins? If you have you do not know the wonderful presence of the Holy Spirit in your life to enable you to live life as your Creator God intended from the beginning.

Sadly, many people including me have grieved the Holy Spirit and quenched His work in their lives. It is so easy to ignore the Holy Spirit. Every day, we need to say as Jesus did when He was on earth, not my will but your will be done in my life today.

“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.” Luke 22:42

WITHOUT REPENTANCE SALVATION IS NOT POSSIBLE

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Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort discuss what is being preached in churches today. In the main, it is a man-made Gospel promising happiness, and other good things in this life, no mention is made of God’s requirement of righteousness. Jesus talks about this church in Revelation 3, the church of Laodicea. People need to know that they need God’s forgiveness. Kirk wisely challenges people’s consciousness (knowing right and wrong) that God has given to all of us.

Kirk Cameron has some tense moments during evangelism with some gang members. This episode talks about how the reason a sinner responds to the gospel determines whether or not he continues in his faith. Multitudes are not getting the true gospel, because of a lack of understanding when it comes to this principle.

We know in the last days that people who think they are saved will be left behind at the Rapture of the Saints to experience the wrath of God with the Trumpet and Bowl judgements. In Revelation, the Church of Laodicea represents the church that will be left behind at the rapture of the Saints.

‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.“ Revelation 3:15-18

Those left behind on earth to experience the wrath of God still have an opportunity to repent as the following Scripture shows. They will see Jesus and the Saints being taken up to heaven and know that they did not die to self, so they could be born again by the Holy Spirit. You cannot be a Christian without the Holy Spirit. He produces the fruit of the Spirit in a Christian’s life and He is the one who provides the gifts of the Spirit for ministry.

“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:19-22