Dirty Politics

Today I'm trying to stop myself from taking the cares of this world upon myself. This drawn-out election is getting uglier by the minute; it just demonstrates our need for the King of kings. Our modern-day kings are not going to get us out of the mess humanity has made for planet Earth. They simply testify of our need for Jesus to return and rule as a Monarchy.

Pray that God in his grace gives us a David and not a Saul. But recall that neither of those kings were perfect. And if we hold back our vote, awaiting the perfect one -- we might as well not register to vote at all. 

I hate to admit it -- but every election is a vote for the lesser of two evils. Man needs his Redeemer. I remember one president who wowed everyone by referring to himself as a humble born-again peanut farmer and we later discovered his hatred of Israel. 

Then our great movie star president listened to his wife's advice on timing his acts based on her psychic - oh he was such a model of conservative Christian family values.

We were all shocked in the 70s when the Watergate tapes came out and we heard our Republican president throwing all those 'F' bombs out -- we were so naive thinking if a person makes it to the White House s/he must be holier than the rest of us.

Whether November brings us to a time of making America great or a time of war and captivity, we must not take it to heart. We know that our God holds the whole world in His hands. Our safest place is staying in His will. When we walk with Jesus, and commit ourselves to be His instruments to do according to His good pleasure, He will enable us to be His representatives to this lost and dying planet.

No matter who lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, our citizenship is in heaven from which we await our Savior. Maranatha!!

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." 1 Tim 2:1-4

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. ... But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." - Heb 11:13-14,16

God's Word is Living

Ever have a verse just pop out at you while spending time in God's Word? How 'bout half a verse?

While reading through First Peter the other day, I got hit with half a verse -- "conduct yourselves throughout THE TIME OF YOUR STAY here in fear;" (1 Pet 1:17b)

So it seems we're just visiting -- on a bad vacation -- anxious to go back home. Peter already told us earlier in the chapter where our home really is -- "to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, RESERVED IN HEAVEN for you." (vs. 4)

In the next chapter, Peter calls us 'sojourners and pilgrims' -- as throughout both his epistles, he underscores our heavenly citizenship. It is awesome to just meditate on these things. It puts everything in perspective.

Only you, my born-again, Spirit-filled, brothers and sisters can relate to this -- as we regularly see the Word of God come alive in us -- as "a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Heb 4:12)

Professing Christians whose beliefs are merely based on the academics of creeds and systematic theology miss out on the spiritual dimension that God has breathed upon us. Some of them even look down on us, dissing us as mystics and Gnostics, because they can't understand what they do not possess.

That's the opposite extreme of those who chase after signs and wonders and get their reward from lying spirits and doctrines of demons.

We must not lose sight of who we are in Christ Jesus -- stay connected to the Vine. He is not an academic topic -- He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Don't allow denominationalists to quench the Spirit when they criticize what they don't understand -- even if they appear scholarly.

“Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.... But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” (John 4:13-14, 23-26)

"But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.: (Jude 1:17-21)

 

 

"BATTLE LINES ARE BEING DRAWN"

The unprecedented divisions among us are a sign that the time is approaching when the final stand of good against evil is about to be played out. Choose your side.

Religion has always been tolerated as long as it kept its dogmas within the walls of the church on Sundays. It complied for centuries until the last revival (late 60s-70s) and outpouring of God's Spirit gave millions a love for the Word of God that overflowed into the streets. Now the world hates those Christians who dare to quote Scripture in mixed company -- because their deeds are evil and darkness hates the light.

As Jesus forewarned us, they will hate us, but it is not really us they hate, it is Him they hate. Fence-sitters know this and keep their mouths shut so as not to offend anyone. They are the lukewarm of whom Jesus said He would spew out of His mouth.

Just like the believers in the First Century, we are seeing this play out- Matthew 10:32-39

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.'"

The True Legacy of Jan Crouch

Jan Crouch March 14, 1938 - May 31, 2016

Jan Crouch, 78, co-founder of the Trinity Broadcasting Network, the largest 'Christian' network on the planet went to her reward this morning after suffering a stroke. TBN has been using the false teaching of the Word/Faith - Give-to-Get - Seed Faith - scheme to con Christians out of their money since 1974.

Jan died with 14 lawsuits pending against her whistle-blower granddaughter, Brittany Crouch Koper, costing TBN donors multiple millions of dollars.

Jan had not spoken to her granddaughter since she was fired as the Chief Financial Officer of TBN in 2011 for insisting that the Crouches follow the laws governing the use of donor money and not siphon it off to boost Matt Crouch's secular movie directing ambitions, among other reported wastes for the Crouches to live extravagantly. 

Brittany had this to say to Jan recently before her stroke.  After Jan's stroke, she and her family, including her father Paul Crouch Jr., were not allowed to know Jan's whereabouts, by the authority of Matt Crouch and TBN attorney cousin John Casoria.

Jan Crouch kissing the signed legal form just signed by ailing Paul Sr, making Matt Crouch (Jan's son via adultery) the heir of the empire when the TBN president was close to death and not at all thinking properly -- was all apparently done to keep Paul Jr. out of TBN. Manipulation inspired from the pit.

 Both Brittany and her dad, Paul Crouch Jr., found out that Jan died by news reports. No one called them and Paul's calls to the TBN lawyers, Colby May and John Casoria (his cousin) were not returned when trying to find his mother's whereabouts.

Paul Crouch Sr's unmarked grave at Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary in Corona del Mar, California. But I'll bet Matt will place Jan somewhere near the graves of Aimee Semple McPherson and Kathryn Kuhlman.

Paul Crouch Jr's son Brandon posted this today remembering the grandma he loved - who would not bother seeing him over Jan's dispute with his sister. His only slight was the family he was born into. What does this say about the newly departed?

 Jan's granddaughter had to witness the wickedness of her grandmother up close and personal. Keep Paul Jr's family in your prayers -- there's more hurt here than just the demise of a family member. Here is Brittany's post.

 Paul & Jan Crouch's legacy must not go down in history all white-washed and controlled by million$ lawyers. The truth is ugly but must be told -- if the LORD tarries, it must be known from here on that TBN was/is the biggest carrier of apostasy in all of church history.

For further background information:

Inquiries - jackie.alnor@gmail.com

My latest Scattered Sheep Report on Brittany Crouch's reflections of her grandmother Jan Crouch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-giMKlrrB2s

My complete 2012 interview with Brittany Crouch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lY2ygUXWpc 

My beef with TBN:
http://www.apostasyalert.org/tyranny_of_tbn.htm

My book, The Fleecing of Christianity that takes a hard look at TBN:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982211945/sr=8-1/qid=1464716488/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1464716488&sr=8-1

Walking on Water

As we watch the birth pangs count down to the soon return of our First Love, the condition of the world around us can bring us down. I hope you take the time to tune it all out - at least one day a week, choose a day, any day - and rest in Jesus. Our souls can get so heavy and only the LORD can give us the peace that the world does not know.

Jesus told us that He overcame the world. And we are to follow His example. How can we overcome the world and the 'ruler of this world' who tries to bog us down with the 'cares of this world' to make us unproductive and useless for God?

We overcome "by the blood of the Lamb" and by the word of our testimony. We must never be ashamed of whose we are in Christ and keep Him the focus. Remember, Peter could walk on water as long as he kept his eyes fixed upon Him - but as soon as he looked at the storm, he began to sink. 

Do you find yourself emulating Peter and crying out from time to time: 'LORD, save me'!? 

Jesus wasn't kidding when He told us we would have tribulation in this world -- we sure do. And people are grabbing onto any hope they can see -- which is why many are latching onto their favorite political candidate as if winning the election would be the answer to their tumultuous lives.

After we refill our souls with Jesus, don't forget to spread Him around to those who have no hope in this world. This is not the time for 'every man for himself.' Spread the excitement. The world needs what we have.

Keep your eyes on the Prize!

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here." - John 14:27-31

“In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father. ...Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” - John 16:26-28, 32-33

“But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” - Luke 22:32

Live Differently Today

So many preachers ask the question, "If you knew the world was going to end tomorrow, what would you do differently today?" To us end-timers we need to ask the question, "If you knew the world was going to go on the way it is for another 100 years, what would you do differently today?"

Would you be more diligent to plan for your family's future? Would you be more optimistic about your children's education and career plans? Would you enjoy watching your grandchildren grow as they discover the beauty of God's creation, knowing they could look forward to love and marriage and their own offspring?

If you answered 'yes' to any of those questions -- if you would live life differently -- then you might be off-center in your apocalyptic fervor. The evil of the times may be getting to you.

The Christian way of life needs to keep all things in perspective -- in balance, so to speak. We must always seek the truth and be realists, not allowing the cares of this world to choke out our faith in God. Keeping our eyes on Jesus, while making the most of the time He has given us to enjoy His blessings and be a blessing to others.

It is so easy to lose heart and get down in the dumps as we look at the world falling apart around us -- politically, religiously, and economically. Thinking too deeply sometimes can be depressing -- especially regarding things that are out of our control to do anything about. Not taking the time to appreciate the good will turn many of us into pessimists -- people who are no fun to be around. 

Things will most likely be very different for the next hundred years -- and we can't do much to alter that. But we can live expectantly, that Jesus has all things in His hands and we can rest in that and look for ways to make the time left joyful and meaningful - making every moment count.

We love Him because He first loved us. Spread that love around.

"Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the LORD,
And find the knowledge of God....
When wisdom enters your heart,
And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
Discretion will preserve you;
Understanding will keep you,
To deliver you from the way of evil"
-- Prov. 2:3-5, 10-12a

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him." - 1 John 4:11-16

Revival: It's Personal

So many wayward leaders in the church are trying to cash in on the next Great Awakening. It's almost like some sort of competition to see what preacher will be in the spotlight of the next big revival.

But, what really matters to each and every one of us is our own joy in the LORD and the strength of His might. Our love and enthusiasm tends to grow cold -- especially when we do not renew our spirits by dwelling in His Word. The cares of the world are certainly choking Jesus out of many people's busy lives.

It used to be that you could get to church on Sunday for a time of refreshing away from the pressure of daily life; sing the praises of our God; enjoy the sweet fellowship of the saints; listen to an uplifting message and the Word rightly divided. You would leave church pumped up on Jesus, ready to take on the world.

During this time of the Great Apostasy though, church is more often a time for some motivational speech by a narcissistic guy who thinks too highly of himself, or a monotone bland packaged sermon from a lectionary delivered by a guy on salary. 

We cannot expect the preacher or teacher to do for us what only God can do -- that work in our hearts as we are filled with the Holy Spirit and baptized in His love. The renewal we seek will not be found at the next 'wave' in the church. We cannot look to some man or program to breathe life into our groggy spirits anymore than we can blame others for our own indifference. 

It's time to get back to that personal relationship each of us has with Jesus. There's no middle-man. There's no intercessor between us and Him. We are instructed to 'abide' in Christ. Cast our cares upon Him. Trust in Him. Commit our way unto the LORD. 

No one can do that for us.

"Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass."
- Psalms 37:3-5

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near."
-- Phil 4:4-5