This is Tim Tebow’s 2nd season in the NFL. First he had to endure a slew of experts who knowingly claimed that he would never be a successful quarterback in the pros.

Then when he became a sensation by helping his Denver Broncos win a number of close games he also became the subject of ridicule from folks like atheist Bill Maher, along with comedy sketches from SLN and South Park. Plus several opposing players mocked Tebow by pretending to knell in prayer on the field right in front of him.

Meanwhile Tim Tebow took it all in good humor and responded with total classiness towards all while praising God and thanking Jesus.

Then last weekend in a playoff game against the Steelers who were supposed to be a far better team then the Broncos, Tim Tebow pulled off an overtime ‘miracle’ win for his team. In the process he  passed for an incredible 316 yards and averaged 31.6 yards per pass before a TV audience that achieved a 31.6 rating producing a repeated set of numbers that was reminiscent of Tim’s favorite Bible passage- John 3:16.

This week in the aftermath, one article after another has been published by one religious leader after another reminding us that is is just football after all and God would never be aroused from his great responsibilities to help one Christian win a game over another team that after all also had some Christians on it. Worse yet, the secular media has gone out of its way to find one pastor after another to criticize Tebow for dragging the name of Jesus onto a football field.

Up to this point, it has all mostly been in fun and it has been nice to see a young Christian succeed against all of the long odds against him and continue to win in the face of all of the opposition against him and then praise the Lord in the aftermath.

However, it is hard to calculate how despised and resented Tebow is in the secular and atheist community. It is also impossible to gauge how much of a hero he has become among many Christians. For better or worse he has become a symbol for evangelicals in America and a lightening rod for the opposition against Christianity.

Now comes an unfortunate turn of events. Today, it was reported that a coven of witches in Salem, Mass. were casting spells, doing rituals, and calling on ‘Spirits’ to help Tom Brady and the New England Patriots defeat Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos tomorrow.

What was destined to be a fun football game has now become a spiritual confrontation instead. It may not be Mt. Carmel, but a ‘spiritual’ gauntlet has been thrown down none the less.

On the face of it, Tom Brady is a far better quarterback and the Patriots are heavily favored in the contest having soundly beaten the Broncos earlier in the season. They really didn’t need the extra ‘spiritual’ help and it will take a miracle to beat them.

Up to this point, I really didn’t care who won the game until the witches got involved. Now I will be praying and rooting for Tebow and the Broncos.             *Top

And the angel said to them,

"Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"  -Luke 2:10-14

Here’s some great suggestions for finding real joy during the busy Christmas season from Ron Edmondson pastor at Grace Community Church, in Clarksville, Tennessee:  “5 Suggestions for Finding More Joy at Christmas”

Here are five suggestions to greater joy at Christmas:

Lower expectations of others - We shouldn’t hold others to expectation we set for them. People, even the best of people, will disappoint us.

Increase your investment in others – Something supernatural happens when we share with others. We are to give and extend grace, as it was given to us.

Examine your life/Address known sin – You can’t have joy w/a holy God if you are living contrary to His desires for your life

Change your perspective – Choosing to be greatly joyful is not based on circumstances, but comes by perspective.

Set your eyes on the prize – If you’re struggling to find joy in life, set your eyes on Jesus; the author and perfecter of your faith.

*Top

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            (Image by bdec via Flickr)

This is a good time to look at the call of thankfulness in the life of the believer.

Throughout the scriptures in both the old and the new, believers are instructed to express praise and thankfulness to God as a part of their daily worship and devotion.

Here’s a few good ones to remember:

Ps 100:1-5

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
ESV

Col 3:15-17
15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
ESV

Phil 4:4-7

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
ESV

In fact, thankfulness is the fruit and proof of one’s faith. According to Romans 1:21 the opposite is true for the ungodly who do not “honor him as God or give thanks to him.”

All believers are called to be thankful no matter what circumstances we may find ourselves in (See: I Thess. 5:18 below). In fact the very act of rejoicing, thanking, and praising God changes our very lives for the better. It also can open the door to miracles.

I am reminded of the occasion when Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown in prison. Most of us including myself would have probably complained about the situation and questioned God about why he allowed it to happen. But Paul and Silas gave thanks and sang praises and it changed everything (Acts 16:-40). I also know of one pastor who went through similar circumstances who sang praises and converted more than a few in prison in the process.

Even if our praises and thankfulness do not change the circumstances we find ourselves in, it does change us and open us up to greater intimacy with God. This is God’s will for our lives and real blessings follow.

1 Thess 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
ESV

*Top

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Here’s a timely message from Habakkuk 3:17-19:

Though the fig tree should not blossom /
And there be no fruit on the vines /
Though the yield of the olive should fail /
And the fields produce no food /
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold /
And there be no cattle in the stalls /
Yet I will exult in the Lord /
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength/
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer/
He enables me to go on the heights.

According to J. Lee Grady, this musical passage was meant to be performed in an upbeat enthusiastic manner. Grady expands on this scriptural message in a recent article: When Life Gets Tough, It’s Time for ‘Shigionoth’!

The passage reminds me of a book I read years ago and recommend highly: Prison To Praise by Merlin Carothers

Just like the Habakkuk passage, the book testifies about how we need to be praising God no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in. How praise can change the very dynamics of our living and bring us closer to our Father. Just like prayer changes things, so does praise.

The greatest example I can think of is Paul and Silas in prison singing praises after being beaten (Acts 16:-40). It was the very worst of circumstances, but praise changed everything. An incredible story that we should take to heart and never forget. Praise the Lord!

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1. -Times, Seasons, and Transition
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(via Wikipedia)

The times we are in remind me of the old Byrd’s hit song- ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’ (Based on Eccl. 3:1).

The first line is particularly poignant:

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”

We are in a time of transition in the natural with fall in our midst and Winter on the way.  Actually out here in So. California, September is usually an extension of Summer when it comes to hot weather. Now with October, the change is finally happening and cooler weather and rain is on the way.

On the Spiritual front, we are in the midst of the Biblical (Jewish) holy week with Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) coming on Saturday. It is a week of transition from the old year to the new. In the older covenant, believers would consider their lives over the last 12 months and seek God’s forgiveness for any shortcomings and dedicate themselves to improvement for the year ahead.

Lot’s of Christians over the years have noticed that changes in their ministry seem to take place usually around this time of the year. I can see that pattern in my own life and ministry. In fact, several that I know in prophetic ministry specifically believe that during this week they ‘go under the Shepherd’s rod’ and are evaluated by The Master.

When you look at what is happening around the world it is easy to see that we are in a time of transition and no one seems to really know how it is all going to play out in the next year or so. Is America going down like so many seem to think and is China really going to replace us as the new ‘super power’?

In the Middle East, everything has been thrown up in the air following the so-called ‘Arab Spring’.  Iran wants to destroy Israel and they will probably have nuclear weapons sometime in the next year or two. The Iranian Supreme leader says that the 12th Imam is appearing to him and is coming soon to lead the Muslims to world domination. Turkey is now styling itself as a new ‘Islamic power’ on the rise and their leaders are talking about establishing a new Muslim Caliphate. Their goal is to dominate the World and bring on one world religion –Islam.

Notice that no one wants to be friends with Israel anymore. Even the USA seems to be turning it’s back on the Holy Land. Are we entering the end of the ‘end-times’?

The nations are in turmoil, natural calamities have risen to Biblical levels. The world economy is in shambles. The whole world is looking for a leader or some group to rise up and solve all of these impossible problems both politically and economically.

Look at the current state of the American Church. The mainline churches have turned their back on Biblical teaching –even now the Presbyterians. The Southern Baptists have been losing members and are now considering a name change. A week doesn’t seem to go by without a new scandal rising up concerning one Charismatic or Pentecostal preacher or another.

We are definitely in a time of transition. Old leaders and denominations are falling and new ones will rise up to take their place. God is setting his church in order.

Right now is a good time for all of us in the ministry to get down on our knees and seek a clear understanding and vision of where we are right now and where the lord wants to take us. If changes need to take place in our lives- now is the time to make them.

Now is the time to repent of past failures and seek a closer relationship with the Master. it is His church after all. We keep praying –”thy Kingdom Come, thy will be done” -It is now time to really mean it and truly understand what we are asking for. Now is the season to Turn, Turn, Turn.            *Top

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(Image by Keoni Cabral via Flickr)

I have heard many Christians refer to the future and proclaim that they have ‘read the back of the book’ so they are not afraid because God is in control. In response I wonder if they have really studied it at all with all of the upheaval portrayed in the Book of Revelation.

I have read the last chapter also but find myself naturally afraid at times considering the chaos we seem to be facing daily; coming at us economically, politically, and in natural cataclysmic events. A lot of Christians have been seeking ‘signs and wonders’ but some of the natural signs we have been getting lately are nothing like what we have been praying for. If we are in the beginning of ‘end times’ like some seem to think, then it sure isn’t going to get any better any time soon -only worse. At least until the very end.

It reminds me of a famous quote from the first Star Wars movie when Luke Skywalker says that he is not afraid and Yoda responds: “You will be.” That scene always send chills up my spine.

We may be entering times that the Bible says will try our very souls and cause hearts to fail. How are we Christians to respond to the fear and the chaos all around us? We will not be able to ‘faith’ it all away and change reality like some of the ‘health and wealth’ folks seem to teach. Particularly if God is in the chaos bringing about his own ‘end time’ purposes.

This is a good time to remember and hold on to all of the promises that God has made to believers over the years. When I really get down sometimes I turn to an old paper back book that I picked up during the ‘Jesus people’ move of the 70’s. It’s got one page after another of encouraging promises that God and his Son Jesus have made to believers through the generations including those who find themselves in the very final moments of history.

Here’s one scripture that I find particularly helpful right now:

Jer 29:11-14
11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart, 14 I will be found by you, declares the LORD,…”
ESV

Jeremiah spoke these words of encouragement to a people who were in exile and had lost everything, their jobs, their homes, their church (Temple), and their nation. We don’t have it quite that bad yet.

While the current events are disconcerting, I believe that the Lord has plans for His people to rise up and still bring the Gospel to every nation and people …then the end shall come.

It is not a time to dwell on our fears or what we might have lost but what we might gain through a closer relationship with the Father in the midst of fulfilling His destiny and calls on our lives. The church has yet to rise up and become that shining beacon on a hill –but it will.            *Top

(Get this tribute)

Ten years have passed but the pictures are still horrific and engender in us all a remembrance of where we were when we first heard about the 9/11 attacks. Nearly 3,000 died and two wars resulted from the event and we can now say that the world is a much smaller place than it use to be.

But how shall we respond to all of this?

… Let the world be a better place because we chose not to ignore the challenge but responded in love. A love that only comes through the Holy Spirit inspiring people to rise up above it all in the name of Jesus.

<<Read the entire post>>              *Top

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He points out that the American church has not really turned to God in a disparate way, that the circumstances may call for more radical responses on our part.

Personally looking over the history of our land, there has never been a time when so many major natural disasters have stricken this country in so short a period of time. Then we are in the midst of 2 1/2 wars while our economy is at its worst point in last 70 years or an entire generation.

What does the future hold?

We are preparing for the worse both naturally and economically out here in California. Too many words have come our way to ignore the possibilities of major trouble. However we are also expecting and hoping for revival in the midst of it all.

How are we to respond? Radical prayer is in order. Read the suggestions for responses to differing situations in Goll’s article: “Responding to the Times”

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1. -California: Everything That Can Be Shaken…
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                             (Image via Wikipedia)

The LORD will march out like a mighty man,
like a warrior he will stir up his zeal;
with a shout he will raise the battle cry
and will triumph over his enemies. -Isaiah 42:13

There have been a lot of prophetic words lately about California suffering a major earthquake. Meanwhile the earthquake scientists at Caltech are warning us that a major quake is coming our way sometime within the next 5-10 years so all Californians need to be prepared.

In the news, around here there is concern about how the state will be able to pay its bills and avoid bankruptcy. Unemployment is as high as it has ever been in the Golden State. Remember that during the Great Depression of the 30’s folks came out west to California to find work. Now jobless people here are going the other way heading for Arizona and Texas. Last month 75 major companies left California for different less taxing states.

Meanwhile among my friends and family, many have had dreams and visions of major catastrophes coming our way. One of my sons who is one of the most accurate prophetic folks that I know even had a very real and vivid vision of a flash of light and a mushroom cloud appearing on the horizon as we were in the car together heading down the 91 freeway toward LA.

If you look at what happen in Missouri this week and the tornados that sweep across other areas in the last couple of months it is easy to see that we are living in different and chaotic times. I can’t remember a period in my lifetime when so many natural disasters have occurred one right after another.

A lot of us out here have been praying about how we are called to respond. A major word that was read to our congregation on Sunday indicated the following:

Everything that can be shaken will be…what remains will be solid.  It is not a time to run and leave, but a time to gather together and fight, a time to prepare for harvest.

Isaiah 42:13 was also cited (see above).

I believe that this message not only applies to our area but the entire country. We are living in chaotic times on many different levels both natural and spiritual, but the Lord is ready to do battle and bring forth a great Harvest in the midst of it all.            *Top

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Japan has a population of about 130 million and while the majority somewhat practice Shintoism and Buddhism in reality the younger generation is basically secular in their world view.

Only about one percent of Japan is Christian and the church has grown very slowly in the last 100 years or so. But the article also points out that the Gospel spread quite quickly there in the 16th century when  Portuguese missionaries first brought Christianity to Japan. However for a number of reasons it fell into disfavor and was actually banned from the country for hundreds of years.

Doug Stringer, the half-Japanese, half-American founder of Somebody Cares America, is leading a team now working on the ground in Japan. It is Stringer’s view that Christians need to work together as a team across racial and denominational lines in Japan in order to make any kind of real impact. The few Christians that there are in japan have unfortunately been divided and have seldom worked together in the past. Stringer is hoping that this will all change and the church will be far more united in the future:

“Crises draw people together, but some groups, even Christian groups, want to get their five-minute sound bite or 15 minutes of fame and they no longer really work together.  It’s like a fishing pole catching one fish rather than a fishing net woven together to catch a lot. We need to work together.”

Stringer has hope that the Gospel and the church will rise up and meet the challenge amidst the ashes of destruction in Japan and bless the entire nation:

“I believe we can turn it around again in Japan for Christ. This is our opportunity to go to that one percent. We can see a nation of very honorable, but proud people in a desperate situation receive the love of Christ through God’s people in a very tangible way. They will see the living Christ and meet the Hope of Glory because of it.”

“We must leave a lasting equity for churches, pastors and missionaries—the Christians in Japan—so that out of this tragedy we can see lasting transformation. I don’t know if I will have the opportunity to personally see those changes, but I want to empower believers in Japan to get past their differences and become part of something bigger than themselves—to see history in the making as hearts become open to the Gospel message.”

According to the article, Stringer has received a number of personal prophecies over his life including one word that indicated that he could end up touching the royal family itself and government of Japan.  Also, that he and his family might be instrumental in initiating a revival in that country.

We hope and pray that these words will be fulfilled through brother Stringer and others who are also called to break down the spiritual walls of resistance that has kept Japan from receiving Christ. Please pray with me for revival to break out among that honorable people.            *Top

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