What If?

Friday, January 30, 2015

"But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (Luke 21:28).  Does that get your blood boiling?

 Hey Gang: What say you? Jesus said, "When all of these things begin to happen, don't get panicky, look up, for your redemption draws near".  (Luke 21:28 Hillbilly Rendition).  

What things was He talking about?  A quick review of Matthew 24, the Olivet Discourse, Second Timothy Three and the words of the prophets of old, and we can soon compile a   list of ‘signs of the end of the age’ of which we should be aware.

A prophesy guru was asked if he could sum up the prophetic promises of the Bible in one word.  His response, “Piece of cake, ‘Israel.’"  After twenty- five hundred years the land of Israel was restored; and, after twenty five hundred years the old language of Hebrew was restored; and after 2500 years the Olim (people living in the diaspora -those countries where they were dispersed to in 70 A.D and when Rome dover ran Jerusalem and burned their Temple) began to make Aliyah (to return to the land of their heritage).   

It is amazing to me today that so many folks are being caught up in the blasphemous teaching that Israel is no longer the apple of God's eye.  How can you look at Israel and believe such rubbish?  How can you read Jeremiah 23:3, "Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply", or the other hundreds of verses that tell us clearly that God's love for His chosen people has not waned a lick?

We have been there. We have dug in the dirt, (I unearthed an intact tea pot that had not been touched by human hands for more than 2000 years). We have helped restore the walls. We have worked in the rose garden of the Knesset. We have helped set up a dental clinic for Arab children in Jerusalem. We worked with a ministry that bought Olim from the old USSR, as prophesied in the Word.  We have been obedient warriors in fulfilling God's challenge to us, "To pray for the peace of Jerusalem". (Psalm 122:6).

But what about the subtle things that are happening all around us? It all adds clarity and expanse to our seeking what Jesus meant when He said, "When these things happen look up.”  Have you noticed that everything that can be shaken is being shaken as predicted by the writer of Hebrews in Chapter 12?  Have you noticed that Israel is totally surrounded by enemies that are loaded with killing devices as recorded in Psalm 83?

Have you noticed that Russia and Iran have made a military alliance and the other nations listed in the coming battle of Gog and Magog are coming together?  As mentioned above, have you noticed Israel is a nation again, risen from the ashes of more the 2500 years?  They are a powerful nation that will not be defeated by those nations that are using the very words of Psalm 83:4-5, "They have said, "Come and let us wipe them out as a nation, That the name of Israel be remembered no more."  For they have conspired together with one mind; Against You they make a covenant".

Have you noticed that the economies of the world, including the once powerful United States, are in a state of chaos?  If Jeremiah were here today and prophesying, he would say: "Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law" (Romans 13:8). 

Soooo, my young friends, Jesus said, "I do not want you to be unaware.  I want you up to speed every minute of every day.  So that when these things happen you do not get discouraged but your heart will be programmed to ‘look up, for I am coming soon’.  You best have your lamps trimmed and your best wedding clothes prepared for we are going to be taken to the greatest wedding blast of all time - the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. But there is a prerequisite- your name must be on the invitation list recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life.” (Hainley rendition).

Blessings,

Gramps

Do You Know Where Your Armor Is?

 Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Are we nearing that day when "All the world will know there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the BATTLE IS THE LORD'S  and He will give you into our hands"? (I Samuel 17:47).

 If I could measure your reaction on a graduated meter, where would you be on the faith meter that  you know the" BATTLE IS THE LORD'S"  He will give victory into your hands". 

 Jesus said, "Hey Gang listen up.  There are perilous times coming!” (Hainley rendition)   "Men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be  shaken" (Luke 21:26).  Hearts will fail them from fear over the expectation that the sky is falling.

 Time for cold shivers, right?  Not in your sweet bippie!  Luke tell us, "Then we will see the son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" (v.27).  Now grab hold of this next verse and tattoo it on the inside of your forehead, "But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (vs. 28).

 The writer of Hebrews wrote these words of assurance to those who love the Lord God with all their heart, soul and mind and are totally sold out to His will and ways, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," so that we can confidently say "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid" (Hebrews 13:5c-6a).   Is your excitement meter beginning to rise?  Not sure yet?  Then sing a verse of two of ‘Jesus Loves Me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

 Pages one through four in my prayer journal are dismal indeed, and with a tiny push I could enter that "hearts failing them for fear" gig, but I have learned that when I have all the pieces of the armor of God in place, Satan cannot tell me from Jesus.

 I have also learned that I need an arsenal of weapons to use against the evil one.  If I feed my physical body only once in a while, my strength level, when the rubber-hits -the-road, will register 'zip".   I have learned when I do not pull up to the pump titled 'Spiritual Fuel – God’s Word' in the morning, I am opening the door for a tough day.

 Soooo, page five in the journal begins with the verse listed above.  I re-enforce the promise that My God, Yeshua Ha Mashiah, will never leave me nor forsake me."  That "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me"(Philippians 4:13).  That "My God will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

 I then go to page six and remind myself that I have an enemy who wants to destroy me and who roams the earth seeking whom he can devour.  Keep in mind, if at first he does not succeed he will indeed try and try again at a more opportune time.  We need to understand Paul's warning in Ephesians 6:12-13, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist the evil day, and having done everything to stand firm". 

 When outside working, there are times when I need a slug of sugar to pick me up; there are times when pages one through four become a wee bit overwhelming and I need a spiritual shot in the arm.  I learned years ago that Satan hates spiritual songs.  The word tells me that at the name of Jesus, Satan must cut and run.  So, I have three songs that are forever on my lips; they are the adrenalin needed to keep my soul fired up. The first – ‘Jesus Loves Me This I Know’, the second, ‘This Little Light of Mine I am Going to Let it Shine’, and the third, “Lord, Make Me a Sanctuary’.

 Soooo, my young friends, I would suggest that anyone reading this epistle and is very likely dealing with a clinker or two in their lives, if not now, surely will be by the end of the day or week.  Clinkers are as much a part of life as breathing.  It is nice to have the assurance that "My God Will Supply…" in those times when it seems our sky is falling.  Sooo, make sure you pull up to the "Spiritual Pump", 'Anti- Satan fuel' which is the Word of God and fill your tanks. 

 Blessings,

Gramps

Seed Planting Made Re

 Wednesday, January 21, 2015

 

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged, and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned, pardon, and you will be pardoned.  Give, and it will be given to you.  They will pour into your lap a good measure - pressed down, shaken together and running over.  For by your standard of measure it will be measured you in return".  Luke 6:37-38).

 Hey Gang:  Lesson one, to every young person who crossed my path, began with a very basic principle: "We are going to reap what we sow". (Galatians 6:7).  It doesn't matter whether you believe it or not, it works every time.   The reason I have a deep compulsion to alert the troops to this principle is that I learned the hard way. It is a principle set in concrete and I have many examples tucked away in my life that proved this principle, so I could teach it with a great deal of gusto.

I believe Luke was driving home a point that we all need to understand: We have much to do with the harvest of our lives.  Keep in mind, we are not harvesters but planters only.  However, Luke tells me I will receive in the same measure that I give, that I pardon (forgive), and in the same measure that I love, even those folks that tend to tick me off. 

In the last morning message, I mentioned two boys who impacted my life greatly.  Two boys who had a common denominator- their lives were a mess, and they had committed sufficient crimes to be placed in a facility where their lives were totally controlled, even to the point of when they went to the rest room.  Ted was considered dangerous enough to staff and other residents, that he had to be locked away in the isolation cell in another part of the building.

He had been with us for several weeks and was scheduled to be pick up and be transported to a juvenile prison down state.  My job on this, his last night with us, was to check him every half hour and make sure he was okay and provide for his needs.  His room was secured with a cage inside of a room and a slot in the door so I could push his food through and provide for those needs that he was permitted to have.  

On the first six visits he greeted me with a string of expletives that turned the entire hallway blue; but on the seventh trip, I found him sitting in the corner of the cell with what appeared to be a young man in deep thought, and no expletives. On the next round I found him sitting in the same corner with the same deep-in-thought look. 

At that point I asked if he was okay and if I could help him. We used to have a saying in Juvenile Hall that we could tell how tough a kid was by how many hours he cried himself to sleep at night.  I saw no overt tears, but I believe I did see Ted cry that might, perhaps not outside tears but I sensed he was crying inside.  In a calm voice he said, "Mr. H. could you get me something to read?”

Keep in mind, this sixteen-year old, 200 pound, very good-looking young man had never been to a church in his life.  I asked him one night if anyone had ever talked to him about Jesus and his response was an emphatic, "NO".  I then asked him if he ever felt pangs of guilt when he was involved in one of his crime sprees. I was amazed with his answer, “Yes, sometimes I even cried.”  He said, “I often felt like someone or something was telling me it was wrong.

The only reading material I had available to give him was a Gideon Bible.  On my final check after that, I found Ted sitting in that same spot in the corner reading the Bible.  That night, in a cold cell he gave his life to Jesus and a profound change came into his life.  And that is a story in itself that I will share at a future date.

Soooo, what is the nuts of bolts of this morning message, Luke wrapped it up in seven wonderful words, "Give and it will be given to you".   John wrote, "For God so loved He Gave".  Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News”, and ‘Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so’.  SOOO, Why Eagle Village? Because Jesus loves me and I want every child, who brings their baggage of pain and agony to my door step, to know that.  I want them to know there is a Savior who loves them, and died in their place so that one day all the hurts will be gone and they will run and leap and praise God in that place called "Heaven."

I pray you will join with me and pray for each of the more than one hundred children who are at Eagle Village today, because God provided for all the wildernesses we experienced as we followed His commission to "Go and build a refuge for hurting children".

Blessings,

Gramps 

A Prison Door Opened: One Remained Closed

 

Monday, January 19, 2015

 "But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die.  All his transgressions which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because of his righteousness which he has practiced he will live" (Ezekiel 18:20-21).

 Hey Gang:  I am often asked the question, "Why did you start Eagle Village?"   We had a nice home; I had a good job with many chances of advancement- a new facility was being built and I was on the short list to be its new director.  Most folks in my shoes would say they ‘have the world by the tail’.   

Some months ago I wrote several morning messages titled "Don't Get Too Comfortable."  In those messages I listed the steps God had taken me through to reach the plateau I was comfortably enjoying.  But, as an old country preacher once said, “When we reach a point in our life when we are resting comfortably on that plateau, God comes along with His chainsaw and cuts the limb out from under us.

With the help of the boys I was caring for, I had honed my skills well.  I felt I was just where God wanted me and I was ready to dig my well and settle in for the rest of my working days.  But that was my plan not God's plan.  How many know when God wants to move us He uses many tactics to get our attention?

Although I had worked with several thousand boys who were  hurting deep inside, He sent two that penetrated to the depths of my heart; I have often said they were the real motivators of Eagle Village.   They are as real and close to me today, fifty years later as they were the day they booked into my Section at Juvy and into my life.

This morning, when I awoke, the story of Jesus on the cross between the two criminals came to my mind and I thought that the story of my two boys was very much like that story.  Both had reached a plateau in their lives where their decisions caught up to them, and they were going to ‘Pay-the-Piper’- for their devious ways.  I had no doubt that Ted,  the super chief of the "Bloods Gang", had either killed or severely  injured one or more rival gang members.  That was his life. 

And then there was Dennis, who was from all outward appearances was a quiet sort of lad that one might think was afraid of his own shadow.  But, due to his weaknesses, he was unable to keep from doing those nasty things that gets one locked up and sent off to one of the State’s finer (just a pun folks) finishing schools.

 Two totally and completely opposite boys, but both sharing the pain and agony of knowing their lives were slipping away and they had not found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  Question three on my questionnaire was, "If you could have one thing, what would it be".   The answers were always the same, my mom and dad together in a home filled with love.   

 Soooo, this is going to take longer than I anticipated; let me cut it off here (more next time) and share the prophetic Bible verse that I pray will become a compulsion in the heart of every daddy in the world.  It is found in the last book of the Old Testament, one of my favorite books, Malachi:  "Behold I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord.  He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse." (Malachi 4:5-6). 

 Hey, all you daddies, take a minute and ‘hug’ your kids.

 Blessings,   Gramps