Cooking the Frog

Never before in the history of the United States has America been on the precipice of a totally Socialistic Government Society. In this past year there has been a tremendous over-the-top push to socialize "The Land of The Free" by the freewheeling Liberal Media and the Socialist Democratic party. It is indeed a very well-oiled machine! Those who don't feel threatened by this Socialistic Movement are oblivious to the slow, subtle process it toils in. Socialism creates a zombie-like unmotivated state in which sloth is rewarded and hard work is penalized. It makes for a society that is totally dependent on the Government for every aspect of life. It slowly but effectively removes one’s self-capability, personal freedoms, and motivation to do anything without looking to Big Government. Under Socialism, citizens are enslaved with hypnotic dependency while some basic freedoms are still retained. Like a drug addict calling out to his drug dealer, the individual becomes totally reliant on Government to meet his needs. The individual who is dependent in this fashion is a social cripple ripe for the picking.

When you want to Cook a Frog, they say, don’t throw it into boiling water, since it will only jump out. Instead, place the Frog into a pot with tepid water and, ever so slowly, continue to increase the heat. When the Poor Frog finally realizes he is being cooked, he’ll have no more strength to resist.

Thus has been the slow disintegration of a “Republic of the People and for the People” to a “Socialistic Democracy and Big Government of the Elite.” This process has slowly changed the United States of America to the Red Socialistic States of America. Multitudes are oblivious to this subtle change. No single event has contributed more to the growth of the U.S. Government than this present Credit Crisis. Billions upon billions of taxpayer dollars are being handed over in a “bail out,” with Big Government taking over and micromanaging more of the private sector and corporations - just as a Mafia leader would do. This event has placed more power in the hands of the “Social Elite and Big Government,” and to an unprecedented degree. The real bad news is that this seems to be only the beginning. We will never recover the Limited Government of the past and personal responsibility freedoms again. As Big Government wraps its tentacles around every facet of our lives, it is setting the stage for the greatest “power grab” of all: The Mark of The Beast (Revelation 13:16-18, 14:9-11).

The Mark of the Beast is the event foretold of in God's Word:
And he [The Anti-Christ] causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six (Rev .13:16-18).

The Anti-Christ (referred to in Daniel 7:8, 24-27; 9:26-27, 11:36-45, 2 Thess. 2:3-12, Rev. 13, 17:8,11-13, 19:20) will seize total control of the global economy in the near future. He will have absolute authority, power and control of whosoever buys and sells anything. One must shudder to think of the utmost horror and dread of what that suggests: a Totalitarian Global State. The person of the Anti- (or false) Christ is the exact opposite of The true Christ of Almighty God, the Savior of the world. The Anti-Christ is lawless, godless, brilliant, subtle, cunning, manipulative, unfeeling; seeking to conquer, destroy and be worshiped. Anyone who stands in his way and his agenda will be utterly destroyed (Rev 13:15, Daniel 7:20-25). For anyone who has studied any history, it is chock full of such wicked and despotic men. Hitler, Stalin, Antiochus Epiphanes, Mao Tse-Tung, etc. These evil despots are like nice little Sunday School boys compared to this Man of Lawlessness! Beware!

Many people believe the Mark of the Beast is the mark of the boogie-man or a mark of a monster with blood and fangs, etc. That fable is just Lucifer's fiction given to deceive the masses from perceiving what the mark truly represents. During the Tribulation Period lasting 7 years (coming up shortly), the Nations of the world will be ready for this man, the Anti-Christ to arrive on the scene (Rev. 17:16,17). This situation will arise as crisis upon crisis develops as a result of generations of people being raised under godless deception and dependent ideologies (including the socialistic ideology). This individual will step in to provide leadership, filling the vacuum and providing answers for these crises and the solution to the chaos and confusion. He will seek to establish himself as Almighty God (2 Thess. 2:2-5). He will demand global worship (Rev 13: 12,15, Daniel 11:36) and demand total allegiance (Rev 13:16). He will eliminate all human philosophies, ideologies and culture that contradicts his Satan-controlled mind-set and false reality (Rev 13:15, 17:16-17). He will seize total control of the global monetary markets and the assets of all corporate and private businesses (Rev 13:16-18). During this period you will not be able to buy or sell without giving your total allegiance to this man. Just imagine what that will be like if you are alive in that day! This event and time will be the absolute crossroads of one’s own existence and eternal destiny. It will be the ultimate ultimatum. Choose me (the Anti-Christ) or die. What would you do?

This Horrific time is called the Great Tribulation. Almighty God gives the inhabitants of earth a very clear-cut choice. Either repent and be saved (Rev 14:6-7) or perish! Choose this fallen created being Lucifer (i.e., Satan) or choose the Eternal Creator, Almighty God. Choose the Love of God or the Wrath of God. Reality or Imagination. Truth or Error (Falsehood). Light or Darkness. Heaven or Hell. Deliverance or Damnation. Satan or the Savior. The Bible says of those who receive the Mark of the Beast (Anti-Christ) that:

If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name (Rev. 14:9-11).

For these individuals, there will be absolutely no chance for salvation. The outright reception of the Anti-Christ will be an outright rejection of the Savior of the World! There is no hope after one makes that very momentous and consequential decision.

What is your decision? Have you given any thought to it? The majority of people will not and do not. They stay oblivious to the reality. Today will you choose God's Saving Solution, the Savior of Mankind, Jesus Christ, to deliver you from your sins and give you Eternal Life? Or will you choose Satan's rebellious godless ideology, the World System and government dependency as your trust and reap the Godless consequences and judgment? If you are having a hard time making your decision right now, it is highly likely in the future you will end up receiving the Mark of the Beast (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).

Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil (Proverbs 1:21-33).

Very, very sobering words from God’s Word! Are they not? At the Crossroads of Time and Eternity, may you choose Christ Jesus who died for you and rose again from the dead for you, to deliver you from this present evil world (Galatians 1:4) for you to be with Him for evermore (John 3:16).

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! Are you ready!

DJP I.F.

The Near East Situation

In the news today we are witnessing the outworking of a very old problem in a very old place.

SUCH A HISTORY: It is the Cradle of Civilization, the place of the Tower of Babel, the land of Nimrod, Shinar, Babylon, Assyria, modern day Iraq. It is the place of Ishmael and Isaac, Jacob and Esau, blessings and cursings, struggle and strife. From such a setting comes God s great and gracious promises and predictions.

"Therefore is the name of it called BABEL; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad." (Genesis 1 1:9)

"Now the LORD had said unto Abram ... And I WILL BLESS them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." (Genesis 12: 1,3)

SUCH A HAPPENING: Oil, money, arms, aggression, peace, possession, feuding, taking, talking, planning, pressuring, waiting, watching. Who will do WHAT, WHEN, WHY? This is not new and this is not through.

"Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, the prophets say unto them, ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine, but I will give you assured peace in this place. Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not" (Jeremiah 14:13-14)

"For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace... We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!" (Jeremiah 8:11,15)

"And ye shall hear of WARS and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet? (Matthew 24:6)

"For I [the LORD] will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken... THEN SHALL THE LORD GO FORTH, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle." (Zechariah 14:2,3)

SUCH IS HOPEFUL: These are days of very great and important changes which God in His Word, the Bible, said would take place. The pages of history, secular and especially Sacred, abound in making known the only God - His LOVE and MERCY, His Righteous Judgment, His KNOWING and CARING, His glorious design, His wondrous purpose. Our HOPE is to be found and fixed in His most TRUSTWORTHY PERSON and His changeless, SURE WORD:

"Remember the former things of old: for l am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure... yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it" (Isaiah 46:9-Il).

"There is no God else beside Me; a just God and a SAVIOUR; there is none beside Me. LOOK UNTO ME, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by Myself, the Word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear" (Isaiah 45:21-23).

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My WORD, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto LIFE." (John 5:24)

The Kingdom of Heaven ia at hand!

MBC I.F.
Posted with permission.

I Changed My Religion

I Changed My Religion ... BECAUSE my religious membership, my religious practice, my good deeds, etc. gave me NO PERSONAL ASSURANCE of a safe and sure relationship to God so that I might know...

— that my sins were forgiven because of the saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that I was positively bound for heaven.

— that I have God's Love Letter, the Bible, to read and to understand, so that I can know God rightly which is to have ETERNAL LIFE by receiving the Living Saviour.

— that I can have continuous fellowship with such a HOLY GOD by coming to know Him even as my HEAVENLY FATHER, and so much more.

“And this is life eternal, THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THEE the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3).

TODAY, whoever you are, will you search your heart and religious beliefs and see if you KNOW MOST ASSUREDLY that your sins have been dealt with by the loving and righteous God, that you are Heaven-bound, and that one day for you, it will positively be Heaven-gained! “These things have I written unto you that BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).

God wants you to KNOW and to BE CERTAIN. Therefore, in His Word God tells us that HE is the ONLY SAVIOUR: “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside Me there is no Saviour (Isaiah 43:11). “Jesus saith unto him, I am THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE: no man cometh unto the Father, but by ME” (John 14:6).

God tells us that HE is ABLE TO SAVE: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on HIM [Christ] the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). “Wherefore HE IS ABLE also TO SAVE them to the uttermost that come unto God by HIM [Christ]” (Hebrews 7:25).

God tells us that each one must rely upon God's authoritative WORD and His SAVING WORK on Calvary's cross: “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3-4). “I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye Me in vain: I the LORD speak do righteousness, I declare things that are right....and there is no God else beside Me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside Me. Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by Myself, the word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear” (Isaiah 45:19, 21-23). “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth MY WORD, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24).

Religious activity does not answer the required RIGHTEOUSNESS of God. God has provided His rightness in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. "For He (God) hath made Him (Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21). Why not RECEIVE HIM now? “But as many as received Him (Christ), to them gave He power to become the sons (children) of God, even to them that believe on His Name” (John 1:12). “Behold, I (Jesus Christ) stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with Him, and He with ME" (Revelation 3:20).

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

MBC I.F.
Posted with permission.

Emergency! Call 911

Emergency! Call 911

This number quickly dialed brings to our aid and rescue the sacrificial and loyal commitment of dedicated public servants. Since their needed services are often performed with little thanks in the midst of a drifting, shifting society, we want to express our sincere appreciation to our law enforcement officers, fire fighters, emergency medical personnel and others who give of themselves within our society. This responsibility is sanctioned by God (Romans 13:1-6) and by history. It involves the PROTECTION of life and property, the PREVENTION of crime, the DETECTION and arrest of offenders, the PRESERVATION of peace and order, the ENFORCEMENT of the laws, and the RESCUE of those in distress and danger.

Emergency!“Save Me, 0 Lord”

This cry from the heart of one poor, repenting sinner is immediately heard by an ever-present, all-knowing, all-compassionate God who is waiting to meet the deepest need of every human heart. The Lord Jesus Christ is waiting to save and rescue your soul.

The RIGHT PERSON to CALL upon:

“They have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that CANNOT SAVE. Look unto ME and BE YE SAVED, all the ends of the earth: for I AM GOD, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:20,22). "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). “Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man” (Psalm 60:11).

The RIGHT REASONS for making the CALL:

“Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Thy Name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for Thy Name's sake...Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to Thy mercy: That they may know that this is Thy hand; that Thou, LORD, hast done it” (Psalm 79:9; 109:26-27). “...in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have (desires) all men to be SAVED, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one MEDIATOR between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:3-5).

The RIGHT CALL:
“The same Lord over all is rich unto all that CALL upon Him. For whosoever shall CALL upon the Name of the Lord be saved” (Joel 2:32; Romans 10:12-13). “BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). “For the SON OF MAN is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).
Why not look to and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ so that you might find God's SAVING GRACE and His EVER-PRESENT HELP!

The Kingdon of Heaven is at hand!

MBC I.F.

Posted with permission.

You Have Existence. Do You Have LIfe?

You Have Existence. Do You Have Life?

EXISTENCE is a state of being that one is physically born into. LIFE is a state of being that one is spiritually born into. A person does not need a saving relationship to God for EXISTENCE, but one does need a saving relationship for LIFE. How can I have such a real and right relationship? Because of God and His Word “which liveth and abideth forever” (1 PETER 1:23-25).

BELIEVE and COME!

“Jesus saith unto him, I AM the way, the truth, AND THE LIFE: NO man COMETH unto the Father BUT BY ME” (John 14:6).

BELIEVE and LIVE!

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the LIFE: he that believeth in Me, THOUGH HE WERE DEAD, YET SHALL HE LIVE, And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me SHALL NEVER DIE. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).

“Verily, Verily I say unto you, He that heareth My Word and believeth on Him that sent Me hath EVERLASTING LIFE, and shall not come into judgment, but is passed FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE” (John 5:24).

BELIEVE and KNOW!

“And this is LIFE ETERNAL, that they might KNOW Thee the only true God, and JESUS CHRIST, whom Thou hast sent.” “And this is the record, that God hath given to us ETERNAL LIFE, and this LIFE is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath LIFE; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (John17:3; 1 John 5:11-12).

BELIEVE and BE BLESSED!

“BLESSED are they that have not seen, and yet have believed...these are WRITTEN that ye might BELIEVE that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that BELIEVING ye might have LIFE through HIS NAME” (Who He is, What He has done on the Cross and what He is doing as the living Lord and Saviour)---John 20:29,31.

“But as many as RECEIVED HIM (the Lord Jesus), to them gave He power (authority) to become the sons (children) of God, even to them that BELIEVE ON HIS NAME” (John 1:12).

Take God at His Word and RECEIVE HIM today in order that you might have a SAVING, LIVING RELATIONSHIP to God!

The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand!

MBC I.F.
Posted with permission.

Human Fame - Vanity and Dust in the Wind…

In Light of the Passing of Those of Great Fame and Fortune.

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The Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes is the tragic biography of Adam’s fallen race (i.e., humanity) told by the wisest of all men, King Solomon. King Solomon possessed it all: wisdom, brilliance, discernment, authority, prestige, riches/ wealth, property/ possessions, power, fame, women and glory. Amazingly, as he was reflecting on his life in his last days, he made this very sobering and tragic statement: “Vanity of vanities…all is vanity” (Eccl. 1:1-15, 12:7-8).

In possessing all of this stature and achievement, it never satisfied the eternal void of his heart. All of it did not - and could not - yield peace and contentment. In the end, all of Solomon's great achievements and pomp could never deliver him in the hour of his death. To Solomon, all indeed was truly dust in the wind...

Dust in the Wind, the title of a song released by the group Kansas in the late 1970’s, is a melancholy piece regarding the terrible uncertainties and brevity of earthly existence. There is no certainty, no hope, no expectation, no solution and no deliverance. The song is painted with pessimistic colors and presents a bleak and tragic picture with absolute abandonment and no salvation to be found. All we are is dust in the wind….

What the majority of humanity (and the song) greatly misses is that without Almighty God, our Creator and Sustainer and His righteousness, all is indeed an absolute tragedy, vainity and dust in the wind (Psalm 39:5). My friend, that was never God’s plan and purpose for His creation (Rom. 5:12-21). It is Almighty God’s sincerest desire that all would come to the saving knowledge of His Son Jesus Christ and have Eternal Life. The Bible states:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16-17)

Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die…? (Ezekiel 33:11)

For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (Matt 18:11)

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matt 11:28-30)

Jesus said, The thief (Satan) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

Your existence here in time does not have to end in vanity. Almighty God has a great future plan and purpose for your life.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Cor. 2:9)

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. (John 11:25)

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. (Rev. 22:5)

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"Without Almighty God’s remedy for our sinful condition which is found only in the Person of His Son Jesus Christ, indeed all is truly vanity and dust in the wind."

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matt 16:26)

Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah (Psalm 39:5).

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Rev 20:11-15)

In the end, Solomon fully comprehended that Almighty God was absolutely essential for the existence of man. To know Him is life eternal with great expectation and purpose!

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Eccl. 12:13,14)

Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior? To know Him is to have Eternal Life and possess Eternal Hope. May it be your sincere desire to know the One that made it all possible for you to have all of God’s highest and best for your life - both here in time and also for eternity.

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

DJP I.F.

What Is True Beauty In Almighty God's Eyes

The Gospel of John Challenge