March, 2008

Greetings from Brunswick,

It is a cold and wintry day here in South Georgia.  Two days ago it was 77 degrees and we were able to cut grass, but today as I’m writing this newsletter, it is just 27 degrees with a wind chill factor even lower than that. Recently I was speaking with a department manager of one of the local department stores and she said that they should be putting out Spring clothing and accessories now, but they feel such a need to leave the Winter items out as well, for they are still selling. She said, “It’s really hard to tell just what Season we are in!”  Her words caused me to recall what the Lord has recently spoken to Faith.  He said to her, “This is a Season of mixed Seasons!” 

 

This truly has been a very rough winter for many in our country.  One day they have drenching rains with flooding, and the very next day a snow and ice storm.  It has been one storm after the other moving from West to East. It has also been the coldest winter on record in many parts of the world and snow and ice storms have appeared where they have never appeared before. Yahweh sure does know how to blow holes in the “Global Warming” propaganda does He not? I can recall some time ago when He said to me, “It is not about “Global Warming,” but all about “God’s Warning!” The trouble is, people are buying in to that propaganda, Christians included.

 

Recently there was a three day event held in Atlanta, GA. called, “Celebration of a New Baptist   Covenant”. It was organized by former President Jimmy Carter and featured speeches by former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore.  Needless to say the topic of discussion was “Global Warming”. When Al Gore began to make his presentation, he was labeled a “Baptist Prophet”. It’s quite interesting to note that in addition to hearing their responsibility to “save the earth,” they also heard about poverty, the Iraq War, education funding, religious freedom and religious diversity.  Evangelism was not one of their priorities even though there are millions of Americans on their way to Hell in a hand basket.  They showed no concern for the Harvest that the dear Lord is extremely concerned about.  It was simply one great big distraction!

 

There was another one of those distractions lately labeled the “Rethink Conference” held in California at the Crystal Cathedral. There were some very big names in Christianity in attendance as both speakers and contributors. 

Robert Schuller, standing before a crowd of devout Muslims with the Grand Mufti, once said, “I know that we are all doing God’s work together. Standing on the edge of a new millennium, we are laboring hand in hand to repair the breach.” Today, he has taken a giant step forward in seeing his dream of an “all inclusive” spiritual body come true, and many Christian leaders and organizations are helping him to bring this to pass. Both Christian and non-Christian leaders, who were a part of this three day conference, are all proponents of spiritual mysticism, which is the vehicle through which Robert Schuller’s dream will occur. He explains in his latest book how Christianity must be “redefined” in order for it to come to pass. That’s why the conference was labeled the “Rethink Conference”.

 

There is a three step process in making this new vision come to pass. First of all reeducation.  They must convince Christians that the Christianity of today has to be thrown out and replaced by a whole new way of thinking. Second, they must get these new thinking Christians to incorporate mysticism into their lives and hear the voice of a new kind of God, not the One that is described in the Bible, but one that is found through altered states of consciousness. In other words, “I build my life not on the Word of God, but on the voice of God.”  The third step in the process will be to bring about a supposed kingdom of God where all will be one, and where man finally realizes his own divinity. Unfortunately, it will not be a kingdom built on the truth of God’s Word, nor on the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

Brothers and sisters, the “rethinking” of Christianity is taking place right before our very eyes.  The mystical practices are now being implemented by countless people around the world, including huge numbers of professing Christians. This is the “Emerging Church,” and it will bring countless numbers under a spirit of delusion.  Mainstream Christianity is going mystical!  In other words, instead of opposing Christianity, the occult world is in the process of capturing it and blending itself with Christianity, and then they will use it as the primary vehicle for spreading and instilling New Age consciousness.  On the outside, the Church will still look the same, but on the inside a “contemplative spirituality” will be drawing in all those who are open to it.  This has already occurred in wide segments of Christianity. This is a skillful spiritual delusion!  Just one more great big distraction!

 

Last month I shared how Oprah Winfrey is teaching, “A Course in Miracles” which will give those who take the course a whole “redefined spiritual mind set.”  It will be a New Age Worldview which includes the beliefs that there is no sin, no evil, and no devil.  It teaches its students to “rethink” everything that they have believed about God and life and clearly states that it is a course in “mind training” and is dedicated to “thought reversal”.  This is extremely dangerous teaching, and it is being taught by probably the most influential woman here in  America today.  Her teaching turns the Bible upside down.

 

“Earth Worship” is on the rise among many of our youth here in America today.  It is really disturbing to see so many young people from Evangelical congregations experimenting with the Wiccan religion.  As you probably know, Wicca is a religion that involves nature worship, casting of spells etc. and is incompatible with the Bible.  Should we really be surprised though, after our young people have been fed a diet of Harry Potter and every sort of occult game? 

 

If you walk up and down the aisles of any book store you see books galore written by Christians such as, “Celebrate You,” and “Sweating in the Spirit” by Paula White who refers to herself on her own website as a “Midwife of Dreams”.  The Lord said that in these days we would see an explosion of New Age and that is exactly what we are seeing, especially within the Church. 

 

There is one distraction after the other out there, and through it all, many have already fallen away from the faith while many more are in the process of falling away.  First of all we have the  “Modern Church Growth Movement” started by Rick Warren and his “Purpose Driven” empire.   He says, “Read my book and then use my plan to build your church and you will be a success.”  This man has birthed one great distraction and led untold thousands of Pastors in to deception and away from God. They in turn have infected their congregations.  At this time their main focus is on both the aids problem and their Global Peace Plan.    

 

We also have the “User Friendly” religion which is not Christianity!  The “Seeker Sensitive Movement” which will not speak about Yeshua (Jesus), sin, repentance or commitment, yet they claim to be Evangelical. Their main thrust is to make Christianity pleasing to all people so they will stay and be a part of their fellowship.  It is all about numbers and success or respectability with them.  Still another is the Interfaith Movement that has begun where Christians, Jews and Muslims all come together to worship.  This cannot be for Jews and Christians because we worship the God of the Bible, the God of Israel, Yahweh, and they worship a false moon god.  A true believer cannot participate in this movement.

 

 

True Bible believers should define the culture by the Bible, but all of these people turn it around.  God wants a people filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, not a church just filled with people.  Numbers do not impress Yahweh. If a congregation has growth without having authentic disciples, it is a dead work. We need to get back to God’s purpose for our being here at such a time as this. We are called to be led by the Spirit of the Living God not purpose driven. All of these movements I have just mentioned are undermining the Biblical commands of Almighty God. 

 

People are telling me that the Lord is keeping them in the Gospels at this time.  He is pointing out the many ways the false teachers are twisting and perverting the Scriptures for their own purposes and plans, as they are building their own kingdoms, not His. I can only say, “Amen!”

 

Yeshua warned His disciples fourteen times in the Scriptures not to be deceived.  He said pertaining to the End of the Age, “Take heed that no man deceive you!”  Paul said, “Let no man deceive you!” When He spoke of those who were not teaching the truth, He said, “Separate yourself!  Come out from among them, and be ye separate!”  And from those who have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof, He said “Turn Away!” There is a desperate need for discernment in the Body of Messiah today.  A desperate need!

 

You know the Lord so clearly laid out His way for us to minister in the Scriptures. Why on earth these people insist on their way as opposed to His way I will never understand. Yeshua said, “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey “all” the commands I have given you.”  He stressed evangelism in all of the nations, including Israel.

 

In Matthew 3 we see Yeshua baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River.  At that time the Heavens opened and the Spirit of God came down and settled upon Him. In Matthew 4 we see the Spirit of God lead Him in to the wilderness where He was tried and tested, then launched in to His public ministry.  We are shown over and over again that Yeshua began to preach, “Repent of your sins, and turn to God for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” 

Then we are shown many times over that Yeshua traveled throughout the region teaching in the synagogues, sharing the Good News of the Kingdom, healing the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. Large crowds followed Him!  He didn’t have need of Church Growth Books, He simply did what the Father sent Him to do and the crowds followed Him. 

 

When He called His disciples, ordained them and sent them out, He sent them out to preach the Gospel, (repent and turn to God), heal the sick and cast out devils.  He said, “Freely you have received, freely give!” He never manipulated and fleeced the sheep nor did He tell the disciples to.  To preach the Kingdom of God was the mission of the Church then, and it is still the mission of the Body of Messiah today.  We do not need substitutes!  We are to minister His way, not our way!  We are not to be concerned about offending people when we minister His way either. When the Truth is ministered to the people it will accomplish His purposes, and yes, sometimes it will offend, for all do not want to hear the Truth.  All do not believe in healing and deliverance. Nevertheless, we must present the whole Gospel of the Kingdom.  We are not called to win a popularity contest!  We are called to please an audience of One!    

 

He said, “If you love Me, keep My commands!”  We must know the whole counsel of God! He did not say that it was okay to pick out specific Scriptures and make a doctrine of them, ignoring those that don’t serve your purposes.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we must know the God of the Old Testament as well as the God of the New Testament. If we don’t know the God of the Old Testament as well as we know the God of the New Testament, we simply do not know God!  He is both a God of love and mercy as well as a God of justice and judgment.

 

Last year I shared more than once that the Lord likened what was going to come against the Church as an earthquake, and He also said that a whirlwind would come down upon the heads of many ministers. He also said that there were some in danger of falling. He went on to say that He was going to move across the Bible belt and lift their skirts.  He was going to expose their sins.  He said, time and time again, that He had had enough of their pride, arrogance, greed and even sexual immorality.  I spoke those words every time He said to speak them.  I know for a fact that He has been speaking to these prosperity preachers for many years, but they have ignored Him. He has had many of His own contact them as well as write to them, but the words of warning were always ignored.  Please know that the Lord does not always strive with man.  He is longsuffering, but sooner or later judgment falls.   Satan is not to be blamed either for this is coming at the hand of God as He works to clean His House.  

Now that six televangelists are under investigation, many are crying “foul!” Only Joyce Meyer turned over her records when she was called to do so. Since then Benny Hinn has done likewise. However, both Eddie Long and Creflo Dollar have told Senator Grassley to get lost. Paula and Randy White still have not turned their records over, and Kenneth Copeland has refused to co-operate saying that he will go to jail first. He has just sent a letter out to all of his followers pointing a finger at the Senator instead. As a result of this sort of behavior, they will now receive subpoenas.

 

After Kenneth Copeland’s letter went out to his followers, many of them began calling to protest the investigation of the televangelists.  It never ceases to amaze me that their followers care more about protecting and respecting these televangelists than they do the Lord, whose Holy Name they have profaned many times over. 

 

You know, we are constantly being watched. Our life style speaks volumes. How we walk, talk and conduct ourselves on a daily basis will either sanctify the Name of the Lord, or profane His Holy Name.  Also, Senator Grassley is a devout Christian and a highly respected individual who is simply doing the job he has been placed in office to do. Let us continue to pray for all of these brothers and sisters that they truly repent, and turn back to God, His way, so they can be refreshed and restored. Let us also pray for the entire Body of Messiah that we will all begin to look at our own lives and determine if we sanctify or profane the Name of God by our life style.

 

*Correction:  Last month I told you that the DC police had estimated the number of Pro-Lifers marching on behalf of the unborn at 100,000.  I have since learned, and it has been confirmed through three different sources, that there were actually 225,000 of us.  All glory to God!

 

* Help!  About ten days ago my computer crashed.  As a result of the crash I lost the biggest part of my email lists. One was partly salvaged, but it was an old list. I share this with you so you will understand why you are not receiving emails or prayer alerts from me.  If you are not receiving anything from me, please send me your email address again so I can enter it in to my address book.  I do apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

 

* Please pray for Joyce Kuras who will leave for Israel to make Aliyah Tuesday March 11th.

* Tent City:  Madelyn Maine of Pathlight Ministries, PO 221268, Newhall, CA 91322 went to check out Tent City and determine the needs there.  She found that the folks have been there
since June of 2007. At the present time there are somewhere between 260 to 300 people.   They are folks from all walks of life who have simply lost their homes or jobs. Madelyn said that there are single moms and veterans among them. They have six port-a-potties at the location and they have rigged up one shower using a port-a-pottie to do so. They have no electricity.

 

Items needed are food stuff that can be opened without a Can opener, (pop tops), eating utensils like paper plates, knives, forks and spoons, toilet tissue, bottled water, (small bottles), Pampers (sizes 2,3,4,6), sleeping bags, camping tents, and blankets.  No clothing please.

 

Pathlight Ministries has already begun to help these people, and Fair Havens has just sent a check to help.  If you feel led to help these people in anyway, you can do so through Pathlight
Ministries.  I have known and networked with Madelyn for a long, long time and she will get anything she receives for these people to them right away. Simply earmark your check for Tent City and Madelyn will send you a tax receipt.  Please pray for these people in Tent City.

 

* I want to tell you about two little boys who have been with Jesus.  One is five years old, Kason, and the other eight years old, Mason. When Kason visited with God he said that He told him that He had a work for him to do.  He told Kason that he would be His preacher. John said that this little fellow gets up every morning and practices his preaching. Bless his heart!

 

 Now Mason was told by God that He had a job for him to do. He said that he would be His prophet. The anointing on this young man is something else, and Kin and Debbie said that all that he has spoken has come to pass.  He told the Lord, “I like my job!” Awesome God!

 

Debbie just told me about a little four year old girl, Akian, who was visited by God and given the gift of art and writing. She said that her artwork is awesome and when you stand behind her, as she paints, the anointing upon her is overwhelming.  Again, to God be all of the glory!

 

Shalom and Blessings, Myrna   (myrnamiddleton@yahoo.com).  (www.fairhavensmissions.org)