Love of the Truth - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Love of the Truth

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:7-10 (NKJV)

In a classic quote many of you have heard spoken on the big screen, from over 20 years ago in the movie, A Few Good Men (1992), Col. Nathan R. Jessep (Jack Nicholson) responded to the fierce questioning of military lawyer Lt. Daniel Kaffee's (Tom Cruise) with this outburst, “You can’t handle the truth!”

Seems like it was a prophetic word recorded back then, as in today’s world truth is what many would consider is whatever you want it to be. Because the one foundational, solid, eternal Word of God has been rejected and replaced with man’s contemporary knowledge, whatever you say, whenever you say it, is now taken as the “gospel truth”, whether it is or not. Many times it is simply a lie.

As the Gospel has been watered down in many assemblies on each Sunday morning, lack of knowing the truth has left a void for anything solid on which to stand on. Therefore, as the tide rolls in and rolls out, as public opinion goes, so does the beach sand on which it flows over.

In Matthew 7:24-27 there are two foundations which Jesus describes, as He graphically reveals what will result, when each building choice is challenged. Did we build on the solid rock or sand?

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 

Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

Jesus clearly states that rejection of truth, found only in His word, will result in a great fall, when the times of testing come for each person. Either from lack of knowledge or from an earlier specific choice that was made, what happens in each trial experienced will prove the existence of faith in the Son or not.

Our Lord says that each foundation will be tested. Our “house”, that which consists of our spirit, soul and body, will either stand or fall apart, based on decisions we made in the building process, to do our own thing, go the way of the world, or choose the solid truth of the Almighty God’s written Word, as found in the Bible.

Those who had chosen to love the truth will have the ability to withstand the wearing down that comes in trials. Their bedrock faith will be revealed, while even growing more, through those testing times.

Love of the truth will protect us from unrighteous deception, lying wonders, and acts of Satan. We will be able to see through the fog that others have allowed to cover them. We will be able to know what is counterfeit, and what is true. Our discernment will be sharp.

I encourage you to go deeper in your pursuit in getting to know Him Who is Faithful and Ture. Hearing Yeshua’s voice, reading His Word, receiving sound teaching, and walking in obedience will keep your heart, mind and spirit prepared to challenge the lies of the enemy that come daily.

We will especially need to know God’s biblical truth in order to resist falsehood and stand strong in these end times.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

  

P.S. I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

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Now Think On This - In the year of our Lord 12.05.15 - #216, “Love of the Truth ” – Saturday at 6:30 am in Charlotte, NC.

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This

Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

Where Are People Leaving the Church Going? - FELICITY DALE CHARISMA NEWS

Sociologist Josh Packard says that 65 million people have left the church. These are former leaders who love God. Where are they going? (Charisma archives)

Where Are People Leaving the Church Going?

11/29/2015 FELICITY DALE  charisma news

John White has been a friend for many years. We first met in 2001 when he came to our home to hear Wolfgang Simson speak, near the beginning of the simple/organic/house church movement in this country. John now runs a community for followers of Jesus around the world who explore rhythms of life that result in vibrant churches meeting outside the walls of the building (Lk10.com). John is not normally an emotional guy, but he broke down in tears at "The Future of the Church Summit." In this blogpost from the Lk10 site, he explains why:

Future of the Church Summit

I just returned from Loveland, CO where I attended a Conference sponsored by Group Publishing with about 130 church leaders on "The Future of the Church". On the last day, I was part of a panel and was asked to share a bit about LK10. Click on my picture below to hear what happened when I started to talk...

(By the way, make sure you see more information about Josh Packard's research below my video.)

While there were many presenters at the Summit, the most important, by far was Josh Packard. Josh is a sociologist who's research has uncovered the fact that 65 million Americans (31% of the adult population) are what he calls the "Dones". These are people who were once part of a church. In fact, they were often leaders, the "best and the brightest" according to Josh, but they are now "done" with church as they have known it. What's more, these people, for the most part, aren't going back. I can't tell you what a staggering statistic this is!

The picture that came to me was Morpheus talking to Neo in the movie The Matrix. (Although Josh is nothing like Morpheus!) Morpheus: Let me tell you why you are here. You are here because you know something. What you know you can't explain. But, you feel it. You felt it your entire life. That there is something wrong with the world (or the church?). You don't know what it is but it's there. Like a splinter in your mind.

Click on the photo to watch this 5 minute clip of Morpheus talking to Neo.

For a long time, a great many people have had this "splinter in their mind" regarding church but they couldn't explain it. And, now Josh has pulled the cover back and exposed what is really going on.

Two ways to hear more of what Josh has uncovered...

• 8 minute video describing the "Dones" ("They are not "casual Christians" or occasional attendees. Most were in some leadership position in their church."
• 90 minute video. In depth interview with Josh Packard about the "Dones". ("Most of these people are not coming back.")

Back to the Future

While the Dones are not going back to the institutional church no matter how much it is "tweaked", most of them have not abandoned God. In fact, some say that they have left "the church" to preserve their faith. And, the kind of church they are interested in looks surprisingly like the church portrayed in the book of Acts. Here are some of the characteristics of that church ...

1. All the churches in the Bible met in a home and functioned like a small spiritual family. The current institutional church, by contrast, spends a great deal of energy and money getting and maintaining a church building.
2. The churches in the Bible were simple. We describe "simple church" as a way of being/doing church where any believer could say, "I could do that!". ("they were astonished that Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary men" (Acts 4:13).) The institutional church, by contrast, requires highly educated, highly school (seminary, etc.) highly creative people to be successful. (Think Rick Warren, for instance.)
3. In the New Testament (NT) churches, everyone used their gifts. In institutional church, only a few, highly gifted people (worship leaders, preachers, etc.) use their gifts.
4. In NT church, Jesus brought the agenda for the meetings. In institutional churches, a few, very smart people design the worship experiences.
5. In the NT, churches were started in a few hours or a few days. Institutional churches require a great deal of planning and resources and take months or years to start.

Next step?

Want to learn more about doing/being church outside the institutional church? Check out a free four week course called Church 101.

Adapted from Felicity Dale's blog, Kingdom Women. Felicity Dale is an author and an advocate for women in the church. She trains people to start simple, organic house churches around the world.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

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Happy Anniversary: Breaking the Generational Curse of Divorce - SHAWN A. AKERS CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Patty and me, Dec. 5, 1997. (Shawn and Patty Akers)

Happy Anniversary: Breaking the Generational Curse of Divorce

12/4/2015 SHAWN A. AKERS  CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Divorce is a generational curse that has haunted my family lineage. It takes more than two hands to count the couples on both sides—at least the ones of which I'm aware—who have been through the divorce ringer.

And yes, I can be counted among them.

But that is why I thank God every day for my wife, Patty. God has allowed us to break the generational curse of divorce on our family and bury it.

Patty is an incredible gift from God, and I'm tremendously grateful for her patience, her love and even her courage to put up with a wretch like me all of these years. It is my second marriage, and it has lasted for 18 years as of Saturday, Dec. 5. Where has the time gone?

I realize what many of you out there may be thinking. 1) By being divorced, you are breaking God's laws and committing adultery. Our readers have had a field day with this subject in past posts on charismamag.com, and I would hazard a guess that this one will draw a great deal of discussion as well. 2) How did you break the generational curse when you have been divorced yourself?

So, let me address both of the above thoughts:

First, indeed I am well aware of Matthew 5:31-32, when Jesus said, "It was said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to commit adultery. And whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery."

Indeed, Jesus never wavered on that point. There is no other scriptural reference to an acceptable divorce, save one. In 1 Corinthians 7:15-16, Paul writes, "But if the unbeliever departs, let that one depart. A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called us to peace. ... For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?"

Despite my efforts for more than a year to keep our marriage together, my ex-wife told me in no uncertain terms—in a letter no less—that she wanted a divorce. At the time of our divorce, I suspected my ex-wife had duped me for five years about her faith in Christ. I have since learned from her family that my suspicions weren't unfounded.

Therefore, I "let the unbeliever depart." I was not bound in my case. That has since been confirmed in my heart not only by God, but also by evangelist Jimmy Evans, who, along with his wife, have headed the marriage ministry of Marriage Today for nearly 35 years.

Most likely, my only alternative to preserve the marriage would have been to deny Christ. That would have been much worse than a divorce.

This brings me question No. 2, "How did you break the generational curse when you have been divorced yourself?" Several years ago, Patty and I participated in a deliverance ministry at our church called The Cleansing Stream. It is an eight-week series of classes that prepares and disciples participants to receive healing and deliverance.

During the final weekend retreat, both Patty and I, through the power of the Holy Spirit, broke the generational curse of divorce in our families. It is an ugly word and situation that our children, Rachel and Joshua, won't ever have to endure. We trust in God's wondrous promises.

For help in breaking generational curses, read this great article from marriage ministry pastor Larry Huch.

I am far from perfect. Because of my behavior, there are many times Patty could have demanded my departure from our home. But thank God that Patty has put up with me and that God has transformed me so much in our 18 years together. Our marriage has been prophesied over—that it continually will be bent and stretched—sometimes to the limit—but that it will never break. I revel in that prophecy.

I know many people who suffer through the same generational curse. But it doesn't have to be that way, and we do not have to put up with Satan's lies and deceptions about our marriages. On our charismamag.com site, there are many great articles by strong ministry leaders in both the Spirit-Led Woman and New Man sections that can help bolster your marriage and fight for it, even in the hard times. Please peruse both sections and read the great wisdom put forth from these ministry leaders.

So Saturday isn't simply another anniversary for an "old married couple" such as Patty and me. It is a celebration of longevity and the celebration of a continually broken generational curse that will never again haunt my family. I may not be an expert on marriage, but 18 years is a long time and I might have learned a thing or two.

Thank you, Patty, for your love and patience, and for being such a wonderful wife. You need to hear that more often; and you will. Through God's grace, our life together will keep getting better and better each year. Happy Anniversary, babe.

And praise You, Jesus, for broken generational curses.

"As the bird by flitting, as the swallow by flying, so the curse without cause will not alight (will have no effect)" (Prov. 26:2).

And as I always like to say, "there is that." 

Shawn A. Akers is the online managing editor at Charisma Media. He is a published poet and published a story about Dale Earnhardt in NASCAR Chicken Soup for the Soul. You can read his blog here. To sign up for his newsletter, "Step Out of the Boat," and other Charisma newsletters, click here. You can also listen to his podcasts, the Javelin Sports Show, on the Charisma Podcast Network.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!

When God Says Go - LAURA ELLIOTT CHARISMA MAGAZINE SPIRITLED WOMAN

God told Abraham to leave his comfortable home without a map or GPS. Is He telling you to go? (Charisma archives)

When God Says Go

12/4/2015 LAURA ELLIOTT CHARISMA MAGAZINE SPIRITLED WOMAN

I still remember the response of my son's orthodontist upon finding out that our family was moving from Upper Michigan to Minnesota—"Oooh," he mused while inspecting, through squinted Scandinavian eyes, Seth's newly straightened teeth, "You're going to the flatlands, huh?"

"Yeah," I chuckled, "I guess we are." Because God had said "Go forth."

Our family had been happily settled into the familiar landscape of life as we knew it. We lived within miles of our large, close-knit extended family, and my husband was an elder at the local church that had become dear to us as well. He had been a teacher at a relatively young Christian school nearby and was in his second year as the school's administrator. Life was good, but our fledgling school was facing adversity.

The ministry from which the school rented space had decided to use that space for other purposes, and our school, faced with too short a timeline to get another building up to code, had made the decision to close. Around the same time, a relative from a church about a half hour north of the Twin Cities sent me a text that their church's school was in need of an administrator. The rest, as they say, is history.

Now, back to the squinty-eyed orthodontist. You have to understand, here, that we "Yoopers" (a term for natives and inhabitants of Michigan's Upper Peninsula) are a unique breed—fierce, independent, proud of our mines and our ability to withstand frigid winters with over 300 inches of snow on a regular basis (eat your heart out, Boston). But tough as we are, we find ourselves weak-kneed when faced with the rugged, wild, majestic beauty of creation. Rolling hills, mountainous, ore-filled peaks, acre upon acre of untouched hardwoods, mile upon mile of Lake Superior's sugary sand and clear waters ... even atheists in the U.P. call her "God's Country."

We loved our home, but God had said, "Go forth."

God's Provision

As I reflect back on those days, I can't help but think of Abram and Sarai and the Lord's command to them in Genesis 12:1:

"Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you" (ESV).

Having already left their wealthy, populous, cosmopolitan home city of Ur, Abram, Sarai, and their family set off from Haran toward Canaan, the final leg of a journey that would total some 1,500 miles. With merely their possessions and a promise, they navigated rivers, mountains, and deserts—likely natural and man-made hazards of all sorts—until they were eventually set down in a territory unknown, one in which they were asked to trust in El Shaddai—God Almighty—who had assured what seemed laughable at best.

But they persevered, and He provided.
A covenant, in spite of their conniving.
A nation, from the depths of a barren womb.
A sacrifice, beneath a father's trembling, outstretched hand.

This is our God, too, and He had said, "Go forth."

A New Country

On a well-traveled highway from our Upper Peninsula hometown to a nearby city—and, yes, the isolated region's only Target—upon rounding a slight curve in the road, travelers are greeted with a break in the heavily-treed landscape, and all eyes are drawn upward from the four paved lanes toward an expansive blue horizon. And in that instant they are met by the big broadness of Lake Superior stretched out against the bright blueness of the sky. Its sight is a God-created quencher of thirst and fresh air for world-weary lungs.

But today I will drive the flatlands on the way to my straight-smiled son's soccer game. I will continue to learn what the Lord has for me in this new and unfamiliar terrain—straight roads lined with cornfields, acres sprawling with soybeans, amber waves of grain. I grumble at times that here, in the land of ten thousand lakes, I can go weeks without seeing one! Yet we will trust in His perfect provision in the midst of our imperfect "Go forth." We will thirstily look for grace as we navigate new ministries, new friends, and a new church family. And just as He did for Abraham and Sarah, El Shaddai will show His might. Jehovah Jireh will provide. He already has.

Has the Lord directed you to "Go forth" lately? Will you trust Him in unfamiliar terrain today?

Taken from www.ReviveOurHearts.com.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!

What Christmas Means to Me - Danny Gokey - 10 Video playlist

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Here's Why So Many Biblical Leaders Were Shepherds ✡ "A Shepherd with his Brothers" - ISRAEL365

Joseph was seventeen years old and he was a shepherd with his brothers by the flock. GENESIS (37:2) יוֹסֵף בֶּן שְׁבַע עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה הָיָה רֹעֶה אֶת אֶחָיו בַּצֹּאן בראשית לז:ב yo-sayf ben sh'-va es-ray sha-na ha-ya ro-e et e-khav ba-tzon

Shabbat Inspiration This week's Torah portion (Genesis 37-39) brings us to the story of Joseph, a shepherdamong his brothers. It is no coincidence that so many of our Biblical heroes were shepherds.The simple profession was ideal for two reasons. On the one hand, the abundance of time for quiet reflection and meditation allowed the shepherd to develop an intimate relationship with the Lord. Additionally, shepherds who excelled in their work acquired a deep sensitivity to the needs of each and every sheep in their flock. What he learned as a young shepherd influenced Joseph to become a paradigm for all future generations in the service of God and the service of man. Learn more in the Israel Bible Reading Plan, where we follow the weekly Torah portions read in the synagogue and provide important overviews, insightful topics and guided discussion questions that take place in a “virtual classroom.” Join the Israel Bible Reading Plan today! » Nov. 29, 1947: A Vote that Changed the World On November 29, 1947, the UN voted to end the British Mandate in the Holy Land. A vote that lasted a mere 3 minutes changed the course of history and brought 2000 years of Jewish exile to an end. Watch here » Weekly Torah Portion: From the Sale of Joseph to the Seeds of Moshiach Two divergent stories are found in this week's parsha: the sale of Joseph by his brothers, followed by the story of Tamar and Judah. Our Sages teach a beautiful lesson about the juxtaposition of these stories in the Torah. Read more » Book: "The Mystical Meanings of Dreams" Dream play a prominent role in the biblical account of Joseph's life. In "The Mystical Meanings of Dreams" by Rabbi Avraham Arieh Trugman, the reader is taken into the concealed realms of the mind and the subconscious, as well as into the hidden dimensions of the Torah, in order to understand the origin and significance of dreams. By comprehending the psychological and prophetic nature of our dreams, as well as analyzing the many dreams revealed in the Bible, we learn how to understand dreams and use them to nurture our own spiritual and emotional growth. Paperback, 160 pages Get this Great Deal » Today's Israel Photo Today's fabulous photo by Zev Rothkoff brings the Bible to life! A modern-day shepherd is overlooking the 4,000 year old city of Shechem, where the biblical Joseph is buried. See more photos by Zev Rothkoff » Thank You Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Connie Hanson of Pocatello, Indiana. Todah rabah! Sponsor a day and receive a free devotional book » “Enjoy Reading Israel365” It’s great to hear from so many of you - stay in touch and let us know where in the world you are enjoying Israel365! Stay in Touch » I enjoy reading Israel365. Thank you for keeping us informed. Israel is so close to my heart even though I live far away in Sri Lanka. The Lord bless Israel. Shalom Isreal Yvonne We love ISRAEL...We are praying for the Peace of ISRAEL...and KNOW that GOD is watching over the Apple of HIS EYE... Patricia Edwards, Texarkana, Texas Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

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Another Sleepless Night - Testimony of a Messianic Soldier Hananya Naftali ISRAEL TODAY

Another Sleepless Night - Testimony of a Messianic Soldier

Friday, December 04, 2015 

|  Hananya Naftali  ISRAEL TODAY

Another rainy night and I'm out, doing my military thing - you know - doing my part helping to make Israel safer.

I looked at the faces of my fellow soldiers who were standing guard with me out in the rain, it doesn't bother any of us.

If we wouldn't be there for Israel, who else is going to do the job? It seems like so many people hate us. Why? Are they being misled by the media?

The other day a young Arab Muslim woman ran toward an IDF officer with an ax in her hand, she was so full of hate that she started to run toward him from a distance. Is that how she wanted to end her life? To throw her life, the dearest gift God gave her, away for a worthless cause? I so wished that the international news teams could have been there to see it happen live, before they covered the event with their stories!

I also wish I could have spoken to this woman before she did what she did.

To try and talk her out of this senseless act. She was probably hate-driven, not knowing that she had lived, and had been taught, a lie her whole life. I wished I could have hugged her and tell her that, yes I'm an Israeli soldier, but I don't hate her back - like her society had brought her up to believe.

In another incident I witnessed a group of Arabs, from the whole spectrum of ages, protesting against the "Israeli occupation". They threw stones at me as they called to boycott Israel. I saw people with hate in their eyes.

But wait!

You use Israeli electricity, Israeli water, everyday you pass the checkpoints into Israel to go work for Israelis and get paid with Israeli money. But when the international TV teams come to your villages you put on a nice show by protesting and screaming that Israel needs to be boycotted. Yes, it is all a show because I really doubt that you mean what you say because it will be you that suffers in the end!

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