Siding With The Foxes vs. The Wolves

By Ray Gano

This is going to be an article that will probably upset many of you out there. You will defend and justify, but in the end you will have to choose a side.

In these days of political turmoil and strife we on the conservative side cry out for someone to lead the charge.

Problem is that we have thrown our lots in with the foxes verses the wolves.

What we have forgotten is who we serve, that is the Lord Jesus Christ and neither the foxes or the wolves recognize Him for who he is; The one and only Savior.

This past weekend Glenn Beck held  a  faith-based event in front of the Lincoln Memorial  in Washington. He rallied conservatives of different faiths around their shared values, principles and strong belief that faith can play an essential role in reuniting the country.

Problem is that Beck is a Mormon. one who does not see our Lord Jesus Christ as the one true Son of  God. In Beck's mind Jesus is just one of many gods and many sons. Beck is a fox among the sheep.

In fact in an interview just after the event in Washington, Beck stated…

"Most Americans Don't Recognize Obama's Christianity"

“You have to learn his (Obama’s) theology. Learn his influences. Learn who he has surrounded himself with his whole life. More knowledge, not less. More access to information, not less,” Beck explained.(1)

And after going over a few clips, the broadcaster concluded that Obama’s theology is not Muslim. But neither is it Christian.

“It's a perversion of the gospel of Jesus Christ as most Christians know it,” Beck asserted. “But as usual, the media won't look at any of those facts because most people in the media don't have any idea what Christianity really is.” (1)

Why are we listening and siding with foxes?

Scripture says…                                                                                                                            

1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Mormon's are good people. They maintain conservative values socially, but theologically, they are worlds apart.

Let me point out just some of the false teachings of this cult called Mormonism.

Mormons  believe…

- In a  race of gods, {advanced humanoids from a planet orbiting the mysterious star Kolab} who were once only men but through adherence to Mormon teachings became gods, called a council and decided that Jesus would be the God and savior of planet Earth.

-  Lucifer, spirit brother of Jesus (2), wanting to be God and savior of Earth, lead a rebellion and lost. The followers of Lucifer became demons and therefore denied bodies of flesh and blood for all eternity.

- Those who remained neutral in the rebellion were cursed to be born with black skin (3).

- Those who followed Jesus were born with white skin.

- Mormon doctrine believes in the Pre-existence of souls

- Mormons believe God the father has a body of flesh and blood (4)

- Mormons believe God the Father is also called Michael the archangel (5)

A great pastor and theologian Harry Ironside stated the following…

"Error is like leaven, of which we read, "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." Truth mixed with error is equivalent to all error, except that it is more innocent looking and, therefore, more dangerous. God hates such a mixture! Any error, or any truth-and-error mixture, calls for definite exposure and repudiation. To condone such is to be unfaithful to God and His Word and treacherous to imperiled souls for whom Chris died." --H.A. Ironside

What we in today's modern church have forgotten is biblical separation. We have forgotten the ways of the Lord and instead sided with foxes, who like the wolves are out to kill, and do  as much damage as the wolf. But because of their cunning and slyness, we the sheep, have let down our guard and believe we can live among the foxes.

This sort of mindset does one thing and one thing only. Allows the wolves to come in unnoticed, that is until it is too late and the slaughter has begun.

Scripture says…

2 Corinthians (KJV) 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

Is Mormonism true Christianity? No, it is an abomination and a heresy.

Scripture says…

Titus 3:10 (KJV) A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;
11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

Knowing that Beck stands with the wolves, believes in heresy and an abomination, why are we so willing to let him "lead us" when he represents the enemy?

But that is not all and I don't want to just point out Glenn Beck.

There are others, like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. They have great things to say and know how to rally the people.  We associate with them because they are saying a lot of the right things that sound good to us. "God, honor, country, the constitution" and the list goes on.

But are they one in the faith? No, both Limbaugh and Hannity are both confessing Catholics.

They  too are also foxes among the sheep.

Pope John Paul II , on his deathbed, wrote a note saying, "I am totally in your hands" - a note directed to MARY - not Christ who died in order to offer us eternal salvation!

Did MARY die for us? Was she our final SIN sacrifice? Did SHE hold the key to everlasting life? NO! She was a mere human (born into sin, just like the rest of us!) who continued to have children after  Jesus' birth.

Furthermore, the Catholic Church places entirely too much emphasis on Mary. Although many Catholics will fight you tooth and nail that Catholics don't worship Mary, they have statues to her, shrines to her, and they pray to her.

In fact she is has been named co-redemptress and intercessor between God and man. This is right out of the pit of hell.

1 John 2:22 (KJV)  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

Here are just a few errors we find with the Catholic Church vs. biblical Christianity.

The Catholic Church teaches: Initial justification is by means of baptism

The Catholic Church teaches: Adults must prepare for justification through faith and good works

The Catholic Church teaches: Justification is furthered by sacraments and good works

The Catholic Church teaches: Justification is lost through mortal sin

The Catholic Church teaches: Salvation is attained by cooperating with grace through faith, good works, and participation in the sacraments

The Catholic Church teaches: The sacraments are necessary channels for the continual infusion of grace. They bestow grace in virtue of the rite performed (6)

And the list goes on and on.

Folks, none of the high profile talkers are Christians. Oh, they may have a form of Godliness, and they may even mention "God" every now and then, but there is not a national-talker on the air who will boldly mention the name of Jesus as part of his broadcast.

Let me state very clearly, God, without Jesus, is not Christianity.

Conservatism without Christianity is "counterfeit salt."

Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity are the poster boys for the secularization of Christianity in America. These and others like them are foxes helping to get our guard down so that the wolves can move in for the kill.

Now let me say, I enjoy listening to Beck, Limbaugh and Hannity. I agree with a lot of what they say politically and the stands they take on behalf of this country. In fact I love it when Beck gets all crazy on the radio or how "El Rushbo"  presents things.

 But, and it seems we have forgotten this, Beck,  Limbaugh, Hannity and the others are not role model for Bible believing Christians.

These people are secular conservatives and not washed in the blood of our Lord.

It does not matter how much we like these guys, love what they say and approve of what they are doing. We still need to separate ourselves from the foxes and the world.

If they do not have the Lord as their personal savior, they are of the world and God commands us to not have fellowship with them.

Scripture says…

Ephesians  5:11 (KJV) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

We have dropped our guard and instead of following the true  shepherd, we have bought into a lie.

Colossians 2:8 (KJV) Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ

I love what Coach Dave Daubenmire said..

"Having him (Rush Limbaugh) lecture you, me, or the Democrats on right and wrong would be like listening to Tiger Woods talk about the privacy of his putter. For both of them I would have no assurance that we were referencing the same tool. Tiger used his putter to prod his fans, Rush uses a microphone. Both became famous for what they do, and only recently do we understand who they are." (6)

In fact, let me ask this. How many of you make sure that you tune in daily to Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity or another instead of spending time in God's Word?

How many pastors never miss a show, forsaking time with God?

How many conservative Christians are willing to truly criticize Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity for fear they are criticizing the Republican Party?

Since when did the GOP equate to GOD?

These guys and others like them, their true religion is not Christianity, it is secular conservatism and we who are bible believing Christians need to clear the cobwebs from our mind and understand there is a clear and concise difference.

Beck, Limbaugh and Hannity are faithful to secular conservatism because that is their religion, but what we need to remember is that these foxes are only giving lip-service to Christianity.

That is a fact.

So did I spend my Saturday last weekend watching the foxes make speeches in Washington DC?

Nope, and  to tell you the truth, it wasn’t even on my radar.

Our churches and pastors have taken a back-seat in the battle for the soul of America. Because of that we have negated our responsibility to the "Churches and Pastors of Secular Conservatism."

Christ-less Conservatism and Christ-less Liberalism are both that, Christ -Less.

If they do not serve Christ, then they serve their father the devil who is the enemy.

Scripture says…

2 Timothy 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

These foxes offer a salt with no taste, a light that is dark that ultimately leads to death from the wolves whom they work with.

These mouth pieces of secular conservatism do not promote a biblical Jesus Christ. Because of that we need to do what God's Word says and "from such turn away."

We need to turn back to the true leader and shepherd, that is none other than Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Endnotes

1 - http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100829/beck-most-americans-dont-recognize-obamas-christianity/page2.html

2 - Journal of Discourses Vol. 13 p.282

3 - Journal of Discourses Vol. 17 p. 290

4 - Pearl of great price 4:1-4; See John 4:24 & Luke 24:37-39

5 - Doctrine & covenants Sec. 104:28

6 - http://therefinersfire.org/challenging_catholicism.htm

7 - http://www.newswithviews.com/Daubenmire/dave197.htm

You Fear Mongering - Post Tribber - Survivalist

By Ray Gano

I woke up this morning and came upon an article that hit me in the heart. The headline read…

This Economy Is Ripping Millions Of Unemployed Americans To Shreds

"If you can still put a roof over your head and food on the table for your family, you should consider yourself to be very fortunate.  There are millions of Americans out there right now that are really, really suffering.  The cold, hard reality of it is that there aren't even close to enough jobs out there for everyone right now.  It is almost as if we are all caught in a really bizarre game of musical chairs where the losers get stripped of their tickets to the middle class.  What this horrible economy is doing to the dignity of millions of middle class Americans is incredibly saddening. "(1)

Folks, for the past couple of years I have been trying to warn of this. Millions out of work, no home, no job, no hope.

We have pastors out there who claim the title, but they are nothing more than hirelings in it for the pay check, glitz and glamour.

In the past several weeks I have gotten some emails that really brought me down.

Here is one…

Ray,

I have definitely seen a decline in the quality of your newsletters as such that I really don't want to receive anything anymore. Marianne has also told you about your gone off the deep end with your survival fear mongering. You seem to think in your head that you are a modern day Joseph.

You have gone the way of the post-tribbers who think that they have to have enough to survive the tribulation period.

The rapture is near and you are telling people to store food for themselves. You are deceived in your thinking. You have gone off the deep end.

In Christ, Brendan

Here is the email the person above mentioned from Marianne.

 Ray, you're not bringing the gospel to the world by hawking survival equipment.  I don't see anywhere in the epistles where we are supposed to do any of this.  What you're doing is scaring God's people, who are to trust the Lord to provide in bad times. Marianne

To be honest it brings me down when I get emails like this. I have to ask "are people not paying attention to what I am saying and writing at all?"

First … Let me say this very clearly.

I am not post trib!

And when someone calls me that, those are fighting words in my book. So to all those out there who think I am, please stop spreading these lies about me. And if you think this, then have some fortitude and common courtesy to come talk to me first so I can set you straight.

I have said over and over again that I stand upon the imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For those who may not know what the word Imminent means, it means "anytime, immediate, now" to name just a few descriptors.

Second … we here in America need to get off our elitist horse and stop thinking God's Will revolves around what we do here. I have said over and over again that God's Throne is not draped in the American Flag. We are just another empire that is falling. We need to come to grips with that.

Third … We need to separate our economic downfall that we are facing in America from the coming tribulation. These are two separate things having nothing to do with each other.

Finally … If you are looking for the rapture because America is about to go down in flames, you are wrong in your ideas and wrong scripturally.

Nowhere in scripture does America's financial woes have anything to do with Last Days Bible Prophecy. The idea that we are not named in scripture has nothing to do with it. South America and Australia isn't mentioned either, do we base our interpretation on those countries too? No we don't. We need to stop this elitist US western centric idea and we need to stop now.

This nation has experienced financial downfall three times in the past. During the revolutionary war we were thrown into a depression, during the civil war we saw hyperinflation and in the 1920-30s we saw the great depression. These historical events had nothing to do with Bible Prophecy and the financial downfall we are going to soon face will have nothing to do with Bible prophecy.

As a side note, you will also notice that each financial downfall was approximately 70 to 100 years apart.

Can you guess where we are today? Yep, right around that point where America will perform a nose dive into a financial down fall again.

Those ignorant of their past are destined to repeat it.

The Civil war had nothing to do with Bible Prophecy, neither did the great depression. In fact during the 1930's Great Depression there were Christians out there looking at Hitler as if he was the coming Antichrist and they too were saying the rapture was at hand. There was economic woe, hard times, starvation, crime and deaths, all the biblical indicators were there, but the tribulation was not upon them nor did Christ return for the Church.

There are many people out there today associating what is taking place here and equating it to the rapture.

The doctrine of the rapture clearly states that there are no indicators to when the Lord will return for His bride. All we know is the season, that season began when Israel became a nation. Only our father in Heaven knows the time and the hour. We have got to remain sober and remember this.

Now If I have described your way of thinking you, like many in the past, are setting yourself up for a severe disappointment.

Right about now some of you may be saying "There he goes, he is proving Bible prophecy right there… he's a scoffer."

Did I ever say that Christ is not going to return?

Did I ever question the rapture?

In both cases no.

So if you are thinking that, please don’t. What I am pointing out is, that the church in America have become elitists in our ideas and thinking; that because we are facing hardship here, surely Christ is returning just for us with the rest of the global church in tow.

This is the attitude that is becoming very prevalent, and it is very upsetting.

I have to ask about our Christian brothers and sisters in China who are living under constant persecution, why didn't Christ rapture them out first and then the rest of us?

What about Christians in Sudan, Ethiopia, Africa,  Asia etc? Are these Christians facing persecution not as special as we are here in America?

The time is now to wake up and smell the coffee and put away this elitist idea about ourselves here in the US and get with the program.

This nation is coming into a serious time of economic hardship. It is not the tribulation and it is not an indicator of the rapture. It will be a time of severe economic woe, hard times, unemployment, homelessness, famine, starvation, sickness, plague, crime and death.

I know this is not what you want to hear, and you want it to just go away; but it isn't.

Like financial downfalls of our past, we are facing yet another. And like the financial downfalls of the past this nation will come out on the other side living in the "new normal."

I want to share with you an email I got just the other day. It was an email strait from God, through one of the PZ Insiders named Gerlinda.  Gerlinda is a survivor of Hitler's Germany.

If you read nothing else in this report, please take the time to read this email from Gerlinda…

Ray,

 It is becoming increasing clear that those who have not learned from history are doomed to repeat it.  Is that why those words were coined; because it happens over and over again?  I am a person who stood in the bread lines of Germany with my mother.  Sometimes, there wasn't any more bread left.  Even after coming to America, for the longest time, I wadded up bread in little balls and hid them for a future time.  Those lesson don't leave you.   We were suppose to be on the winning side.   How could this have happened?  Didn't the Furher promise change and a wonderful new world?   He called it The Third Reich, which would last a thousand years.   The German people were all commissioned to be Kingdom Builders.  They were zealous, proud and put their trust in the words of their leader.   

 Why am I even mentioning this term, "Kingdom Builders"?  Because we have a generation of Christians that honestly believe they are helping to build God's Kingdom.  They are zealous and proud of what they are doing.  Will they also be sorely unprepared as other generations were?  Regardless of what a person's viewpoint is of the Rapture, shouldn't we take note of the rising unemployment?  How about the shortage of food that will fill the shelves of the grocery stores?  Will a Rapture happen before it gets to that?  What if it doesn't?   There was a generation of Christians in Germany that believed in the Rapture too but man's inhumanity to man knocked on their front door before it happened.  Tens of thousands starved to death.  Only those that lived in the country or little village were able to grow gardens, have a few head of sheep, pigs or cows that saw them through and it was these who were used of God to help His Chosen that hid for their very lives.

 A  "Kingdom Builder" person would rather give money to a denomination or TV Evangelist that will build bigger parking lots, provide transportation for their clergy that equals those of the politicians as they spew their silky words of deceit that they are using God's Money to build God's  Kingdom?????  Can one really trust one's hard earned money is going to Missionary Work when we see the evidence of worldly "things" that the coffers of the churches have purchased?  Jesus said His Kingdom wasn't of this world, didn't He?  John 18:36

 As a survivor of WWII, I am stupefied by people's words that God even provides for the Sparrow, there-fore there is no need to put aside, despite all the signs of hard times beginning to stare us right in the face. 

 The last I saw, the birds are eating worms, seeds and the things of the earth.  They know how to forage what God provided.  They don't  hop into the stores to get their daily rations.  Does man remember how to plant a garden in the very earth that God has given and put up his provisions for a future day?  I think the answer is obvious.  Most birds don't live in pretty little Bird Houses  that some man build either.  They build their nest by gathering the sticks and other things that they can use to make it strong to withstand the worst of storms that come.  They don't just assume God will hold back the wind on their behalf.

 With eyes wide open, we can see where this so called Kingdom is going as it marches on to Babylon.  Don't be offended, God's Word calls it Babylon because it includes many path-ways instead of proclaiming the message that Jesus Christ is the only way.    With old ears that are not as sharp as they once were, I've heard the drums beat out the tunes of  love and brotherhood  in the churches.  They are lulling people into a coma of "dumbness".   Don't people think for themselves anymore?  Did they ever?  History shows that most do not.  By and large, most Europeans learned the hard way.  Just think..... when is the last time a message of repentance and calling upon the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive and come into one's heart got preached? 

Never, until just recently, did I think I would witness a repeat of those days in Germany but here I am.   I would be utterly foolish to say, "It can't happen".  It is happening! 

Please do not think this message includes each and every church; it does not.  They know who they are.  Each Christians who understands God's Word and history knows that all the signs are there warning of hard times on the horizon.  Shouldn't we work while there is light to work, put aside while we can and prayerfully, while we are still here, we can be a blessing to those that will need our help so desperately. 

It is not easy to try to warn others because most do not want to be told the truth; it is too uncomfortable.   Well, that comfort level is going down, way down. 

History does repeat itself.  We can't change everyone's thinking but we can change our own.

Gerlinda

The Lord has put it on my heart these past couple of months to write about the dire condition of the Lukewarm Church and the urgency of the hour. 

We are living in the last days of the last days, but we cannot let what is happening here in this country over ride what scripture clearly teaches.

We are not to impose our own ideas, experience, feelings onto God's Word. We are to submit to what God's Word clearly says, not hunting and pecking around for pet verses, taking God's Word out of context so it fits our ideas, feelings and experiences of today.

Millions here in America are hurting. The lukewarm church lacks compassion for the great commission and does not see that it is their concern to reach out to the lost.  It’s always someone else’s job and not theirs. To top that off, they do not want to be involved what so ever.

Scripture says…

Matthew 28:19-20  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Now more than ever we have a great opportunity facing us as Bible believing Christians. The problem is that many do not see the opportunity nor are they ready for that opportunity.

That opportunity is the chance to share the gospel with a hurting nation. The chance to share the blessed hope of our Lord Jesus Christ to those facing hard times, unemployment, homelessness, famine, starvation, sickness, plague, crime and death.

In fact, we are going to face those very same things ourselves. But what makes us different is that we have the Lord at our side. With Him, all things are possible to those who are called according to His purpose.

Problem is that today to many do not care and see it as someone else's job. They do not care or they are too busy to be part of His purpose.

Our "hireling" pastors are worthless, and many have no idea what the Bible really says. If asked if they could lead someone to Christ they will hand them a little yellow card to the person asking them to fill it out and state  " if you believe, check the box."

These hirelings are sending multitudes to hell.

80% possibly 90% of those sitting in the pews today have been put to sleep or worse, they have no idea what the real deal is in the first place. They are C.I.NO.'s - Christians In Name Only.

That means that it is up to us Bible believing Christians to position ourselves and be ready so that we can be used of the Lord.

Folks, God uses those who are in the game, not those who are sitting on their hands doing nothing.

Now is it everyone's job to be out there hitting the streets evangelizing?

No, I don’t see that.

But what you need to do is be ready. 

Do you realize  there are people out there that only YOU can reach for the Lord. I could sit and talk to that person till I am blue in the face and it will not amount to a hill of beans. But if you sit down with them, they will be all ears and most likely make a decision for the Lord. This is why it is so important to be ready. But to be ready, you have to be alert.

We need to be asking God to lead people to us so that we can share the gospel.

In fact I challenge you to pray that prayer and see if God does not lead someone to you. But for you to know who that person is, you need to be ready and alert to your surroundings. You also need to be sensitive to the tugging of the Holy Spirit.

In fact, how the Holy Spirit tugs me is in my belly. I just get that feeling in my inside that I am to stop and talk to a person. In most case I just say hi and ask how they are doing today while making strong eye contact.

When you have a caring smile and make strong eye contact, the person who is hurting will usually open up to you. Just show that you really care and God will do the rest.

If that was not the right person, then on to the next. If anything, you planted a good will seed in that person and they will remember you the next time they see you.

But no matter what, you will not be able to do this if you are not prepared.

Why?

Because you will be concerned about everything else except the Lord and His Will. I know it has happened to me, and it has probably happened to you too.

That is why I have been stressing so hard that people prepare and set up your pantry, it will be one less thing that you have to worry about, thus freeing your time and efforts to do the things of the Lord.

Please understand this. Having one less thing to take up my time in this crazy world gives me more freedom to share the gospel and the blessed hope of our Lord with those who have no hope.

I wish that you were cold or hot

Revelation 3:15-16  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

In this verse the Laodiceans were being criticized by Christ for their lack of zeal. They were more concerned about themselves and what was going on in their lives than that of the Lord's and being busy with the Lord's work.

We are the Laodiceans today. We are not willing to surrenders completely to the will of the Lord. We want things our own way, we name the rules, we live how we want to live. The world has us wrapped up in all its trappings and we are too busy running the rat race to be concerned with sharing the gospel.

To tell you the truth, odds are that if this is you, you have already missed thousands of opportunities to share the hope the Lord has to offer, and that is a fact.

In today's world of tattoos, piercings, scantily dressed women and feminized men it is hard to tell who is the church and who is the world.

Scripture says…

James 4:4  Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

We need to get to a point where we are sober and looking at things clearly. We are living at a time in America's history where we are going to go through another great depression. This is a fact. This has nothing to do with the tribulation nor is it Bible Prophecy come to pass. We are a nation standing on her last legs and we will soon experience what is being called a "new normal" weathering the financial storm.

Bible believing Christians are being given a chance to build their ark and weather the storm.

That is if one makes the effort.

We are not building an ark to escape the tribulation. We are building our arks to weather the financial storm that will soon be upon this nation.

There is no going back to the old days or how it used to be. Things are going to change and we need to be ready always to share the hope that is within us.

By our actions we will choose to either be in the game or sit on the sidelines doing nothing.

Sitting on the sidelines being lukewarm is not the answer.

We need to be busy about the Lord's work.

The time is at hand, the time is now.

Build your ark today so that you can be a service to the Lord tomorrow while you still have the time.

Endnotes

1 - http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/

Signs of The Coming Storm - A Rise in Crime

By Ray Gano

New Braunfels Police Make Arrest In Violent Stabbing

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas -- A 46-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a violent stabbing at a New Braunfels Wal-Mart. Police have charged Juan Leandro Villareal with aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony. New Braunfels police said Villareal stabbed a 64-year-old woman several times at the store's parking lot around 11 a.m. Sunday.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Layoffs to gut East St. Louis police force

EAST ST. LOUIS • The Rev. Joseph Tracy said he’s tired of going to funerals. And now, he suspects he’ll be going to more of them.

"It’s open field day now," said Tracy, the pastor of Straightway Baptist Church here. "The criminals are going to run wild."

Gang activity. Drug dealing. Cold-blooded killing. Tracy worries that a decision to shrink the police force by almost 30 percent will bring more of everything.

The pastor voiced his concern on Friday at a raucous special City Council meeting at which East St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks announced that the city will layoff 37 employees, including 19 of its 62 police officers, 11 firefighters, four public works employees, and three administrators. The layoffs take effect on Sunday.

It is already a zoo out there and it is going to get a whole lot worse before it gets any better.

I am going to say some things here that many people will probably not agree with me on. If you are one of those, I  pray that you open your eyes to what is taking place around you.

Now you may be shielded from the effect that are taking place in the world, but sooner or later you will have to deal with the issues at  hand.

Christ  said…

Luke 22:36 (KJV)  Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV)  But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Sheep, Wolves and The Sheepdog

I am seeing a movement take place.

One that I agree with, support and even consider myself one of them.

What is that movement?

The rise of the sheepdogs?

"What? You have got to be kidding me. Sheepdogs? "

We are seeing a rise of just  men and women answering a call. That call is to defend the weak, the innocent,  the helpless, the frail… these are the sheep. Those answering the call are the sheepdogs.

There is also a rapidly growing number of  those we call the wolves.

Wolves - There has always been the wolf. They prey on the weak, the sick, the feeble, the injured, etc. In the wild they serve the purpose to keep the herd strong.  Thus ensuring a strong future generation.

But when we talk about humans being the wolves, they are those who prey up on the weak, frail, the injured and the helpless. These are usually the deviants of society. Resorting to theft, murder, kidnapping as a means to survive. They are the predators and they prey upon the sheep.

In most cases the wolves of this world are cowards, even when hunting in a pack. Stand and fight against them, give a show of force stronger than they and often they will seek out a weaker form of prey and be done with you.

The Sheepdog - are those who stand at the ready to protect the sheep if that time comes.

The sheepdog mentality is not about carrying a gun or some other form of weapon. It isn't about being some 5th degree black belt either. Criminals have guns, weapons and know martial arts.

The sheepdog are also not better than the sheep, they  realize their calling to be ready as well as have the courage to back it up. They have taken the time to read the writing on the wall. But where the sheep have read the same thing, the sheepdogs have done something about it and have taken action.

Here in Texas one is able to have a carry and conceal license. Because one may have a C& C does not make them  tough, a bigger man or give them super strong muscles. In fact look at me,  I am not taller, more handsome, nor leap from tall buildings and I still can't stop trains with my bare hands.

But I am a sheepdog.

A sheepdog can be anyone prepared to protect the sheep.

But that is just one aspect of the Sheepdog.

Maybe you are a sheepdog and you do not realize it.

Sheepdogs…

- They have provided means to protect themselves, their family, and their home with as many means as possible.

- They prepared knowing that this situation was coming not only because they have learned from history, but they have studied God's Word, understanding what the future holds.

- They care for their family and are willing to do what it takes to ensure their health and welfare is secure.

- They blend into the crowd, walk with a purpose and completely alert to their surroundings before they even step outside their front door.

- They have prepared for the coming storm and have ensured their family is provided for.  One example is they have  a well stocked pantry - they see food as an investment and also a means to help their fellow man.

- The sheepdog knows how the end plays out. He or she knows that they are on the winning team and that in the end, it is Jesus Christ whom they serve. They know it is Him who they represent because it is their reasonable service to Christ dying on the cross and shedding His blood for our sins. They have submitted to Christ living a holy and acceptable life unto Him.

- They have a strong mental fortitude and have chosen to be the "sheepdog" when the calling was issued instead of just standing by being the "sheep."

Scripture tells us that there is nothing new under the sun. There will be good times and bad. Man will always repeat himself because he never pays attention to his past. There will also be sheep, wolves and sheepdogs.

Sheepdogs also understand fully when Christ said .. " he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."

I am going to touch upon something here that again, people may not agree with me.

Folks, it is time for the sheepdogs to recognize who they are, to stand and start picking up the sword.

The wolves are growing in numbers to the point that they have outnumbered the sheep, and it is going to get worse.

Folks the Bible couldn't be clearer on the right – even the duty – we have as Christians to defend ourselves as well as the sheep.

I live in New Braunfels where that  predator wolf stabbed that elderly woman in the Walmart parking lot. Reading that story infuriated both my wife and I. Had I been there, I would have instantly and without hesitation gone to her aid. I will protect the sheep.  Interestingly enough, in talking to my wife she would have gone to her aid also given the ability.

Scripture says…

Exodus 22:2 (KJV)  If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.

In other words if a thief breaks into your house,  you have the right to defend yourself, your  family and your property.  It doesn't matter whether the thief is threatening your life or not. You have the right to protect your home, your family and your property as well as using deadly force to do so.

Do you know that our founding fathers based the second amendment on scripture?

During the times of the Israelites it was expected that every man to have their own personal weapons.  There were no police in those times. If an enemy was at bay, every man would be able to defend himself, his house and family. If there were bands of enemy, they could  be called to arms to defend the town if need be. They didn't have an army to call upon, the people defended themselves.

Scripture says..

1 Samuel 25:13(KJV)  And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.

Note here that "every man" had a sword and when called upon, every man picked it up when it was required.

Psalms  144:1 (KJV)  A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

Folks, we do not serve some limp wristed pacifist God like the one being taught about today. Over and over again we read in scripture that we are to defend not only ourselves,  but to defend the weak, the innocent, the frail, and the helpless.

They didn't have firearms in the bible, but they kept their arms at their side and at the ready.

As I have stated earlier, Jesus commanded His disciples to buy swords and equip them, strap them on.

Luke 22:36 (KJV)  Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

Now I know that there are some out there who are stating how Jesus told Peter to put his sword up after cutting off the ear of the servant as well as living and dying by the sword and all.

Let's read what took place…

Matthew 26:52-54 (KJV)  Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

53  Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

54  But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

Often these verses are taken out of context. But when we do in fact read what is  taking place here in context, we can clearly see what is taking place.

What  Jesus was telling Peter is that he, Peter, would be committing suicide if he chose to fight.

Here were Roman soldiers and temple guards, both able and ready to dispatch all of the disciples if need be and in a moment's notice. Not only was this a foolish fight,  doing something like this was also undermining God's appointment for Jesus' death on the cross, burial and resurrection.  

What Christ did at that moment was defuse a very volatile situation by picking up the servant's ear and healing him by reattaching the ear again.

Please also note that Jesus told Peter to put his sword "into his place," which was back at his side. Christ didn't tell Peter to throw it away, hand it over or give it up.  I mean why would He after He just told his disciples to sell a coat if one had to so that they could purchase a sword?

The reason for the arms was obviously to protect the lives of the disciples, not the life of the Son of God.

But more than that, it was to ensure that they could protect themselves as well as the right to spread the gospel freely. Not only did Christ arm the disciples with knowledge of the ways of the Lord, He taught them to protect those ways, the ways of God,  and to defend them.

We are living in the last days of the last days. We know that our battle is not with flesh and blood, but with principalities.

But we as sheepdogs need to recognize that the time is now to stand and be willing to defend the weak, feeble, innocent and helpless because the wolves are beginning to outnumber the sheep. If we do not stand and be ready, not only will the weak, feeble, innocent and helpless lose, so will go our ability to freely share the gospel as well.

Finally, I want to share with you one of my favorite verses in scripture.

Ephesians  6:13(KJV)  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

That evil day that scripture is speaking about is upon the horizon. The time to prepare, to train, to "do all that we can" is here. We need to heed those words.

Because knowing that we have prepared, trained, studied  and know God's Word as well as have it anchored in our hearts. Knowing that we have prepared  the physical, the mental, the spiritual…

In other words " and in having done all…"

"To Stand."

What is your calling…. Sheep or Sheepdog?

The Sins of America - The Sins of the World

By Ray Gano

Folks, I am concerned over the state of this nation.

I am deeply concerned for the fact that I believe that this nation is going to come under severe judgment from God.

In Isaiah 5 starting with verse 8 we read what is titled "the judgment of nations."

In this portion of scripture Isaiah is warning Judah that God is going to bring judgment upon them for their sins.

He then goes and identifies the sins.

What I find amazing is that these are the very sins our own nation has fallen too.

If you have your bible, please open with me to Isaiah chapter 5 and starting with verse 8….

Isa 5:8  Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!

Isa 5:9  In mine ears said the LORD of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant.

Isa 5:10  Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah.

Isa 5:11  Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

Isa 5:12  And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.

Isa 5:13  Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.

Isa 5:14  Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

Isa 5:15  And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled:

Isa 5:16  But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.

Isa 5:17  Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.

Isa 5:18  Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:

Isa 5:19  That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!

Isa 5:20  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isa 5:21  Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

Isa 5:22  Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

Isa 5:23  Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!

 In this chapter God shows His people their sins.

There are six woes that God proclaims.

1. 8-10 – This is the first crime, the covetousness and financial greed which shall be punished by famine.

2. 11-12 – This is the second crime, living for rioting, reveling and drunkenness which shall be punished by captivity.

3. 18-19 –This is the third crime, ultimately defying God and His justice. They parade their sins around for all to see and also defy God to hurry up and hasten his work of judgment.

4. 20 –This is the fourth crime, calling evil good and good evil. We know the effects of this, it is prevalent today.

5.  21 - This is the fifth crime specified. It refers to those who are inflated with a false opinion of their own knowledge, and who are, therefore, self-confident and vain.

6. 22-23 – Again drunkenness but also due to their drunkenness they pervert justice rewarding the wicked and punishing the righteous.

I see correlations here. I am reminded of Romans 1: 18 - 32 as well as 2 Tim 3:1-7.

Please turn with me to Romans chapter 1 starting with verse 18…

Rom 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Rom 1:19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Rom 1:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Rom 1:22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Rom 1:23  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Rom 1:24  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

Rom 1:25  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Rom 1:26  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

Rom 1:27  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Rom 1:28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Rom 1:29  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Rom 1:30  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Rom 1:31  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

Rom 1:32  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Now let's turn to 2 Timothy 3 starting with verse 1….

2Ti 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2Ti 3:6  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

2Ti 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 In my observations it appears that both the Romans and the Timothy sections are kind of a "close up" or "zoomed in" view of what is taking place in Isaiah 5 and I do not mean this literally for Isaiah 5. But the people of nation in Isaiah 5 are sinning, living decadently, selfish, covetous, ETC. I see this same sort of description in the Romans and Timothy Verses but with a lot greater detail.

Fast forward to today and what do we see?

Covetousness and financial greed

Rioting, reveling and drunkenness

Parading their sins around for all to see. The first thing that comes to my mind when I read this is the Sodomite or Gay parades that take place in many large cities today. Talk about parading ones sins for all to see.

Calling evil good and good evil

Egotistical, self-confident and vain

Pervert justice rewarding the wicked and punishing the righteous. Look how many Christians are being arrested just for sharing the gospel in the public.

Folks the sins of the nation are here, but we as a "Christian nation" have taken it even further.

We allow over 2 million innocent babies to be killed every year

Hedonism and sexual perversion is at an all time high

In fact it is infecting our own churches.

The lack of true love for our fellow man.

Forget giving to the church, missions, and ministries because we don’t have enough money, but on the other hand we have enough money for the big screen TV.

Most singles groups in church are just another pick up joint where most of the members have slept with at least one other member.

We are more worried about our best life now and how "purpose driven" we can be. But as for sharing the gospel and living a just and holy life, well that is for those guys in the old testament.

It's not relevant to today's world.

 So you want to know what God does to judge the nation?

Turn with me again to Isaiah chapter 5 starting with verse 25…

Isa 5:25  Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

That is just famine, but that is not all…

Lets continue on with verse 26

Isa 5:26  And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:

Isa 5:27  None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:

Isa 5:28  Whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind:

Isa 5:29  Their roaring shall be like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry it away safe, and none shall deliver it.

Isa 5:30  And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.

 The nation in Isaiah 5 was judged by an enemy; an enemy with purpose, drive and motivation. An enemy who does not seek sleep, is not weary, and always ready for the attack. Their weapons are at their side and at they are ready to be used at a moment's notice.

If we as a wicked and sinful nation were to fall to this portion of judgment, who do you know in the world that can quiet possibly meet these guidelines?

Who in the world have such a hate that they would not sleep, have high motivation and just waiting for the attack?

I personally see Muslims, but more than that, I see this as a clear description of a Muslim terror cells waiting for that telephone call to action.

We need to repent as a nation, but to repent as a nation, it needs to start in the home and it begins with the leaders of the home, the godly husbands and fathers.

I fear that we are losing this nation. I fear that we cannot turn the ship without a miracle. But to see a miracle, it starts with us on our knees.

2 Chron 7:14 says…

2Ch 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

That is the answer folks, but how many will heed the answer?