"Autumn Leaves"

Autumn Leaves

              “He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”    Daniel 2:21 (NKJV)

            Looking out across my backyard, I watched the autumn leaves falling off the trees and landing all over the grass.  The green of summer grass has changed and turned into a carpet of brown and beige.  Just as God changes the seasons of the earth, he also changes the seasons of our lives.  It seems like autumn always brings many changes.

            First, this is Harvest Time; a time when we gather the fruits of the fields and orchards.  The produce stands are filled with apples, pears, squash and pumpkins. Cider and donuts are readily available.  For some reason these sights are such a comfort.  Maybe it’s because these are familiar sights which have appeared year after year and it’s comforting to know that it hasn’t changed for decades. 

            Secondly, this is Halloween time or All Hollow’s Eve.  As Christians we do not celebrate the underworld or those that dwell in it.  We want nothing to do with witchcraft or demon figures.  The Christian’s enemy is Satan and his demons and to honor this day of Halloween is totally against what we believe.  This is really difficult for the children who are in school and want to be a part of what is going on.  After all, who doesn’t like to dress up and pretend to be someone else? 

            Many churches and groups have ‘Harvest Parties’ in place of trick or treating.  I’m not sure if it’s the ‘right thing’ to do, or if it’s ‘Compromise’.  As a child I loved Halloween; dressing up and getting bags of candy was a pretty exciting thing.  However, when I actually knew what it really meant, it changed my entire thought about it.  This is a good time to teach our children what Halloween is really about, the truth is scary enough that they might not want any part of it.  Of course it is up to each parent to decide the best direction for their children.  It might be a good thing to pray about.

            Thirdly, this is the time of year for elections.  This year is probably the most crucial election for a president that there has ever been in the history of the United States.  Our very country is at stake; our national debt is out of sight; our jobless people are at the highest level; poverty is at its highest and we won’t even talk about gas prices and energy.

            Look at the above scripture in the Living Bible; “World events are under his control. He removes kings and sets others on their thrones.”  Daniel 2:21 (TLB) Does this mean we shouldn’t even bother to vote?  No, not at all; rather it means that as God’s people we need to be praying about this daily.  God will give you direction and already has in his Word.  Let’s look at some of those answers.

1.                  “You shall not murder!”  This means we should not vote for anyone who stands for abortion.     Deuteronomy 5:17 (NKJV)

2.                  Same-Sex Marriage: “And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."  Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”           Genesis 2:23-24 (NKJV)

3.                  Un-Godly; we should not vote for anyone who does not hold up God Almighty, or does not practice Godly morals. “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?”  Amos 3:3 (NKJV)

4.                  Other Religions:  It is one thing to be tolerant of people of another faith, but it is another thing to lift up those of a faith that breeds terrorists and jihad.  Do not vote for someone who lifts up those whose goal is to kill Americans and Israelis. Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you."   2 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV)

5.                  Backing Israel:  Do not vote for anyone who does not completely stand with Israel.  Israel is God’s nation of God’s chosen people.  Those nations who would come against her are in danger of being destroyed.  “For thus says the LORD of hosts: "He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.  For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me.”  Zechariah 2:8-9 (NKJV)

There are many more things we should prayerfully consider in the Word of God before we vote.  I believe the outcome of whom we vote for will personally and seriously affect us in the near future. If you are satisfied with where our country is today and has been over the last 8 years, you know who to vote for.  If you think our country needs a change for the better, you know who to vote for.

      As for me, I’m anxious to see if all the ‘born again’ Christians who believe the Word of God is the Truth, will step up and vote The Bible.  Yes, it will take time to reverse the damage that’s been done, but be patient and wait on the Lord.  He has it all in control.  Amen!

      In the meantime, enjoy the beauty that God has given us even if it’s a short drive to admire the colors on the trees.  I believe that the beauty of autumn leaves is a gift from God that shows us the God who created us because he loves us, also reminds us of beauty he created for all of us.  It’s a time for harvest and preparation for the winter that is to come.  It’s a time to praise God and to give thanks.  All this He gave us in preparation for the greatest gift of all – His Son, Jesus Christ!

In deed it is more than Autumn leaves; God has given us everything.

"There Are Goats in Your Orchard"

THERE ARE GOATS IN YOUR ORCHARD

Have you ever been to a fruit farm and picked fruit; apples, cherries, peaches or pears? You may have been in the southern states where you picked your own oranges or grapefruit. I’m sure you have noticed that not all the trees in the orchard bear fruit. Some trees appear to have dried up and died; others look perfectly healthy, but have no fruit. However, I have come across very old abandoned orchards that are still bearing fruit.

In the northern regions of our country there are thousands of apple orchards. It’s quite common to find deer feeding on the fruit. Farmers find it difficult to keep them out of their orchards and consequently thousands of dollars of profit are eaten up every year by the deer. However, it would be a rare sight to see goats feeding in the orchards. Goats are very destructive. They will eat anything in sight, so farmers try to keep them away from the trees. Generally, you will find fenced in pastures where the goats graze along with sheep and cows.

Like Christians around the world, we are much like orchards filled with fruit trees, and the goats are those who are lost in sin, but are desperately looking for fruit to fill their emptiness. There are a lot of fruit trees and many goats that need to be fed from them, but sadly, not all the trees are bearing fruit. When we confessed our sin and asked Christ into our heart, we were appointed, or commissioned, to bear fruit. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit; fruit that will last.” (John 15:16)

What is this fruit we must bear? It is so important that Jesus warned of the necessity of bearing fruit that was compatible with citizenship in the kingdom of God. “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. (Matt. 21:43) As you can see it is of vital importance we bear fruit. If we don’t, the opportunity will be taken from us. What kinds of fruit are there? “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Gal. 5: 22) This fruit needs to be visible in the life of every believer. Why? There are goats in the orchard and they are watching to see what these trees are producing.

The lost are standing in the wings and keeping an eye on the Christians; the way they live, their attitudes, actions and reactions. Do they see the Christian reach out with love, or, with anger? Jesus was teaching his disciples about this very thing. “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” This fruit we bear is so important, that Jesus went on to say in verse 19, “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Listen! Bearing good fruit as a witness to the lost is the same as bearing fruit to God. “So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.” (Ro. 7:4)

                Have you ever taken a bite out of a big, red, juicy apple, only to find you bit right through a worm hole and you didn’t see the worm? You didn’t know whether to swallow what’s in your mouth or spit it out. This is what the lost (goats) are thinking when they see the Christian say one thing, but live in ungodly ways. You can witness to a sinner, from now until Jesus comes, but if you are not representing Christ with the fruit of the Spirit, they won’t know what to do with it. They’ll be thinking, “I don’t know if I should swallow this or spit it out.”

In Col 1:10, Paul tells the Christian, “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work.” There are many people in this world who do good works. It gives them a feeling of self-worth and they use their good works as a way to show others how great they are. Good works are wonderful, but where is the fruit? Are these works done with the love of Jesus, with joy, peace, patience, kindness, or are they done grudgingly, out of guilt, or to make oneself look good.

Let me tell you this story about a king who had the richest kingdom in the world. He had a daughter, Princess Hope, who was not beautiful to look upon, but was of a sweet and gentle nature. She had reached the age to be wed, so the king sent invitations to several princes of the kingdoms, inviting them to visit his daughter. One after another they came from the four corners of the world. They brought wonderful gifts they were sure would please the princess. They bowed and scraped before her, trying to win her favor, whomever she chose to be her husband, would become the richest prince in the world. They kissed her hand and told her how beautiful she was. They promised to slay dragons, kill giants and do all sorts of great things for her, if she chose them.

However, none of these pleased the princess. She knew she was not beautiful and therefore was aware that they were trying to win her hand for wrong reasons. They bragged so much about their bravery and exploits, she tired of them all. Would she ever find a prince who was of a true heart and would love her for herself? In her despair she decided to dress herself as a poor servant girl and wander throughout the countryside looking for a prince with a true heart.

At the edge of the sea was a very small and poor kingdom, called “The Kingdom by the Sea”. It had once been lovely, but there had been a famine in the land. The kind and loving king sold all that he had to buy food for his people. Soon there was barely enough food for the king or his son, Trueheart.

One day, Trueheart decided that he would no longer be a burden to his father, but would make his own way in the world. He set off across the land and in time came to the great kingdom of the rich king. He was walking down a dusty road when he met the princess. She had become quite faint and was resting under a tree by the side of the road, looking tired and dirty; not at all like a princess. The prince stopped and asked if she was all right. She told him she was very hungry and tired and longed for a soft bed and a night’s rest. The prince took the last crust of bread from his bag and gave it to her to eat, even though he thought he would probably starve to death. When Princess Hope regained a little strength, he took her to a nearby village and with his last coin, paid for a room so she would have a place to spend the night.

Once settled in her room, she thanked the prince and told him how grateful she was for his kindness. She explained she had a place to go to nearby and would return there the next day. He bowed low before her and lightly touched his lips to her small delicate hand telling her how privileged he was to do anything he could for such a beautiful maiden. The prince looked beyond the dusty appearance of the plain little princess and could see her inner beauty. He fell in love with her, but as he had nothing to offer, he bade her good-by.

Alas, her heart was smitten with Trueheart and she grieved that he was just a poor traveler and not a prince, for a true princess could only marry a true prince. As she leaned from the window to watch him leave, a rider came galloping up to the prince, and shouted to him, “Your father, the king, has been searching for you. He would rather starve than to have you gone from his side and begs you to return home to The Kingdom by the Sea.

When the princess heard that Trueheart was a prince, she cried with joy and called to him from the window. She asked if he would wait but one day longer before he returned to his father and visit her at her home. Trueheart agreed at once, for his love was great for the princess and he hated to leave her.

The next day following the princess’ directions, Prince Trueheart went to visit her. He thought there was some mistake, for her directions led him to the greatest castle he had ever seen. Its richness and elegance were beyond description. As he turned to leave, a servant came running up and asked if he was the prince, Trueheart. He said he was and the servant invited inside the castle. He was taken to a room where a handsome suit of clothing awaited him. The servant helped him bathe and then dressed in the new suit.

He was confused and frightened when he was taken to the great throne room of the king of the castle. His heart beat quickly as he was led down the red carpet towards the throne where the king was seated.

Beside the king, a small figure sat quietly, her face covered with a veil, as was the custom. The prince bowed low before the king and was more than startled when the king stood, took him by the hand and said, “Welcome to the kingdom, my son”. The princess threw back her veil and with great joy bounded down the steps and told the stunned prince, she was Princess Hope and how at last she had found the prince of her dreams. Prince Trueheart declared his love for her, even if she was still the dusty maid by the side of the road.

The whole kingdom rejoiced as the princess and prince were married. The Kingdom by the Sea was in time restored to the lovely place it had once been, due to the generosity of Prince Trueheart and Princess Hope and they all lived happily ever after.

This may be a fairy tale, but a scriptural truth is revealed. “Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them”. (Mat. 7:20) The good fruit, the fruit of the Spirit, will draw people to you. If they do not know the Jesus that lives within you, they will recognize the fruit, the true heart of one who bears good fruit. There was a time when you bore bad fruit, just like the lost now do. Rom 7:5 says that “when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.” Let us now bear fruit for life. Take care of your orchard and allow God to prune your tree, so you will produce not only good fruit, but abundant fruit.

You can have goats in your orchard; open the gates, let them come in and offer fruit so good and so pure; they’ll want to be “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:11)

"A Sound in the Mulberry Trees"

A Sound in the Mulberry Trees

A sound in the mulberry trees

and it shall be, when you hear

the sound  of marching

in the tops of the mulberry trees

then you shall advance quickly.

For then the lord will go

out before you to strike the

camp of the Philistines.

(2 Samuel 5:24 NKJV)

Whenever I have sat with eyes closed in the shade of a leafy tree on a warm summer’s day and heard the wind rustle the leaves overhead, I am reminded that God rides the wings of the winds.  “He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.   He makes winds his messengers.”  (Psa. 104:3-4 NIV)  Feeling the caress of the little zephyrs against my cheek and brow makes me know there is nothing quite as peaceful and comforting.

      Although, I have never recognized the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, I know that it has happened many times in my life, just as it did in David’s time.  The Philistines were the greatest enemy of Israel and were constantly at war with them.  When they heard that David was made king over Israel, they went after him.  They set up camp in the Valley of Rephaim and prepared to do battle.
      David knew what was happening, so he prayed and asked God what he should do.  The Lord told him he would deliver the enemy into his hands.  Then he gave David these instructions, “Don’t attack them from the front, but circle around and attack from the rear.  When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, act quickly, for the Lord will go before you.”    David followed the Lord’s directions and drove the Philistines out of the land.
      This scripture is a paradigm of the attack by the enemy (Satan) against a child of God.  When we become God’s children, by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior, we become royalty and part of the household of God.  Then the enemy sets out to destroy us, the same as the Philistines did King David.  Each of us must come up against the Philistines (the enemy) throughout our life.
     We know ahead of time where the battle will take place - in the Valley of Rephaim, or Valley of Weeping.  In Psalm 84:6, we read about walking through the Valley of Baca, meaning Valley of Weeping.  This place of trials and sorrow is in actuality thought to be the Valley of Rephaim. 
     To further verify this location of battle, we read in 2 Samuel, there were mulberry trees in the Valley of Rephaim. We think of mulberry trees as those that bear edible fruit and leave a mess in our yard.  However, the mulberry trees spoken of in scripture were actually a type of balsam trees.  Going back to Psalm 84:6, the word, “Baca” has another meaning and it is the Balsam Tree [see TLB)!  This means the enemy sets up the battle in the valley where the balsam tree grows.  It is not coincidental that God showed us the Valley of Weeping and the Valley of Battle (Rephaim) are one and the same.  

These balsam trees are a type of fir tree with branches spreading outward.  The sound of marching in the tops of the trees was that of angelic armies of God going ahead into battle.  This is not unusual; we find it throughout the Bible.  What is unusual in God’s eyes is that Christians no longer believe it.  Most of us go into battle against the enemy under our own power.

When going through battles, we need to be on our knees before the almighty God, crying out to him for direction, then listening for the answer.  How often we tell God, “If you will do it this way, or that way…..”  We should be praying, “God, give me direction and I’ll do as you say!”  Perhaps then, we would hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees. 

There are times when we feel like David did as a small shepherd boy; God called him to go out and slay Goliath, the giant.  His heart must have quaked with fear and he felt very small in the shadow of Goliath, yet he went forth proclaiming, “The battle is the Lords!”  David must have heard the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees at that time, as well.

Perhaps you feel very small and weak, without the ability to battle an enemy that seems so unapproachable.  Remember, you are not going into battle alone, nor on your own strength and intellect.  There are three things that will give you victory in any battle.   

·       Pray for direction and help at the beginning of the battle.

·       Pray for endurance and wisdom during the battle.

·       Pray prayers of Thanksgiving after the victory.

Each time we go through a raging battle in our lives, we must be refreshed in body and spirit in order to obtain victory.  There is a raging battle going on right now.  We are already in the beginning of World War III and most people don’t know it.  We are living in a time of what may feel hopeless, but God is the same God that he always was, is and will be. There are three things we must remember as a child of the King.  1)  God will go before you in your battle. (1 Samuel 8:20) 2) The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:8)     3) The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? (Psalm 118:6) As you can see, God has us covered with all his power so we cannot lose.

No matter what happens around us, in God’s eyes we have already won.  Praise His Holy Name! 

The battle was before me, O God.

I asked you for direction and you gave it to me.

I asked you for strength to complete the battle

And you strengthened me.

I heard the sound of your angelic hosts;

Going before me into battle.

You ran quickly to fight at my side.

Now I am battle-weary, O God.

Heal me with the Balm of Gilead.

Refresh me with pools of refreshment. [Psalm 84:6]

May I always listen for the sound of marching

In the tops of the mulberry trees,

Knowing with certainty,

The battle is the Lords!

                                                                     Wanda Ritter

Cast Your Vote for God !

Cast Your Vote for God

“He (God) changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings.”

 Daniel 2:21

The upcoming election is on everyone’s mind these days.  Every reporter gives their opinion on who said what and how they said it.  I ignore all of them because it really doesn’t change the way I feel about different issues.  Some people are excellent speakers and some just say whatever comes to mind and that makes no difference to me.  My concern is what is God’s plan?

Going back in the Old Testament, we see what happened to the Israelites when God gave them multiple chances to be obedient to him.  What happened to them when they did not listen to God is exactly what is happening to his people in America.   “Yet Israel did not listen to the judges but prostituted themselves by worshiping other gods. How quickly they turned away from the path of their ancestors, who had walked in obedience to the LORD’s commands.” [Judges 2:17 (NLT)] Let me put this in a way of understanding this today.  America became a great nation in that the men who set up this country believed in God and in the Bible, but over the years more and more people turned away from following God’s Word. 

What does the New Testament say about this very thing?  “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”  [2 Timothy 3:1-5]  Does this sound like the Israelites?

 

The Declaration of Independence written by men of faith like John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin and included these words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness..”  Then in ending this remarkable writing, they wrote: “for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence”. (July 4, 1776)

There is so much more I could say about our founding fathers, but this is not a history lesson; it is to show you how our country began with the Almighty being included.  Since that time, we have gone from colleges being Godly institutions to godless institutions.  We have gone from Christians being respected men and women of God to being ridiculed and down and down and down it goes.  Now “people of lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”

The Bible says that God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow; He does not change.  So what was the inspired Word of the God of Israel holds true today. When the Israelites fell away from God, he let them go down deeper and deeper in sin until he thought they had learned something and then he gave them good leaders who brought them back to serve God.  They even lost their country of Israel until 1946 when he finally gave it back to them.

I like what it says in Daniel 4:17, “The Most High rule

s over the kingdoms of the world. He gives them to anyone he chooses— even to the lowliest of people.”  When it comes to the election you might consider this faction in the vote. Psalm 75:7 says this; “But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.” We have seen good Presidents and we have seen bad ones since George Washington became our first President.  This is why I am casting my vote for God!

You might not understand why I say that so I will explain.  By understanding what the Word of God says, I cannot vote for a person who believes in murdering unborn babies because that is against the Word of God.  I cannot vote for a person who believes that other religions who do not believe in the One True God, should even be a part of our government.  I cannot vote for a person who promotes sexual immorality in various ways. I cannot vote for a person who will have the ability to place liberal, ungodly people in our Supreme Court and will affect our children, grandchildren and on down the line. 

These are some of the main reasons I am casting my vote for God.  I do not mean that I am not going to vote in this election.  I believe that as a citizen of the United States of America, it is our duty to vote and vote for the reasons I stated above.  I will vote with prayer as my family takes time every day to vote for America and for Israel. If our new president does not follow the Word of God, we are in very deep trouble.  If you think things are bad now – be prepared for it is nothing compared to what may come. 

It is time for weak-kneed Christians to stand up and be heard.  God knows who you are.  Let’s not be like the Israelites were and go around the mountain for 40 years until they finally believed God.

Pray and Vote! May God Bless America!