Disciple Making, Mark 1:16-20

 

¹⁶ And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” ¹⁸ They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

¹⁹ When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. ²⁰ And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.

 

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If they only knew, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men...” meant, you’ll be My witnesses, (martus) from which we get the word, martyr.

Imagine if the Lord said it like this:

Follow Me...

Simon, you’ll be crucified, like Me, only you’ll be upside down because you’ll say, “I’m not worthy to be crucified like my Lord.”

Andrew, about 900 miles from here, in Patra, Greece, you’ll be crucified on an X shaped cross, because you’ll say, “I’m not worthy to be crucified on a cross like my Lord.”

James, you’ll be the first of My apostles to be martyred; slain by the sword, beheaded, by order of Herod.

John, you’ll be the last of My apostles to die. You won’t be martyred, but not for lack of trying. They’ll boil you in oil, but you just won’t die, nor will you stop preaching Jesus, so they’ll banish you to the Greek prison island of Patmos.

Do you think they had a clue about what they were getting into?

No. They only knew, or hoped, Jesus was the Messiah.

They were right about that.

They just misunderstood what the coming of the Messiah meant.

They thought the Messiah would overthrow Rome, sit on the throne of David, and MIGA. Make Israel Great Again.

The Messiah did indeed come to overthrow and sit on the throne.

Only the kingdom and throne He came to conquer wasn’t brick and mortar, flesh and bone, but heart and soul.

So, when He said, “Follow Me” they thought they were enlisting in Israel’s army, which meant, they were willing to fight, and if necessary, give their life.

Their theology was off but their passion and commitment, was right on target.

And that is what Jesus was, and is, looking for.

Of the million or so people Jesus could choose from in that area, He chose twelve.

Why them?

What did the all knowing God see in those dozen men? Or, perhaps, we should say, eleven. Other than Judas, they all remained faithful, even through death.

Imagine Jesus comes walking along, you’re doing, whatever it is you do—Jesus looks at you, will He see, what He saw, in those men by the sea that made Him call, “Follow Me.”?

Remember, we are reading, “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ...” Mark 1:1.

So, we are seeing the unveiling of Disciple Making, what He’s looking for in fishers of men.

In previous studies we’ve already uncovered the foundation stones in building the Gospel.

The Lord follows His own Divine Protocol.

We were already introduced to John, the last messenger of the Old Covenant, sent to point and prepare and hand the baton to The Way, The Messenger, of the New Covenant, Jesus Christ.   

Now Jesus begins choosing His Messengers.

Since He’s Holy, He chooses holy people, right? Priests? Levites?

Since He’s the Word, He chooses theologians, Bible scholars, right?

Wrong.

So, what’s He do?

He takes a walk by the sea and chooses...

From friend Mike and grandson Diego, on day of this message

Fishermen?

Yep.

Why?

They’re no theologians. They’re known more for stretching the truth than spreading it. What’s He see in them?

Great question.

Lord, please open our eyes to see what You’re looking for, so we can follow their example. Thank You, amen.

¹⁶ And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee,

This is how God does things. He doesn’t sit up in some far away lofty place while man gropes in the dark trying to find Him.

No. He comes close, He comes looking.

He came searching and calling for Adam and Eve, even after they had fallen. (Gen. 3:9).

He found grace in Noah, when all the world had gone bad. (Gen. 6:8).

He found faith in Abraham, while Abram was a pagan. (Gen. 12:1-3).

He saw valor in Gideon, when Gideon was a coward. (Judges 6:11-12).

He saw what they would be, not what they were.

Noah would build. (Heb. 11:7).

Abraham would trust and obey. (Heb. 11:8, 17-19).

Gideon would stand and fight. (Judges 7:7).

He sees you for who you will be, not what you are.

2 Chronicles 16:9. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. (Wholly committed, devoted...)

You have a choice in the matter. No matter the circumstance. No matter the past. This moment you can change how God sees you. You can decide to build, be faithful, to stand, to be loyal, wholly committed, devoted, to follow Him. Forever.

The decision is the first step.

But it means nothing unless you follow through. God sees what you will do every second after that decision. What you DO after that, sets the trajectory for your destiny.

You can be someone God wants to show Himself strong on behalf of.

You can choose to honor God and finish well.

How? What should I do?

Asking that question is a great place to begin.

Now let’s see what the Lord is looking for in fishers of men.

16... He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

True to self.

The Lord could’ve found them anywhere. But chose to show us, that He found them fishing.

They were fishing, for they were fisherman.

They were fishermen, so they were fishing. Simple. Honest. Work.

Psalm 51:6. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

Shakespeare, in Hamlet, said it like this: “To thine own self be true.”

The Lord looked out there on the water and saw honest hard-working brothers, who knew who they were.

No hypocrisy.

No identity crisis.

There’s moral stability and integrity in honestly knowing who you are.

That environment, working together, as family, learning a trade, develops depth of character and identity and worth. (Farm kids, ranch kids, get that. Chores are good).

God set the precedent by giving Adam a job to do straight out of the gate. Tend and keep the garden, and while you’re it, name to all the animals... in the whole world. Adam didn’t have time to get bored.

There is much joy and benefit to be found in work.

Especially when you find your Divine Eternal Purpose and Calling.

That is found in following Him, remaining True to Self and...

¹⁷ Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 

Stay the course.

This is not an invitation, but a command. “Follow Me.”

Generally speaking, the command “Follow Me” goes out to all.  

We’re all called to follow Him. We’re all called to be fishers of men.

However, in context, this is specifically directed at Simon and Andrew to follow Him into fulltime ministry. (Even though they might’ve thought He meant, fulltime, Roman butt kicking military).

This was opposite from the way the rabbis and teachers of the day gathered disciples. Typically, the student went to the teacher and asked to be discipled.

Jesus, the Teacher, calls the disciple.

Which is God’s Way, as we already established. He comes searching.

Which is the same to this day. By God’s Divine Design, a Pastor, Teacher, Preacher, Evangelist... a full-time minister, is called by God, not man.

It’s a calling from God. He chooses.

Now remember, Andrew already met Jesus after John the Baptist looked at Jesus and said, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Then, Andrew told his brother Peter that Jesus is the Messiah, and he brought him to meet Jesus. John 1:35-42.

But now, our text shows us that they, stayed the course, they were fishing, for they were fisherman.

Like King David, even after being anointed as king, he went back to shepherding his sheep. (1 Samuel 16:13, 17:15).

Likewise, Andrew and Peter did not run off half-cocked like some wide-eyed brainless groupies.

Galatians 6:9. Weary not in well doing for in due season you shall reap if you faint not.

If you don’t quit, you win.

They stayed the course, true to self, knew who they were, went back home, back to work.

Don’t worry. God knew how to find them.

He knows how to find you. Stay the course. Remain faithful in the little things, true to self.

Jesus comes looking for those who remain true to self and stay the course and to them He calls...  

“Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”

Your job: Follow Me.

I will make you... I will do it.

Your job: Follow Me.

I will make you become...It’s not a magic trick. It won’t be instantaneous. It’ll take time. It’s a growing, pruning, becoming, process.

Your job: Follow Me.

I will make you become fishers of men. You are already fisher men. We will apply many of the skills you already have. Casting, baiting, waiting...

Now just to be clear. Your job is to: Follow Me. 

Which means, being true to self, staying the course, and... 

¹⁸ They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

Obey right away.

They immediately left their nets...

That was their livelihood. Their career. How they put food on the table. We’re not sure about Andrew but Peter had a wife to feed.

Nevertheless, they dropped their nets, picked up their pace, and immediately, followed Him.

Delayed obedience is disobedience

Luke 9:59-62:

 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”

But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

⁶⁰ Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”

⁶¹ And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”

⁶² But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Be true to self.  

Stay the course.

Obey right away. 

And...

¹⁹ When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. 

Invest time to mend.

Psalm 147:3. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Those fishermen weren’t just net casters, but menders too.

Stopping to mend nets, (people, relationships, self) is not down time, not wasted time, but invested time.

It pays for itself a hundredfold in unbroken nets, healthy relationships, marriages, life...

Family, father and sons, working together, mending the past, the present, preparing, preprayering, the future.

Perfect skills for soul winners and disciple makers.

Jesus sees that and pauses to say, “Hey I want you on My team, follow Me.” 

Be true to self.  

Stay the course.

Obey right away. 

Invest time to mend.

And be...

 

²⁰ And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.

All in.

 Matthew 10:37. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

Matthew 16:24. Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.

They were all in.

They immediately left their dad, their hired hands, and followed Him.

And none of them regretted it.

Simon, literally walked on water, caught more fish than he’d ever seen, but the catch of his life was after preaching his first sermon and 3,000 souls were saved. His writings are part of the best-selling Book of all time and will be, to the end of time.

Andrew, means, manly. Manly Andy was a leader. He led his brother Peter, to Jesus. He led a little boy and his little lunch to Jesus, from which they fed over 5,000. He led a group of Greeks to Jesus who had said, “We would see Jesus.” Even when dying, he was pointing people to Jesus, preaching for two days, from a X shaped cross, until his final breath, proving that no pain is greater than the joy of fulfilling your Divine Eternal Purpose and calling.

James, his witness (martus) was so strong that even his executioner converted and stood beside James to take the same fate—beheading.

John, was by Jesus side all the way. Took in Mother Mary as his own. When exiled to Patmos, Jesus came to him, and dictated, the powerful prophetic book of Revelation.

They all died in faith, without one recant.

Now, the troubles of this life are not even worthy of being compared to the eternal love, joy and peace they are experiencing today, forever.

Do you want that?

You can have it.

This very moment you can change the trajectory of your destiny for eternity.

Be true to self

Stay the course

Obey right away

Invest time to mend

Be all in

Bottom line...

Follow Him.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word that works, in us and through us, so we and all those You’ve given us, will finish well and stand beside those fishers of men, experiencing Your love and joy and peace, for eternity.

Thank You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

 

 

Jesus Came Preaching, Mark 1:14-15

 

¹⁴ Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, ¹⁵ and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

You’ve got to get a running start to jump on board a moving train. In the same way we need a running start, to get back on board Mark’s Good News Express.

In about five seconds the Lord painted a picture of the Trinity, in living color with sight and sound. Mark 1:9 Jesus was baptized by John, ¹⁰ immediately, the heavens opened, the Spirit descended like a dove, ¹¹ and the Father spoke, “You are My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Mark 1:10-11.

The perfect picture of Love and Power.

Then, in just a breath or two He revealed the war is with our flesh and the devil. 

¹² Immediately, the Spirit led Him into the wilderness, ¹³ where He fasted and prayed, 40 days (Matthew & Luke 4:1-2).  He was tempted by satan. He was in the presence of wild beasts. He was ministered to by angels. And He emerged victorious walking in the Power of the Holy Spirit. Luke 4:14.

¹⁴ Now after John was put in prison... means some time passed before John was put in prison.

During that time (John 2-3), Jesus turned water into wine. Cleansed the temple. Had the famous nighttime talk with Nichodemus, resulting in the beloved verse John 3:16.

John the Baptist was faithful in his mission as one crying in the wilderness, “prepare the way of the Lord.” Isaiah 1:23.

John said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30.

So, therefore, Jesus’ popularity increased, John’s decreased, until the prophetic baton was passed from the final prophet, John, to the Anchor of our soul, Jesus.

When John was put in prison is an event in HIStory not only recorded in the Bible but also by secular history documentation. Once again, adding validity to the integrity of Scripture.

Why was John put in prison?

For speaking Truth. For condemning Herod’s sin for marrying his brother’s wife, Herodias. Matthew 14:3-4, Mark 6:17-18.

Herod imprisoned John in the hilltop fortress-palace of Machaerus about 60 miles southeast of Jerusalem on the east side of the dead sea. In modern day Jordan. (Per, 1^st Century Historian Flavius Josephus).

After John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee.

Jesus set up his ministry headquarters about 80 miles north of Jerusalem in Capernaum on the beautiful shores of Galilee.

There were multiple reasons for this.

It was fulfillment of a prophecy spoken 700 years prior.

 Isaiah 9:1b-2. In Galilee of the Gentiles. ² The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.

Prophecy is HIStory told in advance.

Just one more undeniable evidence of God’s all-knowing Sovereignty, and the inerrancy of His Holy Word.

Now, God doesn’t waste Words and doesn’t give prophecy just for show like a fortune teller.

Jesus moving north had purpose and wisdom.

Fullness of Time (Kairos). His forerunner, John, had just been arrested and would soon be beheaded. Jesus had much to accomplish on His Divinely timed mission, (save the world). So, He needed to avoid premature conflict, getting arrested—for now. This was prudence, not fear.

Fishers of Men. Galilee was scattered fishing villages, full of regular hard-working folks nobody paid attention to. But Jesus noticed them. He knew them before they met Him. He saw their hearts... perfect for making fishers of men. 

Light in the Darkness. Just down the road about ten miles or so from Capernaum was Magdala, known for its ladies of the night. The hometown of Mary Magdalene from whom Jesus cast seven demons. They were a mixed lot, marginalized, despised, rough around the edges, living in spiritual darkness... perfect for shining His Love and Light.

¹⁴ Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching...

John went to prison and Jesus went to preaching.

Jesus revealing this is how you win the war.

He didn’t go to picketing the palace of Herod. His friend was put in prison, so Jesus went to setting prisoners free.

His opening Scripture when kicking off His ministry was:

Isaiah 61:1-2. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound...

So, does that mean Jesus sent an angel to set at liberty, the captive, John, like He did with Peter (Acts 12:5-17)? Or did He send an earthquake to open the prison, like He did for Paul and Silas (Acts 16:16)?

Nope. Jesus sets him free, but nothing like that. Only, we’ll have to wait until we get to Mark 6 to find out what happens.

Okay, now, back to Jesus, preaching.

Remember, the Lord opened this glorious gospel with the words, “The beginning of the gospel...”

And then, He showed us how He built the Gospel, just like, “In the beginning,” Gen. 1:1, He showed us how He built creation.

And what did we learn?

1.    God

2.    Word of God

3.    Messenger of God

Now, here Jesus is showing us how it’s done. He is the Gospel. All three in One.

He is God. The Word of God and the Messenger of God.

His plan of Salvation. God. The Word of God. The Messenger of God.

We don’t need a concert, funny stories, big screens, sound systems, lights, cameras, coffee and donuts...

We just need to stay the course that He has laid.

Romans 10:14. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

1 Corinthians 1:21. For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of  preaching to save those who believe.

So, Jesus shows up preaching up and down Galilee.

And what is He preaching?

Herod is such a wicked scumbag looser, he put John in prison just for telling the Truth.

No! He didn’t preach the evils of Herod. He preached the Goodness of God, the Gospel, the Good News.

He was on offense. Always.

Which means at times, He spoke the Truth about the evils of men like Herod.

He never spoke from a place of victimhood, always victory.

Jesus is our example. Therefore, if you have Jesus, you are not a victim. No matter your circumstance. "In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33. 

Gospel means the Good News.

Jesus came preaching Good News of the Kingdom of God.

If you have a Kingdom, you have a King.

If you have a King, you have a court, a hierarchy, with rules and regulations and processes and protocols and law and order; a governmental system.

If you have a Kingdom, you have borders.

That’s just a few basic Kingdom principles. 

Now, Jesus preaches the Gospel, the Good News, of the Kingdom of God, painting Kingdom principles as a good thing, in a positive light.

Therefore, protesting or promoting defunding police, or ICE or law enforcement, is contrary to the spirit of the Kingdom of God.

Abolishing borders goes against God’s Good Kingdom principle.   

Of course, no earthly kingdom is perfect, but we should not reject the pattern the Lord has given. 

The Kingdom of God is different than that of man. God’s Kingdom operates on the Supreme Law of Love. That’s why it’s Good News.

Our US Constitution is the best and longest surviving ever established, probably because it was built on Biblical Kingdom Principles.

However, it’s fueled by the Law of Love. It won’t work when the handlers are fueled by greed, or power or immorality, or selfish interests.

That’s why our nation is so divided, why our congress can’t get along, why judges don’t follow the law, why supreme court justices are blind to the plain simple Truth of our US Constitution.

Jesus came preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God, saying, The time is fulfilled... 

Time: Kairos. God’s Divine Timing. Heaven’s clock. The fullness of time.

Galatians 4:4-5
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

The Kingdom of God is at hand, the door is open, at this Kairos moment, now is the time, today is the day, do not harden your heart, and miss your Kairos moment of His visitation.

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand repent. 

Repent, mentioned over fifty times in the New Testament.

Repent, that your sins be wiped away. Acts 3:19.

It’s not a suggestion:

God commands all to repent. Acts 17:30.

It demands change in lifestyle:

Bear fruit reflecting repentance. Matt. 3:8. Luke 3:8. Acts 26:20.

Repentance and forgiveness are linked together:

Luke 17:3-4.  Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. ⁴ And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

Romans 2:4. The goodness of God leads to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Luke 24:46-49.  Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, ⁴⁷ and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ And you are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

And believe in the gospel.

Believe: 244 times in the N.T.

Is a verb that demands corresponding action.

Don’t miss the powerful big little word, “in” that normally follows “believe”.

Believe in... Picture being outside, and then, going inside the Church, you’re fully committed, fully in. Not outside, looking in.

Intellectual assent is not enough. James 2:19. Even the demons believe and tremble.

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, ¹² that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

To disbelieve is to disobey.

Acts 16:30-31, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”

There’s a big difference between, “I believe you” and “I believe in you.”

Big difference between:

I believe I ought to pray, read my Bible and go to Church.

I believe in praying, reading my Bible and going to Church.

John 17 Jesus prayed repeatedly, “Father make them one...”

John 17:20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe IN Me through their word; ²¹ that they all may be one, as You, Father, are IN Me, and I IN You; that they also may be one IN Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. ²² And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 "I IN them, and You IN Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. 

John 14:19-20. “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am IN My Father, and you IN Me, and I IN you.

John 15:7-8. If you abide IN Me, and My words abide IN you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ⁸ By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Galatians 2:20. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives IN me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith IN the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Colossians 1:27. Christ IN you the hope of glory.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, please help us to abide in You. Thank You for this Word we’ve just heard. We pray for it to stay in us, to grow, to bear much fruit, so that You are glorified in us. We pray this not for ourselves alone but that other will see You in us, and be drawn to You, so that of all those You’ve given us, none are lost.

Thank You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Make a Wall, Ezekiel 22

 

It is a kairos moment, by the hand of Providence, that our journey through Ezekiel finds us in chapter 22. Where the sins of the nation of Judah are exposed, echoing all the way to today, while our Senate exposes what appears to be the national sins of a mass murdering mad scientist.

Only, with God, there is no pleading the fifth.

Charges are made.

Judgement is rendered.

But then, the Judge, pauses, to reveal His heartfelt search for a possible pardon (verse 30).

Finding none.

Justice is served.

HIStory reveals it happened, exactly as He said.

His Word echoes today, declaring, it is happening again.

Only those who are listening will be ready.

Are you listening?

Ezekiel 22:1
 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

Notice, Ezekiel speaks, the word of the Lord, not the word of Ezekiel.

Whoever speaks for the Lord must speak the words of the Lord.

Folks do NOT need to hear the words of man but God.

John 12:21. We would see Jesus.

 ² “Now, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Yes, show her all her abominations!

Literally: You son of man, judge, judge, the city of bloodshed to know all her abominations.

Judge Jerusalem, the city of bloodshed, by exposing all her abominations.  

Ephesians 5:11. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

So, with that, the Lord through Ezekiel, exposes all her abominations. We will expose our abominations.

 ³ Then say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “The city sheds blood in her own midst, that her time may come; and she makes idols within herself to defile herself. ⁴ You have become guilty by the blood which you have shed, and have defiled yourself with the idols which you have made. You have caused your days to draw near, and have come to the end of your years; 

Abortion.

The city sheds her own blood. They offered their own babies to the demon molech, known today as abortion.

She makes idols within herself to defile herself. She worships self—my body my choice—and thereby defiles herself, to her own demise.

https://abortionclock.com/

We are literally, killing ourselves every 28 seconds.

therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations, and a mockery to all countries. ⁵ Those near and those far from you will mock you as infamous and full of tumult.

Debased mind and strong delusion. Rom. 1:28, 2 Thes. 2:11.

The city where the Twin Towers tumbled by Islamic terrorists, is now run by muslim marxist mayor mamdani, who mocks America’s Christ centered Judeo Christian Biblical foundation.  

You rejected God’s guidance and went after your own gods, your own lusts, your own lovers... “therefore I have made you a reproach... a mockery.”

So, God gave you what you wanted. Absence from Him.

His peace that gives soundness of mind, no longer fills you.

His wisdom that blesses everything you set your hand to, no longer speaks to you.

Without His help, you are a stupid fool.

Romans 1:28. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.

2 Thessalonians 2:11. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie.

⁶ “Look, the princes of Israel: each one has used his power to shed blood in you. 

Murder.

Princes (government elite) use power to get away with murder.

⁷ In you they have made light of father and mother;

Dismantle Family.

Undermine God’s Divine design for marriage and the family structure.

Vilify masculinity.

Discredit Biblical definition of marriage.

Government overreach into parental rights.

Propagate Planned Parenthood, (planned murderhood).

⁷ ...in your midst they have oppressed the stranger; in you they have mistreated the fatherless and the widow.

Trafficking.

Open borders not only crush our economy, corrupt our elections, create skyrocketing crime, it facilitates the vile sin of human trafficking, child sex trafficking, slave labor and sex slaves.

Lord, we pray for expedient justice against the vile animals involved in such wickedness.

 ⁸ You have despised My holy things and profaned My Sabbaths. ⁹ In you are men who slander to cause bloodshed; in you are those who eat on the mountains;

Left God’s Word

Abandoned Biblical teaching

Drifted from God’s Word, doing what was right in our own eyes.

Which left US wide open for deception.

June 25, 1962, prayer banned from schools.

June 17, 1963, Bibles banned in schools.

Worshipping on high places, (eating on the mountains), altars, shrines, burnt offerings and feasts to demons.

Adopting pagan religions destructive to our law, our Way, our Constitution. An abomination to our God.

Islam is an abomination to God and the US Constitution and the Judeo Christian Biblical Foundation our nation is built upon.

Don’t believe me? Just look at HIStory. It destroys the freedom of every people it touches.

WARNING: Don’t get tunnel vision. Islam is not the enemy. Evil is the enemy. Islam just happens to be one of many entities willing to carry out the stealing, killing and destroying, evil demands. Evil accepts any useful idiot willing to be enslaved. They are all deceived. The Christian’s job is to pray for them. Stand against the lie. Speak and do, Truth, in love.

9...  in your midst they commit lewdness. ¹⁰ In you men uncover their fathers’ nakedness; in you they violate women who are set apart during their impurity. ¹¹ One commits abomination with his neighbor’s wife; another lewdly defiles his daughter-in-law; and another in you violates his sister, his father’s daughter.

Sexual perversion.

LBGTQrstuvwxyz+.

 ¹² In you they take bribes to shed blood; you take usury and increase; you have made profit from your neighbors by extortion, and have forgotten Me,” says the Lord God.

Waste, fraud and abuse.

 Transgender Mice: $8 million

$20 million Iraqi Sesame Street, funneled to Gaza.

DEI: Million$ $pent to promote judging on color of skin, not content of character. Reversing Martin Luther’s dream.

Over $59 million for migrants in high-end New York City hotels.

Billions to maintain buildings that no longer exist.

That's just a snapshot. More in links below. 

Diaspora

¹³ “Behold, therefore, I beat My fists at the dishonest profit which you have made, and at the bloodshed which has been in your midst. ¹⁴ Can your heart endure, or can your hands remain strong, in the days when I shall deal with you? I, the Lord, have spoken, and will do it. ¹⁵ I will scatter you among the nations, disperse you throughout the countries, and remove your filthiness completely from you. ¹⁶ You shall defile yourself in the sight of the nations; then you shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ”

HIStory proves it happened just as written.

Peek into hell

¹⁷ The word of the Lord came to me, saying, ¹⁸ “Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me; they are all bronze, tin, iron, and lead, in the midst of a furnace; they have become dross from silver. ¹⁹ Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you have all become dross, therefore behold, I will gather you into the midst of JerUSAlem. ²⁰ As men gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the midst of a furnace, to blow fire on it, to melt it; so I will gather you in My anger and in My fury, and I will leave you there and melt you. ²¹ Yes, I will gather you and blow on you with the fire of My wrath, and you shall be melted in its midst. ²² As silver is melted in the midst of a furnace, so shall you be melted in its midst; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have poured out My fury on you.’ ”

Dross: worthless scum skimmed off the top of melted metal.

God wants the fiery trials to purify US, as silver and gold, as His royal priesthood, holy nation. 1 Peter 2:9. 

But rejecting Him we become worthless dross.

As Goes The Church

²³ And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ²⁴ “Son of man, say to her: ‘You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.’ ²⁵ The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. ²⁶ Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. ²⁷ Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain. ²⁸ Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord had not spoken. ²⁹ The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger.

Society is downstream of the Church.

The prophets were corrupted by power, the priests turned from the Truth, and it wasn’t long until the princes (government) followed them, as did the people.

Thus, the fall of the nation was resultant of the fall of the Church.

Judgement must begin at the house of God. 1 Peter 4:17.

Therefore, God searches the Churches for someone...

 ³⁰ So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. ³¹ Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.

The Lord is looking for one, someone, anyone who will make a wall.

Will you?

Somebody willing to stand in the gap, to pray for the nation.

Are you?

Like Abraham interceded for sinful Sodom. Gen. 18:22-33.

Like Moses prayed for wicked Israel. Ex. 32, Ps. 106:23.  

Will you make a wall?

Will you stand in the gap?

Will you stand against evil and say:

“Not on my watch! You will NOT dismantle my family, pervert my children, burn down my city, enslave my nation. With the help of God, I will be the wall. As for me and my house, and all those God has given me, we stand united and strong under the shadow of the Almighty!”

The Lord is searching.

He is asking, “Whom shall I send?”

Will you be like Isaiah and say:

“Here am I! Send me.”

Isaiah 6:8.

Let’s pray.

Dear Lord God Almighty. Here we are. You see those of US willing to stand in the gap, to be the wall, to stand against evil, to speak Truth. With You that is more than enough. We deserve hell, but ask, Lord God, for mercy. Don't let the other nations see that this nation that has written on every piece of money, “In God we trust.” Don't let that fall. Don't let us become a mockery. Please don't let the rest of the world say, "See, God could not deliver them." Lord, please give US another chance. Stir up the fire within us so we don't land in the fire but have this burning fire within us so that we stand up and speak up, bold enough to be the people you've called us to be. Not the dross, but the silver and the gold and the salt and the light, being soul winners and disciple makers. So that this nation will not perish from the earth.

Thank You, our Lord and Savior.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

Call or text: 612-554-2522

Email: pray4measap@aol.com

Facebook: Church at WPV

Books: amazon.com/author/dougspurling

Watch online:

Facebook: Make a Wall, Ezekiel 22

You Tube: Make a Wall, Ezekiel 22

This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

MODERN DAY ABOMINATIONS:

"Silence Is Admission" — Josh Hawley Blasts Fauci

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xui-xGSz6cs

https://youtu.be/Xui-xGSz6cs?si=Powhb6OJzKi7JAT2&t=416

Can men get pregnant?

https://youtu.be/rEe5I9QXdOs?si=g12OD_9sJY_a_P58

You were silent because of Samali votes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72Ie2OMSMP0

Nick Shirley Quality Learing Center

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BQaeMbepsaY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiY4ZdwT6NU

Men in women’s locker room

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oS6hZzwx2UE

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/D0QQ6Gwp3_U

Abortion Clock US

https://abortionclock.com/