Running From Nineveh*

We all celebrated Thanksgiving this week. Giving thanks to the Lord is vital to our walk with Him. In Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, he wrote about the sudden coming of the Lord: "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." (1 Thess. 5:1-2). Paul wrote about the sudden destruction that would come upon those in darkness, who wrongfully believe that peace and safety has been achieved. He points out our difference from them in that we are not of the darkness, but are children of light (v. 3-5), "Therefore, let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." (v. 6). Paul reminded believers that "God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ." (v. 9). He continued to give instructions to the church in preparation for these end times. These instructions included: warn the unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient, do not render evil but do good, rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (v. 14-18). We give thanks in all things and not for all things. Even in the turmoil of these times, we need to keep giving God thanks. David, whose life was threatened many times by his enemies, wrote and sang songs of thanksgiving to God. He knew that thanks and praise lifted up to the LORD, saved him from those enemies: "And he said, The LORD is my rock and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock, in him will I trust; he is...my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies....In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears...He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters...Therefore, I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name. He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore." (2 Sam. 22). David said that the mercy of the Lord was not only to David but to his seed eternally - not just his physical seed, but his spiritual seed. We are the seed of Abraham, and David, by the Spirit. As Paul wrote, being a Jew is not defined by an outward circumcision, but inwardly, a circumcision of the heart. In another Psalm it is written: "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." (Psalm 100). One of the sources of our thanksgiving according to the Psalm is that God made us. We have a Creator. We did not make ourselves, and we thankfully belong to Him. It is a lie of this age that we came into being by happenstance with no connection to a Creator. This is just one reason that the spirit of thanksgiving seems to be absent among man today. A lack of thanksgiving and praise can be a problem among God's people as well. The mission of Jonah to Nineveh shows how running from the presence of God causes a man to begin a journey of "going down" or descent, while prayer, thanks and praise causes God to lift a man up and out. The LORD instructed Jonah to go to Nineveh (a city founded in idolatry) to deliver the Word of the LORD: "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me." (Jon. 1:2). Jonah, instead, flees from the presence of the LORD and "went down" to Joppa to find a ship to take him to Tarshish. At Tarshish, Jonah "went down" into the ship to "go from the presence of the LORD". The LORD sent a great wind and a mighty tempest against the ship, and the crew grew afraid. The crew discovered that Jonah's disobedience had brought this storm upon them, and Jonah suggested that they cast him into the sea to save themselves. After trying every other remedy, the crew did finally cast Jonah over the side, and made sacrifices and vows before the LORD. The LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the fish for three days and nights (Jon. 1:17). This is also the sign that Jesus prophesied regarding His own death and resurrection, "the sign of Jonah". From this place within the fish's belly, Jonah prayed to the LORD: "I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice." (Jon. 2:2). Jonah described his circumstances within death and hell. "I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God...But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD." (Jon. 2:6-9). The LORD then spoke to the fish and it vomited Jonah out onto dry land. Jonah entered Nineveh and began to preach to them what the LORD had sent him to preach. The fact that he had been cast out of the mouth of the great fish, and looked it, probably caused Nineveh to listen to the Word that Jonah brought more attentively than if he had come to them in the normal way! Upon hearing the Word of the LORD from Jonah, all the citizens of Nineveh repented with fasting. The king ordered all to turn from their evil ways, and the violence that was in their hands. The king hoped that the LORD would turn from the judgment He had planned for Nineveh. (Jon. 3:8-9). The LORD did accept their repentance. Jonah became very angry that the LORD removed His judgment from Nineveh. He was so angry, that he wished to die. The church is full of anger also, getting involved in arguments and even sometimes violence. Jonah, who had received the mercy of the LORD, was angry when the LORD showed the same mercy to Nineveh. Jonah, who saw the deliverance even from death, in the power of prayer and praise to God, and the offering of the sacrifice of thanksgiving, soon forgot those very things. The LORD asked Jonah: "And should I not spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?" (Jon. 4:11). With this question, the Book of Jonah ends, but the same question to us remains. The LORD has given the church the Word of the LORD to deliver to our Nineveh today. Will we flee from Nineveh as Jonah did? I pray that we, God's people, would repent, and seek His face continually, and that God would indeed hear from heaven, forgive, and heal our land. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 11/28/21 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.

WWJD*

We have seen the letters "WWJD" before. They mean "What Would Jesus Do?" With our nation rushing towards judgment, and Christians entering into divisive arguments, even sometimes condoning violence so long as it gets the results desired, the question, "What would Jesus do?" becomes more important now than ever before. How does Jesus impact the world? How does He view those who believe in Him, and what does He expect their responses to the world to be? First, it is by Jesus that all things were created: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." (Jn. 1:1-5). John told us here the same thing that is revealed in the Hebrew language of Genesis 1:1, translated into English as "In the beginning, God...". However, in Hebrew, it is written "Bareshiet Elohim (Aleph-Tav)". Aleph-Tav is also how Jesus identified Himself in Revelation 1:8 as "...Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End...". John wrote above that in Jesus was zoe life, supernatural life, abundant life, the God-kind of life. This life is light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overpower it. John the Baptist witnessed that Jesus was the true Light that came into the world, and He lights every man who comes into the world (Jn. 1:8-9). Jesus is the Word of God who became flesh for us to receive (Jn. 1:14). Many of His own did not receive Jesus, but to those who did, He gave them power to become sons of God (Jn. 1:11-12). Those who did, and do receive Jesus are then born not by the will of men, but by the will of God (v. 13). Jesus was not just a teacher, or a good man, but He is with God, He is God, and He cannot be separated from God. Those who receive Him as such become spiritually reborn, as Jesus explained to Nicodemus, a religious leader who came to speak with Jesus only at night so he wouldn't be seen by others (Jn. 1:1-2). Nicodemus is one of those who identified Jesus as a teacher, a rabbi, whom, Nicodemus concedes, must be with God because of the miracles Jesus performed. Jesus told Nicodemus that he must understand more than that. Nicodemus must be born again, or he won't see the kingdom of God (v. 3). Jesus makes no doubt that there is a difference between those of the flesh, and those of the Spirit of God: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." (Jn. 3:5-7). Those who have received Jesus are born again of the Spirit of God. There is to be a difference between those born of the flesh, and those born of the Spirit, between those who are sons of men, and those who are given the power by Jesus to become sons of God. Jesus explained to Nicodemus that God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save it, and whoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (Jn. 3:16-17). However, there are those who condemn themselves. They are the ones who love darkness instead of the Light sent into the world, because their deeds are evil. Jesus said: "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (v. 20). Today in this country, we see this as lawlessness abounds everywhere we look. Those who do truth, however, Jesus said, come to the light giving evidence that their deeds are done in God (v. 21). Jesus again differentiates between those in the world and those who are part of the kingdom of God in the Beatitudes. Here He teaches how those of the Spirit of God interact with the world in a life changing way. Jesus said that those who are pure in heart will see God. Those who are peacemakers, rather than dividers, are the children of God. However, we continually see those who fight one another, claiming to be believers, each claiming the righteousness of their own positions. Jesus continued in the Gospel of Matthew to call us salt and light in the earth, not hiding who we are, and what we believe, but letting our light shine, and our salt cleanse and purify (v. 13-16). Part of this is to love your enemies, to bless those who curse you, and pray for them that persecute you or abuse you (v. 43-47). Jesus concluded: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (v. 48). We are not supposed to be like the world, but like our Father. As we also see today, there are so many divisions by race and ethnicity in the world, and, unfortunately, also in the church. What would Jesus have us to do? Should we be fanning the flames of racial division? The early church faced the problem head on. The apostles and believers in Jerusalem, who were Jewish believers, were shocked to hear that Gentiles were being preached the Gospel, and they questioned Peter as to why he was doing this. Peter told them of his experiences - he received a vision from heaven that told him that the "unclean" were now "clean". He had preached in a Gentile's home, and before he could even finish preaching the Gospel, the Holy Spirit fell and filled all in the house. God was showing no partiality, and was allowing no exclusion, regarding who was to receive the Gospel, salvation, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The leaders of the church in Jerusalem had to admit: "...God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." (Acts 11:1-18). All who have prepared their hearts to receive, may receive. Not only was the church to include Gentiles, but those of different races also (Acts 13:1). Simeon, called Niger, or Black, was one of the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch. He was one of those leaders who laid hands on Saul (Paul) and Barnabas and released them into ministry (v. 2-4). It was of this church at Antioch, full of believers of diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, that believers were first called "Christians", or "Christ-like ones". The Book of Revelation identifies those who were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb are "out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on earth." (Rev. 5:9-10). They were clothed in white robes, having come out of great tribulation. They made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:9-14). It is not assured that believers will not experience tribulation. Jesus instructed us to pray in order to be accounted worthy to escape those things which are coming on the earth. It is time for the church to stand up for what is righteous. It is time to be what Jesus calls us to be. He has not called us to be like the world, but like our Father in heaven. The disturbing things we see occurring in the world, in our nation, can be laid directly at the church's feet. God's Word said, "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." (2 Chron. 7:14). What would Jesus do? Jesus is not looking for the world to change, but for us to change, and be those who are born of the Spirit of God. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 11/21/21 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.

The Heart of the Matter*

The Word of God is like a spiritual heart monitor. It reveals to us what is in our hearts, even the hidden things. Our hearts are at the center of our relationship with God, and dictate the words that we speak: "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." (Ps. 19:14), and "My heart is inditing (Hebrew meaning - keep moving, gush) a good matter (dabar - word, commandment, utterance): I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer." (Ps. 45:1). In the Book of Acts, a man named Simon of Samaria, a former sorcerer, believed the Gospel, and was baptized with water in the faith. He witnessed many miracles at the hands of the apostle Philip. Peter and John came to Samaria from Jerusalem when they heard about the new believers. Simon then saw those apostles laying hands upon the new believers, and those believers then received the Holy Spirit. "And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part not lot in this matter: for thy heart (Greek - Kardia) is not right in the sight of God." (Acts 8:18-21). Peter told Simon to repent of this wickedness, and Simon asked them to pray for him, that none of the consequences of which Peter spoke would come upon him (v. 23-24). As God looks into the hearts of men, it also has an effect upon Him. In Genesis 6, when God examined the hearts of men before He brought the judgment of the flood, scripture says: "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart (leb - heart soul, mind, thinking, conscience, appetites, emotions, inner man) was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved (asab - hurt, pain, torture) him at his heart." (Gen. 6:5-6). The LORD was tortured by what He saw in the hearts of men. Christ was tortured also because of the evil of men's hearts. The prophet Jeremiah wrote that blessed are those who trust in the LORD. They would prosper and be kept, and remain fruitful even through trying circumstances (Jer. 17:7-8). He went on to say though: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins (kilya - kidneys, interior self), even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings." (v. 9-10). Proverbs tells us to receive the words of the LORD, and apply our hearts to understanding them (Prov. 2:1-2). Proverbs 3 says that if our hearts will keep the Word and commandments, if we will write the Word upon the tablet of our heart, it will impact our lives with long life, peace, mercy, truth, favor, good understanding. If we will trust in the LORD with all our hearts, rather than leaning on our own understanding, and acknowledge Him in all our ways, He shall direct our paths, and give health and marrow to the bones (v. 1-8). From this kind of heart, filled with His Word, we trust in Him, and we gain the wisdom and understanding to "Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." (v. 9-10). Riches and honor, and paths of peace follow a heart filled with the wisdom and understanding of the LORD. Even more so, it is "a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her...". (v. 16-18). In contrast, Jesus told a parable and based a teaching upon those who give up the riches of the heart, which is the treasure found in the kingdom of God, for the riches of the world, and the cares that go with them. In Luke 12, the parable tells about a rich man who invests his time and attention into building newer and bigger barns to store his earthly wealth. Little does he know that he will not live through the night, and his soul will be required of him. The Lord called this rich man a fool. "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God." (Lk. 12:v.15-21). Jesus then taught that the example of God's love and provision for each of us can be found in obvious examples from nature around us. He famously asked, "Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?" (v. 27-28). Instead of a heart full of worrying and grasping for fear of lack, Jesus said, "...seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you...Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourself bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not...For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (v. 31-34). This is the test of the heart: where is your treasure placed? Is it in the kingdom of God? If God tells you to give it, then give it. You cannot outgive God. There were those whom Jesus called hypocrites. They were the religious people of His day who used the traditions of men to ignore the commandments of God. They withheld financial support from their parents with the excuse that their money was already pledged to God. This was known as Corban. Their hearts were not right. Jesus said that this confirmed the prophet Isaiah who wrote, "This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." (Mark 7:6-12). Jesus said that with this heart attitude, they made the word of God of none effect by following traditions instead. Jesus continued to teach that a man is not defiled by what is outside of him and enters into him, but he is defiled by what comes from inside him, from out of his heart (v. 18-20): "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile a man." (v. 21-23). It is "the heart of the matter" that determines a man's life. Jesus included in His Sermon on the Mount: "Blessed are the pure (katharos - clean, purified by fire, free from every admixture of what is false) in heart: for they shall see God." (Mt. 5:8). As Jesus was questioned by a religious lawyer trying to test Him, He was asked which was the greatest commandment of the law. Jesus answered that it was the commandment dealing with the consecration of the heart: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Mt. 22:34-40). The Word of God identifies the heart of the matter, and measures the content of our hearts. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 11/14/21 message to the church. To contact us with a prayer request, praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.

America! It's Not Too Late!*

Whatever we have done personally, or as a nation, it's not too late. After he was removed from office for refusing to take down the Ten Commandments from his court, Judge Roy Moore wrote a poem titled, "America, the Beautiful". It is a poem about how far America had drifted from its noble beginnings. It is too long to write out here, but the ending of his poem is: "...How are we to face our God, from Whom we cannot hide? What then is left for us to do, but stem this evil tide? If we who are His children, will humbly turn and pray; Seek His holy face and mend our evil way: Then God will hear from Heaven and forgive us of our sins, He'll heal our sickly land and those who live within. But, America the Beautiful, if you don't - then you will see, A sad but Holy God withdraw His hand from Thee." The prophet Jeremiah also saw his nation rejecting the prophetic warning of the LORD, and rushing into the consequences that awaited them. He laments for his country and himself in the Book of Lamentations. He wrote as a man who found himself in a spiritual place seemingly without hope: "He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old. He hath hedged me about that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy. Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer...He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate...And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD..." (Lam. 3:6-8, 11, 18). He was a prophet who was not hearing from the LORD, and believed that the LORD was no longer hearing him. Then from within his own soul, a reminder came: "My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD." (v. 20-26). We, the watchmen for our nation, need to recognize that God is our mercy. The prophet Jonah, whose name means "Dove", fled from the command of God that he go to the wicked nation of Nineveh, and bring them a warning that God's judgment was about to fall upon them. Because of Jonah's disobedience, the ship on which he fled was overtaken by a terrible tempest that threatened to destroy the ship (Jonah 1:4). Jonah was thrown overboard and swallowed by a great fish that had been prepared by the LORD. Jonah described his sinking and the swallowing by the great fish as death: "Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight..." (Jonah 2:1-5). Yet from within Jonah, the hope of deliverance was brought to his mind: "...yet I will look again toward thy holy temple...yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God. When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD; and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD." (v.4-9). As Jonah humbled himself, and remembered Who the LORD was: "... the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon dry land." (v. 10). There is a heaven to gain, a hell to shun, and, like Jonah, we have a calling to fulfill. In the story of Ruth, Ruth ("friendship") and her mother-in-law, Naomi ("Pleasant"), who had been living in Moab, had lost everything. The nation of Moab had its beginning many years in the past from an incestuous relationship. Naomi's husband had died, and two sons, whose names meant "sick" and "wasting away", had died. One of her sons had been married to Ruth, the Moabite. Naomi's heart had turned bitter from the grief at these losses. When she decided to return to her homeland and her town of Bethlehem ("House of Bread"), her daughter-in-law Ruth, did not want to be separated from Naomi. Ruth vowed to stay with Naomi saying, "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go...thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God..." (Ruth 1:16). When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town came out to see them, and asked if this was Naomi. Naomi told them not to call her Naomi ("Pleasant") any longer, but "Bitter", "for the LORD Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me...the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me." (v. 20-21). However, the LORD of mercy had not turned His back on Naomi, but had brought her back to Bethlehem, "the House of Bread", to redeem and restore her. As Naomi saw how her kinsman Boaz had taken an interest in Ruth, hope began to grow in Naomi's heart. Boaz redeemed her husband's inheritance, and married her daughter-in-law, Ruth. A child was born to them named Obed, who would become the future King David's grandfather. Naomi got to hold and nurse the new child, as another son. Naomi, like Job, spoke wrong words in her desperation and grief, but God's mercy was still there for her. Despite our beginnings or circumstances, each person has a purpose, and an opportunity for the mercy of God. After he became king, David was moved to ask if there were any living family members of the house of Saul, the previous king who had died at the hand of the LORD for his disobedience (2 Sam. 9:1-4). King Saul had also spent many years chasing and trying to kill David. Yet, the mercy of the LORD was prompting David to seek out the descendants of Saul, not in order to kill them, as would have been the custom of the day, but to bless them, and show mercy upon them. Saul's son, Jonathan, David's very dear friend, did have a son who was lame from an injury suffered while fleeing as a child after his father and grandfather died. He was now living his life in poverty. Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth (meaning "exterminating the idol"), is brought to, and humbles himself before David, and David restores all of Saul's lands to him, as well as servants to work that land, and brings Mephibosheth to his own king's table, a place of honor and provision (v. 5-13). Neither physical issues nor family history can keep you from the promise and mercy of God. The prophet Ezekiel was given the Word of the LORD concerning the appointment of the watchman. He said that if the watchman warns, and if the people in iniquity heed the warning, and turn from evil as a result, they deliver their soul. If the watchman warns of the coming "sword" as he is supposed to do, and the people do not heed the warning, the watchman is innocent of blood on his hands, and the blood of the guilty will be upon their own heads. However, if the watchman sees the destruction approaching, and fails to sound the warning, the blood of those who were not given a chance to repent will be on his hands (see Ezekiel chapters 3, 22, 33). The LORD says to the watchman: "So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me." (Ezek. 33:7). The provision of mercy is available to those in iniquity, if they are warned, and if they heed the warning and repent. God's rebuke was especially upon prophets, and the priests who failed to teach the people the difference between the holy and the profane as revealed in God's Word, and for the princes, the powerful, who preyed upon the people for their own gain (Ezek. 22:23-29). We see this same circumstance in America every day. Regarding this situation, God made a sad pronouncement: "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore I have poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way I have recompensed upon their heads, saith the LORD God." (v. 30-31). As an apostle, I am telling you that YOU are the appointed watchmen of whom God's Word commands to bring warning to the people when we see the forces of destruction and judgment entering the land. Are we standing in the gap for America? It is not too late. Have we become indifferent to our purpose regarding this nation? In the Book of Revelation, Jesus sternly corrects the church in Laodicea. He said that their works reflected that they were neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. He said, "So then because thou art lukewarm, I will spue thee out of my mouth." (Rev. 3:14-16). However, it is not too late for the lukewarm church either. Jesus urged them to buy gold tried in the fire, rather than the worldly wealth of which they were so proud and felt so secure, and to acquire the white raiment of righteousness. They were to anoint their eyes with salve so they might "see". He reminded this lukewarm church that He rebukes and chastens those whom He loves. If this church would receive His correction, and change their ways, Jesus promised this great mercy, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (v. 17-22). Church, it is not too late! America, it is not too late! *Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 11/7/21 message to the church. If you would like to contact us for prayer, a praise report, or to support this ministry write to P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and at endtimeschool.com.

Whose Fool Are You?*

The title of this message is based on the humorous expression: "Yes, I'm a fool for Jesus...whose fool are you?!" The Church shouldnt be about introducing someone to salvation through Jesus Christ, and then leaving the person on their own afterwards. The Church is about discipleship, and coming into the full stature of Christ. Discipleship is a process in our walk with Christ. While it has a beginning moment, it is also ongoing, and incorporates a way of life. Discipleship affects how we interact with the world, and our fellow believers, as well as our interaction with our Savior and our walk in the will of God. Paul in Romans 12 gives us a good look into our discipleship: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, tht ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ...I say... to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." (v. 1-3). So much of the Church is caught up in worldly things, thinking only of self, when there are many suffering around the world who need the ministry that we have to offer through Christ. Romans continues in Chapter 12 to describe the relationship of believers to each other. Although there is one body of Christ, there are many members within it, "...every one members one of another." (v. 5). We are members of the body, but also members of each other. The gifts given to each member through grace including prophecy, ministering, teaching, exhorting and more, are done faithfully and selflessly: "Let love be without dissimulation (meaning hypocrisy, insincerity). Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another." (v. 9-10). We have often seen lately Christians involved in political and even racial strife. Are we seeing faith or foolishness? We see Christian babes without understanding or maturing. This is not what the Word of God expects of discipleship in Christ. How should disciples treat those who persecute or accuse them? "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not...If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men...Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (v. 14, 18, 21). Peter said the same things concerning Christian conduct: "...be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing...Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it...sanctify the Lord God in your hearts..." (1 Peter 3:8-15, excerpt). Peter wrote that in maintaining this good conscience and manner of living, those who do falsely accuse us are put to shame (v. 16). What is our life saying to those who are watching us? With who and what are we closely associating ourselves? Paul wrote: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?...And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." (2 Cor. 6:14-17). God has called us not just to be His servants, but His sons and daughters (v. 18). Because of this, Paul urged: "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Cor. 7:1). The Book of Proverbs is filled with the call to be children of wisdom, rather than followers of fools and foolishness. T Proverbs says that the lifestyle of wisdom avoids evil and evil doers, and the fools who will not receive wisdom or correction (see Prov. 13:20), while receiving instead instruction, wisdom, understanding, justice, judgment and equity (Proverbs 1:1-15). This life of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding starts with the fear of the LORD, the attention to the Word of God, and instruction from our parents. Today we see children disrespecting their parents, and parents not instructing their children in godly wisdom. James also wrote regarding our unwise connection to things that are not godly: ",,,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. (James 4:4). The church has definitely made friends with the world and the ways of the world. James concludes that the fighting and lusting, and inappropriate desires expressed even in our prayer requests made to God, are a direct result of being connected to the world and the things of the world (v. 1-3). As God deals with strongholds in the end times, those who have connected themselves with these strongholds will suffer in their fall, which is promised. Scripture gives the city/spiritual stronghold of Babylon as an example of this in Revelation Chapter 18. Bebylon has allowed itself to become the habitation of devils, demons and every foul spirit. All nations have participated with it, and have "drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies." (v. 3). We already see this same ind of corruption touching every one of our institutions today. To this Babylon, the Lord pronounces: "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen..." (v. 2). A voice from heaven warns God's people, "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." (v. 4-5). The prophet Isaiah also wrote the same warning from the LORD: "The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD." (Isa. 52:10-11). Seek the God-kind of life. Who you companion with is who you are going to be like. Lot and his family lived in the wicked city of Sodom. Although he and his family were removed almost forcibly from Sodom by the angels of the LORD just before that city's destruction, they had already been corrupted by the ways of Sodom. His wife was destroyed soon after by her disobedience, and his daughters sought an immoral and ungodly remedy to their childless circumstance. We cannot touch, associate, join with, compromise with, or make friends with ungodliness without affecting our lives, and our walk with God. *Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 10/31/21 message to the church. To contact, give a praise report, submit a prayer request, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and at endtimeschool.com.