Thursday, March 17, 2011

Same Sex Marriages

"Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." (James 4:17- NKJV)

"The only thing it takes for evil to prevail, is for good men to do nothing." (Unknown)

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

"As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. 'Tell us,' they said, '...what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?' Jesus answered: 'Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, "I am the Christ," and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen but the end is still to come... There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains." (Matt. 24:3-8)

"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door." (Matt. 24:32-33)

Body of Christ:
I hope you are at least as disturbed as I am about this abomination that is occuring in our own back yard, on US soil. One week prior to Japan being hit by the earthquake and tsunami, my 18 year old nephew and I had a conversation in which we were discussing the signs of the times. He spoke of the unusual snow storms and weather patterns affecting not only the US but different parts of the world. One week later, Japan is hit with a shattering earthquake and tsunami. The night of the earth quake in Japan, my nephew in deep concern about the state of affairs occuring around the world asked God to take him out of here. When I asked him what was on his mind he said, Auntie, don't you see the times we're in? We are next. When I probed further he said, "Where have these 'natural' disasters been hitting, Auntie? What countries or areas are known for major demonic activity and anti-Godly activity?" After we named a few areas that had experienced some 'natural' disasters, he then said, New England is next. With the passing of the same sex marriage law in Massachusettes and NY and other states hot on their trail, it's inevitable. God's judgement will come.

I've been pondering these conversations we've been having in my heart  in addition to the marked spiritual stirring (alertness) occuring and warnings being raised in the last few months of 2010 and increased sensitivity since the beginning of 2011 that this is not to be a year of business as usual. I've written in previous blogs about it and have seen others blogging the same alertness to something important about to happen and how God is fanning a sense of urgency of spirit in many of us to fast and pray; even as Satan, too, has stepped up his activity.

Yesterday, I read two articles that reinforced this urgency but left me with a new question. Is there something more than prayer that I should be doing Lord?  Yesterday, I read the news article, "Hollywood A-Listers Urge Obama to Support Gay Marriages." Then upon opening my email I read an article sent to me by a friend titled, "Prophetic Insight: What Is This Revival We're Looking For?" in Charisma written by Barbara J. Yoder. The writer had a dream in which I agree with her that God was speaking to her. Here is a pivitol paragraph that underscores what I really want to address in this blog today:

In her dream, "...the city and the church were indistinguishable. They were not evil in the dream but neither were they filled with God’s glory. They were empty and neutral, just stone structures, one blending into the other. I believe there is a way that we have come into such a cohabitation with the culture that we are blind to the distinctions, not recognizing how acculturated we have become, as well as being blind to the territorial strongholds. We are bereft of a level of discernment that will destroy us in the days ahead. We cannot distinguish the church from culture and vice versa. We are blind to the power behind the structure. We don’t see it."
God has been training and raising up warriors across the nation for a fight that's coming. Several of us have been talking about it over the last few months. This woman's dream and the events that have occured just the last three months alone, are all in alignment. Many churches are calling for round the clock prayer and fasting. Yesterday however, I felt a strong desire to do something more. 2 Chronicles 7:14 not only talks about prayer and seeking God, but also about "turning from their wicked ways." As I meditated on the passages of scriptures I've listed above and the messages in both of those articles, I kept asking the Lord, what can I do?

If the gay rights activists can speak out boldly about their agenda, why can't and don't we? We are greater in numbers than they are. If we don't speak out and let the politicians and president Obama know how we feel and uplift him in prayers, then we are failing to do our part and this abomination of same sex marriages can gain momentum and before we know it, just like the momentum Madeline Ohara gained and used to succeed to remove prayer out of our public schools we can be looking at a country parallel to Sodom and Gomorrah. We should not need a 9/11 disaster, a Katrina hurricane or a presidential election to push us to prayer, fasting and movement.

If I were to ask how many of you are praying daily for your president and politicians, how many of you could say yes? If not daily, weekly?, Monthly? At all? Yet I'm sure we pray about our personal needs and family needs. Well these are all connected to the decisions that are being made on a higher level in our governments which are directly being influence by principalities and powers in the spiritual realm.

Paul says, "I urge, then, first of all that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior." (1 Tim. 2:1-3)

I propose that through our blogs, conversations, with much prayer and fasting that we seek God as to what we can do as the body of Christ to fight this devastating, ungodly, sinful virus that is attacking our land. Forget what party you belong to. We are in this world but not of this world. Our identity is in Christ, not defined by a political party! Whatever state you live in, whatever your political beliefs, we need to rally, stand, write letters to the authorities that be, including the president letting them know how we feel about same sex marriages. Our voices must be heard. Talk to the bretheren at your churches, book clubs, whatever Christ-centered organizations you belong to about mobilizing against same-sex marriages. Blog about it so that we can stay in tune and maybe help each other get ideas on what can be done and is being done.

Let us not allow evil to prevail because we, godly men and women, did nothing!

God be with us and guide us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

5 comments:

  1. Hi Beverly -

    Great post with much spiritual punch. It is my pleasure to be on a "tour of duty" with you, sister warrior.

    You expressed, "God has been training and raising up warriors across the nation for a fight that's coming."

    Yes, Amen!

    I just read today, Beverly, Proverbs 28:1 - KJV
    "...but the righteous are bold as a lion." It is so on target that we need to boldly proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of GOD. Most vital is that we live of the gospel that we proclaim.

    As for the same-sex marriage issue, our Lord has SPECIFICALLY told me, on more than one occasion, not to deal more than lightly relative to the matter. He has led me to pray some about it but He has made it clear that that is not a focal pursuit for His assignment/appointment for me.

    I have read some about it and about those Christians, such as Pastor Harry Jackson, who are strongly involved in the same-sex marriage matter. My respect and admiration extends to Pastor Jackson because from all that I know and have observed of him, He is indeed a truth walker in the kingdom of GOD.

    I agree with you, Beverly, that the same-sex marriage issue needs to be addressed by people who love and serve GOD. And it is vital to remain mindful that we love sinners but hate the sins.

    That said, it is CRITICAL that truth walkers/SON dwellers/SON warriors seek the Lord as to how to specifically proceed in our missions for our Lord. He doesn't assign us all to focus on the same issues. In the natural army, there are assigned specialists such as medics, sharp shooters, and snipers, etc. There are commonalities, but there are specialists in various positions. It is similar in the supernatual army of GOD.

    Our Lord has engineered each of us with strengths in particular specialized areas...

    Yes, I have prayed about the same-sex marriage issue but our Lord has made it very clear to me that that is not to be a focus for me to pursue.

    There are warriors such as Harry Jackson who clearly have been given that issue as a focus.
    I applaud how vigorously he and others pursue that matter.

    I am glad that you cited the scripture about praying for those in authority. I don't do it every day but do it regularly.

    Thank you, Beverly, for your call to the SON dwelling troops to boldly decree the gospel of the kingdom of GOD.

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  2. Beverly -

    You make some good and solid points as to the sign of the times, praying for our leaders, and taking a stand against ungodliness. I do agree that Christians need to be firm as to taking a stand and speaking out against unrighteousness.

    My concern is that we don't lose our true focus. Our attention shouldn't be toward the sinner (homosexuals for example) but the sin itself. Since this is the period of time where God's grace is being extended to all people, we need to reach out to everyone with the spirit of love so that as many can be saved.

    It does concern me about our country and the direction it's taking. I'll be honest I don't pray as regularly for our President, Congress and leaders as I should. I need to make that more of a priority.

    Thank you Beverly for such an insightful post. In everything we do, let's do it all for the glory of God. God bless!

    Dean

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  3. Olá Beverly Niles, graça e paz.

    Conheci seu blog pelo Dean Spencer, parabéns pelo texto, aqui no Brasil pensamos da mesma forma e temos um povo preocupado e assustado com o que está acontecendo.
    Aqui no Brasil não temos nenhum desses problemas (graças a Deus) mas em compensação vemos um evangelho 'barato' sendo pregado e muita corrupção na política. Gostei do seu blog e sou seu seguidor, ficarei muito honrado com a sua visita.

    seu conservo,Iveraldo Pereira.

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  4. Hi, thank you first time readers for visiting/following my blog. I appreciate all your responses.

    Sandra, you're right, God specifically leads and gives us specific burdens to address in prayer and intercession and we have to know what these are and be obedient. He's created each of us uniquely and with different purposes. We can't all address every stronghold.

    Dean and Iveraldo, thank you for your perspectives and prayer. I'm glad this is not an issue in Brazil, praise the Lord and I hope it never becomes one.

    Dean, I appreciate your concern about focusing on the sinner instead of the sin. However, I did not address the sinner at all in my post, but the sin, rather, the abomination of same sex marriage and the agenda to legalize it through out the United States. I love all people, regardless of their sexual or religous beliefs. There is certainly a difference between loving someone and holding them accountable our addressing their sin. It is the loving thing to do, to address sin (in a loving way of course)than to ignore it. If we do not address the sin, it spreads and we are held accountable for being quiet.

    When God lays something on my heart to speak out about it, I try to do so regardless of how uncomfortable it is to me personally. The subject may be more palatable or inconspicuous as tithing, pornography, hatred, hypocrasy or adultery, etc. Or the subject may be more sensitive as divorce, abortion or homosexuality. "We've all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." "The wages of sin is death" regardless of the sin and we all need to hear about God's love for us sinners. Sin is sin, regardless of if it is politically acceptable (or sensitive) or not.

    I am mindful, however of, regardless of the sin, even the sin of omission/disobedience to God's Word and command of Ezekiel 3:17-19, "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself." That message wasn't just for the Israelites, but for us today as well.

    My focus is that it is the last days. My heart is burdened for the lost and for this land and the direction of our country. We are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. If we do not do our job, we are not being the light or salt God has saved us to be. We are called to go and make disciples. Our task is not easy. As the world spurned Jesus for his uncompromising message, they will spurn his disciples as well. And as Jesus said in Matt. 11:16-19, John the Baptist didn't come eating and drinking and still the people said he had a demon. Jesus did come eating and drinking with sinners and he was said to be a glutton and drunkard and a friend of the tax collectors and sinners. The message: we won't please everyone. We have to do what God has called us to do whether it is well received or not, whether it is understood or not.

    We have to take up our cross too and follow him. Each of us have our own cross to bear and each of us will have to give an account for how we lived our lives. 1 Timothy 2:4 says, that God our Savior "...wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." That is my desire as well.

    Peace and Blessings.
    Beverly

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  5. enjoyed ans agree with all comments stay focused on the sin in judgment ; stay focused on the sinner in love

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