"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10

 

Lord, we pray against the now popular influences of Socialism, Marxism and Communism here in the States. Cuz these ideas help zero anywhere, and no one serious about their Christian faith can be serious about supporting such anti-God philosophies.

Lord, sadly with all the riots in our blue cities we've sure been seeing this ugly flag a lot. Please change hearts and minds -- bring your peace and order again. 

Do young Americans really know what it stands for?  

Q. So why in the world should we all think about or pray against Socialism, Marxism and Communism here today?

You remember when Bernie Sanders lost in the Iowa caucus right? He then came back with a victory in New Hampshire’s Democratic presidential primary. Amazing. The victory settled Bernie some — and by default his outspoken socialist ideologies — as a main contender for that party’s nomination. How could he and Socialism become so popular? Well, you could tell that he was pretty honest and sincere. 

According to a Gallup poll published this crazy year (2020) an astonishing four in 10 Americans said they believe socialism would be good for the USA. Other recent polls have found half of millennials now have a positive view of socialism. That should be awake up call! (Been thinking about what Jack Graham was teaching about this yesterday at Prestonwood.)

No serious reborn Christian can support Socialism, Marxism and Communism.. that go against the existence of God. 

We as Bible-believing evangelical Christians are in a battle -- it's a life and death conflict between the spiritual hosts of wickedness and those who claim the name of Christ… But do we really believe that we are in a life and death battle? Do we really believe that the part we play in the battle has consequences for whether or not men and women will spend eternity in hell? Or whether or not those who do live will live in a climate of moral perversion and degradation? 

So what accounts for the changing attitudes among millennials on this? Have people in their early or late 20s actually seen the devastating effects of horrible Soviet-style repressive governments that are under socialism? I don't think so. Most teachers and lawyers in the USA are liberals now. As a nation we are past the Cold War era, and a generation has come along that hasn't really clearly been taught history (including what happened to people under Socialism). Perhaps they haven’t read on up on this or understand it... or perhaps they don't really care to.. but Bernie seems like a nice grandfather they perhaps never knew. He had gained the attention of the youth. He indeed was more honest than the others in the Democrat Party..until they paid him off each time in exchange for his huge calling/mailing list. 

Young people have been listening to their liberal teachers, college professors, politicians and cultural influencers, and what they have been told sounds pretty good. Pot would be legalized, gobs of freebees if you don't work, college debts would be paid off. 

Though socialism may seem attractive at first glance, socialism's appeal is very deceitful. Socialism is a socioeconomic and political philosophy that advocates for total government ownership of the means of production for the sake of providing equality. It’s not government by or for the people as we have known (when Democrats haven't been caught cheating) — it’s people by and for the government.

Yet for people of faith (including us born again Christians), it goes beyond socialism’s misguided socioeconomic and political ideas. The core of socialism opposes the very idea of there being a real God, one that we can have a personal relationship with. 

No one serious about their Christian faith can be serious about supporting any anti-God philosophy.

Need three reasons to completely ditch Socialism?: 

1.) Socialism flat-out denies the existence of God, oh yes it does.

Karl Marx, the father of Marxism and of scientific socialism, believed faith—especially Christianity—to be poisonous. He called religion the “opiate of the masses.” In fact, according to Marx, the idea of God is harmful and must be removed, if necessary by force, from society.

We are told by socialists today, Well, hostility to faith is a thing of the past. That was old-style socialism.

This argument is hollow. Socialist countries today still oppress and threaten people of all faiths. This is why churches in China are detonated and Christians continue to be persecuted. It’s why the luggage of Western visitors is inspected for Bibles in North Korea. It is why pastors in Cuba and other Latin American countries are still persecuted and why evangelism in Soviet Russia is very limited.

In America, socialism hasn’t yet taken such severe forms of oppression, but that doesn’t mean it’s not present. Today, politicians oppose candidates to the federal judiciary simply because they have spoken about their Christian faith.

2.) Socialism literally dehumanizes people.

The 20th century was the bloodiest century in the history of the world. Does it surprise us it was also the century when socialism was at its height? Under the regimes of Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin in Russia, Adolf Hitler in Germany and Mao Zedong in China, more than 150 million people were murdered, starved to death and sent to extermination camps. Many of these victims were people of faith, such as Jews and Christians.

The Bible teaches people were created in the image of God. Every human life has inherent value — regardless of age, gender or race. Our value doesn’t come from our abilities nor is it debased by our disabilities.

But socialism denies the image of God in humanity, making people dispensable. If a person is perceived to be an inconvenience, he or she can easily be discarded.

In America, this socialist belief has manifested itself in our inexcusable history of abortion. More than 60 million babies have been killed through abortion since Roe v. Wade. No country, except for Communist China, has a more liberal abortion policy than the United States. It’s no coincidence that Planned Parenthood — the largest provider of abortions in the country — was inspired by the socialist views of its ideological founder Margaret Sanger.

In Europe, abortion is being taken to even greater extremes. For example, Iceland is on the verge of “eliminating” Down syndrome — by effectively aborting every baby diagnosed prenatally with the disorder. This isn’t an innovation in medical care; it’s extermination of the weakest.

Jesus (God) was murdered and rose again. But these days Norman Geisler was right when he said, “When God dies (and He never will), man dies.”

3.) Socialism leads to real captivity.

We don't need any more of that. God, we pray against the bondage and idolatry involved with Socialism. We even pray against all the current day sex and drug trafficking and slavery in the States. Lastly, socialism’s atheistic and dehumanizing views inevitably lead to oppression and captivity. Since the state is more important than the individual, the state — in the name of the greater good — has the power to curtail individual rights such as religious liberty, free speech, freedom of assembly and private property ownership. When you remove these freedoms, you end up with a police state.

While we are not living in such a place, we see the influence of socialism more and more in our country. Just take this recent example: a city in North Carolina removed the word “Lord” from a fallen officers memorial because it received complaints from residents.

The fact that socialism is entirely at odds with religion is not an issue only Christians should care about. We live in a free and prosperous America because our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles that laid the groundwork for success.

Respected author and historian Rodney Stark spoke of this in his book “The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success.” 

He quotes a senior businessman from China who was tasked with finding the secret behind the success of the West. The businessman said, “We studied everything we could from the historical, political, economic and cultural perspective. At first, we thought it was because you had more powerful guns than we had. Then we thought it was because you had the best political system. Next we focused on your economic system. But in these past twenty years, we have realized that the heart of your culture is your religion: Christianity. That is why the West is so powerful. The Christian moral foundation of social and cultural life was what made possible the emergence of capitalism and then the successful transition to democratic politics. We don’t have any doubt about this.”

You indeed know that the Bible does not endorse one particular political or economic system — but it does teach us that God gave us life and intended for us to live free. Go look at it closer. Socialism is against both of these, and that’s the biggest reason why Christians cannot support it. If you have been, simply repent (turn and trust Christ), believe in His Gospel, let the other go. Come to.. come back to Christ now. 

“Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord—with the first of them and with the last—I am he.” Isaiah 41:4

This week, let's continue to pray against Socialism and Covid in the USA.. and earnestly pray for our leaders. 

Lord, Thanks for a president that is against Socialism. Please keep healing President Trump, his wife Melania, and his team of Covid 19. Thanks that you have been healing him. You are with us and will carry us through these Covid times. You've done it before with other plagues of past generations -- thank you! 

Great God, so worthy of praise, we pray for our churches...

May the day quickly return when Your Christian people can freely sing Your praises in all US churches here. Lord, help US pastors walk biblically! We pray that church leaders would walk in wisdom instead of in the flesh or in hypocrisy. Help all American pastors live real honest and pure in your victory. We thank You for the freedom to worship here in Texas—let it be that way in every state and may it always be so.

Draw the lost close.. into Your Kingdom to praise You, Jesus, and use us to plant seeds, to water seeds, and to reap many souls into Your Kingdom. Use us to influence, in serve well, to practically help people, to draw them to you.. not to us. (Psalm 145:3; 34:1; 30:4; John 6:44) 

Lord of Hosts, we ask for protection in Your powerful Name....

We are a nation of law and order here. Please put an end to the violence in our streets and against churches! Restore order an peace here. May these rioting criminals be exposed, caught, and come to know that You are God. May you convict and save as many as are willing to turn. May You be exalted! Destroy their evil plans and attempts -- every evil plot or weapon formed against us. Push back the attacks. Spread Your protection over us, Jesus! (Psalm 64:2; 40:16; 92:8; Matthew 16:18; Isaiah 54:17; Psalm 5:11-12) 

Nothing is impossible with You, God, including the development of a safe vaccine and medicine...

Our hope in in You, Jesus Christ! Glad there is power in Your wonderful Name! Come alongside developers and researchers; establish the work of their hands. Help them to meet impossible deadlines, for nothing is too hard for you to do. On this fast track, may there be no missteps, no one harmed. (Psalm 62:5; 90:17; Jeremiah 32:17;) 

God of love, we pray for those showing great love, risking their lives for the sick...

Do the numbers of COVID cases continue to grow here, well, we pray that they would rapidly decrease and go away. Heal the sick and protect those who help them. Please continue to heal our hard-working President and his kind wife, Melania. May we all demonstrate our love for others by obeying guidelines to reduce risk..even if the masks aren't working much. I can't stand masks, Lord. (Luke 5:17; Psalm 28:7; John 15:12-13; Philippians 2:3) 

(Continue on as you are led of course, injecting your own personal prayer ideas..)

Light of the World, lamp to our feet, we pray for schools, parents and children....

Being in the classroom is vital to child development—light the way for schools to open, guide them along the best path. Keep children, teachers, and staff healthy and safe. Provide for parents so they can meet their children’s needs! (John 8:12; 2 Samuel 22:29; Psalm 32:8; 127:3) 

We want our nation's leaders on both sides to stop acting lame or evil. God of order and peace, help our leaders and Congress to set aside politics and come together as one for the sake of the people..

While they disagree, people and businesses suffer. Companies large and small are out of business; people, out of jobs. Enable leaders to work together; guide them make wise decisions. Give us leaders who love You and Your law. (1 Corinthians 14:33; 1 Peter 3:8; Luke 10:27; Psalm 119:97) 

We Love And Praise You, Lord. Way-maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness, that is who You are...

God, I pray against the cheating (election fraud). Yes, we pray for Your will will be done in next month's US Election. for souls and against Socialism here. I pray those who try to spread it here will quickly fail. Don't need it, we need You, Jesus! Thank You, Lord, for Your people who prayed in DC a week ago. Thanks for those who walked, prayed and sang in the peaceful march across the Brooklyn Bridge and who prayed outside Trump's Walter Reed hospital. May Your agape love be the bridge that unites hearts. Break down strongholds and remove barriers that stand in American's way. (Memorize and pray the truth of Bible verses. Colossians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 10:4. He's so loyal and faithful. Let's remind God of his kind promises!) 

In Jesus’ powerful name we ask, amen. 

Here's the definition of socialism (my dad just sent this to me): “A way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government rather than by individual people and companies.”

Pray some more when you get a moment. Fish4souls.org

Are ya hurtin’ some today? Had some losses?

So sorry. Wish I had comforting words for you. I know it can get better.  

Have ya suffered some loss or rejection? Other than that? 

Sorry ‘bout it. 

Society says bury your griefs. All alone.. just stuff it all. Time heals all things. 

I say differently. Some over a whole lot of time, not turning towards God, don’t experience any healing. I say...

Feel your feelings even the grief. Face it, review your loss(es) ..and wisely express it. You can heal. There is One who can easily do that. Blessed are those who mourn their losses. They shall be encouraged, shall be comforted, shall be made strong and well. Yes, you can be well and strong. Suffering can purify us -- it can make such beautiful people.

By grace Jesus brings beauty for ashes. 

Who hasn’t had any losses here? 

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Romans 12:15

He is near, real close. Can hear you. Christ is near and fully understands. 

"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." Romans 12:15

Facts to stand on: God still loves you, hasn't bailed -- he's there for you. Prayerfully meditate upon these truths. Won't forsake ya. That's not his nature. 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:19

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

John 16:7

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 14:26

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever. John 14:16

When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;

he brought me into a spacious place. Psalm 118:5

I, even I, am he who comforts you.

Who are you that you fear mere mortals,

human beings who are but grass. Isaiah 51:12

‘Never again will they hunger;

never again will they thirst.

The sun will not beat down on them,’

nor any scorching heat.

For the Lamb at the center of the throne

will be their shepherd;

‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’

‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ Revelation 7:16-17

When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. John 15:26

For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:5 Fish4souls.org

Advocacy groups appeal to us over and over that 16.2 million children (one in five) go to bed hungry. Children here “struggle daily with hunger in the United States.”

Is the USA under God’s judgement today? Yes, I believe that this nation is (other Lands are as well), but we each can turn, trust, believe.. yes, we can pray to see it turned around cuz he is still merciful. Hasn’t changed. He loves you! Let’s earnestly pray for biblical revival and an authentic spiritual awakening. Humbly. He’s done it before and can do it again. Easy.

A nation is under judgement when it begins to feel the effects of their sins. We’ve blown it (me too) and individuals feel it. Why? God does not wink at sin. We’d do well to learn.. to start hating sin like he hates it. To start loving the Father like Jesus does. 

God has long been put out of our government, out of our schools, out of our families, out of our sports, out of our media, out of our American society in so many areas. Why remain silent? He made this world, but what part has he not been put out of today? Why remain asleep during this wake up call -- pandemic? I say wake up America. It’s time to wholeheartedly seek the Lord, and it’s time for church fellowship again. 

I will pray and vote, but I'm not primarily looking to the politicians (on either side), or to politics mainly, or to law enforcers to solve the problems in our Land. They can help, but the swamp so to speak is deeper and wider than a couple decent people can clean up. (BTW I am glad that we now have over 300 new judges put in to replace all those whacko Lib-Activist-Judges that kept shooting down our rule of U.S. law here).  

“Lord, teach us to pray.” Luke 11:1

I don’t really like pestilences, do you? (Blog)

You can know the Lord well, and then tactfully make him well known to your friends. Make your reservation in advance like you would with a hotel res. Don't put it off as some do. Today we are seeing labor pains on earth happening closer and closer to each other. Stronger and closer together now. Hey, didn’t Jesus in love warn us of these birth pains in the last days? Sure he did...  

"AND THERE WILL BE GREAT EARTHQUAKES IN VARIOUS PLACES, AND FAMINES AND PESTILENCES; AND THERE WILL BE FEARFUL SIGHTS AND GREAT SIGNS FROM HEAVEN." LUKE 21:11

“If I shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or if I command locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence and plague among My people, and My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer offered in this place.” See whole context of 2 Chronicles 7:14-16 Fish4souls.org .. Facebook.com/shareJesus

“From the Cross God declares, ‘I love you!’” ~ Billy Graham

Your aim or aims? My main aim? Do you have one or some?

What’s your main task, purpose, aim, believer? Worship, praise and prayer. That's mine today. What else? With the word seek to bring assurance to people, to win them to Jesus. Let people know that God’s in control -- the Lord can intervene in their lives even when it looks impossible. He loves us gobs, has a good plan today. I desire to edify, to comfort, and to encourage people – no matter the need, I wanna point them to the Lord as the ultimate Solution.

Could be better at this I guess -- doin' my best, I commit the rest.  I keep busy and say somethin' on the go a lot of times. What do you enjoy doing in the Lord? You okay? Need a new start? The Lord gives second chances! Ever need a new beginning?

The Bible says, "Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.’" Jonah 3:1. Mr. Jonah had rebelled and really needed to start over..needed a fresher than fresh start. He needed some forgiveness, needed to obey the Lord this time. God the Father missed him -- He was still longing for meaningful fellowship with His wayward son.

Remember how God gave King David in Israel a second chance as well. And after David committed adultery and homicide.. yep, murder (which he did to cover up his wicked adultery) God gave Dave a second chance. Repentance and faith were key.

When the prophet Nathan came and boldly confronted David, he was nailed in love. How did he respond, what did he do? He repented. And then God gave him a second chance. A new beginning in life.

Samson had a she-weakness. You remember how he had so much going for him but blue it bad.

He had committed incredible feats of strength like a superhero could do. But then he fell into sin and got involved in all kinds of sex sin and immorality.

Ultimately, Samson's enemies creeped around and then captured him. They attacked and gouged out his eyes. No more vision for Samson.

But then the Bible gives us this particular detail about Samson in the book of Judges (16:22), “But before long, his hair began to grow back” (nlt). God gave him a second chance -- a brand spanking new beginning. Man, this should give us all some hope. We've all sinned, but God will forgive and restore us. He can bless and use you! Facebook.com/shareJesus

What’s so, not so, and just won’t go. Man, what’s Easter all about?

What’s true, what's untrue, why stew -- why are ya feelin' so blue? 

Got some broken dreams or friendships? Broken lives and relationships.. I mean broke off outward, upward.. they don’t really have to stay broke forever. That’s what it’s about. 

I am feelin' amped over my favorite holiday.. all stoked inside, totally thrilled and grateful for Easter.

“I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God. § I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.” See Job 19:25–26; and Psalm 17:15

Q. How could the greatest crime of all time actually be good for us? I'm talkin' about Easter. Prestonwood.Live

Right now does it look like a dark Friday in your life? It’s Friday but Sunday’s coming!

It’s Good Friday and I’m good with it (happy inside) – Good Friday to you! You can enjoy communion and fellowship. Harvest.org/Live

It sure was good for me. For you too. The Bible says... 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

What’s not so and so today? I can only earn a life I love by doing things I hate doing. False. I can gain that beautiful life of grace.. one that I’d really enJOY.. by doing religious stuff or other things I can’t stand. False. 

Real FREEdom is a gift; it’s what Easter (a.k.a. Ress-day) is all about. True! I’m good with it. Good Friday, it sure was good for us. I am responsible to change people, to convince them, to save em, and to change this world. False. 

I am responsible for any problem in my close proximity. False. I am responsible for all of my personal choices. True. I cannot reasonably ask for an abundant life in this world that's filled with so much suffering. False. 

I can't reasonably turn from wrong-doin's and ask for or a free unending life--the one I was meant to experience. False. That's why we celebrate Christ and Easter. 

Listen, you can live the life that you were always meant to enjoy. True. You can obey the Lord in the power of His Spirit with JOY, GLADNESS, ENTHUSIASM, PEACE and obey those flawed delegated authorities over you as well.. short of sin. And you can make a good impact in this world -- it's from Him really. Yeah, Jesus is the one that does that and for some reason that I really don't fully get.. He still delights to use us people for His glory. True. Read through the Bible His love letter to believers everywhere!

I am the sum of other people’s opinions of me -- I must become what they say I’ll be. False. Misdirection, fake news, and then living ill-informed or confused to various degrees.. are good for you. False. 

Relationships are meant to be hard and complicated -- they’ve been designed to be this way. False. Broken people with broken hearts, broken dreams, and broken relationships -- it just need to stay that way minus God’s comfort, healing or restoration. False. 

Living disloyal or with deception in mind.. or with spiritual-compromise, or with selfish-lust, and greed, and fear, or feelin’ all angry at God or people, or with that emptiness, boredom or infidelity.. is natural for people. False. 

In Christ you can have a new start. True. You can be forgiven, you can enjoy real life -- life more abundantly, yup non-stop for all eternity. True!

The restlessness inside was my godlessness, but now I enjoy His rest. Man, freely forgiven ain’t at all overrated. Let Jesus take over the reigns of your life and learn of Him. 

“For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart..” Hebrews 4:10–12

Come to.. or come back to Him! No puttin’ it off, no lame excuses. Follow Christ closely. Know Him well, make Him well known, start right now. You won’t regret it.  E v e r !

Clearly hear, continue to hear and grow in grace and truth.. muse on, get, wisely apply the Good News and go tactfully tell.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10

Listen, pray for, share.. showing respect for all people. Expect God to honor His Word and do the work. The Message doesn't return void.  

In a couple days it's Easter.

Where will you go? Think I'll be takin' that trip past my livin'-room to the loft to do Easter this year. (Yeah, here).  And you?.. bring your sis, dad, brother or mother. Facebook.com/shareJesus