Baity’s troubles began during the week of May 31. He said a House clerk asked to see his prayer. The invocation including prayers for our military, state lawmakers and a petition to God asking him to bless North Carolina.”

“When I handed it to the lady, I watched her eyes and they immediately went right to the bottom of the page and the word Jesus,” he told FOX News Radio. “She said ‘We would prefer that you not use the name Jesus. We have some people here that can be offended.’”

This nation was founded as a Christian nation but there has been an ongoing war to stifle the name of Jesus, and everything else that has to do with Christianity. I have a family member that works at a college. He said that they are basically on a witch hunt at many colleges across the nation for professors who support creation over the theory of evolution. They are even pressuring intelligent design advocates to keep quiet.

What is it about this carpenter that lived over two thousand years ago that is causing such a stir? The one who said to love your neighbor as yourself and that he came so that you could have life to the fullest? What is it about his name that has universities scrambling to shut him down and government officials firing pastors?

You see, their is something different about his name. You can say god, and it could mean many different things or deities. But when you say “Jesus” you leave no doubt as to which god you are referencing. You are talking about  Jehovah, the one true living God. The alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.

You are talking about the name that all powers on heaven and Earth will bow to (Phil. 2:10-12), the name to which demons must submit (Lu. 10:17), the name that brings healing and restoration (Acts 3:16) and the name by which you can be saved (Acts 4:12).

These are dark days indeed, but according to the Bible, it is not people that are fighting against us, but forces of evil (Eph 6:12). They are fighting a losing battle, Christ’s kingdom will continue to grow and will conquer all (Dan. 2:44). And they are not fighting against you, but Christ himself (Acts 5:39).

You know that he said a whole lot more than just yes. He could have recited half of War and Peace in the time he was talking. Obviously, something was lost in translation. Unfortunately, this happens in the Bible too. The Bible wasn’t written in English, it was translated from Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek. The Greek’s are very expressive people, for example we have one word for love, and they used three. I just wanted to talk to you today about some powerful points in scripture that were lost in translation.

Romans 10:13 – “for, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” The word saved is translated from the Greek word SOZO. This word means several things, but was translated to the English word “saved”. Basically, SOZO means: to be saved, healed and delivered.

This is a much more powerful meaning than just to be saved. Also, this is not the only place where SOZO is used. Matthew 9:22 – ‘Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.’ The words translated “healed” are the Greek word SOZO.

We see this also in Luke 8:36, “Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured.” The word translated “cured” is really the word SOZO.

The word SOZO is used throughout the New Testament and always refers to Christ’s mission to save, to heal and to deliver. It is not just eternal salvation, which it is usually translated to mean in English, but also physical healing, restoration, and deliverance.

God never changes; he is the same yesterday, today and forever. Jesus desires for you to be whole - physically, spiritually and emotionally, that you truly may have more abundant life!

You see every day in the news now articles on abuse in the Church. What is going on? Well, the abuse isn’t new, but I feel that it is Christ finally dealing with these issues in the Church. Jesus is returning for a spotless bride, so he is refining her, removing the blots and blemishes (Ephesians 5:27). This is found in I Peter 4:17, “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”

How has the Church gotten so off track? We must find an answer to this question. One night I had a dream, in this dream I saw a ladder coming straight up out of the ground. It was maybe fifteen feet high. On this ladder I saw the strangest site. A man was perched on the top of this ladder in a three piece business suit. Other people, all dressed up were on the ladder at different heights.

As I watched I saw that people were trying to pull those above them down, so they could take their spot on the ladder. They were clawing at each other, trying not to lose their spot to those below, but trying to dislodge those ahead of them. On the top, the man in the three piece suit could not enjoy his “top spot” as he was constantly kicking down those below him, so he wouldn’t be toppled. No one, it seemed, realized that the ladder was only 15 feet high. To them it was the most important ladder in the world…

As I watched, my view of the spectacle zoomed out, and here I saw other ladders, varying in height, some 6 feet tall, some 25 feet tall, but the same thing was happening on each ladder. Each person was so consumed with the ladder that they were on; they could not see the other ladders. My view was zoomed out further and I could see the whole city, and I saw that these ladders were everywhere in the city. Finally my view was zoomed out even more, and what I saw stunned me. I saw in the middle of the city a golden ladder; it was massive and reached all the way to heaven. I wept when I saw no one was on this ladder.

Everyone was so consumed with their ladder, that everyone was blind to the portal that lead all the way into the heavenlies. The first time I did not understand what the dream meant. The second time I had this dream, I realized what it was. I asked several pastors and friends about what they thought it could mean. In confirmation, they all said, “It’s the church.”

Many believe that the Pastor/Priest is the head of the Church. I will step on some toes here, but the Pastor is not the head of the Church. Christ is the head of the Church (Ephesians 5:23). Many also believe that the Pastor/Priest is faultless and without sin. This also is not true (Romans 3:23). Many view the pastor as “Christ on Earth” and some pastors do not discourage this. It becomes a power issue and whenever this happens, you get spiritual and even physical abuse.

How did we get so far off track? Well, the Church is following the Earthly kingdom, not the Heavenly Kingdom. Like the dream, many churches are set up as a business would be. You have the Pastor who is the CEO, elders who are the managers, staff worker who are the employees and the congregation which are the customers. Whenever you mimic something, you receive the benefits or consequences from it. Just as you have plays for power in corporations, we now have these in the church. You have clicks and the Pastor’s favorites. You also have gossip and all the wonderful pleasantries that ensue.

God has a plan for the layout and leadership of the church. Where each member has a part, function and purpose. Where there is no clergy and laymen. No headpieces and pew warmers. This is found in I Corinthians 12:27-31, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts.”

And in I Corinthians 14:26, “What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.” [Emphasis added]

We must break away from the Earthly kingdom in our churches and embrace the upside down kingdom, where as Christ says, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

If you ask the average person on the street, “Where will you spend eternity?” most will tell you that they think they are going to hell. Or, ask a Christian if God is pleased with them. You will hear that they are not doing enough and they need to do this or that.

Why, because most people, especially Christians, are living in condemnation. Many from the last generation grew up with angry, religious pastors telling them every Sunday that they are going to hell. They did not hear the “Good News” of the gospel, that Christ is not holding their sin against them anymore. I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” And Hebrews 10:14, “because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”

Christ has made those who believe in him perfect forever by his sacrifice on the Cross! We are not without our mistakes and quirks, but we are being made holy by his spirit and his work in our lives. We are being transformed into his image and his likeness. But, none the less, as far as Christ is concerned we are perfect. When God looks at us, he doesn’t see our faults our struggles and shortcomings, but he sees a person made perfect by the sacrifice of his son.

In John 10:10 we see God’s plan is to give us life and that more abundantly. Satan’s plan for us on the other hand is to kill, rob and destroy. So this is the litmus test that we will use when comparing what message we are receiving. Does it bring life, or death?

Conviction would say to us, “My Son this is standing between you and me, confess it so our relationship can be restored”. Condemnations would say to us, “You scum; I can’t believe you did that and you call yourself a Christian!”

God will always convict us of our sin, Satan the accuser, will always condemn us. Conviction leads to forgiveness and restoration. Condemnation leads to guilt and destruction. If you are struggling with sin, repent of it and God restores you. And once you have confessed the sin God washes it away, so you do not have to keep repenting time and again over the same sin.

Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” And Psalm 103:12 says, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” and finally, Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”

So what is the voice saying to you? Is it the voice of condemnation or conviction?

Ask any non-Christian on an American street what they think about the Church and the number one response will be “They just want my money”. Is there any validity to this claim?

Ask a Christian about tithing and you will immediately be quoted Malachi 3:9-10. “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. “

We tithe then, so that we do not rob God and be cursed. Every Christian knows these verses, and they are preached with ferverance from most pulpits. But, do we really understand what they mean? What really is tithing?

What most don’t know is that Malachi 3:9-10 is a direct quote of  Deuteronomy 14:22-28. Let’s take a look at Dt 14 and see what it says about tithing. Most do not understand that the Tithe was actually a Tax. It went on a seven year cycle, with no Tithe or Tax collected on the seventh year, the year of rest. With that aside, let’s see what Dt 14 says about tithing.

Vs. 22 & 23 – Set aside the Tithe, and feast from it before the Lord – so that you may learn to revere the Lord. The Tithe was part of the festivals of Israel. They would bring the tithe and have a feast before the Lord – It was a party! A time of rejoicing and thanks to God!

Vs. 24 – 26 – If you lived to far from the place of feasting/ worship, God gave another command – To turn the tithe into coin. Now I guarantee that you have not heard Vs. 26 preached from the pulpit – “Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice.” – Again, the Tithe was a part of feasting and rejoicing together, with your family before the Lord as a thanks offering.

Vs. 28 – 29 – Do not neglect the Levites – At the end of every 3 years (No Tithe on the 7th), something else happens. The tithe is stored locally, for not only the Levites, but the aliens, fatherless and the widows, so that they may eat and be satisfied (See also Dt 26:12). And the golden verse 29 states – “… so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.”

Many preachers, to their own condemnation speak curses upon their congregation by telling them that they are under a “curse” for robbing God by not tithing. The preachers demand the “full” tithe be brought into their house. This is in direct violation to the Word of God. Preachers are not allowed to collect the full tithe. It is a twisting of the Word of God for financial gain. It is a perversion of the original intent of the Tithe – To rejoice before the Lord with feasting because of His supply and to take care of not only the Levites, but also the orphans and widows.

Many Pastors think that they are entitled to the tithe, because they are the “Man of God”. Many take the full tithe. But what about the Youth Leader who works a full time job in a factory and then gives 10-12 hours to the Church voluntarily. Did you know that the Levites were the temple workers, the singers, altar workers etc? The tithe came to them and they gave a tenth of their increase to the Priests!

I had a conversation years ago with a Pastor. My wife and I helped them run a small country Church. He told me that the goal was to get 10 tithing families in the Church, so that he could get a full salary. I talked to the President of a local Synagogue once about our process of tithing. He could not even believe what the Church was doing. I asked him what the Synagogue did for finances. He told me that they did fund raisers and received trust funds from those who passed on.

Where the curse comes in is when we do not take care of the orphans and widows. This is the curse mentioned in Malachai 3. What then is the command? Does God want our money? I think the answer lies with Cornelius. Acts 10 – Cornelius was an Italian Centurion in the Roman Army. Look at what the angel says to him – “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God”. Cornelius gave out of love and a caring heart, not out of religious duty and he was commended for it. 2 Corinthians 9:7 sums it all up – “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”.

Until next time…

John 1:1,14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” (Deut. 6:4). If the Bible says that God is one, how can there be a trilogy? The simplest way that I have ever heard this explained, and my favorite by the way, is to look at apple pie. Oh, yes, the glory of creation! You have three main ingredients in apple pie; you have apples, filling and crust, three ingredients, but one pie. The same is true with the Holy Trilogy. You have God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. Three distinct beings, that makes up one united being.

Cute example you say, but you want to know more, fair enough. Let us delve deeper into who Jesus is. This is the mystery of the Gospel that Paul mentions in Ephesians 6:19. Say that you are an all powerful god, one that commands the universe. You make mankind, in your image of course, and set them on their marry way. How could you ever really relate to them? How could you understand them on a personal level? How could you understand their trials, life, and death, if you have never experienced them yourself?

So God had a plan, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God wanted so much to know and embrace his creation that he himself became flesh and dwelt amongst us. He himself, in flesh, experienced the trials and temptations of life. Hebrew 4:14-16 states, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.”

Jesus experienced many trials in his life. He was born in a barn, his family had to leave their homeland under threat of death, his brothers didn’t believe in him, he was ostracized and publicly ridiculed, he was betrayed by his closest friends, and killed by those whom he loved. The bible does not say exactly, but I also believe that he was from a broken family. Joseph, his father is not mentioned many times in scripture, especially after Christ began his ministry. I do not know if Joseph died, they separated, or even if he disowned his own son, the bible does not say. But when Mary stood at the foot of the cross with his disciple John, Jesus said, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:25-27) Obviously if Joseph was alive, or around, the disciple John would never have taken care of her.

All of this is to say that now God, can truly relate to us, as he himself has suffered and has been tempted in this world. But he did not stop there. He sacrificed himself so that instead of just followers of Christ we could be actual sons of the living God.

Galatians 4:3-5, “So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” 1 John 3:1a says, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” Romans 8:15, “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” And vs 17, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory”

Hebrews 2:10-18, “In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.”And again, I will put my trust in him. And again he says, here am I, and the children God has given me.” Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

God loves you; he became flesh so he could relate to you, be merciful to you and understand what you have been through. He wants your life, your love in return. Won’t you become his child today? 

Daniel W. Dieterle

It is estimated that about 1,400 whales are killed each year and that Japan itself has killed about 6,000 of them since the ban on commercial whaling.

People are willing to leave everything behind, and risk their lives to stop these people from killing whales. Celebrities quickly state their stance on saving the whales and display pins and banners. Millionaires will give money to provide ships & supplies to the cause. They can’t believe that people would kill these magnificent animals. Looking into some national statistics recently I stumbled upon some interesting facts:

Causes of Death in the US:
Heart disease: 631,636 (CDC.gov)
Accidents (unintentional injuries): 121,599 (CDC.gov)
Influenza and Pneumonia: 56,326 (CDC.gov)
Firearms: 10,100 (wikipedia.org)

These are interesting numbers, and put several things into perspective. For example your chance of dying by firearm is much less than dying by a heart attack or car accident. So what is my point in all of this?

Well, as I looked I came upon another stat that chilled me to the bone. In 2005, there were 820,151 LEGAL abortions in the United States (Wikipedia.org).  That is more than all the other listed types of death combined!

International news headlines are made about a whaling conservation ship being rammed trying to save one of those 1,400 whales killed each year. Yet there is no mention of the over 2000  babies per day(!!!!!) that are aborted in the US alone . A whale is a marine animal that will never teach a class, become a doctor, or lawyer, cure cancer, lead a symphony, create a piece of art, or walk on the moon. Yet it gathers international support to protest it’s death.

We have “Save the Whales” committees, I say it is time to start a “Save the Children” movement. People need to be educated, and men, and women, need to take responsibility for their actions. Those in the public eye must make a stand for saving children. Alternative options and financial resources must be made available to save the children. Religious groups must provide counseling and support to save the children. Government officials must bring forth legislation to save the children. The time is now!

Israel is surrounded by countries on every side that are vowing to destroy her. But will they?

Ezekiel 38, 39 tells of a coming war when Russia, and her allies of Iran, Turkey, Libya, Egypt, Sudan and Somalia attack Israel. How can this be? The Bible says that God will pull them out and bring them against Israel.

But with all of these threats of destruction, does the Bible offer any hope for the Jewish Nation?

In 1948, the nation of Israel was reborn. After generations of being scattered amongst the nations, God is calling his people back to Israel. One of the most amazing miracles of the Bible is when God divided the Red Sea to save the people of Israel from the Egyptians. But in Jeremiah 16, God talks of saving his people again in such a miraculous way that people will no longer talk about the Red Sea crossing.

“However, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when men will no longer say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’ but they will say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’ For I will restore them to the land I gave their forefathers.” – Jeremiah 16:14-15 (NIV)

Our God is a God of salvation. As this mighty army advances against Israel, God will destroy them (Ezekiel 39) and the Israelites will use the equipment left over from this army as fuel for seven years. Just as when Pharoah tried to destroy Israel, God supernaturally saved them, the same will be true in this future war. Then, God will restore all of the Jewish people to the Promised Land:

“Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will now bring Jacob back from captivity  and will have compassion on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for my holy name.  They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me when they lived in safety in their land with no one to make them afraid.  When I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will show myself holy through them in the sight of many nations.  Then they will know that I am the LORD their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind.  I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the house of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD.”
- Ezekiel 39:25-29 (NIV)

Many families in the world are having very hard times now, and to make matters worse yet, many have lost their jobs.

I have seen people just starting a new position, with the hope that this would be a new path, lose their jobs. I have seen some who have had a position for 20-30 years with a company, and with little to no warning, they are let go. Some businesses have folded completely. These times can leave you feeling lost, depressed and hopeless.

I just wanted to let you know that you are not forgotten, God has a plan for you (Jer 29:11). In these times God will never leave you or forsake you (Heb 13:5). God is proud of you and loves you. Our Father is so happy with you that he sings over you! Isn’t that amazing? When our children are down, we comfort and council them. When our babies are sad and crying, we snatch them up in our arms and sing to them to comfort them.  I tell you now that we are God’s kids. He loves you and sees the hard times that you are going through. He is singing over you now!

       “The LORD your God is with you,
       he is mighty to save.
       He will take great delight in you,
       he will quiet you with his love,
       he will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)