THE NEXT WAVE www.icof.net PUBLISHER International Circle of Faith C/O Life Church 1901 Prestwick Drive LaGrange, KY 40031
Can You See Beyond Tomorrow
Ministry of Jesus Christ Barney Phillips
Bernie L. Wade
Contributing Editors Bernie Wade, Cindye Coates, Melissa Kody, Barney Phillips.
MISSION AMERICA Jackie R. Wade
Inquiries For more information
The Trayvon Martin Hoax
bernie.wade1212@gmail.com
Joel Gilbert
or call 502.655.8554
Editorial Submissions We welcome submissions and editorials.
REVIVAL REALLY?
We assume no responsibility for the
Samuel Smith
return of unsolicited submissions. Please send photos, articles, and
documents to Life Church 1901 Prestwick Drive LaGrange KY 40031 Electronic submissions to:
RELIGITICS: Heather MacDonald
bernie.wade1212@gmail.com
NEXT WAVE MAGAZINE Annual Subscription: $36 US
Health & Wellness Melissa Kody
2
the people of God. The call to prayer around the world has rallied the people of God to pray and fast for God to stay the threat of a virus killing unprecedented numbers. God has once again prevailed. Those who are anti-Christ refuse to admit that God is in control. In His place, they proffer that they have all the answers. The showdown is in full view of the world. Once again, we have Elijah on the mountain challenging the prophets of Baal.
FROM THE EDITOR Praise Jesus! Welcome to the Next Wave! We are excited to bring to you this new issue of Next Wave Magazine. Our focus remains on dealing with issues that are relevant to ministering to the Body of Christ at Bernie L. Wade, Sr. this crucial time in the Editor maturation process. What is painfully obvious is that the Church (at least what we generally identify as the Church) is not ready to manifest in the earth. Just this tiniest bit of persecution and the people are making excuses for why they don’t really need to be at church, railing on those who are still going and a myriad of other challenges that make it clear the Church needs to find its way back to Jesus Christ. He is the only one who is actually in control.
Some are confused because they see so many who claim Christ caught in the crossfire of this battle for the mind. This is not a new phenomenon. It was the same in the days of the great Prophets like Elijah. The people were fickle and would follow the trend of the day. So many have been looking for a Revival and Revival has come. However, Revival does not look like many thought it should. As a result, some are missing this day of the visitation of the Lord. Now is the day of salvation. Please prepare your heart. Focus all your attention on Him.
Every year we participate in the sponsorship of Life Fest. Let me encourage you to come to Life Fest 2020. www.lifefestus.com I will promise you that is will be life changing. Those who know their God will be strong and do exploits.
This year at Life Fest 2020 we are expecting some new faces! We are excited by those who have contacted us to say they are coming.
Earlier this year I wrote, “2020 is going to be a tremendous year for the Body of Christ. We have focused for several years on this Next Wave of the Spirit of God. The Next Wave is here!” Our message has not changed because of the hysteria that currently dominates the news cycle. For several years we have been expectant of a NEXT WAVE of the Holy Spirit! I am more convinced than ever that 2020 is our year! I see a great awakening of people who are learning that without God we are in real trouble. There is a renewed focus on prayer for 3
4
the motivation attention, control, or fear? Realizing that this is a challenge far beyond my ‘pay grade’, I have asked God to help me understand. I know that He alone is in control of tomorrow. God alone has foresight. It is His Plan that matters. With Daniel 11:32 ringing in my head, “the people who know their God shall be strong and do exploits.” Another translation puts it this way, “the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.”
Can You See Beyond Tomorrow? By Bernie L. Wade
I have prayed and thought about direction so that I might be helpful at this crucial time in our World. Of interest is the status of the World in general and of note my home country, the United States of America. It is evident that the enemies of God and those who are anti-Christ have been busy and apparently see this time as the time to press their vision for global utopia forward in any way possible. The result has been pandemonium even among those who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ! There have been few times in the last 2000 years where Christ followers have been so divided on issues that threaten us all.
I hear clearly that God is in control even during the storm or we might say especially in the storm! A pastor friend reminded me that ‘All things work together for Good to them that Love God and are the called according to his purpose’. God is not caught ‘off guard’ by current events. God is not waiting for some politically motivated person to decide. God has been in control long before creation and He will remain in control. We used to sing the refrain, “Beyond Tomorrow, my skies will all be blue! Beyond Tomorrow, where dreams come true!”
As we look forward, I am prompting to ask some pertinent questions. Do we see beyond tomorrow? Do we even see beyond today? Do we see beyond the last post that triggered your emotional response? Is God speaking through the plethora of those who are having dreams and authoring prophecies?
There is a place beyond the din of the current trauma, beyond all the trials and test of life, where God reigns supreme! This is not a time to walk in fear, but to walk in freedom and direction that comes only from the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not by human strength that we will overcome the World but by the Spirit of the Living God!
One thing is for certain, there is something happening that is bigger than all of us. I have sharpened my focus so that I might hear a relevant Word. I have witnessed as people have ‘prophesied’ all manner of ideas. I have listened to some recite their dreams and visions. I have wondered what voices are hearing from God, what voices are just reciting their take on current events and what voices are just making it up. Motive is important. Is
Since the dawn of the ages, long before Star Trek began its five-year mission to seek out intelligent life, people have sought to see the future and to reach the vast portals of outer space. Many have been confused by the plethora of voices, media, etc. that seems to barrage us on of daily basis. I have witnessed people confused by dreams and visions. It is not a new thing for men to seek personal gain 5
or attention from making predictions, sharing dreams and visions, and predicting the future. Most of these have ended in utter derision.
the voice of the Lord our God anymore or see this blazing fire, for we will die.’ 17 “Then the Lord said to me, ‘What they have said is right. 18 I will raise up a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell the people everything I commend him. 19 I will personally deal with anyone who will not listen to the messages the prophet proclaims on my behalf. 20 But any prophet who falsely claims to speak in my name or who speaks in the name of another god must die.’
Let me speak as succinctly as I can about Godly direction in general. I am persuaded that the current situation is not something that God is confused about. The Word of God has not (does not) change because of the will of politicians, the direction of society or the rising tide of personal opinions. God does not rule by committee, popular opinion, permission, or majority vote. He is never waiting to see how the wind blows to decide how He should respond. He is simply God. No committee of preachers voted Him in, and no church denominations governing body can vote Him out!
21 “But you may wonder, ‘How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the Lord?’ 22 If the prophet speaks in the Lord’s name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the Lord did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without my authority and need not be feared.
People (all of us) are reactionary, conditional, short-sighted, and much more. When I survey the condition of those that call themselves part of the Church, I have to say that I am concerned. More than that, I ask myself and aloud, “what can we do to improve?” Now, to be clear, I am speaking of those who claim Christ and as such claim to be part of the Church. As the Church is the Body of Christ, no one of us is the Church by ourselves. To claim to be the Church, to speak for the Church, etc., is a little spurious. Only God speaks for His Church. When members of the Body of Christ claim to speak for God they must be very succinct in what we say and be certain that God has spoken. Moses gave us the test of a ‘True’ Prophet. Those who claim to be a prophet should be rejected if they do not meet the test.
Today’s prophetic community often tries to explain it away when their favorite ‘prophet’ offers something that does not meet the test, but Moses gave no out. Prophecy is serious business. IF God said it – it happens. If it doesn’t happen – God did not say it! Don’t fall for the false prophets.
True and False Prophets 15 Moses continued, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. 16 For this is what you yourselves requested of the Lord your God when you were assembled at Mount Sinai.[a] You said, ‘Don’t let us hear
Dreams and Prophecy I remember when William Branham’s followers went to the mountain 1975 to waiting for the Lord’s Return. About the same time, I Remember when Hal Lindsey and his book, “The Late Great Planet Earth” was a 6
truth in the name of the Lord?” 17 Then Micaiah answered, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the Lord said, ‘These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.’”
Bestseller. In 1988, there was the guy who wrote 88 Reasons Why the Lord is Coming in 1988 was dominating the news cycle. Then we had the whole Y2K scam with many of the same clown show as part of the circus. Unfortunately, many who should know better follow these schemes. It is sad that many who claim Christ still believe much of this nonsense.
18
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?” 19 Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the multitudes of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left. 20 And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’
I have been contacted in recent weeks about videos and other media from those who claim they have seen the future. Let me honestly say that I am perhaps too much of a critic when it comes to prophecy. Yet, to my defense I only offer that I am careful so that I and those for whom I am responsible are not deceived, led astray, or confused by those claiming to be seers.
“One suggested this, and another that. 21 Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will entice him.’ 22 “‘By what means?’ the Lord asked. “‘I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said. “‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord. ‘Go and do it.’ 23 “So now the Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours. The Lord has decreed disaster for you.”
For the most part those who are offering their prophetic utterances are saying that ALL IS WELL. These generally see the world through the Western mind set. They say that all is well. Pointedly, they say “Donald J. Trump” will be re-elected and all will be well. For the record, I certainly hope they are correct. However, I must admit I feel like Micaiah. While all the prophets are proclaiming “Go up and prosper”, I am feeling like there is ‘more to the story’.
24
Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah went up and slapped Micaiah in the face. “Which way did the spirit from[a] the Lord go when he went from me to speak to you?” he asked.25 Micaiah replied, “You will find out on the day you go to hide in an inner room.”
Scripture tells us that the messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, “Look, the other prophets without exception are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably.” 14 But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me.” 15 When he arrived, the king asked him, “Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or not?” “Attack and be victorious,” he answered, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”
The king of Israel then ordered, “Take Micaiah and send him back to Amon the ruler of the city and to Joash the king’s son 27 and say, ‘This is what the king says: Put this fellow in prison and give him nothing but bread and water until I return safely.’” 28 Micaiah declared, “If you ever return safely, the Lord has not 26
The king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the 16
7
spoken through me.” Then he added, “Mark my words, all you people!”
sides and become enemies based on the current political rhetoric. Rhetoric that will be old and tired before this year of 2020 ends. Sadly, these have lost focus. They have turned their attention to earthly things and given them higher priority that those things which are eternal.
On the other hand, there are also several dreamers who have postulated that this is the end of the United States. These offer that ‘the Russians or the Chinese are coming’. This sense of impending doom is generally born from fear and insecurity. The idea of the unknown or the uncertain is frightening. We must be careful to know when the Lord has spoken. While pondering my general feeling I hear the clear calm of the Holy Spirit directing me. I feel the prompting that “Yes, indeed, everything is going to be all right.” The reason for this calm assurance is not based on election predictions, good vibrations, or reading a preponderance of world new magazines. Rather, I know assuredly that whatever happens in the election cycle of the United States, no matter who is elected President, etc., God remains in control.
Politics Politics, by definition, is enmity with the things that the Church should have as its primary focus. We should care about people. Politics is the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power. In short, politics is a struggle for power. We must remember that as the Body of Christ our warfare is NOT carnal but is mighty to the pulling down of strongholds. Our expectation should not be in carnal solutions or earthly answers but rather those that are eternal.
It is like the song, “I’ve God a Feeling that Everything is going to be all right!” This is not a declaration of what men will do, but rather confidence that no matter what men do, God is still in control. It is in Him that we live, move, and have our very being! As the people of God, we cannot be swayed by random dreams and unqualified prophecies. We must have our anchor in the proven Word of God. Current Events
Let me ask you some questions. Are you involved in an earthly struggle? Do you hope that you can solve eternal problems with temporary solutions? Do you believe that is it in men to direct their own paths? Do you believe the answer is in a man, a political party, or some other group?
It is easy for some and even more easy for others to get caught us in current events. Interpreting the Bible based on current events is risky at best. If we are not careful, we can let our emotions run wild and cause irreparable damage. I have watched in horror as men and women (all claiming to be people of God) takes 8
Generational Curses
are also responsibilities. I pray that I shirk none of the things for which I am responsible. I pray that I never take the easy road. I pray that I never sacrifice Liberty for temporary safety!
There is a common idea today that you or your family or your ancestor’s infractions, sins or misdeeds are somehow your responsibility. There is widespread belief that you should pay for such both in some sort of attrition and with monetary considerations. This false dogma drives many people’s interpretation of current events. Black people have been convinced that they are entitled for compensation based on their skin color or the idea that their ancestors may have been enslaved. They often blur the lines between racism and slavery, missing that people of all colors and likely all ethnicities have been enslaved at some point in history.
The Founding Fathers of the United States we very well acquainted with abuse of power by a Government. Their lives were controlled by a king who lived thousands of miles away. A king that they had no vote in how he ruled. The dream of a county where the citizens elected those who made the laws became their vision. One of those founders was Samuel Adams. His cousins John and John Quincy would both one day become Presidents of the United States. Liberty was paramount to the Adams family prompting Samuel to say this:
White people are being taught to feel guilt for the sins of others. Perhaps these were their ancestors or more likely just persons who happen to have the same skin color or nationality. This is also error. No one is required to make restitution for another man’s sins. It is totally unscriptural! If you have sinned against someone else, then you are responsible, and you do need to make that right through repentance. Do not be confused by rhetoric. Black Lives Matters is not an organization hoping to make the lives of others better. It is a Marxist organization focused on power. Many in the US Government and the Business community have already drank the purple Kool-Aid. They are 100% committed to the hatful rhetoric.
“The liberties of our country, the freedoms of our civil Constitution are worth defending at all hazards; it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors. They purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood. It will bring a mark of everlasting infamy on the present generation – enlightened as it is – if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or to be cheated out of them by the artifices of designing men.” ~Samuel Adams
Conclusion I have stated this before, but I want to say it again. God, in His infinite wisdom, allowed me to have the unique opportunity to be born naturally in the United States of America. As a Citizen of the United States I think often of the parallel of being a Citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven and a Citizen of the United States. In both cases there are rights and privileges. In both cases there 9
These well-intentioned men were not naïve. They have no illusions that the country they had helped to found was perfect. America was not just a place in their minds – it was an idea based on these words:
their mouths and say they have done no wrong. Despite the unwillingness of the Democrat Party to abolish slavery and recognize the rights of others regardless of the color of one’s skin and at great price of human lives the United States would fight the American Civil War.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
The result of the American Civil War was more than 600,000 men [Free men – predominately white] would shed their blood during that War. I only reference their color because it is a trigger for those who currently seek to divide us. White Americans died by the hundreds of thousands to end the scourge of slavery.
Thomas Jefferson The Declaration of Independence Second Continental Congress Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The ideas were clearly outlined in the Constitution of the United States. What they had created was the platform that would set the stage to make the whole World a better place. There was no illusion that they had created perfection but rather the hope that they had created a vision for a better tomorrow.
In the end, slavery in the United States was over. Hundreds of thousands of men died to give freedom to those who were denied the opportunities promised by the Constitution of the United States. What we all gained from the vision of our forefathers is there were some that could see a better world, a better tomorrow! The challenge for all of us is to also envision a better world, a better tomorrow.
John Adams concerns about slavery were well known. John Adams said that slavery contradicted the principles of republicanism. It was the seed of this republicanism that would give birth to a better tomorrow. But it would John Adams son, John Quincy Adams, that would lay the foundation for the abolition movement. He did not focus on the past but dreamed of a better tomorrow.
Whatever, the outcome of tomorrow’s natural battle we must focus on the fact that Jesus Christ came, gave His life that we could have Abundant Eternal Life! That is the goal. Can you see beyond tomorrow? Start a revival. Draw a circle around you and start a revival in that circle. Revival starts with you! Then, reach out to others. If you will seek the direction of the Lord, He will put you on a path where BEYOND TOMORROW we will one day be in a better place, eternal in the heavens with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!
Decades after John Adams was President of the United States another President, Abraham Lincoln, building on the foundation laid by his forefathers would help establish the Republican Party with a platform to end slavery in the United States. His opponents in the Democrat Party not only went to war to oppose him, but unfortunately, they have conducted a covert war of various kinds that continues to this very day. Today, we are watching in real time as the leaders of the Democrat Party attempt to rewrite their own history. Like those wicked people that Solomon wrote they wipe
Bishop Bernie L. Wade, PhD is the Presiding Bishop of International Circle of Faith – ICOF. He is also Chancellor of Life College www.lifecollege.education 10
11
We have our Hispanic brethren and sisters at heart as we look to reach more Spanish speaking people with the word of Salvation. Spanish speaking ministers are needed for this great work.
MISSION AMERICA By Jackie R. Wade
We even have the Native American population in our crosshairs to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ as well. Let us know if you have desire to minister to the Native Americans.
Missionaries needed for America It has recently been brought to my attention that there is a need for missionaries here in the United States of America. Missionaries did you say??? Missionaries??? Missionaries for America???
We have not neglected the prison population in our country. Our Prisoner’s Friend ministry is engaged in bringing the gospel to those who are incarcerated in this fair country. We are looking for more people with a burden for these souls. By this time, you are saying: “Did I not tell you that we are thoroughly doing a work for the Lord? We are covering all these areas for his kingdom. So, you repeat, why would we need missionaries and just where would they work???
We have churches all over the map in America. What makes you think that we need missionaries??? Where do we need Missionaries??? The English-speaking population is well covered and is being expanded by ALJC. We are looking for good ministers with a burden for a given city that can be helped through this program.
12
I am well aware of the great work that is being done on behalf of all the abovementioned groups. There is however one group that we are wondering about. There is a rather large portion of our country that we feel may be missing from our efforts to reach the lost for Christ.
ignored by most churches. Very few are making any attempt to reach them with the plan of salvation. They do not know what the gospel “good news� is all about. Only 7% have even heard the name of Jesus. Less than 2% are associated with any religious church.
I have expressed the need for missionaries. This is because a missionary must learn the language of the people he or she is going to work with. They must also learn their customs and the culture. There is a group of people here in the USA that has a different language than those we have mentioned and different from most of us. They have their own customs and their own culture. These customs and culture are entirely different from our ways.
Who am I talking about? They could be your neighbor, your son or daughter, the person who helps you with your groceries or serves you your food at a restaurant. They are basically invisible to most who pass them in the stores or eat with them at a restaurant. Who??? Who am I speaking of??? Those born without the ability to hear the word of God, the Deaf. The UPCI has begun to reach out to this group, yet they estimate that less than 1% of their churches have an outreach program to reach the Deaf.
You are probably asking yourself, who could I be speaking of that fits that criteria. There are over 30 Million people in this group here in the United States. The estimate for the whole world that belongs to this group is between 250-300 Million. If all these people were to be brought together in one country, they would constitute the 4th largest populated country in the world.
Thus, we have a need for missionaries to the Deaf. These missionaries would of course have to learn the language of the Deaf and study their customs and culture to be effective. We would love to hear from anyone who has a burden for this ministry. If you have an outreach to the Deaf in your
Their language is the 3rd most used language in the USA. They are however 13
local assembly, would you be so kind as to inform us ( bernie.wade1212@gmail.com)
The church mentioned above also has an annual Deaf Conference once a year on the first weekend of August. This August will mark the 3rd such conference. Last year at the Deaf Conference we were privileged to see 3 Deaf people baptized in name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins. We were also thrilled to see 2 deaf people filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
The Apostolic Pentecostal Church of the Living God in Bedford, Kentucky does have such an outreach. They also have a sign choir called Silent Praise. The choir is requested to perform at many churches throughout the area of Kentucky and Indiana.
The hearing in attendance went wild with joy and praise as they witnessed these infillings of the Holy Ghost in people unable to hear the word of God as we do or even able to speak as we do. This was the first experience for most to witness a deaf person being born again. It is an awesome thing to behold. Maybe you would like to make plans to attend this years’ meeting. You too may be rewarded with such an experience. Silent Praise
Jackie R. Wade was a unigue gift to the body of Christ. She capitalized on those who were deaf or hard of hearing to create her ministy, Silent Praise. In 2020, Jackie went on to her eternal reward but her legacy lives on in the lives of those she impacted. Hands of Praise – Deaf Ministry of Life Church 1901 Prestwick Drive, LaGrange KY 40031
14
15
16
17
compromised church to the detriment of all. The revivalist, Leonard Ravenhill, said it best, 'The Church has paid a high price for numbers.'" (This excerpt is from his book...Revival...His Way, pages 63,64).
REVIVAL REALLY? By Bishop Samuel Smith
REVIVAL....Really???, do we really know what real revival and true conversion is anymore? "Today, many come into our churches because they desire blessing, comfort, and fellowship. They want the birthright and benefits of the church without truly assimilating into biblical identity. I am afraid that they only want to be saved from Hell but not from their sinful ways. Jesus taught us to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow him, (see Luke 9:23). They are not willing to 'pluck things out and cut things off,' as Jesus taught his disciples for the sake of establishing His overcoming Church with safe boundaries, disciplines, and values (see Mathew 5:29-30). They are not willing to die out to the flesh, as Paul taught, nor do they desire to put on and wear the sometimes uncomfortable 'whole armor of God' to be victorious in spiritual warfare. They are not willing to pay the price of apostolic discipleship. They want to enjoy the banquet without the battle. They want a first-class ticket, without paying the price. Even worse, they bring worldly attitudes into the church; having never died to the flesh, they bring in their worldly values, lusts, agendas, and rebellion against both God's and man's authority. It becomes a matter who is converting who? Are souls conforming to the spiritual model taught by Jesus and his apostles, or in the rush for numbers, are we accommodating the masses in order to build our membership rolls to the point that we accept their behavior and the mix becomes the standard of a 18
19
Every action has a cause and effect. The Bible says, "The curse cometh not causeless." There is a reason for the decline of America, and it is not Clinton, Bush, or Obama. It is not a Democrat or Republican issue. Nor is it Wall Street, big banks and big business, nor even Hollywood. It is a sin issue; plain and simple! The Bible records: "Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any nation" (Proverbs 14:34). According to the words of Jesus, we are living in the days, likened unto the days of Noah; Genesis 6:5 describes what those days were like. "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." What was the answer in Noah's day? Repentance. "Repentance" is mentioned seventy times in the Gospels. What was the message that Jesus gave in the last book in Bible, Revelation, to the churches? "Repent!"
Wolves With Bloody Hands By: Bishop Samuel L. Smith
Following the most recent national tragedy, the police massacre in Dallas, the social media lit up with commentaries. Everyone seemed to have an opinion. Indeed, the unwarranted deaths of black men is tragic; likewise, unwarranted deaths of innocent police are tragic. Everyone has a right to his own opinion. One such expression struck me as especially unfitting. It was from a nationally renowned TV preacher, whose commentary began with the longest lament, how disappointed he was, and hurt, and upset, and even bewildered, at the rise in violence and upheaval in our nation. As he continued with his narrative how personally distraught and desperate he is to find the answer to repair America, I found myself talking back to the screen, saying, "I really don't care how you feel, the problems with America, mostly lie at yours and your ministerial associates' feet." Let me justify my impression by quoting the noted 19th century clergyman, Charles Spurgeon, who had the largest church in England at the time, with over 5,000 worshippers on Sundays, a prolific preacher, Bible scholar, author, prayer warrior, and who was called by his contemporaries, "the Prince of Preachers".
Against that backdrop, I quote from one of the greatest revivalist of our time; author, pastor, evangelist, David Wilkerson: "Show me a preacher who never exposes sin --- who doesn't show people the difference between the holy and the profane, who doesn't mention repentance or judgment, but instead says God wants to make you rich and prosperous --- and I'll call such a man what he is. He is a wolf. And he has substituted the Cross for cash." Our Lord Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matthew 7:15).
I quote: "Brethren, our preaching will bear its legitimate fruits. If there is decay of conscience, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the press lacks moral discernment, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the church is degenerate and worldly, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the world loses interest in Christianity, the pulpit is responsible for it. If Satan rules in our halls of legislation, the pulpit is responsible for it. If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it."
The TV preacher whom I reference in this article and his contemporaries, all millionaires, are all about prosperity, "a better me," bigger and better houses, successful businesses, and feeling good about one's self. They preach a gospel that majors on money and numbers. They are loved and adored by politicians, Hollywood, and the world as a whole. Politicians, movie celebrities, and rock-stars, laud and praise them. Thus, we have a generation of citizenry, politicians, and youth, 20
who have no spiritual anchors, no fear of God, little or no awareness of the consequences of sin, not sensitive to eternal values; they seek the treasures of this world rather than laying up treasures for the next world. I quote C. S. Lewis; "If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this world."
salvation as the result of faith, these are our battle-axe and weapons of war." Americans need to hear from every pulpit, that we are the creations of an Almighty God and ultimately must give an account how we have lived. Americans must hear that every soul will spend eternity somewhere, that there is a day of judgment coming; that there is a Heaven prepared for the born again; but the wages of sin is eternal separation from God, and that the wicked will be turned into Hell. I know, it is called old-school and legalism, but it is the truth anyhow, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." It will be a terrible thing to hear our Lord say one day, "Depart from me, for I know you not!" Eternity to the saved is day with no sunset; to the lost it is night with no sunrise.
Surely, by now, the American clergy and most of their congregations have enough money, leisure, and pleasure to make their lives reasonably comfortable. I have been around the world twice, by comparison, there are few really poor people in America. More than anything, this country needs God! The Christian ministry, equipped with the Gospel of Christ, and the apostles' doctrine, are the chosen ones entrusted with the same keys that Jesus gave Peter to set mankind free from the prison of sin, and change their hearts. Only the message of our Lord Jesus Christ, can stop the cycle of violence and wickedness and the consequences thereof throughout America.
"But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand" (Ezekiel 33:6). Preachers stop looking for answers in all the wrong places; just preach the Gospel! Otherwise, no matter how prestigious you become, what level of success or fame and riches you attain; in reality, you're a Wolf with bloody hands.
My answer to the famed TV preacher's Facebook commentary; stop looking for some mysterious silver bullet, some catchy slogan; "Let us become one, ---can't we just get along--let's have a detailed national debate." No, you will not find the answer there; Apostle Paul had the only answer; "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth" (Romans 1:16).
Bishop Sam Smith
I conclude my commentary with a suggestion to those who are under the sway and influence today of superstar preachers and their megachurches, by once again quoting Charles Spurgeon; "We are not called to proclaim philosophy (the philosophies of men), but the simple Gospel. Man's fall, his need of a new birth, forgiveness through atonement, and
Bishop Samuel Smith is the Chairman of the Apostolic World Christian Fellowship (AWCF). www.awcf.org
21
22
ICOF members have united over 50,000 ministers representing more than 25 Million constituents, several hundred colleges, universities and other Christian schools, orphanages & feeding programs, humanitarian aid organizations, chaplains and other charities.
23
My Journey: Taking Charge of My Health
with this natural defense system and when we get that sudden rush of adrenaline, we may experience tingling or a “jittery” feeling, the hair on the back of our neck may stand up or we may even start to feel (and literally hear) our heart beating rapidly inside our chest. Once the situation or danger passes, things should return to “normal”, but some people live in a constant state of fear and therefore, never return to a normal state. If not addressed, this can have serious adverse effects on a person’s physical, mental, and spiritual health. Before going any further, it is important to understand I am not a doctor; I am not a medical professional and I have no formal medical training or certification. The information I present here should not be construed as medical advice. I am simply an individual who, through my own journey and research, has gained knowledge and understanding about my health. You should always seek the advice of a properly trained medical professional to deal with any of your medical conditions.
Melissa Kody Healthier, Greener Living
Now that we have that out of the way . . . As a child of God, you should know what the Word has to say about fear:
Fear: The Enemy of Your Health
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and selfdiscipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
We live in a time of uncertainty and while that uncertainty may not have a noticeable effect on some, for others, it can incite fear, panic, and terror. What is fear? The dictionary defines fear as, “a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined, the feeling or condition of being afraid.”
“So, don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:34 (NLT) Have you ever thought about how fear affects your health? When we are faced with a situation and our natural bodily response kicks in, that sudden rush of adrenaline causes our bodies to shut down what it deems “non-essential”. It does this to devote more resources to the immediate danger. As mentioned earlier, once the
Most of us understand fear is a natural human response. Some might call it the “fight-or-flight” response and it is something that happens to all of us when faced with uncertainty. We are designed 24
danger has passed, things should return to a normal state because our bodies were never designed to be in a constant state of fight or flight. It should be momentary and temporary. The problem with living in fear, long-term, is that it will eventually affect your health in a negative way.
Heavenly Father for the answer. Are you fearful? It is God’s intention and will for us to live a life free from fear. His promise to us is life. In fact, His Word tell us He sent His Son, Jesus, into the world so that we may have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). We simply need to trust in Him, and His perfect love will cast out all fear (1 John 4:18). His Word also says He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deut. 31:6; Josh. 1:5; Heb. 13:5) so even when we feel alone, we are not! Jesus is the answer.
Several health issues are associated with living in fear and the longer we allow fear to rule, the more damage it can cause. These issues include, but are not limited to, a weakened/compromised immune system and digestive issues such as ulcers and IBS.
I pray that each person reading this will seek after the peace that only comes through Jesus Christ. Trust Him and take comfort in knowing that He is in control.
Fear can also cause fatigue, high blood pressure, headaches, difficulty breathing and memory problems. If left unaddressed, more serious conditions can develop like decreased fertility, cardiovascular damage, premature aging and even death.
In Christ’s Name, Melissa Kody
In addition to the physical effects, there are some mental/psychological implications as well. These include, but are not limited to, depression, anxiety, panic-attacks and even Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Certainly, this is not the way God intended for us to live!
Melissa Kody lives near Cleveland with her husband, James. She works as an Administrative Assistant for a Christian non-profit organization and runs a lifestyle Blog with her sister called “Green Livin’ Girls” (www.greenlivingirls.com). In her spare time, she enjoys decorating and design.
As bad as some of these conditions are, the greater concern should be the affect fear has on our spiritual well-being. Remember, God has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7) so when you allow fear to rule your life, it affects how you see God and how you feel about Him. Fear is the enemy of faith; it steals your peace and gives room to doubt. When we are faced with stressful situations, we sometimes struggle with knowing what to do or how to respond. The Bible says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 (NKJV). If we do not know what to do, we simply need to ask our
https://www.greenlivingirls.com/tag/green-living/
25
26
27
28
29
30
was totally submitted to the Father, and this helped forth His great understanding.
The Ministry of Jesus Christ By Barney Phillips, PhD.
“And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sit; loose him, and bring him” (Mk. 11:2). Jesus had prepared even the seemingly insignificant details so that His ministry might be made complete. “And He must needs go through Samaria” (Jn. 4:4). Nothing was left to chance in his ministry. He understood what he needed to do and how to do it.
“Many people in ministry today seek to emulate Jesus ‘power, fame, and miracles, but few want to imitate His selfless service to His Father and His servant hood toward mankind.” Jesus’ ministry displayed both great understanding and great spiritual implementation. Jesus had a plan for everything he did. It was not a haphazard ministry deciding at the dawn of each day what should come next. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52). And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). He entertained no distractions. He was totality dedicated and ordered his ministry to complete the vision given from his father.
Jesus used wisdom and prepared Himself. At 12 years of age, He knew His identity and purpose because He was submitted to His Father. The Fact that these characteristics increased in Jesus speaks of preparation. There was a time when Jesus had more wisdom than He had previously. Yes, even Jesus was prepared and grew in maturity.
One of the chief ways Jesus ordered his ministry was in the call and appointment of his apostles. Jesus ordered His ministry according to the pattern given by God through Moses. He didn’t look for a new plan or a more effective plan; but because he had understanding, he followed a plan given by the Father, for it was a perfect plan and a type of that which His Father would do through Him in the spirit.
“As his custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read” (Lk. 4:16, emphasis added). Jesus had a custom, a routine or plan he followed in how he ministered. “He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:8) Jesus
31
Yet today, what appears to be a great ministry of God will end at the gravesite or be perverted by those who come after because ministry fails to bring forth genuine ministry sons in proper order. Many people in ministry today seek to emulate Jesus ‘power, fame, and miracles, but few want to imitate His selfless service to His Father and His servant hood toward mankind. They desire to eat of his flesh, but they are unwilling to drink of his blood. If we are willing to eat and live off the revelations and word given by the spirit, we also need to be willing to become partakers of His suffering and sacrifice.
And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel (Rev 21:12). And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Rev 21:14). And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee ( Num 11:16) After these things, the Lord appointed other seventy also and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. (Luke 10:1) Jesus chose 12 (signifying foundations and government) apostles. He chose 70 (7x10, perfection times order) and sent them out two by two. These 70 are like the eldership of the Church (see Num. 11:25). He also had many other disciples (servants—by implication, the deacons). Likewise, the Jewish religion in Jesus’ day was organized after the Old Testament patterns. He followed the pattern of the high priest office, the Sanhedrin----or the council of elders, and the temple ministry
And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostle (Luke 6:13).
The apostles were ministry sons of Jesus. They gave Him relationship and provided service, and He entrusted the care of His ministry into their hands. In fact, were it not for the training and relationship they received from Jesus, Jesus’ ministry would not have survived beyond his death? Jesus was totally dependent on these ministry sons to carry the message and order of His ministry to the world.
The apostles were first disciples. There was some qualification and preparation necessary for this calling. They were disciples first. There is also a plan for those the Father would bring into our ministries. He certainly chooses some we would discard. He also chooses some who may not be genuine but fulfill His greater purpose. Paul had Demas and of course Jesus had Judas. God knows what we do not and brings His will to pass. 32
In ordering His ministry with the 12, Jesus chose at least four sets of brothers. (It is worthy to note that Jesus did not choose any of the young priests of the temple or the religious community but chose them from the community at large). He chose fishermen, married and single men, tax collectors, a political insurrectionist, and even a thief. He also did not seek the prominent or prosperous or even the socially acceptable, but for those given Him by the father. It was not His will but the Father’s he sought.
preparation so that they could be about their father’s business. Jesus trained them in many ways and set them to foster His ministry Just as the tribes of Israel were ordered according their functions, so Jesus set the apostles to serve His ministry. Jesus broke their functions in his ministry down into three areas corresponding to the three dimensions of service. He grouped the apostles into three groups of four as indicated by the four listings of the apostles in scripture. The names of each apostle, through in different order, always fall within their particular group. Heading each group of four and always in the same position are: Position number one---Peter; position number five----Phillip; and position number nine----James, the son of Alphaeus. Judas as the betrayer is always listed last in each account. The first group of Peter, James, John, and Andrew is separated from the other two by their closeness to Jesus. The first three of these disciples form what is called by some, Jesus’ inner circle. These seem to have the highest connection in the spirit. The second group, headed by Phillip, seems to be a liaison between the people and Jesus, while the third group seems to minster to the material needs of Jesus and His entourage.
Because the Lord looks at the heart, He sees value in people that our prejudices and fears often overlook. He sees in His sons not only what they are, but more importantly, what they can become. His is not afraid to bring into his ministry those who are less than perfect, knowing that it is part of His job to mold imperfect men into vessels fit for use. Even with Judas, knowing from the beginning that he would betray him, he never ceased to reach out towards him to the very end. He knew the Father’s will and was predisposed to not only what was desirable but also what was necessary to fulfill purpose. In a visual survey of Jesus’ ministry, it would appear He walked around Judea and Samaria doing good things with 12 companions who were along for the ride. But as we look more closely, we see that Jesus had a purpose for the apostles far beyond the fulfillment of a bible type. They were first and foremost to become the foundation for the propagation of Jesus ministry beyond his death. This three-and-a-half-year period of training and
Whatever significance we may want to assign to each group or each apostle, it does seem evident that Jesus ordered His followers according the same function or were privy to all the same events of Jesus’ ministry. They all varied in glory one from 33
another. While considering this information about the order of Jesus’ and his disciples, we must determine proper qualification of our own ministries.
What Can We Learn from The Organization of Jesus’ Ministry? If we understand He was an ordered ministry, then perhaps we can gain some helpful insight in operating ours? Perhaps we will see how to break our ministries down according to required function.
Every ministry is qualified by its development in four areas. 1. First, is the area of leadership requiring vision, integrity, and direction. Jesus filled this position in His ministry. 2. Second, it is qualified by its message--doctrine and purpose. 3. Third, it is qualified by its organization. Every ministry must be organized to address the needs of those it ministers to and to handle the issues of ministry in an ordered way. His group of Jesus apostles was uniquely qualified. Matthew gave a written account of Jesus ministry with the preciseness of a tax collector, (It is also worthy to note the Jesus chose the disciples accordingly with their natural talent and skills in fulfilling their ministry purpose as well), ledgering his accounts. Nathaniel was not afraid to ask if the ministry of Jesus could amount to any good. Thomas thought seeing was believing, and Phillip, who led his group, acted as an intermediary between the public and Jesus. 4. Finally, a ministry is qualified by its provision in the materiel world. Every ministry needs money and materials to supply the needs of the natural world. Much less it is written about the duties of this group because dimensionally it is the lowest. This is not to say that Jesus valued the worth of any of the apostles greater than the others. It was their nature and preparation and his purpose that decided their position in His ministry.
Maybe we will understand in more enlightened way those the Lord is bringing to us. We must see the need to properly raise ministry sons and establish generational order. A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation (Ps 22:30). Hopefully, we will see that Jesus was not just living for Himself or for His present position, but for future generations. We should come to understand that His ministry was entrusted into the hands of a few individuals; and it was their training, maturity, and success in the Spirit that would decide whether the entrustment given Him of the Father would be completed. Wise men of God know their ministry is not about themselves but about future generations. They see themselves not as the ministry, but as the part of a greater ministry leading to the coming of God’s Kingdom.
Barney Phillips, PhD is the Executive Vice President of International Circle of Faith and Life College
34
35
INDIVISIBLE With John Stubbins
INDIVISIBLE is a show focused on celebrating Faith, Family & Home. We are about you, America! From politics, news, sports, music, to food and film, we cover stories of AMAZING American Patriots doing great things to contribute to our country.
Bishop Bernie L. Wade and John Michael Stubbins
Note from the Editor: John Stubbins is my good friend. He loves America and is passionate about bring real people and real truth to you. Make INDIVISIBLE part of the shows you watch.
https://www.facebook.com/indivisi blewithJohnStubbins/
36
37
THE
This unique and simple 30-day study guide instructs men how to pray, what to pray for, how to spiritually guard and protect themselves and their families and includes a simple guide to help them plan and measure their time with God. Giving God the opportunity to fulfill His Dream for our lives is what The First Hour is all about! THE FIRST HOUR will help transform your life and the lives of those around you.
FIRST HOUR
https://thefirsthour.com/
A Simple Plan to Heal the Nation! The Book That’s Sweeping the Nation!
For the last 100 years our traditional Judeo/Christian values have been slowly and methodically eroded to the point that our Founding Fathers’ vision for “One Nation Under God” is hardly recognizable. Prayer has been removed from our schools, the Ten Commandments have been removed from our courtrooms and most importantly God has been removed as the head of our households. We are on a rapid descent into a Godless society where massive Government replaces religion in the lives of everyday Americans.
By Mark Koch
Men’s lives across the Nation are being “Completely Transformed” through The First Hour for Men 30-day journey. Miracles are happening in the lives of men who are earnestly seeking God and spending their first hour with Him Daily! The Bible tells us that God wants to bless our lives in ways that we cannot imagine. He wants to fulfill “His Dream” for our lives. So many times, we miss God’s best because we don’t give Him the opportunity to guide and direct us on a Daily Basis.
However, we believe that the main reason for this moral decay is because “We The People” have veered away from the Godly principles this country was founded on. It’s America’s men that have lost their own integrity and morals throughout the decades and have set an ungodly, poor example to their children and families. In 38
order to turn this country around and begin the process of healing this Nation, we must first turn its men around and begin to heal them.
The evil forces that are destroying this Nation are a direct result of men, the head of the household, living in disobedience and ignoring God’s Commandments. Without the men in this country first changing themselves, the family does not stand a chance and America is destined for continued destruction. “The First Hour” has been the catalyst to launch this initiative. “The First Hour” for Men, is accomplishing the goal of restoring the man back to a closer daily relationship with God. Our goal is to distribute One Million copies throughout the U.S. by the end of 2019. To date, over 135,000 books have been shipped to men across the Nation.
THE FIRST HOUR for Men is a simple, effective tool that is making a major impact in the process of restoring America back to “One Nation Under God.”
We Encourage These Men To Make Three Commitments. First – Commit to completing the 30-day program. The First Hour is a comprehensive prayer book and study guide designed to restore a man’s relationship with God. Hundreds of testimonies have come in, and miracles are happening in the lives of men and their families who are committing to and completing the 30-day study. Second – Commit to all 7 steps of The First Hour program, which can result in dramatic changes in all areas of their life. THE FIRST HOUR is uniting Godly men in America to become prayer warriors that are committing to changing themselves, their family and ultimately this nation through prayer and a pledge to their patriotic duty. Our Goal:
Third – Commit to share this program with five other men. Each man will commit to give away five books, two books to fellow believers to keep the momentum going, and three books to men that do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This is creating a grass roots movement throughout the nation and inspiring a movement of the Holy Spirit that we believe will make a difference for generations to come.
Heal the Man… Heal the Family… Heal the Nation! Heal the Man We must first bring America’s men back to a closer “Daily Relationship” with God.
Heal the Family 39
Once the Man turns back to a solid “Daily Relationship” with God and returns to his role as the spiritual head of the household, he will then consciously and unconsciously begin to set a positive, Godly example for his family to follow. The restoration of the “Traditional American Family” is the key to restoring our Founding Fathers’ dream of a government that is “Of the People, By the People and For the People,” under the direction of God.
And lastly, we will challenge them to share the message of salvation through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We all need to join together and do our part in the great commission. With God’s help and your commitment, America can return to “One Nation Under God.” GOD BLESS YOU… AND GOD BLESS AMERICA!
ORDER YOUR BOOK
Heal the Nation
FREE BOOK
With millions of men praying each morning, we can begin the process of changing this Nation back into the Godfearing, traditional value system that our Founding Fathers’ designed.
USE COUPON CODE: 316
To continue to advance our mission, we will encourage all The First Hour partners and their families to make a “Solid Commitment” to their “Patriotic Duty” and vote. We will call on them to Vote in every single election from here on out. From the county school boards, to the local judges, the mayor, the Governor, and every single local, state, and National election. No matter what their political party affiliation, we must vote for the candidates who respect the Constitution and the Godly Principles upon which this great Nation was founded on.
MARK KOCH
We will encourage and challenge every man in this Nation to get back to a closer daily relationship with God. We will challenge them to become the spiritual leader of their homes, and we will challenge them to become the man, the father, and the husband that God intended them to be. We will challenge them to rise up and vote for the Godly politicians that share the same moral principles and values that they do.
Film Producer Bio / Filmography Mark was born in Detroit Michigan and is a graduate of Northwood University. In 1992 he founded Prelude Pictures. By 1995 he had produced his first film titled, Judicial 40
Koch’s experience, combined with the huge success of The Passion of the Christ, made him realize that God was leading him back into the film business.
Consent, a Home Box Office world premier which set the HBO February ratings record. He soon became a powerful force in Hollywood with two major box office hits. In April 1998, Lost in Space, the $90 million big-budget blockbuster, knocked Titanic from the number one spot and set a box office record for the highest April opening of a motion picture ever. Three weeks later, Black Dog, joined Lost in Space to credit Prelude Pictures with two major films in the elite, top ten categories simultaneously, an unequaled feat in the motion picture industry. Six months later, Prelude again attended premier status with Lost in Space debuting in the number one spot for both video rentals and sales. Prelude Pictures then echoed its success when Lost in Space and Black Dog remained on the top ten video charts for four consecutive weeks.
In April 2006, Koch headed back to Hollywood and in only six short months, The Perfect Game went into production in the fall of 2006. This true story of the 1957 Little League World Series and the rag tag barefoot team from Monterrey, Mexico was Koch’s first picture in almost 10 years. Produced by Koch and his Prelude Pictures, the film was released theatrically nationwide on April 16th of 2010. The Perfect Game was independently financed by private investors and quickly grew into a major motion picture. Koch’s current passion is encouraging men and others to establish a daily relationship with God by beginning each day in devotion.
In December 1997, four months prior to the opening of Lost in Space, God touched Mark’s heart and at the height of his career, he decided to take a hiatus from the film business and concentrate on his family life and pursue his newfound passion to serve God. In 2003, after leaving the film business for nearly five years, Mark accepted the challenge from Mel Gibson and Icon Productions to assist in the promotion and marketing of The Passion of the Christ. Prelude and their partner, ISA, built a coalition of more than 50 faith-based organizations included Pat Robertson, CBN, TBN, Robert Schuller, Promise Keepers, The Catholic Exchange, Lifeway and many more. Through these strategic partnerships, Prelude garnered the support of tens of millions of Christians and helped propel The Passion of the Christ to a record-breaking opening.
41
42
THE TRAYVON MARTING HOAX
including witness tampering, producing false witnesses, cover-up and more.
By JOEL GILBERT
That all of America would be sold a false narrative for political gain is astounding. That millions of black mothers and fathers have been sold a bill of goods that hoodies are dangerous for the sons based on these lies and the cover-up is sickening.
When a friend of mine called me and said, “Hey, have you seen this movie, ‘The Trayvon Martin Hoax’?”, I thought, really? In my mind the matter was settled long ago. My friend persisted to get me to promise to watch. So, I did. For nearly two hours I was mesmerized as everything I thought I knew about the story was challenged and then proven wrong.
I urge all of you to take to time to watch the movie and read the book. https://www.joelgilbert.net/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf CbcKVhOh4
I am amazed that Government official in Florida allowed a long list of crimes in connection with this case. Crimes
I want to thank Joel for the work he is doing on behalf of all of us.
43
44
made into Sci-Fri Dystopian books and movies. It is not about computer chips, nuclear warheads, or Apache helicopters. It was written to people who did not have electricity, no running water, not even indoor plumbing. Why are people so quick to believe such a twisted application of a book that is 2,000 years old? Do we do this to other ancient books?
“The Beast�
The people who first read these letters witnessed its fulfillment. If this is new information for you or it goes against what you have been taught, I suggest you make an effort to unlearn and detox yourself and start to think logically - respectfully.
By Cindye Coates
I have empathy because I too was taught dispensational eschatology from very loud, famous, influential ministers. But they were wrong, and they still are wrong! They go on tirades about "the mark of the beast" is a bar code or a microchip.
Are you educated or indoctrinated? Maybe it's time to rethink the flawed messages coming from misguided sources. As a Theology professor, I am compelled to share accurate information concerning Scripture.
They have a lot to lose if they recant their rhetoric. However, if they don't let go of this, they will become irrelevant in the next 2-3 years.
The Book of Revelation did not start out as "a book". It was a letter written by the Apostle John in AD 68 to the (7) literal churches in Ancient Greece. It was concerning the coming destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.
Stay woke!
Rome ruled the world and the emperor was known as "The Beast". His mark was his imprint on money and on wax seals of official documents made by his ring. Audience relevance is a key to critical reading skills. The Book of Revelation was not written to an English-speaking audience. It was not written to modernday churches. It was never intended to be
45
46
disgust at the chillingly callous behavior seen in the Floyd video. It is a violation of everything that the profession currently stands for. Embracing the systemic bias allegation will only lead to more lives lost to criminal violence; many of them, sadly, will be black. To move from the stomach-churning specificity of Mr.
THE MYTH OF SYSTEMATIC POLICE RACISM By Heather Mac Donald
Floyd’s case to broader numbers is jarring. Nevertheless, if the charge against policing is systemic racism, we need to look at the system as a whole.
The following is testimony delivered to the House Committee on the Judiciary on June 10.
Policing today is driven by crime data and community demands for help. Victim reports send police disproportionately to minority communities because that is where people are most being hurt by violent street crime. Blacks between the ages of ten and 43 die of homicide at thirteen times the rate of whites, according to the CDC. In New York City, blacks make up 73 percent of all shooting victims, though they are 23 percent of the city’s population. In Chicago in 2016, there were 4,300 shooting victims, almost all black. Among the two dozen victims under the age of 12 was a three-year-old shot on Father’s Day who is now paralyzed for life and a ten-year-old shot on Labor Day whose pancreas and spleen were ripped apart. In Minneapolis, last September, a two-year-old girl was shot in her backyard at 1 AM; another Minneapolis twoyear-old, Le’Vonte King Jason Jones, was killed in broad daylight in 2016 by gang rivals of his mother’s boyfriend. These are the realities that police commanders in urban areas face daily.
Chairman Nadler, Ranking Member Jordan, and committee members, my name is Heather Mac Donald. I am the Thomas W. Smith fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, a public policy think tank in New York City. I have written extensively on criminal justice and am honored to address you today regarding policing practices. It is understandable and appropriate, when viewing the horrific arrest and death of George Floyd, to ask whether we are seeing the tip of the iceberg when it comes to policing and the brutal indifference to human life. The history of law enforcement in the U.S. was interwoven with slavery and segregation. The memory of policing’s complicity with racial oppression cannot be easily erased. But I urge this committee to reject the proposition that law enforcement today is systemically biased. The evidence does not support that charge. Police officials and officers across the country have expressed their 47
But community requests for help also determine police deployment, and the most urgent requests come from the law-abiding residents of high-crime neighborhoods. An elderly cancer amputee in the Mt. Hope section of the Bronx described to me her fear of going into her building lobby, since it was so often occupied by trespassing youth hanging out and selling drugs. The only time she felt safe was when law enforcement was there: “As long as you see the police, everything’s A-OK. You can come down and get your mail and talk to decent people.” This vulnerable senior citizen longed for the surveillance watchtower that the local precinct had erected on her block several summers earlier to deter shootings. Anti-police activists would undoubtedly condemn such a watchtower as a weapon of the oppressive police state. To the cancer amputee, it was a literal godsend. “It was the peacefulest summer ever. I could sit outside at night. Please, Jesus,” she said, send the surveillance tower back.
They are not. For the last five years, the police have killed about 1,000 civilians a year, the majority of those victims armed or otherwise dangerous. In 2019, the police killed 235 blacks, most of them also armed or dangerous, out of 1,004 police shooting victims overall. That roughly 25 percent ratio has also remained stable. It is less than what the black crime rate would predict, since police shootings are a function of the rate at which officers encounter armed and violent suspects, a fact confirmed most recently by a 2019 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. In the 75 largest U.S. counties, which is where most of the population resides, blacks constituted around 60 percent of all robbery and murder defendants, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, even though blacks comprise only 15 percent of the population in those counties. What about unarmed victims of fatal police shootings? As of June 1, the Washington Post’s data base of fatal police shootings showed nine unarmed black victims and 19 unarmed white victims of fatal police shootings in 2019. That number of black unarmed victims is down 76 percent from 2015, when the Post began keeping its data base. The Post defines “unarmed” loosely to include suspects who have grabbed an officer’s gun or who are fleeing from a car stop with a loaded semiautomatic pistol in their vehicle. Those nine allegedly unarmed black victims represent 0.1 percent of all black homicide victims, which number about 7,500 a year—more than all white and Hispanic homicide victims combined.
Another elderly lady blurted out in the middle of a police-community meeting in the South Bronx’s 41st Precinct: “How lovely when we see the police. They are my friends!” This sentiment has been echoed time and again in the dozens of police community meetings I have attended. The percentage of black respondents in a 2015 Roper poll who wanted more police in their community was twice as high as the percentage of white respondents who wanted more police. The activists who seek to disband police departments will have to explain to these terrified seniors and other lawabiding residents that they are just going to have to fend for themselves.
After the tally of nine unarmed black victims was reported in certain news outlets last week, the Post reclassified over a dozen of its armed victims of police shootings as unarmed. This reclassification occurred six months after the
Are the police nevertheless engaging in an epidemic of racist violence, as we hear daily? 48
Post had already closed its 2019 data base. The reclassification was not done on the basis of any new information; it was undoubtedly done to get the black victim numbers up. The Post is now showing 15 unarmed black victims in 2019. That is 0.2 percent of all black homicide victims, still a negligible number.
The point here is not to justify any of these deaths, it is to rebut the claim that questionable tactics occur only in the case of black suspects. Indeed, it is premature to conclude that the Floyd brutality was a product of racial animus at all, as opposed to poor training and an unfit temperament.
No one hears about unarmed white victims, because they do not fit the anti-police narrative. In 2016, in a case that adumbrated Mr. Floyd’s death, an agitated schizophrenic, Tony Timpa, called 911, saying he was off his medication. Three Dallas police officers held the handcuffed Timpa on the ground for 13 minutes with a knee to his back, while he pleaded for help more than 30 times. They continued joking and laughing after he stopped moving or making any sounds. His death was ruled a homicide, caused by the officers’ physical restraint and by cocaine.
No police critic has ever suggested a benchmark for evaluating the number of officer use-of-force incidents. Ideally, officers would take no one’s life in the course of their duties. But in light of the number of arrests that officers make each year—around 11 million— and the number of deadly weapons attacks on officers—27 a day in just two-thirds of the nation’s police departments—it is not clear that 1,000 civilian deaths, the vast majority occurring in the face of a potentially deadly attack, show a law enforcement profession that is out of control. Nevertheless, there are reasonable measures to further lower officer use of force—above all, more hands-on tactical training, practice in de-escalation, and techniques to control stress. Federal support should go to such practical training, not to implicit bias sessions, which are an insult to officers’ intelligence and street knowledge. Nor should police hiring be based on race. A 2015 Justice Department analysis of the Philadelphia Police Department found that white police officers were less likely than black or Hispanic officers to shoot unarmed black suspects. Existing efforts to boost minority hiring in many departments have already resulted in the elimination of a clean criminal record requirement and in lowered standards for reading comprehension and writing. These changes risk increasing disciplinary problems, rather than reducing them.
In Mesa, Arizona, in 2016, a cop unleashed a barrage of gunfire from his AR-15 rifle at a 26-year-old man who had been reported as having a gun. The victim was down on his hands and knees in a hotel corridor, trying to comply with the conflicting commands that a sergeant was screaming at him, and begging “Please don’t shoot me!” In 2015, a 50-year-old man in Tuscaloosa involved in a domestic violence incident ran at the officer with a spoon and was fatally shot. A 25-year-old in Des Moines led the police on a car chase and walked quickly toward the officer when he got out of the car and was fatally shot. A 21-year-old in Akron escaped from a grocery store robbery on a bike and didn’t take his hand out of his waistband when commanded to do so and was fatally shot.
49
Figuring out how to encourage officers to intervene in their fellow officers’ questionable behavior is necessary, though doing so is especially challenging when it is a supervisor who is misusing his authority. Some powerful unions place too many roadblocks in the way of firing incompetent or abusive cops. Getting rid of qualified immunity, however, will only lead to cops shutting down further.
Harvard economist Roland Fryer, University of Utah law professor Paul Cassell, and University of Utah economist Richard Fowles have recently documented what I have called the Ferguson Effect: the sharp rise in crime during episodes of pervasive anti-cop rhetoric and depolicing. There are bad cops of all races who must be removed. But the overwhelming majority of officers are motivated by a desire to help the most vulnerable among us. Though many officers work under unimaginable conditions, encountering the worst consequences of pervasive family breakdown, they continue to believe fervently in the good people who support them. If this mania of cop hatred is not quelled, those good people will suffer further and the nation’s cities will become places of fear and decay.’
This committee should denounce the defunding of police agencies. Shrinking their resources will result in poorer service to the law-abiding residents of high crime areas. Officers in depleted departments who cannot get back-up when they face dangerous suspects will be even more stressed out, and more at risk of poor judgment. Response times will increase. Cash-starved agencies will train less, not more. Lower pay scales will result in less qualified recruits. Shifting police funding to social services will not solve crime. For decades, New York City was the welfare capital of the United States, spending one-seventh of all government welfare dollars. Crime continued to rise. Crime started falling in the city only when the New York Police Department adopted the datadriven policing that has now become the norm across the country. But the most urgent task before this committee is to repudiate the narrative that law enforcement is infected by racism. The atmosphere in which officers are working is becoming more vicious and volatile. The attempts on officers’ lives, some successful, that we have seen in the last two weeks will increase. And under the pervasive charge that they are racist, officers will back off of proactive policing in minority neighborhoods. The victims will be overwhelmingly black. In 2015 and 2016, when officers also retreated to purely reactionary policing, an additional 2,000 black males died, the largest two-year increase in homicide in half a century. 50
51
The ICOF Cameroon SW Regional coordinator has details of who gave what. May the Lord bless and multiply the seed of all who gave. God bless. Bishop Alfred Tembi International Circle of Faith – ICOF Praise the Lord!
Cameroon
These are pictures of our visit to Rev Samba Samuel today to hand him financial assistance donated by members of the ICOF Cameroon SW chapter and the office of the Presiding Bishop of Cameroon.
www.icof.net
We were astonished by the mind blowing Testimonies of how God intervened and provided the 40x40 square meters of land on which the building is being erected. We give God all the Glory. 52
53
ICOF Cameroon
54
55
56
57