The Voice magazine - Proclaim Liberty - Spring Edition by Jonas Clark Communications

THE VOICE

Advancing Christian Life and Culture

PROCLAIMING LIBERTY THE TRUTH ABOUT Thomas

Jefferson & THE FIRST AMENDMENT Federal Government INVADES PARENTAL RIGHTS • Breaking Through GLASS CEILINGS Do We Need Another CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION? RESTORING Evangelism • THE VOICE En Espanol

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VOLUME VI - ISSUE 2

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T H E

FROM THE

No. 2

V O I C E

THE DESK OF

PUBLISHER

THE VOICE

Volume VI • Issue 2 • Spring 2009 Edition __________________________

T H E V O I C E magazine’s mission is to advance Christian life and culture.

ADVANCING CHRISTIAN VALUES

HREE WORDS CAPTURE THE APOSTOLIC NATURE OF CHRIST’S CHURCH. THOSE WORDS

are build, restore and govern. As born again believers we are called to advance and establish the Kingdom of God in our generation. The Kingdom of God is not on the other side of Pluto, it is within you. Christ has called you as a particular new creature. Within you are seeds of purpose, His purpose. He has called you out of darkness and transferred you into the Kingdom of God. Start learning more about influencing your world for Christ. Learn too about Christ’ governing Church and your call to advance Christian values within society. I often refer to Christ churches as apostolic equipping centers. These types of churches are not just hospitals they are informing, equipping and governing gatherings of disciples. In them you will be equipped to make a difference with your life.

AS A CHRISTIAN YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY. THAT RESPONSIBILITY ENTAILS ENGAGING

your duty as an ambassador of the Kingdom. Stop withdrawing yourself from the battle and do as David did. He ran to the battle with a shout in his spirit. When his brothers challenged his motives he made it clear that he carried a different spirit. He said, “Is there not a cause?” Our generation also has a great cause. Share your faith. Plug in to your local church. Lay hold of a dominion mindset and give God something to bless.

OUR

PASTORAL-ONLY MODELS OF MINISTRY ARE INEFFECTIVE.

MUST MAKE THE

transition into effective ministries to be more influential with our lives and ministries. The world is not groaning and travailing waiting for the manifestation of sheep but sons.

_______________________

PUBLISHER Jonas Clark EDITOR Jennifer LeClaire MANAGING EDITOR Melanie Madon CONTRIBUTING WRITERS David Barton David Coker Michael Farris John C. Maxwell Joel Thornton Judge Roy Moore Eric L. Warren Joe Wheeler ART DIRECTOR Brian Burke DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Karen Ledbetter EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Elvera Baker Rhonda Clark

SOME ARE LOOKING FOR THE RAPTURE TO SAVE THEM. SCRIPTURE DECLARES, HOWEVER,

that Christ is not going to return for a defeated Church but a glorious one. He is coming back for a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). Not a defeated one that was overrun by foreign gods, secular humanists or radical Muslim extremists. Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Who are the kings that Christ is the King of ? Who are the lords that Christ is Lord of ? I submit that they are His disciples. The word lord means ruler. Let’s move into our kingship and rule this world with Christ.

IN THIS ISSUE OF THE VOICE MAGAZINE WE PROCLAIM LIBERTY. DISCOVER HOW

“The King’s Release” sets citizens free from debt bondages due to compounding interest. Could this be the answer to the current economic crisis? Learn the truth about the separation of Church and State, restoring evangelism back to the European Union and why another constitutional convention would be bad for the nation and much more. As you flip through the pages, remember you can embed this digital magazine on your website and share it with your friends. Your partner, Jonas Clark Visit The Voice magazine online

C o p y r i g h t © 2 0 0 9 b y Jo n a s C l a r k Communications, Inc. All rights reserved, including translation. Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations in this magazine are from the King James version of the Bible. EDITORIAL INQUIRY: Have a question? Send your letters to: T H E V O I C E , 27 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Hallandale Beach, Fla. 33009 or send e-mail to editor@thevoicemagazine.com. CUSTOMER SERVICE: For a change of address or other customer service issues, call 954.456.6032 or send e-mail to service@thevoicemagazine.com.

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C O N T E N T S

THE VOICE FEATURES 20 ANOTHER CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION? Find out why we should strongly resist efforts to call another constitutional convention. By Judge Roy Moore

40 RESTORING GOD’S WAYS TO CHARACTER DEVELOPEMENT

Rediscover the boundaries that the Lord Himself has established for every area of our lives. By Eric L. Warren

COLUMNS 17 Family Life

PARENTAL RIGHTS VS. CHILDREN’S MEDICAL RIGHTS

Find out how our federal government has invaded parental rights through the HIPAA regulations. By Micheal Farris

45 Leadership

FIVE REASONS WHY DREAMS DON’T TAKE FLIGHT It’s time to see your dreams come true. By John C. Maxwell

PROCLAIMING LIBERTY FROM ECONOMIC BONDAGE

Discover how the Biblical command called “The Lord’s Release” provides the solution to a global economic meltdown. BY JONAS CLARK

RESTORING EVANGELISM

The International Human Rights Group (IHRG) is committed to ﬁghting for the restoration of religious freedoms in the European Union. Even if it means in the place of last resort, the courtrooms of a country. BY JOEL THORNTON

THE TRUTH ABOUT THOMAS JEFFERSON AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT

David Barton presents historical facts about Thomas Jefferson and his involvement in the framing of the U. S. Constitution. B Y DAV I D B A R T O N

No. 2

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C O N T E N T S

DEPARTMENTS

T HE VO ICE

en Español

9 Faith & Prayer

ARE YOU PRAYING FOR CHANGE IN AMERICA?

CARACTERÍSTICA

Should change come from Washington or the Church? By Brian Burke

12 Spiritual Growth

BREAKING THROUGH GLASS CEILINGS Discover how your prayer language unlocks mysteries and establishes Godly strongholds in your life. By David Coker

52 LA MEJOR ESTRATEGIA DE GUERRA ESPIRITUAL DE SATANÁS

Christian History

Guerra Espiritual contra la mente, lanza miedo, confusión, desesperación y ofensa. Por Jonas Clark

An historical account of the spiritual walk of one of the greatest Americans. By Joe Wheeler

COLUMNA

STEPPING STONES: ABRAHAM LINCOLN A PRESIDENT OF FAITH

Personal Finances

RECESSION-PROOF YOUR LIFE

Your personal economic bailout strategy. By David Coker

50 MOVIÉNDOSE FUERA DE LOS LUGARES SECOS El Señor esta haciendo algo nuevo. Podrás reconocer el movimiento? Por Jennifer LeClaire

Has THE VOICE inspired you? Has one of our articles stirred your spirit? Send us your feedback, story ideas, testimonies or discuss

article with readers online and share your opinions. Please send your e-mails to editor@thevoicemagazine.com or write us at: 27 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Hallandale Beach, Fla 33009. To read more articles visit: www.thevoicemagazine.com

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T DH EEP A V ROT IM CE EN T

Faith & Prayer

ARE YOU PRAYING FOR CHANGE IN AMERICA? P

AY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE

changing face of American culture. Change has come both financially and spiritually. If we remain idle it will affect us all.

THE

QUESTION,

“SHOULD CHRISTIANS

the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” (Proverbs 29:2). Throughout the eight years of the Bush Administration people murmured because the righteous did not rule. It’s fair to assume the next four years will bring more of the same, if not worse.

SHOULD CHANGE COME FROM

WASHINGTON OR THE CHURCH?

involved in politics?” is a mental blockade against righteous change. Some Christians steer clear of politics in fear of its “corruptive forces.” While Scripture does not answer this pesky question with an emphatic yea or nay, one cannot dismiss the fact that Judeo-Christian values have influenced and shaped modern civilization and its laws.

for example, are all inspired by the Word of God.

CIVIL LAWS, JUSTICE, CRIMINAL LAWS, PRIVATE

CONSIDER

property rights, liberty, civil rights and marriage,

THE PROPHETIC PSALMIST DARED TO DECREE,

BY BRIAN BURKE

THE WISDOM OF

SOLOMON

WHO

said, “When the righteous are in authority,

More Related Articles Online: Faith and Prayer

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalms 33:12). But how can this come to pass when Christians segregate from the nation within church walls?

THE

TRUTH IS, IF

CHRISTIANS

AVOID THE

cultural war in the political arena we will continue to see the decay of our virtues and the decay of civilization.

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T H E

No. 2

V O I C E

secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly” (Matthew 6:6). It’s time for Christians to come out of their prayer closets with their reward.

THE APOSTLE PAUL

CALLED PRAYER THE

“First” thing we should do: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4, emphasis added).

PRAYER

When you’re in the presence of God in prayer, you’ll come away with something, an assignment, a blessing for your generation. WAS JESUS INVOLVED IN POLITICS?

Some argue, “Jesus wasn’t involved in politics.” Really? At first glance you would probably agree, but look a little closer. Israel was under oppressive Roman occupation. They installed a puppet king who didn’t have the interest of the people at heart. How else could Christ make a difference except by going directly to the people? That’s what He did and it was a marvelous political strategy.

POLITICS

SIMPLY MEANS, GOVERNING THE

affairs of men. When presidents seek to make an important announcement, they go directly to the people. Jesus did the same and had the highest approval rating; the largest grassroots civil rights movement that changed people’s hearts and minds. If there were an election then, it would have been a landslide victory for Him. But He didn’t need to be elected. He was already the Sovereign Lord and King over all.

GET AN ASSIGNMENT FROM GOD

Others contest, “We just need to pray.” Yes, we need to pray. But let’s not use prayer as an excuse to remain voiceless. Prayer is more than talking to God. It is also hearing from God and being obedient to do what He will ask of you in prayer. When you’re in the presence of God in prayer, you’ll come away with something: an assignment, a blessing for your generation.

SCRIPTURE DECLARES, “WHO SHALL ASCEND

into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah” (Psalms 24:3-6).

CHRIST

SAID,

“BUT

YOU, WHEN YOU PRAY,

enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to the Father which is in

More Related Articles Online: Faith and Prayer

IS THE

“FIRST

OF ALL” THING WE

should do to make sure the Gospel can be preached unhindered in this nation and abroad. But if there’s a first, then there’s also a second, a third and so on. What could be the second, third and fourth things we should do after we’ve prayed? We must pray, but we must also come out of the prayer closet and get involved, go where the sinners are – on Wall Street, Main Street and yes, Capitol Hill, too.

SUBMIT TO THE READER THAT PRAYER

does not mean giving God your to-do list and waiting for Him to do it while we hide our lights underneath bushels. When we pray, God wants to do more than do the work for us. He answers us with wisdom and sends us forth with Kingdom assignments to represent Him in this world – when the righteous are in authority the city rejoices. Yes, believers need to act, get involved and not withdraw themselves from culture or politics.

CHRISTIANS

ARE CITIZENS , TOO .

ARE

in the marketplace, in education, in politics, business, entertainment and media. Why should the wicked rule? Didn’t Christ say, “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)?

WHILE YOU ’ RE DOING THE

“FIRST

all” thing, ask Him what is the second, third and fourth thing He needs from you to bring change in America.

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D E P A R T M E N T

E’VE BEEN TALKING

about obtaining breakthrough in our lives. We’ve talked about our confession, fasting and how strongholds are built. However, there is another key piece to this puzzle of “breakthrough.”

YOU EVER FEEL THAT in spite of all you do, you are banging your head against a ceiling?

I REACHED THIS STAGE EARLY IN

my Christian walk and became thoroughly frustrated. It became apparent that I didn’t know what to pray for. I would pray for more people to come to my church and God would tell me that I wasn’t able to handle those who were already there. I would pray for more money and He would show

Spiritual Growth

BREAKING THROUGH

GLASS CEILINGS HOW YOUR PRAYER LANGUAGE UNLOCKS MYSTERIES AND ESTABLISHES GODLY STRONHOLDS IN YOUR LIFE. B Y D AVID C OKER me that it was my undisciplined life that was the challenge. It seemed

as if I was praying in the wrong direction. I felt trapped in a cycle.

More Related Articles Online: Spiritual Growth

How was I supposed to know what I don’t know?

I N F EBRUARY

1993

THIS

started to crystallize as I began to press in towards God. I picked up a set of tapes that talked about the power of praying in other tongues. OK, I realize many of you had the thought “here we go,” but I challenge you to finish this article and meditate on what I’m about to share with you.

I’VE FOUND OUT THAT WE ABUSE

what we don’t understand. If you don’t understand the purpose of a gun, you’ll abuse it. If you don’t understand the purpose of speaking in other tongues, then it, too, will be abused. Many spirit-filled Christians grew up in a setting where the only operation

P. 13

head against the wall because I didn’t know what to pray for, because I don’t know what I don’t know. God realized we would face this problem so He sent the Holy Spirit to be our helper, teacher, and guide, giving us a way to pray when we don’t really know what we need to do.

GOD

Many people have confused tongues for interpretation and tongues for edification because of a lack of knowledge of the different gifts God gave His Church. of tongues that was known as “tongues for interpretation.” This only occurred during a church service.

THAT FEBRUARY GOD BEGAN to

reveal to me another operation of the Holy Spirit, tongues for edification. Many people have confused tongues for interpretation and tongues for edification because of a lack of knowledge of the different gifts God gave His Church. This lack of knowledge has often led to much confusion and misunderstanding.

T HE B IBLE

SAYS ,

P. 13

T TH HE E V VOOI IC CE E

“ HE

THAT

speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men but unto God, howbeit in the spirit he

speaketh mysteries.” I don’t have room to explain everything, but let’s unpack this one verse. First of all, God isn’t talking in this verse about another language like Spanish or French. This is a divine language, not a human language, used for talking to God and not to men.

S ECONDLY ,

THIS IS A SPIRIT

language, used for talking to God about mysteries. What mysteries? The plan and purpose of God for your life and anything that is keeping you from attaining it. That’s simple enough. Don’t make it more complicated.

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO

strongholds? I was beating my

More Related Articles Online: Spiritual Growth

REALIZED YOU WOULDN’T

know how to pray for yourself and your life. He must have said, “Let Me send My spirit down there, so man’s born again spirit will have a way to pray the right things to Me.” So He sent us the Holy Ghost who helps our spirit by giving us the words to pray out the “mysteries” of God for our lives in such a way that our heads won’t get in the way. He made prayer so simple that we can’t mess it up. We get to choose to pray His prayer to Him for Him to answer! How awesome is God! It’s His prayer that finally gets the

breakthroughs we have been so desperately longing for and teaches our born again spirit how to rule in our lives.

T HAT

IS THE FINAL PIECE TO

building a Godly stronghold in your life. Jude said “building yourself up (stronghold) on your most Holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost!.” Get to work building and start speaking in other tongues. DAVID COKER is a 1985 Rhema graduate and the founding apostle of Gateway Believers Fellowship in Carnesville, Ga. He is also the founder of Breakthrough Apostolic Ministries Network (B.A.M.) He can be reached at www.gatewaybelievers.com.

RESTORING EVANGELISM By Joel Thornton

T H E

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS

Group (IHRG) is dedicated to doing everything in our power to bring spiritual change to Europe. Since our founding we have done what no other group has done â&#x20AC;&#x201C; concentrated on religious freedom in Europe. There are others who are working in this area, but none whose concentration is Europe. I have explained in other places why Europe is important to America. (Read the Article, Click Here.)

R ELIGIOUS

FREEDOM IS THE END OF THE

spectrum as far as bringing spiritual change to an area. When we fight for religious freedom, we are arriving at the point where the problems have become so great that we find ourselves in the place of last resort, the courtrooms of a country. Unfortunately, for a variety of normal Christian activities, we are at the place of last resort in Europe.

Fighting for Religious Freedom in the European Union.

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V O I C E

in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. It is not about control and manipulation. True freedom involves trust and confidence.

THE SAME TIME , WE HAVE TO EXPAND

the evangelical presence in Europe. There are three simultaneous events that will expand the evangelical presence in Europe. These are not mysterious events. They are not secret. In fact, many people and organizations do these things in a variety of countries.

THE FIRST EVENT IS TO BEGIN COMING ALONGSIDE

the evangelicals, both churches and individuals, that are already working in Europe. This means we should financially support them, pray for them, and work alongside them physically. These actions increase the strength of the Christian presence that already exists in Europe.

WHAT DO WE DO TO GET AHEAD OF THE BALL

IN ORDER TO DO THIS WE WILL NEED TO LEAVE

THE IHRG HAS COMMITTED TO CONTINUING

in Europe? It is already the Dark Continent. In fact, one mission expert told me that Europe is where missionaries go to die. It is so hard to bring a Christian presence to Europe that seasoned missionaries are giving up. the fight for religious freedom in Europe. We will continue to represent Christians, missionaries, ministries, and churches who are facing discrimination and persecution in Europe. When evangelists are arrested in Norway for sharing their faith in public places, we will continue to be there beside them, legally representing them and helping them through the process.

ALSO,

BY EVANGELICAL PRESENCE

AM NOT

talking about conservative republican political evangelical presence. I am talking about pure New Testament based evangelical churches whose presence reaches into the community through a variety of outreaches and influences.

THERE

IS CURRENTLY A SMALL EVANGELICAL

presence that needs to be encouraged and strengthened where it is. The expansion of the presence must be from within. We do not need to export American evangelical Christianity with its political overtones to Europe. Instead, we need to support the European Church. That is one of the amazing things about God. He creates a church within a location that is relevant to that location.

WE HAVE TO LEARN TO EMPOWER OTHERS AND

trust them to do what is right. This is what real leadership is all about. It is about training a child

behind some of our own theories of what a real church looks like. This does not mean we must compromise the core tenants of our faith. These core tenants are not culturally transformative, they are eternal and transcend culture. THE SAME TIME THERE ARE A VARIETY

of doctrines we think are eternal and they are not. Things we grew up with that do not matter. We have to evaluate these cross-cultural movements by sticking to the eternal questions, questions about salvation and the transformation of man rather than how our parents or grandparents did church.

THE

SECOND EVENT IS TO BEGIN PLANTING

evangelical churches in Europe. Like coming alongside local European evangelical churches, we have to be careful about how we plant churches. We do not need to create a further outreach of American denominations in Europe.

MUST CREATE A

EUROPEAN

EVANGELICAL

church that answers the moral questions of the day with answers from the true church that properly reflects the Gospel through the eyes of Europeans. It must be a culturally relevant, doctrinally-true church. These must be churches that reach out into their communities and minister to the poor, the drug addicts, the alcoholics, the homeless, and any other outcasts within this culture. They must be prepared to minister the Gospel to the growing Muslim community as well. Many in this community are sensitive to spiritual matters and therefore open to the truth of the Christian message.

More Related Articles Online: Economy

IN THIS SCRIPTURE IS THE

HEBREW

word deror clearly meaning freedom from the bondage of debt and debt service. Its root meaning is to “move freely” as in unrestrained and unfettered. Those formerly enslaved because of debt bondage after having been liberated (deror) were restored the freedom to rejoin their families debt free. In this sense liberty produced restoration and economic freedom.

COULD

IT BE POSSIBLE THAT THE WORLD IS

waiting for the deror (restoration) of all things as mentioned in Acts 3:21? According to Hudson the word liberty was not to be taken vaguely or abstractly but with an economic “clean slate” definition. He writes,

“THE

TYPE OF ECONOMIC FREEDOM BEING

referred to was the royal act of cancelling back

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V O I C E

A drawing by Maurice Lambert of the cuneiform transcription of a debt cancellation (amargi law) by Enmetena, ruler of the Sumerian citystate of Lagash, c. 2400 BC, the first known legal proclamation. (Original in the Louvre.)

SET IN STONE: The Rosetta Stone translation exhibits the ancient kingly custom of debt cancellation. It was a bailout for the people, not just for bankers and Wall Street corporations.

taxes and other personal debts, restoring traditional family landholding rights and freeing citizens who had been enslaved for debt.”

UNDERSTANDING

THE

HEBREW

WORD DEROR

is fundamental in understanding liberty within the biblical context.

THE ROSETTA STONE

Let’s see another example of liberty from debt. The Rosetta Stone was unearthed in

1799 by Napoleon’s soldiers in the Nile Delta. Our modern understanding of hieroglyphics comes because of the trilingual text of Greek, hieroglyphic and Egyptian scripts written on the stone. The text written on the stone is a royal decree of debt cancellation by Ptolemy V. The inscription reads “he has remitted the debts to the crown which were owned by the people in Egypt and those in the rest of his kingdom, which were considerable, and he has freed those who were in the prisons and who were under accusation for a long time from the charges against them,” including various taxes and duties, including “the debts of the More Related Articles Online: Economy

temples to the royal treasury up to the 8th year” of his rule.

ANOINTING AND LIBERTY

The prophet Isaiah used the term deror when speaking about the anointing. He wrote,

“THE SPIRIT

OF THE

LORD GOD

IS UPON ME

because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty (deror) to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound” (Isaiah 61:1).

P. 32

THE HEBREW

T H E WORD DEROR THEREFORE IS

a clear reference to freedom from economic bondage and debt servitude.

V O I C E

to those with common sense. You know, for example, that you can not spend more than you make. If you do consume more than you make then you must put that excess consumption on your credit card then the compounding interest on that credit card can exceed your ability to repay.

LIKEWISE

NATIONS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

They can not spend more than they produce. If they put their excess consumption on credit cards the ultimate end is that compounding interest will exceed their ability to repay and the system will collapse.

LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE PRODUCTION RATES

THE WORLD’S DEBT MONSTER

There is little doubt that the world has created a debt monster. The numbers are staggering indeed.

• The top ten bankers currently hold over $175 trillion in exotic debt instruments all tied to compounding interest.

• The US annual deficit spending is over $1.8 trillion.

• In the United States 17.6% of all homes

are now upside-down on their mortgages, according to Zillow, as are 41.2% of all mortgages for homes bought in the past five years.

•

The U.S. federal government has incurred $59.1 trillion in debt liabilities or roughly $516,000 per U.S. household.

•

According to the Federal Reserve, the total outstanding credit card debt carried by Americans reached a record $951 billion.

NATIONAL PRODUCTION OF GOODS

As already said the power of compounding interest has a dark side. Classical economics declares that a nation’s consumption can never exceed a nation’s production. This makes sense

of several nations. Contrary to what you hear on national media – spend, spend and spend – prosperity comes from production, savings, thrift and investing – not unfettered consumption. In other words, producing more than you consume is the road to prosperity. Only when you produce more than you consume can you ever hope to prosper. That law applies to your personal life, your city, state and nation.

ACCORDING

“THE TELEGRAPH”

manufacturing, production of goods, is collapsing all over the world. By monitoring production we can get a glimpse of future economic trends. Ambrose Evans-Pritchard wrote of the declining production in various countries:

“F ACTORY

OUTPUT IS COLLAPSING AT THE

fastest pace everywhere. The figures for the most recent month available are, year-on-year: Taiwan: -43pc; Ukraine: -34pc; Japan: -30pc; Singapore: -29pc; Hungary: -23pc; Sweden: -20pc; Korea: -19pc; Turkey: -18pc; Russia: -16pc; Spain: 15pc; Poland: -15pc; Brazil: -15pc; Italy: -14pc; Germany: -12pc; France: -11pc; US: -10pc and Britain -9pc.”

CONTINUES,

“THIS

TERRIFYING FALL HAS

been concentrated in the last five months. The job slaughter has barely begun. Social mayhem comes with a 12-month lag.”

PRITCHARD

DIDN’T STOP THERE WHEN

presenting the figures. He compared those statistics with those of the Great Depression. “By comparison, industrial output in core-Europe fell 2.8pc in 1930, 5.1pc in 1931 and 3.9pc in 1932, according to RBS [Royal Bank of Scotland]. Trade and output are contracting at rates that outstrip the leisurely depression of the 1930s.”

W HAT

WE LEARN IS THAT COMPOUNDING

interest is exceeding the ability of nations to More Related Articles Online: Economy

T H E

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V O I C E

produce enough to repay their debts. Like the Titanic, the global economic ship has hit an iceberg and is sinking. To overcome the lack of production governments are seeking creative ways to tax, fee and fine their citizens. They are also debasing their currencies by printing the money they need thus causing the destructive power of inflation.

A BANKER BAILOUT?

Could it be possible the only solution to the destructive powers of compounding interest is a global year of Jubilee?

GOVERNMENTS

HAVE A CHOICE.

THEY

CAN

bailout the economy or failed banks and Wall Street corporations. Apparently they have already made their choice. They have determined to bailout the bankers and firms but not the people. How will these bailouts be paid for? The answer is excessive taxation and currency devaluation through inflation.

AGAIN, A NATION’S PROSPERITY IS FOUND IN THE

ability of that nation to produce real products, not consumption and compounding debt and deficits. The ability to produce is within the people. Without them a nation has nothing, including tax revenue.

B ANKS

PRODUCE NOTHING AND DO NOT

represent the real economy. They only extract interest from the real economy. The fact remains that debts must be written down to the people’s ability to pay them back otherwise they are not going to be paid. Government bailouts of banks and failed Wall Street institutions will not work.

FREE MARKET ECONOMIES BANKRUPTCY

– clean slate debt forgiveness – is the means of clearing the system. To continue to bail out failed companies and banks and funding those bailouts by raising taxes on the people will only compound the problem until the people revolt and refuse to pay. God said, “Thou shalt not steal,” even by majority vote.

WILL

COUNTRIES SEE A YEAR OF JUBILEE AS

the final answer to a global economic meltdown in the years to come? Without a biblical solution the negative power of compounding interest and the lack of national production will eventually bring down the entire global financial system until the people finally cry out to God for debt deliverance. Let freedom ring! More Related Articles Online: Economy

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T H E

V O I C E

Christian Heritage

ABRAHAM

LINCOLN

A President of Faith B Y

HEN

J O E

I TOLD A NAVY CHAPLAIN FRIEND OF MINE I WAS WRITING

a book on the faith of Abraham Lincoln, a faraway look came into his eyes.

“A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO,” HE SAID, “WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, MY

history teacher spent an entire hour telling us the story of Abraham Lincoln’s life. We were all fascinated. When he asked if any of us had any questions, I raised my hand. “’Yes?’ “`Uh ... I’m just a bit curious. You’ve told us the story of Lincoln’s life but you didn’t say anything about God. I’ve always understood Lincoln was a very spiritual man. What do you know about that part of his life?’

“THERE

WAS A LONG, LONG SILENCE.

FINALLY

‘Well, I don’t know anything about that!”’

WHAT

HE KIND OF SPUTTERED,

THAT TEACHER SAID IS SO TYPICAL OF TODAY’S SECULARIZED

take on who Lincoln was. The modern American culture wants to remove Lincoln’s Christianity from his personality altogether. You can see this even in collections of Lincoln quotations: the spiritual dimension of Lincoln’s life is consistently shortchanged.

W H E E L E R The same is true in Lincoln biographies and American his-tory textbooks and films.

CERTAIN

SCHOLARS HAVE TAKEN UNWARRANTED LIBERTIES WITH EVEN

I NDEED ,

IT SOMETIMES APPEARS THAT THERE IS A CALCULATED

well-documented accounts of Lincoln’s faith, such as those dealing with the Emancipation Proclamation. Regarding that document Lincoln said, “I made a solemn vow before God, that if General Lee was driven back from Pennsyl¬vania, I would crown the result by the declaration of freedom for the slaves.” This precise wording of the quotation, including the reference to Lincoln’s vow before God, is corroborated in the diaries of Gideon Welles, then secretary of the Navy, and Salmon Chase, then secretary of the treasury. And yet we see modern scholars changing “I made a solemn vow before God” to “I made a solemn resolve,” conspiracy to take the life story of the greatest American and pare away most everything that has to do with his high moral character and spiritual walk. Except, of course, anything that tends to debunk it and portray Lincoln as irreligious or an infidel.

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ALL

THIS WOULD BE FUNNY WERE IT NOT SO SAD.

P. 35

ACCEPT THE

qualities that have made Lincoln immortal – his courage, integrity, kindness, generosity, gentleness, strength, tact, empathy, mercy, humility, and lack of prejudice – but be unwilling to reference his faith in God, without which these qualities would be but pale shadows of what they came to be, is ridiculous.

A SURVEY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S FAITH THE KENTUCKY/INDIANA YEARS (1809-1830) Child psychologists tell us that half of what we learn in life comes by the time we’re six and that our sails are usually set for life by the age of twelve. Therefore these early years of Abraham Lincoln’s life are crucial to his faith.

WHAT

WE DISCOVER IS THAT TWO WOMEN – BOTH UNASSUMING, dedicated, loving, and devout – made possible Abraham Lincoln as we know him: Nancy Hanks Lincoln (Abe’s mother) and Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln (who became Abe’s stepmother), interconnected both in spirit and faith, accomplished this quietly, moment by moment, patiently answering each of young Abe’s questions as it came.

THOSE SEVERAL LITTLE LOG CABINS IN WHICH THEY LIVED THE

oral tradition ruled supreme, and Thomas, Abe’s father, did his best to keep the Bible center stage. The Bible was generally the only textbook in the so-called blab schools Abe would attend, ever so briefly, during his first eighteen years of his life. Though there were certain interruptions, Abraham Lincoln’s love affair with the Bible would continue for the rest of his life. THE NEW SALEM YEARS (1831-1837) Between the ages of twenty-one and twenty-seven, Abraham Lincoln lived in New Salem, Illinois. These six brief but momentous years – the Vanity Fair of his life – would prove to be a time of searching, of disengaging from mother and father, and of extending the tendrils of his mind. He focused on gaining mentors, seeking counsel and wisdom in his quest for meaning, and finding answers to his questions.

DURING

THESE YEARS HE CONTINUED TO GROW INTELLECTUALLY

and broaden his literary horizons, most significantly into Shakespeare. But this was also a phase in Lincoln’s life during which God ceased to hold center stage of his life. His spiritual growth all but stopped in these years. THE EARLY SPRINGFIELD YEARS (1837-1849) During these thirteen years, when Lincoln was aged twenty-eight to forty, he would so immerse himself in politics that for a while it would substitute for his lost relationship with God. When he finally returned to Springfield from Washington in 1849, he was a beaten man. He was finding his political religion hollow and without sustaining power. This was the beginning of his wilderness years. THE AWAKENING (1850-1853) Lincoln was forty-one when his son Eddie died of consumption (tuberculosis). This was a monumental blow to Abraham Lincoln. This

A younger Abraham Lincoln.

loss, coupled with his failure in the political arena, finally caused Lincoln to reopen communication with God. Certainly God had been there all the time, but Lincoln had put Him on “hold” for twenty-some years.

DURING THIS TIME LINCOLN PROBABLY THOUGHT BACK TO FOUR YEARS previously, to a political campaign in which he’d been forced to respond to an accusation that he was an infidel (an unbeliever). He had answered with these words printed on handbills:

HAVE NEVER DENIED THE TRUTH OF THE

SCRIPTURE;

AND

HAVE

never spoken with intentional disrespect of religion in general, or of any denomination of Christians in particular.... I do not think I could myself, be brought to support a man for office whom I knew to be an open enemy of, and scoffer at, religion.’

NOW, LOOKING BACK, HE MUST HAVE THOUGHT, “TRUE, I SAID I HAD

never denied that truth ... but neither did I say I affirmed that truth. Come to think of it, what do I believe?”

IT WAS AT THIS TIME, THE LOWEST EBB OF LINCOLN’S RELATIONSHIP WITH

God, that Dr. James Smith came into his life. Smith was pastor of the Springfield First Presbyterian Church. He had written a ponderous defense of God and Christianity, called The Christian’s Defence [sic]. Lincoln engaged that book fiercely and, with the help of its author, clawed his way back to God – not through emotion or blind faith but through his mind.

More Related Articles Online: Christian History

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T H E

V O I C E

LINCOLN

WAS DRAWN TO THE

BIBLE

PARTLY BECAUSE IT DEALS SO

largely with events. The divine Ruler is seen throughout both the Old and New Testaments as the God of history. The chief way, Lincoln saw, in which God’s will is revealed is not in abstract ideas, but in the development of the story of man’s struggles, particularly his struggle to be free. The Israelites did become liberated from Egyptian bondage; they did occupy the promised land; they did prepare the way for the coming of Christ; the infant Christian fellowship did survive.

LINCOLN COULDN’T HELP WONDERING HOW IT WAS THAT AMERICANS

could tolerate something as terrible and inhuman as slavery for almost 250 years without taking a moral stand on the issue. As he began to study slavery from a biblical perspective, noting as he did that both abolitionists and slavery advocates supported their positions by referring to the Bible, he discovered to his dismay that nowhere in the Bible is slavery condemned. Yet the very notion that the God he so revered could condone slavery struck him as preposterous. After a great deal of study, he found the answer in the most unexpected of places – in Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

LINCOLN’S

William Wallace “Willie” Lincoln (December 21, 1850 – February 20, 1862) was the third son of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln. Born 10 months after Eddie died. Willie died at the age of 11.

WITNESS WHAT ABE WROTE TO HIS STEPBROTHER, JOHN D. JOHNSTON, on January 12, 1851, less than twelve months after Eddie’s death:

I SINCERELY HOPE FATHER MAY RECOVER HIS HEALTH, BUT TELL HIM TO

remember to call upon and confide in our great and good and merciful Maker, who will not turn away from him in any extremity. He notes the fall of a sparrow, and numbers the hairs of our head, and He will not forget the dying man who puts his trust in Him. Say to him ... that if it be his lot to go now, he will soon have a joyous meeting with many loved ones gone before, and where the rest of us, through the help of God, hope ere long to join them.

FIVE DAYS LATER, THOMAS LINCOLN DIED. BUT HIS SON WAS ONCE more walking according to the Bible Thomas had endeavored to keep at the center of Abe’s early life.

THE THINKER (1854-1860) One day during these years, Lincoln experienced an epiphany. The Bible, he realized, was far more than just a religious book – it was a book about nations. He discovered that God was not only a personal God but that He cared just as much about the fate of nations as He did about individuals. Once Lincoln realized this, the Bible became immensely relevant to him as he interpreted day-to-day political news.

LOGICAL MIND SEIZED ON THIS TRUTH, AND THEN THE

ramifications became clear. If each of us – no matter what race, color, or sex we might be – is created in the image of God, how then can we legally categorize negro men, women, and children as mere things? The U.S. Constitution itself referred to slaves at chattels and considered a slave as only three-fifths of a person. Eventually, these thoughts began percolating into Lincoln’s speeches.

MORE AND MORE, HE REACHED BACK TO INDEPENDENCE HALL, WHEN we as a nation articulated to the world for the first time:

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.

IN AN ADDRESS GIVEN AT LEWISTOWN, ILLINOIS, ON AUGUST 17, 1858,

Lincoln referred to this great truth when he said that the dignity of man is derivative. One writer said: “Man’s glory lies not, Lincoln thought, in ‘his goodness,’ for this is often nonexistent. He derives glory, instead, from his being made in the image of the ‘Living God.”’

AND

HERE

LINCOLN

SEPARATED HIMSELF FROM DEISTIC THINKERS,

who refer to God abstractly as the Creator who simply watches what man does. To Lincoln, God was the “Living God,” someone actively involved in all that takes place in the lives of His children.

LINCOLN PERCEIVED THAT SLAVERY, AT THAT TIME EXISTING ONLY IN certain states, was on its way to being expanded into all the territories and even into heretofore free states, indeed, into the entire nation; the die was cast. Slavery, Lincoln realized, was a moral issue and must be dealt with head-on.

AND HEAD-ON HE WOULD HIT IT, MOST NOTICEABLY IN THE DEFINITIVE speech of his lifetime: the House Divided speech. In this speech, given

More Related Articles Online: Christian History

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on June 16, 1858, Lincoln took Christ’s words found in Matthew 12:25, Mark 3:25, and Luke 11:17 and thundered, “A house divided against itself cannot stand!” Then he applied Christ’s statement to America: “I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free.”

THAT ONE SPEECH WOULD SEPARATE HIM FROM THE PACK OF POLITICAL

figures. It revealed him to the American people as perhaps the only visionary who had a full grasp of the long-term impact of slavery on the nation and its people. THE PROPHET (1861 -1865) In 1861, admiration for Abraham Lincoln swelled and he was elected president. What is amazing is this: Had Lincoln died in 1857, no one would remember him today. Even had he died three years later, in 1860, he’d merely be the stuff of a trivial pursuit game. Thanks to the steepest learning curve in recorded history, the four-year crucible of the Civil War transformed a merely articulate plainsman into “the greatest American of them all.”

THESE FOUR YEARS WERE ALSO A JOURNEY

OF DISCOVERY IN TERMS

of Lincoln’s personal relationship with God. The very magnitude of the problems facing him drove him to his knees. Humanly speaking, he was facing an impossible task. Emerson, later looking back through the war years, likened Lincoln’s role to someone climbing aboard and taking control of a tornado – and not being able to get off for four years!

LINCOLN’S

REAL MOMENT OF TRUTH OCCURRED ON

FEBRUARY 11,

1861, at the Springfield railway station with a crowd of over a thousand townspeople who had come to see him off. The news from the South had all been bad: Jefferson Davis was laying claim to half of the republic; rumors had it that secessionists planned to take over the capital, keep Lincoln’s votes from being validated, and throw the nation into chaos. No known guidebook or map book could help him, for nothing like this had ever happened in America before.

LINCOLN RAISED HIS HAND AND SPOKE TO THE PEOPLE OF SPRINGFIELD,

“My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when or whether ever I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance, I cannot fail. Trusting in Him, who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I beg you an affectionate farewell.”

INAUGURATION DAY, MARCH 4, 1861

“You have no oath registered in heaven to destroy the government, while I have the most solemn one to “preserve, protect, and defend it.” – Abraham Lincoln

President Abraham Lincoln with his wife Mary Todd Lincoln. (1860)

ACCORDING

LINCOLN’S

WIFE,

MARY,

HER HUSBAND FINISHED

composing the conclusion to the first inaugural speech the morning it was delivered. “The family being present, he read it to them,” she wrote. “The family retired to an adjoining room, but not so far distant but that the voice of prayer could be distinctly heard.”’

BEFORE LINCOLN, A LONG SERIES OF PRESIDENTS HAD BEEN RELUCTANT

to express their hopes and fears in religious terms. In contrast, Lincoln spoke openly about his dependence and the nation’s dependence on God. This precedent made it possible for future presidents to refer to prayer, divine guidance, and God without embarrassment or fear of ridicule. Abraham Lincoln was the first openly Christian American president.

THIS TIME, WAR CLOUDS WERE HOVERING OVER THE LAND.

Lincoln, the oath of office became a very serious thing. As he repeated the following words after the chief justice, a conviction came over him:

“I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY

execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” It was the conviction that these were not mere political words – they were holy words, for he had uttered them as a promise to God.

More Related Articles Online: Christian History

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T H E

V O I C E vitriol became almost more than flesh and blood could bear. Lincoln said: “If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how – the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won’t amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference.”

ON JUNE 24, LINCOLN VISITED HIS FRIEND AND MENTOR, WINFIELD

President Abraham Lincoln, with young son Tad and Senator Charles Sumner, salutes a detachment of African-American Union troops in Richmond, Virginia at the end of the American Civil War.

AS LINCOLN CONTINUED TO STUDY GOD IN THE BIBLE, HE BECAME increasingly convicted that nations are just as morally responsible for their actions as are individuals. He believed that Americans would stand before God in judgment as a people. Lincoln was convinced that, for its almost 250 years of complicity in human slavery, America would receive a proportionate accounting and penance from God. A SOLEMN VOW- 1862 On February 20, 1862, eleven-year-old Willie, the pride and joy of both his father, Lincoln, and mother, died of typhoid. This loss, reminding him so painfully of the loss of Eddie twelve years before, plunged Lincoln into the deepest valley of his life. Compounding his anguish, his wife, Mary, withdrew from Abe and their youngest son, Tad. Indeed, Mary would never fully recover from the shock of this second loss.

THE

YEAR

1861

HAD BEEN BAD FOR

Lincoln, and 1862 provided more of the same. With war now declared, the rookie president underwent a baptism of fire like no other. A political group composed of aggressive “hawks” castigated Lincoln for not marching armies to Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy, and ending the war. The opposite group, the peace-at-any-price party, declared that it was impossible to defeat the Confederacy and that the thing to do was to make terms with them and let them secede. The Senate Committee on the Conduct of the War told the president in no uncertain terms how the war should be fought. When McClellan retreated after the Seven Days’ Battle in Richmond, the

Scott. Apparently the president unburdened his heart to the wise old general. Neither man ever divulged what was said there that day, but the counsel must have been clear and to the point, because when Lincoln returned to Washington, he seized control. In quick succession, the president removed McClellan from command, sacked General John Fremont for insubordination, and issued a call for 300,000 three-year troops. Lincoln realized that if he failed to dominate the war effort, others would. And so he used the wartime powers given him in the Constitution to rule with a firm hand for the next two and a half years.

FOR A LONG TIME LINCOLN HAD BEEN WRESTLING IN HIS MIND AND

with God about the issue of slavery. He had initially been convinced that since the North held the high moral ground on the issue, God would give the Union His blessing. But after a number of military reversals, he was forced to reconsider his opinion. God appeared to be blessing the South with victory after victory. He finally concluded that as long as the North failed to emancipate the slaves, God would not bless its war efforts. If the war were fought just to preserve the status quo – which included slavery – then there was no moral high ground for the North at all!

ON SUNDAY, JULY 13, RIDING IN A CARRIAGE TO A FUNERAL

in the countryside with Secretaries Seward and Wells, Lincoln confided in them his determination to issue an emancipation proclamation. He had wrestled with the thorny issue of how it could be constitutionally done for a long time, he told them, and had concluded that he already had the power to do it as commander in chief on the grounds of “military necessity”– but only in those areas in open rebellion.

THOSE STATES THAT WERE NOT JOINING

the Confederacy, most notably the border states, he currently had no authority to emancipate the slaves. To do so would be unconstitutional because such action could not be covered by “war powers.” However, he could do so if Congress would pass an amendment to the Constitution in order to make it permanent. This, he told them, was his strategy.

LINCOLN

BROUGHT HIS PLAN TO THE

Cabinet on July 22. Secretary of State Frederick Seward objected. He said

T T HH E E VV OO I I C C E E

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that issuing such a document without an amendment or even a recent military victory to give it strength would make the United States a laughingstock. So it was put on hold.

ON AUGUST 30, AS THE SECOND BATTLE OF BULL RUN WAS BEING

fought, Lincoln sat with Dr. Phineas D. Gurley on the back porch of the White House, worrying about the battle outcome. Dr. Gurley knelt in prayer, and “Lincoln knelt beside him and joined reverently in the petition.”’

THE RESULT OF THE BATTLE, HOWEVER, WAS THE SAME AS THE FIRST Battle of Bull Run: another defeat.

IT WAS SHORTLY AFTER THIS THAT JOHN HAY, LINCOLN’S ASSISTANT,

went into Lincoln’s office when Lincoln was elsewhere and noticed a piece of paper with Lincoln’s writing on it on the desk. Lincoln had never intended any other eyes but his own to see it. Yet when Hay read it, he was so moved that he wrote out a copy for himself and kept it secret until long after Lincoln’s death. It has since become known as “Meditation on the Divine Will,” and is considered to be one of the most profound spiritual documents ever written:

THE WILL OF GOD PREVAILS. IN GREAT CONTESTS EACH PARTY CLAIMS

to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be wrong. God cannot be for, and against, the same thing at the same time. In the present civil war it is quite possible that God’s purpose is something different from the purpose of either party – and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect His purpose. I am almost ready to say this is probably true – that God wills this contest, and wills that it shall not end yet. By His mere quiet power, on the minds of the now contestants, He could have either saved or destroyed the Union without a human contest. Yet the contest began. And having begun He could give the final victory to either side any day. Yet the contest proceeds.

THERE IS IN “MEDITATION ON THE DIVINE WILL” NO ARROGANCE, NO

claims that God was on the Union side. But rather we see the articulation of a gut feeling that God – the God to whom both North and South prayed every day – had to have a great purpose in mind, a valid reason for permitting the bloodbath to continue. When Lincoln was asked if God was on the Union’s side, Lincoln’s unvarying response was that what was really important was whether they were on God’s side. Reprinted from Joe Wheeler’s “Abraham Lincoln: A Man of Faith and Courage” (Howard/Simon & Schuster, 2008), with permission of the author. Joseph Leininger Wheeler, Ph.D., is the author/editor of 68 books with 12 publishing houses. He is considered to be one of America’s leading story anthologizers. He is best known for his bestselling Christmas in My Heart story series. He earned his doctorate in English (History of Ideas) from Vanderbilt University in 1975. He is CoFounder and Executive Director of the Zane Grey’s West Society. Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family says of him, “Joe Wheeler is America’s keeper of the story.” Wheeler may be contacted through his website: www.JoeWheelerBooks.com More Related Articles Online: Christian History

RESTORING GOD’S WAYS OF

Character Development By Eric L. Warren

n this “reformation” season, it is imperative that we rediscover the “old landmarks” of God’s building processes. One of the most critical of these old landmarks is the respect for the boundaries that the Lord Himself has established for every dimension of our lives. These boundaries are established by God and manifested in us according to our obedience. As we are obedient to these eternal values, our character is shaped and manifested in the earth in the image of Christ.

T H E

PROVERBS 22:28 GIVES US WISDOM FOR THE AGES

had become followers of the Teacher and the teaching. In this session, Jesus established a new paradigm of thought, behavior and values. A thoughtful examination of the truths He communicated will provide a template for us today in our quest to build the character of Christ and the values of the Kingdom in those we serve.

“AND

IN VERSE I, WE SEE JESUS SEPARATE Himself and His disciples from the

when it says “remove not the ancient landmark, which thy father’s have set.” A landmark is a boundary which defines parameters naturally or spiritually. The Old Testament’s reference to respecting landmarks speaks prophetically to us today as an admonition to respect boundaries as a principle of life. Many of the problems which we encounter in life and ministry originate in our failure to respect the boundaries of life. NOW,

ISRAEL,

WHAT DOTH THE

LORD

thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?” (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)

THIS

SCRIPTURE GOD

ADMONISHES THE

people of God to, “walk in all His ways.” Walking in the “ways’’ of God requires us to live in such a way that we respect the boundaries that God has established. These boundaries essentially become “landmarks” in our walk as representatives of the King and the Kingdom. The word “ways” in this verse is a significant word for understanding the nature and character of God. The Hebrew word for “ways” is “derek.” The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament defines this word as “a path worn by constant walking.” Another reference; Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies, defines it as “a course [or], manner in which one walks.”

AS A RESULT OF THIS INSIGHT WE CAN CONCLUDE

that this word “derek” is literally describing character as we know it. A detailed study of this word will give us great insight into the dimension of character that God desires for us to live in. For now, let us simply embrace the reality that there is a “well worn path” that God “walks” in that He also desires for us to walk.

HOW JESUS DEVELOPED 1 CHARACTER AND VALUES IN HIS DISCIPLES

As a matter of principle, every community of Christ must have a process; a methodology of building disciples who have the character of Christ and the values of the Kingdom. These are old landmarks that provide a “well worn path to walk in.” Jesus had such a methodology and used it strategically in “training schools” such as the one depicted in Matthew 5-7. On this occasion, we see Jesus pull His disciples aside to impart Kingdom values to those who

P. 41

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crowd as He ministers to them. In our building of the Church of Jesus Christ, we must establish times of meeting with disciples alone so that we can deposit the landmarks of Kingdom values in them. We must in this season bring balance in our emphasis on bringing people into the Kingdom and building people of the kingdom. One has a focus on salvation and the other has a focus on making disciples who will mature practically into sons of God.

WHAT DID

JESUS

TEACH THESE

disciples in this training session? He taught them from the wellspring of Kingdom values that produce Christlike character. In this record, Jesus focuses on three broad themes as He communicated a new set of Kingdom values to His disciples. These three themes are as follows:

A RENEWED MIND 2 BASED UPON KINGDOM REALITIES

In our building of the Church of Jesus Christ, we must establish times of meeting with disciples alone so that we can deposit the landmarks of Kingdom values in them. We must in this season bring balance in our emphasis on bringing people into the Kingdom and building people of the Kingdom.

The first thing that Jesus addressed with these new converts was the need to think different thoughts and embrace new attitudes. After reconnecting with God spiritually, the soul life of man must be recalibrated to carry Kingdom values. Jesus did this by imparting new Kingdom values which established a foundation for the renewing of their minds. We have called the first part of this training the “beatitudes” quite appropriately.

IN THIS INITIAL SESSION, JESUS SPEAKS TO THEM

about the qualities of meekness, mercifulness, purity of heart, peacemaking, etc. He reshapes the inner construct of their character by speaking to them about a new way of thinking, a new More Related Articles Online: Christian Living

way of understanding and a new identity. He further expands their understanding of their new Kingdom life by informing them that they are salt of the earth, they are a light set on a hill and that their newfound objective in life is to allow men to see the light of God through them. That my friend is developing the character of Christ based upon the values of the Kingdom of God.

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judgment in governmental authority over the Lord’s heritage.

THIS

SPIRIT OF RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT

serves as a backdrop for other areas of wisdom that Jesus progresses into. This is essentially a “wisdom” session as Jesus teaches His disciples how to walk in the earth with discernment and how to see life through spiritual lens. The Bible speaks prophetically of this dimension of Christ’s life in Isaiah 11:3,4, “…and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth…” So let it be with the Body of Christ today.

It is critical today that we rediscover the building blocks of effective discipleship that will produce a people of character. Otherwise, our good works will be evil spoken of and our errant behavior will destroy our credibility and sabotage the good that we do. WHAT J ESUS

DEMONSTRATES IS THAT NEW

disciples must literally adopt a new identity upon entering into the Kingdom. They must literally embrace the truth that “old things have passed away, behold all things are new”(2 Corinthians 5:17).

3 AOFSTANDARD RIGHTEOUSNESS

The next thing that Jesus addresses with His disciples is the issue of righteousness. In verses 17 – 20 of chapter 5, Jesus begins to address a number of issues regarding righteousness. Many of the failings of new disciples have to do with an inadequate understanding of issues of righteousness. In the New Testament alone the term “righteousness” occurs at least 99 times in the King James Version of the Bible. Thirty nine (39) of these uses occur in the foundational epistle of Romans. In this “training school” of Jesus, He taught His disciples about the many dimensions of righteousness and ends by instructing them to “seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all of these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). We would do well to follow this example.

WISDOM AND 4 DEVELOPING DISCERNMENT IN JUDGMENT

The final dimension of character and values that Jesus deals with in this particular training session is the issue of personal development in the area of “judgment.” Biblically, “judging” is the act of critiquing a situation, circumstance, or person and drawing conclusions based upon that evaluation. Jesus warned His disciples about applying this technology to others before using it on themselves. Some have used portions of this record, to excuse errant behavior and avoid accountability. But, that is not what Jesus was communicating. What Jesus was addressing here is our tendency to critique others when we haven’t applied the same standard to ourselves. He was addressing our tendency to be critical of others while justifying ourselves. This was the spirit of the Pharisees that Jesus Himself judged.

THE

STANDARD THEN FOR MAKING CRITICAL

decisions and developing spiritual discernment is to first learn to first “take the mote” out of our own eye. From there we may be able to mature to the point where we can then exercise righteous More Related Articles Online: Christian Living

IS QUITE INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT

Jesus never spoke to them about their spiritual authority in this session. I believe that Jesus knew that they were not prepared to walk in spiritual authority until they had addressed issues of character development first. If the character of a disciple is not addressed prior to the impartation of power, immaturity will give way to ego and misuse and abuse is inevitable. I believe there is great revelation and wisdom in the training process of Jesus that we need to receive.

IT IS CRITICAL TODAY THAT WE REDISCOVER THE

building blocks of effective discipleship that will produce a people of character. Otherwise, our good works will be evil spoken of and our errant behavior will destroy our credibility and sabotage the good that we do. May we take note of the “training schools” of Jesus as we endeavor to build men and women of character in the Body of Christ. Then we will be able to reestablish the old landmarks of the Gospel of the Kingdom.

E R I C L . WA R R E N i s t h e Fo u n d e r a n d S e n i o r Pastor of Ambassadors for Christ Fellowship (AFCF) and Ambassador Ministries International, which is a multidimensional ministry committed to develop and release apostolic ministries to serve the body of Christ and the marketplace. He holds degrees in Sociology, Philosophy, and Theology, as well as an Honorary Doctorate degree and has completed the Harvard Divinity School Summer Leadership Institute. He can be reached at www. ambassadorministries.org.

RECESSION-PROOF YOUR LIFE Your Personal Economic Bailout Strategy B Y D AV I D C O K E R

UR ECONOMY IS CRAZY.

WANT

A TIP?

BUY

STOCK IN

TUMS,

because anyone watching the news lately probably has an ulcer. I’m only kidding. But it seems as of late that our media has become prophets of doom. Despair spews from their mouth and infects us daily. Here are five tips for recession proofing your life.

1. BREATHE

Stop freaking out. People who freak out always make things worse. Drowning swimmers can drown their savior as well as themselves by flailing around.

If you go into an economic flail you will drown your finances. Did you know that the average person under the age of 30 uses only 25 percent of their lung capacity? In the same way, if you’ll learn to breathe, you’ll discover that you probably only use 25 percent of your savings, budgeting and your money management capacity. Your dollars will go further if you will just breathe. Stop spending like an idiot and save your money. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >>

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2. TURN THE TV OFF

The television isn’t from Satan, but the Bible says faith cometh by hearing. The question is, what do you want to have faith in, the doom and gloom of FOX, CNN and MSNBC or in what the Bible says? Scripture says, “The Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want.” Where is your focus? Turn the TV off and get your focus on God.

3. GET ON A BUDGET

I know you hate those words. Let me make them more palatable. Put yourself on a spending plan. Does that sound better? Here’s some simple rules for your finances.

AS LONG AS YOU SPEND MORE THAN YOU MAKE

you aren’t going to have enough money. That’s

No. 2

work… He gave you the body, air and knowledge) it just makes sense to give Him one of the 10 back. Then you take another one of the ten and you put it into savings. So we have eight left. Live off those eight. Don’t live off 12 if you have 10. Live off 8 or less if you have 10. Sometimes, God just shows out for me and I get so happy that I give him two of them instead of just one. At which point, I live off the seven.

THERE IS NOT A LACK OF MONEY,

there is a lack of wisdom.

4. KEEP PLANTING

While the problems we’re facing are real, we cannot afford to panic and pass bills and bailouts that make no sense in financial reality. Our leaders need our prayer, whether you like them or not.

real deep. It sounds simple, but the fact is, very few Americans today are debt-free and fewer are trying to get free. That’s what got us here to begin with. Despite what the “experts” say, we aren’t going to “spend our way out of this recession.” Until we learn to manage the money God has given us, it doesn’t matter how good the stock market is, our economic picture is bleak.

THAT

BEING SAID, LET ME LAY OUT A SIMPLE

pattern for you to follow. You are paid 10 one dollar bills. Of those 10, you need to tithe one. God gave you the money (not just your hard

Don’t try to “get rich quick.” Don’t play games with the stock market and be stupid with your money. Instead, have a plan for sowing into your future. When their aren’t many crops that’s a great time to sow.

5. PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS

I love the quote from Men In Black, “A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals and you know it.” I watched a spirit of fear come over our country’s leadership in the last six months. While the problems we’re facing are real, we cannot afford to panic and pass bills and bailouts that make no sense in financial reality. Our leaders need our prayer, whether you like them or not.

TO SUM IT ALL UP, GOD’S STILL ON THE THRONE.

He wasn’t shocked one bit by the stock market. After all, He knew the end from the beginning. So why are you so shocked and panicked? Get your house in order, discover God’s way of handling money and recession-proof your life.

DAVID COKER is a 1985 graduate of RHEMA Bible College and the founding apostle of Gateway Believers Fellowship in Carnesville, Ga. He is also the founder of Breakthrough Apostolic Ministries Network (B.A.M.) His ministry can be reached at www.gatewaybelievers.

More Related Articles Online: Personal Finance

5 Reasons WHY DREAMS

donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take flight By John C. Maxwell

ost of us never see our dreams come true. Instead of soaring through the

clouds, our dreams languish like a brokendown airplane confined to its hangar. Through life, I have come to identify five common reasons why dreams donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take flight. Continued on next page >>

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1. We have been discouraged from dreaming by others.

We have to pilot our own dreams; we cannot entrust them to anyone else. People who aren’t following their own dreams resent us pursuing ours. Such people feel inadequate when we succeed, so they try to drag us down.

IF WE LISTEN TO EXTERNAL VOICES, THEN WE ALLOW OUR DREAMS TO BE

hijacked. At some point, other people will place limitations on us by doubting our abilities. When surrounded by the turbulence of criticism, we have to grasp the controls tightly to keep from being knocked off course.

2. We are hindered by past disappointments and hurts.

In the movie “Top Gun,” Tom Cruise plays Maverick, a young, talented, and cocky aviator who dreams of being the premier pilot in the U.S. Navy. In the film’s opening scenes, Maverick showcases his flying ability but also displays a knack for pushing the envelope with regards to safety. Midway through the movie, Maverick’s characteristic aggression spells disaster. His plane crashes, killing his best friend and co-pilot.

ALTHOUGH

CLEARED OF WRONGDOING , THE PAINFUL MEMORY OF

the accident haunts Maverick. He quits taking risks and loses his edge. Struggling to regain his poise, he considers giving up on his dream. Although the incident nearly wrecks Maverick’s career, he eventually reaches within to find the strength to return to the sky.

LIKE MAVERICK,

MANY OF US LIVE WITH THE MEMORY OF FAILURE

embedded in our psyche. Perhaps a business we started went broke, or we were fired from a position of leadership. Disappointment is the gap that exists between expectation and reality, and all of us have encountered that gap. Failure is a necessary and natural part of life, but if we’re going to attain our dreams, then, like Maverick, we have to summon the courage deal with past hurts.

3. We fall into the habit of settling for average.

Average is the norm for a reason. Being exceptional demands extra effort, sustained inspiration, and uncommon discipline. When we attempt to give flight to our dreams, we have to overcome the weight of opposition. Like gravity, life’s circumstances constantly pull on our dreams, tugging us down to mediocrity.

MOST OF US DON’T PAY THE PRICE TO OVERCOME THE OPPOSITION to our dreams. We may start out inspired, but through time we fatigue. Although never intending to abandon our dreams, we begin to make concessions here and there. Through time, our lives become mundane, and our dreams slip away. JOHN C. MAXWELL is the founder and chairman of The INJOY Group, organizations he created to partner with people by helping them to maximize their personal and leadership potential. He is an expert on leadership, speaking to more than 250,000 people a year on growth, leadership and personal development. He can be reached at www.maximumimpact.com.

No. 2

4. We lack the confidence needed to pursue our dreams. Dreams are fragile. They will be buffeted by assaults frOM all sides. As such, they must be supplied with the extra strength of self-confidence.

IN AMELIA EARHART’S DAY, WOMEN WERE NOT SUPPOSED FLY AIRPLANES. If she had lacked self-assurance, she never would have even attempted to be a pilot. Instead, Earhart confidently chased after her dream, and she was rewarded with both fulfillment and fame.

5. We lack the imagination to dream.

For thousands of years, mankind traveled along the ground: by foot, by horse-and-buggy, by locomotive, and eventually by automobile. Thanks to the dreams of Orville and Wilbur Wright, we now hop across oceans in a matter of hours. The imaginative brothers overcame ridicule and doubt to pioneer human flight, and the world has never been the same.

MANY

OF US PLAY SMALL BECAUSE WE DO NOT ALLOW OURSELVES TO

dream. We trap ourselves in reality and never dare to go beyond what we can see with our eyes. Imagination lifts us beyond average by giving us a vision of life that surpasses what we are experiencing currently. Dreams infuse our spirit with energy and spur us on to greatness. This article is used by permission from Dr. John C. Maxwell’s free monthly e-newlsetter ‘Leadership Wired’ available at www.injoy.com.

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THE VOICE

en Español

Columna Operaciones Profética

Moviéndose Fuera de los Lugares Secos El Señor esta haciendo algo nuevo. Podrás reconocer el movimiento?

LA MEJOR ESTRATEGIA DE GUERRA ESPIRITUAL DE SATANÁS

P. 50

COLUMNA

OPERACIONES PROFÉTICAS S I EL PROFETA

ISAÍAS

Jesús pasaba el dijo, “Vean, el Cordero de Dios!”(Juan 1:35) cuando los discípulos lo oyeron, ellos inmediatamente siguieron a Jesús. Uno de los discípulos, Andrés fue a llamar a Simón Pedro y le dijo que había encontrado al Mesías. Desde aquí el movimiento empezó a ganar impulso. Felipe y Nataniel se unieron a la revolución después, y los otros pronto lo siguieron hasta que se hicieron multitudes.

ESTUVIERA

con nosotros hoy, el podría repetir la declaración del capítulo 43 del libro profético que él escribió. Como el está entre la gran nube de testigos, voy a hacer esta declaración inspirada por el Espíritu. Pongan atención, el Señor está haciendo algo nuevo! Nosotros tenemos que movernos adelante con su Espíritu para que no nos quedemos detrás en el desierto.

INTERESANTEMENTE, ISAÍAS

profeta que anuncio el día de Juan el Bautista, otro tiempo cuando el Señor estaba haciendo algo nuevo. Juan era una voz clamando en el desierto (Isaias40:3) La Biblia dice que él fue lleno del Espíritu desde el vientre de su madre y cuando él se lanzo en su ministerio-a preparar el camino del Señor – el era visiblemente ungido. Es más, a pesar de su menos que lujoso lugar de reunión, su incivilizado aspecto y su mensaje de fuego y azufre, el Bautista atrajo una de las más grandes multitudes desde cuando Elías se enfrento con los profetas de Baal cien años antes. La Biblia dice que gente llegaba desde Jerusalén y Judea y toda la región del Jordán.

TAN UNGIDO COMO ERA JUAN, AUN VINO UNO

mucho más grande: Jesús de Nazaret. Bautizar a Jesús y anunciarlo como el “Cordero de Dios que quita el pecado del mundo” fue el último trabajo asignado a él. Por supuesto, este fue un momento crucial en los ministerios de ambos hombres. La carga espiritual de introducir el reino de Dios cambiaria de Juan a Jesús. Juan había completado su tarea. El estaba decreciendo para que Jesús incrementara. O podemos decir, el viejo movimiento esta ahora sirviendo como fundación para el nuevo. Seguro, el viejo movimiento estaba más grande que el nuevo. Juan tenía más discípulos que Jesús. Pero es interesante notar que los que discernían los caminos de Dios seguían al Espíritu – ellos siguieron a Jesús. Los que no, cayeron presos en religión.

MOVIÉNDOSE FUERA DE LOS

LUGARES SECOS EL SEÑOR ESTA

HACIENDO ALGO NUEVO.

PODRÁS RECONOCER EL MOVIMIENTO?

ANDRÉS FUE EL PRIMERO DE LOS DISCÍPULOS

de Juan que se dio cuenta de lo que el Espíritu estaba haciendo. Un día Juan el Bautista estaba en el Jordán con dos de sus discípulos. Cuando

TODOS LOS DISCÍPULOS DE

J UA N

siguieron al Espíritu y algunos de ellos se volvieron religiosos. Recuerdan cuando Jesús y Juan estaban bautizando a la misma vez? Ninguno de los discípulos de Juan estaban contentos. Ellos se quejaron diciendo” Rabí, sabes aquel que estaba contigo al otro lado del Jordán? El que tú autorizaste con tu testimonio? Bien, el está compitiendo con nosotros. El esta bautizando también y todos están yendo a Él y en lugar de nosotros.” (Juan 3:26 MSG)

FUE EL MISMO

Po r Je n n i f e r L e C l a i r e

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P UEDES

VER EL ESPÍRITU RELIGIOSO DE

competencia, celo y comparación? Estaban enojados porque la congregación de Jesús era más grande que la de Juan. Hablando como un verdadero profeta, Juan les dice que “este es un momento dispuesto por el para moverse al centro mientras yo salgo al margen.”(Juan 3:30 MSG). Eso fue lo que sucedió. Juan pronto cayó en prisión. El mensaje que él había predicado – “arrepiéntanse, porque el Reino del Cielo está cerca”- no se desvaneció. Jesús cogió el mismo mensaje y le añadió. Ven, los movimientos anteriores de Dios son tesoros, fundaciones para lo que Dios quiere hacer más adelante. Nuevos movimientos saltan de los movimientos anteriores.

AUN DESPUÉS DE QUE JUAN FUE PUESTO EN

prisión, algunos de sus discípulos no tuvieron ojos para ver ni oídos para oír. Pronto, ellos cayeron en las mismas ideas de los Fariseos y Saduceos. A los cuales su líder les llamo “manada de víboras.” Si, los discípulos de Juan tuvieron la osadía de preguntar a Jesús esto” Porque nosotros y los fariseos ayunamos con frecuencia, [abstinencia de comidas y bebidas como ejercicio religioso], pero tus discípulos no ayunan?”(Mateo 9:14

No.

T H E

V O I C E

E N

E S P A Ñ O L

¿Está usted en la celebración de un movimiento del pasado? ¿O usted está en movimiento con Dios a diario lo que Él sigue a revelar sus planes y sus caminos? Pídale a Dios que le muestre si tienes algunas ponerse al día. Nunca es demasiado tarde para seguir el espíritu de esos lugares del desierto. AMP). La respuesta de Jesús confirma la transición al nuevo movimiento. El dijo,” Nadie pone remiendo de panó nuevo en vestido viejo; porque tal remiendo tira del vestido, y la rotura se hace peor. Ni echan vino nuevo en vasijas viejas porque se rompen y el vino se derrama; pero echan el vino nuevo en vasijas nuevas y ambos se conservan juntos (Mateo 9:16-17).

TÚ PENSARÍAS QUE ESTOS DISCÍPULOS, QUIENES

habían estudiado bajo un hombre al que Jesús llamo el más grande de todos los profetas, habrían tenido oídos para oír, verdad? Nosotros no sabemos por seguro como respondieron ellos. Quizás, ellos siguieron a Jesús. Eso es lo que Juan hubiera querido para aquellos a los que

el impartió su percepción profética mientras Jesús esperaba su revelación.

Y QUE DE TI PROFETA? ESTAS AGARRÁNDOTE

a un movimiento del pasado que está seco? O te moverás con Dios diariamente mientras El continua revelando Sus planes y sus caminos? Pregúntale a Dios que te diga si tienes que ponerte al día. Nunca es tarde para seguir al Espíritu y salir de esos lugares espirituales secos. La biblia The Message lo pone así: “Olvídate de lo que paso, no vayas a la vieja historia. Estate alerta y presente. Estoy listo a hacer algo nuevo. Va a reventar! Lo ves? Aquí esta! Estoy haciendo camino a través del desierto, ríos en las naciones asoladas”. (Isaías 43:18-19). Es 2008. Sigue el rio de agua viva de Dios.

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LA MEJOR ESTRATEGIA DE GUERRA ESPIRITUAL DE SATANÁS Guerra Espiritual contra la mente, lanza miedo, confusión, desesperación y ofensa. Por Jonas Clark

AS ESCRITURAS DECLARAN QUE LAS BATALLAS ESPIRITUALES NO son libradas con leyes carnales, “Porque aunque andamos en la carne, no luchamos carnalmente” (2 Corintios 10:3) Guerra Espiritual es usar la Palabra de Dios y tu autoridad delegada para oponerte a la oposición demoniaca contra ti. EL ESPÍRITU SANTO AUN NOS ESTÁ DANDO entendimiento de los poderes espirituales que luchan contra nosotros. Las escrituras dicen, “Nosotros no luchamos contra carne ni sangre” (Efesios 6) El Apóstol Pablo aclara que estamos en una guerra espiritual y declara que “Las armas de nuestra lucha no son carnales pero son poderosas a través de Dios para derribar barricadas.

USA LA PALABRA DE DIOS EN TU VIDA Y DOMINA SOBRE VANAS IMAGINACIONES. NO TRATES DE COMBATIR PENSAMIENTOS CON PENSAMIENTOS. EN SU LUGAR UTILIZA LA PALABRA DE DIOS Y TU AUTORIDAD ESPIRITUAL PARA TRAERLOS CAUTIVOS. ANTES

DE ATACAR PODERES Y PRINCIPADOS

debemos aprender como der ribar los pensamientos guerreros e imaginaciones que se levanta dentro de nosotros. Pablo continua, “derribando imaginaciones” Imaginación es una imagen, una foto formada en el espíritu de tu mente de algo que no ves. Algo que existe solo en la imaginación, no es real a menos que tú le des vida. Has experimentado una imaginación hoy? Que hiciste con ella? La derribaste y seguiste adelante o tomaste te y pastelitos en mesas con manteles blancos? Guerra Espiritual contra la mente lanza miedo, confusión, desesperación y ofensa. Las Escrituras dicen que tales cosas no vienen de Dios, “Porque Dios no nos ha dado

un espíritu de miedo pero de poder, amor y una mente sana (2 Timoteo 1:7)

EMPECEMOS CON CONFUSIÓN IMAGINACIONES

CORRUPTAS PUEDEN AFECTAR

tu sano juicio e inyectar confusión en tu vida. Dejarlas sin control producirán inseguridad y causaran dificultades solucionando los problemas, mantenerse atento y concentrado. Confusión es como una neblina que te reta a entrar. Neblina mental es el síntoma de armas que oscurecen la verdad. Es por eso que debemos observar justamente el origen Algunas veces es causado por falta de descanso, salud o falta de información wwww.thevoicemagazine.com

que afecta tu habilidad para resolver problemas o aclarar tus pensamientos. Otras veces es resultado de ataques espirituales, batallas dentro de tu mente que producen mezcla de pensamientos. Cuando la neblina te asalta recuerda esto” Dios no es el autor de confusión pero de paz” (1 Corintios 14:33).

M E N U D O C O N F U S I Ó N E S U N ATAQU E

espiritual contra tu mente que tiene muy poco o nada que ver con las circunstancias que te rodean. Si te ataca confusión clama la sangre de Jesús sobre tu mente y veras la nube desaparecer como la neblina al amanecer.

NOTICIAS

TRISTES

PUEDEN

S O LTA R

desesperación. Sin embargo desanimo por guerra espiritual no tiene nada que ver con cuentos de invierno. Te has sentido como si quieres dejarlo todo y rendirte? Lunes por la mañana llega y tu solo quieres volver atrás. Una de las seguras señales des ataque espiritual contra la mente es el sentimiento de querer rendirse. Desesperación se siente como un invierno solitario. Es una noción caprichosa de que todo está mal y nada saldrá bien. Es un ataque contra esperanza. Las Escrituras dicen, “Ahora Fe es la sustancia de cosas esperadas la evidencia de cosas no vistas”

T H E (Hebreos 11:1). Note que Fe pone en acción la esperanza que reside en el realmo interior de lo invisible. Probablemente has oído mucho acerca de la importantancia de la Fe. Fe activa la Esperanza. Esperanza es lo que hace los sueños. Es por eso que el espíritu del mundo lo ataca. Si el enemigo puede destruir tu esperanza él puede desarmar tu fe. Esos momentos cuando sientes que quieres rendirte y que el mundo entero está contra ti son señales seguras de que la victoria esta a la puerta. Levanta la espada de doble filo y asesina ese sentimiento.

GANANDO LA BATALLA DE LA MENTE CONFUSIÓN TAMBIÉN PUEDE SER EL RESULTADO de brujería que susurra en tu oído. En mi libro “Exponiendo Brujería Espiritual” aprendemos que brujería es una fuerza espiritual que lucha contra el espíritu de tu mente. Imaginaciones malas, por ejemplo, pueden tenerte considerando los trabajos de la carne y sacarte fuera del Espíritu.

A LGUNA

GENTE ES COMO LOS ARBOLES

solitarios que se encuentran en el Desierto Mojave del Sur de California. Ellos están rodeados por desierto, carentes de las aguas refrescantes del

V O I C E

E N

GUERRA ESPIRITUAL ES USAR LA PALABRA DE DIOS Y TU AUTORIDAD DELEGADA PARA PONERTE A LA OPOSICIÓN DEMONIACA CONTRA TI.. Espíritu Santo. Los que viven de acuerdo a sus propios corazones caminan en sequedad.

LA ESCRITURA

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E S P A Ñ O L

LOS DESCRIBE ASÍ

“LOS

QUE

han rechazado mi ley que he puesto delante de ellos y no han obedecido mi voz ni han caminado en ella, pero han caminado detrás de sus propias imaginaciones de su corazón y detrás de Baalim el cual sus padres les ensenaron.” (Jeremías 9:1314”). Baalim era un oscuro profeta que ministraba en adivinación y brujería porque tenía un corazón

wwww.thevoicemagazine.com

envidioso. El vendió a los escogidos de Dios por “premios de adivinación “poder, prestigio y dinero (Números 22:7).

PENSAMIENTOS

QUE TE SACAN DEL

ESPÍRITU

son evidencia de guerra espiritual contra tu mente. Tengan cuidado y vean la suerte de los Gálatas. Algunos pensamientos son trabajos de brujería dentro de tu propia imaginación. Imaginaciones embrujadas que te alejan de los preceptos y principios de Dios hacia la carne necesitan ser atadas y traídas abajo (Gálatas 3: 1-3).

B RUJERÍA

TRABAJA MEJOR DENTRO DE LA

imaginación. Imágenes encantadas son puntos focales que el príncipe del poder del aire utiliza para robar la vida abundante de Cristo. Escritura describe brujería como trabajos de la carne. “Pero si estas guiado por el Espíritu no estás bajo la Ley. Los trabajos de la carne son manifiestos como los siguientes: adulterio, fornicación, inmundicia, lascivia, idolatría, brujería, odio, enemistades, pleitos, celos, iras, contiendas, disensiones, herejías” (Gálatas 5:18-20).

BUJERÍA ES TRABAJO DE LA CARNE PORQUE LA gente tiene el poder de traer abajo imaginaciones orfeas o entretenerlas y vivirlas. Tú das vida a tus

P. 56

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imaginaciones hablándolas. Las escrituras dicen “vida y muerte están en poder de la lengua.” Tienes que tener cuidado cuando hablas porque el mundo espiritual no opera en lo que quieres decir, opera en lo que dices (Marcos 11:23) cuando confiesas las palabras porque cuando hablas vanas imaginaciones, una actividad de la carne, es una forma de brujería de acuerdo a las escrituras que leíste.

OTROS PUEDEN TENER PENSAMIENTOS BRUJOS

acerca de ti y hablarlos sobre ti. Cuando hacen esto ellos les dan vida y pasan asignaciones contra ti. Ahora tendrán que liderar con esas palabras. No solamente es la imaginación trabajando con ellos llevando a malas conclusiones pero ellos han enviado asignaciones de esa imaginación contra tu vida. Cuando pasa esto lanzan confusión, una forma de brujería. Si esto te pasa, no lo recibas, ni lo pienses, no te pongas de acuerdo con ellos, no lo repitas. Amárralos y tráelos abajo.

P OR

EJEMPLO ,

A LGUIEN

DICE :

“E STABA

pensando en ti anoche y te recomiendo que asegures con doble llave tus puertas hoy porque siento peligro en el ambiente” O ellos pueden hablar acerca de enfermedades que vendrán sobre ti, etc., etc. No des vida a carnales municiones de

V O I C E

E N

E S P A Ñ O L

ANTES DE ATACAR PRINCIPALIDADES Y PODERES APRENDAMOS A DERRIBAR LOS PENSAMIENTOS E IMAGINACIONES QUE SE LEVANTAN DENTRO DE NOSOTROS. otras personas Cuando son habladas, las vanas imaginaciones, lanzan asignaciones demoniacas a través de miedo. Si alguien te lanza miedo a través de sus imaginaciones, Atalo. Puedes declarar la verdad de Dios sobre tu vida diciendo “Ningún arma formada contra mi prosperara en el nombre de Jesús! que luchar contra imaginaciones significa atar cada pensamiento, cada palabra e imaginación a la Palabra de Dios, aun mas las criticas habladas de ti por otros.

POR ESO QUE ALGUNOS CRISTIANOS SON

vencidos por imaginaciones, ellos no saben cómo luchar contra ellas. Evita entablar conversaciones con gente que critica. Usa la Palabra de Dios en tu vida y domina sobre vanas imaginaciones. No trates de combatir pensamientos con pensamientos. En su lugar utiliza la Palabra de Dios y tu autoridad espiritual para traerlos cautivos.

MEDITACIÓN Y REFLEXIÓN Guerra Espiritual es usar la Palabra de Dios y tu autoridad delegada para ponerte a la oposición demoniaca contra ti. Antes de atacar principalidades y poderes aprendamos a derribar los pensamientos e imaginaciones que se levantan dentro de nosotros. Una de las señales seguras de ataque espiritual contra tu mente es el sentimiento de querer darse por vencido y rendirse. El mundo del Espíritu no opera en lo que quieres decir, pero en lo que dices.

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Voices )))))) LIBERTY AND TYRANNY by Mark R. Levine

In the face of the modern liberal assault on Constitution-based values, an attack that has steadily snowballed since President Roosevelt’s new Deal of the 1930s and resulted in a feder al government that is a massive, unaccountable conglomerate, the time for re-enforcing the intellectual and practical case for conservatism is now. Conservative beliefs in individual freedoms do in the end stand for liberty for all Americans, while liberal dictates lead to the breakdown of civilized society – in short, tyranny. Liberty and Tyranny provides a philosophical framework for revitalizing the conservative vision and ensuring the preservation of American society.

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BECAUSE THEY HATE

by Brigitte Gabriel

A Christian Arab journalist who witnessed the deadly beginnings of fundamentalist Islam issues a passionate wakeup call to America. Brigitte warns that radical Islam will stop at nothing short of domination of all non-Muslim countries. She points out mistakes the West has made in consistently underestimating the single-mindedness with which fundamentalist Islam has pursued its goals over the past thirty years. Gabriel outlines the history, social movements, and religious divisions that have led to this critical historical conﬂict. Fiercely articulate and passionately committed, she refuses to stand silently by while it happens here.

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T h e s e f e a t u r e d r e s o u r c e s a r e a l s o a v a i l a b l e a t T h e Vo i c e B o o k s . c o m .

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M I NOI SNT - FRI RY E DCIHRUERCCTHO R Y M I N I S T RY D I R E C TO RY THE VOICE Ministry & Church Directory is also online: www.thevoicemagazine.com

Locate an On-Fire Church or Ministry in your City, State or Country. C o n n e c t i n g Mini stries, Leaders and B e l i e v e r s W o r l d wide

ARKANSAS

DELAWARE Praise to the King Ministries, Inc. Apostle Nailah & Pastor Wayne Gilliam Wilmington, Delaware (302) 571-0695 www.praisetothekingministries.org

Sharejoy Ministries International Pastor Andra Maxwell Fort Lauderdale, Florida (954) 825-7189 andramc@hotmail.com Spirit of Life Ministries Apostle Jonas & Pastor Rhonda Clark Hallandale Beach, Florida (954) 456-4420 www.jonasclark.com GEORGIA

FLORIDA Christ’s Kingdom Life Center International Apostle Leslie Brown III Hollywood, Florida (954) 963-1355 communitymission@bellsouth.net Prophetic Revival Center Pastor/Prophetess Sandra Moore Miami, Florida (305) 248-0033 www.sandramoore.org Restoration World Outreach Ministries Apostle Steve & Michelle Lyston Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (954) 297-9552 Jamaica (876) 754-0500(1) rwominc@yahoo.com Resurrection Life Family Worship Center Apostle Trevor & Pastor Martha Banks Fort Pierce, Florida (772) 465-0036 www.trbanks.com

Sandy Hall Ministries Rev. Sandy Hall Jonesboro, Georgia (678) 479-6472 www.sandyhallministries.com Gateway Believers Fellowship Apostle David Coker Carnesville, Georgia (706) 384-5242 www.gatewaybelievers.com Dr. Kluane Spake Jubilee Alliance Atlanta, Georgia (877) SPAKE 99 www.kluane.org Life Center Ministries Apostle Buddy & Prophetess Mary Crum Atlanta, Georgia (770) 399-0660 www.lifecenter.org

INDIANA Whole Truth Gospel Tabernacle Bishop Kevin B. Wise, Sr. Gary, Indiana (219) 884-1353 www.wholetruthgospeltabernaclehc.org MARYLAND Redeemer International Family Church Pastors Chris and MaryEllen Geeslin Frederick, Maryland (301) 514-2759 www.RedeemerFamily.org MINNESOTA Five-Fold Ministries Bishop Mark & Kathryn Shaw Rochester, Minnesota (888) 808-5455 www.5fold.org LOUISIANA AEGA International Headquarters Dr. Henry Harbuck, General Overseer Monroe, Louisiana (800) 842-5176 www.aega.org MISSISSIPPI End Time World Ministries International Apostle James & Prophetess Theresa Jones South Haven, Mississippi (901) 628-6969 jamesjones1027@yahoo.com

LISTINGS CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE

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M I N I S T RY D I R E C T O RY

Shout Restore Ministries Apostle Jerry & Sheryl York Flippin, Arkansas (870) 736-0214 www.theyorksonline.com

FLORIDA (Cont’d)

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M I N I S T RY D I R E C TO RY NEBRASKA Zion Restoration Int’l Ministries Apostle Donnetta Mathis Lincoln, Nebraska (402) 435-4260 www.zrimhome.org NORTH CAROLINA

MINISTRY DIRECTORY

HE VOICE Activate Church Pastor Jorge Parrott Charlotte, North Carolina (704) 517-2557 www.activatechurch.org Heart House Ministries Apostle Noland M. & Prophetess Jo E. Owens Raleigh, North Carolina (919) 413-5260 hearthousenc@aol.com Healing Rain Ministry Prophet Michael and Lyn Bacon Wake Forest, North Carolina (919) 671-3614 www.healingrainministry.org OHIO Believer’s Church International Apostle O. Michael & Prophetess Beverly Smith Deﬁance, Ohio (419) 782-9723 www.believerschurchinternational.org Judah Tabernacle Pastors Jeff & Louanne Leslie Columbus, Ohio (614) 492-6000 www.judahtabernacle.com PENNSYLVANIA Awake The Bride Ministries Lisa Jo Greer, Prophetic Teacher & Director Grantham, Pennsylvania (717) 802-0922 awakethebrideministries@gmail.com

SOUTH CAROLINA Disciples of Christ Evangelistic Church Apostle Daniel & Eva Harmon Elloree, South Carolina (803) 353-8681 Harvest Center Church Apostle Rufus & Bertha Smalls Summerville, South Carolina (843) 875-6238 RufusLSmalls@comcast.net TENNESSEE Christ the King Inc Apostle Prega Gounden Dandridge, Tennessee (423) 790-9980 goundenprega@yahoo.com TEXAS Equippers Outreach Fellowship Apostle Jerry Adkins Weimar, Texas (979) 725-8233 pastorja@equippersoutreach.com VIRGINIA Cornerstone Ministries Prophetess Thialyn Reed Quinton, Virginia (804) 536-4945 Cornerstoneministries1@gmail.com Covenant Life Church Apostle Jeff H. & Prophetess Linda R. Herbert Alexandria, Virginia (703) 321-8092 www.covenant-life-church.org

VIRGINIA Mercy and Truth Ministries Apostles Eric & Johniene Miller Newport News, Virginia (757) 240-4695 www.matministriesva.org

INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY BAHAMAS Bahamas Faith Ministries Dr. Myles Munroe Nassau, Bahamas (242) 341-6444 www.bfmmm.com HONDURAS Grace Life Ministries Pastors John Paul & Edith Yesenia DuBose Siguatepeque, Honduras (504) 773-4977 NICARAGUA Center of Christian Fellowship Apostle Arturo Sanchez Managua, Nicaragua (505) 265-7096 www.casabetesdanicaragua.com La Paloma Bay Christian Church Pastors Juan & Lidieth Hernandez Masachapa, Nicaragua (954) 456-4420 Redeemer International Ministries Apostles Chico Hernandez, Chris Geeslin Jenotepe, Carazo, Nicaragua (301) 514-2759 www.WinNicaragua.com

Click www.thevoicemagazine.com to find more churches and ministries online.

JONAS CLARK MINISTRIES JM

Answers you’ve been searching for...

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