All posts for the month October, 2011

News Corp acquires #1 U.S. Christian publisher

A change may be coming to Christian literature in the near future. News Corp, the empire of New World Order magnate Rupert Murdoch, has bought Thomas Nelson, the top Christian publisher in the U.S. Thomas Nelson was acquired through News Corp subsidiary HarperCollins. Incidentally, News Corp also owns Zondervan, the second largest Christian publisher in the U.S.

Religion is big business and one of the world’s richest men wants a piece of the pie. While other types of print books are starting to fade in the publishing markets, sales of religious books and Bibles have continued to show an uptick. Although Rupert Murdoch has a reputation of allowing his subsidiaries to run their business models as they see fit, I expect that Thomas Nelson and Zondervan in the future will draw further away from the true gospel of Jesus Christ to present a false Christ to the masses in order to brainwash the spiritually ignorant toward the false religion spoken of in the book of Revelation.

Source:

David Gelles. News Corp Takes a Bet on Christian Literature. Financial Times. October 31, 2011.

posted by Harry A. Gaylord

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by Harry A. Gaylord on October 31, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on October 31, 2011

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Ties that blind: Wicca’s dance with the devil

We are once again in the season of Halloween, an un-holiday I hate because of its occultic overtones. It is one of the most celebrated days for Satanists and witches. Satanists mark it with a human sacrifice while witches celebrate with a sexual sacrifice.

The most prominent form of witchcraft in the Western Hemisphere is Wicca, which is touted as being the “good” or “white” form of witchcraft, like Glenda the “good witch” in the Wizard of Oz. But Wicca is just as evil as its sister religions of black witchcraft, voodoo, Satanism, and santeria.

What do they believe? Here’s a little sample contrasted with what God’s word teaches:

■ Reincarnation: their version of reincarnation differs from Hindus in that they believe humans die and come back as another human.

▲ Hebrews 9:27 says “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Ecclesiastes 3:19 says, “that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath…”

■ Animism, pantheism, panentheism, monism: the belief that all things have intelligence and a soul is known as animism. Pantheism is believing that everything is god, god being the universal life force. Panentheism is the belief that god (the universal life force) is in everything. These are the religions behind the global warming arguments and the environmental movement. Gaiaism, or the worship of Earth as “Mother Nature” or “Mother Earth” is a spin-off of these religions. Monism is the belief that all is One and is part of the god/goddess they worship, therefore nothing is evil.

▲ Jehovah proclaims in Isaiah 44:6, “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.” He then points out how ridiculous such idolatry is–”He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak…He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire: And the residue thereof he maketh a god…and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.” [Isaiah 44:14,16,17]

■ Militant feminism, abortion, anarchy: They believe females are superior to males, killing the unborn gives them spiritual power, and resisting proper authorities brings unfettered power.

▲ Genesis 2:18-25 talks about God creating woman from man’s rib as a helper and companion that is suitable for man, not as superior to him. Luke 1:41 says John the Baptist leaped in his mother’s womb before he was born, testifying to the fact that life begins at conception. Romans 13 commands us to have respect for proper authority.

■ Three-fold law of return: Whatever someone does to or for them, they believe in the right to return the favor three times, whether it’s good or bad. If someone gives a gift they return it in three times the amount of the gift. If someone does them harm, they return the harm three times as much.

▲ Jesus Christ taught us to bless those who curse us in Matthew 5 and in Hebrews 10:30, Christians are taught that “Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord.”

■ Drug use: According to their Book of Shadows and Eight Paths of Realization, Wiccans believe the use of mind-altering drugs like marijuana, cocaine, et al. and the abuse of alcohol for social and religious purposes can give them psychic powers.

▲ The Bible teaches “be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit,” [Ephesians 5:18]. We are also commanded in 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant…” because being sober gives us an advantage against Satan devouring us, so lack of sobriety makes one an easy target for Satan’s destruction.

■ Sex magick: Wiccans believe all forms of sexual activity should be explored because all sexual activity strengthens power. To them, nothing should be off-limits, so they get involved with adultery, fornication, pedophilia, incest, homosexuality, lesbianism, and any other evil sexual practice their minds can conjure up. This is the spirit some people cling to that are behind the gay rights movement and the push for destroying age of consent laws to protect minors. Wicca also was prominent in the rebellious hippie “free sex” movement of the 1960′s.

▲ According to Genesis 2, God’s purposes for sex are stated in Genesis 1 and 2 so that a man and his wife will become united as one flesh in physical and spiritual intimacy and so they will be fruitful and multiply together. 1 Corinthians 6:9 says adulterers, effeminate, those who abuse themselves with mankind (i.e. a man who lays with other men), and all fornicators (anyone participating willingly in sex outside of real marriage) shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Even though Wiccans market themselves as harmless nature enthusiasts and swear up and down they don’t believe in Satan, he is at the heart of their religion even if they are unaware of it. Aleister Crowley, the famous Satanist of the early 20th century, was hired by Gerald Gardner, godfather of modern Wicca, to write the Wiccans’ Book of Shadows [Francis King. The Rites of Modern Occult Magic. New York: MacMillan. 1970, pp. 176, 179-80.].

How did they know each other? They were both members of the Theosophical Society, a Satanic social organization. Margot Adler, a famous Wiccan, and other Wiccans have spoken admirably of Crowley and his Satanic teachings in their books and have even recommended his writings for Wiccans to read. Lucifer is even one of the names of their horned god although they claim it was Christians who made him an evil figure.

Overall, Wicca is full of lies and deceptions to lure individuals into bondage to the Prince of Darkness and Halloween is a big recruitment tool. Although Wiccans promise power, their power, and the evil one who supplies their power, are no match for the power to be set free from our sins and to receive everlasting life that comes from confessing and believing that Jesus Christ is the only Lord. I praise the Father and his son the Lord Jesus Christ that he can even deliver Wiccans from their darkness, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil,” [1 John 3:8].

Sources:

William Schnoebelen. Wicca: Satan’s Little White Lie. Ontario, CA: Chick Publications. 1990.

–posted by Harry A. Gaylord–

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by Harry A. Gaylord on October 24, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Christianity, God, Halloween, religion, Satan, wicca, witchcraft
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Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on October 24, 2011

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2011/10/24/ties-that-blind-wiccas-dance-with-the-devil/

Iran’s religious leaders admit gospel is growing

Religious leaders in Iran have acknowledged in their public speeches that more young people and families in their nation are being exposed to, and are accepting, the gospel of Jesus Christ. And it has given them grave concern.

The Iranian Constitution states in its Article 13 “…Christians, Jews and Zoroastrian minorities are the only recognized religious minorities, who, within the limits of the law, are free to perform their religious rites and ceremonies, and to act according to their own canon in matters of personal affairs and religious education.” But persecution of Christians has been increasing ever since Supreme Leader Ali Khameinei made a speech last year calling for drastic measures when dealing with churches and Christians.

Iran’s Islamic Thoughts and Culture research center has bemoaned the fact that the Torah and the Bible are available in over 3,000 languages while the Koran is only in 100. Even in the midst of increased persecution and attempts at suppression, the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ continues to prevail in the hearts and minds of Iranians.

Source: Michael Ireland. Iranian Religious Authorities Acknowledge Spread of Gospel. Crosswalk.com. Friday, October 21, 2011.

–posted by Harry A. Gaylord–

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by Harry A. Gaylord on October 21, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Bible, Christianity, human rights, persecution, religion
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Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on October 21, 2011

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2011/10/21/irans-religious-leaders-admit-gospel-is-growing/

Prayer Caucus of TN complains about Vanderbilt Univ.

Vanderbilt University, which has recently targeted Christian student organizations for not abiding by its nondiscrimination policy, was recently sent a letter from the Congressional Prayer Caucus in Tennessee. Vanderbilt’s policy was amended in 2010 to state that student organizations registered with the school cannot force its leaders to practice the beliefs of the group.

The university started confronting the Christian student groups when a Christian fraternity kicked out a gay student. It told several of those groups they could not have requirements in their bylaws requiring prayer and Bible study.

Carol Swain, a professor at Vanderbilt, stated “It’s infringing on the rights of religious freedom of Christian students, and that what they’re doing is unconstitutional… it hurts Christian groups in a way that it might not affect other groups.”

Vanderbilt University responded by saying “The bottom line, for us, is that if you want to be a registered student organization, on the Vanderbilt campus, you have to agree to abide by the non-discrimination policy.”

Source: Prayer Caucus Complains of Vanderbilt Policy. Newschannel5.com. October 19, 2011.

–posted by Harry A. Gaylord–

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by Harry A. Gaylord on October 20, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on October 20, 2011

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/prayer-caucus-of-tn-complains-about-vanderbilt-univ/

Survey shows 1 in 4 Christians aren’t living like it

An anonymous quiz given to over 2,000 individuals across the country who claimed to be Christian showed that 25% aren’t putting God’s word into practice. Change the Face of Christianity, Inc. is the non-profit organization that conducted the survey from January 2011 to July 2011.

Ten multiple choice questions were asked of participants and their score ranked them in four categories from being “worldly Christians” at the lowest ranking to “spiritually mature Christians” at the highest ranking. The 25% not living like Christians were presented with real life situations on the quiz and they responded as an unbeliever would, according to R. Brad White from Change the Face of Christianity.

He went on to say, “…Reading the Bible and praying aren’t a common practice. These are people that you would probably be surprised to find are Christian, if it weren’t for the cross around their neck…” The organization is trying to come up with ways to reach this 25% and encourage them to live according to God’s word.

Source: Allison Summers. One in Four Believers are ‘Christians in Name Only’, According to Survey. ChristianPost.com. October 18, 2011.

–posted by Harry A. Gaylord–

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by Harry A. Gaylord on October 18, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Christianity, humanity, life, religion

Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on October 18, 2011

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2011/10/18/survey-shows-1-in-4-christians-arent-living-like-it/

A nation of prophets, priests, kings, and queens

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12 that the Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts, “dividing to every man severally as he will. ” However, people in Christianity sometimes get caught up in what is deemed as “proper procedure” when an individual wants to exercise their spiritual gift in some way. By that I mean there are people who think their fellow believers must follow specific directions of pastors, bishops, elders, or other church leaders to officially begin a personal ministry and walk in what God has ordained them to do. Or they believe a ministry cannot be blessed unless a person has ties to famous preachers or a prominent congregation.

This is the mentality that arises several places in scripture. But God always seems to tear such thinking down. For instance, in Numbers 11 God tells Moses to choose 70 reliable elders of Israel to meet at the tabernacle, “[a]nd I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone. ” This was in fulfillment of the advice of Moses’ father-in-law to get help judging the people.

Only 68 of those 70 men showed up at the tabernacle, but when God came down to distribute his spirit on these men as verification of their ministry, the two men that didn’t show up at the tabernacle still were given God’s spirit and prophesied just like the 68 who showed up at the church house. A young man ran to Moses and Joshua to tell them the two men prophesied in the camp. This upset Joshua so much he told Moses the men should be stopped, because they didn’t follow protocol.

Moses responded, “Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD’S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!” [Numbers 11:29]. Moses’ desire for all the Lord’s people to be prophets was a prophecy that was part of God’s ultimate plan as confirmed by Joel when he proclaimed God would pour out his spirit on all flesh. This was also confirmed in Revelation 19:10 which tells us “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” God has made such a gift available for use to all who believe Jesus is Lord.

Moses knew that if the men in the camp prophesied, they did so by God’s will. If God confirmed their ministry by his power, who was Moses to try to prevent what God was doing even if it seemed to violate proper protocol? God had even previously told the Israelites “…ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation,” [Exodus 19:6], so their prophesying was in line with God’s promise.

A similar incident happened in Mark 9:38-40. The disciples saw a man casting devils out of people in Jesus’ name and because this man wasn’t in their group, they told him to stop. But Jesus corrected them, telling them not to forbid him. If the man was using Jesus’ name for a godly purpose, it was proof he was on their side and respected the name of the Lord.

When Peter went to see Cornelius, a gentile, to preach the gospel to his household, the Jewish believers in Jerusalem got upset when they found out. Peter had to explain how he was following God’s direction and how the Holy Spirit filled those gentiles to get the Jewish believers to calm down.

These situations should help us keep in mind that none of us can dictate to God how and under what circumstances he should distribute his spiritual gifts. He is not confined to our ceremonies, our church buildings, Robert’s rules of order, or our particular church constitution. Let me add it is important to do things decently and in order as Paul states in 1 Corinthians 14 and our doctrines should line up with the Bible, but for us to assume any more beyond that is an attempt to put God, and our fellow believers, in a box.

Just as our Lord Jesus was a prophet, a priest, and a king when he walked the earth, all believers in Christ are a royal priesthood and holy nation. We are prophets, priests, and royalty and God uses all of us as he sees fit. No one, Christian or non-Christian, has the right to hinder us from doing what God calls us to do.

–posted by Harry A. Gaylord–

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by Harry A. Gaylord on October 18, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Bible, Christianity, God, Holy Spirit, religion, spiritual gifts
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Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on October 18, 2011

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2011/10/18/a-nation-of-prophets-priests-kings-and-queens/

I ate his flesh, I drank his blood

The day after Jesus fed the 5,000 in John 6, there were many from that crowd who tracked him down in another town the next day. When they found him, the Lord noticed something right away. They had forgotten what he had taught earlier in his sermon on the mount when he said

30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matthew 6

They were like the gentiles and were focused on where their next meal was coming from. Christ pointed out to them in John 6:26-27 that instead of tracking him down so they could get a free meal from him that could only satisfy them temporarily, they should have been focused on the spiritual food of God’s truth that is eternal and gives eternal life.

Even after Jesus pointed out that they should believe in him in John 6:29, they asked for a sign like Moses gave when the Israelites ate manna. Their focus was still on the temporary things of the physical world. Jesus attempted again to get their focus on the spiritual by pointing out that the true bread of God is “he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world,” [John 6:33].

In the following verse they asked Jesus to give them that bread and the Lord then gives them his famous discourse revealing that he is the bread of life that gives everlasting life to all those who believe in him to satisfy their spiritual hunger and spiritual thirst. Then the Lord points out the similarities between the physical man and the spiritual man. Just as the physical man cannot continue to live without absorbing food or drink, the spiritual man has no life in him unless he eats the flesh of the Lord Jesus and drinks his blood. Unless and until we spiritually absorb and fully accept in our hearts the fact that the Lord Jesus came to sacrifice his body and to shed his blood for our sins, we have neither eaten his flesh nor have drunk his blood and are spiritually dead.

Jesus goes on to say, “He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him,” [John 6:56]. Jesus becomes the life-giving force of our spirit man when we accept him as the Lord who was fully God and fully man. He spiritually lives in us to give us a new heart and a new spirit, having thrown out all our transgressions against his laws. As believers we become the temple of the living God and he supplies us with the fulness and spiritual riches that come with our being connected to him. We dwell in him as members of the body of Christ, allowing him to influence our thoughts and to order our steps according to his will. We are also given the privilege of being seated in heavenly places with Christ which is why we can “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need,” [Hebrews 4:16].

But the Jews could not accept Jesus’ words as being spirit and life because they leaned to their own understanding since they knew that Jesus came from Nazareth and knew who his family was [John 6:41-42]. They could not fathom that he came from heaven because they were still focused on their earthly knowledge.

So many of us Christians were once like the Jews in our preoccupation with earthly things which blinded us to his truth. I thank God that he gave me more than one opportunity to partake of his divine meal that leads to eternal life. Now I’ve eaten his flesh and I’ve drunk his blood. I’ve tasted and seen that the Lord is good.

–posted by Harry A. Gaylord–

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by Harry A. Gaylord on October 17, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Bible, Christianity, encouragement, Jesus Christ, life, religion

Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on October 17, 2011

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/i-ate-his-flesh-i-drank-his-blood/

Saudis attempt to bring all religions under one umbrella

Saudi Arabia is financing a new global initiative in Vienna, Austria to bring together all religions of the world for interfaith dialogue in an attempt to foster world peace. Yes, this is the same Saudi Arabia that persecutes Christians and does not allow freedom of speech especially regarding the preaching of the gospel. This is the same Saudi Arabia that covertly funds Islamists who preach violence against non-Muslims.

Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, who spoke at the ceremony in Vienna, said “The thesis is valid that world peace cannot exist without peace between the world’s major religions.” The summit included government ministers from Austria, Saudi Arabia, and Spain. The new organization is dubbed “The King Abdullah Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue.”

In 2007, after Saudi King Abdullah visited Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican, he came up with the idea of having such a center where Christians and Muslims could promote messages of peace to the world. That was followed in 2008 with an interfaith meeting in Mecca and another one in Madrid where Jews were invited. In 2009 in Vienna, all parties agreed on the basic setup of the organization.

Michael Spindelegger, Foreign Minister of Austria, stated the structure of the center makes sure that no religion dominates the organization and it remains open for membership to all interested nations. The organization will be governed by two Muslims (one Sunni and one Shiite), three Christians (one Catholic, one Anglican, one Orthodox), a Jew, a Hindu, and a Buddhist. It will also have 100 representatives that will include religious leaders, professors, and civic leaders of other faiths in addition to the faiths of the governing body.

This organization is one among many looking for “interfaith dialogue” which is code for one world religion. Another such initiative, the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, was started several years ago by the former PM of Great Britain. It’s interesting to note that the Vatican has a hand in all of them. It just proves that people without the mind of Christ are fulfilling what he prophesied centuries ago to their own spiritual detriment. It also means that the rapture of the true Christians is drawing closer and closer. Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly.

11And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.  12And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.  13And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles… Revelation 13

Sources:

Spencer Kimball. New international organization to bring world religions under one roof. Deutsche Welle. 14.10.2011.

Rob Kerby. Saudis underwrite organization to bring world’s religions under one roof. Beliefnet.com. October 14, 2011.

–posted by Harry A. Gaylord–

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by Harry A. Gaylord on October 15, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Catholicism, Christianity, End times, government, humanity, politics, religion
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Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on October 15, 2011

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2011/10/15/saudis-attempt-to-bring-all-religions-under-one-umbrella/

Six Bible events that would be funny if they weren’t serious

Every once in a while when I read the Bible, I come across events that happened in the Bible that I find amusing and have to laugh at, but then after thinking about it I have to recognize those situations were really serious. Here are six such incidents:

Aaron & the golden calf

In Exodus 32:19-24, after God sends Moses back to the Israelite camp from the top of Mt. Sinai, Moses confronts Aaron about why Aaron made the golden calf to lead the people into idolatry. Aaron’s response was “I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.” Aaron basically made the excuse that the golden calf just popped out of the fire on its own. Funny how we can come up with excuses for our sins by placing the blame elsewhere.

Elisha exposes Syrian war secrets

In 2 Kings 6:8-20, Syria’s king started a war with Israel and every plan he made to ambush Israel was thwarted when God revealed Syria’s plans to Elisha. Elisha then revealed those plans to the king of Israel. When Benhadad, the king of Syria, realized the king of Israel was able to avoid his traps, he wondered who the traitor in his camp was.

One of his men told him, “None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.” That’s hilarious! But then Benhadad sends an army against Elisha. What happens next is hilarious also, but you can read that part on your own.

Haman the Agagite inadvertently honors Mordecai the Jew, his nemesis

Haman was an advisor to King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) of Persia and he loathed Mordecai the Jew, who was a gatekeeper at the king’s palace, because Mordecai refused to bow down to him or show him respect. So Haman plotted to destroy all the Jews.

In the midst of Haman’s plotting, the king asked Haman in Esther 6 “What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour?” Ahasuerus wanted to honor the man who had saved his life several years before and that man was Mordecai the Jew. But Haman, so full of himself, thought the king was talking about him, so he advised King Ahasuerus to treat the man like royalty with royal garments, a royal horse, and a parade through the streets of the city with an announcer proclaiming his greatness.

The king then told Haman (my paraphrase here), “Yeah, everything you just said to me, go and do that for Mordecai the Jew ASAP.” Can you imagine? So Haman did it! And after the parade ended, he ran home crying to his wife and friends like a mopey little spanked toddler. Too funny! But what wasn’t funny was Haman’s insatiable thirst for revenge that followed.

It’s so great how God turns evil plotters and their plots right on their heads when they come against his children.

God tells Ezekiel to cook a meal using human waste

Ezekiel was what I would call a “live performance prophet” among the Jews who were led into captivity in Babylon. God often told the prophet to do things as an example of the judgments he would bring against Judah. One such performance involved the preparation of a specific meal to illustrate how the children of Israel would eat defiled bread among the Gentiles.

For that meal in Ezekiel 4, God told Ezekiel to bake barley cakes on a fire fueled by human feces. Nasty! Ezekiel reasoned with God on this one and God gave him permission to use cow’s dung instead for the sake of being kosher. According to the Mosaic law, it’s okay to cook using the feces of cattle, but not the feces of humans. Personally, I wouldn’t want to use either one.

Possessed man beats up seven men out of their clothes

This is an amusing event to let us know, firstly, that one shouldn’t use the name of Jesus to cast out a devil if you don’t know him and secondly, that it isn’t a good idea to underestimate devils as if they’re a play thing to be used to glorify yourself. In Acts 19, there were many unbelieving Jews who saw the wonders that God was doing through Paul. Seven of these Jews, who were sons of a Jewish priest named Sceva, assumed they could do what Paul did and tried to cast a devil out of a possessed man.

The devil answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” In other words, they didn’t have the spiritual authority that comes by a relationship with the Lord Jesus to cast this devil out. The next thing you know, he jumped them and beat all seven of them so bad, they didn’t have any clothes left on when they ran away. How embarrassing! It would be funny if abusing the Lord’s name and an evil spirit weren’t involved.

Satan’s failed attempt to destroy the sun-clothed woman with a flood

In Revelation 12, we are given a spiritual example of Satan’s attack against God’s remnant in Israel, who are portrayed as a woman clothed with the sun who has a crown of 12 stars. When he failed to devour the man child (the Lord Jesus) who she gave birth to, he went after her.

But she was given two eagle’s wings to fly away from him. As she was flying away, he unleashed a flood of water from his mouth in an attempt to wash her away, but the earth came to her aid and swallowed up his flood and she escaped. It would be so funny how Satan loses again and again when he tries to destroy God’s people, if he weren’t such a devil.

–posted by Harry A. Gaylord–

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by Harry A. Gaylord on October 11, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Bible, Christianity, encouragement, God, religion
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Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on October 11, 2011

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2011/10/11/six-bible-events-that-would-be-funny-if-they-werent-serious/

Hackers claim German govt. created spy Trojan

The Chaos Computer Club (CCC), an organization of German hackers, has discovered what they claim is a spy Trojan created by the German government. The Trojan has been released over the internet and according to the CCC the functionality of the malware is available for anyone’s use because of its design flaws.

The German government has made it legal to wiretap Internet-based communications as long as the wiretaps are confined to observing and intercepting the communications. However, the CCC downloaded the program, reverse-engineered it, and discovered that the program goes way beyond the confines of the law.

Their analysis shows the malware also works as a backdoor to upload and run other programs remotely on an infected device. It can, for example, turn on a computer’s microphone and camera to spy on the room where the infected computer is located.

For more information on their discoveries, you can read the English version of their report here. The German government had not released an official response at the time it was reported by Ed Bott of ZDNet.com.

So what are possible repercussions of this Trojan? Let’s say a government entity or private citizen or an organization doesn’t like the views of a website. They can use this Trojan to target the computer of the webmaster of the website to attack them, spy on them and release their private info over the Internet, or frame them for a crime by uploading illegal documents onto their hard drive.

–posted by Harry A. Gaylord–

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by Harry A. Gaylord on October 8, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in End times, government, human rights, law, science, technology
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Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on October 8, 2011

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/hackers-claim-german-govt-created-spy-trojan/

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