Forerunner International

Category: Writings

Writings by the Forerunner Team

The New Paradigm 2021

The New Paradigm, 2021

by Bruce Hehl

The New Paradigm, 2021

Back this past November 2020, I had three dreams three nights in a row: a Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  I’m not really a dreamer.  When I do have them they are very vivid and no real need for interpretation.

They were about what would take place beginning in 2021. 2021 begins a shift or the beginning of a new paradigm in the Body of Christ. The Lord also reminded me that, from the beginning of the 20th century these paradigms have come about every 20 years or so.  The first one being the Azusa Street and the Welsh revival which begun around 1906 through 1911 or 12 and continued to the early 40’s.

The second paradigm began with the healing campaigns and the return of the Evangelists Movement. This took place in the1940′ and the 1950’s. It was the return of The Evangelists–men such as William Branham and Billy Graham–we could name many others.  Many of these flowed with signs and wonders, while others just proclaimed The Message of Salvation.

The third began throughout the 1960’s and the 1970’s. Releasing the Charismatic movement, along with The Teaching Movement, thus opening faith and insight into the Word of God that we had never experienced before.

During this time, we began to gain an identity in Christ–where the Body of Christ learned they were not just hearing the Word, but realizing they were a conduit of the Word–putting into practice, through the laying on of hands and imparting faith and healing, not just for themselves but for others.

The Apostolic and Prophetic

The fourth paradigm beginning in the 80’s and moving through the 90’s was the release of the Prophetic as well as the Apostolic. This came with gifts of, Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom, and Discerning of Spirits.  During this season great revelation and mysteries were released into the Body of Christ, with movements such as The Walk, The Manifestation of The Sons of God, and The Kingdom Movement.

This last paradigm involved laying and building a foundation, teaching us as believers, The Nature and Authority of The Lord’s Church at large.  We became aware that His Kingdom was not a place we were going to, but that His Kingdom was within us, realizing that “In Him we live and have our being.”  Or,  “The Word made flesh (within us) and is a canopy over us.  Or simply stated: “Christ in Us the hope of Glory.”

As my dear friend Bob Lake, and my old traveling companion, Alan Arrowood use to say, “Thy Kingdom come thy will be done in earth (in us) as it is in heaven.”

This letter is not meant to be a lesson in church history, but a brief synopsis (or outline) of where we were and where we are going.  If you remember your Old Testament, during the time of Moses, the people would follow the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.  Thus, the people were constantly on the move,  sojourning in the wilderness traveling from place to place. For forty years they moved about until the Lord removed (or cleansed) the old generation in order to prepare a new generation to enter a Land flowing with Milk and Honey! (By the way, the root Hebrew word for generation is loop or circle.)

Don’t Be Luke-warm

So, as the Body of Christ, if we are not careful, we may find ourselves going in circles, leading us into into a place of spiritual boredom.  Basically I believe this is the current situation. Proverbs says, “Without a vision (A prophetic  Revelation) the people perish (or cast off their restraint).  This is not a happy place. Because of years of constantly wondering around (in our personal wilderness) we have become bored and unproductive. Literally Luke-warm in our relationship with the Father.

I could talk on this all day! The enemy has replaced faith with fear.  The current pandemic we are under in particular has placed us in isolation or quarantine as we now call it.

Actually, if we look at this properly, we could experience this isolation in a fruitful way.  We should be spending time with the Lord, building a strong foundation in our homes, repairing our marriages, fathering and training our children. Should I say more?  If you turn on the daily news all you hear these days are basically three words, “Pandemic, Covid, and Insurrection.”

Fear Tactics

I don’t know about you, but I am growing tired of hearing this. 
The enemy is using the tactic of fear to discourage us from realizing who and what we and are and realizing our true authority in Him, because all of this is about Him. We are to make His Name famous in the earth, but instead as the Children of Israel, we find ourselves murmuring and constantly complaining.

We complain about our government, our President, election fraud, or not being able to receive the vaccine, and so forth. All the while we take our eyes off of Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith.”

Stand Firm

My friends, this is a time to STAND FIRM. In Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians chapter 6, the term stand firm means, to be placed as a chess piece is placed on a chess board. We have been placed in our present situation by the Lord.  The Lord Himself has placed you where you are.  We are not to engage in battle, nor are we to move. So, Stand Firm.  “The Lord in your midst is Mighty!”

Paul tells us we have what we need. This is a finished work, completed by the Lord Jesus before the foundation of the world. We are cloaked in His armor from head to toe. Just stand in place and wait patiently until He moves you forward by His Insight and through His Wisdom.

This is the only means of success for waging war in the present fight we find ourselves in. “For the Kingdom of Heaven is first of all Righteousness, (meaning right relationship with Him) Peace, and Joy, in the Holy Spirit.

The New Paradigm 2021

Now we shall reveal the mystery of paradigm number 5, as the Lord revealed it to me.

Beginning in 2020 the Lord began to show me that things were beginning to change, not just within the Body of Christ, but also in the world at large. Please hear me! We as the Body of Christ need to be aware that things are changing.

Everything about this paradigm is different from anything we have ever experienced before. We as the Body of Christ have never been this way before. Keep in mind, just as the Old Testament was fulfilled in John The Baptist, this new paradigm comes with transition as well as transformation.

Transition from where we were into transformation into where we are going. (Mathew 11, “For all the Law and the Prophets were UNTIL John.” And Jesus said, “If you can believe it.  He is Elijah!”) This paradigm shift according to scripture was a huge change and transition. They went from following the Law to the release of His Love and Grace in Christ Jesus. A stunning factor for the Pharisees because they refused to transition from the law and experience His Love and Grace.

This present paradigm comes with remarkable change, transition, and Transformation. I believe we the Body of Christ are now writing a new Book of Acts. Some of you might say, “Don’t believe this heretic.” But I’m trying to tell you, as Bob Dylan wrote many years ago, “The times they are a changin’.”

You know I don’t really care what others think about me. In my opinion they are a bunch of pussy-ass, coward-ass pussified, pussies!! I have nothing to lose and only Christ to gain. We have already begun this new transition.

New Wine

I will tell you I’m not completely there yet myself.  As Jesus said, “You can’t put new wine into an old wine skin.” Transitioning from transition into transformation requires a change of mindset. We need to let go of our old ways of thinking and ready ourselves.  As I have said before, we have never been this way before.

We’ve had Azusa Street. We’ve had the miracles of the healing movement.  We’ve had the teaching moment.  We’ve had the Aposotlic and Prophetic Movement.  Don’t look back and turn into a pillar of salt, because we are entering into an hour when the Body of Christ will come alive.  These other Movements were to prepare us, “For such a time as this!”  Ezekiel’s vision of The Valley of Dry Bones is here!

If the previous movements had done what they were supposed to do we would be ready for this. Instead they’ve been busy building their own kingdoms–receiving money, selling their teachings, selling their books, making themselves fat from collecting royalties, and living in luxury.

All the while the Body of Christ has been neglected, blindly following men and movements, hoping for a personal prophecy, or having someone lay hands on them for healing. I believe this is what Jesus meant when He said, “In the last days men will say, low here is Christ!” Some of this has been good, of course, but not entirely on target.

The New Paradigm 2021

I myself am guilty of some of this. There was a time when I wanted a reputation among men. I wanted to be successful.  My ego along with my insecurity wanted such a reputation.

I am a talented musician and singer. When I am in the zone I can prophecy with the best of them. I’ve been detailed and accurate in my words as well as proven over time many of the words I have spoken have come to pass.

Am I bragging? Well yes, I suppose so. In the scheme of things is any of this important? Not really! As Paul is fond of saying, “leaving the former things behind me in order to press for the High Calling of God.”

This High Calling is what is important. “That I might Know Christ and Him crucified.” Also, “that I might know Him in the Glory to be revealed!” This new paradigm is not just knowing Him, but becoming His ambassador in the earth and entering into His Likeness which is what we were destined to become before the foundation of the world. I hope you can hear and receive this.  I am prophesying to you right now!  Please hear the Word of the Lord and receive.

As humans we are gifted with five physical senses. If we can leave our past glory of accomplishments behind us, we will set ourselves up for a new wave of His presence. This time entering into a manifestation of His Presence and glory within us as never before.

Shout Yes!

The prophet Isaiah says,”ARISE AND SHINE FOR THE GLORY OF THE LORD IS RISEN UPON YOU!” The prophet Obadiah says, “And Saviors will come upon Mount Zion to judge the mountains. And the Lord shall be king over all the Earth!” I don’t know about you, but I am ready to Shout! Well?! Shout His Name out loud and receive His Promise!

This is  where we are going.  The Lord reminded me we need to be ready for the long haul.  This present move will start slow and then begin to build momentum, just as a snowball rolls down the mountain. It gets bigger and bigger as it gains steam, rolling and rolling, until it becomes an avalanche removing everything in it’s wake.

Are you ready for this? Who can enter into this flow of the spirit?  Only a dead man. Those who are dead to themselves, dead in their accomplishments, and dead to this world. Then they are ready to receive His Grace and become His Love in all things!!

In the natural, man has five physical senses. In this paradigm only those who are dead to themselves will come alive in Christ! (Remember Ezekiel and the valley of dry bones they became an army because The Breath of the Lord entered into them.) We will come alive in Christ gifted with five Spiritual Senses. We as the army (Or Body) of Christ Will begin to feel and know His Presence, begin to See Him with our eyes, to hear His Voice as never before, “To Taste and see that the Lord is good, and to be touched with the Feeling of their infirmities.”

A New Symphony

The Body of Christ, will then work together in concert, becoming a beautiful and majestic group of players and believers. This paradigm will be known Symphony number 1,” The Mystery of His love and Grace.” The conductor of this orchestra (or body) is Jesus Christ The King of Kings and The Lord of Lords!

If you can hear what I am saying then wake up and stand at attention. Take your eyes off Spiritual leaders and government officials. The Kingdom of Heaven is not coming to the governments of men, nor is it coming to spiritual leaders who want to build kingdoms unto themselves. Nor does it come through the use of fear by liberal media, social media, and other platforms. Those who scream pandemic in order to isolate us, by wearing masks and telling us there is not enough vaccine to go around.

Remember anytime a new move of God arrives the enemy goes to work immediately to destroy it. Well, the enemy must really be scared this time.  Because this pandemic is now a worldwide problem. In the past even a World War had boundaries.  This time the entire world is in panic and lock-down from something we can’t even see with our eyes.

Does this mean the virus is not real? Of course not, but I do believe it is being blown completely out of proportion. The real pandemic is a pandemic of fear. Thus taking our eyes away from the Lord and placing our eyes upon the problem. Remember Jesus is the solution!

Jesus walked among the lepers and healed them.  Lepers were the greatest source of the fear during the times in which they lived, but Jesus trained Himself to only listen to His Father’s voice. We need to learn this–learn to Listen to His voice. Only do what you hear the Father say. This is paramount in this present transition.

The New Paradigm 2021

The reason is simple. We are in a shift where we will experience the presence of the Lord as never before. I can’t make this point clearer.

The five fold ministry is an imperfect ministry.  Paul makes this point very clear. “Until we all reach the unity of the faith and the bond of peace. Also, “Prophecy will cease,  tongues will still, and knowledge will pass away.”

And what will remain you might ask? (Some will ask me? Why don’t you give us the scriptures? Well, look it up!  Do a Google search. Or better yet!  READ YOUR BIBLE!)  Faith, Hope, and Love will remain.  Because, LOVE NEVER FAILS!

Please understand this!  There is a paradigm shift in the Kingdom of Heaven!  Realize this is something completely new. We have never been this way before. Some have seen it from afar, or from a distance, but we are here.

The Body is Everywhere

The Presence of the Lord is working in us and through us.  Don’t look for an impartation or an infusion from a man or from a ministry, but link up with the Body of Christ wherever they might be. Even though you may not find them or see them they are there.

They are the hidden ones who have clothed themselves in the Lord.  They live in there prayer closets.  They stand in His Presence both day and night making intercession on everyone’s behalf. Many are present and among us, and those whose lives have gone on before us. Those who are part of a great cloud of witnesses stand before the Lord cheering us on. (“So that together with us all are made perfect.”)

Rise up with them and stand in agreement.  Unite and enter into the victory of their strength. Rise up and acknowledge them. Become a conduit of their prayers of faith and victory.  Tap into their gifting and flow. Become a living witness, being light in the midst of darkness. Declare a testimony of victory and declare the Kingdom of God is at hand!

Living Stones

This is where we are right now.  Living stones being built into a spiritual house, fortified by the power of His Grace and might.  Enabled by His Love to love the unlovable and reach the unreachable.  “ONE HUGE PRIESTLEY PRESENCE DOMINATING THE LANDSCAPE ALWAYS!”

My mother has been through quite a lot over the years. She has been a warrior to many as well as myself.  She has been part (or leader) of an intercessory team for over twenty years. This group has fasted and prayed for people, for nations,for governments, for cancer, for the addicted, the homeless, and for any request that has come before them.

Now she is older–a tired warrior, in need of strength and healing. As her eldest son I have been trying to encourage her with what I am proclaiming to you.

The Parable of the Vineyard

Think of the parable of the vineyard. For those who began in the early morning and toiled until night, and those who began work an hour before closing time all received the same reward for the day. Some would say that they do not deserve the same reward. It’s not fair because they are tired and those who worked only one hour are still fresh and lively.

You need to understand this because they have paved the way for us. Their faith and struggle have enabled us to gain a better understanding, a greater grace, and a greater love, in order to move us forward to reach the prize of a higher calling which we hunger for.

Many will not understand us. Some may even persecute us, but only together with us can they be made perfect. This goes for those who are being birthed into the Kingdom even as we speak.  As we grow near “The Day of The Lord.”  This younger generation will grow quicker into the things of God and at a much faster pace, possibly leaving us behind.

We’re in this Love Together

We may have experienced more suffering, and much more tribulation, but we are all working in the vineyard together.  I am reminded of a song by Al Jarreau entitled, “We’re in this love together.”

We need to forgive them who speak against us.  We need to respect those who have gone before us. Mostly we need to love everyone, if they agree with us or not. We may be on different plains of revelational thinking. Remember they themselves were persecuted for what they believed.

Being willing to change is the key to the mystery of serving Christ. Paradigm shifts or changes either overlap each other or leave others behind.  This does not need to happen. We all receive the same reward. Keep this in mind for the future.

The New Paradigm 2021

In closing, my dream was awesome.  There is no way (in my present state of mind) I can do justice to the meaning of His Word. I do want to say I saw us as believers having authority and power on a plane of existence I can only hope for.  I have said this many times before! You represent the Kingdom of Heaven no matter where you are or where you live.

We carry His Presence with us always.  We are His treasure in earthen vessels. You need to see this. While at home, at work, in a store, or at a restaurant, The Presence of His Holy Spirit moves in you.

You don’t have to speak. You don’t have to lay hands on anyone (unless the Lord tells you to). You only need to know that your life can and will change the atmosphere of where you are, because of His Life within you.  Wherever you are, please know, the birds sing sweeter, and the grass grows greener where you are. Even an airplane or a jet that flies over you come in contact with the Kingdom of Heaven.

You may think this silly.  I don’t care. Just believe and receive this.  I practice this everywhere I go, and I am beginning to see results.  As Jesus said, “My Peace I leave with you. If you enter a peaceful man’s house, leave your peace with them!”  Learn to become Peter’s healing shadow.  Wherever you go!!
Blessings my faithful friends and my dear partners of His Love and Mercy!

Mourning an imaginary life

Mourning an Imaginary Life

by Katherine Harrington

Mourning an imaginary life, We dream dreams and make plans and chart a course for our future days and then the unexpected happens–the thing that changed it all, totally out of your control, a happenstance.

The repercussions follow us, nothing is as we had hoped or plan for. There is sadness and remorse and grief over dreams lost, shattered by the reality of what is. When we do not let go, when we hold on to what we hoped for, dreamed of, even expected, we find ourselves in a state of continuously mourning an imaginary life. It robs us of living in the today and enjoying nearly everything. Be brave, courageous and let go, there is so much beauty in your today that is waiting for you!

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed. With great pains I have provided for the house of the LORD 100,000 talents of gold, a million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it; timber and stone, too, I have provided. To these you must add. You have an abundance of workmen: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of craftsmen without number, skilled in working gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! The LORD be with you!”

1 Chronicles 22:13-16

Mourning an Imaginary Life

Spiritual Vision for Wheelersburg Fellowship

Spiritual Vision for Wheelersburg Fellowship

by Bruce Hehl

Spiritual Vision for Wheelersburg Fellowship

Introduction

Because of the recent turn of events regarding the Fellowship in Wheelersburg, Ohio, I feel it necessary to reaffirm the original vision the Lord gave me in July of 1994. As most of you remember, we began having meetings in our home the first week of May of 1994. At that time I was uneasy about leading a group of people.

I was in a healing process myself and didn’t know if I was capable of ministering to a body of believers. I pressed the Lord for direction. I knew if we began having meetings in our home I would be responsible to the Lord and the people present.

I have made a lot of mistakes in the past and was tired of old familiar patterns. The Lord made me realize that we needed a game plan. One that would set the course for preparing the people for end-times as well as meeting basic needs for fellowship.

As I pressed the Lord for direction, He gave me a scripture.

“Write down the vision and make it plain on tablets of stone so that a herald may run with it. For the vision awaits for an appointed time, though it may linger wait, for it will come to pass and not fail.”

Habakkuk 2:2-3

The Lord also gave me

“Without a vision the people perish or cast off restraint.”

Proverbs 29:18

Meaning without a prophetic revelation the people fall away.

As I meditated upon the Lord He gave me a vision of how to break old familiar patterns and lead a people into basic Kingdom principles. Here are five main points of the vision the Lord gave me for this fellowship.

Spiritual Vision for Wheelersburg Fellowship

Wheelersburg, my fortress of solitude.

In May of 1992 the Lord moved our family to Wheelersburg, Ohio. Not long after we arrived, the Lord showed me that we would have meetings in our home in the near future. I said to the Lord, “Yea, right God.” That was the last thing I wanted to hear.

I tucked it away and continued with my life. The thing is I felt a freedom here I had not felt anywhere else in Scioto County. I felt safe and protected, almost as if I were some under cover agent spying out the land. In all reality no one knew we were here. I enjoyed that aspect.

Not long after that, the Lord told me that I should patronize the local markets and do all my shopping in Wheelersburg. It was almost as if I were not to leave town for any reason or to do my shopping anywhere else. Everything we needed to sustain a family could be met here in town.

As time passed I noticed that the town began to prosper. New business began to spring up all over. They widened the main street into four lanes and added traffic lights for the growth. Then the Lord reminded me of two different words he gave me almost 14 years ago.

“Marry and have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage in the place where I am sending you into exile. Also pray for the peace and prosperity of the city. For if it prospers you too will prosper.”

Jeremiah 29:6

The second word was given through a prophet which said:

“Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city. The Lord will not only anoint you in music, but you will be known for wisdom in preaching the word. The Lord is leading you to a city and in that city you will find peace and prosperity. Pray for that city for the Lord will give you more influence in that city than the mayor himself.”

Prophetic Word

I believe this may in fact be the place the Lord was speaking of.

Breaking Wilderness Patterns and Trends

Many wilderness people are in a habit of grumbling and complaining. They constantly find fault with anyone who does not agree with their own revelation and vision. They rail about the church building system and find fault with everyone associated with it.

Many wilderness saints have wonderful revelation concerning the Body of Christ and revelation for end-times. At the same time, because of being so outspoken about the church building system, they reek with rejection which in turn runs people off. They become gloom and doom prophets constantly frustrated with the condition of others.

We do realize that the cry of the prophet speaks against false religion and hypocrisy. His office by nature is to point out Jesus Christ by sifting through false religion, but the bleating of the sheep is in the ear of the Lord. He must first of all search out lost sheep and prepare them for a shepherd to lead them.

The problem is that most wilderness prophets spend more time finding fault than they do preparing lost sheep for the Great Shepherd. Because of accumulated wounds, rejection, and frustration, they end up running people away from them instead of turning them to the Lord. In time they have no one to share this wonderful revelation with. They isolate themselves and their families from the rest of the body thinking they are the only ones with the truth.

The Lord spoke to me and said that I must be willing to allow Him to break my own wilderness thinking. I need to reach out to those whom I consider to be an unattractive people, meaning lost sheep trapped in false religion within the church building system.

Bringing Balance between the Two Camps

To do this would be to provide an atmosphere where wilderness saints and trapped church building saints hungering for more of the Lord can find a place of common ground. That common ground being fellowship with one another and love of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus’s prayer in John 17 was, “That we become one even as He and the Father are one and that we love one another.” This can take place by rightly discerning the true body of Jesus Christ through the Lord’s Table and anointed praise and worship.

In time, as walls come down by walking transparent before the Lord and one another, the revelation of wilderness saints can find its way into the hearts of believers from the church building system. Church building saints are always hungry for new revelation. In this new found bond of fellowship wilderness saints could stand in the gap helping weaker members walk out the cross of Jesus Christ.

This is one of the character flaws of church building saints. They lack the work of the cross in their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. At the same time, wilderness natured saints would learn patience in dealing with church building saints, thus building and strengthening their own relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. This would serve to bridge the gap of imperfection and allow all to reach their true potential in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Breaking the Spirit of Poverty

Wow! This is a must among most wilderness natured people. This is also one of the reasons wilderness natured saints have become a reproach among the rest of the body.

Isolation and rejection often breed a negative attitude among wilderness saints. This negative attitude is present in almost every aspect of their lives.

This is one of the reasons so many are poor. Many have forgotten basic principles of faith and a positive outlook. Because of years of isolation and rejection many are unable to meet the basic needs of their families. They have exceeding revelation when it comes to what the true storehouse of the Lord is, but lack the resources to sow into the Kingdom of Heaven.

One of the first principles church building saints learn is the principle of sowing and reaping. They are willing to sow into almost anything. As a friend of mine said many years ago, “If it barks Jesus they will throw it a bone.”

They sow into big buildings, ministries, care, homes and so forth, thinking they are really sowing into the Kingdom. Church building saints know how to sow, but wilderness saints know where to sow.

Once again a merging between the two needs to be in order. The foundational revelation of wilderness saints, merged with the positive outlook and faith of church building saints, works to bring balance between the two. I have a major desire for the Lord to break the spirit of poverty among wilderness saints because in many ways they are a store house of the Lord. May the Lord grant favor in this area.

Speaking a Positive Word to the People

Once again the Lord instructed me to break the bread of revelation knowledge in a positive fashion. (I am so tired of negative teaching and prophetic words of rejection and hurt.) Yes, the Lord’s people need correction, but in a positive way. The wrath of God is stored up for the wicked and not the righteous.

This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

1 John 3

This is John’s main topic in his first letter. Basic fellowship and love of one another. The Lord caused me to realize that I needed to lay down great revelation. I should concentrate on laying a basic foundation. The foundation of love and fellowship one with another.

It’s funny, but we try to build a fellowship on great revelation. Sometimes the people have great insight on end-time matters and so forth. But, when it comes to basic foundational teaching the people know very little. That is also why there is so much grumbling and complaining among the people.

The Lord told me to give the people the honey of the word and that it was Hie job to make that same word sour to the stomach, meaning, preach a positive word and allow the Lord to work the cross into the lives of the people. The job of the shepherd is to stand in the gap and lead the people through the dealings of the Lord.

If wilderness saints could catch the vision of this, they could actually speed up the work within the people. New converts could grow in the Lord at a much quicker rate. This would keep the meetings positive and uplifting instead of frustrating and negative.

Closing Remarks

Now, as we sift through the mistakes of the past, I believe we can still reach this goal. Actually the past eight months have solidified my overall vision for this fellowship. The reason the Lord has had me write this down is to use it as a guideline and a foundation for this group.

I ask that you help me in this endeavor by keeping a copy of this close to you. From time to time read over it and ask the Lord if we are following the pattern He has given us.

We are more than friends here. Some of us are closer than family. The word love does not even have a deep enough meaning for some of us. We are members of a society whose pioneers are a great cloud of witnesses, whose King reigns from the heavens above and grants peace to those who are members in the earth. I am always open to your input within my life. I desire all of you to speak into me and my family. I am honored to be called your friend.

My desire is for all of us to build a relationship with one another that is first of all pleasing to the Lord as well as one another. I believe we can all reach a place where none of us will ever feel anything but love from one another.

We will reach a place where rejection and frustration over the world’s condition will have no hold on us. As we free ourselves from frustration, from our own wilderness experience, we too will explore new territories in relationship with one another the world will never know. We will reach a place where unity in the faith and the bond of peace will cause us love for one another. We will become attractive to other members of the Body of Christ who hunger for more of Him and His People.

You are the my family whom I love or trust. You have stood with me through many trials and tribulations. As we always remember it is, “Christ in us the hope of glory.” May the Lord give you wisdom and revelation knowledge to know Him better is my prayer.

In His Great compassion and love for His Elect:

Your friend and partner in Christ Jesus.

Spiritual Vision for Wheelersburg Fellowship

Spiritual Vision for Wheelersburg Fellowship, Friday August 14, 1995

The Devil's Leading at Halftime

The Devil’s Leading at Halftime

The Devil’s Leading at Halftime

Last year, I and a host of Ohio State fans watched the playoff game with Clemson in great earnest. The winner would proceed to the national championship game.

At halftime, Ohio State had the lead, which was good, but I was concerned. Clemson had dominated in a few key areas and I knew that if Clemson tightened their game just a little, they could dominate the second half and beat OSU. That is exactly what happened and Ohio State’s season ended there.

I was thinking about this this morning because, while the Church has dominated a few key areas, we’ve mostly spent the last 1900 years since the death of the Apostles getting waxed by the devil. It’s easy to see that the Church hasn’t made the impact that was possible.

The Devil’s Leading at Halftime

And now, something extraordinary happened–something that has never happened in the history of the world. For most of the planet, time has stopped and everyone has gone to the locker room and the Devil’s Leading at Halftime.

What I want to say about this is this: The second half is all ours. Let us, the Church, use this time to fix our game plan, because this is our time. It’s the devils turn to be beaten to a pulp.

I had a peak at the end of the book. We win! Let’s lace up our cleats and go get it done!

ED: Sorry for the sports metaphor.

For Life

I usually stay out of political debates, because legislation is not my business and legislating morality has never worked. The Mosaic Law is proof enough of that. No one can meet God’s standard of morality.

But the arguments going on right now about abortion laws are often insane and I’m going to post my position on the subject just so my position is there.

I’ve heard people talk about making exceptions for abortions in the case of rape and incest and how it proves that pro-lifers are actually sell-outs. Laws are about compromise and about reality and not about morality. I’m okay with granting exceptions in these situations because everyone who knows understands that these are such a small percentage of the actual abortions performed in the United States that I’ll take it to prevent 99.5% of abortions. (That’s right. According to a 2004 survey by the Guttmacher Institute, only .5% of abortions are the result of rape. See how I post sources for my statistics?)

So why do we hear so much about this? Because it’s the tragedy card. It must be awful for a woman to find out she’s pregnant as a result of being a victim of a crime. This case invokes sympathy from everyone, and rightly so. If we take this away from the argument, then people have to make an argument about abortions to spare someone from the consequences of their decisions and that’s not a great position to be in.

So much of our culture is about sparing people from the consequences of their decisions. I guess, for the most part, I’m okay with this because Jesus came to spare us all from the consequences of our decisions.

I am not judging. I have done plenty of stupid things in my life that I regret. Fortunately, as far as I know, none my of stupid mistakes resulted in long-term damage to someone else. This is not a position to look down on someone else, it’s just by God’s grace, I’ve never had to live for the rest knowing that I altered someone else’s life forever. Believe me, I’m grateful to God for that.

My sympathy goes out to people that are pregnant with babies that they never wanted. They are faced with lots of choices on how to deal with that situation and all of them are hard. They have my sympathy, they truly do, but they made choices that put them into that position. Again, I’m not judging, but part of being a grown-up is facing the consequences of our actions. Read Proverbs.

What I’m not okay with is saying that a baby must be murdered so that someone can be saved from the consequences of their actions.

This is where the pro-choice people scream, “You can’t prove it’s a baby! It’s just a fetus.” The answer is, you can’t prove that it’s not, either. Saying it’s not a baby is not based on scientific evidence or anything else. It is said because people want it to be true.

If I am standing on a street corner and a mother comes up in a stroller with a one-month old baby in it. She leaves the stroller for a second to look at a pair of shoes on sale at a sidewalk sale.

In the meantime, a man walks up with an ax and hacks the baby to pieces. If I stand by and watch this happen and do absolutely nothing about it, how would you feel about me? Legally, I’m free of any prosecution, but how would my friends and family feel about the situation?

So if the baby is, let’s say, six months younger, does that change my responsibility?

If, in my heart, I feel like there are around 700,000 babies murdered each year in my country, the Land of the Free, and I did nothing, what would you think of me?

I don’t do politics. Among the reasons is that legislating morality is not effective. We must attack sin at the root if there is to be true change in people’s lives.

But if I feel that this is a baby, am I not morally obligated to say something about it? Because, no matter what anyone says, I must live with my conscience and my conscience says that this is a baby and I applaud people who stand up for lives that other people don’t care about.

Regardless of what the law says, my heart says abortion is murdering a child. Everything else is window-dressing.

Gideon

The Gideon Factor

The Gideon Factor, overcoming fear through faith. Free to read and download.

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