Glory Days Gone Bye

The fellowship was sweet in the days that Christians everywhere were beginning to encounter the same powerful anointing. Today we find it hard to stay in any one church for very long due to our longing for that anointing. Some of the most anointed people of that early encounter with Jesus have detoured into the world for lack of fulfillment. No matter where they go to church they become disappointed and fall away. Everywhere they go to begin fellowshipping with believers they soon find out the belief of that fellowship is extremely limited and so they leave wounded and empty.

Is there anyone out there that even remotely understands what I’m talking about? It’s like witnessing to someone about the grace of God for salvation and then they respond with “Well, I’m not such a bad person”. Can’t they see? And why is it that Christians of today look at you with such a blank when you share spiritual things with them. Soon there is no real fellowship and many backslide and recluse with the feelings of not fitting in...

I have come to understand that when light emanates from the throne of God, it takes on a variety of shades and colors. There must be a billion shades of every color and even colors that are completely unknown to man. When people have encountered the same color or shade of light a kindred spirit is born. When people of that same light ray become dispersed, they are lost without each other and become discouraged. As a result, many of the greatest Christians of our day remain dormant. They are desperately searching for someone out there who walks in the same dimension of light; anyone who has been exposed to the same light ray in shade or color, especially the same shade.

Jesus who is the light of the world said that we are the light of the world. All Christians are partakers of that same light, but within that light there are diversities of anointing. When a Christian receives the baptism of the Holy Ghost they walk in a new dimension of the same light that it took for any of us to be saved. All we like sheep have gone astray. We were lost but now are found, we were blind but now we see.

When we became born again we received spiritual vision. “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3). Now that we are saved we see. But until we become baptized with the Holy Ghost it is as though we only see in black and white. If the Christian does not move on to become baptized with the Holy Ghost they will eventually interpret everything spiritual with limited vision. Like the letter of the law, they will only see black and white.

An experience with the Holy Ghost is an exposure to light that will develop your pictures in living color. Once you see in color it’s hard to return to black and white. Black and white is nice, it’s nostalgic, traditional, but color is a dimension of the Christian reality that is available to anyone hungry enough to receive it. Not more of the same, but more as in more. When I speak of GLORY DAYS GONE BYE, I am not talking about day old manna. I am talking about genuine manna. Where has it gone? Good shepherds get ready. “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17).

Pastor;
Tilson Shumate

lori W recollects

For a few years now I have been trying to find my friends that were in Shekinah ministry. I have found only a few.

I am happy to say that since I found Davids web site I have been doing a lot of remembering of those days with Brant. I have been silent to long. There are a lot of happy memories and sad ones also. But the work David is doing I feel is Gods work. Those years with the ministry are always with me.

I came out of Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa. I was not a new Christain when I met Brant. It was in the early days when Brant was just starting out. He was only 23 yrs old and already on fire for God. There was only a handful of us.

When I first came to a service I knew that is were I belonged. It was in a small store and we all sat on the ground and listened to him preach. We soon moved into a foursquare Church . Many people started to attend the Sat night services and it soon grew to fill the large church. The choir was wonderful. I remember Joe Dallas at the piano and the various singers. I remember that before each service Brant would be waiting on the side of the stage praying , eyes closed or raised , hands folded or uplifted to the Lord. As we all sang worship to God the room would fill with a cloud of Gods presence. It could literaly be felt and seen.

There were many healings that I saw, and I can testify to one that I saw before my eyes. I was on stage with Brant and Randy West, while people came up to testify of their healings. A lady came up and she was healed of a illness but her hands were still twisted from arthritis and as Brant started to pray for her , I saw her hands staighten out fully. Brant said, "did you see that" Yes, I did.

There were times when it was hard to stand next to him as you could feel the presence of Jesus ever so softly. We all Loved the Lord and looked only to do his will. I was involved for about 3-4 years, from the begining to almost the end of the ministry.

I remember when Brants mother started coming to the services more often. I felt she may have wanted too much control of the ministry and this bothered Brant. She was a lovely and gracious lady but could be domineering. I loved Brants father , he was so sweet and humble.

Brant became engaged to one of my best friends, Lesa Green. This did not last very long. She was so very beautiful and kind. She took this very hard after he broke it off with her.

There are more memories that I want to share but feel I should think about it for a few more days before I share with you all. I must say that if anyone remembers me or were involved in the minisry, please come forward by writing here or David or emailing me if you would.

En Agape
Hannelore

Shekinah

Etymology:

Shechinah is derived from the Hebrew verb 'sakan' or 'shachan'. In Biblical Hebrew the word means literally to settle, inhabit, or dwell, and is used frequently in the Hebrew Bible. (See e.g. Genesis 9:27, 14:13, Psalms 37:3, Jeremiah 33:16). In Mishnaic Hebrew the word is often used to refer to bird's nesting and nests. ("Every bird nests [shechinot] with its kind, and man with its like, Talmud Baba Kammah 92b.) and can also mean "neighbor" ("If a neighbor and a scholar, the scholar is preferred" Talmud Ketubot 85b). The word "Shechinah" also means "royalty" or "royal residence" ( The Greek word 'skene' - dwelling - is thought to be derived from 'shekinah' and 'sakan'. The word for Tabernacle, mishcan, is a derivative of the same root and is also used in the sense of dwelling-place in the Bible, e.g. Psalm 132:5 ("Before I find a place for God, mishcanot (dwelling-places) for the Strong One of Israel.") Accordingly, in classic Jewish thought, the Shekhina refers to extraordinary manifestation of divine spirituality, to the effect that, while Man is in proximity to the Shekhinah, the connection to God is more readily perceivable by Man.

Meaning:

The Shekinah is held by many to represent the feminine attributes of the presence of God (shekhinah being a feminine word in Hebrew), based especially on readings of the Talmud. The word 'Matronit' is also employed to represent this usage.

The public domain Easton's Bible Dictionary, published in 1897, says:

Shechinah – a Chaldee word meaning resting-place, not found in Scripture, but used by the later Jews to designate the visible symbol of God's presence in the tabernacle, and afterwards in Solomon's Temple. When the Lord led out of Egypt, he went before them "in a pillar of a cloud." This was the symbol of his presence with his people. God also spoke to Moses through the 'shekhinah' out of a burning bush. For references made to it during the wilderness wanderings, see Exodus 14:20; 40:34-38; Leviticus 9:23, 24; Numbers 14:10; 16:19, 42.

It is probable that after the entrance into Canaan this glory-cloud settled in the tabernacle upon the ark of the covenant in the most holy place. We have, however, no special reference to it till the consecration of the temple by Solomon, when it filled the whole house with its glory, so that the priests could not stand to minister (1 Kings 8:10-13; 2 Chr. 5:13, 14; 7:1-3). Probably it remained in the first temple in the holy of holies as the symbol of Jehovah's presence so long as that temple stood. It afterwards disappeared.

Where manifest:

The Shekhinah is referred to as manifest in the Tabernacle and the temple in Jerusalem throughout Rabbinic literature. It is also reported as being present in the acts of public prayer, ("Whenever ten are gathered for prayer, there the Shechinah rests" Talmud Sanhedrin 39a); righteous judgment ("when three sit as judges, the Shechinah is with them." Talmud Berachot 6a), and personal need ("The Shechinah dwells over the headside of the sick man's bed" Talmud Shabbat 12b; "Wheresoever they were exiled, the Shechinah went with them." Megillah 29a).

Forms of manifestation:

The Talmud reports that the Shekhinah is what caused prophets to prophecy and King David to compose his Psalms Pesachim 117a). The Shechinah manifests itself as a form of joy, connected with prophecy and creativity: Talmud Pesachim 117a) The Talmud also reports that "The Shechinah does not rest amidst laziness, nor amidst laughter, nor amidst lightheadedness, nor amidst idle conversation. Rather, it is amidst the joy associated with a mitzvah that the Shechinah comes to rest upon people, as it is said: 'And now, bring me for a musician, and it happened that when the music played, God's hand rested upon him' [Elisha] [2 Kings 3:15]" (Pesachim 117a). Thus the Shekhinah is associated with the transformational "Spirit of God" regarded as the source of prophecy:

After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:
And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. (1 Samuel10:5-6 KJV).

The prophets make numerous references to metaphorical visions of the presence of God, particularly in the context of the Tabernacle or Temple, particularly visions of thrones or robes that fill the Sanctuary, that are traditionally associated with and described as visions of the Shekhinah. Isaiah wrote "I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up, and his train filled the Temple." (Isaiah 6:1). Jeremiah implored "Do not dishonor the throne of your glory" (Jeremiah 14:21) and referred to "Thou throne of glory, on high from the beginning, Thou place of our sanctuary" (Jeremiah 17:12). Ezekiel spoke of "the glory of the God of Israel was there [in the Sanctuary], according to the vision that I saw in the plain."

Calvin shares his experience

It must have been around 1975...I was about 14 years of age and having a LOT of problems.
I got a job during the summer at the Congress of Racial Equality (C.O.R.E.) doing telephone solicitations.

While there I met an ex-Black Panther by the name of Chris (I can t remember his last name).
Chris is my spiritual father. Though disabled and confined to a wheel chair, high intelligence and a noble spirit distinguished him. He taught me things...gave me back my faith.
He finally convinced me to visit his church (Shekinah Fellowship in Long Beach, CA) for a healing service one Saturday evening.

It was July.

The "church" was a converted movie house (Fox West Coast Theatre on Ocean Boulevard)–the old-fashioned kind that could seat above two thousand. The stage was raised with ramps on either side. And the place was packed with people.
Now I come from a very Fundamentalist background...I had never visited a church like this before: there was singing and worship. People raised their hands as in adoration of an Unseen Lover.

The pastor's name was Brant Baker (I remember his name!). Brant wasn't really a preacher...he was more of a healer as you might say (1st Corinthians 12:9). And he would lead the congregation into a spirit of worship in preparation for his ministry.

When the time came two lines formed at either end of the stage. Brant would fill up the stage with a single line made from the convergence of the two lines and then move from person to person, placing a dab of olive oil on each forehead and praying. At least half of the people prayed for would "faint." Someone would catch them from behind and gently lower them to the floor.
This was all VERY new to me.

Chris then told me to join one of the lines for prayer.
I had no intention of fainting in a theatre full of people: I politely said NO.
But Chris was persistent (the fact was...I TRUSTED Chris).
I finally consented–but promised myself that I was not going to "faint."
And I wasn't going to let anyone PUSH me down either!
In fact, I was pretty much determined not to be cooperative at all!

Anyway, the line I was in was moving, and I was getting closer and closer to the stage.
Finally I took my place on stage (stage left). Brant was on the opposite side working his way toward me. People were fainting, and I was getting more anxious. When Brant got to the person next to me I closed my eyes and told God that I was open to whatever He had for me.
Brant was now in front of me; I could feel his finger place the oil on my forehead, and could hear him whisper the word "Glory!"

And the whole universe disappeared. LITERALLY.
Friend, there IS a place called NOWHERE–and for what was probably less than a split second I was there. A voice (more accurately, a thought) spoke to me saying, "It's all over, you can rest now."

Every cell in my body relaxed in Perfect Peace. Every fear was vanquished. And that's why my body collapsed like a rag doll to the floor on that stage in front of all those people.
When I opened my eyes I was MAD...angry that I was thrown back into this life that took so much delight in exposing my ignorance, weakness and faults.

And on and off (mostly on) I've been seeking that state of Perfection ever since (the links on my web site bear this out).

I've never really understood the meaning of the experience...was it a memory, or a prophecy?

Who was it?

If it was not God who healed all of those people at the services of Shekinah Fellowship, then who did?

If it was not God's presence that was being manifested at Shekinah Fellowship, then who's presence was it?

If it was not the anointing of God that brought so many people together to give of their time and energy to bless others, then who's anointing was it?

If it was not God that touched so many people and impacted their lives even to this day, then who touched them?

If it was not God's Spirit that enabled so many to have the word of knowledge at Shekinah Fellowship, then who's spirit was it?

Here is my point. If God did all of these things, then it can be assumed that He had no problem being associated with Shekinah Fellowship. He had no shame in showing up in the services of Shekinah Fellowship. In fact He made His power and presence known at Shekinah Fellowship.

If all of this is true, then I have questions to ask those of you who were in the ministry of Shekinah Fellowship.

Why are you ashamed? Why are you being silent? Why won't you share with others here about your experiences at Shekinah Fellowship?

Do you have more class then God? Are you better then God? Are you wiser then God? Do you know something about Shekinah Fellowship that God does not know?

God associated with Shekinah Fellowship, He saw fit to be there. He revealed His presence there. What does that tell you? Where does that leave you?

I don't get it? Here you finally have a time and a place to bless others with who you are and what you experienced at Shekinah Fellowship and you choose to remain silent! You choose to sit back like some wisened sage and do nothing. And yet you have come here and you are reading this. Why? What makes you want to even come to this place? Why don't you just click on by...

So many of you have emailed me to tell me you were involved with Shekinah and "may God bless" with out ever sharing one single thing with us.

Do you think that for one minute I and the others who are putting forth the effort to share the Shekinah story are seeking to profit from it? Guess again.

We believe that God knew what he was doing by allowing the full story of King David to be recorded in the bible. Not some sanitized version fit for all audiences.

We believe the suppressed story of Shekinah Fellowship and Brant Baker should be told. And if not by you, then by who?

Are you not the least bit concerned that all that you did for God at Shekinah Fellowship will just be a mere footnote in the historical record? A footnote of no significance.

Well that is what your silence tells me. It tells me that you think Shekinah Fellowship was nothing significant. Your silence tells me that you think everything Brant Baker and Shekinah Fellowship accomplished had no true value in the spiritual landscape.

Your silence tells me that you think your time at Shekinah Fellowship was a waste of time...

Try to tell that to anyone of the people who were healed. Try to tell that to anyone who received the Lord Jesus Christ at a Shekinah Fellowship service. Try to tell that to anyone who's live was changed by the genuine presence of the Lord manifested at Shekinah Fellowship. Try to tell that to those who have emailed me to tell me that they have not come across the presence of the Lord like they experienced in the services of Shekinah Fellowship.

Your silence is not a Godly silence.

God practically pushed me to tell the story of Brant Baker and Shekinah Fellowship. I resisted until I actually had third parties tell me that I should tell the story.

James 4:17Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Go ahead, be silent. Tell all of us by your silence what you think about Brant Baker and Shekinah Fellowship!

333 Ocean Blvd

I was in Long Beach today. Drove past 333 Ocean Blvd. Where the Fox Coast used to be there is now a large Westin hotel. Across the street was the Long Beach performing Arts Center.

I wondered if Brant would be having services at the Arts Center if he were around today. Back in his day this area was full of street people and a bad part of town. Today it is being redeveloped and full of young professionals and upscale buildings.

Long Beach is now a great place to live.

Tile and Tar

I own a small part of TBN in a sense, TBN is my station. Let me explain.

In May of 1973 my boss at the time, Tony Meston of SonShine Electric told me about a fantastic faith enterprise being initiated in Santa Ana. He suggested that we go down there and help out.

Apparently someone was attempting to do the impossible, they were going to get a television station started for the Lord up and running! I was excited about the thought of an all Christian television station. I knew of none. I did know of a radio station, "The Kings Herald of Faith" KHOF, which I listened to in my truck while driving.

Now, having been a part of the birth of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa and having helped to build the current home of Calvary, I knew how awesome it can be to watch God at work. I wanted in on this new venture of faith.

We showed up at TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK on the corner of Dyer and Main street in Santa Ana, 111 West Dyer to be exact. We helped by putting in the flouresent lighting. Every time TBN shows their early start days, you will see them flash a quick picture of me up on a ladder installing the lights, at least I think it is me. We also helped to remove some old linoleum tile that was laid with some aweful tar it seemed. All of us were working for the Lord, so we put our heart into the task.

I can still look back in my memory of Tony helping to run the black and white camera. We were doing this for the Lord.

Paul was an amazing man as I recall, he oozed faith. Jim Bakker and his wife Tammy were there with Paul and Jan Crouch. They all seemed so enthusiastic about what was happening.

I can recall the tech dudes fussing with the stuff, trying to get everything to work correctly. It was a battle field as all of us were trying to get the Lords TV station up and running.

My next time of being in on a major event of TBN was in the 90's. At the time I had no idea that Paul Toberty or Demos Shakarian had anything to do with one another or Paul Crouch.

I was living down the street from the original Dyer street commercial building in Santa Ana. I knew there was a building that I had helped Roy Laney do some painting on, located on Bear Street in Costa Mesa. It originally was one of the locations of the Full Gospel Business Mens Associations. It had been vacated for a long while at this point in time.

One day I felt the Lord telling me to go visit that empty property. So I did. As I walked around it, a sadness filled my heart. I was recalling all the activity and commotion when Roy and I were there painting. Everyone was aware that they were working on a project for the Lord when I first worked on this property. And now here I was years later walking around an abandoned site. I wondered to myself, "What in the world could have happened?"

As I was noticing the brass top of the flagpole sitting in some weeds, the Lord suddenly showed up and told me to prophesy over the property. So I once again walked the property prophesying anything that came to mind.

As I did this the Holy Spirit filled my heart with an unction and an urgency. I felt a righteous anger rising up in my heart and I began to do spiritual warfare.

God was leading me to take back what had been stolen away. He was telling me to call out to Him for restoration.

I went home. But I could not get that property off my mind. So I frequently visited that ghost of a building. Walking around and around it, shouting out to the Lord. Tears streamed down my face as I recalled how it was built for the Lord and here it was in such disrepair and abandoned.

I was angry and jealous for the place to once again be a place known for the Lord. Finally I told my roommate about the place, he was interested. So I took him there and we both prophesyied over the place as we walked every square foot of the place. Each time I looked at the things just lying around on the ground and all of the over grown weeds and such, an anger rose up in my spirit man. I would shout loudly what came to mind prophetically. And each time that I did, the presence of the Lord would manifest and I would end up with tears streaming down my face.

Then one day I knew my task was finished and never went back.

I don't recall how much later but one day I drive by the place and someone was working on it. WOW was I amazed to see that it was going to be a location of TBN. So you see I had a small part to play in TBN once again...

Now you can see how I fit in to the picture as far as TBN. Not to mention that Brant Baker and Shekinah Fellowship was one of the original programs on TBN.

Pastor Leroy Saunders of North Hollywood Assembly of God had opened his church to Brant Baker to have televised prayer meetings there. Pastor Saunders I am sure had a lot to do with Brant getting on TBN since he believed in the vision of Paul and Jan.

It often times trips me out to think of how intertwined everything I have been involved with is. Even though some people don't like how Paul has run the show, the Lord installed him as the steward none the less.

Let me share a small thought on this. Do you think that Jesus would be any good in His choice as to who will do what? You know He prayed a long time before choosing his twelve apostles. And wow, we wouldn't have chosen some of them. Judas was a theif of the kitty and a betrayer!

Mark 14:10And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.

Simon Peter was a fairweather friend who cursed and was a liar.

Matthew 26:74Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

These were faulty everyday men and yet Jesus choose them anyway. You see, God does not call who you think He would. God does not call the capable, he makes those who He calls capable!

While most do not agree with me around these parts, I seriously believe that Paul and Jan Crouch were hand picked by God to build TBN. It takes a certain personalty type with a tough skin to accomplish what they have done. Sure you may not like what comes through TBN. But Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel and Pastor Greg Laurie have been on along with a few others that you would agree walk down the middle of the road in their Christian perspective.

Paul and Jan did not just walk into a wonderful up and running popular ministry. They went through all of the hard knocks and the heart breaks and the warfare to make what we all see today.

I have seen Paul alone in the malls at South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island. No body guards, all by himself. I have seen Jan with one of her son's at Fry's Electronics, no body guards.

They are both disliked by a lot of people, and yet they still trust in the Lord. I have talked with Paul in one of my chance encounters with him in South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island. I found him to be very open and friendly, I detected not the slightest bit of apprehension in him.

You know Benny Hinn never goes anywhere without his entourage of Navy Seal bodyguards, what does that tell you? How do I know this? I have worked in his neighborhood within a stones throw of his home for about thirteen years now. Just last week I had two Benny sightings...LOL.

Even if you don't like TBN you have to admit that it is a miracle that it even exists. If you knew the half of what it took to build TBN and maintain it, you would know that it is a miracle.

Of course Brant was very upset at being dropped from TBN. But what did he expect they would do when they found out about his hidden struggles. What could they do? Albeit they did not even say anything to him at all...they just dropped him!

Brant imploded progressively after that, even to the point of speaking against TBN in a "Talking to the door to address the window" fashion from his pulpit. His pain was evident.

Sure Paul is one tough German man, but God did tap him and tell him to build an all Christian television network. And ya, there have been abuse of power and position sort of things, but don't you think God knew that was gonna happen?

It honestly is none of my business with how God's steward takes care of what God requires of him. What he is accountable for is between him and the Lord.

One thing I do know is that the fruit of TBN can not be ignored. Millions of souls have been saved from just watching television because of the vision of Paul and Jan Crouch. How many millions of souls have been saved through your vision?

When I compare my fruit with their fruit, mine is all tile and tar...

And yet?

Surfer51

The People Speak Up

To read what all of you are telling me about Brant Baker and Shekinah Fellowship, go to my other blog here:
http://surfer51.blogspot.com/

The fallen

Isaiah 53:6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Psalm 119:176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

Rev Ted Haggard confessed to his followers Sunday that he was guilty of sexual immorality.

In a letter that was read to the congregation of the New Life Church by another clergyman, Haggard apologized for his acts and requested forgiveness.

"I am so sorry for the circumstances that have caused shame and embarrassment for all of you," he said, adding that he had confused the situation by giving inconsistent remarks to reporters denying the scandal.

"The fact is I am guilty of sexual immorality. And I take responsibility for the entire problem. I am a deceiver and a liar. There’s a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I have been warring against it for all of my adult life," he said.

Haggard had resigned two days earlier as president of the National Association of Evangelicals, where he held sway in Washington and condemned homosexuality, after a Denver man named Mike Jones claimed to have had drug-fueled trysts with him.
Jones said in a telephone interview Sunday: "I am sad for him and his family. I know this is a tough day for him also. I wish him well. I wish his family well. My intent was never to destroy his family. My intent was to expose a hypocrite.

Haggard, who had been president of the evangelical association since 2003, has participated in conference calls with White House staffers and lobbied Congress last year on Supreme Court nominees.

There are target assignments against Christian ministries by demonic forces. They do everything in their power to promote division and factions in the ministry.In waging war the demons bring down the leadership first and the troops will scatter. This is a basic principle in the art of war.

Zechariah 13:7...smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered...

Matthew 26:31... smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

The name Satan means the adversary, the enemy. He has many fallen angels in his army. This is a mysterious world of rebellious fallen angels and demons.

God's Word tells us:Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Spirit beings, thousands of years old with a highly organized military hierachy authority are constantly waging war against all of us. Even if we chose to ignore this fact it is still the truth.

Nevertheless, despite the clarity of this passage, many theologians and preachers profess a profound skepticism as to whether we should take accounts of people being tormented by Satan and other evil spirits in a literal way.

Here is a man of God who was in a position of leadership over the 14,000-member New Life Church in Colorado. A man who had been president of the evangelical association.
A prime target for demonic assignment. If the kingdom of Satan could take this shepherd out a lot of sheep would scatter. And a lot of people would get wounded as a result. A demonic military victory seemingly.

How are we as Christians supposed to react to this event?

Just as a sidebar...
I know of one man of God, an acknowledged prophet, who got found out in a sin by some high ranking church leaders. They took advqantage of the situation. Telling him that they would publicly expose him if he did not give into their demands. They would publish his sin in a well known Christian magazine, they would put his sin out on the net etc. He gave into their demands, giving up a valuable ministry he had built and a lot of property along with it.

Are we to extort?

Not according to the word of God.

Brant Baker, Lonnie Frisbee, Ted Haggard and all of us are targets of demons. We are in a spiritual war for the souls of humankind. There will be casualtys.

If our eyes are upon Jesus we won't get wounded.
Hebrews 12:2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith...

If we look to any other we will fall if they fall.

Acts 4:12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Jesus.

John 3:14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Men will fail us, Jesus will not.

Revelation 19:11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Jesus will strike down the enemy of our souls.

I am expecting a manifestation of God in America. I am expecting God to raise up men of God with hearts after God. I am expecting an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our land.
I am expecting restoration for fallen leaders.

OBJECTS OF WORSHIP

After spending the weekend at a new age retreat

OBJECTS OF WORSHIP

As I walked along the garden trails I noticed several shrines and places of devotion: worship to a variety of gods. I was reminded of Paul, the apostle, when he stood and preached Christ at Mars Hill in Athens. He said, "I was passing by and beheld your devotions, and I found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him I declare unto you." Paul knew that all their gods were but dead idols, so he preached to them the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I loved those people and could very much identify with their struggle to find God. Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."

The friend of mine who invited me to that place said it was introduced to him as one of the most spiritual places on earth. It was spiritual alright. 1 John 4:1, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." A spirit from God will enforce a unity of faith in the one true God. Evil spirits produce a false sense of unity through false prophets, advocating many faiths in many gods. It sounds open minded, loving, and accepting of others; but the Bible warns, "Beloved, believe not every spirit." Faiths (plural) are no faith at all. Ephesians 4:5, "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." God honors faith wherever it’s found. Faith is a gift from God. He enforces all faith, but He does not honor or enforce all faiths.

Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." All roads lead to God, but not all roads lead to eternal life in heaven. Those who are on the road called "the way" come unto the Father in heaven. Those who reject Jesus as "the way" will stand before God in judgment. It’s true all roads lead to God__every knee shall bow. Romans 14:11-12, "For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." John 3:36, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." Please listen and consider the words of Jesus in John 5:24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Very truly I tell you when Jesus said, "Verily, verily" He was saying most assuredly I tell you the truth.

OBJECTS OF WORSHIP is a warning. Exodus 20:3, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." John 5:22-23, "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him."

Pastor Tilson Shumate