Leeward Hope Revisited

Last Friday I began reviewing my earliest blogs, editing some, and deleting some others. Much has changed since the beginning of this blog, including the nuts and bolts of putting together a faith-based non-profit ministry. We have sifted more to online ministries, but also assist refugees locally. We are now called Shelter of Hope, Inc. Another change, and a more important one, I think, is the change in me, the founder.

My earlier blogs noted much harassment of which I was the victim. During the gap in my blogging activity (2005-07), this increased in intensity and form, which I'll not describe here. Then two years ago the Lord showed me how I got myself into being victimized. A childish decision to be the chief sufferer in our household, because the family member who suffered the most got the most attention, set me on the path of the perpetual victim. As soon as I accepted the Lord's assessment, and chose not to be a victim anymore, the power of victimization was broken, to the glory of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

The task of unlearning the habits of a victim, and learning better habits has so far been successful, and demonstrates both the grace of God and the power of strong, godly relationships, even one godly relationship. The grace of God is beyond description by any mortal, and is better embraced than explained.

The power of relationships is, I think, tragically underrated. There is a reason the Lord told us to disciple others. We learn best by seeing an example and by putting precept into practice. Much discipling has failed, because it is reduced to a system, rules to follow, and lists to check off. Anyone who has learned to tap in to the power of a personal, vital connection with Jesus Himself, and with the discipler, is truly blessed.

The one godly relationship I mentioned above, has rubbed off on me in a major way, and many people who knew me even a few years ago would recognize that such a change cannot be brought about on a merely human level. The Lord so clearly worked through this relationship, by this friend simply being who he is in Christ, with God's anointing so powerfully on him.

How many of this type of disciplers exist, I don't know. But I have another concern. Are we, especially as Americans, so fiercely independent that we would not submit to such a relationship? I suspect so. We can't do this by ourselves! We need a vital dependence on God, and strong connections with godly brothers and sisters in Christ.

Microchips and False Gods

I recently had a discussion with a supporter of the pre-tribulation rapture view. This blog will not argue for or against that. My concern is that many supporters of this view say that it's ok to take a microchip if the opportunity (& necessity) arises, because it wouldn't be the real mark of the beast since we're not supposed to be here when the anti-christ is here. It is very dangerous to put this level of importance on the pre-tribulation rapture, as it could lead many unsuspecting people to take a micro-chip that is indeed the mark of the beast. The varying views of the rapture (which term is not even in the Bible) have proponents who make a very good case for them. It is good not to put much emphasis on these, because the Lord tells us to simply be ready and watching, not spending so much time preoccupied with when things will happen.

The person with whom I had the discussion mentioned above answered my concern by saying there are many types of micro-chips, and he differentiated between a micro-chip for buying and selling, and one for worship. The Bible does not make this distinction!

15 "The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 17 so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666...14:11 And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” 12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus"" (Revelation 13:15-18, 14:11-12). This passage clearly equates the mark for buying and selling with the mark for the worship of the ant-christ, and realtes dire consequences for all who take it!

Think of the implications of the micro-chip. It gives the government of the anti-christ a counterfeit omniscience and omni- presence, clearly putting this government in the place of God, knowing where you are at all times. Whatever your view of the end times, please don't take a micro-chip.