Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
Featured Article: Time Out
The Palestinians: Who Really Cares? News from Hal Lindsey Media Ministries Counterfeit Daily Jot: The case for character and leadership Daily Devotion: Call It What It Is Time Out - By Jerry McDermott - https://www.raptureready.com/2019/01/30/time-jerry-mcdermott/
Hosea reminded us of God's warning about His people perishing for lack of knowledge. Therefore, I need a few minutes of your time to detail some forthcoming events. I am sure you have complete familiarity with areas such as economics, sports, fashion, entertainment and other related activities. However, most people are not knowledgeable about religious events. Therefore, I would like to familiarize you with an area untouched by the media. The operative words for this article are Eschatology which is a study of the End Times and Convergence (a coming together). For our purposes, it is a compendium of events for the End Times. This article is not a should-read, but a "must-read" as it affects your future. Get this wrong and the reality of your eternal future will be a hopeless, drastic existence. Many people will later cry out, "Why didn't anyone tell me?" That is why I have chosen the title "Time Out" to get your attention for a few minutes to explain what is happening in the non-secular world. Okay, let's begin. An advanced summary is that all the ancient prophecies are falling into place. What I am going to describe is not meant to scare you, but to give you hope that you can avoid the forthcoming disasters. The inescapable fact is that we are the Last Generation, and therefore we are living in the End Times. The scriptural prophets have spoken God's words about this time repeatedly in the Bible. Their words are all coming together now in our time. You may say, "Oh we have heard this before." Maybe you have, but they didn't mean anything until Israel became a Nation again in 1948. That started the clock! They have also spoken about the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Son of God who became man to show His love. In addition, most scriptural elements foretold the future of all peoples. In fact, 30 percent of the Bible is about prophecy. Stay tuned and see where we are going with the next imminent events, the Rapture and the Tribulation which are the main elements of this discussion. The Rapture is the instantaneous removal of Christian people to meet Jesus in the clouds and then to become heavenly dwellers. We know that this event will instantly remove millions of Christian people from the earth and that it will probably happen soon. The Tribulation period is forecasted to follow the Rapture and is literally Hell on Earth. The reason for caution and preparedness is that the predicted events for the Tribulation period have already started worldwide. Since these End Times which have been known for thousands of years are now starting to happen, it is obvious that the Rapture is imminent. The Tribulation period is a time of worldwide deaths due to massive killings, war, pestilence and famine under the guidance of the Anti-Christ who will proclaim himself as god. Church people will not be here to answer what is happening due to their Rapture. The timeline of the End Times is this: The Rapture of the Christian people; The Tribulation period under the Anti-Christ; The Second Coming of Christ to rule and reign. Do not think you can breeze through the forecasted seven-year Tribulation period. The chance of surviving this period of wrath is minimal as the majority of earth's population will be decimated. The causes also include beheadings, changes in the heavens, as well as earthly changes. These are not a mystery. Jesus discussed these future happenings two thousand years ago as reported in the 24th chapter of Matthew's gospel of the New Testament. The Book of Revelation also details the dreadful events. You may wonder how can this happen? It is the Satanic thrust for his kingdom. Do you recognize the growing push already for a one-world religion, government, and ruler supposedly to effect peace? These are newsworthy events every day: Observe the Vatican attempting to pull other denominations within themselves. Note liberal Christians saying that Jesus is not the Son of God. How is it that some Christian leaders are aligning their church with the Muslims, saying that we both adore the same God? Note the push for a unified approach for global warming acceptance; examine the efforts for a new unified European army. Explain the United Nations condemning the Israeli response after the Jews were hit by 100's of rockets from Gaza or elsewhere. Reflect on the countries surrounding Israel preparing for war. Oh, climate change will affect everyone and is a big worry, says the media. On the contrary, Natural News on Nov. 22, 2018, reported that 97 percent of scientists said that climate change is an engineered hoax. Something not a hoax is the growing phenomenon of the number of witches in America. These are not Hollywood creations but actual people who align themselves with Satan and have Satanic rituals. If this seems far out, maybe you have seen these reported as Wiccan activities which are the same demonic source. Have you noticed the growth of devilish movies, TV shows, pagan rituals and even pagan monuments? The events that are happening will lead to a one-world religion, a one-world government and army with all of this under the control of a charismatic leader called the Anti-Christ. Are you not aware that the entire world is now connected electronically? The Anti-Christ will have a means to control the entire world. All of this will happen after the Rapture and is the beginning of the End Times. Are you questioning whether we are the Last Generation? Let us take a logical approach about actual events happening every day such as crazy weather patterns; historic earthquakes of great magnitude; serious volcanos; an incredibly sinful generation and widespread unreasonable crime. On this last point, look at what scripture has already said of our generation: "There will be terrible times in the last days. Men will be lovers of self and of money; proud; arrogant; abusive; disobedient to their parents; ungrateful; profane; inhuman; implacable; slanderous; licentious; brutal; hating the good; treacherous; reckless; pompous; lovers of pleasure rather than of God" (2 Timothy 3:1-4). Doesn't this describe the political scene in modern America as well as our everyday news? These are the sins we see, hear and read about every day. Now add the murder of children being the number one cause of worldwide death; same sex marriage which God calls an abomination; and finally the wedding being replaced by partnerships. Noah's evil generation was the same; and because of this, God destroyed that generation by a flood. Our generation will not experience a worldwide flood, but we have already described the forthcoming terrors. Isn't it evident that worldwide problems are being Satanically generated to bring forth a supposed oneness for peace and security which is the reality of the Tribulation period of the anti-Christ? Have you considered God's wrath or do you think He is blind and deaf, unaware of what is happening to what He created anew after Noah? Alright, take a look at another logical approach to see where we are going. The axiom is that a house divided against itself cannot stand. We have a duly elected president that is under attack from the media, RINO's, and the other political party. Instead of working together, all we see is verbal violence and fake news. The world cannot look favorably on the disgrace of the American Congress's machinations. How can anyone approve such slanderous rages, not only against the American president but also against his family and against any judicial approval process? The new political agenda is an everyday proof of a divided setup. Terrorism, drugs, and diseased people are waiting on our Southern border as confirmed by various organizations. Why are we stalled in protecting fellow Americans? How can we accept the insane power struggle between certain government departments and the executive branch? To avoid the deranged happenings in the Last Generation, God has provided the Rapture for His believers. Some shout that this is escapism for Christians. I refute this by showing that a loving God has given divine promises for thousands of years for an eternal heavenly life with Him. To avoid a literal evil empire, He provides a haven for His followers through the Rapture. He has also given us our choice; scripture shows some will refuse His love. Although this seems ironclad, some dispute the means. There is a general belief that there are many roads to heaven. This is quite erroneous as it really means that each person can choose how he will arrange redemption for his sins and what path he will take to eternity. The actual statement should read that there are many roads to hell! Scripture explained it this way: The gate to heaven is narrow and the path difficult. The gate to hell is wide, along with the road leading to it. Note that there is only one road to Hell per scripture. That is because any sin ensures a walk on the Hellish road. Therefore, if you get the sin part wrong, it is an eternal problem that cannot be fixed. As for the ways and means to heaven, Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life." The obvious conclusion is that there is only one way to heaven, and that is through Him. Some believe that the Christian way is too easy. It involves asking Him to forgive our sins. Here is the problem: for too many years, the accent was on us doing something or having an indulgence to forgive our sins. By the request of the Heavenly Father, His Son accepted all our sins by His death on the cross. Therefore, since all our sins have been forgiven, our task is not to work for salvation but to ask for forgiveness, and to accept what Christ has done for us, repenting for our sins. With this action, we are saved and will be one of the Rapture entrants, thus escaping the drama of the Tribulation and the strong potential of a violent death. This is confirmed in the Bible: "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe n your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). [email protected] The Palestinians: Who Really Cares? - by Bassam Tawil - https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/13655/palestinians-lebanon A Palestinian who tries to bring a bag of cement or other construction materials into a refugee camp to build a house is subjected to arrest, interrogation, trial by military court and a fine. Is this happening in the Gaza Strip? No. Is it happening in the West Bank? No. This inhumane and unjust practice is taking place in an Arab country where more than 500,00 Palestinians live: Lebanon. Moreover, this ban on the entry of construction material is punishing not only the living, but also the dead. Palestinians say that because of the prohibition, they cannot even find enough stones and cement to build graves. The wretched condition of the Palestinians living in Lebanon is often ignored by both the international community and the Western main stream media. The only Palestinians the international community seems to care about are those residing in the West Bank and Gaza Strip -- those whose grievances can be blamed on Israel. Most of the Palestinians in Lebanon live in 12 refugee camps, where they suffer from poverty, overcrowding and violence, as well as Lebanon's discriminatory and apartheid laws and measures that deny them basic rights. The Lebanese authorities claim that the ban on the entry of building materials into the camps is designed to guarantee the Palestinians' "right of return" to their former villages and towns inside Israel. The Lebanese authorities tell the Palestinians, "We do not want you to build new homes in our country: that would compromise your [purported] right of return!" The Lebanese authorities know full well that Israel will never allow hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to move to Israel as part of a "right of return." For Israel, that would mean that Jews would become a minority in their own country, and that there would then be three Palestinian states: Gaza, Israel and the West Bank. This minor detail, however, has not stopped Lebanon and other Arab countries that play host to Palestinian refugees and their descendants from continuing to lie to them and feeding them false hopes that one day they will go back to the homes of their fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers in Israel. The prohibition of construction material for Palestinians in Lebanon is only one example of the discrimination they have been facing in this Arab country for the past few decades. Palestinians in Lebanon are also banned by law from working in selected professions, including medicine, engineering, nursing, accounting, pharmaceuticals and teaching. In Lebanon, Palestinians are considered foreigners and are consequently barred from owning, selling or bequeathing property. Housing renovations inside Palestinian camps require prior permission from the Lebanese security authorities due to concerns that the material may be used for military purposes. If the permit is granted, the army usually imposes tight measures, such as counting the number of cement bags or checking the quantity of stones that the Palestinian wishes to bring into the camp. A Palestinian who is caught smuggling construction material into a camp is arrested, interrogated and faces a fine of 100,000 Lebanese pounds ($66). According to a recent report in the Palestinian Information Center, the ban on the entry of construction material has been in effect for the past 22 years. "This is an inhumane measure," the report said. In 2004, according to the report, the ban was temporarily lifted for a few months before it was reinstated and expanded to additional Palestinian communities in Lebanon. In addition to cement, the Palestinians are also banned from bringing into their camps water pipes, electrical wires, aluminum, doors, tiles, windows and glass slabs and paint. In the past two years, the Lebanese authorities began building a concrete wall with watch towers around two Palestinian camps: Ain al-Hilweh and Rashidiyeh. The Lebanese authorities have justified building the wall for security reasons and presumably to prevent the expansion of the Palestinian camps. Palestinians refer to these walls, which have turned their compass into closed ghettos, as the "walls of shame." Jamal Khatib, secretary-general of the Islamic Factions in Ain al-Hilweh, called on the Lebanese authorities to lift the ban. "Some of the houses have collapsed, and injured women and children," he said. Mohammed al-Shuli, a Palestinian human rights activist, said that the ban on the entry of construction material has become a "nightmare" for all refugees. Recently, Palestinians in Ain al-Hilweh were forced to remove stones from their houses to build a grave for a deceased resident, Khaled Zaiter. The man's body was held in a morgue for several days before the camp residents managed to take enough stones from their own homes to build a grave for him. "Burying a dead Palestinian in Ain al-Hilweh camp has become a painful and traumatic experience," said Abdel Raheem Maqdah, a Palestinian community leader in Lebanon. Protests by the Palestinians in Lebanon are unlikely to draw any attention from the international community, including so-called pro-Palestinian groups that are active especially on university campuses in the US and Canada, among other places. The real "pro-Palestinian" groups are those who are willing to raise their voices against the mistreatment of Palestinians at the hands of their Arab brothers. The real "pro-Palestinian" groups are those who are prepared to defend the rights of women and gays living under Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The real "pro-Palestinian" groups are those that are prepared to advocate for democracy and free speech for Palestinians living under the repressive regimes of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The real "pro-Palestinian" groups are those who are prepared to condemn Lebanon for its racist and discriminatory measures against Palestinians, living and dead. Hiding at a university campus and spewing hatred against Israel does not make one "pro-Palestinian." Rather, it makes one an Israel-hater. Will the "pro-Palestinian" groups listen to the SOS messages coming from the people they claim to represent in Lebanon? Probably not. In all probability, they will just continue pushing their anti-Israel agenda as Palestinians in Lebanon continue to cut stones from their own homes to build graves for their dear ones. News from Hal Lindsey Media Ministries - Hal Lindsey - www.hallindsey.com In Luke 21, Jesus gave His disciples a quick list of the signs they should look for as indications His return is near. Jesus said, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven." (Luke 21:10-11 NASB) We find many of the signs Jesus mentioned throughout history. But recent developments make them more immediate than ever. That's because there are three key differences between now and centuries past. The first and most important is "Israel." Second Coming prophecies throughout the Old and New Testaments require the existence of a reborn and legally recognized nation of Israel. The presence of the State of Israel and its control over the city of Jerusalem give meaning and urgency to all the prophecies concerning the Lord's return. The second factor that increases the sense of urgency is "Convergence." The list of signs Jesus gave, and scores of others, are now happening all at once. We're no longer seeing a random sign here or there. We are seeing a rapid confluence of all the signs. The third thing that makes our time different is "Degree." Just as Jesus warned, the intensity and frequency of the signs have either grown dramatically or appear on the verge of unprecedented acceleration. On this week's program, I will examine some of the latest developments from around the world that demonstrate how accurate these prophecies of Jesus are and how rapidly they are now being fulfilled. Believers will be encouraged by the realization that the Rapture of the Church, our "blessed hope," could happen at any moment. But if discussions like this frighten you, or cause you unease, then that means you are not confident in your relationship with God. When I produce a program like this, one of my goals is to prove how accurate the Bible's prophecies are. And if the Bible can be so spot-on about developments and events -- even weapons of war -- that could not possibly have been conceived of thousands of years ago, then the Bible can be trusted with everything else it says. And the Bible tells us that we don't have to be afraid when we see how rapidly this Age of Grace is coming to an end. In fact, it shows us explicitly how we can escape the horrible events that will soon burst upon this old world. Nothing you can do on your own, nothing you can pay or promise, can gain you entrance into heaven when you die. But don't be discouraged, that's the good news. Jesus Christ has already done it for you! He bought you a ticket to heaven by taking upon Himself the guilt for all of your sins and dying in your place to pay the penalty you owed. To redeem that ticket, all we must do is accept the free gift of pardon for our sins that Jesus purchased for us with His death on the cross. And it is so simple to do. Just believe in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God. Admit to Him that you are a sinner and can never qualify for heaven on your own. Humbly ask Him to forgive you for that sin and cover you with His own righteousness. Then accept that pardon and believe that God will do everything He has promised. If you do that sincerely, then you don't have to be afraid as you see the prophecies of the Bible spring to life all around you. No matter if you die or if you are snatched away from this earth when Jesus returns to "rapture" us away to heaven, you will be ready to go. For now you are a child of the Living God and part of his forever-family. When He comes or when you die, you'll just be going home! Don't miss The Hal Lindsey Report on TBN, Daystar, CPM Network, various local stations, www.hallindsey.com or www.hischannel.com . Please check your local listings. Counterfeit - By Dennis Huebshman - https://www.raptureready.com/2019/01/30/counterfeit-dennis-huebshman/ One of the responsibilities of the Secret Service (besides protecting the president) is the investigation of Counterfeit cases. When an agent is preparing to work these cases, they will study "genuine" currency rather than the counterfeit ones. Each bill of each denomination is carefully examined so that when an agent comes across one that is not real, it is very obvious to them, and the bill stands out. They don't just look at the different bills, but carefully examine the paper, ink, threads in the paper, pictures, seals, signatures and everything else associated with a particular bill. Currently, the $100 bill is the largest that is being printed and circulated since July 13, 1969. At that time, the $500, $1000, $5000 and $10,000 were retired. The $100 denomination has been printed with various changes since 1861. Now that we have established how counterfeit currency is detected, we can apply the same principle to the Word of the Lord. Why would anyone want to study anything but the genuine true word given to us by the Father? Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "Every scripture is inspired by God, and useful for teaching; for reproof; for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work." (emphasis mine) Looking at 1 John 4:1-3, "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God; every spirit that confesses Jesus as the Christ (Messiah, Savior), who has come in the flesh is from God; but every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and now is already in the world." For a guideline for "genuine" pastors, 2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to show yourself approved unto God; a workman that needs not to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately." Especially in these days, it is critical for people to study the true word of the Lord for themselves. John talked about "false prophets" and "antichrists" that were present in the first century, and they have not gone away. In fact, with the changing times, their activities and numbers are increasing rapidly. The world is already being prepared for the "ultimate" evil one, and the final false prophet that will appear after Jesus takes His church (believers) Home. Satan knows his time is getting short, even though he does not know exact day or hour that Jesus will come back. His demons are working overtime to get unbelievers to do his bidding, and unfortunately there is no shortage of these souls. If the Secret Service agents weren't diligent in their studies, a lot of phony currency would remain in circulation. People who inadvertently get some of these phony bills would stand to suffer loss because, when it is discovered, they cannot turn it in for real money. The same applies to Bible study. How can anyone detect false messages if they have no idea what the scriptures really say. As a personal example, I grew up in a "Christian" home and had access to Bibles all my life. However, I allowed "laziness" to be part of me, in that I would listen to preachers and accept anything they said as being truth. After my "teen" years, I got away from regular worship but always believed I "knew" the Bible. Then, at about age 40, I attended an evangelical service at the request of my wife, and I was literally "awakened" as to just how ignorant I was. I know now, it had to be the Holy Spirit that convicted me. I also know there were several people who were "Prayer Warriors" that were holding me up in prayer to the Father. Just a quick note: prayer works; use it frequently! At this point, I felt a real need to get a new Bible and read it for the first time cover to cover. Over several years, I went through several translations (KJV, NKJV, New American Standard) before settling on the New English Translation (NET), which has been good for my ability to comprehend the Word. All in all, over the past 30 years, I have found things that I thought were in the Bible were not there; things I did not know that were there were brought to my attention. Examples: "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" and "God helps those who help themselves" are nowhere in the true word. Listening to some pastors today sends a chill down my spine. Words that I would've accepted previously stand out as blatantly false. In 1977, there was a movie called Oh God starring George Burns and John Denver. One line in the movie that still is in my mind today was given by George about a mega-church preacher who said a lot of "words," just not God's. George told John Denver to tell the preacher to just "shut up!" When I hear a false message being given, I believe our God is saying, "Just Shut Up!" I have been totally aware of whose word I have been giving each and every time I present a sermon, and I have made every effort to make sure I give nothing but God's truth. These messages that I am fortunate enough to get posted fall in the same category. James 3:1 is etched into my mind, and should be there for every person who wants to pass on the Word of the Lord. "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly." There are still some good "Bible Preaching" churches in this world, but they are getting fewer with fewer true believers. The emphasis is shifting to "feel-good" "no-fault" messages that leave out anything related to sin. The leaders are more interested in filling seats and their bank accounts than filling precious souls with the truth. Many services have become "stage productions" with light shows and "inspiring" music. People are being told that there's many ways to heaven, and alternate lifestyles are really okay. There are mega-church denominations that are splitting over the LGBT(etc.) movement, as many have somehow determined that God has changed His mind on this. The alternate-lifestyle people are in the minority of the population, but are the most vocal. Anyone who speaks against them is declared to be a "hater." In fact, just about anything that is truly biblical is being challenged and changed to meet the personal needs of the false prophets. There is no place in the Bible where the Father said certain things would only be an abomination until the 20th and 21st centuries. All of a sudden, it should be okay by Him because so much time has passed, and man has become so much more enlightened. Fact: 2 Peter 3:8, "Now dear friends, do not let this one thing escape your notice; that a single day is like a thousand years with the Lord, and a thousand years are like a single day." In that respect, since Jesus was here, only about 2 days have passed for the Father. Actually, time does not mean anything to Him, as it was created for us. He hasn't changed any of His word, and all covenants are still in place. Another thing to remember: 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slow concerning His promise as some regard slowness; but is being patient toward you, because He does not wish for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance." The Bible says Jesus will return to take all believers home to avoid the wrath of the Tribulation. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53). When God says it will happen, you can believe it will be so. He knows when the "fullness of the Gentiles" will be (Romans 11:25), and all believers from Calvary to that point will be affected by this. The dead will rise first, followed by those who are alive to be caught up (Raptured) to meet Jesus in the air. Sad part, there will be churches with large memberships that will not see any change in attendance after the Rapture. Jesus said a "few" (Matthew 7:13-14) because He knew what the peoples' attitude would be today toward accepting Him. Many who believe they have a pathway to Heaven without Jesus will be lost. John 14:6 is absolute. All who accept Jesus, and know He is the only Way to the Father, will be saved. All who follow the "many ways" preaching, or alternate lifestyles, or think they're "good enough" or have earned their right to be in heaven will be severely disappointed. They can go to a church building every day of the week, but it's the condition of their hearts and souls that really matters. Look out for false teachers, preachers, antichrists and all that they represent. Seek the kingdom of Heaven, and God's righteousness, and you will be added to the Book of Life (Matthew 6:33 paraphrased). Study God's word in a translation of the true word that you can understand. God did not mean for His word to be a secret, but expects His word to be returned to Him with positive heavenly results (Isaiah 55:11). He wants you to know the truth so you can be free (John 8:32); because when Jesus sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36). Call on the True and Proven Lord God Jehovah's Son Jesus to save you. He is not counterfeit! Maranatha [email protected] Daily Jot: The case for character and leadership - Bill Wilson - www.harvest.org As we approach Super Bowl weekend, there are mixed feelings among Christians about the impact of sports on society. We hear both sides pretty ardently. Some say that sports are overrated. They give the example of millionaire players cry-babying about various issues in society. Others say that athletes should use their platform to make the world a better place to live. Some say that these players are spoiled and think they can do and say whatever they want. Others believe that the athletes are examples to children and young people. As someone who has coached for most of my life, there is good and bad in most everything, but to me, with sports for children the good far outweighs the bad. Here's why. Last week at the Pro Bowl in Orlando, Fl., I had the opportunity to work with a film crew interviewing young people, parents, coaches and referees at the NFL Flag Football National Championships. Girls and boys ages 8-14 from across the country and even a team from China competed to see who was the best in the nation at flag football. My interest was what playing football taught them about life, the values they could share with others that came from football. The answers were amazing. Where you might expect "kid" type answers like "It's fun," these young women and men really understand the value of sports, and in particular, football in their lives. One of the girls said, "Flag football gives us the ability to compete with the boys and show them that we can play, too. This gives us confidence that if we can compete with the boys, we can accomplish anything." Another girl said she learned "time management" from playing football. She said that playing football helped her learn how to balance school, studying, football, and other activities, and she thought this time management would help her throughout the rest of her life. Another young lady said that teamwork was a valuable tool that she is already applying to her life. Still another said that football has taught her how to be a better leader by encouraging her teammates, and being encouraged. Several of the young black men independently said that football was teaching them to be men. When asked what that means, there were varying ways to say the same thing: "Football teaches me that when things don't go my way, that I will need to do better. When my teammate makes a mistake, I tell him we will make it up on the next play. When I get knocked down, I get back up. I always try to do my best." The parents, coaches and officials also said similar things. They all believed that the lessons learned and the values taught far outweighed the risks. There is so much more I could write here, but the bottom line is Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." These are our leaders of the next generation and they are being trained through sports. Daily Devotion: Call It What It Is - By Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. -1 John 1:7 Our culture has come up with new words for sin so we don't feel so bad. Instead of someone saying they committed the sin of adultery, they say there has been "a moral failure." Instead of someone saying they lied, they claim they "misspoke" or offered "alternative facts." And instead of someone saying they've sinned, they say, "Well, I'm not perfect. I made a mistake." But there's a difference between a mistake and a sin. According to Merriam-Webster, a mistake is "a wrong judgment: misunderstanding" or "a wrong action or statement proceeding from faulty judgment, inadequate knowledge, or inattention." For example, you were supposed to turn right on that street and you turned left. It was a mistake. It wasn't deliberate, but it happened. A sin, on the other hand, is deliberate. It's something we do at will. We need to call it what it is. If we have been guilty of a sin, then let's call it that. It's one thing when you realize that something you said wasn't accurate and then say, "I researched this and found that I wasn't correct in all my facts. Let me restate it." But a lie is another thing altogether. A lie is when you know something is true but you choose to say something false instead. Call a lie a lie. Call a sin a sin. And when you do, apply the blood of Jesus Christ. Come to Him and confess your sin and repent of your sin. Accept His forgiveness because of His blood that was shed. And then drop it. Stop dredging it up. We should not choose to remember what God has chosen to forget. That doesn't mean there won't be ramifications for it. But that sin is covered by the blood of Christ, and it is forgiven. 
FROM THE HEART
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