Freedom House Update: Standing in the midst as struggle continues

Sorry for the lack of update on the Freedom House situation. There is ongoing need for prayer. The struggle continues with the City of St. Paul over licensing and zoning in order to fully operate continues. In a strange turn of events two weeks ago the City of St. Paul fire department came with an order to shut down as claimed not in compliance with zoning. There are 2 properties that constitute Freedom House, 1038 Auroa and 426 Oxford. There was some initial miscommunication related to that 1038 Auroa property that seems to have been cleared. However, the 426 Oxford property is considered zoned as a duplex at this time rather than Transitional Housing which was the zoning answer negotiated through reasonable accommodation. However, there is an apparent zoning code that indicates a duplex property cannot be “transitional housing” that had previously been not referenced. Verbal approval has been given to operate but nothing has been placed in writing. Things have progressed in negotiations to the point where city staff are coming again to look at the two properties on 3/19/12 @ 1:30 pm.  So please pray for the facility at that time in particular. Also noteworthy is that there is a hearing before the St. Paul City Council scheduled for April 4^th at 5:00 PM. There is hope for resolution prior to that meeting but if not, we are trusting for God to bring things to a full resolution at that time.

In the meantime the houses are serving gentlemen and underway helping others. Currently the program is being staffed with people volunteering their time. There is a current need for volunteers for overnight and weekend shifts until funding starts coming in and can pay overnight staff. Please pray for God to raise up such volunteers be it one for each night until funded or a couple people managing multiple nights.

Also donations of funds is also critical as Jim Michaud and family have given everything to see that people are reached. There are bills that need to be paid, please consider giving a donation at www.kingdompathways.org. You can also send a donation by mail to: Kingdom Pathways; P.O. Box 4125; St. Paul, MN 55104. You can also send questions to info@kingdompathways.org.

Memorial Day 2010 Musing

Today was Memorial Day, which is a day to Honor those have died in battle serving the country and serve in the armed forces. It is understandable and respectful to honor and pray for those serving in the military. Yet for Christians the fact is we really do not belong to any country but the Kingdom of God and sometimes we can lose that perspective. Personally, it is a good time to reflect on those who have served the Kingdom of God well. Last year on Memorial Day some specific Martyrs were honored in this thread: http://peacebringer7.wordpress.com/2009/05/25/in-memoriam-christian-martyrs/. This year want to emphasize all those that have gone before us. It is a good time to remember the past and the great crowd of witnesses and use it to inform are present and let us prepare for what is ahead.

The list of those that have gone before us is long and great going back to Abel and way through various people. Many who are well known, many more who are not known. What do they all have in common, the stood firm, they abide in faith, and they serve God’s kingdom well. Take a read of Hebrews 11.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets– who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated– of whom the world was not worthy–wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

 

The long list here in Hebrews 11 is just a small portion of the great crowd of witnesses, those who have gone first and stood firm in faith. They are all regarded to be people who walked by faith. They all believed that God exists and rewards. In other words believed God is who He says He is. Now it is important to note that in the list of these people of faith they had not received yet that what was promised. They stood pain, suffering, and torture. Sometimes delivered, sometimes they did not. Ultimately the focus of the faith is not on what they measured or felt but on the surety of God. It was not about what happened in the here and now on this tangible earth. It was not even about nations or places. It was about God. Learn from the great crowd of witnesses, for while they may have stumbled and faltered at times in their lives, they stayed the course.

Examining the great crowd of the faithful, we find encouragement to stand firm. We find direction that informs us of what it takes to stand firm in the faith, to persevere. In this day and age it is easy to get upset over God failing to meet some personal desire in a way or time of your pleasing. We can easily focus on things of self. The focus though needs to be on God and God alone. God does reward; God does provide; God loves us deeply. What helps us to stand firm, today is not losing focus that it is not about us, but about God. It is not about our own ideas, but God’s Kingdom. It will get difficult and hard times are coming. Any one of us is called and marked with a life as a Martyr, and even if not, we will all face pain and suffering. Difficulties are certain. But God’s faithfulness is more certain, for He will turn all things together for the good even if you do not see it.

So upon looking at the great crowd of witnesses and letting it inform our choices, when we look ahead we know that difficulty is coming. The great crowd of witness suffered much we will not be different. So right now it is a time of preparation. It is time to grow in faith and knowledge of God, for there is a time come soon of testing and trial. Deception will be at every turn. Darkness will grow and reign. Good will be called evil, and evil good. Yet, we are to stand firm. We are to be sober minded, alert, and clear. This comes from growing in God and growing faith. You grow in faith through growing in relationship with God. There are many obstacles that come, many traps set, and falling asleep is easy. But God’s call is for us to endure. Perhaps, before the time of trial and the seventh week some who are faithful will be removed and spared further trial, but do not focus on this hope. Prepare to endure till the end. Make your faith and calling sure. Test yourself and continue to root out and discard all that is untrue. Continue to let the Holy Spirit cleanse you and draw you more clearly aware of the ways you fall short in loving God and others in a pure and whole way.

So in summary, in the Kingdom of God learn from those who have gone before, the great crowd of witnesses. Let them shape your step and path today with a call to draw nearer to God and prepare for what is to come. God is in control but victory is already won. God is faithful and His reward is sure. It will be a privilege to receive His reward and then lay it back down at His feet (see a vision reported on this blog.) We serve in surrender to the Greatest commander: the God of Love. And if by chance you do not, now is the time, surrender to the King of Kings.

The Foundations of Strong Delusion: Introduction

It has been on the heart of this writer to examine the foundations and dynamics of what is known as strong delusion. Currently there are many areas throughout the church as a whole that is accepting one thread of deception or another.

Many in the church believe we are drawing ever closer to the time of the great falling away which precedes the revealing of the man of lawlessness as described in 2 Thessalonians 2:

2Th 2:1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,

2Th 2:2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

2Th 2:3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

2Th 2:4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

2Th 2:5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?

2Th 2:6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.

2Th 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.

2Th 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.

2Th 2:9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,

2Th 2:10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

2Th 2:11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,

2Th 2:12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2Th 2:13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first-fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

2Th 2:14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2Th 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

2Th 2:16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,

2Th 2:17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

For the purposes of the discussions related to the foundations of strong delusion the key verses are 2 Thessalonians 2: 11-12. In order to understand what the accompanying article discussions will examine it will be helpful to really understand what is meant by the words translated in English as strong delusion. The word delusion has particular meaning in our culture connected with mental illness and has shades of meaning.

In order to grasp the meaning of “strong delusion”  it is worth while to examined the translated Greek words. The word to start with is delusion which comes from the Greek word:

Πλάνη

planē

plan’-ay

which has the following definitions:

Thayer

1) a wandering, a straying about 1a) one led astray from the right way, roams hither and thither 2) metaphorically 2a) mental straying 2a1) error, wrong opinion relative to morals or religion 2b) error which shows itself in action, a wrong mode of acting 2c) error, that which leads into error, deceit or fraud Part of Speech: noun feminine

Strong

G4106 Feminine of G4108 (as abstraction); objectively fraudulence; subjectively a straying from orthodoxy or piety: – deceit, to deceive, delusion, error.

As indicated by Strong it comes from:

πλάνος

planos

plan’-os

which has the following definitions:

Thayer

1) wandering, roving 2) misleading, leading into error 2a) a vagabond, “tramp”, imposter 2b) corrupter, deceiver Part of Speech: adjective

Strong

G4108 Of uncertain affinity; roving (as a tramp), that is, (by implication) an impostor or misleader: – deceiver, seducing.

The word translated as delusion references a straying from the truth and ultimately comes from a source of deception, a deceiver. It is a twist of truth, and straying off the right path. Delusion is a walking in error both in belief and action. Now having examined the Greek origins of the word translated as delusion it is time to examine to Greek roots of the word translated as strong.  It comes from the Greek word:

ἐνέργεια

energeia

en-erg’-i-a

Thayer

efficiency («energy»): – operation, strong, (effectual) working.

Strong

strong’s definition

working, efficiency

in the NT used only of superhuman power, whether of God or of the Devil

Summing up  the Greek origins of the words translated as “strong delusion” the words refer to an effectual deception that is observed both in belief and in behavior. The effectiveness of the deception can be found in supernatural elements, not just psychological dynamics or persuasive communication. God not only allows but sends this effective deception because of rejection of the truth of the Gospel and the turning from self to surrender to the King of Kings.

It is also worthwhile to point out that 2 Thessalonians 2 does point to what is needed to withstand this kind of strong delusion.  It is simply standing firm and holding on to  the truth of the precepts of the Gospel which are found in the Word of God.

If you stop and think, there are many, many forms of effectual deception and in order to fully understand the development of the “strong delusion” that is coming and has come and how someone can come to accept and hold to lies, there are many dynamics to examine. There will come future blogs articles that really examine varied dynamics that contribute to strong delusion and examine the dynamics of deception. An attempt will be made as well to examine the steps to take to avoid getting caught up in any aspect of deception.

Please pray for wisdom, strength, and encouragement as this series is written. Also would enjoy discussion either in comments here or at the Peacebringer Forum discussion thread.

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