You see God will bless some with knowledge and some with wisdom, but understanding is for each of us to seek out, for there is glory in the seeking. Seeking is a journey, and all journeys help us to grow, and we grow more from the journey itself than we do from simply obtaining the goal we had in mind. God wants us all to be seekers, because He knows that when we seek we are changed by the process and by the journey, and that we are changed for the better. So why then does God want us to receive wisdom and knowledge, but to seek understanding? Well the reason is this, wisdom and knowledge gives us the information to act, but understanding gives us the why, and God lives in the why. With the gifts we can perform, but when we seek after understanding God, we become seekers of God, and God wants a people who are searching for Him. This seeking for understanding is what drives great men and women of God to become world changers, not because they sought to change the world, but because they sought out God.

Christians in America have often struggled with one key piece of the Christian faith, and that is the spiritual side of it. God is a spirit, and those that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24) those who follow him must be ready for that. This means that God is also going to demonstrate and interact with us in spiritual ways, such as praying in tongues, visions, dreams, prophecies, miracles, blessing us with knowledge and wisdom and more. There are many things that we in the west tend to shut ourselves off from, spiritual sides to the Christian walk, that when we do open our self up to them we can truly find a new level of intimacy with God. One such practice, and one of my favorites is the act of meditation. I do not mean Tibetan meditation, but Christian biblical meditation. While these two forms of meditation have some similarities, they are quite opposite of one another, the purpose of tibetan meditation is to achieve mindfulness by focusing on breathing or chanting of a mantra to help one connect to their spirit, christian meditation however is about contemplating and thinking heavily on scripture. When a Christian meditates it is not to empty themselves, but to fill themselves up with the knowledge of God. When you devote time to the study of the word of God, letting tthe word of God play over in your mind as you seek out the meaning and the knowledge, this is meditation, and this is what fills us with the knowledge of God. Some call this prayerfully reading the word of God, but to meditate on the scriptures, and to pray heavily in the spirit to God brings us to such a closeness that truly changes the heart of the believer. It is God’s will that we open ourselves to spiritual gifts, that we can move in the fullness of God’s power and the fullness of the church. God’s church is a church that moves in power and the annointing of the Holy Spirit, that uses the gifts to edify each other and to advance the kingdom. The West has always placed a greater emphasis on the mind than the spirit, but we know that the mind can imagine a vain thing, the mind can be tricked, but in the spirit is life. As Christians we must learn to not only seek God with our minds, but to seek Him with our spirit as well. When our whole spirit seeks out God and prays to him is when we live in the fullness of Christ. Apostle Paul tells us that praying in tongues is great for the believer to help edify and grow his own spirit and further his individual walk with God, and can even be useful to to edify the church if theire be one who can interpret tongues. These gifts were not written and given only for those in ancient times, but rather God is the same yesterday today and tomorrow, He does not change, and His plan for us does not change either. Visions and dreams are still given to this day, we simply lack the faith to receive these gifts, which not only hurts ourselves, but also those we have been sent to help.

Amen.

God is a merciful, forgiving God, and he is pateint with His people. Far more patient than any of us are with each other or with God, we are quick to blame Him for our sorrows and our woes, but we are slow to thank Him and in His great mercy He forgives us still. Like the people of Israel we have turned our bakcs on Him, we have turned from His commandments, and we have perverted His teachings, and now our nation is begining to feel the price. Our children turn away from God, they do not know him or what He has done for us, they turn unto false gods, and we are grown weak. God handed the nation of Israel over to Babylon as requsite for their continued sins, and how much more have we sinned now than they? As a nation we have turned our backs on God, we have denied His son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and continue to do so at ever greater levels, how long shall he have mercy on us? Even now the name of God is blasphemed, the deeds of God are forgotten and praise is handed over to satan. The jaws of our enemy close ever stronger around our nations necks and our strong men do nothing. our nation is handed over to our enemy from underneath our feet. Even now as darkenss looms over our people we do not cry out to God, our prayers and our crying out is diminshed.  Turn to God and He shall repent of the coming punishment, but we will not turn to him, we will not seek Him. How long shall God allow man to walk the Earth when they do not acknowledge Him or give him thanks and praise. 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.” How far will God allow our nation to turn from Jesus and follow after satan before He will require it at our hands? Pray and the God of mercy shall answer us.

 

Amen.

Prayer is an often times misunderstood and misused aspect of a Christian life, prayer is so much more than simply asking God to do this for you, or to give you that, or even about asking for forgiveness, becuase while all of these can be things to include in your prayers, they are not the main purpose behind prayer. The primary purpose behind prayer can be found when we look at God’s heart and His desire for us and our lives. God has always sought a relationship with His people, God wanted to know the Israelites and for them to know Him, He wanted to talk with them, but they rejected this and asked to have Moses act as a mouthpiece instead, God walked and talked with Adam in the garden, this is what God has always wanted from each person, to have a genuine relationship. Prayer then, is not simply coming and asking for something, but rather prayer is a way to talk with God, and for God to talk to us. When we pray it should be more about having a conversation with God, and getting to know Him more, more so than it should be about asking for our personal wishes to come true. Jesus tells us that God knows of our needs before we come to Him, and that we should not use vain repetitions. When we pray we should be using that time to grow our spirits and to grow closer to God, in prayer the veil is thinnest, we are closest to God, and it is here that all other things begin to fall into their proper places, Jesus’ ministry began with prayer, many of the prophets would be in prayer before receiving God’s word. I would urge each of us to use our prayer to draw nearer to God, pray as often as you can, establish your place and time that you will pray each day, and be committed to it. He who is faithful in small will be faithful in much. The more time you spend in prayer with God, talking to Him and listening you will begin to be able to recognize when God is speaking to you, for God does not always speak in a booming voice, but at times His voice is a still small whisper. Now more so than ever it is important for people to focus on their relationship with God, to get to know Him, and to be known of Him. Jesus lived a life of prayer, and we should seek to do the same, that we may do the will of the Father.

 

Amen.

The book of Daniel, chapter 10:13 gives us a small glimpse into how the spiritual war affects us, this verse states that an angel was sent to deliver a message to Daniel, however he was withstood by the prince of Persia, and that Micheal, one of the chief princes, sometimes referred to as an archangel, had to come and help. In verse 19 this same angel says he must again return to fight against that prince of Persia. Right now here in America we are faced with a similar power struggle, a fight between spiritual wickedness in high places, or that of our most high God, anyone who watches the events through the eyes willing to seek the truth knows how dark things are getting, when those of the church of Satan can declare themselves the good guys, when sin is rampant and men and women are falling further and further into a state of ignorance. But this does not have to be the end of the story, as Christian men and women we have not only the right, but the power to affect this, and with elections coming up soon it is more important now than ever before that we not only pray, but get out and do what we can to save the people of our nation. I did not support trump during the initial campaign, in fact there were other candidates that I had intended to vote for instead, and there are many things he has done wrong in his life, but God has a plan, and if God intended for Darius to be in power, and sent an angel to confirm and strengthen him (Daniel 11:1) then he can do so for a man who is willing to bring prayer back into our nations capital. The enemy of our God and our nation seek to demonize, to destroy, they seek to bring to power one who is far worse, and this cannot be allowed to happen. Christians must begin to pray, to pray for heavens armies to fight, to pray for God’s will to be done, and to pray that God can save us all.

Amen

Thus declares the Lord, have I not formed thee in my own image, have not i called thee to a higher calling? You are In this world, but you are not of this world. I have given the life of my son, I have poured out my spirit upon thee. I shall hold nothing back from those who ask of me, yet behold you call yourself by my name, yet you do not my works. Hypocrites, I have called you out of sin, to be light to the world, why do you shut yourselves in and declare yourself holy but do not that which I have commanded thee. Your children die young, your strong men are turned weak because you have turned from my ways. One thing have I asked of you, two things to, that you love the Lord your God and that you love each other, even as My son has loved you. Turn from your proud heart, go and share the gospel. Preach it to the ends of the earth. Every ear hath not heard, your neighbors have not received my message for you have held back your tongue. There are churches everywhere you turn, but where are my people, yes there are enough that I have withheld my wrath, but how long shall I suffer thee? Am I not merciful and forgiving? Behold I have much to show you and teach you, but you are not ready, you do not hear me when I speak, if you heard me you would do my works. I have given America to her enemies, I have allowed the forces of darkness to prevail, but it will not always be this way, turn to me, follow my words and I shall repent of the wickedness that has come upon you. My son returns soon, be found ready and waiting.

Amen.

Terror attacks being carried out by Islamic extremists have been on the rise in recent years, with the most recent being the attack on the London bridge which resulted in the death of seven individuals and the injury of 48 others. Attacks such as these are on the rise, all over the world we are hearing reports of radical Islamists attacking innocent individuals

These attacks are random, with the only true goal being to create fear and panic in the hearts and minds of the average individual, the belief in rewards for how many non believers they kill as well as the sense of a greater purpose are key motives behind the individuals.

There is no clear goal, no major attack such as the one on September 11, but rather to create unrest through chaos

The American-Russian relationship has been a central theme in American international policy since the fall of the Third Reich, with the focus being on containment and the prevention of a Soviet hegemon. The containment policy of the United States has caused tention between these two powerhouses, and lead to complicated situations around the world, but nowhere so obvious as the Middle East. But the day could be in front of us where American-Russian politics align.

Understanding Russian culture as well as Putin’s background from the KGB to his extreme pride for his Nation will aid in seeing how a positive U.S.-Russian relationship can form. Putin has not only said, but has shown himself willing to work alongside a Trump presidency. A man like Putin will look to gain advantage for his Nation at all times. When he senses weakness on the part of his international counterparts, he will seize the opportunity, and will look to take advantage of anyone he deems his intellectual inferior. With that being said, strength is among the top traits in the old Soviet Union, and respect for individuals of strength is a classic example of Russian culture.

Throughout most of American history, the United States embraced a isolationist agenda, preferring to let other nations control their own spheres of influence, while the U.S. would dominate the western hemisphere through the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine was less of a formal policy embraced by the United States, and more of a mindset that the leaders of the United States would simply follow, a unwritten code as it were.

This isolationist mentality would enable the United States to focus on building it’s power, it economy, and focusing on how to build its nation to power. America was able to consolidate power in its hemisphere, and would go on to become the modern world’s first hegemon. A hegemon is a state that has reached a level of power so far above the other states within it’s sphere of influence that they cannot compete and pose no threat.

Currently the United States of America is comprised of 50 states, as well as sixteen territories. The United States has held a large number of territories, more than just the current sixteen, but for one reason or another these are no longer protectorate’s of the US.

The past several years has seen a sharp decline in the United States influence around the globe, whether it be in the form of lost territories, or in 2013 when then Secretary of State declared the era of the Monroe doctrine over, a doctrine that allowed America to control it’s sphere of influence without concern of foreign interference, and so become a powerful actor on the world stage.

Further evidence of the decrease of America’s global influence, aside from the amount of terrorist attacks carried out abroad, as well as within the American heartland, in October of this year, Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte declared his “separation” from the United States, and moves to align himself with China. The Philippines are a chain of islands, and former US territory, now moving to align with one of the US’ few competitors for power.

There has been a lot of major concern about what the implications of brexit are, from primarily an economic standpoint but as well from a security aspect.

The European Union, the organization that the U.K. voted to move from through a process called brexit, was founded shortly after World War II, it began with opening up greater trade for more economic growth. There are currently twenty eight countries that make up the EU, nearly the entire continent.

The U.K. is one of the most powerful nations within the E.U. both in terms of military strength, as well as economic terms. With the vote by the U.K. to leave the European Union this can potentially have a major impact on the influential power of the E.U. Going back to the crisis in Crimea during 2014, the E.U. placed sanctions on Russia, The sanctions placed by the coalition of Western states has had an impact on the Russian economy. But just how much power does the U.K. carry when compared to the other states of the E.U.?

As of April 2016, United Kingdom is ranked number five in the world for GDP(http://statisticstimes.com/economy/countries-by-projected-gdp.php), and is placed at number six for military power (https://knoema.com/infographics/wxzygqd/global-firepower-2016-data-and-charts). Only Germany and France can compare to the potential power of the U.K. of all nations within the E.U. as such it is easily surmised why many did not want the U.K. to leave the Union.