Warning: If you enjoy the bliss of ignorance, are easily perturbed, suffer from acid reflux, have a weak heart, or think that the American church is headed in the right direction and no amount of proof will convince you otherwise, please read no further!
James 2:19, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe – and tremble!”
I was going to title this post ‘worse than devils’ but since the content of it will be harsh enough already, I thought I would let my kind and gentle nature have the better of me, at least where the title is concerned.
For the past couple weeks I’ve been hyperventilating! Even though I don’t watch television that often, when I do get a chance, I watch the news, and during every news broadcast, on every channel, it is inevitable that one run across an acceptance speech of some senator, some appointee, and yes, even the new President, who all end their speech with the requisite ‘God bless America’. This saying has become as commonplace as hearing ‘check please’ in a diner during breakfast rush. Every time I would hear these words coming from the mouths of men and women who not only reject God but are enacting legislation to silence and choke off the truth altogether, it was like hearing the proverbial nails on chalkboard.
I don’t hold the elected officials accountable as much however, as I do those who by all rights ought to be the representatives of the church, the ambassadors of Christ, the generals on the front lines for truth, justice, and godliness.
From hearing some of them pray to ‘the god of our many understandings’, to some deity known as ‘Isa’, and of course to an all encompassing, all accepting, all embracing entity that is whoever you choose your god to be, whether a stone, a bird, a Twinkie, or an apple tree, I witnessed one preacher after another, betray the one true God, and sell their birthright for fear of being labeled an extremist. Blood is on your hands dear sirs, and your robes are stained red with it! May God have mercy on your souls!
Yes, sure, God bless America! It’s not hard to let some words spill out of our mouth, it’s not even hard to type them, God bless America, see I did it again, but the question that one must ponder is why would He?
Let’s analyze our current condition, our current predicament if you will for awhile, and compare our actions and decisions with the Word of God, to see if as some preachers are saying, a new wave of prosperity is just around the corner, the transference of wealth is on the way, and the repossession man really won’t find the car you can’t afford at your cousin’s house.
The following are in no particular order, so please no one read into it. I am simply putting them down as the come to me. I know this may sound irrelevant, but I do get some e-mails and telephone calls that read so much into the trivial that they couldn’t see the message of the whole. As clichéd as it might be, yes, some cannot see the forest for the trees.
First is Israel. Within a very short period of time, you will see why this is important. Although it has not yet started, soon this nation will distance itself from Israel as if it was contagious. Why is this important? Because of a covenant God made with Abram, before he was Abraham. To a God who is timeless, who is outside of space and time, as we know it, even though the covenant was made thousands of years ago, it is as fresh on His mind as though it were made yesterday. I know some of you will write in, rebuking me, rolling your eyes and saying what’s so important about Israel? They are God’s people! The covenant is spelled out in the Bible! That is all we need to know. I could go into exhaustive detail as to why Israel is important and relevant, but some whose minds are made up concerning this topic, are beyond reason, and as such beyond my ability to help.
Genesis 12:2-3, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Second is the issue of infanticide. Yes, I know abortion is a cleaner word, reminiscent of the term ‘abort mission’ used in every war movie ever made at one time or another, but the truth cannot be denied: It is infanticide, the killing of an infant before or after birth. It’s not enough that we’ve made it readily accessible here in America; we are now outsourcing it, and of course paying for it. How much blood can we spill before the fist of God comes down like a hammer upon an anvil? Again, I know I will get hate mail for this, being labeled an oppressor, an enemy of a woman’s right to choose, but before you start typing while frothing at the mouth, let me just say, I do believe in a woman’s right to choose to abstain, murder is another matter entirely!
Isaiah 1:16-17 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.”
Psalm 82:2-4, “How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked? Selah Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked.”
There is nothing more defenseless than a newborn. There is nothing more worthy of defending, of freeing from the hand of the wicked, on whose behalf we must plead for justice than the unborn.
Third is the denial of the one true God. Now when I speak of this, it is not in the context of the world, but in the context of the modern day church. The leaders of Christianity as we know it today, and I could name names but it would be pointless since rather than a cabal, the deacons of deception are more like the hydra of ancient Greek mythology wherein if you cut off one head, another just grows back in its place, have not only distanced themselves, but entirely removed themselves from the truth of Scripture. They deny the Word of God, as though there were no consequence, and twist the truth of Scripture to fit their own depraved doctrines. So, the following scripture is for all the spineless preachers of perversion, who do not have the strength or fortitude to speak the truth and say unequivocally that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, that there is only One God, and no man can come to that One God but by Jesus His Son.
Exodus 20:3-6, “You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make yourself any carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations to those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”
1 Timothy 2:5-6, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
Ephesians 4:4-6, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
What really gets me is that these fools with titles, with the spiritual depth of a rain puddle think that they are original, groundbreaking, edgy, innovative, and revolutionary. Newsflash: the idea of an all inclusive god stew is not new; it is not groundbreaking, edgy, or even original. History is repeating itself, and the first sermon Jeremiah preached against Judah needs to be repeated within many a church today. We have found no injustice in God, yet have gone far from Him, following idols and becoming idolaters. We have defiled the house of God, and made His heritage an abomination. The priests do not say where is the Lord, those who handle the law do not know Him, the rulers transgress against Him, the prophets prophecy by Ball and walk after things that do not profit, yet we still cry aloud, God bless America!
We have so deceived ourselves as a nation that we are living with the expectation of blessing while a curse is upon us. We still beat the dull drum of prosperity while judgment is at the door. We continue to deny God, question His sovereignty, mock His omnipotence, dismiss His counsel and reject His nature, yet still have the audacity to not only expect, but demand that He arise and save us.
Jeremiah 2:27-28, “For they have turned their back to Me and not their face. But in the time of their trouble they will say, ‘arise and save us.’ But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves? Let them arise, if they can and save you in the time of your trouble.”
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Night Watch
Psalm 134:1-3, “Behold, bless the Lord all you servants of the Lord, who by night stand in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. The Lord who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion!”
The setting sun reminds us of the day that was. As it descends below the horizon, we hold onto the memories of the day, and we cling to the warmth of the sun shining on our faces. The sun is setting, and night is coming. Nothing of this world can hold off the night, for the night has been foretold, the Son of God reminding us that the day, the sun, the merriment, the ease, the comfort, the excesses, the lightheartedness of it all are not permanent, that all the things not rooted in the Word, that all that is not hidden with Christ in God, will come crashing to the ground like so much hail in an autumn storm.
It is always easier to labor during the day than it is during the night. Daytime in the house of the Lord is always pleasant; it is always full of light, of joy, of singing, of praise, of listeners and visitors, of barbeques out in the parking lot, of missions trips and church expansions. Speak of the coming night during the day, and most will dismiss you, rolling their eyes thinking you a nuisance or a pest. Encourage them to prepare spiritually for the season when the light will not be so abundant, when the joy will not be so overwhelming, when the songs will not be so exuberant, when the worshippers will dwindle, when the visitors will cease to exist, and the lukewarm will flee seeking a refuge they can never find, and they will think you mad, a pessimist, one who refuses to make lemonade and simply bites into the lemons.
It is inevitable that with the onset of the night, the number of those still standing in the house of the Lord will dwindle. It is inevitable that with the onset of the night, the faith of those that remain standing will be tried, their convictions and confidence put to the test. The task of holding fast becomes more difficult with the onset of the night, and the dangers, the threats, and the temptations grow not only in frequency but also in strength.
Keeping the perpetual fire burning on the altar and not letting it go out becomes an arduous task when the night descends, because those that remain standing in the house of the Lord must stand in the gap, and not only perform their assigned tasks, but take up the slack and perform the tasks of those who have fled. They must do alone, what was done not only by a larger number of laborers, but also in far easier conditions.
When seasons of trial come upon the Church and the work of Christ, when the night comes upon the house of God, when the number of those who by night stand in the sanctuary of the Lord and bless Him decreases with each passing day, and the responsibility of those who remain increases, it is inevitable that those who continue to stand become all the more precious in the sight of God.
The sifting has begun, and the exodus of those who stood in the house of the Lord simply in the hope of receiving material blessing from Him is soon to commence within the churches of America. Yes, the exodus is almost upon us, for the sounds of laughter and jubilation have ceased from within the walls of manmade temples, only to be replaced with the sounds of weeping and lamentation.
More than ever before those who have been called and commissioned to be on the night watch, those who continue to by night stand in the house of the Lord, must be awake and refreshed in the knowledge that with great tribulation comes great power, with great adversity comes great intimacy. Be strengthened, knowing that He who sees all things, He who knows all things will rightly reward those who overcome, those who in times of great upheaval stand on the Rock, unshaken and fearless.
It will be necessary for those that remain standing to do more and not less. Lift up your hands all the more, bless the Lord all the more, pray all the more, grow all the more, fight all the more, and do not cease doing these things until the night passes and the rising sun warms our faces once more.
We must in these dark hours be faithful in that which we have been entrusted with, doing our utmost to keep the fire burning in our hearts, to focus our gaze upon the Christ and the cross and not be swayed. We must calm and quiet our souls, and return to the simplicity of intimacy with Christ, to rebuild that which we have neglected for far too long, and submit to His authority and His will.
Psalm 131:1-2, “Lord my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.”
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
P.S. I did not post some of your comments, because they had your addresses. Please take no offense, I just wanted to keep my word and not post your personal information.
As far as getting a dog, I'm on the road far too often, plus there is a no pets clause in the rental agreement in regards to the apartment I'm living in. It's not about the dog anyway, some of you I think got that.
The setting sun reminds us of the day that was. As it descends below the horizon, we hold onto the memories of the day, and we cling to the warmth of the sun shining on our faces. The sun is setting, and night is coming. Nothing of this world can hold off the night, for the night has been foretold, the Son of God reminding us that the day, the sun, the merriment, the ease, the comfort, the excesses, the lightheartedness of it all are not permanent, that all the things not rooted in the Word, that all that is not hidden with Christ in God, will come crashing to the ground like so much hail in an autumn storm.
It is always easier to labor during the day than it is during the night. Daytime in the house of the Lord is always pleasant; it is always full of light, of joy, of singing, of praise, of listeners and visitors, of barbeques out in the parking lot, of missions trips and church expansions. Speak of the coming night during the day, and most will dismiss you, rolling their eyes thinking you a nuisance or a pest. Encourage them to prepare spiritually for the season when the light will not be so abundant, when the joy will not be so overwhelming, when the songs will not be so exuberant, when the worshippers will dwindle, when the visitors will cease to exist, and the lukewarm will flee seeking a refuge they can never find, and they will think you mad, a pessimist, one who refuses to make lemonade and simply bites into the lemons.
It is inevitable that with the onset of the night, the number of those still standing in the house of the Lord will dwindle. It is inevitable that with the onset of the night, the faith of those that remain standing will be tried, their convictions and confidence put to the test. The task of holding fast becomes more difficult with the onset of the night, and the dangers, the threats, and the temptations grow not only in frequency but also in strength.
Keeping the perpetual fire burning on the altar and not letting it go out becomes an arduous task when the night descends, because those that remain standing in the house of the Lord must stand in the gap, and not only perform their assigned tasks, but take up the slack and perform the tasks of those who have fled. They must do alone, what was done not only by a larger number of laborers, but also in far easier conditions.
When seasons of trial come upon the Church and the work of Christ, when the night comes upon the house of God, when the number of those who by night stand in the sanctuary of the Lord and bless Him decreases with each passing day, and the responsibility of those who remain increases, it is inevitable that those who continue to stand become all the more precious in the sight of God.
The sifting has begun, and the exodus of those who stood in the house of the Lord simply in the hope of receiving material blessing from Him is soon to commence within the churches of America. Yes, the exodus is almost upon us, for the sounds of laughter and jubilation have ceased from within the walls of manmade temples, only to be replaced with the sounds of weeping and lamentation.
More than ever before those who have been called and commissioned to be on the night watch, those who continue to by night stand in the house of the Lord, must be awake and refreshed in the knowledge that with great tribulation comes great power, with great adversity comes great intimacy. Be strengthened, knowing that He who sees all things, He who knows all things will rightly reward those who overcome, those who in times of great upheaval stand on the Rock, unshaken and fearless.
It will be necessary for those that remain standing to do more and not less. Lift up your hands all the more, bless the Lord all the more, pray all the more, grow all the more, fight all the more, and do not cease doing these things until the night passes and the rising sun warms our faces once more.
We must in these dark hours be faithful in that which we have been entrusted with, doing our utmost to keep the fire burning in our hearts, to focus our gaze upon the Christ and the cross and not be swayed. We must calm and quiet our souls, and return to the simplicity of intimacy with Christ, to rebuild that which we have neglected for far too long, and submit to His authority and His will.
Psalm 131:1-2, “Lord my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.”
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
P.S. I did not post some of your comments, because they had your addresses. Please take no offense, I just wanted to keep my word and not post your personal information.
As far as getting a dog, I'm on the road far too often, plus there is a no pets clause in the rental agreement in regards to the apartment I'm living in. It's not about the dog anyway, some of you I think got that.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Loose Ends
At long last, the next installment of the teaching on the book of Revelation is up on the hand of help website. We've also included another link on the homepage called 'free audio', which have over seven hours worth of teaching I recorded while I was in Romania this past trip. We will be adding more audio programs as I am able to record them.
If you are not familiar with hand of help, the site can be found at www.handofhelp.com there are an abundance of teachings and articles available.
There are some of you who wrote in asking why I don't focus on prophecy more, specifically end time prophecy as pertains to this nation and what is about to unfold in it. I've even been admonished by some that I should be retelling my grandfather's testimony whenever I go preach, and after prayerful consideration, I feel I have an answer as to why I don't focus on end time prophecy as much as other ministries do. The answer is simple: It is pointless to know what is coming, if you are unprepared for it. Since I started this weblog, my constant desire was to prepare the children of God for what is coming. My heart has been to open their eyes to the reality of God's power, the fact that they have access to it, to steel their constitution and beseech them to purpose in their hearts to hold high the standard of truth, to stand on the Word of God, and to not be distracted or otherwise taken in by the whispers that urge them to follow after a new path, rather than the old path, that encourage them to lay down their crosses because the journey will be that much easier if they do away with them.
Even at the risk of offending or marginalizing some of you, I will continue the course that God has set before me, and concentrate upon spiritual matters, spiritual growth, maturity, consistency, and steadfastness. If these things are not concentrated upon now, while we still have time to strengthen ourselves, to grow in God, to learn the weapons of our warfare, we will be likened to a man who having heard that it was to rain the following day, left his home without taking an umbrella. He knew that rain was coming, yet did not take the necessary measures to keep himself from getting soaked.
Thank you all for your encouraging words, for your prayers, and for your understanding. The journey continues, as there is always more of God for us to discover, and new peaks to climb.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
If you are not familiar with hand of help, the site can be found at www.handofhelp.com there are an abundance of teachings and articles available.
There are some of you who wrote in asking why I don't focus on prophecy more, specifically end time prophecy as pertains to this nation and what is about to unfold in it. I've even been admonished by some that I should be retelling my grandfather's testimony whenever I go preach, and after prayerful consideration, I feel I have an answer as to why I don't focus on end time prophecy as much as other ministries do. The answer is simple: It is pointless to know what is coming, if you are unprepared for it. Since I started this weblog, my constant desire was to prepare the children of God for what is coming. My heart has been to open their eyes to the reality of God's power, the fact that they have access to it, to steel their constitution and beseech them to purpose in their hearts to hold high the standard of truth, to stand on the Word of God, and to not be distracted or otherwise taken in by the whispers that urge them to follow after a new path, rather than the old path, that encourage them to lay down their crosses because the journey will be that much easier if they do away with them.
Even at the risk of offending or marginalizing some of you, I will continue the course that God has set before me, and concentrate upon spiritual matters, spiritual growth, maturity, consistency, and steadfastness. If these things are not concentrated upon now, while we still have time to strengthen ourselves, to grow in God, to learn the weapons of our warfare, we will be likened to a man who having heard that it was to rain the following day, left his home without taking an umbrella. He knew that rain was coming, yet did not take the necessary measures to keep himself from getting soaked.
Thank you all for your encouraging words, for your prayers, and for your understanding. The journey continues, as there is always more of God for us to discover, and new peaks to climb.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
As Promised
Well, I made it back to America in one piece, still not over the jetlag, but I'm getting there. Yesterday I realized I have terrible penmanship as I wrote addresses on some envelopes. I used to have pretty writing, it seems the keyboard ruined that. Anyway, The folllowing is the dream I mentioned I would post as soon as I returned stateside.
2 Timothy 2:3-4, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”
Shortly before I was scheduled to leave for a weeklong missions trip, a trip that had been planned months in advance with the pastors of many churches bringing their congregations together under one roof to hear the word of God, one of the staff members here in Wisconsin reminded me offhandedly that we would soon be celebrating twenty five years since Hand of Help’s inception.
A quarter of a century is a long time no matter how you slice it, or what angle it is viewed from. To be honest, I was not in what one might call a celebratory frame of mind. In these twenty five years I have laid to their final rest a grandmother, a grandfather, and a mother, I have known betrayal at the hands of men I considered brothers in Christ and friends fueled by something as unoriginal and despicable as greed, I have preached messages few wanted to hear, and have been despised for my stubborn unwillingness to compromise the word of God.
Throughout the entirety of the mission trip, one question kept nagging at me, always somewhere in the back of my mind. Even though the trip turned out to be an encouraging and reenergizing blessing, and I saw hunger in the hearts of the people for the truth of God’s word, feeling the presence of God in a deep and powerful way, I took no pleasure in the thousand plus crowds or their hearty applause. This one question kept echoing in my ears, and as yet I had received no answer. The question was simple: Is there still a need for a prophetic warning ministry once a nation has entered the season of fulfillment?
To me, a warning is a counsel or admonition to desist from a specified undesirable course of action. When someone is warned, that which they are warned against is avoidable. Take for instance the ‘reduce speed, winding road ahead’ signs. One is warned to reduce their speed, due to the fact that tight curves are just ahead, but if they refuse to heed the warning, then they will suffer the consequences of their actions. I believe God has stopped warning for some time now, due to this nation’s unwillingness to heed His warnings. His judgments are no longer avoidable, and the fulfillment of what has been spoken is visible even to those with no prophetic background.
I arrived back home after the weeklong tour, and still the initial thought would not leave. As I began to further ponder this question, I began thinking to myself that maybe this was God’s way of telling me I in fact could go back to my homeland, that I had done my duty, I had fulfilled my mission, I had preached, I had warned, I had shared the dreams and visions, and now I was free to have a normal life, to spend time with my wife, have some children, maybe even buy a dog.
One thing that those who know me have grown to understand is that I am not in ministry to get rich or famous, to build a kingdom on earth or have my own face staring back at me from a bookstore shelf. I am in ministry out of obedience to God, and will not be in it one day longer than God desires me to be. Obedience keeps me; it’s just that simple.
Two days after arriving home I had pretty much talked myself into believing that I had received my release to move back home. Since I was flying back for Christmas, to be with the family, I began thinking ‘why not just stay? Twenty five years is a long time, no one could blame you if you stayed.’
That same night I had a dream. I dreamt I was standing at the edge of a cliff, overlooking a valley that stretched out below me. Although it was night, the valley was not dark due to the dozens of fires that were burning all around the valley. Large white tents peppered the valley floor, and men dressed in white were hurriedly preparing. Some were sharpening swords, others were polishing shields, but the selfsame look of purpose and determination was evident in the countenance of every one.
As I continued watching I was startled when a hand touched my shoulder. I turned and stood face to face with the same man I had seen in my dreams on previous occasions.
“What do you think they are doing down there?” he asked pointing toward the valley and the men.
“It looks like they’re preparing for a war,” I said gazing back at the valley.
“And what do you call a soldier that flees the battlefield on the eve of battle?”
“A deserter,” I said.
“A deserter” he echoed. “Why would the Father train and equip you for the coming battle only to release you as the battle is about to begin? You think this is the end but it is not. The need for light is multiplied as the darkness grows, not diminished; the need for truth becomes more necessary as deception consumes the innocent, not less relevant. In these dark hours the children of light must shine, in these evil days the truth must be proclaimed with boldness. You can choose to flee, but it is not the Father’s will. You can stay and fight, and thus receive your just reward. The world has tainted many who ought to have stayed pure, and many have defiled themselves who ought to have remained undefiled. They have gorged themselves on Nebuchadnezzar’s delicacies, thereby disqualifying themselves from being used in these days. The hosts of heaven stand ready even now to do battle on behalf of the righteous. Do not fear the coming days for they have been foretold. Walk in the authority that has been given you, and do your duty as a faithful soldier ought to.”
As the man finished speaking, I opened my eyes and was surprised to discover I was in my bed.
Some may wonder why I share this dream, because well, it is not very flattering. In fact I got taken to the proverbial woodshed as the saying goes, but lest we forget the Lord chastens those He loves, and I am ever thankful that He loves me, and suffers my frailty.
I do not know how, but I know that God will make a way. The truth for need is evident. Not my truth, but God’s truth, not the truth of any particular denomination, but the truth of God’s Holy Word.
As human beings, men and women made of flesh and bone, we make plans, we have hopes and we envision a certain kind of future, but all our hopes and dreams, all our plans must be surrendered, in perfect harmony with the will of God for only in His will are peace, joy and comfort abundant and ever present.
We are on the precipice of volatile and troubling times, witnessing a rapidly changing world. There is a great upheaval coming in the spiritual, just as in the physical, and God will sift those who call themselves His children first and foremost, separating that which is righteous from that which is defiled. We must stand in the righteousness of God, having His Word as our standard and our foundation that we might not be swayed by the winds, or uprooted by the storms. In order to overcome one must face conflict and not flinch from battle, but an unprepared soldier whose armor is not on, and whose weapons are unknown to him, is easily overtaken by an enemy whose bloodlust knows no bounds. Our faith and obedience will carry us through the darkest of nights, because when faith and obedience are present the light of God shines brighter than the sun, dispelling the darkness.
Romans 16:19-20 “For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
2 Timothy 2:3-4, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”
Shortly before I was scheduled to leave for a weeklong missions trip, a trip that had been planned months in advance with the pastors of many churches bringing their congregations together under one roof to hear the word of God, one of the staff members here in Wisconsin reminded me offhandedly that we would soon be celebrating twenty five years since Hand of Help’s inception.
A quarter of a century is a long time no matter how you slice it, or what angle it is viewed from. To be honest, I was not in what one might call a celebratory frame of mind. In these twenty five years I have laid to their final rest a grandmother, a grandfather, and a mother, I have known betrayal at the hands of men I considered brothers in Christ and friends fueled by something as unoriginal and despicable as greed, I have preached messages few wanted to hear, and have been despised for my stubborn unwillingness to compromise the word of God.
Throughout the entirety of the mission trip, one question kept nagging at me, always somewhere in the back of my mind. Even though the trip turned out to be an encouraging and reenergizing blessing, and I saw hunger in the hearts of the people for the truth of God’s word, feeling the presence of God in a deep and powerful way, I took no pleasure in the thousand plus crowds or their hearty applause. This one question kept echoing in my ears, and as yet I had received no answer. The question was simple: Is there still a need for a prophetic warning ministry once a nation has entered the season of fulfillment?
To me, a warning is a counsel or admonition to desist from a specified undesirable course of action. When someone is warned, that which they are warned against is avoidable. Take for instance the ‘reduce speed, winding road ahead’ signs. One is warned to reduce their speed, due to the fact that tight curves are just ahead, but if they refuse to heed the warning, then they will suffer the consequences of their actions. I believe God has stopped warning for some time now, due to this nation’s unwillingness to heed His warnings. His judgments are no longer avoidable, and the fulfillment of what has been spoken is visible even to those with no prophetic background.
I arrived back home after the weeklong tour, and still the initial thought would not leave. As I began to further ponder this question, I began thinking to myself that maybe this was God’s way of telling me I in fact could go back to my homeland, that I had done my duty, I had fulfilled my mission, I had preached, I had warned, I had shared the dreams and visions, and now I was free to have a normal life, to spend time with my wife, have some children, maybe even buy a dog.
One thing that those who know me have grown to understand is that I am not in ministry to get rich or famous, to build a kingdom on earth or have my own face staring back at me from a bookstore shelf. I am in ministry out of obedience to God, and will not be in it one day longer than God desires me to be. Obedience keeps me; it’s just that simple.
Two days after arriving home I had pretty much talked myself into believing that I had received my release to move back home. Since I was flying back for Christmas, to be with the family, I began thinking ‘why not just stay? Twenty five years is a long time, no one could blame you if you stayed.’
That same night I had a dream. I dreamt I was standing at the edge of a cliff, overlooking a valley that stretched out below me. Although it was night, the valley was not dark due to the dozens of fires that were burning all around the valley. Large white tents peppered the valley floor, and men dressed in white were hurriedly preparing. Some were sharpening swords, others were polishing shields, but the selfsame look of purpose and determination was evident in the countenance of every one.
As I continued watching I was startled when a hand touched my shoulder. I turned and stood face to face with the same man I had seen in my dreams on previous occasions.
“What do you think they are doing down there?” he asked pointing toward the valley and the men.
“It looks like they’re preparing for a war,” I said gazing back at the valley.
“And what do you call a soldier that flees the battlefield on the eve of battle?”
“A deserter,” I said.
“A deserter” he echoed. “Why would the Father train and equip you for the coming battle only to release you as the battle is about to begin? You think this is the end but it is not. The need for light is multiplied as the darkness grows, not diminished; the need for truth becomes more necessary as deception consumes the innocent, not less relevant. In these dark hours the children of light must shine, in these evil days the truth must be proclaimed with boldness. You can choose to flee, but it is not the Father’s will. You can stay and fight, and thus receive your just reward. The world has tainted many who ought to have stayed pure, and many have defiled themselves who ought to have remained undefiled. They have gorged themselves on Nebuchadnezzar’s delicacies, thereby disqualifying themselves from being used in these days. The hosts of heaven stand ready even now to do battle on behalf of the righteous. Do not fear the coming days for they have been foretold. Walk in the authority that has been given you, and do your duty as a faithful soldier ought to.”
As the man finished speaking, I opened my eyes and was surprised to discover I was in my bed.
Some may wonder why I share this dream, because well, it is not very flattering. In fact I got taken to the proverbial woodshed as the saying goes, but lest we forget the Lord chastens those He loves, and I am ever thankful that He loves me, and suffers my frailty.
I do not know how, but I know that God will make a way. The truth for need is evident. Not my truth, but God’s truth, not the truth of any particular denomination, but the truth of God’s Holy Word.
As human beings, men and women made of flesh and bone, we make plans, we have hopes and we envision a certain kind of future, but all our hopes and dreams, all our plans must be surrendered, in perfect harmony with the will of God for only in His will are peace, joy and comfort abundant and ever present.
We are on the precipice of volatile and troubling times, witnessing a rapidly changing world. There is a great upheaval coming in the spiritual, just as in the physical, and God will sift those who call themselves His children first and foremost, separating that which is righteous from that which is defiled. We must stand in the righteousness of God, having His Word as our standard and our foundation that we might not be swayed by the winds, or uprooted by the storms. In order to overcome one must face conflict and not flinch from battle, but an unprepared soldier whose armor is not on, and whose weapons are unknown to him, is easily overtaken by an enemy whose bloodlust knows no bounds. Our faith and obedience will carry us through the darkest of nights, because when faith and obedience are present the light of God shines brighter than the sun, dispelling the darkness.
Romans 16:19-20 “For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Free Stuff
Everybody likes free stuff. This is why I think the ladies with the aprons in the supermarket who offer the complimentary samples of sausage and cheese will always have a job.
It seems we've printed more calendars than we needed this year, and even though I'm not back stateside yet, the news has already reached me. So, if you would like one of our calendars, which is lovely by the way since it is our twenty fifth year anniversary calendar, please send a comment with your name and address, and I will get one to you as soon as I am on American soil again. No I will not post your address on the web log; No this is not a gimmick, you will not be receiving a letter with a handprint on it, and be instructed to place your palm on the handprint while holding your tithe check for your financial breakthrough, it's really free.
To those of you who've already received one, but would like extra to give to family or friends, please let me know the number, and I'll do my best to oblige. Quantities are limited, so if you happen to ask and not receive, I apologize in advance.
I know it's odd a ministry offering something for nothing, some might say it even goes against the natural order of things, however if we realize what true ministry is, we realize that ministries are here to serve, and minister, not to build kingdoms, buy airplanes, and revel themselves in the lap of luxury. Ok, off on a tangent, sorry, it's a sensitive topic for me. One more thing, and I promise I'll stop. When persecution comes against the church, and it will, even in America, just as sure as the sun rose this morning, you will have these selfsame hypocrites and charlatans to thank for it, these selfsame whitewashed tombs who have long sacrificed the truth on the altar of greed and worldliness. The stench of their corruption does not go unnoticed, especially by the world, and the day of reckoning is coming. Ok. Done.
Thank you all for your encouraging words. They, as well as your prayers help tremendously.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
It seems we've printed more calendars than we needed this year, and even though I'm not back stateside yet, the news has already reached me. So, if you would like one of our calendars, which is lovely by the way since it is our twenty fifth year anniversary calendar, please send a comment with your name and address, and I will get one to you as soon as I am on American soil again. No I will not post your address on the web log; No this is not a gimmick, you will not be receiving a letter with a handprint on it, and be instructed to place your palm on the handprint while holding your tithe check for your financial breakthrough, it's really free.
To those of you who've already received one, but would like extra to give to family or friends, please let me know the number, and I'll do my best to oblige. Quantities are limited, so if you happen to ask and not receive, I apologize in advance.
I know it's odd a ministry offering something for nothing, some might say it even goes against the natural order of things, however if we realize what true ministry is, we realize that ministries are here to serve, and minister, not to build kingdoms, buy airplanes, and revel themselves in the lap of luxury. Ok, off on a tangent, sorry, it's a sensitive topic for me. One more thing, and I promise I'll stop. When persecution comes against the church, and it will, even in America, just as sure as the sun rose this morning, you will have these selfsame hypocrites and charlatans to thank for it, these selfsame whitewashed tombs who have long sacrificed the truth on the altar of greed and worldliness. The stench of their corruption does not go unnoticed, especially by the world, and the day of reckoning is coming. Ok. Done.
Thank you all for your encouraging words. They, as well as your prayers help tremendously.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
Monday, January 5, 2009
A Personal Matter
First of all, thank you for all your encouragements. There is something that I need to get off my chest, in fact something I need to repent of before you. I have already repented before God, but I know the process will not be complete until I repent before you as well. For the past few months, I've sort of been dragging my feet. Don't get me wrong, I still found joy in the work, the poetry of God's Word always astounded me, but it's been like I've been treading water. The best way I can put it is that I've felt like a man who is certain of his upcoming retirement, and so rather than begin any new projects simply shores up the projects he had started. I realize I could have done more, but I had so convinced myself that the work was nearing its end that starting anything new would have been pointless. I repent of this mindset, and I ask your forgiveness.
I've had to do allot of soul searching the past few weeks. I've had to stand in front of the mirror and remind myself that God is no respecter of persons, there is no preferrential treatment for years in service, He does not believe in nepotism, and that He judges without partiality. I know these are words that I preached often, but somewhere along the way the stopped echoing in my heart. I've had to reaquaint myself with these truths, and repent before God for not fully redeeming the time as I should have.
A soldier follows orders, no questions asked, and this is yet another thruth that God had to remind me of. It has been uniquely humbling to be so chastened.
I've done more in the past three weeks, as pertains to writing and radio programs, than I had done in the past three months. The new radio programs will be made available on the hand of help website as soon as they go through the editing process, and a new teaching on the book of Revelation will be uploaded as soon as I return to the States.
It is a day of rejoicing when God opens our eyes, when He shows us His will even if it is in contradiction with our own will.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
I've had to do allot of soul searching the past few weeks. I've had to stand in front of the mirror and remind myself that God is no respecter of persons, there is no preferrential treatment for years in service, He does not believe in nepotism, and that He judges without partiality. I know these are words that I preached often, but somewhere along the way the stopped echoing in my heart. I've had to reaquaint myself with these truths, and repent before God for not fully redeeming the time as I should have.
A soldier follows orders, no questions asked, and this is yet another thruth that God had to remind me of. It has been uniquely humbling to be so chastened.
I've done more in the past three weeks, as pertains to writing and radio programs, than I had done in the past three months. The new radio programs will be made available on the hand of help website as soon as they go through the editing process, and a new teaching on the book of Revelation will be uploaded as soon as I return to the States.
It is a day of rejoicing when God opens our eyes, when He shows us His will even if it is in contradiction with our own will.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year
I think it's a universal truth that this year more than any other in recent history, men and women alike were a bit more reseved when saying the requisite 'happy new year'. Very few could muster up any enthusiasm seeing the signs all around them, realizing that we are in for a hard, hard road. I'm not just referring to the spiritually enlightened, but to everyone, on every continent, and in every country. There is this feeling of unease boiling beneath the surface every where you go.
I am truly sorry for not posting in the past couple weeks. I've been in Romania for the past ten days, and I needed time to recharge my batteries, and just think for awhile. I had to come to terms with the fact that what I thought I knew concerning where I would be during the coming years, was not God's will but my own heart wanting to return to my homeland. Those of you who received the November-December-January newsletter, know what I am reffering to. Those that haven't, I'm planning on posting a dream I had in recent months as soon as I return to America. It is not an easy thing to have all your plans for the future turned on their ear, and tossed out the window like so much trash.
Each of us face the crossroads of decision in our life wherein we either say "God's will be done!" or, we take the path of disobedience and suffer the consequences thereof. I have chosen to obey, because for me there was no second option. It seems my stay in America will be longer than I had envisioned, and the work I thought was nearing its end is only just beginning. Please keep me in your prayers, I need the strength.
I guess the most heartbreaking aspect of this is that many will receive the truth only upon staring into the chasm, on the edge of the abyss with all their security blankets ripped from them and made inconsequential. We fight the good fight rejoicing in the small victories, in the one heart among the many who will humble itself and receive Christ, in the one church among the thousands that returns to the basic principles of the faith searching after God in prayer and supplication. I'm rambling; my heart is heavy.
Thank you all for your understanding and for your prayers. The journey continues, the narrow path is before us, and we press ever onward toward the prize.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
I am truly sorry for not posting in the past couple weeks. I've been in Romania for the past ten days, and I needed time to recharge my batteries, and just think for awhile. I had to come to terms with the fact that what I thought I knew concerning where I would be during the coming years, was not God's will but my own heart wanting to return to my homeland. Those of you who received the November-December-January newsletter, know what I am reffering to. Those that haven't, I'm planning on posting a dream I had in recent months as soon as I return to America. It is not an easy thing to have all your plans for the future turned on their ear, and tossed out the window like so much trash.
Each of us face the crossroads of decision in our life wherein we either say "God's will be done!" or, we take the path of disobedience and suffer the consequences thereof. I have chosen to obey, because for me there was no second option. It seems my stay in America will be longer than I had envisioned, and the work I thought was nearing its end is only just beginning. Please keep me in your prayers, I need the strength.
I guess the most heartbreaking aspect of this is that many will receive the truth only upon staring into the chasm, on the edge of the abyss with all their security blankets ripped from them and made inconsequential. We fight the good fight rejoicing in the small victories, in the one heart among the many who will humble itself and receive Christ, in the one church among the thousands that returns to the basic principles of the faith searching after God in prayer and supplication. I'm rambling; my heart is heavy.
Thank you all for your understanding and for your prayers. The journey continues, the narrow path is before us, and we press ever onward toward the prize.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
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