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.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
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.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Treason
The general and his armies of darkness gazed upon the City on a hill with a burning hatred. The citadel had not fallen, the walls had not been breached, and it was not for lack of trying.
The siege had been extensive, his armies had used every weapon in their arsenal, but somehow every attack had been anticipated and beat back. The King was wise, the city built upon the Rock, and the fact that the city was able to repel his attacks only served to fuel the general’s anger.
“It’s not working my general, the city is too well fortified. Maybe we should wait and starve them out”, one of his lieutenants said gazing malevolently at the city.
“They have the Word, they will not starve, they are nourished and well taken care of; the King loves his people. But perhaps there is another way. If we can’t starve them out, then we poison the food supply.”
“But that would mean finding someone to commit treason, to betray the King, to sell their birthright. And even if you find such a soul, it will take years for the plan to come to fruition.”
“Years I’ve got”, the general answered, “and as far as finding one who is willing to betray his Master, well it’s been done before. Appeal to their vanity, offer them treasure, and you’ll have plenty to choose from. Yes, I see now, the city must be breached from within. All we need is a way into the city, after that we will do the rest. Make it happen.”
“But who do we approach my general?”
“Why, those who have been assigned to guard the storehouses and granaries of course. Those who have been assigned to feed the people.”
And so the enemy made haste and sent in the well-concealed spies, who began to whisper into the ears of those whose responsibility it was to feed the people within the City on a hill. Many refused outright, sounding the alarm, for death would have been better than to betray the King. There were a handful however, who lent their ears to the enemy’s whisper, and once the enemy had their ear, it was all but over.
What they said made sense in a way. They were performing an important task after all, and no one seemed to appreciate it. They were feeding the people, and the people acted as though they were entitled. The pay was meager, the job was thankless, but still, treason?
The spies spewed their well rehearsed lines: “We wouldn’t expect you to do it for free of course, we take are of our own. Plus most of the people will never even know that the food has been tainted. They’ll thank you for making it taste better. You won’t regret this; just think of it, fame, fortune, and the adoration of your fellow man for being brave enough to step of the mold, to think outside the box, to be a revolutionary, a free thinker! Even our side will applaud you, embrace you, you’ll be able to reach more people, plus what’s the harm in focusing on social issues, prosperity, self esteem, global warming, rather than on Christ and the cross for a little while? Maybe it is time for a change; maybe it is time for a revolution of thought, a revolution of the mind. Doesn’t a global ministry sound good to you?”
And so the food supply in the great city was tainted, only a little at first, so as not to arouse too much suspicion, and to the surprise of all who had thrown their lot in with the enemy, and had betrayed the King, the people loved it. Sure it was less filling, but it tasted great.
Their great dining halls began to grow, and grow, and as soon as they would finish building one, they were forced to get started on another. Yes, bigger, more seats, brighter lights, more shekels in the coffers, while those who still chose to serve untainted food saw their crowds shrink and dwindle.
Some came upon the discovery that the more poison they added to the King’s food, the more the people loved it. Some began to increase the percentage of tainted food to such levels that the king’s food was almost nonexistent in their recipes.
Even among the traitors some began to feel uneasy about it, guilt eating away at them for having poisoned the King’s subjects, but they had to go along. What could they do? Expose themselves for what they were? Stand before the people in their great dining halls and confess to the fact that they were being poisoned? No, they would do no such thing. It was the people’s fault for preferring their food to the King’s food anyway wasn’t it? They weren’t to blame; they were just facilitating a need.
I could go on with this story, but I think everyone gets the point. As children of God, as those who still cling to the King and find His word nourishing and sufficient, we must face certain harsh realities. First, in many a church truth can now be quantified in parts per million. The necessary gospel has been replaced with an irrelevant gospel, for all that pertains to the physical, to this earth, and to the material is vanity, irrelevant banalities that keep people distracted from the truth that they are dead in their sins and going to hell.
Just in today’s news headlines I read that fifteen year old kids are contracting their own father’s murder, pre-teens are having sex in school, teenagers are cutting, and drinking each other’s blood, but no, the clear and present danger is global warming. Hey, it’s snowing in Houston! The climate could be put on the back burner just tad dear pastors and Christian leaders, let’s for the sake of our very existence focus on the relevant and necessary for a change. Let’s go back to the cross, to the Christ, and stop poisoning the sheep of God’s house because the enemy is getting ready for his final assault, and now the walls are weak enough, there are enough cracks in the defenses where he will breach the city.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
The siege had been extensive, his armies had used every weapon in their arsenal, but somehow every attack had been anticipated and beat back. The King was wise, the city built upon the Rock, and the fact that the city was able to repel his attacks only served to fuel the general’s anger.
“It’s not working my general, the city is too well fortified. Maybe we should wait and starve them out”, one of his lieutenants said gazing malevolently at the city.
“They have the Word, they will not starve, they are nourished and well taken care of; the King loves his people. But perhaps there is another way. If we can’t starve them out, then we poison the food supply.”
“But that would mean finding someone to commit treason, to betray the King, to sell their birthright. And even if you find such a soul, it will take years for the plan to come to fruition.”
“Years I’ve got”, the general answered, “and as far as finding one who is willing to betray his Master, well it’s been done before. Appeal to their vanity, offer them treasure, and you’ll have plenty to choose from. Yes, I see now, the city must be breached from within. All we need is a way into the city, after that we will do the rest. Make it happen.”
“But who do we approach my general?”
“Why, those who have been assigned to guard the storehouses and granaries of course. Those who have been assigned to feed the people.”
And so the enemy made haste and sent in the well-concealed spies, who began to whisper into the ears of those whose responsibility it was to feed the people within the City on a hill. Many refused outright, sounding the alarm, for death would have been better than to betray the King. There were a handful however, who lent their ears to the enemy’s whisper, and once the enemy had their ear, it was all but over.
What they said made sense in a way. They were performing an important task after all, and no one seemed to appreciate it. They were feeding the people, and the people acted as though they were entitled. The pay was meager, the job was thankless, but still, treason?
The spies spewed their well rehearsed lines: “We wouldn’t expect you to do it for free of course, we take are of our own. Plus most of the people will never even know that the food has been tainted. They’ll thank you for making it taste better. You won’t regret this; just think of it, fame, fortune, and the adoration of your fellow man for being brave enough to step of the mold, to think outside the box, to be a revolutionary, a free thinker! Even our side will applaud you, embrace you, you’ll be able to reach more people, plus what’s the harm in focusing on social issues, prosperity, self esteem, global warming, rather than on Christ and the cross for a little while? Maybe it is time for a change; maybe it is time for a revolution of thought, a revolution of the mind. Doesn’t a global ministry sound good to you?”
And so the food supply in the great city was tainted, only a little at first, so as not to arouse too much suspicion, and to the surprise of all who had thrown their lot in with the enemy, and had betrayed the King, the people loved it. Sure it was less filling, but it tasted great.
Their great dining halls began to grow, and grow, and as soon as they would finish building one, they were forced to get started on another. Yes, bigger, more seats, brighter lights, more shekels in the coffers, while those who still chose to serve untainted food saw their crowds shrink and dwindle.
Some came upon the discovery that the more poison they added to the King’s food, the more the people loved it. Some began to increase the percentage of tainted food to such levels that the king’s food was almost nonexistent in their recipes.
Even among the traitors some began to feel uneasy about it, guilt eating away at them for having poisoned the King’s subjects, but they had to go along. What could they do? Expose themselves for what they were? Stand before the people in their great dining halls and confess to the fact that they were being poisoned? No, they would do no such thing. It was the people’s fault for preferring their food to the King’s food anyway wasn’t it? They weren’t to blame; they were just facilitating a need.
I could go on with this story, but I think everyone gets the point. As children of God, as those who still cling to the King and find His word nourishing and sufficient, we must face certain harsh realities. First, in many a church truth can now be quantified in parts per million. The necessary gospel has been replaced with an irrelevant gospel, for all that pertains to the physical, to this earth, and to the material is vanity, irrelevant banalities that keep people distracted from the truth that they are dead in their sins and going to hell.
Just in today’s news headlines I read that fifteen year old kids are contracting their own father’s murder, pre-teens are having sex in school, teenagers are cutting, and drinking each other’s blood, but no, the clear and present danger is global warming. Hey, it’s snowing in Houston! The climate could be put on the back burner just tad dear pastors and Christian leaders, let’s for the sake of our very existence focus on the relevant and necessary for a change. Let’s go back to the cross, to the Christ, and stop poisoning the sheep of God’s house because the enemy is getting ready for his final assault, and now the walls are weak enough, there are enough cracks in the defenses where he will breach the city.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Basic Instinct
Although this article should have been entitled the 'the basic instinct of the unregenerate man' it seemed a little too wordy to be a title. I've been trying to get this story out of my mind for over a week now to no avail. It has had a very disturbing effect on me for reasons I don't fully comprehend. Maybe it's all the talk of how evolved and forward thinking our modern day generation has become, how we have grown in love and kindness as a civilization, and then seeing something like this.
For those of you who haven't heard about it, let me fill you in. On what has been coined as black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year, where people wake up before the crack of dawn and stand in the often freezing weather to be the first ones into the store, a young man was trampled to death by a mob of shoppers. The young man was doing his job, tending the door, and in their hearty quest to save ten dollars on a back massager, men and women of all ages and races, actually trampled this man to death. What struck me as even more brutal and telling was the fact that once his co-workers saw this young man laying on the ground breathing what would be his last breaths, they attempted to drag him out of the way of the rushing mob only to have the mob scream expletives at them for being in the way. Yes, we've come a long way, this is the pinnacle of civility and civilization.
Most people today like to think that as a whole, we are beyond such things, we have evolved into a climate of understanding and tolerance, one of peace and joy. Why to many it's surprising that most people aren't skipping down the street, with flowers in their hair humming the tune of their favorite song. The truth of the matter is that every unregenerate man, every unregenerate woman has the aptitude and often the compulsion to be unfeeling, uncaring, self centered and self obsessed. Keep in mind it was not hardened criminals that trampled a man to death, it was not murderers and gang members, it was housewives, and average every day folk. And for what? It wasn't like they were there to get the last of some miracle drug that would heal their terminal disease, they were there for trinkets and worthless things, for material trivialities that lose their luster as soon as one gets them home.
Civilized as we would all like to believe ourselves to be, what do you think would happen if let's say there was a real and tangible reason for being in front of a store at five a.m. like a shortage of food? If a group of people were willing to trample a man to death for a discounted sound system, what would they be willing to do for the last can of tuna?
I realize to some of you this might seem like a purely hypothetical situation, but the dark days of which so many have warned for so long are finally here. There are no limits to the depravity of the unregenerate man, there is no low he is unwilling to sink to, or action he deems too horrid to undertake. I think that's why this story impacted me so.
If you believe that such things are beyond the scope of possibility due to the fact that we've grown and matured as a race, well I submit to you that absent of the transforming love and grace of Christ Jesus man's basic nature has remained the same throughout the ages.
The time has come to watch and pray, the time has come to trust our heavenly Father in a measure never before experienced by many modern day Christians.
Some of you will wave the following comment off thinking I am making a mountain out of a molehill, taking one isolated incident and extrapolating it, but if we are to believe the Word of God, if we are to believe the messengers of God then we must prepare now rather than later, strengthen our faith and stand on the rock of God's promises.
Whatever you think or imagine the future holds, not only for this nation but the world as a whole, is nothing compared to the reality that will be evident. I do not say this to stir fear in the heart of any man, I say it because I must.
The children of God, those who have been born again and have learned to trust the heavenly Father at peace under the shadow of His wing have no reason to fear for they know that He is able. If there is still fear at the edges of your heart, if you still harbor trepidation concerning the future, then my dear brother, my dear sister, it is time to stand before the cross and lay your burdens down. It is time to look into the perfect law of liberty, and the love of Christ, for perfect love casts out fear. These are exciting times.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
For those of you who haven't heard about it, let me fill you in. On what has been coined as black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year, where people wake up before the crack of dawn and stand in the often freezing weather to be the first ones into the store, a young man was trampled to death by a mob of shoppers. The young man was doing his job, tending the door, and in their hearty quest to save ten dollars on a back massager, men and women of all ages and races, actually trampled this man to death. What struck me as even more brutal and telling was the fact that once his co-workers saw this young man laying on the ground breathing what would be his last breaths, they attempted to drag him out of the way of the rushing mob only to have the mob scream expletives at them for being in the way. Yes, we've come a long way, this is the pinnacle of civility and civilization.
Most people today like to think that as a whole, we are beyond such things, we have evolved into a climate of understanding and tolerance, one of peace and joy. Why to many it's surprising that most people aren't skipping down the street, with flowers in their hair humming the tune of their favorite song. The truth of the matter is that every unregenerate man, every unregenerate woman has the aptitude and often the compulsion to be unfeeling, uncaring, self centered and self obsessed. Keep in mind it was not hardened criminals that trampled a man to death, it was not murderers and gang members, it was housewives, and average every day folk. And for what? It wasn't like they were there to get the last of some miracle drug that would heal their terminal disease, they were there for trinkets and worthless things, for material trivialities that lose their luster as soon as one gets them home.
Civilized as we would all like to believe ourselves to be, what do you think would happen if let's say there was a real and tangible reason for being in front of a store at five a.m. like a shortage of food? If a group of people were willing to trample a man to death for a discounted sound system, what would they be willing to do for the last can of tuna?
I realize to some of you this might seem like a purely hypothetical situation, but the dark days of which so many have warned for so long are finally here. There are no limits to the depravity of the unregenerate man, there is no low he is unwilling to sink to, or action he deems too horrid to undertake. I think that's why this story impacted me so.
If you believe that such things are beyond the scope of possibility due to the fact that we've grown and matured as a race, well I submit to you that absent of the transforming love and grace of Christ Jesus man's basic nature has remained the same throughout the ages.
The time has come to watch and pray, the time has come to trust our heavenly Father in a measure never before experienced by many modern day Christians.
Some of you will wave the following comment off thinking I am making a mountain out of a molehill, taking one isolated incident and extrapolating it, but if we are to believe the Word of God, if we are to believe the messengers of God then we must prepare now rather than later, strengthen our faith and stand on the rock of God's promises.
Whatever you think or imagine the future holds, not only for this nation but the world as a whole, is nothing compared to the reality that will be evident. I do not say this to stir fear in the heart of any man, I say it because I must.
The children of God, those who have been born again and have learned to trust the heavenly Father at peace under the shadow of His wing have no reason to fear for they know that He is able. If there is still fear at the edges of your heart, if you still harbor trepidation concerning the future, then my dear brother, my dear sister, it is time to stand before the cross and lay your burdens down. It is time to look into the perfect law of liberty, and the love of Christ, for perfect love casts out fear. These are exciting times.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
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