Even before I write the first sentence of this post, I know it will offend some of you. In fact I realize full well that there are a number of you for whom this will be the last visit to 'Homeward Bound'. If its any consolation, my intention is not to offend, but I feel I have been given something I need to share, and I will bear the burden, and accept any consequences that come along with my decision. Before you go away angry, please read the post in its entirety!
Ever since I posted the article on a tale of three cities this morning, something has been nagging at me. At first I didn't know what it was, a word, a sentence, some turn of phrase that that set off my sub-conscious alarms, which my natural mind either glanced over, or refused to see because I was so focused on the task at hand.
The feeling that I had missed something, something big, stayed with me throughout the day, and as much as I tried, I couldn't shake that feeling.
After going to the grocery store, I finally turned my laptop back on, and yes, I am not proud to say it, I actually read my own post from this morning.
Only when I read the last few words of the scripture I quoted in Luke, did I realize what I had missed. At the end of His lamentation over Israel, Jesus essentially said, all these things will come upon you, 'because you did not know the time of your visitation'.
That phrase got me thinking, always a dangerous thing, and as I continued to ponder it, it was like the tumblers of a lock falling into place, each one getting me closer to something that was locked beyond, until finally it opened up.
For many years now, many within the church have nurtured and fostered the idea that God is standing by, throughout our lives, ready to extend the proverbial olive branch, ready to save us with our dying breath, hoping, just hoping, that we look up into the starry sky one night and wonder, and perhaps wave hello. This mentality has caused many a soul, to put off repentance, because there was always tomorrow, and God would still be there, even if today I felt a tug in my heart, a prickling of the soul.
There is another, oh so comforting idea for the masses, that is being spread without regard for truth, that at any time, in any season of one's life, the heart is capable of answering the holy calling.
After you've lived your life, after you've sown your oats, after you've settled your affairs, in the last few minutes of your life on earth, with the feeling of accomplishment and a job well done, you turn your gaze toward the eternal, thereby being added peacefully to the number of those who have entered their eternal rest.
I believe it was Augustin who once said, that a man coming to God in his old age, is like giving God whatever was left over from the devil. It doesn't sound very pleasant, but it has a ring of truth to it nonetheless.
The Bible has a different philosophy on salvation, than what we in our modern age have come to perceive as the way. It is true, God is calling in perpetuity, arms always open, ready to receive, offering love and forgiveness to those that would receive it, but man doesn't always have the capacity to receive them. In our pilgrimage on earth there are moments, times of visitation, when the door is opened to us, and we must walk through.
The Word speaks to us in various places concerning the time of our visitation, which we must know, acknowledge and receive, but it also speaks to us of men whose conscience has been seared, men left to the desires of their hearts. The Bible speaks to us of being given time to repent, but also of hardening one's heart.
Between the time that Jesus was captured, after being betrayed by Judas, and his carrying of the cross up the hill of Golgotha, there was a span of about four hours, wherein he stood before two of the most powerful, influential, and preeminent figures of that time. I am of course referring to Pilate and Herod.
Two men who had power, who had much influence in the eyes of the people, two men who had much in common, yet were treated very differently by Christ.
The gospel of John tells us that Jesus answered all of Pilate's questions, speaking to him of the Kingdom, of truth and of salvation. In essence Jesus was evangelizing Pilate. Another indicator that Pilate was going through his time of visitation, is that his wife had had a strange dream, a prophetic dream which she had shared with him. He had heard enough concerning salvation, and concerning the Savior, that he was now able to either receive the gift, or reject it.
The gospel of Luke tells us of the way Jesus treated Herod, and as we can see in the pages of scripture it was very different than his treatment of Pilate. The gospel tells us that Herod was exceedingly glad when he saw Jesus, for he had desired a long time to see Him, for he had heard many things about Him, yet Jesus stood before him refusing to answer his questions. Jesus looked upon Herod and saw a man whose hour of visitation had already come, a man who had rejected salvation, He looked upon Herod and saw a walking corpse. It was the first time, that Jesus had met either Herod, or Pilate, so the question begs to be asked, why did he treat the two so differently?
The answer can be found in the past. Both men had met Jesus for the first time, but one of them had heard the Word of God before that day, He had been given the opportunity to receive salvation, and rejected it outright.
Herod was the man who some time prior had kept John the Baptist in his prison, a prison located beneath his home, and every day, he would hear the voice of the most powerful and incisive evangelist ever to walk the earth cry out 'repent, repent, repent of your wickedness.'
Though he heard the message, he did not repent, what's more he killed the messenger, hoping the message would die along with him. His time of visitation had passed. God had no more sermons for Herod.
Maybe this has gotten you thinking. Maybe this is not the way you imagined God at all. In fact it is only one of His attributes. God is not mocked, nor will He be put off indefinitely. God is not a twenty four hour shop, there for our convenience, ready to pour out blessings.
Blood was shed, a sacrifice was made, suffering was had, and death was experienced by none other than the Son of God. Do not belittle His sacrifice dear friend, do not believe the stories of the bearded fellow, up in heaven, smiling down, shaking his head ruefully and smiling at our indecision, at our callousness, at our indifference for what He has done.
God is an all consuming fire, and for every man a time of visitation has been set aside, divinely scheduled, and it is in that hour that you must either embrace eternity, or turn your back on love.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Duty (A Reply To Brother Andrew's Comments)
After reading brother Andrew's post, and your comments to said post, I realized what I guess I've known all along, that many of you share his concerns, uncertain of what exactly you should do knowing what is about to descend upon this nation. To be perfectly honest, I have shared the same concerns myself.
Although I cannot make a general pronouncement concerning the question 'should we stay or should we flee?', after spending some time in prayer I feel I can at least give an answer to brother Andrew's inquiries.
First, let me begin by saying I do not consider myself a courageous man, I consider myself committed. I do not consider myself valiant or bold, I consider myself steadfast and resolute. To me it all boils down to duty, and it is due to the fact that I am duty bound that I do what I do. It is why I fight, it is why I speak, it is why I stand. The strength or number of my adversaries does not concern me, my only concern is that I am faithful in fulfilling what has been asked of me, that I fight in defense of truth and righteousness.
From reading brother Andrew's heartfelt post, I perceived that as many of you, he has been called to active duty. God has already established a specific assignment for him, and these are no times to be absent without leave.
I have heard of many who were called to be watchmen, who were called to blow the trumpet, who then took it upon themselves to leave their post without authorization. It is not something that God looks upon kindly, or takes lightly. Now, when the saints should be marching, doing battle against the darkness that threatens to stifle the light, it seems they are in full retreat verging on surrender.
Brother Andrew also mentioned a passage in proverbs that speaks of the prudent man seeing evil and hiding himself, but we must take into account that it was neither speaking of a soldier, or a servant, it was speaking in the generality of wise men and foolish men. A soldier no longer has the option to flee the evil when he sees it, he must stand and do battle against it. It is why we have been called, chosen, equipped and sanctified.
As far as Zarephath is concerned, I believe the message that God was relaying had to do more with total dependence, reliance and obedience, rather than a physical place somewhere in Lebanon. Remember that after his experiences in Zarephath, with the widow woman, the Bible tells us that Elijah went a day's journey into the wilderness, and even there, with no widow woman around to bake him a pancake, with no supermarket or convenience store, God still provided for him.
In this hour God is attempting to teach His chosen reliance on Him, rather than self-reliance, dependence on Him, rather than dependence on the things we own or the things we can buy. Above all else, He is attempting to bring us to that place of total obedience, wherein we will do as He commands, whether we are called to go into the wilderness, or stand and fight for the truth.
When we choose to obey, we know that God will take care of the rest, when we choose to depend on Him, we see His hand performing miracles.
I believe with all my heart that as the day approaches, some will be told to go to a new place, while others will be told to remain where they are. Wherever we are sent, wherever God would have us, it is in His perfect will that we will find safety, security, and shelter from the storms that will soon descend.
I know I may offend some of you, who take the scripture in Revelation 18 literally, wherein God's people are told to come out of Babylon, that they not share in her plagues, but I believe that the verse has to do more with our spiritual exodus from Babylon, its way of thinking, its practices and aspirations rather than a physical exodus. If we were to believe that only by fleeing an entire continent would God be able to protect us, we would liken God to a blind man who trying to swat a fly, overturns and breaks anything not nailed down. Remember Goshen in the midst of Egypt, and take heart, remember the blood on the door posts and be encouraged. The plagues did not come near their dwellings, and the angel of death, merely passed by.
As I said before, yes, I have my concerns, yes, I sometimes wonder, but in the end I've learned to trust my God, my Father, my Savior, the One who has never let me down, the one who has never abandoned or forsaken me.
As for you my brother Andrew, my fellow soldier in God's army, you are duty bound to obey, and my prayer today is that you cast your cares, your fears, and your worries, upon the Lord. He is faithful from age to age.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
Although I cannot make a general pronouncement concerning the question 'should we stay or should we flee?', after spending some time in prayer I feel I can at least give an answer to brother Andrew's inquiries.
First, let me begin by saying I do not consider myself a courageous man, I consider myself committed. I do not consider myself valiant or bold, I consider myself steadfast and resolute. To me it all boils down to duty, and it is due to the fact that I am duty bound that I do what I do. It is why I fight, it is why I speak, it is why I stand. The strength or number of my adversaries does not concern me, my only concern is that I am faithful in fulfilling what has been asked of me, that I fight in defense of truth and righteousness.
From reading brother Andrew's heartfelt post, I perceived that as many of you, he has been called to active duty. God has already established a specific assignment for him, and these are no times to be absent without leave.
I have heard of many who were called to be watchmen, who were called to blow the trumpet, who then took it upon themselves to leave their post without authorization. It is not something that God looks upon kindly, or takes lightly. Now, when the saints should be marching, doing battle against the darkness that threatens to stifle the light, it seems they are in full retreat verging on surrender.
Brother Andrew also mentioned a passage in proverbs that speaks of the prudent man seeing evil and hiding himself, but we must take into account that it was neither speaking of a soldier, or a servant, it was speaking in the generality of wise men and foolish men. A soldier no longer has the option to flee the evil when he sees it, he must stand and do battle against it. It is why we have been called, chosen, equipped and sanctified.
As far as Zarephath is concerned, I believe the message that God was relaying had to do more with total dependence, reliance and obedience, rather than a physical place somewhere in Lebanon. Remember that after his experiences in Zarephath, with the widow woman, the Bible tells us that Elijah went a day's journey into the wilderness, and even there, with no widow woman around to bake him a pancake, with no supermarket or convenience store, God still provided for him.
In this hour God is attempting to teach His chosen reliance on Him, rather than self-reliance, dependence on Him, rather than dependence on the things we own or the things we can buy. Above all else, He is attempting to bring us to that place of total obedience, wherein we will do as He commands, whether we are called to go into the wilderness, or stand and fight for the truth.
When we choose to obey, we know that God will take care of the rest, when we choose to depend on Him, we see His hand performing miracles.
I believe with all my heart that as the day approaches, some will be told to go to a new place, while others will be told to remain where they are. Wherever we are sent, wherever God would have us, it is in His perfect will that we will find safety, security, and shelter from the storms that will soon descend.
I know I may offend some of you, who take the scripture in Revelation 18 literally, wherein God's people are told to come out of Babylon, that they not share in her plagues, but I believe that the verse has to do more with our spiritual exodus from Babylon, its way of thinking, its practices and aspirations rather than a physical exodus. If we were to believe that only by fleeing an entire continent would God be able to protect us, we would liken God to a blind man who trying to swat a fly, overturns and breaks anything not nailed down. Remember Goshen in the midst of Egypt, and take heart, remember the blood on the door posts and be encouraged. The plagues did not come near their dwellings, and the angel of death, merely passed by.
As I said before, yes, I have my concerns, yes, I sometimes wonder, but in the end I've learned to trust my God, my Father, my Savior, the One who has never let me down, the one who has never abandoned or forsaken me.
As for you my brother Andrew, my fellow soldier in God's army, you are duty bound to obey, and my prayer today is that you cast your cares, your fears, and your worries, upon the Lord. He is faithful from age to age.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
A Tale Of Three Cities
Unlike Charles Dickens, I am a generous man, and so today I will not share with you a tale of two cities, but rather a tale of three cities. God gave me this message Saturday night, and I preached a version of it Sunday morning, and so for those that were in the service, I apologize for the repetition.
It seems that if most don't know what 'a tale of two cities' is about, at least they know the opening line of the cumbersome volume, 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.' Just for fun, if anyone ever quotes that line to you, ask them to quote another line from the book. Incidentally since I had to read it in school, and pretty much everything I read sticks to me like a warm cinnamon roll and a glass of cold milk sticks to my midsection, the book is about the French Revolution, spanning some thirty six years. Not a fun read by any means, and here I am getting sidetracked.
For the three cities we are about to discuss, the best of times was behind them. The had crested the hill of success, and now were on the decline, each in their own way.
The first city, is the city of Sodom, a city where sin ruled unhindered. Homosexuality was rampant, and the laws protected the vile, and the criminal element.
The second city we will be discussing today, is the city of Nineveh, a powerful city of close to two hundred thousand citizens, a large number for that time, a city that was self assured, living the sin of pride and arrogance. They thought themselves invincible, and their cruelty toward their prisoners knew no bounds.
The third city, perhaps the most lamentable of all, due to its wasted potential, is the city of Jerusalem, the city of David. Here it was celebrating one thousand years of existence. Having been conquered by the Romans, Jerusalem prided itself, smiling through the tears, with a well established if somewhat hollow faith. The hypocrisy of externalized religion had overtaken its leaders, and truth was rare indeed. Everything was formality, going through the motions, and now the religious leaders were forced to contend, and indeed were troubled by the sermons of a carpenter's son from Nazareth.
Three men, were inexorably linked to these three cities, whether by family ties, duty, or love.
The first man, was Abraham, a man with no hidden agendas before God, unshakable in His faith, having an established relationship with God. A man whom God called his friend.
The second man, was Jonah, a prophet, bound by duty, sent on a mission, straightforward and direct, unwilling to mince words.
The third, of course was Jesus, man, yet more than man, in fact the Son of God born of a virgin, raised with bread and water like all children, yet one who started preaching when He was twelve, an felt more at home in the Temple than in his mother's embrace.
Although these cities spanned a great length of time, all three had something in common. Their one commonality was sin. In one, the sin of sexual perversion and immorality, in another the sin of pride and trusting in their sword, their force, and their high towers, and in the third the sin of hypocrisy and religiosity without substance.
For now, let us gloss over the fact that all three of the sins for which these cities were judged individually, can be found together in one place, in this nation we call home, this land of the sort of free, and this home of the not quite brave. Yes, dear friend I speak of America.
Let us also overlook the fact, that just as it was in ancient times, for most of those who dwell within this nation's borders, it is business as usual. Although sin is growing, mutating and multiplying, although mindless violence is escalating, although the only item on the spiritual menu is empty and absent of substance, although pride is the fragrance of the day, we skip merrily along, content with having a few shekels in our pockets, and a better carriage than our next door neighbor.
All these three cities had one other thing in common, the fact that judgment had been pronounced against them. Utter and complete destruction was at the door, the pouring out of God's wrath was upon them. All three stood on the threshold of destruction.
There is also one other commonality that linked the three men. They all walked with God, they all knew of God's future plans, and they knew that judgment was about to descend.
Knowing that judgment was imminent, how did these three men react?
Abraham began to intercede, begging God not to go through with the planned judgment, trying to point out that if there were sinners, surely there must be some righteous. He did his best, he negotiated with God, until with pain in his heart he realized there weren't even ten righteous.
Upon hearing of the judgment to come, Jonah rejoiced, and bought a one way ticked to Tarshish. He considered that justice must be served, and that God should show no mercy. He was content, happy, and full of glee thinking of the soon to be charred city.
Jesus wept for Jerusalem. The misunderstood cries of the rejected one echoed as he saw the future of His people.
Luke 19:41-44, "Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying: 'If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."
Three cities, three men, three different attitudes. One interceded, one rejoiced, and the last wept. Judgment is coming, and we know it. The world is beginning to see the writing on the wall, while the church blinded by the glare of their diamond studded rings, still refuses to acknowledge it. Even so, there are those whom God has chosen, whom God has called, and whom God has sent, and the only question that remains, is whom do we most liken ourselves to Abraham, Jonah, or Christ?
Too few Abrahams are still about, and even less who weep like Christ. One thing is certain, we must redeem the time, and now while we are still able, pull as many out of the fire as we can, tireless in our quest to see another soul redeemed and sanctified, and brought into the kingdom of God.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
It seems that if most don't know what 'a tale of two cities' is about, at least they know the opening line of the cumbersome volume, 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.' Just for fun, if anyone ever quotes that line to you, ask them to quote another line from the book. Incidentally since I had to read it in school, and pretty much everything I read sticks to me like a warm cinnamon roll and a glass of cold milk sticks to my midsection, the book is about the French Revolution, spanning some thirty six years. Not a fun read by any means, and here I am getting sidetracked.
For the three cities we are about to discuss, the best of times was behind them. The had crested the hill of success, and now were on the decline, each in their own way.
The first city, is the city of Sodom, a city where sin ruled unhindered. Homosexuality was rampant, and the laws protected the vile, and the criminal element.
The second city we will be discussing today, is the city of Nineveh, a powerful city of close to two hundred thousand citizens, a large number for that time, a city that was self assured, living the sin of pride and arrogance. They thought themselves invincible, and their cruelty toward their prisoners knew no bounds.
The third city, perhaps the most lamentable of all, due to its wasted potential, is the city of Jerusalem, the city of David. Here it was celebrating one thousand years of existence. Having been conquered by the Romans, Jerusalem prided itself, smiling through the tears, with a well established if somewhat hollow faith. The hypocrisy of externalized religion had overtaken its leaders, and truth was rare indeed. Everything was formality, going through the motions, and now the religious leaders were forced to contend, and indeed were troubled by the sermons of a carpenter's son from Nazareth.
Three men, were inexorably linked to these three cities, whether by family ties, duty, or love.
The first man, was Abraham, a man with no hidden agendas before God, unshakable in His faith, having an established relationship with God. A man whom God called his friend.
The second man, was Jonah, a prophet, bound by duty, sent on a mission, straightforward and direct, unwilling to mince words.
The third, of course was Jesus, man, yet more than man, in fact the Son of God born of a virgin, raised with bread and water like all children, yet one who started preaching when He was twelve, an felt more at home in the Temple than in his mother's embrace.
Although these cities spanned a great length of time, all three had something in common. Their one commonality was sin. In one, the sin of sexual perversion and immorality, in another the sin of pride and trusting in their sword, their force, and their high towers, and in the third the sin of hypocrisy and religiosity without substance.
For now, let us gloss over the fact that all three of the sins for which these cities were judged individually, can be found together in one place, in this nation we call home, this land of the sort of free, and this home of the not quite brave. Yes, dear friend I speak of America.
Let us also overlook the fact, that just as it was in ancient times, for most of those who dwell within this nation's borders, it is business as usual. Although sin is growing, mutating and multiplying, although mindless violence is escalating, although the only item on the spiritual menu is empty and absent of substance, although pride is the fragrance of the day, we skip merrily along, content with having a few shekels in our pockets, and a better carriage than our next door neighbor.
All these three cities had one other thing in common, the fact that judgment had been pronounced against them. Utter and complete destruction was at the door, the pouring out of God's wrath was upon them. All three stood on the threshold of destruction.
There is also one other commonality that linked the three men. They all walked with God, they all knew of God's future plans, and they knew that judgment was about to descend.
Knowing that judgment was imminent, how did these three men react?
Abraham began to intercede, begging God not to go through with the planned judgment, trying to point out that if there were sinners, surely there must be some righteous. He did his best, he negotiated with God, until with pain in his heart he realized there weren't even ten righteous.
Upon hearing of the judgment to come, Jonah rejoiced, and bought a one way ticked to Tarshish. He considered that justice must be served, and that God should show no mercy. He was content, happy, and full of glee thinking of the soon to be charred city.
Jesus wept for Jerusalem. The misunderstood cries of the rejected one echoed as he saw the future of His people.
Luke 19:41-44, "Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying: 'If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."
Three cities, three men, three different attitudes. One interceded, one rejoiced, and the last wept. Judgment is coming, and we know it. The world is beginning to see the writing on the wall, while the church blinded by the glare of their diamond studded rings, still refuses to acknowledge it. Even so, there are those whom God has chosen, whom God has called, and whom God has sent, and the only question that remains, is whom do we most liken ourselves to Abraham, Jonah, or Christ?
Too few Abrahams are still about, and even less who weep like Christ. One thing is certain, we must redeem the time, and now while we are still able, pull as many out of the fire as we can, tireless in our quest to see another soul redeemed and sanctified, and brought into the kingdom of God.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
On A Personal Note
I just returned from my trip to Tennessee, in fact I just got into my apartment. I promise tomorrow I will post something more substantial, but for now, this message is for those that attended the meeting this morning. I apologize for not having more time to fellowship, I realize some of you drove a long way. Our flight departed at 2:20 so we had to leave the church as soon as I was done speaking. Again, my apologies, it was not intentional. God bless you.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
A Public Service Post
I fly allot, at least more than the average person, and before the e-mails start flying in, no not on a private jet, but commercial coach. In fact in a few hours I will be flying to the beautiful, and somewhat warmer state of Tennessee, for a speaking engagement. As far as flying first class goes, I figure if the plane goes plunging into the side of a mountain, it won't much matter where I was sitting, plus feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked with the extra money a first class ticked would have cost, makes the short lived discomfort of touching my knees to my chin from a sitting position more than worth it.
On most airplanes they have the airline's magazines, and often due to boredom, I sometimes leaf through them. For the past few years I have noticed a trend wherein they offer a CD no more than two hours in length, that gives the highlights, or the cliff notes of the twenty most popular business books for that year. Since I don't own a business, and never plan to own one, I never did see the need to purchase the materials, but as a public service I would like to do something similar in regards to televangelist sermons.
Since some of you might not have the time to watch the endless ramblings, of the perfectly coiffed, insincere manipulators with haughty smiles and a twinkle in their eye thinking of the check you're about to write, I have decided to incorporate the essence of over 90% of said sermons in a thousand words or less:
"If you are searching, give me money."
"If you are thirsty, give me money."
"If you are hungry, give me money.
"If you are struggling, give me money."
"If you are needy, give me money."
"If you want me to pray for you, give me money."
"If you want God to hear you, give me money."
"If you want God to bless you, give me money."
"If you want to be healed, give me money."
"Cause remember now, the widow woman made the pancake for the man of God first."
I don't know about you, but there seems to be a pattern emerging, and it is neither Christ or the Cross, it is neither salvation or repentance, it is neither righteousness or sanctification.
Acts 20:28-35, "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have show you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive."
What a difference a couple of thousand years makes. Oh that Paul were alive today, how he would weep. Just a parting thought, it is the weak, the helpless that we must support, not the inflated egos prancing around on our television screens, enticing us with promises of prosperity if we just help lay another brick in what have become their kingdoms on earth.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
On most airplanes they have the airline's magazines, and often due to boredom, I sometimes leaf through them. For the past few years I have noticed a trend wherein they offer a CD no more than two hours in length, that gives the highlights, or the cliff notes of the twenty most popular business books for that year. Since I don't own a business, and never plan to own one, I never did see the need to purchase the materials, but as a public service I would like to do something similar in regards to televangelist sermons.
Since some of you might not have the time to watch the endless ramblings, of the perfectly coiffed, insincere manipulators with haughty smiles and a twinkle in their eye thinking of the check you're about to write, I have decided to incorporate the essence of over 90% of said sermons in a thousand words or less:
"If you are searching, give me money."
"If you are thirsty, give me money."
"If you are hungry, give me money.
"If you are struggling, give me money."
"If you are needy, give me money."
"If you want me to pray for you, give me money."
"If you want God to hear you, give me money."
"If you want God to bless you, give me money."
"If you want to be healed, give me money."
"Cause remember now, the widow woman made the pancake for the man of God first."
I don't know about you, but there seems to be a pattern emerging, and it is neither Christ or the Cross, it is neither salvation or repentance, it is neither righteousness or sanctification.
Acts 20:28-35, "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have show you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive."
What a difference a couple of thousand years makes. Oh that Paul were alive today, how he would weep. Just a parting thought, it is the weak, the helpless that we must support, not the inflated egos prancing around on our television screens, enticing us with promises of prosperity if we just help lay another brick in what have become their kingdoms on earth.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
Friday, October 12, 2007
The Horse And The Fleas
Let me begin by saying that yes, I know I've already posted a rather long article today, for those of you who visit this site daily, but something just happened that compelled me to sit down, and bleed the following words onto the screen.
I am also well aware that if there are those of you, out there in cyberspace, still on the fence in regards to my sanity, giving me the benefit of the doubt, the following might push you over the edge. So before I lose my resolve, before I chicken out, before I unplug this apparatus and go make myself a cup of cocoa, I will venture on and say what I need to say.
I was at a friend's house no less than an hour ago, just visiting, when as he was channel surfing he happened upon a major cable news network that was interviewing a very prominent American evangelist, who also happened to be an authority on Bible Prophecy. The topic was 'the end of days' and after giving each other a look that said, 'this ought to be good', we settled in and started watching.
Near the end of the interview, the evangelist was asked if American was named anywhere in the Bible, and with the straightest face humanly possible, he said, 'no, America is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible, although Syria, Iran and Russia are.'
I liken his answer to a purely fictional story I just made up in order to illustrate the absurdity of his answer.
The story goes as follows:
A man stormed into his best friend's house, out of breath, and with a beaming smile said, 'come with me right now, there' s something I have to show you!' Because he was a good friend, the man grabbed his coat, and followed the man who had burst into his home, got into his car and they drove to a beautiful meadow, a section of which was fenced in, and within the fenced area there was a beautiful horse.
"Wow, that's a beautiful horse," the man's friend said, "it was worth the drive, that is a spectacular animal."
"I didn't bring you out here for the horse", his friend answered sternly, handing him a magnifying glass, "look at the fleas on the horse, I brought you to see the fleas."
I realize the absurdity of the story, but trust me, it makes a valid point.
We know that God does not make mistakes, He does not overlook, or otherwise omit the most important events concerning these end times. Now, let's be honest, comparatively speaking nations like Syria, or Iran are fleas in comparison to the impact the importance and the relevance America has had, and continues to have on the global scene for the past couple centuries, yet we focus on these 'fleas', finding them readily throughout the Word, all the while refusing to see that 'the horse' is more prominently mentioned in various places throughout the Bible.
In most men's minds, I believe it is the fear of facing the truth, that keeps them from seeing it on the written pages of the Bible, but as for myself, I would rather know an unpleasant truth, than believe a sugar coated lie.
I have begun a study, which with the help of God I will finish shortly on America in Bible prophecy, and will be posting it on the Hand of Help website, as soon as it is finished.
To be honest, I just had to get that off my chest so I could sleep tonight. I leave you with the peace, grace, wisdom, and mercy of our heavenly Father, and if you think less of me for having posted these thoughts, so be it.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
I am also well aware that if there are those of you, out there in cyberspace, still on the fence in regards to my sanity, giving me the benefit of the doubt, the following might push you over the edge. So before I lose my resolve, before I chicken out, before I unplug this apparatus and go make myself a cup of cocoa, I will venture on and say what I need to say.
I was at a friend's house no less than an hour ago, just visiting, when as he was channel surfing he happened upon a major cable news network that was interviewing a very prominent American evangelist, who also happened to be an authority on Bible Prophecy. The topic was 'the end of days' and after giving each other a look that said, 'this ought to be good', we settled in and started watching.
Near the end of the interview, the evangelist was asked if American was named anywhere in the Bible, and with the straightest face humanly possible, he said, 'no, America is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible, although Syria, Iran and Russia are.'
I liken his answer to a purely fictional story I just made up in order to illustrate the absurdity of his answer.
The story goes as follows:
A man stormed into his best friend's house, out of breath, and with a beaming smile said, 'come with me right now, there' s something I have to show you!' Because he was a good friend, the man grabbed his coat, and followed the man who had burst into his home, got into his car and they drove to a beautiful meadow, a section of which was fenced in, and within the fenced area there was a beautiful horse.
"Wow, that's a beautiful horse," the man's friend said, "it was worth the drive, that is a spectacular animal."
"I didn't bring you out here for the horse", his friend answered sternly, handing him a magnifying glass, "look at the fleas on the horse, I brought you to see the fleas."
I realize the absurdity of the story, but trust me, it makes a valid point.
We know that God does not make mistakes, He does not overlook, or otherwise omit the most important events concerning these end times. Now, let's be honest, comparatively speaking nations like Syria, or Iran are fleas in comparison to the impact the importance and the relevance America has had, and continues to have on the global scene for the past couple centuries, yet we focus on these 'fleas', finding them readily throughout the Word, all the while refusing to see that 'the horse' is more prominently mentioned in various places throughout the Bible.
In most men's minds, I believe it is the fear of facing the truth, that keeps them from seeing it on the written pages of the Bible, but as for myself, I would rather know an unpleasant truth, than believe a sugar coated lie.
I have begun a study, which with the help of God I will finish shortly on America in Bible prophecy, and will be posting it on the Hand of Help website, as soon as it is finished.
To be honest, I just had to get that off my chest so I could sleep tonight. I leave you with the peace, grace, wisdom, and mercy of our heavenly Father, and if you think less of me for having posted these thoughts, so be it.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
To Bury Or To Burn!
A more descriptive title for this post would have been, 'when we choose to bury, that which we should burn', but there just wasn't enough room in the title box. I began formulating this article in my mind while reading a passage in the book of Genesis, and this morning I decided to commit it to words lest my memory betray me.
As it so happens, it was immediately after the destruction of the city of Shechem, a shameful thing done by the sons of Jacob, namely Simeon and Levi, made all the more grievous by the fact that it was cloaked in the religious garments of the circumcision.
Jacob was troubled b his sons' actions, and rightly so, unsure as to whether or not he would be able to coexist with the Canaanites, and he Perizzites, when God spoke to him, telling him to arise and return to Bethel, the place of blessing, an there, rededicate himself to the One who had guided and protected him all these years.
The patriarch stood, and with what strength he had addressed those that had gathered, those he called family, the disobedient wives, the murderous sons, the disgraced daughter, all wondering how this particular story would end.
God wanted Jacob's complete sanctification, a sanctification that could not tolerate either the idols Rahel had taken from her own father's home, and clung to these many years, or the ones that Levi and Simeon had spirited out of Shechem, before they burned it.
The excess both of jewelery and garments, made Jacob's house seem like a never ending fashion show, and after God's appointment with him, Jacob had had enough. 'Purify yourselves, put away the foreign gods among you, and change your garments', the man of God cried out, repulsed and ashamed at what his family had become. 'Discard everything, for we are going to meet God, to bring sacrifice, to reconcile.'
They obeyed, whether out of respect or fear, seeing the steadfastness in his eyes, they gave Jacob all their foreign gods, and all of the earrings which were in their ears, and Jacob went and buried them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem.
Laudable, and praiseworthy as Jacob's actions might seem, his actions were incomplete. The idols, the gods, the worthless possessions, should not have been buried, but rather burned. It is later in the Word that we see what should be done with idols, and strange gods, as we witness the burning of the golden calf by Moses.
There is in all of us a time, a season, a moment of awakening, when the desire wells up in us to bury the things that keep us from experiencing the fullness of God in our lives. The only problem, is that once the initial resolution has passed, once the fire of decision, of fresh starts and new beginnings, has cooled down to mere embers, we have the tendency to go and dig up the things we buried.
Due to the fact that the flesh refuses to die easily, to go silently into that cold night, and that daily it must be crucified, it remembers very clearly where we buried the idols, and at the appropriate time reminds us, whispering in our ear, 'neath the terebinth tree, you buried your idols 'neat the terebinth tree.'
This is why the idols must be burned. If there is something in your life, keeping you from being in the perfect will of God, it is not enough to lay it aside, it must be gotten rid of permanently, forever, with no possibility of returning.
On a spiritual level, the burning is done by the fire of the Holy Spirit, using such essentials as fasting, prayer, the Word, and fellowship as fuel for the fire.
The reactivation of the conscience is necessary, as is that of the will, it is mandatory for everyone of us to die that we may live.
My prayer for you today is that you would not bury that which you should burn. Cut off any and all negotiations with sin, and have an established policy in place, that no negotiations will ensue. Just as the U.S. government does not negotiate with terrorists, the child of God should under no circumstances negotiate with sin.
The only things that we are allowed to bury, when the time comes, are these bodies of flesh that the dust may return to its rightful place. As for everything else, burn it, burn it all, and scatter the ashes that remain in the cool morning breeze of salvation.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
As it so happens, it was immediately after the destruction of the city of Shechem, a shameful thing done by the sons of Jacob, namely Simeon and Levi, made all the more grievous by the fact that it was cloaked in the religious garments of the circumcision.
Jacob was troubled b his sons' actions, and rightly so, unsure as to whether or not he would be able to coexist with the Canaanites, and he Perizzites, when God spoke to him, telling him to arise and return to Bethel, the place of blessing, an there, rededicate himself to the One who had guided and protected him all these years.
The patriarch stood, and with what strength he had addressed those that had gathered, those he called family, the disobedient wives, the murderous sons, the disgraced daughter, all wondering how this particular story would end.
God wanted Jacob's complete sanctification, a sanctification that could not tolerate either the idols Rahel had taken from her own father's home, and clung to these many years, or the ones that Levi and Simeon had spirited out of Shechem, before they burned it.
The excess both of jewelery and garments, made Jacob's house seem like a never ending fashion show, and after God's appointment with him, Jacob had had enough. 'Purify yourselves, put away the foreign gods among you, and change your garments', the man of God cried out, repulsed and ashamed at what his family had become. 'Discard everything, for we are going to meet God, to bring sacrifice, to reconcile.'
They obeyed, whether out of respect or fear, seeing the steadfastness in his eyes, they gave Jacob all their foreign gods, and all of the earrings which were in their ears, and Jacob went and buried them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem.
Laudable, and praiseworthy as Jacob's actions might seem, his actions were incomplete. The idols, the gods, the worthless possessions, should not have been buried, but rather burned. It is later in the Word that we see what should be done with idols, and strange gods, as we witness the burning of the golden calf by Moses.
There is in all of us a time, a season, a moment of awakening, when the desire wells up in us to bury the things that keep us from experiencing the fullness of God in our lives. The only problem, is that once the initial resolution has passed, once the fire of decision, of fresh starts and new beginnings, has cooled down to mere embers, we have the tendency to go and dig up the things we buried.
Due to the fact that the flesh refuses to die easily, to go silently into that cold night, and that daily it must be crucified, it remembers very clearly where we buried the idols, and at the appropriate time reminds us, whispering in our ear, 'neath the terebinth tree, you buried your idols 'neat the terebinth tree.'
This is why the idols must be burned. If there is something in your life, keeping you from being in the perfect will of God, it is not enough to lay it aside, it must be gotten rid of permanently, forever, with no possibility of returning.
On a spiritual level, the burning is done by the fire of the Holy Spirit, using such essentials as fasting, prayer, the Word, and fellowship as fuel for the fire.
The reactivation of the conscience is necessary, as is that of the will, it is mandatory for everyone of us to die that we may live.
My prayer for you today is that you would not bury that which you should burn. Cut off any and all negotiations with sin, and have an established policy in place, that no negotiations will ensue. Just as the U.S. government does not negotiate with terrorists, the child of God should under no circumstances negotiate with sin.
The only things that we are allowed to bury, when the time comes, are these bodies of flesh that the dust may return to its rightful place. As for everything else, burn it, burn it all, and scatter the ashes that remain in the cool morning breeze of salvation.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
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