First Read: Acts 12:12
God: Good morning, Son!
KH: Good morning, Lord.
God: They grew fast, didn’t they son?
KH: Wow! They sure did, Lord. Through all this trial, my three kids and their spouses have really made me proud. That “Beginnings” curriculum and the Creation Minutes videos that Eric did and Kent Andrew edited are totally amazing! You have truly prepared them for the work of the ministry. Marlissa handles the office like a pro and Paul runs shipping like a well-oiled machine. I just wish I could be there with them, Lord.
God: You’ll be there, Son. Meanwhile, they will do fine. Sometimes young people need to be challenged to rise to the occasion. Your sudden removal to prison put a great load on their shoulders and they knew how to ask Me for strength and leadership. They grew up fast. Let’s go for a walk and meet a man who didn’t do so well his first try, but came back to do great things for My Kingdom…
KH: Where are we, Lord?
God: Ancient Rome, Son. That’s John Mark walking down the sidewalk. Go talk with him a moment, Son. He has quite a story to tell.
KH: Ok Lord…Excuse me, sir, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?
John Mark (JM): Not at all. Let’s sit over here under the shade…Now, how can I help you?
KH: Well, I’d really like to hear your life story if you don’t mind. The Lord told me I’d like your story. Why are you in Rome?
JM: I’m here to assist the Apostle Paul. He’s in prison again. I’m headed out now to get us some lunch.
KH: Like Arby’s and Hardee’s?
JM: Like what?
KH: Oh, that’s right. They won’t be open for about 1900 years. My bad.
JM: We can’t wait that long for lunch! Anyway, Paul has been preaching the gospel all over Asia Minor, Greece and now Italy. People either really love him or really hate him. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of middle ground.
KH: I know that feeling too! So, how did you meet him?
JM: I was raised in Jerusalem. My mother is one of the 6 Marys mentioned in the New Testament. Jesus had His last supper at my house with His disciples and they all waited there for the Holy Spirit to be given on Pentecost (Acts 1:13).
KH: You must have a large house!
JM: Yes, it is pretty big. God has blessed us. I was just a teen, but I loved to listen to Jesus preach.
KH: I noticed that you were the only one to record the story of the young man fleeing naked when Jesus was arrested (Mk. 14: 51). Was that you?
JM: Well, yes. I didn’t put my name in there, but I was just getting in the tub when I heard them all go outside. So I quickly wrapped up in a sheet and followed them. I never dreamed it would be His last night and end the way it did. Anyway, later, after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended back to Heaven they were picking men to go on a mission trip to spread the good news. My cousin Barnabas chose me to go with him and Paul. (Acts 13:5). We went all through Cyprus preaching. It was great! But when we got to Perga and I saw the mountains we would have to cross and I heard lots of stories of the robbers and murderers in those mountains I started having second thoughts. I quit and went home (Acts 13:13).
KH: So fear motivated you?
JM: That as well as what we saw on Cyprus. I saw Satan at work up close (Acts 13:9). Plus, I was also homesick. Anyway, I quit. I was embarrassed to face the people back home. Paul got pretty angry over it and refused to take me on the second trip (Acts 15:36). He and Barnabas split up over it. Now I felt even worse! But, good old Barnabas saw something in me that others couldn’t see. He kept encouraging me and teaching me. He and I went on our own missionary trip. It was great!
KH: So where did you go?
JM: We went back to Cyprus to strengthen the believers there. It was good training and a time for me to grow in the Lord.
KH: That happened to me too. As a new Christian I was asked to teach a 5th grade boys’ Sunday School class. I was brand new, myself, but I studied hard to stay ahead of the boys. I learned a lot more than they did, I’m sure! God used that time to help me mature.
JM: Exactly! …What’s a Sunday School class?
KH: I’m sorry. That won’t be invented for about 1800 years. My bad.
JM: Anyway, Paul eventually came to trust me again. He told the Colossian church I had been a great comfort to him (Col. 4:10-11). He told Philemon that I was one of his fellow-workers (Phi. 24). Later, I went to minister in Babylon with Peter (I Pt. 5:13). That was fun! And challenging! It’s a pretty heathen place! Daniel ministered there for years as did Shadrach and his friends (Dan.). God always has a witness even among the heathen.
KH: That’s for sure. Maybe that’s why He has me here. I sure pray that He gives me grace to endure.
JM: Oh, he will! He took a coward and a deserter like me and gave him a second chance. He is a great God! He gave Jonah a second chance and lots of others in His Word.
KH: He even gives third, fourth and fifth chances, too. I sure hope people don’t give up when times get tough but if they do, your life is a great example of God using those who quit or failed. Thanks for taking care of Paul during this trial in his life.
JM: I’m honored that God would let me do it.
God: Let’s go home, Son. …John Mark grew into a great servant for My Kingdom. Your children have done the same. I’m still working on your case, Son. Go read a book and go to bed. I’ve got your back.
Dr. Kent E. Hovind is currently at the Edgefield Federal Correctional Institution in South Carolina. Please send postcards and letters to:
Kent E. Hovind #06452-017
FPC Edgefield D-2
P.O. BOX 725
Edgefield, SC 29824
Feel free to send Dr. Hovind a letter or postcard. Please understand he is not able to answer every letter he receives, but he certainly appreciates any support and encouragement. He can also receive new books, but only directly from bookstores. And no hardcover books are allowed. No DVDs, CDs, or anything hard or sharp such as staples, etc (no tracts with staples in them). Do not send more than one tract at a time, as all gifts containing more than one tract will not be allowed. Do not put “Dr.” on his name, or it may be discarded by the guards. They do not always return postal items that are not delivered to inmates, so you may want to save a copy before mailing, so that you might try again in the event that he was recently moved for example.
Please write with the understanding that whatever you write could be subject to monitoring by the guards. Please do not write politically-charged or tax-related comments, etc. In the event that Dr. Hovind is moved to another facility, one can always check for his current address by using the Inmate Locator on the Bureau of Prisons website:
http://www.bop.gov/
Encouraging comments on this blog are greatly appreciated, and Dr. Hovind does read all approved comments.
From the CSE team,
Thank you for your continued support.
Yah right! Ask any Jew if they would take a bath during a Passover Dinner! Oh Brother Hovind, that is too funny!! However, if it’s true, it adds more strength to what you are saying, because most Jewish people dress like they are going to a wedding for Passover, & everybody is bathed before the Passover Dinner begins. [It’s a ‘black suit & tie affair’! You wear your best clothes & your finest jewelry for the occasion!] Going around in just a linen wrap on Passover says something about John Mark’s character at that time. It just wasn’t done unless you were a servant, or perhaps a rebellions teenager dressing in a Roman Toga or some kind of Greek type dress. Was he a Hellenistic Jew? [The Pharisees would have had a fit over that one! The Maccabees revolt was over the Hellenizing of Jews.] That’s really interesting! So just exactly why was he dressed in just a linen wrap during Passover? It seems to me that even the servants would have been in their best clothes, because Passover is such a special occasion in the Jewish mind set. Thanks Brother Hovind. I’ve read that scripture verse for many years, but I’ve never really thought about it in that light before.
If Paul hadn’t been stuck in prison, there’s parts of the New Testament that wouldn’t have got written. God had to anchor him down in order to get some of the most important things done that Paul ever did. Brother Hovind, keep writing! If you were out preaching, that wouldn’t get done!! That book you wrote titled ‘Help! I’m being taught Evolution in my Earth Science class!’ is THE BEST Secondary Education/Jr-High/High School Textbook I’ve ever seen !!!!!!!
Great way to put things Kent! Through all this chaos God has moved in a wonderful way. The ministry hasn’t been slowed down at all!! (I’m sure the Devil is mad!) It’s been amazing watching God expand it! I guess the devil wishes he’d left you all alone, as he has seen his plan fail! When things are over our heads – remember it is under His feet! God be praised!!
How true that God is a God whp gives chances – I’m so thankful for this truth, or else I’d been in a terrible mess today! I too was a deserter and a coward but He gave a second chance – in fact a whole lot more! What a great God.
Yes God sometimes put us into the ‘deep’ end for our own good! But what good is deep water faith if we stay in the shallow end? – Sometimes we have just got to go into the deep! And having Christ on our side makes all the difference!!
Still be praying for you and Jo and all the family and ministry!
God bless
Oh by the way ‘The Welders Wife’ – interesting to hear about the jewish tradition, it helps to understand the Jews – just a little bit.
November 21-December 1, 2009
Were drowning here, and the experts are
describing the water saying,
“Don’t “Get” so caught up into … “_______________”? (The “WILL OF GOD” … for “YOU”)
They tell you this while, “THE STINKING LEVY IS LEAKING”!
Lazy America, Lazy Christian… “RUB MY back, “Ahh” … Message my brain, “Ooh”… my emotions, “Yea” … that feels good”. … And like those 4 police officers … “BANG” YOUR DEAD!
Beware of … “The Wiles of the DEVIL”
Wiles- Devious or cunning Stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants.
Wiles- tricks, ruses, ploys, schemes, dodges, maneuvers, subterfuges, shenanigans, artifices; guile (Envy), artfulness, cunning, craftiness.
Guile- n.
sly or cunning intelligence : he used all his guile and guts to free himself from the muddle he was in.
Devious adj.
a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals
Stratagem n.
a plan or scheme, esp. one used to outwit an opponent or achieve an end : a series of devious stratagems.
archaic skill in devising such plans or schemes; cunning.
Envy- n. jealousy, covetousness; resentment, bitterness, discontent; the green-eyed monster
I don’t want to write another letter. I want to serve God, I want to raise Godly children I want to have a Godly family. I want to hay a healthy body but, every attempt I try, and have tried, is met with resistance! It has failed! Either through someone else or myself, like I am on or in some self-destruct mode!
How long was Daniel troubled? How long did Daniel suffer? I’m not suffering as some missionaries I hear about … (Although … there are some whom I wish I were in there shoes).
I am tormented … and I don’t know why! (I do know why!) Moses and his law, Daniel, Zechariah, Malachi! All the Prophet’s! Who are WE to use the word Minor prophets! What idiot coined that phrase? Are we this negligent and delinquent in GOD’S HOLY WORD to allow such language into our Jedeo-Christian thinking! WERE ARE WE GETTING OUR INFORMATION FROM! WHO ARE THESE LAODICEANS!
From the pulpit (Mind you not my pulpit) but, MY PEOPLE listen to them! Then they listen as they distort and butcher my “WORD” and ask Me, “Why!” … when tragedy happens in their lives! My People! My Children! Do you not read? I know you are Gentiles … but, “I gave you, Eyes to see, and ears to hear! STOP BEING DEFIANT!”
I can’t fully blame you THOUGH … I have warned you! Matthew 24 & 25. Matthew 10 are instructions on how to share my Kingdom.
In Daniel … “I HAVE WARNED YOU” of the future powers to come. If you would but just “READ MY WORD” … and look at “World History” … “FOR YOURSELVES” BECAUSE I WARNED YOU THAT, “YOU WOULD BE LIED TO (EVEN BY THOSE IN YOUR CONGREGATIONS)”. I said Heaven and Earth would be done away with (Die) before my Word would ever “Change” (it’s meaning). When did I ever say in my Word … “THE LAW WAS DEAD” or null and void? But there are people “MEN, and Women” whom Satan, seeks, “The weak side of men”. They repeat in one form or another, “Christ free us from the Law”! I don’t have to follow the “OLD TESTAMENT!” “Where is this in My Word”?
Romans 8:1-3 (King James Version)
1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who WALK (Lifestyle) is not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
My law is Spirit! Our flesh in this (sinful world) with it desires and drives, (for the base things in life) does NOT have the POWER to say “NO”!
If you read through to verse 9, all it is saying is Jesus gave us the POWER where we had no power. That is if you “CHOOSE” to follow His WORD.
Deuteronomy 29:29
The secret things belong to the LORD our God: or (God has secrets not known to any human). These things we are not responsible for. But those “Things” which are revealed (In His law) belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
We are not held responsible for a contract that does not have … “The small print”. God does not work that way. He spells it out clearly. We and our children are accountable then forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of His contract.
• (Discipline oneself then to do those things that are pleasing to God) train oneself to do something in a controlled and habitual way
There is a new effort today for “Change.”
This is the time Daniel spoke of.
Daniel 2:44
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, (Political system/Government) which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever”.
I WILL DO WHAT I SAY! YOU ARE BEING DECEIVED … SEDUCED!
Where is you information coming from? Is it my WORD, or a processed VERSION (PERVERSION) OF IT!? Are you hearing it straight from its source or from the boob tube?
From, “THE WELL” or the “The bucket?” The Book or the booklet. I want to speak to “YOU” I want to spend time with “YOU” I want to share so much with you but you have been so distracted and, to make it so clear of what I mean … your diverted by news, sidetrack by movies, drawn away by people, disturb by todays events, put off by the lies of others. Did not Paul warn Timothy of these future distractions in 2 Timothy 3?
Malachi 3 says
I am the LORD, I do not “Change”! It was asked before I (Jesus) came, “Who may abide … “The day of My coming”? and “Who shall stand when I appear”? “I AM like a refiner’s fire, like bleach: And I shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and I shall purify the sons of Levi, (The Elect ones) and purge them like gold and silver, (THE HEAT WILL BE TURNED ON BUT I AM right with you). I do this not to hurt you, but to show you what is in you) that you may offer yourself to my Father the LORD as an offering in right standing.
These suits and ties & odious woman you listen to, those on TV and, in the books you read … “They say “Stout” (wild things) against me,”(MY WORD). Yet they and, maybe some of you ask … “What and when have they spoken so much against You? Some have even said, It is pointless to serve God: and what profit is it… “That we have to kept his ordinance? This is my My Word, My Laws they they’re invalidating! “We have walked broken-hearted before the LORD of hosts! But instead of leaning toward the LORD in that “time of refining… you throw you hands up and say … “It’s not worth it”! Now we will call the proud (condescending, superior, patronizing, snobbish, smug, scornful, sneering, arrogant) … happy; yes, the movie stars, they got all together”; Yes, they tempt God and don’t even get in trouble”. (At least this is the “excuse”, you use so you can act the same … “Easy out” way).
My people, my Children… is the Church sick and dying? Cancer? Obesity, Diabetes, etc. I gave in my Law, EVERYTHING, TO PREVENT this disorder of structure or function in the human, body, esp. one that produces specific signs or symptoms that affects a specific location that is “NOT’ a “Direct result”, of physical injury. Definition … “YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT”. (This also applies to animals, & plants) … SICKNESS! Do you want to know, “WHY”? 911 was not only a warning to the world but to My elect AS WELL?… I knew 911 would happen. IT WAS A CALL TO MY PEOPLE… I asked my servant to look up DANIEL 9:11. He was at a loss (for words) …
DANIEL 9:11- Yes, all Israel (Including the stranger) have transgressed Your law, even by departing from, (depart from) to deviate from (an accepted, prescribed, or traditional course of action) even by departing from … Your Word! So that they might not obey YOUR VOICE!; (Adam … Eve … “Don’t eat from the tree, for the day you do, you will surely Die!”
Is Daddi being mean? Is He an “Ogre”? NO! We have an enemy… and he got the best of us! BUT … Christ interrupted that course of events to prevent and alter a result that (Cause and effect), took upon us!) “The curse” (IN THE LAW) WAS “poured out on us”! “The Oath” that is “Written in the Law of Moses” (the servant of God), happened, because we sinned against Him. (THE LORD).
Cause and effect still applies today… according to Gods Holy Word. Cancer? Obesity, Diabetes. Have you or do you know someone who is suffering?
But … While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us.
Then those that feared the LORD spoke often one to another: and the LORD heard, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those that feared or (Thought upon) the LORD, and that thought upon his name. (HIS WORD) 17And they shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son that serves him. Then shall you return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serves God and him that serves him not.
Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, the sons of Levi, (The Elect ones), and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
My Children do you know Me … Are you spending time with Me or a form of Me. When you meet Me, will you run to Me or from Me. I want you to “offer yourself to my Father the LORD as, “An offering in right standing”. I gave you … ‘The Jump start” My Blood! to get you started …Now… finish what Paul said…
Galatians 5
1Stand fast therefore in the freedom by which Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (NOTE: This is not from the Law … but the the blood of Christ that helps us obey the “THINGS IN THE LAW”) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, (JEWISH, A.K.A. Practicing the letter of the Law … not the love). Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the Whole law. Christ is become of no effect to you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; you are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. (In other words … it is Love, not the condemning of a person when they break the Law or do not follow it. Obeying the Law is still in effect for health reason … and obeying it DOES benefit that individual. GOD will preform (Natural Laws)
You were doing OK; who messed with you mind that you should not obey the truth? This persuasion did not com from him that called you. 9A little yeast fills the whole loaf. 10I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. 11And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. 12I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
13For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.
2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. 4 For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace.
5 But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. 6 For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.
7 You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? 8 It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. 9 This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! 10 I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you.
11 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] if I were still preaching that you must be circumcised—as some say I do—why am I still being persecuted? If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ, no one would be offended. 12 I just wish that those troublemakers who want to mutilate you by circumcision would mutilate themselves.[b]
13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[c] 15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.
Living by the Spirit’s Power
16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
Brother,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
You are always in my thoughts, and prayers.
Your ministry is a blessing from above. I look forward to
meeting you there, as well as your family!
Isaiah 40:31 (King James Version)
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and
not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
God Bless you Brother!
In His Love,
Terry Burton
Thanks. It’s another reminder of how God is growing His people. In our tiny church, two are dying of cancer and the wife of one of them has many physical problems herself. A former church member who moved had a nonmalignant brain tumor removed. She was doing fine then took a turn for the worse and has a 1% chance of survival. A second was hit by a car while biking and is paralyzed from the waist down. He has received rehab but is plagued by infections which may land him in ICU. Another believer we have known for years is seriously ill with MS. We have so many things for which to pray. Thanks for reminding us. Love in Him, The Jaggers Family