11/30/09
Dear Friends of CSE (As well as a few skeptics from previous posts),
It’s amazing to read God’s Word and see how many times political leaders were influenced in their decisions (good or bad), because of pressure from “the people.” Some did things, because they feared the people ( II Sam. 15:24; Mt. 14:5; 21:46; Mk. 11:18; 12:12; Lk 18:2; 20:19; 22:2; Jn 9:22; Acts 5:26), and other times they modified their attitudes or actions, because they saw that it “pleased the people” ( II Sam. 3:36; Mk. 6:22; Acts 6:5; 12:3; Rom. 15:26).
Christians, of course, should fear the Lord (Prov. 1:7, etc) and not fear man (Prov. 29:25). Since some in our government fear the Lord and some do not, and since the issues submitted (today) for reconsideration to the Supreme Court will affect every American – I thought I would give a very brief summary of the issues I’m in prison for, and encourage those of you who feel led to contact your Senator (202-224-3121), Congressman (202-224-3121), and even the President (202-456-1414), or news media to let them know you are interested in the outcome of this case, and that you would like them to rule in my favor and release me.
The first issue is “structuring.” We went to our own bank to withdraw ministry money donated or earned in legitimate ways to spend on legitimate ministry bills. On average the withdrawals were 12 days apart. No problem.
Years ago, congress passed laws to stop drug dealers from laundering large amounts of cash, so any deposits over $10,000 required a form to be filled out. If a person “structured” transactions, by breaking down large amounts into deposits under $10,000 to evade the reporting requirements, they would be guilty of one count of structuring and could get 5 years in prison. The few times we withdrew over $10,000 the bank filled out their form. No problem. The IRS went through the account and cherry picked 45 times when the withdrawal was under $10,000 and charged each one as a separate count. If this is not overturned on appeal, anyone who takes any amount of money out of their bank account could be charged with structuring. Our withdrawals were not part of a larger sum being broken down on one day to avoid anything, and there were no drugs or drug money involved. After a two-week trial, our lawyers advised us not to give a defense, since no law was broken. After the closing arguments, the judge changed the jury instructions to say that if they found we took out less than $10,000, they must find us guilty! Do you ever take your own money out of your own bank where you have banked for 10 years? Get ready to join me.
The second issue covers all of Jo’s charges (as does the first), and all but one of mine. In 1980 Congress, passed the Paperwork Reduction Act – PRA, which says no one can be penalized for failing to fill out (or refusing to fill out) a form that is expired, out of date, or bootleg. It said that all government forms expire in 3 years and they must display a valid OMB # or you can ignore them. Aside from many other issues involved in my case, just the PRA is clear. Yet, I was given 5 years for not filling out a form that did not follow the PRA. In 1995 the PRA was made even stronger. The question is simple: Does the government have to obey the law as well as the people? If you think they should be held to the same standard, maybe you need to call and let them know?
My Supreme Court case # is 09-5043. I’m sure you can download and read all the motions on the internet if you like.
I don’t know if you will get an Ex. 5:2 reaction or a Lk. 18:2-5 reaction, but the voice of “the people” needs to be heard. Be sure to be nice and to wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
God bless you, everyone!
In Christ,
Kent Hovind
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.
Dr. Hovind is the best! I just wrote him in Edgefield.
Praise God,
Joe
Kent,
I guess that we could wish them a “Merry Christ mas” but a better name would be a “Merry Saturnalia’. It is a pagan holiday and has nothing to do with the Lord Jesus Christ. God commands us not to practice the ways of the heathen. It is their holiday not ours. Not until my wife turned her back on the Lord did she start celebrating Christmas and Easter. During Saturnalia, the people had a big feast, party for about a week or so. It was huge as it is today. The Roman Catholics made the pagan holiday their pagan holiday but incorporating their “Jesus” into it by eating his body and drinking his blood at that time of the year in a huge fashion.
I ask people all the time who “really” think it is Jesus’ birthday, why do they ssy, “Merry Christmas” instead of Happy Birthday. Nobody wishes me a “Merry Bunnmas” on my birthday so why would people think that a “mas(s)” has anything to do with Jesus or his birthday? MOST Christians did NOT celebrate Christmas in Colonial America, as we went more and more pagan, secular then believers slowly started getting into the party, so to speak.
Spurgeon asked a good question since he knew few christians who celebrated the day, “Why would any Christian celebrate the mass, we detest it.” NOT his exact words but very close.
Ekkman
Kent has told him something we can do to help him. Let’s do it! Let’s get on the phone and tell our congressmen and senators to rule in his favor and release him.
Brother Hovind,
We will never forget your bonds. Praying for you always.
In regard to the comment about Christmas, we agree with this brother in his convictions and as a family we ourselves do not have the tree, greens, we don’t give gifts. Yet personally believe
that it is a wonderful time to remind the lost about the reason Christ came to earth.
When Paul preached on Mars Hill he used the superstitions of the men of Athens and built upon their
understanding of who the Uknown God they worshipped was.
He used their ignorance and proclaimed the Gospel.
Also, the Bible gives us the wonderful story of the birth of Christ. I believe we can worship the Lord
on this particular day as “Unto the Lord” and not be guilty, as long as that is what we are really doing.
I love singing the Christmas hymns. We can proclaim a very clear gospel message this Christmas time.
I came from a Cathloic background and understand what this Mass is like, I do not celebrate the mass.
Besides,
This was not Kent’s point,
He needs help. Let’s do what we can to help our brother.
God Bless you Kent, the Strunk Family loves you to pieces. You’ve made a difference in our lives.
Love,
Sam, Kellee, Aaron, Samuel, Helen, Mary & Tiny Tim
Dear Brother Hovind,
The Hungarian team that is working on your Creation Seminar Series prays for your earliest release. (It is a team of five. Two men live in the USA, in two different cities, and three of us live in Hungary in two different cities. Interestingly, the team members never met. Only a very nice lady in Budapest and the lad editing the videos met in person. The work is co-ordinated in e-mail. And in Heaven. That last bit makes the whole thing work, not us, little grains of sand…)
We wish we could do something else for you, but right now translating and dubbing your videos is all that is in our power. A lot of Hungarians get to see your seminars, young and old, rich and poor, and they keep asking for more videos. Right now Seminars #1, #2, #7a and #7b are available in Hungarian on DVDs. Much to our regret, the person who used to be our voice talent quit when he heard about you being in prison. So right now we need to find another man to dub your videos, and then we can release the remaining four videos. I am pretty sure that God will take care of that, too, and the entire series will be available in Hungarian in a couple of months. I might be the new voice talent. Your seminars must be given to as many people as possible, because we are running out of time. We feel that we were chosen for this, and wish to do well to please our Creator. I found your great slides – all 10 millions of them
– on a website, and I have been translating them into Hungarian, too, so that we can put those into the Hungarian version of your videos. I think you would be pleased with the results. They look really good. The quality is really nice. Because we believe that our Lord deserves the very best we can do. By the way, I am absolutely sure that you will see them sooner or later. Preferably sooner.
The Hungarian team did send CSE some money when Eric asked for help. Not a lot, for we are not rich. Some. But sometimes little things can make a big difference. I am glad to hear that CSE is up and running, and doing great things. I know that the government seized CSE property although Eric managed to raise the money. Never mind that. The important thing is that CSE is still up and running, and that you will have a ministry to return to when you are released. And your son continues your work while you are away. And I know that you are busy yourself where you are right now.
I sincerely hope the the Supreme Court will overturn your case. I am going to pray for that. As far as your sentence is concerned, I say it was way too harsh and unjust… to say the least. I hope and pray for your earliest release. There is one thing I know: God is Great, and He can turn things around in a split second. You will not stay in there one second longer than you need to be. Know that. I know that it is little comfort, but you are in the thoughts of a lot of people. In the thoughts of more people than you can imagine. Much more. And I mean kind people. Your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Blessing,
Istvan
Hungarian Translator
“As ye would that men do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31
Call, folks!
I called one of my senators today. Do not refer to the supreme court case because they will just tell you that senators and representatives have no effect on supreme court cases – that is the supreme court judge, who is not affected by public opinion. But call anyway and just ask that they push for the bill that helps with the overcrowding in prison. Right now it is a house bill only, but you can still call senators, so that when it comes up in the senate, they know our opinion. I did not have a bill number to reference. It would be good to have, but is not essential.
I used to see Kent when I visited my friend Merle Temple there. I continue to pray for Kent. If we know when the case is coming up that would help us focus on praying at that time and speaking to the mountains that need to move for Kent to be free. I hope Kent knows his friend Merle is doing well and the great influence he was on Merle.
We love you Brother Hovind. We’ve bought every video you’ve ever made. Hang in there. We look forward to getting you back.
I’m glad to hear about Brian Steele. I’m sure that scores of Christians world-wide approached the throne of God regarding his salvation.
Reminder: There won’t be any lawyers in the millennium.
Dear Kent,
My sense is that your “trials” are not at all about “Justice” but about “the persecution of the saints.” I am praying for God’s BEST PLAN to prevail in your life and your family’s.
I have benefitted immensly over many years from many ministries – including yours. Your Creation Seminar was a “favorite” in the science classes I taught at Word of God Academy in Erie, PA. Now retired from that ministry, I took time to synthesize into a “Big Picture” some of the basics I learned from you (and others) regarding the falsehood and effects of the Doctrine of Evolution etc. in a FREE online book. The intent is to add to the TOOLBOX of available options to “equip the saints” to win others – especially atheists – to Christ, the Lord. It is at: totaltruth.org
I bring it to your attention as a way of acknowledging your contribution to my life and my student’s lives and thanking you for your sacrificial dedication to His cause. (It is part of the fruit of your exhortation in your series to “do” something for God.)
May you know His consumming love in this present challenge. II Cor. 4:11-18
In Him,
Leonard Ransil
Dear Brother Hovind,
Hang in there Brother, God is faithful! Trust His wisdom & that He is in control.
I have spent half the day making copies of your seminar to send to some of my family for Christmas presents. I love this time of year! There are those who view the whole thing with a critical eye for it’s lack of Biblical accuracy, & I’ve struggled with those issues too, but I have this notion that it is a God given opportunity to pour out His love & grace upon those He has put in my path!
It was during this season that God began to sow the seeds of truth in my life. My Mom was into the traditions of Christmas when I was a little girl, even though she wasn’t a Christian. Every year my parents would read to us both the Santa Clause story & the Nativity story. We also had a Nativity set that we set up on the mantle every year. We also played Christmas carols over & over again. That’s how I first heard about my Messiah! (My family were not church goers!) Later, when I discovered that Santa was a fairy tale, I knew in my heart that Jesus was real. I didn’t know anymore about Him other than the Nativity story (The Little Golden Book version). That was the foundation that God laid in me & began to build on.
Later, we moved to Australia when I was ten. In those days, in the public school, everyone had to go to a half hour religious instruction class once a week, & so I was put in the class for Lutherans. [My parents had Christened me in the Lutheran church when I was four months old in order to get their family to quit harassing them.] In the class, the Bible teacher taught about the parables & miracles of Jesus. I paid close attention, & was always able to answer the questions about the previous week’s lesson. The LORD was sowing more seeds in my life… He was building upon the truth that began with the Christmas celebrations. Another time, a friend of ours found a couple of kid’s Bible story books that somebody had left in a laundry mat & gave them to us. I read them 2 or 3 times each! Then my Dad got a teaching position in Goroka, New Guinea. While we were packing up our family belongings, I came across a coffee table Bible that my Mum had hidden away in her cedar chest. She used it to write family records in. I had never been allowed to look at it before, but now, because I was more careful with stuff, my Mum allowed me to have a look at it. In the center were several pages of famous paintings of Bible Stories. As I looked at those pictures, I had a keen desire to know the stories that went with them! [The Holy Spirit was wetting my appetite!] Then, about 3 weeks after we moved to Goroka, one of my class mates, whose parents were Lutheran Missionaries, invited me to go to Sunday School with her. I desperately wanted to go, but at that time my parents had become very anti-Christian, & I was afraid to ask them for permission. Somehow the LORD gave me the courage, & they decided that it would be a good idea if I went (& believe it or not, they had the notion that it would inoculate me against Christianity) LOL! Well, in that Lutheran church, the kids participate in the liturgy & singing & went out to the Sunday School classes just before the sermon. On the very first day that I went, the whole congregation read the Apostle’s Creed in the Hymn Book. That was the first time I had ever heard the rest of the story! I believed it, & the LORD immediately changed me into a new Creation. My life has never been the same since!
This past summer, when we had Vacation Bible School, I asked the kids where Jesus was born. Nobody could tell me. I was shocked! When I was their age, even though I wasn’t saved at the time, I knew, & so did everybody else, because we all listened to Christmas carols. It was common knowledge. It’s not so any more. So, this year I’m handing out Nativity Story Books. [They might not be 100% accurate, but the LORD can build on the truth that’s there as He sees fit!]
Brother Hovind, at the moment, we have about 4 kids in our church. One of them sits in front of me.(He’s nine!) We gave his family a copy of your seminar. He’s been listening to it over & over again. Recently, his older brothers were visiting them while he was listening to your seminar. Then the older brothers wanted to borrow his CSE dvds. 2 or 3 weeks ago, one of them got saved, & I’m not sure about the other one yet. I made another set for them today too!
We’ve got your Creation Science posters hanging up in the basement of our church where all kinds of local events are held for the whole community. The next event will be the Christmas Eve service. Afterwards, people will go down stairs for cookies & coffee. Maybe God will use those poster during that event to plant some more seeds of truth into somebody’s heart….
Dear Kent; Almost 5 years ago now, I was also a victim of government’s whimsical laws, and their enforcement. I had visitation rights with my daughter, written in stone as legal & binding. Out of the blue one day, both my “ex” and daughter refused to comply, without any reason beyond “feelings.” There is much detail I must leave out, only for brevity’s sake. My daughter at this time claimed to be depressed, and went to a counsellor, who immediately suspended my visitation rights. I later found out that my daughter had been caught with a bit of marijuana at school- depression became her defense! Instantly, condemnation turned to pity. And this is why she stopped visiting- she assumed that I knew about the drugs, and didn’t want to face me. Common sense could see that, but not counsellors, lawyers, or court-appointed officials. I only found out about the drug incident some 35 days after it happened, after bringing my wife to court for visitation violation. I even had good recordings from my answering machine which indicted her actions & attitude.
Well, the counsellor emphatically stated that I wasn’t the problem, and in her mind visitations could resume. Good news, right? Yet in spite of standing, legally binding visitation orders, my “ex” was never made to account in any way for her conduct- not even a verbal reprimand! In addition, though those orders were in place, and I had been “cleared” by the counsellor, the court appointed officer then said I could only see my daughter after going through counselling sessions; and then only if it was agreeable to both her and my “ex”! The outrage I had could not be expressed, but even my own lawyer didn’t seem to think this resolution a problem. Our system is so screwed up, that good is being called evil, and evil good (Is. 5:20,21). For those reading, I did go to one session (I was not told there could be more than one, at first); it became clear that this would be a long-term, expensive venture that I was being forced to agree to, though the violation was on the mother’s part, and I was deemed innocent! Biblically, I was ordered to stop. We are not to comply with lies & other iniquities; it villifies them! They wanted Jesus to do it in John 8:54,55, and it is also what Job went through with his 3 “friends”; they wanted him to admit to guilt and sin, though he knew that he had walked in obedience to the Lord. To that God told those 3 friends,”…ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.”- Job 42:7. To comply with those evil, lawless demands, would be to put my daughter & our relationship ahead of Christ (Matt. 10:37, Luke 14:26).
My case is indeed merely a light cough of an illness; many, many families have been destroyed far more greatly. And brother Hovind, I fear that your case is only a symptom of the beginning of sorrows for these end times. This is the America we’re a part of- one that incarcerates more of its population than any nation on earth; even more than communist China, which has over 5 times the population that we do! Your plight is also far worse than what I went through; I just wanted you to know that I could relate on some level. I will be availing myself of the information you gave, writing & requesting your release.
God’s Word (KJV only) tells us that in these last days, “…because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”-Matt. 24:12. New Bible versions change the word “iniquity” to “lawlessness.” I’m sure Satan loves that! Many things are legal, or “lawful,” which are still iniquity! Even by cases such as brother Hovind’s, you can tell how haphazard man’s laws can be! What we are seeing today is a government, more & more on every level, where evil is proliferating. Laws are being routinely changed on the spot, or ignored; along with especially the U.S. constitution. Our hope needs to be firmly fixed in Jesus Christ, as our reunion with our beloved savior is nigh at hand (Luke 21:28, Rom. 13:11,12). “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”- Mark 13:37
When it comes to your case, brother Hovind, I think many people are “not seeing the forest through the trees.” This attack is of Satan, via the U.S. Government. For years you have been a strong voice of truth in opposing the evolution propaganda of that government. That same government threw numerous charges your way over the years, but finally had to “manufacture” something to achieve the goal of silencing you, and/or discrediting you. Yet truth is truth, and will always stand!
So in this assault we are tending to look at laws only; as if perhaps they are good, and only being misused. Many will stand around scratching their heads, wondering how such a human injustice could happen—and the devil stands nearby, with an ear-to-ear grin! He is the one responsible for this; another masterpiece by the hand of the master deceiver.
The Bible tells us plainly that “…we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against…the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”—from Ephesians 6:12. In spite of this clear illumination, people often refuse to embrace it as truth from God.
God’s Word tells us that “all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution”, in II Timothy 3:12. Satan is the one bringing this persecution forth, but doesn’t want believers in Christ to know this. Our enemy has learned to attack Christians in ways that don’t seem spiritual; that won’t look like persecution. Why? In the first few centuries of the church (after Pentecost), much direct, physical persecution was brought against Christ’s followers—yet still Christianity grew, and in big numbers! The devil learned that when believers know they are being persecuted for Christ, their faith increases; they become stronger (Acts 5:40,41). Instead of winning his fight, Satan is hurting his own cause! So he learned that when attacking believers, it was best to disguise himself so that the Christian faith would not be encouraged!
We should never lose sight of this; and wage ceaseless spiritual warfare against the forces that are truly responsible. We should use Christ’s authority in binding and casting out Satan in and around this situation. We should also bless those through which this persecution is coming—they being unwittingly used by an enemy who wants to destroy them! We, who have been redeemed through the blood of Christ, were once in their shoes.
Keep the faith, Kent! May I suggest Psalm 126 for your encouragement.
I just wrote both my senators and my congresswoman here in Washington state. The Whitehouse too.
Lets take the time to do what we can to help. The easiest way is just copy your first mesage and paste it in for the rest. I left my home and cell numbers for all if they wanted to talk about the injustice that is taking place. 20 minutes tops for all 4 emails.
Brother Hovind, hang in there man! You are in our prayers daily!
May The Lord be with you,
Dear Brother Hovind,
There was a 6 year old in my Sunday School class this morning who did not know the Christmas Carols ‘Silent Night’ & ‘Away in a Manger’! She had never heard them before. We were talking about Jesus being born, & she couldn’t remember seeing a picture of a Nativity Scene on a Christmas card! That’s hard to fathom! It sure is a different country than when we were that age!!
Brother Hovind, concerning this Knee-Mail, I’ll do as the LORD leads me, but I don’t have any clear direction as of yet; however, here’s what comes to mind: Recently I watched a dvd done of Louie Giglio from a series called ‘The Heart of Passion’. The particular one was titled ‘Indescribable’. He was talking about the distance of stars, etc. & he was telling how there is a ‘cross’ shape the farthermost that we can see into outer space! And Brother, maybe you already know about that. The thing that I think about is that in the Days of Noah, Noah was saying ‘There’s a Flood coming’. Based on the Hydroplate theory ( http://www.creationscience.com ) and the Hebrew Text ( http://www.w-rocs.org/stones/Genesis_1.pdf ) people were probably saying to Noah, “Where’s the water coming from?” because they couldn’t see the water that was underneath the land. 2 Peter 3:5 says that the earth was standing in the water & out of the water. The people in Noah’s day could only see the shallow lakes & seas nestled in the land. Ok… on the other end of the Bible our LORD is saying that just before He returns, the heavens are going to roll up like a scroll! (See Revelation 6:12-17) That ought to put an end to the discussion on whether the theory of evolution is true or not!
I’ve heard different ones give their opinion over the years as to exactly what ‘the sky rolling up as a scroll’ entails. Some think it’s a nuclear explosion. Some think it’s a grand meteorite shower or something like that. After studying the Hebrew Text of Genesis 1, I’m convinced that it’s the whole of outer space. Can God do that? Of course He can! He made it all in one day (in the same amount of time as the Sabbath in the 10 Commandment).
God is bigger than the sky, yet He knows the number of hairs on our heads & every time a sparrow hops. And He’s in charge of the situation at hand.
As has been noted, contacting legislative officials regarding a matter before the Supreme Court is useless as justices are appointed for life with the intention that they be removed from political and public pressures as much as possible. My suspicion is that it would not be helpful to contact court members directly either.
Probably the best way to influence the government in an effort to help Kent Hovind would be to support reduced sentences for non-violent offenders and substantial reductions of sentence for those already serving time. (Others have commented on those efforts above.)
When contacting legislators, there are several things to keep in mind:
1) They are not interested at all in the opinions of those outside their district.
2) A telephone call or hand written letter will get the most attention.
3) E-mails get much less consideration.
4) E-mail petitions and form letters will be pretty much ignored.
5) It is important to contact them as early in the process as possible. By the time a bill reaches the floor for a vote, legislators have pretty much made up their minds.
To Kent and fiends,
The only day that the Lord instructed us to keep holy in remembrance to Him, was the Sabbath Day.
The papacy hates us for ignoring their day of the Lord (Sunday) and, no doubt, Sunday worship will eventually be enforced.
Kent, I pray for your release and wish you good health,
Eugene
Brother Kent,
I whole heartedly agree with you on writing to the congressmen, representatives, and senators. Especially when you see injustice, and unethical acts in our government and in the private sector. Believe me I have suffered for standing up for my beliefs in GOD and His Son, but I would do it all again if it was His Will.
We must stand firm on the principles in the Holy Bible. Please check out my webpage for a recent posting of a US ARMY report in 2008, and the view point of our government on Christian Faith in regards to global policies.
John McTernans blogspot was where I found it, and I passing it all over the internet. I strongly suggest you do the same thing. Several of us may be sharing a cell with you Kent – in a short period of time. I am not kidding!
God Bless you Kent! As always, you are in my prayers.
In His Love,
Terry Burton
http://www.FieryPhoenix.us
Howdy! Kent I received this in my e-mail from a group we occasionally tithe to. I’m sure some readers are familiar with them. I disagree with their Biblical references but I definitely believe it deserves a good read and I’d like to pass it on.
“Drunk, But Not On Wine”
by James Robison
We live in a day when people are not only out of control, but under the control of powerful adversarial influences. God spoke clearly through the prophet Isaiah these words:
“Blind yourselves and be blind. They become drunk, but not with wine, they stagger, but not with strong drink.”1
God, through the prophet, asserts that there are powerful, controlling forces in the realm of the spirit which influenced the nation of Israel – His chosen people. Isaiah used the physical analogy of those who stagger and stumble under the debilitating influence of alcohol to illustrate the control that spiritual forces can have over people.
The Old Testament story of Israel is the revelation of people set free from Egyptian bondage, which represents bondage to the world’s mentality, and led toward freedom in the Promised Land. Though they were physically liberated, their minds were hindered by fear and unbelief. Consequently, they wandered in circles for 40 years, then finally the faithful few who believed the truth entered the Promised Land and defeated their enemies through the supernatural power of God. Years later, the same chosen ones of God became prisoners again, even in the Promised Land.2
This is an accurate description of much of the church family. Too many believers live in as much bondage as they experienced prior to their deliverance from the world. There is an enemy in the spiritual realm referred to by Paul as “principalities and powers of darkness.”3 These demonic forces and deceivers take captive the most precious and influential ones in our midst.
Isaiah went on to say that truth cannot be understood because people draw near God with their words and honor him with their lips, but their hearts are far from him. He said that reverence for Him consists of tradition learned by rote, which is mechanical repetition.4
Much of the church and many in our country are trapped by a spirit of mechanical repetition regarding truth. We recite the pledge of allegiance, but not from our heart and with little or no understanding or appreciation. We sing The Star Spangled Banner with no heartfelt brokenness and gratitude for the price paid for our freedom, and with hands resting on hearts that have grown cold and calloused by a spirit of indifference. We repeat prayers, but they are mere words seldom going higher than the ceiling. We sing songs, but we have forgotten their message. We go through the motions of worship, but live in defeat. We hear sermons, but seldom apply them.
This time of year, especially, is fraught with meaningless repetition. We say, “Merry Christmas,” but don’t celebrate the coming of the Christ. We give gifts, but forget the greatest Gift of all. We get busy with the “holidays” when we should be still and know that He is Lord. No wonder so many people actually hate this time of year! We have become hearers and not doers.
Again, God spoke through Isaiah to His people, calling them to repentance and promising them freedom:
“Therefore, please hear this, you afflicted, who are drunk, but not with wine: Thus says your Lord, the Lord, even your God Who contends for His people, ‘Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of reeling, The chalice of My anger; You will never drink it again. I will put it into the hand of your tormentors, who have said to you, “Lie down that we may walk over you.” You have even made your back like the ground and like the street for those who walk over it.’”5
God said to His people and those with ears to hear, but who refuse to hear, that they would reach a point of such intoxication by the spirit of deception, distraction and defeat that the enemies of life and freedom would command them to lie down while tormenting forces walked over them as trampled ground.
It is happening to our leaders in the political realm. It happens in ministry. It happened to Tiger Woods. With all the prosperity and material blessings, his natural appetites were obviously controlled and manipulated by adverse, supernatural influences that took one of the strongest and most successful people in America and made him a slave to his own sexual appetite, even though he has a beautiful family. But let no one cast a stone. Let all of us fall on our faces before God on his behalf and on behalf of his wife and precious children.
Tiger’s publicized scandal illustrates the fact that regardless of our ability, we cannot overcome this world in our own strength. If we attempt to live outside of the Lord’s power, we will find ourselves drunk, out of control, and under the control of these deadly spiritual influences. We will be drunk, but not on wine.
Salvation lies in the words of the prophet Isaiah:
“Awake, awake! Clothe yourselves with strength. Zion, clothe yourself with beautiful garments. Shake yourself from the dust. Rise up captive Jerusalem and loose the chains from around your neck. You were sold for nothing, but you will be redeemed without money.”6
We have been redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb. That goes not only for us as gentiles, but also for every Jew. The true Zion is the restored, redeemed, blood-bought people of God. And we can deliver the good news. We can announce peace. We can announce salvation. We can say to Zion, “Our God reigns…not only word, but also in deed.”
As watchmen, we can lift up our voices. We can shout joyfully together and then everyone will see with their own eyes when the Lord restores not only the church, but because of the restoration of the church and of believers, in order that the glorious influence of a city set on a hill can also help restore the nation. What better way to celebrate Christmas than to announce His coming!
This is my prayer and commitment. I will not be distracted and, by the grace of God, I will trample underfoot the enemies that have walked on me far too often. Join me in this victorious march for the glory and purpose of our great God! Jesus promised that those who become intoxicated and controlled by His spirit will be overcomers and walk over the enemy like dust under their feet.
Prayer
“Jesus, you are my salvation and redemption. Help me to walk in Your ways, to live in Your Word and celebrate Your life not only for this sacred season, but every day of my life. Amen.”
1 Isaiah 29:9, NAS
2 Nehemiah 9:36, NAS
3 Ephesians 6:12, NAS
4 Isaiah 29:11-13, paraphrased
5 Isaiah 51:21-23, NAS
6 Isaiah 52:1-3, 7-8, paraphrased
PLEASE READ:
THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW COMMENTS THAT WENT UNNOTICED ON THIS POST ENGAGING IN A FORUM-TYPE DISCUSSION. THESE HAVE BEEN DELETED PER OUR POLICIY. FOR THOSE UNFAMILIAR WITH OUR BLOG-POSTING POLICY, PLEASE DO NOT POST COMMENTS TO ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION WITH OTHER COMMENTERS, TO HARASS DR. HOVIND, ETC. ALSO, PLEASE DO NOT POST LENGTHY LETTERS TO DR. HOVIND THAT CAN BE SENT TO HIM PERSONALLY. THE PURPOSE OF BLOG COMMENTS SHOULD BE TO COMMENT ON DR. HOVIND’S BLOG, ENCOURAGE DR. HOVIND, AND AS A MEANS OF KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH HIM. PERSONAL DISCUSSIONS WITH OTHER BLOG USERS ARE NOT PERMITTED.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING,
CSE