— To uplift, inform and challenge —

Dear believer,

Politically, economically and spiritually, the world’s at a prophetically climactic moment.  With existing systems unraveling and familiar paradigms morphing — it seems everyone everywhere is looking for a “bail-out” (a savior).  More than ever, people and entire nations are having to decide what, which or whom they will follow ... churchdom included.

Right on que, false Christs and false teachers with false gospels are galloping in; nets a-swirl, capturing God’s young, weak and indifferent.  Blindly gazing on are droves of tacitly complicit leaders, mesmerized by attacker promises of souls and success, or distracted by the busyness of Church, Inc.

But, God has provided for these stormy seas.

Safety in The Storm

Navigating in a sea of change and deceit.

"I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in AMONG YOU and will not spare the flock.  Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.  So be on your guard!" — Acts 20:29-31a NIV

Though the world and church are in a raging storm, God has not been taken by surprise.  He’s provided an Ark of Safety and a Compass by which to navigate tempestuous and dangerous waters; also a lifeboat for any who would come aboard.  However, we need have a clear view of three “icebergs” that would sink us.

Sinful Self

It leaps at promises of bigger, better, ‘New and Improved;’ salivates over success and would put our very souls on the bargaining table of gain and notoriety.  It’s that fallen part of our human nature which can thwart our highest and holiest aspirations.  By the power of God, we must bridle “self” every hour of every day.  It would even sink the apostle Paul: "Who will deliver me?" (Ro 7:24)

Satan

He always has and always will try to sink any and everything that is of God — especially persons who purpose to follow Christ.  With an organized army of fallen angels (demons) he is at work 24/7, to rob, kill and destroy the works of righteousness ... us included.  It’s for this very reason, the Spirit exhorts: "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Eph 6:11,12).

The world

By incessant bombardment with every fleshly appeal, it holds humankind captive to its sensuous, sinful, addictive and hell-bent ways.  Figuratively, it dangles diamonds before us from morning ‘til night.  It entices, coaxes, cajoles, entreats, promises, tempts and deceives with tactics, tools and temptations honed for eons.  ONLY by vigilance and triune power of God can we escape; break free from its death grip and fiery destiny.

Ah! — An Ark of Safety.

The Word of God and Holy Spirit.  For a brief interval the world had God incarnate; the Living Word — Jesus.  From that time forward, This human image of God, Who is the epitome of love, truth, righteousness and grace, would be our model.  Returning to the right hand of His Father, This Savior, This Christ and Lord of all, left us new and better promises, plus a new paradigm and the Holy Spirit.  "But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. ... For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Heb 8:6; Ro 8:3,4).  At least twelve times the New Testament records the phrase: “BY THE SPIRIT.” Jesus cast out demons "by the Spirit" (Matthew 12:28).  Simeon, "by the Spirit" discerned the holy Babe was mankind’s Savior (Lk 2:27).  "By the Spirit" Jesus was led into the desert for forty days (Lk 4:1) and we’re told that those who are led "by the Spirit" (of God) are the sons of God (Rom 8:14, etc.).

The Word AND Spirit: divine enduements given each believer by which to navigate life and to attain to the suprahuman standards of our faith.  One without the other will simply not suffice.  Scripture without the Spirit produces legalism and bathing in the Spirit without sufficient Word leads to aberrations.  But combined, they form an Ark of Safety; a lifeboat and Compass by which to tack the deceitful seas of this fallen world and increasingly apostate church.  Any who would arrive on Victory’s shore must embrace both as such.

We simply dare not rely on our own understanding, for "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death" (Prov 14:12).  Just as a soldier can be saved by a command from his captain and/or a stone wall, God’s Spirit and Word form a bulwark to protect us from the enemy.  But only if obeyed and gotten behind.  Merely owning and toting a 14-pound Bible and (weakly) reciting the Apostle’s Creed weekly, won’t protect us from the enemy’s mischief.  We must get “behind” the Word of God and obey the sure leadership of His indwelling Holy Spirit.  They’ll protect us.

Danger is greatly intensified if we “get ahead” of God’s Word or ignore the Spirit’s leading.  Charging forward on presumption, half truths or error doctrine, is “getting ahead” of God.  Listening to man’s counsel rather than hearing the Spirit is a sure way, to step into harm’s way. As the Bible’s mid-verse reminds: "[It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man" (Ps 118:8).  We must discern truth from error; it’s Truth that sets and keeps us free.

Global preparations for antichrist’s advent are well underway and, predictably, Christianity is merging with false religions (via mysticism) to form the one-world version.  It’s well past time to be good Bereans.  Safely navigating the Sea of Apostasy requires we test EVERYTHING against the standard of scripture (Acts 17:11).  Indeed, the safest course is to elevate worship, Bible study and prayer above every other aspect of the Christian life.  ALL others.

"Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Ps 119:105).  Just as the golden candlestick cast its glow unto the table of showbread and lighted the tabernacle’s interior so priests could minister unto God, the Holy Spirit casts light unto God’s Word (Jesus).  In turn, His holy Word serves as a beacon to keep us from going aground as we tack the shoals, the narrows and tumultuous waters of life.  God’s Word and Holy Spirit light the way and empower us to sail on course.

Time with Him

You’re busy.  God knows you are up to your ears trying to keep your life ... maybe family and/or business together.  He knows that.  He knows of the pressure and stress concerning your business, job, health, finances, marriage, kids, mortgage, vehicle payments, credit cards, tooth aches and dental bills.  Father God also knows of your loneliness, temptations ... your hidden sin and pain.  There is nothing about you He’s unaware of or unconcerned about.  In spite of it all, He loves you as you are.  So much so, he’s given all so all might spend eternity with Him.  But we’re to prepare.

If we truly hope and expect to spend eternity with God, it behooves us to heartily respond to His love.  Please recall Jesus’ words: "In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also" (Jn 14:2,3).  Recall also the warnings:  "... there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them ... Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  Therefore watch ..." (2Pet 2:1b; Acts 20:30,31a).

Indisputably, the world and church are in great turmoil.  We therefore need be vigilant lest being lured into satanic sin or a spiritual sinkhole.  We do well to get real serious about our time with the Lord and not only because of today’s raging seas.  !He is God Almighty! He is worthy of all our adoration, worship and obedience.  Too busy?  There are 24 hours in each remaining day prior to a face-to-face with our Savior, Lord and Judge.  Wisdom therefore  pleads for scrupulous time stewardship.  Time is literally running out!

ABOUT US:  Founded in 1993, Hallelujah Living Ministries is a donation-based, non-denominational Christian outreach to uplift, inform and challenge followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information or a copy of our always-free print newsletter, please include a  postal mail address along with your comments and prayer requests. Thank you for visiting  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

STS15-01