Psalm 11:3 is the text for today’s show.
Ray mentioned a book and his wife, Gayle, wrote about The Promise of Jonadab. Copies are available by contacting the office for a twelve dollar donation.
Ray mentioned that during his childhood a lot of what we are dealing with today were not issues. The “isms” weren’t so much a thing.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-Chapter-11/
PSALM 11: Comfort for the people of God in troubled times
Introduction
I. Isolation from events is impossible (Psalm 11:1-3)
II. Our security is in God alone (Psalm 11: 1,4a)
III. God’s justice will prevail (11: 4b-6)
IV. The righteous will be rewarded (Psalm 11:7)
Conclusion
Ray suggested that it may be imprudent to leave America right now. He illustrated his point by telling the story of a couple that retired to the Falkland Islands. A war visited their location shortly after they arrived. The war was fought in their front yard.
Isolation from events around you is not possible in an absolute sense. You won’t be able to get away completely. There is nowhere you can go if the foundations are destroyed.
Exodus Mandate is all about encouraging Christians to engage the world around them.
The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven
We’re not alone. The Lord is not anywhere where he can be harmed or hindered. Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity. People are fearful and concerned for their future. During a time like this our security is in God. Many people find their way to Jesus in times like this. We can bring hope into this darkness. We may be on the verge of a great awakening. We do see a turn back to Christian and home education.
Ray mentioned that there are at least 400 Christian schools in China, notwithstanding the persecution. Ray told of a story in Shanghi where the headmaster was arrested and the school closed. Within a short time ten schools replaced the one that was closed.
We’re to carry on even if we must suffer. Troubled times could lead to harvest times.
You are safe in God alone! He is safe and secure, therefore we are safe and secure.
Ray mentioned that prayer really works.
Haggai 2:5-8
God shakes things up at times.
And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
The writer of Hebrews in verse 27 of chapter 12 talks about the things that can be shaken being revealed as sinful or wrong by the shaking. The things that cannot be shaken will remain. Faith in Christ, prayer life, the Word of God … these things will all remain.
God’s justice will prevail.
His eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
We often don’t see justice in the current moment. As we look around today we see much evidence of trouble …. feminsm, lgbt etc. Ray recommends we pray against these enemies and movements. We should pray for their repentance.
Ray mentioned Saul of Tarsus as an example of repentance after Stephen’s martyrdom. God took Saul, God’s number one enemy and made him a friend. God struck him blind. Paul’s first question of God after repentance is “Lord, what should I do?” Ray hopes that you will decide that becoming part of Exodus Mandate is what you can do.
Ray mentioned the pamphlet title “If the Foundations are Destroyed.” He encouraged folks to get in touch with the ministry to obtain a copy.
Vs. 7 of Psalm 11 is the text for the final point in today’s lesson.
For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
The righteous will be rewarded. While he may take you through a fiery time, you won’t be burned. He is able to take care of his children. Our personal obedience and holiness.
John 14:21-23
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/John-14-21_14-23/
You experience intimacy with Christ based on your being faithful in worship and obedience.
We don’t need to fear when dark times come upon us.
Ray talked about the following five stages of collapse.
Dimitry Orlov’s THE FIVE STAGES OF COLLAPSE; SURVIVORS TOOLKIT
Stage 1: Financial collapse: Faith in business as usual is lost. America’s huge debt is evidence of this.
Stage 2: Commercial collapse: Faith that the market shall provide is lost. Ray mentioned Venezuela’s collapse as an example of this kind of collapse.
Stage 3: Political collapse: Faith that the government will take care of you is lost. There is evidence of this all around us. Ray cited the idea of the “Deep State” as evidence.
Stage 4: Social collapse: Faith that your people will take care of you is lost. This reality makes it important to be involved with your local church and family.
Stage 5: Cultural collapse: Faith in the goodness of humanity is lost.
All of these stages seem to be occurring simultaneously. Ray encouraged everyone to engage. Raise Godly children. Disciple them so they can live through the dark times ahead.
A viewer asked for more specific advice about what it means to do the work of the ministry. He mentioned that he is thinking about marriage.
Ray told a story about a brilliant young man from England that he met. He was in the United States to visit churches that are populated by homeschool families. He told Ray that he had come to America to find a Christian wife. He said that he couldn’t find a Christian woman in England that didn’t want to work outside the home and have only a child or two.
Down through history the woman/wife has great impact through her children. He mentioned Monica, Augustine’s mother as an example. He also mentioned Sarah Edwards, the mother of Jonathan Edwards.
Setting up a stable family and raising Godly children is a most important endeavor. Ray mentioned catechism and family altar as important.
What is doing something in the context of activism, someone asked?
Ray said that he leads an activist family that also provides hospitality. Ray talked about hosting a visitor from Germany. He does much ministry and enjoys having family gathering.
In the time of Paul the Apostle elders were encouraged to be hospitable. This is a good thing. Ray mentioned a trained theologian in India who provides much hospitality. He teaches students in his home over three days while providing hospitality. He’ll have ten to fifteen in his home at a time. He has trained 100 evangelists in India.
Ray said we need to be mindful of building depth as well as width. Leaving a good legacy requires attending to your children.
It is important to build a Godly marriage.
Faith and Christianity is caught more than taught. After a pupil has been fully taught he will be like his teacher. Children need to see the reality of the Christian faith. Don’t make Christianity a theoretical thing.
