A Matter of Faith - Issue 16 - October 20, 2001.

Title: Repentance and Revival.

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(Special note - and alert:  Along with the warnings that we now know surfaced before the events of September 11, and have come to light following those events, another series of warnings was issued throughout the Islamic/Muslim community about NOT going to shopping center Malls on October 31...  We have heard nothing of this through the media, but there is a small rumbling that should probably be heeded).

 IN THIS ISSUE:
 
1. EDITORIAL:  Has Anybody Noticed?
 
2. FEATURE ARTICLE:  Repentance and Revival.
 
3. A Dream from Michael and Christine, dated October 13, 2001.
 
4. PRAYER REQUESTS - AND

A PROPOSAL FOR A DAY OF PRAYER AND FASTING!

 
5. CONTACT US.

1. EDITORIAL:  Has Anybody Noticed?
 
In 1 Peter 2, and elsewhere, we are instructed to, "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution."  In other words, we are to Honor Authority.
 
In 1 Timothy 2 we are instructed to pray, "For kings and all who are in authority."  Why?  "In order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."
 
Throughout the whole of Elohim's Word to us, however (Hebrews 11 & 12 for instance) the body of Yahshua is clearly instructed that we are to live as strangers in this world, because our true country is not of this world, but is in heaven with Him.
 
In our feature article we are going to speak about the realities of repentance and revival, and in that article we are going to discover once again the requirements needed for a revival; especially that true heartfelt, life changing repentance must precede any revival.  In this editorial, however, I am being moved to speak out to the body of Yahshua our Messiah about the matter of Patriotism, and call His body to reassess our allegiances today, because it is growing increasingly clear that our spiritual attention is intentionally being misdirected...
 
In the wake of the events of September 11, 2001, a spirit of patriotism has been churned up in every "Red-Blooded American" and in every "Patriot" of every country - for whatever cause they might serve - whether good or evil.  What the Lord has been showing me though, is that in this patriotic churning, His body has nearly abandoned the spiritual gift of discernment that His Qodesh Ruach (Holy Spirit) has taken such tremendous pains to insert.
 
Patriotic allegiance is not ungodly in itself, but has anybody noticed how the flag of the United States is being revered across the land today?  Has anybody noticed how the symbol of the eagle, especially the series of images depicting an eagle with a tear coming from its eye, is moving people to tears as well?  And this particular moving has more to do with patriotic zeal than it does for the 6,000 victims and families of the September 11 attacks.

Has anybody noticed how some of our political and civic leaders - in many countries, but especially in the United States, are being worshipped and adored today?
 
Has anybody recognized the fact that nearly every free nation in the world has fallen in line behind the President of the United States, and that we are currently experiencing as near to a one world government directorship then any of us have ever thought possible?
 
What is happening, beloved?  What is unfolding before our very eyes?  Are we even trying to discern these events, or are we so ensnared by the anger and rage of the senseless, mindless and cowardly acts of September 11, and the subsequent worldwide  "war on terror", that we are forgetting the upward call of God?

What do you suppose it will it take for the antichrist to receive a worldwide 90% approval rating?  Whatever those circumstances might be, do you think that Satan is incapable of manipulating events to position his man to receive those approval ratings - especially in light of the fact that it is God's will for these things to happen?  And, when it does occur, what do you suppose our reaction will be - in light of the way that the world has reacted to the events surrounding September 11?
 
While I want to believe that the President of the United States is walking in a faith that serves the Risen Messiah today, I also believe that we must pray for this and every other political leader's spiritual and physical protection as we have never prayed before.  And yet, we must also be alert enough to know that we can never revere or worship any man!  If nothing else, the immediate and all-encompassing rise in the popularity of the President of the United States must open our eyes radically and completely to the possibility and probability of the antichrist's not-to-distant rise, because this President is a man who once was held in low regard by many within the United States, but who now commands an approval rating in excess of 90%.  The antichrist will be much more magnetic, much more dynamic and much more powerful in his enticements than anything we have seen thus far, and we must maintain a high level of discernment in this area, lest we become deceived.  What we have witnessed in the past weeks is unheard of, beloved, and this is a forewarning to us all.
 
Furthermore, you can deny the facts as you will, but it nevertheless remains before us that the population of the United States is rapidly - and gladly - surrendering many of its civil liberties in this war on terrorism.  Mark the day though, beloved, because a National Identification Card is not far away!  And it will not be long afterward that the world will be taking notice of another Mark.  Line in line, row in row, one-by-one, civilization is changing right before our eyes.  Events Prophesied for thousands of years are taking place on a daily basis now, but the nation and the world are so caught up in "the spirit of patriotism" that we are not discerning the signs.
 
Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple (2 Chronicles 6) is the prayer that we must offer unto our Messiah today, and in that prayer we must seek for our heavenly Father to open the eyes and heart of this nation and this world to the fullness of our sins, and to bring us to a full repentance from those sins - and back into fellowship with Him through His Son, our Messiah, Yahshua.
 
Be on guard though, beloved, because that which is false and deceptive is growing in its guile, and today many are being deceived!

2. FEATURE ARTICLE:  Repentance and Revival.

 
Throughout the years that I have attempted to walk with our loving Messiah, I have learned that true revival is impossible without repentance.  In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the people of the world in the United States, many "church" and civic leaders from around the globe are proclaiming that a revival is now taking place; proclaiming that people are turning to God once again in search of peace and fulfillment.  Nowhere are these proclamations being made with greater fanfare than within the boundaries of the United States itself.
 
Sadly, the same religious organizations that have failed to serve the body of Messiah faithfully and obediently over the past century, are at the forefront of the gristmill that is absorbing the influx of those who might be seeking God.  In following their own deceptions, however, these false religious institutions are misleading the masses once again, and are failing in presenting the full Gospel of salvation through Yahshua Machiah (Jesus Christ).  The message being heard today from nearly every pulpit worldwide is totally void of any teaching of repentance from sin, and the notion of faithful obedience to Yahshua (Discipleship) is loathe to their ears.
 
(A perfect example of the white-washing that is happening was evidenced during the "National Day of Mourning" that took place at the "Nations Church" in Washington, D.C., and the speaker was none other than Billy Graham...  In what was unquestionably his largest audience ever, and perhaps his last audience as well, the Reverend Billy Graham FAILED miserably in presenting the Gospel of Yahshua our Messiah, and never once did he speak of repentance from sin).  I was sick for days after watching this pathetic performance by the leading 'christian evangelist' of our age, and knew with certainty that the war confronting us had very little to do with terrorism.  This is a spiritual battle confronting us, beloved, and we must acknowledge and accept this truth, and we must react accordingly!
 
In numerous places within The Letters we discuss at length the requirements and outcome of a true revival.  Two prime examples can be found at: http://www.lettersoffaith.com/choice11.htm#repentance and http://www.lettersoffaith.com/church4.htm#revival.  In light of the whole of Scripture though, it must be noted that what is being mistaken in our world today as a revival, is no more than humanity writhing in pain and shock, seeking an explanation as to why their lives have been so terribly upset - today.  Basically, humanity wants God to tell them why He has allowed these things to take place.  Once the smooth talking salve of the false church has worn off though, these aching souls will once again find themselves writhing in the quagmire of religious politic and rhetoric, and will realize that the answers they seek simply do not exist within the false "christian church".  They will be no closer to discovering the spiritual knowledge they seekbut in the process will have been disillusioned enough to turn a deaf ear to the Children of Yahshua who would dare speak out with the truth of Messiah in the future.
 
Nearly every reader board I see as I drive around this part of the United States, has the message, "God bless America!" pasted on it.  I think it would be wonderful if someone would at least make the message read, "God, Please Bless America!"  We brazenly make it appear as if we somehow warrant His blessings, when we should be presenting a very humble plea instead ...  And yet, as I ponder the realities of events in our world today, I am moved to note that both of these approaches are incorrect, because the message that needs to IMPACT every heart - TODAY - is, "God, please forgive us."  And with that request, we must truly change our hearts!
 
The truth that is not being heard in the halls of the false religious institutions today, is that it is our own sin that has brought about all of the evil in the world (right from the beginning) and this truth stands in absolute disagreement with the preconceived notions of the people, and the false ointment of 'revival' and positive thinking that emanates from thosreligious halls.  Positive thinking simply isn't going to get it done, folks, and the cathedral's that have been built around this sort of satanic mentality must come down!
 
Repent from what? Oh, please!  Fornication and Abortion.  Adultery and divorce.  Homosexuality.  Idolatry and spiritualism / sorcery.  Drugs and pornography.  Physical and mental abuse, including incest.  Murder and theft.  Lying, cheating, envying...  Need we go on?
 
The children of the world have been turned away from Elohim (God) both at home and in the schools, and have been taught everything they need to know about sex (and abortion) instead.  Six year old children are huffing?  Eight year old infants are mainstreaming into marijuana and even harder drugs?  Ten year old children are having sex - and receiving abortions?  Are we insane?  And we not only teach these things in our schools, we endorse them by our inaction.  Furthermore, we permit these things on our televisions and at the movies?  We permeate our lives with everything that debases morality, and we still think that we can insist upon God's blessing?  Oh God, please forgive us!  We must Repent!
 
Furthermore, we must acknowledge that sex and abortion are walking hand-in-hand today.  We are nearing the fifty million mark in abortions in the United States alone, and the blood is crying out from the ground!  God hears, beloved... He hears!  Repent!
 
And the issue of sex and abortion does not stop at the elementary school level either.  We are a world obsessed with sex, and the obsession continues on through the teen years and right into the marriage bedroom.  Our sexual behavior, including adultery and divorce are an epidemic that is knowingly and voluntarily contracted, and it mocks nearly every command that GOD has ever issued.  And this very mocking rages within the halls of the false church as well, because adultery and divorce happen with the same frequency within those halls, as is seen in the outside world.  GOD will not be mocked though, brethren, and we must repent!
 
The Governor of the State of California, with the full support of the State House and Senate, as the duly elected official of the people of that State, just this week signed into law another ruling that extends "family" status to every homosexual couple within the state.  Whether the State - and that means the people - choose to accept the truth or not is really mute at this point, but the fact is, GOD does not sanction your actions, and He is about to show you exactly how HE feels.  And this call for repentance is world-wide, because the plague of homosexuality cries out against every moral, wholesome and chaste fiber of faithfulness and obedience to God.  And we must Repent!
 
Furthermore, it is time that we recognize the fact that throughout the world, humanity idolizes nearly everything today.  We idolize moneyour homes, our cars and our clothing and jewelry.  We place people on a throne just because they can catch, throw, hitkick or slap a football, baseball, basketball, soccer ball or hockey puckor because they excel at any other athletic endeavor...  We adore every actor or actress, singer or musician that tromps their way onto our television, movie house screen or across the airwaves of the radio - regardless of their moral character - and we pay substantial amounts of money to either attend their appearances or purchase their offerings.  In return, these idols not only earn incomes that dwarf reality, they laughingly mock Godly moral standards at every opportunity - and we tolerate it.  This idolatry goes so far that in the boxing realm there is a convicted rapist (multiple suspicions as well) that is free to ravage society - and we pay him an obscene amount of money for doing so!
 
At the same time, the television and print media are now replete with spiritualism and sorcery, and we silently sit through these attacks on our spiritual well-being as well.  Everywhere we turn, tarot card readers and 'seers' are literally in our face.  They could not afford to do what they do if we did not pay them to do so.  And, if that were not enough, we endorse the spiritualist / sorcery ticket every October 31, as we "celebrate" a halloween tradition that is wholly and entirely rooted in sorcery, witchcraft, black-magic and every dark spiritualist and cultic manipulation imaginable...  And we do all of this in the name of fun, and all for a piece of candy.  Repent!
 
Children are involved in drugs, pornography and prostitution.  CHILDREN!  And we do nothing?  If the elected officials - local, city, state and federal - do not act immediately to shut down the drug, pornographand prostitution traffic that is rampant in this world, then we the people must elect officials who will.  And we must support those faithful officials with our every ounce of strength.  PERIOD!  The fervor that is being mustered in the war on terror is the same mind-set that we the people of Yahshua must have in this war on drugs, pornography and prostitution, and it is the same mind-set that we must have in regard to this war on sin in general.  Repent!
 
Physical and mental abuse, including incest, are prevalent throughout society, just as are murder, thievery, lying, cheating, envying and everything else that violates God's commands...  We must repent of these deeds as a people under God, brethren, or else the wrath of God will be the terror that befalls this world!  And this - SOON!
 
The false revival that we are seeing will end rapidly enough.  Sadly thoughin the mind of humanity, Messiah Yahshua and His True Children will end up being the source of humanity's grief, pain, anguish and anger, because the false teachers, prophets, evangelists and self-appointed apostles of the religious society will be unable to offer any substance (meat) to them at all.  And in their meatless, tasteless, substance-less offerings, these false practitioners will have nearly driven another entire generation of seekers away from the truth and love of the Only Messiah.
 
The result of these things will be that the faithful in Messiah will become the targets of ridicule and hatred, because they will stand firm in teaching repentance from dead works.  The true children of Yahshua, His True Body, will be seen as zealots whose sole desire is to interfere with the fun-loving, judge-me-not, positive thinking, there is no such thing as absolute truth, world, and their call for obedience and discipleship will be mocked.

Hated? Yes!  Ridiculed? Absolutely!  Loved by Elohim? Eternally!

 
And the end of all of these things is what, beloved?  Lest we forget:
 
The end is the greatest revival ever known.  The great harvest looms before us as never before.  The fields are truly ripe for harvest.  And the message that will ultimately prevail is: REPENT!  Repent from dead works and return to ELOHIM (GOD)!  Return to Yahshua in obedience and truth...  Turn away from sin.  Turn away from fornication, abortion, adultery and divorce.  Turn away from homosexuality, idolatry and the evils of spiritualism and sorcery.  Turn away too from drugs, pornography and prostitution, as well as every sort of abuse and incest.  And turn away from murdertheft, lying, cheating and envying...  We must also turn away from the false religious institutions, and return to the fullness of the Word of Elohim.  Let the buildings fall in disrepair, but let us lift up that Building which glorifies the Messiah, the Building of our Body, the true house of the Church...
 
Return  to Yahshua our Messiah in faithful obedience...  He will forgive, if we will only Repent!

3.  A Dream from Michael and Christine, dated October 13, 2001.
 
I awoke at 12:30 AM I didn't understand why I was awake, but I felt unnaturally refreshed.  As with any other time that I am awakened and feeling refreshed, I knew that our Lord wanted to talk to me. I sat in the dark for awhile and listened.  I heard, "Wait!"
 
I actually started feeling myself getting tired (around 1:30 AM) and placed my head down to sleep. I again heard, "Wait!"
 
At 2:00 AM my husband woke up and said, "I had an incredible dream, a nightmare".  asked him to tell me about it:
 
In the dream Michael saw us in our house.  Men with white chemical warfare suits and masks came up to our house to gather our household together. The men were from the American government (military) and they were being told to take us all out of our homes because of the danger that existed outside.
We were all being rounded up and sent to a "safe" place. Michael, the kids and I got on the bus (reluctantly).  We were driven to Tennessee.  Michael saw that we were being taken to the Blue Ridge Mountains.  When we got off the bus we were instructed to go into a prayer room.  There was a very popular preacher in this room (which was actually a warehouse) his name was "Pastor Price".  All of the Christians were being put into this warehouse as a safe haven, and we were gathering to pray for our leaders and nation.  Everyone in the warehouse (except Michael and me) was at peace and joyous as they went into the room to pray. Michael and I went into the building with the others, and our children were by our side.
 
They closed the doors on 200 of us. We heard the number200. Then Michael went to the back of the warehouse and looked out the back door (like a bulk head door) and he saw a huge tank with guns coming toward the building. Michael and I both looked at one another and we both heard our Lord's voice in our head at the same instant.  Our Lord told us to run for the mountains and don't look back. We both ran out of the building and headed toward the mountains where there was a place already prepared for us.
 
This was extremely emotional for Michael. He told me that he would take a bullet in his head for me and the kids. He would NEVER leave his children!  But in this dream he did.  We both did.  Why were we TOLD to run and never look back?
 
We both felt strengthened by this dream, but also very desperate to understand.  Michael looked me in the eye and he said "Christine, only a select few know what is really going on! Everyone is being deceived.  We know what we are meant to do".  I asked him what?
 
He said that we were responsible for killing our enemies. We were told that we will be like "snipers" and will destroy them. Even though there are only a few of us, we will destroy armies. Survival and guerilla warfare is what we will do. Only 2 out of 200 were not deceived.  They were awake and they all knew what was happening to them - and to all of the earth.
 
Michael said this is all going to happen very soon. I asked him what season was it? Did we have winter clothes on? He said "No, it was nice out, short sleeves". I praised our Yahshua for not letting our flight take place in winter.
 
Also, they were going to gas the warehouse.  It was a gas chamber and everyone thought they were going in for prayer.  Everyone who remained in the gas chamber was killed.
 
I can not explain the feeling we both had, even though we initially knew we should grieve our children - we also knew, without a doubt, to leave and run to the mountains. He spoke very loudly and clearly in our heads. We know now what it is we are meant to do, and we are awaiting His instructions.....
 
Also, it is important to note: The military did not know why they were taking us to the warehouse. They literally thought they were doing GOOD. They had no idea. These are good men and women...but, they have no idea what they will be doing.
 
This dream and partial interpretation end here...
----------------------
In subsequent letters and conversations with Michael and Christine, l was moved to reassure them that their children have always been in our Lord's hands, and that when He does issue His call to arms, He will continue to provide for us all - releasing His army to concentrate fully on the task at hand.  The children will be well with Him!  Additionally, our conversations have turned somewhat to understanding guerilla warfare tactics; a not all too unfamiliar topic.
 
Nevertheless, we now submit this dream to you for consideration.  If you are moved to understand the implications and nuances of this vision, please share your interpretation with us.  The body of Messiah is awakening with much insight and soon His power will be revealed within us.  Our wholehearted prayer is that we would be prepared; spiritually and mentally, for the challenges ahead.

 

4. PRAYER REQUESTS - AND, A PROPOSAL FOR A DAY OF PRAYER AND FASTING!
 
Jennifer and Doug are praying for the Lord to allow them to have children.
 
Sandee is requesting prayer for her children and grandchild.
 
Charlie and I are praying for the Body of Yahshua...
 
And, we request your prayers for this ministry, that everything we say and do will be to the glory of our loving, merciful, gracious and all-powerful Savior, Redeemer, Lord and King - Yahshua...
 
-------

 A PROPOSAL FOR A DAY OF PRAYER AND FASTING!


October 20, 2001 - Post Falls, Idaho
 
On November 22, 2001, the people of the United States will celebrate their annual Day of Thanksgiving.  In earnest preparation for a sincere day of worldwide Thanksgiving though, I would like to propose that we set-aside Saturday, November 17, 2001 as a day of prayer and fasting - in repentance...  Unlike other days of prayer though, I am suggesting that we literally sit with ashes on our heads, wearing the most humble clothing we possess (I don't know where to purchase sackcloth today) in a fervent, sincere and obedient appeal to our Heavenly Father for His forgiveness for our personal sins - and for the sins of our people and our world.
 
I realize that we cannot literally block the highways and byways of the world without being thrown into jail, so what I have in mind is something a bit less radical.  For instance, here in the Post Falls / Coeur d'Alene, Idaho area, we have a park called Tubbs Hill.  I will be at the ball fields that are north of the entrance to Tubbs Hill on Saturday, November 17, 2001, from sunrise to sunset - praying for the Lord's forgiveness of my sins and the sins of the people of this nation.  And, I will be inviting brothers and sisters in this area to join me throughout the day.
 
I am praying that many others will be moved to do the same in their local area - and together, we can unite as a Body and appeal to our Most Gracious Father in heaven to forgive us personally, and to forgive our nation as well.
 
Now listen...  Unless the Lord manifests Himself through His servants in a miraculous and entirely spectacular spiritual manner, this is not a call for ANYONE to accommodate and lead an organized prayer session.  The Qodesh Ruach (Holy Spirit) will lead the body of Yahshua in prayer.  Instead, this is a call to assemble in prayer with a sincere, humble, repentant heart; following the leading of the Qodesh Ruach - and not the leading of men.  Furthermore, I will even go so far as to say that unless there is a magnificent manifestation brought about by the Qodesh Ruach in any one person, and somebody still attempts to take control of any prayer area, that the Body assembled rebuke that individual, and silence the spirit of conceit and control.  Humility and repentance is the prayer call of the day, and no individual can be allowed to dominate or interfere with the moving of Elohim's Qodesh Ruach...
 
What we do need from you though, are the names of accessible locations near the central hubs of your area, where the Body can accomplish this prayerful assembly without the hassle of permits and licenses.
 
In order to accommodate the listing of prayer locations, I will produce an alphabetical state and country directory at The Letters web site, in which the brethren can easily look up a prayer site that is available near them.  And, if any want to post the location for a site in their area, they need only write me an E-mail with the Country, State or Province and City name, along with the name of the Public Location that is accessible for a gathering.  I will update the directory from these letters.  (Sorry, but I just don't possess the technology to permit on-site updates)...
 
The mailing list for the A Matter of Faith Newsletter is not huge, beloved, but if this proposal moves you in any way, and the Qodesh Ruach (Holy Spirit) touches your heart to celebrate a day of prayer and fasting for your country and our world, then I am asking that you do three things:
 
First, consider posting a location near your home where you and other brethren near you can assemble for this day of prayer.  Please check the list first though, to see if a site has already been posted for your area.  I am only one person, and the email could become intense - Praise!!!
 
Second, forward this proposal to as many people as you can - and ask them to forward it to as many others as possible.  Together, our small mailing list can touch millions of households in a small period of time.  United in prayer, perhaps we can appeal to our loving Lord for the forgiveness we need, and for the revival that we truly desire.
 
Third, pray for this endeavor.  We can accomplish nothing without the prayerful support of the Body of Yahshua.
 
To submit a prayer site location, please write to: Contact larry
 
Finally, along with a listing of prayer site locations, the directory page will offer whatever thoughts our Lord places in my heart between now and November 17, that might be significant to this endeavor.
 
May Yahshua be glorified through the humility and prayers of His children.
 
I remain your faithful servant in Messiah,
larry vosen

5. CONTACT: larry vosen
 
If you have any questions about the Bible, Elohim (God)Yahshua Mashiach (Jesus Christ), Qodesh Ruach (the Holy Spirit), the Gospel, Faith or any pressing spiritual matter, please feel free to contact me.  While I may not possess the answers personally, I know Who Does!  Every effort will be made to answer your questions in a timely and Scripturally supported manner.
 
Do you have a prayer request?  Please share your needs with us... We will post your needs in our "Prayer Request" sections, so that we can approach the Throne of God in a united front on your behalf.
 
We can be reached through our email address at: Contact larry
 
Or, please feel free to mail your thoughts, requests or support to:
Larry Vosen
2600 E. Seltice Way, #203
Post Falls, ID 83854

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If you wish to reproduce or reprint any portion of this publication, please acknowledge the author by name (larry vosen) and provide a reference to our Email address: larryv1@lettersoffaith.com as a courtesy.  And, if it is not too much of a bother, we would also appreciate a reference to our Web Site, The Letters of Faith, at: http://www.lettersoffaith.com/
 
Thank You, and may Elohim bless you and your ministry - for the praise of His glory and your eternal joy!

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