A Matter of Faith - Issue 23 - May 26, 2002

"Title" - Stand Firm!

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IN THIS ISSUE:
 
1. EDITORIAL:  Focus on the Family comes of age - and stands strong!
 
2. FEATURE ARTICLE:  Standing firmly for Yahshua!
3. PRAYER REQUESTS
4. CONTACT US

1. EDITORIAL:  Focus on the Family comes of age - and stands strong!
 
In his May, 2002 Newsletter entitled, "Standing Strong in a Confused Culture", Dr. James Dobson, from Focus on the Family, reminds every disciple of Yahshua Mashiach, exactly what our responsibilities are in service to our King - as we stand firm in this battle for the society and culture in which we abide.
 
We have endorsed, supported and prayed for the continued enlightenment of Dr. Dobson, his family (who are very much involved in the work of this ministry) and the entire staff of the Focus on the Family ministry, for years.  In light of these prayers and support, therefore, we are very pleased with this month's newsletter - found online at: http://www.family.org/docstudy/newsletters/a0020513.html  - because the position taken by this organization - to stand firm against the ills of our society - is perhaps the most forceful and Yahshua glorifying position that they have taken in years.
We rejoice in every firm stand that is being taken against the ills (and sins) of society, and we uplift every brother and sister who dares stand firm against the onslaught of Satan's moving in the arena's of abortion, euthanasia, infanticide, homosexuality, incest, safe-sex for teens and every other matter that turns hearts away from The Master - and toward the wide path to destruction.
In speaking out for our children, and in speaking out against the evils that are being brought to bare against those children, Dr. Dobson had this to say,
"Now, what's going on here? What is behind this targeting of kids? Let me answer that question by relating it to the current debate on stem cell research. Do you know what a stem cell is? It is a cell that is not yet differentiated — not yet developed into a specific part of the body. In the beginning, it has the capacity to become any kind of bodily tissue or fluid, depending on the environment in which it grows. If it is located in the brain, it may become a nerve cell, or a neuro-transmitter, or a hormone found in the brain. If it gravitates to the heart, it becomes heart tissue, or if it's in the eye, it becomes part of the visual apparatus. In other words, stem cells in their early stages of development will assume the characteristics of whatever surrounds them individually. In that way, they are the building blocks for the physical components of the body.

Likewise, children are the "stem cells" for the culture. The environment in which they are raised will influence what they grow up to be. Is the analogy clear? Those who control what children see and hear and believe are in a position to shape not only those individuals, but also the culture of tomorrow. Abraham Lincoln recognized this important nature of children. He said, "The philosophy of the classroom in one generation will be the philosophy of the government in the next."19 Homosexual activists and other politically correct leaders obviously understand this phenomenon. That's why they place such emphasis on the indoctrination of children. By telling kids repeatedly what they want them to believe and think, they can change the culture, quite literally, in a single generation."

We were also delighted to see Dr. Dobson - finally - have a change of heart regarding the schooling of our children, because for years the Focus on the Family Ministry has recommended that we should keep our children in the secular schools, because, "the light must shine in the darkness"...  Today, however, Dr. Dobson is acknowledging the danger of placing our innocent ones in the hands of those who are bent on indoctrinating their minds and hearts away from the very Master whom we serve.  He very succinctly and realistically summarizes the situation today, when he says that, "the culture is at war with parents. It is very difficult to get kids safely through the minefield of adolescence. We're seeing a relentless attack on childhood today. There are many people in the activist community who hate the Judeo-Christian system of values, and recognize that if they can gain control of children, they can change the entire culture in one generation. That's why there is a tsunami of propaganda flooding over our culture. Every day, it seems, some new effort to manipulate kids is becoming apparent."

Please visit the Focus on the Family web site, and read the full content of Dr. Dobson's commitment and dedication to the upward call of our Master.  May his words move us all to a deeper and firmer stand on behalf of the righteous call of our Master and King.

Focus on the Family can be found at:
http://www.fotf.org

2. FEATURE ARTICLE:  Standing firmly for Yahshua!
 
In countless letters, notes and exchanges with many of you, and in countless situations arising in our very lives, we are seeing an incredible increase in the intensity of the spiritual battle being fought for and against the Disciples of Yahshua.  Dr. Dobson stated above that, "Culture is at war", and we know this fact only too well.
Sadly, however, I am being moved to exhort the Ekklesia today, because what I am seeing from many of Yahshua's children, and what I am receiving in my inbox, are "white flag" messages of despair and discouragement.  People are about to surrender their faith today, because the battle is getting hard.
To quote a line from the movie, "A League of their Own", about the "hardness" of playing professional baseball, this line can be heard: "It's supposed to be hard, or else everybody would be doing it!"...  Well, beloved, this faith walk is supposed to be hard, or else everybody would be doing it!  And this is upheld in the poignant Words that, "Many are called, but few are chosen"...
Throughout The Letters we have discussed the fullness of abiding as Disciples of Yahshua Mashiach in this world.  Throughout The Letters we have compared the Truth of living faithfully, against the lies and deceptions being taught in the "happy, peppy, perky, positive thinking - church of Babylon".  Let it be known throughout the kingdom of our Master, that what we have witnessed thus far is merely a skirmish, and that the full battle between the forces of Good and evil is about to ensue!
Be not deceived, beloved of Yahshua, because the battle is about to intensify beyond anything and everything that we have ever witnessed.  And, because of the fullness of these things, it is going to get even harder to walk the walk of faith.  The little horn ruler of Daniel 8 is about to be revealed - soon, and the intensity of the spiritual battle that we are fighting is about to become an all-out war!
"I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom" (Daniel 7:21-22 NASB).
"And in the latter period of their rule, When the transgressors have run their course, a king will arise insolent and skilled in intrigue.  And his power will be mighty, but not by his own power, and he will destroy to an extraordinary degree and prosper and perform his will; he will destroy mighty men and the holy people, and through his shrewdness he will cause deceit to succeed by his influence; and he will magnify himself in his heart, and he will destroy many while they are at ease.  He will even oppose the Prince of princes, but he will be broken without human agency" (Daniel 8:23-25 NASB).
Today, many are being ensnared in the skirmishes of acts of unrighteousness and unholiness, and in these skirmishes we are either finding renewed strength in our Messiah - and we are standing firm against the forces of evil - or we are bowing to the forces of evil and surrendering our Discipleship and lives of obedience.  The "once saved, always saved" mentality of, "I am forgiven - in spite of whatever sins I might commit", is roaring its ugly head in nearly every letter of despair that I am receiving, and it is in this surrendering of the Truth and Faith that the evil one is gaining an ever stronger foot-hold in our lives...  Do not be deceived, beloved, "Elohim will not be mocked"...
Abiding within us is the Master and Messiah of all creation.  Abiding within us is the Ruach of Glory.  Do not abandon the upward call of righteousness and obedient service to Him, for the temporal and wholly incomplete and never fully satisfying acts and deeds of unrighteousness today.

Stand firm against every onslaught of the evil one, because in standing firm, you will hear, "Well done, good and faithful slave!"

Stand firm, beloved, and the evil one will flee.

Stand firm, and you will find complete and satisfying fulfillment and rest...

To the death of this body, if necessary, stand firm, and Yahshua will stand with you at the judgment, proclaiming His Blood and
Redemption of your soul...

May the grace, mercy, compassion, glory, power, wisdom, knowledge and understanding of our King abound in your life, and
may you know His peace, authority and strength as you stand firm in His holiness, righteousness and truth.

 3. PRAYER REQUESTS:
 
Sunny is seeking prayer for her health in general!

Many are praying for 6 year-old Caleb Pitchford, who is suffering from a brain damaging viral infection.
 
Sandee is seeking prayer for a new place to live.  She is being evicted for "renovations" and is pinched for time, as well as financially.
Our Master has touched Mary and Bud in a loving way, as Mary is now in remission - and is recovering from the surgeries and chemo-therapy.  Please pray that our Father will touch her for strength and health as she now relearns how to walk!
As always, we seek your prayers for our Master's continued provision for this ministry: For our health and strength (spiritual as well as physical) as we determine to stand firm for His glory...

 4. CONTACT: larry vosen
 
If you have any questions about the Bible, Elohim (God)Yahshua Mashiach (Jesus Christ), The Qodesh Ruach (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 via email at: Contact larry
Or, please feel free to mail your thoughts or requests to:
Larry Vosen
2600 E. Seltice Way, #203
Post Falls, ID 83854

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Copyright © 2002 Larry Vosen.  All rights reserved.
 
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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