“Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.” ~Charles Spurgeon
Our world has recently undergone an enormous shift. Ever since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our way of living has been changed and/or threatened to be changed. We have heard the debates about vaccines, masks, and mandates. We have become familiar with phrases such as, “slow the spread”, “shelter in place”, and “essential workers”. Amidst clashing opinions, there is one absolute which we should remember, and that is this:
Discernment is essential!
It seems that deception is far more rampant than any pandemic ever could be. Scripture teaches the Believer to use discernment in many matters we face. We must be “wise as serpents, but harmless as doves” (Matt. 10:16). In this blog study, we will look at some of the top areas in which we must use discernment and wisdom. Don’t be deceived. Don’t be fooled.
Discern the Times
Amongst most Christians, there is a sense of urgency; a sense that our redemption is drawing ever so near. Because of this, many churches are sounding the warnings so that others are not caught unaware. Yet, there are those who do not notice we are in the final hour, because they lack discernment.
The Pulpit Commentary lists three signs which the people of that time (and our time) are not discerning. Namely, the low state of morality, the political situation, and the Heavenly warnings; all of which are quite evident now.
Scripture gives us the characteristics to look for, in people, when the last days are upon us (see 2nd Tim. 3:1-5, 2nd Peter 3:3-4). Likewise, we are also foretold of signs to look for (see Matt. 24, Mark 13:1-13, Joel 2:28-32, Dan. 9:27, Luke 21).
Some of the end time signs may not take place until after the church is caught away to meet the Lord. However, we are seeing many prophetic events which are currently being set up to be fulfilled and/or already fulfilled. Some events we now see are a foreshadow of worse evils to come. Although the ‘last days’ have been ongoing for a great many generations, it now seems that we are imminently close to the end of the last days.
Discern False Prophets
“Run from churches where you’re comfortable in your sins!” ~Carter Conlon
In times of turmoil, humankind has the tendency to look for a leader. The church looks to the Bible, Godly teachers and Pastors; while the world looks to its own. However, we are told that there will be many false prophets arise. Therefore, we must have discernment and a firm foundation based upon the truth of scripture, lest we be led astray.
In 1st John 4:1, we are taught to refrain from believing every spirit, but to “test the spirits” to see whether they are of God or whether they are a spirit of error. This is vitally important so that we are not deceived by those who claim there is peace and safety when there is no peace or safety (see 1st Thess. 5:3). It’s time to be spiritually awake and alert.
Dear Christian, be watchful for wolves in sheep’s clothing; those who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. Don’t follow phonies who tickle your ears; only telling you what you want to hear. Don’t follow those who are greedy for gain, or those who have only a loose form of godliness; spineless and without strong convictions. Be alert, be vigilant, and be on guard against non-biblical shenanigans that are only for show. Run from those who are disqualified to preach (see Titus 1:6-9). Remember 2nd Corinthians 11:14-15 says, “… for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So, it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness…”
Just as we are to avoid false prophets, we are also warned to reject false doctrines. In 1st Timothy 6:3-5, it states: “If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.”
Likewise, do not be deceived by false signs. Jesus warned, “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand” (Matthew 24:24-25). If we are to discern false prophets, it is essential that we stay close to the Shepherd. We must have a robust knowledge of scripture written upon our hearts. We must never stray from what the Holy Bible teaches. Don’t be fooled by deceptive charismatic personalities, empty unbiblical promise-makers, and those who take scripture out of context, using weak human logic to slyly deny scriptural truths.
Discern False Narratives
“Be saved from this corrupt generation!” ~Acts 2:40
The Apostle Paul once said, “Don’t take me for a fool” (paraphrase, 2nd Cor. 11:16). That same sentiment should be said of those of us who are disciples of Christ. Jesus once told his disciples, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not…” (Matt. 13:11). We should be the most discerning of anybody and should be able to see through lies, deceit, coercion, and false narratives.
The Christian must discern between the fake and the genuine – in many areas. One such area is compassion, or lack thereof. We see a false compassion sweeping the world. Suddenly, the rich moguls, politicians, scientists, and media are all about love, acceptance, and inclusion – as long as it fits their narrative, of course. We see censorship running rampant – essentially, telling us what we should think or how we should behave. We see peer pressure and bullying to the highest degree; primarily amongst grown adults. Those who have convictions are called “bigots”, “narrow-minded”, “unloving”, “selfish”, etc. Yet, the bullies are the ones who dare not offend their own – going so far as to initiate an agenda of changing pronouns to describe the gender (or desired lack thereof) of person who is in sexual sin.
The so-called, “powers that be” try to coerce and brainwash the masses. Sadly, they have been largely successful in this endeavor. However, God has a narrow way – and there are a few of us on this path. Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:13-14).
We must be willing to stand alone. We must be willing to swim against the tide (Rom. 12:2). We must find our confidence in God – not in man’s approval. Jesus said that, yes, it will be difficult – but we are on the path to life. Anything of eternal value is worth striving for, come what may.
Discern For Your Body’s Sake
NOTE: In this section, we will be discussing Covid-19. Please bear in mind that I, the author of this blog, have the deepest compassion for anyone who has lost a loved one to Covid-19 and those whose health has deteriorated since surviving the virus. I also extend my deepest compassion to the families of those who have lost loved ones due to vaccine injury and those whose health has declined after being vaccinated. For these reasons, I wish to be sensitive to all groups in my approach on this matter. With that in mind, let us proceed.
Before the invention of the Covid-19 vaccine, there was already a great divide between those who vaccinate and those who do not. Generally speaking, those who choose to vaccinate feel that the vaccine(s) will provide health benefits for themselves and others. On the other hand, those who choose to refrain from vaccinating feel that the vaccine(s) ingredients carry more health risks than benefits – and some are instructed to refrain at the advice of their physician. Amongst the so-called, “Anti-Vaxxers”, many may also have a moral objection to how vaccines are studied and/or produced using the cells from aborted fetuses.
The Wall Street Journal recently posted an article with the headlines, “White Evangelicals Resist Covid-19 Vaccine Most Among Religious Groups”. The article cited a study from the Public Religion Research Institute. The article went on to say that, “Evangelicals of all races make up about one-quarter of the U.S. population…” Many thoughts come to mind after reading such an article. First of all, it could be that the ‘race card’ is being played to pressure a certain people group into compliance. With race tensions (sadly) abounding, this could be a likely scenario. Secondly, if this article is accurate, it is concerning that only about one-quarter of the U.S. population are considered to be Christians. And thirdly, it could be that the reason(s) for such vaccine-hesitancy amongst evangelicals is due to a “gut feeling” that something just isn’t right with taking the vaccine(s). Perhaps, the “gut feeling” is one of human reasoning and logic; or, perhaps, it is one of something much deeper – a discernment coming from the Holy Spirit. These are all things we need to consider. After doing an exhaustive study on other vaccines (found HERE), there are many alarms to bear in mind.
In Pastor Keith Malcomson’s recent sermon, he stated: “Have you noticed in this hour, right across our world, that all the politicians and the doctors and the scientists – they say, ‘We care about your granny. That’s why we want you to get the vaccine. That’s why we want you to get it. That’s the reason – we care so much about you.’ I have never seen so many politicians care about us as much as in this hour… Do you know that there is going to come a religious leader, and he’s going to say, ‘I so care about your granny, and I so care about your children, that I want you to get this literal mark so you can buy and sell – because I care for you. And I want you to have healthy, rosy cheeks. But if you don’t take it, you’ll die.’ That’s how much they ‘care’ about you. I want to warn you, that people are saying they care so much about you in this hour – they [couldn’t] care less about you! Do you see the picture, here, of what we’re looking at?”
Pastor Malcomson felt that even though we have not yet seen the mark of the beast, that maybe, we are being conditioned for it. Could it be that the agenda of masks, mandates, and vaccines has little to do with health, compassion, or safety? Perhaps, it could be more about conditioning us to accept what is being fed to us, so that greater evils can be perpetrated without alarm? It seems that if health were the primary concern, then vitamins (with a proven record for improving health), likewise, should be mandated. It is important that we can see where this may lead us. Again – some things we need to ponder and pray about.
Discern, For Your Children
“I hope we seldom bow the knee without praying for our children.” ~Charles Spurgeon
If you are the parent or guardian of a school-aged child/children, then discernment is a must. God has entrusted us to care for them until they are of age. This generation of children faces challenges and pressures which many of us did not face. Evil is abounding more and more; making it crucial for us to instill God’s Word into their hearts.
While there are exceptions, the public school system is not always a safe place – especially nowadays. Not only are the “Sex Education” lessons being perverted with the LGBTQ+ agenda, but an undiscerning child can be easily led astray with various erroneous teachings and/or peer pressure.
Even in the “Bible Belt” of America, many teachers are gay or lesbian. While that has no bearing upon their ability to teach, it is cause for alarm to discerning, Christian parents. Why? Being exposed to hearing a woman refer to her “wife” and a man refer to his “husband” will condition an impressionable mind to accept sexual sin (see 1st Cor. 6:9) as the norm. Also, do we really want our tender children to spend hours a day taught by an individual who has any type of evil, sinful spirit within them?
The naysayers may chide, “But you cannot raise your child in a bubble!” Ah – but we can do our best to guard their young, growing spirits without throwing all caution to the wind. Proverbs 4:23 teaches us to “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.” Yes, we eventually let our children fly from the proverbial nest – but not before it’s a proper time. They need to be strong in their faith and convictions – or the evil world will eat them alive.
Proverbs 1:8 admonishes, “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.” If we are going to teach our children, we must know and practice the unadulterated truth, ourselves. We must also discern the times, discern when we face decisions, and discern how to best teach our children the ways of righteousness.
It’s a Spiritual Thing
Earlier in this blog, we discussed having a “gut feeling” when something just isn’t right. I wish to expound upon that a bit more. For, you see – discernment is a spiritual matter, not one that can be easily understood by the unconverted person or even with the logical mind. Once we are spiritually mature, we have had experience exercising our senses to discern both good and evil (Heb. 5:14).
Scripture teaches that many things are revealed to us (Christians) by the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of truth. We have a huge advantage over the sinner since we are able to receive such revelations. John 16:13 states: “He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak from Himself, but whatever He may hear, He will speak. And He will declare to you the things coming.” However, we are only privy to such wisdom by staying close to our Lord and by meditating on His Word. “And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught” (1st John 2:27).
We can no longer plead ignorance. We must repent and receive the Spirit of truth. “So having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now proclaiming to mankind that all people everywhere are to repent…” (Acts 17.30). It is of utmost importance to stay in faith. Scripture teaches us (in 1st Timothy 4:1-2) that in the latter times, some will fall away from the faith because they pay attention to deceitful spirits; they listen to liars. This is why it is important to discern what we hear.
However, it is impossible to have discernment without the Holy Spirit of God working in us. It is also a gift of the Spirit – to be able to discern spirits (1st Cor. 12:10). Remember, we do not have the same ignorant, lying, deceitful spirit which the world has. We, as Christians, have the Holy Spirit of truth. This is why we, oftentimes, clash when speaking with a person who is not a true Christian. Scripture even says that, “The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1st Corinthians 2:14). Verses 15 and 16 go on to say this: “The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment. For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.”
Persecution for the Discerning
“None of you can be the people of God without provoking envy; and the better you are, the more you will be hated. The ripest fruit is most pecked by the birds…” ~Charles Spurgeon
When the wicked refuse to receive the truth we share, they rebuke us in the form of persecution. All persecution is hard. However, we find some persecution is a bit lighter – name-calling, slander, betrayal, or loss of ‘friendship’. Other forms of persecution are more severe – imprisonment, oppression, threats, injury, torture, or death. If we live for God, we will be persecuted. But we need not be afraid, for we are on the winning side. We must endure like a good soldier until the end; but we have the Holy Spirit to help us do so.
Jesus taught us to not fear those who can kill the body; but rather, to fear and reverence God, who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell (see Matthew 10:28). We needn’t fear the wicked, for everything they do in secret will be exposed in the open. God will judge. We will be vindicated.
Encouragement
“Your love to Christ will never dishonor you; it may bring some temporary slight from your friends, or slanders from your enemies; but live on, and you shall live down their [slander]; live on, and ye shall stand amongst the glorified, honored even by those who hissed at you.” ~Charles Spurgeon
No matter what obstacle we face, God will make a way for his own. Do not give up now… we are so close to the finish line! Even if we must limp in… oh child of God, let’s make it through Heaven’s gate!!
Be encouraged! Should we face a tough decision, God will give wisdom to us generously (James 1:5).
Be encouraged! Discernment from God will guard us and deliver us from evil (Proverbs 2:11-12).
Be encouraged! Those who endure until the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13).
Be encouraged! The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet (Romans 16:20).
Be encouraged! If lonely, remember, we are on the narrow path that leads to life (Matthew 7:14).
Be encouraged! Each day brings us closer to the day of redemption (Romans 13:11).
Never be afraid to stand up for truth, even if the whole world stands against you. Never bend on your scriptural stances and beliefs, no matter what society says. Please Christ, above all; for he is the only One who will matter in eternity.
There can be no compromise when it comes to the truth. Theologian, John Owens, put it like this: “Without absolutes revealed by God Himself, we are left rudderless in a sea of conflicting ideas about manners, justice and right and wrong, issuing from a multitude of self-opinionated thinkers.” God’s Word is the final authority… it is the standard of truth.
Furthermore, the beloved Pastor, A.W. Tozer, once said: “Great saints have always been dogmatic. We need to return to a gentle dogmatism that smiles while it stands stubborn and firm on the Word of God.” Do you have what it takes? In Luke 9:62, Jesus said that “No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
This is why we must discern that the world is eager to make us bow to their mindset; but no, we must resist. We must not bow to their sinful ways. We must not go against the Holy Spirit’s leading within us. “Think about the things of Heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:2-3).
We must never give up on our faith in the eternal God due to temporary discomfort. If ever there was a time we need to discern, discern, discern – the time is now.
“Avoiding strife is an honor for a person, but any fool will quarrel.” ~Proverbs 20:3
Allow me relay a true story, for example purposes…
Firstly, by way of a preface, I want to be clear that I do not wish to slander or give names in this example. I would never wish to bury a person so deep as to make them feel more like an enemy than a comrade. Also, we know that people can change, and later, see the error of their ways. Once again, this true story is used for example purposes only…
Many will know who I am speaking of by the description of this story; after all, the story is public knowledge that has been freely shared online. The story involves a Christian family who got involved in a family feud over money.
You see, the parents, their Daughter, and Son-in-Law were all part of the same reality TV show. According to the Daughter, her parents (namely, her Father), refused to pay her and her husband the funds which they felt they earned from the show. The Father gave his reasons for withholding payment, but the Daughter and Son-in-Law still didn’t agree. The younger couple sued the elder couple and won back the money in court.
After hearing this story, there are not many who take a neutral position. Some will be on the side of the parents, while others will be on the side of the Daughter. If we look at this court case as any fair juror should – we would not let our personal experiences influence our position. Yet, if a particular juror were to have had bad parents, it’s possible that they might allow themselves to side with the Daughter in revenge toward the parents – living vicariously through the Daughter; grasping for some sort of justice for themselves, also. If another juror had a ‘problem child’ with whom they were estranged, they might side with the parents in an effort to feel some slight rush of vindication and consolation for all they’d been through in their own life. However, it is important that both sides be heard with fairness.
I use this true story as an example for us all. How many times have we, perhaps, balked at an authority figure because of some past trauma with another authority figure? How many times have we, perhaps, treated the ‘underdog’ with disdain in order to make ourselves feel more powerful?
You see, it’s so hard for us to get ourselves off of our minds. The famous singer, Elvis Presley, sang a love song which said, “You were always on my mind”… however, so many could easily sing the song, looking at themselves in the mirror.
The Proper Christian Response
Can we (or do we) allow ourselves to be wronged in order to keep peace among fellow-Believers; committing it to God’s hands, instead?
Not often.
It’s a hard position to take in this dog-eat-dog world. Society teaches us to throw a childish fit when we do not get our way; after all, if it feels good – do it (they teach). Some of the same people shaking their heads in disgust at race riots, in like manner, take part in personal ‘riots’ of their own. They are gossiping, slanderous, unforgiving, and bitter grudge-holders who riot and rail against one another when they feel slighted. And yes, even some professing Christians take part in such behaviors.
Lest we forget amidst the overpowering voices of society, we must recall this biblical truth from 1st Corinthians 6:4-8: “So if you need to settle everyday matters, do you appoint as judges those of no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Is there really no one among you wise enough to arbitrate between his brothers? Instead, one brother goes to law against another, and this in front of unbelievers! The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, even against your own brothers!”
When it’s Hard to Forgive
Haven’t we, ourselves, been forgiven much? Yet, when it comes time for us to show forgiveness, grace, and mercy to another – we balk, we resist. Why? Because, we think the other fellow is ‘getting away’ with wronging us.
Rest assured, no one is ‘getting away’ with anything. Jesus said: “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matt. 12:36-37).
Scripture also states: “A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly” (Proverbs 26:24-26).
And remember this scripture: “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Rom. 12:19).
While we know evil and misdeeds will be punished, let us also strive to live in peace. “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled…” (Heb. 12:14-15).
Another reason why many are not so keen on forgiving is because they feel the offence toward them is too severe to forgive. In truth, the offence may have, indeed, been severe and deeply hurtful. Nonetheless, that does not mean that forgiveness isn’t required; even if no apology is ever offered. This is a hard truth for many of us to ‘swallow’, as it were. Remember, the narrow path that leads to life eternal isn’t always a comfortable one to travel. It can be full of crosses, losses, sorrows, and (what feels like) tremendous injustices. If it were an easy path, everyone would be on it; only a few will find this path and stay on it. Jesus said: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:13-14). As so aptly stated by A.W. Tozer, “It will take some courage at first, but the needed grace will come as we learn that we are sharing this new and easy yoke with the strong Son of God Himself.”
When I think of reasons why forgiveness is not freely offered by certain individuals, I think of this innate self-preservation mechanism most of us have. Some think if they refuse to forgive, it will keep them from being hurt again. However, let’s not fool ourselves… we are doing ourselves far more eternal harm by harboring unforgiveness. In Matthew 6, Jesus said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Forgiving someone does not mean that we condone their sin. Forgiving someone does not mean that we keep pushing ourselves on someone if they are not apt to restore the friendship/relationship. All we can do is strive to live at peace with all… as much as it lies within us. In Romans 12: 18, scripture teaches, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” We can’t control another person’s response – and if the offender is dead, restoration is out of reach. Thus, scripture teaches us to do our part only… “as much as depends on you”. If we’ve done all we can (according to Matthew 18:15-17) and the sinning Christian friend/relative refuses to hear us, we are taught to no longer regard them as a Christian. Wow! That is serious! This person stands in desperate need of prayer. There, oftentimes, is a rightful distance that will ensue upon this discovery. (Please note, the standard is a bit different for marriage relationships – see 1st Corinthians 7).
Certainly, there are numerous other reasons why people choose to harbor unforgiveness. However, a big reason for unforgiveness is simply because people have too high a view of themselves… this is part of our sinful, human nature. The Apostle Paul was given a ‘thorn in his flesh’ to keep him humbled so he wouldn’t become prideful in the ways that God was using his life. Likewise, the Bible teaches in Romans 12:3, for a person “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly…”
Meekness Matters
Are we willing to admit when we are wrong? Can we meekly humble ourselves to ask for forgiveness from God and man? Or are we too prideful; too perfect? Even if a person was, indeed, the ‘innocent party’ to begin with – can they not soon become guilty by way of pride and grudge-holding? (Read that again). As the old saying goes, “Two wrongs don’t make a right.” It’s not up to us to teach people a ‘lesson’ by slandering them, harming them, or giving them the proverbial cold shoulder treatment. God is the Teacher, and a very capable one, at that. We are to be the humble and meek students who follow God’s ways. Remember, there are Godly ways to resolve conflict (see Matt. 18:15-17, 1st Tim. 5:1-2, etc.) – But, being obtuse, overbearing, and haughty is NOT the right way.
The beloved preacher, A.W. Tozer once said: “Let us examine our burden. It is altogether an interior one. It attacks the heart and the mind and reaches the body only from within. First, there is the burden of pride. The labor of self-love is a heavy one indeed. Think for yourself whether much of your sorrow has not arisen from someone speaking slightingly of you. As long as you set yourself up as a little god to which you must be loyal there will be those who will delight to offer affront to your idol. How then can you hope to have inward peace?”
Tozer continues, “The heart’s fierce effort to protect itself from every slight, to shield its touchy honor from the bad opinion of friend and enemy, will never let the mind have rest. Continue this fight through the years and the burden will become intolerable. Yet the sons of earth are carrying this burden continually, challenging every word spoken against them, cringing under every criticism, smarting under each fancied slight, tossing sleepless if another is preferred before them. Such a burden as this is not necessary to bear. Jesus calls us to His rest, and meekness is His method. The meek man cares not at all who is greater than he, for he has long ago decided that the esteem of the world is not worth the effort. He develops toward himself a kindly sense of humor and learns to say, “Oh, so you have been overlooked? They have placed someone else before -you? They have whispered that you are pretty small stuff after all? And now you feel hurt because the world is saying about you the very things you have been saying about yourself? Only yesterday you were telling God that you were nothing, a mere worm of the dust. Where is your consistency? Come on, humble yourself, and cease to care what men think.”
He concludes, “The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself. He has accepted God’s estimate of his own life. He knows he is as weak and helpless as God has declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is in the sight of God of more importance than angels. In himself… nothing; in God, everything. That is his motto. He knows well that the world will never see him as God sees him and he has stopped caring. He rests perfectly content to allow God to place His own values. He will be patient to wait for the day when everything will get its own price tag and real worth will come into its own. Then the righteous shall shine forth in the Kingdom of their Father. He is willing to wait for that day. In the meantime, he will have attained a place of soul rest. As he walks on in meekness, he will be happy to let God defend him. The old struggle to defend himself is over. He has found the peace which meekness brings.”
Gossip = Division
“Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.” ~Proverbs 26:20
Have you ever had someone corner you to ‘share some concerns’ about another person (i.e. gossip)? Did you knowingly, or unknowingly, listen to the slanderous claims? If this happens, it’s best to stop it before it goes any further. “The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts” Proverbs 17:14.
If the Gossiper is not a Christian, the slanderous speech is to be expected, yet, stopped. If the Gossiper claims to be a Christian, then we (as fellow Christians) should advise them to follow the Biblical route for handling disputes and conflicts (see Matthew 18:15-17).
In scripture, we find those who gossip described as “tale-bearers” and “whisperers”. In his sermon, “Satan Found a Whisperer”, the beloved evangelist, Keith Daniel, tells many true accounts of how gossip and slander have destroyed many families and friendships. Among the abominable things God hates, one who sows discord (stirs up trouble; a whisperer) among Believers, is on the list (see Proverbs 6:19). Again and again, we are instructed throughout scripture to “Speak not evil one of another, brethren…” (see James 4:11, Eph. 4:29-32, etc.).
In fact, Romans 1:29 groups such evil-speakers/whisperers in the same category as the “haters of God”, “untrustworthy”, “unforgiving” and “unmerciful”, just to name a few! Romans 1:32 goes on to say that those who practice such things are deserving of death – yet continue in their wicked ways and approve of others who practice such wicked ways. Such a person is further described in Proverbs 16:27 -28 as being ungodly and perverse: “An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire. A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.”
The well-known preacher of the 1800s, Charles H. Spurgeon put it like this: “Satan greatly approves at our railing at each other, but God does not.” And, “He that perverts truth shall soon be incapable of knowing the true from the false. If you persist wearing glasses that distort, everything will be distorted to you.” When people begin believing their own distortions about another person, they soon begin believing their own concocted lies which turns them even more against the person. Seeds of discord may not have an immediate effect; but that seed soon gets watered (oftentimes, by more gossip) and grows into a great division and disdain for another soul.
God Sees Us at Home
“True Christianity follows a man home.” ~Pastor Tim Conway
All too often, many Christians let their guard down at home. They feel more at liberty to behave in the manner of least internal resistance, which is, oftentimes, the way of the sinful human nature. Somehow, the scriptural principle of ‘bridling the tongue’ only seems to apply to them when they are at church or around certain individuals. We are all in need of the Savior’s redemptive work; but it seems that some struggle in the area of self-discipline more than others. For some, the proverbial ‘wagging of the tongue’ seems to be a part of their persona. Others may not be tempted in this area, but will be tempted to sin in other areas.
If there is a besetting sin which we have not yet attained the victory over, let us keep striving to keep our hearts and minds pure before God and man (see Acts 24:16). Never say, “That’s just how I am… I have always been a Gossip.” No, no, no! Strive to gain victory over this besetting sin! If a member of a Christian household is known to have a weakness in this area, the other family members should help guide them to victory through accountability and prayer.
Likewise, if a person with a besetting sin is truly seeking forgiveness for such a sin, let us not grow weary of forgiving. “Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven…” (Matt. 18:21-22). We certainly do not condone the sin – but we should show mercy to a person who may have sinned in a moment of weakness, yet, is repentant.
Without identifying anyone; I will say that there is a certain family in our neighborhood where the Dad often sits outside on his porch, listening to Christian radio. He’s been known, on occasion, to even sing along to the songs of praise, unashamedly, which is wonderful to hear. However, when he is particularly stressed out, he has fits of rage, full of cursing, throwing things, and screaming.
Personally, I will admit that I am not as patient of a person as I should be, and I really have to watch my temperament when I am under stress. Therefore, I don’t mentally judge my neighbor harshly; still, I wonder how sweet and bitter water can come from the same stream? Sure, we all mess up. We all miss the mark, at times. We all need forgiveness and mercy from our Savior. But when such ‘mess ups’ are habitual; well, there is a big problem.
James 3:6-10 states: “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”
This entire section could be summed up by the words of the great American evangelist, D.L. Moody… “A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian – and most of all, his family ought to know.” Let’s not be double-faced hypocrites; for God knows and sees all. Nothing is hidden from Him, as stated in Proverbs 15:3: “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.”
Can’t I Defend Myself?
Short answer… to a degree; but, a much lesser degree than most of us think.
It’s okay to speak about what you said or did in an effort to clear up a misunderstanding and/or to diffuse a quarrel. It’s okay to ask or answer questions, to an extent, in regards to a conflict between you and another person (when speaking one-on-one with the person). However, let’s also remember the tone in which we speak. Remember, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).
Some may feel justified in defending self, after all, didn’t Jesus defend Himself when the money-changers were at the Temple? Nonetheless, let’s remember that He was defending God and God’s Temple. A valuable lesson I’ve learned (online) from Elder Zac Poonen, of CFC church in India, is this: We defend the Gospel and God, just as Jesus did; but we needn’t strive to defend self. “A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God’s truth is attacked and yet would remain silent” (quote by John Calvin). So yes, we must defend the truth of the Gospel while remembering to “turn the other cheek” when we, ourselves, are slapped in the face (see Matthew 5:38:45).
Since the days of Cain and Abel, mankind has been at war. Can’t we, as Christians, lay our weapons down, for once? Shouldn’t we, as God’s children, be the facilitators of peace, when possible? Will YOU take a stand?
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” ~1st Thess. 5:18
Today’s blog post is a little different style than usual. Normally, I study a topic, plan everything out, and present my findings. However, for this post, I am simply going to type what is on my mind, trusting that I speak as God’s servant to bring insight and encouragement.
For most of the world, 2020 has been a very trying year in light of the pandemic, lockdowns, loss, and lifestyle changes. It’s so easy to feel void of ‘thanks’ when everything is in a stressful state of chaos and unrest. But let’s remember the scripture above… that it is God’s will for us to give thanks. Whether life is going smoothly or whether it is going horribly, the Christian must resolve to always follow God’s will.
In the mid-1800s, Charles Spurgeon spoke words that hold true for us today. He said, “There are times when we run and are not weary, and another when we walk and are thankful that we do not faint; ay, and there are periods when we are glad to go on all fours and creep upwards with pain; but still, we prove that ‘the righteous shall hold on his way.’ Under all difficulties the face of the man whom God has justified is steadfastly set towards Jerusalem, nor will he turn aside till his eyes shall see the King in his beauty.”
While mourning loss and hardship is necessary, we must never lose hope nor waste time crying over what might have been. Instead, let us redeem our time and spend it thanking God for what is. A person may not have the greatest health, but they can be thankful that they have Jesus and hope of healing, whether in this life or the next. Another person may not have a loving family, but they can be thankful that God has given them amazing friendships. Yet another may have lost their job, but God has given them the health to work two temporary, part-time jobs until they can find a steady full-time job.
While it’s not always easy to maintain an ‘attitude of gratitude’, we find the proverbial ‘silver lining’ to our storm clouds since it is God’s will for us to give thanks in every circumstance. In the book of Ecclesiastes, scripture teaches us that yes, there is a time to weep – but there is also a time to laugh and rejoice. Scripture allows us a time to mourn… and mourn deeply; but it also reminds us that there is a time to dance for joy!
Words by James Easter
Even if our circumstances are not good, God can work them out FOR our good. Romans 8:28 states: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
My hope and prayer is that we can, as the song says, praise God in this storm. Let’s take this Thanksgiving Day in 2020 to truly honor God. Cooking, eating, and family time are all blessings; but should we have no such traditional Thanksgiving celebration planned, we are still very much able to praise the Lord. We can praise him with our heart, soul, mind, body, and what strength we have left in us. And yes, I am ‘preaching’ to myself… but let’s strive to exude joy and gratefulness to our precious Lord on this Thanksgiving 2020 and every day we are gifted with life.
P.S. Please enjoy the songs below as you worship Jesus today!
Preface: Although this is a lengthy read, I wanted to cover various angles of the pandemic we find ourselves in. It is not fair to bring people’s names and/or politics into the mix unless it coorelates – which it does. As you read, you will see the proverbial ‘plot thicken’. Although Coronavirus is a real and devastating disease, there is more to it than meets the eye. This blog is also not a racial issue against people of Chinese/Asian origin. The following blog is intended to bring clarity, eye-opening information, and to offer peace amidst chaos. It is my goal to present a biblically-based, factually-based blog and not branch out into unconfirmed notions.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
~The words of Jesus, in John 16:33
At the time of this writing, our entire world is in the throes of the Coronavirus pandemic, also known as COVID-19 (I may use the terms interchangeably). Never in our generation has there been such an event that has forced worldwide restrictions, job loss, and closings on such a mass scale. There is also a shortage of the basic necessities and conveniences which so many are accustomed to. Grocery stores are struggling to keep the shelves stocked with paper goods, cleaning products, and food. It seems that our entire world was turned upside-down in just a few short weeks.
COVID-19 took many of us (not all – as discussed later) by surprise. But God was not shocked by this, nor did it strip Him of His power. His word and His promises are still very much true. Nothing can nullify His word.
Before we begin, let’s be sure of one thing: Although certain tribulations happen and are permitted as part of a divine plan, God is not the author of evil, darkness, or confusion (see 1st John 1:5, 1st Cor. 14:33).
Coronavirus Foretold by Jesus?
Mockers of Christianity and the Bible wrongly argue that the scriptures are, at best, historical text only and have no bearing on our lives today. However, that notion could not be further from the truth. Allow me to expound.
You see, Jesus’ words which He spoke while here on earth are still relevant today. Not only is His wisdom and promises true, but we find His predictions for the future are coming true right before our eyes.
One such prediction is in regards to what our world is seeing nowadays. Some 2,000 years after His words were spoken, we see them coming true! Let’s look at what Jesus foretold about the pandemic we find ourselves in today.
In Matthew 24 (and also echoed in Luke 21), Jesus’ disciples asked Him what would be the sign of His coming and of the end of the world. They knew He would return to earth a second time but they did not know when; would it be a few years or would it be far into the future? They wanted to know the hints and signs to look for, should it happen in their lifetime. Although Jesus told them the signs to look for, we find ourselves seeing what He foretold.
He spoke of many end times signs to look for – one of which was pestilences. Jesus said, “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” Although we can see how easily a famine, (scarcity of food) could happen during the Coronavirus, let’s pay special attention to this word, “pestilences“.
What is a pestilence?
The original scriptural text we are looking at was written in Greek. The Greek word for pestilences is “loimos” which means, “a plague; disease”.
The dictionary defines pestilence as “a deadly or virulent epidemic disease; something that is considered harmful, destructive, or evil.” The origin of the word “virulent” is taken from “Middle English verulent < Latinvīrulentus, equivalent to vīr(us) poison.”
By this, we can safely say that Jesus did, indeed, predict viruses of epic proportions as a sign of the end times. And here it is, folks… Coronavirus!
It is crystal clear that this virus is a subtle yet loud wake-up call to show that these are the beginning of sorrows which must take place. By God’s mercy, we have all been duly warned to BE READY and make sure that our souls are safe with Jesus.
This warning holds no fear for Christians; and yes, God gives the world ample warnings as shown repeatedly throughout scriptural history. We can stand before our Judge with no fear of negative consequences. If you detect fear arising in your heart at these warnings, please take the time to search your soul and cry out to Jesus for salvation. He will give you a calm assurance if you are one of His children.
Furthermore, it is highly plausible that this may also be a sign of God’s judgment for mankind’s escalating sin. In 2nd Peter 2, we learn how God punishes sin and how he delivers the righteous. Since God did not even spare the angels who sinned (now demons) — and since God did not spare the ancient world who sinned, (only righteous Noah and his family); and since God did not spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for their sin of sexual misconduct/sodomy (but delivered Lot, who was righteous), then how could the sinful world today expect otherwise? Nonetheless, we see that God also knows how to deliver the righteous.
God is just but He is also merciful for those who turn from sin. For an example (one of many), let’s consider his admonition to Israel: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2nd Chron. 7:14).
Be Prepared
The end could happen when we least expect it; much like the Coronavirus was unexpected. That’s why it’s important for us to be watchful and prepared to meet our Maker. Wasn’t it shocking to see how quickly our world turned upside-down? Likewise, it will be shocking, to many, how quickly Jesus can and will return someday.
Jesus admonishes us to be watchful. He said, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:42-44).
Jesus also said, “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:32-35). Remember, Jesus said when we see “all these things” happen that His coming is near. Please reference Matthew 24 to see what this entails (one of which is pestilences).
By this, we can take confidence in Jesus’ accurate words and scripture holding true in all other instances. This is a fright for the sinner but a comfort for the Christian.
Political Response to COVID-19
The Expositor’s Greek Testament, a commentary on the Bible, says that “famines and pestilences [are] the usual accompaniments of war.” Incidentally, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, posted a message in regards to the Coronavirus, writing: “The world is at war with a hidden enemy. WE WILL WIN!”
President Trump’s message could have multiple meanings, some of which (or none of which) he intended. Nonetheless, his statement reminded me that there is a hidden enemy, and perhaps, a hidden agenda behind the Coronavirus. The enemy is an evil spiritual force, with Satan at the helm.
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.” ~Acts 2:17
In the book, The Vision and Beyond (published in 2003), the late David Wilkerson of Times Square Church writes in regards to calamities coming upon the earth. He wrote:
“…Can any of this [calamity] be avoided? Yes! Absolutely! I believe we will be given a reprieve if our [U.S.] President proves to be a Josiah. You may well remember Josiah as the king who sought the Lord with all his heart. We all should pray that God would give our President the same spirit that Josiah had; to tremble at His Word.”
The Lord spoke the following to Josiah:
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants—all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read—because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore My wrath shall be aroused against this place and shall not be quenched.’ But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, in this manner you shall speak to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel: Concerning the words which you have heard— because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,’ says the Lord. ‘Surely, therefore, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; and your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place.’ So they brought back word to the king.” (2 Kings 22:16-20)
Wilkerson continues, “God told the king, in essence, ‘as long as you’re in power, trembling at my word and relying on me, you won’t see the judgments to come. They won’t happen during your reign’. I believe our window of opportunity to respond to God’s call is brief. We all should pray that our nation repents and turns back to the Lord, but our most intense prayers should be for our own hearts.”
No matter your political affiliation, we need God to guide our leaders’ decisions which directly impact us. Whether you are in the United States or another country, the most important thing the Christian can do is to pray for our leaders. Let us humble ourselves to pray amidst this pestilence.
A Painful Prophecy
COVID-19, a biblically-prophesied pestilence, is a sign of the end times and the beginning of sorrows which must take place before Christ’s return.
We can liken this pandemic to an early, mild contraction for a woman in labor. A lot of suffering and pain has to happen before she can deliver her precious child. The pain will heighten in intensity and frequency as she gets closer to delivering. Likewise, much suffering and pain has to happen since the earth, as it were, is groaning through birth pains (see Romans 8:22). After all is said and done, Christians will be delivered as Heaven will deliver Jesus to us, for His triumphant return to earth!
Jesus stated: “A woman, when she is in travail, hath sorrow because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy, no man taketh from you” (John 16:21-22).
In the Disguise of Philanthropy
This section, and the ones to follow, will be very revealing. There is so much in-depth information that it was needful to shorten (believe it or not, this is the ‘short’ version). However, I will have links provided throughout and at the bottom of this post. This section is intended to get us thinking about the grand scheme of things. It will soon become apparent why this section is very necessary.
Firstly, let’s define the word, ‘philanthropy’. The dictionary defines it as follows:
“altruistic concern for human welfare and advancement, usually manifested by donations of money, property, or work to needy persons, by endowment of institutions of learning and hospitals, and by generosity to other socially useful purposes.”
It would appear a Philanthropist would be a very admirable, noble person with pure motives – but is this always the case? Also, what does this have to do with the Coronavirus pandemic? And could this pandemic lead to the mark of the beast, defined in biblical prophecy? Allow me to explain…
Bill Gates, former CEO and co-founder of Microsoft (a big name in computer technology), just recently stepped down from the Microsoft board. The press release announcing his decision took place in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, citing his wishes to “dedicate more time to his philanthropic priorities.”
Screenshot from Forbes.com with Bill Gates on the cover
So, how is this news related to COVID-19? Is this news something prophetic? And what does ‘666’ have to do with it? Let’s search a bit deeper into this seemingly unrelated event. Allow me to lay some groundwork…
Gates and his wife, Melinda, are the Founders of The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation who fund partners worldwide. Namely, the Foundation’s ‘Global Health Division’ develops “new tools and strategies” for healthcare and infectious disease in poor countries. They “…work with partners that can help to affect change globally, and then scale solutions to a local level” by developing “vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics.” (See my post, “Vaccines: A Moral Issue?”)
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation also provides health solutions for “family planning” (which includes abortion). Not surprisingly, Bill Gates’ father, a retired lawyer, served on the boards of many organizations; one of which was Planned Parenthood (an abortion clinic). Aborted fetuses can be used in vaccines and for vaccine research. Furthermore, abortion also serves as a form of population control. Vaccines and population control are both heavily supported by Bill Gates. After the Coronavirus outbreak, Bill Gates said, “The world also needs to accelerate work on treatments and vaccines for COVID-19.”
In an article by Ethan Huff, he wrote: “As is usually the case with suspicious disease outbreaks that get the media and academia talking about new vaccines and public-private partnerships, Bill Gates’ fingerprints are almost always hiding in the background. And this is exactly the case with coronaviruses, which could accomplish many of Gates’ expectations for the future, including mass depopulation, mass vaccination and mass consolidation of government power.” At first glance, such claims seem scathing towards Bill Gates. However, after careful research, they are not outlandish whatsoever, as we will discover.
‘Predicting’ Pandemic?
The first case of COVID-19 in the world, didn’t occur until November 17, 2019. However, in a 2018 article in the New England Journal of Medicine, Bill Gates advocated strongly for quarantine and ‘predicted’ a future pandemic which may be a novel respiratory virus (exactly what COVID-19 is).
Interestingly, there was also an event with the Johns Hopkins Center in October 2019 (a month before the first Coronavirus case) called, “Event 201“. This invitation-only event was designed to discuss how to handle a global pandemic, envisioning a fast-spreading coronavirus. And, yes… this event was in collaboration with The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
This is from the Johns Hopkins website. Notice the name ‘coronavirus’ under the headline. Also, take note of the date of this article. The first case of coronavirus wasn’t until November 17, 2019 — this article is dated for November 6, 2019 and speaks of the event which took place the prior month, in October.
Most so-called ‘fact check’ websites blatantly lie and twist words to protect Bill Gates. But if we simply go to the source, as I did, we find his words typed in black and white (on his own websites, in many cases).
What are the odds of Gates predicting a “novel respiratory virus” and of his Foundation collaborating on an event for a “coronavirus global pandemic exercise” before it ever occurred? This would sound much like a conspiracy theory if it weren’t true. Let the dates of his ‘predictions’ speak for themselves. Could it be that he knew something going on (behind the scenes) in advance?
“For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.” ~Luke 12:1-2
Let’s take a look at something else quite eyebrow-raising. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation also donates funds to Pirbright Institute, whose mission is to “prevent and control viral diseases of livestock and those that spread from animals to people.” This Institute also specializes in pandemic control, genetic engineering (altering genes), and they have a patent on Coronavirus.
In a recent press release, Pirbright Institute evaded the truth by saying, “The Pirbright Institute carries out research on infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), a coronavirus that infects poultry, and porcine deltacoronavirus that infects pigs. Pirbright does not currently work with human coronaviruses.” While this statement may be partially true, it is misleading. They claim the Coronavirus they study is only in regards to animals; however, there are two problems with this statement.
1.) Their mission statement (as notated above) would suggest otherwise.
2.) Their patent on the Coronavirus does, indeed, mention human Coronavirus.
Screenshot from Pirbright Institute’s coronavirus patent (page 40) where it does, indeed, research human coronavirus vaccine (which their press release denied).
This patent PCT was originally filed in 2015 and the patent was granted November 20, 2018; one year before the first case of COVID-19. Funds from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation were then given in late 2019. Pirbright Institute claims these funds were not for the Coronavirus patented work but for ‘The Livestock Antibody Hub’. Given Pirbright’s obvious trickery of words (as proven above) and admitted ties to Bill Gates — well, let’s just say this could merit some suspicion. Furthermore, we can verify through the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) that animal studies and animal products are used in human vaccines; and that funding given by the Gates’ was part of the ‘One Health‘ agenda (think, one-world government/new world order, as we will discover in the next few paragraphs).
Globalization: Setting the Stage for 666
Globalization is simply another term to describe worldwide integration of a particular system. It’s drive is to make everything uniform across all nations of the world. Examples of this could be to have only one global currency, instead of several (such as the US Dollar, the British Pound, Japanese Yen, etc.). Likewise, globalization could be integrated to create a one world government or a new way in which the world operates (New World Order).
If globalization is to succeed, it is important to have the ability to track every human on the globe. People are far easier to track if they are stationary (as in quarantine), yet, it can be done in other ways such as digital identification. We already see family pets being microchipped, so this concept is not so far-fetched.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we find globalization taking effect in its infancy forms; almost as a ‘practice run’ or a ‘drill’ for what is to come. Globally, certain restrictions are mandated and enforced by the governments.
We also learn that Microsoft, whose co-founder is Bill Gates, is a founding partner of the ID2020 Alliance. This alliance is working to create implantable digital IDs to track vaccine compliance (Coronavirus vaccine reasearch and a vaccine is being fast-tracked, as we speak – but what will be injected into us??). The digital ID would also be able to track human identity, location, and much more. The name “ID2020” is quite interesting, given that the Coronavirus pandemic prompting a “better way” heightened in the year 2020 — just some food for thought.
Nonetheless, their goal for this “fundamental human right” (as they call it) is to have everyone on the globe marked within a decade, at the latest. In order to ensure global compliance, the ID2020 Alliance is going to make this mark mandatory in order to receive essential services such as healthcare, education, voting rights, banking, and more.
“He [the Beast] causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is666.” ~Revelation 13:16-18
The concept of the ID2020 Alliance Digital ID is not a fly-by-night conspiracy theory. On their official website, it states: “In September of 2015, all United Nations member states adopted to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, including their committment to provide legal identity for all, including birth registration by 2030.” And yes, 5G data will play a vital role in the ID2020 Alliance’s goals due to the expanding broadband coverage to facilitate registration, interaction, and personal data collection. Incidentally, Bill Gates once proposed to track newborns and vaccinations through cell phone technology.
Gates believes, “…the world also needs to invest in disease surveillance, including a case database that is instantly accessible to the relevant organizations and rules that require countries to share their information.”
An interesting and disturbing photo of a crucifix on the wall at an ID2020 Alliance gathering. This screenshot was taken directly from their website (ID2020.org).
We can see how easily and rapidly the Coronavirus pandemic caused unprecedented changes and restrictions globally. This pandemic, in my opinion, will be the catalyst to push the agenda of an implantable microchip; all in the name of “better healthcare, vaccine compliance, virus tracking, and human rights.” Globalization (a New World Order) must happen before ID2020 will work.
David Rockafeller once said, “All we need is the right major crisis and the nations will accept the New World Order.” Is it a mere coincidence that The Rockafeller Foundation provides funding and ongoing support for the ID2020 agenda and is an alliance partner with them? Is it a mere coincidence that our world is now, indeed, in a major crisis?
Bible teacher, Irvin Baxter, recently stated: “The Bible prophesies that the Antichrist will ultimately reign over this world government for three-and-one-half years just prior to the Second Coming of Jesus to establish His own world government…The World Bank, the World Trade Organization, the World Health Organization—all of these powerful world institutions are exactly what they say they are. They are all components of the one-world government, the world government prophesied for the endtime 2,000 years ago.” (see Rev. 13:3-7, Dan. 7:23).
Was the timing of Bill Gates stepping down from his position at Microsoft, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, any coincidence? What’s more, Microsoft Corporation is also a private sector supporter of The National Bureau of Asian Research. This Bureau conducts “advanced independent research on strategic, political, economic, globalization, health and energy issues affecting U.S. relations with Asia.” Wasn’t the first case of COVID-19 in an Asian country? Hasn’t COVID-19 suddenly appeared in the U.S. and globally? Could this be something political? Senator Joe Lieberman is a counselor for the Bureau, as well.
As if we can’t already see the writing on the wall, The National Bureau of Asian Research updated their Facebook cover photo in February 2020 reading, “China’s Vision for a New World Order”. I can’t make this stuff up!!
Screenshot from The National Bureau of Asian Research (Facebook)
GlobalDepopulation
Before we look briefly into the concept of global depopulation by way of pandemics, I want to make an observation. The U.S. national census so happened to be in 2020, amidst the chaos of COVID-19. The census is mandatory by law and accounts for all people living within the nation.
I also feel that “an enemy is afoot” with this worldwide pandemic. Yes, it was prophesied by Jesus and we were warned of evil forces at work. It is my belief that this attack was not accidental or happenstance. Perhaps, that is what President Trump means by a “hidden enemy” or “invisible enemy”. It seems to be apparent to me that there was a lot going on behind the scenes, setting the stage for this outbreak, which very few knew about. The goal of such demonic forces is pure evil and, largely, due to greed.
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” ~1 Timothy 6:10
You see, with global depopulation, it is easier to track less people. And, less people means less resources which means more money. Thus, Bill Gates’ drive to bring ‘healthcare’. He said: “…the good news is, that the faster we improve health, the faster family size goes down, and so we can feel great about saving those lives.” Even China, in recent history, mandated a one-child policy (for a time) to control ‘over-population’ – where couples were only allowed to have one child.
Justice Is Coming
But don’t worry, there will ultimately be justice given by God. Psalm 9:15 states: “The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made; In the net which they hid, their own foot is caught.”
Likewise, Hebrews 10:30-37 states: “For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘TheLordwill judge His people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:“Foryet a little while, AndHewho is coming will come and will nottarry.”
As the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary so aptly puts it… on the Day of Judgment, the judgments will not be “ecclesiastical or political but personal, not temporal but eternal—when all safety and blessedness will be found to lie in being able to ‘Stand before the Son of Man’ in the glory of His personal appearing.”
What COVID-19 Can’t Do
Although we make wise decisions and do our part, let’s not forget that COVID-19 is not all-powerful. God is greater. This pandemic is limited in many ways, some of which are listed below.
Coronavirus/COVID-19 can NOT destroy the soul
Coronavirus/COVID-19 can NOT usurp God’s authority
Coronavirus/COVID-19 can NOT scare God away
Coronavirus/COVID-19 can NOT steal our salvation
Coronavirus/COVID-19 can NOT make us stop loving
Coronavirus/COVID-19 can NOT chase angels away
Coronavirus/COVID-19 can NOT alter God’s promises
Coronavirus/COVID-19 can NOT loosen God’s grip on us
Provision Amidst Chaos
“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” ~Psalm 37:25
Amidst the personal loss of income for many, due to COVID-19, God still knows what we have need of and how to provide our needs (see Matt 6:32). Just as God provided food for the widow (see 1st Kings 17) and finances in times of need (see Matt. 17), likewise, God will not forsake those of us who belong to Him and seek Him (see Matt. 6:25-34).
Yet, please remember… sorrows permitted in the world are designed to mercifully warn mankind of a far worse judgment to come for sinners. The true Christian need not fear.
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).
Peace and Protection Amidst Chaos
Amidst the chaos of COVID-19, God still knows how to bring peace to our hearts. Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
“Those who will not hear the messengers of peace, shall be made to hear the messengers of war. But where the heart is fixed, trusting in God, it is kept in peace, and is not afraid. It is against the mind of Christ, that His people should have troubled hearts, even in troublous times… If God opens a door of escape, we ought to make our escape, otherwise we do not trust God, but tempt Him. It becomes Christ’s disciples, in times of public trouble, to be much in prayer: that is never out of season, but in a special manner seasonable when we are distressed on every side. Though we must take what God sends, yet we may pray against sufferings…” ~Matthew Henry
Fear is a symptom… it lets us know that we are not secure in trusting God’s ability to take care of us. However, do not feel condemned if you fear; rather, resolve to conquer fear through knowing that you are loved and cared for perfectly by the Lord. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love“ (1st John 4:18).
Some wonderful scriptures of comfort for us to pray over ourselves and our loved ones is Psalm 34:7, 2nd Timothy 1:7, John 16:33, Deuteronomy 31:8, Romans 8, the 23rd Psalm, and the 91st Psalm.
As long as our soul is protected, that is what matters. Don’t fear that which can only kill the body but not soul. No virus or scheme of man can pluck us out of God’s hand or make His ear become deaf to our cries.
As I’ve referenced The Vision and Beyond book in this blog, allow me to close with the words of the author, David Wilkerson. He said, “God has not promised to keep His children from suffering. He has not promised to keep us from facing an hour of need. We have no promise of world peace, tranquility, security, or continuous financial well-being. We are promised peace and security of soul and mind, supernatural provision for every true need, and assurance that we would never have to beg for bread…”
He continues, “God is suddenly going to deliver His true children from his final fury that will be outpoured upon the earth. He will deliver His children from the most gruesome hour of disaster that the Bible predicts will fall upon the earth. Prepared Christians, wake up! Everything is under control and God is at work…”
They decided to travel to the next city over and enjoy the accommodations at the new Bed & Breakfast. It was a heavily-populated area with lots of shopping malls and restaurants nearby.
On their first evening there, they were eating at a restaurant and were seated by the wall-mounted television. They noticed a “Breaking News” story about wildfires in the area. It seemed serious, so they wondered why they had not heard anything until now. Concerned, the new husband asked the waiter, “Excuse me, sir… have you heard about the fires they are telling about on T.V.?” The waiter replied, “Oh yes, it’s all over the news… are you from around here?” “No,” replied the man, “we live in the next city over.” The waiter leaned in and said, “It would be in your best interest to flee back home early since these fires are spreading so rapidly because of the high winds and drought.”
After dinner, the new wife spoke with her husband about leaving the Bed & Breakfast early. But he said, “I think we will be okay here – besides, this is our honeymoon and we only have two more days here. Let’s just forget about the fires and enjoy our time here. It’s probably not that big of a deal.” Reluctantly, she agreed.
While sleeping that night, a loud gust of wind blew through the area — causing a commotion outside. This loud noise startled the newlyweds and they both rushed to the window to see what had happened. About that time, the smoke alarm went off in their room with a loud, high-pitched tone. With such a rude awakening, the couple scurried to find out what was happening. Then, the smell of smoke entered their room. No words were exchanged, just frantic scurrying to run. But they didn’t know where to run to… there was no place safe. In their shock and disorientation, they ran outside and what they saw was something that terrified both of them.
A massive wall of thick, black smoke was barreling toward them – it seemed as if this scene were out of a scary movie. With the neighbors all in their pajamas and robes – the crowd of them ran in sheer terror. For a brief moment, the newlyweds both felt immensely regretful that they did not heed the waiter’s warning to flee the city when they had time. Now, it was too late.
A loud rumbling noise shook the ground as flames became visible. Coughing and choking on the thick smoke, everything went black. There was no direction, no shelter, no hiding, and no relief from the heat and smoke. Their only hope was prayer… that God would somehow shift the winds so they could escape.
But what if…
What if there were no such hope? What if even the hope of a miracle was off the table? What if God helping them was out of the question? What if there was truly no hope whatsoever, not even a drop of water to spare them or a pocket of air for them to breathe? You see, that is the exact horrific predicament so many will find their souls in, one day.
While there’s time to heed warnings, sadly, they do not listen; or, they downplay the seriousness of the fast-approaching flames. They sleep and slumber without a care in the world. But sooner or later, the flames, the smoke, the heat, the torment — it will all catch up to them. But now, they want to get their “money’s worth” enjoying life, as they see it, by bar-hopping, going to rock concerts, and ignoring anyone trying to “rain” on their proverbial parade. Oh, but then – they will cry for such rain. They will cry for even a drop of water – but it will be denied them.
They will cry, “I am tormented in this flame!” but it will be too late (see Luke 16:24). They wanted sin, so God gave it to them – and it’s not as glamorous as they were lead to believe it was. Time and time again, God sent people to warn them – but they refused to listen and hardened their hearts in rebellion. They would even mock those trying to help, calling them “bigots” or “narrow-minded”. Regret will never leave them and there is no chance, now, to make things right. Their fate is sealed for eternity. They can’t even have the relief of dying, of being wiped off the face of the earth because this torment will be eternal. There will be weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth but no relief (see Matt. 13:50).
The others in this fire with them will not be afforded the slight comfort of even being able to commiserate… for, you see, it’s so dark and isolating. Each soul in their own personal hell – tormented mentally, physically, and emotionally forever and ever eternally (see Matt.25:46). This is not the way God wanted it – but it is what such souls chose and embraced with both arms; and even encouraged others to do. “Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them” (see Rom. 1:32).
On that day, among that burning crowd will be liars, the sexually immoral (adulterers, homosexuals/lesbians, fornicators), murderers, and the worst of the worst (see 1st Cor. 6:9, Rom. 1:26). But there will also be those who were well-liked and popular and thought they were “good” people on their own, without God. There will also be those who blaspheme the good things they do not care to understand (see 2nd Pet. 2:12). There will also be those there who are full of greed, strife, gossip, slander, and arrogance; seemingly “innocent sins” yet capable to send a soul to eternal destruction (see Rom. 1).
All of these will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur; which is the second death (see Rev. 21:8). The blackest darkness is reserved for them (see 2nd Pet. 2:17). The worst part of hell will be that they will be shut out from the presence of the Lord – the only One mighty enough to have saved them (see 2nd Thess. 1:9). They will be abandoned there forever (see Acts 2:27) in an unquenchable fire (see Mark 9:43). But this was their choice and they are without excuse (see Josh. 24:15, Deut. 30:19, Rom. 1:20).
Such a punishment has never been experienced in this world. Even the most intense yet temporary suffering here cannot amount to the eternal, incomprehensible suffering in hell. This punishment was intended for the devil and his demons – but also for those who, likewise, rejected God and even those who may have preached, but were heretics and false prophets (see Matt. 25:41). For if God didn’t even spare the angels (turned demons), then he will not spare any who willfully choose evil (see 2nd Pet. 2:4).
So, as one “crying out in the wilderness” I beg of you – please, choose life. God loves you and has eternal bliss for you. He is all good, there is no darkness at all in him (see 1st John 1:5). Come over to the good side and find hope in Christ; flee from the wrath that will otherwise come. Even if you are in deep sin, Christ can forgive and redeem you from certain destruction. Please, take heed while there is still time and call upon him while he is near.
“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” ~Isaiah 55:6-7
Sources: biblehub.com, canva.com. Story Inspiration linked HERE.
PREFACE: This study is written in regards to vaccines in the United States. Other countries may have varying products, policies and procedures. This is an informational article only. Therefore, all of your healthcare is ultimately decided upon by you, individually, and your physician.
This platform is a Bible study blog and not one utilized for ulterior motives or any type of agenda – other than to spread the truth and share God’s Word. However, since becoming a new mother, I have been forced to face many issues that I wouldn’t have otherwise; one of which is the topic of vaccines.
I thought that vaccines were more of a medical issue – but I have been amazed to find out that they are quickly becoming a moral issue, as well. Why? Because, it is a proven fact that aborted babies (and fetal cells from such) are used in vaccine research and in many vaccines themselves and even cited on the (CDC) Centers for Disease Control website. Abortion is definitely a moral issue dealing with murder (see Matt. 5:21-22, Rev. 21:8, Exo. 20:13).
Furthermore, research suggests that many of the ingredients in vaccines may be toxic – even carcinogenic in some cases. Therefore, even if we should wholly bar the topic of abortion, we must also ask ourselves if we are being good stewards of our bodies and/or our children’s bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit? 1st Corinthians 6:19 states: “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”
Before embarking upon my study of vaccines, I wondered why I felt such a compulsion and zeal to write about/study this topic? Afterall, I used to get the flu shot every year. A few years ago, I stopped getting the flu shot after a horrible reaction. Still, I never felt the need to try to coerce others to abstain from vaccines… until lately.
As I stated above, I am not intending to take the place of your physician nor am I stating that vaccines are completely ineffective – I am merely writing for one goal: To potentially help others by shedding light on this topic and to make the public aware of what hidden ingredients are in so-called “safe” vaccines, while taking a closer look at the moral implications, thereof.
My blog stands for truth (see John 8:32) – therefore, I feel a moral obligation to make others aware of my findings. I have spent many hours researching and would feel remiss if I remained silent. It is for these aforementioned reasons that I have decided to tackle this very touchy and very complex topic. This is a lengthy read with a lot of information, so it may be best read in sections (like chapters of a book).
The Great Vaccine Debate
Writing on a subject so exhaustive as this takes a lot of research, time, and prayer. I want to present a factually-based blog and let my readers prayerfully decide what they feel is best. With so many different angles and views in this “Great Vaccine Debate” (as I’m calling it), I want to be fair to both sides while maintaining a push for what is right, morally-speaking. So, allow me to begin by stating both sides of this debate.
On one side you have the people that are pro-vaccines (pro-vaxxers), and on the other side you have those who are against vaccines (anti-vaxxers). Somewhere in the middle, there is an undecided subset of people that can see valid points from both sides of this debate. I may use the terms “pro-vaxxer” and “anti-vaxxer” in this blog to describe the two opposing sides. I am not using the terms in a derogatory manner, but simply to differentiate the two sides.
When writing about a topic with so many twists and turns, it can become mind-boggling and challenging to keep everything concise yet thorough. It also poses a challenge to know where to start and where to end. So, I suppose we will just dive into this topic and expound as needed.
Do Vaccines Really Contain Aborted Fetuses?
Pediatrician, Dr. Paul Offit, is a pro-vaxxer, co-inventor of the Rotavirus vaccine, and one of the more vocal supporters of vaccines. However, even he admits that some of the vaccines used today still contain aborted fetal material. In a video posted on the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia website, he stated the following:
“One question some parents are concerned about is whether or not vaccines are made using fetal cells – and the answer to that question is, YES! There are a few vaccines that are made that way.”
He goes on to list the vaccines which use the aborted fetal cells such as:
~Varicella (Chicken Pox) Vaccine
~Hepatitis A Vaccine
~Shingles Vaccine
~Rubella Vaccine
~Rabies Vaccine
He failed to mention a few other abortion-tainted vaccines such as:
~MMRII Vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella combo)
~HIB Vaccine (Influenza Type B)
~Adenovirus Vaccine
~Diphtheria Vaccine
~Hepatitis B Vaccine
~Pertussis Vaccine
~Tetanus Vaccine
~Polio Vaccine
All of the above-mentioned vaccines are still utilized even though they contain known aborted fetal cell DNA.
Dr. Offit explains that viral vaccines are grown in cells. The aborted fetal cells for some of the vaccines were obtained in the 1960s from two elective abortions (one in England, one in Sweden). These cells have been reproduced to create the vaccines of the past and the ones we have today.
When aborted fetuses are used in vaccines, the package insert which lists the ingredients for the vaccine, will not state it so blatantly. Rather, phrasing such as “human diploid cells”, “recombinant human albumin”, “cellular proteins”, etc. are used; and codes such as “MRC-5”, “WI-38”, etc. are also utilized. The MRC-5 represents an electively aborted male at 14-weeks gestation whose lung tissue is utilized in many vaccines. The WI-38 represents an electively aborted female at 3-months gestation whose lung tissue is also utilized. Other codes you may see are: IMR-90, RA27/3, PERC6, or HEK293.
CDC website listing vaccine ingredients (I placed boxes around a few examples of aborted fetal cells in certain vaccines. There are more which contain such; this is just a small sampling.)
There is also mounting evidence that more aborted fetuses were used for research and development such as the “Walvax-2”, which was derived from a 3-month-old fetus. The Walvax-2 is being considered for manufacturing, as well as additional aborted fetuses used in Zika Virus research.
The Glaxo SmithKline package insert for the Hepatitis A Vaccine states, in part:
“Havrix (Hepatitis A Vaccine, Inactivated) is a noninfectious hepatitis A vaccine developed and manufactured by SmithKline Beecham Biologicals. The virus (strain HM175) is propagated in MRC5 human diploid cells.”
This is just one example from Glaxo SmithKline, but we find other companies using aborted fetal cells in their vaccines such as: Barr Labs Inc., Lilly, Merck & Co., Sanofi Pasteur, and Novartis. There may be others, but these are the ones I could pin down in my research. Even Merck, a major pharmaceutical company, admits there are aborted fetal cells in many of their vaccines. Furthermore, anybody can go to the official CDC website and read the vaccine ingredients for themselves and see that many do, indeed, contain aborted fetal cells and other surprising ingredients (more on this later).
In a response letter to the Executive Director for Children of God for Life, Debra Vinnedge, a representative with Merck’s Vaccine Division, Eileen M. Dolick, writes the following:
“Several of Merck’s current vaccines are developed in human diploid cell lines, as you mentioned. Human diploid cells are used to prepare vaccines against other serious or fatal diseases as well, including polio and rabies. We use these cell lines because they are the best science has to offer in terms of producing a safe and effective vaccine against certain diseases. Varicella (chicken pox) virus, for example, grows in a limited range of cells–human and guinea pig. After 28 years of research and clinical trials, Merck scientists determined that the most effective vaccine to prevent varicella is produced in the former.”
We also see, there is a more recent aborted fetal cell line, “PERC6”, which was developed in 1985 and is currently used in research to develop vaccines to treat Ebola and HIV. The origin of PERC6 is clearly documented. In direct testimony before the (FDA) Food and Drug Administration’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, Dr. Alex Van Der Eb, the scientist who developed PERC6, stated:
“So I isolated retina [cells] from a fetus, from a healthy fetus as far as could be seen, of 18 weeks old. There was nothing special in the family history, and the pregnancy was completely normal up to the 18 weeks; and it turned out to be a socially indicated abortus, abortus provocatus, and that was simply because the woman wanted to get rid of the fetus.”
Currently several vaccines using the PERC6 cell line are in development. Undoubtedly, the cells used to establish PERC6 came from a healthy baby, aborted by a healthy mother for social convenience reasons. In a paper published on PubMed.gov, it states: “The use of fetal tissue from elective abortions is commonplace in the pharmaceutical industry and in medical research.”
Many people are calling for the aborted fetal cells to be removed from the vaccines and an alternative to be used. But, (aforementioned Pediatrician) Dr. Paul Offit said, “…to remove human fibroblast cells entirely from vaccines is out of the question…” since human viruses don’t grow well in animal cells. However, there are still a few vaccines which utilize animal cells, also.
Kyle Christopher McKenna, PhD., who is an associate professor of Biology at Franciscan University of Steubenville writes the following:
So yes, expert proponents and opponents to vaccines can agree on this one fact – many of the vaccines we have on the market today do, indeed, contain aborted fetal cells.
What Else Do Vaccines Contain?
Not only do we run into a moral issue with fetal manufactured vaccines, but there may also be more reasons why parents opt-out of vaccinating their children or themselves. Loving parents feel a moral obligation to protect their children to the best of their ability, since they are a gift from God. “Children are indeed a heritage from the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is His reward” (Ps. 127:3). However, it’s not only childhood vaccines that are in question.
Many of the flu vaccines used nowadays contain very toxic chemicals and surprisingly odd ingredients such as: Shark liver cells (squalene), Formaldehyde (a known carcinogen – capable of causing cancer), Armyworm cell proteins (Spodoptera frugiperda), Cocker Spaniel kidney cell protein (MDCK), Thimerosal (a potential toxin at certain levels), Pig gelatin (Porcine), and such.
Even many of the childhood vaccines and vaccines suggested for pregnant women (such as DTaP) contain Formaldehyde which is carcinogenic. Likewise, they also contain Aluminum which has been scientifically-proven to be toxic to the embryo in animal models and a neurotoxin to humans. The more Aluminum, the greater the risk of adverse neurotoxic effects (children born in the US are the highest vaccinated in the entire world). The vast majority of all vaccines contain Aluminum, in some form.
As mentioned above, DNA cells from animals are also utilized in a variety of vaccines. Some may take issue with this due to the Bible’s prohibition of consuming animal blood. It seems the primary cause, among other reasons, for abstaining from consuming animal blood was/is that it can cause disease. Although we are not eating the vaccine ingredients, some may feel uncomfortable mingling animal blood with human blood.
In the Old Testament, consuming blood was met with severe punishment. Leviticus 17:10 states: “And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among them, that eateth any manner of blood, I will set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.”
In the New Testament, a letter was written to the Gentile Believers in Antioch. In part, it stated that they must abstain from blood. “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements: You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell” (Acts 15:28,29).
Suffice it to say that there is much controversy over the ingredients and/or preservatives used in vaccines such as: aluminum, neomycin, glyphosate, MSG, antibiotics, Thimerosol/ ethyl mercury, Vero cells (African green monkey), and more.
Do Vaccines Actually Cause Health Problems?
The primary argument of pro-vaxxers is that vaccines are safe and protect against illness. But, at what cost? And, are the potential side effects, and known toxic chemicals contained therein, worth the risk? It stands to reason that vaccines are not the only way to protect against illness.
Merck (a global healthcare company and vaccine manufacturer) even admits that no vaccine can result in 100% effectiveness for all vaccinees. Let’s look at just a few vaccines, for example purposes.
Influenza Vaccine:
The flu (Influenza) vaccine greatly varies in effectiveness since there is no way to emphatically predict which strain of flu will circulate in any given year. The non-profit organization, National Vaccine Information Center, reported a few studies in regards to flu vaccines. One was a Canadian study published in 2015. This study found the effectiveness of the flu vaccine decreased when a person received the shot two years in a row. Another study looked at adults hospitalized for the flu. In these individuals, the flu vaccine’s effectiveness against the H3N2 strain was reported at -43% (negative forty-three percent). NVIC states: “A negative percentage indicates that persons who were vaccinated with the 2018-2019 seasonal flu vaccine were more likely to be hospitalized for flu, than those who were not.”
Cochrane, a research website unconstrained by commercial or financial interests, reported that vaccinated adults over the age of 65 only have a slightly lowered risk of Influenza (from 6% to 2.4%); but, they readily admit that the evidence for this “lower risk” was limited by biases from the outside studies they looked at. Cochrane stated that such available evidence provided “no clear guidance for public health regarding the safety, efficacy, or effectiveness of influenza vaccines for people aged 65 years or older.” Another Cochrane study review found that healthy adults who were vaccinated only had a lower influenza risks by 2% down to just under 1%; but also stated: “Vaccines increase the risk of a number of adverse events…”
Founder of the Vaccine Course Organization, André Angelantoni, writes the following:
Angelantoni also writes about the biggest risk associated with the flu shot… Guillain- Barré Syndrome, which causes paralysis (most times temporary but sometimes permanent). He writes, “There are lots of other ways the flu shot causes the body to attack itself… Saying that repeated immune activation has nothing to do with the body eventually learning to attack itself [as in autoimmune diseases] is absurd on its face. In reality, it doesn’t matter whether the activation is naturally caused or artificially caused. Each activation increases the risk of the body learning to attack itself. It [the influenza vaccine] is the most compensated vaccine injury in the United States National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.”
(MMR) Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine:
The MMRII vaccine, which contains a live virus, toxic chemicals, and aborted fetal cells, can cause significant adverse events such as: atypical measles, encephalitis, deafness, pneumonia, diabetes mellitus, seizures/convulsions, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, neurologic disorders, aseptic meningitis, and renal failure. Independent research has also linked the MMR vaccine to Autism (more on this later).
Earlier this year, Maine’s first case of measles since 2017 was reported in Somerset County. Even though the CDC confirmed that the child was vaccinated, he/she still became ill with the measles. Likewise, a Utah boy, Finn Price, became ill with the mumps even though he was up to date on his vaccines.
As of 2015, the CDC and VAERS data showed no deaths, in over a decade, from people who had the measles (disease); however, there were over 100 deaths reported during this time linked to the measles vaccine. More recently, that number has risen to 500 deaths and approximately 100,000 adverse events from the MMR vaccine reported to VAERS. Bear in mind, this number may be modest as a very small percentage of vaccine injuries are actually reported and accounted for by VAERS. By this, it is clear that the measles vaccine poses more of a risk than the measles itself.
Hepatitis B Vaccine:
One of the very first vaccines given to newborns immediately after birth is the Hepatitis B vaccine. This vaccine was designed to protect against STD’s (sexually transmitted diseases) and can offer some protection against infected needles used in illicit drug use or tattoos.
Some of the more serious potential side effects of the Hepatitis B vaccine include: Multiple Sclerosis, Seizures, Lupus, and anaphylaxis. Mind you, this is just a sampling of its potential dangers. Furthermore, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends patients be monitored 15-minutes after a Hepatitis B vaccine to make sure they won’t have an acute adverse reaction or syncope (fainting).
Below, you will find some alarming statistics by VaxTruth.org:
~Healthy, full-term United-States-born infants are at INCREASED risk of DYING between 1 month and 1 year of age. [Most of which receive the Hepatitis B vaccine.]
~Infants born in other countries (Sweden, Norway, Japan, Finland, Switzerland, Denmark), who have an increased probability of living past their first birthday, do NOT receive the Hepatitis B Vaccine.
~The Hepatitis B Vaccine contains 225 micrograms of aluminum! That is nearly 10 times the amount allowed by the FDA to be given to ADULTS over a 24-hour period in IV medications.
Rotavirus Vaccine:
The very first vaccine given for rotavirus had to be withdrawn because it caused intussusception. This is a life-threatening illness where the bowel folds and becomes obstructed. Even with the current rotavirus vaccine, there is still a small risk of intussusception. Even though the original vaccine was withdrawn, the damage was done. Who is to say that the current rotavirus vaccine couldn’t be recalled at some point, as well? Even if the vaccine does not cause intussusception, it has possible side effects of vomiting and diarrhea – exactly what the vaccine is supposed to prevent. It seems senseless to take a vaccine or any medication that actually causes what it is supposed to be preventing. What’s more, the rotavirus vaccine sheds for weeks after it is given and could possibly spread to the parents or siblings of the vaccinated child.
Smallpox Vaccine:
The vaccine for smallpox is no longer routinely given, but is still available for certain individuals. It has been notoriously dangerous for pregnant women as it can cause stillbirth. Furthermore, the CDC recommends that people with health conditions (even something as mild as eczema) should not receive the vaccine or even be in the same house with someone who receives it! Accidentally touching the site of the vaccine can easily spread smallpox since the vaccine contains a live virus (the US vaccine). It can even be spread to oneself. The site of the vaccine is often itchy – therefore, if a person scratches where the vaccine was given and then rubs their eyes or another part of the body, they can spread the live virus over their own body!
DTaP Vaccine:
According to the CDC, the DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) vaccine has the potential to cause long-term seizures, coma, permanent brain damage, or a fever over 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Yet, such a vaccine is recommended (even pushed, in some cases) for pregnant women to receive!
Shingles Vaccine:
One of the vaccines for shingles, Zostavax (manufactured by Merck & Co/parent company Bayer AG), has been at the center of over 50 lawsuits, according to Tor Hoerman Law, LLC, and is part of a multi-district litigation (MDL).
This law office states that Zostavax only works in about 50% of patients and has caused serious injuries such as “blindness, hearing loss, paralysis, brain damage, and fatal liver failure.” Tor Hoerman Law, LLC also reports that, “Yes – this shingles vaccine will likely cause you to contract shingles.”
Subsequently, a Zostavax vaccine label change was required in 2011; nonetheless, this very dangerous vaccine is still on the market. Furthermore, if patients were to read the fine print about this vaccine, they would find (on Merck’s dedicated vaccine website, merckvaccines.com) that “transmission of vaccine virus may occur between vaccinees and susceptible contacts.”
HPV Vaccine:
The HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine was designed to protect against the Human Papillomavirus which is a sexually transmitted disease. However, there have been thousands of reports of adverse effects from this vaccine which have caused permanent damage to some individuals (and even death).
Christina Tarsell was a 21-year-old woman who received the HPV vaccine, Gardasil (manufactured by Merck), and died a few days thereafter. Dr. Yehuda Shoenfeld and Dr. Michael Eldar determined that Christina died from an arrhythmia which was an autoimmune response to the HPV vaccine. Christina’s mother, Emily Tarsell, had enough evidence to prove to The United States Court of Federal Claims that the vaccine was the cause of her daughter’s sudden death. In part, the court document reads:
“Ultimately, because of the finding that Christina began to experience arrhythmia after her HPV vaccination, Ms. Tarsell has presented preponderant evidence of a logical sequence of cause and effect, connecting the HPV vaccination to the ensuing arrhythmia.”
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Generally-speaking, Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs concluded the following: “Our study suggests that HPV vaccines containing HPV-16L1 antigens pose an inherent risk for triggering potentially fatal autoimmune vasculopathies.”
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., nephew of President John F. Kennedy, Activist, Attorney, Executive Producer (of the movie, “Vaxxed II”), and Founder of the non-profit organization, Children’s Health Defense, states: “…nobody in the world would ever, who has any concern for a little girl, would ever give them this [HPV] vaccine.” He continues, “This vaccine gives you cancer, if you’ve already been exposed.”
Autism, SIDS & More:
Many have questioned whether or not vaccines could be to blame for Autism, SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), and/or other severe childhood illnesses. The Children’s Health Defense posted a report showing an increase in childhood chronic illness as the number of vaccines increase. In 1986, there were a total of 7 routine vaccines given (in 24 doses) and 12.8% of children with chronic illness. However, in 2019, there are 16 routine vaccines given (in 72 doses) and a huge increase in childhood chronic illness of 54%.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (also known as ASD or Autism) is a neurologic disability. We have also seen that certain chemicals used in vaccines, namely aluminum and Thimerosal, are neurotoxins. In his book, Thimerosal: Let the Science Speak, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. writes about the “…broad consensus among research scientists that Thimerosal is a dangerous neurotoxin.” He also spoke at the Autism One Conference about vaccine safety and his closing remarks were, “What are we doing to the children in this country?”
Many believe that there is a direct link between certain vaccines and the increase in Autism. The website cogforlife.org states: “Would it surprise you to know that prior to the introduction of the MMR vaccine that was produced using aborted fetal cell lines, the rate of autism in the United States was 1 in 10,000? Would it surprise you to learn that the dates coinciding with vaccine mandates state by state also coincide with a rise in autism? In 1995 another spike in autism rate surged. Why? The chickenpox vaccine, which uses aborted fetal cell lines was introduced to the US market that same year. Would it surprise you to learn that in other countries, the same spikes in autism correlate to the introduction of aborted fetal vaccines?”
As of 2017, Sound Choice Pharmaceutical Institute found a direct link between human fetal manufactured vaccines and autism. Their study did, indeed, show a link between the two. Their findings demonstrated “ecologic, epidemiologic, biologic and dose-dependent associations between human fetal manufactured vaccines and autism.”
Professor Chris Exley and Dr. Andrew Wakefield are two of the better-known researchers who have claimed that the MMR vaccine causes Autism. The CDC claims that the MMR vaccine does not cause Autism. However, we must also consider that the CDC has a vested interest in protecting the MMR vaccine since they benefit financially from the sales thereof (more on this later).
Toxicologist, Ashley Everly, reported the following (summarized):
~Autistic children are known to accumulate/harbor aluminum.
~Aluminum is a neurotoxic metal. When it reaches the brain, it tends to be deposited in the cerebellum.
~The cerebellum is the most frequently disrupted brain region of individuals with autism.
~Aluminum is an ingredient in many pediatric vaccines: Hep B, Hep A, DTaP, pneumococcal, Hib…
~We do NOT readily excrete injected aluminum. In one study it was found that 94% of the aluminum injected via vaccine/intramuscular injection remains in the body after 28 days.
~We are repeatedly injecting babies with neurotoxic levels of aluminum on day one of birth (more or less neurotoxic depending on the child), then every two months until 6 months, during the most critical neurodevelopmental phases of their lives, and beyond.
~The amount of aluminum in vaccines has risen dramatically since the 80s, along with autism rates.
~While our own federal government refuses to perform a study comparing the health of vaccinated children to unvaccinated children, they have financially compensated families of previously healthy and normally developing children who regressed into autism following vaccines via the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
~Another study found that 98% of autistic individuals have at least one MTHFR mutation – which means they struggle to detoxify and eliminate neurotoxic substances like aluminum from the body, much more than individuals who do not have this mutation.
~MTHFR mutations have been linked to an increased risk of adverse events from vaccines, in at least one study.
You can read more of Ashley Everly’s reports and articles by clicking HERE.
In regards to the MTHFR gene mutation, I would like to add one more thought.
Let me briefly define MTHFR. These initials are short for a very long medical term: “Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase”. The MTHFR gene mutation can be found in over 40% of individuals. That means those with the MTHFR gene mutation may not be able to properly break down/process or detox from the toxic ingredients found in vaccines. MTHFR mutations are not routinely tested for and require specific genetic testing; therefore, how would a parent know if their child has this mutation on the first day of its life when the first vaccine is given??
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome:
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, has been reported by countless parents within hours or a few days after their infant was vaccinated.
The form used for SIDS victims as listed on the CDC website. Notice item 4 (which I placed a box around to highlight).
Circle of Mamas is a website that brings awareness to vaccine injuries in infants and children. On a recently published article, a very valid point was brought out: “Not every person who gets a vaccine will experience a recognizable vaccine injury, but that doesn’t mean vaccine injuries are rare, or don’t happen. We know they happen.”
SIDS listed as a possible side effect… that means DEATH is a known side effect of this vaccine, yet it is still administered! This drug is also known in the U.S. as Pentacel.
The following infant deaths were reported shortly after vaccinations:
Evee Clobes died 36 hours after 6 vaccines, in two shots, one of them a 5-in-one.
Remy died the same night as his 2-month shots, where he received 8 vaccines total.
Nicholas Catone died 17 days after one Dtap, at 18 months old.
Remi Rose died less than 48 hours of a Hep B vaccine she received at 19 days old.
Kia died suddenly 6 days after his 2 month vaccines.
Amiah died less than 21 hours after her a Dtap shot she got at 15 months old.
Michael Whitesell (age 1) died three days after getting four shots in October of 2015.
Matthew Gage Downing-Powers(5 1/2 mos. old) died less than two days after receiving vaccines against eight diseases in October 2013.
Zara Antoinette Shiel (15 mos. old) passed away in her sleep the day after receiving her scheduled 15-month vaccinations in November 2014.
Lucas Annikan Cage Shull(6 mos. old) passed away in his sleep of SIDS a few days after getting his very first round of vaccinations in February 2018.
Healthy Babies Don’t Just Die
(Infant deaths listed above was reported by Circle of Mamas. Also see HERE for more parents who say their children were destroyed by vaccines).
Religious Views on Vaccines
Although this blog does not endorse or promote Catholicism, we can agree with their belief that abortion is sin. For research purposes, let’s look into what the Catholic view is on vaccines – since many vaccines contain human aborted fetal cells, and pose moral concerns.
Dr. Offit, as previously mentioned, states that some Catholics have questioned vaccines being created by aborted fetal cells as a moral issue, since abortion is a sin worthy of ex-communication within Catholicism. However, he assures Catholics that Pope Benedict XVI ruled on this issue by basically saying that, although it was unfortunate the aborted fetal cells were chosen to make certain vaccines, it was still justifiable to give such vaccines to their children. By this, it seems that the Catholic church has changed or loosened its previous stricter view.
Around the year 2005, the Pontifical Academy for Life produced a study on the topic of aborted fetal cells in vaccines. In part, the study states that such vaccines…
“do not cease to pose ethical problems.” And asks these thought-provoking questions: “If someone rejects every form of voluntary abortion of human fetuses, would such a person not contradict himself/herself by allowing the use of these vaccines of live attenuated viruses on their children? Would it not be a matter of true (and illicit) cooperation in evil, even though this evil was carried out forty years ago?”
Furthermore, it names three categories of evil. “In the specific case under examination, there are three categories of people who are involved in the cooperation in evil; evil which is obviously represented by the action of a voluntary abortion performed by others: a) those who prepare the vaccines using human cell lines coming from voluntary abortions; b) those who participate in the mass marketing of such vaccines; c) those who need to use them for health reasons.”
We find that the basic summary of this entire study by the Pontifical Academy for Life is this:
“-there is a grave responsibility to use alternative vaccines and to make a conscientious objection with regard to those which have moral problems;
– as regards the vaccines without an alternative, the need to contest so that others may be prepared must be reaffirmed, as should be the lawfulness of using the former in the meantime insomuch as is necessary in order to avoid a serious risk not only for one’s own children but also, and perhaps more specifically, for the health conditions of the population as a whole – especially for pregnant women;
– the lawfulness of the use of these vaccines should not be misinterpreted as a declaration of the lawfulness of their production, marketing and use, but is to be understood as being a passive material cooperation and, in its mildest and remotest sense, also active, morally justified as an extrema ratio due to the necessity to provide for the good of one’s children and of the people who come in contact with the children (pregnant women);
– such cooperation occurs in a context of moral coercion of the conscience of parents, who are forced to choose to act against their conscience or otherwise, to put the health of their children and of the population as a whole at risk. This is an unjust alternative choice, which must be eliminated as soon as possible.”
Whether we agree whole-heartedly with the above-mentioned study or not, we find one truth screaming at us… using vaccines with known aborted fetal material in them poses a huge moral issue for many.
Most Christians would consider abortion to be a sin (murder) which has lasting consequences for the one who chooses such as well as the unborn child. As commentator Matthew Henry once wrote: “If we dishonour God with that which is our honour, it will, sooner or later, be turned into shame to us.” However, for the woman who deeply regrets her decision to abort – there is forgiveness through Christ (see 1st Corinthians 6:11).
Mandates and Religious Exemptions
In times past, it was not revealed to most parents that their children’s vaccines contained aborted fetal cells, as well as other harmful ingredients. The vaccine schedule for times past, even as recent as the 1980’s, was not as exhaustive as it is nowadays. We find childhood chronic illness rising as the number of childhood vaccines rise. No matter which camp you identify with, pro-vaxxers or anti-vaxxers, it is of utmost importance to do your research.
Parents who decide that vaccines just aren’t right for their child may face many obstacles. Firstly, many public schools will not allow a child to attend without proof of immunizations. Also, there are a few Pediatricians who refuse to accept patients who abstain from vaccines. There are many other obstacles that anti-vax parents must face such as bullying, medical/peer-pressure, being misunderstood and called “irresponsible parents”, “uneducated”, or “flat-earthers”. The bullies suppose anti-vaxxers believe the earth is flat and not round; insinuating that they are conspiracy theorists. In reality, the vast majority of anti-vax parents are well-studied, highly responsible, and merely doing what they feel is best for the well-being of their child.
Such treatment is not only a problem for parents, but also a problem for many adults with no children. In many professions, namely the healthcare industry, there is a possibility that employees can get fired (laid off) from their job due to vaccine-abstinence. Vaccines are also mandated in the military.
Threats from the FDA about possibly mandating vaccines
It is unclear if vaccines will be mandated for all in the future, but as it stands now, there is still the right (in most states) to obtain a religious exemption. According to Tampa Bay Times, there has been a large increase in people obtaining religious exemptions for vaccines. It was reported that “between 2011 and 2018, religious exemptions shot up each year from about 6,500 students to almost 25,000 — an increase of about 375 percent over those years.”
Political Views on Abortion and Vaccines
We find that abortion is also a political issue – even more so now. This is why vaccines are such a hot topic – because many of them contain aborted fetal DNA which raises the topic of pro-life and pro-choice which has been highly politicalized.
Former President, Ronald Reagan, once said, “Each year, remarkable advances in prenatal medicine bring even more dramatic confirmation of what common sense has told us all along: that the child in the womb is simply what each of us once was, a very young, very small, dependent, and very vulnerable live member of the human family.” President Reagan was also quoted as saying, “I’ve noticed that everybody that is for abortion has already been born.”
Former President, John F. Kennedy, supported the polio vaccine and signed the Vaccination Assistance Act. However, one of the leading voices and advocates for safer vaccine practices nowadays is his nephew, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who writes the following:
In addition to vaccines being a health, religious, and political issue, they are also a governmental and legal issue in the United States. Our government websites (such as CDC.gov, FDA.gov, etc.) seem to support and even push vaccination. Yet, we also have vaccine injury court, Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP), and legislation in certain states questioning vaccine safety.
Most recently, the state of Texas set forth a bill to be enacted by the Legislature of the state to amend a health and safety code in regards to vaccines. This Act was to take effect on September 1, 2019. The Act stated that administration of certain vaccines be prohibited unless they met certain guidelines set forth. In short, a few of the guidelines mentioned were:
*The vaccine had to be evaluated for safety against a control group receiving a placebo.
*There needed to be a sufficient time to study the vaccine to identify possible autoimmune, neurological, or chronic health conditions that may arise from the vaccine.
*The vaccine needed to be evaluated for its potential to cause cancer, mutate genes, affect fertility or cause infertility, cause Autism Spectrum Disorder.
*Any findings of injuries, diseases, chemical, pharmacological, therapeutic, and adverse effects from the vaccine should be disclosed on the department’s website.
Details of the aforementioned Texas vaccine bill
What Does the Bible Say?
We know that vaccines, as such, did not exist during the time when the Bible was written. Nonetheless, the use of drugs is mentioned in the Bible.
Of note, the Bible speaks of the future fall of Babylon (evil) in Revelation 18:23. “…For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.” It is quite intriguing that the word used in this scripture, “sorcery”, actually is derived from the original Greek word “pharmakeia” (which is where we get the English words, “pharmacy, pharmacist, and pharmaceutical”). The definition for the word, “pharmakeia” from the Strong’s Concordance is: “the use of medicine, drugs, or spells.” It is further explained by HELPS Word-Studies as: “pharmakeía(from pharmakeuō, “administer drugs”) – properly, drug-related sorcery, like the practice of magical-arts, etc.”
Galatians 5:19-21 also mentions the word “sorcery” which is derived from the same original Greek word, “pharmakeia”. “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”Vincent’s Word Studies expounds on sorceries: “From φάρμακον a drug, and thence a poison, an enchantment.”
Without going into an exhaustive side study on this topic alone, I cannot comment as to all of the implications and meanings of this. Nonetheless, I felt it note-worthy to mention since we are speaking of drugs/vaccines in this post.
Money, Money, Money!
If vaccines are unsafe, why are they still available?
It seems the answer to the above-stated question can be answered in four words…
THE
LOVE
OF
MONEY
The Bible states in 1st Timothy 6:11, “For the love of money is the root of all evil…”
The pharmaceutical industry is a proverbial money-making machine. For instance, Merck (a global healthcare company/vaccine manufacturer) reported a 2018 revenue of $42.3 billion! That’s not to mention other “Big Pharma” companies, organizations, etc. We also find astronomical price gouging on many prescription medications. By in large, the pharmaceutical industry can be quite greedy. When there is anything that might pose a potential threat to their financial income, they will attack it. The attacks can be in the form of media censorship (or censoring free speech), cover-ups, counter-attack ads, lies, industry-funded biased studies, scare-tactics, and more.
In order for the larger entities to be protected from devastating lawsuits, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP) was put into place. Even the NVICP website admits the program was “created in the 1980s, after lawsuits against vaccine companies and health care providers threatened to cause vaccine shortages and reduce U.S. vaccination rates…”
The Children’s Vaccine Initiative book echoes this statement by stating that the program removes, “most of the liability burden from manufacturers for immunization-related injuries…” What’s more, the NVICP has a cap on how much they will pay out. Even if it can be proven that a death was related to a vaccine, there is a limit of $250,000 compensation, and the vaccine may remain on the market.
As far back as the late 1980s, there were so many NVICP cases of vaccine injuries pending that the processing time for claims had to be extended; imagine how many more claims have been adding up since that time! Children’s Health Defense states that “anywhere from 4,500 to perhaps 45,000 serious vaccine injuries occur every year in the United States.” Even still, injuries are under-reported and the NVICP doesn’t play fair in compensating those who are/were vaccine-injured. Former Chief Special Master, Gary Golkiewicz, said, “[The government] has a vested interest in vaccines being good. It doesn’t take a mental giant to see the fundamental unfairness in this.”
According to Children’s Health Defense, there is a $4 billion “budget for federal vaccine promotion and development.” Additionally, vaccine promotion is funded by The Gates Foundation. As you may know, Bill Gates is the founder of Microsoft and is among the wealthiest in America. The National Vaccine Information Center reports that The Gates Foundation is the largest philanthropic foundation in the world with a $43.5 billion trust. One of the primary goals of this foundation is to make certain that “every child in the world is vaccinated.”
In 2015, an undercover video was released claiming that Planned Parenthood was profiting off of sales from aborted fetal tissue. Of course, they have denied this charge. But as we have seen, aborted fetal tissue is in high demand since it is used for research purposes and utilized in some vaccines.
PBS reported the following:
“From 2011 through 2014 alone, 97 research institutions — mostly universities and hospitals — received a total of $280 million in federal grants for fetal tissue research from the National Institutes of Health. A few institutions have consistently gotten large shares of that money, including Yale, the University of California and Massachusetts General Hospital, which is affiliated with Harvard.”
Marketing Lies
As stated earlier, when there is anything that might pose a potential threat to the vaccine industry and their financial income, they go on the attack. In this section, we will briefly cover some of their strategies.
It would take an entire book to cover every single lie told by some of the major pharmaceutical companies. For the sake of time and space, we will just cover a few.
For starters, Tor Hoerman Law office handled a multi-district lawsuit against Zostavax, a shingles vaccine. This lawsuit alleges that “Merck & CO became aware that the vaccine could cause patients to contract shingles during its premarket approval trials but failed to list shingles as a possible side effect until December 2014, nearly seven years after it was approved by the FDA.” Could this also be the case with other vaccines on the market?
Speaking of Merck, it was reported by CBS News that Merck executives had created a “hit list” in 1999 of doctors who were critical of one of their products, Vioxx. Even though this drug was not a vaccine (but a pain killer; since taken off the market), this example is merely to show the hidden behavior behind some of the largest pharmaceutical companies. In regards to this case, one Merck email stated: “We may need to seek them [opposing doctors/researchers] out and destroy them where they live …”
Merck’s goal was also to discredit opposing doctors. The lawyer for the Plaintiffs said: “It gives you the dark side of the use of key opinion leaders and thought leaders … if (they) say things you don’t like to hear, you have to neutralize them… It does suggest a certain culture within the organization about how to deal with your opponents and those who disagree with you.”
The CBS report further stated: “The allegations come on the heels of revelations that Merck created a fake medical journal — the Australasian Journal of Bone and Joint Medicine — in which to publish studies about Vioxx; had pop songs commissioned about Vioxx to inspire its staff, and paid ghostwriters to draft articles about the drug.“
In 2016, yet another bombshell came out against Merck – one of the world’s leading drug/vaccine manufacturers. The Los Angeles Times reported that “Merck lied in a patent trial” about a Hepatitis C drug and that they lied under oath. Federal Judge Beth Labson Freeman had the following remarks to make about Merck’s conduct (or lack thereof): “…systematic and outrageous deception in conjunction with unethical business practices and litigation misconduct.” If they have lied before, what is to stop them from doing it again?
We have also seen some shadiness this year with the licensing of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine. Emmy-Award winner, Del Bigtree, brought attention to this matter recently on his medical news program, The HighWire. Bigtree reported that government records showed the MMR vaccine was licensed “using an irresponsibly small and limited group of children.” Therefore, it was licensed on limited and corrupted data. Even though over half of the participants in the trial for the MMR reported upper respiratory infections and gastrointestinal symptoms, the FDA looked the other way and the symptoms were wrongly labeled as “other viruses”. Bigtree also said, “But what’s even more alarming is learning about the serious adverse events that were known and acknowledged, yet ignored in order to license the MMR vaccine.”
Restricting and Censoring the Truth
Earlier this year, GoFundMe (an online fundraising platform) announced they would no longer allow those who oppose vaccines to raise money on their website. A spokesman for the company stated that it went against their terms of service to promote “misinformation about vaccines”, even though the information may be accurate… just not readily accepted or popular.
Notice how it is automatically assumed that opponents to vaccines have “misinformation”?
We also find such censoring on popular social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest (perhaps other websites, but these are the ones I have confirmed). For example, there will be a supposed “fact check” under YouTube videos by anti-vaxxers or those exposing the dangers of vaccines (see screenshot image below from YouTube).
Notice the “Vaccine controversies” disclaimer under the video? Ladies and gentlemen, this is censorship at it’s finest (insert sarcasm).
Even more censorship and restrictions for those against vaccines
Biased, Favorable Marketing
Don’t be deceived… many large entities are in cahoots with one another and as the saying goes, “money talks”. Some media outlets are used to promote scare tactics of supposed outbreaks as to garner more business for vaccine manufacturers. The news used to be a factual way to obtain information and was free of opinion – not so any longer. The term “Fake News” is not so far-fetched. Outbreaks which have been reported by the media/news are mostly found to be small in number and caused by vaccine shedding – when a person gets a vaccine and sheds, sickening innocent bystanders (even some vaccinated bystanders).
CDC using media for scare tactics
We also find mostly favorable reporting on vaccines and their safety. Why? Because many of these reports are actually funded by the vaccine manufacturers or those who will benefit financially from the sale of vaccines (see example HERE of a favorable report funded by the CDC.
Not only do financial beneficiaries fund vaccine studies/reports – they also receive acclaim in higher traffic websites (such as Google), and popular media outlets.
Google media push to market vaccines
A PubMed report found “industry funded studies were published in more prestigious journals and cited more than other studies independently from methodological quality and size. Studies funded from public sources were significantly less likely to report conclusions favorable to the vaccines. The review showed that reliable evidence on influenza vaccines is thin but there is evidence of widespread manipulation of conclusions and spurious notoriety of the studies.”
Some Things to Consider
One of the arguments of pro-vaxxers is that vaccines are for the greater good and help lessen certain diseases. Perhaps vaccines did some good to an extent, but at what cost? Let us also consider other ways by which health (and the improvement thereof) have been achieved. Back when there were no vaccines, there were also poorer living conditions, more widespread poverty in America, lack of adequate nutrition, poor sanitation measures, and less medical research. Since that time, there have been new inventions that make life easier, thus, prolonging the span and quality of life to an extent.
There have also been other safe remedies discovered to treat common diseases. We find that Scurvy was effectively treated (and mostly eliminated in the US) with high doses of Vitamin C. There are other vitamins, nutrients, minerals, and foods that can facilitate healing and/or help with immunity. Since these advances coincided with the time in which vaccines were introduced, could it be possible that a percentage of disease-elimination was due to the advances and not entirely due to vaccines? Are vaccines getting too much credit? That’s not to say that they are altogether ineffective; but let’s also take the small benefit of them and compare to all of the other information presented. When all things are considered, is the risk of getting vaccines worth the small, non-guaranteed benefit of them? Could they be doing more harm than good? Can we, in clear conscience, inject our bodies with such ingredients?
It is my hope and prayer that this blog has shed light on this highly controversial topic. I also hope that it has brought education, yes, but mostly valuable insight for you and your family in your healthcare decisions. It could be a matter of life and death. Life is sacred, and I take this topic very seriously… will you?
*Feel free to share the link to this blog study with those you love and care about. You may be met with controversy, but there is benefit in a good seed planted. I would also encourage you to view the video and resources linked below. God bless you!
I am just now completing a year-long test of my faith. I have had other ongoing tests which have lasted for many more years; but this particular year-long test was quite intense and had an impact on me. Let me tell you, a year-long test is no “pop quiz”. It’s gruelling – but moreso, mentally. I have many other first-hand accounts and trials of my faith which I could write about (and hope to in the future, Lord willing). However, this most recent year-long test has showed me some insights that I wish to share with you if you are going through a test of faith.
The Online Test
In 2018, I began doing research into my chronic health issues in an attempt to get answers. I have a whole host of issues going on, but I decided to address the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Mast Cell Activation Disorder I had been diagnosed with. As I studied online, I looked at possible neurologic causes for my diagnoses. I landed on a website offering a visual contrast sensitivity test. This test could give you insight if you were experiencing any neurologic issues or not. I took the test and failed. Since I had an upcoming doctor’s appointment, I decided to print out my results, on a whim, to see if there may be some straw to grasp at in searching for a cure.
After reviewing my test results, the doctor decided to schedule me to have an MRI on my brain to make certain there wasn’t anything sinister going on. She didn’t much think there would be anything abnormal but wanted to make sure.
The MRI Test
I do not enjoy being in small, closed spaces; nor do I enjoy feeling trapped. But to my surprise, I wasn’t nervous to have this MRI. I can only attribute that to God comforting me. When I got back to the room, I was laid flat on my back and my head was positioned on the table. Then, the technician took a rigid, plastic mask contraption and locked my head into place on the table with a loud “Snap, Snap!” I was offered the drug, Valium, for my nerves if needed, but I declined.
As I entered the enclosed MRI tube with my head bolted to the table beneath me, I kept myself distracted so I wouldn’t get uptight. I found consolation in knowing that this was just a one-time thing – or so I thought.
The Test Results
A few days after my MRI, I got a phone call with the results. I was fully expecting everything to be normal… but it wasn’t.
The nurse told me that my MRI came back abnormal and that the doctor would like to refer me to see an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) Specialist. She didn’t really have much more information to give me, so I hung up with her and called the ENT’s office to schedule my appointment. When I called the ENT’s office, I explained the situation and the receptionist said, “Yes, I see you were referred to us for the Cholesteatoma that was found on your MRI.” I had her repeat herself and asked her what a Cholesteatoma was. She did not know, exactly, but scheduled my appointment.
Immediately, my heart began racing. Since my Mom and Sister have had formal medical training, I had learned quite a bit of medical terminology over the years. I knew the suffix “oma” usually meant a tumor of some sort. Therefore, the word “Cholesteatoma” really alarmed me.
I told my family the news but didn’t want to worry anybody. I initially had a confidence, faith, and inner assurance, somehow. I told them, “God’s got this.”
The Appointments
Mysterious lump appears on my left side as a baby
After I had my appointment with the ENT Specialist, he was, more or less, at a loss. He said that it could be a number of things; namely, a Cholesteatoma or a Petrous Apex Cholesterol Granuloma. He seemed more convinced that it was a Petrous Apex Cholesterol Granuloma (PACG for short) and said that he had very little training on PACG’s. He referred me to a Neurotologist in another city, over one-hundred miles away, since there were only two Neurotologists in our entire state.
The ENT also ran a hearing test on me which seemed to be normal. That was good news since I’d had slight hearing loss as a child due to repeated ear infections and tubes placed in my ears. Incidentally, I was also hospitalized when I was a baby due to a mysterious lump that had appeared behind my left ear. It was never determined what caused the mysterious lump, but it only went away after our Pastor and his wife came to the hospital and prayed for me.
Since my abnormal MRI showed a spot on the left side of my Petrous Apex/Temporal Bone, I wondered if it had something to do with the undiagnosed, mysterious lump I had behind my ear as a baby. All sorts of thoughts raced through my mind. It was so hard for me to wait until my Neurotology appointment to find out what was going on.
The Official Diagnosis
After some time of waiting, the September day in 2018 had finally arrived for my Neurotology appointment. The long, straight road to the appointment made the trip seem even longer and harder. Then, my husband and I ran into construction and a downpour of rain on our drive. Nonetheless, we still arrived quite early to the appointment, so we decided to have lunch downstairs in the hospital cafe.
As we began to eat lunch, a wave of grief and fear overtook me. I began feeling physically unwell and had a difficult time eating due to being so upset. I broke down in uncontrollable tears at the table, with people milling about and staring at me as they walked by. I covered my eyes with my hand and tried to pull myself together. It was all just so hard, and every emotion I’d tried to stave off for the past few months came crashing in on me at that moment. Was I about to get some really bad news? Could it be an aggressive type of tumor? How was all of this going to play out? I had no idea – so, I became afraid.
Being a Christian does not mean that we won’t ever be afraid. Psalm 56:3 says, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.” So, I put my proverbial “game face” on and pulled myself together for my appointment, by God’s grace.
It was also during this time that I highly suspected I was pregnant – so I desperately wanted a good doctor’s report so that I wouldn’t be facing surgery if I were pregnant. My husband bought me a pregnancy test which I was going to take the morning after this appointment. I saw a pregnant lady on the elevator ride up to my appointment and thought that may be a “sign” of some sort. Nonetheless, I had to put thoughts of pregnancy behind me as I faced this potential life-changing appointment.
After a very long visit with a room full of doctors marvelling at my rare case, the lead doctor came back in to give me the news. She sat down in the chair beside my husband, leaned forward and said to me, “What you have is a Cholesterol Granuloma on the left Petrous Apex.” She continued, “It measures 1cm in size and you will need to be monitored for the rest of your life with MRIs and CT scans every six months. But I’d like you to have them every three months for a year. We just want to make sure it doesn’t grow and start causing problems.” I asked, “How sure are you of your diagnosis?” She said, “I am pretty sure… like, 95% sure, or more, that it is a Petrous Apex Cholesterol Granuloma.”
In her entire practice and training, she had only experienced maybe one or two other patients with a PACG since they are extremely rare. If this proverbial “monster” inside of my head grew, it could cause all sorts of problems, even deafness or other serious neurologic issues. It was growing on the bone, so she assured me it was not near my brain at this point.
Most PACG’s are considered inoperable since they are located in the middle of the head and very near the carotid artery and jugular vein inner workings. However, if surgery is necessary, they are usually only drained and have a high recurrence rate. Surgery can be performed through the nose or by a craniotomy.
As my husband and I left this appointment, we were both a little bit quiet in the car, but my husband’s faith never wavered. As we embarked upon the long drive home, we stopped to pick up some dinner and take a restroom break at a roadside McDonald’s. As if the news of my diagnosis weren’t enough, I discovered that I was bleeding heavily and knew that my perceived pregnancy hopes and dreams were all shattered. I remembered journaling three days before my appointment, “I somehow feel ready [for pregnancy] even though my body isn’t exactly ready.” I calculated the baby’s possible due date and ended my journal entry with the words, “Feeling hopeful.” But now, the hope of pregnancy that brought me happiness was gone; and I had a new, scary diagnosis to top it all off. I cried inconsolably for most of the car ride home. I’m ashamed to say that my previous confidence in God’s healing power began to waver.
The Test Was Positive
My next scheduled MRI was in late 2018 – just two or three months after my Neurotology appointment. During this time, I tried not to focus on my upcoming MRI. But, as the next few weeks passed by, I began to have a sense fo dread overtake me. I didn’t so much dread the MRI itself, as much as I did the prospect of what the updated MRI would reveal.
I felt so alone with such a rare diagnosis, the ongoing MRIs, the perpetual “what if’s” swirling in my mind. I tried to remain positive but I felt a heaviness weighing down on me. Then, I began to feel unwell mentally and physically; moreso than normal. I chalked it up to stress and tried to carry on with my life. Then one night, it dawned on me…
I began thinking about my symptoms and trying to figure out why I was feeling so poorly. As I did some calculating and thinking in the wee hours of the morning, I had the idea that maybe – just maybe – I should take a pregnancy test. I grappled with the idea since my previous pregnancy suspicion a couple of months ago proved to be false. I didn’t want to get my hopes up for them to be dashed again. Also, we had been married nearly 18 years and I was nearing the age of 40 – so I saw the odds stacked against me. Nonetheless, as I thought about it more and more, I decided that I would take the pregnancy test to put my mind to rest, and so I would quit thinking about it.
I remembered that I still had one more pregnancy test stick in the box which my husband purchased a few months prior, so if it were negative, it was no big deal since I wasn’t out any money for another test. Since it was in the wee hours of the morning and my husband was already asleep in bed, I snuck in the bedroom and tried to quietly sort through the drawer with my cell phone light illuminating the drawer contents. I just couldn’t locate the pregnancy test box and didn’t want to wake up my husband by making noise or turning the lamp on. So, I resolved to try again the next day to search for it.
The next day rolled around and I could easily locate the pregnancy test with the daylight sun shining through the window. I took a deep breath and promised myself that I wouldn’t get upset if the test was negative. As I took the test, both of the pink lines on the test stick (indicating pregnancy) started “lighting up” immediately! I stared at the test, thinking maybe I was misreading it – but I knew what it said. I kept covering my mouth saying, “Oh my God”, “Oh my God.” I wasn’t taking God’s name in vain, I was literally saying to him, “Oh, my God” as I whimper-cried and laid my hand on my tummy to pray over my newly discovered pregnancy.
The test was, no doubt, positive for pregnancy!
The rest of the story is too lengthy to tell now – but since I was pregnant, I was now unable to get my MRI. That was fine by me, except now… I would have to wait another long nine months or more before I could be tested again. The unknown is a scary thing. But I knew that God’s timing was perfect, so I tried to forget about this “monster” growing in my head and focus on the blessing who was growing in my womb.
Over a Year Later… The Test Ends
I hope to share my pregnancy story in more detail at some point, but our precious baby girl was born on July 19, 2019. After adjusting to having a newborn and all, I needed to get my MRI and CT scan rescheduled, after being long overdue for testing. Towards the end of October 2019, I had a CT scan on my head. As I awaited the results, I felt myself becoming burdened with the stress of it, once again.
My husband and mom kept telling me that God was going to heal me. I also know that my dad, sister, extended family, and friends were all praying in faith for my healing, also. It comforted me that so many people were praying for me and I am so blessed by that. Nonetheless, when my mom or husband would tell me that God was healing me, I thought they were simply saying that since they were in denial. It’s a hard truth to accept such a scary and unknown diagnosis, so I wouldn’t have blamed them; but no, it wasn’t denial – they truly believed in God’s healing power. I must admit, I was doubtful that I would be healed, however, I still had a small seed of hope within my heart. That’s all God asks for; a mustard seed size of faith. I prayed that God would heal me even when it was hard for me to believe.
The imaging facility technician called me after my CT scan and asked if I could send them my previous MRI since the Radiologist wanted to compare it to my current images. She said, “The Radiologist found a mass on your most recent CT scan.” Right then, my heart dropped. She didn’t give the mass a formal name, but I just knew it was the same old thing… Petrous Apex Cholesterol Granuloma.
As the days passed and my patience began wearing thin, stress began setting in even deeper. But, I had to be patient. Pregnancy forced me to be patient and now, awaiting these test results did also. James 1:4 says, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.“God was teaching me patience and he still is.
Then, as I was casually checking my e-mails, I get this report from my doctor:
“I have reviewed your recent CT scan. It was normal. The area of previous concern correlates with bone marrow on this exam and there is no abnormality. There is no need for further testing.”
Click to enlarge
The burden was lifted and God had healed me!!
I covered my mouth with my hands and cried tears of joy! I embraced my husband and we rejoiced together quietly with smiles and hugs as our precious baby slept peacefully in her bassinet.
Some may be skeptical of my healing, but I’m not. I have seen God’s healing at work before, so I know his abilities go beyond what we can imagine. Just as with my perceived pregnancy hopes being killed then resurrected shortly thereafter — my hopes of healing were killed yet miraculously resurrected. Christ died and was resurrected; likewise, those who die in Christ will be gloriously resurrected. God revives!
When there is a dead end road, God makes a path. When Moses was backed up to the Red Sea with no escape, God parted the waters. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you” (Isaiah 43:2).
God’s word says: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it“(1st Corinthians 10:13).
Look what God can do in just a year’s time! I am overcome with gratitude – this is such a huge burden lifted off of my shoulders. I don’t have to live the rest of my life getting MRIs with my head is bolted to a table! God spared me of this.He knew it was wearying me and weighing heavy on me. “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not” (Lamentations 3:22). The 56th Psalm says that God sees it all… our tossings and turnings, he has taken account of; and he bottles our tears. Are they not all recorded in his book?
When we feel that his face is hidden and he seems a million miles away – perhaps, he is hard at work in our hearts and on our behalf. Revivalist, Leonard Ravenhill, put it like this: “There are times when God will withdraw himself and make you feel as though you are dropping into the nethermost hell. He’ll leave you alone to see if you’re going to struggle after his anointing or you’re going to go on in your own eloquence and ability.”
God has truly blessed me. No, my life isn’t picture perfect. I still deal with a lot of health issues and I am often anxious. I fail, I cry, I will likely face more tests, and I am still a work in progress. But I do want to give God all the glory for who he is and proclaim his limitless power! For all he’s done for me – I just have to testify!
Rest assured, God is Almighty and he may choose to utilize healing for his glory – or he may delay healing for reasons known ultimately by him. Nonetheless, at the end of the day, we can all rejoice as his children, knowing of his power and that he will make all things right in the end, whether here or in Glory. Never lose hope in God!
As I am writing, tomorrow marks the holiday known as Mother’s Day. This weekend, I am compassionately reflecting on the women who feel left out. Don’t get me wrong, I think we should celebrate our amazing Moms… but I also want to be sensitive to those unable to celebrate.
♦Perhaps, you never found “Mr. Right” and feel all alone while others around you are celebrating their Motherhood.
♦Perhaps, you or your spouse have health issues which have caused you to be unable to bear children.
♦Perhaps, you married later in life for the first time and the lapse of time and age have prevented your dream of Motherhood to come to fruition.
♦Perhaps, you have lost a child/children. Whether you lost them before birth or after – you still feel the void of loss.
♦Perhaps, your child/children do not come around any longer, for whatever reason. You regret not being able to see them.
♦Perhaps, you have a child/children but you are saddened because you, yourself, never knew the love of a good Mother.
♦Perhaps, your own Mother, whom you dearly loved, was called to Heaven and you miss her horribly.
♦Perhaps, more than one of the above-mentioned scenarios are true for you… or perhaps, something not even mentioned here.
No matter what, please know that you are no less valuable, no less cherished, in God’s sight. Each of us have our own journey, so for us to compare journeys is entirely unfair and will only cause hurt. You are just as much a woman if you are childless as the woman with many children.
I believe there is a reason and purpose for everything… although, yes, sometimes our lot in life hurts. But, we have to learn to find a place of contentment and peace no matter our state. If this were not possible, the Bible would have never mentioned it.
Please don’t let a one-day holiday steal your joy. Please don’t let a holiday make you somehow feel inferior… For after this holiday is over, life will go on. You can have joy from the Lord in knowing that your best days lie ahead in eternity. There, God shall wipe away all tears from your eyes…
“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.” ~Psalm 73.26
Are you tired? How, exactly, are you tired?
There can be a weariness in the physical body or even in the emotions or spirit. We are made in the image of God and are triune beings. Just as God is comprised of the three persons of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit); we are, essentially, made up of three parts (Mind, Body, and Spirit). If one of the parts of an indivudual are lacking, it puts a greater burden on the other two parts to compensate. For example, if the physical body is unwell – the mind and Spirit have to work harder to maintain peace, calmness, hope, etc.. Whether you are tired in your mind, body, or Spirit – there is hope in Christ!
Physical Exhaustion
“And he said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2nd Corinthians 12:9
The Bible teaches that it’s most important to keep the Spirit strong. Proverbs 18:14 states: “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?“ In other words, the human spirit within us can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit? Therefore, we find it is of utmost importance to keep the spirit within us strengthened through the Word of God, worship, and prayer. Still, there are times when the body, namely, becomes so weary that it makes life very challenging.
For those of you who have followed this blog for a while, you may recall that I have spoken (at times) about my chronic health issues. I know there are many fellow-Christians who also deal with ongoing health conditions; and I wish to encourage you. I would like to share a poetic prayer I wrote about three years ago. Please, feel free to adopt it as your prayer if it resonates with you.
A Prayer For the Weak in Body // by: Maranda M.
I don’t want negative attention; that’s not who I am
Because I strive to be positive and do the best that I can
I want to be a ray of sunshine and not a dark, gloomy cloud
But my mind and my body shouts so obnoxiously loud
It cares not about my desires or my scheduled plans
It only fights viciously, daily, to gain the upper-hand
Oft times I must rest when I would much rather go
Which causes discouragement that only God and I know
It hurts deeply to be only a shell of my former being
When I have so much left to give, yet unable to bring
It’s like having a melody but the strings are all broken
Or having a song with the words left unspoken
It’s not by choice or out of a lazy mindset at all
In fact, the drive for life remains; yet, I always hit a wall
The “wall” is called fatigue and being chronically unwell
With hopes in my heart, imprisoned in each tired cell
The weariness, oh the weariness – words cannot describe
Thankful for life, yet a deep longing to even feel alive
Survival-mode is meant as a temporary means
But it is my life, thus, the fatigue that it brings
Does anyone know the effort and the strength that it takes?
To even shower or leave the house; oh, the efforts I make
But don’t get me wrong, I’m a very grateful soul
God is faithful to walk beside me with each hard-hitting blow
I am thankful I have Him, and that is enough
But please understand, I can’t live off the cuff
I am tired always and muddle through as I can
Upon awaking, I think, “Was that a marathon I just ran?”
I’ve tried remedies and vitamins like you wouldn’t believe
Striving, fighting, grasping for some ounce of relief
Maybe one day, I can be who I fully wish to be
Until then, I am relegated to be this altered version of me
Compassionate love and understanding goes a long way
Amidst fatigue and all, we still have love at the end of the day
My prayer is for healing, but only in God’s Will
His timing, His reasonings – I must accept, still
God’s Son suffered as did many of the saints
But the Lord sustains mercifully as, for him, I await
Dear Lord, while I tarry, please strengthen my soul
For this weary lot in life has truly taken its toll
Yet amidst the weakness, I have found my home
It is to dwell in Your presence where I am never alone
Whether here or in Glory, ‘til this burden is lifted
‘Til the tears are dried and the healing is gifted
I ask that You stay with me until that day arrives
I know that I need You in order to survive
Thank you for the joys and respites along this path
I feel the touch of Your hand – I honestly have!
I cannot summarize or articulate the point of my words
I guess all I am asking is for my feeble voice to be heard…
A Tired Mind and Spirit
“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” ~Psalm 29.11
There is so much to think about… truly! We have responsibilities, deadlines, appointments, troubles, unplanned setbacks, decisions, and so much more on our minds often. There is not a day goes by that the mind is not engaged to some degree. After a while, life can get mentally and emotionally exhausting. We can become heavy-laden with all the cares of this life. But the Lord instructs us to come to him. “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).
As the Missionary, James Hudson Taylor, once said: “To every toiling, heavy-laden sinner, Jesus says, ‘Come to me and rest’. But there are many toiling, heavy-laden believers, too. For them this same invitation is meant. Note well the words of Jesus, if you are heavy-laden with your service, and do not mistake it. It is not, ‘Go, labour on,’ as perhaps you imagine. On the contrary, it is stop, turn back, ‘Come to me and rest.’ Never, never did Christ send a heavy-laden one to work; never, never did He send a hungry one, a weary one, a sick or sorrowing one, away on any service. For such the Bible only says, ‘Come, come, come.'”
In the mid-late 1800s, Charles H. Spurgeon preached the message, “Weak Hands and Feeble Knees”. It speaks to all types of weariness and offers amazing hope – even today! The message is timeless. I have spliced together some of the high points of the sermon below:
Weak Hands and Feeble Knees // by Rev. C.H. Spurgeon
“Strengthen ye the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees.” ~Isaiah 35:3
“In all flocks there must be lambs, and weak and wounded sheep; and among the flock of men, it seems that there must necessarily be some who should more than others prove the truth of Job’s declaration, ‘man is born to trouble even as the sparks fly upwards.’ It is the duty then of those of us who are more free than others from despondency of spirit, to be very tender to these weak ones…
Although religion changes the moral temperament of men, it does not change the physical. A man who is weak in health before conversion will probably be as weak afterwards, and many a spirit that has a tendency to despondency, has exhibited that tendency after conversion. We do not profess that the religion of Christ will so thoroughly change a man as to take away from him all his natural tendencies; it will give the despairing something that will alleviate that despondency, but as long as that is caused by a low state of body, or a diseased mind, we do not profess that the religion of Christ will totally remove it…
Hence, then, if the knees be weak and the hands be weak, it is little that we can do. We cannot run with the weak knee; we cannot labor with the weak hand. How can ye, the servants of Christ, how can ye lift the heavy burdens which ye have to carry, if your hands be weak and your knees totter? Look well, then, to this, for herein ye suffer exceeding loss; if in active service ye lose power and strength….
He would believe in God, but he cannot appropriate the promise. He would lay hold of the angel, but all his sinews shrink, and he cannot wrestle. He would plead the promise, but his hand refuses to clutch it with an iron grasp. And he goes away crying, ‘Oh that I could pray! oh that I could believe in God! oh that I could succeed with God in prayer, and become as a prevailing prince. Alas! I am as weak as water, and I can do nothing.’ Herein lies the importance of having a strong hand that we may serve God, and of having a strong knee that we may wrestle with him in prayer, and get the blessing from him…
Once we could run along the walls of salvation with triumphant faith; at other times we could walk even through the valley of the shadow of death with quiet confidence: but we have come to a place of trial and of extraordinary difficulty, where all speed failed us, and strength did not suffice…
If your knees are feeble, serve God the best you can with them; if your hands hang down, then do the best you can with the hands hanging down, and pray God to strengthen them, until you become mighty, and then you will be able to do more. But do something every one of you… Above all, cry for the Holy Spirit to strengthen you, for without him all is vain.”
Helpful Scriptures
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”~Isaiah 40:31
“…for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”~Isaiah 41:10
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”~Philippians 4:13
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” ~Isaiah 40:29
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”~2nd Thessalonians 3:3
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” ~1st Chronicles 16:11
“‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” ~Zechariah 4:6
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”~Galatians 6:9
“…Thy Will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” ~Matthew 6:10
Do you want your prayers to be effective? Did you know that Jesus left us instructions for effective praying in the Bible? We find “The Lord’s Prayer”, in Matthew chapter 6. Jesus went into detail in explaining how to pray and basic guidelines of what to pray for. I covered my thoughts on the Lord’s Prayer in a previous blog – but I wanted to hone in on one aspect of this prayer today.
One very notable sentence in the Lord’s Prayer is in verse 10. Jesus prayed for God’s Will to be done in earth as it is done in heaven; and instructed us to pray in like manner. However, I have found that many Christians are hesitant to pray for God’s Will. Why? I think it is because of the fear that God’s Will will so vastly differ from ours. I, too, used to be a bit apprehensive of praying for God’s Will – that is, until I saw that he has my best interest at heart. Scripture says in James 1:17 that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” I have a couple of personal examples I would like to share in regards to praying for God’s Will.
Firstly, I recall a time when I prayed for God’s Will with tears in my eyes. I’ll admit, it was hard to pray for his Will – but when I saw the results of praying that way, my fear subsided and I felt immense comfort. The time I am referencing happened about five or more years ago. My dear Great-Aunt whom I am so very close to was hospitalized. Not only was she very sick, but she was well into her 80’s, had already endured a heart attack, and only had one kidney. All odds were stacked against her. As she continued ailing, the doctor’s began discussing dialysis since they believed her one and only kidney was beginning to fail. Truthfully, it looked like the end.
After receiving this devastating news, I had planned on visiting her in the hospital. I decided, beforehand, to purchase the family breakfast before going to see her; knowing it would likely be a long day and we may not have an opportunity to eat lunch. As I drove alone, I remember praying aloud to God. Of course, I prayed for my heart’s desire – for her to recover. Then, I prayed these words, “Lord, I don’t know your Will. I don’t want you to take her, but if that is your Will then… then, I will accept it, as hard as it is. But if it is your Will to heal her here, Lord, please let it be done swiftly.” It was only a few hours later that her health made a major turnaournd! Her numbers began improving and she began to regain her strength. She was released from the hospital shortly thereafter and was back to normal within a very short time! I prayed for God’s Will – and it was done! To God be all the glory!
Additionally, I have another testimony of how praying God’s Will does not have to be a scary thing. You see, my husband and I were married in 2001. All of these years later, we still did not have any children. I deal with chronic health concerns and was always told that it would be such a high risk for me to become pregnant. But as the years passed by, I knew that my window of opportunity to have a child or children was coming to a close. To be honest, I wasn’t even sure that it could happen due to health factors. Nonetheless, my husband and I decided to leave it in God’s hands. We decided that if God chose for us to remain childless, that was okay. But, if God chose to bless us with a child, we would be open to his Will.
Needless to say, after nearly 18 years of marriage, I am currently expecting for the very first time! Our baby girl is due in the Summer of 2019. Again, once we decided to pray for God’s Will – it was done; and it was a tremendous blessing! Admittedly, I was terrified at first and even fell into a short bout of extreme depression. I had one doctor even advise that I abort due to my health. But one day, I prayed with all the courage I had in my heart and asked God to let his Will be done in my pregnancy and to give me the strength I didn’t have on my own. Now, here I am in my second trimester and everything is looking great with the baby and me, praise God!
Even If
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” ~Romans 8:28
I would be remiss if I said that praying God’s Will only brings the results we feel are best. But, we must remember that our Father knows best even if we don’t understand. Let’s look at a couple of examples, beginning with the example of Jesus.
Right before the time of his crucifixion, he was praying to his Father in heaven. He was very sorrowful and heavy as he fell on his face and cried out these words in prayer… “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt“(Matt. 26:39). We see by this example that, yes, it is good to make our requests known to God, whole-heartedly and boldly; but, we also see that it is good to hold our requests lighter than our desire to be in God’s Will.
Even in such a trying time, Jesus was able to pray for God’s Will. How was he able to do this if God’s Will was for him to suffer through the crucifixion? Because – for the joy set before him, he endured the cross (see Heb. 12:2). He simply endured it, because it certainly was not enjoyable. It cost him his life – he was put to on open shame; yet, it was God’s will for this to happen (see Is. 53:10). But now, look at the amazing joy set before him which he has inherited! He is seated at the right hand of God, the Father – angels, authorities, and powers are now subject to him. There’s not a crown without a cross – and we can be sure of this; when God asks us to endure a “cross”, he will always abundantly reward our obedience to his Will. These blessings will far surpass our sufferings. You see, our momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all… so, we (like Jesus) endure (see 2nd Cor. 4:17).
An additional example we find in scripture is the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We find this account in the book of Daniel, chapter 3. These three men boldly stood against King Nebuchadnezzar’s decree to worship the golden image which had been set up. This sparked rage and fury in King Nebuchadnezzar and he commanded that these three be thrown into a fiery furnace. Here was their reply…
“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”
You see, they knew God’s abilities were limitless to deliver them; still, they resigned themselves to God’s Will; in essence stating, “Even if he chooses otherwise, we still will not bend our beliefs.” Even though, yes, they were thrown into the fiery furnace – it was so that God could show his power in an even stronger way. For, you see – even though they were bound and thrown into the flames, something miraculous happened.
King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished at what he saw and said, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God!” He then called for them to come to him. When they did, everyone saw that the fire had no effect on their bodies; not even a hair was singed, and they had no scent of the smoke and flames upon them! By this, we can learn that even if God’s Will differs from ours, he will somehow make all things work together for the good – whether in this life or in the one to come.
Comfort in God’s Will
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” ~Jeremiah 29:11
Even in the times we pray for God’s Will and things do not turn out as we had hoped, still, our heavenly Father knows best. His plans for us are for good and not evil (see Jer. 29:11). Should things in this life not align with our plans, we can rest assured that God will set all things right in the end (see Rev. 21:4, 5).
Another comfort is this: the Spirit is always interceding to God on our behalf. Romans 8:26-27 reflects this very thing. It states: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
You see, if we trust God with our eternal soul which is most sacred, we can surely trust his Will for our lives here. Since his Will is done in heaven, as the Lord’s Prayer reflects, why wouldn’t we want that same “heavenly” order here in our lives? There are no negative requests in the Lord’s prayer. All of the requests are for good; things such as praying for his kingdom to come, praying for his Will to be done, praying for blessed daily bread, praying for forgiveness, and praying for deliverance from evil. So, praying for God’s Will is actually a good thing, a positive thing. Always remember, God is on our side (see Ps. 56:9). As Romans 8:31 states: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” His Will is for our good – He is for us, not against us.
My next scheduled MRI was in late 2018 – just two or three months after my Neurotology appointment. During this time, I tried not to focus on my upcoming MRI. But, as the next few weeks passed by, I began to have a sense fo dread overtake me. I didn’t so much dread the MRI itself, as much as I did the prospect of what the updated MRI would reveal.
The Bible teaches that it’s most important to keep the Spirit strong. Proverbs 18:14 states: 
There is so much to think about… truly! We have responsibilities, deadlines, appointments, troubles, unplanned setbacks, decisions, and so much more on our minds often. There is not a day goes by that the mind is not engaged to some degree. After a while, life can get mentally and emotionally exhausting. We can become heavy-laden with all the cares of this life. But the Lord instructs us to come to him. 
“In all flocks there must be lambs, and weak and wounded sheep; and among the flock of men, it seems that there must necessarily be some who should more than others prove the truth of Job’s declaration,
Do you want your prayers to be effective? Did you know that Jesus left us instructions for effective praying in the Bible? We find “The Lord’s Prayer”, in Matthew chapter 6. Jesus went into detail in explaining how to pray and basic guidelines of what to pray for. I covered my thoughts on the Lord’s Prayer in a 
Even in such a trying time, Jesus was able to pray for God’s Will. How was he able to do this if God’s Will was for him to suffer through the crucifixion? Because – for the joy set before him, he 
Even in the times we pray for God’s Will and things do not turn out as we had hoped, still, our heavenly Father knows best. His plans for us are for good and not evil (see Jer. 29:11). Should things in this life not align with our plans, we can rest assured that God will set all things right in the end (see Rev. 21:4, 5).
Revealing Truth Today 