ECCE

      We are in the middle of holy days, which are Hanukkah and Christmas. Many people, especially young people, as they get older and go through the educational system, even Christian educational institutions, are losing their faith. I sought the Lord as to why this should be. This resulting message is vital to the sheep but also to the shepherds. Our education is often by rote and memorization, not delving into the deeper areas of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in the Lord. Our churches have often become centers of entertainment, rather than places where the true and deeper things of the Lord are taught and experienced. This brings us to the question that must be asked: "Do you know Jesus ?"       As opposed to being educating and entertaining, what does it mean for the church to be equipping the saints? Paul wrote that equipping the believers was one of the main focuses of the ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers....

       We have clear evidence all around us that we live in an age of lawlessness and darkness. Violence, crime, assassination, and the martyrdom of those of faith in parts of the world - how are we responding? Jesus said for us to occupy until He comes. "Occupy" is a military term. We occupy as His Light against the darkness and lawlessness until He comes.      First, we are able to identify some of the sources of darkness and lawlessness that can affect a believer's life in these last days. Paul wrote of this to Timothy: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having the form of godliness, but denying the power th...