Real Issues: October 2011

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Economic Revelations

RESEARCH AND STUDY

While reading the text for my Macroeconomics course, the Spirit of the Lord revealed something interesting to me. It was while reading the definition of counter-cyclical fiscal policy that I began to understand our macro economic system. The government borrows money from other nations or corporations in order to spend money to create programs that are to supposed stimulate the economy and it works like this.

The government creates programs, such as the Urban Revitalization or the Urban Renewal Program. This program was created so that deteriorated neighborhoods could be rebuilt or rehabilitated by private developers or investors. The investors then receive incentives by the local municipalities. The incentive comes in the form of payments or tax breaks to the investor.

This incentive is the result of a program created by the government for the purpose of giving investors a reason to invest. Once the investors invest, then those businesses will need to hire. Those new employees that were hired by those incentivized investors are now consuming or spending their hard earned cash which is now stimulating the economy.

Thus consumption or the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increases because the programs the government created for the incentivized investors is working. Now both consumer consumption and business investments are increasing, therefore the government continues to create or support more ‘programs’ for investors. Now investors are investing again, but not really; because though they are spending or investing their money, they are both profiting from their spending and being paid to spend by what we’ve already established as incentives.

The investors’ employees are not only spending but paying the government taxes from their wages in addition to paying state sales tax. Thus the government will receive those taxes to supposedly pay off the debt (deficit) they borrowed from other nations or corporations. Given that the program worked, the government repeats the cycle; only to borrow beyond their means because in order for full repayment to occur or for the government to get totally out of debt, the entire nation would have to be at full employment. WOW!

As opposed to shunning the government, white, or corporate America, one should get in the game, so to speak. Diligently seek out investment opportunities and research incentives and programs supported by this former Classical, counter-cyclical Keynesian, and Neoclassical economic system and not remain ignorant of the financial opportunities readily available today. But where do you begin?

How would I, as an unemployed African-American woman and part time student who has lived well below the national poverty level for the last seven (7) years get in the game? I seek God first. Won’t you join me?

OUR ASSIGNMENT

Ask God to forgive us of our financial ignorance and begin to seek out opportunities to educate ourselves. Listen to and feed our spirits on Biblical Prosperity.

RESOURCES

http://flcbranson.org/listseries.php?archive_index=ProsperityProven.txt&seriestitle=1601+-+Prosperity+Proven

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

An Education in Abomination (Part II): Abomination by way of Animation

ISSUE: What’s really going on in those children’s programs? Parental discretion is advised.

RESEARCH AND STUDY

Before I moved in with relatives, my niece would visit my home and I’d notice she’d say things like; ‘Aunty, I’m making a potion’ or ‘I got ‘powers Aunty!” At the time, I’d think “Where is she getting this mess?” But during my four month stay, I soon found out where she’d gotten her fascination for ‘potions and powers.’

Because I slept in her bedroom, we had the opportunity to spend quality time together, doing the things she enjoyed; one of which is to watch television. I’d flip on the set all under the pretense of watching some corny, childish television show and end up having to turn the channel. Why? Because many of the shows characters were putting curses on their classmates, performing rituals to gods, casting spells, or transforming into animals or vampires. Some even gave instructions on how to meditate, speak to the gods, make potions, use wands, perform magic and practice witchcraft all while glorifying wizardry.

Yeah the graphics were great, the costumes were cute, and the dialogue witty, but the Word of God specifically states in Deuteronomy 18:10-12, “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft (magic), or a soothsayer (astrology or horoscopes), or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer (witch, warlock) or one who conjures spells, or a medium (wizard), or a spiritist (spiritualist) or one who calls up the dead (channeling). For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD…”

You may be thinking that it’s not that serious. But I heard Frederick K.C. Price, Jr. say that ‘the devil has done a bang up job convincing people that he doesn’t exist.’ You too may believe that those movies and children’s programs aren’t real or perhaps you may think they’re ‘just entertainment.’ But if the devil wanted to come into your home and influence your child’s behavior to the point that you no longer had any control, would you let him in the door? Nope! But you might if he were disguised as a cute, corny, colorful, cartoon character on your television set.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

For at least one week watch television and DVD’s with your child. Actually pay attention and LISTEN to how many references and inferences are made to witchcraft, sorcery, wizardry, vampires, zombies, fairies, curses, spells, magic, powers, and the like.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

Actually read the scripture references provided. Look up each definition. For example, look up the words witchcraft, spiritualist, wizard, witch, divination, and soothsaying. Afterwards, ask yourself if what you’ve just researched is something your child should be exposed to.

Think about the programming and movies your children so enjoy. If while viewing there is a mention, demonstration, or display of what you’ve just researched, then you and only you, need to make a decision as to what is best and how to proceed with your child.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Real Issues for KIDS! (Part I): An Education in Abomination

ISSUE:What’s wrong with my child watching television? Nothing. But are you actually paying attention to what their viewing? For this issue, parental discretion is advised.

RESEARCH AND STUDY

Recently I had the opportunity to spend four months with my adorable, charismatic, and unusually smart four-year-old niece. After school she, like most children, are ready to relax in front of a high-definition, satellite television to give their young minds an opportunity to be entertained. But what’s happening is that they are being EDU-TAINED; educated and entertained all at the same time.

The edutainment I saw did not come from sci-fi or horror films. What I witnessed came by way of popular children’s programs. These ‘shows’ are cleverly disguised as kids programming and though seemingly innocent, are giving your children an education in abomination.

According to Nielsen Media Research data, children view an average of nearly 3 hours of television everyday¹. Another study found that approximately 32% of 2- to 7-year-olds have television sets in their bedrooms². I know both statistics to be true in the instance of my niece; but what I want you to do is think about your preschoolers. All sorts of ungodly, age inappropriate and devilish information is ENTERING their young minds and EDUCATING them a minimum of 21 hours per week in the privacy of your home.

Deuteronomy 18:10 – 12 says, There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium (wizard), or a spiritist (spiritualist), or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD,’ Therefore, if your child is watching or participating in an activity that glorifies, instructs, or demonstrates how to practice the aforementioned - your child, is by default, participating in an abomination. You may be thinking ‘Not my baby!’ Well, throughout this new series, you’ll see how the enemy has interwoven abomination into animation.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

Ask God to show you the truth in this series and how it applies to you and your family. Ask Him to prepare your heart so that you’ll be open to make the needed changes. This is not the time to point fingers or single out relatives and friends. If you’re a parent, relative, or guardian who’s allowed your children to view such programming – repent! This is not intended to bring condemnation. This is an opportunity for us all to take note and be proactive.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Tonight or whenever your schedule permits, sit down and watch television with your child. Actually pay attention and LISTEN to how many references and inferences are made to witchcraft, sorcery, wizardry, vampires, zombies, fairies, curses, spells, magic, powers, and the like.

1 1998 Report on Television. New York, NY. Nielsen Media Research; 1998.

2 Roberts DF, Foehr UG, Rideout VJ, Brodie, M. Kids and Media at the New Millennium: A Comprehensive National Analysis of

Children's Media Use. Menlo Park, CA: The Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation Report; 1999

Monday, October 10, 2011

Basics for Being a Believer (Part IV): Don't Get Caught Up in Color

ISSUE: Racism and prejudice have no place in the kingdom.

RESEARCH AND STUDY

In this series we’ve already discussed how to identify when your Word-level is low, provided you with a plethora of resources to replenish your supply, and gave you practical ways for you to implement your spiritual strategy on how to spend time with God. We won’t spend a lot of time on this, but another reason as to why you may be struggling with your Word-level is color.

As many of you know, growing up in the inner city, you develop an intense hatred for people of other races, particularly the Caucasian persuasion. Without sharing the specifics of my conversion, in 1998 I was flipping through the channels and ended up watching a women's' conference on Daystar and a white woman was speaking. Though I watched with suspicion, there was something different about this white woman; she spoke as if she actually cared about me. Today, I know that was the love of God but for that love to be coming out of a white devils mouth was preposterous. But yet and still, my tender spirit yielded to the call of God and I answered the prayer of salvation. If I would have turned the channel because she was a white girl, I would have missed my salvation – what the Lord Jesus refers to as my moment of visitation.

You have to be open to whomever God uses – African American, Caucasian, Latino, or Asian. Don’t get caught up in the color. Now my spiritual father is a white man from Mississippi who rides motorcycles and used to practice marital arts. I’ve been under his teaching for about 18 months and in those 18 months I have grown more spiritually than I did for ten years under everyone else. Your deliverance, breakthrough, or victory could be in a man or woman whose color is lighter or darker than yours. Be open because the spirit of the Lord comes in all sizes, shapes, and colors.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

Repent and ask the Lord to forgive when you have refused to hear God’s Word through a person of another race. Ask the Lord to open your eyes so that you can see beyond a person’s color.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Begin to speak or greet people of different races. Just start by saying ‘Good Morning’ or ‘How are you?’ It’s a small step but at least you’re headed in the right direction.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Basics for Being a Believer (Part III): Making Time for God

ISSUE: ‘My schedule doesn’t allow me to spend quality time with God. I don’t have the time which is why my word-level is low. What can I do?’

RESEARCH AND STUDY

And the foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” Matthew 25:8

In this series we’ve already discussed how to identify when your word-level is low and provided you with a plethora of resources to replenish your supply. In this issue, I’ll keep it simple and provide practical ways for you to implement your spiritual strategy on how to spend time with God.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

When you wake up,

set your alarm 15 minutes earlier to pray (in the Spirit) and read the Word out loud.

Getting ready for work,

put the CD Player in the bathroom and listen while you shower or shave.

If you take public transit, read your Bible or listen to teachings on your iPhone or iPod.

Driving to work or running errands, listen to faith-building CD’s.

At your workstation,

keep scriptures in your desk drawer so that you can see them every time you open it.

On your break,

download teachings on your iPod and take prayer walk or go to your car for those 15 minutes and just be quiet.

The time you would have spent checking Facebook or Twitter,

read the Bible, my blog or other devotionals.

On your lunch,

read your Bible, take another prayer walk, or go to your car and listen to CD’s.

While you’re in the grocery store, gym, or at your child’s practice,

put your headphones on and listen to teachings.

In your kitchen,

keep a scripture God has put on your heart on the refrigerator door

and say it out loud whenever you get a chance.

In your bathroom,

have a faith-building book dealing with your situation readily available for reading.

After you get home from work and you reach for the remote, put in a faith-building DVD.

While you’re preparing your meals, put your laptop in the kitchen and download some teachings.

When putting your children to bed, read them a biblical bedtime story.

While you’re cleaning the house, blast faith-building CD’s.

Go to bed, at least twenty minutes earlier and read the Word out loud. You don’t have to read several chapters,

but at least one a day. Or write in your journal of what the Lord did for you for the day.

Then pray and be still. Do this without any television or music going.

And everyone can do this one.

When you lay down,

listen to a faith-building CD and allow the Word of God to feed your spirit while you sleep.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Basics for Being a Believer (Part II): Oil for Your Word-Level

ISSUE: “I know my word-level is low but I don’t know what to do!”

RESEARCH AND STUDY

‘And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ Matthew 25:8

In our last issue we discussed how to identify when your word-level is low. But I wanted to be sure you knew exactly what to study because when I first gave my life to Christ, I was all over the place. I was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, so when I was baptized in the Holy Spirit and started speaking in tongues, I had no idea what to do or what was happening to me – but I knew it was right. One spiritual mentor or really the only person I knew at the time, who spoke in tongues or had any relationship with God, told me two things; tongues was of God and to keep my television and radio on TBN or Christian programming at all times.

Well I did just that and for years I got more and more confused. Let me explain why. I was so hungry for God and I really wanted ‘a word’ from Him. So I’d watch one show and they’d tell me that I needed to be broken – so I asked God to break me. I watched another program and she said that in order for God to use you greatly and to have a worldwide ministry, you were going to have to go through some terrible times. I didn’t know about the terribleness, I just wanted to be used and have a worldwide ministry – so I inadvertently prayed to go through terrible times.

This type of spiritual rollercoaster went on for eleven (11) years. Yes, for eleven years I had no spiritual stability in my life which meant my personal life was in turmoil as well. Though I went to a few churches and submitted myself to the Pastor, there was still something missing in my life. As I stated in the last issue, it’s not just reading the Word, going to church, or watching TBN night and day that gives you victory - its reading and studying the Word specifically about what you’re experiencing.

The Spirit of the Lord prompted me to put this issue together so that you, my faithful readers or anyone you may know, will not have to suffer or endure the same hardships I faced because of lack of knowledge. I have comprised a list of issues you may be facing and provided resource links to websites as well. If you’re unemployed or on a fixed income, a few of these sites provide downloads of all their materials or you can view their broadcasts online, free of charge. I would just ask that when you are able to sow back into their ministries.

This is not an exhaustive list and only serves as a tool to guide you in the right direction. If there are any issues not listed, please leave a comment and I will prayerfully direct you accordingly.

PERSONAL ISSUES

▪ How to be led by the Holy Spirit

http://flcbranson.org/listseries.php?archive_index=SpiritLedLife.txt&seriestitle=1201+-+Spirit+Led+Life

http://flcbranson.org/listseries.php?archive_index=SpiritLedLife2.txt&seriestitle=0802+-+Spirit+Led+Life+2

http://www.rhema.org/store/legacy.html

▪ What is God’s will for my life?

http://flcbranson.org/listseries.php?archive_index=GracesAndPlaces.txt&seriestitle=1404+-+Graces+And+Places

▪ Confused or in doubt about a decision

http://www.joycemeyer.org/ProductDetail.aspx?id=005444

http://flcbranson.org/listseries.php?archive_index=TheWisdomOfGod.txt&seriestitle=1602+-+The+Wisdom+Of+God

http://flcbranson.org/listseries.php?archive_index=WithoutADoubt.txt&seriestitle=1104+-+Without+A+Doubt

▪ Afraid or fearful of a person or situation