The Watchman Ever since I can remember, I have been a dreamer, a visionary: a person who sees things more as they can be as opposed to what they are. For many, this is simply impossible, and I tend to scare those who are not of my mindset. However, as I have aged and the trials of life have pounded and shaped me, I can honestly say that I am now a realistic visionary. In other words, I tend to look more at the reality of today as I envision and fashion future ideas, plans, hopes, and dreams. The reality of what is going on in our world today, the increasing decline in morality, the rising conflicts in the Middle East, the worldwide move toward one-world government, and, most of all, the increasing fulfillment of biblical end time prophecies tend to drive one more toward being a realist. Beginning in Ezekiel 3:16, we see the description God gives Ezekiel of a watchman: one who watches out for people, one who warns of danger, one who reveals what he sees that others may not see. As the story goes, a watchman has a responsibility to speak what he sees. The response is up to those who hear; once the watchman has spoken the truth as he sees it, his work is complete. Some will listen, some will ignore, yet, in the end, all will reap from their reaction to the truth. The Lord has raised up many watchmen in the past, and He has in this day risen up and equipped many more. Why? Because the time is growing closer for the return of Jesus, and the Lord would have all hear and know that He is coming soon for His bride. The Word of God makes it ever so clear the description of a bride who is ready to meet the Lord; those who will inherit eternal life. Matthew, Romans, Genesis, John, Revelation, and on and on are the books of the Bible that speak truth and wisdom for all mankind. So here is the reality, "the choice is yours." The truth is out there, and now you must decide what to do with it. Jesus is coming soon. Those who practice sorcery (drug use), sexual immorality, lying, gossip, adultery, fornication, envy, murder, drunkenness, wrath, jealousies, and more, will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5). That is step one to getting our lives in line with what the Word of God instructs us to. Secondly, we share this truth with others. Yes, it is our responsibility to share with everyone the reality of the need to be transformed; made new, "born again"; made new by the Spirit (Romans 8). Then thirdly, we truly need to be sharing the signs of the return of our Savior. The Bible is equally clear on what must and will take place prior to the return of Christ, and it is happening now. Is He coming tomorrow? No one knows; however, the prophecies are being fulfilled at an ever-increasing rate on a daily basis. Shouldn't you respond accordingly? Soon the Euro will fail, our dollar is teetering on failure, Israel is under attack, and everyone is beginning to line up against her. The UN is being given ever so secretly more and more control of our nation, and the price of oil will soon be out of reach for all of us. Our president has an agenda that is contrary to that of a Godly man and speaks of one belief while doing and supporting a contrary one. Yes, you may disagree, but that is your privilege, so feel free to do so. However, I implore each of you, throw your political views aside, as neither republican nor democrat nor Tea Party nor independent would be acting any different-this is the plan of the Lord. Be encouraged, embrace the return of the Lord, prepare your family, gather provision, share the truth with others, and read and learn for yourself. Whatever you do "get your head out of the sand." If you live in a place or area that snubs the Lord, you may need to move-ask the Lord. He didn't allow Lot and his family to stay and evangelize Gomorrah, He called them out. Be a watchman: pray without ceasing, be prepared and share the truth, then react as the Lord leads.

Choose Wisely on 12/06/12 As we enter into the final days before what may be the most important and pivotal presidential election in our history, I felt compelled to share my own struggles with making my decision. To begin with, I truly do and always have voted along moral lines as opposed to party lines. You see, as a believer, I hold no loyalty, conviction, or dedication to any political affiliation or party. My only loyalty, conviction, and dedication is to the Word of God and to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Hence, politics is not a studied or favorite subject of mine, as politics by nature seem corrupt and largely go against the Word of God. As a result, my vote will always be based upon issues of morality: candidates, their actions, beliefs, and proposed actions will be measured against my interpretation of what the Word of God says about those core beliefs. Two major issues for me this year are the following: I believe, without a doubt, the Word of God is clear that homosexuality is a sin: Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; Romans 1:26-31; and more. Should you choose to say that God is not against homosexuality, then you say the Word of God is not infallible, which destroys the very foundation of what you say you believe (short explanation). I do not hate homosexuals any more than I hate anyone else practicing sin; however, those who twist the Word of God and attempt to support any unholy act with a Holy Word will be faced with much opposition from this servant of God. Next, I choose to look at the taking of unborn human life, another very controversial subject, yet I wonder why. Why is abortion so controversial among Christians? Yes, a woman has a right to choose as does every person God created. I have the right to choose every day whether or not I will drink, overeat, use drugs, view pornography, and more, and, yes, I must choose to turn away from sin because I was born in sin as are all men. However, when I am forced by law to support a choice that goes against my beliefs and against my core values, the line has been crossed. If an unborn child is not alive, then why must we take its life in order to prevent birth, and if we do take a human life, is it not murder? End of argument for me. Again, sin is sin, and you can choose to do whatever you desire to do before God-it truly will be you who stands before Him, not me. However, I will not be forced or mandated to support such activity without making known at every opportunity my vehement disagreement with such action. These two points alone have been enough for me to make the choice to vote against our current president for his re-election. Now, you say what about Romney? He is a Mormon, a member of a cult! My first response is this: God alone will judge every man for his actions. God alone holds the keys to heaven, and Jesus is the gate through which all must pass. Yes, Mormonism is based upon false teachings, but I daresay there are many who profess Jesus in the church today who will face the same judgment, and all will stand before the same judge. However, Mr. Obama states that he is a Christian and then openly supports gay marriage and abortion and forces us, as believers, to support his openly rebellious actions against the very Word which he says he believes. This, my friends, is a far greater sin; it is an act of open defiance toward the God we worship! This to me is no different than supporting Saul as opposed to David. In my humble opinion, by supporting such an openly defiant man, I am standing in the crowd with others at the time of Jesus' death saying, "crucify Him!" Our president says he is a Christian, and the Word of God tells us a tree shall be known by its fruit (Matthew 7:15-20). No matter how many times a tree may say I am an apple or a fig, if it bears lemons, it is, in fact, a lemon tree. The fruit President Obama bears is not that of a Godly man, at least not the man of God I choose to be or support. Yes, I know I have stirred it up, but I pray that the Holy Spirit has stirred some hearts, and I openly challenge anyone to use the Word of God in context to contradict the facts I have shared with you today. That is, of course, if you believe the Word of God is infallible and true and unchangeable, just as the Lord Himself said He was and is (2 Timothy 3:16-17, John 1:1, Hebrews 13:8), just to name a few. If you do not believe the Word of God to be infallible, then, well, let me ask you, "What are you standing on?" Gene Burroughs, Servant