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WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING

 

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This photo is the Cathedral For Russia's Armed Forces... Merging Militarism With Faith. We read in John 10:10 – "The thief [Satan] does not come except to steal, to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly." And in Matthew 7:15 – "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." Again, in Matthew 10:16 – "I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."

This is when false pastors, priests, and leading religious figures dress in fine robes, but are actually wolves in sheep's clothing. The Apostle Paul forewarned us to beware of "vicious wolves [who] will enter in among you, not sparing the flock, men [who] will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverted things" (Acts 20:29-30). The word "perverted" here can refer to both moral and doctrinal perversion. And The militarization of religion is when false religion becomes merely an ideological tool to brainwash people into believing that stealing other nation's land, killing their people, and destroying their homes, farms, and businesses is God's will.

How did this come about? Jesus said – "Those who take up the sword will die by the sword" (Matthew 26:52). The Apostle Paul wrote – "As much as it lies with you, live in peace with all men" (Romans 12:18) which some people have use to justify "wars of self-defense." In the early Church, most Christians were pacifists, but when Christianity was legalized and many of the people adopted this new state religion, this rule was limited to only priests because the state needed soldiers to fight its wars. This led to some who claimed to be Christians becoming priests and monks in order to avoid military service – "wolves in sheep's clothing." In more recent centuries, many church leaders have used this verse as a justification for defending one's own family and country. Many nations today call their armed forces the "Department of Defense" but in actuality in is the "Department of War."

So by now we have false shepherds, wolves in sheep's clothing, whose god is their belly – their addictions to food, immoral sex, lust for power, and money-money-money who are pastors, priests, and heads of church associations who are blessing nuclear missiles and their nations' military and political machines. They will eventually perish from this earth and forever burn in hell, but not until they have stolen from, killed, and destroyed millions of people – including multitudes of genuine believers who have become disillusioned and have turned away from active involvement with the Church. I don't mean to say that all pastors, priests, etc. are evil – we have known many very godly ones. But there are sinful people (including me) in every Christian confession. What are we to do when the situation seems hopeless? We must simply keep the faith, endure to the end to be saved, and hold on tight to the Lord and together with like-minded faithful Christians.

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THE WELL HAS BEEN DUG!

 

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The well has been dug! We've funded Vision Complex for digging their well another 60 to 70 feet deep so they can have water during the dry seasons. It's already becoming a ministry to the surrounding villagers! Simon John, who runs an orphanage and school for 50 orphans whose parents died from HIV/AIDS and children with Sickle Cell Anemia, needs money now to buy an electric pump and have it installed. Simon writes:

The WELL is done! And the community around here has started getting water from it... and they are helping us put together the fence for free, and will help us set up the garden soon. The challenge we have as for now is how to draw water from the well because it is too deep: the rope we are using to draw water is wearing out, and we can't draw 20 buckets a day because their hands are hurting.

The community suggested that if we can get support for two tanks of 1000 litres each and a motor which pumps water from the well into the tanks, it can reduce the heavy burden of using our hands while drawing water. And again this can make it easier than using a rope for the kids to draw water for watering the plants in their gardens around their buildings. It is dangerous on the part of the kids. Your suggestions here, please!

We've also provided funds for a large flat-screen TV and a PC, also solar cells to provide electricity to run them and illuminate the meeting hall, an internet hookup, and 30 chairs for meetings. Now we've just begun sharing our online "Morning Prayers" (220Mb video: it takes time to download!) with a larger number of people: teachers at his school, pastors, and nearby villagers.

We've already been holding "Morning Prayers" with Maureen in Kenya, Viktor in Ukraine, and others in India, Pakistan, even in Afghanistan and China for about 4 years now. Starting on September 2, we'll begin teaching our online 4-week "Intro Course - Ministry to Handicapped and Poor" and the "WELCOME" page there. Also, we can share videos about the Bible with them. Simon's goal and ours is to plant a church at Vision Complex, and it's beginning to happen! But now they need $950 for the pump and installing it, plus $195 for each 1,000-liter water tank. We've asked Simon to recruit the nearby villagers to help by making bricks (these took six weeks to make!) that he can sell, or any other way to raise funds locally. That way, the villagers can have water for their gardens, drinking, and cooking!

Now "our own well is starting to run dry" in our little non-profit Agape Restoration Society, Inc. Vision Complex needs money to buy a pump, water tanks, and install them, but we're running low on funds. We need your help! Our life-long vision has been to provide wheelchair-accessible housing, as shown in these sketches for "orphans and widows, the poor, lame, blind, and lame"; so we'll need significant funds for both projects. These drawings are on the wall over my desk so I am reminded to pray for this project every day.

Ever since we semi-retired and returned to the U.S. 17 years ago, very few people have contributed to ARS: people must think that retired folks are just rocking away in their rocking chairs, waiting for the death angel to come. But "we're off our rockers," still serving the Lord in our senior years! So please pray and support these projects that will help spread the Gospel, providing spaces for worship, teaching, and ministering – not only here in the U.S., but also in Tanzania, Kenya, Ukraine, and Russia! So please DONATE for these worthy projects!

You can read more about this at our Vision Complex web-page, and share it!