No Substitute for Worship

 

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Tuesday, May 30, 2023

No Substitute for Worship

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“But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.’”

—Luke 10:41–42 

Luke’s Gospel tells the story of two sisters, Martha and Mary. Martha frantically worked in the kitchen to prepare a meal for Jesus, while Mary sat at His feet and drank in His every word. Martha became frustrated because she felt overworked, and she demanded that Jesus send Mary to help her.

But Jesus said, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41–42 NLT).

He was saying, in effect, “Martha, you’re too busy! Take a cue from your sister. She has chosen the better part.”

Mary knew what was important. She knew there was a time for work and a time for worship.

But quite often as Christians, we can be like Martha, frantically working instead of sitting at Jesus’ feet.

Psalm 91 tells us, “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (verse 1 NLT). 

In the original language, the word used here for “live” speaks of quiet, resting, and remaining with consistency.

Essentially, this verse is telling us that God wants fellowship with us. He wants us to come close to Him, to be near Him, and to remain consistently in His presence.

Sometimes we are so busy doing Christian things with Christian people in the Christian church that we forget about Christ. And then one day, we suddenly realize that we’re overwhelmed. We feel burned out.

Are you living in the shelter of the Most High? There’s a time for work, of course. However, the best work will always overflow from a life of worship. At the same time, work can never take the place of worship.

 
 

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Unsinkable No More: China's Hypersonic Missiles Challenge US Navy

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Chinese researchers are claiming that the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, could be demolished with absolute certainty using hypersonic missiles. 


The researchers conducted a war game simulation, which showcased China's military sinking the carrier fleet by launching a relentless onslaught of 24 hypersonic anti-ship missiles across 20 intense battles. Their findings challenge the previously held notion that the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier fleet is invulnerable to conventional weapons.

The simulation unfolded in the disputed South China Sea, where the US vessels persisted in approaching an island claimed by China, despite repeated warnings. Chinese researchers demonstrated the long-range capabilities of their hypersonic missiles by launching some from distant locations like the Gobi Desert. The outcome of the simulation was bleak for the US, as nearly every surface vessel was shattered and ultimately sank under the devastating attack.

These findings arrive at a time when China is actively exploring strategies to overcome US naval defenses in its quest to take over the Island of Taiwan. One such approach involves the development of advanced stealth submarines like the Type 095 and Type 096. These silent and elusive submarines pose a significant challenge to US anti-submarine defenses, bolstering China's underwater warfare capabilities.

China has also been investing in anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) such as the DF-21D and DF-26. These long-range missiles, equipped with maneuverable warheads, are specifically designed to target and disable aircraft carriers. Their ability to evade interception poses a considerable threat to US carrier strike groups.

In addition to submarines and anti-ship ballistic missiles, China has been actively utilizing drone swarms to overcome US aircraft carrier defenses. By deploying large numbers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in synchronized attacks, China aims to overwhelm the defensive systems of US carriers. These drone swarms can carry out coordinated strikes, evading interception and overwhelming the carrier's defenses. The sheer volume and agility of the swarm enable them to disrupt operations, inflict damage, and create chaos on the carrier's deck.


To further enhance its military capabilities, China is investing in robust electronic warfare and cyber operations. Electronic warfare techniques, such as jamming and spoofing, are employed to degrade or disable US naval communication systems, sensors, and radars. This disruptive approach reduces the effectiveness of US defensive capabilities.

Moreover, China's navy has rapidly expanded in recent years, now boasting a larger fleet than that of the United States. With over 350 ships, including surface vessels, submarines, and aircraft carriers, China now possesses a naval force that surpasses the US fleet in terms of sheer numbers. This growth in naval strength grants China greater operational flexibility and the ability to project power across the world's oceans, not just in the Taiwan strait.

In the face of China's continuous expansion of its navy, an alarming message has been delivered to American military strategists by a professor at the US Naval War College. According to Sam Tangredi, the Leidos Chair of Future Warfare Studies and a former US Navy captain, history has shown that in naval warfare, the larger fleet almost always emerges victorious.

Tangredi's warning was published in the January edition of the US Naval Institute's Proceedings magazine. He examined 28 naval conflicts, ranging from the ancient Greco-Persian Wars to more recent Cold War proxy conflicts and interventions. His research revealed that superior numbers, rather than superior technology, have been the determining factor in the outcome of most naval wars.

"In only three instances did superior technology defeat bigger numbers," Tangredi stated. "All other wars were won by superior numbers or, when between equal forces, superior strategy or admiralship." He further explained that operating a large fleet enables more extensive training and often indicates that leaders are attentive to strategic requirements.

While the three exceptional cases of technological superiority over numerical advantage in naval warfare were from the 11th, 16th, and 19th centuries, Tangredi emphasized that the instances where numbers prevailed over technology are more recognizable to the general public.

One such example he highlighted was the Napoleonic Wars of the early 1800s. Despite France possessing superior ship design and construction technologies, it was the overwhelming numbers of the Royal Navy that prevented Napoleon from crossing the English Channel.

The US Navy is struggling to match the rapid expansion of China's fleet in terms of size and based on current production numbers it appears unlikely to catch China, with odds of the gap becoming even greater in China's favor.

To overcome this challenge, US military strategists are relying on technological advancements. A Pentagon document states that victory in future conflicts will be determined by the integration of technology, concepts, partners, and systems, rather than fleet size alone.

Nevertheless, Tangredi points out that the case of World War II in the Pacific refutes the Pentagon's conclusions. At the beginning of the war, Japan possessed superior technology, including the formidable Zero fighter, Long-Lance torpedoes, and aerial torpedoes capable of striking in shallow waters. However, it was the sheer industrial might and the size of the US fleet, particularly its logistics and amphibious ships, that ultimately secured victory over the Imperial Japanese Navy.

As China continues its naval expansion, these historical lessons serve as a cautionary tale for the US Navy. While technological advancements are crucial, the importance of fleet size and numerical advantage cannot be underestimated in determining the outcome of future naval conflicts.

China has also made significant strides in developing space weapons that could potentially neutralize or destroy US satellites in the event of a conflict. These space-based weapons, such as anti-satellite missiles and directed energy weapons, have the capability to disrupt critical US military communications, reconnaissance, and navigation systems. The ability to impair satellites would significantly impact the US military's intelligence gathering and operational coordination, giving China a strategic advantage in potential conflicts.


While China's multifaceted approach to overcoming US naval defenses poses significant challenges, concerns have been raised about the US Navy's focus. A recent US naval recruitment video featuring a non-binary drag queen emphasizing the role of LGBTQ+ individuals in the Navy has drawn criticism. Many argue that the video highlights misplaced priorities, suggesting that the US Navy should be more focused on addressing potential threats rather than diversifying its ranks.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, tweeted a portion of the recruitment clip with the caption, "While China prepares for war, this is what they have our US Navy focused on."

https://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=6121

SIGNS OF REVIVAL

 

  • Signs of the Kingdom, Part V
    Rick Joyner

          Just as there are ever-increasing troubles in the world, there are ever-increasing signs of revival and another great awakening. Just as great subterranean upsurges of magma break out in various places before a volcanic explosion, revivals will break out as warnings that pressure is building for “the big one.” 

          I previously mentioned the America’s Values Study commissioned by Marc Nuttle. This may be the deepest, most expansive study ever completed on America, and what it revealed was shocking. We expected to find that the American people had turned hard to the Left and were becoming increasingly “woke,” but the opposite was true. Our government and media may have turned hard to the Left, and are trying to convince us that everyone has, but the people have decisively turned back to traditional, conservative values. In fact, their anger with the Leftist, woke policies and philosophies being imposed on them is growing, and a great pushback is coming. 

          Those who saw this data began to forecast a huge “red wave” or “red tsunami” in the recent midterm elections. However, the study also revealed why this was not likely; this huge, growing subterranean movement in America is turning away from “establishment” politics, media, religion, and just about every other form of it. The American people are decisively rejecting the path on which they have been led. This is nearly volcanic. Something new and bold is about to emerge, and it will be good.

          One way this anti-establishment sentiment is growing is in our political parties. Sixty-five percent of the Republican Party do not like their party. Sixty-six percent of the Democratic Party do not like theirs. 

          Though people are turning resolutely back to traditional, biblical values, most do not know that they are traditional or biblical. Nor are they turning to the Republican Party, which claims to stand for these values. Why they are not is another important revelation. The people feel let down by the establishment in nearly every way and are looking for something new, though they do not yet know what that looks like.

          This is both a great opportunity and a great danger. If we do not seize this opportunity for profound change in the right direction, it could turn in a bad direction. Since both major political parties in America are shrinking fast, and few of their respective members trust them, there could be an opportunity to abandon the two-party system. George Washington once warned this could doom our republic. What would be the alternative?

          President Washington counseled that we should be able to debate any issue as Americans, not as political party members. He warned that political parties could corrupt the country and bring us to ruin, which they have nearly done. How would our elections work without political parties? Better!

          We must think outside the box, not just in political terms. Just about everything in society has become calcified by becoming institutionalized. Institutional churches are shrinking for the same reason institutionalized politics are—in many ways, they have become disconnected from reality. That is why we had the biggest church attendance in history the Sunday after 9/11, but this only lasted a few weeks, because few found what they were looking for—God!

          Institutions can play important roles in stabilizing cultures. We can thank them for helping preserve the truths, values, and morals that have been maintained until now. Still, virtually all institutions are inadequate in dealing with the present times. What will take their place? That is the most important question. The only alternative left is the best alternative of all, which we will dive deeper into in the coming Words for the Week.

© 2023 Rick Joyner. All Rights Reserved.

The Joy of Integrity

 

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Wednesday, May 31, 2023

The Joy of Integrity

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“Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. ”

—Psalm 119:2 

Many people today who are searching for happiness will never quite find it. That’s because they’re searching for it in the wrong way.

We learn from the Bible that happiness is a by-product of holiness. And when we get our priorities in order, happiness will soon follow.

That is why nonbelievers never will know true happiness. They keep going after the devil’s cheap counterfeits; they have no deep well from which to draw.

In Psalm 119, we find God’s original design for finding and maintaining holiness. And as a result, we will discover happiness.

The psalmist wrote, “Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths” (verses 1–3 NLT).

From the very beginning of our lives, we learn the importance of walking. It’s interesting how little children immediately start moving in that direction. But they don’t quit after they take their first steps. They keep trying.

We grow as Christians in the same way. When we commit our lives to Christ, we begin to walk in the way of the Lord. And if we fall, we need to get up and keep trying.

Walking speaks of progression, of moving forward as opposed to simply standing still. And if we want to be truly happy and holy people, then we should not only avoid what is wrong but also actively engage in what is right.

People who are merely trying to avoid evil are missing the point. It is not merely a matter of what we don’t do. It’s also a matter of what we do. We must engage in spiritual growth and in godly living. We must walk in the way of the Lord.

 
 

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Copyright © 2023 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.

Harvest Ministries exists with your support to Know God and Make Him Known. If you would like, you can update your preferences. This email may be considered an advertising or promotional email.
Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie
P.O. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514-4000 Phone: 1-800-821-3300