(Tim Taylor - October 19, 2020) Do you strain at a gnat and swallow a camel?  Then you might be a modern-day Pharisee!  

You see, we’ve entered into a period of time where the Church, nations and the world have been brought into a valley of decision.  A valley is a low point, and the analogy in Joel 3 speaks of a moral low point where PEOPLE’s decisions reveal the true condition of their heart. 

Hebrews 5:12-14 2 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Can you discern?  Can you decide?  Can you recognize good and evil? 

Or will you find yourself in Isaiah 5:20 where you become one of the ones who call evil good and good evil?  Or will you find yourself in the camp of the Pharisees, you know, the ones who Jesus accused in Matthew 23:24 of straining at a gnat while swallowing a camel because their attention to personal details in people’s lives blinded them to the weightier matters of justice, mercy and truth. 

True mercy can never exist without justice and justice can never really exist without truth.
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In my last video I inserted a Pharisee detector.  I used a phrase to check to see if you were one who strained at a gnat while swallowing a camel.  I wanted to see if you were more offended by my phrase, “what the hell,”, or, if you were more offended because of laws which originated in hell were passed that encouraged the people to commit and abominations, which are acts which trigger a spiritual law that causes the very land to vomit the inhabitants out. 

In my lifetime I have never seen lying, hypocrisy and the incredible lack of judgment revealed in the pulpit as I have today.

Matthew 23:23-24 says:

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.  Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

Today, many are hyper focused on President Trump’s personal behavior while they are blind to the “weightier matters” like Justice.  Justice cannot exist without truth.  True mercy cannot exist without true justice.  So, if you find yourself hyper focused on President Trumps personal behavior or focused on his behavior from 20 years before he received Christ, and you neglect facts like:

by Tim Taylor, July 6, 2020: Black Lives Matter (BLM) has come to the forefront of the civil rights movement but its practices and ideology are far different than the civil rights movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Why?  It's because of their worldview and their ideology.  An in-depth look at the ideological foundation of their founders will provide great insight to help us discern the fruit of the BLM organization. 

There is a basic principle found in God's word which teaches us that if the root is good the fruit is good.  We find this concept first introduced in Genesis 1:11 which says it this way and note my underlines.  "Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth"; and it was so.  If you plant an apple seed you are going to get apples.  Not pears!  True?  Of course! 

In Matthew 7:15 -16 Jesus warns us about false prophets.  He tells us how to recognize them in verse 16.  He says in Matthew 7:15-20 and note my underlines, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

What fruit is Jesus refering to?  I submit you that it refers to the characteristics of character and the results that accompany the practice of those character traits.  Consider the following scriptures and note the underlines.

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.  

John 10:10 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Galatians 5:19-24  Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires

The Three Founders of Black Lives Matter

by Tim Taylor, June 10, 2020:  Or we could call this "Discover Brilliant Solutions by Consulting the Creator of the Universe." The George Floyd case has been hijacked by various organizations and groups using witchcraft, lies, manipulation, and half-truths to play with the emotions of people serves as the context for these thoughts from God's word.  The goal of this article is help us view problems and solutions through a Biblical worldview.  That means God's word is used to frame the issues, not Islam, not Republicans, not Democrats, not any other religion and certainly not the major media of today.  Let us begin with some fundamental truths.

1.  My Personal Opinion Does Not Matter
The only one whose opinion matters is God's truth compared to your opinion.  Why?  Because one day each one of us will stand alone before Him to give an account of our life (Revelation 20:11).  Jesus said in Matthew 12:36-37 "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."  In John 12:47-48 7 He says, "And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day ."  

Our words will be compared to God's words.  He spoke first!  Therefore, it is up to us to compare our words and actions with His word.  Bottom line, you and I have to judge.  Do we choose to abide by and honor His word?  Or, will we choose to ignore His word. 

2. God is the Creator of the Universe
God knows how everything works.  He is the Creator.  The Bible He gave us is His operator's manual.  It describes how everything works and it describes the consequences for trying to operate life outside its design parameters.  In fact, there are actions which if taken can void the warranty if you know what I mean.  The cool thing is, if you choose to change your mind you, or repent, then you can also reinstate the eternal warranty.  Bottom line, God knows how the world works. He designed it.  Not me nor you!  

By Tim Taylor February 16, 2020: In Matthew 24 Jesus' disciples asked Him about the end of the age and the signs of the end-times.  The very first sign Jesus mentions is deception.  In verse 4 He says, "take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name saying ’I am the Christ' and will deceive many...." 

The key to addressing deception is discernment. 

Sadly, there are numerous example that I could draw from that highlights the lack of discernment in the body of Christ.  I could point to the over 15 yearlong fall of a Todd Bently, not being able to distinguish between Holy Spirit and demonic spirits, to the number of churches/denominations who've abandoned the faith even rewriting scripture so as to condone ordaining ministers who practice lifestyles the Bible calls an abomination (ie. Leviticus 18:1-25 - includes fornication, adultery, incest, homosexuality and abortion), to electing candidates and supporting political parties who enact laws which are directly contrary to God's word.  

Moral compromise, ignorance of God's word and the lack of a personal daily prayer life has resulted in an ignorant and therefore easily deceived Church.  Add to that a lack conviction because of fear, greed or a combination of both and we'll find a Church at large which is almost irrelevant to society except for a small remnant.  

Yet I have great hope. Why?  Because the cannon of scripture promises revival, a mature Church (spotless bride) and an incredible end-time harvest and some of God's prophets have recently  prophesied the same.   2 Chronicles 20:20 tells us we'll be blessed and prosper if we believe God's prophets. 

The Key to Fulfillment of Prophetic Words 
However, you'll find that most prophetic words are conditional.  Prophetic words often remain unfulfilled until someone or some group motivated by the love of God and informed by the wisdom of God put their faith into action so as to bring the prophecy from a vision or spoken word into manifested reality.  My friends, James 2:20 is so clear.  Faith without works is dead.  You show me your faith without your works and I'll show you my faith by what I do. 

Those works minus the love of God is useless (1 Corinthians 13:1).  Those works minus the wisdom of God is fruitless and often destructive.  The key to this revival is the Church awakening to the truth of God's word.  

Therefore I'm praying for a revival of discernment. I'm praying for the revival of true character with true miracles and healings.  

Revival Requires Discernment 

By Tim Taylor 2/9/2020 - I meet regularly with legislators, citizens and ministers who serve in our state's capitol. Recently some shared their eye witness reports of occutic activity being practiced in the halls of the capitol and noted the intersection between some legislation and sex trafficking. 

There was an emphasis on sex traffickers engaging the occult. Why?  It's because they want to hide their evil activities.  Think about it.  They seek to use the unbridled lust of some people and their power to exploit the young, the weak and the vulnerable so as to enslave a generation for profit.  It's about power and control motivated by selfish greed. 

This is an example of a spiritual war being waged in the family, government, healthcare, education, media and business mountains.  This spiritual war is also a cultural war.  

I'm happy to report that law makers have recognized this activity at its roots is a spiritual war.  If you want a modern example where the occult interacts with government then I'd just point you to this January 7, 2020 invitation to join "Witches Against Trump: Details on our 2020 Spell Casting Social Mixer."   I've witnessed meetings like this since 2017. Have you ever seen witches covens around the world band together in order to curse a president quarterly with a death curse?   Neither have I.  

Spiritual War in the Seven Mountains of Society
This should not come as a surprise as we see in Acts 13:8 that Elymas was a sorcerer who sought to influence a government official and to stop the gospel of the kingdom from being introduced to a whole region.  This illustrates a spiritual war that is being played out in both the "Religious" and the "Government" mountains of spheres of a society.  

It's not a new battle.  It's been going on since Revelation 12 where the angels of God expelled Satan and his fallen angels from heaven to earth.  These demonic forces have joined Satan to go and make war with the people on the earth who obey God's commands and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

At the core it is a war over truth.  The war occurs when lies are introduced contrary to the truth (Click for We've Entered the Valley of Decision).  The issue at hand are the souls of men and women and their eternal destiny in heaven or in hell.  This is serious.  Very serious don't you think? 

One of the reasons that evil people with evil agendas seek to use the occult is because they want to hide their activities in the dark.  They want to keep their secret agenda and tactics hidden.  If these are exposed they resort to using slander, lies, deceit ect... to keep their true goals hidden and the issues confused.  Satan loves confusion and confusion is one of the fruits of demonic activity.  This impacts all seven mountains of society.  For example:

I've observed a pattern for many years in the body of Christ.  Actually, I think it is a real problem.  I call it the "ation" problem. What is the "ation" problem?  It's the problem that is solved in the Transformation of a Nation equation. I would describe it as this.

Transforming a nation requires the proper or wise application of information which is the key to transformation.  Another way to say it is:

Inform-ation + Applic-ation = Transform-ation of a N-ation

I + A = TON 

The magnitude of transformation is determined by the amount of information applied wisely.

This is what I call the Transformation Equation. 

The revelation is weighty and solving it is what turns Goat Nations into Sheep Nations (Matthew 25:32-33).  

What have I observed?  
For years the Church at large hosts conferences.  We've hosted conferences.  We've attended conferences.  We've promoted conferences.  I like conferences.  However, here's the problem I observe. 

People attend conference after conference.  The goal is often to "train and equip the body of Christ."  That is an excellent and noble goal.  In my opinion. the majority of people attend the confences and don't understand the formula.  Many assume or act like getting the information was the same thing as application.  We all know, that's not true.  

What's the problem?  

by Tim Taylor, February 7, 2020.  The prophet Joel warns that the "day of the Lord" is coming.  He says it is a day of darkness and gloominess.  He says it is a terrible day.  Yet in the midst of this dark time there is a people who come forth like of whom the world has never seen.  It is the army of the Lord.  These are the ones who heed the voice of the Lord.  In Joel 3:12 and 14 the prophet says that God is bringing  everyone to a valley.  It's a valley of judgment and it is also called the valley of decision. 

Situations are occuring every day which brings each one of us to a place where we have to decide what to do. A decision is a judgment.  The question is, whose judgment does this scripture refer to; God's judgment or mans?  I submit to you, the answer is both.  Bear with me and hear me out.  

The Culture War Occurs in the Valley of Decision
A valley is a low point between the mountains.  Today, we've had issue after issue arise.  One one side is the counter culture to God's word and on the other side are those who contend for the truth.  They meet together in the valley of decision.  Some might even call it the valley of contention where opposing thoughts collide. 

The size of the mountain is based upon the number of people as well as their thoughts about an issue.  The more elaborate the deception, the more people who buy into a decieved way of thinking the bigger the mountain.  On the other hand, the more people that understand and practice the truth the bigger the mountain of truth. 

Paul the apostle reveals that a stronghold refers to our way of thinking often revealed through our arguments. He says in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,..."  

There are situations today for which each of us must decide where we stand.  It's common for most of us to respond as Joshua did in Joshua 5:13 where he says, "Are you for us, or are you for our adversaries?"  Are you on my side or their side?  The response of the one Joshua asked reveals an essential truth.  In verse 14, "So he said, "No, but as the Commander of the army of the Lord I have come."  This is revealing. 

The issue is not, is God on your side? But rather, no matter what the issue, the real question is, are we on His side.  Does our opinion align with His?  

The valley is the low point between two conflicting mountains of opinon. It's where the culture war occurs. The question the wise person asks is, "where does the Lord stand on this issue?  What does He think? "
 
Valleys Exist Where Two Conflicting Opinions Meet

Someone shared with me about a ministry concept that involved a team of ministers who would offer a "courts of heaven session" which I assume meant they'd interceded upon someone's behalf and utilize their gifts to hear what God's decision was and then then pray, declare or proclaim in response to that to the word of the Lord.  This kind of ministry has actually been offered for centuries through those with a prophetic gift.  Only in the last two decades has intercession begun to be explained from a courts of heaven perspective.  I believe it is part of the manifold wisdom of God being revealed in this day.  It's a new look at an old discipline from a different perspective.

Candidly, I distinctly remember God speaking to me about this concept in the early 2000s and the ORT/1Church1Day prayer strategy incorporates that revelation. In the strategy continual prayer, praise and worship seats the courtroom of heaven so you can come and plead your case and await to hear God's decision.  Now, back to the purpose of this article.

As I recall, they said something to the effect that there was a fee and that it just did not seem right to them.  They were uncomfortable with it as it seemed like they were charging for prayer.  It seemed like "pay to pray."  

When they asked me about it I had to qualify my answer because I did not have time to address this subject and cover all the bases.  You see, I was hearing things second hand and I did not have all of the information.  I did not know the motive of the ministers nor how things were actually being handled.  But I can tell you the way it was presented did not sound good to me either. 

It caused me to remember prosperity ministers who would use manipulation and violate trust in order to get more for themselves kind of like Eli's sons did in 1 Samuel 2:38-30.  Eli's sons took the very best for themselves.  Their greed defiled the altar.  Greed is typically accompanied by compromise and manipulation.  Why Paul even warns in 1 Timothy 6:5 that in the last days corrupt men would seek to use godliness as a means of gain.  But let me be clear, I do not know if that was the motive of the ministers offering the service.  It was the statement of "pay to pray" that inspired that the thought.  (Click here for Purifying the Altar.  This book impacted my thoughts about the minister's responsibilities years ago.)

The Bible is also clear that the the giver has responsibilities as well.  It is possible for the worshiper to have wrong motives and which is manifested when they try to use their offering to manipulate God or the ministry.  It's one thing to appeal to God's covenant exercising your faith but it is quite another to resort to a formula devoid of relationship with God.  This often descends into a form of witchcraft if left unchecked over time.  Galatians 5:9 teaches us that faith works by love while James 2:20 teaches us that faith without works is dead.  

Why we had a donor just weeks ago attempt to do that very thing.  They thought the could use their large offering they gave months before as leverage to manipulate our ministry into compromise.  Here's the truth.  

Do you know what KLI did?  Why we gave the offering back with a stern warning to never ever do that again. It was a  defiled offering which could lead to a defiled altar had we allowed it to lead us to compromise. 

The reason I am focusing on offerings and worship is because I have found this to be one of the consistent keys to answered prayer.  It has to do with honor and covenant.  You see, God is seeking those who will worship Him "in spirit and in truth."  

The Goal is to Hit the Mark!
Our adversary the devil seeks to make people sin.  People includes the ministers who are responsible for the altar and everyone else. Satan seeks weaknesses to exploit.  Sin literally means to miss the mark.  I don't care if you go to far to the right, or to far to the left, or to low or to high these all miss the mark.  The goal is to hit the bullseye.  

Personally, I like to use the term "hit the mark."  God's word is my standard and defines the mark.  In my worldview, the Creator of the Universe designed all natural and spiritual laws.  The Bible is like the manufacturer's warranty and owner operators manual.  It describes how things work and what will happen if I operate life within the parameters of the Creator's design and what the consequences are of operating outside of designed parameters.  

Candidly, I have found that tithes, offerings, first-fruits and alms speak to the four basic types of giving in the Bible.  These are signs of a people keeping covenant with God.  With each form of giving you will find God gives the worshiper a covenant promise to go with it.   The reason I share this is because I've discovered that when handled rightly, these are some of the important keys to answered prayer which I've observed over the last twenty seven years in ministry.

Here are the challenges we face: imperfect people, ignorance, mis-understandings, demonic influence.... and the list goes on.  Our goal is to hit the mark.  

The Times of Israel reported in US funds aided 2015 campaign to oust Netanyahu, Senate probe finds "the US government supported a group that tried to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last year to the tune of nearly $350,000.."   This act triggered a oft ignored spiritual law found in Genesis 12:1-3 that invited God Himself to interfere with the United States 2016 presidential election. 

My friends, spiritual laws work like the natural law of gravity.  They are always there.  They always work.  If you are wise you work with them.  If you are foolish or ignorant then you will suffer the consequences. If you are smart, you work with them.

President Obama authorized the use of tax payer dollars to interfere is Israel's election.  Yes, interference in another nation's election.  But in this case, not just any nation.  It was the nation and land which God promised to Abram.  Israel! 

In spite of all the issues, accusations, hoaxes, lies, mis-information and or truths surrounding the 2016 election one thing is certain.  The spiritual laws found in Genesis 12:3 as well as in Galatians 6:7 went into effect the moment President Obama interfered with Israel's election and that act invited God to interfere with ours.  

Spiritual Laws

I saw this post by the Oak Initiative regarding a 2017 report provided by CBS News.  The facts presented in "Islamists extremism caused 84,000 deaths worldwide in 2017," provide facts which help frame the term "Islamophobia" and its use in their cultural jihad!  These facts provide context to introduce radical Islam's war on your mind. 

Islamaphobia was a word created around 1995. It's a word meant to shame the hearers into not taking action or ignoring actions like are described in this report.  Tell me, can you point to any other religion in the world today who is committing such violence against innocents and soft targets like women (acid attacks), children (child marriage starting at 9), or restaurants or schools (bombers)? 

Fear is actually part of God’s design.  The Bible teaches us there is such a thing as a healthy fear, like the scriptures that admonish us to fear (reverence, respect and honor) God.  God's word also warns us against unhealthy or excessive fear to.  God's antidote for excessive fear is found in 1 John 4:18.  It's perfect or mature love which casts out all fear.  

Phobia's Role & Islamaphobia's Goal

Phobia refers to an unhealthy fear that goes way beyond a healthy boundary. Islamaphobia is a word made up around 1995. It's goal was to assist Islamic operatives with their cultural jihad.  Don't forget that Jihad refers to their "holy war" and Islam means "surrender."  The practitioners of radical Islam it is said make up close to 20% worldwide.  Pew Research says that there are about 1.8 billion Muslim's world wide.  Twenty percent, hey, even ten percent, provide a clear and present danger which is reinforced by the CBS article.  

The word Islamophobia is used by organizations like CAIR (click Council on American Islamic Relations) in their efforts to work in a nation as a minority so as to protect their efforts and goals of setting up Sharia Law.  If you want to understand their goal just look to Europe.  

Shame and the War on Your Mind
Islamophobia is a word meant to illicit shame and sympathy by painting the Muslims as victims.  To be clear, many Muslims are victims of radical Islam to.  But this word was not made for them.  The word was made to be used in the West.  You can see how the term was used in Europe in conjunction with immigration so as to create majorities in certain areas were Sharia could then be instituted.  

The term is meant to be used to distract you from facts.  It's meant to dull the mind or hide the threat in plain sight through the use of shame and even create allies through sympathy.