Monthly Archives: September 2021

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New World Order

Matthew 26:54 “But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?”

The prophet Daniel pronounced a truth applicable in our time: Daniel 2:21 “And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings… God orchestrates the seasons. It is the Lord Who has designed the times according to His own will.”

America is likely living under a shadow government. The New World Order is obviously in play. The World Bank; World Court, and other universal counsels have long since been set up. Even the management and manipulation of information has been exposed. Nation is rising against nation in economic and geo-political ways. Knowledge has increased. God has changed the times.

The response of the church is three-fold:
First, we must serve the Lord with our whole heart. No games or half-hearted lifestyles will suffice. Jesus decried lukewarmness as a reproach. Our homes must reflect holiness. Our devotion to prayer, worship, and the Doctrine are our primaries. What good is any gain if we lose our families?

Secondly, we must seek the Lost. The fields are ripe, but the laborers are few. Please tell me that we will not just be church members. It is our individual calling to teach a Home Bible study. Religiosity is a plague in the Pentecostal church and we must move beyond just having “good church.” To know the Truth and not share it is the sin of omission. We must reach people.

Finally, our voices should be heard in the public arena. We vote through the prism of the holy scriptures. If the world can boast of their abhorrent lifestyles, surely we can seek leaders who support the nuclear family, pro-life measures, freedom to worship, and all manner of purity.

Having offered these directives, just know, the world will not stay as it once was. My grandfather’s days are gone and these “things must be.” The scriptures must be fulfilled. Peter rebuked Jesus for saying that He must die, to which Jesus said, “You do not understand the things of God.” So too, the times are in His hands and He will allow the change in order to usher in the “son of perdition” – the antichrist. I lend my voice, but I confess that God is in control and it is He that sets up and takes down. I am neither discouraged nor afraid, because I know that He holds the keys to the times and the future is in His Hands.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole

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Our Heritage

2 Timothy 1:5  When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

Thirty years after Pentecost, Paul was able to reflect on the original saints and those who followed. Eunice and Lois were among those who saw the foundation of the early church. Timothy came afterward and was considered the second generation of the Apostolic age. In his exhortation to Timothy, Paul honored the elders, the mothers who labored for the cause.

Something was handed down to Timothy that cannot be fully explained. It was more than a testimony or an example. It was the root; the basis for the Church to come. Paul made mention of their perseverance which he called “unfeigned faith.” The description points to persecution or trial that they withstood. Those mothers held fast to the doctrine delivered by Jesus Christ and it became their strength. It became our heritage.

The pillars of the first church blessed all who would follow, even us today. The two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus, Cleopas and his wife, established something that the church world sees as a pattern. They were witnesses to the mystery and then recipients to the revelation. Silas saw the wonders of God move in the second half of the early church and so many more. They stood strong and gave their lives for something greater.

Our heritage is the Holy Ghost. The apostle called it that “Holy Spirit of promise”

Ephesians 1:14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

We honor our elders who have labored in the Lord; stayed faithful to the church; and exhibited unfeigned faith. They have kept the exclusivity of the doctrine and contended for the faith and embraced a standard of holiness. New Life is blessed to have elders who loved the Truth more than tradition. Our history is deepening and our resolve is rising. Tami and I honor all of you who have been loyal and consistent; who have lived a life worthy of following. Our children are blessed to have a witness before their eyes.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole
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Remembrance

Exodus 13:3 Moses is standing on the other side of the 10th plague. His instruction is consolidated: Remember.

History repeats itself in the most severe fashion, thus Moses speaks in an effort to confront the human fault line so often seen among the nations. He said, “Remember this day that you came out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for the Lord brought you out.”

The tenure of Moses was followed by prophets, kings, judges, and spiritual leaders reminding them of the Red Sea. Even still, the people forgot. Worldly influences clouded God’s deliverance. They forgot the nature of their enemy. They did not recount the days of their oppressors, but openly negotiated with them. The “viper” was filled with venom regardless of their compromise. Your Bible declares it so. Sadly, and perhaps predictably, Israel fell back into the iron grip of those they sought to please.

Forgetting has caused countless to backslide. Individuals and congregations have failed to remember the goodness of God’s grace and the character of the enemy. Both are paramount. The downfall of any church or nation begins at the dismissal of holiness and the acceptance of the enemy’s offer.

These truths lead me to great concern for our nation and the plight of so many corrupt political leaders. They have rebuked God out of our public forums; banned the name of Jesus from our congressional halls; and denounce anyone who might raise the standard of Holiness. We better remember where we came from.

This weekend marks a moment that must be remembered. 9/11 was the day when our nation suffered its most devastating attack since Pearl Harbor. Twenty years ago we were attacked on our mainland. People gave their lives trying to save those trapped in a burning inferno. Police officers and firefighters were joined by a multiplicity who risked their lives; many died in their effort. While the moment is two decades old, we can ill afford to forget. The account of the tragedy is the first step in making sure that it never happens again.

When we forgot, we forfeit our safety and future. The failure of such a thing leads us to repeat the same mistakes as before. Remembrance is the first step.

I offer these words to you in light of the ongoing global conflicts. The very least we can do is thank God for our freedom and vote for men and women who share our biblical beliefs, as closely as possible. We must make known His Name and protect the freedoms that afford us the opportunity to worship without limitation. If we do not, they will be taken from us. Do not forget. This is not some hyperbolized word: There is bondage and suffering on the other side and our window to preach the Gospel is closing. Remember.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole

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Heaven our Home!

Warren Beatty once based his directing debut on the screenplay by Harry Segall called “Heaven Can Wait.” The comedy was based on a mistake: Beatty’s character was mistakenly sent to Heaven in place of someone else. The year was 1978, but I suppose not much has changed. The entertainment world still cannot grasp the reality of Heaven. Craig Campbell joins the chorus of this misplaced thought. His song, “Outskirts of Heaven” asks for a place outside of Heaven. For some reason he thinks that a country setting would be just as good as a mansion within the heavenly realm. The saga continues with a host of writers/singers who cannot see the wonder of what shall be. Ultimately, it is both foolish and fleshly to compare any earthly pleasure with the wonder of Heaven.

Paul wrote: 1 Corinthians 2:9 “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

John gave us a glimpse: Revelation 21:21 “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.”

Heaven transcends all that we have ever known. All fear and doubt will be gone. Every tear shall be wiped away and there shall be joy forevermore. The Lord has promised it. Heaven cannot be captured by a filmmaker regardless of their talent. Songwriters far and wide have struggled to depict the depth of its glory. Even among the great painters of centuries past, none have framed the beauty of such perfect peace.

To consider that place is beyond the telling. However, this is what we are living for; to make Heaven our Home! We are not living this life to make money or reach some status. We are the Bride of Christ and one day we shall sing around the Throne. This life is temporal, but that life is eternal. Heaven, the City where the Lamb is the Light, is where I am longing to be.

Jesus gave us this promise. These are the propelling words for every believer for all of eternity. John 14:2-3 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole