Meet the Authors.

Sarah Burlingame is passionate about Biblical truth. Her diverse church background has taken her through Mainline Methodist, Evangelical, Charismatic and Roman Catholic circles. Her calling as an intercessor led her to receive a certification in Advanced Spiritual Warfare from LMCI (Liberating Ministries for Christ International) lmci.org . Sarah has served as a small group leader, worship planner, liturgical dance leader and online ministry coordinator. She holds a M.S. degree in Education and lives in northeastern Pennsylvania with her husband and their youngest son. Her older sons reside in northeastern Pennsylvania and upstate New York. They attend North Rome Wesleyan Church.

Joanne Reinhart asked Jesus Christ into her heart at the age of nine in a Sunday school classroom in Maryland. Her journey with the Lord took her through various careers, colleges, and universities. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Art/Dance, Theology, and Education, and a M.S. degree in Educational Administration. Her passion for the Lord is evidenced through worship, dance, and teaching. She was liberated into her spiritual gifts and callings through the teaching resources of LMCI lmci.org . Joanne has danced and taught at Christian conferences and various churches in PA and VA. She currently lives in Florida and attends church at His Heart Ministries: Donna and Jack Rigney, Pastors

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Truth Out of Chaos



Greetings! If you are a follower of our blog, Herald of Hope, then you probably have noticed that we’ve been a little more quiet than usual over the last couple of months. Our purpose here is to bring up the Hope that can only be found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. However, we remain dedicated to doing so through Spirit led revelation. In other words, we wait on the Lord to show what He would have us share. It’s not that He has been quiet lately, but rather, there has been so much going on in the world around us that the task of dismantling information in truth and love and reconstructing it for you, our readers, has felt rather daunting. Of course, God is good and always faithful!

We want to highlight some current events that are occurring at breakneck speed and look at them through the lens of biblical truth.  Our world is in a position, in which for most of its existence, has not been in before. Humanity now possesses the means to completely annihilate multitudes of other humans as well as to destroy vast areas of the planet through the power of nuclear weapons. Violence on a smaller scale, (but no less deadly) abounds in the form of domestic and terroristic attacks. In the midst of these very real threats, lies a global elite whose ultimate agenda remains largely unknown. Unfortunately, the unknown can easily lead us into being deceived by those who wish to manipulate us. The bible gives us many warnings regarding deception.  It is our responsibility as believers to understand the truth, so we can live victorious lives in this world. In 2 Timothy 3:13, we are told, “evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” No one willingly wants to be deceived. We desire the truth.

What is truth? It is a question asked throughout the ages. There seems to be two kinds of truth in this world: The first depends upon the values, agendas, cultural and political views of the individual. The second is based upon the Word of God Almighty. Even within the truth found in scripture, humans have a way of interjecting confusion. We are often left wondering, “Can truth be found?” We believe it can. 
Jesus explained to his disciples that He was the Truth, and that His Father would give them another Helper, the Spirit of Truth to be with them always.

John 14:6 (NKJV)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:16-17 (NIV)
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
John 16:13-14 (AMP)
But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you.

There is a way to discern truth from error.  Even in scripture, if some sections may seem to contradict each other, there are often simple explanations.  Most scripture explains itself within the context.  Then, the understanding of the first usage of a word or phrase from the Old Testament or New Testament can further clarify the meaning.  These biblical principles can be easily researched. 

In the world, however, confusion abounds.  This confusion is not from God. The agendas of man have overtaken the ‘airwaves’ and have permeated our lives. Many in the modern, mainstream media have evolved from casual spin doctors to deliberate purveyors of deception. Deception is a danger to humanity. As we have stated, our first authority for truth in God’s holy word. Fortunately, spending time in the bible daily also helps us to gravitate towards others who can help us to discern the truth in this dark world. While we recommend reading your bible and staying focused on the Lord over all worldly influences, we also recommend a few alternative news sources to help sift through the confusing world news that we all hear about. We have found the following sources to be sincere in their attempts to bring you the truth:

BPEarthwatch- Climate change (What’s really happening)
Praying Medic- The Deep State and Living in the Spirit
April Lajune- The Deep State
L.A. Marzulli- WHO are we really dealing with?

These sources can all be found on YouTube. There are more, of course, but these are a good place to start.

We must remember the source of confusion in the world:
1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
James 3:16 (AMPC)
For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.

In the United States, we are seeing this happen all around us through headline issues such as political scandals (deep state), sexual harassment, the “Resist” movement, hyper-feminism and many other ungodly agendas.   

As believers in Jesus Christ, we have a firm foundation of truth in the scriptures.  They are our stronghold against confusion and every evil work.  The God-breathed Word is for our everyday use and will absolutely keep us in these last days of trials and struggles. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (AMPC)
Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

We have nothing to fear if we truly believe in Christ’s words to us:
John 14:27 (NKJV)
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:33 (NKJV)
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

We have a sure hope of the truth living in us!  The Holy Spirit of Truth will give us answers to help others who are struggling in this world. As we keep our eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is our HOPE, we can walk daily in the spiritual darkness surrounding us and shine as beacons of truth in the midst of chaos.

1 Peter 3:15 (AMP)
But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect.

~ Sarah and Joanne


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