Seeking Peace and Love

“For unto us a child is born…And He will be called wonderful counselor…Mighty God…Everlasting Father…and Prince of Peace…” Isaiah 9:6

Now more than ever we need a sense of Peace in this world…

The Bible says “The Lord appeared to us saying…I have loved you with an everlasting LOVE…I have drawn you with loving kindness…” Jeremiah 31:3

Peace and Love go hand in hand….where there is peace…there is love…and where there is love…there is peace. Amen

This nation…and the whole world desire love…

As a human, we yearn to be loved…to be in love…to be shown love…to feel love…to receive love…and even to give love…yet many still do not know that “love” is GOD. 

"He who does not love does not know God, for God IS Love”

1 John 4:8

In America, we say we want peace and love…

We want fairness and for all people to be treated equally…

We want harmony and acceptance in our culture…and in this world…

But modern culture says we want it WITHOUT the need for God… 

And where are we today?  A nation in distress…lacking hope…disgusted with the status quo…but blind to see through to the truth…God is Love

In America…it is estimated that over 100 people commit suicide a DAY…totaling to 36,000 deaths a YEAR! 

“According to WHO, every YEAR in the world there are an estimated 40-50 million abortions. This corresponds to approximately 125,000 abortions per day. In the USA, where nearly half of pregnancies are unintended and four in 10 of these are terminated by abortion, there are over 3,000 abortions PER day.”

“Sep 30, 2010 - The CDC says about 9% of Americans report they are depressed at least occasionally, and 3.4% suffer from major depression.”

“There are around 16,238 murders per year in the United States; this averages out to around 44 murders per day.”

These statistics are frightening…and scream that there is deep despair in this world… 

Unfortunately…as we continue to push God away, trying to find our own way to seek peace and harmony …we will continue to wander aimlessly and wonder why we feel the lack of hope…and what to do next…

It has been said that… “Modern man has lost perspective of eternity” (Sarah Young, Jesus Calling Dec 1^st) 

We have forgotten these words spoken directly for us…For God said…“ …I have loved you with an everlasting LOVE…I have drawn you with loving kindness…” Jeremiah 31:3…. “For God IS Love” 1 John 4:8

We need God now more than ever in these intense and confusing days…

Do you yearn to be loved…to be in love…to be shown love…to feel love…to receive love…and even to give love? 

Seek God FIRST…and you will receive LOVE…

The bible says “But seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness…and all these things shall be added to you” Matthew 6:33 God is directly asking you to seek Him FIRST in all that you do...You will find Him…and you will receive the peace and Love you desire…

GOD IS the reason for the season of Christmas!

HE showed up IN Love for us…to give us life FULL today upon this earth…and a promise to live IN Love…with Him…for ALL eternity…

He/Jesus IS the wonderful counselor that intercedes for you…

HE/Jesus is Mighty to save you now…and THE Father that will LOVE you unconditionally…

And HE/Jesus WILL be the Prince of Peace in your Life today…If you will let him

In this Christmas season…take a moment to reflect…Is there peace in your heart…do you feel unconditional love in your days…

Inviting God into your life does not require ANYTHING….but an open heart… “Lord…I ask you today…allow me to receive Jesus…Please come into my life…I so desire the promise of Peace and Love that you offer…and I receive this promise in Jesus Name…Amen

As you receive Him…you will receive the PEACE He promises you…Amen

In Jesus “….a child is born…And He will be called wonderful counselor…Mighty God…Everlasting Father…and Prince of Peace…” Isaiah 9:6

No One Knows the Day or Hour

Feeling like NOW…more than ever…we need to be rooted in the Word of God…

Some days, more than others…

The tipping point seems to be so evident…in our economy…in the world…in human relations…in nature…in our speech…in our actions…in today…I sigh…and most days just say the Lords name…Jesus…

His name is Power….His Spirit groans, as my heart says His name…

His Name ushers the prayer the World needs Today…with Power and Authority…AMEN

And yet this day is planned…We ARE in the last days before Jesus promised return…The signs could not be more evident…

I take a deep breath again…and say His name…Jesus…

He knows me…I thank God for that…His plan for His family are Good and will come to fruition…But for now…WE MUST be rooted in His Word…it will sustain you…it will feed you…it will calm  you and it will protect you…

These words have been written just for TODAY…so that you might know God…and that He would give you the PEACE you desire today…as we wait on these last days to transpire…

AMEN

 “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:13-15

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself…that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:3

The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age

Matthew 24

"And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences,and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come."

The Coming of the Son of Man

“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.  For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matthew 24:37-39

Mark 13

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

Jeremiah 1:5

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.
 Before you were born I set you apart…and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

Isaiah 49:16

I drew a picture of you on my hand…You are always before my eyes…

The Gift of the “Sensitive Spirit"

The gift of the “sensitive spirit...” At times I feel as though I have been given an opportunity and sensitivity to see things from the other side....God continues to place certain people on my heart to pray over...In trust, we all continue to pray over our family, friends and loved ones.... He however continues to place other people in my life that I must pray over. Most the time they do not even know so...

And then there is the achy heart...Sometimes I ask why Lord? Why do I weep and feel the achy heart? "Because I have placed my spirit in you and yours is a sensitive spirit. The deep emotions....are my emotions....and I trust you with them...You know what to do with them... Through you….your sensitive spirit will show others the depth of my love for them…I know you will be obedient to the Father and pray for them...The Father has plans for them and you have been chosen to prayerfully lift them up to the Father."

Jesus wept over the death of Lazarus...Upon arrival to the tomb, He thanked the Father for hearing His prayer, His love SO deep for his friend...and then...the miracle! I love this bible verse...a representation of his TRUE LOVE for ALL his beloved...the children of God! John 11:35, 41-42 

We do not really do not understand the complexity and power of prayer...It actually is SO much MORE than just presenting a request…The request is received to the Father… The request ALWAYS is answered (although in Gods timing) The man or woman who prays receive blessings for the obedience to pray to the Father...AND the bible tells us that God is glorified and is BLESSED as we are obedient to do His will and call on His name in prayer... (Hebrews 13:15-16,20-21)

If we could actually see the “physical” results from the obedience that comes from the “invisible prayer”...I believe we would be shocked!

The bible tells us that when 2 or more believers gather IN His name…He is there! (Matthew 18:20) Do we really embrace this Powerful Truth as believers?

SO much of His Word hinges on the faith of the unseen...the Powerful obedience to pray to God allow His will to be done! And if we choose to be His hands and feet...we will blessed. Maybe that is why the tears flow...an abundance of His Love through me that needs an outlet…in the form of water...the “physical” that represents the “invisible....”

We all have ways we can be used by God... The choice is whether we want to....will we be open to the unknowns…and to the uncomfortable? Moses did not think he was capable...He argued with God that this job was not for him to save the Israelite's. But God said...what is in your hand? A simple staff...and God showed Moses that is all he would need... Exodus 4 For everything is possible with God... Matthew 19:26 He will always provide the means…the message...the strength...as we trust in the power of the unseen Lord...after all He IS the Good Shepard...

A Good Shepard watches over the sheep day and night...guides...affirms...loves and places boundaries for his sheep. The sheep are vulnerable without him…and depend only upon the Shepard.

You can do this...trust in the unknown...the unseen...and today be a part of the will of the Father…for THE KINGDOM To Come!

Jesus...the worlds Savoir...God in the Flesh...Died for you...His LOVE for you SO Deep...and upon belief....His spirit resides in the man who invites Him into his journey here upon this Earth...and into eternity with His Loving God...

Amen

“So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” John 11:41-42 

The Thing About Struggle…

The thing about struggle....it usually means God is on the move...

As humans we like comfort…So when pushed to places of difficulty, strife, and when we just want to escape our own skin...The Lord is usually on the move...

Like a snake that sheds a layer of skin...We too need to shed layers in our lives...it's a natural process for snake... as it is for us... 

Much like a mother going into labor...there is designated time that labor must occur...And then there is NEW life... A NEW purpose... A NEW love…A NEW perspective...

But first we must press through the discomfort...taking deep breaths...steady deep breaths and trust...and as in the natural birthing process...it will be completed…and then there will be JOY... Much like labor…we do not know the day it will occur...the discomfort…the labor…it just happens when the time is right...

I am approaching a half century in age...this process of complete release...blind trust...and just letting go is still NOT easy...

But as I approach the half century in my days….:) I am now beginning to recognize the Lord’s LOVE quicker…when panic wants to settle in....I find some blessed space…allowing me to breathe deeper...as I practice a “thankful posture”(Lord you are always with me…) even in the most difficult moments... 

As I pray to the Lord…I am learning to TRUST in what I cannot see...and I always receive a PEACE that this difficult time is purposeful....and it guides me on to THE perfect path designed just for me...thank you Jesus...

The Lords Word tells us that His plans are for us are to prosper… “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord…they are plans for GOOD and not for disaster…to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 Amen

I love this verse...and pray it over my days often...as you should too...

Many blessings to you as you embrace the challenges that you face today...

May we trust in the “Light of the Lord” within our struggle... May we receive the amazing peace and the blessings…as we place our trust IN Him...

In strife...we must trust in what we cannot see...but IN confidence IN God...we know the Lord sees EXACTLY the path we are about to walk...Amen

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord…and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.” Jeremiah 17:7

The TRUE Power and Strength of our Lord…

I love these verses in the book of Isaiah 40:10-15...as he comments on the TRUE Power and Strength of our Lord…

In Isaiah’s time….the Lord would show His power…addressing the condition of the Jews in exile, and God would come to deliver them…Amen!

But this is also a prophetic message…to the coming Messiah...referencing Jesus! (The Book of Isaiah was written approximately 700 years before Christ was born!)

Our Lord is THE Living and Powerful God…who would manifest Himself in a powerful manner…mighty to save…in His promise to bring forth a Messiah…Amen!

Mankind is but specs of dust…the Lord has had all these things in His hands before we were even born…

May we remember….that as ALL nations in this world today…the LORD...has the ONLY TRUE Power and Strength…

He is the ONLY...True and Sovereign living Lord….AMEN

“Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand… And His arm shall rule for Him…Behold…His reward is with Him and His work before Him… He will feed His flock like a shepherd…He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom…And gently lead those who are with young. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand? Measured heaven with a span…And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales…and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord…or as His counselor has taught Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him…and taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge…and showed Him the way of understanding?

Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket…and are counted as the small dust on the scales…look…He lifts up the islands as a very little thing.” Isaiah 40:10-15

The Final Victory!

Today…I just finished reading the entirety of the Holy Bible! YES...I have read every word…on every page of this Holy document. This is a first for me! And what a ride...God is most certainly in the details of life...from the beginning of time with mankind…to the final last days the earth will ever know...to the unveiling of the New Heaven and New Earth where there will ONLY be peace, goodness, and love...

The Bible tells us, as believers, that someday we will dwell with God in the perfectly created NEW eternal home for his faithful church....thanks be to Jesus...His perfect son.

In reflection of the thousands of written words within the Holy Bible...the message is SO clear...we were created by God...and made to be in relationship with God....

And this is how it all began....As we read the first words in Genesis...God created man to live WITH Him in the Garden of Eden…We also see that Eden was NOT Heaven. Yes…God created a paradise...but with restrictions...There was the temptation element...and there was choice to not be obedient....Adam and Eve ultimately choose not to honor the Righteousness of God....THE Holy Creator.

So WHY was there choice and temptation in the paradise of Eden? Because IF obedient, and within the garden God had created....man would continue to thrive and live with GOD and there would be NO death....as perfectly created by the Maker. But if disobedient...man would no longer be righteousness to walk in the garden with God and death would be inevitable.

Gods plan for man in Eden was perfect...but the tempter....temporarily won...Thousands of years later, we are the extended generation of humanity that still lives with the consequences of disobedience since the fall within the Garden of Eden so long ago…

As mankind has morphed to a population of over 7 billion, our human nature stays the same....continuing to be tempted...and doing what we should not do...

However, from the beginning of human disobedience in this world, God continues to seek his creation....even though they/we messed up! God desires a RE committed relationship that is pure and authentic to a Holy and Righteous God…who deserves ONLY praise and thanks. Even in the early pages of Genesis…we read that men “began to call on the Name of the Lord” (Gen 4:25)

The BEGINNING of the Bible describes Gods amazing creation of the heavens and the 1st earth...

And the FINAL Holy words of the Bible...END with the amazing Beauty of the NEW Heaven and New earth....

The pages in between....temptation reigns....people do what they should not do...and they defile themselves to a Holy God that created them...On the surface, it almost seems like a hopeless, endless cycle of self destruction....greed and envy of a world that is doomed...

However, if you look closely from the very beginning of this Holy document...we see that a plan for Victory is already in place for eternal salivation! And IN Gods timing…it will be a complicated long documentary of history that NEEDS to take place in order to achieve THE Final Victory!

The Victory Plan BEGINS in Genesis…with THE Living Holy Word...And the Word soon became alive within men who would prophesy... And through a chosen people the Lord called His own....

God would eventually reveal the “cornerstone” to the family of God....a Son...an immaculate conception....born of a human woman...created perfectly to live as a man.... A man who would ultimately be the perfect sacrifice....to bring Righteousness to those who desired God....

The Son of God…He was the First....and Last...man on this earth who NEVER sinned...and his name was JESUS!

Prophets foretold of him thousand of years before he was born! And before He was born....He WAS the first living Word....And the Word....then spoke to some men...who were Gods representatives to help his creation “see” God, so that men would turn from there temptations and to seek a Holy and Righteous God....

The prophets message….Seek to be righteous...seek to honor THE God that calls Himself The I AM...GOD! He IS The First....The Word....The Beginning....The Fulfillment...The End....The Eternal...The Alpha...and The Omega! He IS the ONLY GOD… From the Holy beginning of His earthly creation...through the space of time that man now calls himself “god”....to the final days of this 1st earth....to the beginning of a Final Eternal home that lasts forever....Amen!

These eternal…Holy God breathed words within the Bible have such detail! Each word carefully placed with deeper significance....For such historical detail....for such time as this...for such DRAMA in a space of time since the Garden of Eden…These words originate from God Himself…and they are continual....eternal....and the message is SO SIMPLE…AND FREE…for ALL creation to hear and to embrace!

There is only ONE requirement…“choose to believe…”

Life and Judgment Are Through the Son

Jesus said…

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. John 5:24(NKJV)

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29

God knows we cannot make ourselves righteous to a perfect God…

So we are called to CHOOSE to BELIEVE in these Holy words within this Holy document…that says that Jesus was God...and that He came to save humanity from eternal death....

Jesus Testifies to the Churches

 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” Revelation 22:12

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I AM the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” Revelation 22:16

Since that day in the Garden of Eden when mankind chose to rebel...we were doomed...But God…from the beginning…had a plan to save us from our natural temptations...and offers an Eternity in a Perfect Paradise called Heaven!

It is hard to grasp “WHY” God first allowed temptation in the garden and for us to “sin”... But this IS the “beginning” of the historical Holy documented history, that leads to the Final Victory....where order is restored....where evil no longer reigns...and peace, love and grace reside in a Holy Eternal home in Heaven…Amen!

GOD gave us His perfect son....Jesus...who was sacrificed....in order that we...unholy...and unrighteousness....doomed because of the fall in the garden...might someday dwell among the Father and the Son...Amen!

As these Holy words guide us through the historical days of old...we see glimpses of the days YET to come…These words have been precisely recorded for our own good...to awaken us out of our trance like state... The Word calls us to be aware of how things will be when there is NO more time to choose whether we believe IN God... And that there is such a thing as the afterlife....there is! 

For EVERYONE....but it is not pretty for all.

Some say…that is NOT fair! 

But who are we??? We are just our own little gods... Did we create ourselves? Do we have the means to create the heavens...separate the seas...bring a man back from the dead…“will” ourselves to live forever...??? That is ONLY in the Power of a Living God...

And the complexity of God…is just NOT for a mans mind... Which is why the message is SO simple for mankind… “Just believe…”

Even though we do not understand it all... Even though life does NOT seem fair... Even though it seems like evil wins....and there is such unrest in the world...lack of peace.... and the world seems to be in a chaotic spin…Jesus said....Just believe...

We are NOW living in the last days of THE Master Plan...that will bring finality to this earth We WILL come to the end of the ages... And finally there will be retribution for those who blasphemed God...and did the work of the one…the tempter…who thought could win.

VICTORY....it is THE message from the beginning in Genesis!

And VICTORY is THE FINAL REVELATION…in these last words within this Holy document…

God was in ALL the details from the very beginning of time.... And there WILL be final Victory over a very broken world....that will be no more... Finally there will restoration...a New Heaven....a New earth....and it will be amazingly beautiful!

Your job....

To choose whether you want to be there....For those who say Yes…they choose to “believe” what they cannot YET see...They believe there is GOD that Loves and wants YOU in an eternal home with Him....They believe the master plan is ONLY victorious because of His son...JESUS.... And they believe this…because they have been enlightened....

Belief and faith in a Holy God is NOT a secret!

The bible tells us that if you WANT to know God...all you need to do is ask....He is NOT hidden...Is your back turned? Because He is standing right beside you....waiting to say hello...

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” Revelation 3:20

So say hello....God…I think I want to know You...I would like to understand more about how You Love....and why do You even want me? Why do You want to even talk to me? I am so broken…I am sure I could not be fixed...I could never measure up....He knows all of this and more....because He is your Father...He created you....And all He wants is to Love you....

You just have to ask...Jesus will you come into my life?

He will do the rest....

The bible says....

You will be saved “if you just believe in the ONE who sent Him...” (John 5:24)

And If we put our trust in the One...whom He sent....

HE ....Jesus, will be our attorney when we are called to the stand in front of a most Holy God and explain ourselves...

Yes we may have been good...promoted peace...and even gave to others...but rejected the idea of the need for eternal salvation... It is the BIGGEST LIE in human history that mankind has been entranced to believe...This is why we needed GOD Himself to come on this earth to fight the ugly battle for your soul from an eternity of death....

Yes ALL men will die...and ALL will be raised to meet his Maker....and some will get to live with God for an eternity...Jesus WILL refresh the soul that was faithful to believe in the Word...to believe that He was the way....to believe that God is SO HOLY that there was NO other way to be in his presence....

Is this easy to understand? Is it fair? Is it politically correct?

The answer is NO...

But again…we ultimately did NOT create ourselves, nor His Holy plan to save Gods church...

Your job....We are called to examine ourselves...examine the evidence....and make a decision

The bible IS the historical document of the His grand plan for mankind...and it is clear as day! Yet there is choice to reject it...a choice to walk away from it...to disregard it ....to not believe it…to be led astray...and even to worship evil itself...

Never has there been a more IMPORTANT decision in your life....

When Moses received the 10 commandments from God....The most important call to His creation was to have NO other Gods before Him…

“You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3)

And Jesus said…“Love God with ALL your heart mind and soul....” (Matthew 22:37)

This IS your own personal choice...Will You choose to “Believe”???

Please follow me in this prayer if you choose to turn toward God TODAY... Did you know he stands right next to you? The bible says He holds your right hand!

“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you…Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13)

Prayer:

Father God…today “I call on the Name of the Lord…” I pray that you meet me exactly where I am at today…imperfect…and in need of your saving Grace…I want to know you…I want to feel your love and protection…and I want to claim these Holy words as the Holy Gospel truth…I want to be included as one of your children that claim your name as Father God…and that will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven… I pray my name is included in the book of life…I want to live in an eternity with you in Peace and Love…I desire to be changed today….to be born again…through Christ Jesus!. Father I do not understand all your ways…and I pray that you will do a work in my life, starting today….so I too will bear the image of your Son upon this earth…and I too will be one of your anointed children…when you come into your Kingdom to reign forever! My heart is open to you today to receive your Holy Spirit…reside in me…and refresh my soul…I pray this today…as I call upon The Name of the Lord…and in Jesus name I pray…Amen

“Like them… the one who is Victorious will be clothed in white garments. And I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels”. Revelation 3:5

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work… I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” Revelation 22:12-13 (NKJV)

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I AM the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” Revelation 22:16 

Living For God...

The bible tells us in Genesis that Forty-five hundred years ago, Noah’s flood wiped out the entire human population except for EIGHT people: Noah and his wife and Noah’s three sons and their wives. …

Genesis 7:11-24

“In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened. And the rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights. On the very same day Noah and Shem and Ham and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark, they and every beast after its kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, all sorts of birds. So they went into the ark to Noah, by twos of all flesh in which was the breath of life. And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered as God had commanded him; and the LORD closed it behind him. Then the flood came upon the earth for forty days; and the water increased and lifted up the ark, so that it rose above the earth. And the water prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark floated on the surface of the water. And the water prevailed more and more upon the earth, so that all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered. The water prevailed fifteen cubits higher, and the mountains were covered. And all flesh that moved on the earth perished, birds and cattle and beasts and every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth, and all mankind; of all that was on the dry land, all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, died. Thus He blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky, and they were blotted out from the earth; and only Noah was left, together with those that were with him in the ark. And the water prevailed upon the earth one hundred and fifty days.”

“Prior to Noah’s Flood, population growth was much more rapid than today’s growth, because people lived much longer and had many more children…an estimated 10 trillion people populated the earth pre flood! This estimated pre-Flood population of 10 trillion is another indication that the Flood was worldwide. And the Flood would have to be global to destroy such a huge number of people. An estimated pre-Flood population of 10 trillion people is well over 1,000 times today’s world population of 7.1 billion people” * *Bible-Science Guy Debunking evolutionism. Proclaiming Truth. Exalting the Creator. Exploring Creation.

Just as in the days of Noah…the Lord is patient…He waits for more to come to know Him…not wanting anyone to perish (1 Pet 3:20, 2 Pet 3:3-10) It is said it may have taken Noah over a 100 years to build the ark! Each day he worked on the ark, he bore witness to a large population of His faith IN God. And as the bible tells us, only Noah and his family were “saved” from the flood and Gods judgment...because they believed IN God.

As believers in Christ, we too bear witness to our savior, Jesus, while we wait for His return to claim his own…

And just as in the days of Noah we will be mocked, ridiculed, slandered, and thought to be foolish while we wait upon such a promise.

It is hard to imagine that only eight out of well over a trillion people were saved in this world cataclysmic event. And yet how different are we today…compared to 4500 years ago?

Thank the Lord there are MANY more believers IN Christ today…

As the prophets and bible scripture foretold…a Messiah, Jesus, would BE the ultimate Savior to mankind. We celebrate His birth at Christmas, and we hold tight to the truth of His resurrection at Easter. And on the day of Pentecost, as Jesus promised, a “helper” is now available to ALL who believe Jesus was God, in a mans body, tempted, but never sinned, died a human death, was in the grave for 3 days, and resurrected back to life on the 3rd day, as He predicted.

The “helper”…the Holy Spirit…is at WORK! There is NO delay…but a perfect plan to SAVE many more for the kingdom of God…

Just as the Lord waited a hundred plus years for Noah to build the ark and provide a way to escape the 1st judgment of the Lord…so now He waits for the second coming of Christ…not wanting anyone to perish.

We can learn much from the example of Noah’s generation…as only a small minority of people loved God. He and his family were surrounded by a corrupt godless culture…

It seems the “majority” in Noah’s time…together ignored spiritual matters and the ways of God…ultimately to their demise. The bible says the Lord looked upon the earth in Noah’s time and found no one righteous, except for Noah and His family. (Genesis 6)

Noah did not conform to the majority of the worlds thinking, but held tight to Gods promises…and they were saved from the flood.

We too must stand…sometimes alone like Noah, and follow our God given Holy Spirit…that a day WILL come...and it will be the final judgment, when Christ returns. Those who have claimed His name as Savior…whether dead or alive…WILL be saved, and they will escape the final judgment.

Noah was outnumbered in his belief, and he was vindicated…Jesus was vindicated as it appeared to his enemies he was defeated on the cross, only be raised from the dead as he had predicted. We hold tight to this promise, that in our belief that Jesus is the Messiah, we too will be vindicated, and not experience eternal death…but an eternal LIFE with the living Lord who saved us.

It may not be popular to stand firm on this ground, and we may still be in the minority like Noah, but hold tight…and stand firm in your faith IN God…and to Jesus as your personal Savior...

The bible and the prophets foretell…the days are few and Christ IS coming back…to vindicate…and bring home His faithful family of believers! Amen

“But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. 2 Peter 3:8-13 (NLT)

Reference used in commentary:Lesson 18: A Difficult Passage Explained and Applied (1 Peter 3:18-22) Steven J. Cole pastor of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship, Flagstaff

Understanding the Purpose of Suffering...

As I have been on this amazing journey in life with the Lord…I have personally found the book of Philippians to be a pivotal book of the bible.

So many GOD breathed words that encourage both the NEW and seasoned believer in Christ!

It is in this book in the bible where I began to understand the purpose of suffering. I learned WHY He allows us to go through those “dark” moments…the deepest of “valleys” in our life....the Lesson: I cannot do this on my own strength…

It IS the “mystery” IN Christ that we become filled with a strength that is at first seems “unbelievable”…as the bible calls it “surpasses ALL understanding”. He allows us to walk through the valleys so that we will learn to depend MORE upon Him…We learn not to walk not in our own strength and personal will…but IN His Good Will for us!

“I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13 Amen!

You see as we learn to depend less on ourselves and more IN Him…the Lord gently begins to show you something NEW… A new perspective on how we might “see” things….or how we may “feel” about circumstances…

Philippians 2:13 says "For it is GOD who works IN you...both to Will and to Do...for HIS Good pleasure.”

I learned that He allows the valley so that we might be strong IN Him...that “He may Will and Do in our lives…things that Give Him GOOD pleasure…and “God will supply ALL that we need IN Christ Jesus."

So in faith...and IN trusting this God breathed truth…we are told to be “anxious for NOTHING…but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication and with Thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God…And the PEACE of God…which surpasses ALL understanding…will guard your heart and your mind through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

It IS in the deep valley we learn the true meaning of Philippians 4:19 "God WILL supply ALL that we need IN Christ Jesus."

As I have fed upon these holy words in Philippians…and IN Christ…there IS a PEACE that surpasses all understanding…

And I can honestly say it was the suffering that stirred my spirit to seek understanding…

I truly found my “Savior”(Christ)…to get me though the valley…and HE literately “changed” my hearts desire…I “saw” things and circumstance differently…

As I walked through the darkest valley, I had complete confidence that HE would sustain me…I knew HE would give me the strength I needed…and HE became my personal Sheppard that guided the rocky road…Amen

We will never completely understand ALL suffering…as we live upon a broken planet earth…and earth is NOT Heaven. But we are encouraged that “Our citizenship is in Heaven” Philippians 3:20 and to press on IN Christ Jesus…He WILL guide the way…

As we walk upon this earth waiting for the day to be in our real home in Heaven…the Lord just asks us to lean upon Him…He will do the rest…Matthew 11:28-30

In Thankfulness…He has NOT left your side…He LOVES you unconditionally…and as GOD “who works IN you...both to Will and to Do...for HIS Good pleasure…” He WILL bless you abundantly!

The “valley” is your personal journey…You were called to it for a reason…and IN His Good Pleasure…you will personally grow into a deeper relationship with Christ…And the blessings are yours to enjoy!

Amen!

“Why So many People do NOT See…Feel…or Want the Love of GOD”

“YOU were created in the image of God…You are significant to God…And You are Amazingly Loved by God!   Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:17-18

And yet SO many of His people…just do NOT see…feel…or want the Love of GOD in their life. We are a world of Agnostics, atheists, Buddhists, Muslims, Mormons and even Evangelicals…the list of mankind’s “religion” is very long. 

But religion was made by and for people.  And people were made by God…whether they choose to believe in God or not.

So why do SO many people choose to reject God and His word to his created people?  His message is SO beautiful…Look what Romans says about LOVE…

Romans 12:9-21 (NIV)

Love in Action

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Man…if their ever was a time to embrace this type of thinking it is NOW…as we have become SO intolerant and disconnected with each other, our families, our neighbors, our communities, our nation and our world. The heartfelt words of the Reverend Martin Luther King reflect this exact scripture of tolerance and to LOVE one another…Amen

In the bible, John quotes Isaiah saying… “He (God) has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I WOULD heal them.” John 12:40

Commentary from Jack Wellman:

“Jesus quotes, nearly word for word, Isaiah’s prophecy about the hardening of the hearts of those who would refuse to believe in Him (Isaiah 6:10). It’s not that God has hardened their hearts or that God has blinded their eyes, but as the author of Hebrews wrote “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion” (Heb 3:12) so they are actually hardening their own hearts by refusing to hear the Spirit’s voice as in the Holy Spirit Who says, “Today, if you hear his voice” (Heb 3:7).

This warning about not hearing His voice, which is the voice of the Holy Spirit, is found throughout Scripture and is repeated many times as it is again in Hebrews 4:7 where it is written “God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

The point is you must hear His voice today; you must listen to the Spirit’s voice of putting your faith IN Christ. The more you suppress His voice, the harder your heart becomes until your heart reaches a point that you will not hear His voice anymore. Your heart hardens and your eyes become blinded to the glorious gospel in Jesus Christ.”

“The spiritual blindness of those who hate Christ comes not only from a refusal to hear the Spirit’s voice but also from the blinding by Satan, “the god of this world.” He has so blinded the minds of the unbelievers that they can’t see the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. God will move heaven and earth if a person genuinely seeks to know God but suppressing the knowledge of God, time after time, is where God finally gives them up to the lusts of their own flesh and Satan keeps them in darkness.”  Commentary from Jack Wellman*

 “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4

Jesus said “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me.   For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me.  I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.  I will NOT  judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken.  I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know His commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.” John 12:44-50 (NLT)

So what happens when you put your “faith” In Christ?

The “holy spirit of God” IS revealed…the blinded eyes and the hardened hearts begin to “SEE” with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn to God…and HE will heal them…Amen

“But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (NLT)

Prayer: “Father God…no day is a surprise to you…each day is purposeful and useful to guide more into the knowledge of you and the Good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Continue to do your will on this earth…drawing us closer to the day you will return to claim your church!  Use this time and our paths to draw more people into the saving GRACE of your gospel message.  Transform our nation to reflect your words of love, tolerance, servant hood, and peace amongst each other in these days upon the earth.  And to those who still do not “hear” you…may you woo these hearts to desire to know you…to accept the love of Christ as savior, to receive the holy spirit, and to become a child of God.”

If this is you…there is nothing you need to do, or make right before you say this prayer…

If you truly are ready to begin this journey with Christ…follow along in this prayer.   “Father God I desire to know you…I want to hear you…I want my eyes to see you…and my heart to desire Jesus… I want to be transformed and become a child of God.  Today with all my heart I say this prayer and trust in you!  Thank you Jesus, “the veil is taken away.”   For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!  Thank you for the veil in now removed and I can see and reflect the glory of the Lord in my days. Jesus…you are the Lord—who IS the Spirit—who will make me more and more like you…and who changes us into your glorious image.  AMEN!

“How precious to me are your thoughts, God!  How vast is the sum of them!  Were I to count them…they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you. Psalm 139:17-18

*Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas