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

What Does the Bible Say About the END Times?

Almost exactly a year ago I wrote a devotional on the “End Times.”

Almost exactly a year later…similar horrific news stories make the headlines of senseless murders and pure evil roaming in our own neighborhoods and all around the world. 

I have revisited this devotion and updated, as I see such senseless times around us.  I too am saddened, but also know that God is in control, and even NOW has sovereignty over all mankind.  No matter a mans belief, each will stand in pure judgment before a righteous God and account for his life.  There is some comfort knowing that all evil will be judged accordingly someday…But that does not ease the pain of the loss we feel now…today. 

It is only natural to question these dark times we seem to be in and ask why?  Beyond the political discussions of why…the bible is very clear about the END times and the state of mankind in the foreshadowing of Jesus return to set things right… 

“When sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman…they shall not escape.” 1 Thes 5:3

Just as the bible tells us of the “ending of days” in Noah’s time…So will be in the “ending of days…”in the coming of our Lord Jesus…

Thousands of years later after Noah, we are the same earth filled with corruption, violence, and the lacking of morality.  We too have forgotten our first love... “However, I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first”.  Revelation 2:4

We live within a lost generation who has NOT shared our earliest heritage of the GOOD News.  The Good News that in Christ, who saves us, we can have FULLNESS of life NOW here on earth, and into eternity…Amen

Ignorance....it is the greatest LIE of all time.  The deceiver wants you in a place of lost hope in humanity.  There is a false encouragement to seek hope, fulfillment and contentment in ones self in order to find “peace.”  

Are we really "content" in these current times as a nation and a world??? Sadly there is a warped and distorted generation that acts out in violence in the name of peace, “religion”, spite, or just plain evil.

I have yet to meet ANYONE who is COMPLETELY content.

Even the believer in Christ is NOT content.  And yet at NO time does the world spin out of God’s control...Each day IS written… “Your eyes saw my unformed body…ALL the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be…” Psalm 139:16

Thankfully in Heaven…there will be COMPLETE contentment for those who choose to follow the Lord.  God IS Good and Faithful and His WILL BE DONE “Being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until  the day of Jesus Christ.”  Philippians 1:6

The bible tells us the world will fall into deeper darkness in the last days.  And in the end, each person will stand in judgment and account for his life “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” 2 Corinthians 5:10  “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12

But there is mercy and LIFE after death! And Heaven awaits the believer… Jesus said “truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does NOT come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” John 5:24

To ask why these evil things are happening...and to be in an unsettled place has its purpose.  These times encourage more to dig deeper for purpose and answers of why there is a darkness that looms around us.  And in search…many will find God…and the Good news of Jesus Christ.  We were created by God…to be in relationship WITH God.  And until we have reconciled this TRUTH…mankind will continue to be on the constant search for purpose, peace, and contentment.   When not aligned with God, mankind will do his OWN will, however that looks in the name of peace, justice, fairness, and just plain selfishness...and there will be consequences.

What will it take for this world to finally recognize its Maker? 

Complete destruction unfortunately “Immediately after the distress of those days…the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light…the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.  At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and ALL the nations of the earth will mourn.  They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.  And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the heavens to the other.”  Matthew 24:29-31

NO MORE will there be injustice among mankind...NO more will there be pain, misery, death, famine, drought, cancer, disease, horrific earthly weather destruction, mental illness, sexual abuse, terrorism...and the growing list of life's disappointments.  ALL earthly sadness will literally disintegrate "on that day" Philippians 1:6, 2 Peter 3:12, 1 Corinthians 1:8, Jude 6, 2 Thessalonians 1:10

That “DAY” will come…like “a thief in the night…”

Revelation 16:15, 2 Peter 3:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:2.  

That DAY” will be like NO OTHER DAY in our human history…“The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words."  1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

“When will all this happen?  What sign will signal the end of the world?” 

Jesus said “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end will not follow immediately.  Nation will go to war against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.”

You will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.  And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that ALL nations will hear it…and then the END will come…” Matthew 24:3-14

It is pretty clear, the earth as we know it…is NOW in this time of “labor pains...”We may be disgusted,discouraged,disenchanted, and disengaged from God, but ALL these things MUST happen to continue to reach out to those who still do not yet know the Lord.  “When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened...These things must happen first, but the end will NOT come right away." Luke 21:9 

Even though these times scream chaos, there is a perfect plan to save millions MORE of souls for eternity…

Jesus said “Be careful! Don’t let anyone fool you.  Many people will come and use my name.  They will say, ‘I am the Messiah.’  And they will fool many people.  You will hear about wars that are being fought.  And you will hear stories about wars beginning.  But do not be afraid.  These things must happen before the end comes.  Nations will fight against nations.  Kingdoms will fight against other kingdoms.  There will be times when there is no food for people to eat.  And there will be earthquakes in different places.  These things are only the beginning of troubles, like the first pains of a woman giving birth.”  Matthew 24:8

IN HIS GRACE…there is still time.  We have this amazing gift IN Christ! 

It is what Christmas is really about! The BEST gift of ALL...The gift that keeps on giving.  The gift that IS the most precious and most valuable of ALL things in this world!  Blessed is HE who comes in the name of the Lord!!! 

Jesus says… “For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" Matthew 23:39

As believers, we are called to recognize of these times and to tell others of the FREE gift of Grace, IN CHRIST JESUS!

You may not call yourself a minister or even an evangelist, but if you are IN Christ, you are called to share this good news with others. We are to reach AS MANY souls for the kingdom of Christ as we can.  We can ALL pray for the saving of MORE souls “And this Gospel of the Kingdom WILL be preached in the whole world…as a testimony to ALL nations…and then the END will come.”  Matthew 24:14 

God does NOT take pleasure in those who are lost and who will be left behind.  And each of us can be used in this kingdom plan for the saving of souls!

“The Lord is NOT slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9 

In these recent days…it is ok to be alarmed, and unsettled that this world is moving into a time of darkness…And this is where your FAITH in GOD is imperative.  We must NOT be afraid as Jesus said…we must trust that each unsettled day is a day closer to when Christ returns…and ALL these things must happen…Let us pray each day to our God that is saving more souls for eternity…that SOON there will be no more death…no more pain…no more suffering…no more loss…and an eternity in Paradise with your creator…

Jesus said “Truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does NOT come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” John 5:24  

“If you openly declare that Jesus IS Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved…For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God…and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” Romans 10:9-10

“If you openly declare that Jesus IS Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved…For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God…and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” Romans 10:9-10  “God richly blesses EVERYONE who look to Him for help…Yes, EVERYONE who trusts IN the Lord will be Saved!” Romans 10:13  “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the GOOD news!” Isaiah 52:7

AMEN!

Prayers for Paris…and this world…so much distress…

Truly we are in a time of WAR…Good against evil

Jesus tells us to expect distress in this world…as we are not citizens here upon this earth…merely passing through…

The Love of God is rich and pure…the end has already been written…and Good WILL win…

ALL evil WILL be judged accordingly…and the Love of God…shall forevermore endure

Amen

https://youtu.be/Fla6EO07I3E

“The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease...Great is His faithfulness…His mercies begin afresh each morning...I say to myself, The LORD is my inheritance…therefore, I will hope in him!”
Lamentations 3:22-24

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Blessings!

Heaven is For Real…

In this year, I have experienced the loss of some very special people in my life…ALL way to young to die…each in a different place of faith.

Death is inevitable…and dying young seems so unfair. Whether we choose to believe in God or not…life is and will be difficult.  No one is exempt from hardships that will come our way.

It is not always easy to embrace or understand that God allows us to be in trial, so that we would learn to depend less on ourselves and more upon Him…We were designed this way.  Man has always been a seeker…of truth…understanding…wisdom…love.  Our flaw is that we  chronically look elsewhere first…before looking to our maker.  And that is human nature, as purposefully designed. 

Many of us know, we did not know the depth of love from God…until we had hit the rock bottom…no where to go…except to look up.  And this is why He allows the tough times…our eyes…and witnesses to our struggle…begin to look up…and “seeking” becomes “seeing” to what God is doing…has done…and is faithful to do, as we begin to trust IN Him. 

Character is developed, hearts begin to change, and the “net” effect may open the door to new found faith in God as we “see” His graciousness. 

This IS part of the grand plan…as the world spins…and life seems so unfair…more are drawn to the knowledge and love of the Lord.  With each disappointment, the Lord continues to shed His mercy and His grace…and the kingdom of God grows.  

God IS working ALWAYS…and in All things…

The bible tells us this in Romans 8:28  

“And we know that in ALL things, God works for the Good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

This verse has allowed me to let go of the bondage of fear…and receive peace that I am loved, watched over, and protected…no matter the trial.  It does not ease the pain of loss, but it does help me make sense of senseless times. 

The good news is that death is NOT the end…and if you choose to believe, Jesus tells us that there is an eternal place that He has prepared for you to thrive!

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. As you believe in God believe also in me.  My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”  John 14:1-4

Life will continue to not make sense as we do NOT live in Heaven yet.  Times will be unstable, unpredictable, and our hearts will be drawn to seek understanding…Jesus knows that we are “in the battle” here on earth and tells us NOT to be afraid…

 “All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:25-27

God gave us this amazing gift in Jesus, so that we may not only have an eternal life free from pain, sadness, and death…but a life FULL today upon this earth. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

Once we know this truth, life begins to make a little more sense, and our trials become blessings that multiply personally, and radiate to others who do not yet know.

May we praise our loving God in these times that we are not forgotten.    May our eyes be opened to “seeing” how the Lord loves us.  And may we receive His eternal love…hearts changed, new found faith in God revitalized…and more will choose to believe and follow God as we “see” His graciousness in these times. 

Father, today I pray that more will accept the free gift of salvation and life abundant TODAY…in seeking Jesus….and to receive your Amazing Grace and Peace you offer us in our days here upon this earth…Amen