If all this was happening 8 years ago.  How much more then will it intensify now, as we draw ever closer to the LORD's return for us?  Still think we've got time?

Acts 16:31 says "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved."  Don't wait.  We are not promised another moment, let alone another day.  We need to stop putting things off that we should have done YESTERDAY.

I followed this channel until they stopped posting.  This is titled "THE HOUR IS LATE".  Truer words were never spoken.  Amen Lord, Come!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlOx2AW9G2g

Is this What We are Seeing Happening Now?

 This came to my inbox today.  Very interesting read.

Is this What We are Seeing Happening Now?

WHAT IS YOUR TIME WORTH?

What Is Your Time Worth?

July 14, 2024

This morning I was in prayer as I am every weekend morning when things are quiet.  During the week it's go, go, go as I have little time in the morning to take care of the pets and get myself ready for work.  I barely have time to eat any breakfast, most days I don't, but on weekends, things are different; I have the time to truly spend with the LORD in prayer before the household wakes up and everyone is vying for my attention.  This morning God spoke this to me and I was shocked because I thought I was giving Him time each day but I realized that I could be doing a whole lot more.  A quick prayer each morning and night and one chapter of the bible is not enough when you consider how much time we have in a day.  How we fill that time given to us, is up to us but it has it's consequences.

Daughter, why do you allow such distraction in your life? (I could tell He meant pets, people, chores, and other normal daily activities),  distractions that take you away from ME?  Distractions of people, work, fun, watching tv, playing on your phone, things that absorb your time like a black hole?

You can not get one second back, once it is spent.  It is gone forever!  You know in your heart that I am coming soon.  You pray for my quick return, but are you truly ready for it?  Have you given your all to Me?  Have you fully submitted your time, your talents, your heart...to Me, or does another hold those things captive in your life?  I desire that you would give it ALL to Me and allow Me to show you new things, to open new doors of blessing, and unlock new things in My word that you just gloss over in your time reading My word.

You spend time with Me each day...YES, though it is short.  I desire that you would dwell in My Holy Place, with Me.  Go!  Shut the door and shut the world out.  Silence the distractions in your life that scream for your time and attention.  They only serve as a replacement, meant to rob you of your time and the blessings that I have for you.  The world can not bless you as I can.  The world can not offer you what I have.  This world you live in is decaying, passing away.  Soon it will no longer be.  How much more than should you spend time with The Holy One, your Provider, Your Creator, the Lover of your very soul?

I am standing at the ready, ready to bless you, ready to receive you, ready to spend time with you.  I want to bless My children and see them walking in my blessing, enjoying the life that I gave them.  I gave all so that they could enjoy life, walking in My blessing and blessing others as they go.  Don't let the world rob you of the blessings of your heritage, your heritage in Me, as children of the Most Holy God.  

I can not, nor will not bless that which is not of Me.  Am I in your social life?  Do you speak of Me when you gather for a fun time with your friends, or am I not even a whisper on your breath?  Am I in your personal time when you are watching tv, or are you just mindlessly allowing the enemy to sap more of your blessing, by keeping you occupied for hours?  Am I in your social media?  Do you post how I have saved you, blessed you, and healed you; or do you conform to the world and it's demands?  Do I come up in conversations you have with strangers you meet, or coworkers, family members who are not saved, neighbors?

Be faithful to Me.  I am coming quickly, and with Me, I bring My rewards for those who have not forsaken Me, and fully submitted themselves for My kingdom purposes.  I bring rewards for those who have given of their time, talents, and abilities, to minister to the lost, to help the homeless, to feed and clothe the hungry and naked, to those who have truly made Me their God, and submitted to My refinement in their lives, who have surrendered ALL and placed Me above all in their lives.

You say you love me, but you spend very little time with Me in prayer, in silence, in reverence.  Come away with Me to my Holy place where we can converse, just the two of us.  There you will find refreshment.  There you will find comfort.  There you will find answers to those things that bewitch you.  I will meet you there if you just come.  Put aside those things that are not of Me, and meet Me in the quiet recesses of your heart.  Am I not worth all that to you?  The world can not give you peace.  The world can not bless you as I can.  The world only seeks to drag you down with it.  Do not be a part of it.  I have placed you in it, but only for a short time.  If you only knew that you were standing on a precipice, on the very edge of eternity itself.  Come to Me.  Spend time with Me and I will show you mysteries that others long to know, but can not find.  It can only be found in Me. 

Have I not earned that right in your lives?  Do I not have a place in your heart?  I've given freely to you when you ask.  I meet you at the door when you knock.  Knock, and I will open that door to you.  I will invite you in to rest in My glory, in a place where no harm can reach you.  

I desire that you would freely give all of yourself to Me, as I did not hold back a single thing, but gave ALL that I have to you.  I did it out of love, pure love, for My children.  Repent, and return to Me, your First Love, and I return My favor upon you.  I will not turn you away when you come to Me.  Have I not been a good Father to you, as My Father is to Me?  He and I are One.

Behold!  The time is near for Me to gather My children, whom I love, to My side.  Spend time with Me so that I can show you My goodness.  Share My love with others, tell them I love them; I love them to the point of death.  I died to make you Mine.  I did not hold back, but gave everything I had to save you from the flames of eternal damnation.  What has the world done for you?  Can the world do THAT?  Why do you give it so much importance in your life?  Time is short now.  All is ready for your homecoming.  The wedding guests are gathering, the meal is prepared.  Do not miss it!  I desire you would be there with ME.  You will not be disappointed. 

Ephesians 5:15-16

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

1 Peter 4:10

"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 

Revelation 2: 4-5

"Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent."

Psalm 91: 9-11

"Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
10 No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways."

Matthew 25:34-36

"Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me."

Revelation 22:12

"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work." 

Revelation 22:20

"He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.

ALL IS PREPARED

 This came to my inbox just after I finished posting a piece about the rapture of the church.

It just confirms that the LORD is coming soon. 

So be it, Lord Jesus, COME!

https://wingsofprophecy.blogspot.com/2024/07/all-is-prepared-repost.html

THE RAPTURE: REAL OR RIDICULOUS?

With so many voices in our world bombarding our ears with bible messages, how can we know what is real and what is only speculation?  We want to believe the truth.  No one says to another "Tell me lies, that I may believe and be led astray".  That would be not only crazy talk but detrimental to our spiritual health.  God says in His word " My people perish from lack of knowledge".  (Hosea 4:6).  Who are God's people?  The Jews, the Church?  Who is God talking about?  John 15:5 says "I (meaning Jesus) am the vine, and you (meaning His followers both Jew and Gentile) are the branches". - emphasis, mine.  In Ephesians 2:19 Paul states this "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God".  That's pretty clear that anyone whether a Jew or Gentile, we who are Christ followers are ALL members of God's household.  We are HIS PEOPLE.  So why are We (His people perishing from lack of knowledge?"  God gives us all that we need in His word.  It's up to us to study His word so that we DO NOT perish.  Let's get started.

Today with all that we are seeing on the news and in our cities, it's hard to believe that the world is simply going to continue as it has for millennia.  Up until the late 1800s, early 1900s, people moved around on foot or by horse and buggy.  Just in the last 100 years or so, we now have airplanes, rockets, weapons, telecommunications, satellites that have multiple functionalities, AI and the list goes on and on.  You would think with all of this at our disposal, we would be smarter about what God's word says.  If you don't have a bible, there are apps for your phone, online websites, churches, small home groups; basically a myriad of avenues to study the word of God.  Even in countries where bibles are banned, missionaries still put their lives on the line for the Gospel's sake to get the word out to the people.  When we stand before a Holy God, what is going to be our excuse for not utilizing one of the areas, available to us, that helps us get to know our Creator?

As of late, there has been much talk and speculation about people going missing from the earth in the blink of an eye, referred to as the Rapture of the Church.  Even within the house of God, there are disputes about this event.  It's so elusive, and that in and of itself makes it even more intriguing and interesting to study. 

So what DOES the word of God actually say about such an event?  Lets read and find out for ourselves.

Matthew 25: 1-13 Records Jesus's words with a parable (or story) about ten virgins.  Virgins in this story represent Christ followers, not the general populace.

 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’  But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’  But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’  “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. 

Here, Jesus is implying that He (the Son of Man) is coming quickly.  So quickly in fact that that even some of His professing followers did not see Him coming.  He says that we all "fell asleep".  Sleepy Christians is not a good thing as we just read.  We were not diligently studying His word daily, because if we were, we would have know what signs to look for and we would have seen Him coming and been ready.  Now the story does state that some of the virgins woke up as Jesus was coming near.  Some of us who have been busy about our lives woke up to the fact that what we previously learned about Jesus's coming is all starting to converge and we recognized the time we are living in, therefore we "woke up and trimmed our lamps".  Matthew 5:16 says this about lights "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. So it would appear that some of us, realized how late the hour is and woke up and did those things (good works) that let our light shine for all to see, giving glory to God; while others did not recognize the time until it was too late and the door was shut for them to enter in.  So what happens to the other five virgins who did not ready themselves for the Bridegroom's coming?  They (though they professed Christ but did not have Christ in their hearts) were left to go through the Tribulation with the rest of those who rejected the Gospel of Christ.  But old on a minute here....They were among the Christ followers so why didn't they ALL enter in with Christ?  Not so.  2 Timothy 1-5 explains why. "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power".  Now you might say "Yeah, but that passage is clearly talking about the world and unbelievers, not the body of Christ.  That would make sense if it weren't for the fact that Paul was writing to Timothy who head of the Church, not the world. Paul in 1 Corinthians 1-5 called the Corinthian church out on their sin, saying that it was so grievous, that even the gentiles didn't commit such acts.  "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! 2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you".  That's pretty amazing that after hearing the word of God preached to them and accepting the free gift of salvation and professing to be Christ followers, they would do....THAT!  Whaaaaat?  So if the Corinthians are willing to profess Christ and then go out and do evil things that even the world is not doing, could it be then that the five virgins who did not enter in with Christ could be professing Christ and yet looking like the world, and that is why Jesus say's "I never knew you"?  - ABSOLUTELY!

So if they professing Christ did not get to enter into the wedding feast, how should we as Christ followers behave then?  Well, 2 Peter 1:5-11 gives us a clear indication about how we ought to behave when He said this to the church... "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control, perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.  For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ".  Okay, okay, you got me!  There's things we all need to work on.  What do I need to know next.  Glad you asked.  Because God's judgement is coming and it's going to start with us!  You're kidding, right?  Judgement on God's people?  Lets find out together.  1 Peter 4:17 tell us this..."For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God"?  Sure Glad you told me that, so now I know how to be one of the wise virgins.

Now that we have a firm foundation on what God has to say about being His own, what next?  How do we know for sure that the rapture of the church is real and that it's going to happen in our lifetime.  Everyone knows that the world has been going for millennia so therefore, it must continue to keep going for millennia more, right?  Let's find out...

Jesus's own disciples were asking Him that very question about the end of time and what to be on the lookout for.   And his response.....wait for it..."And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away".(Luke 21:29-33) BAM!

We know form studying scripture that Israel is referred to as the "fig tree".  So translated it would read:  The generation (that's us) that see's (witnesses) the fig tree (that's Israel, not any other nation- that was God's chosen nation, Jesus was a Jew) shoot forth (become a nation) is the generation (not one generation, or a generation-the means THE) to see the END (that means the end, lights out, game over) of all things (not certain things or some things). When God say's all, He means ALL  - translation and emphasis - mine

Okay, so now we know that we ARE that generation that will witness the end of all things, including the second coming of Christ.  But how long is a generation?  It could be interpreted in different ways, so how can we be sure?  Let's see what God's word calls a generation.   Psalm 90:10 says this about how long a generation is:  "The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away".  Wow.  So lets unpack this:  God is telling us that a generation is 70 years, 80 if we are strong enough to endure.  Well, if we are the generation who saw the birth of the Israel (the fig tree), then how much time do we have left?  Israel became a nation on May 14th, 1948.  We are now in 2024.  That's 76 years that they've been a nation.  Well, that leaves only 4 years.  How do we know that God is serious here and not just saying that?  Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?  Behold, I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it".  Well then, now we know that God is NOT a liar and that He means what He says, so therefore we can be sure that we are without a doubt the generation that will see the end of all things, just as God has said in His word.

What about that end piece?  The part about "for it is soon cut off and we fly away"?  What is that all about? When the bible talks about those who died, it refers to them as "fallen asleep", not flying away.  They fall asleep (die) and are buried in the earth, waiting for Christ to return and resurrect them. They do not "fly away".  That's a whole other group of believers that we will cover later.

1 Thessalonians 4:15 says this: "For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep".  It is evident that this verse is talking about those who have died, saying that we (those who are part of the rapture of believers) will not proceed those (believers in Christ) who have died.

1 Thessalonians 4: 13-17 says this:  " But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Did you catch that?  Those who are dead (sleeping in Christ) will rise first, so another words, we will not proceed those who have fallen asleep as far as getting our spiritual, eternal bodies.

So when will this be?

Answer:  Now, today, tomorrow, next week...basically at any moment.  It's immanent.  Here's what the bible says about that as far as timing goes.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 says this:  "For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night".  No thief in the night is going to walk slowly, making noise, so that you can hear him coming a mile away and call for help.  He'd be apprehended before he gets to the front door and the whole thing would be a bust.  Instead, he's going to be stealthy, and approach with rapid decent, and no one will ever see him coming.  That is how the LORD Himself says He will come at the time of the rapture.  There is no warning bell that will sound, no bugle call to attention.  We are told to be ready at all times for His coming.

Matthew 24:36-44 puts it like this: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.  But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.  But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.  Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh".  

Okay so what do we have here?

1.  No one know the exact day or hour but God Himself (though we are to know the season of Christ's return and be watching for Him).

2.  The world will be carrying on with it's day to day business just as it always has been since it's creation (so business as usual - no warning).

3.  Two will be together an one will be taken and one left behind (this shows that not everyone we come in contact with is a Christ follower - we still are in the world (not of the world) and are carrying on business with our family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, etc. when the rapture happens are we are "taken").

And if that's not enough to convince you, here's one more...

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed".  Alrighty then.  That's enough to convince me that God is going to send His son Jesus to catch up His followers (those who have truly accepted Jesus as LORD over all of their life and bear good fruit as a witness to that fact), at any moment in time, in a fraction of a second, we will be here in our fleshly bodies on earth, and in the next moment, we will be changed into our glorified body (like Christ) and meet Him (and those who have fallen asleep in Christ and preceded us) in the air.

Oohhhh.  I see....so we "fly away"?  YEP!  Jesus meets us in the clouds, not on earth; that's going to happen at the second coming of Christ when we come back to earth with the LORD.  We fly up to meet Him.  Pretty cool, don't ya think?  

But what about all this Tribulation talk that happening now?  Some people are saying that rapture of the church happens after the seven year tribulation.  Ask yourself why the LORD (who died by crucifixion - a most gruesome and painful death, by the way), would then require us as believers to go through the most horrific time the earth will ever experience, along side the non-believers, murders, adulterers, the sexually perverted, etc.  Makes absolutely zero sense, don't ya think?  That would be like Jesus saying "Yeah, I died for your sins, but...it wasn't enough for you to enter My kingdom, so therefore, I've got some bad news for ya...You're going to have to suffer immensely during the most horrific time to purify yourself before I'll let ya in".  It's ludicrous!  That's not at all what the bible says about that matter.  In fact it's the EXACT OPPOSITE.

Revelation 3:10 says this: "Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth".  The LORD has made it abundantly clear that we are NOT going to go through the tribulation.  He will KEEP (in Heaven) us (Christ followers who have kept His word - the bible in their hearts) FROM (not going through) the hour of temptation (trial - tribulation) that SHALL (definitely will) come upon ALL (all of those who have rejected Christ) that dwell upon the earth.  

In closing:  The hour is nigh.  It's almost show time!  It's time to wake up, trim our lamps, get cleaned up by confessing our sins and asking God's forgiveness and patiently watching and waiting for our LORD's soon return.   2 Timothy 4: 7-9 talks about a crown (reward) for those of us who long for His return. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing".   So we can know:

1.  There is a reward (the crown of righteousness - a tangible thing) for those of us who have kept the faith (our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior).

2.  It will be given to me, and you, and anyone who has loved (waiting patiently, longed for, watched for) His appearing (in the clouds at the time of the rapture).

So if there is a reward, there must be a reward ceremony, right?  RIGHT YOU ARE!  It's called the Bema Seat Judgement where we all stand before Christ and rewarded for the things we have done here on earth.  This is where we will receive that crown of righteousness and other rewards to enjoy while we are in Heaven.  Since Heaven is an eternal place, our rewards, therefore must also be eternal rewards. This is mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5: 9-10.  In which is says: "Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad". 

So you're saying that as a Christ follower, who is keeping the faith, and waiting and longing for the LORD's soon return, I will not only not go through the tribulation and all that bad stuff, but I will get a reward as well?   

YES and most definitely YES.

If that doesn't convince you with enough evidence, I don't know what will.  Come Lord Jesus, Come!

P.S.  If you find yourself reading this and millions of people have gone missing all over the world.  Please know that your loved one's are safe in the arms of Jesus.  Satan (through the working of others) will try to convince you that aliens removed us from the planet because we were toxic to others or needed rehabilitation, or some crazy cocked up story like that.  Do not believe it.  IT IS A LIE!  Read the book of Revelation.  It spells out all that is coming upon the earth.

If you want to make sure that you too will go to Heaven to be with with Jesus forever here's how you can do that:

Romans 10:9 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved".  

Think of it this way: 

A.  ADMIT that you have sinned against God and ask His forgiveness.

B.  BELIEVE in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins and was raised from the grave by the Holy Spirit of God

C.  CONFESS with your mouth that Jesus Christ IS LORD.

AND...YOU WILL BE SAVED!  SEALED WITH THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.

Remember this:  Philippians 2:10-11 says this:

"that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father".  That means there is a time coming where EVERYONE, whether alive or dead, human, or angel will confess that Jesus is LORD.  That means YOU and ME!  So why not confess Him now, BEFORE He comes, so that your salvation is secure in Christ Jesus.

Grace and Peace to you all.

Would You Rather...

 Remember when you were young, playing the imaginary game of "Would You Rather..."?  Simply said, it went something like "Would you rather live your life without hands, or be blind and deaf"?  It was usually always something morose, making the choice extremely difficult.

Our whole life is built on choices.  We choose what to eat, what to wear, who we will marry, what job we have, and on and on it goes.  We are always making choices in some capacity.  Some of those choices are good ones, in which we look back and thank our lucky stars that we made the right choice, others not so much.  Every choice we make, comes with consequences.  The questions is, which ones?  Bad choices, though they may not seem bad at the time, come with bad consequences, Proverbs 14:12 says this:  "There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death".  This is because we have an enemy who is sneaky and cleaver, who studies us.  He knows our desires, our weakness, and he exploits them to our demise.  He is, as the bible puts it, like a lion. 1Peter 5:8 "Be alert, and of sober mind.  You enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour". I have an enemy?  What are you talking about? I live a good life.  I'm kind to others.  I'm likeable.  I may not be winning any awards here, but an ENEMY?   and he wants to devour me?  OUCH!  That's kind of strong language here, don't ya think?  Yes, but it's true.  Why a lion?  Because lions are opportunists.  They are patient, waiting for that right weakling to come along, and they are stealthy, hiding in the tall grass,  for the right moment to pounce.  Sound like anyone you know?  Now be nice.  I'm not talking about your spouse.  How about Satan?  He fits the description, doesn't he?  Oh yeah, and one more thing, lions don't leave much waste behind.  So basically they DESTROY their prey.  Just like how Satan seeks to destroy us.  So what do we do?  How do we guard against this destruction in our lives?  Glad you asked.  God our Father gives us the tools we need to defeat our enemy in Ephesians 6:11-13 We are warned to stand as a soldier suited up with armor, at the ready.  " Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles (antics, attacks, etc. emphasis, mine) of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rules of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all to stand".  WOW!  You mean to tell me that God gives us armor to defeat the attacks of our enemy?  Yes, He does.  Paul goes on to tell us what that armor is, that is so powerful that it can keep us safe from our enemy.  Verses 14-18 tell us what we need in our spiritual wardrobe: "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with preparation of the gospel of peace; above all having taken the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints".  That's a lot of armor.  

First of all we told to stand.  Standing inserts dominance over someone or something.  If we stand, it means we are not weak, or inferior.  In fact we have the control over the enemy.  Mark 16: 17-18 tells us this:  "And these signs will accompany those who believe:  In My name they will cast out demons;  they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover".  Awe, come on...That's a bit far fetched don't ya think; you don't really expect me to believe this, do ya? John 14:12 says "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me, will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father".  Greater works that Jesus?  Uh huh, right... It must be true because we know that God cannot lie.  Numbers 23:19 says this about God's character:  "God is not a man, that He should lie, neither the son of man, that He should repent.  Has He said, and He will not do?  Or has He spoken, and He will not make it good?". 1John 5:20 puts it this way:  "And we know that the Son of God has come and given us understanding, that we may know Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ.  This is the true God and eternal life". Okay, point well taken, God is truth and can not lie to us, but come on...God is God and we are only human.  God can do all things, but we are limited beings, bound to the physics of our world.  This is true to an extent.  Matthew 19:26 reminds us that "with men, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible".  All things include defeating our enemy.  NICE!  I like that.  Who wouldn't want that kind of power?

Remember though, it's a choice!  You don't have to choose this power.  You can choose to be defeated if you want.  You can choose to allow the enemy of your soul to devour you like a lion.  The choice is yours.  I can't choose for you, any more than you can choose for me.  The world tells us that people are the problem.  We know from the bible that this is not true.  Remember Ephesians 6:11-13 that just read?  It says the real enemy is against wickedness in heavenly places.  How does this wickedness seek to devour us physically, emotionally, and spiritually?  Answer:  by any means necessary.   One of Satan's tactics is to use people, usually those who are closest to us, to do his bidding.  He uses weak minded people (sometimes other Christians) to come at us, speaking against us, arguing with us, and conspiring against us, in hopes to take us down in flames.

We've all been there in our lives.  I've made some disastrous decisions in my youth, that today I can only look back and shake my head saying "What was I thinking".  Truth be told...I wasn't.  I was acting on impulse.  I was still choosing, though I felt that the choices I made were being made for me, instead of by me.  This is where the old adage from Maya Angelou about "I know better, therefore I do better", comes into play.  If I could go back and have a do over would I?  No, not at all; because even though I had to suffer some hard consequences to my bad decisions, without those consequences, I would not be the person in Christ that I am today.  You see, God can take the broken, the hurting, the bad parts of our lives and make them beautiful and whole again, just how He intended them to be in the first place.

What choices are you making in your life?  Are they ones that bring you closer to Christ, or one's that push you farther away.  The world is closing in on us, telling us that we have to accept it's ways of debauchery and filth, but we don't.  It's a choice.  We still have time to make the right choice, until...until that final trumpet blast that signals the end of the age of grace.

So here is the million dollar question: Would you rather bow to the god (little g) of this world, as fleeting as it is, and end up in an eternity of suffering and pain, without hope, light, peace, or the presence of God; or would you rather live in His eternal glory, light, peace, and love?  It's up to you.  If Christ is the One for you and you want to be a part of Bride of Christ, here is how you can know for certain that you are saved.  

Romans 10:9-10  "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation".  Time for us is almost up, when Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Redeemer, our Bridegroom, our Blessed Hope, will appear in the clouds in which we who remain and are sealed with blood of Christ, will be called to meet Him in the air with all those in Christ who have gone before us, and we will forever be with Him.  1 Thessalonians 4:17 " then we who are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the LORD".  I don't know about you, but that sounds pretty good to me.  What does this present world have that could possible make me want to stay here over being in perfect peace with my Creator God who loves me with an everlasting love?  Answer:  ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!  Eternity is too long to get it wrong.  Choose wisely.

Will I Still Be Your God?

 Will I Still Be Your God?

January 16, 2024

6:00 am 

I was awake early in the morning and decided to look outside at this beautiful white scene that blanketed my entire neighborhood.  It had snowed a day before and the temperature was cold enough to preserve this gorgeous snowy wonderland.  I always marveled at the snow blanketing ever tree branch and covering the ground to create a beautiful, picturesque memory that will forever be etched in my mind.  The stillness and quietness of the earth under this blanket of white always brought peace to my soul.  

I was praising God for this beautiful winter backdrop, and thanking Him for providing shelter and heat during this cold snap, when He spoke to me...

"What if your heat goes out?  Will I still be your God?  What if your food supply dries up, will you praise me then?"

"Remember my servant Job?  I was the One who blessed his body with healing and gave back to him more land, more livestock, and more children, than before."

"Paul praised me in chains, will you do the same?  He knew what it meant to be in lack, yet he still called me his God.  He still gave Me thanks and worshiped Me when he did not see the blessing coming."

"Hold fast to what you have - do not lose faith in Me, but praise Me in all circumstances.  Praise Me and give thanks when you have plenty.  Cry out to Me when you are in need, and I will rescue you.  I will supply all that you need.  I have not lost one of My little ones that I call My own."

"Don't worry about the things of this world, for it is soon to pass away.  Only concern yourself with My kingdom and winning lost souls; for their time to repent and turn to Me is growing shorter by the minute.  Help them!  Help them to know Me.  Show them the way to salvation.   Do not be afraid to speak out to them, for I will give you the right words to speak.  If you open yourself to Me, I will speak to them through you."

"Pray mightily My children, for the day is almost over and the night approaches rapidly.  Stand firm in your faith and let NO man rob you of it.  Stay close to Me in prayer each day, and I will see you safely through.  I will bring you home, where your heavenly reward is beyond anything you could ever imagine.  Only believe."

Scripture:  NIV

Job 42:10  After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.

Acts 26: 23-26   After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.   25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.

Philippians 4:12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

1 John 2:17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

 10:18-20  Matthew 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

  

 June 13, 2021  Three Storms

For the past three nights in a row, I've had a reoccurring dream involving a storm, flooding, and being trapped in some capacity.  I typically don't remember any dreams, unless they are significant and out of the ordinary, and I certainly don't have very similar dreams in such rapid succession, therefore, I took note when I had three such dreams in a row.  Each of these dreams were the last dream I had just prior to walking up that morning.  

I am a believer that dreams can often be metaphorical.  Sometimes they play out exactly as they are dreamt, however many times they symbolize something else which often isn't realized until it happens.

UPDATE:   Hurricane Ian just made it's way through Florida on September 28,2022 as a CAT 4 storm when it made landfall.  In my dreams I saw a specific area in New Smyrna Beach, FL, a route I took to work everyday.  I just got off the phone with a neighbor friend of mine who told me that most of New Smyrna beach was underwater, specifically the area I dreamed about.  It took a year and two months for this dream to come to fruition, but it finally did.  I still don't know why God gave these dreams to me as I no longer live in that area and they really didn't pertain to me personally.  It's just interesting to see how God operates sometimes.

Friday June 11, 2021

In my dream I was sleeping and hearing loud booms which woke me up.  When I looked outside my bedroom window there was a storm raging in fully furry, much like a hurricane.  It was torrential rain and wind.  I saw tree branches flying past.

Saturday June 12, 2021

I dreamed that I was driving to work one morning just after a bad storm came through the area.  My path to work was blocked by a raging river where a street once was.  Whole trees were floating passed and the water was moving rapidly.  Emergency crews were on hand directing cars to go back.  I was able to get to work though I had to go way out of my way to get there.

Sunday June 13, 2021 

In this dream I was at my childhood home when my cousins came to visit me.  It was just after a bad storm had come through and the ground was all wet with broken tree branches.  We needed to go shopping and decided to walk.  There was a car parked in the driveway, though I don't know why we didn't get in a drive to our destination.  We walked to end of my quiet, one land road.  When we got to the main road, I told everyone it was too dangerous to proceed so we turned around and went back to the house.

I'm not sure if all three dreams depicted the same storm or three separate storms.  It could be that I saw the same storm in three different stages with each dream as if pausing a movie, then coming back to watch more on a different night.  If so then I saw the single storm in progress, then the immediate aftermath, and finally the ripple effect as time passed.  What the storm represents, I have no idea.  I'm praying for clarification and will add to this post as it comes. 

Note:  I am not claiming any coming destruction, nor do I wish to incite fear, for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love and sound mind.  I post what I see or dream incase someone has an interpretation.

Numbers 12:6 

He said "Listen to my words, when there is a prophet among you, I the LORD, reveal Myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams.

Joel 2:28

"And afterward, I will pour out My spirit on all people.  Your sons, and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions".

The Advent Herald

Approaching the Midnight Hour - extreme weather events JUNE - JULY 2015

The RAPTURE - A Moment Changes Everything

Don't Blink

A MOMENT CHANGES EVERYTHING

April 11, 2015

A Moment Changes Everything

There’s a song by David Grey called “A Moment Changes Everything”.   How true that is.  We live in a society plagued of instantaneousism.  It’s not a real word I admit, but it best depicts the the world today, where everything is fast paced and only getting faster.

There are so many instantaneous moments in our lives that will impact us forever.  It only takes a moment for a teenager to engage in an unhealthy activity, or for a husband to cheat on his wife; both of which carry heavy consequences.

There’s good moments as well like the moment a couple stands before God and proclaims “I do”. 

How many moments have passed by, for us to make the single most important decision that will impact our lives for eternity?  It took me a moment in severe pain to realize that I am not in control, and that all the so many moments in my life, didn't add up to much but misery.  It took a moment to ask for forgiveness from the One who loves me.  And it took only a moment to be healed and saved.

There is coming a moment in the near future (no one knows the day or hour) when it’s not going to matter what status you have, what things you possess, or how much money you have.  The ONLY thing that is going to matter is your relationship with Jesus Christ.  That moment is not far off.  How many moments do you think we have on this planet, before Christ comes?  He could come today, this next moment.  We are not promised tomorrow, or the next minute for that matter. 

Isn't it about time you take a moment to sit and talk with Him, the King of King, the Lover of your soul, and make Him the LORD of your heart?  One day a moment truly will change EVERYTHING and this moment right now could make all the difference for you.  

THE SINFUL SNOWBALL EFFECT

April 4, 2015

The Sinful Snowball Effect

We hear a lot about how we need to forgive other's transgressions against us if we want Jesus to forgive ours.  It's easier said than done, especially when the transgression is directed at us like an arrow hitting it's bulls-eye.  Sometimes it feels like we have a target on our backs.  Sometimes the sin against us is so grievous that it's difficult beyond words to comprehend.  

Recently I was afforded (again, as so often in my life) the "opportunity" to forgive.  Of course at first we don't see our circumstances as opportunities to grow in Christ and show His love to others.  We're wounded, cut to the core; we want that person to feel the pain that they have inflicted on us.  Our minds quickly go to the "What If" reel.  What if I had said this instead of that?  What if I had done this?  And on and on it goes.  The longer we entertain those thoughts, the harder it becomes to regain our sanity.  When we replay those hurtful events over and over in our minds, we give away our authority to Satan, without even realizing what we've just done. That keeps the focus on us and not on God, as healer, comforter, and judge.

Romans 12:11-19 says Repay no one evil for evil.  Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay" says the Lord.  We can never repay like the LORD does.  He is our sovereign judge.  All we can do is turn our case over to Him and ask for His help to do our part, which is to forgive.  It's probably not going to be a one time deal as the enemy doesn't like to give up his stronghold over us but when we keep coming before the LORD asking for His help to forgive, we are taking back our power and authority from the enemy.

Forgiveness is a conscience choice we make to live with the circumstances of other peoples' sins that are affecting us.  It is something we have to work at as it doesn't come easily.  However, when we finally come to that realization that we need to forgive, it frees our mind.  Sin is always conceived in the mind first.  If we do not free our mind of the hurt, inevitably we sin as well, causing the sinful snowball effect.   Anger is the fruit of our pain.  Allowed to remain in place, it only grows into an ugly monster that one day we will have to deal with, whether we want to or not.  God will not allow one of His own to remain in that state forever, before He deals with us, showing us our own selfishness.  

Jesus was repeatedly hurt when those He loved and came to save rejected Him and His message of love.  Though He was no one's doormat, allowing them to spew their vitriol at Him, He simply moved on to those who would listen and were thirsty for the truth.  Sometimes we need to let go and move on, as He did, difficult as it may be.  It may mean letting go of someone we love, if that is what the situation calls for.  Each person's difficulties are unique and there is no "one size fits all".  We do need to set boundaries, and that does not mean we do not love that person, it is healthy for both parties involved. 

When the world turns against us and we find ourselves repeating those same hurtful thoughts in our minds and we've asked the LORD to remove them.  The next step is to help someone else.  By helping someone else in need, it takes the focus off of us and forces us to be Christ centered.  There is always someone in our life, perhaps at home, at work, or in our community who's needs exceed our own.  Life is like climbing a ladder and we are all on different steps.  Some of us have been through life experiences and are now in a position to help those who are climbing behind us.  It's a wonderful experience to be able to use the wisdom that we've gained to help someone else on their life journey.

The one thing we can take away from all our suffering is this:  1 Peter 4:12  Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.  It may take a lifetime (for some of us) before we are free from the hurt that was unduly caused us, but if we remain faithful to Christ (though we struggle through it), He is faithful to reward us in the end, with immeasurable joy.  So stand your ground against the enemy of your soul and do not give him authority over your thoughts.  Pray and ask the LORD to take the pain from you and submit your thoughts to Him alone.  As it says in James 4:7:  Therefore submit to God.  Resist the evil and he will flee from you.  If we are persistent in asking God to free us from our debilitating thoughts, two things will happen:  God will come to our rescue and Satan will flee, if we give him no ground on which to stand.  Holding on to the pain only puts us in an emotional and spiritual jail, and makes Satan the warden.  

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I come before you bearing much sorrow and pain for this sin (name it) which was committed against me.  It is more than I can bear so I bring it to you, the Lover of my soul, my Father, my Refuge, and my Judge.  Only you can see the depths of a person's heart.  LORD, I am ready to submit to you my thoughts, my heart, and my life.  Take this pain from me and replace it with your joy, your peace, and your rest.  Help me to follow your example and forgive (name the person) for their transgressions against me.  

LORD, in your mercy show them the error of their ways and bring them into Your saving grace.  Open my eyes to the love that you have for me and help me to remember that you loved me FIRST!   Give me the strength that I need to fight the good fight, to resist the devil, and to endure to the end.  

Cover me with Your Holy Blood and cleanse me from MY unrighteousness and sin and send Your angles to minister to me in this time of need so that I might be the example of Your love, Your grace, and Your mercy to others.  

I thank you, Jesus that You understand, You care, and You are faithful to see me safely through this pain and bring me to a place of peace and healing.  Help me to look beyond my circumstances to those around me who are in need and help bring healing to others.  

All glory and honor is Yours, LORD Jesus!   Amen.