A Scribe on the Wall

Several years ago now, I believe that God gave me a message, He would be telling me things and it was up to me to tell others. To me, it's much like the Watchman on the Wall as described in the Old Testament. The Watchman was told that it was on him to warn others about any approaching dangers. God's apparently gifted me with being able to type and write. So I put the old definition of a writer along with the concept of a watchman together. So what I hear I type and share with others.

Monday, January 31, 2022

That's the Power...

There's a name that levels mountains
And carves out highways through the sea
And I've seen its power unravel battles
Right in front of me (yeah)

Oh, there's a faith that stands defiant
It sends Goliath to his knees
And I've seen His praise unravel shackles
Right off my feet (come on)

'Cause that's the power of Your name
Just a mention makes a way
Giants fall and strongholds break and there is healing
And that's the power that I claim
It's the same that rolled the grave
And there's no power like the mighty name of Jesus (yeah, yeah)
(No power like the name)
(Come on, there's a hope)

Oh, there's a hope that calls out courage
And in the furnace unafraid
The kind of daring expectation
That every prayer I make
Is on an empty grave

That's the power of Your name
Just a mention makes a way
Giants fall and strongholds break and there is healing
That's the power that I claim
It's the same that rolled the grave
And there's no power like the mighty name of Jesus
There's no power like the mighty name of Jesus (yeah, yeah)
(There's no power like the name)
(No power like the name)

'Cause I see You taking ground
Oh, I see You press ahead
And Your power is dangerous to the enemy's camp (hey)
You still do miracles
And You will do what You said
For You're the same God now as You've always been (hey)

Your Spirit breaking out
Your kingdom moving in
Your victory claims the ground that the enemy had
(Yes, it did, yes, it did)
You still do miracles
And You will do what You said
For You're the same God now as You've always been

And that's the power of Your name
Just a mention makes a way
Giants fall and strongholds break and there is healing
Oh, that's the power that I claim
It's the same that rolled the grave
There's no power like the mighty name of Jesus

There's no power like the mighty name of Jesus
There's no power like the mighty name of Jesus

That's the Power - Hillsong Worship

I can just listen to this song over and over.

There a few days ago I asked those in the new Bible Study we began attending for prayer concerning my anxiety. I was encouraged to ask for prayer because of someone else asking for the same who had decades on me in his own walk with Jesus.

The very next day this song was in the worship service. God provided me something to grab onto.

I write what God tells me to write, quite often I have no idea what it will ever be and after I have written whatever it is, even I am amazed.

So while my posts may seem like I have most of my life together, the reality is, it's far from it.

The reality also is there ARE others who have closer walks with God than I do that go through valley's and over mountains too.

The reality comes back to the mighty name of Jesus.

The power in His name not only to save people from Hell, but to transform their lived in ways yet unimagined.

Truth is everyone needs encouragement. No matter who you are. No matter what is or isn't happening in your life.

I am going to go listen to this song again.

It's Not THAT Bad

The little foxes that spoil the vines . . . SONG OF SOLOMON 2:15

According to Psychology Today, 70 percent of high school students and nearly half of college students confess to cheating. USA Today reported that 91 percent of Americans lie routinely. Our culture says, “If you want to get ahead, you have to break a few rules.” But the Bible warns that “little sins” can be just as damaging as the big ones—or more so. Commentator Matthew Henry wrote, “Adam’s eating forbidden fruit seemed but a little sin, but it opened the door to the greatest.” Are you being tempted to compromise your integrity? Tempted to cheat at school? Pressured to be dishonest at work? Drawn into an “innocent little relationship”? We must live by biblical principles, faithful to the standards of a holy God. As evangelist Charles Finney put it, “A person who is dishonest in little things isn’t really honest in anything.” On the other hand, Jesus rewards those who are “faithful over a little” (Matthew 25:21 ESV). Make sure the little, hidden areas of your life are governed by your convictions, not corrupted by your compromises. - Dr. David Jeremiah Morning and Evening

We, more often than not, take a look at our choices and decisions that we make with dirty lenses. We indeed don't think that what we follow, who we follow, what is good, what isn't good is really all that bad.

I am constantly cleaning my glasses. The reason being is to see what I am doing and where I am going.

In Christ we are told to look at our choices and decisions. Take every thought captive to the glory of God.

I know that I am guilty of abusing right and wrong. As a good example there's that few miles over the speed limit that I often drive. Nothing significant yet its a common occurrence. It's still wrong to do.

We like to put our own salve on our conscience in order to feel better without asking the Spirit of Truth what should be thought or said. We often even decide for others who are easily old enough to choose things for themselves.

We decide to divide our loyalty to God and call it other things. We can call it being organized. We can call it order to our lives. It's really our plans and not God's plan.

We decide to be passionate about something or someone and convince ourselves that it's ok to divide our devotion between God and that whatever or whomever it is.

We choose to decide, rather than listening to the Spirit, as to what constitutes being of the world.

I am just writing what I am told to write.

I am indeed one of those who deceive myself in what I do each day. Sure in many of these posts I have written about giving up certain things and ways in my life.

Living as adults we are responsible for our activities and actions before Christ Jesus.

We have enough on our plate to be responsible for without adding to it the lives of others that are also responsible before Christ Jesus. Children are indeed the responsibility of their parents, but only to a certain extent.

We are indeed experts at believing...whether or not we believe the right things is something else. Satan has been working on human beliefs since the beginning of humanity.

Twisting the Word of God from humanities earliest days in the Garden of Eden.

Getting people to believe in a false sense of control. That they can wield the power of control over themselves and others. That they can live out lives that are good.

Yes, Satan's really good at convincing people that there's nothing wrong with how they live their lives. That there's nothing wrong with interpersonal relationships. That there's nothing wrong with what we choose to do and that there's no real cause to ask God about things.

He is an expert in psychological warfare.

He has had centuries to perfect the art of manipulation of mankind, wherever he is permitted to work out his plans. Satan's plans are both for his attempts at bringing his own kingdom to bear as well as ruining the individual lives who are truly trying to follow Christ Jesus.

Satan's perfected manipulation on levels that are beyond what psychology teaches to observe in this world. When the Spirit steps aside after the Rapture of the Church this whole world will be taken in by his words and work quite easily. Look at the diverse world in which you and I live and consider that in a very short period of time Satan will have mobilized it into a one world government and ideology after he is allowed to by God.

We look at the structure of families and Satan's doing the same but on a smaller scale. We look at our own personal life and if we are honest we will see his attempts at getting us to do things that are really not right.

We are the easiest to convince that things we choose aren't all that bad.

Yet look at the significance. We call sins mistakes. God calls them sins. We say that this or that in our lives is enjoyable and good, God's Word might call it an encumbrance that shouldn't be there. We think that we are doing what's right and good for others and in reality we are interfering with God plans for them. Serving others is one thing, deciding for others because of our sense of good and bad not so much.

I really appreciate the Scriptures. But I also can't remember them all the time. I am a follower of Christ and I also sin. I often am aware of my sins. I am also unaware of many of my sins because of my desires to see my will being done.

I have made mention of my misdirected passions. To me things like sports and the entertainment industry are stumbling blocks to me. I used to misdirect my passions towards those things and it took several instances in my life for God to show me that my passions were meant to only be with Him.

We can have all the best intentions in the world. The problem is we don't consult God before having those intentions.

Nobody will stand with a lawyer or pastor or priest before Christ Jesus in that day we all stand before Him to give an answer for what we have done in the body.

We won't have even our parents with us.

It will be just us and Jesus.

The Bible is to be our instruction book for our choices and decisions. The Spirit is to be our Instructor. Teaching us all things. As Disciples we are to do what He teaches. To teach others to do the same. To indeed bring about His Will being done on Earth as it is in Heaven. In Heaven it isn't the will of the people. It's God's Will being done. It's not the Kingdom of Mankind, but God's Kingdom.

We do more harm than good in our lives and the lives of others when we don't look to God's Word. When we think that this or that isn't all that bad.

When we aren't allowing others to make their own mistakes. A great deal of societies problems are also in that too many people with good intentions interfering with what God intended.

When you are tempted, and oh yes my Dear Reader it's probably the grandfather of all temptations, to decide to think something isn't all that bad, stop. The only filter is God's Word. The only one.

When you are tempted to make decisions for someone else, be sure it's right for you to do so. Be sure that You aren't deciding for someone and are maybe interfering with what God's doing in them.

Being lead by the Spirit is to listen to the Spirit.

If at all you think something isn't all that bad...it probably is.

We read of how much Jesus loves us. We read of how He's wanting people who come to Him for salvation to always remember Him as their first love. We read of Him telling people to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. All.

Rethink what you are doing. Rethink your intentions. Rethink what you think is in the best interests of others and yourself. In reality are you helping yourself more than others?

Rethink whether or not something is all that bad or not because someday...someday you will give an account for it, the same as I will be. The Bible will be the standard by which things will be measured.

Sunday, January 30, 2022

Anxiety and Life

You would think that a "simpler" life would provide for an environment of less stress and less anxiety. However, it's producing a degree of it in me from this transition from "the big city" to this smaller-by-comparison city in which we now live.

It was actually a relief to hear of another at last night's Bible Study experiencing anxiety and they've been in the faith a whole lot longer than me.

I have no understanding as to why I feel what I am feeling. I am honestly confused because there is less going on and less of a demand on my time than what we left.

It's possible that there's something to our desire to get the new place completely in place that could be driving part of it. What work is looking for in me is both exciting and scares me at the same time. I am not used to this type of work environment.

I look at opportunities and wonder about them and if God wants me to go forward with them or to wait.

Add to the mix the way that the weather is being.

Little things can easily add up I guess. It certainly produces more interesting prayer times.

I look forward to what God's got in mind and am really wanting to do things the way that God is looking to have them done.

Life is probably going to eventually get to be simpler. When it gets there I probably won't recognize it.

I know that God's not left me. I know that He is still watching over us. I know that no matter how I sin, He indeed will forgive me.

Probably the worst thing people can tell people is that their feelings aren't valid.

Feelings are very valid for those going through them. Prayer is a key to dealing with it. I would appreciate prayers for myself and those who I now know who are going through it as well.

If We Did, We Wouldn't Have the Time

Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many parts in one body and all the body’s parts do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another. However, since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly: if prophecy, in proportion to one’s faith; if service, in the act of serving; or the one who teaches, in the act of teaching; or the one who exhorts, in the work of exhortation; the one who gives, with generosity; the one who is in leadership, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12 NASB

At the group we joined from Church last night we were given the assignment of reading just Chapter 12 every day for the duration at least of this book we are going through. As you might have gathered, I tend to remove all the verse numbers.

I read my normal Bible time this morning then went on to just read Chapter 12 of Romans. An interesting thought and question came to mind.

If we did follow through with what Paul wrote in Chapter 12, we wouldn't really have time for the ways of the world to slip in. We wouldn't have time for the things that do nothing to show the world Jesus.

After all, isn't that the greatest thing we could ever be known for? I saw on Facebook a question by a Pastor of that very idea. What would we be known for in our lives?

Honestly, I will say my Christian life, from all outward appearances, started off on the right foot. Grew up in a home where going to Church was the normal thing to do. Being in Sunday School, being in the Services offered. If possible plug in and serve.

I say from all outward appearances because inside it was a great struggle.

Inside I had a different experience.

It was in the end of the 1980's when I made the crippling mistake of getting ahead of God all together. I had that kind of Christian experience whereas you find yourself comparing yourself to others who seemed to have had it all going on. They could memorize Scriptures like nobody's business. They could come up with Spiritual insights. I couldn't on both counts.

Yet at some level God kept me coming back. He attempted to show me some things He was preparing me to do. I got so excited, I forgot my place and got ahead of Him. I was in a no man's land. I confess those were some seriously dark years of my life.

It wasn't until around 7 or 8 years ago when I totally lost it after an evening service at a church we attended that things began turning around. The following Sunday evening it happened again. I am so glad for those two Services because it was then that my Spiritual life began to finally get in line with what God wanted, not what I wanted.

I read in Romans 12 of characteristics of a Christian. I know of other passages on setting your mind on things above. About songs, hymns and Spiritual songs. I Google a lot of passages because that too was an answer to my prayer about memorizing Scriptures. God told me to.

If we look at what the workmanship of Christ Jesus is through the Spirit in our lives, indeed its Romans 12. If we could but realize the importance of building character that is Christ in us, maybe we would let go of more of the world.

Our lives are not our own. We came to Christ or maybe you are considering coming to Christ...but the situation is the same. Jesus spilled His blood to cover our sins. He literally pushed us out of the way of the oncoming bullet to take it Himself.

We owe Him everything. We should be living out a life that says we are grateful.

We should be grateful. We shouldn't be billboards or poster children for the things of this world. We should not take a passionate heart and allow it to be used by the things of this world. We should not be taking that which God has given us and allowing it to consume our lives in wrong ways. If we lived grateful lives to Christ Jesus what would the Church really look like?

Jesus wrote specific letters to the Churches in the book of Revelation. One such letter was a rebuke...that they had forgotten their first love, Him.

We do so much in our lives that has nothing to do with Jesus that it's scary.

Self examination is a good thing if used properly. Paul also wrote of looking in the mirror. When you do, what do you see? Do you see a life living for Jesus or do you see someone who lives for themselves?

The characteristics of Jesus...I look at me and wonder if that's what people see something of. I wonder if it's what Jesus sees in me on any level.

As I wrote before I gave up many things because I finally understood them to be idols. I finally pursued daily Bible reading because I was convicted of the truth that I couldn't stand before Jesus and admit that I never read it. I was tasked by God to write these daily blogs. I am trying to live to be obedient to my calling in Christ Jesus.

When you look at your wardrobe, your music, your television and movie choices. Your internet viewing. Is Christ there? Or are you publicly and privately doing a life lived for yourself? Your interests, your wants, your desires?

If we indeed spent our time developing characteristics of Jesus in us, would there be time for anything else?

Think on that. Think about what you are showing the world. Because you ARE showing the world something.

They either see you or Christ in you.

Saturday, January 29, 2022

Religious? No. Relationship Yes.

Religious? No...Relationship Yes.

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all. 1 TIMOTHY 2:5–6

Don’t think of Christianity as a religion, a ritual, a routine, or a set of rules. It may have elements of all those things, but it is primarily and essentially a relationship with the living God through Christ our Redeemer. As quarterback for the Oakland Raiders, Rich Gannon enjoyed his share of fame and fortune. But the high point of his life came while playing backup quarterback with the Minnesota Vikings. “I went to chapel, and I heard a speaker give his testimony. I felt so guilty inside,” he said. “I was a young, strapping athlete who had basically everything. But I felt I wanted something he had. I knew what he had was that inner joy and peace that a relationship with Jesus brings.” It’s a relationship with Jesus that brings joy to our lives. Someone said that religion is man seeking God; Christianity is God seeking man. Becoming a Christian isn’t primarily a matter of doing good works, but of coming to Christ in simple faith and asking forgiveness for sin. When you receive His forgiveness, gained through His shed blood, your sin is washed away and His righteousness takes its place. If you’ve never done that, why not today? Why not now?

My Dear Reader, think and consider carefully not your past, but your present and future.

Life is more than all that you see, hear and do.

Life was meant to have a purpose.

Jesus came to fulfill His Father's will for mankind. To seek and save people. To show the way by being the way. To illuminate the dreadful darkness of sin, to show you and I that living is possible if done in the right context.

You and I, only through a right relationship with Jesus, can discover what living is about. It's not politics, not entertainment, not leisure. It's not about making money or even health, wealth or prosperity. There are many sick people who have a greater relationship with Jesus than what even the likes of Billy Graham had with Jesus.

Jesus so loved you that even if it were only for you, it would have been reason enough to leave Heaven, be born of a virgin by the Holy Spirit. To live a sinless life, be tortured, nailed to a cross, just to take your place. To make it possible for you to have that relationship with His Father. To be able to not be condemned to Hell for all eternity. Even if it were just for 1 person, Jesus would have done it.

Regardless of how it's portrayed in movies or television.

Regardless of how it's seen on so-called Churches on television or internet.

Regardless of how it's pushed and promoted in the sports world or LinkedIn.

Happiness is truly never found outside of a right relationship with Jesus.

Nothing you experience or can live for will compare.

No amount of money or accolades, of riches and honor, will compare to the embrace of the one who took your place when the Court of God had originally pronounced you "Guilty on all count!". You cannot comprehend that kind of freedom without asking Jesus to come into your life, forgive you of your sins, and to be your Lord and Savior.

Nobody on the outside of that relationship can comprehend what it's like on the inside of it.

Anyone can pick up a Bible to read it and maybe get something out of it, they may even get the context right. But once you come to Christ, and He is now your Savior, the Bible comes alive. It's been said that the Bible is the only book you will ever read where the Author is always present.

All over this world are people trying to convince people of a better life through worldly things and ideas. Through changes of our physical makeup to our psychology. Convincing people that if THEY change this or that, happiness will come. Then when they do, suicide typically follows. The let down is that great. You cannot change or remove the way sin affects you on your own.

You need what Jesus offers in order to deal with sin. He casts your sin as far as the east is from the west. Now, try to make those two meet. It's impossible. Our sins, after we ask for forgiveness, are remembered no more.

Life and living are different after we receive that free gift of Salvation.

Don't try to clean up your life before coming to Christ. It's not your job. That's for God to do.

Don't let the embarrassment of things that you have done keep you away either.

Don't let the intellectual things you don't understand about God stop you as well.

Jesus promised that you would get help in understanding straight from Him through the Spirit of God.

Be assured you will have good days and bad days after coming to Jesus. He's still there for you. He will always be there for you. Talking to Him can be done anywhere, at anytime.

Jesus wants to be your friend, not your overlord. He wants to enrich your life in ways you can't even understand today. All that you see the world enticing you with is going to go away. Everything that believers in Christ Jesus enjoyed and lived with 100 years ago are gone. What you are today, with the speed of innovation, will be gone in 10 years. A right relationship with Jesus is forever.

Sports, movies, television, internet or politics or personal agendas all will go away in time.

Living a life of purpose is only possible with coming to Christ for salvation.

He loved you enough to die for you, loves you still more to not leave you the way He found you, and promised to come back to get you. To forever be with Him in person.

To sort of twist an old country song, look for relationship in the right place. Don't look for it in a world that is living for itself. You just won't find it. It isn't being religious. Honestly anyone can do that. There's billions and billions of people in Hell who were religious. What we want and what we need is a right relationship with Jesus. As Dr. Jeremiah asked: Why not now?

Friday, January 28, 2022

No Fluff, No Doing Nothing

John 4:24 NASB "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Luke 10:25-37 NASB " And behold, a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” ²⁹But wanting to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he encountered robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by coincidence a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan who was on a journey came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.’ Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed compassion to him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”

Do the words of Jesus bother you?

Does obeying God bother you?

is it getting in the way of your life?

Do you maybe go to Church and basically only warm a seat?

Are you at all listening when the Spirit speaks to you?

Like last night's two additional posts, like all the others written by me, what I am told to write, I write. It's out of both obedience and a hope that someone who needs to read it does and does something with their lives because of it.

Only in writing these posts has my ability to write flourished. I haven't been able to write for any other medium, digital or paper.

The questions asked are food for thought today. Are you really only going through the motions at Church in order to put your conscience at ease about the other days in which you are doing your own thing?

We are told in James to be more and to do more.

James 1:22-27 NASB "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an active doer, this person will be blessed in what he does.

If anyone thinks himself to be religious, yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."

Jesus told a lawyer to go and do the same. We are told in our times of worship we ought to be there, be doing, not just hearing. Not there to appease God so that we can get out quickly to go watch a movie or a game and satisfy ourselves.

We aren't here to find our own personal happiness. We come to Christ for salvation. We come to be saved and to share that news with others so that they might be saved. This world is dying. This world in which you and I live is a slow-motion train wreck. The only time left to it is between right now and the Rapture of the Church. Then 1,007 years later it's all over for this world as it is. A new Heaven and new Earth are coming. Whether it's a transformation of what exists or is entirely new is outside the ability for mankind to know. All discussions on it are supposition. Guesses.

We are to go and do the same in our walk with Jesus. We are supposed to be active in His plan and in the body of Christ.

Cells that work with the body are truly part of the body. Cells that do their own thing and try to change the body to do something different are called cancers and should be removed.

We are supposed to be growing in respect to salvation. Growing in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ. I can't help but be reminded of a song. "This Highway Leads to Glory" by Charley Pride.

I remember when I was a little boy
Down on an ole country farm
We'd go to church on Sunday and I'd hear the preacher say
If you want to see my Jesus you gotta stay on the King's highway

This highway leads to glory but it's no easy ride
You'll find all kind of exits can throw you off your stride
Some will lead to fortune and others lead to fame
Some will lead you so far wrong you won't return again

Oh you just stay between the white lines
Obey all the right signs
Keep your eyes open all the time
Oh you just stay between the white lines
Never pass o're the yellow line
And you'll get to heaven right on time

Satan's on this highway he walks on every side
Tryin' to flag you down don't give him a ride.
He will try to stop you at just any cost
You may stop too long and your soul maybe lost.

Oh you just stay between the white lines
Obey all the right signs
Keep your eyes open all the time
Oh you just stay between the white lines
Never pass o're the yellow line
And you'll get to heaven right on time
Oh yes now you'll get to heaven right on time.

So just what are you doing? Are you a doer of the Word? Do you know more about useless facts and figures of sports teams, movies, television, hobbies than you do about Jesus and His plan and purpose for your life?

Indeed I do pray for the ability to retire. But not from working. I would like to retire from man directed work and work at what Jesus is doing. Being an Andrew and pointing people to Jesus. To share with others the great things that God is doing. To provide hope to people who aren't seeing it. My head knowledge is vast on a great many subjects. But if it's not about Jesus what good is it? I enjoy how-to videos. It can cause me towards being creative. But I cannot allow that to stop me from growing in Christ.

Jesus wants all who come to Him for salvation to grow in Christ. To be Disciples. To be doers of the Word. To worship God in Spirit and in truth.

Our clothes don't matter. It's our spirit and soul that matter to Jesus.

Our possessions don't matter, it's how we use them to point people to Jesus.

Our lives are but for a moment. Not even really showing up as a point of light in the centuries that have happened to date. What we have done for Christ is what will endure.

Are you going to be a follower who is a doer of the Word or are you putting on a show for both the world and God to see? As the passage we read says, deceiving ourselves?

Are you unhappy? Is it because you're not getting your way in life? Is it because your plans and God's aren't the same?

There's no fluff. It's all reality with Jesus.

There's no putting on a show that won't be revealed as that being what it was.

There is no putting in your time with Jesus in order to go do your own thing.

Consider your ways. Consider just what it is you are pursuing and why. Listen to what Jesus has said...and go and do the same.

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Has He?

Just ask the waves
If they are stilled at the mention of His name
They'll say my God is still the same
Ask the walls
If they still fall at the mighty sound of praise
They'll say my God is still the same

When did He break His promise?
When did His kindness fail?
Never has, never will
My God is still the same
When did He lose His power?
When did His mercy change?
Never has, never will
My God is still the same, yeah
My God is still the same

Just ask the words
You prayed in desperation if they're heard
They'll say my God is still the same
Ask the grave
If it's strong enough to keep hope in it's chains
It'll say, "God is still the same"
Yeah

Not once did He ever stop moving
Not once has He ever let go
Not once did He ever stop proving
Our God is in control
Not once did He ever stop moving
Not once has He ever let go
Not once did He ever stop proving
Our God is in control

Not once did He ever stop moving
Not once has He ever let go
Not once did He ever stop proving
Our God is in control
Not once did He ever stop moving
Not once has He ever let go
Never has, never will
My God is still the same
(My God is still the same)
My God is still the same

"My God is Still the Same" - Sanctus Real

When you are faced with hard times.

When you are up against the wall.

When life seems to make no sense.

When your world is upside down.

When you are tempted to give up.

When things just aren't going the way you think they should.

Realize that the same God you have read of in the Bible is still the same God who is in your life today.

He still works all things together for your good. He still loves you when your life doesn't feel right. He still loves you when you think you have more questions than answers. He still is working towards your satisfaction. Still working towards your part in His plan for mankind.

Has He ever changed? Has He ever not been who He is?

Realize that the Bible tells you that all creation tells you about His attributes.

Tells you of His faithfulness.

Tells you that you can trust Him with all the parts of your life that you don't think He would understand.

You trust Him to save your soul.

You can trust Him with the rest of your life.

When you find yourself questioning life, remember all that the Bible says about God is still the same today.

I have needed this song months ago but am glad that I have it today.

Seriously, how often do you TELL Jesus that you love Him? How often do you thank Him, regardless of how life appears to be?

Begin being honest with your relationship with Jesus today. Ask Him for what really pleases Him rather than you.

Pray for the things that will grow you in Christ Jesus. Look at your lifes choices through what He says, not what you think about it.

The God Who Stays

If I were You I would've given up on me by now
I would've labeled me a lost cause
'Cause I feel just like a lost cause

If I were You I would've turned around and walked away
I would've labeled me beyond repair
'Cause I feel like I'm beyond repair

Oh, but somehow You don't see me like I do
Somehow You're still here

You're the God who stays
You're the God who stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the God who stays

I used to hide
Every time I thought I let You down
I always thought I had to earn my way
But I'm learning You don't work that way, no

'Cause somehow You don't see me like I do
Somehow You're still here

My shame can't separate
My guilt can't separate
My past can't separate
I'm Yours forever

My sin can't separate
My scars can't separate
My failures can't separate
I'm Yours forever

No enemy can separate
No power of hell can take away
Your love for me will never change
I'm Yours forever

'Cause you're the God who stays
You're the God who stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the God who stays
You're the God who stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the God who stays

This song, more often than not, blows me away. In no way, shape or form will Jesus ever find a reason or give a reason to leave me.

I have found myself living parts of the poem "Footprints" in recent months. Feeling like indeed that He wasn't there, wasn't listening. Reality is He was there, was listening, was carrying me, carrying us, through the necessary changes in our lives to get us to where we are today.

I have lived decades with hearing of how messed up I was, that God had left me, abandoned me. That I was so messed up that I was of no use to Him or anyone. At one point I felt so beyond repair that I contemplated suicide.

God really doesn't see us like we do. We don't see us as we really are.

We don't see life as it should be seen or lived in Christ Jesus.

Realizing that it's ok to pour out my heart to Jesus is both normal and acceptable to Him is wonderful. Realizing that His arms are always open is incredible.

I can't go a morning drive to work without talking out my life, feelings and questions to my Savior. It's the best way to learn how to pray for more than just over your food before you eat.

Open your heart and soul to the God who stays.

Is the Will of God on Your Mind?

By David Brenneman

It is an interesting comparison between the visions of man within the Church and what Jesus said was the Will of God. We look and see the things that make for sanctification and can read and know what God's revealed in the Bible yet are we doing it?

I have made mention of this clean slate before me after moving. I will also admit to some level of frustration in that I think that I know the path before me yet I see little progress in getting there.

So let's look at a few things. What did Jesus pray for? What lead us to this place to where we moved?

"Finally then, brothers and sisters, we request and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel even more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification;" 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3a NASB

"Jesus spoke these things; and raising His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, so that the Son may glorify You, just as You gave Him authority over all mankind, so that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I glorified You on the earth by accomplishing the work which You have given Me to do. And now You, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world existed.

I have revealed Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have followed Your word. Now they have come to know that everything which You have given Me is from You; for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me. ⁹I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on the behalf of those whom You have given Me, because they are Yours; and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. I am no longer going to be in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, so that they may be one just as We are. While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name, which You have given Me; and I guarded them, and not one of them perished except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. But now I am coming to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. Just as You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, so that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. I am not asking on behalf of these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word," John 17:1-20 NASB

Did you know and realize that Jesus prayed for you? Read that last sentence from John.

Read through that passage again. How many times did you see the word sanctify?

When our prayers involve God's sanctification in our lives answers to prayer certainly become more powerful and are answered faster than others.

We read in the news the battle over the unborn. It's not some matter of choice! Satan's been murdering from the time of Adam and Eve. When Jesus was born he put it in the mind of Herod to kill babies to try to get to Jesus.

Read what Jesus says of the importance of children in Matthew.

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And He called a child to Himself and set him among them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. So whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name, receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depths of the sea “Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to the person through whom the stumbling block comes!

And if your hand or your foot is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; it is better for you to enter life maimed or without a foot, than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fiery hell.

See that you do not look down on one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven." Matthew 18:1-10 NASB

Look further at the words of Jesus speaking to the will of God concerning children.

"“What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains, and go and search for the one that is lost? And if it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray. So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven for one of these little ones to perish." Matthew 18:12-14 NASB That last line...what is not the will of God.

God's Will isn't that He be your chauffeur. It isn't that He become your personal Genie, to grant you your wishes, your every hearts desire. It isn't even really to make every day perfect.

God's Will is for believers is the same now as it was in the beginning of the Church. Our sanctification. If your life isn't what is reflecting that, then honestly, what in the world are you doing? If groaning to God all the time is what you want to do but don't? Why? Why aren't you pouring out your heart to God? Why aren't you seeking sanctification in your life?

I know of many believers who don't pour out their hearts to Jesus, complain about their life's problems, yet would rather wallow in their misery than find out what God can do about it.

There's excuses to not ask. Fear of what changes God might do. Really?

When we came to Christ Jesus for salvation we told Him we would listen, we would go, we would do, whatever He wants us to for His Kingdom because of all He did to save us.

There are no exceptions nor exclusions. We pray what He prayed, His Kingdom come, His Will be done. On Earth as it is in Heaven. Sounds pretty simple to me.

The words of Jesus in praying for our sanctification seems straightforward enough.

Coming to Christ as a child seems straightforward enough.

Putting His Will before ours seems straightforward enough.

We read of the Will of God in bearing one another’s burdens.

We read of the will of God in reconciliation of believers back to living in God's grace and mercy.

We read...ahhh...there's the point. Are you reading your Bible or have you been avoiding it because you know what it says?

If you are saved and are reluctant to ask God to intervene in your life for your sanctification, your most important question that I would ask you is "why?". You trusted Jesus with saving you from the penalty and power of sin and death. Why aren't you trusting Jesus for how your life pans out?

Why don't you help those in need? Why do you keep to yourself rather than meet with other believers to grow in Christ? Why do you stress about life rather than go to Jesus to give your situation to Him to deal with? Do you pray for the unborn who are important to God? Do you seek His Will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven? Do you try to live life seeking your own pleasure and desires or do you at all seek what Jesus is after?

My greatest struggles were actually and are actually fighting against the Will of God.

Jesus said that the Spirit would teach us all things. Teaching is one thing, but what good is teaching if you don't practice it?

Our lives are not our own. Jesus paid for them with His very blood.

We don't have to look far to see what God's Will is. We just need to do it.

We need to gripe less to others and take our problems to the One who can do something about it.

We need to show the world more Jesus in us than us in us.

Being doers of the Word and not hearers only.

God empowered the Church to be able to pull back people from the gates of Hell by the power of God.

God empowered believers to live the Will of God by the power of the resurrected Christ Jesus.

Bemoaning your life rather than choosing to DO God's Will for it will change it for the good, forever. Seeking your own sanctification in Christ Jesus will transform your life, not leave it in the muck of this world. Your rewards in Heaven are based in obedience to the Will of God, never on what you did for you.

Start today in seeking first the Will of God.

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

You're GUILTY!!!

You are GUILTY, Yes we all are!

The first real emotional reaction of Adam and Eve was blame shifting and denial. For twp people who had full use of perfect brains and had just eaten of the tree of knowledge, their intelligence was lacking. They, if you look at it from a different perspective, might have had the ability to know and understand great thoughts and ideas, yet lying and deceitfulness was new to them. So was the concept of consequences of their actions.

Look at the later precautions that Jesus had to do. Stationing angels with weapons to keep Adam and Eve and all their future offspring out of Eden. It is apparent that someone would indeed think to force their way in.

The roots of our inborn sin nature can and are traced back to these two. We have foolish intellectuals teaching people for hundreds of years at a minimum of how people were supposedly to have lived back then. That they weren't anywhere as advanced as we are today. In one respect this is actually correct. We aren't anywhere near how advanced they were back then.

Archeological finds that God has allowed to survive the Genesis Flood provided more than compelling evidence that they were far more advanced than modern technology. Even the likes of NASA keep investigating satellites in orbit that no modern country ever put there.

Guilty is our verdict from before we are born. While 'good' people exist in the eyes of God’s established definition of good, all are guilty. There's no one good, not one. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That means everyone ever born except Jesus.

Belief in God or in His Son not withstanding it doesn't take a lot to recognize evil in this world.

We legalize the murder of human beings in the womb and punish people for ideologies or for cutting down a protected species of tree with possible death sentences. We are perfectionists at looking the other way. We celebrate destruction of property at the hands of protesting people. We redefine what God established in who and what we are born as and celebrate it by forcing everyone else to accept it. We celebrate living together and essentially condemn marriage. Speaking about God, of the Bible, of what is found in Christ Jesus can get you killed in 24 hours in some parts of the world.

We are indeed guilty. We aren't making mistakes every day we sin every day. Redefining what we do against God's Word doesn't change God's Word or God's mind. Sin is sin is sin.

We think one erroneous thought about someone else, be it lust or wishing them harm...guilty of sinning. We intentionally circumvent what God has told us to do we sin. We intentionally or even unintentionally speak words that are against God's name or His Word there's another.

Griping against God's Word. Telling God that can't be right, there's another.

Using God's Name in vain. There's another.

But the greatest sin ever is dying with refusing salvation in Christ Jesus. Refusing the answer to our inborn sin. Refusing to come to the One who can wipe away the guilty verdict.

You my Dear Reader, if you haven't come to Christ, will try to defend yourself without anyone else in the day of Judgment before God. You will point to all the good you have done in your life and regardless of how much that may be, GUILTY is the verdict. You never could get enough good into your life to remove that sin you were born with, without coming to Christ for salvation.

I do believe in what is often referred to as the age of accountability. That a knowledge of good and bad has to be present for a person to be fully condemned. Babies cannot decide good from evil. Those with mental health problems as well. Those mentally under developed as well. When you are old enough to understand the plan of salvation is when I think that you've reached that age of accountability. I came to that understanding in 1974. But easily for several years before that I knew how to sin through disobedience to my parents.

But I can't see where I have done anything wrong! You might say. The place to look is in the Bible. God's Word has never changed, nor will it ever. What God has established has been protected by the Spirit of God for thousands of years. Mankind is who tries to twist words to get out of guilt. To explain away their sin as mistakes and to keep on doing what's wrong in God's eyes. The Bible says that knowing the good we ought to be doing and not doing it is sin.

Intentionally doing something sinful is sin. Regardless of how you look at it, you cannot prove the Words of God wrong. Your redefining sin in order to keep on finding pleasure in it doesn't take away the guilt of it.

We are all guilty unless we come to Jesus Christ for salvation.

Salvation is free. No strings attached. We acknowledge our need for a Savior, who is Jesus Christ. We ask Jesus to forgive us and He does! We ask Jesus to be Lord of our lives. To cast our sins as far as the east is from the west, as He promised to do. We begin a new life that seeks to honor Him because of what He has done for us. Our guilty verdict is erased.

We are justified in Christ. Some say it as "just as if I had never sinned" as the definition of justified. He then begins the work of sanctification to help in not continuing to sin by making us more like Christ who knew no sin.

That's the only way to not be guilty. I had a dream of a man who fought to defend himself and just as he thought he had won against God, looked down into Hell thinking that vision of paradise was real. After his short lived celebration he was escorted to an entrance of Hell by who he thought were angels until that vision of paradise was replaced by violent flames of fire. Those supposed angels transformed into demons and picked him up and tossed him in. One of them exclaimed "We got another one!". He was a very deceived man.

In our world we will easily find deceitfulness everywhere. We will find life happening to keep us from the truth about what comes next after we die. But everyone will know enough of the truth of God to be saved if they choose it. But all must choose it. The offer is on God's table but you must pick it up to claim it. You must choose to come to Christ to be saved. The Bible says that everyone will be without excuse when they stand before Christ.

Come to Christ Jesus while you still have time to choose. It is a limited time offer.

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

I want PROOF, I want the TRUTH

"The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and putting Jesus to the test, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but are you unable to discern the signs of the times? An evil and adulterous generation wants a sign; and so a sign will not be given to it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away." Matthew 16:1-4 NASB

So many today walk into a church building really wanting proof of God's existence and proof of what Christianity says.

Some, mistakenly, try to bargain with God concerning it. They are in a fix, troubles abound and if God would just do something to prove He's there and fix things then they will come to Christ Jesus for salvation.

God's not in it for making bargains. He's already giving salvation away for free to all who believe.

You do not need more proof than 4 books of the Bible worth of testimony to all that is said of Jesus saying who He said He was.

These Pharisee's and Sadducee's were the supposedly most learned of the people concerning the things of God. Yet Jesus warned His Disciples to avoid what they teach. They were not to be trusted.

I have connected the dots a number of years ago that Saul was with these Pharisee's even though he was never mentioned by name. When you read of the Apostle Paul's "resume" you can understand where I got that. Indeed he may have been one of those challenging Jesus. In the book of Acts Paul got more proof than anyone before him. He was shown how he, as learned as he was, missed every convincing proof about Jesus and he was there in person with him. Truly Saul, who became Paul, for many days couldn't handle the truth until God was done with him.

In today's world people want and crave signs from God about God, about salvation. They want to believe that God won't send them to Hell because of sin. They want to believe that being a good person is enough. Truth is they can't handle the truth. The proof is in the Bible that they are avoiding.

We cannot have a single sin within us and be able to enter into God's Heaven.

We are born into sin therefore we cannot enter Heaven as we are.

In Romans we read that what a person receives for sin is death. Eternal separation from God. Spiritual death that contains painful torment for eternity. The only moment of respite is the Final Judgment at the end of History. All who are in Hell will have it shown that the Book of Life doesn't contain their name and now with a glorified body they are tossed into the Lake of Fire.

Faith means not needing proof. Faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross leads to trust in His plan and purpose in our lives. It requires faith to find salvation.

Those who come in faith begin the work of sanctification. Of the removal of the aspects and influences of this world and replacing them with what God has said in the Bible about the attributes of Jesus Christ. We become His workmanship. We become people with a purpose. Living for the one who saved us. Being a light in a dark world as He was when He walked the Earth.

We are to live lives that show all the proof that anyone will ever need to see about the truth of Jesus, of salvation, of everything.

When believers compromise they undercut the truth of God. They cause great harm in the spread of the Gospel. They cause the unbelieving to believe lies that inevitably will keep them out of Heaven if they never do find the truth.

I have been in churches where you can see they have compromised. I have seen them weave in aspects of the world to gain the favor of man and woman.

Jesus said there will be many who will have claimed to have done great things for God but He will send away because He never knew them. They had head knowledge of God but no conversion by the Spirit. The Spirit testifies to our Salvation. In this too, I have personally known men who have and still do, aquire head knowledge of God and of His Christ but are sadly not saved. Jesus said you would know people by their fruits. A bad tree cannot produce good fruit. Jesus said to do this evaluation so it's not "judging". Go argue with God on this, don't try it with me. If you are one of those who want to stand on the "you shouldn't judge" thing, try reading the Bible in context first.

You need to be sure about your salvation in Christ Jesus while you are still in your earthly body.

Your "fate" as it were, is sealed after you die.

There isn't a single soul in Hell who doesn't know the truth of God and all will be forced to confess that God's truth prevailed.

Be sure of your salvation in Christ Jesus but don't go begging for more proof. You will be disappointed because as Jesus said the only proof will be the sign of Jonah.

That sign was Jesus crucified, spending 3 days and nights in the grave. Arising afterwards to show all that salvation had at last come to all who would believe. Death couldn't hold Him. He conquered it.

Hebrews 11:1 NASB "Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen."

Hebrews 11:6 NASB "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him."

Matthew 6:33 NASB "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you."

Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the truth and the proof you are looking for.

Monday, January 24, 2022

Are Your Eyes on Christ?

The Lord is at hand.

You, Lord Jesus, 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 You in the air. And thus I shall always be with You, Lord. You, Jesus, who testify to these things say, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! Therefore, beloved by You and looking forward to these things, may I be diligent to be found by You in peace, without spot and blameless. May I abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify me completely; and may my whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at Your coming, my Lord Jesus Christ. You who call me are faithful, who also will do it. May I also be patient and establish my heart, for Your coming, Lord Jesus, is at hand. Sovereign God, with joyful anticipation I look forward to the culmination of history as Jesus returns victorious over sin and death to reign forever.

As I wait, help me become more worthy to reign with Him.

PHILIPPIANS 4:5; 1 THESSALONIANS 4:16–18; REVELATION 22:20; 2 PETER 3:14; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:22–24; JAMES 5:8 - Dr. David Jeremiah Life-Changing Moments with God

We go through the day to day, wondering what it is we are going to be doing.

We either are at ease or are anxious about what's coming next.

The story of Peter getting out of the boat at the Lord’s command is well known, but don't miss that important part. Peter was ok out on the water as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus.

We are hopeful living this life, if you are indeed a believer in Christ Jesus as your Savior, to the best of our ability for God.

Distractions are everywhere. There's no shortage of temptations. From the small to the great. We too are tempted first to take our own eyes off of Jesus.

We are reminded in this prayer to be watching for Christ Jesus to return.

We are reminded to be doers of the Word, abstaining from evil.

The world isn't going to believe it when the Rapture of the Church happens. There will be excuses given and the people of the world will believe it. We may think that evil is all around us now, that evil around us now has been restrained.

There's much to be looking for. Looking at what the Scriptures say must take place, and has taken place already. Nothing is a coincidence when it comes to the fulfillment of the Bible.

Satan would prefer us to be indulging in the pleasures of the world rather than living life obeying God.

Satan would prefer us to not be ready or prepared to meet Jesus in an instant.

Satan, sadly, is more prepared for the return of Jesus Christ than most Christians! He knows it will happen which is why Scripture says that in every generation he has an Anti Christ at the ready. You indeed have seen them in the history of mankind for the last 2,000 plus years.

"for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body; so then, if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!" Matthew 6:21-23 NASB.

Many have heard the children's song "This Little Light of Mine". Are you going to hide it under a basket?

Are you going to be the prudent or foolish ones at the coming of Jesus?

Are you going to be found actively working in service to Jesus Christ or found doing nothing for Him? Actively working requires your eyes being where they are supposed to be.

Are you seeking the pleasures of the world or are you living for Jesus? Are you indeed prepared for the day of His coming? We have been forewarned that no man knows the day or the hour. We read in Proverbs of the dangers of laziness.

When you step out into today, where is your heart and mind? Where are your eyes?

It's not too late to get them where they need to be. Seeking a right relationship with Jesus is always a good thing. Living for Jesus a life that is true, striving to please Him in all that I do. Yes that's from the hymn Living for Jesus, written in 1917. Is the song true for you?

When you survey your life, is there evidence that Jesus is there?

You must choose to put your faith where your mouth is. You must choose to obey.

You must decide. Scripture is plainly clear. He who knows the good he ought to do and does not do it, sins.

So where are your eyes?

So where are your priorities?

So where is your treasure?

Sunday, January 23, 2022

Against the God of Heaven

"Yet you, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this, ²but you have risen up against the Lord of heaven" Daniel 5:22-23 NASB

"Peter said to Him, “Explain the parable to us.” Jesus said, “Are you also still lacking in understanding? Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and those things defile the person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, acts of adultery, other immoral sexual acts, thefts, false testimonies, and slanderous statements. These are the things that defile the person; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the person.” Matthew 15:15-20 NASB

"For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these. For among them are those who slip into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" 2 Timothy 3:2-7 NASB

Most, if not all, people don't want to hear that their decisions in life were wrong. That the times they turned to the left they should have turned right and vice versa.

Was actually reading headlines in the news and they quoted Daniel 5 in the headline. "Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin". The chapter is more universally known as the place to find "The Writing on the Wall".

Reading what Jesus said about what comes out of the heart of man and woman, then reading what Paul told Timothy we would see, we see mankind today maneuvering to be globally fighting the God of Heaven.

Read for yourself in the 7 year Tribulation that the highest sins people would not repent of are sexual in nature. Lying is listed. Thefts are listed.

We read what is said in Timothy as today's worldview. This is the world in which you and I find ourselves.

To stand firm in God's Word makes you an enemy. Soon to be an enemy of the state.

I have long held to the understanding that the Abomination of desolation which is set up in the 3rd Temple, is an artificial intelligence that is sentient in nature. Satan's been trying to invent life on his terms. In yesterday's news Tesla is working towards creating that very creation.

Mankind in an of himself or herself is against God's plan for mankind.

Satan, regardless of his apparent motivation, is forced to obey the will of God for mankind. He is forced to obey the Bible. He has tried for millennia to cause even 1 word to fail but cannot.

Our world is his world. As the Scriptures point out we are aliens visiting a foreign country as believers in Christ Jesus. This world is not our home we are just passing through.

We will be tempted in every way possible to get out of sync with God’s Word and Will for our lives. We are either walking with Jesus or trying to do our own thing.

This world is honestly Hell bent on doing it their own ways attempting to achieve what is their desires.

It is not nor will it ever be, prior to the end of the Tribulation and Jesus rules the world from Earth, any attempt by mankind to obey God willingly. Mankind will proceed from bad to worse. Scripture says so.

Scripture says that the wages of sin is death. Mankind, because of sin, cannot tolerate being told they are deserving to spend eternity in Hell. Yet millions cannot escape that fact and upon dying wake up in torment in Hell every single second.

The writing is on the wall my Dear Reader. Beit that you are a Christian or not, the writing is there. In your personal life you are either living for Jesus or living for yourself. You are either living, knowing that the time is short and that the moment is opportune for Christ to return or you are living in ignorance. You are either a worker in His Harvest or you are not.

You indeed are obeying the word of God or yourself.

I look at this world and see where and how Satan's preparing for the Rapture of Christ Jesus to happen, and the truth is HE IS MORE PREPARED THAN THE CHURCH OF GOD!!!

Satan's working on contingencies for when believers leave this world due to the Rapture.

He is manipulating what he is allowed in order to bring about a one world government.

He is forced to obey the Scriptures and go no farther than God permits. You may not agree but the signs that Jesus said to look for in the book of Luke are here today. What Paul wrote to Timothy is here today. Denominations are meaningless in light of the Spirit wanting people to come to Christ and be obedient to the Scriptures. Denominational splits are becoming more common. They distract from reaching people who need to be saved. They don't even see how they are becoming just like the Pharisees and Sadducee's. That the status of their denomination is what sets them about and apart from all others.

We are warned in the Bible of things like this. Warned of false teachers, telling people what they want to hear. Telling them that what God says is sexual immorality really isn't. That sexually abhorrent behavior is acceptable or even just a mistake and isn't worthy of death or any such thing against God's Word.

Are you living a life against the God of Heaven?

Are you turning away from sin or are you making excuses to keep on embracing it?

Are you so immersed in work and leisure that God's not even in the picture?

Are you at all living life in such a way that when Jesus DOES return He finds you working in His fields? That you are in His Word, are praying, are showing a life fully devoted to the One who saved you? Or will you literally be caught with your pants down and caught in the midst of sinning instead? Jesus said no man knows the day nor the hour, but we were told what to look for.

The vast wasteland of Hell is full of good natured people who think their lives weren't bad enough to send them there. Weeping people who cry out to God every moment wanting a second chance that they will never receive.

Your only chance at a chance to avoid joining them is to choose life in Christ today.

Your only chance to not be embarrassed at His return is to live today for Him.

You are either living against the God of Heaven or you are living for Him.