"The Power Of Prayer" - Inspirational Weekend

Many thousands of prayers were answered today when now President Donald Trump was inaugurated.  There is power in prayer !  I have written about prayer before.  You might want to go here for that post on "Reasons to Pray", where there is also a sermon by Charles Spurgeon concerning prayer.  Today I will concentrate on the power of prayer with famous quotes and many Scriptures. 

 One quote I have used before is by Charles Spurgeon, who said, "A prayerless soul is a Christless soul."  We need to pray to build a relationship with the Almighty God and His Son Jesus Christ.  That is what the Lord wants most from us: a strong, personal, intimate relationship with Him.  That is our purpose in life, to worship God and to fellowship with Him in praise and prayer.  Our Heavenly Father also wants us to share the Gospel of Jesus with others; and it should be urgent that we do so because we are living in the last days and we want as many souls as possible to be saved and to go be with the Lord in heaven before the Great Tribulation occurs.   We need to occupy ourselves in the Lord's work until Jesus returns in the Rapture to take us home with Him.   

"For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's."  -  Romans 14:8

"Yes, worship of the loving God is man's whole reason for existence."  -  A.W. Tozer  

"The most important thing a born again Christian can do is pray."  -  Chuck Smith

"Seven days without prayer makes one weak."  -  Allen E. Vartlett

"He who has learned to pray has learned the greatest secret of a holy and happy life."  -  William Law

And while you are reading this about prayer, it is good to note what Paul E. Billheimer said, "Satan does not care how many people read about prayer, if only he can keep them from praying."  One of the devil's most effective tools against Christians is to get them so busy and occupied and keep them busy so that they have no time for prayer.   It is sad to think that Christ suffered and died for us at Calvary and that we do not have time for Him and for His Father.  We should be so grateful for all the Lord has done that we want to be with Him always and to give Him thanks continually in prayer. 

"Don't pray when you feel like it.  Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it.  A man is powerful on his knees."  -  Corrie ten Boom   

When you come right down to it, the power of prayer is the power of God.  The omnipotent God in heaven; the Creator of the universe and of we finite humans.   When we pray to Almighty God we should expect almighty results.   That is, if we pray in accordance with God's will and if we are born again Christians.   God will also answer a sinner's prayer when he comes to the Lord in repentance and asking for forgiveness.  After a vile sinner repents, God will hear and answer his prayers as well,  as he grows to know the Lord and lives a godly Christian life.  Yes, there is power in prayer, because He saves us from sin and the grasp of the evil devil.   Not only that, but God makes us as a new creature: 

 "Therefore  if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are past away; behold, all things are become new."  -  2 Corinthians 5:17     God's great power !

There is much power in prayer because of what Jesus said at Matthew 7:7-8 :  "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth: and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."  That is true power of prayer.  

The Bible throughout gives us many examples of the power of prayer.   One instance is when God decided to destroy the wicked city of Nineveh and told the prophet Jonah to preach to them and to warn them.  Most of you are familiar with the story and how Jonah disobeyed and caught a ship to Tarshish instead, was thrown overboard and was swallowed by a great fish.    Deep in the belly of the fish Jonah prayed to God, and the Lord caused the fish to vomit Jonah on the shore. Power of prayer!  When Jonah finally obeyed and went to Nineveh to warn them of their destruction, the wicked people there repented and prayed, and "God repented of the evil, that He had said that He would do unto them; and He did it not."  - Jonah 3:10     Power of prayer !

Another is the time Moses prayed for the Israelites after they made the golden calf and worshiped it, thereby showing blasphemy and idolatry.  God was so angry that He told Moses that He was going to destroy them all and make a nation instead out of Moses.   Moses prayed for 40 days and God listened to him.  "And the Lord repented of the evil which He thought to do unto His people."      -  Exodus 32:14  Think of it, Moses' prayer saved a nation!  Power of prayer !

There are countless other men who prayed and God answered them in mighty ways.  There was Hezekiah, Elijah, Elisha, and Abraham.   In the New Testament, many prayers were answered as well. Amazing miracles resulted from the apostles' prayers, such as raising people from the dead.

My prayer is that you make a strong commitment to the Lord to pray without ceasing and to read the Holy Word daily, thereby growing stronger in faith and the in power of the Holy Spirit.  You will also acquire a deeper relationship with God and the Savior Jesus Christ.  

"Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge to satan."  -  John Bunyan

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it."   -  Jesus at John 14:13-14

"And all things you shall ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."  -  Jesus at Matthew 21:22

Prophetic Times - 2017 Paris Conference And The Presidential Inauguration (With Video By Amir Tsarfati)

What exciting and prophetic times we are living in right now !  Bible prophecy is being fulfilled almost daily.  We need to pay particular attention to the nation of Israel and the current events in all of the Middle East.   As I stated previously, Israel is God's prophetic time clock.  The Jewish nation is the apple of God's eye (Zechariah 2:8) ,    I wrote here earlier this month about the UN Resolution 2334 which divides the land of Israel; land which God Himself gave to the Jewish people.  I will not repeat that information again here, except to say that the recent 2017 Peace Conference in Paris did not make any new demands or impose a definite new state of Palestine this past Sunday.   Whew !   It looks as if we - and Israel - have a reprieve for now.   More information about the January 15 Peace Conference may be found here.

Following is a video and prophecy update by Israeli Christian Amir Tsarfati concerning the Paris Conference and the future of Jerusalem.  It is Biblically sound information and he quotes the Bible extensively.

In this video, Mr. Tsarfati says that as long as we Christians are here our job is to spread God's Word and to be on our knees in prayer.  The Holy Spirit within us acts as a restrainer to the evil and God answers our prayers for help against wickedness   Mr. Tsarfati also says that Jerusalem will not be divided as long as Christians are still on this earth.   That means we are extremely close to the Rapture of the Church because of all the uproar now about dividing the land of Israel and other prophecies that are presently taking place before our very eyes.  I urge you to watch the entire above video.

We in America are facing perhaps a civil war, and definitely much civil unrest.  The Presidential Inauguration takes place this coming Friday, and it is a fact that many thousands of protesters are expected to be there and the good Lord only knows what damage they will do.   We need to pray for Donald Trump and for America.  

Remember, where Bible prophecy is concerned, things are not falling apart but instead are coming together.  What you see happening today is prophesied in the Bible.   God is in charge and is in control.  Christians need not fear these perilous times.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee."    -  Isaiah 26:3

Psalms 46:1-2  tells us :  (1) "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (2) Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;"

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."        -           2 Timothy 1:7

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; "  -  1 Peter 1:13

"God's Tender Mercies And You" - Inspirational Weekend

Many years ago I saw the movie "Tender Mercies".....it first came out in 1983 and starred Robert Duvall as a country music star who came upon hard times.  It was nominated for 5 Academy Awards and Robert Duvall won best actor for his role in that film, which was rated PG.   I am not here to give a review of the story line.  Rather, I wanted to say that one of the characters in the film quoted from the Bible about God's tender mercies, and that impressed me and stayed with me as I had not been aware of that verse.  I don't remember anything of the verse except the two words, "tender mercies."   Later, as I began to read my Bible once again, I came across several verses mentioning God's tender mercies.   That touched me and in turn drew me closer to the Lord, as it made me realize He had always been near and watching over me.  In reflecting on that fact, I could recall events where He had literally saved me from one catastrophe after another.  He saw me through many trials.  I was so dense spiritually back then that I didn't comprehend His loving care and tender mercies at the time He ministered to me.  Now I understand and I have such love for Him and gratitude in my heart for all that He has done in my life, my heart, my soul, and my mind.

The dictionary defines mercy as compassionate treatment, a disposition to be kind and forgiving.  The word mercy among the Jews signified the pardon of injuries and almsgiving.  To understand mercy, we need to go to the meaning of the Latin word "misericordia".  It is made up of two words:  miserans "pitying", and cor , the "heart"; or miseria cordis, "pain of heart".  This virtue of mercy which we humans should also display is "an alive emotion of the heart which manifests itself by entering into the miseries of our neighbor" and to feel for him deeply and to empathize with him.

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."  Jesus at Matthew 5:7

But back to God's tender mercies....

God showed extreme mercy to mankind by sending His Son to die to redeem sinful mankind...those who would turn to Jesus in repentance and faith in His shed blood to wash their sins away.  What love!  What mercy !  God is awesome !

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."   -  Jesus at John 3:16

"The Lord is good to all; and His tender mercies are over all His works."  -  Psalm 145:9

"Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies."  -  Psalm 103:4

"God in His infinite mercy has devised a way by which justice can be satisfied, and yet mercy can be triumphant.  Jesus Christ, the only begotten of the Father, took upon Himself the form of man, and offered unto Divine Justice that which was accepted as an equivalent for the punishment due to all His people."  -  Charles Spurgeon

Following is a sermon by Charles Spurgeon on the mercy of God.  It is short...3 minutes long.

"Embrace in one act the two truths - thine own sin, and God's infinite mercy in Jesus Christ."      -  Alexander MacLaren.

"God's mercy with a sinner is only equaled and perhaps outmatched by His patience with the saints, with you and me."  -  Alan Redpath

What about you and me?  We should follow what Luke 6:36 says, "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful."  In other words, God's perfection should be our example and our goal. "We, who want so much mercy from God, must learn to show mercy to our fellow-men.  It is impossible to look to Him for mercy when we fail to show mercy to others, or we fail to forgive others !   Not just show mercy in words, but by good deeds".  Help the poor, the depressed, those under extreme trials.  What a sincere and loving and pure motive it is when men make up their minds to endeavor to resemble the most high God in deeds of mercy and loving-kindness.   Let us, like God, be "not weary in well-doing."  God is love, and it takes love on our part to do acts of mercy.  One commentary tells us, "True mercifulness is a characteristic of those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, and they alone would be merciful.in God's way, seeking not to please themselves, but to do God's will."

Christ was an example of mercifulness...He always kept God's glory and honor in view.  "Christ's mercifulness recognized sin as the source of every man's misery, and our mercifulness is often so indifferent to the deepest needs of the men and women around us."   We need to examine ourselves and ask ourselves if we are truly following Jesus' example.  

"All that is really good is the outcome of the law of love, and its first result and inseparable companion is mercy."   (A bible commentary quote.)

Following is a moving song by Gordon Mote titled "Mercy Walked In" :

"I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations."  -  Psalm 89:1

"With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright."  -  Psalm 18:25

"It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."  -  Lamentations 3:22-23

"Are You A Prisoner Of Hope ?" - Inspirational Weekend

"Turn ye to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee;"  - Zechariah 9:12

The prophet Zechariah uttered the above plea to the Jews who were still in Babylon.   Other Jews had already returned to Israel from Babylon, but some still tarried in the pagan city instead of returning to their ancient homeland and sharing in the restoring of the Jewish nation   They intended to return and hoped to return to their native Jewish land, but some of their excuses for not doing so were that  "they were not willing to break up their associations in Babylon, family ties, increasing wealth there, and business relations."   They indeed had a vague hope of returning to the Jewish nation "someday".  They procrastinated.  "Procrastination includes hope, but it is a hope that imprisons."  

We all have hope where the eternal salvation of our souls is concerned.  None of us intend to be among the lost.  We all have hope that we will not perish forever, or should I say, that we will not burn in hell forever.. But some of us put off coming to Christ and accepting Him as our Savior and Lord and Master.  We think there is plenty of time and we will get around to it someday.  We may be involved in pleasures of the world, or too busy with our careers, or we may even feel we are so sinful there is no hope for us.   So we become prisoners of hope, thinking that someday we will get right with the Lord "when the time is right".  It is an imprisoning hope that keeps us from responding to the gentle, pleading voice of Jesus who is knocking on the door of our heart, asking us to turn to Him in faith and obedience.   "Someday" you say, "but not yet."

"(For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the day of salvation.)"   -  2 Corinthians 6:2

"Now is the day of salvation."  Repent and turn to Jesus so you may spend eternity in bliss with Him in Paradise.  You do not want to face the alternative choice, which is hell.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1

We all know what the word hope means.   One of its definitions is "trust."  True believers trust in Jesus and have faith in His promises and in the salvation He offers.   We have a hope for a glorious future in all of eternity.   Therefore, in a sense, true believers are prisoners of hope as well.   We are prisoners on this wicked earth, and long to be with our Lord .  We have "the blessed hope", and are "looking for the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:13).

We are "prisoners of hope" by our faith in Jesus and by His promises to us.   This is expressed beautifully in the following song:

Romans 8:24-25 . "(24) For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? (25) But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it."

"And now, Lord, what wait I for?  My hope is in thee."  -  Psalm 39:7

"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;"  -  Titus 1:2

Israel - A Two State Solution ? - Recent U.N. Resolution 2334 Slaps The Face Of Israel

Israel is "the apple of God's eye."  (Zechariah 2:1-8).  If you mess with Israel, you are essentially fighting against God Himself.   God told Abraham in Genesis 12:3, "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."   Abraham and his future family became the nation of Israel.   God made an everlasting covenant with Israel and that included the Promised Land, Israel.   Israel has existed thousands of years, except for the fact when they were scattered throughout the nations for a time.    There never was a Palestine or Palestinians.    The land belongs to Israel because God gave it to them.  

Below are two videos with commentary by Gary Stearman about the recent developments concerning the implications of the U.N. Resolution 2334 anti-Israel vote.  Both are short videos and I urge you to watch them as they not only delve into history, but also the Scriptures.  

In Mr. Stearman's commentary in the following video, pay particular attention to his explanation of Jeremiah 31:35-40.  All of this territory described in Jeremiah 31 .- what God gave to Israel - has been warned by the U.N. Resolution to now be off limits to Israel.   Not only is it like a slap in the face to Israel, it is also defying God Himself to deny this land to Israel.

You might find the following link interesting pertaining to an article by Joel C. Rosenberg on this recent U.N. anti-Israel vote.  In this article he also gives a link to the full text of U.N Resolution 2334.

Another link gives Scriptures and insight on how a two-state solution fulfills Bible Prophecy.  Perhaps more in the sense of if it could happen....if God lets it happen, which I don't believe He will. He gave the land to Israel.   They may begin the process to some degree, however.  And, granted, there is a possibility there could end up being a two state solution either soon or during the Tribulation period.  However, it will only be temporary if it happens; God intends that land - all of it given to his chosen people back when the Israelis first began to conquer the Promised Land in the days of Joshua and beyond - the Almighty Sovereign God intends that all of that ancient Promised Land will be given back to Israel, and it will happen in the future.

Remember Genesis 12:3 where the LORD says He will bless those who bless Israel and curse those that curse Israel?  Well, this U.N. Resolution is like a curse to Israel.   We need to pray for Israel and for the United States of America as well.   Many in this country are bracing themselves for some great calamity to come upon America soon.   There have been several books written about many adversities that have come upon America in the past each time she goes against Israel in some manner, and in particular when the USA attempts to divide the land of Israel.

What is happening is that Zechariah 12 is currently being fulfilled.  Here are some verses from that chapter:  "(1) The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. (2) Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.  (3) And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. (9) And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem."

Remember also that the so-called "Palestinians" do not want peace with Israel; they want to annihilate Israel !   How many times have you heard them say, "We will wipe Israel off the map !"  How many times have you heard them call Israel the "Little satan" and, for that matter, call America the "Great satan"?   A two state solution will not bring lasting peace !   Please read again the above verses in Zechariah 12.  Eventually God in heaven will destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem (verse 9).  America should think twice before coming against Jerusalem and Israel.

Keep your eyes on what happens January 15, 2017, at the Paris Peace Conference where 70 nations will meet and discuss this two state solution.  Some feel that they will pass a law to give the Palestinians a portion of what now belongs to Israel; and if they vote on it it will become binding. It is feared, therefore, that Donald Trump will not be able to veto or reverse this vote.  It is also a fear that President Elect Trump may never be allowed to take office or, if he does, that his term will be cut short by an assassination.   Bible Prophecy is indeed taking place and coming true in these last days.  It will not be long now before God intervenes.   First with the Rapture of the church and then all the prophecies of the book of Revelation will come to pass during the 7-year tribulation period.  We are living in a time when all of these events will soon take place.

That is good news !  God is in control !  If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ you need not fear what is to happen.  You will be taken out of all the wrath from God before it occurs. You will be included in the Rapture of the Church. After that, God will pour out His wrath on the ungodly persons left behind.  If you have not given your life to Christ and put your faith in Him and have not repented of your sins, I urge you to do so now before it is too late !

All that is happening worldwide reminds me of the hymn, "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow".  It says, in part, "Because I know He holds the future and life is worth the living just because He lives" and also, "Because He lives I can face tomorrow; because He lives all fear is gone."    Isn't that beautiful !  If you are a born-again child of God, you can rest in those words and not fear what the future holds.  God will take care of you.    I have posted that hymn in the past, but here it is again:

Another good thing to consider is the fact that when things are falling apart, not only in your personal life but in dire world situations as well, people tend to turn to God for answers and to pray more and to attend church more frequently.   This happened after 9 -11, remember? My prayer is that more will turn to faith in Jesus now before the Rapture occurs, so that they may be included in that glorious event. 

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;"  -  1 Peter 1:13

"For we are saved by hope:"  -  Romans 8:24a

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."  -  Romans 8:28

"Give God The Eraser" - Inspirational Weekend

Someone once said, "Write your plans in pencil, but give God the eraser."  This is so true, as only the good Lord knows what the future holds; and also because life is so precarious and risky and uncertain.  We do not even know what the next day may hold, or even the very next hour.  We could make all kinds of grandiose plans for the next day, only to find ourselves in a terrible accident and then handicapped; or we could die before our next breath.   Yet man is notorious for making plans and ignoring God in the process.   I realize we have to have goals in life and to prepare for the future as much as possible, but we need to plan with the knowledge that everything we work for could be taken away at any moment.  We need to put our trust in God and seek His will.  First !

God is in charge !

This all reminds me of James 4:14 , but I will also quote here verses 13 through 16:

"(13) Go to now, ye that say, today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: (14) Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow: for what is your life?  It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.  (15) For that ye ought to say, if the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. (16) But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil."

Verse 14 above tells us that life is like a vapor..... a mist, always fleeting, and then fades away. Vanishes. No one can depend on or calculate on the "permanence" of a vapor.  Something as evanescent as a vapor cannot be depended upon and cannot last.   We all have seen a morning mist or ground fog and watched it disappear as the sun rose in the sky.  The vapor or mist simply vanishes with no trace remaining; no outline or anything that will remind us that it ever existed.

"As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.  For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more."  -  Psalm 103:15-16

"For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.  The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:"  -  1 Peter 1:24

This post is meant to uplift you, but the Scriptures quoted here tell us how frail and transitory life really is.  Which points us to the fact that we need to have a hope beyond what this life on earth holds.  A glorious hope for eternal life with the Lord in heaven !!  So many people live life on earth as if this is all there is; as if there is no hereafter once you die.   "Eat, drink, and be merry; for tomorrow we die" type of mentality.   True believers know better.  This life on earth is a test. A schoolhouse to prepare us for our future with God and Jesus.   It took me a long time to realize that truth; the Bible taught me that, but for many years I did not study God's Word.  I seldom if ever prayed.  I thank the good Lord that He opened my spiritual eyes and my heart to truly embrace the Gospel and Jesus Christ and to have a close relationship with Him.   

In these perilous times in which we live - these last of the last days -  we need to hang on to the hope and promises of God and Jesus.  If we don't, we will be depressed and feel like there is no hope.  But true believers know that with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).   Give your heart and mind and soul to Jesus Christ in faith.  Repent of your sins and confess them to God and ask Jesus to come into your heart.   Time is short before the Rapture to heaven of true believers.   

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  -  Philippians 4:7

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."   -  Jesus speaking at John 14:27

God Rejoices Over You With Singing !!

Yes, the Almighty powerful true God rejoices with singing !  The thought of Him singing never occurred to me until I read Zephaniah 3:17 which says, "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing."  Isn't that amazing !  This verse in the Revised Standard Version even says that "He will exult over you with LOUD singing."

Some may say that is just figuratively speaking; He doesn't really sing.  I tend to take this verse literally, that God does indeed sing with joy over us.   This verse is primarily speaking of Jerusalem and Israel, and some commentators believe it is speaking of Christ's 1000 year reign of peace on earth after the seven-year Tribulation during the Millennial Kingdom.   Still other scholars are of the opinion that this verse includes the Christian Church today, Christ's Bride.  Regardless, it is a joyful thought for us to consider that our Lord can sing over us like a loving parent does over his child in his arms.   

Zephaniah 3:14 tells us "Sing, O daughter of Zion, shout, O Israel; Be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem."   The people of Jerusalem were singing praises to God, which in turn caused God to expresses joy Himself when His people praised Him.   Therefore, we can make God want to sing when we praise Him in worship and in song.  There is one happy, joyful hymn I enjoy that just makes me feel good all over, especially if I count my blessings as it says to do :

When we count our blessings we are aware of how good the Lord has been to us; we are more appreciative of His love and tender care, and it makes us realize how much we need Him.  Sing along with this happy song and see if your spirits lift and take you to a new appreciation of all that God has bestowed upon you in the way of love and tender mercies and blessings. 

God wants us to be happy, and the only way we can be truly happy is by following Jesus and obeying Him in all we say and do. The way to do this is to pray without ceasing, thereby developing a close personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  When I observe sunsets and beautiful flowers and landscapes, it gives me a feeling of awe where God's power is concerned, and also makes me feel so tiny and insignificant in His presence. At the same time, observing His creation and thinking about His awesomeness draws me closer to Him.   Below is a beautiful time lapse video of skies.

My hope and prayer is that you enjoy these videos and photographs and that you are happy and safe in the Creator's loving and protective arms; that your days may be filled with joy and praise to the Lord.  

Following is one more time lapse video to brighten your day and your week to follow.

Keep a song in your heart, sing praises to God, give Him thanks, and see if you can perceive and sense God singing with joy !

"I will praise Thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works."          -  Psalm 9:1

"By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name."  -  Hebrews 13:15

"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."   -  Jesus speaking at John 10:10b