"Is Something Missing? Could It Be The Abundant Life?" - Inspirational Weekend

Do you ever feel like something is missing?  Or that you are missing out on something in your life?  I guess all of us at times feel like there has got to be more than the humdrum, everyday common chores and jobs and existence.   Like, oh, so boring!  Like there is no getting out of the rut you are in? At least, some people feel they are in a rut; I used to feel like that, but no more.   Not since I have tried to put the Lord first in my life and am trying to please Him as best I can.   I am not bragging on myself, I'm bragging on the Lord for changing my heart and my attitude.   So that nagging feeling you have that something is missing could be the abundant life that Jesus promised us, His followers.

What is this abundant life?  It is to live life to the full in faith in Jesus Christ.  It is to have a close, personal and intimate relationship with God through Jesus, our Savior.  

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:  I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."  -  Jesus speaking at John 10:10  (KJV)

Jesus is referring to abundant life from a heavenly viewpoint, not an earthly one.   Some people read the above verse and think of a prosperous life, or one filled with prestige and power on this earth.   Not so !  Remember that Jesus Himself was poor and meek while on this earth; there is no guarantee that Christians will be rich and powerful, although some of them are just that.   

An abundant life is one that is heavenly or spiritually abundant.  Christians have the Holy Spirit; how abundant is that !!  They have the love and protection of God and Jesus and the hope of eternal life; how awesome !!  And what a comfort to the soul to believe and realize these truths.   Material things in this world do not compare to these blessings of abundant life from a heavenly perspective.   This reminds me of the apostle Paul who had many hardships after being converted to Christianity, yet he truly had an abundant life in Christ.

"I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  -  Paul at Philippians 14:12-13.

I went through an extremely difficult time for a few years, and that verse 13 of Philippians 14 helped see me through as I repeated it over and over,  "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me."   There were other verses as well, but that one helped the most and kept me hanging on.   

The word "abundant" in the Greek is "perisson", meaning "exceedingly, very highly, superfluous, beyond measure.......".   Only Jesus could promise us a life like that.   This brings to my mind the Scripture found at 1 Corinthians 2:9,  "But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."  The apostle Paul also says, "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."  -  Ephesians 3:20 

These Scriptures are very encouraging and give us something to hope for and to look forward to.   Goodness knows we need that in this chaotic world in which we live; these last days that now have the threat of World War Three looming ever closer, not to mention all the immorality and the certain collapse of the world's economies.     But if you are familiar with Bible prophecy and are a true believer,  you know there is hope for you with a bright future..... an eternal future with the Lord.   You will not panic, and you will still have a peace in your soul that is from God.   True peace, love, joy, and more are given to us by the Holy Spirit which sealed us at the time of our salvation and will see us through all the turmoil.  (Galatians 5:22-23).

"I have a great need for Christ, I have a great Christ for my need."  -  Charles Spurgeon  

Someone once said, "If the outlook is dark, try the uplook."   Look to Jesus for deliverance and protection.  Faith can work miracles in a person's life and in his attitudes.   To God be all the glory!

Following is a sermon by Adrian Rogers on the abundant life.  

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."  - Colossians 3:1-2

"Will Earth Be Hit By Fire From The Sky - by a CME?" - Inspirational Weekend

Before I discuss the main topic (Fire From the Sky- a CME), I wanted to share a video concerning breaking news in the Middle East.   As many of you know, Israel is God's prophetic time clock;  much of prophecy revolves around the tiny nation of Israel, God's covenant people forever.  Russia, Turkey and Iran have joined forces, so to speak, to form what Kevin Clarkson of Prophecy in the News calls a strategic triangle. This is exactly what is prophesied in Ezekiel 38 and 39, and is a prelude to the war of Gog and Magog.   Following is a very short video concerning this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgsUTCI4WWY

Now, speaking of fire from the sky, 4 years ago, July 23, 2012, earth had a near miss with a CME, or a coronal mass ejection from a powerful storm on the sun; the strongest in over 150 years.  We all went about our business as usual, oblivious to the danger we almost encountered, as the media did not tell us about the event till much later.  Here is a link to one article about its occurance.   

Whereas a solar flare is mostly local events on the sun, CME's are large bubbles of magnetized gas (liquid fire....plasma like) which erupt into space.   Here is more information about them. A natural EMP disaster, like a CME, would render the whole planet into a shut down scenario.   Following is a video with much valuable information on all this that takes us to prophecy in the book of Revelation.   

In case you did not watch the above video,  I will highlight some of the information in it.   In a previous post I shared Revelation 8:7-9 , which Brent Miller in the above video also talks about.

Revelation 8:7 says, "The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up."   According to Brent Miller, this is describing a CME; liquid fire and hail, and mixed with blood from people on airplanes being killed and blood from any birds killed during the CME blast.   

Revelation 8:8 follows:  "And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;  (verse 9 says:)  "And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed."  Miller believes this is describing a supervolcano in the ocean.   

The verses above and following are describing what is known as the trumpet judgments.   Revelation 8:10-11 says,  (10) "And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; (11)  And the name of the star was Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter."  This "star" is probably a meteor.

Keep in mind the above Scriptures are referring to what happens during the Tribulation period when God is using His wrath to execute vengeance and judgment on ungodly and wicked mankind.   True believers will not go through the Tribulation as they would have already been raptured to heaven prior to this Tribulation.

I urge you to watch the video above as Brent Miller is quite the scholar and prophecy expert and he gives you valuable information in a clear and concise manner.  In the video he discusses many other interesting facts that I did not highlight here.   Keep in mind what one famous preacher has said:

"The LORD has His own sovereign modes of action: He is not tied to manner and time as we are, but doeth as He pleases among the sons of men."  -  Charles Spurgeon

Although believers will not experience the Tribulation, things might get worse for us before that time. As many of you are aware of, Christians right now are suffering persecutions and beheadings and other hardships.   We need to remember what Joshua 1:9 says,  "Have I not commanded thee?  Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."  - Hebrews 13:5     See also Deuteronomy 31:6.

There is a verse at Deuteronomy 28:34 that is speaking of another time and place, but could possibly be applicable to the Tribulation period:  "So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see."  -  King James Version.   Following is the same verse in the Contemporary English Version (CEV) : "What you see will be so horrible that you will go insane."  That will be the case, maybe, of many in the Tribulation.   You do not want to be on earth during that time !   I urge you to make sure you get right with the Lord before it is too late and you miss going to heaven in the soon to happen Rapture.

"All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out."  -  Jesus at John 6:37

Tommy Ice Video On The Gospel And Another Video Of 13 Reasons To Believe In The Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Inspirational Weekend

The above photograph of the Hawaiian Black-Crowned Night Heron I took on the island of  Kauai, Hawaii, near the beach.   Notice how alert he is and he seems to be surveying his surroundings with keen interest.    It reminds me that we, as Christians, need to be alert to the times we live in - meaning the last of the last days -  and watching for the  soon return of Jesus to take us home to heaven in the Rapture.   And not only to watch for it, but to be ready.  That means having a close personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus.   If you have such an intimate relationship, then you most likely are leading a godly life; a fruitful life.   

In my last post  I mentioned how sharing Bible prophecy was a wonderful evangelizing tool.   Yesterday, a video was posted to You-tube featuring Tommy Ice who talks about how vital the Gospel message is and in it he said that, along with the Gospel, Bible Prophecy is also excellent to use to evangelize.   He gave pertinent information about several things.   Following is that video :

Recently, I ran across an article by Tommy Ice concerning the Pre-Tribulation Rapture.  Many scholars believe that there was no evidence  (other than the Bible) of any kind about it before 1830,  but this article has a paragraph about the Pre-Trib Rapture being mentioned over a 1000 years before 1830 and which was dated somewhere between c. 374-627.  Please read the article found here .  It was fascinating to me, and to all of you who crave information about end time events, you will find it a good source.

Most Christians believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, myself included.   However, many believe that the Rapture will occur at the mid-way point of the Tribulation, and still others believe the Rapture happens at the end of the Tribulation period.   It is the Pre-Trib belief that gets the most attacks and is most hated.  To me, that just helps to prove that it is the accurate view.   The devil always attacks the fiercest at what is the truth.

If you know the Rapture of the church is near, you will live a more godly life and will be in more of a state of readiness for Jesus' return.  The main thing is to seek first God's kingdom  (Matthew 6:33).  Put God and Jesus first in your life.

I John 3:3 states,  "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure."

Following is a video which gives 13 reasons to believe the Rapture will occur before the Tribulation.

Both of the above videos are excellent "spiritual food" and I hope you take the time to view them; they are short but full of much needed information.  If you are not sure of your standing with God, now is the time to pray and ask for forgiveness in sincere repentance.  Pray for Jesus to come into your life; believe His shed blood at Calvary washes away your sins; surrender all to Him and make Him the Lord of your life.   Believers today are sealed by the Holy Spirit.

"In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."
- Ephesians 1:13

"And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
- Ephesians 4:30

This seal guarantees our salvation.   It also means that, as believers, we have eternal life.  What an awesome gift!  We ought to be singing praises to God all day long for His great love and mercy !  And it should give us a humble and grateful heart.

"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."   -   Jesus speaking at Luke 21:28 concerning the signs of the last days.

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh."  - Jesus at Matthew 24:44. 

"Reasons to Study Bible Prophecy" - Inspirational Weekend

Why should you be concerned about Bible prophecy?  Most people don't give it a thought, and many pastors will not teach on it from the pulpit.   One of the reasons pastors don't preach on Bible prophecy is because they were not taught about it in seminary.   Others do not want to disturb their congregations with it and perhaps lose membership over it.   And many pastors today preach a watered-down, people-pleasing sermon to "tickle the ears" of their congregations in order to keep everybody happy and to make them come back for more feel-good and comfy experiences.   What ever happened to Spirit-filled sermons, a sticking to the true message of the Gospel and spelling out the consequences of sin?  And an emphasis on being a follower of Jesus Christ?   And that Hell awaits unrepentant sinners?

There are still some good churches out there with true men of God as pastors.  Thank the good Lord !

When Bible prophecy is not preached in churches, it is like eliminating one fourth of the Bible as not important or useful or relevant.   "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."  -  2 Timothy 3:16-17  (KJV)

Following are a few facts from the Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy by J. Barton Payne:

"There are 1,239 prophecies in the Old Testament and 578 in the New Testament for a total of 1,817 prophecies   These prophecies are included within 8,352 verses of the Bible.   

Since there are 31,124 verses in the Bible, the 8,352 verses that contain prophecy constitute 26.8 percent of the Bible's volume."   That is actually a little more than 25% of the Bible !  

It is obvious that God wanted to tell us about the future.   I find that Bible prophecy builds my faith when I realize how much prophecy has come true already.   My previous post  on Daniel's 70 weeks shows how he prophesied hundreds of years in advance about Jesus, the Messiah.   And of course, it came true....things like that build a person's faith and trust in God's Word and keeps you coming back for more.   I personally cannot get enough information on Bible prophecy; the more I read the more I want to learn.    

Besides building your faith, Bible prophecy exposes just how awesome God is to know the future and to help orchestrate events to bring prophecy to come to pass.   When you read the promises of God that give you such hope, you grow to love and experience Him even more.   And isn't that what it is all about?  Love.  

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."   - 1 John 4:10-11

Christianity is the only religion that says "Done!"  Christ died for us so that His shed blood could wash our sins away when we believe in Him and in His resurrection.      All other religions are about "Doing" this or that to obtain heaven or some form of higher being.   

Remember, before the fall and sin, God created Adam and Eve in order to have fellowship with them.  Today, God wants to have fellowship with you as well.   Christianity in a sense is not a religion,  it is a relationship.   A strong, personal, intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ.   That is what the Lord wants most of all.  And of course obedience.   If you have a close relationship with the Lord and love him with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind (Mark 12:30), you will be less likely to sin.  At least, not deliberate and willful sin.  

In addition to building your faith and showing how awesome God is, Bible Prophecy is a great tool to evangelize with when it comes to leading the lost to a saving belief in the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  Many people have come to Christ after hearing Bible Prophecy about the end times and the horrors of the soon to come Tribulation period.   And I am sure that preaching about the Rapture of the Church has also helped lost souls as well.  No one wants to be left behind when the Rapture occurs to face the Tribulation later.   Granted, there are some scoffers (2 Peter 3:3-4) whose hearts are so hardened that they may never see the truth of the gospel.

We live in perilous times !   Look at 2 Timothy 3:1-5 :  "(1) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."   Notice that verse 5 says to have nothing to do with sinful people described here.   (Except, of course, to witness to them about Jesus).

Though we are in the last days and times are chaotic, believers in Christ have a blessed hope (Titus 2:13) and faith to endure, and help from God to persevere and be strong while waiting for the Lord to return to take us home.

Keep praying, study God's Word, and keep looking up !