"What Is The Work Of God?" - Inspirational Weekend

My photograph above of the African Crowned Crane is just one example of God's beautiful creations.  All we have to do also is to gaze upon gorgeous mountains, and other breathtaking examples of our Heavenly Father's masterpieces, and we realize just how awesome our God is.   

But "the work of God" stressed in this post is not about His amazing creation, but something else indeed.  John 6:29 says:

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent."

Let's back up to other verses in John 6 so that we may see the context here more fully.  Jesus had previously performed the miracle of turning two small fishes and five barley loaves into enough food to feed over 5,000 men plus women and children.  Not only that, but there were 12 baskets of food left over.  (John 6:1-14).

Later, the people searched for Jesus again, and when they found Him, He said unto them:

".......Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek Me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled."  -  John 6:26

The miracles which Jesus performed proved that He came from God and that He was the promised Messiah.  That was reason enough to follow Him.  But to follow Him because He supplied them with food, that was selfishness of a gross kind.  Beware today, believers, that you do not make the same mistake:  following Jesus for what you can get from Him, instead of following Him out of faith and belief in Him. We should follow Him out of extreme love for Him, and out of true gratitude for salvation from Him.

In John 6:27, Jesus went on to say to them:

"Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed."

The people responded with: "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?"   -  John 6:28

Jesus responded with the already quoted verse, John 6:29:

"This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent."

The people had immediately thought that doing "works" (plural) was what was required and was what Jesus meant.   But Jesus referred to one work......  the work that pleases God... and the first requirement is to have faith in Jesus Christ.  "A faith that would enable them to lay hold upon Him who is the Bread of Life: from  such faith would spring a Christlike life."

It is not doing this or doing that, but it is believing.  "The act of believing in Jesus, the soul's casting itself on Him with perfect trust, is here spoken of as a work, as something which requires the exercise of man's will and calls forth determination and effort. The attainment of abiding nourishment unto eternal life offered by the Son of man."

Believe in Jesus as the Savior. 

"This is the work which sinners are to do; and doing this they will be saved, for "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth".   (Romans 10:4).

We are living in the last days.

Believers should be in constant fellowship with the Lord through prayer and Bible study, thereby developing a close, intimate, personal love relationship with Him.  That will enable you to not only live a life pleasing to Him and to help you grow to spiritual maturity, but it will also help you to do the Great Commission and bring others, with the Holy Spirit's help, to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Unbelievers should not delay in accepting Jesus as their Savior as His return is imminent.  Not to choose Him, not to choose life, is still a choice....you are saying No to Him, No to eternal life with the Lord.   You need to repent of your sins, pray for forgiveness, believe in Jesus with all your being and believe also in His resurrection !  It is not complicated, you only need to be repentant and sincere - and of course have faith and believe in Jesus.

Romans 10:9, 10, 13 tells us:  (9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."   -  Jesus at John 6:39

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."   -  John 14:6

Jesus tells us the Great Commission at Matthew 28:19, 20:

(19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

Syria Is A Wake-up Call ; Middle East Events ; Bible Prophecy (With Video)

In my photograph above, most of these lesser flamingos have their heads buried, and some may be in oblivious sleep.   It reminds me of the general attitude of most people in these perilous times we are now living in:  life goes on as usual (so they believe) as all hell is breaking loose in the world and particularly in the Middle East.  Bible prophecy is being fulfilled right before their eyes and they are too asleep to realize it.   This is true even in the pulpit as well as the pews.   Pastors, for the most part, do not dare touch on Bible prophecy.   

Following is a 28 minute video from prophecywatchers,com featuring author and White House Correspondent Bill Koenig, who discusses the Middle East current events in detail.   Although posted on You Tube yesterday, it was filmed the beginning of this month, so it is not completely up-to-date, but there is enough pertinent information as to be enlightening to us.  

 Most of you who are followers of this blog, are already aware of the fact that things happening right now are extremely prophetically significant.  Mr. Koenig has been studying Bible prophecy for many years, and so has the host of the show, Gary Stearman, so they are quite knowledgeable concerning end time events.

Here is a link to an article titled "Three Reasons Syria Is Our Wake-Up Call"  from raptureready.com.  The writer, Todd Hampson, gives 3 main Scriptures as the reasons concerning Syria as a wake-up call. They are Zechariah 12:2-3;  Isaiah 17:1,14; Ezekiel 38.

Mr. Hampson goes into detail about these prophecies, and explains how Israel's recently discovered gas and oil is a threat to Russia's oil sales.   He also brings to our attention that "Saudi Arabia has never been aligned with Israel and the USA as foretold in Ezekiel 38 -- until now!"  He also says, "I believe we are seeing the stage being set before our very eyes for these three major end-time prophecies."   Please read the entire article.  It is recent and was published April 21, 2018.

Don't be slow to comprehend.  We are living in the last days; the last "hour" of the end times.  Read Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 for the signs of the times which Jesus warned us about.  Now is not the time to creep along with no purpose.  If you are a true believer, you need to be preparing spiritually for the Lord's soon return.   You also need to be witnessing to lost souls for them to come to the Lord in faith; to accept Jesus as their Savior, and to surrender their lives to Him.

Many people have a sense that tells them something has to give soon!  All the signs of the times tell us things cannot continue as they are now without a major event occurring, such as a World War (which some believe has already begun); or, glory! the return of Jesus to rapture believers to heaven to be with Him forever.   Many scholars believe that the disappearance of millions of believers in America will cripple our country so that we are no longer a superpower.   There are other factors, such as a nuclear attack, or an EMP attack, which could cripple our country. 

To sum it all up, get right with the Lord and obey Him and fulfill the Great Commission of making disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).   Your eternity depends on it, or should I say also that your future rewards in heaven depend on it, for thereby you are doing the Lord's will; you are saved by faith in Jesus Christ and not by works, but you show your faith by your works.  (James 2:20).

Jesus tells us at John 6:47,  "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life."

He says at John 6:40,   "And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."

"Words Of Encouragement And What Happens When You Die" (With Videos) - Inspirational Weekend

When I view beautiful flowers like the Hibiscus above, it reminds me of the Lord's tender mercies and His love for mankind by giving us such beauty to embrace while living in a chaotic world.  An evil world.  A cruel and selfish world, where godliness .... for the most part .... is not practiced and is mocked by unbelievers.  True and faithful believers need words of encouragement and hope.  We can find such hope and encouragement in God's Holy Word, the Bible.

Featured in this post, as in my last post, are two videos,  one by Amir Tsarfati and another by evangelist Dan Goodwin, only these are different and more recent videos than in the April 9, 2018, writing.  Following is a 24 minute video by Amir with words of clarification and encouragement, considering recent events.

Have you ever wondered where the dead go when they die?  Specifically, where the Old Testament righteous people went, since heaven was not open to them at that time?  Remember the parable given by Jesus in Luke 16:19-31, about the rich man and Lazarus the beggar, and where they went when they died?  The rich man went to hell (verse 23), and Lazarus went to Abraham's bosom, or paradise (also verse 23).  Many scholars believe this is a true story or history of two real individuals.  

The Talmud mentions both paradise and Abraham's bosom as the home of the righteous.  The main lesson here is that once death comes a person cannot change his eternal destiny.  

Abraham told the rich man who was in hell, "And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence."   -  Luke 16:26

In the following 28 minute video from prophecyinthenews.com ,  evangelist Dan Goodwin gives much information on this topic, as well as numerous Scriptures.  He also tells us that New Testament saints, you and I, can only enter heaven and be in God's presence  by being born again.  

Hebrews 11 tells us of the righteous men of old, who by faith obeyed God and it was accounted to them as righteousness.  For example,  Hebrews 11:7 says:

"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."    

The good Lord wants us to exhibit faith, and thereby be full of righteousness and pleasing to Him.  The way to develop faith is to read your Bible and by being often in prayer.  In other words, to develop a close, personal, intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ His Son.   Our purpose is to do His will and to bring glory to the Lord.  

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."   -  Hebrews 11:6

Now is the time to be busy for the Lord, bringing lost souls to come to a faith in Jesus as their Savior.  We are living in the end times, the last "hour" of the last days.  Be occupied in the Lord's work.

Be ready!!

Jesus could return at any moment !!

If you are an unbeliever, turn to the Lord before it is too late !  Pray and ask for forgiveness of your sins, repent and do not go back to a life of sin; have faith and believe in Jesus as your Savior; believe in His resurrection.  

Remember, God accepts U-turns !

Jesus loves you !

He is waiting with open arms of love and forgiveness!

Turn to Jesus with faith and belief!

He will pardon your sins and give you eternal life!

Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us:  (9)  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.  Believest thou this?"    -  John 11: 25-26

Update On Israeli Airstrikes On Syria and The Three Prophetic Babylons (With Videos)

There is much talk about world war right now, and the latest precursor to this, many believe, is the recent Israeli airstrike last night on Syria.  Following is an update on this by Amir Tsarfati in an 18 minute video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmPMnX5JaOw

Please take the time to watch the above update.  The prophecy of the destruction of Damascus in Isaiah 17:1 could happen at any time.  Damascus has already suffered extensive damage, and it would not take much to completely destroy it as Isaiah prophesied.  So much happening in the world today, and particularly in the Middle East, that we are in the beginning stages right now of what the Bible prophesied about the end times in which we now live.  So Jesus' return is now more imminent than it has ever been.  

Luke 21:28 encourages us with Jesus' words,  "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."

The next video is about the 3 Babylons and Mystery Babylon as prophesied in Revelation 17 and Revelation 18.   The 3 Babylons are the literal Babylon in the desert, figurative Babylon or the spirit of Babylon, and the prophetic Babylon.  Evangelist Dan Goodwin thoroughly and by Scriptures explains and focuses on the prophetic Babylon in the following video.  Actually, there are 2 prophetic Babylons:  the religious part in Revelation 17, and the financial and political part in Revelation 18.  To find where these 2 Babylons are located, according to Mr. Goodwin, please watch the 28 minute video from prophecyinthenews.com

We are definitely living in the last days, and we need to get ourselves ready for Jesus' soon return.  Believers should occupy themselves in the work of the Lord until then, winning souls for the Lord.  Be much in prayer and read the Holy Word daily.  Draw even closer to Jesus.

If you are an unbeliever, you need to get right with the Lord.  Repent of your sins and ask for forgiveness.  Believe that Jesus died for your sins, and that faith in Him and belief in His resurrection are necessary for salvation.  

Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us:  (9)  "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation....(13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."  -  1 John 2:17

"Pure Religion - Pure Worship" - Inspirational Weekend

"Pure religion and undefiled is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."  -  James 1:27

The King James Study Bible notes tells us, "James identifies true religion as involving two actions:  service and separation which relate to two basic attributes of God:  Love and Holiness."

We show love when we serve others, and we show holiness when we are separated from the world and are thereby not contaminated with sin by becoming worldly.

The word religion in the Greek (threskei) can also be translated worship.  The word religion has shifted in meaning today than what was meant back when it was first translated into English. The word religion meant rather worship.  Strong's Concordance gives the meaning as both religion and worshipping. 

"The feeling is one thing, the expression of it is another.  The feeling is religion, the expression of it is worship."  Therefore,in James 1:27, he was "not talking about religion, but about its expression, worship."

"James described religion by its fruits, and that on two sides: first, that of love and mercy; secondly, that of purity from worldly defilements."

It should be noted that this verse was an example to follow.  The fatherless and the widow were most vulnerable and usually had the most need, so James used them as examples, but the principle applies to others in need as well.  As believers, we are to serve God by serving our fellowman.  And by visiting the needy,  James meant more than a social visit, of course.  James meant to serve them, to help them in any way possible.  Doing so reflects the love of the heavenly Father, and it is our privilege to help the needy.  It is obeying God to do so.   It is also a sign that you are a true believer and that you have love from the Father working in your life; the Holy Spirit is within you.

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."  -   Matthew 5:8

The heart is the center of one's being, including mind, will and emotions.  To have a pure heart, you need to be a true believer, filled with the Holy Spirit.  You need to have been born again (John 3:3) and you need to have a close, personal, intimate, love relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  You do this by much prayer and Bible study; that is how you come to truly know the Lord.

It is all about love.  Beneficence comes from a heart full of love.  

You can trust God ! He loves you !  Take everything to Him in prayer.  Ask Him for an extra portion of His Holy Spirit.  Ask Him for guidance and to fill your heart to overflowing with love for others.  God answers prayers that are within His will.

If you have never been born again, it is critical that you go now to the Lord in prayer, asking for forgiveness and truly repenting of your sins, never to go back to a life of sin again.  Believe with every ounce of your being that Jesus is the Savior, the Redeemer, and that at the cross He shed His blood for you and for all who would have faith and believe in Him; for all who also believe He rose again from the dead, thereby making a way for true believers to have everlasting life.  

Don't delay.

Jesus could return at any moment.

You do not want to be left behind and thereby suffer the torments and judgments which occur during the following 7 year tribulation.

Jesus Loves You !

He is waiting to hear from you!

He will welcome you with open arms of love and pardon!

Romans 10:9,10,13 urges us: (9)  "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

John 14:2-3 says,  (2)  "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you. (3)  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. "

"Jesus saith unto him,  I am the way, the truth, and the life:  no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."   -  John 14:6

America Is In Deep Trouble (Video)

"America has become a humanistic society" says Dr. David Reagan of christinprophecy.org .  He also tells us that "The core belief in humanism is its conviction that man is capable of solving his own problems without any supernatural intervention from God."

2 Timothy 3:1-5 tells us:  (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."

All of the above things are prevalent in the world today, and perhaps especially so in America.  In verse 2 above it mentions that men will be lovers of their own selves.......that is humanism.   In verse 4 it tells us that men will be lovers of pleasures.....that is hedonism.   In 1 Timothy 6:10 it tells us that the root of all evil is the love of money.......that is materialism.  Many people today make money their god.  

You have to admit, America is guilty of all of the above sins.  Following is a 28 minute video from christinprophecy.org  which goes into much more detail and also discusses "God's prophetic voices to America" :

America is indeed in deep trouble and long overdue for judgement from God, as many have forgotten Him and many do not have a close, personal, intimate, love relationship with the Lord.  You must read and study your Bible to hear God "speak" to you; and you must pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  That is how you build a relationship with God, by communicating with Him.  

"Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you....."  - James 4:8a

Jesus gave us many signs to watch for concerning the end times, which we are now living in....in fact, we are in the last "hour" of the end times.  Read all of Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 to discover these signs of the last days.  

"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."   -    Jesus speaking at Luke 21:36

If Jesus returns tomorrow, or even in the next hour, would you be ready?  Can you honestly say that you know Him, believe in Him, have faith in Him, and that you long to be with Him for all eternity?

When Jesus walked the earth almost 2,000 years ago, the religious leaders of that day were not expecting Him to come as a "meek lamb".   They were expecting a conqueror to free them from the Romans.  So they missed Jesus' coming, so much so that they crucified Him.  Go here to read an article titled "Do Not Miss His Coming." 

America is in deep trouble because it is so full of ungodly people and people who have no love of God whatsoever.  Most everyone just wants to do their own thing.  And that is not to mention the violence we see today and the corruption in politics and I could go on and on.  In the days of long ago,  God would send enemies to wreck havoc on Israel when that nation would turn from Him and get caught up in sin and in worshiping other gods.  In that sense, they had rejected the good Lord, and they paid the price, often becoming captives in a foreign land.  God punished them severely, just like He will punish America.  

We can get so caught up in everyday living, work, family, and just also having a good time, that we have no time for the Lord.  We let things of the world crowd Him out.  In other words, we do not put Jesus first in our life.  That is the worst mistake anyone can make.  Your eternal destiny depends on the choices you make right now.  Choose Jesus and spend eternity in paradise with Him;  choose the world and its desires, and spend eternity in hell.  

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?  whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."    -  James 4:4

"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:  therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:"   -

Deuteronomy 30:19

The good news is:

Jesus loves you !!

He will pardon your sins and wipe the slate clean !

Choose Life

Choose Jesus

Come to Him in repentance.  Pray for forgiveness. Believe with all your being that Jesus is the Savior, and that you need Him.  You must have belief in His resurrection also as Romans 10 tells us.  If you are truly a follower of Jesus, you will live a godly life and put the Lord first.

Romans 10:9,10,13 informs us:  (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."    -  Ephesians 2:8-9