"Wake Up And Shine For Jesus" (With A Video on Prayer And A Video on Faith) - Inspirational Weekend

As Amir Tsarfati has said,  "We are here for a greater cause, to share the Gospel and to help the church to wake up."

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."   - Jesus at Matthew 6:33

"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."   -  Matthew 7:14

Much has been written on this blog concerning prayer, and following is a powerful sermon by Pastor Charles Lawson on prayer.  It will bless you.   

"If you find your life of prayer to be always so short, and so easy, and so spiritual, as to be without cost and strain and sweat to you, you may depend on it, you have not yet begun to pray."   -    Alexander Whyte

"Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."  -  Philippians 4:6

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

"Rest in what God says.  Do not live by your feelings."  -  David Wilkerson

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart: And lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path." -   Proverbs 3:5-6

Following is another sermon by Pastor Charles Lawson, this time on the subject of faith.  I pray you will take the time to watch this 31 minute video.

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

"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 the just shall live by faith: but if any man shall draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." - Hebrews 10:38

The title of this post is "wake up and shine for Jesus".  We need to be awake to the signs of the times; how Bible prophecy is being fulfilled today like never before, proving we are in the last moments of this current dispensation.  Go to the search box in the upper right hand side of this page and enter things like "end times", or "the Rapture" and so on for more information on eschatology.

To wake up and shine for Jesus is to put Him first in our life, and to obey Him, and to follow in His footsteps as closely as we are able.  We should share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with lost souls, and endeavor to live a life that is becoming to a Christian; a life that reflects Jesus.

Remember what the poem in my previous post said?  "Only one life, 'twill soon be past; only what's done for Christ will last."

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."

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"  -  Romans 3:23

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal  life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  -  Romans 6:23

"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

"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

Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend.... and life !!

"Only One Life" (With Thankfulness Scriptures) - Inspirational Weekend

"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."   -  John 3:16

The above verse is what we should be most thankful about, not only at Thanksgiving, but every day of the year.   Jesus died and suffered a cruel death so that we might gain eternal life, if we but put our faith, trust, and hope in Him.....believe He is the Savior and that He took our place at Calvary to pay our sin debt in full.   Just Believe.      This does not mean mere head knowledge, or only an intellectual belief.  You must  believe with all of your heart, soul, mind, and every fiber of your being that He is the Savior, the only way to God the Father, the only way to heaven.  

"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

One must put Jesus FIRST in their life, above anything and above anyone.   If you truly are saved, you will have such love for the good Lord and such gratitude for all He has done for you, that you will be totally surrendered to Him and to His will, not your will.

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful."  -  Colossians 3:16

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."             -            1 Thessalonians 5:18

"O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever."  -  1 Chronicles 16:34

There are many other verses in the Bible that remind us of how thankful and grateful we should be to the good Lord for all of His grace and tender mercies.  We should make it our aim to draw ever closer to Him and to fellowship with Him often.  You cannot have a close relationship with anyone unless you communicate with them regularly.  Pray often and read your Bible daily.  That is the only way to develop a close, personal, intimate, ongoing love relationship with God through His Son Jesus.

Some time ago on this blog I posted a portion of a famous poem by C.T. Studd and provided a link to where readers could view the entire poem.   Now here is the entire poem below.  It is titled, "Only One Life, 'Twill Soon Be Past."

Two little lines I heard one day, traveling along life's busy way;

Bringing conviction to my heart, and from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, soon will its fleeting hours be done;

Then, in "that day" my Lord to meet, and stand before His Judgment seat;

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice,

Bidding me selfish aims to leave, and to God's holy will to cleave;

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its clay I must fulfill,

Living for self or in His will;

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,  when satan would a victory score;  when self would seek to have its way,

Then help me Lord with joy to say; 'twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, in joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;

Faithful and true what e'er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, and from the world now let me turn, living for Thee, and Thee alone, bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne,

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, 

"Thy will be done. And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say "'twas worth it all."  

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.

Extra Stanza:

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.

And when I am dying how happy I'll be, if the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.

Only one life, It will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."    -  Matthew 6:33

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."  -  Philippians 1:21

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

Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend - and life !!

"Slim Pickin's ?" - Inspirational Weekend

[Brazilian Cardinal On Coconut Shell On Hawaiian Beach]

Some time ago, from my reference photograph above, I completed an oil painting of this cardinal and titled it "Slim Pickin's".  Although the coconut contained sand from the beach, somehow the bird was finding some "slim pickin's" to nibble on.

It occurred to me just now that many people are surviving on just slim pickin's in their life, with no real "meat" of truth or hope to sustain them.  It's even true with some Christians who never read their Bible and seldom pray.

What to do?

First of all, we must have a vibrant and living faith and belief in Jesus Christ as the Savior.  Without that, you are dead....spiritually dead, and will not make it to heaven.

Secondly, we must die to self.  Yes, in an age where people are always thinking of themselves first and love to take selfie photos and the like, we must learn to put the heavenly Father and Jesus first in our lives.  

"Look for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay.  But look for Christ, and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in."    -   C.S. Lewis (from his book, Mere Christianity)

Let us consider some Christian quotes and, most importantly, some Scriptures which follow that will enrich our soul and mind and heart.

"God always gives His very best to those who leave the choice with Him."  -   James Hudson Taylor

"Life is not about how long you live, but whether you are living intentionally and devotedly to Christ."  -  Dr. Charles Stanley

"Your life helps paint your neighbor's picture of God."   -  unknown

"Being at peace with yourself is a direct result of finding peace with God."  -  Olin  Miller

"The safest place in all the world is in the will of God, and the safest protection in all the world is in the name of God."   -  Warren Wiersbe

[Haleiwa Beach, Oahu, Hawaii]

Lately, quotes by Christians on this blog have been more rare, as I think we should focus primarily on God's Holy Word. Following are some verses from Psalm 40, which all Christians can relate to:

Psalm 40:1-3 :    (1) "I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.  (2) He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. (3) And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD."

"For the joy of the Lord is your strength."  -  Nehemiah 8:10 b

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit."  -   Romans 15:13

"And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart."  -    Jeremiah 29:13

[Waterfall At Waimea Bay Botanical Gardens, Oahu, Hawaii]

Please ponder over the above Scriptures; let them sink deep into your heart.  But nothing compares to actually opening the Bible and pouring over God's Holy Word daily for yourself.   As has been stated here before, the Bible is God's love letter to us, as well as His instruction manual to guide us along life's paths as we endeavor to do His will.   When you read the Bible daily, you learn more about God and His Son Jesus, and you appreciate their attributes and that they personify love.... a love beyond our finite understanding.  You will grow to love the Lord more and more as you read His Holy Word..... you will draw ever closer to Him.

The same applies to daily prayer.  The good Lord wants to fellowship with us.  He loves us.  You cannot  develop a good relationship with anyone if you never communicate with him.   As you read the Bible and pray daily, you will find that you will grow in your relationship to the Lord.   It will become a close, intimate, personal, ongoing love relationship.  Isn't God awesome!

So do not live a life of "slim pickin's".  A life without Jesus is a failure.   True success is a life lived in obedience to Him.

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

"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

"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

"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."    John 3:16

  Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend...... and life !!

"You MUST Stop And Watch These Two Phenomenal Recent Video Updates On Current Events And Bible Prophecy Happening Now!" (Amir Tsarfati Update and Pastor J.D. Farag)

The following videos impress upon us that we ARE in the last moments of the end times.  Since I was around 15 years old, the subject of the last days and how long the world would be here and what was true has intrigued me.   My Sunday School teacher back then mentioned something about the year 2000 and one thing led to another and  the result was that the Sunday School teacher began to teach on Bible prophecy after that.  

Having said all that and also that I have ever since been interested in eschatology ---  although I got distracted from it for awhile; it was on my mind often even at the young age of 15 and thereafter,  and in High School I wrote short essays about it for my English Class.  The good Lord knew back then that I would, in my old age, write about Bible prophecy.

I can honestly say that I have never heard anything to excite me and touch my heart and soul about Jesus' return as much as the following video by Amir Tsarfati.  (Except, of course, the Bible itself!) The Rapture of the Church seems even more real to me now than ever before. I never doubted  the Rapture all those previous years, but the Holy Spirit impressed upon me even more while watching this video that Jesus is now at the very door! Amir just posted  this video yesterday.  It is only 36 minutes in length.  Don't miss watching it, please!

Just a note to those who are not familiar with this blog, Amir is a Messianic Jew and lives in Israel.  He has a thriving ministry and travels the world  preaching and teaching about the Gospel and end time prophecy.

Following is a prophecy update by J.D. Farag, a well-known pastor in Hawaii.  People all over the world (his online church family) look forward to his Bible Prophecy Update every Sunday. His update was posted on You Tube yesterday as well.

Some Christians are in denial that the Rapture will happen soon, but current events and Bible prophecies being fulfilled at a fast pace today (at warp speed), proclaim loud and clear that Jesus will return any day now.  No one knows the day or the hour, but only God the heavenly Father.

Be ready always!

Read your Bible daily and pray daily.  That way you will draw close to the good Lord and you will begin to realize a close, intimate, personal, loving and ongoing relationship with God through Jesus Christ, His Son.

Jesus loves you and wants to see you come to a living and vibrant and strong faith and belief in Him as the Savior.

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."

"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."   -  John 3:16

"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