"The Diamonds And Music Of Heaven" (Video by Andrew Murray) - Inspirational Weekend

Charles Spurgeon has said, "Prayer is the falling of a tear.  Tears are the diamonds of heaven, sighs are a part of the music of Jehovah's court, and are numbered with the sublimest strains that reach the Majesty on high."   

Isn't that a beautiful quote!  This blog has concentrated on articles concerning prayer in the past, but when I read a recent devotion (recent to my Email inbox, that is) by Charles Spurgeon I felt compelled to share it with you.

Spurgeon continues, "Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven....... Oftentimes a poor broken-hearted one bends his knee, but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs and tears; yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with music; that tear has been caught by God and treasured in the lachrymatory of heaven."

Psalm 56:8 says, "Thou tellest my wanderings: put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not in thy book?"

 Spurgeon says the above verse "implies that they (tears) are caught as they flow. The suppliant, whose fears prevent his words, will be well understood by the Most High. .......  Think not that your prayer, however weak or trembling, will be unregarded.  ..... Our God not only hears prayers, but also LOVES to hear them. "He forgetteth not the cry of the humble"   (Psalm 9:12 b)  ......He regards not the triumph and pride of man; but wherever there is a heart big with sorrow, or a lip quivering with agony, or a deep groan, or a penitential sigh, the heart of Jehovah is open; He marks it down in the registry of His memory;  He puts our prayers, like rose leaves, between the pages of His book of Remembrance, and when the volume is opened at last, there shall be a precious fragrance springing up therefrom."

"Their prayer came up to His holy dwelling place, even unto heaven."  -   2 Chronicles 30:27

Charles Spurgeon used the above verse as a starting point in another of his devotions delivered recently to my Email inbox.  Here is a partial quote from that :

"Prayer is an open door which none can shut. Devils may surround you on all sides, but the way upward is always open, and as long as that road is unobstructed, you will not fall into the enemy's hand.  We can never be taken by blockade, escalade, mine, or storm, so long as heavenly succours can come down to us by Jacob's ladder to relieve us in the time of our necessities.  Prayer is never out of season. ...... In every condition, whether of poverty, or sickness, or obscurity, or slander, or doubt, your covenant God will welcome your prayer and answer it from His holy place.  Nor is prayer ever futile.  True prayer is evermore true power."

Andrew Murray was a South African Christian pastor, teacher and writer and lived from 1828 to 1917.  Following is a very special audio video from one of his books.  The video is 25 minutes, and is about prayer.  Excellent teaching !

"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." -    1 Peter 4:7

"Pray without ceasing."  -   1 Thessalonians 5:17

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."

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

"Maybe All The Bad Happening Now Is Actually Good" - (Prophecy Update Video by Pastor J.D. Farag)

The title of this post ("Maybe All The Bad Happening Now Is Actually Good") is similar to what Pastor J.D. Farag said in his recent Bible Prophecy Update posted on Sunday, February 23, 2020. You will see why he said that, when you watch the following 37 minute video:

Often good can come from evil.  Remember Joseph in the Old Testament and how his brothers hated him and sold him into slavery and how he eventually became a powerful figure in Egypt, second only to the Pharaoh himself.  Eventually Joseph's brothers came to Egypt to purchase food, as there was a great famine which necessitated them doing so.   When Joseph revealed himself to his brothers (because at first they did not recognize him as their brother), he said the following:

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."  -   Genesis 50:20

This reminds me of what was said in my previous post on February 22, 2020  (scroll down to view it),  and, that is, "Do not lean upon your own understanding" which is taken from Proverbs 3:5,6 as follows:

"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 paths."

This video above by Pastor Farag is one of his best!  He tells us that many professing Christians today don't see or don't want to see just how near we are to the end of all things as we know it.

Pastor Farag explains the way of salvation towards the end of his update above.

Jesus loves you !

Jesus is returning soon!

Be Rapture ready !


"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."    -    Jesus at Luke 21:28, concerning signs of the end times.  Please read all of Luke 21 !  It describes events that are occurring right now!

"Do NOT Lean Upon Your Own Understanding" (With 2 Videos, One by Pastor Chuck Smith) - Inspirational Weekend

[Two Hawaiian Moorhens]

We can get into a lot of trouble by only relying on our own understanding.  It is wise to go to God's Holy Word, the Bible, for answers to life's dilemmas and trials for direction.  Likewise, we should pray without ceasing to the good Lord about everything.

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us:  (5) "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6) In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.''

We get into a lot of trouble by immediately reacting to a problem or hardship or trial with only our "feelings."  We need the wisdom of God to guide us:  the Bible, and much prayer.

Although this saying did not originate with Dr. Charles Stanley, he has used it in more than one sermon:   "HALT  ...  never get too Hungry, too Angry, too Lonely, or too Tired" -   You do not make good decisions when you are in such a vulnerable state of mind."

[Island Off Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii]

In Proverbs 3:5, it makes it evident that we should rest in God and thereby be assured of His grace towards us, and that His will and power will help us ; will save us and help us in all things; in all circumstances.  Trust God.

In Proverbs 3:6,  we are admonished to "acknowledge" God and He will direct our paths.   We should not be self-sufficient and self-dependent as that has been the ruin of mankind ever since the fall in the Garden of Eden.

One commentator has said: "The grand sin of the human race is their continual endeavor to live independently of God, i.e., to be without God in the world.  True religion consists in considering God the fountain of all good, and expecting all good from Him."

Following is a 53 minute sermon by Calvary Chapel Chino Valley pastor David Rosales who discusses Proverbs 3:1-10.  If you only want to watch the part concerning Proverbs 3:5-6, just go to the section of minutes 14 to 20.

Many of you are familiar with Pastor Chuck Smith, who passed away not too very long ago.  He is the founder of the Calvary Chapel churches.  Following is a 41 minute audio sermon on Proverbs 3:5-6 by him, only he has an interesting take on those verses, meaning he concentrates on discerning the will of God.  He tells us that all of us today are in the process of fulfilling the purpose God has for our lives.

As has been written on this blog many times, we are in the last moments of the last days as prophesied in the Bible.  So much prophecy is being fulfilled today that many scholars admit it is impossible to keep up with it all, and impossible to report on all of it.  You may read more about it by going to the search box in the upper right hand side of this page and entering such things as "end times, signs of Jesus' return, 7 year Tribulation, the Rapture of the Church, the Mark of the Beast" and many other such topics.  

We need to make sure that we are truly saved and believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior with all of our heart and all of our soul and all of our very being.  Not an intellectual knowledge, but a vibrant, living, and life-changing belief.  A heart changing belief.

Jesus paid our sin debt in full at the cross, when He redeemed us by His shed blood which can wash away our sins if we but put full faith in Him as the Savior.  He was our substitute.  Salvation is not complicated; it just requires unwavering faith and strong heartfelt belief 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."

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."  -   John 3:36

"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 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

"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

Luke 21:28 is where Jesus tells us (concerning the signs of His soon return in these last days) :  

"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."

You may read more of these signs of the end times in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.

Jesus is at the very door!

Are you Rapture ready?

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

"Amazing Grace" - Have You Experienced It?" - (With 2 videos) -Inspirational Weekend

Grace!  Without the grace of God, we would have no hope of eternal life with the good Lord.  It has been said that the gospel message of Jesus Christ is all about God's grace.  

"But none of these move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."  -    Acts 20:24

Jesus is the epitome of grace and truth !

"And the Word {Jesus} was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth."  -   John 1:14

The Bible calls grace a gift.

"But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ."  -  Ephesians 4:7

Most of you may be familiar with Ephesians 2:8-9 which follows:

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

One hymn that is well known to all is "Amazing Grace."  My favorite version of it has been posted on this blog once before, but here is another version by an adorable child.

The above hymn gives us a good understanding of what it means to be saved by grace, which is God's undeserved favor, and shows His love and forgiveness of our sins.  It is God's blessing on the unworthy.  Read the account of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-24.

The wayward and sinful son in that account typifies all unbelievers, and the father there who forgives and welcomes the prodigal son back joyfully and with love, is representative of God, who forgives us sinners.

Following is a short 5 minute sermon clip on the prodigal son by Pastor David Wilkerson.  The pastor talks not only about the prodigal son, but gives us assurance about how God truly loves us and rejoices over us; and how He desires of us constant faith.

God's Holy Word tells us that we cannot do anything to earn our salvation.  Isaiah 64:6 informs us that "And we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags."

2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."

In Romans 4 it speaks of ancient Abraham's great faith and how he gave glory to God (verse 20).  Romans 4:21-22 tells how Abraham's faith was accounted to him as righteousness, in that he believed and trusted God to fulfill His promises.

Romans 4:24-25 says "But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead: Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification."

It is evident that God is love ( 1 John 4:16), and that He gives grace to the humble and to those that come to Him with a sincere repentance and with a true faith and belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Savior.

How grateful we should be for all of His love and tender mercies, His grace!

We should glorify Him and praise Him !

We finite humans cannot even begin to comprehend such a strong love from God and Jesus.  We can only understand in part right now.  When we are in glory in heaven, no doubt we will have a fuller grasp of the depth of the good Lord's love.

"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."  -  1 Corinthians 2:9

"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him."  -   1 John 4:9

This age of grace we are currently experiencing will soon end, when Jesus returns to rapture His true believers to be with Him in heaven.  After that is the 7 year Tribulation period, when the Lord will pour out His wrath upon the wicked with the horrors and plagues and destruction in the Tribulation.  You do not want to be here then!   Although the Bible does inform us that many will be saved during that 7 year period, they will do so by their death by the antichrist system; because as Christians they will not pledge allegiance to the antichrist by taking the "Mark of the beast".  They  would rather die than not be true to God.  (Revelation 13:14-18; Revelation 7:3-14; Revelation 20:4)  And when these new Christians are beheaded (Revelation 20:4), they will go to be with the Lord in heaven for their faith.

Do not wait !  

Time is running out!

Repent and pray for forgiveness and commit your life to Jesus by believing in Him as the Savior; that His shed blood at Calvary can wash away your sins as He paid your sin debt in full by the Redemption that His death and sacrifice provided for you.  This belief is not just intellectual knowledge that Jesus is the Savior.  It is a strong, living belief with all of your heart and soul.... your very being - and you will love Him and not want to do anything to grieve Him.

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 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 answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."     - John 3:3

"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 !!

"Words Of Hope And Encouragement In Troubled Times" - Inspirational Weekend

I was going to post another video about end times signs, but felt instead as if the Lord wanted me to share some hopeful and encouraging Scriptures and thoughts that would uplift your spirits. Please watch an inspiring video towards the end of this article which is titled, "God's Love Letter to us."

"The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."     -  Jesus at John 6:63 b

In these troubled last moments of the end times we find ourselves living in now, it is imperative that we focus on "things above"  to give us hope and strength and a right perspective -  a spiritual view.

"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

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."  -   1 John 2:15-17

If you are a born again Christian, those words above are very encouraging.  And they can be encouraging to unbelievers as well if those Scriptures will help them to come to a saving faith in Jesus the Savior.  

But for the here and now, we are stuck in this imperfect and wicked world.   We need to occupy until Jesus' soon return; by that is meant to fellowship with the good Lord by much prayer and much Bible study, and to witness to lost souls about salvation found only in Jesus.

Following are scriptures to encourage you and give you hope.

"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

"These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of  good cheer; I have overcome the world."   -  Jesus at John 16:33

"Be careful  [anxious] for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."   -  Philippians 4:6-7

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:  I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."    -   Isaiah 41:10

"Therefore being justified by faith,  we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."  -  Romans 5:1-2

"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

It is good to read the entire Psalm 23 as well as Psalm 91.  You can check the internet for Scriptures that may apply to your particular needs or situation.

The main thing is to focus on living a life that pleases the good Lord and that includes sharing with others the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Remember to give God the glory in everything!

"Saying with a loud voice, fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."    -   Revelation 14:7

Time is short!

Jesus could return at any moment to take true believers to be with Him in heaven...... when the Rapture of the Church occurs.

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."  -  Titus 2:13

No one knows the day or the hour of Jesus' return except the Heavenly Father.  But we need to make sure that we  believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior, and put our hope and faith in Him, so when He does return, we will be rapture ready.

All of the above Scriptures give us hope and encouragement. What a loving and merciful God to write us such a love letter and instruction manual as found in His holy Word, the Bible!  With such a hope of eternal life as given by belief in Jesus as the Savior, we can find strength to endure trials and hardships in this imperfect world.  We have a hope that soon we will be in heaven with the good Lord.  That helps us to endure !  Following is a short video (10 minutes) about God's love letter to us, as if spoken by the Heavenly Father Himself.  I have posted it previously, but felt it rather fits this article to share it with you again.  It is a very moving and uplifting message.

Jesus loves you and will welcome you with open arms full of compassion and forgiveness.

"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

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."

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

Recent Middle East Update by Amir Tsarfati And A Powerful Sermon by Pastor David Wilkerson

First this article will share a powerful and much needed short sermon (10 minutes) by Pastor David Wilkerson which stresses how we should love God and want to spend time with Him.  Pastor Wilkerson makes it clear that Jesus will not abide where He is ignored.  

Amir Tsarfati recently posted (on January 30, 2020) a very informative and must see video of Middle East affairs - an update -  which also features Pastor Barry Stagner and Pastor Jack Hibbs giving their insights along with Amir.  It is an hour and 4 minutes long, but you will be glad if you watch it all which follows:

In the above video, they discuss the recent pandemic virus, signs of the end times, the recent President Trump's "Deal of the Century", how the antichrist comes after the Ezekiel 38 war, and much more.  

Many Christians are not aware of the fact that approximately 33% of the Bible is prophecy.  Bible prophecy and the fact that we are in the last moments of the end times can be a strong tool to wake people up and have them turn to faith in Jesus before it is too late, as the Rapture of true believers could happen at any time now.  I am not saying this year or setting a date;  Jesus said only the Heavenly Father knows the day and the hour when our Savior will come to take His followers to be with Him in heaven before the horrors of the 7 year Tribulation begin.   

You do not want to be here for the destruction, plagues and unbelievable suffering that are part of the Tribulation.  Read the book of Revelation !!  For more on the Tribulation, go to the search box on the above right side of this page and type in "7 year tribulation" and several articles will appear for you to chose from, many of which have videos with Bible scholars discussing those events.

Although Bible prophecy can wake sleeping sinners up to the reality that there is not much time left in this present age of grace, the best witnessing tool is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with lost souls.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 tells us: (1) "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein ye stand; (2)  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. (3) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures;  (4) And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures: "

Romans 10: 9,10, 13 says:  (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."