"God's Protection In These Troubled Times -There Is Always Hope!" (Video With Reinhard Bonnke & Video sermon by Andrew Murray) - Inspirational Weekend

[Kilauea Lighthouse, Kauai, Hawaii]

That is me in front of this landmark lighthouse on the island of Kauai several years ago.  A wildlife sanctuary is also there.  I chose a lighthouse photo of mine because this post will mostly concern itself with Jesus, our Savior, the Son of God; and Jesus is often symbolized by a lighthouse; He is our light to guide us over troubled waters and storms of life.  And many today are experiencing storms in their lives like never before; all of us just want things to go back to  "normal".  Since we are living in the end of this dispensation of Grace (The Church Age) and it is obvious that the New World Order is in its beginning stages, things are NOT going to go back to what they were.  It should draw us ever closer to the good Lord and make us look forward with hope and joy to when He returns and takes us to be with Him in heaven before the 7 year Tribulation begins soon.

In a previous post on this blog (August 8, 2020), we discussed Romans 7 and how even the apostle Paul struggled with sin, even though he was saintly and a true servant of the Lord.  This post will focus more on Jesus Himself and the importance of His shed blood at Calvary --  How belief in Jesus as the Savior can give one the hope of eternal life and the fact that His shed blood can wash us clean and that gives us eternal life if we but believe in Him.

Following is a wonderful video that gives insight to the importance of "the Blood".  Think of it, a baby gets its blood from the father.  And who was Jesus' Father?  Yes, Almighty God Himself !  Makes one realize even more so how precious is the blood of Jesus and how it can make us clean from sin.  The video below is 14 minutes and one of the narrators is Reinhard Bonnke: It gives us insight about our protection from God. It is a must watch for all believers !

"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the prince of the kings of the earth.  Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood."  -    Revelation 1:5

"Jesus is the great friend of His church and His people, One Who has done great things for them..... He has loved them, and in pursuance of that everlasting love, He has... washed them from their sins in His own blood.  Sins leave a stain upon the soul, a stain of guilt and of pollution. Nothing can fetch out this stain but the blood of Christ; and, rather than it should not be washed out, Christ was willing to shed His own blood, to purchase and pardon and be a purity for them."   -  a partial quote of  Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Revelation 1:5

One of the most comforting verses which tells us that Jesus will always be with us is found at Matthew 28:20 , which is part of the "Great Commission" :

"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. "  

Below is the most wonderful audio sermon by Andrew Murray ever!! in which he uses that verse at Matthew 28:20 as his main subject.  We must seek God/Jesus with our whole heart and there are abundant rewards for those who do so! In the sermon, Murray stresses what God expects from us... mainly only believe !!    But he also admonishes us to seek God/Jesus with all of our heart (Jeremiah 29:13) and to spend much time in true intense prayer and fellowship with Him.  Please, please watch this excellent 28 minute video!  You will be glad you did.

In these troubled times of today, these end times, the main thing is to keep your focus on God and Jesus, and on things above.  After all, that is the only thing that can help us to enter heaven.  This world is dying; heaven is alive and glorious!  Words cannot fully express how wonderful heaven will be!  The best thing is, we will be with Jesus, the Savior, for all eternity !

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

Remember the old hymn "Trust and Obey" ?  It rather fits here with Andrew Murray's sermon above.  Here is a lovely version of that hymn:

If you are not saved, have not been truly born again (a spiritual birth from above) then you will not enter heaven when you die.  You will go to the other alternative.

"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

Following are Scriptures that will help you to come to a true, living faith in Jesus Christ the Savior:

"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 !

"Are You In 'The Perfect Storm' Right Now? There Is Help For You!" (with Videos: One by Dr. David Jeremiah, and Another Video with Pastor Chuck Smith As a Narrator) - Inspirational Weekend

[Island Off Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii]

It had rained earlier the day I took the above photograph.  It is the one photo I have taken that comes close to depicting a "storm", which is the subject of this post.  We are referring to the storms of life that come upon us from time to time.  All of us are now suffering the effects of Covid-19 in one way or another; and the same goes for the current world events otherwise; the chaotic and lawless effects of a world gone mad!

The following excellent 29 minute sermon by Dr. David Jeremiah deals with the subject "A Shelter in the Storms of Life".  Dr. Jeremiah tells us what we can do when storms invade our lives.

"Peace is not the absence of stress, peace is the presence of the Savior."   -  Dr. David Jeremiah

"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him."  -  Nahum 1:7

Many of us tend to not read Nahum often.  But the above verse is so beautiful and comforting. God will deliver those who are His in their day of trouble and danger; and by "a stronghold" it refers to how God is a defense and is our strength and "fortress" by His love and protection of us, His children.

Nahum 1:7 is mentioned in the following 13 minute video below titled : "The Guardian of the World - God is Watching and He is in Control."  Towards the end of the following video, Pastor Chuck Smith (the founder of the Calvary Chapel Churches) is also one of the narrators of this encouraging message.

The message above reminds us that we are never alone!  And, also, to not focus on the problem, but instead to focus on God and Jesus, and He will help you and fight your battles !

"The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."    -   Exodus 14:14

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.  This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of Me, saith the LORD."  -  Isaiah 54:17

[Boats and Rainbow Bridge, Haleiwa, North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii]

One Scripture quoted before on this blog, which rather ties in with the subject matter today, is Psalm 27:14, which follows:

"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: Wait, I say, on the Lord."

Psalm 28:7 tells us: "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped."

"I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." -   Psalm 34:4

On the above verse at Psalm 34:4, Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary explains, in part : "David found Him [Yahweh] a prayer-hearing God. "I sought the Lord' in my distress, entreated His favor, and begged His help 'and He heard me' , answered my request immediately and 'delivered me from all my fears.'....God by His providence....and grace...works in us to silence our fears and still the tumult of the spirit.  This latter is the greater mercy of the two.  ......  When we look to the world we are darkened, we are perplexed, and at a loss; but when we look to God, from Him we have the light of both of direction and joy, and our way is made both plain and pleasant."

[Rainbow Shower Tree Blossoms]

 Remember always, if you are a true follower of Jesus, and have been born again (a spiritual rebirth from above) then Jesus makes you a conqueror and makes you victorious!

Romans 8:37 tells us: "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us."

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."                     -   1 Corinthians 15:57

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world,  even our faith."  -     1 John 5:4

Most of you are familiar with the fact that "storms of life" will make you turn more to prayer and reliance on the good Lord.  It will increase your faith, and make you stronger when you see God working in your behalf and helping you in whatever circumstances are troubling you.   And, as you know, sometimes God Himself will send storms to test your faith, and to help mold you into a faith filled servant of His, by teaching you to rely on Him, and Him only.

Hebrews 12:6 explains, "Whom the Lord loves He chastens."

"Afflictions are but the shadows of God's Wings."  - George Macdonald

If you have not yet put your faith in Jesus as the Savior, and  believe that it is only by Jesus' shed blood at Calvary we can find salvation..... that Jesus' redemptive work on the cross made a way for us to have eternal life because He was our substitute and took our sins upon Himself to pay our sin debt in full !  Now is the time to call upon Him and repent and surrender your life to Him.  Pray for forgiveness!   Following are Scriptures to help you :

"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

"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 !!

"Faith In Troubled End Times and Why We Need Jesus Desperately" (Video clip by Andrew Murray, and Video on Prayer) - Inspirational Weekend

Waterfalls can be refreshing to the soul.  Kinda reminds me of the "living water" the Bible speaks of.

  In John 4, Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well and told her of living water.   

Verse 10 says:  "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest  the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water."  

 Verse 14 :  "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life."  

       
   Commenting on verse 14 above, Albert Barnes' Notes says, in part,  "Jesus here refers without doubt to His own teaching, His "grace", His "Spirit", and to the benefits which come into the soul that embraces His gospel."

 In John 7:37-39, Jesus meant the Holy Spirit was living water, because He had not died yet, and the Spirit to come Who would indwell future believers, therefore,  had not yet been sent.  Acts 10:44-45 informs us that the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles.  This was, of course, after Jesus' resurrection.

All the previous was written on this post to lead up to what Jesus said at John 15:5 :  "I am the vine, ye are the branches:  He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing."     

  Hopefully you will read all of John 15.

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit commentary informs us on John 15:5: "These words of Jesus might be more accurately translated thus:  "Apart from Me, you can do nothing."     The idea being not merely that the help of Jesus is required in order that we may have spiritual life and bear "Fruit" to the praise and glory of God, but that we cannot even possess spiritual life at all unless we are united to Him as the branch is united to the tree [or vine]."   Nisbet also emphasizes, "There can be no life apart from Christ."  ...."This particular kind of life is a Divine gift, and it is the beginning or germ of " life eternal."..... "There is no union with Christ without faith."

Following is a short 5 minute clip by Andrew Murray on the True Vine:  

Also, on John 15:5, John Trapp comments ( a small portion of his Commentary) :  "Christ is a generous vine, a plant of renown, and all His are "filled with the fruits of righteousness" (Philippians 1:11) and have hearts full of goodness, as those of Romans 15:14 and lives full of good works, as Tabitha at Acts 9:33. Nehemiah never rested from doing good for his people; he was good all over."

This blog has stressed frequently how important it is to develop a close, intimate, personal, loving relationship with the good Lord.  And we do that by much prayer and by much Bible reading.  Only in that way can we draw close to the Lord, which in turn will build our faith.  Like any relationship, you cannot come to know the other Person if you never communicate with Him. And when God answers your sincere prayers, that will also build your faith in Him and help you to fellowship more often with Him and thereby draw closer and closer to Him.

Following is a powerful prayer to help you to be led by the Holy Spirit.  (Remember, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.)  This video is 11 minutes and packed with a powerful and moving message.

In this crazy and chaotic world we now find ourselves "spinning in", many people are fearful and wonder what tomorrow will bring.  If you are not saved and have not put your faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior, things look pretty bleak to you, perhaps.  And they are, because unless you have faith and believe that Jesus' death at Calvary and His shed blood there can wash your sins away (as He took our place on the cross and paid our sin debt in full, so that we could, by belief in His Redemptive work in our behalf, may have eternal life).  .... Unless you are born again by belief in Jesus as the Savior, you will spend eternity in Hell when you die.  (Luke 16:23 and Matthew 23:33).

If you are not yet saved (born again; a spiritual rebirth)  the following Scriptures are for you.

John 3:36 reads, "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."

"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

Turn to Jesus now before it is too late.

Soon Jesus will return to take true believers to be in heaven with Him.

Will you be ready?

Jesus will welcome you with open arms to embrace you in His love and forgiveness.

He is waiting to hear from you !


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

"Five Ways God Guides You To Heaven - Video " (And Video sermon by Andrew Murray; and a Video on Why Your Prayers Are Unanswered) - Inspirational Weekend

[Shark's Cove, Oahu, Hawaii]

Do you try and try to be obedient to the good Lord and to do His will, but you fail time and time again?  What is the cure for this?  First of all, the following Scriptures will be of great help in explaining part of this dilemma.  

Many of you, if not most believers, are familiar with Romans 7, and following are a few verses from that chapter concerning the struggle against sin:

(14) For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.  (15)  For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (17)  Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  (19) For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.   (20)  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me."

Please read all of Romans 7.  It was written by the saintly apostle Paul! Even he struggled to stay pure! In the following verses of Romans 7, he tells us the "antidote" to overcome this difficulty:

Romans 7, verses 24 and 25 tells us:  O wretched man that I am!  Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."

Following is a wonderful 37 minute audio sermon by Andrew Murray on this subject, and he speaks of Philippians 2 as well.  It helped me tremendously and it will you as well.  He speaks of the stages of the Christian life, and how believers MUST put God's will first in their lives.  The reason we fail so many times and have no victory is because we need Jesus and the Holy Spirit and we need to put our entire dependence upon God -- we have no power on our own to be victorious in our Christian walk and life!

"The future is as bright as the promises of God."  -  William Carey

"Life's trials are not easy. But in God's will, each has a purpose."   -  Warren Wiersbe

"Our first duty is not to understand but to believe what God has said."  -  A. W. Pink

"I am not what I hope to be.  But still, I am not what I used to be.  And by the grace of God, I am what I am."  -  John Newton

"Let God have your life; He can do more with it than you can."  -  Dwight L. Moody

"For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not."  -  Isaiah 30:15

"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

Below is a wonderful 11 minute video which explains five ways that God guides you to heaven - a must watch!

Following is a recent 12 minute video titled : "These Four Things Stop Your Prayer From Being Answered":   

It is imperative for all to watch the above excellent video, but especially for any who struggle with prayer and wonder why their prayers are not answered.  

Prayer is the way we can fellowship with the Heavenly Father, and thereby learn to love Him more and more.  By frequent prayer, we will learn to "listen" to Him in our spirit and to feel His presence and to know His guidance concerning us -- and to better understand His will and His purpose for our lives.  

The same is true when we diligently and frequently pour over God's Holy Word -  the Bible.  As has been said many times on this blog, the Bible is God's Love Letter to us, as well as His Instruction Manual for us to follow.

We live in urgent times!  

Soon the 7 year Tribulation will begin!    You do not want to be on this earth to suffer God's wrath which will be poured out then on the unbelievers left behind --- after the Rapture to heaven of true believers occurs, that is.  The Tribulation will be an unprecedented time of horror and destruction - a "shaking" and an upheaval of such magnitude that we cannot even begin to imagine the enormity of it!

(Read Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 for the signs Jesus gave concerning the time of His return in these last days !!  Also go to the search box at the top right hand side of this page and enter such things as "end time signs, Bible prophecy converging now, the Rapture, the 7 Year Tribulation."  Articles will appear on these subjects and some include videos with prominent scholars and pastors.)

The question is, are you Rapture Ready?

If you are a true believer and have put your faith and trust and belief in Jesus Christ as the Savior and the only way to heaven; and believe that His shed blood at the cross will wash away your sins because He took our place at Calvary and paid our sin debt in full by His sacrificial death....became our Redeemer;  then you have the hope of eternal life !  

" 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

Following are Bible verses concerning the way to salvation:

"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

"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 !!

Recent Video with Billy Crone On Today's Technoloy And How It All Fits In With Bible Prophecy

This is hoping everyone is hanging in there!  We Christians have a joyful hope that soon we will be with the Lord -  When He returns to take us to heaven in the Rapture of the Church (of true believers in Jesus as the Savior) !!

Meantime, we need to make sure we stay close to the good Lord by much prayer and much Bible reading.

"Dance with abandon, sing at the top of your lungs, give a shout of joy!  Jesus has risen and because He has risen, we have risen with Him from death to life!  Hallelujah!"  - author unknown

Many today are full of fear as to what the future holds.  Ponder the following at Psalm 34:4 :

"I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."

Matthew Henry comments on Psalm 34:4 as the following portion of his commentary says: "Because the thing we fear is not our trouble only, but our unbelieving distrustful fear of it is our sin, nay, it is more our torment too than the thing itself would be."

This is a short post mainly to share today's recent 29 minute video by prophecywatchers.com, and a discussion between the host Gary Stearman and his guest Pastor Billy Crone.  It is concerning the technology of today and how it relates to what was prophesied in the Bible, such as the image of the beast and a cashless society.   It is chock full of fascinating and informative information.

"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

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."   -  Psalm 16:11

"Then spake Jesus unto them, saying, I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life."  -  John 8:12