"It Is Not About Why, But About Who!" and "God Will Lighten Your Darkness!" - (With Videos) - Inspirational Weekend

The title of this article ("It's Not About Why, But About Who!")  is from the following 24 minute sermon by Charles Lawson, in which he quotes Psalm 91 and Proverbs 3:5-6, which Scriptures most of you are familiar with.    One thing to note, in his sermon below,  Pastor Lawson tells us "When you choose God, He will direct and choose your way."  And, "Your way is your attitude toward God."

"The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does it recognize any obedience that does not spring from faith.  The two are at opposite sides of the same coin."  -  A.W. Tozer

"The evidence of spiritual growth is when in difficulties you run to the Lord first - in prayer!  Get on your knees!"  -  David Wilkerson 

Today's world has its share of "darkness" and troubles.  It affects us all in one way or another. In the following 14 minute sermon by Pastor David Wilkerson, he tells us that we may go through many darknesses, but if you are a true Christian, Jesus will rescue you and strengthen you !

"If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the right shining of a candle doth give thee light."   -  Jesus at Luke 11:36

At John 3:19-21 Jesus tells us:  "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light lest his deeds should be reproved.  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that they are wrought in God."

In view of the fact that we are now living in the last moments of the last days (according to how Bible Prophecy is now coming true daily)  we do well to concern ourselves with living a life in obedience to the good Lord and watching expectantly for Jesus' return!   (Titus 2:13)

"For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry."   -   Hebrew 10:37

Following is a 4 minute sermon clip by Pastor David Wilkerson on the topic of : It's time to wake up!  Please watch!  Pastor Wilkerson stresses how we should make time for the good Lord! His return is near!  What will Jesus find you doing then?

Concerning Bible prophecies and the fact that nothing should alarm true believers in Jesus Christ the Savior,   Charles Spurgeon has this to tell us in one of his "Faith's Checkbook" devotions based on Daniel 12:13 =

"We cannot understand all the prophecies, but yet we regard them with pleasure and not with dismay.  There can be nothing in the Father's desire which should justly alarm His child. Though the abomination of desolation be set up, yet the true believer shall not be defiled; rather shall he be purified, and made white, and tried.  Though the earth be burned up, no smell of fire shall come upon the chosen.  Amid the crash of matter and the wreck of worlds, the Lord Jehovah will preserve His own - Calmly resolute in duty, brave in conflict, patient in suffering; let us go our way, keeping to our road, and neither swerving from it nor loitering in it.  The end will come, let us go our way till it does.  Rest will be ours.  All other things swing to and fro, but our foundation standeth sure.  God rests in His love, and therefore we rest in it.  Our peace is, and ever shall be, like a river.  A lot in the heavenly Canaan is ours, and we shall stand in it, come what may.  The God of Daniel will give a worthy portion to all who dare to be decided for truth and holiness as Daniel was.  No den of lions shall deprive us of our sure inheritance."

Times are urgent in which we are now living!  Urgent especially if you are not saved, are not born again, and have not put your trust and faith and belief in Jesus Christ as the Savior and Him as the only way to the Father and heaven!   Jesus paid your sin debt in full on the cross !  He was our substitute as the Lamb of God to take our sins upon Himself and Redeem us by the shedding of His precious blood.  Think of how He suffered for you!  Think of His great love and compassion for you!

Following are some Salvation Scriptures for those who are not saved to take to heart --  to realize their perilous unsaved condition, and to repent of their sins in all sincerity, and turn to the Lord, recognizing their sinful state and that only Jesus can save us if we but put our faith in Him.... Pray for forgiveness !  Turn to Him with all of your very being in faith NOW !!

Jesus loves you and will welcome you with open arms in an embrace of love and forgiveness!

"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

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."   -  Titus 2:13-14

"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

"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

"Grace be with you all!"  (Titus 3:15)

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

"Flee! Flee To A Strong And Safe Refuge!" (With Hymn by Martin Luther) - Inspirational Weekend

• [Mother Peacock and Baby]

My photograph above of the mother peacock with her baby seems to fit the title of this post, as the mother shelters and protects her baby and is a refuge for it to flee to when danger is afloat.  My photo below gives a better idea of the mother's protection.

Most of you (especially Christians) will agree that this old and troubled and chaotic world is not a safe refuge by any means!  So what can we do?  The answer is found in Psalm 46:1 which follows:

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Following are abbreviated quotes from James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary on Psalm 46:1 =

".....  It is a blessed thing to know Jesus Christ, the Friend who sticketh closer than a brother.  God is our refuge from isolation and from human misunderstanding

.....  Again, it is a hard, but it is a Divine, lesson to be calm and restrained under wrongful blame, a difficult, but a splendid victory.  God is our refuge from provocation.

..... Again, everything around us changes. The world itself is but for a time.  We ourselves grow old and change, but Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yea, and forever, (Hebrews 13:8), and he that doeth the will of God abideth forever (1 John 2:17).   God is our refuge from change.

God is our refuge from sin and sorrow :  [ abbreviated = ]  ..... "the forgiveness of sins is offered to us in Jesus Christ our Savior.  ...  In sorrow,  if we but look up to the face of our Father, without Whom not a sparrow falls to the ground; and say... "Thou, O God, art my refuge in the day of trouble.

God is our refuge from uncertainty.  ...   God reveals Himself to the childlike in heart, and His revelation addresses itself to the whole of our nature and not to one part:  to the warm, loving heart, as well as to the cold, scoffing intellect.    ...  Light is sprung up in the darkness...

To those that thus receive the LORD, the refuge becomes also an Almighty Strength in whose Holy Spirit the very weakest of us can live a life to His glory and to the good of others."  (End of Nisbet's quotes)

On this Psalm 46, Martin Luther, in 1529, wrote his wonderful hymn : "A Mighty Fortress is our God", and here it is for your encouragement below:

Following are abbreviated  comments by Charles Spurgeon on Psalm 46:1 on his "Faith's Checkbook" devotion of 12-22-20:

" ...  Very few earthly helps could be called "very present".   They are usually far in the seeking, far in the using, and farther still when once used.  But as for the Lord our God, He is present when we seek Him, present when we need Him, and present when we have already enjoyed His aid.

"He is more than "present", He is very present  .  More present than the nearest friend can be, for He is in us  in our trouble;   more present than we are to ourselves, for sometimes we lack presence of mind.

"He is always present, effectually present, sympathetically present, altogether present.  He is present now if this is a gloomy season.  Let us rest ourselves upon Him.  He is our refuge ;  let us hide in Him; He is our strength; let us array ourselves with Him; He is our help; He is our very present help.  Let us repose in Him NOW.  We need not have a moment's care or an instant's fear. "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."     -   Psalm 46:7,11

"Then spake Jesus again 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

"I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope."  -  Psalm 130:5

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.  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.  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.  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."     -  Jesus the Savior at John 14:1-4

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."   -    Titus 2:13-14

From the Scriptures immediately above, we have a sure hope that Jesus will return to take true believers to heaven to be with Him!

Think about it!  How wonderful and encouraging that is!

And all indications from how Bible prophecy is playing out now and coming true at warp speed in these the last moments of the last days.... Jesus' return must be very soon!  Many scholars and theologians agree!  But most importantly, God's Holy Word the Bible agrees!

If Jesus returns today or tomorrow or soon thereafter, are you "Rapture Ready?"  You are if you are born again (a spiritual birth from above; from God and Jesus - a belief that Jesus is the Savior and that  His shed  blood at the Cross can wash you clean if you but believe with all of your very being that He is the Savior, and the only way to the Father and heaven.)  If you believe like that, then you are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13) and are truly a new creation! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

If you are not saved, not born again, do NOT delay!  Time is running out!

Jesus loves you and will welcome you with open arms, and embrace you with His love and His forgiveness!

Following are Scriptures on how to be saved.  Repent of your sins and pray to the good Lord for forgiveness.  He honors a sincere heart; a heart sorrowful for sins and full of repentance.

"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

"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)    2 Corinthians 6:2

"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

"I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness."   -   Jesus at  John 12:46

"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

Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend -  and life!

"How To Light Up Your Life" - With Videos - Inspirational Weekend

 

Recently, while walking in a suburb in Honolulu that is not near where I live, I passed a church that often posts encouraging comments on its sign outside.  That day the comment read: "Danger: satan is dimming our light so slowly the darkness seems normal."

Talk about food for thought!

Christians already know where this article is leading.  But for many others,  it may be a new notion.

Following is a short devotional by In Touch Ministries (Dr. Charles Stanley) concerning "Rejecting The Darkness) with its scriptural basis of Ephesians 5:1-7

And a very enlightening 36 minute sermon below by Pastor David Wilkerson titled : Man's Hour of Darkness Is God's Hour Of Power".  Please watch !

Christians are familiar with John 8:12 which tells us:  "Then spake Jesus again 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."

There we have, in the Savior's words at John 8, the way in which we may "Light up our lives."

  Belief and Faith in Jesus as the Savior, and also to "follow" Him as best we can, is the key to light and completeness.  We will never be perfect this side of heaven, but we should endeavor to follow Jesus; to walk in His footsteps, so to speak.

"And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let Him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."     -  Jesus at Luke 9:23

 

Keep in mind, that any "righteousness" we have, it is not really "our righteousness"  but the righteousness which comes from the Lord.  

Romans 3:10 informs us:  "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one."

We are only justified by the blood of Christ.

"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 hope of the glory of God."  -   Romans 5 :1-2

"Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received the atonement."   -  Romans 5:9-11

 

 Being realistic, things are tough right now, and a bit overwhelming,  but only if you take your eyes and mind off of Jesus and God's promises.  We believers have a hope and faith that should give us strength and endurance.

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." -   Titus 2:13-14

Following is an excellent devotional by Charles Spurgeon titled - "The Lord Our Righteousness" which is a quote from Jeremiah 23:6 :

"It will always give a Christian the greatest calm, quiet, ease, and peace to think of the perfect righteousness of Christ.  How often are the saints of God downcast and sad!  I do not think they ought to be.  I do not think they would if they could always see their perfection in Christ.  There are some who are always talking about corruption and the depravity of the heart, and the innate evil of the soul.  This is quite true, but why not go a little further and remember that we are "Perfect in Christ Jesus."  It is no wonder that those who are dwelling upon their own corruption should wear such downcast looks,  but surely we are called to mind that, "Christ is made unto us righteousness"    we should be of good cheer.   What though distresses afflict me, though satan assault me, though there may be things to be experienced before I get to heaven,  those are done for me in the covenant of divine grace. There is nothing wanting in my Lord.  Christ hath done it all.  On the cross He said, "It is finished."  Then am I complete in Him and can rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory,  "Not having mine own righteousness, which is the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.    You will not find on this side of heaven a holier people than those who receive into their hearts the doctrine of Christ's righteousness.  When the believer says, "I live on Christ alone; I rest on Him solely for salvation and I believe that,  however unworthy, I am still saved in Jesus; then there rises up as a motive of gratitude this thought: "Shall I not live to Christ, shall I not love Him and serve Him, seeing that I am saved by His merits?"  "The love of Christ constraineth us", that they which live should not live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them. If saved by imparted righteousness, we shall greatly value imparted righteousness."

In Pastor David Wilkerson's sermon video above, he mentions the old hymn "Jesus is the Light of the world." Following is a recent rendition of that hymn for you to enjoy:

 

Now is the time to turn to the good Lord in faith, for we are living in the last moments of the end times as the Bible has prophesied.

Following are Scriptures which explain salvation.  Please take them to heart and repent if you are not a believer in the Savior Jesus;  put your faith in Him and in His shed blood at the cross which can wash you clean and create in you a new heart.  Pray for forgiveness and turn to the good Lord in complete surrender.

"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, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believeth 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

 

Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend -  and life!  

 

 

 

 

 

"I'd Rather See The Uppertaker Than The Undertaker" (with videos - One By Dr. David Jeremiah - Other Videos About Bible Prophecies)

 

[Black-Crowned Night Heron at Ala Moana  Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii]

The above heron is busy waiting and waiting for some fish to appear.  We true believers should be waiting in excited anticipation for our Savior, Jesus Christ, to come very soon and rapture us to heaven to be with Him!

The title of this post: "I'd rather see the Upper-Taker than the undertaker"  is a direct quote by Dr. David Jeremiah from the following 23 minute sermon concerning the Rapture.  ("The Upper-Taker" being Jesus of course! )   In the following video, the pastor makes a clear and informative explanation concerning our "blessed hope"   (Titus 2:13)  He also gives information on how we believers should be living NOW.

Much has been written in the past on this blog concerning the fact that we are living in the last moments of the last days (of this dispensation).  Times are urgent folks!  Following is a video which tells us about a recent announcement which everyone should take note of!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJdCS-2-ZiA

The above link makes it clear that we are fast approaching the time of Jesus' return and of the 7 year Tribulation which will follow.

The same goes true about how we are living in the end times by the following Bible Prophecy brought out in the following video.

So, what should we do in the meantime to endure?  Be constantly in the Holy Word, the Bible !  Pray without ceasing! (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

"But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.  For they that sleep sleep in the night: and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.   But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with HIM.  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also we do."   -  1 Thessalonians 5:4-11

It can be a fearful and troublesome thing to contemplate what the world is like today.  The young tend to  rather accept things as they are (not all of them) and as being "normal", while we older ones remember even 50 or more so years ago how different things were.  Not that things were perfect back then, of course.

Charles Spurgeon has said, : "If we fear God, we have nothing else to fear; if we cry to the LORD, our salvation is certain."

Following is a devotional by Spurgeon titled:  "God Will Answer"  : 

"He will fulfill the desire of them that fear HIM;  He also will hear their cry, and will save them." -  Psalm 145:19

"His own Spirit has wrought this desire in us, and therefore He will answer it.  It is His own life within which prompts the cry, and therefore He will hear it.  Those who fear Him are men under the holiest influence, and, therefore, their desire is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.  Like Daniel, they are men of desires, and the LORD will cause them to realize their aspirations. Holy desires are grace in the blade, and the heavenly Husbandman will cultivate them till they come to the full corn in the ear.  God fearing men desire to be holy, to be useful, to be a blessing to others, and so to honor their LORD.  They desire supplies for their need, help under burdens, guidance in perplexity, deliverance in distress;  sometimes this desire is so strong and their case so pressing that they cry out in agony like little children in pain and then the LORD works most comprehensively and does all that is needful according to this word;  "And will save them."

Yes, if we fear God, we have nothing else to fear; if we cry to the LORD, our salvation is certain."

 

"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." -   Proverbs 3:5-6

"But I will sing of Thy power; Yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning: For Thou has been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.  Unto Thee, O my strength, will I sing: For God is my defence, and the God of my mercy." -   Psalm 59:16-17

"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

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  -  Philippians 4:13

"Are You In The Furnace of Affliction? If So, What To Do?" (With Sermon Clip by Andrew Murray)- Inspirational Weekend

 

[Yellow Protea]

"I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction."  -  Isaiah 48:10

Today, we have the Covid 19 virus, we have lawlessness,  corrupt hearts and minds of many to deal with, and we also are (some of us, particularly the elderly) having health issues other than the virus.  We are concerned about what the future may hold and/or will things ever get better.  All of you are aware of these concerns, and many more.  

The above quoted Scripture at Isaiah can be exceedingly faith building to those of us who are true believers in the Savior, Jesus Christ.  Once again, encouragement can be found by Charles Spurgeon's insight on the above verse, which follows:

 

"Comfort thyself, tried believer, with this thought:  God saith, "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction".  - Does not the word come like a soft shower, assuaging the fury of the flame?  Yea, is not it an abestos armour, against which the heat hath no power?  Let affliction come -  God hath chosen me.   Poverty, thou mayst stride in at my door, but God is in the house already, and He has chosen me.  Sickness, thou mayst intrude, but I have a balsam ready:  God has chosen me.  Whatsoever befalls me in this vale of tears, I know that He has "chosen" me.  If, believer, thou requirest still greater comfort,  remember that you have the Son of Man with you in the furnace.  In that silent chamber of yours, there sitteth by your side One to Whom thou hast not seen, but Whom thou lovest; and oft times when thou knowest it not,  He makes all thy bed in thy affliction, and smooths thy pillow for thee.  Thou art in poverty, but in that lovely house of thine the Lord of life and glory is a frequent visitor.  He loves to come into these desolate places that He may visit thee.  Thy Friend sticks closely to thee.  Thou canst not see Him, but thou mayst feel the pressure of His hands.  Dost thou not hear His voice?  Even in the valley of the shadow of death  He says "Fear not, I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God."  

Remember that noble speech of Ceasar "Fear not.  Thou carriest  Ceasar and all his fortune."   Fear not, Christian, Jesus is with thee.  In all thy fiery trials, His presence is both thy comfort and safety.  He will never leave one whom He has chosen for His own.  "Fear not, for I am with thee" is His sure word of promises to His chosen ones in the "furnace of affliction."  Wilt thou not then,  take fast hold of Christ , and say:  "Through floods and flames, if Jesus lead, I'll follow where He goes."

 Spurgeon has a wonderful way with words, doesn't he?  The main thing to cling to, no matter what your trial or affliction, is to stay close to the good Lord and have faith in Him and trust Him with all your heart!  Be often in prayer, and surrender to His will - He knows best!  

As brought out in the following 11 minute audio sermon clip of Andrew Murray's writings, "In suffering, it is the Spirit of God and of His glory that rests on us."  - So abide in Christ!

 Andrew mentions in the above sermon, that our trials and afflictions are often a sign of God at work.... His pruning and purging of us.   Many of you know this.  

Someone has said that trials and such brought on by your enemies, draws you even closer to the good Lord. (Looking to Him for guidance and solace and direction and for a solution.) Friends as a  rule do not do that !  So love your enemies and pray for them!  They can be a blessing from God that makes you turn to Him with greater fervor and frequency! -- and thereby increases your need and love for Him.

"Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults!"  -  Benjamin Franklin

"God's people have their trials.  It was never designed by God, when He chose His people, that they should be an untried people..... They were never chosen to worldly peace and earthly joy."     -  Charles Spurgeon

Remember too, that the Good Lord often lets "bad things happen to good people"  because, being imperfect humans, good people sometimes err and sin, even sin unintentionally, and they need to be chastised and disciplined.  

So the main thing we can do to endure affliction is to just stay in close communion with the Lord.  Pray without ceasing!  Read your Bible daily!  Our heavenly Father and Jesus want to fellowship with us.  You cannot grow to know a Person if you never communicate with Him!  Our main concern, besides obeying the Lord, is to develop a close, intimate, personal, loving and living relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ!  That is a wondrous thing,  which will transform your life and blossom into a beautiful and lasting flower of love and glory for the Lord that will last for all of eternity!

 

 

[Shell Ginger]

But what if you are not saved?  Not born again?  Have not believed that Jesus is the Savior and the only way to heaven?   You have not accepted the true fact that Jesus' shed blood at the Cross can wash away your sins and wipe the slate clean, when you realize that He was the Sacrificial Lamb, that redeemed your soul because He took your place on that Cross, by taking on your sins, and paid your sin debt in full, if you will only have faith and believe that He is the Savior.  

Following are some Scriptures to help you to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as your Savior.  You need to repent of your sins first !   Some thoughts on that from the Biblical Illustrator Commentary are: 

1.  Repentance involves a deep sorrow and conviction for your sins.

 

2.  A confession of your sins.  (Pray to God for forgiveness, in all sincerity and heartfelt remorse)

 

3. You will then utterly forsake sin (deliberate and willful sin.  We all err unintentionally at times)

4. Repentance is a necessary qualification to fit us for glory.

5. Repentance does not only give us a future evidence for heaven, but puts us into actual possession.

6.  Repentance must be continually in us, and not merely for a Lent-season.

7.  This must increase daily more and more in us.

Much more is written on the Biblical Illustrator Commentary on this subject of repentance.  It would be of benefit to you to look it up on the Web.

The Scriptures of Salvation are:  

"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

If you go to the search box on the upper right hand side of this page, and enter topics such as "The Rapture, Jesus' imminent return,"  etc.  you will have those articles on those subjects pop up for you to read and select; some of which have videos.  

Jesus will return very soon, according to the way Bible prophecy is coming true today at warp speed in these, the end times; the last moments of the last days.  

Do not delay in surrendering your heart and life to the Savior!

Jesus loves you and will welcome you with open arms in an embrace overflowing with love and forgiveness !

"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) " -   2 Corinthians 6:2

"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 

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

 

 

"Saving, Helping, Keeping, Loving !" (With Videos - One With Pastor Chuck Smith as Narrator)

 

[Torch Ginger]

This post is rather a continuation of the previous one made over this past weekend on November 14 - Mainly because I felt the Holy Spirit leading me and urging me to do so, as more information on the subject of the glory of God was brought to my attention, as well as wonderful Gospel Hymns.  The title of this post is from the following old hymn "Our Great Savior", only this You Tube version titles it  "Jesus!  What A Friend of Sinners!"

When things are tough and you are weary of it all,  the above hymn reminds us that the good Lord is with us to the end!  Very encouraging!

 

Someone has said: "Real inner peace comes from God.  Only God can  turn a mess into a message; a test into a testimony; a trial into triumph; a victim into a victor; and a misery into a ministry.   A diamond is only made through extreme heat and pressure."  

We all realize that the prophesied end times we find ourselves living in now are fearful and uncertain, especially to those who are not followers of the Savior, Jesus Christ.  True Christians who know God's Holy Word, the Bible, and who find there many encouraging promises of the good Lord within its pages, are looking with hope and blissful expectation of Jesus' imminent return !   What a blessed hope!  

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."  -    Titus 2:13-14

Following is a wonderful and instructing Christian video titled:  "Focus on God Not Your Problems -  God's Got This".   It is only a 13 minute video, and one of its narrators is Pastor Chuck Smith, who was the founder of the Calvary Chapel churches.  I say "was" because he passed away not too long ago, as many of you are aware.

In the video above, we are told: "Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything."

"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

But don't neglect to read and ponder over and reflect often on the following verses as well:  Philippians 4:8-9 tells us:  (8)  "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

(9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

 

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."    -   Jesus at John 14:27

 

 

Following is a devotional by Charles Spurgeon, delivered to my email inbox earlier today.  It's topic is best described by its title which is: "To Him be glory, both now and forever."  a direct quote from 2 Peter 3:18.  

 

"Heaven will be full of the ceaseless praises of Jesus. Eternity!  thine unnumbered years shall speed their everlasting course, but forever and for ever "To Him be the glory" .  Is He not a "Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek?"   "To Him be glory."  Is He not King of kings and Lord of lords, the everlasting Father?   "To Him be glory forever."  Never shall His praises cease.  That which was bought  with blood deserves to last while immortality endures.  The glory of the Cross must never be eclipsed; the lustre of the grave and of the resurrected must never be dimmed.  O Jesus! Thou shalt be praised for ever.  Long as immortal spirits live.  Long as the Father's throne endures for ever, forever, unto Thee shall be glory.  Believer, you are anticipating the time when you shall join the saints above in ascribing all glory to Jesus; but are you glorifying Him now?   The apostle's  words are : "To Him be glory both now and forever."   Will you not this day make it your prayer?  "Lord, help me to glorify Thee; I am poor, help me to glorify Thee by contentment; I am sick, help me to give Thee honor and patience; I have talents, help me to extol Thee by spending them for Thee; I have time, Lord help me to redeem it and that I may serve Thee;  I have a heart to feel Lord, let that heart feel no love but Thine and glow with no flame but affection for Thee; I have a head  to think, Lord, help me to think of Thee and for Thee; Thou hast put me in this world for something, Lord, show me what that is and help me to work out my life purpose;  I cannot do much, but as the widow put in her two mites, which were all her living, so Lord, I cast my time and eternity into Thy treasury; I am all Thine; take me, and enable me to glorify Thee now, in all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have."

 

What a beautiful devotional !  It shows Charles Spurgeon's pure heart and his desire to please the good Lord .  May we be like-minded!

 

 

"How To Have Strength In Your Weakness" (With Charles Spurgeon Devotion) - Inspirational Weekend

The two cattle egrets above look as if they are practicing social distancing !  May we always have love and concern for others, in spite of the current social distancing mandates right now!

Much is on my mind right now to write about - maybe too much for one article.  Please bear with me as I endeavor to express what the good Lord has put upon my heart to share.

The last post here (scroll down to view) concerned itself with how we need to be strong and courageous and to rely totally upon God and Jesus..... God will make a way for us in our current difficulties and/or our spiritual battles.  

It is no doubt obvious to many that Christians are hated and persecuted in this, for the most part, evil and godless society in which we find ourselves today..... in this end time scenario.

Isaiah 5:20 tells us "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; That put darkness for light, and light for darkness; That put bitter for sweet,  and sweet for bitter!"

True, that was written for those in ancient times, but it also applies today, doesn't it!  Many people of the world will even call evil what is obviously miracles from God.

It reminds me of our blessed Savior, Jesus Christ, and how He was persecuted, slandered, tortured and eventually killed.  Yet He was holy and pure; God in flesh!  

Jesus tells us at John 15:18-20  "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you.  If ye were of the world,  the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord.  If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also."

 The intent of this article is to discuss strength from the good Lord and this in spite of our weaknesses.  A prime example of this is the Apostle Paul and his "thorn in the flesh" to keep him from being full of pride because of his many revelations from the Lord.  This is found at 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 which follows:

"And lest  I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.   Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

It would be good to read all of 2 Corinthians 12.  Note the apostle Paul's wonderful response and his wise attitude toward his troubles and his thorn in the flesh !  

We learn from our troubles and afflictions, if we are humble enough to turn to the Lord for help and guidance through much prayer during our ordeal, whatever it may be.   Besides, "no pain, no gain"!  The Lord shapes us and molds us to be more Christlike when we suffer;  we will more often turn to prayer - much prayer- when we are afflicted and thereby will grow in our relationship with God and Jesus....To rely on the good Lord for help and guidance and not on our own understanding or our own feeble efforts to do things our way.

I can see now that I will need to discuss 2 Corinthians 12 in more detail in another article in the near future.  

Following is a wonderful devotion by Charles Spurgeon about strength and faith and the grace of God:

"It is our wisdom, as well as our necessity, to beseech God continually to strengthen  that which He has wrought  in us.  It is because of their neglect in this, that many Christians may blame themselves  for those trials and afflictions of spirit which arise from unbelief.    It  is true that satan seeks to flood the fair garden of the heart and make it a scene of desolation, but it is also true that  many Christians leave open the ...."Gates" themselves,  and let  in the dreadful deluge through  carelessness and want of prayer to their strong Helper.  We often forget the Author of our faith must be the Preserver of it also.  The lamp which was burning in the temple was never allowed to go out, but it had to be daily replenished  with fresh oil; in like manner, our faith can only live by being sustained with the oil of Grace, and we can only obtain this from God Himself.  Foolish virgins we shall prove, if we do not secure the needed sustenance for our lamps.  He who built the world upholds it, or it would fall in one tremendous crash; He who made us Christians  must maintain us by His Spirit, or our ruin will be speedy and final.  Let us, then, evening by evening, go to our Lord for the grace and strength we need.  We have a strong argument to plead, for it is His own work of grace which we ask Him to strengthen :  "Strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us" (Psalm 68:28).   Think you He will fail to protect and sustain that ?  Only let your faith take hold of His strength, and all the powers of darkness, led on by the master fiend of hell, cannot cast a cloud or shadow over your joy and peace.  Why faint when you may be strong?  Why suffer defeat when you may conquer?  Oh take your wavering faith and drooping graces to Him and Who can revive and replenish them and earnestly pray, "Strengthen, O God, that which Thou has wrought for us."

The above internet image has been used on this blog in the past, but I feel it fits here because only the Word of God can give "hugs" of comfort and guidance and draw you close in a spiritual embrace of the good Lord and His Holy Spirit.  It will give you strength and hope and fellowship with God and Jesus, as will also much prayer.

"Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."  -  Psalm 82:4

"Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in everything 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

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  -     Philippians 4:13

Here is a wonderful worship song (In Christ Alone) which many of you are familiar with:

These are difficult times in which we live right now.  We need the good Lord to turn to in every trial and spiritual warfare we may be facing.

For those of you who are not saved, who are not born again (a spiritual rebirth), you need to repent and pray for forgiveness and to believe with all of your very being and all of your heart that Jesus Christ is the Savior and the only way to heaven.  Following are some Scriptures for you:

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

"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


All that we see happening now with natural disasters, with the establishing of the New World Order in its beginning stages, the evil and corruptness, and much much more are all signs of the end times as prophecy in the Bible told us would occur at the time of the end of this dispensation. (Please read of these end times signs  at Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21)  In other words :

Jesus will return soon to take true believers to heaven with Him before the 7 year tribulation begins.

Turn to Jesus in faith now before it is too late !

He will welcome you with love and forgiveness, and hold you tight in the safety of His arms !

(Go to the search box at the top right hand side of this page and enter things such as:  the 7 year Tribulation, signs of the end times, the mark of the beast, the Rapture,  etc.  and many articles will appear for you to view, some with videos.  There are also articles on faith, endurance, fellowship with the good Lord, and many other topics as well.)

Jesus said the following when discussing the signs of the last days:

"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."     -  Luke 21:28

Maranatha !

Hurry Lord Jesus !


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