"Remember Who Holds Tomorrow" (With Sermon by Charles R. Swindoll) - Inspirational Weekend

[Dinard Blue Heaven Orchid]

I had originally meant to do research on another subject, but for some reason I have been listening over and over to a certain hymn these last few days.  Every morning at the beginning of my Bible study, I always listen to several hymns on You Tube before I read and study and journal on a Bible Scripture or two.  Following is a beautiful rendition of that hymn:  "I know who holds tomorrow";  please listen carefully to the lyrics -  there is a powerful message there.

In this chaotic and upset world we are living in..... in the trials and hardships and worries and sorrows..... in the dread of what the future holds or might hold (like perhaps a nuclear world war) ;  we need to look to the One Who holds tomorrow.... to the only One Who can help us and save us.   

We need Jesus.  Those of us who are saved and washed white as snow in the Lamb's shed blood at Calvary,  the true Shepherd Who guides us and cherishes us,   ....  We have nothing to fear if we are born again believers.  We have a blessed hope (Titus 2:13), and that is that soon Jesus will return to take us to Heaven to be with Him, before the wrath of God is poured out on the earth and on ungodly men during the 7 year Tribulation period.  

I have written much about the Tribulation in previous articles.  For more information, go to the "Search box" in the upper right hand side of this page and type in "Tribulation" and several articles will appear that you may chose from to read.  There are also videos on those links.  Also, do the same with the word "Rapture" for more information on that subject...... a sure return of the Lord Jesus Christ which is very imminent. It will happen soon, according to the way Bible prophecy is being fulfilled , or the precursors are here leading up to the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. 

If the Rapture happened today, would you be ready?

The only way to be ready is to be a born again believer in the Savior, Jesus Christ.  

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."

Not only are we living in the last moments of the end times, but none of us know the day we might die.  Other than the promises and prophecies of the Bible, we do not know what tomorrow might bring so far as our living or dying is concerned.  That is, we do not know the timing of our death; but if we are true believers in the saving power of Jesus Christ, we know we will go to be with the good Lord the moment we die.  

"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."  -  2 Corinthians 5:8

"Every day you are alive is a special occasion."  -  Charles Swindoll

Celebrate life!

Live life to the full!

Live to obey Yahweh !

Share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with lost souls !

Following is a 38 minute sermon by Charles R. Swindoll titled: "You Do Not Know What Tomorrow  Will Bring."  It is a sobering sermon and makes us realize what truly matters in this life.

In the above sermon, Swindoll tells us to "Respect our Lord's will, as this will guard you from pride."   Pride is a sin that God hates!

Charles Swindoll also mentions what James 4:13-14 has to say about making plans for tomorrow:

(13) "Go to now, ye that say, today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:  (14) Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow: for what is your life?  It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

As one commentator says, "Our lives....are not substantial.  .... they are like an early morning mist that soon clears away.  (Hosea 13:3).  For life is brief,, and in the midst of life we are in death.  ...... It is in this light that [people] should determine what they (or rather, God) consider to be important.  And if they truly recognize that their lives might disintegrate like a puff of smoke

at any moment, they will undoubtedly put more consideration into looking at the things that are unseen, and building up treasure in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). "

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."                              2 Corinthians 4:18

[Hong Kong Orchid Tree Blossoms]

Wake up!  Jesus could return at any moment.  Nothing needs to be fulfilled from the Bible for His return.  We are living in the last days, friends.  

The apostle Peter tells us at 2 Peter 3:11, concerning the end times, "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness."  

Do the following if you are not saved:

Turn to the good Lord now in faith and repentance and acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of a Savior.

Believe that Jesus is the Savior and the only way of salvation and surrender your life to Him. 

Call on the Lord in faith and confess your sins and commit your life to 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

"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 !!

"When Troubles Come Your Way" - Inspirational Weekend

Troubles, trials, and heartache come and go in our lives.  Some can be our own fault, some can be the fault of others, and still some trouble comes our way because God is disciplining or chastising us.  And then again, some troubles are really imaginary; they are only in the mind.   This reminds me of a French philosopher who made the statement, "My life is full of catastrophies, most of which never happened."   

But for troubles and trials that are all too real and painful, what can we do?  One of the things I learned from Dr. Charles Stanley is that we should look at everything as coming from God.   He can use our afflictions to draw us to Him and to correct us and set us on the right path.   Following is a quote by E.M. Bounds:  " Trouble is God's servant, doing His will unless He is defeated in the execution of that will.  Trouble is under the control of Almighty God, and is one of His most efficient agents in fulfilling His purposes and in perfecting His saints.  God's hand is in every trouble which breaks into the lives of men.  Not that He directly and arbitrarily orders every unpleasant experience of life.  Not that He is personally responsible for every painful and afflicting thing which comes into the lives of His people.  But no trouble is ever turned loose in this world and comes into the life of saint or sinner, but comes with divine permission, and is allowed to exist and do its painful work with God's hand in it or on it, carrying out His gracious designs of redemption.   All things are under divine control."

All that being true, the best course of action to take when troubles and afflictions arise is to turn to the Lord in prayer.   "And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me."  - Psalm 50:15 .    Prayer is the best and the most helpful thing to do in times of trouble.   Ask the good Lord what He wants you to do; ask for guidance.   Sometimes the answer is to just "wait on the Lord."  Psalm 27:14 tells us, "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."   That verse has helped me tremendously to cope in times of distress and trouble.  

Following is a 5 minute sermon by Dr. Charles Stanley titled, "Focus on God, not your problems".

 Sometimes in an emergency we might feel like we need an answer immediately, never mind waiting on God.   This is where faith comes in.  Trust and faith.   You still need to get on your knees and pray with all your heart and pour everything out to the good Lord.   It is possible to receive an answer right away from Him.  If not, you may need to consult a pastor or a mature Christian for advice.  Better yet, have that person pray for you as well.   In my experience, however, the Lord always points the way.  But in an emergency situation, other people can be a great help.

Ultimately, it is Yahweh to whom we should look for guidance and comfort. No one can do what He can do.  He will send His Holy Spirit to help you cope and find your way in the midst of turmoil or just plain old troubles.   All of this may be things you already know, but we all need reminders from time to time.   

"Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble."  - Job 14:1

"And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;"  -   Luke 18:1

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."   -         Romans 8:26

This song by Selah, "You Raise Me Up", seems to be a fitting way to end this post.  It is uplifting and encouraging, and quite beautiful.  When you pray, God raises you up and gives you hope.

Keep looking up !  Have a wonderful weekend !