"Full Throttle All The Way To The End!" (On Having Strength To Endure - Videos by Pastor Jack Hibbs, and Video on The Anti Christ Spirit) - Inspirational Weekend

 

Part of the title above for this post is from a quote by Pastor Jack Hibbs which is contained in the following 53 minute sermon he preached earlier this month: "Full throttle all the way to the end." His encouraging words that follow stress how we need the strength of the good Lord - always - but in these perilous times especially.  One thing he says in his video below "God is going through this with you" is a good reminder for all of us - no matter what we're facing now. Pastor Hibbs reminds us that God is always present with true believers and that He is the God of the impossible!  It is one Pastor Hibb's best sermons that I have ever watched ! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtP6bJ8cOCA

There is also a part two dated 2-18-22 found on You Tube which I have not as yet watched myself.   I have tried several times to put the link to Part 2 and it will now work for me.  Go to you tube and enter "Stop: A "How To" when we need the strength of the Lord -  Part 2 

Many people today (even many unbelievers) are still interested in some things concerning the end times which we find ourselves experiencing now.   Most are especially interested in the antichrist and the meaning of 666 as found in the Bible.    Me, I am more interested in JESUS CHRIST and looking for HIS coming!!   However, following is a short 15 minute video on the topic of the antichrist spirit in the world today.  The Christian video below mentions that the coming antichrist will be more of a political leader, rather than a religious one.

"When a man's heart is right with God, the mysterious utterances of the Bible are Spirit and life to him.  Spiritual truth is discernible only to a pure heart, not to a keen intellect.  It is not a question of profundity of intellect, but of purity of heart."   -  Oswald Chambers

"The lip of truth shall be established for ever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment."  -     Proverbs 12:19

On the above verse at Proverbs 12:19, Charles Spurgeon has written in his "Faith's Checkbook" devotional the following:

"Truth wears well.  Time tests it, but it right well endures the trial.  If then, I have spoken the truth and have for the present to suffer for it, I must be content to wait.  If also I believe the truth of God and endeavor to declare it, I may meet with much opposition, but I need not fear, for ultimately the truth must prevail.  What a poor thing is the temporary triumph of falsehood!  "A lying lip is but for a moment."   It is a mere gourd which comes up in a night and perishes in a night; and the greater its development the more manifest its decay.  On the other hand, how worthy of an immortal being is the avowal and defense of that truth which can never change; the everlasting GOSPEL, which is established in the immutable truth of an unchanging GOD !   

"An old proverb saith, "He that speaks truth shames the devil."  Assuredly, he that speaks the truth of God will put to shame all the devils in hell and confound all the seed of the serpent which now hiss out their falsehoods!   O my heart, take care that thou be in all things on the side of truth, both in small things and great; but specially on the side of HIM by Whom grace and truth have come among men!"    -  (end of Spurgeon's quote)

[Rainbow Bridge-  Haleiwa town, Oahu, Hawaii]

"Let God have your life, He can do more with it than you can!"  - unknown

"Promises are God's golden fruit to be plucked by the hand of prayer."  -  E. M. Bounds

"If Christ is the Way, we waste time traveling any other."  -  unknown

"Holiness, not happiness, is the chief end of man."  -  Oswald Chambers

If Jesus were to return to take His people to heaven tonight, would you be rapture ready? Only those who have put their faith and trust and belief in Jesus Christ as the Savior are truly "born again" (a spiritual re-birth). Also to believe in the power of Jesus' shed blood on the cross, that as a sacrificial Lamb, He died in our place -  took our sins upon Himself and paid our sin debt in full, by which His shed blood can wash us clean if we but have belief that He is the Savior (and believe that He was resurrected) as Romans 10 tells us.  We must believe with all of our very being in the Savior Jesus - with all of our soul, and mind, and heart !  Not mere head knowledge, or intellectually. Following are Scriptures to help lead you to understand and come 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

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Please watch Dr. Charles Stanley's  8 minute video below concerning how to be saved and have the hope of eternal life!

Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend - and life !

 

Better To Be Purged Than Plucked ! (With Sermon Video) - Inspirational Weekend

 

[Hawaiian Black-Crowned Night Heron]

First, let's consider what is meant by purged.  Most Christians already know this, but some who read this blog are not Christians, so here is an explanation.  Often referenced here on this site is Webster's 1828 dictionary found online. It is an excellent reference when it is used for meanings of Bible words.

Purge, according to Webster's, means to clear from guilt or moral defilement; as to purge away sin.  Webster's gave Psalm 79:9 as a reference which reads in the King James Version :  "Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Thy name: and deliver us and purge away our sins, for Thy name's sake."

 

Another wonderful verse is from John 15:2  . Let's consider both verse 1 and 2:

Jesus speaking:

(1) I am the vine, and My Father is the husbandman;

(2) Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit He purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit."

 

Following are from John Trapp's Commentary on the above verses:

"Every branch in Me " = That thinks himself to be in Me, and is so thought to be by others, but proves not to be so.  These are said to 'deny the Lord that bought them, to trample on the blood of the covenant wherewith they were sanctified, to wallow in the mire from which they had been washed.'  (2 Peter 2:1,22  ;   Hebrews 10:20)  So here, to be branches in Christ and yet unfruitful. Not that they ever were in Christ, but seemed to be so, as a pole fixed in the earth, but not rooted........ " He purgeth it"-   Of all possessions, saith Cato, none requires more pains about it than that of the vineyards.  Grain comes up and grows without the husbandman's care (Mark 4:27), he knows not how.   But vines must be dressed, supported, sheltered, pruned every day almost; lopped they must ever and anon, lest the juice be spent in leaves.  And if it be painful to bleed, it is worse to wither.  Better to be pruned to grow than cut up to burn."

Where vines are concened, pruning can be likened to "purging" sins of  people.

 

 

Consider the main subject verses of this post: John 10:27-30 which follow:

 

(27)  My sheep  hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.    (28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish; neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.  (29) My Father, which gave them Me is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand.  (30) I and My Father are one."

 

What comforting and hopeful words if you are a true believer in the Savior Jesus Christ !

The above verses spoken by Jesus are explained wonderfully in the following 60 minute audio sermon by Charles Spurgeon.  It is the best explanation of these verses in John 10 that I have ever heard.  Spurgeon lived from1834 to 1892, and is known as "the prince of preachers."  It is estimated that he preached to over 10 million persons in his lifetime.   Please listen to his entire sermon below.   It, too, is comforting and will enrich your life when you consider the way he explains this message of how no one can pluck you out Jesus' or the Father's hands  (although Spurgeon, instead of the KJV "pluck" says "snatch"... which of course means the same thing.)  Of course, the main source to enrich our lives is to read God's Holy Word, the Bible, daily and to be daily in prayer as well!  The good Lord desires to fellowship with us, His children!

In his sermon above, Charles Spurgeon tells us "Know Him and obey Him.  If you do not, you are not His sheep."

Jesus will return soon to take His Bride (true believers, His Church) to be with Him in heaven.

Jesus loves you!

If you are not saved (have not been born again - a spiritual birth from above):

He is waiting to hear from you!

He will welcome you with open arms to embrace you with love and forgiveness!

Following are Scriptures that will help you if you take them to heart and believe with all of your heart and soul -- all of your very being -- that Jesus' shed blood at the Cross can wash you clean- cleanse you from your sins and welcome you into the family of God when you have faith in Him and believe that He is the Savior.  You must first repent of known sins, and pray sincerely for forgiveness!

John 3:36 tells us:  "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."

 

"(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

"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!!

"What Is The Work Of God?" (A.W. Tozer Sermon; Salvation Sermon By Charles Lawson) - Inspirational Weekend.

To find out what the work of God is, let us read John 6:28,29 which follows:

(28) "Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?  (29) Jesus answered and said unto them,  This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent."

It is not works, but one work that is required, belief in Jesus Christ as the Savior.

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him......"  Hebrews 11:6 a

Believe in Jesus as the Savior, that is acceptable to God.  This you must do in order to be saved.  This is the work which sinners are to do. 

Following is a powerful 15 minute sermon clip by Pastor Charles Lawson on salvation.  He also discusses his own salvation experience. I urge you to watch this moving sermon, even if you are already saved; you may want to direct unsaved loved ones to listen to it.

Ephesians 2:8 and 9 tells us: (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."

Nothing we can do of ourselves (works) can earn us salvation.  It is the gift of God.

A. W. Tozer tells us that many believers feel needing God [Jesus] plus something else is the trouble with us in the following 2 minute sermon clip:

The one thing we need to remember is that we should trust God and Jesus with everything.  Put them first in your life.

Much has been written on this blog about how we are living in the last moments of the last days.  Go to the search box in the upper right hand side of this page and enter such things as "Rapture", "end times", "7 year tribulation", "Gog Magog War of Ezekiel 38 and 39"and various other topics and several articles will pop up for you to read.

The point being, that Jesus will return very soon for His true believers and take them to be in Heaven with Him while the horrors of the 7 year Tribulation period will be suffered by those left behind; those who never believed in Jesus as the Savior.

Are you Rapture ready?

You must be truly born again from above, truly saved, to be Raptured to Heaven with Jesus.  

Do not delay!  

("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

Admit that you are a sinner and in need of a Savior. ( Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23)

Believe in your heart and your soul and all your very being that Jesus is the Savior and the only way to heaven  (John 14:6;  Romans 10: 9,10,13)

Call on Jesus and confess that He is the Savior, whose Redemptive work and shed blood at Calvary can wash all your sins away and make you a new creation in Him when you come to Him in faith (Romans 10:9, 10,13;  2 Corinthians 5:17)

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are past away; behold, all things are become new."     -  2 Corinthians 5:17

Time is running out !  

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

Jesus will welcome you with open arms of love and forgiveness.

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."

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."  -  Acts 4:12

Hebrews 2:3, 4 tells us: (3) "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him; (4) God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?"

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed."  -  Romans 13:11

"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 !!

Altering The DNA of Super Soldiers and Those Who Take The Mark Of The Beast

[Koolau Mountains, Oahu, Hawaii]

The subjects of this article concern things I have known about for years, but never wrote about previously.   One thing that is fairly new to me is the fact that the military of some countries are trying to produce "Super Soldiers."   That includes America.   For one thing, they will put a "chip" in the head of a soldier, and that in turn will alter his DNA to enable him to fight longer and generally enhance his capabilities to endure much and yet continue to fight, even when wounded and in pain.   There is more to it than that.  By altering a soldier's DNA , he will only be part human.  It will affect his very soul or the lack of it, as a consequence.   You can Google more information and search on You Tube for more information.  I had intended to share a video here on super soldiers,  but it would not pull up when I searched for it.

For anyone in the military or anyone who has a family member in the military, you must warn them not to take any enhancement; no chip that altars their DNA.   There are many Christian soldiers that need to beware of this technology and to avoid it at all costs.

What does this have to do with the Bible and end time prophecies?  A lot !

"But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark.  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."      -                   Jesus at Matthew 24:37-39

Let us go to Genesis 6:1-6,  (1)  "And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, (2) that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose."     (These sons of God were angels, fallen angels;  the offspring of these angels and human women  were the giants of old... of which ancient Greek mythology speaks of.   At the flood, these giants' bodies were destroyed, but their spirits were the demons spoken of in the Bible and which plague mankind today).

Genesis 6:3 continues: " And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.  (4) There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that when the sons of God  came in unto the daughters of men, and bare children to them, the same became the men which were of old, men of renown.  (5) And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (6) And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart."

[North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii]

To try to sum up some things, these evil offspring, these giants, had no soul.  Their fathers, the fallen angels, taught mankind forbidden things, and how to make weapons, and things that were occult, and much more.   You can find much information about this in the book of Enoch (which I do not have and I do not recommend it, either).  Another ancient book is the book of Jasher which is mentioned at  Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18.   This book of Jasher supposedly speaks of DNA mixing of species that provoked the Lord to anger.  This DNA mixing of species is going on today.  There are many animal/human hybrids in existence today.... and not just embryos, but full grown entities.

(This is an update on the Book of Jasher.   The original book that the Holy Bible mentions has never been found.  All we know about the book of Jasher is found at the verses above in Joshua and 2 Samuel.   There have been two counterfeit books written much later than Biblical times which have gone by the title "The Book of Jasher". My previous sources of information must have been in error, that is , if the following 10 minute video is correct.)   I tend to believe the content of the video below.   Let us just rely on the Bible, God's Holy Word.   His word is truth and life !

The devil is trying to ruin man's soul, his spiritual connection to the heavenly Father.  If a person is part human, part animal, he is doomed to hell.   The devil tried to corrupt humankind to destroy the possibility of Jesus being born.....(Jesus would need to have a perfect human DNA with also being God as well).   So the enemy, the devil, attempted to corrupt all human DNA in order to make it impossible for a Savior to be born.  (See Genesis 3:15 which follows.)  God came to the rescue to make sure Jesus was born in His due time.

"And I will put enmity between thee [satan] and the woman, and between thy seed  and her seed; it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise His heel."    -    Genesis 3:15

I will not go into more detail about Noah's day except to say that Noah and his family saved from the flood in the ark had perfect human geneology, uncorrupted by satan's "seed".  They were totally and completely human, with no DNA corruption and no giant ancestry.

"These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God."   -  Genesis 6:9   (Note the  statement:  "perfect in his generations.")

From this information, you can see there was more to the reason than the fact that mankind was evil as to why God destroyed the earth with the flood.  It was necessary because the majority of humankind was corrupted and was not totally human anymore.  The good Lord showed much mercy by sparing Noah and his family and keeping them safe and alive in the ark while the rest of the entities on earth were destroyed.   God started over again where humans were concerned.  The earth was, of course, not totally destroyed.

So you can plainly see from the above that Jesus will return soon to rapture true believers from this wicked world.  It truly is "as in the days of Noah" right now, as Jesus warned us at Matthew 24:37.  Not to mention the now occurring convergence of many other prophetic signs of the last days spoken of in Mark 13, Luke 21, and Matthew 24.

Today, the devil is still at his old evil tricks.   Many scholars and even scientist, believe that the Mark of the beast spoken of in Revelation 13 will somehow change the person's DNA, making him unable to worship God and dooming him to hell.   If one takes the Mark of the Beast (the "beast" being the antichrist), he loses his soul.

Following is a 60 minute video titled "Will the Mark of the Beast change your DNA?"   The speaker gives his own opinions in some of this lecture, so it may not all be accurate, but there is still plenty of relevant truth in this video, and backed by other's opinions who are authorities on this subject. 

It is time to warn unsaved loved ones to turn to Jesus now in repentance and in heartfelt belief that Christ is the only way to God the Father, the only way to heaven and salvation.

Tell them Jesus is coming soon and that He will only rapture true born again believers.   Please surrender to Christ and put your faith and belief in Him before it is too late...... before the Rapture and before the horrific and unthinkable wrath of the 7 year Tribulation.

Tell them to admit that they are a sinner and in need of a Savior.

Tell them to believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior, and that His shed blood at Calvary can wash them white as snow; cleanse them of their sins and wipe the slate clean.

Tell them to call on the name of Jesus and to commit their lives 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 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

  

"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 !!

"Think On Good Things " - Inspirational Weekend

Many are wondering what this new year of 2019 will bring our way.  Many are just concerned about their New Year's resolutions.  Let us consider some up-building and encouraging Scriptures and Christian quotes to lift our spirits.   Let us not even think about politics or world chaos.  Let us think pure and joyful thoughts about life and the good Lord.

"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."  -  Philippians 4:8

What a positive and up-lifting verse that is !   You will be a much happier person and a better Christian if you do as it says.

A couple of years ago  I prayed and asked the Lord to please give me a much needed "hug" as I needed His touch and grace.  Shortly thereafter I found the following on the Internet and it was truly a great big hug from the Lord and I realized that in my daily Bible reading, I receive numerous hugs from Him.   For more on hugs from God, go here.

What a wonderful reminder of the power of God's Word !   The Bible is God's Love Letter to us, and also our Instruction Manual.  It can reach even a stony heart and it can transform the vilest person into a saint.  

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,  that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."  -  Romans 12:1-2

"Man's way leads to a hopeless end!  God's way leads to an endless hope !"  -  unknown

"Christianity is not consistency to conscience or to convictions; Christianity is being true to Jesus Christ."  -   Oswald Chambers

"I don't need to read the Bible because I'm a great saint.  I read the Bible because I'll find God there.  It's about a daily walk with this person, Jesus."   -  Rich Mullins, a musician best known for "Awesome God."

Another thing, besides reading the Bible, is to be frequently in prayer; daily, hourly, whatever your soul needs and craves when you need to draw close to the good Lord, or to seek His guidance.

"Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request 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

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

"Prayer is the nearest approach to God and the highest enjoyment of Him that we are capable of in this life."  -  William Law

"As a man prays so is he."  -  A. W. Tozer

"The best and sweetest flowers of paradise, God gives to His people when they are upon their knees.  Prayer is the gate of heaven."  -  Thomas Brooks

"To have God speak to the heart is a majestic experience, an experience that people may miss if they monopolize the conversation and never pause to hear God's responses."   -  Charles Stanley

A peacock struts around as if it is saying, "Look at me".  Peacocks, to me, are the epitome of pride.  God hates pride!

"The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate."  -  Proverbs 8:13

"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."  -  1 John 2:16

Talking about pride is bordering on the negative in this "positive" article; but perhaps there is someone reading this that needs to be reminded that God hates pride.  Pride will keep you from having a close, personal, intimate, love relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Let us be humble and turn to the Lord in love and submission.  Let us endeavor to always please Him in every way, and to live as godly a life as possible.

Recently I came across the full version of the "Serenity Prayer" which was written by Reinhold Neibuhr, who lived from 1892 to 1971.  Like many, I was only familiar with the first paragraph of this beautiful and hopeful prayer.   I feel the Lord urging me to share it with you today.

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things that I can; 

And wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time; 

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

As it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

If I surrender to His will;

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,

And supremely happy with Him 

Forever and ever in the next.

Amen.

Don't let the world situation or your own personal trials wear you down; don't lose your joy.   If you are a child of God, you have much to rejoice about.  If Jesus is your Savior and you have been born again, then look up !  Your redemption draweth nigh!  (Luke 21:28)

True believers have a blessed hope (Titus 2:13).  Jesus will return soon to take His faithful followers  to be with Him in Heaven. 

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, now is the time to do so before it is too late.  Don't be left behind to face the horrors and wrath of the 7 year tribulation period.  Please do not lose your soul.  Please do not reject Jesus.  He is the only hope for us to gain eternal life in heaven.   

Jesus loves you.  

He will welcome you with open arms of love and forgiveness if you but repent and turn to Him in godly sorrow for your sins.  

Believe Jesus is the Savior.  Not with an intellectual knowledge, but with a heart full of belief that He and only He can save you by His shed blood at Calvary.  He died as a substitute in your place so that if you but believe in Him and that His shed blood can wash away your sins and make you a new creation, you will be saved and become a child of God.

Pray for forgiveness.  Repent.  Surrender to the good Lord with all of your very being.  The Bible tells us that we must also believe in Jesus' Resurrection.

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

"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!

"Endure To The End" (With Charles Spurgeon Sermon) - Inspirational Weekend

Most of us have issues we must endure.  Perhaps it is poor health, rebellious children, an unfaithful spouse, or any number of things.  But let's discuss issues that affect us in our Christianity, such as persecution and attacks from the evil one, satan.  Actually, things like rebellious children or an unfaithful spouse can definitely be attacks from the devil who especially targets true believers with such trials.

Life can be hard.  But faith and belief in Jesus as your Savior can give you strength to endure.  Christians have a blessed hope of one day being in heaven with the good Lord.  There we will have no more sorrow, or tribulations, or hardships to endure. No more hatred from the world because of our faith in Jesus.  (Revelation 21:3-4).

"And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved."     -  Jesus at Matthew 10:22

Such endurance and perseverance is a sure indication of true salvation.  Only he who reaches the goal may be accounted a Christian.  But how do we stand strong and be able to endure to the end?

Faith. 

Prayer.

Much time in God's Holy Word.

During all of life's storms, keep your eyes on the prize :  eternal life in heaven with the good Lord.  If you are in prayer frequently and read the Bible everyday, you will have a close, intimate, personal, love relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  That will definitely enable you to endure whatever life throws your way.

"It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect."  -  Psalm 18:32

The fact that we are living in the end times according to Bible prophecy, as world events testify to that fact because so many prophecies are on the verge of happening now as there is a convergence of signs of the end times as the Bible predicts; all that should make you realize that Jesus will return soon to Rapture true believers to heaven before the 7 year Tribulation will begin.   Hurry Lord Jesus !!

Hang on a little longer !   Fill your mind and heart with spiritual things and keep your eyes on the things above (Colossians 3:1-2).  "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."     -  Romans 5:3-5, English Standard Version.

Job of ancient times endured much trial and sorrow and in the end the Lord blessed him mightily for his integrity.    The apostle Paul also endured much for his faith and for his sharing of the Gospel. He was persecuted and often in prison, but his zeal never wavered where doing the Lord's work of preaching and setting up churches was concerned.

In Matthew 10:22, enduring to the end most certainly means until death or the Rapture, and not the end of the persecution.  God never lets His people suffer beyond what they are able to endure.  He is always there, guiding and directing us along life's paths.  We are held securely in His loving hands.

In John 10:28, 29, Jesus tells us:  (28) "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.  (29)  My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand."

If you are a true believer and born again from above, you are secure in the Lord's love and you will never perish.  How comforting is that !  True believers should be full of love and gratitude to the Lord for all He has done and will do.  That should fill them with zeal to share the Gospel and to live a godly life.  In other words, to obey the Lord.  Put Him first in your life.  Your close relationship with Him will enable you to endure all the storms of life, because of your love and faith in Him.

So those who endure to the end will be saved.   That is, they will be presented holy, unblameable , and unreprovable  before the Lord (Colossians 1:22).

"Perseverance and endurance to the end, however bitter, is the evidence of genuine faith."

"Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory."  -  Various authors

"Endurance is a key indicator of  spiritual fitness."  -  Alistair Begg

Following is a 56 minute audio video of a sermon by Charles Spurgeon about enduring to the end.

In this sermon, Spurgeon remarks that perseverance is the badge of true saints.  It is a wonderful sermon and I hope you listen to all of it.  

If you are not saved - not born again - then you do not have this blessed hope of being forever with Jesus in heaven.   You are bound for the other alternative..... hell.   

Eternity is a long time to spend in the wrong place !   A long time to suffer unbearable torment.

To gain eternal life and to be with the Lord forever in heaven takes an act of faith.  Faith and belief in Jesus as the Savior.....in Him being the only way to the Father and to realize that only faith in Christ can wash your sins away and make you a new person, a new creation.  (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

Give up your life of sin  !   Repent and turn to God in prayer and ask for His forgiveness.   It is a matter of  the heart and soul.  You believe in Jesus with all of your heart, mind, and soul.  

Jesus loves you and He is waiting with open arms to welcome you into the family of God.  

He will embrace you with love and forgiveness.

With such a promise and a hope, how could you not come to the Lord in repentance and love and faith and gratitude !

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 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 !

How To Find Joy And Peace" - Inspirational Weekend

"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

This morning my Bible study for the day was Acts 2:28, where Peter quotes from Psalm 16 and says, "Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance."

The word "countenance" is referring to God's "presence."  Knowing that God is truly near and present gives one great joy; as does His answers to  prayer. It gives you a sense of peace and contentment and safety when the good Lord's presence is felt.  And most of all you feel loved.  You are loved.   God is love  (1 John 4:8).

"Joy is not necessarily the absence of suffering.  It is the presence of God."  -  Sam Storms

Nehemiah 8:10 b tells us ".... for the joy of the Lord is your strength."  

One commentator tells us concerning Nehemiah 8:10 b,  "Religious joy, properly tempered with continual dependency on the help of God, meekness of mind, and self-diffidence, is a powerful means of strengthening the soul.  In such a frame of mind no man ever fell, and in such a state of mind the general health of the body is much improved; a cheerful heart is not only a continual feast, but also a continual medicine."

This morning I also read again Psalm 16.  Please turn there and read about not only king David, but how this Psalm also speaks of the prophesied resurrection of Christ.  Pay special attention to verses 8 to 11.  I have already quoted verse 11 and  will now quote  verses 8 to 10 :

(8) I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.  (9) Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: My flesh also shall rest in hope.   (10)  For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption."

Some mysteries in the Bible are hard to understand, but if you are a born again believer the Holy Spirit will help and guide you to understand the Holy Word.  Jesus' death and resurrection gives us the assurance that we too will be resurrected and live forever with the good Lord.  That is indeed something to be joyful about, and to live a life of obedience and gratitude towards the Lord. 

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."  -   Hebrews 12:2

"We should concentrate on Jesus, the goal and objective of our faith.  Our faith, which has its beginning in Him, is also completed in Him. "  -  King James Study Bible notes.

Think about how Jesus suffered, bled and died so that those who believe in Him as the Savior might have eternal life !  What love!

We are living in the last "hour" of the last days.  So many prophecies are in the process or the beginnings of fulfillment right now.  Remember, Israel is God's prophetic time clock.  In fact, the entire 7 year Tribulation is to bring Israel to its knees in acknowledgement that Jesus is the Messiah they are looking for.  Isaiah 17:1 could be fulfilled at any time, where it says that Damascus will be destroyed and become "a ruinous heap."  If you look at any photos of present day Damascus, a good portion of it is destroyed already.   Also, the Gog/Magog war of Ezekiel 38 and 39  may happen soon, as Russia, Iran, and Turkey have become "good buddies" and will soon come against Israel as shown in Ezekiel 38.... they as well as other surrounding nations will come against Israel in this war.

We live in the end times.  Now is the time to put your faith and trust in Jesus as the Savior if you have not already done so.  Before the Tribulation period, Jesus will Rapture all true believers to be with Him in heaven.  They will be with the Lord and will escape the wrath of God to come upon the ungodly and unrepentant persons left on earth after the Rapture.   The Tribulation will be a time of destruction and horrors and hell on earth.

Don't be left behind!

Go to the Lord in heartfelt prayer and confess your sins and repent never to return to your sins again; ask God for forgiveness.  Put your faith in Jesus as the Savior and  believe in His resurrection.

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

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."   -  John 3:16

The main thing is to believe with all of your being that Jesus is the Savior and the only way to eternal life.   If you are truly converted, you will bear much fruit and good works will follow.  Works do not save you, but they are proof that you are truly saved and have put all of your trust in the good Lord.  You will want to serve the Lord out of love and gratitude.

BELIEVE !

Jesus is waiting to receive you with open arms full of love and 

forgiveness !

He will give you peace and joy !

Have a blessed and Christ centered life !!