"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 !

 

"Hang In There!" (With Video on Endurance and a Video on the Rapture of the Church) - Inspirational Weekend

[Internet Photograph]

This blog has mentioned many times about the chaotic and dangerous times we live in now.  We definitely need to "hang in there" and have endurance to cope with the stress of this evil world, and wondering if a catastrophe like a nuclear war or an economic collapse or such-like could occur any time soon.   The world is in an uproar, not knowing the way out.  

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring.   Men's hearts failing them in fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken."   -   Jesus at Luke 21:25-26

If you are a true Christian  that reads the Bible daily and that has a strong, personal. close, and intimate relationship with the good Lord, you realize that there is hope for you and that soon Jesus will return to rapture you to heaven before things get worse.... before the dreaded 7 year Tribulation period of God's wrath upon the wicked occurs.

Following is another video by Chad Thomas in which he clearly explains the Rapture of the church and the revealing of the antichrist.   I have written much previously on this blog about the things he discusses,  but I thought a video would be refreshing for you; plus, it will be beneficial for any first time viewers here.

There are many first time viewers to this blog, and also many who are not saved; who have not been born again; and many who never read the Bible.   I am quoting below a familiar verse to many Christians..... a verse that gives us hope and something to look forward to:  a rescue from this wicked world and a trip to heaven.

"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the  voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ  shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."   -   1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

(See also 1 Corinthians 15:51-53)

[North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii]

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

God's Holy Word, the Bible, gives us many encouraging verses to help us to "hang in there."   Another benefit of daily Bible reading (and prayer) is you draw ever closer to the good Lord, and as time goes on you learn to love Him more and more, as well as the fact that your faith in Him will also increase.  

The Bible gives us much encouragement and helps us to endure trials and hardships.   Following is a 34 minute sermon by deceased Pastor Adrian Rogers on the topic of "Learning To Endure".

In the sermon above, Pastor Rogers gives us five truths learned from tests and trials:  enjoyment, enlargement, enlightenment, enthronement, enrichment.  He explains and gives Scriptures pertaining to these five truths.   He has nothing to say in his sermon about end time events or prophecies, but I felt it relevant to our times just the same.

Learn to trust and have faith in God and Jesus, and you will be helped and encouraged beyond what you could ever expect or hope for.   The good Lord will help you to endure.

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."

Hang in there!

Jesus loves you!

If you are born again, you have a wonderful future in heaven.

Keep looking up !

Keep watching!

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 !

"Thanksgiving Is The Language Of Heaven" - Inspirational Weekend

"Thanksgiving is the language of heaven....." says A.J. Gossip, a professor of Christian Ethics and Practical Theology at the University of Glasgow.   I thought that quote was rather beautiful and expresses all the praise, thanksgiving, and worship to God that the angels and the saints in heaven are continuously proclaiming.  Imagine if all mankind on earth were to do the same.....now, before they die.   It would be a healing and transforming movement.   

The Bible has much to say about giving thanks to the Lord.   When we sing hymns and give praise and thanks to God, it uplifts our spirits to grand heights,   Harry Ironside, an American preacher, has said  "We would worry less if we praised more.  Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and disatisfaction."

"Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: and call upon Me in the day of trouble:  I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me."  -  Psalm 50:14-15.

"Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:" - Psalm 147:7

Philippians 4:6 tells us: "Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."  All Scripture is wonderful and beneficial, but Philippians 4 is special to me.  Read verses 6-8 and also verse 13, the latter verse reads, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."   That verse 13 saw me through some tough times and kept me hanging on.   But I digress a bit.  

Following is a sermon by Dr. Charles Stanley titled, "Thanksgiving In The Midst of Adversity." 

If you are not currently experiencing adversity, chances are you have in the past and will again in the future.  Not to mention the conflict and adversity in America itself in these last days we are living in.  I urge you to watch this 23 minute video, as it is quite relevant to everyone.   In this sermon, Dr. Stanley gives 9 ways we can be thankful even in the midst of adversity.   One thing he touched on and that I have learned from experience is that we need to view everything that happens to us as coming from God, or allowed by God.  When we do that, and go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him what He is trying to teach us by this adversity, it helps to alleviate the stress and sense of helplessness that can overcome us when we are stricken by hard times, heartache, pain......and the list goes on.  Just remember that you are not alone.......God is with you.  (Hebrews 13:5).  If you would spend time in prayer and Bible reading, (developing a close, personal relationship with Him) you would realize the Lord is near and waiting to direct your path.  Remember that when we are grateful, we will learn to focus on God and not on our circumstances.

"Pride slays thanksgiving, but an humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grow."        -     Henry Ward Beecher 

Bottom line is :  When you have a close, personal and intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ, you will find the faith and the strength to persevere during trials and hardships, and to wait on the Lord for direction.  Only He can give you the endurance necessary to "ride out" various adverse conditions.  

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."                            -  1 Thessalonians 5:18

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him."  -  Colossians 3:17

Inspirational Weekend - "Faith" (Famous Quotes, Kutless Video and More)

"I do not want merely to possess a faith, I want a faith that possesses me."  - Charles Kingsley

A very happy weekend to you !  You may not be lying under a palm tree in Waikiki, relaxing and watching the surf, but you don't have to be in order to have a fantastic weekend.  It is all in the attitude, friends.   You can live in a palace and still be miserable if you have a bad attitude.  Most of you already know this.   But I am speaking of more than having a positive attitude; I am speaking of true faith and the peace that that can give you.  And if you have a peaceful mind and a peaceful heart, then you will also find happiness, even in the midst of trials.

I was around 5 years old when I had my first encounter with faith and answered prayer.   I had left church services and my cousin, who was suppose to walk me back home, was no where to be found.  I waited and waited, and I got scared.   I did not know how to walk home....to find my way.  I don't remember if I cried or not,  but I do remember I prayed to God to help me.   And right after that, my cousin showed up with her friend, saying they had forgotten about me.    But the good Lord taught me the power of prayer and of faith that Sunday morning.   Some will want to call it all just coincidence, but I know in my heart that God heard me then.  I will not now mention all my prayers that the good Lord has answered during my lifetime, because this post is not about me, but about faith.

"Talk what we will of faith, if we do not trust and rely upon Him, we do not believe in Him."  -  

Anthony Farindon  

"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

"Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, And looks to God alone; Laughs at impossibilities, And cries it shall be done."  -  Charles Wesley

In my photograph above that is one determined tree and, I might add, it obviously has endurance to grow so precariously on the hillside and still survive .... upright and strong.

And so it is with people.   If you have a strong faith rooted in the love of God and belief in His promises, you can survive anything with the Lord's help and much prayer.   You can "grow" upright and strong in your Christian walk.   One way to strong faith is to endure many trials, some severe.  To wait on the Lord in these times is a sign of true and enduring faith.

Besides faith making you strong and giving you endurance to face life's trials, faith can also be a healing balm to the soul.  It gives you hope, for without hope your existence is meaningless and all doom and gloom to your mind.   

And Jesus said to him, "Go your way, your faith has made you well."  And immediately he recovered his sight and followed Him on the way. -  Mark 10:52

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 .

The bottom line is, have faith in God and Jesus; pray without ceasing for in prayer you draw closer to God and it will happen that He will answer your prayers, if it agrees with His will for you.   You need a close, personal relationship with God and Jesus and that can only happen through reading His Holy Word to get to know His great love and all of His qualities and attributes and character; and also much prayer will draw you closer to Him.  

Remember what Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."

Following is a video by Kutless with lyrics about faith.  

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1