"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 !!

"Hope In A Troubled World" - (With J.D. Farag Video On End Times, and an Amir Tsarfati Video On Middle East Update And Prophecy) - Inspirational Weekend

In my photograph above, the koi are peaceful and calm.  Have you ever seen them in a feeding frenzy?  They get all aggressive and excited when being fed.   People today, because of the unstable times and the evil and the chaos and the violence are, in a sense, in a frenzy and anxious about what might happen to them and even what might happen to this planet.  Many are afraid of nuclear war.

Christians are asking, "How much longer, Lord?"

But God.  But for the hope He gives.

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

Some believers say that the hope of Jesus' soon return is the only thing that keeps them hanging on.  As J.D. Farag says in the following 11 minute video clip "Many Christians are battle-weary."

Pastor Farag says that this season of darkness will end soon.  Let us look up for our redemption is close (Luke 21:28).  There is a link provided that takes you to the full sermon; I highly recommend that you do that.

Those of you who frequent this blog are familiar with evangelist Amir Tsarfati.  For those of you who are not acquainted with his ministry, he is a Messianic Jew who lives in Israel, and he travels the world preaching the Gospel and end times Bible Prophecies.

In the following 40 minute video, Amir is at present in Romania, preaching at various locations there.  He talks a bit about his time there, but most of the video is devoted to a Middle East Update and other related Bible Prophecy events.   He speaks of the nearness of the Rapture, the nearness of the Gog of Magog war and many things that we need to be aware of, as the time now is very short before Jesus returns to take His Bride, the Church, to be with Him in heaven.  

One thing of special interest that Amir tells us in this video, is the fact that 28 years ago Islamic powers vowed for the destruction of Israel and the collapse of America within 30 years.  Obviously, we are within 2 years of that happening.

In Matthew 24:34, in referring to the before listed end time events and occurances and signs, Jesus tells us:  

"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."

Amir and many others believe that we are part of that last generation.  When prophecy was fulfilled in 1948 when Israel again became a nation after almost 2000 years of being a scattered people throughout the world ---  that was the beginning of the end times.  It has been 71 years since that happened and we can be sure Jesus will return very soon.

"Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things?  Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day?  Or shall a nation be born at once?...... "   -  Isaiah 66:8

Israel became a nation in one day in 1948.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."  -  Romans 15:13  ESV

"Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer:"  -  Romans 12:12  KJV

Yes, we all thrive when there is hope in sight; we all need hope to keep us "keeping on".  The good Lord has provided us with much hope if we are true believers in Jesus Christ as the Savior.

But what if you are not born again?  are not saved and have never put your faith and hope in the Son of God, Jesus Christ?

"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

We all find living forever appealing, but it can only be so if you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, the Savior.   

Jesus loves you !

He is waiting to hear from you !

Don't delay! 

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."

The good Lord has made salvation simple for us.

Admit you are a sinner.  Go to the Lord in prayer and ask for forgiveness in all sincerity.

Believe that Jesus is the Savior and that His shed blood at the cross can cleanse you of your sins.  Have faith in Him.  Surrender your life to Him.

Call on His name; Confess your sins and truly repent.  

"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

"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,  If a man love Me, he will keep my words: and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."  -  John 14:23

Keep watching!

Keep looking up!

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

"Your Life Guard Walks On Water!" - Inspirational Weekend

The lifeguard boat above is my photograph of Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii.  The boat is positioned right below the lifeguard station.  Notice the upside-down "RESCUE" sign on the surfboard in the background.  This boat rather reminds me of how the apostle Peter got out of the boat he was in and attempted to walk on the water towards Jesus (Matthew 14:22-32).  He actually did walk on the water while he kept his eyes on Jesus, but when he took his gaze off of the Savior, he realized how strong the wind was and the waves around him, and he became afraid, and cried to the Lord to save him as he began to sink.

"And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"     -  Matthew 14:31

Jesus' rescue of Peter was sure and true; yet He reprimanded Peter for his little faith.   Remember, "without faith it is impossible to please God"   ( as found at Hebrews 11:6) .  Let us not be too hard on Peter, however, because he alone of all the disciples had the faith to begin to walk on the water towards Jesus.   He is like many of us today;  lots of good intentions but with no true depth of faith.   I firmly believe that those of us believers who have suffered many trials and heartaches grow stronger as we rely upon the good Lord; all the problems and defeats and struggles tend to make us grow stronger, if we keep our eyes upon Jesus and rely on His help and strength.

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

"By trials God is shaping us for Higher things."   -  Jeremy Taylor

Someone has said:  "When you feel you are drowning in life's situations, don't worry!  Your Life Guard walks on water!"

"The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us."       -  C.S. Lewis 

I used to just stumble through life; existing with no real goals nor thinking of the future in any great depth.  I was, for the most part, only thinking of the present and what I wanted and - when I was really suffering in much lack as well as in trials -  I was just relying on myself to get through the day, so to speak.  That was before I came to know the good Lord; before He "renewed my mind." (Romans 12:2)

 Salvation itself is a miracle from God.  When all material things were taken from me, and I felt as if I had no one, I began praying in earnest to God and I also began to read the Bible in earnest.  The good Lord began to renew my mind, and I eventually put Him first.......so I thought.  At first, I still  identified myself as an artist; my passion for painting consumed me.  In my mind I was always an artist, instead of identifying myself as a follower of Jesus.   Eventually, I realized I was NOT putting the Lord first and I was ashamed and felt convicted.  The Lord showed me that sharing the Gospel with others, and developing a strong, close, loving relationship with Him was my calling.  I felt Him urge me to write. As an adult I had always had an interest in Bible prophecy, and I knew we were living in the last days and that Jesus would return soon.   It was time to quit my selfish pursuits and put the Lord first.   I am a much happier and more fulfilled person now.   Thank you, Jesus!  Thank you, Yahweh, for to you goes all the glory; for it was nothing I did to change myself but, rather, your tender mercies and love and forgiveness as well as your patience that began to mold me and shape me.

It takes a God of light and truth to bring a lost soul out of the darkness. 

"Our calling and purpose as followers of Christ is to love God completely, to love self correctly, and to love others compassionately."  -  Kenneth Boa

"And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure."  -  Isaiah 33:6

But it is not all about you and me;  it is all about Jesus and doing His will and following in His footsteps as best we can.  I do NOT mean that you are saved by works; no way is that true.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."   -   Ephesians 2:8-9

"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and  ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.   ......  For we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."   -  2 Corinthians 4:5,7

When I give my personal testimony or talk about my past, it is to show you how gracious and loving God is to save a wretch like me. It is to encourage any who are hurting and looking for answers.  The good Lord has all the answers and the gift of eternal life!  He can give you hope and a purpose. 

Jesus loves you.  He will return soon to take all true believers to heaven to be with Him. 

Are you ready?

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 !