"Bible Prophecy In Action Today! " (Videos - One with Bill Salus and Tom Hughes: Future Prophecies Revealed ! ) - Inspirational Weekend

 

[Rabbit Island (Manana Island) and Black Rock Island (Kaohika'pu Island) - from Makapu'u Beach- Oahu Hawaii]

For this weekend post, the videos and links provided will contain the message, for the most part.  This article concerns itself primarily with current events as they relate to Bible Prophecy being fulfilled - right now! - and how you, me -- the whole world -- will be affected!

First the following 29 minute video by Prophecywatchers.com  featuring host Gary Stearman and his guests Bill Salus and Tom Hughes, who discuss "Future Prophecies Revealed."

You might also want to check out Bill Salus' website http://www.prophecydepotministries.net/     His site has interesting and pertinent info concerning our times and check out his links there.

Tom Hughes' website which contain recent prophecy videos and more, may be found here   

https://hopeforourtimes.com/

Bill Salus has a recent article concerning Bible prophecies (20) specifically discussed in detail, complete with some graphic charts, found here   here

At the above link, scroll down for his article titled :"Biblical Prophecies to prepare for now!"

Bill Salus' article discusses the antichrist, Mystery Babylon, the decline of America, and much more that you will want to read!

Following is another wonderful 10 minute video from "Grace for Purpose" with beautiful scenery and many Scriptures to encourage you. It deals primarily with the admonition that Christians should not be conformed to this world - but instead endeavor to please God and to follow in Jesus' footsteps as best we can.   This world is decaying - it is dying !  It is to be replaced eventually by God with a new heavens and a new earth !  (Revelation 21:1-5)   Who wants to be a zombie in a dying world!?  And, face it, if a person is part of the world, he is making himself an enemy of God!  (James 4:4)

As the above video admonishes " Trust God" in these perilous times !   He never changes and He is true to His Word ! -  The world cannot say the same!   

We need to be in prayer constantly!  And the same thing goes for daily reading God's Holy Word - the Bible!   That is the only way a person can come to experience God - to know Him personally and to have a close intimate, personal, living and vibrant, and true relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ!   Our Heavenly Father wants us to fellowship with Him!  You will never grow strong in faith unless you have a blossoming and "fragrant" - a pleasing - relationship with God the Father, which in turn includes Jesus, our Savior !  That is what it is all about, folks!   Plus, how will you know God's will for your life - your purpose - unless you communicate regularly with Him!  Basically, our purpose is to just obey Him and do His will!  And of course, to believe in His Son Jesus Christ as the Savior and the only way to heaven!

For years, I thought my purpose was to just paint with a passion all the beauty and glory of God's creation and to depict it on canvas as best I could.   But when I began to search the Scriptures in earnest (daily and in sincerity to know God and draw closer to Him and Jesus -- (I took a whole year off without painting at all! - just studying His Word and in much prayer ) -   then God let me know His true will for me at this time !!  WRITE!  Share the Gospel of Jesus in that manner!

He answered my desire for years by urging me to write !  I had wanted to do MORE for Him for a long time.

[Waimea Bay - Oahu, Hawaii]

Following is an 11 minute video by Grace For Purpose You Tube channel concerning strange things happening now all over the world -  yet it focuses primarily on how we as true believers should live our lives!   The video encourages us to live with wisdom and to be prayerful.

And one last video now telling us "God Is giving Us - the World - Warning Signs" !!  It is from another wonderful Christian You Tube channel  "Lion of Judah".   This 14 minute video  gives Scriptures concerning the soon return of Jesus !   The Rapture of true Christians -  Christ's "Bride", the Church.   Just a note of caution -  the narrator confuses the Rapture as being the same as the "second coming" (in Matthew 24) when Jesus returns at the end of the 7 year Tribulation at the Battle of Armageddon.  (Matthew 24:30)  and how everyone will see Jesus  then -  at the end of the Trib. .

You must understand that the Rapture occurs quickly - and that no one will see Jesus then ( meaning the world in general.)   The true believers being Raptured will meet Jesus in the air and they most assuredly will see the Savior!  The followers of Jesus will be in heaven with Him for the 7 years (approximately- depending on how soon the Trib. begins after the Rapture).   After the Rapture, as stated,  the Tribulation occurs on the earth.   At the end of the Trib. - at the Battle of Armageddon, as previously mentioned - Jesus will return and destroy His enemies (the unbelievers and wicked will only then see Him) -   and following that  Jesus will usher in His Kingdom on earth, His 1000 year reign.  Jesus will literally return to earth then, beginning when He returns at Armageddon.  But at the Rapture, He will remain in the air where Christians will meet Him and be caught up to heaven with Him.  Whew!  I got a bit redundant there -  but only for emphasis.!!  Many are a little confused about the difference - and the  timing - of the Rapture and the Second Coming -- which are two different occurrences (appearance times) of Jesus.

I included the above video just the same - despite that error - because of the urgency of the times now (2 Timothy 3:1-5),  and the excellent Scriptures included in the video.  

The Rapture:  Read all of 1 Thessalonians 4.   "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  

About the quickness and suddenness of the Rapture:  "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the TWINKLING OF AN EYE,  at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality."                        -    1 Corinthians 15:51-53    I read or heard a sermon which told the approximate time of "a twinkling of an eye" -- I can't remember exactly right now, but it was less than the time to blink your eye!   So, again, to emphasize, the Rapture will be sudden and fast, and unseen by those unbelievers who will be left behind.  

Jesus' return after the 7 year Tribulation:    read all of Zechariah 14!  "Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of battle.  And His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there be a very great valley and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.  And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azalyea, ye shall flee like as ye flee from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee."  -    Zechariah 14:3-5

Concerning Jesus' return at Armageddon:  Please read all of Revelation 19!  Actually, read ALL of the entire book of Revelation!     Revelation 19 tells us that the Raptured believers are in heaven at "the marriage supper of the Lamb"  during the 7 year Tribulation period occurring on the earth.   Starting in verses 11-18 it concerns the return of Jesus with His saints at the battle of Armageddon :  "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.  ......   (14)  And the armies which were in heaven followed  Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. .....    15)   And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of ALMIGHTY GOD."            -   Notice that in Revelation 19:14, Jesus has with him the saints that had been previously Raptured , "armies.... white and clean"  -  and then also in Zechariah 14:5  ... "all the saints with Him."    More Scriptures could be given here!  It would benefit you if you searched out and studied them for yourself.  It would be a blessing to you!

URGENCY!     Many people just don't get it!   

Time is short!   Jesus could return at any moment!

Are you ready to meet the Lord?   

Jesus is waiting to hear from you!

Jesus will welcome you with arms wide open to embrace you in His love and forgiveness !!

It is by faith in Jesus as the Savior that saves you!  Just believe !   Head knowledge is involved to a degree in the sense that you understand to some degree what it all means to have complete faith and trust in Jesus  (at conversion, one rarely understands it all -- that comes with time) -- yet it is faith alone that saves a person!  Believe that Jesus paid your sin debt in full -  He took our place on the cross and shed His precious blood (as the Lamb of God) and redeemed us - ransomed us!-  so that we might have eternal life if we believe with all of our very being that He is the Savior!

Following are some Scriptures concerning salvation:

Remember, repentance for your sins and past life of ignoring God, is also necessary!  And once we are saved, being imperfect, we will still sometimes sin, even unintentionally, and we must pray for forgiveness and repent of our sins daily.    Beware if you intentionally sin and have no regret, no remorse for disobeying God !   If you habitually sin without it searing your conscience and thereby do not sincerely repent and pray for forgiveness,  then you may not be truly born again !  

"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say,  Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."   -    Matthew 4:17

At the time someone gives his life and heart to Jesus in full belief and faith, in a sense that is a form of repenting  (my opinion) , because many when first converted do not understand completely about repentance at the beginning!  They may be "sorry" (better yet, remorseful in true grief and guilt) for their past sinful life, yes; but true repentance is shown by how they live their lives after being saved - after being born again !

"(For He hath said, 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

"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 on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  -   John 3:16

  

Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend -   and life!

"ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL MOURNER?" (Sermon Video By Pastor Chuck Smith) - (A.W. Tozer Devotional) - INSPIRATIONAL WEEKEND

 

                                       [Rainbow at Waimea Bay, North Shore - Oahu, Hawaii]

Rainbows are very special to me.  They remind me of God and His promises.  But not only that, if there are difficulties to face with uncertain consequences, viewing a rainbow cheers me and makes me feel that God is near.  Of course, when you are a true believer in the Savior Jesus Christ, you realize that the good Lord is always with you!   But we need to sometimes be reminded of that, and a rainbow does that for me.

"Thou art near, O LORD, and all Thy commandments are truth."  -  Psalm 119:151

"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the LORD God, that I may declare all Thy works."  -  Psalm 73:28

So, what exactly is meant by spiritual mourning?  First, here is what Jesus had to say when He gave the Sermon on the Mount (the Beatitudes):

 "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."  -   Matthew 5:4

 

As stated above, it is a spiritual mourning, and not that of a melancholy disposition, nor sorrow over temporary distress, nor for destroyed hopes, and not even for the sorrow when we find ourselves in adversity of any type.  The main cause of this of this mourning Jesus spoke of is because of sin.    And for sin itself  rather than for the consequences of sin.  Even sorrow for secret sins; for sin as seen in the sight of our precious Lord Jesus.   Because as King David of old said: 

"Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight: that Thou mightest be justified when Thou speakest, and be clear when Thou judgest."    - Psalm 51:4

"Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."  -  Psalm 51:9-10

King David sinned really big time during his life.  Psalm 51 deals with his repentance over his adultery with Bathsheba and of causing the murder of her husband.  How bad is that!  Yet David had true godly sorrow over his sins, and true repentance.   And God still felt about and called David "a man after His own heart"!

" .....  He raised up unto them David to be their king to whom also He gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all My will."   -  Acts 13:23

Also, remember how the apostle Peter denied Christ three times in one night, and when the Lord looked intently at him after his cruel denial, Peter wept bitterly.  Godly sorrow! Repentance!

 

 [ North Shore - Oahu, Hawaii]

Christians also mourn - and deeply - the sins of others.  This is especially true of family member's sins, but also of others - even to mourn the sins of one's nation and its leaders!  Jeremiah the prophet felt that way about his nation of Israel as seen in the following verses:

"Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!  On that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men."  -   Jeremiah 9:1,2

One Bible commentator has said:  "The mourning which will entitle a man to blessedness has these qualifications:  It is spontaneous and free: it must come as water out of a spring and not as fire from a flint.  The mourning is spiritual:  when we mourn for sin more than suffering.  We must mourn for sin as it is.  It is  (1) an act of hostility and enmity that affronts and resists the Holy Spirit. (2) sin is an ingratitude in its unkindness against God; (3)  A privation that keeps good things from us, and hinders our communion with God.

 

The same commentator tells us: "that  - with hope - believing that though our tears drop to the earth, our FAITH must reach heaven.    Our mourning must be joined with hatred of sin.  We must not only abstain from sin, but abhor it.   The dove hates the least feather of the hawk;  A true mourner hates the least motion to sin.   ....... Our mourning for sin must be constant.  ... A daily weeping, a daily mourning."

And concerning the mourner's being comforted:  "Spiritual comforts are pure:  they are not mudded with guilt, nor mixed with fear; they are the pure wine of the Spirit.  What the mourner feels is joy. The comforts God gives His mourners are sweet, for the love of God shed into the heart is said to be better than wine.  (Song of Solomon 1:2)   {The comforts from God} are Holy.  Divine comforts give the soul more acquaintance with God.  {These comforts} are satisfying as they fill the heart and make it run over; they are powerful; they strengthen for duty, and they support us under affliction.  ... The comforts of the Spirit are immortal and eternal.  Oh, how superlative are these comforts!"  (Comments from "The Biblical Illustrator")

Following is a 44 minute sermon on this subject and Matthew 5:4 by Pastor Chuck Smith, who was the founder of the Calvary Chapel Churches.  Pastor Smith passed away a few years ago.

Following is a quote from A.W. Tozer, who was an American preacher and author and he passed away in 1963.  

"What a strange paradox!  The atheistic free thinker rants and raves about the Bible being a "dangerous" book at the very same time that the Word Of God is speaking to my soul!  Strange indeed that some humans have the idea that the Word Of God can only be approached with shivering fears.  But that is true only of those who love their sin and hate their Savior.  The blessed truth is that if I hate my sin and love my Savior, the Word of God is a wonderful revelation, indeed, and a trustworthy guide.  We need to be aware always that if we do not keep the Word of God on our side, we will be miserable in our souls continually.  It is up to us.  What do we sincerely will to do with God and His revealed Word?   Years ago, the saintly George Mueller said he had read the Bible hundreds of times, and then he added, "with meditation."  Let us see to it that we read the Word.  More than that, we should actually explore it!"

 

 

[Dawn -  Ala Moana Beach Park -  Oahu, Hawaii]

Has it dawned on you that we are now living in the last moments of the end of this dispensation- the Age of Grace: The Church Age?  Look around you and you see all the signs of the beginning of the New World Order!   The signs that "the season" of Jesus' return is now upon us!   No one knows the day or the hour (but only our heavenly Father knows) when our blessed Savior will return for His true believers. (Matthew 24:36).   But the Bible and Jesus clearly gives us "signs" that His return is near.  Read Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21.  Much written there pertains to the tribulation period which follows the Rapture, true, but we see some of those signs happening NOW which means we must be in the "season" of our Lord's imminent return to take us heaven before the 7 year Tribulation begins. 

If Jesus returns today, or next week, or soon.....

Are you Rapture Ready?

  

  The main requirement is to believe that Jesus is the Savior and the only way to heaven and eternal life!    Jesus took our place on the Cross and paid our sin debt in full by shedding His precious blood (as the sacrificial Lamb of God) that we might be ransomed from our sins and forgiven by Him and God if we only have faith and believe! We are washed clean in Jesus' blood and when we are born again, and God sees us as saved from His wrath because God sees us through Jesus - we are cleansed  by the blood of Jesus!

 

Following are Scriptures that explain what Salvation entails.  If you are not a believer now in the Savior, it is urgent that you do so soon!   Eternity is a long time to spend in the wrong place : Hell !

"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

"But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received the atonement."  -   Romans 5:8-11

"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

 

"Jesus saith 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

 

One thing to be sure to do,  is to repent  of your sins and to sincerely pray for forgiveness in order to receive the Lord's forgiveness and blessing.

 

Matthew 4:17  tells us:  "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say,  Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

 

 

 

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

 

"THAT'S IT! HERE IT COMES!" (videos on THE SEALS OF REVELATION; THE REAL REASON YOU ARE GOING TO HEAVEN; WHAT WILL GOD SAY TO YOU ON JUDGMENT DAY?) - Inspirational Weekend

 

The title above of this article : "That's it! Here it comes!" is from a quote by Pastor Billy Crone during his discussion with Gary Stearman of Prophecywatchers.com, concerning the seals of the Bible book of Revelation.  As always, Pastor Crone is very clear and informative and rather unique in his presentations of Biblical topics !  A must watch 29 minute video follows:

Many persons, in their self-righteousness, believe they will go to heaven because of their many good works, or charitable donations, and the like.  Some believe that since their family were all Christians and they  were born into a home where both mother and father were Christians, that that is their "ticket" to heaven.  But those true believers who have developed a close relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ, know the real reason why some will go to heaven!  Please watch the following recent 11 minute video titled:"The Real Reason you are going to Heaven  (This May Surprise You)"

Many people today are caught up in everyday affairs of making a living and providing for their family; and many are just plain trying desparately to survive!  They do not take time to consider what lies beyond this secular and godless world.  Big Mistake!!  One day we will all die (or, in the case of followers of Jesus Christ, will be raptured to Heaven before  death!)  The point is, WAKE UP and consider eternity!   Eternity is a long time to spend in the wrong place:  HELL!

The following recent 14 minute video is titled: "What Will God Say To You on the Day Of Judgment?"

The video above brings out the fact that every evil word, evil act, and evil thought will be made manifest on Judgment Day!  It also tells us two main things required of us: "to pursue peace and holiness" now while we dwell on earth.

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."              -   Hebrews 12:14

Obviously, however, we need to believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ, in order to be saved in the first place.  Only the shed blood of Jesus - the sacrificial Lamb of God - can cleanse us of our sins; wipe the slate clean, so to speak, as He alone - Him only !! - could pay our sin debt in full  (He ransomed us) at His death at Calvary!  It was and is a debt we could never pay ourselves, because of its enormity!  We cannot work our way to heaven!  Good works do NOT save us. (Ephesians 2:8-9.  Only belief in the power of Jesus' shed blood will save us: meaning to believe in HIM as the Savior with all of our very being; our very essence! Our very soul!  This obviously means true FAITH !    You need to realize the seriousness and the enormity of your sins, and be truly repentant.    Pray for forgiveness in all sincerity and contriteness.  

Following are salvation Scriptures as a guide for those who are not yet believers in the Savior, Jesus Christ.   They are also good verses for Christians to memorize and then to share with unsaved acquaintances and family members.

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son will not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."  -    John 3:36

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."    -  John 14:6

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto 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

Bible prophecy, as said many, many times previously on this blog, is coming true now at warp speed!  The times are urgent, chaotic, and fearful!  More will be written here later concerning recent events and how they are fulfilling Bible prophecy. (If I live so long; or if the Rapture does not occur before then - before I am able to write any more articles !)  I strongly suggest that you do some research right now on your own on You Tube or on websites that give information on the end times and Bible prophecy, (such as Raptureready.com, and Raptureforums.com, and many others).

[Along the Strand, Manhatten Beach, California]

"The prayer of faith is the only power in the universe to which the great Jehovah yields.  Prayer is the sovereign remedy."  -   Robert Hall

"Be sure you look to your secret duty; keep that up whatever you do.  The soul cannot prosper in the neglect of it.  Apostacy generally begins at the [prayer] closet door.  Be much in secret fellowship with God.  It is secret trading that enriches the Christian.  Pray alone.  Let prayer be the key of the morning and the bolt at night.  The best way to fight against sin is to fight it on our knees." -  Philip Henry

"It is Christ's will that [man] should be thus isolated, and that he should fix his eyes solely on HIM."    - Dietrich Bonhoeffer (in "The Cost of Discipleship.")

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

"If the LORD be with us, we have no cause of fear.  His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open to our prayer -  His grace sufficient, His promises unchangeable."  -  John Newton

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

  

"How Do We Glorify God?" (Charles Spurgeon Sermon) - Inspirational Weekend

[Taro Fields, Hanalei Overlook, Kauai, Hawaii]

This  blog features articles about Bible Prophecy as well as the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Today (Wednesday) while reading my Bible in the book of Psalms the following verse really made me realize the importance of always stressing the glory of God, and giving Him the glory for everything:

"Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name;  Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness."    -  Psalm 29:2

God's very creation praises Him and gives Him glory as seen in Psalm 19:1 which follows:

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His  handywork."

Also, His creation of mankind was miraculous and glorious and showed His great love and desire for companionship, although He had Jesus and the angels with Him before then.  

We should make sure that we bring glory to God.

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."   -                       1 Corinthians 10:31

Jesus' life and purpose was to bring glory to God. He lived and died to do the Heavenly Father's will.  And that was to provide a way for lost mankind to be saved from the darkness of this world and to come to the saving light of salvation; to know God's love and forgiveness and grace by Jesus' sacrificial death at Calvary, whereby Jesus' shed blood will wash away all of our sins from us if we but believe in Him and have faith that He paid our sin debt in full by taking our place and our sins upon Himself and dying for us; thereby making a way for us to have everlasting life.  What love!

[Hill side near Salt Lake City]

When believers endeavor to live as godly a life as they are able, and show the love of God to others, and - most importantly - to love God and to obey Him and to try to follow closely in Jesus' footsteps,  then we are bringing glory to God.  That we are revealing the glory of God to others through our lifestyles, words, and actions; as well as praising Him and submitting to His will.

Mainly, just showing faith that God and Jesus will take care of you and guide you and protect you -  showing trust in Him.  Rely on Him and not yourself. Be humble.  

In Habakkuk 3:17-19, it shows that Habakkuk had learned faith in God regardless of circumstances - even if there be suffering and loss:

In verse 17 Habakkuk discusses possible dire circumstances, and then in verse 18 and 19 he says: "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds feet."

Many commentators think the above verses are one of the strongest statements of faith in all the Bible.

So our faith can bring glory to God.  

Remember Abraham!  Romans 4:20 tells us:  "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;"

Following is a 39 minute audio sermon by Charles Spurgeon titled   "A View Of God's Glory" :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy8xuV4Kz_c

[Hawaiian Black Crowned Night Heron]

So how do we acquire a strong faith?  How do we draw close to the good Lord?  The answer to the question "How do we glorify God?" has already been touched upon in the above paragraphs.  The key to everything spiritual - and understanding what God requires of us - is by putting God and Jesus first in our lives.  

As has been stated many times on this blog,  God desires to fellowship with us because He loves us.  We can draw close to the Lord by much prayer and by reading and studying His Holy Word, the Bible.  Then we will learn just how much He and Jesus loves us, and we will grow to appreciate their attributes and their greatness.  It is amazing how the Lord will take the time to listen to us and answer our prayers;  we who are so weak and fragile ; we who sin (hopefully not intentionally!); we who can be stubborn at times and want our own way for the most part.  If you spend a lot of quality time with the good Lord, you will grow spiritually and He will renew your mind (Romans 12:1-2  which follows):

"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."

Only those who are truly born again (a spiritual rebirth) have the Holy Spirit within them Who enables them to be godly and to obey God and to have faith in Him and Jesus, our Savior.

Yes, we are still living in an imperfect world which can affect us at times, and we ourselves are still imperfect right now, so Christians will at times weaken and sin.  (If a person willfully and deliberately sins, and it is a frequent occurrence, then either he is not truly born again, or he does not fully understand what salvation is all about.)

"For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."  -     Romans 10:2-3

If we confess our sins and repent, God our heavenly Father will forgive us and and restore us. He will see us as "clean" because of Jesus' sacrificial death -  see our sin debt as paid in full.

[Kailua Beach, Oahu, Hawaii]

One major way we bring glory to God, is to witness to unbelievers about Jesus; to share the gospel and help lost souls to come to a saving relationship with Jesus.  That is every true believer's work for the Lord.   Note that we are NOT saved by works, but by faith in Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says: (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."

"For God, Who commanded the Light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of  Jesus Christ."   - 2 Corinthians 4:6

"Whoso offereth praise glorifieth  Me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright, will I shew the salvation of God."       -  Psalm 50:23


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

"Forget Me Not" - Inspirational Weekend

The title of my oil painting shown above is "Forget Me Not".  I have posted it here previously, but felt it appropriate to use it again as this writing will be about how we should not forget the good Lord.   In this painting, there is much symbolism.  The blue flowers on the cup and saucer are forget-me-not blossoms;  the yellow peace rose symbolizes the peace that comes from the Lord, and it is sitting in a vase containing living water from Him;  the eyeglasses are a reminder to read God's Holy Word; and the red rose symbolizes Jesus' shed blood at Calvary.  

"Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping His commandments, and His judgments, and His statutes, which I command thee this day:"  -  Deuteronomy 8:11

Moses gave the above warning to the Jewish people, for he knew there was a very real danger that when they became prosperous they would forget God who had given them so many blessings and would rather begin to commend themselves.   Not that they would forget God altogether, but they would forget their covenant responsibility.  Their forgetfulness would show up when they did not keep the Lord's commandments and His ordinances and statutes.  

What about us today?  Sure, we enjoy our attendance at worship, but how genuine are we?  We show our faith and that we still remember the Lord by living a godly, surrendered life to Christ, full of faith and joy and hope.  By living our lives in obedience to Him, we demonstrate that we have not forgotten Him.

"And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish."              -  Deuteronomy 8:19

It is in man's nature to always worship something, and it was no different back in Moses' day.  It was apparent to Moses that if they forgot the good Lord, they would soon turn to other gods.  "They would find the easy going gods of the land preferable.  Man loves to worship something, but he prefers it not be too demanding."

Today - especially in the Western world - men are wealthy compared to most of the rest of the world.  This prosperity has made many to succumb to greed and always wanting more, more, more.   They display no gratitude to God for His many blessings.  So we have our idols as well:  musicians, money, movie stars, materialism and on and on.  Many are thereby destroying their souls and the souls of others, because all of this idolatry leads them into behavior which displeases God; and it is also harmful to themselves.  The very prosperity which is the gift of God is too often the reason for the heart to become lifted up where one forgets the Giver.  

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits."  -  Psalm 103:2

This past week, I was reading a Charles Spurgeon devotion and felt the desire to post some of what he said; so here it is:

"It seems then, that Christians may forget Christ!   ..... It appears almost impossible that those who have been redeemed by the blood of the dying Lamb, and loved with an everlasting love by the eternal Son of God, should forget that gracious Savior....... Forget Him who never forgot us!  Forget Him who poured His blood forth for our sins!  Forget Him who loved us even to the death!  Can it be possible?  .........  Let us charge ourselves to bind a heavenly forget-me-not about our hearts  for Jesus our Beloved, and, whatever else we let slip, let us hold fast to HIM."

If Christians have a difficult time following and remembering the good Lord, where does that leave the lost and unbelieving?  They are just that - lost and doomed unless they turn to Jesus and repent and believe in Christ as their Savior, and become redeemed by His shed blood at Calvary.

God is full of tender mercies and the Bible tells us that God is love (1 John 4:8).  Jesus is full of love for mankind - He died for us!  He is waiting for unbelievers to repent and to believe He is the Savior and to turn to Him in full surrender and He will forgive their sins and wipe the slate clean.  No more burden of guilt and no more living in sin and darkness.  You will be free from the devil's control over you! You will experience a true peace from the Lord and you will have a hope and a purpose.   It frees the soul to live for the good Lord !

"I will remember the works of the LORD:  Surely I will remember Thy wonders of old."  -  Psalm 77:11

"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 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

"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

"Beware Of Becoming Lukewarm" (Video with Charles Spurgeon Sermon) - Inspirational Weekend

If you read Revelation 3:14-21 you will discover that Jesus is talking about the lukewarm church of Laodicea.  That church was neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm and nauseating.  So much so that Jesus said at Revelation 3:16

"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

That word "spue" literally means to vomit.   Do you want to be lukewarm and have Jesus feel like vomiting because of you?  Of course you don't if you are a true, born again believer in Christ.  Have you considered that when you don't pray and do not read the Bible, that is a symptom of being lukewarm.   The good Lord wants to have a living, vibrant, love relationship with you.  That requires spending time with Him, communicating with Him through prayer, and by putting Him first in your life.

Another symptom of lukewarmness (and maybe even a sign that you are not truly converted) is becoming like the world; being a part of the world and loving its godless entertainment and excessive materialism; its lusts and desires.  

Consider 1 John 2:15-17,  (15) "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.  (16)  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.  (17)  And the world passeth away, and the lusts thereof:  but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

This world, or realm of sin, is controlled by satan and organized against God and righteousness.  We should avoid anything that involves the devil and wickedness.   Your very soul is at stake.  Do the will of God and have eternal life with Him.  

Consider also James 4:4,  "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?  whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."

James makes it clear how God feels when we are friends with the world.....it is enmity with God !  It makes you an enemy of God.

Revelation 2 and 3 deals with the 7 churches in Asia Minor in the apostle John's day and to which Jesus told John to write to each of these as a message from the Lord Himself.  The letter to the Laodicean church was the harshest of the seven.  That church had nothing to commend it.

The vast majority of scholars agree that these seven churches are typical of the Church age throughout history, and that the time we now live in is also like the Laodicean church.  The church today has become lukewarm and worldly.  I am speaking generally, for not all of today's churches are like the ancient one in Laodicea.  If you find yourself in a lukewarm church, leave and search for one that is truly alive and preaching the gospel and putting Jesus first.

Let us be true sheep and follow the Lord our shepherd wherever He leads.  Turn to Him for guidance and instruction, and put your faith in Him and in His promises.

Let us consider Revelation 3:20, which reads,  

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:  if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me."

Most people take this to mean that Jesus is knocking on the individual unbeliever's heart.  But when you consider the context, the lukewarm church itself is being addressed.  Christ, the Lord of the church, is pictured as knocking on the door of the church.  "The Laodiceans were in danger of closing Jesus out of their church, just as unbelievers can close Him out of their lives."

Beware of becoming lukewarm!  

Following is a 58 minute sermon by Charles Spurgeon with a warning to avoid lukewarmness.  It is worth taking the time to listen to.  Charles Spurgeon is known as "the prince of preachers."

In the above sermon, Spurgeon said something very noteworthy.  "Men are less likely to repent when they are in the middle - neither hot nor cold -  than if they were at the worst extreme in sin.  There is more hope to convert the cold than it is to convert the lukewarm."  

If you are a Christian and you see any signs of lukewarmness in your life and in your attitude,  repent and turn to the Lord and ask for forgiveness.  Begin to pray more often, as well as to be in God's Holy Word daily.   

If you are an unbeliever, do not delay in accepting Jesus and believing in Him as the Savior, whose shed blood at Calvary can wash away your sins and bring forgiveness if you truly repent.  To repent is not just feeling sorrow for your sins for the moment; it means completely renouncing sin and not living in sin anymore.  If one occasionally and unwittingly commits a sin after being saved, he can sincerely repent and ask for forgiveness and the slate will be wiped clean... he will be forgiven.

Turn to the Lord now in faith and in repentance.  Time is fast running out before the Rapture of the Church occurs.  

Do not delay!

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.  Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates."  -  2 Corinthians 13:5

"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

"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 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

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

"You Must Be Holy To Enter Heaven" - Inspirational Weekend

Hamakua Marsh on Oahu, Hawaii,(shown in my photo above) is a bird lovers paradise and I enjoy visiting there and taking many photographs.  Again, the beauty of Hawaii is a small glimpse of a paradise on earth.  The paradise of God's heaven is too wonderful to even comprehend with our finite minds!  

Two previous posts on this blog have dealt with how to enter the Kingdom of God;  one is about repentance and being born again found here , and the other about how humility and being childlike is necessary to enter God's kingdom which is found here.  I urge you to read both posts, and meditate upon the Scriptures found there.

Today, we will focus on holiness.   I have dealt with this topic previously last year.  Now I will go into more depth about the meaning of holiness and how you need to be holy to enter heaven, God's Kingdom.

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."  -  Hebrews 12:14

A short note on being peaceable:  we are not to engage in or instigate litigation, strifes, or slander.  We are to make war with sin, but not with people; with bad passions and corrupt desires, but not with our fellowman.   Being peaceable is part of being holy.

"They who are expecting to be saved without holiness or religion, are destined for certain disappointment.  Heaven and earth will pass away but God will not admit one unrepenting and unpardoned sinner to enter heaven.  "   

Notice in Hebrews 12:14 that it says to "follow holiness."  You will not gain holiness by just sitting still and doing nothing.  It requires effort; you need to deliberately pursue holiness with a passion.  To be holy means to be a true follower of Jesus Christ.  Holiness requires cultivation.   "You must pursue it with determination; with eagerness, with long-continued perseverance, as a hunter pursues his prey."

Remember, there is no heaven without holiness.

  

"You cannot achieve holiness by your own effort.  But Christ can do it for you, and He can begin it now.  Believe on Him and He will begin with you; in fact, that believing will be the fruit of His having begun with you."  (Charles Spurgeon)

Pray for the Lord to help you to become holy.  Read and study your Bible and pray without ceasing  (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  All Scripture is inspired by God.  Therefore, God "speaks" to you through the reading of His Word.  The more you take in spiritual food, the more spiritual (and therefore holier) you will become.

Someone has said, "Holiness is the beauty and ornament of the soul."   Also, "It {holiness} is our brightest resemblance to God; our principle glory in this world, and our highest happiness in the next."

Holiness is the fruit of sovereign and effectual grace .  (Ezekiel 36:25-26)

"Now if our text {Hebrews 12:14} said that without perfection of holiness no man could have any communion with Christ, it would shut every one of us out, for no one, who knows his own heart, ever pretends to be perfectly conformed to God's will..  It does not say "perfection of holiness", mark: but "holiness".  This holiness is a thing of growth.  As the spirit of God waters it, it will grow till the mustard-seed shall become a tree."   -  Charles Spurgeon

I have shared the following sermon previously, but felt it needed to be shared again on this post.   It is a  45 minute sermon by Charles Spurgeon titled "Holiness Demanded".   

 "I have now concentrated all my prayers into one, and that one prayer is this, that I may die to self, and live holy to Him".      -  Charles Spurgeon

"The greatest test of whether the holiness we profess to seek or to attain is truth and life will be whether it produces an increasing humility in us.  In man, humility is the one thing needed to allow God's holiness to dwell in him and shine through him.  The chief mark of counterfeit holiness is lack of humility.  The holiest will be the humblest."   -  Andrew Murray

"Holiness consists of three things -  separation from sin, dedication to God, transformation into Christ's image.  It is in vain that we talk about the last, unless we know something experimentally about the first."  -  James H. Aughey

"If Christ has died for me - ungodly as I am, without strength as I am - then I can no longer live in sin, but must arouse myself to love and serve Him who has redeemed me.  I cannot trifle with the evil that killed my best Friend.  I must be holy for His sake.  How can I live in sin when He has died to save me from it?"  -  Charles Spurgeon  

True holiness is seated in the heart.  It is not just a name you or someone else gives you, but rather your inward nature.   It is a divine principle embedded deep within your heart and soul.  The only way one can become holy is by a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ; by fellow-shipping with Him; by knowing Him intimately and desiring His will above all else.   You must be born again (John 3:3) and renewed in your mind (Romans 12:1-2) in order to be holy.  But, of course, to begin with, you need to repent and turn from your sin and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior (John 3:16); to have faith in Him by grace and to believe His shed blood on the cross can wipe all your sins away; and believe also in His resurrection  (Romans 10:9,10,13).  

"Holiness is not a single grace, but an assemblage of all the graces. and extends to all the duties of the Christian life.  ..... It is not meekness, humility, faith, hope or charity; but all these united...."

True holiness in man is through the mediation of Christ.  Only as we begin to know Jesus can we grow in holiness as, at the same time, we increase in the knowledge of Him.  "Real saints are a living image of the invisible Savior."

Beware of self-love that may prompt us to love God for His goodness to us.  Many unregenerate men may have a selfish love towards God because of a selfish heart.  "But to love God because He is infinitely holy, is a disposition natural to a renewed soul only, and argues a conformity to His image."

Ponder these things, and may grace abound towards you as you enter this Christ-filled weekend.

"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."       -  Romans 6:22

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."  -  2 Corinthians 7:1  

"And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."  -  Ephesians 4:24