THE WAY TO HEAVEN; THE HOLY SPIRIT (DO YOU HAVE IT?); WHAT DOES BORN AGAIN MEAN? - WITH VIDEOS AND MORE! - INSPIRATIONAL WEEKEND

The above photograph is of one of my grandchildren when he was a baby. There is nothing more precious than a tiny new born baby!  But spiritually speaking, there is nothing more wonderful and precious and to be treasured than "the new birth; being born again."   That occurs at the moment when a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior -  believing in Him in all sincerity and with all of your very being that He alone is the Savior, the Redeemer, Who gave His life as a ransom so that we might have eternal life if we have faith in Him and the power of His shed blood to cleanse us from our sins, and the fact that He rose from the dead, proving that we may also have eternal life by faith in Him.  (Romans 10:9-13)

In other words, at the moment you are saved by faith, you are "reborn" in spiritual manner, and sealed with the Holy Spirit.  (Ephesians 1:13).

The excellent You Tube Christian Channel "Lion of Judah" has the following 15 minute video which helps to explain what happens to you when you are born again.  Please watch !  

In the above video it mentions that being born again is not really or exactly you "turning over a new leaf."  Watch the video in the beginning where it explains this.  It reminds me of many years ago when I worked in a small office environment, and one of the men there was a real character.  He truthfully said of himself -  with some humor and much truth :  " I need to turn over a whole new bush!"   Can anyone relate, or do you know someone like that ?

Actually, the above statement by my former co-worker is a good beginning!  A beginning of realizing that you are a mess (a sinner) and that you need help ! That can lead you to know Christ, if your heart is right and someone shares the Gospel with you.  Or even if you just read the Bible in earnest, the Holy Spirit can convict you of your need of a Savior, and lead you to repentance.  The Bible is, after all, "God-breathed", meaning God's Holy Spirit guided and inspired the men of old to write down the words of our Heavenly Father, which later became the Holy Bible.  

                                               [Seattle, Washington Botanical Gardens]

"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 3:7

Charles Spurgeon has written a wonderful devotion on the above Scripture,  John 3:7, which follows:

"Regeneration is a subject which lies at the very basis of salvation, and we should be very diligent to take heed that we really are "born again",  for there are many who fancy they are, who are not.  Be assured that the name of a Christian is not the nature of a Christian; and that being born in a Christian land, and being recognized as professing the Christian religion is of no avail whatever, unless there be something more added to it - the being  "born again" is a matter so mysterious that human words cannot describe it.  "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth;  so is everyone that is born of the Spirit."  [John 3:8]    Nevertheless, it is a change which is known and felt; known by works of holiness, and felt by a gracious experience.  This great work is supernatural.  It is NOT an operation which a man performs for himself:  a new principle is infused which works in the heart, renews the soul, and affects the entire man.  It is NOT a change of my name, but a renewal of my nature, so that I am not the man I used to be, but a new man in Christ Jesus.  To wash and dress a corpse is a far different thing from making it alive: man can do the one, God alone can do the other.  If you have then been "born again", your acknowledgment will be:  "O LORD Jesus, the everlasting Father, Thou art my spiritual Parent; unless Thy Spirit had breathed into me the breath of a new, holy, and spiritual life, I had been to this day "dead in trespasses and sins.  My heavenly life is wholly derived from Thee -  to Thee I ascribe it."   -  "My life is hid with Christ in God."  [Colossians 3:3].    -      It is no longer I who live, but "Christ Who liveth in me."  [Galatians 2:20].      May the LORD enable us to be well assured on this vital point, for to be unregenerate is to be unsaved, unpardoned, without God, and without hope."   -  end of Spurgeon's quote.

(Charles Haddon Spurgeon lived from 1834 to 1892 in England.  He was a Baptist preacher who to this day remains very influential in many various Christian denominations.  He was and still is known as the Prince of Preachers.")

                                                       [Kailua Beach -  Oahu, Hawaii]

In todays topsy-turvy world, nothing is certain anymore, or so it seems!  BUT GOD!  We can be certain that God and His Word and His Promises will always remain certain and true and stable!

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever."  -  Hebrews 13:8

Hang on to that, folks!  The way things are going now, (current world events that prove spiritually and also  according to Bible Prophecy), that our precious Savior will return very soon and take us to be with Him in heaven.  It doesn't get any better than that!  

The above video quotes John 14:1-3, where Jesus tells us that He is in heaven preparing a place for us (mansions, KJV) and that He will return for us!  We all need that good news today!  Hope! Something to hang on to.  And of course, our hope is in the blessed Lord!

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."  -   Titus 2:13-14

Recently, I have re-read a 29 page booklet by Andrew Murray that I have had in my possession for a few years.  It's title is "Lord, teach us to pray" and it concerns the "Lord's Prayer" which Jesus taught His disciples. Most of its contents is rather elementary, or would be to pastors or to faithful Christians of many, many years of faith in the Lord.  It is good to go over material from time to time that you are familiar with, because often you glean new insights you missed previously;  this is especially true of the Bible itself, as you no doubt have observed for yourself.  You know, how you may have read the Bible through many times, but one day a particular verse just "hits" you for the first time -  really speaks to you as if you had never seen it before!  

Anyway,  here is a short quote from Murray's booklet:  "Yes, to pray. This is what we need to be taught.  Though in its beginnings prayer is so simple that the feeble child can pray, yet it is at the same time the highest and holiest work to which man can rise.  It is fellowship with the Unseen and Most Holy One.  The powers of the eternal world have been placed at its disposal..  It is the very essence of true religion, the channel of all blessings, the secret of power and life. Not only for ourselves, but for others, for the Church, for the world, it is to prayer that God has given the right to take hold of Him and His strength.  It is on prayer that the promises wait for their fulfilment, the kingdom for its coming, the glory of God for its full revelation.  And for this blessed work, how slothful and unfit we are.  It is only the Spirit of God that can enable us to do it aright.  How speedily we are deceived into a resting in the form, while the power is wanting."   -  end of Andrew Murray's quote.

There are many professing Christians today that do not pray - or, if they do, very seldom. And sometimes it is painfully obvious that they probably are not influenced by the Holy Spirit.  None of us are perfect, and neither are there any perfect Christians!  But it is essential that we believers be indwelt by the Holy Spirit.  Following is an informative and helpful 10 minute video titled " Undeniable Proof that the Holy Spirit is In Your Life"  (by You Tube Channel "Grace for Purpose."

There are many gems in the above video!  One of which is that the Holy Spirit will help pray for and with you!

If Jesus were to return to take His Bride (the Church; true believers) to heaven in the Rapture  -  if it occurred tonight, or next week, or next month,   would you be ready?  Or would you be "left behind"?

  To go to heaven, either when you die naturally or you are "caught up" to meet Jesus in the air at the Rapture,  you first need to be born again.  That is discussed above in this article.  You need to recognize that you are a sinner and in need of the Savior, Jesus Christ.  You cannot save yourself or earn your way to heaven by any "good works" or whatever else you may have been taught. God does not grade on a "curve"; like if your good deeds outdo or outweigh your bad deeds, you're okay and good to go!  (Good enough to enter heaven, many people think). 

"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

If you repent, feel a deep remorse for your sins against God and heaven, and you turn to Jesus/God in heartfelt sincerity and pray for forgiveness, you will be forgiven!  No matter how terrible you have sinned.  It has been said by a pastor, that even if Hitler had repented and asked for forgiveness, God would have granted his request.

Following are salvation Scriptures for a guide for those who have not yet surrendered their lives to the Lord and Savior, 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

"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)" -  2 Corinthians 6:2

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

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.  Believest thou this?"    -   John 11:25-26

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

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

 

PRIDE OR HUMILITY ? (WITH VIDEOS - ONE A SERMON BY ADRIAN ROGERS) & ARTICLE ON HOW TO BE HUMBLE - INSPIRATIONAL WEEKEND

 

[Male Peacock]

I have always thought that a male peacock was the epitome of pride!  Male peacocks strut and show off as if they believe they are so wonderful and special and spectacular! Actually, they are!  Most people have heard how some people view short of stature men who boast and strut around and puff out their chests as if they are similar to a banty rooster!  This post does not intend to criticize and "bash" anyone, but only to point out that pride is NOT becoming; worse, it is a sin that God hates most of all! We all tend to have a bit of a pride problem; we were born with it; it comes from within - and we inherited it from the fall of Adam in the Garden.

God hates pride because it is a sin that caused the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden.  And pride made a beautiful angel into a devil - pride created Satan, the deceiver and destroyer! Satan's kingdom is founded on pride. And when a person is extremely proud, they tend to be independent of God Himself. A proud person thinks "I can handle it", and a proud person wants things their own way and not God's way.  

Following is a 38 minute excellent sermon by Pastor Adrian Rogers on how pride can devastate a life! It is a helpful and insightful sermon - the best sermon I have ever heard on the subject of pride!

In his sermon, Pastor Rogers includes an abundance of Scriptural references.

By the way, he passed away in 2005.  He was an American Southern Baptist preacher and an author as well.

The reason I choose the topic of pride for this article is because my previous post was about meekness and Jesus' teaching on that subject in His Sermon on the Mount, or the Beatitudes, found at Matthew 5:5.  And another reason is because in my daily Bible reading recently, I came across Psalm 138:6, which also deals with pride.  It follows: 

"Though the LORD be high, yet hath He respect unto the lowly: But the proud He knoweth afar off."

 

In Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalm 138:6-8 he explains:

"Though the Lord is high He has respect to every lowly, humbled sinner, but the proud and unbelieving will be banished from His blissful presence.  Divine consolations have enough in them to revive us even if we walk in the midst of troubles, and God will save His own people that they may be revived by the Holy Spirit, the Giver of life and holiness.  If we give to God the glory of His mercy, we may take to ourselves the comfort. This confidence will not do away with, but quicken prayer.  Whatever good there is in us it is God Who works in us, both to will and to do.  The Lord will perfect the salvation of every true believer and He will never forsake those whom He has created anew in Christ Jesus unto good works."  -  end of Henry's quote

[Rooster at Hanauma Bay - Oahu, Hawaii (Acrylic painting on canvas]

As I prayed for the Holy Spirit's guidance and help in writing this article, I at once was answered partially by a Scripture popping into my mind which was:

"But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth ME, that I AM  the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgement, and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD."  -     Jeremiah 9:24

In Webster's 1828 dictionary it tells us that to glory or glorying means exulting with joy, or boasting; a display of pride.

So we should not take ourselves so seriously!  We should not be all wrapped up in ourselves and our accomplishments.  Instead, whatever we have or whatever we do accomplish or we are capable of, whatever gifts or talents we have --  bottom line:  It all comes from God and His blessings to us!   It is the good Lord in His love and mercy Who provides.  We should fall on our knees every day in gratitude to Him and thank Him for His goodness and love and provisions! For all He has done for us!  Be grateful to Him.  All of God's kindnesses to us should humble us.

 

 

Albert Barnes' Notes (Commentary) explains Jeremiah 9:24 for us:

"This is the prophet's remedy for the healing of the nation (Israel).  It is the true understanding and knowledge of God of which the first means the spiritual enlightenment of the mind (1Corinthians 2:13-14), the other, the training of the heart unto obedience (John 8:31-32).  This knowledge of God is further said to find in Him three chief attributes:  (1) lovingkindness  - i.e.,   readiness  to show grace and mercy; (2) judgment - a belief in which is declared in Hebrews 11:6 to be essential to faith; (3) righteousness -  which is essential to religion absolutely.   ....  Unless men believe that God's dealings with them in life and death are right and just, they can neither love nor reverence Him."  -  end of Barnes' quote

[Loving Spoonbills]

So the opposite of pride is humility! At the GotQuestions.org website there is an excellent article concerning what the Bible says about how to humble yourself. Here is the link to that article:  https://www.gotquestions.org/how-to-humble-yourself.html

Here are a few quotes from the above article, but I pray that you will go to the above link and read it all !  "We cannot become more humble by focusing on humility, as it becomes a source of pride when we believe we have achieved it.  .... The Bible has much to say about seeing ourselves in proper perspective.  Holding the Biblical perspective humbles us. Humility increases when we are willing to be humbled by God, circumstances and others.  Our sinful natures do not want to be humbled."

Following is a wonderful video by Christian You Tube Channel "Lion of Judah" that explains how to be more like Jesus. Enjoy and be blessed!

And another awesome video by Christian You Tube Channel "Grace For Purpose" which encourages us to put our complete trust in God.  Powerful!

The above video includes Psalm 9:10, which reads:

And those who know your name put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You."  

In these troublesome and chaotic and uncertain times in which we are now living,  the above Psalm gives comfort.  One thing is certain, God is never changing and He loves you and will never forsake you.  Trust Him!  He keeps His promises! 

True believers in Jesus, the Savior, derive comfort in the promise that He will return soon for us and take us to be with Him in heaven.  How awesome is that!   Many Christians are "battle weary" from numerous things happening in our world these days!  On a global scale as well as on a personal level.  But we have a blessed hope:

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."  - Titus 2:13-14

But what if you are not  a true Christian, a person who has been born again - saved by a spiritual birth - by a belief that Jesus is the Savior and the only way to heaven?  He died a cruel and painful death on the Cross in your place -  a substitute for you in the sense that He took mankind's sins upon Himself - paid the debt in full for our sins - ransomed us and became sin for us and shed His precious blood as the Lamb of God, so that when we believe with all of our very being that He is The Savior, His shed blood washes us clean, so to speak.  We are born again - spiritually!!  What love He has for us!!

Following are "Salvation Scriptures" for the unsaved, as well as for Christians to share with unbelieving family members and others.

"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." -  John3:36

"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

 

HAVE A BLESSED AND CHRIST CENTERED WEEKEND -  AND LIFE!

 

" Meekness - It's Beauty And Importance and Why" - (Video Sermon by A.W. Tozer) - Christian Quotes - Inspirational Weekend

 

                                              [American deer, Texas]

My photograph of the deer was taken from the window of my home in Texas, which was in a beautiful and awesome community centered around a very large lake.  The deer were in the area long before the homes were built, and these calm and quiet gentle animals still claimed the land there as their territory. I had several bird feeders hanging from a large, low branch of a tree outside one of my windows, and the deer would come and eat the bird seed which fell to the ground; which eventually led to my buying "deer corn" just for these sweet animals.  They felt safe outside my home, and I was treated year after year when the females would bring their fawns (sometimes twin fawns) to feed on the corn I provided.  Where am I going with all of this?  Well, for the most part deer are meek and quiet. Kinda like we should be around other people, but especially so where the Heavenly Father is concerned.

"As a deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for Thee, O God."   -  Psalm 42:1

A deer needs water not only for nourishment, but as a source (such as a brook or small lake or pond, etc.) which will erase its scent and trail.  Just as the good Lord provided food and a means of escape for the deer, He also provides us, His children, with food for our body and soul, and He also provides a way for us to escape from whatever might harm us, physically and spiritually.  Someone has said, "evil loses its pursuit trail when we are truly and whole heartedly and often in God's Holy Word, the Bible.  Let our souls pant for God's Word."

The main message of this post concerns Matthew 5:5 in which Jesus tells us: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."  This is part of our Lord's "Sermon on the Mount", also known as the Beatitudes.  Most of us already know what "meek" means, but here are a few words from Bible Commentators on what Jesus meant here at Matthew 5:5:  

Albert Barnes' Notes:    " Meekness is patience in the reception of injuries.  It is neither meanness nor a surrender of our rights; nor cowardice; but it is the opposite of sudden anger, malice, or long-harbored vengeance.  Christ insisted on His right when He said, "If I have done evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou Me?"      And yet Christ was the very model of meekness. It was one of His characteristics.  (Matthew 11:29)   So was the apostle Paul meek.  No man endured more wrong, or endured it more patiently than he. ...  Meekness is the reception of injuries with a belief that God will vindicate us.  ..... Meekness produces peace.  It is proof of true greatness of soul. "

Pulpit Commentary:  "...[Meekness and Humility] is an inwrought grace of the soul, and the exercises of it are first and chiefly towards God .(Matthew 11:29; James 1:21). It is the temper of spirit in which we accept God's dealings with us as good and therefore without disputing or resisting.  (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:12; Zephaniah 3:12) -  because it is only the humble heart which is also meek and which, as such, does not fight against God, and more or less struggle and contest with Him."

Back in February of 2017, there was an article I wrote on "The Beauty of Meekness". that had a  48 minute video sermon by Charles Spurgeon titled : "Blessed Are the Meek".  If interested, here is that link:

https://inspiringnaturephotography.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-beauty-of-meekness-inspirational.html

Right now, let us consider Psalm 149:4 = "For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation."

That Psalm was quoted on the link above, but not explained in any depth.

Charles Spurgeon's comment on Psalm 149:4 :  "This meekness makes a Christian attractive.  If we want to draw others to Christ, we must let them see how sweetly blessed is the Christian life and how a man can be sternly upright, and yet at the same time be blessedly cheerful;  how he can be dead against sin, and yet full of holy love to the sinner; how he would not to save his life, budge an inch from that which is right and true, and yet would give his life away if by blessing another he might bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Beautify us thus with salvation, and great good will come of it."

W. Bolland comment (on The Biblical Illustrator):   "The garment of salvation: it was wrought by the Son of God, and like Himself, is "holy without spot."  - The glory of salvation:  How beautiful will he be in the palm of victory in his hand, and the crown of glory on his head, and sitting down with the wedding garment wrought by the Son of God Himself, at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. "

Related to our discussion here, following is an 11 minute audio sermon by A.W. Tozer titled "Meekness and Rest" from his book (read by another person) titled "The Pursuit of God."

In the above sermon, Tozer says:  "Jesus calls us to His rest, and meekness is His method.  To have true meekness is to become as little children."

If you go full screen on the above sermon clip, you will see comments by Tozer concerning his book "The Pursuit of God."  It will bless you to read it all.  Here is a portion of what he wrote:  "Desire God above all! Be athirst to taste for yourselves the piercing sweetness of the love of Christ about Whom all the holy prophets did write and the psalmists did sing. .. The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate knowledge of God, that they may enter into Him, that they may delight in His Presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God  Himself in the core and center of their hearts."

{A.W. Tozer was an American pastor and author and lived from 1897 to 1963).

                           [Canadian Geese at Greenlake - Seattle, Washington]
              

 "Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting.... Welcome it and thank God for it as a cup of blessing. "                   -  Ralph Waldo Emerson

"If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step.  The first step is to realize that one is proud."  -  C.S. Lewis

"They always win who side with God." -  Frederick W. Taber

"The aim is to manifest the glory of God in human life; to live the life hid in Christ in God in human conditions.  Our human relationships are the actual conditions in which the ideal life of God is to be exhibited."  -   Oswald Chambers

                                [From Baby Makapu'u Beach - Oahu, Hawaii]

The good Lord knows that we will never be perfect this side of Heaven, but that is what his Word tells us to endeavor to do. (Matthew 5:48).  Meaning we need to rely on His strength to do so (although perfection is beyond us finite humans).  It is the heart God looks at!  Remember how terribly King David of old sinned with Bathsheba and on top of that, had her husband murdered !!  As stated before on this blog and in the Bible - of course - God still called David a man after His own heart. (Acts 13:22) When we sin, we must feel true remorse and repent, as King David did.  We must confess our sins to God, and then turn from them.... not making sin a lifestyle with no remorse or guilt.

Jesus will return very soon - as promised - to take true believers in Him as the Savior to be with Him in Heaven before the 7 year Tribulation begins.

Are you Rapture ready?

Time is short!  Don't delay !

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

Are you born again ?  It is a spiritual rebirth -  the Holy Spirit from God the Father indwells a person who is truly born again - who is truly saved by faith and belief in Jesus Christ as the Savior (Ephesians 1:13); making that person clean in the eyes of God because God sees that newly saved person as looking through His Son Jesus -  the Redemption found at the Cross when Jesus shed His precious blood so that we may be "washed and cleansed " by His blood when we come to true belief in Him as the Redeemer- the Savior, the Lamb of God. 

Following are salvation Scriptures for the unsaved to take to heart and act upon!  

 

"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

 

Do not forget that true repentance is also needed !  But the main thing is - first - just to believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior !!

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

Sometimes, with some people, a true understanding of repentance comes later - after the understanding of faith in the Savior, Jesus.  By that, meaning that they do not grasp everything all at once  (they are babes in Christ - 1 Corinthians 3:1) -  but their faith and belief in Jesus is true  and they understand that, although as they grow in faith and pray and read the Holy Word of God - the Bible - they comprehend more as time goes on.  That is why it is important for all believers to spend time in fellowship with the good Lord!  Pray often, learn to know the characteristics and attributes of the good Lord by reading the Bible.  

That is what it is all about!   Not a religion, but a relationship.  A close, intimate, personal, loving, living and true communing relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ!  If you do that, you will grow and blossom and thrive in the Lord like you never thought possible !!

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 !!

 

WAKE UP VIDEOS !! END TIMES ARE UPON US !! (Pastor Tom Hughes and Don Perkins - and More)

 

                                                             [North Shore Farm - Oahu, Hawaii]

Regarding the recent developments in Israel, in one of the following videos there is a discussion concerning it from a Biblical point of view.  It has often been mentioned on this blog that Israel is God's prophetic time clock.  God has NOT abandoned Israel and Israel has not been "replaced" by the Christian church, as the false teaching of "Replacement Theology" wants us to believe!  Read the book of Revelation (and the entire Bible) and you will realize that even in the coming 7 year Tribulation the Jewish people are very much in the heavenly Father's thoughts and plans!  That is why the Tribulation is known as "Jacob's Trouble."  The Tribulation events will, indeed, cause many of the Jews to accept Jesus as their true Messiah!

The first video is by Hope for our times (.com), by Pastor Tom Hughes and his guest Don Perkins.  It is part 1 of 2 pertaining to future events: the Rapture; what Don Perkins believes about Babylon the Great (he does not believe it is America, as some do, and as has been written about on this blog previously); and this first video also touches on the Millennial Kingdom of Christ (which occurs after the 7 year Tribulation.  Don't miss this fascinating and informative 1 hour video discussion !

The discussion about the 1000 year reign of Christ continues in the hour long (plus 15 minutes) video below of Part 2 from Hope for our times, with Pastor Tom Huges and Don Perkins.  But at the beginning of the discussion is pertinent and insightful information on the current conflict in Israel.  Many are wondering if "this is it" , so to speak, as a final occurrance - a precursor to the soon Rapture - and much more !  You don't want to miss this video!  I learned much from it!  Particularly where the Millennial Kingdom is concerned.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msw_EA-7LfU

And from the wonderful Christian channel, Grace for Purpose, here follows a recent 30 minute video on current happenings pertaining to Biblical prophecy.  

Lion of Judah, a channel on You Tube, is also an excellent Christian source!  The 17 minute video that follows is titled:  "The Book Of Revelation Is Unfolding Before Our Eyes!"

The above videos should wake up everyone to the fact that Jesus' return must be very soon!  Pastor Tom Hughes and Don Perkins discuss that fact in their videos above.

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:  for the former things are passed away.  And He that sat upon the said, Behold, I make all things new.  And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful."   -   Revelation 21:1-5

All of the above verses are wonderful and encouraging -- and TRUE!  It makes you want to be there and be with the good Lord!  But please note the following verses:

"And He said unto me, It is done.  I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.  I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all LIARS shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."  -   Revelation 21:6-8  

I stressed and capitalized the word "Liars" in the above verse 8 for a reason.  It is appalling how easily and often and without a second thought the way people today lie, and lie, and lie some more without any remorse or even a prick of their conscience !! Meaning they have no guilt or regret whatsoever! This is true even among "professed" Christians -  meaning they may not be truly saved.  Just saying!

                                            [Hamakua Marsh - Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii]

"Behold, I come quickly; blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of this prophecy of this book."   -   Jesus at Revelation 22:7

"And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."    -  Jesus at Revelation 22:10-11

Please note that in verse 11 above, Jesus calls Himself  the Alpha and Omega.   Other passages in the Bible have God Himself addressing the fact that He - The Almighty God - is the Alpha and Omega !  Which proves the deity of Jesus Christ !  

In view of the fact that we are in the last moments of the last days, now is the time to get right with the Lord before it is too late !   Give your heart, and life, and soul -- surrendered to Jesus, in true belief that He is the Savior, and the only way to heaven and to life eternal!  He died a cruel and painful death for you and shed His precious blood for you - as the Lamb of God - His was a sacrificial death so that you could gain eternal life by faith and belief in Him !  He paid our sin debt for us!  

Following are salvation Scriptures for those who are not yet born again -  not yet believers in Jesus Christ as the Savior.  

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

"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)"  -  2 Corinthians 6:2

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

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

Remember, however, that we must also repent of our sins in order to be saved!

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

God loves you!  Have a blessed day!

"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 !!