"Be Ready! Is Isaiah 17 Prophecy About To Be Fulfilled?" (Amir Tsarfati Latest Middle East Update Video) - Inspirational Weekend

[Kailua Beach, Oahu, Hawaii]

Here is another update on Middle East events published May 17, 2019, by one of the most informed evangelists out there, Amir Tsarfati, who is a Jew who believes in Jesus and who has a thriving ministry that takes him all over the world where he preaches the Gospel as well as Bible prophecy.   I find him a most reliable source with inside information that is right on the mark.  The video is 54 minutes in length, and with Amir is Pastor Barry Stagner.

Please take the time to watch the entire video as it is so relevant today.  He tells us about the recent strikes by Israel on targets near and around Damascus, Syria.  Amir says, "Nothing that happens today should surprise any Bible believing Christian" and that all the instability we see now in the Middle East is to be expected according to Bible prophecy.

Pastor Barry Stagner, in this video, mentions that "there is a definite religious aspect to the strife in the Middle East" right now.

They also mention Europe, North Korea, and President Trump, and much more.  

The fact that there are many targets being hit around Damascus recently quickly brings to mind the prophecy at Isaiah 17:1 which reads:

"The burden of Damascus, Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap."

It is highly possible that the above verse could come true very soon!!  And if so, some pastors believe that the War of Gog and Magog will happen soon as well, as spoken of in Ezekiel 38 and 39.

As if the Isaiah 17 prophecy happening is the precursor to the War of Gog and Magog.   All of the nations mentioned as coming against Israel are already in place now in Syria or nearby. 

I have written here previously about Isaiah 17:  go here. 

A more detailed study of the Gog of Magog War  is to be found here

So very many signs of the end times are literally shouting out loud, so to speak, that we need to take heed and make sure we are ready to meet Jesus when He soon returns for His Bride, the Church, true believers.   His return is ever so imminent, with so many prophecies coming true now... or precursors to the prophecies happening now.

All one has to do is to believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ.  Not a mere head knowledge, but a deep heart-felt love and sincere belief and faith in His power to redeem you and to wash you white as snow in His shed blood at the Cross.

Admit you are a sinner, and in need of a Savior.

Believe that Jesus is the only one who can save you and put you on the path to heaven.  (John 14:6)

Call on His Name ; Commit your life to Him.  Confess your sins.

Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us:  (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.   (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  (13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

The moment you believe and have faith in Jesus, you are saved forever.  In the past I have written about joining a church, getting baptized, and witnessing to others; and all that is well and good and we should do those things, but they don't save you.  Works do not save you, but belief in the Savior will.

"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

However, if you are truly saved, truly born again, the Holy Spirit will work in you to witness to others about Jesus, to help others in trouble, to attend church and fellowship with other believers.  It is a process over time, this sanctification.  To sanctify means to make holy or to set apart as sacred; to cleanse and purify.  All of this takes time and as you grow closer to the good Lord by prayer and constant Bible reading, you will begin to display the fruit of the Spirit.  Everyone matures at a different pace.   Just communicate with the Lord frequently and you will "grow".  But you are saved the moment you believe in the resurrected Jesus!  Even without having done any "works".   Remember the thief on the cross: he believed in Jesus by faith and Jesus told him that he would be with him in paradise.   The thief did no good works before he died; he simply had saving faith in the Savior.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance..... "    -   Galatians 5:22-23

"If you are not interested in the fruits of sin, stay out of the devil's orchard."  -  unknown

"Is it possible to be so active in the service of Christ as to forget to love Him?  Many a man preaches Christ but gets in front of Him by the multiplicity of his own works......Christ can do without your works; what He wants is you.  Yet if He really has you, he will have all your works."  -   P.T. Forsyth

"Man was made for the highest and most elevated enjoyment - the enjoyment of the presence of God and the admiration of His infinite perfections.  And when he loses this power to appreciate, admire, and love his God, he sinks from his high calling - to a level with the brute."   - Charles H. Spurgeon

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me; and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him."  -    Jesus at John 14:21

"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

Keep looking up !!

Keep watching !!

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

It's Getting Close! (With Video On End Times, The Third Temple, And President Trump)

My above photograph was taken at the Dole Cannery grounds on Oahu, Hawaii.  Scenes such as this is one reason why Hawaii is called paradise.   And the heavenly paradise is at hand for true believers in Jesus Christ.   

Previously I had posted a video by author and pastor Billy Crone about end times and the third temple and the antichrist.  Go here to view that article and video.

The video below is Part 2 of that subject, again featuring pastor Billy Crone who is interviewed again by prophecywatchers.com host Gary Stearman.  It is a 29 minute discussion which, when you watch it all, will leave you in no doubt that Jesus, the Savior, will soon rapture all Christians to be in heaven with Him.

They cover many topics in this video, and stress how close we are to the Rapture.  If the Jewish people have everything ready to build the third temple, then the time of the believers' departure is soon to occur because the new temple is built during the 7 year Tribulation period, and Christians will be taken to heaven by Jesus before the Tribulation begins.

Granted, there are many other signs of the last days happening right now which also let us know our Lord is returning very soon.  Read Matthew 24, Luke 21, and Mark 13 about those signs.   We do not know the day or the hour of Jesus' return, but He gave us signs which tell us that we are in the "season" of His return.

It is getting close, friends !!

Are you prepared for Jesus' return?

The only way true believers are to be prepared is to have a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior.  If you are born again, you can rest assured that you will enter those pearly gates.

We should not vegetate and do nothing, however.  The good Lord expects us to be occupied and busy winning souls and preaching the Gospel.  If you are a believer, and you realize the Lord could return any time now for His Bride, the Church, you will be on fire to witness to lost souls.  

Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us: (9)  "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10)For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

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

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

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

"The Antidote To All Trouble" (With Video Sermon by Charles Spurgeon) - Inspirational Weekend

My photograph above was taken at Seattle's Botanical Gardens.  It rather tells a story about not only the Fall season, but the elderly couple walking their dog along this path are also in the fall season of their lives; they may have already passed away by now as this photo was taken in the year 2000.  They may have taken many right paths in their lives, or perhaps been unwise and taken paths contrary to the will of the good Lord. 

The Bible mentions path or paths often.  

"Thou wilt show me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy;......"   -   Psalm 16:11a

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  -   Psalm 119:105

(5) " Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."   -   Proverbs 3:5-6

If we follow the lead of our blessed Savior, we will travel in paths that He leads us down and we will have less trouble in our lives.  This does not mean we will never have hardships and trials and tribulation; but, rather, that our outlook from the Lord will help guide us and give us strength and endurance to see our way through our trials.   

When I was a teenager and a young adult, I did not handle trouble very well and resented its interference in my life and my desires.  As I have grown ever closer to the Lord,  I realize there will be troubles and heartaches and the like, but I know the Antidote to all troubles.  The antidote is Jesus !

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me."   -  Jesus at John 14:1

Before saying the above to His disciples, Jesus had just told them that He would depart from them.  Jesus was endeavoring to comfort them, and went on to tell them about the many mansions in heaven that awaited them and that He would return again for them.   

Jesus is telling them to trust Him, and to trust God. One commentator has said: "Faith does not grasp a doctrine, but a heart.  The trust which Christ requires is the bond that unites souls with Him; and the very life of it is entire committal of self to Him in all my relations and for all my needs and absolute utter confidence in Him as all-sufficient for everything that I can require."

Trust.

Unless we trust, we shall certainly be troubled.  

If we trust, we may be quiet.  "Trust is always tranquility."

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee."  -  Isaiah 26:3

"Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength."  -  Isaiah 26:4

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  -  Jesus at John 14:27

Grief and fear are the two passions which ordinarily most disturb our minds. The remedy which Jesus prescribes against those conflicting passions is a believing in God, and a believing on Himself.  Those who do so have no just reason for any excessive "heart troubles."  

"But I will sing of Thy power;  Yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning:  For Thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble."  -  Psalm 59:16

Here is a lovely song about not letting your heart be troubled:

Following is a 53 minute sermon by Charles Spurgeon titled "Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled."   I pray that you will please take the time to listen to it all.  In this audio sermon, Charles Spurgeon  comments:  "A troubled heart will not help us in our difficulties, or out of them."

It must be said that one should be in prayer constantly and also one must read the Bible daily, in order to develop a strong, close, intimate, personal love relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ.  That in turn will give you faith as you grow to spiritual maturity; faith in God and Jesus will help you to endure troubles and to put the good Lord first in your life.  When you trust in Him with all of your heart and soul, you will receive strength and endurance from on High to face your troubles with full confidence in the Lord.

What if you are an unbeliever?  Not saved?  Then you do not have the Holy Spirit within you to guide you and help you when troubles come your way. 

You will not make it to heaven unless you are born again (John 3:3).

You need to believe that Jesus is the Savior and that His shed blood at Calvary will wash away your sins if you put your faith and trust in Him.

You need to admit that you are a sinner, and that you need a Savior.

You need to go to the good Lord in prayer.....call upon Him in faith and repentance.

Romans 10:9, 10, 13 tells us: (9)  "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that 
God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"Jesus 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

Don't delay!

We are living in the last hour of the last days!  Actually, you could even say we are in the last "minutes" of the end times.

Jesus' return is that imminent!  Turn to Him in faith.  Believe on Him as your Savior. 

Jesus loves you and wants you to be with Him in heaven.  He welcomes all who come to Him in faith and forgives all those who sincerely repent.

You do not want to be left behind to face the horrors of the 7 year Tribulation period!  It will be much more difficult to turn to the Lord then.

"(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

Keep watching!

Keep looking up!


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are you ready?

Romans 10:9, 10, 13 tells us: (9)  "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  (13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

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

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

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


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

"Faith,Hope, And Perseverance In The Last Days" (Charles Spurgeon Video ) - Inspirational Weekend

Yellow African Tulip trees, such as in my photograph above, are not as plentiful in Hawaii as the bright red-orange ones, which are my favorite.  But because something is more common or more widely viewed, does not mean it is necessarily better.   Take, for instance, religious views - or lack of any religious views.  What is popular does not indicate that it is better, or to be preferred.  Remember, religion can be dead wrong.  Look at all the various religious cults, for instance.

I prefer to think of Christianity as a loving, intimate, strong relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ; and that it is  is very true.  How do we attain this intimate relationship; what do we need to do to be strong in the love and guardianship of the Father?

 We need a strong and vibrant relationship with the good Lord to communicate with Him effectively, and to enable us to grow ever closer to Him and to not be afraid of these horrific world events and lawlessness that is prevalent in our world today.  We must pray daily, without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and we must study and read the Holy Word - the Bible - daily in order to grow to know the Lord intimately.  With Him by your side, you can rest assured that you will be strong to face whatever this old world throws at you; whatever the devil stirs up to try to tear you down.

Charles Spurgeon has said, "I know the devil can blow very hard, but I don't believe he can blow out the candle that God lights, much less that he can blow out the bright sunshine of the Gospel."

We have the threat of another world war looming over us, for one thing.  Just yesterday, March 28, 2019, President Trump signed an Executive Order proving an EMP cyber attack could be a serious soon threat.  If you are keeping up with current events, I do not have to go over and over what threats and concerns the USA and the world faces today.   My intent is to focus on good things, but I need to mention the bad to stress the good which we have to look forward to -  that is, if you are a born again believer in the Savior, Jesus Christ.

I had intended to stress fear in this post and the cure for fear, but I have written several articles on fear in the past.  Just go to the search  box on the right hand side of this page, and type in "fear" and several posts will appear for you to read.   There is no need to repeat all that I have written before; however, I will repeat certain Scriptures that are pertinent to our faith and walk with Jesus.

Charles Spurgeon has a different take on fear.  He says that many true believers are afraid that they may, perhaps, not be truly saved.  He also says that , "He that fears the most, believes the most."  Following is  a 14 minute sermon audio video of Spurgeon that goes into more detail:

In the sermon above, Spurgeon repeats the fact that all true believers are familiar with: "... it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before Him."

We need strong faith to persevere in this old, evil, and chaotic world we find ourselves living in;  this last hour of the last days, according to Bible prophecy.  Speaking about prophecy, many things spoken of in the Bible concerning the end times are occuring right now!  Or are at least, some of them, are precursors to said prophetic events.

Remember, we need faith to please the heavenly Father.

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

If we have a deep, abiding faith in the good Lord, we will not be consumed by anxiety and fear.  

"Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests  be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  -   Philippians 4:6-7

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee."  -  Isaiah 26:3

True believers need to be like the determined tree in my photograph above.   Despite what seems like an insurmountable obstacle (the precarious angle of the land in which it has its roots reaching out every which way), it has the determination to hang in there and grow strong and tall.  Things may not be perfect for it, but the tree has adapted and has reached for the sky above where it thrives in the light of the sun.  We, as Christians, need to be as determined as that tree, as we look above to the Son for growth and sustenance; as we have a faith that overcomes all obstacles. 

   I enjoy my time with you as I write to you each week.  I pray that if there are any out there who are not born again, not a true believer in Jesus Christ the Savior, that you turn to the Lord now in repentance and faith in Jesus.   He loves you.   You do not  have a guarantee that you will even  be alive tomorrow.  Turn to the Lord now, before it is too late.

Romans 10: 9,10,13 tells us:  (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

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

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

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

Time Is Running Out - Israel, The Third Temple, And End Times (With Video)

Sometimes I wonder what I can do to be more effective in warning people that we are living in the end times, and that time is truly running out.  Many people - despite the desperate and chaotic and evil happenings prevalent in today's world -  still carry on their daily affairs as if nothing is about to happen; as if things are even "normal" and that they are immune to the events that are prophesied in the Bible that will soon occur.  Many people are so involved in their every day life and cares of this world, that they cannot see beyond their own immediate concerns.

The good Lord has given me a sense of urgency to share the Gospel and to warn people that we are now in the last hour of the last days. Much evidently falls on deaf ears.  Many scoff at the idea of Jesus returning soon for His Bride (the Church) and the fact that He will take them to heaven to be with Him when the Rapture occurs.  Even this scoffing is a fulfillment  of Bible prophecy.

"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming?  for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."  -  2 Peter 3: 3-4

I have written many articles about Bible prophecy and the end times, the Rapture and the Tribulation.  To read more, go to the "Search Box" in the top right hand side of this post and type in a search request and several articles will pop up for you to view.

Following is an article from raptureready.com about how "Times are bad and getting worse".  Wake up !  Be ready for the Lord's return.  Go here to read that article.   The author quotes Scriptures about end times prophecies pertaining to us today.  

Below is a 29 minute video from prophecywatchers.com with host Gary Stearman  interviewing pastor and author Billy Crone about Trump, the Temple, and the antichrist and much more.

Israel believes that President Trump was put in power by the hand of God.  Many Americans believe the same.  The eternal covenants God made with Israel in ancient times indicate that He is not done with Israel and will intervene to bring about His plans for that chosen people.  Indeed, the good Lord is already at work for the Jewish people.   Look at the miracles from Him in the 1967 six day war!

Christians are to view these end time signs as proof of the Lord's soon return.  Please read about these signs in Matthew 24, Luke 21, and Mark 13.

"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."    -  Luke 21:28

"And take heed to yourselves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.  For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.  Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."   -   Luke 21: 34-36

Are you born again?  (John 3:3).  Have you surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, the Savior?

Have you repented of your sins?  

Do you believe that Jesus is the Savior and that He is the only way to the Father and to heaven?

"Jesus answered and said unto him,  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."  -  John 3:3

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

"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

"Itching Ears" (With Sermon Video by Jonathan Edwards) - Inspirational Weekend

The above photograph of mine, which is of a sleeping, tiny Fennec Fox, shows a good view of its extremely large ears, which are from 5 to 6 inches long.  These adorable creatures are found in the deserts of North Africa and Saudi Arabia.  Their large ears help to dissipate the heat.  

This photo is not a good example of "itching ears", but I will rectify that soon with the following information.  It is the only photo I have depicting ears as the primary focus.  Well, I also have other photographs of this tiny desert fox.

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears."  -  2 Timothy 4:3

Itching, as we all realize, causes us to scratch, and then to scratch some more to get relief.  Recently, I ran across a quote by A. W. Tozer in which he said that he had come across a commentator that remarked that in the apostle Paul's day (Paul wrote 2 Timothy)

 the pigs had a disease which they called "itching ears".  It seems the pigs ears got inflamed and the only way the pigs could get relief was by going to a pile of rocks to rub their ears against them, as the stones gave them temporary relief from the itching."

Tozer goes on to say:  "I am running into Christians here and there who are just like that.  They love pleasure more than God and  will not endure sound doctrine.  They have itching ears so they will be eager for something else beside the sound doctrine and holy ways.  They will pile up teachers everywhere and rub their ears for dear life."

Another commentator says that these people are "suffering mentally which is soothed by external applications of fantastic myths and high-flown phrases."

Also, these people will have ears that want to hear a "soft and watered-down message", one that does not prick their conscience or remind them of their secret sins.  They have "pet" lusts and sins that they do not want to give up. 

Granted, it is not always the people, as they cannot control what comes to them from the pulpit.   Many churches today are seeker-friendly and do not want to offend anyone by hard doctrine and the need to repent from your sins or suffer the consequences in hell.  

Many see church as a "social club" of sorts.  Actually, in some cases that is very true.  Numerous churches, in an effort not to offend anyone, abandon sound doctrine and some churches even become very worldly, especially in the music and entertainment department; but in other ways as well.  

But back to "itching ears" .   Many people could be cured of this "disease" if they would only develop a close, personal, and intimate relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ.  We don't need to be enthralled by charismatic personalities who preach watered-down messages to please the people.    We need instead a strong relationship with God and Jesus.   We develop this relationship by frequent prayer and by pouring daily over God's Holy Word.  You cannot develop a relationship unless you communicate with a Person.   Much prayer !   

All of this is important, but unless a person is born again (John 3:3) he will not have the Holy Spirit to guide him in a walk with the good Lord; he will not completely understand the Bible unless the Holy Spirit resides within him.   So how do you become "born again"?  

Repent of your sins.  That means more than just feeling bad about our sins.   It means to completely give them up and do not go back to a life of sin.   It means a change of mind and heart.   It means to be sincere in asking the good Lord for forgiveness.  But you cannot truly be saved unless you have faith and believe that Jesus is the Savior and that only He can save you.   He took your place at the cross!  He died for you and me, so that if we but believe in Him we can have eternal life.  

If you are truly saved - truly born again -  the Holy Spirit will come and reside with you.  He will help you to live a godly life and to not cling to your old life of sin.   He will give you hope and a purpose.  A purpose to live totally for the Lord and to spread the Gospel.  You will no longer desire your past lusts and you will be a new creation.   You need to then find a Bible based church, one that preaches the Gospel and focuses on Christ and not on social concerns.  

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

"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

Romans 10: 9, 10, 13 tells us:  "(9)  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  (13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"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

Time is short before the Rapture of true believers.  

Turn to Jesus now before it is too late !

Jesus loves you !

He will welcome you with open arms of forgiveness and love when you turn to Him in belief and heartfelt repentance!

Following is a 38 minute audio video sermon by Puritan Jonathan Edwards.  In the beginning few minutes he discusses "itching ears".

One thing brought out in this sermon is,  "Truth is a straight line that never bends -  it won't bend in the least degree to suit the lust of men."  Another quote from the above sermon:  "You cannot conform the truth to your inclinations.  Let your inclinations be conformed to the truth."  He speaks much of the lust of men and how men attempt to change principles to suit their lusts.  It is a good sermon and therefore I included it here, but it only gives a few minutes to the subject of "itching ears."    

Ephesians 3:16-19 says:  (16)  That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; (17) That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (18)  May be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;  (19)  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God."

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

"From Darkness To Light" - Inspirational Weekend

My previous post concerned itself with the darkness of a pagan holiday.  This weekend let us consider what is good, and pure, and holy; what can bring happiness and give one a sense of peace.

"Then spake Jesus unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."    -  John 8:12  (KJV)

Christ is truly and aptly compared to and most fittingly represented by light. One commentator has said, "The great end and errand of Christ's coming into the world, was to give light unto poor souls that sat in darkness."

All true believers remember how they were in darkness and sin and misery before they came to a saving faith in Jesus.  To know Jesus loves us and how He died a sacrificial death out of love for mankind, and that our sins are forgiven once we come to faith and belief in Him as our Savior who can wash away all of our sins,  then... and only then... can we find true happiness now and can look forward to an eternity of living in bliss with the good Lord.

No true disciple shall walk in the darkness.  Instead, he shall have as his own the Light of Life.  Light implies knowledge, guidance, safety, and holy purity.  So those who closely, humbly and steadily follow Christ shall have the Divine Light continually shining upon them.  Remember also, when you become a true follower of Jesus Christ and you are born again, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).  The Holy Spirit will guide you and keep you on the right path... the path of righteousness.   

"And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever;  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."  -  John 14:16, 17

It takes faith in Jesus to be saved, to be born again from above.  Charles Spurgeon had it correct when he said,  "Would you be comfortable and happy?  Would you enjoy religion?  Would you have the religion of cheerfulness and not that of gloom? Then have faith in God.  If you love darkness and are satisfied to dwell in gloom and misery, then be content with little faith; but if you love the sunshine, and would sing songs of rejoicing, covet earnestly this best gift, Great faith."

"In Him was life; and the life was the light of men."  -  John 1:4

God is declared to be Life or the Living God because He is the source or fountain of life.  This is also true of Jesus Christ, of course.  The Messiah was predicted as the Light of the world:  Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 60:1.

Psalm 89:15 tells us, "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of Thy countenance."

One commentator explains Psalm 89:15 by saying, "Being blessed with the light of truth, and being enabled to walk therein, they shall live under the comfortable influences of Thy love and favor."

"For Thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness."  -  Psalm 18:28

"For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see Light."  -  Psalm 36:9

Be happy !

Be blessed !  

But what if you are an unbeliever?

Can you see from all the above quoted Scriptures how much the good Lord loves you?!  That He longs to welcome you to the family of God as one of His beloved children?

Turn from sin and darkness !  Be free from the devil's evil plot to keep you in his grasp which suffocates you and renders you helpless to be free and full of joy.  Turn to the good Lord in faith and belief and break free from the devil's hold on you. 

Jesus is waiting with open arms, ready to embrace you in love and forgiveness.

If you have not been born again, turn to Him in true repentance and pray for forgiveness.  Believe Jesus is the Savior whose shed blood at Calvary can wash your sins away, if you have faith in Him.  Also, the Scriptures tell us to believe in Christ's resurrection.

Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us : (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.(10)For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

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

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

How To Find Joy And Peace" - Inspirational Weekend

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fullness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."  -  Psalm 16:11

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Don't be left behind!

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

Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us:  (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

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

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

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

BELIEVE !

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

forgiveness !

He will give you peace and joy !

Have a blessed and Christ centered life !!

"Walk As Children Of Light" - Inspirational Weekend

What does it mean, exactly, to walk as children of light?  

"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord:  walk as children of light."  -  Ephesians 5:8

There is a distinct contrast between light and darkness.  Not only as in night and day, but also spiritually speaking.  When we think of darkness, we tend to think of the devil and evil and chaos.  When we consider the light, we think of God and Jesus and everything holy, lovely and pure.

"This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all."   -   1 John 1:5

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world:  he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."   -   John 8:12

It follows, then, that if we have a close, personal, intimate love relationship with God through Jesus Christ; and if we are followers of Jesus, that we would therefore "walk in the light".  However, you need to be born again and filled with the Holy Spirit in order to walk in the light.  Without a saving faith in Jesus, you are in darkness.   

Jesus called us believers the light of the world at Matthew 5:14 ,  

"Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."  

One commentator sums up walking as children of light is, first of all, "It is to walk in the brightness of that light: to walk in the light of God's precious gospel, to walk in the light of God's perfections, to walk in the the realizing view of His pardoning mercy,  to walk in the light of His adoption, to walk as righteous ones, righteous in the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ."

The light of God and of Jesus is pure and holy.  As a person grows in spiritual maturity, their "light" will be made pure and holy as well.   Granted, Christians are imperfect in that they sometimes sin, but they confess their sins, turn away and endeavor never to repeat the sin, and they pray for God's forgiveness in Jesus' name, Who in turn intercedes for them to the Living, True, God Who is Almighty. When you are a born again believer, God sees you as being "washed in the blood of Jesus"; He sees you as being pure and holy in the sense that you are forgiven;  He sees you as forgiven by the sacrifice of Jesus' shed blood at Calvary, whereby you are washed and made clean.

1 Peter 1:15-16 tells us:  (15) "But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  (16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."

So those who walk as children of light abide in the light.  "Their hearts, minds, affections are of a spiritual and heavenly temper; spiritual light in their minds, holiness in their wills, joy, delight, hopes of glory in their hearts."  Children of light walk so as to be light unto others.

 Another commentator says, " 'Walking in the light' means we believe Jesus is 'the Light' in this world, and we 'walk' in that light by following His precepts, living in His power, and growing in His Grace."

We all need to keep in mind that we are living in the last hour of the last days; Bible prophecy is being fulfilled almost daily; the hour is near when Jesus will return to take all true believers to heaven to be with Him forever.

Don't be left behind!

If you have never given your heart and your life to the Lord, now is the time.  You do not want to be left behind after the Rapture of the Church as what follows in the 7 year Tribulation period is so horrific and full of God's wrath upon the ungodly left on earth during that time. 

"(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

Everyone longs for peace and security, a home where you are loved and where the good Lord is to be found.  That home of love and heavenly bliss can be yours if you but accept Jesus as the Savior, and put your hope and trust and faith in Him, and believe in His resurrection.  You need to pray and ask for forgiveness, and truly repent of your sins, which means you have a change of mind and heart and will endeavor never to repeat your sins. 

Believe in Jesus with all of your being !

His arms are wide open, ready to receive you in an embrace of love and of forgiveness !

Romans 10:9, 10, 13 tells us:  (9)  "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 

(10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;"  -  Philippians 2:15

"Jesus answered and said unto him, 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