MORE ABOUT WHY GOD NEVER SAYS "OOPS!" (with videos)

 

[Cereus - Night Blooming Cactus]

As promised on the May 1, 2021 article on this blog (go here), here is more information concerning why God will never say "oops" and how he never makes mistakes or changes His mind, despite the fact that sometimes in Scripture it  "appears" that He does so.  The May  1,2021, article mentioned specifically the time that Moses interceded for the Israelites when God threatened to destroy the entire nation and then make a new nation by the descendants of Moses (Exodus 32:7-14).  Please read those verses to better comprehend what transpired there.  Verse 14 tells us: "And the LORD repented of the evil which He thought to do unto His people."

As promised, I did more research on those verses (and others) on a respected Bible Commentary and also on the website Gotquestions.org   I will quote some findings from both of those resources, but I recommend you visit the link for the entire article by gotquestions.org.  

In the Bible, there are passages of "anthropathism", which means, according to Gotquestions.org and other sources, "a  figure of speech in which the feelings or thought processes of finite humanity are ascribed to the infinite God.  It's a way to help us understand God's work from a human perspective. 

One Bible Commentary explains, concerning Exodus 32:14, that "changes of purpose are of course, attributed to God by an "economy" or accomodation of truth to human modes of speech and conception.  When God threatened to destroy Israel, He knew that He would spare them; but, as He communicated to Moses, first, His anger, and then, at a later period, His intention to spare, He is said to have "repented." (Again, anthropathism).

As Gotquestions.org tells us, Malachi 3:6, James 1:7, and Numbers 23:19 "prove that God does not change!  God is unchanging and unchangeable.  He is also all-wise.  So He cannot change His mind in the sense of realizing a mistake, backtracking, and trying a new tactic."

Remember the story of Jonah and how God instructed him to go to the sinful city of Nineveh and to tell the inhabitants there that He would destroy Nineveh.  But all of Nineveh repented !  In 3:10 of the book of Jonah it says:  "And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that He had said that He would do unto them; and He did it not."

When God said, "I will destroy Nineveh in forty days,"   He was speaking "conditionally" upon their response. God did not change His mind; rather His message to Nineveh was a warning  meant to provoke repentance, and His warning was successful.  (Thus explained plainly by GotQuestions.org.)

In both of the instances above (and more examples also given in the Gotquestions.org link), God was simply showing and staying true to His character, as gotquestions.org tells us. "God loves mercy and forgives the penitent. "

Aren't you glad that God will NOT change His mind where our salvation is concerned !  When we turn to Jesus in true repentance and complete belief in Him as the Savior, we become a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), and in a figurative sense, God "changed His mind" about us previous unrepentant sinners and saw us through the cleansing salvation found in His Son, Jesus Christ the Savior.  God now views us through His Son, as His children, and He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).  Our change of heart to accept Jesus as the Savior does not mean that God actually changes.  If the heavenly Father does not save us for the sake of Christ, He would have acted contrary to His character, says the article at gotquestions.org .

What a loving and compassionate and patient Heavenly Father we have !!  And, of course, that means Jesus as well, for they are as one. We should show our love and gratitude to the good Lord by living a life of obedience, and that includes not only obeying His commands, but endeavoring to be as Christlike as is possible - actually, that is also a command.  

"Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."  -  Matthew 16:24

We cannot do this all on our own -  it is impossible to depend on our own strength and the Bible tells us instead to rely on the good Lord and His strength.  

"And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.   Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."  -    2 Corinthians 12:9

Your attitude has a lot to do with growing in the faith and becoming more Christlike.  That is why we need to constantly pray and be in God's Word daily.  That way we develop a close relationship with God through His Son Jesus -- a personal, loving, trusting, lasting, beautiful closeness with our awesome and loving Creator.  

Being thankful and grateful for our many blessings -  and the blessing of salvation through Jesus most of all - will not only please the good Lord , but benefit yourself as well.  Following is a wonderful 11 minute video concerning being thankful 

This world is rather upside down now and topsy turvy and chaotic.  What helps is a strong faith in the good Lord and to know that soon our Savior will return for us and take us out of this present mess into a glorious home above to be with him!

Don't despair!  We will be going home soon!

A wonderful song follows to remind us to count our blessings!

Following are salvation Scriptures for those who may not be saved.  Those who have not turned in faith and belief that Jesus is the Savior !  He died for you and me and paid our sin debt in full-  ransomed us!  What incredible love He has for us!   Won't you turn to Him in faith and love and gratitude ?!

"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

"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 day.  God loves you!

God Never Says "Oops" !! And Must Watch Video On What Happens After The Rapture to Those Who Are Left Behind - Inspirational Weekend

 

First, and of primary concern, is the fact and the truth that the Rapture of true believers could happen at any time - it is imminent!  However, Jesus told us that no one knows the day or the hour:

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only:"     -       Matthew 24:36

Following is an hour long video on what happens after the Rapture and how it affects those who are left behind.  After the video will be given links to how you may purchase copies of a DVD of this video for you to give to family and others who are not now saved, or leave for unsaved family members to find in your home after you are raptured.

https://rumble.com/vbxyzj-after-the-rapture-left-behind.html

To obtain several copies of the above important and urgent video go here  prophecyupdate.com /home

To obtain just one copy of the "left behind" video  go to olivetreeviews.org/store

Time is short !  We need to warn our loved ones and other lost souls to the urgency to come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ right now!

In my previous post this week (scroll down) I mentioned a wonderful quote by A.W. Pink, only I had to paraphrase and guess at it by memory because I could not find the quote itself then.  But God!  Yesterday while going over my notes in a journal and while searching for something completely unrelated,  I found the quote by Pink !  Here it is:  "Our first duty is not to understand but to believe what God has said."   

Thinking about the Rapture and Heaven, here is a warm and loving quote by Isaac Watts: 

"How divinely full of glory and pleasure shall that hour be when all the millions of mankind that have been redeemed by the blood of the LAMB shall meet together and stand around HIM with every tongue and every heart full of joy and praise.  How astonishing will be the glory and the joy of that day when all the saints shall join together in one common song of gratitude and of love and of everlasting thankfulness to the Redeemer!  With what unknown delight and inexpressible satisfaction shall all that are saved from the ruins of sin and hell address the LAMB that was slain and rejoice in His presence."

About the fact that God never says "Ooops" :  There are some instances in the Bible that make it "appear" as if God made a mistake. 

In the future I may devote another article to the topics of how you are not a mistake (as some people have truly felt that way about themselves at times- that somehow they were a big mistake) and also those verses that "appear" that God made a mistake or changed His mind.   Most true believers realize the awesome power of God, and His Sovereignty, and that He is incapable of making mistakes !  I intend to research various respected Bible Commentators of old on said verses -  on those verses pertaining to how it appears the Heavenly Father changed His mind - such as when Moses interceded for the Israelites when God was angry and wanted to destroy them all and make a great nation instead from Moses.  (Exodus 32:7-14)  =  verse 14 says: "And the LORD repented of the evil which He thought to do unto the people."   

As Christians know, The Heavenly Father is Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient.  Let us just concentrate on His omniscience, which means that He knows all things: the past, the present, and the future. One source tells us that  He even knows your thoughts before  you think them!  God does not make mistakes!!

God also cannot lie!  (Titus 1:2).   All of His promises will come true!  That is why we believers can have confidence in the soon Rapture of Christ's Bride (the Church).  Times are urgent, folks! Most of you realize this!

Following are salvation scriptures for those of you who are not yet saved - have not given their life in surrender to Jesus in the belief that He is the Savior and the only way to eternal life.  It has recently been brought to my attention that is best to always mention that not only does faith and belief in  Jesus save us from hell, but it needs to also be stressed that Jesus saves us from sin !  Before we enter eternity, faith in Christ looses us from the bondage to/of sin!  When you place your trust and belief in the Savior, you become a new creation!   (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Since we are still human and imperfect now, if we sin after becoming a true believer in Jesus, He paid our sin debt in full and is our Mediator now; so if we confess and repent of our sins after conversion, He wipes the slate clean; we are forgiven and still saved!

That reminds me of another quote by A.W. Pink:  "It is not the absence of sin, but the grieving over it which distinguishes the child of God from empty professors [of faith]".

The following Scriptures are beneficial not only for unsaved persons themselves, but for Christians to share with family and others who are still lost and do not know Jesus as their Savior - as well as for believers to memorize the following: 

"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

Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend -  and life!

"Victory By Faith ! Be Strong! The Lord Watches Over You!" (With Videos) - Inspirational Weekend

 

   [Mom and baby monk seals at Waikiki]

My photograph above was taken back in August of 2017, when the above monk seals caused quite a stir at Waikiki beach by taking a rest there.  A rare occurance in Waikiki, to be sure.  

The mother seemed not to be alarmed by all of the people around and about; as if she had faith that no harm would come their way.

We true believers in the Savior Jesus Christ should have ultimate and unshakable faith in the good Lord: that no harm will come to us if we abide in His will and obey Him.  That is, unless it is His will that we should hurry on home to Him by natural death or death by harm from someone with evil intent; or also we could die by some type of accident.  We all know this; but what we don't know is when we will die.  That is in the good Lord's hands.  However, many believers believe that Jesus will return very soon to take true believers to be with Him in heaven -  at the Rapture of the Church.  That being the case, some of us will NOT die before being taken to heaven! Hallelujah !  (John 11:25, 26)

How to be strong and of great faith in the Lord is helped by knowing your weaknesses in your spirit and endeavoring to correct those flaws with the Lord's help.  Following is a wonderful 12 minute  Christian video which tells us warning signs that our spirit may be weak.

  The above video stresses that we pray and ask the good Lord to help us.   But pray with faith!

Sure, we Christians are NOT perfect.  We still make mistakes due to our inherited sin nature from Adam.  However, though we may sometimes sin (due to our imperfection -- or even from existing health issues, etc., (such as pain or stress and heartbreak and grief - all of which are usually  temporary occurrances; making us on edge and not always full of grace, perhaps); though we may sin and are not sinless,  we sin.. LESS.  Less than ungodly people of the world; and we true believers do NOT, as a rule, sin intentionally like worldly people do. 

Remember,  " .. the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins"  -  Psalm 7:9 b

That means, God understands the character of all people because He is intimately acquainted with all of their thoughts and purposes and feelings . Which is meant by the expression "the heart and the reins".  (So one Bible Commentary tells us.)  It  goes on to say, "The word 'heart' in the Scriptures is often used to denote the seat of the 'thoughts', and the word 'reins' seems to be used to denote the most secret feelings, purposes, and devices of the soul - as if lodged deep in our nature, or covered in the most hidden and concealed portions of the man.  (As if utterly concealed from the eye and so unknown to other people.)   But they are all known by God.   [since God knows all hearts of all people, He is able to judge aright].  .. And to determine correctly in regard to their character, or to administer His government on the principles of exact justice.  [...] (Therefore,)  God would confirm those who are truly righteous, and would bring the wickedness of the ungodly to an end."  - end of quote.

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."  -  1 John 5:4

"My defense is of God, which saveth the upright in heart."  -    Psalm 7:10

In the above Psalm, we can rest assured that if we are endeavoring to obey the Lord as best we can, and we are sincere and truthful, and love the good Lord, that He will save and protect us.

That is encouraging to know in this mixed up and dying world, which can be very cruel at times!

   Recently, (this past week) the good Lord impressed upon me to take a deep look into and to ponder the message in the hymn "I Surrender All."  It was written by a man who was an artist and who had other talents as well, who gave it all up to do the Lord's work.  He wrote more than 60 hymns, but his most famous was "I Surrender All."  His name was Judson Van DeVenter and he was born in 1855.  More information may be found here  about DeVenter and his famous hymn.

Following is my favorite version of "I Surrender All".   However, most of the versions do not contain all of the stanzas.

     The last stanza most often omitted in versions of this hymn is as follows:

"All to Jesus I surrender; Now I feel the sacred flame. -  Oh, the joy of full salvation! -  Glory, glory, to His name!"

Following are two quotes from Corrie ten Boom:

"You can never learn that Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you have."

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."

And a quote by Frederick W. Faber:  "They always win who side with God."

    Speaking of the future, (as in Corrie ten Boom's quote above),  to true Christians their future is not unknown.  Oh, present earthly events are not always known, of course, but the ultimate and most important future of Christians is to be with the Lord forever in heaven, and of that hope believers are sure of, because the Bible confirms it!

Titus 2:13 and 14 tells us: "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior 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."

And of particular comfort are the beautiful words of Jesus at John 14:1-4:  "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."

  What wonderful words of encouragement and hope!  

Maranatha!

If Jesus were to return today, would you be Rapture ready?

Following are Scriptures that explain Salvation for any unbelievers reading this blog.

But remember, all it takes to be saved is repentance and -- Believe in Jesus as the Savior!

But you cannot understand anything well unless it is properly explained.  Ultimately, of course, the Holy Spirit will give your heart and mind and soul understanding!

"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

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."   -    Jude 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

John 11:25,26 tells us : "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?"

"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 !

"Little children, let no man deceive you:  he that doeth righteousness is righteous; even as HE is righteous."    1 John 3:7

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is HE that is in you, than he that is in the world."    -  1 John 4:4

"I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."  -   Revelation 1:8

" Do We Show Mercy or Mercifulness? - The Difference" (with video) - Inspirational Weekend

 

[Honu -  Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle]

This post concerns itself with God's mercy as well as what it means to be merciful.  In particular, what mercy is and how mercifulness may differ from mercy (or acts of mercy.)

While browsing my photographs to use in this article, it occurred to me that a few years ago a very unmerciful and cruel and senseless act against one of the protected and endangered Honu on Oahu, Hawaii, created an outcry among locals.   These gentle sea turtles often come to shore to rest awhile and to feed on some of the algae found there (as shown in my photograph above).  Someone (or perhaps more than one person)  slaughtered one of these protected turtles.  These gentle creatures have become use to the presence of man at the beaches where they come to rest.  They grew to trust and to not fear people.  

It makes me want to cry at such cruelty and senseless evil.  But what is also evil is how man treats other people at times.  

"Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful."   -  Jesus at Luke 6:36

[Turtle Beach (Laniakea Beach) - North Shore, Oahu]

"The world of natural man is by no means predominantly a merciful world. ' The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.'  Not everything which passes for kindness, not everything which is kindness, is mercy. "   So the Biblical Illustrator Bible Commentary explains.  Following will be a partial or, rather, an abbreviated, quote from that commentary on what true mercifulness entails.

"Mercy, as men count it, may be all "outside", no heart in it, or may take its rise from wrong or unworthy motives; while mercifulness must go down to the inner springs of actions, not stop short of guiding principles; have its roots in sound and holy motives. It deals with the quality  of the deed rather than the quantity.  ..... Mercifulness is what we are and what we do.

"True mercifulness is a characteristic of those who hunger and thirst after righteousness and they alone will be merciful in God's way....seeking not to please themselves but to do His will.  ..... True mercifulness is always guided by meekness.     It is exercised towards those who have ill requitted  our kindness, and are undeserving of our mercy.   True mercifulness can only be felt by those who have learned to mourn their sin, and in repentance turned unto God, and so have a fellow feeling with those who sin, and long to rescue them."

What about the mercifulness of God as seen in Christ?  The Biblical Illustrator commentary reminds us that Christ was merciful to all!  Jesus' mercifulness "was provident, thoughtful, wise - seeking the real good of men..... His mercifulness is unchanging.  Time does not wear it out, nor years weaken it.  He was merciful even as He loved, unto the end."

Speaking of Jesus, Hebrews 7:24-25, has this to say: "But this man, because He continueth ever,  hath an unchangeable priesthood, Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them."

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God,  purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?  And for this cause He is the mediator of the new testament,  that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."  -   Hebrews 9:14-15

Here is a wonderful hymn about the mercy of God!  It is based on Psalm 51.

Back to the Biblical Illustrator Bible Commentary, it compares Jesus' mercifulness to ours: 

"Jesus' mercifulness always kept God's glory in view, and ours so often centering about self.  HIS is a mercifulness shown towards those who were ever seeking His heart, and ours so easily quenched by the first appearance of ingratitude.  His a mercifulness that recognized sin as the source of every man's misery,  and ours so indifferent to the deepest needs of the men and women around us.  His a mercifulness that stooped  to help, that touched as well as pitied, and ours always bestowed with a gloved hand, and at a safe distance...... Believe me, it is time for us to learn that true mercifulness is discriminating, thoughtful, wise.  His a  mercifulness that is always the same; ours so fitful, uncertain, unreliable.  His mercifulness that cost Him self-sacrifice;   ours a doing or giving that will not even cost us a thought. His a mercifulness that permeated the whole man in every thought, and word, and deed;  ours so superficial, so unreal, our thoughts often breathing harsh judgment upon others, our actions marked by so little consideration of those about us or below us to whom we might be merciful."

There is much more wonderful information to be found concerning mercy and mercifulness at the Biblical Illustrator Bible Commentary.   Search for it on the Web !

The bottom line is:  We should endeavor to be as much like Christ as we possibly can.  We will never attain perfection this side of heaven, but the good Lord expects us to have that as an ultimate goal. (1 Peter 1:16).   If we don't aim to be Christ-like now, maybe we are not truly saved; maybe we won't make it to heaven.  You must be born again (a spiritual rebirth) in order to enter 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

Following are Salvation Scriptures for those of you who may not have surrendered your life to the Lord.  Some of you may not know the way of salvation.  You must realize that Jesus died to pay your sin debt in full; His shed blood on the cross can wash you clean !  He was the sacrificial Lamb of God Who Redeemed those who will turn to Him in faith, believing that He is the Savior and the only way to heaven.  You must repent of your sins with a sorrow that is real and sincere and pray with all of your being that you wish to be forgiven and thereby give your life in faith to the Savior.

"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 eternal life."   -   John 3:16

May the good Lord bless you now and always!

Have a Christ-centered weekend -  and life !

"Flee! Flee To A Strong And Safe Refuge!" (With Hymn by Martin Luther) - Inspirational Weekend

• [Mother Peacock and Baby]

My photograph above of the mother peacock with her baby seems to fit the title of this post, as the mother shelters and protects her baby and is a refuge for it to flee to when danger is afloat.  My photo below gives a better idea of the mother's protection.

Most of you (especially Christians) will agree that this old and troubled and chaotic world is not a safe refuge by any means!  So what can we do?  The answer is found in Psalm 46:1 which follows:

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Following are abbreviated quotes from James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary on Psalm 46:1 =

".....  It is a blessed thing to know Jesus Christ, the Friend who sticketh closer than a brother.  God is our refuge from isolation and from human misunderstanding

.....  Again, it is a hard, but it is a Divine, lesson to be calm and restrained under wrongful blame, a difficult, but a splendid victory.  God is our refuge from provocation.

..... Again, everything around us changes. The world itself is but for a time.  We ourselves grow old and change, but Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yea, and forever, (Hebrews 13:8), and he that doeth the will of God abideth forever (1 John 2:17).   God is our refuge from change.

God is our refuge from sin and sorrow :  [ abbreviated = ]  ..... "the forgiveness of sins is offered to us in Jesus Christ our Savior.  ...  In sorrow,  if we but look up to the face of our Father, without Whom not a sparrow falls to the ground; and say... "Thou, O God, art my refuge in the day of trouble.

God is our refuge from uncertainty.  ...   God reveals Himself to the childlike in heart, and His revelation addresses itself to the whole of our nature and not to one part:  to the warm, loving heart, as well as to the cold, scoffing intellect.    ...  Light is sprung up in the darkness...

To those that thus receive the LORD, the refuge becomes also an Almighty Strength in whose Holy Spirit the very weakest of us can live a life to His glory and to the good of others."  (End of Nisbet's quotes)

On this Psalm 46, Martin Luther, in 1529, wrote his wonderful hymn : "A Mighty Fortress is our God", and here it is for your encouragement below:

Following are abbreviated  comments by Charles Spurgeon on Psalm 46:1 on his "Faith's Checkbook" devotion of 12-22-20:

" ...  Very few earthly helps could be called "very present".   They are usually far in the seeking, far in the using, and farther still when once used.  But as for the Lord our God, He is present when we seek Him, present when we need Him, and present when we have already enjoyed His aid.

"He is more than "present", He is very present  .  More present than the nearest friend can be, for He is in us  in our trouble;   more present than we are to ourselves, for sometimes we lack presence of mind.

"He is always present, effectually present, sympathetically present, altogether present.  He is present now if this is a gloomy season.  Let us rest ourselves upon Him.  He is our refuge ;  let us hide in Him; He is our strength; let us array ourselves with Him; He is our help; He is our very present help.  Let us repose in Him NOW.  We need not have a moment's care or an instant's fear. "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."     -   Psalm 46:7,11

"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

"I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope."  -  Psalm 130:5

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."     -  Jesus the Savior at John 14:1-4

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior 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

From the Scriptures immediately above, we have a sure hope that Jesus will return to take true believers to heaven to be with Him!

Think about it!  How wonderful and encouraging that is!

And all indications from how Bible prophecy is playing out now and coming true at warp speed in these the last moments of the last days.... Jesus' return must be very soon!  Many scholars and theologians agree!  But most importantly, God's Holy Word the Bible agrees!

If Jesus returns today or tomorrow or soon thereafter, are you "Rapture Ready?"  You are if you are born again (a spiritual birth from above; from God and Jesus - a belief that Jesus is the Savior and that  His shed  blood at the Cross can wash you clean if you but believe with all of your very being that He is the Savior, and the only way to the Father and heaven.)  If you believe like that, then you are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13) and are truly a new creation! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

If you are not saved, not born again, do NOT delay!  Time is running out!

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

Following are Scriptures on how to be saved.  Repent of your sins and pray to the good Lord for forgiveness.  He honors a sincere heart; a heart sorrowful for sins and full of repentance.

"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

"I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness."   -   Jesus at  John 12:46

"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!

"Are You 'Dressed' For Eternity?" - (With Videos) - Inspirational Weekend

[Baby Makapu'u Beach, Oahu, Hawaii]

The title above for this article was inspired by Isaiah 61:10 which follows:

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God, for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."

To be dressed for heaven and eternity, then, our apparel must be "the garments of salvation."  

Following is a quote from the "Biblical Illustrator Commentary."

"Garments are used as a covering.  Is a garment for the body more needed than one for the soul?  Which of us could stand in the presence of an angel without sinking to the ground in very shame?  I draw your attention to the glory of God's garments for salvation :  they completely cover all your iniquity and blot out all your sin.

"A garment is used to beautify, to adorn.  The garment of salvation is an adornment for it reveals God in you to your neighbors.  What can be more beautiful than a man or woman or child who tries to bless another - that is the life of the angels: the life of God - ministering unto others.

"Garments are used also as a sign of one's condition or occupation.  Monarchs, priests, judges, and officers of state wear robes to indicate their real or implied superiority.  Shakespeare says, "The apparel oft proclaims the man."  You can generally tell something about a man's character and calling from his clothing.   The world judges Christian people by the garments of their conduct.

"He {God/Jesus} hath clothed me'.  Where is salvation?  In Christ, and Christ is in and for us."

What a wonderful analogy!  

Obviously, the garments of salvation are from God through Jesus Christ, the Savior.  But we need to "put on" those "garments" by faith in the good Lord!

We cannot save ourselves!  It is all a gift from the love and grace found in and flowing from our Lord.

"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

This is mindful of "the fruit of the spirit" found at Galatians 5:22-23 - Which fruit a true believer will have and possess because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit from above.  However, Isaiah 61:10 concerns itself with salvation being from the Lord:  The Giver of the garments of salvation; which is the same as saying "He has saved me."

Much more wonderful information on Isaiah 61:10 is found in the above "Biblical Illustrator Commentary".  Check it out online. 

But another note on the above commentary: 

The part where Isaiah 61:10 says: "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God."     

The Biblical Illustrator Commentary has these encouraging words for us on the above :  

"Where there is a will there is generally a way, and sad though you may be, something is gained if you will resolve to rejoice.  It is always "in the Lord"  that we must rejoice.  Friends are dying, helps are failing, hopes are being blasted.  Rejoice in the Lord!"

  [Hong Kong Orchid Tree Blossoms] 

"And ye became followers of us, and of the LORD, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost."                -     1 Thessalonians 1:6

On another commentary, the above verse is expounded a bit....  "They received the Word with joy  - they realized the joy of conscious forgiveness and acceptance with God. The sinless angels, placed beyond the necessity of pardon, are incapable of experiencing this joy.  It belongs exclusively to the believing penitent."

[Hawaiian Moorhen, Oahu]

"The LORD takes pleasure in those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy and loving-kindness."   -  Psalm 145:20

"Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God."   -  1 Peter 1:21

Following is an excellent 11 minute video concerning Jesus' imminent return for the Rapture of true believers .   It is titled "Be Ready For What Is Coming."

  Watch and Pray!

Concerning the fact that the Bible tells us that God's Holy Spirit dwells within us, the following 3 minute devotional is a must for you to listen to.  It is by Charles Stanley's InTouch ministries:

On another source, someone has said:  "Real faith grabs God's attention and will move Him to work in your behalf."

If you are not saved, not born again by believing in Jesus Christ as the Savior.... not believing that His shed blood at the Cross can wash you clean (since He died in our place and paid our sin debt in full)  then please repent before it is too late!  Pray for forgiveness, and believe with all your heart and soul - all of your very being - that Jesus is the Savior and the only way to heaven !

Following are some verses for those who are not yet believers:

"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

"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!  

Are You At Wits' End ? (With Sermon Video by Dr. David Jeremiah) - Inspirational Weekend

 

[Yellow African Tulip Tree]

"They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end."  -  Psalm 107:27

When I first read that verse, I wondered if the King James Bible had used modern terminology in a recent translation.  Turns out, that expression - at wits' end - has been around a long time.  This idiom,  so says "Dictionary.com", appeared as far back as around 1377 in a poem written by William Langland titled : "Piers Ploughman".  

Dictionary.com gives the meaning of this idiom as :  "completely puzzled and perplexed, not knowing what to do."

The Free Dictionary tells us:  "at one's wits' end -  In a state of distress because one has no more patience or mental stamina, often after having dealt with some kind of  problem or difficult situation."

In today's chaotic and unstable world, many people feel at wits' end.  Christians as a rule are more stable with the hope and promises which the good Lord gives them, but at times they might feel perplexed and see no way out of a situation.  But they find comfort in taking it all to God in prayer and learning to wait patiently on Him and on His direction and guidance.

Following is an excellent 44 minute sermon by Dr. David Jeremiah which addresses this subject and uses Psalm 107 as the basis for his sermon.  The title of his sermon is "When You Can't Take It Anymore" :

Dr. David Jeremiah discusses how the storms of life send us fleeing to the good Lord in prayer and faith for His help in adversity.  He tells us that "the only way out is UP !"

It is not always our fault that we find ourselves deep in troubled waters in these storms of life.  But sometimes it is.  Following is a short discourse by Charles Spurgeon :

"But, oh!  when souls are caught in a storm of conviction of sin, this is a true description of their spiritual distress, -  they are at their wits' end, and do not know what to do.  Everything about them is shaking, and they themselves are reeling to and fro, sometimes this way and sometimes that;  staggering, scarcely able to believe anything, seeing some things double, and everything out of place."

[Internet Photo]

The photo above has been used previously on this blog.  It rather fits the subject of this post this weekend!

"One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning."   -  James Russell Lowell

"The armor-bearer of sin is self-confidence." - Charles Spurgeon

"Our troubles are but as the slivers and chips of His Cross" -  J. Trapp

"Do not strive in your own strength; cast yourself at the feet of the Lord Jesus, and wait upon Him in the sure confidence that He is with you, and works in you.  Strive in prayer; let faith fill your heart -  so you will be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might."   -    Andrew Murray

[Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawaii]

"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."  -       Colossians 3:1-2

"I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." -     Psalm 16:8

"Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, Who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness; and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall every man have praise of God."  -   1 Corinthians 4:5

Here is an old favorite hymn that says it all:  "Trust and Obey"

If you have not been saved, have not believed that Jesus is the Savior and that His shed blood can wash your sins away when you repent and surrender to Him, then please, please take to heart the following Salvation Scriptures. Pray to God for forgiveness and in all sincerity begin with your whole heart and soul -- with all of your very being -- to follow in Jesus' footsteps as best you can and make doing His will your top priority !  If you are truly saved, you will want to obey Him.

"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

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."  -     1 Peter 1:18-19

"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

We are living in the last moments of the end times !  

Many Bible Prophecies have come true and there are also precursors occurring now that alerts us to those facts  -  that we are soon to see Jesus return for His true believers to take them to heaven before the 7 year Tribulation begins!  (go to the "search box" at the top right side of this page and enter subjects such as "Rapture; end times; Great Tribulation; signs of last days", etc. and articles will pop up which you can read and ponder... many with videos.)

Jesus loves you!

Don't delay in surrendering to Him in belief that He is the Savior!

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