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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 [ North Shore - Oahu, Hawaii]

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

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

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

Are you Rapture Ready?

  

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

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!

"True Perspective For Such A Time As This" (Videos - One A Sermon by Pastor Chuck Smith) - Inspirational Weekend

[Red Cassia Tree Blossoms]

I had spent much time preparing for this post, but last night while laying in bed and praying, I felt led to focus on different Scriptures and a different topic.  So, with the good Lord's help (as always) here goes !

Believe me, without praying in advance for the Holy Spirit's guidance, these blog posts would not be possible! Jesus tells us at John 15:5 =   "I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing."

That is something the world in general does not even understand; meaning people who are not spiritually minded and who concern themselves only with the material and secular view of life in this mixed up world.  They may think that Christians who devote their time and thoughts on the good Lord and His will are fanatics or just crazy.  But what matters is What God and Jesus think!  How the good  Lord views a person; not how the world judges a person.  

"But the LORD said unto Samuel,  look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance; but the LORD looketh on the heart." -   1 Samuel 16:7

The sermon following is from the Bible book of Lamentations.  But before that, here is a brief 7 minute very informative overview of Lamentations:

Before the sermon video by Pastor Chuck Smith, let us consider Lamentations 3:21-24 :  

"This I recall in my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him."

What encouraging words for us today in this modern, topsy-turvy world !  Pastor Smith, who passed away in 2013, was the founder of the Calvary Chapel Churches.  His 29 minute sermon is based on Lamentations 3:21-24.  

God is a promise keeper! Pastor Smith, in the above video, tells us: "God will keep His promises to you -  it all depends on where you stand with God."  

Remember the old hymn, "Great is Thy Faithfulness"?  It ties in with Pastor Chuck's sermon above and I felt it needed to be included here for you.  Enjoy !

In the sermon here by Pastor Smith, he tells us (1) "It is good to be on God's side" - and (2) "Hope in God and wait for His salvation."

Many people today realize things are just in a turmoil in this world (and that is an understatement!)  They see  no way out -  like no relief is ever going to be possible.  The Bible prophesied about our day!  We are in the end of this dispensation- the end of the Church age!  Read Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 concerning occurances proving these are now the end times !  

Jesus tells us at Luke 21:25-26 :  "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken."   

  But then pay attention to what Luke 21:27 and 28 tells us ! "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh."

True believers in the good Lord realize all this chaos and upheaval occuring today is proof that Jesus' return will be very soon to rapture His Bride (The Church, true followers of Christ).  

Will you be Rapture Ready?

Jesus loves you, and He is waiting to hear from you!

When you put your faith in Him and believe with all of your very soul - all of your very being- that He is the Savior and the only way to heaven; that His shed blood at Calvary can wash you clean from your sins because He paid your sin debt in full by His ransom death -- He died in your place and took on your sins so that you may have eternal life if you but believe in Him as the Redeemer- Just BELIEVE!!

"Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him."  - Romans 5:9

However, you do need to repent of your sins in all sincerity, as well as pray with all of your heart and soul for forgiveness ! At Matthew 4:17 it tells us:  "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

This world is dying!  In Jesus, we LIVE! 

When you run to Jesus in faith, He will welcome you with open arms and embrace you with His love and His forgiveness!

Following are some "Salvation Scriptures" for those who may not yet have believed in Jesus Christ as the Savior.  Also, the following verses are good for you who are already Christians to share with unbelieving relatives or friends to help bring them to salvation.  We are only vessels - we do NOT save anyone - but we share the Gospel with others and God's Holy Spirit saves them !  

"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

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

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

Have a blessed and 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!

"I'd Rather See The Uppertaker Than The Undertaker" (with videos - One By Dr. David Jeremiah - Other Videos About Bible Prophecies)

 

[Black-Crowned Night Heron at Ala Moana  Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii]

The above heron is busy waiting and waiting for some fish to appear.  We true believers should be waiting in excited anticipation for our Savior, Jesus Christ, to come very soon and rapture us to heaven to be with Him!

The title of this post: "I'd rather see the Upper-Taker than the undertaker"  is a direct quote by Dr. David Jeremiah from the following 23 minute sermon concerning the Rapture.  ("The Upper-Taker" being Jesus of course! )   In the following video, the pastor makes a clear and informative explanation concerning our "blessed hope"   (Titus 2:13)  He also gives information on how we believers should be living NOW.

Much has been written in the past on this blog concerning the fact that we are living in the last moments of the last days (of this dispensation).  Times are urgent folks!  Following is a video which tells us about a recent announcement which everyone should take note of!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJdCS-2-ZiA

The above link makes it clear that we are fast approaching the time of Jesus' return and of the 7 year Tribulation which will follow.

The same goes true about how we are living in the end times by the following Bible Prophecy brought out in the following video.

So, what should we do in the meantime to endure?  Be constantly in the Holy Word, the Bible !  Pray without ceasing! (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

"But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.  For they that sleep sleep in the night: and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.   But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with HIM.  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also we do."   -  1 Thessalonians 5:4-11

It can be a fearful and troublesome thing to contemplate what the world is like today.  The young tend to  rather accept things as they are (not all of them) and as being "normal", while we older ones remember even 50 or more so years ago how different things were.  Not that things were perfect back then, of course.

Charles Spurgeon has said, : "If we fear God, we have nothing else to fear; if we cry to the LORD, our salvation is certain."

Following is a devotional by Spurgeon titled:  "God Will Answer"  : 

"He will fulfill the desire of them that fear HIM;  He also will hear their cry, and will save them." -  Psalm 145:19

"His own Spirit has wrought this desire in us, and therefore He will answer it.  It is His own life within which prompts the cry, and therefore He will hear it.  Those who fear Him are men under the holiest influence, and, therefore, their desire is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.  Like Daniel, they are men of desires, and the LORD will cause them to realize their aspirations. Holy desires are grace in the blade, and the heavenly Husbandman will cultivate them till they come to the full corn in the ear.  God fearing men desire to be holy, to be useful, to be a blessing to others, and so to honor their LORD.  They desire supplies for their need, help under burdens, guidance in perplexity, deliverance in distress;  sometimes this desire is so strong and their case so pressing that they cry out in agony like little children in pain and then the LORD works most comprehensively and does all that is needful according to this word;  "And will save them."

Yes, if we fear God, we have nothing else to fear; if we cry to the LORD, our salvation is certain."

 

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

"But I will sing of Thy power; Yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning: For Thou has been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.  Unto Thee, O my strength, will I sing: For God is my defence, and the God of my mercy." -   Psalm 59:16-17

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: Be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.  -  Isaiah 41:10

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

"Are You In The Furnace of Affliction? If So, What To Do?" (With Sermon Clip by Andrew Murray)- Inspirational Weekend

 

[Yellow Protea]

"I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction."  -  Isaiah 48:10

Today, we have the Covid 19 virus, we have lawlessness,  corrupt hearts and minds of many to deal with, and we also are (some of us, particularly the elderly) having health issues other than the virus.  We are concerned about what the future may hold and/or will things ever get better.  All of you are aware of these concerns, and many more.  

The above quoted Scripture at Isaiah can be exceedingly faith building to those of us who are true believers in the Savior, Jesus Christ.  Once again, encouragement can be found by Charles Spurgeon's insight on the above verse, which follows:

 

"Comfort thyself, tried believer, with this thought:  God saith, "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction".  - Does not the word come like a soft shower, assuaging the fury of the flame?  Yea, is not it an abestos armour, against which the heat hath no power?  Let affliction come -  God hath chosen me.   Poverty, thou mayst stride in at my door, but God is in the house already, and He has chosen me.  Sickness, thou mayst intrude, but I have a balsam ready:  God has chosen me.  Whatsoever befalls me in this vale of tears, I know that He has "chosen" me.  If, believer, thou requirest still greater comfort,  remember that you have the Son of Man with you in the furnace.  In that silent chamber of yours, there sitteth by your side One to Whom thou hast not seen, but Whom thou lovest; and oft times when thou knowest it not,  He makes all thy bed in thy affliction, and smooths thy pillow for thee.  Thou art in poverty, but in that lovely house of thine the Lord of life and glory is a frequent visitor.  He loves to come into these desolate places that He may visit thee.  Thy Friend sticks closely to thee.  Thou canst not see Him, but thou mayst feel the pressure of His hands.  Dost thou not hear His voice?  Even in the valley of the shadow of death  He says "Fear not, I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God."  

Remember that noble speech of Ceasar "Fear not.  Thou carriest  Ceasar and all his fortune."   Fear not, Christian, Jesus is with thee.  In all thy fiery trials, His presence is both thy comfort and safety.  He will never leave one whom He has chosen for His own.  "Fear not, for I am with thee" is His sure word of promises to His chosen ones in the "furnace of affliction."  Wilt thou not then,  take fast hold of Christ , and say:  "Through floods and flames, if Jesus lead, I'll follow where He goes."

 Spurgeon has a wonderful way with words, doesn't he?  The main thing to cling to, no matter what your trial or affliction, is to stay close to the good Lord and have faith in Him and trust Him with all your heart!  Be often in prayer, and surrender to His will - He knows best!  

As brought out in the following 11 minute audio sermon clip of Andrew Murray's writings, "In suffering, it is the Spirit of God and of His glory that rests on us."  - So abide in Christ!

 Andrew mentions in the above sermon, that our trials and afflictions are often a sign of God at work.... His pruning and purging of us.   Many of you know this.  

Someone has said that trials and such brought on by your enemies, draws you even closer to the good Lord. (Looking to Him for guidance and solace and direction and for a solution.) Friends as a  rule do not do that !  So love your enemies and pray for them!  They can be a blessing from God that makes you turn to Him with greater fervor and frequency! -- and thereby increases your need and love for Him.

"Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults!"  -  Benjamin Franklin

"God's people have their trials.  It was never designed by God, when He chose His people, that they should be an untried people..... They were never chosen to worldly peace and earthly joy."     -  Charles Spurgeon

Remember too, that the Good Lord often lets "bad things happen to good people"  because, being imperfect humans, good people sometimes err and sin, even sin unintentionally, and they need to be chastised and disciplined.  

So the main thing we can do to endure affliction is to just stay in close communion with the Lord.  Pray without ceasing!  Read your Bible daily!  Our heavenly Father and Jesus want to fellowship with us.  You cannot grow to know a Person if you never communicate with Him!  Our main concern, besides obeying the Lord, is to develop a close, intimate, personal, loving and living relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ!  That is a wondrous thing,  which will transform your life and blossom into a beautiful and lasting flower of love and glory for the Lord that will last for all of eternity!

 

 

[Shell Ginger]

But what if you are not saved?  Not born again?  Have not believed that Jesus is the Savior and the only way to heaven?   You have not accepted the true fact that Jesus' shed blood at the Cross can wash away your sins and wipe the slate clean, when you realize that He was the Sacrificial Lamb, that redeemed your soul because He took your place on that Cross, by taking on your sins, and paid your sin debt in full, if you will only have faith and believe that He is the Savior.  

Following are some Scriptures to help you to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as your Savior.  You need to repent of your sins first !   Some thoughts on that from the Biblical Illustrator Commentary are: 

1.  Repentance involves a deep sorrow and conviction for your sins.

 

2.  A confession of your sins.  (Pray to God for forgiveness, in all sincerity and heartfelt remorse)

 

3. You will then utterly forsake sin (deliberate and willful sin.  We all err unintentionally at times)

4. Repentance is a necessary qualification to fit us for glory.

5. Repentance does not only give us a future evidence for heaven, but puts us into actual possession.

6.  Repentance must be continually in us, and not merely for a Lent-season.

7.  This must increase daily more and more in us.

Much more is written on the Biblical Illustrator Commentary on this subject of repentance.  It would be of benefit to you to look it up on the Web.

The Scriptures of Salvation are:  

"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

If you go to the search box on the upper right hand side of this page, and enter topics such as "The Rapture, Jesus' imminent return,"  etc.  you will have those articles on those subjects pop up for you to read and select; some of which have videos.  

Jesus will return very soon, according to the way Bible prophecy is coming true today at warp speed in these, the end times; the last moments of the last days.  

Do not delay in surrendering your heart and life to the Savior!

Jesus loves you and will welcome you with open arms in an embrace overflowing with love and forgiveness !

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

 

"Time Is Running Out - Signs to KNOW You Will Go To Heaven; Seek God While He May Be Found" (with videos) - Inspirational Weekend

 

                                                        [Hamakua Marsh, Kailua, Oahu]

Do you truly know God?  Not only an intellectual knowledge of Him and Jesus, but a soul stirring and heartfelt belief and faith in Him; to love Him with all of your heart, and soul, strength and mind.  If so, then you will endeavor to obey Him always, and to put His will first in your life.  

"And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.  And the second is like, namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  There is none other commandment greater than these."   -   Mark 12:29-31

Following is a 10 minute video which is excellent in its insight on the subject of seeking God.  Many Scriptures are covered, especially Isaiah 55:6-9 which tells us:

(verse 6)  : "Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: (verses 7-9 : (7)  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.  (8) For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."

 

    "The Bible is your lifeline.  The assurance of heaven ought to make a difference in our life."  = A quote from the following 15 minute video titled  " 3 Signs You Are Going To Heaven (This May Surprise You.)"  

I will let the above excellent 15 minute video speak for itself.  However, one of the signs given in it that you will go to heaven, is if you have a peaceful heart.  Boy, do we all need a peaceful heart in these troublesome prophesied end times !  It is possible. However, it does not mean that at times we are not stressed or heartbroken, or do not have  any afflictions that life and the devil throws at us.  It does mean that we will NOT "stay down" if we rely on the good Lord and put our faith and hope in Him, and depend upon Him for strength to endure.

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

The hope of heaven which true believers have will enable us to carry on about the Lord's business.  Actually, it is God's Holy Spirit within us Who helps and encourages us to "Keep on keeping on."

"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."                         -  Jesus at John 14:16-17

Note:  In  verse 16 above when Jesus says "Comforter"  it is another expression for the Holy Spirit.  Most of you know that, but for some who are not saved and reading this, it is a new concept to them.

[Barber's Point Lighthouse, Oahu]

Much has been written on this blog concerning the fact that we are living in the last days of this Age of Grace, this dispensation.  These are urgent times, folks !  Today, with all the uproar around  us  and in the world, for that matter, on so many dire and unprecedented issues confronting us:   " Something has to give !!"

And soon it will.  Jesus will return soon to take His true followers to heaven in the Rapture.   Then, or probably soon thereafter, the 7 year Tribulation will begin under the rule of the antichrist.   You do not want to be here to suffer the magnitude of the destruction, horror, and agony of the Tribulation!   ( Go to the "Search Box" in the upper right hand side of this page and enter things such as "7 year Tribulation,  The Rapture, End times, " etc. for more information).

So how do you avoid the Tribulation period?  If you sincerely turn to Jesus now in faith and belief that He is the Savior -  that His shed blood at the cross redeemed us and that He was the Sacrificial Lamb whose blood washes away our sins (wipes the slate clean) because He took our place at Calvary - He took our sins upon Himself and paid our sin debt in full;  If you believe all this and that He was resurrected from the dead -  You will be saved and will spend eternity in heaven with Him, our Savior and Redeemer.  You will be taken to heaven before the 7 year Tribulation begins !

Following are some Salvation Scriptures for those who are not saved at the present time.  Take them to heart !  Pray to the good Lord for forgiveness, and truly repent of your sins.  God will answer that prayer if you are sincere.... if you have a change of heart and want with all of your being to serve the Lord and 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

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

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

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

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

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