"Trusting God Will Give You Strength To Endure" (Video by Charles Swindoll on trusting God and video by Charles Spurgeon) - Inspirational Weekend

[Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii Beach with Diamond Head Extinct Volcano ]

You have no doubt heard it said, "Be careful what you ask God for."   Many times I have prayed to the good Lord to make me more Christ-like.  So He answered that prayer - big time - by giving me much to forgive where other people are concerned.  Being a forgiving person is imitating Christ.

Jesus had much - and many - to forgive.  But He also had much love for lost mankind and died a cruel death at Calvary so that those who would have faith and believe in Him could have everlasting life.  What love!

As believers in Jesus as the Savior, we should put Him and God first in our lives and share the Gospel with lost souls.

As Pastor Charles Lawson has said, " ....... Lift up the Lord God; exalt God and magnify His holy name;  the more we know about God, the more our faith is strengthened."

Later in this post I will share some Scriptures about strength from God,  but right now here is a 14 minute sermon by Charles Swindoll on trusting God.

In the above sermon clip, Charles Swindoll tells us that "many are much better at worrying than you are at trusting God."  As many have learned from experience, trusting God will give you strength to endure.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  -  Psalm 46:1

"The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my strength, in Whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."  -  Psalm 18:2

Psalm 37:39 says, "But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: He is their strength in the time of trouble."

"That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;" -   Ephesians 3:16

"But the God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."  -  1 Peter 5:10

Following is a 47 minute sermon by Charles Spurgeon on the above verse, 1 Peter 5:10

Please listen to Spurgeon's explanation of 1 Peter 5:10 where he  speaks of Peter's words on perfection, stablish (establishment), strengthening, and settle you.

One verse that I memorized many years ago and that is extremely  encouraging is  Philippians 4:13 which says, 

"I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me."

As Pastor David Wilkerson has said, "Listen to God!  God wants  quiet, quality time with you!"

This blog has shared much information on how we are now living in the last moments of the end days as prophesied in the Bible.  Go to the search box in the above right hand side of this page and type in such things as Gog Magog War, the Rapture, last days, 7 year tribulation and so on and several articles will appear for you to read about eschatology.  

Time is short!

Jesus will return soon to take His Bride (true believers) to heaven with Him in the Rapture.  

Are you Rapture ready?

You can only go to heaven if you have been born again from above.  To be born again is to repent and turn to Jesus in faith and believe that He is the Savior and that His shed blood at Calvary can wash away your sins.  To be born again is a spiritual "rebirth."

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

This believing in Jesus is not talking about intellectual knowledge.  It is referring to a heart-felt and soul stirring knowing that Jesus is the Savior and that the only way to heaven is through true and sincere and soul changing faith in Him.   FAITH !  BELIEF !

"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 loves you!

He is waiting for you and His arms are open wide to embrace you with love and forgiveness!

The more you read your Bible and pray, the more you will learn just how much the good Lord loves you!   And you will come to love Him with all of  your heart and soul and very being!

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."

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

"Emergency Number For When You Are Worried" - Inspirational Weekend

This mother Hawaiian Monk Seal and her baby are taking it easy on the beach at Waikiki.   I took this photograph on August 7 of this year.  These seals are native to Hawaiian waters and islands only, and are on the endangered list as there are only 1400 of them left in Hawaii.   The baby seal (on the left in the photo) was quite large itself and was still nursing its mother.  The youngster has no idea that soon its mother would abandon him and he would be on his own to face dangers (from sharks) and to learn to fend for himself.  He really has a lot to be worried about, if he only knew.

People today are anxious about many things;  world leaders themselves are also worried and do not know the solution to many problems facing us in these perilous end times.   Oh sure, they have their agendas and think a New World Order is the solution, with a one world economy, a one world government, and a one world religion soon on the horizon.   The Bible in Revelation 17 and 18 speaks of this new world order.   It also speaks of the antichrist who will rule the world....this can be found in Revelation 13, where the antichrist is referred to as the "beast".    

I have written concerning all this in previous posts, and you may do a word search in the search box at the above right on this page to find out more about topics such as the antichrist and the end times. Right now I would like to just focus on what we as individuals can do to stop worrying and to put our trust in the Lord instead.  Here is a link to a previous post of mine which also deals with the topic of worry.   But this article will deal with different Scriptures and different Christian quotes as well as having a sermon on worry by Pastor Greg Laurie.  

As seen above in #3, the "emergency number" to call is Matthew 6:19-34 when you are bombarded with worry.  Please read all the verses; but for now I will quote verses 31-34 which follow:

"(31)  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (32)  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek):  for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  (33)  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  (34)  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.  Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

Pay special attention to verse 33 which says to "seek first the kingdom of God."  If we do that and put spiritual things and God and Jesus first in our lives,  God will take care of our basic needs.  In today's world, things are so chaotic that we have many issues to face that are more troublesome and problematic than what to wear ! A few years ago A. W. Tozer remarked, "In a world like ours, courage is an indispensable virtue."  Having a strong relationship with the Lord will give you courage. In our troubled times, violence and general unrest have taken over it seems.  In times like these, we need to be on our knees in prayer and devouring the Word of God with a hunger and thirst that only His Word can satisfy. We need to turn to God and trust in Him to see us through these dangerous days in which we live.   Christians have a blessed hope (Titus 2:13) of Jesus' soon return to take us to heaven to be with Him.  We do not put our faith in governments or in any man to solve our problems, but we put our faith and trust in the good Lord.   He gives true protection and hope.

Jesus is our King !

Jesus is our Savior, our Redeemer, our Master, our Teacher, and our Friend !

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee."  -  Psalm 56:3

"Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means.  The Lord be with you all."                 -  2 Thessalonians 3:16

Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, (6) " Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  (7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  (NASB)

How comforting are the Scriptures above !  When things get confusing and you are worried out of your mind, just pray and read the Bible and things will get back into proper perspective again. If we have a close, personal, and intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we should never panic and be overly anxious.  

"We shall be quiet from the fear of evil, for no threatenings of evil can penetrate into the high tower of God."  -  Hannah Whitall Smith

"The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety."  -  George Mueller

"Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear."  -  Corrie ten Boom

On the subject of worry and anxiety, I am certainly qualified to comment on as I was a "professional worrier" before I came to truly know the Lord.  If there was nothing to worry about, I worried when there was nothing to worry about (as if things were not normal unless there was something to worry about),  so accustomed I was to the habit of worrying.   Can anyone out there relate?

Many years ago I ran across a quote by the French philosopher Michel de Montaigne who lived between 1533 and 1592 and it set me to thinking.   I had remembered the quote as being, "My life is full of catastrophes, most of which never happened."   In order to quote it accurately, I looked up Montaigne quotes today on the internet and the closest that came to it was the quote by him, "There were many terrible things in my life and most of them never happened."  Whichever quotation by him is correct, you get the message.   We can worry so much that we imagine the worst case scenario about the least little thing.

I no longer worry like I did for a good part of my life.... and that is due to the transforming power of God's Holy Word and of the love of Jesus and the Holy Spirit within me now that I am truly born again.   That is the key.....surrender to Jesus and take all of your cares to Him in prayer and live a holy and blameless life and you will experience hope and peace from the Lord.  

Besides, worry is a sin when you let it consume you.  We need to have more faith in the Lord than that;  worry shows a lack of trust in God.  Pastor Greg Laurie gives a wonderful sermon on worry in the video below, which is titled "Hurried, Worried, Buried (How to Overcome Fear, Worry, and Anxiety" :

Have a Christ-centered weekend !  Be happy and trust in the Lord.


"Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you  -  1 Peter 5:7

"The Importance Of Patience - With God And Man" - Inspirational Weekend

We all need patience, especially mothers with young children.  As Christians, it becomes us and gives glory to the Lord when we exhibit patience with others.  It pleases God when we are patient with Him and learn to wait upon Him to answer our prayers and to give us guidance and direction in troublesome times as well as in normal daily affairs.   It has been said, if you ask the heavenly Father for patience, He will send you trials to teach you patience and endurance.   And when you ask the Lord for patience don't tell Him that you want it right now !!  We may be amused by that statement, but it pretty well describes modern man's impatience. It is in our makeup to expect instant results.  After all we have instant mashed potatoes, microwaveable meals, immediate response from our Internet, and the list goes on.   We also do not like to wait in lines or to be stuck in stalled traffic.   Again, we need patience.   After all, it is one of the fruits of the Spirit.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."  -  Galatians 5:22-23

"Longsuffering" in the verse above is an old English word for patience.  "Patience is a quiet, steady perseverance; the bearing of pain, provocation, annoyance, and misfortune, without complaint, irritation, or loss of temper."  So says the dictionary.   We all know what patience means without having to consult a dictionary, but do we actually live it out in our lives?  

There are many examples of patience - as well as impatience - in the Bible.  Moses showed impatience and anger with the stubborn and complaining people that he was leading from Egypt to the Promised Land.  God told Moses to speak to a rock to bring forth water from it, but instead in anger and impatience with the grumbling people, Moses struck the rock twice with his rod.  It was an act of rebellion against God's command and the Lord punished Moses by forbidding him to enter the Promised Land.  (Numbers 20:1-13)

Everyone has heard the expression, "The patience of Job."  Job suffered extreme loss and hardship.  He lost his ten children in one day, as well as all his wealth in the same day.  Then his health was affected by painful boils all over his body.  His so-called friends accused him of wrong-doing and said he must have sinned terribly and was being punished for his wickedness,  Through all of this Job exhibited much patience.   

"Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.  Behold, we count them happy which endure.  Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."                     -  James 5:10-11

Jesus was a patient teacher and healer.  The heavenly Father is also patient.

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

2 Peter 3:9

What a loving and awesome God !

"Quite honestly, most people are quick to 'write someone off'.  But our God is a God of second chances.  Learn from One who is patient with you and you'll learn to be patient with others."

Woodrow Kroll

Here is a 13 minute sermon by Charles Spurgeon about patience.  He also touches on gossip at the same time.  

Patience can draw us closer to God.  Let's face it, when we experience trials and hardships, we are more likely to turn to the Lord in prayer for help and guidance.  It also means we need patience to wait on and trust God for an answer and direction.  When we wait patiently on the Lord it renews our strength.

There is a worship song by John Waller that tells us what to do while we are waiting on the Lord:

Presently, in America, Christians are not persecuted as much as they are in other countries where they are being martyred.   We should use what precious time we have left in winning lost souls by the Holy Spirit.  The Rapture could happen at any time and there are still many people who need to be saved.  We need to show patience with people, yet at the same time let them know that times are urgent and Jesus will not tarry for very long before He returns.  Keep in mind, only the Heavenly Father knows the day and the hour of Christ's return, but the Lord told us what would be the signs of His near return in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21.  Many Bible prophecies are being fulfilled at a rapid pace right now, and converging all at once.

Be alert!  Be ready !

James 5:8 tells us:  "Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh."

"But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it."  -  Romans 8:25

The Future Of America (With Informative Video)

With the new President of the United States, are "Happy Days" here again?  Will the church go back to sleep or relax and not pray for our country anymore?   Just exactly what is the future of America?  Some believe the church has now let her guard down.   Or should I say, "many" believe we will cease to be the watchmen on the wall and will fall into apathy.  This will not be the first time that has happened.  

Regardless of who is President, Bible Prophecy will continue to come to pass, as it is doing almost on a daily basis right now in these end times we are presently living in.   After the soon Rapture of the church,  there will be immediate chaos and it will take time - maybe a few years - before the 7- year Tribulation actually begins..  What no doubt will happen immediately after the Rapture will be the ushering in of the New World Order.  

I have written before about the seven year Tribulation period and included Scriptures and videos.  One post may be found here  and another post here .  Please check them out as Bible scholars expound on prophecy about the tribulation period in them, and in one there is a sermon on the trib. by Dr. Charles Stanley.

Following is a recent video from Prophecy Watchers featuring Tom Hughes, a pastor and the recent author of a book about America in the New World Order.  

We need to keep in mind that no government has ever offered or will it ever offer real hope and peace.  We should not put our hope in a President or government, but instead put our hope and trust in the good Lord to rescue and deliver us from all evil.  As stated, the NWO will not occur until after the Rapture of the true believers.   If you find yourself left behind, you should immediately repent and turn to Jesus for salvation; there will be some saved during the Tribulation period, but they will pay with severe hardship and probably most of them will be martyred for not worshiping the Beast, the antichrist, and for not taking his mark in their hand or in their forehead. (Revelation 13:16-17)  The best time to repent and accept Jesus as your Savior, Lord, and Master is right now !      Before the Rapture of true believers.  You do not want to be here during the Tribulation when God pours out His wrath on the wicked!   

Remember, the NWO is not only a one world government, it is a one world economy and a one world religion (a false religion).  (Revelation 13, 17, and 18).

It is a time to be constantly in prayer, to live a godly life, and to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He is the only way to heaven.  

"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

We need to be no part of this world and should not be craving its lustful desires and pleasures; we need to be a separate people for God, sanctified :

"Wherefore come out from them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."  -  2 Corinthians 6:17

"Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.  Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away."   -  Proverbs 4:14-15