ARE YOU AN OBEDIENT CHILD? SALVATION DEMANDS OBEDIENCE! (WITH VIDEOS - ONE A SERMON ON OBEDIENCE BY A. W. TOZER) - INSPIRATIONAL WEEKEND

 

                                                   [Hen and chicks -  Kauai, Hawaii]

It may seem an odd choice for a photograph here on this blog, but to me it rather fits the subject matter of this weekend article  -  Obedience.   I took this photo on the Island of Kauai - near a famous blow-hole there by the ocean (where waves hitting the rocks spew up a high spray which can sometimes reach 50 feet into the air, from a "hole" in the rock or rocks).  The name of the blowhole is "Spouting Horn" in a beach park on Kauai's south shore near Poipu- it was several years ago when I visited there that I took the photo above.  (I have been to Kauai Island several times).   At any rate, all of the islands here (not only on Kauai, but the other Hawaiian islands as well (even more populated Oahu and Honolulu) have numerous fowl running around like they own the place.  Some are rather tame, and others are very skittish and wild.  

 

                                   [Spouting Horn Blowhole -  Kauai]  (Internet photograph)

To get to the point, the little chicks follow their momma around and do not want her out of their sight -  and the same goes for how the hen feels about her brood.  The chicks "obey" their mom well because they keep her in their sight.  This is rather how we Christians, true believers and followers of Jesus Christ the Savior, should be in regards to our Guide - our LORD !!   To follow Him and His lead, His guidance and His commandments.  To walk close beside Him and in His footsteps; to keep Jesus always in sight - and close by!  To carefully observe His ways and endeavor to imitate Him as best we can -  and in all that we do and say! Even, as well, to have the good Lord always on and in our minds and hearts. 

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!  Behold, your house is left unto you desolate."    -  Jesus at Matthew 23:37-38

As I entered the above Scripture, it reminded me of America.  America in general for decades has ignored God and His commandments -  now we seem to be paying the price!  

Of course, there are still many sincere and active believing Christians in America and around the world,  who are true to the good LORD and who are looking for His glorious return to take us home to be with Him.  (Titus 2:13-14)

Following is a 38 minute audio sermon by A.W. Tozer titled: "As Obedient Children".  It is a wonderful and insightful sermon you do not want to miss!   It taught me something new!   Well, not new so much as it gave me more understanding.  

Tozer, in the above sermon, emphatically states a scriptural truth :  "Salvation apart from obedience is contrary to Scripture."   Many gems of spiritual truths to be found here in Tozer's sermon!

And here is a very short ten minute video reading some of Andrew Murray's writings on the subject of "With Christ in the School of Obedience".  It is a wonderful message and is accompanied by beautiful scenery in the video. It reminds us that "part of the beauty of your salvation is obedience" and gives Biblical examples of obedience by Moses, Noah, Abraham and others.

By the way, to any students of the Bible, there are many quotes (articles) by Andrew Murray on the subject of Obedience, as well as other subjects by him, at a link on the website raptureready.com.  Once at that website look for the link that says "Best of the Christian Classics."   Once there, it lists many other authors besides Murray,  such as Charles Spurgeon, D.L. Moody, John Wesley, etc.  Check it out!

Following is a partial quote by Andrew Murray from his article on "The School of Obedience":

Murray (from the preface):  ".... The Father in heaven asks and requires, and actually expects, that every child of His yield Him whole-hearted and entire obedience, day by day, and all the day!  To enable His to do this, He has made a most abundant and altogether sufficient provision in the promise of the New Covenant, and in the gift of His Son and Spirit.  This provision can alone, but can most certainly be enjoyed, and these promises fulfilled, in the soul that gives itself communion with the Three-in-One God,  so that His presence and power work in it all the day.  The very entrance into this life demands the vow of absolute obedience,  or the surrender of the whole being, to be, think, speak, do , every moment, not but what is according to the will of God, and well-pleasing to Him  ... We need the Holy Spirit to give us such a vision of their glory, and divine power, and the demand they make on our immediate and unconditional submission that there may be no rest till we accept all that God is willing to do for us.  Let us all pray that God may, by the light of His Spirit, so show His loving and almighty will concerning us, that it may be impossible for us to be disobedient to the heavenly vision." -  end of Andrew Murray's quote

  [Kilauea Lighthouse at Wildlife Refuge -  Kauai, Hawaii] 

"Christ is the key which unlocks the golden doors into the temple of Divine truth." -  A. W. Pink

"Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers."  -  Francis Chan

"It is altogether doubtful whether any man can be saved who comes to Christ for His help with no intention to obey Him."  -   A.W. Tozer

"If you look up into His face and say, 'Yes, Lord, whatever it costs', at that moment He'll flood your life with His Presence and power."  -  Alan Redpath

"Why should I tremble at the plough of my Lord, that maketh deep furrows on my soul? I know He is no little Husbandman; He purposeth a crop."  -  Samuel Rutherford 

Here is a worship song sung by Matt Redman which many of you are no doubt familiar with.  It is called "The Heart of Worship" or "It's all about You, Jesus": 

Really, really, pay close attention to the lyrics in this song!  Part of the lyrics say:  "I'm coming back to the heart of worship; and it's all about You, Jesus.  I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it; when it's all about You."   Many people "attend church" but do not really worship the Lord in truth and spirit.

In today's chaotic and uncertain times, we need God's supernatural help and strength.  For guidance there, the following prayer by the Christian You Tube Channel "Grace For Purpose" helps encourage us in that regard, and it reminds us that we all will have our "valley experiences", as they serve a purpose for our benefit from God's perspective. (Scroll down to the previous post on Tuesday, July20, 2021, which also discussed valley experiences).

The above beautiful 12 minute video also reminds us "It's all about Jesus."

  Is that how you feel?  Is your life centered around Jesus?  Is Jesus/God first in your life?

Sometimes we are so boggled down with the cares of life- the struggles of life - that we lose our focus!  Our focus on spiritual things then take second place to our worries and cares, which seem to consume our minds and  which, also, leaves no room for contemplating our spiritual well-being.  It should not be that way, but we are imperfect humans.  We sometimes slip up -- and downright sin!  

The more you focus on spiritual things, the less you will "slip up."  Why?  Because if you are constantly devouring God's Holy Word - the Bible - and feasting on its truths and encouragement -  it is as if God is "speaking" to you personally through the Holy Spirit inspired words of the Holy Scriptures.  And He really is doing just that!   Your faith will grow and so will your love and closeness to the good Lord as you read and study your Bible!  And do not forget to pray often; prayer will bring you closer to God as well as Bible reading.  "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." -  Proverbs 23:7 a  - So keep God's Word in your mind and your heart!  Meditate on it day and night.  Think on things above, not the things of this dying world!

That is what it is all about, friends!  A close, personal, intimate, loving, living, blossoming relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ the Savior !   We are just traveling through on this earth; heaven is our true home!  But only if we have a faith and belief in Jesus as the Savior, without which we will never see heaven.

Jesus died and suffered a cruel death as our substitute on the cross!  His shed blood can wash us clean and make us new creatures by a spiritual birth when the Holy Spirit dwells in us at the moment of true salvation!  

Ephesians 1:13 encourages us:  "In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."

One needs to realize the enormity of his sins and how they separate him from God.  If you are truly repentant and pray to God for forgiveness -  in all sincerity and remorse at heart for your sinfulness - God will answer that prayer!  Just believe with all of the very fiber of your being - your heart and soul and every breath you take-  that Jesus is the Savior, and the only way to heaven!  

Following are Scriptures for those who are not yet saved!  The times we live in are urgent!  Jesus will return very soon to take His followers to heaven in the Rapture!   Will you be rapture ready?

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

"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

HAVE A BLESSED AND CHRIST CENTERED WEEKEND -  AND LIFE !

IS IT WORTH IT OR IS HE IS WORTHY?! (ENCOURAGEMENT IN DIFFICULT TIMES - Videos, Scriptures, Christian Quotes)

 Again, a rainbow reminds me of God's many promises, and how He loves us and watches over us and guides us !  How encouraging is that!  By the way, that is a moon in the lower part of my photograph, which was taken just at dawn on my patio.

Last night I was very touched by watching a video concerning a Christian missionary who suffered tremendously and had much trauma as a missionary in the Congo for 20 years.  Quite a long time ago, I had heard the story of a child's faith that God would answer a prayer that very day for a hot water bottle (to help save a baby's life) and for God to also - that very day - send a doll for the baby's sister ; the children's mother had just died in childbirth.  Many of you may be familiar with that moving and miraculous story.   Well, here it is now in video from the missionary who experienced it!  But take note also: God asked the missionary a question: :

God used the missionary's suffering to help others.  Her name was Helen Roseveare and she lived from 1925 to 2016.  A must watch 18 minute video above.  It will bless and encourage you!

Sometimes, as in Helen's life, God trusts us with some pretty heavy and tough experiences, and He does not always tell us the reason why!

Right now - this very minute -  as I looked through one of my notebooks for encouraging Scriptures, the Lord led me to the following devotional by Charles Spurgeon!  Wow! Spurgeon's words here are a perfect fit for our discussion now.

Spurgeon used Exodus 3:7 as the basis for his devotion, which tells us: "I know their sorrows."

Charles Spurgeon:  " The child is cheered as he sings, "this my father knows"; and shall not we be comforted as we discern that our dear Friend and tender Soul-Husband knows all about us?

1. He is the Physician, and if He knows all, there is no need that the patient should know.  Hush, thou silly, fluttering heart, prying, peeping, and suspecting!  What thou knowest not now, thou shalt know hereafter, and meanwhile Jesus, the beloved Physician, knows thy soul in adversities.  Why need the patient analyze all the medicine, or estimate all the symptoms?  This is the Physician's work, not mine; it is my business to trust,  and His to prescribe.  If He shall write His prescription in uncouth characters which I cannot read, I will not be uneasy on that account, but rely upon His unfailing skill to make all plain in the result, however mysterious in the working.

2.  He is the Master,  and His knowledge is to serve us instead of our own; we are to obey, not to judge. "The servant knoweth not what his lord doeth."  Shall the architect explain his plans to every hodman on the works?   If he knows his own intent, is it not enough?  The vessel on the wheel cannot guess to what pattern it shall be conformed, but if the potter understands his art, what matters the ignorance of the clay?!  My Lord must not be cross-questioned any more by one so ignorant as I am.

3.  He is the Head.    All understanding centers there.  What judgment has the arm?  What comprehension has the foot?  All the power to know lies in the head.   Why should the member have a brain of its own when the head fulfills for it every intellectual office?  Here then, must the believer rest his comfort in sickness, not that he himself can see the end, but that Jesus knows all. Sweet Lord, be Thou for ever eye, and soul, and head for us, and let us be content to know only what Thou choosest  to reveal."  -  end of Spurgeon's quote.

[Haleiwa Beach Park - Oahu, Hawaii]

Check out these sayings on Church properties:

"Free trip to heaven.  Details inside!"

"We are a Facebook church.  We seek HIS face, and open HIS book!"

"Dusty Bibles lead to dirty lives."

"Come work for the LORD.  The work is hard, the hours are long and the pay is low.  But the retirement benefits are out of this world !"

                                                  *   *    *   *   *    *   *

In these perilous times, run to God!  If you truly know God,  nothing in this life can phase you or completely ruin you!   So it encourages us in the following 12 minute video by "Lion of Judah" Christian You Tube channel:  

The above encouraging video tells us, for one thing, "The hand of God is what will save you!  It requires humility to recognize God as the  Director of your life!"  And, very important also :  "God will never hate you!"

One Scripture used previously on this blog really describes the crazy and distorted mindset of many in today's upside-down and topsy-turvy deceived world: 

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"  -   Isaiah 5:20

Not to elaborate right now on the above verse, ( I have done so previously and will again hopefully later on), but this applies not only to a global and/or worldwide mindset these days, but to individuals as well, of course, since individuals make up the world!  You know what I am trying to say! Something to think about!

"Behold, God is my salvation: for the LORD Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation." -  Isaiah 12:2

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all." - Psalm 34:19

"For HE hath made HIM to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."  -   2 Corinthians 5:21

"I pray that out of HIS glorious riches HE may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being."  -  Ephesians 3:16

Jesus tells us at John 6:37 : "All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to ME I will in no wise cast out."    

Jesus will love you forever, according to John 6:37.  He will never abandon you!

"Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such as ye have; for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." -  Hebrews 13:5

All of the above Scriptures should touch and melt our hearts !  What love God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ have for us!  Our lives should reflect much gratitude in return!  Love and gratitude to the good Lord can be expressed by obedience and by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is also obeying the Lord. 

The following quote is by Lyle Bert, who is a handicapped person: 

"A person who has no legs can still achieve great heights; A person who has no hands can still grasp an idea; A person who has no sight can still have great vision, And a person who can't move can still lead."

The above quote made me think of Nick Vujicic !!  He was born without limbs and has been an inspiration to many as he travels the world and gives Christian motivational speeches. A few years ago here in Hawaii, I attended one of his live presentations.

Following is a short 7 minute video by Nick on "God's Plan For Your Life":

There are many of Nick's inspiring talks on You Tube!  Go check them out.   His website is 

lifewithoutlimbs.org

                                                     *    *     *    *      *    *

Many times this blog has stressed that Jesus' soon return is imminent!   The Rapture of true believers could occur at any time - especially in light of how Bible prophecies are being fulfilled now at warp speed -  almost on a minute by minute basis!

If Jesus returned to take believers to heaven tonight, or tomorrow, or very soon (no one knows the day or the hour, but God the Father -  (Matthew 24:36))  .... If our Savior returned now, would you be Rapture Ready?   Could you honestly say that you are living for Him and watching with great expectation and hope for Him?  Does your life exhibit your love for Him?

If you are not a born again believer in Jesus the Savior, following are some Scriptures for you:

"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

God loves you!

Have a blessed day!

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

 

[Male Peacock]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

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

[Loving Spoonbills]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." -  John3:36

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

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

 

HAVE A BLESSED AND CHRIST CENTERED WEEKEND -  AND LIFE!

 

"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 !!

 

"HOW TO SPEND THE DAY WITH GOD!'' - (Matthew Henry Sermon Video) & Christian Quotes - INSPIRATIONAL WEEKEND

 

                                                       [Diamond Head Beach and Lighthouse - Oahu, Hawaii]

Since a lighthouse to Christians can be a symbol for the Lord Jesus, and likewise of God, I chose to use my photograph above to compliment the title of this post :"How To Spend The Day With God."  Actually, this post's title is also the title of a 35 minute sermon by Matthew Henry which follows:

Matthew Henry was a Puritan (or "non-conformist" - which was any English Protestant who did not conform to the doctrines or practices of the established Church of England during the 1600's).  Henry lived from 1662-1714.  He was in poor health physically and intellectually; but spiritually he was gifted.  As a child prodigy he was able to read out loud a chapter of the Bible when he was only 3 years old.   Just a note, many persons- including myself - refer to his Bible Commentaries for reference.

The main point to consider is the  content of the above sermon video.  It is very encouraging to all of us in today's stormy times. One point he made is: "Though a stormy day... yet we must hope and have patience.  Be joyful because Christ is in the ship and also at the helm."    And ...." To wait on God is to live a life of desire towards God, to wait on Him in faith and expectation.....Be entirely conformed to God's will.  ......Only the ones willing to do as they are taught by God will God continue to teach His ways. "    There are many more gems of insightful and of helpful nature for us in the above video!

Following is an almost 3 minute video trailer about Matthew Henry's life and times:

When Matthew Henry was about 13 years old, he wrote a short biography concerning the saving of his soul.  Quite insightful and impressive as to the knowledge and spiritual understanding of one so young!  For those who are interested, here is the link to that:   look for the portion titled " A Catalog of Mercies".       http://www.sounddoctrine.net/LIBRARY/Bible%20Studies/MHenry-biography.htm

In considering our troublesome times during these last days of the Church Age,  as well as the concerns and hardships and fears of many persons today as to what might lie ahead, here is a helpful quote - a short devotional by Charles Spurgeon, titled "Rain Without Clouds? Never!"   Spurgeon bases his comments on Ecclesiastes 11:3 : "If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth."

Spurgeon comments: "Why, then, do we dread the clouds which now darken our sky?  True, for a while they hide the sun, but the sun is not quenched; he will shine out again before long.  Meanwhile, those black clouds are filled with rain; and the blacker they are, the more likely they are to yield plentiful showers!  How can we have rain, without clouds?  Our troubles have always brought us blessings, and they always will.  They are the black chariots of bright grace.  These clouds will empty themselves before long, and every tender herb will be the gladder for the shower.  Our God may drench us with grief, but He will not drown us with wrath; nay, He will refresh us with mercy.  Our LORD's Love Letters often come to us in black-edged envelopes.    His wagons rumble but they are loaded with benefits.  His rod blossoms with sweet flowers and nourishing fruits.  Let us not worry about the clouds but sing because May flowers are brought to us through the April clouds and showers.

"O, LORD, the clouds are the dust of Thy feet!   How near Thou art in the cloudy and dark day!  Love beholds Thee and is glad.  Faith sees the clouds emptying themselves and making the little hills rejoice on every side."   -  end of quote

"The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked.  The LORD hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet."      -    Nahum 1:3

"Men do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, but because it contradicts them." - unknown

"Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength."           -   Charles Spurgeon

"Tears clean the windows of your soul." -  Nick Vujicic (Life without Limbs.org)

"Thou art still the God of my salvation and Thou wilt bear me up, and carry me through, and lighten all my pressure, until Thou shalt bring me home to behold Thy glory and to dwell with Thee forever."     -  Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary.

"When in the hands of God, our regrets of yesterday turn to beautiful re-designs of tomorrow."      -   Janet Perez Eckles

"Christians, see your position, debtors to grace; show your gratitude by earnest, Christ-like lives, and as God has bidden you live, see to it that you live in earnest."  -  Charles Spurgeon

If Jesus were to return today or next week (no one knows the day or the hour - Matthew 24:36)  -  would you be Rapture Ready?

Perhaps, because of the turmoil and upheaval in the world today, maybe more people are considering their future and what might lie ahead.  But how many of them are concerned with their eternity?  That is the most important decision anyone can make!   Meaning, of course, salvation that is found only in belief in Jesus Christ as the Savior - that He is the only way to heaven and to eternal life!

Following are some salvation Scriptures for you to take to heart and to lead you to a vibrant faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus !   As you read these verses, if you are not yet saved and born again, think about the cruel and painful death Jesus suffered on the cross -  and He did it out of love for you!  He took your place and your sins upon Himself at Calvary; shed His precious blood (as the sacrificial Lamb of God); He paid your sin debt in full - a debt so enormous that none of us could pay it on our own (by our works).  

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

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

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

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

GOD WILL NOT FAIL YOU ! HANG IN THERE! (Videos - The Soon Return - Will You Miss IT?) Inspirational Weekend

 

The last post on this blog (scroll down) was concerning God's faithfulness with a sermon by Pastor Chuck Smith based on Lamentations the third chapter, verses 21 to 24,which follow:

"This I recall to 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."

This post will continue with more about the good Lord's faithfulness.  We need - during these chaotic and lawless times - to have something hopeful to hang on to, and what better hope than to dwell on God's faithfulness, and the fact that His promises will all come true!  The hope that true believers in Jesus as the Savior have far better things on the horizon which are soon to transpire!  

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

Part of the secret to endurance, besides the fact that God's promises will always come true - as they always have - (and to have faith that that is for sure), is to wait patiently with endurance for Him to ease our burdens and to comfort us with His presence (which He does right now to some degree), but also we have the blessed hope of Jesus' return for His "sheep" and the hope of eternal life in a much better place than what this present world offers. 

Verses 25 and 26 of Lamentations 3 encourages us : "The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him.  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD."

Part of "seeking" the Lord, is not just the initial coming to salvation, but to continually seek Him after that - everyday - by frequent daily prayer and to pour over His Holy Word the Bible daily, as a continual feast to feed you spiritually.  Someone has said, "A prayerless Christian is a Christ-less Christian."

This blog has stressed often that the good Lord wants to fellowship with His people. When we do that by much prayer and Bible reading and studying, we will grow to know the Lord better; to know His attributes and character; and thereby learn to love Him more and more, day by day.  It is like with your friends and loved ones:  the more time you spend with them, the better you know them and the more you love them and want to spend time with them.  That is how we should feel about the LORD.  You will find that a warm, loving, close, intimate, personal relationship will develop between you and God through His Son Jesus Christ -  when you fellowship with the good Lord constantly. That is what it is all about, folks!  Nothing is more important than your relationship with the Lord!   Nothing!

Following is a 36 minute Christian video titled : "The Stage Is Set For the Second Coming."  I highly encourage you to watch it because there are many spiritual gems to be found there... about your Christian walk, as well as the fact that our Savior could return at any time now.

Going back to the faithfulness of God:  faithfulness is an attribute of God.  But to obtain the fulness of the faithfulness of God, we must realize that it depends on our walking with God and yielding to the guidance of His Holy Spirit.  We, too, therefore should be faithful to read and obey His Word and His Will.  Think about it: we only have that faith and have our own faithfulness by God's grace anyway! When we receive Christ as our Lord, the Holy Spirit indwells us and brings the blessings of love, peace, joy, and faithfulness...  Galations 5:22;  Ephesians 1:13

"And the heavens shall praise Thy wonders, O LORD: Thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints."  -  Psalm 89:5

                                                     [Red Flowers of Cannonball Tree]

Another way to view God's faithfulness is to realize the fact that God will NOT fail you !! or abandon you!!

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."  -  Hebrews 13:5

The basis of the above verse at Hebrews 13:5 is from the Old Testament:  Joshua 1:5, which tells us: 

"I will be with thee:  I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon wrote a devotional about "He Never Fails" based on Joshua 1:5, a portion of that devotional follows:

"Beloved, a life of warfare is  before us, but the LORD of Hosts is with us.   ......   Have we to contend with cunning and powerful enemies?  Here is strength and valor, prowess and victoryl  Have we a vast heritage to win?  By this sign we shall achieve our purpose:  the LORD Himself is with us.  ....  When I meet death, who is called the last enemy, I pray that I may be at peace.  Only let my great care be to please the LORD in all things.  Oh, for faith and holiness, for these are a pleasure unto the Most High."

[Taro Fields, Overlook Near Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii]

Keep watching !  

Keep looking up!

Your redemption is near!

Following are salvation Scriptures for those who may not yet have accepted and believed in Jesus as the Savior.  These verses are also excellent for Christians to share with unsaved loved ones .

Here is a short 8 minute video by Dr. Charles Stanley on the subject of salvation;  please watch!

Remember, simply repeating "a sinner's prayer" does NOT, in itself, save you.  It is good to have a model or example to help one to understand,  but many have mindlessly repeated a formula type prayer and thought they were saved but by their lifestyle, etc., showed evidence that they were not truly born again.   You are saved by faith and belief in Jesus as THE SAVIOR!  Realize that His shed blood can wash you clean of your sins and save you for life eternal.  You must repent - a complete change of mind in conformity to the Lord's will, and then turn your life around to be obedient to His commands (as best we frail finite humans are able to do).  It would be best to say your own heartfelt and sincere prayer, and to ask for His forgiveness.  

Think how Jesus suffered an agonizing death for you, bled for you, died for you, so that you might have life eternal!  He paid your sin debt in full at His death.  It was a debt so great that none of us could ever have paid it on our own. (Works do NOT save you!)  Ephesians 2:8-9

What love !

What mercy!

The least we can do is follow Him as best we can and share the Gospel with lost souls! Out of our own love for Him and our gratitude to Him for all He has done for us.

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