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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are you ready?

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Remember, we need faith to please the heavenly Father.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Current Middle East Events with Two Amir Tsarfati Recent Video Updates

With so much occurring of Biblical proportions in today's world,  it seems appropriate to focus right now on two videos by Messianic Jew Amir Tsarfati, whose ministry takes him all over the world,  sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ wherever he travels.  The first video was posted to You Tube on Sunday, March 24, 2019, and concerns world events as well as a  Middle East update.  Amir also speaks about the soon to happen Rapture of the Church, as well as about Jesus' later Second Coming.   Following is that 36 minute video which is quite informative:

Amir also posted a video on Monday, March 25, 2019, with Pastor Jack Hibbs from California.   It is a 25 minute video on current Middle East events as well and is below:

They mention in the above video that the world says that Israel is "occupying the land", which is not true.  If you read your Bible, and in particular the Old Testament, you will discover that God Himself gave this land of Israel to the Jewish people; and back then in ancient times, it was a much larger territory than it is presently.

I will let the above two videos speak for themselves and I pray that you will watch them both.  They are full of nuggets of priceless gold in terms of the Biblical implications and the meaning of current events, not only in Israel, but the entire world.

For more on end times and the Rapture and the 7 year Tribulation period, go to the search box in the upper right hand side of this article, and type in a subject like, perhaps "The Mark of the Beast" or "end times" and more articles will pop up that you may choose to read on that topic.

We are definitely living in the last hour of the last days, as prophesied in the Bible.  Now is the time to be busy in the Lord's work: the work of sharing the Gospel with lost souls.

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."    -   Jesus at Matthew 28:19-20, KJV  .

Do you want to go to heaven?  

Do you want to stay out of hell?

Then you must surrender your life to the good Lord.  You must believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior, who alone can wash away your sins with His shed blood, if you but believe in Him.   You must repent of your sins -  that means forsaking all sin and living as godly a life as possible once you become a believer.  Pray for forgiveness and surrender your life to the Lord's will.  

This is not talking about head knowledge:  which is a mere intellectual acknowledgement that Jesus alone is the Savior.  This is referring to deep, heartfelt conviction and a repentant and surrendered soul to Jesus and God.  Merely professing that Jesus is the Savior does not save you or make you a true believer.   True belief and faith will transform you and you will be a new creation in Christ.  

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

" I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."   -    Romans 12: 1-2

You may be transformed by the renewing of your mind by pouring over Scriptures daily and deeply studying God's Holy Word.  You also need to communicate often and daily with the Father by faithfully praying with heartfelt sincerity and deep devotion. When you endeavor to build a strong, deep, intimate, love relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ, you will discover that you have changed and are now focused on things above.

Colossians 3: 1, 2 tells us:  (1) "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  (2)  Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth."

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

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

"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

"God's Many Promises" (video Sermon on the Lord's promises by Charles Spurgeon) - Inspirational Weekend

The photograph above was taken a couple of days ago of my Christmas Cactus.  It has been blooming profusely since February.  Isn't it funny how such a thing as this plant - blooming once a year (although one year it bloomed twice) -   how such a simple pleasure of its gorgeous blossoms can give you a sense of well-being;  a sense that  all is well and going as "scheduled"; that all is normal and things are okay.  That the promise of future things (such as next year will bring more beautiful blossoms on my cactus) will surely come to pass, and that life goes on.

I realize that today in this chaotic world, all is NOT normal and is not going as we sincere Christians would want.  Yet, at the same time, all we see happening now is fulfilling Bible prophecy as pertaining to the last days of this system of things.  We are in the last hour of the end times.  We should be "looking up" - looking to the time of Jesus' return, as our redemption "draws nigh."  (Luke 21:28

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose."  -  Romans 8:28

The verse above is very familiar to Christians.  This is a promise from God, and we can depend upon it.  It gives us comfort and, if we are true believers, we will be so grateful for this promise that we will live our lives in a manner that is pleasing to the good Lord.

"For all the promises of God in Him [Jesus] are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."  -  2 Corinthians 1:20

The greatest promise of God was salvation through faith and belief in Jesus as the Savior.  

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

Not only is John 3:16 a glorious promise, it is also a wonderful love story in itself as well.  How can we mere finite humans ever comprehend a love such as that; a love so strong that Jesus was willing to die a horrible and painful death on the cross at Calvary so that if we but believe He is the Christ, the Savior, whose shed blood can wash our sins away, we may thereby obtain eternal life.  Jesus took our place on the cross;  He was our substitute, our Redeemer, the Lamb whose shed blood can save us, if we but have faith and believe in Him.

Another promise of God  (Jesus ) is found at John 14:1-3, which follows:

"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."

Think of it !  Not only is Jesus in heaven now preparing a place for true believers, but He says that He will come again to take us to be with Him forever.   That is a promise to rejoice over!  It will occur very soon at the rate that prophecy is coming true in these end times; the rate that precursors of prophecy are occurring right at this moment in time.

There are many, many promises of God to be found in the Bible.  Don't forget the promises made to men like Abraham in the Old Testament.   Promises that came true, such as Abraham and Sarah having a son in their old age.  Pour over and study your Bible and you will uncover many of God's promises for yourself.

Not too long ago, I was praying and I was in tears as I pleaded with God to save my unbelieving family members.  The words "Is anything too hard for Me" popped into my mind.   I knew it was the Lord promising me that my prayers would be answered.  I looked up in the Bible and found more than one verse to confirm God's promise.   Previously, I had not come across these verses recently and had quite forgotten them.

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?"  -  Genesis 18:14

"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for Me?"  -  Jeremiah 32:27

Later I ran across Isaiah 59:1 which tells us: 

"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear:"

Following is a hymn which has special meaning to me.  It is titled "Standing On The Promises Of God" :

Below is a 49 minute audio sermon by Charles Spurgeon titled "Obtaining Promises."  Please take the time to listen to all of this wonderful discourse.  In it, Spurgeon says to wait and have patience on the good Lord.  Wait for the promise.   He tells us three ways to obtain the promise.   

If you are unsaved - not born again - then all these promises cannot be yours.   That is, unless you repent and pray to the good Lord for forgiveness of your sins.   But first you must believe that Jesus is the Savior, and that He is the only way to heaven and to the heavenly Father.  

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

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

"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

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

"Help In Doing The Will Of God When The Flesh Is Weak" - Romans 7 (With Andrew Murray Sermon Video) - Inspirational Weekend

Spring is here is some parts of the USA, while other parts are facing winter storms and extreme cold.   My photograph above was taken at Descanso Gardens outside of Los Angeles, California, a few years ago.  If you ever are near there, this is a must see, especially in the Spring.   Beautiful flowers and trees and the like always cry out of God's wonderful creation; of His love of beauty and His plans for our enjoyment of His masterworks.

"Time is the brush of God, as He paints His masterpiece on the heart of humanity."   -  Ravi Zacharias

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork."  -   Psalm 19:1  (KJV)

With all of creation shouting God's glory, and majesty, and love and so much more, we should be constantly aware of His presence and of His mercy and long suffering.   We should also endeavor to live as holy a life as possible, with the Holy Spirit's help.  If we are truly grateful for all the good Lord has done for us, we will want to please Him as best we can.   One Scripture I have memorized is also in Psalm 19:  verse 14, which follows:

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."

We can please God by much prayer and much Bible reading and studying, because that builds a strong, close, and intimate love relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.  You learn to grow in spiritual maturity, the closer you are to the Lord.  We cannot expect to know Him and His Word and His will, if we never communicate with Him, and if we never open the Bible to learn more about Him.

In today's chaotic and immoral world, we definitely need to be in prayer for many reasons:  for strength to stay pure and unspotted from the world, for strength of endurance, and to face the future with hope.... the blessed hope of Titus 2:13, which tells us, 

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."  

"The best and sweetest flowers of paradise, God gives to His people when they are upon their knees.  Prayer is the gate of Heaven."  -   Thomas Brooks

"Time spent in prayer is never wasted."  -  Francis Fenelon

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."    -   Jesus at Matthew 21:22

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  -   Philippians 4: 6-7

We may always want to do the right thing, if we are born again believers, but we find that our flesh can be very weak at times and we may give in to temptation if we are not careful.

"Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.  The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak."   -   Jesus at Mark 14:38

The Gospel of Matthew says "the spirit is willing.....".  All true Christians are aware of this battle....the flesh against the spirit.   That is where prayer comes in.   If we pray and ask for strength - spiritual strength - to overcome the flesh, the good Lord will answer that prayer and keep you from temptation and sin.  

We also need to be watchful.  Bible prophecy experts tell us this frequently, and it is a good warning for us to live lives that prove we are watching and waiting for Jesus' soon return to take us home to heaven to be with Him.   But also, we should watch for a way out of the temptation that comes upon us .   Pray for help and strength and guidance.   Pray to recognize the devil's tricks and attempts to lure us off the spiritual path;  he uses the same tactics over and over again, so we need to be alert to his schemes and stay close to the good Lord.  

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."   -  Hebrews 4:16

Romans chapter 7 shows the apostle Paul's struggle and war with the spiritual and the flesh.   I urge you to please read all of Romans 7.  Following are some verses from that Chapter:

(19)  "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  (20) Now if  I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. ...(24) O wretched man that I am !  who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  (25) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."

In the following 37 minute audio video, Andrew Murray gives the best discourse I have ever heard on Romans 7 (as well as Philippians 2:12-13).  He answers the question as to why the Christian tries to do their best to overcome sin and imperfection, but  yet still fails.  Murray gives the solution to that dilemma.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have you repented of your sins?  

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

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

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

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

"What About People Pleasers?" - Inspirational Weekend

In my photograph above, these sociable Lesser Flamingos seem content to cozy up together and go about their business rubbing shoulders, so to speak, in their daily lives with much familiarity. 

Many humans are just like these flamingos;  they cannot be alone for any length of time and prefer to be out and about and in the company of others of like mind.   That is not really such a bad thing, unless the company they keep are bad associations.   

Another thing to consider is the fact that quiet and solitude can be a great blessing, especially if you spend a good part of that quiet time in prayer, worship, and Bible reading and studying.  

We have a choice:  please the good Lord by having quality time with Him and other Christians, or pleasing friends and family that may not be true believers in Jesus Christ as the Savior, and thereby "going along with them" in questionable conduct.  True, we need to spend time with unbelievers in order to witness to them about Jesus and the Gospel, but not at the expense of our own standing with God by becoming ungodly along with them.

"For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."   -  Galatians 1:10

The desire to be popular and to win praise from others affects everyone, almost, to some extent; that goes for adults as well as for teenagers.  So to become popular and to fit in, many persons become "people pleasers".   

Those who try to be popular with the world, will lose his popularity with the Lord.  He will make friends, but he will lose the one Friend Who is above all others.  He will win approval from men, but he will not hear the "Well done" from the Lord.  Remember, "No one can serve two masters"  (Matthew 6:24).  It is vain to try to keep in favor with both God and with the world.   "Pleasing men and serving Christ are incompatible."

The above meerkats are also a sociable bunch.   There is nothing wrong with Christians being sociable; we need to be that way in order to win souls to Christ.  The Holy Spirit does the "winning", but we do the witnessing and the proclaiming of the Gospel so with Scriptures we are able to spread the Word as we ought.  

"The soul that cannot entirely trust God, whether man be pleased or displeased, can never long be true to Him, for while you are eyeing men you are losing God and stabbing religion at the very heart."           -  T. Manton

George Macdonald said:  "When  one has learned to seek the honor that cometh from God only, he will take the withholding of the honor that cometh by man very lightly indeed."

The above quote by Macdonald is the cure for all inclinations of men-pleasing.  Seek approval first from the one true God, Yahweh.  Then you will not need the applause from men by striving to please them.  We are the servants of God/Jesus and we should not forget that fact.

"How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?"     -  Jesus at John 5:44 (KJV)

"Needing God plus something else is the trouble with us."   -  A.W. Tozer

"Modern Christians feel too much at home in the world."  -  A.W. Tozer

In the King James Version of the Bible, James 4:4 tells us:  "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?  whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."

James 4:4 is speaking of spiritual adultery and about those who love the world rather than God.  

This article is rather blunt in its truth, but we all need the truth and not sugar-coated or watered down doctrine.  Even pastors can be guilty in this area.   I find it true what Martin Luther said in the following quote:

"To this day you will find many who seek to please men in order that they may live in peace and security.  They teach whatever is agreeable to men, no matter whether it is contrary to God's Word or their own conscience.  But we who endeavor to please God and not men, stir up hell itself.  We must suffer reproach, slanders, death."

The apostle Paul no doubt felt, "The question is not of gaining over men, but of standing right with God, and that even at the expense of an absolute breach with men."

Bondage to man or to Christ -   we each have to choose.  

"All the paths of the Lord are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies."     -  Psalm 25:10

"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."    -  Jesus at John 15:19

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