The red rose especially is symbolic of love - a gift to give to your sweetheart or wife. At least that is very true in America. This article will concern itself with the subject of LOVE - specifically love for God and neighbor.
"And Jesus answered him: The first of all the commandments is, Hear O Israel, the LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." - Mark 12:29-31
The first thought that popped into my mind as I typed the above words of Jesus was : There is so little love in the world today! I remember when I was young and as an adult, how people were more loving and friendly. Driving down country roads, perfect strangers would wave at you in your car from their car as you drove past them, and people on their front porches - again, perfect strangers - would wave at you as well as you drove past their house ! This was in the deep south, true, and Southerners tend to be friendlier than other parts of the U.S.A. - not always, but as a rule.
Today, well, what can I say. We now have "social distancing" and people are on edge with all the drastic changes of late - such as lockdowns, etc. But let's not linger on all of this, except first to share another scripture which is found at 2 Timothy 3:1-5 :
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
Wow! That certainly describes things and people in these last moments of the end times which we are now experiencing ! Even Christians are affected in that they are more cautious and less trusting of others like they once were. Those verses above at 2 Timothy 3:1-5 are not alone in predicting the end times' signs, etc. By the way, please read Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 for more end times signs.
More information will follow here on the two commandments - to love God and neighbor - but first follows two wonderful sermons on that subject by Charles Spurgeon. Briefly, Charles Spurgeon was a famous and much loved Baptist minister in England who lived from 1834 to 1892. You may find out more about him from searching the Internet.
The first sermon titled "The Secret of Loving God", which is 44 minutes long, follows:
In the above audio video, Spurgeon tells us that our love for Christ is based on a great mystery! Love in itself is hard to explain as it is. True love of God/Jesus, explains Spurgeon, over powers us, and is not because of effort or out of duty; we simply love God as God, by knowledge and faith. One thing Spurgeon brings out, which I have found to be true in my own walk with the Lord, is that if you just meditate and think with love and gratitude on all that God has done for you and how He has shown His love for you in so many ways, then your love for Him will grow and grow the more you dwell on His love and grace and tender mercies towards you!
The following 51 minute audio sermon by Charles Spurgeon is about loving your neighbor. He brings out that we should treat everyone well. Just an interesting note: The sermon here on loving God received over 400,000 more views than the sermon here on loving your neighbor! and they were published in the same year within a month of each other on You Tube !
Obviously, if your neighbor does you harm in any way and proves to be your enemy, sometimes it is best to avoid all contact with them or as much as possible. However, Jesus tells us that we should still love our enemies and we are to pray for them!
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. " - Matthew 5:41-45
Following is a commentary by G. Petter on "The Properties of Love":
"Because many deceive themselves in thinking that they love God, when they do not, it is needful to set down the marks of the true love of God, by which we may ascertain whether it be in us or not. The principal are these:
1. A deliberate preferring and esteeming of God above all things in the world, though never so excellent or dear to us.
2. A desire to be united and joined to God in most near communion with Him, both in this life and the next.
3. A high estimation of the special tokens and pledges of God's love to us: the Bible, sacraments, etc.
4. A conscientious care to obey God's will, and to serve and humor Him in our calling.
5. Joy and delight in the duties of God's service and worship.
6. Zeal for God's glory, causing in us a holy grief and indignation when we see or hear that God is dishonored by sin.
7. Love is bountiful, making us willing and ready to give and bestow much upon the person we love.
8. True love to the saints and children of God. "
On "The Nature of our love to Christ", Charles Spurgeon comments:
1. It must be sincere, with all the heart.
2. Intelligent, with all the mind.
3. Emotional, with all the soul.
4. Intense and energetic, with all the strength."
"Dear God, please make my days useful, my nights restful, my home peaceful, and my efforts fruitful." - comment on You Tube
"The more sorrowful you are to God, the more He will use you." - Pastor Jack Hibbs
"No matter your circumstances, if you are in the will of God, God is responsible for getting you through it." - Dr. Charles Stanley
"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the ONE Who is leading." - Oswald Chambers
"In every trouble, we should first seek to realize God's presence with us. Only : let us enjoy His smile, and we can bear our daily cross with a willing heart for His dear sake." - Charles Spurgeon
Here is a lovely hymn by Maranatha Music titled "I Love You Lord" :
Much has been written on this blog about how we are now living in the last moments of the end times, as prophesied in the Bible. Many theologians and Bible Scholars are convinced that this is so. If you go to the "Search Box" in the upper right hand side of this page and enter such topics as " end times, Rapture, signs of last days, Bible prophecy fulfilled, convergence of end time signs, 7 year Tribulation, " etc. you will find much information on these subjects, some articles with videos.
"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." - Proverbs 29:2
If Jesus were to return tonight or tomorrow or soon thereafter, would you be Rapture ready? Only those who are true believers in Jesus as the Savior will be taken to heaven to be with the Lord. That means that you have put your faith in Jesus as the promised Savior: He is the only way to heaven! He paid our sin debt in full at the Cross; He took our place and died for us; His shed blood, as the Sacrificial Lamb of God, washes our sins away (wipes the slate clean) when we surrender in complete faith and belief in Him as the Savior. We must sincerely and totally repent of our sins, pray for forgiveness, and totally commit ourselves to Jesus as His servants. Mean it with all of our very being! Not a mere head knowledge only, but bursting within ourselves and overflowing in faith and gratitude to the Savior of our souls!
Jesus loves you!
He is waiting to hear from you!
He will welcome you into His loving arms in a secure embrace of love and forgiveness !
Following are Salvation 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 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
"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 !
For some reason, the blood red color of the above bromeliad reminded me of the fact of Jesus' shed blood at the Cross - His precious blood which alone can wash away our sins and make us a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). God made Jesus to be sin for us!
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 explains: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, Who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 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."
The verses above would make the subject of another complete article on this blog, and perhaps that will be done in the future. The point now concerns the fact that once a person is truly saved and born again (a spiritual rebirth) he is considered to be a "new creature" because the heavenly Father sees that person as clean, by the blood of Jesus, and sees that person as righteous by Jesus' redemptive act at Calvary - sees the saved one "through" Jesus, so to speak.
It does NOT mean that we are perfect, of course, and that we will never sin again. Due to the fallen flesh inherited from Adam's fall, we will make mistakes and sin occasionally. However, unlike the world of unsaved lost souls, we will not deliberately and willfully sin. We will not go against God's will defiantly and assert our own set of "rules" independently of Him. Sin will not be our predominant nature.
This leads to the main subject of this post: Faith and Repentance. Charles Spurgeon has said that faith and repentance are inseparable. Check out You Tube for an audio sermon of his on that subject.
Sometimes this blog neglects to always mention repentance when salvation and salvation verses are shared here. Repentance is a necessary requirement of salvation; and yet, at the same time, repentance is one continuing act.
" I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." - Jesus at Luke 13:3
Following is a 55 minute audio sermon by George Whitefield on the subject: "A Repentant Heart", based in part on Luke 13:3. Whitefield was a Methodist evangelist who was born in Gloucester, England, and lived from 1714 to 1770. When he was very young, he met John and Charles Wesley. Whitefield's sermon below is excellent ! Please watch ! You will be glad you did.
In the above sermon, George Whitefield tells us to not say we do not have the power to change, for Christ will give us the power and strength to do so!
The article tells us that confession belongs to repentance and is needed for Divine forgiveness. Repentance means to turn away from evil, and to turn to good. One important comment in the above article is , "Repentance is only a condition of salvation and not its meritorious ground," and "repentance requires true brokenness and with a commitment to change."
"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." - Matthew 4:17
Luke 24:46-48 tells us: "And said unto them, "Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in HIs name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things."
"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yeah, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things, ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter." - Apostle Paul at 2 Corinthians 7:10-11
"And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." - Luke 5:31-32
"Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."- Jesus at John 3:7
On the above verse, Charles Spurgeon has written beautifully in his devotion which follows:
"Regeneration is a subject which lies at the very basis of salvation, and we should be very diligent to take heed that we really are "born again", for there are many who fancy they are, who are not. Be assured that the name of a Christian is not the nature of a Christian; and that being born in a Christian land, and being recognized as professing the Christian religion is of no avail whatever, unless there be something more added to it - the being "born again", is a matter so mysterious , that human words cannot describe it. "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth. So is every one that is born of the Spirit." Nevertheless, it is a change which is known and felt; known by works of holiness, and felt by a gracious experience. This great work is supernatural. It is not an operation which a man performs for himself: a new principle is infused, which works in the heart, renews the soul, and affects the entire man. It is not a change of my name, but a renewal of my nature, so that I am not the man I used to be, but a new man in Christ Jesus. To wash and dress a corpse is a far different thing from making it alive: man can do the one, God alone can do the other. If you have then, been "born again", your acknowledgment will be : "O LORD Jesus, the everlasting Father, thou art my spiritual Parent; unless Thy Spirit had breathed into me the breath of a new, holy, and spiritual life, I had been to this day "dead in trespasses and sins." ... "My heavenly life is wholly derived from Thee - to Thee I ascribe it." ,,, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ Who liveth in me." - May the LORD enable us to be well assured on this vital point, for to be unregenerate is to be unsaved, unpardoned, without God, and without hope." (end of quote).
Following is a beautiful hymn used on this blog previously which is about confession of sin and a contrite heart and God's grace -- and more !
Here once again is Dr. Charles Stanley's short 8 minute video on the way of salvation:
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend - and life !
The yellow flowers in my photograph above rather remind one of "sunshine", or at least are a joyful expression of beauty from God. Actually, all of creation is a testimony to God's love and His majesty and His love for humankind. Yet, sometimes we humans suffer much adversity, some of our own making, and some from people, and - yes - some adversity from the heavenly Father Himself. This post will dwell mostly on the good aspects of the "Why" we sometimes suffer trials and the like.
Remember - some of you older folks - that movie made in 1955 starring Susan Hayward titled: "I'll Cry Tomorrow?" The movie was about the life of a popular Broadway star and singer named Lillian Roth, who later fell on hard times. You can look more info up about her and the movie on the Web. Even years later, I found myself thinking about that saying "I'll Cry Tomorrow" when I had trouble or hardship. My point, however, is to here stress the attitudes we have - the choice to either be sorrowful or to be happy. And, more importantly, God's purpose behind any suffering we might experience.
Now sometimes we just cannot avoid being sorrowful! Such times as the death of a loved one, or the betrayal of a friend, or extreme physical pain or some type of illness; and just plain being heartbroken! We all recognize that to be a fact.
The good Lord knew we would have troubles in this evil world, and told us:
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me." - John 14:1
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." - John 14:27
The apostle Peter tells us at 1 Peter 5:7, "Casting all your care upon HIM, for He careth for you."
"For HIS anger endureth but a moment; in His favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." - Psalm 30:5
One commentator on the above verse has said : "The return of God's favor to an afflicted soul is like life from the dead - nothing so reviving. All our bliss is bound up in God's favor; and if we have that, we have an infinite treasure, whatever else we may want."
The above quote is especially true when we have sinned and/or have a tender conscience. And maybe one has "backslidden", or for some other reason feels as if God has withdrawn His presence from him. Another commentator has observed that, when God seems distant, "this loneliness of soul, this desolation of spirit, shall be removed, and the light shall again shine." [then joy in the morning will return].
Remember that God is love. 1 John 4:7, 8 makes that clear in these verses shown below:
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."
Psalm 30:5 above tells us that God's anger endureth for a moment. One commentator says that not only is God's divine anger consistent with His divine love, but that anger is absolutely essential to righteous love. "Because God is righteous, He is also angry with the wicked, with corruption... falsehood, envy, hatred, strife..." and God will punish accordingly as a parent does his rebellious child.
A commentator at the "Biblical Illustrator" explains..." I do not say weeping is the messenger of God's anger, and that joy, on the other hand, is the messenger of His love. They are both messengers of His will; they both subserve His redemptive purposes; both of them alike may be messengers of His anger, as both of them alike may be messengers of His love. ..... when the house is hushed and low with grief, when the heart is low, followed - as blessed be God! -they are followed - by days of gladness, by giving "the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness" ....... Through weeping and through joy, through this strangely mingled experience of human life, God is slowly working out that great purpose and toward that great end, the eternal good of all His creatures."
What a wonderful and beautiful explanation above of why we sometimes (or often) suffer! Many who are Christians already know much about this fact, but some may be reading who are not believers who would benefit from the above comments.
Considering the fact that we are living in the last moments of the end times as prophesied by the Bible, here is a wake up sermon by Pastor Charles Lawson. Not about prophecy itself, but about the certainty of death and the choice people must make!
Following is a hymn that has been posted here previously, but here it is once more:
As brought out in Pastor Lawson's sermon above and many times on this blog, in order to have eternal life, we need to put our faith and belief in Jesus Christ as the Savior, and the only way to find true happiness and eternal life! Following are some Scriptures for those of you who are not saved and have not believed in the shed blood of Jesus at the Cross to save you -- He paid your sin debt in full by dying in your place at Calvary -- He was the sacrificial Lamb who redeemed you, if you but put your faith in Him. It is not a head knowledge, not intellectual knowledge. You will know with all of your being that He is the only way, the truth, and the life! (John 14:6) -- if you are truly born again ( a spiritual birth from above.)
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 said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me, shall never die. Believest thou this?" - John 11:25,26
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. - John 3:16
Part of the title above for this post is from a quote by Pastor Jack Hibbs which is contained in the following 53 minute sermon he preached earlier this month: "Full throttle all the way to the end." His encouraging words that follow stress how we need the strength of the good Lord - always - but in these perilous times especially. One thing he says in his video below "God is going through this with you" is a good reminder for all of us - no matter what we're facing now. Pastor Hibbs reminds us that God is always present with true believers and that He is the God of the impossible! It is one Pastor Hibb's best sermons that I have ever watched !
There is also a part two dated 2-18-22 found on You Tube which I have not as yet watched myself. I have tried several times to put the link to Part 2 and it will now work for me. Go to you tube and enter "Stop: A "How To" when we need the strength of the Lord - Part 2
Many people today (even many unbelievers) are still interested in some things concerning the end times which we find ourselves experiencing now. Most are especially interested in the antichrist and the meaning of 666 as found in the Bible. Me, I am more interested in JESUS CHRIST and looking for HIS coming!! However, following is a short 15 minute video on the topic of the antichrist spirit in the world today. The Christian video below mentions that the coming antichrist will be more of a political leader, rather than a religious one.
"When a man's heart is right with God, the mysterious utterances of the Bible are Spirit and life to him. Spiritual truth is discernible only to a pure heart, not to a keen intellect. It is not a question of profundity of intellect, but of purity of heart." - Oswald Chambers
"The lip of truth shall be established for ever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment." - Proverbs 12:19
On the above verse at Proverbs 12:19, Charles Spurgeon has written in his "Faith's Checkbook" devotional the following:
"Truth wears well. Time tests it, but it right well endures the trial. If then, I have spoken the truth and have for the present to suffer for it, I must be content to wait. If also I believe the truth of God and endeavor to declare it, I may meet with much opposition, but I need not fear, for ultimately the truth must prevail. What a poor thing is the temporary triumph of falsehood! "A lying lip is but for a moment." It is a mere gourd which comes up in a night and perishes in a night; and the greater its development the more manifest its decay. On the other hand, how worthy of an immortal being is the avowal and defense of that truth which can never change; the everlasting GOSPEL, which is established in the immutable truth of an unchanging GOD !
"An old proverb saith, "He that speaks truth shames the devil." Assuredly, he that speaks the truth of God will put to shame all the devils in hell and confound all the seed of the serpent which now hiss out their falsehoods! O my heart, take care that thou be in all things on the side of truth, both in small things and great; but specially on the side of HIM by Whom grace and truth have come among men!" - (end of Spurgeon's quote)
[Rainbow Bridge- Haleiwa town, Oahu, Hawaii]
"Let God have your life, He can do more with it than you can!" - unknown
"Promises are God's golden fruit to be plucked by the hand of prayer." - E. M. Bounds
"If Christ is the Way, we waste time traveling any other." - unknown
"Holiness, not happiness, is the chief end of man." - Oswald Chambers
If Jesus were to return to take His people to heaven tonight, would you be rapture ready? Only those who have put their faith and trust and belief in Jesus Christ as the Savior are truly "born again" (a spiritual re-birth). Also to believe in the power of Jesus' shed blood on the cross, that as a sacrificial Lamb, He died in our place - took our sins upon Himself and paid our sin debt in full, by which His shed blood can wash us clean if we but have belief that He is the Savior (and believe that He was resurrected) as Romans 10 tells us. We must believe with all of our very being in the Savior Jesus - with all of our soul, and mind, and heart ! Not mere head knowledge, or intellectually. Following are Scriptures to help lead you to understand and come to Salvation.
"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
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Please watch Dr. Charles Stanley's 8 minute video below concerning how to be saved and have the hope of eternal life!
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend - and life !
My cat, Lika, shown above, likes to nap in this spot frequently, although she varies her choice often and moves to other favorite napping areas. In the following video, it opens with a discussion about fears in the nighttime while you sleep, and how it is a command of God that we not be fearful. There is much encouragement on other topics as well in the following 22 minute video, complete with many scriptural references. It explains what "the shadow of God" means, and how no evil can overwhelm you when you abide under the shadow of the LORD.
The above video is from "The Lion Of Judah" channel. If you have followed this blog lately, you know that I sometimes use that excellent Christian You Tube source. Lately, for my own edification, I've been enjoying the Lion of Judah Prayer Channel. I pray everyday on my own, but also listening to the audio prayers can be comforting. For those who never pray, or who just don't know what to pray or how to pray, I encourage you to go to the Lion of Judah Prayer channel on You Tube. Following are a couple of samples from that source.
Since the title of this article post concerns protection from God, the first prayer below is also a prayer for protection. In this 11 minute video, it mentions how "no plague to come near our dwelling."
Below is another 11 minute video; this one an example of a morning prayer.
On the Lion of Judah Prayer channel, there are also prayers for nighttime and sleep, as well as many other topics of prayers. Hope you check it out ! But of course, the main thing is to daily read your Bible and to have fellowship with the good Lord through your own private prayers to Him. That is the only way you will ever feel close to God and Jesus - by spending quality time with them. By doing so, you will find that a strong bond will form between you and the good Lord, because you will begin to know Him intimately the more you spend time with Him. Just like with a human friend; the more you communicate with your friends, the closer the bond between you, as you grow to understand their attributes and characteristics and the like. The same is true with the LORD. But some fail to grasp this fact and how important it is to develop a close, intimate, personal, loving and trusting relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ.
This is especially important NOW to be in frequent contact with the Lord in prayer- I do not have to tell you anything about the dangerous and evil times we are living in right now. You already know, especially if you are up in years and remember how different things were in the 1950's and 1960's, etc. Goodness, even 20 years ago it was an entirely different story than the way it is now. Not that things were perfect, of course, or that the precursors to what we see happening today weren't already in place back then waiting for the times and circumstances to begin what we now currently face.
We are living in the last moments of the last days of this Age of Grace, the Church Age. This blog has posted much information about the last days and the Rapture of true believers by Jesus soon, as well as other future events such as the Gog of Magog War, the 7 year tribulation, the Mark of the Beast, and much, much more. For more information on that, go to the "search box" in the upper right hand side of this page and enter one or more of the mentioned topics, or topics of other interests for you - such as forgiveness, strength, endurance, and the like.
[Juvenile Shama Thrush]
Some Scriptures for you :
Romans 8:32-39 tells us: (32) He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (33) Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. (34) Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, Who is even at the right hand of God, Who also maketh intercession for us. (35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36) As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. (38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
"And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." - Jesus at Matthew 10:22
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And wither I go ye know, and the way ye know." Jesus at John 14:1-4
Let those Scriptures above sink into your heart and soul. The verses directly above (at John 14) should be especially encouraging as Jesus tells us that He is now in heaven preparing a place for us, and that He will return for us to take us to be with Him in heaven (in the Rapture of the Church - His Bride, true believers)- and Jesus' return is imminent, meaning it could happen at any moment! What a glorious 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
[Angel Trumpets]
"He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them." - Psalm 145:19
Charles Spurgeon ( 1834 - 1892) was a prominent pastor in England, and who is still very influential even today among the clergy as well as everyday ordinary people , wrote an excellent devotional on the above verse at Psalm 145. Following is a short portion of it:
"Those who fear HIM are men under the holiest influence and, therefore their desire is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. ... God-fearing men desire to be holy, to be useful, to be a blessing to others, and so to honor their LORD. They desire supplies for their need, help under burdens, guidance in perplexity, deliverance in distress, and sometimes this desire is so strong and their case so pressing that they cry out in agony like little children in pain; and then the LORD works most comprehensively and does all that is needful according to this WORD - "and will save them."
Yes, if we fear God, we have nothing else to fear; if we cry to the LORD, our salvation is certain.
Let the Reader lay this text on his tongue and keep it in his mouth all the day, and it will be to him as "a wafer made with honey." - (end of quote).
It is a good practice to memorize several scriptures (as many as possible for you) so that - no matter where you are during the day or night and it is not feasible to read the Bible or you have no Bible available at the time -- then you may meditate on the Holy Word and be refreshed, especially if you are in an uncomfortable circumstance.
When the Bible speaks of "the fear of God" , for the most part it means to reverence Him, to hold Him in awe, to hold Him in high esteem, to recognize that He is the Sovereign of the universe, to give Him proper respect and to give Him all the glory!
We show that in many ways, but mostly by obeying Him and doing His will; by putting Him First in our lives. That of course means Jesus as well (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit).
If you are not saved and have not put your full belief and trust in Jesus Christ as the Savior, following are some Scriptures especially 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
"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) - 2 Corinthians 6:2
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?" - John 11:25,26
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend - and life !
I could not resist using the above title for this blog post! The main reason for the title above being: perhaps it would capture the attention - in a big way - of lost souls so that they might be led to salvation in the belief that Jesus Christ is the Savior, and the only way to heaven!
More about the meaning of 777 later. The Scripture Titus 2:13 is quoted in the above internet image.
Following are two sermon videos by Pastor Jack Hibbs which explain beautifully the Rapture of true believers to heaven ! Each video is 29 minutes in length. A must see to inform believers as well as for the hopeful salvation of those who do NOT know Jesus as their Savior. Here is part 1 :
And Part 2 about the Rapture:
As many of you are aware, "the Rapture triggers the beginning of the end", so says Pastor Hibbs. Please notice all of the many present "end time signs" according to the Bible that are occurring right now at warp speed !
Much has been written previously on this blog concerning the soon Rapture of Christ's "Bride" - the Church. You may view those articles (some include videos) by going to the "search box" in the upper right hand side of this page and entering "Rapture" or "Rapture of the Church," or "Jesus' return," etc.
[Twilight Surf - Kauai, Hawaii]
Various interpretations or meanings of the number 777 are given. Basically, the number 7 is the number of completeness and perfection. One person has said "that #7 is the foundation of God's Word and is used 735 times in the Bible (54 of which are in the Book of Revelation alone). The meaning of multiple 7's such as 777 and 7777 is that it is a reinforcement of perfection and of God's recognizable and unmistakable hand in the affairs of man. " Another person says, " 777 biblically means or deals in reference with things that are in association with the name of Jesus." In Judaism 777 is considered as a symbol of God. It is also said that, in general, 777 represents the perfect trinity of God the Holy Spirit, God the Son, and God the Father. Thus the reference above to "Flight 777" representing the Rapture to heaven to be with God and Jesus -- "a caught up" ("harpazo" -Greek; "Rapturo" - Latin) in the air to meet the Lord. To "fly away to eternal bliss!" More about being "caught up" at 1 Thessalonians 4 and in the above sermons by Pastor Jack Hibbs.
Make sure you do not miss "Flight 777 on Titus 213 airlines" !!
Just a personal note, you may find more information on the Web concerning the biblical meaning of the number 7, 77, 777... etc. But do NOT get all caught up in that, please! The main thing is FAITH in God and Jesus and to fellowship with the good Lord daily! This blog has over and over again stressed how important prayer and daily Bible reading are as that will help you to grow spiritually and to have a close, intimate, personal, loving and trusting relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. It doesn't get any better than that! Except, of course, when we are with the Lord Himself in heaven!
Like it was said above, do NOT get caught up in the meaning of numbers except what the Bible itself tells us !!
[Ko olina Resort, Oahu, Hawaii]
ABOUT THE DAY OF THE LORD:
Please read all of 1 Thessalonians 4 as well as 1 Corinthians 15: 51-58
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 tells us:
"But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."
What love the Heavenly Father has for us!
Jesus loves you and is waiting to hear from you!
Following is an 8 minute video by Dr. Charles Stanley on "How to Receive God's Salvation". You must turn to the good Lord in heartfelt and sincere prayer! God will answer such prayers - those from deep within the soul and heart that have a longing for Him and that believe Jesus and His shed blood can cleanse them - wipe the slate clean - if they but believe with all their very being that Jesus is the Savior and the only way to heaven.
Please, please realize that simply repeating an example of "a sinner's prayer" - as given in the above video - does NOT necessarily guarantee your salvation. You must mean the prayer with all of your heart and be sincere in wanting to obey God and to follow Jesus ! It is good to hear a sample prayer for forgiveness and for salvation, but you must MAKE it your own or say one of your own from your own heart and soul! Many have said a similar sample prayer as that in the above video and have gone on to continue in a life of habitual sin - deliberate and willful sin in disobedience to the heavenly Father. They were evidently not saved in the first place. Your prayer must - again - be from the heart and full of repentance ! If you are then truly saved (born again) your life will reflect that fact in your conduct and in what your priorities are! It does not mean that you are saved by works; rather, that if you are saved there will be a change in you (as Dr. Stanley explains in the above video.) It will be a heart-change as well as a soul-change, and you will then be filled and sealed with the Holy Spirit.
"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." - Ephesians 1:13
Romans 8:16 tells us, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: "
"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
When you turn to HIM in repentance and faith and belief, Jesus will be there to welcome you with love and forgiveness, and to embrace you and envelope you within His arms of tender mercies and security!
In my photograph above we find patches of sunlight along the shady path. Life is like that ! Life can be dark and filled with peril; or lots of obstacles, if nothing else; or problems and heartbreak and the list goes on. But now and then in the pathway of life, there are rays of sunshine and hope and happiness. For that bit of sunshine we are always very grateful and bask in it while it lasts.
The above observation is true of Christians as well as the ungodly. However, the Christian's problems or storms can be a way of God the heavenly Father to teach us lessons of endurance and to help us learn to go to Him often in prayer for guidance and relief; in other words, the true believer's problems should make him draw ever closer to the good Lord. God and Jesus will not only comfort us, but will fight for us as well. This is brought out beautifully in the following 9 minute sermon clip by (the now deceased) Pastor David Wilkerson.
The bad news is, the battle or war raging in the inner man (and the destructive opposition from the devil) will go on as long as we live. That is why we need strong faith in the LORD as well as to fellowship with Him often in prayer and Bible reading. God's Holy Spirit is not only our Comforter, but He is also our Protector and Guide - He will fight for us ! That is the good news!
As I uploaded the above Hibiscus photograph here, the dried up and dead former blossom on the left reminded me of the Christian's former life of darkness before he was born again and became a true "child of light", as perhaps the here shown glorious open blossom depicts the present full of light and beauty he has become now that he is a "child of God" by faith in Jesus Christ, the Savior, Who is the only way to the Father in heaven.
However, as we all realize, Christians are NOT perfect and at times we fall short - we sin. That is why we need a close, intimate, personal, loving relationship with God through His Son Jesus. We are less likely to sin if that is the case - to not make it a habit to sin ! We will not deliberately and willfully sin in opposition to the good Lord's wishes and commandments. For the most part, true believers sin "accidentally" and at times do not even realize it until later. We still, once we are aware of our sin, must repent and endeavor to not repeat that sin. Repentance means to regret your sin and to turn away from it, but especially it means a complete change of mind which leads to a change of actions! Becoming more Christlike, in other words, over time.
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38
"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." - Matthew 4:17
If you are a Christian, the question arises "Are you hot or cold? Are you lukewarm?"
Please watch the following and thought provoking 11 minute video which discusses lukewarm Christians, but has wonderful information for all of us, be we on fire for the Lord or lukewarm.
We Christians are familiar with the fact already that God is light and that we are "children of the light" . However, the video above makes it all so abundantly clear that we need to show our light by separating from any evil and living for Christ! "There is no spiritual neutrality!"
"This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." - 1 John 1:5-10
Many of you are aware of all the "changes" lately that affect everyone - the entire globe will be affected in time, and that is partially true right now.
But true believers have a blessed hope that keeps them hanging in there!
That is the soon return of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Titus 2:13 informs us: "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"
:
By the way, this has been shared on this blog previously, but here it is again: Some commentators admit that the better translation of Titus 2:13 would be "The great God even our Savior Jesus Christ." It is abundantly clear that this verse strongly emphasizes the Deity of Christ.
Romans 9:5 agrees : "Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, Who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen."
Bible Prophecy concerning these last moments of the end times are being fulfilled not only on a daily basis, but almost an hourly or minute by minute basis! Seems like things are really happening all at once and fast right now!
Jesus will return soon! Don't let scoffers (2 Peter 3:3) convince you it will be otherwise!
"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
If you have not put your faith in the cleansing power of Jesus' shed blood on the cross - that by His sacrificial death He paid our sin debt in full by dying for us and taking our sins upon Himself - He ransomed us; that by this redeeming act, He made a way for us to have everlasting life if we but put our faith and belief in Him as the Savior! If you are unsaved, this means to gain eternal life you must repent of your sins and pray for forgiveness with all of your very being and in sincerity, and - again - with all of your very being believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior !
Following are some Salvation Scriptures :
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." - John 3:36
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." - John 14:6
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?" - John 11:25, 26
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
"Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book." - Revelation 22:7
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend - and life !
