My photograph above of the Hawaiian Black-crowned Night Heron was taken at the Hamakua Marsh in Kailua, Oahu. I used my reference photo above to complete a painting of this very common heron found in Hawaii. I titled the painting "Alert!" That word alert needs to be a by-word for today's world! For everyone, but especially for Christians. Alert to the signs of the times! Alert to the fact that Jesus told us the signs of the last days that would manifest themselves, proving that He would return soon to rapture His true followers to heaven. (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21). In other words, although no one knows the day or the hour (except God - Matthew 24:36) , Jesus informed us of the signs of the "season" when His return would occur. Be alert! Be watchful! Be on guard!
Following is a recent sermon by Pastor Jack Hibbs, in which he discusses the fact that the return of Israel to their homeland - after 2000 years of being dispersed throughout the world - that fact was prophesied in the Bible back in the prophet Isaiah's day. (Isaiah 66:8-9). That was a miracle of God, when Israel became a nation again in one day as Isaiah 66 told us in advance! So when the Jewish people finally had their nation "born" in 1948, that also was a sign of the last days being upon us.
Pastor Hibbs discusses other pertinent scriptural truths as well in his following 29 minute sermon; truths relevant to the peculiar times in which we find ourselves now - our mixed up world with even the leaders of governments "perplexed" and not knowing the way out! (Luke 21:25-26)
As stated previously on this blog, the signs of the times given in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 were given by Jesus to the Jewish people, and pertain primarily to the 7 year Tribulation - the time of "Jacob's Trouble." However, many of these signs Jesus warned about are also coming true today, to some extent but obviously not full force yet. Meaning, we are in the "season" of our Savior's return to take us true believers to be with Him in heaven! Maranatha! Hang in there! It will not be long now!
Please read all of Luke 21! Here is a portion of it for you: (Jesus speaking);
"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. "
And, although it pertains to the Jews (and Gentiles left behind at the Rapture) and at the end of the Tribulation period, Luke 21:28 can also be applied to the Rapture of Christians prior to the Tribulation:
"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh."
Many prominent and true pastors apply Luke 21:28 to us Christians looking for our Savior at the time of the Rapture as well as to the Jews at the end of the Trib. By the way, another Pastor whose messages you will enjoy is Andy Woods - check him out on You Tube.
[Nene - Hawaiian Goose - Hawaii's State Bird]
One way to endure these perilous times (2 Timothy 3:1-5) is to pray without ceasing! ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17) And, of course, to be often in the Word ! -- reading the Bible constantly! If you are often in the Holy Word, you will find it "speaks" to you and encourages you and corrects you! It is God Himself Who inspired men of old to write the Bible, through the power of His Holy Spirit! It is a great comfort when you are often in God's Word -- and in prayer! How else can you learn what God's will is and what is expected of you, by Him? Both prayer and daily Bible reading will draw you closer to the Heavenly Father, and your appreciation for Him and His attributes will help you to realize all He has done for you, blessed you, and loved you! "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you...." (James 4:8 a).
A big plus of doing all of the above, is the wonderful result of a growing, and vibrant, and living, and personal, intimate relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ !! That is what it is all about! Not a religion, but a relationship!! But, of course, meaning Christian in nature, because Christ is our Savior, and the only way to the Father and to heaven!
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
Do not give up!! "God specializes in turning bad situations around!" So says the following 12 minute video by the wonderful Christian You Tube Channel " Lion of Judah"!
The above video also encourages us that "When you saturate your spirit in God's Word, you can keep believing!" and, "In Christ there are no losers!"
"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. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." - Philippians 4:6-8
[Rabbit Island (Manana Island) and Black Rock Island (Kaohika'pu Island) - from Makapu'u Beach- Oahu Hawaii]
For this weekend post, the videos and links provided will contain the message, for the most part. This article concerns itself primarily with current events as they relate to Bible Prophecy being fulfilled - right now! - and how you, me -- the whole world -- will be affected!
First the following 29 minute video by Prophecywatchers.com featuring host Gary Stearman and his guests Bill Salus and Tom Hughes, who discuss "Future Prophecies Revealed."
You might also want to check out Bill Salus' website http://www.prophecydepotministries.net/ His site has interesting and pertinent info concerning our times and check out his links there.
Tom Hughes' website which contain recent prophecy videos and more, may be found here
Bill Salus has a recent article concerning Bible prophecies (20) specifically discussed in detail, complete with some graphic charts, found here here
At the above link, scroll down for his article titled :"Biblical Prophecies to prepare for now!"
Bill Salus' article discusses the antichrist, Mystery Babylon, the decline of America, and much more that you will want to read!
Following is another wonderful 10 minute video from "Grace for Purpose" with beautiful scenery and many Scriptures to encourage you. It deals primarily with the admonition that Christians should not be conformed to this world - but instead endeavor to please God and to follow in Jesus' footsteps as best we can. This world is decaying - it is dying ! It is to be replaced eventually by God with a new heavens and a new earth ! (Revelation 21:1-5) Who wants to be a zombie in a dying world!? And, face it, if a person is part of the world, he is making himself an enemy of God! (James 4:4)
As the above video admonishes " Trust God" in these perilous times ! He never changes and He is true to His Word ! - The world cannot say the same!
We need to be in prayer constantly! And the same thing goes for daily reading God's Holy Word - the Bible! That is the only way a person can come to experience God - to know Him personally and to have a close intimate, personal, living and vibrant, and true relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ! Our Heavenly Father wants us to fellowship with Him! You will never grow strong in faith unless you have a blossoming and "fragrant" - a pleasing - relationship with God the Father, which in turn includes Jesus, our Savior ! That is what it is all about, folks! Plus, how will you know God's will for your life - your purpose - unless you communicate regularly with Him! Basically, our purpose is to just obey Him and do His will! And of course, to believe in His Son Jesus Christ as the Savior and the only way to heaven!
For years, I thought my purpose was to just paint with a passion all the beauty and glory of God's creation and to depict it on canvas as best I could. But when I began to search the Scriptures in earnest (daily and in sincerity to know God and draw closer to Him and Jesus -- (I took a whole year off without painting at all! - just studying His Word and in much prayer ) - then God let me know His true will for me at this time !! WRITE! Share the Gospel of Jesus in that manner!
He answered my desire for years by urging me to write ! I had wanted to do MORE for Him for a long time.
[Waimea Bay - Oahu, Hawaii]
Following is an 11 minute video by Grace For Purpose You Tube channel concerning strange things happening now all over the world - yet it focuses primarily on how we as true believers should live our lives! The video encourages us to live with wisdom and to be prayerful.
And one last video now telling us "God Is giving Us - the World - Warning Signs" !! It is from another wonderful Christian You Tube channel "Lion of Judah". This 14 minute video gives Scriptures concerning the soon return of Jesus ! The Rapture of true Christians - Christ's "Bride", the Church. Just a note of caution - the narrator confuses the Rapture as being the same as the "second coming" (in Matthew 24) when Jesus returns at the end of the 7 year Tribulation at the Battle of Armageddon. (Matthew 24:30) and how everyone will see Jesus then - at the end of the Trib. .
You must understand that the Rapture occurs quickly - and that no one will see Jesus then ( meaning the world in general.) The true believers being Raptured will meet Jesus in the air and they most assuredly will see the Savior! The followers of Jesus will be in heaven with Him for the 7 years (approximately- depending on how soon the Trib. begins after the Rapture). After the Rapture, as stated, the Tribulation occurs on the earth. At the end of the Trib. - at the Battle of Armageddon, as previously mentioned - Jesus will return and destroy His enemies (the unbelievers and wicked will only then see Him) - and following that Jesus will usher in His Kingdom on earth, His 1000 year reign. Jesus will literally return to earth then, beginning when He returns at Armageddon. But at the Rapture, He will remain in the air where Christians will meet Him and be caught up to heaven with Him. Whew! I got a bit redundant there - but only for emphasis.!! Many are a little confused about the difference - and the timing - of the Rapture and the Second Coming -- which are two different occurrences (appearance times) of Jesus.
I included the above video just the same - despite that error - because of the urgency of the times now (2 Timothy 3:1-5), and the excellent Scriptures included in the video.
The Rapture: Read all of 1 Thessalonians 4. "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD IN THE AIR; and so shall we ever be with the LORD." - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
About the quickness and suddenness of the Rapture: "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the TWINKLING OF AN EYE, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." - 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 I read or heard a sermon which told the approximate time of "a twinkling of an eye" -- I can't remember exactly right now, but it was less than the time to blink your eye! So, again, to emphasize, the Rapture will be sudden and fast, and unseen by those unbelievers who will be left behind.
Jesus' return after the 7 year Tribulation: read all of Zechariah 14! "Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of battle. And His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there be a very great valley and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azalyea, ye shall flee like as ye flee from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee." - Zechariah 14:3-5
Concerning Jesus' return at Armageddon: Please read all of Revelation 19! Actually, read ALL of the entire book of Revelation! Revelation 19 tells us that the Raptured believers are in heaven at "the marriage supper of the Lamb" during the 7 year Tribulation period occurring on the earth. Starting in verses 11-18 it concerns the return of Jesus with His saints at the battle of Armageddon : "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war. ...... (14) And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. ..... 15) And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of ALMIGHTY GOD." - Notice that in Revelation 19:14, Jesus has with him the saints that had been previously Raptured , "armies.... white and clean" - and then also in Zechariah 14:5 ... "all the saints with Him." More Scriptures could be given here! It would benefit you if you searched out and studied them for yourself. It would be a blessing to you!
URGENCY! Many people just don't get it!
Time is short! Jesus could return at any moment!
Are you ready to meet the Lord?
Jesus is waiting to hear from you!
Jesus will welcome you with arms wide open to embrace you in His love and forgiveness !!
It is by faith in Jesus as the Savior that saves you! Just believe ! Head knowledge is involved to a degree in the sense that you understand to some degree what it all means to have complete faith and trust in Jesus (at conversion, one rarely understands it all -- that comes with time) -- yet it is faith alone that saves a person! Believe that Jesus paid your sin debt in full - He took our place on the cross and shed His precious blood (as the Lamb of God) and redeemed us - ransomed us!- so that we might have eternal life if we believe with all of our very being that He is the Savior!
Following are some Scriptures concerning salvation:
Remember, repentance for your sins and past life of ignoring God, is also necessary! And once we are saved, being imperfect, we will still sometimes sin, even unintentionally, and we must pray for forgiveness and repent of our sins daily. Beware if you intentionally sin and have no regret, no remorse for disobeying God ! If you habitually sin without it searing your conscience and thereby do not sincerely repent and pray for forgiveness, then you may not be truly born again !
"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." - Matthew 4:17
At the time someone gives his life and heart to Jesus in full belief and faith, in a sense that is a form of repenting (my opinion) , because many when first converted do not understand completely about repentance at the beginning! They may be "sorry" (better yet, remorseful in true grief and guilt) for their past sinful life, yes; but true repentance is shown by how they live their lives after being saved - after being born again !
"(For He hath said, 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
"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 on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend - and life!
Somehow, my photograph above reminds me of how some people live only for pleasure (such as surfing and other water sports), not to mention the darker types of pleasure involving deep dark sinful practices and lewd conduct. Don't get me wrong ! God wants us to take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of His creation; in the many blessings He provides. Go surf! Go on adventure trips! Enjoy life! Just do not forget God! Do not forget the One Who created you and Who loves you! We should always put God first in our lives, as Christians are well aware of.
An excellent example of putting the good Lord first and of obeying Him completely is Hosea. Hosea was a prophet of the Old Testament times who put his wants and desires aside and did exactly as God told him. In fact, in the following 48 minute sermon by Pastor Charles Lawson, the pastor clarifies vividly and clearly how Hosea actually lived out the experiences of the prophecy he proclaimed and taught....His life was the message !
Please realize this sermon is relevant to you and me today! Many spiritual gems are to be found and digested and savored in Pastor Lawson's excellent teaching on Hosea! For instance, when Hosea paid money to get back his wife, Gomer, (giving her another chance), it was like Hosea - in a sense - "ransomed her"- and it is a picture of the coming "Redeemer" ( meaning Jesus Christ). God loves you, and there is no greater love than that! Personally, that is what keeps many believers, and myself, hanging on for dear life to the blessed hope we have in God and Jesus. (Titus 2:13-14).
* * * * * *
Amazing how recently I read a portion of a small book by D. L. Moody that fits in with our discussion on this post. I have had that book for several years, but only very recently read this portion concerning the difference between the love of Jesus in contrast to other religions:
Moody: "Christianity alone will stand the test of raising man out of the pit. And how does it propose to do it? Not by minimizing the danger and need. It says: "The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds and bruises and putrefying sores." It demands as the first necessity a new birth, regeneration by the Holy Spirit. "Ye must be born again." It does not place sanctification before justification, but having first imparted life from above, it throws around the redeemed sinner the love of Christ and the fellowship and guidance of the Holy Spirit. ...
"A converted Chinaman once said: "I was down in a deep pit, half sunk in the mire, crying for someone to help me out. As I looked up I saw a venerable, grayhaired man looking down at me.
"My son,' he said, 'this is a dreadful place.'
"' Yes,' I answered, 'I fell into it: can't you help me out?'
" 'My son, ' was his reply, 'I am Confucius. If you had read my books and followed what they taught, you would never have been here.'
" 'Yes, father,' I said, 'but can't you help me out?'
" As I looked, he was gone. Soon I saw another form approaching, and another man bent over me, this time with with closed eyes and folded arms. He seemed to be looking to some far-off place.
" 'My son,' Buddha said, 'just close your eyes and fold your arms, and forget all about yourself. Get into a state of rest. Don't think about anything that can disturb. Get so still that nothing can move you. Then, my child, you will be in such delicious rest as I am.'
" ' Yes, father, ' I answered, ' I will when I am above ground. Can't you help me out?' But Buddah, too, was gone.
I was just beginning to sink into despair when I saw another figure above me, different from the others. There were marks of suffering on His face. I cried out to Him:
" ' O, Father! can you help me?'
" 'My child,' He said, ' what is the matter?'
" Before I could answer Him, He was down in the mire by my side. He folded His arms about me and lifted me up; the He fed me and rested me. When I was well He did not say: ' Now don't do that again,' but He said: 'We will walk on together now'; and we have been walking together until this day. "
"This was a poor Chinaman's way of telling of the compassionate love and help of the Lord Jesus." - end of Moody's quote.
The Chinaman's relating of how Jesus is so loving and compassionate and merciful, made me misty eyed. And in the above sermon video by Pastor Lawson, he mentions that our attitude should be to "Look into the face of the devil and sing "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me." What a wonderful hymn that is! For a long time I would actually cry when it was sung in church services (not loud and audibly, but usually with tears flowing down my face) , because that beautiful hymn made me realize all the gratitude I should have for the Lord for saving a sinner so great as I ! And it also made me realize how greatly He loves His children - even me! Here is a lovely version of that much loved hymn:
"The name of Jesus is greater than any of your problems and any of your pain. When in the middle of a spiritual battle that you cannot explain - claim the name of Jesus !!" - So the following encouraging video tells us ! Please watch the 12 minute video by the fantastic Christian You Tube Channel "Grace For Purpose". It will encourage you and strengthen you with its message!
"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 after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." - Titus 3:4-7
"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
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
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!
My photograph of the deer was taken from the window of my home in Texas, which was in a beautiful and awesome community centered around a very large lake. The deer were in the area long before the homes were built, and these calm and quiet gentle animals still claimed the land there as their territory. I had several bird feeders hanging from a large, low branch of a tree outside one of my windows, and the deer would come and eat the bird seed which fell to the ground; which eventually led to my buying "deer corn" just for these sweet animals. They felt safe outside my home, and I was treated year after year when the females would bring their fawns (sometimes twin fawns) to feed on the corn I provided. Where am I going with all of this? Well, for the most part deer are meek and quiet. Kinda like we should be around other people, but especially so where the Heavenly Father is concerned.
"As a deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for Thee, O God." - Psalm 42:1
A deer needs water not only for nourishment, but as a source (such as a brook or small lake or pond, etc.) which will erase its scent and trail. Just as the good Lord provided food and a means of escape for the deer, He also provides us, His children, with food for our body and soul, and He also provides a way for us to escape from whatever might harm us, physically and spiritually. Someone has said, "evil loses its pursuit trail when we are truly and whole heartedly and often in God's Holy Word, the Bible. Let our souls pant for God's Word."
The main message of this post concerns Matthew 5:5 in which Jesus tells us: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." This is part of our Lord's "Sermon on the Mount", also known as the Beatitudes. Most of us already know what "meek" means, but here are a few words from Bible Commentators on what Jesus meant here at Matthew 5:5:
Albert Barnes' Notes: "Meekness is patience in the reception of injuries. It is neither meanness nor a surrender of our rights; nor cowardice; but it is the opposite of sudden anger, malice, or long-harbored vengeance. Christ insisted on His right when He said, "If I have done evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou Me?" And yet Christ was the very model of meekness. It was one of His characteristics. (Matthew 11:29) So was the apostle Paul meek. No man endured more wrong, or endured it more patiently than he. ... Meekness is the reception of injuries with a belief that God will vindicate us. ..... Meekness produces peace. It is proof of true greatness of soul. "
Pulpit Commentary: "...[Meekness and Humility] is an inwrought grace of the soul, and the exercises of it are first and chiefly towards God .(Matthew 11:29; James 1:21). It is the temper of spirit in which we accept God's dealings with us as good and therefore without disputing or resisting. (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:12; Zephaniah 3:12) - because it is only the humble heart which is also meek and which, as such, does not fight against God, and more or less struggle and contest with Him."
Back in February of 2017, there was an article I wrote on "The Beauty of Meekness". that had a 48 minute video sermon by Charles Spurgeon titled : "Blessed Are the Meek". If interested, here is that link:
Right now, let us consider Psalm 149:4 = "For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation."
That Psalm was quoted on the link above, but not explained in any depth.
Charles Spurgeon's comment on Psalm 149:4 : "This meekness makes a Christian attractive. If we want to draw othersto Christ, we must let them see how sweetly blessed is the Christian life and how a man can be sternly upright, and yet at the same time be blessedly cheerful; how he can be dead against sin, and yet full of holy love to the sinner; how he would not to save his life, budge an inch from that which is right and true, and yet would give his life away if by blessing another he might bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. Beautify us thus with salvation, and great good will come of it."
W. Bolland comment (on The Biblical Illustrator): "The garment of salvation: it was wrought by the Son of God, and like Himself, is "holy without spot." - The glory of salvation: How beautiful will he be in the palm of victory in his hand, and the crown of glory on his head, and sitting down with the wedding garment wrought by the Son of God Himself, at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. "
Related to our discussion here, following is an 11 minute audio sermon by A.W. Tozer titled "Meekness and Rest" from his book (read by another person) titled "The Pursuit of God."
In the above sermon, Tozer says: "Jesus calls us to His rest, and meekness is His method. To have true meekness is to become as little children."
If you go full screen on the above sermon clip, you will see comments by Tozer concerning his book "The Pursuit of God." It will bless you to read it all. Here is a portion of what he wrote: "Desire God above all! Be athirst to taste for yourselves the piercing sweetness of the love of Christ about Whom all the holy prophets did write and the psalmists did sing. .. The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate knowledge of God, that they may enter into Him, that they may delight in His Presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the core and center of their hearts."
{A.W. Tozer was an American pastor and author and lived from 1897 to 1963).
[Canadian Geese at Greenlake - Seattle, Washington]
"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting.... Welcome it and thank God for it as a cup of blessing. " - Ralph Waldo Emerson
"If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud." - C.S. Lewis
"They always win who side with God." - Frederick W. Taber
"The aim is to manifest the glory of God in human life; to live the life hid in Christ in God in human conditions. Our human relationships are the actual conditions in which the ideal life of God is to be exhibited." - Oswald Chambers
[From Baby Makapu'u Beach - Oahu, Hawaii]
The good Lord knows that we will never be perfect this side of Heaven, but that is what his Word tells us to endeavor to do. (Matthew 5:48). Meaning we need to rely on His strength to do so (although perfection is beyond us finite humans). It is the heart God looks at! Remember how terribly King David of old sinned with Bathsheba and on top of that, had her husband murdered !! As stated before on this blog and in the Bible - of course - God still called David a man after His own heart. (Acts 13:22) When we sin, we must feel true remorse and repent, as King David did. We must confess our sins to God, and then turn from them.... not making sin a lifestyle with no remorse or guilt.
Jesus will return very soon - as promised - to take true believers in Him as the Savior to be with Him in Heaven before the 7 year Tribulation begins.
Are you Rapture ready?
Time is short! Don't delay !
Jesus will welcome you with open arms and embrace you in His love and forgiveness !
Are you born again ? It is a spiritual rebirth - the Holy Spirit from God the Father indwells a person who is truly born again - who is truly saved by faith and belief in Jesus Christ as the Savior (Ephesians 1:13); making that person clean in the eyes of God because God sees that newly saved person as looking through His Son Jesus - the Redemption found at the Cross when Jesus shed His precious blood so that we may be "washed and cleansed " by His blood when we come to true belief in Him as the Redeemer- the Savior, the Lamb of God.
Following are salvation Scriptures for the unsaved to take to heart and act upon!
"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
Do not forget that true repentance is also needed ! But the main thing is - first - just to believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior !!
"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." - Matthew 4:17
Sometimes, with some people, a true understanding of repentance comes later - after the understanding of faith in the Savior, Jesus. By that, meaning that they do not grasp everything all at once (they are babes in Christ - 1 Corinthians 3:1) - but their faith and belief in Jesus is true and they understand that, although as they grow in faith and pray and read the Holy Word of God - the Bible - they comprehend more as time goes on. That is why it is important for all believers to spend time in fellowship with the good Lord! Pray often, learn to know the characteristics and attributes of the good Lord by reading the Bible.
That is what it is all about! Not a religion, but a relationship. A close, intimate, personal, loving, living and true communing relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ! If you do that, you will grow and blossom and thrive in the Lord like you never thought possible !!
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend - and Life!
My photograph above was taken at Waikiki Beach. The black-crowned night heron found a perch on a warning sign about the high surf that day. Concerning the seriousness of this information in this article today, it seemed an appropriate photo to use here to begin the discussion.
The world is in big trouble! Anyone who keeps up with the news and current events is well aware of that fact. Most of you are aware of how the governments are lately and frequently releasing previously classified and top-secret information concerning UFO sightings; recently being called UAP for Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon.
Have you ever wondered why all of a sudden governments are so eager to let the public be told all this? There is a definite reason. It will be the New World Order's way of explaining away the disappearance of millions of people all at once very soon: meaning, of course, the Rapture of true believers when Jesus Christ returns to take them to heaven ! ( to spare them from the coming 7 Year Tribulation, and more). Again, meaning the worlds' governments will probably lie and deceive the people left behind by telling them that aliens abducted and removed the Christians from earth! ( so the following videos imply!)
Let the following video's verify and explain this!
First is a year old video by ProphecyWatchers.com with host Gary Stearman and his guest L.A. Marzulli who studies profusely and is an expert on many subjects, including UFO's. It is a 29 minute video titled: "The Great UFO Deception."
And here is a follow-up video on the one above, posted on 1-8-21. Again, it is 29 minutes and is from prophecywatchers.com with guest L.A. Marzulli and titled: "What does the Bible say about UFO's?"
The above video is of great interest to Christians especially, because host Gary Stearman and guest L.A. Marzulli give us a Biblical understanding of the UFO subject as well as the "chariots ("chariots of fire"), the whirlwind, the wheels in Ezekiel and much more !
One thing to make clear: Scripture does NOT support the belief of aliens from outer space! The videos posted here make it clear that these are actually fallen angels - turned into demons - that we are dealing with! A Great Deception, indeed !
For several years I have been aware of much that is discussed in these informative videos; however, I chose not to focus on all that on this blog. This blog is primarily to promote the KING, JESUS CHRIST; THE HEAVENLY FATHER; THE HOLY SPIRIT; AND GOD'S KINGDOM, AND THE SALVATION OF THE SOULS OF MANKIND!! With some Bible Prophecy thrown in as well.
Well, the fact that we are so close to Jesus' return, and so much is happening to possibly deceive even believers themselves, the above and a bit more below on the subject of the true meaning of UFO's and demons seemed timely and even necessary to include now on this blog !
A short 8 minute video clip by "Christ in Prophecy" follows with an interview with Pastor Billy Crone. It is interesting what the Pastor tells us about how even secular experts who study UFO's feel now about the true origin of these craft.
A very recent 29 minute video, published 6-14-21, by prophecywatchers.com, deals with "Project Jehovah and UAP's" - And, once again, stresses the "great deception" soon to come.
The devil and his minions are very active now in these last moments of the end times! They know their time is short, and they are particularly after true, devoted Christians! The evil one already has the godless and evil people right where he wants them; satan particularly hates Christians and wants to bring them down in his grasp. He once had you there, until you gave your heart and life in true belief and faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ. The devil loves to make you miserable ! - With many afflictions and trials, etc. But you are NOW a child of God! The blood of Jesus covers you and protects you!
Following is a video by the wonderful Christian You Tube Channel "Lion of Judah." It has been posted previously on this blog, but here it is again as a reminder for you that you, as a Christ-follower, are protected by the blood of Jesus! One of the following narrators in the video below on the blood of Jesus, is Reinhard Bonnke!
One last- but important and encouraging - video for you! It is found on another special Christian You Tube Channel - "Grace For Purpose." It is only ten minutes - please watch! It concerns our safety when we abide in the good Lord's presence - by obeying Him and having faith! It also mentions how the blood of Jesus will cover you and protect you.
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength." - Isaiah 26:3-4
"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." - Romans 8:6
"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
