"Deny Self And Follow Jesus" (Andrew Murray Video) - Inspirational Weekend

We live in a world of selfies, self-centeredness , selfishness, and people are generally only thinking of their own wants, desires, and interests.  Self-absorbed .  Plain and simple.  

This should never be true of Christians.   The word Christian is not used much by me, because so many people call themselves Christians when in reality they are worldly and carnal and not truly born again from above.   "Christ-followers" or "true believers" are better descriptions of those born again and who are endeavoring to live a holy life, one pleasing to the good Lord.  

"And He said to them all,  If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."  -   Luke 9:23  

So we see from Luke that following Jesus requires self-denial.  We do this by obeying the Lord and being completely dedicated to Him, and following in His footsteps and renouncing all notions of vainglory and any form of pride.  We also do not get involved with the sinful pleasures and fleshly delights like the people of the world do.   

Put God first.

Put other people next  (helping them and sharing the Gospel).

And last of all, consider yourself.

Consider the example of Christ.   What a true demonstration of self-denial was His Passion and Death.  

"For even Christ pleased not Himself..... "  -  Romans 15:3 a 

One of the most convicting sermons I have ever heard was today on You Tube.   It was concerning the denial of self and it was a 25 minute reading of the written words of Andrew Murray.  Please listen and benefit from this video which is below:

In Luke 9:23 Jesus also told us to "take up our cross daily."  What exactly does that mean?  

It means "Dying to self" or in being willing to die in order to follow Jesus.  It means absolute surrender to the Lord. It may also mean being shunned or persecuted.  In some parts of the world today, true believers are being murdered because of their faith in Jesus.

Jesus told us at Luke 9:24,25 :  "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.   For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?"

The last thing Jesus said in Luke 9:23 was to "follow Him."   When we are born again, we are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1,2), and we make a radical change in our lives by the help of the Holy Spirit.   We think on things above, and our main desire is to please the good Lord and to draw ever closer to Him.   By doing all this and by obeying Him and loving Him with all of our heart, mind, strength and soul  (Mark 12:30) -  by all of these things we are following Jesus.   We endeavor to imitate Christ as best we can in these ways.  

All this is possible when you read your Bible and get to know the Lord and His attributes.  His Word is like Him speaking to you and guiding you.    You also follow Jesus when you are often in prayer.  Jesus was perfect and sinless, yet He felt the need and the desire to pray to His Father frequently.  How much more should we imperfect mortals  pray without ceasing! (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

God wants to fellowship with you.  What He desires is a close, personal, intimate love relationship with you through Jesus Christ.  A person gets to know someone by communicating with him often.  We do that with the Lord by being on our knees in prayer often.

Here is a beautiful song by Jamie Cortez titled "Take Up Your Cross:"

To any unbelievers who are reading this, you need Jesus!  We are living in the end times..... the last "hour" of the end times.  We know this by many Bible prophecies converging right now all at once (or beginning to happen; precursors).   Israel is God's prophetic time clock.  Watch Middle East events closely.  One prophecy that could occur at any time now is the destruction of Damascus as foretold at Isaiah 17:1.   Another prophecy about to happen is Ezekiel 38 and 39  ..... the war of Gog and Magog.  Russia, Turkey, and Iran are all "friends" now and they and other nations will soon come against Israel, as prophesied in Ezekiel 38 and 39.

I say all of that to let you know the time is short.  Jesus will return soon at the Rapture of the Church, and only true believers will be taken to heaven to escape the horror and destruction to take place after the Rapture and during the 7 year Tribulation.  

Turn to Jesus before it is too late!

He will welcome you with love and forgiveness !

Sincerely repent and pray to the Lord for forgiveness.  You must believe that Jesus is the Savior, whose shed blood at Calvary can wash away your sins..... wipe the slate clean; if you have faith in Jesus and surrender all to Him.

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

("For 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

"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

"Will Earth Be Hit By Fire From The Sky - by a CME?" - Inspirational Weekend

Before I discuss the main topic (Fire From the Sky- a CME), I wanted to share a video concerning breaking news in the Middle East.   As many of you know, Israel is God's prophetic time clock;  much of prophecy revolves around the tiny nation of Israel, God's covenant people forever.  Russia, Turkey and Iran have joined forces, so to speak, to form what Kevin Clarkson of Prophecy in the News calls a strategic triangle. This is exactly what is prophesied in Ezekiel 38 and 39, and is a prelude to the war of Gog and Magog.   Following is a very short video concerning this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgsUTCI4WWY

Now, speaking of fire from the sky, 4 years ago, July 23, 2012, earth had a near miss with a CME, or a coronal mass ejection from a powerful storm on the sun; the strongest in over 150 years.  We all went about our business as usual, oblivious to the danger we almost encountered, as the media did not tell us about the event till much later.  Here is a link to one article about its occurance.   

Whereas a solar flare is mostly local events on the sun, CME's are large bubbles of magnetized gas (liquid fire....plasma like) which erupt into space.   Here is more information about them. A natural EMP disaster, like a CME, would render the whole planet into a shut down scenario.   Following is a video with much valuable information on all this that takes us to prophecy in the book of Revelation.   

In case you did not watch the above video,  I will highlight some of the information in it.   In a previous post I shared Revelation 8:7-9 , which Brent Miller in the above video also talks about.

Revelation 8:7 says, "The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up."   According to Brent Miller, this is describing a CME; liquid fire and hail, and mixed with blood from people on airplanes being killed and blood from any birds killed during the CME blast.   

Revelation 8:8 follows:  "And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;  (verse 9 says:)  "And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed."  Miller believes this is describing a supervolcano in the ocean.   

The verses above and following are describing what is known as the trumpet judgments.   Revelation 8:10-11 says,  (10) "And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; (11)  And the name of the star was Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter."  This "star" is probably a meteor.

Keep in mind the above Scriptures are referring to what happens during the Tribulation period when God is using His wrath to execute vengeance and judgment on ungodly and wicked mankind.   True believers will not go through the Tribulation as they would have already been raptured to heaven prior to this Tribulation.

I urge you to watch the video above as Brent Miller is quite the scholar and prophecy expert and he gives you valuable information in a clear and concise manner.  In the video he discusses many other interesting facts that I did not highlight here.   Keep in mind what one famous preacher has said:

"The LORD has His own sovereign modes of action: He is not tied to manner and time as we are, but doeth as He pleases among the sons of men."  -  Charles Spurgeon

Although believers will not experience the Tribulation, things might get worse for us before that time. As many of you are aware of, Christians right now are suffering persecutions and beheadings and other hardships.   We need to remember what Joshua 1:9 says,  "Have I not commanded thee?  Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."  - Hebrews 13:5     See also Deuteronomy 31:6.

There is a verse at Deuteronomy 28:34 that is speaking of another time and place, but could possibly be applicable to the Tribulation period:  "So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see."  -  King James Version.   Following is the same verse in the Contemporary English Version (CEV) : "What you see will be so horrible that you will go insane."  That will be the case, maybe, of many in the Tribulation.   You do not want to be on earth during that time !   I urge you to make sure you get right with the Lord before it is too late and you miss going to heaven in the soon to happen Rapture.

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

Think Russia, Turkey, Iran Alliance - Think End Times Upon Us (With Videos)

I have written often on various end time Bible prophesies.  Go to the above right on this page where you see the Search box and type in "end times,  the Rapture, the Tribulation, mark of the beast" and other terms pertaining to various Bible prophecies and previous posts on those topics will pop up for you to view. I write about such subjects because I feel the urgency of these perilous days we find ourselves living in now, and because believers are urged by the Lord to spread His Word.  Bible prophecy is approximately 1/3 of the contents found in God's Holy Word, and many have come to faith in Jesus upon learning we are in the last days, and that the Bible predicts the future and that much of what is happening now was foretold in its pages.  But, of course, also because Jesus is the only way to heaven, and those who put their faith and trust in Him, believing Him to be the Savior of all who surrender to Him, will have everlasting life. 

"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

Following is a  19 minute video focusing primarily on Ezekiel 38 and the recent alliance of Russia, Turkey, and Iran.  It features pastors Don Stewart and Jack Hibbs.  

Ezekiel 38:1-3 tells us, (1)" And the word of the Lord came unto me saying, (2) Son of man, set thy face against Gog the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, (3)  And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:"

Ezekiel 38 then lists the countries that will ally themselves with Gog to go against Israel in an effort to destroy Israel.  All of those countries are right now in place preparing to come against Israel very soon, by all indications.  If we are that close to the Ezekiel 38 and Ezekiel 39 war, then we must be ever so close to the time when Jesus returns to take us home with Him !!

I urge you to please read all of Ezekiel 38 as well as Ezekiel 39.

Following is another video (56 minutes in length), with a sermon by Jack Hibbs and also a sermon by Amir Tsarfati, which pertain to being ready for our "visitation" soon: the return of Jesus.  Both sermons refer to the recent alliance of Russia, Turkey, and Iran.  Amir Tsarfati reminds us that "The whole prophetic aspect of the Bible is all about Jesus."   He also warns us that, "People who don't know the time of their visitation cannot escape the calamity."

We should "occupy' until Jesus returns.  That means, besides normal activities such as your job, you should be busy telling others about Jesus and His soon return.

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

Be watchful !  Be ready !

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

"Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."                     -  Matthew 24:44

Middle East Update (Video by Amir Tsarfati - February 4, 2019)

Things seem to be escalating in the Middle East; signs of war and signs of to be fulfilled Bible prophecy.  It is all indicative of the end times in which we find ourselves living right now.

Following is a recent update on events in the Middle East and Israel.  It is by Amir Tsarfati with Pastor Barry Stagner.  Amir always gives accurate and informative updates as he has inside information -- much of which he cannot publish, but much of which he can tell us nonetheless.  The 42 minute video was filmed at the Sea of Galilee.  

Here is an article at Raptureforums.com about January, 2019, events in Israel and the Middle East .  The author makes a statement that he believes the Rapture of true believers and the battle of Gog and Magog are soon to occur, and perhaps that they will happen about the same time or close together.  Go here for that brief but interesting article.

Life goes on as usual for most people, as many are oblivious to the signs of the end times and how close we are to the Rapture.  It is true, believer or not, that life must continue on with our everyday affairs  such as work and school and the like.  But we need to occupy until the Lord returns:

"And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come."  -   Jesus at Luke 19:13

I have discussed this in a previous article, but basically it means to occupy yourself with the Lord's work: preaching and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, all the while watching your conduct and living a godly life and putting the good Lord first in your life.

"But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven neither the Son, but the Father."

-  Jesus at Mark 13:32 

We are to live and preach as if Jesus could return at any minute.  Although we do not know the day or the hour when He will return, the Bible does tell us the signs of when His return is near.  Read  Mark 13, Matthew 24, and Luke 21 for some of the signs of His return; the "season" in which He comes for His Bride, the church.

Please make sure you are ready for His return.  Make sure you are born again (John 3:3).   You do that by repenting of your sins, and turning to Jesus in belief as Him as the Savior, believing that His shed blood at Calvary can wash away your sins if you have trust and faith in Him.  

Don't delay.

Time is short.

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

ONLY GOD CAN PROTECT US ! - ENCOURAGEMENT FOR YOU! (Videos) - Inspirational Weekend

 

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 !

How To Find Joy And Peace" - Inspirational Weekend

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fullness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."  -  Psalm 16:11

This morning my Bible study for the day was Acts 2:28, where Peter quotes from Psalm 16 and says, "Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance."

The word "countenance" is referring to God's "presence."  Knowing that God is truly near and present gives one great joy; as does His answers to  prayer. It gives you a sense of peace and contentment and safety when the good Lord's presence is felt.  And most of all you feel loved.  You are loved.   God is love  (1 John 4:8).

"Joy is not necessarily the absence of suffering.  It is the presence of God."  -  Sam Storms

Nehemiah 8:10 b tells us ".... for the joy of the Lord is your strength."  

One commentator tells us concerning Nehemiah 8:10 b,  "Religious joy, properly tempered with continual dependency on the help of God, meekness of mind, and self-diffidence, is a powerful means of strengthening the soul.  In such a frame of mind no man ever fell, and in such a state of mind the general health of the body is much improved; a cheerful heart is not only a continual feast, but also a continual medicine."

This morning I also read again Psalm 16.  Please turn there and read about not only king David, but how this Psalm also speaks of the prophesied resurrection of Christ.  Pay special attention to verses 8 to 11.  I have already quoted verse 11 and  will now quote  verses 8 to 10 :

(8) I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.  (9) Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: My flesh also shall rest in hope.   (10)  For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption."

Some mysteries in the Bible are hard to understand, but if you are a born again believer the Holy Spirit will help and guide you to understand the Holy Word.  Jesus' death and resurrection gives us the assurance that we too will be resurrected and live forever with the good Lord.  That is indeed something to be joyful about, and to live a life of obedience and gratitude towards the Lord. 

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."  -   Hebrews 12:2

"We should concentrate on Jesus, the goal and objective of our faith.  Our faith, which has its beginning in Him, is also completed in Him. "  -  King James Study Bible notes.

Think about how Jesus suffered, bled and died so that those who believe in Him as the Savior might have eternal life !  What love!

We are living in the last "hour" of the last days.  So many prophecies are in the process or the beginnings of fulfillment right now.  Remember, Israel is God's prophetic time clock.  In fact, the entire 7 year Tribulation is to bring Israel to its knees in acknowledgement that Jesus is the Messiah they are looking for.  Isaiah 17:1 could be fulfilled at any time, where it says that Damascus will be destroyed and become "a ruinous heap."  If you look at any photos of present day Damascus, a good portion of it is destroyed already.   Also, the Gog/Magog war of Ezekiel 38 and 39  may happen soon, as Russia, Iran, and Turkey have become "good buddies" and will soon come against Israel as shown in Ezekiel 38.... they as well as other surrounding nations will come against Israel in this war.

We live in the end times.  Now is the time to put your faith and trust in Jesus as the Savior if you have not already done so.  Before the Tribulation period, Jesus will Rapture all true believers to be with Him in heaven.  They will be with the Lord and will escape the wrath of God to come upon the ungodly and unrepentant persons left on earth after the Rapture.   The Tribulation will be a time of destruction and horrors and hell on earth.

Don't be left behind!

Go to the Lord in heartfelt prayer and confess your sins and repent never to return to your sins again; ask God for forgiveness.  Put your faith in Jesus as the Savior and  believe in His resurrection.

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

"Jesus 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

The main thing is to believe with all of your being that Jesus is the Savior and the only way to eternal life.   If you are truly converted, you will bear much fruit and good works will follow.  Works do not save you, but they are proof that you are truly saved and have put all of your trust in the good Lord.  You will want to serve the Lord out of love and gratitude.

BELIEVE !

Jesus is waiting to receive you with open arms full of love and 

forgiveness !

He will give you peace and joy !

Have a blessed and Christ centered life !!

Iran Soon To Have Nuclear Weapons - Israel Cannot Destroy Iran's Nuclear Reactors !

I have said many times that Israel is God's prophetic time clock. The Lord made an everlasting covenant with Israel in ancient days, and He considers them His covenant people, His chosen people, to this very day.  Bible prophecy revolves around the Jewish nation.   And no, the Church did not replace Israel as some proclaim.  The heavenly Father will soon rapture the Church to heaven by Jesus Christ.   Except for Messianic Jews, the Jewish people will be left to go through the 7 - year tribulation period after the Rapture of true believers, which is very, very near.  Two thirds of Israel will perish during the tribulation period, but at the end the remnant will come to know Jesus Christ.  (Zechariah 12 and 14).

I strongly urge you to read Ezekiel 38 and 39.  Current events are a precursor to the Rapture and the Battle of Gog and Magog. These are the end times, the last days.

Following is a very recent video by Amir Tsarfati concerning the Middle East situation.  Israel is very vulnerable right now as things are escalating in the nations of that part of the world.  Amir discusses Iran, Syria, the Russians, Iran's nuclear reactors, and much more in this 20 minute video.

The churches today, or many of them, are just downright lukewarm. This is partly due to the fact that the pastors are not preaching the Rapture and end times Bible prophecy.  Most Christians do not realize where we are on the prophetic time clock.  It is urgent for them to wake up and be watchful and ready for the Lord Jesus Christ to return to take them home to heaven.   Prophecy is not on hold.  God is in control and things are not falling apart, but instead are coming together exactly as prophesied.

Now is the time to surrender your life to Jesus and His will.  Repent of your sins and ask the Lord to forgive you.  It is the time to be walking ever so closely in Jesus' footsteps and to be busy doing the Lord's work and spreading the Gospel.  Live a godly life and serve others, thereby also serving the Lord.

"Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."  -  I Thessalonians 5:6

"Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come."  -  Jesus at Matthew 24:42

Middle East Turmoil - What's Next? (With Video featuring Andy Woods)

Everyone is aware of President Trump's visit to the Middle East as well as Rome.  This is prophetic!  Trump really wants peace for Israel and the Palestinians, and is working towards that goal.  But quite frankly, there will be no true peace in the region until the Prince of Peace (Jesus) returns and sets up His Millennial Kingdom.   

After the Rapture of true believers ( the Church, the Bride of Christ) the antichrist will make a covenant for peace with Israel which will begin the 7 year Tribulation, but it will be a false peace and a temporary one at that.  After signing the 7 year covenant with Israel, the antichrist will break it after three-and-a-half years.  

"And he (the antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (7 years): and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. "   -  Daniel 9:27

It should be mentioned here that although Israel will have a brief, false peace under the antichrist, there will no doubt be wars in other parts of the earth, as the antichrist goes conquering (Revelation 6:2)

But Christians living now will not have to worry about the antichrist or who he is, because we will be raptured before he comes on the scene, or is revealed.   We believers need to focus on Jesus and His soon return and live godly lives and be ready to meet Him in the air.   

"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."  -  2 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Therefore what is next - for believers - is the Rapture.  For those unbelievers who are left behind, more wars, cosmic disasters, and the wrath of God as He judges the ungodly left on earth to suffer the horrors of the Tribulation.  

Following is a video by prophecywatchers.com featuring Andy Woods' opinions on the "Middle East Meltdown", in which he discusses the Gog/Magog war and Ezekiel 38 as well as other insightful thoughts and conclusions.

It is Mr. Woods' opinion that Islam is furnishing the theological motivation for the Gog/Magog attack.   

"What the situation will be like in the world before the Lord returns, namely, Christ will be despised, and the preachers of the Gospel will be regarded as fools."  -  Martin Luther

"Such are the conditions prior to Judgment Day.  We need to learn from this and not fret when we see these things happening, but say: Christ predicted beforehand that the world would become so savage, coarse, greedy, and so on.  Well then!  That's the way it is; and it is even going to get worse."   -  Martin Luther

The above two quotes by Martin Luther sound very negative, but you have to admit what he said is very true of today...these last days we find ourselves living in now.   Read Matthew 24.  

The good news is, Christians have a blessed hope !   (Titus 2:13)  The hope of being raptured to heaven to be with the Lord forever!  We should be full of zeal to witness about Jesus to lost souls, especially since the time is short before His return.

Following is an uplifting song about when we shall see Jesus.

Let us remember that only Jesus can bring lasting peace to this world.   If you give your heart, soul, and life to Jesus and believe He is your Savior and repent of your sins and ask for God's forgiveness, you will have a certain degree of peace right now.  Peace in your soul, knowing you are right with the Lord.  You may still have trials and tribulations on this earth, but with the Holy Spirit's help,  you will have endurance and strength to persevere.  

"(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

"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."   -  Jesus at John 14:27

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"  -  Titus 2:13

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Time is short!

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

Are you Rapture ready?

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

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

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

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

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

Jesus loves you!

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

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

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

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

"Hope In A Troubled World" - (With J.D. Farag Video On End Times, and an Amir Tsarfati Video On Middle East Update And Prophecy) - Inspirational Weekend

In my photograph above, the koi are peaceful and calm.  Have you ever seen them in a feeding frenzy?  They get all aggressive and excited when being fed.   People today, because of the unstable times and the evil and the chaos and the violence are, in a sense, in a frenzy and anxious about what might happen to them and even what might happen to this planet.  Many are afraid of nuclear war.

Christians are asking, "How much longer, Lord?"

But God.  But for the hope He gives.

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."  -  Titus 2:13

Some believers say that the hope of Jesus' soon return is the only thing that keeps them hanging on.  As J.D. Farag says in the following 11 minute video clip "Many Christians are battle-weary."

Pastor Farag says that this season of darkness will end soon.  Let us look up for our redemption is close (Luke 21:28).  There is a link provided that takes you to the full sermon; I highly recommend that you do that.

Those of you who frequent this blog are familiar with evangelist Amir Tsarfati.  For those of you who are not acquainted with his ministry, he is a Messianic Jew who lives in Israel, and he travels the world preaching the Gospel and end times Bible Prophecies.

In the following 40 minute video, Amir is at present in Romania, preaching at various locations there.  He talks a bit about his time there, but most of the video is devoted to a Middle East Update and other related Bible Prophecy events.   He speaks of the nearness of the Rapture, the nearness of the Gog of Magog war and many things that we need to be aware of, as the time now is very short before Jesus returns to take His Bride, the Church, to be with Him in heaven.  

One thing of special interest that Amir tells us in this video, is the fact that 28 years ago Islamic powers vowed for the destruction of Israel and the collapse of America within 30 years.  Obviously, we are within 2 years of that happening.

In Matthew 24:34, in referring to the before listed end time events and occurances and signs, Jesus tells us:  

"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."

Amir and many others believe that we are part of that last generation.  When prophecy was fulfilled in 1948 when Israel again became a nation after almost 2000 years of being a scattered people throughout the world ---  that was the beginning of the end times.  It has been 71 years since that happened and we can be sure Jesus will return very soon.

"Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things?  Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day?  Or shall a nation be born at once?...... "   -  Isaiah 66:8

Israel became a nation in one day in 1948.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."  -  Romans 15:13  ESV

"Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer:"  -  Romans 12:12  KJV

Yes, we all thrive when there is hope in sight; we all need hope to keep us "keeping on".  The good Lord has provided us with much hope if we are true believers in Jesus Christ as the Savior.

But what if you are not born again?  are not saved and have never put your faith and hope in the Son of God, Jesus Christ?

"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

We all find living forever appealing, but it can only be so if you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, the Savior.   

Jesus loves you !

He is waiting to hear from you !

Don't delay! 

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

The good Lord has made salvation simple for us.

Admit you are a sinner.  Go to the Lord in prayer and ask for forgiveness in all sincerity.

Believe that Jesus is the Savior and that His shed blood at the cross can cleanse you of your sins.  Have faith in Him.  Surrender your life to Him.

Call on His name; Confess your sins and truly repent.  

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

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

"Jesus answered and said unto him,  If a man love Me, he will keep my words: and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."  -  John 14:23

Keep watching!

Keep looking up!

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

"What Is The Work Of God?" (A.W. Tozer Sermon; Salvation Sermon By Charles Lawson) - Inspirational Weekend.

To find out what the work of God is, let us read John 6:28,29 which follows:

(28) "Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?  (29) Jesus answered and said unto them,  This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent."

It is not works, but one work that is required, belief in Jesus Christ as the Savior.

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him......"  Hebrews 11:6 a

Believe in Jesus as the Savior, that is acceptable to God.  This you must do in order to be saved.  This is the work which sinners are to do. 

Following is a powerful 15 minute sermon clip by Pastor Charles Lawson on salvation.  He also discusses his own salvation experience. I urge you to watch this moving sermon, even if you are already saved; you may want to direct unsaved loved ones to listen to it.

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

Nothing we can do of ourselves (works) can earn us salvation.  It is the gift of God.

A. W. Tozer tells us that many believers feel needing God [Jesus] plus something else is the trouble with us in the following 2 minute sermon clip:

The one thing we need to remember is that we should trust God and Jesus with everything.  Put them first in your life.

Much has been written on this blog about how we are living in the last moments of the last days.  Go to the search box in the upper right hand side of this page and enter such things as "Rapture", "end times", "7 year tribulation", "Gog Magog War of Ezekiel 38 and 39"and various other topics and several articles will pop up for you to read.

The point being, that Jesus will return very soon for His true believers and take them to be in Heaven with Him while the horrors of the 7 year Tribulation period will be suffered by those left behind; those who never believed in Jesus as the Savior.

Are you Rapture ready?

You must be truly born again from above, truly saved, to be Raptured to Heaven with Jesus.  

Do not delay!  

("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

Admit that you are a sinner and in need of a Savior. ( Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23)

Believe in your heart and your soul and all your very being that Jesus is the Savior and the only way to heaven  (John 14:6;  Romans 10: 9,10,13)

Call on Jesus and confess that He is the Savior, whose Redemptive work and shed blood at Calvary can wash all your sins away and make you a new creation in Him when you come to Him in faith (Romans 10:9, 10,13;  2 Corinthians 5:17)

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

Time is running out !  

Turn to Jesus in faith now, before it is too late!

Jesus will welcome you with open arms of love and forgiveness.

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

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."  -  Acts 4:12

Hebrews 2:3, 4 tells us: (3) "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him; (4) God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?"

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed."  -  Romans 13:11

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

"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 !!