WHEN YOUR VERY FOUNDATIONS ARE SHAKEN ! (With Videos - One A Sermon by Pastor Charles Lawson)

                                           [Above Diamond Head Beach - Oahu, Hawaii]

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

God loves you !

Have blessed day!

" Meekness - It's Beauty And Importance and Why" - (Video Sermon by A.W. Tozer) - Christian Quotes - Inspirational Weekend

 

                                              [American deer, Texas]

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:

https://inspiringnaturephotography.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-beauty-of-meekness-inspirational.html

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 others to 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!

 

"ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL MOURNER?" (Sermon Video By Pastor Chuck Smith) - (A.W. Tozer Devotional) - INSPIRATIONAL WEEKEND

 

                                       [Rainbow at Waimea Bay, North Shore - Oahu, Hawaii]

Rainbows are very special to me.  They remind me of God and His promises.  But not only that, if there are difficulties to face with uncertain consequences, viewing a rainbow cheers me and makes me feel that God is near.  Of course, when you are a true believer in the Savior Jesus Christ, you realize that the good Lord is always with you!   But we need to sometimes be reminded of that, and a rainbow does that for me.

"Thou art near, O LORD, and all Thy commandments are truth."  -  Psalm 119:151

"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the LORD God, that I may declare all Thy works."  -  Psalm 73:28

So, what exactly is meant by spiritual mourning?  First, here is what Jesus had to say when He gave the Sermon on the Mount (the Beatitudes):

 "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."  -   Matthew 5:4

 

As stated above, it is a spiritual mourning, and not that of a melancholy disposition, nor sorrow over temporary distress, nor for destroyed hopes, and not even for the sorrow when we find ourselves in adversity of any type.  The main cause of this of this mourning Jesus spoke of is because of sin.    And for sin itself  rather than for the consequences of sin.  Even sorrow for secret sins; for sin as seen in the sight of our precious Lord Jesus.   Because as King David of old said: 

"Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight: that Thou mightest be justified when Thou speakest, and be clear when Thou judgest."    - Psalm 51:4

"Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."  -  Psalm 51:9-10

King David sinned really big time during his life.  Psalm 51 deals with his repentance over his adultery with Bathsheba and of causing the murder of her husband.  How bad is that!  Yet David had true godly sorrow over his sins, and true repentance.   And God still felt about and called David "a man after His own heart"!

" .....  He raised up unto them David to be their king to whom also He gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all My will."   -  Acts 13:23

Also, remember how the apostle Peter denied Christ three times in one night, and when the Lord looked intently at him after his cruel denial, Peter wept bitterly.  Godly sorrow! Repentance!

 

 [ North Shore - Oahu, Hawaii]

Christians also mourn - and deeply - the sins of others.  This is especially true of family member's sins, but also of others - even to mourn the sins of one's nation and its leaders!  Jeremiah the prophet felt that way about his nation of Israel as seen in the following verses:

"Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!  On that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men."  -   Jeremiah 9:1,2

One Bible commentator has said:  "The mourning which will entitle a man to blessedness has these qualifications:  It is spontaneous and free: it must come as water out of a spring and not as fire from a flint.  The mourning is spiritual:  when we mourn for sin more than suffering.  We must mourn for sin as it is.  It is  (1) an act of hostility and enmity that affronts and resists the Holy Spirit. (2) sin is an ingratitude in its unkindness against God; (3)  A privation that keeps good things from us, and hinders our communion with God.

 

The same commentator tells us: "that  - with hope - believing that though our tears drop to the earth, our FAITH must reach heaven.    Our mourning must be joined with hatred of sin.  We must not only abstain from sin, but abhor it.   The dove hates the least feather of the hawk;  A true mourner hates the least motion to sin.   ....... Our mourning for sin must be constant.  ... A daily weeping, a daily mourning."

And concerning the mourner's being comforted:  "Spiritual comforts are pure:  they are not mudded with guilt, nor mixed with fear; they are the pure wine of the Spirit.  What the mourner feels is joy. The comforts God gives His mourners are sweet, for the love of God shed into the heart is said to be better than wine.  (Song of Solomon 1:2)   {The comforts from God} are Holy.  Divine comforts give the soul more acquaintance with God.  {These comforts} are satisfying as they fill the heart and make it run over; they are powerful; they strengthen for duty, and they support us under affliction.  ... The comforts of the Spirit are immortal and eternal.  Oh, how superlative are these comforts!"  (Comments from "The Biblical Illustrator")

Following is a 44 minute sermon on this subject and Matthew 5:4 by Pastor Chuck Smith, who was the founder of the Calvary Chapel Churches.  Pastor Smith passed away a few years ago.

Following is a quote from A.W. Tozer, who was an American preacher and author and he passed away in 1963.  

"What a strange paradox!  The atheistic free thinker rants and raves about the Bible being a "dangerous" book at the very same time that the Word Of God is speaking to my soul!  Strange indeed that some humans have the idea that the Word Of God can only be approached with shivering fears.  But that is true only of those who love their sin and hate their Savior.  The blessed truth is that if I hate my sin and love my Savior, the Word of God is a wonderful revelation, indeed, and a trustworthy guide.  We need to be aware always that if we do not keep the Word of God on our side, we will be miserable in our souls continually.  It is up to us.  What do we sincerely will to do with God and His revealed Word?   Years ago, the saintly George Mueller said he had read the Bible hundreds of times, and then he added, "with meditation."  Let us see to it that we read the Word.  More than that, we should actually explore it!"

 

 

[Dawn -  Ala Moana Beach Park -  Oahu, Hawaii]

Has it dawned on you that we are now living in the last moments of the end of this dispensation- the Age of Grace: The Church Age?  Look around you and you see all the signs of the beginning of the New World Order!   The signs that "the season" of Jesus' return is now upon us!   No one knows the day or the hour (but only our heavenly Father knows) when our blessed Savior will return for His true believers. (Matthew 24:36).   But the Bible and Jesus clearly gives us "signs" that His return is near.  Read Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21.  Much written there pertains to the tribulation period which follows the Rapture, true, but we see some of those signs happening NOW which means we must be in the "season" of our Lord's imminent return to take us heaven before the 7 year Tribulation begins. 

If Jesus returns today, or next week, or soon.....

Are you Rapture Ready?

  

  The main requirement is to believe that Jesus is the Savior and the only way to heaven and eternal life!    Jesus took our place on the Cross and paid our sin debt in full by shedding His precious blood (as the sacrificial Lamb of God) that we might be ransomed from our sins and forgiven by Him and God if we only have faith and believe! We are washed clean in Jesus' blood and when we are born again, and God sees us as saved from His wrath because God sees us through Jesus - we are cleansed  by the blood of Jesus!

 

Following are Scriptures that explain what Salvation entails.  If you are not a believer now in the Savior, it is urgent that you do so soon!   Eternity is a long time to spend in the wrong place : Hell !

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."  -  John 3:36

"But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received the atonement."  -   Romans 5:8-11

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

 

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

 

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

 

One thing to be sure to do,  is to repent  of your sins and to sincerely pray for forgiveness in order to receive the Lord's forgiveness and blessing.

 

Matthew 4:17  tells us:  "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say,  Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

 

 

 

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

 

PROPHECY NEWS - GOG AND MAGOG WAR - ISRAEL'S NEW GOVERNMENT (With Videos)

 High and powerful surf as in my photograph above taken on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, has always been awe inspiring to me !  For that matter, all of the good Lord's creation leaves me in awe of His power and His majesty!  Not only the beauty of creation, but just the astounding fact that He in His majesty and sovereignty and wisdom -  and the list goes on! -  that our loving heavenly Father, Who can be so tender and merciful and loving towards us finite humans also has the power to create such awesomeness as found in nature -  and the universe, for that matter.

Recently I was amazed by God's power in another way --  that the nation of Israel is changing government -  a part Jewish and part Muslim government - which will lead to the entrance of the Antichrist soon !  Which means that   Ancient Bible Prophecy about the end times is coming true right now!!  The Jews will be deceived (not realizing he is the antichrist), however it has recently  been brought to my attention that the antichrist himself who will soon take over will also be part Jewish and part Muslim.  

Isaiah 10:5-6 says: "O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down" like the mire of the streets."

 

  Maybe more about that later. However, according to one scholar, the recent (under President Trump) Abraham Peace Accords are part Jewish and part Muslim.

Following is a recent 51 minute video by Amir Tsarfati concerning not only the new Israeli government, but also information on how close might be the Gog and Magog war ! Amir is a Christian Jew with a thriving ministry.  You will learn much from his video below!   

 Unfortunately, for some reason I cannot paste that video here.  Please go to You tube at Behold Israel and enter "Amir Tsarfati-  Middle East Update: how close are we to to Gog and Magog?  - posted on June 3, 2021

 

Here is another recent video by prophecywatchers.com with host Gary Stearman and his guest Billy Crone as they discuss the Tribulation, the Temple, and the Antichrist.  Of interest in this 29 minute video below is a short animated clip of what the coming new temple in Jerusalem will look like!  Pastor Crone thinks that perhaps part of the covenant with the antichrist will be to have the New 3rd Temple to be built.  

In the above video, Pastor Crone mentions that when, eventually, the Jewish people (during the 7 Year Tribulation) realize that the antichrist has "duped"  them, the antichrist will slaughter about 2/3 of the Jewish people.   

There is more information concerning that slaughter at   https://christinprophecy.org/articles/the-jews-in-end-time-bible-prophecy/      Check out paragraphs 8 and 9 in the article above.  Scriptures are given there for reference, including Zechariah 13:8-9 and Revelation 12:13-17.

Please, while at the above link  at Christinprophecy.org  , scroll down to the heading "Prophecies Concerning the Church".  It mentions that at the end of the millennium  (after the tribulation and armageddon) then the millennium which is the 1000 year reign of Christ on Earth)  then at the end of the millennium "we will be removed from this earth to the "New Jerusalem" which the Lord has been preparing for us, and from that vantage point, we will witness the greatest fireworks display in history as God envelopes this earth in fire, burning away the pollution of satan's last revolt  (2 Peter 3:10-13)." the article goes on to say, "out of that fiery inferno will come the New Heavens and the New Earth where we will live forever in the New Jerusalem in the presence of God and Jesus."   

I just felt like I must quote that part of the article above  because so many teach that it will not be a literal fire and a literal destruction -- but instead, a cleansing of some sort.  

I apologize for the links not working properly for this article.  Long story about computer issues!  Please make an effort to check out the important links given here!  Great info !

[Waikiki Beach at Dawn - Oahu, Hawaii]

Here is another video which explains in 44 minutes a general summary of prophetic truths.  It is by prophecy expert Don Stewart.... at educatingourworld.com.  But the video was for "hope for our times" channel by Pastor Tom Hughes.  This video is especially helpful for those "new" to the idea of Bible Prophecy coming true in these last days we find ourselves in at this time.  Don Stewart in the following video also talks about the Gog of Magog war.   At the end, he reminds us that the wicked will not understand what is actually taking place or the prophetic significance of it.   A must watch!  

Here is a devotional by Charles Spurgeon that rather fits in with this article's discussion.  It concerns us being glad of heart because of how wonderful our heavenly Father is to us, and because of His wonderful attributes that should lift our spirits to think on them, and of His many blessings.  Spurgeon bases his devotional on Psalm 149:2 which reads; "Let Israel rejoice in Him."

 

Spurgeon:   "Be glad of heart, O believer, but take care that thy gladness has its spring in the LORD.  Thou has much cause for gladness in thy God, for thou canst sing with David, "God, my exceeding joy."  Be glad that the LORD reigneth, that Jehovah is King!  Rejoice that HE sits upon the throne, and ruleth all things!  Every attribute of God should become a fresh ray in the sunlight of our gladness.  That HE is mighty should cause us to rejoice who tremble at our weakness.  That HE is everlasting, should always be a theme of joy when we know that we wither as the grass.  That HE is unchanging, should perpetually yield us a song, since we change every hour.   That HE is full of grace, that HE is overflowing with it, and that this grace in covenant HE has given to us; that it is ours to cleanse us, ours to keep us, ours to sanctify us, ours to perfect us, ours to bring us to Glory.

"All this should tend to make us glad in HIM.  This gladness in God is as a deep river; we have only as yet touched its brink; we know a little of its clear sweet heavenly streams, but onward the depth is greater and the current more impetuous in its joy.  The Christian feels that he may delight himself not only in what God IS , but also in ALL that  God has DONE in the past.  The Psalms show us that God's people in olden times were won't to think MUCH of God's actions,   and to have a song concerning each of them.  So let God's people NOW rehearse the deeds of the LORD!  Let them tell of HIS mighty acts, and "Sing unto the LORD, for HE hath triumphed gloriously."   Nor let them ever cease to sing, for as new mercies flow to them day by day, so should their gladness in the LORD's  loving acts in Providence and in Grace show itself in continued thanksgiving.  Be glad ye children of Zion and rejoice in the LORD your God.!"   - end of Spurgeon's quote.

Here is a short 11 minute sermon by the wonderful Christian channel on You Tube "Grace For Purpose."  It is titled: "God isn't asking you to be Perfect, He wants you to Trust Him in your Weakness"  .   

Take heart! Our Savior will return very soon!  Times are tough for many right now, but we true believers in the atoning shed blood of Jesus know that He has given us a hope which nothing can destroy.  We may face much difficulties of one sort or another, even have loved ones disappoint us... and the list goes on.  Not to mention the evil days in which we are now living.  I hope the above information and Scriptures encourage you to hang in there !

God loves you !  Have a blessed day!

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

 

                                                       [Diamond Head Beach and Lighthouse - Oahu, Hawaii]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."  -   John 3:36

"(For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee; behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. ) -  2 Corinthians 6:2

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

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

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

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

NOT A SUGGESTION, BUT A COMMAND: " ON LOVING GOD AND NEIGHBOR" - (With Two Videos by Charles Spurgeon) - Inspirational Weekend

The red rose especially is symbolic of love -  a gift to give to your sweetheart or wife.  At least that is very true in America.  This article will concern itself with the subject of  LOVE -  specifically love for God and neighbor.

"And Jesus answered him: The first of all the commandments is, Hear O Israel, the LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.  And the second is like, love thy neighbor as thyself.  There is none other commandment greater than these."       -      Mark 12:29-31

The first thought that popped into my mind as I typed the above words of Jesus was :  There is so little love in the world today!   I remember when I was young and as an adult, how people were more loving and friendly.  Driving down country roads, perfect strangers would wave at you in your car from their car as you drove past them, and people on their front porches - again, perfect strangers - would wave at you as well as you drove past their house !   This was in the deep south, true, and Southerners tend to be friendlier than other parts of the U.S.A. -  not always, but as a rule.  

Today, well, what can I say.   We now have "social distancing" and people are on edge with all the drastic changes of late -  such as lockdowns, etc.  But let's not linger on all of this, except first to share another scripture which is found at 2 Timothy 3:1-5 :

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.  Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

Wow!  That certainly describes things and people in these last moments of the end times which we are now experiencing !   Even Christians are affected in that they are more cautious and less trusting of others like they once were.  Those verses above at 2 Timothy 3:1-5 are not alone in predicting the end times' signs, etc.  By the way, please read Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 for more end times signs.

More information will follow here on the two commandments - to love God and neighbor -  but first follows two wonderful sermons on that subject by Charles Spurgeon.  Briefly, Charles Spurgeon was a famous and much loved Baptist minister in England who lived from 1834 to 1892.  You may find out more about him from searching the Internet.  

The first sermon titled "The Secret of Loving God", which is 44 minutes long, follows:

In the above audio video, Spurgeon tells us that our love for Christ is based on a great mystery!  Love in itself is hard to explain as it is.  True love of God/Jesus, explains Spurgeon, over powers us, and is not because of effort or out of duty; we simply love God as God, by knowledge and faith. One thing Spurgeon brings out, which I have found to be true in my own walk with the Lord, is that if you just meditate and think with love and gratitude on all that God has done for you and how He has shown His love for you in so many ways, then your love for Him will grow and grow the more you dwell on His love and grace and tender mercies towards you!

The following 51 minute audio sermon by Charles Spurgeon is about loving your neighbor.  He brings out that we should treat everyone well.  Just an interesting note:  The sermon here on loving God received over 400,000 more views than the sermon here on loving your neighbor!  and they were published in the same year within a month of each other on You Tube !

Obviously, if your neighbor does you harm in any way and proves to be your enemy, sometimes it is best to avoid all contact with them or as much as possible.  However, Jesus tells us that we should still love our enemies and we are to pray for them!

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. "     -   Matthew 5:41-45

Following is a commentary by G. Petter on "The Properties of Love":

"Because many deceive themselves in thinking that they love God, when they do not, it is needful to set down the marks of the true love of God, by which we may ascertain whether it be in us or not.  The principal are these:  

1.  A deliberate preferring and esteeming of God above all things in the world, though never so excellent or dear to us.

2.  A desire to be united and joined to God in most near communion with Him, both in this life and the next.

3.  A high estimation of the special tokens and pledges of God's love to us:  the Bible, sacraments, etc.

4.  A conscientious care to obey God's will, and to serve and humor Him in our calling.  

5.  Joy and delight in the duties of God's service and worship.

6.  Zeal for God's glory, causing in us a holy grief and indignation when we see or hear that God is dishonored by sin.

7.  Love is bountiful, making us willing and ready to give and bestow much upon the person we love.

8.  True love to the saints and children of God. "

On "The Nature of our love to Christ", Charles Spurgeon comments:  

1.   It must be sincere, with all the heart.

2.   Intelligent, with all the mind.

3.  Emotional, with all the soul.

4.  Intense and energetic, with all the strength."

"Dear God, please make my days useful, my nights restful, my home peaceful, and my efforts fruitful."   - comment on You Tube

"The more sorrowful you are to God, the more He will use you."  -  Pastor Jack Hibbs

"No matter your circumstances, if you are in the will of God, God is  responsible for getting you through it."  -   Dr. Charles Stanley

"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the ONE Who is leading."    -   Oswald Chambers 

"In every trouble, we should first seek to realize God's presence with us.  Only :  let us enjoy His smile, and we can bear our daily cross with a willing heart for His dear sake."  -   Charles Spurgeon 

Here is a lovely hymn by Maranatha Music titled "I Love You Lord" :

Much has been written on this blog about how we are now living in the last moments of the end times, as prophesied in the Bible.  Many theologians and Bible Scholars are convinced that this is so.  If you go to the "Search Box" in the upper right hand side of this page and enter such topics as " end times, Rapture, signs of last days, Bible prophecy fulfilled, convergence of end time signs, 7 year Tribulation, " etc.  you will find much information on these subjects, some articles with videos.  

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn."   -   Proverbs 29:2

If Jesus were to return tonight or tomorrow or soon thereafter,  would you be Rapture ready?  Only those who are true believers in Jesus as the Savior will be taken to heaven to be with the Lord.   That means that you have put your faith in Jesus as the promised Savior:   He is the only way to heaven!  He paid our sin debt in full at the Cross; He took our place and died for us; His shed blood, as the Sacrificial Lamb of God, washes our sins away (wipes the slate clean)  when we surrender in complete faith and belief in Him as the Savior.  We must sincerely and totally repent of our sins, pray for forgiveness, and totally commit ourselves to Jesus as His servants.  Mean it with all of our very being!   Not a mere head knowledge only, but bursting within ourselves and overflowing in faith and gratitude to the Savior of our souls!

Jesus loves you!

He is waiting to hear from you!

He will welcome you into His loving arms in a secure embrace of love and forgiveness !

Following are Salvation Scriptures for you:

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." -     John 3:36

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

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

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

Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend -  and life !