The Oil and Water of the Refugee Crisis

 This is what came to mind this week:
 
The horses stands ready for battle but when it's time for battle the warriors lose their hope and nerve and go home.

Proverbs 21:31 "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord"

They have the numbers but their words and posture were false.  And when the flood of reality came, it undermined their thinking and they could no longer stand united together.

"Knowing their thoughts, he (Jesus) said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand." Matthew 12:25

Fragile we are.... Fools we are to not think so.... oh how we should cry out for wisdom for we would see the enemy clearly.... Like the Vikings of old who did not simulate but came to conquer- so there are those today who want to do the same.  They come for benefits not to simulate.

We have cultures that are oil and water - that are impossible to merge.  They do not share our values and knowing we have no comprehension of this they take advantage of our goodness.... Think! We are not dealing with individuals who grew up in Europe and have Judaeo Christian  values.

You are dealing with the exact opposite. They do not honor our courts.  They have already set up their own courts in Europe and right here in the USA in New Jersey. They have taken over neighborhoods by force, rape women and beat Christians and Jews.   I am talking about those who are Muslim.  Those who have come not for refuge and peace like some of the Syrians refugees...  no they come in a Trojan horse hidden amongst the genuine refugees....  They have killed, injured, beat, stolen ... how much is it going to take?  They have no respect for you and I.  Just do some research... look what is happening in England, France, and Sweden.  Look what is happening in New Jersey.  They don't want what most of us take for granted, they want what is Muslim and they don't care what you want!

The enemy knows our value system and is taking advantage of it because we do not use wisdom.  They know the values we were raised with but since we do not take discernment from Spirit of God- the enemy is stealing, killing, raping, beating and pillaging in the name of our "political correctness".  I want to remind you there is no political correctness with them.  Listen to them speak.

http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2017/march/why-mass-immigration-may-mean-the-end-of-britain


It is important to know truth not just in intellect but in Spirit.  Not knowing the truth we have nothing to stand on and without Spirit of God we lack conviction to stand in the truth and do what is right.  We throw pearls to swine and wisdom yells in the streets and in front of the court houses, "What are you doing!!!"

Wisdom fed up will laugh at our nations' destruction. Read it for yourself in Proverbs 3.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”
‭‭John‬ ‭16:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the Bible, when God's people would no longer listen to him, He let them be overcome by their enemies.   When God's people no longer stood up for truth but went along with the surrounding society - what happened to them? Who simulated who? Who conquered who? 

NOTE: You want a rapist to be tried in a Muslim court or an United States Court? A rapist would suffer nothing in a Muslim court and courts overseas have been letting Muslims deal with Muslims in Muslim courts.



Why were God's people conquered?  Because they no longer "knew" the truth.  It didn't live in their hearts.  They no longer had anything to stand on and nothing to stand on they had no conviction.

In a recent dream a police officer told me this is an unsafe neighborhood... lock up what you have...  in other words these are unsafe times, hold on to what you have been given by Christ.  Let no one persuade you away from the truth. Hold tight to the living truth in your soul.

Jesus said "I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown." Revelation 3:11
 

THE TREE

I was shown a vision.   There was this dark gray forest, a forest I thought at first were hairs on a dog in the moonlight.  But as I looked more closely I realized these were no hairs of a dog at all but trees.  They were trees without any limbs or branches.  There were thousands of tree trunks and they were all leaning like a great wind at blown them in all the same direction but within this sea of grey slivers I was guided to a single warm yellow light.  I looked closer and realized it was a tree, a tree of light.   It was small and I would had probably missed it if it hadn't been pointed out to me.  It had branches and leaves and it was standing upright.  A tree of light.... in a "barren" wilderness.

It does remind me of dream I had of a ocean and a forest.  A ocean that was pouring onto the land stripping the trees of their bark and laying their fruit to waste.   The trees were no longer getting their water from the mountain but the poisoning ocean.

If you have the Spirit of God living in you, you know the ocean is the sea of immoral humanity.  It poisoned the trees with it's sinful values, rules, mandates, human understanding and so called "improvements".  You can also figure the mountain is God, the source of life.      

The forest in this vision also had been stripped.... and a darkness had come upon it.

When you think of the word “gray” what does it mean to you? 

Gray isn’t black and white.  When things are not black or white, then there is no real sense of right and wrong.  When these things become gray how do we define things like justice, morals, sin, love...? 

When people do not stand on what is right or wrong or know right from wrong then they are blown this way and that way like grass in the wind.  They can believe anything is right and true even though it is not.   Truth is not a matter of opinion.  Truth comes from God, what is written in His word.  When you have no REAL truth living in your soul then you just have a "barren" existence.

Think how those trees were stripped... why were they stripped?

Existing isn’t life but “Life” happens when God (TRUTH) is allowed to be engaged in a person’s soul.  JESUS made this possible.  

Christians, God wants us to be that tree of light in a gray world.  He wants to sing in our branches-so to speak.

Yes Jesus said.... “Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”  But He ALSO continued with: “ But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.  And the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come…” Matthew 23:12-14

Has the end come? No! Of course not, so why act as if it is so…  Our true HOPE is Alive and Well. And that hope in us is contagious because God, unlimited in encouraging resources and trustworthy promises, is OUR SOURCE!

  

Jesus spoke and there was light.  Jesus came into our life and a newness beyond our imagination came into our life.  We were transformed were we not? Light had come into our life! Truth had come into our life.

Jesus said “I am truth, the way, and the life.  No one can come to the Father except through me.”

John said "God is light" (1 John 1:5) and if you have Jesus then His light is to shine in you for He is the light of mankind. (John 1:4)

Jesus said to those who believe in him, “You are light of the world- like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see.  Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead put it on a stand and let it shine for all.”

Let the goodness of God flow through you!  TRUST and call upon His goodness with expectation… and in this, the calm peaceful pleasant perfect centering will of God will be manifested in your life! Yes Joy!  And the dark things of this world will become POWERLESS in your life... as the saying goes.. "This too shall pass..."

Do you remember what Psalm 1 says?

"Oh the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. 
 But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about his law.   They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail.
  Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.  But this is not true with the wicked.  They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.  They will be condemned at the time of judgment.  Sinners will have no place among the godly.  For the LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.”  

Be that tree of light! No matter how small a tree you might think you are- God notices and points you out.
  

Attitude of a Soldier: What's Inside?

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Are you bored? Have you become indifferent? Have you been lulled into a false sense of security? Does your life mirror more the world then Christ?  Has your soil turned hard and/or dry?  Has your life been crowded by the affairs of this life and have you let the birds of the air steal was is rightful yours from God?  Have you settled for moldy bread? Who has become GREATER in your life?         

Recently I had a dream where I graduated as a Marine.  When I awoke, I pondered, “Me a Marine?”  I might as well been Gideon at the wine press threshing some wheat when he heard the angle of the LORD say,

“The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” Judges 6:12

This dream urged me to see how the code of a U.S. Marine mirrors the characteristics of a soldier in Christ.  There are three characteristics a Marine is to possess.   These three attributes are also to be possessed by the soldier of Christ Jesus.

Marines are to have Honor…

“'Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I promised that your branch of the tribe of Levi would always be my priests. But I will honor those who honor me, and I will despise those who think lightly of me.” 1 Samuel 2:30

We are to revere, honor and abide in God who empowers us to exemplify good ethical and moral behavior. We love, respect, and have concern for our fellow believers and others.  In God we are to mature, trust and depend.  We are accountable for our actions and hold others accountable for their actions. 

“But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.  Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the LORD Almighty.”  Malachi 4:2-3

I think part of the trouble with the church in America today is not fearing or reverencing the LORD as they should and above all things.  We look at the world as being this monstrous machine cutting down anyone who doesn’t conform to its erroneous opinion but who is the source of this erroneous thinking to start with? Satan.  Yes the people of this world act just like Satan.  They want to kill, steal, belittle, bully, and destroy anything that goes against their erroneous thinking.  BUT hasn’t Satan been defeated? So WHO should we rightfully fear then? Who’s TRUTH will stand forever?

 “Woe (judgment is coming) to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20

How true it is about JOY being a byproduct of reverencing the LORD and JOY bolstering COURAGE.   

Marines are to have Courage…

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

We are to have courage in God who is to be continually our mental, spiritual, moral and physical strength that sees us through the spiritual warfare and daily challenges of this life.  He gives us mastery of fear, to do what his right, lead by example, and make tough decisions under stressful situations.   We take courage in God who gives us a higher standard of conduct.  

As the United States and the world progresses down this downward slippery slope as it has, many churches will be pressured and start to compromise to appease the immoral appetites of the world but their appetites will never be appeased.  As you see churches fall and marry into the culture rather then stay faithful to God, God wants us to take courage in Him and obey Him rather than human authority. (Acts 5:29).   

Marines are to have Commitment...

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” Psalm 37:5-6

We are to willfully, daily commit, surrender, and humble ourselves before God knowing God’s commitment to us.  He is for us not against us.  For in His continual faithfulness- he promotes excellence in every endeavor and to endure.   In His commitment He promotes in us self-discipline.  He prompts concern and love for others.  We see the horrors of the spiritual warfare but we look to His unrelenting faithfulness... He makes certain we finish this race and helps use emulate Christ in this increasing darkening world.  The darker the world becomes the more we will illuminate Christ. It’s His all-empowering grace that does this in us.

God wants to feed and "really" nourish our soul so it can rise above our understanding and soar like He intends.  

 

So in Short, a soldier in Christ is to:

Honor God…

Take Courage in God…

and Commit to God…

“Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said.  In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him.  ‘They will be my people,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘On the day when I act, they will be my own special treasure.  I will spare them as a father spares an obedient and dutiful child.’”  Malachi 3:16-17

Amen.

Spiritual Attacks

If you are anything like me... your shoulders sink a little at the subject matter of spiritual warfare.   You are tired of the dreaded topic that seems to never go away.   We don't just see and hear the evidence of spiritual warfare on television and radio but we see it in our lives and people's lives around us.  It is prevalent or common everywhere... even in the church.   So you can imagine my hesitation in addressing this topic... but after I posted I heard Dr. David Jeremiah and Dr. Charles Stanley) speak of spiritual warfare as well.   This not only confirmed but encouraged my soul.  
 
In my experience and reading the bible, Christians will experience spiritual attacks from the enemy who will use just about anyone or any situation to discourage and hurt us.  We must not only realize the source of these attacks but where our life needs to be securely fastened to so that we may stand as children of God against the wiles of the Devil. 

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11

"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers  and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirit in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12

The Very Real Unseen Enemy to Humanity
I once shared with you a time when I asked God if the devil was indeed real and that very night the spiritual veil was taken down to reveal our adversary.  Like a figure of a human- he has no horns, tail, or pitch fork.  He is no longer the once beautiful angel he once was.  He had no wings.  He had no armor. His outer appearance is scared and blotchy and it is reasonable to imagine this was caused when he was thrown from heaven.

 "He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven." Luke 10:18

Satan's penetrating evil eyes seemed to look straight into my soul.  He was in this dark vertical channel of a chamber that had an orange flickering glow below him.  When I could not stand to look at him anymore (which wasn't long) I turned my head away and that is when I heard a blood curdling scream that startled me awake.  The scream seemed like it was right by my bed side.  I sat straight up in bed and listened but no other scream came.  The tortured scream no doubt came from one of his deceived victims.

Needless to say I told God, " I know the devil is real now."  I didn't need any other further proof then what I saw and witnessed.  Don't make the mistake of thinking the devil is some folktale, myth, joke or some poetic symbolic illustration of evil.  He is very real.  His deception is making people think he doesn't exist or he is some friend of the rebellious.  

Satan has been deceiving many since the very beginning.  His warfare seems to be increasing, probably because he senses his time is short.  Satan comes to kill, steal and destroy but Christ came to give life and life more abundantly.  Satan wants to persuade humanity to put their hopes in material possessions and riches, power and popularity or even health -that way when he takes those things away they see no value or hope in what they perceive as life.  But LIFE isn't what the world believes is life.  Life is GOD who gives of himself.   God gives ensuring love, sustaining hope, lasting peace, abounding joy, undeserved mercy and grace. Things the Devil doesn't want us to know or understand.  In fact he rather deceive in order to steal the reality of those things in our life and he works hard at it.
      

 "Then the dragon became angry at the woman, and declared war against the rest of her children- all who keep God's commandments and confess that they belong to Jesus." Revelation 12:17                 

 
We find out a lot about ourselves in spiritual attacks.  We find out how far from God we are or how close we are to God.  We also find out a lot about God and his ability to keep us calm as we allow him his rightful place on the throne of our heart. 

Dream of a Spiritual Attack

In the dream a man brought a white horse into the front of sanctuary of our church building.  The horse got spooked and ran to the back of the sanctuary where I was sitting.  I calmly put out my right hand knowing somehow it would come to me.  When it came to my hand it transformed into furious white hound and took my right hand into its mouth to bite it.  I was not afraid or even surprised by this sight.    I might have been had the bite actually been a bite but the hound couldn’t harm me.  When the master retrieved the dog, I could see into the animal's mouth.  Around the inside of hound’s teeth was a blue substance that prohibited the hound’s teeth from biting down onto my hand. 

I admit the subject matter somewhat troubled me ... but instead of letting it get the best of me I sought God and after a few weeks these images were revealed one by one. 

Spiritual Attacks

 "Dear Friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.   Instead, be very glad- for these trials make you partners with Christ in his sufferings, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world." 1 Peter 4:12-13

"God blesses those are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs."  Matthew 5:10

We will all experience as Christians spiritual attacks in one form or another but thank God he has warned us of these attacks in His word and by His Holy Spirit.

Keep These Things in Mind.

1.      Be thankful for the warning from God.  Thank Him for his protection. Psalm91:10-11

2.      Don’t become preoccupied with potential attacks. John10:10

3.      Seek discernment from God concerning those individuals and situations that come across your path. James 1:5

4.     Stay Alert. 1 Peter 5:8

5.     Draw close to God. Humble yourself before God. Stay submitted and reliant on God for understanding especially in the midst of an attack.  God will keep you calm.  James4:7-8

6.     Remember God is on sentinel duty in your life. Psalm27:1-5

7.     Thank Him again knowing you have put your life in His hands. He is your peace. John 14:27
Remember our brothers and sisters who are suffering much more-even at the cost of their own life. 1 Peter 5:9-10 

Dream

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On November 1 of 2015 I had a dream. 

In the dream other members of other congregations join a congregation but the congregation remains the same size.

The number people always remained the same.  Is the body of Christ like a string of individual threads?  We may go to separate faculties, building, homes, services, groups but we belong to the one string, the one Vine, the LORD who is Jesus Christ.    

 “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12

I was attending a service in the dream.  People were working on homework.  Some were lying down on the pews as if they were beds where they snuggled in with their pillows and blankets.   I told one by me,  “This isn’t an appropriate time to sleep”.  People sang the songs but didn’t know the words of the song.

“For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.” 1 Corinthians 11:30.

What is to separate the church from the world? 

Once I shared this dream with a couple brothers in Christ who attend different churches I heard several familiar themes.

One. People in the church can read the Bible but they can’t seem to carry out/live out what the words says in their life.

Two.  People do not know who walks with them.  It’s if they are walking this Emmaus walk in life but don’t realize it’s the LORD who is walking beside them.

Ask yourselves these questions?

IS it like the words in Isaiah?  “Oh how deaf and blind you are toward me!  Why won’t you listen?  Why do you refuse to see?  Who is in all the world is as blind as my own people, my servant?  Who is as deaf as my messengers?  Who is as blind as my chosen people, the servant of the LORD?  You see and understand what is right but refuse to act on it.  You hear, but you don’t really listen.  The LORD has magnified his law and made it truly glorious.  Through it he had planned to show the world that he is righteous.   But what sight his people are, for they have been robbed, enslaved, imprisoned, and trapped.  They are fair game for all and have not one to protect them.   Will not even one of you apply these lessons from the past and see the ruin that awaits you?” Isaiah 42:1-23

IS it like the words of Matthew 15:8?  “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

In the dream the pastor/clergy is frustrated as if nothing is getting through to his people.  I walk outside of the church to get some fresh air, as I too am discouraged.

I look to the sky and see the sun and a cloud of vapor before it that is imitating the sun’s shape.

It reminds me of the scriptures that say that people are but a vapor and though he/she is a vapor, they are to be imitators of Christ.

“Follow God’s example in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” Ephesians 5:1      

The word Saba is then mentioned in the dream.  I don’t know this word yet it is spelled out for me in my mind.  Who or what is Saba?  Does it pertain to the congregation or me?  Is it some kind of influence?

Saba, in the Hebrew, means “Seven” or “An oath.”  It is the number of completeness and perfection of wholeness.  It is God and man working together in God’s divine intention in our daily lives.

In the dream I walk on a street with older people.  They smile, as I pass by them.   Then with great fire and vigor I start to proclaim, "God lives in me and who is greater then He!”

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” Hebrews 12:1

The dream then turns and I am suddenly standing in front of a congregation encouraging others in Christ.

The dream ends and I wake with the song, “Raging Fire” by Phillip Phillips playing in my head.

IN Name Only- A Dream of Two Sisters

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If you have any American cash or coins, take a minute to look at them.  Can you find the words, “IN GOD WE TRUST” on them?

Like streets signs you pass by everyday but pay no mind to their name, so goes the words, “IN GOD WE TRUST” on American currency that gets shoved into our pockets, wallets and purses.

Does America trust in God, considering it’s present undertakings and falling morality?

Annuit Coeptis?  God certainly would not favor America’s present positions.  We would have to be ignorant to His Word for one and brash to think God would continue to favor America and let America get away with such immorality.

Present lawmakers, by their choices, seem to think they can govern and make a nation great without God. This is far from the heart and mindset of the forefathers of the United States who established America’s republic in the everlasting truths of God. 

“The great, vital, and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrines and the divine truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” - Charles Carroll, Congress 1854

“Had the people, during the Revolution, had a suspicion of any attempt to war against Christianity, that Revolution would have been strangled in its cradle... In this age, there can be no substitute for Christianity... That was the religion of the founders of the republic and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants.” – signer of the Constitution - Charles Carroll.

“Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they, therefore, who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure...are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments”- Charles Carroll

“It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.” - George Washington 

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”– George Washington

“In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.” - John Quincy Adams

Further these present politicians seem to distance themselves from God, and only use God’s name when to suits them.  They forget God makes a nation great and without God, men make a nation and themselves a disgrace.  

It has become like the quote, "History has become legend and legend to myth."  This has only happened in 239 years.

 Two Sisters

In a recent dream, there were two sisters.  There was a younger sister and an older sister.  The younger sister is certain the groom is going to marry her.  In haste she buys her wedding gown and tells people about the wedding but the groom isn’t interested in her but instead her older sister.  He has been in love with her for sometime.  She is not brash like her younger sister but conservative in outer appearance and attitude.   The groom tells the mother he can’t marry the younger sister because he doesn’t know her.   His heart is solely for the older sister.  He “knows” the older sister intimately.  They have danced and he has lain down with her, consummating the marriage. 

I had to look this up but in the Hebrew the word is “ginōskō“.   It is to sexually/intimately know. 

Example of this is Joseph did not “ginōskō” Mary until after Jesus was born. 

“And did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son.  And he called His name JESUS.” Matthew 1:25

The groom in this case “knows” the older sister intimately and sexually.  Like Mary, who was a virgin, who became pregnant by the Holy Spirit.  Note: Matthew 1:18

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!  She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us).” Matthew 1:23

However I believe these sisters are illustrations.  They are not two human sisters like Mary and Martha or Leah and Rachel but are illustrations of two countries.

Ezekiel 23:2,4 uses similar language as the dream when speaking of the sisters. 

" Son of man, once there were two sisters who were daughters of the same mother."  The older girl’s was named Oholah and her sister was Oholibah, I married them, and they bore me sons and daughters.  I am speaking of Samaria and Jerusalem, for Oholah is Samaria and Oholibah is Jerusalem.

   

I believe the mother, is the illustration, of the belief/faith that birthed these two countries.

I could only think of Israel and the United States as two such countries born from the belief faith in the ONE TRUE GOD.

Historically speaking, Israel would be the older sister and United States would be the younger sister.

Knowing of someone is different then knowing them, trusting, depending, looking to and so on…  The present spiritual state of United States- the powers that be, shows it only wants “relations” with the worldly narrative and society.  It trusts not in God but in worldly elements such as money and popularity.   It may want the benefits of God but she has shown herself unfaithful to God.  If you were God, would you want to marry/support a country that has adulterous and idolatrous actions and thoughts in her mind and heart?  How could God bless a nation that goes against Him?  

God says, “You shall have no other gods before me.”  Who does America trust?  Does it trust in itself?  Does it trust in money?  Does it trust in its past reputation?  What lusts drive it?  Does it have any self-control or does it continue to fall deeper and deeper into sin?

Jesus said, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”

James 4:6 says “… God sets himself against the proud, but shows favor to the humble.”

United States in a nation who turns to God in crisis but then forgets Him.

We see lies and injustices in government officials and courts, a mounting tidal wave of debt, a rise in drug use, and an American holocaust where babies are killed for convenience and profit.  We see people calling what is good bad and bad good.  We see discontentment and distrust in government leaders, we see same sex marriage become legalized and celebrated even in and on the White House.   We see our government falsely accusing Israel of terrorism for going after those who have hurt and killed their own.  We see our government publically declassifying private information about Israel?  Is that a way to treat a sister?   We see America’s government unable and unwilling to rescue and negotiate for American citizens to be released from a Muslim country but give this same Muslim country billions of dollars to support their “nuclear development technology”.   Further this Muslim country hates Israel and its people chant death to America on public television.  America reminds me of the church of Laodicea who said, “ I am rich.  I have everything I want.  I don’t need a thing! And God said to it,  “You don’t realize you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”  Further America now persecutes Christians with jail time and fines for not following the rules of the land, rules that go directly against God’s word.

How backward American has become, this nation founded on principles and truths of God is now persecuting those compelled to live by the principles and truths of God.    

Followers of Christ remember this:

Jesus said, “God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers.  Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven.  And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too.”  Matthew 5:11-12

Christians will be like the prophets who spoke out and lived out their faith while their nation fell to sin, was taken by its enemies and was even destroyed.  Christians will suffer by and for actions of unbelievers.  In a way, if we are not taken up before then, we will taste a little tiny measure of what Christ suffered for the sins of the world. 

Jesus said, “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.”  Also “Then you will be arrested, persecuted and killed.  You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me.”  Matthew 24:9

Again God does not “know” a country that denies him.  He does not propagate a nation that does not follow, pursues, trusts, submits to, and loves Him.

I know this isn't an uplifting message and seems harsh but sometimes the truth is the truth, no matter if it's comforting or not.  But I want to share one more thing.  God spoke this to me this morning as I was relieving some burdens, "There are very many moments that come and go on the Christian stage but stay faithful to what you do know so you do not give up hope and become weary."  

 

Daily Establishing Our Hearts For the LORD's Coming

Prayer: God as we go over what you have given me to share, be with us- that what is shared here will not just be your truth but a living word that will continue to establish our hearts upon you.  That you will firm up what might be lacking in us and continue to encourage us in what we have done well in so far. In Jesus name Amen.

There has been some reluctance, on my part, to share what I have to share with you because I have mentioned this topic already and I didn’t want to make the seriousness of this topic to just become  common.  Where one might think something like "Yes I have heard this all before. No need to go and revisit it."  BUT the more I sought the Lord for direction the more He used what He had given me in July as a foundation for this devotional.

Read: Luke 21:8-28  Note: We need to pay attention to what is happening in Israel and her enemies surrounding her.

In July I was given some verses (repeatedly) and then a dream.

These two scriptures came from Matthew 24 where Jesus is speaking of the end times.

Matthew 24:37-39.  Jesus says, “ When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day.  In those days before the Flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat.  People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the Flood came and swept them all away.  That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.”

Matthew 24:28 “Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.”

Note: Jesus is saying in Matthew 24:28 that people will gather, celebrate, applaud, push for the things that end in death like vultures gathering around a carcass.  

Then came the dream.  In the dream I  was witnessing this “happening” where people were vanishing and the ones I saw vanish left this fine golden twinkling dust in the air.  Oddly people did not all vanish all at once like we have seen in the “Left Behind” movie but vanished at different intervals.

After I woke I was reminded of what Jesus said Luke 17…

“Yes, it will be ‘business as usual’ right up to the hour when the Son of Man returns.  On that day a person outside the house must not go into the house to pack. A person in the field must not return to town.” Luke 17:30-31

I never gave it much thought before but why would Jesus have to tell us not to go down into the house to pack or not to return home if people vanished all once?  This makes sense because people were disappearing at different times and people were witnessing this happening.

In the dream I also witnessed some people losing their nerve as they were witnessing the reality of the rapture and ducking into doorways.  They knew what was going on but did not want to meet their maker.  They were afraid and wanted to hold on to this life.   

 I must say the entire experience was a bit unnerving and frightening but I believe that is why Jesus said, “Watch out! Don’t let me find you living in careless ease and drunkenness, and filled with the worries of this life.  Don’t let that day catch you unaware, as in a trap.  For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth.  Keep a constant watch.  And pray that, if possible, you may escape these horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36

Another verse in  Hebrews 10:38-39 says “BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.”   

Jesus also gives us a picture of those ducking into doorways.  In Luke 17:32 he says, “Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it.

I was then reminded of the last part of the dream again-  as I went over my notes.

I watched one who was not raptured, but thought they would be.  They went to their "wise" person -not really giving any thought of why the wise person was still there also.  When they asked the wise person why they were still there, the wise solemnly answered with only two words, “Your words.”

I was reminded of these things

“For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:37

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Proverbs 18:21

I was reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 as I thought of the wise person.

“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clinging cymbal.  If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I could understand all of God’s secret plans and possessed all the knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.”

I was then given the sutures for these verses in 1 John 4:8

"But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

I was reminded of those who drank from the same rock in the wilderness, which was an illustration of Christ Jesus, but some never made it to the promise land.

I was also reminded of the five foolish bridesmaids in Matthew 25 who didn’t bring enough oil for their lamps so while they went to get some more oil the Lord took those who were ready.  In verse 11, “Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!

But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’”

The wise and foolish bridesmaids all knew Jesus was coming but the foolish ones did not continually seek a relationship with the Lord.  They had the knowledge of the Lord and the things of God but the Spirit and truth was not allowed to live and flow in them.

Think about this, do we know examples of those who knew of the Lord, have experienced the miracles of the Lord but have walked away from a relationship with the Lord?

We see this un-establishing problem even when Jesus speaks to John in Revelation about the churches.

To some in the church of Sardis, He says, “I know all things you do, and that you have a reputation of being alive- but you are dead.  Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead.  I find your actions do not meet the requirements of God. Go back to what you heard and believed first; hold to it firmly.  Repent and turn back to me again.  If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.”

To the church of Laodicea, He says, I know all things you do, that you are neither hot or cold.  I wish that you were one of the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot or cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!  You say I am rich.  I have everything I want.  I don’t need a thing!  And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

But to the church of Philadelphia he says, “I know all things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close.  You have little strength, yet you have obeyed my word and did not deny me….” He continues with “Because you have obeyed my command to preserver, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world.  I am coming soon.  Hold on to what you have, so that no one can take way your crown.   All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of God, and they will never have to leave it.  And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizen in the city of my God- the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God.  And I will also write on them my new name.”

Jesus wants us to be seriously ready for His coming knowing what is happening in this country and around the world.

This bible devotional started with the prompting of the Spirit using: James 5:8 says, “You, also be patient.  Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

Established means to take courage, be strong, fixed, strengthen, to be steadfast, set, make firm, to render constant, confirm in the Lord.  One might say to be firmly rooted upon or planted in Him.

Our Check List.

• Does God have the respect He deserves from me? The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Is He feared above everything else?  Proverbs 9:10
• Am I loving mercy, doing justly, and walking humbly with God? Micah 6:8
• Am I loving the Lord my God with all my heart, all my soul, and with all my mind?  Am I loving others as I love myself? Matthew 22:37, 39
• Am I fully trusting in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior or have I added my works for justification? Romans 3:22
• Am I looking to be internally renewed each day by the Lord? Am I looking for a living word each day for my life from the Lord who is the author and finisher of my faith?
• I am looking to see what and whom he places upon my path?
• Do I remember his mercies are fresh every morning? Lamentations 3:22-23
• Am I surrendered to and being sanctified in Christ Jesus?  Am I rendering myself to the Lord or acknowledging the Lord continually throughout my day and am I allowing myself to be venerable to the Lord? Is Jesus my way, my truth, and my life? John 14:6
• Is my heart settled upon God or something else?
• “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5
• Is Jesus my anchor and my rock?
• Am I allowing anything to be placed higher then God’s love for others and myself?
• Is there anything that I might be holding me back from God?

Last scriptures and we will close.

“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23

"The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think.  No, he is being patient for your sake.  He doe not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.  But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief.   Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment." 2 Peter 3:8-10

May the Lord continually stir up the reality of this information in our hearts and that we are right with Him, surrendered/devoted to Him and that we continue in our relationship with Him so when our salvation draws neigh we will look up without any doubt and join Him. Amen.