Establish Your Hearts.

James 5:8 “You also, be patient.  Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

I find in this day and age, people aren’t as patient as they used to be.  They want things the day after they order them from a website.  They want their shows to be nicely wrapped up by the end of the episode.  They want a quick fix to their problems.  

People are offered a pill to solve their problem but does it? (Have you heard or read some of the side affects to some of these medications that can result in death?  They are often worse then the problem itself.)  And does it solve the problem or just mask the symptoms or issues? 

(Not much good to say about many of man's quick fixes as the mind goes to things like abortion and death at convenience.)

Patience is difficult.  It is also difficult in the most difficult of circumstances.  
 
When we don’t avail ourselves to God we don’t have patience.  When we think we should be the one in control, we don’t have patience. When things aren’t going the way we think they should go, what happens?  Many destructive and sad things happen when we try to control.  True in the bible and true now.

Do we really have control?

The word of God says that Spirit of God (The Holy Spirit) gives us self-control/self-restraint.  He is given to those who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  He is to help us from wandering into the busy unsafe highways of lust, fear, depression, anxiety, hopelessness, worry, frustration, and doubt.

He establishes our heart.  He feeds the heart of what it needs most. He prepares our heart.  He encourages our heart.  He gives our heart hope.  He gives our heart boldness and strength yet humility.  He gives our heart the ability live in the satisfying will of Himself… IF we just avail ourselves to Him.

  

The issue is… we as people of Adam and Eve are accustomed to availing ourselves to us and our understanding, not to Him/God.  God says not to depend on our own understanding because often it leads to harm and hurt to us and others.

We each have been given a will and it is our choice to trust God or not.  God’s word says he has put a measure of faith of Himself in each one of us to see and know He exists.  God knows what is going on in our hearts and what is happening in our days.  Like flipping the pages of a small book with his fingers, He has seen our so brief life.  He also knows our eternity and our choice to trust in His Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior or not.

The baby that was born of a virgin on Christmas morning will be returning as King for those who have surrendered their heart to Him (Jesus Christ).  Some have and will scoff at this and the bible speaks of people who will scoff at this.  BUT what matters more then the temporary scoffing, which will mean nothing in the complexity of eternity, is that our heart is established for His coming?

 

If this truth doesn’t warm our heart but unsettles our heart think why?

If our heart is unsettled maybe a reason is because we haven’t surrendered or completely surrendered our heart to Jesus (the reason for Christ-mas) who lives and establishes our heart with this comforting reality that He is coming back for us.

Our relationship with God is suppose to be daily- (for me it needs to be an hourly thing… I need it.)  But in journaling, reading His word, listening and conversing with Him, God settles and confirms our heart.  As we avail ourselves to Him, God avails Himself to us.  

True. This takes time. Time not to be filled with just ourselves and our own schedule but time with God.  For we must remember this time in which we live is all we got.  There is no more and we really don't know how much we do have.  But time with God is worth every little bit to our soul.  And I am a bit amazed when He expands on what was previously thought already expanded upon.  And how what was so dry and crusty before can become a refreshing piece of food for my soul.    

 For the Word of God says, “For in Him we live and move and have our being.”

This experience we call “life” (this type of school, this type children’s camp, this type of hotel or boot camp) will soon be over, as we know it.  Jesus will be loading up the “spiritual buses” and taking us home… a home He has created for those who have trusted and believed in Him.

Some of you know this but let the "knowing"… remain in the living knowing of the heart not just the mind -for what comes out of the heart will also come out of our words and actions.  Amen.

Again, in love… “You also, be patient.  Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

 

Politically Incorrect

I didn’t know it then but about a week ago I wrote in my journal, “ It’s not time to lose heart” … but now it has suddenly become clearer.

There is a charged atmosphere in America.  A fire, a blaze, an anger, a frustration, a disbelief, a sadness, a guilt, a regret, a fear and a line drawn in the dirt of humanity. 

President Obama has mandated that people “claiming” to be transgender will not only be allowed into opposite sex public restrooms but be allowed into our children’s restrooms and shower rooms at school as well.  And those schools that do not uphold to this mandate will have its federal dollars withheld.  Sounds like is blackmail. 

I don’t know how the president of the United States can mandate something like this without the other two branches of government being in agreement.   The three branches of the United States government are to ensure the government is effective and to ensure the citizens’, the rights are protected.  As it looks right now, the government is ineffective at protecting the rights of its citizens and their children.
   

America, are you aware you are becoming dismantled? 

What I find more disturbing is the lack of “difference” I see in some Christians in this matter.  

I may love someone who "claims" to be homosexual or transsexual but it doesn’t mean I have to agree with his or her immoral and unsound lifestyle.  Safe or not safe, what are we "justifying" intentionally or unintentionally by allowing transgender people into the opposite sex restrooms?  

What are we telling our children?

What are we buying into? The bible is very clear that homosexuality is wrong.  We can look at the New Testament and Old Testament and see this.
 

Romans 1 says, God has abandoned homosexuals.  Galatians 5:19 says among other practices, the sexual immoral will not inherit the kingdom of God.   Other scriptures include Jude 1:5-8, 1 Timothy 1:8-11, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13

We must look at the tactics of the devil (who does exist) and how he finds joy in destroying the family as God has created.

When did homosexuality suddenly become okay? I think people have been desensitized.  They see it on television and social media and the shock has worn off and since the shock has worn off it has now become somehow "acceptable".  If you don't agree, examine your heart.  Have you become numb to this immoral practice, advertising and teaching?
 

Just like all sin, people sin because it becomes acceptable in their lives.  Acceptable sin is then somehow justified by familiarity and soon sin is commonplace like Sodom and Gomorrah. 

Have these Christians, who have accepted sin, let their minds and hearts become inactive in the living word of God and now are accepting the conformity of the world?   They are definitely letting the world conform their mindset.  The world’s ways have lodged in their thinking and they need God to dislodge the blockage in their thinking?

Romans 12:2 says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Ephesians 4:24 says “Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

Another verse says “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

The flesh likes to do what is easy- it likes to not make waves- but you know Jesus Christ didn’t do what was easy.  He did was right even if it wasn’t politically correct.   

And if we are children of God - we too will be politically incorrect.  This gives me... in a strange sort of way... comfort and solace.   Jesus didn’t fit into the world’s mold and we definitely shouldn’t either… We are to be “a peculiar people” as 1 Peter 2:9 says.

We need to stay alert and awake- not giving into the practices of people who don't know God or wish to honor and/or obey Him.

We need to remember the watchtower in Ezekiel and what God said, “Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel.  Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me.  If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and you fail to warn them about changing their ways, then they will die in their sins, but I will hold you responsible for their deaths.  But if you warn them to repent and they don’t repent, they will die in their sins, but you will not be held responsible.”  Ezekiel 33:7-9

We are told in the New Testament,  “To put away all falsehood and tell our neighbor the truth for we belong to each other.” Ephesians 4:25

In the book of Acts Jesus tells Paul, “And I will protect you from both your own people and the Gentiles.  Yes, I am going to send you to the Gentiles, to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.  Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.” Acts 26:17-18    

God didn’t save you and I just for us to fit into a world that denies him   Just look at the state of the world… Be an observer.  Look at the weather and the values and morals of people.  Does it not read and fit into the boot imprint of Matthew 24?

Jesus will be coming… We can’t afford to be indifferent.  We must be aware of the foxes that spoil the vine and the slow subtle ways the enemy of our souls works.  We must not run out of oil as the five foolish brides did.

Jesus said “Bless are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10

James says “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trials, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised those who love Him. James 1:12

And isn’t all about loving Him… think about it.  Glory comes to a people who honor God and His Word but shame and destruction comes to a people when they do not honor God and His Word.  (We see this in Hosea 4:6-7) 
 
If we remain with God we will be politically incorrect.

In God's Country Pt.2

                

In the last post, I shared with you how individuals and churches around the world are on the doorstep of a spiritual famine...  and unfortunately there are individuals and churches that have already stepped through that door.  

We spoke briefly of the causes of spiritual famine but let's look at them in a list.

1.     Sin. “Sin separates us from God.  Our sin alienates God in our life.” Isaiah 59:2

2.     Unbelief.   “Is a harden heart that doesn’t sincerely seek God”. One might say unbelief is being “estranged” from God, like a husband and wife don’t “intimately know” each other anymore.  They are estranged.  Hebrews 11:6

3.     Worldliness.  “Trusting in, consuming and participating in things that don’t give you spiritual substance for endurance and strength.  You reflect the world’s ideals and values more then God’.” Isaiah 55:2  

4.     False beliefs.  “They trust in anything but God.  They trust in their abilities, possessions, money, other so-called gods, and so forth ” Isaiah 8:19-22

5.     Self-satisfaction. “You seek only your own self gratification.  Its like being that cloud passing over dry land and giving no rain.   You are no longer salty or a light to the world.” Matthew 5:13-16

6.     Testing God. “Not obeying and/or reverencing the Lord God.” Deuteronomy 6:15-17.   You become indifferent to the things of God.  You compromise to things you know are wrong.  Example: Some churches have said homosexuality isn't wrong when the word of God is clear it is wrong.  Personally: You have sex out of marriage.

Exempt from the causes of spiritual famine/hunger is God trying his servants to make them reflect His goodness such as Job 23:8-10 and when the Father could not look at Jesus because he became our sin offering on the cross.  His presence was no longer felt.  Jesus felt the spiritual famine of not having the presence of the Father with Him.

“About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?’ that is ‘MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?’” Matthew 27:46

What one experiences in spiritual hunger and famine.  

Do you know the LORD's words in Amos 8?

"The time is surely coming," says the Sovereign LORD, "when I will send a famine on the land- not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the LORD.  People will stagger everywhere from sea to sea, searching for the word of the LORD, running here and going there, but they will not find it.  Beautiful girls and fine young men will grow faint and weary, thirsting for the LORD'S word.  And those who worship and swear by the idols of Samaria, Dan, and Beersheba will fall down, never to rise again." Amos 8:11-14

The soul of person and a soul of nation prospers only in the WORDS OF THE LORD.   The words of GOD don't have to disappear for people not to hear them- an individual maybe able to read the print but who gives them their meaning?  GOD.  So when one does not seek GOD- they can't understand and discern their meaning in their soul.  Our Creator created us to live on the WORD of GOD.

Jesus said,

 "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4

 We thirst without "meaning" of God's word.   We indeed grow faint and weary not able to "hear."

As Romans 10:17 says,  

 ^"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

    

The absence of "hearing" (from God) leads to spiritual famine and hunger.  Again nothings prospers without God's "living" word in our life.

NOTE 1:
One feels the monotony/pressures of life. 
Faith becomes religion not a relationship with God. 
Looking for the next best exciting thing. 
Looking for the next thing that might give rest to soul.   
Their soul compass hinges on their own understanding not on God and the promises of God.
They thirst for God. (Pslam 84:2)

NOTE 2:    
One has a total loss of sustaining hope and joy because of the absence of God. (Psalm 51:12) 

God’s word being withheld.  
No spiritual food to feed one’s soul.   
No deep fulfilling insight is given. 
Having to continually be reminded of the basics. 1 Corinthians 3:2   

NOTE 3:   
 God’s Spirit is withheld.  
 Many fall asleep spiritually.  
 Dreamers die.  
 There is no renewing of the mind.  
 Don’t know God’s will which is good, pleasing and perfect. 1 Corinthians 11:30

Is it TOO LATE to step off that doormat and step back through that door? 

The answer is in the word of God but the invitation isn’t a lasting one – for the Lord will return and by then it will be too late.  (We see this in story of the five wise and five foolish virgins. Matthew 25)

Jesus tells the Laodicea church, “Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.  I will invite everyone who is victorious to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.  Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” Revelation 3:20-22

RELIEF from SPIRITUAL famine and crisis is FOUND…. 

1.     ONLY in GOD.  People must turn to GOD/ Jesus Christ. (John 10:9-10)

2.     When we turn away/admit and repent of our sinful behavior.  (Romans 3:27-28 & Micah 6:8)

3.     When we seek God’s mercy, who forgives us and gives us sufficient grace to endure and overcome.  Through drawing close to God, He breaks our oppression, depression, bondages and temptations.  (Micah 6:8)

4.     When we walk humbly with God in Spirit and truth (the word).  Seeing your value and purpose is in God not the things of this world and the circumstances in your life.  (Micah 6:8)

5.     Know this life is temporary.  Don’t give up.  Know an everlasting relief from spiritual famine is COMING when God takes us to heaven. (John 11:25)

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.