These Last Days Pt. 2

Last and Final Invitation

This reminds me of a story Jesus told in the bible.

Jesus said: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. ¹⁷ At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

¹⁸ “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

¹⁹ “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

²⁰ “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

²¹ “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’

²² “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’

²³ “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. ²⁴ I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’” Luke 14:16-24

In Matthew's account of Jesus telling the story.  The messengers are ignored and some are seized and treated shamefully and some are killed for giving the invite.  Matthew 22

The Lord has given an invitation for His salvation.  He has given his invitation for people to get to know him and join him in heaven but many people are giving excuses and putting it off like death and His coming have some kind of guidelines and can be dictated by how we feel and our schedule.   People are being careless with their soul by ignoring such invitations.   This is not the time to be too busy.  This is not the time to hope in some false hope that will only take you straight to hell.  Jesus is inviting all of humanity.  He is reaching out to us as a whole.  Please do not make excuses and be too busy for him. 

DID YOU GET YOUR INVITATION?

If people don’t come and come soon, they won’t taste the salvation that only comes in Jesus Christ.  Instead, by their choice, they will sadly be tortured in hell and the thrown into the lake of fire.   (Sometimes there is no nice way to say the truth.)

If you have not seen the 23 Minutes in Hell video-  you may want to watch it to give you a better understanding of what hell is like.  You can view it on YouTube and on this blog.

 Jesus speaking of his return said, “When the Son of Man returns, the world will be like the people were in Noah’s day.  In those days before the flood, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came to destroy them all. ” Luke 17:26-27

Noah had been building that boat for some 100 years!  Noah’s family probably told many people that God was going to flood the earth.   People, seeing the boat out in the middle of nowhere, probably just scoffed and disregarded him.  Just as people today will scoff and disregard the saving message of Jesus Christ and His return.

2 Peter 2:3-7 says “Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. ⁴ They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created. They deliberately forget that God made the heavens by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water.  Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood.  And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.”

These Last Days Pt. 3

Redundancy of  the Good News.  Cont. Pt 2.

Does that scare you?  It scares me and I am saved.  It scares me for those people who have chosen not to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

That is why God is giving one last call.   He is having his pastors, teachers, evangelist, and servants, give the message of the Good News. 

Are you ready?  Are you prepared?  Did you know what it means to be saved?  Do you just know what the bible says just as Judas knew Christ but in the end was not saved because he was the son of the devil by his actions. 

Then Jesus said, "I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil."

 
Jesus chooses all of us but it is our choice to make in Lord of our life or not.

Why do you think God's messengers are giving the salvation message again and again?  Why do you think they are speaking with a sense of urgency?  Why do you think they are speaking as plainly as they can?   Souls are at stake!  You either will have Jesus in heaven or hell without him and there is no place out of hell once you are in hell and you can’t get to heaven without Jesus. (Note: Luke 6:19-31)

The Lord is Not Slow in Coming.  

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”2 Peter 3:9-10

Repentance comes when we accept the Good News.  For how could a person be repentant if they don’t accept the Good News?

These Last Days Pt. 4

Sin & The Good News Cont. Pt3

“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.  If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.” 1 John 1:8-10

All of us will suffer from the affects of sin.  We will suffer the affects of our own sin and we will suffer the affects of other people’s sin in this life.   No one knows the affects of sin affecting their life better then our Lord Jesus Christ who paid the price for our sins on the cross.  Jesus was without sin yet he suffered the consequences of all our sin.

”For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”  2 Corinthians 5:21

Some may have heard of the old Jewish system of sacrificing animals for sins, this was only a mere shadow… a foretelling of the REAL sacrifice- who was Jesus Christ.

 ^“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

 “We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins.  And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.  For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard.  Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty.   

He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins.   For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God’s anger against us.  We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us.  God was being entirely fair and just in this present time when he declares sinners to be right in his sight because they believe in Jesus.  Can we boost, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on our good deeds.  It is based on our faith.  So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.”  Romans 3:22- 28

 You and I cannot be forgiven of our sins and go to heaven unless we sincerely tell God we are sorry for our sins and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of our life.  

These Last Days Pt.5

How Are We to Face Sin & Persecution as Christians?

Answer: We are to follow our Savior’s example.

When God showed me this again, I gained a greater understanding of how we are to face persecution as children of God. 

 “He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.  And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away.  No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream.  But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.”  Isaiah 53:7-9

What strikes the spiritual cords are these words, “He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word.  He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.  And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.  Unjustly condemned, he was led away. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal;” 

Jesus who was sinless said NOTHING to justify and defend himself even as he suffered scourging of whips, humiliation, ridicule, hung on a cross as a criminal by his hands and feet and given sour wine from a soldiers sanitary sponge.   Jesus said NOTHING.  He was a sheep silent before the knife of death. 
 

Now think of our brothers and sisters in Christ have been imprisoned, tortured, and slaughtered because they confess Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Jesus said “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

Our lives are to mean something.  Evil wants to tempt us to fight back but “woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!” (NOTE: Matthew 18:7)

These Last Days pt.6

Tempted to Retaliate

The world's mentality is an Eye for an Eye.  Revenge is sweet.  They did it to me so I can do it back to them.   It's, "seek our own type of justice and even "vigilante" justice.  Many Hollywood movies and television shows play into this type of thinking but the word of God says:

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.   Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good, pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2  

Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times? 
“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” Matthew 18:21-22

When we are tempted to act on the flesh - see what is tugging at the other end.      

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it”.  1 Corinthians 10:13

“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:18

“But you must be Holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.” 1 Peter 1:15

Mindset  

If we can imagine for moment… Jesus has been beaten and nailed to the cross by the very men he is going to the cross for.  And Jesus says with no partiality, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

James 3:17 says, “But the wisdom that is from heaven is first of all pure.  It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.  It is full of mercy and good deeds.  It shows no partiality and is always sincere.”

We are not to gratify our own flesh by physical vengeance and/or harden verbal words of discontent but do as Jesus did. NOTE: Galatians 5:16

“So get rid of all evil behavior.  Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.”  1 Peter 2:1

“For it is God’s will and intention that by doing right [your good and honest lives] should silence (muzzle, gag) the ignorant charges and ill-informed criticisms of foolish persons. [Live] as free people, [yet] without employing your freedom as a pretext for wickedness; but [live at all times] as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:15-16 (AMP)

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.  Matthew 5:43-48

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. “  Ephesians 4:26-27

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Never Being Disgraced

1 Peter 2:5-6 “And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.  What’s more, you are his holy priests.  Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

Jesus says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand,  and it gives light to everyone in the house.   In the same way, let your lightshine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

I am finding there are those who simply don't care about right and wrong anymore.  They don't care if their actions are evil.  They are going to do what they want to do regardless.   You have probably found the same but it doesn't matter what they do- you and I have do right.  Pray fro those who do wrong that they may come to God.

 John 3:19 "And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil."

 

From the Beginning Even to the End

 The Journey, the Road, the Path, We Were Not Created to Go It Alone.

“He has made everything appropriate in it’s time.  He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

 J.R.R. Tolkien wrote for one of his characters these words…

“The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began,
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say”

This life is a mystery… but ever think why it’s such a mystery?

Wouldn’t it be great to know someone who knew all the mysteries of life? Who knew which path we were to take and what we were suppose to do?

Oh but WAIT… GOD DOES!

I don’t know about you but if I saw all what God wanted to do in my life from beginning to end, I would probably become overwhelmed and want to give up.
 
For those who like to be controlling over their life…  (Does anyone have any real control over his or her life?)  We find the more we try to control the more messy life gets.

Others only considering the mortal sense of life become a killjoy or a cynic, thinking they know all there is to life.
  

“’Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher.
‘Utterly meaningless!
    Everything is meaningless.’
 What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?” Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 

Solomon was only looking at things horizontally- in his human understanding.

  
The truth is LIFE is MEANINGLESS without God in it.  Life is pretty stale without God in it.

Every once in a while I get a good dose of what that feels like.   They are usually days, that in my haste to get things done, I don’t seek God’s guidance.  Not only do the tasks take LONGER but also there is no pleasure in the tasks of life.  It is just lonely work.  The challenges that arise only make the work more burdensome and the energy level within me weakens.

That is same for all the aspects and facets of life when we don’t walk with Jesus.  For us as Christians, we must not just have a horizontal perspective on life but a vertical perspective as well. 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

God wants us to seek him.  He is the only one who knows what we are going to face each day and how to handle each situation.  Being receptive to God’s direction improves our life even with challenges.   Life is not always rosy but with a bit perspective and insight from above, we can appreciate this temporary life a bit more.

We can find the joy of what it means to walk with God and grow in that life changing perspective and be light to others - without that perspective we are just as hopeless as everyone else in this world.

The Good work of God…
“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

I am reminded of a mountain river with stones and how the stones have all been rounded by the life of the river.  In a symbolic way we are stones in a river of life.   We all experience stormy days, difficult days and days of bliss but don’t think God doesn’t know where each of those stones are in the river of life.

 “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:4-5

 As I thought about the verse from Ecclesiastes…
”…  yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end,”

 I was reminded of another verse.  “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!”  David wasn't looking horizontally but vertically.  

Let’s look at this verse in Psalm 139:1-6. David says, “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.  You know when I sit down or stand up.  You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.   You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.   You know everything I do.  You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.  You go before me and follow me.  You place your hand of blessing on my head.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!” Psalm 139:1-6

The mystery of life and how God uses that mystery to transform our life - is too great for us to understand.

How God knows exactly where we are and what we are thinking, does that sound like a God that doesn’t want anything to do with his creation? Does that sound like a God that doesn’t want to work in our lives?

David says God places a hand of blessing on his head, is the same true for us?

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.  Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:16-21

Ephesians 1:3-5 says,  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—“
 
I know I need to consider more that its God’s will to take pleasure in us and our lives - just as we find hope, peace and encouragement in Him.   

David continues with, “You watch me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.  You saw me before I was born.  Everyday of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.  How precious are your thoughts about me O God.  They cannot be numbered!  I can’t count them: They outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me.”  Psalm 139:15-18

God’s precious thoughts for us outnumber the grains of sand.  Ever go to the beach and pick up a hand full of sand? Just in my hand there are more grains of sand than I can count.   Ever pick up a bag of sand from the hardware store?  If you were to transfer God’s love into sand bags, the weight and size would be more then enormous.

The Spirit said, “Longsuffering”.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 KJV

We will never love God more then he loves us but God wants us to have a relationship with Him.  A relationship, that grows into a deep love, trust and unyielding acceptance of his guidance for our life.   A relationship, with Him knowing he has planned the best pathway for our life. 

We can’t have this unless we ask God to forgive us for all our wrongs (sins) and ask Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior of our life and fill us with His Spirit. 

This goes for professing Christians as well… we can’t have the best path or have a maturing relationship with Christ unless we humble ourselves and let God guide us each and everyday.  We must look upward instead of just horizontally.
 
 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
    I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8

David ends the Psalm with: “Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:23-24

Are you asking him to search you? Are you looking for his daily fellowship?

Only God knows the path from beginning to end and he made it so both you could walk this life together into eternity.   Again, there is no way to make it into eternity in heaven without Him- Jesus Christ.

The question is do we see that?  Do we realize our daily need to take hold of his hand as his children and have him lead us to what is a mystery- from the beginning to the end?

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..." Hebrews 12:1-2
 
May God help us to look vertically to Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith.  

An Effective Witness Part Two

I love the changing colors of the autumn.   How lawns and concrete sidewalks are temporarily decorated with festive warm colors that are shed from the standing trees above them.  These eye-feasting days are the evidence that another beautiful fall is upon us.   And just as we observe the changing colors that represent "Fall" we must also take note of the messages God is giving His pastors and people to share with His people, for they too are showing us the season in which we are living and heading in to.  Just as the seasons tell us what time of the year we are living so are the messages God gives to equip and ready His people for what is ahead and is to come.

God has always prepared His people for what is to come- since the very beginning.

“Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years;’” Genesis 1:14 NKJV

And now…

“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree.  When its buds become tender and its leaves begin to sprout, you know without being told that summer is near.  Just so, when you see the events I’ve described beginning to happen, you can know his return is very near, right at the door.”  Matthew 24:32-33 NLT (READ Matthew 24 when you get a chance.)

Present Messengers Messages

The messages and even in my studies with the Lord, there has been an emphasis on these themes:

1.     Jesus’ coming is near.

2.     Jesus is preparing and securing his people in himself before he comes.

3.     Persecution of bible believing Christians is going to increase.

Under preparing and securing his people are questions like these: “Are you really saved?” and “Do you know what it means to be saved?”

Why would God have his messengers ask such questions?

•  People accepting false teachings.
• People fallen into human understanding.
• People not living the way they should.
• People not educated in how one is saved.
• People are worried and uncertain in their salvation in Jesus Christ.
• God doesn’t want anyone to perish but have eternal life in heaven with him. (Note: 2 Peter 3:9)

If we are offended by such questions we should ask ourselves why?  I think we should be grateful to have such questions asked.  Such questions help us to refocus on what is important in this life and strengthen our faith in God.  God wouldn’t ask us these types of questions if he didn’t care, would he?

Someone might ask, “I go to church, doesn’t that make me a Christian?” I can stand in the produce department at the grocery store does that make me an apple, orange, banana or a grapefruit...? Hopefully not a grapefruit. :)

There were many times when I was persuaded to go to church - I got some “la la la” and then some “blah, blah, blah” but nothing really stuck.   My heart didn’t change and certainly my mindset didn’t change. 
 

 It wasn’t until I gave my life to God did the change take place. That is when I became a Christian.

“And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them.  I will take away their hearts of stone and give them tender hearts instead.” Ezekiel 11:19

I do many good works but does that make me a Christian?

Does a fire fighter, a law enforcement officer, a teacher, a medical physician, an athletic coach, do good works? Does that mean they are all Christians?

Even individuals in false religions do good works but do they believe Jesus Christ as being LORD and Savior?  Is Jesus Christ God of them? Is Jesus Christ – The WAY into heaven?  Are they depending on Jesus Christ to save them?

The word of God says, “ All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.  No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and have given us over to our sins.” Isaiah 64:6-7 NIV

If one depends on their own so-called “righteous acts” to try save themselves instead of Jesus Christ, their “good deeds” are worthless.  Their “good deeds” are filthy rags to God.  They are done in the wrong motive to only benefit the doer in temporary human praise and deny Christ as Lord and Savior.  This type of person becomes prideful, puffed up, legalistic, ignorant, jealous and foolish in their thinking.   It is the very opposite in how God works in our life.  (Note 1 Corinthians 13 & Galatians 5:16-26)

Our good deeds do not save us.  It is only through Jesus Christ that we can be saved.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9

“For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

We don’t do good works to be saved but walk in good works because of what Jesus Christ has done in our lives. 

I haven’t killed anyone, done drugs, or stolen anything?  I consider myself a good person.  Does that make me a Christian?

Being a good person, does that give me right of passage into heaven?  A good person… according to whom… me, others, you or God?

“For all have sinned: all fall short of God’s glorious standard.  Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty.  He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins.  For God sent Jesus to take the punishment of our sins and to satisfy God’s anger against us.   We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us….”  Romans 3:23-25

Without Jesus Christ, whatever you thought would secure you a place in heaven will vanish before your eyes and you will fall into the pit of hell.   Don’t be tricked.

Do you have Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior of your life?

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

“There is a path before each person that seems right, but ends in death.” Proverbs 16:25

Jesus said, “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate.  The highway to hell is broad, and it’s gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way.  But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it.”  Matthew 7:13-14

“God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them. - God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”  Matthew 5:10

Jesus said, “Yes, I am the gate.  Those who come in through me will be saved.  Wherever they go, they will find green pastures.   The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.  My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.  I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:9-11

Jesus said “However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.  For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do what I want.  And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them to eternal life at the last day. For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life- that I should raise them at the last day.” John 6:37-4

Life is short.  The devil only has a short time as well.  He wants to convince people of many different philosophies of thought concerning heaven but God has made it plain.  You and I can't have eternity in heaven unless we have Jesus as our Lord and Savior.   It wasn't some false prophet or ordinary man that split his blood for all of humanity but it was God's blood.  Jesus all man and all God.  Pure and without sin.  He was the sacrifice for our sins.  God's blood...  only God's blood can cover our sins.

I know sometimes in life to find real answers, we have to find no solution in us and/or humanity.   We have to be in a dark pit of sorts where we relinquish our life to God and God makes a way where there seemed to be no way.

God has made way- where there seemed to be no way and that is through Jesus Christ.

This message is not just important for those who haven’t got to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior but it is important to Christians as well….  It is a reminder that we cannot be an effective witness for Jesus Christ (a Christian) if we have something other then Jesus or added to Jesus as our foundation of our salvation.  Too much sand, too much water and the concrete will crumble.  This applies to everything in our life as well.  We not be consistent in all our ways unless our focus and trust in him.  God is always consistent.   He is always faithful.  Jesus needs to be our salvation in entirety- nothing more and nothing less.

Again Spirit of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, is preparing and securing his people in himself before he comes.

Before we know it all the colorful leaves will have fallen to the ground and disappeared.  It will be winter and if we don't take the messages we are given to heart, what will warm our hearts in the cold of winter? Is eternity with Jesus set in your heart?

I am anxious to see my Jesus are you?

I hope this speaks to you  

23 Minutes in Hell

An Effective Witness Part 1

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“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

In other words it’s always “the heart of the matter.”

Where is the heart living?  What scales is it using to weigh the matters of life…  the temporary or the eternal…the human or the spiritual… the sacrificial or the self-seeking?

Is the heart living in the past…? Is the past bleeding to the canvases of the present…?

Fleeting are the moments in life yet some of us haul some moments as stones of burden.   These experiences have seeded the fields of a person’s life and now produce wild inedible yields.  Instead of being burned and tilled into the ground to be used as nutrients for more productive satisfying harvests, they pile up like briar patches growing and mounding over the previous growth.  It soon becomes so high it becomes impassible for anyone to come out or in. 

On the other hand some treasure moments that will soon be forgotten.   They take up space like old trophies in a display case- never making room for what is to come.  Those who hold such things don’t seem to see the luster of those times and achievements are gone.  The polishing days are over.  

It is true… “Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.” Proverbs 14:10

And though there is a time for everything under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1), I find we can’t live in yesterday.  Yesterday can be a nice shaded step for today…. but of course how we look and examine yesterday will determine how we walk in today and tomorrow.  We can only pack so much in our suitcase in this trip of life. 

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs 3:5

In all your ways submit to him… in whatever you may be going through (no matter positive or negative) we are to submit to God. I find that is the only way I keep my heart with all diligence.  We aren’t full of the pride of life nor are we full of the self-pity.

We are vessels… not overfilled with our plans and thoughts (which might never take place) and no room for God’s input but vessels filled and stirred up by God in all he created us to be in Him.  

When a sculpture looks at piece of marble to carve his masterpiece in – he doesn’t just pick any piece out of the stone yard.  He takes in account all the different characteristics of the stone.  

Our creator, who formed us in our mother’s womb – knew exactly what your talents, abilities, likes, dislikes, strengths and weaknesses were going to be.   He waited for us to turn our life over to Him so he could skillfully work on what he intended us to be in this life....  Note for that to actually happen we actually had to submit to the sculpture’s skillful and caring hands.   Yeah watch out for those novices, they may take a swing and you may end up as shattered pieces on the floor.   
 

The sculpture speaks of the artist…

Think about Michelangelo’s sculptures…  What do they speak of?
 

When we look at Michelangelo’s creations, we don’t see the material it is made of but what he wanted the material to turn into.  

Do we just look at the raw outer facades of people and ourselves?   What does God, the Creator, the artist, see in us?  What is he crafting us into?   Do we allow God to glorify himself in us?
   

Romans 8:30 says... “to those whom he justified, he also glorified.”

We were created in the image of … who?

Yet we cannot glorify God in our life unless we give our lives to him- DAILY!

Giving our life to God, we experience the reality of God, but also we become more conscience of how God wants us to live.  We hopefully see life in a new way.  We see what truly matters and is lasting and take that path he planned for us to glorify him.  

“God’s ways and thoughts are higher then our ways and thoughts.” Note Isaiah 55:8-9

God wants us to become spiritually prosperous in himself -who is eternal, unchanging and ALWAYS… unlike the rest of this world which is temporary and leaves us chasing the wind.   Rat race… rat race… rat race can’t you see that big cat of this world chasing you?

I look at the people of God in the bible.   They were called to live sacrificial lives and in their obedience God made their way and path clear.  They weren’t chasing the wind.  It was abundantly clear God was with them.  Do you think this would have happened without their submission and obedience to God?

They submitted themselves to God and in this submission had confidence in God.

“To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.” Psalm 18:25-26

How do you see God?

Jesus said  "Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light.  But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”  Matthew 6:22-23

Is your eye pure? Do you trust in the word of God, knowing it is pure…? 

Do these words fall flat in your ears? Do you melt at certain words? Are you humbled by certain words? Are you comforted by certain words?

What is God to you? He is faithful even though you fail in your faithfulness? Is he out to get you? He is for you or against you?  Is he your Rock, Fortress, Shield, Comfort, peace when there is no explanation for such wonderful things?

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 

Do we ask... "God... what do you want me to get out this experience called life”?

You save the humble
    but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.
You, Lord, keep my lamp burning;
    my God turns my darkness into light.
With your help I can advance against a troop;
    with my God I can scale a wall.

As for God, his way is perfect:
    The Lord’s word is flawless;
    he shields all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the Lord?
    And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength
    and keeps my way secure.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
    he causes me to stand on the heights.
 He trains my hands for battle;
    my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You make your saving help my shield,
    and your right hand sustains me;
    your help has made me great.
You provide a broad path for my feet,
    so that my ankles do not give way.  Psalm 18:27-36

This task of life is a delicate balance…. we as Christians seem to have to keep our thoughts away from pride and ignorance on one side and doubt and pity on the other… Yet as we walk on this balance beam of life, we seldom realize God is right there holding our waist. He wants us to stretch out our arms with confidence and abandonment in him and take flight.   He whispers, “I have you, trust me.  Do a cartwheel or two.  Jump… leap… I will show you what you are capable of doing with me…. “

Some of us stand off stage…. waiting for our time on the stage of life not realizing we are already standing in full view of the audience of the world.  The conductor of life (God) motions to us. We realize the attention we now suddenly have... The conductor says,  “Watch me- not them.  For I have wrote a beautiful score for your life.”  He lifts his finger... and we start to sing.

Give God all you are and see what HE DOES….

Hope this blesses and encourages you this day.

     

  

Angel or Priest?

Angelic Priest Mysteriously Appears to Pray with Car Crash Victim from newsroom12 on GodTube.

Dream

"Then after I have poured out my rains again, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy.  Your old men will dream dreams.  Your young men will see visions.  In those days, I will pour out my Spirit even on servants, men and women alike.   I will cause wonders in the heavens and the earth- blood and fire and pillars of smoke.  The sun will be turned into darkness, the moon will turn blood-red before the great and terrible day of the LORD arrives.   And anyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.   There will be people on Mount Zion in Jerusalem who escape, just as the LORD has said.  These will be among the survivors whom the LORD has called."  Joel 2:28-32 and Acts 2:17-21

Dream.  6/30 We were on some road trip.   I seem to be the one driving.   We can see an expansive ocean ahead of us but the road we're are on doesn't head to the ocean but a dead end.   I was about to turn around when I noticed off to my left a chain link fence and beyond the chain link fence was a waterfall and river.  The waterfall's water came from the sea which filled the river.   The river was filled with dead leaves and wild cantaloupe.   The trees along this river were stripped of their bark and nothing grew on them.   They were naked and bare.   I got out of the car and looked at all the fruit floating in the river and thought, "What a waste of fruit."   I told one of the people in the car to come check out what I was seeing and she got out and took a picture with her camera.  I then woke up.

This is what I have been shown by the Spirit about this dream so far.

The sea in the dream represents the sea of humanity.

The sea water that was pouring onto the land is to show that man's desire to follow the humanity instead of God.

People and nations represent trees.   They also represent "Christians".

"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."  Psalm 1:2-3

"But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.  They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.  Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by the long months of drought.  Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8

The trees that were feeding off the waters of humanity were stripped of their bark and had no leaves.   They were naked and bare.

 We are living in age that mirrors the Laodicea church.

Jesus said to that church.  "I know all things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold.  I wish you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, 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."    

They may have everything in man's eye but in God's eye they are poor, naked and blind.   They have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living water. (Note: Jeremiah 17:13) All the things that the men of earth desire and think will save, encourage and give them hope will soon be gone.   These things are here today and gone tomorrow.  It is a constant chasing of the wind.   What will they have when they lose everything?  The ways of man have only weakened their faith.   What will happen to them when more difficult testings and trials come in the near future?  God wants us to become productive and useful in our knowledge of Jesus Christ.

"But those who fail to develop these virtues are blind or, at least, very shortsighted.   They have already forgotten that God has cleansed them from their old life of sin."  2 Peter 1:9

The hundreds and thousands of "wild" cantaloupe that are floating down the river, I believe represent God given gifts that are being wasted and missed used.   People's "motives" for using such God given gifts are all wrong.  They are only used for self not for God who gave them these gifts and abilities.  They use them to only serve themselves not God.

The dead end was to show us what is happening.  The chain- link fence was to keep us out and to show us what is happening.

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest the water does not flow from the sea to the land but from the mountains through the land and into the sea.   God did not have this happen by accident.  He was drawing a picture for us in his creation.
 
God is our source.  He is a like a great mountain, who feeds the land and rivers below giving life.   Great and majestic is HE!

"The LORD will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too.   You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. "  Isaiah 58:11

"Through each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life." Psalm 42:8

Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "If you believe in me, come and drink!  For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within." Note John 7:37