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.

Who Is On The Throne of Your JOY?

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“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

Last week I took a “Narcissistic Personality Quiz.” http://psychcentral.com/quizzes/narcissistic.htm

The N.P.Q measures narcissistic mindsets and tendencies… in how one looks at authority, their own body, superiority, entitlement, manipulation, equality, self-sufficiency and vanity.

I did not score high enough to be a categorized as a narcissistic individual but I found the questions interesting and I remember when I had such “narcissistic tendencies” and once acted and thought upon them.

I then read 2013 article on new.discovery.com that reported that data has shown an increasing amount of Americans are becoming narcissists.     http://news.discovery.com/human/narcissism-epidemic-college-students.htm

This was not surprising considering how self-absorbed our society has become and in doing so has become a joyless society. 

We can point the finger at a lot of things… such as the baby boomers or our expectation and reliance on convenience.  But that's not it .... It's who's on the throne of our life.

What happens when life isn’t convenient? 
  

My youngest got a free ticket to a theme park as a reward so we went for the day and while we were patiently standing in line at the concession stand for a refill in our cup, a group of people walked up to the counter and demanded that they be served even though they could see everyone else was waiting in line.  And when the people at the concession stand wouldn’t serve them they got down right rude and disrespectful.  Where did they get that idea of entitlement over all those other people waiting in line?

Who was ruling on their throne? 

I guess you could say we saw a principle of God’s word come to life that day because the many who thought they would to be first ended up last and those considered last ended up the first.

Ever feel bad because you don’t get recognized for doing something?  Where does that come from? 

The N. P. Q is a simple man made test.  It does not adequately measure the accuracy of how God knows the thoughts and intents of the heart.  I may not be narcissistic in the world’s eyes but that doesn’t mean “I” or “me” doesn’t wants to crawl up on the throne and paint and color the circumstances of my day.   
  

We as Christians must remember we are children of our Heavenly Father.   God allows us to crawl up on the throne of our hearts to experience that we are not the source of our own joy.  Some learn this and some don't.   And He also allows us to sit on his lap to KNOW HE is the source of our JOY.  

Ever seen the LORD smile? When He smiles there is nothing like it and it fills you with so much goodness that there is no room for the negative symptoms you were experiencing. 
   

We must surrender the throne of our life to Him.  We also must be patient and wait upon the LORD and He will establish our hearts where they need to be set.  He is the good medicine for our heart.
 

“For he shall not often reflect on the days of his life; because God occupies him with the joy of his heart.” Ecc 5:20

To WHOM Do I Belong?

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There is a children’s book about a little bird that cracked open his egg and fell out of the nest and goes looking for his mother who he has never seen.   The little bird asks a cat, a dog, a cow, and even a car and a dirt scoop…. if they are his mother. 

We think this is silly and illogical but isn’t that precisely what people do with… God?

We can plainly see through history and artifacts of people worshipping the creation and not the living true God- the Creator.  The Egyptians worshipped the gods of Ra, Isis, Horus, and many more.  The Israelites made a golden calf to worship instead of worshiping the true living God who miraculously gave them freedom from slavery in Egypt.  We see and hear about ancient Greek and Roman gods like Apollo, Cupid, Hercules, Zeus, Hades, Diana, and Aphrodite.  We see in certain Catholic churches Mary and the saints are worshipped as gods.  We see in the Native American culture that creation is worshipped not the Creator.  In Mexico and sad to say, here in America there are shrines and statues to Satan, the one who seeks to destroy all those created in the image of God. 

People ask… sciences are you my God?

Money are you my God?

Circumstances are you my God?

Job is it my God?

Doctors, professors, clergy, therapist are they my God?

Husband, wife, girl friend, boy friend are you my God?

Me, my feelings, my thoughts are they my God?

How many people do you know who have been cursed/controlled by their lifestyle of tobacco, alcohol and/or drugs which is causing them not only to make bad decisions, but destroying their body and life? These substances have become a god to them. 

How many people do you know who have been cursed by divorce and adulterous relationships?  It’s not just the spouse that pays but the children as well.

How many people do you know who have been cursed by sexual sin? 

How many people do you know who have been cursed by trusting in money?

How many people do you know who have been cursed by hatred?

How many people do you know who trust in only what they see and they are cursed by it?  How many people do you see deeply hurt by the actions of others and they can’t get past those hurtful actions?

How many people do you see cursed and blinded because they don’t trust God?

These are examples of false gods/idols in people’s lives.  They are saying, “These are my gods.  I trust, use, follow, listen to these things more then God.  These things are what I allow to rule over my life… if they fail me I am without hope because I choose to trust in mere idols and circumstances then the true living God.”

Let’s read Romans 1.

“Yes they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks.  And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like.  The result was that their minds became dark and confused.  Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead.  And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols make to look like mere people, or birds and animals and snakes.  So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired.  As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.  Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies.  So they worshipped the things God made but not the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever. Amen.  That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires.  Even women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other.  And men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned with lust for each other.  Men did shameful things with other men and, as a result, suffered within themselves the penalty they so richly deserved.  When they refused to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their evil minds and let them do things that should never be done.  Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, fighting, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.  They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent proud, and boastful.  They are forever inventing new ways of sinning and are disobedient to their parents.  They refuse to understand, break promises, and are heartless and unforgiving.  They are fully aware of God’s death penalty for those who do these things, yet they go right ahead and do them anyway.  And worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.”  Romans 1:21-32

Look at the ROOT issue… The root issue is making other things gods instead of the living true God
be God of their life.

“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Proverbs 25:28

Ever been hurt by someone or a group of people?  Ever been greatly discouraged because of a situation?  What is your tendency to do when hurt or discouraged?  Is it finding a way to get even, quitting, withdrawing, indulging in ways of temporary escape and/or believing in the lies and so on and so forth?  God knows our tendencies so he says in His word….  

“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, and turn their hearts away from the LORD.  They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future.  They will live in the barren wilderness, on the salty flats where no one lives.”

Is this not true or what?  We allow hurt or loss or the betrayal of a situation to become our poison.  We become stunted, feel hopeless and feel justified to throw a little pity part.  We start living in this bleak mindset where it seems no one can help us.  But look at the contrast of these following these verses…

“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 long months of drought.  Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit.”  Jeremiah 17:5-8

So we must ask ourselves what do we allow to be above God in our life?  What is going to be our deep and growing and strengthening resolve in life? Are we going to allow circumstances and situations cause us to turn our hearts away from the LORD? And if we do turn our hearts away from the LORD, what are we saying is our god?  What God/or god is over this situation?” we must ask ourselves. 

Who am I going to turn to, turn the situation over to, and trust? 

Genesis 1:27 says, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God; He created him, male and female he created them.”

Three times in the same sentence it says is “God created”.  If you are created by God, then you belong to that HIM.   Knowing we belong to the LORD will make a big difference in our life.  We can turn our life over to Him our Creator and Savior Jesus Christ.  Instead of destructive ways of living, God will guide us to constructive ways of overcoming.  We will grow to know WHO is our strength and shield and He will bless us because we know we are in need of Him.

“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.” Colossians 3:10

GOD of FIRE and LIVING WATER

While in prayer at a church board meeting recently I saw a vision of fire… fire that had no source.  It was floating in the air. It’s flames were neither reaching upward or downward. 

It could have possibly been what they saw in the book of Acts, “Then what looked like flames of tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.” Acts 2:3

I am also reminded by the Spirit of this passage, “Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.  Suddenly, the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush.  Moses was amazed because the bush was engulfed in flames, but it didn’t burn up.  “Amazing!” Moses said to himself.  “Why isn’t that bush burning up?  I must go over to see this.”  When the LORD saw that he had caught Moses’ attention, God called to him from the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

“Here I am!” Moses replied.

“Do not come any closer,” God told him.  Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.”  Exodus 3:1-5

We are living in a time where there is little respect for Living True God and His WORD.

“Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29

God is a FIRE with no origin.  He has no creator or parent. He is GOD!

“By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.” Psalm 33:8

“To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.” Exodus 24:17

“But be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the LORD has promised you.” Deuteronomy 9:3

That last one (Deuteronomy 9:3) reminds me a bit of a picture we see in Revelation…

“His eyes were bright like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns.  A name was written on Him, and only He knew what it meant.   He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the WORD of God.  The armies of heaven, dressed in pure white linen, followed Him on white horses.  From His mouth came a sharp sword, and with he struck down the nations.   He ruled them with an iron rod, and he trod the winepress with the fierce wrath of almighty God.  On His robe and thigh was written this title: King of kings and Lord or lords.”  Revelation 19:12-16

God is a FIRE that destroys those who are rebellious and don’t submit to Him.   God is a FIRE that should be given respected and awe.  God is the FIRE who we must seek for HE alone encourages, and strengthens and gives us living inspiration by His word and Spirit to carry on in a dark world.

 A world that says what Isaiah writes,

“What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that the dark is light and light is dark, that the bitter is sweet and the sweet is bitter.  What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.  What sorrow for those who are heroes at drinking wine and boast about all the alcohol they can hold.  They take bribes to let the wicked go free, and they punish the innocent.  Therefore, just as fire licks up stubble and dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will rot and their flowers wither.  For they have rejected the law of the LORD of Heaven Armies; they have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 5:20-24

This world that will experience terrible sorrow when it’s Creator, the Lord, returns.  We are only seeing the birth pains of His coming with earthquakes, hail, floods, drought, fire, war, famine, hatred for what is good...
 

John the Baptist said about himself and Jesus, "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. "His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." Matthew 3:11-12

Some have forgotten and act as if they are God when deciding what is good and right.  They have disregarded God’s word.   Some have lost hope and/or don’t know God’s goodness and have drowned in what they see in the world but God reminds us that though we live in the world we are not of the world and these circumstances that surround us are not to define us or our mindset.  We cannot spiritually eat of what the world gives or else we become spiritually sick minded and the sick minded trust in only what they see in the world, which makes them blind to God and benefits of God.

We must continually walk by faith- prayer- Spirit and truth.  Faith changes things and we see in Jesus Christ all things are possible in a upside down world.

Because we live in this world it can feel “spiritually” suffocating at times… but in those times we must push off the world’s oppressive thirsty surface and seek the ROCK who gives refreshment to our soul.

The rock of Horeb where water flowed like a river into the desert.

Remember the rock of Horeb.

“I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.” Exodus 17:6

“Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.” Numbers 20:11

“He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them water as abundant as the seas;” Psalm 78:15

“He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert.”  Psalm 105:41

That rock is an illustration of Jesus Christ who was struck for us to give us life and life more abundantly.  He is the perpetual spring living in us (Holy Spirit) as we live in this parched wilderness of a world.

But let us take careful note as we read further...

“And all of them drank the same miraculous water that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.  Yet after this, God was not pleased with most of them, and he destroyed them in the wilderness.  These events happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did or worship idols as some of them did.  For the Scriptures say, “The people celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged themselves in pagan revelry.”  And we must not engage in sexual immorality as some of them did, causing 23,000 of them to die in one day.  Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died from snakebites. And don’t grumble as some of them did, for that is why God sent his angel of death to destroy them.  All these events happened to them as examples for us.  They were written down to warn us, who live at the time when this age is drawing to a close.” 1 Corinthians 10:4-10   

We know we cannot hope in what the world puts hope in for those things are only temporary, shortsighted, false and empty but we are to put our hope in GOD who is everlasting and eternal.  He is full of goodness, love, grace, compassion and mercy to help us stay on the right path.  And because our Hope is “living” and “active” we know none of us can become sufficient in ourselves. We do not have the strength alone nor do we know what we need at the precise time we need it to overcome the daily obstacles in our life but God does. We all need in these times the constant yoke of Jesus who the author and finisher of our faith. 
 

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke fits perfectly, and my burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

The mountain of Horeb, is not just a historical story but an illustration of who GOD is.  For from the Mountain of GOD, where there is FIRE came Jesus Christ who gives us the Holy Spirit, spiritual water, for our born again soul.

"He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.  The world cannot receive Him, because it isn't looking for Him and doesn't Recognize Him.  But you know Him, because he lives with you now and later will be in in you." John 14:17

Remember this is LIBERATING SUSTAINING LIVING TRUTH THAT SATISFIES THE SOUL! The world is constantly thirsty because it looks to everything else but God to be satisfied.  It will collapse and be destroyed by it's own doing because it refuses to turn, repent, and submit to God.

Remember the dream I was given by God to share with you.

“Do not partake from the sea of humanity but take from the Mountain, the ROCK- that gives only good life sustaining water.  For the water that comes from the sea makes one sick and naked and fruitless.  I have seen the seawater do what is unnatural.  Instead of staying in the sea it is pouring onto the land stripping the trees of their bark leaving them unprotected and exposed.   There are no leaves in their canopies; all the fruit has been laid to waste.  The lands have been poisoned.  The way into these lands is fenced off to my companions and I, to only witness the shame.  It is a hopeless land.  It is a cursed place.  It has trusted and given into the ways of man instead of God, the GREAT MOUNTAIN and ROCK.”

GOD is the GOD of FIRE and LIVING WATER

You want this living water for your soul in this thirsty world?  How about going to heaven when you die? How about being able to understand God's word?

In book of John that is written to the us, Jesus said to Nicodemus, a devoted religious man,

"Very truly I tell you, no one can see the Kingdom of GOD unless they are born again." John 3:3

Jesus is saying no one can have the life giving spiritual benefits of God- the ones that nourish and encourage our soul, until we are born again.

Then in verse 5 & 6 Jesus says,

"Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to the flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit."

We cannot enter heaven without being born again in the Spirit.

Jesus Christ is the one in which we all must go and submit our life to be born again in the Spirit of God.

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

So if you want to go to heaven and have your life transformed, genuinely do these things from your heart with me.  Pray to the Lord.  Know that he paid with his life for you and me.  Know Jesus rose from the dead and now sits with next to the Father interceding for you and I today.  

If you like can say these words with me.

JESUS, I have sinned and I have served the things of the world and I have become very thirsty and unsatisfied.   Please forgive me.  I want to give my life over you now, to be saved and for you to become LORD and Savior of my life.  That I can come to know you more intimately, that I will go to heaven when I Pass on from this life and I can have your life giving Spirit living in me so that I may understand and experience all that you have for me.  Thank you Jesus for all you have done and are going to do.  AMEN. AMEN. AMEN.


    

Dream of the Rapture

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Before I speak briefly about this dream I want to share with you the sentence that has been repeated to me by the Spirit.  “It will be as the time as Noah.”

It will be like it is now… people going about their daily business. 

Remember what happened when Lot left Sodom?  After Christians are “taken up” one terrible destructive event will follow another as we have read in Revelation.

God has warned His people and will continue to do so until that day which I sense will be soon or else God would not be doing all this warning as He is now.   Let us hear… Let us see… Let us pray for those loved ones blinded by the world and themselves that they come to Jesus Christ before those terrible days unfold. 

I have also been reminded by the Spirit of this verse, “Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.

Do you know what that means?  It means people loved the things that were sinful.  They enjoyed the empty pleasures of the world.  They loved things that lead to death and spiritual death.  They gathered around those sinful things like vultures around stinky carcass- on the Texas roadside…. They choose death instead of seeking God who is LIFE and gives one the ability to live in goodness and away from sinfulness.  Do we not see that now in America and all over the world? 

The dream is the third part… and may it be a strong warning to us all.

In the dream I was a witness to this “happening” where people vanished in this golden twinkling dust.  People did not all vanish all at once like the “Left Behind” movie -but some vanished before others.  

It was just as Jesus speaks…  “On that day a person out on the deck of the roof must not go down into the house to pack.  A person out in the field must not return home.”

If they all vanished at once, which is the opinion of some, why would Jesus have to tell us not to go down into the house to pack or not to return home?  People, in the dream, were witnessing others “disappearing” and Jesus is warning us as we witness others raptured -not to go here or there, but watch and wait.  Some will lose their nerve even though they know what is happening and they will back or duck into doorways.  It will be an amazing event… one we must be ready for… in Spirit and truth.

Are we prepared for that great day? How is your supply of oil? Are you watching like watching for a thief? Are you preparing your soul for that soon coming day?

These words are not just for you but me as well.  It is for the greatest of us to the least of us.  Let us have the Lord show us where we are not right with Him.  Let us have Him convict us of our sinfulness, shortcomings and laziness of faith.  The fear that some may not making it bothers me greatly.  But in repentance to His Holy Spirit conviction we are allowed to see and live as we should in reverence towards Him.

No one likes discipline but I rather be disciplined by God now then be around when all those horrible things come.

Let’s read the words of Jesus.   

Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see the day when the Son of Man returns, but you won’t see it. ²³ People will tell you, ‘Look, there is the Son of Man,’ or ‘Here he is,’ but don’t go out and follow them. ²⁴ For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so it will be on the day when the Son of Man comes. ²⁵ But first the Son of Man must suffer terribly and be rejected by this generation.

²⁶ “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. ²⁷ In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all.

²⁸ “And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business—eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building— ²⁹ until the morning Lot left Sodom. Then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. ³⁰ Yes, it will be ‘business as usual’ right up to the day when the Son of Man is revealed. ³¹ On that day a person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return home. ³² Remember what happened to Lot’s wife! ³³ If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it. ³⁴ That night two people will be asleep in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. ³⁵ Two women will be grinding flour together at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.”

³⁷ “Where will this happen, Lord?” the disciples asked.

Jesus replied, “Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.”

LUKE 17:22-37

I feel it is my obligation to share this…

Relentless 4

How the Race Changes Us

The obstacles in our life helps bring the impurities "the slag" to the surface where they can be skimmed off. When we see these "imperfections or irritations" we can ask ourselves, "Are we really letting God empower us?"

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:2-5

WHO simplifies the matters of the Heart and Mind... is it not GOD?
  

A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.  Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.” Isaiah 40:3-4
   
He not only simplifies but tell us, He is with us.
 

“When you pass through the water, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.” Isaiah 43:2

God  has already been through the race and yet He loves us SO MUCH, He is willing to go through the race with each us individually.  This is a wonderful thought?

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.  Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15

Have you thought what Satan must of felt when he saw the relentlessness of Jesus taking up the cross?  He must of shook in fear.  Jesus is the picture of our Relentless.  He was beaten, whipped, chastised, tried, and tested, tortured but wanting to fulfill the will of the Father- nothing could stop Him. 

“I gave My back to those who strike Me, And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting. For the Lord GOD helps Me, Therefore, I am not disgraced; Therefore, I have set My face like flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.” Isaiah 50:7

That same relentless Spirit of Jesus is in us, Christians… that we too can set our face like flint on Jesus.   Our roots can go and surrender deep into God’s marvelous love that liberates.  

I hope this has encouraged you!

 “And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  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 really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.” Ephesians 3:17-21

Relentless 3

The Race (Note) Hebrews12:1-3
 

Have you ever thought about “this” race of faith we live?

I have found that even though we may all run in the same race and even side-by-side, we all see the race in different perspectives.  The race of faith is individually personal.

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

We hear and experience God in personal ways, do we not?  I may receive a word from God that is so “real” and “living” in the moment but when I try to share, convey and repeat that word with someone else they can’t fully share its joy along with me.

Many times that is what happens in our race of faith …but let me add something here… Have you ever seen the affects of God’s partnership with the one in the race and be encouraged and inspired?   

The influence of God shapes them and dresses their countenance and actions.  They shine when there are no outward reasons to shine.

I have had friends and family who have been handicapped and sick with cancer but they continued in their race despite the physical circumstances.

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9

They stayed the course… they found what it truly meant to love God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength and doing so was empowered by the reality of God. 

It is no different everyday of our life.... We all have a choice to surrender to ourselves and what might be happening around us or God.   Besides who whispers stressful, mundane, long, strenuous, tedious themes into you ear when you first wake up?  WHO changes that?

“I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding. Psalm 119:30-32

Is this not fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith?

“Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him.” Psalm 105:4

And when we reach that small gate at the end of this race...  what do you want to hear?

“Well done good and faithful servant.”