These posts will mostly focus on walking in intimacy with God to fulfill your calling. There is no greater gift from God that the Son He gave for us; and there is no greater gift to God than giving ourselves back to Him. This wonderful exchange is the essence of our purpose in life. Everything else should flow from that place.
What Can You Do About the Current State of Affairs?
We can all agree that the world, more than ever, is in a sad state of affairs.
You do not have to look far to see the fear and trepidation that’s crept into all of life - seemingly overnight. Although it’s been building for some time, the manifestation has been sudden. Crime, drug addictions and overdoses, surges of illegal immigration, suicides, human trafficking, inflation with cost of living, all rising to a seemingly impossible high. Seems like every bad thing is on the rise.
How can we survive this?
How can you stay sane let alone encouraged and joyful?
Great question!
We know that the government doesn’t seem to have the solutions you and I need, even though we are to believe that the brightest minds are at the helm in Washington, D.C and elsewhere. Yet, every day, things seem to get worse even though our leaders tell us differently. They placate us with this bill and that measure. They seem to think we’re blind, deaf, and dumb. Yet, we see that things are not indeed getting better.
Additionally, friends and family don’t seem to have the answers either.
So, what can we do to stem the tide of this ever-increasing fear of danger on every side – physically, economically, relationally, psychologically, medically, nationally, even globally.
What is the cure for this sickness called fear?
Even if you do know the answer, how do you access it? How can you protect yourself, friends, and family?
To hear the answer to this, please stay tuned here.
We can get through this! We really can, no matter what you are facing personally!
And yes, government its a place, friends and family have their place, but they are not the answer.
We came from God and at the end of this earth journey, God’s
plan is that we would go back to Him. I say His plan because He has given us
the choice to choose or to reject Him. How do we do that? By accepting Christ as our Savior and walking with Him. Why? Because of the
fall into sin in the Garden of Eden, a fall away from God, the only way to
reconcile back into relationship with Him is through Jesus Christ. Apart from
that there is no other way back. The only other alternative then is eternal
separation from God in a place called hell.
Earth is our proving ground, meaning only our time here on
earth will determine where we spend eternity. Once, our time here ends there is
no more opportunity to choose – and not choosing is choosing. It is actually rejecting,
Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6), and in effect, choosing to perish and
spend eternity away from God.
Think about it! If Jesus did it all and we had no need to respond, everyone who ever lived would be in heaven and there would be no need for the Word that broad is the road that leads to destruction and many there are who take it, but narrow is the road that leads to life, but few there are who FIND the narrow and difficult road. [Paraphrased]. Here's the text:
Matthew 7:13-14
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.14 [a]Because narrow is the gate and[b]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
James 4:8
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Jeremiah 29:12-14
12 Then
you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to
you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when
you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I
will be found by you, says the Lord,
and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all
the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place
from which I cause you to be carried away captive.
If anyone tells you that your actions, words, and thoughts
don’t matter and that Jesus did everything when He died, they are either ignorant of God’s Word
or they’re trying to deceive you into some level of feel-good Christianity from
the pit.
The Bible is full of proof from Genesis to Revelation of the
very opposite. In Genesis, we see our fore parents, Adam and Eve, who
introducing sin into the world by going against God’s instructions. That’s why
we, as their descendants, are in the mess we are in today.
In the book of Revelation, we see the rise of
anti-Christ and the decisions that all those alive at the time will have to
make, take a mark and belonging to Satan or become and remain true to Christ and possibly lose your life. But
even before that, we see the seven churches, also representative of modern-day Christianity,
showing from the time of the writing mankind has not changed. In the letters,
we see that only two of the seven churches remained faithful to God while the others did
some good. Yet, the Lord had a charge against them that if they did not follow His instructions to rectify their major wrongs, there would be grave consequences. Still, He rewarded those who would hold on to the
end, calling then overcomers. (Revelation 2 & 3).
Those are only a few examples for the sake of time. The 10
commandments plus the one to love our neighbors as ourselves are also
instructions for us. We know that all of the requirements for fellowship with
God are fulfilled in Christ and we who are His do the same as we walk in the
Spirit. God is after our maturity and becoming as the Lord Jesus Christ was when He walked the earth. Jesus was the ultimate in obedience to God. He was our model and still is today!
So, what we do, say, and think (yes, think) determines
whether we choose an eternal reward in heaven with God or eternal damnation in
hell with Satan, his demons, and all those who rejected Christ. In other words,
we get to choose eternal life of eternal death.
Friend, study the Word of God because if you don’t know your Word, you are a prime target for the enemy and those he uses to deceive people. Everything that sounds
good isn’t necessarily good. Just like all that glitters is not gold. There are many charismatic deceivers out there.
Don’t fall victim to them.
Study the Word. Know the Word. We are each accountable to
Know God for ourselves and we cannot know Him without knowing His Word. He’s inviting you to a deeper more intimate walk with
Him.
I have 3 encouraging Scriptures for you:
John 3:16
For God SO LOVED the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever (that means anybody) believes in Him will not perish but
have everlasting life.
That tells me that because of the fall into sin in the
Garden of Eden everyone born afterwards is perishing and will perish, unless, they choose to
identify with the Son of God and His death on the Cross and accept His sacrifice as if they died because of their sin. His death instead of ours. Jesus paid our sin debt which is death. The ultimate sacrifice One for all and once for all.
James 4:8
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
We do the drawing first, then God draws close. Yet, I believe He works in us by His Holy Spirit to woo us. His love is unmistakably magnetic, yet many still reject Him.
Jeremiah 29:12-14
12 Then you will call
upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you
will seek Me and find Me,when you search for Me with all
your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says
the Lord, and I will bring
you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and
from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place
from which I cause you to be carried away captive.
Read that very slowly and meditate on it for a good 10 minutes. If this doesn't blow you away, nothing will! The God of the universe waits for us to seek Him and promises us not only freedom but really what He is promising is Himself! And there is no greater Gift!
Yes, earth is our proving ground! We get to respond to the love God poured out on us when He sent Jesus to die a sinner's death on an accursed Cross on Golgotha in our stead!
Hallelujah!
Many blessings as you meditate and focus on Him today!
The last Trump post I submitted was well over
three years ago. And while I thought I was done; it has become abundantly clear
- in a recent dream - matched one from about four years ago to the day of the
first Trump dream.
This fifth post points to the factor that provides the humbling of the
Nebuchadnezzar-like figure we see in President Trump.
The Original Dream of around March 16, 2016 (2 days before the 3/18/2016 post):
Oval office secret meeting, standing, hushed tones...."Let's hear what the
Lord has to say first."
The most recent dream of March 16, 2020:
Above the U.S. over California red states the exploding with glorious light.
Aware of the nations that were worst hit: China, Iran, Italy.
Glory hitting places hardest hit. Becoming red states?
____________
Today is Wednesday, October 13, 2021. The Above
draft was written on the evening of April 13, 2020, during the COVID-19 global
pandemic response. At that time, I had no idea that November 3rd of 2020 would
go down the way it did. And as we now know, that was the most significant
factor in President Trump, our Nebuchadnezzar figure.
On that note, let us harken back to that 1st
Trump post. At that time when the Lord said Mr. Trump was more like
Nebuchadnezzar and he gave the dream about him being in the Oval Office dealing
with a never before seen issue that his presidency faced, I had no idea that he
would have to leave the White House much like Nebuchadnezzar had to leave his
palace until he realized who is really God, Who is really in control. And when
He did, then, and only then, was he restored to His Kingdom.
God is so ready and willing to bring restoration
when we are in order. So, this is not just about Mr. Trump. It is all of us who
think we have so much control and seek control and to pump ourselves and to
have money and power, and whatever else we idolize.
What I am saying is that there is a return to office
and to the White House coming for Mr. Trump and I do not believe it is because
of the 2024 presidential election, which we can about kiss good-bye if the tide
of this debacle of this so-called Biden presidency is not brought to a close,
we will not have a country to speak of but only a shell of what it once was. I
say this because the Biden presidency is illegitimate, and everyone involved
knows it including the lying media.
I have made a video to go with this blog post
because this must be voiced. God has given me that responsibility.
Like, Nebuchadnezzar, President Trump, though
very capable, talented, and successful, is by no means responsible for any of
it. It is all because of what God gifted and graced him with. Winning the
presidency was a miracle in and of itself. He seems to have a supernatural
covering and protection. But his main problem has been his bravado.
I remember last summer; I had a keen sense that
the president needed to publicly take a knew in humility and submission to God
and that it needed to be done in September. If you remember, last September, he
had covid and although he was planning to attend Jonathan Cahn's
"Return", he was not able to attend but along with the First Lady
sent a letter in recognition of the event. I remember wondering if that would
be enough and even praying to God that He would accept it as such. At that
time, I had no idea the election would go the way it went.
Now, I see it was the plan all along. The
cheating and fraud of the democrats, RINOS, and everyone involved in the
apparent "downfall" of Mr. Trump were only playing into God's hand to
teach Mr. Trump Who is God and to restore him to his post once he does. God is
not done with Mr. Trump, and He is not done with America.
So, let us hearken back to my dream and blog
written March 18, 2016. I had been steadily "campaigning" for Ted
Cruz and the time and really did not think Donald Trump had any business running
for president. I thought it was a joke at first. Then....God gave me a dream.
Some may remember it, but it was about Mr. Trump and in the dream, I saw him in
the oval office meeting with about three other individuals of elevated position.
The tenor of the meeting was that there was a situation in the country that was
clearly beyond the individual, and collective, ability to resolve. In this
meeting, the men were standing and speaking in hushed tones, more like
whispers. A bit strange for an official meeting. But the sense was that the
situation was so grave, that they spoke so no one would overhear them. Next,
Donald Trump said right as there were about to start the meeting, "First,
let's hear what God (or the Lord) has to say." He did not want to move
forward without a now word from God. At that point, my whole tune towards
Donald Trump changed and I wrote the first Trump blog about God not needing our
permission in choosing a leader. He clearly had chosen Mr. Trump, an imperfect
vessel like the rest of us.
Now, whether COVID-19 is the thing that stumped
these leaders, I am not sure. It could be that or the next thing, and worse
thing, to hit the world. By then, Mr. Trump will know that He has no other
course of action but to seek God for His wisdom because man's will be
insufficient. I believe, this problem will threaten the continued existence of
mankind but that God, when sought, will give the answer to His servant, the
prophet through whom He speaks, and there will be a reprieve at that time.
The fraud of the 2020 election had confirmed what
God had said even before Donald Trump election as president in 2016, that his presidency
would be interrupted for a time. Like Nebuchadnezzar needed to come to grips
with his real position before God, so did Donald Trump. He would have to leave
the White House, just as Nebuchadnezzar had to leave his palace in Babylon, for
a time of reckoning before God. And while it took 7 years for Nebuchadnezzar to
get the message; prayerfully, it will not take President Trump that long to
truly recognize who the King of kings is and where all power and authority
comes from. My sense is that it will not.
Prophetically, I believe President Trump has
already begun to "get it" and that when he does return to the White
House, he returns as a born-again Spirit-filled man of God! And friends, I
believe, at that point, America will be hungry for such a one because of the
state of the country then and where is quickly descending to. Obviously, our
hope is not in the Donald Trump the man, our hope is in the God behind and, we
pray, within the man.
This all began when I was doing a devotional Bible reading that took me to 1 Peter 3. As I read it I came upon a verse and sensed the Holy Spirit was highlighting it to me and found myself thinking, "This is the antidote to suicide!" I continued to read and realized that the Lord was saying something profound to me. This began the journey to write a book around that very statement. Please note that the title does not say, THE antidote to suicide but rather simply, "Antidote to Suicide: What to do When All Hope Seems Lost." The reason is that this book is not the antidote to suicide but the Word of God along with a relationship with Him is the Antidote to suicidal thinking and any temptation to give up.
1 Peter 3:18-20 tells us,
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit..."
In this account, we discuss reasons why people think suicidal thoughts and even attempt to commit it while others actually succeed at it. This book is a journey through the despair that leads people to choose this route and the way out of the thought process that leads them there.
What's the Antidote Described in the Book?
The crucial part of the book focusing on the antidote for suicide takes us to 1 Peter 1, where we see the epitome of hope, Jesus Christ, even though He suffered in this life, came through it gloriously and how we can, too. It beautifully and meticulously walks us through the plan of God for our redemption through Christ. He is our Model of victory over temporary suffering. This Scripture always encourages us to endure informing us of the rich rewards awaiting those who triumph in obedience to God.
Personally, I have never had this struggle and prayerfully I never will and neither will anyone within my family, friends and reach of this or any other Christ-centered publication that leads to Him. However, chances are, as depression is on the rise, someone your or I know has struggled with it. This is a very real problem outside and increasingly so inside the Church of Jesus Christ.
There is no sin in a genuine struggle, nor even shame, but we are not to allow either of those things to be our undoing.
A Few Comments from Readers of the Manuscript:
"What a blessing your words will be too many in need of them. God bless you, my sister!"
"First, this is excellent! On a personal note, I found it so practical for not just suicide prevention, but for walking with the Lord in a much deeper way! And I especially love the parts that deal with time vs. eternity and the physical body vs. the spirit and soul. I will use your perspective in my Bible classes."
"And I can't lie -- I love how you so skillfully dismantled the "best life now" doctrine."
"I do particularly like your writing style -- it is very upbeat and hopeful, just like you!"
"Your heart shines through your writing!!"
I pray you find your way to Hope and Peace in Christ as you read. And please, always ask the Holy Spirit or reveal Christ, the Reason for our hope and our Prince of peace, to you as you read. Finally, and most importantly, always read His Word, Who is the Author of your life. May He fill you up to overflowing with His joy and strengthen you for the days ahead.
God bless you!
PLEASE NOTE: This is a biblical and not a psychological perspective. This is about prevention of certain thought patterns that lead to destructive behavior and not about dealing with the behaviors themselves. It is not a comprehensive treatise by any means. I am not a clinical psychologist, neither do I claim to be an expert in that area. I am a minister of the Gospel sharing the hope of Jesus Christ with anyone who would be so inclined to listen and receive from Him.
This is a short simple blogpost about what the Lord showed me as I worshiped today. I am blogging it because it's meant to be shared. There is a bit of worship in the beginning of the video because after the busyness of the day I needed to get back to a place of focus on Jesus in an atmosphere of worship. Again, it's simple but there is a lot to it, especially to the expectant. I pray it speaks to you and that if you are not expectant that you will be after reading/seeing this. If you are waiting expectantly, great! If you are unsure of what I am saying here, write a comment or read a few more of my posts. I hope I will be able to relay what the Lord showed and that we all have the right responses. But first, let the Word of God speak before I do. We need to get some Scripture in us:
I. SIGNS OF THE TIMES - Matthew 24:3-14
The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.5 Formany will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’and will deceive many.6 And you will hear ofwars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for[a]all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.7 Fornation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will befamines,[b]pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.11 Thenmany false prophets will rise up anddeceive many.12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will growcold.13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.14 And thisgospel of the kingdomwill be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
II. WATCHING AND WAITING - Matthew 25:1-13
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
25 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meetthe bridegroom.2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.5 But while the bridegroom was delayed,they all slumbered and slept.
6 “And at midnighta cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom[a]is coming; go out to meet him!’7 Then all those virgins arose andtrimmed their lamps.8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; andthe door was shut.
11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying,‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you,I do not know you.’
13 “Watch therefore, for youknow neither the day nor the hour[b]in which the Son of Man is coming.
III. THE SEASON OF HIS RETURN - Mark 13:24-27
The Coming of the Son of Man
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;25 the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will beshaken.26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His[h]elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.
IV. NO ONE KNOWS THE EXACT TIME OF HIS RETURN - Mark 13:32-37
No One Knows the Day or Hour
32 “But of that day and hourno one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only theFather.33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gaveauthority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
As I was sitting at the keyboard in worship today, the Lord was ministering to me; as is usually His way, I saw a very simple vision:
The scene was a seashore but it was not a leisurely sandy white beach. The terrain was rocky and there were lots of white birds. The thing about these birds was they were looking up with an expectation as if waiting for someone. And the Lord made it clear to me that the birds represented the sanctified saints of God looking up awaiting His return. In this vision, the birds must have received their signal, seen their expected Master because they began to fly up as if being taken up.
Simple, yet profound. I believe the Lord wants us to be readying ourselves for His return and I am not making a pre-, mid-, or post- tribulation statement or taking a position. I do have a position but that is not important here. What is important is that the Lord is telling us to be ready for His return. It will not be long. We need to be prayerfully watching, looking up because we know that our full redemption is drawing near.
Folks, this means that some significant things are about to transpire on the world scene. Many know this because while He will come as a thief in the night to the unbeliever, the one who has rejected the Son of God, His children know the season of His return. He has laid it out for us in His Word. And so we are looking up in expectation that soon He will appear. Are you ready?
