"Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for Me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed."
(Revelation 16:15 NLT)
God has provided His Word to lead, guide, and protect those who love Him. Those who have a heart for Him, who live expecting to see His return, will not be disappointed. How often have things such as tragedies, heartbreak, and trouble got our attention and refocused our eyes upon Christ? Tell me are we not loved by our Heavenly Father who prepares us for what is to come. In the days we read about in Revelation the difference between those who belong to the beast and who belong to God can be determined by what or who the eye is trained on. If we live this life now looking to God in the little things how much more will we look to Him at the end of time? All will look to the heavens in those days, many shaking their fists but only those who know God will be saved!
You will know you are prepared by looking at your relationship with Him now. Do you make an effort to know Him in the midst of your busy life? The primary means of knowing and recognizing the character of God is to read the Bible, His Word, and praying that the Holy Spirit will give you wisdom and understanding as you read it so that God’s Word is etched into your very soul. This way when trouble comes you will already know the answer and you will not be found searching. There will be no knowing Him the day of because the test will be beyond all that you have faced before. Like the days of school either you are learning each day from the teacher and your text book or you cram the night before the big test, one yields good results the other not so much and because no one knows when the time will come the only option that brings peace and joy is to live for Him today. Read Revelation and see what is in store for humanity, then read chapter 16 and see what leads to Armageddon. Is this something you want to face without knowing Christ Jesus? Many will dismiss it, saying it’s only a story but are you willing to bet your soul on it? And what will you do when the day comes and you are reminded of what you read in Revelation? Will you cram like you did in school? If you could not give your life to God when times were good how can you expect to do it when doing so will mean you will lose your life? To those not prepared the book of Revelation is a warning but to those who are it is the finish line to a race and the winner’s circle is just on the other side.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
The choice not the consequences is ours to control
Then a third angel followed them, shouting, "Anyone who worships the beast and his statue or who accepts his mark on the forehead or on the hand must drink the wine of God's anger. It has been poured full strength into God's cup of wrath. And they will be tormented with fire and burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb. The smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever, and they will have no relief day or night, for they have worshiped the beast and his statue and have accepted the mark of his name." This means that God's holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying His commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!"
(Rev 14:9-13 NLT)
In the end we will either take the mark of the beast or remain faithful unto the Lord. No one is saying it will is something that will be taken lightly but regardless the choice is ours to make and when we do the consequences that come because of that choice will be out of our control. God’s Word will either enrage or be a life-giving spring of hope, there is no middle ground then as there seems to be today. Even today there is no middle ground, except that the enemy has fooled, deceived, and blinded all who will listen. The enemy’s first attack is to get you to believe God doesn’t exist. It’s only after you have stood your ground, by standing on God’s Word that he comes against you ready to battle in all the fury he can muster but God has raised a standard and the blood of the Lamb makes known who we are and who we belong to.
Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
(1Co 13:12 NLT)
We cannot understand what God has planned or why, for He has kept much understanding from us but there will be a day we will look back and understand all that God has done. He is great and greatly to be praised, for He knows exactly what He is doing and one day we will understand without fear what He now asks to believe by faith.
(Rev 14:9-13 NLT)
In the end we will either take the mark of the beast or remain faithful unto the Lord. No one is saying it will is something that will be taken lightly but regardless the choice is ours to make and when we do the consequences that come because of that choice will be out of our control. God’s Word will either enrage or be a life-giving spring of hope, there is no middle ground then as there seems to be today. Even today there is no middle ground, except that the enemy has fooled, deceived, and blinded all who will listen. The enemy’s first attack is to get you to believe God doesn’t exist. It’s only after you have stood your ground, by standing on God’s Word that he comes against you ready to battle in all the fury he can muster but God has raised a standard and the blood of the Lamb makes known who we are and who we belong to.
Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
(1Co 13:12 NLT)
We cannot understand what God has planned or why, for He has kept much understanding from us but there will be a day we will look back and understand all that God has done. He is great and greatly to be praised, for He knows exactly what He is doing and one day we will understand without fear what He now asks to believe by faith.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Those who live by the sword
They've made their bed; now they must lie in it. Anyone marked for prison goes straight to prison; anyone pulling a sword goes down by the sword. Meanwhile, God's holy people passionately and faithfully stand their ground.
(Rev 13:10 MSG)
The difference between the people of the world and the people of God is that the first do what they feel is right and then they justify it by their own reasoning, while the later does what God says is right and are justified by One greater than themselves. It amazes me how many “Christians” prepare for the end by stock piling guns, ammunition, and other devices meant to kill to keep from being killed should things get really bad. Don’t get me wrong I value life and because of that I would gladly lay down my own to protect my family but what’s more important is that we recognize the salvation of our souls.
Jesus referred to physical healing as the children’s bread (Matthew chapter 15) for He knew to touch the soul He must first meet the need the people understood best. So to lay down your life for another has a great impact on not just their physical being but their very soul. What good would it do to save someone’s life only to allow their eternal life (the spirit) die and who can save the spirit but Jesus? Did Simon Peter’s sword save Jesus when he cut off the slave’s ear of the high priest who came to have Jesus arrested? You see Jesus gave His life for ours but His spirit, the Holy Spirit only continued to increase and even when Jesus’ body lay in the tomb the Holy Spirit was at work. Jesus’ death brought atonement for our sins but His resurrection gave hope and new life to our spirits.
So life is a precious gift from the Father of Lights but spiritual life is beyond measure and without end. Don’t give up the eternal for the temporary, even at the end.
(Rev 13:10 MSG)
The difference between the people of the world and the people of God is that the first do what they feel is right and then they justify it by their own reasoning, while the later does what God says is right and are justified by One greater than themselves. It amazes me how many “Christians” prepare for the end by stock piling guns, ammunition, and other devices meant to kill to keep from being killed should things get really bad. Don’t get me wrong I value life and because of that I would gladly lay down my own to protect my family but what’s more important is that we recognize the salvation of our souls.
Jesus referred to physical healing as the children’s bread (Matthew chapter 15) for He knew to touch the soul He must first meet the need the people understood best. So to lay down your life for another has a great impact on not just their physical being but their very soul. What good would it do to save someone’s life only to allow their eternal life (the spirit) die and who can save the spirit but Jesus? Did Simon Peter’s sword save Jesus when he cut off the slave’s ear of the high priest who came to have Jesus arrested? You see Jesus gave His life for ours but His spirit, the Holy Spirit only continued to increase and even when Jesus’ body lay in the tomb the Holy Spirit was at work. Jesus’ death brought atonement for our sins but His resurrection gave hope and new life to our spirits.
So life is a precious gift from the Father of Lights but spiritual life is beyond measure and without end. Don’t give up the eternal for the temporary, even at the end.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Eternal value
And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.
(Rev 12:11 NLT)
The devil, who accuses Christ’s own, will be defeated by the blood of the Lamb and by our testimony of God’s salvation and those who belong to Christ know Him and are not afraid to die because their eyes are set on Him and their trust is in Him.
Not all will die for Christ by the sword but in those last days as Satan’s army wars against the heavenly hosts it sounds like that is how God will gather the last of His people unto Himself. Those who do find themselves in that time and place will no doubt look around, see the horrible things taking place and know that their time is short but they will also know God has something better in store and the last and greatest threshold they must cross is death. For they will not back down about their testimony of Christ because He is their all in all and even though backing down would allow them to keep their lives they trade it gladly because by faith they know what lies ahead.
We read Revelation and think how terrible it would be to live through all that will take place on the earth, and it is true but as the end draws near and the evidence of God’s great judgment becomes more obvious it does something to change people. No longer are we concerned about lives of comfort as bags of gold will be traded for a loaf of bread. No longer are we concerned about building warehouses to store our riches. No longer can we stretch out our arms in pride and point to all that we have accomplished because God will be bringing to a close a chapter in His great story. People will either try to save their lives and disregard the salvation that stands before them or they will give what remains to God and prepare for whatever He has planned. You’ve heard the saying whatever doesn’t break you makes you stronger, well this time only those who live by faith will be made stronger and the rest will be broken.
What does that mean for us today as we live to make our lives more comfortable, as we plan to accomplish our goals in this life? One thing it means is that we better learn not to hold too tightly to the things of earth, the things meant to satisfy the flesh. We do not know when Christ will return but when He does the dead in Christ will rise up out of the ground to go be with Him first, whether those who are alive in Christ on that day will return to heaven with Him at the same time remains to be seen. We do know that there will be those who become saved during the Great Tribulation and since that is the case that indicates there will be others to witness of Christ’s love, meaning that not all who belong to Christ will escape the display of God’s wrath on the earth. Revelation makes it very clear that those who belong to God and remain on the earth during this time will be protected up until chapter twelve and then after seeing all that has taken place that change I mentioned that will make some stronger and crush others will act to galvanize the saints of God and prepare them for the final threshold they must cross before coming home.
(Rev 12:11 NLT)
The devil, who accuses Christ’s own, will be defeated by the blood of the Lamb and by our testimony of God’s salvation and those who belong to Christ know Him and are not afraid to die because their eyes are set on Him and their trust is in Him.
Not all will die for Christ by the sword but in those last days as Satan’s army wars against the heavenly hosts it sounds like that is how God will gather the last of His people unto Himself. Those who do find themselves in that time and place will no doubt look around, see the horrible things taking place and know that their time is short but they will also know God has something better in store and the last and greatest threshold they must cross is death. For they will not back down about their testimony of Christ because He is their all in all and even though backing down would allow them to keep their lives they trade it gladly because by faith they know what lies ahead.
We read Revelation and think how terrible it would be to live through all that will take place on the earth, and it is true but as the end draws near and the evidence of God’s great judgment becomes more obvious it does something to change people. No longer are we concerned about lives of comfort as bags of gold will be traded for a loaf of bread. No longer are we concerned about building warehouses to store our riches. No longer can we stretch out our arms in pride and point to all that we have accomplished because God will be bringing to a close a chapter in His great story. People will either try to save their lives and disregard the salvation that stands before them or they will give what remains to God and prepare for whatever He has planned. You’ve heard the saying whatever doesn’t break you makes you stronger, well this time only those who live by faith will be made stronger and the rest will be broken.
What does that mean for us today as we live to make our lives more comfortable, as we plan to accomplish our goals in this life? One thing it means is that we better learn not to hold too tightly to the things of earth, the things meant to satisfy the flesh. We do not know when Christ will return but when He does the dead in Christ will rise up out of the ground to go be with Him first, whether those who are alive in Christ on that day will return to heaven with Him at the same time remains to be seen. We do know that there will be those who become saved during the Great Tribulation and since that is the case that indicates there will be others to witness of Christ’s love, meaning that not all who belong to Christ will escape the display of God’s wrath on the earth. Revelation makes it very clear that those who belong to God and remain on the earth during this time will be protected up until chapter twelve and then after seeing all that has taken place that change I mentioned that will make some stronger and crush others will act to galvanize the saints of God and prepare them for the final threshold they must cross before coming home.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Learning the Master's call
For God to warn me about something through His Holy Spirit but me not recognize Him only to later find out that was God speaking and if I had listened and obeyed I would have been in a better place serves the purpose of spiritual growth. Not necessarily talking sin, for example I sleep with a pillow to hug, the Lord spoke to me to wash it and keep it clean, I didn’t listen, reasoning how dirty could it be but after months of it falling on the floor and the dog occasionally getting in bed I ended up with a sinus infection. This morning He spoke to me again and reminded me of what He originally said after I had gone to the doctor and had a test ran because of consistent headaches. In this way He is teaching me to listen more carefully. The question in situations like these is not whether I want to obey or not but how do I know God’s voice from my own thoughts, for things like this has happened to me a number of times. I feel led to do something but not recognize it as God’s leading and then later be reminded of what He first said.
Because of this I am more sensitive to His leading than I used to be and when I do recognize His voice I am usually quick to obey but I find He keeps leading me to be more in tune with who He is as I grow. God’s leading will never contradict the Bible and the beginning to knowing His voice is a daily relationship with Him through prayer, study, and worship. Deep calls to deep, the more you know of Him the more you want to know.
Deep calls to deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and Your billows have gone over me.
(Psa 42:7 MKJV)
Often the beginning of hearing God’s leading is Him reminding you of things you’ve already read in the Bible that pertains to certain circumstances in your life. At that point you are required to act upon that leading (obey). As the frequency of this increases God’s voice doesn’t become louder but quieter. Hearing God’s leading doesn’t become easier but more challenging, the same is typically true with obeying. The reason for this is that God is causing you to grow in spirit and to keep in tune with Him the prayer, study, and worship becomes more important not less. Many work on the physical appearance with makeup, hair styles, the clothes they wear, or diet and working out, even education and career path which are good but all along starve the spirit until it is too weak and is forced to do what the physical man wants. To feed your spirit by spending time with God and by practice recognizing His voice and then letting your spirit control your flesh by obeying God’s leading is to become the spiritual leader God means for you to be. Though many are called few will listen, even fewer will obey but God’s remnant He will honor; to those who learn to be led by the spirit and not the flesh those He will set apart for His work and the world will know they are different.
Because of this I am more sensitive to His leading than I used to be and when I do recognize His voice I am usually quick to obey but I find He keeps leading me to be more in tune with who He is as I grow. God’s leading will never contradict the Bible and the beginning to knowing His voice is a daily relationship with Him through prayer, study, and worship. Deep calls to deep, the more you know of Him the more you want to know.
Deep calls to deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and Your billows have gone over me.
(Psa 42:7 MKJV)
Often the beginning of hearing God’s leading is Him reminding you of things you’ve already read in the Bible that pertains to certain circumstances in your life. At that point you are required to act upon that leading (obey). As the frequency of this increases God’s voice doesn’t become louder but quieter. Hearing God’s leading doesn’t become easier but more challenging, the same is typically true with obeying. The reason for this is that God is causing you to grow in spirit and to keep in tune with Him the prayer, study, and worship becomes more important not less. Many work on the physical appearance with makeup, hair styles, the clothes they wear, or diet and working out, even education and career path which are good but all along starve the spirit until it is too weak and is forced to do what the physical man wants. To feed your spirit by spending time with God and by practice recognizing His voice and then letting your spirit control your flesh by obeying God’s leading is to become the spiritual leader God means for you to be. Though many are called few will listen, even fewer will obey but God’s remnant He will honor; to those who learn to be led by the spirit and not the flesh those He will set apart for His work and the world will know they are different.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
A thankful heart
God loves a thankful heart so be sure to thank Him for today as you rise out of bed regardless of what is going on, happy or sad, easy or difficult, sunshine or rain He has something waiting for you. He is not our sugar daddy, meaning we only pray when we need something. It is the consistent relationship through thick and thin that has value. The Bible says the prayers of a righteous man availeth much or has much power and produces wonderful results (James 5:16). Righteousness is the quality of being morally right or justifiable and if that’s so who justifies us? To answer that you have to ask to whom will we give an account when this life is over? Is it not God and did God not send His Son Jesus to die for our sins? Then it is only by knowing Jesus and having a relationship with the Father that we can be called righteous or justified. We serve a God of mysteries and many of them can be known through simple obedience. You want to know how to pray then learn the character of God, learn what touches His heart and desire the things He desires, your journey starts with obediance. When God told Israel to rejoice in the Old Testament He did not say it was conditional, only rejoice if you feel like it. No many times they were told to rejoice it was in the time of difficulties and living in the desert and so it is with us. In this way when difficulties come we cannot be shaken and we know exactly who to look to because of our relationship with Him.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
My promise
When is a promise made to God and the promise giver no longer accountable? Do difficulties reduce the obligation? Does heartache blot out the contract made before God? Why would God allow His son and daughter to enter a contract with Him and each other if He knew how difficult it would be to keep that promise?
It is through difficulties that we are either made stronger by trusting God more or we are broken upon the rocks. When our race is ran how will we answer God’s question “Why?” Will excuses be enough to release us from our obligation? If there is any chance of that we would have to exhaust the possibility of God helping us keep our promise first. I’ve heard that with God all things are possible; still we live as though loving each other is not within our reach and in a way it is not because it takes God to make it work.
In the Old Testament book of Hosea we see the difficulties the prophet Hosea had with his wife Gomer and we understand his life with Gomer mirrored God’s relationship with Israel. God is not asking anything of us that He has not gone through Himself but instead we follow His lead so that we might better understand why the Lord is indeed God. Additionally, we are not God or Hosea, meaning both husband and wife has done things to tear down the institution God created when we promised to love each other without end. No matter how difficult my relationship with my wife becomes it could never be as difficult as standing before God knowing I have to answer for not keeping my promise I made to Him to love my wife, which He entrusted to me.
With that being said there are very few instances where a spouse must leave, one being if their life is in danger. God told Moses because of the hardness of men’s hearts there were certain conditions under which they may divorce their wife but it was not what God had intended.
Jesus replied, "Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended. And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery—unless his wife has been unfaithful. [And anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.]"
(Matthew 19:8-9 NLT)
The point being that God expects us to listen and obey His leading and in doing so divorce will never be spoken between husband and wife. It is only because of the hardness of our hearts do we start to think this is our way out but we are blinded to the consequences of breaking the promise we made at the beginning.
Lord, thank You for my wife, thank You for teaching me how to love, and thank You for helping me to understand better how You love us. Though my relationship with my wife is not always easy I also realize I can be difficult to live with too but I am also aware that these difficulties come as a result of not giving You full control, please forgive me. As the father and husband I know that I answer to You and You hold me accountable to represent the character of God to my wife and children at all times. Please renew my relationship with my wife, even though most days are good there is still a separation between us, as if something is holding us back. I believe that is a lack of trust because of past hurts on both our parts. Help us to forgive each other when the other one misses the mark and help us not to be quick to judge so that our mercy is new every morning; don’t let disappointment build up in our hearts, which demands actions that have bad consequences and ultimately work to destroy what You have made. By loving each other like You love us the distrust fades and forgiveness happens and between us is a life-giving fountain so that when difficulties come and we feel loving each other is impossible we will be reminded that with You all things are possible; help us be Christ to each other so that together we may represent You to those we come in contact with and in so doing be one as You intended. In Jesus name, I pray, amen.
It is through difficulties that we are either made stronger by trusting God more or we are broken upon the rocks. When our race is ran how will we answer God’s question “Why?” Will excuses be enough to release us from our obligation? If there is any chance of that we would have to exhaust the possibility of God helping us keep our promise first. I’ve heard that with God all things are possible; still we live as though loving each other is not within our reach and in a way it is not because it takes God to make it work.
In the Old Testament book of Hosea we see the difficulties the prophet Hosea had with his wife Gomer and we understand his life with Gomer mirrored God’s relationship with Israel. God is not asking anything of us that He has not gone through Himself but instead we follow His lead so that we might better understand why the Lord is indeed God. Additionally, we are not God or Hosea, meaning both husband and wife has done things to tear down the institution God created when we promised to love each other without end. No matter how difficult my relationship with my wife becomes it could never be as difficult as standing before God knowing I have to answer for not keeping my promise I made to Him to love my wife, which He entrusted to me.
With that being said there are very few instances where a spouse must leave, one being if their life is in danger. God told Moses because of the hardness of men’s hearts there were certain conditions under which they may divorce their wife but it was not what God had intended.
Jesus replied, "Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended. And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery—unless his wife has been unfaithful. [And anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.]"
(Matthew 19:8-9 NLT)
The point being that God expects us to listen and obey His leading and in doing so divorce will never be spoken between husband and wife. It is only because of the hardness of our hearts do we start to think this is our way out but we are blinded to the consequences of breaking the promise we made at the beginning.
Lord, thank You for my wife, thank You for teaching me how to love, and thank You for helping me to understand better how You love us. Though my relationship with my wife is not always easy I also realize I can be difficult to live with too but I am also aware that these difficulties come as a result of not giving You full control, please forgive me. As the father and husband I know that I answer to You and You hold me accountable to represent the character of God to my wife and children at all times. Please renew my relationship with my wife, even though most days are good there is still a separation between us, as if something is holding us back. I believe that is a lack of trust because of past hurts on both our parts. Help us to forgive each other when the other one misses the mark and help us not to be quick to judge so that our mercy is new every morning; don’t let disappointment build up in our hearts, which demands actions that have bad consequences and ultimately work to destroy what You have made. By loving each other like You love us the distrust fades and forgiveness happens and between us is a life-giving fountain so that when difficulties come and we feel loving each other is impossible we will be reminded that with You all things are possible; help us be Christ to each other so that together we may represent You to those we come in contact with and in so doing be one as You intended. In Jesus name, I pray, amen.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
God's judgment
The nations were filled with wrath, but now the time of Your wrath has come. It is time to judge the dead and reward Your servants the prophets, as well as Your holy people, and all who fear Your name, from the least to the greatest. It is time to destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth."
(Revelation 11:18 NLT)
Have we become comfortable and blind, putting away the things of God for things that satisfy our flesh and when a man of God speaks can we not see past the words coming out of his mouth to understand it is not his words but the words of the One who sent him? What a terrible condition of the heart, for it is easier to dismiss than to obey. One day God will say, “Enough!”
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: "The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever." The twenty-four elders sitting on their thrones before God fell with their faces to the ground and worshiped Him. And they said, "We give thanks to You, Lord God, the Almighty, the One who is and who always was, for now You have assumed Your great power and have begun to reign.
(Revelation 11:15-17 NLT)
Lord, help us to see with the eyes of our spirit and not just with our physical eyes. It is our short sightedness that will ultimately destroy us, leading us to live a life that satisfies ourselves when we should be concerned about satisfying what you have required of us. Let not our spiritual ears be deaf to what your messengers tell us, for contained within their words is the key to the very thing our souls have longed for but our spirits must be awaken to your call. With tender hearts must we get up out of bed and say, “Here I am. Did you call me?” (1 Samuel 3) and then by faith believe your Word and with singularity of mind and whole heartedly we turn from our ways to follow You. You are holy and require our very best, not a half-hearted effort. For if Jesus is not our only choice then He is no choice at all. If we’re not giving everything then we gain nothing.
If you refuse to take up your cross and follow Me, you are not worthy of being Mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for Me, you will find it.
(Matthew 10:38-39 NLT)
Remember it is not the messenger but the One who sent the message that has the power to save. To ignore, make light of, or drown out the words they speak would be like the dead sealing their own tomb, effectively sealing out all hope.
All the people who belong to this world will gloat over them and give presents to each other to celebrate the death of the two prophets who had tormented them. But after three and a half days, God breathed life into them, and they stood up! Terror struck all who were staring at them.
(Revelation 11:10-11 NLT)
Hear this, no more games today is the day of salvation. Either turn your life over to God or walk away, no more riding the fence hoping for the best of two worlds because they will not mix. The holy cannot know the unrighteous and the selfish heart cannot know the ultimate sacrifice. The time is short and the choice is eternal.
(Revelation 11:18 NLT)
Have we become comfortable and blind, putting away the things of God for things that satisfy our flesh and when a man of God speaks can we not see past the words coming out of his mouth to understand it is not his words but the words of the One who sent him? What a terrible condition of the heart, for it is easier to dismiss than to obey. One day God will say, “Enough!”
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: "The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever." The twenty-four elders sitting on their thrones before God fell with their faces to the ground and worshiped Him. And they said, "We give thanks to You, Lord God, the Almighty, the One who is and who always was, for now You have assumed Your great power and have begun to reign.
(Revelation 11:15-17 NLT)
Lord, help us to see with the eyes of our spirit and not just with our physical eyes. It is our short sightedness that will ultimately destroy us, leading us to live a life that satisfies ourselves when we should be concerned about satisfying what you have required of us. Let not our spiritual ears be deaf to what your messengers tell us, for contained within their words is the key to the very thing our souls have longed for but our spirits must be awaken to your call. With tender hearts must we get up out of bed and say, “Here I am. Did you call me?” (1 Samuel 3) and then by faith believe your Word and with singularity of mind and whole heartedly we turn from our ways to follow You. You are holy and require our very best, not a half-hearted effort. For if Jesus is not our only choice then He is no choice at all. If we’re not giving everything then we gain nothing.
If you refuse to take up your cross and follow Me, you are not worthy of being Mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for Me, you will find it.
(Matthew 10:38-39 NLT)
Remember it is not the messenger but the One who sent the message that has the power to save. To ignore, make light of, or drown out the words they speak would be like the dead sealing their own tomb, effectively sealing out all hope.
All the people who belong to this world will gloat over them and give presents to each other to celebrate the death of the two prophets who had tormented them. But after three and a half days, God breathed life into them, and they stood up! Terror struck all who were staring at them.
(Revelation 11:10-11 NLT)
Hear this, no more games today is the day of salvation. Either turn your life over to God or walk away, no more riding the fence hoping for the best of two worlds because they will not mix. The holy cannot know the unrighteous and the selfish heart cannot know the ultimate sacrifice. The time is short and the choice is eternal.
Friday, July 11, 2014
God knows
When the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write. But I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Keep secret what the seven thunders said, and do not write it down."
(Revelation 10:4 NLT)
We think we are in control based upon our experiences and our ability to manipulate situations so they are favorable to us but have you ever stopped to wonder who causes us to see or if we are seeing the whole picture? How is it that we supposedly know so much yet the expanse of our lifetime is so short compared to all of creation? No, God is God and He has provided enough so that we might know we are not the center of “our universe” as it is so popular to say but instead a tiny but important part in God’s master plan. One day His supremacy will be revealed to all but until such time He asks for faith, for without faith it is impossible to please God.
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.
(Hebrews 11:6 NLT)
Faith bridges the gap between what we call reality and the ocean depths below our little lifeboat that goes unnoticed by most. For there is so much more God has in store for us than this physical, temporary body our eternal spirits live in but without believing in God we cannot know it. Revelation was given to John to correct, direct, encourage, and ultimately prepare those who seek God’s will in their lives yet many things were left untold so that our faith may increase. It is relationship with God that brings about discovery of the ocean below us so to speak. While so many are content to master their little ship where can they go when the storms come but if we know the Master of the wind and the water we have nothing to fear, perfect love casts out all fear!
On judgment day many will say to Me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in Your name and cast out demons in Your name and performed many miracles in Your name.' But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from Me, you who break God's laws.'
(Matthew 7:22-23 NLT)
In the end it does not matter what we have done or what we have mastered, only that we have relationship with God’s Son who was sent here to show us how to live. Notice Jesus did not mention what lacked in their laundry list but said the reason why they could not enter was because they did not have a relationship with Him. In having relationship we learn how to listen and obey, we don’t do what we think God wants us to do but instead are led by His Holy Spirit and this is the only way we can know the things yet to be seen.
(Revelation 10:4 NLT)
We think we are in control based upon our experiences and our ability to manipulate situations so they are favorable to us but have you ever stopped to wonder who causes us to see or if we are seeing the whole picture? How is it that we supposedly know so much yet the expanse of our lifetime is so short compared to all of creation? No, God is God and He has provided enough so that we might know we are not the center of “our universe” as it is so popular to say but instead a tiny but important part in God’s master plan. One day His supremacy will be revealed to all but until such time He asks for faith, for without faith it is impossible to please God.
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.
(Hebrews 11:6 NLT)
Faith bridges the gap between what we call reality and the ocean depths below our little lifeboat that goes unnoticed by most. For there is so much more God has in store for us than this physical, temporary body our eternal spirits live in but without believing in God we cannot know it. Revelation was given to John to correct, direct, encourage, and ultimately prepare those who seek God’s will in their lives yet many things were left untold so that our faith may increase. It is relationship with God that brings about discovery of the ocean below us so to speak. While so many are content to master their little ship where can they go when the storms come but if we know the Master of the wind and the water we have nothing to fear, perfect love casts out all fear!
On judgment day many will say to Me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in Your name and cast out demons in Your name and performed many miracles in Your name.' But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from Me, you who break God's laws.'
(Matthew 7:22-23 NLT)
In the end it does not matter what we have done or what we have mastered, only that we have relationship with God’s Son who was sent here to show us how to live. Notice Jesus did not mention what lacked in their laundry list but said the reason why they could not enter was because they did not have a relationship with Him. In having relationship we learn how to listen and obey, we don’t do what we think God wants us to do but instead are led by His Holy Spirit and this is the only way we can know the things yet to be seen.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
What does it take to turn
But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk!
(Revelation 9:20 NLT)
There are many mysterious things to me in the book of Revelation but still there are points that are very clear. We currently know God’s mercy but there will come a day when His mercy will be hidden from the earth and His wrath will instead be released but even on that day if people will turn to God they will be saved. In spite of all that will happen there will be those with God’s seal on their foreheads showing who they belong to.
Then locusts came from the smoke and descended on the earth, and they were given power to sting like scorpions. They were told not to harm the grass or plants or trees, but only the people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
(Revelation 9:3-4 NLT)
God surely will prove His power and authority throughout the tribulation but because of the condition of man’s heart he will not be able to acknowledge who God is. In this series of events God brings to a close the hurts and pains of this life mentioned in Romans chapter 8.
For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who His children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as His adopted children, including the new bodies He has promised us.
(Romans 8:19-23 NLT)
In this way the darkest hour is right before dawn and this step must be taken before we can partake in the life we hope to gain but even in this God is with us, as He was with Israel during the seven plagues in Egypt. Our faith will be tested and our eyes will see many terrible things but our trust must remain in God’s goodness. It seems whether we go through these future plagues or if we die as martyrs beforehand if we are alive when these events take place then our dedication to God will be proven but our reward will be God’s honor.
(Revelation 9:20 NLT)
There are many mysterious things to me in the book of Revelation but still there are points that are very clear. We currently know God’s mercy but there will come a day when His mercy will be hidden from the earth and His wrath will instead be released but even on that day if people will turn to God they will be saved. In spite of all that will happen there will be those with God’s seal on their foreheads showing who they belong to.
Then locusts came from the smoke and descended on the earth, and they were given power to sting like scorpions. They were told not to harm the grass or plants or trees, but only the people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
(Revelation 9:3-4 NLT)
God surely will prove His power and authority throughout the tribulation but because of the condition of man’s heart he will not be able to acknowledge who God is. In this series of events God brings to a close the hurts and pains of this life mentioned in Romans chapter 8.
For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who His children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as His adopted children, including the new bodies He has promised us.
(Romans 8:19-23 NLT)
In this way the darkest hour is right before dawn and this step must be taken before we can partake in the life we hope to gain but even in this God is with us, as He was with Israel during the seven plagues in Egypt. Our faith will be tested and our eyes will see many terrible things but our trust must remain in God’s goodness. It seems whether we go through these future plagues or if we die as martyrs beforehand if we are alive when these events take place then our dedication to God will be proven but our reward will be God’s honor.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
To the lukewarm
Revelation 3:14-22
"I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth!”
(Rev 3:15-16 NLT)
We know what being hot is – passionate, a burning desire to do or be something; we know what cold is – turned off by something, to avoid something but to be lukewarm is to have your senses dulled, without feeling, going through the motions because you are convinced your actions are right but your heart is not in it. The result is indifference, caring for nothing or no one, living more like animals than people in that you cannot be taught, you do not listen, you live by instinct more than by the leading of the Holy Spirit. To know and love God is to live a life that is open to His leading, which brings about change, for He will lead us to the Refiner’s fire and when His work is completed in us we will wear robes of white and because of the great cost His people are passionate and ever diligent to follow where He may lead them. The indifference the church of Laodicea soothed themselves with provided relief from God’s correction but God answered their unasked question by telling them He disciplines everyone that He loves. For we know that our ways are not like His and His thoughts are strange to us. If God did not correct us how would we be different than before we knew Him? God’s heart is adventurous and His ways are not tame but He is good beyond doubt and His love for us is without question and if that is true why do we hold back on anything He asks of us? Do we fear the unknown but we already know that perfect love casts out all fear. Is our motivation comfort and a life of ease or are we passionate about discovering God’s plan for our lives? It comes down to this – do we trust God, the Creator of all that is living, with the life we call ours? God says He has a journey for us to go on, there will be battles and the way will be treacherous but He will be right there with us, every step of the way.
"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with Me on My throne, just as I was victorious and sat with My Father on His throne.”
(Rev 3:20-21 NLT)
"I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth!”
(Rev 3:15-16 NLT)
We know what being hot is – passionate, a burning desire to do or be something; we know what cold is – turned off by something, to avoid something but to be lukewarm is to have your senses dulled, without feeling, going through the motions because you are convinced your actions are right but your heart is not in it. The result is indifference, caring for nothing or no one, living more like animals than people in that you cannot be taught, you do not listen, you live by instinct more than by the leading of the Holy Spirit. To know and love God is to live a life that is open to His leading, which brings about change, for He will lead us to the Refiner’s fire and when His work is completed in us we will wear robes of white and because of the great cost His people are passionate and ever diligent to follow where He may lead them. The indifference the church of Laodicea soothed themselves with provided relief from God’s correction but God answered their unasked question by telling them He disciplines everyone that He loves. For we know that our ways are not like His and His thoughts are strange to us. If God did not correct us how would we be different than before we knew Him? God’s heart is adventurous and His ways are not tame but He is good beyond doubt and His love for us is without question and if that is true why do we hold back on anything He asks of us? Do we fear the unknown but we already know that perfect love casts out all fear. Is our motivation comfort and a life of ease or are we passionate about discovering God’s plan for our lives? It comes down to this – do we trust God, the Creator of all that is living, with the life we call ours? God says He has a journey for us to go on, there will be battles and the way will be treacherous but He will be right there with us, every step of the way.
"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with Me on My throne, just as I was victorious and sat with My Father on His throne.”
(Rev 3:20-21 NLT)
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