What Color is Snow?

The LORD says within Isaiah 1:18, "Though your sins be as scarlet, They will be as white as snow;"

I have been turning over ideas of what to write today.  I was looking out the window at the falling snow as I asked God what I should say.  The portion of Isaiah 1:18 concerning snow kept coming to mind. 

"Lord, what can be said about snow?  When our sins are forgiven they turn from scarlet and sinful to white like snow.  Lord, there isn't that much to the verse to write about."

It then occurred to me (To give credit where credit is due: The Lord reminded me) snow is not white.  That's right, snow is not really white.  Snow is actually transparent.  Snow is ice crystals with no color at all.  Snow is transparent and it reflects all light which makes it appear to be white.

We are to be white like the snow.  Our lives are to be transparent, with no sin found within.  When we are transparent and sin-free then we will reflect the light and become dazzling white reflectors of the Glory of God.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Joy to the World

One of the great Christmas Carols is "Joy to the World"  It is a fun, upbeat hymn that lifts your heart up in praise.

Joy to the world, The Lord is come.
Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

In the little town of Bethlehem our King, Jesus the Christ, was born.  He was announced by Angels to the shepherds,  He was greeted by the wise men from the east.  The King of the Universe, God Himself had come to Earth.  Even though there was no room for him and his parents that night, this song asks you to prepare a place for him in your heart.    The King desires to dwell within you.

This hymn is actually speaking of the second coming of Christ, when he comes to rule the world for one thousand years and beyond.  But the truth of the hymn is that it also applies to us today.  We are to be joyful to have Him as our King.   He wants to be our king.  He wants to bless us with His presence in our lives.

What greater Joy can man experience than the Joy of Christ as King.  Joy to the world, the Lord is come.

Photo Credit: Joy to the World by Art4TheGlryOfGod by sharon

The Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness

I am not sure Christians know what gentleness is.  I have written comments on Facebook, where Christians who I know and respect, have become vile and angry in their replies.  The subjects of the matter are not the issue, but the response.   Our response in all cases should reflect the Fruit of the Spirit.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."  Galatians 5:22-23

All people, non-Christian as well as Christian, should behave in this manner simply out of politeness, but Christians should because The Holy Spirit dwells within us and His fruit should be shining forth from us.

I have a sister in the Lord who wrote a post about Obama and got many nasty replies.  The vileness of them was threatening.  What are we becoming when we shun the fruit of the Spirit for angry words which display hate and evil?  We are to be Children of the light, Children of God, but we sink to become Children of the darkness and Children who speak the words of Satan himself.

Matthew 10:16 says that Jesus is sending us out like sheep among wolves.  The Christian is to be like a harmless sheep among vicious wolves.  The world wants to tear us apart.  Let us not help the world by tearing each other apart as well.

We also are not to stop speaking the truth of God or against people, laws, or anything else which is a Godless abomination against the will of God.  Matthew says Jesus is sending us out.  He is not keeping us in a safe barn but sending us out among the wolves to proclaim what is true and good.

Speak forth the truth Christians.  Speak the truth with love and gentleness and shine forth the light of God.  You are not called to be silent, but to tell the world about righteousness and salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Photo Credit: Fruit of the Spirit Graphics by Sapphire Dream Photography

The Arch of Titus

The background of this blog is a picture of the carvings on the Arch of Titus in Rome.  It was an arch built to honor Titus' victory over the Jews and taking Jerusalem and capturing the temple.  On the arch, you can see the seven-branch menorah taken as part of the spoils of war.  It was a trophy that stood out from all others to show that the Jews were utterly conquered.

There were many nations conquered by Rome who never came back into power.  After almost two thousand years Israel became a nation again.  Their national seal for Israel is the Menorah and where did they find a picture of the Menorah?  The Roman Empire, who sought to wipe out the Jewish nation actually helped to preserve an image of Israel's precious sacred golden Menorah.  Even when nations try to destroy God's people, God uses them to help preserve them.

You can never stop the plans of God.  What He purposes, He fulfills.  God turns destruction into victories and death into life.  Curses become blessings and darkness becomes light.  The things which man designs to destroy and kill, God can turn around to bless His people and destroy His enemies.

Never doubt God.  He is always faithful.  When the mountains before you look too great, look to Jesus instead.

Merry Christmas

Today is Christmas Day.  It is very unlikely that Jesus was born on this day, but that is alright because it is simply a day to remember the greatest gift that was ever given to man.  The gift of the Son of God who came to this world to live and to die so that Man could be reconciled to God.

This Christmas Season I have been looking for Christmas displays and decorations that had Jesus in them.  I rarely found such a display.  Mostly it is about Santa Clause, snowmen, Christmas trees, presents, and snow.   The greater part any designs or displays were of Santa and presents.  Christ is being quickly silenced from the day which was to recognize the gift of God to man.

It is a great mystery how God could love us so much that He would give His son to us, but the even greater mystery is why we would ignore such a gift.  Instead of glorifying God for His gift, we glorify a mythical man in a red suit.

Please remember that Jesus Christ is Christmas.  Merry Christmas to you and may the Lord our God bless you with His presence.

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

An Angel's View of the First Christmas

Seth looked at the figures with satisfaction.  The numbers all added up correctly.  Of course for the last four thousand years the numbers had always added up, but the angel still took satisfaction in a job well done.  Other angels thought his job was boring but to Seth numbers were the key to the universe.

"Seth!" The voice of Seth's friend Uriah drifted through the book stacks and boxes of archived papers. "Seth, you're going to earth with me."

Seth peeked around a book case to see Uriah trying to keep his wings tight into his body so he didn't disturb any of the boxes and books around him.  "Uriah?  Why would you think I am going with you to earth?  I have never been there.  I don't want to go there and only God Almighty could make me leave my work to go to that filthy place.  You know that."

Uriah smiled at his grouchy friend.  "And God Almighty has ordered me to take you to earth to see The King."

"The King? What are you talking about?"

Uriah shook his head good naturally and smiled. "You never do read The Angelic Herald do you?  You have no idea what is going on outside of your books."

Seth shook his head vigorously. "No! No! This is where I am happy.  What terrible news and sins are happening in the world are not for me.  What the angels do concerning Earth is of no concern of mine."

"Well you better brace yourself then Seth. God has gone down to Earth to live."

"WHAT?!"  Seth found himself gasping for air as his mind reeled with this preposterous news. "Why would God ever do such a thing?  Did he take an army of warrior angels to clean up that rabble?"

Uriah grinned.  "I think you better come with me and see for yourself."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Uriah and Seth landed in a small village laying beneath the night sky, Seth's eyes searched the surrounding area.

"I don't see God here!  Where is His Palace?  Where are His armies?  The only thing here is a bunch of common rabble and their ramshackled homes.  Is this some kind of Joke Uriah?"

Uriah simply took Seth's hand. "Come and see."

Uriah led Seth into a stable which stunk of sheep.  No one could see them as they quietly entered. In one corner Seth saw a young girl holding a bundle.  Her face glowed with love.  A man, apparently her husband, was looking down into the bundle with her.  He seemed very happy and relieved.

The two angels walked over closer and when Seth saw the baby's face he gasped. "It's Him!"

Uriah nodded as he gazed in amazement at the tiny baby boy.

Seth fell down with his face to the ground.  "OH LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!"

After a few moments Uriah helped Seth back up to his feet.  "The King has come down to earth as a baby."

Seth couldn't tear his eyes from the face of the baby king.  "But why?  Why would God, the King do such a foolish thing."

Immediately Seth slapped his hand over his mouth.  "I... I didn't mean that God is foolish.  I...uh I meant it seems foolish.  I don't understand."

Uriah put his arm comfortingly over Seth's shoulder. "Do not fear my friend.  It is a foolish thing for God to do in the eyes of everyone except God's.  I do not think there is an angel alive who fully understands this, but let me try to explain."

"For God so loves all the people of this world that He has given His one and only Son to be born of a virgin named Mary, who fully agreed to carry and give birth to The King.  She knew of the shame she would endure and yet because she trusted God and obeyed Him, She gave birth to this baby which God told her to name Jesus.

"Her husband Joseph knew the child was not his even though Mary was to marry him.  He was going put her away quietly and never marry her until God told him that the Child was of God and not of Man.  He obeyed God immediately and finalized the marriage.  He knew his reputation would be ruined with people thinking he had gotten Mary pregnant, but he obeyed God."

"But why would God do such a thing as lower himself from Heaven down here to a smelly barn as a helpless baby?  He is going to grow up and live in the squalor of this world?  How utterly barbaric!"

Uriah nodded, "That my dear friend is the biggest mystery of all."

While the world is still full of sin and rebellion against God, God sends The King to this world in order to save the very ones who hate Him.  God's love is so great that The King will live here and eventually die here so that the world will have the opportunity to turn from their wicked ways and come to live in Heaven with Him."

"I do not understand." Seth said with tears starting to flow down his cheeks.  "God has come to earth and will die for these people?  They do not derserve such love."

Uriah nodded in agreement.  "No.  They do not and there is where the foolishness of God is found, but the love of God is greater than any foolishness and compells God to give the most precious gift of all to this world.  Jesus who is the Christ."

Uriah turned to Seth.  "Come now.  We are to join with a chorus of other angels to announce this wonderful birth to some sheperds in the area."

Photo Credit: Nino Jesus by Jacinta Iluch valero

Peace on Earth

This year there were over 45 armed conflicts with at least 100 people killed.  The Middle East is a powder keg about ready to blow.  North Korea is making threats and testing ICBMs.  Terrorist are everywhere trying to kill innocent people.  The world is becoming more and more deadly every day.

Christmas is a time when we sing about peace on earth but there is none.  A verse in the Christmas carol "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" says it best.

And in despair I bowed my head
there is no peace on Earth I said
for hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men

That verse could have been written today about this world at this time.  I live in a small town in Iowa, far from any violence, but there are people here who worry about the events in the world.  They worry about war and hatred reaching even small-town Iowa.  Where can peace be found?

Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Peace, true peace, is found in Jesus.  It is not found in the world.  Even if there were no wars there would still be worries and trials in peoples' lives. The peace of God is not an outward peace but a peace found deep inside the very soul of the person.  It is knowing that God is in control and He has already overcome the world.

Peace is found in trusting Christ; knowing that He is in control of all that happens. Nothing can touch you without His knowledge and permission.  Does that mean nothing harmful will ever come to you? Read Foxe's Book of Martyrs and you will find people who were tortured and murdered because of their trusting in Christ.  They died with peaceful hearts because they knew who they trusted and loved. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace.

Peace is found only by resting in the arms of God.

Photo Credit: peace by raj

False Prophets in Your Neighborhood

When you look around the area you live in most people do not think of there being false prophets in their neighborhood.  They are not a crazy man with a long beard and dressed in sackcloth yelling at the top of his voice some lie of Satan.  False prophets are very distinguished and respected people in our communities.

A biblical prophet is not a person who tells what the future hold.  Although they can do that, a prophet simply is someone who communicates the message of God.  A prophet speaks the message which God has given to him for others to hear.  A good example is a preacher.

A preacher stands up before the people to speak forth what God has directed to be given to a congregation for that week.  He is to speak for God to the people so that they might know better what God desires of them.  His words are not to be his opinion, but the opinion of God as confirmed by Scripture.

A false prophet will give false messages from God.  There are many pastors and priest in churches around the world who are false prophets.  They tell falsely a message from God such as good works will save you, there is no Hell, all people will go to Heaven, and the Bible is not the inerrant word of God.

There are false prophets not only in the pulpits and everywhere else in the world.  Anyone who speaks against what is written in the Bible is a false prophet.  Teachers, politicians, and even your next door neighbor could be giving false prophecies.

The only method of confirming if a person is a false prophet or not is to compare their words to the words of Scripture. 

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Photo Credit: Priest in Union by Danny Hammontree

Who is Telling You the Truth?

I think one of the most destructive things a Christian can do is to believe what others say and never check it out. We are so lazy that when a preacher gives a sermon we just nod our heads and believe him.  I have heard good, Bible-believing preachers say nonbiblical 'truths' or use Scripture out of context.  Every Christian is human and can make mistakes, and every Christian has a sin nature and can deceive others. 

Many times people will say something that sounds deep but is actually pretty shallow.  For example:

   "I have hope in hope."

   "When you care what is outside, what is inside cares for you."

   "No matter where you go, there you are."

And quotes that are simply unbiblical:

   "God helps those who help themselves."

   "God wants me to be happy."

   "We are all God's children."

   "Cleanliness is next to Godliness."

   "God won't give you more than you can handle."

   "When you die, God gains another angel."

What do you do when you hear something said about God and His Word?  Do you just accept it as true?  That is the road to deception and death.  Never take what a pastor, friend, Bible teacher or famous Christian has to say at face value.  Never believe what I say in this post, this blog or in real life without making sure it is scriptural.

The Bible is the only source of God's truth that we have to compare 'truths' told to us by others.  If anything is counter to scripture it is not of God.  Some things the Bible is silent on, but that does not mean it is right or wrong. 

The unbiblical quotes I gave, you might think come for the Bible or sound like they are Biblical.  Do not trust what I have said about them.  Check it out yourself.  Do not put your life in danger and accept what I or anyone else says.

"Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." Acts 17:11

Photo Credit: Chruch (Portfolio) by Jake Guild

Are Your Sins Unforgivable?

Before the fall of man, Adam walked with God every day. They were face to face and talking about anything and everything either of them desired.  There was nothing separating Adam from God because he was pure and righteous.  Man's heart was clean and contained no sin.

After man fell, sin separated man and God.  God even put Cherubim, the most powerful angels created, to stand guard at the entrance to the garden of Eden so that man could not reenter.  Man was cast out from where Adam had enjoyed being in the presence of God.

Years later Moses built the Tabernacle where the presence of God would reside with His people, the nation of Israel.  The Tabernacle had two rooms with a curtain separating the two rooms.  Behind the curtains was the Holy of Holies where the Mercy Seat was found sitting on top of the Ark of the Covenant.  This was the throne of the presence of God.  The curtain had Cherubim sewn on it to prevent anyone from entering or seeing where the presence of God resided.  Once a year the High Priest was permitted to enter that most holy place.

The Solomon's Temple and Herod's Temple also had curtains with Cherubim sewn on them.  The cherubim from the times of the fall of man to Herod's Temple protected the Holiest place on earth.  It was not until sin was conquered so that man could once again be pure and righteous that those Cherubim were finally removed and man could gain access to the presence of God.  When Jesus died those curtains were torn from top to bottom, from Heaven to Earth to show that God once again was available to man.

Are you too wicked for God to accept you?  Have you done anything so evil that God could never allow you into His presence?   People who think that God could never forgive them, are calling God a liar.

"for "Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."  Romans 10:13

The word whoever means everyone including you.  There is nothing stopping you from going to God. He invites everyone into His presence to repent of their sins and accept the pardon given by the death of Jesus Christ.  The sacrifice of Jesus removes even the most heinous of sins.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Following the King

A king is the leader of his people.  He leads the nation and the people follow him, one way or another.  The king and his people are joined together so that the path the king takes, the people take as well.  This is even true of Jesus and the Jewish people.  He is their rightful king even if they did not recognize him as such.

For the last two thousand years, the Jewish nation has been following King Jesus.  This might seem ridiculous at first since they still do not see Jesus as their Messiah and king, but they have taken the same path that Jesus was on.

Jesus became an outcast and an object of scorn.  He was falsely accused of crimes he never committed. Jesus was robbed of any dignity, and seen as a pariah that required being permanently silenced.  All he had was taken from him so that when he died on the cross he hung there naked.  He was mocked, abused, tortured and finally murdered. 

For the last two thousand years, the Jews have followed that same path.  Their lives have been filled with scorn and hatred from the world.  They have been robbed time and again of all they owned.  The Catholic Church gained much of its lands by false accusation against the Jews and then confiscating synagogues and homes after killing or chasing away the Jews of the area.  They have been tortured, imprisoned, and murdered for two thousand years.  The Holocaust is just one event of the world trying to eradicate the Jews from the earth.

After Jesus' death, he was resurrected and after the Holocaust, the Jewish nation was resurrected.  Without knowing it, the Jews have been following the path of their king.  In the near future, they will follow him as their recognized King.  They will follow Jesus into a kingdom of righteousness and peace. 

All who Jesus claims as his people, must follow him.  We all must show the image of Christ in our lives, just as the Jewish nation has shown the image of the suffering messiah for the last two thousand years.  Let us show the image of a God who loves all people and sacrificed all to bring them to himself.

Photo Credit: Crown by Jason Train

A Lonely Christmas

When I was in the Navy, I spent Christmases away from home.  I remember Christmases on a ship in Viet Nam or on a sunny beach in Hawaii.  Hawaii might seem ideal but when you are there and not with family (and freezing in the snow) it can be very lonely.

One of the most joyous holidays is Christmas, but it is also one of the most depressing for many people.  This Christmas many will feel the pain of someone they have lost or simply are not with because of distance.   No one can replace a loved one that is missed, but God does have an answer to the lonely.

"I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty."  2 Corinthians 6:18

Have you lost a parent? Even God can not replace that parent but He will be a father to you.  He is a parent who loves and understands your loss.  If you are a Christian He is not just a parent in name but in reality, He is your father.  You have become a member of the family of God.

Your family is not with you?  Here again, no one can replace anyone in your family, but as the family of God, you do have brothers and sisters in the Lord.  While in the Navy, I turned to my Christian family.  My brothers in the lord on ship gave me comfort and acceptance.  We celebrated together the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Missing a parent, a child, a brother or sister?  When you love and miss someone, it can bring pain and loneliness.   The losses we have suffered and the separations we endure can never be completely filled until we meet again in Heaven, but God does have a family that loves you and desires to comfort you.  Your Heavenly Father and Christian brothers and sisters are there to share your loneliness and loss.  They are your family who will comfort and love you.

Photo by Ian Espinosa on Unsplash

Nephilim, As in the Days of Noah

We are in the last days which Jesus talks about in Matthew 24:37-39.  Jesus says 'But as the days of Noah were, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.'  I believe Christ will return in the very near future.  That would mean that these days are like the days of Noah.

In the days of Noah, there were giants on the earth or 'Nephilim'.  They were the offspring of the sons of God and daughters of men.  Sons of God are beings created by God Himself.  Sons of men are people born by way of natural sex between a human man and a human woman.  These sons of God were directly created by God.  They are fallen angels who took (the Hebrew word means to carry away, seize), human women for their own pleasure.  The result was a hybrid of man and demon. Genesis 6:1-4

Daniel 2:43 is talking about the statue of Nebakanezer dreamed of with the head of gold, arm and shoulders of silver, belly and hips of bronze, legs of iron and feet of iron mixed with clay.  In verse 43 Daniel says "as you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay."

Who will mingle with the seed of men?  Apparently not someone human.  I can not say who it is because I do not know.  I believe, just like in the times of Noah, it will be demons again.  When the kingdom of the Anti-Christ comes there will be Nephilim.  I don't think that suddenly demons and men will start having children.  They are probably doing so now and have for a long time.This is all conjecture.  I admit it.  But your Bible is the Word of God and is faithful.  Something unusual and evil is going on.

Today in the world we are making hybrid animals such as a pig which has human blood.  Mice with brains containing some human brain cells.  Animals that glow in the dark because they have jellyfish genes.   Many animals have been crossed genetically with totally different animals and humans. Is it hard to believe that demons, which we know exist, could cross breed with humans?

Remember God is in control and we are on the path to His coming.  The events of today are more like Noah's times than ever before.  Jesus is coming very soon.  Are you ready?  Are you telling others about Jesus before it is too late?

These are the Days of the harvest, but soon it will be too late.  The world is going crazy and more evil every day.  You are the last hope for the people who are in your life.

Jesus: The Alpha and The Omega

When God spoke in Isaiah 44:6 He said He is the first and the last.  In Revelation 22:13 Jesus says "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."  Alpha is the beginning of the Greek alphabet and omega is the last letter.   My question is 'What is Jesus the beginning and end of?

He was at the beginning of this universe and nothing was created without him.  He will also be around until the end of this universe.  Jesus is eternal.  But it means more than just that.  He is the beginning and the end of history as well.

Jesus came into this world from Heaven and divided time.  All the years of history are referenced to the birth of Jesus.  His birth became the beginning, the alpha of a new age and the end, the omega of the old age.  History is centered around Jesus Christ.

Not only is history centered around Jesus but the life of a Christian is also centered around the day Christ came into their life.  It was on that day that the old life of following the sinful desires of this world ended and the person was born anew to a life of abundant love, joy peace and other blessings of God.  A new day, the beginning of an eternal life lived with Jesus Christ.

The world might not acknowledge Jesus as God and Savior, but their lives are still centered around the day God came into this world almost 2000 years ago.  Christians need to live their lives centered around the day Jesus came into their personal lives.

Every morning make Jesus the Alpha of the Day and every evening the Omega of your day.  The first, the last and every moment in between should be given to Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior.

Photo Credit: Alpha Omega by Thomas Hawk

Virtual Reality Earth

If you have ever played a computer game you know that you are given a goal which to win you must accomplish. You might need to gather rings, gold coins, or rescue a damsel in distress.  If you die in the attempt the game might give you two or three lives to use in the attempt.  When you are done playing, even if you have broken every record possible, you shut off the game and have nothing in real life to show for it.

Virtual Reality games will immerse you in the world of the game.  You can look all around you and it seems like the world is behind you, beside you and in front of you. You might even feel some things in the game when you touch them.  It is much more realistic than just having a screen in front of you.

The most realistic world to live in is the one you have been in all your life.  This game is not just a game but your life on earth and you only get one chance.  No new lives when this one is done so you have to do your best here and now.

This 'game' (that is not a game) had a designer who set up the rules and the goals.  You might have one day to play or 100 years and you have no idea how long.  Once you have finished everything in this world that you have won is worthless in the real life of the Eternal.  You have riches here, houses, cars, great fame or a great job?  Worthless!

The only things from this world worth anything are those done for God.  He keeps track of our lives and will reward us for all we do to honor and obey Him.  Golden rings, money, fame, fortune as a goal is worthless.  Gathering souls will win you an eternal reward.  Giving God credit for your good works is also rewarded.  Obeying God instead of following our own desires is always rewarded.  The rulebook is your Bible and the goals are not those of this world.

This world seems real but the true reality is found in Eternity.  This Virtual Reality Earth is temporary but what is done for God will last forever.

"while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18

Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Baal Worship in America

I was surprised to find out just how prevalent Baal worship is here in the United States and even around the world.  I also found out that there is not just one Baal but many manifestations of Baal.  A Baal of one type or another can be found everywhere.

There is a Baal of sex, a Baal of money, a Baal of beauty, a Baal of food and many many more.  If there is a sin to be committed, there is a Baal for it.  It is really quite amazing to learn about the Baalim (plural for Baal) and how diversified they are.  It is also scary to think that when we sin in our lives today, we are actually worshipping a Baal.

I once worshipped the Baal of pornography.  It took God a while but He has taken that Baal off of the throne of my life and now Jesus Christ sits on the throne.  I still have trouble staying away from the Baal of chocolate to this day.  You laugh, but I love Chocolate and it tempts me every day. We have chocolate in our house where once a day, after evening dinner, Kathy and I will each have one Chocolate.  When I am home alone I want to go steal a chocolate and eat it even though they are for sharing with my wife only.

We all have a god of Baal in our lives that desires to sit upon the throne of our hearts and direct our lives.  People everywhere are worshipping a Baal and since everyone else is doing it, it makes worshipping Baal seem normal.  We are addicted to many Baalim who sit where God should be.

Baal means 'owner'. We need to pray and ask God who is the Baal that is mastering us.  Are we owned by Baal or by God?

Photo Credit: God is the Source of Man's Life by Maltz Evans

Ezekiel 38 invasion of Israel

The Middle East is in turmoil and it is getting worse every day.  Turkey, Russia, and Iran have joined together in an alliance.  Iran now has missile sites in Syria, close to the border of Israel.  In order to keep their military safer, Iran is moving troops into Damascus.  The Middle East is not falling apart,  it is all falling together as the Bible prophecied. 

I am telling you here what I see going on today from my own research.  This is not God speaking, but me and I can be wrong.  So check it out for yourself.

President Trump has just announced that the USA will move its embassy from Tele Viv to Jerusalem.  The Arabs are not happy but I am sure God is happy to see us recognizing Jerusalem, just as the Bible says it is the Capital of Israel.  This announcement could be the catalyst for nations to try to invade and destroy Israel.

What nations does the Bible say will try to invade Israel?  Look at the map above and see. Russia, Eastern Europe, Turkey, Iran, Libia, and Ethiopia.  Notice which nations are not going to invade.  .  The two nations that at this moment are on friendly terms with Israel, Saudia Arabia, and Egypt

Isaiah 17 is a prophecy that Damascus will be totally destroyed.  Could it be because Israel will destroy it so that the Iranians stationed there will be killed?  These things are all very possible right now.  We are seeing the prophecies of God being fulfilled right before our eyes.  Many in the world will be fearful but as a Christian, we have nothing to fear because God is in control. 

These are the end times and we should be looking for the Lord's return, but while we are still on this world we are to be working.  There are souls who will die in their sins unless we tell them about salvation in Jesus Christ.

The time is short and the harvest is great. 

Jehovah-Jireh

Abraham brought his only son Isaac to the mountains region of Moriah where Jerusalem sits today, so he could obey God's command to sacrifice his beloved son who was promised to him by God.  He trusted God's promise that Isaac would be the beginning of generations of Abraham's descendants in spite of being told to kill Isaac.

Isaac noticed that as they walked up the mountain that they didn't have a lamb for the sacrifice.  Abraham told him, "My son, Jehovah-Jireh (God will provide) for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering." Genesis 22:8a

When they reached the top and Isaac was laid upon the wood to be sacrificed, an angel stopped him from plunging the knife into Isaac.  It was then that a ram was seen caught in a thicket and they sacrificed the ram which God provided to Abraham.  Abraham named that place, "Jehovah-Jireh" which means "The LORD will provide"

About 1600 years later on the mountains of Moriah, God provided another lamb to be sacrificed.  Jesus Christ was crucified there for the sins of the world.  Again Jehovah-Jirah provided a lamb.

Just as God provided to Abraham so that he could fulfill what God desired of him, God provides to us so that we can obey Him.  When God asks us to do something we think impossible, we are probably right.  We can not fulfill God's desires for us in the flesh but when we trust God to provide, all things are possible.

God is trustworthy.  He will never call upon us to minister without providing all that we need to fulfill His desires.  Always trust Jehovah-Jirah.

Photo Credit: Golgotha by R~P~M

Life is Found in God

Have you ever picked a bouquet of flowers and set them on a table in a pretty vase?  The look so beautiful and their fragrance fills the room.  Flowers are used in weddings, given to the people we love and to cheer up those who are sick.  They are a wonder of God and look so alive.

Their appearance is one of life but soon they will droop and wither away.  Those flowers had the outward appearance of life, but without nourishment, they quickly reveal that they can no longer sustain life.  From the time they are separated from their roots, they are in an imminent spiral to death. 

I have friends that I have known for many years who loved the lord, went to church weekly and read their Bibles daily.  They decided the church was not for them and slowly they have spiraled into a spiritual death spin.  No one holds them accountable or encourages them.  They stop reading scripture and it doesn't take long before they live a life no different than anyone else in the world.

We are to meet regularly with other believers.  Separating from the church will end in disaster.   We are to read God's word.  Separating ourselves from the Scriptures will end in falling into the sinful traps of the world.

God loves you so much and wants to show you that love through other believers and tell you Himself through His word.  Do not cut yourself off from God.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Your White Stone with a New Name

"And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone, a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it." Revelation 2:17b

Jesus gave this promise to those in the churches who overcome.  The people who turn away from the ways of the world and follow Christ.  Isn't it interesting that the stone will not have your name on it but will have a 'new name' written on it?  Why a new name?

There are many times that God renames someone.  Abram and Sarai became Abraham and Sarah, Simon became Peter, and Jacob became Israel.  God also named Adam, but then He had Adam name his wife and all the animals.  Giving a name to someone or something is a very important act.

To name someone means that you are going to oversee them.  You are taking responsibility for their life.  You will protect them and see that they have food, clothing, and all that they need.  You are the head of the one you name and will guide them in the best ways to go.  You are their leader and their greatest servant.

God named Adam because God was the one responsible for protecting and guiding Adam.  He oversaw Adam's life so that Adam would have the best life possible.  Adam named the animals and Eve because he was to oversee them.  He was to provide and protect them.

When we marry, the woman takes the man's name.  He is naming her and is taking responsibility for her every need.  He is the head of the house because when good or bad occurs within the home, he is ultimately responsible to God for his family. 

God gives us a new name because He has taken responsibility for us. He is the one who is responsible to care for us.  Jesus is our head and Jesus is the one responsible for all the good and the bad that we have done in our lives.  He took the bad by dying for our sins and we give him the glory for the good which is found in our lives.

We have a new name because we now have a new king on the throne of our hearts.  A king who provides for our needs and is willing to even die for us.  That new name is the whole gospel personally written for you.

Photo Credit: Singled Out by Domiriel

Saint David

You are a saint.  A holy and sanctified one set apart for the purposes of God.  What does it mean to be a saint?  Biblically it is not someone the Catholic Church declares to be a saint.  All people who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are saints.  That is who are the saints, but what is a saint?

A Saint is someone who is Holy.  Israel was declared holy by God, a nation set apart from all other nations for God's purposes.  From the nation of Israel, the Levites were separated and from the Levites, God separated the cohanim to a holier calling as the priest. The holiest priest was the High Priest who once a year went into the Holy of Holies alone to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat for the sins of the nation.  Every degree of holiness was matched with an equal degree of separation unto God.

The most separated people were the holiest people.  A saint is a person separated from the world and given to the purposes of God.  The more separated we are, the holier we are.  God desires us to be separate. To stand out from the world because we now have the mind of Christ so that those in the world will see Him and desire to come to God.  We are to separate ourselves from the world but love the people in the world back to Christ.

If Jesus is your Saviour, then you are a Holy vessel of God set apart for sacred work in the world.  You are a saint of the living God.