His Return

Daniel‬ ‭7:13-14 - “I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall NOT be destroyed.

In the Old Testament Daniel had a vision of a future event. A very distant future event, one that hasn’t even happened yet. That’s not to say it won’t ever happen. If it’s in the Bible, it is God’s Word to us and it is true, and can be trusted. He cannot lie. It is even told us just what the world will be like prior to Jesus’ return. It’s all there in the Book for us to read about, from which to learn. It’s good to know these things.

Jesus will return whether it is believed or not. And everyone will know what we can know and understand today, if we want this knowledge. We can’t assume Jesus won’t return in our lifetime. It could be today. We have been told and warned. Whenever...it will be a glorious day. Who is prepared for that day? It won’t be very many, we are told. But if you’re reading this, you can be ready if you choose to.

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians‬ ‭2:9-11‬)

We will all see His return. Some look forward to it, some scoff at the idea. When He does, however, every knee will bow and tongue confess Him. That doesn’t get the scoffers off the hook, though. There will still be judgment and those who believed will be granted eternal life where those who scoffed eternal damnation. Hard words. Truth. 

And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke‬ ‭21:25-27‬)

He will come victorious. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, ... to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever ... ‭‭(Isaiah‬ ‭9:6-7‬)

I await anxiously for Jesus’ return. I’ve seen enough of the evils, anger and hatred in this world, yet I’m afraid we will see even more. What will only tomorrow’s headlines be? Making this country or even the world great again, I believe, will only happen upon His return. 

We cannot, as many do, expect government or a man to bring peace and safety in a world filled with evil and hatred. True peace comes from Jesus and we can have that ourselves today by receiving and knowing Him. That will get us through our lives on earth. But the signs are getting very clear that the days are getting closer to His return. It’s all over the pages of the Bible. Many will scoff at this too. Better to be safe than sorry. Do the research. One needs to be living as though the time is very near or it will not be good. The only good in this life is Jesus. Nothing in this world is so important that one wants to lose his life for something other than Jesus. 

Revelation‬ ‭1:7-8 - Behold, He is coming with clouds, and EVERY eye will see Him, EVEN they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and WHO IS TO COME, the Almighty.”

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Total Gospel

Job 19:25-27 - For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

There’s a yearning in my heart...to see my Redeemer. It will be either upon my death or when He returns. I can’t imagine....

Dwelling on a sermon our Pastor preached and how it so ties in with a recent post. I’m so amazed at how this God of ours is so great. He never ceases to surprise me. My thoughts being in tune with His or others’.

Twice in one week I either posted on Facebook or wrote a blog and shared or published with a hint of trepidation. I fear being way off base in my thoughts or offending, yet Jesus’ Words often offended those who did not want to hear. Sometimes pastors, those whose desire is only to show people the truth of the Word, will offend too. In one instance what I posted was well received. The blog was confirmed that morning after I posted it!

The post of July 15, 2018 spoke of humility. Having a humble heart before the Lord. It’s the only way we can come to Him and probably why so many will not receive Christ. Pride gets in the way. The number one sin. 

In Sunday school in the Book of Job, the scriptures above, we see a picture of Jesus. This is Old Testament. They didn’t know about Jesus. But the manner of His life and death was beginning to emerge. Here, our Redeemer would be resurrected, which means He had to have died, and would live on for all to see. 

Many churches preach on having a good life now, taking in all we can before our time is up. Bucket lists come to mind. Checking off all the things we’d like to do before we go. What if we go next week? Or never wake up in the morning? Was knowing Jesus ever on that list? He should be the first thing on that list...then the list would be meaningless!!! You’d have all you need. 

We got to talking about churches preaching the total Gospel. What is that? A lot of churches today only preach the love of God and how we are saved by grace and good works. But there’s something missing. The thing churches avoid so as not to offend...our sin. Why do we need a Redeemer? Because of our sin. But I’m a good person. In your eyes you might be, but we’re all sinners just the same. God says so! We’re born into sin. We live in that sin until we repent of it and turn to Jesus for forgiveness. 

Our sermon was called Activating the Remedy. The remedy for what? For sin. What is the remedy? The blood of Jesus. The previous Sunday a guest preacher spoke on sin and how only...only...the blood of Jesus can cleanse us of our sin.

That means humbling ourselves before the Creator of this universe, ridding ourselves of stiff necks and turning to Him. Only.the.blood.of.Jesus. His death on that old rugged cross.

A song we sang (Nothing But the Blood) says this: 
Nothing can for sin atone: 
nothing but the blood of Jesus. 
Naught of good that I have done: nothing but the blood of Jesus. 
There you have it. Nothing.but.the.blood.of.Jesus.

So someone in Sunday school described the Total Gospel message. It started just after creation with life, then death when sin entered in. We see it all around us daily, seasonally, politically and physically, this birth, life, then death. It continues. Jesus was born, lived, died then resurrected and still lives today. Our eternal life is only through Him. Because He lives we can live along side Him. Our old lives must die so a new spiritual life can be birthed that we might live in Christ forever. We must humble ourselves, though. That can be the hard part. The hard heart must be softened and stiff necks against God loosened up. 

One last thing that I jotted down that really didn’t seem to fit here but now I see it does! Job went through some horrendous trials. We can ask ourselves why we go through some of the things we do. Illness, loss, doubt, insecurity. It was said: God never takes us to a place where He is not (if we are in Christ). That can also apply to receiving Christ. He will be there and will stay if your heart is truly turned to Him. You won’t be taking that step of faith without Him as a safety net. You will be safe! He will never leave or forsake us.

Without Jesus we will die. Like I've said many, many times. This is not head knowledge of who He is but a heart attitude for Him. There is no heaven for those who are not right with the Lord. You are still an enemy, as I mentioned one time. The road to destruction is very large but the road to eternal life is very narrow, and growing narrower today as many of us have noticed. But listen to what God will do...from the Old Testament. This is written many times in the Word.

2Chronicles 36:12-13 - He did evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and did not humble himself... And he also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear an oath by God; but he stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning TO the LORD God of Israel.
2Chronicles 12:12 - When he humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from him, so as not to destroy him completely; and things also went well in Judah.

Children of God

‭‭1John‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭- Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

This is a good thing and a sad thing. I read this just after I had recalled a comment someone pasted on Facebook. The comment was something like this: You can pray all you want for someone but it’s still up to them to make the decision (for Christ).

When we have received Christ then we become children of God. We are enemies of God until then. Yes, that’s true! 

“For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Romans‬ ‭5:10‬)

 ...Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James‬ ‭4:4‬)

A friend of the world discounts the things of God. If we are in Christ, those who are not do not understand what we know. Hearts are not in tune. 

This is hard sometimes. Can we truly wrap our heads around this concept of being in Christ and being a child, no longer an enemy, of God the Father?! 

Picture the rejection Jesus went through because people didn’t agree with the hard things He had to say or rejected Him because He required submission and humility. He went on to die, without a word to defend Himself, for those who hated Him and all others who would believe in Him, trust in Him and call on Him. Believe here is not just knowing who He is. It’s a deep, heartfelt belief. You will know the difference when (if) it happens. Good things await those who choose Christ. Don’t count on your good works or kindness or giving attitude. Those are good, but it’s through Christ alone we receive our eternal life. 

But the good news is, Jesus waits and longs for all to believe. It's a matter of the heart. Hardened hearts can become softened. Jesus waits. Jesus calls. 

John‬ ‭1:12‬ - But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name...

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Psalm 37, Day 10

Psalm 37 tells us just what we all can do if/when the cares of the world get the better of us. We know we live in disturbing times. (Some will view this disturbance one way, others another, depending on where their allegiance is: with God or the world.)

Do you trust in HIM alone? I know that God is in control, that He knows the beginning from the end, He absolutely knows the hearts of man. He has stated that by nature, apart from Him, man’s heart is geared to do evil. He will return to bring His wrath on evil man and the righteous will be saved. By knowing God’s views and submitting to Him now we can be counted among the righteous. We have been both warned and promised! Our only hope is in the Lord. Which side are you on?

Psalm 37:35-40 - I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a native green tree. Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; indeed I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace. 
But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the future
of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.

Amen!

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Psalm 37, Day 9

Psalm 37 tells us just what we all can do if/when the cares of the world get the better of us. We know we live in disturbing times. (Some will view this disturbance one way, others another, depending on where their allegiance is: with God or the world.)

Do you trust in HIM alone? I know that God is in control, that He knows the beginning from the end, He absolutely knows the hearts of man. He has stated that by nature, apart from Him, man’s heart is geared to do evil. He will return to bring His wrath on evil man and the righteous will be saved. By knowing God’s views and submitting to Him now we can be counted among the righteous. We have been both warned and promised! Our only hope is in the LorD.

Have you received the gift of God and His inheritance of eternal life?

Psalm 37:29-34 - The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell in it forever. 
The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of justice. 
The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. 
The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him. 
The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. 
Wait on the LORD, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

Psalm 37, Day 8

Psalm 37 tells us just what we all can do if/when the cares of the world get the better of us. We know we live in disturbing times. (Some will view this disturbance one way, others another, depending on where their allegiance is: with God or the world.)

Do you trust in HIM alone? I know that God is in control, that He knows the beginning from the end, He absolutely knows the hearts of man. He has stated that by nature, apart from Him, man’s heart is geared to do evil. He will return to bring His wrath on evil man and the righteous will be saved. By knowing God’s views and submitting to Him now we can be counted among the righteous. We have been both warned and promised! Our only hope is in the Lord.

I have been young (and foolish) and now I am “old” and hopefully wiser. God IS merciful. Departing from evil is always a good thing.

Psalm 37:25-28 - I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lends; and his descendants are blessed. Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell forevermore. For the LORD loves justice, and does not forsake His saints; they are preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off. 

Psalm 37, Day 7

Psalm 37 tells us just what we all can do if/when the cares of the world get the better of us. We know we live in disturbing times. (Some will view this disturbance one way, others another, depending on where their allegiance is: with God or the world.)

Do you trust in HIM alone? I know that God is in control, that He knows the beginning from the end, He absolutely knows the hearts of man. He has stated that by nature, apart from Him, man’s heart is geared to do evil. He will return to bring His wrath on evil man and the righteous will be saved. By knowing God’s views and submitting to Him now we can be counted among the righteous. We have been both warned and promised! Our only hope is in the Lord.

Psalm 37:21-24 - The wicked borrows and does not repay, but the righteous shows mercy and gives. For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, but those cursed by Him shall be cut off. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand.