Ouch and Amen!

Luke 2:15-16 - So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord  made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.

Well, another Christmas has come and gone. I have a confession. I don’t enjoy celebrating Christmas like I used to. Whaaat? 

It has grown more and more commercialized and less about Jesus. It’s been this way for awhile. Oh, it’s a time of year when love is extended by giving gifts, like the Magi gave to King Jesus. But what did the humble shepherds have to give? Might I say their gifts of worship and praise were what were befitting this Child? 

The shepherds were first to be notified! Not the Magi. The lowly before the grand. Look at it this way, too. Jesus came humbly into the world, not in some grand manner. He also came to become our Shepherd. If Jesus humbled Himself both in birth and in death, shouldn’t this be our example? This is what the Bible tells us about humility:

• The meek shall inherit the earth. 
• The proud will be humbled
• The humble will be raised up
• With the humble comes   wisdom
• The foolish and weak things of the world bring shame to the wise and mighty

We are to come to Christ as little children, in anticipation and trust, seeking Him and less self-seeking. 

Our pastor had a very good message for Christmas Eve. It was based on the Luke 2 scriptures above. The shepherds made haste. They heard the good news of a  Savior, Christ the Lord, being born. Imagine...they also were the first types of evangelists:

Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. (Luke 2:17-18,20) 

These shepherds had no gifts to bring but they carried away with them and shared what they had seen about this Child who was and is the greatest gift of all. \

So the verse above, Luke 2:16, shares that the shepherds made haste to see this Child. They made haste. They didn’t drag their feet or decide to wait till they felt the time was right. They were called and went quickly to see what God had told them about. 

I wonder how many have heard the good news but have failed to receive it and Him? That’s the “ouch.” The “amen” goes to those who have and love what has transpired. 

God still is in the business of telling the world about this Child, His Son Jesus. He’s still in the business of sending His Holy Spirit to open eyes, ears and hearts to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. He uses others to do as the shepherds-evangelists of that day/John the Baptist/the disciples/pastors/evangelists, any and all who have made haste (and sometimes not so hastily) to meet this Child-King. Here’s another verse so well known and so well spoken by the prophet of Isaiah...

Isaiah 55:6 - Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.

Hebrews 3:15 - ...Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.

Do You Know if You Are Saved?

 Romans 8:4 - For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?

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Where is your hope? Do you have hope? Hope cannot be in the things around us. Hope can only be found by looking to the One who gives us that hope...Jesus Christ.

Do you know if you are saved?? Some don’t know what it is. Some believe there are many ways to be saved, that all religions somehow, in their own ways, can save us. What does it mean? What happens? How does it happen?

Often it happens when we come to our wits end, the end of the rope, the end of ourselves, the bottom of the barrel, we hit a wall. And yet for others it can just happen without a specific incident. The heart just knows.

All of this is nothing new to this blog! 

God saves everyone uniquely in His way to suit any particular person. It’s personal. I think that’s why a prayer prayed with head bowed corporately does nothing. It’s about the heart that is ready to change. It’s unexplainable how it happens. It just does...and one will know when it does.

I can repeat a prayer all I want but it doesn’t mean a thing without an immediate heart change toward God.

God loves us all but He will not allow all to receive eternal life without first receiving His Son. And receiving is the key word. Our works or our perceived goodness cannot give us eternal life. That would mean Jesus’ death on the cross was meaningless. Why, then, did He have to suffer the anguish and humiliation if we could get to heaven on our own merit? The Bible tells us it is a free gift from God. We don’t deserve it either. He offers it...and we must make a conscious effort to receive it.

There are so many lost “Christians” who will be sadly disappointed some day when they realize they heard the truth (or even those who were fed lies from their church) and did nothing (could do nothing) about it. Maybe they figured they had plenty of time left or just thought the truth was THE lie that true believers believed.

There is not one true church. Jesus wasn’t about denominations. They are all man made, according to certain men’s ideas, sometimes for power over people. But there is THE Church of Jesus Christ. It is made up of people of all tribes, tongues and nations who believe that only Jesus Christ can save. No other man or woman. He is a jealous God, so He will not allow our devotion to anyone else. No one.

After writing this this popped up on Facebook (love when this happens): The Church, the house of God, is simply Christ Himself in undivided oneness found in all those in whom He really dwells. (T.A. Sparks) Really dwells...by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

It’s Jesus Christ alone. Government won’t save, idols won’t save, no man or man made thing will save. When we come to that realization some day that we can’t do this “thing” whatever it is on our own or we can’t fix it, we’ve come to the end of ourselves. That’s a very good time to seek the One who saves. He will save us from ourselves, our enemies, our death and the coming earthly judgment. Only Jesus saves.

Our hope, trust and faith must be in that which we cannot see. While we cannot see Jesus, He is alive spiritually. And He will save until God the Father says, “Enough, it’s time to return to earth and wage war on the enemy.” No one knows the day or hour but earth looks pretty far from the Garden of Eden these days. Best to be prepared.

2Corinthians 4:18- ...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.

Isaiah‬ ‭45:22 - Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.

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What Does it Mean to be In Christ?

2Corinthians 5:17- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

In Christ. These two words appear about 75 times in the New Testament. 

Being in Christ means having the Spirit of God within you. Just because someone calls themself a Christian does not mean His Spirit lives within. 

The Spirit comes in at the time you know you have been touched by this very Holy Spirit...when you have given yourself to Christ. At that moment when God knows you have done this you receive the Spirit of God. A change takes place. Your heart changes. Your thoughts change. Same with your desires. It’s an amazing thing! 

Being in Christ is not having attended church all your life, being infant baptized, or being a certain denomination, singing in the choir, even, I might add, being a clergyman! It is something that occurs between you and God alone. In fact, it isn’t even anything you can do on your own. God does the work in you. He calls, He urges...you respond to that. You might have a desire, previous to this, to have a closer relationship with God, but it might just be His urging you to do so and He is still the one who makes it happen. 

John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.” (John 3:27)

It’s being born again...in the Spirit. Jesus told us we could not get to God apart from this rebirth...

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) There it is! In Jesus’ own words. Born again! Read all of John 3. 

This rebirth only comes through Jesus Christ and His work on the cross...because not one of us is perfect. As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one...” (Romans 3:10)

Only Jesus was the perfect spotless Lamb of God. He must and will get the glory for changing one’s heart, making them whole, redeeming and saving a lost soul, which we all are until being born again, born in the Spirit...becoming in Christ. 

So many believe that we are children of God because we believe in Him. We become children of God when we come to Christ to be in Christ. Christ in us. If one doesn’t feel qualified to be born again, no one is, but God...gave His only Son that whosoever will call on His name will be saved. 

Not by anything we think we can do! All because of Jesus’ obedience to the will of His Father. No one else! 

Ephesians 2:8-9- For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

One Sacrifice for Another

Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God...

Got to thinking early this morning about Adam and Eve. As you know, they were the cause of all the sin in this world that has entered mankind at birth. Are they in heaven, I wondered? It wouldn’t seem right for them not to be but they were, after all, the cause of mankind’s sin!

I googled the question. And immediately was taken to one scripture that solidified the fact they were! And from that scripture others popped into my head. Even as far back as Adam and Eve there was a type of Christ and His forgiveness evident.

Adam and Eve committed the first act of sin and immediately hid from God and were ashamed of their nakedness. And what did God do? He brought about the first blood sacrifice. Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. (Genesis 3:21) As early as Genesis 3!

And life as we know it began. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24)

Adam and Eve accepted the offer of clothing from God which was the first blood sacrifice. God sacrificed the animal. Animals were sacrificed throughout the Old Testament (a type of Christ). Their blood was spilled out.

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. (Leviticus 17:11)

Blood during that time was not allowed to be eaten.

Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life; you may not eat the life with the meat. You shall not eat it; you shall pour it on the earth like water. (Deuteronomy 12:23-24)

Life is in the blood. God sacrificed His own Son. His sacrifice; His blood, poured out that we might have life if we humble ourselves before Him.

This is nothing new. As for me I was glad I looked into it. I never tire of hearing about these types of Christ in the Old Testament. I always look forward to rereading the accounts in the early part of the Bible, to look for Jesus in the pages. Right from the start God made a way for mankind to be saved. The Old Testament believers in God had only their faith. They never saw their Redeemer. Hebrews 11 in the New Testament shows that by listing the faith that so many people had; it shows us that our faith must be just as strong. Faith in something we do not see, knowing that one day (maybe sooner than we know) Jesus will return...for those only who have put this faith in Him. That’s why it is so important to know this God. We cannot have faith in anyone or anything else. BUT GOD...

As did Adam and Eve, so must we have faith. We are to humbly go before God and realize our shame and receive the sacrifice of Jesus’ work (not our works) on the cross...be covered by His blood, become clothed by Him in His righteousness.

When we go to Christ and ask for forgiveness of our sins, and we all have them, He will know the intent of our heart and He will either forgive us or He will not. God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. (Psalm 53:2)

For by GRACE you have been saved THROUGH FAITH, and that not of yourselves; it is the GIFT of God, not of WORKS, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)  

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things NOT SEEN. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. (Hebrews 11:1-2)

As Adam and Eve were covered, by God, so He offers the same for us through Jesus. This is a serious thing. It isn’t done your way but His. It’s not about a prayer once said (or repeated many times) because the prayer without a heart change doesn’t count. It’s a change of heart and life. If Jesus is not important every day, that heart has not changed.

Just as God told Adam and Eve not to eat of a particular tree in the garden, He now offers us the Tree of Life:

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7)

It’s all about Him. From Genesis to Revelation. The Alpha and Omega. We sacrifice our old lives (become overcomers) for the new one Jesus gives. One sacrifice for another.

But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. (John 19:34) 

This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. (1John 5:6)  

Isaiah 61:10 - I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness...

It's About Good Versus Evil

Isaiah 5:20 - Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

I stumbled across this article from 2014 written by my pastor, Terry Fischer. It truly shows his heart and the state of this nation. Considering it’s been nearly six years now, it’s as relevant today as the Bible is relevant some 2,000 years later. 

Today's Eyesalve [his daily devotional], is the article I wrote, that was published in this month’s Wisconsin Christian News. 

IT’S ABOUT GOOD VERSUS EVIL

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Pastor Terry Fischer 

Conservative radio hosts dominate talk radio programs across this nation. Liberal-minded programs just don’t do very well at all. I guess, when it comes down to it, people don’t like to listen to liberals talk their nonsense. When you listen to talk radio–especially to men like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity–there is constant comparing conservatism to liberalism, or Republican to Democrat. That is all right for these men to do that; that is why their shows are popular, and that is why Americans listen to them. It is educational as well as entertaining at times to listen to these conservative talk shows. I found myself laughing a few times over the years while listening to some of the things that are said. I also had to intentionally shut the radio off or change the station to keep me from becoming too pessimistic or even overly political. After listening to the constant talk of how our great country of America is declining in every way, it is hard not to be very discouraged or even outright angry.

America, the only real military super power, is declining economically and it is directly related to the moral decay of America and her increasingly open rejection of God. There is no way anyone can convince me that all of those that founded our nation and all of those pioneers that forged this country were true born again believers; however, I am convinced their morals and standards were high and were greatly influenced by the written word of God. It was only about fifty years ago that TV would not show Elvis Presley gyrating his hips, and now today, at the mall just down the road from me, they have posted in the windows some of the most sensuous pictures of women advertising skimpy clothes. In my 58 years of life I have seen an incredible deterioration of morality here in America.

The battle rages: Democrats against Republicans, liberals against conservatives, lefties against righties. I want to set something straight right now, church of God. For us it isn’t Democrat versus Republican, it isn’t liberals against conservatives, and it is not the left against the right; it is right against wrong. It is about overcoming evil with good. Do not let yourself get caught up in the wrong fight. The wrong fight is carnal; the true fight is spiritual. Haven’t you noticed that everything that is evil in this world and this country is embraced by the liberal crowd? They are for murdering babies in their mother’s womb and they have no problem promoting the homosexual lifestyle. They encourage dependence upon government and criminalize the hard working go getter. Telling lies is accepted for the sake of achieving a goal. Anything that has a standard of godliness is rejected by that liberal crowd, but it isn’t just the liberals. There are some conservatives, as well, that reject godly values. Maybe not as blatantly, but many are started on the path of moral decay.

I do not consider myself a Republican, although I voted Republican many times. I do not consider myself a conservative, although I agree with the highest conservative values. I am a bible-believing, Spirit-filled saint of God. That also means that I belong to a whole other and completely opposite kingdom. It is clear in the bible that God’s people are foreigners and strangers just passing through this old world. This world is not our home; heaven is our home. Until we get there, the kingdom of God is within us. Give me a moment to shout hallelujah! We are here to shed the light of Christ, we are here to be an example of godly living, we are here to love fallen man on behalf of God, and we are here to speak for God. We are here to promote and advance the kingdom of God.

Deep sadness comes over me at times when I see what is happening to this country. I will be the first to admit I love the comfort and prosperity we live in here in America. However, my concern for America is not that we are losing all the blessings of God that we have come to take for granted, but to see the decay of society and the rise of the antichrist spirit in this nation. I am not much of a weeper, but what gets me teary-eyed is to think how God has blessed this nation, yet we have spit back in His face. Therefore I am determined that I am going to love Him with everything in me. I appreciate every blessing He has bestowed on us, but I am not fighting to keep them; I’m fighting for the establishment of the kingdom of God.

I don’t know about you, but I am convinced that we are living in the very last days. When I first got saved, I was taught that there was going to be a great last days’ revival. I am believing for that. I believe the 20th century has experienced a true spiritual awakening. However, the bible doesn’t speak much of a last days’ revival other than James writing of how the farmer patiently waits for the latter rain. What the bible does have quite a bit to say in regard to the last days is that mankind will turn from God. The bible clearly teaches that there will be perilous times, iniquity will abound, love will grow cold, and deception will increase. I am careful not to allow myself to end up, in an attempt to restrain society, fighting against what God has allowed to be. I will vote if there is someone to vote for. I will pray and preach against the evils of abortion and sexual sin of all sorts. My purpose for being here, however, and your purpose for being here is to be a light in this dark world that is getting darker by the day. I am not going to get caught up in political debates, though there may be a need for them. I am not going to label myself according to some political preference. Just because I reject the Democratic Party does not make me a Republican. Just because I reject liberal ideology doesn’t lump me in with the conservatives. I am more conservative than a conservative. I’m a child of God. I belong to an eternal kingdom that I already have the privilege of walking in. God’s kingdom is the kingdom that I am concerned about. It is His kingdom that has come unto me. It is the kingdom of God that Jesus came into Galilee preaching. It is the kingdom of God we must receive as a little child. It is the kingdom of God that we have the privilege of knowing mysteries about. Whatever we need, carnally or spiritually, is added unto us as we seek the kingdom of God. Now that is the kingdom I am fighting for. It is “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on EARTH as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

I am not going to lie down and play dead and let the wicked take America. I will pray, I will vote, I will take the opportunity to teach those that will listen that America must repent and turn to God; but one day it is going to be an antichrist nation. Even then, the kingdom of God will stand unshaken.

My intention for writing this article was not to scold any Christian for fulfilling what they believe is their political duty. I thank God for those in the church that keep us informed and challenge us to be a voice for morality. I wrote this to comfort you and proclaim peace in the midst of America’s declination. If we are truly in the last days, there is nothing you can do about it. I just want to remind you that you are on the winning side and you belong to the ETERNAL Kingdom of God. “..but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the KINGDOM and the power and the glory forever, Amen.” (Matthew 6:13)

How Much More?

Matthew 24:36-39,42 - But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

As the scripture above says, those were the days in which Noah lived. God had had enough. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (Genesis 6:6-8)

So what more can I say? Jesus is clearly saying He will return at a time only His Father knows. Things in this world will have to be pretty ugly for that to happen. Signs were given for us to know those times and season. If God destroyed the earth once and He says He will return once again to bring final judgment, why wouldn’t we be wanting to heed His words, like Noah did?

One of the names of Jesus is the Door. There is but one way to God the Father. We either heed His words today or we don’t. The door to the ark was the only way Noah, his family and anyone (yet no one) could enter to safety. We either go into that Door today and be saved or we perish like those people in Noah’s day. 

There will always be scoffers. I grieve over those who don’t believe He will return, that our days will get better, that we will make America great again, that peace and security is what the world wants and if that’s so, it should happen. We cannot trust man but we can trust God.

True peace and security can only be found in Jesus Christ. We are to heed His warnings. Yes, we continue with life, but we always have God and His Word in our hearts. The things of the world, as the song states, will grow strangely dim in the light and the glory of His grace. I was noticing this morning how things that seemed so important to me just are not anymore. I believe that is the Lord changing me to do as He says, not cling to the things of this world because our world is not on earth but in heaven. 

I know many of my church friends and I look up with excitement and anticipation for the day He will return. We are also to endure to the end of our life if He should take us before His return with the same anticipation of being with Him in that perfect world to come. It's harder for me to live in this world; I endure knowing that the glorious end will be near.

This is not a gloomy subject unless one's church does not talk about it. It's not gloomy if one has that relationship, that knowing, that one is born again. Many churches don't preach born again. Look up what that means; find scriptures that explain what it is and how it is achieved (and the words of one simple prayer will not save; but a heart willing to change and receive Christ will).

2Timothy 3:1-4 - But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God...

The Letter

John 14:1-4 - Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.

Though we should not follow any man, there is a One we should. No man should be put on a pedestal (not even the man who wrote this letter) but One (who is who is seated at the right hand of God). His truths are revealed to as many as those who want them.

This is quite the departure from my typical blog, and yet it’s not! If you read this letter to the end you’ll see this man describes what I attempt to.

Aug. 7, 1982

Dear Loyal,

I hope you’ll forgive me for this, but I’ve been wanting to write you ever since we talked on the phone. I am aware of the strain you are under and believe with all my heart there is help for that.

First I want to tell you of a personal experience I’ve kept to myself for a long time. During my first year as Governor you’ll recall the situation I found in Calif. was almost as bad as the one in Wash. today. It seemed as if the problems were endless and insolvable.

Then I found myself with an ulcer. In all those years at Warner Bros., no one had been able to give me an ulcer and I felt ashamed as if it were a sign of weakness on my part. John Sharpe had me on Malox and I lived with a constant pain that ranged from discomfort to extremely sharp attacks.

This went on for months. I had a bottle of Maalox in my desk, my briefcase and of course at home. Then one morning I got up, went into the bathroom, reached for the bottle as always and some thing happened. I knew I didn’t need it. I had gone to bed with the usual pain the night before but I knew that morning I was healed. The Malox went back on the shelf.

That morning when I arrived at the office Helene brought me my mail. The first letter I opened was from a lady — a stranger — in the Southern part of the state. She had written to tell me she was one of a group who met every day to pray for me. Believe it or not, the second letter was from a man, again a stranger, in the other end of the state telling me he was part of a group that met weekly to pray for me.

Within the hour a young fellow from the legal staff came into my office on some routine matter. On the way out he paused in the door and said: “Gov. I think maybe you’d like to know — some of us on the staff come in early every morning and get together to pray for you.”

Coincidence? I don’t think so. A couple of weeks later Nancy and I went down to L.A. and had our annual checkup. John Sharpe, a little puzzled, told me I no longer had an ulcer but added there was no indication I’d ever had one. Word of honor — I never told him about that particular day in Sacramento.

There is a line in the bible — “Where ever two or more are gathered in my name there will I be also.”

Loyal I know of your feeling — your doubt but could I just impose on you a little longer? Some seven hundred years before the birth of Christ the ancient Jewish prophets predicted the coming of a Messiah. They said he would be born in a lowly place, would proclaim himself the Son of God and would be put to death for saying that.

All in all there were a total of one hundred and twenty three specific prophesys about his life all of which came true. Crucifixion was unknown in those times, yet it was foretold that he would be nailed to a cross of wood. And one of the predictions was that he would be born of a Virgin.

Now I know that is probably the hardest for you as a Dr. to accept. The only answer that can be given is — a miracle. But Loyal I don’t find that as great a miracle as the actual history of his life. Either he was who he said he was or he was the greatest faker & charlatan who ever lived. But would a liar & faker suffer the death he did when all he had to do to save himself was admit he’d been lying?

The miracle is that a young man of 30 yrs. without credentials as a scholar or priest began preaching on street corners. He owned nothing but the clothes on his back & he didn’t travel beyond a circle less than one hundred miles across. He did this for only 3 years and then was executed as a common criminal.

But for two thousand years he has ... had more impact on the world than all the teachers, scientists, emperors, generals and admirals who ever lived, all put together.

The apostle John said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that who so ever believed in him would not perish but have everlasting life.”

We have been promised that all we have to do is ask God in Jesus name to help when we have done all we can — when we’ve come to the end of our strength and abilities and we’ll have that help. We only have to trust and have faith in his infinite goodness and mercy.

Loyal, you and Edith have known a great love — more than many have been permitted to know. That love will not end with the end of this life. We’ve been promised this is only a part of life and that a greater life, a greater glory awaits us. It awaits you together one day and all that is required is that you believe and tell God you put yourself in his hands.

Love, Ronnie

Original letter

Jesus can help change situations. He knows. Sometimes it’s not exactly as we would expect it. Sometimes he changes how we view something. It’s because He knows best what we need. First, of course, is our need for Him. It all begins and ends with Jesus. He wants our hearts, our souls, our minds. He wants devotion to Him. He wants to save us from this world of sin, troubles, illness, anger, hatred, lies. The greatest miracle is the miracle of a new life in Christ. It’s a hard word from a loving Savior. Our thinking we are good, moral and that our good works will please God without first coming to Christ is one of the greatest lies the enemy throws at us. Praise God for His saving grace! Praise Him He gives us the faith to endure if we seek Him.

John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Positivity!

Hebrews 1:10-12 - ...You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail.

It’s been awhile. I have cut back on news because it is getting harder to watch. Then a friend posted this scripture on Facebook: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8)  She is wanting to maintain about 30 days of positivity! 

So I am trusting God every day. Trusting Him for what He has planned for this world and for people and myself. It’s all in His hands. His Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)  Within this Word are both promises and admonitions, just like the Lord is both good and just. Opposites. There are always opposites! Fast/slow, up/down, obey/disobey, life/death...good/just.

Believers in Christ Jesus will understand this...while stuff goes on in this world we do not like or cannot understand, we can stand on the promises of God and look to Him for answers, which are all spelled out in His Word. Praise God for that!

Our God, our Lord and Savior, has always been, is today and will always be. As the verse above states, He laid the foundation of the earth. He created each of us. His creation has always been for His glory and for us to see and worship Him, not that we worship the creation but He who created. And...He will return someday to bring judgment upon this earth. This is shown to us in His Book. He shows us what the state of the world will be like...and it seems to be getting closer to what has been described. (Matthew 24) (2Timothy 3)

As is also stated (because of the sinfulness of man), this world will perish. In His perfect timing He will return for the final judgment upon all of us. For those who have put their trust in Jesus, judgment will determine our eternal rewards based on our works. For those who have not trusted in Jesus, who have rejected His free gift of salvation, they will be judged on works also; however, as Galatians 2:16 explains, man is not justified by their works, but by faith in Jesus Christ; by works no person will be justified. It is all based first on having faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible also tells us that not one of us on our own is good. Our good works and goodness as seen by God are based on our receiving Him first; they will not cause us to be saved.

So some day the world will end and although we’ve heard this for thousands of years, and sadly some wrongfully predicted His return, the days we are living in are very well described in the New Testament. Many believe it’s closer than we realize. The way the world is headed, I’m ready.

While this all sounds gloomy, it doesn’t have to be. These are exciting times. To see the prophecies in the Bible being played out is amazing, even if I don’t fully understand every detail. It’s exciting if one’s faith and trust is in Jesus Christ. 

We should not put off till tomorrow what we can do today...we are not promised tomorrow. He’s been suggesting to us for thousands of years: Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6) His heart has never changed toward us. He doesn’t want our works, He wants our hearts.

Despite the hard words of God there is a wonderful promise. If we want that promise to be ours, we have our stuff and our life to relinquish. In our hearts and minds, He must be prominent. God gave His own Son for us. For a period of time that had to be a very hard decision for His Father. And Jesus had the decision to obey His Father and relinquish His life and suffer the worst pain and humiliation so that some (those who choose Christ) would receive the life He offers. Decisions, decisions. We each have this decision to make.  I have. It’s a decision you have to make too.

We don’t know what tomorrow holds. We don’t know when Christ will return. I’m ready. I’m looking forward to His return and the return to a perfect future, one without sorrow or pain, and a new heaven and new earth. Jesus is the good news. He brings the good news of eternal life. It's all about Him, not us. In this world we will go through difficult times, but when we know that no matter what we go through we can be assured that Jesus is by our side and that the final outcome is eternal life. I would say that's positive news.

2Peter 3:10 - But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

Gird Your Waist With Truth

Ephesians 6:14-17 - Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God...

It is so important to have the truth as a foundation. A friend and I were talking yesterday about knowing the truth. The truth keeps one sane in this tumultuous world.

There IS an absolute truth contrary to what some might say. His name is Jesus. He is the Word of God. Knowledge of Him brings greater wisdom and understanding and insight because He imparts it.

So I was reading Ephesians 6 about putting on the whole armor of God to stand against the wiles of the devil. The first thing mentioned is girding our waists with truth. Go figure! So important. Here the Word is telling us we must first know truth. (By the way, the first thing God created was light. Jesus says He’s the light of the world; light shines in darkness and everything is exposed. Those who don’t know the truth live in darkness. Not my words; don’t get frustrated with me.)

So a commentary on this verse about the belt of truth says this...The ancient soldier’s loins were girt about with a leather belt which held most of the other pieces of his armor in place.” Imagine that! Truth is what holds it all together.

The truth is what sets us free from the things of the world. There’s the old hymn called There’s Power in the Blood. The first line says...would you be free from your passion and pride...there’s power in the blood. Freedom comes from the knowledge of Christ and it is Christ’s blood poured out for us that brings this freedom. Not our works, just a true belief in Christ’s work on the cross. He’s no longer on that cross but alive today and still in the redemption business. This can be understood if we have the foundation of truth, which is Jesus.

I’ll say this again...it’s all about Jesus. Politics, social justice, causes, good works apart from Christ, are all man-made plans unless Jesus is first behind them. And believe me, He would not approve of too much going on in today’s world. There will come a time when God will have had enough and will send His Son back one more time to gather those who love Him and His truth and reign on earth for 1,000 years...all in true peace, not as the world gives, but only as Jesus can give. This is truth too! It’s in the truth of God’s Word.

You can know the truth and the truth will set you free. It will bring assurance of eternal hope. Not everyone goes to heaven but those who know in their hearts and spirits that Jesus is the truth and that His ways are right and true, that eternal life comes only through Him.

About the armor...all the parts are important. All that are listed refer to Jesus. He is our righteousness, our peace. We have faith in Him alone. He is our salvation and our sword of the spirit, our Word, our truth.

John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Whaaaat?

1Thessalonians 5:1-3 - But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

I wrote this awhile back but never posted, as will be seen in a news article quote.

The times and the seasons are in the news every day. Violence and/or destruction are ramping up. Society is loosening it’s grip on morals. How much more can we, as well as God, take? The Apostle Paul described the coming of Christ to raise the dead and judge the world. There have been verses that describe this. While it’s been thousands of years, the signs are pointing to a much closer than ever before time of His return. The sudden escalation of bad in the world is a sure indication. Just look at the political hatred, for one thing. Violence is another. Moral degradation, weather disasters...all mentioned in the Bible.

If this sounds negative...there IS good news to all of this. Of course!

The Bible predicts this type of behavior in the last days. How bad it has to get is not something we can know, other than the verses showing what must take place before Christ returns. And the Bible even tells us: ...knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

(2Peter 3:3-4)

Again, as the Bible suggests, ...the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. God shows us the signs so that we will be ready and watching. A few years ago I would not have guessed I’d be seeing signs in my lifetime. Others have suggested the same. Not just the US but around the world. I’m thankful I know this God to recognize these signs, even if I don’t understand everything in detail. I’m thankful for His salvation and the power of His Holy Spirit to recognize these things. But I am sad for skeptics. I watch and wait.

So, even the news media, which is not watching and waiting, has quoted scripture! I’m sure we will see this more often in the future. Speaking at a press conference in Washington, Sec. Pompeo said the attacks on the ships were part of a “campaign” of “escalating tension” by Iran and a threat to international peace and security. (News.com)

It’s not the first time the phrase peace and security (safety) has been mentioned in the news. Peace and security

We can know that Israel is in the heart of the issue in the last days. It’s complicated but it’s all about God wanting His people to come into the realization that Jesus, whom they have rejected as Messiah, is as He has said. They have been in the news a lot. They will play an important role in the last days. There are nations gearing up to take Israel out. All the stuff going on in the Middle East is pointing to a time like we’ve not known.

But God...who knows the beginning from the end is preparing these things for the advancement of His will...and the return of Christ. But God...desires that none should perish but have everlasting life. He has made it clear that none are righteous apart from Him. He has said that only Jesus is the way to eternal life and if we earnestly seek Him and ask for forgiveness of our sins, He will save. But we have to admit we are sinful. No one can deny this. Everyone in the Bible except Jesus needed salvation, even His mother. Everyone needs to come to directly to Christ for eternal life. No man can save. You cannot save yourself. Only Jesus. That’s the best news ever.

I avoid the news as much as possible and look to the prophetic words of the Bible. I look up, not at what’s happening here on earth. Man cannot bring true peace and safety. Only Jesus can. 

So if you don’t like what’s going on in the news, consider looking into the Word of God and see what He has to say, see what He promises for those who love Him and put their trust and faith in Him, who WILL win in the end. The good, those who receive Christ, have quite an edge over the bad, who do not receive Christ.

John 5:28-29 - Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.