Oh, Them Days

Revelation‬ ‭9:3-6‬ ‭- Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.
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Ah, yes. Revelation! The study continues. The Bible shows us in this book what physical signs will happen in our future. Very similar things happened early in the Old Testament also. Remember the plagues? Frogs, lice, boils, thunder, lightening, hail and fire, waters turning to blood so they become undrinkable, and other torments. 

If those happened in the Old Testament, what we see in the New Testament will happen also. God does not lie. He has written the Bible so we may know, be warned...and know there is a Way we can have for hope, protection, eternal life. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. ‭‭(Acts‬ ‭2:19-20‬)

While the plagues of Exodus were mostly earthly, the occurrences in Revelation are more cosmic. Maybe even our growth in technology has something to do with it. 

But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately. Then He said to them, Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. 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. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near. ‭‭(Luke‬ ‭21:9-11,25-28‬)

These are exciting times for those who trust the Lord, who have responded to His call to allow Him to become Lord and Savior in their life. We see the signs, the wars, rumors of wars. We are to trust Him in all things. We are to realize He is in complete control over all we see happening, especially if we can't make any sense of what's happening. If Revelation teaches anything, it is that we keep looking up because our redemption draws near. But woe to those who scoff. Woe to those who like Pharaoh in the Old Testament rebelled right to the end, allowed his heart to be hardened, perhaps became frightened but would not show it, even after the death of his firstborn son. 

In Revelation it says that there will be a group who do the same. They will refuse to repent of their sin, call on the Lord for salvation and shake their rebellious fists at Him. Any of us could do this if we are not prepared. Even believers. But if we call on Him now and truly trust in Him our chances are much better. We may go through trials, but if we remain steadfast we will be protected and saved by the Lord, Himself. He will make a way where there seems to be no way. (Isaiah 43:19)  Who can comprehend what He can do? Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! (Romans‬ ‭11:33)‬ ‭

Though there will be a Day of the Lord where His wrath will come to this earth for its sin and rebellion against Him, for those who know Him, it is the glorious hope talked about in Titus: ...looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ... (Titus‬ ‭2:13)

There's always a positive side to all the Bible tells us. There may seem to be a lot of don't do this or that, but like a father wanting only good for his child, God has to be stern, because He is holy and we are so not. We fall so short of being good...He must separate Himself from us until we receive the free gift of salvation from His Son Jesus. He is the only way. All the accounts in the Bible point us in some way to Him. We must believe all the things in the Bible. If we don't search the scriptures how will we know? We cannot rely on man...only God.

Here's a sobering truth:

2Peter‬ ‭3:2-6‬ ‭- ...that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 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.” For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.

Servants and Apostles

Titus 1:1-3 - Paul, a bond servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word through preaching...

Jam packed scripture. What we are called to be...according to our faith in Christ. Servants and apostles. Yes, a servant is a slave. But he is also one who, as Strong's Exhaustive Concordance says: gives himself up to another's will, those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men; devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests. A root definition is to be bound to. We can look at slavery as being bound negatively in the natural, but in the spiritual it is anything but. If we are bound to Christ, we are secure.

But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. (‭Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭6‬)  Some believe we must work our way to heaven by doing good or perhaps by attempting to do our best to follow rules. That is what is considered the law, legalism. Old Testament laws included having to offer up animal sacrifices to god to atone for sins. When Jesus came He became the sacrifice that man would no longer be under the law, which no one could perfectly keep. When we receive Christ we change. We serve and do works, not to be approved by Christ but because we are in Christ, in the Spirit, do for Him.

An apostle, on the other hand according to Strong's, is: a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders. While not all Christ followers are given the specific call to be an apostle, we are each admonished to be messengers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our faith in Him that allows us to do this. We are called to show people who He is, lead them, as it were, to Christ. This also is through the Spirit.

Who we are called to be... When we have come to the realization of who Jesus is, we become God's elect. We have acknowledged the truth which brings godliness and that hope of eternal life in and through Christ. Hallelujah. I think about the turmoil in this world today. Oh that people would know the Lord, know what His truth is. I can assure you things would not be like this. There would be less wrong thinking and more understanding.

Part of that truth is God cannot lie. What we hear Him say throughout the pages of His Word from beginning to end may not always resonate with some, but it still is His truth,  that promise, from the beginning of time. He never changes, but He changes us...changes a person's viewpoint and while some may think those views are narrow, that there is no tolerance, it's still the truth of God's Word.

Yes, I am a servant of God, I believe that He does not lie, He does not change so I must change and therefore my views are narrow too. But I know what is truth. I will proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the truth that it is. I cling to the hope in eternal life through Christ alone.

2Timothy 1:8-9 - Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began...

No Man Ever Spoke Like This

John 7:44-53

Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him. Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why have you not brought Him?" The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this Man." Then the Pharisees answered them, "Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed."

Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, "Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?" They answered and said to him, "Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee." And everyone went to his own house.


I will say it again, there is no one like our God. There is no other name under heaven who is greater. There is only one God, the One who has created all things, knows all things, has all power and is ever present.

The people had a hard time "capturing" Jesus. Something just wouldn't allow them. There Jesus was and they couldn't do it. His time had not yet come. There were still things that needed to be accomplished before it could happen. Knowing the Book of John, He had more healings and miracles, more words to speak, more teaching and a lot to explain to His disciples before His arrest and death.

Jesus spoke words too difficult for some. They were no doubt words more powerful than the Pharisees'. They came from an understanding much deeper than the religious leaders could grasp...because His words came from above.

The Pharisees' statement, "But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed," to me was a judgment upon themselves. They accused others for believing in Him when they did not know what they, in all their religiousness and self-righteousness, knew! I am reminded of words Jesus spoke, "Come as little children." In other words, let go of all the preconceived ideas of who I am and just believe in Me. Have childlike faith, let go of worldly knowledge. Receive what I have to give over what the world deems important.

No man ever spoke like this. No man ever will. To know Jesus we must sit with Him, at His feet, and learn what He has to say about life, death, sin, repentance, obedience, love, heaven, hell, and a myriad of other sometimes offensive issues. It may not be everything we want to hear, but I guarantee it will be the truth. And there's where I think some get lost.

Thank you, Nicodemus, for standing up for Him! If there is anyone we should not, nor dare not, judge, it is Jesus. He alone has the words of life. He preaches the Gospel, the good news. Only He can give what others think they can give. The Pharisees' final statement here could be responded to in today's terms as don't judge a book by its cover. Jesus came from humble surroundings, was humble by nature, One who probably stumped the people when He spoke such powerful, intense words. Taste and see that the Lord is good! (Psalm 34:8)

Just like then, those who stand on His promises are viewed as different. To which God has said, they are a peculiar people. Sometimes even we say things that others can't fathom. What's this about last days? What's all the brouhaha about Jesus returning? Haven't those things been said for thousands of years? Who says we must be born again? I am a basically good person... What's so important about this relationship with Jesus? Doesn't everyone go to heaven? 

Romans 10:25-16 - ...As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah said, "LORD, who has believed our report?"

Isaiah 53:1-2 - Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.

They, Too, Believed

John 4:39-42

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me all that I ever did." So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word. 

Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world."

I'm sure many of the people of Sychar knew this woman. She had a reputation. She'd been married five times and now only lived with a man. If you noticed, she went to the well alone. There were no others there. She may have gone when the others would not be there rather than face the looks of the women who shunned her because of her immorality. Maybe it was a law. It was around noon when Jesus appeared. Water was generally drawn, because of the heat, early in the morning and later in the afternoon. I wonder if the disciples figured this out when they sized up the situation?

And there was Jesus, talking to her! The thoughts that could have been going through their heads. She was not just a Samaritan woman, but a shunned, immoral woman too. Jews avoided all such things. The disciples may very well have learned a lesson from Him this day...or at least began formulating thoughts about what He did. The message being, Jesus was willing to forgive anyone, was compassionate about everyone. All people are sinners and He came that all might be saved.

These people listened after she raced back, leaving her water pot behind, telling them about this Man at the well and how He told her all about herself...and we don't know any more about these people, whether they also shunned her or lived in immorality as she did. Nothing was mentioned about this woman in the other Gospels. But they went to see for themselves because of her enthusiasm and many more believed but not because of her word but because of His own word. How compelling His words must have been.

This is how it is. This is how we know we have encountered Him. We hear from someone, or many, and in time our interest might be piqued. Something stirs in our spirit to the point where we have to see if there's some truth to all we've heard. We go to see for ourself. And, like these Samaritans, we hear the truth of God's Word and we encounter Jesus and because of His Word alone, we believe. He has given us ears to hear and hearts and spirits to receive the Savior of the world. Hallelujah!

Ephesians 1:13 - In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise...

Raging Seas

Therefore they cried out to the Lord and said, “We pray, O Lord, please do not let us perish for this man’s life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O Lord, have done as it pleased You.” So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the Lord and took vows. Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. (Jonah 1:14-17)

Everyone knows the story of Jonah. Some may think it is just a fable or myth fabricated to enhance the intent of a lesson. If God is able to create the world who's to say He can't cause anything to happen? Including a man surviving being swallowed by a "whale."

I'll bet there are many things that happen in this world or in our own lives that we don't even perceive as by God's design, things He has not made us aware of or we have not noticed. They may be like a raging sea or just a delay. God's hand...

Example: you get up in the morning, get ready for an appointment, have your coffee, breakfast, spill coffee on your shirt, which you need to change. The only shirt that is suitable needs pressing. Now you're running a little late. Shirt ironed, you're on your way. You get in car and forget you needed to get gas. Another delay. You head to your appointment, taking a quicker route allowing you to get there just barely in time. Later you hear about a deadly accident on the road you would have taken. It took place at the time you would have been there. Your life might just have been spared.

Think that's impossible? Why? What's to say this is just one more time in your life when God wanted to get your attention? It might happen more than you think, in ways we couldn't imagine. In good ways or bad. But it was looked at as "karma" or fate.

Jesus walked on water. He calmed a raging sea. He opened blind eyes, healed broken bodies, fed thousands with next to nothing. He allowed for a great fish to be present to save Jonah's life. And although these men on the cargo ship were not believers at first, it's quite evident they were after they tossed Jonah into the sea, the water calmed and their lives saved. Don't you think they put two and two together? And...their plea to a God they did not know to not be charged with Jonah's death was also met.

Who says God doesn't intervene in our lives? We might just be missing it. Take a close look around you and things that have transpired. Maybe God was trying, or is, trying to get your attention.

While we may not ever know if God caused this or that, whether good or bad, we can know, and believe with all the wonder of a little child, that our God is in control. If we can take this knowledge into our lives, believe it, believe then in God, then were one step closer to taking Him at His word.

I like how the New Living Translation says this: The sailors were awestruck by the LORD's great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him. They vowed to serve Him. They offered a sacrifice. Today some churches, not all, we are told we must make a sacrifice to receive Christ. That sacrifice is our own lives, spiritually. We turn to God and worship Him, not the gods we have created in our everyday lives. Our lives...a sacrifice to Him. This is our vow when we call on Him to be our Lord and Savior, and ask for Him to save us from a spiritual death.

Jonah's story is as real as any story in the Bible. If it weren't there'd be no need for the Book to give us right wisdom and knowledge for everyday living, introduce us to Jesus and no command to give our lives to Him. Jonah, like Jesus, was willing to sacrifice his life to save those ship's men (and came forth again after three days). Jesus did that for all, anyone willing to hear and obey...even for people today. Today's not too late!

Romans 10:13 - For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  (And Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21)

Am I at Odds?

Matthew 10:21-22 - Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 

The Bible teaches that if we follow Christ we will be at odds with those who do not understand the meaning of receiving Christ. Matthew 10 above explains what could happen.

One might wonder, if that is the case why would we choose Christ over others? How could that be a decision one would want to make? I keep coming back to where in the Word it says the road is narrow when we follow Christ. Believers are often considered narrow minded. We stick to the same story...Jesus saves. Do we believe Him and what He says or do we believe the world? There are few, in the grand scheme of things, who actually understand receiving Christ for our salvation and taking a firm stand to do so.

How much do we love someone? Do we love them if we don't want them to know the truth? They can still reject it; at least we have done our part. They can reject the scripture that says Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1John 2:15) That's up to them.

First we need to recall that God so LOVED the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever (that includes all people: all tribes, tongues, religious beliefs and nations) believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) God so loved...Jesus so loved...By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1John 3:16) 

These scriptures are the truth of God's Word. They should be our foundation if we call ourselves Christ followers. Many can say they are Christians because they are of non-Jesus believing faiths...their faiths are in a rock or statue or oppression and power.

Second, remember, Jesus was not liked by all people He came into contact. The death that He went through is like (but nowheres near) the rejection we might, or do, go through. It happens. We must accept it. It's the end result that matters. We must endure to the end. We must not change our tune.

Look what sorta sums it up right there...we also ought to lay down our lives...not necessarily giving up our lives unto physical death but giving up our SELF and doing as God desires we do...preach the Gospel, in season and out...not being concerned what others will think...because it is the will of the Father. God gave, Jesus gave, we should give.

All this love and giving, while some will not receive it, brings eternal life...in Christ. The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me. (Matthew 11:5-6)

Oh, that my lips would speak my thoughts!! As the scripture below states, so is our message to the world...or anyone who will listen. I can tell you stories.....wanna listen?

John 3:17 - For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 

One Sows, Another Reaps

John 4:35-38 - "Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.” 

There is a hierarchy in God's world. He is and always will be at the very top of that hierarchy. With all the tornadoes again happening in this nation we constantly hear about Mother Earth spewing forth her wrath. THERE IS NO MOTHER EARTH. God is in control of all things since He created all things. Period. Mother Earth is just a little god some have decided to blame it all on. Maybe because they know blaming our Creator somehow is wrong!

These people are part of the harvest stated above. The harvest is those who do not know the truth...yet. These are the people we are to reach with God's Word. We are part of the hierarchy.

Jesus knew His place with His Father, although He actually is God. On earth He was a Man being guided by His Father, willing to do His will even unto death...to save our sorry behinds. He knew the best water and bread came from His Father...and He is the Bread of life and the Fountain of living water. Through Him we receive both. The right, true and living sustenance.

Today the fields are ripe for harvest. In time there will be more who will begin to wonder just what is up in this world. In Jesus' day He gathered and taught about the kingdom of God. He did as His Father commanded. He taught hard words of sin, rebelliousness, evil, unrighteousness as well as love, forgiveness, obedience, goodness and righteousness...through Him alone.

We are to emulate Jesus. As He listened to His Father, we are to know through His Word and by His Word what we are to say and do. He and the Holy Spirit are to be our guides...with God the Father above them all. 

I wrote about not worrying about what to say to others the other day. Rely on the Holy Spirit and you'd be surprised the things that come out of your mouth, even those things that don't make sense. Only the person hearing might understand. Maybe not at that moment, but in time. And the Holy Spirit can bring remembrance not only to us but others. The spoken Word, the truth, does not return to God void.

We are to be the sowers of the seeds of God's truth. If we are allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to guide, God has already started the work. He has pricked hearts. Some day we will know whether the words we spoke brought in part of the harvest.

Heavenly Father, may I always be in tune with Your Spirit. May Your Words touch lives I come into contact with. I only want to be in Your will and not speak as man. Continue to create in me a clean heart and right spirit. Continue to help me hear Your voice and embolden me. Here I am, Lord, use me. Help me to do as You and to feed Your sheep. 

John 4:34 - Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work."

Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant

Psalm 40:10 - I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly. 

These could be the words spoken by Reverend David Wilkerson. My heart goes out as well as prayers to his family. He was former pastor of Times Square Church in New York City. Although there are many who know who this man was, there are even more who do not.

Those who knew him will understand both the sadness and joy in his passing in a tragic head-on collision Wednesday. The sadness comes in our knowing we will no longer hear the very truthful, tough and and also encouraging words of this man who loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart, soul and mind. We will miss the heartfelt cries of a man who heard God speak loudly and clearly about the transformation of this world as it begins to recognize what many believe are the last days before the return of Christ. He was considered a modern-day prophet.

Like the scripture above, Wilkerson did not keep what God wanted him to speak within his heart. He poured it out for a lost and dying world, despite constant criticism. He was also known for his work with the founding of Teen Challenge, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers around the world. It was God's call on his life to preach the Gospel to the gang members in the streets of New York City. That was his first call and he was obedient even when he didn't understand how or why. But I believe his sermons and messages were an even greater calling.

His timely messages were shared from his heart with those who chose to listen to him preach or read his daily devotions. He lived a life very close to the Lord. He admonished and encouraged, often in the same breath because he knew that when God had a powerful word for all mankind, its hard words were not always to chastise as much as open the eyes of those who might need to hear, that they be saved and guided to an all powerful God. He longed for people to realize Christ as the answer to all that anyone needs in this world. He longed for people to get right with Christ. One never knows when his last day will be...even as in his case.   

This is what David Wilkerson was all about. Praise God for his never backing down, even when people laughed or called him a false prophet. Jesus never said following Him would be easy. Thank you, Lord, for Reverend Wilkerson's faithfulness. The prophet Isaiah heard God speak and he responded. So did Wilkerson. Isaiah 6:8 - Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." 

On a day that was one of such tragedy in the southeast part of the US with amazingly horrible tornadoes flashing across the news, all the deaths involved, along with the glitz and glamor of the preparations for a royal wedding, his loss was especially sad among those who cared and who stood on his words. 

We may not have been affected by any of these natural occurrences. Life goes on for us. But we still need to know that we know where we will be on our last day. To see the face of Jesus is my desire. To know without a shadow of a doubt where my eternal life will be is the most important thing. That only happens when we are in that wonderful relationship with Christ. To know Him, know the meaning of the sufferings of the One who first suffered and then died for our sins. To know without a doubt that He is alive and still working in this world, that He can still be heard and received by those who need to know Him, He who is the only Way, Truth and Life.

It saddens me that with all the lives lost in our country we do not know how many truly knew the Lord. I don't mean know of Him but know Him personally, like Wilkerson...and like He encouraged others to do...and encouraged believers to stay strong in their faith. I don't doubt Wilkerson's faith was strong even in the midst of spiritual battles. We can learn from him.

We have lost a great Christian man with vital words for this generation. He did not mince thoe words either. You can read twenty plus years' worth of messages here: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/pulpit_series_newsletters

I'm sure even the pastors today who still proclaim the truth in the pulpits will be criticized. Anyone who tries to open the eyes of others will be criticized and rejected. Some day the truth will become known. The truth of Jesus Christ will become known and there will be some surprised people!

Wilkerson followed the Lord with all his heart and soul and I don't doubt he's with Jesus and he's heard the words "Good and faithful servant." Wouldn't we all like to hear that? Shouldn't we all care about this? How are we doing? Are we doing at all? Who will do as David Wilkerson did? Would he have proclaimed this:

You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. (Acts 20:20, 27)

Psalm 33

Psalm 33:4 - For the word of the LORD is right, and all His work is done in truth. 

It all began when I felt led to read Psalm 33. I wondered what I would find. I wondered why I felt drawn to it.  So I read it. Verse 4 stood out and I read it over a couple of times and took the words in. Shouldn't this be the bottom line in the world? Doing right and living out truth, honesty?

God's Word is right; it is just and filled with truth. I talk about the truth of God's Word a lot. God does not lie. If we love Him and we follow Him He is good to us. If we do not know Him, we need to. He blesses beyond our imagination if we take the time to recognize everything He has given us...and if we take the time to thank Him and worship Him...praise Him with a shout of joy and a new song.

This world is out of control and He knows it. He sees whom He has created destroying one another. Lies and deception, even if they seem small, add up. One builds on another. He sees what is happening before it does. Man will destroy earth. But God...will bring new life. He will sustain those He has called and who have heard that call and taken the privilege upon themselves to answer that call and be chosen of God. He will lead them into their own promised land...one that lies ahead. But we need to be living in truth and righteousness. I comes from knowing God and knowing His Word.

Oh, that the world would see Him and fear Him instead of demanding their own ways and living their own lives and destroying instead of building up. There will be a destruction in the lives of those who don't take Him seriously. These people, and they might be our own neighbors, family or friends, who cannot grasp the concept of a God so powerful whose only desire is that all mankind would receive Him, are missing out on something great.

Only God can renew our strength in a good way. Only He is able to provide when we think there is nothing left. Only He can put peace in our hearts when we are in a quandary. He is all we will ever need...no man, no idol, no government can do this for us. If you truly want "change," go to the Source of true change, not some manmade idea of change. Man's way fails, but His ways are true and just. Jesus will change your life, your heart, your mind and He will fill it with His truth. He will show you the way to walk, guide your path and even lighten it, both so you can see the path and you can carry on without a heavy burden.

Jesus is our strength when all else fails. He opens blind eyes, deaf ears and dull minds, and heals heavy hearts. He has promised us life after death...if we choose to look to Him, fear Him, listen to Him and follow Him with our whole hearts.

I just needed to share the entire Psalm. You will see He is the Alpha and Omega, first and last, beginning and end for all who choose to receive what He has to offer. Praise God for what He has created...what He has given us...for His Son whom He has given us...and where our eternal life will be if we give our lives to Jesus.

This Psalm is filled with promise for those who choose the Lord. It will raise up the godly and tear down the ungodly. He sees into the hearts of man and judges accordingly. If we follow Him and obey Him we are blessed. This is for all who decide that God's Word is right and His works done in truth.

Psalm 33

        1Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! 

        For praise from the upright is beautiful. 

        2Praise the LORD with the harp; 

        Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. 

        3Sing to Him a new song; 

        Play skillfully with a shout of joy. 

        4For the word of the LORD is right, 

        And all His work is done in truth. 

        5He loves righteousness and justice; 

        The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. 

        6By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, 

        And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. 

        7He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; 

        He lays up the deep in storehouses. 

        8Let all the earth fear the LORD; 

        Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. 

        9For He spoke, and it was done; 

        He commanded, and it stood fast. 

        10The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; 

        He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. 

        11The counsel of the LORD stands forever, 

        The plans of His heart to all generations. 

        12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, 

        The people He has chosen as His own inheritance. 

        13The LORD looks from heaven; 

        He sees all the sons of men. 

        14From the place of His dwelling He looks 

        On all the inhabitants of the earth; 

        15He fashions their hearts individually; 

        He considers all their works. 

        16No king is saved by the multitude of an army; 

        A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. 

        17A horse is a vain hope for safety; 

        Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. 

        18Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, 

        On those who hope in His mercy, 

        19To deliver their soul from death, 

        And to keep them alive in famine. 

        20Our soul waits for the LORD; 

        He is our help and our shield. 

        21For our heart shall rejoice in Him, 

        Because we have trusted in His holy name. 

        22Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, 

        Just as we hope in You.