The Final Decision

Nina Pilaski stepped out of her body. She believed in life after death, but somehow she thought it would be different than it was. She looked down at her 81 year body lying in the hospital bed. Looking around the room she saw her husband and her five children crying and mourning as her body began to become rigid.

Suddenly her whole life passed before her eyes. She viewed her birth, her parents and the houses they lived in. She saw herself as a child, a happy little girl going to church with her family. Nina was raised in the religion of her family. They were devout. She saw how many times in her life God had tried to get through to her, but she refused the truth.

As she viewed, what seemed like a movie or a video, she saw every scene, heard every sound; she heard every thought she had and she saw every thing she did. In her college years she met her husband, she saw their marriage and she saw the birth of each of her children. Nina saw it all, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Nina had been an advocate of health care, human rights, environmental issues, regarding war she was a dove, she was a defender of open borders and she had been proud of her stance on all of these issues.

Having worked her way up the system in her political party she had found herself with power that some only dream of. It was heady stuff and she loved it.

Nina watched the movie roll out scene after scene of her life. She saw the home she and her husband shared in a prestigious part of her home state; she observed the wealth and influence she gained year after year; she saw the fame and the influential friends who helped her get where she was and she saw the wealth her family gained over the years; She saw it all, the pride, the greed, the lust for things, and the lust for power, wealth and fame. The people she had used and some that she and her husband had abused to get more of it all. It was all opened up and rolled out in front of her. She had to see it all.

She saw the condition of her soul, the black darkness that she had chosen to walk in; blinded and deaf to the reality that, while she thought she was following the truth, she was deceived.

She had boasted how she was a good Christian, now she saw that her stance was heretical, that she had committed grave offense against the Kingdom of God and her stance led others to follow her path, not the beliefs of the church she was part of. Nina had not known that God’s Kingdom is not a democracy where humans can pick and choose what they think is the right thing to do. Consequently, she adapted her religion to suit her own beliefs, even using God’s word incorrectly to make her point about the issues of the day.

There is a story about a father who wanted to teach his children the truth that you cannot play with evil and not be touched by it. The children were minors but they asked to be able to go to a party where there was no adult supervision and beer being served. They told him that they wouldn’t drink any of it. Their father said no. They were angry. But, they didn’t know what their father knew. He knew that if you play along the creek bank long enough you will eventually fall in.

To teach his children the truth, he baked a batch of brownies putting in a little dog poop. In the morning he told them they could each have a brownie to put in their lunch bag, which they were happy to do…until he told them the secret ingredient he had put in the brownies. The Bible says a little leaven, leavens the whole lump.”

Nina saw that process in action as she saw the choices she had made throughout her life. She had denied the truth and she had lived her life, believing a lie. The deceiver had fed her “brownies with poop in them” and she had eaten them

Suddenly, Jesus the Christ stood in front of her. He said these words: “Someone prayed that you would come to me. You have this one last opportunity to do so before you cross over. What is your decision?

Now with eyes wide open Nina said, “Yes.”, to Jesus and she is with the Lord of Glory because someone or several someones prayed for her. Each of us must decide where we will spend eternity. No decision is a no decision.

At this time Nina Pilaski is an 81 year old person and very much alive. You may have guessed who I am writing about. Her time is almost up on earth. Because God loves her so much, He has done, and will do, everything He can to reach her before she makes the final decision. She will be given one last chance to choose life in the Kingdom of Heaven because someone prayed.

Jesus the Christ is The Way, The Truth and The Life and no one comes to Father God except through Him. He is the bridge. Prayer has eternal consequences. Jesus told His followers: “Pray for your enemies.” Pray for Nina Pilaski, there is yet time. God loves her and will forgive her if her eyes are opened. Amen!

• 

Death

Today is the anniversary of my mother’s birthday. She would have been 109 today if she had lived. My mother gave birth to seven children, among whom I am the eldest. My youngest sibling, Cynthia Kay, we called her Cindy, was a Down Syndrome child. She was born when mother was forty two. She died when she was nine years of age.

Mother and Dad divorced because of pressure from the county welfare department who had been supporting the family due to my dad’s alcoholism. They gave her an ultimatum: “Divorce him, or we will take the children and put them in foster homes, but we will not continue to support you and the children as long as he is in the home.” She made a decision to keep her children.

Life was not easy for her. She made a decision to marry my dad against her parents advice. She was twenty six. It turned out that she had a hard life because of the alcohol. My Dad consumed some hard liquor when he was younger, but eventually beer became his beverage of choice. Early on, he managed to hold down a job, but as the addiction began to take hold of him, the ability to work decreased ending in the death of the marriage.

For the better part of this month, it is August as I write this, my siblings and our families, have been contending for the lives of our brother Ken and his wife Mary. We have been joined by many friends.

Many years ago Ken asked me to help him write his story. We did so and reminisced as we wrote. Ken was a good sinner before he met Jesus. And no one was more profoundly thankful to God for his salvation. He wanted everyone to know Jesus and benefit from all that Jesus paid the price for us to have. He prayed with people to be healed and they were. He took serious the call to bring people to salvation.

Ken died on Saturday morning the 21st of August. The diagnosis was the virus when he was admitted to the hospital; of course, that is not what kills people, it is secondary causes. But many of us know that no matter what kills people at this time it is recorded as the virus.

To say that we love our brother is putting it mildly. He was always smiling and telling us to “Keep Looking Up!” When our three brothers would get together they would tell stories and laugh. You could not help but laugh with them. We cannot change the outcome of what feels to us like a tragedy, but we can and will celebrate Ken’s life. He touched many people and they will voice their praise to God for a life well lived and so will we.

Having fought the good fight of faith for Ken’s life, we fight the battle for Mary’s life. Mary went through many things in her life here on planet earth. Probably more than most people. But she was not one to complain or air her or anyone else’s dirty laundry in public. She faithfully prayed, she studied to show herself approved unto God a workman who was not ashamed to speak of the things she knew. She taught on TV, on radio, on Facebook and she had women’s Bible studies in her home. She and Ken hosted Christian gatherings and they supported others who did.

Ken and Mary have many friends in the Houston area. They stepped up to the plate in their prayer and support for Ken and now especially for Mary as she fights for her life.

The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. Jesus will come a second time to earth and this time He will not come as the suffering servant, He will come as the conquering king. We look forward to that day. In the meantime we occupy until He comes, whenever that is.

If you do not know Jesus personally, I pray that God will stir your heart. Every human was created to worship. We will all worship something or someone. It was for worship of God that we were created. Oh, the blessing of knowing Him, knowing that when I die, I will go “Home”.

Ken is enjoying the one who created Him, he is enjoying the family that went on before and meeting the saints of old. He has a mansion that he is occupying and Ken loved things nice, so I am sure that it is splendid! I am looking forward to going there myself. Knowing that Mom and Dad are there; Grandparents are there, my sister is there and the child I lost here is there, this brings excitement to my soul. Most of all, I long to see Jesus face to face, this one that I have loved since I was fifteen years of age. Oh that will be Glory! Jesus, precious Jesus, the one who saved me by His grace!

Praise the Lord!

The Frame Up

The conversation with her brother still ringing in her ears, she ducked into an alley to avoid the stares of the women who were at the Shul to do their shopping for the day. Mary wanted nothing to do with their judgment, after all they didn’t know what she had gone through that brought her to the place she was today.

And to have Lazarus bring those stinging words, “You are no better than a temple prostitute Mary! You know that our parents would be so ashamed of what you are doing with your body, giving it to that Pharisee, Simon. What a hypocrite! And you joining in his hypocrisy. One of these days this whole business is going to come out into the open and you know that he will not be to blame, you will. Please come home, Martha and I will take care of you.”

“Why can’t people mind their own business!”, She thought. “I just want to be left alone.” “I know what I am doing, and besides, Simon is good to me. Would I have that beautiful new silk robe if it were not for him?” “I don’t care what people think or say, it’s none of their business.” “He makes me feel like a woman and I have not felt like that for a long time.”

She hurried back to her home to get ready for Simon. Surely, he would have a surprise for her today.

He arrived at midday. She opened the door and greeted him with a passionate kiss, teasing him with the promise of more later.

“What did you bring me today, Simon?”

“Ah, Mary, you are always wanting something.” That stung, but she did not allow it to stop her. She would have something for allowing him to use her. She was sure that she could win his heart. So, she persisted. “Simon, you have asked me to be faithful to you and, you know, not entertain others. Should I not have something from you?”

Simon brought out a box. In the box was a jar covered with gold, etched with pomegranates and bells. She was so excited.

“What is this Simon?”, she asked.

‘It is a jar of pure spikenard, Mary.” “Do not ask where it came from.”, he said.

Mary placed the jar on the shelf; turning to him, she thanked him, took hold of his hand and led him to her bed.

The door burst open, “Okay, Simon, we caught her in the act. Leave now and we will deal with her.”

They dragged Mary into the street, throwing her at the feet of the one they had been trying to trap. This time they were sure that they had Him.

“We caught this woman in the very act of adultery. She should be stoned according to our law. What do you say?”

“Yeshua, bent down and with His finger began to write something in the sand.” He named the secret sin of every man there. When He had finished He stood up and said, “Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone.” Beginning with the eldest, one by one they backed away, until only the woman and Yeshua remained. Reaching out his hand to help her up, He asked, “Woman, where are your accusers?”

The presence of this man was overwhelming. Mary had never felt like this. He embodied acceptance without judgment. It did not matter what she had done, what she had been. Somehow He knew what she was and yet He cared about her and He required nothing from her. Something was happening in her heart.

Responding to his question she said, “They are gone, sir.”

He said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” Turning, He walked away and Mary went back to her home.

As she entered the place that she had called home for quite some time, she saw it in a new light. She felt different, she was different. She could not continue this lifestyle. Simon had betrayed her, but she still had the gift of nard. She had to find this man who had set her free and let Him know how thankful she was. She would offer Him the gift of her harlotry.

Simon had invited Yeshua to come to his home for the evening meal. He was curious about this man after what he was told had happened with Mary today. He had to hear more. But, he was not going to make himself vulnerable to condemnation from the Sanhedrin, that was for sure. So, Yeshua would not be treated as an honored guest. He would see to that. After all, he would explain when they asked him, that he only wanted to hear the man’s philosophy.

Reclining at the table, Simon was asking questions, as were those whom he had invited to the meal. In the midst of this, Mary came in. What was she doing here? Simon was embarrassed. She lay down at Yeshua’s feet. Crying, she wiped his feet with her hair. Simon watched horrified as she took out a jar, it was the jar of nard that he had given her earlier. She broke open the seal and began to pour the fragrant ointment on Yeshua’s feet. The fragrance filled the room.

Simon was indignant. That spikenard had cost him a great deal, to say nothing of what he had gone through to get it. What if one of the guests recognized the jar? The pomegranates and bells on it would be a dead give away. He could be in real trouble. The holy anointing oil was only to be used for worship of God.

If Yeshua were a prophet, He would know what kind of woman Mary was and would not want her touching him. “Rabbi, don’t you know this woman is a sinner?”, he asked.

Yeshua looked at him and said, “Simon, you invited me to come to your house for a meal and I came. It is customary for a guest to have their feet washed upon entering, You did not even do that which is customary. You see this woman that you call a sinner, she has honored me by washing my feet with her tears, wiping them with her hair and she has anointed my feet for ministry.”

Simon was livid. How dare He speak to him in this way. He had position and place, this itinerant preacher was in no position to question him. And yet, when all of his guests had left the house, and Simon was alone with his thoughts, he pondered all that had taken place that day. He had not wanted to go along with the scheme the other Pharisees had hatched to catch Yeshua in a trap, but he had done so. Now he felt dirty and ashamed. This man, Yeshua, was a good man. Simon felt changed by His presence. He must know Him.

Mary went back to her house, determining to take Lazarus up upon his word. She would go back to Bethany in the morning.

Martha and Lazarus were so thankful that Mary had come home. They knew it was not an easy decision, they wanted to know the whole story. Sitting down, Mary began to rehearse the road she had traveled that brought her back to them today.

They were shocked to learn that their uncle had molested Mary when she was only thirteen years of age. This had sent her on a spiral downward. She had told no one for the shame of it. Besides no one would believe that Samuel would do such a thing.

When they had heard it all, they were overcome with the thought of what Mary had to go through alone. With thanksgiving to God, they promised to care for her. They were so thankful for this man Yeshua. They had to meet Him. As God would have it, that happened in a rather interesting way.

Yeshua and His disciples were traveling in the area around Bethany, they often stayed at the home of Simon the leper, whom Yeshua had healed. Word of Yeshua’s preaching and miracles was spreading rapidly. The sick were healed, the blind received their sight, the lame walked and some were raised up from death.

Martha had gone to the shul to get some vegetables for supper. There He was, this one who had done a miracle for their Mary. Drawing near she listened, “I am the good shepherd.” He said, “I give my life for my sheep.” She had never heard such words as this man spoke. She must tell Lazarus.

Hurrying home she told Mary and Lazarus, “Never have I heard such words as this man spoke. You must come and hear.”

They watched Yeshua touch those who were hurting and saw them set free. When he placed his hands on those who were sick and diseased they were healed.

Suddenly Yeshua stopped, turning to Lazarus, He said, “Today I must stay at your house.”

Lazarus was overtaken with gratitude. Yes, he wanted that more than anything. “You are most welcome, sir.”, he said.

That was the beginning of many such visits. Lazarus was known as a friend of Yeshua. He regularly contributed to His ministry, being a wealthy man. Mary and Martha always ministered to Him as well. “He who is forgiven much, loves much.” These three knew the reality of those words.

Another time, another day, on the anniversary of her deliverance, Yeshua was in the house. Mary loved to sit at His feet and listen. She was like a sponge, she soaked up every word He said. This day her love for Him prompted her to use the gift of nard that Lazarus had given her when she came home. It was her inheritance from their father.

As Yeshua lay at the table with Lazarus and the disciples, Mary broke open the flask and began to weep as she remembered what He had done for her. She poured out the golden liquid upon his feet, wiping them with her hair.

One of the disciples, Judas Iscariot, scolded, “This is wrong. Think how much bread this would buy for the poor. This is a waste. It should have been given to the ministry and sold.” He said this not because he cared for the poor, but because he managed the money for the ministry and regularly took for himself whatever he wanted. He was a thief.

Yeshua spoke these simple words. “She did this for my burial.”

From that time on whenever the story is told, Mary is remembered for her sacrificial offering.

Yeshua ministered in and around Jerusalem and then in the Galilee. The opposition from the religious ruling class increased as time went on. They keenly felt their control of the people loosening as the masses turned to Yeshua. There was no refuting the miracles that were taking place. In their fear of losing control, they began to hatch a plan. But it required an insider. They had to figure out some way to make that happen. As it turned out they didn’t have to wait long.

Word came to Yeshua that his friend Lazarus had died. The disciples were ready to head out to Bethany right away. But, Yeshua was not in a hurry. He told them, “Lazarus is asleep and I am going to go wake him up.” They said, “If he is sleeping he will wake up.” Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.”

When they approached Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Word was brought to Martha that Yeshua was coming, she went to meet Him.

“If you had been here, Lazarus would still be alive.” she said. Was she accusing Him? Was it His fault? He just didn’t arrive on time, Martha’s time?

What time was Yeshua keeping? This is an important question, one that every generation must answer. Martha was bound by time. God is not bound by time! You cannot put God in a box, any kind of box. He will break out of it every time.

Yeshua said to her, “I am the resurrection, and the life: the one who believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Her answer was yes, but. How often do we add something to a question of faith? A friend of mine would tell me: “Goats butt, sheep follow?”

Martha sent word to Mary that Yeshua was here and asked for her. She got up quickly and came to Him. All the mourners followed her.

“When Mary came where Yeshua was, she fell down at His feet.” “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” The same words that Martha spoke.

Jesus was moved by her tears, and by the mourners and he “groaned in the spirit”, and was troubled. “Where have you laid him?”, He asked. “Yeshua wept.”

There have been many commentaries written and sermons preached on this short passage of scripture, “Jesus Wept.” The viewpoints range from grief to anger; grief over the death of His friend, to anger at the lack of faith in Martha and Mary. The bottom line is that they didn’t know who He was. I think the correct viewpoint is all of the above.

What commences from here in the Biblical narrative is the raising of Lazarus from death. This was a monumental thing at that time; so much so that the chief priests and Pharisees convened a council to deal with it. They knew they had to do something about this man Yeshua. He did many mighty miracles which could not be denied.

This man Lazarus, according to a report they received, had been dead and now was alive. It appeared that the whole world was going after Yeshua; they came up with a plan, but It had to be executed quickly, this was getting out of hand and it must be dealt with soon

Caiaphas, the high priest for that year, said: “It is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation perish.” “Being high priest he prophesied the death of Yeshua for the Jewish people.

It was Passover. The time when each family took a lamb into their home and cared for it until the day it would be the sacrifice lamb for their house.

The evening drew near and Yeshua told his disciples to go prepare the place that was chosen for them to share the Passover meal, the feast of unleavened bread.

When the time had come, all twelve disciples were there with Yeshua, He told them how he longed to eat this meal with them before his time of suffering came. As they were eating, Yeshua took the bread, broke it and gave it to them saying, “Take this bread and eat it, for this is My body which is given for you, do this in remembrance of Me.” Taking the cup of Messiah, he said. “I want all of you to drink from it. For this cup is the new covenant in My blood which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins.”

Yeshua became quiet, then He said, “The hand of my betrayer is with me on the table.” They all began to question what he meant. Which of them would do such a thing. John, the beloved, leaning over on Jesus chest said, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” Dipping the piece of bread in the wine he gave it to Judas Iscariot. After receiving it the Bible says, “Satan entered him.” No one at the table knew the reason he said to Judas, “What you do do quickly.” The Pharisees and priests now had their insider.

In the gospel of John, chapters 14-17, it is recorded that Jesus taught the disciples “The Way” to live as believers. His prayer for them and us is recorded in John 17:20-21 as follows:

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they all may be one, as You, Father; are in Me and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

God has not changed His mind. It is His will that believers in Yeshua, the one we English speakers call Jesus, be united in faith and love for Him and each other. God’s will is going to be done on earth as it is in Heaven!

Yeshua was betrayed, He was arrested, He was tortured, He was beaten, He was crucified on a Roman cross. God watched, the angels watched. Nature responded to Yahweh’s grief and anger at sin, earth shook, and the sun grew dark. Yahweh’s Son became sin; He had to pay the price to buy back humankind. Yahweh turned away to keep from destroying Him. It was the first time that they were ever separated. In great agony Yeshua cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” He bore the full brunt of punishment for sin, separation from His Father. His heart literally broke.

Lucifer, the adversary of God, was full of glee. He finally had Him, this man, this Son of God who tormented Him with His sickening displays of power. Now He would pay; He would pay for Lucifer’s loss of position and power in Heaven. He had Him in his domain, on his own turf. It was party time.

Lucifer did not know that it was a set up. He was in for a big surprise.

On the third day there was a rumble, thunder, he knew that sound, he shivered in remembrance. Suddenly, light burst into that dark domain, filling Yeshua with power and authority. Grabbing Lucifer, He took the keys to death and hell from him, stripped him of the authority he had over the earth, removed the beautiful gemstones that were part of his apparel, put a rope around his neck and paraded him through hell in the presence of all of his minions. When it was all over Lucifer lay stunned.

Yeshua then went into Sheol, the place of the righteous dead. This is the place the old testament saints went when they died. The prophets who had seen His day rejoiced. King David danced for joy. Yeshua then brought them to the Paradise of God in Heaven. They are there today, for many have been taken to Heaven and seen them.

According to scripture, Yeshua is the “first born from the dead”. That morning, the morning of the third day, He became a life-giving spirit, a born-again eternal man. This one who was The Word become flesh, who was the second Adam, became the substitute sacrifice for all man. After His suffering, death and resurrection, anyone who comes to Yahweh through Him can become a life-giving spirit and their destination upon death will be Heaven.

It was a beautiful morning in Israel. It was Spring and the flowers were blooming in Simon’s garden. Yeshua was alive and had conquered death, hell and the grave. Stooping down to smell the flowers, he heard a voice. “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him and I will take Him away.” It was Mary of Magdala.

Turning around He said, “Mary.” She had thought He was the gardener, but it was her Lord, she was overcome with emotion. He was alive!. She wanted to touch Him, to worship Him, but He said, “Do not touch Me, I have not yet ascended to My Father; go to the others and tell them, I am going to go to My Father, to My God and to Your God.”

I believe that each of us is named by the Lord and in our name is the essence of who we are. Often in scripture a person is referred to in this way: Simon ben Judah. That is Simon the son of Judah. In some cultures a name may be Johnson or John’s son. In some cultures the first name will be last such as Yangi Cho Paul. I believe that no name is without the direct hand of God. While there may be a million Mary’s, there is only one you if your name is Mary, and all you are is in your name. You are unique and special.

There was a time in my life when I thought little of myself and thus those around me. It was a time of great misery and pain. In that time I was visited by Yeshua. He told me that He had named me Joy and that I was His joy. I can tell you that I was far from anyone’s joy at that time. He also told me that if I had been the only one who needed to be saved. He would have died just for me. Many times since, I have read that He has told others that He would have died just for them. Each of us is so loved. Corrie ten Boom said that God has a telescope and microscope interest in us. We are His desire and He loves us with all that is in Him. Incredible!

Yeshua was known in the community he lived in as the son of the carpenter, Joseph; he was also called the Son of David. Names are important and have meaning. They embody all that we are and will be. As I said, here there are many with the same name and yet when Yahweh speaks your name, only You will know it is to you personally that He speaks.

Think about when Yeshua called his friend Lazarus to come back from the dead with these words: “Lazarus come forth!”. How many dead people were there in Sheol with the name of Lazarus, yet only Lazarus from Bethany came back into his mortal body and out of the tomb.

Another thing I believe about this scene has to do with these words, “Don’t touch me, I have not ascended to My Father.” The Temple Institute in Israel has made items for the third temple. Among them is a large vessel that is round on the bottom. It cannot be set down. According to the guide, It catches the blood of the sacrifice. When the blood is caught in this container it is considered holy. It is to be taken into the Most Holy Place to be offered to Yahweh for the remission of sins.

I believe that Yeshua told Mary not to touch Him, because He was a Holy vessel, set apart and He had to take His blood to Heaven, where He poured it out on the mercy seat before His Father. When He encountered Mary, He had not yet ascended to the Father and to touch someone would have defiled Him. After He had been to Heaven He appeared to His disciples and told Thomas, “Touch me”.

I believe after His resurrection, when He ascended to Heaven with His blood, Yeshua came into the courtroom of Heaven to appear before Yahweh as judge. He made the case for canceling the adversaries earth lease, He made the case for what He had done on the cross being sufficient for anyone who would come to Yahweh through Him, and based upon what He had done and Yahweh’s will, authority would be given to those who believed and received in Him. I believe Yahweh said, “It is enough. Petition granted”

I believe this is the point at which the blood of Yeshua was placed upon the golden altar, the mercy seat, before the throne of Yahweh where it continually cries out, “Mercy, mercy, mercy.” Whoever will may come and receive mercy from Yahweh, the forgiveness of sin.

I have told you this story with this hope, that if you do not know Yeshua, Jesus of Nazareth, you will be drawn to come to Him through the blood on the mercy seat and ask for forgiveness of your sin. Many think that sins such as smoking, drinking, gambling, prostitution, etc. will keep you out of Heaven. These things are of the flesh, of the earthly body, not the spirit. Human beings are living souls according to the Word of God. We were created with eternity in our hearts. Mortal human bodies will not be in Heaven when this is all over, only reborn humans with immortal bodies will be there.

By saying that a decision to accept Jesus is the only way to God and Heaven, and that sins such as I gave above will not keep you out of Heaven, It goes without saying, I think, that anyone who commits sins such as these, does not know God. It is not a matter of legalism, it is a matter of the heart.

If you have repented for wanting to live life your way, and received God’s forgiveness, your heart will desire to please Him in all areas of your life. We will always sin as long as we live here on earth. But, the sins of a person being led by the Holy Spirit will be less of commission and more of omission or ignorance of God’s ways; hence the need to learn and grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God.

Those of you who know the Lord have hopefully found my story entertaining and informative. If you are a student of the Bible, you know that I have taken some liberties with the Biblical narrative. Forgive me if that offends you. I have done so to make a point. The point being that God is at work in our lives from the time of our birth until we come ‘Home”. God loves us, oh how He loves us! May we be overwhelmed by the love that He has for us and choose to worship Him as did Mary of Bethany. He who is forgiven much, loves much. Amen!

Is That All There Is?”

“I just want to be happy.”, Those were your words.

Heaven’s View or Earth’s Vantage Point? That is the question. Where does our worth and value come from, what or who is the source?

I have been thinking a lot lately about the source of things. Everything has a source, a starting point. It seems to me that most human beings stumble through life by chance. Rather aimlessly allowing whatever comes to move them here or there.

I believe that without an understanding of the real source of life, a human being has little sense of his real value or worth.

I was thinking about the “High Road to Hell”, the path that leads to wealth, power and fame. The thing that strikes me about this path is that it appears to be a happy, carefree life. As my brother said to me recently, “If you have money, you can do anything.” But, there are some at the top of the heap that have found it to be, as King Solomon said, striving and vanity.

I heard the testimony of a quarterback whose goal was to have a Superbowl ring. He pursued excellence in football, striving to get the Superbowl ring and when he got it he still felt empty. The stories are endless. The masses searching for meaning; striving to find themselves.

Life does not consist of the abundance of what you posses, whether it is “Oscars”, “Golden Globes”, “Grammy’s”, “Dove awards”, “Superbowl” rings, mansions, yachts or jet airplanes. With every position of power and authority comes temptation. The highest offices in government, business, education, religion or entertainment will not fulfill the need that every human being has for God. Not ever!

When the super achievers lay their head upon their pillow at night, they are just another human being before the God who created them. All satisfaction evaporates in the light of truth. Identity and meaning are found in God.

And then, my dear one, there is you and your story. You are writing a chapter every day by deeds that you do and words that you say.

Our conversation sparked so many thoughts in my mind. My life experiences, my emotions, my love and my affection for you all caused my soul to empathize with you. These threatened to drag me down to the pit of despair, where I began to feel what you feel and see what you see. If I were to have stayed there I would have been of no earthly good. I chose as an act of my will not to let that happen, because God has a far better way.

That way is “The Way” and there is a Cross there. A cross is an instrument of death. Yeshua went to the cross willingly, he died there that I might live here. After death came resurrection. Redemption made the way for “whosoever will” to come to Him. I chose as a fifteen year old girl to accept His way.

In “The Way” is peace at last, and joy that no circumstance of life can change. And yes, there are moments of happiness in the happenstances of this life.

I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit. He helps me to see from Heaven to Earth. He calls out: “Come up higher!”

Looking down at the “Troubler”, I realize that God will not allow him to do anything to me or those I love that does not have a redemptive purpose. This is immensely comforting.

Your words tell me that you feel no worth, no value, no self-esteem. But, I suggest to you that it is quite the opposite. A man who rejects the God who created him has the highest esteem for himself. He is his own god, he decides what he will do, where he will go, what he will think. “God is not for me”, you say. But I submit to you that you are your own god. You decided to do life your way when you decided that God was not for you.

So my dear one. You made a choice. There are consequences. I would despair for your future, if it were not for the fact that I know God. I know that He has plans for you, plans to give you a future and a hope. He said so! I believe it.

The love that I have for you is unconditional, as I told you. I will love you as long as there is breath in my body. This is so, because it is the love of God, not my natural human love. I love because I am loved., this is the only possible way.

So, where to go from here? I told you that I hope some day you will know that God is real. I pray that you will know that you are loved by God eternally. I pray that you will know that God has a plan, a purpose and a reason why you are here on earth at this time.

The preponderance of evidence for the existence of God is there for the diligent seeker, but the skeptic will never find it, because he is not looking for it.

There is a “Troubler”, a deceiver, one whose sole purpose is to take captive every man, woman and child. His way is the way of deception, dismay, despair, disappointment and death. Consider the fruit.

Yeshua came that we might have an abundant life, a blessed life. That does not mean a life with no issues, no attacks of the troubler, it means that we do not have to go it alone. We have one who has come alongside, one who has come to live in us, one who helps us overcome when the attacks come. One who “sticks closer than a brother”. When the troubler comes we can say: “No, my enemy, you have no part in me and I have no part in you. “Shut up and leave now!” This is only possible because of our Savior and Lord, Yeshua the Messiah.

I will continue to pray for you as you are never far from my heart. I know that God is faithful, I have found Him so. I know that He will never leave you to yourself, He will be with you as you leave here to go to your new destination. And I know that at the right time your eyes will open, your ears will hear Him calling you to come, “Come Home!” and you will respond, “Lord I come!”.

Until that day, whether I am still on earth or “Home”, my prayers are before our Father in Heaven, as are the prayers of your parents, your siblings and any who will pray for you in the future, I believe with all of my heart that you will fulfill your destiny. I am counting on it.

I love you!

The Royal Line

In the beginning God… He was in the beginning. He has no beginning and He has no end. He is God. You either believe that or you don’t. The choice you make about that will determine your eternal destiny.

God is what theologians call a “tripartite being”. He is three persons in one called God. Throughout generations He has been called many names. He says His name is I AM. Yeshua, Jesus, was the Word of God before He took on flesh and became a man. God called Him, “My Son”. While in His earth suit He made God known as Father. The third person of the trinity is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Lord. So, there you have it, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three persons in one called God.

And God created man in His own image and likeness. Yahweh, YHWH, Father God, is seated on a throne. He is likened to a fire “from His loins up and His loins down”. He is spoken of as having arms and hands, being able to stand up and sit down. He loves, He hates, He gets angry, He feels pleasure, He makes decisions, He judges and He decrees. There is no finding out the fulness of the Lord God, nor is there any explanation that satisfies to describe Him. He is God!

God created a man from the ground. He was lifeless until God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. Then he became a living being. He was called Adam, meaning red. God created animals to be man’s companions, Adam named the animals. But, there was no one compatible with Adam so God took a rib from his side and made a wombman, a woman. Someone like him and yet different. Together they were to rule over the creation and they were to procreate and fill the earth.

There was an enemy in the earth, formerly called Lucifer, who after the Fall was called satan or the devil. His purpose was to get control of the earth and set up a kingdom for himself, his goal was and still is to overthrow God and take His place.

On a certain day as Adam’s wife, Eve, was in the garden called Eden, where the tree of life grew, the adversary came. He convinced a serpent to allow him to use his body. A spirit must have a body to operate in the earth. God made it that way. The serpent walked up to Eve and began a conversation with her. Calling her attention to the tree of life, he used one of his best weapons, doubt. “Has God said, “You shall not eat?”, he said. “He knows when you eat you will be as wise as He is.”, he said. In other words he was telling Eve that God did not have their best interest at heart. She fell for it, and as they say, “the rest is history”. Adam was with her. He could have stopped it and told the adversary to get out of the garden, but he ate and paradise was lost. Sin, which is rebellion against God, entered into the earth and the adversary became the god of this world. He holds the earth lease. But there is an end coming. Evil never wins in the end. God is God!

God knew the end from the beginning. His plans and His purposes will be done. The devil will have his day and his minions have and do work hard to make it happen. but, It will not happen until the fulness of time on God’s timeline. There is a fulness of time for everything.

At the fulness of time, the Word became flesh and came to dwell on earth. He was here for 30 years. He experienced every temptation known to humans and yet did not sin. In this way, He became the pure and spotless Lamb of God slain from the foundations of the world. The creator of everything submitted Himself to those He created and they murdered Him. But that is not the end of the story.

On the walk to the cross Yeshuah experienced all that Hell could muster at that time. On the cross the Lamb of God became sin so that we could be made right with God. He gave all so that whosoever will may come to Him and receive all that His life, death, burial and resurrection bought and paid for. But it is a decision every man, woman and child must make for themselves. God has no grand-children! It is His will that everyone be saved from destruction and eternal punishment for rejecting His Messiah, but He forces no one to believe and accept His way.

Man has many ideas of who God is, what He does and why. Man’s intellect has been exalted over the Holy Spirit, the teacher, the guide, the revealer of truth. Some have rejected Him and there is no repentance for sin against the Holy Spirit.

While there is yet time, consider your position. What say you about the Royal line that God established? What do you stumble over? Are you ready to believe and receive God’s way of doing and being right?

Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God. You only rise up forgiven when you go down in your own eyes. There is a godly fear that is good. God is to be feared because your soul, your very life and breath is in His hands.

“Seek the Lord with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”

“f you seek Him, He will be found of you, when you seek Him with all your heart.”

He waits for you to come. He will not cast you out or reject you when you come with a humble, contrite heart. You need to know that “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” No one who has ever exalted themselves, or been exalted by man will find a place at God’s table. Only those who have come to Him believing in their heart that through, Jesus, there is forgiveness of sin, any sin, only those shall be saved from destruction in the place prepared for the devil and his angels, Hell.

The choice is clear Heaven’s bliss or Hell’s torment when earth time is over.

You have a book in Heaven, Your lifetime on earth is recorded there, when you repent of sin and receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord, God blots your sin out of the book; it is as thought it never existed. Now that is good news!

I hope that you have considered what I have shared with you today. Your eternal destiny hangs upon this one decision. God set up the Royal Line. You can be part of it through faith in Jesus. I hope you are, but if not, “choose this day whom you will serve, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!”

My Testimony

We believers in Jesus the Messiah are instructed to “not love ourselves or think more highly of ourselves than we ought to”. (Romans 12;3) Certainly there are among us those who value themselves and their opinions more highly than they ought to. Conversely, there are those who deprecate themselves also, much to their detriment and the cause of Christ. Thus, It seemed good and right to me that I should share with you the word of my testimony as it is spoken of in Revelation 12:11.

Because of the blood of Jesus and the truth from God’s word that I should not love myself or think more highly of myself than I ought to, and to protect myself from any criticism or judgment by others, I have often been silent concerning these things.

At this writing I am 82 years of age, strong spiritually, physically and psychologically, in other words as the scripture says, Spirit, soul and body. All credit goes to the Lord and His plan for my life. I only have followed Holy Spirit’s directions as best I understood them. So, on with my story.

I am the eldest of seven children. But, like Joseph the son of Jacob, I was removed from my parents home. In my case, I lived with my maternal grandparents from the age of eight to the age of eighteen. While there I was raised in the Lutheran tradition.

During the summer of 1953 my aunt was expecting her third child, and I was sent to help her with the children and the housework. My aunt had “gotten saved” and entered into the Baptist tradition of faith. She was very zealous for God and that zeal was not lost on me.

One evening as we were going to prepare for bed she asked if I would like to have “devotions” with her. I had no idea what she meant, but I agreed. As we were seated on the edge of her bed she opened the Bible and began to read from the book of John chapter 3; it is the story of how God loved the world so much that He sent His Son into the earth to be the Savior of the world.

As I heard these words, I saw myself as I really was in His eyes, a sinful, lost person who needed a Savior; I began to cry, I knew Jesus died for me. My aunt recognized that Holy Spirit was working on my heart. She asked if I would like to receive Jesus as my Savior. She prayed with me and I was born of the Spirit of God, I became a new creation as it is written in II Corinthians 5:17 NKJV.

I need to let you know that I was a “good” girl as far as the world was concerned. I was not “wild” or rebellious. But everyone who is “born of water” (John 3:5), i.e., natural birth, comes from the line of Adam and has a sin nature. Every person, without exception needs to be “saved” to enter into the Kingdom of God. I recognize that there are words such as these that put people off, mostly because of experiences they have had with someone trying to force it on them before God’s time for them, some are rebels and will never want anything to do with God or His Kingdom, and some have been trained in doctrines that do not line up with what God has written in the Bible.

I knew the reality of this experience because I went from hating my Dad the day before this happened to having great concern for him the next day, desiring with all my heart that he too would be saved. Which by the way did happen, but not until many moons had passed by. I look forward to seeing Him when I come Home.

Time passed by and many people, places and things happened in my life. I now want to bring you to a place where I was in great desperation and cried out to God for help. The answer came in the form of a book, “A New Song”, by Pat Boone. I had liked Pat Boone’s music as a teenager. This book was to change my life.

I was at the state fair with some family members in 1974. I was married and had two children, but was not in a good state of mind or spirit. My marriage was rocky and I was not treating my children right because of the anger I felt. I was “mad” at the world, but I was desperately asking God for help.

I saw “A New Song” along with other books in a display from the Augsburg Publishing House. Picking it up, paying for it, I took it home and devoured it the next morning.

Pat Boone shared how he was saved and loved the Lord Jesus, but he could not walk in victory over sin, that is until a man named George Otis shared with him that there was something more than salvation. That something was the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. When I finished the book I simply asked God for what Pat Boone had, and that night I received it. That was the beginning of the journey I am on to know Him who gave His all so that I might receive all that He gave for me.

The Bible opened up after this experience, and I had a voracious appetite for it. I studied sometimes for eight hours a day when my boys were in school. I had a King James Bible, a Strong’s Concordance and a notebook. It was the beginning of my studying “to show myself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15

What has been most precious to me is getting to know my Father in Heaven. Jesus desires that we would know how much the Father loves us. Religion leaves us with the impression that He is a hard taskmaster who can’t be pleased, one who is perpetually angry with us, just waiting for us to do something wrong so He can punish us. The opposite of this is true. “God is love” and “God is light and in Him is not darkness at all”. (I John 4:16; I John 1:5) If He cares for a little sparrow that falls to the ground, how much more does He care for mankind. (Matthew 10:29)

Come to the Father, come through the door, Jesus is the door. (John 10: 7, 9) “If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) Believe, receive and your life will be changed. Choose to make Jesus your Savior and Lord, give Him your whole heart, your whole life, be “all in”.

Church attendance, church membership, or some other human way of trying to get into the Kingdom of God is the wrong door. Believers may do those things because we are told “not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together”, but we are to do this out of love for God and for each other, not to go to Heaven when we die. Believers are the church, God’s ecclesia, His called out ones; a building is not really the church.

I love this journey I am on. I consider my time on planet earth, TDY. That’s an army phrase for temporary duty. Peter said we were “strangers and pilgrims” here. ( I Peter 2:11) I have a short time to make a difference for the Kingdom of God. I made a decision long ago to do the best I can to follow Holy Spirit.

When I turned 80, Holy Spirit spoke to me that I had begun the second half of my life.

It is sometimes exciting, sometimes boring, sometimes eventful and sometimes uneventful, but I believe that I am lead by Holy Spirit to go where I should go and do what I should do. It is my decision to follow or not. I choose to follow, most of the time. When I miss it, it is usually because I am preoccupied with some worldly thing. I have had some exciting adventures. Some where I just had to go afraid, not knowing what would happen. They turned out to be God encounters.

Take Care!

It seems that everyone’s favorite saying these days is, “Take care!”

I don’t know about you, but that disturbs me because it is scripturally incorrect. Now, I don’t expect non-Christians to understand or even care about that, but why in the world are Christians telling each other to take care when it is unscriptural.

The Bible tells us to “Cast your care upon the Lord for He cares for you.” It tells us to “be careful for nothing but in every thing through prayer and supplication make your requests know to God and His peace will cover you.” (my translation)

I wonder if Christians are so ignorant of what the Bible teaches that they use those words and others lightly.

It is written: “Life and death are in the power of the tongue…” It further says that we will be justified or condemned by the words we speak.

That ought to cause us to pause and think about what we say. No doubt the enemy of our souls waits to hear words we speak that do not agree with the Kingdom of God, so they can be used against us or against someone that we have “badmouthed”; and aren’t we all guilty of that?

Is it not time that we take responsibility for the words we speak?

Another thing that gives me pause is hearing someone say: “That just drives me crazy!” or how about this one… “I just love her to death.”

The Bible says that we are to say the same thing. Meaning, we are to say what the Bible says, what Jesus says, what our Father in Heaven says, what the Holy Spirit says. How can we do that unless we first become aware of what we are doing?

The next step is to repent for wrong speaking and ask for help to speak correctly. We need to ask to be corrected by the Holy Spirit when we speak incorrectly. He will do it, trust me on that. It is a process my dears, we won’t get there overnight, but we have to start somewhere. How about dispensing with, “Take care!” and instead say, “God bless you!”

Perhaps a non-believer would not be thrilled to hear, “God bless you!”, but perhaps a “Hope you have a nice day!” or a comment such as, “It sure is a nice day for…” You fill in the blanks.

The next time someone tells me to take care I intend to say, “Thanks, but I don’t have a care.” Won’t they wonder about that? LOL!

Just a thought.

Peace and Rest in Jesus! Joy

Happening

This is the story of a nation and its king turning to God.  I have written it as it came to me.  It is a wonder.

The Spirit of God was poured out on all flesh as it is recorded in the word of God. Strange things were happening. Things that were so unexpected and yet were so glorious that no one could remember a time in their lifetime when such things happened.

I was lying in bed, I had awakened with the thought of kings and kingdoms and end-time scenarios. So much had happened in the country that had changed everything, nothing was the same. We all were in awe of what God had done. The past few years were very hard to go through, much judgment had fallen upon the unrighteous in the world, but the righteous were spared, as if in a bubble, and indeed there was a protection that was not worldly that was upon us.

This night I was in my bed and the very next minute, so it seemed, I was standing in the room of the king of a very small European country. He was as startled to see me as I was to be there. This had never happened to me before, although I did have experiences where I would meet someone and they were sure they knew me. When I inquired of the Lord concerning this, He told me that we had met in the Spirit as we prayed.

Moving on with my story, the king called for help from one of his guards, but the man could not see me, only the king could see me. He became very frustrated at that point and began yelling at the poor guard. When I realized what was happening, I told him that he needed to listen to what I had to say and not try to get more help or they would think he was losing his mind. He apparently believed me and summarily dismissed the guard.

Sitting down in a chair, he said, “Alright I will listen, but I cannot believe what is happening here, I think this is a dream.”

The Spirit of God rose up on the inside of me and began to prophesy to the king of the future. God had good plans for him and for his country, but they were conditional upon his acceptance of God’s will.

Holy Spirit spoke through me to him about the gift of salvation through Jesus the Messiah of Israel whom God sent into the world to save the people from sin and the kingdom of darkness. He told the king about the many promises made for God’s people in the Bible and instructed the king to read certain passages.

Then, Holy Spirit gave the king the same options as Joshua gave to Israel. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” The choice and the consequences of those choices were clearly spelled out to him so there would be no confusion about the decision he would make. If he believed the truth of the gospel and accepted Jesus as his savior and Lord, God would do incredible things through him and for his country. If he chose to ignore or reject these things then terrible trouble, trials and destruction would follow that decision and he would find himself in a place he did not want to be and there would be no reversal or remedy for him.

The next thing I knew I was back in my bed. I wondered, “Was this real or was I dreaming?” God said there would be signs and wonders in these days. It was a wonder indeed!

In the days that followed, I watched the news media to see if there was anything about this country or its king. It did not take long. There was a big news story that broke regarding this king and his country. He had made a speech to the country that he had converted to Christianity and wanted all of his people to come to know and accept the joy that he had found in his decision to believe and receive the Jesus of the Christian Bible.

As you can imagine, I was astounded, overjoyed, with the knowledge that God had used me, a nobody, to bring the good news that had turned this nation to God.

All that there is left to say is: “Praise God!” May He be glorified in all the world. May His great name be lifted up so that all mankind may hear how much He loves the world, the people whom He created.

To God be the Glory both now and forevermore. Amen!

 

This story was given to me September 1, 2020. I believe that the day will come when such things take place on a regular basis as part of the end-time harvest.    Joy

I Did It My Way!

What does a man have, only himself.  If he doesn’t have himself then he has nothing.  He must say what he feels and not repeat the words of someone kneeling in prayer.  So for those who keep records let it be recorded that life handed me many blows, but in the end I can truly say I did it my own way.

I would like to quote the song I refer to, but I am not sure if it is ok to do so.  The point I want to make here is that this song is a reflection of man without God in his life.  He does it his way.

The song was written by Paul Anka and sung multiple times by Frank Sinatra and it surely speaks volumes about the age we live in.  Even though it is not a popular tune today, this song and the prevailing sentiment, get the message across that it is about what I think, what I feel, what I want.  It is all about ME!  Thus this song can be the signature song for the age of mankind on earth and perhaps more so as the end of the age draws near.

Mankind has been conditioned for centuries to accept the lure, the bait of satan, who is the arch enemy of God and all of mankind.  John Bevere has written a book with the title:  “Bait of Satan”, if it is still in print I recommend it to you.

We live in a supposedly enlightened society; we believe that there is no devil in the real world.  The malevolent force called satan, whose his name was Lucifer, was “the anointed cherub that covers” before he became God’s adversary.  He coveted God’s throne and was subsequently thrown out of Heaven.  We consider ourselves above all that nonsense.  We are intellectually superior to those who believe in a dark kingdom or in this being called satan.

It was a good cover and satan has worked under the radar, for the most part, to accomplish his plan to ultimately dethrone God and receive the worship of all mankind.  Part of that plan was to use one of his favorite tools and that is deception.

The plan of satan to use mankind to accomplish his goal of dominion is accomplished in many ways.  I won’t go into most of them here.  But, I want you to see a sample of what I  see.

Deception is the hallmark of the beginning of sorrows spoken of in Matthew 24.  Deception.  In order to lead a man to fulfill his lust for power, satan must deceive him.  I had a pastor once who made this statement:  “Does a deceived man know that he is deceived?”  The obvious answer is:  “No!”

Deceit can come in many ways.  One of those ways is what I call the high road to Hell.  It is paved with fools gold.  There are multiple ways to satiate your godless, depraved humanity.  One of the lures is money.  With money you can buy whatever treasure or pleasure you want.  Possessions are accumulated to satisfy the need for more, always more.  My Way!

It has been said that “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”  Power is heady stuff, it can open a person to enemy activity.   When you are the center of the universe and all around serve you, moved by your slightest wish, and you love it to have it so, you are in trouble.  There was a saying a few years back,  “If it feels good, do it!”,  and many have done just that.  My Way!

Then there is intellect.  Education became the highest thing to pursue.  If you didn’t have a college education you just did not make it in the world of business, education, religion etc.  As time went on, it wasn’t good enough to just have a degree from a college or university, you had to pursue a master’s degree, and then that wasn’t enough so you worked hard to get a doctorate.  It was the reasonable thing to do.  My Way!

Of course, all of this spilled over into the spiritual realm.  God’s leaders had to become doctors of divinity to be respected and listened to.  Except these degrees, for the most part, were not earned by formal study, but by conferring on them the title: “Doctor”.

Pursuit of wealth, calling it the blessing of the Lord, caused many sheep to try to “catch the golden ring”.  The Bible was used to entice believers to give to ministries in the belief that “God” would give them what they wanted.  In the process many turned away from God and followed Him no more.

Money, power and position became the Pied Piper for many in that generation.  Of course, there are many that also followed the direction of God and became wealthy, using their wealth to advance God’s Kingdom on earth.  Others attained positions of power and influence who used that place to affect the lives of God’s people and the world in which they lived.

Todays world is very different and yet very much the same.  Why is that?  Because human beings are still the same.  A person without God is not good in God’s eyes.  A person without God is like sheep without a shepherd.  Every human being was created by God to worship and serve Him.  (See Mark 6:34)

God has been called by someone, “The Divine Dictator”.  He demands ultimate allegiance to Him and obedience to His will.  To the rebellious among us this is anathema.  They will not kneel to worship Him, but they will “take a knee” to protest; in short they will do life their own way.  My Way!

The United States of America is in trouble.  We are a country divided.  Sides have been taken by most of us.  The eagle has a right wing and a left wing.  They are pitted against each other.  God has spoken by His prophets that America needs both wings to fly.  However, it appears that the left wing is broken and ruled by those who want to take down America.  They want America to be part of a “one-world” government and they are pushing their agenda hard.

The 2020 election is coming fast upon us here in America.  Many voices are saying this is a “tipping point”, and it most likely is.  The fight that is building is based upon the personality of the candidates.  Many are finding themselves in “no man’s land” wondering what to do.  The platforms of each party are quite clear and the lines are  drawn.  My Way? 

I think we are asking the wrong questions.  If you are a believer, if you claim to be a Christian, then your first priority and question must be:  “God, what is Your will in this election?”  My Way?

Scripture is clear, as recorded in Daniel 2:21, “And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”  It is God who chooses the leader of a country!

If you are a believer in Jesus, born of His Spirit, then it is written that you have “the mind of Christ”.  As such, you have wisdom, knowledge and understanding at your disposal.  (see I Corinthians 2:16)  But, you have to ask the right question with the right attitude in your heart.  My Way or His Way?

A carnal Christian, one who has not submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, will not seek God’s will, but will be moved by what he or she sees in the natural realm.  My Way!

When a nation seeks to have its own will and way, God will let that happen so that they will ultimately see that it leads to destruction.  He will raise up a leader whose heart is hardened and set to destroy all godliness, to the end that the people will see that, “He is God and there is no other.”  (see Isaiah 45:22; 46:9)  The history of God’s people, the Israelites, is prime example of this concept.

God is patient.  He waits to reap the “precious fruit of the earth”.  He will have a people who will love and serve Him because they want to.  He is Love and all who love Him and desire His will to be done will be truly blessed in every area of their lives, no matter what is happening in the world around them.  It is a matter of the heart, not the circumstances.  (See James 5:7)  Your will be done on earth, in me, in my life, as it is done in Heaven!

A Christian can be wealthy, have power and authority, have possessions, and be a lover of God and serve Him with their whole heart.  There may be another lover of God who serves Him with their whole heart but they do not have worldly means and yet they are blessed and happy.   Your Will be done!

Submitting to the will of God in all things brings the peace of God that passes understanding, it is this that keeps your mind and your heart in peace, and it is this peace that carries you through the hard times.

It is when we find ourselves in this place that we say to Him:  “Father, I do not understand the circumstances, but I trust You.”  It is in this place of surrender that He can begin to work His will into your life and circumstances.

May each of us yield to God, give Him place in our life and times.  May we invite Him into the circumstances of our lives that His will may be done on earth as it is in Heaven.  Amen!

Respectfully submitted,

Joy

 

Wake Up!

I awoke this morning at 4:44 A.M.  I believe 4 means trouble.  We have trouble multiplied by 3 in the world today.  God’s government, as reflected in the Bible is 12, it is perfect government.  It is being challenged on every front.

I look at the clock and many times, more than just mere coincidence, I see 11:11.  To me this is man’s government in transition. 1 x 4 = 4…trouble.  Man’s government being touted as the means to peace has brought much trouble to our world.

The real battle is God’s government versus satan’s government; there is war in the heavenlies and earth reflects the battle.  There have been many challenges for rule of the earth since the beginning of time.  This time, I believe, it is for “all the marbles”.  The attitude seems to me to be:  “Go for broke!”  “No holds barred!”

Contrary to what you may believe at this point, I am not a numerologist, nor am I a reactionary,  but I believe God is speaking through every means possible to people who have ears to hear and eyes to see.

The message is:  WAKE UP! It’s later than you think.

Many are issuing warnings about the time we are living in now.  Some are trying to get the message of the gospel out and others are like ostriches with their heads buried in the sand hoping that this will all go away so they can get back to business as usual.

You cannot ignore this.  It will not go away.

There is no return to normal as we have known it.  There is only war on every hand right now.

Some have written about pastors who have sold their soul to the god of mammon  They think they are free and doing what is best; in time they will see and know the truth, but then it will be too late.

“Everything that can be shaken will be shaken, until all that remains is that which cannot be shaken.”  my version of Hebrews 12:27

God will have a people.  A people who are made in His image and His likeness.  A people who are set apart to do His will.  We are in the process of becoming that people.  But, it is a choice, a decision.  And, as I have said many times before, no decision is a decision.

This train is moving fast down the tracks,”Faster than a speeding bullet.”, and there will be no stops between” here” and “there it is”.  It will get nasty outside.  Keep your hands inside. If you mess with God’s plans you may get cut off.  There will come a great “falling away”.  Some of the people you love will not go with you.  Prepare your heart for it now while it is still today.

Dedicated, consecrated, set apart: “My heart is fixed oh Lord trusting in thee.” Psalm 112:7  It is the only place of safety.  Then it will not matter what man does.  Only God’s “will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”.  He will keep what you give to Him. Trust Him.

Some will fall during the time of persecution.  It will be used to serve God’s purpose. These martyrs know who they are.  Others will be kept safe in the secret place of the Most High.  Can we let God be God?

This will be the end of all things, as we know it, if the world chooses man’s government.

The world has been given a time of reprieve, it is our choice to take it or not.  If we do not take what God has given, we will very quickly go into the time of the end as recorded in Matthew 24.  This chapter is divided up into about 3 times.  The beginning of sorrows, persecution and great tribulation.  Reprieve is a time for making changes.  Matthew 24 will be fulfilled, just like every prophecy of scripture has been or will be, in its time.  Our choices can determine how quickly that happens.  God knows.

It is time to choose sides if you haven’t before.  Game on!

Seriously, consider your own personal life and times.  Open your eyes.  Are you ready for what lies just ahead?

God offers you His way of doing and being right.  It is by accepting the sacrifice of His Son, Yeshua, the man we call Jesus.  If you had been the only one who needed to be saved He would have died just for you.  That is LOVE!

So, today consider your ways, if you examine yourself and find that you fall short, then come to Jesus, humble yourself, repent and receive Him as your Lord and Savior.  He promises that He will receive you and adopt you into the Family of God.  You will have a new life and will be with Him and all who have believed and received Him down through the ages when all is said and all is done.

May the Lord bless you and keep you close to Him,  is my prayer.

Joy