How do you read your Bible? Do you have a yearly reading schedule where you read a certain number of chapters each day sequentially from Genesis to Revelation? I’ve done that several times as well as other systems. Lately, I’ve been digging deep into the book of Revelation and have a binder full of notes and insights. But this past week I decided to take a day away from Revelation and ask the Lord where He wanted me to read. I heard, “John 17.”
At first, I hesitated—was this Him speaking? I’ve read and studied John 17 many times, could there be something in it that I’ve missed? I decided if it was Him I would soon discover, if I read it.
Starting with prayer—”Father, please stop me on what You want me to see in this chapter,” I began to read John 17 slowly and out loud. Most of…
On July 1, I was praying about all that is going on in our country and I asked, “Abba, what do we need to hear right now?” He immediately spoke:
“I have not forgotten you. Your names are written on the palms of My hands. What the enemy’s meant for evil I am turning to good.
Do you not see it? Do you not hear it?
There is a stirring in the masses as righteousness is beginning to rule. Anger rages in those deceived. Pray for them. The enemy is stirring hatred. Shut him down with love and grace and mercy.
If you are truly One with Me, walk in the Light as I am in the Light. The only ones I showed anger toward while I was on the earth were the Pharisees and Sadducees who were caught up in pride and arrogance, accusing and ruling the people with…
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
What is happening in your part of the world? Are you at peace? Or is life such a turmoil right now that you don’t know whether you’re coming or going. Welcome to “It’s a mad, mad, world”. Yes, and in case you haven’t notice things are not getting better. Well, that depends on which side of the fence you are sitting on.
I don’t have cable or satellite and I don’t watch main stream television. To be honest I haven’t missed it at all. I do however watch things on YT and many websites and I used to love reading the comments from various articles and many multi media. I used to find comments interesting when people would share thoughts on particular subjects. Nowadays however I’ve been turned off by comments that people make. I sit there and shake my head and wonder. Is it me? Or have people fallen on their heads?
The comments are rash, rude, and ignorant. There is such a spirit of fear that folks have lost their common sense. Opinions have become the mark of intellectualist and anything or anyone contrary is labelled as all kinds of degrading felony. Our God given need to ask questions, seek answers has been tossed out to the trash and that person is called exactly that “trash” for doing so. That is not God’s way.
He wants us to ask, seek and knock to hear His wisdom and seek His understanding rather than our opinions.
Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
What happened to respect of opinion, integrity and politeness. Have we raised up a generation of heartless, degenerate and cruel Genghis Khan? He wiped out 11% of the World’s population by the way. Who needs a virus when you have Khans in power and all over the world?
No, but really my point is that I had to stopped reading the comments that people made because of the cruelty of people. No compassion or mercy is being shown for folks who have legitimate questions and desire to know. My parents always told me if you can’t say a kind word then don’t say anything at all. It seems that some people need to learn that rather than poisoning the comments. It’s so easy to say whatever you want because you don’t know those people and you will probably never meet them. What ever happened to love your neighbour as yourself? Do unto others as you want them to do to you? Turn the other cheek?
I see an agenda has been prepared and is unfolding to divide and destroy families, friends, co-workers. Destroy families and down goes the nation. The moral decline is in our faces everyday. Should we be surprised though?
2 Timothy 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.
I would say that is pretty accurate by my observations.
My mind and heart say: “Enough is enough”. But how can I make a difference?
Look at these words of a song called “It only takes a spark”: “It only takes a spark, to get a fire going And soon all those around, can warm up in glowing That’s how it is with God’s love Once you’ve experienced it You spread his love to everyone; You want to pass it on”.
I have purposed that I will do just that. Pass on God’s love, spread it to everyone. I will not be a fear monger. Fear is the spirit of anti-Christ and I refuse to walk and talk that language. I did for a while but I’m sorry for it. I am not going down that rabbit trail again. It is depressing and scary. It does not build up, edify, comfort or appease.
That’s my next point: I will not live in fear. “Fear not” is in the Bible 365 times. That’s one for each day of the year. You would think that God thought it was important. And yes indeed it is important.
So here is what I’ve purposed to do and I hope that many people will do the same:
Turn off the TV.
Trust God in all things.
I am my brothers and sisters keeper so I’ll be nice.
Make good use of my time.
Seek to make a difference in someone’s life for the good.
Speak positively. Listen to what I say before saying it. (Or write it)
Love my neighbour as myself.
It’s ok to have difference of opinions. Nobody is smarter than anyone else. It’s an illusion.
Life is too short to be fighting each other.
When I lay my head to sleep I will be at Peace.
I will also not be silenced by the enemies of Christ. I will speak truth at every chance I get. Truth wins out in the end. (Read the book of Revelation to find out how).
Seek God while He may be found. He has the answers you seek and He is the only one who has promised you Peace.
10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has [a]life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
Compare the above text to:
The Passion Translation
10 Those who believe in the Son of God have the living testimony in their hearts. Those who don’t believe have made God out to be a liar by not believing the testimony God has confirmed about his Son. 11 This is the true testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life has its source in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has eternal life; whoever does not have the Son does not possess eternal life.
Assurance of Eternal Life
13 I’ve written this letter to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you will be assured and know without a doubt that you have eternal life.
Also compare to:
The MessageTranslation
9-10 If we take human testimony at face value, how much more should we be reassured when God gives testimony as he does here, testifying concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God inwardly confirms God’s testimony. Whoever refuses to believe in effect calls God a liar, refusing to believe God’s own testimony regarding his Son.
11-12 This is the testimony in essence: God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life.
The Reality, Not the Illusion
13-15 My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he’s listening. And if we’re confident that he’s listening, we know that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours.
This is God’s evidence, proof, declaration and confirmation or testimony…
If you BELIEVE…
That He sent His Son to die on your behalf, for your sins-yes, because all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. Jesus took your sins on the cross with Him because according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission-which means the cancellation of a debt, charge, or penalty, forgiveness of sins. Those who believe have this confirmation in their heart that this is true. Those who refuse to accept Him are saying that God is a liar. But know this that God is not a man, that He should lie.
Here’s what you get for believing: Eternal Life. For not believing you get Death. That’s why he says “Choose life”.
All it takes is to BELIEVE…
Admit that you are a sinner and have made mistakes
Believe that Jesus is God’s only son. He died on the cross for you, was buried and rose again.
Commit yourself to a life of following Jesus and serving others.
The Risen Christ, Faith’s Reality
1 Corinthians 15: 1-4 NKJV
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,
John 14: 2-3 NKJV
2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you,I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Could I be deceived? Would I be able to recognize that I was deceived? Sometimes my passion can turn into cynicism and escalate quickly to criticism. From religion to politics, to art and foodie content I can fly a mean streak that just rattle my cage of emotions. We all have our internal battles but this is my propensity. But how do I turn from it as it always seems to follow hard on my tail? And first thing I know, I am down and it’s a knockout.
My heart and my mind desire to do well in my Christian walk. I’ve always said that I didn’t want the ministry of pew warming but to be in Gideon’s army where few dare to go as it is not a very comfortable place to be. I do like a good fight. I’m always on the underdogs side. I do want to hear God say at the end of the race, “Well done good and faithful servant”. After 40+ years as a Christian, you can’t help but look back especially with a birthday coming up. I question the Lord with “How am I doing”? He always says “GREAT” with such enthusiasm but I don’t always jump on the wagon that says “Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit” says the Lord of Host (Zechariah 4:6). So I cry to Him: HELP ME LORD!
This week in my Bible reading and studying I’ve been asking the Lord to show me His ways, His desire, His destiny for my life. In this season of “stay at home” I have had a lot of time to read and to search, study and to seek this God whom I serve and love with all my heart and call my Lord. I’ve searched my heart and ask the Lord to show me “my ways”.
Well let’s put it this way. My way is not very good and He allowed me to see how easily I can be deceived and needed to repent. I even did a word study on the word “REPENT” because that word just didn’t sit right with me. What does that mean really? Cry and wail before God for the bad things I’ve done? Yes, there’s some of that but what about His grace? That is also true. The word “Repent” I found out means to “change my mind” to “turn away”, “reconsider”, “think differently”, “regret for doing wrong or causing pain”. Repentance is a gift from God and I should constantly be in a state of repentance as the Holy Spirit inside of me convicts me on a recurring basis. It’s not to bring condemnation because that is why Jesus died but to quicken us into continual and delightful fellowship with Him. It’s not about me and my opinion anyway. He is molding me, melting me, crushing me and growing me into Jesus, more and more each day. He is making me to recognized that no matter what comes my way I have to sow fruits worthy of Him and not the junk that comes my way and makes my skin crawl–the injustices, the hate, the murders, the deceit, the lies. He knows all about that and He is still in charge, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. None of it takes Him by surprise.
Bottom line is I just have to keep farming, trust Him and I will reap the fruit that I sow, good fruit, for His glory.
There is nothing that thrills my heart as much as the thought that Jesus is coming back for me. Not only me but all those who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. His followers trust Him.
What He says is truth so if He said He was coming back there is no doubt in my mind that He is. The signs are all around us and the Word of God that was prophesied is all lining up together.
In the midst of our struggles we need to remember that we are but passing through here and that our citizenship is not from here.
So hang on a little less to all the things and stuff that fills your life.
Remember that we are but a breath away from eternity. So if life gets though then what?
For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. (Romans 14:8)
That pretty well sums it all. Don’t fret what’s going on. Trust the Lord and believe it when He says: “I’ll be back”.
If you are not a follower of Christ then I ask you; Why not? You see the darkness all around. It’s getting worst not better. It’s never going back to normal. Don’t believe that lie. Christ is coming back soon, very soon. You don’t want to miss Him because if you think it’s tough now you won’t like what’s ahead. Read the book of Revelation. Here’s how to secure your retirement place because you know eternity is a long, long time. Don’t miss it!
Visit jdfarg.org for more info about what’s going on and where it’s all heading.
It’s not rocket science. The word of God tells us that we need to believe in the Son of God–Jesus. There is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved. Why has the name of Jesus been so hated for millennia? Just like Trump has been hated by people who don’t know him but are following hear say and don’t personally know the man. I’m rather puzzled by that considering that none of us can say that our life has been perfect. We all have cobwebs somewhere that we are not proud of. But Jesus on the other hand told us that we would be hated because they hated him. The difference here is that we can know Him and speak with Him because of the Holy Spirit. We have large historical evidence of His earthly ministry.
And then I hear the skeptic saying Oh right! you speak with Jesus! But yet they are the first one to go to a card reader or fortune teller and want to hear a dearly departed and believe all that they are told as if it was Gospel truth. Pun intended.
My response here is to ask that you would check the evidences. You can’t profess that you don’t want Christ if you don’t know who He is, what He has done and what He is offering if you never read His Word .
Don’t be fooled by the narrative of a world which is falling apart at the seam. It is all lining up with the books of Daniel, Jeremiah and Revelation and few other places in the Bible.
I love the quote by Dr. Wayne Dyer: “The ultimate ignorance is the rejection of something you know nothing about”.
Don’t be that person. Check it out for yourself with an open mind and heart.
Jesus loves you, for the Bible tells you so. That’s why He died for you.
Where are you at these days? Does it seem like one day just melt into the next or is it with one chaos after another? These are certainly difficult days but take courage my friend the best is yet to come. Yes, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that light is Jesus Christ. He has told us that He would return for those that are looking for Him. Are you looking? Do you even know what to look for? Have you lost hope or never had any hope for humanity. We are a sad bunch but take courage and take heart. Jesus loves you and I so much that He made a way out of all this by dying on the cross for us. He has a hope and a future for us that is out of this world you might say. Yes, He wants us to live with Him forever and He has opened the door for us to get to His place. He wants to be our refuge, where we run to for help in times of need.
Ask Him to come into your heart. Turn from your sins and call upon His name, Jesus, and you will be saved. That is a promise that He has made to us. Something good is about to happen to those who are waiting for His return. Don’t miss out!
The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jer.31.3.NKJV
You can rest upon His Word when He says that He loves you, God means it. Those are not words just tossed about to make you feel good. No, they are sincere and true. They are based on God’s character and not on what you do or don’t do. When you know that God loves you for who you are then you no longer have to prove your worth to anyone else. It frees you from all that has held you back. He loves you. Now let Him draw you into His arms of love.
In these times of uncertainty it is easy to fall prey to the spirit of fear but know that God has spoken to us: “Fear not”. “Fear not” is in the Bible 365 times. Once for each day of the year. Do not fear is pretty straight forward. We are also told that perfect love casts out all fears. We do not need to fear today or tomorrow because our Lord holds tomorrow in His hands. He is more than able to carry you and to keep you and to protect you and to provide for you. He loves you so much that He sent His only Son so that you would have life, life abundantly. Only Jesus can still the storms of your life and of your heart. Fear not. Look to Him and trust that He will watch over you.
The Promise 
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