The cross looked like utter defeat, but it was the greatest coup to be seen. God masterminded the redemption of mankind and the devil played right into it. He thought if he killed the Son of God, he would win. It didn't work out that way.
So it will be again. As God's plan unfolds for the end of these days, it will look like utter defeat for us, but it will be the greatest coup ever!
Don't give up. Hold on to God's guiding Hand. He knows exactly what He is doing and He will not fail.
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Friday, February 14, 2020
Allegiance
In days gone by in Scotland and other places, mainly in the British Isles, there were lords and liege lords. A lord or entity would pledge his allegience to a more powerful lord (liege lord) in exchange for protection. His property and people and his very life were at the command of the liege lord.
That's where we get the "allegiance" part of the salute to the flag. We owe allegiance to a nation that protects us and we pledge to give our goods and even our lives if required for the good of that nation.
We who are redeemed pledge our allegiance to a greater Lord, the Lamb of God. That means we agree to give whatever he requires in the battles that come along, even our very lives.
Have you pledged allegiance to the Lord of all lords? Are you ready and willing to go into battle?
Darkness is coming over our land; we know that. Our battles will soon be fought on the foreign soil of demonic hatred. it's impossible for us to ready ourselves alone; we must rely on God to guide us in every way. Our only task is to seek His face and His guidance and then to act on what He has shown us.
We are running out of time to learn that.
That's where we get the "allegiance" part of the salute to the flag. We owe allegiance to a nation that protects us and we pledge to give our goods and even our lives if required for the good of that nation.
We who are redeemed pledge our allegiance to a greater Lord, the Lamb of God. That means we agree to give whatever he requires in the battles that come along, even our very lives.
Have you pledged allegiance to the Lord of all lords? Are you ready and willing to go into battle?
Darkness is coming over our land; we know that. Our battles will soon be fought on the foreign soil of demonic hatred. it's impossible for us to ready ourselves alone; we must rely on God to guide us in every way. Our only task is to seek His face and His guidance and then to act on what He has shown us.
We are running out of time to learn that.
Friday, January 17, 2020
A New Heaven and a New Earth
The Apostle Peter wrote that the heavens will be destroyed with a great noise and great heat and everything on this earth will be burned up. That's quite a picture, isn't it?
I wonder if we actually believe it. We talk fearfully of super volcanoes and earthquakes and polar shifts and even asteroids, but what about the one thing that will change everything?
Peter also says this will happen "as a thief in the night" and if we take that literally, and remember Jesus' words "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." (Matthew 23:35) then we have to believe that some day in the not too distant future, there will be a calamity so huge that the earth and everything in it, including humans, will be destroyed.
We can trust God completely through this, because He is waiting for the perfect time to rescue us and take us to our new home. This new home is real. We will see a new sky above us, with new stars and maybe a new sun. We will be on a new planet of sorts, created by God especially for us. (John 14: 2-3)
Will that "planet" be like this one? No, I don't think so. It will hold a form of life that we partake in right now but we understand so little of. God may recover and renew our bodies but we will be much more than we are now because we will be like Him and then we will know what we are.
John 1 3:2 says,
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
Knowing these things, that the earth and everything in it will be destroyed, why do we spend our lives chasing after what the world offers? In a second, "in the twinkling of an eye" (I Corinthians 15:2) it's going to all be gone. Only what is in Christ will remain.
I wonder if we actually believe it. We talk fearfully of super volcanoes and earthquakes and polar shifts and even asteroids, but what about the one thing that will change everything?
Peter also says this will happen "as a thief in the night" and if we take that literally, and remember Jesus' words "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." (Matthew 23:35) then we have to believe that some day in the not too distant future, there will be a calamity so huge that the earth and everything in it, including humans, will be destroyed.
We can trust God completely through this, because He is waiting for the perfect time to rescue us and take us to our new home. This new home is real. We will see a new sky above us, with new stars and maybe a new sun. We will be on a new planet of sorts, created by God especially for us. (John 14: 2-3)
Will that "planet" be like this one? No, I don't think so. It will hold a form of life that we partake in right now but we understand so little of. God may recover and renew our bodies but we will be much more than we are now because we will be like Him and then we will know what we are.
John 1 3:2 says,
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
Knowing these things, that the earth and everything in it will be destroyed, why do we spend our lives chasing after what the world offers? In a second, "in the twinkling of an eye" (I Corinthians 15:2) it's going to all be gone. Only what is in Christ will remain.
Friday, December 20, 2019
God owns the past
Do you find yourself hung up on things from the past? Are there things that still bother you? Still bring a tear to your eyes? Are there hints of anger or shame that come at you from the past?
Did you know that the past isn't yours any more? When Jesus took your sins, He took your mistakes, your shames, your hurt, your pain. He already took the guilt that bothers you for not doing what you think you should have done as well as for what you did that you shouldn't have done.
The past belongs to God. Don't try to hold it away from Him. Give it up, put it down. Turn loose. It's not yours.
Did you know that the past isn't yours any more? When Jesus took your sins, He took your mistakes, your shames, your hurt, your pain. He already took the guilt that bothers you for not doing what you think you should have done as well as for what you did that you shouldn't have done.
The past belongs to God. Don't try to hold it away from Him. Give it up, put it down. Turn loose. It's not yours.
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
What God Called You to Be
Acts: 19:11-13
Paul was called to a unique ministry. His very presence made people expect miracles and cloths he had touched were taken to those who were sick or had evil spirits and they were healed. How wonderfully God used this man!
We look at this today and some think that because Paul was that way, they can be, too. They want to be like Paul, and indeed God might have called them to heal people and do other miracles through them, but God didn't call anyone but Paul to be Paul.
He called you to be you. What He has for you is right for you.
If you want to be a part of the kingdom of God, then "take up your cross" - accept the role God has given you and don't try to carry someone else's.
Paul was called to a unique ministry. His very presence made people expect miracles and cloths he had touched were taken to those who were sick or had evil spirits and they were healed. How wonderfully God used this man!
We look at this today and some think that because Paul was that way, they can be, too. They want to be like Paul, and indeed God might have called them to heal people and do other miracles through them, but God didn't call anyone but Paul to be Paul.
He called you to be you. What He has for you is right for you.
If you want to be a part of the kingdom of God, then "take up your cross" - accept the role God has given you and don't try to carry someone else's.
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Not Just Theory
Many of the things our teachers and preachers have told us have been, for the church in the USA especially, theoretical. We know them in our heads and we quote them and we do believe them... but not for real. We have not been tested so we don't really know.
I was reading the Gospel of John, chapter 12 and came to these verses:
Nevertheless, even among the rulers, many believed on Him, but because of the Pharisees, they did not confess Him lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
John 12:42-43, NKJV
In this age, we are drawing near the end of things, if not the world itself, then nations. Critical changes in nations are beginning to happen with godless men and women forcing their way into our cultures and systems. There seems to be no room for common politeness or good manners as people curse each other, scream and lie and carry on like demons themselves.
I don't have to tell you all of this, but the point is that there will very likely be a time in your life time and possibly very soon now, that you will have to decide. Do you love the praise of men more than the praise of God? For real, I mean.
If you are in a meeting and you know you should speak up but you know that no one will believe you when you speak of God, will you speak anyway? If you're having a fun, comfortable get together with your family but the talk has turned to subjects Christians don't agree with, will you speak up, or keep silent?
Things to think about. The curtains are beginning to come down and we must hold out until the end.
I was reading the Gospel of John, chapter 12 and came to these verses:
Nevertheless, even among the rulers, many believed on Him, but because of the Pharisees, they did not confess Him lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
John 12:42-43, NKJV
In this age, we are drawing near the end of things, if not the world itself, then nations. Critical changes in nations are beginning to happen with godless men and women forcing their way into our cultures and systems. There seems to be no room for common politeness or good manners as people curse each other, scream and lie and carry on like demons themselves.
I don't have to tell you all of this, but the point is that there will very likely be a time in your life time and possibly very soon now, that you will have to decide. Do you love the praise of men more than the praise of God? For real, I mean.
If you are in a meeting and you know you should speak up but you know that no one will believe you when you speak of God, will you speak anyway? If you're having a fun, comfortable get together with your family but the talk has turned to subjects Christians don't agree with, will you speak up, or keep silent?
Things to think about. The curtains are beginning to come down and we must hold out until the end.
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Embrace the life you have.
Embrace the life you have. There is none other.
In Phillipians 4:11 and 12, Paul says:
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
This seems easy to understand with our heads, but not so much with our hearts. Are we truly content with what we have, in whatever state we are? I, for one, have always been discontent in a way. Always striving for something more, something better, something different. How about you?
Embracing the lives we have brings us joy and strength. We are embracing what God has for us. Is there anything better than that?
In Phillipians 4:11 and 12, Paul says:
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
This seems easy to understand with our heads, but not so much with our hearts. Are we truly content with what we have, in whatever state we are? I, for one, have always been discontent in a way. Always striving for something more, something better, something different. How about you?
Embracing the lives we have brings us joy and strength. We are embracing what God has for us. Is there anything better than that?
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