How Close

Its been preached for 2,000 years. The subject at hand has been broadcasted throughout everywhere and in every place. Its been in to many books to mention. Yet, we must admit. Not like now. Not like today. We are seeing things that have never been seen. And they all are pointing to the soon coming of the Lord.

March 26^th 2018, Their priests, the Sanhedrin with the government’s permission sacrificed a lamb closer to the temple mount than ever in this modern time.

August 28^th, 2018 a red heifer was born and has the green light to be the one to be sacrificed as Israel prepares for the purification of the third temple.

Dec 10^th, 2018 the altar was dedicated for the use of animal sacrifices to resume since the destruction of the temple is 70 A.D.

Unprecedented is our times. Today. This isn’t future. This is today. Preparations have and are being made now.

·        What’s on our minds?

·        Where are our thoughts?

The so called spiritual among us.

·        What is our motivation?

·        What is it that has our worship?

The world will always be the world. They will be caught asleep. The world will be caught in ignorance. Like a thief that comes under the guise of darkness.

Jesus said, and I find this of the world HE died for. Jesus makes mention of two groups of people.

John 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.  KJV

Those Jesus said HE prays for, and those HE does not pray for. (THE CHURCH--- HE PRAYS FOR…) (THE WORLD---HE DOESN’T PRAY FOR…)

How do we see it? Why should we then pray for that which Jesus says, HE doesn’t and will not pray for?

We find ourselves seeking and praying for a world that Jesus is not going to save. When the bible does declare to us how to fix our personal world.

2 Chron 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.    KJV

This is no doubt written to the nation of Israel. But still the principle is true. IF WE SEEK HIS FACE. What we should be in prayer for. We must (SEEK HIS FACE… SEEK AFTER HIM… WORSHIP HIM… LOVE HIM… SEEK HIS HOLINESS… GO AFTER WHAT HE LOVES AND TURN FROM WHAT HE HATES…)

The fix is not in praying for the world. The fix is seeking HIM. The greatest commandment Jesus gave was the first.

Matt 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.    KJV

The world is imploding. The world has no hope.

Satan is the prince and power of the air. He is the god of this present world.

Look closely. Jesus Himself said to “watch and pray.” Be intent in seeing the world for what it is. One could go off on a tangent and give news article after news article. Always something evil. Wickedness walks every street. Hangs out on every corner. It’s in every school. Walking into places of worship. On and on, everywhere. All is fulfilling the word of GOD. “Perilous (dangerous) times” aren’t coming there here. Each event mentioned has not made the news.

While the world sleeps. Israel is preparing for what they believe to be their coming messiah.

No one is talking about it on the mainstream news. Neither are the political commentators of talk radio. Jesus is coming not for a world but for a people that is called by HIS name. A people that have made themselves ready. A holy people, a prayerful and watchful people. A people that has not forsaken of coming together for the purpose of loving and worshipping HIM. HIS CHURCH… HIS BRIDE… FILLED WITH THE OIL OF THE HOLY GHOST… LOOKING FOR HIM…

LOOK THE CHURCH IS ABOUT TO GO AS SOMEONE SAID, “VERTICAL…”

 

A Departure

 

To depart from anything is to give effort in leaving one thing to embrace another. After all, one can not leave one thing or place and not arrive to another thing or place of destination. This is certainly true even if one’s destination hasn’t been chosen as they leave. All arrive somewhere. Even if unintended.

All that leave will arrive. It’s this (SAD DEPARTURE) of truth that is so disturbing. Its living absent, of the BIBLE that is sadly being more and more the norm of this present day.

How in this day have we gotten here? Sadly, someone left. And that someone arrived. They arrived at a place that no longer even resembles the church as GOD built.

Ephesus in Jesus’ personal letter to the seven churches. The BIBLE reads that of Ephesus simply left.

Statistically speaking, “the church” today is decreasing. We should ask why? We should be open enough to want to see the reason or reasons. As you read this, you probably already picked up on my use of the word “church.” I use this loosely or at least as its defined by the religious. Those who say they’re the church. This of course without anything that shows the real church in what she is to look like, act like, and be like.

If you are familiar with the church in its past to its existence today. Surely, we would admit that we can all see the difference.

The so called “church today” is seen with its much more modern conveniences. Its seen today with its desire of creating a greater draw.

Its colored lights. Its coffee shops and popcorn snacks in its foyers. Its comfortable in seating, and parking. It has daycares and nurseries for the little ones. Its seen in its progression in music and singing. The hymn book and songs of a promised heaven has to some delightfully been discarded as an ancient relic of the past.

Sports has weirdly I might add has become part of the “church of today.” It’s seemingly nothing to have a movie night, a super bowl Sunday, and even an MMA event in “today’s church.”

Why? And to what purpose? How did we arrive to such a place as this? What are the possible answers to this question? Please, allow me to look at this closer.

1)     Has the decrease in attendance scared us so that we have to lower our standard and our spirituality to get any in the pew?

2)     Has the low crowd diminished in its social status; thereby creating the exodus?

3)     Is it possible that we think that we are taking the church out of the dark ages and becoming more relevant to our world today?

4)     Is it perhaps the thought that the “church today” needs a face left so it can be more tolerant, accepting, and comfortable to “today’s Christian?”

5)     Is it possible that the feeling, is the lack of money?

6)     Could it be the church today lacks in spiritual power and authority and thereby must reach for things to make it seem as though it has not?

7)     Could the answer be more closely related to the lack of preaching against sin and satan?

Is the answer in making the church more relevant today thereby causing the changing of its look, feel, and operation of what used to define “the church?”

What is your assessment? Is any of these as listed close to perhaps the truth of what is happening in this present generation?

We are seeing walls torn down. We are seeing a dismantling of norms piece by piece in the “church.”  

Do we have the answer? Do we even know the answer? Do we want to know the answer?

We could all walk down this road and perhaps come up with more questions than answers. Or yet answers that don’t really give the true answer to these questions. However, I would say that if we know what the church looked like and acted like in the day of its infancy. I believe history along with the BIBLE can answer this question. If the church preached the message they preached? If the church practiced the message they preached then the answer shouldn’t be so hard to arrive to.

Acts 4:31 And when they (the church) had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.      KJV

CAN THE CHURCH BE WHAT THE CHURCH WAS WHEN IT CAME TO BE?

Is that not the question? One perhaps would answer. Why can’t we do and be all that with all of what we are doing? Is this not the same question that Paul asked of the Galatans?

NEVER HAS ONE STARTED OFF WITH A CARNAL MEANS AND METHOD AND ARRIVED TOO A SPIRITUAL GOD GIVEN PLACE AND DESTINATION. AND VICE VERSA. ONE CANNOT START OUT IN THE SPIRIT AND SUDDENLY THINK AS THE GALATIANS. COME TO THE THOUGHT OF BEING PERFECTED BY THE FLESH.

Even Paul asked this of the Galatian’s.

Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?    KJV

Any denomination, organization, congregation, individual that thinks the flesh is going to get them to a greater spiritual place with GOD. If their thinking they are going to be more spiritual by such compromise, tolerance, and calling sin grace. They will find themselves as all such churches that thought the same.

·        Ephesus- left…

·        Sardis- was dead and dying…

·        Thyatira- was in allowing sin to exist alongside…

·        Pergamos- was in such sin, they even made a place for satan’s throne…

·        Laodicea- the worst of all simply called their sin grace...

This was all a lie of course and that is one thing they all had in common… All were deceived into the believing of a lie…

This departure got them to what we see in the so called “church today.” That is a non-effective and ultimately non-existent “church” that simply pretended at being the “church.”

Thank you for reading

 

PS. The church lives or dies by its faithfulness to the truth of the word of GOD.

The truth of this is found in the “church” of Scotland. In 1956 its recorded that they had 1.25 million members and 2,200 congregations. In 2015, the “church” of Scotland had fewer than 400,000 members and down approximately 800 ministers serving 1,400 congregations. This happened all because they thought that had to move with the times. And thus, moved off the moral standing of the word of GOD.

The sad truth of the departure of the word of GOD. And it’s everywhere.

 

Thank you again for reading my ramblings.

For Every No

There is a verse of scripture and its far from ordinary. It is different in its comparison to most others. It is perhaps never looked at. Why would it? For It has no promise of blessing. There is no promised miracle that appears from it.  Really just the opposite. It perhaps creates question rather than gives answer.

This word that GOD breathed and gave inspiration to. After all, while it may be out of the way and hard to understand. We cannot just throw it away. We cannot and must not discard it as though it has no value to it. Yet, how strange it is. This we know, it is the word of GOD. And that should suffice.

2 Tim 4:20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.    KJV

Paul in his last letter he would write. This before his life would end at the hands of Nero. Paul I can understand, would want to greet and say goodbye to his friends. No doubt, we would be the same if we knew that our last breath was about to be taken from us, as Paul’s was. We would absolutely want to bid our farewells. Give our love. And of course, encourage those; if we like Paul were forced to our death.

So, this is stated as such in Paul’s last book, in three verses from the end of the last chapter. Paul with and with his days, hours and minutes winding down. He did what I believe what we all would want to do. That is to have a chance to pray and to remember and express our love in our end.  

This is Paul’s day. He’s in prison. His eyes are now dim. His health has and is deteriorating by the day. He knows what’s ahead of him. We can know Paul has made his calling and election sure and he is ready to depart and be with Christ. He is actually looking forward to what is in front of him.

So, I pull this verse out of Paul’s last chapter of his last and final letter and point out his last words. Yes, he mentions many names, but only one mentioned does he give us a glimpse of. Trophimus. Three times mentioned… Acts 20:4 and Acts 21:29 and yes, here in this letter to Timothy.

What we know of this one man is vague. Yet, we know some. He is an Ephesian. He is a gentile believer. He has obeyed the gospel. He has and is a fellow laborer in the kingdom of GOD. He was no doubt converted in a day that Paul preached. A day and time when Asia minor, was turned upside down. There was this man who was most likely a worshipper of idols. It was he through the preaching of the word of GOD. Perhaps even Paul’s preaching, decided to put away the goddess Diana. He concluded; that Emperor worship, and the worship of Greek gods and goddesses was false and error. Trophimus came to know through the preached word of GOD these idols were not the one true GOD.

And the astounding word for this man of faith that Paul knows and has labored beside is this description that Paul with anointing and with wisdom states… (I LEFT TROPHIMUS AT MILETUM SICK.)

Paul the healer. The one whose shadow and garment when touched gave healing and deliverance to so many. Even devils trembled. The devils even confessed that they knew Paul. The world in his day and time knew Paul. People of renown knew Paul. King Agrippa, Felix the governor. Paul wasn’t a stranger to miracles, signs and wonders. In fact, they followed him. Paul was known by them. That is save this one particular day. Trophimus was left behind. Paul had to go on without him.

Surely Paul prayed for him. Would he not? His friend, and fellow servant in the gospel. Probably like Timothy a son in the LORD. Paul would not leave his side unless necessary. Do you think that Trophimus made the prayer list at church? How sick was he? Sick enough he couldn’t go on. Sick enough that we never hear of him again. Did he die? Was Trophimus’ sickness unto death? We don’t know. What we do know is this. GOD said no. No, to this man who did his savior’s work. No, to his deliverance. No, to his healing. Never a miracle recorded in the behalf of this sickness that had invaded the body of a precious brother in the LORD.

Paul along with the faith of Trophimus and the church on that day was denied by heaven. NOPE; NOT TODAY!!!

Paul who was told yes, so many times before. He healed many. That is yes. He was delivered from snake bite, from shipwreck, from stoning, from cold and nakedness. These and more Paul had received the yes of heaven. But this verse sandwiched among all his epistles. Paul here; is told no.

I know Paul was told no before. He prayed not once or twice but three times over a thorn that caused him much pain and suffering. A thorn that GOD had evidently ignored. GOD never addressed it. That is until Paul kept praying about it. Even then the word that Paul so desperately wanted to hear was denied him. No, No, and No and the word Paul did hear was “my grace is sufficient for thee.” That I believe, we can conclude was not the word that Paul was praying or hoping to hear.

Paul went on. Paul resigned. Paul said ok GOD. “You know what’s best for me.” Paul was told no, no and no. And Paul said, its time for me to move on and pray for others and other things. And Paul lets us know. I left my friend. I had to leave my fellow soldier behind. I had to leave my brother.

Did Paul ever see him again? Its doubtful that he did.

I know there are so many today and they are praying and praying. Loved ones have cancer. Loved ones lost. Loved ones hurting. Life has showed up and has reminded us that life can be so full of sorrow. Tears seem to be your only friend. And like Paul saying bye to friend or friends. Often, we like Paul. Say goodbye to those in this life we never see again.

How could Paul go on? Very easy when Paul could look around and see more yes’s and more blessings and greater things in GOD than the no’s that he was given.

What I am saying is this. All of us are going to hear a no from heaven some point and time. And there will be a demand on you and I in how we respond to that no.

·        Will it be bitterness?

·        Will it be quitting?

·        Will it be I’m tired of this?

·        Will it be blame placed on another? Somebody else’s fault?

·        Will it be I want it to end, and I don’t care how?

All I say is this. There is a yes from GOD that is greater than HIS no.

·        Yes, I can be forgiven.

·        Yes, I can be delivered.

·        Yes, I can make it because I have made it before. (HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT.)

·        Yes, I have received HIS Spirit. Yes, HE loves me this I know.

There is a guarantee. Yes, it is, its absolutely true. There is sorrow and much of it. But don’t forget while the NO, may be there. There is another yes from heaven on the way.

Ps 30:5 …weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.    KJV

Paul, Trophimus the answer is no. Keep looking though. Don’t get high centered on the no. There is a yes in the way.

·        Joseph’s dream… But his brothers said no.

·        Joseph’s dream… But the pit said no.

·        Josephs dream… But the Midianites said no.

·        Joseph’s dream… But Potiphar’s wife said no.

·        Joseph’s dream… And the prison shouted no.

·        Joseph’s dream… And No says your forgotten Joseph.

·        Joseph’s dream… And the palace said yes…

·        Joseph’s dream… And his brethren said yes…

·        Joseph’s dream… And Jacob (dad) said yes.

·        Joseph’s dream… And heaven says, didn’t I say yes before you heard all the no’s?

LOOK AROUND HE IS SAYING YES… FOR EVERY NO IN HIS RESPONSE HERE… I BELIEVE HE IS SAYING YES OVER THERE.

Thank you for reading… May GOD bless you.

 

As a Thief

Christ’s soon return is not like He can be missed. And yet, that is exactly what happens. It would seem like it would be impossible to miss such an event as HIS return. The whole bible culminates and concludes with HIS return. Although, I don’t think that it can be said enough. I say that because the bible speaks of such warning, time and time again. Even Jesus describes what it will be like.

Matt 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come

43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.   KJV

This is the description of the LORD Himself. Even this language is repeated not just once but several times. Peter said it like this with again the same description.

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

Paul also used the same language.

1 Thess 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.    KJV

Not focusing on each setting or even the context as to why it’s given. But the emphasis is on (HOW JESUS IS GOING TO COME.) “As a thief.”

The thief knows the art of surprise. Because in doing so, the thief has the greatest of opportunity in getting away. The thief knows to use the cover of darkness to perpetrate his crime and use the darkness to mask his getaway.

The description of each writer is (AS A THIEF.) However, not so that Jesus can catch all unaware and surprise so many can be lost. Its just the opposite. Jesus says, how HIS coming will be. HE plainly says, “AS A THIEF.”  The fact is, Jesus rather gives us this as a warning. We are to know how HE IS COMING.

Jesus tells how HE is going to come. Peter and Paul repeat it. And not to leave without one last warning. Jesus has John on the isle called Patmos record for us again in the 66^th and final book of the bible.

Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.   KJV

This was to Sardis. One of the seven churches that Jesus writes and visits specifically. Sardis the dead church. This warning is not unbelievers but to the believers. It was those who followed HIM. Believers. To those who Peter and Paul warned. Believers. The church.

Don’t be flabbergasted that the world misses HIM. The world will always miss HIM. Always has and always will. That is until it’s too late. When HE sound’s HIS trump and with a shout, “the dead in Christ and those that are alive and remain shall be caught up to meet HIM in the air”. Its worth noting that all these warnings were to those that believed.

Jesus even gives us the story of the 10 virgins. All represent the church. All were virgins, all dressed, all ready. Each knew how to look. Yet, only 5 went because when the bride groom came HE came in the night when the demand of preparedness is the highest. One must have oil for light to reveal the bridegroom. Again, (AS A THIEF.)

I’m reminded just the other day. October the third. Out of nowhere, unexpectedly my phone and perhaps yours as well began to sound an alarm. Surely, we all have had our phone make that certain sound. Usually it’s due to weather, a storm or perhaps an “Amber or Silver Alert.” But on this October day. That sound, an alert and note the first of its kind. Some, perhaps just passively looked at it. Maybe, some didn’t think twice about it. Maybe you that are reading this has already forgotten it. But just to remind you, this is what it said. “Presidential Alert, 1:18 pm. THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System.” And then the words. “No action needed.”

If you don’t know the purpose of the above said alert. Its all about preparation. A warning to take precautions in case as one said for the purpose of; “incoming missiles, terrorist threats, or ANY OTHER PUBLIC PERIL.” A TIME WHEN ACTION IS NEEDED.

This is by most forgotten by now. However, I remind you not of what could happen, but what is going to happen. The alarms are sounding. The end-times are not coming they are here. Jesus is soon to RETURN. And HE said, what its going to be like when HE DOES RETURN. HE’S GOING TO COME AND TO MOST IT WILL BE AS A THIEF, BUT ONLY BECAUSE MOST WILL NOT BE GIVING ATTENTION. HE’S COMING LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT.

Thank you for reading.

 

 

 

Rapture

 

I know this seems to be lost in the shuffle of life today. However, an alarm must be sounded. Notification of the rapture of the church is and must be imminent. I know this is something that has been said, and over and over again. However, should we ignore it just because it’s a message that has been preached going on now, for 2,000 years? Should we all toss this away just because its something that has been spoken of by numerous people and numerous preachers and authors, through each generation?

Jesus made us aware of it and to the point that the messages we do have of Jesus had much to do with HIS return.

Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.     KJV

This was sounded just as soon as HE ascended to heaven. This didn’t come a day or two later. This was spoken immediately. And it is worth noting, it was spoken by one who was a resident of heaven. An angel of the LORD.

Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.    KJV

It is apparent that those that are looking for HIM are the ones who will see HIM.

From a biblical perspective. It has been said, that if you were to take the subject matter of “the coming of the LORD Jesus Christ.” This subject being mentioned in just the New Testament alone would be like our reading this for every thirty scriptures read. To break this down, if you were traveling down the highway. It would be like a sign, a billboard for every thirty miles proclaiming, “JESUS IS COMING.” If Jesus put that in HIS word with that much regularity. I believe I can say, Jesus wanted someone to know about it. So much so, that when HE did come He didn’t want them to be caught off guard. The Lord seems to be saying don’t be caught by surprise. One may like surprises but that isn’t one that I would look forward to getting. Unfortunately, the Bible is clear, more will be surprised that those who are not. Because of one thing really. They simply are not looking.

Be ready, Jesus is coming.

Twisted

 

2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.    KJV

I call this “Twisted,” because of the word “wrest” as is noted in this passage. We don’t use this word “wrested” in our everyday speech today. “Twisted.” It’s an apt description of what is happening today. While this was a pervasive spirit in Peter and Paul’s day. This spirit has become magnified even greater with each following generation.

Peter said it was going on in his day. There were individuals that were as he puts it, “wresting” or as we say “twisting” the word of GOD. With the result being to, “their own destruction.”

How does one arrive to such a place? A question with perhaps many answers or at least possibly bring forth many opinions.

Let us look at Peter’s reasoning and perhaps conclude it to be the same today. In context Peter is making mention of Paul’s writings being hard to understand. That those who were unstable and unlearned took the writings of Paul and twisted them. Turned them. And as always, prove our ignorance of what we don’t know or what we don’t like. This all so we can manipulate the word to that which we do like. Let’s make the word fit us instead of making ourselves fit the word. Unfortunately forgetting or denying the destination called destruction. Or as one translation calls it, disaster.

2 Peter 3:15 And remember, the Lord is waiting so that people have time to be saved. This is just as our beloved brother Paul wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him — 

16 speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters around to mean something quite different from what he meant, just as they do the other parts of Scripture — and the result is disaster for them.      NLT

This is nothing new. Man has been doing this since the beginning. What is the concern for bringing this up? The answer is simple. We are living in a day where there was once considered “truth.” And due to those who are “twisting” the scriptures. The word is now being re defined to make it acceptable. To make “truth” easier. To make “truth” more refined. To make “truth” more attractive and more relevant today…

What is seen however, is what was once wrong is made right. What was once bad behavior is made good behavior. What was once unlawful is being made lawful.

All aspects of life whether politically, culturally, morally, and even scripturally. All is being challenged. What was once considered a “core value” is being attacked. What was once the bedrock of such principles that defined this nation and its strength. Today we are being pressured to compromise. What was once a foundational “truth” of the word of GOD, now is being wrenched, twisted and turned to the point it goes unrecognized. Until one day you wake up and its never seen as GOD intended it to be.

I can point out the simplicity of what was once a boundary, a line, a fence, a border to never be crossed. Well today is filled with excuses and exceptions. Because there are those who are hard at work to erase every possible boundary of protection and safety.

·    What do you do with nation with no existing boundary, no borders?

·    What do you do with what was once a common language? A language that defined the culture and what it knew was good?

·    What do you do with a religious system that is powerless in pulpit and pew?

·    Do we stick our heads in the sand and tell ourselves, we’re over reacting?

·    Do we just come to the place that we openly deny that such an attack is really going on?

·    Or, do we take it as being too little too late, it’s just the day were living in?

Have we have become desensitized to the place of accepting it?

What do I mean? The borders of Europe have been challenged and they are falling to evil and wicked regimes.

America is being challenged and while some are jailed and imprisoned over nothing. There are others who have been blatant in their boasts, and open disregard to the laws that be. And still yet, they go unchallenged, and without punishment.

What about morally? The abortionist gets bolder along with the anti-marriage crowds. Others continue to walk our streets with their hate speech even attacking the president and family. These and others like them have made inroads into the public schools and colleges of our nation and are setting agendas to the hurt of our children.

The casinos, gambling, pornography, liquor, marijuana, the tattoo parlors all seem to be the lucrative investment opportunities of the day.

Amongst the religious lines, boundaries, and borders that one time defined them for who they were and what they believed are eroding faster and faster. Sin in today’s world is no longer seen as sin, and something that GOD hate

There are no longer scriptures of thought and basis for what is wrong or right. Again the “Ten Commandments” are being removed from the systems of learning. The systems of religious thought are being “twisted” for only of what is “tolerant,” and how devilish and sinful behavior can be made acceptable.   

I borrow the words of one who said. “There be many good young men and women and seasoned saints that feel cheated and betrayed. Some become angry. Others quietly carry a deep hurt when they see the ungodly who openly flaunt their cool mockery of holiness and righteous living, yet despite the unfaithfulness, continue unreproved.”

God forbid that we sleep in a day that demands our willingness to confront this evil day. Let the church be seen as it always has been contending for the one who is HOLY. And yes, for what HE has already defined for us as to what HE is pleased and not pleased with.

God forbid that we stand by as those that are going about twisting and turning GOD’S grace to that which is unrecognizable for their own gain.

As someone said, “all it takes for evil to triumph is for a good men to do nothing”

I take it to where it really is. All it takes is for evil to triumph is the church to do nothing. Don’t pray, don’t fast, don’t stand, don’t speak.

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.     KJV

 

The View

 

How do you see it?

How do you want to see it?

How others see it, is in-consequential. Especially if how you see it how GOD sees it.

The view matters. Think of the saying Jesus gives of the 2 in the building of their house. The one builds his house on the sand. This we know without the coming storm in mind.

Matt 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.    KJV

Another translation reads…

Matt 7:26 But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 

27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash."      NLT

How our day turns out when trouble comes, is determined for how we planned for it. Often, there are tests that come to see what we are made of. The problem with that is this. Until pressure comes we don’t often know what we are made of.

Life without pressure is as we all know, no such thing.

Yet, having the view to see the day of such a storm coming gives us the knowledge and understanding to plan for it… This is of course if we take the correct view. Because having the correct veiw gives us the ability to know to prepare for it in advance.

Too many of us at a time when the crash of a storm comes we are often left with the shambles from the aftermath of the storm. No matter that we didn’t see it coming. No matter that we failed to see the looming clouds. No matter that we were deceived into seeing things other than its warning signs, simply because of our own distractions.  

Here is what I have found. Most people do not intentionally seek to build on things that are false. Many people are headed for destruction, not because they were intent on being swept out to sea. Or they desired to suffer the loss of everything. I don’t see people refusing to see as they should. Just hoping one day that the storm will come and claim everything they have and what they labored so hard to build. I don’t see those that started out in stubbornness, so they can be labeled as one who has lost because they thought they were right. I don’t believe its people willful in shirking their responsibility, for the sake of what they think is a good thing. I don’t see folks refusing to take caution in the building and the protecting of their lives and those who they love, because they think that’s a good thing. I don’t see people intending to build a foundation for their children and grandchildren’s lives on the sand for the sake of them having it all swept away.

I think it is this one thing. They don’t see it. They don’t have the view not because their hearts are set on being lost. Nope, one thing. That is this, they are thoughtless. They just to put it simply, didn’t think about it. To be lost over ignorance. There is such a thing. The guy who built on the sand he could claim ignorance all he wanted, it did not, and it would not reclaim what the storm had come and taken.

Surely, people have had the storm winds come and blow upon them and their loved ones. Surely life is at times seem to have been unfair. But was it unfair to the man that built his house on the sand without the question or a plan for a possible storm one day?

We all have had doors slammed in our faces. Life has dealt us all unforeseen things that we could easily choose to see as rejection to us. But what was the view you had when it came? Where did it leave you?

·        Are you still the victim and as recourse you chose to react by crying over what the storm took?

·        Are you still playing the victim card with pity party’s that only you come to?

·        Or did the storm leave in its wake one who is angry or frustrated over those that did not come by to help with your storm?  

Can we see it as a means of not rejection but a re direction? We have often thought. I am headed to a good place and suddenly out of nowhere the bus we never saw comes through our intersection. How often the story would be different if we could see it as to how GOD wants us to tell it.  

Yes, the storm came and while I have suffered the loss of some stuff and I have a few bruises because of it. Of all the things I thought I would have, I was thoughtless. I was careless. My foundation was shallow. I was on the sand with no thought of a coming storm. However. I have learned, that the fella down the road whose foundation is on the rock. He’s fixing to get a new neighbor. I don’t see this storm rejecting me I see my storm re directing me.

How do you see it? What have you built on? Are you aware of the coming storm clouds? Perhaps your on the other side of it. How do you see it now?

 

 

Triggers

     Triggers         7-7-18

In Warren Buffet’s book authored by Alice Schroder she gives out a secret to a means of Mr. Buffet’s secret to his worldly success in the making of his wealth.  The book starts out with this insight.

In the winter of Warren’s ninth year. Outside in the yard, he and his little sister, Bertie, are playing in the snow.

One is catching snowflakes. One at a time at first. Then he is scooping them out by handfuls. He starts the pack them into a ball. As the snowball grows bigger, he places it on the ground. Slowly it begins to roll. He gives it a push, and it picks up more snow. He pushes the snowball across the lawn, piling snow on snow. Soon he reaches the edge of the yard. After a moment of hesitation, he heads off, rolling the snowball through the neighborhood.

And from there, Warren continues onward, casting his eyes on a whole world full of snow.

In Warren’s case it’s not so much a world covered with snow as it is the world full of money. The book’s name is entitled “Snowball.” It starts here with the comparison of a man that is as of 2018 possesses a networth of 84 billion dollars. It is Mr. Buffet’s accumulation of wealth that is as the “Snowball” that becomes larger with each push. It is here as a nine year old boy reaching the perimeter and safety of his yard and yet with the question, how big can I get this “Snowball” if I get it beyond the border of my yard?  

I see this as Warren’s (TRIGGER.) How many would as a nine year old risk the safety of home, and the leaving the sight of mom and dad to perhaps to his own disobedience and the risk of punishment to answer the question. How big can I get this “Snowball” if I roll this through the neighborhood, through the streets of town?

There was something that brought forth the idea that would later (TRIGGER) the means of the mind of Warren Buffet’s successful journey of gathering and accumulating his wealth.

There is in the bible a character that was also of immense wealth, and yet too he also had a (TRIGGER.)

There was such a huge transformation in him but here it gives us his (TRIGGER) that resulted in also his “Snowball.”

3 And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.

4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.

Solomon it says, (LOVED THE LORD…)

He loved the LORD, not because he said, he loved the LORD… Solomon loved the LORD because he showed he loved the LORD…

Surely we can get into Solomon’s failures and mistakes of a choice that brought him hurt and brought things into his life. In fact if you read this chapter from verse 1 Solomon starts out with a mistake that would later come back to hurt him. Yet, what is noted is this before all of that, Solomon loves the LORD…

A (TRIGGER) that one can see that caused him to receive blessing even though that was not his agenda. Solomon loved the LORD to such a point that unlike this day, Solomon backed it up by his worship. Solomon backed it up by his desire. Solomon backed it up with the effort of leaving home to get to Gibeon to the mountain that Moses had set up as the place of worship. Solomon left and did not leave alone. Solomon took with him the means to worship with a 1,000 offerings and sacrifices to the LORD…

Can you see that Solomon loved the LORD? And because Solomon loved the LORD it (TRIGGERED) a response from heaven that could not be contained.

5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

It brought forth something that came back to Solomon, not in the form of a question but a command. “Ask what I shall give thee.” Heaven had its own (TRIGGER.) Heaven had a response.

* Solomon went to church.

* Solomon went to the place where one goes to worship.

* Solomon went to the place where the results of heaven comes down.

It wasn’t the amount of offerings and sacrifices that mattered it was that there was effort and there was a faith that said.

* Its not because of what I can get.

* Not because of blessing, favor, or promise to obtain.

One reason that (TRIGGERED.) "And Solomon loved the LORD," and he backed it up by showing that yes, he did love the LORD.

One doesn’t see that because they pray at home. The bible doesn’t say that because he stayed home and watched some religious program at home. Its not even stated that he got out the prophets’ writings and read the word in his bedroom. It says that Solomon loved the LORD and he showed it and heaven seen it and then the LORD blessed it. “And what shall I give thee.”

Then Solomon seeing what GOD said, I want a big house… I want a shiny new Harley Davidson… I want a nice car… I want the latest and greatest in fashion… I want the best of appliances… I want a timeshare off of Florida keys. NO!!! Of course not, this isnt what Solomon asked for even though he could have. But there was a (TRIGGER) that was there and the LORD trusted in Solomon because, Solomon loved the LORD.

6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.

9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;

12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.    KJV

TRIGGERS--- What is your motivation? How is your worship? How is your praise, your sacrifice, your offering? How is it you love the LORD? What causes you to get beyond your perimeter to the point of risk? How far will you roll your "Snowball?"

Solomon what? You got to be kidding me. No gold, no silver, no riches, no increase to your kingdom? No greater name or reputation. No vanquishing of all your enemies. Nope, something was in the heart of Solomon and he pulled the (TRIGGER) that day… “And Solomon loved the LORD.” And he packed up and went and made an offering unto the LORD.

Do you love the LORD?

 

Thanks for reading.