We are waiting

Right now, we who believe in JESUS are” WAITING for HIS (GOD the FATHER’s) SON from heaven, whom HE raised from the dead, even JESUS, which delivered us from the WRATH to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10).  For GOD has not appointed us to WRATH, but to obtain salvation by our LORD JESUS CHRIST (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

Now there are 2 kinds of WRATH: the WRATH of GOD and the WRATH of man. 

The WRATH of man can be with or without reason.  The unprovoked WRATH of man was poured out on Israel on October 7^th by men, and a provoked WRATH of man now is being being poured out today by Israel. 

GOD’s WRATH is against sin.  GOD sent HIS SON JESUS to bear all the sin of mankind.  But only those who receive JESUS get placed into JESUS and are forgiven.  If you believe in JESUS GOD has removed your sin so HIS WRATH will not ever touch you.

GOD’s WRATH however is reserved for a specific time period we call the 7-year-Tribulation or Jacob’s trouble and will also include being placed into the everlasting lake of fire (2 Peter 3:7, Revelation 6:16-17, 20:14-15).  But like the burning bush Moses saw, those in the lake of fire will never burn up for their worm (soul) dies not (Mark 9:43-44).

John 3:16 For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish but have eternal life. 36 He that believes on the SON has everlasting life: and he that believes not the SON shall not see life; but the WRATH of GOD remains on him.

Romans 2:5 But after your hardness and impenitent heart treasure up unto yourself WRATH against the day of WRATH and revelation of the righteous judgment of GOD; 

2 Thessalonians 2:10 ^And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Yes, the WRATH of GOD is coming, but cannot occur until believers in JESUS are removed from the earth for the WRATH of GOD will come on those on the earth (Revelation 3:10).  Therefore, JESUS who has delivered us from the WRATH to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10) must come and take us from the earth that we may be where HE is.

As JESUS said in John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto MYSELF; that where I am, there you may be also.”

For the LORD HIMSELF shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of GOD: and the dead in CHRIST shall rise first:Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD in the air: and so, shall we ever be with the LORD (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

But why will JESUS meet HIS bride the church (we who believe in HIM) in the clouds rather than coming all the way to the earth to get us and take us with HIM to where HE is?

Acts 3:18-21 But those things, which GOD before had shewed by the mouth of all HIS prophets, that CHRIST should suffer, HE (JESUS) has so fulfilled.  Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the Presence of the LORD.  And HE shall send JESUS CHRIST, which before was preached unto you: Whom (JESUS) the heaven must receive until the times of RESTORATION OF ALL THINGS, which GOD has spoken by the mouth of all HIS holy prophets since the world began.

GOD the FATHER said to JESUS. “Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (Hebrews 1:13, Psalm 110:1, Mark 12:36).

A time which even earth’s creatures are waiting for (Romans 8:19-22).

It has been decreed by GOD that JESUS must remain in heaven until all HIS enemies are made a footstool (until JESUS is over them).  Until after the 7-year-Tribulation when JESUS will come down from heaven and end the battle of Armageddon and then set up a 1,000-year reign and RESTORE ALL THINGS as before the fall in the Garden which restoration was promised to the Israelites.  After that 1,000 years much more is coming but that is another story.

Since GOD cannot lie, HE must keep HIS word and JESUS must remain in heaven so cannot come to the earth but will call us up to HIMSELF into the clouds and we will go with HIM to the place HE has prepared for us.

In hope of eternal life, which GOD, that cannot lie, promised before the world began Titus 1:2

Hugs

Sharon

Be ready

You have heard about Noah and how GOD told him to build an ark because HE was going to send a flood that would cover the entire earth.  Do you realize that it took Noah 120 years to build that ark and during that time he preached about the coming judgment of GOD (2 Peter 2:5)?

What did the people do when Noah preached? They refused to listen and suppressed the truth of the coming wrath like they did in Romans 1:18, so they are without excuse.

Have you thought about why GOD sent a universal flood?

Doing things our own way and thinking our own way is better than GOD’s way is nothing new.  In the book of Judges, it is called: “every man did what was right in his own eyes.”  We often do that don’t we?

From that first bite of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6), to the 1^st baby boy ever born growing up to murder his brother (Genesis 4:8) then its only two chapters later we read that “every thought of man was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). 

For sin escalates and is malignant.  Sin is like the tempter- that old serpent Satan (Revelation 20:2), sin kills, steals and destroys (John 10:10) although sin usually comes wrapped up in pretty packages of lying promises.

Now, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD” (Romans 3:23) and as we have seen sin left alone grows to mighty proportions.  Therefore, Our holy GOD has determined, “The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23) but GOD offers everyone a gift.

“The wages of sin is death but the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD” Romans 6:23

“For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON (JESUS), that whosoever believes in HIM (JESUS) should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).  “He that believes on the SON has everlasting life: and he that believes not the SON shall not see life; but the wrath of GOD (continues to) stay on him” (John 3:36).

The choice is yours whether you receive the gift of eternal life GOD offers or reject it.

Just as Noah preached of coming judgment, so the Bible urges believers in JESUS to warn people of the coming judgment and offer to them the free gift of eternal life. 

GOD sent JESUS to tell John who was on the island of Patmos to send warnings of the coming judgment so that all believers can preach that message to the lost (Revelation 1:1).  That message GOD gave is recorded in the book of Revelation. 

The book of Revelation details a coming judgment of the wrath of GOD upon those on the earth.  I am greatly comforted to know that all believers in JESUS will be taken up to be with JESUS in heaven (Romans 5:9, 1 Thessalonians 1:10,  4:17-18, 5:9, Revelation 6:16-17) before JESUS opens the seals and initiates the outpouring of the wrath of GOD.  That wrath of GOD men call the 7-year Tribulation and Jacob’s trouble. 

Just looking at our world we see those things JESUS said would mark the end days.  Looking at our own nation we can see that today, as in the day of Noah, evil thrives. There are many mockers today just as there were back then.  Don’t be one of them.

We don’t know when JESUS is coming for HIS bride, but we can be sure of one thing, JESUS is coming back for HIS bride because HE said HE would (John 14:1-3), and HE cannot lie (Titus 1:2).  Therefore, be ready to be caught away when JESUS comes.  Anyone who comes to the door once it has been shut, JESUS will tell, “Depart from ME, I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23). 

HE is coming to get HIS bride before HE unleashes the wrath of GOD by opening up the seals of the scroll (Revelation 5-6).

How can you be ready?

“if you confess with your mouth that JESUS is LORD (Master), and believe in your heart that GOD raised HIM from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes (and gets) righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation…  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD (JESUS) shall be saved” (Romans 10:9-10, 13).

I urge you in the name of JESUS be ready.

Hugs

Sharon

Are you ready?

You also must be READY, because the Son of Man (JESUS) will come at an hour when you do not expect HIM  Luke 20:40

In today’s turbulent times of increasing instability, we who are saved through believing in JESUS (Romans 10:9-10, 13), being washed from our sins though HIS death on the cross (Revelation 1:5) should know JESUS’ peace (John 16:33) and yet always be alert, READY to hear GOD’s call. 

A Christian’s greatest need is a READINESS to face JESUS CHRIST at any given moment and at every turn.  Whether it is a READINESS to hear and quickly obey 1) HIS promptings when HE works in us to will and do what HE wants done (Philippians 2:13) or, 2) READINESS for that call to catch us up to meet JESUS CHRIST in the air and go to heaven with HIM before the Tribulation starts, or promoted to heaven via death.

By daily abiding in JESUS and HIS words we can be READY to be promoted to heaven (Hebrews 9:27) or be raptured (caught up into the sky to meet JESUS and go with HIM to heaven 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18) and the subsequent Bema seat of CHRIST to see if we get rewards for our time on earth.

Although the times we live in point to our being caught away soon- no one know the preset time schedule (Acts 17:26) but GOD (Mark 13:32), we must also be on the alert and READY to hear GOD’s call to co-labor with HIM via the promptings (Philippians 4:13, Hebrews 10:16) of the HOLY SPIRIT.  As JESUS said, “Occupy until I come!” (Luke 19:13).

I know when the instructions have come from GOD because of their quiet persistence. /Oswald Chambers

“But sanctify the LORD GOD in your hearts (put GOD 1^st): and be READY always to give an answer to every man that ask you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”(1 Peter 3:15)

Are you READY?

Hugs

Sharon

Are you ready?

Are you ready?  How you start your day makes all the difference?

Moses would say, “LORD, if You don’t go with us or before us, we are not going anywhere.”  (Exodus 33:15 ) 

Abraham would say, “The LORD will provide.” (Genesis 22:14)

Jacob would say, “I won’t let go of YOU unless YOU bless me.” (Genesis 32:26)

Joshua would say, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Genesis 24:15)

Samuel would say, “Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.” (Samuel 3:10)

Nehemiah would say, “The joy of the LORD is my strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

David would say, “The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1) and “This is the day that the LORD has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

Solomon would say, “Trust in the LORD, oh my soul, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Isaiah would say, “Arise and shine for my GLORY has come.” (Isaiah 60:1) and “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” (Isaiah 54:17)

Jeremiah would say, “The LORD has plans to prosper me and not to harm or fail me.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Jabez would say, “Oh, that YOU may bless me and enlarge my territory and give me the wisdom not to hurt anyone.” (1 Chronicles 4:10)

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would say, “We will not bow down to any image but will serve the LORD.” (Daniel 3:18)

Ezekiel would say, “Any dry bones  (lost hope or discouragement) in my life, Live (hope in GOD) again.” (Ezekiel 37:4)

Peter would say, “I will cast my cares upon the LORD for He cares.” (Psalm 55:22)

Paul would say, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) and “My God will supply all my needs” (Philippians 4:19)

How do you get ready?  Believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST and call on HIS name (John 3:16, Romans 10:13). Then talk with the LORD about everything and go with the nudges HE gives (Proverbs 3:5-7), Read and meditate on GOD’s Word listening for instructions! Look for JESUS return (John 14:3)

What do you tell yourself every morning as you start your day?

The LORD Is your life! Press on, stay strong! Keep believing GOD has great things ahead for you! Love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, listen to and obey HIS still small voice that nudges you to act (Philippians 2:13), and hold fast to Him. For the LORD is your life. (Deuteronomy 30:20). 

JESUS is coming back for those who believe in HIM to take them to where HE is that we may always be with the LORD (John 14:3).

hugs

Sharon

Are you ready?

As I glance out my window I see a new day dawning. A year ago our world was quite different but since March of 2020 it is like we have been put on hold as we have been put on restrictions.  Here we are waiting. There is a new day dawning.

Have you ever had to wait and wait and just when you’ve given up all hope it SUDDENLY happens?  The Bible tells us that patience is developed as we wait and that patience develops us (James 1:2-4). But quite honestly, its hard to wait. Waiting is one of GOD’s ways.  As we wait GOD works in a strange way behind the scenes where we can’t see what HE is up to and then all of a sudden things happen to help solve our problems. Look at these bible stories that prove it.

The storm was raging and the waves of the sea came over the sides and into the boat. The disciples were in the boat without JESUS and were terrified! Then, they saw Him walking on the sea! The wondered if HE was a ghost. They were even more afraid. JESUS spoke- “Do not be afraid, it is ME.” When they willingly received HIM into the ship immediately they were on the other side! This was a SUDDENLY! (John 6:20-21).

We read of many instances in the Word where suddenlies occurred in seemingly impossible situations . . . Water turned to wine, (John 2:3-11); and fish and bread were supernaturally multiplied, (Matthew 14:14-21; Matthew 15:30-38).

The list continues . . . Money appeared in a fishes mouth (Matthew 17:25-27),  blind eyes received sight (John 9:1-41); deaf ears were opened (Mark 7:30-37),  the dead received life, (John 11:1-45); and as many as touched even the hem of Jesus garment were made perfectly whole! (Matthew 14:36; Mark 6:56; Luke 6:19).  We have no clue when but GOD works suddenly.

These are just a few examples of suddenlies recorded in the Word of GOD. God has not changed (Malachi 3:6).  HE still works behind the scenes

If a storm of any kind is raging in your life, remember that with GOD nothing is impossible! (Luke 1:37)  By faith be willing to accept the LORD’s plan for your situation!  Do not try to fix it your way or figure it out! Talk to the LORD and wait (James 1:5-7).

Suddenlies still happen today! Believe and Trust GOD and HE will lead you! (Proverbs 3:5-7).

There is one SUDDENLY that every believer in JESUS should be longing and waiting for.  That SUDDENLY will come for JESUS promised it.  It is when HE comes get us and take us with HIM.  Are you looking or even longing for that SUDDENLY?

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am (John 14:3).  JESUS is only coming back for those who are HIS, those who have believed HE came down from heaven from GOD and died to save us from our sins.  Only if you have called upon the name of the LORD will you get to go. Its as simple as ABC. 

A Admit you are a sinner and need forgiveness. (Romans 3:23, 6:23)

          B Believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST (John 3:16, Romans 10:9,10)

          C Call upon the name of the LORD and you will be saved. (Romans 10:13)

hugs

Sharon

Are you ready?

So always be READY…   LUKE 12:40           

A Christian’s greatest need is a READINESS to face JESUS CHRIST at any and every turn.  Whether it is a READINESS to hear and quickly obey HIS promptings when HE works in us to will and do what HE wants done (Philippians 2:13)

I know when the instructions have come from GOD because of their quiet persistence. /Oswald Chambers

or READINESS to go HOME with HIM when HE calls us (Hebrews 9:27, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).

Are you ready?

Hugs

Sharon