A faithful witness

Faithful witness

“It will be as eternal as the moon, MY faithful witness in the sky” Psalm 89:37

Why is the moon called GOD’s faithful witness?

The moon has no source of light from itself.  The reason we can see the moon at all is because the sun shines. The moon just reflects (witnesses to) the light of the sun.  To be a witness is to tell of something you see and the moon’s light is a reflection of the sun shining on it.

So, for us to witness of GOD the FATHER and the LORD JESUS is merely to tell others about GOD the FATHER and our LORD JESUS CHRIST.  So you see anyone who has come to GOD through JESUS (Hebrews 7:25), can be an effective and faithful witness.

Are you witnessing?

Hugs

Sharon

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

Faith is just believing what GOD says HE will do.

As I took my walk this morning I was reflecting and taking to the LORD concerning several whose lives look a mess and HIS promises.  A line from a song came to mind, “Faith is just believing what GOD said HE would do.” GOD had given me promises concerning these and regardless of how things look HE will keep HIS promises.  GOD tells us “that the just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17, Habakkuk 2:4).

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things NOT SEEN” (Hebrews 11:1).  But without faith it is impossible to please HIM (GOD): for he that comes to GOD must believe 1) that HE IS (exists), and 2) that HE is a REWARDER of them that diligently seek HIM” (Hebrews 11:6).

Pondering that as I walked, I realized that I don’t know what GOD is doing in each of those loved ones and must simply trust GOD.

I felt a nudge to look behind me and I saw the moon.  It made me smile for I understood immediately that the nudge to turn around was from the HOLY SPIRIT to give me an illustration that GOD is faithful and will do as HE said if (condition) I would just look to HIM.   Why did I think that?

Is not the moon called HIS faithful witness in Psalm 89:37?

You and I are like the Moon, we have no light of our own.  But although we do not generate light, we can reflect the light of our GOD and Savior who is the Light of the world by letting HIM shine through us by our living by faith in obedience to HIS nudges.  As we stand in HIS light, we can have a great gravitational influence on things surrounding us.  So lets look to the SON and reflect HIS glory being like the moon-a faithful witness.

Hugs,

Sharon

Has HE spoken and shall HE not do it?

A few days ago, looking across the room from where I sat praying, I saw my 10/40 Window map.  The 10/40 Window is an area previously known for highest resistance to the gospel, it’s where all major religions were formed and where most of the persecution of Christians has been.  Praise the LORD! Reports show that people within these areas (such as Iran) are now flocking to the LORD in large numbers, although persecution persists.

As I looked at the map, my eyes flew to India. I remembered my failure to FAITHFULLY pray for Al an evangelist in a highly persecuted area in northern India. Words of scripture floated into my mind.

“He that is FAITHFUL in that which is least is FAITHFUL also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much” (Luke 16:10).  Ouch!

“Oh LORD” I cried out, “forgive me for sinning in neglecting to pray for Al and help me to remember to pray as FAITHFULLY for Al and other evangelists and those persecuted as I do for my own family.”

GOD has pre-determined that those who love HIM, every single believer in JESUS who has called on the name of the LORD (Romans 10:13, I Corinthians 1:2, Romans 8:29) will be transformed into the character image (the divine nature spoken of in 2 Peter 1:4) of JESUS who is the exact image/ representation of GOD the FATHER (Hebrews 1:1-3).

Since then GOD has been directing my attention to that quality mentioned 105 times in the Bible. HE wants me to ponder on FAITHFULNESS so I can consistently apply in every area of my life.

One verse I quote during times I can’t see GOD at work that helps me resist the doubts Satan whispers is Numbers 23:19.  It speaks of GOD’s FAITHFULNESS.

GOD isn’t a mere human. HE can’t lie. HE isn’t a human being. HE doesn’t change HIS mind. HE speaks, and then HE acts. HE makes a promise, and then HE keeps it” (Numbers 23:19 NIRV).

GOD is FAITHFUL to provide for us. GOD is FAITHFUL to keep HIS word.  GOD is FAITHFUL to correct us (Psalm 119: 75), FAITHFUL to forgive (1 John 1:9) GOD is FAITHFUL to answer when we call out to HIM (Psalm 143:1) HIS FAITHFULNESS is seen throughout nature (Psalm 119:90).

As I pondered GOD’s FAITHFULNESS pieces of an old hymn came to mind.  “Great is thy FAITHFULNESS O GOD my FATHER, there is no shadow of turning with Thee.  Thou changest not they compassions they fail not, as Thou has been Thou forever will be…Summer and winter and spring time and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above join with all nature in manifold witness to Thy great FAITHFULNESS mercy and love.

I heard a preacher say, “When JESUS spoke of handing out rewards, HE did not speak of productivity, nor did HE say good and fruitful servant. But rather what JESUS said is good and FAITHFUL servant.”

“His LORD said unto him, Well done, thou good and FAITHFUL servant: you have been FAITHFUL over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter into the joy of the LORD” (Matthew 25:21).

You see our productivity is determined according to what GOD has designed for us to do (Ephesians 2:10), for what do we have that we have not received? (1 Corinthians 4:7).  But we determine if we are FAITHFUL in what HE calls us to do and say.  We determine if we keep our word, if we listen to HIM and move at HIS prodding.

So, I seek to be more FAITHFUL in my actions in big and small things, not to get the reward but rather to bring a smile to my LORD and my GOD.

Hugs

Sharon

Does what you do matter?

Does What We Do Matter?  Will it matter in 50 years?

Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of GOD. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Do you or have you ever played cards?  My earliest memories of my mom is of her playing cards. Although Dad was a teacher, it was Mom who taught me to count before entering school, by having me play canasta with her. After she retired, Mom kept busy with volunteer work. But, when she had a break, she would unwind by playing solitaire, so she usually had a deck of cards nearby. She said it was to keep her mind active. I laughed at her delightful love affair with solitaire.

I laughed until one day I began playing solitaire on my computer.  As the Word says, “Judge not lest you be judged for you do the very same things” (Romans 2:1). I was doing what my mom had done and I truly enjoyed doing those 5 daily games and quickly became addicted and could spend hours playing cards. Then one day the LORD said, “Enough, I have other things for you to do.”

I quit because GOD said to, now in the morning I ask the LORD what HE wants me to do.  Sometimes it writing a letter, or text or blog or it is to clean up a mess, or sew on a button.

But there are times when I’m really tempted to go back to that relaxing game, especially when there are struggles that I can’t fix..  Whenever that happens, GOD gives me another assignment, often it is to pray concerning what I can’t fix.  LOL! 

HE also reminds me of the old saying, “In 50 years how much will that matter?”

Yesterday morning my kids wanted me to play crazy 8’s with them.  I stopped what I was going to do and enjoyed a hand of cards and banter with 2 of my children.  The difference between me playing solitaire alone and my playing crazy 8’s with my kids is my input into my children as we played cards.  My caring enough to just spend time with them and the subjects that we talk about may very well matter in their lives 50 years from now (should our LORD tarry that long).

Doing the little jobs around the house such as the dishes and taking out the trash or other necessities seem unimportant. But they really do count for they are showing the world faithfulness.  Since we represent JESUS to our families and to the world someone may just come to recognize that JESUS is faithful and perhaps even trust HIM. 

So yes, even the tiny necessities that GOD places before us /those things we know we should do, if done cheerfully (knowing it pleases the LORD), will matter in 50 years.

Hugs

Sharon

How did she endure?

How to endure

Let’s look at a little more about Mary.  She was a young teenager when the angel came to her. 1st he said, “Do not be afraid,” and told her that she was highly favored in GOD’s sight; that GOD had selected her to carry and bear HIS Son; and she was also promised that her boy would save HIS people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).  To encourage her she was told that nothing was impossible with GOD (Luke 1:37). Talk about blow you away! Mary must have been flabbergasted.

Though knowing the disgrace, it might bring, Mary willingly yielded her life to GOD. Then she went to see her cousin Elizabeth, whom the angel told her about. Elizabeth’s greeting was another mind-blowing experience as her relative told her that the fetus/John the Baptist had jumped in her womb at the sound of Mary’s voice. More promises were given Mary as Elizabeth prophesied (Luke 1:41-45). Then Mary found herself speaking wonderful things herself, they just sort of flowed out of her.  It was amazing.

How she dreaded telling Joseph, but he came to her and told her of an angel coming to him.  Then came the hard times, the mocking and rejection of her neighbors and friends when she started to show, the long trip to Bethlehem, and then her labor started but there was no room for them in the crowded inn, her mom wasn’t there…

What did Mary (or for that matter even Joseph) think and feel as her contractions began that night when they were so far away from home? Naturally, their initial reaction was fear. The fears must have been tremendous. For the liar- Satan loves to whisper accusations against GOD and cause us to fear.  Fear is one of the devil’s choice secret weapons.

What helped her to cope with her fears then and later when they were told to flee to Egypt? Yes, Joseph was there, but he too was facing the impossible and knew fears. Did she do it scared, as my precious pastor’s wife would say?

I believe what enabled Mary and Joseph to cope were the promises. When the angel appeared to each of them separately his 1st words had been, “Fear not.”  I can’t help but think those words came back to them that night. For it is written that the great and precious promises are given us that if we use them we will be able to overcome the struggles (2 Peter 1:4) if we acknowledge GOD and talk to HIM about what’s going on and thank HIM for being in control, HE will surround us with HIS peace to throw us beyond having to understand (Philippians 4:6-7).  We will have confidence and peace though it may not make a lot of sense to us.

This we know, GOD cannot lie (Numbers 23:19) and when HE says something it will happen, we can count on it. When all look dangerous she could remember what GOD had said would occur and would know that somehow GOD would get them through it all to the end.

Are you, am I in the Word of GOD (logos) so that the Holy SPIRIT can take it and give us a promise (rhema) meant for us in our present situation? Promises are there to claim and to enable us in our times of struggle.  Grab a hold of them and use them.

Consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon