Examine

With all the scams and contradictory news stories out there do you ever speculate on what is true? Have you ever questioned where people come up with some of the crazy ideas that are prevalent these days? Doesn’t it seem like the ideas keep getting wilder by the moment? Have you considered that you are being programmed just like a computer?

The masses, including you and I have been and are being bombarded with information by the media, advertisements, schools and through our peers. That info is programming us, whether we realize it or not just like a computer is programmed by what it takes in. We are being indoctrinated day in and day out without being aware of it.

There are so many voices out there and they often contradict each other so how can we know the truth?

Since our beliefs are the basis for making daily decisions, we might say they are our compass. A compass shows us the way we should go therefore it is radically important that our compass is accurate for us to make the right decisions.

As a man thinks (true) in his heart (places value, estimates as true, reasons), so is he (so he responds in life). Proverbs 23:7

With all diligence, keep your heart (protected), for out of it (its reasoning, values) issue (comes forth) actions. Proverbs 4:23

For truth we must look to GOD and HIS word for it is written “let GOD be true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4) GOD, cannot lie, (Titus 1:2).

JESUS highlighted this when while talking to GOD the FATHER HE said, “YOUR word is truth” (John 7:17).  Furthermore, JESUS told us, “Man cannot live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of GOD” (Matthew 4:4).

For that reason, it is essential that the Bible is our compass. In these days of deception, we need to prayerfully EXAMINE what we believe and everything that is being said against the light of the truth, that is, how it lines up with the WORD of GOD which is the truth.

As GOD said in Isaiah 8:20, “To the law and to the testimony (the Bible): if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Hugs

Sharon Manning

Check it out

We are in the Christmas season, and it should be a happy time as we reflect on GOD giving us the greatest gift of all. “For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believed in HIM (JESUS’ saving work on the cross for them) would not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

It is such a busy time of year with festivities, holiday food and as many, like our GOD, want to give the perfect gifts to those they love.  Some have been endowed with more material things to give than others, but most yearn to give something to a loved one and when they are not able become depressed.  We must pray for them that GOD encourage the depressed and give them ways to brighten their loved ones days or even bring a smile to a stranger for in giving those little things much joy is experienced.

Yet in what should be a joyful time, the entire world seems thrown into confusion and delusion where right is said to be wrong and wrong is said to be right, good is said to be bad and bad is said to be good.  The opposing views have contradicting yet convincing testimonies, although much not backed up by fact.  

Hitler said that if you tell a lie loud enough and often enough people will believe it.  Sadly, many well-meaning people accept anything they hear about injustice and jump on the bandwagon without checking out the facts.  Others wonder who should we believe?  One must carefully check out whether what is declared is true. Note your source.

But where do you check out the facts?  History is a good place to start but some are changing even that.

“May GOD be true and every man a liar” (Romans 3:4) in other words GOD has never lied but everyone of us has at one time or another.  Therefore, the only truly trustworthy source is GOD.  HE has given us HIS word… speaking to us through the prophets moved by the HOLY SPIRIT (2 Peter 1:21).

I urge you to get in the word of GOD, let GOD speak to you through it and the HOLY SPIRIT will lead you. If you are like me, you will still have questions, but we must remember “the secret things belong to GOD, but the things revealed belong to us and our children that we may be able to do (what we need to do) Deuteronomy 29:29.

“Therefore, judge nothing before the time, until the LORD come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: (I Corinthians 4:5).

If we just obeyed that last verse both in our personal lives and the happenings in the world obeying JESUS instructions not to be troubled (John 14:1) will become a lot easier.

Hugs Sharon

I will do it

Psalm 119:¹⁶⁰ Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endures forever.  

Yes, GOD’s word is true (2 Samuel 7:28) and GOD’s word is magnified even above HIS holy name (Psalm 138:2).  As JESUS told us, we cannot live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of GOD (Matthew 4:4). Therefore, we know we can trust it.

Therefore, we need to go to GOD’s word, not man, to understand what GOD means (Isaiah 8:20).  The Word of GOD written and explained by the HOLY SPIRIT (2 Peter 1:20-21, 1 Corinthians 2:10-13) is its own best interpreter. So, let’s prayerfully look at a promise the Word of GOD gives us.

Hebrews 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.

JESUS will APPEAR in the clouds for believers only. That is commonly called the Rapture a word from the Latin translation which means= to catch away.

The bible also refers to the Rapture as being made perfect.

Hebrews 11:⁴⁰ GOD having provided some better thing for us (who are alive and remain until HIS coming), that they (who died believing) should not be made perfect without us (before us).

The Rapture is also called the redemption of the body.

Ephesians 1:¹² That we should be to the praise of HIS (GOD’s) glory, who first trusted in CHRIST (JESUS). ¹³ In whom (JESUS) you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom (JESUS) also after that you believed, you were sealed with that HOLY SPIRIT of promise, ¹⁴ Which is the earnest (down payment) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of HIS (GOD’s) glory.

Ephesians 4:³⁰ And grieve not the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption.

2 Corinthians 4:¹⁴ Knowing that HE (GOD) which raised up (the body of) the LORD JESUS shall raise up (the bodies of) us also by JESUS and shall present us with you.

1 Corinthians 15:⁴² So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: ⁴³ It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: ⁴⁴ It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

1 Corinthians 15:⁵² In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed (see the two groups?). ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

1 Thessalonians 4:¹⁴ For if we believe that JESUS died and rose again, even so them also which sleep (have died believing) in JESUS will GOD bring with HIM (JESUS). ¹⁵ For this we say unto you by the word of the LORD, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the LORD shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep. ¹⁶ 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 (bodies of the) dead in CHRIST shall rise first: ¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up (with new bodies) together with them in the clouds, (then together we will go) to meet the LORD in the air: and so shall we ever be with the LORD.

Therefore, when the LORD JESUS CHRIST comes back 7 years later to fight as seen in Revelation 19:11- 20:3, we will be with the LORD. 

Then, when JESUS judges those alive after Tribulation and sets up HIS 1,000-year reign (Revelation 20:4, Matthew 25:31-45) we will be with HIM.  

1,000 years later after the devil is released and gathers an army against JESUS and GOD sends fire down from heaven and the elements of heaven and earth dissolve being melted with a fervent heat and flee from the face of GOD (2 Peter 3:10-12, Revelation 20:11) leaving only a great White Throne, we will still be at JESUS’ side. 

For you see only the dead in trespasses and sins will be judged that day (Ephesians 2:1, Revelation 20:12-13).  Since none of them have believed in JESUS their names will not be written in the book of life therefore they will be cast into the eternal lake of fire with the Antichrist, the false prophet (already there 1,000 years Revelations 20:10) and the devil and his hordes (Revelation 20:15).

GOD’s word, especially prophesy, is not intended to scare you but to prepare you.

If you believe in JESUS and trust HIM to save and lead you, you will be at JESUS side (John 3:16).  If you choose you want to call the shots by yourself and refuse to look to JESUS you will be among the dead standing before that Great White Throne (John 3:36). So where will you be?

Looking to JESUS

Sharon

Should we not pray for Israel?

Most of our misconceptions are described by one truth that JESUS referred to: You do err not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of GOD” (Matthew 22:29).

At 1^st glance it jolted me when I found out that some are changing/ editing and deleting parts of history at will.  They do it in order to get people to think the way they want them to think.  Pondering their actions, I am not altogether surprised at unbelievers in JESUS altering truth in order to manipulate others. We are told in Romans 1:25 that they deliberately choose to exchange the truth for a lie. They have altered the younger generations’ way of thinking by changing the historic records and adding their own ideas/inventions (Ecclesiastes 7:29, Psalm 99:8, Psalm 106:29, 39).

These (like we believers before accepting JESUS as LORD (ruler and Savior) live in an ‘I am god/ it is all about me’ society ruled by the devil.

Before believing in JESUS, every one of us was: Ephesians 2:¹… dead in trespasses and sins; ² Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, (the devil) the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: ³ Among whom also we all lived our lives in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Therefore, it is not surprising that they feel free to change history to suit their purposes.  Their present opposition to Israel is no surprise either for GOD foretold it thousands of years ago.  HE spoke openly that this would occur in Psalm 83:¹ Keep not silence, O GOD: hold not YOUR peace, and be not still, O GOD. ² For YOUR enemies make a tumult: and they that hate YOU have lifted up the head. ³ They have taken crafty counsel against YOUR people and consulted against YOUR hidden ones. ⁴ They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. ⁵ For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against YOU:

You see the hatred of Israel is demonic for Satan hates GOD and wants to destroy those GOD loves.

But what blows me away is when someone who says he knows the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY chooses to edit, delete and change the Bible/ the HOLY WORD of GOD to suit what they think instead of accepting what GOD says in HIS word.  The LORD had recorded in Isaiah 8:20 that if one speaks things against what the scriptures say, ‘they have no light in them’. In other words, they are in darkness.

JESUS said that man cannot live (eternally, abundantly) by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of GOD (Matthew 4:4).

The LORD (ruler) GOD (source) Almighty (all powerful) the triune GODHEAD cannot lie it is against HIS divine nature (Titus 1:2).  If HE could lie, HE could not be trusted to do what HE says HE will do. Christians would then have NO basis whatsoever to believe or hope on HIS promises.

Many within the church at large are saying that GOD is fed up with the Jews for their many sins and that the church (despite her many sins) has hence taken its place and is now spiritual Israel.  that is called Replacement Theology. But what does GOD’s word say?

GOD has promised, declaring by two immutable things, 1) in which it is impossible for GOD to lie, (Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18) and 2) by taking an oath (Jeremiah 32 and several other texts) certain things for the nation of Israel (the natural physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob/ Israel and David) that have not been fulfilled.

First look in one text where the LORD GOD Most High declares in an oath to bless Israel everlastingly.  Notice in this text the Sovereign LORD declares/ promises 11 times I will do something.

Jeremiah 32:³⁷ Behold, I will gather them (Israel Jeremiah 32:30) out of all countries, whither I have driven them in MINE anger, and in MY fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place (Jerusalem/ Israel- Jeremiah 32:31-32), and I will cause them to dwell safely: ³⁸ And they shall be MY people, and  I will be their GOD ³⁹ And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear ME forever, (cause up to now they haven’t) for the good of them, and of their children after them: ⁴⁰ And  I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that  I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but  I will put MY fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from ME. ⁴¹ Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and  I will plant them in this land assuredly with MY whole heart and with MY whole soul. ⁴² For thus says the LORD; Like I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so I will bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.

Jeremiah 31:³¹ Behold, the days come, says the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: ³² Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which MY covenant they broke, although I was an husband unto them, says the Lord: ³³ But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, says the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and I will be their GOD, and they shall be MY people.

Jeremiah 31:³⁵ Thus says the Lord, which gives the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divides the sea when the waves thereof roar; the LORD of hosts (armies) is HIS name: ³⁶ If those ordinances depart from before ME, says the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before ME forever.

Well, as far as I can see the sun, moon and stars are still there and will be until the new heaven and earth spoken about in the last two chapters of Revelation.  Therefore, Israel is still a nation before the LORD.

Jeremiah 31:³⁷ Thus says the Lord; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, says the Lord.

The heavens cannot be measured, nor the foundations of the earth searched out so it looks like the LORD will NOT cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done.

But through the nation of Israel, we learn of the faithfulness of GOD and that the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases nor do HIS mercies ever come to an end (Lamentations 3:22-23).

As is often the case in scripture, there is a time element for the promises to be completed: It will be completed in segments.  The nation of Israel came back into being in one day in 1948 (Isaiah 66:8) yet to this day an influx of Jews continue to come back to Israel from the nations that have turned against them.  Israel has had opposition ever since it became a nation, but we see here that GOD is working even the opposition for good to fulfill HIS purposes (Genesis 50:20).

During the 7-year tribulation/ Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7) / Daniel’s 70^th week of years (Daniel 9:24, 26-27) GOD is working with the Jews and the unbelieving wicked world.

In speaking of the Jews and the land of Israel, the prophet, a scribe for the LORD GOD said in Zechariah 13:⁸ And it shall come to pass, that in all the land (speaking of Israel), says the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die (during the 7-year-Tribulation); but the third shall be left therein. ⁹ And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on MY name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is MY people: and they shall say, The Lord is MY GOD.”  That is why this period is called Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). As is written, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I have kept YOUR word” (Psalm 119:67).

JESUS said that the Jews will not see HIM again until they say blessed is HE who comes in the name of the LORD (Matthew 23:39).  That will happen when they see JESUS coming at the end of the 7-year-tribulation (Revelation 19). Zechariah 12:⁹ And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. ¹⁰ And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon ME whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn…

Isaiah 10:²⁰ And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him (the Antichrist) that smote them; but shall stay upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. ²¹ The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty GOD.

Romans 11:²⁶ And so all Israel (the 1/3^rd that made it through the 7-year-Tribulation) shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer (JESUS) and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: ²⁷ For this is MY covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

In the meantime, we are told to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), should we not obey the LORD our GOD?

Hugs

Sharon

GOD keeps HIS promises

Jude1:²⁵ To the ONLY wise GOD our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

GOD tells us in Isaiah 55:⁸ For MY thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways MY ways, says the Lord. ⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are MY ways higher than your ways, and MY thoughts than your thoughts.

Deuteronomy 29:²⁹ The secret things belong unto the Lord our GOD: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law (all the HE has assigned for us to do).

The Sovereign LORD GOD ALMIGHTY Maker of heaven and earth is over all. HE has given us HIS word and sent HIS SON JESUS in order that we could know what HE is like and could have a relationship with HIM through JESUS (Hebrews 7:25).

Colossians 2:⁹ For in HIM (JESUS CHRIST) dwells all the fulness of the GODHEAD bodily.

GOD’s Word, the Bible, relates many things true about GOD. HE is eternal, unlimited, powerful, all wise and has all knowledge -in that is HE knows all things past, present and future-even our thoughts before they are formed so HE knows who will eventually believe and who will not (Psalm 139:2). The LORD is loving, compassionate, gentle and longsuffering, HE is good and never makes a mistake, but HE also is fair and punishes wrong. There is so much more about our GOD that we learn as we seek HIM and study HIS love letter to us, the Bible listening to that still small voice of the HOLY SPIRIT (our teacher within us John 7:38-39, 14:26 who interprets the Bible to us 1 Corinthians 2:10-12).

But there are also things that are secret that we cannot know.

There is one fundamental aspect of our amazing triune GOD that I want to zoom in on for it must be fully grasped for us to know and trust HIM. GOD cannot lie or promise something HE cannot or will not perform.

Isaiah 45:¹⁸ For this is what the Lord says— HE who created the heavens, HE is GOD; HE who fashioned and made the earth, HE founded it; HE did not create it to be empty but formed it to be inhabited. HE says: “I am the Lord, and there is no other. ¹⁹ I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek ME in vain.’ I, the Lord, speak the TRUTH; I declare what is right.

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

John 14:⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life. No one comes to the FATHER except through ME.

Can you trust someone who does not keep his promises?

Romans 3:⁴ GOD forbid: yes, let GOD be TRUE, but every man a liar.

In other words, every man has told at least one lie and with that potential man cannot be totally trusted. But GOD who always speaks the TRUTH can be trusted to do what HE says HE will do.

Numbers 23:¹⁹ GOD is not a man, that HE should lie; neither the son of man, that HE should repent: has HE said, and shall HE not do it? or has HE spoken, and shall HE not make it good?

Let us just look at something GOD has declared and, therefore, know is TRUE.

Jeremiah 31:³ The Lord appeared to us (the descendants of Jacob who today are known as the Jews) in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. ⁴ I will build you up again,

Jeremiah 31:¹⁰ Hear the word of the Lord, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘HE who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over HIS flock like a shepherd. ¹¹ For the Lord will deliver Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they. ¹² They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord—

Jeremiah 31:³¹ “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will (future) make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. ³² It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. ³³ “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God,

Who is GOD talking to? To the offspring of those HE sent Moses to take out of Egypt and put them in the Promise land. In other words, the LORD is speaking to the Jews of today.

Jeremiah 31:³⁵ This is what the Lord says,

HE who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar- the Lord Almighty is his name: ³⁶ “Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,” declares the Lord, “will Israel ever cease being a nation before me.”

So as long as there is a sun, moon and stars the Jews are GOD’s people. Only after the Tribulation and 1,000 years reign on this earth, only after this earth is dissolved (Revelation 20:7-11, 2 Peter 3:12-13) do the sun, moon and stars disappear. So, until that time, the promises to the physical descendants of Isaac and Jacob remain in force.

Jeremiah 31:³⁷ This is what the Lord says: “Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done,” declares the Lord.

GOD is saying that since the heavens above cannot be measured, and the foundations of the earth below cannot be searched therefore GOD will not reject ALL the descendants of Israel because of all they have done. There will be the remnant saved.

Isaiah 10:²⁰ And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them (the Antichrist); but shall stay upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. ²¹ The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty GOD.

Romans 11^:26 And so ALL (remaining) Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: ²⁷ Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.

Romans 11:²⁹ For the gifts and calling of GOD are without repentance (irrevocable).

GOD will not break HIS covenant promises.

The LORD must keep HIS promise to the Jews since HE cannot lie. Yet, GOD is fair. During the 7-year Tribulation/ Daniel’s 70^th week also called Jacob’s Trouble, 2/3^rd of the Jews will die (they are the secular Jews who do not believe in GOD) and the remaining 1/3 Jews who believe in GOD but not JESUS will be refined during that time and when they see JESUS coming down out of heaven (Revelation 19:11-16, Zechariah 12:9-10) ALL the remnant (those 1/3)will believe on JESUS and be saved (Zechariah 13:7-9. Isaiah 10:20-21).

What it boils down to is: if GOD can break HIS eternal promise to the descendants of Jacob, then we have no guarantee HE will keep HIS promise to us who believe in JESUS.

Aren’t you glad GOD does do what HE says HE will do? I sure am!

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

How many?

Today many say that the bible is outdated and even some churches no longer accept the Word of GOD as applicable to our lives today, because their personal desires go in a different direction.

JESUS said that man cannot live by bread (food) alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of GOD (Matthew 4:4). That is GOD’s words are to guide us through life.

GOD cannot lie (Titus 1:2), in fact it is impossible for GOD to lie (Hebrews 6:18), therefore whatever HE says is true and GOD’s truth endures forever (Psalm 117:2).

That means it still applies. Take for example forgiveness.

How many? Talking to my LORD this morning concerning another we both love, I asked, “How many 2nd chances (new beginnings) are there, LORD?”

JESUS answered immediately and simply by reminding me of HIS word. Matthew 18:22 “70 times 7” (an idiom meaning= times without number.)

Wow! It is nothing new but what a refreshing reminder!

Back in the day, Peter asked JESUS that same question and said even added up to 7 times? Peter was really being generous for the Rabbinical rule (taken from Amos 1:6) stated that you were to forgive 3 times period.

But JESUS took the question out of the sphere of the law (what must be done) and transferred it into the realm of grace where there is always mercy and grace it help in times of need. A realm where nothing is impossible.

So, until time is no more, (and that day is fast approaching) GOD is true and what HE said in HIS word still applies. But at the same time if you go to GOD when you have gone against HIS word, you will find forgiveness through JESUS CHRIST and another chance.

Hugs

Sharon

Way is wide and easy

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many” (Matthew 7:13).

As they turn away from GOD and reject HIS ways, our world has and continues to change quickly. They are rushing in and are traveling along the wide and easy way spoken of in Matthew 7:13. The real shift is in two basic areas: in the line of technology and that of progressive morality (which is really nothing new). Even many so called Christian churches have left the foundational teachings of the word of GOD for a social gospel that the world will accept.

The technology of AI is opening up a new world and has been used to preach in churches. And just as many in high places are rewriting history to fit their agenda, some are getting AI to rewrite the Christian Bible to fit the changing thoughts of today’s world. No longer would the Bible be GOD’s word to men, but rather men’s thoughts to men.

“but the word of the LORD endures forever” (1 Peter 1:25).

The Maker of heaven and earth and everything in them (Psalm 102:25) does not change (Malachi 3:6).  HIS character, mode of operation and standards remain the same with no variation or the slightest hint of change.  (James 1:17 ESV).

GOD made all things and as Creator has the right to set up the rules.  GOD says that all have sinned and come short of those standards which are the very nature of GOD (Romans 3:23).  GOD continues to say that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD (Romans 6:23).

Yet the ones having AI rewrite the Bible say that AI will take the animal sacrifices out of Genesis, besides all mention of moral depravity being the cause of the universal flood or the sending of fire and brimstone to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.

But GOD says that there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22).  That is why GOD sent HIS only SON JESUS to die on the cross to carry all mankind’s sins so that any and all who believe in HIM (JESUS) and call on the name of the LORD would be saved from eternal punishment, by being cleansed from their sins and be born into GOD’s family (John 1:12-13). Animal sacrifices were merely a stop gap/ temporary picture of what JESUS would do on the cross until the time for the once for all real sacrifice of the SON of GOD came (Hebrews 9:28, 10:14).

If you are on the wide and easy way that promises fulfillment but leads to destruction, get off it now and enter into the narrow gate.

“If you openly declare that JESUS is LORD and believe in your heart that GOD raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with GOD, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.  As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in HIM will never be disgraced…For Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved” (Romans 10:9-11, 13 NLT).

Hugs

Sharon

What is unseen

Have you ever heard GOD speak to you concerning a situation with a promise, but it did not play out the way you thought it would? I have.

Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was highly regarded as a military leader and honorable and respected by all, but he had leprosy. Now Naaman’s wife’s little Jewish slave girl said, “Oh I pray to GOD that my master (Naaman) would go to the prophet which is in Samaria for he would cure him of his leprosy.

Long story short Naaman went to Samaria to the prophet Elisha with great expectations. But when the prophet sent his servant down to tell Naaman to go wash himself in the Jordan 7 times, Naaman balked and went away mad.

Naaman said, “Behold, I THOUGHT, he will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his GOD, and strike his hand over the place, and cure me. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So, he turned and went away in a rage.

But his servants loved their master, drew near him, and said, “If the prophet had asked you some great thing, would you not have done it? So why not go and wash? Kind Naaman listened to his servants and went and washed and the 7^th time he came out of the water clean…no more leprosy (see 2 Kings 5).

Like Naaman, I had to learn that GOD’s ways and thoughts are not my ways and thought but are as high as the heavens above my ways and thoughts but that they always work (Isaiah 55:8-11).

You see many years ago the LORD promised me to work in a situation and I THOUGHT HE was going to do it right away. HE did not do it right away, in fact it still has not come to be. But I am still as sure of that promise as the day HE spoke it to my heart. The promise has been active in keeping me from giving up and given me peace in difficult moments. Through the extended delay, I have learned that GOD has preset the exact times and places for amazing reasons (Acts 17:26-27) and that HE is achieving for us through our problems (2 Corinthians 4:16-17) and HE has taught me that I am not to focus on the situation but on HIM trusting HIS love and wisdom knowing what HE does is eternal.

I can see things GOD has achieved through the delay of fulfilling the promise. Yet I am sure at the proper time HIS word to me will be fulfilled.

I guess that is what GOD means in Proverbs 3:5-7, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not LEAN on your own understanding (THOUGHTS). In all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will direct your path. Be NOT wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD and depart from evil.”

So, if the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, who does not lie, has given you a promise, but it does not look like HE has kept it. Ask HIM to show you what HE is doing to set the stage so the promise fulfilled is greater than anything you could have imagined.

Hugs

Sharon

Did GOD really say?

Our enemy whispered the taunt, ‘Did GOD really say?’ So, I asked the LORD, open HIS word and in Matthew 10 was confronted with the truth that a bird cannot land on the ground without GOD permission.  The cross references were amazing and now I ask you

How big is your GOD?

The LORD GOD ALMIGHTY called to Abraham (an idol worshipper) and told him to leave where he was and go where GOD would lead him and GOD promised to give Abraham an inheritance and children but didn’t tell him where he was going.

There was just one tiny glitch: Abraham and his wife were old and couldn’t have children.  For when GOD called Abraham, he was 75 years old and his beautiful wife was 65 years old and barren.

But even with that “impossibility,” Abraham believed GOD and obeyed anyway. Somehow, some way, at some time, he knew that GOD would follow through and do something that made no earthly sense whatsoever.

The years went by one after another until 25 years later when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 that promised child was born. 

Now that is a lot of waiting!  Waiting is hard! It would have been easy to give in to the tempter’s accusations of “Did GOD really say?” (From experience I can tell you that the devil throws that jab at people frequently)  But Abraham believed GOD.

Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing and hearing from a “rhema” word (spoken word within your spirit) of CHRIST.  When you hear that word you either receive it or refuse it.  But once received that kind of faith is permanent.  Oh doubts may come (through the tempter) but HE who is in us who believe (the HOLY SPIRIT) is stronger than he (the tempter) who is in the world and GOD the SPIRIT reassures us that GOD really said.

Because Abraham believed GOD, his faith in GOD prompted him to do what GOD told him to do so Abraham is called the “Father of faith” of all who believe (Romans 4:16).

Has GOD has made you a promise?  If HE has you know it.  Don’t listen if others mock, or if the liar whispers taunts that sound more like you than you. Trust in the LORD like Abraham.  Do not lean on your own understanding or be wise in your own eyes (Proverbs 3:5-7) just trust.

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of GOD! How unsearchable (you can’t figure it out) HIS judgments, and HIS paths beyond tracing out!” (Roman 11:33 NIV). Many of HIS workings are hidden like the path HE had for the Jews to go through the sea on dry land.

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of GOD, you might receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:35-36).

“GOD is not a man, that HE would lie, Nor a son of man, that HE would change HIS mind; Has HE said, and will HE not do it? Or has HE spoken, and will HE not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19).

Remember everything GOD put in the Bible and every promise HE has spoken to individuals will come to be.  For the LORD who cannot lie says, “I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it” (Isaiah 46:11).

Be encouraged, I am.

Hugs

Sharon