|
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
Strange stellar signs, eerie earthly signals - By Terry James - https://www.raptureready.com/2021/04/07/strange-stellar-signs-eerie-earthly-signals-by-terry-james/
While indicators abound that the Tribulation (Daniel’s seventieth week) is approaching upon the prophetic horizon of the near future, one area of forewarning is somewhat neglected. We’ve gone over ad infinitum matters involving the stage being set for that last seven years of unprecedented trouble. Things such as developments involving societal and cultural degradation. Things like political, governmental, and economic evil. Developments such as those produced through satanically manipulated science, to the detriment of mankind. Things like cumulative, anti-Christian corruption among churches. All are signals that God’s inevitable judgment approaches America and the world. But more rarely addressed is one very important sector of forewarning that Jesus, Himself, gave—the prophecy as recorded in the book of Luke. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (Luke 21:25–26) The Lord was telling of a progressive series of end-times signals and, just two verses later, He tells us what we are to do when we see these things “begin” to come to pass. Keep starkly in your thinking this word “begin.” It’s significant in thinking on our rescue from that terrible time of trouble—the seven-year Tribulation. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:28) Now, I realize that many—particularly perhaps a majority of seminary students and their professors—interpret this to mean that those enduring the Tribulation are to “look up” because Christ is coming for them. I agree. But I’m convinced that it is a dual audience the Lord has in mind. I believe He is talking not only to saints of the Tribulation era, but also to Christians of the Age of Grace (Church Age). Jesus is referring to the answer He gave His disciples that day when they asked when would be the time and sign of His coming (Luke 21:25–26 as given above). He is including the signs that will mark the era (the Age of Grace or Church Age) that will usher in the time of Tribulation. He is saying that when these signs “begin” to come to pass, saints of the Church Age are to “look up” and “lift up [their] heads.” He’s also saying to Tribulation Saints (those saved during that terrible era) that when they see these things happening, they, too, are to “look up,” because He is on the way to rescue them. The first time His people (Church Age saints) are to look up for their redemption is at the Rapture. The second time his people (the Tribulation saints) are to look up is at the Second Advent when He returns with those Church Age saints. So we consider whether we are now seeing prophetic signs in the sun, moon, and stars as well as all of the other signals mentioned above. Also, Jesus, the Living Word (John 1:1), gave dramatic things to look for upon and in the earth itself as prophecy begins to be fulfilled for the wind-up of history leading to His Second Coming. He gave these through the writer of the book of Acts, who quoted the Old Testament prophet Joel. And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come. (Acts 2: 19–20) Reports of increased stellar activity are beginning to light up the hourly newsfeeds. One report says the following. New observations with the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (ESO’s VLT) indicate that the rogue comet 2I/Borisov, which is only the second and most recently detected interstellar visitor to our Solar System, is one of the most pristine ever observed. Astronomers suspect that the comet most likely never passed close to a star, making it an undisturbed relic of the cloud of gas and dust it formed from. 2I/Borisov was discovered by amateur astronomer Gennady Borisov in August 2019 and was confirmed to have come from beyond the Solar System a few weeks later. “2I/Borisov could represent the first truly pristine comet ever observed,” says Stefano Bagnulo of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, Northern Ireland, UK, who led the new study published today in Nature Communications. The team believes that the comet had never passed close to any star before it flew by the Sun in 2019. (“First interstellar comet may be the most pristine ever found,” ESO, March 30, 2021, RR News April 2, 2021) Other strange things in space are making themselves known in a stellar show that fascinates scientists who watch with critical eyes. A couple of other of these displays are turning eyes and telescopes upward. Uranus is belching X-rays and is weirder than we ever thought. The more scientists study it, the weirder Uranus gets. The newest mystery to add to the planet’s repertoire? Astronomers have detected X-rays from the strange world—and while some of the signal may be reflected emissions from the sun, some appear to be coming from the planet itself, according to a NASA statement. My good friend, Dr. Thomas Horn of SkyWatch TV, has done extensive research on a heavenly visitor that portends possible and prodigious prophetic possibilities—if you will forgive the alliteration. It’s a matter of concern to scientists that most media won’t report because, we presume, of possibly panicking the public. The space rock, an asteroid, is huge and might be on a trajectory that will bring it near earth. As a matter of fact, those who study such things say that if it comes as close as suspected, it can’t do anything but strike the planet. While some claim it will come close enough to knock out orbiting satellites, they say it isn’t likely to actually hit the planet. Tom Horn and others, including top scientists devoted to study of interstellar space, say it’s ludicrous to think such a huge mass could come close enough to knock out orbiting satellites and not plunge into the planet itself. The asteroid, named Apophis after a god of ancient mythology, is headed earth’s way, according to those carefully tracking it. You may have seen this week where NASA is calling an “all clear” on the impact possibility of Apophis in 2029. But just one of many scientists is warning that NASA’s trajectory calculation of Apophis is off by as much as 600,000 miles, which Harry Lear implies could send Apophis crashing into earth eight years from now on April 13, 2029. Lear sent an open letter to the President and U.S. Government scientists begging them to cross-check these calculations immediately, even though he ends his dispatch with an ominous admonition that we may already be out of time.… Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson admits that on April 13, 2029: “Apophis will come so close to Earth that it will dip below our orbiting communication satellites. It will be the largest closest thing we have ever observed to come by earth… the orbit we now have for it is uncertain…because these things are hard to measure and hard to get an exact distance for—we cannot tell you exactly where that trajectory will be.” (“When Prophets and Scientists Agree: Nasa “Deceptively” Clouding Truth about 2029 Asteroid Impact Odds,” 3/30/21, SkyWatch Editor) Tom Horn, in his books The Messenger and The Wormwood Prophecy, goes into great detail, including prophetic possibilities regarding this massive space rock. He believes that it’s possible that it might have something to do with the catastrophic object from space given in the following Scripture. The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.” (Revelation 8: 7–11) Jesus’ foretelling that there would be a great many earthquakes and violent upheavals in the earth also seems to becoming more in view with each news cycle. Here are just a few that are occurring simultaneously.
The Lord’s admonition to be looking up when these things begin to come to pass must not be ignored. His Word must be embraced and spread so others will escape that horrific seven years soon to break upon an unsuspecting world. These are not signals of doom for the believer in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Here’s what He promises regarding this time of Tribulation that will be His judgment and wrath (called “the hour of temptation” in KJV): Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (Revelation 3:10) Even so, come Lord Jesus! Heavy Shelling Is Being Reported In Ukraine As Russian Television Discusses A Possible “Nuclear Strike” - by Michael Snyder - http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/heavy-shelling-is-being-reported-in-ukraine-as-russian-television-discusses-a-possible-nuclear-strike/ A new war in Ukraine would be bad for the entire globe, but we might just get one anyway. Once the Biden administration took control of the White House, they decided to wage a campaign of maximum pressure against Russia, and Ukraine is one of the key tools that they are using. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky never would have signed Decree No. 117/2021 on March 24th without the encouragement of the Biden administration, and the extremely aggressive statements about Crimea in that document deeply alarmed the Russians. Even more importantly, it appears that the Ukrainians were secretly preparing a massive offensive against areas of eastern Ukraine that are held by the separatists. If those areas could have been captured before Russia could react, that would have been a massive victory for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Biden administration. But the Russians caught wind of what was going on, and that is why they have been sending forces into Crimea and into separatist-held areas of eastern Ukraine in numbers that we have never seen before. If Zelensky and the Biden administration would have left things alone, we wouldn’t be on the verge of war today. But now tensions in the region are extremely high, and a major conflict could break out at any moment. The following is an example of how the current state of affairs is being viewed in Russia… After six years of an uneasy and at times violent truce, the specter of a new war is looming large in Russia-Ukraine relations. In retaliation for Kiev’s recent crackdown on pro-Russian media and politicians, Moscow is staging a large-scale and ostentatious military buildup along the Ukrainian border. The situation is especially volatile in Donbass, where the ceasefire between the Ukrainian army and Moscow-sponsored breakaway territories has effectively broken down. Both sides accuse each other of provocations and regularly exchange fire, with the casualties mounting among both military personnel and civilians. Zelensky made things even worse on Tuesday when he urged NATO to add Ukraine as a member as soon as possible… Ukraine’s president has called on Nato and key member states to hasten his country’s membership of the western military alliance in response to a growing buildup of Russian forces on his country’s borders. Volodymyr Zelenskiy spoke to Nato’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, on Tuesday, and urged for Ukraine to be put on a pathway to future membership to halt the long-running conflict in the eastern Donbas region. Everyone knows that Russia is desperate to keep Ukraine out of NATO, and so Zelensky had to know that his statements would result in even more stress in the region. The Ukrainian people thought that they were voting for peace when they originally voted for Zelensky, but instead he has been a nightmare. Within the last 24 hours, more shelling has erupted in eastern Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian military, mortar fire was reported close to the village of Nevelske… In particular, in the area of responsibility of the operational and tactical group “East”, near the village of NEVELSKE, the enemy opened fire with 82-mm mortars, large-caliber machine guns and machine-gun anti-tank grenade launchers. As a result of enemy shelling, one Ukrainian soldier received non-life-threatening injuries. In addition, in the area of the Joint Forces operation, one serviceman died as a result of an explosion on an unknown explosive device. Even more alarming, video footage posted on social media shows “heavy shelling” near the city of Avdiivka… Unfortunately, the fighting is likely to escalate in the coming days. In fact, it is being reported that Ukraine is starting to call up reservists… Ukraine’s military has scrambled territorial defense units amid the unfolding threat of an all-out Russian invasion as masses of fresh regular forces concentrate near Ukraine’s borders, with NATO and United States ringing alarm. Approximately 100,000 reservists could be called to duty, and that would definitely bolster the Ukrainian forces. On the other side, the Russian military just announced that it will be holding more than 4,000 “training exercises” during the month of April… Russia announced the start of mass military drills, ratcheting up tensions with neighboring Ukraine amid Western concerns about the risk of renewed fighting. More than 4,000 training exercises will be held in military districts across Russia in April, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday, in comments posted on the ministry’s website. Hopefully things will calm down soon, because events could spiral out of control very easily. Earlier today, I was deeply alarmed to learn that there has even been a discussion about a potential “nuclear strike” on Russian public television… However, in a frightening public report, Russian public television “Russia 1” spoke of a nuclear strike. They said about: “If there is a possible escalation in Ukraine, then a nuclear strike is on the agenda. This will make Americans afraid and we will do whatever we want.” Hearing that should send a chill through your bones, because if nuclear weapons are used that will cross a line that will never be able to be uncrossed. We are so close to a nightmare scenario, but most Americans continue to be completely and utterly oblivious to what is going on. A hothead is in charge of our foreign policy, he is surrounded by a team of all-star warmongers, and we are now closer to war with Russia than we have been in decades. And at this hour, even more forces are racing toward the conflict zone in Ukraine… Russia just invaded Ukraine and this Iconic Rabbi Predicted it will bring the Messiah – Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz - https://www.israel365news.com/189073/russia-just-invaded-ukraine-this-iconic-rabbi-predicted-it-will-bring-the-messiah/ Therefore prophesy, O mortal, and say to Gog: Thus said Hashem: Surely, on that day, when My people Yisrael are living secure, you will take note, and you will come from your home in the farthest north, you and many peoples with you—all of them mounted on horses, a vast horde, a mighty army. Ezekiel 38:14 (The Israel BibleTM) Escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia are dragging other countries into the mix, threatening to explode into a multi-national shooting war. The situation closely matches a 400-year-old prophecy about the conditions before Messiah and one rabbi explains why current events are particularly ripe for Gog and Magog. RUSSIA AND UKRAINE HEATING UP Unbeknownst to most people in the west, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed Decree No. 117/2021 on March 24, essentially declaring war with Russia. The new Ukrainian decree calls for the “de-occupation and reintegration of the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.” The conflict between the two countries has been brewing since the Ukrainian revolution in 2014 which led to Russia annexing Crimea. This led to armed conflict between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions. Since the decree was issued, a bilateral military buildup has been underway. This escalation has expanded to increase the western nations on the side of Ukraine with Kiev officially opening its airspace for NATO surveillance planes and other activities hostile to the Russian Federation. Last Monday, NATO fighter jets scrambled 10 times on to shadow Russian bombers and fighters during an unusual peak of flights over the North Atlantic, North Sea, Black Sea, and Baltic Sea. In all, NATO aircraft intercepted six different groups of Russian military aircraft near Alliance airspace in less than six hours. NATO voiced concern last week over what it said was a large Russian military build-up near eastern Ukraine. President Biden made his first phone call to the Ukrainian president last week and pledged to stand by Ukraine in the event of any Russian “aggression” while the US European Command raised its alert status to the highest level. Russia responded by warning NATO against deploying troops to Ukraine, saying such a move would escalate tensions nears its borders. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia would be forced to respond if NATO troops were deployed to Ukraine. The Pentagon said earlier this week that US forces in Europe had raised their alert status following the “recent escalations of Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine”. VILNA GAON: “WHEN RUSSIANS CAPTURE CRIMEA, MESSIAH ON HIS WAY” This conflict mirrors an end of days prediction made in the 18th Century. The prophecy was originally made by Rabbi Elijah of Vilna (also known as the Vilna Gaon), a Jewish scholar from the 18th century who is well known for his contributions in understanding the Messianic process. The prophecy was handed down from father to son and was revealed just a few years ago by Rabbi Shturnbuch, the great-grandson of the Vilna Gaon. The announcement of the Messianic revelation, originally publicized by Rabbi Lazer Brody, stated, “When you hear that the Russians have captured the city of Crimea, you should know that the times of the Messiah have started, that his steps are being heard. And when you hear that the Russians have reached the city of Constantinople [today’s Istanbul], you should put on your Shabbat clothes and don’t take them off, because it means that the Messiah is about to come any minute.” Rabbi Pinchas Winston, a prolific end of days author, noted that conditions are indeed ripe for the pre-Messiah War of Gog and Magog. “It is known that the Gog and Magog will come from the north,” Rabbi Winston said. “The Hebrew word for ‘north’ (צפון:tsafon) also implies ‘hidden’.” Therefore prophesy, O mortal, and say to Gog: Thus said Hashem: Surely, on that day, when My people Yisrael are living secure, you will take note, and you will come from your home in the farthest north, you and many peoples with you—all of them mounted on horses, a vast horde, a mighty army. Ezekiel 38: 14-15 Rabbi Winston noted that a war between Turkey and Russia was predicted to be the precursor to the pre-Messiah War of Gog and Magog. “The two nations have faced off before,” Rabbi Winston explained. “Each time is like the building of a tower of explosives. It may seem like small events set off major conflicts but in every case, the conditions were all in place, waiting for a spark to set them off.” Rabbi Winston noted that one pre-condition seemed to be especially incendiary. “Major multinational wars, like both World Wars, tend to come directly after a period of excessive liberalism,” Rabbi Winston said. He made the disclaimer that “a little liberalism is a good, even necessary thing.” “The world can only run properly when people, especially leaders, acknowledge that God runs the world,” Rabbi Winston said. “People and governments need to take responsibility for their own actions in a global framework. When people become socially irresponsible, as liberalism has certainly become, a conflict becomes unavoidable.” Rabbi Winston gave a Biblical precedent. “Eve was the first liberal,” Rabbi Winston said. “She threw off the yoke of heaven. She did what she thought was best for herself, opening the door to the snake. The snake is like the Putin's and Hitler's of the world who think only of themselves and how they can benefit at the expense of others.” “But Concerning the Times and Seasons….” - By Gene Lawley - https://www.raptureready.com/2021/04/06/but-concerning-the-times-and-seasons-by-gene-lawley/ When the Apostle Paul wrote those words now in the first verse of 1 Thessalonians 5, it was a continuation of his comments recorded now in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, which are as follows: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” There were no chapter breaks nor numbered verses when Paul wrote his letters to his followers and churches. So, the beginning of chapter 5 at verse 1 reads as, “But concerning times and seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.” Then he continues with further explanation of the timing and effects of that sudden transformation of believers in Christ at the end of chapter 4 of 1 Thessalonians: “…For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, for when they say, ‘Peace and safety,’ then sudden destruction comes upon them as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape” (1Thessalonians 5:2-3). Notice that Paul did not clearly pin down a future time for that “Rapture or ‘snatching out’ of the saints,” but he did give a clue—”when they shall say, ‘Peace and safety.” So, what does that mean? And who are “they”? Daniel 9:27 has the answer when he tells of one who is coming on the scene with a heritage reaching back to the Romans who destroyed the city of Jerusalem and its temple in 70 A.D. That person will “confirm a covenant with many for one week [of years].” Daniel can only be writing a prophecy of coming peace for Israel that is set for a seven-year period and is confirmed by “many” nations–the United Nations. It was the United Nations that established the restored nation of Israel on May 14, 1948. For nearly 73 years now, that nation has been under threat of destruction by its neighbors. No wonder they will express that sigh of relief, “Peace and safety,” when a promise of peace is made, even for only seven years. However, it will only last half that time; for that person, the Antichrist, will shut down the temple’s activities and stand in it, declaring himself God, and demanding that he be worshipped as God. Therefore, what is meant by “times and seasons”? It means the times and conditions when prophecies will be fulfilled. Jesus touched on that when He said, in Luke 21:28, “When these things begin to happen, look up, for your redemption draws near.” Then begins a parable about the fig tree’s blooming as a likeness to the return of the nation’s status as an independent entity. It seems to open a doorway to current “times and seasons,” for God’s recurring promise to return those people to their land as promised to Abraham has come to pass. Current events, now, take on a new significance. What are some of these events that appear to be fulfillments of “things beginning to happen”? One nation after another in the Middle East region are beginning to make peaceful diplomatic relationships with Israel. Watch this development result in that peace covenant coming together in the United Nations. Now, with the Biden administration in place, it appears likely that Israel’s defensive support by the United States will not be forthcoming. It is noticeable that Iran has become openly aggressive toward Israel again, thus spotlighting the coming Gog-Magog war foretold in Ezekiel 38-39. Without question is the “falling away” from law and order, from moral integrity into total perversion and depravity, from “justice for all” to selective judicial favoritism. In short, good is made to be wrong, and evil is called good. With these things stirring in the background, the conditions described in Luke 17:26-30 come to mind, that of “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, building and planting”—the conditions which Jesus said would be prevalent when He, the Son of Man, is revealed on that Day of the Lord. It is an absolute truth that God has never made a promise that He did not intend to fulfill. There are at least two such promises not yet fulfilled. One is obvious, that a “falling away” will occur, then end with the removal of that One who restrains the evil. That has not happened yet, for the Holy Spirit-indwelt believers in Christ are still present in the world. The other promise is that He will “take out of the Gentiles a people for His Name,” and only God will know when that is completed. (See Romans 11:25.) We can speculate on the timing of these things, but as Jesus told us in John 7:6, “My time has not yet come, but yours is always ready,” a statement that is as current in this time today as it was when He said it. Only now, His situation faces the time of return in these last days. There are other considerations that can be added to these “times and seasons” that are upon us now, but these are significant enough, it seems, to be on the alert. Jesus said to “watch,” and the writer of Hebrews says “not to forsake the assembling of yourselves together as the manner of some is, but so much the more as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). The greatly increased aggressiveness of the LGBTQ’s agenda, with the blessing of the Biden administration, is rapidly pushing this nation into the likeness of Sodom. We can see how they turned out in Genesis 19—total destruction as soon as Lot and his family were out of the city. The judgment of God is a very present danger to that increasing multitude who have no regard for Him. Even so, the continuation of that passage in 1 Thessalonians 5 with verse 4-5 tells us this great assurance: “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.” Therefore, let “the joy of the Lord be your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Contact email: [email protected] Daily Jot: Stupidocrisy: 60 Minutes Pay to Play – Bill Wilson – www.dailyjot.com Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) bucked the system. His COVID 19 policies defied wokeness by not shutting down the state’s entire economy and quarantining healthy people. He didn’t send COVID-infected people to nursing homes. He didn’t release COVID-infected prisoners from jail. He didn’t force people to stay at home and wear masks. He didn’t follow the cancel culture’s rules of engagement. His state showed tremendous progress. Can’t have that. DeSantis seems to have stunning common sense that is winning the day. DeSantis is looking like a threat to future Democratic presidential hopefuls. So CBS’s “60 Minutes” decides to put an end to DeSantis’ by fabricating a narrative. After all, it usually works. But this time, the poster child for fake news got caught with its lying fingers on the edit machine. 60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi attempted a political assassination with her story that DeSantis had accepted a $100,000 pay to play political donation from Publix supermarkets in return for awarding Publix a COVID vaccine distribution contract. Problem was the story was an entire fabrication. 60 Minutes edited DeSantis’ responses to Alfonsi at a news conference to make it look like DeSantis was guilty, when in reality, DeSantis totally debunked her narrative. His account was also backed by elected Democratic Party officials, who were pleased with the governor’s vaccine distribution plans. To top it off as an example of how corporate media works together to promote false and damaging narratives, Breitbart News reports the unedited video of the governor’s response to Alfonsi was removed from YouTube after conservatives began sharing it. Let’s roll back the clock to August 2016 when Judicial Watch revealed some 745 State Department documents and emails, in which Hillary Clinton’s top State Department aide Huma Abedin “provided expedited, direct access to Clinton for donors who had contributed from $25,000 to $10 million to the Clinton Foundation. In many instances, Clinton Foundation top executive Doug Band, who worked with the Foundation throughout Hillary Clinton’s tenure at State, coordinated closely with Abedin.” That was just one small aspect of Clinton’s pay to play machine. But what did we hear from 60 Minutes back then? Crickets. Mainstream media refused to cover Clinton’s documented pay to play scheme. Roll the tape forward a bit. The mainstream media refused to cover Joe Biden’s pay for play scheme with Ukraine, Russia and China through his various family members, documented in the tens of millions of dollars. But DeSantis actually does a good service and 60 Minutes fabricates a pay to play bribery scheme. In Exodus 23:8 the Lord says, “And you shall take no bribe: for the bribe blinds the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous.” Clinton and Biden are proven to enrich themselves with bribes and get away with it scot-free, while an innocent man is accused mercilessly. Say it with me…Stupidocrisy. Daily Devotion: Why Do We Lie? - by Greg Laurie – www.harvest.org For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. —John 8:44 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/why-do-we-lie/ - Listen We know that lying is wrong, so why do we do it? Often it’s because we’ve been caught doing something wrong, so we want to find a way to explain it. But we’ll also lie to save face or lie to keep from offending someone. Regardless, commandment nine of the Ten Commandments tells us, “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16 NLT). Or, simply put, “You shall not lie.” There are a number of ways we lie, from outright lies to so-called little white lies. But there’s also another way we lie, and that is through gossiping and backbiting. For example, when we say things like “Have you heard . . .” or “Hey, I don’t know if this is true, but . . .” or “I wouldn’t tell you this, but I know it won’t go any further . . . ,” that is gossip. The word gossip even hisses when we say it. It reminds us of the Serpent’s temptation of Eve in the Garden of Eden. The Devil really is in the details here because we can end up slandering someone or destroying their reputation by saying something that isn’t factually true. I’ve often said that it’s always a good idea to apply the acronym T.H.I.N.K. before we speak: Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it inspiring? Is it necessary? Is it kind? If what you’re about to say doesn’t meet those standards, then don’t say it. Proverbs 6:16–19 lists seven things that God hates, and interestingly, two of them have to do with lying. Not only that, but Jesus described the Devil as “the father of lies” (John 8:44 NLT). So when we lie, we’re behaving more like the children of the Devil than the children of God. God hates it when His people lie. FROM THE HEART Let Us Make the Short Time We have Left, Count for ALL of Eternity! IF YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED THROUGH THIS MINISTRY, THEN WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD PLEASE REMEMBER PROPHECY UPDATE IN YOUR GIVING - WE ARE TRULY, TRULY, THANKFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT WORTHY OF YOUR SUPPORT? One of the most reliable ways to determine if a ministry is worthy of your financial support is to examine its fruits. If Prophecy Update is keeping you informed, and if that information inspires you, and causes you to draw closer to the Lord, if Prophecy Update equips you with valuable information and knowledge to share with and encourage other believers, and open the eyes of non-believers, and if Prophecy Update keeps you connected to current events relating to Bible Prophecy, then you are partaking of the fruit produced through this ministry. None of this would be possible without the Lords blessings and your support. I believe where the Lord guides, the Lord provides, and most of the time He provides through the willing and generous hearts of believers just like you and me. Humbly Seek Your Support Prophecy Update has no corporate sponsors. This ministry is paid for and prayed for by readers and supporters. Without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update, Please pray about becoming a monthly supporter - thanks! If ever there was a time to invest in God's Kingdom, it's now! What on earth are you doing for Heaven's Sake? "Share in the Blessings and Rewards that will last Forever!" "Folks, it's all beginning to unravel. America is in more danger of falling than at any time in its history. But I believe Bible prophecy predicts this very decline. From this point on, we believers have to get serious. We are going to face discouragement, disillusionment and, most certainly, persecution in the time between now and the Rapture. But don't be discouraged or disillusioned. The coming turmoil will provide us unrivaled opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel. So be ready to share your faith and your hope with those who need Christ. We still have time to reap a great harvest of souls for God's kingdom!" - Hal Lindsey 1) We need your prayers!- We proclaim the Truth of the Word of God and we are under constant spiritual and sometimes even physical attack. 2) We need your encouragement!- We need to hear from you, let us know how the Lord is blessing you through this ministry so that we can share it with others. 3) We need your input! - If you have a prophetic article or story or if there is a news related item we missed, let us know. 4) We need your financial support!- To put it quite simply, without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update. I ask that you would prayerfully consider partnering with us to get the Word out and keep the world informed. Remember, your gift, no matter how small, does make a difference! You will be helping to touch lives, around the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, thanks to the internet your generosity carries a global impact! - Thanks! Our Prayer for You- "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." 2 Corinthians 9:10-13 If you have been blessed by Prophecy Update and would like to help support this ministry financially. You can make a secure donation online by going to: DONATE NOW Or write us at: Prophecy Update P.O. Box 40516 Bakersfield, CA 93384-0516 We are very pleased to offer all our readers this FREE download on Bible Prophecy from the Evangelical Bible College of Western Australia - Just download and enjoy and be blessed! Feel free to share it with all your friends and family members. Click below to download! "AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPROACHING" If You Died Today, Would You Go To Heaven? Find out, visit: www.thegoodtest.net www.gotquestions.org www.wayofthemaster.com How to know God DID YOU KNOW? You can submit an article, leave a comment or praise report at email: [email protected] Maranatha! (Lord Come Quickly) "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, All other ground is sinking sand." "Let Us make the short time we have left count for all eternity!" YBIC-Randy
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
December 2024
Categories |
RSS Feed