Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
Worldwide Judgment Is Coming - By Pastor Mike Taylor -
http://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2019/05/worldwide-judgment-is-coming.html "2 I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the Lord. I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling blocks with the wicked: and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD."(Zephaniah 1:2-3) Have you seen what is in the news? Everyone who reads the newspaper, listens to their TV, scans the Internet, or reads even the Drudge Report, sees all the strange reports of worldwide calamities in nature that no one can explain. Of course, the lame-stream media is not reporting this unexplained events as they are too busy with political shenanigans, but I looked to see if they are still going on this last year, or even the first part of this year. Here is what I found by searching Google: "There is a list of worldwide mass animal deaths for 2019, that shows a mass die offs from the previous 8 years. There are animals dying all over the world today in huge numbers, due to the polluted state of the sea and air. Millions of Fish and massive numbers of various marine creatures are washing ashore dead. Birds are falling dead out of the sky, and millions of poultry and wildlife are dying from avian flu. The animals of the land are also dying in large numbers. Now although animals and fish have been dying all throughout history, we have not seen the massive consistent numbers that we are seeing today. Please remember! This is just one of the MANY signs of the last days. It's time to wake up! In many of these events people from all walks of life are saying that they have"never seen anything like this before". SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS AND ON THE EARTH. We see signs in the heavens. We see asteroids coming very close to our world and the scientist can't explain them or predict them all. Russia had a meteor fall to the earth that was the size of quarter of a football field exploding in the atmosphere and caused injury and damage to thousands of people and property. There was a reported sighting over Cuba and it was not even known it was coming. Same event has happened over in California. From news report, they continue to happen and with no apparent explanation. What is coming upon the earth? Now we find out, even though it is being under reported, that deaths of different species of animals continue unabated. It gives a person pause to try and understand what is happening, as this is not normal in any sense of the word. Lame stream media has tried to spin this as caused by electrical storms, fireworks going off, or environmental changes due to "climate change". Then others dismiss it as a normal occurrence that has happened before and that this was seen in the past? Oh, really media hounds, have we? We see the reports of thousand of seal pups washing up on California's coast line and we have not a clue why this is happening. We see various animals, fish and even pollinating bees that make our vegetables and fruits from the earth grow and are pollinated, but when bees die, then many in the world will starve from lack of food. If it's a natural occurrence in regards to these animals and insects dying, then why is it just one species affected in several cases? Remember the black birds by the thousands falling out of the sky in Arkansas, or drum fish by the hundreds of thousands washing up on the banks of an Arkansas river that is not a hundred miles away, in times past? Why does it not affect the other fish, if it's natural? Why not other birds in the area, if its a natural occurrence, or environmental? How about the recent past news of 200 head of cattle suddenly dying in Wisconsin? The whole herd was found dead. Can't explain it in the natural? Neither can I and it makes some people very apprehensive what could be the cause? This phenomenon keep happening all over the globe as suddenly aquatic life is washed up onto our shores, or beast found dead in fields, or birds falling from the sky. If you think this is past, read the latest online at this web address: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/01/150113-mass-die-off-disease-animals-environment-science/ They just seem to keep happening even in recent news and most likely will continue without explanation. I have reported and preached on this in times past, and the signs just keep coming unabated, so it is time to wake up and see what is coming upon the earth. Signs in the heavens are rampant in our skies. Unexplained phenomenon that have men searching the heavens for a doomsday, life extinction strike upon the earth from a distant traveling asteroid coming into our solar system. Not to mention the coming signs that we went over about blood red moons, and solar eclipses that were predicted in the recent past from NASA and still near misses of our planet from outer space are reported. Are all these just business as usual? Now I don't know exactly the cause or am I a scientist, and I'm not into conspiracy theories, but when things start becoming strange and unexplainable, I turn to my Bible for any possible explanation that might give comfort or an answer to these type of events, especially when I believe that we are in the very last days before the start of the Tribulation. If the news is supernatural will it only increase in intensity? Time will tell, as if these events continue, then stress on men's minds and hearts will increase. To me, it sounds like warning signs of a coming judgment on this earth. I believe that Tribulation is straight ahead of us. From what I read in our Bible, if you think these events are mysterious and foreboding, you haven't seen anything yet. Wait till God gets really busy bringing on this earth signs that we know must be interpreted as only Divine, as men will know in their hearts that the signs they see, spell doom to this world they cling to. "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; 21:26 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) Are these events causing distress amongst the nations? It is coming, and if this is what men fear, it will only get worse, as the above verses lay out. So what could be the explanation of these strange events?You can find many of these end time events in Revelation, but I turn to the book of Zephaniah and look at this prophets words concerning his prophecy concerning judgment on the city of Jerusalem and Judah, the southern Kingdom of Israel. I believe the prophet speaks of a people who have turned their back on God. Zephaniah speaks to them, and I believe he speaks to us in these last days of man's history on this earth. I don't want you to just read these excerpts from God's Word, but take that Bible in your lap and read of our future in this book of the Bible that many have yet to read, or have long forgotten. It will surely come to pass in your life-time. 1:1 "The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah. 1:2 I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD. 1:3 I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling blocks with the wicked: and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD. 1:4 I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests; 1:5 And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham; 1:6 And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him. 1:7 Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests." In verse 5, who is Malcham? It is another word for Molech and God saw how they passed their children through the "fires of Molech". Child sacrifice was what was going on by the idolatry and worship of Molech. Not to mention all the abominations of the worship of the other false gods of this time. This prophecy was Zephaniah warning the people about their idolatry and about coming judgment for their sinful ways. Have we not passed our children through the fire? Can you say elected abortion of a whole generation of American citizens who never got a chance at life? There is a battle going on now, about defunding Planned Parenthood and the laws that two states have passed that allows a baby to be killed right up to the time of its birth. I even read a horrifying piece that a live infant after birth waits the decision of its mother and the doctor attending whether to let it live, or to murder it even as it breaths the breath of life into its lungs. Zephaniah was a prophet of judgment. He prophesied of the imminent devastation of the land of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem because of Judah's injustice, hypocrisy and idolatry (chap. 1, sound familiar?) This prophecy was fulfilled in 586 BC. This is why the faithful remnant is called to seek Jehovah when the nations near and far will feel Jehovah's vengeance (chap. 2). The actual corrupted state of things stands in contrast to the future blessings of the people as described in chapter 3. 3:16 " In that day it is said to Jerusalem, `Fear not, O Zion, let not thy hands be feeble. 3:17 Jehovah thy God `is' in thy midst, A mighty one doth save, He rejoiceth over thee with joy, He doth work in His love, He joyeth over thee with singing."(Zephaniah 3:16-17) The blessing of God being with us, will remove all the wrath and judgment, as God has laid waste all who rebel against Him, and He will appear in the clouds of Heaven and return with His Saints to rule and reign for a thousand years. The Apostle Paul spoke of the wrath of God being brought to bear on those who are in rebellion during this time: 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.(Hebrews 12:25-29) Leading to His judgment on these people, God gave them ample warning and likewise, so does He give us the same today. He warned them and He warns us to seek His face and to repent. Zephaniah chapter 2."Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; 2:2 Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD's anger come upon you. 2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD's anger." Again, God speaks to us from His word, especially for this time that we live in: II Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." In recent times past, I would have believed that America had a chance to turn back to God and He would forgive and heal this nation. I don't believe that anymore, as the nation as a whole has turn reprobate and if God would withhold His hand from this nation in judgment, He would have to apologize to Sodom and Gommarah for it's destruction, as we have become them. The homosexual agenda continues unabated, and to turn a blind eye to this abomination will only bring God's judgment even quicker. We see murder in many states and it's all over the news promoting "gun control". We see same sex marriage the abolition of the nucleus of a civilization, the family. Divorce is rampant even among so called Christians. The only thing that is holding back full scale judgment is the leader we have now in the USA that is trying to undo the unadulterated evil that was fostered upon this land by the last so called "president" of the USA. But I believe it is only a reprieve of coming judgment, as who knows who will be in the oval office in the future.. ...God's people prayed for this country and God chose an "imperfect" man (but aren't we all) to lead this country, and every liberal from Washington DC on down to the most liberal of states opposes a man who only wants to put the American people first and the country we inherited from our fore-fathers. If they are against him, then he must be doing something right, as Satan opposes anyone who believes the Word of God and attempts to act upon it. The whole book of Zephaniah makes it clear that the prophet looks far ahead of the imminent destruction of Jerusalem on to that dreadful day of Jehovah, the day of His anger and judgment, upon which however will follow the blessing of the millennial reign of peace. You can see our nation, this land we called the USA, in the words of Zephaniah. We are Judah, we are headed for judgment. God is trying to get our attention, and worldwide. It's not just happening in America, it's happening all over the globe, but America is where I live. Events described in the above reports are coming from England to the other side of the globe to Australia, not just the USA. Unexplainable events that Zephaniah was warning the land of Judah about are being seen right now. Zephaniah was speaking of the "Day of the Lord". It was an imminent time in their history, but it does not stop with this ancient people. There are peculiarities in the prophecy when Zephaniah is warning the people about the coming day of the Lord. The day of Jehovah is mentioned as follows in the book of Zephaniah: Chapter 1:7 - the day of Jehovah, Chapter 1:8 - the day of Jehovah's sacrifice, Chapter 1:9 - the same day, Chapter 1:10 - that day, Chapter 1:14 - the great day of Jehovah, Chapter 1:15-16 - a day of wrath, of trouble and distress, Chapter 1:18 - the day of Jehovah's wrath, Chapter 2:2 - the day of Jehovah's anger, Chapter 2:3 - the day of Jehovah's anger, Chapter 3:8 - the day that I rise up to the prey, says Jehovah, Chapter 3:11 - that day, Chapter 3:16 - that day, He is speaking of the imminent day of wrath and is speaking of that Day in their time, but also of a future event that will precede the final"coming of the Lord". He is speaking a duality of prophecy of our time, not just theirs. He speaks of the signs of the great day of wrath that is to come upon this earth....our earth, our time. He is speaking of the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for His 1000 year reign upon this earth, which is preceded by a cleansing of the earth in righteous judgment and His fiery wrath. What will it take for America to wake up, or will she wake up? I believe she has been lulled to sleep bathed in her wickedness. Will a catastrophic earthquake that destroys large land masses and their population shake her awake? How about a new terrorist attack that makes 9/11 pale in comparison? Remember how we came together after the attack of the twin towers, the pentagon, and the fields of Pennsylvania that shook our nation and we returned to our churches in unprecedented numbers? How long did that last? After 6 months of being convicted and shaken, we returned to our old ways and our continued sinful way of life. It seems so long ago, doesn't it? How quickly we forget how we felt and our need for God. The Church needs to wake up from its sleep as we must warn others to get on the Ark of Jesus Christ while there is still time to do so. I just read a commentary of what our downfall will look like. A third world nation that has no power, no authority to do anything to solve a worldwide calamity, as this nation has ceased to exist in its superpower status. Is that time closer than we even think? I've written of different scenarios, as no one knows how this will shake out. America will be either decimated, or become the facilitator or home of the beast power and all its tyranny. Either way, judgment is coming. Worldwide calamity has started. Time will tell how fast it will move to our shores. As it becomes stronger and stronger, and the convulsions of a earth ripe for judgment fills the airwaves and the news outlets are coming fast and furious, you can see what I quoted above coming to pass in all its fury. Quoting Luke chapter 21 again: Luke 21: 25, "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; 21:26 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." Some who read this commentary, will come away with fear and a dread playing on their hearts and minds, but we have a promise, even as we see these events start to unfold. As a believer in my Lord Jesus Christ, I put my faith and trust in Him alone and stand on His Word, as I have on my coffee table an open bible that is turned to this passage of protection from Almighty God in the coming times of trouble ahead: Psalm 91: 7, "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 91:8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked." This would make the average man on the street fearful and many will experience health issues because of one thing..and that is fear and anxiety. My brother in Christ, do not fear, do not let your heart be troubled, as God is in control, even as times of tribulation get closer and closer: I Thessalonians 5:9, "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him." This is the time when we must be warning others who are outside of God's protection. These are those who see what is coming on the face of the earth and are starting to feel anxiety. They know something is coming. They know that "evil is coming this way." They don't buy the stories coming out of the media. They feel a dread and a sense of foreboding. You see survivalist who think they can weather the storm and for how long? No, my friend, when this happens, all will be dealt a most horrific future. Nothing will save those who go through what is coming. It is a time of untold death and carnage, not so much at the hands of men who will take many lives, but at the Hand of Almighty God in fierce judgment and wrath aimed at rebellious and sinful mankind. What will you do if you witness the coastline of California experience the BIG ONE and fall off into the ocean?? What if the Yellowstone volcano that is having seismic activity constantly were to suddenly erupt? You would see death on a scale that you have never seen or read about. You who read this message, do you feel the dread in your mind and soul? So what are you to do? Paul warned in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5: For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 5:3 "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." As a warning messenger on the wall, I admonish you and give you an open invitation to quiet the fear in your mind and in your heart with God's Salvation supplied by His only Begotten Son. 8" But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:8-13) God is trying to shake everyone awake to what is coming. God is calling whoever will believe on His only begotten Son unto salvation. The time is drawing down. The start of the coming 7 years of Tribulation of Daniel's 70th week could be in the imminent future. So what do you do with this warning, this call unto repentance? You could discard it as the ravings of a madman, or look around you and see that things are becoming very fearful and mind troubling. You may feel a tug at your mind and your heart. Jesus said in the Gospel of John , "No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me."(John 6:44-45) Listen to that voice inside your spirit. Listen to the call in Romans 10:13, "whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, he shall be saved.' But in the end, don't take my word for it, all that I have written, search God's Word for yourself. Take the news all around you, and the warning in your Bible and in your heart, listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit calling you. Make that decision for Jesus Christ today, right now. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."(John 3:16-18) If there is anything that I can pray with you about, counsel you with, or give you biblical support, then email me at [email protected] , This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying for your eternal salvation. TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET, MARANATHA! When God Promises - By Terry James - https://www.raptureready.com/2019/05/01/god-promises-terry-james/ Every presidential election in recent times has been talked about as one of the most crucial in America's history. The 2020 election season has added to it, however, anxiety among voters the likes of which I can't recall. Not everyone is so concerned, of course. Those I'm referring to who are so concerned are those who truly see the nation as on a pathway of rapid decline in most every aspect of society and culture. From the issues of the debauching of morality like instituting same-sex marriage and same-sex public toilet facilities..to a whacked-out leftist opposition party that seems to have thrown the U.S. Constitution out the window of common sensibility...to the deliberate creation of an economic morass that has built to the point that the American people have no idea that they are in a portentous economic predicament their circumstances plainly indicate. intensive fear is building. There is genuine worry within the heartland of America that we have a government that is no longer recognizable as founded. And, the even greater worry is that this condition has been deliberately brought about by leftist elected leaders and deep-state elitists entrenched within government whose primary concerns is feathering their own personal and political power nests. Certainly, looking across America's landscape of the present hour, it isn't easy to find a glimmer of hope to offer those with these concerns. The cajoling of voters for their votes by the politicians and their great, swelling promises of the campaign stump suddenly disappear when they win elections. They join in or revert to their old Washington ways once put into or returned to office. It would be foolhardy to expect that this election will see accomplished a different result. Tremendous pressures exerted upon newly elected members of Congress to join the insider network or else be marginalized and rendered ineffectual has been made blatantly observable over the last number of mid-term elections in particular. Once the candidates have been within the D.C. Beltway for a certain period of time, they melt into the system. They seem to disconnect from their constituency until time to get out and shore up their support at home. The politicians' promises, almost without exception, fade into the canyons of lost memories, the destination for which they are intended all along by the Washington power brokers. Yet to so many amongst the citizenry, the government has come to demand god-like reverence. The largess that the power brokers provide from cradle to grave has replaced reliance upon provision by the true God of Heaven in the mainstream of life in America-this swiftly taking our nation in the opposite direction intended by the founding fathers. With the exception of President Donald Trump and others who are trying to bring about governmental sanity, each succeeding election proves again and again that the politicians' promises were never intended to be kept. Yet we the people continue to place trust in those who, in many cases, have been in those positions of power for decades. It's a form of insanity, I think-reprobate thinking brought on by our sinful ways and activity. Again, the definition of insanity is trying the same thing time after time to solve problems even though it fails every time. This brought to mind for this commentary the distinctly defined difference-the contrast-between those promises given by the politicians and the promises made by our God in Heaven. The same politicians who make us promises election after election and quickly forget them once they've been voted in office tell Israel that, in effect, God's promise to that nation is not valid. Yet while the politicians prove election after election that it is their own promises that are not valid, the God of Heaven, through the very nation of Israel, which is at the heart of so much worldwide anger and controversy, has proven beyond any doubt that He keeps His promises. He has said that Israel, once established in the land, will never be uprooted again. He said it would be made a nation again in a single day. He said that Israel will never stop being His people. He has kept every promise. We can know therefore, beyond any doubt that while the politicians of this nation and world almost never keep even one promise, the God of the Universe never will break a promise. That God has said to His people Israel regarding Jerusalem, "For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye." (Zechariah 2:8) The Lord has also promised that because the politicians of this world will "divide my land," He will bring the whole world into the Valley of Jehoshaphat-to Armageddon (Joel 3:2). That's why we watch Israel so closely in the observation of the unfolding of history in view of Bible prophecy. Israel is absolute proof of the veracity of God's Word. He keeps His promises-and Israel is the proof! To apply this to the fear and trepidation that so many Christians are expressing today about the upcoming election and what lies beyond, I urge that we consider our Great, Promise-Keeping God. He has told us that we will be completely kept out of the time of the soon-to-come era of horror termed the Tribulation-out of His Judgment and Wrath (Revelation 3: 10). He will take the Bride of Christ -the Church- off this condemned planet when all of the troubling signals begin to come to pass (Luke 21: 28). When God promises, it is as good as accomplished. This promise, I hope you will sense in your spirit as do I, is about to be kept. He Lives! - Nathele Graham - [email protected] There are certain times during the year that we remember Jesus, or at least give Him a passing thought. Christmas: The time of year when we decorate trees, give gifts, and dust off the Nativity Scene. Easter: The time of year when we buy new Spring clothing, color eggs, eat chocolate bunnies, and sometimes call it Resurrection Sunday. If you don't attend worship services any other time of the year, those two dates are most likely when you join with fellow Christians to remember Jesus. Joining with a congregation doesn't mean you're a Christian. Many pews are filled with people who haven't bowed before the Lord and accepted His blood sacrifice for salvation. If you're a Christian it's easier to walk in your faith when you fellowship with fellow believers. That's especially true if that fellowship is a daily thing you do rather than just on Sunday. The friends you choose make a difference as to how faithful your walk is with Jesus. If you try to blend in with the secular world you'll clash with Christians. Jesus Christ lives today and Christians need to serve Him. I serve a risen Saviour; He's in the world today. I know that He is living, whatever men may say. I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, And just the time I need Him, He's always near. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ should be on a Christian's heart every day. It's the foundation of our faith. "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. The cross was empty and the grave couldn't hold Him. Christ arose from the dead and no matter what non-believers say, He lives today. As He walked throughout the Holy Land, many people followed Him. Some liked what they heard, some wanted healing, and some just followed the crowd. Jesus showed them love and it must have been like a breath of fresh air to listen to Him speak. Then things changed. The joy which people found in the novelty of His teaching changed quickly to fear and denial when He was arrested and put to death by crucifixion. People haven't changed much over the years. It's easy to follow Him when there are no challenges to our faith. When illness strikes our faith is tested and He gets blamed. Other people laugh and mock our faith, and rather than stand up for Jesus we deny Him. When we venture into the darkness of the world around us we may find ourselves denying Him. When sin tempts you and anger causes you to use foul language or make obscene hand gestures, remember that He sees you and hears you. Jesus isn't just some words on paper or fire insurance in case of trouble. When you accept Him for salvation then you accept the lifestyle He has given as an example. Other people watch Christians and see how we represent our Lord. "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Matthew 16:24. Humble yourself before Him, put self-interest aside, and let others see Him through you. Jesus lives. In all the world around me I see His loving care, And though my heart grows weary I never will despair. I know that He is leading, thro' all the stormy blast; The day of His appearing will come at last. We have many choices in life. Some make us better people and some tear us down. The most important choice is to accept Jesus Christ for salvation. If you've done that then make a choice to see Him everywhere. That's not always easy. There's so much in the news today about horrific things that people do to each other, and to themselves. Mass shootings horrify us. Christians are murdered as they worship our Lord, politicians and the loony left promote the murder of babies, schools will accuse parents of child abuse if the parents don't allow their child to choose their own sex, homosexuality is politically acceptable, and the list of horrors goes on and on. How can we see God's love in a world that's very much as it was in the Days of Noah? In spite of the evil, God's love is all around us. We need to keep our eyes on Him and be an instrument of His love. Even in this day and age, many people are coming to salvation. Jesus never promised that when we turn to Him for salvation that life would become easy. In fact He said just the opposite. "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Matthew 5:11-12. The persecution is becoming worse and it seems as if it's easier to choose to turn away and deny Him instead of following Him daily. Through it all, Jesus is with each and every Christian. The Christians in Sri Lanka weren't abandoned by Jesus when the Muslim terrorists murdered them as they worshipped our Lord. The Christians who refuse to deny Jesus and are beheaded for their faith are strong and I admire their courage. Christians who won't compromise God's truth and are sued and persecuted for not conforming to the world are standing on God's word instead of denying Him. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33. Christians need to keep our eyes on Heaven and understand that this world is run by Satan. It's that evil fallen one who is behind the persecution and hatred. Our blessed hope is that Jesus will call us all Home one day soon. "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Titus 2:13-14. Whether the Rapture will happen next month or 10 years from now, don't despair. Every day be aware of His loving care all around and take every opportunity to spread the Gospel. Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian! Lift up your voice and sing. Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King! The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find, None other is so loving, so good and kind. Rejoice! Sometimes it's not easy to rejoice as the pressures of life weigh us down. When things look bleak, remember that Christ lives. Nothing can change that fact. Every Christian has much to rejoice about...we have His resurrection. "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say Rejoice." Philippians 4:4. Take a look at Paul's life and you'll see a man who was changed by Christ. He faced much persecution because of his faith but still said to rejoice in the Lord always. The hope we have in Jesus isn't the type of hope where you cross your fingers and really want something to happen. Hope in Christ is an eternal reality. No matter what this life brings, we know beyond a shadow of doubt that we will live eternally with Christ. "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." 1 Corinthians 15:19-20. That hope is why we, as Christians, rejoice. He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way. He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart. Jesus Christ is alive today. No religion, not even Christian religion, offers hope. Religion is full of rites and rituals which cannot bring salvation. True Christianity isn't a religion. True Christianity is faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That faith guides a Christian's life. Is He a reality to you every day, or do you just think about Him on special occasions throughout the year? On the day that the tomb was found to be empty, two men who had followed Jesus were on their way to Emmaus. They were confused about what had happened and discussed it between themselves while they walked. As they spoke, Jesus joined them. The men were so consumed by their confusion that they didn't recognize Him. I can truthfully say that if someone I loved died but suddenly began walking and talking with me, I don't think I would recognize them. Human logic tells me that when someone dies they don't come and chat. In fact, we aren't to communicate with the dead. As they walked along, the men told Him all about what had taken place in Jerusalem. Then He began talking to them cleared up their confusion. "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." Luke 24:27. Jesus walks and talks with us today. The question is, do we listen? The song "He Lives" was written by Alfred H. Ackley and is usually only sung during Easter. It's words proclaim a truth that needs to be sung loudly and with rejoicing throughout the year. Jesus is not dead. He lives today and because He lives we can live eternally by placing our faith in Him. "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead;" Matthew 28:6-7a. The angel directed the women who found the tomb empty to go tell the disciples that Christ had risen. Christ gives us the responsibility to share the Gospel with all the world. "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15. Jesus Christ is the only hope in this fallen world, and if Christians don't share the Gospel then we are not living our faith. He lives! "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" 1 Corinthians 15:55. Because of Jesus Christ, the grave holds no victory. Remember that fact throughout the year and share the Good News. God bless you all, Nathele Graham [email protected] www.straitandnarrowministry.com [email protected] Ron and Nathele Graham's previous commentaries archived at http://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html All original scripture is "theopneustos" God breathed. If you'd like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries just drop me an email and let me know. Daily Jot: Repent, pray, act - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com Daily Jot readers are expressing their frustration about the nation: "A few months ago, I heard a youthful friend glibly say, "Well if we lose our freedom, we'll still have Jesus." My stomach curdled at those words as I thought, "You have no idea of what you speak."... "I write the congress people, but they don't care and just send back 'thank you ' letters, etc. So I guess most people feel that they can't do anything. We sign petitions that get passed around. What good do they do? News writes what they want and most people don't even get the true stories. Any suggestions for people?"... "What can I do to make a difference? I have written letters over the years to politicians. Seems to never make a difference...What more can I do?" First off, we have to recognize the con game. Politicians encourage you to write or fax so that they can get your information and build a list on various issues. That way they can contact you to show you what a good job they are doing on issues of your interest. Organizations use petitions to get your name and email so they can raise money from you. Generally speaking, neither the politicians nor the lobbyists care a thing about what you think, they just want your information for their own purposes. Christian organizations are just as guilty. So beware. Your opinion doesn't matter much, just your money and your information. Having confirmed why writing and signing is not effective, what to do? Mark 8:34 says, "And Jesus called the crowds with his disciples, and he said to them, "Whoever is willing to come after me, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and let him come after me." The cross was very offensive because it represented the worst of torture and death reserved for the worst of people. Christ was saying that following him will be difficult. Turning a nation back to God is also difficult. Much of the church has become like the world. Many Christians are apathetic. 2 Chronicles 7:14 is overused and underplayed. We are a whole lot about action that takes place from a computer or a chair, but we need to be about Ephesians 6:13, "having done all, to stand." That is much harder. Getting rid of the problem before us is like the example Christ gave regarding the demon that could not be driven out, only by prayer and fasting. Pray and fast for our nation. Beyond that we have to take action. So many will say that if you organize and take to the streets, you are being rebellious. I say that if we stand together overcoming evil with good, and we do it publicly in great numbers, we are not in rebellion, but crushing a satanic rebellion that has been allowed far too long. We need to put our arms and legs and voices in motion--in numbers. We need to be men and women of God speaking boldly as we ought to speak. Let us be mindful of these things as we repent and pray for our nation. Daily Devotion: Under Pressure? Press On - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, 'Don't be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!' - Nehemiah 4:14 If you never want to be criticized, then say nothing, do nothing, and be nothing. But if you're going to say anything, if you're going to do anything, you can be certain you'll be critiqued. And if you're doing God's work, then you will be roundly criticized. When the Israelites were complaining about Moses, what did he do? He called on the Lord. When King Hezekiah received a threatening letter, what did he do? He brought it before the Lord. When John the Baptist was beheaded, what did his disciples do? They went and told Jesus. And when Nehemiah was mocked for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, he prayed about the criticism-and he persisted in reconstructing the wall. Nehemiah said, "Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders" (Nehemiah 4:4-5 NLT). What should you do when you're criticized or attacked? Take it to the Lord. The Bible says, "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you" (1 Peter 5:7 NLT). Two things you can always pass on to Jesus are criticism and praise we receive. One can deflate you, and the other can inflate you. If you focus on your critics, you will not be doing what God has called you to do. If your eyes are on the opposition, they are not on the Lord. When you're under attack, take it to the Lord in prayer. 
FROM THE HEART
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