Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
Trumpets: 5th Feast of the Lord - By Randy Nettles -
www.harvest.org In giving the laws for His people, God set several appointed "Feasts of the Lord" for Israel to observe at specific times during the Year (Leviticus 23). These feasts were holy convocations or assembly meetings for the Hebrew people. They were to be celebrated from that time in the wilderness when God first gave the Law, and would carry on into the future to commemorate what God did for them when He delivered them from centuries of slavery in Egypt. They were first observed when Joshua and the Israelites entered the Promised Land in 1406 B.C. (Joshua 5:10-12). The 7 seasonal Feasts of the Lord are: Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles. The weekly Sabbath is also considered a Feast of the Lord, but it is not seasonal; rather, it is to be observed weekly. The reason God wanted Moses and the children of Israel to observe the mostly lunar calendar was for these seasonal feast days. The New Year starts with the first new moon of spring (when barley is mostly ripe). Passover is always to occur on the first full moon of spring. The Feast of Trumpets is observed during the new moon of autumn. For each of the 7 Feasts of the Lord, there are two fulfillments: the first one is but a shadow of things to come and is fulfilled by the children of Israel; the second fulfillment is by the Lord Jesus himself. His is the ultimate fulfillment. This is why they call them "Feasts of the Lord" and not Feasts of Israel. Let's briefly examine the first occurrences of the 7 Feasts of the Lord. Passover -The original Passover occurred when God sent Moses to Pharaoh in Egypt to convince him to let his people go (from slavery). This occurred in 1446 B.C. Pharaoh would not listen to Moses, so God sent plagues upon the Egyptians. Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not relent until the 10th and final plague occurred. The firstborn of all the Egyptians and their cattle were killed by an angel of death, but the Hebrew firstborn were spared. Passover is discussed in Exodus 13:1-5, Exodus 23:4-5, and Deuteronomy 16:1-4. On the first Passover for Moses and the children of Israel, the blood of the sacrificed lamb that was smeared on the door posts of the homes of the Hebrews foreshadowed the blood of Christ (the Lamb of God) when he was killed on the cross. When we accept His sacrifice, we are no longer judged and sentenced to eternal death because of our sins. Passover, or Pesach to the Jews, is always observed on Nisan 14 of the Jewish calendar but can occur on different days of the week. It commemorates God's deliverance of the Jewish people from a life of slavery and oppression. Unleavened Bread - During the night of the original Passover, the Jews prepared to leave Egypt in great haste. The food they carried with them was unleavened bread - matzo, since they didn't have time for leavened bread to rise. The Feast of Unleavened Bread is the 2nd Feast of the Lord and lasts for seven days, from Nisan 15 to 22, whereas no bread is to be eaten with leaven. Leven or yeast represents sin in the Bible. This Feast of the Lord is mentioned in Exodus 34:18, Leviticus 23:6-8, and Deuteronomy 16:5-8. When Jesus died on the cross, he took away all of our sins and cancelled the Law's indictments against us. Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, was buried in a tomb on the day of his crucifixion and was in the earth for 3 days and 3 nights. He purged out our sins and ultimately fulfilled the 2nd feast known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Firstfruits - The 3rd Feast of the Lord is celebrated on the 1st day after the Sabbath (Saturday) that follows Passover, and is known as the Feast of Firstfruits. Firstfruits was the time for the harvesting of the early crops (mostly barley) of spring. Concerning this feast, the Lord told Moses, "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When you come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: and he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it" (Leviticus 23:9-11). The Bible records that after 40 years in the wilderness, Joshua and the Hebrew people crossed over the Jordan River and ate the Passover Supper on the 14th of Nisan in the year 1406 BC. The next day, on the 15th of Nisan, the Jews ate of the old corn of the land. The next day, the 16th day of Nisan, was the last day in which God provided the supernatural manna as food. The day following was the 17th day of Nisan, the Feast of Firstfruits; and with no more manna available, the people began to eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year...the firstfruits of the Promised Land. The feast celebrated Israel 's acknowledgement that not only the firstfruits were owed to God, but that all they had was from God, a daily gift from His gracious hand. Moses wrote: "The first of the firstfruits of thy land you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God" (Exodus 23:19). Jesus was resurrected on a Feast of Firstfruits day. This miraculous event occurred on the third day after Passover (on a Sunday), which was the 17th day of Nisan in the year A.D. 33. Christians now refer to this day as Resurrection Sunday. "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept" (1Corinthians 15:20). Jesus also resurrected others from death during this time. "The graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many" (Matthew 27:52-53). Jesus' resurrection is the ultimate fulfillment of the Feast of Firstfruits. Pentecost - The 4th Feast of the Lord is celebrated 50 days after the Feast of Firstfruits in early summer. Pentecost (Feast of Weeks), or Shavuot to the Jews, celebrated the end of the barley harvest and the beginning of the wheat harvest. The name Pentecost comes from the word "penta" meaning 50. "And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete. Even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall you number fifty days; and you shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord" (Leviticus 23:15-16). Pentecost is mentioned in Leviticus 23:15-22 and Deuteronomy 16:9-12. In A.D. 135, after the final defeat of the Jewish nation by Roman legions, the Sanhedrin changed the focus of Shavuot from the summer harvest to the giving of the 10 Commandments and the Law of Moses. They did this because Shavuot was one of the three feasts in which all male Jews were required to observe and gather together, and the defeated and dispersed nation of Israel would no longer have any national harvests to celebrate. From that time on, the Jewish leaders decided that Pentecost would occur 50 days after the feast of Unleavened Bread (instead of the feast of Firstfruits). So now, in their eyes, Shavuot can come any day of the week and always takes place on the 6th day of the 3rd Hebrew month of Sivan. This dating method for Pentecost is not biblically correct. Pentecost should always fall on Sunday and can come on different dates other than Sivan 6. Pentecost should always come 50 days after the Feast of Firstfruits and not the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 7 is God's special number; it is in focus as 7 Sabbaths must transpire between these two Feasts of the Lord. The starting point is the 1st Sabbath (Saturday) after Passover. The next day, Sunday, is the 1st day. The 7th Saturday is the 49th day. The next day, Sunday, is the 50th day...from Sunday to Sunday. The Feast of Pentecost is very significant to Christians as well as to Jews. For Christians, it is remembered for the giving of the Holy Spirit to Jesus' disciples. Precisely 50 days after the feast of Firstfruits, the day the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead, 120 of His disciples gathered together in one place to await the promise of Christ. He prophesied that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. "But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). On the 7th day of Sivan on the Hebrew calendar, in A.D.33, the Holy Spirit manifested Himself; they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. "Within a few days, over three thousand Jews became believers. Reliable reports suggest that despite horrible persecutions, tortures, and massive executions, within 70 years over 10 million believers had joined the underground Christian Church throughout the Roman Empire. Jesus' prophecy to his disciples was fulfilled, and God baptized them with his Holy Spirit. The Feast of Pentecost began the Dispensation of Grace, and the Church was born. It consisted of Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of mankind." {1} Trumpets - The Feast of Trumpets, Rosh Hashanah, is the 5th feast of the Lord. It occurs on the 1st day of the 7th month of Tishri on the Jewish ecclesiastical calendar, when the new moon of autumn first becomes visible (crescent moon). This year the Feast of Trumpets is on September 29, 2019. Rosh Hashanah means "head of the year." Tishri 1 is the start of the civil New Year, and the date on which the year number advances. This year, A.D. 2019, on Tishri 1 (September 29), the year will advance from 5779 to 5780 on the Jewish calendar. Nisan 1 is the date from which months and festivals (and days) are counted, while Tishri 1 is the date from which years are counted. As soon as the crescent moon of Tishri arrived and was observed by two or more witnesses, the watchers would trumpet the signal from hill to hill. Not much is known about this feast other than the fact that it was the start of a new year. The Bible first mentions it in Leviticus 23:23: "In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, you shall have a Sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation." Most ancient nations, including Israel, began their calendar year in the fall (September-October). However, during the Exodus times (1446 B.C.), God instructed Moses to change the timing of the yearly calendar from Tishri 1 to Nisan 1, so the calendar year would start in the spring and not the fall. This was done in order to commemorate Israel 's miraculous deliverance by God from the bondage of Egypt in the month of Abib (later named Nisan). Therefore, the pre-Exodus first month would now become the post-Exodus seventh month, and vice-versa. Atonement - Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the 6th Feast of the Lord and is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar when all Israel mourns for their sins. On the 10th day of the 7th month of Tishri, in the wilderness, the high priest Aaron sacrificed for the sins of his people. This was the first time God commanded the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement. Here is how it is described in Leviticus 23:27-32: "Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be a holy convocation unto you; and you shall afflict your souls. And you shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God. For whatsoever soul it is that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. You shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be unto you a Sabbath of rest, and you shall afflict your souls." The Day of Atonement was to be observed every year on the 10th day of Tishri. Every 7th year on the Day of Atonement, Israel was to allow a Sabbath of rest for the land, whereas there was to be no planting of crops. This was so the land could be rejuvenated and yield greater crops. It was also to be a year of rest for the people and work animals. Every fiftieth year, a jubilee was to be proclaimed on the Day of Atonement. Here is how it is described in Leviticus 25:8-12: "And you shall number 7 Sabbaths of years unto you, 7 times seven 7 years: and the space of the 7 Sabbaths of years shall be unto you 49 years. Then shall you cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the 10th day of the 7th month, in the day of atonement shall you make the trumpet sound throughout all you land. And you shall hallow the 50th year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and you shall return every man unto his possession, and you shall return every man unto his family. A jubilee shall that 50th year be unto you; you shall not sow, neither reap that which growth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in of thy vine undressed. For it is the jubilee; it shall be holy unto you: you shall eat the increase thereof out of the field." As mentioned before, the number 7 is God's perfect and complete number. Pentecost cannot come until 7 Sabbaths of days occur. The Jubilee cannot come until 7 Sabbaths of years occur. There is no proof that the Jews ever let the land rest for a year or celebrated a Jubilee. There can be no Jubilee year unless the Day of Atonement is observed every year and the people allow the land to rest every 7 years. The ultimate fulfillment of Yom Kippur will occur at the Second Coming when the remnant of believers in Israel will mourn for their Messiah, whom they rejected. "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 for him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon" (Zechariah 12:10-11). Tabernacles - The Feast of Tabernacles, Sukkot, is the last of the 7 Feasts of the Lord and the most joyous. It occurs on the 15th day of Tishri and lasts for 7 days. The purpose of this feast is recorded in Leviticus 23, verses 33-34 and verses 42-43: "And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, the fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord... You shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." During this celebration, the people were to live in booths for 7 days that were made of sticks or branches in remembrance of when their ancestors lived in the wilderness for 40 years. The day after the 7th day (the 8th day) is designated as a "solemn assembly" for the children of Israel. The Feast of Tabernacles is one of 3 feasts that all Jewish men were required to attend in Jerusalem every year. The other two are the Feast of Unleavened Bread (combined with Passover), and Pentecost. The Feast of Tabernacles will ultimately be fulfilled by the Lord Jesus when He establishes His millennial kingdom of peace on the earth. "And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one... And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles" (Zechariah 14:9, 16). For more detailed information regarding the 7 Feasts of the Lord, go to a previous article I wrote entitled Ancient Calendars, Feast Days, & Daniel 12:11. {2} The Bible's only description of the 5th Feast of the Lord, known as Trumpets, is the following: "In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, you shall have a Sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation" (Leviticus 23:23). The only thing we know about Trumpets is that it is when a new year is numbered. However, there are three spiritually important events that have occurred on this day. 1) The altar in Jerusalem is rebuilt and daily sacrifices begin anew. When King Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylon, he issued a decree around 538 B.C. which allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple. In 536 B.C., under the guidance of their leader Zerubbabel and the high priest Joshua (Jeshua), the first thing the people did was to rebuild the altar of God. "From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the Lord, But the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid" (Ezra 3:6). 2) The covenant between the children of Israel and God is renewed. In 444 BC, Nehemiah the Jew (who was King Artaxerxes of Persia's cupbearer), was granted permission to rebuild the walls around the city of Jerusalem. The walls were rebuilt in 52 days. After that, Nehemiah registered the people by their genealogy. On the first day of the seventh month (Trumpets), all the people gathered themselves together in Jerusalem, and Ezra the priest and others read to them the book of the law of Moses. "And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month" (Nehemiah 8:2). So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be you sorry, for the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:2, 8, 10). 3) Genesis 8 describes the great flood of Noah's day: "And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and behold, the face of the ground was dried" (Genesis 8:13). As mentioned before, Moses, as decreed by God, changed the starting date of the yearly calendar from the fall to the spring season. The first day of the first month (Antediluvian period) would now be the first day of the seventh month, now known as Tishri 1 (Trumpets) on the Jewish calendar. In those Antediluvian days, the months were not named yet, only numbered. Seeing the surface of the dry ground gave the survivors of the flood hope for a new life on that day which would later become a Feast of the Lord known as Trumpets. The New Testament (Revelation) only mentions 1,260 days (3.5 years or 42 months) for the duration of the "Great Tribulation." If the end of the Great Tribulation happens during Trumpets on Tishri 1, then the starting date would be around Passover. Actually, if you deduct 1,260 days from Tishri 1, it always puts you at Nisan 10 or Nisan 12. Nisan 10 is the date known as "Palm Sunday" when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey as Israel's king, but was rejected as such. Will the Antichrist emulate Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem on this day and ride in on a white horse as king of the world? The starting event for the Great Tribulation of 1,260 days is described in the Bible as the Abomination of Desolation (spoken of by the prophet Daniel). This happens in the midst of the 7-Year-Tribulation (Jacob's Trouble/Daniel's 70th seven). Do you think that the Abomination of Desolation will occur around Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread when every adult male Jew is required to attend and assemble at the newly built third temple of the Lord in Jerusalem? It seems highly likely, in my opinion. This will be the Antichrist's big moment to show his true colors (and intentions) and start his evil campaign against God's chosen people. However, his reign will be short-lived when Jesus returns to the earth and destroys him and his evil followers. The Feast of Trumpets is all about hope and new beginnings. For this is the day that most Bible scholars believe Jesus Christ will return to the earth (at the Battle of Armageddon), thus fulfilling the 5th Feast of the Lord. For the remnant of believers still alive on the planet, He will come in like the cavalry in the olden days...riding in on a white horse, just in the nick of time, and with the sound of the trumpet blowing. He will rescue His remnant, and they will re-populate the planet during Jesus' 1,000-year reign on earth as King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus. Randy Nettles [email protected] Senior IDF general: 'Iran could fire cruise missiles at Israel from Iraq' - By Yoav Limor - https://www.jns.org/iran-could-fire-cruise-missiles-at-israel-from-iraq/ "We are starting to approach the level of war" with Iran, a "very sophisticated enemy," says IDF Military Intelligence Research Division head Dror Shalom. Iran could fire missiles at Israel like the ones it sent flying at Saudi Arabia last week, IDF Military Intelligence's Research Division head Brig. Gen. Dror Shalom told Israel Hayom in a special Rosh Hashanah interview. According to Shalom, the military's working assumption is that Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran's elite Quds Force, would be the one to oversee a missile attack of that type, which Shalom said could be launched from Iraqi territory. "In the end, when he [Soleimani] takes a hit to the nose, he wants to hit back, and he has taken some blows recently. So my working assumption is that it's only a matter of time until he tries," said Shalom. Such an attempt could involve not only missiles but also long-range drones. "It could be in the form of a surface-to-surface missile, cruise missiles, or long-range UAVs [Unmanned Aerial Vehicles]. He has UAVs that can fly 1,000-1,200 kilometers, which he has used in the Persian Gulf," said Shalom. He expressed major concern about the progress Iran is making with its nuclear program, saying Military Intelligence might be forced to divert resources to address the issue. "I'm a lot less easy today. We've gotten into a gray area ... which requires us to be a lot more sensitive. Will we know [about an attack]? The Iranians are a very sophisticated enemy, and it bothers me," he said. According to Shalom, the chance of a major escalation between Israel and Iran is higher now than in the past. "We're living in a much more complicated reality, which is only getting worse. We are starting to approach the level of war," he warned. Shalom also said the same volatility existed on Israel's other fronts, although Iran remained the biggest threat. "We're in a dangerous round with Iran, and we need to keep a strong grip on the wheel," he said. However, he added, Israel has room to maneuver, although that room should be used "with great caution." He also thinks that if Israel adheres to a tough policy on Hezbollah's precision-guided missile project, the organization might give it up, even though it would come at the price of battles against Hezbollah. Shalom characterized Hezbollah's missiles as a "serious strategic threat," but stressed that Hezbollah does not currently have precision missiles in Lebanon. God is a Consuming Fire - By Pastor Mike Taylor - http://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2019/09/god-is-consuming-fire.html 7 "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1st John 4:7-10) Most people agree that for salvation a Christian needs more than just a theoretical knowledge of God. Over the course of our lives, we increase our knowledge of Him through life's varied experiences. We also come to a greater understanding by studying God's Word. In both areas we can be snared by a major problem that traps many religious people in this world: emphasizing one of His attributes at the expense of others. I have a Roman Catholic friend who lives in France, who is focused on this one attribute of God, that God is love, and since God is a loving God, all is good, and I fear that he believes that a loving God will not send anyone to a burning hell. He hasn't come right and said it that I can recall, but is definitely "hung up" on this one attribute and cannot see other attributes of the God we serve. God is not one dimensional. Though we should study each of His attributes and think on them separately, we should not separate them from the complete personality that God is. Why? It distorts the model we are to imitate and grow into, and it can radically alter our expectations of what He will do. If He does not do what we expect, we are liable to become grieved because God "let us down." For instance, the Bible emphasizes that God is merciful and full of grace. We are very thankful that God is a merciful and loving God, but God is much more than one or two dimensions of His character. We should not make the mistake besides all of the many attributes that are what our God is, we should not overlook the fact the God is also just. If we do, His mercy can become a justification for failure to overcome besetting sins. Neither God's mercy nor justice can be separated from all that He is. Both are harmoniously applied to each situation and person He judges. SOME OF THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD God is also a God of compassion. Some see God as so compassionate that He disregards the causes of some horrible problems and trials we endure in this life. If God acted in such a manner, flaws with painful results would go uncorrected. Make no mistake about it, God will discipline those He loves. 5 "And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." (Hebrews 12:5-8) Some so erroneously believe that God created His creation and then just walked away. God is very much involved with the plan to redeem mankind and nothing escapes His gaze or His knowledge. Still others construe God's sovereignty so that it is greatly diminished His goodness and portrays Him as rigid and inflexible. This kind of person lives with a guilt-ridden, fearful and discouraged life, thinking he will never please Him. 6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6) But probably the most familiar of God's attributes is found in the scripture used to open this message in 1st John 4:8 "God is love". John states a fact, not a definition of God's essential nature. If John had declared that love is what God is, we would be forced to conclude that God is what love is. Literally, if God is love, then literally, love is God and we are forced to worship love as the only True God. This would mean that God and love are identical. Fortunately for mankind, the Bible reveals that God is a multidimensional personality and not only just love. If we eliminate the idea of God's complex personality, denying all of His other attributes, save one, the remaining attribute becomes God, and is a very subtle form of idolatry. This is NOT only what God the Father is, or our Lord Jesus Christ. THE WHOLENESS OF GOD The wholeness of God is a concept that we must come to understand, that God is more than one or two attributes. It's an important subject because some have become enslaved to words. We must give greater weight to meanings. The Bible speaks that God is love and light. 3 "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." (1st John 1:3-5) The Bible also speaks of our Jesus as being the Way, the Truth, and the Life. 6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." (John 14:6-7) We understand the words in the same sense as when we say of a man, "He is kindness itself." Of course, we do not suggest that kindness and the man are identical, and no one misunderstands our intention. Because any man is more than just kindness, even the best man. So it is even more so with a infinite God we serve. The words "God is love" mean that love is an essential attribute of God. Love is something true of God, but it is not all of God. He has many other attributes. He is self-existent, eternal, merciful, full of grace, immutable, just, omnipotent, omniscient and many more things besides, but the greatest of all is God is Holy.. Because God is Holy and immutable, He always acts as God, and because He is a whole and perfect personality, He never suspends one of His attributes to exercise another. God is not man, with all of his imperfections. God is truth and never acts out of irritation, resentment, suddenly moody, or acts on a whim. He always acts in light of all the facts. King David declared in the Psalms: 7 "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward." (Psalm 19:7-11) David also proclaimed further in another chapter in the Psalms : 5 "Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; 7 He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth." (Psalm 105:5,7) The beauty, harmony, balance and providence evident throughout the earth are witnesses of the wisdom, unity, harmony, and yes, the love in which He always acts. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God proclaims: 23 "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord." (Jeremiah 9:23-24) HOW DO WE COME TO KNOW GOD AND HOW IMPORTANT IS IT? "These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:1-3) So how important is it to know God? As mentioned here, eternal life is knowing God. It implies an intimate relationship with God that matures over a lifetime. Each party knows each other well, as familiarly as marriage partners. 1 "Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. 2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. 3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." (Hosea 6:1-3) So what of our God? Can we know Him. Yes, through His only begotten Son, can we come to know a loving, but fearfully powerful God? 6 "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." (Romans 5:6-10) God loved us so much, that He sent His only Son, to die in our place.... "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, God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but 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) "caps my emphasis" The question was, "how can we come to know God?" The Apostle John gave a quick and concise way we can know God and know Him intimately...through His Son.. "Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also." (1st John 2:23) "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." (Romans 5:1-9) GOD IS JUST AND WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE With all the attributes spoke briefly about an all power God, and our soon coming King, God is not some grandfatherly type living in the sky who is nothing but love, love, love. Although He embodies this attributes, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. 8 "Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." (Proverbs 9:8-10) One might wonder why fear is included. It is because fear represents the specific attitude required to make the best use of God's law and bring the sinner to conviction through the Holy Spirit. Know this, reader. We don't come to God because we love God..we come to Him because we love ourselves. Love for Him comes later when we realize what He has done for us. As a small boy, I didn't come to God out of love, but realizing that I needed a Savior to cleanse me of my sins...I knew Jesus died on a old rugged cross, so that I might live forever. Falling in love with God came later, when I studied how much He loved me first, before I knew how to love Him. 10 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11, There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12, They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." (Roman 3:10-12) There is an element of fear to realize that we are in rebellion against God because of our sinful nature. Fear brings Godly conviction and I've seen men shake uncontrollably with the power of God upon them, as they are under God's conviction of their sins. The choice of life or death, darkness or light, eternity in heaven or in hell, drives those under this conviction to a Godly realization of their vulnerability to a Holy God who will judge them, even though He loves them. Paul speaks of this along with the Apostle Peter: 5 "But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) 6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? (Roman 3:5-6) And Peter wrote: 5 "Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit." (1st Peter 4:5-6) In addition, remember that wisdom is a right application of knowledge and understanding. If fear is not present, we will not even start to build towards faith, hope, and love. Godly fear gets us jump-started, gets us going to do what is right. GOD IS LONG SUFFERING, BUT.... Although God is a loving God, He is patient and not willing that any of His creation perish. "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward,not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2nd Peter 3:9) But even a long suffering King of the Universe, patience does eventually run out. We have many instances found in your Bible of a long suffering God. Like when God gave the inhabitants in Canaan 400 years to change and repent, but sent Israel into the Promise Land and commanded them during their Exodus to destroy them: "These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the Lord God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth. 2 Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: 3 And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place" (Deuteronomy 12:2-3) Just showing the fear of God and what God has done to bring His wrath on unrepentant mankind should give anyone pause and have reverence, and a Godly fear of an Almighty God who when He has finally run out of patience, will utterly destroy those who are in rebellion against Him. I know this will upset my Catholic friend who I debate on a local forum, but God is not only a God of love, He is also a God of judgment in His righteous indignation. But let us speak of the coming wrath that God will unleash on mankind in the near future. THE WRATH OF A LOVING GOD 23 " To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 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." (my emphasis) There is a huge amount of verses in your Bible that speaks of the attributes of a Holy God. Yes, God is love, but He is also greatly to be feared. God will pass judgment on the whole of mankind and destroy all rebellion on this earth what is called the coming Tribulation. The final book of your Bible speaks of the wrath of God. You know that God of love? Although He is not willing any should perish, God gives you a choice. It's called your own freewill. God does not coerce anyone into loving Him or obeying Him...He gives us a choice of heaven or hell. He doesn't send anybody to hell...you do. John sees the ultimate fate of all who refuse the free offer of grace and mercy through our Lord Jesus Christ: 11 "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:11-15) Eternal separation from a Holy God, devoid of all love, joy, peace, happiness, comfort and being a part of a Holy Family for all eternity, now that is what I deem a literal hell, besides the physical torment. GOD IS LOVE, YES, BUT HE IS SO MUCH MORE We admire good qualities in others and wish we had them. But we realize that the same people who have these good qualities lack others. Our God, though, has every good quality to the ultimate degree, and every attribute works in perfect and faithful harmony. Studying God in His wholeness should teach us humility, caution in speech and action and a deep reverence of Him. Too often God's superiority overwhelms us when we compare it to our own state. Though we are imperfect and limited in this life, we should not undervalue our current level of growth. Don't allow God's incomparable perfection to derail your progress. Growth in godly character and personality is our calling-we are to be like Him! Human life is a beginning: God made us in His image and is transforming us into the image of His Son. This process requires our cooperation in striving to "put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him" (Colossians 3:10). This is His will. And in bringing us to His perfection, He reveals His whole nature so we can know it and allow Him to reproduce it in us. To my friend, the Catholic online, God is love, that is true...BUT our God is a consuming FIRE. May we possess a Godly fear and reverence and not reject so great a salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. God is calling all of mankind to repent, but some will not. The coming Tribulation is where God will deal with all who have failed to repent of their sins and call upon the only NAME that is above every name in true repentance of their sinful deeds, and that is Jesus Christ, the ONLY begotten Son of God. 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) I have often told my congregation that each of us were born for one purpose, besides living our own lives, but given a choice of what each of us will do with the God/Man, Jesus Christ. Will each of us submit our own pride in a humble and a contrite heart, knowing that we can't save ourselves, or let demonic pride cause us to reject a Holy God who stepped out of glory for one purpose and that was to save you, and me? God calls each of us sometime during our lives. What will your answer be? 6 "Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts." 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart........ 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession." (Hebrews 4:6-7, 12-14) Our God is love, but a Consuming Fire. Don't make that eternal mistake of ignoring the calling of God's Holy Spirit for the salvation of your soul through the only Way back to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. This is pastor Mike Taylor, praying you know the REAL God in Spirit and in Truth. If you need prayer, counseling, or just a listening ear, email me at , [email protected] , God bless you all, TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET Cowardly Lions or Courageous Christians - Nathele Graham - [email protected] "Be of good courage and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD." Psalm 31:24. In these final days prior to Jesus calling Christians Home in the Rapture, wickedness is growing strong. Even though the wickedness of Satan is manifest in the hearts of mankind, Christians are called to stand upon God's word in spite of what's going on in the world. Many Christians confuse caring for sinners with accepting and condoning sin. There's a supernatural battle raging in this world, and it's time for Christians to stop walking on the side of the enemy. Many who claim to be Christians are cowardly lions who skulk in the background trying not to cause trouble. Are you so afraid of being accused of being judgmental that you forget to discern what is and isn't sin? Scripture defines what is right and what is wrong and that's our guide. Our cowardice gives Satan the advantage. Schools teach the lie of evolution, and cowardly Christians keep silent. Schools teach sex education to kindergarteners, and cowardly lions keep silent. Schools teach gender choice, and cowardly lions keep silent. Libraries have transgender story time, and cowardly Christians keep silent. Government finances the murder of babies, and cowardly lions keep silent. These things and more are all influenced by Satan and courageous Christians need to stand against them. If you don't stand for God you stand for Satan. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. Our cowardly ways need to be replaced with courage through the power of the Holy Spirit. Where are the courageous Christians who aren't daunted by the liberals who promote the lusts of the flesh? Because Christians have become cowardly lions, we've allowed every form of evil to be accepted as normal. We've allowed evil to be called good for too long. Christians have been known as the silent majority because we're afraid to speak up for Christian values. We deny Christ rather than endanger friendships or upset those who embrace sin. Jesus is called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, so why are His followers cowardly lions? Jesus didn't hesitate when He laid down His life for our redemption, but most Christians refuse to sacrifice carnal lust and live for Him. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Romans 12:1-3. Brothers and sisters, are you afraid to speak up? Do you accept the ways of the world and keep silent about God's truth? I'm not talking about standing on a street corner with a sign which says "Repent for the end is in sight" or angrily confronting those who embrace sin. I'm talking about holding schools accountable for teaching evil. I'm talking about not voting for candidates who support sin. I'm also talking about having an answer for the hope within you. Jesus publicly came against many things, such as corruption among the religious leaders and He publicly healed people, but when a Pharisee named Nicodemus came to Him privately to ask questions, Jesus had answers. Jesus told him he had to be born again. As Christians we need to be able to explain that fact to someone who asks us questions. "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ." 1 Peter 3:14-15. The word "conversation" means much more than how you talk. It comes from the Greek word "anastrofe" which means the way you conduct your life. If you're unequally yoked in relationships and live with one foot in the world, you'll never be the courageous Christian God would have you be. If you live your life so nobody sees Christ living in you then you are one of the cowardly lions. Satan is a lot of show. He's a loudmouth, and you can hear his whining voice every time a liberal speaks against Christian morality and promotes sin. Unless a Christian studies Scripture, is certain of God's truth, and lives by God's standards, fear can overpower us and keep us silent. We need to compare our words and actions to Scripture and not allow Satan to gain a toehold into our lives. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8. Satan roars and makes a big noise because he wants to destroy Christians. Christians forget that he was defeated at the cross by Jesus Christ. Courageous Christians will stand against the wiles of the devil. Write God's word on your heart and live your life as a testimony. Satan and his minions will do all they can to destroy your faith, but if you're alert to his wiles you won't fall to his attacks. The question is, how do we go from being cowardly lions to being the courageous Christians we need to be? First, recognize that the fight we face is spiritual. Spiritual warfare needs spiritual weapons. There's no excuse for any Christian to lose courage in the face of the enemy. God has given us the weapons we need. When you accepted Christ, you accepted His will for your life. Lay aside the sin you've repent of and follow Him. Sin will always weaken you. "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation 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." Ephesians 2:1-3. Jesus Christ gave His life in order to redeem this fallen world. Every person sins, but Christians know that sin leads to eternal death and have asked to be forgiven. That forgiveness isn't a license to continue embracing sin. Be courageous and stand against sin. Our way of life needs to glorify God, not Satan. Once we recognize that the battle is supernatural, we need to be armed with the weapons of this spiritual war. God gave us the weapons we need. The Holy Spirit indwells us, so that's our first defense. We've all seen movies with knights of the realm riding into battle. Every one of them has armor and knows how to use their weapons. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6: 10-11. We are the warriors for Jesus...Christian soldiers marching to war. The weapons of our battle are spiritual and we need to know how to use each one. "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:11-12. Training in the use of the weapons begins with studying Scripture and learning how godly men relied on God. David had no fear of the giant Goliath because David understood how to use his weapon. Meanwhile the army fearfully cowered in the hills. The battle begins by getting rid of the high places of pagan worship which reside in your own heart. These things compromise your walk with God, and lure you to let down your guard. Put on God's righteousness and learn to use His weapons. "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Ephesians 6:14-18. These are the spiritual weapons we need to put on, learn to use, and never take off. These were the weapons Paul used to win souls to Christ. He was not a cowardly lion. Still, there was one more weapon he needed from others. Prayer. "And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 6:19-20. Paul was very bold in his service to Jesus, but the one thing he asked was that fellow Christians pray for him to speak boldly. If he needed prayer for boldness, so do we. Pray for each other so we can all stand together as courageous Christians. Battles are won by trained soldiers. If you ignore the weapons of the spiritual battle and leave them to rust, you'll always be a cowardly lion. Put the armor on and don't take it off and you will be a courageous Christian. 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: The impeachment of truth - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com Like it or not, the next six months is going to be nothing but impeachment news. The Democrats, led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), have decided to impeach President Trump. The so-called impeachment inquiry is just a formality. Already the spin on the facts to make them appear as condemning as possible has run through a willing news media like water through a firehose. Truth is being impeached. The decision is made. The impeachment stake is in the ground. It is high drama. It is highly political. Pelosi and her minions wouldn't have decided on an impeachment inquiry unless they were committed to impeaching Trump. The only thing that might stop them, is overwhelming push back from voters. A member of the intelligence community, who remains anonymous and in secret, had second- and third-hand information about a phone call from Trump to Ukraine's president. The "whistleblower" complaint is reported to allege that Trump was withholding $400 million in US military aid to Ukraine pending an investigation on Hunter Biden's corruption in Ukraine, where then-Vice President Joe Biden pressured Ukraine to fire the prosecutor. The transcript of the call indicates no quid pro quo (no withholding funding in return for such an investigation). The Justice Department Criminal Division investigated the whistleblower complaint and the Trump call, concluding no laws had been broken. Interesting to note that Justice Department officials said that help from a foreign company is not a legal "thing of value" under campaign finance law. This is what the transcript shows the President said: "There's a lot of talk about Biden's son, that Biden stopped the prosecution and a lot of people want to find out about that so whatever you can do with the Attorney General would be great. Biden went around bragging that he stopped the prosecution so if you can look into it... It sounds horrible to me." It is well-documented that Joe Biden while Vice President threatened to withhold $1 billion in US loan guarantees to the country if the Ukrainian government did not fire the prosecutor. In addition, Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) wrote a letter to Ukraine's prosecutor demanding cooperation with the Mueller investigation, noting that the senators and the US has supported Ukraine's government and the lack of cooperation was "disappointing." Biden actually did what the opposition is accusing Trump of doing, although there is no indication to date that Trump threatened to withhold any aid to Ukraine unless an investigation was reopened. In fact, Trump was asking why the investigation had been halted and for cooperation-the same that senators were seeking with Ukraine and Mueller. So why is it a crime for Trump and not a crime for Biden and the senators? Because it is political. It is more important to rid the nation of a president with whom they disagree, than to preserve the integrity of the office and the Constitutional process. As is written in Isaiah 59:14," for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter." Daily Devotion: Abundant Life - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.-John 10:10 After Johnny Cash's intense detoxification, his sobriety was still a work in progress, but the following winter Cash's daughters came for their first visit to his new home. Being reunited with them was glorious. One night after they'd gone to bed, Cash went to his room and looked out the window at snow gently drifting down. Having the girls there and the picture postcard scene outside suddenly imbued him with a serenity he hadn't felt since he couldn't remember when. He sank to his knees to thank God for everything good in his life and for sparing him from the bad end he'd come so close to for so long. Cash also acknowledged that he still had far to go, and entreated, "Don't give up on me, Lord. I can't make it without You." God had kept His promise to Johnny. God set "death and life" (Deuteronomy 30:19) before the singer as He does with all of us. Cash chose life, and not a moment too soon. It comes as a surprise to some that the hope of the follower of Jesus is not just life after death in Heaven. Of course, that would be more than enough, but the Lord also offers a dimension of life during life. Medical science seeks to add years to our life, while Jesus Christ offers life to our years. Jesus promised an abundant, fulfilling, rich life if we will walk closely with Him. Johnny was doing that now, and instead of feeling hemmed in, he felt like he had been set free. I'm sure he wondered why he had not done it sooner. Scripture Reading: 1. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10 NKJV) Have you experienced the abundant life that Jesus promised? If so, in what ways? 2. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy. (Psalm 107:1-2 NKJV) What are the things in your life that you can give thanks for now? 3. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV) Have you experienced the peace that passes understanding? How would you describe peace? 
FROM THE HEART
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