Should Be (but Better)

My Should Be Box (or The Way Things Should Be)

You should have a Mother and a Father

You should know your Birthday is the day you were born

You should have love, security and safety

Everything that happens to you should be preparing you for your future

You should be taught to be respectful, thoughtful and disciplined

You should have good food

You should have room to run

You should have someone to answer your questions and to look up to

You should be taught the value of education, morality and sexual purity

Someone should be watching over you as you mature

You should be taught how things work and where they originated

You should be ensured the basic knowledge about your native language, history, math, and the sciences.

You should know how the opposite sex thinks and doesn't think

You should know the value of waiting for the person most suited to being your mate

You should be kept from sexually titillating circumstances and sensuality

You should be involved in something you love and that absorbs your interests

You should expect your mate to marry you and to stand by you no matter what

You should expect to have children of your own

But …

If you never knew your parents, or a parent, you should know that there is an Almighty God who oversaw your introduction into this world. You should know that you have an Angel charged to watch over you, who beholds the face of God continually. You should know that whatever discomforts, or worse that have accompanied your youth can be redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb who was slain for you. He is able to intervene on your behalf and to cause everything that has happened to you, to become an asset for your future. You should know that there is a place of refuge to be had, and that safe place is found by calling on His Name, and asking Him for direction, understanding, and wisdom. In time, He will open the eyes of your understanding, and cause you to see everything from an eternal perspective. He will teach you to examine what you were taught by comparing it to His Word, and in that way, lead you into all truth. He will give you peace. He will be your Parent. Your Father and Mother as well as a Friend that will never leave you.

If you don't know your Birthday, you can have another Birthday. The day that you ask the Lamb of God, Jesus, to forgive your sins…the day you agree with Him, that He died for you, and was subsequently raised from the dead, His Spirit will come to live in you, and you will become a new creature. That day will be your Birthday…the day you were born again.

If you are in a dangerous place…you can call on the Mighty God who loves you and ask Him to deliver you, and He will! You can call on the Name of Jesus and He will deliver you from every evil work, thought, habit, and lie. You need to know that He always hears and answers those who call on Him out of a heart that is convinced there is no other power available to deliver them. In that way, you will be able to clearly see who He is, and that He is powerful…a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Every person brought into this world should be able to expect the love and protection of their parents and surrounding family members. Sadly though, too many never experience any such thing. They are given up from the beginning…lost to their families for whatever reason. You should know that God didn't make a mistake when He brought you into existence. YOU are not a mistake. God has a Plan for you, and it’s a good plan. "I know my plans for you, says the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, that you may have a future, and a hope". You can know that plan by trusting in Him, looking to Him, and running to Him. There is someone intended to be your mate, and you have the opportunity to provide a loving home for that person, and for your own offspring. You need to know that you also have an Enemy. He hates you because God loves you. He will try to do everything in his power to confuse you, to lie to you, to accuse God of the things he does to you and to cause you to question God's power and authority, and to make you believe that God is always trying to hide something from you. He is a liar and was a liar from the beginning. God set parameters for Himself. Until you call on Him, or someone else intercedes for you, He will not be able to free you from your bondage and confusion. Everything is in place for you. Everything you need is available. The Door is wide open that leads into His presence, but you must respond by agreeing with Him that 1.) you are a sinner (meaning that you need His help to be 'good', 2.) that He is able to save you when you call on His Name, and 3.) that God Himself approved of Jesus' sacrifice on your behalf, by raising Him from the dead.

When Jesus died and rose again, it was so that you would be able to approach Him. Before that time, no one could approach God. The Old Testament priests had to sacrifice animals for their sins, and then they had only one day out of the  year to go into His presence, and even then, a rope was tied around  their ankle so that if there were struck dead, having come into God's presence unworthily, someone could drag them out of the Holy of Holies. But, Jesus changed all of that, and now He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Him. That is the truth about how it is. We can only know these things by studying the Word of God. Jesus calls Himself the Living Word of God. He has something to say, and we all have the means to look into the Scriptures and know for ourselves what that is. He will lead us, and guide us into all truth, as we lean on Him. It will take time, but in the interim, all of our circumstances are designed to tutor us in the Way, and to teach us the truth, as we compare everything we are told to what He has to say about it. We will grow closer and closer to Him, and find peace and joy in His presence.

Childhood is a time of preparation. It’s a time of learning about the world. It's a time to learn how to be an adult. Of learning how to take the initiative, and about how to shoulder the responsibilities associated with providing a living for your own family. It's about what to teach your own children, so that together, we can live in a society of like-minded individuals, armed with a work ethic and common sense born of experience, as well as the wisdom of those who have gone on before us. Unfortunately for all of us, society has broken down. The Word of God regarding what should be valued has been tossed aside, and as a result, everyone is busy doing 'their own thing' which has led to chaos, tumult, confusion, fighting, and fear. No one holds themselves responsible, and whereas children should have been prepared for their adulthood, they instead, remain children, valuing sensationalism and thrills while at the same time, practicing sexual 'freedom'. This can only lead to abandoned children, aborted children, and abused children. Children, being the most vulnerable among us, are subject to the situation surrounding them, no matter whether it is good or bad, and too often become the victims of the very ones who were supposed to love them the most. It is a cycle that will not end without Christ and the foundations that only the Word of God can provide. So, if you find yourself in one of these situations, being a child or a young adult, the only place of refuge is, once again, the Word of God. What does it say about how you should live, and what you should value? What does it say about what you should avoid? By agreeing with God, trusting in Him, and looking to Him, you will avoid so many of the pitfalls that surround you. You will fall into some of them, because we don't even realize that we have believed a lie, but because you are calling on God for His direction, He will use all of those 'mistakes' to teach you and to convince you of the truth. I say this, because, sometimes, we think we know something, when it is only an intellectual knowledge. God will cause you to know the truth for real, way down in your heart, so that your behavior is no 'put on', but the result of His tutelage.

Again, if your experience has taught you to be wild, thoughtless, spontaneous, vulgar, as though these were good things and to be desired, the only refuge is to find out what God says about it in His Word. As I have described above, these pseudo values breed chaos and contention, and result in consequences to others far beyond what we could have imagined even if we had taken a moment to think about it. The Scriptures say that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and that it is worthy of death. Yet, we not only rebel, we actually embrace witchcraft too, as a part of it. You can see that this is spiritual in nature. It not only leads to death, but to a second death that is eternal. We cannot blame God, we know what is right and wrong innately. We all have a sense of what is fair and when it is not. We know, and we will be held accountable unless we repent. Now is the day of salvation. You can start over!

If you think that good food is a pastry, or coffee for breakfast, a candy bar, chips, and a soda for lunch, and a pizza for supper, you have once again missed out on something wonderful because of the relentless breakdown of western society. You should have good food. If you are interested, you can learn to cook, and experiment with fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, and learn how exquisite these taste. Most of us eat canned food and never know why we hate so much of it. Good food is available! But, you do have to learn how to prepare it, and it does take time. We have traded nutrition for convenience and are suffering the devastating results in our bodies. You should be healthy and fit, but you will suffer all sorts of health issues instead, because when someone should have lovingly prepared a meal for you, they simply opened a couple of cans. You do not have to follow their example! Cooking can not only be fun, but it can be cathartic, strengthening, and a passionate pursuit.

If your 'room to run' consisted of a hour in the school gymnasium sometimes, your idea of fitness is probably less than desirable. Without the natural movement provided by hard work and hard play, our muscles take second place to fat. We become misshapen, tired, unable to do simple things, and are easily injured. You don't have to continue to be robbed of having a fit, heathy body. Your body was designed to last your lifetime. It has the capacity to fight disease, and is intended to allow you to defend yourself and to do for yourself. Try doing some things you've never done…play baseball, or volleyball. Go swimming, try skiing, or ice skating. If you are totally out of shape, some of these things will be hard at first, but that will pass quickly! Stick with it for enough time to get past the soreness and you will discover the joy of being active, instead of just watching others do it on TV.

Now a days, not many people have answers that are any more complicated than the newest philosophy. Current philosophy is guaranteed to change every twenty years! What happened to answers that transcend generations? That remain true? That are timeless? Such knowledge is foundational. It stands, like the old stone castles, or the great wall of china, or the cliffs of Dover. Having it safeguards us from the mistakes that are all too common among us. It will protect us from the errors so many surrounding us are making. For instance, we have been fed the idea that sex is a natural bodily function, so why shouldn't we have sex for the simple pleasure of it? The idea of doing anything that has so many possible life changing consequences, and that can impact our lives in so many ways, is ridiculous. It's exactly the same as putting a gun to your head, not knowing if it's loaded or not. Sex is the stuff of life. Why, if we think for a moment, would we ever want to play with it? That's why it was originally intended to be wrapped up within a loving, binding relationship between two people who are prepared, as adults, to care for the children that will inevitably follow. A monogamous relationship also ensures that no sexually transmitted disease will find its way in, and that no matter what life holds, you will have someone to face it with. Together you will be there to provide guidance, instruction, and love.

What about drugs? Why is it OK to seek out substances that are intended to lower our inhibitions, our cognitive ability, and cause us to make silly, unproductive, and often (again) life changing decisions? Why are people being offered such things, and why are they actually partaking of them? I would dare to say that it is because of the very subject we are discussing…the lack of a strong family structure, good answers, knowing someone actually cares and is wise, respect for all of the above. All of these things hinge on knowing the foundational precepts found in the Word of God. He has shared His wisdom for our well-being, yet we stubbornly rebel in order to partake of a little pleasure. You will never miss not having done these things, but you will always regret that you did…guaranteed.

It is so sad that our Nation's foundational principles have been largely forgotten. The scales have tipped to the other side. Whereas once, those who were unwise were eschewed, now they are venerated, and those who cling to the wisdom passed down to them from the Scriptures are ridiculed. This is the classic childish attitude that screams that everyone else is doing it, why can't I? or, that's so unfair! We need to grow up! We have chosen to remain children, to refuse the responsibilities of adulthood, while demanding at the same time, to have those privileges as well. You might ask yourself why the Government, by the people, and supposedly for the people is helping us to destroy ourselves. Why are pregnant children being given autonomy? Doesn't being given their own apartment and food, along with other 'help' from the government encourage other children to do the same, in order to get the same? Who can calculate the amount of human suffering that is the result? Babies born into this scenario are almost sure of repeating it if they survive. What young mother knows anything about raising a child when she is a child herself? She will receive and believe whatever she is given and/or told. She will be further influenced by the other young people surrounding her, especially the boys who see an easy target…along come more babies, more diseases, more ignorance, more drug and alcohol use, and the cyclic consequences. Schools, funded by the government, are also complicit. When so-called sex education is used to titillate and therefore, encourage its misuse and abuse. You deserve better than that! The Scriptures say that when you ask the Lord to give you bread, He will not give you a stone. That if you acknowledge Him in all your ways, He will direct your paths. These lessons are the basics. As you trust Him, and lean on Him, He will expand your understanding about all things. I am not talking about going to any particular church, or about espousing any particular doctrine. I am talking about coming into a living, loving relationship with the God who brought you into this world, and who desires for you to flourish, and not to be destroyed. Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

Unlike the children described above, you should have someone watching over you as you mature, just like farmers watch over their gardens as the vegetables and fruits ripen, so that they are perfect at the time of harvest. There will be a harvest of God's children too. That is why the enemy of your soul tries so hard to destroy you and your future. He doesn't want God to enjoy the fruits of His labor. God created humans with the capacity to be like Him. This life is akin to a baby in the womb. It is the preparation for a larger life…an unimagined life. The 'baby' is wanted. God has given us everything we need to make it through this life safely. He even took on a body, just like ours, and spilled His own blood so that we would not have to pay the penalty for our sins. The wages of sin is death. The soul that sins must die. But, the same God that cannot behold sin, was the very One that provided the way to be kept from that second death. He made it very easy. Whoever believes Him, (that He gave Himself on the cross for our sins, and that God raised Him from the dead), will be saved. God Himself will come to you in the form of the Holy Spirit and walk with you for the remainder of your life. He will teach you what He has said, and He will lead you and guide you every day. One of the fallacies perpetrated by the churches is that this transformation is instantaneous. Becoming a new creature is instantaneous, but learning how to behave, and what is true and what is not true takes time. It's a lifetime relationship. He yokes us together with Himself, like oxen are yoked together. The strong one walks beside the young one, the new one, the inexperienced one, and teaches him how to plow. In other words, HE is the strong One, and He will take the lead in our lives. He will forevermore watch over you.

Part of your education about this world should have included information about how things work, and where they originated. These include the physical things we use each day, as well as the institutions and thought that preside over us. We are saturated with inventions that make life 'easier'. Instead of growing our own food, for instance, we just go to the grocery store and buy what others have grown, raised, and/or imagined. This is a great benefit in that we have so much variety, and exciting choices. On the other hand, few among us know how garden. So many are congregated in cities and have lost touch with reality in this way. There is no understanding about how to grow food. If society, as we know it, should physically break down, we would starve very quickly because we have become completely dependent on those growers, truckers, and store owners that provide our sustenance. It is the same with so many things…we have cars for transportation that allow us to go great distances for work, but if we had to walk or bike, we wouldn't be able to get there.  I suppose that many would say that such a breakdown in society could not happen, but you only have to look at history to see that it has happened in the past. As we tend to make the same mistakes over and over as human beings, (these societal cycles are even taught in school), it's safe to say that it could happen again. And this time, as we are even further removed from the simplicity of the old ways, we will not be able to cope with the rude awakening.

Another part of getting wisdom and understanding, is to realize how and where the current philosophies that rule most thinking came from. All of these ideas came from a single thought, which grew through time into an entrenched ideology, around which we built schools and universities. Whether you are talking about religion, medicine, science, or philosophy itself, these are entrenched, strongholds of ideas, hard to be challenged, ingrained in the prevailing way of behaving. All of these ideas need to brought into the light of God's Word in order to keep those who follow Him, from becoming influenced and thusly, lured away from the straight way. The core of all thinking is found in the Word of God, and we can safely navigate this world by using it, while asking simply for Him to reveal His truth to us. He will keep us from missing the mark, and eventually, bring us safely home. A wonderful example for everyone to read regarding these things, is the life of George Washington Carver, the great scientist who gave us peanut butter!

Your baseline education should include an understanding of your native language, the basic history of your Nation and the world, basic math, and basic knowledge of the sciences. All of these things are available on line. So, if you fooled around in school, or your school was sub-standard, or if no one cared, you can do basic searches on-line and find a wealth of information. Be careful about being overwhelmed though. Choose one subject, one book…dip your toe in and get it wet before jumping in. Sample and enjoy, but remember that truth will always line up with Scripture, and then there are philosophies which spin off of the truth. If we are not careful, we can get lost following a certain tangent. Ask God to give you discernment, and to keep you from going off in a tangent.

I included language, because it is the cornerstone of everything else…it is how people communicate their thoughts on any subject to each other. But, there are many dialects, even of English, and often there is a disconnect. Even with the Bible, we are separated by time, the culture of the era, and language. Fortunately, there are resources on line that allow an easy comparison between today's language and the old English. They can also, preferably, take us back to the original languages of Hebrew, (the Old Testament) and of Greek and Arabic (the New Testament).

Anyone wishing to know another person will spend time with them. They will want to spend time with them. And so, in order to know what God has to say, we need to spend time with Him, Who is the Living Word…the Logos. It is a lifetime relationship and includes a lifetime of learning as we walk together with Him, every day.

Another baseline is to have some understanding about the difference between the sexes. Adult men are largely motivated by testosterone, while adult females are largely influenced by estrogen. Testosterone is the reason men have the capacity to be strong, fearless, focused, and sexual. Estrogen is the reason female bodies get ready to bear children every month, and accounts for their tendency to be very emotional and tender hearted. These are basic truths, although they have been often perverted in the present population. Men have harder bone structures than women. Women have a layer of fat under their skin that makes them soft, while men do not. These things are important to understand, because men and women look at the world differently, and they look at each other differently. A man will look at a woman with the desire to mate with her, while a woman, though attracted by his attention, would most likely prefer to be loved, and often both mistake his sexual desire for the love he declares. She is looking for a nest and a family, while he is looking primarily to meet his intense need for sexual release. That is why women must understand. If she thinks that the man pouring attention on her wants the same thing she wants, she will give him herself. But, too often, she will find that he will leave her as soon as she makes her intention for love and family clear, much to her consternation and heartache. When she makes this mistake too many times, she will become hardened and bitter. This is too great a price. If she will wait, she will eventually find someone who will want her to wait, because he genuinely cares about her. He will value her virtue. He will want a lasting relationship too, and that's when he will ask her to marry him. He will prefer a woman who has not slept around with many men.

Living together is not the same as marriage, because the premise of living together verses getting married, is that it might not work, and there will be an easy way out. It is a way of manipulating the situation, because each has that knowledge hanging over their head, and so they tend to behave a little differently, and be little more cautious. When children are born into any situation other than marriage, they are at risk of becoming the casualties of a broken home, and of having multiple 'fathers', which results in another cycle of the same. The premise for marriage is that the couple is willing to face the future together, regardless…"in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, etc…". I know that divorce is wreaking havoc on the institution of marriage, but the Lord Jesus said that divorce is the result of a hard heart. Marriage was instituted by God from the very beginning, because it is a picture of God's love and desire towards His creation, and of His final plan to bring His own Bride out of it. This is the secret that was hidden from the foundation of the Earth, until God revealed it in these end times.

Because of the foundational nature of marriage and family, we need to keep sex sacred and special. We have poured it over the whole of this Nation, until we cannot even sit in our own living room without having titillating pictures and ideas put directly into our face. How can we protect our children, and our relationships from falling apart, if people are continually inflamed by provocative images and thoughts? The only way is to understand the value of purity, and the consequences of corruption. Corruption cascades into all areas of life. From looking, to desiring, to searching, to partaking, to lying, and to betrayal. From the mind, to the heart, to the destruction of what we should be holding most dear, and love unconditionally. Sexual desire is the most powerful impulse on Earth, and should be respected as such. Nothing else has the power over us that sex has. It is not a toy created for our exclusive pleasure. Pleasure, as such, is fleeting. It is temporary, but it's effects on the individual, and on their loved ones is eternal. The Lord Jesus said that if a man looks on a woman to lust after her, he has already committed adultery in his heart. This may seem impossible to fix, but with God, nothing is impossible. He is able to keep us.

One of the ways that we can keep ourselves from the influence of things that dismay God, and quench His Spirit, is to involve ourselves in things that we love. Art, music, reading, sewing, cooking, etc… Yes, some of these too, must be approached with discretion. If you find that your heart is secretly looking for titillation and sexual fulfillment, even when you are trying to avoid it, you must take that revelation and tell God all about it. He will do what you cannot do. He will help you. Ask Him to bring every thought into subjection to the mind of Christ. If you are rebelling at that thought, ask Him to make you willing. Tell Him you are not willing, and ask Him to make you willing to be willing. He will do it! That is the power of God, to do in us, what we cannot do in our own strength.

These things are what I have learned through a lifetime (almost fifty years) of walking with my Lord. But, no matter…everything I have said here, must be subject to the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:15-17, "…the holy scriptures…are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works". So, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.", 2 Timothy 2:15. Be like the Bereans…listen to what the Apostle Paul says about them…"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.", Acts 17:11. The Berean Christians, heard the Word of God directly from the  Apostles, and yet, they ran home and searched the Scriptures to see for themselves. They were noble! For a long time now, I have also leaned on one Scripture in particular,  Philippians 3:15, "…if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you". He promised to correct us, to lead us and to guide us into all truth.

An invaluable resource for me has been the ability to find Scriptures quickly, using the on line Bible Gateway search engine. I started off many years ago, (in my early 20's) using the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. With it, I was able to search out all of the Scriptures dealing with certain subjects, (word studies). I was also able to find the meanings of the original texts using the Hebrew/Greek Lexicon which was in the back of the book. Now, all these things can be found on line and study becomes very easy, by comparison.

Here are some links:

http://www.biblegateway.com/

http://www.eliyah.com/lexicon.html

God will speak to you as you call on Him. He says a few things about it though, that need to be considered. First, He says to examine yourselves, as to whether you are in the faith. Secondly, we are told in James that we can ask, and He will not answer, because the prayer is for what you want rather than what He wants. We are instructed to pray according to the will of God. So, when you find yourself struggling with a consuming desire, it must be submitted to Him…'Father, help me! Please do (this), but let Your will be done, and not mine! Oh Father, Help me!' I am familiar with this, as in my youth especially, I longed for certain things. For instance, when I was separated from my husband and I wanted him to come home, I did not know God's truth about marriage at that time, so I agonized before Him. I understand. But, when we come into any loving relationship, we find it's not about us anymore, but about the ones we love. And so it is with the Lord. It's not about us anymore. It's not about using Him like a vending machine. It's not about expecting a rosy, uncomplicated life. It's about His will, which by the way, will amaze us. His desire is towards us as His Bride, and His will is always good. We will learn to wait on Him, and it will be worth it!

One very important thing - when God speaks, not only will it be in accordance to His Word, but He said also, that He will establish it in the mouth of two or three witnesses. So, as you listen, and you think He has spoken to you…continue to listen for what He has said to come back to you in two or three other ways. As it does, you will know that it is He and not your imagination.

With this, I will leave you, though so much more could be said. As we grow up, we put together a 'should be box'. We carry it with us everywhere and are most often dismayed, because things are never as we thought they 'should be'. So, we will eventually learn to put it down, to let it go, and instead, to trust the living God, Who is doing things His way. When we know this, we can be thankful, because, He will always work things out for us as they truly should be, according to His eternal perspective. And to that I say, hallelujah! Amen.

The Two Groups

Last night, I got such clarity on a subject, that I wanted to share it with you. When Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God, he said it would be like a loaf of leavened bread...the leaven permeates the loaf. He also said to beware the leaven of the Sadducees and the Pharisees. They had a form of godliness, but, the Lord said that in reality, they were white-washed walls, full of dead men's bones. Another parable describes the Kingdom of God as a tiny seed which would eventually become a huge tree, filling the Earth, and that the birds of the air would nest in its branches. Birds, in Scripture represent evil spirits. So, you have Jesus saying that the Kingdom of God on Earth, would be permeated with those who have a form of godliness, without the power of the Holy Spirit; and that the church would fill the Earth, having evil spirits make their nest in its branches. It comes down to these two groups, those that have received the power of the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ, and actually belong to Him, and those who say they do. These are the same two groups that appear before the judgment seat of Christ. To the one group He says, depart from me...I never knew you, while welcoming the other group into His Presence. He bids us to examine ourselves as to whether we are in the faith. It's not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit of God that we are saved. This error was already in the first century church and Paul addresses it in his epistles. Romans 8:9, "You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ". John 6:63, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life".    1 Corinthians 2:12, "What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us". This is the cause of all the confusion in the churches...those who profess Christ are mixed in with His precious children. It's a very scary thing, because a lot of them think that they know the Lord. If you notice, they even argue with Him about it in the judgment saying, "...Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?", (Mat 7:22). So it's not about being 'spiritual', not even super spiritual. There is only one foundation, Romans 10:8-10, "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:  If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved". We must believe the Word of God and wholly trust in His ability to save us, to correct us, and to guide us. Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ...". Amen!

A Plea and Some Help for these Difficult Days

     Before you automatically disregard this, consider that I am trying to do everything possible to communicate a warning to as many people as I can regarding some very alarming events that may have a huge impact on the population of our community, the State, the Nation and the world. You would think that, if that were the case, that the prevailing news media would be letting us know about it, but that it part of the problem, they don't want to "alarm the public", and perhaps become part of a self-fulfilling prophecy. For example, there have been several instances in the recent past, where we've heard of a near miss, when an asteroid, or a meteor came very close to Earth, but we didn't hear about it until afterward. That's the kind of thing I am talking about. My intention here, is to provide some information about alternative news sites that have impressed me with documenting who, what, where, why, and when, so that you will be able to prepare, and that you will not be taken by surprise, if even one of these events befalls us.

     A great many people, today, believe that we are in the 'last days'. Many of you that receive this letter, may be well acquainted with what I am trying to say. But, I am concerned because some of the people that I know personally, prefer to "hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil" and refuse to listen to any of these things. While this may seem noble, it's not very smart. Sometimes we need to sound the alarm. If I am about to be run over, I hope someone will tell me to get out of the way!

     With that, the first item I want to discuss, is the point I already made regarding the media's unwillingness to do their job, and to report unbiasedly, without judgment, the events that are happening in our community, in the State, in the Nation, and in the rest of the world. The truth is that only a few people own all of the news media, and it is their biases that permeate what we are allowed to know about. Google 'Ted Turner', owner of CNN, Turner Broadcasting, and Warner in affiliation with CBS. Look up 'Concentration of Media Ownership'. Alarm bells should be ringing. There are alternative news sites though, and so, if we do some research we can find out at least part of the truth. It is sometimes surprising what you can find in foreign news broadcasts. I read and compare about 25 alternative news sites most mornings, to include: Info Wars, Breitbart News, Truthstream, WND, Telegraph, RT News, Now the End Begins, Christian Headlines, and many others. Like I said, the documentation of the who, what, when, where, and why, is what I appreciate. A lot of times, the regular news will finally catch up, for instance I was warning about the housing crisis about a year before it finally got any press in the regular news. Enough said about that. If you want to be informed, do a little of your own research apart from what you are being told on the evening news.

     To what I have learned. Many, many experts have been warning about a global financial meltdown. Right now, there are about 23 countries experiencing a meltdown. The mere fact that the regular news is talking about this at all should send shivers down your spine. Please take the time to find out how our economy is being artificially held together. As many as 50 years ago, my father told me about how we are building a 'house of cards' in this country. It  will inevitably come down. We are there. Experts from our own country and around the world are sounding the alarm. The greatest one-day stock market slide was 777 points in September of 2008. Last Thursday and Friday, the market slid 888 points. If the banks are frozen, or if you lose your investment money in the stock market, you need to have a back-up plan. Hence, this warning. Please get some food and water, some toiletries etc…Even if a disaster only lasts a few weeks, you'll have something.  Do some research about the vulnerability of this Nation to an EMP attack, and its consequences. Read about how vaccines are hurting our children.

     Earlier, I mentioned the last days. I think, most people are familiar with the meaning of those words, as having to do with the prophecies in the Bible. The Lord Jesus spoke of the last days in Matthew 24:3-14, "…as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come". Of course 2 Peter 3-4 says, "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation". Doesn't that go right along with the fact that Jesus said that many will be deceived two times, above? So, to those who believe the Word of God (who is Jesus, made flesh), there is only one thing that matters…does He know you? "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity," Matthew 7:21-23. So, how can we be sure? Once again, it is the Word of God that gives the answer. No doctrine, no teaching, no other 'gospel' is sufficient. What does GOD have to say? 2 Cor 13:5, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves". We know we are 'in the faith' when we agree with God. He said in Romans 10:9&10, "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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation". That's it. It's that simple. Everything else becomes His business to perform in us over time. But, first, be sure you are standing on the right foundation! If you have believed the Lord Jesus, and have confessed that you believe Him, then your life is in God's hands, and He will teach you everything else you need to know. We get confused, because too many have made Salvation about behavior. Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ…". You are His business. Just don't think you are saved because you've been going to church your whole life, or because you are busy doing 'Christian things', or because you were raised in a Christian household, or because you belong to a particular sect, or denomination. Those things are not what God says you need. You need Him. His Blood alone avails for our Salvation. I want to leave you with one more thing. The only way to please God, is through faith. When we trust Him for our Salvation, and we lean on Him for our lives. When we ask Him to direct our paths, to correct us when we are wrong, and to search us and try us to see if there be any wicked way in us, He is pleased. 1 Cor 2:5-16, "…your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. …But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God… But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Hebrews 11:6, "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."

     If anyone is interested in studying the Scriptures, there are great helps on the Web. Go to the Biblegateway.com, and eliyah.com (for a comparison of the Greek and Hebrew texts) to start. You can look up any subject, do words comparisons, language comparisons, etc.. Enjoy!

     I hope this information will be helpful to you and yours as the beginning of preparations in these difficult days. Luke 21, :31-36, "So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man".

Wait and Grow

My husband called me over to the television to see a television preacher, preaching from a chair with a glass of water by his side. He thought it was ridiculous. I do too. I am of the mind that most popular preachers have been handed down the 'gospel' they preach from the various Bible schools that ordained them. It's from that vantage point that they preach, surrounding themselves with whatever Scripture and doctrines uphold their position. They are not familiar with the whole word of God except from that particular perspective. This make for a LOT of confusion. Thinking that they are preaching the truth, they are doing exactly what the Pharisees and Sadducees did...they preach tradition. The Scriptures interpret themselves. The Lord Himself said that it was imperative for Him to return to Heaven so that the Holy Spirit could come, John 16:7, " Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you". Peter says in 2 Peter 1:20-21, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." John 16:13-14, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you."
Yes, the Scriptures clearly say that the Holy Spirit gives gifts as He will, to include the gifts of preaching and teaching, but remember the Bereans, even after they heard first century preaching, they went home and searched the Scriptures to see if the things they were being taught were true! We need to lean on the Lord, ask Him to search us and try us to see if there be any wicked way in us and to lead us in the way everlasting. We need to have the same mind in us as was in Christ Jesus, who did not have His own agenda, but clearly stated that "I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things," (John 8:28).
Paul was God's chosen vessel to reveal the Mystery of God that had been hidden until then. He clearly states in Galatians that, "...though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed". If perversions started already in the first century, how much more now? We must not be afraid to trust the Lord Himself to lead us and to guide us into all truth! Yes, all of these deviations came from some who believed they were hearing from God, so it is imperative that we beseech the Lord to reveal to us whether we have another agenda than to simply know what He is actually saying. This is a lifetime endeavor.
Again, the Scriptures say in 1 Tim 3:1-6, "This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless...Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil". NOT a NOVICE.
Going to Bible school, does not, and can not, prepare one for the ministry. Being drenched in the Word of God, seeking His face, longing for Him, and most of all, WAITING for Him is how we grow in grace, how we learn of Him, how we hear Him, and finally, have something to say. People want to hear from God, and those standing in the pulpit are supposed to be speaking for Him. We have had too much doctrine, and too little revelation. When an individual hears from God, there is power. Not for a show, but for the ability to mount up with wings as of eagles, above the world, the flesh, and the devil. That is when fruit is produced, Galatians 5:22-23, " But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law". People love a show, they think that power from God must produce one. But, Jesus, God Himself, did not put on a show! He often told those that received His touch not to tell anyone. He wasn't attempting to wow anyone, or to convince His sceptics. He did what He was told to do. First, until the wedding at Cana, He was completely hidden, and He obeyed His mother, and after His ministry began, He obeyed His Father. Praise His holy Name. If anyone could've put on a show, it would have been Him, but He did not do that. And, He wasn't looking for popularity, or money. He was meek and lowly in heart, and we need to be like Him. Obedient, whether or not ANYONE else knows, cares, listens, or believes what we say. Let's read what Jeremiah has to say again...17:5-9, "Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?", and, Jeremiah 23:16-27, "Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you. For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it? Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly. I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings. Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal".
The Lord speaks again to the last church in Revelation 3:14-22, " And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches".

Military Complex testing Project Blue Beam...the religious aspect of the NEW WORLD ORDER.

I don't know about the veracity of this post, or about the author, or where he got his information. However, I was so moved by it, that I feel compelled to share it with as many people as I can, because I don't put anything past the 'powers that be' to do anything they want to do to the rest of us.
Here's the post..."[The beams of light being seen around the world are] just the Military Complex testing Project Blue Beam. It deals with the religious aspect of the NEW WORLD ORDER. The “system” has already been tested. Holographic projections of the “CHRIST IMAGE” have already been seen in some remote desert areas. These have only been reported in tabloid papers, so they are instantly rendered moot. They can also project images of alien craft, aliens, monsters, angels – you name it. Computers will coordinate the satellites and software will run the show-and-tell.
Holography is based on very nearly identical signals combining to produce an image, or hologram, with depth perception. This is equally applicable to acoustic (ELF, VLF, LF) waves as it is to optical phenomena.
Specifically, the “show” will consist of laser projections of multiple holographic images to different parts of the planet, each receiving different images according to the predominating regional religious faith. Not a single area will be excluded. With computer animation and sound effects appearing to come from the depths of space, astonished followers of the various creeds will witness their own returned Messiah in spectacularly convincing lifelike realness.
The various images of Christ, Mohammed, Buddha, Krishna, etc., will merge into ONE after “correct explanation” of the mysteries, prophecies and revelations are disclosed.
This “ONE GOD” will in fact function as the “Anti-Christ”, who will “explain” that the various scriptures “have been misunderstood”- that the religious of old are responsible for turning brother against brother, nation against nation – that the religions of the world must be abolished to make way for the GOLDEN AGE (NEW AGE) of the One World Religion, representing the One God they see before them.
Naturally, this superbly staged, full-scale production will result in social and religious disorder on a massive scale. Wonder what the television transmitters of religious networks will be doing on that day?
But before all this, they have to go through four different steps in order to get to Project Blue Beam.
1: The first step concerns the breakdown of all archeological knowledge
It deals with staging earthquakes at certain precise locations around the planet where supposed new “discoveries” will finally explain (for them) that the meanings of the basic doctrines of all the world’s major religions are “wrong.”
This falsification will be used to make the population believe that all religious doctrine has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. The falsification started with the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, the TV-series STAR TREK, the STAR WARS films, E.T., all of which deal with space “invasion” and “protection”. JURASSIC PARK, was to push the theory of evolution.
2: The second step deals with the gigantic space show. 3D optical holograms and sounds, laser projections of multiple holographic images in different parts of the world, each receiving a different image, according to its predetermined original national religious faith. This new “god” image will talk in all languages.
As an example, the Soviets (actual Russians) have manufactured the advanced computers and have programmed them with the minute psychological particles based upon their studies of the anatomy and biology of the human body, as well as their studies on the anatomy, chemistry and electricity of the human brain. These computers have also been fed with the different languages of the world.
3: The third step deals with telepathic electronic two-way communication.
ELF (Extra Low Frequency), VLF (Very Low Frequency), and LF (Low Frequency) waves will reach the people of the earth through the insides of their brains, making each person believe that his own God is speaking to him from within his own soul.
Such rays, from satellite, are fed from the memory of computers that store much data about the human being and his languages. These rays will then interlace and interweave with the natural thinking processes to form what we call the ARTIFICIAL TALK.
4: The fourth step involves universal supernatural manifestations using electronic means.
This step contains three different orientations:
The first one is to make mankind believe that an alien invasion is about to occur upon every major city on the earth. This is to push each major nation into using its nuclear capability to strike back. In this manner, it would put each of these nations in a state of full disarmament before the United Nations after the false attack.
The second is to make the “Christian” believe that a major rapture is occurring, with a simple “played” divine intervention of an alleged “good” alien force coming to save the good people from a brutal satanic attack. Its goal is to get rid of all significant opposition to the NEW WORLD ORDER.
The third orientation is a mixture of electronic and supernatural forces. The waves (frequencies) used at that time will allow supernatural forces to travel through fiber optics cable, coaxial cable, electric and telephone lines in order to penetrate all electronic equipment and appliances that will by then all have a special microchip installed.
The goal of this step deals with the materialization of satanic ghosts, specters, and poltergeists all across the globe in order to push all populations to the edge of a wave of suicide, killing and permanent psychological disorder.
After that night of the THOUSAND STARS, HUMANITY IS BELIEVED TO BE READY FOR THEM TO USHER IN A “NEW MESSIAH” TO REESTABLISH PEACE EVERYWHERE AT ANY COST, EVEN AT THE COST OF FREEDOM.

My response to the original article was this: Maybe the extra-government types know that if they ‘leak’ information that is supposedly being suppressed by a secretive government, that we will be more likely to believe the lie they've been working on for the last 75, or so, years. According to the head of the US Agency that deals with these things, that’s exactly what is happening, he, himself has been black-listed. He is not supposed to talk about it, but if they kill him, it will only lend credence to what he is saying. The elitists have been setting up this plan for all these years, going so far as to create so-called UFOs and ‘alien’ beings. I can’t remember if these creatures are hybrid genetic mutants, or AIs, and I wish I had kept the video. But, the gentleman presenting this information said that there was a base for these things in Australia, and they are creating an Army of them. Apparently, the plan is to generate enough equipment and ‘aliens’, and pique the interest of the planet until they can stage an ‘attack’. By doing that they will unite the planet and take power on a global scale under the guise of saving us all from ‘them’. Having said all that, Of course there are other creatures in the Universe and other planets, solar systems, and galaxies. To me, that simply shows how long our Creator has been around. The Scriptures state that “…eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, the things that God hath created for those that love Him”. It says again, that everything that was made was made for His Beloved, so, I fully expect to spend a good part of Eternity exploring His Creations. But, that is not part of the Plan for this planet. The Scriptures also speak of a lie that will be perpetrated on the world in the last days, that will be so convincing that if the days were not shortened, ‘even the very Elect would be deceived’. Don’t be deceived by this extremely elaborate charade! These people have been manipulating the masses for a long time, but now they have the added advantage of technology that will enable them to bring their plan to completion. Think about it!
And, my reply to the post above...Wow…where did you get this info? It makes sense, and goes right along with what I posted below, before I read your post. This is very scary stuff, and I fear for many, who will not listen, and will not pay attention. These people include those I have known most of my life, pastors and many Christians included. The Lord knows those that belong to Him, and He will keep us, but so many will argue with the Lord when He says, depart from Me…I never knew you. We must make our calling and election sure! This is the criteria…Romans 10:9-10, “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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”. After that we are simply the many vessels in a great house, having differing capacities, created for His pleasure. Read Psalm 139 to get a feel for how He knows you. And rely on the fact that “…he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ…”. We need to be full of the oil of His Holy Spirit. He is the only One we can get it from. Remember that the foolish virgins thought they could replenish their oil by getting it from others, when they should have been seeking the Lord Himself! Get READY!
Bing Search Results for Project Blue Beam

The Only Sure Word

Just thinking this morning about how so many have been judged by religious ideology, on one point of the Law or another. The Scriptures are clear that if we '…have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment", James 2:10-13. We must not judge according to the Law, but according to that which is the fulfillment of the Law, Love. We are warned not to judge the Salvation of others, and casting those away because they have not obeyed the Law (of Moses) to some extent comes very close. God knows those that belong to Him. Love believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Many out there calling themselves Christians have certainly offended, but they don't put themselves to the same standard. If judged by the Law, we would ALL be found guilty. If righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain. He fulfilled the Law, and that is why He says, "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us", (Romans 8:32-34). So, does that mean we can just 'do whatever'? Again, the Scriptures are clear, 1 Jn 2:9, "…He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now". We must rightly divide the Word, letting the Holy Spirit lead and guide without fear. If we acknowledge the Lord in all our ways, He WILL direct our paths! God is not man that He should lie. Just because we cannot understand His ways, doesn't mean that He is not in control. He is. We need to lean on Him, not on our own understanding! We cannot go around judging others using the Mosaic Law. He that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. God will judge me. There will be many standing before Him in that Day, believing that they spent their lives serving Him, but He will say to many of them, "Depart from me..." They will actually argue the point! Didn't we cast out demons in Your Name? Didn't we do this or that for You?
Look at the evidence in Scripture, just because someone does something bizarre, does not mean they are cast away. Actually, look at the psalmist David…David HAD to marry Bathsheba, both the lines of Christ go back to her two sons, Solomon and Nathan. Those two lines came together in Christ making him the legal and regal Heir. Yet, he was wrong in the way he went about it. God corrected him, taking his firstborn. What about the story of Ruth? Naomi's sons were forbidden by the Law to marry outside of Israel, yet Ruth (a Moabitess, (a particularly evil idolatry)), became the grand-mother of David! We are responsible only to our mighty God…to yield to Him, to rely on Him, to trust Him, to love others and to pray for them that they might grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus. When we make a mistake, when we do the wrong thing, when we say the wrong words...God will deal with it. WE are charged with loving one another. That kind of love is learned over a lifetime under God's direct tutelage, if its ever learned at all. We each have particular capacities, which is another reason not to be so harsh.
When David sinned before God, the people didn't want to listen to him anymore, but God said that His Word is the same no matter who is speaking it. We need to hear it and not ANYONE else. The Bereans were "…were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so". Here, the apostles are preaching in the synagogue and yet the Bereans went home and searched the Scriptures, which goes along with what Paul said in Galatians 1:8,  "…But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." The Word of God stands, no matter what we think of it, or our reaction to it. Let our hearts seek after Him Who is the Word and all of His truth, no matter what. There is coming a time when men's hearts will fail them for fear of the things coming upon the Earth and everything that can be shaken will be shaken. Are we standing firm on that Rock? Will we trust Him when the stalls are empty and there is no food or will we find ourselves among the Great Falling Away? Will we be the ones running to buy oil from the wise virgins? Will we be deceived by the Great Lie that will put even the very elect into danger of believing it? Father, search us and try us and see if there be any wicked way in us, and lead us in the Way Everlasting. Let us be sure of our Salvation. It is based on one thing alone, the atoning Blood of Jesus. After we have entered in, we are His responsibility and He is faithful, even when we are not. Praise His Holy Name! Amen.

27 THINGS THAT WILL HAPPEN IN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2015

This certainly got my attention! There are links to all of the information mentioned here so that anyone can do further research on any or all of the material.

It's Really Him!

One of the most profound moments in my life was when I heard the Scripture, "God speaks once, yea twice, and man perceiveth it not", Job 33:14. It was if my eyes were opened and I began to understand that all of the things we think of as coincidence are God. Does that sound crazy? Look at the rest of what He has to say about it. Read Ephesians 1:11, "...In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will." Or, Proverbs 16:1, "The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord", and verses 9&10, "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.  A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment". How about Psalm 139:1-18, "O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
² Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
³ Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
⁴ For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
⁵ Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
⁷ Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
⁸ If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
⁹ If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
¹⁰ Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
¹¹ If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
¹² Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
¹³ For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
¹⁴ I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
¹⁵ My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
¹⁶ Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
¹⁷ How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
¹⁸ If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee".
   These words of God are profound! We can rely on Him knowing that He knows. Verse 17 means He is constantly thinking about us...can you believe that?
   I remember being in my 30s, I was in the Army, basic training, and I had turned my back on the idea of God because I wanted to be 'sure'. I wanted to 'know the truth' and not follow some ideology without proof, and so on. I had had many spiritual experiences throughout my life that I could not explain, but I was discounting them, because 'the brain is so wonderful' that I can't be sure that those things were from God. Anyway, things started happening to me that I just couldn't keep ignoring. Some how, everything I secretly hoped for was happening. Who knew me? Who loved me? Why? For instance, I was driving back to Fort Bragg from Baltimore as I did every weekend. My family lived there and my Captain gave me permission to make the trip. I was in a big windowless Chevy van. I noticed I was running out of gas and I had about 50 miles to go with not much in sight. I looked over on the seat and realized that my purse was gone! That meant, no id, no credit card, no money, and no way to call anyone if I ran out. I made a decision to turn around and go back to see if I could find my purse, when I happened to notice a pay phone on the side of the road. I thought that since the area was so rural, an operator might actually have some idea as to where that gas station was. Well, she didn't. But, as I put down the receiver, $1.10 fell into the change receptacle. I said, "What?", "What's this for?" So, shrugging, I put it into my pocket and continued down the road. Well, I came upon a gas station and I went to look for my purse. It was there, on the back side of a toilet in the bathroom. I was so grateful and desperate for gas that I didn't even bother to count the money. I just filled up the tank. I was $1.10 short. What was in my pocket? You know? A lot of things are hard to understand aren't they? So many of these kinds of things happened to my that one day, I finally had to get down on my knees and say thank you. I had to acknowledge this Person who went so out of His way to get my attention.
   Through the years, I began to see that the Scriptures upheld this idea about His love. Then one day, I heard Job 33:14 and the light went on. He is GOD. He is omniscient, powerful, loving, and Wonderful! His Word stands. There is an Enemy, and Adversary. Those not under the umbrella of His protection due to their rejection of His authority are in extreme danger. God still speaks to them, He still reaches to them, but He will not force them. And yet, when they do call on Him in their distress, He answers. It's really Him! Psalm 107 talks about the cycle of those who call on the Lord, he answers them and repeat, such as seen in verses 10-15, "Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" Psalm 107 sheds a lot of light on what is happening in this world.
   There are two camps...those who have obeyed from the heart the Word of God in trusting the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus for their redemption, who have believed God, that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, (not to heap treasures upon themselves, but spiritual treasures); and those who refuse Him, for whatever reason. One is under the direct tutelage of the Holy Spirit, and one is a target for the Enemy of God who goeth about seeking whom he may devour.    
   We may find our refuge today, Romans 9:8-11, " 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; 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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed". Praise God for His wonderful Plan and love to the children of men!

A Way to get Clean

For the most part, I have avoided listening to the news media recently because it's so terrible. But, my husband sometimes shares some of it with me. I am so troubled this morning about a program we saw last night, that I feel compelled to shout. The whole world lies in darkness. I sincerely wonder if there is any true wisdom left. When anyone speaks about anything that bucks up against the current philosophy they are immediately labeled as some type of kook. How's that working for you? We, as a Nation, have embarked on a course that has swept us out to a roaring sea of filth and shame. As adults, we have encouraged our youth to 'be themselves', be 'all they can be', 'open their minds', without the benefit of solid direction, or true understanding of what we have done to them. Maybe we think we have sufficiently edited what they will see and hear, but in reality we have opened the door to the world wherein filters are easily deleted. How are they supposed to know what is good or bad? How could they even imagine the consequences of the life choices they are making without the benefit of adult supervision? Most parents, I would think, would like to protect their children. I'm sure that they don't want them to become victims of addiction, disease, or crime, but cautioning them verbally, while encouraging them to 'explore' at the same time will ultimately put them in harm's way. One of the news videos we watched last night finally began to expose the dangers children are facing when they have to move and live in a society that is drenched with pornography and drugs. They 'explore', they taste, and find out too late that the consequences are beyond anything they could have possibly imagined. Consequences that will color the rest of their lives and the lives of their children as well. The video followed two teens that came from upper middle-class families. The parents had no idea about what their kids were involved in. They were, unknowingly, financially supporting kids that had become addicted to heroin, living their lives only for the next fix. A young girl answered questions about pornography in school and about her experience of its effects on the lives of both the boys and girls. She described her own experiences and how confused and upset she was at first. Our children are being destroyed! The only reason that a program like this aired is because it has become too much of a problem to be ignored. To me, that means too late. How can anyone go about protecting their kids from these things? They are everywhere. Children access porn even by mistake, they accept a drug they think is harmless only to find out they were deceived, and it's too late. What I want to get across is that there is an answer. It's been rejected by this Nation. But, it remains as the only answer. The Blood of Jesus was spilled for what should have been my punishment and yours. I deserve death for my behavior. We can sit back and explain ourselves, we can make ourselves the exception, we can sooth ourselves, but what about the people we hurt? Nothing we do can change what we've done and how it has affected them. Nothing can make it better. But, when God Himself provides an answer, and says that it makes you clean in His eyes, then you are clean indeed, because He is the final Judge. Most of the reason that this Nation has rejected Christ, is because, in my opinion, that the Word of God has been misused, misunderstood, maligned, watered down, and/or exchanged for another 'gospel'. The Scriptures explain themselves, they interpret themselves, and they remain. We can kick, scream, throw a fit, refuse it, cover our ears, etc... but, what God says does not change, nor does He defend it. As He Is, It IS. One of the things it says is that if you haven't heard from Him, you need to keep your mouth shut. Too many people are in the pulpit preaching a doctrine, an idea, a philosophy, having never heard from Him. The people in the pews blindly follow, and after awhile, there is no truth in what is being touted as the Word of God. Another thing that the Scriptures say, is that you don't need anyone to teach you, but that the Holy Spirit will lead you and guide you into all truth. We don't need to lean on our own understanding, but to acknowledge Him in all our ways, and He will direct our paths. The Bereans were more noble in that they listened to the preaching of the Word, and then they went home and searched the Scriptures as to weather those things were true. We need to become students of the Word. Search the Word, go back into the original languages...the tools are available on-line, and are also in print, such as the Strong's Concordance. English is a horrible language for its ambiguity. The New Testament was written in Greek, because it is such an explicit language. For example, when we translate the verse in 1 Corinthians as 'love is patient', it pales in comparison with what is actually meant, that love, after suffering a long time, is kind. That love believes all things, and then it hopes all things, and then, it bears what it finds to be true after all, and it's still kind! Without faith it's impossible to please God, and faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Not a nod in its direction, but receiving its authority. It's been a long time now, since this Nation embarked on it's current path...since we threw away the Word of God and substituted 'our own reality'. Look where we are. Look at the murders, the atrocities, the predation, the corruption, the lies, the shootings, the lost, confused population embracing and defending the very ideas and behaviors that are killing them. "Men love darkness, rather than Light, because their deeds are evil". Wake up America! Judgement is coming. God will not suffer this madness forever. There is an appointed time for His intervention and it will come. We all know it. It's been trumpeted on the internet for years now. What will happen when circumstances strip us from all our pleasures? Will you know how to live? Will you know what to think? Will you know how to help others that are suffering? The Scriptures say again that 'if a man believes in his heart the Lord Jesus, and confesses with his mouth that God has raised Him from the dead, he will be born again'. It's that simple to receive a new life in the eyes of God. Jesus said, "I am the Door that leadeth unto life, no man comes to the Father, but by Me". When you decide to call upon God, He will be there to help you and He will honor His Word as you obey Him by faith and look to Him for guidance. Many questions remain, but it takes a lifetime to learn any subject in depth...I have prayed for you that your faith fail not. If you are interested in references for the above quotes, the Biblegateway.com site will allow you to search by phrase or individual words, and you will learn a lot more by seeing their context and what else the Scriptures have to say. God bless each one who longs to be clean and calls upon the only Savior.