Remember What He Told Us

Are We Living In The End Times?

If we are honest with ourselves, we can't even say "each year that passes" it seems the world becomes a darker place, or "each month that passes" something else tragic happens somewhere else around the world, or "each week that passes" there seems to be another natural disaster such as an earthquake where lives are lost, or flood, or tornado, or fire or new "biological disaster" (disease) that surfaces, somewhere in the world.  No, if we are completely honest, we are at a point now where we can barely get through one single day without hearing some form of disastrous, heart-breaking news.  In fact, there's so much of it, I can barely keep up with it and as much as I hate to admit this, within a few days, I am so overwhelmed by the "new news", I find myself forgetting what happened just a few days earlier.  If this is not "the end times", I can't bring myself to imagine what this world would be like in the "actual end times".  

The Good News, Jesus Told Us What Signs To Look For:

We need to remember, always, that Jesus told His disciples (and us) what "condition" the world would be in just prior to His return.  He gave specific things for us to watch for and He also told us that we would see these "things" begin to happen and then increase in intensity (and continue to increase), the closer we were to the time of His return.....He likened this to a woman in labor (at first the labor pains or contractions are spaced out and then become more and more frequent and more intense, right up until the child is birthed).  

So, what did He tell us the signs would be?  Beginning in Matthew, chapter 24 and verse 5:

1. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
2. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye not be troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
3. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
4. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
5. And many false prophets shall rise, and deceive many.
6. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

The very first thing Jesus said, just before telling us what these signs would be is: "Take heed that no man deceive you."

We are living in an extremely deceptive time.  I dare say there is deception in every single aspect of our lives.  He was not casually suggesting that we not let anyone deceive us.....this was a commandment, that all followers must take seriously.....it's THAT important.  

False/Deceptive "Prophets":

Jesus forewarned His followers that there would be false prophets (people claiming to "hear from the Lord") that would deceive many.  We know from the prophet Joel, (Joel 2:28):

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions."

Of course we can (and should) trust in, believe in and feel confident in the words spoken by the prophet Joel who was truly inspired by the Holy Spirit when he wrote those words.  Unfortunately, there are too many people today, who may even have good intentions, but who misuse this prophetic scripture.  For example, there are youtube channels that exist that are completely dedicated to dreams.  I do not doubt that Christians today are having dreams that are from the Lord and are prophetic, in one way or another, but I am referring to those that without fail, will post a video each and every day, and explain it's prophetic meaning.  This is just my opinion, of course, but I do not believe the Lord, or the Holy Spirit, is working in this way.  I have also found that the people who claim to have "prophetic / warning" dreams, each and every night, never share anything but that.  We, as the body of Christ, are called to spread the Gospel, first and foremost.  One of these "dream channels" on youtube, actually admits that they "don't really know scripture all that well"!  I would classify this as a snare....a snare to all Christians who get caught up in believing they are "hearing from the Lord" through these other people's dreams and even worse, a snare to younger or new Christians, who aren't yet "mature in their faith/walk".  It's very tempting and easy to get caught up "in all the hype".  When it comes to listening to other people share a dream and or vision that they claim to have received from the Lord, I always rely on the discernment of the Holy Spirit.  You can always count on the Holy Spirit to let you know (if you're listening to the Spirit).  I will usually get a bad feeling or a "flag" will go up or a warning signal in my mind, letting me know that something just isn't right.  I then pray about it and somehow, someway, the Lord will let me know who is genuine and who is not.  

Wars and Rumours of Wars:

I was flipping through the channels on TV, looking for something on the news a week or so ago and couldn't believe my eyes.....the following is a screenshot of an actual broadcast on RT News:

Well, I think we can definitely put a checkmark next to #2 above!  All joking aside, I thought to myself, "how much easier/obvious could the Lord make this one for us to recognize!"  Even without a news headline staring us in the face like this, it's safe to say that we are definitely "hearing" of war and rumours of war ALL the time.  If it's not the South China Sea "issue" and the international hostilities surrounding the disputed islands there, there's always North Korea threatening to Nuke someone, most recently the US and South Korea.  Just a few days ago Turkey invaded Syria....to fight....well, honestly, I still can't figure out who's fighting who over there and for what (speaking of DECEPTION).  Then we've got the Russian president warning the US citizens of how close we "really" are to all out war and that our media is lying to us and hiding what is really going on (which I don't doubt).  I could go on (and on).  And these are just the 'war headlines' from this past week!!  

Nation against Nation, Kingdom against Kingdom:

Isa 19:2  "And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom."

Photo taken during Arab Spring in Egypt

Another scene of the violence in Egypt during Arab Spring

Hag 2:22  "And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother."

The death of Saddam Hussein ended up transforming the country 

of Iraq into an unstable land plagued by sectarian violence.

 Libya is now a lawless wasteland.

Unfortunately, Egypt hasn't seen it's worst days yet.

Zec 14:13  "And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour."

Last, but certainly not least....... I chose to include the following for several reasons I feel are significant.  Something I have yet to share on this blog is my own, personal testimony.  That is actually next on my list.  For now, in short, my life took a 180 degree turn....or you could say....I WOKE UP, real fast, the moment I saw the image of James Foley, in that orange jumpsuit, kneeling in the desert, plastered on the evening news.  I remember it was late (summer) 2014.  That's when I was first made aware of the unbelievable nightmare....unimaginable nightmare, unfolding in the middle east (and elsewhere around the world).  

I am fully aware of all the controversy surrounding those first few videos put out, with the men in the orange jumpsuits (and Jihadi John) and how they were supposedly "fake", etc. etc.  I, personally had to know the truth....and I went searching for the truth.  I had to know what was really going on "over there" (if I can put it that way)....if it was real....how bad it really was.  What I found "online" was way more, way worse than I could have imagined.  I immediately knew that the world that I grew up in was gone....life as I had known it was never going to be the same again, and I ran....I RAN as fast as I could....straight to God.   I was terrified and I knew that God Almighty was the ONLY protection from any of the nightmare that was coming on this world.  I was not yet born again, that came roughly six months later, but I am sharing the following for these three specific reasons:

1. This is prophetic.  Although we know that many Christians have been targeted and persecuted, I believe most of the "ISIS slaughter" or Muslim killing in general (Shi'ite vs. Sunni) is just that, Muslim killing fellow Muslim, or brother against brother.
2. If this had such a personal and absolutely life changing effect on my own life, the knowledge and awareness of what is really going on may have the same effect on someone else.  I honestly don't know where I'd be today if this "ISIS nightmare" didn't happen (as much as I hate to admit that)....I just praise God.
3. The main stream media covers this up like the plague and it's wrong!  It does not matter any longer who created this demonic group of killers.....the bottom line is that they exist.  Yet, we never, ever hear about these atrocities on the news!  Every person, in every country needs to be aware of what is happening.....this should not be swept under the rug any longer.

ISIS killing an Iraqi in Anbar Province, Iraq

Note: IS Muslim terrorists killing Muslims (Arabs), Syria

ISIS crucifixion of children

There were many, many (too many) other photos available online, to pick from, that would illustrate a "nation at war with itself"....in fact, for those of us living in the United States, it's beginning to be (almost) a regular thing to see riots and cities burning and criminals running rampant in the streets shooting guns as if they were toys.  No, this isn't the world I grew up in and the only hope I have is hope in the soon return of our Lord and Savoir, Jesus Christ.

To be continued.....

Not By Might, Nor By Power, But by my Spirit....

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is not only an essential part of our walk with Christ but what also sets us (Christians) apart from everyone else.


Why We Need The Holy Spirit:

First and foremost, Jesus Himself tells us in John 3:3 "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."           John 3
When we are born again we are baptized in the Holy Spirit and it is the moment of our salvation.  We receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit where the Spirit of God brings us into union with Christ and into union with other believers.  

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Just as Christ died and rose again, when we are born again and baptized with the Holy Spirit (and subsequent water baptism), the "sinful" man/woman in us is "buried with Him in baptism" and raised, in Faith, that we might walk in newness of life!

John 14:16-18

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."

Jesus promised us "another", the Spirit, to comfort us, to teach us, to guide us and to seal our salvation.  Whether we realize it or not, it is the Spirit who calls us and leads us to Christ. We not only receive comfort from the Holy Spirit but we receive POWER...the power of God, which we need, as believers, in order to have the strength and knowledge and discernment and wisdom in this dark world, to carry out our mission....which is to spread the Good News....the Gospel!

Acts 1:8

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Just reading the passage from Isaiah in the above "image" (Isaiah 11:1-3), we are told that the Spirit is a Spirit of Wisdom, and of Understanding, and of Counsel and of Strength.  A Spirit of Knowledge and of fear of the Lord.

It took me a little while to fully understand WHY Jesus said that we Need to be born again.  Then it suddenly made sense (really I had finally received the knowledge and wisdom from the Spirit to fully understand).....I attempted to read the Bible years ago but gave up quickly because I could not understand what I was reading....it seemed "too complicated" (which it's not).......we NEED the Holy Spirit in order to be able to understand "things of the spirit".  He will reveal things to us (believers) that we did not previously see.  I find myself amazed by this regularly.  In my humble opinion, this is one of the greatest gifts of the Spirit.....I am now able to read the Word and see the deeper message.....and there IS a deeper message (or layers to the Word).  

How Do We Know We Have Received The "Indwelling" of the Holy Spirit?:

When you receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit...you will know!   Your whole life will change.  Your desires will change.  You will understand what it means to "be on fire for God".  You will (at a minimum, desire to learn more about God and about Jesus and what He had to say and will WANT to read His Word (or, if you're like me, and many others....you won't be able to get enough of it).   You'll notice that you want to spend more time around those you may not have "liked" before.  You will soon realize that you have found a peace that you did not know existed (and wonder how you lived so long without it!).

I have tried to describe this feeling with a family member and the closest I could get to a comparison, in human terms, is the feeling of when we first fall in love.  If you've ever been in love with someone you know what I'm talking about.  That person is ALL you can think about and you want to tell everyone about that person.  They are on your mind 24/7.  Well, I would say that being filled with the Holy Spirit (being born again, of the Spirit)...is like falling in love times a million!!  

Don't wait another day if you are not sure or if you have never received Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.  I promise you...you will not be disappointed!  You will receive a peace, an internal peace that you never thought was possible!   

SIGNS Of The Times.....Be Ye Ready

Be Ye Ready:

Watching Judah:

There is No Plan B:

Heaven....An Eternal Paradise

Why Don't We Think About Heaven More Often?

The more I learn about Heaven, whether by what's revealed to us in scripture, or through an anointed sermon on the topic, the more I find myself longing to be there.

When I share this with "non-believers" (mostly), or maybe just those who don't have a full understanding of Heaven, I usually get a response like "what...do you have a death wish"?  That's one of the "nice" comments I receive.   It began to dawn on me that there are probably many people that don't think about Heaven often, on a regular basis...don't realize the reality that any day, any one of us could leave this earth and will be spending eternity in one place or the other.

What The Bible Tells Us About Heaven

In Heaven there will be no more death, no more sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away! (Rev 21:4)

10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

(Rev 21:10-25)

Yes, The Tree of Life Is In Heaven!

22 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

(Rev 22:1-2)

While scripture does give us some idea of what Heaven is like and a brief description of what the New Jerusalem looks like, we don't have too much more than that to go on.  I  assume that is because we are not yet capable of comprehending (visualizing) the sheer beauty, perfection, glory and holiness of Heaven.  It's beyond our perception.  What we do have is Faith and Hope.

In (approximately) 32AD, the Lord Jesus Himself spoke these words to His disciples, there with Him in the upper room, and I believe also, to the future "church"....the body of Christ...the Bride of Christ...all born again believers in Christ:

Just A Thought...The Lord God Almighty created the heavens and the earth (all the planets, all the galaxies we're aware of (and the ones we may not be), all the stars), all the animals, planet earth as we know it and last but not least....man...and woman.  He did this in 6 days.  I do not believe he needed 6 days, I am with those that believe he "took" 6 days, took His time and enjoyed His creation.  Nonetheless, He created ALL of this in 6 days.  
The Lord Jesus Christ told us He was going to prepare a place for US!  That was roughly 2,000 years ago!  Can you imagine what He has prepared for us in 2,000 years?
If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross at Calvary for your sins, died, was buried, rose on the third day and ascended to Heaven and has been at the right hand of God the Father Almighty ....then you should also believe what He told us in that upper room, at the last supper.....

If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savoir...if He is not yet the priority in your life, I implore you to say the following prayer and ask Him to forgive you of your sins, fill you with His spirit.  All you have to do is ask:

Spiritual Warfare Part 3 - The Armour of God and How To Use It!!

Again, we are reminded by the Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 6:12:

Paul continues, in verses 13-18, to list each piece of armour needed but begins by stressing the point that we NEED the WHOLE armour of God....one or two pieces won't work.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

The Armour of God:

• Belt of Truth
• Breastplate of Righteousness
• Preparation of the Gospel of Peace
• Shield of Faith
• Helmet of Salvation
• Sword of the Spirit

Belt of Truth

All the weapons, all forms of armour, hang on this belt of truth (the Word of God)!!

Breastplate of Righteousness

Confessing all sins to REMAIN in righteousness 1 John 1:9

The Lord God is Faithful and True, if we confess / repent of our sins, He will cleanse us of all sin and we will be made righteous before Him.

Gospel of Peace

The Good News of Peace!  Actually Walking in His Word.

Shield of Faith

Maintaining firm confidence in the Word of God!  Read His Word and have the Faith to truly believe in what He promises!

Helmet of Salvation

Your Helmet Protects Your Mind, Your Thoughts!  Read The Word of God and Believe It!

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world". 1 John 4:4

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord". Isaiah 54:17

Sword of The Spirit

This is our only OFFENSIVE weapon.  It is also a short sword meant for hand-to-hand combat.

The sword is not only the written Word of God but also the Living Word of God.  The more you read the Word and once you receive the indwelling of the Spirit (baptism of the Holy Spirit), reading your bible will be a whole new experience...your "spiritual eyes" will be opened and God will reveal Himself to you and never cease to amaze you!

Jesus Himself showed us how to use this sword against an attack from "the enemy" (Satan) when Satan tempted Him to turn the stones into bread.  Jesus replied, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God"

Last, but not least, Ephesians 6:18: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.."

This is not 'heavy armour"....this is Heavy Artillery from the Heavens!  Praying "in the spirit" means not "praying in the flesh"....not simply saying repetitive, pre-written prayers.  We need to pray from the heart. We should feel comfortable speaking directly to the Lord but also keep ourselves humble before Him....and of course, thankful in all things!

Hell Fire

The video (sermon) below, by Pastor Charles Lawson, is so powerful (and true) that there's not much I can really add to it...it's just something I highly recommend watching.  It's a shame that most churches today have steered clear of teaching on end times, the Book of Revelation and hell.  My guess would be that these are unpopular topics among the masses.  How popular was Jesus "among the masses"?  His message was one of love and mercy and forgiveness, of course but He absolutely stressed the judgement that would come to non-believers and "workers of iniquity".  

Regardless of what country you are living in currently, I think it's safe to assume (sadly) that you are experiencing unprecedented trials, tribulations, fear, instability (of some sort).  It's a worldwide nightmare we're living in at this point.  Of course some countries are dealing with tougher situations than others.  All of that being said, I think it's only natural, in times like these, to turn to God for answers and comfort.  I will go a step further and say that I personally believe that God allows the "shaking"/turmoil that we're seeing for a reason.  He wants to get ALL our attention.  There are so many people, too many people, who do not know Jesus and through Him, God the Father.  I can't even imagine my life at this point, especially with the way the world is now, without the knowledge that 'no matter what, I have the Lord Jesus to lean on and His Holy Spirit to help me discern the truth from all the lies being fed to us (from all over).  It's bad now and will only get worse.  

My purpose in sharing this video is the hope that this may "speak" to someone....wake just one more person up to the fact that Heaven and Hell are real...they really do exist and we have a choice of where we'll spend eternity.  

Spiritual Warfare Part 2 - Why Are We At War (And Who Are We Fighting)?

To understand WHY there is spiritual warfare and more importantly, why WE (the church) are the ones being targeted by Satan, it helps to understand who Satan really is and why he was cast out of Heaven in the first place.

Throughout the Bible, Satan is referred to by various names:

• The Tempter - 1 Thessalonians 3:5
• The Wicked One - Matthew 13:19, 38
• The Accuser of The Brethren - Revelation 12:10
• The Ruler of This World - John 12:31
• The god of This Age - 2 Corinthians 4:4
• The Prince of the Power of the Air - Ephesians 2:2

Satan, or Lucifer, was not just any angel, it is believed that he was the highest cherub...a beautiful creation of God.  What happened?  Pride.  His pride got the best of him and in such a way that he dared to challenge God Almighty Himself! 

Isaiah 14:13-14 

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

Ezekiel 28:17

17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

The Wiles of The Devil:

In Ephesians 6:11, the apostle Paul tells us to "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

Two things we need to take note of here are the word "wiles" and "devil" (Satan).  Wiles can be translated as methods, and Satan, plain and simple, means adversary (enemy).  In order to be able to "stand" against, and defeat the attacks that WILL come, we need to know who our enemy is and what tactics (methods) he uses to defeat us.

• Satan is a master at bondage (physical/illness, psychological (fear/depression/anxiety/doubt)
• Satan is a master deceiver
• Satan is a master liar (he hides the truth, he doesn't want you to know who you are)
• Satan's "playhouse" is YOUR MIND!

WHY does Satan attack US (the Church)?

If we refer back to the two verses above from Isaiah (Isa 14:13-14), where Satan exalts himself above God Almighty, challenges God Almighty we can see Satan's contempt for God, his hatred for God.  It's safe to say, Satan hates God.

As believers, as born again believer's in Jesus Christ, who have been filled with the Holy Spirit of God, we naturally Love what God loves and Hate what God hates.  It's just something that happens when you are filled with the spirit....you begin to truly despise evil...you love "God's chosen people" / Israel (the Jews).  Why?  Because God loves them and because we know that we are blessed even more for blessing them!

 Isaiah 66:1-2

Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Tremble in the Hebrew means those who love what He loves and hate what He hates.  So, we love what God loves, hate what He hates and Satan hates God....and he hates what God loves most...and that's US!  Satan is unable to "pick a fight" with God!  So, he comes after us...God's treasured possession..and, the ones doing the most damage to Satan's kingdom (here on earth), by spreading the Gospel...well, he hates those the most!

Therefore, consider yourself blessed that Satan considers you worthy to be attacked!  If we are experiencing attacks from the enemy that's a validation that we are doing God's will and planting "fruitful" seeds!!

We are incapable of fighting this fight on our own...but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!  Jesus Christ is The Way, The Truth and The Life.