Will You Allow God to Hide You? The Prince of Magog (Russia) Will be Here Shortly!

Will You Allow God to Hide You? The Prince of Magog (Russia) Will be Here Shortly! 

(Zephaniah 1:2) "I will utterly consume everything From the face of the land," Says the Lord; 3 "I will consume man and beast; I will consume the birds of the heavens, The fish of the sea, And the stumbling blocks along with the wicked. I will cut off man from the face of the land,"says the Lord. 

(Zeph 2:3) Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden /In the day of the Lord's anger.

 

Many people are waiting for a rapture to take them out of the world before the coming tribulation. However, God’s Word teaches us that God will HIDE many of his elect during this time of indignation. (Zeph 2:3) states that the meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice, should seek after righteousness and humility. He continues to say, It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger. The prophet Isaiah also confirms that God’s elect should enter their chambers and shut the doors behind them, and HIDE, for a short time, until the indignation is past. These passages agree with Rev 12.

(Isaiah 26:20) Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past. 21 For behold, the Lord comes out of His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her blood, And will no more cover her slain.

 

The Lord Jesus Christ told us exactly when he will return, as well as when he will send forth his angels to gather the elect. (Matt 24:29) “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

 

 Christ was not speaking metaphorically. The pre-trib rapture doctrine teaches that this passage is in reference to the second coming of Christ, seven years after the ingathering of the saints. However, Christ said, immediately after the tribulation he would send forth his angels to harvest the elect. This passage alone is enough to establish that the rapture and the second coming of Christ are the same event.

 

God’s Word teaches us that he will protect many of his children in the wilderness during this time of tribulation. The overcomers, will be the remnant that will never see death.

(Rev 12:13)  Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.  15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.  16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.  17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

 God did not rapture Noah out of the earth, nor did he build the ark for him, rather he instructed him how to build the ark.  Noah was obedient to God and although it took him 120 years to build the ark, he did not give up. Because of Noah’s obedience to the Lord, we are here today. Like Noah, we need to be making preparations for the soon coming tribulation. I believe that the Lord is instructing people to prepare communities in remote wilderness areas for the time of trouble ahead. We all need to be seeking the Lord with much fasting and prayer concerning where to relocate to ride out the storm. The cities, as well as populated areas, are destined for judgment.

 

This is not a time for fear, but action. If we trust God, as Noah did, then we will be obedient to him and follow his voice.  The Lord protected the Hebrews in the land of Goshen from the plagues that struck Egypt. I believe that he will do likewise for his children who obey His voice and relocate. I believe that the coming nuclear war will not harm those who are in God’s hiding places throughout the earth. Those who are waiting for a rapture to take them out will perish as did the Egyptians.

 

The great war to come, will cause a famine greater than this world has ever known. The Lord told me that it is crucial that Christians relocate to very remote areas in order to protect their families, as well as their food supply. During this time of war and famine, people will be desperate to feed their families and they will kill you for your food, as well as supplies. Out of necessity, people will eventually consume all of the natural resources, including all the wildlife. In Revelation chapter, six we read about the four horseman of the apocalypse. The white horse is symbolic of Christ, who executes his righteous judgments, then we read of the red horse, which is war, followed by the black horse of famine with scales in his hand, then the pale horse of death, and Hades follows. As you can see from God’s Word, war is followed by worldwide famine. In addition, the time will come when money will be worthless and no one will be able to buy or sell without the mark, number, or name of the beast. It is crucial that Christians prepare ASAP, for sudden destruction will come and most people will be unprepared.

 

The Lord told me that after Trump, the world would have a new leader. Gog (prince) from the land of Magog (Russia) will ascend to the world’s throne (Ezekiel 38,39). The Russian anti-christ will destroy America with the help of China (Rev 18).

 

As I stated previously, we need to be in prayer, as well as fasting for direction from the Lord as to where to relocate to ride out the storm. The Lord has instructed me to relocate to a place of true wilderness, away from all towns and human population. The time will soon come when Christians will need to band together and share their resources in order to survive. In the book of Acts, we read where the early church did exactly this. Those who had an abundance shared with those who lacked, so that everyone’s needs were met, and the Apostles distributed the food accordingly. I believe that this type of community will be necessary once again.

 

 Mountains can serve as a barrier between populated areas and wilderness, as well as slow down human traffic. I believe that remote mountainous areas are ideal for survival. I would recommend very tall mountains, like the Rockies, or the Coastal Mountains of British Columbia Canada. It is also necessary to live near a good water source, such as a lake, river, or year round creek. It is also a good idea to live near plenty of trees, for firewood, as well as building materials. I would also recommend stockpiling as much food as possible. The dehydrated foods with a shelf life of thirty or forty years are ideal. I believe that it is a good idea to hide your food underground if possible. It is also a good idea to learn as much as possible about farming, gardening, hunting, and fishing. The time will come when there will be no more electricity, gasoline, or grocery stores, to depend on. When the war comes, society will be set back to primitive conditions.

 

 According to government sources, if one nuclear bomb were to be set off in the stratosphere above the central United States, it would create an electromagnetic pulse that would knock out the national power grid, as well as all electronic devices and most cars. It would take over a century to get it up and running again. Also according to government sources, if this occurs, ninety percent of the American population will die within one year. Most people are dependent upon Wal-Mart for food and supplies. We all drive cars to work, and trucks, trains, and planes are necessary for transport of food etc. All of our modern conveniences that we take for granted, will come to an end. That is why it is important to learn how to survive. In fact, the Lord spoke to my wife that at an unknown time, a nuclear device will be set off in the stratosphere, above the United States. Russia, China, North Korea, as well as Iran, have war plans in place, which mention using a stratosphere bomb against America.

 

The Lord of the Outcasts

The Lord of the Outcasts 

I have met many people who claim to have been burned by Christians, or churches. I have heard  many reasons why people do not attend church, or seek after God. Many people who are financially poor are shamed by churches if they cannot afford to tithe. The heavy yoke of the Old Testament tithe is placed upon their necks without mercy. Although the New Testament teaches that a person is to give according to their ability and not under obligation, many churches mislead their congregations. Under the old covenant, many of the poor were allowed to keep, and eat, their own tithe. However, the modern day churches are more concerned with their nice buildings, fine clothes, and prestige, than for the poor.

 

Church should not be a place for a fashion show, but a place to seek after and worship God. If a poor family cannot afford nice clothes, they should be allowed to sit on the front row without shame. The house of God should be a place for people of all races and backgrounds. Racial, or economic discrimination, has no place in the church of the Living God.

 

However, we should keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus and not others. People will disappoint you, but God is faithful and will never disappoint. Don’t reject God because you have been hurt by people. God loves you so much that he became a man, and died on the cross to ransom your soul from the devil. There is no greater love, than the love of God.

 

Not all churches have gone the way of Laodicea. I have attended churches that care for souls, and have no concern for materialism. I recommend a church that preaches holiness, loves people, and reaches out to the poor and rejected. The late pastor David Wilkerson was an example for all ministers to follow. He loved people of all races and backgrounds, and founded the Times Square Church in New York City. Pastor Wilkerson had love for the neglected souls in the inner city. He reached out to those who had been rejected, and looked down upon, by the religious institutions. His church embraces people of all races, cultures, and economic backgrounds. His shining example of Christian love has inspired me for decades.

 

Jesus Christ is the Lord of the outcasts. Christ was rejected by the religious leaders of his day because he exposed their hypocrisy and reached out to sinners. The pious scribes and Pharisees would not associate with those they considered unclean, but Christ came to teach repentance, love, mercy, as well as forgiveness. Christ ate with tax collectors and sinners, in order to reach out to them, as well as other neglected souls. If we claim to follow Christ, we should also reach out to those around us without prejudice. If the world will see the love of Christ in us, they may repent and turn from darkness to light.

 

(Matt 9:9) As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him.

10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.

11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice. 'For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

 

 

 

Without Holiness no Man Shall See the Father!

Dream of the Golden Bowl filled with Anointing Oil

Dream of the Golden Bowl filled with Anointing Oil 

(1 John 3:3) And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

 

I recently dreamed that an angel of the Lord asked me, “Do you believe in the eternal security doctrine?” I replied, “No, Christ said that those who endure unto the end shall be saved.” I continued, “If you fall away from Christ even five minutes before your death you will be lost.” The angel said, “That is correct.”

 

  The angel was standing next to a golden bowl filled with anointing oil. Two pipes led from the bowl. One pipe was the Word of God (scripture), the other pipe, had the word holiness written in large letters on it. The two pipes dripped oil into the hands of those who were filled with God’s Holy Spirit. I was told that God would anoint those who walked in holiness. I also understood that a lukewarm church would be vomited out (Rev 3:14-18).  This dream was in reference to Zechariah chapters 4 and 5.

 

Zechariah was shown a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. Zechariah was told that this is the Word of the Lord to Zerubbabel (Zech ch 4).  He was shown God’s temple and anointing oil, which is symbolic of God’s Spirit and righteousness. Zechariah was also shown a plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel, he was told, “They are the eyes of the Lord, which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth”.  A plumb line is a measuring tape. Nothing escapes the eyes of the Lord, for we are all measured or weighed by the Lord.

 

You may think God doesn’t see you, or care, if you tell a dirty joke at work, but the Lord knows all things. The Lord knows every thought that goes through your mind. If you look upon a woman to lust after her, you have committed adultery in your heart, or if you hate your brother, you have committed murder in your heart. We are under God’s microscope at all times and we should remember that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

 

Without holiness, no man shall see the Father. If you are living in sin, you are not saved by grace. Grace is not automatic, grace follows repentance. If you repent, and turn away from your sins, God will wash you clean and transform you into a new creation. This is the meaning of being born again. The atonement that Christ provided upon the cross supplies our lack. Our righteousness alone is not enough to provide for salvation. The shed blood of Christ brings redemption only if we make Christ our Lord through obedience. We must allow the love of Christ into our hearts and learn to love our neighbor, as well as live a sanctified (purified and set apart) life. Regardless of your level of faith, if you continue to live in sin as the world does, you are not born again, but lost.

 

Many churches teach that we are all filthy sinners, living in a fallen world, with a fallen nature, and we cannot live right. Consider this, Satan and one third of the angels were living in the perfect environment of Heaven, yet they chose to sin against God.  Adam and Eve were living in a perfect world without sin, but they also chose to sin against God. My point is, whether we live in a perfect world, or a fallen world, we have the ability to choose good or evil. By the indwelling presence of God’s Holy Spirit, we have the power to live a sanctified, disciplined life. We must unlearn the junk that the   Laodicean churches teach. Consider the curse that travels the entire earth expelling the evil doers (Zech chapter 5). 

 

(Zech 5:1) Then I turned and raised my eyes, and saw there a flying scroll.

2 And he said to me, "What do you see?" So I answered, "I see a flying scroll. Its length is twenty cubits and its width ten cubits."

3 Then he said to me, "This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole earth: 'Every thief shall be expelled,' according to this side of the scroll; and, 'Every perjurer shall be expelled,' according to that side of it." 4 "I will send out the curse," says the Lord of hosts;" It shall enter the house of the thief  And the house of the one who swears falsely by My name. It shall remain in the midst of his house And consume it, with its timber and stones."  5 Then the angel who talked with me came out and said to me, "Lift your eyes now, and see what this is that goes forth." 6 So I asked, "What is it?" And he said, "It is a basket that is going forth." He also said, "This is their resemblance throughout the earth:

7 Here is a lead disc lifted up, and this is a woman sitting inside the basket";

8 then he said, "This is Wickedness!" And he thrust her down into the basket, and threw the lead cover over its mouth.

9 Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were two women, coming with the wind in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven.

10 So I said to the angel who talked with me, "Where are they carrying the basket?"

11 And he said to me, "To build a house for it in the land of Shinar; when it is ready, the basket will be set there on its base."

 

 

Humility and a Servant's Heart

Humility and a Servant's Heart

 

(Matt 20:25) But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

 

The ways of this fallen world are contrary to the ways of God. Many boast of their knowledge, or seek after money, power, or fame. However, God is opposed to the proud and gives grace to the humble. Those who desire to be first will be last, and those who desire power, will be brought to shame. If you want to be great in the kingdom of God, you must learn to be a servant to all. We are not above our master; Christ came to teach us the ways of the Father, as well as to give his life as a ransom for many. Christ was an example of servanthood; he came to serve, rather than to be served. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples in humility and told us to do likewise. The lust of the flesh, the eyes, and the pride of life will pass away with this fallen world, but those who do the will of God will live forever.

 

(1 John 2:16) For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

 

The apostle Paul was given many great revelations and performed miracles through the power of God’s Spirit, but he was also an example of humility. Paul said that God gave him a thorn in the flesh (a messenger from Satan sent to buffet him), so that he would not become puffed up, due to his many revelations. Paul prayed three times that this thorn be removed, but God said, “My grace is sufficient for you.” It is better to be humbled by God, than to lose your soul.

 

I have seen many ministries fall because of pride, as well as the love of money and power. Many of the generals of the faith were spiritually killed, because they were given over to the lusts of their flesh. Sexual immorality and greed has killed many ministries. Kenneth Hagin Sr. is the founder of the heretical prosperity gospel. On his deathbed, Hagin repented for leading many astray with this deceptive doctrine. He urged other ministries to abandon what he called the Midas-gold doctrine.

 

Sadly, this doctrine which justifies fleecing the flock, is very much alive. Many television evangelists, mega-church leaders, as well as common churches worldwide, embrace this doctrine of spiritual death. The ministers who rob the poor, in order to live in mansions, and drive luxury cars, will answer to God on Judgment Day. Christ said that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter heaven. Pastors, teachers, as well as other ministers, need to lead by example, as the early apostles did. Rather than to be served, we need to learn to serve others. Let us all walk in the fear of the Lord.

 

(Prov 16:18) Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

 

(John 13:3) Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You washing my feet?" 7 Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this." 8 Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." 9 Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!" 10 Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, "You are not all clean." 12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.

 

Pursuing the Fruits of the Spirit: Faithfulness

 

 

Pursuing the Fruits of the Spirit: Faithfulness

 

The Lord is always faithful to us even when we are not faithful to Him. One way to show faithfulness to the Lord is obedience. God’s Word states that God desires obedience more than sacrifices. Christ said, that if you love him you will keep his commandments, and his new commandment is that we should love one another. (John 13:34) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

 

To be truly born again is to have the love of Christ in your heart. Bitterness, hate, envy, strife, and jealousy are traits that will lead to spiritual death if you do not repent. Regardless of your level of faith, if you do not have love in your heart, you do not know God. This is what the angels of the Lord have told me. I was once a prisoner of sin because of bitterness toward others. The Lord taught me how to look beyond the faults of others and see the need. When I learned to forgive the trespasses of others and to love them unconditionally, I found true peace and freedom.

 

There are many members of the body of Christ, and each role is essential to the Kingdom of God. It does not matter if you are a hand, or foot, if you are faithful to where God has placed you, then you have a reward in Heaven.  You may be a janitor, street evangelist, Sunday school teacher, pastor, teacher, or evangelist, each role is necessary for the body of Christ to function in harmony (1 Cor 12:12-30). If you are found faithful in the position God has placed you in, He may promote you to a higher calling.

 

It is very important to be faithful to your calling in life because the souls of men are at stake. The great commission to spread the gospel to every nation does not apply to missionaries or evangelists only, but to everyone who belongs to Christ. We are ambassadors for the kingdom of God and it is our responsibility to let our light shine before all. Not only is our life to be an example to all, we are to share our faith with others as well. There are people all around us who are on their way to hell and we may be their only lifeline. Students, co-workers, family, and friends, are people you may share your faith with. I have shared my faith with people in Wal-Mart, as well as on hiking trails. If you will pray for divine appointments, God will bring people along your path. Remember the world is watching.

 

We also need to be faithful to God with our lifestyle. God refers to cold, or lukewarm Christians, as an adulterous bride. Jesus Christ told the church of Laodicea, that because they were lukewarm, He would vomit them out of his mouth (Rev 3:14-22).  You cannot have one foot in Christianity and the other in the world, the compromise of your faith will lead to spiritual death. Any tree, which does not bring forth good fruit, will be cut off and thrown into the fire, for without holiness no man shall see the father. (Heb 12:14) Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.  (2 Cor 7:1) Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

 

(Matt 25:14) "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.

15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.

17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.

18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20 So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.'

21 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

22 He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.'

23 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

24 Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.'

26 But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.

27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.

28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'  

31 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.

32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.

33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;

36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'

37 Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?

38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?

39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'

40 And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'

41 Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:

42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink;

43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'

44 Then they also will answer Him,saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?'

45 Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'

46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

The Fruit of Joy

 

The Fruit of Joy (Written by my wife)

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

 

I began writing this blog about a month ago and then became too busy to finish it.  The week I had planned to work on it again was the same week my beloved seven year-old Manx cat, Xander had to be euthanized.  Therefore, I was unable to write about joy last week.  Ironic, isn’t it?  But it made me realize even more so how much joy is a choice in our lives.  You may think that joy is not an active decision, but that one can only have joy when everything in life is going perfectly.  Realistically, how often can we say there is nothing in our lives that causes stress?  I am mostly a happy person, with a wonderful husband and a God who loves me, but there are often things cause frustration and, as with the recent loss, sadness.

 

Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.  Nehemiah 8:10

 

I would also reverse that and say that the strength of the Lord is my Joy!  It is how I can keep a smile on my face.  Yes, I can feel sorrow at the loss of my cat, but I can still feel happiness and peace when I lean on the love of the Lord.

 

I have been relying on the Truths of Isaiah 61:3, “To console those who mourn… To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."  Notice here, that our joy glorifies that Lord!

 

When you read some of the below verses you will also see that simply having faith and persevering in the knowledge of God’s goodness will produce joy.

 

Like most people, I have had my share of heartache and hard times.  There was a time nearly four years ago when I was so shattered that I could not pray.  Let me rephrase that, I would not pray.  I was so angry and confused with God that there was no way I could consider praising to lift my heaviness.  So, I know some of you are thinking that I am being too simplistic and unrealistic in expecting you to praise or sing when you are feeling wounded.  It got to the point where my soul thirsted for the Lord and I could not stay silent.  I missed my Heavenly Father, I knew He did not cause the harmful situation, and He wanted to comfort His child.  I started small with simply saying, “Thank you,” at the end of each day for all I still had, especially my husband.  My prayers slowly grew longer until I was back to being my usually chatty self with the Lord.  I was eventually even able to sing praises again without feeling like I was going through the motions.  It took at least six months for me to go through the process, but when I chose to pursue joy and release my anger and bitterness, I began to heal.

 

I have read possibly thousands (maybe hundreds, but a lot) of books in my life, and it is difficult to choose a favorite, yet I can say that next to the Bible, the book that touched me the most has been Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard.  If you have never read it, I highly encourage you to do so.  My husband and I read it together last year and we both were very moved by the story (We are now reading Mountains of Spices by the same author on our Kindle.  It is Part 2 to the story and also very good.)  Much Afraid’s journey reminded me so much of myself in allowing bitterness and resentment to bully me to the point where I was hindered by going to the High Places with the Good Shepherd.  Had I been a character in that book I would have been called Walks by Sight (or Much too Logical).  I have learned (am still learning) to become Acceptance with Joy as I can see that Sorrow and Suffering have been my companions for a specific purpose.  I may never fully understand why.  However, I can accept the hard times by remembering God only wants the best for His children, and He does not cause bad things to happen (See Jeremiah 29:11).  He can use the hurts of our past to make us become better people if we allow Him to.  That is, when we chose joy.

 

Here are some more scriptures on joy:

 

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

 

that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. Colossians 1:10-17

 

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

 

 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:7-10

 

that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls. I Peter 1:7-9

 

Pursuing the Fruits of the Spirit: Kindness and Goodness

 

Pursuing the Fruits of the Spirit: Kindness and Goodness

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

 

In a person’s hour of need, a kind word, or hug goes a long ways. We all experience emotional trauma. The loss of a loved one, unemployment, sickness, bad relationships, etc. is examples of times when we need a friend to comfort us. God’s Word teaches us to rejoice, as well as weep with others. (Rom 12:15) Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

 

During our hour of need, Christ is our rock to lean upon. However, Christ also displays his love and comfort through the kindness of his children. Christians need to take the time to help bear one another’s burdens. If we will reflect the love of Christ toward others, we will give them a reason to believe in the risen Christ, who alone can save their soul. We are salt and light to a dying world. A harsh word may push a person away from Christ, but an act of kindness may win them over. There are many ways to show love and kindness toward others. If you have a sick or disabled friend, mow their lawn, or help them with their house work. Go the extra mile with others and learn to be selfless. If we bear good fruit unto the Lord, we will reap blessings. However, it is more blessed to give than to receive.

 

(2Peter 1:5) But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

(Eph 5:9) (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

 

The fruit of goodness is to pursue righteousness with all your heart. To be good, is to be righteous, and this does not mean perfection. Righteousness is living right in accordance with scripture. If you are truly born again, you will live a godly lifestyle set apart from the sinful world. God’s Word teaches us to die to sin and live for Christ. Whoever is born of God does not sin (1 John 3:9). (Rom 6: 1) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

 

 Living a lifestyle of habitual sins (bondages) will lead to damnation. Christ said that any tree, which does not bear good fruit, would be cut down and cast into the fire (Matt 3:10). 1 John 3 states that we must purify ourselves just as He is pure, and he who commits sin, also commits lawlessness. John continues that whoever sins has neither seen Him, nor known Him. These powerful scriptures are contrary to the distorted grace message that is preached in most churches today. Many churches encourage sin by teaching that there is grace for un-repented sins. Many teach that God does not care about your sins, only your actions. There are dozens of scriptures that teach us that without holiness no man shall see the Father. The apostasy (falling away from the truth), is the failure to teach believers to get sin out of their lives, as well as to love one another. Grace is not automatic, grace is given to those who repent and turn away from their sins.  

 

(1John 3:3) And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of  God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,

 

(Titus 2: 11) For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

 

 

 

 

Pursuing the Fruits of the Spirit: Love and Longsuffering

 

Pursuing the Fruits of the Spirit: Love and Longsuffering

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

 

As Christians, we are called to be a reflection of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we are indwelt with God’s Holy Spirit, then we should have God’s divine nature and attributes present within our lives. As the moon reflects light from the sun, we should reflect the light of the Son. The greatest of all of the fruits of the Spirit is love. It is impossible to be truly saved without love in your heart. For God is love, and those indwelt with his Holy Spirit will be people of love. God’s Word tells us that the Law and the Prophets are fulfilled, if we love God, as well as love our neighbor as our self. Christ is our example of selfless love. Although Christ was God, he left his throne in glory, became a man, and humbled himself to the death upon the cross. Upon the cross he said, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Christ taught us to love our enemies, and to do good to those who wrong us. We should imitate Christ and have this same selfless love for our neighbors.

 

 Christ told us that in the last day’s lawlessness would abound, and the love of many will grow cold. (Matt 24: 12) And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. Many, within our modern culture consider hardness, and coldness toward others, as a strength to be admired. It is considered fashionable not to smile, but rather to look hard when being photographed. Television, movies, books, as well as our public schools, teach that the strong must walk on others to get ahead in this life. Love, kindness, selflessness, as well as charity, are frowned upon as weakness. It is popular to have sculls and crossbones on adult, as well as children’s clothing. I don’t understand why anyone would want this symbol of death on their clothes, or in their home.

 

It is truly as the days of Noah today, and the attributes of Satan are visible in most people’s lives. As Christians, we must go against the grain of our cold society, and let the love and light of our Lord Jesus Christ shine through us. If you have bitterness in your heart toward others, I urge you to let the love of Christ melt away the ice on your heart. Even the roots of bitterness are an open door for the devil to have a stronghold in your life. If you have animosity toward someone, let it go, and let the peace of God rule in your heart and mind. Sometimes, it is better not to speak about a person who stirs up hard feelings. Silence is golden, and will help you forgive the person who has offended you. Christ said to pray for, as well as, bless those who curse and persecute you. Praying for the offender will bring a release in your heart.  (Matt 5:43) "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

 

It is sometimes hard to have love for our fellow coworkers, students, or even family members, but with Christ, all things are possible. We live in a fallen world and we all have faults, that is why it is important not to be critical of others. Longsuffering is another fruit of the Spirit that is love in action. Love keeps no record of wrongs but endures all things. The patient enduring of the character or personality flaws of others is demonstrating true Christ-like love. However, in order to maintain peace, as well as to avoid conflicts, it is sometimes necessary not to associate with certain people. Nevertheless, we are to continue to love that person, and not to allow bitterness into our heart.

 

1 Cor 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

 

James taught that faith without works is dead. James states, that if you see your brother or sister naked, or hungry, and say to them, “be warm and filled,” but do not give him what he needs, then your faith is dead. Caring for those in need is love in action.

 

 James 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

 

I admire the good work of ministries like the Salvation Army, homeless shelters, and food banks. They show the love of Christ to the hungry and homeless, by living what they preach. My wife and I used to do volunteer work for a Salvation Army homeless shelter and it was very fruitful. A person is more likely to listen to your testimony, if you are showing loving kindness toward them, rather than begging for their money. If the church would learn to be givers, rather than takers, then we would see a large harvest of souls overnight. The wheat and the tares grow together in Christianity, but the day is coming when the tares will be removed, and cast into the fire. Consider Christ’s teaching on the separation of the sheep and the goats on judgment day. The sheep, who enter God’s kingdom, are those who have fed the hungry, gave water to the thirsty, gave shelter to the stranger, clothed the naked, visited the sick and prisoner. The goats that go into punishment are those who have NOT done these things for their fellow man. If we claim to know Christ, we should have love, accompanied by action, for our fellow man. I encourage you to be a good Samaritan and reach out with the love of Christ to a hurting world! 

 

  Matt 25:31 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.  33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'  37 Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40 And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'

 

41 Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire  prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.' 44 Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' 45 Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

  

 

 

 

 

Pursuing the Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

There are countless ways in which we can choose to exhibit self-control, most of which are obvious.  It is also apparent that pursing self-control is indeed an active choice.  When you drink alcoholic beverages, smoke, take drugs, swear, have sex outside of marriage, cheat, lie, steal, gamble, etc., you must first make the conscious decision to go against God’s laws.

Let’s look at the verses directly before the above scripture that speaks of the fruits of the Spirit:

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish... Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:16-21

Can it be any more clear that our works do indeed matter?  If you do not exercise self-control and “practice such things [you] will not inherit the kingdom of God.”  When we pursue the Holy Spirit and His purity, when we make a daily choice to “walk in the Spirit,” it is so much easier to live a life of righteousness than when we try to rely on our own strengths.  Human nature is carnal and wants to please only itself.  But when we remember that there are consequences to our actions that will hurt others, it is easier to say “no” to the sins of the flesh. 

God does not expect us to live a dull life, He specifically designed us to enjoy pleasure, but we must do so within the laws He designed to protect not only us, but others as well.  For example, sex outside of marriage creates diseases, unwanted pregnancies, broken marriages, etc.  Yet, sex within marriage is a fun, beautiful, bonding experience and enhances married life.  Before you choose not to exhibit self-control, stop and think of how your actions will most likely hurt someone else and remind yourself of how you would feel if you were on the other side of an affair, a theft, a lie, gossip, etc.   

We are all faced with many temptations throughout our lives. There are too many to name, some of which I am sure I am not even aware.  God, however, knows our weaknesses and The Bible promises that He will always give us many opportunities to escape all temptations, and thus exercise self-control. 

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. I Corinthians 10:13

All one needs to do is walk away.  It really is that simple.  Better yet, do not even get to the place where you need an escape.  You would not intentionally walk across four lanes of heavy traffic at night in a big city wearing all black, so why would you put your walk with the Lord at risk. For example, if you are addicted to pornography, turn off the Internet and television and do not pick up filthy magazines.  If you are so tempted that you cannot even turn on the Internet without going to the ungodly sites, cancel your Internet service. 

Other than simply walking away from the things and people that tempt us, we need to pray a wall of protection against our family and ourselves.  When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He told them they should ask to be kept far away from unholy enticements.  Remember to ask God to keep you from evil every day and be proactive by pursing self-control and walking away when you know it is the best course of action. 

For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.   Matthew 6:8-9 & 13

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.  Matthew 26:41

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. II Timothy 3:3-7

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; or so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. II Peter 1:5-11