Category Archives: End Times

What’s my word for 2018? Hmmmmm

So this weekend all the Christian leaders at our church were sharing their words for the year.

Last year, I wrote a bit about my words…Number My Days. The tag words are my one word and One Little Word in the tag cloud on the right column of my blogs.

This year – I seem to have been given a gloomy one…THE TIME IS SHORT – or – THE END IS NEAR.
I feel like

I’ve done street witnessing, beach witnessing, mall witnessing…life witnessing…but never placard or these sign type witnessing…and, I don’t really agree with it…so, What on earth is God talking about?

But, there is a concept:

2 Timothy 3King James Version (KJV)
3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Now, to do a complete discussion on the end times, I’m going to leave it to this person…from Safe3 Harbor with his post on end times – the end is near..

My blog is about what this means to me.
When I turned 50 – I had a huge celebration…My golden Birthday party.

When I woke up one year later – at 51, I felt hit in the stomach.
one year past the halfway mark of 100.
What have I done with my life?
I started focusing on the Giants in My Land.

But what was really on my mind was the 50+1.
This year, I turned 50+7
When I was 16 – I was sure Jesus was going to return in 1980.
When I got married in 1980, my husband and I thought that we’d never see 1988… from the idea that 40 years was a generation…1948, Israel was declared a nation again.
When that didn’t happen – we moved the date out from 1967 – the 6 days war when Jerusalem was retaken…plus 40 years…2007.
In 2007, we bought a house, met our first grandson…and the Lord Jesus did not return.
The world continued to go crazy.
And, we considered that there is biblical reason to consider a generation up to 100 years from the generational discussions in the old testament. that brings the date options from 1948 – and 1967…out to 2048 to 2067.
And there’s the biblical statement that we are given 70+2 years….from 1948, that would be 2020.
Not too far from 2018.

When Jesus talked about it in Matthew 24:36, he said this:
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

over and over in Matthew 24 and 25, Jesus says WATCH THEREFORE!
It could be WATCH THEREFORE! I don’t know….

So, do I think this is about Jesus coming in 2018?
NOPE!
What do I think this is about?
Last year was Psalm 92:12
12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

I wrote about it…#mydays
2016 was prepare…and I wrote about my reflections looking back.

There are so many ways that “the end is near” could be taken.
Yes, my first thought went to the end of the world!
Entering into the Millenial Reign with Jesus – who wouldn’t want that? Well, if you are a follower and a citizen of HIS Kingdom, anyway.
But, I have had a scripture verse that I have been leaning on for …well, since I fell in Navy boot camp in 1978 and went paralyzed:

Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

I’ve spent years misunderstanding what this promise is about, to me…and this year begins with failed SI join injection, more pain in my legs, hips, knees, back, and even the arms are now being affected.
Maybe this “the end is near” is an encouragement to keep believing…or, do I go sign up with the VA? Not the point of this blog…but, something that could be part of this “the time is short” “the end is near” phrase.

My husband is battling with cancer…prostate the last two years, that is no longer evidenced in his body, but symptoms with his lymph glands, indication Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. May the end is near and we find that he has no cancer!

The down side could be, like God said to Hezekiah…get your house in order…the end is near.
Maybe it’s just that God is tired of waiting for me to write that book(those books) and bible studies that I keep bowing to fear about.
Maybe it’s just that I need to focus on the MOST important things…not the distraction.

One thing I know…I’m going to be checking out this lady’s blog…I was just looking at calendars and journals for 2018 last night! And she has this all set up!
Please check out My beautiful Ugly 2018 planner and love challenge blog.

I’m going to be focusing on the important things to focus upon:

Prayer
Praise
Promises (Bible READING)
Purpose (writing)
Priorities(those things that God brings to mind each day – family, self care, others, etc.)

That happens to be the first item on her calendar…write down five goals for this year.

I have promises that have been made, to God, to my husband, to my children…and then to others…that have not been fulfilled. The end is near.
I have health issues that are slowing me down, and I tend to give up and wait to get better. The time is short.
I have people that I want to focus prayer upon, and I have not organized myself to do such well. The end is near.
I have grandchildren to interact with – and it only takes a week for them to change tremendously. The Time is short.
I have children I have sponsored that could be written monthly, but, I put it off until it’s been months. The end is near.

50+7
70+2
72-57 = 15

According to the Bible – unless there are other plans by God – I am given only 15 more years.
Truly, the time is short.

This song is running through my head:
Here’s the Lyrics to Phil Keagy’s Rejoice

This was current while my husband and I were Jesus Freaks in the 70’s….

And the movies…

A Thief in the Night
A Distant Thunder
Image of the Beast

The Apostle Paul preached that the end was near….
And, if it was near for him…it is much nearer for us.
I do believe that Jesus will return.
I believe it will be in my lifetime.
And because of that…the work of the Kingdom is urgent, more urgent today, than in 2010. 1980, 1948, or 40AD.

I don’t know how to put my focus into a word…other than JESUS.
TIME?
URGENCY?

I don’t know…I just know that I am to be a workman in the kingdom…and no matter what ‘the end is near’ or ‘the time is short’ means, specifically – it means GET TO WORK for me.

Hmmmm, not very catchy…but maybe that is it!

Colossians 3:23-24
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

The (In)Courage blog and facebook posts have kept me focused in the last parts of 2017 – and finished out my 2017 with a verse that helped me to focus….

Ezekiel 36:25-27English Standard Version (ESV)
25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.[a]

New Year by (In)Courage

So, no matter how God explains my focus for this year…I have found some women to help me to focus.
I have a Bible that will lead and guide me.
I have a Holy Spirit that resides inside me.
I have the blood of Jesus that cleanses me.
I have the creator Father that listens to me.
I have a husband and family that love me.
I have a church that will feed me.
For 2018, I have all I need!

I know the end of the story….

Revelation 21:5English Standard Version (ESV)
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

But – today is the beginning of the rest of my life…This is the Day that the Lord has made – I will rejoice and be glad in it!

I’ve featured this image, from BibleQuotes

Jim & Christi 2017

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

Some artwork is from me – ChristArtist. It is copyrighted – by me. Please do not share it without my permission.
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Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
Project Based Missions, Global
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Compassion

2016 – word for the year – Prepare – for Jesus’ Return

Today is Good Friday for 2016.

The story was started on Christmas Morning.
This is something I try to read every Christmas – and Easter:

Today commemorates the whole focus of Christianity, save one part.
Today commemorates the day that a perfect man took upon himself the cost, the debt, that every man, woman or child incurs by our flesh. I am a sinner.
Romans 3:23(Amplified)

since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God,

No one is able to walk perfectly – because we continue to sin.

Romans 3:10(AMP)

10 As it is written and forever remains written,

“There is none righteous [none that meets God’s standard], not even one.

It has been this way since the beginning of time – we sin.

Romans 5:12 (AMP)

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, so death spread to all people [no one being able to stop it or escape its power], because they all sinned.

Because God is the creator of everything, and the master of heaven, he makes the rules.
God is so holy that no unrighteousness can appear in his presence.
Because one fell that is now our enemy, and we tend to follow in his steps, there is a price to pay for sin.

Romans 6:23a(AMP)

23 For the wages of sin is death,

And yet, God is so loving, he provided a way to pay for that debt.

Romans 6:23b (AMP)

but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

That debt is death, and He chose to pay that debt HIMSELF.

Romans 5:8(AMP)

8 But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

He paid a debt He did not Owe.

Randy Matthews from 1972 – Didn’t He

I want to thank Teen Missions for their Romans Road page. There is additional explanation for these points on that webpage, and there is another part of this story, that is Easter Morning.

The Romans Road IS the Preparation for Jesus Coming.
Because He IS coming again – just as He said.

Hebrews 9:28(AMP)

28 so Christ, having been offered once and once for all to bear [as a burden] [a]the sins of many, will appear a second time [when he returns to earth], not to deal with sin, but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly and confidently waiting for Him.

The Open Bible website has compiled verses about Jesus’s Second Coming.

When Jesus returns there is one thing that he will be looking for. And that is faith.

Luke 18:8(AMP)

8 I tell you that He will defend and avenge them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [this kind of persistent] faith on the earth?”

2 Chron 16:9a(AMP)

9 For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth so that He may support those whose heart is completely His.

It starts at the cross.
The first step to prepare for Jesus’ return is to go to the cross, and be cleanse by the blood of the Lamb – Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:17-19

17If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;
18knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
19but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.…

Make sure that you have confessed your belief in Jesus:
Romans 10:8-10(AMP)

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word [the message, the basis] of faith which we preach—
9 because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous—being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation.

And, there is a recipricating act for our gratitude for being saved from the debt of sin:
1 Cor 6:19-20(AMP)

…19Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
20For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

and back to Romans:
Romans 12:1(AMP)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship.

And how do we live this(with an extra footnote from the Amplified Bible):
John 13:34(AMP)

34 I am giving you a new commandment, that you [a]love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another.

Footnotes:

John 13:34 The key to understanding this and other statements about love is to know that this love (the Greek word agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another.

Jesus wrapped up the 10 commandments into two:
Matthew 22:36-40(AMP)

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 And Jesus replied to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’
40 The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments.”

And this rolls back to Love…Love is patient, Love is kind, Love is not envious nor rude….1 Cor 13.

1 John 4:7-12(AMP)

7 Beloved, let us [unselfishly] [a]love and seek the best for one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves [others] is born of God and knows God [through personal experience].
8 The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. [He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature.]
9 By this the love of God was displayed in us, in that God has sent His [One and] only begotten Son [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind] into the world so that we might live through Him.
10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [that is, the atoning sacrifice, and the satisfying offering] for our sins [fulfilling God’s requirement for justice against sin and placating His wrath].
11 Beloved, if God so loved us [in this incredible way], we also ought to love one another.
12 No one has seen God at any time. But if we love one another [with unselfish concern], God abides in us, and His love [the love that is His essence abides in us and] is completed and perfected in us.

It all starts at the cross.

This is one of the songs that focuses my heart:
As sung on the Voice:
https://youtu.be/amxE80Zj1Ys

Here is the Old Rugged Cross with Lyrics, if you prefer.

Today is the day that I refresh my focus upon what Jesus did for me, how much he loves me, and how much it cost him to make a way for me to enter into Heaven.
My steps for preparing for Jesus’ return is to remember the cross – but also remember, that Sunday is coming!

https://youtu.be/YByT6wfdhJs

Worship with me!
Alan Jackson – Are you washed?
https://youtu.be/SDqTENtNvKQ

Jesus’s Palms

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I want to thank Blue Letter Bible and Bible Gateway for the ability to search the Bible online.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up!
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Naomi’s Heart Ministries

The First 100 days – day 31 – Represent

Christians divorcing and then claiming that they are acting as Christians, so why isn’t God giving them peace with their children?

The divorce rate among Christians is the same as non believers.

Christians protesting at funerals that God is happy with deaths of soldiers side by side with Christians saying God is love.

Christians dressing like Beyonce’, Madonna, or any other ‘American Idol’ type person – and then wondering why nobody takes them serious when they talk about holiness.

Christians going bankrupt because they cannot afford the great and wonderful church that GOD WAS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE FOR THEM.

Christians speeding down the road with the little fish on the back of their vehicles almost flying off. What a witness to the officer that pulls them over.

I have an old book – IN HIS STEPS, by Charles M Sheldon.

The popularity of this book started the WWJD movement. Of course, sometimes, it’s an embarrassment to see what folks with WWJD jewelry are doing, as they are ambassadors for Christ. Sometimes I wonder if the WWJD crowd ever read the book.

Here’s the intro:

What would happen if members of your local church pledged for an entire year not to do anything without first asking, what would Jesus do? An intriguing question, and the very one that motivated Charles Monroe Sheldon to write his Christian classic, In His Steps.

For some, following in Jesus’ steps caused misunderstanding and suffering: for all it meant an entire dedication of money, talent, and life’s work, rewarded by immeasurable peace and joy.

1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1Peter then goes on to describe HOW Jesus walked.

Here is an excerpt from the book:

“The church was the first in the city. It had the best choir. It had a membership composed of the leading people, representatives of the wealth, society and intelligence of Raymond.”

I am weary with being invited to churches that have the best choir, the most people, the best youth ministry and Sunday School (so you never have to deal with your children while you worship).

I want a church that embraces the Word of God. I want a church that asks “What would Jesus Do?” and they can KNOW what Jesus DID because they KNOW the Word of God.

The church we thought we would attend has had several things come up this year.

3 million dollar expansion project…even though God has repeatedly closed doors. So, everyone give give give!
Peace Peace when there is no peace. Preaching about peace being Jews and Palestinians living together with no borders, America with no borders between Canada or Mexico. People with nothing to divide them….that is Peace.
The first love in Revelations 2 is love of people. It wasn’t return to your first love – the joy of your salvation.
Youth program was watching movies like Transformers to teach Biblical principles.

The people are wonderful. The people love the Lord. But where does this lead?

Owing a huge debt, when the present building could be paid off.
Forgetting that we are a peculiar people, set apart to God – there is a difference between Christians and the world. And true Peace comes from being at peace with God – salvation, which sets a person at odds with everyone.
God is love of everyone..forgetting that God is the Just Judge, and He will call each man into account. God’s love is a tough love…not a fluffy good ol’ boy love.
Children are to be nurtured in the admonition of the Lord…the need to learn the ways of God from His word FIRST, not secular movies and tv shows.

Matt 7:13-14KJV Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Matt 7:13-14 NLT “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it.”

ONLY THE NARROW GATE – SMALL, NARROW, FEW!!!

Broad is the gate that leads to…..apōleia

destroying, utter destruction; a) of vessels
a perishing, ruin, destruction; a) of money; b) the destruction which consists of eternal misery in hell

The wide way is EASY! The path with Christ leads to persecution –

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

And we are to have a DIFFERENT RESPONSE when the fight comes:

Matthew 5:10 Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

This is the key – persecuted for righteousness sake.

John 15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.

The only way to be persecuted for Jesus’ name sake, is to be walking LIKE JESUS.

What would Jesus do when He was depressed? We know he went to the garden and prayed!

What would Jesus do when verbally attacked? We know that he held his tongue.

What would Jesus do if the congregation got to big? He got in a boat…he sent them away….they all created home churches.

What would Jesus Do about paying taxes? he paid them…supernaturally.

What would Jesus Do in a divorce situation? Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit are what a family is supposed to represent…they are one, and they cannot be divided.

John 10:30 I and [my] Father are one.

Luke 4:1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

He REPRESENTED THE GODHEAD!!!

And it’s by being ONE with the FATHER, SPIRIT AND SON, that we can truly learn to walk in Christ’s steps as HE walked with God:

John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

Mark 1:12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.

And this is how we are to REPRESENT CHRIST obeying His Father, and being filled of the Holy Spirit:

Rom 8:14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

How did Jesus walk? What did Jesus Do? He fulfilled this:

Eph 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.

Eph 5:24-25 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

We have No excuses:

Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.

Heb 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Moses pleased God – and he was the one that wrote the first five books of the Bible!

David pleased God – and he was the one that wrote most of the Psalms.

Peter, John and Paul pleased God – and they wrote most of the New Testament.

They DID NOT HAVE THE WORD TO TEACH THEM THE PATH! But, we do.

The rest of Romans 1 describes our country, and unfortunately, much of our ‘Christian’ identity.

WARNING WARNING WARNING!

Acts 28:26 ” ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”

Acts 28:27 “For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'”

Rom 11:8 as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day.”

2 Tim 4:3-4 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

2 Thes 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2 Thes 2:11-12 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Jesus NEVER took pleasure in unrighteousness.

I confess, I do. Movies that do not represent Godly values. Doing things that are not the best for my body, or not doing things that ARE the best for my body. Gossip. Selfishness. Complaining. Nagging. Worrying. Laughing at jokes.

If I didn’t take some sort of pleasure in them I would quit doing them, right? As Dr. Phil would say “How’s that working for ya?”

It’s time to rise up and be the Christian that God defined….in His WORD made flesh. That is What Jesus Did Do. So, if we study what Jesus did do, in the whole Bible(Old and New) – we will have the answers ready for What Would Jesus Do, when we ask. But the real question is, does anyone REALLY want to do what Jesus Did?

And yet, that is the NARROW GATE, that is the NARROW WAY.

Matt 7:14 NIV But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

BE FOREWARNED BY THE 5 FOOLISH VIRGINS! We must keep our oil full until the Bridegroom comes…or we may hear:

Matt 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Matt 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Many…MANY…..

Matt 7:22 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?

Matt 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Here is God’s promise:

Is 42: 5 – 6 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

Is 42:7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, [and] them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Is 42:8-9 I [am] the LORD: that [is] my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

God has a plan, and God will bring it to pass. And we have a responsibility:

2 Chron 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

This promise is addressed to God’s children, called by God’s name. Who more responsible than those that go by the name of Christ?

We are not without help…God gives us many promises of His help…the point is, we must do as Jesus did…and turn towards Our Father, and focus on the WORD of God, so that we can know how to walk as Jesus walked.

Is 50:7 For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

Four commandments have to deal with our relationship with God.

One commandment deals with our relationship with our parents.

Five commandments deal with our relationship with others.

God has a lot to say about our relationship with Him…because He is a jealous God!

God, through Jesus, told us that blaspheming the Holy Spirit is without forgiveness…so, God is not happy with anything that blasphemes His name. He will not shame us, and we should try to live so that we do not shame His name.

Phil 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Phil 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

We have been given everything we need to walk IN HIS STEPS. It is my prayer that every decision I make, I will begin with What Would Jesus Do? What Did Jesus Do? And then to say YES, LORD, and walk in that path, no matter how narrow or straight.

We need to make sure our ears are open, our eyes are open, and our hearts and minds are discerning God’s way. I pray each person that reads this will KNOW that Jesus is Lord of their life, and that they hear His voice, and follow Him. I KNOW that MY redeemer liveth – do you?

Thanks for joining me in this journey,

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

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The First 100 days – day 10 – Mighty

I just realized it would have been neat to do something about the number of the day…”today is day 10, let’s talk about the 10 plagues…oh wait, let’s talk about the 10 commandments, instead!”

That’s not what is on my heart today. Today I awoke with the scripture “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty.” That’s all I got. Over and over and over.

Zeph 3:17 KJV The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Sounds good, eh? But, to get the gist of what Zephaniah was prophesying, I thought I’d read the whole book, all 3 chapters! And, I did it in English Standard Version, so I didn’t get stuck on the KJV terms.

Zeph 1:2 & 6 ESV “I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD…. those who have turned back from following the LORD, who do not seek the LORD or inquire of him.”

Zeph 1:7 & 14 ESV Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the LORD is near; the LORD has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests….The great day of the LORD is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there.

And the cry to the true followers:

Zeph 2:1-3 ESV Gather together, yes, gather, O shameless nation, before the decree takes effect —before the day passes away like chaff–before there comes upon you the burning anger of the LORD, before there comes upon you the day of the anger of the LORD. Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.

A Warning to those that are supposed to be believers:

Zeph 3:1-2 & 4 ESV Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, the oppressing city! She listens to no voice; she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the LORD; she does not draw near to her God. Her prophets are fickle, treacherous men; her priests profane what is holy; they do violence to the law.

To those that are supposed to know Him, and don’t….

Zeph 3:5 ESV The LORD within her is righteous; he does no injustice; every morning he shows forth his justice; each dawn he does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame.

God gave His believers a chance, with His word, with His touches in our lives, with His Son, Jesus Christ:

Zeph 3:7 ESV I said, ‘Surely you will fear me; you will accept correction. Then your dwelling would not be cut off according to all that I have appointed against you.’ But all the more they were eager to make all their deeds corrupt.

Zeph 3:8-20 Is for those that have not turned their hearts away from God – it is His promise for His coming Kingdom after the Tribulation. And then, there is joy.

Zeph 3:14-15 ESV Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.

And then – here’s the verse:

Zeph 3:17 ESV –

The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

And, the Creator of the Universe, the one that made me, that set laws into motion, that decreed behavior that would honor Him, and gave the only pathway to eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ, after having fought all that were my enemies says he’ll do this:

Zeph 3:18 ESV I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach.

I really embrace this one!

Zeph 3:19 ESV Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.

Change my shame? into praise? save the lame? gather the outcast? I represent this promise! I’ll take this one, too!

Zeph 3:20 ESV At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the LORD.

I don’t know about this one…I have no fortune to be restored…but I know where my treasures are laid up! The promise is that while life here is hard, there is a better day. The promise is that the Lord will return, just as surely as the ones hearing this prophecy knew that Jesus was coming. He came first as the servant King, to deliver us from our sins, so that we could choose to heed this exhortation:

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

ESV- He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

NLT No, O people, the LORD has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

It is hard for me to imagine, the God of the universe doing this for me: Zeph 3:17 ESV –

The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

I can hardly speak at this thought…..I can only imagine….

If you like the song – please support the band Mercy Me – I have.

1 The 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

I told the Lord, no one wants to read such a downer of a blog. He said “write it.”

I told the Lord, no one would read this blog, and He sent me to 1 Thes 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The Lord’s return is closer now than it was in Jesus’ day or Paul’s day – and the world is fulfilling all of the prophecies. But, we can be encouraged that the God of all creation has chosen each of us, and as long as we are on God’s side…His return will be like the arrival of the allied forces into the concentration camps of Nazi Germany. Rejoice!

Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

To the Only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 24-25)

Thank you for joining me on this journey,

…show me that God was right…and leave a comment here, saying you read this.

…and please, if you think this is relevant, share it with others…we need to gather the faithful, and to strengthen one another in Christ.

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing beneath the shadow of your wings.