Maranatha - Awaiting Christ's Return

1 Cor. 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

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End Time Comfort Found in Psalm 119 – Day 5

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On January 10, 2024

In Devotionals, End Time Comfort Found in Psalm 119

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Photography by Tori Leslie

Psa 119:9  BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

How these end-time events have grabbed hold of men’s hearts and turned them into evil hearts. The more the Bible has been removed from public places, and personal lives, the less people think about its contents. Its contents used to be considered so sacred that men swore oaths with their hand upon it. Why? Because it used to be considered holy and when an oath was taken with hand on the Bible, it was believed that man’s response to that oath would be truth! It is no longer. In one of our Lord, Jesus Christ’s prayers, He told the Father:

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

How can one follow a “book” in obedience without it containing truth? Would you base your life on a Star Wars novel? Of course not. Within the pages of the Bible, you have the very words of God. All of the Bible is truth and you can rely that you are not being misguided. In its pages you find direction and answers to every question in life.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Man’s whole life is spent searching for the true meaning of life. Some don’t understand what they are searching for while others take the advice of friends. Mankind is always searching for what will me them happy.

Scripture instructs us on how to be happy. True happiness can only be found when we have Christ as our Saviour. There’s no other that can bring total joy and satisfaction. Christ’s saving blood covers our sin and His word allows us to learn and draw from Him. In these difficult times, draw close to His side through the Bible. Read and absorb and then reach out to others to share the Gospel.

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

The Psalmist knew hundreds of years before how to cleanse his way and that was through the word of God! He knew that cleansing only came from God.

Psa 51:2  Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psa 51:7  Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

It is only through salvation can a person find peace in the midst of the tumultuous times to come. If you think things are bad now, wait until after the Rapture of the Church. Don’t be left behind! Settle where you are going to spend eternity right now. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

End Time Comfort Found in Psalm 119 – Day 4

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On January 9, 2024

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Photography by Bob Sabo

Psa 119:7  I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

I am deeply saddened during these end times because mankind has gone further away from God. The one thing that can bring peace during such turbulent times, is not sought after. Instead, drugs, alcohol, sex and any other imaginings are what people search for to fill the empty hole in their hearts. Only God can fill that empty hole and bring peace and joy.

One of the many names for Jesus Christ is the Word of God. (John 1:1, 1 John 5:7) It is His, God’s, words that are recorded in Scripture. Why would God want His words recorded? His words are not put together like any usual author. This Author inspired great men of God to pen every word that God’s Spirit breathed upon them. There is not even one contradiction in the 66 books. Sadly, only 11% of Americans read the Bible daily! How sad is that?😥😥😥

The quest for knowledge has brought the world further away from God rather than towards God. They seem to forget that a couple more of God’s names are Righteous and Judge. People forget that God will always Judge righteously because that is His nature. Not any one of us is exempt from that judgment because each one of us has sinned. (Psalm 14:3, Psalm 53:3, Romans 3:10)

The more we learn about Jesus Christ, the more we see His righteousness and how this same righteousness is what saved us from eternal separation from God. At death, we will step into one of two places to face eternity. One is in Heaven with God and the other is in a burning Lake of Fire with the devil and his angels.

God did not leave us empty-handed but left us His Righteous Word to find salvation. Our hearts should be filled with joy because of what Christ did for us. We are no longer the servants of the Old Testament but are now His friends!

John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Jesus has outlined in His words from the Father in the Bible and it contains everything we need to know to be saved and to live godly lives. How can we not praise Him? In these extremely uncertain times, we have the answers from God. We can find that peace which surpasses all understanding within the pages of God’s word!

Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

End Time Comfort Found in Psalm 119 – Day 3

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On January 5, 2024

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Psa 119:5  O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

This prayer, asking the Father to help us with keeping Jesus’ words alive in our hearts, is the root of this verse. The Word of God (John 1:1), Jesus, can keep us on the right path, my friend. In this end-time chaos and confusion, we can turn to God’s words written for us … especially in times like these! We need to show the world the peace which surpasses all understanding! (Philippians 4:7, Colossians 3:15) The world will wonder (and desire) to have what we have. Who wouldn’t want to have peace in the midst of chaos?

Look at today’s picture … the one thing born-again believers have that unbelievers do not have is a well-illuminated path! God’s Word provides us with a path! (Psalm 119:105)

Pro 4:18  But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

What a prayer – what a promise! Until the day that we are raptured or die, we are promised that the light of God’s Word will shine more and more. Thank You, Father, for providing Your children with the blessed light of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Today’s verse, Psalm 119:5, is a beautiful prayer asking the Father to direct us! Don’t you think that our Father in Heaven would love to hear every one of His children pray this prayer and actually mean it? What parent wouldn’t love to hear their child say, “Mom/Dad, I want every part of my day and every step that I take to be in line with what you have taught me!” Yes, indeed! This would melt any parent’s heart. How much more your Heavenly Father!

Jesus Christ has the words of life, my friend! Our relationship with the Father is as a parent with his child. Jesus’ work on the cross has given us the wonderful opportunity.

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Jesus called His Father, Abba. We, having received the Spirit of adoption, can also cry out to His Father because He is our Father! When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, He instructed them with: “Our Father which art in heaven,” (Matthew 6:9). Why did Jesus choose to use “Our Father”? Think about it! He could have said, “My Father”! I can run to the Father just as I did when I was a little girl and ran to my earthly father. Secondly, I can run to Jesus’ Father just as He did! What a comfort this is!

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

End Time Comfort Found in Psalm 119 – Day 2

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On January 3, 2024

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Psalm 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways!

I especially love today’s verse! Since Jesus is the fulfillment of the law (Matthew 5:17), we can easily look at today’s verse and see that Jesus paid the price for our salvation and, therefore, we do not have to sin. We sin by choice!

If we walk “in Jesus,” imitate Him and His ways, with His words in the Bible, and listening to His Holy Spirit speaking to us, we will do no iniquity! How powerful is this? This would solve everything in a believer’s life if only we lived each day like this, wouldn’t you think? It is complimented in a similar way in:

Psalm 119:6 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

We cannot cleanse our own sins – only Jesus can do that. When we accept Christ as our Saviour, we are taking heed to God’s Word. The born-again believer can now overcome any trial in life. This is the only way one can live through the hardships of the end times! Why? Because we can trust in the Lord that all things are working according to His will and plan. (Proverbs 3:5-6) There is no way to feel peace without Christ in your life. It is Jesus’ saving power that changes the heart and the mind toward sin. Without Jesus, there will be no comfort or peace in these end times.

Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

End Time Comfort Found in Psalm 119 Table of Contents

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On January 1, 2024

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Deu 31:8  And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

We can find comfort in God’s Word despite the disturbing times we live in. My prayer is that this series will bring you peace, comfort and encouragement. Be a testimony to those who don’t have this peace so you, too, can share God’s encouraging Word. I chose this series because it is jam packed with verses about praise, lament, vindication, obedience, and petitions for wisdom. An interesting note: Psalm 119 has 22 sections (referred to as stanzas), and each starts with a different letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Each section has eight verses. It’s not only a literary work, but it is one that can change a person’s life on earth as well as eternal life. How many books can you say achieve that?

“As those who drink the Nile water like it better every time they take a draught, so does this Psalm become more full and fascinating the oftener you turn to it.”

Charles Spurgeon’s Commentary on Psalm 119

I hope you are blessed by this series. Please feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts.

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End Time Comfort Found in Psalm 119 – Day 1

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On January 1, 2024

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Psa 119:1  ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

As we begin this new series, I pray that the Lord Jesus would reveal Himself to you in each of the words which are fulfilled in Him in this wonderful Book of Psalms. Meditate on the verse and rejoice with me how Jesus Christ fulfills all things in His blessed Word! He has revealed Himself in the past, in the present as well as the future! Charles Spurgeon said in his commentary:

“As those who drink the Nile water like it better every time they take a draught, so does this Psalm become more full and fascinating the oftener you turn to it.”

Charles Spurgeon’s Psalm 119 Commentary

Today’s verse says that we are blessed if we are undefiled in the way. Yes, indeed, we can only be fulfilled and joyful if we walk in the steps of Jesus and learn from Him. But what exactly is “undefiled”? Noah Webster defines the word “undefiled” as:

UNDEFI’LED, a. not polluted; not vitiated.

If you have ever seen a documentary on the Ganges River, you would never imagine that it is one of the top ten spots to go on vacation for Hindus! I could hardly believe this as the river is the most polluted river I’ve ever seen. It is not only defiled in content but it is also spiritually defiled.

The world today is sinking deeper into spiritual pollution. These pollutions can only serve to corrupt our spiritual lives if we are not careful and watchful. We live in a time where people believe men can become women and vice versa! There is actually a list of “full identity and expression” of 68 terms that describe gender identity! The enemy (Satan) is trying to convince a world that aliens exist and “proof” is out there. Insanity is alive and well on planet earth and people are blinded – they don’t see it. But what does Psalm 119:1 have to do with defiling one’s self?

If you disagree with the world’s agenda and you are silent, you are defiling yourself, Reader. Don’t you understand that silence indicates your consent? Look at the wedding vows: “Speak now or forever hold your peace.” If you don’t speak up, it is interpreted as peace or agreement! Because you are not bold in your faith to stand for godliness and what is right according to God’s Word, you are allowing pollution to enter into your mind and heart. You may not realize it but you’ve heard the old saying, “You are who you hang around with,” haven’t you? It’s no different with your heart and thoughts. Keeping silent will pollute your mind. A Pastor from a Methodist church in Iowa back in 1926 once said:

It is easier to fall for anything than to stand for something.

What a true statement indeed. God’s Word and Christ’s salvation is not meant to keep hidden. Jesus said in Mark 4:21 that a candle is not placed under a bushel or a bed but to be set on a candlestick. If you believe that abortion is sin, then do not stay silent when it is being discussed. Be kind yet bold in your response.

Living a holy life is never easy but it is one which brings blessings and peace. The Father gave us His Law (the Ten Commandments) as a pattern in which to live our lives. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of that Law in everything He said and did. It is a joy to be able to walk in His ways and receive peace which is beyond understanding!

Phil. 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

If our spiritual life revolves around Jesus, it won’t matter to us what the world thinks, especially in these end times. The world may be falling apart before our very eyes, but walking in the Lord will keep our spiritual lives steady!

Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Christmas Break 12/25-12/31

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On December 25, 2023

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Merry Christmas to all who read! May you remember the true reason we are celebrating! It is not about the tree or presents. It’s about a Saviour, Jesus Christ, who took on flesh (like a hand slipping into a glove) as a new born baby to become a sinless sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. And it doesn’t stop there! He arose from the dead, ascended into Heaven and is coming back to Rapture His Church soon!

It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Peace Through Troubled Times – False Accusers

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On December 22, 2023

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2Ti 3:1-3  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,

Have we ever seen so many false accusations than what has occurred in the past decade? Supreme Court Justices have been falsely accused of infidelity. A U.S. President has been accused of insurrection. The devil is working hard to prepare for his reign in the seven-year Tribulation.

False accusers are all around us. You may be the one who has lied about someone else and gotten them into trouble. Nothing is thought of lying anymore. Unless one is caught in that lie, there’s no remorse. Is it any wonder that it’s bearing false witness is one of the Ten Commandments? It’s probably one of the easiest sins to commit! But nonetheless, it is a commandment and one lie will keep you from eternal life in Heaven with Jesus Christ!

Friend, we are living in fearful and exciting times. These feelings are polar opposites, aren’t they? To those who have not trusted in Jesus Christ as their Saviour, they are experiencing fear. But to us who are authentically born again, we have no need of fear. I realize the following verse was spoken by God to Israel, but we sure can glean God’s character from it:

Isa 43:1  But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

God sent His Son, Jesus Christ the Messiah of mankind, to take on our punishment onto Himself because of His compassion and love! Friend, God has redeemed us unto Himself. He has called us by name and we are His! Do you feel lonely? Do you feel empty and void? Do you feel useless? The God I serve took the punishment for your sins (Romans 3:23). He wants to be your Saviour as well. But you must acknowledge that you are a sinner (Romans 3:10) in need of saving! You cannot work for your salvation as many popular religions claim. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Repentance is required. Repentance is a genuine sorrow for your sin and requires a changed heart toward that sin. One can say I’m sorry but yet do the same offense over and over. That is not genuine repentance. (Ephesians 4:28) Once genuine repentance has occurred, it stands to reason that you will follow Christ as He is the One responsible for your salvation! A desire to serve Him and do as His Word commands will follow repentance.

If you are not truly born-again, you won’t see today’s topic as a sin. But there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Peace Through Troubled Times – Trucebreakers

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On December 20, 2023

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2Ti 3:1-3  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,

Good morning! As we are coming close to ending this series, I found it interesting that trucebreaker is included as a sin of the end times. Just what is a truce breaker? Noah Webster defined it as:

TRU’CE-BREAKER, noun [truce and breaker.] One who violates a truce, covenant or engagement

noah webster’s 1828 dictionary

A covenant is made by many every single day. Take marriage, for example. People break their covenant to remain faithful until death do us part. However, the divorce rate is nearly 50% amongst Americans. They say there is a decline but that is only due to people living together rather than getting married. A covenant is not taken seriously as it was in the past.

The ultimate covenant that will be broken comes when the Antichrist signs a covenant with Israel, a peace treaty if you will. However, we see in Daniel 9:27 that this covenant will case half way through the Tribulation, three and a half years later.

Dan 9:27  And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

I truly believe we are seeing this come to fruition with the war in the Middle East. This is not the Ezekiel 38 and 39 war just yet as Israel currently has allies helping her. The Ezekiel war reveals that no one will come to her rescue, not even America. This is why there will be a need for a peace treaty, or covenant if you will. The Antichrist will confirm/sign this treaty with Israel and that is when the seven-year Tribulation will begin. This broken covenant is the ultimate broken covenant as it will usher in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ after those seven years are over.

Covenants don’t have the same impact on people’s hearts as they did back in the day. Gone are the days when a man’s (or woman’s) word was a bond. If you are not truly born-again, you won’t see today’s topic as a sin. But there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Peace Through Troubled Times – Natural Affection

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On December 18, 2023

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2Ti 3:1-3  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,

As I see the day of the God’s wrath during the Tribulation fast approaching, I see less and less affection displayed by parents toward their children. Love for our children is not merely touching and hugging. It involves godly correction through the Scriptures and teaching them to do right.

Pro 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Children are left to themselves and are not taught what is acceptable. For example:

  • It’s not polite to whisper into another’s ear while others are around
  • It’s not nice to gossip
  • Be polite when speaking with older people and be respectful
  • Say: please, thank you, excuse me, I’m sorry
  • Don’t chew food with your mouth open
  • Take care of your toys and don’t be rough with them, etc.

Children need direction and guidance. When they are left to themselves, they develop a rebellious attitude. This does not teach them to respect others but instead to disrespect. Children need to be taught restraint otherwise they can’t control their behavior when they are outside the home. Our homes are a preparation for the battlefield of the world. If we don’t teach our children how to handle situations, they will be unprepared for life when they leave home.

The end result are children who will grow up not knowing how to train their own children. The future family will become a mess! Is it any wonder why kids today are so disrespectful and full of pent up anger? I feel so sad when I see these things happen. The Apostle Paul considered this sinful and he grouped it with murder!

Rom 1:21-32  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  (22)  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  (23)  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  (24)  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:  (25)  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.  (26)  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:  (27)  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.  (28)  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;  (29)  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,  (30)  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  (31)  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  (32)  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

There is nothing more beautiful than a godly family with the father leading and protecting; the mother teaching and nurturing; and children learning to become responsible human beings. But a complete family can only be godly if they are centered in God’s Word. The father is responsible in leading his family in the way they should go through the Scriptures. Is it any wonder we do not see much of this today? Children cannot learn how to avoid sin if they are not taught how.

Psa 119:9  BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

The Bible is rarely used in the home and therefore the outcome is a family that is not taught how to handle day-to-day situations. All the answers are in our Bibles.

If you are not truly born-again, you won’t see today’s topic as a sin. But there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

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