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.

Tag: John 3:16

Peace Through Troubled Times – Loneliness

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On November 17, 2023

In Devotionals, Peace Through Troubled Times

Psa 40:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

In this world filled with mind-boggling technology, people are lonelier than ever before. Science of People conducted a poll in 2019 which showed 58% of Americans found themselves lonely! How can this be? Social media is a platform to connect people, yet people find themselves lonelier!

I believe there are a couple of reasons for this:

  • Social media connects people online but does not connect people in person. I attend a Zoom Bible study and it’s wonderful. But it would be so much nicer to be with those people in person! People need actual people in their lives. No man is an island, so they say.
  • Secondly, people need the Lord. Everyone has a God-sized hole in their heart that can only be filled with a personal relationship with the Lord. I have seen people’s lives transformed once they were born-again and received the indwelling Holy Spirit residing with them every second of every day!

If you had a friend who was always there for you, right at your fingertips; a friend who would answer your plea and come running, you would not be lonely would you? Well, Reader, there IS someone who can be all these things. God wants to be your friend. He desires to have fellowship with you. When God created mankind, his initial intent was to have fellowship. We see this in Genesis when God walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Gen 3:8  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

However, when they willfully rebelled and disobeyed God’s warning, He broke that fellowship. (Genesis 3:3) But this account didn’t end there. God had a plan and that plan was to restore fellowship with mankind. God took the form of a man, Jesus Christ, come to earth, and die for the sins that separated God and man. One of the names for Jesus is Emmanuel, which is Hebrew for “God with us.” What a beautiful depiction of God! Christ rose from the dead and anyone who believes on the Son is freed from the bondage and punishment of sin. (John 3:16, John 3:3, John 3:7) That original fellowship was restored and now Christ dwells within us through His Holy Spirit. (John 14:17, John 15:26, John 16:13) Praise the Lord!

Anyone who is born again can have the joy of the Lord living inside him. This joy pushes loneliness away. If you’re not in the Word of God, you have no clear direction. But when you are in the Word, you can learn and glean from its blessings! No one could have been more lonely than David. He was chased by King Saul, and then by many more enemies! He found himself alone and discouraged.

Psa 40:2  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

We see in the next verse that the results were astonishing! Loneliness and despair were replaced by singing and praise!

Psa 40:3  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

The born-again believer has the power to overcome loneliness if only that believer will spend time in God’s Word and allow it’s healing balm to take root in his heart! David was given a new song to sing! Our praises and songs, in the midst of trials and fears, will lead others to see, fear and trust in the Lord! Wow! Our testimony as believers is what speaks volumes to the unsaved world. Our testimony is a light that points the lost to Christ. (Matthew 5:14) We show others how God comforts us in the midst of turbulent times.

But the unbeliever doesn’t have God to comfort him. It doesn’t have to be that way. One can be born-again if one chooses it. Salvation is a choice. If you are not truly born-again, 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 – Job Loss

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On November 3, 2023

In Comfort During the End Times, Devotionals, Peace Through Troubled Times

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

If you are reading this and find yourself in the midst of living without a job, I pray this post encourages your heart! But do you know that God is with you, Christian? He has not abandoned you – He is with you through His Holy Spirit! He never leaves you nor will He forsake you in this time of hardship! (Hebrews 13:5)

I find it so personal when I read that one of God’s names is Emmanuel (or Immanuel in the King James Bible). The Hebrew word literally means:

עִמָּנוּאֵל
‛immânû’êl
im-maw-noo-ale’
From H5973 and H410 with suffix pronoun inserted; with us (is) God;

Christ’s title, Emmanuel, is most commonly used at Christmas time to describe His birth. However, the meaning “God with us” goes so much deeper. As I see the news of the unemployment lines getting longer, I can only imagine the distraught and discouraged minds! Worrying over bills and putting food on the table is something that hits everyone. But is it what Christians should be worrying over? Emmanuel is with us. In a previous post about El Roi, we learned that this is Hebrew for “God sees us.” Today, we learn that God is with us. Nothing gets passed Him, Reader. God put specific titles for His name so that we would learn about His character.

God knows your difficulties and He knows exactly what you need, even before you realize that you need it. He is working out the details in the background whether you see that or not. Isaiah 46:10 proves to us that He knows the beginning to the end. Therefore, He will not place you in a situation where it will cause you to sin. Absolutely not! You can trust Him to do the right things in your life! Today’s Scripture passage in Proverbs is so apropos!

As a believer, trust that God sees what you are going through and is present to help you to go through this trial of unemployment. He just asks that you trust Him and to acknowledge that you are not going to lean on your own personal understanding of the circumstances. Allow God to work… He won’t let you down. I think of David as he was struggling with Saul trying to kill him. He wrote many Psalms as he struggled with life and death situations. Spend time in Psalms and encourage your heart! Take a look at what David wrote when he was delivered out of the hands of his enemies and the hand of Saul:

2 Samuel 22:3  The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.

Your trial is no less important to God than was David’s trials. The same God that delivered David will help you with finding work. One of my favorite verses depicting how much we mean to Him is:

Mat 6:26  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Christian, be encouraged because your Father is there and He will help you. Trust in Him and allow Him to open or close doors; allow Him to work, and don’t jump the gun. He loves you (John 3:16); He sees you (El Roi); He is with you (Emmanuel). How more personal can it get? What a wonderfully compassionate God we serve!!!

If you are not truly born-again, you cannot experience the peace that God brings. 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!

Hymns 2.0 – Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

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On October 20, 2023

In Devotionals, Hymns 2.0

Lyrics (click here to hear instrumental)

 O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Thro’ death into life everlasting,
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion–
For more than conqu’rors we are!

His Word shall not fail you–He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Helen Lemmel

The History Behind the Hymn

Few know, however, this call to fix your eyes on Christ was given by a blind woman! 

Born in 1864, Helen Lemmel moved to the United States around the age of twelve. From a young age, her musical ability was noticed by all those around her. 

In 1907, She moved to Germany for 4 years to undergo intensive music training. It was here that she would meet her husband. Together, they returned to the United States in 1911. While in America, she served faithfully in the Lord’s work. She dedicated herself to writing, arranging, and teaching songs and hymns of the faith  

A few years after her marriage, a tragic illness caused her to lose her vision. Her husband, refusing to attend to a blind wife, left her. This time of hurt and loss weighed heavily upon Helen. 

Then, in 1918, Lemmel was introduced to a pamphlet written by Algerian missionary Lilias Trotter. Trotter was a well-known artist who had given up a rising and lucrative career to serve the Lord on the mission field. Her words stirred the heart of Lemmel. She writes, “Suddenly, as if commanded to stop and listen, I stood still, and, singing in my soul and spirit was the chorus, with not one conscious moment of putting word to word to make rhyme, or note to note to make melody…These verses were written…the same week…” 

The words that so captivated Helen were these: “How do we bring things to a focus in the world of optics? Not by looking at the things to be dropped, but by looking at the one point that is to be brought out. Turn full your soul’s vision to Jesus, and look…look at Him, and a strange dimness will come over all that is apart from Him, and the Divine “attrait” by which God’s saints are made…will lay hold of you. For “He is worthy” to have all there is to be had in the heart that He has died to win.” 

Helen kept her eyes on the Lord Jesus and continued to serve Him faithfully.  She would lead a women’s choral group for many of the Billy Sunday outreaches, teach music at the Moody Bible Institute, and pen over 400 hymns! Her life is a stirring challenge to us all. Hence, it may be said that although blind, her spiritual sight has challenged those of us who can see to keep our eyes fixed on Christ.   

https://enjoyingthejourney.org/hymn-history-turn-your-eyes-upon-jesus/

A Lesson for Me

Act 26:18  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Consider your walk on this earth as a journey in total darkness. Your steps are uncertain and you must feel your way in order not to stumble. Along your journey, you find a flashlight and turn it on! All of a sudden, things are made clearer! The uncertainties of what lies ahead is not so unsettling, is it?

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Message for today

Jesus said He is the light of the world in John 8:12. Today’s hymn depicts this beautifully! It reveals to us that the Saviour, Jesus Christ, is a light in the darkness. But what darkness?

The human heart is filled with wickedness.

Jer 17:9  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

One only has to create a check list of the Ten Commandments and put a checkmark next to each commandment one has broken to discover that Jeremiah had it right.

Jesus says that He is the light of the world. The light of His Gospel reveals to us that He is the Son of God – He is God; He came for one purpose and that was to save us from our sins. He wants to shine truth and salvation into our hearts so we can plainly see our sins and admit we need a Saviour. (John 3:16, John 1:1)

Heb 12:2  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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Eph 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Every person must realize that there is no way to receive God’s peace through one’s own merit. The light of the Gospel now begins to shine in man’s heart and he looks to God’s Word for redemption. Jesus took our sins and nailed them to the cross because God knew that man could not earn or work his way to Heaven.

Col 2:14  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Once one recognizes and confesses his own sin and accepts Christ’s redeeming work on the cross, he is born again. A new life is given and that soul is no longer walking in darkness but in the light of the Word of God.

God’s Word will never fail you. Now tell someone else about what God has done for you!

His Word shall not fail you–He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

If you are not truly born-again, 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!

Hymns 2.0 – Amazing Grace

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On August 7, 2023

In Devotionals, Hymns 2.0

Lyrics (click here to hear instrumental)

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come
This grace that brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home

When we’ve been here ten thousand years
Bright, shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun

John Newton (written in 1772)

The History Behind the Hymn

This is probably the most famous hymn ever. The 250th anniversary of its writing was celebrated just this past January 2023! Its most popular usage is for funerals and it is played using bagpipes. But funerals were not the author’s original intent. When John Newton was part of the slave trading ship, The Greyhound, a tempestuous storm arose. His fear was so great that he cried out to God for help. He actually made a bargain with God that if He would spare his life, he would live the rest of his life working for the Lord. Ironically, Newton had not been raised in a religious home by his father and stepmother. However, his mother taught him the Scriptures before she passed away when he was six years old. He forgot about her teachings but there was “enough there” that God was his first thought when fear gripped his soul. The ship came close to total destruction but by a miracle, it made landfall with Newton with it. As a result, a few years later, he penned the lyrics to this beloved hymn.

A Lesson for Me

Gen 16:13  And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?

The same God who reached down to John Newton during that fitful storm, reached down to me at the lowest point of my life. It was a time of discouragement, loneliness and a despair that reached deep into my soul. With no other way out in my mind, the only choice I thought I had was to end my life. Although unlike John Newton, I did not cry to God for help but yet He saw me, just as He saw Hagar. If you recall, Hagar suffered at the hand of Sarai (Sarah) after Sarai’s plan backfired. Hagar ran away into the wilderness to escape her harsh treatment. Out in that wilderness, God saw Hagar and told her that in her grief she would have a child, Ishmael. Like Hagar, God saw me in my grief! I didn’t know it at the time but He was working in the background – setting His plan in motion for my salvation. He sent my best childhood friend to tell me about His amazing grace! Because of her, I can sing:

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see

Message for today

We are living in very disturbing times. It seems as though the world has gone mad! Are you in a place where you feel there is no other way to escape but to take drastic measures? You are not alone. God sees you just as He saw Hagar and me! He loves you and does not want you to despair!

John 3:16  For God so loved the world (insert your name), that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever (that’s you) believeth in him (insert your name) should not perish, but (insert your name) have everlasting life.

God will give you peace and rest when you come to Him.

Matt 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

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

Once you have known the peace that the Lord gives, you will never want to go back. You then can sing along with me:

When we’ve been here ten thousand years
Bright, shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun

If you are not truly born-again, 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!

Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus – Day 40

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On November 11, 2022

In Devotionals, Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled By Jesus

Prophecy of Messiah:

Psalm 68:18  Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

Good morning, dear reader! If there are any verses that, in my opinion, separate the doubters from those who confirm Christ as Messiah, these are the verses. The word “gift(s)” referring to the Lord in the New Testament are such a blessing. If only people understood what a true and blessed Gift the Lord Jesus Christ really is! Please, take a moment to read the following verses so you can be blessed:

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 4:10  Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Acts 8:20  But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Romans 5:15-16  But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.  (16)  And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
Romans 5:18  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2 Corinthians 9:15  Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

I realize that to some this “free gift” may sound like old news and not really taken to heart. But once you understand what it actually means, it makes more sense. As you know, a gift is given to a person and the giver does not expect anything in return, except maybe gratitude and thankfulness. The receiver doesn’t need to pay for the gift; if he did, the gift would not be a gift at all, but would now be a purchase, right? Today’s prophetic verse of Christ being the true Messiah is probably one that stands out the most to me. No other man on earth can say that their death brought salvation to mankind. Psalm 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. Notice the end of the verse says “yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.” John 3:16 tells us that God loved the world! Israel rejected their Messiah and God gave the Gentiles, you and I, the blessed opportunity to receive salvation! Praise the Lord! 🙌 What if Israel had accepted Jesus Christ as their Messiah? Think about it!

Today’s verse speaks of the Messiah’s ascension into Heaven and how Jesus fulfilled that. How many “gods” do you know did that? Surely Buddha didn’t, nor Allah! Only Jesus Christ can claim this! Hallelujah! 🙌 Without Christ’s resurrection and ascension, He would be in the ground and just another prophet. However, Jesus did indeed rise from the dead and He did indeed go back to Heaven to reclaim His rightful throne!

Prophecy of Messiah Fulfilled:

Luke 24:51  And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

Acts 1:9  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Do you know Him personally or do you only know of Him? I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. 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 to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus – Day 31

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On October 21, 2022

In Devotionals, Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled By Jesus

Prophecy of Messiah:

Psalm 16:10  For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Good morning, dear Reader! The sunrise is beautiful and the peace and quiet in the house is so welcomed. I realize this has nothing to do with today’s topic but it’s good to remember the days when I was raising my children. It was difficult trying to find a peaceful moment where I could spend time with the Lord. As soon as the light from where I did my devotions gave its glow from the bottom of the kids’ bedroom doors, they would be up! 😂 And when I kept my time with Him after they went to bed, I would fall asleep while reading. Just as there are different phases to our lives, there are different phases to our spiritual lives as well. Some do their devotions outside where they can experience nature all around them. The Lord Jesus created all these things for mankind to enjoy and it is no wonder that we can find Him through His creation! (John 1:10) What phase are you in right now, Reader?

Let’s get back on track, LOL! Today’s prophecy reveals to us that after Jesus’ death on the cross, He went to Abraham’s bosom to show those who died in their faith that He was their long-awaited Messiah (Luke 16:22). Jesus’ body did not decay as all those people who died before Him. David wrote about this in today’s Psalm 16:10.

Prophecy of Messiah Fulfilled:

Act 2:31  He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

Now we see in Acts 2:31, that Peter spoke of David’s prophecy and showed all who were listening how Jesus fulfilled it. This may not excite some readers but it is surely the very foundation of all born-again believers. If Christ had not risen from the dead, our faith would be for nothing! Jesus would be just another prophet and people would still be trying to get to Heaven by trying to live by the Law (Galatians 2:21). However, Jesus did rise from the dead and revealed God’s grace to mankind. All we have to do is believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 3:16). In fact, He IS God (John 1:1).

Do you know Him personally or do you only know of Him? Knowing Jesus personally happens the moment you accept Him as your Saviour, friend! Your heart changes and your sinful nature is replaced by a desire to live for Him. I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. 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 to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

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