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.
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!
Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
What do you fear, Reader? Is it fear of the unknown? Is it fear of a deteriorating relationship? The way I see it, fear is the very opposite of faith. If you are older in your Christian walk today and are still fearful, you are not honoring God in your spiritual life. Why? When you fear, you are not placing your trust in the Lord to take care of whatever your fears are based upon. Faith allows the Christian heart to hope that the Lord will take care of your fears. Look back on situations in your Christian life where God has come through for you. Rest in those answered prayers and know that His will is perfect for you. Whatever the outcome will be perfect!
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Jesus taught us that we are worth more in His eyes than the sparrows! He cares for them and feeds them. Why should the Lord care less for you and your fears? Have you sat down with Him and told Him? Imagine if Jesus were sitting in a chair right next to you! What would you share with him? He knows your every need. Prayer is not for Him, Reader. Prayer is for YOU! It is your opportunity to tell the Lord how you feel, what’s on your heart, your fears, and anything else that is troubling you. He loves you, Christian.
1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
If you are not a born-again Christian, God does not hear when you cry out to Him. He hears the desperate pleas of those who are seeking Him with an authentic repentant heart.
John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
There are so many today who have been misled into thinking that their little prayerette asking to be saved was enough. They continue on the same path they were on before the prayer and no change has occurred in their lives. If there is no change in attitude toward sin, then there is no repentance. No repentance means one perishes and is sent for all eternity to the Lake of Fire.
Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
If you must fear, fear going to Hell and burning for all eternity. Let that fear bring you to repentance and be saved. (John 3:3, John 3:7, John 3:16) If you’re saved, then cast your fears at the feet of our Lord and let Him take care of your fears.
Pro 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 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!
Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
What is worry? By definition, Noah Webster has the best:
To tease; to trouble; to harass with importunity, or with care and anxiety. Persons are often worried with care and solicitude.
When one worries, one allows circumstances, whether present or future, to overpower one’s thinking. Mr. Webster hits the nail on the head when he uses the words “harass with importunity.” Worry presents itself as a pressing or urgent demand on one’s thinking. The Lord does not want His followers to worry. No! He wants us to rest in Him, find peace in Him, and allow Him to lead us.
Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
If you don’t take care of your frame of mind, your thinking, the devil will most certainly get into your thoughts and cause worry. If there’s any way the enemy can remove your thoughts from centering on the Lord your God, he will do it! The Apostle Peter gave us an encouraging verse in 1 Peter 5:7, but read the next verse!
1 Peter 5:7-8 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
If the devil can sway you into thinking about things that are truly out of your control, he has succeeded in devouring your thoughts! He has succeeded in removing Christ from the center of your heart! Don’t let him succeed!
Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
But how does one do that? Read the Word, listen to godly music, praise Him while you wait on His replies, praise Him in all things – good or bad! Paul’s words to the Philippians are spot on! He gives us clear directions:
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
If your thoughts are consumed with godly things, there will be no room for worry. If you feel worry setting in, think on these things! Praise the Lord in your storm of worry; thank Him for the things that are causing worry because it is through giving Him these worries that you learn to trust in Him.
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 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!
Psalm 37:1-8 A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. [2] For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. [3] Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. [4] Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. [5] Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. [6] And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. [7] Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. [8] Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Is it any wonder why people are more fearful these days? They look around and see chaos where there once was calmness. One only look at major cities and see the homeless population. Crime is up, jobs are down, and prices are escalating! All this doom and gloom can be overwhelming to some. So what exactly does one do when the cares of this world seem to take over one’s life? The Bible has all the answers, especially to believers!
The remedy for fear is clearly depicted in today’s Bible passage. There’s a clear outline and I laid it out for you in today’s graphic. The word “fret” starts off our “don’t do’s,” but what exactly does that word mean? I thought it meant not to worry, but not according to Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary.
To be agitated; to be in violent commotion; as the rancor that frets in the malignant breast.
To be vexed; to be chafed or irritated; to be angry; to utter peevish expressions. “He frets, he fumes, he stares, he stamps the ground.
Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary
This definition is not what I expected at all. So God tells His child not to get agitated or have violent disturbances over seeing the sinner prosper. I can think of several circumstances of this type of agitation in my own circle of friends and acquaintances. How does God respond to this? In the very next verse, He tells us that their end will come and they will be cut down. No matter how bad life gets as a result of the evildoers, their time will come. People who give into their fears usually develop anxiety and mental illness. So is it any wonder that from 2007 to 2017, there was a 13% increase in mental health conditions? If you let it go far enough, it can literally disable you!
There has been a 13% rise in mental health conditions and substance use disorders in the last decade (to 2017). Mental health conditions now cause 1 in 5 years lived with disability.
World health organization
The next remedy is to “trust in the Lord”! Proverbs 3:5-6 is an excellent piece of advice from David’s own son, Solomon. There is nothing that happens that God has not already given the “go ahead.” He has allowed the circumstances in your life for a reason: (1) to grow you spiritually, or (2) to teach you a lesson. The conclusion to either one should be to trust Him.
We then come to a somewhat odd remedy and that is to delight oneself in the Lord. Noah Webster said: “Delight is a more permanent pleasure than joy, and not dependent on sudden excitement.” When one has the joy of the Lord in their hearts, one delights in Him. When we delight in Him, He will bless you with the desires of your heart. The desires He gives you will most certainly be according to His will for you.
Committing your way has more emphasis than trust. It means you have no doubt that God will handle whatever situation you have placed in His care. You have entrusted God because you know for a fact that He will provide the answer and fulfill your need according to His will. He is your Jehovah Jireh. (Genesis 22:14) Just as God provided a sacrifice to Abraham to replace Isaac, so will God provide you with what you will need for every situation when you commit your way to Him. Committing to God brings with it a sense of surety knowing without a doubt that God will handle it.
The next remedy is to “Rest in the LORD”! Oh Reader, have you rested in the Lord? Rest is to stop, to be quiet; free of any disturbances in your life. It’s a time of complete reconciliation with God. Jesus told us about this rest in Matthew 11:28. There is no rest for the unbeliever because he has a God-shaped hole in his heart that has been filled with the cares of this world. But to the believer, we can rest in the fact that God’s Word is never wrong! Amen?
Then we are given a gentle reminder not to fret. This ends the remedy. However, now begins the application. No remedy is able to perform its cure if it is never taken or applied. If you’re a believer, you have everything you need at your fingertips.
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!
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!
Rock of ages cleft for me Let me hide myself in Thee Rock of ages, cleft for me Let me hide myself in Thee
Let the water and the blood From thy riven side which flowed Oh, be of sin the double cure Cleanse me from its guilt and power
Nothing in my hand I bring Simply to Thy cross I cling Nothin’ in my hand I bring Simply to Thy cross I cling
Naked, come to Thee for dress (come to Thee for dress) Helpless, look to Thee for grace (Oh, look to Thee for grace) Vile, I to the fountain fly Wash me, Savior, or I die
Rock of ages (ooh, rock of ages) Cleft for me (cleft for me) Let me hide myself in Thee Rock of ages, cleft for me Let me hide myself in Thee (in Thee)
Augustus M.Toplady
The History Behind the Hymn
There is a popular story most hymnologists do not believe about the origin of this hymn text. That story was started 122 years after publication of the hymn text by a letter published in the Times [of London], June 3, 1898, from Dean Lefroy of Norwich, together with one from Sir W. H. Wills on the same matter. The burden of Lefroy’s correspondence is based on a claim made by Sir W. H. Wills regarding the origin of this hymn. Wills’ claim asserted that Toplady drew his inspiration from an incident in the gorge of Burrington Combe in the Mendip Hills in England. Toplady, then a curate (assistant Church of England preacher) in the nearby village of Blagdon, was travelling along the gorge when he was caught in a storm. Finding shelter in a gap in the gorge, he was struck by the title and scribbled down the initial lyrics. [3]
According to E. J. Fasham, a more likely inspiration for the text is a 1673 sermon by Daniel Brevint (who had been the Dean of Durham Cathedral). This sermon had been partially quoted in the preface to Charles Wesley’s Hymns of the Lord’s Supper (1745), which was in common use amongst a number of ministers of the period. The similarity between the passages from Brevint’s sermon and the hymn suggests this was the starting point for Toplady’s text.
Psa 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
Psa 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Where do I go in times of trouble? I have been saved since 1980 and the answer to this question has changed a few times throughout the years. With each passing trial, I have learned to trust the Lord. (Proverbs 3:5-6) As I grew in the Lord, I discovered His faithfulness more and more. Each trial drew me to Him more quickly. His invitation to come to Him in times of trouble would be the first thing I ran to rather than go to Him as a last resort.
Nothing in my hand I bring Simply to Thy cross I cling Nothin’ in my hand I bring Simply to Thy cross I cling
Message for today
Is it any wonder why the world’s religions center on men’s works instead of faith in Jesus? Working one’s way to Heaven is a lie from the enemy. It is centered on the ver first sin, which is pride. This sin had Lucifer thrown out of Heaven and it carried on when he tempted Eve in the Garden. If I can say that I worked my way to heaven, then I can also tell you everything I did in order to earn it!
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.
There is nothing that I can do that will wash away my sins. It is due to the wonderful gift that the Father has bestowed upon His creation! (John 3:16) Anything good I do before salvation is considered to be dirty rags. Mother Teresa was a wonderful person; her works for the poor and needy are to be commended. But they will only be commended here on earth. Her works amount to nothing because she did not have that relationship with Jesus Christ.
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Jesus has a very special love for you. [But] as for me–The silence and the emptiness is so great–that I look and do not see,–Listen and do not hear.
–MOTHER TERESA TO THE REV. MICHAEL VAN DER PEET, SEPTEMBER 1979
A born-again Christian is given the Comforter, the power of the Holy Spirit, to be able to see the truth so that truth can set him free. (John 8:32) The promise from Jesus Himself tells us that the Holy Spirit abides with us for ever! Had Mother Teresa known Jesus, she too would have had the peace of God! (Philippians 4:7)
Joh 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Jesus paid a dear price in order for us to have that peace. He paid a great price for His Church so she can hide herself in the cleft of the Rock! It is through Him that we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us! (Romans 8:37)
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!
Technology has grown by leaps and bounds in the 21st Century. What was considered “space age” technology made for the movies and TV have now become state-of-the-art and implemented into our society. So what’s the next step? Where will we be in ten years from now? Klaus Schwab, head of the World Economic Forum (WEF), tells us where we’ll be.
“We are at the beginning, when you look at it, at technology transformation, it usually takes place in the terms of an S-curve. And we are just now where we move into the exponential phase. And I agree, artificial intelligence, but not only artificial intelligence, but also the metaverse, new space technologies, and I could go on and on, synthetic biology. Our life in 10 years from now will be completely different, very much affected, and who masters those technologies, in some way, will be the master of the world.”—Klaus Schwab.
So where does the Christian fit into all of this? Do we succumb to worldly phenomenon? Do we buy into the latest and greatest? Where do we stop following after the world and reject what they are pushing? When does the Church take a stand for what is the truth?
Pro 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.
Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
The Bible promises believers that when we trust in the Lord, He will direct our paths. His Holy Spirit will tell us what to do when times of uncertainty arise. Jesus told us that He is the light of the world and we WILL NOT walk in darkness. We will have the truth revealed to us in all things. God does not want His child to walk in confusion.
1 Cor 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Have that peace in the midst of the storm, just as Peter did when he got off the boat to walk on the water toward Jesus. He wavered because he took his eyes off Jesus. May we not waver by looking at the circumstances all around us. Let us look to Jesus and hold fast to that peace as we walk in His light through His Word!
The time is coming when it will be too late for you to repent. You will remember each opportunity you were given by God to be saved; you will remember each time you laughed it off and ignored it. Please Reader, repent and accept Christ into your life. (Act 16:31, Rom 10:9) 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 You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
