Friday, November 4, 2011

To HIM Alone!

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 Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Jude 1:24-25

The letter of Jude is a great warning about the seriousness of deception in the last days.  Therefore, it is interesting to note that his insightful letter ends with a reminder that the Lord is the one who is to receive all glory.  God alone is to be our focus since it is He who has saved us and is well able to keep us by His mercy.  This short epistle is a reminder that the last days would be a time when the children of God would need to be sober and vigilant in fighting against selfishness in their walk with Christ and service to Him.  There would be great temptation to make "service" about us and not the Lord our GOD.  

A  recent voice for the Lord, Leonard Ravenhill, made a statement about true service and true joy that still seers the heart. In his great sermon "The Judgement Seat of Christ" Ravenhill said the following:
 ""I'm embarrassed to be part of the Church today because I believe it's an embarrassment to a holy God. Most of our joy is clapping our hands and having a good time and then afterwards we talk all the nonsense of the world. We're overboard on laughter and happiness. There's an old saying in the world, "Laugh and the world laughs with you." I change it and say, "Laugh and the Church laughs with you, but weep and you weep alone." Because there isn't enough real joy in the house of God, we need entertainment. Entertainment is the devil's substitute for joy. Because there isn't enough power in the house of God, people are always looking for something to take its place. We point the finger at the world, but we need to turn to the Church and say we'd better all get sackcloth and ashes and humble ourselves and say "Almighty God!" When I see the Church in the New Testament, they didn't have stately buildings or paid evangelists or a lot of money. (They couldn't get on television and beg!) But I'll tell you what they did - they turned the world upside-down!"






God is the one who is to receive glory in and from the church.  "But pastor, we pray and praise and give God the glory."  You very well might, but for what purpose?  Do you truly enter into His courts to praise and give thinksgiving?  Are you there to give unto the Lord the glory due His name?  Or are we there with our hands out begging blessings and leaving irritated when we don't receive what we feel we were due?  If you were to enter His house to give unto the LORD, truly, you will leave full and well fed.  Careful observation may reveal, sadly, that the opposite is true.  God is not first place and church is more about getting our needs met than giving God the glory due his name.


The next time you enter a service, bow at your bedside, or read God's word remember that this is done more for Him than for you!  He is first always.  When we go to him with hands extended in praise and not in need, watch Him meet your need while you seek first the things of His kingdom!


We are in Tennessee for a conference.  I am not able to access the news articles I have saved.  More later! 

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

There Is No Peace

The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace. 
Isaiah 59:8

The rumors of war have returned with a vengeance.  Can you hear them?  There is talk of a strike on Iran which in turn would ignite the Middle East and the world into a catastrophic encounter with the Almighty.  It may very well be why US troops are being brought from areas in the Middle East so quickly.  We don't want them caught in harm's way as war begins.  




It is certain that Iran (ancient Persia) and a coalition of Middle Eastern nations have a divine appointment for destruction.  They will be certain of victory as they launch their massive attacks against Israel.  Many of these nations have been using the puppet of the UN to do their bidding.  They trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity--Isaiah 59:4. There are even rumors of a preemptive strike on Iran soon.  Yet, they will meet their ultimate demise on the northern hills of Israel as God shows a world denying HIS sovereign power and glory who is really is in control.  
Israel Reportedly Considers Pre-Emptive Attack On Iran | Fox News
Report: U.K. preparing for military strike on Iran nuclear facilities - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News
'UK speeding up planning for pote... JPost - Diplomacy & Politics
Ballistic Missile Test Alarms Israeli Citizens
Israel Successfully Tests ‘Ballistic Missile’ - Defense/Security - News - Israel National News
Are Israel's military drills preparation for an Iran strike? - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News
Iran Rattles Saber at Israel, US - Middle East - News - Israel National News


Add to this the threats from Syria, and we have the makings of the war of Isaiah 17.  Syria has threatened on multiple occasions to strike Tel Aviv should the UN or another power seek to interfere with their internal strife. Why Tel Aviv?  Assad knows that even his Muslim enemies would be compelled to attack Israel should he attack.  It is to get the pressure off of himself and redirected.  It would literally set the Middle East ablaze.  God, Himself, will enter the fray and you shall know it when Israel survives! "Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind. And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us."  Isaiah 17:12-14



Before you think this nation, the Quartet members, or the UN will get through this unscathed, read that last sentence above again.  "This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us."  Making a de facto nation in the covenant land of Israel and treating Jerusalem like a bargaining chip is an affront to the Almighty.  He will surely remind the world about the reason for His title LORD of Hosts.  "The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name--Exodus 15:3."

There is so much more to say and report, but space won't permit it.  Please draw nigh to Christ as HE is surely Soon2Come! 

What a promise!
And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.
Isaiah 59:20-21


Other News
'We have a right to build in our ... JPost - Diplomacy & Politics   YES YOU DO!  Jerusalem is the Eternal capital of the Great King Jesus!
Israel must topple Hamas - Israel Opinion, Ynetnews
Another flotilla heads to Gaza - Israel News, Ynetnews
UFO At NFL Game: TV Camera Captures Strange Object In Flight During Broadcast
With UNESCO membership granted, Palestinians seek to join 16 more UN agencies - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News
Shin Bet closes East Jerusalem institutions suspected of being run by Hamas - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News
Birth of 7 Billionth Baby Sparks Population Debate - World - CBN News - Christian News 24-7 - CBN.com

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Faith or Folly?

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Matthew 25:1-6

Left behind!  This parable has always been one that produces much thought.  What caused the five foolish virgins to be left behind when the Bridegroom called?  Were it just sleeping they would have all been left, but the text does reveal hints as to why these were standing at the door and knocking to get in once it was shut.  Apparently, they were careless with the provision of God, they trusted others for their relationship with the Bridegroom, and they presumed to succeed without God as their source.  


The wise virgins took great care to ensure that they always had sufficient oil since they understood the imminent return of the Bridegroom.  Oil, a symbol of the presence of the Holy Spirit, was necessary for a journey made at night.  In the shadow of the menorah, the oil was the fuel, the gold vessel was symbolic of being in Christ, and the child of God was the wick.  When a candle burns the light is so bright that the wick is never noticed.  It should be that way with all of us when it comes to shining brightly to a lost world sharing the presence of our dear Savior.  However, the foolish virgins were careless with their supply of oil.  Surely worldly pursuits and concerns caused them to be unprepared when the Bridegroom appeared unexpectedly.  They would have done well to heed Ephesians 5:18, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit..."

How many today sit in churches and presume to know God because a family member or close friend is dedicated to Christ?  Maybe they feel they are OK because they were raised in the church and cut their teeth on the pew. We have all seen it.  There are those who attend church fairly faithfully, but it is not the church nor the people of the church that assures us of salvation.  It is by and through acceptance of the blood covenant of the cross of Jesus Christ alone!  There is no other way.  God has no other means of salvation but the sacrifice of His Son! You will surely die lost if you do not call personally for the Lord to save you.  The foolish virgins looked the wrong way when the Bridegroom's call went out.  They looked to others for help.  They themselves could have been blessed by the Master, but how foolish are those who refuse to be blessed by His presence.  Truly, when the call goes out and the trumpet sounds, they will be left behind.  Don't trust church, friends, family, long standing attendance, giving, good works, nor any other thing for salvation.  The fact that the Bridegroom said, "I know you not" meant that they had no relationship with Him. Trust Jesus!


The poor foolish virgins.  They are reminiscent of the children of Israel that Moses led.  Once they had complained and incurred God's wrath after refusing to take the promised land, they attempted to take the land by themselves without the assistance and blessing of the Lord.  These virgins are those of whom the Lord says, "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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:22-23).  Sad virgins!  They came knocking once the door was shut and believed they would succeed without God's blessing.  They want admittance to God's heaven, but they did not care to want or believe His word when the chance was offered them.  

There is a "too late" with God!  When 1/3 of the angels made an unwise choice to follow their worship leader, it was too late. When the door of Noah's ark shut, it was too late.  When the angels left Sodom with Lot, it was too late.  When the children of Israel rejected the word of Caleb and Joshua, it was too late.  Assuredly, when the trumpet sounds, it will be too late to get in to God's heaven without the ultimate sacrifice.  For the majority--it will be too late.  That day is coming, and coming very soon. He is standing at the door and knocking, but when He walks away from it, it will be too late! Jesus Christ is Soon2Come!  Are you ready?  

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. 
Matthew 25:10-13

Today's Prophetic Headlines

Apostasy
Albert Mohler Conservative Poltical Commentary, Christian News  Joel Osteen says Mormonism a form of Christianity.  It is too--A CULT FORM!

Israel and the Middle East