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We Love Him, Because He First Loved Us

13 Oct

1 John 4:19 – 19We love him, because he first loved us.  (King James)

God is love so much that he sent His Son to die for us.

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I can tell you that I love God, because he first loved me.  I’m a fallen creature and I would have better things to do than serve an un-personable, selfish, punishing and unloving creator.

We don’t have to worry about that though.  You’re not so great that the Lord couldn’t resist coming back for you.  He does it, because that’s how wonderful our God is.

For years I would do my own thing and sometimes rarely think of God during the day.  The less you think of Him the more sinning your doing.  Was He there?

He was there to pick me up from my ignorance when I came crying my eyes out.

We can’t, and I mean can’t begin to understand how much God loves us.  I just know when I now talk to Him throughout the whole day, pray for the smallest of need in my life, praise His glorious name whenever I get the chance, my life is more blessed as I go through it.

My Best Friend is your Best Friend.  Some of you may not look at Him as that yet.  Start treating Him like He is and watch your life change for the better.

 
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Posted in Encouragement, Inspiration

 

Imminency- Pre Trib Rapture Support Scriptures

12 Oct

There is a big problem for people who believe in the mid-tribulation and post tribulation rapture theories.  This is the doctrine of Imminency.

Imminency means that Jesus could come back at any time.  Was this taught in the bible?

Matthew 24:36-51 – 36“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

 42“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

 45“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

So Jesus many times made it clear to keep your eyes open as he could come at anytime.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 – 1Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

So we are told that we are to keep an eye out for Him so that it does not come unexpectedly.

1 Thessalonians 5:4 – 4But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

We don’t know the day or the hour and Jesus makes it clear on that in Matthew, but we are to keep our eyes out for the signs and by that we will know when it is near.

Also addressing Imminency and that the church was also looking for Jesus’ immediate return we see that the church in Thessalonica thought they had missed the rapture and Paul wrote this to assure them they had not.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 – 1Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come.

Clearly they were looking for Jesus’ return at any moment.

So if  you’re a mid-tribulation rapture person, you believe that it will happen somewhere about the time the sacrifices are no longer allowed by the Jews and the great tribulation of 3 and half years is getting reading to start.  One, that really narrows down the time when one can keep an eye out for Christ and two, He couldn’t possibly have come before the start of the Tribulation.  So much for Imminency in this scenario.

I think you can tell that the post-tribulation position runs into the same problem in the fact that the rapture wouldn’t be able to happen until the tribulation was over and Christ was just getting to come back.  There is no imminency in this scenario either.

This pretty much wraps up my pre-tribulation rapture support.  To be honest with you I’ve even strengthened my already strong position stance on the pre-tribulation rapture theory.  When one really looks at all things concerning the timing of the rapture, not only do they support the pre-trib position, but many also bring many problems to the other positions.

I invite you to look over at the rapture category again to review them all and since there are so many, you’ll have to click on previous posts at the bottom of the page after you see the first ten to see the others.

 
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Posted in Bible Prophecy, Rapture

 

He’s Strongest In Our Weakness

11 Oct

2 Corinthians 12:9 – 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Paul lets us know that when we are strong and macho in ourselves, Christ has a hard time working with that.

Why?  Because we’re dealing with a problem of humility, selfishness, and a me, not He attitude.

We have pride as humans.  I got this Lord.  I’ve got this all handled and figured out.  I don’t have to bother you with this because I am the Man (or Woman if you’re female)!

God didn’t make you to act alone for yourself and by yourself.  He wants to be hooked into you as your Father.  Jesus realizes that without Him, you’re a mess.  In this case He didn’t want Paul to become conceited.

So with that how can we be of service best to the Kingdom of God?

In weakness!

We need to die to ourselves, our wants, our desires.  If they’re ours instead of the Lords, the ideas are nothing but sin and temporary dead ends anyway.

His power is perfect in our weakness.  Wow can I vouch for that.  Not only what I have experienced in my own life, but what I see in others.  Oh yeah, be observant.  It can save you a lot of heartache and save you a lot of time on not having to make the same mistakes.

How does someone end up as a missionary and trying to reach people while living in harsh conditions to where most people wouldn’t even think of attending?  Their love for the Lord.  The pushing aside of their lives because of their love for Jesus and because they want others to know Him also.

We got it backwards in life.  We think the guy who makes millions and dares to be rich should be admired and the guy who chooses to live in a third world country and forgo the American Dream has a screw loose.  You think God looks at it that way?

When we die, is anything else but what God thinks or cares about going to matter?

Today we need to submit, so He can become strong in our lives!

That requires us to do what He wants and not what we want.

 
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Posted in Inspiration, Motivation, Reflections

 

Quote – C. S. Lewis

09 Oct

You don’t have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.
C. S. Lewis

You’re not a body!  You live forever! 

We are eternal beings and will be spending it somewhere.

This life is short and if you read the Bible, which is God’s Word, you realize we need to die to ourselves and seek Him.

One mega short earthly lifetime serving oneself will be the biggest mistake many will make for eternity.

 
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Posted in Quotes, Reflections

 

Persecution Is All Around The World And Soon Will Be Strong Here

08 Oct

Many nations already outlaw Christianity.  In China communism and Christianity don’t mix.  Many Islamic Countries don’t allow it in their borders.  America is becoming tolerant of almost every other religion besides Christianity. 

Panic? 

We don’t need to panic, we need to put our faith where it is supposed to be all the time and that is in God.  

 Matthew 5:10-12 – 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  11“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Beatitudes end with these three scriptures. 

You can be persecuted for a lot of things in life.  None of them besides your love for Jesus and the true God will lead to a blessing. 

Don’t underestimate the word blessing.  Jesus says “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven,” 

Your love for Jesus and the Father does not go unnoticed ever.  If it wasn’t worth saying, Jesus wouldn’t have emphasized it. 

John 15:20 – Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 

Prepare for that day so you can be strong, and when discouraged realize that the One truly in charge is always looking over you.  How much greater if the reason He has to take extra care of you is because you’re standing up for the Kingdom of Heaven and the Glorious King, Jesus Christ Himself!

 
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Posted in Encouragement, Inspiration, Motivation, Reflections

 

Throw Off Everything That Hinders Us

07 Oct

Hebrews 12:1 – 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

We have been raised in a country that has allowed us to have the Word of God available at all times.  Wonderful teachers are available and easily accessed to study God’s Word.  It is our lifeline of understanding God.  You can know God more and more.  There are people out there who are humble servants trying to get this message to you.

On the flip side there are others out there to tell you exactly what you want to hear, especially if you are meeting their needs.

We need to quit running all over the course blindly.

Picture this:  You step up to the starting line and bang you’re off on your journey for God.

You’re running along for about a half mile and wow, look at that nice car!  It won’t take long to look that over.  The salesman looks at you and says I can get you into that no time.  Let’s talk about what kind of payment you can afford.  You say, “I really need to get back to my race keep my attention on the real prize, but they convince you that there is plenty of time to finish your race. 

You walk out and you think wow that was a little more than I was expecting, but I’ll do alright.  Back on the run and get down the road about another 2 miles.  Hey that’s a really nice house.  All the people around me are getting into these kinds of houses.  You only live once right?! (Wrong)

Back to that race, you know for not much more I could go on that killer vacation I wanted to always go on.  I can afford it.  While you’re there you love it so much they talk you into buying a condo.

What were we doing earlier?  Oh yeah, back to the race.  You know what it’s really getting hard to have time to run.  I’m finding that I have to work more for debts.  Hey why should I have to wait till I get older to have these great things? 

If we’re chasing after these things on the earth, are we chasing after the things of God?  Are we running the race that is marked out for us?

Or are we running our own race?

 
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Posted in Inspiration, Motivation

 

Peace I Give You

06 Oct

John 14:27 – 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

When we trust in Jesus we have peace. 

I fully believe that for anything major to happen, God has to put his stamp of approval that it’s okay.  Does that mean that everything appears to turn out hundred percent the way we think that it ought to? 

No. 

Do I believe that He is in charge and that we don’t always know the whole story?  

I do.  I take comfort that if God says tomorrow you’re coming home with me into Heaven then it’s time to go.  Since He knows my future already, I trust that whatever happens to me it will be okay if He says it’s okay to happen.  God is in charge and the more we turn our lives around the better it is for the Kingdom of Heaven and ourselves. 

There is a peace that comes in knowing the ultimate Being in the universe has your back. 

Now you can say, wow Pat, I’m glad you feel that way, must be a great mind over matter tool you got there.  Or that’s quite an effective crutch. 

No, I have the promise of my God and Creator that if I seek and serve Him to the best of my ability, there will be no regrets for eternity. 

On the flip side there appears to be much remorse for those who are saved, but gave God nothing of themselves.  If one thinks about it for two seconds, you’re in Heaven and it dawns on you I’m here, everything I put into life is down there and past, and I didn’t do much for Him which is all that matters.  

There is a lot of unrest and problems the world gives to its followers.  Not much peace in that. 

Jesus gives us all our needs here, but He doesn’t give as the world gives.  He’s waiting to give you as your King will reward you at the allotted time.

 
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Posted in Encouragement, Inspiration

 

We Need A Loving Reverent Fear Of The Lord

05 Oct

Here’s a good one for us all to remember.  If God only cared about himself, you wouldn’t have a chance to be saved from destruction.  The second death results in a lake of fire.

Revelation 20:13-15 – 13The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Now I’ve heard people tell me that the negative doesn’t help them any regarding their pursuit of God.

Are you kidding me?  That’s very brave, but if someone came up to you and threatened any kind of real harm it’s going to become very real, very fast.  Now if you’re saved, that ends upon death.  The lake of fire is the second death that one is told to fear.  Clearly if you are going into the lake of fire, you’re not saved.  People always hate it when you speak for them, but I will boldly do that now.

“If you are not concerned about the second death now, you will be right after the first one.”

Proverbs9:10- 10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

If you love God, you have this Reverence already.  It’s a respect like children should have for their parents.  They love them and they should respectfully realize that if they step out of line they receive correction.  Notice I don’t use the words sheer terror.  If you Love someone there is respect involved.  However there is only one that controls your destiny.  That Individual also loves you more than anyone or anything even when you’re not that lovable.  

Why don’t we jump into the middle of a fire or off a 10 story building.  There is an intelligent fear that is built in.  This same fear should equally be there in a respectful way when it comes to angering the most High God.

Remember that when we sin against God, He loves you, even had His own flesh and blood die for you.  When we knowingly sin against the Lord it’s disrespectful.  Let’s work the best way we can to not disrespect the Lord.

 
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Posted in Motivation

 

Literally Correct

04 Oct

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 – 23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

For some when they partake in communion, they are remembering the fact that Jesus died for their sins.  That’s where it ends for them.  They are missing the last part of verse 26.  He’s coming back. 

We’re not in the Millennial Kingdom yet, that’s why we’re still doing communion.  He is going to rule and reign 1000 years.  Not the good ole spirit of Jesus, but the King Himself.  There is a literal understanding of the bible.  A literal Tribulation period is coming around the corner.  He is literally coming back or no flesh would be saved at the end of it.  That may have been hard to fathom 65 years ago but is it really hard to picture today?

God allows wisdom in time.  He has brought up great men of God to be able to share what’s coming ahead.  Those men are being led to understand what the Holy Spirit had the others 1900-2500 years ago write.

God has literally made promises.  Jesus is literally coming back to rule and reign 1000 years as the Messiah.  There is going to be a literal rapture.  There is going to be a literal tribulation.

Stay tuned into God and the understanding is there.  Trying to force square pegs into round holes to make it what you want it to be or think it is, only leads to problems.

The bible is literally happening the way God inspired men to write it. 

Most published book, Most bought, Least read per copy. 

You see no one for the last 400 years who has had freedom can say finding God was like finding a needle in a haystack.  They just chose to listen to the wrong voice speaking to their hearts.

 
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Posted in Encouragement, Inspiration, Motivation

 

Quote – D L Moody

02 Oct

We can stand affliction better than we can prosperity, for in prosperity we forget God.
Dwight L. Moody

One of the most asked questions from non-believers as well as some believers:

Why do bad things happen to good people? 

First of all no one is good.

Romans 3:10-12 – 10As it is written:  “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.  12All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

Luke 18:19 –  19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.

Not only is no one good, but just as DL Moody quoted, people tend to seek God when they have been brought to their knees.

People are confused.  God didn’t create us to be individuals with no need for Him.  He created us for relationship, to worship Him, and to love Him.  ALL THE TIME!

 
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Posted in Quotes, Reflections

 
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