Month: December 2016

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Preparation for 2017

rooted-in-the-word2aPsalm 1&2 “Rooted in the Word”

Who wants to be blessed or happy? Most would answer “I do!” But our way to happiness and blessedness is fraught with dangers set by our enemy the devil whose intents and purposes are in sharp contrast to the Almighty. Thus to be truly “happy” and “blessed” the psalmist directs our attention to the way of the “righteous”  which is compared to a tree which is nourished and grows in sharp contrast to the chaff, the leftover of the harvest, or ungodly amongst us.

He who has ears to hear should listen was the word of the Lord in Revelation. In doing so the righteous are able to distinguish or discern those that are the “chaff” of the field that walk with us each and every day who seek only their own way or scoff at God and his Word. Their words echo across the centuries; “I’m okay, you are okay” but we know from scripture that we are not for God says “there is none righteous, no not one.” Their philosophy is anti-God and the words of Col 2:7 remind us not to be swept away by their philosophy: “Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

 

As you begin this 2017 journey remember these words from Psalm 1 and Malachi 3:10: Earnestly desire to be planted and rooted by the streams of living water which flows from the throne of God. It is then that God will open his windows of heaven and pour forth blessings which cannot be numbered.

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Tick Tock….

clock-christmas-mug2Revelation 16 “Tick Tock….”

‘You are just—the one who is and who was, the Holy One—because you have passed these judgments, they got what they deserved.’ Does God take pleasure in this? NO! The answer is found from the pen of Ezekiel: “Do I actually delight in the death of the wicked, declares the sovereign Lord? Do I not prefer that he turn from his wicked conduct and live?” [Ezek 18] and from the pen of Peter: God ‘is being patient toward you because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.’ [2Peter 3]

The truth is this: what you sow you reap. Satan has sown his seeds of the “deadly d’s” and now God has set his sickle to him and his tares and with righteous judgment they will be reaped to destruction. Satan’s heart was defiant from the beginning and now God’s patience has run its course. God’s sacred history and His plan are unveiled that we might know and be challenged to repent and live righteously. He has immersed us into the lives of the 7 churches that we might know God’s standards of righteousness and be warned of the consequences if we do not. God has opened his book that we might see how much He hates unrighteousness as we should as well.

It is darkest before the dawn but Christmas is coming and the Holy One, the Ancient of Days’ clock will have sounded its last tock forever and we hear the bells resound: “It is finished!” and so it will be.

All Scripture is taken from the FREE online Bible Study tool of Bible.org ministries.

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The Singing Saints Pt 1

harp-rev-14-2aThe heavenly choir “were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one was able to learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth.” [Revelation 14]

Julie Andrews’ song echoes in our heads: “The hills are alive with the sound of music.” One day it will not the hills but Mount Zion of God will be alive with the sound of music. The choir of the 144,000 sealed by God will be heard singing a new song before the throne. They will be accompanied by the harpists playing their harps reminiscent of the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah. That choir celebrated joyfully with songs of thanksgiving and songs accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres. [Neh 12] The difference being that this song is sung by those purchased and preserved. They are the professing choir of virgins redeemed from the earth and are now rewarded for their faithfulness and purity. They had heard the Lamb say “follow Me” and they did.
The Shepherds of old heard the choir of heavenly angels as they sang “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased” as they proclaimed the Messiah’s birth. What song will you sing for the Messiah king?

 

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The Empty Manger

empty-manger2aRevelation 3&8 Part 6: “The Empty Manger”

The Alpha and Omega’s solemn pronouncement to the Church in Sardis. I hold the seven spirits of God and the seven stars and thus can see your vulnerability. Your walls appear strong and impenetrable but the enemy without sees with his binoculars that your watchman failed to stay alert. While retrieving his dropped helmet, he revealed your secret entrance and now the enemy has infiltrated your midst. Take a lesson from Habakkuk who stood at his watch without wavering.

To the outside world, your church appears alive but inside, I who searches the mind and heart see that you are like whitewashed tombs with dead men’s bones. Like the Pharisees of old, you are a hypocrite because you do not hunger and thirst for righteousness. Instead, you have a high opinion of yourself and are relying upon your works to earn your salvation.  In addition, I see your Christmas traditions with the nativity replica but the manger is empty. Where am I? Will you invite me to your Christmas celebration?

Oh Father, forgive us for relying on traditions, lights, and gifts which are temporal rather than on the Eternal Wonder of Your coming to earth as Emmanuel. Forgive us for being satisfied with the victories of the past and failing to see the fields are truly white for harvest. Come and fill our manger hearts with your presence.

Photo Credit: Udra11 http://tinyurl.com/z8l8jl8

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The True Christmas Message: Sin Kills, The Gospel Saves

cross-saves2aRevelation 2&8

To Thyatira, from the Son of God who has eyes like a flame of fire and feet like burnished bronze. Because I am the Son of God I search not just with my eyes but also my heart and I find that which is profitable but not that which is beneficial. I commend you for the love you have for others and how faithful you have been to My Church. You work tirelessly for the poor just as I did. Your works now are greater than when you began and for that you are to be commended.

However, I see a glaring sin. In fact, you have lived with this sin for so long that your eyes are clouded to its impact upon your flock. You no longer call sin sin but have bought into the lie of love the sinner and hate the sin and that is true. However, hate demands action and you have not taken that step. Instead, your actions reveal that you have fallen like King Ahab to the ways and mores of Queen Jezebel, an outright idolater. She has taken captive your mind and swayed you to offer sacrifices of my children to the idol god Baal. It would be better to put a millstone about your neck and throw you into the sea than to allow her to lead and teach. I love you and that is why I have been so patient with her and you. But, my patience will come to an end. Her message kills because it denies Me. Be careful lest you be judged along with her by my penetrating eye.

Father, may Your eye reveal to us where we have accepted that which you call an abomination. May we hold fast to the truth that only through the blood shed on the cross can one be saved.

All scripture is taken from the FREE online Bible Study Tool of Bible.org 

 

 

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Danger Ahead!

night-danger-ahead-2a The One who has the sharp two-edged sword speaks and says “remain faithful as Antipas.” [Revelation 2]

Just as then, today there are the faithful in their stand for Christ and do not deny the name of Christ. However, just as then, these had to navigate and choose the road that is narrow because they lived and moved amongst those who are part of the kingdom of darkness. The false teachers had infiltrated with and were accepting of immorality.  They, like many today, were failing to rebuke these teachers who espoused false doctrine. Although still bearing the title of being Christ’s church they were not rebuking and removing these teachers. And unlike the church at Ephesus who hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans, this church was in danger of being like the frog placed in cold water which slowly dies when the heat is elevated. The danger is real and very present for these Pergamum believers and why Christ calls them to be like the Bereans to be discerning. Christ called them with His two-edged sword to repent and to remove the stumbling blocks that cause others to go astray.

Father God, today our churches are being assaulted by those who are the “pc” police. They seek to water down the truth of the gospel message and seek to cause our little ones to stumble. Give us Your spirit of discernment so that we may not compromise but be like Antipas who was faithful even to the point of death.

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