Soon this place we call home will not be habitual.
Not a comforting thought I understand but it’s the truth.
The signs are sure that life here on earth is wrapping up.
You don’t have to agree but you should at least look around and consider what the world is doing, saying. Life on mars? No, thanks.
If you are good at timelines and dates you should find this interesting, did you know that the 6,000 year anniversary of Jesus baptism is in 2027 or that His death and resurrection anniversary is in 2031.
You may be wondering what this means, well if numbers play any role. The number six is biblically the number “of labor” and the seventh number means “completion or rest”.
The book of Revelation talks about a 1000 year period or rest in heaven with the saints.
This would be I imagine where a 1000 year of completion would likely begin but it’s just me piecing the puzzle together.
Meanwhile, throughout the Word we are told to be ready for the day of judgment, no one knows the day or hour but stand ready.
This book is the most under read book in the world today, but it has the lessons and keys to being ready.
So how can we stand ready about what we don’t know?
The best and only way to be ready is to trust and obey God’s Word.
We need to have a confidence in the Son of God so strong that even in times of hardships and disappointment we can endure due to the hope we have in Christ.
To abide in Christ means you look forward to His coming and can stand before Him unashamed. You believe in your heart that Christ is righteous and that learning to live by His standards makes you partakers of the truth of His word.
The way to sin is by breaking the laws of God, as you know Christ came to die for our sins, not His, He had no sin. Because of this selfless love of His, we are given a path to follow after Him knowing that even when we fail, He will help us to make it right.
He will still love us because that is who He is.
To receive His love, is to chose to not continue living selfishly but instead draw closer to Him.
These are the ones who love Him, those who abide with Him.
But to keep living sinfully is to deny His ways, and chose not to abide in Him. This is because of the influence of the devil, who from the beginning has been sinning and influence God’s children to do the same.
However if we are born of God~ there is a seed that grows as we nurture it with the truth of God’s word, it’s then His Holy Spirit which gives us power to overcome sin because of what Jesus Christ did.
The Lord in His Word has promises which gives me protection. This is because I have hidden His words in my heart. What this means is, I look to His word and believe that He is whom He says.
I learned to trust Him even when I didn’t understand. I decided to look deeper, spend more time and be more intentional in my searching out the truth.
Sometime during my investigation I believed that He was who He said He was, and that He was my God and apart from Him I could do nothing good for myself.
It is because of this I have found favor with Him as He values His devoted people.
When we don’t look to Him but instead other things to bring us joy it is like looking to idols. When we try make a great life here without seeking out God. We are destined to bring trouble on ourselves. That which has your devotion will also have your heart.
Through His Son Jesus Christ we are given life eternal and a joy complete with forgiveness of our sins, this makes all happy and secure that no matter what happens – death isn’t an issue. He keeps what is His.
I am secure in my hope, this gives me the promise of joy.
Do you have the promise joy?
Friends, the truth of Gods Word is the beginning of wisdom and understanding. Don’t lose out on the one investment that is life changing.
Seek His Word and you will find, ask for understanding and it will be given to you, these words are just one of the promise of the Lord God and He never breaks His promises.
I’ve raised two boys and girl. All are a blessing to me.
Today I’d like to share a memorable moment I had with the middle one, he was always independent natured, who mostly internalized everything and goal oriented. He was the one who loved to participate in every sport.
This began in elementary and continued every year till he received a football scholarship, so needless to say I’ve sat on the sidelines of this kids life for many years, cheering and watching him grow up a team player.
His senior year he decided he wanted to pursue criminal law I wasn’t surprised it has a team like environment, but when I asked why he would choose this, his reply was one I could never argue with. ” I figure if I can help someone have a better day, it would be a good job.”
So instead of questioning, I prayed.
After high school, he decided not to go the college route but work his way up through training, when he was old enough to go into the academy, he did very well, never regretting his decision to pursue this career.
This praying mom continued to ask the Lord to direct and protect.
As I watched on the side lines again, this young man transitions into a roll where major responsibilities became daily habits. I knew he would do well, as he had been trained to suit up and show up.
After graduation from the academy which was in the big city, he moved back home for a few months to get situated in his new career.
The night before his first day was here and I was questioning for the first time, “is this going to be ok Lord?”
I remember going to bed that night feeling like maybe I should get up early to pray with him before he left, but at the same time I didn’t want to hover.
So I prayed “Lord, if you want me to wake up and pray with him. Please wake me up.”
And went to sleep without setting the alarm. My eyes popped open at 4:48am just a few minutes before he would leave.
I stepped out of my bedroom and as looked around the corner at the exact same moment a completely suited up and armored police officer was stepping down the last step from upstairs.
My son looked ready for game day. You could see the excitement in his posture and face. He looked reliable and ready.
I told him that I was awakened to pray with him before he left.
I remember placing my hand on his shoulder and asking God to give me the the words which came and were not my own, they flowed seamlessly and were a badge of protection over him and his mind. I know in that moment it was a blessing to witness the Lord use my son as one of His own.
Afterward it was time for him to go, he collects his gear to carry out to his truck which is about 50 yards away from the house.
It’s still dark out and he has to make several trips so I decided to pick up his outer bullet proof vest and walk it out to the porch.
It was a heavy load and in that moment it felt real.
If he was wearing this added vest..it meant danger.
My heart felt just as heavy.
As I was watched him walk out into the darkness the reality of his choice began to sink in.
Even though I knew the Lord was hearing my prayers, I saw and felt the realness of this new chapter in front of me.
Our driveway has a parking area at the end of it, there’s a hill that separates the house and yard from it. I was looking out in the darkness beyond that hill for his figure to come back into the light when all the sudden a bright light comes on out there in the darkness.
It was the light given to him for his armor.
My son was not in the total darkness but had a light for his path.
I stood there watching the spiritual implication unfold, as he was walking towards me.
Inwardly praising God for this spiritual reality.
Here’s the truth of the matter -we are all living in a very dark world, filled with uncertainty and potential danger at every corner. But God.
Thirty two years working in customer service, real estate and cosmetology, none have meant more to me then serving the Lord.
I love sharing the truth of His Word, and my desire to help others in their search for truth and liberty. Bible study is exciting to me especially in encouraging others while helping them to gain confidence in the Word, this will grow workers for the Gospel to become teachers themselves.
To share more abroad is my goal.
Here’s the mission statement of this career, Acts 1:8
There’s no better way to live, then to know the Word of God and have the promise of His Salvation, it has eternal benefits!
The purpose of the Bible is so that we will know God and grow in a relationship with Him. This is how we decide if we want to be with Him eternally. If we fall in love with Him we will want this relationship forever. John 5:39
We also learn in our reading of His word that it is about His law and the message of His love towards us the gospel. All one.
The law is the gospel embodied and the gospel is the law unfolded.
Another words when we read about who God is – He is the law. And who Christ Jesus is- He is the gospel.
God is the root, His son is the fragrant blossom and fruit which it bears.
Let this understanding sink in.
Once we understand that while yes Jesus is the fulfillment of the law. This means He is stepping in as God in flesh, never taking away from but giving Himself to anyone seeking a relationship with God. John 14:6
When you become one with Him, there is a special promise given John 14:15-18 you will have the Spirit of truth.
Because we open the door of our hearts to know Jesus Rev 3;20 we are given a heavenly gift.
This begins the dwelling of the Father and the Son.
We don’t get this promise, unless we submit to first knowing and accepting the law in the gospel. John 14:19-24.
Now this is how we will have “direction” in life:
“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”
Friends the promise is a choice. Don’t delay in taking the steps to know the truth of God’s Word.
I belong to a world wide community of believers and serve in different ways to help this group.
This group of people from all walks of life come together to worship the ONE True God. Helping each other to overcome this world in Christ love, while ministering to the needs we have in life.
We pray for each other and testify of His love towards us, we work together to share these experiences in more targeted outreaches.
I currently serve as a bible teacher, and the communications director for my group.
This is something I do for fellowship while serving Christ.
I don’t do this for ” brownie points with God” and I don’t get paid to participate.
I tell you this so you will understand what I am going to share next.
Jesus came to make us partakers of the divine nature. As long as we are united to Him by faith , sin has no more dominion over us. God reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that we may attain to perfection of character. This is how we are saved, not by means of good works or belonging to a group of do gooders.
Christ has shown us what He did to overcome the enemy-Satan, it is by the Word of God.
Only by the Word could He resist temptation. “it is written, “ He said. And unto us are given “exceeding great and precious promises: that by these we might partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4
Every promise in God’s Word is ours!
By every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God, are we to live.
When assailed by temptation, don’t look at your circumstances or to your weak self, but to the power of the word.
All it’s strength is yours.
Thy word , says the psalmist “have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee. By the word of Jesus lips have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
My community helps me and I help them, and then we help others to overcome this world by the Word of God , this is my church.
A bible believing church that teaches and honors both the old and new testament and calls Jesus the Son of God who saves ~ this where I would look for this special kind of community. Here’s one that is World wide.
Having previously written about this study I’ve linked them for you. I hope you will take a minute to read them.
As I read on the word abide in Job 24:13 I opened up to the full context and Job was talking about the violence on the earth.
It’s much like today’s times, nothing new under the sun as some say and since sin exist in the world, there are those who rebel against the light.
“They do not know it’s ways nor abide in its path.” as Job said.
Everyone who practices evil hates the light and does not come to the light because their deeds would be exposed.
My thoughts immediately go to the times I’ve asked others if they’d like a bible study or even attend an evangelist series to learn about the light in this dark world. Every time I hear “I’m good” ~ it saddens me to think they would rather walk on the an unlit path.
It’s not productive – it’s counterproductive.
In 1 Corinth 15:10 says it is ONLY by the grace of God in Christ Jesus and His Holy Spirit, that am I able to stand on the truth of His Word in correcting me, teaching me His ways.
Only by His great love am I able to hear that I have been evil.
Just as evil and lost, as those who don’t want to be told that their human natures are evil, even in choosing to not come to the light and be changed.
Friends, this change will only happen when we abide in the power of God’s love for us.
I once thought I understood the scene where God tells Moses “and I will harden his heart..” Ex 4:21
I truly didn’t understand why God would say this because it seems contradictory to who He is, so in my little brain it had to mean when someone doesn’t want the presence of God near them.
My reasoning was because God is LOVE, and where love abides it is pliable – filled with good thoughts.
But take away Gods love and you have a heart of stone.
After this study here’s what I understand better now, when a person keeps ignoring what they know is right ( this is what Pharaoh was doing. God knowing this is what he would do, foretold this to Moses..) because it conflicts with what they want, A hardening of the heart is something happens over time. Look at all the plagues, warning..warning..warning.
1 Sam 6:6 repeats the lesson from Exodus which the Prophet Samuel said they didn’t learn – “Why then do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He did mighty things among them, did they not let the people go, that they might depart?”
He was warning them again..
The Word says their ability to tell right from wrong became weaker. The mind becomes darkened — Ephesians 4:18 says people can be “darkened in their understanding” when they turn from God.
The conscience grows dull. 1 Timothy 4:2 describes a conscience that becomes “seared,” meaning it no longer responds clearly.
The heart becomes hardenedHebrews 3:13 warns that sin can harden the heart over time.
Separation from God follows Isaiah 59:2says sin separates us from God.
Put simply:
When we repeatedly choose our desires over what we know God is asking, we slowly lose our sensitivity to truth.
What once felt wrong no longer does, and that distance leads us away from God.
When we ignore what God shows us is right, our hearts harden, our conscience dulls, and we begin to lose the ability to recognize truth.
Friends – check your hearts as the Holy Spirit says: “ Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness,” Hebrews 3:7-11
It takes a simple step.. approach the throne of God in your heart and ask for forgiveness in Christ name, then let Him lead you through this life in a surrendered heart.
I remember growing up in the country, climbing trees using each branch like a monkey bar, hoping it would hold me and not snap if I didn’t find the right branch. We had a rope swing that was used to swing off into the creek on summer days, it was there for many years until the limb eventually gave way.
There was another one that held a bench swing that lasted longer then expected it was supported by a very strong tree.
Years later my own kids had a rope swing, which at one point became a dogs tug-a-war toy, eventually that tree started to die and the branch grew weak with no support for it.
I tell you all this to say ” the branch” I am learning about in my study of the Word on the “vine” turns out is only as good as the tree it’s on.
So in my desire to have eternal life it means I need salvation and this is only good through Christ Jesus because of who sent Him and who He is connected with and of course born from. The Creator of Heaven and Earth, God the Father, calls Jesus His Son.
And He also calls Him the “BRANCH” in Zech 6:12-13 which means God is the strong tree.
According to the Word, this Branch IS Christ who is the foundation for all truth, which is the true church of God.
Those whom hang onto the Word of God – which is Christ – whom it says was before the world John 1:1 God was with the Word – made all things that are made through Him, and in Him was life and the life which is the light of men.
Friends, I have found “the branch” for LIFE.
It was whom Moses in the law and also the prophets, wrote about, Jesus of Nazareth.
And because He is God in flesh He is not just for looks, You can hang onto Him because He is in the Father and the Father is in Him. John 17:21
Big tree = strong branch. But hey don’t just read this- go explore the Word and you will find it is true for you too!
