Showing posts with label tribulation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tribulation. Show all posts
Thursday, December 31, 2009
The New Year's Gift
I have always been different from everyone around me, so it should come as no surprise that I celebrate New Year's Eve differently too. I really don't give much thought to celebrating it. Sure, I may turn on the TV and look at other people celebrating, but it doesn't really move me.
I don't know where I got the idea, but for at least the last dozen years I have had my own tradition. I spend New Year's Eve alone with God, and I ponder which spiritual attribute I lack the most--the one that would give me a closer walk with God, in the year(s) ahead, if I had it. Then, I request it of God.
The most memorable was the year that I asked Him for faith. I had already heard that one shouldn't ask for faith because it would bring many trials. But, that's what I felt led to ask for, and I'm glad I didn't let fear stop me.
When the spring semester ended, I was surprised to learn that I would have no financial aid for the summer . . . and my lease would end at the same time! As a single parent of three kids, this was not a good situation to have looming on the horizon!
After much prayer, I decided that camping in the woods all summer was one option. But, that a better option would be to buy a camper shell for my pickup truck, store our things somewhere, and travel the USA for the summer. I realized we had what might be a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity'!
That summer is one that none of us has ever forgotten! A whole summer of 'quality time' together really bonded us deeply. We had a couple of destinations in mind--relatives that we could visit for a few days, but mostly we had 'time to kill'! (I find that almost impossible to imagine these days!)
For $100 we bought a family pass to the National Parks, and we lived on $600 a month. Every day I got behind the wheel and asked God to guide me. I would set a jar of canned food on the dashboard and head east, driving and praying.
By midday we had a warm 'meal'. We ate very simply and very rarely paid to stay at a campground or eat at a restaurant. We trusted God to show us a safe place to park each night, and prayed we could sleep unbothered.
We soaked in the beauty of God's creation and rested--what a blessed thing that was! We learned that California had a nearly magical forest of giant trees; that in Michigan, blueberries grew on the ground; and that the mosquitos in Minnesota were something to be reckoned with!! We fell asleep in the woods at dusk, serenaded by the most beautiful birdsong I had ever heard.
That summer, I learned that God can take a bad situation and turn it completely around; that He can be trusted to watch over me, even while I'm asleep; that He is always with me, even when I have no idea where I am; that some of His best gifts are free; and that a glimpse of blue sky, the song of a bird, or a gentle breeze can help me reconnect with Him when I feel alone and afraid.
In the days ahead, as the works of man grow more depraved and ugly, and as evil increases around us--remember to look up sometimes. Let God's creation remind you of who is eternal and who is really in charge. Remember that the trials and tribulations that lie ahead are only temporary. Life on earth has never been easy. Although things will get a lot worse--it won't last much longer!! Ten years from now, it may all be behind us.
We have much to look forward to. We will have a thousand years to live on earth, in peace and equity, with Jesus Himself in authority. How I yearn for His truth and justice to be established upon the Earth; for righteousness to be the standard, and the law to be upheld; for things to finally be fair; for a chance to rest and walk with Him; for a time when evil is put to flight and goodness can prevail.
Last year was difficult. Not the circumstances of my life, but the evil around us grinding on me, wearing me down. I imagine that a year from now, 2009 will seem like 'a piece of cake' as evil continues to increase. I've become polluted by our culture, taking on bad attitudes and values, picked up from TV and movies. Anger has taken root inside me, and hatred has started to grow, as I have seen America stolen and our rights stripped away.
Learning that it is all part of God's judgment has helped me put it in perspective. I have long known America was provoking His judgment. Realizing that the destruction of America that is now taking place is God's will--because of our sin--my anger at the people involved diminishes.
Instead I cry bitter tears of regret. We had it all, but knew it not! We had such a priceless gift from God, but we threw it away. We squandered our freedom, to indulge our lusts. Oh how foolish we were!! America is forever lost. We can never go back.
The anger and attitudes I have adopted have hardened my heart and made me more callous towards the pain and suffering of others. Tonight, I need to repent of my anger, and my attitudes, and move beyond them. I think what I need to ask for this year, is compassion. Someone's life may depend on it.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Are You Afraid? (forced vaccinations)
I've just spent this cold, dreary day surfing the Web and reading lots of scary things about what is going on now. What was most terrifying of all I saw today was a video on You Tube, about forced vaccinations.
I'm not going to link you to that video. Let me tell you why. I was not too concerned when I first started watching, and the Lord impressed upon me, simultaneously, two things:
With the video came a spirit of fear.
Now, what is in the video may be true--or not. And I'm not saying the motive behind it was to engender fear, because I believe that is a strategy and tool of Satan. But, he is working in concert with things like this. There is a lot of hysteria developing, and that hysteria will have repercussions. As Christians, we should be the sanest, calmest people in the room. We should understand what is happening, and why.
The Lord promises us not 'a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind', and 'you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear . . .' This should reaffirm to you that fear is a bondage, and this type of fear is not from God.
Now, I can understand if you are afraid, but let God take your fear away and replace it with strength and boldness. He has done it for many of us already. He will give you the grace to go through whatever comes your way.
There is one other point I want to make briefly, but cover in greater depth soon: The Rapture.
Yes, Christ will return after seven years of tribulation on the earth, but there is no 'Rapture' before the Tribulation. We will not be whisked away just as trouble and persecution reach our shores. I think in your heart you know this, but you are desperately trying to believe in it anyway, and this is why you struggle with fear.
When you try to believe in one thing while the Spirit is telling your heart differently, it makes you off balance spiritually and more prone to the attacks of the enemy. When you understand that it is God's design for Christians to go through the Tribulation, then the things He has been trying to impress upon your heart, to prepare you, will make sense.
Back to the issue of forced vaccinations--I really don't want one, and I don't want a tracking device on me. But, not because I am afraid of that. For most of my life I feared the things that were to come, but now that they are at the doorstep, the Lord has given me peace and boldness. I am just a hermit-like person who prefers privacy. I will not take the vaccination, unless I have to. But if I have to, I will--and it will not harm me.
That is not my personal 'line in the sand'. However, as a society, I believe we should continue to fight such things, when they are unfounded. But, the thing is, sooner or later, there will be a legitimately good reason for such measures. And, when that time arrives, we would be foolish to stand in the way.
I think it is important that we continue to remain sane and rational, because if hysteria takes hold we will lose all credibility. Fear becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
We talk about living by faith, but how will you live in faith tomorrow if you can't live by faith today? Start practicing now!!
National Health Care ID Card . . . 'The Mark Of The Beast'?
'The Mark Of The Beast': Characteristics
2010 Census Questions
I'm not going to link you to that video. Let me tell you why. I was not too concerned when I first started watching, and the Lord impressed upon me, simultaneously, two things:
- The incident that Paul had when bitten by a viper (Acts 28:5-6: 'But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.' Of course he wasn't a god, but this shows how lethal the venom of that viper was).
- ' And these signs shall accompany them that believe: . . . and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them . . .' (Mark 16:17-18)
With the video came a spirit of fear.
Now, what is in the video may be true--or not. And I'm not saying the motive behind it was to engender fear, because I believe that is a strategy and tool of Satan. But, he is working in concert with things like this. There is a lot of hysteria developing, and that hysteria will have repercussions. As Christians, we should be the sanest, calmest people in the room. We should understand what is happening, and why.
The Lord promises us not 'a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind', and 'you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear . . .' This should reaffirm to you that fear is a bondage, and this type of fear is not from God.
Now, I can understand if you are afraid, but let God take your fear away and replace it with strength and boldness. He has done it for many of us already. He will give you the grace to go through whatever comes your way.
There is one other point I want to make briefly, but cover in greater depth soon: The Rapture.
Yes, Christ will return after seven years of tribulation on the earth, but there is no 'Rapture' before the Tribulation. We will not be whisked away just as trouble and persecution reach our shores. I think in your heart you know this, but you are desperately trying to believe in it anyway, and this is why you struggle with fear.
When you try to believe in one thing while the Spirit is telling your heart differently, it makes you off balance spiritually and more prone to the attacks of the enemy. When you understand that it is God's design for Christians to go through the Tribulation, then the things He has been trying to impress upon your heart, to prepare you, will make sense.
Back to the issue of forced vaccinations--I really don't want one, and I don't want a tracking device on me. But, not because I am afraid of that. For most of my life I feared the things that were to come, but now that they are at the doorstep, the Lord has given me peace and boldness. I am just a hermit-like person who prefers privacy. I will not take the vaccination, unless I have to. But if I have to, I will--and it will not harm me.
That is not my personal 'line in the sand'. However, as a society, I believe we should continue to fight such things, when they are unfounded. But, the thing is, sooner or later, there will be a legitimately good reason for such measures. And, when that time arrives, we would be foolish to stand in the way.
I think it is important that we continue to remain sane and rational, because if hysteria takes hold we will lose all credibility. Fear becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
We talk about living by faith, but how will you live in faith tomorrow if you can't live by faith today? Start practicing now!!
National Health Care ID Card . . . 'The Mark Of The Beast'?
'The Mark Of The Beast': Characteristics
2010 Census Questions
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The Witness (Oh yes . . . Part 4)
(Continued from Part 3, 'Novus Ordo Seclorum')
What a great responsibility we have! We are one of the few countries where the people have the power of governing themselves! We are one of the few, and probably the best equipped, to delay and frustrate the plans of the antichrist in setting up his government! The date he will take the throne of world government has not been set. The American people may be the only ones who can delay it--by standing up for our rights and refusing to give up our rights to govern ourselves! We can not stop what God has said will happen, but we don't have to allow it to happen here, now!
God has entrusted us with much and much will be required of us. We--individual Americans--have a grave responsibility, not just for ourselves, but for freedom loving people all over the world,to resist! How disappointed God will be--after giving us such great natural resources, inspired founding documents and direction, prosperity, freedom, and understanding--if we squander it and allow the world to be taken captive by the antichrist!
I believe America's whole foundation & existence was divinely ordained to put an obstacle in the way of Satan's plan at this very point in time! I believe we are called to use our freedom &; constitutionally guaranteed rights to resist and expose the truth about Satan's plan to the world, at this very hour, while we still have those rights! This is the fulfillment of Christ's words in Matthew 24:14:
'And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.'
That is us, American believers! And each of us now has the freedom & the tools to preach the gospel to people throughout the entire world, from the comforts of home! We can be at the forefront of this great mission!
I believe the words 'for a witness' hold special significance. I believe this means that we, while the events spoken of in the end times prophecies are unfolding, will be explaining them to people throughout the world, and sharing the gospel message! No one will be able to say they didn't understand what was happening, and who was its author, if we do what we have been divinely inspired to do--in this very hour! Our message will be the 'witness' to them whereby they will later be judged as to whether they understood what they were participating in!
Don't be mistaken though, if you answer the call, you will likely give your life in the process. You will likely be one of the 'multitude in white robes' who were martyred during the 'time of great tribulation' for spreading the word of God and the testimony/witness of the meaning of the events that are unfolding.
The first of the seven seals (written about in the book of Revelation, Holy Bible) has been opened. The four horsemen of the apocalypse are being released (invisible spiritual beings, empowered by God to pour out His judgment upon an unrepentant world).
The rider on the white horse has been loosed upon the world, bent on conquest. This is not a conquest of war and bloodshed, but it is a subjugation, a seizure of freedom from those that resist, and a seduction to those willing to surrender.
The other three horsemen will soon follow. Be on the watch for the second (he causes men to kill each other-don't assume it just means in the context of war), the third (food prices will skyrocket-it will cost an average day's wages for a loaf of bread), and the fourth (death--by weapons, famine, plague & wild animal attacks).
This is a warning to you of some of the dangers America is now facing from within while, simultaneously, God's judgment is starting to be poured out on the earth. Most people are unaware that America is under siege from within, and will soon be attacked from outside as well. We are surrounded by enemies! Our only hope is in God. Repent and pray for His intervention and deliverance!
(Separate blogs will explain the dangers mounting against us from our enemies outside our borders, what prophecies say will happen to America, and whether there is any hope for us.)
The Drunken Whore
What a great responsibility we have! We are one of the few countries where the people have the power of governing themselves! We are one of the few, and probably the best equipped, to delay and frustrate the plans of the antichrist in setting up his government! The date he will take the throne of world government has not been set. The American people may be the only ones who can delay it--by standing up for our rights and refusing to give up our rights to govern ourselves! We can not stop what God has said will happen, but we don't have to allow it to happen here, now!
God has entrusted us with much and much will be required of us. We--individual Americans--have a grave responsibility, not just for ourselves, but for freedom loving people all over the world,to resist! How disappointed God will be--after giving us such great natural resources, inspired founding documents and direction, prosperity, freedom, and understanding--if we squander it and allow the world to be taken captive by the antichrist!
I believe America's whole foundation & existence was divinely ordained to put an obstacle in the way of Satan's plan at this very point in time! I believe we are called to use our freedom &; constitutionally guaranteed rights to resist and expose the truth about Satan's plan to the world, at this very hour, while we still have those rights! This is the fulfillment of Christ's words in Matthew 24:14:
'And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.'
That is us, American believers! And each of us now has the freedom & the tools to preach the gospel to people throughout the entire world, from the comforts of home! We can be at the forefront of this great mission!
I believe the words 'for a witness' hold special significance. I believe this means that we, while the events spoken of in the end times prophecies are unfolding, will be explaining them to people throughout the world, and sharing the gospel message! No one will be able to say they didn't understand what was happening, and who was its author, if we do what we have been divinely inspired to do--in this very hour! Our message will be the 'witness' to them whereby they will later be judged as to whether they understood what they were participating in!
Don't be mistaken though, if you answer the call, you will likely give your life in the process. You will likely be one of the 'multitude in white robes' who were martyred during the 'time of great tribulation' for spreading the word of God and the testimony/witness of the meaning of the events that are unfolding.
The first of the seven seals (written about in the book of Revelation, Holy Bible) has been opened. The four horsemen of the apocalypse are being released (invisible spiritual beings, empowered by God to pour out His judgment upon an unrepentant world).
The rider on the white horse has been loosed upon the world, bent on conquest. This is not a conquest of war and bloodshed, but it is a subjugation, a seizure of freedom from those that resist, and a seduction to those willing to surrender.
The other three horsemen will soon follow. Be on the watch for the second (he causes men to kill each other-don't assume it just means in the context of war), the third (food prices will skyrocket-it will cost an average day's wages for a loaf of bread), and the fourth (death--by weapons, famine, plague & wild animal attacks).
This is a warning to you of some of the dangers America is now facing from within while, simultaneously, God's judgment is starting to be poured out on the earth. Most people are unaware that America is under siege from within, and will soon be attacked from outside as well. We are surrounded by enemies! Our only hope is in God. Repent and pray for His intervention and deliverance!
(Separate blogs will explain the dangers mounting against us from our enemies outside our borders, what prophecies say will happen to America, and whether there is any hope for us.)
The Drunken Whore
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