Absorb Me

There are times when I feel quite alone in this world. That's when I reach for you. You are always there by my side. You comfort me when I am afraid. You encourage me when I feel unworthy. You remind me that I am loved, seemingly saying, "Hold me, open me, absorb me."

There have been times when my eyes have become weary from examining you and I simply draw you to my chest, close my eyes and drift off to sleep. There is nothing I enjoy more than spending time with You - reading your Word.

Your Word comforts me. It truly does. I can be depressed or sad but picking up my Bible and reading certain verses always lifts me up.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." - Psalm 119:105

"Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31

"May my cry come before you, LORD; give me understanding according to your word." - Psalm 119:169

Few people on earth can comfort us the way God can through His written word. Our biggest problem as a people group is that we don't spend enough time reading it. We don't make enough of an effort to apply it to our lives either.

Many times I have found myself watching the news or some movie on television and suddenly stop and ask myself, "What am I doing?"

"How is this honoring God right now?"

That's usually when I pick up the remote, turn off the world, and begin reading my Bible. It doesn't take long before I am in a better place - a different world - where God is all around me and I feel like I am home.

Maybe I'm weird. Maybe? Probably. But it just feels right when I am immersed in my reading. It's like I am becoming part of the book itself. I'm not reading myself into any of the characters in the Bible but it's like I am there with them - a witness through my reading.

So many of life's problems can be put in their place simply by knowing God's truths. They comfort us in times of trouble. They truly are a light unto our path.

Thy Word - A Mullett Family Video

The Corona Prophecy?

I'm no Biblical scholar, that's for sure. But when I came across Jeremiah 19 in my reading yesterday I couldn't help but think that what I was reading was meant for us during this time of viruses and death. Read it for yourself and tell me if you don't agree.

I'm not going to copy and paste the entire chapter here. There's a link at the end. But I will write down all of the verses I underlined in my Bible. You tell me if this doesn't apply to this time we are going through right now.

Verse 3: "Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will bring such a catastrophe on this place, that whoever hears of it, his ears will tingle."

Verse 4, 5 and 6: “Because they have forsaken Me . . . and have filled this place with the blood of the innocents . . . which I did not command or speak, nor did it come into My mind . . . that this place shall . . . be called . . . the Valley of Slaughter."

Verse 8: "I will make this city desolate and a hissing; everyone who passes by it will be astonished and hiss because of all its plagues."

Verse 15: ““Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will bring on this city and on all her towns all the doom that I have pronounced against it, because they have stiffened their necks that they might not hear My words.’ ”

Yes, I have cherry-picked some verses here but as I read the text of Jeremiah 19 I couldn't help but think about the Covid-19 situation in our world right now. Are we in the midst of a catastrophe (verse3)? Yes. Have we forsaken God (verse 4)? and slaughtered the innocent (also verse 4) through abortion of our young? Yes.

Are cities being made desolate because of the plague (verse 8)? Yes. Have you seen the pictures of all the empty streets lately? And we all know what caused it. the plague of the Covid-19 virus. And who brought the plague? Could God done this as a warning. Why?

"because they have stiffened their necks that they might not hear My words.’ ” (verse 15)

In my opinion, the time for repentance is now. Last call for the freedom train! Like I said, I'm not a prophet or biblical scholar but I do read the Bible and I do know the characteristics of God. The entire Bible is about Him you know. He HAS done something like this virus thing before. The Old Testament is full of examples.

Does God change? No. Does His nature change? No.

Well?

Whether this virus is of God or not, I do not know. But I do know this: Jesus will return one day. I don't know what that day is either. But I know that when He DOES return we should be found ready. And that is our question. Are we ready? Is Jesus Lord of your life? If He is then this last passage of scripture should bring you hope.

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14

The Sign Of The Broken Flask

Underline This!

Do you underline verses in your Bible? Or use a highlighter to mark your favorite passages? Which chapters are filled with the most ink in YOUR Bible?

Psalms is a good book. Proverbs, John, Romans - I think I've underlined something in every book in the Bible. And then there's Isaiah. Oh my, what a book!

If you are looking for things to underline check out the Book of Isaiah. Specifically the 53rd chapter. Half of the lines found in chapter 53 are underlined in my Bible. Here's an example:

"Surely he took up our pain
    and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
    stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
    each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all." - Isaiah 53:4-6

Amazing words! Especially when one considers that Isaiah was talking about Jesus' crucifixion . . . 700 years before Jesus was even born! It's a prophecy!

Here are some more words to underline in your Bible:

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever." - Psalm 23

Those to are good words, worthy of remembering.

Here's a fun little test you can give yourself. It's an indicator to see if God's words are underlined in your heart and in your soul.

We are going through a tough stretch right now. There's lots of stuff going on. As a Christian this is actually a very exciting time. Why? Because the Lord is drawing near. Are you ready? Here's your test.

Question #1 - Are you nervous and worried about what's to come in the world?
Question #2 - Are you afraid of the future and what it might bring?
Question #3 - Is Jesus your Lord and Savior?

If your answer to Question #3 for you was 'yes', the answers to Questions #1 and #2 had better have been 'no'. If they were not, you should re-read Psalm 23 again and retake the test.

Jesus has promised that He will never leave us, He has told us that He loves us, and He has told us that He WILL return. He has told us in The Bible what the signs of His coming will be. They are happening right now.

Are you ready?

A Mother's Eyes

It has been said that "eyes are the windows to the soul." That couldn't be more true than for mothers whose children are sick or hurting.

One of the many blessings that God has given me is to serve the people of our community each month at Ruby's Pantry. People from all over Central Wisconsin to come to Waupaca to get some groceries for their families.

My volunteer job is to pre-register all of our visitors - most of them are mothers trying to provide for their families. My job might sound like a frightfully boring thing to most people but it has been a blessing and a privilege to be able to look into the eyes of ALL comers and to be able to ask them questions about important things. Life, family, God.

Some people are pretty good at hiding their emotions and some are actually fine and smiling, but the eyes of a mother who has a struggling or hungry child are the most wide open "windows of the soul" I have ever seen.

This past Saturday I was able to talk with a mom who, just one year ago, was seeking prayers for her struggling children. We prayed together for her family on a very cold day last February. This year the mom came up to me in the parking lot and told me about her children. All were doing fine. One had even received a promotion at her job.

"Wasn't it just a year ago we were praying for these children who are now so doing well? God is good!" I asked. Answered prayer.

Another mom was there picking up food for her daughter-in-law who was working and couldn't attend. Another was there because she had just been laid of from her job. But the most powerful conversation I had in the parking lot was with a mom who couldn't find formula for her young son.

I have seen lots of pictures on Facebook of people hoarding supplies when this virus hit - toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, - but I have not seen any pictures of people hoarding baby food. Yet, shelves in grocery stores are more lean than normal these days. Innocent children, suffering, has got to be my number one hot-button issue.

We had no baby formula that day. We never do actually. But what we DID have plenty of was caring people volunteering their time, and an abundance of prayer. All people in need of prayer were prayed for, whether they knew it or not.

God provides for His children. It not always what they want but it's usually exactly what they NEED. These are trying times to be sure. If you are trying to get through this virus thing on your own I wish you well. Wouldn't it be better to walk with someone who has promised to never leave you or forsake you?

God lifts us up on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31)! He restores our soul Psalm 23:3)! He gives us peace (John 14:27)! His Word is a lamp unto our feet (Psalm 119:105), a very present help in danger (Psalm 46:1).

Doesn't that sound like something we all NEED right now? If you don't have a relationship with God, if you have never met Jesus on your own personal road to Damascus, this is a great time to do so. SO, what are you waiting for? Talk to Him! It's easy, yet it may be the hardest thing you've ever done.

Tell Him you're sorry for ignoring Him, apologize for your sin and seek His forgiveness. He will do both of those things for you but you MUST ask. And then follow Him. Learn from Him. He is a wonderful teacher, and He loves you.

Make your faith and salvation the best thing to come out of this virus situation we are in. Then, you can look back on this time of strife in our world, and smile.

"If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." - Romans 10:9-10

Go Freely

I saw some advice from Martin Luther this past week. Written in 1527 as the world faced a deadly outbreak of bubonic plague, it seemed like pretty sound advice to me so I shall repeat it here and follow it later as I volunteer at the Ruby's Pantry food distribution later this morning.

"I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence.

If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me, and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.” - Martin Luther

“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." - Matthew 24:45-46

It is wise to use precautions while this virus surrounds us but we are also Christians. We are not to have a spirit of fear. Therefore, when there is a need, we should act, if it can be done in Jesus' name. Otherwise, what good is our faith?

Be safe out there. And serve The Lord.

A Spirit of Fear

I'd like to expand on my post from this past Saturday regarding fear. I have a theory you see. Or maybe it's simply a summation of thoughts, based on scripture and some eye witness testimony. Either way, I have come to a conclusion about this whole COVID -19 panic thing and many will not like it.

The first verse that pops into my head about this topic is, "God did not give us a spirit of fear." - 2 Timothy 1:7. I used the verse in a story last week about fear but I didn't ask the obvious question. In light of all of the panic-buying of supplies and the stock market crashing, if God did not give us a spirit of fear, who did? Who is responsible? Ponder that for a moment.

Here's another verse in my theory. "If you're not for us, you're against us." - Matthew 12:30, Luke 11:23. Who is the one person who is against God and would want to give us a spirit of fear? Satan. He is also the answer to my first question.

If Satan wants to instill fear in us how could he do that? Sickness? Panic? And how could he spread the fear that he wants to give us? The media and . . . here's where I am going to get myself into trouble . . . the "Democratic" Party. Or, as one of my friends likes to call them, the DEMON-crats.

Back when I was a kid the Democrats were really quite different from the Democratic party of today. JFK, Bobby Kennedy. I LOVED Bobby Kennedy! So what has happened to them? I think it was satanic in nature. And here's why.

Shortly after Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in 1968 there was a court case called Roe v Wade. It was determined at that time that it was legal for a woman to abort her pregnancy, killing the baby growing inside her. That was the beginning of the end for the left - in my opinion. They became TOO liberal - in God's eyes.

Since that day things in this country have been getting worse, to the point where we are today. We have minimized God and maximized ourselves and our wants. We are even killing babys OUTSIDE of the womb now. Which brings to mind another verse.

"He must increase, but I must decrease." - John 3:30

We are placing ourselves on a pedestal. You know, the one where God used to be? We are living the exact opposite of those words from John The Baptist. That leads to THIS verse.

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3You shall have no other gods before Me." - Exodus 20:3

We the people . . . have become our own gods.

I assemble all these verses and I watch the news and ask, "How can all this be?" Read the Book of Job, specifically chapter two, and see if you can find any similarities to today's world. I believe God is allowing our current decay, even this corona thing, because of our sin.

This is not a political war we are waging. It is a spiritual war. A war for the souls of man. Spiritual warfare, in case you haven't heard about it, is a really big thing. ANd many don't even know it's happening.

The media and the Democratic Party are merchants of fear. It's how they get all of their money and their power. Fear. Everything they pedal is fear. That is also how Satan gets HIS power. Coincidence?

The world will end in 12 years, say the Green New Dealers, if we don't end global warming now! The stock market dropped a thousand points the other day and three thousand on Monday all on FEAR of the coronavirus. Why? The media's non-stop coverage carries some responsibility. 90% of all media coverage of our current president, for example, is negative according to the Western Journal.

What ever happened to the Democratic Party and guys like JFK who said, "My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." Gone. SO who are these new Democrats? You tell me.

Satan is running things here in this world. He has been for quite a while. But you know what? I think God has had just about enough. And he's coming back to take all of His people away with Him. That is the hope we have as Christians. Our hope is not in THIS world, but in the Next.

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air (Satan), the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh a and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." -Ephesians 2:1-5

There is an event in the Bible where all of the Christians get taken up to heaven to be with Jesus. My pastor tells me that it can occur at any time now. Just imagine what this place will be like without all the compassion and love that Christians and Christian organizations bring to it. It's not going to be pretty. No Compassion International, Samaritan's Purse, Heifer International, Lutheran World Relief, The Salvation Army just to name a few. And don't forget Hobby Lobby and Chic-fil-A!!

There is a 100% cure for the Coronavirus - repent! God has given us the answer in His Word.

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles  7:14

Prayer is our key weapon in this spiritual war we are fighting. We cannot change people's minds or hearts with our words. But God can. So we must be praying. Jesus Himself gave us something to think about in Matthew 24 when He talks about all of this. Please read it, and so, be prepared.

Matthew 24:30-51

Thanks for listening (reading). These are troubled times. Be in prayer. Exhibit God's grace to ALl people. The time is short. Look up, for your redemption is drawing near.

Spiritual Warfare (Part 1) - Alistair Begg
Spiritual Warfare (Part 2) - Alistair Begg
Powerful Repentance Prayer - Ravi Zacharias

You Lift Me Up

It's interesting how God knows exactly when we need to be lifted up. He sometimes nudges someone to say or do something and, when it happens, you just KNOW it was Him. That happened to me this past week. Right when I needed it most.

I always check Facebook before going to bed, just to make sure everything was okay with those I love. It wasn't. The daughter of a friend of mine had been raped last fall and she was making her increasingly obvious pregnancy public. I was devastated.

I had seen this girl grow up in our church. We went on a mission trip together. And now . . . I had a hard time falling asleep to say the least. So much compassion for her, so much prayer.

The following day my emotions were a weird combination of both angry and sad. Not wanting to say or do anything. Just stare. That's when I received a message from a friend.

"Hey," the message read, "I've got something to tell you. You're amazing. God bless you."

What? How did this person know that I needed to be cheered up? The answer, I believe, is that they didn't know. But God did.

"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31

God is simply amazing. Just when you think you've got Him figured out, He impresses you even more with His love and compassion. He gives us friends and family to love and who love us right back. Often when we really need it the most.

Psalm 91 (On Eagle's Wings) - Shane and Shane

Why So Afraid?

When we are afraid of something we have a tendency to withdraw from it, like a little kitten hiding from a big, bad dog. We all seem to be a little afraid these days. Are you?

Everybody seems afraid of everything lately. People are panic-buying toilet paper and hand sanitizer. It's crazy! Events are being canceled all over the place. Why?

Because we might catch something from somebody. Yes, it is true that people are dying from the dreaded coronavirus. But people also die from the flu every day and from driving their car the wrong way on the freeway. Why does this particular thing, this one thing, have us so frightened?

That's easy. It's the media and the politically correct culture we live in that has bred and is nurturing our fears. We're afraid that someone might be offended. We're afraid that someone might get elected again. We're afraid that there might be the slightest possibility we could get sick so we stay at home in our little hermetically-sealed boxes. We only poke our little heads out after the bullies are gone.

The real problem behind this whole panic situation, I believe, is our lack of faith in God. We have been paying the price for our sinful disobedience ever since we started pulling Him out of our schools and killing innocent babies.

"So the Lord sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. 16When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord relented concerning the disaster and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.” The angel of the Lord was then at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

17When David saw the angel who was striking down the people, he said to the Lord, “I have sinned; I, the shepherd, have done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Let your hand fall on me and my family.” - 2 Samuel 24:15-17

This "plague" will come to an end, just like all of the others before it did. I believe we could make it end sooner by repenting and turning to God like David did but we won't. We will then undergo another plague, and another, until God gets our attention. We're simply too busy thinking that we can do things all by ourselves. And that's precisely the problem.

So, am I afraid of catching the virus? Not really. If it happens, it happens. I have no fear because God told us that we are not to be afraid. Numerous times! Yes, I still wash my hands. Yes, I sneeze into my elbow. But I am not afraid.

So, why all this panic? Why are we afraid? That is a question you will have to answer for yourself. I have already answered it and no longer live in fear. Won't you please join me? You'll be glad you did.

"for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." - 2 Timothy 1:7

Panic Buying At Costco

Bribing The Judge

Do you think it is wrong to bribe a judge? Yes, or no? Would it help if I told you that bribery is against the law? So, why do people still try to do it? Why do "Christians" still try to do it?

If you ask people if they think they are good enough to get into heaven, a great number of them will answer "yes." If you press them a bit they will site the good deeds they have done.

"All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away." - Isaiah 64:6

There is NOTHING we can do the EARN our way into heaven. PERIOD. Yet many religions have a works-based component to them. Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, even Catholicism. All these have things you must, or can, do to increase your chances of getting into heaven.

Christianity is different. The Apostle Paul says is best in his letter to the church in Ephesus.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -  9not by works, so that no one can boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9

When Jesus died on the cross He said, "It is finished." (John 19:28). JESUS did the work, not us.

That said, we were created FOR good works. Our works determine our reward (Romans 2:6-11, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 20:12) but it does NOT get us into heaven!

"And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books." - Revelation 20:12

Doing works, to earn our way into heaven, means that Jesus' work was somehow insufficient or not quite good enough. We would be trying to bribe the judge (God).

Robert E. Parsons, associate professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University recently answered the question, "What is the role of grace in LDS (Mormon) theology?" (Ensign, July 1989 p. 59-61). He asked, "Are we saved through Christ's grace by merely confessing him as our Savior? Or are we saved through his grace after doing all we can -- both in confessing his name and in keeping his commandments?" He then proceeds by answering his question. "Both reason and scripture loudly proclaim the latter...."

In other words Mormon salvations is by grace . . . AND works.

As always, my favorite example of grace is the thief on the cross next to Jesus. He did no good works at all, only bad. Yet, he repented and recognized Jesus as God. Do you remember what Jesus told him?

"Today you will be with me in paradise."

What Are Meritorious Works In Catholicism? - GotQuestions.org

The Angel of Death

"The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts." - Revelation 9:20-21

All you have to do is watch the news these past few months to see how a plague can spread across the planet. The novel coronavirus is hardly a plague of biblical proportions, but we can easily see how world-wide death can happen.

The sixth angel mentioned in Revelation 9 will be assigned the task of killing one third of the earth's population. And he WILL accomplish that task. It will not be a good time to be alive.

There IS a way to escape the coming wrath of God, if you are still alive at that time. Become a Christian. Believe in Jesus and you will be saved. It's pretty simple. Yet people have a hard time committing to a life-altering move like that. So they wait. They postpone. One day however, it will be too late.

Of course people will say, "I don't believe in all that Bible stuff." Well, not believing in something doesn't make a truth disappear. It's going to happen, whether you believe in it or not.

Christians will not be around to see the devastation left behind by God's righteous acts of judgement. Jesus will remove us all before the end takes place.

I watched The Book of Eli movie this past weekend. It is a violent and often graphic depiction of a post-apocalyptic world. I imagine it to be a pretty accurate representation of a post-rapture society as well - everyone doing what he wishes. Almost like today!

This will not be a place for doing much "living." We will just be surviving when the end comes. If you haven't chosen Christ yet there's still time. But these last days ARE coming to an end . . . and the angel of death WILL make an appearance . . . whether you believe in Jesus or not.

If you haven't already, I hope you come to an amazing, active faith in Christ. There is such calm that awaits in knowing that all of our sins have been forgiven. And peace, everlasting peace, awaits those who trust in Jesus.

Not trusting in Christ has everlasting consequences as well. Your move.

Movie Trailer - The Book of Eli
Eli's Final Prayer - The Book of Eli

Now We Are Free

The battle you are waging right now - do you look forward to its end? Even the fiercest of warriors long for times of peace - when they can finally be free.

I spent Friday morning without any technology. No television, no computer, maybe a little phone time but that's about it. It was nice. A welcome break from all the "news" and political slop.

I look forward to the time when there will be no more tears or suffering and we all can live in peace. No arguments, no more enemies, no more sin. Peace from ALL battles. We will finally be free.

As I was visiting with a friend Friday morning, I was reminded of the story of Moses and battle that was being fought against the Amalekites. It was a tough fight. Back and forth. But Moses, with the help of his friends, won the day. They literally held him up in battle.

"The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”

So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up - one on one side, one on the other - so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword." - Exodus 17: 8-13

When we fight our battles in this life it can often feel hopeless. The enemy can seem so powerful. That's when we need to remember one thing. God has promised to never leave or forsake us. He has promised to "lift us up on wings like eagles" (Isaiah 40:31).

So lift up your hands! Engage the enemy. He is powerless against almighty God! And should your arms get weak, should you grow weary my friends, call on the name of The Lord! You will prevail!! Not because of YOUR strength, but because of His.

Blessed be the name of the Lord!!

Now We Are Free - Two Cellos

The Wilderness

If you have ever felt alone, you know what I'm about to say. You've been there. Maybe you ARE still there right now. No worries.

My wife and I were watching a show this week about a guy who spent 30 years living alone in the wilderness. Not a lifestyle that's for everybody, that's for sure, but he seemed to enjoy it.

I got thinking about what that would be like, living alone like that, and I have decided I never would have made it. Living alone for short periods of time is okay - even desirable sometimes. But 30 years?

God said, "It is not right for man to be alone" (Gen 2:18) and I think He's right. No, I KNOW He's right. God is NEVER wrong. Remember that.

So, why do we feel so alone sometimes? Sometimes it is a choice, subconscious maybe, but it is a choice. The guy in the picture didn't want to live with people anymore. He got tired of them. He made a choice.

Sometimes however aloneness is forced upon us, or so it seems. Why? Why am I alone when I don't want to be? Maybe the love of your life was ripped from you and you are feeling so very alone. Why? If God created me for a relationship, why did He take me best relationship from me? You have probably asked God that very question. What was His answer? Did you wait for it?

I wonder, when we are alone, is it actually OUR choice to be that way? Do we get tired of the dating scene, disappointing humans, and being hurt? Maybe. It's also possible that we simply get tired of waiting. We just give up looking. Hoping. Again, we have made a choice.

We were created for relationships - Adam . . .and Eve. God created them for each other. So, where is our Adam? Where is our Eve? Oh, they are out there. And if they ARE indeed out there, why have we stopped searching for them?

Hope is an amazing thing. Hope is why I get excited thinking about the life after this one. It is why we get up in the morning. It is why we seek God. There MUST be something out there. If not, why do we hope?

Whatever your situation is right now, if you have hope you HAVE a future. Maybe living in the wilderness is enjoyable to you. That's fine. But if you enjoy relationship and you are currently alone maybe this will give you what you need this morning:

Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;

    my cause is disregarded by my God”?

28 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,

    and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary

    and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,

    and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:27-31

Trust in God. "He WILL give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4). That is a promise. Be one who trusts in the Lord, no matter how long it takes.

Trust, Hope, Praise.

Fisherman

This young man just witnessed something we rarely get to see these days - a miracle of God. And what was his response? Well, he fell down on his knees and worshipped. What will WE do when we encounter the one true God face-to-face?

That's a hard question to answer I guess. It all really depends on what He means to us when we meet Him.

There are many of us believe in Him right now without having actually seen Him. We have only heard about Him. Yet somehow we have been drawn to Him. It is the Holy Spirit calling us. Still, many will not believe in Him even though they have heard all about Him their whole lives. Remember Thomas? DOUBTING Thomas?

"Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” - John 20:24-29

If you believe, you are blessed. That should help you get your Monday off to a pretty good start. YOU! You have been blessed by God!

I encourage you to watch the following video. You will see a man change right before your eyes from a non-believing frustrated fisherman to a worshipping on his knees disciple of Jesus Christ. It's worth the watch.

The Miracle of The Fish - 'The Chosen' Movie