I Want You!

"For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." - Mathew 24:24

Hmm. "Even the elect." Who are "the elect?" Was there an actual election? No. Not in the sense of a politican election.They (we) are those who have been chosen (elected) by God.

Simply put, the “elect of God” are those whom God has predestined to salvation. They are called the “elect” because that word denotes the concept of choosing. - Gotquestions.org

If you believe on God, if you believe in Jesus, His Son, that He died and rose again, and you have received the Holy Spirit, congratulations! You are one of the elect! The Church!

God elected to choose YOU to be one of His children!

"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." - John 1:12-13

That's wonderful news! But there IS a sad aspect to all this. Some people have NOT been chosen. Some people will simply just never come to faith in Christ. And that is indeed sad.

Getting back to the Matthew 24:24 verse, it is a warning, from Jesus, not to be deceived. But the verse is also an encouragement. Things will get bad, but the elect will make it through.

Through what? Struggles? Persecution? The Tribulation?

I think it's just the first two. I believe in a pre-tribulation rapture of God's church - the elect. Why?

"For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Thessalonians 5:9

I don't know about you but, I for one am grateful to be one of the elect. The alternative is not good.

The Obedient Servant

"You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe - and tremble!" - James 2:19

We can say we believe in God, but as James points out, 'even the demons believe.' So what makes us any different than them?

I believe it is our desire to be obedient servants to Him and follow His commands. That is not the desire of demons, although demons and unclean spirits ultimately do submit to God's authority.

The real question for the believer is not 'do you believe' but, do we obey God's commands? You can get the idea when Jesus asked this question:

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?" - Luke 6:46

If we claim to be followers of Christ, shouldn't we be keeping His commands?

As an example, God, in His Ten Commandments, said, "Thou shalt not kill." Numerous times God also exclaims in the Old Testament that He hates the shedding of innocent blood. Yet many Christians are pro-choice when it comes to aborting a human life in the womb. Are they truly Christians then? Are they obedient to God's commands?

We MUST be obedient! Otherwise we cannot claim to be disciples - followers of Christ.

There is a Greek word that appears in the Bible - 'dulous'. It means slave. Here is the word in a sentence.

"Well done, good and faithful 'dulous.'"- Matthew 25:23

Are we slaves of Jesus? Are we slaves of the One True God?

We should be.

Now I See

When I was young, I thought like a child. Now that I am old, I still think like a child but I have had enough sense not to act on everything I think about.

I heard the condition described like this: You can't keep a bird from flying over your head, but you can keep it from building a nest in your hair.

I have learned enough life lessons in my growing up years to the point where I question nearly everything I do, before I do it.

That's where phrases like 'look before you leap' and 'think ahead' come from. Jesus tells us to 'examine the cost' in Luke 14:28. In the Book of Acts we read about the Bereans who "examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.' (Acts 17: 11)

When I was a child, God was the last thing I thought about. I was only interested in what I wanted to do and think. Now, God consumes almost ALL of my thinking and doing. So, what happened?

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me." - 1 Corinthians 13:11

Simply saying 'I grew up' doesn't answer the question. 'I matured' doesn't do it either. The answer to 'what changed' can be found in John 9, verse 25.

"One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

How does someone, who was blind since birth, know he is blind unless someone tells him? And when that person suddenly sees, does he or she ever want to return to his or her blindness? No!

We who have been given the gift of spiritual sight, the Holy Spirit, would we ever want to return the gift? No!

So, what do we do then? How should we respond to such a wonderful gift? 

First and foremost, we should praise God! Second, we should go and tell others the wonderous things that God has done for us. Third, we should live and act in such a way that people will know whose we are simply by observing us.

No one's perfect, aside from God. But we can try to reflect God's love and grace to all that we meet.

In God We Trust

Really?

Do we really trust in God as a nation? As individuals? As a church?

Read the Book of Jeremiah, or any other Old Testament book. God's people keep wandering off and worshipping other gods (small 'g'). Things are no different today.

Example: During the Covid-19 pandemic, did our leaders humble themselves and pray to God? Did we repent of our sins as a nation, stop killing our babies, and stop worshipping the god of same sex relationships?

No.

Instead we relied on ourselves and our own means for help. According to what I read in the Bible, if we had prayed to God as a nation, He would have relented and stopped the plague ling before so many died.

Do we really trust in God? Where is our president, leading us in prayer for the nation? Where are the prayers of repentance? And would they do any good?

God has a breaking point. A time when He has had enough. Remembet The Flood? I believe we have passed that point and are in a time of punishment.

Here is an excerpt from the Book of Jeremiah. I have modified the city and country names to apply to this nation.

"America has broken the covenant I made with their ancestors. Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘I will bring on them a disaster they cannot escape. Although they cry out to me, I will not listen to them. The towns of New York and Los Angeles and the people of Washington D.C.will go and cry out to the gods to whom they burn incense, but they will not help them at all when disaster strikes." - Jeremiah 11:10-12

We need to ask ourselves, "Would Joe Biden humble himself, repent, and pray for forgiveness?" I doubt it. Neither would Trump, Pelosi, or McConnell.

Why not? Pride, greed, and the love of power and reliance on self. Those are all sins in God's eyes, but we just can't stop ourselves.

Perhaps our nation's motto should be changed to more accurately reflect our sinful nature.

"In Self We Trust"

There is hope though. God told us the cure for what ails this once-great nation. ANY nation.

"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

The problem is not an unwilling God, it is an unwilling and unrepentant people. 

False Prophets

"When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him." - Deuteronomy 12:8

This was God telling Moses how to recognize a false prophet. We can use a similar criteria to recognize the false teachers of today.

If a pastor says something that does not align with The Bible, they are a false teacher. Why? Because the Bible is true. It is God's Word. And God cannot lie.

Here's a partial list of today's false teachers:

Benny Hinn, Joel & Victoria Osteen, Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Jessie Duplantis, Joyce Meyer, Kenneth Hagin, Creflo Dollar, Paula White, Larry Huch, Myles Munroe, Jan & Paul Crouch, Fredrick Price, Mike Murdock, John Crowder, John Hagee, Sid Roth, Rod Parsley, and Rob Bell.

Example of false teaching: "You see, Jesus was a man until God touched him, and put the spirit of the living God on the inside of him." - Victoria Osteen

Is that true? No. Jesus IS God. He always was God, from the very beginning.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." - Hebrews 13:8

We can know who false teachers are by KNOWING God's Word and comparing the two.

When the disciples asked Jesus what would be the sign of His coming and of the end of the age (Matthew 24:3). Jesus said this:

“Watch out that no one deceives you." - Matthew 24:4

Are you being deceived?

I encourage you to watch the following video. And read the Bible. Don't be deceived. That was a command from Jesus, not a suggestion. 

False Teachers Exposed - Justin Peters 

Breakwater

Having God as our protector and our strength is like a breakwater protecting a harbor. Life can be crashing against us, but with Jesus as our center and focus, all is calm.

On our recent trip to Michigan, my wife and I walked out to Big Red - the lighthouse at the end of the breakwater in Manistique.

I was struck by the contrast in the waves. On the lake side, waves were hitting the large rocks that line the breakwater and splashing up on top, often getting us wet.

On the otherside however, all was calm. There were no waves at all.

The world is a crazy place to live in right now. We see horrific examples of violence and lawlessness in our cities. How can these things be?

There is great peace to be found by placing our faith and hope in Christ. We must steer our "ship" into the safe harbor of Jesus. He is our safety and our strength.

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower (or a breakwater); the righteous run into it and are safe." - Proverbs 18:10

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." - Psalm 46:1

"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him." - Nahum 1:7

The picture shows an example of our choice in life. The left picture represents a life with Jesus. The right picture represents a life without Him. It's your choice.

Another thing about the picture. It has been edited in such a way as to make it appear like it is a path to some ultimate destination. Again, there is a choice involved. We can choose a life with or without Christ. Down below, or up above.

Right Here Waiting

This is the 1500th story I have written for this blog. I wasn't 100% sure what I was going to write about until I heard this song.

My wife and I were driving through the Michigan countryside near Charlevoix when we dropped a CD in the car's player. And there it was - my topic for today.

The words of the chorus particularly caught my attention. They fit perfectly as I thought about God calling His people to Himself.

Wherever you go, whatever you do,
I will be right here waiting for you.
Whatever it takes or how my heart breaks,
I will be right here waiting for you.

Doesn't that sound like God speaking?

No. No, it doesn't.

The following is what God sounds like when He talks to His disobedient children, which is what we are. This, through the prophet Isaiah:

"Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations - I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.

Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals
I hate with all my being.
They have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them.

When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
I am not listening.
Your hands are full of blood!" - Isaiah 1:13:15

Well. That message certainly won't be heard on Sunday morning, unless you have a faithful, obedient pastor. 

There is no sin too great that God cannot forgive it. God loves ALL of His children and wishes that none would perish. BUT God requires repentance and obedience. Without those things AND an unwavering faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, God will slam the doors of heaven in your pretty little face.

If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, if you believe that Jesus died and rose again, you WILL be saved. If that is you, go back and read those words from Richard Marx's song again. 

NOW, they will ring true for you. Thanks be to God for His amazing grace!

Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx

Growing Up

Each year at this time, family members travel to a small town in central lower Michigan. It's family reunion time!

It's interesting to watch the children interact - a small microcosm of American society. Some are wild, while others are more reserved. Some are little schemers, trying to get their way. Then they pout when they don't succeed.

In contrast, there are other children who show respect for their elders and are polite in their ways. These gems honor their parents and are polite in their actions.

So what causes the difference? What happened in their upbringing to cause such a noticable divergence? Discipline? Maturity? Rebuke? 

Yes! All of the above.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6

My wife recently observed how much like our parents she and I have become. She's right. We learn a lot about life and respect for others, or just the opposite, by observing our parents and mimicking their behavior.

In today's world we see lawlessness becoming more and more prevalent. The percentage of our population professing faith in Jesus is on the decline. Coincidence?  Or cause and effect?

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." - 2 Timothy 3:16

Could it be that, as the percentage of Christians declines, so does our society?

The proof is in our bigger cities, where criminals commit their crimes and then are released back into society with little or no punishment. Without rebuke, without punishment 'and justice for all, ' we deteriorate as a society. God knows all of this.

"A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke." - Proverbs 13:1

The Bible gives us all of the instruction we need as parents to 'raise up our children in the way they should go.' Our problem is that we parents are not obedient to our Father in heaven.

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts." - James 4:7-8

Testify

Have you ever spoken to someone about your faith in Jesus? A lot of people are afraid to do it because they think they'll screw it up. Don't concern yourself. Here's a tip.

Don't worry about verses or theology. Those are good and important things but just tell them what Jesus has done in YOUR life. It's your testimony. Testify!

Testify - to express or declare a strong belief, especially to make a declaration of faith.

That's the official definition. Here are a few examples of people in the Bible who shared THEIR testimony with someone else.

"So he (Jesus) replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor." - Luke 7:22

Jesus instructed John's disciples to go back and testify about what they had seen and heard. 

Here's another example of how Jesus aants us to testify to others about Him - the woman at the well.

"Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” - John 4:27-29

Jesus wants us to tell others about Him. He wants us to testify about the things God has done for us. 

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," - 1 Peter 3:15

What has God done for YOU?

The Lion King?

I have never watched The Lion King movie but maybe I should. It seems to me that the basic premise of the film follows pretty closely to the pattern we see in the world today.

I saw a Facebook post this morning that asked, "Remember in The Lion King when Scar cheated to win the title as king? And the pride land was overrun with hyenas? And all the lions lost everything they had built and maintained?" Of course! The Lion King movie perfectly lines up with all of the corruption so prevalent in our country and world today.

But I'm not talking about politics. Scar is not Biden and Simba is not Donald Trump. Zoom out and take a heaven's eye view of this movie. Scar is Satan. Simba is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Did you know that the Lion King movie is 28 years old? It is! But the plot of the story is a lot older than that. We're talking thousands of years.

There once was a wonderful kingdom. Everything was peaceful and right in the world. But then sin entered into the picture and things got bad. The inhabitants of the land needed someone to lead them, to fight for them, and to save them from the evil that had fallen upon them.

His name was Simba! Or is it Jesus? The answer depends on where you get your truth from - Hollywood? Or The Bible.

I wonder......did Disney know they made such a wonderful Christian film? I doubt it. But I'm glad they made the movie. Shhh. Don't let Hollywood know. Christian movies actually make millions!! And I wonder why. Could it be because people are desperately seeking the truth.

Interpreting Dreams

Have you ever had a dream that was SO REAL that you thought it was actually happening? Maybe it was SO scary that you got up to check that all your doors were locked. Or maybe it was so wonderful that you didn't want the dream to end. Where do those dreams come from? And why do we have them? Are they from God?

People in the Bible had dreams. They were often really abstract and needed someone to interpret them. Are all dreams that come from God that hard to understand? And how do we really know that they are from God, and not the result of last night's dinner?

When I have a dream that really gets my attention, I often act on it in some way. I might read my Bible when I get up and see if any of the verses carry new meaning due to that dream.

If there are people in the dream I might send them a message to see how they are doing. And I will definitely pray for them.

God spoke to Joseph, Abraham's son in a dream (Genesis 37:5-10). He also spoke Joseph, Mary's husband, about the birth of Jesus (Matthew 2:12-22). Peter also had a dream from God (Acts 2:17). These were all great people in biblical history. But what about you and me?

It's hard to say. I do know THIS though: God can do anything. And whatever He does will never contradict His Word.

When someone appears to us in a dream, that person should at least be prayed for, in detail and at length. And if prayer is all that ever comes from our dreams, that's fine, because we have acted in a positive, God-honoring way.

"He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream." - Numbers 12:6

May our dreams lead to God-honoring actions, wherever they come from. Honoring God, even when we are asleep, is a good indicator of our heart's true content.

My Refuge

As we watch the happenings in the world these days, it's easy to get dicouraged or disheartened. I find that my heart is, more and more, preparing itself for what I believe is to come. The soon return of Jesus.

It hurts me to say this but, I don't think that there is any hope for America, or the world for that matter. Our depravity will only get worse, in my opinion. That is a sad thing for me to admit that.

That's how I was feeling when I picked up my Bible yesterday morning. After reading one chapter, I found my hope restored and lifted up. Go grab your Bible and let's read Psalm 91 together. (There's a link at the bottom of this story).

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." - Psalm 91:1

Do you trust in God? To you 'dwell' in Him? Could you use some 'rest' in your life? Do you live your life FOR Him? If you do, you WILL find the rest you need.

"I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” - Psalm 91:2

Do we trust God? And I mean REALLY trust Him? Are you sure?

Verse 9 has an amazing promise.

"If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent." - Psalm 91:9-10

Wow! Are you feeling better yet? Let's finish with this reassurance: 

"Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation." - Psalm 91:14-16

My hope is found in Jesus. Not in anything that man can do in this world. I pray that you would place your hope and trust in Him as well. I pray that you would find rest for your souls and that you will see His salvation.

Next month is September, the month when, I believe, the rapture of the church will occur. I'm not sure of the year but I always get excited for Rosh Hashanah. This year the Feast of Trumpets is September 25-27.

Is the Lord YOUR refuge?

Psalm 91

The Sting

Nothing gets a parent's attention faster than a painful scream from one of their children. Instinct kicks in and the parent charges into whatever it is that's hurting their child. Last Thursday night it was a nest of ground bees.

There was no deliberation on the part of the parent. There was no thinking, "Maybe this would be a good life lesson" or "Let me pray about it before I pull Johnny out of the nest." Nope. Only action, And without regard for self on the parent's part either.

We react. That can be either good or bad. For example, when my little brother was still in diapers, he came walking out of the kitchen carrying a knife. By the sharp end. My sister reacted swiftly and yanked the knife out of his hand. Medic!

Reaction is something that is instinctive. We can't help it. So, how do we react when someone attacks us because of our beliefs? Do we react? Or do we think or pray about it before we speak?

Life lessons are important for all of us to learn. Sometimes those lessons sting. Would you run into a nest of bees to save your beliefs from being attacked? Are we ready to act quickly and in love when someone challenges our faith?

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." - 1 Peter 3:15-16

My young friend who got stung by bees this week was grateful that his father reacted quickly, the father sacrificing his own safety to rescue his son. May we react just as quickly when someone attacks our faith. Not for OUR sake, but for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

The Wrong Question

If God is all powerful, then why doesn't He feed the poor? Why doesn't He stop all the wars? We're asking the wrong question.

Of course, God could stop all of the wars and end hunger. He's God! The REAL question is "why don't WE?"

The first verse that comes to my mind about this topic was when Jesus said, "The poor you will always have with you." - Matthew 26:11. Why? Why will we ALWAYS have the poor with us? It's because WE are the ones who are supposed to care for them. WE are the ones who are failing to feed the hungry.

Of course, Jesus is really talking about the 'spiritually' poor. And Jesus was right. They have always been with us.

The statement "the poor you will always have with you" is an all-knowing God knowing that we will never accomplish what He wants us to do, because of our sinful nature. Our desire for our own material possessions and 'looking out for number one' outweighs our desire to help and to love others.

A better question should be "Lord, what can I do to help the poor?" To feed the hungry. To cloth the naked.

Lord, show me what you would have me do. Lord, teach me, that I might use my knowledge to feed those who are hungry, house those who have no home, to clothe those who are naked.

We keep asking all of the wrong questions. We have the capability and financial resources to do everything God wants us to do, but we don't. It's not God we should be questioning. It is ourselves and our own free will decisions.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ - Matthew 25:34-40