BLINDED MINDS CANNOT SEE

I hope the picture grabbed your attention. I first saw this picture about one year ago and was stunned to see the reality of what we have always referred to as a one world government displayed before the eyes of the whole world.

The people in the photograph are Ms. Condoleezza Rice, Mr. Koffi Annan and the man on the right is Mr. Javier Solana.

I cannot name with certainty the fourth person who is on the left.

I believe his name is Romano Pradi. If so then he is the man who is the Chief European Union Administrator.

Ms. Rice is Secretary of State of the United States.

Mr. Annan was at the time of the picture the President of the United Nations, and Mr. Solana is Director of Foreign Policy for the European Union.

The main purpose of a gathering like this is to promote the Road map to Peace which is a document that insists that there must be a Palestinian state along side of Israel.

It also, if confirmed will guarantee the peace of the nation of Israel, while as yet the length of the peace is negotiable.

There are other peace proposals, but the Road map to Peace is the one that seems to be preferred by the major powers of the earth.

There will be a time when the government of the world will be dictated by one man or entity which we refer to as anti-Christ.

It can happen quickly, the picture is proof of that.

We must be prepared and we must warn others, His immanent return is the great hope of Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.

Let us review a few of the signs of the times concerning the end of the gentile age and the rapture of the Church.

Look at the following verses of scripture and see if they do not ring true with the happenings of the world of today.

This first one is very evident, there are many of the Church of today who claim that His coming is not immanent or that there will be no secret rapture or calling away of His bride.

2 Peter 3:3-4 . Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts. And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.

There have always been wars, earthquakes and famines but never with the intensity and frequency that we see today.

The major war being fought at this time is not nation against nation, but a clash of cultures that oppose each other, one, which promises heaven if you murder others as you make yourself a martyr.

One which promises heaven only if you accept the blood atonement of one named Christ the Son of God.

Mark 13:8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

Matthew 24:6 And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

The major problem with any peace in the Middle East is the city of Jerusalem, it is the city of David, it is the city claimed by Muhammad, and one day the Christ will rule from His throne in that city.

All sides desire it. Only one will have it.

Zechariah 12:3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

An army will soon gather to destroy the nation of Israel and to capture Jerusalem.

Psalms 83:4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

It is the continual rhetoric spewed by the likes of the President of Iran, the Ayatollahs, and the Wahhabiists of Saudi Arabia.

They hate the very thought of Israel.

A form of government will soon arise that will attempt to force every human to accept it as sovereign above God Almighty.

Revelation 13:16-18 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man, and the number is Six hundred threescore and six.

The picture in this article says enough, it comes gradually, and then swallows the world suddenly.

 

 

WANNA BE RICH?

 

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE RICH ?

King Solomon the richest man of his day, declared that whenever God blesses people He makes them rich: The blessing of the Lord it makes rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it,” (Proverbs 10:22)

The Hebrew word for rich (ashar) means to “accumulate”; and God gives this wealth without excessive troubles.

When men of the world acquire wealth, they come with the sorrow of excessive toil, anxieties, conflicts, and often wrongdoing and guilt.

But when God makes a person wealthy, they are free from all this heavy and harmful baggage. His riches are given by grace and just labors.

The Bible repeatedly shows God blessing His people with worldly goods, and it persistently points us to a higher ground.

It could be said in this manner “The blessing of the Lord, it makes rich….” or “To be blessed by the Lord is to be truly rich and untroubled at heart.”

Indeed to have Gods personal favor and blessing on ones soul makes one truly, eternally wealthy, the enviable owner of a rare peace and sense of fulfillment that money cannot buy, people cannot steal, and time will not corrupt.

Jesus spoke to the church of Laodicea, who were very wealthy in the terms that the world understands, as being poor: “ thou art….poor” (Revelation 3:17).

Yet He informed the Smyrnan believers who were materially destitute and were under intense persecution, that they were rich: “I know thy…poverty (but thou art rich) (Revelation 2:9.)

Why would He call these poor Christians rich ?

By being eternally wealthy Jesus knew true riches.

In His treasure chest He had accumulated riches such as this:

The accurate knowledge of Gods character, ways, and judgments: tested, proven faith in Gods faithfulness ; favor with God; sweet fellowship in and with Gods people; eyes to see the worlds deception; ears to hear the Holy Spirit speaking; senses that detect Gods guidance and warnings of satans diversions; penetrating insight into Gods Word; a revelation of Gods plan for Himself, Gods people, and the world; wisdom, or the ability to make right decisions; and a humble, God fearing heart.

Whenever bestowed, the true “blessings of the Lord” makes the believers “rich” in theses priceless treasures. They are true riches.

When God blessed men with large accumulations of wealth in the Old Testament, He never did so without making them spiritually rich.

He did this by testing them over every material possession (and relationship) that they had.

And test by test, choice by choice, they proved to Him in real life action that , unlike the rich young ruler of Jesus day, that they would choose to put their relationship with Him and a quest for eternal riches first.

In fiery trials God opened their eyes to see what real riches were.

And they never again idolized or clamored for material wealth, though in His generosity God delighted to “give them richly all things to enjoy”.

The only things they claimed as wealth was a right standing with God, and let their worldly riches come and go as God decreed.

What a great example these saints should be to us.

Do you want to be rich, as they were?

Good.

Jesus wants you to be rich also, in the blessings of the Lord.

“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in fire, that thou mayest be rich” (Revelation 3:18)

Understand true riches, seek after the One True God, desire only His will, let Him use you for His glory, and He will bestow them on you

TRUTH THAT WE DO NOT KNOW

TRUTH THAT YOU DO NOT KNOW CANNOT HELP YOU

Satan is a liar and he will sometimes use men to advance his lies.

One of the lies of satan uses man to propagate is “That you are just too busy to study the Word of God, which is your Bible.”

The liar knows this without doubt, “The more truth that you know, the more likely it is that the knowledge of the truth that you know, will work to set you free.”

The Word of God says this about itself thru the Psalmist: “I have more understanding than all of my teachers; for thy testimonies are my meditation.” Psalm 119:99

In the recorded Word is all that we need to know about God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

In it is every detailed instruction that humanity needs to be successful in this life and in eternity.

It without fail describes what God declares to be true and faithful, there is no need for extra-biblical revelation.

The Holy Spirit will never speak into any man a revelation that is contrary to the word of God.

The Apostle Paul to Timothy,

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings; for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” 2 Timothy 2:15-16

In it Gods plan of salvation is revealed.

In it are the stories of the struggles and success of others that will help us make sound decisions.

No, Pastor, teacher, evangelist, prophet, or bishop, can ever communicate to us all that we need to know.

That is one of the reasons that we need to study the word of God for ourselves, with total dependency upon the Holy Spirit to help us understand what we need for the moment.

1 Timothy 4 :13 “ Till I come give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”

Jesus said that “ Thy word is truth…’ John 17:17

The Psalmist said “Thy word is a lamp..” Psalm 119:105

“Thy word have I hidden in my heart, so that I might not sin against you..” Psalm 119:11

And continues to say over and over about the Word of the Lord.

It is His precept (rule, instruction, or principal) that is considered as instruction, as proof and as doctrine.

Precepts: in Psalms 103:18 and Psalm 105:45 and Psalm 111:7-10 and in Psalms 119:4,5,27,40,45,56,63,69,78,87,93,94,100,110,128,134,141,159,168,173.

The great servant and Prophet Daniel said this concerning the times of his generation:

“We have sinned and committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments.” Daniel 9:5

Eyewitness accounts were recorded by the written word so that we can believe in the validity of scripture.

“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we make known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” 2 Peter 1:16

When we know the word we can understand the intent of the inspiration given by the Holy Spirit to men who would record in the written word that which God has spoken into their hearts ,

“ Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scriptures is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not  in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1: 20-21

It is Gods word given to man as instruction, it is not mans word about what man thinks in the vanity of his mind.

It is not what man thinks, it is what God says and will defend.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction, in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

WHO IS HE TO YOU?

The Christ posed a question to those who followed Him during his earthly ministry.

That question found in (Matthew 16:12-14) was who do men say that I am.

The question then was changed to become more personal in the manner of who do you say that I am?

A very pertinent question indeed.

 It doesn’t matter in our lives what we have been told of Jesus Christ in the form of stories, through songs, by going to our little bible studies, and hearing every twisted form of rationalization that man can formulate on the matter of what to say about Christ at just the right moment.

 The question posed in its purest form is who do you personally believe the Christ to be.

 Is He an innocent baby in some crib, is He an all tolerant aberration, or is He truly the payment of sin on your behalf and the only hope of the resurrection in your very soul?

Consider carefully for all of eternity weighs in the balance…….

TAKE TIME TODAY TO PRAY

PROMISES OF PRAYER

Many people are uncomfortable in prayer for varied reasons.

Some have never learned to pray or to talk to an unseen entity.

Some feel uncomfortable asking for help or guidance from someone else, simply because they have failed to give full control of their lives over to the one who created them.

Some have had bad or disappointing experiences concerning Gods promises as related to them by overzealous people.

While the following topics are not in any manner complete, they can bring understanding and council of many matters involving prayer.

We can approach God boldly through Jesus, our high priest, who understands our needs.

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

We should cast all of our anxiety on the Lord.

“Humble yourself therefore under the mighty hand of God, the he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

We should pray instead of worrying.

“Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be make known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

Pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances.

“Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

Pray in faith.

“If any of your lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraided not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” James 1:5-7

Pray for healing.

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual and fervent prayer of a righteous man availed much.” James 5:16

The prayer of the righteous is powerful.

See also James 5:16

Dare to pray for great things as Elijah prayed.

“Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. An he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

James 5:17-18

God will give us guidance if we ask for it.

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3

God hears and answers our prayer; he is near to his children.

“The eves of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.

The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivered them out of all their troubles.

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.’ Psalm 34:15-18

Trusting God to answer prayer does not mean inactivity.

“Nevertheless we made our prayer unto God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.” Nehemiah 4:9

There are often times in prayer when as a human no words or thoughts that we can compose seem sufficient to relay our concerns and the desires of our inner beings, we become undone and unsure; that in itself is not such a bad thing because it is then that the Holy Spirit can intercede if we will allow Him to.

At times the Blessed Holy Spirit will pray for those things that we do not understand.

“But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:25-27

The primary thing to remember in prayer is that God desires for us to talk with Him, and it is His great pleasure to hear those that come to Him only in the name of Jesus.

John 14:13-14

Thought for Today

Here is a thought. I hope it speaks something into your life.

If we want to experience the power of  the Lion,

we must bow with fear and trembling before the Lamb.

ref:   Revelation 5:5

        John 1:36

EXHIBITED CHANGE

Whenever a person claim to be saved or born again, we must ask ourselves is there any fruit being exhibited in the life of the one who makes the claim.

Too many people will say that they have a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, yet there is never a moment in their lives in which they exhibit a change in lifestyle, attitude,or public conduct.

If they do not change publicly, you can be assured that there has been no private change.

In the Book of Luke ch 6 vs. 43-49  Jesus make  statement about those who name Him as Lord yet do not change.

"Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not the things which I say?  Luke 6:46

Simplified it is this, "No Jesus, means no change."

 While to "Know Jesus, means to know change."