PSALMS: ISRAEL'S HYMNAL!

THE FOCUS OF ISRAEL'S HYMN BOOK, THE BOOK OF PSALMS

IS THAT WE TRUST IN THE LORD!

Psalm 2:12 - Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.

Psalm 4:5 - Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

Psalm 5:11 - But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice:  let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them:  let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee.

Psalm 7:1 - O Lord my God, in Thee do I put my trust:  save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me.

Psalm 9:10 - And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee:  for Thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee.

Psalm 11:1 - In the LORD put I my trust: How say Ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to Your mountain?

Psalm 13:5 - But I have trusted in Thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation.

Psalm 16:1 - Preserve me, O God: for in Thee do I put my trust.

Psalm 17:7 - Show Thy marvellous lovingkindness, O Thou that savest by Thy right hand them which put their trust in Thee from those that rise up against them.

Psalm 18:2, 30 - The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. . . . As for God, His way is perfect:  the Word of the LORD is tried:  He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.

Psalm 20:7 - Some trust in chariots, and some in horses:  but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Psalm 21:7 - For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.

Psalm 22:4, 5, 8 - Our fathers trusted in Thee:  they trusted, and Thou didst deliver them. . . . They cried unto Thee, and were delivered:  they trusted in Thee, and were not confounded. . . . He trusted on the LORD that He would deliver him:  let Him deliver Him, seeing He delighted in Him.

Psalm 25:2, 20 - O my God, I trust in Thee:  let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. . . . O keep my soul, and deliver me:  let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in Thee.

Psalm 26:1 - Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity:  I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.

Psalm 28:7 - The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him.

THERE ARE FIFTY MORE VERSES IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS WHICH ENCOURAGE US TO TRUST IN THE LORD!  FIFTY! 

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU SHOULD DO?

DIFFERENT FOLKS HAVE DIFFERENT TASTES!

 LIFE IS INTERESTING!

I have written over four thousand posts on this blog, and, thankfully, few receive a negative response.  I believe the main reasons are two:  first, I honestly believe the Lord directs my thinking (at least most of thetime); and secondly, ninety-plus percent are entirely compilations of a doctrinal teaching from the Word of God, and are therefore totally written using Scripture.  I have found that when I add something to the material, it becomes less of God's Word and is somewhat tainted by mine.  Those truly interested in reading what is posted have, for the most part, been appreciative of my showing my Bible references supporting the idea being discussed.  

Much to my surprise, a woman said she occasionally read my blog, and that she preferred those in which I wrote a story, personal struggles, personal background, etc.  I love her dearly as she is a relative of mine, and I wish I had this thought while we were still on the phone:  those things focus upon me, and the purpose of my blog is to focus upon Jesus; she and I could tell stories, share biographical details, or whatever, on the phone or in person.  However, as is usually the case with a seventy-eight year old brain, it was hours later that the thought arrived!  

That all being said, I would like to close with a short passage of Scripture that describes life on earth just prior to the Rapture (the pre-tribulational removal of believers in Christ).  You will likely recognized it as what is happening today in our nation!

2 TIMOTHY 3:1-5

[1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

AN OLD SAYING THAT APPLIES WHEN WE FEEL HELPLESS!

GOD IS IN CONTROL:

TRUST HIM TO DO HIS WORK

HE WILL LET YOU KNOW

IF HE WANTS YOUR HELP! 

ALL EXPERIENCE THE CHANGE THAT IS DEATH?

 ENOCH DID NOT DIE!

Genesis 5:18-24 - [18]And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch:  [19] And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:  [20] And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.  [21] And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:  [22] And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:  [23] And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:  [24] And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Hebrews 11:5-6 - [5] By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.  [6] But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

ELIJAH DID NOT DIE!

2 Kings 2:1-12 - [1] And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.  [2] And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.  [3] And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.  [4] And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.  [5] And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.  [6] And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.  [7] And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.  [8] And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. [9] And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.  [10] And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. [11] And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.  [12] And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.

BUT THE WORD SAYS ALL DIE!

Genesis 3:19 - In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Job 30:23 - For I know that Thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.

Ecclesiastes 3:20 - All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

Hebrews 9:27 - And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment....

WHAT ABOUT THE RAPTURE?

1 Corinthians 15:50-53 - [50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.  [51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

THEREFORE, I BELIEVE THE TWO WITNESSES OF REVELATION ELEVEN ARE ENOCH, PREACHING TO LOST GENTILES, AND ELIJAH, PREACHING TO LOST JEWS.  THE CHURCH HAS ALREADY BEEN CHANGED AND GONE TO HEAVEN!

SEEKING THE FREE GIFT OF CHRIST'S LIKENESS!

YOU ARE TO SEEK WHAT YOU DO NOT HAVE!

Matthew 6:33 - ...seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness....

Note:  Righteousness is the state of perfection necessary to have fellowship with God.  It is the state of being He created mankind to possess.  What fellowship does light have with darkness.  Paul wrote it this way:  2 Corinthians 6:14 - Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:  for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?  And what communion hath light with darkness?

HOW DOES ONE GET GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS?

Romans 4:3-5 - For what saith the Scripture?  Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace (not counted as a gift), but of debt.  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Note:  Grace is, in this text, an unearnable, unmerited, free gift; it is given due to the character of the giver, and not the worthiness of the recipient.

 

WHAT JUSTIFIES GOD'S PARDON AND

DECLARATION A SINNER IS RIGHTEOUS?

John 3:16-18 - For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.  He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the Only Begotten Son of God.

Romans 5:6-8 - For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die:  yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  But God commendeth (demonstrated) His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 - And all things are of God, Who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation.  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.  For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God (by faith) in Him.

WE NEED GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS 

TO  SPEND ETERNITY WITH HIM!

PUT YOUR TRUST IN JESUS TODAY!!!

THE LIFE-LONG PROCESS OF BECOMING LIKE GOD!

 IT IS GOD WHO IS YOUR CREATOR!

Genesis 1:26-27 - And God said, Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.  So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.

Jeremiah 1:5 - Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Ephesians 3:9 - And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.

GOD IS YOUR POTTER; HE MOLD YOU!

Romans 9:21 - Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

John 3:6-8 - That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  The wind bloweth where it listeth (it wills), and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Philippians 1:6 - Being confident of this very thing, that He Who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 13:20-21 - Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen.

WHEN HE IS FINISHED, YOU WILL BE LIKE HIM!

1 John 3:1-2 - Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons (children) of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.  Beloved, now are we the sons (children) of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:  but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.

ARE YOU WILLING TO TRUST HIM WITH YOUR LIFE?  ACCEPT JESUS AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR TODAY!

GOD IS A GOD OF LAST CHANCES!

 GOD'S LAST MESSAGE TO THE TARES IN THE CHURCHES

BEFORE THE RAPTURE!

Revelation 2:5, 16, 21-22 - [5] Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.  [16] Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.  [21-22] And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.  Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

Revelation 3:3, 19 - [3] Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.  [19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

GOD'S LAST MESSAGE TO THE LOST

BEFORE THE SECOND COMING!

Revelation 9:20-21 - [20-21] And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:  neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Revelation 16:9, 11 - [9] And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give Him glory.  [11] And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

THE NEXT TIME JESUS COMES, IT WILL BE FOR HIS BELIEVERS;

SEVEN YEARS LATER, HE WILL BE COMING FOR HIS KINGDOM!

FIGURING OUT THE END-TIME CLOCK!

THE RAPTURE (REMOVEAL) OF THE CHURCH!

John 14:1-3 - Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 - For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, Who delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.  For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede; go before) them which are asleep.  For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:  and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 - For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

THE WRATH OF GOD BEGINS!

 DANIEL'S SEVENTIETH WEEK OF YEARS!

Daniel 9:24-27 - Seventy weeks (of years) are determined upon thy people (Israel) and upon thy holy city (Jerusalem), to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks (of years), and threescore and two weeks (of years): the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.  And after threescore and two weeks (of years) shall Messiah be cut off (crucified), but not for Himself:  and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary (the people were the Romans in A.D. 70; the prince that shall come is the Antichrist, leader of the Revised Roman Empire); and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.  And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (seven years): and in the midst of the week (half way through the seven year covenant) he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

THE MIDST OF THE SEVEN-YEAR COVENANT!

Time, Times, and a half Time (A Time = One Year)

Daniel 7:25 - And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws:  and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Daniel 12:7 - And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by Him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

Revelation 12:14 - And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

Forty-two Months

Revelation 11:2 - But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

Revelation 13:5 - And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 

One Thousand, Two Hundred Sixty Days

Revelation 11:3 - And I will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Revelation 12:6 - And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

REGARDLESS HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE RAPTURE, YOU HAD BETTER BE HIS DISCIPLE WHEN HE COMES!

JESUS AND YOU!

THE WORDS OF JESUS!

Luke 23:33-38 - And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors (criminals; evil-doers), one on the right hand, and the other on the left.  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted His raiment, and cast lots.  And the people stood beholding.  And the rulers also with them derided Him, saying, He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He be Christ, the chosen of God.  And the soldiers also mocked Him, coming to Him, and offering Him vinegar, and saying, If You are the king of the Jews, save Yourself.  And a superscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

THE ACTION OF JESUS!

2 Corinthians 5:14-21 - For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if One died for all, then were all dead:  And that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him Who died for them, and rose again.  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh:  yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we Him no more.  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, Who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the Word of reconciliation.  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be reconciled to God.  For He has made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

OUR JOB:  BELIEVE!

Romans 10:9-13 (My Version) - ...IF you will confess with your mouth your faith in the Lord Jesus, and truly believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.  For with the heart man believes and is declared righteous by God; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture says, Whosoever believes in Him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek (non-Jew; Gentile):  for the same Lord is over all and is rich unto all who call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

NO HUMAN BEING IS GOOD ENOUGH!

SALVATION IS A FREE GIFT TO BELIEVERS!

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace* are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast.

Note:  * "Grace" is undeserved, unearnable, unmerited favor; it is rooted in the love of the giver and in spite of the receiver.

EXAMPLES OF SINNERS NEEDING GRACE!

Genesis 6:5-8 - And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  And it repented the LORD (it grieved the LORD) that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart.  And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Me (grieves Me) that I have made them.  But NOAH found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Luke 1:26-28 - And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.  And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, you that are highly favored (from the Greek root xaris, most often translated grace; it means to be made acceptable in Ephesians 1:6; notice Mary herself call her child her Savior in verse 47!), the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women.

IF NOAH AND MARY NEEDED GOD'S GRACE

PROVIDED BY A SAVIOR;  DON'T YOU?

THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, WHOSOEVER SHALL

CALL UPON THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED!

CALL NOW WHILE THERE IS STILL TIME!

AN OFFER WRITTEN TO WHOMSOEVER!

 ROMANS 10:9-13 AS I SEE IT!

IF you willingly confess with your mouth your faith in the Lord Jesus, and genuinely believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.  For with the heart man believes and he is declared by God to have His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21);  and with the mouth, confession of faith in Him is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture says, Whosoever believes in Him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek (non-Jew; Gentile): for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

IF YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS,

YOU CANNOT HELP BUT

TELL OTHERS ABOUT HIM!

THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT ON THE SAVED AND THE LOST!

THE NEW BIRTH IS THE WORK OF GOD! 

John 3:1-2 - There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:  the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God:  for no man can do these miracles that You do, except God be with him.

John 3:3 - Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:4 - Nicodemus said unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old?  Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

John 3:5-8 - Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water (the "water" of the womb, a physical birth) and of the Spirit (of the Holy Spirit), he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again.  The wind blows where it listeth (it wills, wants, chooses) and you hear the sound thereof, but can not tell whence it cometh (from where it comes), and whither it goeth (and where it goes): so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD!

Acts 5:1-2 - But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Acts 5:3-4 - But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit), and to keep back part of the price of the land?

[4] While it remained, was it not your own?  And after it was sold, was it not in your own power?  Why have you conceived this thing in your heart?  You have not lied unto men, but unto God.

THE HOLY SPIRIT AS THE COMFORTER!

John 14:16-20 - And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; Whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, neither knows Him:  but you know Him; for He dwells with you, and shall be in you.  I will not leave you comfortless:  I will come to you.  Yet a little while, and the world sees Me no more; but you see Me:  because I live, you shall live also.

[20] At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

THE HOLY SPIRIT AS CONVICTER!

John 16:7-11 - Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.  And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  of sin, because they believe not on Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

ONE QUESTION:

ARE YOU LED BY THE SPIRIT,

OR ARE YOU CONVICTED OF

YOUR LIFESTYLE BY HIM?

A SOURCE FOR YOU WHEN WE ARE GONE!

 I HONESTLY BELIEVE BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS ARE DUE TO BE REMOVED BY JESUS AT ANY SECOND.  THAT BEING SAID, THERE WILL BE A LOT OF "CHURCH MEMBERS" AND OTHERS WHO WILL BE LEFT BEHIND.  BELOW IS A LISTING OF MATERIALS THAT WILL HELP YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR WORLD IS EXPERIENCING:

Literature Ministry

We have hundreds of literature items which range in size from short doctrinal studies to Bible studies which are more than 100 pages in length.  We have numerous booklets on various subjects.  We have hundreds of Sunday School lessons for children and adults.

Most of our literature is also available on this web site.  But if you would like to have our literature in printed form, at a very reasonable cost, please let us know.  We make no profit from our literature sales and we send you this literature at our cost.   For example, a hundred page set of our New Believer Worksheets costs only $1.00!  

Literature List [PDF Format]  -This is a catalog of all our our literature, including Sunday School Materials, Doctrinal Worksheets, Bible study materials, doctrinal studies on various topics, tools for evangelism, studies for new believers & papers/booklets on modern issues.

 

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MY LAST, DESPARATE CALL TO TRUST CHRIST!

ROMANS 10:8-13

But what does the Scripture say?  The Word is near you, even in your own mouth, and in your own heart:  that is, the Word of faith, which we preach; that if you willingly confess with your mouth your faith in the Lord Jesus, and truly believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.  For with the heart man believes unto righteousness;  and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture says, Whosoever believes in Him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek (non-Jew; Gentile): for the same Lord over all is rich unto all who call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

JESUS IS COMING BACK FOR BELIEVERS VERY SOON; ARE YOU ONE FOR WHOM HE IS COMING?  ALL IT TAKES IS FOR YOU TO BELIEVE HE DIED FOR YOUR SINS AND THAT HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD TO BE YOUR SAVIOR AND YOUR LORD!  DO YOU?  I HOPE SO!

NOTHING HAS REALLY CHANGED!

AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH AND LOT!

GOD'S SOLLUTION:  UP AND OUT!

Luke 17:24-30 - For as the lightning, that lightens out of the one part under heaven, shines unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in His day.  But first must He suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.  And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man (continually wicked - Gen. 6:5).  They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.  Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.  Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed (homosexuals - Gen 19:5).

AS IT IS TODAY!

2 Timothy 3:1-5 - This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

GOD'S SOLLUTION:  UP AND OUT!

John 14:1-3 - Let not your heart be troubled:  you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.  For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep.  For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:  and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:  and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

ONLY THOSE WHO TRUST THE LORD

WILL ESCAPE GOD'S WRATH BELOW!

HAVE MISSED A FEW DAYS - SORRY!

 After not missing writing my blog for years, apparently I am not invincible!  I woke up Sunday morning and was having trouble breathing.  It has taken two rides is the most uncomfortable ambulance ever made and an equally diabolical emergency room bed to convince me I would rather simply die at home.  I have slept more in the past four days than I have in any four weeks over the last several years.  

Thanks to the one or two of you who have noticed, as your silent thoughts and prayers have not hindered my sleep.  HaHa.  Anyway, I don't feel very spiritual today so I will make this short and sweet:  Jesus is still Creator; Judge; Sacrifice; Resurrected, Ascended, and coming again soon!  He is the virgin born Son of Man and Son of God, and we will be like Him when we see Him.  Yah!  No more sin, hypocrisy, fear, etc. - we will be just like Him!  Until then, keep lookin' up for our redeemer draweth neigh!!!!!!!                     

Signed your brother in Christ, Skip

OUR RELATIONSHIP RESTORED WITH GOD, BY GOD!

THE GOSPEL: THE POWER TO SAVE!

Romans 1:16-17 - For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ:  for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (non-Jew; Gentile).  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:  as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

THE GOSPEL MESSAGE SUMMED UP!

1 Corinthians 15:1-6 - Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand; by which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:  and that He was seen by Peter, then by the twelve:  after that, He was seen by more than five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present day, but some have died.

SALVATION IS A FREE GIFT FROM GOD!

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace (unmerited; unearnable favor) are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast.

THE TRIBULATION IS FOR ISRAEL, NOT THE CHURCH!

 1.  DANIEL 9:24-27 - NOTICE IT ADDRESSES DANIEL'S PEOPLE:

      "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people (Israel) and upon thy holy city (Jerusalem), to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy (Israel's Messiah).  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.  And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off (Crucified), but not for Himself:  and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary (Rome fulfilled this in A.D. 70); and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.  And he (antichrist; the beast of Revelation 13:1-10) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (the seven-year tribulation; Danie's Seventieth Week; the Time of Jacob's Trouble): and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."

2.  JEREMIAH 30:7 - THE TIME OF JACOB'S TROUBLE:

       "Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's (Israel's) trouble; but he shall be saved out of it."

3.  REVELATION CH. 2 - 3:  THE CHURCH IS MENTIONED IN THESE TWO CHAPTERS BUT NOT MENTIONED IN THE CHAPTERS DESCRIBING ISRAEL'S TRIBULATION PERIOD (CHAPTERS 6 - 19)!

4.  THE REMOVAL OF THE CHURCH, VIA THE RAPTURE, WHICH OCCURS PRIOR TO THE TRIBULATION, IS REVEALED IN JOHN 14:1-3; 1 CORINTHIANS 15:50-54; 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18; AND REVELATION 4:1.

THE REMOVAL OF BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS!

 JESUS PROMISED TO RETURN FOR BELIEVERS!

John 14:1-3 - Let not your heart be troubled:  you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

PAUL DESCRIBED HOW THAT WOULD OCCUR!

1 Corinthians 15:50-55 - Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption.  Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is your sting?  O grave, where is your victory?

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so they also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.  For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede; go before) those who are asleep.  For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:  and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

EVEN JESUS DIDN'T KNOW WHEN!

Mark 13:28-33 - Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near:  so you in like manner, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.  Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.  Heaven and earth shall pass away:  but My words shall not pass away.  But of that day and that hour knows no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.  Take heed, watch and pray:  for you know not when the time is.

ARE YOU READY?

HIS RETURN COULD BE TODAY!

ACCEPT HIM AS LORD WHILE YOU CAN!

ETERNAL LIFE REQUIRES FAITH!

TRUST AND LIVE ETERNALLY!

Psalm 73:28 - But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Thy works.

Psalm 125:1 - They that trust in the LORD shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abides forever.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 29:25 - The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

BELIEVE AND LIVE ETERNALLY!

John 3:15-16 - That whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 14:1 - Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.

1 Peter 1:21 - Who by Him do believe in God, Who raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

TRUST AND BELIEVE IN THE LORD, 

NOT IN:

WHAT THE DEVIL SAYS;

WHAT RELIGION SAYS; 

WHAT SCIENCE SAYS; 

BELIEVE WHAT GOD SAYS!

A NEW WAY OF LOOKING AT CHRISTIAN HYPOCRISY

 HYPOCRISY IS NOT ALWAYS THE GREATEST PROBLEM!

A person was asked why she quit going to church.  She said that the church she was attending was full of hypocrites, and she could not stand them acting religious on Sundays and living like the devil the rest of the week.  When she was asked if she confronted individuals who were living in sin, she said no.  When asked why she didn't go to another church, she said she had attended several, and they all were alike.  No one even tried to live according to Christ's standards.  They all fell short and were a disgrace to His name.  When asked how many churches she had attended, she said three.  When asked how many churches there were in her area of town, she guessed about fifty.  So, her sample of three was enough to convince her that fifty churches were failing to live life for their Lord.  She said yes.

When she was asked if she was living a holy, Christ-like life, she admitted she struggled with some things, but that at least she was trying.  When asked if she believed the "hypocrites" in her church could be struggling with their area of sin, and just didn't let on like they had a problem.  She reluctantly said yes.

 THE BIBLE SAYS THAT CHRISTIANS STILL SIN! 

When she was asked if she understood the Apostle Paul struggled with sin, she said no.  She was shown Romans 7:14-25, and told to notice the present tense of the verbs in the passage.  She read:

[14] For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
[15] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
[16] If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
[17] Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
[18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
[19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
[20] Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
[21] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
[22] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
[23] But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
[24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
[25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

She was reminded that the Apostle John wrote to Christians about dealing with sin in 1 John 1:8-10:

[8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
[9] If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
[10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.

FINALLY, SHE WAS ASKED THE ULTIMATE QUESTION:

She was asked in whom was she placing her faith, if the sins of her brothers and sisters caused her to quit obeying Jesus.  After all, didn't Jesus tell us to love the brethren?  He didn't say, love those who are perfect.  We are to love the weak and even the hypocrites.  In failing to gather together with them, and to love them in spite of their faults, wasn't she being a hypocrite?  Weren't her eyes on the men and women of the church, instead of on Christ?  What kind of faith is that?

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR FAILING TO LOVE THE BRETHREN AND ATTENDING CHURCH WITH THOSE WHOSE SINS ARE DIFFERENT THAN MINE! HYPOCRITES ARE SIMPLY A MIRROR TO SEE THE FLAWS IN OURSELVES!

THE THREE LEVELS OF SPIRITUALITY!

 GOD'S WILL IN CREATING MAN!

Genesis 1

[26] And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness:  and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.  [27] So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.

NOTICE:  Man was created after God's image but not in His likeness.  Our appearance is like His, but our character is not!

BEING BORN AGAIN DOES NOT DO IT!

Romans 7

[15] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.  [16] If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.  [17] Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  [18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  [19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  [20] Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  [21] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.  [22] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:  [23] But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  [24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  [25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

NOTICE:  The Apostle Paul uses the present tense in describing his current struggle with sin; he is not yet like God!

WHEN WILL BE BECOME LIKE JESUS?

1 John 3

[1] Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons (children) of God:  therefore the world knows us not, because it knew Him not.  [2] Beloved, now are we the sons (children) of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be:  but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.

NOTICE:  In Romans 8:16, the Apostle Paul says - The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are (present tense) the children of God.  And again in Galatians 3:26, he says, For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  SO - there are three levels of spirituality:  1) the unsaved; 2) the born again; 3) those who are like Jesus!

THE LOST REJECT JESUS!

THE BORN AGAIN ACCEPT JESUS!

THOSE WHO SEE HIM ARE LIKE HIM!

CHRISTIANS SHOULD NOT HOLD GRUDGES!

 FORGIVENESS:  THE WILL OF GOD!

Matthew 6:12-15 - And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:  for Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.  For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:  but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

OUR EXAMPLE OF FORGIVENESS!

Luke 23:33-34 - And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them:  for they know not what they do.  And they parted His raiment, and cast lots.

IF JESUS CAN FORGIVE ALL YOUR SINS, SURELY YOU CAN FORGIVE ALL THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST YOU, AFTER ALL, THEY DID NOT MURDER YOU!

THE PROPHETIC ORDER OF THINGS!

REVELATION 19:11-16

[11] And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

[12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

[13] And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

[14] And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

[15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

[16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

2 PETER 3:1-18

[1] This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

[2] That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

[3] Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

[4] 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 the creation.

[5] For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

[6] Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

[7] But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

[8] But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

[9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

[10] But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

[11] Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

[12] Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

[13] Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

[14] Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

[15] And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

[16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

[17] Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.

[18] But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.