IN TIMES LIKE THESE

Where is the Promise of His Coming?


“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.”
(II Peter 3:4)

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OFFICIAL SOUNDING VOICES
Have you been listening lately to all the “official” sounding voices in our world — everyone from neighbors and their opinions, to news, to talking heads, to agencies around the world. We are constantly being bombarded with voices about impending dangers and signs of what a new normal may look like.

THE VOICE OF THE SPIRIT AND OTHER VOICES
If you take a moment to turn off all the chatter and sit in silence, there is another voice that is in the earth, and this voice also has the ability to speak expressively. It is the voice of the Spirit! The Spirit of God can reveal to us signs of things to come, as well! These signs were first spoken of by the Old Testament prophets, and then by the Lord, and followed by New Testament teachers. These all spoke of the coming of the Lord! Those who are caught up in the affairs of this world will pay unnecessary attention to what the world says (I John 4:5). The world speaks in terms of politics and sports, and stocks, bonds, and investments, entertainment and pleasures. The world has little concern for a God and His Savior!

DOING BUSINESS AS USUAL AND THEN THE GREATEST CRISIS
The voices that are in the world just want to get a crisis over and let us return to normal to do business as usual. But…it is written: “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. (I Thessalonians 4:16-18.) This worldwide event will change the course of the world and after that no one will be able to escape the things that will come on the entire world (I Thessalonians 5:3; Luke 21:34-35.) Many, including the majority of the church world, have not stopped to consider this. This great event could be tonight! The world does not fully understand this event and many have even mocked at it, nevertheless, the great resurrection will take place suddenly; faster than any sweeping virus (I Thessalonians 15:52)! Thank God, there is a part of destruction, disease, famine, and death that the church will not experience because those events belong to another day (time or season) (I Thessalonians 5:2-5).

There certainly is a difference between the resurrection of God’s people and Christ’s second coming. (The purpose of this article is not to discuss the two in detail.) Just note that both these events will happen suddenly and without warning (I Corinthians 15:51-52; Revelation 22:12)!

It seems that many think we have time to recover and things might get back to normal; but that is unlikely. What if the events that are currently taking place in our world are just a brief precursor to the great resurrection — which is Christ’s return for His church! Will you be ready?

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How? – (Short Inspiration from the Scriptures.)


“And in the desert you saw HOW the Lord your
God carried you, like one carries a child. And he
has brought you safely all the way to this place.”
(Duet. 1:31 – NCV)

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“How…?” is usually a question we ask or ponder that seemingly has no foreseeable answer. The Israelites questioned Moses many times about the way things were unfolding in the wilderness. Many of them murmured and complained or just simply did not believe that God, through Moses, was able to bring them to their destination. What we do see is a great and loving God, who provided for an estimated 2 million people for approximately 40 years! Our God is God!

God doesn’t give us any details in the scripture above as to HOW He preserved Israel from all the dangers in the wilderness and HOW He kept them from becoming extinct as a nation. We do understand from the scripture that He preserved them by carrying them and brought them to their promised land! “How” is God’s business; our business is to trust!

Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest
the desire of every living thing.
(Psalms 145:16)

You may be asking “how…?” today. Know this…God has a track record and history that those who belong to Him have been sustained. The old are often overlooked in our society, but look to those who are old and righteous and ask them about His power to provide (Prov. 16:31). King David, in the Bible, had come to a long and fulfilled life and his words remind us of God’s faithfulness: I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.  (Psalm 37:25)

Look back on your life and see where God has brought you from and, right now, GIVE HIM THE PRAISE! Then…from there…there is nothing else to say but this: Trust God!

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War and Conquerors!


Satan orchestrates demonic attacks, and demons attack many times when we are not expecting it. They take aim directly at us and swiftly shoot their arrows, attempting to penetrate any weakness in our spiritual armor. They launch cleverly designed thoughts into our thoughts, and attempt to set in motion one fiery thought succeeding another. Their design is that we accept the outcome of what is being projected on us.

Accepting defeat is not an option for a child of God! Godly warriors fight! They draw near to God and resist the devil. They look to their Captain, our Lord Jesus Christ, and understand the seriousness of the moment they are confronted with! They defend themselves with the shield of faith! God’s warriors go on the offense, quoting the word of God for every moment they are under intense attack!

They soon see the battle turn toward their favor!

We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us! Every temptation that the children of God face is common…and in every situation, God will make a way of escape. We are to stand, therefore, with the armor of God spoken of in Ephesians, chapter 6. If we do these things we will come away from the intense battle more than conquerors because of our Lord Jesus Christ!

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Bible Verses to Read When You Can’t Sleep


Reading and believing God’s word can give you great rest!
Quote these verses the next time you feel restless.

I LAID ME DOWN AND SLEPT; I awaked
for the LORD sustained me.
(Psalm 3:5)

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the
bread of sorrows: FOR HE GIVETH HIS BELOVED SLEEP.
(Psalm 127:2)

REST IN THE LORD and wait patiently for him: fret not
thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because
of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
(Psalm 37:7)

I WILL BOTH LAY ME DOWN IN PEACE, AND SLEEP: for
thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
(Psalm 4:8)

Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain
that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the
watchman waketh but in vain.
(Psalm 127:1)

HE MAKETH ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
(Psalm 23:2)

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer they foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. BEHOLD, HE THAT KEEPETH ISRAEL SHALL NEITHER SLUMBER NOR SLEEP.
(Psalm 121:1-4)

When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, THOU SHALT LIE DOWN AND THEY SLEEP SHALL BE SWEET. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep
they foot from being taken.
(Prov. 3:24-26)

THE SLEEP OF A LABOURING MAN IS SWEET, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
(Ecclesiastes 5:12)

Thus saith the LORD, stand ye in the ways, and see, and
ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk
therein, and YE SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
(Jeremiah 6:16)


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An Excellent Spirit!


Daniel did a better job than the other two leaders or
any of the royal rulers. He was an unusually good and able man.
So the king planned to put him in charge of the whole kingdom.
(Daniel 6:3 NIRV)

 

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The world is currently looking for and calling up top notch nurses, doctors, scientists, researchers, inventors, social forecasters, along with anyone who has expertise in fighting a disease that challenges our way of survival. On the other hand — God is calling for men and women in the body of Christ who have many abilities. Those who God calls (to use their abilities) are needing one prevailing ingredient, which is an excellent spirit!

Many who serve God also have their professions, careers, and jobs, and make up a lot of the world’s workforce. Others have the task of home and family responsibilities. Daniel was such a man, who daily took care of the affairs of a nation and — according to the king — he maintained and excellent spirit! His “secret” no doubt, was his love and devotion toward his God!

Another great leader was Esther. This writer has heard some negative comments about Esther: how she planned evil to catch Haman in a trap. This writer strongly opposes this viewpoint! God judges evil intentions and actions, and He certainly would have judged Esther had she done any wrong. This would have been woven in the story, but we don’t see any trace of this in the author’s writings. Queen Esther was a women of integrity who stood up against what was evil and base. She knew her life and the lives of her people were at stake as she went before the king. We see her integrity, her caring, and so many other qualities that made up an excellent spirit! She appeared to be a women of prayer and had long been taught integrity by the example of her uncle Mordecai. God gave Esther the plans to overthrow evil Haman. We never see one time where Esther used her beauty or authority as queen, to undermine anyone. She simply asked for an audience with the king and Haman. This was her way of “going to the law” (who was the king) to expose the evil intents of a very evil man. Jesus told us to be wise as a serpent. Esther was simply wise as the serpent, Haman. She did nothing outside the bounds of God’s spiritual law and did not violate any of His principles, but maintained her excellent spirit!

The bible is filled with shining examples of those who maintained excellent spirits, like Joseph, Ruth, Hannah, Mary, Nathanael, Dorcas, and others. Biblical history has taught us, it seems, that leaders who have had excellent spirits have come forth, to make a great difference, and keep the people alive in times of great trials!

While we work on our ministries, let us equally work on our spirits. It’s imperative that the two be one!

Finally, it’s important to note that an excellent spirit is a spirit that does not entertain unwholesome thoughts. We have the power to dismiss even thoughts that attempt to bombard our minds (Eph. 6:16)! During those times we may constantly quote the scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding (Prov. 3:5).

Create in me a clean heart, O God;
and renew a right spirit within me.
(Ps. 51:10)

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which
are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all,
and to the spirits of just men made perfect.
(Heb. 12:23)

And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find
such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
(Gen. 41:38)

My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior…he hath regarded
the low estate of his handmaiden…He hat put down the
mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
(Luke 1:47-56)

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and
if there be any praise, think on these things.
(Phil. 4:8)

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