Love you all, praying for you.
 
I just love God’s Word.  It gives hope.  Have you ever lost hope, or felt like you were running short?  Maybe you’re under attack, have been struggling recently, or have been waiting a long time for God to answer, and it seems like He’s forgotten?  Maybe you’re facing a mountain, a great challenge, or just wondering if it’s all worth it?  A little discouraged, or even tempted to thrown in the towel altogether?  How do you get hope?  God has it, He gives it, He is the God of hope.  What is hope?  An expectancy.  A desire of something good, with an expectation of obtaining it, a belief that it is obtainable, the feeling that something wanted, can be had, or will turn out for the best.   So how do you get hope? 
 
Eleven Ways To Get Hope. 
 
#1  Set the LORD always before you – His Word with your mouth.  Psalm 16:8 – I have set the LORD always before me, because He is at my right hand, I will not be moved.  Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope. 
 
#2  Fix the eyes of your heart.  Speak His Word with your mouth to fill your heart.  Ephesians 1:18 – I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order to know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and his incomparably great power for us who believe. 
 
#3 Chose joy about hope.  Romans 12:12 – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Proverbs 10:28 – The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.  Psalm 146:5 – But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the LORD their God.  Rom 5:2 – Through whom we have gained access by faith in which we now stand.  And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 
 
#4 Soak in His Word.  More Word, more hope.  Romans 15:4 – For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. Psalm 78:5 For he established a testimony in Jacob… That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God. 
 
#5  Believe that God is the God of hope, and pray in the Spirit.  Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 
 
#6  Put your hope in God.  With your mouth.  Learn to declare what you believe and what you will do.  Psalm 119:114 – You are my hiding place and my shield:  I have put my hope in your word.  Psalm 119:149 – Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.  My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.  Psalm 130:7  O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, because his love is constant, and He is always willing to save. 
 
#7 Tell yourself and Tell God  Psalm 71:14-15 – As for me, I will always have hope, I will praise you more and more.  My mouth will tell of your righteousness and of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.   Psalm 71:5  For you are my hope, O Lord God, you are my confidence from my youth.
 
#8 Choose Courage in hope.  Psalm 31:24 – Be of good courage, and he will strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD. 
 
#9 Wait patiently. Fear God. Remember your testimony.  Psalm 33:17 – A horse is vain hope for deliverance, despite all its great strength it cannot save.  But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.  We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and shield.  In him our hearts rejoice for we trust in his holy name.  May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.  Psalm 78:5,7 For he established a testimony in Jacob (fill in your name)… That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commands.  Lamentations 3:21 – Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope;  Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning.  Great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion therefore I will wait for him.  The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
 
10 Decline discouragement, praise instead.  Psalm 42:5 – Why am I discouraged?  Why is my heart so sad?  I will put my hope in God!  I will praise him again and again, my Savior and my God.  Psalm 42:11 – Why are you in despair, O my soul?  And why have you become disturbed within me?  Hope in God, for I will still praise him, the help of my countenance and my God.  Psalm 43:5 – Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
 
11 Pray in the Spirit and learn the fear of the LORD.  Romans 8:24 – For in this hope we were saved.  But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.  In the same way, The Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.    Psalm 147:11  The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. 
 
Praying for you today.  That your hope would not fade, but get stronger.  Praying that you will set the LORD always before you, that you will fix the eyes of your heart, and choose joy in hope.  Praying that you will soak in God’s Word, believe that He is the God of hope, and put your hope in God.  Praying that you will tell yourself, and tell God.  That you will choose courage regarding hope, so he can strengthen your heart.  Praying that you will wait patiently and remember your testimony, decline discouragement and choose praise instead.  That you will pray in the spirit, fear the LORD, and put your hope in his unfailing love.  
 
Love you all,
dad 

Love you all, praying for you. 
 
I just love God’s Word, it builds character.  What is character?  What marks you and defines you.  What you’re known for – that’s reputation, character is even broader than that.  Character is who you are and what you do when no one is looking, whether at peace or under pressure.  Your reputation eventually will match your character.  Reputation without matching character will eventually alter your reputation. Time will make sure they match.  When I was a kid, a popular candy was Now & Later’s - tangy flavors of little squares in a packet.  But in life, most things aren’t now and later, they start with - Now or Later.  First you decide that, and after you get good at the now, you will also get good at the later – as it just becomes the now, of a different time.  One of the great choices that reveal character is now or later.  What do you do now? and what do you leave til later?  God is a now God, he’s also a later God.  In life, timing is everything.  There is a time and season for everything under the sun, just as there is a time and procedure for every matter.  Jesus promised that he would return, that has not happened yet.  It will come later, suddenly in the twinkling of an eye, when people least expect it. It will be as it was in the days of Noah.  God’s promises are for later – in the fullness of time.  But what about the things that are right now?  When it comes to personal character and responsibility – what are you?  Are you a now person, or a later person?  Even the world has figured this out.  It might have been Benjamin Franklin who said, Do not put off til tomorrow what you can do today.  That is good counsel.  God is a now, God.  Today is the day of Salvation.  Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.  God hates a perverse tongue.  Perverse is not perverted, the latter address morality, the former address obedience.  Perverse means to delay instead of obey.  The first example of perversity in the Bible.  The serpent asked Eve, did God really say that?  When the resounding yes, returned, he then said, that’s because God knows that…  and he followed it with a half-truth – the strategy of deception.  God hates a perverse tongue – any words that put a delay in your obey.  Turning it over in your mind, until you justify doing what God didn’t say, or God said not to.  PiVAT before dinner – helps you get God’s plan for you for today.  Do it – before dinner.  But throughout the day, the Holy Spirit prompts you – He leads you and guides you.  When that happens, how quickly do you obey?  Is your character now or later?  Do you obey now? or later...  Not just big things… when something needs to be done, are you a person who does it now, or waits until later?  Whether the trash needs to be taken out, something needs to be done before tomorrow.  Do you do it now? or wait until this afternoon, or after dinner, and then - before you go to bed.  Do you ask God when?   Do you Do It Now?  Abraham was a now person.  Obedience is for now.  Praise is for now – when times are hard, when you’re going through something.  Abraham obeyed immediately, “Early in the morning, he saddled his donkey and took Isaac with him and started off for Mount Moriah.  He didn’t think about it, he didn’t gather opinions, He did it now.  Joseph’s character was now.  He didn’t wait around – he ran  - leaving his coat in her hand.  Boaz character was now.  Naomi told Ruth, Boaz?  Don’t worry, it will be done today, he will not rest until it is done.  Wow.  Is that what people say about you?  "Oh she’ll it do it now.  He’ll do it today, don’t worry..."  Did Naomi talk to him?  Is that what he told her.  No, she knew his character, there was no doubt as to what he would do.  Is that you?  Is your character that of Boaz?  What do people say you are – A now person, or a later person?  Proverbs said chapter 6:  Let no sleep come to your eyes – do it now, get out of debt (it’s a curse).  The Ethiopian Eunuch when He heard the gospel, said, is there anything stopping me from being baptized right now? Obeyers have the now gene, disobeyers have the later gene.  Herod kept John alive because he liked to listen to him. He was offended, but he knew it was the truth, he liked to hear it, he just didn’t obey it.   Festus told Paul – after being convicted of the truth, I’ll call for you at a later time.  God said the sluggard turns over on his bed, like a door turns on its hinges.  The sluggard has a later gene, not a now gene.  What about you? What has God told you to do?  He only tells you to do two things. What He wants you to do today, and what He wants you to do every day.  What is your character?  When do you praise?  Now or Later?  When do you obey, now or later?  When do you steward, work hard, share with others, give to those in need, encourage a brother, walk in daily relationship, get God’s plan for you?  What is your character?  Now or Later?  Praying that you will do PIVAT before dinner, to get God’s plan for you today.   And if you didn’t, that you would do it right now, its never to late to obey.  Most people need gene therapy, to replace the later gene with the now gene.  It just takes one decision at a time.  Just do it now.  Every time you obey right now, every time you do what needs done now instead of wait til later, you are growing in obedience and resisting the devil, walking in victory – and joy always comes with it.  Praying that your PRISM time with God would start with Praise the Word first thing in the morning.  Praying that you would do everything that God told you to do today.  My wife always has her clothes laid out the night before – so in the morning when it’s time for work – she is ready, not delayed.  What do you do now?  And what do you leave for later?  What is your character and therefore unavoidably your reputation?  Do you steward God’s things well?  Do you put it away before you do something else?  Or do you do something else before you put it away?  Is it finished?  Or is something always undone?  Do you hear and obey? Or hear and delay?  Praying that your character will be like Abraham – who did it now, like Joseph, and Boaz and Daniel, and Phineas, and Esther.  People of character are now people, not later.  Because if they are now, they will also be later.  They know what needs to be done now, they do it immediately, so later – they are free to do what God tells them.  If God speaks and you do it now, He can tell you something else.  If not, He can’t.  He’s still waiting on you to do what He told you.  Most things aren’t big things.  How many times did God tell Abraham to leave the Ur of the Chaldees, or sacrifice his son?  Not many.  If you’re faithful in the little, you’ll be faithful in the big.  Do you make your bed in the morning? Do you praise even before you see the answer?  Do you finish before resting, or rest before finishing?  What are you known for?  What is your character? Praying that every time people speak of you, it will be like Naomi spoke of Boaz.  “Oh, he won’t rest until it’s done.  He’s just like that”.  He’s just an obeyer, He’s just excellent, she’s just completely trustworthy, dependable, you can count on him, you can count on her.”  Now is the day of Salvation, now is the perfect time to obey, now is the time to move your feet, to say I will bless the LORD at all times, His praise will continually be in my mouth.  As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  And we will start right now! Praying that you will always be instant in obedience, that you won’t delay anything God will say.  That your character and your reputation is now, not later.  So you are always ready for what God will say next so He can use you - to do what He wants to do! 
 
Love you all,
dad   

Love you all, praying for you.
 
I just love God’s Word, it is the source of every good thing.  What if you had joy?  How do you get it?  So you can become joyful.  Why is joy so important?  First, it’s a fruit of the Spirit, it comes from God.  He gives it.  And if you have it, the rest doesn’t matter, you’re good, no matter what you’re going through.  The Bible says Jesus, for the joy set before him, endured the cross.  Joy separates you, if you have it, you can face whatever comes – in the Joy of the LORD.  What is joy?  Exceeding gladness, feelings or emotions caused by success, the prospect of possessing what you desire, a delight of the mind from considering the present possession of something good.  Where does joy come from?  How do you get it?
 
Eleven Ways To Get Joy 
 
#1 Be filled with the Spirit, pray in the spirit, walk in the spirit – and you will experience joy.  Joy is a fruit of the Spirit.  Galatians 5:22
 
#2 Be humble.  The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the LORD.  Isaiah 29:19  Not the prideful, the humble.  See the Relationship Topic – How To Be Humble. 
 
#3 Get in His presence.  You get there with thanksgiving and praise (Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.)  Just shut off the noise, and get in His presence.  You stay in His presence whenever you want!  He’s always there, you don’t have to schedule an appointment, just come!  Once you’re there, you get it - in your presence is fullness of joy – Psalms 16:11. 
 
#4 Consider every trial you face – a joy!  (Including this one that you’re going through right now).  Count it all joy when you face trials of many kinds. James 1:2 The testing of your faith develops perseverance in you so you mature, so God can complete you – so you lack nothing! 
 
#5 Steward well what you have been given.  Time, Thoughts, Money, Testimony.  Matt 25:21 Well done, good and faithful servant, you’ve been faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge over many things, enter into the joy of your LORD.   Good stewards always have joy.
 
#6 Remain in His love – by obeying.   Obedience always brings joy.  Know his plans for you today and walk in them.  Acts 2:28 – you have made known to me the paths of life, you will fill me with joy in your presence.  John 15:9-11 – If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my father’s commands and remain in his love.  I’m telling you these things so that my joy may be in you, and your joy will be full (complete) Obedience brings joy.  It starts with PiVAT for today – obey what He told you.  Obeyers always get joy!
 
#7 – Ask according to his will.  And your joy will be full.  John 16:23 - I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name (according to my authority and will).  Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.    
 
#8 – Put your trust in Him! And joy comes with it.  Roman 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him…  As you trust in Him, He fills you with joy – and peace.  Put your trust in Him.  Get in His Word, and put your trust in Him, with your words.  Tell yourself, tell Him, He hears you.  When I am afraid I will trust in you.  What can man do to me.  You have been my trust since my youth.  I will always praise you, I will always trust in you!
 
#9 – Take Joy.  Psalms 5:11  - But let all those who put their trust in you rejoice.  (Rejoice means to take joy again.)  Let them ever shout for joy, because you defend them.  Let those that love your name, be joyful in you.   Sometimes joy is a choice.  Choose to rejoice.  Take joy again, and the God who gives joy will fill you.   The king rejoices in your strength.  How great is his joy in the victories you give!  He’s still waiting for this next one… but he’s got joy in the LORD!
 
#10 Stay in the Spirit Romans 14:17 – For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.   Be filled with the Spirit, Pray in the Spirit, and you’ll stay in the Spirit.  Obey in the Spirit.  Righteousness, peace and joy come from the Holy Spirit, let Him be in full control, and your joy will be full.
 
#11 Stay in the Word.  Jer 15:16 – When your words came, I ate them; and your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.  I John 1:4 – And these things we write to you, that your joy may be full.  The more you are in God’s Word, the more your joy will be full.  His truth, His promise, and remembering everything He has done – will increase your joy. 
 
Praying that you will be filled with the Spirit, that you will choose humility, that you will get in His presence with thanksgiving and praise, that you will consider this trial – a joy!  Praying that you will steward well what He has entrusted to you, that you will remain in His love, by obeying.  Praying that you will ask according to His will, and put your trust in Him.  Praying that you will take joy again and again, that you will stay in the Spirit and stay in His Word.  – So His joy will be in you, and your joy will be full.
 
Praying that you will listen to the PRISM Topic Joy – The power of His Word that will bring joy to your heart.  God sets you apart with joy.  Psalms 45:7 – You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.  It’s what the world doesn’t have, the joy of the LORD.  Praying that God will anoint you with His oil of Joy, that your life would be a city set on a hill, distinct, that draws people to the love of Jesus and the hope He gives – that brings joy!
 
Love you all,  
dad

Love you all, praying for you,
 
I just love God’s Word – it tells the truth.  Let’s talk about money.  Why?  Because you will love God, or you will love money.  You cannot do both - God said.  What do you think about money?  Is it important to you? It’s important to God.  Just not for the same reason.  Some people say, “Money is just not important to me.”  Others view money like Lombardi viewed winning… “(It’s) not everything, it’s the only thing.”  Most people want money because they think it measures something - how successful you are, and how many options it affords you.  But that’s not what it measures according to God.  His view of success with money - is not what man thinks success is.  According to God, money does measure something, success, only not in accumulation, but distribution.  According to God, it’s not how much you get, it’s how much you obey with what you’ve been given.  The goal isn’t to get more money, God said to the rich fool, tonight your very life will be required of you, then who will get all that you have stored up for yourself?  Neither is the goal to do things that make money.  Sometimes what God wants you to do, will produce money.  And sometimes, the better you do it, the more money it will produce.  But other times what God calls some people to do doesn’t produce money, it’s fruit is of a different kind.  Either way, God brings the increase, you just plant the seed - (which also came from Him).  The goal isn’t even to be a steward.  You are one already.  You’re either a good one, or a poor one.  What’s a steward?  Someone who cares for another’s possessions.  Whose money is it?  God’s.  The silver and gold are mine says the LORD, and the cattle on a thousand hills.  Do I need a bull from your stalls, or a goat from your pens?  If I were hungry I wouldn’t tell you, because the cattle on a thousand hills are mine.  “But I earned it.” Did you?  It doesn’t matter, when you’re a steward whatever you earn, still belongs to the owner, it’s not yours.  God told the Israelites, you cannot sell the land, the land is mine, you’re just renters.  Every fifty years at Jubilee – all the land in Israel went back to the original owners – the tribes and families of Israel who by inheritance were assigned their portion of the promised land.  So real estate prices were predicated on the number of years until Jubilee – when it was all returned.  They were just renters, not owners.  Whatever you earned was just labor, not ownership.  Did you make the grass grow? Or the crops grow? Did you make the raw materials that comprise the product you produce? Did you make it rain, did you protect it from drought, did you stop inflation, government interference or regulation, or shutting down your industry?   Did you stop thieves from stealing what you have? Did you keep yourself from getting sick and being unable to work? Did you give yourself good health, did you give yourself the next breath? What about waking up in the morning in your right mind, did you do that? Was that great business idea yours?  Did it come from you? All of these things God did.  Did you keep your company from going bankrupt? No, God did.  You just labor.  God said the laborer is worthy of his wages, but the ability to work, the ideas to increase production and spare from loss, all come from somewhere.  Not you.  There is nothing new under the sun.  Anyone who said “I did that!” Is not only ignorant, but perhaps borderline narcissistic.  It’s God who did all these things.  Have you ever noticed our tendency to take credit for what someone else did.  Money is the measure of the heart.  It is God who gives you the power to gain wealth.  It is God who holds health together, nations apart, and the economy together.  Solomon spoke of a grievous evil under the sun, wealth stored to the detriment of the owner, or war or calamity, that sweeps it away, so a man never gets to enjoy what his own hands produced.  When it comes to money - God owns it, you’re a steward.  It’s not how much you get, it’s how you obey with what you have, and everything you have or did comes from God.  So what about money?  It’s just a byproduct of labor if you work for it, or ideas if it works for you.   Far more important… What does God want you to do?  Then, whatever money that labor produces, what does He want you to do with it?  Some people say our job is to get more, because of the parable of the talents.  That wasn’t the point, they missed the first sentence… “the kingdom of heaven… is like.  God said don’t overwork to get rich, have the wisdom to show restraint.  Some people decry money disadvantage, they’re part of the ‘money is success’ camp.  So Lebron’s kids have an advantage over your kids, what does that matter?  It’s not what you have, it’s how you obey with what you have.  Someone once said, “More money, more problems.”  Those with money have often reflected, “Money doesn’t change you – it just makes you more of what you are.”  More money definitely is more responsibility… it’s more to obey with.  Money perhaps is just a tool that God uses to test us, and to teach us obedience.  Some people obey money – not God, it’s a god to them.  They love it and obey it.  Your god is who you obey.  They make all money decisions based on how much money it will get them, not on what God tells them.  Sometimes God will tell you to do something that doesn’t make money, but loses it.  Everything you give – appears at face value- to be a loss.  Only in God’s kingdom, everything you give that God directed you to give, is a gain, not a loss.  Work for the Lord, not for money, wealth, fame, or to please someone else, your spouse or your boss.  Money is a measure of work, sometimes a measure of productivity.  It’s definitely a measure of priority.  God said it’s a measure of the heart.  It’s what you obey with, or not.  So how do you learn to obey with money? Know God’s Word, Know where it is, and Know God’s Voice.   #1 Know God’s Word, what God says about it.  Learn to think like God thinks about money, not the way man thinks.  (See The Money Packet – to learn what God says about money).  #2 Know Where It Is, give an account of it, (Start a 4C’s Accounting Tool, or get current with yours – you can’t obey with money, if you don’t first know where it is.) #3 Know God’s Voice, what He tells you to do with it.  (4C’s daily will make it a regular conversation with Him). Then you will learn to obey with money – the Holy Spirit will teach you.  You’ll learn to love God, not money.  Money won’t control you, you will just steward it – however God tells you.  And when you are faithful with a few things… you will be entrusted with many things – and enter into the joy of your LORD.  Money brings a cheap joy, a temporary joy.  But the joy of the LORD is a different level, it’s eternal not temporal, it doesn’t depend on money, it is given by God.  Praying that you are faithful in 4C’s – a Godly pattern of stewarding money.  Praying that you are current in your 4C’s tool, whatever tool you use.  Praying that you are obeying with time, with thoughts, and money, overcoming with your testimony!  So your joy can be full!  So you hear well done today!  Then – you’ll hear “Well Done!” on that day. 
 
Love you all,
dad  

Love you all, praying for you.
 
I have never done this before for Daily Huddle.  I am sending a video clip – that I pray that each one of you will watch in its entirety, and then take it to the LORD in prayer.  And examine yourselves. To see if ye be in the faith.  God told his people, the church, those who have believed in His Name, who have received Salvation in the Name of Jesus, for the forgiveness of their sins, and the Salvation of their souls.  God warned of a terrible time coming on the earth, that He wants to save us from.  He said that we are to watch and wait for his return.  He said it would be as it was in the days of Noah.  He said He was coming in the clouds for his bride the church.  This is the rapture of the saints foretold in the Scriptures.   In my entire life, I have never felt such a present sense of the LORD’s return.  I came across a video that perhaps is the most important video I have ever seen.  It tells of the coming rapture of the church.  These two men I’d never heard of before a week ago...  They are not prophets, they say so.  They are watchers and waiters for the Salvation of the Lord, for the promised return of Christ.  And while the Scriptures say – no one will know the day or the hour.  It says it will come unexpectedly, when no one expects it.  Therefore we should be ready with our lamps lit, waiting for the bridegroom to come.  If there ever was a time, to be sure you are right with God, the time is now.  These men speak of God’s miraculous power in fulfilling prophecies to the letter, to the time, to the day and even the hour.  God is a math genius.  He is perfect in all his ways.  And from their study of prophesies fulfilled throughout, there is a massive amount of evidence, not only of Christ’s imminent return.  It literally could be today, it could be this week.  And they give prophecy example after example of what God did, and could be doing in this hour.  God said the hour will come upon you unexpected.  But those of us who are waiting for His return will see the day approaching.  I implore you to be ready for His return, it could be this week, it could be this Wednesday, the 9th of the month of the Jewish Calendar.  If God decides to return this week, this month, or this year – the times are in His Hands, not ours.  But we are to be ready, so that day doesn’t come upon us unawares. He is warning you now.   Be sure your Salvation is in Jesus, in faith in Him alone.  Make sure your lamps are lit, confess every known sin in your life, ask him to reveal any that you are unaware of.  And turn from them.  Turn away from every evil thought and deed.  Choose His grace, believe on the LORD Jesus Christ, share the hope that is within you, and wait expectantly for his return.   Please watch this video in its entirety.  So we are not ignorant of what God is doing in our day.  The time is so very short, Jesus is coming soon, to take those of His true church with him.  The rest will be left behind.  God said he doesn’t do things without first revealing them.  God is revealing things for these days, for this hour.  If anyone has ears to hear.  Let Him Hear.    The video link is included below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhI67fLad6o
 
Love you all,
dad

 Love you all, praying for you.
 
I just love God’s Word – it tells you what keeps you from God, and the life you were created for.  Sin.  What is sin?  Hamartano – to miss the mark, and so not share in the prize.  Sin is anything less than what God said, anything less than his will or his best.  Sin is something that comes naturally – you were born in it.  Sin is falling short of God’s standard of holiness.  Because Adam sinned, that seed passed down through every generation.  You don’t have to teach a baby how to disobey what you say, they do it naturally.  Instead ,you have to train your children to obey what you tell them – for their own good. And to do things that they don’t want to do, that will teach them responsibility and train them to live a life of respect for others; to be humble, kind, and treat others in the way they would like to be treated.  These are common denominators of a civil society. Or everyone would only cause harm to others.  But they need something more.  You need to train them in what God’s Word says, so they will live eternally with God, not separated from him.  So they will live a life that will receive his reward.  Sin is easy to fall into, impossible to escape without God’s grace, and the desire to turn from sin, and turn to him.  What’s wrong with sin?  It separates you from God.  It destines you for hell.    Sin always separates you from God, it strains your relationship.  Because He is Holy, completely without sin, He hates it.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is good news, because it is the only remedy for sin, the only way to be reconciled to God.  Reconciled means to be brought back into friendship – or right relationship with someone you had formerly been at enmity with.  Sin makes you an enemy of God.  God is holy, completely without sin, He hates it.  There is no sin in him, no darkness at all. (I John 1:5) He is light, and there is no darkness in him.  Nor in heaven where He lives. Whoever wants to live in heaven with God, will have to be sinless like He is. (Matthew 5:20) That is impossible.  But what is impossible with man, is not impossible with God. (Mark 10:27)  God wants to restore a relationship with you that has been broken by sin.  Not only so you will you no longer be eternally damned, destined for destruction and eternally separate from God in a place called the lake of fire, created for the devil and his demons.  But tragically will also be the destination of those who refuse God’s gift of Salvation through his Son Jesus.  God wants you to be qualified as Holy like Him, so you can live in heaven with Him forever; cleansed by the blood of Jesus – to remove your sin, and make you righteous, with a righteousness that wasn’t yours, but Jesus’ righteousness given to you.  The greatest trade ever!  He took your sin, He paid the price for it, and you get His righteousness, that you didn’t earn, and you don’t deserve, but He gave it to you anyway – because He loves you, and longs to be with you forever.  He longs to save you from the judgment of sin, so you can be with Him!  The only requirement is you must Admit, Believe, and Commit.  Admit your sin, that you’ve sinned against God.  God said whoever says he has not sinned, is a liar and the truth is not in him. (I John 1:8)  Second, you must believe that Jesus died in your place, for your sin.  That He took the penalty you deserved on himself, so you could be set free from sin.  And now qualified to live in Heaven for eternity – with a Holy God, in whose presence, sin will never dwell. Only with your sins forgiven and removed by the blood of Jesus – could you ever get to heaven. (Rev 21:27)  Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father, except through me. (John 14:6) The price of sin is death and eternal separation from God.  Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.   Romans 10:9 – that if you Commit with your mouth (to make Jesus the LORD of your life – that means you turn from your old life of sin, to live your life from now on for Him), and you believe in your heart, that God raised Jesus from the dead – you will be saved – from the control of sin in this life, and eternity apart from God.  You have just been reborn, of the spirit.  Your old sin nature has been defeated, your sins have been forgiven, and the forgiveness of sin through the blood of Jesus is available for you the rest of your life.  I John 1:9 – If we will confess our sin, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sin, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  But even more than that.  After Salvation two things are important and powerful.  First Receive the Holy Spirit – just like the apostles and first Christians did.  Jesus said, “Don’t leave Jerusalem without it.”  (Luke 24:49) The promised Holy Spirit – who will give you power to overcome sin, who will lead you in all truth, and show you things to come. (John 16:13) He will lead you in God’s plans for you.  God said, walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh… (Gal 5:16)  That old sin nature that is now defeated by Jesus death and resurrection.  But it’s still around – until one day when Christ returns in the rapture of the church.  And we are caught up together in the clouds, to forever be with the Lord.  Or when you die, and your body is laid in the grave, and you are free from the body of sin, that still tries to control you – it wants you back.  But you now have power to overcome it – where you didn’t before.  It's still a choice you make, sin or Jesus.  But He gives you grace.  When you get saved, and then filled with the Holy Spirit – by just asking God to fill you with His Holy Spirit – just like He did the disciples at Pentecost.  Luke 11:13 - If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven, give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.  Finally the third thing, get water baptized.  It was God’s command for Christians, who believed in Him and received His Salvation from sin – and eternal life in heaven.  It is the symbol of you dying with Christ – being buried with him in His death, and rising with Him in his resurrection.  It symbolizes your old life, that old sin nature being now dead, and your new life beginning.  Being raised with him in righteousness.  This is another part of that huge transfer that occurs in Salvation.  Not only are you saved for eternity in heaven with God, your sins are washed away, removed, and now the old law of sin – from Adam’s sin that formerly controlled you, has no more power, unless you give it back.  You now are under a new law of righteousness – far more powerful than the law of sin that once controlled you.  If that was powerful – and if you’ve ever been stuck in sin, you know how powerful that law was.  That law came from Adam’s one sin.  How much more powerful is the new law of righteousness.  It came not from one sin, but from every sin ever, now completely forgiven by the blood of Jesus, His death and resurrection so you could live in newness of life – free from the power of sin.  Just walk in the Spirit, choose the grace that is now yours to say no to sin, so you resist the devil - he has to flee from you.  It is through Christ that you gain victory over sin – forever.  It’s always there, the body of sin, but your spirit is now under new management and greater power!  You now have power to walk in righteousness that is yours in Jesus Christ.   Scripture warns many times, don’t go back to the sin that once bound you, you now have power to overcome it!  Every time you say yes to Jesus, and His wonderful plan for you, you say no to sin, and you resist the devil who wants you back, but will never get you.  You will go from victory to victory, glory to glory.  God promised no temptation has ever overtaken you except that which is common to man, and God is faithful, He will give you a way out, so you can stand up under it. (I Cor 10:13)  He gives you the power of the Holy Spirit, and grace to say no to ungodliness, the old life. (Titus 2:11-14)  And yes to His plans for you, and the joy of righteousness.  That’s the new law of righteousness that now controls you, that if you submit the members of your body to it, instead of to sin, you will walk in freedom from sin.  Paul said, when you used to be enslaved by sin, you were free from the restraints of righteousness, but what did that get you?  What benefit did you receive, all of those sins separate you from God, and lead to death.  (Romans 3:20-23) But now as a slave to righteousness, all of the acts of righteousness, simply walking in God’s plans for you! These all lead to life, abundant life, joyful life and fruitful life!  A life that pleases God, and a life that God rewards.  God gives us the power to Love Him, and hate sin.  So that what once was your master, no longer has any control over you.  Paul said, Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ (that is my old sin nature that once controlled me) and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.   God has victory for you – new life – completely free from the old life.  Just say yes to Him every time.  Choose His grace to say “No” to sin, and yes to the righteousness that now controls you.  The Bible gives you ways to walk in him.  This new law of righteousness is far more powerful.  You can still choose: life or death, sin or Jesus, but He gives you power to choose life, power to overcome sin, and by walking in His plans for you – your old life will be left behind.  You will walk in grace, and power, and in the joy of knowing Him, and His Word, and His ways, His plans for you which are so, so very good.  You can trust Him.  He saved you at first, He will save you to the uttermost.  He will keep you blameless as you turn to Him.  God is faithful.  Choose Him every time, and see the victory that He has destined for you.  He left to prepare a place for you, and He will come again, He promised.  To take you with Him, so that where He is, you will be also. (John 14:2-3)  He is coming back soon! For His bride, the church – those who believe in Him, who are walking with Him, and waiting for him.  He has victory for you every day.  And joy always comes with obedience.  It’s a journey!  He goes with you.  He will be faithful every day of your life!  And heaven awaits you! 
 
Love you all,
dad

Love you all, praying for you,
 
I just love God’s Word.  It tells the truth.  Someone has to - God is the One who does.  He is the God of truth.  Here’s a question that many people struggle with…  Who determines your identity?  Do you? by your thoughts, feelings, opinions or the brainwashing of the godless?  Your identity has nothing to do with you, or your opinions.  You were born with it.  You are fearfully and wonderfully made, created in God’s image, but bound by a curse.  Do you identify as a sinner?  Because that’s what you are – you were born in sin.  You’re a sinner, whether you identify as one or not.  Sin clouded your identity at birth, but God has a new identity for you.  Forgiven!  He changed your identity permanently, the only identity change ever, and by far the biggest change that could ever occur.  Your identity as a sinner – was changed to your new identity – the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.  You remain that way by abiding in Christ, (His Word) letting Him control your life, rather than the sin that once controlled you.  And His righteousness is much more powerful than the sin nature was.  How much more – means  - way more, no comparison!  You have a new identity – the righteousness of God in Christ.  You are righteous in the sight of God if you have become His child.  If you received His Son Jesus as your Savior.  He saves you from sin – your old sin nature, the death that sin always leads to, and the punishment of sin and death- hell itself…  If you received Him as your LORD – the bossa you – you now walk in your new nature, by the Holy Spirit.  So righteousness reigns in you, like sin once did - but so much more.  You don’t always feel like your new identity, feelings have nothing to do with it.  Truth does.  What God said - does.  Sinners can sear their conscience, and the righteous can doubt their Salvation.  And they should if their righteousness depended on them, but it doesn’t.  You are the righteousness of God in Christ, not the righteousness of you in you.  There is none.  His death made you righteous, if you received the Gift of Salvation…  If you reject it – your old identity remains – a sinner condemned to death because of sin, not the righteousness of God paid for by the blood of Christ – saved by Grace.  Praying that you would know who you are, That you will receive Christ and His Gift of Salvation – if you haven’t.  And if you have.  Praying that you will know who God made you to be, and the power to live like what He made you!   Praying that you’ll remember that the control of the law of righteousness is far more powerful than the control of the law of sin once was…  Just choose Grace – Walk in the Holy Spirit!  God said His grace is sufficient.  That means His power is enough for you – to overcome whatever you are facing, self-inflicted, or outside influence.  The Holy Spirit is the power that God gave you, to help you do it.  So His righteousness reigns in you, so your identity is sure and your future is secure.  Your identity now, is far more powerful than your identity before.   Why identify as anything else?  It’s not true.  You’re forgiven, and you have power to walk in this new life – just choose it, and God is faithful, He will help you.  God’s Word is true, He has a plan for you!  It’s Good!  Walk in it!  Secure your identity through His Word, and the Grace to say no to sin, and walk in the righteousness that you are, the law of righteousness that now controls you – in Christ Jesus. 
 
Love you all,
dad

Love you all, praying for you,
 
I just love God’s Word.   It is truth and life.  It tells you what the devil doesn’t want you to know.  It tells you how to be free!  Have you ever struggled with sin, that old nature that’s trying again to control you?  God doesn’t want you struggling with your sin nature.  He wants you to leave it behind, like grave clothes, like a snake sheds its skin, like a butterfly discarding the cocoon that once held it.  And He gives you power to do it!  If you belong to Jesus, the old has passed away, the new has come.  And you can live in it!  The ability to do that - is all by God’s power, you just choose it.  Some say – God will do it, just focus on Jesus.  Yes – the more you know of him, and love him, the more you know what He did for you, and gives you power to do, the more you choose His way, the more your old life fades away.  But each day you make a choice – look to him, or look to the sin.  2 Peter 1:3 – His divine power has given us everything we need for godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his glory and goodness.  So anything you now have the power to do, it’s really His doing, just your choosing.  By Grace, through faith (also what He gave you).  Why did Jesus die?  God tells us  II Cor 5:14-15 – For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, (that’s Jesus) and therefore all died.  (Our old nature died with him).  Verse 15 – And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, (in the old nature) but (live) for him who died for them and was raised again.  Jesus died, so that you could live for Him.  In the new way, not by the old way.  God said the same power that raised Christ from the dead will give power to your mortal bodies.  That’s the power that helps you choose life not death, so the old life that you died to – stays dead, and the new life that you live by - lives by His strength and His power so He can take you from glory to glory.  So he can bring fruit in your life and present you blameless by His blood before God.  He’s even interceding for you right now!  When you put your faith in Jesus – to cover your sins, and give you new life - you died with Christ.  Your old life died with him – the life controlled by the law of sin, and you were raised to new life.  Your life is now controlled by the law of Righteousness.  Much more powerful than the old law that used to control you.   It’s what God did, that’s the power that you can choose to live the new life He has for you.  Free from sin, alive to God.  Let’s remember for a minute What God Did.  #1 He created you - He formed you, He fashioned you, He literally put you together in your mother’s womb.  You formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:16).  You’re hand-made, not production line, you are unique with every perfect gift and ability custom designed for the wonderful plans He has for you.  Things He ordained for you to walk in since the beginning of time!  Just let that sink in for minute.  #2 – He knew you and chose you.  Jeremiah 1:5 – Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you…  Ephesians 1:4 – For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.  In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace (that’s that power to live right) which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (In Jesus).  God did it, so you can do it.  #3 He loves you – So much that He died for you. John 3:16. I John 3:1 – See how very much our Father loves us, I John 4:19 – We love Him because He first loved us.  Jeremiah 31:3 – I have loved you with an everlasting love! His love for you never ends, it endures forever!  #4 He Drew You – John 6:44 - Jesus said, no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.  Jer 31:3 - I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.  God did it, you didn’t draw Him, He drew you!  #5 He saved you.  Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this; while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Titus 3:3 – At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved (by sin) by all kinds of passions and pleasures.  We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.  You didn’t save you, or justify you – He did it.  #6 – He empowered you.  I John 1:12 – Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the power to become the sons of God.  Acts 1:8 – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  Ephesians 1:18-19 – I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.   That power is how you walk in victory!  How you overcome the old life, and walk in newness of life. #7 – He leads you.  John 16:13 – When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will lead you in all truth.  He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.  #8 – He trains you and equips you.  Isaiah 48:17 – This is what the LORD says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.  I Tim 3:16-17 – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God (that’s you!) may be complete, fully equipped for every good work. #9 – He keeps you and protects you - Jude 1:24 – To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy… 2 Thessalonians 3:3 – But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.  Ezekiel 36:27 – And I will put my Spirit in you and cause you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.  Philippians 2:13 – For it is God who works in you both to will and to act according to His good purpose.  (He even gives you the ‘want to!’) Psalms 138:8 – The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me.  Your love O Lord, endures forever…  2 Timothy 1:9 – He saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our own accomplishments, but according to his own purpose and the grace that was given to us in the Messiah Jesus before time began.  His power does it, you just choose it.   #10 He conforms you – Romans 8:29 – For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  Romans 12:2 – Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what is that good and acceptable and complete will of God.  #11 – He welcomes you and rewards you.  John 14:2-3 – My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you,  I will come back and take you to be with me that where I am you may be also.  2 Corinthians 5:1 – Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.  Genesis 15:1 – Fear not, Abram: I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.  Isa 40:10 – See the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him.  See, his reward is with him and his recompense accompanies him.  Hebrews 6:10 – God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.  Revelation 22:12 – And, behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me to give to every man according to what he has done. So What did God do?  He created you, He knew you and chose you, He loves you, He drew you, He saves you, He empowers you, He leads you and guides you, He trains you and equips you, He preserves you and protects you, He transforms you and conforms you, and He welcomes you and rewards you.  So what do you do?  He does it all, you just choose.  You just walk in the Spirit, Read His Word, obey His voice.  He did all the rest.  Even the power to choose Him and His way, is the power He gave you His Grace, His Faith given to you, just choose Him.  He does it all, you just believe and choose Him over sin.  And He even gives you the power to do that!  And God will do everything He promised.  You have been seated with Him in heavenly places with all you need to believe and receive everything He has for you!  He plans for you are good, He gives you the power to walk in him, the power to choose His Grace.  He did it all, He does the rest. 
 
Love you all,
dad

​Love you all, praying for you.
 
I just love God’s Word.  It tells the truth, it gives warning.  Time is short!  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an angry God.  God loves you! His Word is clear.  He is coming soon, for a pure bride, not a compromised one.  The message of the gospel, - Jesus’ message.  Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.  Revival begins with repentance.   Without repentance, there is no revival.  Repent means to think differently – and then – to turn.  God will reveal sin in your life if you ask Him, but he will not turn.  There is no repentance without turning. That’s your job.  Think differently – your sin is not ok, it separates you from God, and leads to death, destruction.  How many churches preach repentance?  How many churches preach revival – but don’t preach repentance.  They teach acceptance, not repentance.  We are to live in holy fear.  We’ve lost the fear of the LORD, so sin is rampant in the church.  The New Testament is full of warning.  The day of God’s wrath is coming!  Will you be ready?  Those who are ready, will be taken up with Him in the rapture.  Those who aren’t, will not.  They will be left behind.  God loves you, Jesus wept over Jerusalem, and He’s weeping over his church, the ones who do all these things in His Name, but not in Him.  Who praise him with their lips, but whose hearts are far from him.  Many will hear, “Depart from me, Get out of my sight, I never knew you.”  But we did this and this for you!   I never knew you.  You lived your own way, not my way.  God loves you.  He’s warning you, I am coming very, very soon.  Jeremiah 29:11 – This is talking to believers.  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 will I hear from heaven and heal their sin and forgive their land.  I always thought that meant – the blessing of a nation began with God’s people.  That’s true, when the righteous rule, the people rejoice. But it is about something far larger than any single nation.  Jesus is coming for a church – a bride that is devoted to him, not sin.  A people that is looking for His return, not immersed in the sin around them.  He warns in the New Testament.  Get Right, or Get Left.  God loves you, and because He loves you He came to earth to become the penalty for your sins that separated you from God, and will separate sinners for eternity.  He didn’t want that, so He came to earth, died in your place, that whosoever believes in him, would not die, and be forever separated from him in hell, but would live with him in heaven - for all of eternity – because they are now perfected, now made without sin.  He who knew no sin became sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.  God spoke multiple times about right and left.  He said many times, do not turn to the right or the left.  Meaning – walk in my ways, obey my word, follow the path I am leading you – do not turn away to the right or to the left, do not go back to the sin that once bound you, do not become like the culture around you.  Get right, or get left.  Get right with God means – be reconciled to Him.  Reconciled means – brought into friendship from a state of disagreement or enmity.  Sin puts you at enmity with God, compromising with sin in your life makes you an enemy of God.  God says separate yourself from the world, you are in it, but no longer of it.  Paul said he was given the ministry of reconciliation – and you  and I have been given the same ministry – to reconcile men to God.  Men who are sinners, to God who is their Savior.  That’s what Jesus did in his death – made a way for man – humans – to be reconciled to him.  Get right or get left refers to the promise of God that was foretold for centuries.  That there would one day come a Messiah, a Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, that by believing in Him, you would be reconciled to God.  And those not believing in Him, rejecting him and his free gift of salvation, you would be separated from him forever.  That is a horrible, never ending place called hell, and ultimately the lake of fire, never prepared for people, but the devil and his angels, now demons.  People make the choice. Right or Left. But it also refers to a specific moment in history – a blink of an eye.  The promise of Christ returning to take his church – those who believe in Jesus Name, and salvation in his name.  And Salvation is in the name of Jesus. There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we can be saved.  This act of trust in God, and commitment of your entire life to him.  What He did – his part… to make you holy, make you forgiven, and now qualified – now considered the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus – to be welcomed, without sin, into heaven because His blood canceled your sin, and qualified you for heaven.  God’s specific promise of Christ’s return – is first referring to the rapture – where the church of Jesus Christ - is raptured from the earth (taken out) in a blink of an eye.  God said the dead in Christ will rise first, and those of us who remain will be caught up together with him in the clouds and so shall we forever be with the LORD.  This event – called the rapture of the church, will happen at the end of the age.  It will usher in a seven-year tribulation – a time of great distress on the earth such as has never been seen before in the history of the world.  It is the day of God’s wrath being poured out on the sinfulness of man who sacrificed his truth for a lie, and rejected His one and only Son who could save them from their sin.  They loved darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil.  God’s judgment is coming, very soon!   God said He would remove his church.  We were not called to suffer wrath, but His wrath will surely be poured out on this earth.  And in the absence of the church of Jesus Christ – the Christians who by God’s Spirit – who now stand against the complete overtaking of the world with evil… Certain events will transpire that will see an anti-christ rise to power.  This man will control the entire world all governments will submit to him.  All will be forced to worship him, and take a mark on their forehead or wrist – the mark of the beast whose number is 666.  (This technology is already available today).  It will be required of every human on earth, no one will be able to even buy food without it.  And whoever refuses to take the mark will be killed without mercy.  There will be those in the tribulation who will come to Christ, but they will be martyred, and God made it very clear, whoever takes this mark will be forever cut off from God with no hope of redemption – their destiny will be outer darkness forever.  God does not have that for you.  Get right or Get Left.  God gave a prophetic story of ten maidens waiting for the bridegroom, he was delayed, (why? Because he is not willing that any should perish – he is waiting for people to leave their sin, and turn to Him).  He delayed, and when He came, in an instant, those who prepared, went with him, those who didn’t were left behind.  It was a story, that represented what would happen when Christ returned for his church in the last days.  And we are in the last days, maybe even the last hours.  Those who put their faith in Jesus Christ, in his death in their place – would be reconciled to God, and be called children of God, who would live with him in heaven for eternity.  God said he does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to be saved - from sin and the certain death it brings (for the wages of sin is death) - and the destination that follows – eternity separated from God.  It’s a place of outer darkness, the absence of God, so the absence of anything good, only evil remains, to be tormented by Satan forever.  A place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, where the fire never goes out and the worm never dies.  It will be place of horror, of torture, of hopelessness, because there will never be an escape.  God warned about it, time and time again, and those who do not believe him, and do not put their faith in Jesus, who do not repent – turn from their sin, receive His Salvation, get filled with His Spirit, and walk in newness of life, leaving their old life behind, and giving their life to him…  Those who refuse to put their faith in Jesus – God said, they are condemned already because they have not believed in the name of Jesus Christ – the Lamb of God, the Savior of the world.  Nor will those who live a life in the church, and also in the world.  God warned, examine yourself, and see if ye be in the faith.  Those who persevere to the end will be saved, those who persevere and overcome sin (He has given all the power to do it, His blood covers everything, His grace is sufficient – for those who choose it.  He said abstain from earthly lusts, sinful ways, be prepared for His return.  This rapture will come for those who are saved, and living a life fully devoted to Jesus, to God’s ways, having separated themselves from sin and the ways of man, the evil that the earth has become, like the days before the flood which engulfed the whole earth.  God saw there was nothing but wickedness in the heart of man and their sin rose to the level that He wiped out the earth, but saved a remnant, Noah and his family.  He promised he would never destroy the earth with a flood, but that it would be destroyed one day by fire, and there would be a new heaven and a new earth – and those who believed in His Name would be changed, in the blink of an eye.  This rapture, or the rescuing of the church – out of the wrath of God that was about to be poured out… would be coming soon.  Just reciting a prayer doesn’t save you.  Repent, and turn, persevere in your faith.  God knows your heart.   That’s why God said we should be prayerful and watchful.  God gave warnings throughout Scripture to persevere in faith and obedience to God til the end, and you will escape the coming wrath of God, and be given the crown of life.  Get right or Get Left.  Those who are left behind, if they believe in Christ, will be martyred, but if they take the mark, there will be no hope of eternity in heaven for them.  So how do you get right, so you don’t get left.   Receive God’s free gift of Salvation.  Nothing you could do can earn Salvation for you.  You cannot save yourself from your sin, only God can by the blood of Jesus which cleanses your sin, and washes you clean.  God said if you believe that Jesus came, died in your place for your sin, and rose again from the dead.  And if you put your faith in Him for Salvation – not anything you could do to earn it…  And then, if you surrender your life from this moment forward, if you commit with your mouth (confess with your mouth) to Jesus as your Lord, that means – you give your life to Him, His leadership – and leave your sinful ways behind, and choose His ways instead.  Giving him your life from now on.  God called us to present your life, your body, a living sacrifice, to turn from sin, and live for Him…  Not just saying a prayer, but if this is what you do, then you will be saved, not only from sin and hell forever, but from the judgment that God will bring on the earth.  Get Right or Get left.  Believe in the LORD, Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.  Then, live a life worthy of the gospel, that proves your repentance.  Do not participate in the sins of this world.  Separate yourself, purify yourself, having believed in Jesus – live a life worthy of repentance, worthy of the Salvation you received.  You can’t do it by yourself, Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you, and you will receive power to be witnesses, and receive power to life a life fully devoted to God, His Word and His ways.  Repent, then walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of your sinful nature.  God has victory for you!  All the power you need – to do what is right with the Holy Spirit helping you. So you are blameless before God, on that day that is so near approaching – you will be taken with Him, when Jesus returns.  Get right or get left.  Be saved, filled with the Spirit, and do not compromise with sin.  Let no sin remain in your life.  The church was described in an analogy as a bride and Jesus being the bridegroom.  Those who have overcome sin, by the power of God, through the Holy Spirit – choosing His grace to overcome sin, repenting of any known sin, obeying everything He leads you in – His plan for your life.  These will be taken out of the world, before his judgment falls.   This is not a fairy tale, do not let the devil deceive you.  This is literal, not allegorical, this will happen, and the warnings of Christ’s imminent return are increasing.  Several now believe that Christs return for the rapture of the church – by the study of Biblical prophecy and simply doing the math, that His return could easily be this very year, which would mean Christ’s return to the earth would be seven years following – the timeframe of the tribulation.  God’s Word describes what things will unfold from there, the rise of the anti-christ, the murder of the two witnesses, the return of Christ through the east gate of Jerusalem, the Millienial reign where Satan is bound, the release of the devil for a short while, and ultimately his destruction forever and a new heaven and a new earth.  The story of human history is unfolding exactly as God has planned and prophesied.  For those of us now in this age of waiting for Jesus’ promised return preceded by the rapture of His church – to take them to the place he has prepared for them, will come in an instant.  Once that happens, there is no going back.  Chaos will ensue on the earth as the Godly are rescued out, and all that remains, is tyrannical, evil one world government rule, and the judgments of God being poured out.  Ultimately the devil will forever be thrown into the lake of fire, with all his demons, and the poor souls who rejected the truth, and did not believe in the Son of God.  God warns even believers who turn back, those who say – but LORD, LORD, didn’t we cast out demons in your name, will be cut off and be swept away with the wicked. And Jesus will rule and reign forever and ever.  You can read about it in the Holy Scriptures.  The Bible that is the story of Jesus, and God’s love for you – the Salvation in Jesus Name that He has for you – for those who will receive it.  It is a history book, and instruction book, and a prophecy book – a warning book - telling what is yet to come.   But this event of the rapture that will begin the end – is the domino that is about to fall – that all human history is moving towards - that will change human existence forever.  It could happen this year, it could happen today.  Don’t think that certain other things must first occur for this to happen, you could be wrong, and you could get left.  Get right - now, so you don’t get left! Tell others about the wrath that is to come, and God’s plan of Salvation for them!   All things will happen just as God prophesied, He said we should be watching and waiting.  Receive Jesus as your Savior.  God said believe that he died and rose again, ask Him to forgive your sin, and then commit with your mouth your life – surrendered to His will.  Ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit - Let him lead you in righteousness, leave your sinful ways behind.  Don’t be swept away with the wicked.  He will give you power to do it.  And you will be ready to be taken up with Him in the clouds, when He comes for His church.  So you don’t get left, to suffer the wrath that is coming.  Jesus said, Repent, and believe the good news, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. This is the message of the gospel, you were not appointed to suffer wrath but to be saved by grace through faith in Jesus.  Keep yourself free from the sins of the world, and look for His coming.  Get Right or Get Left.  No sin is worth missing the rapture, for those left behind, they will be martyred for not taking the mark, or they will take the mark of the beast and be destroyed forever.  This is not fairy tale, this is not fiction.  God prophesied that these things will happen, just as He prophesied that Jesus would come and die on a cross for the sins of the world.  The hour is just about upon us.  Choose you this day whom you will serve, as for me and my house we will serve the LORD.  God will save you, He promised, don’t let the devil lie to you – do not be deceived.  Be holy by the blood of Jesus, set apart for God, do not compromise with sin, and you will be taken up with Him.  Tell others – don’t let them miss out.  Don’t let them be left behind, because you didn’t say anything.  Ask God to open doors to share the good news of Jesus, and the Kingdom of God with others – who don’t know Him.  Jesus didn’t say, come to me and I will give you free lunch.  He said Repent and believe the good news.  Turn from your sin, to Jesus Christ and be saved!  Ask God to prepare the hearts of people –  but the time is at hand we are literally moments away from His return.  He is waiting – not wanting any to perish, but He will surely come in the blink of an eye.  Praying that you will be ready, watching and waiting.  That you will get right so you don’t get left.  God loves you, He promised to save you.  Praying that you are waiting for Him in expectation.  You will never regret it.  Like God closing the door of the Ark, and the people who didn’t believe, and come in - because of unbelief, screaming to be let in as the flood waters rose, but it was too late.  In this moment – it’s not yet too late for you.  Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ, separate yourself from the sins of the world – so you are ready and waiting for His return.  Jesus is returning for you and His church - in the blink of an eye – we will all be changed, and so shall we forever be with the LORD. 
 
Love you all,
dad 

​Love you all, praying for you.
 
I just love God’s Word.  It tells you what sin is.  If it didn’t, everyone would define sin in their own eyes, or not even know what it is.   Sin: chata <khaw-taw’> an offence, to miss, to bear the blame.   Hamartano -  to miss the mark, and so not share in the prize.  Sin is anything less than God’s Best, anything less than what God said, an offense to God or others, to fall short.  Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  To understand Salvation, you have to understand sin.  If there is no sin, there is no need for Salvation.  God is holy – there is no sin in him.  There is no sin in heaven.  It’s impossible.  The one in heaven who sinned, was cast out with the angels who followed him and rejected God.  And anyone who rejects God will be cast out like they were.  Hence the problem.  We are sinful from birth.  All we like sheep have gone astray, every one of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.  God said one sin tainted the whole human race.  Before Adam sinned, there was no separation, there was no death.  But when Adam sinned, it brought death and the law of sin to the human race, and permanently altered the human condition.  Because Adam sinned therefore all have sinned.  It was passed down to us, the inheritance of death.  Romans 6:23 - The wages of sin is death.  BUT the gift of God, (not the effort of man, so that no one can take credit for it, brag or boast).  The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD.   His blood, His Grace, and your faith in Him. By grace through faith you have been made righteous – as if without sin.  For those who believe in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, you are the righteousness of God in Christ.  If sin controlled you, because of one man’s sin, how much more will righteousness control you because of every sin ever - being forgiven by the One sinless man who died and rose and again, Jesus Christ.  How many sins have you committed in your life?  Can you even think of the list?  All of those sins, don’t send you to hell.  You were born in sin, your parents never had to teach you how to disobey, it was already in you.  Like the baby in the high chair, when you tell them “Don’t throw your food on the floor,” they will look you straight in the eye, and throw it on the floor.  Who taught them that? That’s not taught, it’s inherited, from Adam, that’s the human nature, the human condition.  Sin is the problem.  It separates you from God.  And if you are separated from God when you die, you are in outer darkness, not the light of Heaven.  Paul said – if I do what I don’t want to do, and what I want to do, I don’t do… it’s not me, but the sin in me that’s doing it.  The problem is, God is without sin.  No sin will ever be in heaven, and you’re a sinner.  You need to get rid of the sin.  You cannot do it on your own.  You are disqualified, you need someone without sin, to take your place, to take your penalty of death (the wages of sin), on themselves.  So you can go free.  The problem is all humans are stained with sin.  So God himself had to do it.  The only sinless One. That’s why He came in the form of a baby and when He grew up – without sin – He became the sacrifice for your sin and my sin.  He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.   God said if you break one commandment, you break them all.  But no sin you ever committed sends you to hell.  You were born with a sin nature that opposes God, and the good that He requires.  But every sin forgiven – thank you Jesus – can send you to heaven.  If you believe that He died in your place – for your sin, that He rose from the dead, and you commit with your mouth – Jesus is LORD – aka “He’s now the boss of me.”  I give the rest of my life to live for Him, what He says, what He wants from me.  That’s presenting your body, your life as the living sacrifice that Romans 12:1 says is your reasonable act of service, of worship.  To the God who made you, and loves you, and died for you.  Who has great plans for you – if you will just let him drive – instead of you.   If you put your faith in Him, that is the only way to get rid of your sin – that separates you from God – down here on earth, and forever for eternity.  Only two destinations once you die.  Heaven with Jesus, or Hell with the devil.   Most people you talk to will lie to you and say, “That’s not true.  Other religions say something different.” Of course they do.  Or “We’re all God’s children” or “There are many ways to God.”  Or I’m not really that bad, I think everyone is good, and a good person.”  God said we are all God’s creation, but not all God’s children. God said, to those who believed in Him (Jesus death in their place), He gave the right to be called the children of God.  He even told us how you know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are – so we’re not all God’s children.  All his creation, but not all his children, God is truth, Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father (in heaven) except through me.  So God draws us in many ways, because He loves us, he doesn’t want anyone to perish, but He clearly said, There is only one way to God in heaven, His Son Jesus.  God said He who believes in the Son has life, but he who does not believe in the Son is condemned already because he has not believed in the Name of God’s one and only son. God said if anyone claims to be without sin, he is a liar and the truth is not in him.  God said he chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.  Jesus Christ – a stumbling block to the Jews, and foolishness to the gentiles, but to those believe, it is the power of God unto Salvation.  This is what God said, #1 “Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”  Jesus – died to be your Savior – to remove your sins and to be your LORD. That is the only way you will be in heaven forever, rather than hell forever.  The Biggest Sin – is not believing in Jesus – to be saved from your sin, that keeps you from heaven.  Put your faith in Him, and you will be set free from sin, He will qualify you for heaven.  It’s what He did, not what you did or what you do.  And you’ll be under new management – so from now on, you can live through Him, the power of God in you, to say no to sin, and yes to His plans for you!  #2 Be filled with the Holy Spirit – by His command.  The second step of obedience.  Just ask Him, Luke 11:13 – And you will receive power to live a new life, that you couldn’t do on your own.  #3 Be water baptized – by His command.  The third step of obedience.  It symbolizes you being buried with Christ – dying to sin, and being raised with Him to life.  The law of sin no longer controls you, the law of righteousness now controls you.  Your sins are forgiven, past, present and future.  You are now free to follow Him with your life.  You don’t have to sin anymore, you can, but you don’t have to, you have the power not to – His Grace and the Holy Spirit.  #4 Read His Word every day - transform your mind, so you think like He God does. The fourth step of obedience - PRISM will help you!  #5 Ask Him for His plans for you today. He’ll tell you. So you follow His plan for you today, not yours.  The fifth step of obedience. That’s Romans 12:1 -presenting your body a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable act of worship and service to Him. PiVAT before dinner will help you!.  And every time the devil tries to get you back – to enslave you again…#6 Choose God’s grace to say no to sin, and yes to Jesus – the new life – free from sin, that Jesus died to purchase for you.  That’s the sixth step of obedience.  If you put your faith in Jesus Christ - you will live in heaven with God for eternity, and He will save you from the wrath to come – the judgment that is coming on the earth.  He promised.  If you put your faith in Christ – Jesus will return for you – in the twinkling of an eye, you will be changed.  He will come for his bride the church – and everyone who believes in Him, whose name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life – will be caught up together in the clouds to be with the LORD in the air!  As soon as that happens, the world will descend into chaos – the tribulation that was foretold, a time of terror and evil unlike anything that has ever happened on the earth.  Jesus is coming back soon, He said we need to be ready!  Trust in Him, Turn from evil, Transform your mind, Tell others about this great danger coming, and their need of a Savior.  God will save them, just like He saved you!  He is faithful, He has plans for you, here on earth, but much more – plans for you for all of eternity.  The choice is yours, Jesus, or the devil.  The law of sin, or the law of righteousness.  Heaven or hell - you’ll spend all of eternity in one place or the other.  Jesus paid the price for you!  But you choose who you will follow.  Praying that you will always choose Jesus, always choose grace to say no to sin, and #7 Tell someone - always share this good news with everyone you know.  God said we are to share the good news with them, or they will be swept away with the wicked.  God loves them!  He wants them to be saved.  If you love them, you’ll tell them. 
 
Love you all,
dad