Escaping the Fire

ESCAPING THE FIRE

  “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”   Luke 21:36 (NKJV)

            The scripture above refers to Matthew 24 where Jesus told the disciples what would happen in the last days.  Luke goes on to tell what we, who are living in those times, can do.  There are several clues in this scripture that we should listen to.

1)       Watch!  Watch what is going on around you; right here in our country.  Are
Christians being persecuted in America?  Yes we are!  You may not even realize that Christians are being targeted by our government; by the IRS and definitely by the liberals.  Christians are being made fun of, made to look less intelligent than others and deceitful in their works. 

Just today a veteran was attacked by Arabs in front of the Whitehouse.  There is a video showing what happens.  “A US MARINE holding a US flag outside the US WHITE HOUSE gets pushed and kicked and spit at by these scumbags who represent Hamas jihadi terrorism and hate.”  Nothing was done by police but to send the Vet on his way.

In schools across the country Christian kids cannot wear tee shirts with Christian symbols or the name of Jesus on them (not here in our little towns) but the Muslim girls are allowed to have their scarves over their heads which are a symbol of their faith.  The White House hosts Muslim events, but no longer will host Prayer Breakfasts.

                  This is only the beginning of what is happening in our country, so WATCH!

2)       PRAY!  Some of us pray a lot and some pray little, but we must pray from the heart to reach God’s ears.  It’s one thing to say a meal-time prayer, but when you really want to petition God, prayer comes from a deep place inside.  So much of the time we pray for only what concerns us, and we should, but let our compassion reach out to others.  We have been told in the Bible to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  Why should we do that?  What happens in Israel affect us in the US.  Pray for our government to stand for Israel and stand for Christians all over the world.

3)      Worthy!  Yes, we should pray to be counted worthy to escape these things we see happening, but there is really more to it than that.  If we are not following Jesus; not trying to live to become more like Him; not allowing the Holy Spirit to give us direction; not reading the Bible to learn how to live a Christian life, then we won’t be praying the prayers that come from our heart.  If our heart isn’t right with God, and you will know if it isn’t, how can prayer work?

4)       Stand Before Christ!  [2 Corinthians 5:10]: “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged.  We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.”  Of course as Christians, we have been forgiven of all our sins and will go to heaven when we die.  The reason we all have to stand before Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ, is to see what we have done with our life as a believer.  We will receive rewards for the good things and no rewards for the things we didn’t do.

I have always thought of it as a big movie screen showing me passing on by when I could have helped someone, or doing a kindness for another that I didn’t realize I was doing anything.  I don’t know if that’s how it will be, but I’ve thought about it and remembered times when others needed help or pray and I didn’t take the time. 

I’ve also thought about when I stand before Jesus and I have to look into his face.  Will I look up at Him and smile, knowing I’ve done my best, or will I drop my head in shame?  I know I just want to hear Him say, “Well done good and faithful servant.  Enter into the joy of your Lord.”  [Matthew 25:21]

These things show us how to escape the coming fire.  We hope we will be taken up in the Rapture of the church before the wrath of God falls on this earth.  “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”   [I Thessalonians 4:17].  However, when the rapture takes place is questionable.  We know this:  “to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.” [1 Thessalonians 1:10]

        When does the Wrath of God arrive according to the Bible’s time table?  Read Revelation 16:1; it appears the wrath of God comes during the second half of the 7-year Tribulation, so I am not positive of when the Rapture will come, but I know it will come.  Bible scholars cannot agree on this point and I believe it’s because Jesus said, “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.” [1 Thessalonians 5:2]  I think we were not meant to know, because we should be watching at all times, as the scripture in the beginning says [Luke 21:36]. Stand strong in the Lord and you will escape the fire that is now threatening the entire world!

 

 



THE WORLD'S ON FIRE!

The World’s on Fire

“For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.”   Ezekiel 36:24

            Why would anyone say that the world’s on fire?  I listened to a newscaster talking the other day and his comment was. “The Worlds on fire and we better do something before there’s nothing left to do.  Let’s begin this week’s study on where this fire starts.  As far as countries go, Israel is not very big, but it is probably the most important country in the entire world.  It is the bed of coals that fires up the world. 

When God brought the Israelites back to their land in 1948, it has prospered greatly.  Ezekiel 36:35 explains that prophesy, “So they will say, 'This land that was desolate has become like the Garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.”  This is exactly what has happened and it was God’s people, the Jews, who have done it.  This property, once a dry and desolate land, has become so rich and fertile and most people on the average prosper.  It is their land and no one else’s.  They will never give any part of it up to another people like the Palestinians.

             God gave the land to the Jews and declared in Ez. 37:21-22 that it will remain theirs forever.  “Then say to them, “Thus says the Lord GOD: "Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again.”

The Arab nations want to destroy Israel and its people; along with America and our people.  Most of these nations are Muslim and their aim is to kill all those who aren’t. Does this help you understand what their aim is?  I am sure there are peaceful Muslims, but the radical ones are getting so powerful and whatever they come after they don’t mind dying for it.

            Most frightening of Muslim terrorists is the group “Isis”.  I don’t know why they chose the name Isis for their group, but this name originated in Egypt as one of its goddesses. With every god or goddess, those who worship them become a cult.  So it is with this terrorist group who is practicing the most heinous and vilest of killing that hasn’t been seen for hundreds of years. They cut off the heads of Christians, bury men, women and children alive, and torture their victims.  They send out videos of what they are doing and terrorizing people into following them.  By the way, their group is growing very quickly.

The next group of terrorists is al-Qaeda, which we have dealt with for many years.  We are still fighting in Afghanistan to put this group down.  With the crisis in Gaza, the rise of Islamist militants in Iraq and Syria and the international stand-off ongoing in Ukraine, it can sometimes feel like the whole world is at war.  Expert’s study of ‘global peace’ claims that things are only going to get worse.  Of the 162 countries covered by the Institute for Economics and Peace's latest study, just 11 were not involved in conflict of one kind or another.

            Russia and the Ukraine is a hot spot we cannot overlook.  They will not listen to the United Nations or anyone else, but follow their leader, Putin.  This man in his own way is a terrorist against the Ukrainians.  Look at this list of countries at war: Central African Republic (civil war), Democratic Republic of Congo (war against rebel groups), Egypt (popular uprising against Government), Mali (war against Tuareg and Islamist militants), Nigeria (war against Islamist militants), Somalia (war against Islamist militants), Sudan (war against rebel groups), South Sudan (civil war).  Only 11 countries out of 162 world-wide are not involved in some kind of war.

Yes, it seems the world is on fire and no one can control it.  A fire without control is a deadly adversary that destroys everything in its path and it is moving quickly.  What can we, as Christians, do about this?  Next week let’s explore in God’s Word, His plan for his people in these troubled times.  Are we in the last days?  Are Christians in the US being persecuted?  What comes next?  Follow up next week with, “Escaping the Fire”.

 

 

SMILE!

Smile

 

“Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the LORD; my horn {my strength} is exalted in      the LORD.  I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.”   1 Samuel 2:1

            I am always amazed at what a ‘Smile’ does for a person’s face.  It is the most transforming act one can do.  It can light up a grumpy face; soften a harsh look and give the appearance of being a friend to whoever it is directed to.  I believe a smile is a gift that God has given every face.  What you do with that gift is what counts.

            I never thought too much about it until many years ago a music album by Nat King Cole came out with a song called ‘Smile’. You can find it on U-tube if you want to listen to it, but the words went like this:

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by.
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile.

            I decided to practice this technique and I do it often.  When I’m in a store I watch for someone with a sad or a mean face coming toward me and smile at them.  It never fails that they smile back and seem to brighten up.  A tired mother wandering through the store with a little one in the seat and one or two following behind, lifts her head a little higher.  She needs the encouragement your smile gives; it says, “I’ve been there and it gets better.”

            You may be struggling yourself, or you may be ill or sad, but when you smile at someone, it encourages your own self.  Like the song says, “If you smile through fear and sorrow, smile and maybe tomorrow, you’ll see the sun come shining through for you.”

            When my younger sister was dying with cancer, I would go to her house and we would pray together and even cry together, but the best times were when we laughed together.  I always walked in with a smile and before you knew it, we were talking about the funny, silly things we had done in the past and then she would laugh.  She loved to laugh and that’s how I will remember her.

            The above scripture about Hannah says it all;” My heart rejoices in the LORD; my strength is exalted in the LORD. I smile at my enemies”.  The strength that God gives you can see you through anything; it will give you the ability to smile in the face of troubles.  As in the song about, “life is still worthwhile, if you just smile.”

            Prayer for the day:  “Lord, please give me the ability to smile no matter what comes my way.  Let others see you in me and help be to be an encourager.  I know I lack the ability to minister to others, but I can still smile.  Please help me to light up the day for a soul that needs some cheer.”  Amen!

Me on the left and my sister, Linda

 

LOOK UP!

LOOK UP!

“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads,

because your redemption (deliverance) draws near."   Luke 21:28

            If you watched the news lately you have to see that this old world is in a sad state of affairs.  First the fighting going on between Israel and Hamas; then Russia and Ukraine; deadly diseases like Ebola and terrible floods and fires.  Television is so moral degrading you wondered how it could be worse, until they have announced a new program showing nude people.  Reading the above scripture makes sense, but lets read the previous verses 25-27, “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”

            Some think I write about ‘End Times’ just to scare people, or because I like doing this. Actually, I write about it because it is made very clear in the Word of God that when we see these things happening, we better not only get our own lives in order, but should be bringing others into the Kingdom of God.  This is done in different ways; showing God’s love to others, praying with them, sharing the Bible with them, feeding, clothing and housing them if we can.  The blogs I write every week are written for the Believers, who need reminding as well as myself, of why we should be about our Father’s business. 

            I believe with all my heart we are living in the ‘last days’.  This doesn’t mean it will happen tomorrow or next week, but it could happen any time.  That’s why we are told to ‘look up’!  “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”  [Mark 13:32-33]  Notice this scripture, among others, says ‘Watch’.  What does that mean?  It means to watch for Jesus’ appearing and to “Look Up”.

            We all know a time will come called “The Great Tribulation”.  I love the following scripture when Jesus said in Luke 21:36, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”  It’s kind of like Jesus saying, “It’s time to get out of Dodge, so follow me.”   And just like that we’ll be gone!

            If you are reading this you are probably a Christian and believe in Jesus as your Savior.  What are you going to do about Jesus?  Are you going to keep him all to yourself, or are you going to step out of your comfort zone and share Him with others?  It reminds me of one of my favorite TV shows, “Love it or List it.”  It begins with a family who think they need a better or bigger house, so designers come in to see if they can help them be more comfortable in their present home.  A real-estate agent comes in and shows them bigger and better houses.  Now they have to make a choice to stay where they are in their up-graded home, or to list it and buy a new one.  This is kind of like being a Christian; we get comfortable where we are and don’t want to change our life.  We’re afraid to step out of our comfort zone and wonder what it will cost us.

            Some feel it may cost us friendships to follow the Lord; I experienced that myself when I became a believer.  My friends thought I was crazy and I thought they were lost, so we parted ways.  Since that time I have made uncountable friends of the most amazing people; who laugh with me, love me and pray with me.  I am blessed. 

            Many years ago I had a dream that I never forgot.  I dreamed I heard a loud shout and I began to rise into the sky. I looked down and saw a relative standing on a hill waving good-by to me; I called to her to ask Jesus into her heart and she could come with us.  She shook her head ‘no’ and walked back down the hill.  All my family were with me and we were going very, very fast, but could not feel the wind or air.  There was more of the dream, but this part of it has haunted me over the years, because of my relative not wanting to spend eternity with Jesus.

            It is a fact that not everyone will go with Jesus when he comes for us.  If you aren’t ready in your heart, he won’t take you.  I know this seems harsh, but it’s what the Bible tells.  Read these words from 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

            When it says ‘the dead in Christ’, it means the believers who have already died and those still alive are the believers still living.  Friends, if you haven’t already asked Jesus to forgive your sins and invited him to live in your heart, now is the time!  You will never be sorry you did.

            Read Mathew chapter 24 and it will show you many of the things that are happening in the world today.  Then Look Up, your redemption draws near!