A Penny for Your Thoughts

Personally, I wouldn’t give a penny for anyone’s thoughts.  God, himself, doesn’t care much for man’s thoughts.  In Palms 94:11 he says, “The Lord knows the thoughts of man; he knows that they are futile [useless/occupied with trifles].”  Everyone has occasion for daydreaming; imaginations.  Our thoughts can get us into plenty of trouble if we don’t control them.

From the beginning of time, God has read the thoughts of man.  “The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.” (Gen. 6:5)  There is much said about God’s creation in this particular verse.  First, we know that He watched mankind to see what they are doing.  Secondly, man was not always this way, because God said they had become wicked. Thirdly, man’s thoughts of his heart were always evil, which showed they didn’t control their thoughts. Fourthly, this verse shows us that man’s character had changed and thinking evil thoughts had become natural to him, as he was inclined to do so.  Because of this, God destroyed all mankind, except Noah and his family. 

Quoting evangelist, Steve Hill, “Things are not always as they seem."  On the outside we may appear to be lily white, but inside, our thoughts may be black with evil.  In 1 Chr. 28:9 King David was speaking to his son, Solomon and warned him that “....the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.”  God knows even the motives behind what you are thinking.   Let’s look at an example.

Acts 5:1-4 “Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.  With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.  Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."

What Ananias and Sapphira did by giving money from the sale of their property looked good, but God knew the motive of their hearts was wrong.  They both died for this sin.  There was a reason that God wanted this event recorded in the Word.  It was a warning for all those who came after.  The warning is this:  Be sure you have the right motive behind your thoughts and actions.  Make sure everything is as it seems.  2 Cor. 10:5 tells us how to do this by, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.....”

We can control our thoughts if we cut off the bad that enters, and fill our mind with things of God.  First, you would make a decision to never look at pornography again.  Because of what you have already seen and thought, it will continue to pop into your mind, but you have the ability to cast those thoughts out and fill your mind with things of God.  “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Phil 4:8)

In Malachi the scriptures tell us how important it is for us to think on the Lord.  “Then those who feared and loved the Lord spoke often of him to each other.  And he had a Book of Remembrance drawn up in which he recorded the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him.”  (Mal. 3:16 TLB) 

Although what we see with the naked eye might seem spiritual and good, God sees the motives with his Spirit.  Are there things we do ‘in the name of Jesus’ or, ministries that we give our all to, and yet our motives are not right.  Do we have difficulty with PRIDE?  Only God knows your thoughts, but there will come a time when even this will be revealed.  “... He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.”  (Luke 1:51) 

We may be surprised at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  There will be many who stand before him believing they have made it in.   What a surprise it will be when they are told, ‘I never knew you’! “Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”   (Matt. 7:21-23)  Maybe they served God, working hard in His service, doing all the right things, but the motive behind what they did was PRIDE!                                                                                                             

            You may be a leader in the church, a teacher, a worshipper, or a giver of time, talents and money, but if your motives are wrong, none of that will make any difference.  There may be those who don’t dress right, talk right or smell right, but they may be the ones to whom the Lord will say,  “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”  (Matt 25:3)

We are living in the day and the hour when God is calling for repentance.  That includes repentance of the attitudes of the heart.  It is time for each of us to examine our thoughts and see if they are filled with things that are ungodly.  If you have any doubts as to what is in your heart, open up the Word of God and begin to study; to meditate.  It will reveal your innermost heart. Heb. 4:12 tells us, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

This year may be the last to dawn on the Christian life as we know it today.  Let’s begin right now by repenting from evil thoughts that control our minds and wrong attitudes that have taken hold.  Is there a single person that if asked, “A penny for your thoughts”, would be willing to take that penny and reveal everything they are thinking?  Before you decide, remember this, the Lord knows all your thoughts; the ones you are having now and the all those you have ever had.  Without repentance, can a one of us stand before him and look into his eyes and be unashamed? 

A Penny for Your Thoughts?

Puff, the Magic Dragon

In 1963, one of the most popular songs was, “Puff, The Magic Dragon”.   It was recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary, who did much to sway the musical direction of the 60s to folk music. “Puff” was written about little boys who grew up and left the land of make-believe.  Peter, Paul and Mary were very influential in our culture at the height of their popularity.  Most of their music reflected social and political issues, to which they were committed and they used their talents to get the message out to others. 

There was another group of people, with the same names, Peter, Paul and Mary, who lived in an earlier time.  They also were committed to a cause and reached out to others, not with music, but with discipleship. In Greek the word 'disciple' normally referred to a follower of a particular teacher or religious/philosophical school. It was the task of the disciple to learn, study, and pass along the sayings and teachings of the master. (Holman Bible Dictionary)

However, there is far more to discipleship than just following someone.  It is a commitment to serve Christ and places everything you hold dear to second place in your life.  Jesus made this clear several times in the Bible.  In Luke 14:26-27, He said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple.  And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”

This doesn’t mean that we should hate our family members, nor does it mean we should dislike or disregard them.  Jesus never taught us hate, or even dislike, but taught that we should love unconditionally.  What this scripture means, is that our love for Christ should be so strong, that even those we hold the dearest, would be loved less than Him.  No other person should ever stop us from loving and serving Christ, no matter who they are.

            The Peter, Paul and Mary of the Bible are great examples, each in their own way, of practicing discipleship.  We first read about Peter in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter four.   Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, called Peter and his brother, Andrew, to leave their fishing trade and follow him.  Peter was just an ordinary person, working in an ordinary occupation, as was common in those days.  Perhaps many of us can see ourselves in the character of Peter.  He was compulsive, uncommitted, coarse, and loud and occasionally his anger controlled him. 

Christ will use anyone who is willing to answer His call.  This does not mean that Peter had any special qualifications, but he responded to the call.  With our intellect, we feel that we must first be qualified, and then God will call us into ministry.  The fact of it is, God does not always call those who are qualified, but he qualifies those he calls.  This is exactly what he did with Peter.  Peter was willing to give all he had to follow Jesus; his possessions, job, time and talents.  In doing that, he became a disciple.

Was it easy?  Nothing seemed to be easy for impulsive Peter.  It brings to mind some old clichés:  “think before you speak”, or “look before you leap”.  Peter did neither of these. Yet, he was the “rock” on which the church was built and the leader of the disciples.  It was he that held the young, fledging church together and he remains today a hero in Christian history.  Peter gave everything he had to serve Christ and in the end, even his life. 

Paul, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus, was possibly the greatest of all the disciples of Christ.  Thirteen of the books in the New Testament are attributed to him.  Paul’s character was opposite from Peter in that he was well educated, committed, patient, and in his own words, “content in every situation” (Phil 4:12).  Paul also had a trade as a tentmaker, which provided for him during the times he traveled.  Paul was a Jew and had no use for gentiles; a most unlikely candidate to lead the gentiles to Christ. Yet, Jesus saw in him as a strength to get a big job done, and called to him on the road to Damascus.  Paul answered that call and over the years suffered much.  In 2 Cor. 11:24-27, he writes, “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.  I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.”

Through Paul’s discipleship, Christians today understand more about Christ, Gods gift to mankind, conversion, reconciliation, faith, hope, evangelism and living and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.  The sacrifice was great, but the rewards even greater.

Are we then to believe that we must go through what Peter and Paul did to be disciples of Jesus? Let’s look at our third example of discipleship, Mary of Bethany.

Mary was the sister of Martha and Lazarus; the latter being the one Jesus wept for and raised from the dead. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus seem to have been part of an inner circle of Jesus' associates and he and his disciples stopped at their home many times.  We find in Luke 10:40-42, that on one of these visits, Martha, being the industrious one, complained Mary was not helping with the work.  Jesus answered her by saying, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Mary was a student of Christ.  She loved him with her whole being and didn’t want to miss anything he said or did.  Mary must have communed with God, possibly being a great prayer warrior, for in John 12, we read that she anointed Jesus' feet with precious oil in preparation of his death.  Mary is shown to be a follower, a disciple, who learned and prayed at the feet of Jesus.  Her discipleship of priority, obedience and a deep love of the Master is an example for us to follow today.

Whoever you are, if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, you have a call on your life to be a disciple.  Just as he spoke to the Galilean fishermen, “follow me and I will make you fishers of men”, he speaks to each of us today.  He will work within the abilities of our talents, skills, and background.  We just need to be willing.  You probably won’t be called to die upside down on a cross, as tradition tells us Peter did.  You more than likely won’t go through all the physical sufferings Paul did.  However, it is most definite that you will be called, as Mary of Bethany was, to sit at Jesus feet, learning, listening and praying. 

You will be called into a commitment to discipleship by self-denial (putting away our own sinful passions and desires), standing on Christ’s word, “not my will, but thine, be done”, (Luke 22:42).  You will also be committed to depend on the instructions and truths of God’s word, therefore practicing Holy Living.   It also means that you will be ready at all times, in season and out of season, to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who are lost and dying in sin. 

Do the cares and concerns of this world take priority?  Do you have dreams and ambitions that must be fulfilled before you are willing to become a disciple?  If it is your ambition in life to become famous, perhaps like the Peter, Paul and Mary who wrote “Puff, The Magic Dragon”, your priorities may be out of order. There’s nothing wrong with writing songs, or singing for a living.  They made their livelihood singing about make-believe, and a magic dragon that lives forever, as well as many other hit songs.  We all need an occupation to sustain us.  However, as a Christian, our first ambition should be to become disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, telling others of a loving Savior who died for them, so they might live forever with Him.

Let’s grow up and leave the land of make-believe.  Let’s face the reality of a real Savior, a heaven and of a hell and the millions of people who are going into eternity without Him.  You can make a difference, if you become his disciple.  The benefits are great! You don’t need to buy an insurance policy, because as a Christian you have an Assurance Policy that guarantees you a heavenly home.

OL’ MAN RIVER

“Lift that barge and tote that bale, git a little drunk and you land in jail.  I gets weary and sick of tryin’, I’m tired of livin’ and skeered of dyin’, but ol’ man river, he just keeps rolling along.”

Has your life become like the slave who sings this song, as he labors into exhaustion?  He could not say no, because he was a slave.  He couldn’t slow down because he was under bondage to his master.  He would have liked to do something to help him forget his troubles; maybe getting drunk.  However, that wouldn’t work, because he would be in a worse fix than ever - he was in a prison, whether within, or without.  This, my friend, is called stress.  He was caught in a place of being too tired and worn out to go on living, and faced the fearful possibility of dying.  In the end, he finds it is a hopeless situation, for the river of life just goes on.

Are you like that slave, under so much pressure and bondage, it seems as though there is no hope?  You are not alone.  Christians all over the world are finding the pressures of serving God increasingly difficult.  Why?  It isn’t one specific thing, but a variety of things that drive us, condemn us and scrutinize us.  Many of us feel driven to accomplish great things for the Lord. Webster’s dictionary describes ‘driven’ as a forward motion by physical force, authority or influence.  It also means to have a compulsive or urgent quality, or sense of obligation.

Let’s examine the word ‘lead’.  Lead means to guide on a way, by going in advance; to direct on a course, which naturally brings others to follow. If you take the words drive, or driven and compare it to the word ‘lead’, it would be like a negative and a positive.  The negative is to be driven and the positive is to be led. 

In studying the scriptures, we find that Christ never drives the believer into serving him, but gently leads his own, as the Good Shepherd, (John 10:11). One cannot lead unless someone will follow, and one cannot drive unless there is someone to push forward.

The song, “O’ Man River” describes the plight of a person who is driven and cannot find escape from this bondage. Many Christians are like that and let themselves be driven into a place of despair and frustration.  They may tell you they are doing all these things for Christ.  Yet, would Christ drive them to despair, exhaustion and poor health?

            We need to remember that although it is true, ‘God is good’, ‘everything that’s good is not always God’.  An example of that is found in Job.  God allowed Satan to test Job, and because of what Job was going through, his friends came to mourn with him and comfort him.  When they saw his condition, they wept and tore their clothes, for they could hardly recognize him.  What they did was good.  They wanted to help him, and after much dialogue, came to the conclusion that in some way he had sinned against God.  Then Elihu, a younger man, confronted Job and told him that his suffering was caused because he needed to change his attitude and become humble. 

What these men did seemed good, but it wasn’t God.  They did what they felt was righteous and godly.  All of them proclaimed God’s justice and majesty, which was good.  However, they were out of God’s will, and sought to drive Job to repentance, when he was not in the wrong.  The whole book can be summarized in this:  Grace is a gift from God and not a debt, for we cannot earn it.

In Acts, chapter five, we read about Ananias and Sapphira, a couple who sold their land and gave half of the money to the church.  That was a good and godly thing to do.  There was only one problem with it, they lied and held back from God.  They died because of what they did.  It seemed good, but it wasn’t God.  What we learn from this example is that God knows the motives of our heart.

Who or what drives us in such a relentless way.  Could it be we think we are gods who can single-handedly do every service that is needed in our church or Christian community?  Who drives us to exhaustion, stress and poor health?  Is it Christ, the Good Shepherd; the leader of whom we should be followers?  I think not.  Our Lord is not the one shouting out driving commands, “tote that barge and lift that bale!”  Instead, “He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going and they had no leisure so much as to eat.”  (Mark 6:31)

Another time Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  (Matt. 11:28)  Jesus knew the need for rest and it appears he did this often.  He never seemed in a hurry, when he raised Lazarus from the dead, or when he brought the little girl back to life.  Our Lord, who could do miracles such as these, also remarked to his disciples, “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;   Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Matt. 9: 37,38)  If he was going to do this by himself, why did he pray for laborers? 

When we take too many tasks unto ourselves, we will short change someone.  We may have many talents and gifts and enjoy using them for God’s purpose, but it may be time to examine ourselves and look at the real motive behind what we do.  Are we afraid of saying ‘no’ to God, or to man?  When we are so busy we have no time for prayer, we are saying ‘no’ to God.  When we are so busy we neglect our health, we are saying, “I have no regard for this temple I live in”.  Perhaps our pride won’t let us even admit we can’t ‘do it all’. It is impossible to please all the people all of the time.  Someone will be neglected and at the speed most of us are driven, it will probably be God himself!       

There are those who have pushed their bodies to the limit.  Do they feel the need to endure because they like being a martyr?   I am reminded of the monk who wore a garment of hair that constantly scraped his skin raw.  There are people in South America, who on Good Friday, actually drive nails through their hands to experience the suffering of Christ.  Sounds terrible, doesn’t it?  It’s really no worse than what some of us do, only in different a way.

I used to brag about how hard I worked.  I loved to awe people with the load I carried.  Then I discovered a truth.  “There is none righteous, no not one.”  (Rom. 3:10)  Like Job, I cannot earn righteousness.  I also cannot work my way to being ‘spiritual’.  The only thing that really counts in life, after all, is my relationship with the Lord and to follow his direction.  I don’t have to be everything to everyone.  He has not asked me to be a martyr, or a slave.  He doesn’t drive me to despair and illness.  His living Word tells me this: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Ps. 23) 

Many times we have heard this Psalm and yet, it is ever new.  Listen how he tells us to come aside and rest and how he leads and guides us.  Even when our life seems to be filled with enemies wanting a piece of our mind, our talents, our health, he says to us, “Sit down and rest a while.  I’ll feed you and sustain you right in front of your enemies. I will anoint you with the oil of my Spirit and you will feel my peace flow over you.  You will find contentment and relax in the love and goodness I pour out on you.”  What hope - what joy, to know we will be with him throughout eternity. 

Ol’ Man River just keeps rollin’ along.  Life goes on and either we will jump in the river and be refreshed in Christ’s presence, or we will spend our days on earth, “liftin’ that barge and totin’ that bale”.  We may find ourselves trapped in a prison (jail) of our own making and will suffer the consequences.

How can we, as busy Christians, find this place of refreshment? Psalm 84:1-7 in the Living Bible describes it for us.  “How lovely is your Temple, O Lord of the armies of heaven?  I long, yes, faint with longing to be able to enter your courtyard and come near to the Living God.  Even the sparrows and swallows are welcome to come and nest among your altars and there have their young, O Lord of heaven’s armies, my King and my God!  How happy are those who can live in your Temple, singing your praises.  Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who want above all else to follow your steps.  When they walk through the Valley of Weeping it will become a place of springs where pools of blessing and refreshment collect after rains!  They will grow constantly in strength and each of them is invited to meet with the Lord in Zion.” 

When we follow him, he will take us through places we cannot go through alone.  No matter how difficult it seems at the time, he will turn it into something good and we will be blessed and refreshed.  Give your busyness to him, long to enter his courtyard - more than ministry; more than carrying that heavy load. Lay down the work load - the world will not stop.  It won’t even miss a beat.  How pompous we are when we think things can’t go on without us.  What little humility we have, when we judge the rise or fall of our ministry, our work, our business, on our own overworked talents and efforts. It is he who “removes kings and raises up kings”. (Dan. 2:21 NKJ)  Today, this moment, give it all to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

COME, LORD JESUS!

            Today, most of us find a guarantee is a very important part of the way we live.  It helps us decide what we buy, what we eat, what we wear and what helps us function in today’s world.  However, many guarantees are subject to change and most are definitely limited. Some items state they have a lifetime guarantee, but who is going to cash in on that?  However, if a company goes out of business, their guarantee is useless.  Also, most guarantees are conditional.  There is one and only one guarantee that a person can really depend on and that guarantee is for eternity! No one else can make that statement.  Not only that, but it can be proven many times over.  This guarantee comes from the throne of God.  In keeping with these times, (end times) it would be well to check on the guarantee spoken of in the Bible.

Can we really depend on the Word of God for guidance and direction in our life today?  Eph. 4:30 says that “We are sealed for the day of redemption”.  That means we (the believers) are guaranteed to be redeemed at the last day.  In Heb. 7:22, it says, “Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. Also, in I Thess. 4:17, the bible states, “After that, we who are still alive and are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

Will God follow through with this guarantee?  Rom. 4:16 puts it this way, “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring...” (Of whom we are, by being grafted into the tree.  (Rom. 11:19)

            First, we need to accept the Word of God as TRUTH.  If we have ever doubted our salvation, which at times most people do, we must remember, salvation is by faith. However, there is a way to check the Bible for its accuracy. This can be done by looking at Bible prophecy.

Jesus’ coming to earth was prophesied many times in the Old Testament.

            The place of birth - Mic. 5:2 - to be born in Bethlehem

                                            Matt. 2:1 - it came to pass

            The time of birth   - Da. 9:25   - the Anointed One comes

                                            Lk. 2:1-2 - it came to pass

            The mother             - Isa. 7:14   - Born of a virgin

                                            Matt. 1:18 - it came to pass

            His death                - Ps. 22:16 - Hands & feet pierced

                                             Jn. 20:27 - it came to pass

            His resurrection    - Ps. 16:10 - Not abandoned to the grave

                                           Matt. 28:9 it came to pass

These are just a few of more than thirty-eight prophecies in the Old Testament concerning Jesus from his birth through his ministry, death, resurrection and ascension.  Every single one of these prophecies has been fulfilled.  The odds of that happening are greater than we can even count - something like 1 in a nonillionth. The Bible indeed has proven itself to be the true and living word of God.

If all these prophecies in the Old Testament have come to pass, even though the odds would be a uncountable times greater than winning the Lotto, we can be assured that when the bible says,  “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31), it is true.  Therefore, it makes sense that we should believe the prophecies concerning the return of Jesus.

In one book of the New Testament, every chapter mentions the return of Christ.  I Thessalonians 1:10 (NIV) “and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.”

Chapter 2:19  “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?”

            Chapter 3:13  “May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.”

Chapter 4:16-17  “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

            Chapter 5:23  “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Acts 1:10-11  “They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.  "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

One resurrection morning, almost 2000 years ago, a tomb was found empty.  The place where Christ’s dead body lay, held only wrappings - the burial cloths. He was then seen alive by many people after that - the disciples, Mary Magdalene and others..  It was prophesied and because all the other prophecies came to pass, I believe it happened. Jesus himself told the disciples he would be killed and after three days, rise again (Mark 8:31). 

There is coming another resurrection morning, when graves will be opened and those who have trusted in Christ will rise first, and after that we who are still alive will be caught up in the clouds and meet the Lord in the air.  What a resurrection morning that will be for those who believe in the cleansing and saving power of the cross.

We can be assured that our Lord is who he says and does what he says he will do. “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”   (Isa. 58:11)  He also says he will always be there for us, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”   (Heb. 13:5) 

We can say with total assurance, “COME,  LORD JESUS!”