COME, LORD JESUS!

COME, LORD JESUS!

Wanda Ritter

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 HebrewsS 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.

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

                        Matthew. 2:1 - It came to pass

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

                         Luke. 2:1-2  - It came to pass

            C.        The mother  -  Isaiah. 7:14   - Born of a virgin

                        Matthew. 1:18 - Itt came to pass

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

                        John. 20:27 -It  came to pass

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

                        Matthew. 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.

It is the time of year that spring has arrived!  You may not think it looks or feels like spring, but that doesn’t take away from the truth, it has indeed arrived.  This following poem, I wrote many years ago, may help explain this.

                                                                     The Lost Cloud

I saw a cloud go flittering by.

 It passed a kite that was learning to fly.

One side was gray and the other was white,

The air was cold, but the sun was bright.

 Much indecision caused it great pain:

Whether to snow, or whether to rain.

 I thought it such a funny thing,

 A cloud being lost between winter and spring.

Suddenly, one day, spring will burst forth in all its splendor.  Flowers will bloom, leaves will unfurl, the warmth of the sun will embrace us.  Even the smell of the damp earth will tell us spring is in its fullness. What a glorious panorama comes forth from the sleepy winter.

Yet, the glory of spring which promises hope to come, dims in comparison with the return of our Lord.  Can we be sure?  Yes, as sure as knowing spring will follow Winter.  As sure as knowing the trees will shake their branches and awaken after a long winter’s sleep.

As sure as the frozen streams will once again run and gurgle in their boundaries.  As sure as the red-winged blackbird will return to the bog to nest.  As sure as the crickets will fill the night air with their chirping.  As sure as the lilacs bloom in springtime.

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!”

Remembering on Memorial Day

Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war

 break out against me, even then will I be confident.  Ps. 27:3

                There have been wars since almost the beginning of time and shall be until the end (Dan. 9:26).  However, most of you have never experienced a World War.  Some fought bravely and many died in Korea, or in Vietnam, but as bad as it was, the whole world was not at war since World War II.  Many people today do not even know what Patriotism is.  They do not understand why eyes fill with tears when saluting the American flag, or why tears flow while listening to the song, “My Country ‘Tis of Thee, Sweet Land of Liberty.”

            The word, ‘Patriotism’, means “devotion to ones country”.  Yet, how little respect many Americans have for the United States and how little for the ‘red, white and blue’.  Those without respect for country and flag are trampling on the graves of the hundreds of thousands who fought and died for love of country.  If only we could see what America would have been like if it weren’t for those brave men.

            Let me tell you of one such man.  He was young – just turned eighteen when war with Japan broke loose.  He lied his age to get in the military and joined the army to see the world, but not in the way he experienced it.  After basic training, he was stationed at Hawaii, a paradise for a small town boy.  He left home with the fear of God in his heart, but the world quickly drew him into its snare.  He partied in paradise completely oblivious to the fact that paradise was about to be turned into Hell.  He had a 3-day pass and headed away from Scoffield Barracks early in the morning, on his motorcycle, along with some of his buddies.

            Suddenly the sky was filled with planes, bombs dropping everywhere and fighter planes riddling everything that moved with the staccato of thousands of rounds of ammunition.  The boys turned around their motorcycles and headed back to camp.  The young man grabbed an anti aircraft gun of a soldier who had fallen and he began shooting, not knowing or caring who the enemy was.

            That day, the news read like this:

“Early in the morning of December 7, 1941, Japanese submarines and carrier-based planes attacked the U.S. Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor. Nearby military airfields were also attacked by the Japanese planes. Eight American battleships and 13 other naval vessels were sunk or badly damaged, almost 200 American aircraft were destroyed, and approximately 3000 naval and military personnel were killed or wounded. The attack marked the entrance of Japan into World War II on the side of Germany and Italy, and the entrance of the United States on the Allied side.”   On December 11, 1941, Germany also declared war on the United States.  The entire world was then at war.           

         When the young man went back to his barracks, it had almost been destroyed.  The water pipes were broken and many soldiers were killed as they slept in their bunks, which left the floor awash with bloody water.  His bunk, an upper one, was riddled with bullet holes, which went through killing the soldier beneath.  Truly, it was by the grace of God, he was spared.

From there he was shipped out to the island of New Guinea where he fought the Japanese for the next four years.  He was gone from his home five years to the day, when he returned. It wasn’t until he was in his sixties that the U.S. government honored him for his heroism at Pearl Harbor.  He received medals and a flag from the state capitol.  He was extremely proud of his service to his country.  He belonged to an elite group called, “Pearl Harbor Survivors”.

The horrors of the things he experienced were to remain with him the rest of his life. Over the years, he tried to drown the memories out with alcohol.  He spoke often of being a loner, who would take his camper out to isolated spots where he would just sit by a camp fire and think.  In his later years, he dried out and became a pleasanter person, but his life style of alcohol and cigarettes dissipated his body and at seventy-two, he passed from this world. 

How do I know all this about the young man?  He was my brother.

War does horrible things to people.  Some are affected more than others, but no one is ever the same.  My brother was much older than I was, but as a child, I too was touched by the war.  I grieved for the brother that carried me on his shoulders, or played horsy so I could ride on his back.  I lost him when he left for the service and that loving, caring brother never returned.  He would forever be a stranger to me.

As we remember the brave on Memorial Day, let us take a spiritual look at fighting in the service – the service of the King.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”           Eph. 5:10-13

                     The same spiritual enemy, who worked through the World Wars, is still warring against us.  He wants to defeat us and drive us into a hopeless lifestyle.  He won’t give up, but the good news is, God has provided for us, so we can stand against him.  We don’t have to turn to the things of the world.  We don’t have to be blind, wretched and naked.  Not when we can put on the whole armor of God.  Verse 18 says, “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints…”

            Today let us remember those who gave their lives for our country.  Also, there are multitudes of unsung Christian heroes and martyrs who have paved the way for us.  Let us hold their service dear to our hearts and be proud to be a part of the Kingdom of God, which is the true “land of the free, and the home of the brave”. 

My Favorite Things

(Fighting Depression)

Many people suffer from depression.  Why?  Perhaps its finances, worry, fear of failure.  At times we get excited when things are going well, but when the excitement is over, we hit bottom again.  What we previously looked forward to has come and gone.  What do we do now?  To quote an old saying, “This is where the rubber meets the road."  This is the real world.  We have to pay for what we charged, clean up the messes we’ve made and look ahead to the unknown years stretching out before us. 

It may be, now that the dust has settled, you don’t like what you see.  There probably isn’t a ‘quick fix’ for all of your problems, but there is one thing that can be changed right now.  You can “turn your mourning into dancing; your sorrow into joy.” (Psa. 30:11)  Joy is something we can experience at all times.

Let us define the term ‘joy’.  The Holman Bible Dictionary describes joy as, “The happy state that results from knowing and serving God.”  The words, joy, joyous, and joyful are found over 200 times in the Bible.  Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit and causes the believer to rejoice, even in times of trouble. 

Self-seeking pleasure does not bring joy.  Remember the story of the rich, young ruler who came to Jesus and asked what he could do to inherit eternal life? (Luke 18:18-23)   Jesus told him to sell everything he had and follow him.  In verse 23, we find his response, “When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth."  He already had riches, but he wasn’t happy. Yet, he could not give up what he had.  What he lacked was internal joy, the kind Neh. 8:10 tell us about, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Laughter does not always bring joy.  I once had a friend who was one of the funniest people I ever met.  She had a way of telling stories that soon sent her listeners into peals of laughter.  One never knew how much she grieved inside or how she hated herself.  She told such funny stories about herself and ended by saying, “I could just kill myself."  One day she did what she jokingly said many times; she killed herself.  Over the years, many well-known comedians that caused millions to laugh were themselves, the saddest people on earth.  Many were alcoholics, and several died of drug overdoses.  “Laughter can conceal a heavy heart; when the laughter ends, the grief remains.” (Prov. 14:13) TLB

Why is it that some people can experience joy in the midst of trials?  I am reminded of a funeral I attended for a woman in her forties.  As I spoke to her elderly mother, she asked if I would sit by her a minute.  She told me she had five children and all were dead, as well as her husband.  She was now alone, but wanted me to know that God sustained her.  She did not understand why all her family had gone on before her, but she knew ‘the good Lord had his reasons’.  The joy of the Lord was her strength.

A song I have loved for many years comes from The Sound of Music and is entitled, “My Favorite Things”.  It begins with thinking of such things as, ‘raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens’.  It ends with, ‘When I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things and then I don’t feel so bad’.   It works!  It worked for Paul and Silas when they were in prison and in chains.  The Bible tells us they were praying and singing hymns to God (Acts 16:25).  They were thinking on their favorite subject which was God and they were worshipping him.  They were a witness of an inner joy and peace that eventually led their jailer and his family to the Lord.

We can experience joy and peace in our life, even though we may be going through some difficult times.  Notice, I said, ‘going through’.  We read in Psalms, “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.”  (Ps. 84:5-7 TLB)  If the desire of our heart is to follow the Lord, we will walk through our troubles (our place of weeping) and then will be blessed and refreshed.  This is how a Christian grows stronger.  Notice that it begins with “Happy are those”.  The joy that comes from God remains, no matter the problems that come into our lives.

If there is sin in a believer's life, it will rob that person of joy.  It’s not the devil who robs us; it’s not another person who robs us; we do this to ourselves, either because of sin or, because we do not walk closely with God.

The joy that comes from our relationship with Christ gives us peace, contentment, good health and the right relationship with others.  Prov. 17:22 shows us a wonderful truth, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

A good portion of my earlier years was spent living in a worldly manner.  I fought severe depression, poor health and rocky relationships.  My life was in turmoil and the trials kept dragging me down lower and lower.  I once heard Oral Roberts say that at one point in his life, he was so low, if he died they would have to jack him up to bury him.  That’s about where I was when I asked Christ into my life.  He filled me with a joy that was deep and lasting.  I have since experienced far greater trauma than before I was saved, but the joy of the Lord has never left me. What did leave were depression, poor health and bad relationships.

Even though the Word of God says, “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matt. 5:45), some may still wonder why they have troubles.  This, I believe, is the answer God gave to me.

*I saw a mining prospector and he had been given a large grubstake.  With invisible hands, he held a pan with a screen in the bottom, and would dip it deep down into a river of rushing water.  When the pan was lifted up from the river bed, it was full of gravel and abrasive stones.  Over and over again, it was dipped into the water and then shaken.  The rocks and gravel ground and rubbed harshly against one another.  After several times of dipping, all the debris and impurities were washed away.  Then and only then, at the bottom of the basket, lay a shiny piece of pure gold.  A treasure was found!

The Lord showed me that He was the Prospector and the invisible hands were his hands.  The water was the river of our lives.  God places us in the pan and dips us into the river where the debris and impurities of life continually cause abrasiveness. God’s grubstake was Jesus, His Son.  That grubstake paid the price ahead of time, so God could pan for gold - the gold being these, the believers, He will take to Heaven!  *

Confirming what the Lord showed me, I found in Job 23:10, “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”  In James 1:2-3, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

When you’re feeling sad, simply remember your favorite things and then you won’t feel so bad.  If you think on the Lord, he will refresh you in the Spirit.  Please pray this prayer, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”  (Ps. 51:12)    If you believe it, He will do it!

The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree

For Every Mother

 “And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.”

  Luke 1:50

                        My mother was a wonderful Christian woman who loved the Lord and prayed for her children and grandchildren.  So were my grandmother and my great-grandmother all the way back to my great-great grandparents who fled Scotland for America because they were Christians.  I know my mother’s prayers which eventually drew me to give my life to Jesus in 1979.

You see, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, meaning that each of us have some characteristics from our parents and grandparents.  We pick up things that our parents did or said.  I see many things in my own children that they inherited from my mother.

My daughter, Sheryl Ann Wright ministers to so many women, listens to struggles and prays with them. Her life is in the church.  She not only has the music ministry; leading the church in praise and worship, but teaches Sunday school and Bible studies. Women are drawn to her. My mother was always involved with the women’s ministry at our little Presbyterian church in the town where we lived.  She led Bible Studies and taught Sunday school.  Countless women were ministered to not only at her church, but at her little kitchen table and on the phone.  She was the first woman elder in her church and a deaconess for many years.  She also sang in the choir for years.  The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Daughter, Debby Potts is a woman of the Word; a Worshiper and Prayer Warrior. She takes the time to pray, searches out the depths of God’s Word.  She has a beautiful voice and is a Psalmist, singing words of encouragement and hope. I don’t think a day went by when my mother didn’t read her devotional and look up all the scriptures in her Bible.  She would mark and underline as she studied the Word.  She was truly a prayer warrior and a worshiper. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

My youngest daughter, Cindy Short has a heart of compassion that draws the sorrowing and ministers to the needy with songs of hope.  She has a heart for the youth.  If someone has a need she will try her best to take care of it, not only by sharing prayers and tears, but also by providing food.  I can still see my mother filling her basket with cookies and a thermos of tea along with a card or little devotional and head out to visit someone who was a shut-in or had been ill.  Her heart went out to the hurting and she shared their sorrow.  She also loved the youth and led a youth group for many years. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Jim Kolbe, the youngest in the family, is a man of God with a heart so much bigger than any of you know, because he is the ‘tough guy’ on the outside.  I’ve seen his tears over a troubled youth or even a touching movie.  This characteristic of sensitivity is what makes him a great Christian Psychologist.  He is gifted with the ability to speak, teach and preach, not to mention his singing voice which is so anointed.  My mother was also gifted; she could stand up and give an eloquent message at any given moment.  I’m sure she could have preached very well if given the opportunity.  She also cried at sad movies, Jim.  The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

As I also have some of my mother’s characteristics such as writing stories and poems. She was one of the most grateful persons I have ever known.  I feel the same way; always thanking the Lord for even small things.  I know for sure I learned from her such strong love for my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  They mean everything to me and I am so proud of the wonderful adults they have become.  I am so blessed and grateful to watch them to continue to grow in the Lord and become servants of God. What more could I desire of God?

            I’m sure my children picked up some traits from me.  However, the most important characteristic for anyone to pick up from is their belief and trust in our heavenly Father.  Yes, “From generation to generation.”  In other words, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

As a mother and grandmother, it is our Christian responsibility to not only teach our children and grandchildren, but to live and walk in the spirit of our Lord.  They may not remember what you say, but they will surely remember what you do. 

Are you an apple tree?  This is what you should be producing. Galations 5:22-25  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” 

Perhaps you have been walking in the Spirit and you don’t see any fruit developing, but wait,  some fruit takes a long, long time to develop – don’t give up.  With God all things are possible. 

In the opposite direction, when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden; when they sinned it is not surprising their next generation also sinned.  That sin was murder when their son, Cain, killed their other son, Abel. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it?

Moving further along, Isaac had two sons, Jacob and Esau.  Jacob became the nation of Israel and Esau the nation of Edom.  The Edomites worshiped the gods of Baal and Ashterath. When Nebuchadnezzar attacked Israel and took many Jews as their slaves, the Edomites sided with Nebuchadnezzar and took part in the slaughter many Israelites.  With Esau’s descendents, the apple surely didn’t fall far from the tree.

On the other hand, if you have rotten apples, that’s a different story.  All it takes is one rotten apple to spoil a whole barrel full.  This proves to be true for many generations of those who do not serve God.  We need to be producers of good fruit so we can say with joy, “Yes, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Luke 1:50 “And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.”  How much do we really fear the Lord?  If we do, I believe we would consider more carefully our actions and attitudes.  It isn’t too late to produce better fruit.  I was 45 years old when I asked Jesus into my heart and made the decision to serve him the rest of my life.  My life changed; I’m not the same person I was.  In fact I look back and wonder who that awful person was. 

Only by the grace of God have my children become who they are today, because I wasn’t a great example for them.  I must say I always had a longing to know the Lord more.  But when I accepted Jesus as my Savior, I put their names on a bulletin board and laid hands on them praying daily.  The other thing was they saw such a change in me. 

It happened almost overnight and was a shock to their system.  However, within the year they were all saved and serving Jesus.  Who you really are makes a difference. I haven’t arrived yet; I’m still working on my walk with the Lord, but I’m trying.  If I take a step or so backwards, I stop and then begin again.  Don’t just say, “Oh this is the way I am, I can’t change”.  The time for excuses is over; it’s time to stand up, toe to the line and run the race. Don’t look back because you won’t run a straight line, but keep your eyes on Jesus.

If you don’t know Jesus or if you want to recommit your life to him, now is the time.  If you struggle to have a closer walk with Him; if you want to change who you are right now and become a better example to the generations to come, you need prayer.  Can you proudly say, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree?”

Every mother has that life manual – the Bible.  It gives you instruction in all things.  I know you don’t want your children or grandchildren lost to the evil one.  It is time, mothers, to not just believe in God, but to live for him.  It is time for you to declare that “you are an Apple Tree” so others can say about your family, “The Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”