Fervent Prayer Always There-Shawn Smith

Have you ever had one of those mornings when you woke up real early and had the quiet all to yourself? I recently did and after reading my Bible the silence was eventually replaced by the sound of groaning for the people of Japan as the reality of their disaster finally hit me. Maybe you're experiencing the same thing too lately. The apostle Paul wrote about this once long ago and here's what he had to say, "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 (Romans 8:26)." Often in prayer we just don't know what to say but he's always there to help us pray.

As a pregnant mother nears her delivery due date she experiences intense labor pains causing her suffering that's simply beyond description. With each birth pang the intensity increases so she knows she's closer and closer to finally delivering her baby. The latest earthquake and tsunami in Japan is clearly another wake-up call to us all. The earth is groaning and travailing and we need to take heed. The apostle also said that the "whole creation" has been groaning in the pains of childbirth up to the present time. With numerous natural disasters around the world in recent years it's clear the end is near. Not to mention sadly all the corruption and evil of our day.

Many today are trying to predict exactly when Jesus will return. One thing we know for sure is that he's coming soon. But Jesus himself said that no one knows the day or the hour. In the gospel of Luke he warns, "THERE WILL BE SIGNS IN THE SUN, MOON AND STARS. ON THE EARTH NATIONS WILL BE IN ANGUISH AND PERPLEXITY AT THE ROARING AND TOSSING OF THE SEA. MEN WILL FAINT FROM TERROR APPREHENSIVE AT WHAT IS COMING ON THE WORLD, FOR THE HEAVENLY BODIES WILL BE SHAKEN. AT THAT TIME THEY WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY. WHEN THESE THINGS BEGIN TO HAPPEN LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, FOR YOUR REDEMPTION IS DRAWING NEAR (Luke 21:25-28)." Did you notice there that he said when these things "BEGIN" to happen?

Many today are also speculating on the rapture of the church as well trying to prove whether it's before, during, or after the great tribulation. We should really spend our time preparing ourselves to meet him not predicting when we will! One way or another we'll all answer to God one day. Jesus tells us to always be ready here's also what he had to say, "BE CAREFUL OR YOUR HEARTS WILL BE WEIGHED DOWN WITH DISSIPATION, DRUNKENNESS AND THE CARES OF LIFE. DON'T LET THAT DAY CATCH YOU UNAWARE LIKE A TRAP FOR THAT DAY WILL COME ON THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH. ALWAYS WATCH AND PRAY THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO ESCAPE ALL THAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN, AND THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO STAND BEFORE THE SON OF MAN (Luke 21:34-36)." Are we watching and do we still pray when we stand before him one day just what will he say?

Call On The Lord-Ed Welch

Here's what Jesus himself said concerning end-time events in the gospel of Matthew. His warnings are pertinent to those of us living today. The Lord Jesus Christ warns us not to be deceived, not to let our love for God and man grow cold, and finally to endure unto the end. Prayerful study of the Word of God helps us from being deceived.

Prayer and Holy Spirit lead action helps us to keep our love for God and man growing even in difficult times. This keeps our love from growing cold. Both the apostle Paul in ROMANS 12 and the apostle James in JAMES 1 give us godly advice on how to conduct our lives. If we do so, we do well and should grow in our love for God and for man thus pleasing our Lord.

"AND JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM 'TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU. FOR MANY WILL COME IN MY NAME SAYING I AM CHRIST AND SHALL DECEIVE MANY. AND YOU SHALL HEAR OF WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS SEE THAT YE BE NOT TROUBLED: FOR ALL THESE THINGS MUST COME TO PASS BUT THE END IS NOT YET. FOR NATION SHALL RISE AGAINST NATION AND KINGDOM AGAINST KINGDOM: AND THERE SHALL BE FAMINES, AND PESTILENCES AND EARTHQUAKES IN DIVERSE PLACES. ALL THESE ARE THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS.

AND MANY FALSE PROPHETS SHALL RISE AND SHALL DECEIVE MANY. AND BECAUSE INIQUITY SHALL ABOUND, THE LOVE OF MANY SHALL WAX COLD. BUT HE THAT SHALL ENDURE TO THE END, THE SAME SHALL BE SAVED'(Matthew 24:4-8 & 11-13)."
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee. The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

Fulfilling Predictions Personal Convictions-Shawn Smith

These are definitely difficult days we live in wouldn't you agree? If you're a believer today however you have a hope that never fades away. And if you're a student of Bible prophecy or have at least looked into the scriptures concerning the end of this age you may also have a new found excitement mixed with great concern for those who sadly dismiss the predictions made by God's holy apostles and prophets and by Jesus Christ himself. However many are deceived and in denial today not listening to what God has to say. The devil is doing his best to lead the whole world astray.

What so many don't realize is because of great deception on earth in the last days they are being lulled into a spiritual slumber and sleep. The signs of the times are all around us but many refuse to acknowledge them since that may mean personal accountability to God in life. Just because they don't believe God doesn't mean it all won't come true just like he says it will. Just ask Noah. The apostle Peter said that in the last days scoffers would come scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say where is this "coming" he promised (See 2 Peter 3). What they don't realize is that God's patience with mankind means salvation for thousands more each day.

It really boils down to faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. It's time we wake up! Look what Daniel the prophet wrote when God spoke to him concerning the end of this age, "BUT YOU DANIEL KEEP THIS PROPHECY A SECRET, SEAL UP THE BOOK UNTIL THE TIME OF THE END WHEN MANY WILL RUN TO AND FRO AND KNOWLEDGE WILL INCREASE (Daniel 12:4)." With the advance of technology lately it's hard to imagine anyone ignoring Daniel's prediction here since it's very clear. Sadly though many choose to dismiss this prophecy and many others quickly fulfilling right before our very eyes today. You would think we would draw closer to God in our day and not drift farther away.

Consider what Jesus said about his personal return to earth, "AND WILL NOT GOD BRING ABOUT JUSTICE FOR HIS CHOSEN ONES WHO CRY OUT TO HIM DAY AND NIGHT? WILL HE KEEP PUTTING THEM OFF? I TELL YOU HE WILL SEE THAT THEY GET JUSTICE, AND QUICKLY. HOWEVER, WHEN THE SON OF MAN COMES WILL HE FIND FAITH ON THE EARTH (Luke 18:7-8)?" I believe according to this passage it will continue getting worse for us all here on earth before Jesus returns. In fact it's clear from many other OT and NT prophecies as well things will continue worsening as we near the end. Why would Jesus ask this question if it were not so? He also said the love of many will grow cold and many will fall away. It's only those who truly believe that will find their way. The time is short his return is at hand do we really believe just where do we stand?