Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Friday, November 20, 2015
Deepest Sympathies Heartfelt Prayers-Shawn Smith
Our deepest sympathies and heartfelt prayers go out to all those in Paris and the surrounding areas devastated by the brutal terrorist attacks last week. We especially pray for all the parents now mourning the loss of their children as well as their families and for all those wounded. There are really no words to truly express our sorrow for you and how sorry we are for all of your loss. We will continue to pray for you of course and for all those impacted by these vicious terrorist atrocities. It's clear that as we near the end now we continue to see Bible prophecies fulfilling just as the holy apostles and prophets predicted along with of course the Lord Jesus himself! As we've stated here often until Christ comes for us unfortunately things here will only continue to get worse not better as many in their delusion falsely predict. His message to us living at the end of this age was not to be distracted and led astray but to look up and always watch and pray (See Mark 13 and Luke 21).
Here's what the apostle Paul wrote in his day concerning the end of this age and life today, "FOR I RECKON THAT THE SUFFERINGS OF THIS PRESENT TIME ARE NOT WORTHY TO BE COMPARED WITH THE GLORY WHICH SHALL BE REVEALED IN US. FOR THE CREATION WAITS IN EAGER EXPECTATION FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD TO BE REVEALED. FOR THE CREATION WAS SUBJECTED TO FRUSTRATION, NOT BY ITS OWN CHOICE, BUT BY THE WILL OF HIM WHO SUBJECTED IT IN HOPE THAT THE CREATION ITSELF WILL BE LIBERATED FROM ITS BONDAGE TO DECAY AND BROUGHT INTO THE FREEDOM AND GLORY OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD (Romans 8:18-21)." It's true that until Jesus comes in His kingdom unfortunately things here will only worsen as birth pangs continue in frequency and with ever increasing intensity with each and every one. But for the true believer there is truly the reality now of his appearing any moment like a thief in the night just as predicted to those waiting and watching for Him (See 1 Cor 15, 1 Thess 4 -5). Clearly now we're approaching midnight and as you've noticed it's getting very dark out there. But the world doesn't see because they're badly deceived so the truth is they don't really care. Just as in Noah's day.
Paul also had this to say about the hope for every believer today who's living in the last days, "WE KNOW THAT THE WHOLE CREATION HAS BEEN GROANING AS IN THE PAINS OF CHILDBIRTH RIGHT UP TO THE PRESENT TIME. NOT ONLY SO BUT WE OURSELVES, WHO HAVE THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, GROAN INWARDLY AS WE AWAIT EAGERLY FOR OUR ADOPTION TO SONSHIP, THE REDEMPTION OF OUR BODIES. FOR IN THIS HOPE WE WERE SAVED BUT HOPE THAT IS SEEN IS NOT HOPE AT ALL. WHO HOPES FOR WHAT THEY ALREADY HAVE? BUT IF WE HOPE FOR WHAT WE DO NOT YET HAVE WE WAIT FOR IT PATIENTLY (Romans 8:22-25)." The writer of Hebrews calls this hope an anchor for the soul. In every storm of life Jesus is always there to see us through he's always faithful he's always true! In fact the Lord Jesus himself is the very Captain of our salvation and if he's personally your Lord today then know for certain without a doubt he's always there for you (Hebrews 2).
And finally the great apostle also said this, "LIKEWISE THE SPIRIT ALSO HELPS OUR INFIRMITIES FOR WE KNOW NOT WHAT WE SHOULD PRAY FOR AS WE OUGHT BUT THE SPIRIT HIMSELF MAKES INTERCESSION FOR US WITH GROANINGS WHICH CANNOT BE UTTERED. AND HE THAT SEARCHES THE HEARTS KNOWS WHAT IS THE MIND OF THE SPIRIT BECAUSE HE MAKES INTERCESSION FOR THE SAINTS ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD. AND WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD, TO THEM WHO ARE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE (ROMANS 8:26-28)." With all the pain and suffering in life and the questions we all have at times in spite of it all we can know that God does have a purpose and he does have a plan. I know in the end when we finally see him then we'll fully understand. But for now He sent His Spirit to comfort us and help us pray when we're overwhelmed and don't know what to say. Which can be often at times. We certainly don't understand why things in life often happen as they do but if we keep believing and trust in God somehow someway he'll make a way he'll always see us through!
Here's what the apostle Paul wrote in his day concerning the end of this age and life today, "FOR I RECKON THAT THE SUFFERINGS OF THIS PRESENT TIME ARE NOT WORTHY TO BE COMPARED WITH THE GLORY WHICH SHALL BE REVEALED IN US. FOR THE CREATION WAITS IN EAGER EXPECTATION FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD TO BE REVEALED. FOR THE CREATION WAS SUBJECTED TO FRUSTRATION, NOT BY ITS OWN CHOICE, BUT BY THE WILL OF HIM WHO SUBJECTED IT IN HOPE THAT THE CREATION ITSELF WILL BE LIBERATED FROM ITS BONDAGE TO DECAY AND BROUGHT INTO THE FREEDOM AND GLORY OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD (Romans 8:18-21)." It's true that until Jesus comes in His kingdom unfortunately things here will only worsen as birth pangs continue in frequency and with ever increasing intensity with each and every one. But for the true believer there is truly the reality now of his appearing any moment like a thief in the night just as predicted to those waiting and watching for Him (See 1 Cor 15, 1 Thess 4 -5). Clearly now we're approaching midnight and as you've noticed it's getting very dark out there. But the world doesn't see because they're badly deceived so the truth is they don't really care. Just as in Noah's day.
Paul also had this to say about the hope for every believer today who's living in the last days, "WE KNOW THAT THE WHOLE CREATION HAS BEEN GROANING AS IN THE PAINS OF CHILDBIRTH RIGHT UP TO THE PRESENT TIME. NOT ONLY SO BUT WE OURSELVES, WHO HAVE THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, GROAN INWARDLY AS WE AWAIT EAGERLY FOR OUR ADOPTION TO SONSHIP, THE REDEMPTION OF OUR BODIES. FOR IN THIS HOPE WE WERE SAVED BUT HOPE THAT IS SEEN IS NOT HOPE AT ALL. WHO HOPES FOR WHAT THEY ALREADY HAVE? BUT IF WE HOPE FOR WHAT WE DO NOT YET HAVE WE WAIT FOR IT PATIENTLY (Romans 8:22-25)." The writer of Hebrews calls this hope an anchor for the soul. In every storm of life Jesus is always there to see us through he's always faithful he's always true! In fact the Lord Jesus himself is the very Captain of our salvation and if he's personally your Lord today then know for certain without a doubt he's always there for you (Hebrews 2).
And finally the great apostle also said this, "LIKEWISE THE SPIRIT ALSO HELPS OUR INFIRMITIES FOR WE KNOW NOT WHAT WE SHOULD PRAY FOR AS WE OUGHT BUT THE SPIRIT HIMSELF MAKES INTERCESSION FOR US WITH GROANINGS WHICH CANNOT BE UTTERED. AND HE THAT SEARCHES THE HEARTS KNOWS WHAT IS THE MIND OF THE SPIRIT BECAUSE HE MAKES INTERCESSION FOR THE SAINTS ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD. AND WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD, TO THEM WHO ARE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE (ROMANS 8:26-28)." With all the pain and suffering in life and the questions we all have at times in spite of it all we can know that God does have a purpose and he does have a plan. I know in the end when we finally see him then we'll fully understand. But for now He sent His Spirit to comfort us and help us pray when we're overwhelmed and don't know what to say. Which can be often at times. We certainly don't understand why things in life often happen as they do but if we keep believing and trust in God somehow someway he'll make a way he'll always see us through!
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Latter Years Itching Ears-Shawn Smith
Well here we are at the end of October so once again Halloween has arrived on the scene! I personally have some very fond memories on this day as a child growing up and hopefully you do as well. But of course much of the innocence that was once there gradually left with each passing year as I grew and the same can be said of you today as well I'm sure. But who knows maybe you still to this day like dressing up in your favorite costume and attending your favorite party every year just for fun or maybe mostly just to draw more undue attention to yourself? After all we all seem to need more of that somehow. Or quite possibly you still don your favorite outfit every Halloween simply as an excuse to enjoy the endless array of tasty treats everywhere while all the while secretly disguising your true motives for dressing up every year. Now that sounds more like me! Whatever the case for you quite frankly for me Halloween is now more about simply enduring the holiday every October especially with so much evil and violence in the world today. It tends to take most of the fun away. Any innocence that was once there for us all both young and old alike these last days is now quickly fading fast.
To me it's not so much the holiday itself because as with any occasion it's often how we personally view it that matters most. Thankfully for many concerned parents many churches today wisely offer alternative events for children to enjoy celebrating Halloween in a much safer and more appropriate way. Halloween is obviously a pagan holiday that has become more and more demonized through the years. Sadly we have become quite enamored for some reason with evil today and we've long since forgotten what God thinks and what he actually has to say. As you know the apostle Paul once said that as believers we live in the world but we're not of it. And the truth is as God's people at whatever age we're all called to come out from among them and be "separate". In other words we should act and look much different than unbelievers who unlike us as believers know the truth and have the knowledge of God. Therefore of course any fascination and friendship with this world is enmity towards God and should be firmly resisted and rejected everywhere by all of his people. And not just of course on Halloween but also on every day and night of the year that falls in between.
For me and maybe for you as well the problem lately is simply the growing fascination with evil we seem to have today. It shouldn't really surprise us though because that's just what the apostles and prophets of old precisely foretold. Many however simply don't want to hear the truth today or listen to what God has to say. In his second letter to Timothy here's what the apostle Paul himself said about what we clearly see unfolding today, "I CHARGE THEE BEFORE GOD AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO SHALL JUDGE THE QUICK AND THE DEAD AT HIS APPEARING AND AT HIS KINGDOM, PREACH THE WORD. BE INSTAND IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON. REPROVE, REBUKE, AND EXHORT WITH ALL LONGSUFFERING AND DOCTRINE. FOR THE TIME WILL COME WHEN THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE BUT AFTER THEIR OWN LUSTS SHALL THEY HEAP TO THEMSELVES TEACHERS HAVING ITCHING EARS. AND THEY SHALL TURN AWAY THEIR EARS FROM THE TRUTH AND SHALL BE TURNED UNTO FABLES (2 Timothy 4:1-4)." Sound familiar? Of course that's because as predicted we see this everywhere today as many just ignore God and continue turning him away.
In the beginning Adam sadly fell for lies by the devil who deceived him while he too was dressed in disguise. And in case you hadn't noticed that same devil is clearly at work still to this day! Take a look at what Paul also had to say, "FOR THE SECRET POWER OF LAWLESSNESS IS ALREADY AT WORK. BUT THE ONE WHO NOW HOLDS IT BACK WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO UNTIL HE'S TAKEN OUT OF THE WAY. AND THEN THE LAWLESS ONE WILL BE REVEALED WHOM THE LORD JESUS WILL OVERTHROW WITH THE BREATH OF HIS MOUTH AND DESTROY BY THE SPLENDOR OF HIS COMING. THE COMING OF THE LAWLESS ONE WILL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH HOW SATAN WORKS. HE WILL USE ALL SORTS OF DISPLAYS OF POWER THROUGH SIGNS AND WONDERS THAT SERVE THE LIE AND ALL THE WAYS THAT WICKEDNESS DECEIVES THOSE WHO ARE PERISHING. THEY PERISH BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO LOVE THE TRUTH AND SO BE SAVED. FOR THIS REASON GOD SENDS THEM A POWERFUL DELUSION SO THAT THEY WILL BELIEVE THE LIE AND SO ALL WILL BE CONDEMNED WHO HAVE NOT BELIEVED THE TRUTH BUT HAVE DELIGHTED IN WICKEDNESS (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12)." Clearly today the truth is in decline while deception is on the rise! I wonder as the day draws near will we ever wake up or keep falling for lies?
To me it's not so much the holiday itself because as with any occasion it's often how we personally view it that matters most. Thankfully for many concerned parents many churches today wisely offer alternative events for children to enjoy celebrating Halloween in a much safer and more appropriate way. Halloween is obviously a pagan holiday that has become more and more demonized through the years. Sadly we have become quite enamored for some reason with evil today and we've long since forgotten what God thinks and what he actually has to say. As you know the apostle Paul once said that as believers we live in the world but we're not of it. And the truth is as God's people at whatever age we're all called to come out from among them and be "separate". In other words we should act and look much different than unbelievers who unlike us as believers know the truth and have the knowledge of God. Therefore of course any fascination and friendship with this world is enmity towards God and should be firmly resisted and rejected everywhere by all of his people. And not just of course on Halloween but also on every day and night of the year that falls in between.
For me and maybe for you as well the problem lately is simply the growing fascination with evil we seem to have today. It shouldn't really surprise us though because that's just what the apostles and prophets of old precisely foretold. Many however simply don't want to hear the truth today or listen to what God has to say. In his second letter to Timothy here's what the apostle Paul himself said about what we clearly see unfolding today, "I CHARGE THEE BEFORE GOD AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO SHALL JUDGE THE QUICK AND THE DEAD AT HIS APPEARING AND AT HIS KINGDOM, PREACH THE WORD. BE INSTAND IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON. REPROVE, REBUKE, AND EXHORT WITH ALL LONGSUFFERING AND DOCTRINE. FOR THE TIME WILL COME WHEN THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE BUT AFTER THEIR OWN LUSTS SHALL THEY HEAP TO THEMSELVES TEACHERS HAVING ITCHING EARS. AND THEY SHALL TURN AWAY THEIR EARS FROM THE TRUTH AND SHALL BE TURNED UNTO FABLES (2 Timothy 4:1-4)." Sound familiar? Of course that's because as predicted we see this everywhere today as many just ignore God and continue turning him away.
In the beginning Adam sadly fell for lies by the devil who deceived him while he too was dressed in disguise. And in case you hadn't noticed that same devil is clearly at work still to this day! Take a look at what Paul also had to say, "FOR THE SECRET POWER OF LAWLESSNESS IS ALREADY AT WORK. BUT THE ONE WHO NOW HOLDS IT BACK WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO UNTIL HE'S TAKEN OUT OF THE WAY. AND THEN THE LAWLESS ONE WILL BE REVEALED WHOM THE LORD JESUS WILL OVERTHROW WITH THE BREATH OF HIS MOUTH AND DESTROY BY THE SPLENDOR OF HIS COMING. THE COMING OF THE LAWLESS ONE WILL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH HOW SATAN WORKS. HE WILL USE ALL SORTS OF DISPLAYS OF POWER THROUGH SIGNS AND WONDERS THAT SERVE THE LIE AND ALL THE WAYS THAT WICKEDNESS DECEIVES THOSE WHO ARE PERISHING. THEY PERISH BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO LOVE THE TRUTH AND SO BE SAVED. FOR THIS REASON GOD SENDS THEM A POWERFUL DELUSION SO THAT THEY WILL BELIEVE THE LIE AND SO ALL WILL BE CONDEMNED WHO HAVE NOT BELIEVED THE TRUTH BUT HAVE DELIGHTED IN WICKEDNESS (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12)." Clearly today the truth is in decline while deception is on the rise! I wonder as the day draws near will we ever wake up or keep falling for lies?
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Friday, September 18, 2015
Friday, August 28, 2015
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