Recently I've wondered often how to put words to my many thoughts as we enter 2012 and what lies in store for us all. As you've noticed in the world today things continue spiraling out of control apparently with no end in sight. To cope with the corruption and confusion many turn to manmade fables and philosophies instead of trusting reliable biblical prophecies. Many are acting out trying to mask the pain in life and uncertainty of the future resorting to unhealthy extremes and uncontrollable vices just to survive it all. As believers we really shouldn't be surprised by it though after all God's made it clear in his word that perilous days would define our time. And in the last days men would be "lovers of themselves". As we look around today we see more indications that we may indeed be the generation that Jesus himself referred to when speaking to his disciples about the time of his return. One of the most significant signs recently of course is when Israel officially gained its independence again in 1948. The regathering of God's chosen people back to her homeland recently is very significant according to Bible prophecy and the end of this age. And there are obviously many more. Jesus referred to signs of the times as birth pangs occurring with increasing intensity and frequency with each and every one.
Life today is difficult to say the least and like the disciples you too may wonder just when it will all end and is there any relief in sight? It certainly can be overwhelming but for each generation God always has a purpose and a plan for man. What's surprising is the way in which many today fall so easily for the deception that's slowly but steadily taking over the world. Instead of falling for manmade fables and philosophies we should believe biblical prophecies. Many are familiar with the beloved Hebrew prophet Daniel and his prophecy about the antichrist and his abomination of desolation in the holy land (Daniel 9:27). However relatively few I believe are familiar with Daniel's vision of the four beasts and the interpretation given to him by God in Daniel chapter 7. It's there where he's given a chilling description of the revived Roman empire and the man of sin who will take over the world at the time of the end. Here's what Daniel saw, "AFTER THAT IN MY VISION AT NIGHT I LOOKED AND THERE BEFORE ME WAS A FOURTH BEAST TERRIFYING AND FRIGHTENING AND VERY POWERFUL. IT HAD LARGE IRON TEETH. IT CRUSHED AND DEVOURED ITS VICTIMS AND TRAMPLED UNDERFOOT WHATEVER WAS LEFT. IT WAS DIFFERENT FROM ALL THE FORMER BEASTS AND IT HAD TEN HORNS (Daniel 7:7)."
It is during this time of worldwide domination that the antichrist ("little horn") will arise and speak against God and oppress his people and try to "change" the set times and laws. The generation of unbelievers not yet saved who come to Christ after believers are "caught up" in the last days (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), will have to endure great tribulation here on earth. In fact no one living on the earth during that time will be able to buy or sell without having the "mark" of the beast spoken of by the apostle John in the book of Revelation (13:16-18). Life is hard indeed but living now compared to when the antichrist appears on the scene it's a walk in the park! Once he's given control it will be like nothing the world has ever seen. Look what the apostle Paul wrote about this man of sin and his ability to deceive with relative ease all who don't believe, "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 (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)."
The Psalmist prayed teach me Lord to number my days. We only have a short time here on earth and we need to know the truth about the future. If Jesus is your Lord you're his child and he's with you to the end. If he's not yet then don't delay believe in him and receive him in your heart today! With so much deception in the world today and more on the way we desperately need to hear what God has to say. Look what the apostle Peter said as he neared the end of his days, "THEREFORE DEAR FRIENDS SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN FOREWARNED, BE ON YOUR GUARD SO THAT YOU MAY NOT BE CARRIED AWAY FROM YOUR SECURE POSITION. BUT GROW IN THE GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. TO HIM BE GLORY BOTH NOW AND FOREVER! AMEN (2 Peter 3:17-18)." We're clearly nearing the end and it's time to seek his face and grow in grace. The time is short his return is at hand we need to draw closer to him and farther from sin! The fact is one way or another we will all stand before God one day. Whenever that day is for each of us God only knows. In the meantime we simply can't afford to ignore anymore what the future has in store. Prophecies are fulfilling today right before our eyes! So don't fall for lies it's really the devil in disguise.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Worldly Ways Information Highways-Shawn Smith
As you know in spite of difficulties here in America we have so much to be thankful for we are very blessed indeed. Lately I've been noticing disturbing trends developing in our society as you may have as well. It's really nothing new just more of the same. Much more. For example the social network facebook as you know is growing in popularity at a tremendous rate with no real end in sight. It seems we've become a society craving personal and public attention like never before. Many today are so addicted that they spend countless hours daily on the site apparently posting all the latest and greatest on their personal wall only to be seen by all. Many organizations as well as individuals at times actually requesting that others "like" them or their post which to me is truly on the verge of absurd. Do we actually think God somehow intended that our lives be some sort of popularity contest? Of course not he obviously has more in mind for us than just what others think of us. How about God what does he think about you and I? Anyone with any sense can see that in general today we've become desperate in our need for attention.
Please don't misunderstand at the risk of sounding hypocritical I myself also have a personal profile on facebook. It's just that lately I've been disturbed and frustrated by the apparent constant need for approval and attention we seem to have in our society today. Look at what Jesus himself said about popularity while he was here on earth, "WOE TO YOU WHEN EVERYONE SPEAKS WELL OF YOU FOR THAT IS HOW THEIR ANCESTORS TREATED THE FALSE PROPHETS (Luke 6:26)." What we should really be seeking is approval from God longing to please him. I've lost friends before and I realize now I may lose some more. I heard someone say recently that facebook is just a waste of time. I disagree with that but I do agree that it certainly for many may be. I personally believe it's more about our misuse of the network along with other vices like our inappropriate internet surfing and our excessive tv time. Whether you agree or not I still believe most of us are guilty to one degree or another if we're honest with ourselves and honest with God. It's time to get closer to him and farther from sin.
If you're a true believer then these are difficult albeit exciting days for you. If you're not yet then you can become one today and know for sure your salvation is secure (see our website HOME PAGE to learn how). We are now living in the days the prophet Daniel prophesied about long ago. As you know we are experiencing an explosion of technology so advanced that it's beyond description. Things of late continue accelerating at an alarming rate. Here's what God said about the end-times almost three-thousand years ago, "BUT THOU O DANIEL SHUT UP THE WORDS AND SEAL THE BOOK EVEN TO THE TIME OF THE END. MANY SHALL RUN TO AND FRO AND KNOWLEDGE SHALL BE INCREASED (Daniel 12:4)." I've unfortunately heard many false predictions lately that are simply untrue and possibly you have too. But only the predictions God's holy apostles and prophets make ever actually come true. The world today is full of knowledge but short on wisdom.
Look what the apostle John had to say about worldly ways, "LOVE NOT THE WORLD NOR THE THINGS IN THE WORLD. IF ANY MAN LOVE THE WORLD THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM. FOR ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD, THE LUST OF THE FLESH, THE LUST OF THE EYES, AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE IS NOT OF THE FATHER BUT IS OF THE WORLD. AND THE WORLD PASSETH AWAY AND THE LUST THEREOF BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF GOD ABIDETH FOREVER (1 John 1:15-17)." As his children we need to be about our Father's business. John goes on to say that we need to abide in him so that when he appears we will have confidence and not be ashamed at his coming. We need to spend more time in his word and less time in the world. As believers we live in this world but we're not of it. Or are we? Can the world see that we love him do they know and does it show? Only God knows for sure where we stand with him today. When we answer him one day I wonder just what will he say?
Please don't misunderstand at the risk of sounding hypocritical I myself also have a personal profile on facebook. It's just that lately I've been disturbed and frustrated by the apparent constant need for approval and attention we seem to have in our society today. Look at what Jesus himself said about popularity while he was here on earth, "WOE TO YOU WHEN EVERYONE SPEAKS WELL OF YOU FOR THAT IS HOW THEIR ANCESTORS TREATED THE FALSE PROPHETS (Luke 6:26)." What we should really be seeking is approval from God longing to please him. I've lost friends before and I realize now I may lose some more. I heard someone say recently that facebook is just a waste of time. I disagree with that but I do agree that it certainly for many may be. I personally believe it's more about our misuse of the network along with other vices like our inappropriate internet surfing and our excessive tv time. Whether you agree or not I still believe most of us are guilty to one degree or another if we're honest with ourselves and honest with God. It's time to get closer to him and farther from sin.
If you're a true believer then these are difficult albeit exciting days for you. If you're not yet then you can become one today and know for sure your salvation is secure (see our website HOME PAGE to learn how). We are now living in the days the prophet Daniel prophesied about long ago. As you know we are experiencing an explosion of technology so advanced that it's beyond description. Things of late continue accelerating at an alarming rate. Here's what God said about the end-times almost three-thousand years ago, "BUT THOU O DANIEL SHUT UP THE WORDS AND SEAL THE BOOK EVEN TO THE TIME OF THE END. MANY SHALL RUN TO AND FRO AND KNOWLEDGE SHALL BE INCREASED (Daniel 12:4)." I've unfortunately heard many false predictions lately that are simply untrue and possibly you have too. But only the predictions God's holy apostles and prophets make ever actually come true. The world today is full of knowledge but short on wisdom.
Look what the apostle John had to say about worldly ways, "LOVE NOT THE WORLD NOR THE THINGS IN THE WORLD. IF ANY MAN LOVE THE WORLD THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM. FOR ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD, THE LUST OF THE FLESH, THE LUST OF THE EYES, AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE IS NOT OF THE FATHER BUT IS OF THE WORLD. AND THE WORLD PASSETH AWAY AND THE LUST THEREOF BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF GOD ABIDETH FOREVER (1 John 1:15-17)." As his children we need to be about our Father's business. John goes on to say that we need to abide in him so that when he appears we will have confidence and not be ashamed at his coming. We need to spend more time in his word and less time in the world. As believers we live in this world but we're not of it. Or are we? Can the world see that we love him do they know and does it show? Only God knows for sure where we stand with him today. When we answer him one day I wonder just what will he say?
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Earthly Pain Heavenly Gain-Shawn Smith
Have you been in pain lately wondering just if and when it will ever end? Maybe your hurting in a way you can't fully describe and you wonder if God even cares. If you're a believer today then take courage your best days are still ahead no matter what you may be going through. If you're not then you're lost and your worst days unfortunately still await you since hell is a place where unbelievers ultimately go. In fact while here on earth Jesus himself spoke more on the subject of hell than on any other. Why do you suppose he did? Obviously he doesn't want you or anyone else to ever go there! Did you know that God made hell originally for the devil and angels who rebelled against him long ago? By so doing tragically they forfeited their original place in heaven forever. Incredibly for you and I however God gave his only Son to die on a tree so we could be eternally free! Make sure today you know where you'll spend eternity believe me hell's not the place you ever want to be.
When comparing our pain on earth here as believers to our eternal home in heaven the apostle Paul said our temporary "light" affliction is just for a moment when compared to eternity. God uses our trials and tribulations here to perfect us and conform us to his image. And as believers we always have eternal hope as an anchor for our soul however hard things are for us here. The writer of Hebrews said this, "CAST NOT AWAY THEREFORE YOUR CONFIDENCE WHICH HATH GREAT RECOMPENCE OF REWARD. FOR YOU HAVE NEED OF PATIENCE THAT AFTER YOU HAVE DONE THE WILL OF GOD YOU MIGHT RECEIVE THE PROMISE. FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE AND HE THAT SHALL COME WILL COME AND WILL NOT TARRY. NOW THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH BUT IF ANY MAN DRAW BACK MY SOUL SHALL HAVE NO PLEASURE IN HIM. BUT WE ARE NOT OF THEM WHO DRAW BACK UNTO PERDITION, BUT OF THEM THAT BELIEVE TO THE SAVING OF THE SOUL (Hebrews 10:35-39)." Because life is so difficult in our day many are living for temporary pleasure and not for eternal treasure! Sadly as predicted they're falling away and doing things their own way today.
He goes on to say that without faith it's impossible to please God but that he's a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. He wants all of his children to trust him through every storm in life and to keep on believing regardless of feeling. Feelings come and go but God remains the same. I'm not exactly sure why faith is so important to God I just know that it is. The apostle Peter said our faith is more precious to God than gold which perishes and when tried by fire it will bring glory to him. Most people today however live their lives by how they feel and not by what's actually real. You see faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things NOT seen. After Jesus was risen he appeared to his disciples and on one occasion Thomas believed he had risen only AFTER seeing his nail-scarred hands. Here's what Jesus said to him, "BECAUSE YOU HAVE SEEN ME YOU HAVE BELIEVED. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND YET HAVE BELIEVED (John 20:29)."
If you've never read the book of Hebrews or if it's been a while please do so. The believers referred to in chapter 11 as you may know are called by many today as the "heroes" of faith. True heroes that God says this world was not worthy of. In fact some were tortured not accepting deliverance so that they might obtain a "better" resurrection! I'm not sure what your pain is today or just how heavy the burden is you bear but I know God knows. I know he's there and that he truly cares. While on earth Jesus was moved with compassion for the hurting and the lost. He wept over Jerusalem and Isaiah the prophet once predicted he'd be a man of sorrows acquainted with grief despised and rejected of men. He's a faithful high priest who's touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He's the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world for your sins and mine. If your his child then know he's using your earthly pain for your heavenly gain. The heroes of faith kept their eyes on the prize, "THESE WERE ALL COMMENDED FOR THEIR FAITH YET NONE OF THEM RECEIVED WHAT HAD BEEN PROMISED. GOD HAD PLANNED SOMETHING BETTER FOR US SO THAT ONLY TOGETHER WITH US WOULD THEY BE MADE PERFECT (Hebrews 11:39-40)." You're surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who've gone before now looking on cheering you on. So never give up and never give in run your race to win! It will all be worth it once you too reach the end.
When comparing our pain on earth here as believers to our eternal home in heaven the apostle Paul said our temporary "light" affliction is just for a moment when compared to eternity. God uses our trials and tribulations here to perfect us and conform us to his image. And as believers we always have eternal hope as an anchor for our soul however hard things are for us here. The writer of Hebrews said this, "CAST NOT AWAY THEREFORE YOUR CONFIDENCE WHICH HATH GREAT RECOMPENCE OF REWARD. FOR YOU HAVE NEED OF PATIENCE THAT AFTER YOU HAVE DONE THE WILL OF GOD YOU MIGHT RECEIVE THE PROMISE. FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE AND HE THAT SHALL COME WILL COME AND WILL NOT TARRY. NOW THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH BUT IF ANY MAN DRAW BACK MY SOUL SHALL HAVE NO PLEASURE IN HIM. BUT WE ARE NOT OF THEM WHO DRAW BACK UNTO PERDITION, BUT OF THEM THAT BELIEVE TO THE SAVING OF THE SOUL (Hebrews 10:35-39)." Because life is so difficult in our day many are living for temporary pleasure and not for eternal treasure! Sadly as predicted they're falling away and doing things their own way today.
He goes on to say that without faith it's impossible to please God but that he's a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. He wants all of his children to trust him through every storm in life and to keep on believing regardless of feeling. Feelings come and go but God remains the same. I'm not exactly sure why faith is so important to God I just know that it is. The apostle Peter said our faith is more precious to God than gold which perishes and when tried by fire it will bring glory to him. Most people today however live their lives by how they feel and not by what's actually real. You see faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things NOT seen. After Jesus was risen he appeared to his disciples and on one occasion Thomas believed he had risen only AFTER seeing his nail-scarred hands. Here's what Jesus said to him, "BECAUSE YOU HAVE SEEN ME YOU HAVE BELIEVED. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND YET HAVE BELIEVED (John 20:29)."
If you've never read the book of Hebrews or if it's been a while please do so. The believers referred to in chapter 11 as you may know are called by many today as the "heroes" of faith. True heroes that God says this world was not worthy of. In fact some were tortured not accepting deliverance so that they might obtain a "better" resurrection! I'm not sure what your pain is today or just how heavy the burden is you bear but I know God knows. I know he's there and that he truly cares. While on earth Jesus was moved with compassion for the hurting and the lost. He wept over Jerusalem and Isaiah the prophet once predicted he'd be a man of sorrows acquainted with grief despised and rejected of men. He's a faithful high priest who's touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He's the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world for your sins and mine. If your his child then know he's using your earthly pain for your heavenly gain. The heroes of faith kept their eyes on the prize, "THESE WERE ALL COMMENDED FOR THEIR FAITH YET NONE OF THEM RECEIVED WHAT HAD BEEN PROMISED. GOD HAD PLANNED SOMETHING BETTER FOR US SO THAT ONLY TOGETHER WITH US WOULD THEY BE MADE PERFECT (Hebrews 11:39-40)." You're surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who've gone before now looking on cheering you on. So never give up and never give in run your race to win! It will all be worth it once you too reach the end.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
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