Shadow of Death

These last several months I had “shadow of death” experiences and directly witnessed the merciful and gentle hand of God in real-time.  He was my source of strength and comfort through every situation. I confess that it was even His wisdom and understanding I rested upon, not my own, which prepared me to first overcome and then to become a support to others.  I give Him praise for this; He is worthy.

It seems that the timely posts that the Lord inspired me to write titled “Tribulation” and “One Dark Night” was for me.  He knew exactly what was coming my way.  I was reminded why we go through tough times of tribulation and so this corrected my hearing and the condition of my heart.  Being made ready to endure these recent trials, I kept my ears open to hear what the Lord had to say not allowing the raging storms to flood and overpower me; and my heart remained humble before Him.  I admit that I thought that nothing could surpass the hurt, pain, and challenges I had already faced over the years, but I learned something new.

Our Heavenly Father is our great teacher and knows best how to teach His children and to bring restoration in ways unimaginable.  He amazes me.

I claim assuredly “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me (I am not alone); thy rod [of correction and protection] and thy staff [of support and guidance] they comfort me.” Psalms 23 KJV

My prayer is that you abide in the vine who is our Lord Jesus and hide in the shadow of The Almighty because there is none like Him.  He loves you.

 

In My Father’s House

My mom wrote many songs about matters of the heart, eternal hope and salvation. I hope you are encouraged today by one of my favorites titled “In My Father’s House” that I share with you now in her honor.

 

Song by Elaine G. Rideout
©2007

 

1/ When this life is over,
And our labor’s done,
We have an appointment,
With God’s only Son.
We’ll walk the streets of glory,
And sing redemption’s song,
Praising God in the highest,
Who sits upon the throne.

 

Chorus:
In my Father’s house, there’s many mansions,
Prepared for the faithful and true.
We’ll all be dressed in white,
Where the Lamb is the light,
Redeemed by His blood through and through

 

2/ There no thieves can enter,
Nor those who are defiled,
For these are the treasures,
Of the Father for His child.
No mourners will there be to cry,
For loved ones lost in sin,
For tears will all be wiped away,
No broken hearts to mend.

Tribulation

You will notice that certain points that I make within this post are repeated. This is done for clarification as well as to show urgency and need.

Tribulation is a source of trouble, worry, and difficulty. The purpose of tribulation reveals areas of weakness that needs strengthening, provokes action, and will produce patient and unshakable endurance. Though we have tribulation in the world, we have perfect peace in Jesus. Acts 14:22 tells us to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God. Tribulation is a fact of life, so remember to embrace the benefits too. The other side of tribulation is to bring penalty and correction upon all who do evil. Consider Zechariah 13:8-9 “And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.”

Tribulation is a divine master plan of events to bring about repentance and restoration throughout the world. After the tribulation and the final work of The Lord is complete, the kingdoms of our world will become the kingdoms of our Lord. This means no more injustice, and no more war. Finally, some peace!! Until that time comes, stay calm. Buckle yourself in tight—stay in Jesus. Continue to repent, pray, and seek His face. The world is about to be shaken like never before since the beginning of creation. A good question to ask yourself at this time is if you have filled your lamp with oil. The Word of God is a lamp unto our feet and His Holy Spirit is the oil of joy and light that pierces through the darkness. Let’s run this race, shall we? The finish line is just ahead.

What excites me most about the hour we live in? Seeing how God completes his masterful plan. We have preconceived ideas about how things will unfold and surely God’s people are given a glimpse of what He will do. But I have this awesome feeling that what He actually does will render us speechless!! Lost loved ones have you worried? Well, it’s not over until it’s over. There is a golden vial filled with the prayers of all the saints—huh, wonder what God will do with that?! Keep praying.

Below is a compilation of world events, news, and links for your consideration, reference, and study. First, I will share a few of God’s promises with you and the reason why these things must take place. Do not fear. But repent, pray, prepare, and actively watch. Be hidden in the only place of safety—under the shadow of the Almighty—Jesus!

Do you question if God can do what He said He will do? See the fun and information-packed video of Louie Giglio “How Great is Our God:” http://youtu.be/azFFc20_Ub4

PROMISES

Zephaniah 2:3 KJV “Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.”

Psalms 91:1,2,7-10,15 KJV “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I [The Lord] deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.”

2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

THE GRAND PURPOSE

Daniel 9:24 KJV “…to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.”

John 14:2-3 “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

A merciful warning is always given before divine judgment.

Jeremiah 18:7-11 “At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them…”

THE ATTITUDE OF THE LAST DAYS

2 Timothy 3:1-7  “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

See also my blog page titled Revelations Timeline for a list of troubles, signs, and wonders that will unsettle the entire world; many have already happened. Bear in mind that experts will try to explain away unprecedented events in an effort to minimize them. Regardless, the Bible prophesied that these things would come to pass over 2,000 years ago which proves the divine authority of the Word of God.

Luke 21:11 KJV “And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.”
Luke 21:25 KJV “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;”

Here is a look at world news and events.

SIGNS IN THE EARTH AND THE HEAVENS

Oklahoma: 7 earthquakes within 14 hours. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/13/earthquakes-central-oklahoma_n_5582698.html

Global Mystery Booms: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/44550343/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/mysterious-booming-sounds-perplex-scientists/

Texas Meteor: http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/nasa-confirms-meteor-hit-central-texas-26796357

Russia Meteor: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/russian-city-hit-meteor-1200-people-hurt-18518828

California Fireball: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/video/california-fireball-meteor-20818761

Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pCYfQmk5yao

Revelations 6:13 “And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, as when she is shaken of a mighty wind.” Read also a very sobering passage about this same event spoken by the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 34:4 elaborates and reveals that all of the host (stars and planets) of the heavens shall be dissolved and crumble away and the skies shall be rolled together like a scroll.
Doomsday underground bunkers “dens:” http://www.forbes.com/sites/jimdobson/2015/06/12/billionaire-bunkers-exclusive-look-inside-the-worlds-largest-planned-doomsday-escape/#!

Revelations 6:15-16 “And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:”

Tetrad – blood moons and solar eclipse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afmiLRb7R-A&feature=player_embedded

This will be the last tetrad for another 400 years. This tetrad falls within a shemitah year as well as a Jubilee year. A shemitah year is a sabbatical year which occurs every seventh year and so seven years equals one shemitah. The 50th year following seven shemitah cycles is called a Jubilee (7×7+1=50 years). And this doesn’t scratch the surface of the many other unique details about this tetrad. Therefore, this tetrad is a significant heavenly sign that everyone tuned in is watching closely.

Genesis 1:14 KJV “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:”

Joel 2:31 KJV “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.”

Revelations 6:12 KJV “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;”

The mark of the beast:

Revelations 13:15-18 KJV “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six.

People will be lured into taking the mark of the beast using security, safety, crime prevention, and convenience as a ploy. They will be slick and smooth and so convincing—but you will know that the chip (or the mark of the beast) will actually bring you unbearable pain and death. Be alert.  But know also that a great innumerable multitude will be saved during the great tribulation.

New World Order and the RFID Chip: The RFID implant will be mandatory under Obama care. This should cause sirens to blare in the souls of all mankind.

Video 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=A3oGtXxUvZk

Video 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8YH9DxIqsUM

Video 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=L1ovcoc5Dec

Bottomless pit – Apollyon: The fifth angel sounds the trumpet and the bottomless pit is opened where Apollyon, the destroyer, is bound. It is very likely that CERN will play a role in fulfilling this prophecy. See Revelations 9 KJV.

CERN – Extra dimensions, gravitons, and tiny black holes http://home.web.cern.ch/about/physics/extra-dimensions-gravitons-and-tiny-black-holes

Prophetic Urgent Messages to America:

Jonathan Cahn https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gEiacZY6BMs

Peter Martinez https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx8D1ZyWaG0&feature=player_detailpage

Bible Codes: The Torah is the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Torah codes are divine prophetic secret codes embedded by God into the text.

Torah Codes End of Days https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4EHrDQ_QmcY

Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=A9pnkRPM6KI

Rene Moses https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRh8rcVNtUk&feature=player_embedded

September-Specific Events: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ03_m50T-M&feature=player_embedded

There are so many global events happening right now, it’s hard to find time to capture them all. If you do nothing else, repent. Jesus is about to make His appearance.

Pray with me: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

No Fear

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31

When you are weary and troubled on every side… just soar!  Trust in The Lord and He will bring you through.

One Dark Night

There are times when our lives are thrust into situations that, from every angle, are overwhelming, unfair, painful, and unbearably dark. If we patiently endure, these defining moments in life, God will reveal His power. He will unveil deeper truths and principles, and strengthen our faith in Him. Equipped with new faith, wisdom, understanding and knowledge of God, we are then ready to soar with wings as eagles. In everything give thanks, for there is something good that is being worked out. There is always something good waiting. Just wait upon God, pray, and watch His mighty work accomplish great things. This world is like a training ground for something profoundly greater than we can envision.

Let’s examine a brief backdrop of the situation in an account recorded in Acts16 KJV. The Spirit of Jesus led Paul and Silas from town to town to minister to the churches, ultimately strengthening their faith in Jesus. Paul received a vision one night about a man in Macedonia who needed help. Paul and Silas dutifully brought glad tidings of the Gospel to a Roman colony in the chief city, Philippi. While they were there, they ministered to and baptized many people. They delivered a slave woman from a spirit of divination. Her owners, who profited by the woman’s foretelling, became angry for their loss. They wrongfully accused Paul and Silas of breaking laws and customs and had them thrown into prison. They were stripped, beaten, and then cast into the inner prison, their feet bound by stocks.

Paul and Silas were violently thrust into a frightful situation. It was dark. They had been beaten. They were deep in the inner prison. They were bound by stocks and guarded. They were wrongly accused. They were there because they obeyed God. Undeniably, a very dark night had descended upon them!

It was the darkest hour of night. At midnight, as prisoners were listening, Paul and Silas began to pray and sing hymns giving praise to God. Ah!! This is key. In spite of everything they were going through, this was their attitude and response. So what did God do? He shook a little dirt and a few nerves. Suddenly, there was a great earthquake and the foundations of the prison were shaken. All of the doors were opened and all of the shackles were unfastened. All prisoners were freed!

For fear that the prisoners had escaped; the startled guard drew his sword to end his life. Paul shouted, “Do not harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer, horrified, fell down and asked, “What is necessary for me to do that I may be saved?”

Paul answered the jailer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” After they shared the Word of the Lord with him and to all that were in his house, they went to the water and were baptized.

The darkest of night isn’t a match for the Day Star that shines within our hearts. Darkness only makes it more brilliant! Jesus is our Day Star, He is the bright and Morning Star and the light of the world. When we remember that all things work together for good to them who love the Lord, we receive strength and comfort. A relationship with Jesus, and keeping the living Word of God in our hearts, gives us power to overcome every situation.

My desire is that you pray with me and that you receive comfort and hope. Dear Holy Lord and Savior, who deserves all glory, honor, and praise. The Heavens and Earth are yours. Nothing is impossible for you. Therefore, nothing is impossible to those who place their trust in you. We will live in the shadow of the Almighty and find refuge and peace. Humbly, before the Most High, do we ask that you lead us into all truth. Thy Word is truth. Open our eyes to see the light and beauty of your presence. Save us from this evil day. We live in you, Lord. We remember you and all you sacrificed, your only son, so that we could return to you and not be ashamed. Thy Kingdom come—quickly. We long to see you and forever be where you are. Protect our families and all of our loved ones. Keep your eyes upon us. Increase our faith. Give us the courage we need in today’s lawless generation. In the shadow of death, we will fear no evil, for you are with us; the one who spoke the world into existence and calls all of the stars by their names.  In Jesus name, amen.

Initiating Spiritual Growth

A great message worth repeating.

This Day With God - A Spiritual Journey

By initiating spiritual growth with regular Bible Study and reflecting on experiences along the journey, there will be spiritual maturity. What we write about today may not sink in but write it anyway and someday your words like seeds will take root. Refuse to stop. Instead, do God’s work and eventually will blossom a flower for the world to see. Enjoy today’s video: I Refuse – Josh Wilson.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. – Matthew 6:33 

Index of devotionals

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Tragedy into Triumph

Dr. Ron Archer’s account of his life proves the depths of God’s love and mercy. When the world doesn’t want you, God does. God takes broken lives and transforms them into something beautiful.  No one can question God’s power to save.

Dr. Ron Archer also speaks on “How to turn Pain into Power; Wounds into Wisdom; Scars into Stars; Stumbling Blocks into Stepping Stones; Failure into Fortune; Tragedy into Triumph; and Misery into Ministry.” Please visit the link:

http://www.theabaconian.com/2013/07/16/dr-ron-archer-offers-remedies-to-overcome-lifes-storms/

 

Unfailing Love

Love is the supreme law.  Love never fails.  Think.  If the law of love governs our thoughts and our actions, then what we say and do will always produce positive results, greater satisfaction, happiness, and peace.  Learning the virtue of God’s love is an expedition and an exercise.  Love, even when plunged into dark adversarial circumstances, will yield confidence, strength, and a sound mind.  What really matters during our short pilgrimage is not what we possess; but all of mankind.  It should be our mission to learn and reflect the resplendent glory of His love.

Why is love the greatest law?  Because all other laws can fail but when love comes into the scenario it reaches deep into the very motive that dictates our behavior.  Love changes our mind and therefore changes our actions and our outcomes.  For example, striving to love your neighbor, a fellow citizen, as yourself can be hard when your neighbor is hateful.  So what does love do?  It is written, hatred stirs up strife but love covers all sin.  Love looks beyond the wrong that was done and speaks gently to the soul of the offender.  1 Corinthians 13:4-8 KJV tells us some more characteristics or attributes of love:  Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Charity never fails.

Tall order, huh?  How shall we ever learn this incalculable, precious, and marvelous virtue?  It’s easy when you know the author, for God is love.  There is none like Him.  Reading the living Word never returns void.  I say again, His Word is living (active) and never returns void.  Knowing His Word, is knowing His mind; what He thinks.  Because He is a God who never changes, His Word is never obsolete.  Having the mind of Christ in us, gives us power to overcome any obstacle.  What an investment!

Satan is worried.  He does not want people who do not know God to see the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God 2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV.  His tactic is to keep people blinded.  To illustrate, it would be as if someone who is literally blind receives sight for the very first time.  Then, beholding with breathless awe the majesty of a multihued rainbow inset the endless blue skies, the shimmering glass-blue ocean dancing on the shoreline, the trees and grass waving together in unison as the wind whispers by, a butterfly floating and flittering beneath the brilliance of the sun.  Who would choose to return to darkness again?  My point exactly!

My prayer is for God’s love to spread contagiously throughout a very troubled world and bring healing and hope to all peoples, nations, and tongues.

Your Great Name

Why is it that any talented musician would dedicate their youth and their lives to singing about the name of God?  Experience.  Be blessed today and everyday in Jesus great name!  Allow Him to make a wonderful change in your life.

There is Hope

At the most urgent times in our lives when we feel there is no possible hope in a situation, when we feel there is no way of escaping the chains that ensnare us, and trouble rises like a flood to swallow us and take us out, it is at that very moment we need only remember three little words–there is hope.  But to receive it depends upon us.  If we believe and call upon our Heavenly Father who never slumbers, who never sleeps, and who is omnipresent, He will answer.  He is ready to forgive, ready to heal, and ready to rescue.  Are you ready to experience His goodness?

That’s too simple?  I agree!  Therefore, it is my humble opinion that there is no excuse to not receive His help and loving care.  Nope—nada—none.

Well, I am a sinner bound for hell, you say?  Ah, yes!  Aren’t we all?  Except for one thing, His gift of grace imparted to those who seek Him.  That is His specialty!  His arm is not short that He cannot save the sincere and contrite heart.  He sent His only son, Yeshua (Jesus), to bridge the gap who is our mediator.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble Psalms 46:1 KJV.  Immediately, the story that comes to my mind is an April, 2014 headline in USA Today about a kidnapped boy who was saved when he began to sing his favorite gospel song.  God is truly a very present help!