“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 KJV). Submission to God gains His protection. Only then we can carry out any strategy to resist the wicked one. Since Christ’s shed blood on the Cross gains us the forgiveness of our sins, then it alone can defeat the power of Satan over us. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Revelation 12:11). Satan counts upon us being overcome by the allurement of the world. “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1John 2:16).
He knows, if he can only get us to commit one sin, then we have already begun the destructive practice of sin. And, “whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (John 8:34 NKJV). What breaks the cycle of sin? “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9 KJV). Based upon Christ substituting His suffering on the Cross for our sins, He paid the “wages of sin” (Romans 6:23), which is “death” (6:23), and He can then forgive us, if we repent. By faith, we accept His payment for ourselves, repent of our sins, and proclaim our loyalty to Christ before the world, which is done at baptism, then we are raised in faith as newborn members of Christ’s Body, which is the Church. “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). So, resisting the devil begins our victory, but the Holy Spirit given to us is the real source of our overcoming the devil and sin. “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). Father, You have made faith so simple, a child can believe. May our childlike confidence in You cause us to resist the devil, that he would flee from even us. Make it to be so. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen.
Author: Ken
Everything Works Out
“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 8:28 KJV). How can anyone make such an extravagant, outrageous, Pollyanna statement? Just look around at all the inequities and injustices in the world, how could Romans 8:28 be true? I remember when my children were very young, but could speak their minds. They saw me struggling with a difficult, overpowering situation, and remembered being taught, All things work together for good, so their little minds told me, Don’t worry, Dad, everything works out! Bless their little hearts, I still cherish that memory! But, how can such an impossible statement be true? First, it is an inspired statement from God, whose words establish what truth is, i.e., “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth” (John 17:17). Second, our Creator was able to speak into existence all the heavens and earth ex nihilo (out of nothing), so He has the power, i.e., “And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so” (Genesis 1:9). Third, if anything in this world is good, it is only because it came from God, i.e., “And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou Me good? there is none good but one, that is, God” (Mark 10:18). Father, we know that faith alone takes You at Your word. We have greatest confidence You are bringing into existence in this world all the good our unbelieving, humanistic, scoffing neighbors believe only comes from their hands. Use our minds and hands as instruments for good in this world. And, may Your name be glorified for all that good. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your wonderful name, we pray. Amen and amen.
Not Leave You Comfortless
“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:18 KJV). Jesus was about to fulfill His earthly mission of dying for our sins upon the Cross. He would rise from the dead and ascend back into Heaven, then He would send us His Spirit — the Paraklete or Comforter. “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you” (16:7). What is this Comforter? “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another [Greek, allos, another of the same kind] Comforter [Greek, paraklētos, advocate], that He may abide with you for ever” (14:16). Jesus was assuring us He would send us His Spirit to advocate for us, just as He did and does for us before the Father. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1John 2:1). A Paraclete or Advocate for the Christian is the direct opposite of our adversary the devil, who is the “accuser of our brethren” (Revelation 12:10).
We need to get it into our understanding, “The LORD is on my [our] side” (Psalm 118:6). He is a holy God, who has chosen us to be His people, “because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2Thessalonians 2:13). And, if you are not convinced you are chosen, then read this description of yourself here: “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty” (1Corinthians 1:27). There! God has chosen you. If the Spirit of God can persuade us of that truth, then the wicked one cannot succeed in his prosecution against us. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). We have Jesus’ promise, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:18), which gives us His Indwelling Spirit. Ever wonder why the NT makes such a big thing out of “repent and be baptized” (Acts 2:38)? Because that baptismal declaration to “confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus” (Romans 10:9) declares your loyalty to Christ in front of humanity (not just the angels), for which He grants you the “gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).
The Holy Spirit is not simply a ghostly presence, but the active source of all God’s gifts to us, as His children. “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:13). (1) All of the Spiritual Gifts given for the ministry of the Church, are given through the Holy Spirit, i.e., “It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as He decides to each person, who produces all these things” (1 Corinthians 12:1 NET). (2) The Holy Spirit must guide our praying, since we really don’t know how to pray as we ought — just get your prayer started and trust the Holy Spirit is making suggestions to your mind, i.e., “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit [Himself] maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27). This only introduces a small part of the comfort, which we are given through the Holy Spirit.
Father, cause us to be encouraged that You are advocating for us and not simply plotting against us to catch us in our too often sins. May we give you the credit for the Comfort You Are to us. May we volunteer to be on Your side, since You are doing so much to be on our side. We love You, and ask that You would cause us to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2Peter 3:18). Glorify Your name. And, Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.
Tomorrow Ready, Today Prepare
“The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:1 KJV). God looks not at the outward, but the heart. We take strides to be prepared for emergencies, only to find our attempts often fall short. Yet, when Jesus rallies us, “Be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44), it is only because readiness is a command not optional. And, God’s commands are never impossible (1John 5:3). If we are in preparation for tomorrow, already we are in a right state of heart. Only God’s Spirit is able to make us walk in obedience today and keep us ready tomorrow. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Father, may we aspire to walk in a right hearted state, ready for Your Son’s soon appearing. Cause our understanding and appreciation of You to grow that it may answer all the practical needs for our walk and holiness. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen and amen.
Intimacy With God Through Obedience
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1Corinthians 10:13 KJV). God’s promises reveal God to us, sanctify us, and make us more like Christ. For God’s enemies, God’s promises mystify them, threaten them, and harden them against Christ, unless the Spirit can reach them. A “temptation [Greek, peirasmos, putting to proof]” (10:13) is God allowing you to be put to proof, in order that you might have the intimate experience of obeying God. Obviously, God already knows how we will respond, but He knows our correct response will draw us closer to Himself and make us more like Him. Even Jesus, when He was tempted, became more like the Father. “Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). Temptations may be directed against us from our adversary the devil to destroy us, but “God is faithful” (1Corinthians 10:13) in using that to build us. “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive” (Genesis 50:20). God knows our breaking point — how much we can take before we sin — and will not “suffer [Greek, eaō, permit]” (1Corinthians 10:13) us to be tempted above or beyond what “ye are able” (10:13). That is the faithfulness of God. “Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it” (1Thessalonians 5:24). Our confidence is God will always give us “a way to escape [Greek, ekbasis, exit, way out], that ye may be able to bear it” (1Corinthians 10:13) to keep us from sinning; after all, He is a Holy God. “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36). Satan tempts to our destruction, but God tests for our sanctification. Finally, we need to be careful not to despise God for testing us (Exodus 20:20), allowing us to be tempted (James 1:13), reproving us (Hebrews 12:5), or chastening us (Proverbs 3:11), since He means it for our good. Do we trust Him for that? Most certainly, we will have our opportunity to prove the faithfulness of God! Father, You are the Faithful God, who will exercise us for Your glory; and, we know You will draw us to Yourself by demonstrating how we will obey You, for when You are happy, we are happy. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
What Can Your Living Jesus Do?
That our dead Mohammad can’t? (1948). Spoken to Paris Reidhead, Jr., a Christian missionary in Northern Africa among the adherents of Islam. Legitimate question. My answer: Righteousness. Islam may reply: Anyone can claim to have righteousness. I would respond: That is true, but since the Living God is the only Source of True Righteousness — “O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto Thee” (Daniel 9:7 KJV) — righteousness can only be found in a right relationship with Him.
It is true of any religion, any attempt to establish righteousness simply by means of keeping commandments is self-righteousness. When anyone attempts to prove to themselves their righteousness based upon the keeping of commandments and not their love, devotion, and attachment to the Living God, then we are self-righteous. “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:3). If the Jews, who had the Law, could be found guilty of unrighteousness, then that is a demonstration that righteousness is not a devotion to keeping commandments, but a devotion to the person of the Living God.
Not simply the Jew or follower of Islam, but we who name the name of Christ fall into the deception of heart to judge our righteousness as rule keeping. Foremost, we need to return to love and devotion of God with a continual heart seeking of Christ. “Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts” (Malachi 3:7).
All religious philosophies and personal practices must stand to be judged by God for valuing even the keeping of commandments more highly than God and a right relationship to Himself. But, how does this convince the Islamic questioner of Paris Reidhead (1948)? That is the job of the Holy Spirit. “And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). If anyone is to be converted to the righteousness of Jesus Christ, then the Holy Spirit must do the convincing. Preach and teach the Righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ and a right relationship with Him, and let the Spirit of God be let loose to do His convincing work, His wonderful work, His awesome work, His soul cleansing, world changing work, bring in the Kingdom of God work. He has been waiting all this time for us to understand and ask Him to do it!
LORD, You are righteous in all Your ways and holy in all Your works (Psalm 145:17). Convert whomsoever You will, for unto You belongs all the glory, power, and honor. Magnify Your name. Transform this world. Bring to pass Your Kingdom on this Earth. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen and amen.
Time for Every Purpose
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV). There are no accidents with God. Everything has an appointed time. “For everything there is an appointed time, and an appropriate time for every activity on earth” (3:1 NET). Christians are inclined to blame the Jews for not being ready to accept their Messiah, which resulted in God’s destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, but is the Church, as the Bride of Christ, ready for the soon return of her Coming Spouse? “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry” (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV). Lack of understanding and focus on the fundamentals of everything that constitutes our faith renders us incapable of mounting but a feeble response to all the pressing needs of the world. “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2Peter 1:3). Christianity has gotten into a mindset assuming Christ’s Second Coming must come whether we as the Church have spotless garments or not, but Christ warned of the foolishness of assuming we have the oil of the Holy Spirit, when we lack the ongoing power of His presence in our lives, i.e., Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38). Only as we wrestle with the daily application of God’s Word to our circumstances can our lives be conformed to Christ in thought and deed. Especially, when the Holy Spirit answers the perplexing questions of the Scripture, which often embarrass us in front of the world. Instead, we need to fully embrace our Heavenly Spouse and put off all thinking and practices that keep us from running the race successfully. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). Only then will we be ready to enter in to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Matthew 25, Revelation 19). Father, prepare us as the Bride to be ready to meet Christ when He returns. Allow us not to be satisfied with someone else’s ideas of religion, but give us the Berean mindset of searching the “scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). Make us well pleasing to You. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen and amen.
How to Be Ready for the Rapture
“We which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1Thessalonians 4:17 KJV). In the Second Coming of Christ, if the Rapture represents Christ’s “caught up [Greek, harpazō, snatched away]” (4:17) saints, who meet Him in the air before they return with Him, then a ready state of heart must be present in the disciple, as represented in the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), where “oil” (25:3) represents the Holy Spirit. Perseverance or readiness is not simply an assumed theological condition based upon ‘praying Jesus into your heart’ or ‘baptism,’ though you need to do both. Rather, readiness understands it is “God which worketh [Greek, energeō, is working] in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). You can tell if the Holy Spirit is inspiring you “to do of His good pleasure,” (2:13), because you are presently walking in loving obedience. “And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him” (Acts 5:32). Obedience is not the forced act of a fearful slave under an overbearing tyrant, but it is the sweet submission of a trusting child to a Loving Father.
[This is the short version, but scan ahead to see a more developed explanation. The following will disappoint those desiring a discussion of the Mark of the Beast, who is the Antichrist, the Battle of Armageddon, etc., but it may surprise those who have not been inclined to study prophecy.]
Simeon and Anna: Ready for Christ’s First Advent
What story speaks of those who were ready for Christ at His First Advent, because it will instruct us about our being ready for Christ at His Second Advent? Remember the story of Simeon and Anna from the birth of Jesus and His dedication in the Temple? “There was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him” (Luke 2:25). He was “just and devout” (2:25), while he waited for the “consolation of Israel” (2:25). He knew from the OT Scriptures that Israel was promised a “Messiah” (Daniel 9:25, 26); but, it required the teaching of the Holy Spirit for Simeon to connect Daniel’s prophecy with Isaiah’s “light of the Gentiles” (Isaiah 42:6; Luke 2:32) and to conclude this was the one prophesied by Isaiah, who would later cite Isaiah’s prophecy in Luke 4:18-19, stopping short of the phrase “and the day of vengeance of our God,” since that would be for the Messiah’s Second Coming: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified” (61:1-3). Would we have been like Simeon, walking with justice and devotion awaiting the Messiah? Simeon had oil in his lamp like the Five Wise Virgins (Matthew 25).
And, “Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four [84] years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:36-38). She “served God with fasting and prayers night and day” (2:37), indicating complete devotion, which we all can do from an upright heart. “Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in His commandments” (Psalm 112:1). “Stablish Thy word unto Thy servant, who is devoted to Thy fear” (119:38). Anna immediately recognized Jesus as the Promised Messiah, because she was looking for Him, i.e., “And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). Anna, walking in complete devotion, had oil in her lamp like the Five Wise Virgins (Matthew 25).
The Holy Spirit’s Righteous Restraining Influence Removed
The biggest difference we can make for the world of those around us, is for the Spirit’s righteous restraining influence to be felt, when we are removed at the Rapture. Obviously, our righteous actions in holding back or restraining wickedness has significance, for we do not and should not contribute to the wickedness around us. “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” (Matthew 5:13). Both intentionally and unintentionally, our righteousness influences or effects those around us. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid” (5:14). Even inadvertently, our righteousness has an effect upon the world around us. Jesus said that “it cannot be hid” (5:14) by the most introvert disciple. And, all of this is foundational and comes prior to our obedience in spreading the Good News of Salvation and building the Kingdom of God through the Great Commission. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Why Righteousness Is So Important Yet Misunderstood
Or, Am I More Into Being Right or Righteous?
First, righteousness is right action or doing right, which means Almighty God is the source of all righteousness. We intuitively know this, but look at the Scriptural evidence to anchor that in our understanding.
- “That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from Thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25).
- “The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works” (Psalm 145:17).
- “O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto Thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither Thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against Thee” (Daniel 9:7).
- “In His [Messiah’s] days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jeremiah 23:6).
- “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1John 2:1).
- “If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him” (1John 2:29).
- “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous” (1John 3:7).
Second, righteousness or right action was possible in the beginning, and must still be possible today, or it would be unrighteous of God to require it, on penalty of sin. However, though righteousness may be possible, it is unlikely without the help of the Holy Spirit. And, now we have the comfort and aid of the Holy Spirit to inspire obedience and accomplish righteousness. Consider the Scripture:
- “All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death” (1John 5:17).
- “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:4).
- “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).
- “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27).
- “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:13-14).
- “Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:21).
- “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1Peter 1:22).
Third, righteousness is most commonly misunderstood as a checklist of right actions, e.g., keeping the Ten Commandments, instead of continually maintaining a right relationship with our Righteous God. A right relationship primarily with God will always give you secondarily a right relationship with “your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 19:19 NET). Our righteous conduct with our neighbor is the result of our rightly relating to God. To be clear, righteousness is primarily a right relationship with God, and any relationship demands the active participation of both God and you. The Pharisees prided themselves in the keeping of the Law, and even added traditions or embellishments, that no one could ever keep. However, they ignored practical examples of righteousness: Enoch (walked with God), Noah (walked with God), Abraham (friend of God), David (man after God’s own heart). Whenever we see the word “righteousness” in Scripture, if we substitute “right relationship,” we will possess a better appreciation of righteousness.
- “And he [Abraham] believed in the LORD; and He [the LORD] counted it to him [Abraham] for righteousness [as a right relationship with Himself]” (Genesis 15:6 KJV).
- “By faith Enoch was translated [raptured] that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony [walking with God in a right relationship], that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5).
- “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God [in a right relationship]” (Genesis 6:9).
- “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you [not walking in a right relationship], that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).
- “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of [a right relationship with] God” (Romans 10:3).
- “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself [restoring a right relationship with Himself], not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2Corinthians 5:18-19).
- “For through Him we both have access [of a right relationship] by one Spirit unto the Father” (Ephesians 2:18).
In conclusion, our Blessed Hope is Jesus Christ, but the hope of His Return and our soon Rapture is legitimately, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). If we understand righteousness to be primarily a right relationship with Christ, and further comprehend our relationship must relentlessly be pursuing Christ, i.e., “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14), then we will be continually looking for Him. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). With that persistent heart attitude, we will be ready for the Rapture. Even so, come Lord Jesus, amen.
For more about Why Do We Not Study Prophecy?
Only Whole-Hearted Seekers Prevented From Wandering (Psalm 119:10)
“With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments” (Psalm 119:10 KJV). Every young person should aspire to walk in obedience to God’s Word. Nothing at all should be surprising about God’s expectations of us. None of us would expect or care for anyone approaching us half-heartedly or insincerely. Others may deal with us deceitfully, but God sets the standard for appropriate conduct. God expects from us the same sincerity of conduct, which He gives us. “God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19). God’s history of dealing with us has been to keep us from wandering from Him. God Only Wise has arranged His dealings with us to gain not simply our outward obedience, but our heartfelt love for Him. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not” (Luke 13:34). The Atonement revealed His heart to us. “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). Yahweh has always known we need a progressive revelation of Himself, since too much at once would overpower us. “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” (1Corinthians 3:2).
In these NT times, we have access to God’s greatest gift beyond the Atonement — the gift of His Spirit to inspire our obedience. “I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27 ). We need to believe and act like we already have everything we need to live a godly, well-pleasing life. “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2Peter 1:3). Father, You have already given us the forgiveness of our sins through Your Son’s death on the Cross, and we now have the assistance of Your Holy Spirit to live an obedient, well-pleasing life. Help us to resist the wicked one and overcome the temptation to give in to the world. Make us a walking testimony of Your grace and truth. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
My Best Friend Is God
“Abraham believed God, and it was imputed [Greek, logizomai, credited, reckoned, counted] unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God” (James 2:23 KJV). What greater title can we have than to be identified as a friend of the Greatest Being In Existence [G.B.I.E.]? Without surprise, Lucifer demands worship for himself as the Great Architect of the Universe (G.A.O.T.U.). May the LORD rebuke him! “They perish at the rebuke of Thy countenance” (Psalm 80:16). Friendship with the Almighty starts with faith from the heart and is perfected in our obedience. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:13-15). In the beginning, obedience was possible for Adam, or God would not have required it. Old Covenant saints were obedient. “The fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning” (Exodus 20:20 NIV). In this New Covenant age, even better than the fear of the LORD, the obedient disciples of Yeshua possess God’s indwelling Spirit. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27 KJV). And, the crowning action of God, in addition to our fearing Him and He dwelling in us, Yahweh will secure our eternal obedience, where no rebellion will ever again touch, when the Greatest Being in Existence will forever dwell and walk among us. “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God” (Revelation 21:3). Father, You are the Great I Am, who loved us so much You sent Your Son to die to restore us from our sinning self, and resurrected Your Son, who sent us the gift of Your Spirit. May Your kingdom come and may Jesus return quickly to fulfill all righteousness and deliver His people. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen and amen.
We Need A Miracle 
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