Shouldn’t we all be able to say, “Meet me in Heaven”? Scripture gives us the certainty of our heavenly destination from our daily walk. “3 And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. 6 He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked” (1John 2:3-6 KJV). But, the art of obedience should not be underrated — just ask Adam and Eve. God has gone through a lot of trouble to give us the gift of His Spirit to ensure our obedience. “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). When was the Spirit given? Officially, when Peter gave the invitation at Pentecost. “Then Peter said unto them, 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). Subsequently, has anyone received the Spirit before baptism? Yes, ask Cornelius (Acts 10). Then, why insist on baptism to receive the Holy Spirit? Because through baptism our loyalty is pledged, and it must be demonstrated for all to see and know, we stand with Jesus. “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). Even though God knows our heart, He places a high value on everyone else knowing we stand with Him — especially making the point to His adversary the devil — He insists we become baptized before we lay claim to His Spirit. LORD, You have given us everything — physical life, Your Son, eternal life, but especially Your Spirit. May we walk in gratitude and power that we would be able to meet as many as You our God will call, one day in Heaven. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Author: Ken
When We Sense We Have the Least Control
When we sense we have the least control, then He has the most control. So, we should set out to behave irresponsibly? Take no precautions? Not give due diligence? Absolutely not! We are to give our utmost to Him whenever we can, wherever we can. He accepts no less! But, He cannot receive the glory due Him, if we really felt the credit was due us. Not to worry! If we don’t already have it in our mind that the credit is only His, He will allow something to trip up our timing, so we are no longer in control. Sound familiar? “O our God, wilt Thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee” (2Chronicles 20:12 KJV). LORD, do for us what You have done for Your people time after time. Show us Your glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.
Baptism: The Icing on the Cake
Other than the Lord’s Supper (known also as Communion or the Eucharist), Baptism is the other significant ordinance commanded by Christ, and historically much debated by the Church. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations [‘make disciples of all nations,’ NIV], baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19 KJV). To clarify, we are to make disciples of all nations and baptize them. No single explanation on baptism will satisfy all religious traditions; but, for conscience sake, can anyone gain entry into the Body of Christ, while defying the command, “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)? To be clear, no one or no thing saves except Jesus. Even if baptism is considered as a condition of salvation, baptism is more than a personal decision, but the outward approval of those who do the baptizing that the recipient has indeed fulfilled the terms for salvation, i.e., we must cooperate with the Holy Spirit by (1) turning to Jesus and BELIEVING on Him to save us from our sins (Acts 16:31), (2) turning away from our sins by REPENTING of them entirely (Acts 2:38), (3) FORSAKING or be willing to forsake everything for Jesus (Luke 18:22), and (4) CONFESSING Jesus is now the Lord or boss of our life (Romans 10:9). LORD, may Your body of believing, practicing disciples find our agreement in Christ about baptism “that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11). Amen and amen.
Confronting Your Past
It is all about Jesus. Growth in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2Peter 3:18) requires you to confront your past. You obviously have already done something right to even be presently considering what God wants you to be doing. Now, here’s the hard part, you’re going to have to give up or reframe your thinking about what you thought you understood, in order to grow. This is where your roots hit a rock and have to redirect your growth, but more importantly, this is where our Heavenly Vinedresser does some painful and aggressive pruning. “He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (John 15:2 NIV). By God’s grace, see you at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb! LORD, do to me what is necessary to bear the fruit that will glorify Your name. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Judge Righteous Judgment (Part 4)
Since Christians will “judge angels” (1Corinthians 6:3 KJV cp. Matthew 8:29), they must first stand before the Bema Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10) after they had been caught up or raptured (1Thessalonians 4:17) into the presence of Christ at His Second Coming (Titus 2:13). Bible prophecy chronology teaches us: (1) Christ’s Second Coming will occur (Revelation 1:7), (2) the Judgment of the Nations will occur (Joel 3:1-2; Matthew 25:32, 34), (3) the Millennium will follow (Revelation 20:1-6), (4) the final rebellion of Satan and his angels will occur, it will fail, and they will be judged (Revelation 20:7-10), (5) the White Throne Judgment will occur (Revelation 20:11–5), (6) the New Heavens and New Earth will occur (Revelation 21), and (7) Eternity will follow (Revelation 22). Judging angels is truly a function of God’s Divine Council, of which we shall be a part (1Corinthians 6:3). LORD, help us that our conduct will be in keeping with the dignity of Your court. Amen and amen.
Judge Righteous Judgment (Part 3)
Your judgments or discernments are important to the Courts of Heaven. God records it in your unique book in Heaven. “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them” (Psalm 139:16 KJV). Right in the corner where you are, you have been given the right to put forth your case before the Almighty judging “all things” (1Corinthians 2:15). It may not seem important to others, but your opinion about all things spiritual is regarded by the Judge of All the Earth. When you investigate His Word and make application of it to every aspect of your existence, then you truly are living by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Only the Spirit of Christ can work this in us. This is life, and that is abundance!
Judge Righteous Judgment (Part 2)
“He that is spiritual judgeth [Greek, anakrinō, called to account] all things, yet he himself is judged [Greek, anakrinō] of no man” (1Corinthians 2:15 KJV). Why is the spiritual man, who judges all things, not judged by any man? In context, the previous verse stated, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned [Greek, anakrinō]” (2:14). Natural man without the Spirit is unable to spiritually discern or judge righteously, so then, the spiritual man cannot be spiritually discerned or judged by the natural man. Spiritual snobbery? No. The judgment of the Highest Court is our rulings are not overruled. Most High God and Judge, we petition You to establish Your judgments, verdicts, and decisions here below, just as Your judgments rule in Heaven. Amen and amen.
Judge Righteous Judgment (Part 1)
“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24 KJV). The Kingdom of God is not the absence of judging, but the presence of judging “righteous judgment” (7:24). If the adversary can persuade us Christ’s words, “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1), meant we should never have an opinion, much less voice it, about anyone else’s actions, then how can you “see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5)? How do we dare differentiate between the “holy” (7:6) and the “dogs” (7:6), the “pearls” (7:6) and the “swine” (7:6)? The Judge of All the Earth (Genesis 18:25) desires all of His children to be righteous judges as He is, for then we enter most earnestly into heart sympathy with Him. LORD, may Your people be as You are, holy and righteous always abounding in Your work. Amen.
Peace in the Middle East
When will they ever learn? If the enemies of Israel dedicate their existence to the destruction of Israel, then Israel does not have the ability to coexist with her enemies. A stalemate exists without a natural resolution. Only a supernatural solution would work. Supernatural is the Unseen Realm of Almighty God; but also, it is the realm of the adversary the devil and whomsoever is empowered by that wicked one. Peace in the Middle East will initially come through the Antichrist, who is the “prince that shall come” (Daniel 9:26 KJV). Satan or the “dragon gave him his power” (Revelation 13:2). He will usher in a period of peace to begin the Seventieth Week of Daniel. “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Daniel 9:27). Only time will tell, when the Almighty chooses this solution for Israel’s problems. Father God, even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
If I Were Israel
If I were Israel, in the Israeli Gaza Conflict (2023-2024). I would not let anyone stop me from recovering the hostages, dismantling visible Hamas in Gaza, protecting my borders, and preparing for the inevitably larger conflict with Hezbollah in the north. I would be courting the good will of Christian evangelicals, especially in the United States, to continue American support for Israel. I would continue the shadow war with Iran, assuring them I know where they live. “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3 KJV). And, I would be reminding Jews worldwide that their survival is represented in the survival of Israel. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6). I would do this without giving in to Islam or converting to Christianity. But, I am not Israel.
We Need A Miracle 
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