VIDEO The Moment After

Jun 27, 2016

This movie represents what is coming on earth. Don’t be surprised. The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.

“It is promised that Jesus would return with a sound of a shout and a voice of the archangel and when this occurs those who believe and are alive will see Him and hear the trumpet of God and will be with Him instantaneously

But this will all be invisible to the non-believer

Then what?

The beginning of the tribulation, Mass apostasy, One world government, treaty with Israel, increase and persecution against new believers in Christ, Economic boom, then collapse. And finally, the wrath of God poured out on the ungodly…”

In those days, look for the 144 000 elect from every Tribes of the Son of Israel. Seek for these chosen Jew that will preach the message of Jesus Christ. He will guide you through the tribulations… to the path of your salvation.

Qualified to Love: I (Don’t) Love You Because . . .

And the LORD said [to Samuel], “Arise, anoint [David]; for this is the one!” 1 Samuel 16:12b

In 1995, King Oyo ascended to the throne of the Toro Kingdom in Uganda; he was three years old. In 1908, Puyi became emperor of China when he was two years old. In 1422, Henry VI became king of England at eight months, and also king of France two months later. And there have been many more child monarchs. What qualifications did these children have? They had the right genes!

In other words, they had done nothing to demonstrate their ability to rule. The same could be true when David, as a young teen, was anointed to be king of Israel. He was the youngest child in his family, whose job was tending the sheep. Yet God said to Samuel, “This is the one!” God didn’t say, “I have set my love on David because he will be a perfect king.” Instead, “I am choosing to love him for My purposes.” To be sure, God disciplined David severely during his life for his sins, but He never stopped loving him (2 Samuel 12). In fact, God’s discipline was a demonstration of His for him (Hebrews 12:4-6).

God doesn’t love you because you are perfect—or try to be or want to be. He loves you because He chose you to be His child (Ephesians 1:3-14).

God’s love is a free love, having no motive or foundation but within itself.  Thomas Brooks

Our Treasure

Matthew 6:19-21

The way we regard our treasure is a personal disclosure of who we are. The issue is: Where is our heart?

No matter how we acquire our belongings—by working, investing, saving, or receiving gifts—the correct perspective about money and property is that the Lord owns it all. We are simply the managers. If we harbor wrong attitudes like insisting, “My treasure is mine,” we may actually find that what we own is much less satisfying than we expected it would be.

Here’s a better perspective on possessions and financial increase: See these things as a means of meeting the needs of others and a way to serve God and further His kingdom (Eph. 4:28; Mal. 3:10). When we give to the needy or to kingdom work, we are immediately transferring our treasure from earth to heaven.

The Lord’s tangible blessings can also be properly used to help us reach God-given goals that are set through prayer. For example, if the Lord has blessed you financially and has made it clear that He wants you to use your musical talent to serve Him, then it could be suitable to purchase a helpful instrument or accessory. When we are walking in God’s will and bringing our requests to Him, even the longings of our heart become good ways to spend our treasure, because our preferences are aligned with God’s desires for us.

Always consider the eternal value of your pursuits. The bottom line is that you should trust God with every ounce of your time, talent, and treasure.

The Fear of the Lord

“And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28)

This key phrase, “the fear of the LORD” (Yahweh), occurs in a distinctive pattern in the Old Testament. There are 14 occurrences in the book of Proverbs and seven in the other books, or a total of three times seven altogether, both of which are important Bible numbers.

As we see from the verses in Job preceding our text, when God made man He told him that true wisdom is “the fear of the Lord” (Adonai—the only use of Adonai with this phrase). Unfortunately, Adam and Eve sought wisdom in the tree of knowledge instead (Genesis 3:6) and soon were hiding themselves in fear. The psalmist testifies: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10). The final occurrence of the phrase is also in a wisdom context. “And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure” (Isaiah 33:6).

There are numerous other references to fearing God, and a survey of all these would quickly show that the fear of the Lord is far more than mere “reverential trust,” as some would define it. It means profound awe, intense awareness of God’s hatred of sin, as well as His omniscience and omnipresence, and living in light of the certainty of facing Him at His future judgment seat. It means unquestioning belief in God’s Word and in His unmerited gift of salvation.

But then it also means “the beginning of knowledge,” “to hate evil,” “prolongeth days,” “strong confidence,” “a fountain of life,” and “satisfied,” as well as attaining true “riches and honour” (Proverbs 1:7; 8:13; 10:27; 14:26; 14:27; 19:23; 22:4). “The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever” (Psalm 19:9), and those who truly fear the Lord have everlasting life. HMM

“Hold thou me up.”

Genesis 25:27-34

Having read of the purpose of God concerning Esau and Jacob, we will now follow their history.

Genesis 25:27

Children of the same parents may differ greatly in disposition, in conduct, and in character. The sovereign grace of God creates grave distinctions when it begins to operate, and every year makes the differences more apparent. Esau was wild and Jacob gentle. The one was roving, unsteady, and proud, and the other domesticated, thoughtful, and sedate.

Genesis 25:28

This was bad on the part of both parents. Favouritism ought to be avoided, for nothing but discontent and ill feeling can come of it. Yet if Rebekah loved Jacob because of his quiet, pious disposition, she had good reason for it, which is more than can be said of Isaacs love of the rough huntsman Esau, only because “he did eat of his venison.”

Genesis 25:31

This was uubrotherly and ungenerous of Jacob; the only good point about it is that he set a high value upon the birthright, and so showed his spiritual understanding. It is plain from this that Jacob’s salvation was due to the mercy of God, for his natural character was by no means commendable. The good points in him were of the Lord, the bargaining propensity was inherited from his mother’s family.

Genesis 25:32-34

He valued it so little that a sorry mess of lentiles could buy it of him. Surely it was the dearest dish of meat man ever bought, though we remember a little fruit which cost us more. Many a worldling barters his soul for the pleasures of an hour, crying, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” In order to be rich, to indulge in pleasure, or to have their own way, men have thrown aside all hope of heaven. This is to exchange pearls for pebbles, realities for shams, lasting bliss for fleeting mirth. May those who are just growing up into life take warning from this sad act of Esau, and choose earnestly the good part which shall not be taken from them. The apostle turns Esau’s story to good account in

Hebrews 12:15-17

Hebrews 12:15

We are to watch lest any of us who profess to be children of God should fall short of grace, like an arrow which does not quite reach the target. To fail to possess grace in the heart is a fatal thing.

Hebrews 12:15

Sin is a bitter root, and brings forth sorrow and shame.

Hebrews 12:16

It is a profane thing to compare the priceless blessing of God to a merely sensual enjoyment. It is an acted blasphemy.

Hebrews 12:17

The deed was done, the blessing had been given to Jacob, and Isaac could not withdraw it from him. If men sell their hope of heaven for the joys of earth they will in the world to come repent of their bargain, but there will be no repentance with God. He that is filthy must be filthy still.

 

Should I to gain the world’s applause,

Or to escape its harmless frown,

Refuse to countenance thy cause,

And make thy people’s lot my own;

I sell my birthright in that day,

And throw my precious soul away.

 

No! let the world cast out my name,

And vile account me if they will;

If to confess the Lord be shame,

I purpose to be viler still.

For thee, my God, I all resign,

Content if I can call thee mine.

 

Set the Spiritual Hostages Free!

1 John 3:8

Multitudes of people in this world today are held hostage in their minds by the devil. They are incarcerated, locked up, and caged in their minds and emotions, held like slaves, prisoners, or detainees who are under arrest and live at the mercy of their conqueror.

I couldn’t begin to count the people I’ve met through the years who fit that description. Although they belong to Jesus and legally have every right to freedom, they remain in spiritual bondage, at least in some measure, in certain areas of their lives. Whether they persisted in a particular sin or failed to do something they should have done (such as read the Word, pray, or stay in fellowship with other saints), their minds were pried open wide enough for Satan to find an inroad and take that part of their minds captive.

You see, the mind is the primary area Satan seeks to attack. He knows that once he succeeds in planting a stronghold of deception in some area of a person’s mind, from that lofty position he can then begin to control and manipulate that person. The Bible calls this kind of deception in the mind a “stronghold” (2 Corinthians 10:4). It is a “stronghold” because once a lie is planted in someone’s head, it is very hard to remove!

But First John 3:8 says that Jesus came into the world “… that he might destroy the works of the devil”! I want you to particularly notice the word “destroy” in this verse. It is taken from the Greek word luo, which refers to the act of untying or unloosing something. It was used in classical Greek literature to refer to people being delivered, released, or freed from difficulties, burdens, or needs.

In the New Testament, the word luo was used to depict the untying of the thongs of a shoe or sandal in Mark 1:7; the unfastening of a donkey’s colt in Matthew 21:2; the loosening, unraveling, and removal of Lazarus’ grave clothes in John 11:44; and the taking away of Paul’s chains in Acts 22:30. But the Greek word luo also means to break or to destroy, as in Revelation 5:2, where the Bible says that Jesus is worthy to “loose” (or break) the seals referred to in the book of Revelation.

One of the clearest examples of the word luo is found in Luke 3:16, when John the Baptist says, “… But one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose….”

The word luo is translated here “to unloose.” It is the picture of someone who reaches down to unloose the tight strings of a sandal; then he begins to unwrap those strings from the shoe until finally the shoe becomes so loosened that it easily slips off his foot.

Now let’s look at First John 3:8, the verse we are focusing on today. Here the Bible uses the word luo when it says, “… For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” This tells us that when Jesus Christ came into the world, He came to untie and unloose Satan’s binding powers over us. His objective was to disentangle us from Satan’s control; to unfasten us from the demonic shackles that held us captive; to unravel the chains Satan used to keep us in his grip; and to break and destroy all the fetters Satan had used to hold us hostage.

 

Because the word luo is used in First John 3:8, it could be taken to mean:

“… For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might untie people from all the works of the devil, unraveling Satan’s hold on them—until the devil’s works in people’s lives are utterly destroyed and his hostages are set free.”

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus’ redemptive work destroyed the power of the enemy and our liberty was fully purchased. You see, setting people free from Satan’s power has always been Jesus’ primary concern. First John 3:8 declares that this was the purpose that the Son of God was manifested on this earth. Since this is His concern, it should also be ours.

So many people in this world today are incarcerated, locked up and caged in their minds and emotions. They are held like slaves or prisoners, living at the mercy of their conqueror. Therefore, it is time for you to learn how to recognize the devil’s strategies in other people’s minds and lives. Jesus came to set people free, and God wants to use you to take the delivering power of God to them so the works of the devil can be destroyed in their lives.

The mind may be the devil’s preferred battlefield, but you can make sure he loses every skirmish! Just determine today to be a willing vessel God can use to free spiritual hostages from demonic oppression!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, please help me to be conscious of the people I meet who are bound by the devil in their minds. I know that You want to use me to touch them and to bring them the freedom that can be found only in You. I am so sorry for the times I get so busy that I fail to recognize opportunities to speak Your name and to share Your love with people who are lost and bound. Please help me to become consistently alert to the people for whom You died and to go out of my way to tell them the Good News that will deliver them and set them free.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I am alert to the people around me who are held as hostages in their minds. I see their struggles; I recognize their fears; and I use every available opportunity to speak words of freedom and release into their lives. I have received so much from the Lord; now it is my responsibility to share this same liberty with others who come into my life. I know this is what God is asking of me, and I choose to start obeying this mandate today.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Can you think of people you know or have known who live like spiritual hostages?
2. Has the Holy Spirit ever told you to minister to any of these individuals? How did you respond to His instructions and what was the result?
3. Why not make a list of the people you know who need to be set free from Satan’s bondage and then ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to bring freedom to them?

 

A Good Name

• “Is to be more desired than great riches… ” (Proverbs 22:1a)
• Is nearly impossible to restore… once sullied.

The next time you are on the edge of giving in to sin… think about your GOOD NAME.

 

Is any sin worth the price of losing your GOOD NAME?

 

Here are two reasons why the answer is no:

 

1. Our private sins have a way of becoming public property:

 

“Be sure your sin will find you out… A bird on the wing may carry your words… (and) report what you say… “(Numbers 32:23b; Ecclesiastes 10:20b)

 

2. OUR PRIVATE SINS WILL AFFECT OUR FAMILY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME:

 

“I the Lord your God (visit) the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations… ” (Exodus 20:5)

 

Visualize one of your grandkids a few years from now saying,

 

“There’s nothing to this religion stuff. My grandpa messed around with women… ripped off his company… and went to church on Sunday. Same with my ole man. Forget this Christianity stuff!”

 

Or:

 

“My grandpa loved God… just like my dad does. I wanna be like them!!”

 

Is any temporary satisfaction worth the price of your GOOD NAME?

 

The answer, of course is “NO”!