Show me the one, show me the way, help me to know just how to share the love You gave.

Look around you! There is probably someone who could use some love! All too often, we find ourselves surrounded by people who are going through some difficult times. Perhaps you are! Whether it's unemployment, family problems, health problems, depression, loneliness, or whatever, all of us would like some relief from what we are going through. We need to see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

And there is! The Light of Lights, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, is willing and more than able to lift us from our darkness, into His pure and safe haven of light. He promises His love and presence to heal and deliver, to strengthen and help, all those who call on Him.

Like the beam from the mighty lighthouse, that directs ships safely back to harbor, His Light is there to show us the way to Him, for Jesus is truly the Way, the Truth and the Life.

It is my prayer that this site encourages you to reflect His light to those around you who need to know Him. Let Him use you to share His love. And as you embark on this remarkable journey, please share your experiences so that all of us can grow together in our quest to reach all the world, lest anyone should perish.

May God richly bless you!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16


Tuesday, December 6, 2016

No Need To Clean Up

Many of us are familiar with the story of when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Here is what the Bible tells us happened in Luke 2:8-20:

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the LORD stood before them, and the glory of the LORD shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing  that has come to pass, which the LORD has made known to us." And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

This is what I'd like to focus on here. Of all the people God chose to reveal the birth of His Son to, He chose the lowly shepherds. Not a king, or a noble. Not a high priest or rabbi. But stinky, uneducated men who spent all their lives around sheep. Why? Was it because they were available and nearby? I don't believe so. There are two things that stand out here in this story.

First of all, they were not indoctrinated with other beliefs. They most likely had no training or education at all in religion. Their world was made up entirely with sheep, and not people. They lived every day and night with them, and the fields were their home. When the angels surprised them that night, their attention was aroused. Imagine what it was like to have a completely quiet, black sky that was sprinkled with stars here and there, suddenly be filled with a bright light and angelic creatures! And to have them deliver this message to them had to be overwhelming!

Because of their innocence, they believed, and went with haste to see this new baby in Bethlehem. And after they had seen Him, they were never the same! They went out and told others about this newborn King sent from God to save the world, and later returned to worship and praise Him. Their encounter with Christ wasn't hindered by previous beliefs, and they were changed.

Secondly, they didn't have to clean themselves up before visiting the new King. They knew He would take them just as they were, so they came with open, believing hearts. Mary and Joseph were amazed with these unkempt visitors, and most likely wondered where these strangers came from, and how they knew. Maybe the shepherds told them the angels came.

The important thing to glean from this story is this: God welcomes all of us to come to Him. There is absolutely nothing we need to do to be suitable or presentable before Him. No matter what we have done, no matter how bad we have been, He loves us, accepts us, and wants to live in all of us. He has done everything that needs to be done through the blood of Jesus on that awful cross to pay the debt owed for our sins. All we need to do is believe. And through this, we can experience His cleansing power over our lives. He will change our hearts when we give them to Him. Sin will no longer have dominion over us. We can finally live in freedom!

That is why we can sing "Glory to God in the highest!!"

Just come as you are to His throne of grace. He welcomes you with open arms!






Thursday, November 17, 2016

Always Be Ready

We hear so many times of people trying to predict when Jesus will return, calling Christians up through the rapture. In fact, in the fall of 2015, it was a time when the four blood moons were happening, the Biblical Shemitah was culminating, and so much more. People were strongly implying that the rapture was going to happen then, at the Feast of Trumpets (1 Thessalonians 4:16). But it didn't happen. We are still here. And life is going on. And things like these can fuel the scoffers into not taking Christians and their end time prophecies seriously.

Jesus told his disciples several things about this. In Matthew 24:36, He said that no one would know the day or hour of His return. Not even the angels. But only the heavenly Father will know. People who are anticipating this big event try to justify that because the arrival of the new moon, which signifies the beginning of the fall feast, isn't known until it is actually seen, then the rapture could occur at this time. So every fall, excitement grows around the beginning of the Feast of Trumpets.

And then, if you browse You Tube videos of end time prophecies, you will see countless videos with the captions of Jesus to come at certain dates. How they come up with them is amazing, but in all of them, they were proven to be false. Again, Jesus told his disciples that many will say, "Here He is." But He won't be there. I believe He was referring to our day when people are trying to jump the gun in thinking they have inside information from God as to when Jesus is going to return. But they have been wrong. Every time. As Matthew 24:11 says, there will be many false prophets deceiving many.

Jesus also said in Matthew 24:44, that He will come at a time when is least expected. It seems to me that since people expect Him to come at the Feast of Trumpets, then He won't come then. Maybe in the spring. Maybe at Christmas. Maybe today, or tomorrow.

The main thing to keep in mind is to always be ready. God will reward those who eagerly await His return. The rapture has been compared to a Jewish wedding. The groom (Jesus) has become engaged to his future bride (the Church, or Saints). He returns to his father's house (Jesus returned to His Father's house) to prepare a home for his bride. (John 14:1-4) Then, when the groom's father (Jesus' heavenly Father) sees that all has been fulfilled and ready, he tells his son to get his bride (Jesus is given permission to come get His bride, the Church). And then the wedding takes place, with the wedding supper. Since she doesn't know when this will happen, she has to always be ready. 

Are you ready for Jesus? Have you given Him your heart? Jesus tells the story of the ten virgins who were waiting for their groom. It was night time and they had their lamps nearby. Five had enough oil (Holy Spirit) and five didn't. The shout came to announce the arrival of the groom. As the five went out to get more oil, they missed out on the groom, and the door closed. Only the virgins who had enough oil were allowed in. There are two types of Christians. Ones who are true Christians, who have given their hearts to Him, thereby receiving the Holy Spirit to dwell in them. And there are carnal Christians, who have the head knowledge, but not the heart commitment. Which are you? While we can't tell if a person who says he is a Christian is actually one, God can. While we can see only the outside of a person, He sees the heart. And in the end, it matters what He sees. 

Be sure of your relationship with Jesus Christ. Make Him your LORD and Savior. He could come at any moment. Always be ready.

Surely, I am coming quickly.
Amen, even so, come, Lord Jesus!




Saturday, April 30, 2016

Spiritual Anesthesia

If you have had surgery, you most likely received anesthesia to put you asleep. And hopefully, you weren't aware of what was happening in the operating room! Then afterwards, the anesthetist would reverse those drugs, and you started to become awake again. Your eyes opened and you could see. And you started to hear things again.
 
Our spiritual lives are like this. When we become born again, the Holy Spirit dwells in us, enabling our spiritual eyes to see and our spiritual ears to hear. We become sensitive to the things of the Spirit; the things that matter to God.
 
However, it is possible that we can become insensitive by allowing the things of this world, which is influenced by Satan, to dull our spiritual senses. It can start with small compromises, and before we realize it, we no longer feel the conviction of the sin we have allowed in our lives.
 
Our Heavenly Father is loving and merciful, though, and when we cry out to Him, in the desire to have our relationship with Him restored, He reverses the effects of worldly influences, and our spiritual sensitivity is brought back. We are then fully awake, and fully alive in Him.
 
Jesus said to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, which represent the churches in the church age, "Let him who has an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the churches." In other words, only those who know Christ as Lord and Savior, have the ability to be aware of the things that matter to God. Those who don't know Christ don't have that ability, as they don't have the Holy Spirit in them.
 
Let us be the church who is spiritually sensitive to the things that matter to God. As the moment when Christ returns for His Bride, the church, draws near, let us be that Bride who is fully alive and fully awake. Let us keep our lamps lit, and our spiritual antennas sharp.
 


Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Stay Focused

Lately there have been terrible things that have happened to people I know, unexpectedly. While there have always been sadness and tragedy around the world ever since time began, when it happens near you, it hits hard. Especially when death comes to a young person who didn't deserve it.
When it is a crime involved, as it was for a precious little two year old whose angry father took her life in New York State, then you know it was the result of evil. When it is an addiction to drugs, and you know the person is fighting it with every ounce he has, but loses that war, then you know it was the result of evil. Some disagree, but the epidemic of drug overdose and addiction these days are due to Satan wanting to destroy families. When will this all end?
The Bible has an answer to that question. From the beginning, Satan has been the biggest enemy to mankind, and sin has occupied every life. We are born in sin. Because God loves each person so much, He gave His Son, Jesus, on the cross to die for our sins, to be the Lamb of God, to redeem us. And those who have placed their faith in Him as their Savior are guaranteed eternal life. Even children who are too young to be accountable. Even drug addicts who cry out to God for deliverance.
Jesus is the ultimate Light of the world, and even though we are surrounded in the darkness of Satan's schemes, if we focus our lives on that Light, we will make it. Even if it seems that the darkness is greater and is going to swallow you up into eternal hell and suffering, that little speck of light is powerful enough to rescue you from that darkness, and pull you into God's eternal glory. No more tears. No more death. Only pure joy and gladness, in the presence of our wonderful, loving Savior!
Remember not to be overwhelmed by the darkness around you. Keep your focus on God. And He will get you through it all.
The LORD is my light and my salvation.
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life.
Of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked came against me...
my enemies and foes,
they stumbled and fell.
My heart shall not fear,
though war may rise against me.
In this I will be confident.
One thing I have desired of the LORD,
that will I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD.
Psalm 27:1-4



Friday, February 19, 2016

He's A Good, Good Father

There are things in my life that I wish were different, and when I see others who have what I feel I'm missing, it brings to me feelings of sadness. Late yesterday was one of those times. I knew it was wrong to harbor those emotions of despair, so I tried to read some Scripture before I went to bed.
 
This morning, those feelings were still there when I woke up. Never the less, I thanked God for His love and mercy on my life, as I'm in the habit of doing each time I awake. I came down stairs, and noticed the bright pink sky outside. Grabbing my camera, I stepped out onto the porch and beheld this gorgeous sunrise.
 
 

Suddenly the song Good, Good Father, by Chris Tomlin, came to my spirit and I was singing it. As I continued to take pictures of this beautiful morning scene, God reminded me of His love, and goodness, and provision, in spite of my circumstances. He also brought to my mind this Scripture:
 
Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just, whatever things are pure,
whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report,
if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy,
meditate on these things.
The things which you learned and received
and heard and saw in me, these do,
and the God of peace will be with you. - Philippians 4:8-9
 
 
How I so appreciate my Heavenly Father, who knew what was bothering me, and brought this glorious sunrise to my attention, to remind me of how very much He loves me and cares for me. He is surely a good, good Father.
 
I feel much better now.
 



Saturday, February 6, 2016

When Your Decisions Determine Your Destiny

The kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them.
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
And at midnight, a cry was heard.
"Behold, the bridegroom is coming. Go out to meet him!"
Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said to the wise,
"Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out."
But the wise answered, saying,
"No, lest there should not be enough for us and you,
but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves."
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came,
and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding.
And the door was shut.
Afterward the other virgins came also, saying,
"Lord, Lord, open to us!"
But he answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you,
I do not know you."
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour
in which the Son of Man is coming.
Matthew 25:1-13
 
 
Many of you are familiar with this passage in the Bible, and understand it's meaning. The oil that the virgins carry represents the Holy Spirit. The bridegroom is Jesus, and the cry at midnight stands for the rapture, which will be unexpected but certain and sudden.
 
But is there any significance that they fell asleep while waiting? I never gave thought to this before, until recently. I believe that every aspect of a parable has a purpose, otherwise it wouldn't be mentioned. Here is what I think it means.
 
Prior to them falling asleep, the virgins knew that the bridegroom would be coming, though they didn't know when. Half of them were prepared and were filled with the Holy Spirit. That is, they knew Christ as their Lord and Savior and made every effort to be in an intimate relationship with Him, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. They loved Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. They not only knew about Christ, they knew Him intimately. These were the wise virgins.
 
The foolish virgins weren't prepared, as they didn't make efforts beforehand to keep enough oil with them. They were like carnal Christians who know about Christ, they know what the Bible says about His coming, but that is all. They didn't pursue an intimate relationship with Him. They had the head knowledge but not the heart felt relationship.
 
The Bible has stated in several incidences that when a person dies, he has "fallen asleep", as in the story of Jesus being called to the house of a ruler whose daughter had died. He told them, "The girl is not dead, but sleeping." Then He took her by the hand and she arose. (Matthew 9:18-19, 23-25)Likewise, in this Scripture of the virgins, I believe them sleeping means that they died. They had lived their lives before the time came for the bridegroom to come.
 
What is interesting is what happens when the call at midnight comes. They all awaken. This represents the rapture. The five wise had been ready before they slept by having the Holy Spirit. Therefore, they were able to go in with the bride groom, and after that, the door was shut. The foolish ones hadn't had the Holy Spirit before they slept, so they weren't ready for the bridegroom. They were kept out. Separated from the bridegroom. Their chances of being with the bridegroom were gone forever.
 
Conclusion is this: what a person does before he dies seals his eternal fate. Once he dies, it is too late. There is no second chance. In order for a person to be with Jesus in His heavenly kingdom, he must make that important decision to accept Him as Lord and Savior, and live his life in obedience, seeking Him with all his heart, soul, mind and strength. He needs to surrender his life to the will of God. Then when he dies, and if Christ hasn't come before that, He is assured that he will be with Him forever, to celebrate the marriage supper of the Lamb.
 
If a person learns about Christ, but doesn't make that commitment to follow Him; if he keeps putting  off surrendering his will to God's, then he will not have had the Holy Spirit's indwelling, and will miss the rapture. He will face eternal separation from God, and the fire of hell along with Satan.
 
An important lesson out of all of this is that what a person does with Christ before his life is over, seals his future destiny. Now is the time to make sure you are filled with the Holy Spirit. Now is the time to make the commitment of following Christ and surrendering your will to His. The worst thing you could hear Him say to you is, "I never knew you." You have this moment to ensure that won't happen. Commit your heart and soul to Him. Accept His gift of salvation and seek Him will all of your being. Love Him with all of your heart.
 
The current condition of our world reveals that we are entering increasingly strong birth pains, and Jesus told us that when this happens, His return is right at the door. He is coming soon for His bride. The question is: are you wise.... or foolish?
 




Thursday, January 7, 2016

What Are You Standing For?

Stand. What does it mean to you? When you stand up for something, it usually means you agree with it wholeheartedly and support it. By standing, you are saying that you are firm in your beliefs in it, and will defend it to no end.
 
As a Christian, I believe that what the Word of God says is truth. God said it, so it is true. Worth standing for. Worth defending. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I want to live my life in obedience to Him. Why? Because He first loved me by giving His life on the cross for me, and because I want to please Him. I fear Him in a reverent kind of way, respecting Him and honoring Him.
 
In this culture today, it is becoming increasingly difficult to stand up for one's faith in God. More and more, the influx of evil is becoming rampant, and what used to be the norm is now the opposite. The Bible tells us, "That in the last days perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanders, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors , headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power." Does this sound familiar to you? I remember reading this decades ago, and didn't see it happening. But now, I see it almost everywhere. And it is getting worse.
 
And that's just the culture. Laws are being made now to endorse lifestyles that are forbidden by God, as written in the Bible. These things are even celebrated by our higher leaders, and if one doesn't agree with them, then he can face the consequences of breaking the law! Who would have ever thought it would come to this?
 
The LORD impressed upon me to study the word STAND. So I looked up all the verses I could find to learn what He says about it. I found almost 40, and typed them up. As I meditated on them, I found a common thing: only through God's strength can we stand up for Him. And He tells us that by doing so, He will stand right beside us. He wants us to put on the whole armor that He provides. You can read about it in Ephesians 6:13-18. It is imperative that you put on the whole armor, not just a part of it. This will enable us to withstand the fiery darts of the wicked one. We cannot afford to start our days without it!
 
Also, as we find ourselves in the midst of an increasingly evil environment, we need not be afraid! Jesus has already won the victory over Satan through His death and resurrection, so we are on the winning side. And Satan knows it. By standing still, and letting God fight our battles, we will see the salvation of the LORD, which, according to Exodus 14:13, He will accomplish for you today! I love this verse, as it directly applies to my constant prayer request for loved ones' salvation. God is so good to us and provides all we need to live successfully for Him!
 
By the way, our job in these times is to love others, no matter what they do. Don't let their behavior cause you to act like them, but show them the same love that God gives you. After all, none of us are perfect! We all fall short. He forgives us when we go to Him in repentance, and even if someone doesn't repent to you, you should still forgive him. Shine His Light also, whenever the Spirit leads, as everyone needs a Savior. We should persevere in this until the end.
 
So, stand up for your faith in God! Be strong and courageous! Know the Word of God. Meditate on it, and memorize it. Pray and seek God's Face regularly. Put on that armor. And trust that He will watch over you and guide you through the battlegrounds. Remember, Jesus has already won the war!