“Friends of God”
Psalm 25:14
Friendship with the LORD is reserved for those who fear Him.
With them He shares the secrets of His covenant. (NLT)
Like good friends who walk side by side sharing the most secret inner parts of their hearts, so it is with God and His children. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross we can once again walk in the presence of God, sharing our deepest secrets, and learning God’s (John 15:15). When you humbly go to the foot of the cross and fully accept the gift of forgiveness, the Holy Spirit will begin to reveal the secrets of God concerning life (Daniel 2:28). It was the covenant of old that kept mankind separated from God by a sacred curtain, but we now live under a new covenant of grace that was paid once for all by the blood of Christ Jesus (the perfect sacrificial Lamb of God). Jesus’ sacrifice tore that sacred curtain in two making it possible for us to come back into God’s Holy Presence so that we could again become His friends. And by becoming friends with God, He fills our heart with His Spirit, giving us understanding (2 Timothy 2:7) as we read and study His Book on His unending love and compassion, and His faithful mercy and grace. When you have true fellowship with the Author of Life, my friends, He will listen closely to your troubled heart and not only speak words of comfort and peace, but He will also give you His secret knowledge and wisdom. And we should never take for granted the mercy and grace of the LORD our God, because without it; this dark world would be even darker and more frightening than it already is—and even more disheartening—there would be no way out!
A Whisper of Hope
I invite you, My child…to come into My Presence. It is when you do that we can become best of friends. Being friends of God will give purpose and understanding to your life, for I will share the secrets that only My friends can know; secrets that will bring the fullness of life to you and those you love. Never doubt the loyalty and faithfulness of My commitment to this friendship, for even though yours may flounder, mine never changes nor will it ever diminish. I value our relationship deeply, because the love I have for you and the sorrow you feel because of your sin filled past is what draws you close to Me and I to you. When we remain in each other there is everlasting life and joy.
John 15:15
“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know
what his master is doing; but I have called you friends,
for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. (NASB)
Daniel 2:28
But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets. (NKJV)
2 Timothy 2:7
Consider that I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. (NASB)
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
“Stay Close”
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (NKJV)
Because our Lord, Christ Jesus, shed His precious and perfect blood as the finial sacrificial Lamb of God, we who believe in Him are now able to come directly into His Presence for both forgiveness and help in our times of need. Our highest of High Priests now sits on the throne in heaven providing His people with the mercy and grace that is needed everyday while living in this fallen world which groans for His return. We have at our beck and call, the Good Shepherd who can provide the people of His flock with everything they need (Psalm 23:1-3) for living a life of peace and protection in a world that is anything but friendly; one that is filled with wild and hungry enemies ready to feast on the weak and helpless. The Lord, our wise and mighty Shepherd, has paid a dear price for each one in His fold; therefore, they belong to Him; they are His possession and He puts great value on each one by providing all they will ever need, both in this difficult life, and also in the next. When we remain close to our Shepherd, He will call us by name (John 10:3) and lead us safely to the greenest of pastures where we will find living water to refresh our souls and His Word to feed on; giving us strength for the difficult battles that lie ahead. There is no One greater, my dear friends, that we can fully trust our lives with, because He knows all and sees all and there is nothing He cannot do (John 10:29-30). When He calls your name, go to Him; for He will take you in His mighty arms and heal your deadly wounds. He will then refresh and nourish your life so that you will be able to stand strong upon solid ground and confidently follow Him Home where nothing, nor will anyone ever hurt you again.
A Whisper of Hope
I AM your Good Shepherd…dear child; One who will never abandon you or leave you in the darkness alone. My Light will always sustain you and keep you safe. You can always rely on Me to be your Provider and Protector. You will always be able to sleep in peace, or call on Me when you can’t. When you have questions you will always find the right answers in Me. I see all and hear all and because of this—you are never alone. Be assured, My child, that when you come into My flock; it is there where you will find rest for your weary soul and safety when you remain close to Me.
Psalm 23:1-3
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes my lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake. (NKJV)
John 10:3
The gatekeeper opens the gate for Him, and the sheep
hear His voice and come to Him. He calls His own sheep
by name and leads them out. (NLT)
John 10:29-30
My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all;
and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
I and My Father are one.” (NKJV)
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (NKJV)
Because our Lord, Christ Jesus, shed His precious and perfect blood as the finial sacrificial Lamb of God, we who believe in Him are now able to come directly into His Presence for both forgiveness and help in our times of need. Our highest of High Priests now sits on the throne in heaven providing His people with the mercy and grace that is needed everyday while living in this fallen world which groans for His return. We have at our beck and call, the Good Shepherd who can provide the people of His flock with everything they need (Psalm 23:1-3) for living a life of peace and protection in a world that is anything but friendly; one that is filled with wild and hungry enemies ready to feast on the weak and helpless. The Lord, our wise and mighty Shepherd, has paid a dear price for each one in His fold; therefore, they belong to Him; they are His possession and He puts great value on each one by providing all they will ever need, both in this difficult life, and also in the next. When we remain close to our Shepherd, He will call us by name (John 10:3) and lead us safely to the greenest of pastures where we will find living water to refresh our souls and His Word to feed on; giving us strength for the difficult battles that lie ahead. There is no One greater, my dear friends, that we can fully trust our lives with, because He knows all and sees all and there is nothing He cannot do (John 10:29-30). When He calls your name, go to Him; for He will take you in His mighty arms and heal your deadly wounds. He will then refresh and nourish your life so that you will be able to stand strong upon solid ground and confidently follow Him Home where nothing, nor will anyone ever hurt you again.
A Whisper of Hope
I AM your Good Shepherd…dear child; One who will never abandon you or leave you in the darkness alone. My Light will always sustain you and keep you safe. You can always rely on Me to be your Provider and Protector. You will always be able to sleep in peace, or call on Me when you can’t. When you have questions you will always find the right answers in Me. I see all and hear all and because of this—you are never alone. Be assured, My child, that when you come into My flock; it is there where you will find rest for your weary soul and safety when you remain close to Me.
Psalm 23:1-3
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes my lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake. (NKJV)
John 10:3
The gatekeeper opens the gate for Him, and the sheep
hear His voice and come to Him. He calls His own sheep
by name and leads them out. (NLT)
John 10:29-30
My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all;
and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
I and My Father are one.” (NKJV)
“Watcher of Men”
Psalm 16:1
Preserve me, O God, for in You
I put my trust. (NKJV)
Though He was holy and pure (without sin), our Lord Jesus did not put His confidence in that purity, but as an example for His followers and all of humanity, He looked to the Lord, His Father, for protection. One of the many great names of God is “the Watcher of Men” (Job 7:20), and even His Son, Christ Jesus, was promised by God that He would be watched over and persevered (Isaiah 49:7). And in like manner, we, too, are persevered in Christ Jesus when we are as one with Him. Our perfect and holy Lord Jesus so emptied Himself and had so truly taken the form of a servant that, as a man, He needed and relied on divine keeping just as we do. And just as Jesus cried to Jehovah for strength, so must we cry out to our Redeemer—the Holy One of Israel. If Jesus who was fully divine looked outside Himself for protection, how much more must we, His flawed and sin filled followers, do the same! Oh, that we should fully trust in our Omnipotent Protector with unwavering faith (1 John 5:4), for this one great rule of heaven is, indeed, so graciously handed out to those of us in need of divine intervention. When we sincerely declare that we are exercising strong faith in the Almighty God regarding the mercy and grace that we seek, we can surely be filled with the utmost confidence that our plea will prevail in God’s perfect timing. So as our Savior prayed let us also pray, for the Lord Jesus became so much more than a conqueror, and so, too, will we through Him. When you are ravaged by the storms of life, my dear friends, know that you can bravely cry out to the LORD as Jesus did; “I put my trust in You alone, O Great and Mighty God,” and a heavenly peace will surely bring comfort to your troubled heart as you confidently wait for His perfect resolve.
A Whisper of Hope
Trust in the Father, dear child…for when you do, He will come to your rescue. Whenever you put your confidence in Him, rather than this imperfect fallen world, you will find contentment and peace in Him. When I lived among man on earth, I, too, had to rely on My father in order to preserve the onslaught of attacks that are apart of living in this darkened world which is dominated by Satan and his powerful forces of evil. Remember this My child; you are not alone, without a way out. The Great AM is with you always; ready to protect and provide, and always ready to help you in all your times of need!
Job: 7:20
Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men?
Why have You set me as Your target, so that I am a burden to myself? (NKJV)
Isaiah 49:7
The LORD, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, says to the One who is despised and rejected by a nation, to the One who is the servant of rulers: “Kings will stand at attention when You pass by, Princes will bow low because the LORD has chosen You. He, the faithful LORD, the Holy One of Israel, chooses You.” (NLT)
1 John 5:4
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.
And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. (NKJV)
Psalm 16:1
Preserve me, O God, for in You
I put my trust. (NKJV)
Though He was holy and pure (without sin), our Lord Jesus did not put His confidence in that purity, but as an example for His followers and all of humanity, He looked to the Lord, His Father, for protection. One of the many great names of God is “the Watcher of Men” (Job 7:20), and even His Son, Christ Jesus, was promised by God that He would be watched over and persevered (Isaiah 49:7). And in like manner, we, too, are persevered in Christ Jesus when we are as one with Him. Our perfect and holy Lord Jesus so emptied Himself and had so truly taken the form of a servant that, as a man, He needed and relied on divine keeping just as we do. And just as Jesus cried to Jehovah for strength, so must we cry out to our Redeemer—the Holy One of Israel. If Jesus who was fully divine looked outside Himself for protection, how much more must we, His flawed and sin filled followers, do the same! Oh, that we should fully trust in our Omnipotent Protector with unwavering faith (1 John 5:4), for this one great rule of heaven is, indeed, so graciously handed out to those of us in need of divine intervention. When we sincerely declare that we are exercising strong faith in the Almighty God regarding the mercy and grace that we seek, we can surely be filled with the utmost confidence that our plea will prevail in God’s perfect timing. So as our Savior prayed let us also pray, for the Lord Jesus became so much more than a conqueror, and so, too, will we through Him. When you are ravaged by the storms of life, my dear friends, know that you can bravely cry out to the LORD as Jesus did; “I put my trust in You alone, O Great and Mighty God,” and a heavenly peace will surely bring comfort to your troubled heart as you confidently wait for His perfect resolve.
A Whisper of Hope
Trust in the Father, dear child…for when you do, He will come to your rescue. Whenever you put your confidence in Him, rather than this imperfect fallen world, you will find contentment and peace in Him. When I lived among man on earth, I, too, had to rely on My father in order to preserve the onslaught of attacks that are apart of living in this darkened world which is dominated by Satan and his powerful forces of evil. Remember this My child; you are not alone, without a way out. The Great AM is with you always; ready to protect and provide, and always ready to help you in all your times of need!
Job: 7:20
Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men?
Why have You set me as Your target, so that I am a burden to myself? (NKJV)
Isaiah 49:7
The LORD, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, says to the One who is despised and rejected by a nation, to the One who is the servant of rulers: “Kings will stand at attention when You pass by, Princes will bow low because the LORD has chosen You. He, the faithful LORD, the Holy One of Israel, chooses You.” (NLT)
1 John 5:4
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.
And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. (NKJV)
“Wisdom for Life”
Colossians 2:2-3
I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love.
I want them to have complete confidence that they understand
God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ Himself.
In Him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (NLT)
In these verses a concerned apostle Paul is writing to the believers in Colosse, specifically the Church in Laodicea, telling them how to avoid being deceived by the teachers of false doctrine, which is even today a concern for believers around the world. Because of Satan’s strength in this fallen world the meaningless messages of self-induced sovereignty is creeping into the populous (including the Christian Church) at an alarming rate. The world is bursting at the seams with false teachings of deceiving ideologies and smooth sounding philosophy, telling us things like; all wisdom and knowledge are hidden away and are only found by mystical experiences and higher knowledge. Many of these false teachers are claiming that this “secret knowledge” is only available to a few selected elite. Do not be duped into believing any of this fine-sounding nonsense, my friends, because all it will do is confuse you into complacency; drawing you away from the Truth. And the truth is; all wisdom and knowledge are hidden in one place only, and that place is in our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is all the wisdom and knowledge that anyone needs. Christ Jesus is the fullness of deity, the complete forgiver of sins, and the conqueror of Satan and all his satanic forces. He is the Lord of creation, and the Lord of our lives (Hebrews 1:10-12). But with that said, I believe that it is still critical that we remain alert and be careful of the onslaught of lies that come disguised as smooth and persuasive speech (Romans (16:17-18), for when you stay grounded in the Word, He will be your shield; the Protector of your faith. The Spirit of God has all the wisdom and knowledge that you will ever need. And all you must do is sincerely ask for it and believe that He, the Creator and Sustainer of life, will give you all the wisdom and knowledge that you can handle.
A Whisper of Hope
Come close, dear child…and listen to what I have to say, for it is by hearing and believing My Truth that you will see your life and the life around you as it really is. Do not be fooled by all the world’s nonsense, because all it will do is pull you into the pit of hell without parole. Do not listen to all the smooth sounding speech that sounds good but is bad for the soul. If you need knowledge come to the One who has it all. If you desire wisdom come to Me, the Creator, and I will gladly share it with you. Do this and live!
Hebrews 1:10-12
“You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands;
They will perish, but You remain; and they will grow old like a garment;
Like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed.
But You are the same, and Your years will not fail.” (NKJV)
Romans 16:17-18
Now I urge you brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. (NASB)
Colossians 2:2-3
I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love.
I want them to have complete confidence that they understand
God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ Himself.
In Him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (NLT)
In these verses a concerned apostle Paul is writing to the believers in Colosse, specifically the Church in Laodicea, telling them how to avoid being deceived by the teachers of false doctrine, which is even today a concern for believers around the world. Because of Satan’s strength in this fallen world the meaningless messages of self-induced sovereignty is creeping into the populous (including the Christian Church) at an alarming rate. The world is bursting at the seams with false teachings of deceiving ideologies and smooth sounding philosophy, telling us things like; all wisdom and knowledge are hidden away and are only found by mystical experiences and higher knowledge. Many of these false teachers are claiming that this “secret knowledge” is only available to a few selected elite. Do not be duped into believing any of this fine-sounding nonsense, my friends, because all it will do is confuse you into complacency; drawing you away from the Truth. And the truth is; all wisdom and knowledge are hidden in one place only, and that place is in our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is all the wisdom and knowledge that anyone needs. Christ Jesus is the fullness of deity, the complete forgiver of sins, and the conqueror of Satan and all his satanic forces. He is the Lord of creation, and the Lord of our lives (Hebrews 1:10-12). But with that said, I believe that it is still critical that we remain alert and be careful of the onslaught of lies that come disguised as smooth and persuasive speech (Romans (16:17-18), for when you stay grounded in the Word, He will be your shield; the Protector of your faith. The Spirit of God has all the wisdom and knowledge that you will ever need. And all you must do is sincerely ask for it and believe that He, the Creator and Sustainer of life, will give you all the wisdom and knowledge that you can handle.
A Whisper of Hope
Come close, dear child…and listen to what I have to say, for it is by hearing and believing My Truth that you will see your life and the life around you as it really is. Do not be fooled by all the world’s nonsense, because all it will do is pull you into the pit of hell without parole. Do not listen to all the smooth sounding speech that sounds good but is bad for the soul. If you need knowledge come to the One who has it all. If you desire wisdom come to Me, the Creator, and I will gladly share it with you. Do this and live!
Hebrews 1:10-12
“You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands;
They will perish, but You remain; and they will grow old like a garment;
Like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed.
But You are the same, and Your years will not fail.” (NKJV)
Romans 16:17-18
Now I urge you brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. (NASB)
“Good Meditation”
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, 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. (NKJV)
Living in this out-of-control world has a way of distracting our thoughts away from the glory of God and His will for our lives. As imperfect people being bombarded daily by the lies of the Enemy, most of our anxiety really comes from not trusting in the truth that is found in the Lord our God, Jesus Christ. Because of our natural weaknesses most of us tend to trust more in the things of this fallen world rather than trusting in the Creator of life. All things that are true and noble and just and pure and lovely originated from the LORD Himself, for these are the characteristics that radiate who He is and His perfect attributes will never change. It is these kinds of godly characteristics that He wants us to develop for both our benefit and for the sake of His Kingdom. Because this ungodly world thrives on deceit and untruths, and loves the world’s dirt and scandal, and sexual immorality and perversion, and shameless self-seeking gain, it has never been, nor will it ever be an easy task to meditate only on those things that are truly praiseworthy, that is, the admirable things of God. Satan and this fallen world will do everything in their power to draw us away from the goodness of God and all that He stands for. But the truth is, my friends, when you praise the Lord and glorify His mighty deeds, praying for His sovereign power to help you stay focused on those things that edify His character, He will put deep into your heart the desire to become the kind of person that He wants you to be. And in the process, the anxiety and worry that once consumed both your thoughts and your life will steadily be lifted away and replaced with the joy and peace that can only come from Heaven; praiseworthy things that you will find hard to keep to yourself (Psalm 31:1-5).
A Whisper of Hope
It is imperative, My child…that you remain focused on the Me; the Creator of life and all that is good. If you are to survive the onslaught of this fallen world’s ways you must meditate only on the things that come from above. It is only by doing this that you will be able to fend off the attractive and temporal pleasures that bring about the separation from God that will ruin your life and eventually lead you into eternal hell. But when you remain close to Me, dear one, I will be your strength when the temptations become too great. I AM your refuge; the only One you can count on for protection.
Psalm 31:1-5
In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be ashamed;
In Your righteousness deliver me. Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly;
Be to me a rock of strength, a stronghold to save me.
For You are my rock and my fortress;
For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.
You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength.
Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth. (NASB)
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, 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. (NKJV)
Living in this out-of-control world has a way of distracting our thoughts away from the glory of God and His will for our lives. As imperfect people being bombarded daily by the lies of the Enemy, most of our anxiety really comes from not trusting in the truth that is found in the Lord our God, Jesus Christ. Because of our natural weaknesses most of us tend to trust more in the things of this fallen world rather than trusting in the Creator of life. All things that are true and noble and just and pure and lovely originated from the LORD Himself, for these are the characteristics that radiate who He is and His perfect attributes will never change. It is these kinds of godly characteristics that He wants us to develop for both our benefit and for the sake of His Kingdom. Because this ungodly world thrives on deceit and untruths, and loves the world’s dirt and scandal, and sexual immorality and perversion, and shameless self-seeking gain, it has never been, nor will it ever be an easy task to meditate only on those things that are truly praiseworthy, that is, the admirable things of God. Satan and this fallen world will do everything in their power to draw us away from the goodness of God and all that He stands for. But the truth is, my friends, when you praise the Lord and glorify His mighty deeds, praying for His sovereign power to help you stay focused on those things that edify His character, He will put deep into your heart the desire to become the kind of person that He wants you to be. And in the process, the anxiety and worry that once consumed both your thoughts and your life will steadily be lifted away and replaced with the joy and peace that can only come from Heaven; praiseworthy things that you will find hard to keep to yourself (Psalm 31:1-5).
A Whisper of Hope
It is imperative, My child…that you remain focused on the Me; the Creator of life and all that is good. If you are to survive the onslaught of this fallen world’s ways you must meditate only on the things that come from above. It is only by doing this that you will be able to fend off the attractive and temporal pleasures that bring about the separation from God that will ruin your life and eventually lead you into eternal hell. But when you remain close to Me, dear one, I will be your strength when the temptations become too great. I AM your refuge; the only One you can count on for protection.
Psalm 31:1-5
In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be ashamed;
In Your righteousness deliver me. Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly;
Be to me a rock of strength, a stronghold to save me.
For You are my rock and my fortress;
For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.
You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength.
Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth. (NASB)
“The Perfect Bedfellow”
Psalm 4:8
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (NKJV)
This man David; a man after God’s own heart, could lie down to sleep soundly in peace even though his bed was the hard barren ground and his enemies were close by hunting him down. He was able to sleep restfully because he was confident that the Lord was protecting him (Proverbs 29:25). We, too, even in this age, are being hunted down and pursued by a relentless enemy who wants to destroy our souls (1 Peter 5:8). Satan and this fallen world will never grow weary in the quest to destroy all that God stands for. And this sinister and powerful enemy of God will succeed in destroying your soul without the mighty protection of God’s wings over you (Psalm 17:8-9). From the moment you give our life to Christ the battle for your soul begins and you will spend the rest of your days fighting off the relentless attacks of the ungodly. As Christians we become soldiers for God; warriors for righteousness and truth. God does not want us to become complacent or comfortable in our journey to heaven because the enemy is sly and he uses deceit in order to lull us away from the Truth. God calls us to fight for those who are loosing the battle and bring them into God’s protection so they, too, will learn how to battle the enemy. Never doubt the spiritual warfare that is raging and growing in intensity as we get closer to Jesus’ return. Satan’s turmoil is surrounding us in every direction and is quickly closing in. And the only way, dear friend, that you will ever be able to lay down and sleep in peace, is by knowing (without a doubt) that the mightiest of warriors has you safely under the protection of His wings. There is no better covering, my friends, and there is no better way to find the rest you so desperately need. A quiet conscience is, indeed, a good bedfellow!
A Whisper of Hope
For you, My child…there is no blanket so warm as the covering I offer you, and there is no softer pillow than My promise of safe-keeping. Your faith in Me is the comfort that rocks you into a restful slumber. You need not fear the darkness around you, for I see all; nothing escapes my attention. So I bid you a long needed rest, dear child—a heavenly rest; the peace filled rest that can only come from trusting in Me.
Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. (NKJV)
1 Peter 5:8
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil,
prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (NASB)
Psalm 17:8-9
Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
From the wicked who oppress me,
From my deadly enemies who surround me. (NKJV)
Psalm 4:8
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (NKJV)
This man David; a man after God’s own heart, could lie down to sleep soundly in peace even though his bed was the hard barren ground and his enemies were close by hunting him down. He was able to sleep restfully because he was confident that the Lord was protecting him (Proverbs 29:25). We, too, even in this age, are being hunted down and pursued by a relentless enemy who wants to destroy our souls (1 Peter 5:8). Satan and this fallen world will never grow weary in the quest to destroy all that God stands for. And this sinister and powerful enemy of God will succeed in destroying your soul without the mighty protection of God’s wings over you (Psalm 17:8-9). From the moment you give our life to Christ the battle for your soul begins and you will spend the rest of your days fighting off the relentless attacks of the ungodly. As Christians we become soldiers for God; warriors for righteousness and truth. God does not want us to become complacent or comfortable in our journey to heaven because the enemy is sly and he uses deceit in order to lull us away from the Truth. God calls us to fight for those who are loosing the battle and bring them into God’s protection so they, too, will learn how to battle the enemy. Never doubt the spiritual warfare that is raging and growing in intensity as we get closer to Jesus’ return. Satan’s turmoil is surrounding us in every direction and is quickly closing in. And the only way, dear friend, that you will ever be able to lay down and sleep in peace, is by knowing (without a doubt) that the mightiest of warriors has you safely under the protection of His wings. There is no better covering, my friends, and there is no better way to find the rest you so desperately need. A quiet conscience is, indeed, a good bedfellow!
A Whisper of Hope
For you, My child…there is no blanket so warm as the covering I offer you, and there is no softer pillow than My promise of safe-keeping. Your faith in Me is the comfort that rocks you into a restful slumber. You need not fear the darkness around you, for I see all; nothing escapes my attention. So I bid you a long needed rest, dear child—a heavenly rest; the peace filled rest that can only come from trusting in Me.
Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. (NKJV)
1 Peter 5:8
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil,
prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (NASB)
Psalm 17:8-9
Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
From the wicked who oppress me,
From my deadly enemies who surround me. (NKJV)
“His Nature to Save”
Psalm 145:14
The LORD upholds all who fall,
And raises up all those who are bowed down. (NKJV)
As the Lord our God draws me closer to Himself, the greater the desire I have in praising Him for His mighty deeds. And the more I learn about who our glorious God is, the greater my need becomes that I honor Him with as much praise and glory that is within my abilities to do so (Psalm 47:1-2). Our kind and loving Lord, who reigns in glorious majesty, has always taken pity upon the lowly; those who have either fallen in defeat or those who are bent beneath the heavy loads inflicted by this hard and unforgiving world. The Lord is always busy holding up His beloved people, giving them the strength and wisdom they need to persevere the hardships that come with living in this fallen world. The Lord is always lifting up His fallen ones who cry out in desperation for His saving touch. This is who He is, my friends, and this is what He does. He is a loving and kind God; One who is full of unending mercy and grace (Psalm 103:8). It is His very nature to rescue the hopeless and to save the helpless. It is rather amazing how the Lord will bring down the lofty and lift up the lowly in order to bring about His message of truth; that everyone is in dire need of a Savior, and their salvation can only be found in Christ Jesus, our Lord (Acts 4:11-12). Whether you are walking in pride or crawling in shame, the Lord is calling you to come as you are, for there is no one too high, nor is there anyone too low who is beyond the incredible touch of God’s healing grace. For His plan is redemption; His goal is perfection. And there is absolutely nothing, my friends, that can stand in His Way!
A Whisper of Hope
Do not be afraid, dear child…For I will keep you safe and out of the hands of Satan and together we will defeat the world. All you must do is stay close to Me, your Savior and Friend. Always know that I will be there to lighten your load when you are bent down under its weight, or when you trip and fall I will pick you up, dust you off, and set your feet back on solid ground. This is My Promise—this you can trust; this you can believe in!
Psalm 47:1-2
OH, clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
For the LORD Most High is awesome;
He is the great King over all the earth. (NKJV)
Psalm 103:8
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. (NKJV)
Acts 4:11-12
“He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders,
but which became the chief corner stone.
And there is salvation in no one else;
for there is no other name under heaven
that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (NASB)
Psalm 145:14
The LORD upholds all who fall,
And raises up all those who are bowed down. (NKJV)
As the Lord our God draws me closer to Himself, the greater the desire I have in praising Him for His mighty deeds. And the more I learn about who our glorious God is, the greater my need becomes that I honor Him with as much praise and glory that is within my abilities to do so (Psalm 47:1-2). Our kind and loving Lord, who reigns in glorious majesty, has always taken pity upon the lowly; those who have either fallen in defeat or those who are bent beneath the heavy loads inflicted by this hard and unforgiving world. The Lord is always busy holding up His beloved people, giving them the strength and wisdom they need to persevere the hardships that come with living in this fallen world. The Lord is always lifting up His fallen ones who cry out in desperation for His saving touch. This is who He is, my friends, and this is what He does. He is a loving and kind God; One who is full of unending mercy and grace (Psalm 103:8). It is His very nature to rescue the hopeless and to save the helpless. It is rather amazing how the Lord will bring down the lofty and lift up the lowly in order to bring about His message of truth; that everyone is in dire need of a Savior, and their salvation can only be found in Christ Jesus, our Lord (Acts 4:11-12). Whether you are walking in pride or crawling in shame, the Lord is calling you to come as you are, for there is no one too high, nor is there anyone too low who is beyond the incredible touch of God’s healing grace. For His plan is redemption; His goal is perfection. And there is absolutely nothing, my friends, that can stand in His Way!
A Whisper of Hope
Do not be afraid, dear child…For I will keep you safe and out of the hands of Satan and together we will defeat the world. All you must do is stay close to Me, your Savior and Friend. Always know that I will be there to lighten your load when you are bent down under its weight, or when you trip and fall I will pick you up, dust you off, and set your feet back on solid ground. This is My Promise—this you can trust; this you can believe in!
Psalm 47:1-2
OH, clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
For the LORD Most High is awesome;
He is the great King over all the earth. (NKJV)
Psalm 103:8
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. (NKJV)
Acts 4:11-12
“He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders,
but which became the chief corner stone.
And there is salvation in no one else;
for there is no other name under heaven
that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (NASB)
“Nailed in Freedom”
Galatians 5:24
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed
the passions and desires of their sinful nature
to His cross and crucified them there. (NLT)
Our Creator and Lord has paid a hefty price indeed, so that we can be called His sons and daughters; His very own possession (Ephesians 1:14). We should never take this truth lightly, my friends, because it has given us the freedom from the power that sin and death has over our lives. When we claim Jesus as the Lord over our lives He gives us all that we need to break the chains that have kept us bound in our slavery to sin; giving us the freedom to nail our sin-filled past to His cross. Does that mean you will never sin again? No it does not, but the power of sin that once controlled the way you thought will have been broken (Colossians 1:13-14). What peace it brings knowing that you are no longer a slave to sin. And there is no greater joy in life than knowing that our God (the Creator and Sustainer of the universe) allowed evil men to beat, torture, mock, and then nail Him to a tree to die a criminals death because He did not want me to suffer the final wrath which I deserved; the wrath that I could not have avoided on my own. It was not until I began to understand who God was and why He did what He did that I started to comprehend that which had been so graciously given to me—an incredible amazing gift of love and everlasting life. Once you know the truth of where you stand in this adventure called life and once you grasp the price that was paid in full for your salvation, you will start learning how to live a life that not only brings honor to the One who gave you life, but the Lord will return that honor to you (2 Timothy 2:21), blessing your life in ways that make living in this hard and difficult world well worth all the many struggles that it brings.
A Whisper of Hope
I give you peace, My child…a peace the world cannot give you. Only I, your Creator, am able to free you from the dark and evil forces that battle for your soul. It is only through My sovereign power that is freely given unto you that you will defeat the enemy of your soul. Walk with Me always, dear child, and you shall remain safe and sleep in heavenly peace!
Ephesians 1:13-14
And when you believed in Christ, He identified you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit
whom He promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that He will give us everything
He promised and that He has purchased us to be His own people.
This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God. (NLT)
Colossians 1:13-14
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us
into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption
through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (NKJV)
2 Timothy 2:21
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things,
he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master,
prepared for every good work. (NASB)
Galatians 5:24
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed
the passions and desires of their sinful nature
to His cross and crucified them there. (NLT)
Our Creator and Lord has paid a hefty price indeed, so that we can be called His sons and daughters; His very own possession (Ephesians 1:14). We should never take this truth lightly, my friends, because it has given us the freedom from the power that sin and death has over our lives. When we claim Jesus as the Lord over our lives He gives us all that we need to break the chains that have kept us bound in our slavery to sin; giving us the freedom to nail our sin-filled past to His cross. Does that mean you will never sin again? No it does not, but the power of sin that once controlled the way you thought will have been broken (Colossians 1:13-14). What peace it brings knowing that you are no longer a slave to sin. And there is no greater joy in life than knowing that our God (the Creator and Sustainer of the universe) allowed evil men to beat, torture, mock, and then nail Him to a tree to die a criminals death because He did not want me to suffer the final wrath which I deserved; the wrath that I could not have avoided on my own. It was not until I began to understand who God was and why He did what He did that I started to comprehend that which had been so graciously given to me—an incredible amazing gift of love and everlasting life. Once you know the truth of where you stand in this adventure called life and once you grasp the price that was paid in full for your salvation, you will start learning how to live a life that not only brings honor to the One who gave you life, but the Lord will return that honor to you (2 Timothy 2:21), blessing your life in ways that make living in this hard and difficult world well worth all the many struggles that it brings.
A Whisper of Hope
I give you peace, My child…a peace the world cannot give you. Only I, your Creator, am able to free you from the dark and evil forces that battle for your soul. It is only through My sovereign power that is freely given unto you that you will defeat the enemy of your soul. Walk with Me always, dear child, and you shall remain safe and sleep in heavenly peace!
Ephesians 1:13-14
And when you believed in Christ, He identified you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit
whom He promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that He will give us everything
He promised and that He has purchased us to be His own people.
This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God. (NLT)
Colossians 1:13-14
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us
into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption
through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (NKJV)
2 Timothy 2:21
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things,
he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master,
prepared for every good work. (NASB)
Monday, November 21, 2011
“Only Two Endings”
Galatians 5:17
The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite
from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us
desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires.
These two forces are constantly fighting each other,
and your choices are never free from the conflict. (NLT)
The battle for our soul begins the moment we are born into this fallen world. We have all inherited a self-indulged sinful nature that comes indirectly from the Enemy of our soul (Romans 5:12). This enemy, the Devil, is indeed the second most powerful force that must be reckoned with every second of our lives. This unseen evil has engulfed the world since the beginning of time and will be ever so present until that day when the Lord throws Satan into the Lake of Fire forever. Until that time, my friends, the battle rages on; one that we all must fight until that moment we breathe our last breath; one we will most certainly lose when we live by our own understanding and power. The only Hope we have in assuring ourselves from following Satan into his permanent residence is found in the first and foremost powerful force in existence—the Living God, Jehovah. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives that anyone can overcome the power that sin has over us. For it is by the renewing of our hearts and minds that we can fend off the fiery darts of the enemy. It is only by surrendering our will and our lives over to the care and control of Christ Jesus, that we have any chance of saving our precious souls (Romans 3:23-26)—souls that our loving God has personally and individually created for Himself. Never doubt the power of sin that Satan has over your life, and never doubt the inherent weaknesses you possess in fighting that power. For without the power of our Creator, Jesus Christ (the One who is LORD over all) living deep within your heart and guiding the way, your life will easily fall prey to the delight of Satan, whose only desire is to destroy anything and everything that is very good (Genesis 1:31).
A Whisper of Hope
Choose wisely, My child…for your very life depends on it. You have the power to choose because I have given you the freedom to do so. You can choose to follow your sinful desires and lusts or you can choose to follow My desires for your life. You can worship all that I have created, or you can worship all that I AM. But remember this, dear child, what you choose to follow and who to worship has consequences that last for eternity. Be careful when deciding. Weigh the benefits of each with the longevity of the pleasure it brings. And be ever so mindful of the truth that I have so graciously given you. You can be weak and vulnerable or strong and courageous, but whatever you are; be in Me, for when you rely on Me you will never be wronged.
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world,
and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. (NKJV)
Romans 3:23-26
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth to be a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (NKJV)
Genesis 1:31
God saw all that He had made and behold, it was very good. (NASB)
Galatians 5:17
The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite
from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us
desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires.
These two forces are constantly fighting each other,
and your choices are never free from the conflict. (NLT)
The battle for our soul begins the moment we are born into this fallen world. We have all inherited a self-indulged sinful nature that comes indirectly from the Enemy of our soul (Romans 5:12). This enemy, the Devil, is indeed the second most powerful force that must be reckoned with every second of our lives. This unseen evil has engulfed the world since the beginning of time and will be ever so present until that day when the Lord throws Satan into the Lake of Fire forever. Until that time, my friends, the battle rages on; one that we all must fight until that moment we breathe our last breath; one we will most certainly lose when we live by our own understanding and power. The only Hope we have in assuring ourselves from following Satan into his permanent residence is found in the first and foremost powerful force in existence—the Living God, Jehovah. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives that anyone can overcome the power that sin has over us. For it is by the renewing of our hearts and minds that we can fend off the fiery darts of the enemy. It is only by surrendering our will and our lives over to the care and control of Christ Jesus, that we have any chance of saving our precious souls (Romans 3:23-26)—souls that our loving God has personally and individually created for Himself. Never doubt the power of sin that Satan has over your life, and never doubt the inherent weaknesses you possess in fighting that power. For without the power of our Creator, Jesus Christ (the One who is LORD over all) living deep within your heart and guiding the way, your life will easily fall prey to the delight of Satan, whose only desire is to destroy anything and everything that is very good (Genesis 1:31).
A Whisper of Hope
Choose wisely, My child…for your very life depends on it. You have the power to choose because I have given you the freedom to do so. You can choose to follow your sinful desires and lusts or you can choose to follow My desires for your life. You can worship all that I have created, or you can worship all that I AM. But remember this, dear child, what you choose to follow and who to worship has consequences that last for eternity. Be careful when deciding. Weigh the benefits of each with the longevity of the pleasure it brings. And be ever so mindful of the truth that I have so graciously given you. You can be weak and vulnerable or strong and courageous, but whatever you are; be in Me, for when you rely on Me you will never be wronged.
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world,
and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. (NKJV)
Romans 3:23-26
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth to be a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (NKJV)
Genesis 1:31
God saw all that He had made and behold, it was very good. (NASB)
“Living in Vain”
Psalm 127:1
Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who builds it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain. (NKJV)
Unless we know and fear the LORD, our lives are lived in vain (Psalm 25:14). When we live our lives apart from the One who gives us life, all that we do is done in vain. Without God our lives are meaningless. Without God we are nothing (John 15:6). It is because of the mercy and grace of God that He shares with us the secrets of life; those truths which gives life its true meaning and value. This life that we have is not an accident, my friends, but a well thought out plan of the Living God; the almighty, all knowing, all perfect, all holy and pure God. Without God our lives become unmanageable and we tend to seek after those things that are only temporal; things that we think will satisfy but always leaves us wanting more. Without God there will always be an emptiness that can never be filled. Without God we are left unprotected and helpless; left alone as fair prey for the jaws of an enemy who will devour us without mercy, for he seeks only to kill and destroy all that God has created. Our only hope lies in our dependency on His divine grace (Ephesians 2:8). We can obtain all the skills and wisdom of a master builder, but without Jehovah all that we build will crumble and be no more—we will have labored in vain without a trace of our effort left. Whatever you are building, my dear friends, unless the Lord is in it and honored by it, it will eventually fall in hopeless ruin. You can do much and labor hard, but without the Lord it is all done in vain and accomplishes nothing.
A Whisper of Hope
Without Me, dear child…your life will fall in ruin. Without My direction your life will spin out of control into nothing. But a life build on My foundation of Truth will stand strong through any storm and bring purpose to your life. Your life with Me will have no end when you follow the plans of the Master Builder; plans for a future designed especially with you in mind.
Psalm 25:14
The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him. (NKJV)
John 15:6
“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up;
and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.” (NASB)
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. (NKJV)
Psalm 127:1
Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who builds it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain. (NKJV)
Unless we know and fear the LORD, our lives are lived in vain (Psalm 25:14). When we live our lives apart from the One who gives us life, all that we do is done in vain. Without God our lives are meaningless. Without God we are nothing (John 15:6). It is because of the mercy and grace of God that He shares with us the secrets of life; those truths which gives life its true meaning and value. This life that we have is not an accident, my friends, but a well thought out plan of the Living God; the almighty, all knowing, all perfect, all holy and pure God. Without God our lives become unmanageable and we tend to seek after those things that are only temporal; things that we think will satisfy but always leaves us wanting more. Without God there will always be an emptiness that can never be filled. Without God we are left unprotected and helpless; left alone as fair prey for the jaws of an enemy who will devour us without mercy, for he seeks only to kill and destroy all that God has created. Our only hope lies in our dependency on His divine grace (Ephesians 2:8). We can obtain all the skills and wisdom of a master builder, but without Jehovah all that we build will crumble and be no more—we will have labored in vain without a trace of our effort left. Whatever you are building, my dear friends, unless the Lord is in it and honored by it, it will eventually fall in hopeless ruin. You can do much and labor hard, but without the Lord it is all done in vain and accomplishes nothing.
A Whisper of Hope
Without Me, dear child…your life will fall in ruin. Without My direction your life will spin out of control into nothing. But a life build on My foundation of Truth will stand strong through any storm and bring purpose to your life. Your life with Me will have no end when you follow the plans of the Master Builder; plans for a future designed especially with you in mind.
Psalm 25:14
The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him. (NKJV)
John 15:6
“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up;
and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.” (NASB)
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. (NKJV)
“Message of the Cross”
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live,
but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (NASB)
What an incredible and freeing truth this is for anyone who can grasp its meaning and then embrace its significance as did the apostle Paul. As flawed human beings borne into this sin filled world we have both the privilege and the freedom to choose how we are to live our lives when we believe in the God of creation and the truth about eternity. We can either rely on our own abilities and power to achieve a right standing before a Holy and Righteous God or we can accept the punishment that was paid in full and nailed to the cross of the Son of God, our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. The Son of God not only took upon Himself the worst that the evil of mankind could give, but He also accepted the full punishment of God’s wrath against all the sinfulness of mankind; an indescribable punishment that we cannot even begin to imagine, and one we fully deserve. When you embrace the reality of this most amazing gift (one which was freely given and borne out of love) you will surrender your life over to the care and control of the Lord our God, Jesus Christ, and He will lead you down the only path that leads to everlasting life. Don’t believe in the lies of this desperate world, my friends, for there is only one way that anyone can live a life that is pleasing to God and be able to stand blameless in His Holy Presence; you must nail your old sin-filled life to the cross of Christ and let Him create in you a new creature; one that will honor and glorify the Father of Life. You must (each and every day) take up your cross and cover yourself with Christ, for the LORD came down from the Glory of Heaven to do for you what you could never do for yourself. You can either embrace this Truth or not, but you must remember that this choice will be the most important choice you will ever make, because its consequences has no end. So embrace the message of the cross with all your hearts and souls, dear friends, for the reality of the cross is the only Hope we have!
A Whisper of Hope
Never forget, dear child…what I did for you by hanging on the cross. Bring to the cross all your sins and failed attempts to please Me and nail them there forever. I lovingly took all your punishment and the price has been paid in full. You need not worry or fret about the outcome, for when you are in Me; I AM in you. Praise God the Father for His redemption plan that includes every breathing soul on earth. You have been chosen and freed by your Creator. Embrace it and live!
John 19:26-30
When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. (NASB)
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live,
but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (NASB)
What an incredible and freeing truth this is for anyone who can grasp its meaning and then embrace its significance as did the apostle Paul. As flawed human beings borne into this sin filled world we have both the privilege and the freedom to choose how we are to live our lives when we believe in the God of creation and the truth about eternity. We can either rely on our own abilities and power to achieve a right standing before a Holy and Righteous God or we can accept the punishment that was paid in full and nailed to the cross of the Son of God, our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. The Son of God not only took upon Himself the worst that the evil of mankind could give, but He also accepted the full punishment of God’s wrath against all the sinfulness of mankind; an indescribable punishment that we cannot even begin to imagine, and one we fully deserve. When you embrace the reality of this most amazing gift (one which was freely given and borne out of love) you will surrender your life over to the care and control of the Lord our God, Jesus Christ, and He will lead you down the only path that leads to everlasting life. Don’t believe in the lies of this desperate world, my friends, for there is only one way that anyone can live a life that is pleasing to God and be able to stand blameless in His Holy Presence; you must nail your old sin-filled life to the cross of Christ and let Him create in you a new creature; one that will honor and glorify the Father of Life. You must (each and every day) take up your cross and cover yourself with Christ, for the LORD came down from the Glory of Heaven to do for you what you could never do for yourself. You can either embrace this Truth or not, but you must remember that this choice will be the most important choice you will ever make, because its consequences has no end. So embrace the message of the cross with all your hearts and souls, dear friends, for the reality of the cross is the only Hope we have!
A Whisper of Hope
Never forget, dear child…what I did for you by hanging on the cross. Bring to the cross all your sins and failed attempts to please Me and nail them there forever. I lovingly took all your punishment and the price has been paid in full. You need not worry or fret about the outcome, for when you are in Me; I AM in you. Praise God the Father for His redemption plan that includes every breathing soul on earth. You have been chosen and freed by your Creator. Embrace it and live!
John 19:26-30
When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. (NASB)
“Point to God”
Jeremiah 9:24
But let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands
and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness,
justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in theses things, declares the LORD. (NASB)
As sin filled people living in a fallen world we have little to boast about other than the mercy and grace of our Creator. Those who hold themselves in the highest esteem are really living a life of denial by placing themselves above their Creator; the One who sustains all life (Job 34:14-15). Billions of people have been sucked into the many lies of the Enemy, who wants us to believe that we are the captain of our souls and the driving force behind our destiny. We are not! We have two choices, my friends; we can either get behind the devil and allow him to build on our inherited sinful natures, or we can turn our lives over to the control and care of the LORD. The first choice leads to everlasting death and the second leads to everlasting life. When we choose the latter, we must fully understand that our success depends solely on the wisdom and strength of the Lord. It is He who shapes and molds us into the kind of person we were meant to be. It is He who puts the desire in our hearts to follow Him. We can do nothing good on our own (John 15:5). When we try doing what is good on own power we always fall short of God’s standard. It is impossible for us to live righteously without God’s help. The flesh is weak and our spirit is flawed and this is why we all need Jesus. It is only through our Lord, Christ Jesus, that we can be saved and transformed. So if we are to boast at all, my friends, let us boast in the LORD our God (2 Corinthians 10:17).
A Whisper of Hope
Be humble of heart, dear child…and praise only what I have done. You can be pleased with your accomplishments and how far I have taken you, but you must always remember that I Am the Creator and sovereign over my entire creation. You can do only what I allow to be done. I Am your strength in weakness and your wisest counselor. And when others see how I have changed your life from the inside out, then you can proudly boast in Me; your Redeemer!
Job 34:14-15
If He should determine to do so,
If He should gather to Himself His spirit and His breath,
All flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust. (NASB)
John 15:5
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him,
bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (NKJV)
2 Corinthians 10:17
But he who boasts is to boast in the LORD. (NASB)
“The Goodness of Mercy”
Psalm 118:1
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
Because His mercy endures forever. (NKJV)
The Author of Life deserves every ounce of thanks and praise that we can muster, because without Him who gives us all good things (James 1:17) there would be no hope for any good things. Goodness is His essence and nature; it is who He is. He is always to be praised, my friends, whether we are receiving anything from Him or not. If you are the kind of person who can only bring yourself to praise God in the good times you must rise to a higher note and sing songs of thanks and praise to Him no matter what your circumstances may be, because He alone is good (Matthew 19:17). We must never tolerate a moment’s unbelief as to the Lord’s goodness. Many things about this life can certainly be in question, but there remains this one absolute truth that should never be in question: Jehovah is good! His dispensations may vary, but His nature remains good. It is because of His absolute goodness that His mercies are eternal. His never ending mercies should be of the greatest importance for every human being, because without it we would be destined to death and destruction (Titus 3:5); for we are by nature—sinners. Since all of humanity is deeply guilty, yet graciously forgiven, we should remain focused on His divine mercy as the utter most center of His perfect goodness, for the greatest of earthly joys soon pass away, but not so with God’s mercy. The Lord Jesus Christ, who is the incarnation of the mercy of God, calls us to remember His goodness with thanksgiving, for His mercy and forgiveness is complete; they have no end! Oh, that we should praise His glorious Name.
A Whisper of Hope
Your only Hope, My child…is found in My Forgiveness. It is because I AM the LORD of all goodness and mercy. There is nothing I cannot forgive in My creation. It is my nature and the essence of who I AM. I AM Love. I AM Kindness. I AM Goodness. I AM Merciful. It is only because of who I AM that you have the hope you have. If I were not who I say I AM this world and all its people would live in utter darkness and gloom. Be ever so thankful, dear one, that I AM living in your world, giving you something to live for. Never forget who you are and most importantly; who I AM.
James 1:17
Every good thing given and every perfect gift
is from above, coming down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. (NASB)
Matthew 19:17
“There is only One who is good.” (NKJV)
Titus 3:5
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness,
but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. (NASB)
Psalm 118:1
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
Because His mercy endures forever. (NKJV)
The Author of Life deserves every ounce of thanks and praise that we can muster, because without Him who gives us all good things (James 1:17) there would be no hope for any good things. Goodness is His essence and nature; it is who He is. He is always to be praised, my friends, whether we are receiving anything from Him or not. If you are the kind of person who can only bring yourself to praise God in the good times you must rise to a higher note and sing songs of thanks and praise to Him no matter what your circumstances may be, because He alone is good (Matthew 19:17). We must never tolerate a moment’s unbelief as to the Lord’s goodness. Many things about this life can certainly be in question, but there remains this one absolute truth that should never be in question: Jehovah is good! His dispensations may vary, but His nature remains good. It is because of His absolute goodness that His mercies are eternal. His never ending mercies should be of the greatest importance for every human being, because without it we would be destined to death and destruction (Titus 3:5); for we are by nature—sinners. Since all of humanity is deeply guilty, yet graciously forgiven, we should remain focused on His divine mercy as the utter most center of His perfect goodness, for the greatest of earthly joys soon pass away, but not so with God’s mercy. The Lord Jesus Christ, who is the incarnation of the mercy of God, calls us to remember His goodness with thanksgiving, for His mercy and forgiveness is complete; they have no end! Oh, that we should praise His glorious Name.
A Whisper of Hope
Your only Hope, My child…is found in My Forgiveness. It is because I AM the LORD of all goodness and mercy. There is nothing I cannot forgive in My creation. It is my nature and the essence of who I AM. I AM Love. I AM Kindness. I AM Goodness. I AM Merciful. It is only because of who I AM that you have the hope you have. If I were not who I say I AM this world and all its people would live in utter darkness and gloom. Be ever so thankful, dear one, that I AM living in your world, giving you something to live for. Never forget who you are and most importantly; who I AM.
James 1:17
Every good thing given and every perfect gift
is from above, coming down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. (NASB)
Matthew 19:17
“There is only One who is good.” (NKJV)
Titus 3:5
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness,
but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. (NASB)
“Being Renewed ”
2 Corinthians 4:16-17
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying,
our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles
are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an
immeasurable great glory that will last forever! (NLT)
When we turn our lives over to the care and control of our LORD God there are two things going on in unison that are important to understand. On the one hand, our imperfect bodies continually grow older, wearing out and will eventually come to an end. And while this natural process is taking place the stresses and troubles that come with living in this fallen world will often speed up this decaying process. Most people who still have their youth don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the ageing process. But as our bodies begin to break down, ageing becomes reality, and the final outcome gets closer with each passing day. Now on the other hand, while all this natural decaying is going on, we Christians are continually drawing closer to the Lord, experiencing the renewing of our spirits; the heart and soul of our new lives in Christ Jesus. As Christians living in a fallen world we are oppressed (in some degree) on all sides (1 John 5:19); some physically, some emotionally, and some both. If you confess that you are a friend of God, you will automatically become an enemy of the world and its ways (James 4:4). All people with a somewhat sound mind who are not living a new life in the Savior, Christ Jesus, are living a life denying the realities of time and eternity, and of heaven and hell. Most adults will testify that this life is not only very short, but awfully difficult as well; whereas eternity is a very long time, especially an eternity spent in difficulties one cannot imagine. The sufferings we experience living this life in Jesus Christ is peanuts when compared to the glory we will experience with Jesus for eternity. But for those who choose the world as their Savior; the price they pay for such a short period of time will cost them incredibly more suffering than all the people put together who have ever lived in this life. As a believer in Christ you will never lose enough heart to give up, because the best hope anyone can have in this life of decay and death lies in the truth of the Resurrection (1 Peter 1:3).
A Whisper of Hope
A life in Me…has no end, dear child. This world has never been kind to you, nor will it ever until I come back to restore it. The new life I give you will help ease your pain for a short while, but when your time comes I will give you the glory I have promised; a share in my inheritance. The short time of your suffering does not compare to the abundant blessings that are in store for you. Be glad in your sufferings; they are not in vain, but are well worth it!
1 John 5:19
We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. (NASB)
James 4:4
You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world
is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend
of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (NASB)
1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (NASB)
2 Corinthians 4:16-17
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying,
our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles
are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an
immeasurable great glory that will last forever! (NLT)
When we turn our lives over to the care and control of our LORD God there are two things going on in unison that are important to understand. On the one hand, our imperfect bodies continually grow older, wearing out and will eventually come to an end. And while this natural process is taking place the stresses and troubles that come with living in this fallen world will often speed up this decaying process. Most people who still have their youth don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the ageing process. But as our bodies begin to break down, ageing becomes reality, and the final outcome gets closer with each passing day. Now on the other hand, while all this natural decaying is going on, we Christians are continually drawing closer to the Lord, experiencing the renewing of our spirits; the heart and soul of our new lives in Christ Jesus. As Christians living in a fallen world we are oppressed (in some degree) on all sides (1 John 5:19); some physically, some emotionally, and some both. If you confess that you are a friend of God, you will automatically become an enemy of the world and its ways (James 4:4). All people with a somewhat sound mind who are not living a new life in the Savior, Christ Jesus, are living a life denying the realities of time and eternity, and of heaven and hell. Most adults will testify that this life is not only very short, but awfully difficult as well; whereas eternity is a very long time, especially an eternity spent in difficulties one cannot imagine. The sufferings we experience living this life in Jesus Christ is peanuts when compared to the glory we will experience with Jesus for eternity. But for those who choose the world as their Savior; the price they pay for such a short period of time will cost them incredibly more suffering than all the people put together who have ever lived in this life. As a believer in Christ you will never lose enough heart to give up, because the best hope anyone can have in this life of decay and death lies in the truth of the Resurrection (1 Peter 1:3).
A Whisper of Hope
A life in Me…has no end, dear child. This world has never been kind to you, nor will it ever until I come back to restore it. The new life I give you will help ease your pain for a short while, but when your time comes I will give you the glory I have promised; a share in my inheritance. The short time of your suffering does not compare to the abundant blessings that are in store for you. Be glad in your sufferings; they are not in vain, but are well worth it!
1 John 5:19
We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. (NASB)
James 4:4
You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world
is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend
of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (NASB)
1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (NASB)
“Breaking Free”
Psalm 107:13-14
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses.
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
And broke their chains in pieces. (NKJV)
God’s people are still doing as they did way back in biblical times—that is; looking only to God as a last resort. Many of us attempt to pray (out of obligation) when things are going well. Yet the only true cry for help comes when we can no longer depend on the world or ourselves for answers; when we are in utter helplessness and misery. But the Lord, in all His mercy and grace, still takes pity on us when we cry out to Him (Psalm 34:17). He will come to our rescue when we fall on our faces in complete desperation and without hope. The God who saved a million Israelites by parting the Red Sea is not hindered by anything. Only the Lord can rescue us from the prison of sin that can hold us captive in the deepest and darkest cell of our souls where we live in misery longing to be freed. Only He can unlock those cell doors which hold us captive. Only our Redeemer can offer us the sweet fresh air of His breath. Only He can remove those iron chains from our aching limbs and lead us into the Light where we can live on in peace knowing that the Judge Himself has acquitted us and His deliverances are complete (Colossians 2:14-15). And we can truly believe, that He will never again leave that soul in darkness nor will He ever allow the powers of sin to again enslave the liberated captive (Deuteronomy 31:6). What He does, my friends, is done forever! Glory to His name.
A Whisper of Hope
I hear your every cry…My child. I know when your soul is held captive in the deepest, darkest dungeon of sin. And when you cry out to Me in your misery I will destroy those iron bars of sin and shatter the chains that hold you down. My rescue has no bounds, dear one, and you can believe that once you are free I will see to it that you remain free.
Psalm 34:17
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears,
and delivers them out of all their troubles. (NKJV)
Colossians 2:14
He canceled the record of the charges against us
and took it away by nailing it to the cross. (NLT)
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them;
for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you.
He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (NKJV)
Psalm 107:13-14
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses.
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
And broke their chains in pieces. (NKJV)
God’s people are still doing as they did way back in biblical times—that is; looking only to God as a last resort. Many of us attempt to pray (out of obligation) when things are going well. Yet the only true cry for help comes when we can no longer depend on the world or ourselves for answers; when we are in utter helplessness and misery. But the Lord, in all His mercy and grace, still takes pity on us when we cry out to Him (Psalm 34:17). He will come to our rescue when we fall on our faces in complete desperation and without hope. The God who saved a million Israelites by parting the Red Sea is not hindered by anything. Only the Lord can rescue us from the prison of sin that can hold us captive in the deepest and darkest cell of our souls where we live in misery longing to be freed. Only He can unlock those cell doors which hold us captive. Only our Redeemer can offer us the sweet fresh air of His breath. Only He can remove those iron chains from our aching limbs and lead us into the Light where we can live on in peace knowing that the Judge Himself has acquitted us and His deliverances are complete (Colossians 2:14-15). And we can truly believe, that He will never again leave that soul in darkness nor will He ever allow the powers of sin to again enslave the liberated captive (Deuteronomy 31:6). What He does, my friends, is done forever! Glory to His name.
A Whisper of Hope
I hear your every cry…My child. I know when your soul is held captive in the deepest, darkest dungeon of sin. And when you cry out to Me in your misery I will destroy those iron bars of sin and shatter the chains that hold you down. My rescue has no bounds, dear one, and you can believe that once you are free I will see to it that you remain free.
Psalm 34:17
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears,
and delivers them out of all their troubles. (NKJV)
Colossians 2:14
He canceled the record of the charges against us
and took it away by nailing it to the cross. (NLT)
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them;
for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you.
He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (NKJV)
“Breaking Free”
Psalm 107:13-14
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses.
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
And broke their chains in pieces. (NKJV)
God’s people are still doing as they did way back in biblical times—that is; looking only to God as a last resort. Many of us attempt to pray (out of obligation) when things are going well. Yet the only true cry for help comes when we can no longer depend on the world or ourselves for answers; when we are in utter helplessness and misery. But the Lord, in all His mercy and grace, still takes pity on us when we cry out to Him (Psalm 34:17). He will come to our rescue when we fall on our faces in complete desperation and without hope. The God who saved a million Israelites by parting the Red Sea is not hindered by anything. Only the Lord can rescue us from the prison of sin that can hold us captive in the deepest and darkest cell of our souls where we live in misery longing to be freed. Only He can unlock those cell doors which hold us captive. Only our Redeemer can offer us the sweet fresh air of His breath. Only He can remove those iron chains from our aching limbs and lead us into the Light where we can live on in peace knowing that the Judge Himself has acquitted us and His deliverances are complete (Colossians 2:14-15). And we can truly believe, that He will never again leave that soul in darkness nor will He ever allow the powers of sin to again enslave the liberated captive (Deuteronomy 31:6). What He does, my friends, is done forever! Glory to His name.
A Whisper of Hope
My child. I know when your soul is held captive in the deepest, darkest dungeon of sin. And when you cry out to Me in your misery I will destroy those iron bars of sin and shatter the chains that hold you down. My rescue has no bounds, dear one, and you can believe that once you are free I will see to it that you remain free.
Psalm 34:17
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears,
and delivers them out of all their troubles. (NKJV)
Colossians 2:14
He canceled the record of the charges against us
and took it away by nailing it to the cross. (NLT)
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them;
for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you.
He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (NKJV)
Zakery Daniel
“Soul Shepherd”
Psalm 100:3
Acknowledge that the LORD is God!
He made us, and we are His.
We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. (NLT)
When I think of Jesus, the Lord of the universe, as our Shepherd, I think of how busy we must keep Him in comparison to that of a shepherd to a flock of sheep. Unlike real sheep that have the sense to gather around their shepherd, relying on him for their every need and staying close to the one who protects and takes care of them with only a few straying from the fold, we, on the other hand, are a rebellious species by nature, always running away thinking we can survive on our own—thinking we are self-made. But our Lord God is the Perfect Shepherd—the only One who completely knows all that we need (John 10:27-30). He is the only Shepherd who never slumbers (Psalm 121:3) and the only One who never ceases in the search for those gone astray. I am now beginning to understand how God has been working in my life since the day I was born; protecting me and choosing certain people who would help shape my character in ways that would one day draw me into His fold, healing my many wounds from enemies who are but wolves in shepherds clothing. It is an honor, my friends, that we have been chosen from all the world to be His people, the sheep of His pasture. It is a glorious blessing indeed to be guided by His wisdom, tended to by His mercy and grace, and fed by the abundance of His bounty. Glory be the Living God, the Shepherd of our lives and the Shepherd of our souls! (1 Peter 2:25)
A Whisper of Hope
Remain close to Me…My child, for I Am your Protector and your Provider. Away from Me you are at the hands of the Enemy who mercilessly searches for his prey. Without Me you will find yourself wandering in the dark and without direction; taking the risk of being mauled and devoured by the many wolves disguised as Me, your Shepherd. Do not be fooled, dear one. Come when I call out to you, and stay close when I find you, for the life of your soul is at stake. With Me there is life—on your own there is certain death!
John 10:27-30
“My sheep hear My voce, and I know them, and they follow Me;
and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish;
My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all;
and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
I and the Father are one.” (NASB)
Psalm 121:3
He who keeps you will not slumber. (NASB)
1 Peter 2:25
For you were continually straying like sheep,
but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
Psalm 100:3
Acknowledge that the LORD is God!
He made us, and we are His.
We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. (NLT)
When I think of Jesus, the Lord of the universe, as our Shepherd, I think of how busy we must keep Him in comparison to that of a shepherd to a flock of sheep. Unlike real sheep that have the sense to gather around their shepherd, relying on him for their every need and staying close to the one who protects and takes care of them with only a few straying from the fold, we, on the other hand, are a rebellious species by nature, always running away thinking we can survive on our own—thinking we are self-made. But our Lord God is the Perfect Shepherd—the only One who completely knows all that we need (John 10:27-30). He is the only Shepherd who never slumbers (Psalm 121:3) and the only One who never ceases in the search for those gone astray. I am now beginning to understand how God has been working in my life since the day I was born; protecting me and choosing certain people who would help shape my character in ways that would one day draw me into His fold, healing my many wounds from enemies who are but wolves in shepherds clothing. It is an honor, my friends, that we have been chosen from all the world to be His people, the sheep of His pasture. It is a glorious blessing indeed to be guided by His wisdom, tended to by His mercy and grace, and fed by the abundance of His bounty. Glory be the Living God, the Shepherd of our lives and the Shepherd of our souls! (1 Peter 2:25)
A Whisper of Hope
Remain close to Me…My child, for I Am your Protector and your Provider. Away from Me you are at the hands of the Enemy who mercilessly searches for his prey. Without Me you will find yourself wandering in the dark and without direction; taking the risk of being mauled and devoured by the many wolves disguised as Me, your Shepherd. Do not be fooled, dear one. Come when I call out to you, and stay close when I find you, for the life of your soul is at stake. With Me there is life—on your own there is certain death!
John 10:27-30
“My sheep hear My voce, and I know them, and they follow Me;
and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish;
My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all;
and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
I and the Father are one.” (NASB)
Psalm 121:3
He who keeps you will not slumber. (NASB)
1 Peter 2:25
For you were continually straying like sheep,
but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
“A Pure Love”
1 Corinthians 13:3-7, 8
If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body,
I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.
Love does not demand its own way.
Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.
It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever. (NLT)
Love is everything our sinful human natures are not. Our mouths may speak of love and our minds may know of love, but our wicked and deceitful hearts are anything but love. God has commanded us to love (Matthew 22:37-40), but it is not something that comes easy for any human being, especially for those who have been betrayed by love or those who have never experienced what it is to be loved. We cannot comprehend any kind of true love if we, ourselves, have never been in touch with it. This fallen world teaches us many different definitions of what love is, but its view of love only aims at satisfying our own selfish and lustful desires; not the true desires that God has put into every human heart. We all have our own views on what love should look like in our lives, but it is only when we grow to know the heart of God that we will really begin to understand what love is all about. Love is not about us, my friends; it is all about our Creator, for God is love (1 John 4:8)! Our lives were created to glorify God (Isaiah 43:7) and when we sincerely have the desire to please the One with whom we were created for; He will open the eyes of our hearts to His truth about love and how it should be acted upon. When you know who God is and what He has done, it is rather easy to fall in love with Him. But it is a whole different ball game when it comes to loving yourself and other sin filled people. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can see ourselves as God sees us and grow to love others as the Lord would have us love; even those who have hurt us and also those who hate us. No one will ever be able to perfect the art of loving the way God does, but we can begin the journey of loving others one person at a time and eventually we will (one day soon) fully experience the perfect love of God in all His Glory!
A Whisper of Hope
Loving others as I love you…is not an easy task to fulfill. But as you spend time with Me, the Lover of your soul, I will teach you how to love as I have loved you. I tell you this, My dear child; that if you love only the world and all the pleasures it offers you, you will grow to ignore My Truth and suffer dearly the consequences of this sin at the end of the age. Do not be fooled by the lustful desires of your wicked heart; instead, let Me fill your heart with truth and love, for it is with these things that you will find true life in its purest form.
Matthew 22:37-40
“You shall love the LORD your God will all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (NASB)
1 John 4:8
The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love! (NASB)
Isaiah 43:7
“All who claim Me as their God will come, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.” (NLT)
1 Corinthians 13:3-7, 8
If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body,
I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.
Love does not demand its own way.
Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.
It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever. (NLT)
Love is everything our sinful human natures are not. Our mouths may speak of love and our minds may know of love, but our wicked and deceitful hearts are anything but love. God has commanded us to love (Matthew 22:37-40), but it is not something that comes easy for any human being, especially for those who have been betrayed by love or those who have never experienced what it is to be loved. We cannot comprehend any kind of true love if we, ourselves, have never been in touch with it. This fallen world teaches us many different definitions of what love is, but its view of love only aims at satisfying our own selfish and lustful desires; not the true desires that God has put into every human heart. We all have our own views on what love should look like in our lives, but it is only when we grow to know the heart of God that we will really begin to understand what love is all about. Love is not about us, my friends; it is all about our Creator, for God is love (1 John 4:8)! Our lives were created to glorify God (Isaiah 43:7) and when we sincerely have the desire to please the One with whom we were created for; He will open the eyes of our hearts to His truth about love and how it should be acted upon. When you know who God is and what He has done, it is rather easy to fall in love with Him. But it is a whole different ball game when it comes to loving yourself and other sin filled people. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can see ourselves as God sees us and grow to love others as the Lord would have us love; even those who have hurt us and also those who hate us. No one will ever be able to perfect the art of loving the way God does, but we can begin the journey of loving others one person at a time and eventually we will (one day soon) fully experience the perfect love of God in all His Glory!
A Whisper of Hope
Loving others as I love you…is not an easy task to fulfill. But as you spend time with Me, the Lover of your soul, I will teach you how to love as I have loved you. I tell you this, My dear child; that if you love only the world and all the pleasures it offers you, you will grow to ignore My Truth and suffer dearly the consequences of this sin at the end of the age. Do not be fooled by the lustful desires of your wicked heart; instead, let Me fill your heart with truth and love, for it is with these things that you will find true life in its purest form.
Matthew 22:37-40
“You shall love the LORD your God will all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (NASB)
1 John 4:8
The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love! (NASB)
Isaiah 43:7
“All who claim Me as their God will come, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.” (NLT)
“Freedom In Truth”
1 Corinthians 8:6, 7
But we know that there is only one God, the Father,
who created everything, and we exist for Him.
And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ,
through whom God made everything
and through whom we have been given life. (NLT)
What a powerful and clear affirmation of the essential equality of God the Father and God the Son and where we fit into the equation. However not all peoples (including many Christians) have received this knowledge (vs. 7), nor do they understand or truly believe in it. There are many people who attend God’s church on a semi-regular basis who still hang on to one or more of the many different gods of this world. There are many Christians who struggle daily trying to break free from their bondage to the world; those idols that control how they live and think. The price for freedom never comes easy, my friends, especially for those who have been held in bondage to the world for most of their lives. But there is Good News; we all have One true living God (1 John 5:20) who lived a fully human existence here on earth (Galatians 4:4-5); the One who paid a very dear price for our freedom from sin, death, and a sure ticket to hell (1 Corinthians 7:22-23). I don’t know about you, but I have chosen to be the slave of our LORD and God, Jesus Christ, rather than being held captive to this fallen world which has ruled my life long enough. I have learned through experience that it is far better and a whole lot healthier to surrender ones life over to the God and submit to His Commands. And when you walk through the pages of His Holy Word, the Bible, you will find that there truly is a perfect formula for living life and the Lord God, in the riches of His amazing mercy and grace, rewards all those who keep on His road to recovery. And we can depend on the LORD to help us break away from our bondage to sin; the powerful god of this world that will rob from you the very life that Jesus so graciously sacrificed His own life for.
A Whisper of Hope
I Am…dear child, the only true and living God. Do not believe in any other god but Me. Do not let the many false god’s of this fallen world tempt you otherwise, for they do not have your best interest in mind. It is difficult to discern what is right and what is not in this darkened world which thrives on deceit. But when you know Me, the Way, the Truth and the Life, I will set you free you from the bondage of untruth and set you firmly on the path to heaven; a path that is anything but easy to follow, but one that is always well worth the journey.
1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding
so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true,
in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. (NASB)
Galatians 4:4-5
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (NASB)
1 Corinthians 7:22-23
And remember, it you were a slave when the Lord called you, the Lord has now set you free from the awful power of sin. And it you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. God purchased you at a high price. Don’t be enslaved by the world. (NLT)
1 Corinthians 8:6, 7
But we know that there is only one God, the Father,
who created everything, and we exist for Him.
And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ,
through whom God made everything
and through whom we have been given life. (NLT)
What a powerful and clear affirmation of the essential equality of God the Father and God the Son and where we fit into the equation. However not all peoples (including many Christians) have received this knowledge (vs. 7), nor do they understand or truly believe in it. There are many people who attend God’s church on a semi-regular basis who still hang on to one or more of the many different gods of this world. There are many Christians who struggle daily trying to break free from their bondage to the world; those idols that control how they live and think. The price for freedom never comes easy, my friends, especially for those who have been held in bondage to the world for most of their lives. But there is Good News; we all have One true living God (1 John 5:20) who lived a fully human existence here on earth (Galatians 4:4-5); the One who paid a very dear price for our freedom from sin, death, and a sure ticket to hell (1 Corinthians 7:22-23). I don’t know about you, but I have chosen to be the slave of our LORD and God, Jesus Christ, rather than being held captive to this fallen world which has ruled my life long enough. I have learned through experience that it is far better and a whole lot healthier to surrender ones life over to the God and submit to His Commands. And when you walk through the pages of His Holy Word, the Bible, you will find that there truly is a perfect formula for living life and the Lord God, in the riches of His amazing mercy and grace, rewards all those who keep on His road to recovery. And we can depend on the LORD to help us break away from our bondage to sin; the powerful god of this world that will rob from you the very life that Jesus so graciously sacrificed His own life for.
A Whisper of Hope
I Am…dear child, the only true and living God. Do not believe in any other god but Me. Do not let the many false god’s of this fallen world tempt you otherwise, for they do not have your best interest in mind. It is difficult to discern what is right and what is not in this darkened world which thrives on deceit. But when you know Me, the Way, the Truth and the Life, I will set you free you from the bondage of untruth and set you firmly on the path to heaven; a path that is anything but easy to follow, but one that is always well worth the journey.
1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding
so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true,
in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. (NASB)
Galatians 4:4-5
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (NASB)
1 Corinthians 7:22-23
And remember, it you were a slave when the Lord called you, the Lord has now set you free from the awful power of sin. And it you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. God purchased you at a high price. Don’t be enslaved by the world. (NLT)
Sunday, November 20, 2011
“Gone is the Old”
1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.
So let us celebrate the festival, not by eating the old bread
of wickedness and evil, but by eating the new bread of purity and truth. (NLT)
The LORD our God calls us to rejoice and celebrate the new life He has so graciously given us
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). He calls us to discard our old ways of living and clothe ourselves in Christ so we can live these new lives with sincerity and truth (2 Corinthians 5:17). What a marvelous opportunity this is, my friends; that we are able to start afresh without the terrible punishment we deserve for all those ungodly and rebellious acts we once indulged in against our holy God and Creator. What joy you will experience when knowing that your sins have been forgiven and are no longer held against you! What a peace it will bring you knowing that the God of all creation has written your name in the Book of Life so that you will not be condemned for eternity. And when you embrace these truths about our living God you will want to walk boldly with confidence spreading the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ, which will forever change one life at a time—just as it did for you. Come alive, my friends, and surrender your life to the LORD Jesus. Ask Him to forgive your rebellion and clean up the mess it caused, and He will immediately put His Holy Spirit to work in your heart, transforming you from the inside out (Colossians 3:9, 10). And when this happens, He will give you an entirely new vision of the life that your incredibly awesome God has so graciously given unto you.
A Whisper of Hope
Rejoice and celebrate, My child…for I have given My all so that you could find new life in Me. And the new life I offer you is not of this world; it is a life that honors Me, your Creator. This new life in Me is worth living—a life that is filled with hope and joy. It is a life that no only can take from you. for this new life brings you and I together as one; a union like no other!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing;
in everything give thanks; for this is
God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (NASB)
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;
the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (NASB)
Colossians 3:9, 10
…for you have stripped off your old evil nature and all its wicked deeds. In its place you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you. (NLT)
1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.
So let us celebrate the festival, not by eating the old bread
of wickedness and evil, but by eating the new bread of purity and truth. (NLT)
The LORD our God calls us to rejoice and celebrate the new life He has so graciously given us
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). He calls us to discard our old ways of living and clothe ourselves in Christ so we can live these new lives with sincerity and truth (2 Corinthians 5:17). What a marvelous opportunity this is, my friends; that we are able to start afresh without the terrible punishment we deserve for all those ungodly and rebellious acts we once indulged in against our holy God and Creator. What joy you will experience when knowing that your sins have been forgiven and are no longer held against you! What a peace it will bring you knowing that the God of all creation has written your name in the Book of Life so that you will not be condemned for eternity. And when you embrace these truths about our living God you will want to walk boldly with confidence spreading the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ, which will forever change one life at a time—just as it did for you. Come alive, my friends, and surrender your life to the LORD Jesus. Ask Him to forgive your rebellion and clean up the mess it caused, and He will immediately put His Holy Spirit to work in your heart, transforming you from the inside out (Colossians 3:9, 10). And when this happens, He will give you an entirely new vision of the life that your incredibly awesome God has so graciously given unto you.
A Whisper of Hope
Rejoice and celebrate, My child…for I have given My all so that you could find new life in Me. And the new life I offer you is not of this world; it is a life that honors Me, your Creator. This new life in Me is worth living—a life that is filled with hope and joy. It is a life that no only can take from you. for this new life brings you and I together as one; a union like no other!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing;
in everything give thanks; for this is
God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (NASB)
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;
the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (NASB)
Colossians 3:9, 10
…for you have stripped off your old evil nature and all its wicked deeds. In its place you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you. (NLT)
“Power In Wisdom”
1 Corinthians 1:18
I know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds
to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are
being saved recognize this message as the very power of God. (NLT)
The most brilliant minds know how impossible it is for a person to bring himself back to life after being dead for three days. The most intelligent people on earth cannot rationalize how something can be made out of nothing. The greatest scholars and philosophers that the world has to offer get together to debate the origin of life and come up with ideas that are far more difficult to understand than the sovereignty of God and His power to create. This is why God says in verse 19; “I will destroy human wisdom and discard their most brilliant ideas.” The most simple and easy to understand plan that God has for our lives makes the plans of wise men utterly foolish to the Creator (1 Corinthians 3:19). I think it is of great value for brilliant people to dedicate their minds discovering how life works in order to better help and improve human life. I also believe that God created us with the desire to explore His creation and to discover new and amazing things about the universe He created with all of its amazing functions. But sadly, many of the gifted brilliant people will never discover the truth because they refuse to believe what God has said about His creation and where it is headed. The comparison I like to make of the knowledge and capability of God to that of the most brilliant men is much like comparing the size of the universe to an ameba. God is so far above man (Jeremiah 10:12) that a comparison cannot be rationally made, for with God there is no limit. We cannot and never will be able to save ourselves from dying, or from the final wrath and judgment of God. It is for this very reason that we must believe in the LORD our God and trust His every Word (Isaiah 45:22). My dear friends, the best laid plans of man are total nonsense to God, for He can change anything He wants with the blink of an eye. The best advice for mankind is found in the pages of the Bible. For if all you have is the basic knowledge of the LORD, you have far greater knowledge than the most brilliant of minds who deny God. For to believe in your Creator and by putting your precious life (the one He made) in His care is an incredibly wise choice; a decision which is not only the best way to live your life, but it is also the only way you will be able to escape the coming day of judgment that will forever separate those who have made the world their God from their Creator, who will condemn them into the place of all evil!
A Whisper of Hope
I created you, My child…And the One who creates is always greater than the creation. Never forget where you came from and always remember the wisdom I have shared with you. The world will condemn you as foolish and weak for living the life I have planned for My people before the universe was created. Do not be fooled by the world’s wisdom, or believe the foolishness it proclaims to be wise. Instead believe in Me, your Creator, because I have the power to protect you and the wisdom to help you discern what is true and what is not.
1 Corinthians 3:19
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. (NASB)
Jeremiah 10:12
It is He who has made the earth by His power,
Who established the world by His wisdom;
And by His understanding He has stretched out the heavens. (NASB)
Isaiah 45:22
“Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth;
For I am God, and there is no other.”
1 Corinthians 1:18
I know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds
to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are
being saved recognize this message as the very power of God. (NLT)
The most brilliant minds know how impossible it is for a person to bring himself back to life after being dead for three days. The most intelligent people on earth cannot rationalize how something can be made out of nothing. The greatest scholars and philosophers that the world has to offer get together to debate the origin of life and come up with ideas that are far more difficult to understand than the sovereignty of God and His power to create. This is why God says in verse 19; “I will destroy human wisdom and discard their most brilliant ideas.” The most simple and easy to understand plan that God has for our lives makes the plans of wise men utterly foolish to the Creator (1 Corinthians 3:19). I think it is of great value for brilliant people to dedicate their minds discovering how life works in order to better help and improve human life. I also believe that God created us with the desire to explore His creation and to discover new and amazing things about the universe He created with all of its amazing functions. But sadly, many of the gifted brilliant people will never discover the truth because they refuse to believe what God has said about His creation and where it is headed. The comparison I like to make of the knowledge and capability of God to that of the most brilliant men is much like comparing the size of the universe to an ameba. God is so far above man (Jeremiah 10:12) that a comparison cannot be rationally made, for with God there is no limit. We cannot and never will be able to save ourselves from dying, or from the final wrath and judgment of God. It is for this very reason that we must believe in the LORD our God and trust His every Word (Isaiah 45:22). My dear friends, the best laid plans of man are total nonsense to God, for He can change anything He wants with the blink of an eye. The best advice for mankind is found in the pages of the Bible. For if all you have is the basic knowledge of the LORD, you have far greater knowledge than the most brilliant of minds who deny God. For to believe in your Creator and by putting your precious life (the one He made) in His care is an incredibly wise choice; a decision which is not only the best way to live your life, but it is also the only way you will be able to escape the coming day of judgment that will forever separate those who have made the world their God from their Creator, who will condemn them into the place of all evil!
A Whisper of Hope
I created you, My child…And the One who creates is always greater than the creation. Never forget where you came from and always remember the wisdom I have shared with you. The world will condemn you as foolish and weak for living the life I have planned for My people before the universe was created. Do not be fooled by the world’s wisdom, or believe the foolishness it proclaims to be wise. Instead believe in Me, your Creator, because I have the power to protect you and the wisdom to help you discern what is true and what is not.
1 Corinthians 3:19
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. (NASB)
Jeremiah 10:12
It is He who has made the earth by His power,
Who established the world by His wisdom;
And by His understanding He has stretched out the heavens. (NASB)
Isaiah 45:22
“Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth;
For I am God, and there is no other.”
“For the Love of God”
Psalm 91:14-15
“Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.”
Even though the LORD our God commands us to love Him with all of our being (Matthew 22:37-38), He does not force us to obey any of His commands (although He could if He wanted to, because He is, after all, the Creator). We are not borne to automatically fall in love with Him; it is only by learning who He is and who we are not, and what He can do and what we cannot do that we come to love, honor, and trust Him with our lives. One of the most incredible things I have discovered about the love of God is; whether we love Him or not, He will always love us (John 3:16). The LORD our God does not love us any more or any less because of our sin filled natures. Even when our love is unfaithful to Him, His love always remains faithful to us. What we do or do not do has no bearing on God’s love for us, because His love is unchangeable. God’s love is not conditional; it does not depend upon our actions or feelings. Although we can make Him unhappy or angry, His love does not falter. When we please Him, we bring Him joy, but His love does not increase. He loves you, my friends, just as much as He did when He first brought you into this life and He will continue to love you forever (Romans 8:38-39)! But amazingly, when you truly love the LORD as you should, He will bless your life. He will give you the strength and wisdom to battle the lies of the Enemy, for the Devil wants you to believe that God does not really love us; how could a loving God let people suffer or starve to death? But the truth is; our God and Creator, Christ Jesus, loves us above all creation and He rewards all those who call on Him and surrender their lives to His control and care. This is the Promise that never changes no matter how far away we have strayed from the Truth, for God knows we are only human and we will always fail to please Him. And the most amazing thing about this Promise of Jesus’ is that it happens to be the only Promise out there that not only comes with both a heavenly and earthly peace and joy, but is also the only Promise that is for everyone who walks on the face of this earth!
A Whisper of Hope
My love, dear Child…does not depend on you. Your life will always be filled with mistakes and regrets; with doubt and fear; with failure and relapse, with pain and suffering. But you can rest assure, dear one, that I will always love you. The compassion and love that I have for you is way beyond your human understanding; this is why you must trust and rely on the Truth. There is no other Way for you to remain out of the darkness that will, one day, totally engulf this fallen world. My love will save you; My love will give you hope when there is no hope! My love is final and forever! I cannot lie, I Am God.
Matthew 22:37-38
And He said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ “This is the great and foremost commandment.” (NASB)
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (NASB)
Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, no height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NASB)
Psalm 91:14-15
“Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.”
Even though the LORD our God commands us to love Him with all of our being (Matthew 22:37-38), He does not force us to obey any of His commands (although He could if He wanted to, because He is, after all, the Creator). We are not borne to automatically fall in love with Him; it is only by learning who He is and who we are not, and what He can do and what we cannot do that we come to love, honor, and trust Him with our lives. One of the most incredible things I have discovered about the love of God is; whether we love Him or not, He will always love us (John 3:16). The LORD our God does not love us any more or any less because of our sin filled natures. Even when our love is unfaithful to Him, His love always remains faithful to us. What we do or do not do has no bearing on God’s love for us, because His love is unchangeable. God’s love is not conditional; it does not depend upon our actions or feelings. Although we can make Him unhappy or angry, His love does not falter. When we please Him, we bring Him joy, but His love does not increase. He loves you, my friends, just as much as He did when He first brought you into this life and He will continue to love you forever (Romans 8:38-39)! But amazingly, when you truly love the LORD as you should, He will bless your life. He will give you the strength and wisdom to battle the lies of the Enemy, for the Devil wants you to believe that God does not really love us; how could a loving God let people suffer or starve to death? But the truth is; our God and Creator, Christ Jesus, loves us above all creation and He rewards all those who call on Him and surrender their lives to His control and care. This is the Promise that never changes no matter how far away we have strayed from the Truth, for God knows we are only human and we will always fail to please Him. And the most amazing thing about this Promise of Jesus’ is that it happens to be the only Promise out there that not only comes with both a heavenly and earthly peace and joy, but is also the only Promise that is for everyone who walks on the face of this earth!
A Whisper of Hope
My love, dear Child…does not depend on you. Your life will always be filled with mistakes and regrets; with doubt and fear; with failure and relapse, with pain and suffering. But you can rest assure, dear one, that I will always love you. The compassion and love that I have for you is way beyond your human understanding; this is why you must trust and rely on the Truth. There is no other Way for you to remain out of the darkness that will, one day, totally engulf this fallen world. My love will save you; My love will give you hope when there is no hope! My love is final and forever! I cannot lie, I Am God.
Matthew 22:37-38
And He said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ “This is the great and foremost commandment.” (NASB)
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (NASB)
Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, no height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NASB)
“Living Life”
Ephesians 5:3-6
Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you.
Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish
talk, and coarse jokes; these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness
to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit
the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is really an idolater, who
worships the things of the world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these
sins, for the terrible anger of God comes upon all those who disobey Him. (NLT)
The LORD has made it quite clear that we are to live a godly life (Ephesians 5:1). We are called to live our lives as His Son lived His life upon this earth. This is not any easy task for anyone, my friends, especially for those of us who have never really known Christ Jesus. For many years I saw God only has an angry God who made this life as difficult as He could; enjoying the sufferings of mankind, and making it impossible to please Him. So with this false knowledge tucked under my belt I went with the flow of the world which left me empty and without hope. And the emptier and more hopeless I became, the more convinced I was that we had an unforgiving and relentlessly vengeful God. But once I heard the truth about who our God really is, this difficult life took on a whole new meaning. The world does not want you to know the true living God, for when you know the LORD you will honor Him with your life and He will honor you (Psalm 91:15). And when you honor Him by living a godly life you will automatically become an enemy of the world. By becoming a friend of God, you take all the glory away from the world and it will eventually turn against you (2 Timothy 3:12). But with the power of God within you, you will be able to overcome the world just as Christ Jesus did and share in the Glory of God, which is far greater and longer lasting than anything this dying world has to offer!
A Whisper of Hope
By living in Me, dear child…I will live in you, and no matter what this fallen world does I will give you the power to overcome. Do not believe the lies of the enemy, for they seek and destroy; this is the message of the world. But My Message will give you Hope—a share in My Glory, which is far above your own understanding. Learn all you can about Me; for by knowing the Truth, I will save your life!
Ephesians 5:1
Follow God’s example in everything you do,
because you are His dear children. (NLT)
Psalm 91:15
“He will call upon Me,
And I will answer Him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him. (NASB)
2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (NASB)
Ephesians 5:3-6
Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you.
Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish
talk, and coarse jokes; these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness
to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit
the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is really an idolater, who
worships the things of the world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these
sins, for the terrible anger of God comes upon all those who disobey Him. (NLT)
The LORD has made it quite clear that we are to live a godly life (Ephesians 5:1). We are called to live our lives as His Son lived His life upon this earth. This is not any easy task for anyone, my friends, especially for those of us who have never really known Christ Jesus. For many years I saw God only has an angry God who made this life as difficult as He could; enjoying the sufferings of mankind, and making it impossible to please Him. So with this false knowledge tucked under my belt I went with the flow of the world which left me empty and without hope. And the emptier and more hopeless I became, the more convinced I was that we had an unforgiving and relentlessly vengeful God. But once I heard the truth about who our God really is, this difficult life took on a whole new meaning. The world does not want you to know the true living God, for when you know the LORD you will honor Him with your life and He will honor you (Psalm 91:15). And when you honor Him by living a godly life you will automatically become an enemy of the world. By becoming a friend of God, you take all the glory away from the world and it will eventually turn against you (2 Timothy 3:12). But with the power of God within you, you will be able to overcome the world just as Christ Jesus did and share in the Glory of God, which is far greater and longer lasting than anything this dying world has to offer!
A Whisper of Hope
By living in Me, dear child…I will live in you, and no matter what this fallen world does I will give you the power to overcome. Do not believe the lies of the enemy, for they seek and destroy; this is the message of the world. But My Message will give you Hope—a share in My Glory, which is far above your own understanding. Learn all you can about Me; for by knowing the Truth, I will save your life!
Ephesians 5:1
Follow God’s example in everything you do,
because you are His dear children. (NLT)
Psalm 91:15
“He will call upon Me,
And I will answer Him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him. (NASB)
2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (NASB)
“The Road Home”
Ephesians 2:4
But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so very much,
that even while we were dead because of our sins,
He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (NLT)
When we live as the world lives by taking God out of the equation, we are really obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air, for he is the spirit at work within the hearts of the misguided who refuse to obey God. The LORD God did not save us because He had to, my friends; He saved us because He is a gracious and loving God (Ephesians 2:8). He is the God of second chances. He is both a just and honorable God. But most of all He saved us for His glory (2 Corinthians 4:14-15). What greater glory for the Creator than to transform His fallen and hurting people; people who were created in His likeness? What an incredible and glorious feat it will be when Jesus Christ, the All Mighty God of the universe restores His entire creation to its fullest glory! I find it quite humbling knowing that our LORD, Jesus Christ, creator of all there is, and the only One who has ever lived without sinning, died a sinner’s death so we would not have to. He did this knowing that we would never be able to keep from sinning no matter how hard we tried (Jeremiah 17:9). Everyone begins the day with their sinful natures and we all end that day living up to our sinful natures. Only with the covering of Christ can anyone be saved from the final wrath that we all deserve. My dear friends, when you truly realize the scope of what the LORD God did for you, you will humbly approach the foot of the cross and fall to your knees at the throne of His grace, praising Him for paving the road to heaven so that you could travel safely home with the peace of God and the joy of the LORD in your heart!
A Whisper of Hope
Follow not, the ways of this world…instead; look to Me for the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Although the ways of the world seem pleasing and right, they will deceive you into a slumber that is dangerous and hard to awaken from. Do not be fooled, dear child, for the world is your enemy and will do its best to pull you away from Me. Set your eyes on eternity as the ultimate goal; do not be led astray and become blind to the Truth; where you will tumble into a darkness that has no escape.
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. (NKJV)
2 Corinthians 4:14-15
We know that the same God who raised our Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us to Himself along with you. All of these things are for your benefit. And as God’s grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. (NLT)
Jeremiah 17:9
“The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked; who can know it?” (NKJV)
Ephesians 2:4
But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so very much,
that even while we were dead because of our sins,
He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (NLT)
When we live as the world lives by taking God out of the equation, we are really obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air, for he is the spirit at work within the hearts of the misguided who refuse to obey God. The LORD God did not save us because He had to, my friends; He saved us because He is a gracious and loving God (Ephesians 2:8). He is the God of second chances. He is both a just and honorable God. But most of all He saved us for His glory (2 Corinthians 4:14-15). What greater glory for the Creator than to transform His fallen and hurting people; people who were created in His likeness? What an incredible and glorious feat it will be when Jesus Christ, the All Mighty God of the universe restores His entire creation to its fullest glory! I find it quite humbling knowing that our LORD, Jesus Christ, creator of all there is, and the only One who has ever lived without sinning, died a sinner’s death so we would not have to. He did this knowing that we would never be able to keep from sinning no matter how hard we tried (Jeremiah 17:9). Everyone begins the day with their sinful natures and we all end that day living up to our sinful natures. Only with the covering of Christ can anyone be saved from the final wrath that we all deserve. My dear friends, when you truly realize the scope of what the LORD God did for you, you will humbly approach the foot of the cross and fall to your knees at the throne of His grace, praising Him for paving the road to heaven so that you could travel safely home with the peace of God and the joy of the LORD in your heart!
A Whisper of Hope
Follow not, the ways of this world…instead; look to Me for the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Although the ways of the world seem pleasing and right, they will deceive you into a slumber that is dangerous and hard to awaken from. Do not be fooled, dear child, for the world is your enemy and will do its best to pull you away from Me. Set your eyes on eternity as the ultimate goal; do not be led astray and become blind to the Truth; where you will tumble into a darkness that has no escape.
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. (NKJV)
2 Corinthians 4:14-15
We know that the same God who raised our Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us to Himself along with you. All of these things are for your benefit. And as God’s grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. (NLT)
Jeremiah 17:9
“The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked; who can know it?” (NKJV)
“Safety In God”
Psalm 73:26-27
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
But God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.
But those who desert Him will perish,
For You destroy those who abandon You. (NLT)
The great and mighty Sovereign God created the universe in such a way that it would always have to depend on Him for its very existence (Colossians 1:16-17). Therefore we, who He also created, depend on Him for our every need. Unfortunately, mankind has decided otherwise, and since sin entered into this world we have sought after many other gods to provide the desires of our hearts (Proverbs 14:12). Have you ever wondered why so many worldly minded people prosper greatly at the hands of others? There has been and always will be people who focus on the world and their own selfish needs for their gain; those who disregard everyone who stands in their way or differs in their ideology. But the truth is my friends, that no matter how powerful, or how rich, or how materially successful a person becomes in this life they will always stand puny and helpless before the LORD (Hebrews 4:13). But those who honor their Creator and follow His ways will find the strength they need to survive this hard and difficult life with honor and dignity. Those who are covered in Christ will be able to stand blameless and righteous before the God of the universe. Those who depend on the LORD their God will reap the rewards for eternity. But sadly, for those who live by the gods of this world and turn their backs on the only true and living God; they will not only loose their life and everything they have achieved here on earth, but they will pay dearly the price for their disobedience!
A Whisper of Hope
Look to Me, dear child…for in Me you will find safety and your every need. Do not depend on the false gods of this misguided world, because they will always let you down in the end. They will expose you to the harsh reality of a life without Me, the Creator and Sustainer of Life. Do not be duped by the Enemy but believe in the Truth, because your very life depends on Me alone.
Colossians 1:16-17
Christ is the One through whom God created everything in heaven and earth.
He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—kings, kingdoms,
rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through Him and for Him.
He existed before everything else began, and He holds all creation together. (NLT)
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death. (NASB)
Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation can hide from Him.
Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes.
This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done. (NLT)
Psalm 73:26-27
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
But God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.
But those who desert Him will perish,
For You destroy those who abandon You. (NLT)
The great and mighty Sovereign God created the universe in such a way that it would always have to depend on Him for its very existence (Colossians 1:16-17). Therefore we, who He also created, depend on Him for our every need. Unfortunately, mankind has decided otherwise, and since sin entered into this world we have sought after many other gods to provide the desires of our hearts (Proverbs 14:12). Have you ever wondered why so many worldly minded people prosper greatly at the hands of others? There has been and always will be people who focus on the world and their own selfish needs for their gain; those who disregard everyone who stands in their way or differs in their ideology. But the truth is my friends, that no matter how powerful, or how rich, or how materially successful a person becomes in this life they will always stand puny and helpless before the LORD (Hebrews 4:13). But those who honor their Creator and follow His ways will find the strength they need to survive this hard and difficult life with honor and dignity. Those who are covered in Christ will be able to stand blameless and righteous before the God of the universe. Those who depend on the LORD their God will reap the rewards for eternity. But sadly, for those who live by the gods of this world and turn their backs on the only true and living God; they will not only loose their life and everything they have achieved here on earth, but they will pay dearly the price for their disobedience!
A Whisper of Hope
Look to Me, dear child…for in Me you will find safety and your every need. Do not depend on the false gods of this misguided world, because they will always let you down in the end. They will expose you to the harsh reality of a life without Me, the Creator and Sustainer of Life. Do not be duped by the Enemy but believe in the Truth, because your very life depends on Me alone.
Colossians 1:16-17
Christ is the One through whom God created everything in heaven and earth.
He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—kings, kingdoms,
rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through Him and for Him.
He existed before everything else began, and He holds all creation together. (NLT)
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death. (NASB)
Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation can hide from Him.
Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes.
This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done. (NLT)
“Faithful Focus”
Colossians 3:1-2
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ,
keep seeking the things above, where Christ is,
seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on
the things above, not on the things that are on earth. (NASB)
There is a saying in the secular world that goes something like this: There are those who are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good. I believe this way of thinking is actually a contradiction, because what I have discovered in my walk with God is that those people who are focused on the eternal things of heaven accomplish more good for the world than those who think only of themselves and what they can obtain in this life. So the correct saying would be; there are too many people who are so earthly minded that they have no heavenly value whatsoever. My, dear friends, the master deceiver, the Devil, has duped the world into believing that eternity does not exist; that this life is all there is. There happens to be a variety of world views that a person can adhere to, but sadly they all end in tragedy. The God of the Bible is the only true and living God (Jeremiah 10:10) and the only God we should befriend and worship (Luke 4:8). We have a jealous God and He paid a hefty price for us. Our lives do not belong to us, my friends; they belong to the LORD God, Christ Jesus. We cannot do whatever we want with our bodies, for they are not ours. The LORD requires us to sacrifice our bodies and not give in to our lustful desires, for when we live to satisfy the flesh we become enemies of God (James 4:4) and forfeit our heavenly inheritance. You will have so much more value, my friend, when you take your eyes off yourself and focus on the will of your Creator. This worldly life is short, but eternity happens to be a very long time!
A Whisper of Hope
Be heavenly minded, My child…for when you are you will know the Truth, and the Truth will give you eternal life. Do not be fooled by the world’s ways, because they always lead to eternal suffering and everlasting separation from Me, your God—the only God. Being heavenly minded is not a dream state, but a condition that takes strength and courage to maintain. Focus on the eternal things, dear one, for the world and all its things are rapidly coming to an end!
Jeremiah 10:10
But the LORD is the true God;
He is the living God and the everlasting King.
At His wrath the earth quakes,
And the nations cannot endure His indignation. (NASB)
Luke 4:8
And Jesus answered and said to him,
“It is written, ‘You shall worship the
LORD your God and serve Him only.’ “ (NASB)
James 4:4
You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?
Therefore whoever wishes to be a brined of the world makes himself any enemy of God. (NASB)
Colossians 3:1-2
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ,
keep seeking the things above, where Christ is,
seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on
the things above, not on the things that are on earth. (NASB)
There is a saying in the secular world that goes something like this: There are those who are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good. I believe this way of thinking is actually a contradiction, because what I have discovered in my walk with God is that those people who are focused on the eternal things of heaven accomplish more good for the world than those who think only of themselves and what they can obtain in this life. So the correct saying would be; there are too many people who are so earthly minded that they have no heavenly value whatsoever. My, dear friends, the master deceiver, the Devil, has duped the world into believing that eternity does not exist; that this life is all there is. There happens to be a variety of world views that a person can adhere to, but sadly they all end in tragedy. The God of the Bible is the only true and living God (Jeremiah 10:10) and the only God we should befriend and worship (Luke 4:8). We have a jealous God and He paid a hefty price for us. Our lives do not belong to us, my friends; they belong to the LORD God, Christ Jesus. We cannot do whatever we want with our bodies, for they are not ours. The LORD requires us to sacrifice our bodies and not give in to our lustful desires, for when we live to satisfy the flesh we become enemies of God (James 4:4) and forfeit our heavenly inheritance. You will have so much more value, my friend, when you take your eyes off yourself and focus on the will of your Creator. This worldly life is short, but eternity happens to be a very long time!
A Whisper of Hope
Be heavenly minded, My child…for when you are you will know the Truth, and the Truth will give you eternal life. Do not be fooled by the world’s ways, because they always lead to eternal suffering and everlasting separation from Me, your God—the only God. Being heavenly minded is not a dream state, but a condition that takes strength and courage to maintain. Focus on the eternal things, dear one, for the world and all its things are rapidly coming to an end!
Jeremiah 10:10
But the LORD is the true God;
He is the living God and the everlasting King.
At His wrath the earth quakes,
And the nations cannot endure His indignation. (NASB)
Luke 4:8
And Jesus answered and said to him,
“It is written, ‘You shall worship the
LORD your God and serve Him only.’ “ (NASB)
James 4:4
You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?
Therefore whoever wishes to be a brined of the world makes himself any enemy of God. (NASB)
“Be Wise in God”
Colossians 2:8
Don’t let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy
and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking
and from the basic principles of this world, and not from Christ. (NLT)
Much like it was in the first century AD (and even more so today) we are still bombarded with the shallow, simplistic, and satanic speculations, ideologies, philosophies, and religions that try to deny the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. What this fallen world view deems foolish, in reality, is wisdom in its purest form—having come from the Creator of life Himself (Isaiah 44:24-25). There are multitudes of false teachers in our educational systems and in our churches throughout the world that are teaching only man-made facts and ideologies to the masses, leaving out the truth of who Christ is and how we should live our lives here in this life if we want to prosper in the next. Although the evilness of such deceit is spreading ramped all over the world, we can trust fully in the LORD our God that His Church is not only destined to survive, but will one day reign with King Jesus (Revelation 20:6) until all things are renewed and made perfect. Do not be fooled (1 Corinthians 3:19-20), my friends, for there is only One Truth that will free you from the falsehood and fate of this world. Do not be robbed of the glory that is found only in Christ Jesus our LORD and Savior. The world view will only lead you to death and eternal punishment, but the Christ centered view will lead you to everlasting life and rewards you cannot begin to imagine.
A Whisper of Hope
Believe only in My Truth…dear child, for it is there that you will find the true meaning of life and its destination for you. Do not be overwhelmed by the deceitfulness that tries to fill your mind, instead look to Me for truth and peace. And I tell you this most urgent truth; if you love this life you will loose it, so be diligent in searching for the Truth that will not only save you from God’s final wrath, but will make this life come alive and much more livable.
Isaiah 44:24-25
Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb.
I, the LORD, am the Maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself
And spreading out the earth all alone, causing the omens of boasters to fail,
Making fools out of diviners, causing wise men to draw back
And turning their knowledge into foolishness. (NASB)
Revelation 20:6
Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. (NASB)
1 Corinthians 3:19-20
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness” (Job 5:13), and again, “The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile” (Psalm 94:11). (NKJV)
Colossians 2:8
Don’t let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy
and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking
and from the basic principles of this world, and not from Christ. (NLT)
Much like it was in the first century AD (and even more so today) we are still bombarded with the shallow, simplistic, and satanic speculations, ideologies, philosophies, and religions that try to deny the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. What this fallen world view deems foolish, in reality, is wisdom in its purest form—having come from the Creator of life Himself (Isaiah 44:24-25). There are multitudes of false teachers in our educational systems and in our churches throughout the world that are teaching only man-made facts and ideologies to the masses, leaving out the truth of who Christ is and how we should live our lives here in this life if we want to prosper in the next. Although the evilness of such deceit is spreading ramped all over the world, we can trust fully in the LORD our God that His Church is not only destined to survive, but will one day reign with King Jesus (Revelation 20:6) until all things are renewed and made perfect. Do not be fooled (1 Corinthians 3:19-20), my friends, for there is only One Truth that will free you from the falsehood and fate of this world. Do not be robbed of the glory that is found only in Christ Jesus our LORD and Savior. The world view will only lead you to death and eternal punishment, but the Christ centered view will lead you to everlasting life and rewards you cannot begin to imagine.
A Whisper of Hope
Believe only in My Truth…dear child, for it is there that you will find the true meaning of life and its destination for you. Do not be overwhelmed by the deceitfulness that tries to fill your mind, instead look to Me for truth and peace. And I tell you this most urgent truth; if you love this life you will loose it, so be diligent in searching for the Truth that will not only save you from God’s final wrath, but will make this life come alive and much more livable.
Isaiah 44:24-25
Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb.
I, the LORD, am the Maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself
And spreading out the earth all alone, causing the omens of boasters to fail,
Making fools out of diviners, causing wise men to draw back
And turning their knowledge into foolishness. (NASB)
Revelation 20:6
Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. (NASB)
1 Corinthians 3:19-20
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness” (Job 5:13), and again, “The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile” (Psalm 94:11). (NKJV)
“God’s Work”
Philippians 1:6
For I am confident of this very thing,
that He who began a good work in you
will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (NASB)
The apostle Paul is writing with authority knowing absolutely that with the Spirit of God living in our hearts, no matter what our struggles may be, that our sanctification will continue to change us into the kind of godly people that we are called to be until that time when we are taken up to be with the LORD. Although we have the Holy Spirit guiding and revealing God’s Truth for us, there are some things that we must do ourselves in order for God’s good works to progress. We must first begin to develop a loving relationship with Him through prayer, meditation, and obedience. When we are faithful in doing these things the LORD will work miraculously in our lives giving us godly insight, confidence, and the power to overcome our sinful natures (1 Corinthians 10:13), one step at a time. God does not expect anyone to change overnight, my friends, because He knows us a whole lot better than we know ourselves, because the reality is; He did personally created each one of us (Psalm 33:13, 15). Once I began drawing closer to God, the more I began to trust Him with my life. And the more I trusted Him with my life, the more I began to rely on Him. But with that said, my life has not necessarily become easier, and my relationship with Him does not always go as smoothly as I would like. But I can truthfully say that the more time I spend with Him and the more time I spend in His Word, the more I am discovering that His ways are always right and always best. He teaches us hard headed and hard hearted people through our mistakes and our mistakes are many! And as we work through our mistakes, we not only grow in our knowledge of the LORD, but along with His wisdom He gives us both the courage and the strength to live godly lives with heavenly rewards (2 Timothy 4:18).
A Whisper of Hope
I Am your Guide for life…One who would never lead you astray. You are My child; I want only the best for you. I have given you My Word, My Truth, and My Promise. I give you everything you need to live, and your life is safely in My Hands when you live by this truth. Without Me, there would be no hope for anyone. With Me, the hope you have is beyond your most awesome dream. Walk with Me always, dear child, and I will lead you safely home where you belong. Guaranteed!
1 Corinthians 10:13
God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted
beyond what you are able, but with the temptation
will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. (NASB)
Psalm 33:13, 15
The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.
He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. (NKJV)
2 Timothy 4:18
And the LORD will rescue me from every evil deed
and bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. (NASB)
Zakery Daniel
Philippians 1:6
For I am confident of this very thing,
that He who began a good work in you
will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (NASB)
The apostle Paul is writing with authority knowing absolutely that with the Spirit of God living in our hearts, no matter what our struggles may be, that our sanctification will continue to change us into the kind of godly people that we are called to be until that time when we are taken up to be with the LORD. Although we have the Holy Spirit guiding and revealing God’s Truth for us, there are some things that we must do ourselves in order for God’s good works to progress. We must first begin to develop a loving relationship with Him through prayer, meditation, and obedience. When we are faithful in doing these things the LORD will work miraculously in our lives giving us godly insight, confidence, and the power to overcome our sinful natures (1 Corinthians 10:13), one step at a time. God does not expect anyone to change overnight, my friends, because He knows us a whole lot better than we know ourselves, because the reality is; He did personally created each one of us (Psalm 33:13, 15). Once I began drawing closer to God, the more I began to trust Him with my life. And the more I trusted Him with my life, the more I began to rely on Him. But with that said, my life has not necessarily become easier, and my relationship with Him does not always go as smoothly as I would like. But I can truthfully say that the more time I spend with Him and the more time I spend in His Word, the more I am discovering that His ways are always right and always best. He teaches us hard headed and hard hearted people through our mistakes and our mistakes are many! And as we work through our mistakes, we not only grow in our knowledge of the LORD, but along with His wisdom He gives us both the courage and the strength to live godly lives with heavenly rewards (2 Timothy 4:18).
A Whisper of Hope
I Am your Guide for life…One who would never lead you astray. You are My child; I want only the best for you. I have given you My Word, My Truth, and My Promise. I give you everything you need to live, and your life is safely in My Hands when you live by this truth. Without Me, there would be no hope for anyone. With Me, the hope you have is beyond your most awesome dream. Walk with Me always, dear child, and I will lead you safely home where you belong. Guaranteed!
1 Corinthians 10:13
God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted
beyond what you are able, but with the temptation
will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. (NASB)
Psalm 33:13, 15
The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.
He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. (NKJV)
2 Timothy 4:18
And the LORD will rescue me from every evil deed
and bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. (NASB)
Zakery Daniel
“Urgent Message”
Philippians 3:18-19
For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes,
that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.
Their future is eternal destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things,
and all they think about is this life here on earth. (NLT)
Whenever I read these God breathed words, which were written to the believers in Philippi by the apostle Paul, it reintegrates the urgency for all believers everywhere to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are lost, deceived and without hope when it comes to the eternal state of their precious souls. The greatest concern that we have is not the time of Jesus’ return, or the taking away of His Church, or even the end of time itself, but the most urgent concern we should seriously be aware of, is that moment when the flame of ones precious earthly life will flicker out; never again having the opportunity nor the resources to reconcile with the Living God. For the truth is (no matter what you may believe) the dead cannot be saved (Hebrews 9:27). Once this life is finished, my dear friends—when you breathe your final breath on earth, the state of your eternal soul will be determined for all eternity, and the eternity I speak of is a very long time indeed! Our gracious and merciful LORD God wants no one to suffer eternal death and damnation, because He is, by nature, a saving God, but we must take to heart that He is also a perfectly just God as well (Exodus 34:6, 7). All sin must be punished and that punishment is found in the Lake of Fire. The fallen angels (Satan and his rebellious army of angels) do not get a second chance to redeem themselves, but because God values His created children above “all” else, He gives us many chances in this life to find our only way to redemption in His Son. This absolute truth alone should bring you to your knees at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ, for it is only through the Holy Covering of His grace that anyone can be made right with God and see the eternal life He has promised us. If you believe in this truth, you need to take up your cross and walk in its light so that those who walk in darkness will find the True Savior and be saved (1 Corinthians 4:6). And for those of you who live only for this life, please take seriously the final warnings of God, because sadly, you are about to find out that when your earthly life is finished, the final option you are left with will not only be rather disheartening, but one that will be incredibly painful as well.
A Whisper of Hope
My dear beloved child…do not allow the deception of this fallen and darkened world cloud My Truth to you. Do not be fooled by the Enemy of your soul, for all he wants is company in the lake of fire that is his final destiny. He has tricked the world into following his lies of getting all that you can while you can; that this is your right and you deserve the best this life has to offer. Do not believe it, dear one, for what the devil offers you is anything but the best; in truth, it is the worst that life has to offer!
Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed for men, to die once, but after this the judgment. (NKJV)
Exodus 34:6, 7
“The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. (NASB)
1 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (NASB)
Philippians 3:18-19
For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes,
that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.
Their future is eternal destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things,
and all they think about is this life here on earth. (NLT)
Whenever I read these God breathed words, which were written to the believers in Philippi by the apostle Paul, it reintegrates the urgency for all believers everywhere to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are lost, deceived and without hope when it comes to the eternal state of their precious souls. The greatest concern that we have is not the time of Jesus’ return, or the taking away of His Church, or even the end of time itself, but the most urgent concern we should seriously be aware of, is that moment when the flame of ones precious earthly life will flicker out; never again having the opportunity nor the resources to reconcile with the Living God. For the truth is (no matter what you may believe) the dead cannot be saved (Hebrews 9:27). Once this life is finished, my dear friends—when you breathe your final breath on earth, the state of your eternal soul will be determined for all eternity, and the eternity I speak of is a very long time indeed! Our gracious and merciful LORD God wants no one to suffer eternal death and damnation, because He is, by nature, a saving God, but we must take to heart that He is also a perfectly just God as well (Exodus 34:6, 7). All sin must be punished and that punishment is found in the Lake of Fire. The fallen angels (Satan and his rebellious army of angels) do not get a second chance to redeem themselves, but because God values His created children above “all” else, He gives us many chances in this life to find our only way to redemption in His Son. This absolute truth alone should bring you to your knees at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ, for it is only through the Holy Covering of His grace that anyone can be made right with God and see the eternal life He has promised us. If you believe in this truth, you need to take up your cross and walk in its light so that those who walk in darkness will find the True Savior and be saved (1 Corinthians 4:6). And for those of you who live only for this life, please take seriously the final warnings of God, because sadly, you are about to find out that when your earthly life is finished, the final option you are left with will not only be rather disheartening, but one that will be incredibly painful as well.
A Whisper of Hope
My dear beloved child…do not allow the deception of this fallen and darkened world cloud My Truth to you. Do not be fooled by the Enemy of your soul, for all he wants is company in the lake of fire that is his final destiny. He has tricked the world into following his lies of getting all that you can while you can; that this is your right and you deserve the best this life has to offer. Do not believe it, dear one, for what the devil offers you is anything but the best; in truth, it is the worst that life has to offer!
Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed for men, to die once, but after this the judgment. (NKJV)
Exodus 34:6, 7
“The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. (NASB)
1 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (NASB)
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