My glimpse of heaven

I woke from the most realistic dream I have ever had, I had been in the presence of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.

I had walked the streets of heaven , took in it's majestic scenery , pure beauty and grace. The sky's were pristine, the air so pure, the warmth embracing, the light intense, the homes were a collection of triumphant architecture that words can hardly describe.

There were people everywhere, seas of faces that were completely filled will joy, peace and love. Every nationality that I had ever heard of and so many I had not were there, I understood their words as they praised the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and I was amazed. As far and wide as our little universe is I could see multitudes of my brothers and sisters, my heart was overwhelmed. 

It seemed as if only a moment had passed and I made my way to the throne room, I could not get close enough to Jesus, but yet I lay at His feet, I reached out grabbed His feet and could not let go , I laid and rejoiced, praised His name and wept, wept with deep sorrow for who I was and the things I have done, but wept also with great joy for the things He has done for me and the grace He has given me.

Then He reaches down, and said Brian welcome to your eternity, I did this all for you , I saw His beautiful face, and His eyes were so deep and resilient I became lost in them. His nailed scarred hands touched me and held me,His pierced side engulfed me, and the scars on His feet crushed me. In that moment I lost all sorrow and joy unexplainable came over me, He said you're my friend, my brother, well done my good and faithful servant come with me.

I was so mesmerized, I could not move, I didn't want to move , I wanted to lay in His presence and praise His name, my heart was delighted , my body strong and free and I didn't want to move from His feet.

Oh I rushed back to reality and awakened , my face is swollen from tears of joy, my pillow wet like I had left it in the rain and I have new strength and resolve because I have been all night in the presence of my Lord and God, Jesus Christ. 

Thank you my Lord for the glory of who you are, you have pierced my soul with you're Amazing Grace, Agape Love and Everlasting Gift of Salvation.

After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” Immediately I was in the Spirit, and a throne was set there in heaven. One was seated on the throne, and the One seated looked like jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne. Around that throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones sat 24 elders dressed in white clothes, with gold crowns on their heads. Flashes of lightning and rumblings of thunder came from the throne. Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne. Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were in the middle and around the throne.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4:1-6‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

“I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say: Blessing and honor and glory and dominion to the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5:13‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

“They will no longer hunger; they will no longer thirst; the sun will no longer strike them, nor will any heat. For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them; He will guide them to springs of living waters, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭7:16-17‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

“I did not see a sanctuary in it, because the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its sanctuary. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because God’s glory illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Each day its gates will never close because it will never be night there. They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. Nothing profane will ever enter it: no one who does what is vile or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:22-27‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

My glimpse of heaven

I woke from the most realistic dream I have ever had, I had been in the presence of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.

I had walked the streets of heaven , took in it's majestic scenery , pure beauty and grace. The sky's were pristine, the air so pure, the warmth embracing, the light intense, the homes were a collection of triumphant architecture that words can hardly describe.

There were people everywhere, seas of faces that were completely filled will joy, peace and love. Every nationality that I had ever heard of and so many I had not were there, I understood their words as they praised the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and I was amazed. As far and wide as our little universe is I could see multitudes of my brothers and sisters, my heart was overwhelmed. 

It seemed as if only a moment had passed and I made my way to the throne room, I could not get close enough to Jesus, but yet I lay at His feet, I reached out grabbed His feet and could not let go , I laid and rejoiced, praised His name and wept, wept with deep sorrow for who I was and the things I have done, but wept also with great joy for the things He has done for me and the grace He has given me.

Then He reaches down, and said Brian welcome to your eternity, I did this all for you , I saw His beautiful face, and His eyes were so deep and resilient I became lost in them. His nailed scarred hands touched me and held me,His pierced side engulfed me, and the scars on His feet crushed me. In that moment I lost all sorrow and joy unexplainable came over me, He said you're my friend, my brother, well done my good and faithful servant come with me.

I was so mesmerized, I could not move, I didn't want to move , I wanted to lay in His presence and praise His name, my heart was delighted , my body strong and free and I didn't want to move from His feet.

Oh I rushed back to reality and awakened , my face is swollen from tears of joy, my pillow wet like I had left it in the rain and I have new strength and resolve because I have been all night in the presence of my Lord and God, Jesus Christ. 

Thank you my Lord for the glory of who you are, you have pierced my soul with you're Amazing Grace, Agape Love and Everlasting Gift of Salvation.

After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” Immediately I was in the Spirit, and a throne was set there in heaven. One was seated on the throne, and the One seated looked like jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne. Around that throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones sat 24 elders dressed in white clothes, with gold crowns on their heads. Flashes of lightning and rumblings of thunder came from the throne. Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne. Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were in the middle and around the throne.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4:1-6‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

“I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say: Blessing and honor and glory and dominion to the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5:13‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

“They will no longer hunger; they will no longer thirst; the sun will no longer strike them, nor will any heat. For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them; He will guide them to springs of living waters, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭7:16-17‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

“I did not see a sanctuary in it, because the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its sanctuary. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because God’s glory illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Each day its gates will never close because it will never be night there. They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. Nothing profane will ever enter it: no one who does what is vile or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:22-27‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Truth or Consequences

God has called us all to obedience, He does not tolerate disobedience for long, He gives us what we deserve and turns us over to our own deprived hearts.

God has allowed evil men to rule, when His people have turned their backs on Him from the beginning God told His people that they would regret having rulers and still today I believe we do, submitting to God is easier than submitting to man, God's ways are perfect our ways are not.

It is not God's will for our society to take the life of innocent children, it is not God's will that our society be morally bankrupt, it is not God's will that we as a culture be sexually corrupt, it is not God's will will that widows and orphans be trampled on, the poor exploited,or racial divisions these perversions are all the result of the rule of man.

It is time to turn from our ways and back to God our creator, His way is the only way.

Psalms 81, Romans 1:16-32 Isaiah 55:6-11, Exodus 20:1-17,John 14:6

What if?

What if God held us to our marriage vows, you know I pledge my unfailing love in sickness & in health, for richer or poorer, til death do us part.

If God would make a spouse who chose to break these suffer the consequences of their choice immediately , they become sick , lose their job , do you think we would see people work in their marriage?

We don't always see the affects of our sin, but they are there. Not only does it affect our lives, but our families lives to. Unrest, anger, hurt, lack of trust, an attitude of things don't matter, spirituality disconnected from God and the list could go on.

The devil still tells the same lie, surely you will not die, but die we do indeed.

If you're having marriage issues look to God and not the world for comfort, peace and direction. Seek Him and pray for His guidance and grace, God ordained marriage as a picture of Jesus and the Church, may what God has joined together never be broken by the enemy.

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."
Genesis 2:15-17

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die.
Genesis 3:1-4

Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'  For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.   "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:31-34

Join me in prayer

Daniel was a righteous man he sought the Lord for his Nation who had turned against God.

God had struck them and scattered them but Daniel confessed the sin of the nation to the Lord God and asked for forgiveness he repented even though the sin was not his but his Nations.

He repented to a holy God the sins of the nation would you join me in seeking God and repenting as Daniel did,  for the sins of our forefathers, the sins of our nation the sins of the church for not standing up for the truth, not standing on the truth,  for not seeking God, for not trusting God, confess the sins of this nation for abortion the murdering of unborn children, for pornography, for fornication, for sexual perversion,for racial tension, for greed, for poverty, for love of money, for pride, for being a divided nation, for being ungodly, and unholy in almost all that we do.

These sins are the sins of a godless nation, if we want God to hear our cry we must repent and turn away from these things as the bride of Jesus Christ and turn back to Him

In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. To us, O Lord , belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem. As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. Therefore the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly. "O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name."

Daniel 9:1-19

Making up your heart.

To many of us have not made up our hearts yet. We say we follow Christ, that is until things go wrong then we stop. In reality we were only following our hearts desire which is self serving pleasure.

When Daniel was taken as a slave the Bible tells us he purposed in his heart not to defile himself, he was going to honor God no matter what.

How many of us can say this?

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Daniel 1:8

Here is some modern day Daniels a quick read and very challenging.

Excerpted with permission Answering Jihad: A Better Way Forward by Nabeel Qureshi, copyright Nabeel Qureshi. Published by Zondervan

Since Christians will live forever, they are told not to fear in the face of death. Paul says,

Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? — 1 Corinthians 15:55

Since we know we will be with God forever, there is no more fear of death for the Christian of true faith. In fact, death is even beneficial to a Christian, because it sends him to God, with whom he is longing to be. Paul writes,

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. — Philippians 1:21

The security of salvation is what liberates Christians to follow difficult teachings of Jesus and to self-sacrificially love one’s enemies, even being ready to die for them.

That is why some Christians have been willing to go to tumultuous Muslim contexts and serve those who could do nothing for them, even in the face of death. Ronnie Smith was a Texan science teacher who decided to move his family to Benghazi when the Libyan revolution was underway. For a few years, he taught chemistry to high school students in the war-torn country, bringing them hope when they had little. He wanted to serve people just as Jesus had, and just as people killed Jesus, so a group of radical Muslims killed Ronnie Smith.

A short time before his death, Ronnie Smith answered a survey indicating that the gospel is what encouraged him to serve people despite the risk of death. He knew his life was in danger before moving to Libya, but Jesus enabled him to answer jihad with compassion. Through the message of the gospel, Jesus made Ronnie Smith invincible. He was able to love without fear.

In February 2015, ISIS beheaded twenty-one Christians on a beach in Libya. In a video the men are seen moments before their execution, calling out to Jesus and mouthing prayers. Most of them were migrant laborers working in Libya to provide for their families in Egypt. Although ISIS slaughtered the men to shock the world with terror, the response of their families sent an altogether different message. In an interview with VICE News, the mother of twenty-four-year-old Abanoub Ayiad said, “May God forgive ISIS,... [but because of them] I gave the best gift to God: my son.” The mother of twenty-five-year-old Malak Ibrahim said, “I’m proud of my son. He did not change his faith till the last moment of death. I thank God... He is taking care of him.” The mother of twenty-nine- year-old Samuel Abraham said, “We thank ISIS. Now more people believe in Christianity because of them. ISIS showed what Christianity is.” The wife of twenty-six-year-old Milad Makin said, “ISIS thought they would break our hearts. They did not. Milad is a hero now and an inspiration for the whole world.”

As with Ronnie Smith, these twenty-one men had been transformed by the gospel, as had their families. They were able to live and die with confidence, and their families were able to rejoice in their deaths because they are now truly alive. Bishop Felobous, himself related to five of the slain men, even expressed sadness upon hearing that the Egyptian military was retaliating against ISIS. “I was very sad when I heard the news of the air strikes led by the Egyptian military against ISIS. God asked us to even love our enemies.” Even after they had slaughtered five of his relatives, Bishop Felobous was able to answer jihad with compassion.

According to numerous reports, one of the men on the beach in Libya was not an Egyptian Christian, but a citizen of Chad. It was not until he saw the faith of the men around him that he was moved to trust in Christ. When the time came to make his decision, asked whether he would denounce Christianity and live or proclaim the gospel and die, he said, “Their God is my God.”

He chose to live for one minute as a Christian rather than for the rest of his life after having denied Jesus.

In Christianity, Jesus shows Christians how to answer persecution with love. Although this suggestion might seem impossible to some and ridiculous to others, Jesus’ teachings were always radical, and they are only possible to follow if the gospel message is true. If we will live eternally with God in bliss, then we can lay down this life to love even our enemies. In the face of jihad, the Christian Jesus teaches His followers to respond with love.

Where will your journey take you?

58 days ago God drew me into His word with a hunger to pursue Him deeper. November 25th I prayed and started reading the Bible in Genesis. I have read through His word many times but not with this kind of hunger God has put in me, today I finished reading the Bible again ,5 ballpoint pens later, pages of notes in His word and a deeper understanding and intimate walk with Him have been given to me.

He has woken me every morning by 5:30 am drawn me in and my time has become His.

God is so gracious and good, His plans are far greater than we can imagine. If we will surrender to Him , He will take care of every detail in our lives.

This is something I know first hand.

The word of God is so fulfilling, every word. If you have never read through His word or only part of it you are missing out on who God is.

God is speaking , I pray we all start listening.

And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”   “And behold,  I am coming soon.  Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”   “Behold,  I am coming soon,  bringing my recompense with me,  to repay each one for what he has done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”  The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.  He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

Revelation 22:6-7, 12-13, 17, 20-21

Going to Work with God.

The last 20 days in the hospital have and continue to be an adventure, it is as if God has taken me to work with Him and just invited me in to watch Him work daily in the lives of people, and how He reaches out to mankind and reveals Himself.

The problem is mankind is so self involved with our problems and life in general that we simply do not or can not recognize God at work in our lives.

God invites each of us daily into His realm of influence, we must learn to slow down and look to Him to lead us, He is amazing when you actually see His hands of providence at work and how He uses us to touch everyday lives to reach the world with His message of love and grace, and salvation through Jesus Christ His Son alone ,will you join Him Today?

I promise wherever He takes you, you will be amazed and it will be worth it all.

But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.  O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.

Psalm 59:16-17

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;  they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”  The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.  It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord .  It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.  Let him sit alone in silence when it is laid on him;

Lamentations 3:22-28

Work or worship which do you do?

From the beginning God created man to work, to oversee all that He created as a blessing. In our sin we look at work as laboring or an ends to a means, instead of seeing work as giving glory to and worshipping God in whatever place He puts us. Wheter you're a homemaker, in a hospital bed or working in a hi rise.

We do not see this fact; that the difference between  a barren wasteland and fruitful ground is where God puts His children to work.

Are you where God put you, or have you walked out into the wilderness on your own?

If so how long do you wish to stay there?

Or do you feel you are where God put you, and you're working the soil as an act of worship giving glory to God as He produces fruit in your life for your good and His glory?

How many will say Lord I am at your mercy,  my soul cries out in response, yes I will wait or yes Father I will go!

But as for me, I will look to the Lord ; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.

Micah 7:7

The mountain of God

Most of us have the perspective God has us where He wants us when things are smooth and everything is perfect and right in the world. We want to live on the mountain of God, we just want to take the tram to the top instead of the journey through the valleys and up the rocky mountainside.

I have never seen a mountain that is smooth up and down, there are rocks, ravines, trees, weeds, you name it there are obstacles one most overcome to make it to the top.

With the help of God and only with the help of God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit we scale life's mountains, David said the Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want, what a beautiful picture of peace and security. A shepherd guides and guards His sheep in the pastures of life and up the mountainsides, a sheep listens to the masters call and knows that it is safe and secure on the journey.

God has each of us where He chooses , our journey may not seem safe and secure, but there is know greater place you can be than in the shepherds hands going through the valleys or up the mountains of life , instead of wondering off on our own and away from God let us also say "the Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want." and let Him lead us on our journey.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:1-6

Hospital day 17

We should know the Love of God with the laws of God.

Jesus was hard on the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes for each of them knew the words of God, they preached them but did not live by them.

They were givers of the law, but not lovers of God.

Let us live by the grace and the love we have been given, this does not mean to agree with sin and those who commit it, (which we all do.) but rather share the love of Christ with them instead of spewing out condemnation on them.

We can talk about things without clubbing those who do not know Jesus.

Do all things out of love for your Heavenly Father.

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat,  so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.  They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.  They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,  and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues  and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.  But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.  And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.  Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.  The greatest among you shall be your servant.  Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.   “But woe  to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you  shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you  neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.  “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You devour widows’ houses and make long prayers just for show.   This is why you will receive a harsher punishment.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.   “Woe to  you,  blind guides, who say,  ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’  You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred?  And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’  You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?  So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it.  And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it.  And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.   “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For  you tithe mint and dill and  cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law:  justice and mercy and faithfulness.  These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.  You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!   “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For  you clean the outside of  the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of  greed and self-indulgence.  You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.   “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like  whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and  all uncleanness.  So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Matthew 23:1-28

Where is God?

1) God
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9) family
10) country

We are to have no gods before God our creator. Jesus said our love and devotion to Him should be so great that it looks as if we hate the others in our lives.
Luke 14:26 do you love Him more than you do any of the following, or do you stand with them over Christ?

We are Not to worship family,not country,not politicians,not sports,not government,not anything.

We look at history and how others worshipped idols made of silver,gold,wood or clay, but we worship the same little gods still today.

Do an inventory check of everything you put before God today ,and see where God is on your list.

Exodus 20.1-4.And God spoke all these words, saying,   “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.   “You shall have no other gods before me.   “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

Finally some good news

Good news, as I spoke with my Heavenly Father this morning He said to me " .if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2nd Chronicles 4:7)

Oh will you humble yourself with me and pray today? For our Nation, for our brothers and sisters around the world, for all who are lost.

He said He sees the pain and suffering, His heart breaks  that this is happening, the sin that rules the hearts of man, and He knows " all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23

He said do they not know, have they not heard? Please tell them “For God so loved   the world,  that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not   perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." John 3:16-18

He said Salvation is free to from Him to us, that "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:9-11

He said time is growing short His return is immanent, His love is eternal, His judgment is true , sharp and it cuts through to the bone, He wanted me to remind you, the days are growing shorter, all of mankind is in need of a Savior He said simply know this "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." 2nd Peter 3:9

My Heavenly Father said" let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:10-12

Now my Father won't beg, and He won't worry, He waits. He has done everything for you, the rest is up to you.

Problems or Solutions

The headlines of each day are talking points for political grandeur, you must understand you're being fed only what they want you to know.

Jesus said as recorded in Mark 3.24-29  If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.  And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end.  But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.    “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter,  but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”

The strong man is being bound, the house is divided and those who refuse to see the truth are blinded by their own lust for self, power, and greed.

There are more than enough people talking about the problems, we need more of us talking about the solution.

The problem is we are all Sinners, the solution is only found in salvation and obedience found in Jesus Christ.

Romans 5.12-15  Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.

How well rested are you?

Can you stop doing a project and start later, can you walk away from work for a day, put the phone down, leave it all alone and just rest?

I confess, this is one of my greatest weaknesses, always has been. God is not done with me yet, and is working in me on this.

I heard a sermon the other day about just wasting time with God, then your family and just being still in His presence and letting Him heal us and renew us, this is something I need to do, and I am sure most of us do not do enough of.

Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28–30

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. — Galatians 6:9

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” — Exodus 33:14

You are awesome, O God, in Your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people. Praise be to God! — Psalm 68:35

[God] gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. — Isaiah 40:29–31

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. — Isaiah 41:10

“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint,” says the Lord. — Jeremiah 31:25

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat — for He grants sleep to those He loves. — Psalm 127:1–2

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy,” says the Lord. — Exodus 20:8–11

[The Lord] makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. — Psalm 23:2–3

Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders. — Deuteronomy 33:12

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest. — Hebrews 4:9–11

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. — Psalm 91:1

Because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, [Jesus] said to them, “Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” — Mark 6:31

God Does Not Change

God Doesn't Change Ever, what part of this does mankind not understand?

The law of God is still the law of God.

God says that those who have Christ confess Him and do not deny Him. Those who don't have Christ deny Him and are of the antichrist.

To deny Christ is to deny His word and live as we want, we do that when we say God changes and conforms to our image and ways.

God Does Not Change, if a preacher, teacher , person or politicians says we must change with the times you know they are not of God.

Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Malachi 3:6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.

Numbers 23:19 God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Revelation 1:22 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

John 8:58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

1 John 2.21-27 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.  I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

Who do you say I am?

There is no greater question in the bible that was ever asked that today is so relevant that the answer has eternal ramifications. Jesus asked the disciples who do you say that I am?

Think about your answer.

Jesus asked the disciples before who do others say I am?

Is your answer based on who Jesus is from others or a personal relationship with Him?

Is Jesus your LORD and Savior?

Is Jesus just your Savior?

We honor Jesus at times with our words as our Savior, but our hearts are far from Him.

If He is our LORD we put all our hope and trust in Him, that is why the apostles could face what came their way, be it beatings, imprisonment, or execution.

That is why the Holy Spirit tells us in Hebrews 11.24-38. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

You see if Jesus is your LORD and Savior, you trust Him always living a life that man cannot take, but you willingly lay down in service to Him, no matter what the outcome.

You live by faith in Him alone. Let us take up our cross and follow Jesus, no matter what and answer Jesus question in word and deed.

Mark.8.27-29. And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”

Our efforts are in vain.

James Boice writes: “The only way anyone will ever be saved is if God operates entirely apart from us and for his own good pleasure”

We get caught up in our own efforts , and believe we can save ourselves, a foolish belief we at our best break God's law daily no matter how hard we try.

How could we earn our salvation if we cannot keep simple laws, like love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, body and souls and love your neighbors as yourself?

Thank God that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and that no man can come to God the Father except through Him.

Don't you see , He gave us the way, Himself! God says I know you can't keep my laws, sin has a stranglehold upon you,it is deceiving and enticing, but I made a way, put your faith in me, I will deliver you out of death into life.

Those who believe that all “good people” will be saved, no matter their religious affiliation believe in man's works, that will keep you from Jesus!

There are none good, we need to be constantly reminded of this, and none of us would love or even serve God apart from His grace.

Titus .3.3-11 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Where to find Peace

Pursuing peace .joy, and happiness seems to be the way to go, after all if we had these things life would be grand.

The problem is if you're pursuing these goals, and not God you will never obtain them, for they are only found in Him.

We may find temporary peace, joy and happiness but everlasting peace , joy and happiness is what we need to live in a world scarred by death, destruction and pain.

Whether your goals are temporary, or eternal determines where you look for peace, joy and happiness.

Jonathan Edwards said this. "This is the main difference between the joy of the hypocrite and the joy of the true saint. The former rejoices in himself, the latter rejoices in God”

Psalm 16:2-11 I say to the Lord , “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips. The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

The Love of God

God's love is greater than our understanding, He loves all of mankind for the scriptures tell us,

Romans 5:6-8 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

That us is everybody. Period. Yet His love is not accepted by all of us.

John 3:16-18 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

There are many who reject God, God has not rejected them, He says whosoever will, then He says if you do not believe, that's your choice.

Once you do believe, God loves you so much He will not leave you as you are, He starts changing us from the inside out. To be like Christ.

Romans 8:28-29 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Some people don't like this transformation at first, and fight God but He is getting rid of that old sin nature in us, which like a cancer grows in us, but Jesus is the cure.

You will not be the same after you receive Him into your life.

Philippians 1:6-11 ESV And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Wherever you are today if you feel God calling, if you know God's working, if you're struggling with life, know you have God who is working and waiting on you. Today would be a great day to talk with Him, and let Him embrace you where you are.