Choices, Choices, Choices!!!

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)

Hey Gang: Let me share a wonderful truth that I have learned in my 77 year tenure on this earth – that God will not tamper with you unless you invite Him in. As the morning Scripture so clearly explains, ‘He stands patiently at the door of every heart and has a very deep desire that no one perish – but the door knob of your heart is on the inside. While still the exulted ruler of the Flying Bird Boy Club (as some liked to refer to the Village), I, along with my bride and daughter had the privilege of conducting parenting classes. I must admit there were times when we questioned if anything we said penetrated the granite shields that had built up in the hearts and minds of many of these folks. I referred to them as my ‘agony and pain’ club.

I had a hard time understanding why people who are going through the wilderness choose to remain in the wilderness and not reach out to Abba Father to take them by the hands and lead them to the promise land. Then one day “Paul” tapped me on the shoulder and said, “For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very things I hate”. (Romans 7:15 ). Really? Is that really you – Paul? I thought your Damascus Road experience made you perfect in all ways!

Paul went on to say, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.” But he does not leave it lay there, he declares “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”. (Romans 7:25-8:1).

Sooooo, my young friends, when the rubber-hits-the-road and your back is up-against–the-wall, keep in mind the door knob is on the inside of your heart!

Blessings

Gramps

Why My One Leg Is Shorter Than The Other!

“And My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Hey Gang, Most of you know I am a Pennsylvania Hillbilly and lived my early years in a three home coal miner village way back in the Appalachian Mountains. They used to say we lived so far back in the sticks that even the hoot owls carried knapsacks and they pumped sunshine to us every Saturday morning. If you know anything about the coalminers of that day, you know they were generally uneducated men who were held captive by their lack of education.

In my teenaged years I tended to walk the same path as my dad and did not do well in school. I certainly did not have the confidence that I was of much value to anyone. And then two things happened in my life that turned me around. I met a pearl of great price that become my bride and I was drafted into the military. The military proved to me that I had far more talent than I thought I had, and my bride, through her confidence, love and commitment provided me with a new direction for my life.

When I finished my tour in the Air Force, I became an Air Traffic Controller for the FAA but God said, ‘Don’t become too comfortable’ and closed that door. I then returned to college and graduated and worked my way up in the Juvenile Justice system in California. Again God said ‘Don’t get too comfortable’, and closed that door!

I often asked the question, “Why did God chose me to develop the Village? Were there not better educated, more experienced people who would have done a better job?”

I believe the answer to that is ‘yes’. “So why me Lord”? His answer was very clear, Because you were willing to “Go and spread the Good News that Jesus Christ is Lord.” Jesus said, “Ask and I will give you whatever you need as long as it is within My will”. That is my legacy – God gave and I went.

Soooo, my young friends and family – ‘Trust and obey for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey’. When you look in the mirror this morning, remember the person staring back has a mission that God has placed in your heart and God never assigns missions without providing the total package needed to fulfill that mission.

Blessings

Gramps

Inventory Time!

“For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat, for your body, as to what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.” (Luke 12:22-23)

Jesus said, “The Father knows your every need, (so don’t sweat the small things of life). But “seek His kingdom and these things shall be added to you” (Luke 12:30-31). But Jesus did not stop there, He went on with a profound promise that we can take to the bank, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom”. (v.32)

Did you ever have the thought, when you look into your closet, that you would like to find a person or family living on the very dregs of existence and share what God has blessed you with? I mean to walk up to their door and say, “Here, God told me you needed a new set of threads.”

I get ten to twenty requests for money each week, all beautifully wrapped in multi pages of glossy pictures and trinkets, but I wonder how much, if any, of the money received really gets to the people who have needs.

Jesus then made a statement I believe most folks would rebel against even if the Word came directly from the throne room, “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:33-34).

I wonder what would happen, if we took those items we want to get rid of, and, instead of taking them to the local Goodwill we would take them across the city to the down and out section and knock on some ones door and ask, “Can I help you?” I am not putting Goodwill down in any way but perhaps our just ‘being there’ and saying ”Can I help you” would open the door to bringing a lost soul into God’s kingdom.

Soooo, good folks, do yourself a favor and look at the things around your house that you have moved a dozen or so times to dust under them and ask yourself the question – could God use this to bring someone who is really in need into His kingdom? Time to close this and go and check out my closet.

Blessings

Gramps

How Firm Is Your Foundation?

The bride-of-my-youth is out for the evening so I have been seeking what the Lord would have me say to you in the coming days and weeks. As I have mentioned before we are studying a book titled “Why Pray” by John DeVries. It is truly a book filled with many pearls-of-great-price.

Tonight I went back through the first section of the book and pulled out all of the Scriptures that John used to establish a foundation for building what will follow. Below you will find some of them. Read them carefully - over and over again - and let the Holy Spirit drive them deep into your soul.

One of my favorite old hymns has been banging around my head all day. “How Firm A Foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! What more can He say than to you He hath said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?” In these verses we are blessed with a firm foundation!

“Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, In the city of our God, His Holy mountain.” (Psalm 48:1)

“We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.” (I Corinthians 2:11-12)

In John 15:4 we read, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

“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 11:29-30)

“If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us.” (2 Timothy 2:12)

Soooo, my young friends, how’s your foundation? Are you anchored on the “Rock?”

Blessing

Gramps

Are You A Fruit Bearer Or A Space Taker-Upper?

“Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who have not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully.” (Psalm 24:3-4)

Hey Gang: I think I mentioned, in one of the morning messages, there are two great blasphemies growing around the world that will lead to hearing God say-“I know you not”- on that day we all stand before Him. If I did not, let me mention them again. The first is “Replacement Theology” which believes that Israel is no longer the ‘Apple of God’s Eye’. If we had time, I would give you a hundred or so verses that dispute this misconception.

The second is equally dangerous - that there are many roads that lead to God. It is believed by these folks that it does not matter what guru you might choose to follow, they are all anointed gods and will lead to the promise land. Jesus blew this out of water when He said ,“I am the way, the truth and the life, NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME.” (John 14:6).

But I would add a third growing misconception in the minds of many people that came out of the ‘I’m okay, your okay’ movement of several decades ago. The misconception that ‘to believe’ in the Lord Jesus Christ is enough to gain access to God’s eternal kingdom. Notice how James would respond to this statement, “You believe that God is one, you do well; the demons also believe, and shudder”. (2:19) What does your daily life say?

Jesus had a great deal to say about this subject. In His Sermon on the Mount He said, “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits”. What fruit does your life show?

Sooooo, my young friends, how’s your planting program? Have you checked out Paul’s words, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7) The Psalmist challenges those who love the Lord to be as “trees firmly planted by steams of water in which yields its fruit in its season”. (Psalm 1:3)

Blessings

Gramps

Your Values Do Determine Your Choices and Your Choices Determine Your Destiny!

“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they as will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” (Matthew 7:7-8)

Hey Gang: In the years I was the exulted ruler of Eagle Village I spoke to many groups across the state, sharing the many good things God was doing in the lives of children and families through the Village. On each occasion, I ask God to give me something fresh to share with each group that would hit their hot button, and He never failed in answering that request.

I used to read the road advertisement signs and ask God for guidance on how I could promote the Village as the world promoted its products. I would ask, “How, Lord, can I get the message of the Village across with the same impact that Campbell’s uses to sell their pork and beans?

One day, when in route to speak at a service club I again asked God to give me a fresh word. I stopped at a Burger King for a bit of refreshment and noticed a Star War’s Advertisement that said ,“Your Choices Determine Your Destiny”.

Wow, what a powerful statement. I thanked the Lord for my fresh thought for the group. But that wonderful quiet voice whispered in my ears, Your Choices Determine Your Destiny was only part of the story. There is a very important prerequisite that determine your choices which is key to the success of that little ditty. It is your Values that Determine Your Choices that Determine Your Destiny.

One day we will give an accounting of our values and I pray that all who are reading this morning message will be able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 3:7-8)..

Soooo, my young friends, how’s your values? Do they drive you to make choices that bring honor and glory to your Master? Something for you to ponder as you go about your duties this day.

Blessings

Gramps

There Are Times I Want To Be IT, But There Are Also Times I Want To Be Hiding In The Bushes!

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will not all sleep, but will be changed”. (I Corinthians 15:52)

Hey Gang: Did you ever play “Hide and Seek”? As a child of a coalminer in the mountains of Pennsylvania we did not have the means to purchase the neat things available for our kids today. So we had to use our imagination and ingenuity to come up with things to occupy our time.

Our first line of activities centered on the river that ran through our three family community but we also had a repertoire of games that filled the empty hours with fun. My favorite, even though as the youngest and less experienced in such activities I always seemed to be ‘IT’, was “Hide and Seek”.

But there is a far more important “Ready or Not” just over the horizon that is not a game. Jesus said, “Be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming…for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will”. (Matthew 24:42-44)

Jesus, in the Olivet discourse, gave us a warning that all should take very seriously. He said, “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.” (Matthew 24:42-43)

“For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.” (Matthew 24:42-46)

Sooooo, what if Jesus cried out today, “Ready or Not Here I Come”! Are you hidden securely in Christ? Is your name written on the palm of His hand? I pray when “The Roll is Called Up Yonder” you will all be at the Marriage Feast of the Lamb.

Blessings,

Gramps

Pride Leads To Thorns In The Flesh!

“Look up when you encounter slight afflictions because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me – to keep me from exalting myself!” (2 Corinthians 12:7)

Hey Gang: Did you ever have a thorn in your side that continued to aggravate you to the point you were ready to take serious and immediate action to rid your life of it?

That is a perfect description of the aggravation I feel as I look out my window and see my tractor sitting in the middle of the drive way dead to the world. I have tried everything known to man and few things not known to man to fix it including laying hands on it and putting it in the Lord’s hands, but I think He is trying to teach me that patience comes in different forms.

Frustrated yes, but in reading the Word I find many of the pillars of the faith also found themselves in frustrating positions. When it really gets bad I turn to Romans 7 and read Paul’s words, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the will is present in me, but the doing of the good is not, for the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want” (vs. 18-19).

Does that give me an excuse for blowing my top and getting into some sort of pity party? – No. Paul confessed he did not always do things that brought honor and glory to His Savior, but he also knew that it was not his heart's desire to lose his ‘cool’. Notice verse 20, “But I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me”.

Gang it is time to practice what I preach. When you are over sixty years old (meaning the tractor) and have worked hard all your life pulling a plow and such things, one might expect there will be days when it just cannot muster enough strength to add one more day of toil to its resume.

Sooo, young folks, I go with Jesus' words in my heart and mind, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you, Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27).

Blessings

Gramps

Do You Have An Itch You Cannot Scratch?

Hey Gang: When was the last time you were satisfied? I mean rally satisfied. Paul wrote in his first letter to Timothy “We brought nothing into the world, so we can take nothing out. But, if we have food and clothes, we will be satisfied with that.” (1 Timothy 6:7-8)

Satisfied? I believe most would agree, that is something we are not. We take a vacation of a life time, we satiate ourselves with sun, fun, and good food. But even in the midst of the “vacation of a life time” our brains are locked into the “honey do” list and dozen or more responsibilities that await our attention the moment we return to our Rehoboth (home).

As a child we wish we were teenager’s, as teen we wish we were adults, if we are in middle management, we wish we were in the ivory tower brigade. We are just not satisfied!

Contentment is a difficult virtue. Why? Because there is nothing on earth that can satisfy our deepest longing. We long to see God. When God breathed life into our bodies he also wired us to one day be one with Him and until we plug into His power supply there can be no contentment in our hearts.

In Philippians four, Paul gives us a key to contentment. First he tells us, “Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God” (4:6). A few verses later he wrote, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along under humble situations or in abundant living”.

Paul went on to quote that very famous verse that we tend to rely on when the chips are falling all around us “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (4:13).

Sooo, young lads and lassies, this I can attest to….as I have advanced in the Golden Years (golden for the medical profession) I have become a wee bit more satisfied. The best part of my day is the early morning hours when I lock myself away with the Lord and His Word. That my young friends is pure contentment. Try it, I think you will like it!

Blessings

Gramps

Reaping Can Be Down Right Aggravating!!!!!

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction”. (2 Timothy 4:1-2)

Hey Gang: I talked to a farmer friend who said he has the solution to my problem with the tractor. He said I have rust in my gas tank that leads to corroding the carburetor which leads to shutting the engine down which leads to putting too much pressure on the battery and starter which leads to the frustration of the operator!

Excited? NO! I was more informed of the problem but still had no solution. Butttttt – he went on to say “the foot bone is connected to the ankle bone and the ankle bone is connected to the leg bone and etc. etc. Disconnect each one and blow them out and the problem will go by the boards.

Now I must make a confession to you – I have had the name of this guy on my desk for several months and chose to handle the problem myself rather than seek help. Does that sound like anyone you know? I obeyed and did indeed disconnect all the bones and blew them out and the tractor is running like a smooth oiled machine again.

Ya know folks there is a principle in that little story. Paul said “We are going to reap what we sow”. I recall a story of a chaplain who was walking through a prison yard and came across an inmate who was binding the bedding, preparing it for pick up. The chaplain said to the inmate, “sewing, heh?” to which the prisoner replied “No, reaping”.

We do have the unique power within us to turn minor problems that we face on a daily basis into major incidents when the answer is just a phone call away. Jeremiah 33:3 tells us, “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Even how to fix a tractor! We tend to forget that God wants us to turn our every need, our every thought, and our every problem over to Him and use our talents to be seed planters.

Blessings

Gramps

Ask And Ye Shall Receive!

“Ask, and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find, knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened”. (Matthew 7:7-8)

I like my tractor. Notice I said “I like my tractor.” I did not say I love my tractor. There is nothing made with human hands that I love. I love my Lord and I love the bride-of-my-youth, I love my family and I love you. Hey, wait a minute, you do not even know who I am or what I am about?

True, but I learned a very important lesson that has removed much of the disappointments of life when a friend or foe does something that offends me. I learned that ‘Love is a decision’. I choose to love you in spite of the circumstances, no matter what they are. Does that cover disappointment? Not always.

And when and why did I learn this lesson? In the formative years of the Village, we were not only the exulted rulers of the program but also served as house parents in a home for sixteen very hyperactive boys, four live-in staff and my family of six. How many know there may be times when the anxiety level might reach the mega range?

Sanity required a change in my tendency to be as hyper as the boys. So, with the help of the Holy Spirit and the prayers of the grandma prayer brigade, I developed a game plan which included several very important ingredients that just might make your life more peaceful.

First, I had to learn to slow down my reaction time. This one probably was my number one defense. I only responded after I had looked at all the options and my blood-pressure was under control. The second was I learned never raise my voice except when dealing with Scrap Iron, the Village donkey.

I learned that if I was going to teach the daddies of the kids we were living with to be loving daddies, I had to learn what Ephesians 6:4 really meant, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger”.

Sooo, my friend and neighbors, do you want your witness to be a powerful weapon against Satan and his minions? Then love God with all your heart, love your neighbor with all of your being and love yourself, knowing you are a creation of God. Oh yes, don’t forget to slow down your reaction time and never raise your voice in anger.

Blessing

Gramps

Greater Is He That Is In Me Than He That Is In The World!

“Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.” (John 13:16)

Hey Gang: I have always struggled with Jesus words, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father” (John 14:12)

How could I, a simple minded person from the hills of Pennsylvania do greater works than the Son of God? And then you tack on the verse for the morning “a slave is not greater than his master” and the confusion bugs begin to crawl.

But after much prayer and study and looking at the life of many of the saints of yesteryear and today, I have gained some peace in Jesus' words.

Let’s look at one tiny facet of Jesus life that limited his movements and the people that He could reach. In a good day, He might walk twenty miles and come in contact with a hundred or more people. But Billy Graham could conduct a service in London, England today and Australia tomorrow and the US of A the day after that which would reach hundreds of thousands of people in great auditoriums and literally millions on television and radio at the same time.

Perhaps that is what Jesus was talking about. But I believe it goes deeper. He said we are to go into all the world and share the Good News that Jesus Christ is Lord and wants so much to be a part of every person’s life. Jesus was one person limited by a physical body while on earth. He knew that, if we were going to do far greater things it would require His leaving and send a Comforter that would live within the heart of every believer.

Soooo, does it not make you feel good inside that you are a carrier of the Holy Spirit? God can do 'far greater' things because of His witness within every believer. We always enjoyed having brothers and sisters in Christ come and attend our chapel services. It always seemed easier - a different atmosphere - when there were more pieces of Jesus in attendance. Be a living witness for "He who is greater'.

Blessings

Gramps

How's Your Date Planner? Time For The Lord???

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”. (I Corinthians 12:4-7)

Hey Gang: NOW HEAR THIS, NOW HEAR THIS! Peter says, “Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others.” Max Lucado puts it this way: “There is only so much sand in the hourglass and we must decide who will get it.”

We received a call from the church, recently, asking us if we would consent to be ushers and greeters. Strange as it may seem, I have never been asked before to be an usher or greeter. I certainly have the ability to pass the offering plate and lead someone to an empty chair or shake hands, but that is not the real issue. The real issue is, do I have a willingness to make the needed sacrifices to serve the Lord in this way? That is the question.

In this day and age we live in a perpetual tug-of-war for our time. There are a skillian things that we should do. AND WE HAVE TO MAKE CHIOICES. The question is, whom we will serve?

Jesus said “Blessed at the meek”. The word meek is not used to describe a weakness but rather refers to being focused. It is a word used to describe a domesticated stallion that has been tamed and its power is under control. Are you meek? Check your daily planner and see how much time you have blocked out to spend with the Lord uninterrupted in the past month.

It is coming to the place in our walk with the Lord when we can say ‘blessed are those who recognize their God given responsibilities.’ Blessed are those who acknowledge that there is only one God and have quit applying for his position. And blessed are those who know what on earth they are on earth to do and set themselves about the business of doing it!

Sooooo my young friends, Not sure what you are to do? Jesus said “go”, be a seed planter. Sitting and waiting for a God-o-gram to give you your marching orders for the day will probably result in a heap of sitting and waiting. Keep in mind when in doubt, God has all power and can close doors. I can attest to that – I have a few scars from being hit with a closing door!

Blessings

Gramps

Is It Time For Remodeling?

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” (I Corinthians 6:19-20)

Hey Gang: Do you know what God’s desire is for you today? “That the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints , and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:18-19a) Wow, is that not a mouth full?

And how do we make this happen? We don’t. “It comes through the working of the strength of His (God’s) might.” (vs. 19b). Did you know that God is a compulsive decorator? Let him live long enough in your heart and your heart will begin to sing a different tune.

This might account for some of the discomfort we feel, for remodeling of the heart can be a very uncomfortable trip through the wilderness. We don’t mind it much when a new coat of paint is added or new carpet is laid, but He has also been known to tamper with the foundation, remove the rot and remodel the whole house!

Now let me give you the fabulous part of this remodeling process, it is done in accordance with ‘the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him (Christ) at His (God’s) right hand in the heavenly place.’

Does that set your feet to dancing? AND THE COOKER! “ EVERY NAME THAT IS NAMED, NOT ONY IN THIS AGE BUT ALSO IN THE ONE TO COME WILL BE THERE, SEATED WITH JESUS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER”. (Hainley rendition)

Now why would creator God want to endow you and I with His surpassing greatness? Because He has such high hopes and aspirations for you and me. Keep in mind when God has a chore that He needs done, He looks for a broken vessel, smashes it, and molds it into His Son’s image.

Soooo, my young compatriots, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance for you?”

Blessings

Gramps

Why Do The Heathen Rage?

“Why are the nations in an uproar and the people devising a vain thing” The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed”. ( Psalm 2:1-2)

Hey Gang: Egypt…Tunisia…Yemen…Libya…Bahrain…Jordan…Lebanon…the Ivory Coast and other nations are in a rage. And still others are planning days of rage. Hamas has announced that the third intifada will begin in the coming months.

And what are they working themselves up in a frenzy to do? Verse three says, “Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!”. What are fetters and cords? They represent the biblical law of morality and justice.

Does that help us to understand why people rage and take counsel against the Lord? It is the Spirit of evilness “Who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship” (2 Thessalonians 2:40)

In the meantime, the news media loves it all. They produce such sensational headlines as, 'The Arab world is in an uproar'…'No end in sight of mass protests'…'Waiting for the real revolution'…'Mideast madness continues'…'Funerals fuel more tensions'…'Israel’s option after Mubarak'…'Where will the Middle East revolution end?'

Well we know. God is so faithful to keep us up to speed on His will and plan. Many say the Muslims are affecting our country but it appears the opposite is true. We are not trying to install a dictatorship in our country, but most Muslim countries are seeking democratic governments.

And, another step closer to the coming of our King of kings and Lord of Lords is rapidly falling in place. We should all get out our pitch pipe and begin to learn the song “Soon and very soon, I am going to meet the King. Soon and very soon, I am going to meet the King. Soon and very soon I am going to meet the King, hallelujah, hallelujah I’m going to meet the King?”

Soooo, are you ready? Can you shout hallelujah, soon and very soon I’m going to meet the king – FACE to FACE.

Blessings

Gramp

Bitter Waters Or Sweet Waters, Your Choice!

“Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God,smitten by him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities,; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his scourging we are healed."(Isaiah 53:3-5)

Hey Gang: have you ever noticed that when studying the Old Covenant we find the Hebrew Scriptures depict God as one who both wounds and heals, who smites His people for sins to wake them up to their spiritual danger, but who also restores them when they repent?

If you read Genesis through Malachi you find an awful lot of smiting but very little true repentance. We find a repetitious pattern that persists throughout the history of the “apple of God’s eye", Israel. When under the authority of God they prospered and were at peace but when they choose to put God aside and go their own way, agony and pain soon followed.

God had many opportunities to give up on His chosen people but that is not God’s way. Rather than give up on us, He initiates a deeper strategy, one that would not have occurred to us even had we millions of years to ponder the problem.

Instead of continuing the smiting and healing, punishing and restoring, God allowed his own Son to be smitten and struck down for our offenses. Wow, no wonder there is power in Jesus name! More than two thousand years after His death and resurrection people are still being healed because of prayer in Jesus' name.

Soooo, young lads and lassies, if bitter water is swirling around you or someone you love, if you are going through a wilderness experience, keep this in mind, God is the remedy who provides the remedy. He stands at the door of your heart waiting for you to open the door and invite Him in.

Blessings

Gramps

Is Our World On A Collision Course With God?

“I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there. On behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, Whom I have scattered among the nations; AND THEY HAVE DIVIDED MY LAND” (Joel 3:2).

In a recent prophecy conference one of the segments in the conference was titled “Hey, what’s happening man?” Several of the more prominent prophecy guru’s were fielding questions. One question that was asked was, “Can you sum up prophecy in one word? The moderator of the discussion said, “O that’s easy - Israel”!

In the news this morning they gave a quick overview of the major catastrophic events that have and are taking place in our country at this time, huge, uncontrolled fires in Texas and now Arizona, hundreds of people killed in horrendous tornadoes and hurricanes, and flooding that has driven multitudes from their homes and then destroyed the homes. It seems each day there is a new and often more sinister catastrophe that hits our nation.

At the same time our government seems to be on a course to dictate that the nation of Israel give away covenant land that was given them by God through Abraham. Is Joel giving us a clue as to why we are experiencing such trauma in our country? Joel did say God would pour out his wrath on those nations that “Have Divided My Land”. (Joel 3:2)

One of the speakers of the conference was overwhelmingly excited. He said, "Yes, we are experiencing catastrophic events across our world but God is faithful and is not one bit nervous for He said, "I do not want you to be unaware of what is going to happen in the last times, and I have given you fair warning that you need to have your house in order for you don’t have a clue when I will release My Son to come and take back what is His." (Hillybilly rendition)

Soooo, what say you, my friends and neighbors? Is your lamp filed with oil? What joy there is in knowing Jesus loves you and me so much that He gave His life on a hideous cross to prepare the way for us to dump our sinful ways and latch onto his shirttail.

Blessings

Gramps