Faith or Going Your Own Way?

Paul wrote the following words to his spiritually adopted son, Timothy: “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious, gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power.  Avoid such men as these” (2 Tim. 3:1-5).

Hey Gang:  Scripture tells us that in the last days man will believe Satan’s lie ”that God knows when you eat from the forbidden fruit your eyes will be opened and you will be like God knowing good and evil” (Gen.3:5).  When I listen to the rhetoric of our political leaders I see how effective Satan has been in my lifetime in spreading this vomit.

There is a tremendous divide in our nation and world where two roads - one the believers path and the other Satan’s bangles and beads road. These grow farther apart by the hour.  A tremendous chasm is growing wider and deeper as more and more people say, ‘No Lord, I do not want any part of you’.  The sheep are becoming more defined from the goats, the wheat from the tares and the saved from the unsaved.

Should we be surprised with the rapid increase in lawlessness in these last days?  I think not if you are into the Word of God, Jesus warned us that, what is happening is precisely what is going to happen just prior to His coming for His children:  “…just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man’.  He also said, “as happened in the days of Lot” and we know what happened to Sodom.  (Luke 17:26/ 28)

I think about Noah a lot these days.   I have done some wood working in my 82 years.  I love to make wood toys just to see the little ones eyes light up when I give them to them.  I have a table saw, a jig saw, sander, drills and all the other electronic gadgets that are needed to get the job done.  But, when I read the dimensions of the ark and realize Noah did not go down to Home Depot or Lowes and buy the precut wood, I am amazed.  He started by cutting a tree down and taken his hammers and chisels and shaped every piece and every piece had to be perfect.   

How sad he must have been, for the closer he came to the completion of the ark, the closer he knew, God’s judgment would fall on that sinful generation.   I believe with every peg that Noah drove into a board he prayed “Father forgive them, they do not know what they are doing. 

As I listened to the morning news my heart was heavy because I believe God is crying out to this once great and proud nation to “understand what we are doing?”  We were the recipients of a thunder-snow  blizzard last night that took down some of the electric lines and left us in the dark.  I had never heard the term thunder-snow blizzard before.  But I learned what it meant when it was blowing so hard I could not see a hundred feet and with it came the music of thunder.

We are certainly into a time of new records in just about everything, Last summer we had record fires in the west, record floods in the south, record tornadoes in the mid-New records in the west.  It was a good time to reside in Michigan.  Other new records as well: We just passed a new record high in our national debt, we now owe the world more than nineteen trillion dollars and the number increases by the second.

These are but a smidgeon of the catastrophic things that are happening in the good old USA.   Let me ask you a question this morning?  If God’s patience runs out, and I surely believe there are enough signs that it is, do you think, if He sent a major catastrophic event into our country that the average Joe on the street would get the correlation between the event and God’s wrath? 

Do you think many Pastors in our land would recognize God’s hand in the catastrophe and suddenly begin to preach repentance from their pulpits?  Are you up to speed in your relationship with Abba Father? If, and when, a catastrophe would hit our nation, are you are prepared?

God said “I AM”.  Is He your I AM. Research His Names that describe His I AM qualities.

Blessings,

Gramps

As It Was In the Days of Noah

Hey Gang:  Now here is one to chew on!  As I read this article my mind filled with the story of the Tower of Babel and I wondered if God would stand by and, in a sense, allow man to create a new form of life.  “The Lord said, “Behold they are one people, and they all have the same language.  And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them” (Gen.11:6).

And as it Was in the Days of Noah   By Greg May

   The Pope has recently given his blessing to mix human and animal DNA to create chimera for the sake of medical research. Webster’s Dictionary defines “chimera” as an “absurd fantasy.”

“And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it also be in the days of the Son of Man” (Luke 17:26).

   In the days of Noah there lived a race of half-human, half-demonic entities known as the Nephilim. These giants had a hobby—genetic interference. You know it as “cloning”; it is an abomination to God. Cloning is being conducted in laboratories all over the world.

   You can now have “designer children.” You can choose the color of their eyes, hair and facial features. Great Britain is allowing three people to make a baby. Scientists are actually getting ready to resurrect the prehistoric mammoth. They found a woolly mammoth entombed in a glacier in Siberia and are going to mix the DNA of a modern-day elephant with the fossilized DNA of the prehistoric mammoth—as in Jurassic Park.

   Satan mocks and mimics God, having an “Anything you can do I can do” attitude. In the days of Noah, Satan mixed DNA from humans and animals to create chimera or “monstrosities.” These creatures are depicted in ancient Assyrian, Babylonian and Sumerian architecture.

   They included creatures with bodies of humans with wings and heads of birds, beings with human bodies with heads of crocodiles, four-headed dogs—all kinds of weird stuff. These creatures were NOT man’s imagination; they actually existed and were an abomination to God so He destroyed them in the Flood along with the Nephilim.

   The fallen angels that created all the trouble could not be drowned, as they were spirit beings, so God sent them to a place the Bible describes as Tartarus to await Judgment Day.

“There were giants on the earth in those days, also afterward” (Genesis 6:4).

   After the Flood, Satan had another band of fallen angels breed with the women of earth to create another race of giants—the Anakim. These giants were killed off by the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua and one of them caught a rock right between his eyes from the slingshot of a 12-year old lad named David.

   What’s with all these giants?

   Satan knew the promised Messiah would come from the line of Abraham so he created a race of giants to prevent the Israelites from entering the Promised Land, but his plan was thwarted by the Flood.

   The first band of fallen angels were send to Tartarus. What happened to the second band that bred with the women of earth to create the Anakim? And, if Satan could create another race of giants after the Flood, what’s to say he didn’t play a second round at genetic interference?

   Cryptozoology is the science of hidden animals. A “cryptid” is an animal or creature that has been seen by many people but their existence is yet to be proven. There are a number of Creationists who believe Satan created another menagerie of monsters after the Flood by mixing human and animal DNA, and because God promised to never again destroy the earth by water, these creatures are still with us today.

   They include the hairy bipeds known as “Bigfoot.” Sightings of these creatures always yield the same description; “red glowing eyes” and the “smell of sulphur.” This is a sign of demonic presence and explains how they can disappear and why they haven’t left a fossil record.

   In 1973 a series of strange events were reported from Pennsylvania; during that year more than 300 supposed UFOs were recorded in the skies of the Keystone State, and hundreds of people were reporting frightening encounters with the creature known as “Bigfoot.”

   We know that UFOs and extraterrestrials are demons; they are the same demons that people used to call fairies, elves and trolls. They have simply updated or modernized their appearance to be more acceptable in today’s society.

   The New Age Movement—one of the false doctrines Jesus warned against in the last days, teaches the “Intergalactic Belief” that ETs will save humanity from the Apocalypse.

   The ONLY thing that can save humanity is the blood of Jesus Christ.

   Enoch was a prophet who lived in the days of Noah. Enoch was so highly-favored by God the fallen angels tried to use him as a go-between to beg forgiveness from God and get Him to reverse His decision regarding eternal damnation. Enoch told the fallen angels they had made their bed and would have to lie in it since they chose to abandon their heavenly abode to mingle with the women of earth.

   What if God had that attitude toward us? We would be damned for eternity!

   I always thought it was interesting that these modern-day Nephilim, we call “Bigfoot”, started coming out of the woodwork (or woods) in these last days beginning in the 1950s. Could they know that their days are numbered when Jesus returns to earth at the Second Coming to cast Satan and the demons in to the lake of fire?

Sooooo,  What say ye?  The news is filled with news that man is nearing the point where robots will be smarter than man and now we hear that even monsters from the past will be cloned and walk the earth once again.  But, the good news is God has a better plan! -  God loved us so much He sent His only Son to earth to die in our place so we could have forgiveness and everlasting life in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessings,

Gramps

Poof! Gone! The Question is to Where? Choices!!!

“And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4).

“Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things, but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony” (Luke 16:25).  

Hey Gang, As I mentioned in my previous Gramps Morning Message, since entering the’ older than dirt age’, I have become more interested in what awaits me in the coming change of venue.  I also mentioned that I have accumulated seven books on heaven in my library, one written by Anne Graham Lotz and endorsed by her daddy, Billy Graham. In it she compiled a comprehensive contrast between heaven and hell.   

I do not know about you, but when I am approaching a change of address I tend to want to learn as much about the place where I am going before moving.  In essence I am not one who likes to take the ‘cold turkey’ route.  As I read the following listing of contrasts, I felt it was important that you also have access to her research.  As you will see the contrast is wonderfully great and horribly depressing.  Can you see the danger of not availing yourself to the truth of the Word of God?  

Jesus, through John’s writings, laid it out so that all could understand but it does take determination and commitment to know what God has prepared for us when our tenure is completed here on earth.  I would recommend that you get your Bible out, take one contrast point at a time, and read the recommended scriptures.

Heaven is a home where there is no more suffering or death or mourning or crying or pain.  (Rev. 21:4); Hell is a hole where there is great suffering and weeping and gnashing of teeth.  (Matt. 13:50)

Heaven is a home where there is absolute safety and eternal security with the high, thick walls. (Rev. 21:12, 17); Hell is a hole that is described as the Abyss, or a bottomless pit. (Rev. 20:3).  Those who fall into it will have the sensation of never being secure, of always being in danger.

Heaven is a home that is stable, unshakable, and unmovable with twelve foundations. (Rev. 21:14);  Hell is a hole that undulates and changes like the unstable surface of a lake. (Rev. 20:10)

Heaven is a home in which there is no more night or darkness. (Rev. 21:15);  Hell is a hole of total darkness where the sun never rises and the light never comes. (Matt. 25:30).  (Have you heard people say they want to go to hell so they can be with their friends?  Well, their friends may be there, but they will never see them because it’s totally dark)

Heaven is a home where the kings of the nations of the earth bring their glory and where God’s children gather to worship Him forever and ever.  (Rev. 21:24).  Hell is a hole whose inhabitants live in eternal solitary confinement with nothing to distract them from their own misery, greed, selfishness, anger, hate, pride, cruelty, and godlessness.  The following verses indicate that there will be people cast into hell together.  However, the physical darkness and torment are so all-consuming and individualized, it will be as though each one is isolate in his or her own agony.   (Luke 13:28; 16:19-31; Rev. 20:10, 15).

Heaven is a hole where the River of Life flows continuously, bringing fruit for the healing of the nations.  (Rev. 22:1-2);  Hell is a hole filled with fire creating unending thirst, torment, and burning dissatisfaction. (Rev. 20:15)

Heaven is a home where we will serve God and see His face.  (Rev. 22:4);  Hell is a hole that will be totally devoid of God’s presence.  Those who exist there will know they were created for God, yet will be separated from Him forever.  (Matt. 7:23)

When you lay out the pieces, side by side, the picture becomes very clear.  For me personally, I praise God that I learned about God’s love for me and His willingness to send His Son, Jesus, to walk in my shoes and go to a hideous cross to set me free from the bondage of my sins” (John 3:16).  I can shout from the mountain top, praise God I am secure in the hands of My Savior and Lord. 

I recently heard a man declare he knew about Jesus and one day when he got older than dirt he, too, would make a decision to follow Jesus as Lord of his life.  Thirty-one years ago a policemen showed up at my door and announced to me that my son, who would graduate college in a month, was, that very day,  killed in an accident.  My friends, if you are not secure in Jesus’ hands right now, the Word says don’t creep, don’t jog but flat out run “and work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:10).

I look forward to seeing each and every one of you at the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. (Rev 19:7 -9)

Blessings,

Gramps

Poof! Gone!!!

“Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:40-42).

“I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left”(Luke 17:24-35).

Hey Gang:  Several nights ago I had a terrible and very frightening dream.  I was out in the woods working, came in for my afternoon coffee and one of Jean’s delicious snacks but when I got there I could not find her. I looked all over the house. No Jean. The car and truck were in the garage.  And there was no note on the refrigerator telling me where she had gone.

And as I ran to and fro in a nervous dither, the sweat rolling down my face, the above verses began to resonate in my mind.  When at the apex of my dream, I heard the door close and there was the bride of my youth who had taken a walk and stopped by the neighbors to swap stories. 

But the more I thought of that dream the more I felt God sent it to me for a purpose.  It has always amazed me that so few people have any comprehension of what that time referred to as the ‘hereafter’ really is.  When one looks at the context of our existence, we note that in reality we are just preparing ourselves for that period referred to as ‘eternity’ and this is but a proving ground for that experience. 

In the past several years, as I have moved beyond the ‘three-score and ten years referred to in the Word and into the older than dirt crowd, my mind has become more focused on learning all I can about that place called “heaven”, or as Jesus referred to it on the cross as ‘paradise’.  On my book shelf there are seven books that focus on heaven.  It seems there is a growing interest in heaven, for I notice the area on the book shelves reserved for books on heaven has grown significantly in the past years. 

My favorite was written by Judson Cornwall, an old country pastor that I had the privilege of sitting under his teachings on several occasions.   He brought out an amazing point that I believe is- oh so true today- most folks believe in hell, but does anyone still believe in heaven?    When was the last time you heard someone say, “He was one heaven of a man?  Judson pointed out in God’s great love for His children He used no less than seven words in the Bible, especially in the New Testament to say that heaven is indeed a place of habitation.

I do not believe there is a more frightening verse in the Bible than Rev. 20:15: “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”  The fabulous part of that verse is the “if”.  It is God’s desire that none perish, but all must choose to have their name recorded in His book of life. (2 Pet.3:9).

I tend to think of those who read these ‘morning thoughts from gramps’ are part of the choir whose names are securely recorded in the Lamb’s book, but each day we cross paths with many who are not. The wonderful part of the story is – the story does not end with Rev 20: 15; it is followed by the fabulous description of what awaits those whose names are listed the ‘Lambs Book of Life’.

Peter closes his second letter with a warning: “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity.  Amen and Amen” (2 Pet. 17-18).

So, my young friends, Pray today that God will send you a person who needs to hear the wondrous story of Yeshua, God’s gift to all who choose to accept Him as Savior and Lord.   

Blessings,

Gramps

Are We In the Time of Lawlessness?

 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20)  “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12).

Hey Gang: Evil has gripped our world and God is grieved and waiting for people to turn to Him to be saved.    To not cover yourself with the armor of God and keep your lamps filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit is to place a gigantic bulls-eye on your back. 

As I listened to the tragic events that transpired in Paris, Paul’s words, in his second letter to the Thessalonians, rang so very loud and clear:  “Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?  And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed.  For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way”….  “For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness” (2 Thess. 2:5-7; 11-12).

I believe we are in that period, referred to by Paul, as the time of deluding spirits.  Dig into your memory banks and turn back the hands of time.  It was by no means a perfect time – sin has always abounded on the earth: but it was also a time when hearts were not hardened as they are today – many people still attended church and had a moral code that held them in check.  There were still boundaries that one did not tamper with and God was still an invited guest into most homes.  And that my friends is a major problem – He is no longer an integral part of the home and the family.

Those who delved into witchcraft were stigmatized and avoided by most of society, but today Halloween has become more celebrated than the birth of our Lord.   I would have bet my last dollar that God’s people would not be stigmatized as being dangerous, extreme, weird – not normal, and a danger to society, in this once great nation founded on a Judeo-Christian foundation.  Christians, today, are being watched by our own government and labeled as extremists and anti-government radicals.

What has become to the norm?  Sadly, Hollywood has set the standard of normalcy, and it is appalling. It is now culturally acceptable to outwardly express love for the devil.  We see so many celebrities making the sign of the horns of the devil with their hands.  Young people, who have no foundation of what is right and what is wrong, are drawn into this; good has become evil, and evil good.  Hollywood is preparing a weekly sitcom that will star Lucifer as a beautiful person who loves his fellow man with all his heart but, also has a sinister streak down his spine.  It is projected to be one of the top new additions to the program week.

The world was shocked at the horror of that night in Paris, when almost 100 young people were gunned down by Islamic terrorists in the Bataclan Concert Hall in Paris. The Eagles of Death Metal were performing that night.  It is estimated that there were more than two thousand young people in the Hall that night, and I have serious doubt there was even one born again person in the mob. 

The song which had just begun, when the terrorists began their merciless killing spree, was called “Kiss the Devil” – one of the crowd’s favorite songs by the rock band.  Notice the lyrics:

 Who’ll love the Devil?   Who’ll sing his song?   Who will love the Devil and his song?

I’ll love the Devil   I’ll sing his song   I will love the Devil and his song

Who’ll love the Devil?    Who’ll kiss his tongue?  Who will kiss the Devil on his tongue?

I’ll love the Devil   I’ll kiss his tongue   I will kiss the Devil on his tongue

Who’ll love the Devil?  Who’ll sing his song?   I will love the Devil and his song.

How tragic,  “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” (John 3:16).  

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.  He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev. 3:20-22).

I wonder what the survivors of the Paris massacre are thinking today?

Blessings,

Gramps

A Bag of Miracles

“For as the rain and the snow come down from haven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11).

Hey Gang:  I wonder how many times in my forty-plus years of seed-planting that I have claimed that promise from Abba Father.  This morning I was putting things away in the garage and noticed a bag hanging from a nail on the wall.  A quick examination determined it was grass seed that I purchased last summer to repair and cover several places in the lawn.

I have no idea how many times I walked over and said, ”I got to get that seed planted in the ground.” But…!  I have been reading a book written by an Amish man about some of the experiences of his life.  It is really good stuff and has a moral tucked away in the heart of each one.  In this story he told of a shed he was building to house his tools and it was getting nigh onto snow time so, getting about it was of the essence. But.. (there is that word again) he had neglected to go and get a building permit for the project. 

Well, as mentioned, time was of the essence and he did have help and all the supplies needed to put the footings, down, so he made the decision to go ahead and put the footings down.  About half way through the project a state car turned up his driveway and he knew he was in trouble- for he had not taken the time to go and get a building permit. 

He said he just did not have time to go and get the permit, to which the inspector said, “You had time to clear the land, dig the pit for the footings, purchase all the supplies to complete the project and you did not have time to get a permit?  To which the Amish man sheepishly confessed the error of his ways.  It was kind of like that grass seed hanging in my garage, I said I did not have time but truth was “I just did not take time”. 

Well, I am sure you have figured out there is a moral to this story.  I believe one of the most important  words in the Bible is the word ‘measure’   Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount said, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you” (Matt. 7:1-2).  In 2 Corinthians 2:10 we read “But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also”.

But there is an equally important measure in Luke 6:38 where we are told that we are to “Give first, and it will be given to you, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.  For by your stand of measure it will be measured to you in return”.  Is God saying that we have much to say about the harvest by our willingness to be obedient to His word?  Yes, that is precisely what I believe He is saying.

Getting back to the Amish man and the inspector:  after a few words of reprimand the inspector went to his car and after a short period of time returned to the Amish man with a paper in hand. He handed it to the Amish man and turned and left.  As he was leaving he warned the Amish man to be careful and take the time today to fill file out the form.  The paper was not a reprimand or fine for his neglect, but a form needed to apply for a building permit.

The snow is coming down and will add to the eight or so inches we have already so it appears the grass seed will hang in the garage for a while longer. But… I have made a promise to myself, as soon as the ground is thawed and warm, I will plant those seeds. 

One last word before I sign off on this epistle.  There are very few days that pass when God does not bring us into contact with someone who is hurting and needs someone to come along side them.  You can leave them hanging, like that grass seed in my garage, or allow God to work through you to bring hope to that hurting soul.  And it feels so good when you see the new green grass!

Blessings,

Gramps

God's Perfect Will For His Children

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:14-19).

Hey Gang:  I have gained a special interest in heaven in the few years.  When you are older-than dirt your thoughts do tend to want to know what is beyond the veil.  I really get excited when I read that Jesus is going to come on a white stallion and call His children up to meet Him in the air.  I get even more excited when I read we will then go, as part of the bride of Christ, and be wed to the bridegroom at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.

As I thought about that glorious day, my mind turned to another glorious day more than 58 years ago, when I stood at the altar of the Eagle Church of God and saw the pearl of great price who would soon be my bride.  It saddens my heart when I see what has happened to God’s formula for marriage. 

I do not believe that God created anything that was not perfect in every way including when he created man and woman and said, ‘leave your parents and become yoked together in covenant relationship with each other.’  And then He added, “What is put together under covenant, Let it never be put asunder. 

Valentine’s Day has rolled around once again and we have searched for just the right card to say what we cannot say in person.  The tragedy of depending on a card to convey our feelings is they end up in the trashcan much like many marriages.

Did you know that Satan hates marriage?  He hates for people to love each other and will do anything that you allow him to do, to destroy it.    If we do not have the love of God in our heart, we, and our marriage, is like a sitting duck with a huge bull’s eye on our back;  all the ingredients for a successful marriage are found in Jesus.  (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal; 5:22-23).

God’s formula for a perfect marriage:  “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment and the one who fears is not perfected in love.  We love because He first loved us.” (I John 4:18-19).   

“Beloved let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 Jn. 4:7-8).

“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity” (Col. 3:14).

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us and our marriage from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (Rom. 8:38-39).

Do you want to give your wife a very special valentine this extended Valentine Day?  I mean even you macho guys?  Sit down in the quiet of the evening after the kids are tucked away in their beds and read to her, and her to him, the thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians 13.   Note verse 8, “Love never fails, all else may fail but love never fails.”  That my friends works every day – we truly do reap what we sow! And that we can take to the bank.

Blessings,

Gramps

Yes, Jesus In Me Can!

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?”  (1 Cor. 6:14).

Hey Gang:  I am so sad that the children of our land have been denied God’s wonderful joys, the joy of anticipation, the joy of that moment when the groom stands at the altar and sees his bride standing in her gown of silk and satin.  Is there words that can describe the awesomeness of that moment knowing that soon she will be united to me as my bride? - That we will unite our hearts and body with the Holy Spirit in a “strand of three that cannot be broken”  (Ecc. 4:9-12).

How sad that God, in His perfection, who loved us so much that He promised us He would give us the desires of our heart.  Yet, most young lasses do not even have their hope chest,  for that day when the knight in shining armor that God prepared for her rides into her life on a great white stallion and sweeps her off her feet. 

I feel so sad that so many of our young have chosen the ways of the world and will never realize the true beauty and wonder of standing before our heavenly Father and family and friends and saying, “Yes, I do, I lay down my life sacrificially for that God prepared person, until death do us part.   I commit my all to you in covenant love for there is no greater gift that I can give than a pledge, a solemn vow that at this very moment, before God that I lay down my life for you.”

How sad that our young people are robbed of the anticipation of waiting for that moment at the altar.  Solomon had such a moment when he saw his Shulammite bride, “How beautiful you are, my darling,…You have made my heart beat faster, my sister, my bride; You have made my heart beat faster with a single glance of your eyes, with a single strand of our necklace”. 

Fifty-eight plus years have passed since I met my bride at the altar and heard her father say, “I now pronounce, to God and to the world, that you are husband and wife – let nothing but death separate you.”

I have relived that moment, when I saw my bride for the first time in her wedding gown, a zillion times and, as I grow older, it has become even more warm and comforting.  Was there never a times in the fifty-eight years when divorce was considered or even given thought?  No. We made a vow at our wedding that there would never be a divorce in our relationship.

Were there times when the rubber-hit-the road and the alligators were trying to nip at our relationship?  Yes, yes and more yes.  Satan has always been lurking in the shadows awaiting a more opportune time to drive wedges into our love for each other.  When two people are put together, in the closeness of a marriage relationship, there will be differences of opinion.  

Each must decide what is more important, the alligators or the relationship.   We made a vow in the early beginning that our marriage would not be a fifty-fifty relationship, but a ninety nine – one relationship. 

Well I did not mean this to be a sermon on the perfect marriage; our pastor has been preaching a series of messages titled “The Waiting Games”.  In one of the messages he focused on Jesus warning to not be “Unequally yoked together”.  The Pastor’s warning was- if you feel that through your witness your unsaved mate will find the Lord, be advised this has proven to work far more in the opposite direction.  The believer usually gets caught up in the life style of the unbeliever.

I confess that my bride violated this mandate from the Lord for when she consented to marry me, for I had head knowledge but no heart knowledge; that came years later.  I pray all who read this epistle will be equally yoked and on fire for the Lord.  We are in that Valentine season designed and promoted by Hallmark.  It is neat to send a card that says, “I care and even love you” but keep in mind where that card goes.  Daily action and words and on-going contact and prayer for them is more effective.

Blessings,

Gramps

No Thanks! I Would rather Have the Grungies! part 2

“Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father were lost.  So Kish said to his son Saul, “Take now with you one of the servants, and arise, go search for the donkeys” (1 Sam. 9:3). 

Hey Gang:  Each time I come across this verse I wonder if it was put there for a specific reason?  Just wondering!  When we still had horses at the Village we had an old donkey we called Scrap iron. That animal played a very important role.  We used him to teach patience to the young horses.  Scrap iron’s motto was “I shall not be moved” which tended to teach the youngsters patience.

The theme of yesterday morning’s message was “We want a king just like everyone else.  God said “they asked, “I will give it to them!”  How many of you know one should be very careful about how you pray! I have developed a theory, over the years, pertaining to the founding of ministries.  People pray - God answers – God then provides a way for the ministry to grow - man says, “I will take over now” - ministry loses its effectiveness and dies.

God answered the people’s cry for a king and, from that day on, Israel became just like the rest of the nations that also had kings.  Is there a parallel in what is happening in the good old USA?  Did we say human life is no longer as important to us as it is to God? Did we say say it is okay for women, I do not refer to them as mothers, not only to kill the miracle that is within them for the sake of convenience but for others to cut them up and sell the body parts to the highest bidder?

How about the Supreme Court’s decision that man really knows best when it comes to marriage and boy and girl relationships?   I believe I could fill several pages with man’s disastrous decisions that said to God – ‘not your way Lord but mine.’  God said owe no man nothing – how does nineteen trillion dollars in debt fit into that no – no?  God said, those who demand that Israel give away covenant land will pay a dear price for their failure to heed His warning.   

Jesus said, “Careful, the world is going to be filled with false prophets, false teachers, false shepherds, even the very elect will be led astray.  They will say there is more than one road to the Father, that Jesus is not the only “Way, Truth and Life” and it is happening! False preachers will say we must have open minds and honor and accept all into our fellowship and to our pulpits, including those whom God declared are an abomination to the Lord, and we are seeing this in increasing numbers.

 There are those who say to believe is enough and then it does not matter if one sins, and many have accepted this blasphemous teaching.  Yet, we wonder why our nation has lost its power and strength.  God said, “Give them a king but warn them he will take and he will take and he will take.”   

Maybe! Soon we will elect a president.  I remember during the ‘Cold War’ a group of world leaders would, on a yearly basis, determine where we were in relationship to the ending of the world, as we know it.  They termed their finding and set the time of the “Dooms Day Cock”.  When Russia tried to develop a missile launch site in Cuba, the clock reached thirty seconds.   Neil Cavuto, recently said that the clock was now set at three minutes.  Well, man may have his kings, but God controls the clock!

Bottom line: “You, O Lord, are our Father, Our Redeemer from of old is Your name” (Isa. 63:16b).  We, As children of God we have assurance that “God is our heavenly Father.  He loves us with a father’s heart”.  The Bible tells us, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” (Matt. 6:8).    Can you say “Amen to that?  

Blessings, 

Gramps

No Thanks! I Would Rather Have the Grungies!

“Strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience, joyously giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light” (Col. 1:11-12).

Hey Gang:  I don’t have a clue how many times I have read these verses but, for some reason, they really clicked this morning. 

  

  What does “strengthened with power” mean to you?  In my sojourn I have run into two very distinct types of people, those who aspire to power, and those who choose to float down the river on their back and yell, ‘open the drawbridge’.   Some want to make things happen, but far more would rather allow others- to make it happen.  True there is a third class, the “I wonder what is happened” crowd”. 

I believe Paul gave us the key to being “strengthened with all power” in verse nine when he wrote, “we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding”.  Now notice the next phrase, “…so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord to please Him in all respects.’  And how do we do this?  “By giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light”.

Note, in the middle of these verses, Paul gives us the good news that when we are “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, ..we attain steadfastness and patience; joyously” (vs. 11). 

I was privileged to sit under the teaching of one Ern Baxter, who was referred to as a ‘preacher for preachers.  A rather large man, when he stood behind the pulpit, he presented a picture of power through his appearance but also through the words that came forth from his inner most being. 

Baxter titled his message, “The King and His Army”; He used the Books of Samuel as his focus.  He started by saying Samuel was a prophet for that day and, if we allow God to guide us through the Books of Samuel, as we read them we will see a parallel between that day and this day.  I would like to share every jot and tittle from that series of messages, for I truly believe that are a perfect picture of our nation today.

But I will use utmost discipline and restrict my reference to his words with one point, that I believe is a perfect example of the contrast we see in the use of power, might and strength.  Samuel was God’s representative.  He took his orders directly from the Throne Room and, in a true sense, relayed those orders to the people.  He was a prophet, a judge, a leader all wrapped into one.  But there was a problem- his sons were not walking in his footsteps and like Eli’s sons were evil.

The people knew that when Samuel was no more they would be under the leadership of the cruel sons. In 1 Samuel 8:5 we read these fateful words: “Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations”.  “Give us a king to judge us!”  Samuel, devastated went to the Lord in prayer, and the Lord responded by saying to him, “Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them” I Sam. 8:7).

God said, “Give them what they want” but also warn them about what was going to happen when you take the controls out of My hands and put them in the hands of a power grabbing man.  He will take, and he will take, and he will take and he will take.  (I Sam. 8:10-17).   

Note: the conclusion to Samuel’s warning, “Then you will cry out in that day because of your King whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.  Nevertheless, the people did not listen” (vs. 18-19). 

Now take heed: “God gave them what they wanted”.  Let me renege, I will only present this one point:  The people did indeed choose a king for themselves and place ultimate power in his hands.  Samuel gives us a description of that man in 1 Samuel 9:2:  “He was a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he as taller than any of the people”. 

I think God may allow me to continue this tomorrow, so be sure and connect.  We are about to choose a king/president.  Will he be a man after God’s own heart or will he be a head and shoulders man? 

Blessings,

Gramps

When All These Things Happen, Look Up!

“In that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot among pieces of wood and a flaming torch among heaves so they will consume on the right hand and on the left all the surrounding peoples, while the inhabitants of Jerusalem again dwell on their own sites in Jerusalem” (Zech. 12:8). 

Hey Gang:  Isn’t it great when someone, that you feel is credible, agrees with something that you have said.?  Bill Salus in his book Isrealestine, a book that is well worth your time, lays out what I believe is very common sense picture of what is going to happen in Israel and the surrounding countries of Israel in the very near future.    

It would help your understanding of what is about to happen, if you read Psalm 83 in its entirety and zero in on verses one through eight.  It would also be helpful if you translate the names used by the psalmist into today’s names of the various countries. 

Aside!  I pray you will bear with me as we traverse through what I have identified as my ninth ‘sign of the time’. I believe it is perhaps the most visible and profound picture of the rapid coming of the final chapter of God’s prophetic plan.  There have been dozens of books written on the subject of Psalm 83 and Gog-Magog.  My intent of the mega pages is to whittle it down to an epistle of a page or two.  Perhaps it will build a hunger and thirst in your heart and soul to dig deeper than you will find in this very short overview.

Point 1, I believe God has only partly fulfilled the reestablishment of the land of milk and honey and Psalm 83 could be the second tier of fulfillment.  If Psalm 83 is a coming event, and I believe it is, then compared the boundaries of all of the nations mentioned in the prophecy beside the geographic boundaries of the Abrahamic Covenant, they are very close.  

Keep in mind there are two prerequisites that must be in place before the great bear from the North comes into the land of Israel:  “They will come against a land of unwalled villages, I will go against those who are at rest to capture spoil and seize plunder”.  (Ezek. 38:11-12).  In other words Israel must be at peace and prosperous. How to they achieve those near impossible goals? By doing a repeat of the past three wars with their neighbors - only this time they will complete the task at hand.

Having been to Israel several times and rubbing elbows with the Jewish people, we found several common denominators that are found in most people of the land: they are sick of war, they want only to live their lives, and be a blessing to the world. They are bordering on exhaustion and the anxiety takes even greater toll on the hearts, minds and bodies every day, since they are a pagan country that has, and continues to reject Jesus as their Messiah and Lord and King, they would sell their souls to the devil to gain peace.  And that folks is precisely that they are going to do.   Daniel nine tells us, “And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week” (verse 27).

Now, tucked away in verse 37:10 of Ezekiel, we find another of those mor: subtle fulfillments of God’s prophetic word: “So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army”.   In Chapter 33:22 of Jeremiah we find yet another promise from God that has been fulfilled and continues to be fulfilled.   “So I will multiply the descendants of David”.   As Anti-Semitism grows and persecution increases, the children of Israel are returning to the land of their heritage in ever increasing numbers and many of these olim enlist immediately, upon arrival, into the Israel Defense Force, increasing the fire power of the IDF.

Aside:  In a recent report from Olive Tree Ministries is a story of a reporter who spent time with the ISIS leaders and was released to carry the ISIS message to the world.  He reported ISIS does not fear the Europeans, the Americans, or any Army of the world except one – Israel.  Why Israel?  Because they are guerilla fighters than can root out the enemies, even when embedded in cities. 

So folks I want you to be aware of the Psalm 83 prophecy so that when it happens, and I believe it could happen tonight or tomorrow morning or any morning thereafter.  Keep in mind that the goal of the militant Muslims is a world- wide caliphate.  The ISIS terrorist organization is made up of Sunni Muslims who are bent on annihilating all who disagree with their religion totally.  They are bent on the world being under the domination of their coming Madhi 12, who will rule with an iron fist.  If that should happen Sharia Law will be the law of the world and let me tell you folks, especially the woman folk out there, that is not something you want to see happen.

I could continue to write epistles based on prophecy every day from now until Jesus comes, and I probably will continue to send them out periodically, but there does not seem to be much interest in prophecy in the blog readership, so perhaps that is God’s way of saying I need to place my time in other areas.

 We will continue on the same Monday, Wednesday, Friday format on Gramps Morning Thoughts and occasionally include something of today’s prophecy fulfillment on Fridays.   The last of this series will be posted on What’s Happening Man blog, Saturday, Feb 6.

Blessings,

Gramps

 

An Old Barn or A New Temple?

“Behold, I will do something new, now it springs forth; Will you be aware of it?  (Isaiah 43:19).  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creature; the old things are passed away; behold new things come” (2 Cor. 5:17).

Hey Gang:  The bride of my youth brought this story, found in a 2005 Guidepost, to my attention:

     “Above my desk at home is a picture of a hundred-year-old South Dakota grain elevator.  It was sent to me by a friend whose father-in-law moved it to this property and worked for more than thirty years to turn it into a beautiful home.  It’s an amazing place that sleeps ten, has a dining car, and a third-floor soda fountain complete with counter, spinning stools and authentic fixtures.”

 As I read that story it brought back memories, I might add not such pleasant memories, of my senior high school days when we had terrible sports teams.  Not only were we lousy in basketball, baseball, soccer, but especially lousy in football.  In my last year we went 0 and 11 and every game was a blow out.  The town fathers, who happened to have several state championships to their credit, decided to take the bull by the horns and announced there would be a radical change in the athletic programs.

They had determined that the problem was not a lack of talent, but an attitude problem.  It was determined that the teams lacked discipline, work ethics and a desire to be winners.  In essence they just did not give a hoot if they won or lost.  Well, step one was to find a coach who would rectify the attitude problem.  Without a will to win, there was a definite lack of discipline to win.

The new coach, who just happened to be a vet who had served in the Marine Corp in WWII and was a combat veteran, was hired; and on being hired announced to the world there would be a change!  He listed the new criteria that would qualify each player for the football team -which was a radical change from the previous coach.   

On the day the candidates were to report to the athletic field to try out for the team, most of the previous players were conspicuous by their absence.   After much recruiting, enough players were found to make a team.  (Keep in mind, in those days players played offense and defense).  We did not do well that year but, by mid-season, we were gaining and even more competitive; and, miracle of all miracles, won our last game.

Getting back to the Guidepost story, I can identify with rest of the story:

      “My friend sent me the picture in response to the anxiety he heard me expressing over the change and uncertainty that came into my life this past year.  He said, ‘Imagine you are that old elevator.  You’ve had a good life of service holding grain for years.  Then along comes this guy with saws, nails, paint and sandpaper, and plans to make big changes.  I bet you’d want to say, “Leave me alone!  That hurts! I want to be what I am, not what you want me to be.”  Now guess who the carpenter is in your life?’”

     I thank God daily that Jesus is the carpenter of my life.   I know He has dreams for me I can’t even imagine, but they require some changes in me before He can fulfill them.  I’m not nearly as useful to Him without the transformation, the “new thing” He wants to do.  But the tough part is, unlike the grain elevator, I have a choice!  And He’s waiting for me to say, 'yes'!"

I suspect most of you who are reading this epistle this morning now who that carpenter is.  But are you willing to put yourself on the carpenter’s bench and let the master carpenter design you into a piece that is even more effective for Him?  Have you prayed recently and asked the Lord to help you see the changes in life as part of Your master design?  I am 82 years of age and I pray daily that God is not finished molding and making me into the image of His Son, Yeshua.  Praise God. He ain’t finished with me yet!

Blessings,

Gramps

They Were There!

  

“There were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses (little in size or age), and Salome.” (Mark 15:40)

Hey Gang:  In the development of the Village we were especially blessed to meet many wonderful people.  Many of them were grandmas who kind-of adopted this young couple, who were up to their armpits in alligators.

One that was very special was Granny Bliss.  She commented that she gets up in the morning and the first thing she does is read the obituary column to see if her name is in it.  If not she goes about her day with as much gusto as she can muster - but she also was quick to confess that a lot of her get-up and go has long since got-up and went.  I have learned in recent years what she meant. 

I have heard some of those who qualify for the rocking chair gang say, “They feel so worthless” because they cannot do great things for the Lord”.  That, my friends, is from the pit!  It takes a spark to build a fire, gasoline to provide fuel to run the engine.   In the Christian walk sparks and gasoline are the ingredients of a powerful and effective prayer life.

When we started the Village we were blessed to have six grandmothers who prayed fervently and continuously for us.  When the alligators were especially active I would call them and soon the tide would turn and the alligators would retreat into the swamp.    Would the problem suddenly disappear?  Not necessarily, but when I knew those ladies were praying, I also knew that Satan had his hands full trying to deal with them.   

My grandma once told me that some people are commissioned by the Lord to do the works of the Lord, and some folks were commissioned to provide the prayer covering for the workers.  There were many days when taking time in my prayer closet was not possible but I knew the grandmas “Were there” in their prayer closets doing battle for us.

In the story of the cross we find the women “were there”.  They “were there” at the trials, the beatings, the road to the cross, the crucifixion, the burial and the victorious trip to the empty tomb. 

We had the opportunity to see the movie War Room several nights ago.  The testimony of the movie was powerful and I would recommend you get a whole barn full of people with loads of popcorn. The wife was at the end of her wits with marital problems and a lack of faith in her life.  She was lead to the true star of the movie, an elderly grandma by the name of Ms. Clara who, throughout the movie, opened God’s love to Elizabeth. 

To give you the entire story would take away from your enjoyment in watching the plots unfold, but I want to share two prayers that, if every Christian in America prayed with the same fervor, it would drive Satan and all of his hordes into the pit where he belongs.  Elizabeth finally got angry enough to declare war against Satan, who was in the process of destroying her marriage and family.

First she claimed the verse, “Submit to the Lord.  But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).  She repeated the verse over and over in each room and then outside and announced to Slue Foot that His victorious days were over.  That he is already a defeated foe and had no place in their home so get lost.

The second was Ms. Clara’s prayer when she learned that Tony, Liz’s husband had given his life to Christ. 

It was not the words alone that were powerful, but the zeal and power with which she delivered the prayer.    She closed the prayer with these words, “You’ve done it again, Lord.  You’ve done it again.  You are so good and You are mighty and You are merciful.  And You keep taking care of me when I don’t deserve it.  Praise You, Jesus, You are Lord.”  She looked like a prize fighter all the time she was praying with arms up lifted and a smile that covered her whole face.

She showed me how very bland my prayer life has become; I vowed, Lord, I will do better from this day on.  So my young colleagues, keep in mind that someone is depending on you and God will bless you in the same measure that you reach out to them.   Also keep in mind Elizabeth’s prayer, “Submit to the Lord.  But resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7.  Memorize it and get it firmly entrenched in your hard drive.

Blessings,

Gramps