March 04, 2009
This is a dream I had sometime last year (after the first two related dreams 7-8 years ago) - and I believe the Lord wants me to share them with whoever is interested. I've been procrastinating and making excuses, but I think the time for procrastination is up...
In this dream I was both looking at the scene and in the scene at the same time, and this lady (wasn't sure if it was me or someone else) was speaking to a young man, not too tall 5.5 or 5.6 maybe, fair skinned with blonde hair.
It turned out he was an angel and he was on his way somewhere (in the dream he was about to take a cab).
Somehow she knew he was an angel and stopped him and asked him "When is the Lord coming back?"
And He answered, almost in amusement or with a smirk: "I don't know when the Lord is coming back"
But then he got serious and said " but I DO KNOW this, right now He's standing on His throne in heaven shouting [and declaring] that He is coming back!"
and then I woke up from that dream. This was the third of a string of similar very vivid dreams I've had about the Rapture.
The first two were sometime in (I think) 2001/2002.
In the first dream I was with a group of people walking down a wide tarred road. There were a lot of people on this road and all of a sudden we started running forward as we heard people shouting "evil is coming, evil is coming".
Everyone started running and we were trying to encourage each other to keep running to get as far away from the 'evil' as possible. It was like a thick black cloud far behind us. I think we could see it progressing and we were trying to run from it.
Eventually as we ran, we ended up under what seemed to be a highway bridge, and a small square panel opened up above in the bridge.
From this opening, something like a rope or green vine came down (through the opening. it was springy like a bungie cord), and each of us the started being pulled by the vine up through the opening and onto another side.
I kid you not, this other side was all bright green grass. The greenness of the grass was so bright and fresh... and then I woke up from that dream.
Now that I think about it, I can see the parallels of the vine with Jesus who says He is the True Vine. I didn't really think about it back then, but I knew I was definitely dreaming about the rapture.
Needless to say I was frightened by the dream, but I went back to sleep and I had a second dream that same night.
In this second dream, there was a helicopter that had landed. I couldn't see the helicopter at first (or maybe I did - I don't remember) but I definitely could hear the sound. and it was the sound of a helicopter that had landed and was stopping. I could tell because I could hear the blades winding down.
Then somehow in the dream I understood that with every rotation and winding down of the blades of that helicopter, so also was the winding down to the Lord's return. It was as though the blades were a countdown and as soon as the blades stopped (which was imminent) so would the Lord return.
By this time the blades were really slow. Like the blades of a standing fan that had been turned off and was about to stop rotating very soon.
Now this time I woke up from the dream in real fear. I got on the phone and I think called home, I turned all the lights in my room on and prayed. I can't even remember how I got back to sleep that night.
I remember back then I shared these dreams with my church... but it has been 7-8 years since I had those dreams, so they kind of became a distant memory to me until last year when I had the third dream.
So... there you have it y'all. No, I didn't eat anything funny before I went to bed.
I believe these dreams were directly from the Lord and that He wants me to share them to remind people that He is coming back. He's been giving all kinds of messages to all kinds of people so that we can get ready for His return (See scriptures that speak of the Rapture at the bottom)
I don't know if there's anyone who can say they never heard, but if we're not ready for His return, it's going to be really difficult. You don't even want to imagine it. Like my pastor says, we want to be on the first ship outta here. no sticking around for the tribulation. It would really be a dreadful time, so please if you aren't ready if Jesus should return right now, find out how to get ready and do so.
The first thing is to receive Jesus, who is God in flesh, who died and rose from the dead, as your Lord and Savior (1 Cor. 15:1-4)
Rom 10:9-10, 13 says, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus Christ as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Acts 4:12 tells us that there is salvation is no other - there is no other name by which man may be saved. If man is going to be saved - Jesus must save him. Jesus himself said that He is "the" way (John 14:6). Being "the" way removes all possibility of other ways.
The next thing is to walk daily with Him (Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit)
Repent of any sins. Ask Jesus to forgive you and come into your heart, and wash you clean from your sins (1 John 1:9). Pray to Jesus. Seek Him. Ask Him to save you, and He will (John 1:12).
Here's a good explanation of what it means to get Saved taken directly from Choo Thomas's website: http://www.choothomas.com/saved.html
"How to be saved:
First, you must give your heart to Jesus Christ and repent of the sins in your life. Jesus will then take away every sin from your past from that moment on. No matter what sin you have committed, He will never remember them and His Spirit will come into you and live within you. You will have His peace and joy within, which the world can never give you. He truly wants you to go to Heaven and be blessed while you're on earth.
Going to church is very important to the Lord, because it is His house and He wants His people to praise Him. While we are praising Him in the church, we will receive many different kinds of blessing, such as healing and deliverance. Also, it is very important to listen to His word and fellowship with other Christians. This is what He wants us to do after we are saved.
Reading the Bible daily and praying, many times a day, is a good way to have a relationship with Jesus. This way, you will hear His voice. God loves to hear your voice raised, praising Him instead of praying silently. God talks to us through the Bible because every word in the Bible is God breathed.
Some Christians and non-Christians literally hear God's voice; sometimes in whispers and other times His spirit speaks into our spirits. When this happens it is like a normal conversation between two people.
After giving our hearts to God, we must work out our salvation daily by giving up the worldly things that we have been doing before our salvation. If you really try, Jesus will strengthen you in every area of your life and you will find a joy that you could never imagine. The world can never match this joy.
God will test your obedience and if you are sincere, God will begin blessing you beyond belief. Some blessing come quickly, while others are slower to come. This is why we have to pray continually.
Learning God's word is very important. Without knowing His word it's very hard to lead a life holy to the Lord and serve Him and be blessed.
If you have a desire to serve Him, God will bless you immeasurably. God's own son wanted to serve Him so much that He gave up His life for us. He didn't just die, but suffered mightily by hanging on the cross for hours, shedding His blood to cover our sins. This was done to save all mankind from the lake of fire.
God hates sin. Please ask God to search your heart to see if you have sinned willfully or without knowing before your bedtime prayer each night. We all sin every day and fall short of the glory of God.
With God, nothing is impossible. He can do any and all things through us, but He will never force us to come to Him. We are born with a will and it is a matter of personal choice for each and everyone to come to Him or reject Him. He wants us to make a choice for Him and not the world.
This is the reason that anyone who has the salvation experience should witness and let others know about the Jesus that lives within them and resides on their tongue.
Many feel that after we die, we don't know anything. In reality, only our bodies die, but the spirit and soul lives on through eternity, just as when we were alive. This is the reason He wants everyone to come to salvation.
If you have been saved but have back slidden, please search your heart and make it right with God. Don't wait too long for we don't know the hour or the day that our lives will end or when Jesus comes for His church.
One of the saddest things in life is to never know Jesus. My heart aches for these unfortunate people because I know where they are going. I have Jesus' love in me.
Jesus' heart aches for His people every second, but there is nothing He can do for those who don't believe in Him. Whoever doesn't believe will be in Satan's hands for eternity.
God bless you,Choo Thomas "
Excerpt above taken from Choo Thomas: http://www.choothomas.com/saved.html
PRAYER:
Here is a simple prayer of repentance you can say right now if you like:
"Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and I deserve the consequences of my sin, but I come before you now to ask for your mercy and forgiveness. I repent of my sins and am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death in my place on the cross paid the penalty for all my sins, and because of His resurrection I now have the gift of eternal life. I trust in Jesus and receive Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Please make my life a living testimony and powerful witness for all you have done for me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."
If you said this prayer, your are now "born-again", which simply means the Lord has recreated you and your "old" self is gone. You're a brand new "reborn" person now. Pray and read your bible everyday and ask God to lead you to a good church where you can get the truth, love and support you need as growing Christian. God loves you and wants to come back for you!!
- - - - - - - - - RAPTURE SCRIPTURES - - - - - - - -
There are so many scriptures in the bible that speak of the rapture. Here are some of them:
1Thessalonians 4:17-18 "After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words."
1 Corinthians 15:51-53 "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed- in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality."
John 14:3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
Thessalonians 2:1 "Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come."
Matthew 24:42-44 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
Matthew 25:13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."
1 Thessalonians 5:4 "But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief." Hebrews 9:28 "So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him."
2 Peter 3:3-4 "First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."
1Thessalonians 5:1 "Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night."
God bless you.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Some Love Scriptures
Love comes from God - 1 John 4:7 (Amplified Bible)
1 John 4:7 (Amplified Bible)7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him].
God is love - 1 John 4:8 (Amplified Bible) 8He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, KJV).
“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).
“God shows His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, KJV).
John 15:12-15“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9, KJV).
“The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5, KJV).
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1, KJV).
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.—Romans 8:38-39
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.—1 John 3:1
1 John 4:9-18In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1 John 4:7 (Amplified Bible)7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him].
God is love - 1 John 4:8 (Amplified Bible) 8He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, KJV).
“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).
“God shows His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, KJV).
John 15:12-15“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9, KJV).
“The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5, KJV).
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1, KJV).
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.—Romans 8:38-39
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.—1 John 3:1
1 John 4:9-18In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
On the Path to Surrender
February 25, 2009
I was listening to a message my pastor did, and he brought up the scripture: "Be willing and Obedient to eat the fat of the land". He was explaining that we may not be "eating the fat of the land" so to speak (i.e walking in the fullness of what the Lord has for us) because sometimes we're not willing, and sometimes we're outright not obedient - and the root of all that is self.
To me, "Self" is the opposite of trusting God. The bible says Stubborness is as the sin of idolatory, which is self worship. ...so if I want to come after Him I have to crucify self, which means I have to identify and put in check anywhere where I'm not trusting God.
It's easy to say "I'm trusting God with this or that", but am I really?
I have to say it seems so overwhelming sometimes that it seems I'm trying so hard (yeah, sure) and it's still not good enough! But that's because I'm focusing on my efforts and my ability to do.
The key is to surrender ALL to the Lord and let Him do these things through me - because His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
But while I know this intellectually, it's quite another to actually walk it.
Something Pastor does mention that helps is to trust the Lord's love and His purposes in order to have the victory. I can definitely see how as I grow in trusting the Lord and trusting His purposes, I can surrender more and more to Him because I know He cares for me and won't let me down... But I can't do it on my own though.
So my prayer each day is asking the Lord to teach me HOW to surrender, and help me to just do it. Just bite the bullet and do it - one thing at a time. The sky will not fall if I let go. really.
That's why I'm trying to meditate daily on scriptures that speak of God's love for me, so I can get it in there. It needs to get into my heart, get mixed with some faith so that it can power this surrender thing.
I guess it's one day/issue/experience at a time... It requires practise just like everything else.
Excerpt From "the practice of the presence of God" by brother Lawrence:
http://www.amazon.com/Practice-Presence-God-Brother-Lawrence/dp/0924722193/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235599621&sr=1-1
In the beginning, Brother Lawrence declared that a little effort was needed to form the habit of continually coversing with God, telling Him everything that was happening. However, after a little careful practice, God's love refreshed him, and it all became quite easy.
When he considered doing some good deed, he always consulted God about it saying, "Lord, I will never be able to do that if you don't help me." Immediately he would be given more than enough strength.
When he sinned he confessed it to God with these words: "I can do nothing better without you. Please keep me from falling and correct the mistakes I make." After that, he did not feel guilty about sin.
Brother Lawrence pointed out that he spoke very simply and frankly to God. He asked for help with things as he needed it, and his experience had been that God never failed to respond.
by Brother Lawrence Scroll Publishing Co. · 2007ISBN: 978-0-924722-19-6
I was listening to a message my pastor did, and he brought up the scripture: "Be willing and Obedient to eat the fat of the land". He was explaining that we may not be "eating the fat of the land" so to speak (i.e walking in the fullness of what the Lord has for us) because sometimes we're not willing, and sometimes we're outright not obedient - and the root of all that is self.
To me, "Self" is the opposite of trusting God. The bible says Stubborness is as the sin of idolatory, which is self worship. ...so if I want to come after Him I have to crucify self, which means I have to identify and put in check anywhere where I'm not trusting God.
It's easy to say "I'm trusting God with this or that", but am I really?
I have to say it seems so overwhelming sometimes that it seems I'm trying so hard (yeah, sure) and it's still not good enough! But that's because I'm focusing on my efforts and my ability to do.
The key is to surrender ALL to the Lord and let Him do these things through me - because His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
But while I know this intellectually, it's quite another to actually walk it.
Something Pastor does mention that helps is to trust the Lord's love and His purposes in order to have the victory. I can definitely see how as I grow in trusting the Lord and trusting His purposes, I can surrender more and more to Him because I know He cares for me and won't let me down... But I can't do it on my own though.
So my prayer each day is asking the Lord to teach me HOW to surrender, and help me to just do it. Just bite the bullet and do it - one thing at a time. The sky will not fall if I let go. really.
That's why I'm trying to meditate daily on scriptures that speak of God's love for me, so I can get it in there. It needs to get into my heart, get mixed with some faith so that it can power this surrender thing.
I guess it's one day/issue/experience at a time... It requires practise just like everything else.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Hope this encourages you as you practise the presence of God:
Excerpt From "the practice of the presence of God" by brother Lawrence:
http://www.amazon.com/Practice-Presence-God-Brother-Lawrence/dp/0924722193/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235599621&sr=1-1
In the beginning, Brother Lawrence declared that a little effort was needed to form the habit of continually coversing with God, telling Him everything that was happening. However, after a little careful practice, God's love refreshed him, and it all became quite easy.
When he considered doing some good deed, he always consulted God about it saying, "Lord, I will never be able to do that if you don't help me." Immediately he would be given more than enough strength.
When he sinned he confessed it to God with these words: "I can do nothing better without you. Please keep me from falling and correct the mistakes I make." After that, he did not feel guilty about sin.
Brother Lawrence pointed out that he spoke very simply and frankly to God. He asked for help with things as he needed it, and his experience had been that God never failed to respond.
by Brother Lawrence Scroll Publishing Co. · 2007ISBN: 978-0-924722-19-6
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
How Grateful I am to THE I AM
February 24, 2009
God is so good. Just started reading a book from Bill Weise titled 23 minutes in Hell. My pastor asked us to read this book as a wake up call to see how real hell is and truly get our act together as a church. However, I have to admit, since I'm a very visual person and reading paints pictures in my mind that sometimes are difficult to erase, I was very concerned about what pictures this book might paint, and I wasn't sure how ready I was for all that.
In anycase, as I started reading, I asked the Lord to help me get out of it what He wanted, and I asked the Holy Spirit to help me as I read. Well, He did.
You see, as I started reading, I skipped a few pages from Bill Weise's intro and first couple pages to where he met Jesus - and boy that got me overwhelmed. The Lord started giving me a different view of this book as I read. It wasn't just a terrifying book about hell, but rather a book about what Jesus has saved me from. It made me sooo grateful to know the Lord and eager to share about Him to others.
I just started reading, so I'm looking forward to all the Lord has forme as I continue reading the book. Today has been great and I'm loving Jesus more already. I look forward to loving Him even more tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow, each day with a new height and depth of His love. Amen!
Scripture that comes to mind for today:
Free from Indwelling Sin
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Sonship Through the Spirit
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;
21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us[b] with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written: “ For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”[c]
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God is so good. Just started reading a book from Bill Weise titled 23 minutes in Hell. My pastor asked us to read this book as a wake up call to see how real hell is and truly get our act together as a church. However, I have to admit, since I'm a very visual person and reading paints pictures in my mind that sometimes are difficult to erase, I was very concerned about what pictures this book might paint, and I wasn't sure how ready I was for all that.
In anycase, as I started reading, I asked the Lord to help me get out of it what He wanted, and I asked the Holy Spirit to help me as I read. Well, He did.
You see, as I started reading, I skipped a few pages from Bill Weise's intro and first couple pages to where he met Jesus - and boy that got me overwhelmed. The Lord started giving me a different view of this book as I read. It wasn't just a terrifying book about hell, but rather a book about what Jesus has saved me from. It made me sooo grateful to know the Lord and eager to share about Him to others.
I just started reading, so I'm looking forward to all the Lord has forme as I continue reading the book. Today has been great and I'm loving Jesus more already. I look forward to loving Him even more tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow, each day with a new height and depth of His love. Amen!
Scripture that comes to mind for today:
Free from Indwelling Sin
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Sonship Through the Spirit
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;
21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us[b] with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written: “ For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”[c]
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Welcome to My Daily Blog
Welcome and God bless you!
I wanted to start a blog to jot down any words or revelations the Lord gives me as I meditate on His word daily. I'm hoping this would aid me in my study and reflection on the Word and on Christ daily. This is primarily for my own purposes, but you are more than welcome to read if you like. I hope you are blessed as you do so - as I'm sure I will be as well.
I wanted to start a blog to jot down any words or revelations the Lord gives me as I meditate on His word daily. I'm hoping this would aid me in my study and reflection on the Word and on Christ daily. This is primarily for my own purposes, but you are more than welcome to read if you like. I hope you are blessed as you do so - as I'm sure I will be as well.
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