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the true hero of the titanic (a repeat daily)
"greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." john 15:16
john harper was born to a pair of solid christian parents on may 29th, 1872. iIt was on the last sunday of march 1886 when he was thirteen years old that he received Jesus as the Lord of his life. he never knew what it was to "sow his wild oats." he began to preach about four years later at the ripe old age of 17 years by going down to the streets of his village and pouring out his soul in earnest entreaty for men to be reconciled to God.
as john harper's life unfolded, one thing was apparent … he was consumed by the word of God. when asked by various ministers what his doctrine consisted of, he was known to reply "the word of God!" after five or six years of toiling on street corners preaching the gospel and working in the mill during the day, harper was taken in by rev. e.a. carter of baptist pioneer mission in london, england. this set harper free to devote his whole time of energy to the work so dear to his heart. soon, john harper started his own church in september of 1896. (now known as the harper memorial church). this church which john harper had started with just 25 members had grown to over 500 members when he left 13 years later. during this time, he had gotten married but was shortly thereafter widowed. however brief the marriage, God did bless john harper with a beautiful little girl named nana.
ironically, john harper almost drowned several times during his life. when he was two and a half years of age, he almost drowned when he fell into a well but was resuscitated by his mother. at the age of twenty-six, he was swept out to sea by a reverse current and barely survived, and at thirty-two, he faced death on a leaking ship in the mediterranean. perhaps, God used these experiences to prepare this servant for what he faced next …
it was the night of april 14, 1912. the rms titanic sailed swiftly on the bitterly cold ocean waters heading unknowingly into the pages of history. on board this luxurious ocean liner, there were many rich and famous people. at the time of the ship's launch, it was the world's largest man-made moveable object. at 11:40 p.m. on that fateful night, an iceberg scraped the ship's starboard side, showering the decks with ice and ripping open six watertight compartments. the sea poured in.
on board the ship that night was john harper and his much-beloved six-year-old daughter nana. according to documented reports, as soon as it was apparent that the ship was going to sink, john harper immediately took his daughter to a lifeboat. it is reasonable to assume that this widowed preacher could have easily gotten on board this boat to safety; however, it never seems to have crossed his mind. he bent down and kissed his precious little girl; looking into her eyes he told her that she would see him again someday. the flares going off in the dark sky above reflected the tears on his face as he turned and headed towards the crowd of desperate humanity on the sinking ocean liner. as the rear of the huge ship began to lurch upwards, it was reported that harper was seen making his way up the deck yelling "women, children and unsaved into the lifeboats!" it was only minutes later that the titanic began to rumble deep within. most people thought it was an explosion; actually, the gargantuan ship was literally breaking in half. at this point, many people jumped off the decks and into the icy, dark waters below. john harper was one of these people.
that night 1528 people went into the frigid waters. john harper was seen swimming frantically to people in the water leading them to Jesus before the hypothermia became fatal. mr. harper swam up to one young man who had climbed up on a piece of debris. rev. harper asked him between breaths, "are you saved?" the young man replied that he was not.
harper then tried to lead him to Christ only to have the young man who was near shock, reply no. john harper then took off his life jacket and threw it to the man and said "here then, you need this more than i do …" and swam away to other people. a few minutes later harper swam back to the young man and succeeded in leading him to salvation. of the 1528 people that went into the water that night, six were rescued by the lifeboats. one of them was this young man on the debris. four years later, at a survivors meeting, this young man stood up and in tears recounted how john harper had led him to Christ. mr. harper had tried to swim back to help other people, yet because of the intense cold, had grown too weak to swim. his last words before going under in the frigid waters were "believe on the name of the Lord Jesus and you will be saved." does hollywood remember this man? no. oh well, no matter. this servant of God did what he had to do. while other people were trying to buy their way onto the lifeboats and selfishly trying to save their own lives, john harper gave up his life so that others could be saved.
"greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends …" john harper was truly the hero of the titanic!
would that we all had such faith and determination were we in such a crisis. the fact is, everyday is a crisis for someone. they will step out of this life and into eternity. Jesus spoke of "weeping and gnashing of teeth." i don't know about you, but that is not a place i would like to spend eternity in.
"nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." acts 4:12 maranatha!
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jul 3
do it now!
"and whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward." matt 10:42
what am i to do? i expect to pass through this world but once. any good work, therefore, any kindness, or any service i can render to any soul of man or animal let me do it now. let me not neglect or defer it, for i shall not pass this way again. — an old quaker saying
it isn’t the thing you do, dear, it’s the thing you leave undone, which gives you the bitter heartache at the setting of the sun;
the tender word unspoken, the letter you did not write, the flower you might have sent, dear, are your haunting ghosts at night.
the stone you might have lifted out of your brother’s way, the bit of heartsome counsel you were hurried too much to say;
the loving touch of the hand, dear, the gentle and winsome tone, that you had no time or thought for, with troubles enough of your own.
these little acts of kindness, so easily out of mind, these chances to be angels, which even mortals find
they come in night and silence, each chill reproachful wraith, when hope is faint and flagging, and a blight has dropped on faith.
for life is all too short, dear. and sorrow is all too great, to suffer our slow compassion that tarries until too late.
and it’s not the thing you do, dear, it’s the thing you leave undone, which gives you the bitter heartache, at the setting of the sun.
— adelaide proctor
give what you have; to someone it may be better than you dare to think. — longfellow
none of us knows the burdens our fellow carry and even if we did , would they weigh as much on us?
Jesus told us how the religious leaders of His day would seek to burden others. "for they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers." matt 23:4 now, in this present day, we are burden by leaders and government, jobs, bills and health, by life and sin. the stress can easily overwhelm one.
then we have Jesus saying, "take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. for My yoke is easy and My burden is light." matt 11:29-30 He would not add just another burden to your load. you see, when we take up His yoke, He becomes the burden carrier.
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aug 2
burning daylight
"so teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." psa 90:12
there was a movie awhile back with john wayne called "the cowboys." the cowboys were awakened with a cry, "we're burning daylight." there were only so many hours in the day where there was light to accomplish what had to be done. it must be done in the allotted light or it wouldn't get done.
i wonder how many of us now are burning daylight? Jesus knew all things and He knew what needed to be done; and done quickly. "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work." john 9:4
the word tells us, "multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision." joel 3:14 there are so many who are just blithely go along, unaware of the fate awaiting them. some believe they will be reincarnated to do it all over again. then there are those who remain quite sure that death is only a release into the vacuum of emptiness; a final rest from all their labors. they will be surprised when they do not awake into the nothingness they seek. you see, the spirit is eternal, from the moment of conception.
i wonder how many of us are questioning whether Jesus really is coming; and coming in a pre-tribulation rapture? i speak for no one but myself, but i will anxiously wait and look for the next "high watch" time for His summoning, and everyday in between.
His delay only means that we have a few more days of daylight to do our jobs; to bring as many as we can into the kingdom. my rapture hopes are more alive than ever. in fact, so alive that i find it difficult to continue writing as though He hadn't come already.
you see, i try to write these dailies a few days ahead of time and schedule them to be sent automatically. that way if something should "come up" or i get too busy, i can remain assured they will be sent out. in fact, one day many will be receiving this email now even though i am already gone. wouldn't that be wonderful? except for one thing. if Jesus has called me home, it means they are still here. now if it was in the rapture that means they are in for a difficult time ahead, a "tribulation" time.
if however, it was my death that summoned me home, i am no less pleased my race is now over and i have joined my Lord. i do so want to be in the rapture, but even more than that, i want to be in His will. just know that i have left teaching and rapture videos explaining what has happened to everyone on my computer and i have many, many bibles in my home to share with others. if it is indeed the beginning of the tribulation, false explanations will abound and bibles will become rarer and rarer.
it doesn't matter if you are "saved through fire" or otherwise - only that you are saved. our precious, beautiful Lord is not willing that any should perish. He's not willing that you should perish, if you happen to still be here. won't you receive Him now as you redeemer, as your Lord and Master, as your God? redemption is only possible through His blood.
our Lord also said, "as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." john 20:21 now spread the good news of Jesus wherever you have opportunity. God bless us everyone.
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aug 1
is God jealous for israel
"pray for the peace of jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee." psa 122:6
well, let us just see.
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just as the roman empire experienced disasters after it forced jews from their land, some consider it more than a coincidence that certain disasters followed more recent attempts by the united states to force jews to give up land.
on october 30, 1991, president george h.w. bush signed the oslo accord pressuring israel to give "land for peace." the next day, "the perfect storm" hit new england causing damages over $100 million, including 30 foot waves demolishing the home of president george h.w. bush at kennebunkport, maine.
on august 23, 1992, president george h.w. bush pressured israel with the madrid "land for peace" agreement. the same day, hurricane andrew smashed into florida causing $30 billion in damages, destroying over 180,000 homes.
on January 16, 1994, president bill clinton met in geneva with syria's president hafez el-assad to discuss israel giving up the golan heights in exchange for peace. within 24 hours a 6.9 earthquake devastated southern california.
on january 21, 1998, israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu was snubbed at the white house when president clinton and secretary of state madeleine albright refused to have lunch with him. the same day, the monica lewinsky sex scandal erupted.
on September 28, 1998, secretary of state albright detailed another "land for peace" agreement requiring israel to surrender 13 percent of the west bank and gaza. president clinton met with yasser arafat and benjamin netanyahu at the white house, followed by arafat telling the united nations there would soon be a palestinian state. the same day, hurricane georges hit the gulf coast causing $1 billion in damages.
on october 15, 1998, yassar arafat and benjamin netanyahu met in maryland to discuss israel giving up 13 percent of the west bank and gaza in exchange for "peace." two days later, tornadoes hit texas leaving $1 billion in damages.
on december 12, 1998, president clinton arrived in the palestinian area to discuss israel giving up "land for peace." the same day, president clinton was impeached.
on may 3, 1999, yasser arafat had scheduled a press conference to announce a palestinian state with jerusalem as the capital. the same day, the most powerful tornado storms to hit the united states whipped through oklahoma and kansas.
on june 8, 2001, president george w. bush sent secretary tenet to jerusalem with a proposal to exchange land for a "roadmap to peace." the same day, tropical storm allison hit texas causing $7 billion in damage and closing george bush airport for two days.
as part of a u.s. brokered "disengagement" deal, on tisha b'av, 2005, jews began to be forcibly evacuated from gaza. instead of "land of peace," when hamas took over gaza, they began digging more tunnels and firing thousands of rockets into israel. the last jewish residents were dragged out on august 22, 2005. the very next day, a tropical depression in the atlantic turned into hurricane Katrina and headed straight for new orleans, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate. property damage in new orleans exceeded $81 billion. nearly 2,000 people died. it was one of the deadliest hurricanes in u.s. history.
just two weeks after jewish residents were forcibly removed from gaza, followed by hurricane katrina, president bush delivered a day of prayer and remembrance address, september 8, 2005: "hurricane katrina was one of the worst natural disasters in our nation's history and has caused unimaginable devastation and heartbreak throughout the gulf coast region ... communities ... decimated ... lives ... lost ... hundreds of thousands of our fellow americans are suffering great hardship."
though not a call to repentance as past presidents had proclaimed, president bush did end his day of prayer and remembrance with the words: "to honor the memory of those who lost their lives, to provide comfort and strength to families of the victims ... i call upon all americans to pray to almighty God and to perform acts of service ... across our nation, many selfless deeds reflect the promise of the scripture: 'for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in.'"
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our country is now precariously positioned as again we meddle in the affairs of israel. that prayer and sentiment would hardly pass the lips of our current president. right now israel itself seems to be counted as among it's own worst enemies. turmoil persists and weakens their defenses against the many outside enemies the would extinguish them again as hitler once tried. do they need prayer? like never before. they are all still abraham's children, beloved and chosen by God. may we never cease to remember that.
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jul 31
where is the promise of His coming?
"but you, daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” dan 12:4
i think we need to address the elephant in the room. as many of you know, i have been on "extra" rapture watch during the last few days. yes, i am always rapture oriented and i still believe it will be to fulfill something specific in scripture, perhaps yet revealed. now it seems the widow anticipated is closing. i will not apologize for getting excited about meeting my Lord, but i also think a bit of exclamation is needed and deserved by readers of mine.
we believe those "many" mentioned in the verse at the opening are the watchmen and the knowledge to be received will be the unsealing at the end, happening as they run "to and fro" through scripture. it shall happen rapidly and many mistaken understandings shall occur. but we have the Spirit of God as our guide and believe: "God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. for the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God." 1 cor 2:10
did God know mistakes would be made beforehand? "in that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight." luke 10:21 so it seems we're babes and human babes and God always knew that.
if we just all keep going blithely along, saying "someday," where can anyone find urgency in that? oh sure, perhaps the dedicated and committed, but the lazy and the laggards, probably not. i've heard the watchmen called puppy bloodhounds learning to sniff among the dandelions. and yes, some have been distracted with a wrong scent, but in reality it is the fragrance of Christ drawing us all. they have spent hours searching the scriptures as admonished to do, and like Christ was, we esteemed them stricken, smitten by God. i would say they are in good company as even our brethren are even now numbered among the scoffers and mockers?
what happens if the watchers don't warn? "but if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand." eze 33:6 could the sword not just as easily be described as the tribulation? you see, the "watch" is not just to alert the saved what is quickly coming, but the lost as well.
i know there is not a watchman anywhere who would wish their forecasting wound anyone's faith. but i would also wonder whether their faith has such shallow roots that it could be so easily uprooted. i remember the parable about seed sowing and how it was received or rejected and i would ask: "can the watchman be held any more accountable for whether the seed grows or doesn't grow than the sower was?" just as there are fair-weather friends there are fair-weather believers. "you are saved, if you hold fast that word which i preached to you — unless you believed in vain." 1 cor 15:2 "now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith." 1 tim 4:1
"I go to prepare a place for you. and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." john 14:2-3 that promise from the Lord is still in effect. i know many of us joined in the excitement of a possible rapture date. i know i did and am i sorry it didn't happen? exceedingly. does that mean i will not "expect" another day? definitely not.
do i believe He is still coming? most definitely. do i think it will somehow fulfill the typology and shadow laid out in the scripture? yes. "declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure." isa 46:10 do i still believe it will be this year? with all that is in me. we still see "the day" approaching. the times and signs abound, even the earth itself is groaning for deliverance.
i just got through watching "hacksaw ridge" again, for the second or third time. it's about a conscientious objector who would serve as a medic only, carrying no gun. i know war is usually categorized as between the good guys and the bad guys. there may be a struggle between right and wrong, but that is often defined in one's own mind. you see, scripture tells us, "no one is good but One, that is, God." mark 10:18
even after much abuse and ridicule from his own comrades, he managed to rescue 75 wounded from certain death. he is quoted as repeatedly praying, "just let me save one more God." he kept saying that while there was strength in his body and his own wounds kept him from continuing.
that's what we are should be praying, "just let me save one more God." that's the goal we should all be living with as long as there is a breath in our bodies. not just for the sake of each soul but for the glory of our God; because it is His desire that none should perish.
yes, even i was momentarily distracted (or attracted) during rapture high watch. although i do daily updates on the website i maintain, once a month i update several pages as needed. things usually done gradually throughout the month had taken a back burner. as soon as the watch was over, i got busy. you see, we occupy. we do the assignment our Lord gave us.
many moons ago there used to be a show called, "this is your life," where all the people and deeds of your life were paraded before the cameras. the life of private doss from hacksaw ridge was so paraded; showcasing deeds done and lives he had saved. i wonder if that is what it will be like in the judgment and if our life will stand up as well as his did. you see, he was a seventh day adventist. his doctrine might not have matched many. yes, there are several immutable truths we must hold to but all the rest are just man's differing opinion. it is our relationship with our Lord that matters.
"test all things; hold fast what is good." 1 thes 5:21 be like the bereans in acts 17:11. we don't throw the baby out with the bath water and we don't throw our faith out disappointments. there will be disappointments in life and trials to refine us. "but He knows the way that i take; when He has tested me, i shall come forth as gold." job 23:10 so if and when there is another "high watch," i will be watching again; watching for my Lord and yours. one thing assured, we are one day closer!
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jul 30
sunday solice - our great opportunities
"hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the day of trouble?" job 38:22-23
our trials are great opportunities. too often we look on them as great obstacles. it would be a haven of rest and an inspiration of unspeakable power if each of us would henceforth recognize every difficult situation as one of God’s chosen ways of proving to us His love and look around for the signals of His glorious manifestations; then, indeed, would every cloud become a rainbow, and every mountain a path of ascension and a scene of transfiguration.
if we will look back upon the past, many of us will find that the very time our Heavenly Father has chosen to do the kindest things for us, and given us the richest blessings, has been the time we were strained and shut in on every side. God’s jewels are often sent us in rough packages and by dark liveried servants, but within we find the very treasures of the King’s palace and the bridegroom’s love. — a.b. simpson
trust Him in the dark, honor Him with unwavering confidence even in the midst of mysterious dispensations, and the recompense of such faith will be like the moulting of the eagle’s plumes, which was said to give them a new lease of youth and strength. j.r. macduff
if we could see beyond today as God can see; if all the clouds should roll away, the shadows flee; o’er present griefs we would not fret. each sorrow we would soon forget, for many joys are waiting yet for you and me.
if we could know beyond today as God doth know, why dearest treasures pass away and tears must flow; and why the darkness leads to light, why dreary paths will soon grow bright; some day life’s wrongs will be made right, faith tells us so.
if we could see, if we could know, we often say, but God in love a veil doth throw across our way; we cannot see what lies before, and so we cling to Him the more, He leads us till this life is o’er; trust and obey.
have you asked to be made like your Lord? have you longed for the fruit of the Spirit, and have you prayed for sweetness and gentleness and love? then fear not the stormy tempest that is at this moment sweeping through your life. a blessing is in the storm, and there will be the rich fruitage in the 'afterward.' — henry ward beecher
the flowers live by the tears that fall from the sad face of the skies; and life would have no joys at all, were there no watery eyes.
love thou thy sorrow: grief shall bring its own excuse in after years; the rainbow! — see how fair a thing God hath built up from tears.
— henry s. sutton
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jul 29
week in review - headlines
"behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me." psa 40:7
FedNow Is Live And The Framework Is In Place For CBDCs Yesterday, with a bit of fanfare but not TOO much fanfare, a “wonderful” new product was launched. FedNow is live, and we can all transfer money to our heart’s content via the Federal Reserve. We are now officially on that slippery slope I’ve been talking about. I wrote about exactly this happening in my dystopian fiction, Good Citizens, and discussed how this could evolve to control almost every aspect of our lives.
Texas public universities offering women’s studies courses on witchcraft, ‘worship of the devil’ Students at publicly funded Texas universities are now able to enroll in courses about witches, black magic and the supernatural — under the guise of women’s studies.
Depths Of Depravity: Gay Parents Pressure Surrogate to Kill Baby After Her Cancer Diagnosis It’s hard to imagine the depths of depravity involved in the utterly heartbreaking story I am about to tell you. All I can do is cry out against such evil along with the Psalmist, “O Lord, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth!” (Psalm 94:1). I know we aren’t as bad yet in society, but it’s accounts like this that really do make me feel as if we are living in days like Noah
World revival is coming World revival is coming – but not a Christian revival. The future will see a world religion that exalts man and minimizes God. … While the coming world’s religious system in some ways resembles Christianity, John calls it “Babylon the Great” – a monstrous, ecumenical combination of everything that people consider “spiritual.” And the world will buy into it – hook, line and sinker.
CEO Of Tech Company OpenAI Says To Prepare Yourself For The Coming ‘World ID Alex Blania, CEO of Worldcoin, a company that wants billions of people to scan their irises to create a global system of authentication, says that a global form of ID is coming ‘whether you like it or not’.
WHO’s power grab through surveillance and “triple billion” targets During an interview with Peter Sweden, Noor Bin Ladin exposed how the World Health Organisation (“WHO”) does not care about your health, but instead, it acts as a globalist organisation under the United Nations (“UN”) to bring about centralised control. She discussed how the aim has been the same for the past 100 years, WHO’s grand designs for surveillance and its “triple billion” targets.
Thanks to China’s evil plot to “starve the world” the oceans will cease to be a food supply… By now, you’re probably aware that China is a formidable adversary, particularly with our current leader in office who has no real authority or control. Decades of past failed US leadership has enabled China to act recklessly. And we’re very sad to report that one of their most devious schemes has been realized, and it involves the ocean and the global seafood supply. Brace yourself, because what we’re about to disclose is genuinely alarming.
Starving 8-year-old girl jumped out of second-story window, walked barefoot to nearby store to ask for food: Report A disturbing story out of West Virginia indicates that an 8-year-old girl had become so hungry that she jumped out of a second-story window and walked barefoot across a busy road late at night to find food at a nearby store.
Thought Crimes on Trial: Ireland’s Controversial Bill Threatens Prison Time for Wrong Speech American lawyer Jonathan Turley predicts that other countries might pass similar laws as part of a broader movement in Europe, particularly within the European Union, aiming to restrict freedom of expression.
Military Notes a Spike in Myocarditis Cases — Wonder Why? A top Pentagon official has confirmed what many of us have known all along; myocarditis cases in the military have soared since service members were forced to take the shot.
Biden official calls providing abortion to military members a ‘sacred obligation�� The National Security Council, under the Biden administration, apparently thinks it is necessary to facilitate the killing of children in the womb to keep America’s fighting females in fine form.
CIA, DoD & Rockefeller Foundation confirmed as architects of Deagel .com 2025 Depopulation Forecast & current Mortality Rates imply Covid Vaccination has made it a target that could be hit In a world where reality often seems stranger than fiction, the machinations behind global events can be an enigma wrapped in mystery. One such intrigue revolves around Deagel.com, an obscure online entity known for its exhaustive data on military capabilities and eyebrow-raising depopulation forecasts for 2025.
Intelligence agency funding research to merge AI with human brain cells An Australia intelligence agency is funding research attempting to merge artificial intelligence with human brain cells.
China Prepares For War: A Timeline Xi’s Inexorable March Toward War.” He’s fond of discussing, and he’s not shy about it, “The rejuvenation of the great Chinese race,” which he likens it to his life’s singular goal. – In October 2022, he mentioned his “laser-like focus on reacquiring the Taiwanese separatists.” He says that if he cannot achieve it, his entire set of lifetime achievements would amount to failure.
Can anyone explain the alarming rise in disability in both the US and UK? I just got off the phone with Ed Dowd. We both agree that the highly alarming rise in disability data in the UK and US is 100% consistent with the COVID vaccine being the cause. If we are wrong and there is a better explanation, why are all the health authorities silent?
Despite Massive Extended Protests, The Netanyahu Government Pushes Through Passage Of ‘Reasonableness Act’ Limiting Power Of Israeli Courts There is big change happening in Israel right now, and it’s being led and championed by Israel’s longest-serving leader, and the people are….hopping mad. Called the ‘Reasonableness Act’, which sounds a little too much like the ‘Enabling Act’ from pre-war Germany, it passed by a vote of 64-0. What’s next? Some are saying nothing short of civil war. Oy, vey! Israel on the brink.
Scientists Working on Merging AI With Human Brain Cells A team of researchers just got a $600,000 grant from Australia’s Office of National Intelligence to study ways of merging human brain cells with artificial intelligence.
Violent thunderstorms spawn unprecedented tornadoes, produce giant hail in Italy Italy confronts contrasting weather extremes as violent thunderstorms, accompanied by giant hailstones, struck northern parts of the country on July 24, 2023, leaving two people dead and causing widespread destruction. In contrast, southern Italy grapples with persistent heatwaves, causing wildfires and the temporary closure of Palermo airport. Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci described the current conditions as some of the most complicated Italy has faced in recent decades.
‘The deadliest threat America’s ever faced’: Mass-produced in China, trafficked from Puerto Rico and available online for just $1 a KILO – why the flesh-rotting zombie drug ‘tranq’ has the DEA terrified A cheap animal tranquilizer being mass-manufactured in China and flooding America’s illicit drug supply is terrifying health officials. Xylazine, or ‘tranq’ as it’s known on the street, has been dubbed a ‘zombie drug’ due to the hunched-over, lifeless state it leaves users in and fact that it causes users’ bodies to erupt in gaping wounds.
The Biden Administration Is Inducing Famine Conditions And Will Enforce Eo 13603 In Order To Eliminate All Resistance Through Planned Starvation Henry Kissinger once admonished leaders that if they controlled oil, they would control nations. However, if one controls food, they control people! Bill Gates and China are doing irreparable damage to the farming industry and the climate change policies are closing the loop.
INFALLIBLE: Pope Francis Tells A Young Transgender Person That God Loves Them Just As They Are, Affirming The LGBTQIA Lifestyle And Agenda Where does it take you if, your whole life, you are a good Catholic who follows the Catholic Church, prays to the ‘Blessed Virgin’, and believes everything they’re taught? It takes you straight to the pit of Hell because at no point during your Catholic life will any priest, bishop, monsignor or pope tell you how to get saved and become born again. The LGBTQIA+ affirming Pope Francis this week consigned a transgender soul to Hell after telling them they didn’t need to change, and that ‘God loves you just as you are’. What does the Bible say? It says the opposite. The pope is quite the liar.
The CBDCs Are Coming, And The Elite Plan To Use These “Digital Currencies” To Enslave Humanity Central bank digital currencies are feverishly being developed all over the globe, and this is something that should deeply alarm all of us.
Population Control and Official USG Policy Personally, I have been reluctant to wander down the rabbit hole relating to various “depopulation agenda” theories involving the COVID crisis. However, the odd concordance between a possible population reduction objective and the dysfunctional “public health” policies is obvious to all open minded thinkers.
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jul 28
familiar friday - His blood for my sins (a repeat daily)
"for this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." matt 26:28
was the death of Jesus necessary? well, i guess it really wasn't if the Father God was content to have His "unique creation" forever separate from Him. but He wasn't. He had to bridge the great gulf that had continually expanded since He created us. "and besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us." luke 16:26
the One who created us and all things is holy. darkness cannot exist in His light. it will always be extinguished. we had to be born again as children of that light to cohabit with Him.
moses was bold enough to ask. "please, show me Your glory". God's response? "I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you."
His goodness is the reflection of His glory. Jesus said, "no one is good but One, that is, God." matt 19:17 from that goodness comes all that we know as good: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." sound familiar? it is the fruit the Holy Spirit causes us to yield when we become one with Him.
so i ask again: was the death of Jesus necessary? to the Father, yes!
and now, a story on this day, celebrated as His death, of why He chose to die.
------------ the room
in that place between wakefulness and dreams, i found myself in the room. there were no distinguishing features save for one wall covered with small index card files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings.
as i drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "people i have liked." i opened it and began flipping cards. i quickly shut it, shocked to realize that i recognized the names written on each one.
and then without being told, i knew exactly where i was. this lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. here were written the actions of every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match.
a sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as i began randomly opening files and exploring their content. some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that i would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. a file named "Friends" was next to one marked "friends i have betrayed."
the titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "books i have read," "lies i have told," "comfort i have given," "jokes i have laughed at." some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "things i've yelled at my brothers." others i couldn't laugh at: "things i have done in my anger," "things i have muttered under my breath at my parents." i never ceased to be surprised by the contents. often there were many more cards than i expected. sometimes fewer than i hoped.
i was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life i had lived. could it be possible that i had the time in my short life to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? but each card confirmed this truth. each was written in my own handwriting. each signed with my own signature.
when i came to a file marked "lustful thoughts," i felt a chill run through my body. i pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. i shuddered at its detailed content. i felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.
an almost animal rage broke on me. one thought dominated my mind: no one must ever see these cards! no one must ever see this room! i have to destroy them! in an insane frenzy, i yanked the file out. its size didn't matter now. i had to empty it and burn the cards.
but as i took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, i could not dislodge a single card. i became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when i tried to tear it.
defeated and utterly helpless, i returned the file to its slot. leaning my forehead against the wall, i let out a long, self-pitying sigh. and then i saw it. the title bore "people i have shared the gospel with." the handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. i pulled on its handle and a small box not more than 3 inches long fell into my hands. i could count the cards it contained on one hand.
and then the tears came. i began to weep. sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. i fell on my knees and cried. i cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. the rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. no one must ever, ever know of this room. i must lock it up and hide the key.
but then as i pushed away the tears, i saw Him. no, please not Him. not here. oh, anyone but Jesus. i watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. i couldn't bear to watch His response. and in the moments i could bring myself to look at His face, i saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. why did He have to read every one?
finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. but this was a pity that didn't anger me. i dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. but He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.
then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.
"no!" i shouted rushing to Him. all i could find to say was "no, no," as i pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. but there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. the name of Jesus covered mine. it was written with His blood.
He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. i don't think i'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed i heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "it is finished."
i stood up, and He led me out of the room. there was no lock on its door. there were still cards to be written.
- by joshua harris
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yes, there are cards remaining to be written. i wonder what they will say?
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jul 27
God is waiting on us
"and therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you...blessed are all they that wait for him." isa 30:18
i know many of you are already beginning to think we have once again been disappointed in our expectations. perhaps that is the way it will turn out, but i would remind everyone - there is still time on the clock. i would remind everyone that we said to watch the few next succeeding days. we are still in the "season" and all the signs that pointed to it have not gone away.
if anything, i am seeing an intensifying of some of them and new ones besides. no. i will never quit expecting. when labor has commenced it is too late for anyone to say, "i've changed my mind." delivery is going to ensue. maybe just a few more pains and pushes. (women may need to explain that to men and childless ones.)
we must not only think of our waiting upon God, but also of something more wonderful still - God’s waiting on us. the vision of Him waiting on us, will give new impulse and inspiration to our waiting on Him. it will give us unspeakable confidence that our waiting cannot be in vain.
let us seek even now, at this moment (in the spirit of waiting on God), to find out something of what it means. He has inconceivably glorious purposes concerning every one of His children. and you ask, “how is it, if He waits to be gracious, that even after i come and wait on Him, He does not give the help i seek, but waits on longer and longer?”
God is a wise husbandman. "therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. see how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain." james 5:7
He cannot gather the fruit till it is ripe. He knows when we are spiritually ready to receive the blessing to our profit and His glory. waiting in the sunshine of His love is what will ripen the soul for His blessing. waiting under the cloud of trial, that breaks in showers of blessings, is as needful. be assured that if God waits longer than you could wish, it is only to make the blessing doubly precious.
"God waited four thousand years, till the fullness of time, ere He sent His Son. our times are in His hands; He will avenge His elect speedily; He will make haste for our help, and not delay one hour too long." — andrew murray
"then believed they his words; they sang his praise. they soon forgot his works; they waited not for his counsel; but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. and he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul." psa 106:12-15 if our day "seems" postponed, it is only for a time and for a reason.
we read of moses, that “he endured, "as seeing him who is invisible." exactly the opposite was true of the children of israel in this record. they endured only when the circumstances were favorable; they were largely governed by the things that appealed to their senses, instead of resting in the invisible and eternal God.
in the present day there are those who live intermittent Christian lives because they have become occupied with the outward, and center in circumstances, instead of centering in God. God wants us more and more to see Him in everything, and to call nothing small if it bears us His message.
here we read of the children of israel, “then they believed his words.” they did not believe till after they saw — when they saw Him work, then they believed. they really doubted God when they came to the red sea; but when God opened the way and led them across and they saw pharaoh and his host drowned — then they believed.
they led an up and down life because of this kind of faith; it was a faith that depended upon circumstances. this is not the kind of faith God wants us to have. the world says “seeing is believing,” but God wants us to believe in order to see. the psalmist said, "i would have lost heart, unless i had believed that i would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." psa 27:13
our hope is not dashed, it is only delayed, and yet, still coming before most think it will.
i do not ask my cross to understand, my way to see — better in darkness just to feel Thy hand, and follow Thee.
we believe on when faith is all we have to hold us up. "faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe." st. augustine
look upon another day delayed as another day to reach another soul; to restore one who has strayed from the "narrow way." God's knows the end from the beginning and we must trust He will make it so. "did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" john 11:40 so what is our mission? the same as it's always been. we watch. we wait. we occupy. we do what we know to do. we still see the day approaching and today we are closer than yesterday.
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jul 26
period?
"seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy." dan 9:27
how else can i say it? with baited breath my anticipation has reached a crescendo. i am worse than a little child at christmas. could that be wrong? "unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." matt 18:3 will you fail to anticipate just so you won't suffer disappointment? the anticipation is part of the joy. when we look around at all the world happenings and refer to scripture being constantly fulfilled, i can only ask: how can anyone fail to be expectant?
sundown tonight will herald the arrival of the ninth of av; a time when many are in high anticipation of the rapture. already i can hear everybody shouting their favorite scripture: "but of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only." matt 24:36 but does that mean we aren't to watch, speculate and anticipate? then why are we also told: "but you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this day should overtake you as a thief." 1 thess 5:4 Jesus scolded those at His first coming because they weren't watching; weren't expecting for His coming. (consider this also: jerusalem is 7-9 hours ahead of america - a completely different day and hour. makes one go, uhm!) speaking of which, is no one taking notice of the turmoil now happening in israel; on the brink of civil war? again, uhm!
have we finally arrived? could this possibly be it? yes, i will be watching the 3 or 4 succeeding days as man's calendar and timing is imperfect. and yes, the day may indeed come and go as all others before have. the thing is, we just "anticipate" days. we "expect" Jesus. "i see Him, but not now; i behold Him, but not near." num 24:17
i know many believe in imminence, and yes, God can do whatever He wants. but He has set the rules and He would be the last one to break them. everything our Lord Jesus ever did was to fulfill scripture, and do we really think the retrieval of His bride would be any different, on some random day? i can think of no better time for it than the true pentecost and the feast of new wine. may the retrieval of the church be heralded on the self-same day it was birthed. God likes to do things on the self-same day.
i believe He wants us to watch and anxiously await it, and yes, to "search" out possibilities. that's exactly why we study the times and seasons, looking carefully at what scripture has foretold. why else would He give us signs? "declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done." isa 46:10 yes, it's all in there. "it is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter." prov 25:2 are we not kings and priests to our God?
a period is usually placed at the end of something. i think our God is fixing to put an exclamation point. the end! that's all folks! you've had your way and see where's it's gotten you. now we are going to do it MY way! you have frolicked in your plans and pleasures; in your mocking and poking. have you never heard of the law of sowing and reaping? all those things you relish shall come upon you. now learn how it should be done.
i read of how it was in the days of noah. "for as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark." matt 24:38 of course, then it was too late for them. then i look at today's world, surely just as much evil and lawlessness abounds as then. and what are we doing? monitoring our social media, gossiping, frolicking in sinful pleasures, wasting time in idle pursuits of "entertainment" and anything for the flesh. all this as they seek now to groom the innocents who managed to survive the birthing process.
"he has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them." john 12:40 that "he" is not God, but satan. all the while the "evil elite" plan our demise as multitudes march blindly in step - even as the jews thought they were taking showers and were gassed instead.
i can speak for no one but myself, but my heart is grieved as lot's must have been in his day. "assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation." matt 23:36 yes, the culmination of all the sinful, evil, unrighteous deeds done here-to-fore is coming and it's coming quickly. it's time to enter the ark and let God shut the door.
even as noah pulled the dove safely back into the ark for seven more days when there was no respite to be found, God will pull His elect safely back to Him for seven years while the tribulation plays out. then, at the end, even as the dove returned with a fig leaf in it's mouth, we shall return with an israel fully redeemed and restored, shouting, "blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" matt 23:39
God formed the world with a whisper, but He's getting ready to shout. now He's going to show us all how it should be; how it will be in His eternal plan.
i don't know about anyone else, but my tent is getting old and wearing out. it's crying out for the new one He promised those who believe; the new wineskin for the new wine it will hold. "for this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." 1 cor 15:53 such a beautiful transformation in the "twinkling of an eye." my heart has already been raptured. i'm just waiting on the rest of me to follow. how about you? do you still have ties to this world? it's time to loosen them.
the Lord gave me a "visual" (not a vision) the other day as i was trying to transfer from my wheelchair. i have to push down with one hand while i pull up with the other. i think that's a perfect example of how we should live our lives. we must push down on sin while we lift up by grace. push down on sin and make sure there is nothing "sticky" holding us back. things that might well hold us down as we are being pulled up. things that might cause us to look back with longing, i.e., lot's wife.
"my beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag." sos 2:9 if we are to be His bride, we must search for Him fervently as the shulamite did. let us dress in our wedding gown - our righteous acts He gave us to perform. let us sleep lightly in our gown, listening for His call.
i have been spending some time in fasting and prayer; time seeking His will that i might not miss it. for those of you so inclined, health allowing, i believe it would be beneficial as well. just whatever you might feel you can do, even a meal. i believe God will honor it.
yes, we have the aforementioned scripture about the day and hour but we also have this warning. "watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming — in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning - lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. and what I say to you, I say to all: watch!" mark 13:35-37 my precious Lord, please let today be "the day." nevertheless, not my will but thine be done.
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jul 25
a brief overview of the signs
"and He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures." luke 24:45
let me say that i can in no way present in this short message all the evidence that causes many to "see the day approaching." i will do what i can but for those wanting a more descriptive explanation i would refer you to two channels on youtube. (yes, God can use youtube to His glory also.) they are "generation 2434" and "dr barry awe." they present many videos between them expounding the signs. there are also many others, but these are enough. now on to my brief rendition.
first let me say that i believe in a pre-trib rapture of His saints and in the seven year plan God ordained for mankind. there were two thousand years without law, two thousand years under the law, two thousand years of grace followed by a one thousand year reign of Christ.
"and he said, 'look, i am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be.'" dan 8:19 daniel was told to seal up the vision just as much of scripture has been sealed, waiting for the appointed time; the end time. but now seals are being broken and knowledge has increased. "i have now come forth to give you skill to understand." dan 9:22 these are the watchmen God has called to study the signs. "and what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" mark 13:37
new revelation has taught us that pentecost is not the traditional time we celebrate, but a full fifty days later. traditional pentecost (shavout) was ascension day and not an unspecified day, devoid of a feast. new revelation also has true pentecost as a hidden "feast of wine" celebrated preceding the ninth of av, a repeatedly day of destruction for the jewish people. this year the ninth of av begins at sunset on july 26 this year.
we have the story of ruth and boaz, a clear sign of the gentile bride and her kinsman redeemer. when was it ruth went to lay at his feet? it was the ninth of av, a time of summer harvest. it was there her destiny was forever linked to her redeemer. "He who gathers in summer is a wise son." prov 10:5 we know Jesus is a wise son.
pentecost - the day the church was born into existence, followed by "the time of Jacob’s trouble" (i.e., the tribulation). so how do we see all that pointing to this time and not some other? convergence. not a single sign but a multitude of them. no one is saying God specifically said this day is "the day," but even as those at His first coming didn't read the signs, will we be guilty of the same?
there is also the mention of ten kings in revelation. next month there will be a meeting of the "brics" nations to invite a further five into their group. their intention is to establish a new world currency, demolishing the sovereignty of the dollar. "these are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast." rev 17:13 will money control be the power given to the beast monitoring buying and selling for the whole world?
and then we have the UN meeting scheduled for september to confirm an already existing covenant for seven years, which just happens to fall on the feast of trumpets. could this possibly be what was spoken of by the prophet daniel? "then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week." dan 9:27 and what is the rest of that scripture? "but in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. and on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate." dan 9:27 here we have the antichrist making his appearance and the beginning of the opening of the seals in heaven; God's seals of judgment for the tribulation.
there are now nearly eight billion people inhabiting the earth and by the opening of the fourth seal a fourth of them will be dead. that's nearly two billion people. i can't see any "safe haven" for those believing in a post tribulation rapture. there are yet seven trumpets and seven bowls of judgment before the wrath of God is complete.
"for God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 thess 5:9 "because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." rev 3:10 "and her child was caught up to God and His throne." rev 12:5 (we are those "caught up" who will rule and reign with Jesus.) we have these and many other typologies throughout scripture indicating a coming rescue for His saints. the tribulation saints are an entirely different scenario and will be given over to the devil at some point.
so now we come to the gist of it all. can we say we believe in His promised rapture in the "twinkling of an eye" and yet refuse to believe this COULD be THE DAY? "if you will not believe, surely you shall not be established." isa 7:9 again, it's not how good any of us are or how established we are in doctrine. do you believe in the name and saving blood of Jesus? "for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." eph 2:8 even the faith to believe is a gift from God but the choice is always ours. everyone is given a measure of faith.
"for you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night... but you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this day should overtake you as a thief." 1 thes 5:2,3 then we have this warning in revelation: "therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you." rev 3:3
just what are we waiting for? not for a day, but for our Lord and Savior. we try to read the signs and discern the times as our understanding allows, but now we see through a glass darkly. now we see talk of aliens, a one world currency, israel on the brink of war, world war 3, artificial intelligence, lawlessness, gender confusion along with coming for the innocents and we cry, "how long o Lord?"
if this day should come and pass and we are still here, will i be sorry? exceedingly. will i cease to expect and watch? never. our Lord commanded us to do so and my heart can do no less. however, i will give the 26th three or four days until i begin to look for another time. love has captured me and i seek no release from it's hold. this world has long since lost it's luster to me. against the shining of my Lord Jesus it is a mere spark in the dark. if our Lord still be waiting and watching for the call of the Father, i will tarry with Him this time. pray we not fall into sleep as the disciples did. if i be labeled foolish i will gladly be a fool for Christ.
whether this be the day or not, we are watching for we have heard and are heeding His warning. we SEE the day approaching. "and what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" mark 13:37 maranatha!!!
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jul 24
on the edge of eternity
"Jesus answered, 'most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.'" john 3:5
yes, that's where all of us are living, on the edge of eternity, and i am just worried many feel "secure" when they really are not. you see, salvation is more than just head knowledge of Jesus Christ. it has to be heart knowledge.
true salvation is not just some "mantra" that you repeat after. there has to be a true recognition of one's unworthiness and need for a Savior. and yes, an honest effort to turn and seek the "right" way, God's way. we all, already, stand under condemnation as a result of adam's original sin and the Spirit of God departing. "he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." john 3:18
yes, there needs to be a confession of faith, but it is not simply repeating a few words after somebody. it is not walking down the aisle to join a church. i have heard these called "churchians," not christians, and in a sense it is true. they are counting on their church or denomination to save them, not the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
i have just heard so many people tell of how they went to church for years and later knew they were never really saved. they didn't know Jesus. i myself went to church in the beginning just to form friends and fit in. there was no real recognition of my complete unworthiness and Jesus as a needed savior. "but we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags." isa 64:6
our Lord gave this warning: "not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' and then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" matt 7:21-23
ah, but they did the "works" of God. our proper response should not be "haven't i" but "haven't You?" many people today are doing those same works and believing those same things, when all the while their heart still remains far from the one who loves them most. they have never taken the time to cultivate a relationship with Him. that's what our Lord seeks and that is what is required.
it is "His" works that we must trust in. does that mean we are free to do whatever? God forbid. true repentance means a change of heart; a turning from our former ways. that's not to say we will never sin again. indeed i have stumbled many times and will again. Yes, i sin and yes, i even have pleasure while doing it.
the enemy is deceptively enticing, but our hearts should quickly turn to the fact this is not pleasing to our Lord, feeling the unease of conviction and distance from the One we love. if that is not the case with someone, surely them must reexamine their confession of faith. i view my repeated sin as one of the barbs fastened to the whip digging deeply into His holy flesh. worthy? no, none of us are worthy; only Jesus.
the other day i hard the story about a preacher giving a sermon. the preacher asked everyone who was righteous to stand up. a couple of people stood up while the others looked on disapprovingly, thinking they thought themselves more superior to others. the preacher hesitated for awhile and then asked, "why aren't the rest of you standing up?" "for He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 cor 5:21
either we believe that or we don't. and if we don't it means that we are clinging onto our own righteousness in some sense. we will never be "good enough." we certainly don't want to "assume" anything... not on His mercy, not on His grace, not on His love. Yes, all these effuse from Him but none of them must be taken lightly.
i in no way want to dispense confusion or doubt on His saving grace. if you have truly believed and confessed, you are saved and will be saved. i just want everyone to check their hearts and be very, very sure. and yes, i confess i still have troubled with "once saved, always saved." and yet, i believe in His saving grace and ability to "keep," regardless of whatever sinful states we fall into.
i know that is true of those who "really" believed, but there exists too many warnings in scripture to be "cavalier" about our salvation. "but i discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when i have preached to others, i myself should become disqualified." 1 cor 9:27 "for it is impossible... if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God." heb 6:4,6 "I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life." rev 3:5 "so then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." rev 3:16 all these and more are scriptures that warn us to "stay."
"then He said to them all, 'if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.'" luke 9:23 "the man who took up his cross was going to the place of death. he was saying 'good-bye' to this world. he would never see his loved ones here again. his old plans and pursuits would be finished. he was reaching the end of his life. what a frightful thing it was to take up the cross! yet in Jesus, this is the first step to freedom: 'for whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it' (Matt. 16:25). have we lost our own lives for Him?... how we love the resurrection glory! we love the Spirit’s power and His gifts. but first we have to die. first we have to be buried. it is only dead men God can raise up. - dr. michael brown
it's way too late in the game to leave anything that important to chance. it's not religion. it's not denominations. it's not country or any other name than Jesus Christ who can assure your eternal habitation with God. "nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." acts 4:12
remember lot's wife. she was at the edge of deliverance when she looked back with longing. she has formed too many ties to the world. we must always be looking forward to Jesus! is He the love and desire of your life?
i admit, i know so little of all God's plans, but i just don't think we will all be His "bride." i see a number being just guests at His wedding. i honestly don't know what determines the bride - love, devotion, watching and longing, hearing and obeying His teachings? who would you accept into your inner chambers? would it not be the one who loved and sought you above all else? whether i am the bride or a guest at the wedding, my joy will be full at His joy. and yet, as scripture says, "but earnestly desire the best gifts." 1 cor 12:31 i desire to know Him in His fullness and that's how He wants to know us.
i just want to add a warning here. many of us consider this week to be an extremely high rapture watch time. we see the day approaching. if it doesn't happen we will continue to look at other possible rapture times, but honestly, this time next year appears to be most likely, and nobody wants that. just look at the world and it's shape. but until or unless more revelation is unsealed, this time of the year will remain the preeminent rapture watch time. if our Lord's whole life was to fulfill scripture, can we really believe His second advent would not also fulfill scripture?
this is just further warning that we all need to get ready and be ready. all i'm really trying to say is, be sure. be very sure. make sure NOW! repent again and pour your heart out to Him.
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jul 23
we need minor keys too
"giving thanks always for all things unto God." eph 5:20
no matter what the source of the evil, if you are in God and surrounded by Him as by an atmosphere, all evil has to pass through Him before it comes to you. therefore you can thank God for everything that comes, not for the sin of it, but for what God will bring out of it and through it. may God make our lives thanksgiving and perpetual praise, then He will make everything a blessing.
we once saw a man draw some black dots. we looked and could make nothing of them but an irregular assemblage of black dots. then he drew a few lines, put in a few rests, then a clef at the beginning, and we saw these black dots were musical notes. o sounding them we were singing -
praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below.
there are many black dots and black spots in our lives, and we cannot understand why they are there or why God permitted them to come. but if we let God come into our lives, and adjust the dots in the proper way, and draw the lines He wants, and separate this from that, and put in the rests at the proper places; out of the black dots and spots in our lives He will make a glorious harmony. let us not hinder Him in this glorious work! — c.h.p.
would we know that the major chords were sweet, if there were no minor key? would the painter’s work be fair to our eyes, without shade on land or sea?
would we know the meaning of happiness, would we feel that the day was bright, if we’d never known what it was to grieve, nor gazed on the dark of night?
many men owe the grandeur of their lives to their tremendous difficulties. — c.h. spurgeon
when the musician presses the black keys on the great organ, the music is as sweet as when he touches the white ones, but to get the capacity of the instrument he must touch them all.
public domain content taken from streams in the desert by mrs. charles cowman
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we are all instruments in God's hands and He is the conductor of our lives. only when we all respond to our cue, to His conducting, will a symphony ensue. we may think the note we play is insignificant and will be drowned out among the instruments that bellow forth their sound, but nay - it is not so. only the conductor knows how the symphony must be played from beginning to the end.
none of us are insignificant in God's plan. He planned everything out before He ever began to "write" the music. He saw how each of us would fit uniquely into the orchestra, His masterpiece work. certainly we all may strike a wrong note from time to time, but with practice and His guidance, we will flow effortlessly into the music.
it is the music of life. He know us; knows us well. He would not give us an instrument to play if we were not able. "no temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 1 cor 10:13 the only escape we seek is out of the devil's plan into the perfect will of God.
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jul 22
week in review - headlines
"behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me." psa 40:7
‘Reduce Population’: Kamala Harris Verbal Slip-Up Corrected By White House Vice President Kamala Harris mistakenly (?) suggested that one of the goals of investing in clean energy is population reduction.
Are You Willing To Starve For The Greater Good? Central planners are pulling double shifts. Contriving plans and proposals to control what you consume, how you travel and cook, where your money is spent, and much, much more.
Globalists Suggest “Finance Shock” And Climate Controls To Launch Their Great Reset Central banks and international banks are now suddenly more concerned with carbon taxation and global warming than they seem to be concerned with stagflation and economic collapse. Likely because this was the goal all along and economic collapse is part of the plan.
America’s Religious Landscape in the midst of a Continuing Exodus, Devotion of True Believers Remains High And of those regular church attendees 82% say they are optimistic about the future of their congregation, and 89% say they are proud to be associated with their church.
She’s 47, anorexic and wants help dying. Canada will soon allow it. An expansion of the criteria for medically assisted death that comes into force in March 2024 will allow Canadians like Pauli, whose sole underlying condition is mental illness, to choose medically assisted death.
Court hears another case that wants to censor 10 Commandments “The Supreme Court already settled this debate. Displays that are part of the history and tradition of America, like the Ten Commandments, are presumed to be constitutional,” said Lea Patterson, counsel at First Liberty.
Pure Evil. Latest Disney Production Is Cartoon About a Girl Who Inherits a Ritualistic Killing, Blood Drinking Cult from her Father Praise Petey is set to premiere July 21st at 10pm ET/PT on Freeform with the first two episodes. Then, two episodes will drop weekly following the premiere, and will be available on Hulu the next day.
Hong Kong Warns Of Japanese Seafood Ban If Fukushima Dumps Nuke Water Into Ocean Last week, the UN nuclear watchdog gave Japan the “greenlight” to dump ‘treated’ radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima plant into the ocean. The plan upset China, the biggest buyer of its seafood exports, and has since sparked concerns in Hong Kong.
Climate engineering is a real and present threat to humanity For geoengineering expert Dane Wigington, climate engineering is the greatest and most immediate threat against humanity.
Are You Willing To Starve For The Greater Good? Central planners are pulling double shifts. Contriving plans and proposals to control what you consume, how you travel and cook, where your money is spent, and much, much more.
BREAKING: Government Reports prove Pfizer & Moderna purposely manufactured Deadly Batches of the Covid-19 Vaccines An investigation of official U.S. Government data, provided by the Centers for Disease Control, has revealed that extremely high numbers of adverse reactions and deaths have been reported against specific lot numbers of the Covid-19 vaccines numerous times.
The Chinese Communist Party is rewriting the Bible …A possible sneak preview of what a Bible with socialist characteristics might look like appeared in a Chinese university textbook in 2020. The rewritten Gospel of John excerpt ends, not with mercy, but with Jesus himself stoning the adulterous woman to death.
13 Nations agree to engineer global FAMINE by destroying agriculture, saying that producing food is BAD for the planet We are now being told that producing food is bad for the planet. To “save” the planet, globalists insist, farms must be shut down across the globe.
Store Food While You Still Can, Because 2.4 Billion People Already Do Not Have Enough Food As This New Global Famine Accelerates Global food supplies just keep getting even tighter, and global hunger has risen to extremely alarming levels. People on the other side of the world are literally starving to death as I write this article, but most of us in the western world simply do not care about the millions that are deeply suffering because the mainstream media hardly ever talks about what is happening. But the truth is that we are feeling the impact of this global food crisis too.
Here Come The Grasshoppers… It was just a matter of time before the grasshoppers joined the party. In 2023, global crops have been devastated by plague after plague. Farmers in the U.S. and elsewhere have had to deal with seemingly endless drought, unprecedented heat, nightmarish flooding and horrifying outbreaks of disease. In fact, citrus greening disease is one of the primary reasons why the orange harvest in Florida is on
Preparing to Wage a Nuclear War? Nuclear Attack F-16 Fighters to Ukraine The United States has begun a training programme for the Ukrainian Air Force in the use of F-16 fighters. They are conventional dual-capable and nuclear fighters.
Britain on lockdown alert as new killer virus which kills 40% of victims ‘certain’ to reach UK …Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) – which kills between 10–40% of people infected – has been identified as a major threat to public health.
Global Alarm: Governments now believe there’s a link between COVID-19 Vaccines, Antibody-Dependent Enhancement & Immune System Degradation …almost two years later, the authorities have quietly decided to begin an investigation into Covid-19 vaccine induced Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and Antibody-Dependent Enhancement after scientists around the world, including many from Harvard and Yale, were forced to admit a debilitating suite of problems have been appearing hours, days or weeks after a Covid-19 vaccine has been administered.
BEAST MODE: Colorado Begins Mark Of The Beast ‘Proving Grounds’ As Amazon One Allows Payments With Your Palm At 11 Whole Foods Locations My daughter Megan..sent me a text message with some crazy photos late last night about her incredible experience at their local Whole Foods store in Colorado. She went to check out and noticed, for the first time, that her Whole Foods was now using Amazon One for payments, and one of the options offered to her was to make a palm payment. Today it’s a payment through the front of your hand, and very soon it will be a payment through the back of your right hand or forehead. Guaranteed.
Google Is Testing An AI Tool Named ‘Genesis’ That Will Create News Stories Using Artificial Intelligence And Be Disseminated Through The Legacy Media Of course, the old joke about the legacy news media has long been that the stories are written with artificial intelligence because it’s not real news, going all the way back to the original fake news known as ‘Yellow Journalism’. But all that is about to change. The global dominators at Google are working on a new project, codenamed ‘Genesis’, that will use AI technology like ChatGPT to write news stories and articles for all the main fake news merchants. And the fact they’ve named it ‘Genesis’? Don’t get me started.
Top economist: Central bankers are planning CBDC currency implants ‘under your skin’ A central banker reportedly told economist Richard Werner there are plans to issue CBDCs that ‘look like a small grain of rice,’ to be implanted under the skin.
CDC confirms COVID Vaccination caused shocking 338x increase in Cancers & AIDS-Associated Diseases Official data made available by the U.S. Government and Centers for Disease Control strongly suggests that fully vaccinated Americans may be developing Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or a similar disease that is decimating the innate immune system.
George Michael could 'return' to touring years after death -- as hologram... Pop legend George Michael tragically died in 2016, but his former Wham! bandmates Shirlie Kemp, Pepsi and Andrew Ridgeley like the idea of an ABBA-style hologram show
Young adult woman gets just 90 days in jail for aborting viable unborn child, burning its body A Nebraska young adult will serve just 90 days in jail for using abortion pills to abort her unborn nearly 30-week-old child... Detectives later learned the Burgesses had disposed of the baby's remains twice — before burying them a third time after burning them.
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jul 21
familiar friday - leaving flowers in your stead
"the flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land." song of sol 2:12
i don't know about you, but i can't count the number of times i felt i have failed God. felt inadequate in a situation or that someone else could have done such a better job.
well, that may be true. but God has made us all to be what we are and He doesn't make mistakes. He is the potter. we are only the clay. how does that song go?
have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way; Thou art the Potter, i am the clay. mold me and make me after Thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still.
yielded and still. "be still and know that I am God." psa 46:10 the enemy will try to use those feelings of failure and inadequacies against us. i think we should regard them as humility as long as we are always giving our best and hoping to do better. "a broken and a contrite heart — these, O God, You will not despise." psa 51:17
let me tell you another one of my little stories.
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the cracked pot
a water bearer in india had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole that he carried across his neck. one of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.
at the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. for a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house.
of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for which it was made. but the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
after two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "i am ashamed of myself, and i want to apologize to you. i have been able to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house. because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.
the bearer said to the pot, "did you notice that there were flowers on your side of the path but not on the other pot's side? that's because i have always known about your flaw, and i planted flower seeds on your side of the path. every day while we walk back, you've watered them. for two years, i have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."
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so i ask, "are you willing to be a leaky pot if it serves our Lord's purposes"? it may not get you the glory but it may get you accepted. "for who has known the mind of the Lord? or who has become His counselor? rom 11:34 i love what He says in job. "where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? tell Me, if you have understanding." job 38:4
God has used imperfect people throughout the bible to demonstrate His purposes and His will. in so doing He is revealing His nature to us; His essence. the potter is molding the clay for His purpose.
no, we don't yet have full understanding. now we see through that glass darkly. we catch glimpses of the glory that awaits us, but only if we are looking. i heard a preacher once say something to this effect: "we live life going forward, but we only understand looking back".
if we will trust Him through thick and thin, through times of rain and drought, in good times and in bad, He may allow us to also glimpse what treasures we leave in our stead; flowers along the way for Him to enjoy.
"we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." rom 8:28
He remembers that we are but dust. but we have the breath of God in us and that is what equips all. "i can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." phil 4:13 we will make it because He will enable us to. but the credit, the glory - that all goes to God.
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jul 20
it's time to get drunk
"eat, o friends! drink, yes, drink deeply, o beloved ones!" song of sol 5:1
WHAT - you say. have i gone crazy, encouraging everyone to drink, even to the point of drunkenness. that's exactly what they accused them of when the Holy Spirit was poured out and they began to speak and proclaim the glories of Jesus to everyone in their hearing. but they were not drunk with the old wine of intoxication. they were drunk with the new wine of the Spirit of God. now as the feast of wine quickly approaches, let us all drink deeply from the new wine. the Lord has prepared new wine skins for us and it will not burst.
i would never encourage someone to partake of intoxication that would rob them of their sense and reason; rob them of their moral aptitude to discern good and evil, the wise and foolish. that was a demon my own father had to struggle with his whole life. he would be a normal, caring spouse and father for long periods of time, but when the desire overtook him he would get falling down drunk, sometimes for a weeks at a time.
"and do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit" eph 5:18 sobering times are coming and we need to get drunk in the spirit. we need His warmth and guidance. if you have partaken of the gift of tongues, use it frequently; "building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit." jude 1:20 if you have not, listen closely to that "still small voice" which guides us all.
i believe, even now, a mighty broom is sweeping the earth. don't you love it when you feel you have really heard from the Spirit? it's a confirmation of kinds that you're where you are and doing what you're supposed to be doing. there is no more comfortable seat in the house than the word of God.
i recently had that happen to me. my prayer time is always followed by a reading of His word. i always do something from the new testament, the old testament and then from psalms. anyway, i was in my morning prayers and suddenly i started thinking, there is a sweeping coming. i really didn't think much of it at the time, but then it came time to open the word.
i mean, honestly, how often do you think one might come across the word "sweep" out of all the passages and possibilities written? the translation i use - the new king james - only records it as being used four times, and my daily reading just "happened" to be one of them. so i really perked up and felt it might be God and not just my "cleaning house" spirit (which i hate to do).
the scripture that gripped me was isa 14:23 "'I will sweep it with the broom of destruction,' says the Lord of hosts." coincidentally (or is it), this happens to be the chapter in isaiah that speaks of lucifer's fall from heaven. a broom that will sweep those into the kingdom that are His and have procrastinated way too long. i don't know if that will come through shaking, conviction or desperation. only He knows what will get your attention, but get it He will. for He is "not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." 2v pet 3:9
Jesus said, "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours." john 17:9 for a long time (and even now) many are praying for their country. is the time now so short that our attention should be shifted to the individual? "'even if these three men, noah, daniel, and job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,' says the Lord God." eze 14:14
the "bewildered" must not perish with those who, "loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." john 3:19 we must fight the devil and his evil schemes tooth and nail. pray the Holy Spirit to deal again with their heart and bring ministers of the truth across their path. bind the blinders the enemy would cover their understanding with.
yes, let us sweep the house until we find the lost. did He not also give us this parable? "or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?" luke 15:8 the Lord will be doing a final sweep of those who will respond to His call.
it is high time for us to awake out of our sleep and slumber. it's time to drink of the new wine. "drink, yes, drink deeply, o beloved ones!" song of sol 5:1 drink so there is enough oil and wine to last us until we drink it again, new with our Lord in the Father's house.
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jul 19
drive a stake down
"bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar." psa 118:27
is not this altar inviting thee? shall we not ask to be bound to it, that we may never be able to start back from our attitude of consecration? there are times when life is full of roseate light, and we choose the cross; at other times, when the sky is grey, we shrink from it. it is well to be bound.
wilt Thou bind us, most blessed Spirit, and enamor us with the cross, and let us never leave it? bind us with the scarlet cord of redemption, and the golden cord of love, and the silver cord of advent-hope, so we will not go back from it, or wish for another lot than to be the humble partners with our Lord in His pain and sorrow!
the horns of the altar invite thee. wilt thou come? wilt thou dwell ever in a spirit of resigned humility, and give thyself wholly to the Lord?
the story is told of a colored brother who, at a camp meeting, tried to give himself to God. every night at the altar he consecrated himself; but every night before he left the meeting, the devil would come to him and convince him that he did not feel any different and therefore he was not consecrated. again and again he was beaten back by the adversary. finally, one evening he came to the meeting with an axe and a big stake. after consecrating himself, he drove the stake into the ground just where he had knelt. as he was leaving the building, the devil came to him as usual and tried to make him believe that it was all a farce.
at once he went back to the stake and, pointing to it, said, “look here, mr. devil, do you see that stake? well, that’s my witness that God has forever accepted me.” immediately the devil left him, and he had no further doubts on the subject. (from the still small voice)
beloved, if you are tempted to doubt the finality of your consecration, drive a stake down somewhere and let it be your witness before God and even the devil that you have settled the question forever.
are you groping for a blessing, never getting there? listen to a word in season, get somewhere.
are you struggling for salvation by your anxious prayer? stop your struggling, simply trust, and — get somewhere.
does the answer seem to linger to your earnest prayer? turn your praying into praise, and — get somewhere.
you will never know His fulness till you boldly dare to commit your all to Him, and — get somewhere.
— songs of the spirit
public domain content taken from streams in the desert by mrs. charles cowman.
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i used to have a preacher and i remember hearing him saying often, drive a stake into the ground when you really feel His presence and know that no one can dig it up but you. i don't know if he ever heard the story i have just related or not, but it really doesn't matter. it's a good practice.
i drove my "forever" stake down in 1984, the night my mother died and beause i "heard" the Lord, she was allowed to die in my arms; in my arms with my spirit being unburdened by guilt. my soul was feeling used and put upon when suddenly i heard a whisper in my spirit, "if you don't do it in love, it doesn't mean anything."
talk about grace. that's the kind of love and mercy we serve. "i am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 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." rom 8:38 if anyone doesn't know that love, search Jesus out now. "He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being." acts 17-27-28 if you do know Him, just love on Him more!
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