Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

"The storm" is over! The lawsuit has ended—there was NO trial! God waited until anything man could do was done. Everything was ready and prepared for the scheduled trial. The legal paperwork was filed; all exhibits were turned in; witnesses were contacted and ready; hours were spent in preparation; the trial was just weeks away; and THEN!—the LORD stepped in. HE secured justice and established our freedom. Permanently!

By HIS Great Power we are free. Seven years after "the storm" began, the very last words I read while on my journey of reading through the Bible—"You are free to go" (God's fulfillment of HIS promise to the Israelites in Jeremiah 33)—is now God's fulfillment of HIS last promise to us. "You are free to go." What we believed by faith has become sight.

THEN They Will Know! It was by HIS Power, HIS might, and HIS hand that we were saved us from the mouth of the lion. Our prayer has always been that ALL would know it was the LORD who saved us. Our prayer has been answered. Only HE gets the Glory for our freedom.

The Proof Came—AFTER! The only way to prove we weren't crazy when for twelve years we stood firm and shared our belief that the lawsuit would never go to trial, is AFTER it doesn't go to trial. HIS promises once again proved true—there was no trial.

Purpose: To Bring Honor and Glory to HIS Name. It's ALL about HIM! The LORD—HE is the One! This is HIS Story. All Honor and Glory belongs to HIM.

 

HIS Story can now be released. 

A New Path—A New Journey! The time has come to take our first steps on HIS new path.   

A Divine Mandate finished. AFTER—HIS Story was completed, THEN—the LORD stepped in, secured justice, granted us our freedom and fulfilled all of HIS promises. 

 

II Chronicles 20:17 - "You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you..."

Isaiah 52:2–3 - "...you once were a prisoner. Now shake off the dust and stand up... This is what the LORD says: 'You were not sold for a price, so you will be saved without cost.' " 

ALL praise, honor, glory and power belongs to our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you, LORD, for your unfathomable Grace. Thank you, LORD, for the gift of Salvation, both now and forevermore. Thank you, LORD, for your Holy Spirit who guided our every step while Walking on His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead). Thank you, LORD, for fulfilling every single one of your promises. Every. Single. One. Only YOU are worthy of our Praise. No words will ever be enough, LORD. No words will ever be enough.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

And That Brings Us to the End

April 9, 2017

And that brings us to the end. Seven years after "the storm" began, and five years after I began the journey of reading through the entire Bible while keeping a journal, The Lost/Last Chapters—which God set aside for such a time as this—is the recorded fulfillment of HIS promise to free HIS people. The promise God gave to Jeremiah (while he was still held captive in Jeremiah 33) was also the last God-given promise given to us by Jane. E. Wolfe. Incredibly, seven years after "the storm" began, the very last verse in the very last chapter, is the recorded fulfillment of God's promise sent to the Israelites through Jeremiah. I believe it to be a message to us. The fulfillment of God's promise sent to us through Jane E. Wolfe is coming. There will come a day when we are no longer held captive by a vicious and vile lawsuit.

There is a WHEN—wait for it.

The more I think about the LORD's promise to free His people being fulfilled in the very last verse of the last chapter in my five year journey of reading through the Bible while keeping a journal, the more awestruck and astounded I am. God's timing is impeccable. Seven years after Jane spoke God's first words of promise to us, the very last verse of the very last chapter of my five year journey of reading, reflecting, and recording my thoughts while reading through the Bible, ends with the fulfillment of Jeremiah 33, Jane's last God-given words to us—God's promise to free HIS people. Incredible!! His promises are true. The Israelites were freed from their bondage as the LORD promised. Hold on! Our deliverance is coming.

There will come a day when we see the fulfillment of God's promise to us. We believe with all our hearts that our deliverance from "the storm" and the lawsuit my sister and brother-in-law filed is coming. Someday we will hear the words, "You are free to go."

Blessed be the name of the LORD!

"O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands, and put everything under his feet; all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swims the paths of the sea. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your NAME in all the earth!!" Psalm 8

No mere human words will every be able to adequately express our love, appreciation, gratitude, thankfulness, and praise to our heavenly Father for His compassion, His sacrifice, and His amazing Saving Grace. 

Addendum: 4/9/17 ~ It took seven years to complete my journey of reading, writing, and then transcribing my journal entries into Blogger. Seven years. So, what is next? I don't know. If God has something more for me to do He will let me know. Here is what I KNOW:

A New Beginning is coming!

I'm ready, Lord. I'm available. Use me and our story, which is YOUR story, in whatever way YOU want. May YOU receive all the honor and the glory for what YOU have done. LORD, it has taken seven years to complete what you so clearly directed me to do. May you bless this work. May it be used to bring others to YOUR saving Grace. Thank you, Father. Thank you, for the journey. Thank you, for allowing us to be the recipients of this Blessed Event.

Psalm 10:14 – "I hope my words and thoughts please you. LORD, you are my Rock, the one who saves me."


Next Entry: Brick by Brick

The Lost Chapters: Review

August 08–22, 2014

Wow! Where do I begin? You can't make this stuff up. Why am I still so amazed by God's timing and abilities? Maybe that is a good thing. I don't ever want to lose the awe of who God is. The more we get a glimpse of who HE is, the more we realize we don't have even the slightest understanding or a beginning knowledge of His amazing Awesomeness.

The Lost/Last Chapters could not have been more relevant or pertinent in content. And, just wait until you hear about the very last verse of the very last chapter recorded on the very last blank page of my last journal. But first, here is the summary of what stood out in the chapters God set aside—for such a time as this.

II Chronicles 11:18 – 15:19 - The danger of PRIDE and becoming self sufficient. It isn't about "I" and what "I" have done, it is that "I can do all things through Christ." Pride → Punishment. There comes a time when God has had enough and He takes His guiding hand out of your life and you are left to fight your own battles by your own devices. God never abandons or leaves us first. When God leaves us to our own devices, it is always in response to our actions of pride, defiance, and our refusal to surrender to Him as Lord of our lives. When you try to do things your own way you are arguing against God and that is an argument you will never win. Stop! Stop what you are doing. Accountability and consequences for our choices WILL happen. You cannot try to circumvent God's will and have success at the same time. It won't work. It can't work. The flip side is when you have surrendered your will and are obedient to the Lord—you can't lose. The size of the army doesn't matter because the battle belongs to the Lord. It is ALL about Him. He is the One who leads the obedient. Victory comes when you obey and depend on the LORD. You can't do it, but God can.  Don't give up. God is in control. Your reward will come.

II Chronicles 16:1 – 19:3 - Be careful. The most dangerous time isn't when you are facing a great crisis. The most dangerous time is when the crisis is over and the victory is won. Success can breed pride, and pride (self-sufficiency) has ruined many people. It becomes easy to forget WHO provided the victory and to instead start believing in your own abilities, strengths, wisdom, skills, etc. It takes intentional desire and effort to follow God; surrendering your will to the LORD's will does not happen automatically or accidentally. You have to want to obey. Where there is obedience there is also the desire to tell others about Him. The Lord protects and blesses those who are obedient to Him. But, be careful. Don't purposely align yourself with unbelievers or there will be danger ahead. There is a fine line between loving the sinner and hating the sin. It can become blurred very quickly and we find ourselves compromised in our relationship with God. God calls us to be separate. If we are aligned with those who are pursuing their own agenda instead of God's agenda, we may be in the line of fire when accountability happens. And, accountability WILL happen. Man can make the best laid plans, but God is still in control. What appears to be "by chance" is actually the Hand of God. God protects those who call on Him; He holds accountable those who have turned their backs on Him. We control whether we submit ourselves to the authority of God and obey His teachings. God controls the rest.

II Chronicles 19:4 – 21:3 - Attacks (unexpected storms) from others can come unprovoked. Cry out to the LORD for HIS help. Search HIS Word. Surrender your will to HIS. Believe HIS promises. Follow HIS specific instructions. Keep doing what is right. When you have done all He has asked you to do, you can have complete confidence in His promises. "The battle is not your battle, it is God's." "You won't need to fight in this battle. Just stand strong in your places, and you will see the LORD save you..." Don't be afraid or discouraged. Stand strong. Praise HIS name first and foremost, before, during, and after the battle. It is the LORD who will take over the battle and HE is the One who will secure the victory. (Psalm 140)    

II Chronicles 21:4 – 24:27 - If you find yourself linked with others (business associates, friends, etc.) who are not following God, you must break free and separate yourself. You cannot expect to remain faithful to the LORD while compromising God's authority by not following His commands. God sent prophets to warn His people to turn back to Him, but they were stubborn and refused to listen—and accountability happened. God's promises are true and nothing can destroy or prevent God from fulfilling His promises. We are the ones who mess things up. There are consequences for our life choices. Our decisions bring God's promised results: Blessing—or—Curses. Our relationship with the LORD has to be personal. It isn't enough to start well. We must finish well!!!

II Chronicles 25:1 – 26:23 - When facing a battle, don't put your faith in your own strength or your trust in your ability to "buy" man's help. God has the power to help you OR defeat you. Put your faith and trust in Him. It doesn't matter what you have already spent or lost, walk away from it. God can give you much more! Rely on HIM, and only Him. It is HIS battle. Don't be stubborn. Repent, and turn from your old ways. Let go (of your need to be in control—pride) and "let" God (surrender your will to His). God provides the opportunity. It is up to us how we are going to respond. It is not our abilities, our talents, or our perseverance that brings us success. Our success comes from God's response to our obedience and servant-hood. The secret to success is simple—obey the LORD!

II Chronicles 27:1 – 28:27 - Obey God—and He supplies your needs and gives you success as you follow hard after Him. Disobey God—and He will eventually hand you over to disaster. God does not tolerate continued disobedience. The longer you refuse to surrender your will to HIS will, the harder it becomes to repent.

II Chronicles 29:1 – 32:23 - Break the pattern! Don't follow the godless ways of the past. Don't be stubborn. There is punishment for disobedience. Change your hearts! Repent! Turn! Obey! Serve! Praise! The Lord is kind and merciful. He never turns away an honest seeker. But sadly, few are willing to listen and obey. When you willingly give back to God your tithe and offerings from what HE has blessed you with, HE in return honors your obedience and submission to Him and He blesses you abundantly. Being obedient, faithful, and loyal to HIS commands does not prevent you from being attacked, ridiculed, insulted, and the object of aggression from those who are following after their own desires and agendas. BUT, stand strong. Don't be afraid or worried, because "there is a greater power with us" than with them. Man cannot circumvent God's will. The battle is not yours, it is HIS. HE will fight the battle, and HE will win. HE is the one who saves you, sustains you, and blesses you. God will use for your good what others intended for your harm.  Stand strong. Wait on the LORD. There is a when! Be ready for it! The battle will end and the victory will be won. God's promises are true.  

II Chronicles 32:24 – 33:25 - It is not about what "I" have done, it is ALL about what HE has done. There is much danger ahead when we forget that and become arrogant in our self pride. There is always forgiveness, but how much better to live a life in surrendered peace then to bear the consequences for disobedience. Our actions determines God's response. When we are faithful—He provides protection. When we are unfaithful—His protection is removed. There is forgiveness and hope, but it requires action in each of our lives to accomplish it. God is ready, willing, and waiting. He speaks to us through his Holy Spirit, His Word, and others. He provides the way. We must humble ourselves → pray → seek → and turn. When we do that, HE does the rest. Hope. There is always hope. But there comes a time when time runs out. Don't wait. Change your heart, mind, and ways—TODAY!

II Chronicles 34:1–33 - God's Word is a like a detailed map for how we should live our lives. If you refuse to acknowledge God as LORD of your life and refuse to follow the path He has laid out, there will come a day when you realize that what you put your misguided faith and trust in had no earthly or kingdom value. It was merely a waste of time and effort as you pursued what turned out to be worthless dust, a temporary god that offered no lasting satisfaction and no salvation. God's Word is true—period. He will do what He says—period. Accountability for personal actions will happen. There are blessings for those who humble themselves before the LORD; there are curses for those who refuse to surrender their will to His. There is NO excuse for ignorance. There is NO excuse for not taking the time to know what His Word says. There is NO excuse for not immediately obeying His teachings once you become aware of what His Word says. It is up to you/us to seek and search hard after Him. And when you do, He will respond to you and use His Word and His Holy Spirit, to reach out to you, teach you, and guide you on HIS path. He will even use prophets (and in our case a prophetess). Ordinary men and women who are called by God, whose words and actions are initiated by the Holy Spirit to be His messenger and His mouthpiece to His people. All for the purpose of either warning His people to repent, or as a message of hope, promise, encouragement, and guidance to those who are seeking hard after Him. It all comes down to this: two different kinds of people; two different choices; and two very different outcomes. It is the same message that resonates throughout all of scripture. We have a choice. Serve God—OR—Serve self. Follow hard after the LORD—OR—Refuse to obey God's teachings. Blessings—OR—Punishment. It really is that simple. Our choices bring God's promised results.

II Chronicles 35:1 – 36:1 -  Don't try to argue with God. That is one battle you will never win. Don't fool yourself into thinking God will not know or will not find out about the things you think or do. He knows our every thought and action. His promises are absolutely-with-out-a-doubt-true. God never breaks His promises and He never goes back on His word. But receiving His promises is not a guaranteed conclusion or something that we have a right to receive IF we turn our backs on Him and are not following HIS ways. His promises are what is available to us. Whether or not we receive His promise depends on the choices we make. IF—we choose to no longer follow after His ways and we choose to follow after other gods with anything or anyone taking the place in our hearts and lives that should be reserved only for the LORD, THEN—we have broken the agreement and God's available promise is null and void. Only we can break the agreement.

II Chronicles 36:2–23 - Some people just refuse to change and to surrender their will to God's. God provides opportunity after opportunity for change. He sends warnings. He disciplines. He patiently waits. He wants them to change their hearts and minds. But yet, even after all of that, some people still refuse to listen and become "stiff-necked." Instead of repenting, they ridicule and make fun of God's people and they despise God's messages. God is patient, kind, and full of grace. But there comes a time when enough is enough and His anger cannot be stopped. There is no remedy, and the consequences commence. It was because of their disobedience, and because of their refusal to listen to His messages, and because they refused to repent, and because they refused to change their hearts, that God brought their enemies against them and God handed them over to captivity. Sometimes innocent people become part of the collateral damage. People who did obey, and did listen to God's messages, and did repent, and did change their hearts, were taken captive as well. But God did not abandon them. He sent a message to His prophet for His people. God's message was this: He promised to hear their prayers; He promised to bring them back out of captivity; and He promised them they would once again enjoy great peace and safety. As a result, all the people would praise HIS name. What the LORD said would happen—happened. God fulfilled HIS promise to free HIS people. He used a most unlikely source. He used a pagan king to fulfill HIS promise. "Now may the LORD your God be with all of you who are his people. You are free to go..." God fulfilled His promise to Jeremiah and He will fulfill His promise to free and restore us.

"You are free to go..."

The Lost/Last Chapters: A step-by-step description that explains why "the storm" began, our thoughts and feelings while battling "the storm"; what we have learned along our journey; the assurance of God's protection; the guaranteed consequences for those who refuse to surrender their will to HIS; and the fulfillment of HIS written-in-stone "I will" promises of protection. When I originally read these chapters (during my hiatus from writing in 2010), I did not understand the significance of these chapters and how they related to our journey. I also didn't grasp the correlation between the last verse in II Chronicles and Jeremiah 33. God, in HIS Sovereignty, set aside these chapters for such a time as this, so I would realize the importance of them and understand what He was showing me: HE is a promise-keeping God; "the storm" is HIS battle to win; HE is faithful; we need to remain faithful; and HE will free HIS people.

Remarkably, every single one of the God-given chapters Jane (Her Name Was Jane) told us to read are represented in The Lost Chapters.

Psalm 150 - Praise! It's all about Him.
Psalm 140 - A Prayer for Protection
Isaiah 30 - Warnings (to those who are obstinate) and a promise to provide Provision for His people (Isaiah writing about the exact time period recorded in The Lost Chapters.)
Psalm 1 - Two different Paths and two different outcomes
Jeremiah 33 - The Promise of freedom and restoration (Jeremiah writing about the exact time period recorded in these chapters).
Psalm 8 - Purpose! It's all about Him.

Next Entry: And That Brings Us to the End

II Chronicles 36:2–23

July 24, 2014

Jehoahaz becomes king. After only three months, the king of Egypt dethrones him and replaces him with another one of Josiah's son. Jehoahaz was taken to Egypt.

Jehoiakim becomes king. He did what the LORD said was wrong. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacks Judah, captures Jehoiakim, and takes him to Babylon.

Jehoiachin becomes king. He does what the LORD says is wrong. King Nebuchadnezzar removes some of the valuable things from the LORD's temple and puts them in his own palace. Then he makes Jehoiachin's uncle Zedekiah (another son of Josiah and brother to Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim), king.

Zedekiah becomes king. He too does what the LORD said was wrong. Josiah's sons (Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah), and grandson (Jehoiachin) all rejected God's teachings. They all witnessed what happened to their father and grandfather. They witnessed Josiah's love for what was in God's word and how things went well for him. They also witnessed what happened when Josiah stubbornly followed his own ways and things did not go well; but still they rejected the LORD's teachings. God sent the prophet Jeremiah to warn Zedekiah, but he refused to change his heart. The people became more and more wicked. "The LORD had made the temple in Jerusalem holy, but the leaders made it unholy."

The LORD, "sent prophets again and again to warn his people." He had pity on them and he wanted them to change, but they ridiculed and made fun of God's people. They despised God's messages. "They refused to listen to the prophets until, finally, the LORD became so angry with his people that he could not be stopped." (NIV and KJV says until there was "no remedy.")

Because of their disobedience and their refusal to listen to the many messages God sent them, and because they refused to repent and change their hearts, God brought the king of Babylon to attack them and God handed all of them over to King Nebuchadnezzar. They were now totally captive. Nebuchadnezzar completely destroyed the temple and took or destroyed every valuable thing. The people were forced to be his slaves. "And so what the LORD had told Israel through the prophet Jeremiah happened." The country was an empty wasteland for seventy years. (Verse 21)

What the LORD said would happen—happened. 

What happened between II Chronicles 36:21 and II Chronicles 36:23, is the fulfillment of God's promise to Jeremiah recorded in Jeremiah 33. Jeremiah was given the promise of the LORD while he was still locked up in the courtyard of the guards. The LORD tells Jeremiah for the second time, "These are the words of the LORD, who made the earth, shaped it, and gave it order, whose name is the LORD: pray to me, and I will answer you. I will tell you important secrets you never heard before... I will bring them back from captivity... they will enjoy great peace and safety." It looks hopeless, but I the LORD am going to do it. Then the people will say: "Praise the LORD All-Powerful, because the LORD is good! His love continues forever."

The country is in ruins—just as Jeremiah said. The people are captive—just as Jeremiah warned. Then what the LORD said would happen in Jeremiah 33—happened. The last two verses in the last chapter of "The Lost Chapters" records it.

"In the first year Cyrus was king of Persia, the LORD had Cyrus send an announcement to his whole kingdom. This happened so the LORD's message spoken by Jeremiah would come true. He wrote:

This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:

The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has appointed me to build a Temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Now may the LORD your God be with all of you who are his people. You are free to go to Jerusalem."

God fulfilled HIS promise to free HIS people.

 

Jane's (Her Name Was Jane) last God-given message to us (given in April of 2008) was Jeremiah 33—God's promise of freedom and restoration. When Jeremiah received the promise from God, he was still locked up in the courtyard of the guards. This was the second time God promised him freedom and restoration. We received Jane's last God-given promise of Jeremiah 33, while we were still locked up in "the storm." Jeremiah 33 is also the second time we received God's promise of protection. Jane's first God-given message to us (given in July of 2007) was Psalm 140—God's promise of His protection. How amazing is that? God fulfilled His promise to Jeremiah and He will fulfill His promise to free and restore us. LORD, SO BE IT. Your word is true. Praise the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth, for HIS great faithfulness.

From the Life Lesson: God used the exile to cause the people to repent, and He used a pagan king to rebuild Jerusalem's Temple.

"They were pushed to the edge of existence where they thought they were hanging on by the skin of their teeth, and they found out that in fact, they had been pushed to the center, where God was. They experienced not bare survival but abundant life... Exile is the worst that reveals the best... disaster seems to be good for people. When the superfluous is stripped away we find the essential—and the essential is God... Exile reveals what really matters and frees us to pursue what really matters, which is to seek the LORD will all our hearts." ~ From Run With the Horses by Eugene Peterson.

Next Entry: The Lost Chapters: Review

II Chronicles 25:1 – 26:23

July 18, 2014

Amaziah becomes king. He does what is right, but it is more out of duty than a passion to follow the LORD's commands. When Amaziah became established, he held those who had killed his father accountable. He followed the laws of Moses and did not hold the children accountable for the actions of their parents.

Amaziah prepares his soldiers for battle. He also hires 100,000 soldiers from Israel for 75 pounds of silver. A man of God comes to him and says—what are you doing? Don't let the men from Israel go with you. Why are you trusting men instead of God? "You can make yourself strong for war, but God will defeat you. He has the power to help you or to defeat you." Amaziah says—but what about the money I have already spent? And the man of God replies—walk away from it. "The LORD can give you much more than that."

God has the power to help you OR defeat you. Put your faith and trust in Him. Rely on HIM, and only Him. It is HIS battle.

So Amaziah goes to war without the hired men and God provides the victory. But THEN, Amaziah brings home the idols of the people he defeated and started worshiping them. Why? Why would he do that? I've always said the most dangerous time isn't when you are facing a battle bigger than yourself because you know you need God's help. The danger comes when the battle has been won and you forget it was God who won the battle. The focus becomes, "look what I have done" instead of, "look what God has done."

Amaziah starts worshiping the idols that could not save those he had attacked and God had beaten. The LORD was very angry and sent a prophet to talk to him. Have you noticed that God always sent someone to warn people when they were getting off track? Unfortunately, it made Amaziah mad and he did not repent. His response was basically, "Who are you to tell me what to do?"

God provides each of us the opportunity for change, but the decision to listen and obey falls entirely upon our own shoulders.

Amaziah would not listen. He tried to align himself with Israel again. Instead of being joined with Israel he was defeated by Israel. He was captured by his enemies, and later he was hunted down and killed by his own people. "God caused all this to happen" because he sought help from others instead of God. Why? Why? Why? Why are some people so stubborn?

We all need to let go (of our pride) and let (surrender to) God.

Uzziah becomes king. He does what the LORD said was right. "As long as Uzziah obeyed the LORD, God gave him success." Therein lies the true secret to success. It is not our own abilities, but God's response to our servant-hood. Unfortunately, when Uzziah became powerful, "His pride led to his ruin." He became unfaithful to God and he thought he was above the rules. Only the priests were allowed to burn incense on the altar, but Uzziah decided that he would do it. The priests tried to warn him, "You have been unfaithful, and the LORD God will not honor you for this." Uzziah wouldn't listen. He became angry and he did what he wanted to do. Because of his actions, Uzziah developed a skin disease and he could no longer live in the palace. He was separated from being around other people for the rest of his life.

The most dangerous time is not when we are in a crisis. The most dangerous time is when things are going well.

LORD, I want to finish strong! May we follow hard after you now and when "the storm" is over.

From the Life Lesson in my Bible – "The humble are always at peace; the proud are often envious and angry." ~ From The Imitation of Christ by Thomas Kempis.

In my Bible margins I have written – "Isn't that amazing! The very thing they think will bring them stature and control actually binds them in a prison. A self made prison of envy and jealousy. What they thought would bring freedom is instead an albatross. A goal or "feeling" that can never be attained."

II Chronicles 25:9 - "...the LORD is able to give thee much more than this." Jane (Her Name Was Jane) has written in her KJV margins – Much More!  See Romans 5 - Uncle Amos's "much more's."

Addendum: 4/12/15 ~ "Walk away from it...the LORD can give you much more." Luke 6:38 - "Give, and you will receive. You will be given much. Pressed down, shaken together, and running over, it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you." We are watching this happen. "The storm" has battered our finances. In our human minds we think, but how can we be restored? How could that happen? How would God be able to do that? See II Kings 6:8 – 8:15.

Our human minds cannot begin to fathom the magnitude of God's love and abilities. Cannot. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow. 


Next Entry: II Chronicles 27:1 – 28:27  

II Chronicles 19:4 – 21:3

July 16, 2014

NCV - "You won't need to fight in this battle. Just stand strong in your places, and you will see the LORD save you... don't be afraid or discouraged, because the LORD is with you. So go out against those people tomorrow."

NIV - "You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you... Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.

KJV - "Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you... fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

The reference for that verse is found in II Chronicles 20:17 and it is our prayer. Oh LORD, may it be so. May ALL know that it is YOU who saved us from "the storm." We have done all You have commanded us to do. We have taken up our positions. We are standing strong. We are putting our faith and trust in You. We are Walking by Faith, first and foremost praising Your name. Hear our prayer. Save us we pray. Amen.

Jehoshaphat repents for getting off track. He goes back to Jerusalem. He again does what he can to turn the people back to God. He appoints judges to settle disputes. He tells them to, "watch what you do..." the job you are doing is not for people, it is for the LORD. He says again, "watch what you do..." God wants you to be fair and he doesn't want your decisions to be influenced by money. He goes on to tell them, "You must always serve the LORD completely, and you must fear him... have courage. May the LORD be with those who do what is right."

Jehoshaphat is doing what is right and minding his own business when the Moabites, Ammonites, and some Meunites banded together and set out to make war against him. It was unexpected and Jehoshaphat was afraid. "So he decided to ask the LORD what to do." He gathered all the people together to ask the LORD for help. Jehoshaphat prayed. "LORD, you are God... you rule... you have power and strength... no one can stand against you... you forced out the people... you promised... you gave this land... IF trouble comes upon us we will come before you... we will cry out to you... THEN you will will hear and you will save us." LORD, here is the problem: people are coming against us. It is people you allowed to remain! Now they have come to force us out of your land that you gave us. "Oh God, punish those people." We have no power against those who are coming to attack us. "We don't know what to do, so we look to you for help."

Then Jahaziel stood up to speak. "Listen to me... the LORD says this to you:

'Don't be afraid or discouraged because of this large army. The battle is not your battle, it is God's.' "

Then God gave specific details. "Tomorrow go down there and fight those people. They will come up through the pass of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the ravine that leads to the desert of Jeruel." And then the promise found in II Chronicles 20:17 -

"You won't need to fight in this battle. Just stand strong in your places, and you will see the LORD save you... don't be afraid or discouraged, because the LORD is with you. So go out against those people tomorrow."

All the people bowed before the LORD in worship. Then some Levites stood up and started praising the LORD. (Psalm 150) The next morning the army headed out. Jehoshaphat stood before them and said, "Listen to me. Have faith in the LORD your God, and you will stand strong. Have faith in his prophets (the words He gave us through Jane), and you will succeed." And then Jehoshaphat did an amazing thing. He listened to the people's advice; he chose men to be singers of praise to the LORD (Psalm 8); and he put them in front of the army. As they marched out they said:

"Praise the LORD: for His mercies endureth forever."

And when they began to sing and to praise God, the LORD took over the battle and secured the victory. II Chronicles 20:22 - "As they began to sing and praise God, the LORD set ambushes... and they were defeated." They praised the LORD before the actual battle was won. They believed in God's promises. They praised the LORD before and after the battle... and ALL knew it was the LORD who secured the victory. (Psalm 140:12 - "I know that the LORD secures justice....")

Addendum: 11/14/14 ~ "You won't need to fight in this battle. Just stand strong in your places, and you will see the LORD save you..." I believe this. I truly believe this.

Addendum #2: 6/22/16 ~ HE will secure justice. HE will protect us. HE is the answer. HE is the One. What does the end of "the storm" look like? I have no idea. But it will be in HIS time and in HIS way. ALL will know it was the LORD who secured our justice. (Psalm 140:12) We absolutely STILL believe this.

Addendum #3: 4/26/18 ~ See the following updates:

By HIS Great Power
The Purpose
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!


Next Entry: II Chronicles 21:4 – 24:27

Revelation 21:1 – 22:21

August 27, 2013

It is finished! Eternal heaven is about to begin. There is a new heaven and a new earth. There is a new Jerusalem that descends from heaven. There will no longer be a "cloud" of God's presence (like there was when God protected and led His people from their bondage in Egypt) because God Himself will be there with His people. Oh what a day! To be in the presence of the LORD God Almighty Himself!! 

Revelation 21:4 - "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain, because the old ways are gone." The One on the throne said, "Write this, because these words are true and can be trusted."

"It is finished. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give free water from the spring of the water of life to anyone who is thirsty. Those who win the victory will receive this, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. But cowards (KJV - fearful), those who refuse to believe, who do evil things, who kill, who sin sexually, who do evil magic, who worship idols, and who tell lies—all these will have a place in the lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." Revelation 21:6–8

The key to knowing God is found in the word I have underlined. You have to be thirsty. His water of life is available to anyone who wants it, but you have to want it. You have to desire it as if you were in a hot dry desert and desperately needing water to survive. If you sincerely want to know God and know more about God, He WILL show you Himself. God has never turned away an honest seeker. NEVER! When you seek Him, you will find Him. It is a promise from God that cannot be broken. 

There is no need for a temple in the New Jerusalem. The Almighty God and the Lamb are the temple. The city doesn't need a sun or moon because God is the light and the Lamb is the lamp. No thing or no one else is needed. We will walk in the light of God and the Lamb. There is no darkness there. There is no sin. Revelation 21:27 - "Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will enter the city."

The river of the water of life flows through the city. It flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb. The tree of life is on each side of the river. Nothing that God judges guilty will be there. Evil is forever gone. Surrounding the throne of God and the Lamb is God's servants—you and me—and we are worshiping the Lord God Almighty. Songs of praise are popping into my mind: I Can Only Imagine; What a Day That Will Be; The Cross Was Enough (Jesus, Son of God); How Great Thou Art.

Jesus as Lord says:

"Listen!  I am coming soon!... Obey my words!"

And again He says:

"Listen! I am coming soon! I will bring my reward with me, and I will repay each one of you for what you have done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and Last, the Beginning and the End. I, Jesus have sent my angel to tell you these things for the churches. I am the descendant from the family of David, and I am the bright Morning Star."

The Spirit and the bride (that's us) say,

"Come!"

Let the one who hears this say,

"Come!"

Let whoever is thirsty,

"Come!"

Revelation 22:17 - "Whoever wishes may have the water of life as a free gift."

Revelation 22:20–21 - "Jesus, the One who says these things are true says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen."

*****

There is no more to say. The Cross of Jesus is enough. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Come!


Next Entry: The Journey: Part Two 

Revelation 19:1–21 (Continued)

August 23, 2013

After hearing about all the destruction happening to the evil and people on earth, the response of the "great many people" in heaven was this:

"Hallelujah! (Praise the Lord) Salvation, glory, and power belong to our God, because his judgments are true and right."

In their righteousness they understood what was happening on earth was true and right. Sin was punished. Accountability happened. Those who had done evil received their just punishment, by God not man. Again they said:

"Hallelujah!"

And the twenty four elders and four living creatures said:

"Amen, Hallelujah!"

Then a voice from the throne said:

"Praise our God, all you who serve him and all you who honor him, both small and great!"

And then a great multitude of people (our loved ones who have went before; and you and I) shouted out, sounding like the roar of rushing water (I'm remembering the deafening roar of Niagara Falls) and sounding like the loud reverberating sounds of thunder saying:

"Hallelujah! Our Lord God, the Almighty, rules. Let us rejoice and be happy and give God glory, because the wedding of the Lamb has come, and the Lamb's bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given to her to wear."

(Fine linen means the good things done by God's people.) Then the angel said to John, "Write this:

'Happy are those who have been invited to the wedding meal of the Lamb!' "

These are the words of God. John bowed down at the feet of the angel, but the angel said, "Do not worship me—worship God, because the message about Jesus is the spirit that gives all prophecy."

Then John saw the heaven open, and there before him was a white horse.

Revelation 19:11–16 - "The rider on the horse is called Faithful and True, and he is right when he judges and makes war. His eyes are like burning fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him, which no one but himself knows. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven dressed in fine linen, white and clean, were following him on white horses. Out of the riders mouth comes a sharp sword that he will use to defeat the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will crush out the wine in the wine press of the terrible anger of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his upper leg was written the name:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." 

Wow! There is no other way to write that then word-for-word out of God's Holy Word. Unlike the counterfeit rider of the white horse in Revelation 6:2, this rider is called Faithful and True; a name we cannot understand; the Word of God; and KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS! And we are with Him as He descends from heaven and makes war with the beast, the false prophet, and the kings of the earth. 

Christ is victorious, the armies of the earth are destroyed, and the beast and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire, to remain there for 1000 years. The thousand year reign of Christ is about to begin.

From Life Lesson:

"Here is the big difference between victory in Christ and victory in the world: A victor in the world rejoices over something he did... but the believer, rejoices over who he is—a child of God, a forgiven sinner, an heir of eternity...

Nothing can separate us from our triumph in Christ. Nothing! Our triumph is not based upon our feelings, but upon God's gift. Our triumph is based not upon our perfection, but upon God's forgiveness. How precious is this triumph! For even though we are pressed on every side, the victory is still ours. Nothing can alter the loyalty of God... it is not something we do. It is something we are." ~ From On the Anvil by Max Lucado

It is ALL about Him. When it is all about Him, we can respond to HIS judgments with happiness and praise, because we know He is Faithful and True and He judges fairly.  There are NO mistakes.  He is: 

 

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.  

Amen.


Next Entry: Revelation 20:1–15

Revelation 16:1–21 (Continued)

August 20, 2013

The seventh angel and bowl—The bowl was poured out into the air, then a loud voice came out from the throne in the temple, saying, "It is finished!" When Jesus was crucified and the Plan for Salvation was completed, Jesus said "It is finished" and the ground shook. Now the time for salvation is over, and this time God said, "It is finished!" and flashes of lightning, noises, thunder, and the worst earthquake ever experienced by man, happened on the earth. The cup of God's anger was forced upon those who refused to surrender to His Lordship. Cities were destroyed, mountains and islands disappeared, and giant hailstones weighing about 100 pounds each fell from the sky upon the people. And still—people cursed God, because this disaster was so terrible. Yet all these horrible disasters combined, pales in comparison with the eternal punishment awaiting those who refuse to change their hearts and lives. 

Revelation is full of so much imagery. Imagery that often times just gets lost, glossed over, or ignored. People are accustomed to watching fictional graphic movies on TV or going to the theaters and seeing 3-D movies of horrific events. When the show is over they either just switch the channel or leave the theater and return to their normal daily routines without thinking anything about it. The imagery of Revelations is often treated the same way. Read it (if it's read at all), put it aside, and then forgot about it. But the events John saw in the Revelation of Jesus are not part of a fictional horror movie. It is Truth. It will happen. And it should cause us to change our hearts and lives.

Don't read it and go back to your normal daily routine. 

Read it—and change your hearts and lives.
Read it—and reach out to the lost and dying.
Read it—and praise the name of the One who is, was, and is to come. 


Next entry: Revelation 17:1–18

Revelation 14:1 – 15:8

August 15, 2013

God's judgment arrives. The time has come; the time for patiently waiting (as in the time of Noah) is over; and the time for judgment is here. Only those who are cleansed by the blood of the Lamb are protected from God's anger. 

John looked—and before him was the Lamb and 144,000 of the redeemed who were saved out of the tribulation. They were singing a new song of praise to the Lamb. Then John saw three angels.

The first angel proclaimed the Gospel of Christ. This happens right at the end of the tribulation and immediately before the judgment of the nations. This message is not about grace and salvation—it is about judgment. The only people it is "Good News" for is Israel and the 144,000.

The second angel announced the destruction of Babylon—false worship. (Revelation 17 & 18 tells us more about Babylon.)

The third angel—accountability happens! Anyone who went along with, followed, and/or worshiped the beast (this boils down to everyone who does not obey and worship Christ as Master) "will drink the wine of God's anger which is prepared with all its strength in the cup of His anger. And that person will be put in pain with burning sulfur before the holy angels and the Lamb. And the smoke from their burning pain will rise forever and ever." (Revelation 14:10–11) There will be no rest, day or night, for those who worship the beast and his idol or who get the mark of his name.

I'm sure there will be plenty of people who think they would never worship the beast so they think none of this applies to them. But wait! Let's examine what the Truth is. 

As a true believer (one who has surrendered their will to God's authority and accepted His free gift of Salvation) your body is a temple of the Lord. Temple—the one and only place where sacrifices were performed. Jesus Christ was the sacrifice for our sins. When we accept His sacrifice and receive Him as our personal Savior our bodies literally become the temple of the Lord. As a repentant believer, your actions show there has been a change in your life.

BUT! There are "religious" unbelievers (people who say they believe but their actions show otherwise) whose bodies are synagogues of Satan. Synagogue—a building, a gathering place, a "town hall" of sorts. It is ran by people, financed by people, and is a place of worship and study. As "religious" unbelievers, one's body cannot be a temple of the Lord. Instead, because there has been no true repentance and change of life, their bodies become a synagogue and gathering place of Satan. 

Unless you are surrendered by word and deed to Master Jesus, and your body is the temple of the Lord because He lives in you as the sacrifice for your sins—you are living in the "synagogue of Satan" (Revelation 2:9; 3:9) and John's message does apply to you!

John says, "This means God's holy people must be patient. They must obey God's commands and keep their faith in Jesus."(Revelation 14:12) Then John heard a voice from heaven saying, "Happy are the dead who die from now on in the Lord... they will rest from their hard work, and the reward for all they have done stays with them." (Revelation 14:13)

Rest and reward—verses—the cup of God's anger that never ends. Psalm 75:8 - "The Lord holds a cup of anger in his hand; it is full of wine mixed with spices. He pours it out even to the last drop and the wicked drink it all." (For other verses that speak of the Lord's cup of anger see: Jeremiah 25:13–15; Isaiah 51:23; Jeremiah 49:12; Ezekiel 23:32; and Luke 22:42–43.)

Then John looked—another angel came out of the temple and said to the One who looked like the Son of Man, "Take you sickle and harvest from the earth, because the time to harvest has come, and the fruit of the earth is ripe." (Revelation 14:15) So, the earth was harvested by the One. The final believers are now removed from the earth.

Then another angel came out of the temple and he also had a sharp sickle. And then from the altar came a third angel who had power over fire, and he told the second angel, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the bunches of grapes from the earth's vines, because its grapes are ripe." This isn't a harvest of redemption. This is a harvest for destruction. The angel swung his sickle and harvested the grapes, "and he threw them into the great winepress of God's anger."

Total. Violent. Destruction.

Addendum: 3/7/2017 ~ Revelation 14:10–11 - "...will drink the wine of God's anger which is prepared with all its strength in the cup of his anger. And that person will be put in pain with burning sulfur before the holy angels and the Lamb. And the smoke from their burning pain will rise forever and ever."

What a horrible, horrific thought. I don't think I ever thought specifically about the source of the smoke from Hades/Hell before. But this verse says the smoke comes from "their burning pain." Oh. my. goodness. An eternity of pain, “their burning pain," evidenced by the smoke that arises from the pit of hell!!

This just became very personal. "THEIR burning pain..." Who is the "their" in your life? Who do you know that is at risk for being part of this group of people whose burning pain will create the smoke that arises from Hell? There IS eternal accountability!    

Do we believe this or not? Because if we believe this then we CANNOT remain the same. We first need to make sure we are living our own lives surrendered to Master Jesus. And then we need to make sure we are doing everything possible to lead others in our sphere of influence to the Path to Salvation.

There is nothing more important. NOTHING!! Eternal accountability is at stake. 


Next Entry: Revelation 14:1 – 15:8 (Continued)

Revelation 11:1–19

August 06, 2013

John was given a measuring stick to measure the temple of God, the altar, and to count the people who were worshiping there. The people inside the temple were protected but those outside the temple, "are not God's people." Then God gave power to "my two witnesses" to prophecy for three and one half years, "and they will be dressed in rough cloth to show their sadness."

For three and one half years they testify to God's message. They have God-given power, and they have complete control over their enemies. Revelation 11:5 - "... if anyone tried to hurt them in whatever way, in that same way that person will die." These two witnesses have the power to stop the rain from falling from the sky; they have the power to turn the waters into blood; and they have the power to send whatever trouble they want to the earth, whenever they want, and as often as they want.

Revelation 11:7 - "WHEN the two witness have finished telling their message" (My emphasis. It will happen at exactly the right time, not a day before or a day after.) the beast (Satan) wages battle against the two witnesses, and as part of God's plan, Satan defeats them and kills them. Their bodies lie in the street of the same city where the Lord was killed. The spiritual meaning of the name of the city is Sodom (city destroyed by God because the people were evil) and Egypt (the country where God's people were held captive). People from every nation, tribe, race, and language will be able to see them.

I used to wonder how this could possibly happen. Obviously, God has supernatural abilities and He doesn't require "man's" capabilities in order to accomplish His plan, but with the advancement of technology (which already exists and is available worldwide), it isn't difficult at all to understand how literally everyone around the world could see them using man-made technology. I'm not saying that is how it will happen because it may very well be a super-natural event orchestrated entirely by God, but it's just interesting to be able to see how what seemed impossible a few years ago could now happen. 

For three and one half days their bodies will lie in the streets. The people of the earth rejoice at their destruction and celebrate because of it. They don't "get it." They don't understand that the message they rejected could have saved them. After three and one half days God put the breath of life back into the prophets once again. They stood to their feet, and all who were watching them became very afraid. They went from being thrilled that their enemies were dead to being terrified because they were alive once again.

The two prophets heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Come up here!" And they "went up into heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched." They ascended into heaven just as Jesus did. During this same time there was a great earthquake and thousands died. Terror upon terror.

7th Trumpet—Now it is time. The angel blows the trumpet and there were loud voices in heaven, saying:

"The power to rule the world
     now belongs to our Lord and his Christ,
and he will rule forever and ever."

Then the twenty four elders bowed down and worshiped God saying:

"We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty
     who is and who was,
because you have used your great power
     and have begun to rule!
The people of the world were angry,
     but your anger has come.
The time has come to judge the dead,
     and to reward your servants the prophets
and your holy people
     all who respect you, great and small.
The time has come to destroy those who destroy the earth."

The time has come, and the heavens are opened, the ark can be seen, and flashes of lightning, noises, earthquakes, and a great hailstorm begins.

Addendum: 2/28/07 ~ The time has come!! The time has come!!

Just over two weeks ago I wrote about the importance of changing your heart and life and The Path to Salvation. While the importance of changing your heart and salvation is woven throughout my entire journals, I didn't know my journals would become public and there wasn't a separate journal entry devoted to explaining The Path to Salvation. It's the most important message of the Bible and the most important message of my journals.   

So, for the last several weeks I have went back through my journal entries and added links to The Path to Salvation wherever I'd written about "change your heart and lives" and "salvation." I've finished adding the links and am ready to begin adding the rest of my entries for Revelation. There are only eleven chapters left before I am finished and God clearly let me know "the time has come." Make sure everyone knows. There is ONE path to Salvation. Make sure it is clear. It is the ONLY thing that matters!! 

Isn't it time? Isn't it time you surrender your ALL to Master Jesus? Why wait? It's the most important decision you will ever make. It literally is a matter of life or death. In this life there are two paths. One is wide and leads to eternal damnation. The other is narrow and leads to eternal salvation. Only you can make the decision on which path to take.

Think about it. Isn't it time?


Next Entry: Revelation 12:1–18

Revelation 7:1–17

July 31, 2013

Yesterday I wrote about the six seals that were opened and the terrible things that were unleashed upon the earth. Today I write about the opposite, people being rescued and sealed for protection by God.

Destruction by wind was going to happen, but God had four angels prevent it from happening until the seal of the living God was put on the 144,000 who were to be protected and saved. The 144,000 came from every tribe of Israel. 12,000 from each of the twelve sons of Jacob.

After this, John looked again and he saw a large group of people who were too many to count. They were from every nation, every tribe, people and language of the earth. They were all standing before the throne wearing white robes and holding palm branches. They were shouting in a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." The angels, elders, and four living creatures all bowed down and worshiped God, saying;

"Amen! Praise, glory, wisdom, thanks, honor, power, and strength belong to our God, forever and ever. Amen!" Revelation 7:12

One of the elders turned to John and asked him where these people came from. John said, "You know sir." And the elder replied, these are the people who came out of the tribulation. They believed in Jesus so their sins were forgiven by his blood and His presence is with them. They will never be hungry or thirsty again. Jesus is their shepherd. The sun or heat cannot hurt them. Like Psalm 23, they will be led to the springs of water, every tear will be wiped away, and they will worship God before His throne.

Only Jesus, the Lamb of God, could open the seals that began the destruction. And only Jesus, the final sacrificed Lamb, can put the seal of salvation on His people. His people—the people who believe and trust Him no matter what—even if it means their physical death.

God's Protection

Psalm 17:8 - Protect me as you would your own eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 18:2–3 - The Lord is my rock, my protection, my Savior. My God is my rock. I can run to him for safety. He is my shield and my saving strength, my defender. I will call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise and I will be saved from my enemies.

Proverbs 2:8 - He makes sure that justice is done, and he protects those who are loyal to him.

II Thessalonians 3:3 - But the Lord is faithful and will give you strength and will protect you from the evil one.

It most likely meant physical death to those who came out of the tribulation. It takes dying to self for all of us if we are to gain eternal life with the One and the Lamb.


Next Entry: Revelation 8:1 – 9:21 

Revelation 4:1 – 6:17 (Continued)

July 30, 2013

Then ALL creatures in heaven and on earth and under the earth joined in saying:

"To the One who sits on the throne
     and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever."

The four living creatures said, "Amen" and the elders bowed down and worshiped.

Are we "getting" this? Have we even begun to understand that life, our temporary time on this earth, is NOT about us and what we want? If our eternal lives in heaven are spent worshiping and praising and giving honor and power and glory to the great I AM and to the LAMB, then why do we think our lives on earth (which are like a mist) are about what we want, when we want it, and how we want it? And then we have the nerve to tell the great I AM what He should do for us?!?

Oh my goodness! Who do we (people) think we are? Certainly not servants of Master Jesus. What has America done with Christianity? What have we done with Christ's message? Where did the idea of prosperity "religion" or this feel-good-God-just-wants-us-to-be-happy "religion" originate? The answer is from selfish desires and from pride. It's from disregarding God's very first commandment and worshiping ourselves instead of God. And out of a selfish heart we present God with a laundry list of our wants. The prayers of the "saints," which should be a sweet smelling aroma to our heavenly Father, are instead a stench in the nostrils of the Most High God.

I want my prayers to be ones of worship, honor, glory, and praise to the only One who is worthy and to the Lamb. I want my prayers to be a sweet smelling aroma in the nostrils of my heavenly Father. 

The Lamb began to open the seals. One of the four beasts told John to "come" and see  So, John looked and recorded what he saw.

1. The first seal was opened. John looked and there before him was a white horse. Its rider had a crown and bow and it went out to conquer "determined to win the victory." Revelations 19 talks about Jesus coming on a while horse and being called Faithful and True. I don't believe this white horse and rider is Jesus. Instead, I believe it to be the Antichrist whose mission is to counterfeit the Christ as part of Satan's plan. He is determined to conquer, but not for the good of man. It is instead for man's destruction.
2. The second seal is opened and a red horse came out  Its rider was given power to take away peace from the earth. Violence runs rampant. Evil abounds.
3. The third seal is opened. A black horse came out. Its rider held a pair of scales. Famine takes over the land. Desperation and starvation are everywhere.
4. The fourth seal is opened. A pale horse emerges and its rider is death, and Hades followed close behind. War, starvation, disease, and death by wild animals kills a fourth of the people of the earth.  
5. The fifth seal is opened. John saw under the altar the souls of the martyred believers who were killed because they were faithful to God and His words and message. Their souls cried out "Holy and true Lord, how long until you judge the people of the earth and punish them for killing us?" Each of them were given a white robe and were told to wait a short time longer because it wasn't quite time yet. There were still more believers who were going to be martyred. When the time is right, THEN judgment will happen.
6. The sixth seal was opened. There was a great earthquake. Total chaos ensued. The sun became black, the moon became like blood. The stars fall to earth from the sky. The sky closed up and disappeared. Every mountain and every island was moved from its foundation. Total chaos. Fear was everywhere and no one was exempt. From the richest to the poorest, from kings and rulers to those who were free or slaves, everyone was terrified. They realized there was indeed a God and that He was showing His wrath. They called on the rocks and mountains to fall on them in a futile attempt to hide from God's wrath. They understood they could not stand up against the holy wrath of the One who sits upon the throne and of the Lamb. What they didn't understand is this: even the rocks, the very thing they were trying to hide under, understood the majesty of God and that He deserves our praise.

The consequences for disobedience kept increasing with each seal that was opened. It reminds me of Leviticus 26 where God talks about the reward for obeying God and the punishments for not obeying God. Each time the people refused to obey, the punishment increased seven fold. Leviticus 26:1 - 27:34; Leviticus 26:1 - 27:34 (Continued); and Leviticus 26:1 - 27:34 (Continued). 

What a contrast between the rewards given for obedience and the punishment set aside for those who have chosen disobedience. What a contrast from praising the Father and the Lamb in Revelation Chapters 4 and 5 and the tribulation described in Chapter 6.

If you are a believer: Stand strong and continue in the faith.

If you are a non-believer or a "religious" unbeliever: Change your hearts and lives while there is still time. Do it today!!

Addendum: 2/7/17 ~ I've been thinking about the number seven. Creation took seven days. In Leviticus the punishments increased seven-fold. In Revelation there were seven seals. I've always known the number seven is significant throughout scripture, but I've never taken the time to study it. Today as I was adding the links to Leviticus, I was reminded once again about the importance of the number seven in the Bible.

I wanted to learn more so I googled the question, "Why is the number seven important in the Bible"? and I found this website: Gotquestions.org

"What is the biblical significance of the number seven "7"?

"The first use of the number seven in the Bible relates to the creation week in Genesis 1. God spends six days creating the heavens and the earth, and then rests on the seventh day. This is our template for the seven-day week, observed around the world to this day. The seventh day was to be “set apart” for Israel; the Sabbath was a holy day of rest (Deuteronomy 5:12).

Thus, right at the start of the Bible, the number seven is identified with something being “finished” or “complete.” From then on, that association continues, as seven is often found in contexts involving completeness or divine perfection. So we see the command for animals to be at least seven days old before being used for sacrifice (Exodus 22:30), the command for leprous Naaman to bathe in the Jordan River seven times to effect complete cleansing (2 Kings 5:10), and the command for Joshua to march around Jericho for seven days (and on the seventh day to make seven circuits) and for seven priests blow seven trumpets outside the city walls (Joshua 6:3–4). In these instances, seven signifies a completion of some kind: a divine mandate is fulfilled."

You can read the rest of the very interesting answer here:  "What is the biblical significance of the number seven "7"?

Several different people have said to us over the years that maybe the lawsuit would end on year seven—but that didn't happen. The year 2014 came and went, and the lawsuit continued on. After reading the explanation of "seven signifies a completion of some kind: a divine mandate is fulfilled" I thought to myself—well of course the lawsuit didn't end on year seven. My sister and brother-in-law deciding to file a lawsuit was a direct violation of God's written word. It most definitely was not part of a divine mandate. It was selfish pursuit of evil plans and a desire to circumvent God's authority by using the world's court system to get what they wanted.

Several weeks ago a new thought came to me. I was writing The Beginning of the End on 1/11/17 when it suddenly occurred to me that it is has been seven years since I knew I was supposed to begin keeping a journal while reading through God's Word again. I began the process of reading and writing on November 16, 2009. When I finished the almost four year journey of reading and writing, I knew I was to transcribe my journals into a format where I could organize and label the contents of my journal. So, the plan to create this (private) blog began. The blog was just for my own personal use. Then along the way, while transcribing my journal entries, the unexpected happened:

LORD – What Am I to Do?
The LORD Answers!
I Didn't Know—BUT GOD DID!!

And for the first time, I realized what I had been working on since November of 2009 and what I thought was just for my own personal use was—THE Book. I knew I was to tell HIS Story, but never did I imagine my journals were the way HE wanted HIS story told.

Now it's early 2017, I am transcribing my journal entries for Revelation from my final journal; I am understanding for the first time that it has taken me seven years to complete the telling of HIS Story; I'm reminded of the importance of the number seven; I look up why the number seven is significant in the Bible; and I read the quote, "In these instances, seven signifies a completion of some kind: a divine mandate is fulfilled."     

Is there any correlation?  There is still editing to complete, but the actual writing and telling of HIS Story, the divine mandate I was given, has taken seven years. HIS Story cannot be released until the lawsuit has permanently ended, so until that time, we will wait. God waited patiently while Noah finished building the boat, and then His judgment began. We will wait patiently for God to reveal His timing. In the meantime, it makes me smile to realize this journey of reading and writing has taken seven years. How cool is that?

Here is what I do know. We are just very ordinary people. I'm 62 years old. I am not college educated. You really can't get more ordinary than we are. But, this isn't our story—it is HIS story—and we serve an extra-ordinary God. I don't know why we were chosen to be the recipients of a Blessed Event. All I know is that God has a plan and I want to be faithful.

There is so much that has happened that had absolutely nothing to do with us. So much. It's humbling to realize the path we have been on has been ordained by the great I AM. It turns out it wasn't my idea to:

• Hike the Appalachian Trail
• Begin going to visit the residents of a nursing home on Christmas mornings
• Go to the nursing home on that fateful day in January 2007
• Start a journal
• Begin to pray and prepare for a New Beginning
• Purge our home of all the lawsuit stuff while it was still ongoing
• Begin Walking On His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead)
• Open up my private journals for the world to see

And the list could go on and on. These weren't just random events. I'm convinced they were/are all "divine mandates" that had nothing to do with us—and after seven years—they are almost all completed. Is there more that needs to happen?

So, when or how is the lawsuit going to end? When can HIS Story become public? I have no idea. Nothing about this journey we have been on has been "ordinary." God has done so many amazing things along this path that it's hard to believe the lawsuit would end in some sort of ho-hum way. So, we wait, and we trust.  

Just like Mt. Kathadin is the goal for those planning on hiking the entire Appalachian Trail, Heaven is the goal for a believer who is following HIS path. There are valleys to cross, mountains to climb, and obstacles to overcome, but there is no safer place to be than on HIS path. We will wait to see what God has planned for our next steps. We will take a step, the next step, and the next step. The journey WILL unfold before us. 

 Walking on His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead).  

Addendum #2: 2/15/19 ~ Two more years have passed—and the lawsuit continues. I just realized (this past week while reading through my entries) that another seven is coming up.  It was in July of 2012 (while hiking the Appalachian Trail), that God brought it to our minds to begin praying about a New Beginning. Without our knowing it at the time, the New Beginning represented a turning point in our lives. You can read about The New Beginning: The Path Unfolds here.

Addendum #3: 6/26/19 ~ And then there was: A New Path—A New Journey


Next Entry: Revelation 7:1–17

Revelation 4:1 – 6:17

July 29, 2013

The visions continued. John looked and there before him was an open door in heaven. The same voice that spoke to him earlier said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this." (Revelation 4:1) Immediately, John was in the Spirit and he was before a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. The person sitting on the throne was The One, God Himself. With beauty, imagery, and details that we cannot fathom and are beyond human comprehension, John begins to describe what he saw—the Majesty of God as He is surrounded by elders, spirits, and creatures.

Day and night the creatures never stop saying:

"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty. 
     He was, he is, and he is coming."

"These living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever." (Revelation 4:8,9)

Then the 24 elders bow down before the One on the throne and they worship Him who lives forever and ever.  They lay their crowns down before him and say:

"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
     to receive glory and honor and power,
because you made all things.
     Everything existed and was made,
     because you wanted it."

It brings tears to my eyes to even imagine what it is going to be like to bow down before the presence of my Lord and God and to have the privilege of laying my crown down before Him and to worship The One who is worthy to receive ALL glory, ALL honor, ALL power, and ALL praise. No words will ever be enough to thank HIM for ALL He has done for us.  Oh, to be able to join with the throng saying:

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.  He was, He is, and He is coming."

What an honor it will be to bow before King Jesus as He sits on His throne; to lay our crown down before Him unashamed; to know you were obedient to His voice on earth; knowing you sought to honor Him and please Him with your life and actions; and knowing you gave Him your all. Oh, what a day that will be. Memories of singing old hymns flood my mind.  O, That Will be Glory and What A Day That Will Be.

Then John saw a scroll in the right hand of The One sitting on the throne. The scroll had writing on both sides and was kept closed with seven seals. An angel asked, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" (Revelation 5:2) But there was no one (small "o") anywhere that was worthy. No one in heaven or on earth or under the earth who could open it or look in it. John cried—hard— because there was no one who was worthy to open it.

Why would John have been so upset? I believe it was because he keenly felt the shortcomings of "man." We are not worthy—but JESUS is. The only one who is worthy is The One. One of the elders told John not to cry. Revelation 5:5 - "The Lion from the tribe of Judah, David's descendant, has won the victory so that he is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."

JESUS IS WORTHY!  He is worthy of ALL honor, ALL glory, ALL power, and ALL praise!


Next Entry: Revelation 4:1 – 6:17 (Continued)

The Book of Revelation

July 23, 2013

Before I begin Revelation, let me make something clear. I am NOT gifted in prophecy or understanding and translating the symbolism found throughout Revelation. That being said, I am sure there will still be much to learn and write about. I am filled with excitement, anticipation, and a little hesitancy. Journaling through the Bible has become a way of life for me. I'm excited to reach the last book, but I am also reluctant to have it over.

LORD, I am so grateful for the journey you put us on. Your love just overwhelms me. Thank you, LORD, for your Son and Your saving Grace. No words will ever be enough to sing to YOU our praises. May my life always bring honor and glory to YOUR NAME.

I'm ready, LORD. Show me what you want me to learn.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ.  

Next Entry: The Beginning of the End

I Peter 2:1–25

July 01, 2013

So, how do you live your life making sure you are focused on doing things that have eternal value? You start by getting rid of all the evil in your life. Get rid of all lying, get rid of all hypocrisy, get rid of all jealousy, and get rid of all evil speech. Get rid of the old and desire the pure and simple teachings of God. Build your life on the "cornerstone" of Christ. I Peter 2:5 - "Let yourselves be used to build a spiritual temple." We are to be holy people whose lives bring praise to His name. Christ is to be the cornerstone, the very foundation, for us to build our lives upon. When we build our lives on Him and not upon our own giftedness, abilities, finances, or desires, we will never be disappointed. Isaiah 28:16 - "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed." NEVER!

To those of us who trust Him, He gives the understanding of what a valuable gift He has given us. But to those who have chosen not to put their trust in Him, a shield is over their eyes and they cannot even begin to understand the concept of trusting in Him alone. To them He becomes "a stone that causes people to stumble, a rock that makes them fall." (Isaiah 8:14) What a difference. To those who trust in Christ He becomes the solid cornerstone that cannot be moved but for those who do not trust and obey Him He becomes the very thing that trips them up, "which is what God planned to happen to them." (I Peter 2:8)

I cannot imagine being on the receiving end of God's plan to make someone stumble. Who would want to trade God's blessings for God's punishment? Psalm 1 says it so clearly. There are two ways to live and two choices to make, but with two very different end results. We either believe, obey, and trust Him—and receive His blessings. Or, we instead rely on self, and we fool ourselves into thinking we are in control when in reality we are not—and we receive His punishment. When we are surrendered, God can use us for His glory. I Peter 2:9 -  "You were chosen to tell about the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

We have a God-given testimony to share, and we need to share it. Not everyone will be supportive. Peter warns that people who do not believe (non-believers and religious unbelievers) are all around us and most likely will try to discount our testimonies or try to prove us wrong. Peter says not to stoop to their levels and to continue to do what you have been doing. Live good lives; live as free people; live as servants of God; show respect for all people; love others; and respect God. Continue to do good in spite of what others say. The truth will be revealed, and the truth brings honor and glory to God.

There is no shame in being falsely accused. We can personally attest to this. When "the storm" first began we thought we would feel shame, but that was very short lived. We soon discovered there is no shame when you are innocent before Christ. I Peter 2:19 - "A person might have to suffer even when it is unfair, but if he thinks of God and stands the pain, God is pleased."

Peter goes on to say in verses 20–21, "If you are beaten for doing wrong, there is no reason to praise you for being patient in your punishment. But if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient, then God is pleased. This is what you were called to do..."

Addendum: 1/17/17 ~ "We have a God-given testimony to share, and we need to share it." A little over a year after writing this I realized for the first time how He wants me to share that testimony. It came as a complete surprise. As I look back over my writings, I can see how God was laying out the plan for years before He eventually revealed His plans to me. 

LORD – What Am I to Do?
The LORD Answers!
I Didn't Know—BUT GOD DID!!

We were totally unaware. The key is this: Be available and remain faithful. You never know how God may choose to use your life.


Next Entry: I Peter 2:1–25 (Continued)