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 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)

Revelation 3:1–22 (Continued)

July 29, 2013

When Jesus/God sent His message to the seven churches in Asia, each message followed the same format.

1. They each started with who He is—The One who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lamp stands; The One who is the First and Last, who died and came alive again; The One who has the sharp, double-edged sword; The Son of God, who has eyes that blaze like the fire and feet like shining bronze; The One who has the seven spirits and the seven stars; The One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David; The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of all God has made. He is The One, the authority on and in ALL things.
2. I know—After his authority was established, he informed them that he knew. I know what you do; I know you work hard and never give up; I know you don't put up with the false teachings of evil people; I know what has happened to you; I know you are poor but that actually makes you rich; I know the bad things some are saying against you; I know where you live; I know you have stayed true to me even though you are surrounded by evil; I know what you do; I know about your love, your faith, your service, and your patience; I know you are growing; I know the truth behind the "why" of what you do; I know people think you are alive but you are really dead; I know what you do, I have put an open door before you; I know the truth about you, that you are not hot or cold. I know... I know... I KNOW. The One who has the authority in ALL things—KNOWS everything about us and KNOWS what we do.  
3. He tells them what is right and/or wrong—Nothing is left to guessing. "This is what I have against you." He step by step tells them where they have gotten off track. He also tells them what they are doing right. He clearly lays out a road map—a path for them to follow.
4. He offers them the solution—"Change your hearts and lives." There are no excuses. He clearly defines the problem and He clearly defines the solutions. He also clearly defines the rewards for obedience.
5. Finally, He says what He is going to do—What He decides to do hinges on our obedience to His corrections.The IF—THEN "I will" promises of God. If you choose disobedience: I will take away your witness; I will fight against you; I will cause suffering; I will destroy; I will repay you for what you have done; I will come like a thief when you do not know I am coming; I will make you bow down to those you have opposed; I will make you know that I have loved them. I will correct and punish those whom I love. Discipline is promised. But those who choose obedience receive blessings rather that discipline. To those who win the victory: I will give the right to eat the fruit from the tree of life; I will give them the crown of life; I will protect them from the second death; I will give them some of the hidden manna; I will give them a white stone with a new name written on it; I will give them power over other nations; I will give them the morning star; I will say they belong to me; I will keep you from the time of trouble; I will make them pillars in the temple of God; I will keep them secure; I will write on them the name of God; I will come in and fellowship with you; I will keep you with me. Two different choices. Two very different results.

This is who I am.
This is what I know.
This is who you are.
This is what you need to do.
This is what I am going to do.

After each letter He said the exact same thing: "Everyone who has ears should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches." Some may be blinded to the truth, but if they listen to the Spirit of Truth they will no longer be blinded, and the Truth is what sets us free. Everyone who has ears should listen. We all have blind spots. It is the Holy Spirit who reveals those blind spots to us.

Listen! Change your hearts and lives. Surrender. Obey. Do.

Addendum: 2/2/17 ~ Jesus said the exact same statement seven different times to the seven churches. "Everyone who has ears should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches." What a powerful statement. Listen!

Why did God say seven different times—Listen? Why not look or let me show you? In the next chapter God showed John what was to come. John looked and saw an open door in heaven and God asked John to come up so he could have him look and see. But to the seven churches, He instructed the people to—Listen.

I've been thinking about the differences between listen and look and why I believe it is important to understand those differences. It all boils down to faith. When you listen it is all about by faith receiving the instruction of The One; by faith believing what He is saying is Truth; by faith accepting His words; and by faith changing your life to follow His Truth. When you accept by faith what He is saying then HE is the balm for your blinded eyes, HE is revealed to you, and your faith increases. The emphasis is on you receiving (hearing) and then by faith responding. It all goes back to obeying the very first commandment and understanding the

God 

↓

 man 

relationship. He is to be MASTER of our lives and we are to—Listen!

 Hebrews 1:1 - "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (KJV)  

Belief by sight is entirely different than belief by listening. When you need proof you are no longer trusting. You put your faith in the known (seen) rather than the unknown (unseen). Depending upon what you see, you will make the decision on whether or not you will believe. Show me and then I will decide. The God to man relationship changes and instead of trusting and being reliant on God, it becomes an attitude of telling God what you want, how you want it done, and what you need in order for you to believe. Instead of listening to Master Jesus and being God-reliant, you become self-reliant, you want proof, and faith becomes (wrongfully so) irrelevant.

God wants us to listen! He wants us to believe Him by faith first. IF—we believe by faith He becomes the balm for our eyes and THEN—we can see Truth.  It is in that order. Faith comes first.

Listen!! Believe!! See!!


Next Entry: Revelation 4:1 – 6:17

II Peter 2:1–22

July 11, 2013

Watch out for false teachers. Who is a false teacher? Someone who is master over their own life and not a servant of the Master Jesus. There are many people who say they believe Jesus is the Son of God; who say He is the way to salvation; who even say they are "Christian"; and yet they refuse to become a servant to the Master Jesus. The only person they "serve" is self. They are the masters over their own destiny, and their outcome is sure.

II Peter 2:1 - "...they will bring quick ruin on themselves." Everything they do is motivated by self.

Peter calls the actions of people who live their lives motivated by self—evil. If you don't follow God's way then you are against God's way. It really is that simple. If you are not for you are against. If your actions are not following God's teachings, then your actions are against HIS words and you are leading people (being a false teacher) away from Christ by your actions. You have chosen to ignore the fact that Master Jesus bought your freedom with His life and you have installed yourself as master.

"Those false teachers only want your money, so they will use you by telling lies." That one sentence, found in II Peter 2:3, in just fifteen words explains the basis for the lawsuit my sister and brother-in-law filed six years ago.

Peter describes the attributes of a false teacher:

• They are bold
• They do anything they want
• Nothing is sacred to them—nothing is off limits
• They speak as if they have knowledge—but they don't
• They are like animals—they act on instinct
• They cause many people to suffer
• They are proud of their acts—"we are on the cutting edge of everything"
• They delight in trickery while eating meals with you —they have no conscience
• They plan and strategize their trickery methods
• What they want—they go after
• They always want more—they are never satisfied
• They lead others into the trap of sin
• They are greedy
• They've left the right road—they've lost their way
• They cannot be used as God intended—they are void of kingdom value (springs without water)
• They brag about things that mean nothing
• They scheme ways to entice other people to follow them so they can fulfill their own evil desires of power, wealth, fame, etc.
• They promise "freedom" when they themselves aren't free 
• They are slaves to things—but those "things" never satisfy
• They think they are in control—but they are actually slaves to what drives them and what drives them ends up controlling them
• They hate authority

You cannot be the person Peter just described and also be a servant of the Master Jesus. Cannot. God is either God of everything or He is a god of nothing. You can't pick and choose. Either you surrender to His will or "self" is in control and you are master of your own life—or so you think. "Thinking" you are in control is a false illusion. God is in control whether you surrender or not. Your actions cannot change that irrefutable truth. God is in control. Period.

Peter describes the facts of what will happen to those who refuse to surrender to the Master Jesus.

• Their actions will bring quick ruin on themselves
• They won't get by with their actions
• "Their judgment spoken against them long ago is still coming."  

Just because accountability hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it isn't going to happen. God's timing will determine the "when." It isn't "if," it is "when." I Peter 3:20 - "God waited patiently until Noah finished the boat."

• Their ruin is certain
• They will suffer like they have caused others to suffer
• They are paid back (by God) for what they have done 
• God will punish them
• They are slaves to what controls them—temporary and earthly "things"

God is the one who separates the wheat from the chaff. When angels sinned God did not ignore it. He separated them from those who did not sin and He sent them to caves of darkness where they are held for judgment. In the days of Noah God brought a flood to destroy the world that was full of evil people. But first He provided a way of salvation and He saved Noah and seven others. He separated and protected the righteous while He judged the people who lived against Him.

The same thing happened with Lot. He provided a way of escape and He saved Lot, but He destroyed those who chose to live "filthy lives." God provides a way out for those who have surrendered their lives to Him. He separates the righteous from the wicked. II Peter 2:9 - "So the Lord knows how to save those who serve him when trouble comes."

In Jane's KJV she has written: "The Lord knows how to ______ fill in your need." We can have complete confidence in that. The Lord KNOWS! We don't have to do anything but trust, obey, and believe Him to protect us and right the wrong.  Psalm 140:12 - "I KNOW the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy."

Those who insist upon being their own god are walking a very dangerous path. They at one time were made free by knowing Jesus, but if they insist upon returning to their evil ways, they become blinded. They fool themselves into thinking they are still free, when in reality they are actually controlled by their sin and it will be worse for them than if they had never known the truth of Christ. Peter says they are like a dog that returns to his vomit or a pig that returns to the mud after being washed.

You will be a servant of something. I choose to be a servant to the Master Jesus rather than a slave to sin. One choice ends in reward. The other ends in destruction.

I found this chapter disturbing to write about. The reality is difficult to think about. But, if I am going to be a servant of Christ, I must accept ALL of His teachings and I must accept that a judgment does await those who refuse to bow to His authority. Unfortunately, I believe the description of a false teacher that Peter describes, line by line describes the actions of my sister and brother-in-law.

LORD, may they change their hearts and lives before it is too late.


Next Entry: II Peter 3:1–18  

James 5:1–20

June 27, 2013

James issues a warning to rich people who are self-sufficient and think they are in charge because of their wealth. He said:

• Listen!
• Trouble is coming your way
• Your riches have rotted
• Your clothes have been eaten by moths
• Your gold and silver have rusted
• You will be proved wrong
• The worry and anxiety will eat your body
• You saved your treasure but you found out it was only temporary and could not save you
• The wrongs you did against others cries out against you
• God has heard the cries of those you walked over in your selfishness
• You spent your time on earth thinking only about yourself, pleasing yourself, and doing what you wanted
• You lived the "rich" lifestyle
• You made yourself fat by indulging yourself
• You made yourself judge and jury
• You have harmed innocent people who were not against you
• You've hoarded, exploited, and self-indulged

And it is all for nothing. Instead of waiting on the Lord you have relied on yourself and wealth. You are your own god. You didn't understand that wealth and self-sufficiency is not the answer. It is here today and gone tomorrow. It is temporary only. If your health fails, it cannot save you. And when you die you can't take it with you. So, why? Why spend so much time and energy on something that is temporary and doesn't matter? Eternal things are the only things that matters. We should be focused on kingdom building not material wealth.

How tragic the day when the rich find out it was all for naught. Oh, what time was wasted.

Only One Life  by C.T. Studd

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill,
Living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing thee pleasure on They throne;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, "Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call,
I know I'll say "twas worth it all";
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.
And when I'm dying, how happy I'll be, 
If the lamp of my life has been burned for Thee."

Wow! So well said. I want that to be my life's testimony. Even if we live to be a hundred years old, our life is still brief. Like James said, "Your life is like a mist." Jane E Wolfe's physical body is dead and gone, but look at what she has left behind. What is not dead and gone is her love and faithfulness to Christ and the mercy and encouragement she gave to others because of that life. "Only one life, 'twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last."

Addendum: 12/5/16 ~ For the last several weeks I have been contemplating "life." How interesting to come across this writing from 2013 about this very subject. On 11/21/16 I sent a friend of mine the following text:

"Want to know what I have been contemplating? I have (probably at the most) twenty years left where I can make an impact. What is it I want to accomplish? I may only have one day. I don't want to waste any time."

I received a quick phone call to see what was going on. I assured her all was well, we talked, and she said she also has been contemplating the same thing lately.

I am 62 years old. Two-thirds or three-fourths of my life is over and I have no idea how much time I have left. The breakdown in the relationship with my sister and brother-in-law and their subsequent filing of a lawsuit against us has been going on for almost ten years now. Ten years!! What a colossal waste of time, energy, and money they have spent on earthly and temporary things in their attempt to "get" us. The last ten years have flown by. With (at the best) only twenty years or so left I want to make sure I don't waste any of the time I have remaining by being busy but not accomplishing anything of true importance. When my time on this earth is up I don't want to have any regrets about "I wish I would have ______."

So what is important? Material "things" are not important. Personal "I" accomplishments are not important. The only thing important is people and eternity. We take nothing of what the world deems important with us.

My husband and I were just talking about this the other day. Usually when you hear that statement you think of material things. But it's so much more than that. You also don't take your personal "I did this" accomplishments, your degrees, your goals, your pastimes, your work, the prestige you've worked to obtain, the honors you've accumulated—nothing.

My father-in-law is 90. He has congestive heart failure and for the last year and half has resided in a nursing home. The effects of Congestive Heart Failure and age have taken a toll and he now has memory loss. Watching the changes in his mind this past year and seeing all the other people in the nursing home is probably what triggered my "contemplating." We have literally watched my father-in-law lose all the "things" the world would deem important. Not only is he not taking any material "things" or accomplishments with him when he dies, he is already living without them.

All the personal "I" accomplishments are gone and forgotten. All that time spent worrying about whether he would "have enough" doesn't even process in his mind anymore. It has been sobering to watch. The knowledge of owning a business, the awards he won, the vacations he took, the pride of his personal accomplishments, many of his family memories—ALL gone while he is still physically alive. We have a living example of what it means to leave this earth with literally nothing sitting right in front of us. 

And that makes me contemplate.

The emphasis our culture places on what is important is all messed up. Watching someone lose everything they once felt important is very sobering. You can only come to one conclusion: The ONLY thing that is important and the only thing that lasts is the Kingdom impact you've made while building relationships with others as a servant of Christ.

That's it. That's the only thing that matters. I want to make sure that in the busyness of life I keep what is important—important. I want to hear "well done" and I want to know I've lived my life (for however many days I have left), in a way that brings both salvation, joy, and happiness to others here on earth and for eternity.

Update: 12/6/16 ~ My father-in-law passed away this afternoon. While his health had been declining in the last months, his condition had seemed to plateau and we fully expected him to live at least several more months. However, this morning that all changed. The nursing home called to let us know what was happening and that his body was shutting down. My husband and I had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with him, reading the Bible to him, praying, and saying our earthly goodbyes. We left to do our evening chores and were going to return a short time later but he passed away an hour after we left.

C.T. Studd was right. Watch "Only One Life" video here.

Addendum #2: 1/19/2017 ~ I just came across my notes from the 2014 Global Summit Leadership Conference. Obviously I have been contemplating life for quite some time now. In my notes I have written:

Legacy Leadership has to be intentional! What will be my legacy? What will I leave?

And then I wrote,

"Oh, LORD—Thank YOU for having me write the journal."

I am grateful for my journals. I wrote that statement in the summer of 2014, before I knew what God's plans were going to be for my journals. I never could have imagined. I thought it was a legacy I was leaving for my family only. I had NO idea my journals would someday become public.

My prayer is that our story—which is HIS story—will be used to bless others and help others to choose to get on HIS path no matter where it leads. Thank you, LORD.

"What you are is God's gift to you. What you do with your life is your gift to God." ~ A plaque given to Carly Fiorina by her mother. 2014 Global Summit Leadership  Conference

Next Entry: James 5:1–20 (Continued)  

James 1:1–27 (Continued)

June 20, 2013

Temptation doesn't come from God and you can't blame your bad decisions and your evil actions on the devil. The devil didn't make you do it! It is our own evil desires that leads us away and traps us. It is our own evil desires that leads to sin, "and then the sin grows and brings death." We can't blame anyone or anything else. No one forced you to do anything. You have control over your choices.

We are all going to face temptations. "Self" always tries to rear its ugly head. The question is not if it raise its head, the question is how long you let it stay raised! James 1:12 - "When people are tempted and still continue strong, they should be happy. After they have proved their faith, God will reward them with life forever. God promised this to all who love him."

In our own strength we can't live like God would desire us to live But in His strength we can do all things. We have to be willing to listen and slow to speak. We have to be willing to not become easily angry which shows that "self" is not in control. We need to be willing to put out of our life every evil thing and every kind of wrong. We need to accept God's teaching without complaining. And we need to DO what God's teaching says. James 1:22 - "When you only listen and do nothing, you are fooling yourselves."

It is not enough to just "know"—you must also DO! TRUTH does not stick and it does not last if you do not act upon it. To be truly happy you must carefully study God's WORD. You are set free when you know and obey His word. Then (and only then) can you can be truly happy. Little or much, lawsuit or no lawsuit, it really doesn't matter. You understand, no matter what your circumstance, that it is not about you. You understand that "every good action and every perfect gift is from God. These gifts come down from the creator of the sun, moon, and stars, who does not change like their shifting shadows."  (James 1:17)

God has equipped us with every thing we need to follow Him and He knows who His true followers are. James 1:26–27 - "People who think they are religious but say things they should not say are just fooling themselves. Their "religion" is worth nothing. Religion that God accepts as pure and without fault is this: caring for orphans or widows who need help, and keeping yourself free from the world's evil influence."

Caring for others and keeping yourself pure = DOING!

From Life Lesson Observation:

"God allows tough situations in our lives in order to refine us and bring us closer to him. We should approach these times with a right attitude and seek wisdom from God."

"Jesus said that out of the nature of the heart a man speaks. There is nothing like a good thump to reveal the nature of the heart." ~ From On the Anvil by Max Lucado

Next Entry: James 2:1–26

Hebrews 11:1–40

June 13, 2013

Faith. It's all about faith.

Hebrews 11:1 - "Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it." This is the verse I quoted in a letter I wrote to our lawyer early in the process of the lawsuit. Sometime I'll go back and look up the date. We told him that in our hearts the lawsuit is over. God promised us His protection and we believe Him. 

It was because of their ability to have faith in the unseen that we remember the great people of the past. Faith—being sure and knowing, even when it is not yet visible or tangible.

It is by faith—we believe the world was created by God.

It is by faith—we understand that what we see was made by a God we cannot see.

It was by faith—Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain. God was pleased with Abel because of his faith.

It was because of his faith—his testimony lives on.

It was by faith—Enoch was taken to heaven without dying.

It is by faith—we please God. Hebrews 11:6 - "Anyone who comes to God must believe that he is real.."

It is because of faith—"...that he rewards those who truly want to find him." (Hebrews 11:6)

It was by faith—Noah heard and believed God's warning about things he could not yet see.

It was by faith—Noah obeyed God and built a boat to save his family.

It was by faith—Noah proved the world wrong.

It was through faith—Noah was made right with God.

It was by faith—Abraham obeyed God's call.

It was by faith—Abraham left his own country to go to another place even though he had no idea where he was going.

It was by faith—Abraham could live like a foreigner in tents in a strange land while he was waiting for God's promise to come true.

It was by faith—Abraham was able to become a father as an old man.

It was by faith—Sarah was able to conceive.  

It was by faith—Abraham trusted God.

All these great people lived (and died) in faith. They lived by looking forward → to God's promises. Hebrews 11:15 - "If they had been thinking about the country they had left, they could have gone back."  To live by faith you cannot be looking back. You must look forward and believe.

It was by faith—Abraham was willing to give up the one thing that could fulfill God's promise.

It was by faith—Abraham believed that even if he gave it up, God could give it back.

It was by faith—Isaac blessed the future of Jacob and Esau.

It was by faith—Jacob blessed each one of Jacob's sons as he was dying.

It was by faith—Jacob, while weak and dying, still worshiped God while leaning on the top of his walking stick.

It was by faith—Joseph, when he was dying, made sure everyone knew and understood God's faithfulness and promises. God took him to Egypt so he could save his entire family. God turned evil intent into blessed redemption.

It was by faith—Joseph wanted to make sure his bones were returned to God's promised land.

It was by faith—Moses' parents hid him for three months in disobedience to the king's order.

It was by faith—Moses didn't take the easy way out as the son of the king of Egypt's daughter. He didn't deny his heritage. Hebrews 11:25–26 - "He chose to suffer with God's people instead of enjoying sin for a short time. He thought it better to suffer for the Christ than to have all the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking for God's reward."

It was by faith—Moses left Egypt and was not afraid of the king's anger. Hebrews 11:27b - "Moses continued strong as if he could see the God that no one can see."

It was by faith—Moses prepared the Passover and spread the blood on the door posts believing the angel of death would pass-over.

It was by faith—the people crossed the Red Sea as if it were dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do it under their own power they all drowned.

It was by faith—the walls of Jericho fell after the people had marched around them for seven days.

It was by faith—Rahab was saved because she willing to risk everything in order to do the right thing.

It was by faith—Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets defeated kingdoms. They were weak, and yet they were made strong. Hebrews 11:33 - "They did what was right, received God's promise, and shut the mouth of lions."

All these people are known for their faith. It wasn't easy and it wasn't always pretty, but they persevered. Hebrews 12 gives us the blueprint for how to run the race and and run it well.

From the Life Lesson:

Faith is more than a belief in God. It is also a way of life.

"Faith is the belief that God is real and that God is good... It is a choice to believe that the one who made it all hasn't left it all and that he still sends light into the shadows and responds to gestures of faith... Faith is the belief that God will do what is right... God says that the more hopeless your circumstances, the more likely your salvation. The greater your cares, the more genuine your prayers. The darker the room, the greater the need for light... God's help is near and always available, but it is only given to those who seek it. Nothing results from apathy... do something that demonstrates faith. For faith with no effort is no faith at all. God WILL RESPOND. He has never rejected a genuine gesture of faith. Never!" ~ From He Still Moves Stones by Max Lucado.

Next Entry: Hebrews 11:1–40 (Continued)

I Timothy 4:1 – 6:21

May 20, 2013

I Timothy 4:1–2 - "Now the Holy Spirit clearly says that in the latter times some people will stop believing the faith" and follow other teachings that come "from the false words of liars whose consciences are destroyed as if by a hot iron." The NIV calls them "hypocritical liars." Don't fall for the lie! Stand strong in God's truth. 

I Timothy 1:8 - "Train yourself to serve God..." Training your physical body brings obvious health benefits to your body while on earth, but it does nothing for eternity. When we "train ourselves to serve God" it helps us in all ways by bringing blessings in this life and for eternity as well. I Timothy 4:10 - "This is why we work and struggle: We hope in the living God who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe."

Do what God has called you to do. Tell the story! Be an example with your words, your actions, your love, your faith, and your pure life. I Timothy 4:14 - "Use the gift you have..." Continue to do all these things. Give your life to doing them so everyone can see the difference it has made in your life. Be careful in your life and in your teaching. Don't fall... and don't fail. I Timothy 4:16b - "If you continue to live and teach rightly, you will save both yourself and those who listen to you."

What an awesome responsibility and opportunity!

Paul gives instructions on how we should care for others, especially our own family members. I Timothy 5:8 - "Whoever does not care for his own relatives, especially his own family members, has turned against the faith and is worse than someone who does not believe in God." Pretty appropriate to be reading this while barely keeping our heads above water while caring for first my husband's brother and now his Mom and Dad. Some people are really good at giving opinions on what should be done but are missing in action when there is actual work to do. We are exhausted, but we won't turn our backs on my husband's parents. We will continue to do what is right.

I wrote several weeks ago about the promise God gives for honoring your parents. Paul takes it even farther including other family members. Children and grandchildren have the duty to help take care of those who have gone before. I Timothy 5:4 - "... let them first learn to do their duty to their own family and to repay their parents and grandparents."

Paul talks about a widow who is truly alone and how she puts her faith and trust in God. A woman during Bible times had no means to make it on her own. If she didn't have family to help or if she didn't have a family that would help she was truly alone. In those cases the body of believers would step in to help her.

As I read through these verses I noticed something I'd somehow missed before. I'd totally missed that there were guidelines that had to be met before the church stepped in to help a widow. I always thought a widow was a widow, and help was automatic. But that wasn't the case at all. Widows who were younger than 60 were free to marry again. But if a widow was over the age of 60, there were certain qualifications that had to be met before she was eligible for help, and those guidelines all had to do with the widow's life choices.   

To qualify for help the widow had to be at least 60 years old; must have been faithful to her husband; must have been known for doing good works; been hospitable and welcoming to strangers; known for having a "serving" heart and humility; must have been the type of person who helped those in trouble and "the least of these"; and must have devoted her life to helping others and doing good deeds—which all boils down to someone who throughout their life was committed to serving the Lord and following HIS ways over their own selfish desires. And that person was taken care of by the church and therefore received God's blessings in their older years. But for the widow who did not follow God's ways the results were entirely different. She did not receive the help or God's blessings.

Our life choices DO matter. Accountability happens. It's the IF—THEN situations illustrated throughout the Bible which I have so often written about. I Timothy 5:6 - "But the widow who uses her life to please herself is really dead while she is alive."

We, as believers, have a responsibility to take care of the widows in our family. "If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should care for them herself. The church should not have to care for them. Then it will be able to take care of those who are truly widows." (I Timothy 5:16)

I am grateful for the choices we have made concerning my husband's brother and his now widowed wife; my Dad while he was living; my now widowed Mom; and my husband's parents.

Addendum: 10/19/2016 ~ How interesting to be writing about the care of widow's when I have just spent the last week trying to undo the hurt inflicted upon my mother after she received a letter from my sister. My sister is notorious for sending long (ten plus type written pages) letters to my Mom. She rarely ever actually talks to Mom, just long rambling letters with a $100 check enclosed on Mother's Day, Mom's birthday, and possibly Christmas.

Her last letter did what it was intended to do—hurt my Mom. After several pages of my sister rambling on about how wonderful and busy her life is, the accusations and not-so-veiled attacks began. You aren't friendly anymore; you have changed; you are absent in our lives; you should learn how to text; you've disappointed me; you've disappointed your grandson; even if we come to your area we probably won't come to see you again; if we don't come anymore it's your fault; and on and on. And then my sister told my Mom to respond to all these accusations by letter. Mom is 87 years old, blind in one eye, no longer enjoys writing because of the difficulty she has in seeing, and she is supposed to respond to my sister's viciousness in writing. 

The letter was obviously upsetting to my mother. Unfortunately, the letter came while we were gone and at our annual family outing in Brown County so I wasn't home to immediately help her. I call my Mom every night. When I called her from our cabin, I could tell something was wrong. She didn't want to tell me about it while we were gone, but she finally told me what happened and asked me to read it when I got home.

My sister's actions are just wrong on so many levels. Wrong and cruel. Mom is 87. Who does such cruel things? Even if my sister believes those things and even if all the things she was accusing Mom of were true (which they aren't!!), who says those kind of things to their 87 year old widowed mother? Who flies in from across the country or drives the several day trip from the western part of the United States and purposely NEVER tells Mom they are coming so they can arrive at her door unannounced? My sister and brother-in-law have done that to Mom many times, sometimes arriving late at night and expecting to stay (and be fed) at Mom's house. It is NOT for the purpose of giving my Mother a pleasant and welcomed surprise. It's rude. It's unacceptable. And it is calculated behavior to be in control and catch someone off guard. Who does that to anyone let alone your widowed mother who is in her 80's? Mom (understandably) isn't comfortable having house guests and cooking for others anymore. Especially with no notice, and especially when that person has been verbally abusive in the past and is not someone you share a warm relationship with. My Mom feels vulnerable, and I can completely understand.     

When I returned home from our vacation, I went to my Mom's and read the last pages of the letter. I called my brother over and we both reassured Mom that the accusations were false and not fair. Mom doesn't want $100 dollar checks for a birthday and Mother's day. What Mom wants is for her oldest daughter to treat her with love and respect. What Mom wants is for her oldest daughter to quit creating conflict in the family. What Mom wants is for my sister to get over her obsession with my brother and to stop her lawsuit attacks against me. That is what Mom wants. She doesn't want money. The best possible gift my sister could give to our elderly mother is a changed heart and life which in turn would remove the conflict from our family. 

I don't know when accountability happens, but it will happen. As for me and my house, we are going to continue to honor Mom with our words and actions. I will be there for her always. She (on her own) decided she should no longer be driving so I take her to all of her appointments and errands. Her mind is still sharp and she is still physically active, but I am noticing her beginning to get more and more frail. If there comes a day when she can no longer live alone, there is a plan in place. She is welcome in our home. We WILL take care of her. She is a blessing to us, and I want to be a blessing to her.


Next Entry: I Timothy 4:1 – 6:21 (Continued)

Colossians 3:1 – 4:1

May 09, 2013

"Think about the things in heaven, not the things on earth. Your own sinful self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. Christ is our life, and when he comes again, you will share in his glory." Colossians 3:2–4

 So, put out all evil things your old self wanted.

Old Sinful Self:

• Sexual sinning
• Doing evil
• Letting evil thoughts control you
• Wanting things that are evil
• Greed
• Anger
• Bad temper
• Doing or saying things to hurt others
• Using evil words to harm
• Lying

Put out the old and live your new life in Christ.

New Life in Christ:

• Show mercy to others
• Be kind
• Be humble
• Be gentle
• Be patient
• Get along with each other
• Forgive each other
• Love each other
• Have unity
• Let God's peace control your thinking
  
• Always be thankful
• Use wisdom to teach and instruct others

Colossians 3:17 - "Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus." Jesus must be Lord of your life and not just someone you attempt to use as a "get out of hell" free card. "Lord" means someone you are subject to. He is LORD of all lords. Our lives should reflect our servant-hood to Master Jesus.

Colossians 3:23 - "In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people." You are serving Christ and he will give you your reward. If you are serving self, any "rewards" are at the best temporary and the end result is punishment. 

It has to be either/or. It cannot be both. You are either serving the Lord—or you are not. You cannot serve yourself and God. Cannot. You cannot serve two masters. Either God is Lord of your life—or He isn't. If He is Lord you receive an eternal reward. If He is not Lord, you receive punishment. Psalm 1 lays it out very clearly. There are two ways to live with two very different end results. The choice of how we live our lives is ours. The consequences for our choices are set by God.

Psalm 1:6 - "The Lord takes care of his people, but the wicked will be destroyed." You can't color it any other way. It is what it is.

Colossians 3:24–25 - "Remember... you will receive your reward from the Lord, which he promised to his people... but remember... anyone who does wrong will be punished for that wrong." The Lord is an equal opportunity God. Obey—receive my reward. Disobey—receive my punishment.

Colossians 3:25b - "The Lord treats everyone the same." We are ALL held to the same standard. Whether we excel or fall short is up to us and is a result of the choices we've made. God has given us everything we need to succeed.

Exploration Verses from Life Lesson:

Acts 3:19 - So you must change your hearts and lives! Come back to God, and He will forgive your sins. Then the Lord will send the time of rest.

Romans 5:1–5 - Since we have been made right with God by our faith, we have peace with God. This happened through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has brought us into that blessing of God's grace that we now enjoy. And we are happy because of the hope we have of sharing God's glory. We also have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given us.

I Corinthians 6:9–11 - Surely you know that the people who do wrong will not inherit God's kingdom. Do not be fooled. Those who sin sexually, worship idols, take part in adultery, those who are male prostitutes, or men who have sexual relations with other men, those who steal, are greedy, get drunk, lie about others, or rob—these people will not inherit God's kingdom. In the past, some of you were like that, but you were washed clean. You were made holy, and you were made right with God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

II Corinthians 1:21–22 - Remember, God is the One who makes you and us strong in Christ. God made us his chosen people. He put his mark on us to show that we are his, and he put his Spirit in our hearts to be a guarantee for all he has promised.

I Peter 3:8 - Finally, all you should be in agreement, understanding each other, loving each other as family, being kind and humble.


Next Entry: Colossians 4:2–18 

Ephesians 6:1–24

April 30, 2013

Honor your mother and father so it will go well with you and you will have a long life on the earth. Commandment #5—the only commandment that has a promise attached to it. Honor your parents and "everything will be well with you." If that is true, then the reverse would be true as well. Dishonor your parents, and you are guaranteeing things will not go "well with you."

Pretty ironic that I am reading this while we are absolutely buried under the weight of honoring our parents, but I would not have it any other way. While we are most definitely carrying a huge load, it is with joy, love, and our privilege to do so. It is getting closer and closer to the time when my husband's parents are going to have to move to assisted living. Our number one priority is their safety. The bonus promise God attached to His commandment is nice, but we would do the same things we are doing right now with or without the promise. The reward is in the giving. You sleep well and you have no regrets when you know you have treated your parents with respect and honor. The memories of your time together are sweet. I am so grateful for the time we invested in my Dad's life and are now investing in Mom and my husband's parents' lives. When we honor our parents we are honoring God, and it doesn't get any better than that! 

Frustrating at times? Yes. Ready to throw up my hands at times? Yes. But, happy to do it? Absolutely.

From what we know about my sister's behavior and my brother-in-law's behavior with his mother and her estate, I would sure hate to be in their shoes. I don't want to miss out on God's promise of blessings for those who honor their parents.

Addendum: 7/16/2018 ~ My sister has totally abandoned our mother. She has not called my Mom more than once or twice in the past several years and when she did call, the call only lasted for a few minutes. (We know this because we provide Mom with a cell phone and there has been no phone calls in over a year. Mom's land line phone is connected with my brother's home which is right next door and there has been no phone calls to the land line number either.) When Mom tried to call her she either doesn't answer or doesn't return the call. Mom is almost 89.

My sister has no idea Mom has recently begun to struggle with some memory issues and she has no idea Mom is declining physically as well. The past several months have been difficult as my brother and I have worked together to try and figure out what is best for our Mother. My brother and I are doing everything we can to honor our Mother and give her the best quality of independent living we can. My sister doesn't care—at all. She sends Mom a long rambling letter (written jointly to both my Mom and another lady) about twice a year. The letters are all about what she is doing, where she is going, etc., but there is no personal contact or concern. There is no "honoring" of our Mother. There is only abandonment.


Update:  Mom passed away 8/31/18. See the 3/27/19 Addendum for: A Mother's Love 


Next Entry: Ephesians 6:1–24 (Continued)

Acts 18:1–28

November 19, 2012

Acts 18:5 - "Pressed in the spirit..." (Jane's KJV)

Paul knew he was supposed to tell the Jews in Corinth the Good News about Christ. There weren't audible words and there wasn't a vision. There was none of that, but Paul knew. He was "pressed in the spirit" and he obeyed. But the people would not accept Paul's teaching. They opposed Paul and became abusive. Acts 18:6 - "So he shook off the dust from his clothes and said to them, 'If you are not saved, it will be your own fault! I have done all I can do!' " (See Luke 9:5 for a cross reference.)

Our responsibility is to do what the Spirit "presses" us to do. I strongly felt the Spirit "press" me to begin a journal to record my walk through the Bible and my personal thoughts and prayers. I obeyed and started. It was three years ago on November 16, 2009. I had no idea what God had planned for the journals that covered Genesis to Chronicles. I had no idea my personal prayers, thoughts, and writings about God's words would end up in the hands of my sister and brother-in-law. If I had known that, I would have probably been reluctant to start. But I believe I still would have obeyed when the Spirit "pressed." I have no idea how this journal will be used in the future. All I know is I am fulfilling my responsibility—through obedience—and it has been personally very rewarding.

But my responsibility ends with my obedience. What my sister and brother-in-law (or others) do with it is not what I am held accountable for. "I have done all I can do!" Some listened to Paul, and some did not. The Lord appeared to Paul in a vision and told him to keep doing what he was doing. Acts 18:9–10 - "Don't be afraid.  Continue talking to people and don't be quiet. I am with you, and no one will harm you, because I have many people in this city."

Paul is taken to court. Acts 18:12 - "The Jews made a united attack and brought him into court." His crime? Being obedient and preaching the Word of God. His own people were out to get him and were determined to prevent him from continuing God's work. They were blinded. They could not see truth. They were tunnel visioned and united—let's get Paul! So they take him to court in Southern Greece in a foreign area under Gallio's jurisdiction.

The Jews were God's chosen people, but they did not handle it by going to God, seeking arbitration under Jewish law, or coming to an understanding by agreeing to disagree. No—they were united in their desire to be in control, to be in charge, and in their desire to "get" him. So they took him to a foreign court, asking a foreign judge to punish Paul. And again... Paul's crime? Being an honest upright man who was following God's word and was telling others about it. Prior to being taken to court the Lord appeared to Paul in a vision and said:

"Don't be afraid. Continue talking to people and don't be quiet. I am with you, and no one will hurt you..." Acts 18:9–10

So Paul was taken to court. As he was about to speak in front of the judge, Gallio stops him and says, "I would listen to you (the Jews) if you were complaining about a crime or some wrong. But the things you are saying are only questions about words and names—arguments about your own law. So you must solve this problem yourselves. I don't want (NIV says - I will not) to be a judge of these things." (Acts 18:14–15 And Gallio made them leave the court.

I wonder what the judge assigned to our case is going to do? I have no idea. But you have to wonder, is he refusing to be the judge of these matters? I don't know. Here is what I do know:

• We are God's people. My sister and brother-in-law say they are Christians as well.
• God's Word clearly lays out how Christian people should handle conflict.

 I Corinthians 6:1–8 - "When you have something against another Christian, how can you bring yourself to go before judges who are not right with God?" (Side note: this is not making a statement against the judge assigned to our case or any other individual judge about their personal beliefs which may or may not be "Christian." This is talking about Believers taking their conflict to the world's court system instead of following God's clearly outlined system for handling disputes among fellow Believers.) "Why do you not let God's people decide who is right? Surely you know that God's people will judge the world. So if you are to judge the world, are you not able to judge small cases as well? You know that in the future we will judge angels, so surely we can judge the ordinary things of this life. If you have ordinary cases that must be judged, are you going to appoint people as judges who mean nothing to the church? I say this to shame you. Surely there is someone among you wise enough to judge a complaint between believers. But now one believer goes to court against another believer—and you do this in front of unbelievers!" It continues... "The fact that you have lawsuits against each other shows that you are already defeated. Why not let yourselves be wronged? Why not let yourselves be cheated? But you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do this to other believers!"

God's word is very clear!  Here is more of what I know:

• My sister and brother-in-law flatly refused to follow God's plan on how to handle disputes. They tried to "appear" as if they wanted to follow Matthew 18 and "restore fellowship." They called our Pastors and tried to arrange a meeting between all of us, but it was all a guise. Their true purpose was to humiliate us and harm our ministries while attempting to shame us into submission. We are so grateful our Pastor's saw through the attempted manipulation. Oh, the lies that would have been said. They would have claimed the same things they've now said under oath. How at the first meeting they came back to "just listen" to us so they could understand what was troubling us (when nothing could be farther from the truth); they just don't understand what has happened; I am emotionally unstable, etc. The first meeting (just like this lawsuit) was fueled by anger and filled with vicious attacks, and the eventual letter they sent to our Senior Pastor clearly shows what tactics they would have used. 
• Our Pastor offered to facilitate an arbitration (using a person of their choice) within a national Christian organization they claimed to be affiliated with. Arbitration would have clearly followed God's plan—and they flatly refused. They were not interested in a meeting where facts from both sides would be presented. They were not interested in a compromise. They only wanted total control, dominance, and manipulation. 
• God provided two fellow Believers, two Christian men to buy the project for over a million dollars which would have thereby ended the dispute. Each party would have recouped most of their investment. My sister and brother-in-law flatly refused to even consider it even though they mentioned the sale of the project as an option only weeks earlier. The truth was revealed. They wanted it all. The "sale option" they presented was only a threatening scare tactic they hoped to use to bring us once again under their control. The sale of the project would have prevented their carefully crafted plan of taking it ALL. They threatened to sue to stop the sale if we sold it without their "permission." We found out later we would have had the legal right to do so, but we would have never tried to use a "legal right" to be in control. 
• My sister and brother-in-law united together and filed this vicious lawsuit in the world's court system—determined to "get" us in whatever way they could.
• The purpose of the lawsuit is to have the world's court uphold their devious and deceitful plan. Wow! That was kind of startling to write. We, over the course of time, have come to understand the tip of the iceberg of their capacity to commit devious wrongs and cheat others. But I am just now beginning to understand there is a lot more to the iceberg, and there is a lot which has not yet been exposed. It explains why they are trying to get the world's court system to help them achieve their wrong, cheating, and (let's call it what it is) sinful goals. Oh.my.goodness. Their dependence is not on God, it is on the world, which "shows that you are already defeated." 
• God sent us His promises of protection and provision through Jane (Her Name Was Jane) to encourage us and strengthen us.
• The judge has had their motions to determine what parts of their lawsuit can continue on for three years and four months and he still has not made a ruling. Clearly the hand of God at work.

Is the judge, like Gallio, refusing to make a ruling? I don't know. What we absolutely know is God is in control and we trust Him. We are convinced that however this ends it will be by the hand of God, and all will know that HE IS THE LORD!


Next Entry: Acts 18:1–28 (Continued)

An Opportuity to SERVE!

December 13, 2012

I've been praying a lot for my husband's brother. His leukemia is progressing rapidly. My husband and I met with his brother (and his wife) Sunday night to try and explain the medical options that are left. In some ways he has been in denial, but in many ways he just isn't capable of understanding it on his own. As we were talking with them the thought came to me that I should tell him the train analogy that I've told my husband. I hesitated. Should I say it or just let him remain oblivious to his situation? I said a quick prayer seeking guidance and then strongly felt I was to say it. My husband's brother can understand things better if he can "see" it whether visually or pictured in his mind. I explained to him (and his wife) that his disease is like a train. The train has already left the station. It left when he was diagnosed with Blast Crisis in September of 2011 and that medically there is no going back. I went on to explain that what we have been trying to do these last fifteen months is to slow the train down, and we are running out of options to be able to do that.

You could tell that it was finally starting to sink in. The next day I went to his Doctor appointment with him. While we were waiting for the doctor my brother-in-law said, "It will be good to go home." I nodded my head. We sat in silence. I knew he was processing his feelings and I didn't want to interrupt. Then he went on, "It will be good to be able to see Grandma and Grandpa again. I loved Grandpa B... he was my favorite." I could have cried on the spot. I asked him to tell me stories of his Grandpa. His faced beamed as he shared some of his memories with me.

He is starting to understand and he is beginning to look forward to heaven! This is huge! He is so simple minded. Death is seldom easy but it is even more difficult when an adult has limited understanding and coping skills. Other members of my husband's family have voiced their hope that the dying process could happen without him even knowing he is terminally ill. Death from cancer seldom happens that way. We are the only ones who have spoken honestly with him in terms he could understand, we will continue to try and guide him (and his wife) through the dying process. 

We have been praying several things:

1. For peace that only God can give;
2. For acceptance of God's will—no matter what;
3. For my husband's brother to have an increased desire for heaven as this life wanes;
4. For as much as possible a peaceful passing;
5. For God to accept him with open arms.

As I was praying for him about 5:30 this morning another old hymn came to mind.

'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know "Thus saith the Lord."

   Jesus, Jesus, How I trust Him!
   How I've proved Him o'er and o'er;
   Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
   Oh, for grace to trust Him more.

Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me,
'Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I'm so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou are with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

Written by Louisa Stead 1882.  Listen to it here.

There is one more thing we do while praying. We thank Jesus for the opportunity to serve my husband's brother. Who would have ever thought we would be thanking God for the opportunity to serve someone who brought more stress, problems, and headaches to my husband than any other person ever in his life! That's how God works. He changes you from the inside out. He took what was a horrible situation and turned it into an "opportunity." Wow! And the havoc situations that were meant for harm does not harm you. Instead, it builds you up and strengthens you and you become more like Christ in your thoughts and actions. Again—Wow!

Bless the LORD, oh my soul
Bless the LORD, oh my soul
Let everything within me
Let everything within me
Let everything within me
I will bless the LORD.

At all times,
At all times,
At all times,
I will bless the LORD!

Listen to it here.


Next Entry: Acts 17:1–34

John 17:1–26 (Continued)

November 11, 2012

Songs running through my mind early this morning.

Come Thou Fount

Come thou fount of every blessing

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace

Streams of mercy never ceasing

Call for songs of loudest praise.  

Teach me some melodious sonnet

Sung by flaming tongues above

I'll praise the mount I'm fixed upon it

Mount of Thy redeeming love

Here I raise my Ebenezer 

Hither by Thy help I come

And I hope by Thy good pleasure

Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger

Wandering from the fold of God

He, to rescue me from danger

Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace, how great a debtor

Daily I'm constrained to be!

Let Thy goodness like a fetter

Bind my wandering heart to thee

Prone to wander Lord I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love

Here's my heart, O take and seal it,

Seal it for Thy courts above.

Listen to it here.  Shortly after Come Thou Fount another song began to play in my thoughts.

Blessed Assurance

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine!

Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God, 

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

   This is my story, this is my song,

   Praising my Savior all the day long;

   This is my story, this is my song

   Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

Angels descending, bring from above

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,

I in my Savior am happy and blest,

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Filled with his goodness, lost in His love.  

   This is my story, this is my song.

   Praising my Savior, all the day long.

   This is my story, this is my song,

   Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Listen to Blessed Assurance here.


Next Entry: John 18:1–27