II Chronicles 35:1 – 36:1

July 23, 2014

After Josiah and the people promised to follow the LORD, they celebrated Passover like it had not been celebrated since the prophet Samuel was alive. Things were going well.

Then thirteen years later...

The king of Egypt decides to go out to attack somebody. This battle had nothing to do with Josiah or Judah. Yet, after all he'd experienced  and learned, Josiah decides he is going to go against the king of Egypt. Why? The king of Egypt said—what are you doing? This isn't between you and me! God told me to attack these people. God is on my side, "So don't fight God, or he will destroy you." But, Josiah did not listen. He did not inquire of God to see if the king of Egypt was telling the truth. Josiah went into battle wearing different clothes thinking no one would know. But God knew, and Josiah was hit by an arrow and died. He did not receive the promise of, "so I will let you die and be buried in peace," which God had promised through the prophetess Huldah.

God never breaks His promises and He never goes back on His word. Josiah broke the covenant. He did not listen to or seek God's voice and insisted on plowing ahead on his own. When we receive a promise from the LORD, it does not give us carte blanche to do whatever it is we want to do, how-when-or-where we want to do it. We must still be faithful and obedient! His promises are what is available to us. Whether or not we receive His promise depends on the choices we make. 

To make it personal, we have received a promise from God that He would protect us, free us, and bless us with HIS presence. He will not go back on His word. However, if we break our covenant, if we make the decision to no longer follow after HIS ways, if 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.

LORD, we surrender ALL. We claim Your promises. We choose to serve YOU only. Psalm 140 - "But we say, YOU are our God.  Hear, O Lord, our cry for mercy!" (Her Name Was Jane)


Next Entry: II Chronicles 36:2–23

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 21:4 – 24:27

July 17, 2014

You cannot align yourself with ungodly people and then expect to remain faithful to the LORD.

Jesus' calls for us to be separate cannot be followed when aligned with the ungodly. Jehoshaphat found this out when he aligned himself with Ahab (II Chronicles 16:3) and then again with Ahab's son Ahaziah (II Chronicles 20:35). He (and others) suffered the consequences.

Jehoshaphat is dead and now his son Jehoram (the son who married Ahab's daughter) becomes king. In his desire to have total control, he kills all of his brothers and some of the leaders of Judah. He did not follow in the footsteps of his father. Instead, because he married Ahab's daughter, he chose to follow her ways and to do what the LORD said was wrong. But, not everyone chose to follow Jehoram's sinful ways. The people of Libnah broke away from his rule because he had left the LORD's ways.

If you find yourself linked with others (in business or socially) who are not following God, you must break free.    

God sent Elijah to warn Jehoram (by letter) what was going to happen. Jehoram and his people, his wives and children (plus everything he owned), were all going to suffer the consequences for his actions. He was going to develop a terrible disease that he would die from. Two years later he died a horrible death. His need for total control (II Chronicles 21:4), eventually led to his downfall (II Chronicles 21:20), and in the end it brought him nothing. No one was sad when he died. He wasn't even buried with honor.

God's promises are true and nothing can destroy or prevent God from fulfilling His promises. 
There are consequences for our life choices.  Our decisions bring God's promised results: Blessing—or—Curses.

Because of his selfish need for control Jehoram killed all his brothers. And now years later, the exact same fate happened to his own sons by robbers. His youngest son Ahaziah survived, and he became king. He followed in the footsteps of his father, his namesake uncle, and the others in Ahab's family because his mother encouraged him to do what was wrong. His actions later led to his death. Ahaziah goes to visit his uncle Joram (the son of Ahab and king of Israel). While there, "God caused" (NCV) "brought about" (NIV) his death (KJV - "was of God"). There are consequences for our choices and actions.

Ahaziah's mom Athaliah (Ahab's daughter) either doesn't "get-it" or doesn't care. She doesn't take this opportunity to repent and change her ways. Instead, she kills everyone in the royal family so she can take over. At least she thought she killed everyone. But Jehosheba (Ahaziah's sister) takes Joash (Ahaziah's son and her nephew) and hides him in the Temple. No danger in Athaliah finding him there... she is not worshiping God in the Temple. Jehosheba, (along with her husband Jehoida the priest) hid him for six years.

When Joash was seven, Jehoida led the plan to make him king. God promised the king would be of David's descendants and nothing can destroy or prevent God's promises from being fulfilled. Joash is made king. Jehoiada appointed guards to surround him. (God's angels surround us.) When Athaliah realized she was no longer the ruler over Judah she screamed, "Traitors!  Traitors!" Interesting how she felt anything and everything was permissible and acceptable for her as she maneuvered to get her way, but let someone do what God instructed and she screams—no fair! She was taken outside the gate and put to death. Sin must not be tolerated. It must be removed. That may mean that you have to separate yourself from an ungodly situation or person.

As long as Jehoiada was priest and advising him, Joash did what the LORD said was right. He rebuilt the temple. But later when Jehoiada died, Joash began to listen to others and he stopped worshiping the LORD. II Chronicles 24:19 - "Even though the LORD sent prophets to the people to turn them back to him and even though the prophets warned them, they refused to listen." God sent Jehoiada's son Zechariah to talk to the people. II Chronicles 24:20b - "This is what God says: 'Why do you disobey the LORD's commands? You will not be successful. Because you have left the LORD, he has also left you.' "

Did they listen to him and repent and return to the Lord? No. The king and his officers instead made plans against Zechariah and stoned him to death. Zechariah was the son of Jehoiada, the person who had done so much for Joash and was so respected by the people that when he died at the age of 135 years old, they buried him in Jerusalem with the kings! Yet by this time, Joash was so far away from the LORD that he didn't even remember what Jehoiada the priest (and his uncle) had done for him. As Zechariah was dying he said, "May the LORD see what you are doing and punish you." (II Chronicles 24:22)

By the end of the year it happened. The Arameans came against Joash. The Arameans were just a small little army compared to the large army of Judah, "but the LORD handed over Judah to them" because the people of Judah had left the God of their ancestors. So Joash was punished. Joash was wounded by the enemy, but it was his own officers who killed him as lay in his own bed. He died and was buried, but not with the kings.

How sad. Joash started well but ended in failure. I don't want to just start well. I want to finish well.   


Next Entry: II Chronicles 25:1 – 26:23  

II Chronicles 16:1 – 19:3

July 14, 2014

Asa went from relying and depending on the LORD, to relying on his own strength and seeking out others to join him as he went out to battle.

The LORD had already proven himself faithful. He had already helped Asa and Judah win against other very powerful kings. Why change now? Why did Asa start deciding he was capable without God's help? Success breeds pride, and pride/success has ruined many people. The danger comes when you start believing in your abilities and depending on your strength, instead of depending on the LORD and acknowledging your success comes from HIM.

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.

A seer named Hanai went to Asa to warn him about the consequences. Instead of repenting, Asa became angry and put Hanani in prison. Instead of looking inward and accepting responsibility, Asa blamed others. Even when Asa was faced with disease he did not turn to God. He died soon after.

Jehoshaphat (Asa's son) becomes king. Jehoshaphat relied on the LORD and he obeyed God's commands. He wanted to obey. It takes intentional desire and effort to follow God; surrendering your will to the LORD's will does not happen automatically or accidentally. Jehoshaphat then did what should come naturally when you are surrendered and following the LORD—he told others. He sent his officers and leaders to teach others. They took God's words and went throughout the towns so everyone would know who God was and would know His teachings. The LORD blessed Jehoshaphat and protected him.


Next Entry: II Chronicles 16:1 – 19:3 (Continued)  

II Chronicles 11:18 – 15:19

July 12, 2014

The story of Rehoboam.

After Rehoboam became strong and established, he (and the people) became self-reliant. They stopped obeying God, and they abandoned the laws of God. Oh, the dangers of PRIDE and forgetting that it isn't about "I" do. It is, "I can do all things through Christ." Rehoboam forgot (or ignored) the

God

     ↓   

  Man

relationship, and trouble ensued.

The king of Egypt attacked them. The LORD said, "You have left me, so now I leave you to face (them) alone." It is always in that order. We separate ourselves from God; we are left on our own. The LORD never abandons us first.  

When Rehoboam sees what is happening he becomes afraid and repents. The LORD saw they were sorry, so He held back His anger and prevented the king of Egypt from totally destroying them. Even though Rehoboam repented there were still consequences. The king of Egypt stripped them of what they were most proud of; their many prized possessions. Rehoboam "made himself" a strong king. "He did not want to obey the LORD.

Pride → punishment.

Abijah (son of Rehoboam) becomes king. There was a war between him (Judah) and Jeroboam (Israel). Abijah brought 400,000 soldiers into battle. Jeroboam brought 800,000. Abijah stood on a mountain and said, "Listen to me!" You know that God gave David and his sons the right to rule Israel forever, so what are you doing following Jeroboam, the son of one of Solomon's officers? You are making plans against God by planning evil against us. You are arguing against God. You have made yourself golden calves to be your gods. You have gotten rid of who God appointed as priests (the Levites) and you have appointed your own priests. You have left the LORD. "But as for us, the LORD is our God; we have not left him." (Psalm 140:6 - But we say, "You are my God...") "We obey the command of the LORD, but you have left him. God himself is with us...." He is the One leading us. Listen! Stop what you are doing! Don't fight against God! It won't work! You won't succeed!

Jeroboam wouldn't listen. Instead he sent some of his troops to "sneak behind" Judah's army. You can "sneak behind" man, but you cannot sneak behind God. When the people of Judah realized they were being tricked, they cried out to the LORD. They didn't run, and they didn't hide. They gave a battle cry, and "God caused" Jeroboam and his army to run away. "God handed them over" to Judah. The people of Israel were defeated, and the people of Judah won. Why? "...because they depended on the LORD." Jeroboam never again became strong. "The LORD struck Jeroboam and he died."

Accountability. Consequences. Every king that followed Jeroboam followed in his foot steps and did evil. Every single one! They couldn't succeed because they were trying to circumvent God's will. It won't work. It can't work.

Abijah dies and his son Asa became king. Asa did "What the LORD his God said was good and right." The LORD gave them peace because they obeyed the LORD. But then Zerah from Cush comes out to fight them with an enormous army. Asa called out to God saying, "LORD, only you can help weak people against the strong. Help us LORD our God, because we depend on you. We fight against this enormous army in your name. LORD, you are our God. Don't let anyone win against you." (Psalm 140 - "...don't let their plans succeed or they will become proud.") The size of the army doesn't matter because the battle belongs to the Lord. They couldn't do it but God could, and He did. "So the LORD defeated (them)... they were crushed by the LORD."

When you face a battle that is bigger than you, remember this truth: You can't do it, but God can. Don't give up. God is in control. 

II Chronicles 15:2 - "The LORD is with you when you are with him. IF you obey him, you will find him, but IF you leave him, he will leave you."

II Chronicles 15:7 - "But you should be strong. Don't give up, because you will get a reward for your good work."

Don't give up! God IS in control. II Chronicles 15:15 - "They looked for God... and found him."

Jeremiah 29:12–14 - "...then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will search for me. And when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me! I will let you find me," says the LORD. "And I will bring you back from your captivity... and I will bring you back to this place."

LORD, we call out to You. Hear our cries for mercy. Protect us from "the storm." Protect us from those who "have set traps along our path."


Next Entry: II Chronicles 16:1 – 19:3

Revelation 19:1–21

August 23, 2013

The human part of me reads about these judgments and my heart just breaks for those who are being judged guilty for refusing to surrender their wills to God's will.   

A couple of days ago, while I was out and about running errands, I caught a few minutes of a sermon on the car radio. The Pastor was talking about Isaiah 54:17 which I referenced in my Revelation 17 journal entry. One of the comments he made shocked me. This Pastor said that at the end time judgment we, as Christ followers, will personally condemn those who wrongly condemned us if they do not repent and change their hearts and lives. My mouth literally dropped open and I heard myself shout—NO! The thought of being the one to pronounce condemnation on those who wrongfully condemned us is a horrible sickening thought and incomprehensible to me. It felt as if I had been punched in the gut.

It was the first time I had ever heard that preached and I really had to process and think about this brand new (to me) thought. What is this Pastor saying? More importantly, what does God say about this? So, I started asking, "What does this mean Lord?" I went back to Isaiah and re-read the verse (Isaiah 54:17) and its context in different versions to try and understand the TRUTH of what God is saying.

This is what I've learned.

During our life on this earth we are not to judge, condemn, seek revenge, or avenge what others do to us. That is for God to do and we should have no part of it. However, as part of the righteousness of God at the end time judgment, God gives us a voice and we will refute, expose, condemn, and be victorious from their false accusations. God gives us the voice to vindicate ourselves, expose the truth, and pronounce their condemnation. It will not be an "I got you" moment. Not at all. It will be a holy moment where the righteousness of God is revealed and proclaimed. It will be a God moment, and it will bring HIM honor and glory. It is His plan.

" 'This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and is their vindication from me,' declares the Lord." Isaiah 54:17b

As much as the thought of pronouncing their guilt makes me want to say—NO! I won't do it!—that response is an earthly answer. In the heavenly realm we will recognize it as just, fair, and right.

Blessed be the name of the LORD. It is not about us, it is ALL about HIM.


Next Entry: Revelation 19:1–21 (Continued)

Revelation 18:1-24

August 22, 2013

Another angel came down from heaven and declared in a loud voice:

Ruined! Ruined!

The city of Babylon is used throughout Revelation as a symbol for wickedness, greed, materialism, power—all things of the world and contrary to the teachings of Christ; and all things we as Christ followers should not be a part of.

And another voice from heaven said:

"Come out of that city, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive the disasters that will come to her." Revelation 18:4

We must separate ourselves from evil actions and from people who practice evil behaviors. We must! Disasters will come to anyone who practices evil actions and behaviors. Revelation 18:5b - "God has not forgotten the wrongs she has done."

The voice said:

• Give them the same punishment they gave to others
• Give them back twice as much as what they did
• Double the punishment they prepared for others
• They gave themselves much glory and rich living
• Give them suffering and sadness in the same proportion they gave themselves glory and pretentiousness
• They think themselves above everyone else
• They think they are untouchable and exempt from consequences
• So these disasters will happen to them in one day
• Death
• Crying
• Great hunger
• Destruction

Others will see what has happened and they will be afraid and distance themselves. They will be shocked by what they see. The punishment came quickly—it happened suddenly and without warning. Some were saddened because of what happened to "her" (what Babylon represents) and others were saddened because the destruction of "her" meant they were going to lose business and profits. All those who watched cried, "Terrible! Terrible!" All the things they wanted and desired were gone. Their rich and fancy things disappeared, and they would never have them again.

So, on one side you have the people of the world sad because of the destruction of "her" and sad for themselves because of the profits they were going to lose. But for God's people there was a totally different reaction.

"Be happy because of this, heaven!
     Be happy, God's holy people and apostles and prophets!
God has punished her (them) because of what she (they) did to you."

Then an angel picked up a large stone and threw it into the sea. He said, this is what it will be like. They will be thrown down and gone forever.

• The playing of music—gone
• Employment and work—gone
• Growing and harvesting of crops—gone
• The light from a lamp—gone
• The happy sounds of marriage and family—gone

Every. Thing. Gone. Forever. They were held accountable and judged guilty for their trickery and violence against innocent people.

From Life Lesson:

"Greed and materialism will be judged and crushed. Christians must derive their security from faith in Christ."

"John pointed out that although society was built around the economy, only what was built on God would last forever."

Side note: Besides the generalization of what/who Babylon represents, I'm sure there is also literal meanings to the symbolism and prophecy of Babylon of which I am not qualified to understand or write about.


Next Entry: Revelation 19:1–21

Revelation 14:1 – 15:8 (Continued)

August 16, 2013

This passage is also a prophetic description of a battle that will take place at the end of the tribulation. The battle is so violent that blood will flow as high as a horse's bridle for a distance of about one hundred eighty miles. Horrible, horrible destruction and violence for those who refused to be a servant of Master Jesus and instead insisted on following their own selfish ways. They realize they are no longer in control of their choices. Their attempt to ride the fence and fool others into thinking they were "religious" while they were actually unbelievers is exposed and they are forced into being what they were all along—a slave to Satan himself. 

Then John looked again—and he saw seven angels bringing seven disasters. Revelation 15:1 - "These are the last disasters, because after them, God's anger is finished." When Jesus was crucified (John 19:30) He said, "It is finished." The Plan for Salvation was completed with Christ's death and resurrection. Now the plan for destruction and God's anger will soon be finished.

But before the final seven disasters began, John saw something else. He saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire. All of those who had won the victory over the beast and his idol and of the Antichrist were standing there. They had harps that God himself had given them. Revelation 15:3–4 - "They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:

"You do great and wonderful things, (Psalm 111:2)
    Lord God Almighty. (Amos 3:13)
Everything the Lord does is right and true, (Psalm 145:17)
     King of the nations.
Everyone will respect you, Lord (Jeremiah 10:7)
     and will honor you.
Only you are holy.
All the nations will come
     and worship you, (Psalm 86:9–10)
because the right things you have done,
     are now made known." (Deuteronomy 32:4)

After John saw the redeemed and heard this song, the temple in heaven was opened and the seven angels bringing the seven disasters came out. They were given seven golden bowls "filled with the anger of God, who lives forever and ever." The temple filled with smoke from the power and glory of God, "and no one could enter the temple until the seven disasters of the seven angels were finished."

The final destruction is about to begin.


Next Entry: Revelation 16:1–21

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 13:1–18 (Continued)

August 09, 2013

In Jane's KJV Bible, Scofield lists the cosmic principles of Satan.

• Force
• Greed
• Selfishness
• Ambition
• Pleasure

They all boil down to one thing: The love of self above the love of God and a violation of God's very first commandment. Self = Master instead of Jesus = Master. 

The love of self and the promotion of self ALL end in naught. Those who refuse to surrender to Christ are in the end forced to surrender to the beast/Satan. Jesus won't force us to surrender to Him. Christ offered Himself as the final sacrificial Lamb and He offers us full forgiveness and undeserved grace. Offers, but does not force. He gives us every opportunity to accept His free gift of salvation, but He will not force us to accept it.

Satan on the other hand will throw everything in your path to keep you from surrendering to Christ. He will appear to be the answer, but later the truth will be exposed and he will FORCE you to become his slave and worship him.

TODAY, while there is still time, change your hearts and lives and surrender your love of self to Master Jesus.


Next Entry: Revelation 14:1 – 15:8

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 3:1–22

July 26, 2013

To the Church in Sardis the One says this:

"I know what you do."

• People say you are alive (a believer)
• But you are really dead (religious unbeliever)
• Wake up!
• You are doing less than what God wants
• Strengthen what little truth is left in you
• Don't forget what you've heard and received
• Obey it!
• Change your heart and lives!
• You must wake up!

Or, when you least expect it, "I will come like a thief and you will not know when I will come..." and your name will be erased from the Book of Life. There are a few of you who have remained servants of God. To those who have won the victory I will call worthy and "I will say they belong to me before my Father and before his angels."

Revelations 3:6 - "Everyone who has ears should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches."

To the Church in Philadelphia the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David says:

"I know what you do."

• I have put an open door before you
• A door that no one else can close
• I know (and you've known too) that by yourself you have little strength
• But you have obeyed my teachings
• You were not afraid to proclaim my name
• You did not give up your faith

As a true believer 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. There are those who say they believe, but their actions show otherwise. They are "religious," but the truth is they are unbelievers, and their bodies are "a synagogue that belongs to Satan." (Revelation 2:9b)

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 is NOT a temple of the Lord, but instead it is a synagogue, a gathering place—of Satan.

Revelation 3:9b–10 - "I will make them (religious unbelievers) come before you and bow at your feet and they will know that I have loved you. You have obeyed my teachings about not giving up your faith. So I will keep you from the time of trouble that will come to the whole world to test those who live on earth."

God put an open door before the Church of Philadelphia. When He opens a door no one can close it. When He closes a door no one else can open it. So, hang on and continue strong in your faith. Then no one can take away your crown. Revelation 3:12 - "I am coming soon... I will make those who win the victory pillars in the temple of my God." Their position with me and my Father is secure.

Revelation 3:13 - "Everyone who has ears should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches."

To the Church in Laodicea, the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of all God has made says:

"I know what you do."

• You are not hot or cold
• Your are just blah—lukewarm
• I am ready to vomit you out of me
• Your attitude/actions are not compatible with my Holiness and I am close to rejecting you
• You think you are rich
• You have worked to become wealthy
• You think you are in control and self-sufficient
• You don't get it—what you are working for (material things) means nothing
• You think one thing—but the truth is you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked 
• The very things you don't want to be—is what you really are

The only way to get what you desire is to come to me. When you depend on me and keep your faith in whose you are instead of who you are, I will bring you through the fires of life as pure gold—tested and true. THEN you will be rich in the only thing that matters—ME. Surrender and submit to me as Master Jesus and your nakedness will be covered and you will be clothed in forgiveness. Come to me. When you search for me I will be as a balm for your eyes, and your eyes will be opened to truth and you will be able truly see.

Revelation 3:19–20 - "I will correct and punish those whom I love. So be eager to do what is right, and change your hearts and lives. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice (everyone who has ears should listen) and open the door (you have to respond) I will come in and eat with you, and you will eat with me."

He is ready and waiting. He doesn't want anyone to be lost. He is knocking, but He won't take us by force. We must listen and respond to Him by opening the door, by inviting Him in, and by obeying His teachings. THEN we have the promise of winning the victory and (you) "will sit with me on my throne..."

Revelation 3:22 - "Everyone who has ears should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches."

From Christ Through the Bible:

JESUS: The One Who Stand at the Door

"Let me state something important. There is never a time during which Jesus is not speaking. Never. There is never a place in which Jesus is not present. Never. There is never a (place)... that the ever-present, ever-pursuing, relentlessly tender Friend is not there, tapping gently on the door of our hearts—waiting to be invited in.

Few hear his voice. Fewer still open the door.

But never interpret our numbness as his absence. For amidst the fleeting promises of pleasure is the timeless promise of his presence...

There is no chorus so loud that the voice of God cannot be heard... if we will but listen."  ~ From In the Eye of the Storm by Max Lucado

Next Entry: Revelation 3:1–22 (Continued) 

Jude 1–25

July 23, 2013

It's been six years since Jane told us to read Psalm 150 and then Psalm 140. It was the Monday after we learned my sister and brother-in-law filed a lawsuit. God knew the viciousness of their attack and He knew how long this "trial" was going to last, so He gave us hope and encouragement in the most unlikely of ways—an elderly woman in a nursing home. Jane E. Wolfe (who had been unresponsive for months) clearly, succinctly, and without effort spoke God's words of promise and then prayed a prayer of blessing over my life without faltering one single time. We are so grateful and so thankful for God's hands upon our lives. You can read the story of Jane here.

Jude was going to write about salvation but he instead felt the need to write about something else.  Verse 3 - "I want to encourage you to fight hard for the faith that was given the holy people of God once and for all time." Watch out—fight hard.

Watch out—because people had secretly entered their group and if they weren't careful they were in danger from the inside out. The classic frog in the kettle syndrome. If you put a frog in a pot of hot water, he recognizes the danger and immediately jumps out. But put the frog in a pot of tepid water and slowly turn up the heat and he doesn't recognize the threat and he dies without realizing the water became hot.

As Christians, we are more at risk with things we allow in, or things that have maneuvered themselves in, than from a blatant attack from the outside. Jude says be careful. These people (who act one way, but whose hearts are evil) sound good, but it's just a cover-up. Their motives are to destroy. They are against God's authority and are ruled by their own selfish desires. They do not understand "truth" and they think that their own knowledge and self learning is all the truth and wisdom they need.

It is that very way of thinking that will destroy them. Verse 11 - "It will be terrible for them." (See the "How terrible it will be" statements in Isaiah.) These people are like Cain, who because of anger, jealousy, and revenge went after Abel. Like Balaam, their desire for profits and ill-gotten gains led them to do wrong. And like Korah, they have rebelled and fought against authority and God sovereignty which ultimately leads to destruction.

Jude says they are like dirty spots among you. They are like a cancer that starts small and then spreads. They know they are out to destroy you but they have no problem with sitting among you and eating with you. They only care about themselves. They are like a lion in wait. They are like clouds that should produce rain, but they don't. They are instead just blown about. They are like autumn trees that should produce fruit, but they don't. They are no longer useful and they are pulled out of the ground. Not only don't they produce fruit, but the tree itself is dead. They are like waves in the sea, bobbing up and down but getting nowhere. Their shameful actions are tossed in the air like foam. They are like stars in the sky that wander around not knowing where they belong. A day of judgment is planned and reserved for them.

But wait! Don't be proud and think you would never be in danger of falling and becoming the cancerous spot. Verse 5 - "Remember that the Lord saved his people by bringing them out of the land of Egypt. But later he destroyed all those who did not believe." Remember the angels who rejected Gods power. They did not escape God's judgment. Remember Sodom and Gomorrah. Their punishment was an example for all of us to see. Remember!  

Jesus is coming again and we will ALL be judged.

Believers will be judged for their works of faith and will be rewarded accordingly. The judgment for believers is called the Judgment Seat of Christ. But there is another judgment as well. This judgment is for all those who have rejected Master Jesus, and it is called The Great White Throne Judgment.

"Look, the Lord is coming with many thousands of his holy angels to judge every person. He is coming to punish all who are against God for all the evil they have done against him. And he will punish the sinners who are against God for all the evil they have said against him." Verse 14

Jude then describes the people who are against God. Jude 16–19 - "These people complain and blame others, doing evil things they want to do. They brag about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want... these are the people who divide you, people whose thoughts are only of this world, who do not have the Spirit."

While we need to be cautious that we do not allow any small cancerous spots to grow in us, we can have complete confidence in our position with Christ. Nothing can remove us from Him! That is nothing outside of ourselves. Only we can make the choice to be out of God's love. So, keep yourself in God's love. Build your faith up. Pray in the Holy Spirit. Wait for His mercies.

"God is strong and can help you not to fall. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and can give you great joy. He is the only God, the One who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen."  Verses 24–25

"The proof of religious conversion is to demonstrate that we have both added a relationship with Christ and that we have subtracted sin (repentance). And we multiply proof to a weary world by what we do—our deeds, our obedience. What we do must confirm what we say. Our deeds are the proof of our repentance." ~ From Walking With Christ in the Details of Life by Patrick Morley

Wow! How can it be? I'm done with 65 books of the Bible and tomorrow I start the last book—The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Addendum: 12/31/16 ~ Wow! Again! It's the last day of 2016; I'm recording my entry written six years after receiving God's promise of protection and "the storm"; the lawsuit is still ongoing (almost nine and one half years now); Jude clearly lays out and defines the reason for the lawsuit; a day of judgment is coming; I've just started Journal #13 (my last journal); and I'm soon going to be ready to begin recording my journal entries for Revelation. But before I begin the last book, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, I am going to return to where I stopped my earlier review back in May and complete the review and the edits from Philippians to Jude.

I didn't think it would take me this long to get to Revelations, but I've learned long ago not to question God's timing. I am Walking on His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead).


Next Entry: The Book of Revelation

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  

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)

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 4:1–17

June 26, 2013

Do you want to know where fights and arguments come from? James tells us. They come from our selfish desires that war inside of us and spill out to those around us. It's that simple. Selfishness. And selfishness is breaking God's first commandment of—"No other gods" and His royal law of—"Love your neighbor as you love yourself."

I like how James describes it when he says "(it) wars within you." I don't think I've ever noticed that before. But it's true. Selfishness harms you first before it strikes out at others. You want things → you don't have them → it makes you mad → you are jealous → you are ready to do whatever it takes to get them → you argue → you fight → you try to be in control → if you can't have it then you try to make sure the other person doesn't have it either → it grows → it festers → it wars within you → it destroys your joy → it destroys your relationships with other people → you strategize and maneuver → you use whatever means necessary to get what you want → nothing you try works → you don't give up → you try all the harder → and the turmoil within you grows. You should know better. You know the truth and you know the truth will set you free, but you want what the other person has, whether it be their "things" or their peace and joy. You don't want your peace, you want their peace.

And it doesn't work.

When you love the world/self it actually means you are hating God and you become God's enemy. Did you hear that? God's enemy!!! Do you understand the seriousness of that? Is your desire for selfish control worth being an enemy of God? James 4:5 - "Do you think the Scripture mean nothing that says, 'The Spirit that God made to live in us wants us for himself alone?' " Of course there is going to be a war going on within you when you are trying to fight against the way God made you. James quotes Proverbs 3:34 - "God is against the proud, but he gives grace to the humble." There is only one way to have peace. James 4:7 - "So give yourselves completely to God. Stand against the devil, and the devil will run from you. Come near to God, and God will come near to you."

• Give yourself to God. You have to "give" yourself. God will not take you by force.
• Stand firm against the devil. With God on your side the devil cannot harm you.
• Come. The closer you go to God the more He comes to you.

You can't follow God and the world/self at the same time. It won't work. You need to make your thinking pure and clean out the sin from your lives. Repent. Be sorry—truly sorry—for what you have done. Humble yourself before God and HE will make you great. Don't concern yourself with what others are doing. Only be concerned with your relationship with Christ. You are not the lawmaker or the judge. James 4:12 - "God is the only Lawmaker and Judge. He is the only One who can save and destroy." Leave it ALL up to Him. Let go—let God. God is a fair and just God. Trust Him to make things right.

Our lives are but a mist. It is not about our agenda. It IS about God's will. We cannot claim ignorance. James 4:17 -  "Anyone who knows the right thing to do, but does not do it, is sinning." It really is that black and white. Disobedience = sin. Delayed obedience = sin. It is faith + action. Our walk MUST match our talk.

I find great comfort in knowing that God is our Judge. Our faith and trust is in Him alone. 

"As you confess that God is in charge, you admit that your aren't. As you proclaim that God has power, you admit that you don't. And as you give God all the applause, there is none left to dizzy your brain." ~ From The Great House by Max Lucado. 

Next Entry: James 5:1–20 

James 2:1–26

June 22, 2013

James 2:6–7 - "The rich are always trying to control your lives.  They are the ones who take you to court. And they are the ones who speak against Jesus who owns you."

As believers, we are "owned" by Jesus. The rich (and the wannabe rich and live-as-if-we-are-rich) see themselves as being in control, and they totally disregard the authority of Jesus and instead decide they will be in charge and make the decisions. They view themselves as "owners" and others as subservient. 

I should make a disclaimer here. Not every "rich" person fits this description and there are also plenty of people who do not have great wealth but still live their lives trying to be in control. What God is talking about here is the temptation for the wealthy to rely on themselves and their own capabilities rather than being God-reliant. It is extremely difficult and rare for the very "rich" to remain totally dependent on God and not fall into the trap of self-sufficiency.

The #1 trap for any of us is to become self-reliant instead of God-dependent. Having monetary riches exacerbates the temptation and many will start relying on their own means to get what they want. It isn't just that they have money and so therefore can afford to use the world's court system to exert their control. The problem is they have also developed the attitude of "I am in control... I will get what I want." The problem is "I." I want and therefore I will get! I... I... I... and so they go against God's teachings and do whatever they want. They may not use actual words to "speak against Jesus" but their actions speak volumes. Hebrews 6 graphically describes how their actions "are nailing the Son of God to a cross again and are shaming him in front of others."

God's teachings, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself" means nothing to the self-reliant person. God saying that if you love others as yourself "you are doing right" doesn't matter to them either. God says to never think some people are more important than others. We are all created the same and are equally important.

God says in James 2:4 - "What are you doing? You are making some people more important than others, with evil thought you are deciding that one person is better." If we don't show mercy God will not show mercy to us. James 2:13 - "The person who shows mercy can stand without fear at the judgment."

James talks about faith AND good works. It is not faith "or" good works, it is not faith "because" of good works, and it's not faith "instead" of good works. It is faith AND good works. James 2:14 - "If people say they have faith, but do nothing, their faith is worth nothing. Can faith like that save them?" James 2:17 - "In the same way, faith that is alone—that does nothing—is dead."

Those are strong words. We can say whatever we want, but it is our actions that will show what we truly believe. We can say Jesus is Lord, but if we insist on being in charge and in control, then he is not Lord. We can say we love others as our self, but IF—we do things to harm others so we can benefit ourselves, THEN—we are not only lying to ourselves and others, but we are lying to the God of creation. Our actions reveal the heart of the matter and if our walk does not match our talk, then he is not Lord. We can say we believe there is one God, but even the demons believe that, and they tremble in fear. IF—our actions don't show that we believe there is only one supreme God, THEN—we are worse off than the demons who tremble with fear because we are in effect thumbing our nose at the One and only true God. 

What arrogance. What foolishness! Faith that does nothing is worth nothing! Abraham believed and acted before he saw the fulfillment of God's promises "and his faith was made perfect by what he did." We have no excuse. We have God's Word and we have the benefit of being able to look back and see God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. We must believe and act. Our walk must match our talk. Talk is easy and walking can be difficult, but walk we must!! James 2:26 - "Just as a person's body that does not have a spirit is dead, so faith that does nothing is dead!"

Faith—AND—Good Works. Not one or the other—BOTH! 

Addendum: 3/24/19 ~ Our value is not determined by who we are, what we do, or what we own. Our value comes from who we are IN Christ.   


Next Entry: James 3:1–18 

James 1:1–27 (Continued)

June 19, 2013

There is nothing wrong with wealth itself, but our culture has it ALL wrong. The world tells us we should desire wealth and that wealth will brings us independence and happiness, freedom, power, prestige, status, etc. All things that sound good. But! with wealth also comes a hidden (or not-so-hidden) danger.  

The biggest danger that comes from wealth? Independence. When you are self-sufficient it is hard to be God-reliant. The temptation is to believe in and rely on yourself and therefore not rely on God. James 1:9–10 - "Believers who are poor should be proud, because God has made them spiritually rich. Those who are rich should be proud because God has shown them that they are spiritually poor." 

Money, power, and control are temporary earthly pleasures. Heaven and hell are eternal realities.  James describes someone who relies on and lives their lives seeking wealth as a wildflower in the grass. The sun comes out with its scorching heat and it dries up the flower and its blossoms fall off, the plant withers, and the beauty is gone. The "rich" are busy doing business and trying to accumulate more wealth. They are busy being "in charge" and they don't even recognize that they are being scorched by the Son and that they are in danger of losing it all. They dig their heels in and try all the more thinking, "I will be in charge," but it is to no avail and they wither up and disappear.

God is in charge. He is Lord. We are to understand His sovereignty; submit ourselves to His authority; and place our dependence totally upon Him. Rare is the person who can have abundant wealth and still remain reliant on God. 


Next Entry: James 1:1–27 (Continued)

Hebrews 4:1 – 5:10

June 03, 2013

"By grace of God, I've come to place where I can't work up a worry (rest)." "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." ~ Written in Jane's KJV Bible.

Rest. God has offered to us a place of rest. There is of course heaven, a place of eternal rest. But in addition to eternal rest, we have also been offered a "place of rest" on this earth.

"Now, since God has left us the promise that we may enter his rest, let us be very careful so none of you fail to enter. The Good News was preached to us just as it was to them. But the teaching they heard did not help them, because they heard it but did not accept it with faith." Hebrews 4:1–3 

It wasn't the teaching that failed, the failure came from the choices they made. They "heard" the teaching but they refused to accept it with faith. They chose disobedience. The old hymn has it right when it says: "Trust and obey for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

Hebrews 4:5 - "We who have believed are able to enter and have God's rest." Our choices determine our life results.

Obedience → Happy in Jesus → Rest

God rested on the seventh day, His perfect work of creation was complete. God made available to us His perfect work of redemption, and as believers, we can rest in that. God provided the Israelites a way of redemption from the Egyptians. They could have rested in His deliverance and protection, but instead, they chose not to trust and they chose not to obey, and as a result of their choices they lived 40 years wandering around in the desert and they never received His "rest." Those who did not obey and did not trust were not allowed into the Promised Land. Not only did they not get the future reward, they missed out on peace and "rest" in the present, their time on this earth.

The writer of Hebrew again says—TODAY. Hebrews 4:7 - "Today listen to what he says. Do not be stubborn." Stubbornness—the root of the problem. That is what keeps most people from surrendering to God and obeying Him. It's not ignorance—it's stubbornness. It's a refusal to let go of whatever you need to let go of (pride, selfishness, the need to be in charge, etc.) and let God be—God. Hebrews 4:10–11 - "Anyone who enters God's rest will rest from his work as God did. Let us try as hard as we can to enter God's rest so that no one will fail by following the example of those who refused to obey."

The phrase "try as hard as you can" does not mean we are working to earn our salvation. To enter God's rest is to finally "get-it"; to fully understand the

God

↓

man

relationship; and to daily live the "God is God, I am not" concept. If you don't daily commit to surrendering your will to the authority and Lordship of God, you will find the sin of self-sufficiency slowly creeping back into your life.

We can attest to what it means to find God's rest while on earth. Oh, what a change there has been in our thinking. Before we learned to surrender all I used to occasionally have "what if" fears about my husband's business. What if the economy goes bad? What if there isn't enough work? What if? What if? Our entire livelihood and our son's entire livelihood depends on this business. What if? What if? Then "the storm" happens, the economy goes bad, and all my prior "what if" fears which at times clouded my thoughts—happened. BUT! It did not bring fear.

What would have earlier created worry, fear, and angst in our lives, now has no power or control in our lives. We are living in God's rest and it is only because of one reason: we have committed to surrendering ALL to God. Oh, what peace (and rest) that gives. When the economy went bad, we didn't frantically go out searching for work—God brought the work to us. When the lawsuit threatened the very existence of my husband's business and took hundreds of thousands to defend our innocence—God doubled our gross revenues. God is in control and we can REST in that. 

We need to "work hard" at surrendering. God does ALL the rest. TODAY don't be stubborn! Listen to what He says! Hebrews 4:12 - "God's word is alive and working and is sharper that a double-edged sword." It convicts, it prunes, it does whatever is necessary to make us as believers more like Him. For the believer, it brings freedom and rest. For the non-believer, it condemns. "It judges the thoughts and feeling in our hearts. Nothing in all the world can be hidden from God. Everything is clear and lies open before him, and to him we must explain the way we have lived." (Hebrews 4:12b–13)

I've often wondered if people would change their hearts and lives if they understood that someday they will stand before Christ and have to explain the choices they've made and the way they lived their lives? Would it matter? Would they care? As believers we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and have to explain our choices and how we lived, and we will be rewarded accordingly. A non-believer will stand before Christ at the Great White Throne judgment, and they will be held accountable—eternally—for their stubborn refusal to surrender to Him.

Hebrews 5 - Jesus is our high priest, an intercessor between us and God. Because of Jesus we can "come before God's throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it." When Jesus was on this earth He prayed to God and "his prayer was heard because he trusted God."

Even though He was the Son of God, He learned obedience by what He suffered. The same can be said about us.We learned obedience because of our suffering, and for that we are grateful. Obedience and full surrender is often learned best during times of suffering.

Addendum: 11/29/16 ~ So many people try to avoid times of suffering by trying to "pray away" their problems instead of surrendering and learning from them. Charles Swindoll in Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life says it perfectly.

"Life is difficult... really very little more than an endless series of problems. Do we want to moan and groan about them or face them? Do we want to teach the next generation the disciplines involved in accepting and solving them or encourage them to run and hide? ... The tragedy, of course, is that the substitute itself ultimately becomes more painful than the "legitimate suffering" it was trying to avoid. And, adding insult to injury, the avoidance of legitimate suffering means we also avoid the growth that problems demand of us. Our determination to push pain away instead of meeting it head on creates a vicious circle. Could this explain why God's wisest saints are often people who endure pain rather than escape it? Like their Savior, they are men and women "acquainted with grief." I recall that Jesus "learned obedience from the things which he suffered (Hebrews 5:8) not in spite of those things. Do you have a problem? You're smiling back at me. "A problem? Would you believe several dozen problems?" If you listen to the voices around you, you'll search for a substitute—an escape route. You'll miss the fact that each one of those problems is a God-appointed instructor ready to stretch you and challenge you and deepen your walk with Him. Growth and wisdom await you at the solution of each one, the pain and mess notwithstanding."         

Well said.  


Next Entry: Hebrews 5:11 – 7:28