Thursday, February 23, 2023

To Him Who Overcomes

 


"Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" [1 John 5:5]

7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." ... 11 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." ... 17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives [it]." ... 26 "And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations--" [Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26]

5 "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. ... 12 "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. ... 21 "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." [Revelation 3:5, 12, 21]

"He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son." [Revelation 21:7]



Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Biblical Predictions Happening Now


12 Biblical Last Days Predictions HAPPENING NOW!!! https://youtu.be/He4N6P25ftI

It is not too late to turn to God. TODAY is the day of salvation. Don’t harden your heart. If you will turn to Him with all your heart and put your faith in Jesus, God will forgive your sin and give you eternal life in His Kingdom. The Bible has been proven true over and over- for over 2,000 years.

Bible prophecy is one area where God Himself proves to YOU that He IS who He says He is and the Bible IS His Word. Turn from the ways of this world (which are lies and lead to death) and believe the good news of salvation forever in Messiah Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords!




Saturday, December 3, 2022

Rejoice in the Lord


If you are in Christ Jesus by faith- two things to REST IN and CLING TO in these last days:

1. We rejoice IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST alone and put no confidence in our own good works or religious rituals. REST IN JESUS. His work on the cross is all sufficient for our salvation and IT IS FINISHED!

2. The LORD is our Fortress, our Rock and our Savior. The Lord is our help and is with us always, even to the end of the age. He will deliver us safely into His Kingdom and we will live eternally with Him in sinless glory by our faith in Jesus alone.

Christians REST in these two promises DAILY. Jesus has won our eternal salvation and we receive that gift by placing our faith and trust in Him alone... and, God is with us, will help us, and will deliver us safely into His glorious Kingdom in His perfect timing.




Sunday, November 13, 2022

Bible Prophecy is Verifiable


Bible prophecy is verifiable. Most people won’t go so far as to verify it. They’ll just reject it out of hand. Fair minded people will research and discover these truths for themselves.

Everything in the Bible that God said would come true has come true. So, we know that everything the Bible says will yet come true will happen just as God said.

Not only is Jesus the King of kings and Lord of lords, but we are in the last days before the return of our King, the Lord Jesus Christ.

According to the Bible, He will establish His long awaited 1,000 year Messianic Kingdom on earth. Truth and righteousness, peace and joy will be some of the many wonderful characteristics of God’s Kingdom.

Pastor JD Farag presents 10 prophecies that have been fulfilled or are being fulfilled now.

8/7/22 https://www.jdfarag.org/bible-prophecy




Saturday, October 1, 2022

The Proven Word of God


Quite a few things happening in the world right now are fulfilling, more and more precisely every day, what the Bible has predicted for several thousand years. Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Paul, Peter, John, and many others, including Jesus Himself, shared hundreds of specific prophecies in the name of the God of Israel.

How did they know? No other “holy book” has even attempted this, let alone accomplished it. The Bible alone is verifiably, undeniably the PROVEN Word of the Living God. Repent & Believe the Good News of the Savior and King Jesus Christ! And dig into your Bible!


How to Know God:
https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/knowgod.cfm

Resources for Bible Study:
https://walkingwithjesus.net/christian-links/

Free PDF: '25 Signs We Are Near the End' and more resources from Don Stewart
https://educatingourworld.com/media/dmbchkk/25-signs-we-are-near-the-end



Monday, September 26, 2022

The Inheritance of the Saints


A few verses containing the words heir, heirs, inherit, inheritance, or related. Praise God for His goodness and the blessings He has prepared for His children for all eternity!

[1Peter 1:3-4] 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance imperishable and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

[1Corinthians 3:21-23] 21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come--all are yours. 23 And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

[Romans 8:32] 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

[Romans 8:16-17] 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

[Acts 20:32] 32 "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

[Ephesians 1:11] 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

[Galatians 4:4-7] 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

[Hebrews 9:15] 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

[Titus 3:7] 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

[Psalm 16:5] 5 O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot.

[Psalm 37:9] 9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.

[Colossians 1:12] 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

[Revelation 21:7] 7 "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.




Monday, August 15, 2022

Encouragement in Trials



2nd Corinthians 4 says,

“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).”

 

For most of us, our afflictions and difficulties do not seem very light or momentary. At first glance a lifetime of various victories and defeats doesn't feel momentary. But what Paul is saying here is that in the light of eternity, and in the light of the eternal work that God is accomplishing in each of us through our afflictions and trials, it is a light affliction, and it is but for a moment because it is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Our troubles will come to end one day, but they are accomplishing good things that will go on forever in God’s Kingdom. And God is not just working all things for good for us, but He is accomplishing His eternal purposes in the people around us through our trials, and theirs.

 

That reminds me of 1st Peter, chapter 1. Peter starts off by saying,

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:3-4).”

 

Our inheritance in the Lord is reserved for us who are “kept by the power of God.” That is, surrounded, guarded, protected, and kept by the power of God through our faith in Jesus Christ “for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (v. 5).”

 

In verse 5, Peter is saying that the rapture of the church, the tribulation, the second coming, the setting up of the Kingdom of Jesus is ready, it could be revealed at any time. That's what he said in the early to mid-sixties of the first century AD. So, if it was ready at that time, then he’s saying the rapture is imminent, it can happen at any time. Our salvation is ready, and when the Lord’s timing is fulfilled, He will come.

 

And then in verse 6 Peter says,

“You greatly rejoice in this,” speaking of that hope of salvation ready to come. We're looking for Jesus and we're looking to inherit our inheritance, our eternal bodies that cannot die and in which there is no impurity. We will be completely holy and righteous, we will not have a sin nature anymore. All of this we greatly rejoice in. Then he continues: “though now for a little while if need be you have been grieved by various trials.” That word grieved could also be translated “distressed.” These are very distressing and grievous times that we live in now, and of course all of the last two thousand years, in various places and in various ways, many Christians have lived with distressing circumstances. This is written to the church, and there are many trials and tribulations in this life for the followers of Christ.

 

But here's why we go through trials. We just saw it in 2nd Corinthians 4:17, that God is working a “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” through our difficulties in this Christian life. The impact, the eternal purposes that God is accomplishing through our trials that we don't fully comprehend now, they each have eternal ramifications and purpose.

 

Now, in 1 Peter 1:7, Peter gives us more insight from the Holy Spirit and it’s really helpful and encouraging to understand.

“So that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

 

Revelation, “apokalypsis” in Greek, like the Book of Revelation. Jesus is speaking of the revealing of Jesus Christ that happens at the rapture and then at the second coming and establishment of His Messianic Kingdom, the thousand-year reign of Jesus on earth.

 

Let's break down verse 7 a bit because this is so amazing when you think about how we get worn out from the trials, the difficulties. It really seems like one thing after another and we ask, “how can this be happening Lord and what is this for and why are you allowing this?” Well, we know in 2nd Corinthians that Paul said that God is working out something that far exceeds any difficulties in this life. That His plan exceeds our trials by so much, by so far, that you could call all of your afflictions in this life “light” and that you could call an entire lifetime of affliction “momentary.” That's how much God is working out for us in eternal terms, even though we can't fully comprehend all of that now.

 

Peter gives us a little more insight into that. Look at verse 7 in 1st Peter 1 again, “you've been grieved, distressed by various trials so that the genuineness of your faith...” Now skip this next part of the sentence for a second, it is a parenthetical thought. Reading it like this helps us grasp what is being said: “that the genuineness of your faith… may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Peter is saying that when God allows our trials, it's like when gold is put into the refiner's fire. We are God’s treasure, we are His “gold.” Why does gold need to be refined? To make it more pure. And what happens when gold is made more pure? Its value increases.

 

So, our faith is tested and tried and refined through our trials. For what purpose? So that it, meaning you and I, may be “found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Whether we die and go to be with the Lord, or we go to be with Him immediately when He’s revealed at the rapture or at the second coming, the more refining that's been done in your life, the more praise you will receive. The more honor you will receive. The more glory you will receive. The purest gold receives the highest honor and is of the most value.

 

Now we see God’s ability to work all things together for good for His children. We can see where all of the refining leads. You’ve endured another trial and you have grown in your faith. You've endured another trial and you have more commendations. And when Peter says, “the genuineness of your faith,” he doesn’t mean God is checking to see if it is real, if it is genuine. Peter is saying that the trial is making it more genuine, more pure. Your faith is refined and becomes of more value.

 

Without question, our value to God is infinite and unconditional in Christ. In this passage “value” is analogous of our purification, our sanctification. In other words, maturing in Christ. Our sanctification leads to a deeper walk with Jesus and to things we do for Christ in this life by His Spirit. Our trials make us more like Jesus and lead to maturity and the accomplishing of the works that God wants to accomplish through us, which things lead to praise, honor, and glory; our rewards in Heaven! Peter is speaking of our sanctification and purification. Not for salvation, but for maturing and growing in our Christian lives, in our closeness and genuineness of relationship with Jesus. Read this again: our trials lead to our purification and sanctification, which directly lead to maturity and works done in the Spirit, which accomplish eternal benefits and rewards; praise, honor, and glory in the Kingdom of God forever!

 

We are saved by grace through faith immediately, and fully made holy and set apart by just our simple faith in Jesus Christ; by our faith in the blood of Christ shed for our sin and His resurrection for our life. But there is a work that God is doing in us now that we are born-again, born from above. He is working out His will in and through us now and forever. His will is that we live more holy lives in this life, that we live our lives focused on Him, in communion with Him, in relationship with Jesus. But of course, that only goes so far (even in an entire lifetime) because we struggle against our old sin nature. Sometimes it seems like it's barely gone anywhere! When we are with the Lord, when Jesus arrives or we go to be with Him, that sin nature will finally be destroyed completely.

 

What is Peter’s point, then? That all of our fiery trials in Christ bring growth and maturity in our walk with Him, and God is using them, not just in our life but in the lives of the people around us. Most immediately, our family, our friends, our co-workers, and people in church; our brothers and sisters in Christ. And other people that we encounter, and people yet to put their faith in Jesus.

 

And so, as we go through these things and God works them out- these trials, these sicknesses, these persecutions, a variety of different things that bring trials, we are adding to our reward. We are adding to our walk with Christ. We are adding to the praise and honor and glory that we are going to receive from Him. And the Lord is using us to add to His Kingdom!

 

The disclosure of this truth here in First Peter should give us renewed hope and recharge us to endure. We are so close to the return of Jesus. He's coming so soon; we can hardly comprehend. It could be a matter of days. It could be months or years, but it is so close now. He has delayed His coming thus far because God doesn’t want any to perish, but all to come to life (2 Peter 3). But we are seeing literally dozens of prophecies, hundreds of things happening every day around the world, that show how close we are to the return of Christ, biblically speaking. This can be proven, it is all laid out in the Word of God, the Bible.

 

The Lord is coming so soon. Even if it is years away that's still very, very soon. Endure. Press through. Know that God has a reason for the trials that you're going through. An eternal purpose to bless us beyond all that we can think or imagine! And God is never going to leave you or forsake you. He is holding you in His hand. He makes that promise. If we call out on Him, if we put our trust in Him, He Himself will answer. He Himself will deliver us.

 

Endure, keep fighting the good fight of faith, persevere like a good soldier. Stay in your Bible like it is the only way you will get through- because it is. Keep crying out to the Lord and asking why He’s doing what He is doing, and He will show you. Stay in the Word of God because look, it is all right there. He's doing a work, a good work, an eternal work. When we're in Heaven 10,000 years from now it will seem like a light affliction, it will seem like it was but for a moment. And all of this you are enduring is bringing your family into the Kingdom, bringing your friends into the Kingdom, your co-workers, other people that you care about or maybe even people you don't care about, enemies.

 

Lord Jesus, have mercy on your people. Come quickly, Lord. But use us until that time has arrived.

 

The Lord bless you and I hope this was a blessing and an encouragement. Grow in the grace of the Lord, keep your face in your Bible, and keep looking up! The King is coming very soon.


Watch the video: https://walkingwithjesus.net/encouragement-in-trials/