Life Issues

Prophets Speak – Christmas Day 130

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“Then He said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke Me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose. Therefore will I also deal in fury: Mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in Mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.” Ezekiel 8:17-18 (KJV)

The anger of God concerning the sins of humanity is not a popular topic.  We are more aspiring toward the “Love of God”.  The love of God is awesome; however, without the anger and wrath of God toward sin His love would be a moot issue.

Ezekiel the prophet of the above verses had been taken, by vision, to Jerusalem to witness the atrocities of the temple previously to their captivity.  They were atrocious sins against God and the temple.  Now, though I do believe the prophet already had some understanding of their captivity, Ezekiel had a fuller understanding.  The priests and the prophets and the people had “Thumbed their nose” at God, His Word, and the prophets who spoke God’s truths.

What do I want for Christmas today?

I want to never have contempt  in my heart, mind or being for God, His Word, His preachers who declare the Word of the LORD, or His people;  I want to always declare the truth of God’s Word even when it is not popular to do so; I want to preach and teach the Word of God so that God is glorified, and the cross of Jesus – His death, burial and resurrection is declared, and people know the price God has paid to redeem fallen humans from our sins.

Prophets Speak – Christmas Day One Hundred Thirty and One

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house. You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious. But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” Ezekiel 2:6-8 (NKJV)

What do I want for Christmas today?

Though I live in a foreign land, because it has turned her back on the One who made her great, I want to eat the Word of God daily through study, reading and application of it in my life; that I may be a witness for my God and Savior Jesus Christ no matter what this nation or the world may hurl at me; to be strong and faithful even unto death, and unto life.

 

Prophets Speak – Christmas Day One Hundred Thirty and Two

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 (KJV)

Though the prophet Jeremiah is lamenting the tragedy of Judah and Israel, he recognizes that the mercies of the LORD  are without fail.  They are “New every morning”.  Mercy is a great power and offering from our Lord to us every day.

What do I want for Christmas today?

When I wake up of the mornings I want to be thankful for the LORD’S mercy that He has given me another day, that I am breathing, that I have a beating  heart, for all the manifold blessings He has given me; and I want to share that mercy, those mercies, as much as within me, with my family, friends, neighbors, and those who may not be at peace with me.

Through the mercies of God we can know His grace through the death, burial and resurrection of His Son Jesus, God the Son.

Prophets Speak – Christmas Day One Hundred Thirty and Four

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“And I will set My throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes,’ saith the LORD. ‘But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam,’ saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 49:38-39 (KJV)

Elam, Moab, and Ammon are nations promised to return from captivity.  Some, along with Egypt are promised to share in the same blessings as Israel.  These have been God’s pronouncements against the nations which tormented and persecuted Israel – God’s mission people from their calling.

What do I want for Christmas today?

I want to have the mind of Missions, in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with every lost soul God brings into my life and path; if not by word; by the life that I live, and the joy and praise to God from my heart, tongue and mouth.

Prophets Speak – Christmas Day One Hundred Thirty and Five

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“But fear not thou, O My servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make him afraid. Fear thou not, O Jacob My servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished.” Jeremiah 46:27-28 (KJV)

Fear was the thing that led the left behinds to their disobedience to God, His prophet, and their going to Egypt for “Safety”.  Fear moves people to do terrible things.  No matter what age of this world fear is a motivator of evil.

What do I want for Christmas today?

I want to walk with GOD, because when I walk with Him, I am never afraid.

For clarification – To walk with GOD is to be in total agreement with Him,

“Can two walk together, except they agree.” (Amos 3:3)

Prophets Speak – Christmas Day One Hundred Forty and Three

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“…Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem. This evil people, which refuse to hear My words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing. For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto Me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, says the LORD; that they might be unto Me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.” Jeremiah 13:8-11 (KJV)

Jeremiah had just been given a lesson on decay and ruin with a girdle (a sash), along side the Euphrates River, and a word from God for the people of Judah and Israel.

What do I want for Christmas today?

I want to learn from the events of life the word, and ways of God, to be obedient to His Word, hear Him, and do His will; and I want all who are God’s people through the death, burial and bodily resurrection of God the Son, the Son of God, to hear Him and do His will as well.

Prophets Speak – Christmas Day One Hundred Forty and Five

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“They have lied about the LORD, and said, ‘It is not He. Neither will evil come upon us, nor shall we see sword or famine. And the prophets become wind, for the word is not in them. Thus shall it be done to them.'” Jeremiah 5:12-13 (NKJV)

The people in Jeremiah’s day were not believing the LORD, thus they lied about Him, by denying His word.  If one does not believe the Word of God they are in affect calling God a liar…

“He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.” 1 John 5:10

What do I want for Christmas today?

To be forgiven for the times I have not believed the Word of God; and I have been forgiven; and I want you to confess your sin of calling God a liar, by your unbelief, rejection of His truth, and today begin believing Him, trusting every word He says, and believe the testimony that God has given us His Son Jesus Christ.

Prophets Speak – Christmas Day One Hundred Forty and Six

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“For My people is foolish, they have not known Me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.” Jeremiah 4:22 (KJV)

“For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.” Romans 16:19

From the prophet Jeremiah we see Jeremiah’s sorrow over Judah and Israel; and the noted verse from the prophet is stating God’s sorrow and grievance with the people.

What do I want for Christmas today?

First of all I want to be wise in the word and ways of God, not in evil;  I want to do what is good and righteous and holy in the name of God; and to never shame the name of my heavenly Father;  I also want that those who call themselves Christian get into God’s Word, learn God, learn holiness, and righteousness, and know that the word of God is true, and anything that is against it is false.

Prophets Speak – Christmas Day 150

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“Fear not; for you shall not be ashamed: neither be you confounded; for you shall not be put to shame: for you shall forget the shame of your youth, and shall not remember the reproach of your widowhood any more. For your Maker is your husband; the LORD of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall He be called. For the LORD has called you as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when you was refused, says your God. For a small moment have I forsaken you; but with great mercies will I gather you. In a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on you, says the LORD your Redeemer.” Isaiah 54:4-8 (KJV)

What do I want for Christmas?

I want to daily rest in the arms of the Maker who is loving, merciful, forgiving GOD of grace; and do know that He is everlasting, His love is everlasting, and though I may at times be unfaithful to Him, He is always faithful to me, and to all who have called on His name; that He is my Redeemer.

Prophets Speak – Christmas Day One Hundred Fifty and Two

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath…” Isaiah 45:22-23 (NKJV)

What do I want for Christmas?

Seeing how God has spoken His Word, and that not one word He has spoken will ever fail; but all will be fulfilled, just as He has said; I want to live with His Word in my heart, and mind, and seen in my hands and my feet as I live for Him; so that others around me might see Him at work in me; so that they might have the Word of God – the Living Word, who is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, and God the Son – empowering, protecting, loving, and God being glorified in all who will call on His name.

Prophets Speak – Christmas Day One Hundred Fifty and Three

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)

To deny that there are things which would make us fearful is a frivolous way of dealing with life.  To continually live with crippling fear is, well, crippling, and hinders us from accomplishing great things.

To deny the truth of evil, and decay is in fact deceit, self deceit, and a lie.

What do I want for Christmas?

As a born again, blood bought child of the King; I want to live knowing that God is always with me; that I will not be afraid in this wicked world; that I will be strengthened in the Lord, daily, knowing that He will help me in every trial, trouble, and situation of my life, my home, family, Church, Nation and the world; and that He upholds me with His righteous right hand.

Prophets Speak – Christmas Day One Hundred Fifty and Seven

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“The way of the just is uprightness; O Most Upright, You weigh the path of the just. Yes, in the way of Your judgments, O LORD, we have waited for You; the desire of our soul is for Your name and for the remembrance of You. With my soul I have desired You in the night, yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early; for when Your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” Isaiah 26:7-9 (NKJV)

What do I want for Christmas?

Since the Word of God is the revelation, to us, of God, His grace, His love, His mercy, His justice, and equity; I want to always be in accord and agreement with God that I might always be on that path of justness, and equity with all people, but never falter in the way of God’s Word – the truth.

Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).

Prophets Speak – Christmas Day One Hundred Sixty and One

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” Isaiah 6:5 (KJV)

A troubled prophet, is in the temple, and sees the LORD “High and lifted up” in His glory.  In doing this the prophet show us what all of us should do when GOD reveals Himself to us.

What do I want for Christmas?

When I am burdened by and with my own sin, the wickedness in the world, and that of my community and neighbors; I want to always see GOD on His throne “High and lifted” up; which causes me to bow, to humble myself before Him and gives me rest from my burdens; because He is the Sovereign One, and He reigns in the affairs of mankind.

Prophets Speak – Christmas Day One Hundred Sixty and Two

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

“For Jerusalem stumbled,
And Judah is fallen,
Because their tongue and their doings
Are against the LORD,
To provoke the eyes of His glory.
The look on their countenance witnesses against them,
And they declare their sin as Sodom;
They do not hide it.
Woe to their soul!
For they have brought evil upon themselves.” Isaiah 3:8-9 (NKJV)

This prophecy is a message directed to the city of Jerusalem in the prophets day, and the people of Judah.  We can, however, see that the message would fit with the Christianity as well in the Twenty First century.

What do I want for Christmas?

Seeing that many sins, shame, and condemnation is within the lives of many who call themselves “Christian” and there is no remorse, no repentance; I want the power of the Spirit of God to come over  every Christian, including myself, to make us aware of our guilt, our sins, unto repentance, and to embolden us to stand for Christ Jesus, His cross, His burial, His resurrection; and His second coming, and to tell others of His power, glory, and His glorious salvation through faith in Christ.

 

Prophets Speak – Christmas Day One Hundred Sixty and Three

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD has spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me. The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel does not know, My people does not consider. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. Why should ye be stricken any more? You will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers. And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city. Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.” Isaiah 1:2-9 (KJV)

What do I want for Christmas?

I want to always hear the Word of God, spoken by God’s servants, and do the word and will of God; and I want all those who call themselves Christian to hear and do the word and will of God; so that God will be glorified in and through our godly, Christlike living.

LAWLESSNESS

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

Jack Woodard's avatarJack Woodard's Blog

rapture

TITLE: LAWLESSNESS
TEXT: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he…

View original post 2,035 more words

Wisdom Speaks – Christmas Day One Hundred Sixty and Four

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—
For your love is better than wine.
Because of the fragrance of your good ointments,
Your name is ointment poured forth;
Therefore the virgins love you.
Draw me away!” Song of Solomon 1:2 (NKJV)

Believing that the Song of Solomon is written to show a king’s love for His spouse before their marriage, and following the ceremony, and that Marriage is a portrait in type of God in Christ’s love for His Bride the Church…

What do I want for Christmas?

I want my Marriage, and my love for my wife Madge, to reflect the love of God in Christ to all people; and for people to know there is no better or greater love than the love the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit displayed on the cross of Calvary for all mankind.

Wisdom Speaks -Christmas Day One Hundred Sixty and Five

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“A serpent may bite when it is not charmed;
The babbler is no different.
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious,
But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;
The words of his mouth begin with foolishness,
And the end of his talk is raving madness.
A fool also multiplies words.
No man knows what is to be;
Who can tell him what will be after him?
The labor of fools wearies them,
For they do not even know how to go to the city!” Ecclesiastes 10:11-15 (NKJV)

Seeing how one’s speech reflects the heart (Matthew 12:34; Luke 6:45) of that person…

What do I want for Christmas?

I want the words of wisdom from God to proceed from my lips and my mouth; and to use words for the honor and glory of God my Savior.

Wisdom Speaks – Christmas Day One Hundred Sixty and Seven

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him.” Proverbs 29:20 (KJV)

What do I want for Christmas?

I want to always be wise in the use of words, the timing of speech, and to not just speak because I feel strongly about an issue, but for the purpose of influence, encouragement, repentance, hope, peace, and redemption; and to never fail in presenting Jesus Christ and His death on the cross, His burial and resurrection; because He is our hope and redemption.

Jesus Speaks – Christmas Day One Hundred Seventy and Nine

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15 (KJV)

…And read Matthew 6:5-13 as well.

Praying people will be forgiving people.  Praying with pretense, or for show, shows nothing, but hypocrisy.

What do I want for Christmas?

When I pray I want to  be heard by God, not men; I want my prayers to always be offered to God with a heart that knows it has been forgiven by God, and in knowing that in my heart, soul and mind I will always forgive those who have offended me.

Jesus Speaks – Christmas Day 180

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1 (KJV)  Also see verses 2-4

Alms are acts of giving, or righteous giving, showing mercy, or charitable acts.  When we know certain individuals who give from their wealth, and some very notable people donate millions of dollars, and maybe billions of dollars to charitable causes, and lets the world know about it; and we can applaud them for their giving let us remember the words of Jesus above.

What do I want for Christmas?

I want to give my best for the Master; not to be seen by my neighbor, the government, or the so called “Elite” of society; but I want to give charitably because it is the good and right thing, and to do so before the Lord alone; without doing it for any reward, I want God’s reward not man’s.

Jesus Speaks – Christmas Day One Hundred Eighty and One

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48 (KJV)

Believing that we love our neighbor, and our enemy most by living the truth before them, and sharing the truth to them; in true love; and that is in Christ Jesus; sharing the whole counsel of the word of God (Acts 20:27)…

What do I want for Christmas?

I want all those who hate me, who hate my family, who hate my Nation (the United States of America), and who hate my neighbor, and the nation of Israel; that God loves you so much He sent His only Son that whosoever believes in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16); and that it is better than a false promise of 72 virgins, but the eternity God promise through His Son Jesus is with Him forever and forever; and that the only “Perfect” One is Jesus the Christ; Son of the Living God, who is God the Living Son.

Jesus Speaks – Christmas Day One Hundred Eighty and Two

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.” Matthew 5:38-42 (KJV)

What do I want for Christmas?

I want the heart and mind of Jesus Christ always in me, so that I might be forgiving, compassionate, and caring even toward those who would do me harm; I want the enemies of our nation (which is radical Muslim; within our nation, or outside it; who seek to destroy Israel and the U. S. of A.) to find life, peace, and forgiveness through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Speaks – Christmas Day One Hundred Eighty and Five

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:27-30 (KJV)

Lust is a powerful, sinful influence on humanity; and it is a sin against God, and against the human race.  The greater message of Jesus is the seriousness of sin.  How serious is this matter of sin, and in this case “Lust”?  Jesus says to pluck out, or cut off the offending part.

What do I want for Christmas?

Knowing that plucking out my eyes, or closing them even as a woman passes by will not take away the lust, and that cutting off my hand will not keep me from sinning I want the Spirit of Christ in me to direct my heart, my thoughts always to Him; and for Him to purify my heart and my thoughts for His power and glory; I want to make the covenant with my eyes like Job…

“I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” Job 31:1

Job is of course, meaning with lustful thinking.

Jesus Speaks – Christmas Day One Hundred Eighty and Six

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.” Matthew 5:23-26 (KJV)

There are many who profess to be Christian, yet hold grudges, are angry at other brethren, and seek to do harm by gossip, or wish them harm.  By the words of Jesus above we are to do what it takes to make things right.

What do I want for Christmas?

I want to want what is good and right for my brother or sister in Christ; to do them good at all times, and not evil; nor to wish evil upon them or even upon those who might seek to do harm to family or myself.

Lord,  help me always to pray for my brethren, my neighbor and any who may despise me; and seek to do them good always.