Thoughts on Revelations

In August of last year, I asked the Lord where He wanted me to go in my Bible Study time. He lead me the Community Bible Study in my area. This is an international group whose mission is to make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ in our community through in-depth Bible study for all. They do not try to persuade anyone to believe a certain way but encourage everyone to pray and seek the Holy Spirit as each lesson is done.

When I went to the first class, I found out we were studying Revelations. I thought, Oh My! I’m not sure I want to study that book with all of the difficult imagery and the destruction of the world. Then,I thought it best to trust God’s leading.

At each meeting, we met in small core groups to discuss any insights we may have gotten when answering the questions in the workbook. Then there was a corporate meeting where there was teaching on how the scriptures from that day’s study applied to us today. I gain some wonderful insights as well as a sober mindset on future events.

Thoughts to Ponder

This is our Heavenly Father’s world and He is in complete control of all events. God is a God of love and mercy but He also requires that justice be served for the life each one of us has lived. If we have not accepted Jesus’s blood sacrifice for our sins, then we will have paid the penalty of rejecting Him ourselves.

Am I witnessing to others while there is still time?

There will be a collapse of life, as we know it today. The tribulation will be a time of intense testing and prosecution as never before for those who remain on the earth. We do not like to think about God allowing these catastrophic events. However, each step is necessary for the last of the decisions for Christ to be made and for God’s kingdom to come on the earth. Christians may go through some strong prosecution before the Rapture, but I believe we will be spared the brunt of the trials and testing.

Am I really ready for Christ’s return by following His directives or am I allowing worldly wisdom to influence most of my decisions?

The ending of Revelations is the greatest of all. Evil is banished forever, we are rewarded for what we have done in our lives, and best of all, we get to go and spend eternity with Him. What a blessed hope we have to ponder, as we face our present circumstances. There will come a time when God will say enough, call us home, and close the end of this age.

Have you thought about how amazing heaven is going to be lately? Are you looking forward to Jesus Christ return? Are you learning how to live in His Presence to overcome whatever lies ahead? I pray we all come to more of the knowledge of the Truth as we walk on towards eternity.

Be A Blessing

I got the round robin call. Everyone who was able to come needed to meet at the food pantry location at noon. A large load of sweet potatoes had arrived and needed to be packaged. When I pulled in the parking lot, there was the same familiar guy holding a sign saying FREE FOOD. Going inside, I noticed there were already several people bagging sweet potatoes as fast as they could from large cardboard containers. I started to work right away.

As I filled one bag after another, I began to pray for those who would be receiving the food. I prayed the recipients would be nourished and satisfied. I also prayed they would be spiritually nurtured as well. I asked the Holy Spirit to go with the sweet potatoes and encourage the receivers that God loved them in these trouble times. If they didn’t know God, I prayed they would come to know the saving power of Christ. God can do the impossible. As I finished my prayer, I felt the sweet potatoes would not only be delicious when cooked but they would also bring a spiritual blessing tailored just for that individual family.

After a couple of hours, My hands were black and my back was aching, but I knew I had made a difference in the lives of those who stopped by our doorway.

Why do I like to volunteer my time in this way?

It gives me the chance to prayer and give back to those around me. I have received much from God and those He has placed in my life. Yes, I have had my hard years too but God had always brought me through. Now I want to share with others. I may not be able to “save the world” but I can strengthen the ones who come by for the packaged food.

It’s good for me to think of someone else besides my self. It helps to relieve built up stress and thus keeps me healthier.

Lastly, Jesus commands me to feed and minister to the poor, the widows, and the orphans.

Deuteronomy 15:11 “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be open-handed toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.” (NIV)

John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (NIV)

If I had no other reason than Jesus’s command and encouragement, then that is enough to get involved. The bonus is that when I help meet the needs of the less fortunate then God will satisfy my needs as well.

Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done. (NIV)

What are you doing in your community to make a difference? What talents can you share with others who need them? God has a tailored place for you to help. Ask Him and He will show you the way.

Blessing Breaks

Sunbathing and long walks on the beach have been the order of the day as I spend precious time with my son and daughter-in-law this week. I do not get to be with them much because they live busy lives eight hours away in Kentucky. However when they pass through on their way to the beach, I always hitch a ride. It is like a “blessing break”.

Here are a few scenes from my day on the beach. Just imagine being there too!

Rippling ocean as far as the eye can see. The sun is high in the sky.

Waves crashing on the shoreline, then spreading out like foamy fingers inching forward.

Blanket, beach towel, chair, cooler, and umbrella neatly placed on the sand.

Sunscreen on, sunglasses on, and a book at my side in case I want to read. With the iPhone playing music in the background, I can finally lend back and relax.

The warm breeze calms the spirit and the soul.

Barefooted beach combers …consistently walking by…some fully clothed, some not so much…young, old, rich, poor, some from distant lands, some from around town. They all seem to be looking for the peace that the ocean has to offer.

Two doves fly in…one is fine but the other one is missing a leg…one guards while the other rest. They are mated for life.

Children are building sand castles with brightly colored buckets. Stomp, giggle, stomp, more giggles…building the castle again.

Corded para-gliders floating across the sky like a jellyfish swimming across the water.

Children in perpetual motion…running back and forth, wanting to miss the incoming wave.

Banners flapping behind an airplane…Bargain Beachwear: Salt water taffy for 99 cents… Eagles: Hoodies were 19.99 are 4.99 NOW!

A man hunting for buried treasure with his metal detector gliding under the water back and forth.

Brave sea gulls inching up to visitors hoping for a little treat while hundreds of tiny-shelled muscles quickly dig a place of privacy again.

Shark tooth hunters with their long handled strainers are hard at work.

“After you have developed your eye to find the teeth, it is very addictive. That’s your only warning,” one man said.

“ You will never look up to enjoy the scenery again,” chuckled another man.

Sun is going down. Shake off the sand from blanket and towels. Load up your arms with the day’s supplies. It’s been a good day. See ya tomorrow.

You can take a “blessing break” right there where you are. Do you have any “vacation/trip” memories? Even though you may be busy today, take a few moments to close your eyes and relax. Allow your mind to recall a pleasurable time you spent with your family or friends. Recall the sights, smells, sounds, and the laughs in that moment. Do you feel more relaxed and peaceful now? Have a great rest of the day!

Which Shoe Should I Choose?

Recently in a picture the Lord gave me, I noticed I wore a different shoe on each foot. When I looked up, I saw two different pathways beckoning me to make a decision on which way I should take.

The way on the right was beautifully planted with blossoming flowers of all colors and tall trees in abundance. I found pleasure in this pathway because it slowly descended into a seemingly peaceful and pleasurable place. Yet, when I squinted to see the trail’s end, I noticed the beauty fading.  The flowers became fewer and the trees lost their leaves. The lost of life had been cleverly disguised in the background. Could the beauty of this path be hiding a deception in the end? Which shoe should I choose?

Then I looked over at the pathway on the left. It did not begin with the instant beauty of the other so I didn’t find this one quite so pleasurable. The narrow dusty upward climb looked difficult and tiresome. There were stones blocking the pathway, which would have to be dealt with periodically. I began to feel this one was totally wrong for me until my eyes reached the trail’s end. There in the distance, I could see flowers, sparsely at first but then opened up into an array of beauty. Though I could barely see that distant point, I knew it was a place I really wanted to go. Could it be the roughness of this path overshadowing the beauty of the ending? Which shoe should I chose?

  

Which one do you want to take? The Lord said.

The one on the left, I replied.

 

Then instantly my shoes became the same and the picture to the right faded from sight.

“Begin with prayer and never let up,” the Lord said, “and I will be with you the whole way.”

“Thank you” I said.

Lately, I have been at a decision-making place. The pleasant descending path is tempting but success is not a part of its ending. Even though the other path seems harder, I know its ending is everlasting.

Are you in a decision-making time? Which path will you choose?

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
Psalms 32:8