Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but THE WORD OF OUR GOD ENDURES FOREVER.”
The BIBLE is:
LIGHT -- Psalm 119:105,
FIRE -- Jeremiah 23:29,
SEED -- Luke 8:11,
BREAD -- Dueteronomy 8:3,
MILK -- 1 Peter 2:2,
HONEY -- Psalms 19:7,
MEAT -- Hebrews 5:14,
GOLD -- Psalm 19:10,
SWORD -- Hebrews 4:12,
HAMMER -- Jeremiah 23:29,
Jordan Smith - Climb Every Mountain - Finale - The Voice 2015
Matthew 17:20 - And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Psalms 97:5 - The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
Isaiah 54:10 - For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
Mark 11:23 - For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
Isaiah 52:7 - How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
Disclosure: Much of what is in my posts are things I have compiled through the years and I do not know if they have copyrights. What I do know about origin or website I give credit and have tried to always post a link to the origin. I do not market anything in any way on this blog -- I merely hope it will encourage and inspire others.
The book of Nahum is a Prophetic Oracle. The prophet Nahum wrote it approximately 663-612 B.C. just before the fall of Nineveh in 612 B.C. He was raised up to preach God’s judgment for a second time to Nineveh. Jonah was the first about 120 years earlier.
Its purpose is to pronounce the final warning and judgment upon Nineveh, and he also addresses the rest of the Assyrian empire. They returned to wickedness shortly after they repented back in Jonah’s day. They would neglect Nahum and his message.
Within fifty years, Nineveh would be completely decimated
and utterly wiped from the face of the Earth.
• In chapter 1, Nahum warns of Judgment, and describes the awesome power of God, “Mountains quake because of Him and the hills dissolve; indeed the earth is up-heaved by His presence, the world and all the inhabitants in it” (1:5). He then goes on to encourage a hope for the Southern Kingdom because of the coming judgment of Nineveh. “Thus says the LORD, "Though they are at full strength and likewise many, Even so, they will be cut off and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no longer” (1:12).
• Chapter 2-3, Nahum predicts the annihilation of Nineveh, “And it will come about that all who see you will shrink from you and say, 'Nineveh is devastated! Who will grieve for her?' Where will I seek comforters for you?” (3:7). It was damaged so severely that it was lost in time. It wouldn’t be until the 19th century that the remains of Nineveh would be identified.
God’s Mercy and Judgment
1 The burden against Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
God’s Wrath on His Enemies
2 God is jealous, and the Lord avenges;
The Lord avenges and is furious.
The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries,
And He reserves wrath for His enemies;
3 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,
And will not at all acquit the wicked.
The Lord has His way
In the whirlwind and in the storm,
And the clouds are the dust of His feet.
4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry,
And dries up all the rivers.
Bashan and Carmel wither,
And the flower of Lebanon wilts.
5 The mountains quake before Him,
The hills melt,
And the earth heaves at His presence,
Yes, the world and all who dwell in it.
6 Who can stand before His indignation?
And who can endure the fierceness of His anger?
His fury is poured out like fire,
And the rocks are thrown down by Him.
7 The Lord is good,
A stronghold in the day of trouble;
And He knows those who trust in Him.
8 But with an overflowing flood
He will make an utter end of its place,
And darkness will pursue His enemies.
9 What do you conspire against the Lord?
He will make an utter end of it.
Affliction will not rise up a second time.
10 For while tangled like thorns,
And while drunken like drunkards,
They shall be devoured like stubble fully dried.
11 From you comes forth one
Who plots evil against the Lord,
A wicked counselor.
12 Thus says the Lord:
“Though they are safe, and likewise many,
Yet in this manner they will be cut down
When he passes through.
Though I have afflicted you,
I will afflict you no more;
13 For now I will break off his yoke from you,
And burst your bonds apart.”
14 The Lord has given a command concerning you:
“Your name shall be perpetuated no longer.
Out of the house of your gods
I will cut off the carved image and the molded image.
I will dig your grave,
For you are vile.”
15 Behold, on the mountains
The feet of him who brings good tidings,
Who proclaims peace!
O Judah, keep your appointed feasts,
Perform your vows.
For the wicked one shall no more pass through you;
He is utterly cut off.
THE PEOPLE OF JUDAH (GOD'S PEOPLE)
WHERE PROTECTED AND UNHARMED!
First opportunity for Change!
With Jonah's message to Nineveh came repentance!
Jonah Preaches at Nineveh
3:1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent. 4 And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
The People of Nineveh Believe
5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. 6 Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. 7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying,
Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. 8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?
10 Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.
“Even now,” says the Lord,
“Turn and come to Me with all your heart [in genuine repentance],
With fasting and weeping and mourning [until every barrier is removed and the broken fellowship is restored];
Rip your heart to pieces [in sorrow and contrition] and not your garments.”
Now return [in repentance] to the Lord your God,
For He is gracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness [faithful to His covenant with His people];
And He relents [His sentence of] evil [when His people genuinely repent].
Joel 2:12-13
Are the Dominoes ready to fall in America having been given wake up calls several times in the past then now turning back to evil in boldness and rebellion?
As I pray, a few things come to mind -- the first warning to Nineveh they listened and repented -- but the 2nd they had hardened their hearts or were overtaken and fell. Jonah 3
1. New York -- after 9/11 the churches were filled -- now they are slaughtering babies boldly -- worship of Baal basically and of course the love of money (marketing body parts).
2. Catholic church -- membership was shocked and humbled by pedophilia -- years ago when first exposed -- but they didn't leave or demand change and it's back in the news!
3. America in general with the marketing of drugs (sorcery), endorsing LGTB (perversion), and open doors to ILLEGAL immigration -- It was the capital city of Assyria that brought down Niveveh -- just look at the chaos in Washington DC!
4. The Shepherds slumber -- or are intoxicated on greed & illusions -- dreaming their own dreams -- while they ignore the prophecies of old.
5. Covid-19 -- 1 Peter 4: 17
Judgment is now at the door for false teacher and false prophets -- read Ezekiel 34!
"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16).
Acts 20:29-31 I know that after I am gone, ferocious wolves will get in among you, not sparing the flock; Even from among your own selves men will come to the front who, by saying perverse (distorted and corrupt) things, will endeavor to draw away the disciples after them [to their own party].
31 Therefore be always alert and on your guard, being mindful that for three years I never stopped night or day seriously to admonish and advise and exhort you one by one with tears.
Romans 1:24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Luke 16: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
1 Thessalonians 5:3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape."
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness”.
As it is written:
“There is none righteous, no, not one;
There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”
Romans 3:10-12
Irresponsible Shepherds
Ezekiel 34:1 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. 6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them.”
7 ‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 “As I live,” says the Lord God, “surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock”— 9 therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord! 10 Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I amagainst the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them.”
God, the True Shepherd
11 ‘For thus says the Lord God: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. 13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,” says the Lord God. 16 “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment.”
17 ‘And as for you, O My flock, thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats. 18 Is it too little for you to have eaten up the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture—and to have drunk of the clear waters, that you must foul the residue with your feet? 19 And as for My flock, they eat what you have trampled with your feet, and they drink what you have fouled with your feet.”
20 ‘Therefore thus says the Lord God to them: “Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat and the lean sheep. 21 Because you have pushed with side and shoulder, butted all the weak ones with your horns, and scattered them abroad, 22 therefore I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23 I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them—My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.
25 “I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. 26 I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. 27 Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them. 28 And they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make them afraid. 29 I will raise up for them a garden of renown, and they shall no longer be consumed with hunger in the land, nor bear the shame of the Gentiles anymore. 30 Thus they shall know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and they, the house of Israel, are My people,” says the Lord God.’
31 “You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God,” says the Lord God.
Disclosure: Much of what is in my posts are things I have compiled through the years and I do not know if they have copyrights. What I do know about origin or website I give credit and have tried to always post a link to the origin. I do not market anything in any way on this blog -- I merely hope it will encourage and inspire others.
1 Corinthians 15
Our Final Victory
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I tell you A MYSTERY: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
THE MOVEMENT THAT WAS DOOMED TO FAIL
From the start the movement was doomed to fail. For one thing, it began with just 120 men. Remarkably few when you consider that their homeland had a population of four million. Besides that most of the men were illiterate and poor. Blue-collar workers they were; far too ignorant to stage an uprising that could make any difference.
Few, if any, had traveled beyond their own country. They were inexperienced and uncultured. Their nation was ...oppressed. Their people were weary. Their government was corrupt. Their religion was shallow.
The strategy of the movement was disastrous. No headquarters was ever established. No professional research was ever done. Plans were made by the seat of the pants. The leaders couldn't even agree on the exact definition of their mission.
On top of all of this, the movement was impractical. It was far too extreme and absurd. It demanded too much too soon. It lacked any tact. It was too impatient with traditions. It called for a reversal of social classes. It gave too much leverage to women and minority groups.
The movement was doomed to failure. But it didn't fail. It succeeded. Not only did it succeed, it far surpassed any movement in our world's history. Within thirty years the message of Jesus Christ had entered every port, city, and courtyard of the world. It was infectious. It was a moving organism. People actually died to see it continue.
It should have failed, but it succeeded. And it still succeeds. God's movement will never stop. Some say that the U.S. is a post-Christian nation. That doesn't matter. Others scoff at the absurdity of believing in anything absolute. That won't stop it. Materialism blankets the country. Still the movement will continue. It might be slowed, but it will never be stopped.
The church might bicker and fight. The people might grow crusty with traditions. The leaders may grow nearsighted. But the movement will march on. Nothing will ever stop it. The Judean Commander can't be stilled.
We should fall to our knees in humble gratitude that God has allowed us to participate in such a cause. For this is not the movement of a man. It is the movement of God. That is precisely why what should have failed will never fail. It is the movement of God.
by Max Lacado (On the Anvil)
Romans 14:11
"AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD."
Disclosure: Much of what is in my posts are things I have compiled through the years and I do not know if they have copyrights. What I do know about origin or website I give credit and have tried to always post a link to the origin. I do not market anything in any way on this blog -- I merely hope it will encourage and inspire others.
Jesus Is the Vine—Followers Are Branches
John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit [c]of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
The Lord’s Supper InstitutedMatthew 26:26 While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
30 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
31 Then Jesus *said to them, “You will all [b]fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”
The Garden of GethsemaneMatthew 26: 36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane (olive-press), and He told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [James and John], He began to be grieved and greatly distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and stay awake and keep watch with Me.”
39 And after going a little farther, He fell face down and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible [that is, consistent with Your will], let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” 40 And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour? 41 Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
42 He went away a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, He went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words once more. 45 Then He returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Listen, the hour [of My sacrifice] is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners [whose way and nature is to oppose God]. 46 Get up, let us go. Look, My betrayer is near!”
Matthew 27:55 Many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while ministering to Him. 56 Among them was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Jesus Is Buried 57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave.
Jesus Appears to Thomas
John 20:24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The Purpose of John’s Gospel
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
HE WILL COME AGAIN!
Acts 1:11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into [a]the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
1 Corinthians 15
Our Final Victory
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I tell you A MYSTERY: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
1 Corinthians 12:27
"Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP.
For since death came through a man, THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD COMES also through a man.
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
But each in turn: CHRIST, THE FIRSTFRUITS; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. THE LAST ENEMY TO BE DESTROYED IS DEATH.
For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.
When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all."
1 Corinthians 15:20-28
MAY YOU HAVE:
THE GLADNESS OF EASTER WHICH IS HOPE
THE PROMISE OF EASTER WHICH IS PEACE
THE SPIRIT OF EASTER WHICH IS LOVE
Jesus parting Prays for All Believers
John 17:20 “I do not pray for these alone, BUT ALSO FOR THOSE WHO WILL BELIEVE IN ME THROUGH THE WORD;
21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:
23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.
26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
EASTER WILL ALWAYS BE ABOUT THE CROSS FOR ALL ETERNITY
REJOICE --
HE STILL ROLLS STONES AWAY FROM OUR LIFE EACH AND EVERY DAY
Disclosure: Much of what is in my posts are things I have compiled through the years and I do not know if they have copyrights. What I do know about origin or website I give credit and have tried to always post a link to the origin. I do not market anything in any way on this blog -- I merely hope it will encourage and inspire others.
This
Easter Season I want to tell you (in
a very simplified manner a bit)
of my journey to believing in the Bible and Jesus Christ.
I
hope in return you'll share some of your own memories!
MY EASTER STORY
When i was born, back in the 1940s, I lived in the house my Dad built in a very small Washington rural town along the Methow River.
My parents were Christians and they attended a Methodist Church.
They took me to that church to be infant baptized. Which was a way of parents telling God and others publicly that they intended to raise a child to believe in the Bible and Jesus' birth, death, and Resurrection. (Many churches do dedications rather than infant baptism since it is the faith of the parent presenting the child and later the child at age of accountability can personally accept Christ and be be baptized by immersion.)
While growing up the family had filled baskets waiting them in the morning, followed by egg hunts, Easter church services, and then a big nice family dinner.
For the Easter celebration, back then, parents always tried to save money so that they could buy new shoes, new clothing, and even fun frilly hats and white lacy gloves.
Children often carried a little fancy handkerchief (if they didn't have a purse or pockets) to church with coins tied in the corner that they had saved to give to missionaries.
We moved to another small community 40 miles away when I was in the 2nd grade. My parents never went to church there since my Dad was working away from home.
But on Sundays me and my siblings still went; we walked to the Log Church which was a Community Church a few blocks from our house.
I got to travel in the summers to places my Dad worked as a logger in Montana and while in different towns there me and my siblings always went to what ever church denomination that was closest to our home to walk to and attend Sunday services and vacation Bible school programs.
Mom made sure each of the kids had their own Bible (Mine was a small white one with a zipper side).
My paternal Grandma was also a Christian and active member of the Lutheran church. She came to America from another country (in the Ukraine area) to escape people who persecuted Christians. She always taught me to listen to the small still voice within her heart (AKA: the conscience) for that is how the Holy Spirit speaks. She said I was to obey the Holy Spirit's nudges as this would be God's way to guide and teach me to do good not evil and follow God's will for my life.
In my teen years I didn't go to church as much. In 1976 I started going to an Assembly of God Church when I had children of my own to raise and to teach them in God's ways too (just as my parents had done for me). I was immersed baptized in 1979 as I confessed my personal need for a savior to forgive my many years of sinning.
Through the years, I was active in various denominations and non-denominational churches (Missionary work on the Blackfoot reservation, Nazarene, Church of God, and Lutheran) as the Lord called me to serve through Bible teachings, leading prayer groups, and being the church's secretary/treasure.
I continued to follow as the Lord lead me into Independent Community Chaplaincy Services.
All that I do is CONFIDENTIAL (so I may seem intent, disconnected, or illusive at times -- forgive me.)
I am certified in Hospice Care, Nursing Home Care, Domestic Violence Counseling and Crisis Counseling.
Life is hard!
I certainly am not perfect , I definitely still need much improvement in my character, actions, and deeds (merely a work in progress). I am one who eats and drinks with the sinners and would have it no other way. I have been forgiven much and many times by God and others!
Mankind is just humans, each being full of their own personal struggles.
EVERY LIFE GOD SENDS MY WAY I LEARN AND GROW FROM:
be it the patient in the hospital or a hospice setting,
the call from the depressed suicidal drunk in the night,
the old man in the cafe who speaks of the death of his disabled wife & loneliness he now lives with,
the 90 year old who struggles to keep on keeping on living independently in her own home,
the call from the man who just found his illness is terminal and he really needs immediate help getting his estate in order,
the young single mother who feels overwhelmed with her multiple struggles,
the letter from the prisoner in jail searching for a new path,
the call from the married woman having an affair looking for a way out,
the CPS worker with an abused child & the parent in custody,
the parent who's child just self-mutilated his body,
the parent of the mentally ill child she just had to place in a 24/7 care facilities,
the grandma who's grandson is homeless on the streets,
the young man who's mother just died of cancer,
the morally or sexually confused wondering what the Bible says regarding homosexuality, transgender, and abortion consequences,
the unemployed needing a bit of motivation & self-confidence,
and even sometimes from others in ministry who need a boost & prayers for themselves.
THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
And Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
"They OVERCAME and conquered him BECAUSE OF THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB AND because of THE WORD OF THEIR TESTIMONY,for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death." Revelation 12:11
THE
GOSPEL 1 Corinthians 15 1 Moreover, brethren, I
DECLARE UNTO YOU THE GOSPEL which I preached unto you, which also ye
have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 BY WHICH ALSO YE ARE SAVED,
if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have
believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that
which I also received, how that CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS ACCORDING TO
THE SCRIPTURES; 4 And that HE WAS BURIED, and that HE ROSE AGAIN
THE THIRD DAY ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES: 5 And that he was seen
of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, HE WAS SEEN OF ABOUT FIVE HUNDRED BRETHREN AT ONCE; of whom the greater part remain unto
this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was
seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was
seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the
least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle,
because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God
I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in
vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but
the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore whether it were I
or they, so WE PREACH, and so YE BELIEVED.
Revelation
1211
And
they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their
testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
I Love to Tell the Story
Alan Jackson
I love to tell the story
Of unseen things above
Of Jesus and his glory Of Jesus and his love
I love to tell the story
Because I know 'tis true
It satisfies my longings
As nothing else can do
I love to tell the story
'Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and his love
I love to tell the story
For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting
To hear it like the rest
And when in scenes of glory
I sing the new, new song
'Twill be the old, old story
That I have loved so long
I love to tell the story
'Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and his love
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and his love
Disclosure: Much of what is in my posts are things I have compiled through the years and I do not know if they have copyrights. What I do know about origin or website I give credit and have tried to always post a link to the origin. I do not market anything in any way on this blog -- I merely hope it will encourage and inspire others.
